Kashyyk

Vau completed his check.

"Definitely Sev but he's gone now and he won't return."

"He's still around. We've had confirmation of sightings, even as late as last night." Mefrid added.

"You sure, he won't be back." Asked A'den, looking around.

"Yes. He's left no booby traps. He will have known that someone," he looked at Mefrid, "had found his hideout and he's running now. He won't stay in one place more than a couple of nights, if that. Unless we can get a message to him to confirm who we are."

"So, we're back to square one." A'den muttered, this was going to take longer than he thought. "Are we heading back to base? Check on more Intel?"

"There is nothing more we can do here." Declared Vau as he leaned over and adjusted some stones into a particular pattern, "Just in case he is forced back here. He'll know I've been and that I'm looking for him."

A'den huffed, all the training sergeants had their own ways. They headed back to base just getting there before the clouds cleared the sky and starlight pushed through, lighting up the ground.

.

He sat checking his gear; the HUD was playing up and he needed it to be spot on in the future. He replaced the interface, put on the helmet and blinked through the icons.

"Perfect!"

"Good, you may need it." He had seen Mefrid walking towards him and pulled the helmet off, as he dropped to sit next to A'den.

"So what do you want to know about the bracelet?" He asked, "And, more to the point why can't you ask Vau?"

"Vau's a solitary, mean bastard and that's being kind, I've known him all my life."

"So why are you here with him?"

A'den gave him a stare. He backed off, hands raised.

"Okay. I get it. Off limits." He pulled his hat off, "I've looked the bracelet up. I've still got access to some databases. It's an heirloom, part of a set belonging to the Gesl Noble House, which I understand Vau was part of."

"Yes. You said set?"

"Here." He held out a battered datapad.

There was an image of the set. The necklace and bracelet with dark Red tear drop rubies attached to both pieces together with matching earrings.

"The rubies are some of the finest in the galaxy, in clarity and size. They were in the Gesl family for centuries until just recently. Relatively speaking — when they disappeared."

A'den stared at the image; it was exactly the same pattern.

"Does anyone else make them?"

Mefrid shook his head,

"They were a one off set. People have made replicas but they have always been found and disposed of— the makers, I mean. Just like the original."

"Ah!"

"The tradition is that they are presented to the betrothed of the heir apparent, as a betrothal gift."

"Oh,"

"The latest heir is not pleased, apparently." Mefrid added. "He has no gift for his fiancé, not even the rubies."

"So how did Vau get them? He was never married as far as I know." A'den asked, aloud.

"Perhaps you need to ask him."

A'den considered the other question, how did Ryssa's mother get the necklace.

"I suppose I do."

.

Kyrimorut

Ryssa could not believe how comfortable her boots were; they felt like indoor shoes. If she were still on Coruscant she would have bought six more pairs to match each outfit she wore but she had to remind herself that there was no point and she had still not heard anything from A'den but tried not to dwell on it.

She wandered around the bastion looking for something to do; this feeling was alien to her she had always had something to do.

Mij didn't need her. Qail didn't need her; she was manipulating the virus, so until this last change embedded itself, there was nothing to check.

If she went to the kitchen she was just in the way unless Laseema was making up some ration packs, she was just about let loose on those unsupervised.

She wandered over to the Ops room, popped her around the door to see Jaing tinkering with the droid.

"Su'cuy. Just the person I need."

"I'm glad at least one person wants me around." Ryssa replied, dejectedly.

"What's the matter?"

"I feel useless."

"You're not useless."

"Yes but no one really trusts me, do they?"

Jaing couldn't say they all trusted her, especially when he knew there were Imperials heading this way.

"Not everyone feels that way."

"I know but it sometimes feels like that."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm worried about A'den and Bardan knows someone who can help me."

"Bardan?"

"He says they're not on Mandalore."

"I could try and get hold of A'den, although I'm not sure if I can get through or if it's even safe to. But I can try."

He pushed a device into the droid but nothing happened. "Can I ask you to do me a favour."

"I am not touching that droid again!" She asserted.

"No it's not that. It's — no never mind."

"Jaing, if it's important, even if it isn't, just ask."

