Invasion - Part 2
It was a small gathering in the mess hall, many of her ARC troopers, their trainers and even the "Bad Batch" had run late with their training that day, in an effort to keep that annoying sensation from blaring in the back of her mind. What could she do about it? Escape? Leave the clones to their fates? Even if she wanted to… Maul was not yet ready, he could take a few steps though it was painful and his legs were not used to the weight of his own body. Zaiya had begun to think that perhaps they ought to go… but the bacta tank was still essential in the last figurative steps in his healing. She dare not jeopardise what had taken so damn long.
She was currently not eating, nor was she even reading reports... Instead she was distractedly staring at the knife she held, lightly tapping it on the table as she contemplated the next day's regime.
Out of an old habit, she laid her opposite hand flat, and tapped the knife lightly, first on the table next to her thumb, then the gap between her thumb and forefinger. Then the spot by her thumb again. Then between her index and middle finger, and back to the first location. She continued, between the gap in the next two fingers, alternating that starting point then the gaps between fingers, working her way around, then reversing direction and coming back, the rhythmic tapping between each of her long gloved fingers.
An idle movement, one she used as a backdrop to organise her thoughts. She would have to say goodbye soon. Would she even still be able to speak with them once she had left? Hopefully simply resigning would not add too many complications, though keeping her old codes and comm channels would not be possible. She also was unsure if they would be able to reach out to civilian channels with security being incredibly important. Perhaps some kind of work around would be-
"What're ya doin'?" asked a soft voice. Her movements paused, her hand holding the knife hovered in the air as she looked down the table. Most of the men were staring at her and she had to wonder how long they had been doing that. The one that spoke was Wrecker, his voice softer, more tired sounding, but his eyes still displayed such curiosity.
"Hm?" she questioned, then realised he was looking at the knife, "Oh, it's a game and old friend taught me," she explained, remembering how Hondo had grinned and encouraged her when she practised when she was younger. "It keeps my hands busy while my mind works."
"Was the humming part of it?" Havoc asked and she frowned slightly.
"I was humming?" He nodded and Zaiya sighed, she must be more distracted than she'd thought. "It must have been the song he taught me, it's stupid."
"Show us…?" Wrecker prodded, leaning on his hands, elbows on the table, his eyes bright and gleaming with interest, his tiredness gone. Zaiya chuckled, well there was no saying no to that face. She shifted in her seat to turn toward them and began showing off her movements slowly, tapping the knife between her fingers again.
"It's usually a drinking game," she began, "there's different levels to it, and sometimes you can get others to play. This knife isn't all that dangerous but you're supposed to play with a sharp blade." She smirked and the speed picked up to a faster rhythmic beat. She sang along to the sound, recalling the silly song Hondo had taught her.
"There is an old tradition, a game we all can play
You start by getting liquored up and sharpening your blade
You take a shot of whiskey, you grab your knife and pray
And spread apart your fingers, and this is what you say;
Oh, I have all my fingers, the knife goes chop, chop, chop
If I miss the spaces in between, my fingers will come off
And if I hit my fingers, the blood will soon come out
But all the same, I play this game 'cause that's what it's all about," It was the simplest version of the song, and she knew different versions and even a version in multiple languages but this was the first iteration she had learned. As she sang both the song and her movements became faster.
"No, you can't use a pencil, you cannot use a pen
The only way is with a knife when danger is your friend
And some may call it stupid, some may call it dumb
But all the same, we play this game because it's so damn fun,
Oh, I have all my fingers, the knife goes chop, chop, chop
If I miss the spaces in between, my fingers will come off
And if I hit my fingers, the blood will soon come out
But all the same, I play this game 'cause that's what it's all about," This time she was much faster, her knife hand darting back and forth as a grin formed on her lips.
"Oh, chop, chop, chop, chop, chop, chop, chop, I'm picking up the speed
And if I hit my fingers, then my hand will start to bleed-" At the last line she stopped and held up her gloved hand.
"You could hardly do any damage with that little thing," Crosshair drawled. She looked up, suddenly feeling a challenge in his words.
