Clone Wars: Underground - Chapter 20
Maaka walked point. It was his position and his best possible chance at keeping his new family safe. At keeping Ellia safe. He remembered why he chose this position. It was had all centered around keeping his squad from dying. He didn’t remember his years training, but he did remember the feeling that he had to be the best point man because if he wasn’t, those following him would be dead. He wouldn’t let that happen.
Their time was short. Maaka wanted to split up and take separate indirect routes. It would be the safest way to Galactic City Commons Spaceport, but they just didn’t have the time. He noticed the Imperial dropship right before he saw it. He was trained to hear the sounds of the army transports along with dozens of other vehicles. The hum of it stood out clear above all the bustle and noise of the city. He motioned to everyone and they dissolved into the crowd the best they could. The transport hovered over the crowded walkways for a while before moving on. Maaka took a deep breath. They were coming up to the most difficult part. There was a long bridge connecting the city streets to the entrance of the spaceport. They would be exposed here. He stopped everyone and checked surroundings. There were no soldiers on the opposite side, no one hiding at the corners or archways of the entrance. He went first, his eyes darting from point to point like a hawkbat searching for prey. Halfway, he motioned for the others to follow. He knew that just because he didn’t see anything didn’t mean they were in the clear. It was when everything appeared all clear that doubts set in. Maaka remained cautious. They entered the spaceport and made their way to the cargo ships. There was no crowd here, just loading crew. Maaka looked back briefly at his charges. Ellia, realizing they had made it, smiled. He turned back to the gap between the ship and them.
There was someone there when he looked back. Red and white armor identified him as a guard.
“Let us pass.” Maaka called out.
“I can’t.”
“Hazma?” Finley asked, pushing his way to the front of the group. He took his helmet off. “What are you doing?”
“Finley? Why are you here?” He looked at the others in the group, then noticed
Ellia. “You’re the scientist?”
“Hazma? I am. Are you here to stop us?”
“I have to.” His voice was sullen, but he remained resolved.
“At least let them go.” Ellia gestured to Cet and Hiso. Hazma eyed them but didn’t move.
Maaka stepped forward and turned to Finley. “Get them on the transport.”
“Backup’s on the way.” Hazma warned, knowing he had to keep priority on Doctor Tian. Ellia. He corrected himself. She had asked him to call her that once. Why did it come to this? Why weren’t things just as easy as following orders? He watched Finley and Sys escort a Ho’din and a young Twi’lek to the ship. At least this way, he wouldn’t have to fight his friends.
Both Maaka and Hazma had their blasters out, but Maaka really wished he had his armor on. In order to blend in, he decided not to wear his armor. It was packed carefully in his pack with Cet and Hiso’s belongings.
“I can’t let you take her.” Hazma warned. He hated the idea of attacking another clone, especially one who had no armor. He was in full gear himself. It didn’t feel right, not that any of this did.
“She’s not the Empire’s property.” Maaka shot back.
“Neither are you, Hazma.” Ellia added. “Come with us.” Hazma seemed to consider it for a moment. Commander Fox was gone, but Thire was a personable and good leader. He was counting on Hazma. If he didn’t secure the scientist, Thire would be held responsible. He steeled himself.
“By Imperial order, turn over Doctor Tian.” Hazma stated sharply.
“Elli, stay behind me, if you see an opening, run for the ship.” Maaka whispered. His eyes never left Hazma’s. He knew clone armor and all its weak points, but he also knew he was at a large disadvantage.
Maaka jumped to the side, knowing it would cause Hazma to fire. It did, but Maaka was already a step ahead. He pulled his own blaster into position and fired. Hazma reacted quickly, but the bolt grazed his hand and hit his blaster. It spurted sparks of energy and its power core overheated.. Quickly shifting gears, he abandoned the malfunctioning blaster and raised an arm to deflect a blow from Maaka. Hazma kicked the blaster from Maaka’s hand as it came up to fire once again. The blaster went sailing across the landing platform. Maaka recovered quickly, pulling the vibroblade from its sheath. He jabbed with the blade but Hazma spun out of the way. Every second the fight took was one less second to escape.
Engines whined to life and the platform was suddenly enveloped in gusts of wind from the transport. It was beginning pre-flight. Ellia started for the ramp, but Maaka was locked in combat with Hazma.
“Maaka! Run!” She shouted. Maaka looked up. Hazma took the moment to strike him in the head. Maaka reeled and Hazma took after Ellia at a dead run. Ellia wanted to jump on the ramp, but she couldn’t.
