Chapter Text
Fox extricates himself from the Tegaanalur'yaim clusterkark as surreptitiously as he can. For a moment, he thinks he made it cleanly away, striding along toward the Alii'aliit by himself with long, quick steps -- and then Fives and Echo fall in beside him. Kark.
When he glances to his left, Fives gives him a jaunty little wave. "Hi! We'll be your designated Kenobi shields for the afternoon. They're still fighting over who gets the next shift."
From Fox's right side, Echo sighs. "Ignore him. He figured out that he's the Mand'alor's first vod'ika and he's still smug about it."
"You bet I'm smug!" Fives sticks his tongue out at Echo. "And did you have to say it like that? You're going to make ori'vod think I just want him for his position."
Echo facepalms. "Did you have to put it like that?"
Fives cocks his head before beaming, "Yes. Yes, I did."
Echo lets out a theatrical sigh, causing Fives to recoil with a mock-offended "Hey!"
The back and forth reminds Fox of his ad'ike and it brings a small smile to his lips.
Echo swats Fives, who dances back to Fox. "I'm only counting myself your first-since-you-became-Mand'alor 'cause I heard Cody call Rex vod'ika and you had your own battalion and all, so I know you already have vod'ike, but I asked and you don't have any *here* yet, so I get to be your first on Melidaan."
Fox clears his throat, loathe as he is to disappoint Fives' beaming face. "Given that neither Rex nor Cody are here, I'm fairly sure that they no longer consider me a vod. Which means that, if Tup and Dogma hadn't spoken up, you would be my only vod'ika."
Fives stops dead. "*What*," he demands flatly.
"That's untrue, ori'vod," Echo tells him, ignoring Fives.
"Oh?"
"You became our clan leader when you opened the yaim to us. You became our ori'vod that moment you trusted us enough to start eating in the karyai."
"That seems backward." Fives looks confused. "Doesn't the ori'vod adopt their vod'ike?"
"I hear that Mando'ad adopt whoever they want. Why can't we adopt our ori'vod?"
Fives cheers. "Yes! That means I'm the first vod to ever adopt ori'vod Fox!" He breaks off suddenly to ask anxiously. "Unless you've been adopted before?"
It's a silly question and he knows Fives is trying to lighten the mood, but it hurts. Swallowing, Fox closes his eyes. "No," he responds heavily. "No, I haven't."
Which means he's blindsided by the missile that hits him amidships, wrapping itself around him. It's followed shortly after by an exasperated sigh, then another pair of arms encircling him tightly.
"People are stupid."
Echo's dry tone makes Fives giggle and breaks the tension of the awkward moment.
"That they are." Fox allows himself a moment to hug them back before gently shaking them loose and resuming his progress toward the Alii'Aliit. But this time he's not alone.
When he walks in, the demeanor of those present perceptibly changes, a visible easing of tension replaced just as quickly by a straightening of spines and an increased tempo in activity.
Kenobi is the first to break ranks and approach him. "Ah, Mand'alor! I hoped to speak--"
Only to be intercepted by Fives. Who instead of doing something rash and ill-advised as Fox half-feared, grabs Kenobi's hand and begins shaking it vigorously. "General Kenobi! So good to run into you! General Skywalker was your padawan, right?" He doesn't wait for a response or even take a breath for that matter. "So you probably know all about what happened after I got shot and why he isn't here now and I don't understand what's going on with that 'cause I wasn't there and I really hoped you could explain what happened because I miss him and--"
Fox watches in disbelief as Echo joins Fives on Kenobi's other side, subtly herding him away. That worked?
Echo winks at him just before the trio disappear into the crowd.
That is... not what he expected when he asked for help. He couldn't have done it more deftly himself. He's impressed. His vod'ike are both devious and talented. And trouble. So much trouble.
Leaving *that* problem for another day, Fox steps up to the holotable. "Report."
Rau straightens. "Alor Bacara reports all clear. Nova are loading the LAATs now, wounded first."
"Good. What do we know about their ships?"
"One cruiser is missing from their official complement. The transition from hyperspace nearly wasn't."
Fox doesn't miss the implications. "Get them out of orbit as soon as they've finished with the evacuation. I don't want those ships near anything we want to hold onto."
