#republic commando canon

[sidhebeingbrand]

Time to Be Normal about Mandos on Main again

I really only have a main these days

TIME TO BE NORMAL ABOUT MANDOS ON MAIN AGAIN

This time it's about the presumption of loss built into their culture as defined by Karen Traviss and possibly hinted at in the new Didney canon

Blanket disclaimer that I am Aware of the Problematic Aspects of the Republic Commando Books. Like, I read the first trilogy, i saw them, I was there, Frodo.

But without those books and this author, we don't get Aayhan. Which is… it's neat.

hOkAY so in the RC books and KT's surrounding writing there are a few concepts that really Make mandos for me? Like as differentiated from any Noble Warrior People #253. 'A strong warrior code' is great and all but the specificity of the Mandalorian wordlview is…

I just like them, okay, I think they're neat.

SO ONE THING: is that Mandalorians used to worship gods. They don't anymore, but the concepts of them remain-- the god who represented the worst things in the universe, the one who would 'kill' your spirit, was Arasuum. A god of sloth and stagnation. The word arasuum still means 'stagnation' in Mando'a the same way that 'jovial' still means a good time bro even though the worship of Jupiter has strongly fallen off.

There was a trickster god, too, more neutral, and the Best god, the one mandalorians strove to emulate, was Kad Ha'rangir. Literally translates to 'the blade that makes ash?' A destroyer god, and a god of creation. The ideas are linked in the Mandalorian language-- creation comes from destruction, is only POSSIBLE with destruction. The greatest evil is everything staying the same. The greatest good is making new, and that comes with the end of things that are old.

(It is probably a heretical view that one needs a balance between the two-- Mandalorian stability and tradition are old. The language lives and gains new words and new ways to use those words but it has stayed more comprehensible than, say, Basic, which seems to have undergone massive levels of change within Yoda's lifetime. Is that not the hand of Arasuum? I bet the religious arguments about that ended up with the opposing philosophers in traction and that was the Really Polite Discourse)

What remains in the culture now that the gods are gone is this-- that the universe is not a battle between Good and Evil, Kind and Cruel, but Stagnation and Creation.

(ANd I watch The Mandalorian which is not bound to the concepts in the RC, I know that, but I also see: Bo Katan sits on her throne, staring at nothing, defeated, in the hands of Arasuum Bo Katan rises to the moment, throws off her stagnation, becomes Active, becomes Mandalorian once more.)

But anyway ANOTHER THING is that KT writes the Mandalorians as spiritually nomads, no matter how stable their current living situation. The only TRUE home a Mandalorian is guaranteed is within the Manda after death. A Mandalorian is not bound to a planet. A Mandalorian is Mandalorian because they have a mandalorian soul. And to have a Mandalorian soul is to know that at any time half the galaxy is pissed off at you, and you're pissed off at the other half.

There is a cultural expectation-- somewhat lost in later days by Mandalorians who live on Mandalore, but certainly firmly embedded in the minds of the remnant Ha'at'ade, the last of the true Mandalorians, who lost their civil war and saw power and structure ripped away from them.

In fact, their culture overlaps strongly with the Jedi here: they know loss is inevitable, and has to be accepted. That's one of the REALLY HARD lessons of the Jedi, too!

The difference, and likely one of the reasons* that Jedis and Mandos have Historically Not Gotten Along, is their reaction to that principle. Mandalorians don't limit their attachment to the things they know they may lose. Oh, no, they go full bore the other way-- they pour their time and souls into the things they love, and they defend them bitterly, and when they lose them if there is a tangible culprit for that loss they will pour their rage and grief upon that culprit--

(*There are a lot of reasons to be fair)

But then when the vengeance is done, the thing is over. What's lost is lost. Rebuild if you can. Salvage if you can. But you shouldn't be trying to re-enact the past! (TOR. Looking at YOU TOR) You are building the future. You are adapting, because that is how a culture is immortal. The Mandalorian word for immortal, going back to god words, is dar'asuum, and that 'asuum' is-- yeah-- straight from arasuum. No Longer Stagnant: an exulted state where you rise above your inherent inertia.

You can't avoid building because what you build will be destroyed-- you're robbing the future. You're robbing your soul.

Mandos know that everything lovely ends in time, to make room for the new; if it didn't, it would be the most poison fruit. If you can't let go, Arasuum's sleepy fingers twine around your heart, make you slow, complacent. You fight for what you love because you are a warrior, and the Taung's ashes burn inside your blood, but when it is gone it is gone.

