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Into the void of A Galaxy Far Far Away
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Published:
2021-11-14
Completed:
2022-01-18
Words:
3,236
Chapters:
4/4
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147
Kudos:
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Clan and Kin

Summary:

To most of the Senate, clones are little more than droids with skin. But it's hard to deny they have souls when a mythical creature bonds with one.

Or, a clutch of mythosaurs adopts some clones, and this somehow changes everything.

Notes:

Title inspired by miracleofsound's Valhalla Calling on YT. It's an AC Valhalla fan song and it's awesome. Even if you haven't played the game, check it out!

Was originally gonna go with dragons, but then I'm like, wait a second. Mandalore's got its own sort of dragon! My brain felt so powerful.

Chapter 1: Cody: The Rocks

Chapter Text

"They're...rocks," Waxer says.

"Pretty rocks," Boil replies, as if he's trying to make it better. But he's clearly irritated too, because—

"We came all the way down here for some 'priceless artifact,'" Waxer snaps, "and they're rocks."

Cody suppresses a sigh. He's a bit pissed himself, and the whining isn't helping. "Are you done? Get the containers."

Grumbling, the troopers get moving. There are four in total as General Yoda predicted, and yes, they are pretty. No bigger than a trooper's bucket, they're smooth to the touch and deceptively light. They shine dully, a myriad of colors ranging from blue to gold fading together.

Cody would understand if they're for monetary value, but according to the High General, they're supposed to help them win the war.

"At least there's supplies," Longshot mutters.

"And we took an outpost," Wooley adds brightly.

Cody nods. "I'll contact the General. We'll divide into two groups. One on the artifacts, one on the supplies."

"One on the rocks," Waxer whispers.

"Something to say, Lieutenant?" Cody snaps.

"No, sir."

"Good. Then you can help carry the artifacts. Boil, thank you for volunteering," he adds when Boil snickers.

Best of the best indeed.

"Strong, the Force is with them," Yoda says, running his little claws over the artifacts.

"But what are they?" Kenobi asks. The gleam in his eye sparks instinctual dread in his men. "Cody, what do you make of it?"

Cody knows to tread carefully. "It's certainly unusual, sir. The—coloration isn't something I've ever seen."

Kriff, he'd almost said rocks. Because yes, these things are rocks. His men were sent from the front to get a bunch of rocks. Securing an outpost is a good consolation, but he can't help the bitterness, irrational as he knows it is.

Kenobi strokes his beard. "If I didn't know better, I'd say they contained lifeforms."

"Inventory records say they're from Mandalore," Cody says a tad stiffly. His men tense with him.

"Really? Well, that is interesting." Kenobi touches another. "There's some scrapes here."

"Yes, sir," Cody replies, "They all had some marks when we found them. We're not sure if it's natural or from bad handling."

"Wait, we must," Yoda says, like he's reciting a prophecy. "Store them securely, you will."

"Yes, sir," Cody says, and picks up the first rock.

It cracks.

Cody starts, just barely holding on. "Sir, I—"

"No, it's not you," Kenobi replies, leaning in.

"Sir...perhaps I should put this down?"

"I'm reluctant to do so. We don't want it to shatter."

It shatters anyway. Well, crumbles, more like. Except there's something left in the rubble: a small four-legged creature. It's only slightly smaller than its rock—egg?—and weighs about the same. Stubby talons flex harmlessly on Cody's palms, set in a hide of off-white that blends into a startlingly familiar yellow on its back, flicking tail, and the top of its head. There are stubs on the sides of its long face as well. Tusks, most likely.

Big, birdlike eyes blink up at Cody, membrane rippling with its lids.

It's...adorable.

What the hell is happening.

"Sir?" Cody asks slowly.

"Is that what I think it is?" Kenobi whispers. He sounds too much like a child on Life Day for Cody's comfort. "No, impossible. They're extinct."

Yoda smiles. "Win the war, we will."

Which is great and all, but. "Sir, permission to put this down now?"

The creature makes a croaking chirp sound and leaps for his face, thankfully still behind his helmet. It's stronger than it looks; Cody's sent to the dirt with a cry.

"Sir!" his battalion shouts, but it's too late. The stubby talons burrow under Cody's helmet, just enough to scrape bare skin.

