Imperial Centre
New Order - day 180
Zur sat in the meeting, with ISB agents he did not know and feeling apprehensive despite what his supervisor had said.
She sat opposite; he had updated her on Hela's whereabouts. There wasn't much to say, he had made sure of that and Hela was behaving, she knew what was happening in the galaxy as the Empire consolidated its position, although she had been in denial about the part Palpatine played.
His Supervisor said it would be useful for him to attend this meeting, especially if he wished to get on. He took that as an indication he was being looked at for promotion. He had not expected that. He was Falleen and more recently, the Empire had been human biassed, not even humanoid biassed. Simply pure human.
If promoted he could gain access to other Intel he didn't have to hack; it was an opportunity he could not ignore for both their sakes.
He looked around and there were some he didn't recognise as part of the hierarchy; he wondered if they were agents. They seemed to be doing exactly what he was—weighing up the competition, if that's what they were.
He settled down and gave out non threatening pheromones, which was more than could be said of most people in this room, except for perhaps his Supervisor. She was confident and smug.
The door opened, he looked up, with everyone else at the table. An older human male who exuded power walked in—Yularen, he had made the switch from the Imperial Navy as an Admiral to ISB.
This meeting was getting interesting.
"Good afternoon everyone."
Yularen always seemed a reasonable person but they were the most dangerous; he knew exactly what he was doing and was nobody's fool.
Zur watched him closely as he sat and opened up his datapad.
"You have all been working with assets close to the Emperor for a number of years and have done excellent work in keeping them safe and available. Your assets are alive and suspect nothing."
Yularen looked around the room, focusing on each individual for a few seconds at a time.
Zur gave nothing away; he didn't trust him. Others preened themselves at the compliments. They should know better.
"Your roles are coming to an end."
That was it, thought Zur, the punchline.
"Over the next few months your assets will be removed from your care and passed on for their intended purpose. Be prepared."
Yularen looked around the room.
Zur calmed himself, despite apprehension building in him, his mind racing to think what he had to do and how quickly he could accomplish it, and why was Hela an asset to be passed on and for what purpose—more questions.
"Your assets are vital to the continuation and expansion of The Empire."
"He looked at his audience again, before continuing, "The Emperor and the Empire thank you for your service. You will be notified in the usual manner. Dismissed!"
Zur rose automatically, as Yularen left the room, Zur's supervisor followed him; he felt her behind him, although nothing was said.
He had work to do now.
The call could come at any time.
He couldn't let Hela down, not like he did his sister.
"Shit!" He muttered to himself.
A passing administrator stared at him on hearing the curse. He made eye contact; she looked away quickly.
Zur walked out of ISB Headquarters on autopilot; he had to talk to Hela. They have to plan. They can't stay here, it's too dangerous.
.
New Order - day 221
"Hela! We have to face the fact that you need to get off Coruscant sooner rather than later. Something is going to happen to you. I don't know what, when or where but you're in danger."
He was shouting at her through the fresher door. He wasn't sure what had happened but she wasn't listening to him and she had rushed in there. She wasn't taking it seriously again. He thought after Dex and the Diner with the Stormtroopers, she had seen what was going on but no.
She was back in denial.
He had thought after her visit to the Emperor she understood.
"Where do you think Mayday could be? Can you find out?" Hela asked as she came out of the fresher with a Green Nubian Lake Weed face pack on.
He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her, hard, "Are you listening to me? You're in danger. From the Empire. From the Emperor. They're going to take you somewhere and do, Fek knows what to you."
She blinked at him.
"I heard you. We'll find a way out. I trust you."
"Then why are you in denial about it?"
"I'm not but if I act as if nothing is wrong I can cope. If I let go, I'm lost and I'm frightened I won't be able to get back. I thought you knew me."
He sniffed at her.
Yes she was scared. He wasn't sure why he hadn't picked this up. He was so focused on what to do to get them off world safely, he had ignored his instincts.
"We need to work on a plan."
.