Even a home.

(Din Djarin says: You'll have to move the covert. Paz Vizsla says: This is the way)

And you rebuild it from the ash, if it's practical to do so. You break down the old forge and remake it into the new one. You take the shards of glass that were people and homes and infrastructure and the very ground of your planet and you make new things. But you don't rebuild the same. What a fool's errand. What a stagnant thing.

SO THESE THINGS are encapsulated in one of the signature Mando Cultural Experiences, which is Aayhan.

Aayhan is that moment of perfect fulfillment-- of happiness, of peace -- in which you feel the ghosts of those who are not there to see it with you. In which what you have lost tangles with what you have gained. In which you Remember as you Feel. Joy laced with pain to make the joy more piquant.

It's just such-- of course. Of course they have a word for that, of course they IDENTIFY that because what do could you possibly have, if you have lost nothing? Loss is part of life, it is essential, it is what keeps the galaxy turning and the stars burning until they too end. The rage keeps your heart pumping. The threat of it keeps you sharp. The grief throws your joy in brighter relief. Without the danger and the reality of knowing Everything Ends you are a stagnant shell.

Loss is assumed, in their language, in their culture, in the stories they tell and the sensations they seek. And it's when this comes out-- this shape of a culture that is NOT like the one we live in, that is not common in the Galaxy they exist in, which is just-- Mando-- I don't know, it just gets to me. I feel things.

(And Paz Vizsla demands to know why his people should fight on behalf of who have taken from them, due to whom they have lost so much, and it is a rhetorical question: he will answer it himself in the next breath: "Because we are Mandalorians!" )

[verpineshatterrifle]

a zero explanation republic commando doodle dump, enjoy

[mrbubblyurchin]

Jaing, Prudii, and Kom’rk don’t get a lot of love but I have lots of headcanons for them so here they are:

-Jaing is the troublemaker, and Kom’rk is a bit of a cynic, so while the three of them are together, Prudii is running on a caf, two breath mints, some kind of food from the cafeteria, and two singular brain cells, just trying to KEEP THINGS TOGETHER while Jaing and Kom’rk act like idiots

-Jaing and Kom’rk aren’t actually idiots. In fact, they are obviously very effective. They just like screwing with Prudii whenever they see him.

-Prudii is the nicest. He’s sweet and will is the type to give you a random hug whenever. Jaing will give hugs occasionally, but not often unless it’s Mird. Kom’rk has given two hugs in his life. Once to Kal, and once to Prudii when Prudii got super stressed about the possibility of being reconditioned after the first battle of Geonosis

-Prudii has caf with blue milk and sugar. Jaing has some shots of espresso. Kom’rk is straight up black caf.

-Kom’rk acts like he hates Mird. He doesn’t, and gives him pets when Jaing and Vau aren’t around.

[arliganzey]

Hello!

First of all, I'm living for your Rep Com musings. 😍 As a relatively new fan to the series, I've been wondering how the Skirata gang would handle some of the "official" canon stuff like the inhibitor chips. If you ever have time or inclination, I'd love to know your thoughts. 🥰

K'oyacyi! 😊

Thank you, vod!! I have DO have a lot of thoughts. I've only just bEGUN with my Repcomm BS

So new canon and Republic Commando/Legends canon...

I think a lot of what’s in current SW canon is just incompatible with Repcomm/Legends. Like even entertaining the idea of inhibitor chips in Repcomm, I think the Nulls would have found out when they hacked the systems on Kamino. That derails like a looot of the book plot. Even if they didn't know what the chips would be used for, the idea that there's a way to control all of the clones against their will would make it impossible to continue supporting the war.

I also don't like the inhibitor chips. I think it's a lazy plot device. It also ignores the very easy totally applicable reality that by the third year of the war, there could have been widespread discontent with how the war's been conducted and talk of clones being a 'slave army' to the Jedi.

I think Repcomm did a really good job laying out how Order 66 was totally possible just based on the conduct of the Jedi during the war. And I'm not a Jedi hater! The Jedi Order had its motivations and loyalty the Republic for many reasons. And the moral high ground of thinking they're 'doing the right thing' by keeping the Republic intact.

TCW was a kids show that didn't dig into the morality of the situation and slapped inhibitor chips in the clones.

I have thoughts about the Jedi pertaining to Zey's storyline/motivations, but another time!