And Cody's mind opens. No, it expands, like those fish General Fisto's men told him about once. It's incredibly uncomfortable but not painful. Just...pressure. That's it, it's a lot of pressure. As if something's making space.

Something that wraps warm sunlight around Cody's thoughts and snuggles.

"Oh," Kenobi murmurs, "Oh dear."

Chapter 2: Rex: Take a Sip

Summary:

Cody and Rex need a drink.

Notes:

Finals are over and my keyboard's finally here and working let's goooo

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Rex leaves Cody for one mission and suddenly the GAR has a batch of mythosaurs. And they say Cody's the responsible one.

"We'll never have a normal day," Kix mutters as the Negotiator comes into view.

"At least it's something cool!" Fives says, "The Commander on a mythosaur. Can you imagine? Badass."

"Can we get one, sir?" Echo asks.

"I'll see if I can find a requisition form," Rex replies dryly.

Mythosaurs. What the hell, Cody?

"You were gone a tenday," Rex says slowly.

"I gathered," Cody replies.

"How the hell is it so big?"

The mythosaur, apparently named Kotep, croons from where it's plonked its head on Cody's shoulder. The rest of it's body, longer than a fully grown clone, curls around him like a natborn's blanket. Rex desperately wants to ask if the 212th painted it or if it's actually the battalion colors. Honestly, the galaxy is already so damn weird.

"They grow fast," Cody says. He still hasn't looked up from his datapad. A smooth tusk smooshes his cheek. "It's a she, apparently. Females are larger. The Generals have allowed her to watch over the eggs, in case your feral bastards want to know."

Rex looks down. He sees a few admittedly pretty colors peeking out from under Kotep's body. "They're not feral."

Cody finally raises his eyes. Rex wonders if this is what Kenobi feels in the Force after losing his lightsaber. It's clear the Commander's ascended to a new plane of stress and is not in the mood for argument. Unless it's with his legs.

"The reports said something about psychology," Rex says.

Cody picks up his mug, settled perfectly on Kotep's draping tail. "Yes. Apparently I have a telepathic connection with her."

"...you what."

"She likes your name but advises you to choose another shade of blue. It's ghastly." Rex squawks. "She also would like to meet your feral bastards."

Kotep purrs, eyes narrowing to contented slits.

"I need a drink," Rex says.

Cody hums. "Get in line."

"...can I look at the eggs?"

Kotep slithers out of the way, though her tail remains still across Cody's thighs. She noses the one closest to Rex as Rex cautiously approaches.

Huh. It's blue. Glancing frequently at Kotep, Rex crouches down and reaches for it. Kotep watches serenely.

Warm. Rex makes an interested noise that quickly slides into relief as the cold of space seems to dissolve. Gentle heat tingles to his toes. It blooms up to his head, crackling like a campfire, a moment of peace and laughter in the middle of a campaign.

"I'm going to throw myself out of an airlock," Cody says absent-mindedly.

Rex, who hadn't realized he'd closed his eyes, opens them to a broken egg and big blue eyes.

The door to Cody's quarters, despite being a sliding door, slams open.

"Rex!" Skywalker yells, "What the hell?!"

Well, Rex thinks, Fives will be happy.

Notes:

Kotep [KOH-tehp]: brave (mandoa.org). Thought it fit, also it's funny 'cause it contains "Kote"

Long chaps? Don't know her. Also the slamming sliding door is affectionately taken from Commander Fox is Completely Fine, a masterpiece for those who like the Corries <3

Chapter 3: Fox: Kandosii sha kry'am ast

Summary:

The Chancellor wishes to see these new marvels in person. As the Negotiator and Resolute near Coruscant, another mythosaur hatches.

Notes:

Translations in end notes

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Coruscanta kandosii atu!
 Duum motir ca'tra nau tracinya
 Gra'tua cuun hett su dralshy'a

(Coruscant's ruthless sons!
Let all those who stand before us light the night sky in flame
Our vengeance burning brighter still )

Vode An

"Did anyone touch it?" Skywalker demands.

"No, sir," Rex replies.

Crick-crack goes the egg. Kotep and the newly named Cuyan are the only ones to approach and touch the hatchling that breaks out, nosing gently at its blood red scales and all white head. It blinks big gunmetal grey eyes at them and the gawking Bridge.

