Mandalore

Northern Region

The journey to wherever they headed was taking forever; both Maze and Zey reticent on their destination; Coric was worried about both Ryssa and Hil. She had lost consciousness and had looked more dead than alive and Hil was out cold. He couldn't do anything because of the tight blindfold he had on. The one Maze and Zey had insisted on him wearing and he couldn't take on both of them, not after what he had seen.

An ex Jedi and a clone? Part of it didn't make sense. Then there was Reau— definitely Death Watch. They had been attempting to make a come back back on Keldabe. She obviously had her own agenda, had allies and had been with that thing that attacked them but she made quick getaway.

Ryssa moaned softly in her sleep, at least he hoped it was sleep; he squeezed her hand to let her know he was there. He knew from his medic training that concussion can cause confusion and he was concerned she was deteriorating.

"You okay back there?" It was Maze.

"I'm fine. But neither of them are good. You need to go faster. Where are we going? They need medical treatment."

Maze grunted, in reply, then he sounded as if he was on the com to someone.

Still unsure exactly what was happening, Coric could only hope they were being taken somewhere with full medical facilities. He estimated they had been travelling for about one standard hour, when the speeder stopped; he heard them get out and have another conversation. He tried to determine whether they were speaking to each other or a third party.

Probably a third party by the sounds he heard.

Maze and Zey checked Hil and Ryssa; Coric listened carefully and felt no movement from Ryssa, previously she had moved around a lot, as if she was having a nightmare.

"How is she?" He had to ask.

"Stable, pain free. I'm sorry. I can't do any more at the moment."

"Where are we going?"

"Somewhere safe but it's not my place to tell you where."

Minutes later, they resumed the journey and he still had no idea where they were, or where were going; they needed Bacta immersion at least and Ryssa a head scan and hells knows what else. Tucking the blanket around her, he squashed himself next to her to ensure it did not move and she would stay warm. Hil would be okay with his armour. He was warm himself but could see no way they could get away from Maze and Zey, or even if they should given her and Hil's current state; his adrenalin was dropping and the hypnotic whirr and buzz of the speeders engine lulled him to sleep, his eyelids drooping until they finally closed.

Coric woke, the engine noise and vibration had ceased and they had stopped again. Maze removed his blindfold. Ryssa stirred, then went still again. Zey came round to check her, putting his hand on her forehead and closing his eyes; he shook his head slowly.

"She needs treatment quickly."

Maze nodded and started to lift her, out of the speeder. Zey wrapped the blanket round her, as Coric stepped then stumbled out of the speeder. When he finally looked around, where they landed, it was some kind of clearing, still bitterly cold, but people were appearing out of the undergrowth, in ones and twos. Mandalorians, by the look of their armour. He looked closer, clones, Commandos. Then he saw him pushing through the crowd. He knew the face, and the one next to him, the Sergeant. He had really thought them both dead. It had been a ruse by someone, he had been right. He tried to straighten up.

Skirata had been grinning from ear to ear, until he saw Ryssa. Zey picked her up from Maze and carried her towards them.

A'den took her gently, "Su'cuy." He said softly and pulled her to him, touching his forehead to hers. He just held her. "Cyar'ika, you're home." He whispered into her ear. She was, even though she didn't realise it and was finally safe with him. He carried her back to the house. Maze and Zey had warned them, the med bay was prepped and ready.

Skirata followed close behind.

Coric watched until Maze tapped him on the shoulder.

"Come on. Let's get you and…." He looked at the other trooper.

"Hil."

"Hil sorted. There's plenty of room for everyone."

Coric was on the outside again.

.

Once away from the others A'den rushed her to the MedBay, pushing past those who gathered. He nodded to Besany and Ordo, he could see they were itching to help but she needed Mij, Uthan and Scout now, they manned their Med Bay with Fi.

Mij looked up as soon as he entered, Zey following immediately behind.

"She's in a Force sleep, Doctor." He always addressed Mij with that title, and Mij had no problem with this particular ex-Jedi.

