Arc Trooper BABS pg 20

Arc Trooper BABS pg 20
Lies and Truths
By Dropingbow

Hanvick smiled as BABS took a sip of wine. He gazed at her for a long moment before taking a sip of his own and leaned back into the lush sofa. BABS allowed herself to lean into him as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She glanced a peak at him, brought her glass to her lips and smiled. “This view could be even better than at the party,” she said before taking another sip of wine.

Hanvick gave a pouty face and said, “Maybe? Just maybe?” He placed his glass down on the table and turned toward her. “My dear lady,” his arm rose in a wide arc across the windows twinkling with city lights, “you will not find a more extravagate view on this planet than this!” He rose suddenly and strode toward the far wall of windows. He stood there a moment, nothing more than a dark silhouette lined with shimmering lights. BABS could see his shoulders rise and fall as he let out a small sigh. She watched him, waiting for what he might do next. “This was my dream, you know,” he finally said. His hands rose and gestured to the world around him. “All this was my dream. I came from nothing and brick by brick I made myself something.” He turned on his heels and looked at the woman he believed he would share the night with. Her dress never stopped sparkling and gleaming before his eyes. Her eyes held a shine that could never die. By the stars she was beautiful! “You would not believe how hard I had to fight to obtain this view!” he chuckled.

A smirk crossed BABS’ face as she swirled the wine in her glass. With a little hum she said, “I’d say I am enjoying the view even more now.”

“Oh?” he returned her grin and strutted back toward the couch. Slowly he lowered himself beside BABS, leaning in closer and closer. Smoothly he scooped her glass from her finger tips and placed it beside his own on the table. “Perhaps the view before me is worth more of my attention.”

Rex’s fists furled and unfurled repeatedly as he watched the two. ‘What was BABS doing?! Did she want to sleep with him or something? How was this going to get them the info?’ Then he watched as Hanvick closed his eyes and leaned in even closer towards BABS.

She shot Rex a panicked glance as she lowered herself away and deeper into the couch. Not wanting to truly reject Hanvick she pulled on his collar, forcing him to follow her. A deep rumble resonated from his throat as he saw the game he thought she was playing. His eyes opened slightly as he leaned over her, taking her in. He brought his head down as BABS turned her face away from his, a blush thick in her cheeks. He smiled as his lips reached for her neck.

BABS’ mind fluttered trying desperately to try and find a way out of this mess. Even though this was all ruse, his movements still caused her body to react as if he was actually seducing her. ‘Rex? No it would blow our cover. Could I reject him—play the innocent and inexperienced card? No he wouldn’t believe it and it would just ruin anything else for the rest of the night. What--?’ A shadow fell like a flash before the windows. BABS didn’t know for sure, but I looked remarkably like the shape of a humanoid. Her body jolted with a start and she allowed a gasp to escape her throat.

Hanvick looked up at her, a sly grin on his face, a hungry look in his eyes. “What?” he asked, “Too fast for you?”

BABS brought her hand to her heart and stated in the most helpless way possible, “I thought I saw someone fall in front of the windows!”

“What--?” Hanvick turned toward the windows.

BABS placed a hand on his chest, tugging on the fabric slightly, bringing his attention back to her. “Is there anything beneath here that someone could fall onto?”

He nodded regrettably. “There is a balcony below us.”

BABS gipped his shirt front with both hands, now. She said in a panic, “Then we most go see! If someone did fall—oh!” Her hands to her mouth in concern.

Hanvick took her hands in his and gave them a gentle pat. “I’m sure it’s nothing, but I’ll go check it out. Wait here for me until I return.” Then with that he rose and exited the room.

BABS rose to her feet and asked Rex, “You saw it too, didn’t you?” She smoothed out her dress and looked at him out of the corner of her eye.

Rex turned to her with a large frown on his face. Ignoring her he grumbled, “What was all that about?”

BABS face wrinkled with disapproval and shot a glare at the captain. “Did you see it or not?”

