Chancellor's Office

Hela wondered where Baylan had disappeared to this time, another mission. He had left in the middle of the night again. She must stop seeing him, she could feel herself being drawn to him again. There was just something about him but she said the same about Mayday.

"Perhaps I just pick the wrong men."

"Sorry, I didn't hear what you said?" The chief stood at the door.

"Nothing. Just thinking aloud."

"He can see you now." The Chief smiled. It wasn't very often you saw her smile and with her severe short hair cut, she was ferocious in her defence of the Chancellor's office and his diary.

"My dear," Palpatine rose from his desk and walked towards her as she limped into his office, "I sorry our meeting has to be so late but how are you?" He offered his hand.

Hela sat in the seat he guided her to.

"Better! The concussion has gone but the ankle is being troublesome. If it doesn't heal soon, this run will have ended and I will have missed a large portion of it. The first time ever."

"And you had a concert for the troops planned."

"Yes. I should be able to do that. I can sit on stage. It won't be the same though."

"Are you sure, my dear?"

"I have to do something."

He sensed there was something deeper, another sadness.

"Perhaps you should continue with the traditional opera rather than this newer work."

"I need to expand on what I do."

"Yes, yes, of course, of course. We must all move forward in some way."

"Your co-star, Frey, on Holonet Tonight?"

Hela blushed, "You watched it?"

He felt satisfaction at the turmoil of emotions that emerged following that comment.

"I haven't seen you for a while. It was a way of catching up with you. Both of us have been so busy. It was —eye opening."

"There's nothing happening there. It was just to get Jymii Crane off our backs. She's so persistent and now she thinks she has a story."

"Ah, a bluff. You dealt with her well on the programme. Deflecting questions about me but you shouldn't have to."

"Of course I did. She had agreed not to ask those questions then went back on her word."

He felt the flare of anger at the thought of betrayal by a simple avaricious being; he must ask his people to deal with her.

"So this Frey is just a friend?" The chancellor's eyes narrowed as he said that.

"Yes. Just a friend. He's married."

The Chancellor smiled, benevolently, "Sometimes my dear, you seem so naive about people. Just because they're married…."

"I've met his wife, they're so in love and have children."

He moved next to her and patted her hand, "I remember once when I was younger and handsome. I had not long been in the Senate, one of the youngest at that time. I was at this dinner and a slightly older, very beautiful woman propositioned me."

Hela didn't really want to hear this.

He sensed her discomfort at his words.

"Suffice to say, it was a ruse to get me to divulge some information about my mentor, who was an important person in the Banking area."

"But you didn't?"

"No my dear. But I want you to be careful."

"Yes, Chancellor." She answered automatically.

"Sheeve." He reminded her, smiling.

"Sheeve." She corrected herself.

The Chancellor steepled his fingers and concentrated on her; her feelings of confusion with the galaxy, desolation at the losses she suffered all fed into him. She was a breath of fresh —Dark —air compared to the feelings of the beings in his immediate surroundings.

He always sent for her when he felt the need for something different. He had manipulated her for so long, she didn't realise it, then most didn't, he was most adept at it.

He pulled her back from the abyss every time; it was such a pity she wasn't Force sensitive, oh what he could have done with her. But there were others.

"If you ever feel the need for a holiday, to get away from Coruscant. I know of a place. It's beautiful. A tropical paradise and no dangerous animals. Just peace and quiet."

Hela frowned; this was the first time he had ever spoken of this, that she could remember. Sometimes it was difficult to remember what he said during their visits.

"It's called Biss. Just let me know if you ever need a break. I can arrange it. Even in these trying times."

"Thankyou."

"But in the meantime we will get a specialist at Coruscant Medcenter to look at your ankle."

"There's no need."

"There is every need. The Chief will arrange it." He pressed a button on his com, "But now I have a meeting." He sighed, "Make sure you see The Chief on your way out and be careful my young friend."

And that was it, she was dismissed. She limped out of his office and bumped straight into The Chief.

"Chief!"

"Tomorrow morning. 10:00. I'll send someone to meet you."

"There's no need."

"The Chancellor insists. We're on high alert. There have been some threats but don't worry. It's all in hand."

Now Hela was worried.

"Captain Jayfon or Taggart please."

If the The Chief was irritated by any of Hela's requests she didn't show it; the Chancellor had any number of young people who he gave guidance to and they had priority. Especially Skywalker. He was very special.

"Jayfon then tomorrow."

"Thanks."

.

Hela walked slowly along the corridor, trying not to limp but failing. Baylan had done what he could and it certainly felt better but now he was gone the medcenter could take over. It was for the best.

She heard footsteps behind her and stopped.

"So it's a date tomorrow?" Jayfon enquired.

"It is." Hela smiled at him.

"Good I'd hate to think you took that tumble for no good reason."

"Do I need a reason?"

"Nah! I like escorting you. It's like having a holiday. Apart from a few Senators, they're all idiots and it's worse than a child's playground in there."

Hela laughed, she'd heard that before.

"Do you know if Senator Amidala us in?"

"She is. I can escort you."