"What happened? The report wasn't detailed when it came through." He asked, bending over to examine the injuries on her neck.

"It was one of those Inquisitors that we've been hearing rumours about. They're real."

"What are real?" Scout entered, sensing something.

Zey and Mij, glanced at each other.

"I've been frightened enough. So tell me. I need to know, so I'm prepared."

"Inquisitors, ad'ike. They're real."

"We escaped just in time then and we have to protect Kad."

"You did and we do. Now what do you think of this?" Mij took over.

Zey watched the Doctor talking kindly to another ex-Jedi, who years ago he would have possibly killed without thought because Zey knew he was a killer and of his own.

"There's hope for us all yet." He whispered to himself, as he watched them treat the young woman together, as father and daughter.

.

Kal returned after leaving the medics to do their work; A'den with them, his son stood watching her in the tank. Kal put his hand on his shoulder and found his son's hand reach for him; he knew he was with him.

"So Mij, what's the prognosis?"

"I've never dealt with anything like this. Physically she's slightly under nourished but nothing too bad and easily rectified. There's injuries to the neck, bruised trachea, a blaster wound but nothing that twenty four hours in Bacta won't put right which is what we're working on now but this Inquisitor thing?"

"Fekking force users again." Kal cursed.

"We won't know anything until she wakes up and until then we hope. She's sedated, so once she's out of Bacta I'd like Bard'ika, Zey and Scout in here, or nearby. Just in case."

He looked to the other room.

"The trooper's in the other tank." Continued Mij, "and Coric's not doing bad. He won't need a bacta immersion."

Kal looked towards the Imperial Commando sitting in the corner, between the two rooms. Torn between the two. He walked over.

"How are you doing lad?"

"Okay. How is she?"

"She's with one of the best. Scout'll come and sort you out in a minute. You hungry?"

Coric was ravenous; he nodded. "Come over to the house when they've cleared you and get some food in you."

He squeezed his shoulder. Another one saved, he hoped. Now they just had to sort out these Fekking chips.

.

"Su'cuy."

Coric looked up this wasn't someone he'd seen before.

"Su'cuy." He replied, his Mandoa a little rusty; he hadn't used it much in the Empire it was frowned on.

"I'm Scout. I'm just going to treat your wound. Just tell me if it hurts anywhere."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Oh I'm not a Ma'am. I'm Scout. Call me Scout." She smiled at him.

"Okay Scout."

It only took a few minutes to treat him and then she took him into the house.

He reached the main room, it looked comfortable, similar to the hunting lodge. There was a large wooden dining table and as soon as he entered and sat, another clone with a nasty scar down his face rose and fetched a plate for him. It was piled with some kind of stew and vegetables. Coric stared at it. His mouth watering. A knife and fork was pushed into his hand, a caf put at one side.

"Haili cetare!" Kal raised his glass to him, "there's plenty more. Thank you for bringing her back to us."

Coric looked around the table, all A'den's null brothers and some commandos were here too. It was not the time to say anything. Until she was better, then decisions would have to be made; he could wait, he'd already waited a long time. He tucked into his food.

.

"Lad. She's not going be out yet, not until tomorrow. Nothing's changed and I've talked to Zey about what happened, and Bard'ika. It's nothing they've had dealings with before either. They mentioned Sith and Dar'jetii stuff. I don't want to do anything to set her back."

"But…."

"Lad. I know how you feel."

Mij was the only one who could say this to him, apart from Ny. Mij knew what it was to lose a wife too early. At least he had his back he hoped. Darman was the only other one who could understand and he wasn't here.

"When she's out?"

"We— you'll need to take it slow. We don't know what that chakaar did to her mind."

"Are you saying she could have been turned?"

"Or worse." Mij didn't really know what he was dealing with yet, until she woke.

"Worse?"

"Worst case scenario? There may not be anything of her mind left. Best— it's just like concussion. This is something new for us all."

He was lost. No, not lost, he was angry, he wanted to kill that thing but it was already dead. He wanted to kill everything like that, he would find them and kill them all. Once Qail had finally finished the serum he would have more time to kill them. A lifetime. He put his hand against the tank, leaning his forehead against it.

