Repair Hangar
Hela cursed at the fuel inlet line. It was not moving.
"Kriff knows how they managed to do this." She muttered, hitting it with her heaviest hydrospanner. She was still waiting for Mayday; he had to debrief. She'd heard the last one was bad and she wanted to be there for him.
"Well. This is a sight for these tired sore eyes."
Hela stopped abusing the hydrospanner. She daren't turn around, that voice was from years back. Sounding older but with so many memories attached to it
"Are you going to ignore me?"
She turned.
"Dag!" she couldn't help herself and leapt at him. He caught her and spun her around like a child.
"What? How?"
"Long story. And you— what? How? You just disappeared after—"
"Bounty hunter." She interrupted him before he said his name.
"Ah. For who?"
She hesitated, "Crimson Dawn."
"The one at the dinner? The one who recognised you?"
She nodded.
"He was dangerous. But you're here." He pulled away, "And looking good. How?"
"I'll need a few drinks to explain everything." She looked over his shoulder.
"That bad?"
She showed him the brand, and looked over his shoulder again.
"Bastard, I thought Cesar was bad but that one." He shook his head, "But you escaped."
"Yes. With help. A lot of help."
She frowned, still looking around him. He turned to look; there was just the normal assortment of rebels.
"Not your clone?" he guessed.
She smiled.
"You found him? Good for you."
"He found me."
"Sounds like a long story but it restores your faith in the galaxy that some good things do happen."
"Yes they do."
"Zur?" he had to ask, put his mind at rest. He'd had ideas he didn't want to admit to her.
"The Bounty Hunter. It was quick."
He nodded.
.
Mayday strode towards the Repair hangar, Merrick could wait a few minutes. Nothing he was going to say about the last mission was going to change anything that happened. It was a cock up. The cell was — incompetent. What possessed them to hole up there? His team would know better. He didn't like speaking ill of the dead but if they had just waited, but they forced the Empire's hand. That made them too late. He turned the corner and stopped.
Cobban's sidekick was still hanging around; he ignored him.
He was more interested in Hela.
There was a tall Pantoran with her, both arms around her. She was looking up at him smiling, her arms around his neck. She knew him, and was comfortable with him. Just like she had been with Skoll. He knew then. He never said anything but when he saw them together on Coruscant, he knew. They had a relationship. It was written all over their faces.
That old feeling came back; the one he hated. The one that was telling him he was going to lose her.
He rubbed the side of his face, his beard was turning grey now, everyday a new grey hair. Deeper lines in his face. Evidence of his accelerated aging. Hela looked older but it was a slower, more graceful aging and to his eyes she looked even more beautiful with it.
The getting old faster, played on his mind. She would want someone younger, more virile, someone who could keep up with her. All the training in the galaxy couldn't make up for what the Kaminoans had done to them.
He turned away, he would deal with Merrick first. He needed to think about how to deal with Hela and the Pantoran.
.
She looked over his shoulder again, he turned, "Looking for someone?"
"Yes. Mayday. I thought he'd be back by now. I've seen a few of his squad wander through."
"Your clone?"
She nodded.
"Perhaps he's reporting in."
"Probably. The last one was bad. I'll introduce you when he's finished. He knew Zur."
"I'll bet that was explosive."
"It could be at times."
"Anyhow. I need to report to the Commander. Update him on Daiyu and the surrounding systems, so he can send the details higher up."
"Daiyu?"
"Someone has to."
"Are you still with Cesar?"
"No, I've moved on. I have my own place and this is a little shopping expedition."
"Shopping?"
"For exotic foodstuffs. They like me to report in, every so often. So I search for new ingredients and have a wander, to find out what's happening where."
"Clever."
"I also set up new premises in imperial controlled areas. Sometimes I even provide their food. The Imps like it."
"Yes, they like their luxuries. Perhaps I'll see you in the Bar or Mess Hall. Are you still cooking yourself?"
"Of course. Not sure what you've got here but I'm sure I could rustle something up for you two."
"Make it a big portion. He likes his food."
"Copy that." he saluted.
She planted a kiss on his cheek, "Be careful."
"You know me. I'm fine unless someone insults my food."
"Well you won't get that from us."
"I know. You're too polite. But messing about with engines?"
"I'm good at it and they don't talk back — most of the time but this one." She thumped the fuselage, "is being awkward."