Rex opened his mouth to protest then shut it again. In a gruff and bitter tone, he answered, “Yes I saw the figure. It looked like it had on a jet pack of some sort.”

“Hanvick must have company,” BABS said as she walked toward the door, “we should see who it is.” Rex pulled out her pistol from a small pouch at his side. It was a little white hand gun a little smaller than Padme’s own ELG-3A. It made very little nose and produced quite a bit of power for its size, but BABS refused to take the gun with a shake of her head. “If it is nothing, I don’t want Hanvick to see me with a gun. Keep your’s holstered too until it’s absolutely necessary.” Rex gave a nod and returned the gun to the pouch. Carefully, the two ventured into the dim halls of the apartment.

Rex pressed the button on the communicator in his ear. “Can you hear me General?”

“We can hear you loud and clear Rex,” Skywalker’s voice sounded. “What’s the situation?”

“We believe Hanvick might have an unexpected guest,” Rex answered, “we’re going to investigate.”

“Keep us posted Captain. Skywalker out.” Rex gave a nod to BABS and they descended the stairs. Hanvick’s apartments were very vast with high ceilings throughout the complex. The silver chandeliers radiated a soft light as it lit the dim, sleek slate walls and polished black marble floors. Most surfaces were hard and smooth in Hanvick’s home, very few rugs or tapestries decorated the wide spaces unlike what BABS had seen in other Senators’ homes. The darkness and stone gave BABS an uneasy feeling, as if she was suddenly walking in a luxurious prison. A shiver ran down our spine the sound of low whispers drifted to her ears.

Carefully they crept toward the voices until they came the opening of a large sitting room that opened out onto a large balcony. At first they saw no one until they peeked around the threshold and saw a small inlet where a large holocomunicator was positioned between two figures. One was the distraught form of Hanvick, clearly up heaved by the appearance of the second figure dressed in an all-black Mandalorian style suit. The figure was masculine structured with two pistols holstered at his sides. The opaque face guard of his helmet made it impossible to distinguish who was the newcomer was. The only indication of this person origin or creed was the Separatist symbol blazing red on his shoulder plate.

Rex pressed a button on his wrist and a signal was sent back to the general. In a matter of minutes Republic forces would be swarming the area. In the meantime, the first person camera mounted in a pin in Rex’s uniform started recording the scene before them. For now they watched and waited.

“I understand his concern but there is nothing to worry about,” Hanvick hastily whispered at the armored man. “I have everything under control. Now if you excuse me I really must be-“ He starts to make a move toward the door.

“They are suspicious Hanvick,” the man stated, causing Hanvick to freeze in his tracks. “The Republic. They know who you’re working for.”

“They only have rumors, no hard evidence,” Hanvick scoffed at him. “Besides, none of the other senators seem none the wiser about any wrong doing happening within the systems. After all, Padme herself actually signaled me out tonight just to politely converse on political matters. She even introduced me to her cousin. Now speaking of which I must really get back to her if you don’t mind.”

“You honestly believe anything that whore is telling you?” the man spat.

“What did you say!?” Hanvick’s voice suddenly rose in alarm then quickly fell to a sharp whisper once again. “How dare you even-“

“Hanvick don’t be a fool. That girl is just using you to get the information she needs, get rid of her before it’s too late!”

A small light started to blink on Rex’s wrists. Quickly he handed BABS her pistol and drew both of his. They stepped around the corner in one smooth motion, pistols raised and ready. “It’s already too late,” BABS stated louder and cockier than she had anticipated. Hanvick jumps and turns toward her voice, the look of shock and fear washes over his face. The soldier immediately draws his weapons and aims them at the two Republic forces. Rex moves his aim towards the soldier while BABS holds her’s steady on Hanvick.

Hanvick raises his hands and stares dumb founded at BABS. His mouth open and closes silently, unable to utter a single word. Rex finally breaks the silence, “Put your weapons down. Surrender!”

“I’d sooner die,” the soldier stated calmly.