"We just entered Coruscant's orbit," Kenobi says, stroking his beard, "Could that be a factor?"

"Enough to break the pattern?" Skywalker asks.

"Two instances do not necessarily make a pattern, Anakin. Though I do agree it is odd."

The red mythosaur tackles Cuyan, who hasn't grown much in the days since the Chancellor's call to home base. Cuyan rolls, tail smacking a few unsuspecting ankles. When Rex looks to Kotep, he finds the mythosaur and Cody rolling their eyes at the same time.

"What do you think happened, sir?" Rex asks so he doesn't start laughing in front of Kenobi.

Kenobi shakes his head. "I don't know, Captain."

"Hey, you're finally awake!" Hem, the medic's right hand, calls, jogging to Fox's bedside. "I've got something for the headache. Assuming it was a B2, sir?"

B2: Blackout mission. Fox grunts.

While he administers the hypo, far gentler than Deal's jabbing, Hem cautiously asks, "How much do you recall, Commander?"

Not much. Fox only remembers thinking Help me. Which had been stupid. No one helps the Guard but themselves. He grunts again.

Hem nods. "Wait a minute for that to kick in before sitting up, sir." He tries for a smile. "I know better than to send you to your bunk."

"Smart," Fox mutters, pinching the bridge of his nose. "How long was I gone?"

"Just a day, sir. You didn't give any warning, so we figured it was a B2."

"Mm. Anything happen?"

"Nothing to report, sir. The other Commanders can help out, you know."

Help me.

Fox slowly sits up. Hem retrieves his armor from a tall cabinet.

"Where's Deal?" Fox asks.

"Field mission. He wants to shadow Blaze for a shift."

Fox scoffs. Blaze is probably the only one out of three million clones who's a pyromaniac, and he just had to be stationed on Coruscant. "He had it coming."

"Yes, sir," Hem replies serenely. He'd probably had a hand in getting Deal to do it. He might be Blaze's best friend, but Deal is CMO for a reason. "Do you need assistance, sir?"

Help me, help me, help me.

"No, Hem, I got it."

"Do me a favor and head to your office at least?"

"Yeah, yeah."

Sorry, Hem.

"Ah, Commander!" the Chancellor says, "Wonderful, wonderful. Generals Skywalker and Kenobi are about to land. I thought you might like to see these amazing creatures for yourself."

Fox salutes. "Yes sir."

"Quite a find. They're supposed to be extinct, you know."

"Yes sir."

A transport ship approaches the dock. Guardsmen not in the Chancellor's detail pause in their patrols, as well as other mechanics and workers. There are no secrets in the GAR, not even to the Guard, though the exchange doesn't go both ways.

Despite the so-called amazing creatures, Fox's heart pounds at the thought of Cody. They haven't seen each other in person beyond official capacity, and those hadn't been the best of circumstances. Moreover, Rex should also be on the transport. Not good.

Help me.

Fox sighs silently. Now is not the time for idiocy.

Kenobi and Skywalker are followed by Cody and Rex, then by a small contingent of men. And then.

Okay, they are pretty amazing.

One of them, white and 212th yellow, has to duck to get out of the ship. It carries a small one that, funny enough, has Corrie red on its hide. The third is almost perfectly camouflaged on Rex's armor, draped across his shoulders.

"My goodness!" the Chancellor cries. Fox is surprised he's not rubbing his hands together like the scheming bastard he is. "You did not inform me they hatched!"

Oh, that must sting. Fox smirks under his helmet.

"We thought you should see them in person, Excellency," Skywalker says. His friendly smile is sickening to the Guard. "They've bonded to Commander Cody and Captain Rex here. The third one, we're not sure about. It just hatched as soon as we reached orbit."

The beasts look about curiously, but indeed they don't seem eager to break away from the group.

"May I?" the Chancellor asks, hand already outstretched.

Cody salutes. "By all means, sir. This is Kotep."

Kotep and Kote. Of course.

Kotep stares at the pale hand, glancing at Cody. At his nod, they slowly dip their snout.

"Remarkable," the Chancellor murmurs as he strokes it.

"Yoda believes they will help win the war," Kenobi says.

"Oh, I've no doubt of it, General!" the Chancellor turns to Rex, greedy eyes on his shoulders. "And who is this?"

