#jango: ''that's what he was born and raised for! PERFECTION AND NOTHING LESS.'' me: ''please sir.... go to therapy'' | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

clonemando · 3 years

Note

for requests. i like jango and boba a lot if you could do some slice of life with them

I had so many fun ideas for this ranging from Boba taking a joyride in the Slave One to Boba adopting a tooka but I settled on the most angsty one in the end. Boba having an allergic reaction to some food Jango made and the emotions stirred up by it. I hope you enjoy! Feel free to request more stuff too. I love getting requests.

There were three things in the universe that Jango Fett cared about. One was his reputation. He was honorable and fair. He always kept his word and never backed out of a deal. He always completed his mission. Second was his ship. The Slave One was his home and an extension of himself and his armor. He kept it in perfect running order and spared no expense in making sure it was always fueled and armed. That ship had saved his life on several occasions and he had a feeling it would do so many more times as well. The last was his son. Just because he was the last on the list didn't mean he was less important. Jango would give up his name and his ship and every credit he owned for Boba. Nothing mattered more to him than his son. However he wanted his name and his ship to be there for Boba when the day came that he couldn't. The reputation he built would help keep Boba safe and give him the opportunities he needed to survive and his ship would protect his son like it had protected him. He still hoped that day was far away. However, no matter how precious and important his son was to him, it didn't mean Jango knew what the heck he was doing.

"Boba no!" He yelped as the little gremlin made to jump off the top of the shelves in their kitchen.

"Boba lek!" Boba countered and jumped and Jango barely caught him before his son would have hit the ground.

"What are you doing?!" He groaned lifting the giggling toddler into his arms.

"I wanna fly like the aiwhas! Can you teach me buir?! Please! You can do anything!" Boba said brightly. Jango's frustration melted under the huge brown eyes that were reflecting nothing but childish innocence and love back at him. He swore he heard Jaster laughing at him from where he was marching on.

"People can not fly like aiwhas Boba." He said setting his son on the counter and starting to make some caff since he was fully awake now. Did every buir have to wake up at 5am to stop their child from diving into durasteel floors? Or was that just him?

"But... But... You fly buir! I saw you!" Boba pouted and Jango booped his nose to stop the incoming tears.

"I use a jetpack Boba, which you are still too small to use. It'd burn your feet right off. When you're older, after your Verd'goten, I will teach you how to use one. I promise." He said and Boba took a moment to think before deciding that was a fair deal much to Jango's relief.

"I can't wait to be big enough for my Ver- Verd- Ver-"

"Verd'goten,"

"Yeah! That! I want to be a warrior just like you dad!" He said brightly.

"You'll be even better than me one day Boba. But let's not rush things. I like my little Bob'ika just how he is." Jango said bumping their foreheads together gently as he finished making his caff and then started on first meal for both of them. Boba continued to chatter about everything he was going to do when he grew up and Jango half listened while he cooked making sure to keep note of the important things Boba mentioned but tuning out the rambling bits.

He helped Boba down from the counter and up into his seat at the table before bringing both their bowls of mashed fruit in a sort of milk porridge. He sprinkled some Mandalorian spices on his and dug in while watching Boba eat his without the extra spice. He hadn't made this for Boba yet and he wanted to see if his son liked it so he knew if he should get more or not. The grains used were the same ones his family used to grow on their farm on Concord Dawn so the meal was a little special to him.

"Mmmmm this is good buir! It's warm." Boba said smiling at him and Jango returned the smile easily about to explain the significance when Boba interrupted.

"It's a little spicy though. Next time can I have less spice?" Boba asked and Jango frowned.

"I didn't add any spice to your Bob'ika. It shouldn't be spicy at all." He told him but pulled Boba's bowl closer to look inside and make sure he hadn't accidentally added anything to it that would cause it to taste spicy.

"It makes my tongue feel all tingly and hurts my throat though." Boba whined and Jango's eyes widened just a little bit pulling the bowl away completely when he noticed Boba's face was swelling up. For a single moment he was too panicked to think clearly before he remembered what he needed to do and grabbed the epi-pen from a nearby drawer and returned stabbing it into Boba's thigh and then alerting the Kaminoans for help as he stroked Boba's hair gently to soothe him since Boba was scared now.

"It's an allergic reaction Boba. You'll be okay. That's why we keep these. I get then with some foods too." He explained keeping his voice level despite his own fear. Boba was his clone, why the hell was he allergic to something like this that Jango had been eating just fine? He would slaughter those pathetic Kaminoans if they lied to him and did something to his son.

"Jango? Boba is okay now. We believe this allergy is due to his upbringing. You were born and raised on Concord Dawn where the grain is found and were exposed to it's pollen and ate it often growing up. However, Boba's lack of exposure has caused him to develop this allergy. With your permission we will do a test for all common allergens found on Concord Dawn and Kamino as well as other well traveled planets so you can be more aware of what to avoid in the future." One of the nurses said in the Kaminoan's normal relaxed tones.

Jango let out a breath and nodded. "Of course. Please do." He said and she nodded her agreement but hesitated.

"I was also told to offer you a replacement product. We added immunity to such simple issues already to the other clones. If your product is not to your liking, we are more than happy to replace it with a better version." She said and Jango felt sick over just how little they understood. Boba was his son! He didn't want a replacement.

"I have already put too much work into this one to have to replaced. I just want the tests done and I'll work with what I have." He said and she bowed her head at him.

"As you request." she agreed walking away but Jango's face fell to his hands. Boba wasn't just a clone. He was Jango's son. He was everything good in his life. He had almost lost him and those demogolka thought they could just replace him like one of the meat droids they were making? Boba was different. He was special. He wasn't replaceable.

A small voice inside Jango suggested that maybe none of the clones were replaceable but he shut that one up tight. Even if that was somehow true there was nothing Jango could do for them. A deal was a deal. Only Boba belonged to him. He was the only one Jango could protect and thoughts of the other clones would only break him to think about. No, they were unimportant and it was none of his business what happened to them. Boba was his and he would not let them compare him to the product they were making for the jedi.