“An entire Republic force is surrounding this building as we speak,” BABS said. “You sure you want to do this?”

“You’re bluffing,” the soldier scoffed.

“By the stars! Put your weapons down!” Hanvick suddenly cried. His gaze shot back and forth between the soldier and BABS, a terrified and confused glaze over his eyes. “Britannia… please—put the gun down.”

She shook her head slowly. “Surrender,” was all she could give for an answer.

“Why are you doing this?” Hanvick’s eyes were practically spilling over with pain and betrayal, but BABS wouldn’t let it affect her judgment. Her brows furrowed lower as she stared down the two Separatists.

“Isn’t it obvious?” the soldier growled. “They’re Republic spies! They tricked you Hanvick. She betrayed you.”

“Britannia…?” Hanvick continued to stare at her with large eyes, questioning and begging her.

“The name is Brittany,” BABS said with an icy edge in her voice.

What happened next was inevitable. BABS and Rex had stalled enough time and the Republic forces stormed the apartment. The soldier was the first to fire and a volley of gunfire was returned by the Republic troops. Hanvick tried to escape but was swiftly caught by BABS herself, in a dress and heels no less. The soldier escaped but was later found dead from his wounds in an alley not far from the apartment. Hanvick cursed BABS relentlessly as they dragged him away for questioning. It wasn’t long before he was tried in court and found guilty of treason. BABS, Rex, and Skywalker were able to stand quietly in the back of the court room as the verdict announced. The Hanvick BABS had first met however was not the same Hanvick she saw leaving he court room. Bound and dressed in an orange jump suit, the man looked like anything but a rich and handsome politician. Now he owned nothing and hated everything, exceptionally BABS. This gave her some joy, however, and a little pause. Surely they would never see him again, but the thought of BABS having an enemy whom hated her so greatly still gave her a little concern. Concern by which was quickly cast aside on the way to their next mission—but still linger in the corners of her mind.
~~*Present time: Ord Cestus*~~
It was a good week before BABS could move around her room with the assistance of the nurses and Fives, and then another week for her to walk by herself. There were times when she had trouble keeping her food down and she awoke screaming many nights. Fives would rush in for her whenever he could but eventually he, too was called back to the field. Of course once BABS was awake and moving, her rehabilitation started. Her body got back into the swing of things quite quickly, but her mind set was still unstable. The psychologist assigned to her, tried desperately to get her to talk to him about the incident in depth, but she would always refuse. He wasn’t a clone or a cloner, nor a Jedi. He was just some random civilian turned military therapist. He didn’t need to know her pains and fears. All he needed to know was the surface. BABS didn’t care if he wanted to help her. She would not crack, she would not let the pain resurface again. No one would see her cry. No one would see her crumble and fall weak as memories of pain and torment resurfaced again. All she needed was a blaster in her hand and some droids waiting to get shot. BABS had decided this not long after she had awaken on her own days after the first day cycle in Ord Cestus:
~~
I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling. A dead silence hung over the hospital room. The lights were dimmed just low enough that I could make out the silhouette of Fives laying passed out on the couch in the corner. I turned my gaze toward the window where billions of stars were scattered across a black abyss, sparkling with great pride and beauty. It was a sight that had filled me with joy and a sense of loneliness, smallness at the same time. Fives slept not far from my bed, but still I felt alone and small. I was safe, but I still didn’t feel reassured. My fingers ached for my rifle. My chest felt exposed without my armor. My eyes vulnerable and blind without my visor. The emptiness and loneliness that had haunted me before still lingered, knotted in a tight unrelenting ball in my chest. I squeeze my eyes shut trying to endure the pain in my heart but I can’t just think past this pain. This wound cannot be bandaged and set. I just had to endure it. ‘I am still me. I am still Arc Trooper BABS! I will not cry. I will endure it. This is my burden to bare and I will carry it myself.’
~~
From that night on, BABS head back the pain from other and from herself. She eventually convinced her superiors that she was fit for battle and all she needed was a little combat to get herself right as rain again. They agreed after some hesitation and she was shipped back to the 501st.