"Dar'jetii. Haat, ijaa, haa'it!" He whispered.

"Lad. You need to stay calm and be there for her. She'll need you more than ever now, maybe in ways you never thought."

He nodded there would be time for vengeance later, now he needed to speak to those who were there.

.

They were sitting drinking tea, as if nothing had happened.

"A'den? How is she?" Zey stood.

"Not good. Mij doesn't know what will happen."

"I'm sorry. I did what I could." Zey continued.

"What exactly happened in there?"

In his peripheral vision, he saw Maze stand and ready himself.

"We've already told The Sergeant." Maze declared.

"Well tell me!"

Zey pushed in between them, "I'll tell you okay. Now both of you sit down. Now is not the time for this."

"This Inquisitor?" Asked A'den, calmer.

"Force user, don't know the species. Definitely dark side. Somehow it knew there were or had been Jedi on Mandalore and for some reason thought Neryssa could tell him where they, us, or Scout or Bardon, where any Jedi were."

Zey sighed. He'd caught a glimpse inside the Inquisitor's mind; capturing Jedi was his reason for being.

"There were Imperials, and someone called Isabet Reau, Maze tells me, was also there."

"Reau?"

"Large as life and twice as ugly." Confirmed Maze. "When we got in there, that thing already had Ryssa in a force grip. There was a bit of a skirmish then Zey took that thing's head off."

"Is it still there?"

"Mostly as we left it."

"Thank you Zey." he paused, he was grateful, "Any time you need anything just let me know. I owe you." A'den held out his hand.

Zey grasped it. "Just sorry, we didn't get there earlier."

.

A'den sat patiently beside the bed. She'd had the full twenty four hours in the tank, more but was still completely sedated. Mij said he wanted the Jedi there when she woke; they were waiting in the other room but A'den wanted his face to be the first one she saw when she opened her eyes.

Mij checked her over again before injecting the sedation reversal drug to wake her and then waited. A'den held her hand, and waited, then she finally opened her eyes, coughing and trying to clear her throat. He put the chilled water Scout provided to her lips, she took a few sips through the straw.

"Ryssa?" It was all he could manage.

She stared at him, there was something wrong; he could see her confusion. Her eyes darted around the room, then back to him. They looked at him, questioning.

"Only my friends call me that." Her voice weak and hoarse, "Do I know you?" Her eyes narrowed. "You're a clone."

His mouth dropped open just a little, he closed it unsure what to say.

.

Ryssa was confused, she knew she had been unconscious but this clone had called her by name, only people she knew called her that; when she told them to.

He looked shocked.

She turned to the other man in the room, he was not a clone, older, dressed as a medic by the look of it but with the face of a prize fighter. Incongruous. She vaguely remembered him helping her out of the Bacta with a young girl who acted like his daughter, then they sedated her again.

Where am I?

"So.." she was confused but her mind was clearing, sort of, she sensed there was something missing. "Where exactly am I and how do you know me?"

Before the clone could reply, the medic pulled him back. "She needs to rest. A little bit at a time." He had to push the clone away, through the door. A stricken look on his face as she watched him reluctantly leave.

"I need answers." She demanded, as soon as the one who looked like a medic, returned.

"All in good time."

Definitely a medic.

"I have to examine your throat again, just to check."

You're stalling.

She dutifully opened wide; get the physical examinations out of the way then the other answers.

"Hmm. Looking better. Here. I want you to gargle with this morning and night, for the next few days, to clear the hoarseness. Any pain?"

She shook her head. "What is it?"

"A Bacta infusion."

She sniffed. It smelt like Bacta. She drank and gargled spitting it into the bowl he provided.

"So now my questions. Where am I? And I know I've been in Bacta but where is this?"

"Mandalore." He waited for her shocked look to subside slightly before getting in the most important question he was going to ask. "What was the last thing you remember?"

She opened her mouth, then closed it again.

"What's your name, where were you born and what did your mother do?"

