The Wolf
Nashira Central Spaceport
Skye, Skye Alliance.
332ABY
March 3rd
“I missed this”
The words stirred Alexa Wolf from her dreamy headspace and she rolled over enough to look at the face of Natasha Loran and then snuggled deeper into the taller woman’s arms.
“You won’t be surprised to know, I share that sentiment” She sighed happily. “This bed has felt so empty without you in it”
“It’s good to be back in my own bed” Natasha smiled, “Don’t get me wrong, the beds at the hospital were comfortable enough. But they missed one very important thing”
“What?” Alexa asked innocently.
“You” Ash grinned and kissed her lover on the tip of her nose, “It didn’t have you”
Alexa giggled, “I want to just lay here with you for the next month and not move. But we really should try to be practical and get stuff done. There’s a few things to sort before we lift off again”
Ash nodded as the two sat up, “So, what’s the plan for the next few days?”
Alexa glanced up as she pulled her boots back on, “Well, we’ve got to get your stuff packed and brought over from the hospital. I’m guessing you’ve been okayed for travel?”
“Clean bill of health” Ash gave a grin, “Doc Ross cleared me two days ago and signed off on it. The fact that Shepard Sims won’t be far away and can monitor my continued recovery helped convince him” She tapped a finger against the brace on her left leg, “This little annoyance is with me for a while yet, but it won’t stop me leaving. I’ve one last appointment for Doc Ross to look over my meds and final checks, then he’ll officially transfer me to Sims care”
“Good” Alexa nodded, “Sims, Samson, Chapman and Scooter need to get their stuff brought over from the hotel. Melissa needs to get her gear brought aboard and squared off in quarters. We can assign her quarters near Samson’s. If she chooses to sleep there, it’s their choice”
“They’ve really grown quite close this last month” Natasha chuckled, “Melissa practically moved into Samson’s suite at the hotel”
“Good, I’m happy for them” Alexa stood and walked around the bed and helped Ash to her feet, “After what’s happened to her family recently, Melissa deserves some happiness. Samson just needs someone else in his life. So good for them” She frowned, “We’ve also got supplies to take on and frankly, Jacob would never forgive me if we didn’t spend an evening with him and his family before we left”
Ash nodded, “Yeah, he asked me to talk you into it. I offered to stun you and drag you there”
Alexa laughed. “That won’t be necessary” She frowned, “I’m gonna go find Lucas Horn and see if he’s given some thought to my offer for him and his padawan to join this crew. What about you? Off to say hi to the rest of the crew?”
Ash gave a nod, “Sacul first, then the rest yeah. After that, Chapman is going to run me back to the hospital so I can pack my own stuff and have Doctor Ross give me one last check over, then we’ll head back over here”
“Cool” Alexa stepped up on tiptoes to kiss her lover, “I’ll catch up with you later. Don’t over do things. Love you”
“Love you too, Little One”
—————————————————–
Nashira General Hospital.
Karl Sims, Shepard and Doctor hummed to himself as he packed the few items into his bag. Mostly notes he’d written or Doctor Thaddeus Ross had written relating to Natasha Loran’s treatments and future care that he’d need to take, but there was also his old and very battered copy of The Unfinished Book. This was the very book that had helped him find religion in 306ABY and given him guidance and direction after the events of the previous year and his part in Project Cobra had left him struggling with his life.
As he ran his hands over the leather bound cover, his mind cast back to the elderly man that had wandered up to the somewhat younger and confused and very drunk Karl Sims in a bar on Nephis and handed him the book. He’d never seen a book like this before, one that was bulky and consisted of words written on paper bound within the hard cover. But the old man’s reassurance that it would give him answers convinced him to read the book.
So he had. He’d returned to the small apartment he’d rented with some of his meagre savings and then spent the rest of the day reading the book. When he’d finished, he went back to the beginning and started reading again. And then a third time.
Eventually, after three solid days of reading, he’d emerged and returned to the bar where he’d met the old man. Though the man had not been there, Sims was able to get enough information to head to another bar where the old man had been seen. Asking questions he’d traced the man from bar to cantina to shelter to spice den until his quest brought him to an old, almost ancient church, once used as a place of worship for a much older religion, but since repurposed by a preacher of The Unfinished Book.
Inside, he’d found the old man and spoke to him. They’d spoken for hours, Sims challenging every facet of the man’s faith. Pointing out the contradictions in the teachings. Poking holes in the idea of the tales and stories within and laughing at the ludicrousness of the ideas of the ‘miracles’ described within.
And the old man had accepted every complaint, every challenge and deftly parried every criticism until Sims himself was questioning his own opinion of the book and its contents.
Sims smiled at the memory, That had been the day his life had changed, not entirely for the better, but it did give him direction again. Thanks to that old man, he had found a way to control his guilt over his part in what had had been done to the little girl, the one that years later he would discover to be one of his closest friends.
Unlike some who found religion later in life, he didn’t use his beliefs as a crutch, instead it gave him direction and a strength of purpose, which combined with his own medical training, drove him towards helping others and encouraging them to better themselves.
Throughout the years, he had faced difficulties with those who followed other beliefs or who viewed religion with disdain. Some worlds he visited restricted his travels or refused him entry outright. On some he was welcomed and others shunned and viewed with suspicion or even outright hostility.
He had however never encountered anyone so contradictory antagonistic and grudgingly ambivalent towards religion as Alexa Wolf. She’d been vehement in her judgement of his beliefs when they first met, yet had mellowed to him very quickly, with only the mention of his role as a Shepard earning a reaction from her, and even then she rarely reacted too badly.
He’d always made a point of never forcing his beliefs on others, so very quickly reached a workable arrangement with her. He didn’t talk about his beliefs to her and she kept the sarcasm and snide remarks to a minimum. Her revelation that her childhood trauma had caused a brief and painful flirtation with religion also put her aggressive atheism into perspective.
