Hela's Apartment
The com stared back at her, daring her to call him, to check, to show it was all a mistake, a bad dream; she'd had enough of those over the years. She reached out for it.
"You need to know. You have to be sure." Zur was by her side.
She looked at his message again— dealing with the beast — it said; the one that had rampaged through Coruscant. She carefully pressed the numbers he had left wanting to get it right.
"Thorn said they'd all been killed." She said whilst she waited for a reply, "He checked."
Static.
Then a recorded message —This unit has been decommissioned.
"Kriff!" Muttered Zur; he'd heard talk about decommissioning clones in his other life. He liked the man. Had liked him.
"Try Cody!"
She nodded and tapped his code in.
Static.
This unit is not functioning.
Her hand shook as she tried Obi Wan's code.
Unavailable.
Hela dropped the com and walked away, he couldn't tell what she was thinking now but he would have to deal with the consequences.
.
Hela heard her door open and looked up from the music she was studying, to take her mind off Mayday and what happened to him. She rushed towards her entrance hall.
She had thought hoped, there was just an outside chance that there had been a mistake and it was Mayday.
"Baylan!"
The impressive Jedi strode in, almost pushing past her but not touching her; she rushed back to stand in front of her visitor.
"You shouldn't be able to get in. You don't know the code!"
He shrugged, "You need me."
"I didn't call for you. I didn't ask you to come."
"I know you need me. I couldn't help but notice your pain."
Hela pulled away, turning from him, "Stay out of my head!"
"You broadcast it. Your loneliness. So lonely."
She couldn't face him but he was right, she was lonely. She had been lonely since the camps on Naboo, since some of the people there had left and now Mayday. Baylan always knew what she was thinking, feeling.
"Not for you."
"Are you certain?"
She turned back; it was her first mistake and she was now unable to take her eyes off him.
"You don't have to pretend with me." He continued, his hand reaching out to her cheek.
"I don't pretend."
"Don't you?" He asked, concern in his voice.
"No!"
"The wigs?"
"So I'm not recognised. It saves the hair." She tugged at the tendrils at the back of her neck.
"The Act!"
"What act?"
"The overconfident Diva."
"I….."
She backed away from him; he followed.
"That's not you, I know you. The real you. The lonely you, the you that's looking for a family to replace the one you lost all those years ago."
She bumped into the wall and couldn't move further, his arms wrapped around her, as she stifled a sob.
"Shh! I'm here, my little songbird. I'm here."
He held her until the sobs subsided.
"Better?" He asked, kissing the salty tears from her cheeks.
She nodded, despite what had happened between them, he understood her, more than anyone else she knew, even Mayday. He bent and lifted her up, her arms wrapped around his neck and he carried her like a baby to the bedroom.
He shouldered the door open; it hadn't changed since he was last here and he laid her on the bed. She watched him as he carefully undid his lightsaber, placing it to one side; it rarely left his sight. He removed his robes, as he had done so many times before, then he leaned over her, she gave him no argument; he brushed a stray hair to one side.
"Your voice gets better." He murmured, "I heard your last recital at the Opera House, from the wings. Are you still working at that club?"
His hand traced a line from her neck, to between her breasts, undoing the fastenings on her top, it draped open, he stopped to trace around the nipples, now standing erect, in response to his touch.
She hummed in response, needing to forget the last week.
"When I can." she finally answered his question, her breathing hurried.
Baylan finally lay on the bed and pulled her to him.
"Just say the word and I'll stop and leave."
The words were just a formality, he didn't need to use the force to see how she felt.
She leaned up and pulled him into a kiss; he pushed her down into the mattress. The familiarity of his body pressing against hers helped her forget.
.
Hela woke, and stretched, Baylan's muscular arms still held her. The memories of last night came flooding back together with a sliver of regret, even though for the time she was with him, he always made her forget what was troubling her. This time it was grief.
It was always the same from the first time when she felt she had led him on to the last time before they split up but that wasn't the case. Baylan was different to all the other Jedi she knew; he always said he had a different path to follow and had spent time looking at different Jedi orders.
