We have one final guest announcement! Writer for Dark Horse Comics, Star Wars The Clone Wars, and Star Wars Rebels, Henry Gilroy will be joining us for panels and signings at Legacy Expo next weekend! Get your tickets now and join us in Burbank California September 13th & 14th!
Discord has been rising on Coruscant, anti-war protesters seemed to be more active than ever before, and separatist sympathisers were speaking up more. All of it just gave Fox a headache.
It wasn’t just Coruscant either, the longer this war went on the more the people of the Republic across the galaxy began to protest. It was common now for Senator’s to be targeted, Fox prided himself that since his instatement as head of the Guard none of the attempts have proven successful.
The biggest of his worries aside from the Chancellor was the Senator from Naboo. He’d read up on her full file, as she seemed to have a constant target on her back from both the Separatists and those within the Republic that didn’t agree with her very outspoken opinions. He wasn’t supposed to have opinions on the Senators, it could affect his job. But he couldn’t help but admire and respect her, she was one of the few that was willing to speak on behalf of the Clones within the Senate.
However, Senator Amidala happened to be the main source of his headache today. His guard had managed to prevent yet another assassination attempt on the Senator’s life. But it had left him with a mountain of paperwork to fill in.
The Senator had been about to bring forth a new bill that would limit funding to the new clone programme depending on the state of negotiations. The bill stated no new funding could be assigned to the development of more clone units until negotiations reopened with the Separatist senate, and the funds currently set aside for new units should be put into the fund for Clone Rights.
The assassin had decided to target one of the evening events, despite Fox’s protests the event had taken place in an off-site location. His guards had done their best to secure the perimeter, but somehow the assassin had managed to slip an explosive device through their defences, and managed to detonate it.
Fox stretched behind his desk, his muscles still felt tight and achey despite the liberal amount of Bacta he’d put on them after the incident.
The blast had thrown him and the Senator across the room and straight into a wall. Luckily, he’d managed to take the brunt of the blast – his armour still smelt of dust and smoke – and the senator had managed to escape with only a few cuts and bruises. One on her forehead had looked particularly bad, but he hadn’t had a chance to examine it before Amidala’s handmaidens had appeared and helped her out of the building. He had to praise their efficiency, like his elite guard, they were highly trained and deadly.
They had managed to catch the assassin though, which made the Commander’s bruises hurt ever so slightly less.
He slumped down into his chair, putting the datapad down so he could pull of his bucket. The attack, arrest and accompanying injuries had left a lot of reports to write. Not to mention approve from his fellow guards, before submitting the full file to the Chancellor. And due to the close nature of the Chancellor and Senator he’d requested the file to be delivered before the end of the day. A groan left his lips as he dragged his hands down his face. He couldn’t remember the last time he even laid down properly. The door chime went off. He took in a deep breath and pulled himself upright before answering. “Come in.”
Thorn stood at the door with a woman wearing a beautifully embraided cloak. Even though he could only see her lower face, the distinct make up adorning her lips, he instantly recognised her as one of Amidala’s handmaidens. His brother cleared his throat. “Commander Fox, ma’am.” Thorn gestured into Fox’s office.
Fox was out of his seat, his back straight, and walking around the side of his desk. “Thank you Thorn. Ma’am, please have a seat.” He gestured to the chair in front of his desk. Honestly it was strange for anyone other than his fellow troopers to visit him in his office. So, he felt slight uncomfortable at this visit.
The handmaid dipped her head towards Thorn and entered the small office. He still couldn’t see her face, but she carried herself with a quiet dignity that Fox couldn’t help but notice. He’d worked alongside a few of Amidala’s handmaidens on a few occasions, but they were always so focused on their tasks he hadn’t actually spoken to them, let alone learnt their names. The handmaid took her seat with a certain stiffness that Fox attributed to nervousness at being here. She swept the length of her cloak under her as she tucked a foot behind the other. Fox twitched, before making his way back to his own chair. “What can I do for you m’lady?”
“There’s no need for such formality, Commander.” Her voice was sweet, as she pulled her cloak back enough for him to see her face. Fox felt like his brain ceased to function, he knew he shouldn’t be surprised to see that she was beautiful after all he knew that on occasion the Senator’s handmaids had doubled for her. “I am simply here to thank you for protecting the Senator and apprehending the assassin.”
Fox cleared his throat. “Th…Thank you m’lad-“ He stuttered and stopped as she narrowed her eyes slightly at him. “You can call me Fox, how would you prefer me to address you?”
