Coruscant
Special Weapons Division (Undisclosed Location)
The LAATi with the unusual nose art design hovered, waiting for permission to land.
"How much longer Sir? Wings'll get cramp holding us in this position."
"They'll let us land when they're good and ready."
Mayday heard the audible sigh from Hexx, then blinked to accept the incoming call.
"Splicer here. We're all boarded on the Redeemer and ready sir!"
"Copy that Splicer. We're just waiting on the asset."
Another incoming call blinked on his HUD.
"Commander Mayday here."
"Landing coordinates transmitted."
Mayday was just about to say 'copy that' when the line rudely went dead.
"Did you get those Wings?"
"Yes sir!"
"Take us in."
They pulled down towards the anonymous building that could have been any warehouse in any rundown industrial district, except for the large numbers of holocams recording everyone who came within a few click's radius.
Mayday opened the doors, "With me Veetch!"
They walked towards the large double doors; Mayday automatically scanned the building, although on the outside there were only two unmarked troopers guarding it. It was formidably armed with numerous guns on the roof, hidden unless you were looking. He automatically looked, and noted their positions. Mayday filed it away, he didn't have time for that now.
"Commander Mayday for the Doctor."
The doors opened and a female Bivall walked out.
"Ma'am!" Mayday stood to attention, surprised it was the Doctor who had met them, "What can we help you with?"
"The asset is currently being transported to your ship." She looked upwards, with large eyes, as four ships— a freighter and three fighters headed upwards.
Mayday took a few seconds to observe her; he had never met a Bivall before but he had done his homework. She had a red head crest but he was surprised that she had a similar figure to most human females. He pushed that thought away,
Mayday stood to one side, "Ma'am — it's time to go. Are you ready?"
"Yes." as soon as she climbed aboard the gunship! Wings took off, but without the commentary.
Mayday stood next to her, and reached out when she lost her footing, as the gunship was buffeted by the winds.
"Sorry Ma'am."
"No problem Commander, you saved me from a nasty fall."
"Can I ask where we're heading and what we're carrying."
"When we're in hyperspace. You can't be too careful."
"Yes ma'am."
They pulled into the landing bay and disembarked.
Dr Boll spoke into her com, "Is the weapon aboard?" She nodded once, "I'm sending you the coordinates now. One jump."
She turned to Mayday.
"Now Commander, is there a briefing room?"
"This way. Veetch?"
"Yes he may be present."
Mayday stood to one side, and let her pass. Veetch glanced at him as they followed her.
.
The doors closed and locked behind them all. Mayday and Veetch stood to attention.
Doctor Boll observed them for a few seconds.
"I think the correct phrase is 'at ease'". The Doctor said, "And please don't stand to attention for me or any of my staff."
They relaxed but only to the 'at ease' position.
"I may lend the services of myself, my staff and my lab to the Galactic Republic but we are not part of the military." She explained.
"Your lab, ma'am?"
"Yes we design and produce inventions useful to the Republic war effort and work in conjunction with the Military. You've probably used some of my team's inventions."
"The droid poppers?"
"That was us." She smiled, "I assume you like those?"
"Yes ma'am. We just need something like that but bigger." Mayday replied.
"I may be able to help with that." Doctor Boll activated the holo projector and pressed some buttons.
Mayday and Veetch leaned forward.
"As you know the battle on Malastare is not going well and the Separatists have sent reinforcements. Thousands more droids have been deposited. An overwhelming force even for you and your comrades."
The two clones were silent. This had happened before.
Dr Boller pressed a button and a hologram came up.
"We have developed this, the electro-proton bomb."
The two clones looked at the image in front of them; there were no specifications listed.
"An explosive device that, when detonated, creates an initial shockwave followed by a sphere of ion energy. This electromagnetic pulse disables all electronic and droidtechnology within its radius."
Veetch let a whistle out, "That's a fu…very big droid popper."
"Exactly, making it very useful against the Separatist armies, which largely consist of battle droid forces."
"How does it affect our coms and Helmets?" Mayday asked.
"Not at all Commander."
This was a very clever scientist, thought Mayday, "Can we give you a shopping list?" He added, if he read her right she did have a sense of humour.
"We're already working on one." Her eyes crinkled.