"No it's okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Alright but…if you change your mind...just let me know."

Jaing wanted to ask her to check what L'leth thought of him but he already knew, he wasn't blind. He saw her face in the leathersmith shop. L'leth wouldn't want a man who butchered his enemies and wore them as gloves, would she?

.

"Master Altis!"

Bardan automatically used the honorific, years of training and habit from childhood couldn't be erased in a couple of years. The holo image wavered in front of him; the figure turned to someone at the side of him, some with them then it settled down.

"Thank you Callista— now Bardan, or should I call you Bard'ika. How can we help you?"

The smile from the older man was infectious, Bard'ika couldn't help but return it.

"Su'cuy gar!"

"Su'cuy gar!" He returned, "I'm picking up more of your language. Maze may say he is not Mandalorian but he still retains the language. It is quite colourful. I take it you are calling about the young woman attacked by the Inquisitor?"

"Yes."

"Hmm! Arligan and Maze brought us up to speed. How is she?"

"Still has a block. Nothing has come back. She feels, less than whole, as she puts it and anything I do doesn't seem to help."

"From what Arligan said, this was some previously rarely used Dark Side practice taken to the extreme which appears to be the Emperor's preferred methods now."

"She has asked if you can help?"

"But…I sensed a but."

"Some here think she may be an Imperial spy." Bardan admitted.

"Arligan didn't sense that. What do you think?"

"I don't sense it either but there is a block….."

"If there's something there, then we'll find it."

Bardan nodded.

"Good. I'll talk to the others and get back to you. We have some talented healers who use crystals to focus, so with luck. I'll get back to you, soon."

.

"I've been in touch with Master Altis and they're prepared to try and help you.

Can you be ready in two days?"

"That quick?"

"Maze and Zey will pick you up on the way from a little job they've just completed."

"I was hoping I would have more time to explain to A'den."

"It could be weeks before they come back again. Do you want to leave it that long?"

"No. I suppose I don't." She replied, after quickly considering what he said.

"Will you make sure he knows? Explain to him, as soon as he gets back."

He nodded.

"I'll need to tell Kal." Ryssa continued.

"I've told him."

"Okay. Is he alright with it?" She was feeling anxious about the whole process now.

Bardan shrugged. "He doesn't like the idea of you leaving and being with them. It could be dangerous. The Empire are after them."

"I'll be in good company then." she was putting a good front on it but underneath, she was worried, scared. He couldn't blame her this was something he couldn't help with and now she was going to strangers, again.

.

"Kal?" Her voice was low but he was alone in the makeshift Ops room that Jaing was working in. Kal sat next to the droid. Bardan had already filled him in on the plans; they were just waiting for the go ahead from Djinn.

"Ad'ika?" He needed to check with her, "Are you sure you want this?"

She nodded, "I can't function without my memories."

"Has Bardan explained fully where you're going?"

"He says he's spoken with someone who can help. Or at least try. Its not something that they've been faced with before but apparently there's also an ex- Jedi, really old. Centuries old."

"Kina Ha. I know her."

"So what is she like?"

"Old. Mean sense of humour. I didn't want to like her but….she wasn't like the rest of the aiwha bait."

"Kaminoan?"

"Yes." He watched her reaction.

She made a silent O. "Bardan didn't tell me that."

"He wouldn't." His adopted ex-Jedi son was still more of a diplomat than the whole of the rest of them put together.

"And she is, or was a Jedi?"

Kal nodded, "I know it's last thing you would expect from me. But if you're sure, and if A'den gets back before you I'll make sure he gets to you. You've spent too long apart. Go get ready. Get what you need to take. By the way — nice cetare."

"Yeah they are." Her mouth smiled but the eyes didn't, as she left.

Kal sat waiting for Jaing; he was going to try the droid again one last try. Kal would be no help but he wanted to see for himself. Then they could get TK0 and Gaib onboard. How, he wasn't sure but he was sure they needed to get inside this droid to find out about the shabla chips.

.

Ryssa sat on the bench she and A'den had sat on and watched the stars; it was comfortable and just in the right place. She remembered the short time they had together but still couldn't remember before. They had so little time together then from what's been said.