Hela woke, sure she heard someone in the Apartment but she had put the alarm on, as Zur was out. She slipped her hand under her pillow, retrieved her small blaster which he insisted she keep nearby and slid from under the bedclothes. Bare feet on the floor, she crept silently along.
She reached the bedroom door and opened it slowly. It was yanked out of her grasp and the blaster knocked from her hand, skittering across the floor; she tried to turn but strong hands gripped her wrists holding them together.
"Hela! It's me. I'm not going to hurt you!"
For a split second she thought it was Mayday. Then blinked as her eyes became used to the dim light.
"Cody?"
The hands holding her relaxed their grip and the adrenaline kicked in
"What are you doing here and why the hell should I trust you. You killed Ben." She struggled against his hands, trying to pull out of his grasp. He held on tighter until she stopped and slumped against him and she finally looked up at him.
He appeared tired and old.
She felt old and tired.
"That's why I'm here. I needed to tell you." He paused before he spoke further, "l may have been following orders as I was programmed to but Obi Wan Kenobi is hard to kill. We blasted him, we found the creature's body he was riding but not his. Or his lightsaber."
She raised an eyebrow.
"We searched for half a day. Practically dredged the pool he fell into but found nothing."
Hela knew then Ben wasn't dead. She wasn't sure exactly why, other than Cody knew him and how he fought, knew him better than most and if he couldn't kill him no one could. She wanted to smile. It was the best news she had heard in months.
"You said you were programmed, how?"
He dropped her hands.
"It's a long story but I've had enough of the Empire. I've spent the last few months questioning everything I do and what I did then. What was done, what we did, in the name of the Republic was not right. I realise that now— although it's a little late because it's getting worse."
"Unless you've got somewhere to be in a hurry. I'm all ears." She tried to smile but it would not come.
He gave her a little smile instead.
"Let's just say that some orders we struggled to question, despite them being wrong in so many ways."
"How?"
She heard his stomach rumble.
"Have you eaten anything recently?"
He shrugged. "It was difficult enough to get here without being killed."
"Killed? By whom and why?"
"The Empire and my brothers because I'm AWOL. They're searching the lower levels as we speak. A false trail."
He said it so matter of factly but it must have hurt.
"Deserting?"
"I'm considering my options." His lip twitched up.
"You eat, drink and talk. I'll listen. Come." She dragged him to the kitchen.
Pulling food out of the conservator to make him something, anything; she knew he would be hungry just like Mayday always was. He dived into the cold meat and vegetables she had pulled out and then she put some leftovers to heat up whilst he ate.
She waited as he ate, then he slowed, before he drank some caf. He looked ready to talk.
She listened.
"Control chips." He tapped the side of his head, "All of us clones have them."
"All of you?"
"Yes." He seemed to shrink before her, as she placed more food in front of him.
"Even Mayday?" She asked.
He nodded, "Has he contacted you?"
She shook her head and looked at the food she had pulled out for herself, even though she was not really hungry.
"I'm sorry." Cody continued, "He was sent to some Force forsaken outpost, I found out later and without my knowledge or the General's. Neither of us knew. Although he may not have been any better off here, or at Utapau."
"Where?"
"I wish I could tell you but I couldn't find the coordinates or even the name. Just Outpost 23. Everything else was above my pay grade."
He started eating again, slower this time, "It appears no one is who they appear to be. Where's Zur?"
"He's had to go somewhere."
"I'll bet. He's not who you think he is. Do you know that?."
"I know. He is or was RI. He told me."
"There's some new Departments. There's one called ISB. It's replaced some intelligence departments."
"I know. He told me."
"Are you sure you can still trust him?"
"He's proved himself a friend even though he's with ISB. They're quite upfront about some things."
"I'll ask you to consider this again. Are you sure you can trust him?"
"More than ever."
He nodded.
She gave him another plate, "What are you going to do?"
"Get off this planet, if I can—"
"I don't want to know where." She said, "But will you look for Ben?"
He nodded, "If he trusts me enough to get close enough to apologise to him and make it up to him. And I know there are brothers who feel the same as me about the Empire and what we've done. Perhaps I could link up with them."