As soon as they finished and cleared him Jango brought Boba back to their apartment and brought him to his bed where he could hold his son while Boba napped and reassure himself Boba was okay and he hadn't lost him.

"Buir?" Boba asked quietly and Jango held him a little tighter.

"What do you need Boba?" He asked in return.

"You know... if you... if you did want to replace me... they could just slow the aging on a trained clone and you could pick up from there. You don't have to be stuck with a defective product like me." He almost whispered and Jango felt like he had been shot.

"No! No, Boba, no. I could... You're... You're perfect. You are exactly what I wanted and you aren't defective at all. I'm allergic to things too. I have a prescription on the visor of my helmet to help me see better. Sometimes my back cramps up and I have trouble moving. None of that makes me less worthy of being your buir does it?" He asked waiting for Boba to shake his head before continuing.

"Boba you are one of a kind. You aren't just a smaller version if me. You are my son. You're unique and those differences are part of what I love about you." He said tears rolling down his face.

"Even the bad ones?" Boba asked nervously.

"Even the ones that scare me and make me want to hold you forever and never let go. I love you Boba. No other clone will ever be my Boba. Only you. Never ever doubt that. I could never replace you and I never would want to." He swore.

"I love you too Buir." Boba murmured and Jango sighed resting his cheek on his son's curls humming to him quietly until they both fell asleep.

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ryder-s-block · 5 years

Text

Jaig Eyes (Ch 4)

Chapter: 4/?

Always available on fanfic! https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13221379/1/Jaig-Eyes

Chapter Four: Emergency

“Can I ask you a question?” I glanced up from where I lounged in the plush chair, cleaning my pistols. The senator of Naboo was dressed elegantly, as usual, her sleeves long and billowing, her hair piled high on her head. I constantly wondered if her neck hurt from the heavy headpieces.

“If it’s about your new proposal on the relief effort, I’m really not the person to ask.”

She laughed, shaking her head. In the two weeks that I’d been guarding her, she’d taken a liking to me. While I tried not to get attached--something Jango had taught me-- I had to admit that I’d taken a liking to her, too.

“No, I know. Though I think you don’t give yourself enough credit,” she called from where she stood behind her desk. I gave her a smirk and a teasing roll of my eyes, my gaze back on my pistols. “No, I wanted to ask about…” She paused, her tone changing from teasing to somber.

My eyes lifted immediately.

“I wanted to ask about the brand on your arm.”

I was quiet for a moment. While I’d maybe call us friends, I didn’t think we were that close. Then again, Senator Amidala was of curious nature. So should I have been surprised?

“You called it a brand,” I said softly, my focus remaining on the cleaning of the guns. “So you already know what it is.”

The senator appeared before me, her hands clasped gently before her purple robes. “You know that’s not what I mean.”

I looked her up and down before leaning back and regarding her. I wasn’t a massive sharing person, despite growing to trust her. Maybe it was a short time, but I could sense her honesty. Her determination to achieve moral goodness.

Still, that was a sensitive topic.

“I really don’t think you knowing my deep dark past is a necessity for your protection.”

“Maybe I don’t feel comfortable not knowing anything about my protector,” she countered, trying to convince me.

I smirked, leaning further back in the chair. “Well you already hired me and I feel just fine. Besides, you know my name, as well as my track record as a bounty hunter. Not to mention my already having saved you.”

She frowned as she sat across from me, her hands placed delicately in her lap as she thought. If nothing else, I think some part of her enjoyed having me around for the playful banter. Still, her voice was soft when she spoke again.

“I’d still like to know. How long were you a-” Her voice tapered off.

“Slave? You can say the word, you know. It doesn’t hurt me.”

“Sorry,” she offered, but I gave her a merciful smile.

“I’ll cut you a deal. You can ask me about my past if I can ask you something about your life.”

She beamed. “Deal.”

I figured I’d go first. “I was a slave from a young age. I bounced around between owners for some time. The first I remember was Corellia, but I don’t know if I was born there or not. I was owned, more or less, by a crime boss there. I was little, so ran petty thief jobs and infiltration jobs.” I sighed, rubbing my hand over my forehead. “Local authorities eventually busted the crime ring and we were left to the streets. It didn’t take long for me to be picked up and sold to the Zygerrians. That’s where I got this.” I gestured to the raised white scar on my inner left forearm, depicting the Aurebesh letter.

“S,” the senator spoke, her eyes brushing over my forearm. She wanted to touch it, her hand lifting, but dropping to her lap again as she met my gaze. “Why?”

“For slave,” I explained, giving a dark chuckle. “But the Zygerrian guards usually said it stood for scum.” I sighed, settling into my seat again. “I was sold, finding my way to Tatooine.”

“Tatooine?” She seemed surprised.

I lifted my eyebrow, smiling. “You’ve been there.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes, when I was much younger. When I was still the queen of Naboo.”

I hummed, tilting my head and reading her, but letting it go. “Well I was sold to Jabba and worked at his palace for some time. He favored me and I won’t lie, I was actually treated well. I was one of the few people who could enter the rancor pit without getting eaten alive, so I think he valued that. I kept out of the way and stayed useful. Because I was on Zygerria for so long, I actually picked up a lot of languages. So when his droid shorted out, I stepped in.” I shrugged, leaning forward and brushing my fingers over the brand. “He never let anyone touch me. I was only eleven when I entered the palace.”

“How did you get to Jango?”

I smiled. “I’m getting there. I’d met Jango when he’d done some jobs for Jabba, but never spoken to him. When I was thirteen, Jabba had sent me as a translator for a bargaining deal with his right hand man. But we never made it. We were in neutral space and attacked by Death Watch. They killed almost everyone, except the slaves, of course.”

“They took you,” the senator inferred.

Despite my best efforts, I felt shudders run under my skin. “I was only with them for six months, but I’d have traded years and years under the Zygerrians and a thousand brands in order to never have experienced that.”