Cults—the Council called them.
Difference of opinions, Baylan had explained to her and the only way to change that was to remain within the Order and challenge it. He applauded Qui Gon Jinn for that and couldn't understand why Obi Wan wasn't the same as his Master.
He moved and rested a hand on her breast, "I didn't realise you'd taken them out."
She hadn't realised he was already awake but knew he still had his piercings in.
"I had to. Months ago. They caused a problem with a costume and it can't be altered. It's antique. The Director was insistent that I wear that particular one."
His fingers brushed her ribs.
"You're thinner too. Was that for the costume?"
"It was."
"You shouldn't let them dictate and control how you look."
"I know but there's only so much I can argue with and still work for them."
"Does it mean that much to you?"
"You know it does."
He looked at her, the way he always had.
"Yes. I do."
"Just as the Jedi Order means everything to you."
"It does but not in this form. This war is wrong. We should not be Generals. But the Council can see no other way, so entrenched are they in their views."
"Are you a General?" She asked, scooting even closer to him, "Who do you lead?"
"In name only. I have been given other missions."
"Have you upset the Council again?" This was one of the reasons she originally liked him, his rebellious streak. He always reminded her of the hero of Naboo, Qui Gon Jinn.
"I made my feelings known on the matter of using clones to do the fighting. It did not feel right. They obey our orders, without question and bleed just as freely."
Hela frowned and turned away.
"Does that upset you?" He asked, seeing her face.
"It does. I know a few—Commander Cody and some of his men."
"Is that all? I know you did the concert for them."
"There is one." She hesitated, still unable to say 'was'.
"A clone? And he is important to you?"
"He is— was. He was with the Zillo Beast but didn't survive."
"So that was the reason—for the loneliness?
She shrugged.
"Did he know how you felt about him?"
"I don't think do. I didn't want to …."
"To push him into something he may not want?" He remembered her confession to him sometime ago.
"Or understand. I realised their lives have been so limiting. Yes."
"He may have surprised you. I have seen them mourn their brothers in their own way. They are not without feelings, deep feelings."
"I know that, it's just….."
"You're still searching for a family." Now Baylan hesitated, "I'm sorry I couldn't be that family for you but the Force is telling me there is something more for me, out there."
"More than this war?"
"Yes."
"But the separatists. Dooku?"
"He should have stayed, worked from within. He could have changed minds."
"Is that what you intend to do?"
"As much as I can. We need to stop this history of war, peace, war. Sith against Jedi. Who wins is right and the galaxy is always in the middle."
Hela stared at him; she had heard him talk about the history of the Sith and Jedi before but never with so much passion.
"Baylan you will be careful won't you?"
"Aren't I always."
He leaned over, kissed her hard and rolled her onto her back, his weight pressing her into the mattress; her arms wrapped around his back and her legs around him. The discussion was over.
.
Baylan watched as Hela walked slowly to the fresher, she turned and smiled before entering. He lay back on the bed, his hands behind his head. There was the recent loss she was feeling but she obviously did not wish to speak about it.
He had spent many nights with her and it was good that he was leaving Coruscant on what was likely to be a long mission, and he couldn't be tempted anymore by her. There was a reason for the attachment rule and he had to leave her. He had consulted the Force and the future was grey for both him and her, but they were not together that much was certain and it wasn't the Jedi Council and his vows that kept them apart this time.
There was someone else, someone who would be loyal. He couldn't be.
He thought about the conversation with Skywalker, the Chosen One; if he thought he was hiding his feelings for the Senator, he was mistaken. The Obsession burned brightly in him, Baylan could see it; although Skywalker kept it well hidden.
Baylan was surprised that Kenobi had not noticed, or perhaps he had and turned a blind eye. There had been a few rumours regarding the General himself over the years and his attachments.
First - the Duchess on Mandalore, then killing Maul, on Naboo. Not to mention his treatment of Ventress; like a game.