"Cuyan, sir," Rex replies, gently retrieving the mythosaur. "Only a few days old."

"And already so big!"

Cuyan sneezes as soon as the Chancellor pulls away. The Chancellor laughs.

"Oh! Where is the other one?"

Fox feels a nudge at leg. He looks down.

A bone white head stares up at him.

Gaa'taylir, a voice whispers.

Fox stiffens. What.

Gaa'taylir. Fox.

A gentle wave caresses his lingering headache. Gaa'taylir, gaa'taylir.

At some point, Fox has fallen to his knees, rifle clattering beside him. His men are calling for him.

Vode an, says the voice, stronger now, Gaa'taylir.

Stubby claws scrape the underside of Fox's helmet. Fox feels his fingers remove it.

Snarling. Gra'tua. Gra'tua!

Kotep roars.

Notes:

Mando'a translations (mandoa.org)
Vode An: brothers all
Kandosii sha kry'am ast: ruthless as death itself (from Vode An)
Kotep [KOH-tep]: brave
Cuyan [koo-YAHN]: survivor
gaa'taylir [gah-TAY-leer]: help
gra'tua [gra-TOO-ah]: vengeance
Kandosii [kahn-DOH-see]: indomitable, ruthless

Chapter 4: Wolffe: Kyrbej

Summary:

Wolffe wants a mythosaur. He'll have to fight for one.

Notes:

Translations in end notes

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Kote!
Darasuum kote!
Te racin ka'ra
Juaan kote!

(Glory!
 Eternal glory!
 The stars pale
 before our might! )

Vode An

The final egg hatches in Kotep's echoes. It is grey striped with white, and the only one among the clutch with a barbed tail and fully formed claws. Fangs salivate under blown golden pupils set in black eyes. If not for its miniature size, the beast would have a soldier quaking.

"Sir," Cody says harshly, "I'm going to need you to show your hands."

The Chancellor's wide eyes stare back at him. "Commander?"

Rex points his blaster at his heart. "I'd do as he says, sir."

"Cody, what's going on?" Kenobi demands.

"It's the mythosaurs, sir," Cody replies, trigger steady, "They say the Chancellor did something to Fox."

"That's ridiculous!" Skywalker cries, "Both of you, stand down!"

The mythosaurs hiss.

"Sir," Cody says tightly, "Kotep wants to tear out his throat. If I don't get him into custody, I'm not sure how long I can hold her back."

He looks at Fox. His batchmate, his older brother, whose forehead is pressed to the red mythosaur's and crying awful, quiet sobs. The Guard has closed ranks around him and joined Cody and Rex, but the hazy desperation in his eyes burns until Cody has to turn away for fear of succumbing to Kotep's rage.

"I'm sure there's an explanation for this," Skywalker insists.

"Nevertheless," Kenobi says. "Chancellor, if you wouldn't mind? This shouldn't take long."

Aruetii, Kotep growls.

The pressure of violence pushes Cody to whisper aloud, "Easy, vod."

The Chancellor shows his hands. "It's alright, Anakin. As General Kenobi says, this shouldn't take long."

Wolffe steps into Interrogation to Cody, Rex, Fox and a Guardsman surrounded by beasts, watching Jedi talk to the Chancellor. General Koon slips out from behind him to join his people while Wolffe joins his.

"The hell happened?" he murmurs, taking in Fox's vacant stare and the mythosaur in his lap.

Cody shakes his head. "Kotep thinks the Chancellor's a traitor."

"The Chancellor."

"Fox's new friend found something in his head," Rex says, absent-mindedly stroking his own creature where it rests on his shoulders.

The Guardsman shifts closer, subtly putting himself between Fox and the others. Wolffe smothers his anger and confusion. It's just how the Guard is, in his experience.

"What's your name, vod?" he asks.

"CC-2725, Commander," the Guardsman answers stiffly, "Others call me Thorn."

"Do you have any idea what's going on here, Thorn?"

Thorn doesn't reply, which gains the others' attention.

Cody and Kotep's eyes narrow. "Commander?" Cody says lowly.

Thorn's head dips. "Let's just say, if they find anything on him, the Guard won't be surprised."