“Did they…” she stopped, unable to complete the question.

I was quiet, but regarded her silently. I didn’t answer. I suppose that was an answer in itself, anyways. “They were doing a deal and Jango was there. They didn’t like him, but he was transporting the weapons they needed. He saw me and…” I looked past the senator, remembering the way his helmet had tilted as he regarded me. The way his eyes were hard, but softened when they turned to my bruised and beaten form.

“Forget the money,” he’d said, his helmet held at his hip. “I’ll take the girl.” His hand gestured to me, and despite his kind eyes, I felt myself slip into a cower.

“The girl?” a Death Watch member laughed, his voice automated through his helmet. “You’re sure?” Jango didn’t respond, merely staring hard at the Mandalorian. “Fine,” the man said, snapping his fingers. Rough hands grabbed my bruised arms, dragging me to my shaking feet. Despite their brutality, my fire hadn’t gone out, my heels digging into the muddy ground and my arms flailing wildly as I tried to pull away.

They threw me down before Jango, one backhanding me across the face. I fell to my hands and knees, spitting out saliva and blood, my lip having split. Jango looked down at me, his face expressionless, before handing over the key to the crates of weapons.

“Pleasure doing business with you, beroya,” one of Death Watch spit, before glancing at me. “Enjoy the little slut. We certainly did.”

I cringed, flinching away as the man knuckled my cheek and walked away. I trembled before Jango, the bounty hunter watching in silence until Death Watch had receded from the vicinity of his ship. He knelt slowly, his armor shining and perfect.

“Hush now, ad’ika,” he spoke gently, his fingers dipping to lift my chin. I shook my head, slapping his hand away. Despite his pitying look, he chuckled lightly, lifting his hands into the air in a peace offering. “You’re a fighter.” He nodded quietly to himself. “That’s good.”

He reached for me again, and I lunged backwards, growling in Mando’a through my teeth. “Ne shab’rud’niӧ!” He chuckled lightly again, shaking his head before putting on his helmet.

“Your Mando’a is good,” he admitted, offering me his hand gently. When I hesitated, I heard him sigh through his modulator. “I’m not going to hurt you, ad’ika.” I still didn’t move. He straightened and moved to the ramp of his ship. “Do you want to get off this planet?” he called back. I nodded furiously. “Then you better get on board before I take off.”

“It took him a while to coax me out of the inner workings of his ship, but when he did...he took care of me.” I smiled to myself. “Taught me. Trained me. Treated me like his own daughter.”

The senator watched me quietly, her eyes downcast. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” I offered, forcing myself out of my memories. “Everything that happened...good or bad… made me into who I am. If I wasn’t a slave and wasn’t in the situation that I was, Jango wouldn’t have ever saved me.”

“That’s a great way of looking at things,” she offered, but I saw her downcast eyes.

I hummed, watching her closely. “I know you weren’t a fan of him.”

She blanched, but shook her head finally. “He did try to kill me.”

I laughed genuinely, easing her tension. “Yeah, he did. Not very well, might I add.” She laughed at my joke, but I sobered quickly. “I always told him that taking the job was stupid,” I said softly. “I told him not to do it, but he told me that I would understand when I was older.” I swallowed, thumbing my brand a final time. “The next time I saw him, he was being killed.”

The senator was silent for a moment, her thoughts jumbled. I felt her pity, as well as her genuine concern. “So...do you understand now?”

I shook my head, smiling slightly. “No.” I swallowed thickly, sitting up to get back to cleaning my pistols, shaking away the nostalgia and sorrow. “So I think I get to ask now.”

She allowed my change of subject, waving for me to speak as she stood to grab a drink. “Please do.”

I bit my lip, watching her for a moment and smiling. No one was in the room, so I knew I could ask without actually endangering her position. “How long have you and the jedi been a thing?”

She froze mid-pour, stopping to glance at me in shock. She managed to control her expression, letting out a tight laugh. “What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean. Skywalker.”

“Anakin? I’ve known him since he was a little boy. I was actually with the group that found him on Tatooine before bringing him to the Jedi Temple.”

“Ah,” I chuckled, examining my pistol for a moment. “So it was young love. Tell me, was he stricken with you from the beginning or did it develop over time?” I felt her tension as I laughed again. “No, don’t tell me. I can tell he loved you when he met you. He seems like that kind of guy.”

The senator cupped her glass of water in her hands as she tried to wave off my words. “The Jedi code strictly forbids love. Why would he love me?”

“He wasn’t a jedi when he met you. And no offense to him, but he has very little control over his emotions,” I teased, leaning back as I deemed my pistol clean. Her worry radiated off of her in waves, making me decide to ease her tension. “Stop worrying, Senator. I’m good at keeping secrets.” She glanced at me, but said nothing. I gave her a smile, and shook my head. “It’s okay. I got my answer. Are we done with the game of discovering each other’s deep dark secrets, now?”

She didn’t respond again, but I straightened, making her frown in confusion. It didn’t take her long, though, the woman practically jumping out of her skin as the door opened. She whirled, her hand on her chest, to see Skywalker, flanked by his captain and Senator Organa.

“Oh! An- Master Skywalker,” she stuttered, making me smile.

“You seem frightened, Senator,” the jedi said lowly, giving me a look.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” she said, waving in the air to brush it off. “Kida and I were just…” She seemed at a loss, so I jumped in as I stood, slipping my pistol back into its holster.

“I was just telling her my deep dark secrets,” I said with a smirk. “The usual chatter.”

The jedi hummed, unamused, but Senator Organa seemed unfazed. “The next session is beginning soon, Senator Amidala. We should go.”

“Yes,” she responded, flustered and rushing to her desk. “Yes, of course.”

I sighed, rolling my eyes as I glanced at Bail. “Oh goody,” I said sarcastically. “Another long, uneventful session with the Senate.”

“It better be uneventful,” Skywalker muttered darkly, giving me a side eye. “If you do your job.”