“Go!” Maaka shouted. He leapt for Hazma, slamming him to the ground.
“No. Not without you.” She reached for him, gripping his hand tightly and pulling him to the ramp with her. Hazma was up again. The ramp began closing. He grabbed Maaka’s ankle, yaking him and Ellia off the ramp.
“Hazma.” Ellia shook her head. “The Empire is a lie.”
Hazma spat angrily. He had always been loyal. They all had. Loyalty was all he had. If he questioned his masters, he had nothing at all. He would fight for it, for Thire, and for his Emperor.
“Your escape is gone. Just turn yourself in.” Hazma offered reasonably. Didn’t she realize the great work she could do for the Empire?
“Better get this over with.” Maaka once again placed himself between Ellia and Hazma. Hazma attacked quicker than Maaka was prepared for. He focused solely on the blade in Maaka’s hand. He tackled the ex-trooper and they both went down, Maaka’s head hitting the duracrete floor. Hazma slammed the hand with the vibroblade into the duracrete. Maaka’s unprotected knuckles cracked and the knife fell away. Hazma picked it up. Maaka kicked the other clone off of him, sending him stumbling into a stack of crates.
Maaka got to his feet, testing his throbbing hand. He could hear the distinct clatter of boots coming from outside the platform entrance. Backup was almost here. Hazma was on him again. He feigned a slash at Maaka’s face. When Maaka blocked, the knife wasn’t there. Hazma used the distraction to shove the knife into the other clone’s stomach. Maaka held back a scream but clenched his waist. Hazma pulled the blade out but didn’t press the attack. He retained a defensive position, waiting for the rest of his men. Maaka staggered, trying to stay on his feet. The blood he was losing made him dizzy. Ellia rushed forward and he collapsed into her. She lowered him to the ground and put pressure on the wound. She weighed her options. Hazma was now positioned between them and the only exit. The transport was gone and troopers began pouring in from behind Hazma.
The peeling whine of another ship shook the air as it pummeled into the spaceport and swung around so quickly it sounded like the main cabin might break away from the engines. It set down on the vacant platform behind Ellia. The surprised troopers didn’t fire on the vessel. In the heat of the chase, no one checked to see when the platform was scheduled for another occupant. The ramp lowered and to Hazma’s surprise, a tight squad of clones in full armor charged down the ramp in defensive formation. At first Hazma thought they were more of his backup. Then, he watched as they circled Ellia and Maaka protectively.
“They’re the traitors!” Hazma shouted and ordered his men to open fire.
Ellia felt a hand on her shoulder.
“No arguments there.” She turned to Maaka. “Careful with him. He’s wounded.” Rex and Burnout carried the unconscious Maaka aboard the Ladalum while Jace and Brix laid down cover fire. Ellia followed closely behind. She felt the tremor under her feet as the ramp began to pull up. Jace and Brix brought up the read and The Ladalum was already raising, making for open space. She was only vaguely aware of such things as she kept her eyes on the blood trail in front of her. In the Ladalum’s Med Bay, Maaka was already laying on the bed. The equipment aboard the light freighter was minimal but Ellia would make do. She began assessing the damage when she heard a familiar whirring next to her.
“Hello.” A familiar electronic voice greeted her.
“Ardie?” Ellia breathed a sigh of joy and relief. This just got a whole lot easier. “I need your help.”
“I can see that.”
“Remind me to turn your sarcasm mod down later.” She replied, pulling out the absorbent pads and skin clasps. “Just scan the wounds.”
“Major laceration in the abdominal cavity, puncture of stomach, minor cuts on right arm and hand. Minor concussion. Swelling of head impact site-”
“Cool his head down.” Ellia interrupted as she worked to stop the bleeding. The ship lurched and Ellia almost stumbled over her med droid. Something was blasting the ship.
The Ladalum responded in sync with Brenni’s commands to the point where
Brenni felt a part of her own ship. They swung in and out of traffic lanes, careful to dodge between crowded spacelanes where it would be difficult for their pursuers to give chase or shoot them down. It wouldn’t last for too much longer as they were reaching the limits of atmosphere and the lanes spread farther and farther apart. “Kish! On the turret!” She shouted. Kisha obeyed without incident and Brenni felt a moment of satisfaction. Gregor was an excellent shot and manned the turbolasers even in the crowded space lanes. Now that they were more in the open, Kisha could get some clear shots at their pursuers.