The only current SW canon stuff that could have been interesting to see written into the Repcomm series if it was written now is if we had the New Mandalorians/Kryze government and also the diaspora of surviving exiled True Mandalorians with Jango Fett as Manda'lor calling upon the Cuy'val Dar to train the clone army for the Republic. There would be a loooot of explaining to do, I think it would be really hard to argue Jango would do something like that for the Republic when they instilled a 'pacifist' government on Mandalore, even if it was for revenge on the Jedi. But with the right motivations/set pieces it could have been a way to tell the story of the true Mandalorian's cultural genocide and the after effects.

All right, that's enough, getting off my soapbox now~

Idk, I am very happy writing my silly little fics, OCs, and headcanons in the Repcomm/legends canon.

[viscanpikamine]

Also had to post this because it makes me giggle every time

Still part of our upcoming Repcomm College AU with @sugaarquoted where Clone Force 99 can finally fully embrace their role as kinda (very) insane Delta Squad fanboys like they should have always been

[groundrunner100]

I declare these Olympic Games…

OPENED!

[roseaesynstylae]

Regardless of what you think of the Republic Commando series, we can all agree that Mird should be canon-ed yesterday. Wonderful non-binary multi-legged gliding rat-dog.

[nocturius8015ficore]

Fanfiction: SPECIAL! Ordo X Maze

Nocturius: This is my vod and good friend @mamuzzy's birthday this week! <3 Here a short fiction about his favorite ship.

I wish him P for plenty uj' cakes... and cakes... 😏😏

---

Title: Hidden passage

Fandom: Star Wars Republic Commando books by Karen Traviss, *Canon Divergence.*

Characters: Null ARC trooper Captain Ordo and Alpha ARC trooper Captain Maze

Rating: Adult, NSFW, not-explicit, Gay, Clone shipping

Topic: Enemy to lover, thirsty horny bois.

Pitch: Maze and Ordo see each other secretly.

---

📖📖📖📖📖📖📖

Hidden passage by Fi-Core/Nocturius Somewhere between Hard Contact and Triple Zero Arca Company Barracks, Triple Zero (Coruscant)

The ARCA Company Barracks was quite a big building. A large refectory, many dormitories, refreshers and corridors everywhere to accommodate multiple squads and officers. Maze knew all of them like the back of his hand as it was his main battlefield. Paperworks, war logistics, Intel and providing strategic assistance to the special Ops with his General, Jedi Master Arligan Zey.

As most of his brothers were under live fire all around the Galaxy, he was walking regularly on a totally different minefield. Ordo’s unpredictable temper. The Alpha ARC was convinced for most of their interactions that the Null viscerally hated him, though, things were way more complicated than it looked. The fire he was seeing in his eyes now was burning him as they were both panting, gasping for air in the droid’s maintenance discreet corridor. 

Ordo, slightly taller and heavier in muscles, was holding Maze against the wall, kissing him passionately in the neck, biting softly his ears and his lips. The Alpha didn’t even try to resist, just enjoying the moment, feeling the tightness under the hard plastoid getting less and less bearable. 

The armor plates fell on the ground in a clunking sound, leaving the two men in their black’s, their hands caressing mindlessly each other's torso, back and thighs.

‘’Ordo… are you sure… It’s not against regulations? We are not supposed to…’’

‘’Regulations don’t care about what’s in your pants, ner vod. I do.’’

‘’ I didn’t know you were interested in me in that way, I read your message that you wanted to see me alone, I thought, here, would be perfect, but I didn’t imagine it would be… for this.’’ said Maze, his eyes rolling, the desire consuming him. ‘’ How did you know I would let you do that to me?’’

‘’ I didn’t. Wild guess. You Alpha Plank, never think outside the box.’’ answered Ordo, pushing him harder and unsnapping his undersuit with shaky hands.

‘’ Oh, the only thing I’m thinking now IS the box’’. Maze whispered, taking the Null butt cheeks firmly with both hands.

‘’ Quick learner…’’

For some inexplicable reason, according to the database, the MSE-droids were unable to find that corridor for 2 hours that day.

END

📖📖📖📖📖📖📖

[mamuzzy]

Blame the franchise. Star Wars was always homophobic.

If queer people were associated to Attack of the Clones and Revenge of sith, less likely that people would have been sitting into the cinema and pay money for watching it = no money, franchise fails.

You say Goran and Medrit are the Dumbledore of Star Wars, but they happened before disney take over. No movies were tied to these characters therefor if you don't read KT's books, you will never hear about them.