"Oh yeah? Should I up the ante?" she smirked and he just snorted.
"Make it actually dangerous and you might convince me," he replied.
"In that case-" she beckoned him with one finger to come over and his smug look faded. The other ARCs chuckled and ribbed each other, thinking he was in trouble. Zaiya just smiled. "Hunter, can I borrow your blade?" she asked the cadet now sporting a red headband.
Over the last few months he'd been growing his hair out and it had become a bit longer than most others. He seemed unsure but reached to his belt and handed over the larger and much sharper hunting knife. Her own blades were too large but this was perfect.
Crosshair approached as she took the knife and tugged her glove off with her teeth. She could stomach seeing her hands for a little while. Crosshair's dark eyes lingered on the pale skin and dark tattooed flesh, and she gestured to the table. After a moment he removed his own gloves.
"Go on," she urged, he hesitated, his gaze shifting to her face and she arched a pale brow. "Do you trust me?" she asked. Crosshair almost immediately placed his palm flat on the table, his fingers spread. Zaiya laid her hand atop his, skin to skin and brought up the knife. There was an almost tangible tension in the room as she began the same tapping between fingers with the blade.
Back and forth, humming the little tune as she did so. Her cool hand pressed firmly to the back of the sniper's, he crowded her back, the reach of his arm had him practically caging her and he leaned over her, his head right above her own.
The movements became faster. Her knife hand picking up speed, becoming a blur, if she hit their hands now it would do some damage. Crosshair seemed to tense behind her and she leaned back slightly… though it only seemed to make him tense more. Did he really have such little faith in her skills? Cheering from the others became louder and they seemed to enjoy the rather reckless behaviour of their Lieutenant-General.
"You seem to have confidence in your skills," Crosshair said right into her ear. His voice was husky and low, his hot breath fanned her ear and jaw. Zaiya turned her head smoothly, making direct eye contact with him, but the knife tapping continued. The cheering faded into a tense silence, she wasn't even looking at the knife!
"I would think, considering I am a trainer of the greatest army in Republic history, I would have to be," she replied with a smirk.
"Now you're just showing off," he snorted, but didn't move, his gaze flicking between her and the blade.
"How callow of me. It's not like you would lower yourself in such a disgraceful way." A wry grin crossed her lips. Though Crosshair stared at her, his face unreadable, the Force rippled around him and his body heat was almost as warm as a certain someone else she knew.
The knife continued in its tapping, the sound growing steadily faster. She turned her attention back to the others and looked to Alpha who was looking back at her with a funny little frown she couldn't quite decipher.
The tension mounted and grew, her knife-hand now a blur. Crosshair's breathing was growing a little heavier in her ear and there was something in the air she couldn't quite name. The other clones watched her. Would she slip up? Would she drive the blade into both her and the sniper's exposed hands? How long could she-
A loud trilling interrupted the moment and the tension broke. It was her commlink. A cacophony of groans of disappointment echoed from the clones and she was sure she heard Crosshair curse quietly. His hand lingered only until she withdrew hers, and she quickly replaced her glove as she stood.
"Duty calls." Zaiya shrugged, stepping away to take the call. "Go ahead" she said, as the holo burst to life, a small image of a Clone appeared. "Rex old boy!" she chirped pleasantly, the greeting a little joke he usually liked, though her smile faded on seeing his face. She was struck with a familiar feeling.
"Ver'alor, I'm giving you a heads up, the Generals will be in contact with Kamino soon but…" Zaiya didn't have a good feeling. "We intercepted a communication between General Grievous and the assassin Asajj Ventress. They're readying for a second attempt to invade Kamino. We suspect their targets are the barracks and the DNA room." The Nightsister's heart was in her throat. Another invasion? This time there would be no pitiful attempt, this was the might of the Separatist fleet if Grievous was spearheading the campaign. Her full lips formed a thin line.
"I assume you're coming as backup?" she asked quietly, a weight seemed to press down at her.