He was right she did have one.
.
The Supreme Chancellor's Office.
Republic Executive Building.
(During the Battle of Malastare)
Hela walked through to Palpatine's office; there was an urgency about his staff's movements. There were small huddles of admin staff with datapads having hurried, whispered discussions. Something was happening but she had attended, as he always insisted, even though she felt more out of place here now, than she had ever done before.
She sat waiting, looking at all the artefacts he had displayed, as administrative staff rushed past her, finally a red guard beckoned to her and she rose and went to see her mentor.
Palpatine sat behind his desk and was signing datapads pushed in front of his face from both sides, "My Dear. So good to see you and looking so well. Sit!"
He indicated the settee situated in the middle of his room and he followed her there, waving his administrative team away.
"Your concert for the troops was a success?"
"I think so."
"Good."
"I'm going to do more. When I have room in my schedule."
"Thank you my dear. I have heard that it was much appreciated. The clones are brave men but the continued fighting can be wearing and you will help alleviate this for them, give them some respite."
"How are your rehearsals going for your new project?"
"We've just started —early days."
"It's different to what you've done before but perhaps it is needed. You need to spread your wings."
Hela saw his eyes flick to the door.
"I'm afraid I have to go, my dear." He stood up and grasped both of her hands holding them tightly. "Please continue doing what you do."
"I will." He dropped her hands, "Look after yourself. You look tired."
"I am well, but simply getting old my dear. Now I must go."
His hand was at her back, gently urging her out of his office, as she saw Mas Amedda at his door.
"There's still a problem with the Treaty, Chancellor."
Palpatine nodded and within seconds she was back in the Reception area amongst the now busy area full of government employees. She had never seen so many. Some were in uniform, others weren't. She walked slowly out feeling totally redundant.
"That was the quick." she muttered to herself, as she headed to the lifts.
"Hela!" Anakin shouted, raising his hand to her. She smiled as she saw him, he looked different, older, more mature. Her smile remained fixed as she saw who emerged from the lift behind him.
The dark hair was still the same as were the eyes and the stature, tall imposing, even more so than Anakin.
"Anakin!" She replied happy to see him, "You're looking well. Being a General suits you."
"I am. Thank you. You too. I've heard things." He smiled.
"All good I hope."
"Only if you know that you impressed several thousand troops, who are very hard to impress."
"How's Obi Wan?" She asked, seeing Baylan watching her carefully.
"He's good— alive. This is—"
"Baylan Skoll." She finished his sentence, turning to face the Jedi next to him.
"Hela." Baylan finally spoke and acknowledged her, "It's been a while. You look good. I like the hair."
She touched her neck, she was wearing it in her natural short style, but bleached almost white, "Thank you. So do you."
"You know each other?" Anakin asked.
"We met a few years ago. Are you well Baylan?"
"Yes."
"Have you been fighting?"
"Haven't we all? Anakin and I were just discussing his new Padawan."
"You have a Padawan?" She turned to face him, "That was quick wasn't it?"
"We're fighting a war and lost so many Jedi at Geonosis." a frown crossed his face.
"Yes. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…."
"It's fine. She's good but young, headstrong."
"Sounds familiar. How young?"
"Fourteen. She's Togruta."
Hela immediately thought of a small Shaak Ti, she had seen her talking to the Chancellor in the past.
"That's very young to be fighting."
"Padme was only fourteen when she became Queen and saved Naboo from the Trade Federation."
"True. With your help of course. Have you seen her recently?"
Anakin looked uncomfortable for a second then regained his composure.
"Not recently." He answered.
She saw the look Baylan gave him at that answer. She knew that look; she had spent enough time with him in the past to know he had sensed something in Anakin. It was the look he gave her when she was lying to him. She suddenly felt uncomfortable. Baylan had that ability to do that to her, in spades.
"I need to go. I have rehearsals."
"I'll walk you down. Anakin is fine reporting to the Chancellor. He gets on well with him, just as you do."
"It's okay. I'm fine. I'm safe here."
"I insist."
There always was that element in Baylan that if he insisted, you struggled to say no.
She shrugged and leaned up to give Anakin a peck on the cheek, "Be careful and look after Obi Wan for me."