He’d quickly learnt how to work with her, how he could jest and joke with her and how to advise her without slipping into religious terms or using a tale from The Unfinished Book as an example of a solution.
Much of the cordial relationship between the two had been lost seven months ago when the truth of Alexa’s childhood death and resurrection had been revealed along with Sims’ part in it. In the intervening months they’d rebuilt their working relationship, but it wasn’t how it had been.
“Give it time” Sims thought to himself, “She’s had a lot to deal with these last few months”
With a sigh, he slipped the book reverently into his bag.
A knock on the door drew him from his thoughts and he looked up to see Royce Chapman standing there, “Ah, Royce, I was just about done here”
Chapman nodded his shaved head, “I’ve got the speeder ready, we’ll run over to the starport and I’ll drop you off then bring Natasha back so she can pack her stuff and then once she’s had her final checks, we’ll both head back over in time for dinner”
“Do you know about the extra things, you’ll be taking over?” Sims asked.
Chapman frowned, then gave a nod, “Some meds specific for Natasha, a remote so you can fine tune her little implant that replaces her spleen on the go and a wheelchair” He hesitated, “Is the wheelchair necessary? She’s practically walking again”
“Call it a precaution” Sims shrugged, “She has been tiring quite easy and myself and Doctor Ross can’t fully discount that she may need further work on her knee. It’s healing well after her surgery, but I have concerns. It had looked like it was healing well before the need for surgery arose”
“It was long before I signed on with the Ghosts, but that was the knee where she took a blaster bolt during that big kerfuffle with the Rim Worlds Republic here on Skye a decade ago?” Chapman said.
“Spot on” Sims nodded and zipped up his bag, “The bolt pretty much vaporised the knee cap and fused the remainder of the joint. Bacta and a vat grown knee replacement got her back on her feet quickly enough, but it left the joint weaker than it had been. Between the more recent attack that shattered it and being unable to use bacta to help with healing, the knee has been frustratingly resistant to healing correctly. I fear the entire knee may need prosthetic replacement if it doesn’t heal”
“She’lll hate that” Chapman grimaced, “She’s been pretty vocal of being sick of surgeries and it’ll put her off her feet again. She wants to be working out in the field again, it’ll push her back on that”
“Can’t be helped” Sims sighed, “If it’s needed, it’s needed” He scowled as he picked up his bag and started out of the office, “I’m sorry to be blunt, but she’s a grown woman, not a child. She has to accept that she can’t rush her recovery. There have been a few periods lately where she has been acting like a petulant child because she wasn’t recovering fast enough, she needs to grow up and live in the here and now and accept she has to be patient”
Chapman nodded, “And I’m going to forget you said that and not breathe a word to Natasha”
Sims grinned and patted him on the shoulder, “Good answer Royce. If you did tell her I said that, you would do well to never again end up on my operating table” He stepped around the man and headed off down the corridor leaving Chapman staring at him, unable to work out if the older man was joking or not.
“He’s a Shepard and a Doctor” Chapman swallowed, “He has to be joking”
————————————————-
Chapman caught up with Sims further down the corridor, “Can I ask you something, Shepard?” He asked.
Sims glanced over his shoulder and smiled, “You can ask me anything, you know that Royce”
“I know” Chapman nodded, “It’s just this ones a bit awkward”
Sims frowned, “Is something wrong?”
“I’m not sure” Chapman sighed, as they stepped into the elevator, “But Scooters been acting strangely lately”
“Define strangely” Sims looked at him as he jabbed the button that sent the elevator descending to the parking level.
“It’s weird little things” Chapman grimaced, “He’s not acting like he normally acts. He’s, I don’t know, twitchy, acting suspicious” His expression showed that he realised how he sounded, “I’ll admit, I’ve only known him a few months. You and the rest of the crew have known him for years. But even I can spot things out of character”
Sims thought for a few moments. Though he was a recent addition to the crew, Chapman had immediately struck up a friendship with Randolph ‘Scooter’ Barnes with the two bonding over a love of sports and obscure folk music. Chapman would be more aware of changes in his friends behaviour, but at the same time, it could be that he’d simply become aware of behaviour that Scooter hadn’t fallen back into for a while, but was still normal for him.
He looked at Chapman, “Is it anything solid about your ‘feelings’” When the younger man shrugged uncertainly, he added, “Maybe, Scooter is just acting ‘oddly’ because he’s like the rest of us who stayed here have been? Stuck in one place for the best part of three months”
“I guess” Chapman admitted.
The elevator doors hissed open and they stepped out into the parking garage and made their way towards where Chapman had parked the speeder.
Chapman sighed, “I think you’re right. We were all getting antsy before the others went off to and yeah, I’m feeling pretty out of sorts being stuck here longer. I’ll be glad to get back to the normal routine again. Guess I’m just being paranoid”
“Maybe” Sims nodded, “But keep an eye on him anyway. It might be symptomatic of stress or overwork, if necessary I’ll pull rank with the Captain and have Scooter take a sabbatical”
“Okay” Chapman replied, then smirked, “Gotta love how the Captain backs down when you play the medical card”
Sims snorted, “These days she does mostly agree with me on judgement. You should have seen some of the arguments a few years back. They are apparently legendary among the crew”
———————————————-
The Wolf
Nashira Spaceport
Leaning heavily on the crutch she clutched with her left arm, Natasha Loran gingerly negotiated the short array of stairs that led from the main crew deck of the Wolf and down to the deck two levels below where Sacul maintained her quarters/lab/comm hub.
Having descended two decks, she found herself panting with the effort. She’d decided to forgo using both crutches figuring she wouldn’t need the second one just for moving around the Wolf.
“Guess I overestimated myself” She thought wincing as a spark of pain erupted from her knee, though it at least faded quickly into its normal dull ache.
That said, it felt good to be wandering the Wolf again. After an absence of well over two months, it really did feel like a homecoming. This ship really was home and she’d missed it so much.