“Relax, jetii,” I grunted back, the Mando’a word making the captain’s head lift slightly. “I’ve got it under control.”

The senator’s exited the room, followed closely by the jedi and the captain. I fell in step with the jedi, glancing over his form. I’d seen him multiple times under the guise of him relieving me of watch duty.

“What are you staring at me for?” he asked suddenly, making my eyes flick up to meet his.

“How’d you lose your arm?” I felt everyone tense around me, but Skywalker didn’t seem bothered. If anything, he almost rippled with pride.

“I lost it in a duel with Count Dooku when I was a padawan.” I blinked for a moment at his response, humming to myself and looking forward. “What? No quip to respond? Nothing about how I clearly lost?”

I smirked, shaking my head. “Dooku isn’t someone people mess with. It’s a miracle you only lost an arm, especially as a padawan.” Skywalker seemed surprised, but nodded slowly. I couldn’t help it. “But you did lose, so…”

The senators shook their head in slight amusement and to my pleased surprise, Skywalker laughed too.

We rounded to the Galactic Senate chamber, the senators splitting to find their own repulsor pods. I stood outside the Naboo pod, nodding the Representative Binks as he passed me. Surprisingly, the captain joined me, taking guard on the other side of the door while the jedi went off to find his padawan. I watched the captain leisurely, chuckling at his rigid stance.

“What?” he asked, not fully turning to look at me.

“Nothing,” I offered. “You’re just making me look bad.” That made him look, and while I couldn’t see his expression, I could feel his confusion. I laughed, gesturing between the two of us, comparing our stances. He stood rigidly...like a soldier. I less stood than...lounged, draped across the entryway to the repulsor pod, one leg kicked out lazily.

He cleared his throat and looked forward again. “I’m at the ready to protect the senator.”

“So am I,” I countered, lifting my eyebrow to watch him give me a glance. He didn’t say anything. “What? You don’t think I am?” He didn’t respond again, making me chuckle and give a casual glance back at the senator as she prepared for the session. I was about to speak when my communicator beeped. The captain glanced at me as I rolled my eyes, tapping my wrist and stepping away from the door.

“Good morning, miss,” the AI spoke through my wrist comm. I felt the heads turn towards me in curiosity, including both the captain and Senator Amidala.

“Apex, love,” I said with a fake smile on my face. “I told you not to call me while I’m working.”

“I’m aware,” he droned back with sass. “But I assumed emergencies were an exception.” My breath hitched. The AI may have had a bit of a bold personality, but he wouldn’t call something an emergency if it wasn’t.

“What happened? Did the Palliduvan come back?”

“No, miss. There was a break in this morning at the club.”

My heart leapt to my throat. “What? How? Why wasn’t I called immediately?”

“Apologies,” Apex spoke evenly. “But Merl insisted that I didn’t notify you.”

“Why?”

“Nothing was taken, miss. Merl was able to stop the petty thief.”

“I fail to see an emergency, Apex.”

“Merl was wounded in the fight. He insisted it wasn’t serious, but collapsed a few moments ago.”

I whirled, glancing at the senator as she stood in the entryway to her pod, watching me. “Medics?”

“On their way. They’ll take him to the hospital.”

“Go,” the senator spoke immediately. “Master Skywalker can guard me while you’re gone. But take Captain Rex with you.”

“I don’t need-”

She cut me off. “Protecting me has put as big a hit on your head as is on mine. You should have someone to watch your back.” I sighed, but she continued. “I’m not asking, Kida. Now go and get back when you can.”

I paused, listening while the captain, apparently named Rex, called his general to the Naboo pod. Finally, I nodded. “Thank you, Senator.” She gave me a smile and a nod as I turned quickly, expecting Rex to follow. If he didn’t, I didn’t really care. That wasn’t my fault. “Apex,” I said into my wrist comm. “Keep me updated on his condition and notify me the moment you know which hospital.”

“Of course, miss. Your speeder is on its way to you now.”

I hurried from the Senate building, the captain’s presence following on my heels. “I can call for Oddball to-”

“No,” I called over my shoulder, cutting him off. “We have a ride.”

He seemed confused until we reached the edge of the platform, my deep red, open topped speeder rising over the edge. “That’s different than your last,” he commented, following me as I leapt in.

I gave him a smirk as I gripped the joysticks and maneuvered it away from the platform. “A woman like me can’t just have one.”

Surprisingly, he gave me a chuckle before sobering. He breathed deeply as I sped us through the Coruscant skies, heading towards a column I knew would lead down to lower levels...closer to my club.

“I’m sorry about your friend,” he said, surprising me with how gently he said it.

“He’s going to be fine,” I responded curtly, tapping my dash to bring it to life with a flash of red light. A sound wave streaked across it as Apex connected, his voice coming through the speakers.

“Medics have arrived. Merl is stable and being transported the third level medical center. Sending navigation now.”

“Thanks, buddy,” I responded quickly, turning the speeder to begin its descent to the lower levels.

“Of course, miss.”

As we dropped lower, Rex regarded me with a curious gaze, despite being hidden below his visor. “Apex is…” he started, unsure how to ask.

I chuckled, letting the captain ease my worry for now. “He’s an AI. And a good friend.”

“How kind of you to say, miss,” Apex cut in from the dash.

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t let it go to your processors there, bud.”

“An AI,” Rex thought aloud. “A droid, then?”

“No. Poor guy is confined to only every computer I grant him access to. Technically he can take over a droid if he wanted. He actually took over my droid, Pinky once.”

“Pinky?”

I lifted my eyebrow at Rex’s chuckle, navigating the speeder through the crowded tunnels of Coruscant. “Hey, I fixed her up when I was pretty young. I was only...fourteen I think?” I glanced his way to see him tilt his head in amusement. “Naming things wasn’t my strong suit, okay?”

“I named myself,” Apex tried.

“You did not, now how’s Merl?”