"Hey!"

She turned to the voice, "Coric? What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you."

"Me—why?"

"I thought I'd let you know I'm leaving."

"Oh!"

"Is that all you can say?" He frowned.

"It's just….I'm going as well. When Maze and Zey come. They'll pick me up."

"We'll be travelling together then. I'm going to work with them." He grinned now and sat next to her. "You okay? You don't seem enthused about it?"

"It's to help me regain my memories. I don't know if it will work, and if it does, will I like myself, after what I've done for the Republic and the Empire?"

"What you did with the Empire. You fecking helped people, that's what you did. And they sent that kriffing red blade after you, nearly killing you. You helped me escape, that's what you did."

He wanted to tell her more but he had promised and it would just be something else to add to her problems. She looked as if she was struggling enough; it would be better if she remembers everything herself.

She watched him, initially so animated, but now he had become thoughtful.

"You okay Coric? I thought you were looking forward to it."

"I am."

.

Kashyyyk

The Shadowlands.

One Kashyyyk day earlier.

Sev straightened up; he told himself it was no disgrace to be captured by the Wookiees, this was their planet, their home ground and they could tear a Trandos arms off. He'd seen that with his own eyes just before they left him, before his brothers had left him behind and the whole galaxy had gone to Haran.

Too much Mando Sev.

The logical part of his brain kept saying that it was General Yoda who ordered them to leave, that they were soldiers and had to obey orders but the General, Darman's General, had wanted to come back for him; he saw her, she was coming back for him, until Kal's Wookiee snatched her away. He saw that from the pit he had ended up in.

It'd taken him days to get out of the pit; the Wookiees were good at digging long deep pits. He was amazed he hadn't broken anything but he remembered what Sargeant Vau had told them as cadets years earlier.

"You will not give up and die like lesser men; you will not crack up like lesser men; you will not lose heart in the direst circumstances like lesser men. You will carry on beyond your imagined limits. And you will be the last men standing, when the weaklings have opted to do the easy thing and die."

He hadn't died. He had not cracked up. He had not let Sargeant Vau down. He had survived.

He'd left his hiding place, when he realised someone was tracking him. The weird Mongrel who looked more at home on Corrie, apart from the whip. He wielded the whip like Sev wielded his DC 17m. Sev could have taken him out but he was more interested in the bastard mongrels in the Garrison.

Especially the one in charge.

He had seen what the one in charge was capable of.

And Sev thought he was bad, borderline psycho, Sergeant Vau had said but mainly with Sev it wasn't personal, or it hadn't been.

They still had his head covered and he was surprised, he was still alive, after what had gone down. The white jobs, he'd heard them talk of chips in the clones heads, when he'd infiltrated the Garrison; the regular troopers had fucking inhibitor chips implanted in their brains. Took them over, some kind of mind control.

The aiwha bait had better not have fucking done that to me.

Now there were mongrels in the white armour. He'd seen them. Him and his brothers were bring replaced by inferior models.

He concentrated back on the conversation.

He could just about make out what they were saying, but his Wookiee was still rusty. Sometimes you could get the gist with just the sounds and their body language but he couldn't see them. He guessed, they were deciding what to do with him but were waiting for someone else to arrive.

The General.

They were still arguing about his fate, when he heard the sounds of breaking branches and foliage moving. He recognised the sounds, more Wookiees swinging through the trees. Sev was getting better at that, although it always helped to have a rappel line.

He braced himself; if he was going to die he would die standing up straight, as the soldier he was born and bred to be.

The cover was pulled off his head. He blinked expecting the sun to be bright in the sky but it wasn't; it was almost dark but his internal clock told him it wasn't night

The Shadowlands—the dark forests, that's where he was. Normally only the Wookiees ventured here. He had avoided the area, wanting to get rid of the mongrels in the garrison first. He had watched some of the new white jobs venture in here, they never came out. He heard their screams though.

He looked around the assembled Wookiees and saw one he recognised, and his companion.

The older one, with the shoulder armour and braids, walked around him, studying him, emitting the occasional growl, whilst the younger one, with the bandolier stood, seemingly holding the others back, throwing the occasional warning growl at them.

