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SWtCW: Broken Home pt. 1

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Star Wars
The Clone Wars: Broken Home

Having completed their mission to Nar Shaddaa, Jedi Master Kahan and Commander Aira-ty Nokta rejoin their command to find Kahan's old friend Master Guo-Jia waiting for him, having taken temporary command of the 13th Assault Corps after losing most of her own forces. The reunion is tarnished however when Aira-ty finds that her sister, Shaira-na, is aboard the Guardian having been rescued by the Wolf Pack from slavery. Confronted with a reminder of her long forgotten family, Aira-ty learns that her homeworld is no longer the paradise it once was and much has changed.
Torn between duty and a feeling of needing to prove herself, she resolves to return to her homeworld in an attempt to set things right only to find that she will not be alone on her personal quest. The allies she has made in the past months of combat stand fast besides her in defiance of orders and embark on her private mission alongside her into contested territory far beyond Republic supply lines to ensure that the Commander's homeworld is not left in the hands of Separatist slavers as Aira-ty hunts for the defilers of her forgotten home....

Hyperspace, aboard the Prodigal Star

Aira-ty woke with a headache. She hadn't been drinking, of course not since the General didn't keep any liquor on his ship, so the reason for the splitting ache in her head was unknown. Rolling out of her bunk she staggered to the fresher station in her quarters. One of the benefits of being given the first mate's cabin was that it came with its own fresher. Not that she minded using the crew's station, but it did afford her some privacy. She turned the water on and splashed her face, looking up into the mirror.
Grauzem leered back at her from over her shoulder.
You feeling alright there?
Aira-ty froze, looking at the man she'd killed days ago as he laughed at her, leaning forwards and tapping the side of his head.
You didn't think I'd be that easy to get rid of did you? You're stuck with me bitch, it's pretty cozy up here.
“Get out.” snarled Aira-ty as her golden cat eyes narrowed.
Grauzem laughed. You're stuck with me.
“I killed you.” Aira-ty snapped angrily, slamming her fists on the sink. “Stay dead!”
In the mirror, Grauzem leaned against the door jam and watched her with his good eye as he mocked her.
You're not as tough as you like to think, poor little girl, all alone and afraid. Heh, I'm embarrassed that you're the one that finally brought me down!
Aira-ty whirled, glaring at the space where Grauzem had been standing only to find empty space. There was no one there with her. She turned slowly back to the mirror and nearly jumped out of her skin as she saw Grauzem right next to her as he nibbled her ear as he ran a finger along her chin.
We've got a lot of catching up to do Aira-ty.
“YOU'RE DEAD!” she shouted as her fist connected with Grauzem's face, shattering the mirror for the second time since she'd come aboard the General's ship.
Grauzem shattered into a fractured mosaic as he laughed and vanished, leaving Aira-ty with a bloodied fist as she stood there glaring at the broken mirror hatefully. She looked down at her hand. Triage was going to give her grief again. Sighing heavily, she touched her head, turning and walking from the cabin to go to the medical bay.
“Aira-ty!”
She stopped, turning to see Hanabi coming towards her. The girl's eyes widened as she looked down at her hand.
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah kid, I'm fine.” Aira-ty lied. “Just cut myself.”
“I'll come with you to see Triage.” Hanabi offered, walking along besides her.
Aira-ty made to protest but found that she couldn't. The girl had changed since her kidnapping by Grauzem, she was still fairly innocent but something about her experience with the maniac had made her stronger it seemed.
Hanabi shifted uncomfortably for a moment before she glanced over at Aira-ty.
“Aira-ty...I have a question.”
Aira-ty turned to regard the girl, suppressing the irritation she was feeling as best she could.
“What?”
Hanabi frowned as they stopped outside the medical bay opposite the ship's fresher station.
“Ha—have you ever heard of the Death Watch?”
Aira-ty's head jerked up to look at Hanabi in surprise.
“Where did you hear that name?”
Hanabi looked at her worriedly for a moment before speaking further.
“The people who kidnapped me...it was something on their minds...do you know what it means?”
Aira-ty's eyes narrowed. “It doesn't mean anything, forget about it do you understand?”
Hanabi looked taken aback, her silvered eyes darting about uncertainly as she nodded jerkily.
“O—okay, I won't bring it up again.” she fidgeted for a moment before turning to go. “I hope your hand feels better.”
As the girl retreated Aira-ty stood there in the passageway for a moment. She was hallucinating about Grauzem and now Hanabi was talking about the Death Watch as if it were still around. Could this day get any worse? She turned and palmed the door for the medical bay open, stepping inside to see Triage at his work station. His shining photoceptors rose to look at her.
“What, did you have an argument with the bulkhead again?” inquired the snappy medical droid.
Aira-ty took a deep breath. Yes she decided, the day could indeed get worse.

