Kashyyyk.
They smelt like Wookiees now, although A'den didn't know how long it would last but they were the nearest they had been to the enslaved workers since they landed on the planet.
Vau, Enacca, he and Mefrid lay on their stomachs on the top of a small ridge, camouflaged by the surrounding vegetation.
"That's the Czerka Corporation building." Mefrid pointed. It wasn't immediately visible to the naked eye. A'den flipped down his range finder and magnified the image; it wasn't too far but was smothered with the abundant vegetation that could cover most buildings in weeks on this planet. They would have to take the tree paths or attempt a night crossing on open ground. Neither were ideal but he, and Vau, had never been used to ideal.
The image of the bracelet stuck in his mind.
"Do they work at night?" He asked taking his mind off that.
"Sometimes."
"Lit up?
"Oh yes!" Mefrid let out a soft chuckle, "Like Life Day on Chandrila!"
"Is there any way to find out what's happening tonight?" Asked Vau.
"Not at the moment, our last spy was caught." Mefrid's voice betrayed his feelings.
Vau raised an eyebrow in a question.
"Tolruk and several of his cronies hunted him down."
A'den heard a low groan in the background—Enacca.
"They displayed his pelt in front of the garrison. He wasn't even fully grown but wanted to do his part." Mefrid struggled with his words. "He was Enacca's nephew." He paused again. "He used to help us at the dig."
"Shab!" Vau had sworn more since coming here that A'den had ever heard from him. He heard him mutter again under his breath. He was gaining a better understanding of this man; he was more complex than anyone knew, with as bad a childhood as anyone. They pulled back from the ridge.
"We'll come up with a plan, some kind of plan. For tomorrow. We're expecting more Intel tonight."
.
A'den remembered a saying on Coruscant, 'Tomorrow never comes,' which was why he was rappelling down a cliff side in pitch black a few hours after their recce. He landed softly, unhooked his line recoiling it, whilst he waited for Vau who appeared seconds later. He was thankful for the night vision in his HUD. Mefrid and Enacca followed.
"Are we sure this is a good idea?"
"No! But I'll be able to confirm it is actually Sev." Vau replied, flatly.
A'den had more questions for him but they could wait.
They zigzagged their way across the open ground, crouching low, just in case there were guards but it looked as if it was their lucky night. Mird slunk along the ground next to Vau, barely visible. He had been enjoying his time here. There were clouds and no starlight, nothing to reflect off either. It was a good decision to run with this; they reached the area underneath the ruins of the building.
A'den and Vau scanned the area.
"Clear!" Hissed A'den into his channel.
"Clear!" Confirmed Vau.
A'den was again surprised how easy he was to work with. They fired their rappel lines up and climbed, choosing not use the guns to pull themselves up, avoiding the tell tale noise the noise. They had to be on the look out for probes; the Empire had upped their game with those. Enacca followed using a rope and sheer strength. This climb was arduous but everyone, including Vau who was a good deal older than the rest of the party kept up.
At the top they crawled on their stomachs until Mefrid found a window and they dropped inside, hitting the floor softly.
A'den and Vau activated their helmet lights, while Mefrid and Enacca followed with hand held's. They swept the room.
"Over there!" Mefrid pointed to a small alcove. The room was being swallowed up by vegetation.
Vau headed towards it; the shaft of light from his helmet passing side to side in front of him as he walked picking his way slowly.
"Sev may have set booby traps." Explained A'den, as he watched Vau, now crouching, examining the soil.
"Prior to the Empire we cleared the whole of this room and had started the dig." Mefrid explained.
"Vau's bracelet." A'den asked, quietly, "I may need you to explain more about it but later."
Mefrid frowned, "Yes. Of course."
.
Kyrimorut.
"Kal?" Ryssa stood at the door.
"Su'cuy, ad'ika. Good visit?" Kal put down the datapad he was studying.
"Interesting." She replied. He studied her face, Fierfek! something had happened or been said. He beckoned her in.
"Someone mentioned the Zillo beast, it went quiet and they avoided my questions."
"Come here." He patted the settee next to him. She sat.
In the corner of his eye, he saw Ny enter from the kitchen, he shook his head and she retreated a few steps but stayed there, ready.
"I know something happened but they avoided every question. Tell me. I need to know. I need you to tell me the truth, if I did something. I read about Malastare and the beast."