"Thank you, that would be lovely."

They walked slowly along the corridor to accommodate Hela's limp.

"Have you ever thought of doing something else, other than Senate Guard?"

She was making small talk but Jayfon was too polite not to answer.

"Thought about CSF, couple of years ago but wanted to get more experience. Obriim went there and is doing well but there's plenty to keep me busy here and now, with the war."

He stopped walking.

"Here you are!"

"Ah yes. See you tomorrow then."

"It's a date." He grinned and marched off, answering his wrist com as he did.

Hela pressed the door button; it had been a while. There was always s8metging happening with Padme.

She walked through the door, "Padme. How are you?" She reached the Senator and hugged her, "I heard about the attempt on your life. Thank goodness for the Jedi. It was Anakin's Padawan, wasn't it who foiled the attempt?"

"I'm fine and it was. Have you seen Anakin recently or Obi wan?"

"Neither."

Padme looked at her chrono, "How's your foot?"

"Nearly there."

"Good. I'm sorry to push you out but I have an urgent meeting."

"Oh. It's not a problem, we're all busy." Padme pulled her into another hug.

"We must meet up for a meal or Caf something." Suggested Hela, before they released each other.

"We must but now…."

"Of course. I'll see you soon."

Hela made her slow way along the corridor and out of the building, then all hell broke loose.

.

Zur was waiting for her when she reached the Apartment, "Where the fuck have you been?"

"The Chancellor's Office."

"You never told me."

"You weren't here. It was last minute, to fit in with his schedule."

"There's been a hostage crisis there. You were last seen with Jayfon. The Chief has been checking if you got home. They couldn't find you."

"I went to Dex's. Is everyone alright?"

"Jayfon's dead. Senator Philo too. Shot by bounty hunters, they thought perhaps the bounty hunters had you as well."

"Jayfon's dead?"

"Yes, they took him out."

The severity of the situation finally sank in.

"I was just talking to him. He was going to pick me up tomorrow."

"Come on, sit down."

He poured her a drink and handed it to her, "Here! Drink this! Why was Jayfon going to pick you up?"

"The Chancellor had arranged for me to go to the Coruscant Medcentre for my ankle. Was anyone else hurt? Padme? She was at the Senate when I saw her, she had a meeting."

"She was caught up in it, as was Skywalker but they're safe."

Hela downed her drink in one and held out the glass for another.

"How is your ankle?" Asked Zur.

She shrugged and downed the other glass.

"Zur?"

"Yes?"

"You won't leave me will you?"

He frowned, "No!"

"Good. I just feel everyone leaves me."

Zur had no answer, he knew he was in too deep now.

.

Ord Mantell

Orbiting Medical Frigate.

Plug had cajoled the resident CMO of the frigate to let him monitor the Commander's progress and be responsible for his final treatment; he had made some promises he would have to keep along the way, somehow, but it was worth it.

Now the Commander was ready to come out of Bacta. It had been touch and go in the beginning, the extensive burning and loss of blood; he hadn't seen a blaster wound like it before. It had been a near miss and Plug had kept a close eye on some of the med droids treating him. He didn't trust them. They were hovering— menacingly, as far as he was concerned, and making noises about the extent of the Commander's injuries and how long and how much it would cost for him to recuperate back to full fighting fitness.

He had heard rumours on Corrie of his brothers being terminated needlessly, when they would have survived, given the chance of more treatment, a longer recovery time. He wasn't going to let that happen to the Commander. He couldn't quite bring himself to call him The Boss yet, that seemed—disrespectful, given his rank.

Okay, Splicer had helped him amend the information the med droids had received about the Commander's state, his vitals, giving them no information to use with which to withdraw treatment. He had seen that happen before as well.

Tank and Hex had stood guard at times when he couldn't be there but he would do this for any of his brothers. On Geonosis he'd had to put some of his brothers out of their misery but only if he knew he couldn't help them recover. It astonished him how some of them had still been alive with the appalling injuries they suffered. He still had nightmares about that but they all did. All of them had dreams, it was only human.

Plug smiled as he looked at the Commander, as the Bacta drained; His dream looked to have been very pleasant judging from the physical reaction he was having. He pushed the antidote to the anaesthetic through the line.

"You ready Hex?" It was his turn to stay with him.

His brother nodded, he had been briefed and been through this, so he knew the drill.

Mayday lurched out of the Bacta tank, unsteady on his feet, Plug and Hex caught him and steadied him.

Plug and Hex looked down the Commander, then at each other

"No need to stand to attention on my behalf, sir. You're my superior." Plug offered a hand. Mayday glared at him and slapped it away.

"Towel!" He demanded huskily.

Mayday glared at them both, as he pulled the towel around his involuntary erection, somehow embarrassed. He stumbled, forward. Hex caught him.

"Got you sir. Showers over there."

"Thanks!" He grudgingly said, as he walked unsteadily towards the shower cubicle.

"Need any help?"

"Fuck off!" Came the bad tempered reply.

