Alternate Start (ARCHIVE)

Chapter Forty Seven: Home

Hardcase walked off the shuttle with his helmet under his arm. He took a deep breath of the familiar smell of The Resolute's hangar bay. He found himself with an armful of brothers, Kix and Jesse hugging him tightly.

He dropped his helmet, catching it with his foot, and hugged his brothers tightly, despite how awkward the pauldron made it. Hardcase almost felt like crying. He was home, he was really here.

He let go, grabbing his helmet off his foot. "Jesse! Kix! Force, it feels like it's been forever!"

Hardcase looked around the hangar, and an out of place figure caught his eye.

Theya.

She was sitting on a box, chatting with a pair of pilots. She was wearing a pair of blue flats, and an outfit that looked practical for where she was. She had a red medical patch on her sleeve.

And last but certainly not least.

Theya was resting her hand on her round stomach.

His face broke into a grin. He broke away from his brothers and charged in her direction. She looked up at the sound of footsteps and got up, grinning at the sight of six feet of ARC trooper barreling towards her at full speed. She rushed to meet him halfway, being picked up and spun around.

As Theya's feet hit the floor, their foreheads gently came together. Hardcase, after a moment of hesitation, reached out a gloved hand and pressed it against her belly.

She smiled, chuckling warmly, "We did it big shot. First generation natborn. She's only three months out."

"She?" Hardcase repeated. He couldn't help but start smiling again, "Ik'aad's a girl?"

"Yeah." She said softly, "Kix confirmed it for me."

Something occurred to him.

"Hey wait, what are you doing on The Resolute, Theya?" He asked, confused.

"Oh, well... someone found out I'm not a natborn and sort of...lit the diner on fire while I was asleep." She explained with a small shrug. "General Skywalker was nice enough to shelter me. I didn't feel safe on Coruscant anymore and," she giggled a little, "your brothers didn't take too kindly to my life being threatened. I'm alright now, I promise Hardcase."

"Alright, are you sticking around then?"

"Yeah, why?"

Hardcase suddenly looked five seconds from bursting into tears, "Because I have never craved a cuddle as much as I do right now." He whispered.

She made a soft cooing sound, lightly patting his cheek. "Well then, let's get going."

—
At the other side of the hangar
—

Tup was accosted by forty seven kilograms of excited padawan, who threw herself at him while shouting his name.

He gave her a tight hug, setting her down and ruffling her hair. "Satahl! You cut your hair?" Tup peered closer, smirking a little and raising an eyebrow. "Tattoos huh? Does your master know?"

"Yeah, Admiral Tedam helped me with it."

"Tup, Dogma, we need you in the briefing room. It's urgent." Rex suddenly called out. "You too, Commander."

—
-
—

Anakin stood next to Kaar. Kaar could feel his unease in the Force. Satahl, Tup, and Dogma finally entered the room with Rex.

"Tup, Dogma. Welcome home. I'm sorry this is so sudden, we just... we're worried." Kaar admitted softly.

He sighed, turning on the holotable. "We believe the droids have started to recognize the armor patterns of decorated troopers and... take them out. Master Koon lost Sinker recently, along with one of his ARCs. We lost Spencer in a recent campaign. Knight Skywalker and Master Kenobi both lost some of their decorated officers. The Separatists have started sectioning off the decorated troopers and there's never a body. I just... I want you two to be careful. There's reports of this strategy from a few legions too."

Dogma and Tup both looked completely horrified. They shared a look. Satahl inched closer to both of them, this was the first time she had heard this.

"I don't think Fives was the first one this tactic was tested on." Kaar said softly, holding Droidbait closer. It was the first time he had heard this as well.

"Not only that." He continued. "Darth Maul has returned and has quite the hate-on for Master Kenobi."

"I can't believe you phrased it like that, but yes." Obi-wan sighed.

This was going to be a long meeting.

•—END OF CHAPTER—•

I am so sorry this was supposed to be a fun chapter but not everything has been peachy during the time they were finishing training