Do you think Disney really put all these queer people into their movies NOW because they really care about our rights or representation? WE ARE A FUCKING TREND. A MONEY WAVE.

In few years when the world go on full fascist, no queer people will be present in disney movies, you'll see.

[sev-on-kamino]

Not gonna bother with anon lol. I wanna know who you think are the best dancers in the GAR? 🕺🕺

😎 Heck yeah! Let’s get into it!

Fives can dance his ass off. I know this in my heart. It is canon

Jesse can work his pelvic sorcery on me any day to any song. Again, this is canon, and I can’t be convinced otherwise

Thorn is undoubtedly an excellent dancer, and everyone is lined up for him when he makes an appearance at 79s

Scorch makes hella jokes, but he’s got the rhythm, and he dances so carefree it makes everyone wanna join him

Sinker isn’t into fast paced songs, but give him a slow jam, and he’ll absolutely wow you

[mrbubblyurchin]

Been awhile since I made a Republic Commando post, but I was just thinking about Bardan recently and how just generally awesome he is. I want to see him in canon again so badly. Anyways fun fact he’s actually older than Anakin believe it or not. Bardan was 22 in Triple Zero which was around the early part of the war still, when Anakin would have been 20-21 at most, meaning Bardan might have been in some classes or lessons with Anakin. I mean who knows?

Also, the idea of Bardan walking into the Jedi Council Chambers with rugged green Mando armor that none of the Council knew about near the end of Triple Zero and beginning to rant while Obi-Wan just silently wonders if this is something he needs to call Satine about is just… incredible.

[cloneshipficquotes]

“What’re you thinking ‘bout, Sev?” he teased, poking the boundaries of this sim. Longnecks hated that: it’s why they let the commandos have off-world field trips to forsaken places where they couldn’t peel back the corners without dying. “Something profane? Something a little non-regulation?”

“The shab is wrong with you.”

— countessofbiscuit, from Suppressive Fire

[cienie-isengardu]

part 1 -- part 2 -- part 3

[roseaesynstylae]

Me @ the canon RepComm ships: You’re fine, but I’m just gonna look at these OCs.

[figgiforever]

My first story set in Figgiverse is ready! 🎉🎉🎉

I decided to post it here because it wouldn't exist without Tumblr and my dear mutual @mandalorian-general <3 but I will upload it to my new account on Ao3 too.

This short (3 916 words) story is a sneak peek into my my AU called Figgiverse which focuses on my OC Tiggnella and her husband clone commando Fi. It's also my first try to write in English so I hope you'll like it :)

The title: Double date

Contains: some fluff, some angst, no gore or blood

It was another warm summer day in Kyrimorut. Tiggi was working in the garden. It was so hot and dry that they had to water the plants to get any vegetables and fruit this year. Their independence from outside sources of food improved since moving in here. The fields were full of golden wheat – almost ready to harvest. They had now plenty of nunas, marlello ducks and robas. The garden was full of vegetables and few kinds of berries brought here from other planets. After a few years of hard work and many mistakes they have learnt a lot and could be proud of setting up their own family farm. Somehow clones managed to become great farmers. But other residents were of great help, too. Right now Makke and Aku were assisting Tiggi in watering the garden. While her older daughter was using a watering can with a gentle manner, her youngest son was roughly splashing water from the bucket. Tiggi didn’t tell him anything because she was glad that he was helping her at all. He would rather be with his buir but Fi was helping Darman prepare roba before it will go to those chosen for the kitchen duty this week. He didn’t want his young son to accompany him during such a dirty job.

Tiggi put down a watering can and stretched her back. She missed using garden hose. The last one got broken in mysterious circumstances that involved Burk’yc and a sharp knife (rumors says Sh’ehn freaked out that it was a snake about to attack Makke). He was now with Mij on the barn’s roof. They were repairing it after the last thunderstorm. Briikase and Shukur were collecting vegetables for today’s dinner. The first one apparently enjoyed being on the kitchen duty while the other was just happy he didn’t have to do his chores with Sh’ehn and Kot. Those two were helping Levet with the animals. Tiggi looked around trying to find the last of her clone children when a piece of mud landed on her face. Aku was playing in the pool of muddy water he made between the loth carrots and marble-berries. She sighed.

“Could you stop wasting water, please?’’ she said in the nicest tone she could manage. “The plants need it to grow.”

Aku just ignored her.

