Aggressor.
En route to Mandalore
"Those two okay, ner vod?" Mereel asked, he could hear their whispers down the end of the ship where they sat but couldn't quite hear the full conversation.
"Yeah. They've got a Caf each now. Although you really should get some better quality."
"Hah! You've been around Zey too much. He likes his caf."
"He does and he's not that bad."
"Not bad for someone who sent your brothers to be killed." Pushed Mereel.
"There are worse." Coric thought of the numbers of troopers that were killed in each engagement. Teth and Umbara still played on his mind, years later, "The Empire is no better, in fact worse."
"So I heard."
"And to add insult to injury, they're replacing us and asking us to train the new ones."
"We know, ner vod. Udessi!"
"There's not many Jedi left. The 501st are tasked with finding the last few." Coric was on a roll now.
"Yeah. We heard Iri Camas was taken out by them."
"Camas? I don't know him."
"He was our General before Zey. He was quite happy for us all to remain in stasis until we were needed and then go back in. We didn't like that idea."
"I heard about that. Held 'em to ransome, didn't you?" Coric smiled at the thought of that.
"Sort of. So if you were around at that time, are you generation one?"
"Yeah!" He touched his head, he had some grey hairs already, "Shows does it?"
"Not too bad but it makes me and Maze your big brothers, eh?"
"And Maze acts like it."
Mereel sniggered, "It surprised me he actually deserted. I didn't think he had it in him."
"He had his reasons, as did I."
"What are those two talking about?" Mereel changed the subject again.
"Medical things. The Twi'lek has asked about L'leth, isn't it."
"Yes."
"They were discussing her."
"Ah. Leave it a few minutes then check on them again, we don't really know much about Tann."
"Okay."
Coric leaned back.
.
Tann watched as the latest clone she had met, Coric, walked back up to the cockpit. She turned to Ryssa.
"Have you remembered?"
"No! But I think it was before I was rescued."
"Hmm. Although that's not exact. From my study of humans on the Gunner, your menstruation can be just as irregular as ours, especially if there is a shock or other disturbances to your system. Bad nutrition etc."
Ryssa sighed.
"We'll do a test and scan to be sure." Tann reassured her but she had to ask the next question, "If you are. You do want this baby don't you?"
"Yes." The more she thought she could be pregnant, the more she wanted it to be. She had never thought she would want anything so bad and to see Den again. She closed her eyes, feeling drained.
She heard footsteps, opened her eyes and pulled herself up into a sitting position. An uneasy thought came into her mind. She pushed it away, not considering it yet.
"Everything alright?" Coric asked pleasantly. "Can I help with anything?"
"Yes and no thanks. Coric. Can I ask about that ship?"
"Mereel's checking up on it. We'd heard rumours of a few prototypes of a new type of fighter but it looks as if they're rolling them out everywhere. The Empire has a lot of new tech and machines. Obviously been planned for a while. Pretty impressive manoeuvrability and speed, and I'm no pilot."
He sat opposite them, watching, not exactly subtle.
"Stay buckled up just in case. They seem to come out of thin air with the speed they have. We're okay in hyperspace but as soon as we drop out we could be vulnerable."
"How long will it take to get back?" Tann asked, taking over the conversation.
"We're taking the scenic route, so a few hours longer than normal and we'll be dropping out of hyperspace a couple of times then jumping again within a few seconds once Mereel has done the calculations."
Ryssa nodded. "He's fast." She said to Tann.
"In more ways than Fekking one!" Commented Coric, his sense of humour returning.
They all chuckled, knowing exactly what he meant.
"Are you all talking about me?" Mereel shouted down the ship, "None of it's true. Unless it's the good bits."
Ryssa chuckled again, he hadn't changed and it lightened the mood.
"The Gunner?" Tann asked, serious again.
"We have confirmation that they've just left the planet but we don't know where they are yet. They'll make contact once they've found somewhere safe, even if it's just hyperspace for the moment. I'm sorry."
Ryssa squeezed her hand, the Gunner was Tann's home where her friends and family were.
"I'm sure they'll be okay." She added.
"Yes. We're used to being on the move." Tann still looked worried, avoiding the Republic was different to being hunted for your life by the Empire.