"I know none of us like being in bacta but this hasn't cured his sore head." Observed Hex, "He needs to sort this thing out with Hela. Get his head around it whatever it is and accept it or move on. I'll get Splicer onto that holo, see if there's something more to it."

"Yeah! Tell him top priority. Did Tank tell you what the Commander did out there?"

"Yes."

"Any more of that and we'll lose him."

"I know. There's a time and place for heroics."

.

Hex leaned over Splicer, looking over his shoulder, as he tapped away at the datapad, "So can you analyse it?"

"Can a Clanker say Roger! Roger!" Replied Splicer.

Hex grinned, he liked the younger clone, "Good lad. Get on with it."

"Anything for Boss."

Mayday gave him more leeway than many Commanders would. His obsession with tech nearly got him reconditioned on Kamino. He shuddered at the thought. There were brothers he had seen and known who were reconditioned. They were never the same. Gaps in their abilities, in their memory, no personality.

He shook his head to dislodge those memories and concentrate on his job. He had never had a girl and wasn't quite sure what the Boss's problem was. If his girl wanted to go with someone else, so long as she came back to him he wasn't bothered but he didn't have a girl, or a boy for that matter, of any species. But he had his squad and that was enough for now.

He pulled all the images and holos of that show and others she had done with Frey and split them into scenes then individual frames.

He looked up as a thought hit him; if The Boss got back with her, was she his sister? He hoped so, he liked that idea.

He concentrated on his important task; it was top priority.

.

Barton IV

Rebel Base

Donca watched the clone, he had listened to and tinkered with his comlink for hours now, drinking little and eating even less, desperately trying to get something more out of it. She knew loss and now she knew for certain he knew it and for many.

Finally she could wait no more.

"Are you certain it's her, this Hela?"

"Yes." He continued to study the comlink; he had dismantled it now.

"Why?"

"I just am."

He stared ahead. His memory was slowly returning, some of those memories were painful. Then he returned to his task.

"Some kind of code?" She asked.

He stopped and studied her, for several seconds. His look was piercing, authoritative; he had that quality in buckets that leaders have. That quality she felt she didn't have.

"Very astute." The corner of his mouth turned up.

Donca remembered what Fulcrum had said, that he may be Special Forces; if he was and he could embed code in static, perhaps he could teach someone else to do that, a non- soldier. Did he teach the singer that?

If he did, he was the man she needed and would be especially useful.

"How did she know how to do that? Did you teach her?"

He looked up from the comlink but didn't answer and went back to it. Finally putting it back together and returning the tool she had lent him.

"So…..why are you so interested in me?" He crossed his arms and leaned back. "I'm just a clone. One of millions."

This was her chance, it was now or never and yet, she hesitated, unsure, that leadership quality deserting her again. She never found it easy.

"You must need me for something because you've gone to a lot of trouble to keep me alive." He continued.

"I want you to join us." There, she'd said it. "I want you to train us to be better, to be real soldiers. It's what we need to be to win this war. We can't be teachers, Doctors or farmers anymore. We need to be soldiers, to do what needs to done to get results."

He stared at her, his face blank, as she continued.

"You owe the Empire nothing. They were leaving you for dead, like a piece of rotting meat. Retiring your brothers to what?"

He looked away; he didn't want to hear this— the truth of it, what it all had come to.

"If you go back to the Empire, the worst case scenario is you could be shot, as a deserter and the best? Being retired to a life of what? Playing Sabacc with your brothers remembering the war, the good old days? Not actually doing anything."

Donca waited then pulled out her com.

"We had this sent to us from a sympathiser, another survivor. Some of your brothers were on Sorenno, with the Empire."

Mayday turned back, showing his interest.

Donca played the small snippet of a recording of the Empire's work on that planet.

"The Empire were moving everything of value that Dooku had stored there as his war chest. Not his personal fortune but from everyone who had supported his cause."

Mayday narrowed his eyes as he watched the Imperial Officer talking to a Clone Captain. Mayday knew it was a clone, he still wore clone armour, not the new Stormtrooper stuff; he couldn't even bring himself to think of that as armour.

The new Stormtroopers didn't walk or stand like that either; comfortable in their armour after a lifetime of training and fighting in it. The recording zoomed in but there was no audio. It was done on primitive recording equipment.

"A survivor of Sorenno, the bombardment, took it and broadcast it on the Holonet; we picked it up before it was removed by the Empire."

Mayday glanced at her then returned to the recording. He could see the clone Captain, who as far as he could tell was speaking with an Imperial Admiral. Mayday was able to lip read part, something about a report and rogue clones and it being incorrect.

The Captain looked familiar, "Wilco?" He whispered. He narrowed his eyes, knowing what was going to happen now. Wilco would refuse to change the report. It was his nature.

He did.

What Mayday hadn't expected was the Imperial to shoot his brother down in cold blood and push him over the edge into the abyss below. There was no surviving that.

Mayday closed his eyes and turned away from her.

Donca had played her cards. She wondered now as he stood with his back to her whether she had pushed him too hard, too soon, but she remembered seeing those helmets in the store room.

She did have one more card to play but was leaving that for next time. She hadn't given up on him yet.

.