"Lek, 'alor!"
The rest of the afternoon is filled with the on edge tedium of waiting for imminent disaster. Over the next hour and a half, Fox listens to Bacara managing the evacuation with the Marine's usual calm confidence over the comms. The narration is accompanied by a steady procession of LAATs landing, dislodging their passengers, then returning to orbit for another load. Wounded first, then prisoners and then finally the last in line with the pitifully small number of unchipped troopers still on their own two feet.
Fox would like a report directly from Appo regarding the situation that sent them there and the state of the Republic in general, but he's conscious both of the fact that Appo will want to see to his men first and the potential danger he's risking if they meet in person.
He'd also promised Kenobi that he'd stay away from any vod'e he hadn't previously interacted with. Or at least, not contradicted the former Jedi when he'd brought it up. Which means that Kenobi will expect to be there when Fox talks to Appo.
This requires a delicate touch.
He turns to Karla, who'd materialized at his side shortly after Fox arrived. "I need you and Deece to run an errand."
Karla straightens, tilting his helmet toward Fox. "Yes, buir?"
"Present my compliments to Appo and let him know that I'd like to speak with him when he has a moment."
"And Deece? Do you want him to come with me?"
"No, I have something else in mind for Deece. I need Kenobi kept out of the way while I talk to Appo and I think Deece would be the perfect one to entrust with the mission of preventing Kenobi from being present at that meeting."
Karla pouts for a moment, then a determined look comes to his face. "After I find Commander Appo, can I join Deece? We work better together. We'll be great distractions!"
It's safe to show emotion now. That's the only reason Fox allows his shoulders to shake with silent laughter. His earnest ad asking permission to go cause trouble. It's so cute. "Unfortunately, I need you to stay with Appo. I don't want him wandering off, but putting a visible guard on him would send the wrong message."
"And nobody ever suspects the shiny!"
"Exactly."
Karla leaves with a jaunty salute, giving Fox some breathing room to think. First though he double-checks the status of the refugees, starting with the wounded, as they've been on the ground the longest.
"Where are we at?" he asks Rau. "How are the baar'ure doing on our guests?"
"Uh, about that…"
Fox's attention sharpens. "Yes?"
Rau turns to face Fox fully. "There's been a complication. We weren't told that some of the wounded still had their chips in."
Fox's full attention snaps to the Protector. "Explain."
"Miscommunication. Many of the chipped were wounded. The aruetiise restrained them while in transit to the Cadavine system by strapping them to stretchers. When the wounded were moved for transport down to Melidaan, Alor Bacara secured the rest of the injured as well. The baar'ure had no idea that there were prisoners mixed in with others."
Fox doesn't react outwardly, but that? Deserves a face palm. "Damage?"
"Minimal. They'd only untied about five before the first one started acting up. Disorientation and being tied down for so long seems to have curtailed any serious consequences, but the baar'ure report minor injuries, mostly sustained during the confusion."
That draws a breath of relief from Fox. "Good. Let me know if that changes. Do they know what caused the chipped vod'e to attack? Did any of the unchipped vod'e react the same way?"
"Unknown. I can ask, but given that they have patients on hand…"
No, he wouldn't disturb a medic at work either even if knowing about the reaction of the unchipped could impact his meeting with Commander Appo. "Keep an ear out. It's not a priority yet, but I want to know the moment they have something."
"Lek, Mand'alor!"
The exchange must have taken up more time than he thought as he has just enough time to think about arranging a private room for his upcoming meeting before his audio feed picks up a familiar voice heading his direction.
"This way, sir," he can hear Karla say with such an earnest respect for authority that it has Fox chuckling to himself despite the risk that running into Appo without backup poses. Karla would have done well on Coruscant. And Fox is so so glad that both of his ad'e are nowhere near there.
"This way, Karla," he calls out. Yes, he'd tacitly agreed to have Kenobi present because the former Jedi seemed set on Fox's safety. However, if he can't defend himself against a single vod while surrounded by fellow Mando'ade, he doesn't deserve the title of Mand'alor.
"Buir!" Karla bounces over to him in a very credible imitation of Deece. "This is Commander Appo! Did you know that he's in command of a whole battalion?!"
