Barton IV
Pol brought the ship in gently, swooping towards the entrance; he was a quick learner.
Mayday leaned forward, scanning the entrance, "Hold it! Something's wrong."
The banter stopped and the ship went quiet.
Pol glanced at the Commander but now they all saw the tendrils of smoke coming from the entrance and the lack of their comrades walking around it.
"Bring us around again. Zac! Get hold of them! Find out what happened?"
"Pol! Take a wide sweep. Tycho! Scan for troops, ships, anything out of the ordinary."
"Yes boss!" came the replies.
His stomach churned with anxiety but he couldn't just go rushing in; she had better be okay. He clicked his neck and rolled his shoulders.
The ship swept away from the base.
"Continue on a circular pattern out for twenty clicks."
"Twenty?"
"You heard me. If they haven't seen us, or us them, by then they've gone."
"What about —"
"The base has their own protocols to follow and we have to trust they've adhered to them. Any luck getting hold of them?"
"Not yet."
"Everything is normal Boss. No troops or ships yet. No stormtroopers." Tycho anticipated his question.
"Keep scanning."
"On it boss."
On the fly around Pol spotted faint smoke in the distance.
"Boss?" He pointed.
"Let's check it out."
"Why didn't we see it till now?"
"Wind direction and speed." Answered Zac.
They flew over to what turned out to be a crash site.
"Looks like a TIE." Muttered Mayday, checking over the debris, one of the tell tale wings was still virtually intact, "Bring us in closer to land and we'll check it out."
.
Zac stared at the remains of the cockpit, the bloody mangled mess of the pilot was still strapped in. He stood no chance.
Mayday stared at him; pilots often ended up like that. Many of his brothers did, if you ever found a body.
"Anything still working? Emergency Beacon. Anything like that?"
Zac scanned the wreckage.
"Nothing boss."
"That's not to say it wasn't earlier." Muttered Tycho.
"You're right. And we don't know if he was a rogue element or off course. Or on a mission, following intel."
"Can you get anything from it?"
Zac scanned again, reading his results, "Nothing Boss. It's dead."
Mayday stared at the wreckage, "Destroy it and then we head back to base. See how they are."
.
They approached the base slowly, Tycho on the guns and still no response from their hails, as they pulled in they could see the twin scorched trails of blaster fire running through the entrance. Everywhere was blackened and scorched, walls and equipment was buckled and strewn about.
"Some Ordnance has gone up and fuel, by the looks of it." said Tycho.
It was a mess; there was debris everywhere and in the corner Mayday saw bodies, covered to give them some semblance of respect. If they had been covered then there were some survivors. They weren't near a town for anyone from the outside to help, even if they had known exactly what they were doing.
They hovered, then stopped and as soon as the engines cut, Pol lowered the ramp.
Mayday stopped himself from rushing over to check who was under the sheets.
"Mayday!" He heard Finor shouting at him, "This way."
He waved at him from the corner.
"It looks worse than it is." He said as Mayday walked towards him.
"Isn't this bad enough?" Muttered Mayday.
"Always. Through here."
He dragged him through a door then down some corridors to a makeshift Medical centre and pushed open a door.
Mayday stopped, she was unconscious, her face black and blue with bruises.
"She's got crush injuries from being thrown against a wall and a concussion but luckily she was far enough away from the explosion not to suffer any blast injuries."
Staring at Hela, he couldn't move.
"We've had her in one of the Bacta tanks you liberated a few months ago but now it's only a matter of time." Explained Finor.
"Till she dies?" Mayday asked, his voice hitching. This wasn't fair.
"Till she wakes up." Looking embarrassed, Finor continued, "This is why Donca always delivers the news. She's better at it than me."
"What if she doesn't?"
"Donca is certain she will but she does need time to heal."
He pushed Mayday inside, "Why don't you stay with her. I'll sort out your team. Get them up to speed and they can get me up to speed."
