Hela's Apartment
The holovid screen went blank, "What?" She exclaimed, "I was watching that!"
"The holovids from the Outer Rim Sieges, really?" Zur asked.
"Yes!" She crossed her arms.
"You'll drive yourself insane watching them and waiting to hear from him." Zur said as he moved in front of her, effectively blocking the screen,
"Put it back on." She demanded.
"No!"
She took a deep breath and stood up ready to berate him with her most eloquent Naboo curses; the one's she had learned from Nola.
"Hela." Anoon's soft voice pulled her up, "You need to get some rest. You have that Appointment tomorrow."
The yearly visit to the MedCenter had come around again. Another check up and yet she felt fine and had no symptoms since she her initial treatment but she would het no respite until she attended.
"Here! Relax!" He held the cup of tea out to her.
She accepted it, "You're right."
"Hopefully the examination will be fine, as Zur tells me it usually is, and you need to be well for when he comes back to you."
"I just—" she blinked back sudden tears.
"I know."
"Nothing from him for months, apart from the odd message saying he's safe and well and not to worry."
"That's the life of a soldier's partner. You have to accept it or—"
"I know. I know."
She'd had this conversation with herself on numerous occasions.
"Here! Have this as well." He held out a larger than normal cookie.
She raised an eyebrow.
"Even I can see you've lost weight and Zur is worried."
She looked over at Zur; he scowled, not looking the least bit worried. But that was his permanent expression these days.
Reaching out she took the cookie and the mug and did as she was told. She still had a new part to study for, back to her roots, high opera. She was with the singing Master again to perfect her notes, breathing and get back in Opera mode. She needed someone to push her now, with all this worry. It was distracting; she used to be able to immerse herself in her music. It was an escape; that was not working any more but she had to try.
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Outer Rim
Raydonia
Raydonia—a small, planet in the Outer Rim. Akiva, Dathomir and Dermos were the closest planets. Grievous had already attacked Dathomir and massacred the Dathomirian nightsisters and now there were reports of atrocities here and their supply runs had been intercepted. Republic Intel deduced it was Grievous but why this particular planet they weren't sure.
Mayday, Baylan and the squad were here to offer assistance, so the orders said, the clones and Jedi were spread thin across the Galaxy. Mayday's small team was all that could be spared at the moment.
He stood with Veetch studying the holomap.
"The whole planet is covered in forests and the settlements still require supplies from transport ships." Veetch spoke his thoughts aloud, "you would have thought they would have cleared more of it for food production."
"Hmm. Looks like they were harvesting the trees, as an easy and quick method to get credits whilst they cleared the land for food and excavated and searched for whatever else they could get from the planet." Mayday continued, "possibly ore of some kind." He guessed, thinking that sometimes civilian populations didn't think logically.
Veetch pulled up more details, "The last two supply ships haven't got through. We've got escorts ready for the next two who are due in a week."
"Will the Settlements last that long?"
"Their Leaders say yes. They always have kept some supplies in reserve."
"Good."
"So is this Grievous or not?"
Mayday stared at the map, "I don't think so. It's not his style. There's no droids and he goes nowhere without droids. I think this is someone new."
"New Seppie tactic or a new somebody else, an opportunist pirate or criminal gang?" Asked Veetch.
"My gut tells me it's an opportunist. Unless we are missing something there's nothing here for the Seppies. Maybe one of the crime syndicates trying to get a foothold before the planet becomes too organised and while the Jedi are occupied with the war. The timing is ideal."
"Makes sense." Agreed Veetch, "I'll ask the lads to keep an eye out for any newcomers and monitor any strange ships. Although with these spread out settlements it's not going to be easy."
"Never is. What are our supplies like?"
"We have enough for a month. That's assuming we're going to be on ration bars only after next Benduday."
Mayday grimaced but it was more than some had.
"Any news on any of the transfers?"
"Not yet. Probably get more shinies this next run."
"And more supplies." He said hopefully, "Talking of shinies, how is Decs doing?"
"Stepped up to the mark well sir. He's got potential. Tank still has him under his wing."
"Good. And the others?"
"Doing well, adapted quickly and settled in."
"Good." Mayday dragged his hand down his face, feeling the day old beard appearing; he knew why Cody always looked so drained now. This was bad enough and Marshalling the 212th would be like looking after a city.
"Time to hit the Mess sir?"
"Yes. Let's do that."
.
Mayday was just finishing his 'choco pudding', well that's what it said on the side of the tub. He wasn't entirely sure if that's what it was but it filled up the last corner of his stomach, that and his large mug of caf.
"Message from one of the Settlements, Sir. They're fairly isolated, mainly Farmers. There's been an incident."
"I hate it when civilians call something an incident. It usually means something really bad had happened."
He read the message. This was really bad.
"Veetch! Get the speeders and a squad. Looks like we're going to have to do some detective work. I want to leave in fifteen."
He rose, poured the last of his caf down his throat and went to his quarters to get his pack. Veetch veered off to do his bidding.
.
Tank led his men through the middle of the deserted settlement.
"There's something off here, sir. There's no sign of any Clankers anywhere."
