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(7.12) A Rose by any other name..... (Part One)
(7.12) A Rose by any other name..... (Part One)
The Departure Bay
The Republic Marauder
Mid Rim World of Lorta
July 18th 1938
The departure bay had been originally designed to hold a pair of long range shuttles. From these shuttles, covert missions against the Jedi or other force users would be carried out. This large and roomy hanger bay plus training grounds was designed to ensure that maximum efficiency was given to planning, staging and carrying out missions. All true to the operations of the Crusade as a whole to maximize efficiency during operations. It was this concept which made the Crusade one of the most dangerous forces of the Old Republic days. High above the main wall of the bay, written across the wall in bold letters, "Strike Fast from the Shadows, Strike True and Deadly, Fade Back to the Shadows" the motto of the Crusade's most deadly weapons, the Shadow Stalkers. These Shadow Stalkers were the elite soldiers of the Crusade and it was a very rare thing that someone would survive meeting a Shadow Stalker.
Today the Departure Bay has become the base of Operations for the Marauder's Marine Detachment, the 58th Marine Detachment. Below and slightly to the left of the large Motto has been painted the Coat of Arms for the 58th Marine. Over the months a debate has raged within the 58th regarding the Republic. There were those who saw the Republic as the next logical step to unifying the galaxy. Then there were those who saw the Republic as the end of the Free Worlds Council. This debate just about split this elite unit. However like good soldiers, both sides realized the strategic importance of the Republic. Both sides could not deny that the Republic was the best chance the Galaxy had of defeating the Reich and her allies. The ends would justify the means for those who opposed the Republic. For everyone within the 58th, the drive to defeat the Reich and liberate their worlds was a single largest goal they all shared. As a show of solidarity to this goal, they elected to paint a large symbol of the Republic right next to their own Coat of Arms. To outsiders, the two might appear to be the influence of the party, the ship's crew or the Marine leadership. This couldn't be furthest from the truth. The debate, the solution and the painting was all carried out by the enlisted of the unit. Captain Zur had ordered his officers to remain out of the debate.
At eye level hung a freshly created wooden plaque. On the upper right hand corner stood a shadowy soldier over looking a long forgotten battle field. The plaque had been crafted by the hands of the very soldiers who eye it today. The design was selected by vote within the unit. The unit had decided to go with the shadowy soldier figure with no identifying features. The large plaque had more then enough room for hundreds of names. However for the time being, there were only five names on it. Each name had its only brass plate with a symbol of their rank and their job on either side of their name. Currently the name of the five Marines who were lost during the mission to Bothuwia were placed upon the plaque. It was the first combat losses the unit had faced since they were formed just over a year. No one expects those to be the last set of name to be added. The plaque holds as a reminder of who has come and who fell in the name of freedom for the Galaxy. It is a place of honor aboard the ship that few want but all expect to be there at one point in time. Still, they train and wait for that moment when they will be called upon to defend what they stand for. It is this reason why the debate between pro-Republic and anti-Republic had been ended. The mission at hand is to defeat the Reich and her allies. Secure peace and a future for their people. Then they can debate the Republic.
This morning the Departure Bay, like always is a hive of activity as small units prepare for their day filled with training or other duties. Because the ship is landed on Lorta, Captain Marrab has allowed the large loading ramp to be lowered. This gave the Marines much needed space to train and stretch their legs. A platoon of Marines were running up the ramp after a rather long run as Sha walked on to the Deck. As the small unit of Marines ran by Sha, she noticed that they dipped their platoon colors out of respect for her. There was a strong bond between the group and the Marines, this was easily detected by Sha. It was this respect which is why Sha had made plans to speak with Captain Marrab regarding Xan's announcement yesterday. There was so much going on within the party, Sha had almost forgotten that the Marines and the Crew of the Marauder were the main support for the party to achieve their goals. Sha looked around and felt a sense of respect from these professional soldiers. However, she was not here looking for them. She was actually looking for Rose. Sha had went to Rose's room to talk to her before the mission, but had missed her. Rose's next door neighbor told Sha that Rose had gone to the Departure Bay to prepare for the mission. Sha continued to search the large bay as she recalled what happened yesterday.