She looked so frail, so battered and his guttural reaction was to batter anyone who had anything to do with this but he couldn't because they were dead. Instead, he sat on the chair next to her, held her hand and marvelled at the size of his hands compared to hers, like a shovel to a trowel, then watched for any sign she was waking up.
.
He spoke with Donca for a few minutes; there had been others injured and deaths from those nearer the blast as he had seen when they returned but he did not leave the room.
Donca stood at the door, her own health better than he had seen her in a while, despite her being frail. She never kept any weight on now, looking as if a soft breeze would knock her over. He marvelled that she was able to do this, her mental will forcing her body to comply.
"You look exhausted. You're no good to us, exhausted." She added.
"I could say the same about you but clones were bred to be able to go without sleep and still perform efficiently." He replied.
"Cut the crap!" Retorted Donca, "We—I don't have time for that. Get some sleep. Lie on the bed with her. You'll both feel better for it."
Mayday looked at her blankly; she recognised his stubborn face now and he hers.
"Just do it. That's an order."
She closed the door.
He looked back at Hela, lying there so tiny. The bruises on her face were already turning different shades. He took off his jacket and lay on the bed with her, moving as close as possible, putting one arm above her head and laying his on it.
It was warm in this room and despite himself he closed his eyes.
.
Hela dragged open her eyes; she was warm and could feel Mayday lying next to her, his fingers laced with hers; she squeezed it and tried to turn over towards him. Groaning when the pain hit her.
Mayday's eyes shot open.
"Hey." She whispered, smiling, despite the pain, "What are you doing here? Mission over?"
"Wanted to see you. See my girl. How are you feeling?"
He propped himself up on his elbow.
"Sore." She looked over his shoulder, "Did something happen? This isn't my room, or yours."
He moved the stray hair from her forehead, "What was the last thing you remember?"
She frowned, "A noise. Why? What happened? Did I fall?"
"Sort of. Are you sure you can't remember?"
"No. How far did I fall? I hurt all over."
"You have a concussion and you were thrown." He said gently, not sure how to break it to her that they were attacked.
He saw the moment she appreciated what had happened to her, as she put the details together, "Thrown? As in an explosion?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"A TIE fighter attacked but after that we're not sure what happened to cause so much damage."
She heard the screeching in her head.
"The noise. I heard it."
"So people said."
"How many?"
"Many what?"
"How many died?"
"It's not your fault."
"How many?"
"Ten."
"Who?"
He slipped his arm around her as he listed the names and the tears fell, finally she sniffled and pulled away then tried to push herself up.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Going to help Bil."
"No you're not." He gently pushed her back.
"He's not dead, is he?" Fear crossed her face.
He firmly pressed her into the bed, holding her down, he replied, "No! But you need to rest."
"I need to do something."
"No. That's an order."
She opened her mouth and closed it again, nodding. He felt her relax.
Wagging his finger at her, "I'll be back to check on you." he threatened, "I have some other things to check over."
She watched as he left the room, then let herself drift back into sleep.
.
Hela woke with a start, sweat dripping off her and the sound of TIE fighters screeching through her head.
Breathing hard, she propped herself up, listening.
They weren't here. They were in her head.
She lay back down unsure how long she had slept; several hours she thought.
"I can't stay here." She said and carefully swung her legs across the bed, stopping as the pain caused her to catch her breath.
Once she was breathing regularly again, she swung her legs out to the floor.
"Baby steps." She muttered, as she pushed herself to stand, leaning against the bed, sweat pouring off her.
She looked around for her clothes; a pile on the floor told her, her overalls were a ripped mess and she only had one of her sleeping tops on which Mayday or Donca must have brought her.
She could see her com blinking on the table and several steps later she reached it.
She tapped a redial.
"Ma'am?" Came the answer.
"Have you forgiven me?"
Silence.
"Have you?"
"Yes."
"Can you do me a favour?"
"Me?"