Kal took her hands and wrapped his around them. He wished his son was here, he should have told her, "After Malastare, Palpatine instructed the Jetii and GAR to return with the creature. To study. Kriff knows what was being done to it but it escaped its and went on a rampage in the city, the Senate area."
She listened intently.
"You were despatched, as a responder, to help the casualties. The MedEvacLarty was attacked and crashed."
"Crashed?"
"Walon took Mird to find you, trapped and injured."
"How bad? And why didn't they just tell me?"
"Bad but also … you were pregnant and….. they couldn't save the baby."
"Baby?"
"A girl." Kal added. Ny was hovering at the door.
"A girl. A daughter,"
Large silent tears ran down Ryssa's face. Kal thought that was worse than the wailing some beings did. His eyes watered. She sniffled, he found a handkerchief from somewhere, he couldn't remember where.
"How old would she be now?"
"Two."
"She should be here."
"She should."
"I don't even remember her name."
"You were in a Bacta tank. A'den and I named her— Kar'ta. It's Mandoa for heart."
"I didn't even name her?"
Kal's voice turned low. "I know." He remembered the child, his granddaughter every night, a victim of the war as much as any soldier lost.
"How can I forget my own daughter?"
Kal pulled her to him and held her, while she finally let go, with heartrending sobs.
Ny watched from the corner, not intruding but there, in case she was needed but it looked as if her husband was coping.
He surprised her every day.
.
Ryssa sat on the side of the bed; she had barely slept and looked through her datapad again and again for any mention of her daughter but there was nothing. After Kal's revelation about what had happened with the Zillo beast, she wished she could remember more but still nothing came back to her not even this. She grieved for Kar'ta and the loss of her memory.
She needed it back.
She wasn't whole without it.
It wasn't fair to A'den.
She regretted her decision to not pursue the healing with Bardon.
She went to look for him.
Shivering, as she left the house, it was colder than she expected. She looked around, Mij said they were out here.
"Bardon!" She shouted, he stood talking to Arla; Arla turned away, "No it's okay, don't leave. I just want to ask something."
She reached the pair; she may have interrupted something but at this point she didn't care, she needed to ask.
"You said you had some contacts, who may help me remember."
"Yes. They're not here, not on Mandalore. Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. I can't go on like this. But it's not just me. This droid could hold details to help clones out there, and here. But I need to help Jaing access it and then some people still think I'm the mole, if I recovered my memory…."
"There may be some things, you would rather not remember."
"I know but I need those memories! There's too many gaps without them."
"Sometimes it's better to forget." Arla answered before Bardon could.
"I know but….I have to know!"
Arla glanced up at Bardon.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes— certain."
"I'll arrange it."
Ryssa turned to leave, then turned back.
"Arla! I hope I didn't offend you. I didn't mean to. I don't know what you wanted to forget and I'm happy it worked for you. But if I did anything, I have to come to terms with it. It's not selective with me either. Both the good and the bad have disappeared."
"No offence taken." She smiled, it was the first time Ryssa had seen her smile, she looked so different and it was obvious she loved Bardon.
"You ready?" Jaing shouted from the door.
"Yes." she walked back to him, "Are we okay in Enceri? Some of Rav's boys made faces when I said we were going there."
"Fi has a good description of it." Mereel declared as he crossed the courtyard, followed closely by Coric.
"So what's that?" Asked Ryssa, unsure what to expect.
"Don't tell her! It will only put her off and it's not that bad."
"Jaing! I need to know what it's like there."
"It's basic. Just a small market town. And it's market day today."
"I like markets." She declared, "When I was a student I loved going to one on Coruscant. It sold everything.
"Su'cuy." Another clone voice piped up, it sounded like Coric. She turned to face him. He was armoured up in Beskar.
"Su'cuy, Coric."
"Do I need any armour?" She looked around at each of the clones.
Mereel shook his head, anyone with half a brain could see that Coric was head over heels for her and he wasn't sure his brother realised how bad it was. He was lucky she had lost her memory.
"Not necessary," answered Jaing, "and there shouldn't be any Imperials around."
"Good. I'd rather not."
"We could get you a hat and visor but nobody will bother you. You're with us."
Ryssa looked between the two. She trusted them.
"No armour then." She declared, "But we still have to pick up L'leth."
Jaing looked away.
Mereel shook his head again; Jaing was just as bad with L'leth; he needs a kick up the shebs before he gets there. A girl will only wait for so long.
"Ryssa!"
She turned to see Kom'rk coming out of the bastion.
"Catch!"
A credit chip lobbed over to her, she caught it. "You need to pay for your boots and anything else you want."