"Don't I always?" He retorted, with a grin, which disappeared as he strode towards the Chancellor's office.
She smiled at his reply, it would be exactly the same Ben would answer with.
.
The singer and the Jedi stood in the lift, as far apart as it was possible to get and faced the doors, Hela trying to ignore him but it was difficult. He had a presence that seemed to engulf anyone with him, especially her..
"You've been busy." He commented.
"Well, I wasn't going to sit at home and do nothing, was I? That wasn't going to happen was it?" She replied sharply.
"No. We can agree on that and that was never my intention."
Hela let out an unladylike snort in response.
Baylan smiled.
"Are you still living in that loft?"
"No."
"So you have succumbed to the Coruscanti lifestyle?" He looked her up and down, taking in how she was now dressed, still smiling.
"If you say so."
Hela watched the floor numbers count down wishing they would go faster; she did not want to spend any more time with him, it brought back too many bad memories. A time she thought she had put behind her, especially with Mayday now. The lift slowed and stopped at the 66th floor. She wished, no prayed that no one was waiting there, that they had forgotten something and gone back to their office to retrieve it.
The doors opened and a member of the Senate administrative staff stood there waiting, datapads in hand; Hela could feel Baylan filling the lift, his presence, tall, powerful, charismatic. The woman took a step to enter the lift then looked at him; Hela watched as he made a small motion with his hand and smiled. The woman suddenly appeared confused.
"You don't need the lift. You've forgotten something." He said gently, still smiling at her.
"I'm sorry! I don't need the lift. I've forgotten something. I apologise for delaying you."
The doors closed.
Hela turned to look at him, "Still up to your old tricks?"
"You make me sound like a sorcerer."
He still had that tiny smile that played around his lips and his eyes. She turned back to concentrate on the lift floors counting down.
"On some planets that's how they think of the Jedi." She added.
He smiled, "I thought you liked us. You're friends with Kenobi and Anakin."
"They helped my planet, my home and me. I value them. I'm not sure you would have helped."
"I'm not Qui Gon Jinn."
"Exactly."
"Neither is Kenobi or Anakin."
"But they were there."
"Even when you were in the camps?"
"They couldn't always help then."
"If you say so."
"Are you fighting with Anakin and Obi Wan or do you have your own Battalion."
"Neither."
She felt relief at that thought.
"So what are you doing?"
"Special missions and that's as much as I can say."
"Nothing's changed then."
"If you say so."
The lift finally slowed to a halt on the ground floor and the doors opened. It was just as busy here, people rushing about.
"It's Malastare!" He told her, "There's a problem there."
"I thought you couldn't tell me anything."
"It's probably all over the Holonet by now. The Chancellor's office has more leaks than a sieve."
She smiled; she had forgotten he could always make her laugh but he still wasn't forgiven.
They reached the Security point and Hela handed over her pass. This was a new process. The Guard seemed to be in awe of the Jedi, he was new.
She turned to leave the building.
"I have a speeder available or are you going to trust public transport?"
She stopped, mid step and turned.
"The Opera House."
"Of course."
He drove through the sky lanes as only a Jedi could, cutting corners with ease.
"Do you still have your old speeder?"
"No, I upgraded."
"Pity. That one was a joy to drive."
He banked sharply.
She gritted her teeth, hating it when someone else drove.
"So what do you have now?"
"Custom built Flitknot."
"Very nice. I'd like to see it sometime."
"I'll bet you would."
"There's no need to be like this, we can be civil, you know. Friends."
"With benefits?"
"That's an option."
Hela huffed, "This is me being civil. You left me without saying anything. You went back."
"Leaving the order wasn't an option."
"It was the last time you spoke to me."
"I was conflicted, too attached. My master put me right."
"Conflicted. That's what they call it now is it?"
"I didn't mean to hurt you."
"And 'too attached'?"
"Yes. It was a mistake."
"A mistake. So that's what I was?"
"No, it was my mistake not heeding the attachment.
"It's always been there."
"And you knew it."
"So it's my fault now is it?"
"No but it happens."
He pulled up and came to a halt outside of the Opera House.
"And you're back with the Order and not conflicted any more. Good for you."