Tank and his squad were on the opposite side of the village to Veetch and Mayday, who were working their way from that side.
"How many casualties?"
"Looks like the whole village. I'll scan for survivors."
"I'll tell Baylan."
Mayday had come to think of Baylan as their Jedi, as they had done so many missions now, although technically he still wasn't allocated to anyone permanently. Even Vos had been— although had, was the operative word now. There were rumours about him.
"Sir?"
"I see. I've had a message from the Council. I'll be there shortly. Don't do anything!"
This didn't sit well with Mayday and from the sound of his voice, it didn't sit well with Baylan either.
.
"Mayday! Walk with me!"
"Yes sir!"
He joined the Jedi as they walked towards the bodies. Tank was right, it looked like the whole village had been rounded up and killed. It wasn't unheard of for the Seppies to do this but there didn't appear to be any reason for it.
Baylan stood and looked at several bodies; Mayday joined him and it was apparent they had been killed by lightsabers or some weapon like that.
"Sir what's going on here?"
"We're not sure. There are some rogue Force users at large. We think this was them. I'm waiting for General Kenobi to get back to me."
His voice betrayed how dissatisfied with this turn of events, almost angry. His com link blinked again and he walked to one side to take it. Mayday stood in the square, looking at the bodies. He was used to seeing broken clankers and the bodies of his brothers in armour lost in the war they were bred to fight but this— he looked around. Unarmed civilians, he felt the anger rising. This was not right. He waited for his orders, expecting to be told to find the monsters that did this and bring them to justice, whoever they were.
He turned, hearing Baylan's voice raised in an argument with General Kenobi.
"So it is him?"
"Yes. It's been confirmed."
"General Kenobi, we can help. You cannot tackle him alone."
"I'll admit, he appears to have a problem staying dead, even after I cut him in half on Naboo."
Mayday's ears pricked up at the mention of Naboo; he knew who they were talking about now. What happened at Naboo, including General Kenobi's fight with Maul was the stuff of legends among the clones, after his own Master had been killed he took on the Zabrak and cut him in half, his body disappeared down a reactor shaft and was thought destroyed.
"Obviously!" Muttered Baylan struggling to stay calm.
General Kenobi's determined face disappeared, as the call was disconnected and Baylan walked towards him, visibly angry at the outcome of the call.
"We have to leave." He said.
Mayday followed, "Sir?" He couldn't believe what he heard.
"Our orders are to leave as soon as possible. General Kenobi is coming to deal with— this!"
"Alone?"
"It appears so. But if we stay, we may be the cause of more deaths."
"So, we're being held to ransom?"
"Yes. But I have every confidence in the General."
Mayday felt Tank hovering in the distance accompanied by Plug.
"Sir. What about the bodies?" Plug asked, "It doesn't seem right to just leave them here in the open but I'm not sure what they do on this planet. If they have any ceremonies."
The clones sometimes left their own brothers' bodies, where they fell, often out of necessity but removed their helmets if they could as a memorial. It wasn't always expedient to do anything else but they remembered them just the same.
"Take holo's of them and scan their IDs to show who is here and bury them in one grave, together." Baylan said.
"Yes sir." Plug jogged away to get some brothers to help.
Baylan watched him leave.
"Is he okay?"
"He will be sir. It's the younglings. He worked with the Cadets on Kamino."
"It always is, they're often the first to suffer. Let's help."
The clone and the Jedi walked over to the bodies, grabbing a shovel each and started breaking the surface of the soil. Splicer careful scanned and took an image of each body.
After Plug carefully patted down the last sods of earth, they placed some large rocks on top to denote the place, then they all stood, heads bowed for a few moments at the mass grave, its location recorded before setting off for their transport to leave whoever was on this planet for General Kenobi to deal with.
.
Mayday felt uneasy on the journey back, all the clones did. There was no banter or jokes to de-stress. It had gone against their whole reason for being, not to be there for the General, to help him in his fight. And now Baylan was meditating; he usually spent time with them after a mission. Mayday rapped on the door of Baylan's small quarters, not much more than a closet really.
"General? I hope I'm not disturbing you."
The door swished open and Baylan rose from his cross legged position. He still looked troubled but not angry.
"Yes Commander, please enter."
"I couldn't help but hear what you were saying to General Kenobi and the only person I know who was bisected on Naboo was Maul. It can't possibly be him can it?"
"That remains to be seen. But the General was insistent that he came alone."
"We would have willingly stayed with you and him, sir."
"I know and it is appreciated. I shall request some leave for you and your team, on Coruscant. You deserve it."
"I— we appreciate it sir."
Baylan smiled quickly.
"Sir. Might I suggest you get some shut eye. We could all do with some rest. Jedi or not."
"Point taken. Thank you. I will."
Mayday nodded and closed the door after him.
Baylan sat and looked at his pack. He retrieved the metallic baton the Dianoga had given him and looked at it. He sank into the Force to try and get some insight into it, what it meant, if it told him why all this was happening to all these good, innocent people.
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Hela's
Anoon watched as Hela limped in, obviously in pain. He rushed over to help her, holding out his arm for her to lean on.
"What happened?"