"A'den already left me some." She had wondered what it was in the leather pouch but he'd left a note telling her to use it for anything she needed. It felt odd someone else, apart from her mother and then herself, paying for things.
"Kal's sent you more. You could probably buy the whole market." Quipped Kom'rk.
"Won't we be a little conspicuous."
"What buying the whole market?" Asked Mereel.
"No. The three of you." She pointed at the three clones, "Triplets?" She asked.
"Nah! They know that we're a big family. All boys. Brothers. Cousins. We all have a striking resemblance to each other."
She didn't feel convinced.
"Ready?"
She nodded.
.
It was a couple of hours later when they pulled into Enceri and parked up the two speeders; the clones all wore similar armour and blended in. Ryssa had a thick coat, hat and visor but she didn't notice any Imperials around. It was a busy little town, and there looked to be more market stalls than actual permanent shops. They sold everything you could need, as far she could see and a couple of Cantina's.
"Do you want to browse?" Asked Coric, he'd been quiet on the ride in.
"I'd rather get the boots first." She answered, she wasn't in a browsing mood. Just wanted to get the boots and anything else that was needed then go. They had a list and she needed to make plans, telling Kal what she wanted to do, if he didn't already know. "Jaing's taking me to get them. I'll see you later."
She didn't see the glance between the two brothers.
"Casey needs some new boots and clothes. We'll come with you." L'leth announced, she pushed her arm through Ryssa's, while Jaing picked up Casey and they all split up.
"Good idea, this way." They followed Jaing towards an alley; there was a small shop at the end.
"Alina's, she makes leather goods but her father does the boots." He advised.
Her eyes went to the gloves tucked in his belt, "Is that where you got your gloves?"
"Yes. She made a good job of them. Still got some material left over."
A bell rang as they entered the shop, the pungent smell of tanning leather met them as they walked through the door. There were hides of leather hanging from the ceiling and boots, of all different styles lined up on shelves and that was just the front of the shop. There was a door that led to the rear. Ryssa took in a deep breath; the smell definitely cleared the sinuses.
"Su'cuy gar, Alina."
A small female, similar height to Ryssa, came out from the door at the rear and the first thing you noticed was a shock of bright red curly hair.
"You!"
"Yes, your favourite good looking Mando."
"Have you come for more gloves?"
"Not today, boots. Two pairs for my sister and some for Casey."
"Damn! Thought I'd be getting rid of that smelly stuff in my freezer."
"You'll keep it, if only to get me coming back to see you." he leaned on the counter grinning.
"I thought you only had brothers." She asked ignoring his comment.
"Ryssa, this is Alina. Best leathersmith on Mandalore."
"Su'cuy gar." Ryssa added in her best accent.
"Sister?"
"A'den's wife." Ryssa explained.
"Ah."
"Is that good or bad?" Asked Ryssa.
"Good. He doesn't give me skin that stinks to the Manda and back to tan."
She flicked a glance over to Jaing, "Is your other brother here?"
Jaing's eyebrow raised, "Mereel?"
"That's the one. A friend of his has moved here. Or said she was a friend. Her name's Kit. They met in Keldabe."
"I'll let him know."
Both Ryssa and L'leth turned to look at him his reply was not at all like him, no smart comment.
"Let's get those boots sorted eh?" She leaned down to Casey, "And what kind of boots do you need Ad'ike?"
"Jaing's." He said clearly pointing to the large boots of his uncle.
"We'll, I'm sure we can find some just like that. And you, Ryssa?"
"Comfortable brown ones. And do you put fur in them?"
"Oh yes, I can do that." She stuck her foot out and Ryssa could see the grey fur poking out the top of her boots. "Not just for decoration."
"Ooh, great. Waterproof?"
"Of course!"
"Sorry, I'm new around here."
"I heard. A'den's riduur."
Ryssa frowned at the new word, she was sure she had heard it before but could not put it into context.
"Life partner…wife…husband."
"Oh yes."
"From Coruscant?"
"Yes— born and bred."
"Never mind. Someone has to."
Ryssa couldn't help but smile at that and she hadn't really felt like smiling recently.
"A'den?"
"Off world— Kashyyk. Looking for a brother."
"He'll be back soon." Alina could see the worry etched in the woman's face. This was the one that survived the Empire according to Jaing and was injured by one of the red blades. Looks were deceptive. "Okay. Let's get those feet measured." She pointed to a stool.