Then her thoughts went to L'leth again, as Coric returned to the cockpit.
"So any idea of what they're talking about?"
"No, they shut up pretty quick when I got near them. Then talked about the Gunner."
"Hmm. They're hiding something. I'm sure."
"Perhaps you should ask them." Coric suggested, fed up with being the go between.
Mereel stared out into space, whilst he liked his sister, he wasn't exactly flavour of the month with her most of the time.
"Two hours till the next drop and jump. Get some sleep, if I need you I'll wake you."
Coric leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
.
Kashyyyk
"So why do they call you Sev?" The scrawny female shouted at him; he was taking point now and happy doing that, even though she was still dictating the route.
"Part of my designation." He shouted back, he was getting used to her. She wasn't that bad as Nat borns go.
"Designation?"
"RC 1207."
"A number— not very original."
Yeah— all some of us had. His brothers had taken different names, why hadn't he?
"So what's your name?"
"Took you long enough. Good job I answered to 'hey you'.
Sev snorted. He had used that a lot.
"Yllia— my name is Yllia."
"So how far now?"
"Getting tired?" She stopped, holding into the tree trunk and looking back at him, grinning.
"No!" he huffed. "I.."
"Shh!"
"What the fuck!"
"They're coming. Drop to a branch and hold on — now."
Sev automatically jammed his helmet on, and dropped to the branch. He manually slung his rappel line around the branch and attached it quickly, something in the way she said 'hold on'.
Yllia had dropped and used her rope,
They sat, as the Destroyer loomed overhead, the vibrations shaking the trees and cutting off what sunlight there was.
"Is that it?" He asked. She hadn't moved.
"No, there's something else. Listen!"
Sev heard the mechanical screaming in the distance.
"Here put this on. It'll protect your ears!"
He reached out to her with the Stormtroopers helmet.
She grabbed it and jammed it on.
Sev listened, it swerved away and back again. He waited for the firing to start.
"Hold on!" Yllia shouted.
Sev had a good grip on the tree; he needed it.
No blaster or laser fire materialised from the craft but the backwash hit them.
The pilot was either mad or was highly trained and knew exactly what they were doing. Anyone falling from that height would be killed or severely injured.
"Fucking idiot!" Shouted Sev. He knew they wouldn't hear him but it made him feel better. "What the Fuck was that?"
Yllia pulled off the helmet, grimacing as she breathed fresh air again.
"It's a new fighter. They've been testing them. Either that or it's a ball with wings."
"Hah!" He snorted.
"Bet you'd like to take a look at one wouldn't you?" She grinned.
Sev scowled at her, he didn't like being second guessed.
"I know where they're based." She declared smugly.
"Why the fuck didn't you say?"
"I like to keep some mystery in a relationship, just like you!" She sped off.
He scowled before following her through the trees.
"What fucking relationship?"
She's just a guide.
.
Kyrimorut
The next day.
Kal stood in the clearing with Ny, Ordo and Besany, as Ryssa strode down the ramp feeling, self conscious and convinced everyone knew she was pregnant. She pulled her coat together.
Arla stood to the side, watching.
Ryssa nodded to her.
Arla nodded back.
Ryssa watched them all, as she walked across into Kal's arms, he was welcoming but she wished it was Den. Then Ny and Besany, Ordo simply nodded but she could see relief in his eyes whether it was for her, his brother, Kal or Besany she wasn't sure but it was a welcome sight.
"This is Tann who helped me." Kal nodded, heart sinking at the thought of yet another Force user but she had helped. They were well and truly linked to Altis now—for good or bad.
Tann inclined her head.
"So—what happened with L'leth and where is she?" Asked Ryssa.
"Until she wakes up, we can't be sure, only she can say. Shall we go inside?" Suggested Besany, "It's chilly here."
She ushered them inside.
"What about Jaing?" Ryssa asked. This was her family and regaining her memories meant she felt more a part of it.
"He finally asked her to be his partner and then this happened. I'm sorry Tann, is it? Thank you for coming."
"You're helping my family. It's only right that I help you. Now where's the patient and the other healers to get me up to speed."
Ryssa wobbled as she rose, feeling tired and a little nauseous. Tann looked at her, worried.
"I'm fine."
"Good. Let's go then."