"Neryssa Baey, Coruscant, Droid designer."

"Again. What is the last thing you remember doing?"

"Handing a data cube to General Kenobi."

Tears glistened in her eyes. "He helped me."

Mij beckoned Zey and Bard'ika to come in. A'den hovered behind them.

"That was quite a while ago, ad'ika."

"A while ago?" She paused. Mij knew what her next question was going to be, "How long?" she asked.

"Nearly three and a half standard years, Coruscant time."

He couldn't tell what she was thinking or how she felt now. She opened her mouth and closed it again, looking everywhere but at the faces in the room, then back to him.

"What happened? Was I ill? Have I been in stasis or something?"

"I'm Mij. This is Zey and Bard'ika and they're going to explain, but a lot of things have happened. Is anything more coming back to you as we speak?"

"No. It's the General, and I handed him the data from my mother minutes ago."

Mij stood back and closed his eyes for a few seconds. This was definitely a job for Bard'ika and Zey

.

A'den paced in the outer room, listening to the conversation. This was the most difficult thing he had to do. The waiting. He had patience but this being tested. All his senses told him to rush back in there, pull her into his arms and kiss her, just as if he had returned from a mission but this was no longer that time. This was not just time that had elapsed. Mij was right he needed to be patient. All this information could overload her and they don't know what would happen then.

He paced up and down.

Jaing's head poked around the corner of the door, datapad in his hand.

"It's not a good time. The pad will have to wait."

"Scout said she'd lost her memory. L'leth and Casey are here."

"She won't remember them. Mij said she can't remember anything for the past three and a half years. She doesn't know me."

"Shab!"

"They're still with her but….unless Bard'ika can do something it might just be time, that she needs. They just don't know."

"Vod, it's her pad. There might be documents in here that can help. It'll give her some history of the last few years."

"And then you can get your fingers on any juicy stuff she's saved on the Empire."

"'Lek

! And that. And guess what Coric told us. She had a droid. A medical droid."

"Droid? She never had a droid, not even a Service droid."

"Well, this one went everywhere with her, just as Cid said. And they brought it with them off Daro, even though it was damaged. It's at the Lodge. We need to get it."

"I can't leave her. Not now. She needs me. Maze and Zey then and they need to take a look at what's left of that Inquisitor."

"I'll go with them, check on the droid. See if I can't get it going hopefully it will give us some insight."

"Elek. I'm going to see Buir."

"Check in with L'leth vod. She so wanted to see her again."

.

The karyai was full, when A'den entered, he had only expected to see Kal, who came towards him with outstretched arms.

"C'mon, sit, Mij has just given us an update. So she can't remember anything?"

"No not even me."

Besany pushed a large Tihaar into his hand. He nodded before knocking half of it back, nursing the rest.

"We just need to take it steady. It might come back might not. We don't know what the Chakaar did to her. Some kind of mind reading, but she resisted and he was trying to pull it from her mind. Wanted to find Jedi on Mandalore. Then Zey decapitated it."

"Maze has already reported back."

"There's life in the old dog yet," muttered Corr, "No wonder Maze likes working with him."

"She can't remember anything, or anyone?" Asked L'leth.

A'den shook his head. "Not yet. But Zey and Bard'ika are with her, trying to sort some treatment out."

"We're here for you both." Besany refilled his glass. "Just let us know what you need."

He nodded, "Jaing's got her datapad and trying to decrypt what's in it, if she can remember how to open it."

"Am I the only one who thinks it's odd."

All eyes turned to Jilka.

"Explain." A'den growled.

She looked to Corr, who moved closer, before she spoke, "I know, I don't know her—and this is just based on my experience as an investigator. It's just that, she's been with the Empire for months. Always moving on, never quite letting you catch up with her. Then when you do. She's on Mandalore and you get some dodgy Intel, that came out of the blue. When you finally do get to her, there's this thing that no one has ever seen before, only heard rumours about and it's force choking her." She paused letting her version of events sink in. "Losing your memory just seems very convenient."

They all started talking at once and all hell broke lose.

.