He's shockingly resistant to further inquiry. The more he's pressed, the higher Fox's mythosaur's hackles rise, which sets the other beasts on edge.

"Stop."

All turn to Fox. With what clarity he's managed to regain, he stares at the Chancellor.

"This accomplishes nothing," he says, quiet yet stern, "Our experiences are different from yours, Cody. That's all."

"Fox," Thorn murmurs, "was...?"

"Yes. It was."

Thorn takes a deep breath, his exhale shuddering. "I fucking knew it."

"Knew what?" Wolffe snaps.

"You should focus on where the fourth one went," Fox says.

"Fourth?"

"Shit," Rex hisses.

The vent behind Palpatine crashes open. It would have hit General Windu head-on if not for the Force, just as the grey mythosaur would have raked the Chancellor's head with its fangs.

"Feisty thing," Wolffe says as Thorn rushes to open the door.

Kenobi had been wrong. The longer they hold the Chancellor, the stranger things seem.

The Guard is given leave to investigate his chambers and office. They find a black cloak, which wouldn't be odd if it hadn't clearly been hidden under the false bottom of a drawer. A communicator is wrapped in it with an encrypted signal.

Kandosii earns her name by how ruthlessly she protects Fox and the Guardsmen near her. In the days that follow, she, Cuyan and the grey mythosaur reach the height Kotep had been on her arrival to Coruscant. Kotep herself stands as tall as two longnecks stacked together. Kandosii takes full advantage, even with GAR soldiers. According to her, if you're not Guard, you're a threat.

Somehow, the grey mythosaur makes themselves a bigger problem. There have been claims of armor colors matching hides, prompting Wolffe to think this creature is bound for his pack somehow. He'd certainly like a mythical beast at his side. But they attack anything and anyone, including the Wolfpack. The Guard training salle is forced to become their cage. General Plo Koon attempts to calm them with the Force, but it never lasts long, if at all.

Wolffe is stubborn, though. If he has to fight, so be it. He waits until they're big enough for a proper battle.

When he enters the salle, he finds them stalking the far side of the room, eyes already trained on the door. Their tusks gleam with their claws. A Mandalorian legend, bane of warriors and symbol of ferocity.

"Kyramla," Wolffe whispers, blood heating. "You're mine."

With a roar, the mythosaur lunges.

Wolffe doesn't know how long they fight. He ducks and rolls and sweats, grinning behind his helmet even as his genetically enhanced body starts to shake. The mythosaur knows how to use their tusks and tail. When Wolffe dives out of the way, they follow him with claw or barb. Blood splatters the floor, and Wolffe's proud to say it's not all his.

His biggest disadvantage is he doesn't want to kill them, while they would be more than happy to eat his heart. But he's made for war just as much as them. They will not win this.

He gasps a breath and runs for the tusks. Instead of trying to use them to wrestle the mythosaur to the ground, he pulls himself up and jumps off them, up and over the creature's head. In the air, Wolffe aims down his sights.

One, two, three stun shots. The mythosaur falls. Wolffe barely manages to stick the landing. He ends up rolling off the mythosaur's side with an undignified oof!

Silence.

Wolffe laughs.

For the first time, the grey mythosaur wakes quietly. Wolffe stands over them, arms crossed.

"I won," he declares.

Fire ignites in his head.

Gar serim, she rumbles.

Wolffe has Kyramla elaborate on the situation with the Chancellor. Afterwards, she happily follows him out of the training salle, much to the alarm of the Guards. Wolffe waves them off, too angry to explain. Kyramla bares her fangs in anticipation as they leave the barracks.

Kandosii is in the lobby with Fox, who's talking to the Guard receptionnist. A beastly grin joins her sister's.

They have vode to avenge.

Notes:

One day I'll be able to write a good fight scene :)

Translations (mandoa.org and Vode An video linked in beginning of chapter)
Kyrbej [KEER-bayj]: battlefield
Kotep [KOH-tep]: brave
Cuyan [koo-AHN]: survivor
Kandosii [kahn-DOH-see]: indomitable, ruthless
Aruetii: traitor, outsider, foreigner. Traitor in this context.
Vod/Vode: sibling/siblings
Kyramla [keer-AHM-la]: fatal, deadly
Gar serim [gar sair-EEM]: Yes, you're right/That's it. First translation in this context.