.
Tann read the datapad, Mij handed over to her.
"I'll examine her now."
L'leth lay, pale, and dwarfed by the medical bed. Jaing by her side. Ryssa had never seen him so quiet and intense.
Her friend looked younger and tinier than ever as she lay on the bed.
"Where's Casey?" She asked him.
"With Kad, Las'ika and Atin. He comes to see her but not if they're doing any treatment. It could be too upsetting."
As if this isn't, thought Ryssa.
"Jaing?" She put her hand on his shoulder, he hadn't seemed to see them enter.
"Jaing, this is Tann. She's going to try and help."
His head moved minutely in a nod.
Tann stood at the head of the bed, while Ryssa stood to one side.
She opened the crystal box and gently took one out, also removing a small cloth and laid it on L'leth's chest, putting the crystal on top.
Mij and Bardan watched fascinated.
Squinting, Ryssa focused on the crystal, she swore it appeared to be smoking inside, grey colours swirling inside it. She didn't remember that from her healing.
"It's different for everyone, for every illness or injury." Explained Tann as she saw Ryssa's face.
Tann laid her hand on L'leth's head, her other hand on the crystal. She closed her eyes and looked just like Bard'ika did when he did the same but it didn't seem to drain her, as it did him. Ryssa looked over, Bard'ika was watching Tann intently.
They waited patiently as Tann gently laid her hand on different parts of the Twi'lek body, working down to the feet. L'leth sighed. Jaing almost jumped up; he turned to the Twi'lek. It was the first sign they had that she was still alive.
"What did you do?"
"I found her." Tann replied.
She reached out and picked up L'leth's hand and closed her eyes again, while Ryssa watched the crystal. It gradually cleared and Tann put L'leth's hand on her chest, before returning the crystal to the box and ushering everyone out of the room.
They sat in the adjoining room as she addressed them.
"We need to do a test just to make sure but I think it's Ch'sei - Atl syndrome: or dead balance, in basic."
They looked at her awaiting the explanation.
"It's rare but not fatal, in most cases."
"How do we treat it?"
"It's the after effects of trauma. It's caused by a virus that lies dormant in the body for years and the trauma triggers it. The initial infection is similar to a respiratory infection and lasts a couple of days, then it lies dormant. Sometimes it's not even activated but rarely it is."
Tann hadn't actually answered his question.
"How do we treat it!" he asked again.
"It can be treated and most people will eventually make a full recovery, although it can be life-threatening and some people are left with long-term problems such as being unable to walk without assistance. Weakness in the arms, legs or face. Numbness, pain or a tingling or burning sensation. Balance and coordination problems and extreme tiredness. Bacta doesn't help after the initial trauma is treated."
"So what do we do?" asked Bardan.
"Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy, if needed will help recovery and her cope with any lasting difficulties."
Mij was scrolling down his datapad.
"We can do therapy. We've done it before." Bardan was already planning.
"She was lucky. In a minority of cases, it can cause life-threatening problems such as severe breathing difficulties or blood clots. About 1 in 20 patients will die from it but L'leth won't. She's a fighter."
"Is there anything else we can do?" Asked Ryssa.
"Not at the moment but it will be a long job."
"I don't care." Muttered Jaing, "we'll do what we need to."
Ryssa rested her hand on his shoulder to comfort him and saw Tann watching it. She looked herself, it was trembling. She quickly moved it away and curled it into a fist. The trembling stopped.
"Ryssa, can we talk."
She followed the Jedi out.
"Yes?"
"Those tremors. How long?"
"A couple of days but ….."
"But what?"
"They're getting worse."
"I want you to have that scan. I'll talk to Mij Gilamar."
"It's probably just anxiety." Ryssa said, hopefully.
.
Kashyyyk.
A'den sat at the comm, as the hologram rose; the signal was weak and it flickered in and out but it was the only window for coms they had. He looked at Vau who shrugged his shoulders and left; he had received his update. His daughter did not know him and this was not the time to drop that bomb on her.
A'den waited until he left.
His stomach churned.
Had she remembered everything?
There were times when he had not been the perfect husband or partner.
Mereel knew.
What if her memories mean she no longer wanted him? Divorce. He'd been away. Not with her when she needed him with the treatment. Not much of a husband in any sense.