"Yes. Can you get me some overalls and bring them to me. Here's the code to my quarters."
"Ma'am?"
"Call me Hela. Are my quarters intact?"
"Yes."
"Please."
There was silence at the other end.
"We need everyone to help and I can still help. The Commander won't know."
"He won't?"
"Not unless you tell him because I won't."
"No—ma— Hela."
"Will you do it?"
"Yes— Hela."
"Thank you. And remember this is our secret."
She sat back to rest while she had time.
.
Zac watched Pol as he answered the com; he looked confused.
"You okay?"
"Yes."
"Who was that?"
"No one."
He didn't believe him; he had better keep him busy; something was going on and when Mayday wasn't here, it was his job to keep everyone on track.
"Get those to the Mess Hall. They're clear. And don't be too long we've got more to check."
He watched, as Pol pushed the repulsor lift in front of him. He was up to something.
As soon as he turned the corner, he doubled his speed.
.
He slunk into her room with a kit bag, looked behind him, then closed the door. The bag looked larger than one set of overalls.
"Did Mayday see you?"
"No. He's busy with a team making some of the worst areas safe."
"What about Zac and the others?" She knew how close they were.
"No but I have to be quick before they realise I've gone."
That's new." She pointed to the new beard that had the look of a failed experiment. She was used to Mayday's full beard.
He rubbed his chin, "My quarters weren't so lucky."
"Sorry. Was there anything— ?"
"No, nothing important."
"Good." she didn't really believe him.
Inside the bag was everything she needed and more; she looked back at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I had three sisters. Thought you might need some other things."
"Thank you. This'll be our secret. Now shoo before he misses you."
"Yes, m— Hela."
"Thank you again."
Taking longer than she anticipated, due to the pain, she dressed.
.
She walked slowly through the base, biting back her reaction at the sight of the scorched and buckled equipment, caused by one TIE fighter. Bil was where he always was at his bench working on something.
"Bil?" She asked as she walked up to him. He didn't turn as he normally did when anyone approached.
She touched his shoulder, he started then turned towards her.
"Hela?" At a few glances, he took in her appearance, "Are you well?"
"I am. I have been discharged," He watched her lips as she spoke, "You?"
"I too, am well enough."
"Are you?" He had a Bacta bandage over one ear and she was certain he hadn't heard her as she approached which was unlike him.
"Yes. I have spoken."
"What can I do?" She swayed, using her hand to steady herself.
"Sit. Work at the bench." He ordered her.
She looked at what he had; there were crates full of equipment that had been damaged.
"So what are we doing?"
"Check. Repair. Recycle."
"Normal day then."
Bil snorted. He handed her a box.
They sat in silence, working away until Bil announced, "Tea!"
"Thought you'd never ask." Hela winced, her pain killers were wearing off.
Bil put on the water to boil. Brewed the tea and they sat.
"Thank you." He said.
"For what?"
"You saved me."
"I just heard the engines and shouted."
"Bil owes you. I have spoken."
Hela sniffed and looked into her tea; it reminded her how close they had all been to death.
.
"What the Kriff are you doing?" Maydays voice boomed out across the Hangar, followed by the noise of his boots hitting the floor.
Hela dropped the tiny hydrospanner she was using to attach the almost microscopic bolt to make the sublight primer usable.
"Shit!" She muttered as the tiny bolt scattered away somewhere. She was unlikely to find it now. She only hoped they had another one.
"Well? I'm waiting for an answer." Mayday's voice held more than its normal level of sarcasm; he irritated her when he was like that.
Hela bit back her retort, trying not to retaliate with the same level; she didn't want to demolish the relationship they were still rebuilding. Surprised Bil hadn't turned around at the sound, she saw he was still focused on rebuilding the battery for the generator. Both of what they were doing was delicate work.
She turned to face Mayday, "Before you accuse anyone, I decided I could do some work. I have pain killers and it helps having something to concentrate on. It takes my mind off of it."
