Shattered Stars (TCW)

Chapter 14 -- Yes, That Slum

Jedi Knight Taska Rokanh and the Alpha clone squadron take a much-needed break from the adventures of war to enjoy the city life of Coruscant.

“Well, I can certainly say this is not what I was expecting,” Taska said over the pulsing music, laughing as a slightly intoxicated A'den rolled his eyes.

“What exactly did you expect from a clone bar?”

“I don't know!” She said, taking a drink of water. The taste of alcohol was abhorrent to her. “I've never seen you all officially, truly off duty! It's like you're completely different people when you don't see any Jedi around.”
He gave a mock salute, and Taska laughed.

“Hey, gorgeous,” another clone, whom she didn't recognize, said, putting a hand behind her on the bar.

“Don't even think about it,” A'den growled, gripping the other clones face and shoving him backwards.

“Hey!” The other shouted, getting into a sloppy fighting position.

“You want to forget this happened,” Taska said exasperatedly, waving her hand in front of the clone's face.

“I want to forget this happened,” he said in a daze, wandering away.

“Try not to break your nose again,” Taska said gently, picking up her glass. “I'm gonna go somewhere... Less populated.”

“Call if you need me to… do that, again,” A’den said solemnly.

“I will.”

She wandered to a corner near a few booths, leaning on the wall next to Ace. “Enjoying yourself?” She asked.

“Eh,” he shrugged. “I'm the designated babysitter of the evening, so I'm sure I'll enjoy dragging a bunch of absolutely delusional troopers back to the barracks.”

“If you want to drink, you can,” Taska assured him. “I think alcohol is disgusting, so I can be the mama duck if you want.”

Ace chuckled. “Oh, Lark didn’t make the best choice in bringing you here to unwind then, huh? I’m not leaving you to take care of all these knuckleheads alone. I’ve gotta make sure A’den doesn’t try to beat up Mags again.” And I want to make sure you’re safe.

“Oh, A'den,” she sighed. “So, to being the parents of the group tonight?” She held up her water.

Ace tapped his glass to hers. “May no one throw up on their bunk.”

They both laughed.

Lark wandered up to them, an empty glass in hand. “Hey, General, Commander,” he slouched.

“Lark,” Taska nodded.

“Can—can you dance? Together? Can you dance with each other?” He laughed lightly.

“I'm not much of a dancer, Lark,” Taska said shyly, laughing as Lark set a hand on both their shoulders and bumped them together.

“But please? We... We brought you here to have fun,” he whined. “Just one dance. One dance, I promise.”

She sighed. “Shall we indulge his request?” She asked Ace, holding out a hand.

Ace's face went a strange sort of blank. “Uh, sure, if you want to,” he replied, unsure.

“Well, he has a point,” Taska smiled. “This excursion is incomplete until I dance at least once.”

“Fair.”

The music shifted from the rather suggestive beats to an older, more melodic song. Taska set her left hand on Ace's shoulder, and he lightly put a hand on her waist. She tried to keep herself from laughing as Lark beamed and swayed to the song from just off the dance floor.

“He's gonna be the death of me,” Ace said in a low voice as they did a slow turn.

She sighed. “I think he's just trying to get us to relax. I feel like I've forgotten what life outside a cruiser, or, or a war, feels like.”

“Eh, it's not so bad for me,” he replied. “I guess it's hard to miss something you don't know.”

Taska's brows furrowed. “That just seems so wrong to me,” she said. “I mean, of course, I so appreciate that you all are here, and I've enjoyed your company as well, but I hate that you aren't treated like real people.”

Ace stayed silent as the music swelled to the bridge of the song. “You treat us like real people,” he finally said. “I wouldn't worry too much about it.”

“Thanks,” she replied. “Thank you for that, Ace.”

The song ended, and soft but enthusiastic applause came from Lark and Zevi, who had joined him.

“Thank you, thank you,” Taska repeated, spreading her skirt with a small bow. “I… will not be here all night,” she said, checking the time on the decorative watch still fastened around her wrist. “We’ve got to get you all back to the barracks, I don’t think the others will be very happy.”

“Come on, one more?” Lark asked hopefully.

“I’m not carrying you back if you pass out,” Taska said with fake severity. “Come on, let’s go.”