Clone Wars: Underground - Chapter 16
Chapter 16
“Careful. Don’t underestimate the pilot.” Mardin ordered. He stood erect in his pressed uniform, filling the position of command with professional solidarity. Three squads of newly termed stormtroopers quickly marched into place as the tractor beam operator turned the captive ship into the docking bay. Mardin watched the ship with growing anticipation. It set gently down on the bay floor and the ramp was let down, a practice by those who wished their boarding ramp to remain operational for future use.
Mardin nodded to the closest squad of stormtroopers. As a unit they boarded the ship. Mardin waited and listened, but no sounds came from within. Shortly, prisoners came filing out with their hands in binders. They were escorted to the commander in charge. Mardin’s eyes were locked on the ship’s captain.
Brenni had a cruel smirk on her face as she walked straight up to Mardin, not at all intimidated.
“Hello, father.” She spat.
Suddenly all eyes were on her and the commander.
“Brenni. It’s been such a long time.” His voice was still commanding, but Brenni recognized the slight tone of sadness nestled in the words he spoke. He turned to the squad leader next to him.
“Take them all to the detention level.”
Brenni snorted as she was led away. “Typical.” She breathed loud enough for Mardin to hear.
Brenni’s cell door slid open and Mardin let himself in. He motioned for the guards to wait for him outside. Once the door slid shut he focused on his daughter.
“You took your mother’s name.”
“Well, you ruined yours.” Brenni chided, not bothering to stand up or even look at him.
“All I have done has been for our family. You’ve never been able to see that.”
“I used to be proud that you were a part of the Republic Military. That was before you replaced us with your preferred military family.”
“You know that’s not true.” Mardin was used to Brenni’s goading. He remained calm despite her accusations. “I wanted the best for you and your mother.”
“My mother wanted you to be there for her. She was depressed and alone! But you weren’t there enough to notice I guess.” Brenni was shouting now. “She had no love in her life!”
“She had everything! I loved her. I gave her the best life and she’s the one who threw it all away!” Mardin felt the frustration in him rising.
“Well, at least she has someone to hold her now.” Brenni retorted smartly.
Mardin resisted his anger. He needed to bring control back to the conversation.
“I want to help you. You’ve made yourself a criminal, Brenni. By all rights you should be in prison.”
“I see your still putting your position above your family.”
“You’re not listening. If you do as I say, I can get you released.”
“And Kisha?” Brenni asked seriously.
“The girl? Who is she?”
“She’s an orphan. I’ve been taking care of her.” Mardin’s expression softened.
“Yes, she’s young, so I can help her too.”
“And the clone?” Brenni pushed. Mardin’s hard expression returned.
“That is Imperial property. He will be processed and re-assigned.
“Forget it.” She waved a dismissive hand and turned away.
“Brenni. Don’t you understand? I’m trying to help you! I don’t want to lose you too. You are the only family I have left.”
“Those clones are more my family than you. It’s all of us or none of us.”
Mardin set his jaw and left the cell without a word. After he left, Brenni’s resilient façade faded and she sighed. Of all the people in the Imperial Army, why did she have to run into her father? She had always done her best in the war to stay away from supply missions where she knew he would be present. At one time she had admired him. It was what prompted her to help with the war effort. Over time, however, she saw the effect it had on her mother. When he had been given leave to visit home, he had repeatedly refused to leave his command. That’s when Brenni’s admiration turned to annoyance and then anger.
It seemed like hours before her father returned. She wondered what proposition he would come with this time.
“Brenni. I will be transporting you and the young girl to the family estate on Alderaan. It is the best I can do given the circumstances.”
“What about Ty?”
Mardin frowned at the nickname. “I’ll have you know that I considered him as well, but since Commander Wolffe has returned with the rest of your traitorous compatriots, I can’t bend the rules for them all.” Brenni glared. “You must know that a man in my position just can’t go around breaking rules.”
“I know. This position is everything to you. I guess you’re willing to lose your daughter over it.
"No, I’m not.” He replied stoically. “That is why you will be taken to the estate and kept safe.” There was no waver in his voice, only a wall. Brenni knew he had made his decision and there would be no more reasoning. She also knew now that Rex and the others had been caught by the Imperials.
Mardin commanded men in battle, but it was being a father to this strong-spirited girl that had tested his resolve time and again. She didn’t respect his position. She gave more respect to the defunct soldiers than she did him. He should just put them all out of commission permanently and be done with it.
Hiso tended to his plants with the help of Cet. Cet was a genius when it came to gardening and Hiso smiled with pride. Recently, with the Separatist movement dissolved, he had been seriously considering returning with Cet to his homeworld of Moltok. Coruscant was too dead of a planet for his taste. Ho’din had a strong pull to their roots. Like most of his people, Hiso held the belief that his ancestors had come from the very plant life of Moltok and they were eternally connected. His family owned a large portion land and he had not cared for it in many years. It wasn’t so much an ownership as it was an assigned responsibility. It was true that the land belonged to his family, but so did the responsibility of the health of that land. His brother was there, but Hiso still felt a duty to care for the plantlife on his family’s land. It was an honor to do so.
There was a deeper issue. Hiso knew that his own health was failing. He didn’t tell Cet. He didn’t want him to worry. The boy had already gone through that with his mother. Although they never discussed it, Cet had to know how much older Hiso was. Cet’s mother had loved him anyway, despite his age. She told him that he was gentler and kinder than the younger men she encountered. Hiso considered Cet as his own. He would take Cet to Moltok and his family there.
Maaka returned with the vegetables for the day’s meals. Hiso set his pruning shears down and nodded his head in a gesture of decision.
“I think it’s time.” Hiso said to them both. “I want you to see Moltok, Cet.
“You mean we’re going!” Cet’s eyes lit up. They had discussed it before, but never made plans. Hiso told Cet stories of Moltok. He told him about the tall trees and vines and how the flowers were more beautiful than any on Coruscant. He told him about how the buildings were built into the rocks and trees and sometimes it was difficult to even see them.
"We can all go. If you want.” He looked at Maaka.
“Thank you.” Maaka replied. He wasn’t sure how he felt about leaving just yet, but it did feel good to be accepted. Cet fixed his gaze on him and Maaka broke into a smile and patted the kid’s head.
“What?” He asked expectantly.
“Are you coming with us?” Cet’s excitement jumped from his words.
“He doesn’t need to make a decision now.” Hiso advised in his gravelly voice. Maaka folded his arms. It would be nice to live a life that didn’t involve constant danger.
The sun was setting over the trees. Gregor loved to watch it mostly because Zerall loved to watch it. She always had this look in her eyes when she watched the sunset. The only other time he saw that look was when she looked at him that way. They stood together at the window.
“Honey, I gotta go now.” He said softly.
“I understand.” She leaned into him for the moment.
“But you’re not getting rid of me.” He joked. She laughed and held his hand.
“I hope not.”
Then he kissed her and bent over to kiss the sleeping Temia as well. He strode over to his gear. He couldn’t let his brothers be taken by the Imperials. He knew they had very little use for clones anymore, which made them disposable. He hitched the pack onto his back and left.
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