“Maybe you would like to help ba’vodu Mij with the marlello ducks? I heard that one of them decided to have ducklings later than others and now ….”

“No.” he said and continued to play in the mud.

Tiggi just added two bars of soap to the already long shopping list. Their children were better in making clothes dirty than she had ever been. Without Fi she wouldn’t be able to take care of them. He seemed to find himself well in the role of the father. He was caring and helpful. Changing diapers and doing the laundry wasn’t a problem for him. It was making her happy that everything seemed to go well in their new life. Together they were able to face all the challenges. Tiggi just wished that she could spend more time just with Fi. Taking care of nine children was really time consuming and they barely had an occasion to be just with each other.

The movement at the edge of the garden caught her eye. It was Etain going somewhere with her younger child, Werda, in a baby carrier. Tiggi called her to come.

“Have you seen Baatir?” she asked when Etain managed to find the path between the carrots.

“He’s with Niner. They are hunting in the woods.” the younger woman replied. She looked much healthier than during the war. She finally gained some weight and didn’t look like a skeleton. Her skin got tanned from working in the fresh air.

“Oh, right. I’ve forgotten. Thanks.”

“Remember he’s not a child anymore, right?”

“He may be biologically twenty but for me he is still that seven-year-old-looking-fourteen frightened ad’ika I adopted…”

Etain smiled softly. “I guess it’s going to happen with all of us eventually, eh? You’ve just happened to experience it earlier… Anyway it’s easy to lose track with so many children. Maybe you need a break? One free day or at least an evening? I know you’re trying to do your best as a mother… but it’s not going to hurt to think about yourself sometimes. Soon you’re gonna develop bags under your eyes so big that they’ll fit Kandosii! Wait… Where is she?”

“With Lenne.” Tiggi’s voice tensed slightly.

“… I still can’t believe you let her take care of your baby.”

“She’s my mother. She can teach her things I can’t. Not since I’ve lost my wings…”

Two women were standing there in awkward silence for a moment.

“So… How do you sleep recently?” Etain asked to change the topic.

“The right question is: DID I sleep recently…”

“You really need to take a break.”

“And leave Fi with all our kids? I couldn’t do that.”

“Maybe you and he could take a break together?”

“And leave NINE kids with someone else?”

“Asking wouldn’t hurt. Someone might agree. You know, it’s not a bad thing to ask for help. We’re all family now. It’s been a hard time for all of us trying to find ourselves in this new reality. We all get tired. You don’t know how many times I think about how I used to spend time just with Darman… Our little dates on Coruscant… Or when you, me, Dar and Fi were just sitting and chatting like average young people who are in love... Of course, Qibbu’s Hut wasn’t the most romantic place. And the food wasn’t the best. But these memories are priceless. I wish I could relieve them... Being a parent demands to do some sacrifices but I wouldn’t change it for anything else.”

Etain affectionately kissed the top of Werda’s head. The toddler replied with a joyful giggle.

Tiggi smiled softly at them. She wished she could find herself in the role of the mother as easily as Etain did. It made her more mature and wiser compared to the young girl they met on Qiilura.

“If you’re so eager to help… Do you have any idea what to do with him?” she pointed her head at Aku playing in the mud.

Etain looked at the boy then she came closer and crouched next to him.

“What a nice paddle of mud you have here.”

Aku looked at her suspiciously.

“Can I join you?” she asked with a friendly smile.

The boy stared at her for a moment as if he was wondering if he could trust her. Eventually he accepted her and moved aside to make some space in the mud for her.

“I made it myself!” Aku said proudly.

“Wow! That’s amazing! Good job!”

Tiggi just stared at them in confusion while Etain started to play in the mud with Aku. Werda was wiggling in the carrier. She wanted to join them. One of the balls of mud that Aku had made earlier started to shake and then move slowly towards her.

“Hey! It’s mine!” Aku yelled and stopped the ball. Werda stared at him angrily.

“Why don’t you share some mud with her too?” Etain asked politely.

“Because then you will tell me to bath her!”

The young woman almost chuckled. “How about sharing the mud with the plants instead? And make them some nice fortresses to protect them from ants!”

She put some mud around the stem of a berry bush and shaped it into a little fortress. Then she added a leaf as a flag. Aku liked the idea and soon all mud was put under the nearby bushes.

“Good Job! They look amazing! And now the plants are safe.” Etain praised the boy. “Now, after you clean yourself, would you like to join Kad and ba’vode Vau? They are making wooden ships to launch on the lake later this afternoon.”