“His comms are reading stable signs still, though he’s lost a lot of blood,” he responded immediately. “You’re nearly there.”

I hummed to myself in worry, teasing my lip raw and navigating the speeder into the docks for the hospital. Rex followed me inside, both of us earning looks from the workers and patients alike.

“I’m here for Merl. He was brought in from the Fury club only a few minutes ago,” I said quickly to the droid at the front desk.

It made some beeps before responding in an automated tone. “Yes, he is currently in surgery. Your relation?”

“I’m his boss.” I paused, glancing down at my hands. “And his friend.”

It made a few more beeps. “He is currently stable, but has suffered a severe wound to the chest. You may wait here and I will notify you after his procedure has concluded.”

I swallowed, nodding frustratingly. Rex led the way to the crowded waiting room, finding us a secluded corner with fewer bodies. I sat heavily beside the clone captain, my gloved hands kneading my eyes.

“I’m sure he’s going to be fine. A few days in a bacta tank should clean him up quickly,” the captain offered, but I laughed.

“Not everyone can afford those, Captain. Especially down here.”

“But you can.”

“Sure. But the hospital won’t call for one if he can survive without it. Also, in the end, he’s a bartender and club manager...he’s not someone they’ll really fight for.

Rex seemed confused, taking off his helmet slowly and rubbing his gloved hand over his buzzed hair. “Droids can’t be biased. It’s their programing to save lives.”

“Maybe,” I responded darkly. “But the droids, in the end, obey orders. And they aren’t the ones who really run the hospital.”

The clone fell silent as he thought, likely hyperconscious of the eyes on us.

“Apex,” I whispered, tapping my wrist comm again. “Did you get footage of the break in?”

He didn’t respond, instead bringing up the footage to project out of my wrist comm. Rex turned and watched with me as a section of wall blew out and a lanky figure stepped through. She was pale and tall, her copper hair pulled high on her head and her eyes dark.

“That bitch,” I cussed.

I watched silently as she moved to head towards my office before Merl stepped in, the Weequay fighting hard against the bounty hunter. In the end, she overpowered her elder, which didn’t really surprise me. She and I had our own scraps and the results were often close.

“Aurra Sing?” Rex asked, giving me a questioning glance.

“She and I have a bit of a history,” I explained vaguely before turning my attention back to Apex. “She wanted to get to my office. Lock it down with blast shields. I want all my files transferred to the hub at home, understand?”

“Yes, miss. Do you want the files erased at the office?”

I sighed, squeezing the bridge of my nose. “Yes. Do it. And when I have time, I’ll transfer any spare gear back too. But I want any files on Padme Amidala transferred and erased first. That’s probably what she wanted.”

“Right away, miss.” Apex signed off, making me lean back heavily with a worried sigh.

“Did Aurra and you run jobs together?”

I shrugged. “A few. Never really by choice, though. I’m not a huge fan of her due to her apparent lack of moral judgement.” Rex’s eyebrow lifted slightly, but he tried to school it down. I laughed anyways. “I know, I know. I shouldn’t judge.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“But you thought it.” I breathed slowly through my nose. “I also know she’s been influencing Boba. And she knows I hate her for it.”

“Boba...Fett?”

I nodded, both of us falling silent. After a moment, I spoke to the face of Jango, but a soul of another man entirely. “I was there on Geonosis, you know. I’d gone because I’d heard about the jedi collecting a clone army. I knew it was Jango’s army. I had...I had to save him.” I looked up at the ceiling, trying to balance my worry for Merl and the mourning for Jango that seemed to have surfaced again. “I was there when the clones descended on the arena. When Jango was stupid and jumped into the fighting only to get killed.”

“His life wasn't your burden,” Rex spoke. I wasn’t sure why he felt that he had to console me...but for some reason, I appreciated it.

“He was family,” I responded quietly, my sorrow turning my chest cold.

Rex seemed shocked. “He… I wasn’t aware that Jango had-”

I cut him off with a light chuckle. “Aliit ori’shya tal’din.”

Rex hummed, nodding in agreement. “So what about Boba? Did he know you?”

“Yes. I met him when he was only a baby. And while I was off doing jobs a lot of the time and didn’t live with them on Kamino, I visited a lot as he grew older.”

“So why didn’t you take him in? Mentor him like his father did for you?”

I sighed deeply. “I tried. After Jango died, I was the one who got Boba out of there. But he wanted nothing to do with me. He said that I betrayed Jango by abandoning him. By not jumping in and saving him.” I shook my head. “What was I supposed to do? Fight a jedi? Fight an army of men who look just like Jango?”

Rex watched me carefully, his eyes sliding over the planes of my face curiously.

“Maybe he’s right,” I admitted. “And he has a right to feel that way and find his own path, but Aurra will use him. Use his anger and his hatred to mold him into something his father wouldn’t be proud of.”

Rex was quiet for a moment. “In time, we all learn. He’ll figure it out.”

I chuckled. “You sound like Jango.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“For now.”

We fell silent for a while, sitting together in solidarity. While I didn’t think I needed someone to watch my back, I wondered if the senator knew I’d benefit from having someone with me for comfort.

“So your name is Rex,” I said finally, smiling softly.

He chuckled. “Yes. And you run a club.”

I hummed softly in response, but turned to look at him curiously. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Why didn’t you ask?”

I pursed my lips, nodding in agreement. “Valid point. How’s Jesse’s face by the way?”

Rex laughed softly, aware of the eyes that remained on us. “He’s milking it, but he’s fine.”

“Didn’t hit him hard enough, then,” I teased. Rex chuckled, but I could tell he was growing tense under the gazes cast our way. “Ignore them,” I advised softly, casting my gaze around harshly to make them look away.

“They’re staring because I’m a clone.”

“Yes,” I responded, casting him a look. “You have to understand that down here in the lower levels, we don’t see clones as soldiers.”

“What are we then?”

“Honestly?” I whispered back. “Clones are the dogs of the Republic down here. We rarely see your brothers outside of hunting down criminals and accompanying jedi.”

