The Bad Batch - One shots

Little Shadow

Of all the things Howzer knew how to handle, caring for the sick child of General Syndulla was not one of them.

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Of all the things Howzer knew how to handle, caring for the sick child of General Syndulla was not one of them.

He could disassemble and reassemble a blaster, hotwire an enemy speeder, deactivate bombs as well as the ordnance specialist clones, and even press a bacta patch to a blaster burn, but this... well, he was out of his depth.

Young Hera was sprawled across the couch of the Syndulla's living room, whooping coughs racketing her small frame. There was a thick layer of sweat across her forehead, small droplets trickling down her lekku which, according to Eleni, were even more sensitive than usual due to this virus that is apparently normal for Twi'leks to contract at some point during their childhood.

Raised on Kamino where the slightest sniffle or raised temperature would have a cadet quarantined and tested on like a lab rat, Howzer wasn't sure how Cham and his wife could appear so calm whilst their daughter was at risk of hacking up her own lungs in front of them.

"Shouldn't she see a Doctor?" Howzer asked when Hera's entire body convulsed with the force of her coughs, "I can ask one of our medics to bring some meds around."

"That won't be necessary, Captain," Cham assured him, rubbing Eleni's shoulder as she tended to her daughter by dabbing her flushed face with a damp cloth. "It may appear frightening to you, but the Telesphorus Virus is not dangerous to children, and simply needs to take its course."

"So, she'll be fine?" Howzer asked, trying to not make it obvious how worried he was for the little girl who he had grown fond of since being assigned on Ryloth.

"In three or four days, she'll be completely well again," Eleni said, standing from where she had perched beside her daughter. "But Cham and I must travel out of Lessu to meet with the farmers in the outer territories.

"We cannot stay with her, nor can we bring Hera with us. This virus can cause complications within those without strong immune systems, like the elderly and sick."

"Like somebody who's pregnant?" He asked.

"Yes," Eleni nodded, "A woman with child would be very ill and put the baby at risk if she were exposed to the virus."

There went Howzer's option of seeing if Aceso would come around to ease Hera's pain. He didn't say that though. Cham and Eleni were still not aware that the most experienced Doctor on Ryloth was pregnant with their clone Captain's child. It was still crazy to think about it himself.

"You see, Howzer, it is a rite of passage for parents to care for their children during the course of this virus." Cham said, watching over Hera carefully, "Since we cannot be with her, I'm asking you to keep an eye on her in our absence."

Howzer's jaw tensed, "Me, sir?"

"There's nobody else I trust, with Gobi away training the fighters." Cham explained, reaching out to lay a hand over his shoulder. "I'm asking as a friend, Howzer, not as your General."

As if he could ever refuse them?

"Of course, Cham," Howzer straightened, the General's first name still feeling foreign on his tongue, "I'll watch over Hera until your return."

"Thank you, Captain," Eleni floated towards him, pressing the lightest of kisses to his cheek before returning to her husband's side. Howzer had long since learnt that Twi'leks were as openly intimate with foreigners as they were with each other.

"We will be back by tomorrow evening," Cham said, "You will dine with us, as a way of showing our gratitude."

Howzer dipped his head, "I'd be honoured."