#soldierwithoutawar

Ailyn cursed under her breathe as she navigated her way through the elaborate halls of Tayand's base. There was no doubt in Ailyn's mind that she was at least a little bit frightened; however, it was the credits that kept her fearless. Ailyn wanted to help her mother more than anything, as well as impress her. Ailyn figured it was something that she should do, for all that her mother did for her; with the little credits that she earned during her line of work. 

As the halls all of a sudden became much wider, Ailyn paused---a rancor was directly in front of her. Hesitantly, Ailyn peered around one of the large pillars'. The rancor seemed to be chained up, good. A sigh of relief escaped Ailyn's lips; this was Ailyn's first time actually seeing a rancor, it was much larger than she'd expected. The young girl took her gaze off of the rancor, as she stood silently behind it. 

Instead Ailyn took her gaze to the rather large arena ahead of her, 'must be the entertainment...' she thought to herself. It was then that Ailyn noticed a strongly lit room, which hung a couple stories above the arena. Which a few shadows could be seen, along with the muffled sound to echoed yelling.

Taking a deep breathe, Ailyn slowly started to scale the large rancor---which, thankfully seemed to be deep in it's unconsciousness. Climbing up the beast proved to be a bit of a challenge, slipping Ailyn gasped slightly, grasping unto the rock hard skin of the rancor's back.

'Don't look down...don't look down...' Ailyn spoke to herself as she finally made it to she shoulder of the beast. It's snoring was loud, Ailyn didn't complain, at least it wasn't awake. Readjusting her current position, as she slid of her blaster rifle, which was slung across her shoulder. As she peered through the scope, zooming in, she saw about a dozen or more individuals. Probably ones that worked for Tayand---hold on,

Ailyn zoomed a little more---there was a stranger, standing in front of her target. From the looks of it, the stranger looked to be Mando'a. Couldn't be on the same bounty hunt as her, could they, there was no way Ailyn was going to let this bounty hunter take her credits. The surrounding people around the stranger seemed to be aiming their weapons at them, so...guessing are that they were there on the same job as Ailyn. 

Aiming her weapon as well, Ailyn took a deep breathe before than taking the shot. The shot was dead on, almost just grazing the strangers shoulder. Ailyn found herself hesitant for a brief moment---who is that? 

The sounds of yelling snapped her out of her daze; along with the now awoken rancor. 

"Shit..." Ailyn cursed, as she adjusted her Mando'a helmet, before quickly climbing down the rancor. Looking up to only meet the gaze of the many pirates that now formerly worked for Tayand. 

They dreamt aloud of what their futures would be like, traveling the stars together, doing odd jobs here and there to get credits to keep them going. It all sounded wonderful and glorious.

But the war took them in different directions. One towards a life of service and the other towards independence. One had a family of brothers, the other had a family of a wife and a kid.

Boss shouldn't have been envious of Boba but he couldn't help it. It was something he had wished to experience some time before he would die but the prospects of it grew darker and darker. He didn't say as much, though, lest he get scolded by Boba.

"Boba, you deserve a loving family. And with Sintas and Ailyn? You've got it."

"But you don't."

The clone stopped, almost stunned by what was just said. He knew he didn't have it, there was no doubt about it. But he didn't see a point in having it pointed out.

"I'll have it in time. You've…had it worse than me, Boba. Geonosis, having to run constantly… Keep it. Accept it."

A long silence filled the air before Boba simply nodded and bowed his head. "Vor'e, ori'vod."

"No need to thank me for something you built yourself."

"As long as you stick around and don't leave again."

Boss smiled just enough for his brother to see.

Silence was almost deafening in the dark room filled with supplies and materials that were required throughout the facility. It was their usual meeting place, typically staying for no more than an hour or two. They had been there for almost double the usual time already and it seemed like they were not about to leave.

There was really no topic of discussion, instead, opting to be in the other's presence. It was soothing to both of them; being next to each other, their arms around their sides. While the other was an adult, the other wasn't even a teenager. While at one point, they were similar in size and frame, they had grown apart.

One was now fully developed, his frame larger than most of the others. The perfect size for combat. The other was still growing.

But they saw past they. They saw a friend in the other, a protective side to each of them. Somebody who they could trust until the end. Even if there was little chance they would meet again.

"But shouldn't you be?"

"I should, yes. But it's my duty. I'll be fine."

The larger clone had gotten orders, intelligence that they would be shipping out soon. This was the last time he would be able to sneak off without being missed too much. His arm tightened around his little brother as they sat, watching the lightning strike out in the distance.

"Thank you, ori'vod."