"Yes, the 501st and the 212th are on their way, we expect things to kick on in the next rotation. Strictly speaking I'm not meant to be warning you outside the official channels, but I heard about what happened last time so here's hoping the extra time will make your defence even more effective." Rex explained and she nodded, she appreciated the warning.
"Thank you Captain. Leave it to me, I look forward to seeing you again."
"If only it were under better circumstances." He mirrored her sentiment and she nodded.
"I'll take what I can get." She signed off and paused a moment, the sound of her troopers talking faded behind her and she heard footsteps. She turned to see them all staring at her with curious expressions that began to morph into worry on seeing hers.
"What is it?" Alpha asked, his steps being the ones she heard. He stood only a few feet away.
"General Grievous and Asajj Ventress are en route in an attempt to invade Kamino. They're coming here," she replied bluntly, she was hardly going to lie to them.
It felt as though all the air was sucked from the room and every face became deathly serious. Alpha spoke first.
"How long have we got?"
"Well, more than ten minutes this time." She smiled humourlessly. "About one rotation, the boys from the 501st and 212th are already enroute, I should think the Kaminii are being notified as we speak-" As if on cue, the lights dimmed in the mess hall and Zaiya's, Alphas and the other trainer's comms all chirped. A message began to play from speakers throughout the facility.
[This is a Level One Lockdown. Please remain calm. All Commanding Officers to report to Hangar 17B for briefing. All other personnel return to your barracks and await instructions. Repeat: This is a Level One Lockdown…] The message repeated and Zaiya looked back at her Troopers.
"Alright lads you heard it, I want you to be on alert, as the ARCs, you will be leading security, the rest of the trainers will be receiving instructions on where you will be placed. Head back, wash if you need to and suit up. Understood?" she called in an authoritative voice.
"Sir, yes sir!" they called back in unison, saluting her.
"Dismissed!" She gestured for the trainers to follow and Alpha quickly met her at her side as she walked.
"What about us?" Wrecker called and she paused, turning back to look at him. They were still cadets, not having yet seen action, and not a part of the ARC program.
"Stay in your barracks for now-" they looked like they wanted to protest but she held up a hand to silence them. "That is an order! I will give you more information as I have it, let me get all the information first." With that she turned away, her red sash fluttering dramatically with the movement.
She caught up with Alpha who handed her a datapad, the information being relayed to her device in real time on the information the Jedi had provided. It was much similar to what Rex had told her.
"Let's hope your security measures hold against the Separatists," she said to him quietly. It was Alpha himself that had put together most of the security protocols after the last invasion, and he had been implementing much of them since he had been back. She trusted his due diligence, but against Asajj and Grievous, any system would be tested.
"Maybe I'll get a chance to pay that harpy back…" Alpha sneered. Zaiya chuckled.
"If I find her first… I'll hold her down for you." The smirk on his lips was a cruel one as they headed to the Hangar.
The briefing was indeed brief, relaying all the information and putting Alpha's protocols in place. The dreadnought carrying both Kenobi's and Skywalker's battalions arrived shortly after the meeting concluded. Zaiya and Alpha followed General Shaak Ti and Prime Minister Lama Su to greet them.
"You seem to be rather organised," Kenobi said smoothly to his fellow Jedi Master.
"That would be thanks to the Lieutenant-General and ARC Captain," Shaak Ti said with a sweeping gesture of her hand. "I believe you have met?"
"We're acquainted." Zaiya said abruptly. "What more information do you have on the Separatist attack, Generals?" She looked between Kenobi and Skywalker impassively.
"I do not understand how the Separatists think they can possibly get past the Republic blockade," Lama Su interrupted. "How could they dare."
"In my opinion the Separatists have as much audacity as they do droids," Skywalker replied with a frown, he looked to Zaiya to answer her question. "We believe they will attempt to break the lines of the fleet in orbit, but I would not be too worried. There's no way they can get past our dreadnoughts." He flashed her a charming smile and she was only reminded just how young he was. He was practically a child.