Rex breathed slowly through his nose. “The dogs.”

I shrugged. “You asked.”

“You don’t have much of a bedside manner.”

“And the Kaminoans did?” I chuckled, rolling my eyes. “If you want bedside manner, I’m really not the person to talk to.” He hummed, looking down at his gloved hands. I glanced at him, feeling his confusion and disappointment. It made him sad that he and his brothers were viewed that way. “But hey, not that it will probably help, but you and your brothers are certainly changing my perspective.”

He cast me a glance, but said nothing. Despite that, I could feel his gratitude. He swallowed thickly before looking up, gently nudging my elbow with his own. I looked up in turn, seeing a droid approaching.

“You’re here for Merl Daario?” it asked in its automated tone. I stood immediately, Rex rising beside me.

“Is he alright?” I didn’t hate droids, but I hated that I couldn’t read them as I could living creatures. Droids had no understanding of the force and the force didn’t move through them. It left me blind.

“He is out of surgery and stable. He has asked for you.”

I pushed past the droid immediately, making my way to the recovery rooms. I scanned each name above the doors until I found my friend’s room, bursting in.

The elder Weequay lifted his head from his cot, giving me a lopsided smile. “Hey, kid. What took you so long?”

I smiled, seeing his stable readings on the monitor. “Hey, what did I say about getting hurt when I’m away on business?” I teased, crossing my arms and walking towards him.

He laughed, but stopped suddenly. At first, I thought it was from pain, but then I saw his eyes flick over my shoulder.

“Who’s the clone?”

Rex tensed behind me, but I gestured him in easily. “This is Captain Rex of the 501st. Senator Amidala sent him with me when Apex called me.”

“She thought you needed a bodyguard?”

I hummed. “He’s a good fighter. I might to have someone watching my back for once.”

Merl chuckled slightly, rolling his eyes. “I’m so glad you listen to a senator before me.” I smiled, walking to his bedside easily. Rex, however, remained near the door, rigid and watching the hall. “You can relax, clone,” Merl spoke past me. Rex glanced at him, still holding his helmet at his side. “I’m sure Apex has been running inside the hospital since Kida hit the front desk. He’ll watch the halls for us.”

Rex’s eyebrow lifted as he turned to give me a look. I smiled slightly, giving him a shrug. “I slipped a popper onto the back of the computer module while the droid accessed its database. It’ll be easier to keep an eye on Merl when I have to go back to work.”

“Why did you leave anyways? You have money to make,” Merl scolded, gently swatting my arm.

“You could’ve been killed.”

“And racing to my bedside would fix that?” I went to argue, but he stopped me, his eyes gazing over the both of us. I felt his nerves spike, my mind following his thoughts easily. He never really liked me doing it, but got used to my gentle mental prodding over the years.

“What?” I asked, trying to make sense of his thoughts without pushing too hard on his mind.

“Aurra. It was Aurra who broke in.”

“We know,” Rex spoke up. “Apex sent Kida the footage.”

Merl gave me a look, his lips grinding together angrily. I furrowed my eyebrows, not following, but his thoughts practically screamed at me. I blinked, glancing back at Rex with horror on my face and disbelief at my own stupidity rolling off of me.

“Kriff,” I cussed. I grasped Merl’s hand in my own briefly, giving him a kiss on his cheek. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” he yelled as I rushed past Rex and into the hallway. “Just stop her!”

Rex followed on my heels immediately, his own mind racing as he tried to catch up. “Apex,” I called into my wrist comm, dodging nurse droids and patients alike. “Keep an eye on him and start my speeder.”

“Yes, miss. No alarms have been triggered at the Senate Building.”

“She did it on purpose,” Rex put together as we exited the building and hopped into my speeder. “Aurra knew you’d go to him and leave Senator Amidala alone.”

“And I did just what she wanted,” I growled, maneuvering the speeder wildly through the bustling streets.

“You couldn’t have known,” Rex offered, but I could feel his own frustration and anxiety.

I breathed slowly through my nose, trying to stay focused on getting to the surface and back the Senator’s side. “But I should’ve.” Rex glanced at me, but said nothing, somehow knowing I couldn’t be consoled.

As my speeder shot through the tunnels of Coruscanti underground, slowly bringing me closer to the person I was being paid to protect, I thought aloud to myself nervously. “We have to make it. We have to.”

Mando’a

Ad’ika -- little one

Beroya -- Bounty hunter

Vod -- brother

Jetii -- Jedi

Aliit ori’shya tal’din -- family is more than blood

Ne shab'rud'niӧ -- Don’t mess with me

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mesdea · 7 years

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This chapter was kicking my ass. I don’t think I’ve ever taken this long to write a chapter. I started at 8am this morning and it’s now around 3pm. *looks at the word count* I’m just over 2.5k words. Typically I’m at least at 3.5 to 5k for each chapter.

I am giving up until next week. I guess a short update is better than nothing. I just wish I knew what was wrong with me today, feel like I can’t sit still or concentrate. Anyways, I hope people will forgive me. I don’t think I can stare at this chapter any longer. Qui-Gon I love you, but you were just an awful dick to my muse today!

*Translations at the end*

The solitary sound in the apartment was the harsh pant of the man who had raced down the passages in pursuit of a quest. It wasn’t his standard assignment, mind you; it was something that had been steeping inside his mind for almost a day. Had it only been one day since he had observed the emergency Senate meeting on the holo-vid with more than a dozen clones surrounding him? Garen reflected that it had been an eternity since he had looked upon the one time smiling padawan turned knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi, but this was not that same individual. What he observed on the screen caused his skin to crawl and his body ache to embrace his old friend. He seem to be everything that Jedi should be. His tunics were pristine, his posture perfect and most of all his tone rang with the hollow unemotional tinge that only the eldest Jedi mastered. In short, his friend, no his brother looked grown-up, wiser and utterly broken at the words he was meant to say.