Eventually, reaching the door to Sacul’s quarters, she tapped the open command and as the hatch hissed open, she limped through.
Sacul was hard at work over what appeared to be a random pile of parts and wires. Probably some new gadget she was working on. Then she saw the cube in the midst of the mess and wondered where Sacul had found a Jedi holocron.
When the hatch hissed open, Sacul’s face shot up with an irritated expression on her face, an angry remark on her lips as she prepared to berate the intruder. But the words died in her throat at the same time her expression changed from anger to surprise to joy.
“Natasha!” Sacul squealed and came running around the work table, Seeing her leaning on a crutch, the young looking girl slowed her pace and gently hugged her.
“Hey Sacul” Ash grinned and returned the hug, allowing Sacul to support her for a moment.
Sacul pulled back and looked up at her, “How long have you been aboard?”
“About half an hour” Ash smiled, “I’ve spent most of it with Alexa. But she has some stuff to do, so you were my second port of call”
Sacul frowned, “I was going to head over to the hospital when we landed, but we were told you were having an examination on your knee and wouldn’t be free for a few hours”
“A little lie Sims told for me so I could surprise everyone” Ash grinned, “Besides, I wanted to do the reunions here, rather than at the hospital. Plus I needed the change of scenery”
“Fair enough” Sacul smiled, then embraced her again, “It’s good to see you again Little Sister” She sniffed.
“You too Big Sis” Ash smiled, then frowned, “Are you crying?”
After a long pause, Sacul tearfully replied, “No”
“Liar” Ash chuckled and hugged her tighter, “So, what are you working on?” She asked as they released each other.
“Oh, just a little something for fun” Sacul waved a hand, “Alexa and Master Senn found a holocron on Jouques. But it seems to be broken in some way”
“Define ‘broken’” Ash frowned and settled gratefully into one of the nearby comfy seats.
Sacul shrugged and perched on a stool in front of the workbench, “Well, this particular model uses an internal trigger that requires someone to use the Force to trip a switch inside to activate it. Problem is, no matter how much the switch is tripped -and it is tripping- the holocron won’t actually activate beyond a slight, very brief glow”
“Clogged with something?” Ash asked, trying to lean forwards for a closer look, “It looks okay, though does look like it spent a few years in a mud hole”
“It spent three centuries in a cave, submerged in flood waters and covered in filth” Sacul scowled as she found a sonic probe with a very thin head and began working it up and down the seams on one side, “Holocrons have been known to work after thousands of years of exposure to mud, vegetation, toxic waste and the depths of space, so I’m pretty much ready to drop the ‘dirty’ approach”
“What do you have left?” Ash said thoughtfully, “Doesn’t look damaged, and from what I know, these things are well made enough that anything that damaged the mechanisms inside would have damaged the outside too”
Sacul nodded, “I’ve run every scan I can over this thing and can’t see anything out of place inside. Magscan, thermal, sonic, infrared, I even borrowed the ultrasound monitor at a local hospital on a world we stopped at one the way here” She sighed, “As far as I can tell, it’s perfectly fine”
”Maybe there’s nothing wrong with it” Ash shrugged, “Maybe the trigger needs something special doing?”
Sacul frowned, “Master Senn, Connor and Master Horn’s apprentice Kai all had a go. Not of them could get it to do more than that brief glow”
“What about Horn?”
Sacul shook her head, “Lucas horn’s bloodline has a quirk in their force abilities. They are essentially disarmed in the area of telekinesis. They have other abilities that are stronger than other Jedi lines, but when it comes to TK, they are lacking”
“Huh” Ash frowned, “I didn’t know that”
“Not exactly something they advertise” Sacul shrugged, “Its a weakness they’d rather the wrong people not know about. That said, one of the old Rogues back in the day, Corran Horn, had the same issue and he never let it keep him back. He just worked around the issue”
“Fair enough” Ash nodded, then stood and limping over on her crutch, she approached the work bench and took a closer look at the holocron, “Isn’t that a DNA reader?” She pointed at a small dimple near the bottom.
“What?” Sacul said in surprise, “Where?” She turned over the cube and saw the dimple, “How the hell did I miss that?”
“You were looking for more obvious issues” Ash grinned, “Who was the holocron owned by?”
“Murielle Senn” Sacul replied, running a scanner probe over the dimple, “Sister of an ancestor of Diana Senn. At least we assume it was, it was found near her body. Or what was left of it anyway”
“Three hundred year old corpse, lovely” Ash made a face, “So, the reader should have recognised her. From what I understand, these things could adapt to genetic drift over thousands and years. A couple of centuries would have been nothing”
Sacul nodded, “Except when she tried it, it was caked in mud and grime. It likely couldn’t get a reading”
“Is it clean now?”
“Yeah” Sacul smiled, “I’ll send her a message to pop over and we’ll try again. She’s not due to leave for Ossus till next week, so there’s plenty of time”
“Cool” Ash grinned, “Hopefully, it’ll work”
Sacul nodded, then watched as Ash sat back down again, “How are you doing?” She asked as she joined her on the sofa. “You’re walking again”
“Just about” Ash answered, rubbing her knee which was aching a lot now, “I’m mobile. I can manage a decent distance on two crutches, I thought one would be enough for getting around the ship. I’ve been okay with the one, but not having the support of a second crutch has been a bit nerve
racking”
“I can imagine” Sacul rested a hand on her arm, “It’s good to see you out of that bed, Natasha”
Ash laughed, “You can’t imagine how good it felt to be out of that bed”
“And the knee?”
“Hurts like a bitch at the worst times and a constant ache the majority of times” Ash grimaced, “When I’ve got the weight off, it eases off with the help of pain killers, so I can at least sleep. Still, I’m not looking forward to at least another six months of it” She sighed, “Could even be a year”
“And how are you doing otherwise?” Sacul asked after a moments hesitation.