"Be that as it may, I have everyone on security patrol and all training suspended. The cadets not ready for battle have all been moved to secure locations and far away from any strategic points of interest." Zaiya reported calmly, meeting the Jedi's eyes with a level gaze. "Captain Alpha's security protocols already have the DNA room and the barracks under heavy protection. After the last attempt, we surmised that the targets would be to cripple the Republic Army as a whole, we have taken every precaution."
"That's very studious of you," Obi-Wan said approvingly. Zaiya had the sudden urge to gag him with a spoon.
"We take the security of these soldiers very seriously," she replied flatly. There was an uncomfortable silence as she stared him down.
"Hopefully it will not come to that," Shaak Ti finally intervened in her usual warm tone.
"That is always the hope, but we will not be caught unawares this time." Zaiya nodded and looked back at the red-skinned togruta. Shaak Ti gave her an appraising look and Zaiya felt her shoulders tense. Was she suggesting something with that look? That Zaiya seemed to know ahead of time about the attack? It was settled, wasn't it?
It would only be a few weeks and it wouldn't matter, the Nightsister supposed. For now she just had to worry about the task at hand.
"I suggest we convene in the control room in one hour after Masters' Kenobi and Skywalker's troops have disembarked and prepared," Shaak Ti suggested.
"Excellent idea, the Captain and I will run one more sweep and ensure the men are ready. Might Captain Rex and Commander Cody join us? I favour their opinions." Zaiya nodded then looked back to the newly arrived Jedi. Their respective second in commands had approached and were standing just to the side of their Generals. The Jedi looked at each other then at the clones in question and nodded. Zaiya turned away and had the three clones follow, catching Skywalker's comment;
"I forgot how intense she can be." Zaiya assumed she was not meant to hear it, but rolled her eyes, feeling their eyes at her back. She didn't need their approval, she just needed to keep the clones alive.
It was on the tour that she relaxed a little, and Alpha noticed.
"You really don't like Jedi, do you?" he asked, as the group moved down the corridor.
"They're creepy," she replied, not looking at him, but ahead where she noticed another group of familiar figures.
"How so?" Cody asked with a chuckle.
"They sneak up on you, walk without making noise, speak cryptically and disappear and appear with no warning…" Zaiya grumbled with a roll of her eyes.
"You walk like that." Alpha asked with an arched brow and a flat tone. "Not to mention you have that weird… predator thing going on."
"Exactly. It's weird to see anyone beyond my Sisters doing such things," she huffed. The men around her laughed and she rolled her eyes. They were tense, and nervous for the coming attack, she had to do something to break that tension.
The men ahead were ones she recognised and her expression brightened.
"Ninety-Nine! How is the security in sector seven?" she checked in, though she noticed the sorrowful expression, and her smile dropped. In his hand he held a very familiar medal. The medal all cadets were given upon graduation. One Ninety-Nine had not been given. She looked between it, and the other two men.
She recognised them as Echo and Fives of Domino squad and they were in the telltale 501st blues. She remembered their training with her for a week before they took their final test. How clever Fives was, how shy Echo had been. CT-4040, who had taken the name Cutup was always so funny, he and Droidbait were always cracking jokes or attempting to butter her up. And of course Hevy, strong willed and rash but full of heart.
It was a proud day when she had seen them graduate, having seen them overcome far more than most batches to unite together- but as she looked between the medal -Hevy's medal- Ninety-Nine's face and the sombre expressions on Fives and Echo's faces… she put it together. There was a feeling in the Force from Commander Cody and Captain Rex and she turned, unable to help the waver in her voice as she asked.
"What happened?"
"There was an incident, droids invaded the Rishi Moon," Rex began.
"It was our first assignment," Fives added, "we did our best to hold them off, but they overran the base, Droidbait was killed in the first wave. Cutup, Echo, Hevy and I were the only ones out… but one of the giant eels… they got Cutup."
"Captain Rex and Commander Cody were able to help us get back in, we used a droid head-" Echo started but the story was sounding familiar.
"Is this the incident where you shot the droid wearing clone armour and scared Cody to death?" she asked bluntly. Rex gave a sheepish expression as she looked at him and he nodded. "You didn't tell me about the Domino squad," she frowned.