Yesterday's meeting didn't start out as well as Sha had envisioned. Still in the end, the results were much better than Sha had hoped for. Still Rose had stormed out of the meeting without hearing the best part of the meeting. Even Sha had left the meeting in the middle to have a personal heart to heart between Sha and Rose. The conversation had helped Sha realize something about the group and about Rose as a person. There were still concerns regarding the infiltrator, but Sha also saw a woman in pain and lost. She had hoped that Rose had learned something from the conversation as well. She had not been able to see Rose after the meeting as Rose had pulled one of her disappearing acts. So Sha figured that she would speak with Rose in the morning. This was the reason why Sha found herself in the Departure Bay. There was something about being among these soldiers. Something about the meeting yesterday. Sha had been alone before, she had served with others. But this was most likely the very first time that Sha actually felt like she was among family since THAT DAY. She paused to look at the plaque on the wall. She knew those Marines who had died. Their faces echoed in her memory. These were her brothers and sisters that would never come home. It was a very humbling experience for Sha. It was the first time she actually felt like she was part of something much larger than who she was.
Sha turned from the plaque to continue her search for Rose. She wanted to speak with her and let Rose know that the party had decided to go with her idea for leadership. She wanted to just touch base with Rose. Sha almost didn't want to admit it but she wanted to make sure that Rose was okay before departing on this mission. Sha couldn't explain the feeling that she was experiencing but wondered if this is how her former mentor and commander felt for her troops. Shas continued to walk across the large bay and saw Angels pink camouflaged fighter. The sight actually made Sha pause in mid stride. The fighter was actually painted in different shades of pink all within some strange pattern to give it a camouflaged appearance. Above the fighter in a gantry hung a matching Hyperspace Ring. Sha looked a bit closer and saw a chain around the landing strut of the fighter. “Is that a gold chain!?” She asked out loud. A near by Marine confirmed the sight. It was indeed a golden chain and if anyone dared to take it, the fighter would blast them. The Marine even pointed out a pair of matching studs on the Hyperspace Ring. He explained that the fighter's droid demanded the 'bling'. Sha looked in disbelief at the outrageous appearing fighter. Shaking her head she continued to search for Rose. “I have seen it all now” Sha said softly as she walked away from the fighter.
Sha was starting to feel as if she had missed Rose all toghter. She did however notice Captain Breen, the Marine XO. She knew that if anyone would know where she was, he would. Sha started to cross the Bay towards him. She couldn't help but notice the missing Assault Shuttle which had been destroyed during the last mission. She walked passed where the shuttle would normally be staged. There was actually a sense of longing in her heart as the mission echoed in her mind. Sha realized in that moment that she was starting to see things through the eyes of a commander. With each new moment passes, she felt herself looking at things differently. Her mind had started to expand and take on the role of leader. 'Was this what Rose saw in me?' Sha thought carefully as she closed on the Marine XO and two of his Marines. It was clear that they were getting ready for some mission. She saw that they were packing weapons and civilian clothing. She took noticed of the X-45 rifle and its powerful scope. She also noticed the three heavy slug thrower assault rifles. They were decking out for action. Her instincts told her that this was not some training mission. “Excuse me Captain Breen, I am looking for Rose. Have you seen her?”
The human Captain Breen smiled as he nodded. Captain Breen was no stranger to Sha. She had trained with the Marines to help keep her skills sharp and ready during down time. She found the man to be honorable and respectful. She also noted that he loved his troops as if they were his own children. She knew that he was forth generation FWC Marine and loved the Corps. Though she could never really cut through his strong and thick accent. “Yes Ma'am” he said with his thick accent. “You found her team” He added while motioning to the other two Marines as well as himself. The other two marines were also human. From the looks of it, both were equally well trained as their Captain. Clearly hand picked for this mission. A fact that did not go unnoticed by Sha. She wondered why such a detail had become so clear to her now.