Ash forced herself to look at Sacul, “I’m managing. Just about. Sessions with Hanna Leong have helped and she’s offered regular remote sessions if I need them. But it’s been difficult coming to terms with everything that happened” She decided not to mention the anti-depressants right now.
“And what happened?” Sacul said, carefully, her expression showing that she knew what had happened, but wanting Ash to put it into words.
“Where have you been the last two months? Hiding under a rock?” Ash said with forced humour, “I broke every rule I’ve ever set myself. I went off alone after a suspected killer without telling anyone or calling in support. I let myself get ambushed and nearly died for it. And I’m left with scars like these to remind me” She indicated the long scar that ran along her jawline and across her chin and the scar that ran under her left eye, “And those are just the visible ones. My body -as a direct result of the attack and as a result of the various surgeries- is criss crossed with scars. My left knee might never recover entirely and every six months, the little implant that replaces my spleen has to be refilled and retuned” She sighed, “The cold makes everything ache and I can expect potential arthritis in my old age, assuming I don’t do something else stupid before then”
But you’ve survived” Sacul pointed out, “And other than the scars, your knee and a few aches, you’ve no other health issues?”
“No, Franz might have been brutal, but he was very much focused on breaking bones” Ash sighed, “Most of my internal injuries, the collapsed lung, loss of my spleen and tears to my stomach were as much due to broken bones as much as impact. Fortunately, the Ryll and synthetic Kolto sorted much of the issues”
“Including…” Sacul rested a hand over Ash’s lower abdomen, “Is your……?”
“My womb is fine” Ash swallowed. She was a little uncomfortable with this line of conversation. But she knew why Sacul was asking, “It’s not like with Kitten”
“That’s good” Sacul nodded nervously, “It’s just I’ve always felt you’d be a good mother, you and Alexa too”
Ash frowned at the youthful and human looking droid she’d always seen as a big sister, “Sacul, what’s brought this on?”
Sacul looked away, “I’ve been thinking a lot. About the future, about lost opportunities. About a girl I helped raise” Seeing Ash about to speak, “Not you, well, I essentially raised you since your parents didn’t seem to care. But I wasn’t talking about you specifically” She waved her left hand in the air as trying to ward off further questions.
A glint of light on Sacul’s hand caught Ash’s eye and she quickly grabbed Sacul’s wrist, “Sacul, what’s this?” She frowned, turning over Sacul’s hand until she saw what had caught the light. She knew Sacul could have pulled her hand free without any effort, yet she chose not to, allowing Ash to turn her hand over, “A ring?” She stared at the glinting diamond inset in the simple, yet elegant gold band that circled her ring finger, “A wedding ring?” She stared at Sacul, “Sacul, when did you get married?”
Sacul sighed, and looked away for a moment, the recently re-awoken grief coming to the fore, “I haven’t worn it for a years, but someone reminded me that I can’t pretend it didn’t happen”
“I never even knew” Ash said slowly, releasing Sacul’s wrist, “How long ago? When did you marry? And why have you never told me before?” She couldn’t quite keep the sense of hurt from her voice.
“It was so long ago” Sacul sighed, “The memories hurt too much to share, even with you and you were too young to be burdened with my memories. Your issues at the time were far more important”
“Oh Sacul” Ash embraced her adopted sister, “Don’t ever feel you can’t share”
“I…I just spent so long trying to bury the grief” Sacul sighed tearfully.
“Well, that stops now” Ash smiled, realising how much this conversation might just well help her as much as it helped Sacul. She gently took both of Sacul’s hands in her own, “Now tell me all about him”
Sacul took a deep breath, “His name was Conrad Werner and I met him in 71ABY on Corellia……”
——————————————-
Elsewhere on the Wolf.
Alexa leant against the hatchway frame and regarded the man with the neatly trimmed goatee coolly, “So, have you had a chance to think about my offer?”
Lucas Horn, Jedi Master, nodded, “I have”
“And?” Alexa asked expectantly.
“I accept” Horn sighed, “On a few conditions?”
“I’m not unreasonable” Alexa smiled, “I already know that your Padawan will be coming along too. We’ll be able to find a position for her. I’ve heard she’s got some technical skills, so there’s a few places she can pitch in”
“I appreciate that “ Horn frowned, his mug of caf pausing halfway to his lips, “This far into her training, it wouldn’t be conductive to hand her off to another Master” He hesitated, “She’s already dealing with a feeling of abandonment by Connor, having me drop her as Padawan would make matters worse”
Alexa winced, “That I can understand. So, what else?”
Horn shrugged, “I want to make it clear, I’m not replacing Natasha Loran, just standing in for her. I don’t want her feeling I’m taking her place, When she’s back at full health, we’ll work together”
Alexa nodded, “I’m fine with that, and so is Ash” She sighed, “She’s just going to need some reassurance now and then. I suspect she’s going to have some tough times in the next six months, feeling useless, regrets over her injuries and the actions that led to them” Alexa rubbed her temples with one hand, “I’m also a bit concerned that when she is back to doing her full duties, she’ll push herself too hard. Prior to the attack on her, I’d always worried that she pushed things to the limit when on an investigation, often out all night gathering intel, then spending all day sporting through the info and chasing up other leads with only a couple of hours asleep”
“So, I’d also be helping to lighten her work load?” Horn asked with a raised eyebrow before taking a sip of his caf .
“In a way” Alexa replied, “At the very least, if it allows her a little more sleep during the tougher jobs, it’ll be a bonus. She does tend to get very single minded when she’s working a mission” She grimaced, “I’m not going to deny I have personal reasons for wanting Ash to take things easier, but even though I’m no doctor, even I know she can’t sustain the same workload she used to. Her leg won’t allow it and after an assault that bad, she’s got other health issues to worry about”
“Not to mention her mental health” Horn said awkwardly.