“Got those numbers for me?” Brenni called.
“There done. Let’s burn sky.” Ty responded a second later. Brenni hit the jump and they were gone. As soon as the starlines lit the cockpit, she released her crash web and ran down the corridor to the common area.
“Elli?” She shouted. When she rounded the corner, she saw Ellia finishing off a bandage. She stood and faced her friend. Brenni gasped at the amount of blood covering her friend’s clothing and hands.
“Are you okay?” Brenni asked, rushing up to the doctor.
“I am, I think.” She was shaking as she looked down at Maaka.
“He is stable and will recover.” Ardie pronounced. Ellia was still uneasy about seeing him like this. She’d seen much worse in her time at the labs, but those had been cadavers. It reminded her of Tiptoe. She didn’t want to see them getting hurt anymore. She didn’t want to have to keep fixing them up. As much as she wanted to collapse into Brenni’s arms and cry, she steeled herself and straightened. She would keep fixing them up. Her life as a scientist that tinkered around with genetics was over. She needed to be a medic now.
Hours later Maaka opened his eyes. He didn’t know where he was. He could feel the effects of sedation and decided against trying to stand. He remembered the fight. He passed out. He’d lost. Panic began to settle in. Where was Ellia? Something shifted in his peripheral. He focused on turning his head towards the object and squinted in the dim light. Someone was sleeping on a cushion seat.
“Elli.” He breathed her name as a sigh of relief. The low bolted seat she was on clued him in. He was on a starship.
Ellia woke moments later. She saw Maaka shifting under the blanket. Her heart jumped and she was by his side a moment later.
“How do you feel?” She asked. He continued feeling the patch on his stomach. She was alive. He was alive. “Like I won.” He replied with the most stupid grin on his face. Ellia would have slapped him if she hadn’t spent the past several hours trying to save his life.
“You stupid nerf-brain. Have you seen yourself? What exactly makes you think that you won?” He swallowed hard and reached out for her. She stamped her foot trying to show how angry she was, but the way he was looking at her chipped at her heart. She set her jaw and scowled trying desperately to show him she was still angry at him. It was no use. She released the air in her lungs.
“I was so worried.” She finally confessed.
“I’m sorry.”
“Just stay alive.” She glared at him for just a second, then bent down and kissed his forehead.
Mardin killed the light patterns splaying colorful raindrops on the dimmed wall in former Director Gresh’s office. With the lighting then turned to maximum output the room lit up like the heat-baked surface of a planet too close to its primary star. His broad form cast a stocky shadow across the floor. If he could find whatever it was Gresh had been so protective of, it could open a new door for him. Mardin began at one end of the room. Gresh had been paranoid but smart. The first thing he did upon coming to the Imperial Medical Research Center was to remodel his new office. There were dozens of ways to build hiding places into a room. Someone like Gresh would have backups. Those backups would be in the safest place possible. He reached down and prodded a slight dip in the flooring. On his hands and knees he thought of the other admirals and moffs. They would have never done this kind of work themselves, but Mardin didn’t relegate important matters. He didn’t mind getting dirty to solve a puzzle. That was the enjoyment of it all. If he was ever promoted, he hoped he wouldn’t have to act like a snooty nitt like the other admirals.
He paused at the wall. There was a slight seam starting at the ground and going up. Still on his knees, he reached out with one finger and ran it up the faint line. A tiny click could be heard in the distance, as if it had come from behind the wall itself. Then the section of the wall parted revealing a turbolift.
“Looks like I hit the hawkbat between the eyes. Mardin commented, getting to his feet and entering the lift.
The turbolift came to a stop and the doors opened. Mardin gasped so sharply he startled himself. The noise of machinery came from every direction in a low, droning hum. Although there was no lighting, there was a pale glow and by it he could tell that the room was large. The entire space was filled with rows of cryo-chambers each emitting dim blue glow, reflecting eerily on every surface it touched. Mardin examined the closest chambers. They held humans. No, not just any human, every single tube held a Kamino clone.
“What in the core…” His whisper seemed to echo around the chamber just above the hum of the stasis machines. Gresh had been much busier than Mardin gave him credit for. What did he need with clones? Was he so paranoid that he grew his own army? One of the sleeping clones caught his attention. Mardin knew Gresh could not have grown these troopers. The clone in front of him was damaged. He was missing his left hand and leg.
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