Clone Wars Underground: Chapter 25
Moltok
Balen’wa, Moltok’s current High Master Gardener, walked slowly through the halls of the Moltok archives. The archive library was made of trees and vines trained and twisted closely together to create a long, winding pathway though the treetops. While most of the archived information was kept on computer with accessible terminals at the entrance, the relics of the planet were placed in prominent displays along the pathway. They were meant to admired one at a time as if they were stops along a garden path. The branches and trunks growing up the sides were grown so close together that they created walls with leafy fillers. The entire pathway was circled by a shield with generators at several points along the way, so despite the open appearance, the only ways in were though the doors at either end. Glow lights hung from the branches providing light in the shadier areas. Balen’wa’s mind was lightyears away. There were Imperial ships at Fest right now. Fest was just a few systems away. The Empire was currently invading all planets formerly aligned with the Confederacy of Independent Systems and confiscating anything they deemed useful. Furthermore, they’re building military installations on all these planets and forcing all governments to be subject to the will of the Empire. He knew they would come to Moltok eventually, but if they’re already on Fest now, it will only be a short time before they landed here.
Life under Separatist rule was not ideal. Balen’wa was forced to devote many of the planet’s resources to the war effort. Now, the Empire would be doing the same thing, only on a galaxy-wide scale. Moltok would not be spared. Balen’wa knew what happened when they striped the land of its forests. The last time the Ho’din tried this, it unleased a parasite that nearly killed their entire race. It created the wasting one. The Empire wouldn’t care about that.
“Master Gardener, you have a visitor.” An attendant behind him caused Balen’wa’s thoughts to scatter. A young woman with the elegance and poise of her upbringing glided skillfully across the grass. Balen’wa recognized the daughter of Moltok’s CIS representative. She was fully grown for a human but had not taken a mate, instead she spent her time learning about Ho’din culture. She seemed more like a child at times, preferring to shed the responsibility of her family for her own personal interests. Her father, the Viscount Defane, was off planet at the moment.
“Ah, Daughter Defane.” Balen’wa nodded appropriately. Her appearance was different today. She strode with more upright confidence. She was dressed formally, instead of the loose common wear that she was usually seen in.
“My father has passed. He was executed by rep-, Imperial forces.” Her voice never wavered, even as she corrected herself. It was highly uncommon for someone of such high standing to run off searching for his mate when he could send hired help to do the same thing, However, Defane was a particularly odd man. The girl was the last of her family now. The rest had disappeared or died during the war.
“Oh, I am truly sorry, young one.” Balen’wa’s tone was overly sympathetic. While the passing of the Vicount was unfortunate, it would work out better for Moltok in the long run. The Vicount kept a close eye on everything. He was keenly aware of the loss in popularity that Balen’wa had been suffering recently. If it continued, Balen’wa was sure the Vicount would have him replaced. Despite the disbanding of the Confederacy, the Vicount had not returned to his home planet. Now all he had to do was keep the daughter happy. If she was happy, he would continue to receive funding from the family and popularity with the masses. Defane’s child was well liked on Moltok due to her avid interest in local horticulture. This was turning out to be a better situation than he thought.
“Thank you. Of course, I will be replacing him.”
“Of course, Viscountess.” He replied graciously.
“Actually, My mother was a Marchioness. I will be taking her title and name.” It was the most assertive thing he had ever heard from her. He wasn’t expecting her to care so much for formalities. It took Balen’wa a moment to recover. He frowned, knowing that she was completely entitled to her mother’s name and title. While the Viscount Defane was powerful, his wife, the Marchioness was of the house Cremici. The Cremici family was one of the most powerful families on Serenno. They commanded influence in several systems and harbored a deep well of wealth.
“As you wish, Marchioness.”
She smiled politely but didn’t bow. This also did not escape Balen’wa’s attention. Then she raised an eyebrow, looking around for the first time. Despite her attempt at an impressive appearance, her gaze traveled to the relics displayed on a shelf nearby.
“The Northern Sage. Have you heard the story?” Balen’wa gestured to the display. On it were several sheets of flimsi, some of them bound together. It was an ancient book, a physical one. She had seen some at her grandmother’s estate on Serenno.
“No.” She replied, turning away from the relics.
“It is the story of a master gardener who could bring any plant back to life, even a Ho’din.”
“A children’s story?”
“Now it is, but it is also a legend. It is said that the Northern Sage will return to breathe life back into Moltok when the planet is dying.” He studied her expression. “I think this volume actually has a location for the myth. It’s been long forgotten by the Ho’din I’m afraid.” He pointed to a thin bound book of bark paper.
Starfisher (Previously the Red Ladalum)
Rex was headed to Ord Mantell. Brenni planned on taking full advantage of the junkyards and dealers there to re-fit her ship. The Red Ladalum had been had a relief runner for the war. The Starfisher would be something different. She stood in the cargo hold with Rex. The hyperjump gave her time to re-envision things.
“I’m going to need smuggling compartments.”
“You could still pose as a small cargo vessel.” Rex offered.
“Not to smuggle goods, to smuggle people.” Brenni never thought in a million years she would be saying things like this. “Mostly, I’ll just be making drop-offs back at HQ.” HQ was the term she and Rex gave to the Awen place on Moltok. “But I don’t wanna lead my old man there.” She used the term “father” a lot less lately.
“Do you think he’ll come after you?”
“If he finds me. Can’t have your daughter messing up your image. He’d force me into some socialite role back on Alderaan or Corrie maybe. Anything to make himself look better.” She scoffed.
“Ha, he’d be wasting his time.” Rex almost laughed. The thought of the free-willed woman in grease-stained spacer gear acting the socialite was comical.
“What do you mean?” She turned on him. He couldn’t tell if she was serious or playing.
“Uh, nothing. Just that you would not do well in a place where you, uh, couldn’t chose your own way.”
A warm smile replaced her mock-insulted look. “Thanks, Rex. He would probably just lock me up on our family estate. It’s about control I guess.”
“Don’t worry. If that happens, me and the boys will break you out.”
“Family.” She held out her hand and Rex took it. Brenni’s smile turned to a happy grin.
“Now we have to help ours.”
“Yeah.” Rex didn’t meet her eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He straightened immediately. His body language gave him away in an instant.
“Rex?”
He sighed. “It’s Fives. He’s just gonna be really mad. I try not to deceive my men; my brothers…” He didn’t know how to finish.
“Some things are necessary, even lies.”
“One of his brothers in alive, from his original squad back at Kamino.” The words flew from his mouth as if they had been trying to escape for some time. He studied his feet as if he’d just admitted to a crime. Brenni knew it was bad, clones didn’t have mothers or fathers. All they really had were brothers and that meant everything to them.
“Yep, he’ll be angrier than a rancor on a diet.” Brenni put a comforting hand on Rex’s shoulder. “But, we’re all in precarious situations. It would have been a large torpedo to fire at him right now. He might be angry, but he’ll understand.”
“I hope so.” Rex replied.
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