Fox smothers a laugh. "I did, yes. Thank you for escorting him."
"The Mand'alor adopted a clone?" are Appo's first words.
That takes Fox aback. "No one told you?"
"About the light halo? No, no one mentioned it. What is it?"
They're having two different conversations. That's the only explanation. "A month ago, did you hear anything unusual?"
Appo cocks his helmet. "You mean rumors?"
Fox frowns. Appo hadn't heard the Call? Does this mean that vod'e can change their minds? He gets a warm pulse in response to that from the Manda, which sends a wave of relief through him. Odd. He hadn't known he was that invested in the well-being of his former vod'e.
"No. Nothing like that," Fox replies. "To answer your questions in reverse order, the light halo indicates my status as Mand'alor. And the only ones who can see it are Mando'ade, which makes you one of us. Welcome to Melidaan. As some of your vod'e are already present, you have the option of joining them or forming your own clan as Alor Appo."
"I… what?"
Appo seems lost. And not in the slightest bit inclined to attack him. Yet.
"As to your second question," Fox takes off his helmet, revealing his face. "Given that I'm a clone myself, it's not that surprising that I adopted Karla. However, it's not just House Vode doing the adopting. We brought the tubies with us and the majority of them have been adopted by natborn Mando'ade."
Still no signs of violence. Only one more factor remains of the three that triggered Jesse.
"I'm Fox. CC-1010. Former Marshal Commander of the Coruscant Guard."
Appo doesn't attack. In fact, he does the exact opposite. He removes his helmet and tucks it under his arm before relaxing into parade rest -- and written all over his now exposed face is the giddy relief of a junior trooper who's finally tracked down the ranking officer and is now able to make his headache somebody else's problem.
Kark.
"Sir. Commander Appo, CC-1119, 501st Battalion. We were ordered to Skako Minor by Adjutant General Tarkin partway through the dechipping process. Once we'd retrieved CT-1409, achieving the mission directive of removing the tactical asset, Tarkin decided to terminate the subject and met with resistance. In response, he activated the chips and Captain Rex killed him, escaping during the fighting along with other ships. We number one Venator class destroyer with a failing hyperdrive, two Arquitens class cruisers and eight escorts."
Appo's mouth firms and his chin comes up. "The 501st comes seeking refuge. Will you provide it and what are your terms?"
Well. That's direct. Fox approves. Thankfully he's had time to think over this issue. Not enough time, but there's never enough time. "You--"
Unfortunately, that's when Kenobi swans in, Fox's vod'ike surrounding him in a fluttering escort, all determined to keep him from getting near Fox. Fives and Echo have acquired help -- they're now accompanied by Wooley, Boil and Tup as well.
It brings warmth to his frozen soul. Honestly.
"Mand'alor!" the former Jedi exclaims, cutting a path directly toward him. "This is the perfect time to speak to you about our arrangements for the arrival of the 501st. If we could talk privately--"
Joy. Just what he needs right now.
Next to Kenobi, Tup spots Appo, coming alert like a massiff scenting prey. "Commander Appo?!"
Kenobi doubletakes before opening his mouth to speak, but Tup overrides him, bouncing forward, coincidentally blocking Kenobi's view of Fox.
He loves his vod'ike.
"Commander Appo, it is you! I can't believe you made it here safe. Kix will be so relieved to see you!"
Karla returns to stand at his elbow. "Commander delivered, sir!"
And his ad'ike.
Family is important. He's always known that the strength of the Vode laid in their commitment to each other. He's seen the effects of that brotherhood and communal spirit in keeping the vod'e of the Guard from crumbling under their inhuman load.
It's just that he'd stopped expecting to be a part of it.
Fox considers his options. He'd been thinking of telling Kenobi to take Appo to the goran and letting the three of them work it out from there. But if he takes aliit into consideration…
There may be another option. He'll have to talk to the planetary leader first, but if a separate settlement can be set up--
"There you are! I wish to speak with you." Satine Kryze's imperious voice cuts through the murmur of conversations like an aiwha through krill, Deece of all people being towed along in her wake.
Fox turns to face the greater foe. Surprisingly, it appears that she's headed for Kenobi, not him. Small mercies, although whatever it is will likely spill over onto him, too.