She glanced towards the entrance, "I really wanted you to meet Mayday."
"Debriefs can take a long time."
"I suppose they can. See you later then?"
"Yes. See ya."
Hela watched as he walked off; not sure if he would still be here tonight.
.
Stretching out her neck and shoulders, she stood up; the final ship was checked and ready to go. She checked her chrono, it was late, Mayday hadn't returned from the debrief. She would like him to meet Dag. She rubbed the oil off her hands and reached for her pinging com; the message was from Dag he'd had to go. Nothing from Mayday.
"Probably still taken up with the debriefing." She said to the Uwing as she cleaned and tidied her tools away.
She was looking forward to a long hot shower, as she entered their shared quarters and automatically picked up one of Mayday's tops lying on the floor. He was back.
She shook her head, it was normally one of hers that was floating around, and he picked up after her.
Hearing the shower start, she pushed the top in the laundry chute, then slid the refresher door open. One of the joys of this base was the unlimited water for showers; the shower doors were steamed up. Hela undressed quickly and slipped in behind Mayday who was facing the wall, bracing his arms against it, his head down.
She slipped her arms around him and kissed his back.
"Bad?" She asked.
He grunted the affirmative.
"Want to talk about it?" She leaned against his back feeling his solid strength, appreciating his safe return.
He shook his head and dipped it under the shower head, letting the water run over his hair.
"Okay." She didn't move, her arms remained around his chest.
Sometimes he did; sometimes he didn't. If he needed to say something he would.
They stood letting the warm water relax them.
"Everyone come back okay?"
He nodded.
"Good."
She lathered the soap up, then she ran her hands over his back; the muscles were knotted.
Gently rubbing the soap into his back, she checked the numerous scars. Always so many, some old, some new.
She slapped his backside, still solid after all these years.
"Turn around."
He twisted. There was a large bruise blossoming on his chest and a partly healed blaster burn on his shoulder.
"What's this?"
"A door argued with me. It lost."
She smiled. He was loosening up.
Her hair was wet now. He pushed it away from her eyes.
"Who was the Pantoran in the repair bay?"
She tipped her head to one side, "You were there? Why didn't you come over?"
"Had to debrief and you looked busy."
"Busy?"
He grunted.
"His name is Dag. He's a friend from Daiyu."
"You never mentioned him before." He never pushed her on exactly what happened on Daiyu, simply happy to have her back.
"No. I should have. He was a good friend."
"Why didn't you say anything about him?"
"It's hard to keep going over everything that happened there. Losing Zur. It brings it all back."
He dropped his forehead to hers, knowing that feeling.
"How well did you know him?" His voice had an edge to it.
"He was Zur's partner. Then it all went to hell. Zur was injured and died. All Dag knew was that I disappeared. He didn't know what actually happened until a couple of hours ago."
"He thought you'd killed Zur?" The edge to his voice was replaced with surprise.
"I don't think so. He put a few things together then managed to leave himself."
He was finally relaxing and cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. When they came back up for air, "Missed you." He whispered.
"You too."
"Good."
She gently kissed the bruise on his chest, her lips brushing the skin.
"Does it hurt anywhere else?"
"Groin injury." He said, seriously.
"Groin?"
"Huh-huh."
"That sounds bad."
"It could be."
"I don't have my Bacta spray. Would you like me to— kiss it better?"
"It might help."
Her hand drifted down his back and further, squeezing.
He pulled her close, "I'll make it up to you."
"I know."
She slid down his body
His hands came to rest on her shoulders, as he leaned back against the wall; Bacta had never felt this good.
.
His size engulfed her; a leg thrown over her, pressing her into the mattress.
"Why do you do this?" She whispered, smiling.
"It protects you. Debris will fall on me first." He muttered into her ear; his primal instinct was to protect her.
"I thought it was more comfortable for you."
"It is but that's secondary."
She sighed.
"I'll always protect you when I can."
"I know you will." She felt safe with him.
He pulled her closer.
She listened to the sound of his breathing, until he cleared his throat.
"I have something to ask."
"What is it?" Hela was intrigued.
"When I'm gone. I don't want you to be alone."
He felt her breathing increase; this was something they had tentatively discussed way back but not recently.