She introduced herself, her name sounding like a melody. “It’s nice to officially meet you…Fox.” She smiled as she said his name, and he couldn’t help but return it.
“You really didn’t need to come all this way to thank us. It’s part of our duty.”
“Even so, our duty often comes with little appreciation.” She took in a deep breath. “It’s only small, but I hope this conveys some of my appreciation.” Fox couldn’t help but tense as she reached under her cloak. She didn’t miss it either, letting out a small laugh. “I promise it’s nothing dangerous… this time.” She gave him a deadly smirk. He could finally see what it was as she placed it on the desk and pushed it towards him.
It was a small ornate box, Fox reached out hesitantly to take it. “I’m afraid it’s only a small token.” He gently opened it to see a small charm hanging on a black cord. “In Naboo, it’s common to show appreciation through art.”
That’s when he noticed the intricate detailing covering the charm. “You did this?” His throat suddenly felt tighter. “We’re not-“
“I know it’s probably against regulations.” She said quickly. “But that’s why I made it small. It’s the least I can do.”
Fox stared at the details, he noticed there was even a small flowing fox carved into it. “I don’t... The Senator must mean a lot to you.”
“Everything. But it is also so much more than that.” She pulled back her cloak, the movement tearing Fox’s gaze from the charm back to her face. That’s when he noticed, the wound and bruising on her forehead.
He murmured her name softly. “It was you.” He almost slapped himself. The entire Guard prided themselves on being observant, to be able to catch the smallest insignificant detail. That’s why they’d been selected for this assignment. And to miss something as big as a double.
She let out a small giggle, covering her mouth with her hand. “Don’t feel bad. I wouldn’t be doing my job if you’d noticed.” A small beep on her wrist made her smile disappear. “I’m afraid duty calls.”
Fox stood as she did, this time he realised the stiffness he noticed earlier must be from the bruises both of them had suffered. “I’m sorry about that.”
She tilted her head curiously. “About what?”
He rubbed the back of his neck subconsciously. “The pain. I’m sure you would have been better off if I hadn’t crashed into you as well.”
Giving him a hesitant look, she took a few steps around the desk towards him. He found himself matching her. “If it wasn’t for you, then it’s likely I wouldn’t be here for you to apologise to.” She spoke softly. “My duty is to give my life, but I’m glad you were there so I didn’t have to.” There was no malice in her tone. He understood what her duty meant; it wasn’t too different from his own. He would most likely give his life for the Republic, and she would give it for her planet. Her former Queen. Her Senator. She was close to him now, he could feel the heat from her body. “Your evening patrol brings you close to Senator Amidala’s office around 20:00, right?”
He blinked, once again reminded that she was more than just a handmaid. She was a bodyguard, protection for the Senator. Of course, she would know the routines of everyone that spent any time near her Senator. “Yes, I should be there then. Why-”
“And if I’m correct that is the final patrol of your day?”
“Yes, but-“
“Good, m’lady has requested you join us for a meal. Feel free to bring Commander Thorn along too.” She gave him a sweet smile, before gently brushing something off his pauldron. “I think Teckla has a bit of a crush on him as well.”
“We really should-“
“Perfect, it’s arranged then. We’ll see you at 20:00.” She interrupted, rising up onto her tiptoes to press her lips against his cheek. “Thank you, Fox.” She whispered against his ear, sending a shiver down his spine. She must have noticed as she let out a small laugh before sweeping out of the room before he could speak.
Not two minutes after she left, Thorn came barrelling into the room. “What was that about?”
Fox felt his body dropping back landing heavy against his deck. “We’ve been invited to dinner.” His fingers ran over the spot she’d pressed her lips against his. They’d been so soft, briefly he wondered what they’d feel like against his.
Thorn’s voice brought him out of his thoughts “Dinner…? With the Senator?”
Fox crossed his arms over his chest. “And her handmaids.”
Thorn’s eyes widened and then looked down at himself. “I need to buff my armour…” He was out of sight in no time, causing Fox to let out a laugh.
Now that he was alone, his eyes drifted back to the small gift. Slipping off his gloves, he picked the charm up from the box as delicately as he could and slipped it on. It was long enough to hang below his chest plate and designed to be flat enough to fit snugly without digging into his skin. He wondered if she’d designed it exactly for that purpose. Of course she had, he thought to himself with a smile.
Him: I think I'm falling in love with you Me: I-I think I'm---FALLING IN LOVE WITH ANOTHER CLONE TROOPER BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL SUCH BADASS CINNAMON ROLLS WHO DID NOTHING TO DESERVE THIS