Acheros massaged at his chest, not fighting off the young man in the least. He deserved this and more, but he wouldn’t fight with him. “Would you care for some tea, Garen? I seem to have…spilt mine.” The lanky man just gestured over the coffee table at the spilled liquid as if this was just an everyday visit.

“How could you watch that display, in person no less, and allow this all to continue, Qui-Gon? You left him in the dark, totally alone!” The questions gushed off his tongue with a deep hatred only to patter out in the end as he whispered the master’s given name.

Acheros turned to the kitchen, setting the kettle to simmer once more. He was dithering and they both knew it, but Garen allowed it anyway. He knew not to pressure this man who was precariously standing on the edge of a cliff between the darkness and the light. They had gone down that road when they met in an obscure corridor on an outer rim planet just weeks ago. In fact, had the Sith not been toying with him, they would both be worse for the wear. Garen had quickly ignited his saber and attacked. He thought to maim now and ask questions later. Garen had decided he wasn’t going to be number forty-one on this monster’s execution list.

It happened to be a long drawn out bout that had the Sith completely on the defensive, he would not launch an attack at the young Jedi. The battle had meant to wear him down both physically and emotionally but Garen persisted to press forward until the Sith stretched out his hand and without any effort held him against the filthy wall. Garen recalled that moment with perfect clarity, which his life looked to be at an end. He seized the moment to whisper a prayer to his friend, knowing how this would break Obi-Wan. To know that his greatest hope had destroyed his oldest friend, it all felt too fresh as Garen watched the man before him make tea.

“I would ask that you not use that name, even in private. Qui-Gon Jinn died on Naboo.” The words were bitter, but brooked no argument.

“I’m sorry if you don’t like my honesty but to be fair I don’t like your lies.” Garen wasn’t so forgiving this time.

Acheros tightened his hands on the clean white surface of the counter, bowing his head to the darkness that threatened his every waking moment. “Truth gets you killed. Love gets you hurt and being real gets you hated.”

“You don’t get off that easy, QUI-GON.” Garen was known for being a little shit when his hackles were raised, especially when it involved his friends. “I want an explanation as to why you aren’t letting him in on your secret?”

“I gave you the answer. If I tell him the truth, he will not play his part. The truth will get him killed and I can live with many things, but not that.” He gestured for the Jedi to sit at the table, two cups sat before them as he poured the steaming water. “I know you think I’m a monster and I can live with that, because it’s simply the truth. However, in order for my plans to continue, he must believe me to be that monster. It’s for his protection, Garen. Do you think if he even suspected there was a sliver of light left in my soul that he would give up?”

Garen palmed the warm cup in his hands, not wanting the comfort of the liquid set before him. “So this is all for his protection? What of his soul, Qui…Acheros?” He really couldn’t stand that name on his lips “He may live, but what good is living without the beautiful soul that has always made him our Obi-Wan?”

“I’ve had enough of this questioning. I made a decision, and you will either have to live with it or I WILL turn our secret into a reality. This is bigger than you or I and I will see him survive.” Acheros rose to his full height before the new Knight, his eyes going from a crystal blue to deep amber.

“He will not forgive you.” The words were soft, as Garen stood to leave.

“If he lives to be happy one day, then it is something I can live with. That is what love is, you know?” Acheros paused for a moment, thinking back to Obi-Wan’s first smile. “Wanting what’s best for someone, even if it’s not you.” Garen paused and stared into the strangely glowing amber. He looked like he was going to say something but only continued on towards the door.

“If you believe any of that, you are a bigger fool than I ever believed, Qui-Gon Jinn.” The words had a sad inflection as he stepped through the open door to his own quarters. He would stay on Kamino for now, ready for a future that was in the hands of a rogue Sith, my how things had changed.

As the door slid shut, Acheros tried to ease the headache that was brewing within the force. “That could have gone better.” He sat with his tea between his hands for comfort, his head pounding from stress and lack of sleep when the door chimed once more. If Garen had come back for more, he might forget he was once Jedi and gag and chain the young man to the wall. “What else could you…Oh, Cody?”

The clone had a bewildered look on his face as if he wished he had not chosen this moment to have an audience with his leader. “I’m sorry, Sir. I can come back.” Cody took in his appearance and sighed. “Sir, are you ok?” Acheros had come to depend heavily on this clone, no this man. The more he thought of them as men, the more humanity he held onto, the light.

“Yes, Cody. I’m sorry to growl at you. It’s been a rough day, month, year….lifetime?” The tall figure gestured for him to enter and lightly rubbed at his sore head.

“It’s no wonder you have a headache you know. You hide from your master; you hide from the Jedi, hell you even hide from your allies. Qui-Gon, when are you going to let anyone in?” Cody had no fear of the Sith, he never had. Acheros marked it down to regarding him and his brothers as human and not a commodity to be bought and paid for as they had been bred for. Cody observed as the elder man collapsed into the sofa, his bathrobe untying somewhat to expose battered and bruised flesh. “You’re hurt? Why didn’t you report to medical? Kix would gladly assist with those.”

“It’s just my body and will mend. Sidious has this fixation with me. I suppose deep down he believes he loves me.” It was such an unorthodox statement to make to a subordinate, but Cody had turn out to be his greatest confidant. He was someone that under no circumstance appeared to judge him for his past or his present. His friend didn’t entice him to stay in the light and in no way attempted to seduce him to the dark. He could just be himself. He had grown to depend on their quiet moments.

“Please be careful, obsession can lead even the most powerful to their demise, and he could bring you with him, Ner kotir verd.” Cody rested next to him, not uttering another word, just allowing him the companionship that had been missing for so many years.

“Cody, are you happy?” The question stunned him.

“I haven’t really thought about it. I am content.” Cody regarded the man fretting with the cord to his robe, deep in his reflections.