She waited for him to unlock the door, desperate to get out before she burst into tears in front of him; he still had that effect on her, even after this time. She had thought with Krennic and now Mayday…... Zur was waiting at the stage door for her.
"The Falleen is still here?"
"Yes."
"You can't trust him. He isn't what he seems."
"He doesn't hurt me."
She climbed out and didn't look back, even though she heard and felt him call out to her.
.
Zur followed her to the dressing room, dragging a rack of dresses behind him, "You can't be serious? I thought he was gone."
"He is."
"It didn't look like it. He's still interested, Force or no Force, I can smell him from here. He's bad news."
"He's going on Special Missions, so I'm not likely to see him and I've told him he's not welcome."
"I don't like him."
"He doesn't like you."
"What about Mayday?"
"What about him?"
"Are you still interested in him?"
"Yes, he's like no one I've ever met before and this has nothing to do with him. Mayday doesn't make any demands on me. Understand?"
Zur studied her.
"What if he doesn't come back?"
"Have you heard something?"
"No. But there are rumours there's a big battle on Malastare. Perhaps he's there."
Hela tried not to dwell on that thought.
"Are those the latest dresses?" She changed the subject, blinking furiously, as tears threatened at the thought of Mayday in that battle.
"Yes."
"Let's try them on."
.
Malastare
The republic freighter dropped out of hyperspace.
Mayday and Veetch stood on the observation deck, all few feet of it but it served its purpose.
"Kriff!" Cursed Veetch, "The lads need something to help them. I've never seen so many droids all standing ready."
Mayday looked at the rows of regimented droids just standing there in rows. It was a mind trick. To get you worried. But it did remind him of the first battle of Geonosis.
"Gentlemen! Are we ready?" Asked Doctor Boll, as she came onto the deck.
"Everything is prepped and ready Doctor. No sign of Seppie activity. Looks like they don't suspect anything other than reinforcements."
"Good. Transfer the bomb."
They watched as the gunship transferred the bomb to the ships holding the bombers successfully. There was no contact from the enemy they appeared to be focused on the ground battle.
"I need to go down to the surface and meet with the Jedi and the Council members of Malastare."
"Ma'am. We need to come with you."
"Of course, but once I am safely down there, your role is done. You can report to the Jedi."
"Ma'am!" They both stood to attention and saluted.
.
"Commander Ponds."
"Mayday?" He turned to look at him, offering his hand, "Good to see you. Cody said you'd be on your way but he was evasive as to when and how."
"Sir!" Mayday grasped his forearm.
"I trust this isn't a social visit."
"Our initial mission is finished, so we're yours to command, sir."
"Good. We need everyone we can get our hands on. There's just too many karking droids. It's like being overrun by Tatooine death ants."
"We saw them as we came into land."
"There's not just that we're still waiting for the Dugs to sign the karking Treaty, so we can use their fuel, otherwise the GAR will grind to a halt."
"We can't have that sir. Now where do you want us?"
Ponds pointed on the holomap.
.
"Fall back! Fall back!"
Pond's voice came through their buckets. They didn't need telling twice, as the overwhelming number of droids, headed inexorably towards them.
Mayday and Veetch eventually found their way back to Pond's Gunship that he was using as a temporary briefing room. His previous one having been destroyed. He was on his com.
"Yes sir. I understand. We're well away from the drop zone. The 501st are nearest but they're moving out now."
He listened.
"Yes sir I will."
"They're going to drop the bomb you brought."
"Dr Boll is exceptionally clever. We're lucky to have her working for us." Mayday had been impressed by her.
"It's an extra large droid popper." Veetch commented.
Ponds laughed, "We'll need a very big one."
They looked up as the bombers screamed overhead and headed outside to see the effects.
"Bulls eye!" Exclaimed Veetch, as they watched the bomb hit the centre of the marching droids.
"The 501st had better get a move on." Commented Mayday as the EMP force from the blast spread outwards. The Clankers dropped like flies; it also hit some of the 501st. Mayday held his breath; it wasn't supposed to hurt any of the clones so this was a test of that.
A brutal one.
The blast finally dissipated and Mayday breathed a sigh of relief as his brothers rose from the ground. Then he saw some hadn't and a gaping hole now emerged in the silent aftermath of the explosion.
Something had gone wrong.
.