"I didn't know you knew each other," Rex replied, glancing down in shame. She recalled the rest from a previous conversation, they'd retaken the base and alerted the Republic fleet by destroying the base but-
"So the last soldier…" she realised. "The one that blew up the base…?"
"It was Hevy," Fived provided. For a moment, her face became stricken. Pained and guilt-ridden. She had not dropped her guard this much in a long time and had not been expecting the blow. It hurt, it hurt far more than she expected. A second later the expression was gone, she closed her eyes and took a breath. She was not going to let them down now. Her expression hardened and she let out the breath, becoming Ver'alor once again.
"Hevy was a brilliant soldier, he saved his brothers and did all he could to protect his family, we can ask no more of him and in whatever realm he has passed into, may peace find them," she said in a low and respectful tone.
"Nu kyr'adyc, shi taab'echaaj'la," Alpha added, his head bowed. The rest of the group repeated the phrase, Zaiya with them.
In a small laboratory, far from the bustle of the soldiers preparing for battle, awaited another warrior, his brow furrowed. He sat in a meditation pose, and was all but still and calm, save for the deep scowl on his features. His hands balled into fists and there was a slight twitching of his cheek. Anger and rage swirled around him, and he fought to keep it contained.
He could feel it. His enemy was here!
Maul's yellow and bloodshot eyes snapped open and he let out an animalistic growl. This was infuriating! Humiliating! Kenobi was here! On Kamino! Right then -and Maul was here in this lab. Stuck here, waiting.
He knew he could not be rash. He had to be patient. He could not even walk properly! To be so close, to finally find the man -the filth that had robbed him of his destiny, his limbs and nearly his life! That had taken so much! The power and prestige, the greatness he had been promised! Then of course there were the little things… The time. The years he had missed, seeing his brothers, his home… time with Zaiya. All of it was taken from him, robbed.
He was flung into a pit like trash and Zaiya was taken Fanged God only knew where and tortured, hurt and… she was different when he saw her again. Her eye had not healed properly, the skin was still ragged and dark from the burn. He couldn't save her, he hadn't been able to. Because of Kenobi.
The smug preening filthy Jedi rat!
The anger boiled in Maul's chest. He could not sit and wait. He had to do something. He could not remain still! Forcing himself to the edge of the medical cot, he unhooked himself from the wires and sensors. Zaiya had been attentive in her duties, despite his concern for her weakness for this place. She had left him water and food, not that the meals were of particular substance. His Lieutenant had promised him a rich meal when they finally left this place and the thought dampened his rage only slightly. It did not, however, dampen his determination, and only made it stronger.
One bare red foot touched the freezing floor of the laboratory. His teeth grit. He would no longer be confined to this place. His patience could only take so much. No matter her predilection for this place or the unfortunately destined clones, he was her Lord. If he commanded her, she would obey.
He focused his rage, his hate and his persistence… and slowly rose to his feet. Something was going on out there, and he would not be left unprepared.
A further sweep of Tipoca City had been carried out and Zaiya now stood with her Captains Alpha, Havoc, Colt, Rex and Commander Cody in the control room. They knew where they would be stationed in the event of a breach. Zaiya had insisted to the Jedi that the men be on standby, guarding the two suspected target points preemptively.
It was here that Kenobi actually backed her, while Skywalker was far too relaxed about the whole thing. He insisted that when he met Grievous in the battle above the planet, that everything would be over quickly. He really was a boy, his age showing in moments like this. Then again, she looked at the young faces of the men around her, most of the clones looked about the same age as the 19 year old Anakin Skywalker. Practically children! Alpha appeared the most wizened of them, though it may have just been the scars.
Though not the first time she had faced this situation, she was not being permitted to meet them in battle. She was under strict instruction to remain in the control room. It burned in her to remain still. That was where she and Maul had yet another commonality.