“We're coming out of hyperspace now sir.” Leroi provided helpfully.
“Good,” Kahan said from his position in the pilot's chair. “Provided we have the right coordinates, we should see the Aegis and Open Circle fleets upon re-entry.”
Leroi turned to regard Kahan. “Sir, why would the coordinates be incorrect?”
“This is war Leroi, nothing is certain, they may have had to move.”
The service droid considered for a moment before seeming to be satisfied with the answer given.
“Yes sir, I suppose that makes sense.”
From his place at the aft of the cockpit, Ziggy squeaked noisily.
“Well I'm sorry,” Leroi said. “I have never been to war before, have you?”
Ziggy said something more but further conversation was forestalled as the Prodigal Star dropped out of hyperspace Kahan felt something that made him smile.
Hey there. Guo-Jia's voice murmured. Surprised to see me?
Kahan leaned back in the pilot's chair as his smile deepened and he felt his friend's presence immersing with his own.
I thought I felt you getting closer, I didn't realize you'd joined up with Obi-Wan.
Someone had to watch your boys while you played spy. Guo-Jia replied teasingly.
Kahan sensed something deeper, but also felt Guo-Jia's reticence in sharing it.
Something happened. He stated simply.
He felt Guo-Jia's mood darken. Not now Kahan, please. Just wait a little longer and I'll share everything...I don't want to share that just yet, not when I can't see you.
He nodded, though he knew she couldn't see the gesture. Alright, we'll be landed shortly.

Republic space, Republic star destroyer Resolute

“Will General Kahan be taking the 13th back under his command?” Admiral Yularen asked as he watched the incoming freighter on the sensor screen.
“Presumably.” Obi-Wan replied. “I don't see why not, no doubt he'll be assigned to a new theater.”
“And what of General Guo-Jia and her forces?”
Obi-Wan sighed. “I don't know, she barely has any men left and the 7th could certainly use the reinforcements. The next generation of troops can't come swiftly enough.”
“On that we agree General.” Admiral Yularen said briskly. “The sooner we bring more men into the fight, the sooner this war will end.”
“Sir,” one of the bridge crew called. “You have a holonet call.”
“Show it here.” Obi-Wan said as he stepped back from the screen.
To say that Obi-Wan was surprised to see Anakin's face appear on the holocom was an understatement.
“Anakin where have you been? I called for you weeks ago!”
“I'm sorry Obi-Wan,” Anakin said. “I got tied down at Malastare, we've only just concluded the fighting. I hope you didn't need me too much.”
Obi-Wan sighed. “We could've used your help, but we managed. Where are you now?”
“With the Victory fleet, Master Windu is here. I think we're about to move out though. I'm not sure when I'll be able to join up with you and the unit.”
Obi-Wan nodded his understanding. “That's fine, do what needs to be done and stay safe. We'll manage.”
Anakin hesitated a moment before speaking further.
“One more thing...can you tell Hanabi that she's no longer my apprentice?”
Obi-Wan stopped, uncertain if he'd heard Anakin right.
“Excuse me?”
“There was apparently a mix up, she was supposed to be Master Kahan's apprentice, not mine. I met mine here at Malastare.”
“I, see.” Obi-Wan said. “Don't you think that message should come from you?”
Anakin shook his head. “Just tell her Obi-Wan, I've got to go.”
Obi-Wan frowned, but nodded as the link died. He sighed heavily, trying to think of a gentle way to tell Hanabi...at least she was already with her actual master at any rate.

Republic space, Republic star destroyer Guardian

Guo-Jia watched as the freighter's struts touched down on the deck, smiling as it powered down and the boarding ramp lowered. She was positively beaming when Kahan came walking down the ramp and it was all she could do not to charge him as he touched the deck. When he reached her though she didn't bother holding back further, throwing her arms around his neck and letting him embrace her with his arms and mind both.
It's good to see you again Guo. He murmured across their link.
We haven't gotten a chance to talk since Geonosis. She replied. What, it's been almost three months?
His answer was to open their link fully and share with her everything that had happened to him since their last meeting. She traced her way through all his experiences from being assigned as Grand Master Yoda's aid to being given command of the 13th Assault Corps and finally this latest fiasco with Knight Skywalker's apprentice. She watched as he killed the Mandalorian mercenaries and winced at his brutality but she understood why he'd done it and couldn't fault him. While she did all this, she could feel him sifting through her own thoughts and though she hesitated to share with him everything soon she released her grief to him as he relived the death of her padawan and the destruction of her unit.
I failed them all. She whispered helplessly as she buried her head in his chest, her grip tightening around his shoulders.
No. Kahan asserted soothingly. You did your best. No one could ask better of you.
They could. They deserved a general...they got a jedi.

Aira-ty watched while the General embraced the other Jedi, frowning slightly as she recalled a time when she'd held Jango that way. It caused her heart to ache and she quickly looked away, turning and stalking off in the diretion of her quarters. She left Hanabi standing helplessly alone in the midst of the hangar but she wasn't Aira-ty's problem at the moment. She had other issues to deal with. As she entered the turbolift she found Jesp waiting for her.
“Jesp.” she said curtly as she stepped inside.
He nodded to her. “Commander, I'm glad you're alright.”
Aira-ty smiled slightly. “Alright is debatable but yeah, you guys have any trouble?”
Jesp hesitated a moment before turning to look at her.
“Commander, we found your sister.”
Aira-ty stopped and turned to look at him in disbelief.
“Say that again?”
“Your sister, we rescued her.”
So the next episode begins and it is shaping up to be a doozy.

There is a lot I want to do with this one so it may actually become rather long so brace yourselves for an extended journey.

Hope you're enjoying the series.

Star Wars of course belongs to its owners and creators
Kahan, Leroi, Ziggy and Triage are my original characters
Guo-Jia was created by Vizu 
Aira-ty and Jesp belong to rayn44 
Hanabi Iyoto is BrET13's

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LinkWannabe42's avatar
I just realized, Triage is basically Kahan's sassy robot butler