Tiggi watched in shock as Aku happily agreed and ran to the bathroom in the main building.

“How’s that possible that everyone has better relation with my own son then me?”

“Be patient and understanding. I believe you’ll find a common ground with him in the right time.”

“Yeah… Anyway. Remember what you said about relieving those romantic moments on Triple Zero? How about doing that again?”

Etain blinked in surprise. “You mean… You want the four of us…”

“Yes.”

“…to go back to Triple Zero…?”

“No, no ,no, no, no! I meant setting up an event here on Mandalore.”

“You mean… a date? For the four of us?”

“Regular folks call it a double-date. So what do you think?”

“I would love to but… how? Where? I don’t remember any romantic places in Enceri. Unless you want to go all the way to Keldabe…”

“Not necessary. How about preparing a romantic dinner nearby home, at the lake? Let’s say tomorrow evening? You and I could do the shopping in Enceri in the morning – I have a long list of things to buy anyway – and get something special for our boys, eh?”

“Uh-huh. You’re really into this idea, I see. Okay but who will take care of the children?”

“We’ll find someone.” Tiggi said with confidence. She was already setting up everything in her head.

***

Next morning Tiggi and Etain took the speeder and travelled to Enceri. Nobody got suspicious because it wasn’t uncommon for the two women to go shopping together. Few people even asked to buy something for them. In the city they split to find everything faster. Few hours later they were coming back home with all stuff from the list and more…

“Woo-hoo! You’re back! Did you buy extra spicy warra nuts I asked for?” Fi was already searching through the bags.

“Hey! Maybe help us bring everything inside first!” Tiggi said with a chuckle.

“Alright, alright!” he picked up few bags.

“Wait! Not this one!” she took one package from him.

“Oh? What’s inside?” Fi got intrigued.

“It’s a surprise.”

“A surprise? I love surprises! Is it something to eat?”

Tiggi chuckled. “You’ll see later! I hope you don’t have any plans for the evening…”

“No, I don’t. Why?”

“You’ll see~”

“Tell me!”

“No! It’s a surprise!”

“I don’t want to wait!”

Darman watched them argue playfully while bringing bags inside the house. He said to his wife:

“I wonder what they are up to.”

“I have no idea.” she replied in innocent voice. “But I hope you too have a free evening.”

“Huh? Yeah, I do.”

“Great.” she stated and left him even more confused to bring her secret package to the kitchen.

***

Much later that day Darman found Fi walking impatiently near the closed door to the kitchen.

“Hey, have you seen Kad’ika and Wer’ika? I can’t find them.”

“Nope. Sorry, vod.” Fi tried to look through the keyhole.

Darman stared at him in curiosity.

“What’s going on, vod?”

“They locked themselves in the kitchen!”

“Who?”

“Our wives! They are preparing a surprise for us.”

“Oh? I’m curious what it will be…”

“Me too! Do you still have the hydraulic ram? We could use it to open the door slightly and try to sneak in…”

The door suddenly opened and Tiggi came out of the kitchen. “No need to do that. It’s ready.”

“Yay! Where is it? Can I see it now?” Fi couldn’t constrain himself. His wife chuckled.

“It’s in the basket. And no, you can’t see it until we reach our destination.”

“Which is?” he followed her closely in excitement trying to take a peek into the basket.

“The lake.” Etain explained. She was holding another basket. “We’re going to spend this evening nicely… Just the four of us.”

“Yay!” Fi yelled happily and rushed to help his wife with carrying everything.

“But what about our children? I can’t find them anywhere!” Darman worried.

Fi froze in the middle of opening the basket. Tiggi used this moment to take it back from his hands.

“Don’t worry. We’ve found babysitters.”

“For all of them? For... ELEVEN children in total??” Darman was in a shock.

“Yes, darling. No worries.” His wife assured him. “This evening we can rest, relax and spend some time only with each other.”

“Perfect!” Fi grinned and picked up Tiggi with the basket. Darman and Etain just giggled, grabbed each other hands and followed the other couple to the lake. It was going to be a pleasant evening.

***

After a few minutes of walking they reached the lake. No one wanted to go all the way around it to reach their spot so they took the wooden boat. It wasn’t very impressive (the clones built it themselves) but big enough to fit the four of them and two baskets. The men persisted to paddle instead of using engine attached to the backside of their vehicle. In the meantime their wives were supposed to sit on the bench and enjoy the view.