She listened to the chatter, her eyes on the ground, keeping to one point as she ran over all the information in her head once more time. No mistakes. Her attention was pulled away briefly when Skywalker announced he was heading to the hangar. He was to face the Separatists in battle, making Zaiya even more annoyed at having to stay put. Something about coordination or her 'insight'. She didn't believe it for a second. They wanted to keep an eye on her… though she wasn't sure why.
Several minutes later Skywalker's voice crackled through the comms.
[Grievous has come out of hyperspace, we are set to engage,] he said almost flippantly. Zaiya didn't like it, everything seemed too simple.
"I don't like it," Kenobi said quietly, his fingers stroking his beard. "It's too easy." Zaiya's eyes narrowed.
"For once I agree." The Nightsister managed to suppress the curl of her tattooed upper lip. "This seems too reckless even for that walking scrap-pile."
"Look," he said with a frown, his hand directed them to the hologram depicting the battle in space above them. Pieces of metal were shown falling from the ships being shot down. Alarms were blaring, warning of falling debris, and Zaiya's eyes narrowed.
"The falling ships are the key…" she whispered, leaning in close to the hologram, as though it might reveal more details to her.
"What are you thinking?" Shaak Ti asked, turning to her. Kenobi spoke up before she had the chance to answer.
"I'm going down there, keep watch here and be alert." With that, the Jedi turned and walked off quickly. Zaiya rolled her eyes. After a beat, she turned back to the clones.
"I have a bad feeling about this, I want you all to move to your stations, prep your weapons and your men. If it goes, it'll go downhill fast." The men nodded and Alpha placed a hand on her shoulder in support. She nodded to his silent question, "I'll be out with you as soon as I can." Whatever it took, she would not be stuck here while the men had to defend their home. Once she had the report from Kenobi, she would meet with the others. She would defend their home by their sides.
"You seem to have a thought on this," Shaak Ti said, interrupting Zaiya's mental monologue.
"Kenobi is correct." As much as it pained her to say so. "They will come."
It was some time later when they heard Kenobi report in, his discussion with Skywalker heard through the comms.
[Only you would be worried about the ships I've already shot down,] Skywalker preened and Zaiya rolled her eyes.
"Wait a minute…" Kenobi interjected.
"What are you seeing?" Zaiya called, urgency building in her chest.
"Aqua droids…" It was a whisper and Zaiya's eyes widened. "We were right, Lady Siren! The Separatists are assembling droids from the fallen craft! They're coming!"
"We're ready for them!" Zaiya replied and stepped back from the console. She looked to Shaak Ti. "You are more than enough for coordination, we've done this before. I'm standing with the men." She was not asking permission. Shaak Ti's black eyes looked into Zaiya's, and she nodded.
"As you must." Zaiya left with a grateful nod and fled the room swiftly, she was moving to the DNA room to stand with Alpha, his Company and the Bad Batch. The rest were ready to protect the barracks and passages to the safe havens where the cadets were holed up.
"Get ready boys, the party is coming to us," Zaiya called into the comm. As she raced down the hall, the entire facility shook.
They were here.
Notes: Hello lovelies!
Thank you for joining me for another episode of Zaiya sasses people. D'you think she and Kenobi can be friends? Hmmmmm... Maybe, maybe not.
I have powered on the last two weeks writing Sins of the Father to get ahead of my posting schedule, now it's time I really crack on with APOD so I don't have to take a break. I really don't want to. Apologies for the late posting of this chapter, yesterday was pretty intense for me and I went to bed early without prepping this chapter. Hopefully its interesting enough for you to forgive me.
As always thank you thank you for your wonderful comments, feedback and the occasional fanart! (All art is on my Tumblr - same username) I really love all the comments, it really helps keep me engaged and motivated, and I love love love knowing your thoughts on the story so far!
Next week we'll get into the Invasion proper, and in Mistakes Part 1, there is gonna be some painful events and some loss. :( It's gonna hurt.
Just a reminder I am open for questions, if you have any about my process, the characters, the story, I am amassing questions for chapter 100 Q & A special. So if you have a question to be featured in the Q&A, leave it in the comments!