Still, Sha looked confused, “Team? I thought she was going this mission alone?” Sha was surprised but not upset over the change of mission details. Sha had voiced her opinion to Rose the night before regarding the idea of Rose going off on her own without any kind of back up. Sha didn't like the idea of Rose being on her on behind enemy lines at all. 'Had Rose actually change her mind' Sha questioned in the back of her mind.
The two other Marines smiled as the Captain laughed, “Oh so did she! However the last time she went out on one of those missions of ya'lls, she got roughed up pretty badly. Yeah, sure the wounds were all well on their way to being healed, but it was clear what happened. She got jumped by a group and couldn't defend herself. So, I talked to the Captain, see'n how her boss couldn't be bothered nor even noticed what happened to her. The Captain, see, he agreed with me. So next time she was to go out on one of ya'lls missions. She'd have a Marine escort, rather she liked it or not.”
As he explained Sha thought, 'Ah......yeah sure that didn't go over very well' She was actually grateful that someone else had to fight that battle with Rose. It was something she didn't look forward to. Still she was happy that Rose had someone watching her back.
The Captain continued, “She's not all to happy with it. Boy, she is an ornery little lady. But she finally gave in to reason. At first we were going to take a full team of fifteen. You should have seen the fireworks. She was not happy with that at all. She finally demanded only the minimum needed. I said I could protect her with three.” He glanced to the two Marines, “I meant three plus me but that little girl held her ground and held me to the number three. I tell you, I would rather charge a nest of pissed off pirates than argue with her again. I gave in to me and two others. I don't think either of us are happy with this but I think its the best both of us can hope for. She ain't leaving this ship without a Marine escort, not over my dead body. She doesn't need to be so deep behind enemy lines with no help in sight. And my boys and I will stay out of sight till if and when she needs us. Don't worry your little cold blooded heart. We will bring that ornery little girl home alive. I promise you that”
Sha nodded as she listened carefully. She knew Rose was stubborn and most likely had put up a strong argument against the added protection. Still for this strange speaking human to get her to compromise meant there was more between them than met the eye. Maybe he knew more about that happened on that last mission that Rose didn't want to talk about. “Do you know what happened on her last mission” Sha thought of the little she actually knew about what Rose did for Xan. She added, “Where and when did this mission take place?” Sha had thought something happened but didn't have a clue what that could have been. With his report that she had been beaten and or some how injured, this added more to the mystery.
He motioned for the two Marines next to him to head out. They picked up their bags and turned to walk away. Neither said a word out of respect for their beloved Captain. Once they were out of ear shot, the Captain shook his head, “No Ma'am, I don't know what happened on that mission. But I do know that it took place on the world of Byssi just less then eight weeks ago. She didn't talk about it at all. Her loyalty runs very deep, but Rose is also a very private person even once you get to know her. Sure she will talk ya'lls ear off about who she was. Some dark and evil woman, but that was a long time ago. Good luck getting her to talk about who she is now. When she came back from that mission, I really didn't know anything about her other than she worked for that Senator Zall. That night I was called to the Canteen because they thought one of mine had gotten in to trouble. Instead of calling ships security, they called me. Tell you what, that girl got the shit kicked out of her. I don't care what she claims, she got the shit kicked out of her. I knew that it was a female so I brought one of my female Corpsman with me. When I saw who it was, I almost walked away. But something stopped me. I treated her like my own. I paid for the damages and made sure that no one on the ship would report what happened. Sorry Ma'am but some things just need to be left be.”
He looked genuine in his concern of the moment and that this event should remain off the record. “You see Ma'am, I have a good friendship with the ship's XO. I tell him the truth and he makes sure things like this stay off the record.”
Sha couldn't help herself, “I understand discretion and you probably definitely thought in the best interest of Rose. I suppose things could have been worse but not by much from what it sounds like.”
