MATTEO: Life and Death

Chapter 23

After meeting with Aunt Jane , Matteo decided to go to his cabin. He was still thinking about the team - he had read about it probably two if not three times already. People who were there were Chelli Lona Aphra - an archaeologist , who works with the black Krrsantan and two killer droids , Eustacia Okka - an alien who knows Shepard and is a lady professor. Maciej Andrzej Paweł Łucian a.k.a 'Sandman' - a man who turns into an emissary of God and can travel between Heaven , earth and hell and between dreams and nightmares . A psychologist by profession in a hospital in New York. Sera Madreth - Leader of the Mandalorians and wife of Maul . And a mass of names , which Matteo does not say shit. Someone will remind why he had this team?

When , he was in the cantina area he saw Dr. Karin Chakwas and Robert L Jenkins talking about some topic. Shepard decided to approach them. When , he got close enough he heard laughter coming from the mouth of Chakwas.

"Oh Jenkins , I didn't know you were so witty".

"That's my specialty doctor" Robert smiled more. Then they both looked at Commander Shepard.

"Hello Commander" - Jenkins saluted - "Good to see you"

"Likewise" Matteo answered. He wondered what to say next. He felt like in some game where you have to choose a dialogue on any topic and start a conversation. After a while, he chose a topic.

"Have you heard of 'Sandman'?

"Yes , I've heard," Chakwas began to say - Sandman, according to some religious mythologies, is an emissary of God and the successor of Morpheus - the God of dreams. He is the only one who can travel between the world of the living and the dead. According to some sources, Sandman can appear in someone's dreams."

"I, for example, associate the Sandman with Metallica's song 'Enter Sandman' and from Neil Gaiman's comic books." Jenkins declared. Matteo figured he wouldn't learn anything interesting from them about . . . mystical hero? Anyway , Shepard decided to change the subject , more suitable for a conversation with the military.

"What do you think of the Alliance?" Matteo asked the question to the two. The first one started the lady doctor.

"Well , helping others is my specialty and duty. Soldiers are people , who can survive a battle one day and not the next. I love listening to the stories of veterans - it helps me forget all the chaos."

"I will agree with the doctor. Veterans are people with a great story. They will always tell something and grumble a bit. And you? What do you think about the war and the alliance?" Jenkins asked. Matteo hesitated - his family had been military men for generations - meaning not everyone. Eliajh Shepard was a Jedi master in the High Republic era. He let out a breath of air.

"My family has been and will be military for generations. My father was a commander and a hero of our species. My aunt is a Grand Admiral. Shucks , all my life in the military. It feels strange," Matteo admitted. Chakwas and Jenkins smiled.

"I should go ," Matteo confessed slowly moving away from them. Karin and Robert nodded in understanding. Lorien went to the elevator - he clicked on the panel , the elevator descended and opened the doors. Shepard got inside and went up.

Half an hour later.

After a solid rest, Matteo , Robert L Jenkins , Arno Renault and Adrien Kandros were in the hangar of the 'Normandy'. After exiting hyperspace, the Joker turned on camouflage mode and approached the planet's orbit while avoiding the Empire's star destroyers. Grand Admiral Jane Shepard discussed the plan with her men.

"Remember , our target is the Empire's weapons factory and convoy. You will meet our contact at the canyon. Together you will attack the convoy." Jane finished. Jenkins looked at Adrien Kandros - who was clearly ready for the mission , when he boarded the 'Normandy'. The ship was over the desert land of Ryloth.