Alexa nodded and tried to find something else in the room to focus on in the hope that the Jedi wouldn’t see the feelings of guilt on her face, “As much as I hate to admit it, you’re right. I spoke with Hanna -my brothers wife- on the way into Skye. She’s a trained councillor, and has been working with Ash to get her to come to terms with what happened. Whilst Doctor/patient privilege means she won’t share details of their talks unless Ash offers up the information first, Hanna has warned me that Ash is still holding too much in”
Horn drained his mug, then placed it on the counter, “Sounds like she’s worried it may affect Loran. Perhaps even during a mission?”
“It may not be too much of a problem under most circumstances” Alexa admitted, “Her knee means she’s going to have to focus on data sorting with Sacul for at least six months before she can be fit for field work. But Ash has always thrived on field work. Infiltrating somewhere, tracking down a lead, questioning a source. Chances are if, anything is going to happen, the restrictions her recovery puts on her will do it” She sighed, “So I’m hoping that being able to be around her more will allow me to get her to open up and release the pressure before it gets too much for her”
“How sure are you of that?” Horn asked.
Alexa grimaced, “Not very” She admitted.
———————————————–
Main Cargo Bay.
“And this is the main cargo bay” Kitten said, waving an arm around the Wolf’s main bay.
“I know” Melissa frowned, “I did kinda see it on the way in”
“Told you we should stop ending the tour of the ship with it” Leeza piped up from behind her friends shoulder.
Ignoring the shorter woman, Kitten nodded her head, sending her pink braids bobbing, “Regardless, that’s pretty much the Wolf. I’ll try and introduce you to Sacul later, but when the door to her quarters is locked, it’s best not to disturb”
“Fairs” Melissa shrugged, “Is that what I think it is?” She indicated the bulky loader droid carrying a large crate up the boarding ramp.
Kitten blanched, “If you’re thinking it’s a classic design of BLR loader droid in perfect working condition, then yes, that’s what it is. If you’re thinking anything else, it’s probably best to keep it to yourself”
“Wise” The droid rumbled in a deep masculine voice as it paused briefly as it passed them, “Any insult I hear within range of my audio receptors would be a foolish thing to do” The single glowing eye nestled between the shoulders seemed to glow menacingly, “Arms may suddenly become detached”
“Noted” Melissa said dryly.
The glowing eye regarded her, taking note of the fact that she was almost as tall as the droid itself, “You are tall for a human. Strong looking too” The eye turned to regard Kitten and Leeza, “I advise you do not anger this one either. Arms may suddenly become detached” The the droid turned and carried on towards the far end of the bay with it’s load.
“That was interesting” Melissa snorted.
“Ironsides is a perfect example of why labour droids are usually given regular memory wipes. Or any droid for that matter” Kitten chuckled, “They eventually develop personalities of their own and idiosyncrasies. Protocol droids become overly pompus. Astromechs become willful and labour droids get grumpy and surly”
“Ironsides?” Melissa frowned, “Seriously?”
Leeza grinned, “The Captain named him not long after he was activated. Dunno where she got it from, but it fits”
Melissa shook her head, “It’s the name of an old holo show that used to be popular on Skye. About a detective who was crippled in an ambush and continued solving cases despite being confined to a wheelchair” She frowned, “If the droid asks, it was a series about a droid detective”
“Probably the best idea” Kitten laughed, then led her towards the boarding ramp, “So, what’s your plans for the next couple of days? Obviously joining us all for dinner tonight?”
“Of course” Melissa nodded, “I’ve got a bit of packing to do, I need to formally resign my commission with the Royal Guard. I gave my resignation to Prince Jacob back in January, but he insisted I go on extended leave in case I changed my mind. But there’s little reason for me to return, so I need to make it permanent. I also want to spend some time with my father before I leave” She sighed, “I’m the last member of his children left who isn’t dead or who tried to kill him”
“That’s……depressing” Leeza said, a look of sadness on her face that surprised Melissa.
Seeing Leeza’s shift of mood, Kitten nodded to her best friend, “Aren’t you supposed to co-ordinating with Esm to do a supply run with the Pup for some parts he needs?”
Leeza brightened up, “Oh yeah, I should be off. Nice meeting you Melissa” Then she was trotting off across the bay.
Melissa frowned at the back of the departing pilot, “Is she okay?”
Kitten chuckled, “Leeza is fine. She may seem like a she’s got more than a few screws loose, but she’s probably one of the most switched on members of the crew. She just enjoys the entertainment value that being the clown brings, both to herself and to her audience. Trust me, when it comes down to it, when she’s in that cockpit, she’s utterly serious” She frowned, “You caught that little shift of mood when you mentioned your dad?”
“Yeah” Melissa nodded, “It was sudden”
“Yeah, well like you Leeza loved her parents dearly” Kitten shrugged, “They both died after she graduated the flight academy. So, your mention of your father reminded her of her parents”
“I hadn’t intended to” Melissa sighed.
“Don’t sweat it” Kitten smiled, “If anything, Leeza is nothing is resilient. Their loss still hurts her, but these days she focuses on the happy memories”
Melissa smiled, “I do the same with my mom. She died of an illness when I was thirteen” She explained, “It was neurological disease. A genetic disorder she’d inherited through her father. It caused the chemical bonds in her muscles to break down, causing them to waste away. She never let it stop her and she drilled into her children to embrace life, and to always remember the good times. She was determined that we celebrate her life rather than mourn her passing. She pushed us to be the best we can” She sighed, “Myself and Maria took that to heart. Sadly, Brendan never did”
Kitten smiled at her, “And do you remember the good times with your sister too?”
“Most of them” Melissa said after a moments hesitation, “But the last time I saw her, that last argument. I fear that will haunt me for a long time yet”
——————————————-
Skye Royal Palace.
Alexa fought to keep the smile from her face as she exited the speeder and made her way up to the grand entrance of the Royal Palace. The smile was triggered by the sight of Arden Sortek waiting for her at the top of the ornate steps, but was tempered by the look of outrage one of the two Royal Guardsmen standing either side of the doorway.