The surface of the water was shining in the rays of the setting sun. Insects with glittering wings were flying right above the lake all around them. It reminded Etain of Qiilura and how she met Darman. It still wasn’t a fully pleasant memory – she had a very tough time there. But it made her stronger and gave her the most loving and loyal husband she could ask for.

Darman was staring at his wife with adoration while paddling. For him she looked beautiful everyday, even early in the morning, but in this moment she was even more stunning. Her gaze focused far away while she watched the nature around them, apparently lost in her thoughts. Her ginger hair seemed to burn in the last rays of the sun. He felt so happy at this moment.

In the meantime Tiggi was half-heartedly arguing with Fi.

“I can’t let you do all the work while I’m just sitting here and resting.” she stated.

“You and Etain have prepared everything for this date so it’s fair enough if we pay off by taking us all to the destination.” Fi replied while admiring how pretty his wife was while trying to be frustrated at him. Her eyes were betraying her. Whenever she looked at him they were always full of love and it was making him feel like the luckiest man alive.

“Besides, I thought you like to stare at me…” He winked.

Tiggi chuckled. “Oh, I absolutely love to admire your body~” she wiggled her eyebrows. “So… I suppose I can’t make you change your mind, huh?”

“No. Unless you swap me and I’ll be able to take a peek inside the basket...”

“Absolutely not!” Tiggi pulled the basket closer to herself and they both burst out with laugher.

Soon they reached their destination and pulled the boat onto the shore. There was a small beach with soft, golden sand. Close enough to see the bastion between the trees but far enough not to be bothered by anyone.

Together they spread out the a picnic blanket. Fi gazed at Tiggi pleadingly.

“Okay, okay!” she chuckled. “You can unpack the basket now.”

Fi grinned cheerfully and attacked the basket with the shout of victory. Darman followed him closely. They laid out on the blanket all the goods they had found. Smoked roba strips, roasted nuna wings, baked sweet potatoes, four types of warra nuts, some fruit from their garden plus some exotic ones from the market. And a bottle of wine.

Their eyes were sparkling in excitement as they started eating without hesitation. Etain and Tiggi giggled. The feast begun. The men let their wives take as much food as they wanted then consumed the rest with a great delight.

When their stomachs were full the couples snuggled together and enjoyed the wine. Fortunately Etain remembered to pack the glasses.

“Mmm… This tastes much different than ne’tra gal… Where did you get it from? Keldabe?” Darman asked.

“From Xi’leen.” Tiggi replied.

The rest stared at her in a shock.

“What? I’ve got it as a present from senator Mevena, my dear friend. He said to use it for a special occasion. I managed to take it from the Jedi Temple before… you know…”

“So is this occasion special enough?” Fi tried to steer the chat away from painful memories and nuzzled his head against her.

“Surely.” she kissed his temple with affection.

“You know, I like it now. We should do it more often.” Darman stated while rubbing Etain’s arm. “I mean, I love our children but… it’s nice to have some time just for ourselves.”

Etain rested her head on his shoulder. “I absolutely agree.”

They all sat in silence. Two couples in their loving embraces enjoying the peacefulness, their company, the last rays of the sun above the trees, the beautiful nature around them, just their special moment…

***

“I’m going to ask one last time… Where is Aku?” Mij had been staring with a deep frown at the group of young clones. All of them had perfectly neutral faces. One of them stepped out to the front.

“I’ll talk with them and find out… but please leave us alone for a moment.”

Mij sighed.

“Fine, Baatir. You have three minutes.”

He went to the other room where Tallisibeth was showing something on the microscope to Makke. The little girl seemed fascinated. Not too far behind them, Uthan was watching the children with a proud smirk.

“How are the ladies doing?” Mij asked his wife and stood next to her.

“Very well, my dear. Tall’ika is showing Mak’ika what’s hidden in the water from the lake. The young one is curious about everything yet very careful for her age. She is skilled to be a scientist one day.”

“I’m glad to hear that. We’re going to have another apprentice soon.” he said with a proud smile while he watched their daughter patiently teaching Makke how the microscope works.

“How about the boy?”

Mij sighed heavily.

“That bad?”

“They locked him somewhere and don’t want to tell me where.”

“Heh. I’m glad I’m taking care of the girl then.” She smirked.

“You’re not helping…”

Baatir’s head popped through the door.

“Sir, I know where he is.”

Uthan patted her husband’s shoulder. “Good luck, dear.”