He shook his head, “Ma'am no disrespect to you or ya'lls friends, but don't you think that if she wanted you to know she would have told you?” Sha couldn't deny the good point he raised, “To Rose, what others see in her is more important to her than what is actually there. Or at least that is what she believes. It ain't true, mind you. Trust me, that girls heart is all kinds of in the right place. She just doesn't want to see that. My Corpsman and I carried her back to her room and we stayed with her the entire night. That was when we found the bruises. A few cracked ribs and such. The entire time, she kept apologizing for some kind of wrong. Poor girl was too drunk to realize where she was. It didn't take us long to realize that she was apologizing for wrongs done a long time ago. That was pretty much how the night went for all three of us.”
He looked down as he thought, “the next day she found me training with my platoon. She wanted to learn more about personal combat and how to defend herself. Oh sure she has all these memories of her past life. But these memories didn't really give her the skill she needed to fight the kind of battle that led to her kicking the shit kicked out of her. Two times a day, we would train that little girl. In the morning with my platoon, we would push her to her very limits. During the evenings I would push her past those limits. There were days she would lay on the ground crying. I asked her once why she would put herself through this. She said that she couldn't stay here pushing papers for Zall. She begged me to push her further, so I did. Two months of talking with her, all I know is that what ever happened on that mission really bothered her and nearly shattered her confidence.”
Sha continued to take notes of the party's go to person for intel, “Listen, Rose seems so strong on the outside. That is her mask, her weakness in here” he said motioning to his own heart. “There are them demons eat'n her up on the inside. I heard of all she said she had done and this whole cloning thing just doesn't sit with me all that well. Look, I don't pretend to be so smart like you guys. I see that women here and now. These things of yesterday, well hell they just confuse me. The woman I see here ain't the woman she claimed she used to be. But she ain't up for believing that. Not right now, that is. What she does for ya'll it is down right incredible. I got in to Zall's office and read some of her mission reports. If we had her working for us, I bet those damn Reich boys would have never surprised us. I know she loves ya'll. She talks about ya'll allot. She looks up to ya'll so damn much. But them damn demons never let her go. They wont let her be who she is”
He looked down, “we all wear our scares. Some on the inside, other much deeper. I can not say I know your level of suffering or hers. My father and brothers were rescued by you and your friends. They were part of Convoy 92. It was attacked by Reich ships. You and your friends came to the rescue. If not for you guys, I would have lost everything. Just cause I don't know the suffering first hand, doesn't mean I can't see it. her suffering comes from within. So damn deep” He explained as he looked up, “those demons will not let go of her till she is ready to let them go. I guess she is just not ready to forgive herself for whatever the hell that other person did” he explained.
Sha listened carefully and understood all of what the man was saying. She too had seen signs of those ghosts which haunt Rose's memories. Everything the man said was true and she knew it. Sha knew that Rose was facing demons of the kind that even she could barely understand. Sha just didn't know how to help her with them. “I think this mission will be a very good thing for Rose. I think she needs to be more active rather then pushing papers. Xan can do that.” Sha knew well enough that if one's mind wasn't right, then those around them were at risk. Mental health was a very real concern in Rose's case. Last night had more than proved this fact. Sha also knew that remaining idol could spell an even greater risk to the person.
Captain Breen shook his head. “Yes ma'am, I agree. If she says idle, then I have seen what those demons can do. They eat at her mind and heart while her guilt continues to grows. Yes, she needs this mission more than any might think. It gives her purpose and meaning. It will allow her to face her fears and will help rebuild her confidence. What took that confidence was out there, not here. She needs to face this thing. Trust me, I have been working with her closely. She's ready for this. Once she gets her confidence back, than she can go back to facing those demons of her's. No Ma'am, what worries me is those demons of hers, not this mission.” There was a sense of grave serous in his eyes. “Like I said Ma'am, she just doesn't want to let those demons go, yet. She needs to prove to herself that she is worth forgiveness, or those demons will never leave her be.”
Sha believed that Captain Breen had more wisdom then brains but she thought that was perfect. “I can't do anything about her demons. I hope you can keep an eye out for her.”
His motioned cut Sha off in mid thought as he pointed to the direction of where Rose was coming from. Sha could tell that Rose had recently washed her face and brushed her hair. Sha could tell by the scent that Rose had recently vomited. “I won't stop this mission, but make sure you keep an eye out for one another.”