Inwardly, Alexa grimaced. That particular Guardsman was obviously one of those whose loyalty to the Skye Throne meant that he viewed Alexa’s actions against her father nearly a decade ago in a very dim light.
The other Guardsman managed to maintain an indifferent look, but he couldn’t quite hide the scowl that flickered across the man’s face. What did surprise her though, was that the scowl was directed at the man’s fellow Guardsman.
“Evidently, not all of the Royal Guard share the majority opinion of me” Alexa thought.
Reaching the top of the steps, she immediately enfolded Arden in a hug, taking a little pleasure in the vein bulging on the forehead of the outraged Guardsman.
“Good to see you again, Arden” She smiled at him.
“You too Alexa” Arden grinned and accepted the hug, “But aren’t hugs a little out of character for The Wolf?”
“Don’t care right now” Alexa laughed as he led her inside, then as the doors shut behind them, “Besides, worth it to see that guys reaction”
Arden sighed, “Unfortunately, the Royal Guard is still divided over their opinions of you. Fortunately, all are too dedicated to their duties to actually cause an issue”
“That’s something” Alexa rolled her eyes, then decided to change the subject to something she’d noticed, “What’s with the casual look? I can’t say I’ve ever seen you out of uniform”
“Of course! You’re a little out of the loop” Arden nodded as they made their way down the corridor, “I stepped down as Princes Champion last month. I’m officially retired”
Alexa stared at him in surprise, “I suppose I did have other concerns” She remarked dryly, “But you were Champion for so long, the idea of you not being Prince’s Champion is going to take some getting used to”
“Tell me about it” He laughed as they were waved through a security post, “I’m still getting used to being a civilian”
“So why are you still here” Alexa grinned, “And not on a farmstead on Firgrove? I know my father gifted you a hefty parcel of land there as a reward for your part on foiling Operation Doppleganger”
“I’m hanging around till my replacement is fully up to speed” Arden answered.
“So, who’s the new Princes Champion” Alexa asked, “Can’t have been a very long list”
“It wasn’t” Arden conceded, “There were only a few options when the list was last revised. Draco Fel-Tarn, Col Levin, Melissa, Maria, Colonel William Dobson of the First Skye Rangers” He hesitated, “And you”
Alexa snorted, “Draco would accept, but he’d do it because he felt obliged. He’s happier leading the Republic March. Col Levin would prefer to stay in command of the Anobis Jaegers. Dobson, I only know by reputation, but from what I know he has resisted promotion above Colonel because he’s happy where he is now. Maria, sadly is dead. So, that leaves Melissa and -force forbid- me. And I know that neither myself nor Melissa have taken the position”
Arden nodded, “Jacob had to think outside the box a little and decided on Grace Campion”
“I know the name” Alexa frowned, “Colonel in the Tarn Heavy Guards. Was the brains behind the flanking manoeuvre on Nemodia that shattered the Republic Seventh Brigade and relieved General Eth Ssur’s position during the war”
“That’s her” Arden gave a nod, “Jacob also knows her from the Skye Military Academy”
“So, this is the ‘Grace’ that he was always moaning about in letters” Alexa grinned, “The one that refused to work with him in exercises because of the constant comparisons people were making between the two because they are both ‘blue bloods’”
“She comes from Bastion nobility” Arden explained, “Originally one of the Skye nobility bloodlines, the family suffered badly under Anya Tarn and were pushed to the fringes of the Alliance and spent years trying to regain their prestige through diligent service. She however didn’t take kindly to others comparing her ‘backwoods bloodline’ to the Royal bloodline”
“And Jacob selected her because?”
“Because he knows she’ll stand up to him and argue where necessary” Arden laughed, “He doesn’t want someone who’ll just go along with his every decision. The Prince’s Champion needs to be willing to tell him when he’s wrong or making a mistake”
“Much like you were with my father” Alexa nodded.
“Exactly” Arden grinned, “Ah, here she is”
Alexa looked ahead as a tall dark skinned woman in the resplendent blue of the Heavy Guards approached them.
“Colonel Grace Campion, meet Captain Alexa Wolf” Arden said, introducing the pair.
“A pleasure, Colonel” Alexa offered her hand in greeting.
Campion immediately accepted the handshake, “Likewise Captain, your exploits make for some interesting reading”
“I’m glad you find me so interesting” Alexa grinned, “But I’m fairly certain many of those reports were long on exaggeration and speculation and short on realism and facts”
“So, you didn’t kill the T’suur crime lord Karhan in unarmed combat?” Campion laughed.
Alexa winced, “Not exactly. But it seems no matter how many times I tell the actual story, people would rather believe the fiction”
“Much like my own actions on Nemodia” Campion laughed, “The way some people tell it, I single handedly swept the Seventh aside with a wave of my hand” She glanced at Arden, “You owe me credits Arden, five minutes in the palace and she’s done nothing controversial”
Alexa stared at the pair and tried to look annoyed, “You took bets on me doing something embarrassing?” She laughed, “I’m almost insulted”
“She’s joking” Arden said reassuringly, “But you have to admit, you do have a record of controversy on Skye”
“Hey!” This time Alexa did look annoyed, “I managed a day and half last time before any real controversy. And that was just a confrontation with Melissa. I don’t set out to cause controversy…”
“It just follows you around, right?” Campion smirked whilst finishing the sentence.
“Well, yeah” Alexa frowned, “Okay, so I’m a magnet for controversy half the time”
“And the rest of the time?” Arden arced an eyebrow in question.
Alexa grinned displaying her platinum fang implants, “Well, the rest of the time, I’m causing it”
Campion laughed again, “So, I’ve heard, Captain. Well, I have things to do, it was interesting meeting you Captain Wolf” She looked at Arden, “And you’re right, she’d have never been a suitable alternative” Then with a nod to the pair of them, headed off down the corridor.