She filled his caf mug again, "You can rest here, if you want. While you make plans. As long as you like."
"Better not. Too dangerous. What are you going to do?"
"Not sure yet but it looks more like I should leave. Zur's checking something now."
"Good idea. A lot of people are going missing, including some Senators."
He didn't say he had helped some of those people disappear but that was something else he had to live with for the rest of his short life.
Once settled, if he ever could, he would have to do what he could to make amends.
.
Cody pulled on the civilian clothes Hela offered him; there was quite a selection. He took a change as well, pushing it down into the bag she gave him, together with some rations— to keep him going she said.
She was at the door when he turned around.
"I'd say, stay and have a sleep but…."
"Not a good idea. They'll be looking for me."
"I thought so. I heard they were decommissioning clones, retiring you."
"Yeah, but not the Commanders and not me. Not now."
He didn't say they thought he knew too much, or no longer trusted him, especially after the last mission.
"Why? Surely you haven't been gone too long."
"There was an order, one I couldn't obey." He admitted.
"Can I ask…?"
"I refused to execute an unarmed civilian. I promised them peace instead."
"Oh!" she paused, "If it helps, it sounds like a good decision."
"Not from the Empire's point of view."
There was a silence neither could fill for a time until Hela pushed some cash credits into his hands, "Here you'll need these."
He looked down at the credit chips lying in his hands, more than he had ever seen in his life, "Hela! I can't take these, you might need them!"
"I've got plenty. Don't worry about me. Just be safe."
"I…" for the first time since he was shiny, he was speechless.
"Cody?" She launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around him as far as she could and squeezed tight.
He appreciated the feeling and hung on to it. He probably would never get another. Finally he pushed her away, he had never pursued his feelings and it was too late now.
"If—"
"I know. If I see Mayday. I'll tell him you're okay."
"And Obi Wan?"
Cody paused, it was unlikely but— "And Obi Wan."
He pulled the hood of his cloak up and moved towards the door.
"There's speeders in the underground speeder park. If you want to try one of those." She added.
"Thanks, I might." He paused, "I don't know what else I can say."
He left.
Hela stood staring at empty space.
.
New Order - day 222
"You did what?" Zur growled at her.
"I gave him clothes, cred—"
"I heard you."
"Then why did you ask?" Hela was checking through a small box she had retrieved from the walk in wardrobe.
"I can't believe you were so stupid after everything I told you."
"I'm not going to forget my friends."
"Or that he looks like Mayday?"
Hela's scowled but didn't answer.
"He was with Kenobi when the Purge took place or had you forgotten that. He's credited with killing him."
Hela whirled around, "He didn't."
"And how do you know that?"
"He told me."
"And you believed him."
"Cody knew Ben better than most people, as well as Anakin. He said they fired on him but couldn't find a body or lightsaber. Cody is certain he's still alive."
"Good for him. But he played you and it's more urgent now that we get you off this planet."
"He didn't. He's a good man."
"He did. Or why did he come here, to you?"
"He wanted to tell me about Mayday and Ben. He also disobeyed an order and was deserting. He had no one else.
"The great Commander Cody disobeyed an order who would have thought."
"He refused to kill an unarmed civilian. Doesn't that say something about him?"
"Hm! He could be trying to get back in the Empire's good books by trying to find out those who are loyal and those who are not."
"No, not Cody."
Zur didn't look convinced.
She emptied the contents of the box on the table.
"We'll have to agree to disagree." Said Hela.
Zur stared at the contents.
"You've had these, all this this time?"
"Yes."
He shook his head. She continued to surprise him.
.
They sat around his datapad, looking at her medical history; it didn't make sense.
"How did you get all this?" She asked, their previous disagreement forgotten, "It says it's classified, highest level."
"My family had a certain business that was passed down through the generations. People always think of the Bothans or Garindans, or even Gurlanins when they look for spies and espionage. I was trained in it from an early age."
"You were born into it?" She stared at him, learning something new.