"I'll be gone long before you." he continued, "and I want you to find someone who will look after you. I don't want you to be alone with just your memories."
In the quiet of their quarters he heard her swallow.
"I'll be fine. I'll have friends."
"I don't mean that. I don't want to tie you down after I'm gone. You'll still be young—'
"I said no. Friends only."
"Will they keep you safe?"
"No one's ever truly safe."
"I want you to be as safe as possible. So you need someone with you, when I'm gone."
Hela tried to pull away from him.
"Stop it! Stop talking like this. I'm not listening. That's not going to happen." She struggled to move away from him; tears breaking through her anger.
"I could never think about the future until I met you. Now I have to." He continued.
She sniffled.
"Hela?" He tried to turn her face to him, "Look at me!"
She turned and he saw the tramlines of salty tears on her cheeks.
"I can't bear the thought of being without you." She sniffled.
"I'm sorry. I'm a di'kut. I didn't mean to upset you."
She buried her face in his neck, "Teach me how to defend myself."
His arms wrapped around her even tighter, "I can't, I might hurt you."
"I mean it."
He hesitated, "Okay. I'll sort something out."
He felt her relax slightly.
.
Mayday turned in his sleep and she wasn't there. He reached out; Hela was sleeping on the very edge of the bed, as far away from him as possible. She never did that; they were always close together, touching.
"Hela?" He asked tentatively.
She didn't answer. He touched her back; she wasn't asleep.
He lay back thinking how he could repair this, despite it being the truth, as unpleasant as it was.
.
The squad completed their longer than normal run through the woods; Mayday was putting them through their paces. They were all breathing hard and sweating.
"We'll lift weights after some food. Eat when you can." He ordered.
Pol leaned over, gasping, "I don't think I can." Mayday had pushed them harder than normal. Wanting to make them better. After the last mission they all wanted to be better.
"You will. Come on."
They headed towards the Mess Hall.
Ria watched Hela, as she left the seating area but she didn't stop, in fact she ignored them. She looked at the Boss expectantly but he stayed silent. She turned to Zak who shrugged.
This is why it doesn't always pay to be in a relationship with a comrade, she thought, although they understand what you're going through and what's needed, sometimes the shit hits the fan.
She strode towards the serving droids before all the good rations disappeared. She had seen the Boss eat. He could put it away.
The hulk that had accompanied Cobban was still here, lurking; watching them all. She hadn't appreciated being grilled by Cobban herself, when she first arrived, with him in the background. He had a nasty smirk on his face directed at her; she turned away, not letting him get into her head.
.
Training Room
"So why do you want to see me?" Ria asked, "We don't have long. We've got a training session in fifteen." The request from Hela surprised her.
They had nodded in passing but that was all they had ever done; this meeting was unprecedented.
"I need you to teach me how to defend myself. I'm not good at fighting."
"You don't have to be. You do your bit with repairs."
Hela shuffled uneasily.
Ria saw this did not come easily to her; she wanted to reassure her. Push that stray lock of her away from her face.
"Mayday worries about me. I've asked him to teach me how to defend myself but he's not come back to me. He's frightened of hurting me, if he does it himself. It's become a bit of an issue with us."
"Ah." She didn't say it but thought they could both be stubborn.
"Will you do it?"
"I've never done anything like that before."
"But you know what works. I did some training years ago but that was on Coruscant. This is not Coruscant."
"Hmm. I don't know. The Boss—."
"Doesn't need to know."
"That's worse. You two shouldn't have secrets."
"Please." Hela pleaded.
"Okay." She replied grudgingly.
"Thank you. So how? Where?"
"I'll let you know. But now you need to leave, they'll be here soon."
She watched as Hela slipped out of the room; she was right to keep this meeting short but she wasn't sure she was doing the right thing.
.
They circled each other warily; Ria was good at this. She was good—full stop—a natural. He couldn't believe he had been apprehensive about bringing her into the team. She fitted in well and nudged a couple of the others to up their game.
"Kriff!" he muttered and backed away. She feigned and the right jab stung where it caught his jaw.
The rest of the squad cheered good naturedly. He stretched his jaw out. No loose teeth; although after sparring with his brothers he was used to that. They were quickly fixed by the Kaminoans.
"Distracted?" She asked, grinning.
"No. Why?"
"Gartee. He's still around."