“Arden, What did she mean by that?” Alexa frowned, “Alternative?”
“I’ll tell you later” Arden grinned as they carried on deeper into the palace.
Alexa scowled, “I feel like I’ve been the indirect subject of a joke” She fell into step with Arden, “I don’t appreciate that”
Arden sighed at her tone, “When she first arrived on Skye to take up her role, Colonel Campion asked about the details of her position. Including the line of succession should Jacob be incapacitated”
Alexa made a face, clearly not liking the idea of anything happening to her brother. She frowned, “Errrr, I know that would pass the throne to Troy, with Hanna acting as regent? Then Sela if anything happened to Troy before he could have an heir. After that, I’m vague on details”
“Duke Edward would act as regent for either of the kids if Hanna cannot” Arden explained, “If something -force forbid- happens to Jacob, Hanna and the children. The throne passes to either Melissa or Draco. After that, it’s complicated”
Alexa’s frown deepened, “Well, next up would be Alessendro’s daughter? The one who disappeared after he rejected her due to being illegitimate. If she could be found”
“I doubt the ISF ever stopped keeping an eye on her” Arden nodded, “She’s still part of the line of succession, even if she is illegitimate”
“And where do I sit on the list?” Alexa asked as they paused at the entrance to Jacob’s office, “Somewhere near the bottom I’m guessing, probably below Brendan” She snorted.
Arden grimaced, “Remember that you asked about Campion’s joke about you being an unsuitable alternative?” At Alexa’s nod, he continued, “Well, you are technically on the chain ahead of Melissa and Draco as Harrison’s daughter and Jacob’s sister. Your exile is supposed to move you out of the line of succession, but in practice it’s nowhere near that simple, if Melissa or Draco refused the throne, you then get bumped back onto the list”
“That’d be like throwing a Kushiban in a Womp Rat nest” Alexa laughed, “Half the nobles would outright revolt, the other half would support me in return for massive concessions. I’d probably end up being less popular than Alessendro on some worlds”
“Pretty much what I said to the Colonel” Arden nodded, “But not only that, I don’t think you have either the temperament or patience for the job. No offence intended”
“None taken” Alexa chuckled, “I agree with you there. I would not be a good ruler at all”
Arden smiled and reached for the door handle, but paused before he could turn it, “But if it came to it, that there was no other choice?”
Alexa hesitated before answering, “If there was no other option, then I’d have no option but to accept the responsibility” She answered tightly, “I’d have to count on whatever caused such an upheaval in the line of succession to keep the nobles on side”
“A good answer” Arden nodded and swung open the door,
Inside, Jacob Tarn, First Prince of the Skye Alliance looked up from his desk, then with a smile rose from behind his desk to cross the room to give his sister a hug.
“I heard you were back” Jacob said as he held his little sister, releasing her from the embrace before she could start feeling awkward.
To his surprise, she gripped him tighter and held him for a little while longer before releasing him.
As she finally pulled away, he grinned at her, “It’s good to see you again, Alex”
“Likewise, Jacob” Alexa smiled, noting that Arden had quietly slipped back out of the office,“likewise”
“What are you drinking?” Jacob asked moving to the the drinks cabinet, “How was your flight in?”
“Just a fruit juice or something, it’s too early for anything else” Alexa shrugged, “And it was a lot smoother than our flight down”
Jacob by passed the cabinet to a small fridge and produced two bottles of juice from it, “Yeah, the weather was pretty bad when you arrived in December. Especially as you managed to arrive on the very day the snow storms hit” He tossed one of the bottles to Alexa, who caught it effortlessly, “You actually just missed one storm front yesterday, another is due next week”
“So, I’ve heard” Alexa nodded, popping the cap open on the drink, “I think for this time of year though, considering Dad’s death and the funeral services the weather hasn’t been as bad as it could be. We’ve certainly had worst winters” She took a drink of her juice, “I think I remember some bad ones when we were kids”
Jacob frowned, “You probably won’t remember the winter of 304? When the whole city was frozen over”
Alexa shook her head, “Actually, I do remember something of that year. I remember the rivers completely froze solid and Mom took us ice skating on them. I remember being wrapped in some many layers, I could barely move”
Jacob chuckled, “Yeah, Mom was determined that you wouldn’t catch a cold, but that you should have a chance to be out in the snow”
“I can remember us having a snowball fight too” Alexa smiled wistfully, “I also remember that it just got colder and colder and me, you and mom and Maria and Melissa, Brendan and their mom and Grandma were sent down south to the warmer weather for a few months till it thawed out up here” She trailed off as she realised that that had been the last long distance trip they had taken with their mother, as just a few months later Jessa Blaylock-Tarn had died in the assassination attacks that had also set a yong Alexandria Tarn on a brand new path,
She decided to change the subject, “So, what did my brother want me to see him for?” She asked.
“What?” Jacob affected a hurt look, “I can’t see my little sister when I like?”
“You know you can” Alexa grinned, “But you normally wouldn’t ask to see me alone and specifically ask me to not bring Ash” She sighed, “That tells me that this os something important. What’s happened now? Is it Brendan?”
Jacob shook his head, “You’re halfway to the target, but well off the mark” He explained, “It’s actually about Natasha, and it’s actually Hanna who wants to speak with you”
“She does?” Alexa blinked in surprise, “Can she even speak to me about Ash? What with patient confidentiality and all that?”
“Couldn’t tell you, obviously confidentiality means she can’t talk with me about it” Jacob said, “In any case, I think she wants to discuss a few specific things to gather a little more information to help Natasha”
“I think I’m missing something here” Alexa frowned, “I know Ash is still recovering physically and mentally, but what more information can she need?”
“I’ll let Hanna explain” Jacob nodded and led her to the door that led to the neighbouring office.
As Jacob opened the door, he waved his sister through and with a reassuring touch on her arm, closed the door behind her, leaving Alexa with the rooms other occupant.