"The usual. I just need some painkillers and some rest."
"How can this be right?" he looked at Zur, "It was just a check up."
"An invasive one." She leaned against him, "Thank you."
Zur was behind him, the painkillers ready and a glass.
"Here!"
"Thanks." She swallowed them quickly, "I'm going to lie down." She limped away.
Anoon watched her hobble to her bedroom, "Surely that can't be right, being in so much pain after just a check up. They're no better than butchers! Can't she go somewhere else?"
"No, it's the Chancellor's personal medical facility, so it's the best."
"Hmm! I'm still not convinced."
Zur slipped his arms around his boyfriend, "I'm glad you two get on so well."
"She's easy to get on with."
"She wasn't always like that. She's mellowed over the past year."
"Her boyfriend?"
"I think so."
"I know the feeling."
"You were always calm!" Answered Zur.
"I mean you. Idiot!"
Zur grinned.
"What exactly is she having treatment for?"
Zur hesitated, Hela didn't like 'people' knowing this but then as far as he was concerned Anoon wasn't 'people'.
"During the Battle of Naboo, there were large amounts of munitions used and left by the Trade Federation forces. They used Droids, so there were very few safety precautions taken and any leaks from toxic metals didn't affect them."
"How did it affect her?"
"Her parents were killed in the first wave and she spent months in one of the prison camps for younglings who had lost their parents, until family was found or they were adopted. What they didn't know was there was a Trade Federation munitions dump near to where the camp was located."
He poured himself a brandy, sometimes he needed something to take the edge off.
"The munitions dump had been attacked but not fully destroyed and was leeching toxic metals into the water table. It was found too late. Some younglings died but Hela was lucky, she was only there a few months until the Chancellor arranged for her to attend the Theed Musical Academy but she had still been poisoned."
Anoon couldn't believe what he was hearing and on Naboo but it had happened years ago.
"The Chancellor took her under his wing and has looked after her ever since, in his own way."
Zur was economical with the truth but even he didn't know the whole story that was above his pay grade and he didn't want to burden Anoon with it. It could be dangerous for him.
"She still suffers from it, so she gets checked periodically?"
"At least once a year."
"But otherwise she's fine."
"Yes." Zur replied, frowning, there were other complications but that was up to her to tell.
"You're really fond of her aren't you?"
"I am. She's like my little sister."
"And just as troublesome." Anoon quipped.
"No! Sisters aren't troublesome. I never said that. I wouldn't." He stalked off to the window and glared out.
Anoon followed him and rested a hand lightly on his shoulder; Zur shrugged it off.
"What did I say wrong? I obviously hit a nerve —Freykaa."
"My little sister died. And I couldn't save her."
Zur slumped forward, his head hitting the window. He stayed there.
"Ah. Hela is 'Lia'ry.'
"She is." He murmured and he was in so deep now he didn't care.
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Chancellor's Office
"I will be taking some personal calls Chief. I do not want to be disturbed— by anybody."
"Yes, Chancellor."
The Chief knew the tone of that voice, it also and especially included the Jedi. After all her years of service to the Republic she was beginning to feel uneasy about this Chancellor, this war. She had started her tenure in this office with Valorum and fully expected to be replaced when Palpatine took office, with him bringing in his own favourites to undertake his bidding and he had gradually done that, so that she was the only one left. Even the Senate Guard had been depleted in favour of the Clone Coruscant Guard.
She knew Jaller had felt it was the best thing he had done by leaving before he was pushed. He read the situation better than she had. Perhaps it was time for her to go, and yet she didn't feel ready.
She watched the Chancellor, he left her feeling uneasy sometimes; Perhaps it was time for a change of scene.
She watched the doors close behind the Chancellor and returned to her work.
The Chancellor activated the encrypted hologram, the blue image flickered in front of him, he leaned back and steepled his fingers in front of him.
"Hemlock! An update please."
"Chancellor. The building work is continuing at this new facility. We are on target to complete in a few months. Some holding laboratories are finished and we will be able to transfer some subjects within four rotations."
"Good."
"We also have results for some of the —weapons you ordered. They will be most effective."
"And the other Project?"
"Well under way, the latest samples have proved most interesting."
"Interesting or effective?"
"We have achieved a slightly higher rate with the latest one but not yet enough. Nala Se..."
"Is on Kamino under the Jedi and will remain so, for the time being."
"But…"
"We do not want another Kina Ha, nor any more interference from the Jedi, do we?"
The threat was there in his voice, as always
"No sir."
"I trust you will be able to continue without her, for the moment?"
"Yes sir."
The Doctor was suitably chastised; he had miscalculated there. The Kaminoans had their own personal set of ethics despite what was being asked of them.
"Good. Good. This project is most important for the future of the Galaxy. We cannot rest until all potential impediments and enemies are eradicated."
"Sir!" Hemlock bowed his head, holding his gloved hand as normal, just before the hologram dropped.
Palpatine swivelled slowly around in his chair to face the Jedi Temple; he stared at it before he closed his eyes and sank into the Force navigating its waves and eddies ready for his next move.
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Ryl translation.
Freykaa - beloved.
Lia'ry - little sister.