Rex had tried his best to treat her the same, as if nothing had happen, and he asked the others to do as well. Although, they could not hide the fact that they still worried about the woman. She wasn’t the same person she had been before Bane. Her eyes were colder, harsher. She did not smile or laugh nearly as much as she used to, if not at all. Then there was her performance on the battle field. She was still an amazing shot and skilled officer, but there was a ferocity that Rex and the others had never seen. She had no compassion for Shinnies if they made small mistakes or got in her way. There was no mercy in her eyes when she shot down enemy soldiers—as if she had lost a sense of humanity toward any opposing organic force. Though she was the real BABS through and through, she was not BABS.

She knew they saw her differently now. She knew something had changed, but she refused to believe she was what had been changed. BABS was convinced that what had happened to her was just another scar—no different than anything else any normal soldier would face—and she had endure it just like any other soldier. She would not admit it to herself but she was scared—terrified in fact—that if she did let go everything . . . she would crumble and never recover. She would cry and never stop. And she would never let anyone see her cry ever again. Not Rex, Fives, or Echo. No one. Not even the dark.
~~*Four months after BABS’ rescue from Bane*~~
Captain Rex saluted the four generals as he stood before them in the Mission Room. Generals Windu, Skywalker, Kenobi, and Yoda had all gathered as he requested. Windu was the first to speak, “What was it you wished to discuss with us Captain?”

“Sir’s I believe BABS needs some time away from the war,” Rex answered calmly.

General Kenobi shook his head, “I believe BABS would disagree with you on that Captain. She seems to think she needs more fighting.”

“It has been four months sense her time with Bane,” Skywalker added, “And I have noticed she seems to be doing worse as time goes on.”

Rex nodded and said, “Generals, I believe the fighting is making her more hostile, more dangerous to herself and those around her. She is still carrying around a lot of pain and I do not believe she will willingly let us help her.” Rex looked each one of them in the eye as he said this. This was something he knew BABS needed. She needed their help and he wasn’t going to let her fight it so easily. He could see the understanding in their eyes.

“If BABS doesn’t change her attitude soon,” Kenobi stated, “she could put a lot of people at risk including herself.” He scratched his beard and gazed around at the other Jedi around him.

Yoda looked up at him with his huge eyes filled with wisdom and care. “Suggest Captain, what do you?”

Rex’s stiff shoulders relaxed a little as he laid out his plan. “I think what BABS really needs a closure. Closure for what happened to her on Earth and with Bane. She is trying to be strong and is trying to carry a load too heavy for her to carry alone, but she doesn’t want anyone to see her break down and admit she is in pain. She won’t talk to an unfamiliar face about what’s happened to her, that’s why the therapist didn’t help her. She needs to be isolated with only a small group of close friends to get her to break the walls she has made around herself,” Rex explained.

“What are you asking of us exactly Captain,” Windu asked.

“The 501st is scheduled for a two week leave in a few weeks. Instead of spending it on Coruscant like we normally do, send BABs with Echo, Fives, and myself to Earth. Of course Hardcase, Kix, and Jesse would be welcomed to come as well, but BABS is closest to those two, and I as her commanding officer have to be go with her.”

“What will returning to her home world accomplish? It seems that would only open more wounds than heal them,” Skywalker asked.

“On the contrary,” Kenobi answered his old padawan. “Sometimes a wound must be reopened to heal it properly. Perhaps her facing her past will do her some good.”

“We have the location where we believe she grew up,” Windu stated as he brought up a holo image of the planet Earth. He looked at Rex and asked him, “You truly believe this will work Captain?”

With complete confidence, Rex answered, “Yes sir.”

“To Earth then you will go.” Yoda tapped his cane on the hard floor as he said this, drawing everyone’s attention to him. “However, tell her your destination you must not. For refuse she would if knew she did.”

Rex felt the corners of his lips twitch up. “Yes sir. Thank you sir.”