Ryssa waited for the connection to stabilise and heard muffled voices in the background, then she saw Vau leave and heard the door close.
"Den?"
"You okay?"
"Yes. Are you?"
"It's good to hear your voice." He leaned forward, studying the hologram.
"Yours too." She smiled, "I would have preferred to see you in person but….."
He leaned forward, worried.
"l know, I've not been there for you ."
"I've remembered so many things." She put her hand to the hologram. His hand met hers, triggering another memory. It was a connection of sorts. "I've missed you." She added.
"What is it then?" There was silence at the other end "Ner?"
"I'm ….fine."
"Are you?"
Ryssa opened her mouth.
"You are okay aren't you?" he asked, there was something wrong.
"Yes but…"
"But what?"
"Its L'leth!"
"Vau said."
Both were silent now.
"Why?"
"We don't know, or who."
"Be careful. Don't go anywhere alone!"
"I won't."
He watched her face.
"Is there something else."
"No!"
"Good."
The signal wavered.
"Den….."
"I have to go….."
The connection failed.
He switched off the com, worried.
Vau watched the Null as he left the ship; despite training commandos he had been around the Nulls to know something was wrong. Something had happened.
"Problems?" he asked. It was the last thing they needed a distracted Null, just when they were going after the new fighter.
"Just this with L'leth. I think it's rattled her."
"Bad business."
"Is that all you can say?"
"Can't do anything here but she's still my daughter." His hand went to his blade.
"We know where we stand then."
.
Sev and Yllia, lay on their stomachs watching the troopers and checking the number of craft currently on the ground.
"I count thirty six and twelve spaces, so it looks like some are out on patrol." Yllia commented.
"Agreed." Grunted Sev, "There's a security patrol, two troopers every four minutes, doesn't give us long."
"Long enough to get across and jump in one?" She asked, confident he was thinking the same as she was.
"Yeah!" He peered at the troopers, walking steadily around the perimeter. "A distraction would bring more troopers."
"How fast can you run?"
"As fast as I need to!"
"So—We need to get them away from the nearest one or do you have one you particularly want to look at?"
Sev scanned the ranks of the craft.
"That one on the second row, third down." He was mentally calculating the time it would take him to get there. The other craft would give him some cover.
"Then what?"
"I study it. Take some recordings of it…"
"With that?" She pointed to his helmet.
"Yes, it can still fucking record and hold info for transmission later."
"Then what?"
"Boom!"
"Now you're talking but how?"
"I'll find a way. Once I've seen the inside."
He could do basic explosions but Scorch had been the demolitions expert. He wondered for a nano second where he was then pushed that thought out of his mind. He could worry about his brother and the others later.
"Okay, sounds good."
.
"How is she?" Asked Vau.
"The treatment went okay. She's regained a lot of memories."
"That good or bad?"
"For us good."
The Null stormed ahead looking for the perfect place to check out this squadron of new craft; then he wanted to see one up close and personal.
Vau smiled within his Buy'ce, this was never something he had ever anticipated. The happiness, if that's what it was, left him, now he had to take further measures but first this craft.
.
Vau had to hand it to Kal. He trained his boys well, if a little soft but so had he in a different way. They had still not found Sev; the thought often crossed his mind that his Commando didn't want to be found but he couldn't think of anything that would keep him here.
Vau crawled to join the Null in the perfect vantage point; there was a reason A'den had been chosen to train insurgents against the Separatists, his ability to deal with people and his expertise in sabotage. Vau noticed a few other vantage points but it would have taken too long to reach them. He flicked down his viewfinder and scanned the airfield. Either the Imperials were idiots or they were so sure of themselves even after this short time that they were leaving themselves open to attack.
"Is this a trap?" He verbalised his thoughts to the Null.
"I thought that myself but I can't see any other indication, except the di'kutla lack of security."
He focused on the far side of the field, as a flash caught his eye.
"Bogey at 11 o'clock." A'den declared.
Vau's scope enhanced the image.
"Nothing there now." He swept slowly along either side, "Nothing either side."
"Okay. There's not much to do except get a distraction, so I can head for one of them."
"In the middle?"
"'Lek!"
.
A/N - made up Twi'lek illness.