"That's what I said."
"Okay but this, what does it mean?"
"That's your DNA. Each genome has been identified for the traits you have and these have been highlighted."
"I still don't understand."
"It means there was something in your bone marrow and blood they wanted or needed and still do."
"But wasn't it to check if I was still ill?"
"Initially yes but this here, years ago." He pointed to a result, "shows you were free of every toxin and given the all clear."
"But wouldn't it be prudent to keep testing me?"
"Not an invasive procedure like they gave you. I saw you when you came back from those examinations, barely able to walk."
"Hmm."
"I think what they were taking from you was being used in some sort of experiment. I mean if the Kaminoans could clone fully functional soldiers who knows what some other scientists could do."
"That's a bit of a leap." she said still not convinced.
"And a year ago we lived in a Republic?"
"Point taken. Does that mean I can have children?" She asked hopefully.
"No. That damage cannot be reversed."
Hela was quiet, now looking at her com.
"I'm sorry," Zur put his arm around her, "But I think you have to accept Mayday's probably dead. But we don't want that to happen to you."
She didn't reply. He heard a sniffle then she pulled away, a stubborn set to her face.
"In that case we need to get away from here to find out what happened to him, I need to know."
Zur didn't say how unrealistic that was but if it focused her attention on getting away from here. That's all he needed.
.
The Senate sessions were boring, there was no way around that but Hela was watching the recording of one particular part, or rather one particular Senator.
A number of the Senators who had disagreed with the Empire had gone missing or as Den Skeenah, was found dead. Others had sworn allegiance to the Empire but she was sure some were just paying lip service to that but who?
Hela cursed herself again for believing in Palpatine. The more she saw and more Zur found out, the more she realised how bad he was. She stopped the recording— there she was. Senator Chuchi. She listened to her speech about the Clones and an idea formed.
.
New Order - day 229
It had been a while since she came here; the lights were the same but it wasn't busy, not like during the war. There were a few clones standing at the bar, with a few nat borns keeping them company; she wandered up to them.
"Can I get you boys a drink?" She asked, pushing some credits over the bar.
Two clones turned to face her, "Never turn down a free drink, that's my motto."
"I'm looking for a clone."
One reached out and picked up his drink, "Well, Ya' came to the right place." He nudged his fellow clone.
"A particular clone."
They looked at each, suspiciously and took a drink, "Why?" Asked the first one.
"We knew each other during the War. His name's Mayday."
"Commander?"
"Yes, yes!" She answered, hope rising.
"Not seen him in here since before….." his voice tailed off and he took another drink.
"Are you with that Senator?" A new clone's voice interrupted them.
"Senator Chuchi?" She guessed, she was advocating for the Clones.
"Yeah. That's her name."
"Yes! I'm trying to find missing clones." Hela lied.
"Good luck on that."
"She's looking for Commander Mayday."
"He's not been in here for months, or any of his squad." He looked around, "It's not what it used to be."
Hela looked around, it was quiet, subdued.
"They want to replace us but what would we do? We're soldiers."
"The Senator's trying to help." she stated.
Hela didn't see the clone watching her from the shadows, then leaving the bar. He'd been drinking alone.
"Yeah she told us."
"She's been here?"
"Yeah."
"Good. Thank you for your time and enjoy your drinks. You deserve it."
She wandered out deflated, unsure what to do next.
.
Hela walked absentmindedly along the walkway to where her speeder was parked, when she felt something hard pressed into her back. She stopped.
"Don't scream! I'm not going to hurt you." It was a clone voice but she wasn't sure who. Not Mayday. "Just need you to answer a few questions."
Her heart pounding she replied, keeping her voice as calm as possible, "Okay ask!"
"Not here!" He pushed her along the walkway and into an alley.
She heard another voice, another clone but couldn't hear exactly what they said nor could she see anyone. They were in the shadows.
A hood was pulled over her head.
"Hey!" She twisted, struggling to get away from him.
"Now!" She heard someone say, and the numb feeling of a stun blast spread across her chest and her knees buckled.