Alternate Start (ARCHIVE)

Chapter Thirty Seven: Alliances and Tradgedy

"So, who are we waiting for?"

Hound rolled his eyes, lightly punching Nebula's arm. "C'mon vod you read the briefing didn't you? The new Senator for Huk."

"Of course I read the briefing! I've just been caught up with Astra and the baby, you know that sir."

Hound let out a deep sigh. He did know, as a matter of fact. He'd been the one to get one of the medics down to their favorite tattoo artist's apartment to help deliver the little biter. Most of their nieces and nephews came into the world with the help of a medic lately. The first few that happened in the hospital had gotten the mothers interrogated, though thankfully most names and designations weren't given up.

They'd all gotten wise after that.

Borealis, Nebula's son, was one of the first. Astra knew that her closeness to the guard would draw attention if she had Borealis in the hospital, and her choice was only reinforced after the interrogations.

But there was nothing much to talk about while waiting, so Hound leaned his weight on his back foot and tilted his head at Nebula, who's curls were dyed pastel colors of space. Most of the guard had taken to keeping their helmets under their arms and their faces on full display. It was a little act of defiance, but not strictly against regulations. Some senators had a harder time being cruel when they could actually see the fear on a clone's face.

"How is Borealis anyway? Last I saw he was sleeping against Astra's chest in a cloth birikad." Hound hummed, grinning softly at the way his vod'ika's face lit up.

"He's great! Got his mother's blue eyes but really takes after me on everything else. He's a little lighter than we are, but definitely my kid."

Hound couldn't help it as his smile got wider. The pride seeping into Nebula's voice radiated an infectious glee. No clone but Boba had known their father's pride. Every single one of them had craved Jango's approval. Every one of his vode who was a buir now? They'd give their ad'ika that approval. He knew they would.

"Y'know, have you gotten Borealis tested for force sensitivity? I hear that a few of our brothers have given up their kid to the Jetiise already."

"Should I? I mean, Astra's is so low and mine is too... is there even a chance Bor'ika could be?"

"Eh, not really, but worth checking." Hound shrugged.

Both of them jumped at a yelp. They both looked over to find that their lost senator had just gotten out of her cab and immediately tripped. Nebula rushed over to help her up, letting her press gloved claws into his hands as he gently pulled her to her feet. "Are you alright Senator Chiis?"

She looked a little surprised, but nodded. "Yes, I'm alright. Thank you.......?"

"Nebula, I'm a member of the Coruscant Guard, nice to meet you ma'am." He offered a warm smile at her. For a moment, Hound expected her to ask for Nebula's CT number, but Senator Chiis just plucked a backpack out of the cab and gave what Hound could only assume was a smile.

"Thank you then, Nebula."

They led the new senator into the building, passing other guards on break, and some guards lightly chatting with those they were guarding. It wasn't like Nebula was much better, making Senator Chiis laugh with occasional jokes while he and Hound gave her a list of important locations.