His face softened.
"Are you sure you're okay?" His hand went reassuringly to her shoulder.
"Yes but —" she leaned forward, "I think Bill is deaf." She whispered just in case.
He nodded, "Donca told me."
Hela couldn't imagine being unable to hear.
"But you had help. You didn't get your new overalls yourself. So who helped you?"
She moved her fingers across her lips like a fastener.
He leaned over her, smiling, pushing that errant lock of hair from her eyes, "I will find out who."
"Don't hurt them."
"I can't promise that."
.
Mess Hall.
The Mess hall was relatively unscathed and full. There had only been a few casualties there, one being a Caf machine attacked by flying glass from the old windows.
Hela sat, Mayday stood behind her, his hands reassuringly resting on her shoulders. She had recovered but still tired easily. He squeezed gently, more to reassure himself than her. She patted one of his large hands, appreciating his touch, knowing what it meant to both of them that they were still here.
Donca was addressing them, looking frail. She had relapsed again, only appearing well when she was needed to help the injured. It seemed to give her the purpose and the will to overcome her own illness but Mayday knew it couldn't last.
"Fulcrum has contacted me. Our position has been compromised. We are likely to be attacked again. We need to leave Barton Four and soon. We will be helping to set up a new base."
"When?" Asked Kull. This was his home planet. He was not a visitor like some of the others.
"Soon." Finor replied, sensing Donca was breathless and struggling.
Hela felt for him; she had left her home planet years ago but it still felt like home, even though it was unlikely she would ever return.
"Where are we going?" Asked Hela, this was the first she knew about it, although she suspected that Mayday had known something and couldn't say; they suspected some kind of leak, even sabotage but she hoped that was untrue. She respected his decision not to tell her anything. As one of the Commanders he had to have boundaries and stick to them. If he wanted her advice he could ask.
"Unknown." Donca replied, despite getting more and more breathless with this meeting, "But it will be a bigger cell. We'll be joining squadrons already there."
"Do we know exactly when?" Someone else asked.
"As soon as we can get packed. We've got to hurry. There's no one coming to cover us, in case the Empire tries something else. We're on our own. So we have to be quick. Mayday will allocate teams and resources."
"Packed?" Another voice asked, "It sounds like we're going on holiday."
"All the ordnance, blasters and equipment we've retrieved from the Empire. It's not going to waste. We're taking it with us but some things may be left behind. It will be a tight fit on the transports we have."
"You can only take essential personal items." Confirmed Mayday, "The transports will be tightly packed. I'll get your orders to you asap."
There were murmurings, as people wandered off to sort their belongings and await orders. Others stood around.
"If there are any who want to stay, don't want to be part of this anymore, I understand. You're free to leave."
A few nodded and as the room emptied Donca finally sagged, dropping into a chair as if all her energy had been drained. It had taken one final push to do this and she wasn't sure if she could do it again.
Finor helped her away as Mayday helped Hela up; she winced as she stood.
"Does it still hurt?"
"A little but it's getting better." She reassured him.
"I'll get the med droid to look at you again."
"No thanks. Anything but the med droid."
.
The call had come quickly.
Transports had already left.
"Get going. I'll soon be behind you." Mayday instructed her
Hela watched as he attached the last detonator. She looked around to see the flashing lights of the others, dotted around the building. In an hour, or even less there would be nothing left.
"Go on! You all need to be well clear."
"And you."
"I will be."
She stood hesitating, then flung herself at him. Her arms wrapping around his neck and her face pushed into his chest.
"What's that for?" He asked quizzically.
"I don't do it often enough."
"You did it last night."
"Still not often enough."
He retrieved her arms from his neck and held her hands, "Now go. While I finish this."
He watched as she ran, still with a slight limp, to her designated ship, then he turned back to his last job on Barton IV.
If the Empire came here again there would be nothing left for them to find.
.