Mij walked towards the door.

“It seemed easier back then on Kamino… Maybe I’m just getting too old for that.” He mumbled to himself and entered the other room. The clones stood in a perfect line. Baatir spoke for them.

“Sir, I’ll tell you where Aku is and I’ll take the blame on me...”

“No way! You can’t do that!” one of the clones opposed.

“We’ll take the blame on us as a team!” the third one said and the rest agreed.

Mij had to stop himself from sighing again.

“Fine, just please tell me where he is.”

All of them pointed at the bulletproof chest in the corner of the room. Gilamar walked over there, unlocked it and slowly opened. Aku burst out immediately, punched him in the face and sprinted towards the door. He tried slaloming between his brothers but Burk’yc managed to catch him. The boy started screaming and wiggling in his arms.

“Let him go…” Mij groaned while holding a hand to his bleeding nose. Burk’yc let his younger brother go and they all watched him storming out of the room in silence. Baatir just gave Mij a tissue.

Aku ran at full speed through the corridor, dodged Laseema and Jilka chatting and slipped into a random room. He closed the door, turned around and realized where he got himself locked. Next to now empty fireplace in an old armchair Walon Vau was sitting and knitting. Nearby Kad was playing with his toys on the floor. Werda was laying in her carrier and being closely watched by Mird. The old man didn’t even look up.

“Greetings, young one. You seem lost. Come, sit down. I bet Kad will gladly share his toys with you.”

The boys stared at each other in silence. Eventually the older one extended his hand holding one of his toy speeders.  Aku came closer, took it and started quietly playing with him. Suddenly something hit him in the back. He turned around and realized it was Werda’s teether. The little girl was grinning at him cheerfully. Mird made disappointed growl and took the teether back to her only for it to be thrown at Aku again. Mird whined in frustration and stared at its owner.

“Mird’ika, the young ones have to train their aim somehow. Besides I would be grateful if you could keep your own offspring in line…” Vau raised a thread of wool from which the tiny strill hung.

“Lord Carud, please, let it go.” he gently unattached it and put it back on the ground. The puppy whined in protest.

“Go play with your siblings.”

It looked at the other two puppies playfully fighting nearby. The last thing it wanted was to get another beating from its siblings. It walked over to Werda and curled up on her belly. She began gently petting it and soon both of them fell asleep.

Walon smirked slightly. He enjoyed the peaceful moment and continued knitting another blanket for Werda.

***

The sun was almost fully set. In the last of rays of the sun on the rooftop a winged woman was crouching. First wrinkles were decorating her face. The evening breeze was blowing her loose hair gently. A sharp gaze of her blue eyes was wandering across the lake to the opposite shore. She smiled softly at the view of two couples relaxing and enjoying each other company on the blanket. Some voices reached her ears and she looked down at the front yard beneath her bare feet.

It was already covered in shadow so the residents of Kyrimorut started bringing the tables and benches out to eat dinner there. She closed her eyes and breathed in a cooling evening breeze. The infant in her arms cooed.

“Shh…” she rocked it and wrapped her wings tighter around them both.

Below some children were laughing and running around. The older ones were helping adults bring the food and plates to the tables. Briikase and Shukur were arguing on which side of the plates forks should be placed.

The baby cooed again.

“Shush… Don’t worry little one, I’m here…” She smiled softly and gently stroked baby’s pouting face. “Your mamawill be back soon. Don’t worry, she didn’t abandon you. She wouldn’t…” the woman’s voice cracked. “She’s not like me…”

She gazed down again. The view of the family full of life, with lots of joyful children running around, with everyone helping each other, with their laughs and little talks… It all reminded her of her own home. The one she lost long time ago.

“Hey, Lenne!” Ruusan shouted from the ground. She was holding her little daughter in her arms. “Come down! The dinner is ready!”

Lenne smiled at the two. Not everybody in Skirata clan accepted her presence (Fi hardly ever gave her more than a disgusted look) but Ruu was always nice to her. The woman waved at the young girl in her friend’s arms. She smiled and waved back.

“I’m coming. Hold on, Kandosii.”

The moment she spread her wings the baby giggled happily. Lenne couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You surely have an allasian soul… Off we go!”

She floated down to join her… companions. She wouldn’t dare to call them family. Not yet… Maybe never.

[chicknstripz]

Please tell me I wasn’t the only one waiting for Sev to trundle out of the Kashyyyk forest bitching about intel being wrong? Someone? Anyone?