“Content is not necessarily happy. Is this the life you would choose if we weren’t all pulling your strings?” It was a topic that they had both talked about in detail, but his Commander never appeared to let it go. It was hard to put in plain words to someone born to freedom, to choice. It just wasn’t something that Cody or his Vods had thought much about. They were born, they were instructed and they did their job. It was only when the long haired man was introduced to them did they learn to question. It was then that they met Jango, whom was ever protective of them, like a true father would be.

“Honestly, I don’t know that I could tell you what happy means. I have my vods around me. I have met my Buir that seems to honor us. I thought I would pay tribute to my clan and die to guard the Senate’s wishes.” Cody hesitated and turned the worn face towards him, gently caressing the slightly greyed whiskers. “Through all this, I met you. You don’t see the man we see, the nobleman I see. You see a destroyed Jedi, a reviled Sith. It’s black and white for you, and others that would know you, but we see beneath your façade.”

Acheros all of a sudden felt uncomfortable in his skin. He had portrayed this game for so long, that he wasn’t used to anyone glimpsing underneath that hard exterior. “Cody, I…” That gaze was set so firmly on him that he didn’t know how to react to the moment.

“You will never love me that way, I know. However, knowing I’m in a world where you exist, Yes, I am happy.” Cody looked away and let his fingers linger just a moment longer before letting go.

Acheros sighed, reaching out to take his friend’s hand inside his. “I will always love you, Cody. I just…”

“I understand, Qui-Gon. Your heart will always ache for your lost chances. I hope he knows one day how lucky he’s been to have you in his life.” Cody just stood and pulled the exhausted form to his feet. “Time for bed, no arguments.”

“I wouldn’t argue. You would have the entire platoon in here sitting on top of me.” Cody laughed and it brightened the darkened room. “Thank you Cody, for being my friend and understanding…” Qui-Gon pulled the cord from his robe and let it fall to the ground, quickly slipping between the cool sheets. Cody tried to turn from the sight, the sight that wasn’t meant for him, and the bruises that he wanted to soothe. “Jate ca ner cabur.” They were the last words Qui-Gon spoke as sleep finally overtook him.

Cody lingered just a moment longer, wanting to keep the nightmares that plagued him at bay. “Ni Kelir ratiin kar’taylir darasuum gar. Ni vercopa kaysh buyca pehea pirusti kaysh cyuir cyare.”

Cody returned to the sparse room, putting up the tea cups and cleaning up the mess on the coffee table. He would not leave just yet; he wanted to ensure that their leader rested this time. “I am happy with you, even if you don’t love me in return.” The words were spoken to no one in particular as he picked up a book and started to read, he wouldn’t leave just yet, he still had a place here.

“Anakin, you’re still leading with your left.” Mace yelled down toward the mat as he watched his former padawan spar with his new one. He was hesitant to let Obi-Wan out of his sight after the senate hearing and then after the tree incident. Anakin was a blessing in disguise as he bolted after the new Knight and begged for a saber lesson.

“Sorry…” The youngling looked a bit dejected, but readied his saber once more.

“I think that is enough for today. Thank you for my lesson, Ani.” The Knight bowed to his brother padawan and saw the shocked smile form.

“But, You…Won.”

“There are still lessons to be learned when you win. The world is a classroom, Ani, and you will never stop learning, even from those younger than you.” Obi-Wan brushed the shaggy haircut and smiled at his master. “I think I’ve had enough for one day.” Mace’s smile turned to a frown. “I just need a shower, some sleep and honestly…I need some time alone to meditate. I’m ok, Master, I promise.”

Mace just nodded at Obi-Wan and quickly ushered his padawan to the showers. “You know where I am if you need me?”

“Of course, but I’m not going to break.”

“Never thought you would, but you do tend to brood.” The master smirked.

“I do NOT brood.” Obi-Wan wiped the sweat from his forehead with a white towel.

“Brood you do.” They both chuckled as the gimmer stick came in contact with his delicate shins. “Proud of you, I am. Easy, today was not. Jedi you were.”

Obi-Wan let the towel rest over his head, his ears heating with the compliment. “Thank you, Master Yoda, but I just did what anyone…”

This time the gimmer stick connected much harder with his bone. “Learn to take a compliment you did not. Fault your master, I do.”

The two masters just laugh quietly at each other. “Well if you two are quite done, I’m going to get a shower and sleep.” He suddenly felt a deep guilt wrench at his insides. How could he laugh and joke after what he had done today? He denounced Qui-Gon Jinn forever. No longer to be spoken about in public, forever shamed and shunned in the eyes of the Jedi. Every bit of hope was gone.

“Ben?” Mace had been speaking to him.

“Sorry, I still. I guess I still need some time. Forgive me, masters.” Obi-Wan quickly bowed and practically ran to his quarters. Feeling the door shut behind him he finally let go of his emotions and wept. “I’m so sorry, Garen. I should have stopped him. I should have been by your side not his. I’m not even sure I’m worthy of the name Jedi any longer.” He was speaking to no one in particular, but he had hoped to feel his friend within the force. “They said there is no death, only the force. Where are you Garen?”

Obi-Wan forwent the shower and just drug his body to the unmade bed. Tomorrow he would have to get up and plan for the future. Tomorrow would start a new mission, a new life, but tonight he could mourn for the tomorrow that his friend would never see. “I will find him, Garen. I will make sure Darth Acheros pays with his last breath. He will not harm another Jedi, another innocent. It may destroy me, but I will do what I must.” Tears fell to the pillow as sleep finally overcame the knight. Tomorrow was truly a new day, with a new purpose.

Translations:

Jate ca ner cabur = Good night my protector.

Vod(s) = Brother(s)

Buir = Father

Ner kotir verd = My Brave Soldier

Ni Kelir ratiin kar’taylir darasuum gar. Ni vercopa kaysh buyca pehea pirusti kaysh cyuir cyare. = I shall always love you. I hope he recognizes how well he is loved.

#quiobi #obi wan/qui gon #Qui Gon Jinn #obi wan kenobi #the philosophy of lost chaces #obiqui #jinnobi #Obi-Wan was never Qui-Gon's padawan

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