Chief Tarfful was an imposing figure.

He growled at Sev.

He remembered him.

Tarfful pointed to Sev's armour, even though he had lost parts.

He was there, at Tarfful's rescue from the Separatists compound. Delta had completed it.

"I know you!" Tarfful growled. "Commando!"

Sev stood up straighter. Tarfful was a respected General, a leader. Sev related to that.

"What happened?"

"I was left." Sev replied in basic. The other one he recognised, with the bandolier, growled a translation. He hoped.

"Why?" Tarfful wanted to know.

"Orders. My brothers followed their orders."

"Like the ones with the Empire?"

Sev glanced to where he knew the Empire's forces were, his sense of direction not failing him.

"No!"

One of the others growled a long sentence and pointed in various directions; his growls getting louder as his large arms gesticulated. He was so fast Sev could not keep up with them. He had got the gist of the other conversations but not this. He looked at one of the others for clarification.

"He has asked why you kill your brothers?"

Sev raised his eyebrow, "It was a long sentence to ask just that."

"Well, that's what he said!"

His head had whipped around at the human female voice that emerged from the undergrowth.

"And who the fuck are you?"

"Well hello to you as well!" She stood next to Tarfful, hands on hips, "And you don't need to know."

Sev grunted in disagreement.

"They aren't clones, they aren't my brothers and even if some are….." he couldn't finish the sentence.

She walked around him, "Is that your own armour?"

"'Course. Who the fuck's would it be?"

"Anybody's!"

"Huh!" He grunted.

"The General remembers you. You were in the squad that rescued him from Grievous but the others aren't so easily convinced. They want you to tell them how and if it agrees with the General's version….."

Sev remembered every detail.

He recounted the insertion and how they moved through the jungle to the slavers camp.

"Inside, we were ambushed by Trandoshan mercenaries on the overhead catwalks; we had to escape through a maintenance shaft toward a landing zone. After securing the landing zone, we saw General Grievous' ship, Soulless One."

A growl was received confirming what happened so far.

"We freed a number of imprisoned Wookiees before locating the General, who was being escorted to Grievous' fighter by two MagnaGuards; the General destroyed the droids, as Grievous fled the planet, leaving behind another pair of MagnaGuards. Grievous then ordered the General be terminated to deny the Republic the valuable intelligence.

The General growled in confirmation.

"We engaged the droids to protect the General, although" Sev nodded towards the General at this point, "the General refused to back down from his attackers and together we took them down before he was taken to Coruscant."

Tarfful looked at Sev, a moment, and Sev straightened up, almost to attention, before Tarfful pulled him into a Wookiee hug, not for the faint hearted or weak. He then addressed the Wookiees.

.

Kyrimorut.

Ryssa was packed and ready to go. Maze and Zey were due here soon. The knock at the door startled her, she wasn't expecting anyone.

"L'leth! Come in."

The Twi'lek entered and Casey ran behind her heading to look at the twig that was fast turning into a shrub.

"I think Casey's taking after Levet." L'leth commented. They both watched as he looked closely at the plant, examining it from all angles.

"You can look after it for me, if you want?"

"Yes please." The young boy nodded enthusiastically.

"It needs watering, just when the soil is dry, like this, then you water it until it's damp but no more. It doesn't like having its feet wet."

Casey shook his head, "I don't."

"So if you do that, it'll grow and you'll be helping me. Thank you."

She handed the plant to him,

"I'm going to show Levet." He whispered as he walked out.

L'leth smiled as she watched her son leave the room.

"Jaing! Do you think he likes me?" L'leth was blunt. "I thought he did but then…. he's backed away."

"I'm the worst person to ask." Ryssa shook her head, "I think you need to ask him yourself."

The sound of a ship circling and landing filled the air.

"I think that's my lift." Ryssa reached out and hugged L'leth before picking up her bag and heading out to the landing strip.

She had hoped to see A'den before she left but she walked up the ramp alone, turning to see Jaing and L'leth standing next to each other, with Kal a little way behind with Ny. She waved at them and headed in.

###

A/N Still not totally happy with this Chapter but it needs to move on