Perhaps the Chosen One had been given too much leeway in the past and it would be difficult to pull him back now. He had a bad feeling about this war, despite the prophecy and the Clones but he was only a Junior Knight and the Council had their own opinions, however much he disagreed with them.
He rose, tempted to join her in the shower for one more time but he would have to be content with his memories. He pulled on his shorts and headed to the kitchen.
"Caf! She always likes her caf first thing."
He prepared the machine, smiling as he looked at all the permutations, she just had plain ground Caf. Then he felt him enter.
Zur.
The Falleen was mellow when he entered the apartment and then his feelings changed; he had seen Baylan's cloak and then smelt them, as soon as he entered. Baylan waited for him but appeared busy setting up the caf machine.
"I thought you were leaving on a mission?" Hissed the Falleen. His feelings about Baylan are already apparent.
"I am but I had to check on her."
"You're no good for her."
"Who are you to say that or is it your employers views? And I don't mean the Opera House."
"I don't know what you mean."
Baylan huffed, "Please yourself."
"I work for the Opera House, for Hela."
"I know when you're lying Falleen. In fact the whole of you is a lie."
Zur flushed green. He hated this Jedi.
"Don't worry, I won't tell her. That would hurt her."
"I want only what is best for her."
"Hela?" Baylan studied the Falleen."Yes. I believe you do."
He started the caf machine.
"This clone." He continued, "Was it serious? Did I know them?"
"No!"
"It makes no difference. It's her life. I have no right to stop her from seeing anyone."
"But you can't seem to leave her alone to get on with that life."
"That is entirely up to her."
Hela appeared at the door.
"Zur—play nicely." She advised as she wrapped an arm around Baylan's waist and leaned into him.
"Caf my dear." He handed her a cup.
She took it and sipped, "Perfect."
Zur glared at her, "I'm going to have a shower. Suddenly I feel…..unclean."
Baylon sipped his caf and watched him leave the room, "He really doesn't like me, does he?"
"He doesn't like many people."
"Except you."
Hela frowned, as she sipped her own caf and leant against the kitchen top, "He's protective."
"Because of me."
"Especially because of you."
"Ah. You will explain won't you?"
"Yes. But I'm not sure he will understand."
"Oh. Because of the clone?"
"Possibly. Yes." she sipped her caf, "
He liked him?"
She nodded.
"I have concerns about the use of clones and the army."
"You have concerns? The Council and General Yoda accepted them. Ben was the one who found…."
"Found them on Kamino. I know. On a planet that was hidden from the Jedi star maps. There are too many questions and yet if you query it, you are being negative and going against the will of the Force."
Hela put a steadying hand on his arm. He was getting, not exactly agitated but perplexed. "You've been through all this before. Gone through it over and over again and yet there is no other answer." She paused, "If the Republic wants to win this war then you need the Clones. And they readily give their lives for you, for us." She swallowed hard at that point.
"And that really upsets you doesn't it?"
"It does. I had never really thought about it before. Never met any clones before I met Cody but they are all different, except for their willingness to fight for us, and die for us. And that's what they were" she struggled to find the words, "born to do."
She blinked back the tears at that thought.
Baylan pulled her to him, "Shhh! It will be over soon."
"Will it?"
"The Clones are formidable soldiers, despite my misgivings about their use. We need them. So it will be. Now, I need to complete my kata."
Hela moved away from him, "You can use my practise room. I need some breakfast anyway."
He dropped his head, with that enigmatic smile he had, that had first fascinated her. As he walked away, she thought about Mayday and felt guilty about spending time with Baylan.
"Finally feeling guilty?" Zur crept up behind her.
"For what?"
"For not honouring the memory of your boyfriend. I thought he was the one."
He took a step back, surprised at the force behind her slap. She had never done that before.
"I'm sorry Zur." She watched his face, expecting him to leave. He stayed, "Could Thorn have been wrong?" she asked. If she hoped and it was dashed yet again.
Hope could be a terrible thing. She had been there before.
"Contact Cody again."
"How?"