"Take the weight off them, while I do the measurements." She scanned her feet. "We have the basic boots then Buir makes the adjustments to the sizes, or requirements due to injuries, lost toes etc. Then anything you need adding— like the fur and finishing, I do." She checked her measurements.
"Just a basic size, although your right foot is larger. Pick the colours and we'll have them ready late afternoon."
Ryssa looked a little disappointed.
"Sorry it's the quickest we can do."
"No it's okay. I'm just not used to being around a lot of people, strangers yet."
"You'll be fine here. Here's the colours and fur samples."
.
"You ready?" Asked Coric, "I thought we could look around then get something to eat. There's a couple of cantina's."
"Yes, yes. I've got a list."
"You buy, I carry." Suggested Coric. She looked as if she had the worries of the galaxy on her shoulders.
"You okay?"
"Yes. Why?"
"You look…."
"You carrying sounds good." she interrupted him, and set off towards the marketplace leaving Jaing with L'leth, who winked as they left.
"It's this way,' Coric lightly touched her elbow to direct her. "You sure you're okay, you're very quiet?"
"My right foot's bigger than my left. How did I not know that?"
Coric was lost for words.
.
Alina was packing up the spare boots, as Ryssa and L'leth looked at some bags. Ryssa decided she needed something to carry all her bits in. Men never seemed to need anything like that, apart from back packs. Jaing and Coric stood waiting, trying to be patient.
"There's been some sightings— three Imperials. In dark armour. Just thought you'd be interested." Alina said, quietly.
"Dark armour—where?"
"Heading up north-east, towards the hunting area."
"Just three?" Asked Coric
"Yes. They've just been seen on speeders. Didn't stop in town, just headed straight past. A couple out hunting saw them. Reported in immediately. Shysa has asked to kept appraised of any troop movements."
She finished fastening one parcel. "But I thought you may still be interested."
"Yes, we are. Anything like that. They didn't by any chance take their helmets off and look familiar?" Questioned Jaing
"No— didn't even stop. Bypassed the town."
Coric turned to watch the women; he'd made a decision and wanted to tell Ryssa but she still seemed so distant.
.
Northern Territory
Hunting Lodge 1
It had taken longer than anticipated to reach here with the climate as unpredictable as it was and the lack of settlements around here. Even then they had bypassed Enceri; Intel showed it was just a Market Town and the transmissions hadn't come from this area. The techs were narrowing down, where the transmissions had come from, although there had been none recently. They were also trying to identify the voice, even though it had been scrambled. All they had managed so far was that it was definitely female.
Rede scanned the area around the first Hunting Lodge; he had done some investigating himself. He was grateful for everything he had learned from Darman and Niner and knew he wouldn't be alive now, if it wasn't for them passing on their expertise. He had learned so much since he had been assigned to them on Galactic City.
Nobody had been here recently, not for years by the look of it, not to stay.
He looked over to his Sargeant and squad mate; they were having one of their conversations again. Something to do with Darman. He had never caught the whole story but something had happened when they worked with the Jedi before the Empire and Darman had lost something. And it wasn't the two squad mates that had deserted. They seem to have got over that but it was something more and something to do with Mandalore.
He scanned the track they came along.
"Hah!" Someone had been here but not stayed and that was not recent but it not clear enough to determine if it was last week or a few months ago. He sent his results to Niner.
Rede had thought that this mission was important but they kept getting pulled off it for other duties. Checking on Shysa or following up some Intel he had provided; it usually never materialised to much.
He didn't trust Shysa.
Rede pushed open the front door, with the muzzle of his blaster; it creaked open, only held on by one rusty old fashioned latch. Some things on Mandalore were still old fashioned and he still had to get used to that. It was unlikely anyone had actually stayed here for any length of time. He checked on his squad again; they were still talking. He walked inside, checking for booby traps carefully before he putting another foot forward. There were still things he had to learn and he was going to put his time with the older Fett clones to good experience, learning as much as he could from them; he had heard of some new Stormtroopers only lasting a few hours because of their inexperience.
He had thought he was lucky having Sarge and Darman around — but recently he wasn't so sure. He knew Darman especially had his own agenda. He hated the Jedi more than anyone he knew and yet the other members of the squad had deserted during the Purge. Rede was missing something; he blinked at one of his icons.
"Damn!" He muttered, he was still blocked from some of their conversations. He needed to try something else with the interface, so he can override them and listen in. He was sure they were keeping something from him and not just the Mandalorian stuff. Something important.