That's when Deece spots him, leaving Kryze's side and arrowing toward him, anxiety written all over his face. "Buir! I couldn't stop the shabuir, so I went and got someone who could. She's really mad though. Do you think she'll hurt him?"
"Are you saying that you went and fetched Kryze?" Fox is amused. That explains what the duchess is doing here. He'd wondered why Deece hadn't been part of the mob surrounding Kenobi.
Deece looks down, biting his lip. "Um. Yes? But I didn't know what else to do! I couldn't let him find you."
Fox squeezes Deece's arm just below the other's bes'marbur. "I'm not upset. You completed the mission. What did you tell her though to get her that angry at Kenobi?"
"I don't know!" Deece practically wails. "I just said that she needed to come because he won't take no for an answer and she almost ran out of there."
That simultaneously speaks volumes about the probable relationship between Kryze and Kenobi and is the most hilarious piece of blackmail he's ever heard. Fox resolves to stay well out of it while making sure to get a holo of every word.
"You completed your mission successfully," Fox tell him. "I'm proud of you."
That puts the smile back on Deece's face.
Situation successfully resolved, Fox returns to the problem of the 501st. They're refugees. And they're Vode. They didn't answer the Call, but Appo's ability to see the Troan makes Fox question what their status actually is. If the rest of the 501st can't see the Troan, does that they make them dar'manda? He doesn't like the options if they are.
"Manda says no," Korkie pipes up. "It wants them to have a chance to swear cin vhetin and they can't do that if they're not here, 'cause it doesn't want us to go anywhere."
That's a relief. "How long do they have to make up their minds?"
Korkie shrugs. "The Manda doesn't really understand time. A while?"
Yes, that's also the impression Fox got when he'd asked about the timeframe the Mando'ade needed to execute a strategic retreat. "What does it think of establishing a separate community for them to live in?"
The young verd cocks his buy'ce, listening to a conversation no one else can hear. "Yes, for the ones who don't want cin'vhetin. If they're thinking about it, they can stay until they make up their minds."
"So the ones who don't want cin'vhetin will be dar'manda?"
The Manda surges in disagreement and Fox knows the answer even before Korkie speaks.
"Manda says no. Not unless they choose to deliberately do something."
That helps. If Appo's here, then it's possible more of the GAR will be showing up. Having a plan for dealing with them will be useful. And not just a plan for where to put them either.
Fox realizes he has a beskar-clad opportunity to ask questions of his commanding officer. "What does the Manda have to say about future threats? Does it have any orders for me?"
"Manda mostly wants to talk about how mad they are at the person buir wants to yell at. They hurt you and Manda wants blood. I'm hoping buir kicks their shebs in, 'cause otherwise I don't know where I'm going to get that many tookas."
There's so much to unpack there that Fox handwaves it for the moment. "No emergencies, catastrophes or the like for the immediate future?"
"I have no idea!" Korkie says brightly. "Manda's demanding that I go watch buir fight the hut'uun who refused to make a proper challenge. They don't want to talk about anything else. I can ask again afterward and let you know though."
"The Manda used the word 'hut'uun'?" That has implications Fox doesn't like at all.
"Yep!" Korkie says, "but you're doing a good job! Manda really likes you. Like, everyone is Mando'ade, right? But you're Manda's ad, and that's different."
He's *what*? Fox thinks he would remember having been adopted. "I don't recall anything like that."
"Manda says they gave you your name from the first when they welcomed you as a Mando'ad."
From the first… No. Not the first. *The* First. They'd called him Savior. Tegaanalur. Had welcomed him among the Ka'ra as a Mando'ad.
Fox has no idea what to think. He can't imagine having a buir, much less having one's that a cosmic force who likes to hang out in the back of his mind. The thought is mind boggling. He can't even begin to wrap his head around it. The situation with Appo, Kenobi's confrontation with Kryze, the fate of the non-Mando'ade Vode, all of it disappears in the light of this newest revelation.
Somewhere Fox can hear Jaster laughing at him even if he can't see the ghost.
Korkie takes the opportunity to slip away, waving a casual salute as he followed the Manda's urgings, moving in the direction of what's already becoming a major confrontation, carelessly oblivious to the chaos left in his wake.