He smiled back to her, “Ma'am, I promise that little lady will come home. She has like kin to us Marines. We always take care of kin, Ma'am. We will take good care of her out there. But what she faces inside. Well that is up to her and her alone.”
Rose walked up with a sly smile on her face, “Are we ready to leave Captain Babysitter?” She said playfully. She turned to Sha with a wink and a smile. It was clear to Sha that Rose was covering something up through her demenor. What it was, Sha was unsure.
He laughed at the statement, “Yes Ma'am we are ready. Even packed extra diapers. And some boom boom sticks” he said as her motioned to rifles on the soldiers back.
Rose rolled her eyes at the statement which was tossed back at her. “Captain, a moment alone please” she said softly.
Captain Breen nodded as he turned to Sha, “Please remember what I told you.” He looked to Rose once more, “We are wheels up in ten minutes Ma'am. Oh and I already picked the in flight move.” He said with a smile and walked away.
Rose glared back at him, “We are not watching some bull shit red neck movie! SO HELP ME!”
Sha chuckled slightly “He sounds like a lot of fun, I hope you enjoy the in flight movie.”
Rose laughed, “when we got back from Bothawui, the Marines and I did a over night training up in the Heights. All night Sha...ALL NIGHT hillbilly songs. Oh My God!” There was clearly no signs of anger nor resentment from the statement. Only simple humor, something Sha was glad to see.
Sha looked at Rose's bags and noticed a few of them from her room last night. “I'm glad, your mood seems much better, and I wanted to catch you before you left. I thought you might like to know what took place after I returned to the meeting. Everyone was surprised when I came back, but wanted to make sure that all that hard work didn't go to waste. It seems that everyone agrees and looks forward to the coming leadership, thanks to you. Oh and before you leave did you happen to find anything on the video?”
Rose smiled at the comment, “Thanks Sha. It does mean allot to me, to know that I can contribute to the party. I have not looked at the data chip. But I promise, I will look at it during the flight. This way” she yelled the rest of the statement to Captain Breen who was across the bay, “GO INSANE FROM HILL BILLY MOVIES!” the two Marines standing with the Captain started to laugh at the statement. “Once I find anything, I will let you know.” There was a smile on Rose's face though it turned to surprise. She gave a slight burp which had that tell tail scent of vomit on it. “One reason why I will be glad to be away from here. I don't care how good you say he cooks, the food here as really taken a dive.” Rose explained covering her mouth.
“I've never had the food here, I could never trust someone else to handle my food, I suppose I have too much instinct to change that” said Sha.
Rose almost laughed if not for the clear sign that she was in discomfort by the odor on her breath, “Be grateful Sha. I used to love the cooking aboard. I don't know why I can't stomach it anymore.” Rose took a deep breath as she turned to Sha. “I am sorry Sha. But This food has not set well for me lately.” She took out a breath freshener and popped it in her mouth. “Look, I was doing some thinking late last night. I had a chance to be where you and the others are right now. I blew that chance because I fell for greed of power. Looking back, I can not believe how far I had fallen in to darkness. But now, I am lucky enough to have a chance to make up for those mistakes. To help you guys do what you have to do. I don't think many people ever get this chance that I have now. I can not tell you how grateful I am to just be here now free from the darkness and able to live free again. But what you guys have given me. That is like wow!” she said. Sha had heard Rose talk before and even heard her speak truthfully. But this was the first time Sha ever realized Rose was speaking straight from the heart. In this moment, Sha knew what Rose was saying was nothing short of Rose's heart speaking. “don't ever forget how grateful I am to be a part of all of this.”
This level of honesty was uncommon for Sha. She was still a bit confused over what Rose was talking about. “Be part of what Rose? What are you talking about?”
Rose smiled as she laid a hand softly on Sha's torso. Her voice filled with pride and courage as it lowered, “Being among heroes.” In that moment, Sha felt something that she never felt before. She couldn't explain it, and worse yet, it almost brought a tear to her eye. In that moment, Sha felt something that she never imagined. She felt that level of respect that is powered by the kind of love that comes only from family. For that moment Sha felt once more at home.
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