He shook his head
"Go watch your other 'boyfriend.'" He snarled, irritated with her, but knowing he would call in some favours to get through to the Marshall Commander.
.
Mayday coughed up Bacta as the medics held him upright; it had done so much healing of his soft tissue injuries but he still couldn't stand without pain. He'd already dropped to his knees once, which was why he needed two brothers to hold him up.
He reached down to pull out the catheter.
A firm hand stopped him, "Not unless you want one of us to hold it while you piss. I've had enough of that. You never know where it's been."
He stopped, the medic was right, it also freed him up to look after other injured brothers.
They led him to a bed, where he lay down gratefully for a few minutes.
"Where's my bucket and com?" He demanded.
"Commander's and Captains always have to have their com. Like the war won't go on without them." Observed one of the medics to his brother, as he pulled out a crate from under Mayday's bed.
"Your men brought it in for you. Tank—I think it was Tank— said to keep it to remind you you're not invincible.
Mayday leaned over, wincing as he did so, to see the fractured remains of his armour. His bucket was practically cleaved in half, his com was in bits and the remainder of his armour in various states of annihilation.
He leaned back, "I need access to a com."
"No can do. Com blackout for ArmyMed, due to the damage the Beast did to the communications infrastructure. Priority mission based calls only. Can't say I'm sorry. Makes our job that much easier."
He left, returning with a trolley, loaded up with what looked like more equipment.
"Now Commander. Are you going to behave or do I have to chain you to the bed?"
"What's your name, soldier?"
"Plug. Chief Medical Officer — Orthopaedics — sir." Plug stood slightly to attention in some semblance of respect for Mayday's rank.
"Plug. What's going to happen now?"
Plug stared at hm for a few seconds debating how much to actually tell him.
"We have had to requisition a new bone-knitter to complete the treatment on your leg. It was a bad break, in a bad place and even the Bacta couldn't fully repair it. The General ordered this especially for you. It's civilian, state of the art and the strongest we could get. It should save your leg."
"Save my leg?"
"Your femur was almost crushed. It was touch and go whether your leg could be saved not to mention the other injuries you suffered. Others have been returned to Kamino for less." His voice dropped to almost a whisper, "I wasn't going to let that happen again and the General was most accommodating."
"Thank you Plug, for being honest with me." He pulled himself further up the bed.
"No more of that. You're bedbound, whist the bone knitter does it's work and it's going on now."
Plug and the other medic carefully lifted his leg that Mayday had to admit felt like jelly and carefully placed it within the machine, closing it around his leg. Then they lifted his leg to about a 30 degree angle.
"This is why you need the catheter in." Confirmed plug, "We will need to change the angle periodically."
"How long?"
"It depends if you've been eating your rations like a good vod, and not just empty calories." Mayday frowned, "Your rations have the correct supplements and help healing." Continued Plug, "We will have to measure your bone density and check the break everyday. Once you're within the required parameters, you'll be sent for rehab."
Mayday nodded and leaned back, wincing at the pains shooting through his leg.
Plug jabbed a hypo in his neck, "That'll make it easier for next twelve hours. Get some sleep."
.
"Is that Commander Cody?"
"Who's this?" the Commander's authoritative voice came through loud and clear.
"Zur. Hela's assistant."
"How?"
"No time for that. Where did Commander Mayday die and how? She needs to know."
If he could tell her that it may give her some closure but he could never take the pain away. It was his sister all over again.
There was a pause before the Commander replied.
"He didn't die, he was injured."
"Then why…."
Cody interrupted.
"Coms blackout due to the infrastructure damage. Restricted coms traffic. Keep urgent messages and Intel running."
"Yes." He had found that out, even though it wasn't common knowledge. The Chancellor didn't want to frighten the populace. It made sense; avoid panic, state it's local damage.
"Does she want to see him?"
"She will."
"ArmyMed. Here's the details. I'll arrange it. Now get the fuck off my com channel."
Zur smiled at the details now coming through to his com, the last thing he wanted was Baylan Skoll hanging around.