The office itself, though smaller than Jacob’s was still quite large and had been decorated in the style of the traditional human residence on Mon Calamari. Sea-green blue walls and marbled floor gave the room a peaceful, calming feel. The desk and tables were asymmetrical and all curves and reminded Alexa of puddles of water. Light fittings had been designed to look like aquatic creatures of some species. The rooms sofas that bracketed one of the tables looked organic in design and even the bookcases that lined one wall fit the style perfectly. Alexa guessed it was modelled after the office she had maintained back on Mon Calamari before marrying Jacob and moving to Skye.
As Hanna Leong-Tarn rose from behind her desk, Alexa noted that even her dress was in fitting with the rest of the room. A long ankle length skirt in a light blue that had darker patterns weaved in that remind Alexa of waves on the sea. Her blouse in a similar shade to the ‘waves’ appeared to be made of a satiny material that seemed to shimmer as she moved.
“Alexa” Hanna smiled, “It’s good to see you again”
“Likewise” Alexa replied, embracing her sister-in-law, “And you’re looking as beautiful as ever”
Hanna returned the hug, “And I hope you’ve been saying that to Natasha too”
“Several times already today” Alexa nodded, “And I’ve only been on planet four hours” She sobered a bit, “I know she’s struggling with her self image currently. With the scars and her general confidence in herself”
Hanna smiled tightly and waved towards the sofas. Once they were both seated, Hanna sighed, “Now obviously, there’s a lot I can’t talk with you regarding my sessions with Natasha”
Alexa nodded, “Doctor/Patient confidentiality”
“Exactly” Hanna acknowledged, “But the reason I asked you hear is, I’ve a few questions about Natasha that I’m hoping the answers to could help with further sessions”
“Okay” Alexa frowned.
“Don’t worry” Hanna said reassuringly, “I won’t ask you to breach her confidence nor will I ask you to share private details. I just need to get perspective on a few things she’s already told me. Unfortunately, her recent experiences have made it difficult for her to be honest about certain things, as well as severely impacted her self esteem”
Somewhat reassured that she wouldn’t be asked to betray Ash’s privacy, Alexa nodded and took a drink of her juice, “Okay, ask away”
Hanna smiled, then glanced at a sheet of notes on the table, “Now, Natasha has always been proud of her looks?”
“Yeah” Alexa answered, “Yes, because she’s tall, blond and……” “She blushed and hesitated, “….Big breasted, she’s often been seen as a bimbo. But that’s people who don’t know her. She’s smart, not Melissa smart, but still fairly high on the scale. But her looks, she’s always been proud of them. It’s always been a source of satisfaction for her when someone looks at her and just sees a bimbo, thus completely underestimating her” She sighed, “It’s also always been a source of frustration, when people she’s trying to work with show her a lack of respect and just write her off”
Hanna nodded, but Alexa could see from her expression that she hadn’t been told anything she hadn’t already known, “How do you think her scars will affect her?”
Alexa hesitated as she thought it over, “I noticed when I got off the ship. She wasn’t wearing makeup, and she was wearing that baggy sweatshirt and kept ducking her chin into the collar. Add in that her hair is still not much longer than a buzz cut and I’d say she’s struggling with her looks”
“She is” Hanna sighed, “She refuses to venture near a reflective surface and she broke several mirrors at the hospital. I think it’s less a case of being disgusted about her scars and more a case of she’s still struggling to accept that her looks have been changed”
“Not that badly” Alexa said, “She’s still beautiful to me. The scars haven’t changed that”
“Not to you” Hanna responded, “But it has to her. Every time she sees the scars. she’s reminded that she made a mistake that night. An uncharacteristic one at that, from what my conversations with Shepard Sims has told me. She almost died, and she’s still struggling to come to terms with her brush with death”
Alexa shook her head, “It’s more than that. On Malastare, she had a hunting knife shoved in her chest. It just nicked her heart and she almost bled out then. She came as close then as she did this time” She paused for a moment, then nodded with realisation, “But she didn’t have her bacta allergy then, it was on Malastare when she came into contact with the contaminated bacta and she had Helene with her the whole time. When Franscisco Vorn nearly beat her to death, she almost died alone in that alleyway”
Helene nodded, “Vorn’s attack also left her with a lot of visible scars. And not just on her face. Has she stripped naked in front of you since your reunion?”
Alexa blushed and shook her head, “Hasn’t been time. We had a bit of a cuddle, fully clothed, but I do know about her body scars, even though I haven’t seen much beyond the ones on her face and wrists”
Helene paused for a moment, as if arranging her thoughts, “She’s been very accepting of her body scars, almost obsessive over keeping them covered. She could be stood in front of a roaring fire and she’d still be wearing the thickest jumper possible” She sighed, “It’s possible that she might also be reluctant to undress in your presence without the lights being off. It’s also possible she may struggle with intimacy for a while”
Alexa blinked, she hadn’t considered that, “What can I do to help her?”
“Don’t force the issue” Hanna answered, “Don’t rush her. But don’t pull away either. Just be there to reassure her. But be prepared to give her time if she finds intimacy difficult”
Alexa stared at her. She’d known that Ash was facing a long recovery, but hadn’t considered just how badly her lover had been affected by her attack, “I would never, ever judge her over her scars. They won’t affect how I feel about her”
“It’s not that” Hanna shook her head, “She knows how much you love her. But…..” She hesitated, “But she’s spent too much time over the last month and half thinking about that night. Specifically, other potential outcomes from the attack” She paused and seemed to make a decision, “I can’t give you the full details, but she’s had regular nightmares, one of which has had the biggest impact on her”
“What do you mean?” Alexa frowned.
Hanna sighed, “Think about it, Alexa. What sort of nightmare could possibly have affected her feelings of intimacy?”
Alexa swallowed, a sick feeling settling into her stomach as she thought about the answer to that question.
Fractured Galaxy 