She just managed to dodge the full force of his own right jab to her, landing on her triceps. It still hurt; he packed a punch and that one felt as if propelled by some repressed anger.
"Not sure why Merrick is keeping him here."
They danced around and dodged each other's punches; she was always surprised how light on his feet he was and creative. He was a force to be reckoned with. They both had a sheen of sweat on them; their training tops damp with the exertion.
"There has to be some reason."
"I'm the Commander of the ground troops. I should be included in whatever he knows unless—"
"He doesn't trust you?" It was phrased as a question.
"I don't want to think that."
"Neither do I."
"Pol alright?"
"I think the last one shook him up."
"We were so near. A few hours."
Ria ducked, grabbed him and got in three powerful jabs to his side, before he pushed her away. He noted the passing of credits between the other members of the squad, as he looked over her shoulder. Bets were made.
"Excellent feint!" He wheezed, thankful they were only sparring.
"Thanks. You let your guard down." They completed another circle, "I think it was that all female school that got to him. Razed to the ground. Those Imperial stormtrooper blaster marks— it had to be Scar Squad."
"I agree. Okay let's call it a day."
Ria turned and smiled; she nodded at the woman standing near the crates by the entrance. She knew Hela had to be there. It would be the only reason he would stop sparring. A pang of jealousy hit her. She doubted she would ever have any relationship anywhere near what they had; as he walked over to her, she watched, they both only had eyes for each other; their disagreement over.
.
With their little fingers linked, it was all they needed for the moment, as they walked towards the Mess Hall.
"You look tired." Observed Mayday, their disagreement forgotten. No apologies needed, just time.
"A long day. Lots of things have gone wrong. Additional repairs needed on unreported damage. Unexplained damage."
"Are you sure?" He stopped her and cradled her face in his hand. He knew she worried when he was off world but sometimes when he returned she looked ill.
"Yes. I worry but you know that and it's what we signed up for, isn't it?"
He nodded, "Are you eating right?"
"I'm eating just the same rations as everyone else in the base."
"Look after yourself."
"I do. I'm not on the front line. Don't worry. It's as safe here as anywhere."
He squeezed her hand.
"Let's get some food then."
.
Base Gym
"So you and the boss. How long?"
Ria pinned Hela to the gym floor, by the hips and shoulders. She wasn't going anywhere. Her face was red with exertion and frustration. This was their first lesson. Ria was testing her agility and strength.
She was failing miserably on both counts.
"First met back in the clone wars." She pushed up with her hips attempting to dislodge the Alderanian. It failed. "Why are you doing this?" She struggled to get out until Ria moved and stood in one fluid move, to let her up. Holding out her hand she grasped Hela's and pulled her up.
"Once down there you have no chance. Don't let them get you on the floor."
'Understood. So how do I stop them?"
"You wanted it. He needs it." Ria replied to her first question.
"Why?"
"We can't have him distracted on a mission, worrying about you."
"He doesn't. He says he com—"
"I don't care what he says, it's there in the back of his mind it has to be. He's in yours isn't he?"
"Yes." Hela huffed, "So how do I stop them getting me on the floor?"
"You're persistent. I'll give you that."
"I've had to be."
"Okay. Let's practice first with someone coming at you from behind." She stood with her back to Hela. "Now come at me and try and get me on the ground. In your own time."
Hela leapt at her.
She landed on Ria's back grabbing her around the throat and seconds later she was on her back on the floor with on top of her again. She couldn't even describe how she got there but she was now staring at her; her face centimetres from her. Ria's eyes flicked back and forth across her face.
Hela thought she knew what the expression on Ria's face meant but wondered if she had got it wrong. She didn't want that and ignored it, hoping she would move away. She didn't want to embarrass either of them. As Ria's face came closer, she said, "Are you okay? Did I hurt you?"
Ria laughed and backed off saying, "No. it'd take more than some itty bitty like you to hurt me. Are you eating well? You need to build up some muscle."
Hela grinned, Ria returned it, stood up and pulled her up, "If you want to keep this private, we need to find somewhere without the new cams."
"Mayday says there are still some blind spots. Especially in the new builds."
"Hmm. I'll check which is best. We could go outside?"
"Yes. Let me know."
"That's all for now. I've got a measure of you. What we need to work on."
Hela breathed out, the potentially embarrassing situation avoided.
.