#clonewarsoc

We had just wrapped up our latest mission and were back in Coruscant, awaiting our new orders. As we relaxed in the barracks after our showers and meal, everyone went about their business. Tech was up in the top bunk to my right, reading something about the mating habits of a beetle species from Kashyyk, Wrecker was still nibbling on a travel biscuit I had gotten for him and Crosshair was in the bunk above me, snoozing. Beside me, lying his head on my lap, was Hunter. His bandana was over his eyes as a makeshift sleep mask, since the lights were still on. He wasn’t asleep, but his steady breathing let me know that he was relaxing. Every so often, I could feel him absentmindedly stroking my leg with one of his warm hands. I was on my datapad, headset resting around my neck, music playing softly from the ear pieces as I used them as mini speakers. Everything was relaxed and I was tempted to just stop reading the holo novel I was currently engrossed in. Moments before I hit the power down button, a message blinked on my screen. Curious, I tapped the message to read it, blinking in surprise when I realized it was from Senator Amidala. Worried it was urgent, I quickly read her message. However, it wasn’t a matter of urgency, but rather, a message I had not expected to receive. “I’ve been accepted!!!” I blurted joyously, startling Crosshair so bad that he fell off the bunk. I briefly saw his black clothed, lanky blur whoosh past me before he hit the ground with a disgruntled “ACK!!!”Wrecker’s booming laughter filled the entire barracks for a few good minutes as Crosshair gathered what remained of his dignity. Hunter had also startled, sitting up rapidly and ripping off his bandana, looking around frantically for any possible reason for my outburst. Tech, who looked down at me with wide eyes, blinked in astonishment. “Accepted for what?” he asked, adjusting his goggles, a tick he had when he was curious or intrigued by something. In this case, that something was my news. Once everyone had calmed down, I beckoned them over to my bunk. Hunter situated himself beside me, pulling me close so I was leaning back against his chest. He rested his arm around my shoulders, allowing me to snuggle close. Crosshair and Wrecker settled on the edge of the bed, eagerly awaiting what I had to say. “So, you guys all know how I aided Senator Amidala in a certain matter in the Senate?” Everyone nodded. “Isn’t that the time you spoke your piece about increasing funding for providing decent medical equipment and rations for clones?” Tech asked from his perch on his bunk. I nodded. “Well, that same day, two senators apparently were impressed by my speech, along with Senator Amidala. So much so that they offered to provide me with some “higher education” so that I may be a speaker on the Senate floor.”

Wrecker gasped, eyes wide. “They want you to be a Senator?????” I chuckled as Crosshair rolled his eyes at his brother. “I wish! But no, they want me to be the voice for our brothers, and possibly further my role as a negotiator for the Republic, especially when we visit planets that haven’t chosen a side yet. They said it would provide the Republic a great deal of aid.” “So what’s the good news, love?” Hunter asked, running his fingers through my hair, his eyes scanning the datapad in my hands. “It would appear that Senator Amidala and Senator Organa have managed to enroll me into one of the universities here on Coruscant!!” Out of the whole squad, Wrecker cheered the loudest, as Crosshair looked at me with a wide eyed smile on his face and Tech applauded me. Hunter held me tight, ruffling my hair playfully and littering my face with kisses. “That’s our girl!!” he praised, the pride in his tone very apparent. After a minute, the cheering died down and Wrecker’s sudden crestfallen expression unveiled the next question. “Wait. What does that mean for us?” his cheery demeanor suddenly dimmed as the lads looked at me, suddenly looking worried. I tapped the side of the datapad, reading what Padme had written. “It looks like the Chancellor is pulling me from the field for a few weeks. Apparently he pulled a few strings so my courses can be shortened and still valid.” “Why would he do that?” Hunter said, his voice low and suspicious. “He owed me a favor, I suppose. I did act as his personal operative for a few good months during the beginning of the war. And yes, Hunter, that’s actually all I can say about that.” I could tell he wasn’t convinced as he rested his brow against my head. “So how long will you be gone?”

“One month and a couple weeks, give or take.” Wrecker groaned in disappointment, something he only did when Hunter told him to keep things covert. “That’s such a long time!!” he said, pouting. I got up from where I was situated and made my way to where he was sitting. I hugged the big guy tightly. “It’s only for a little while, Wreck’ika. You’ll have so much fun blowing things up that you’ll lose track of time and I’ll be back before you know it!” I placed a kiss on his scarred cheek as he squeezed me tighter. “I’m gonna miss ya, darlin’.” “By the maker, Wrecker, she’s not vanishing into the void. She’s…” Crosshair’s snarky remark trailed off. “Actually, where the hell are you gonna be?” the sniper asked. Hunter picked up the datapad I left on the bunk and scrolled. “Huh, looks like they want her back with Commander Fox, so her duties can still be fulfilled.” our sergeant snorted. “He’s gonna be ecstatic about that.” I settled back beside Hunter, slipping under the blanket, leaning back against him. “See? I’ll be right here. And if I’m with him, then I’ll for sure be able to contact you. Or you could send transmissions to me.” Everyone seemed sorta content with that and went back over to their bunks to process the news and flood of emotions. As they got situated, the lights flicked off, leaving us in the dark. As Hunter and I laid there in the bunk, I felt his embrace tighten. “What’s wrong?” I asked softly. There was a silence as he took a deep breath, his chest pressing against my back. “I’m so proud of you, adi’ka. Really. Our trainer would be too. But,” he heaved a weary sigh and buried his face in my hair. “I can’t help but feel like I’m losing you again.” I rolled over so I could face him. I reached up and rested my hand on his cheek, caressing his tattooed face gently before tucking a lock of his hair behind his ear. “I know. I’m sorry, love. If you want me to, I could possibly decline, say that I have-” Hunter turned his head to kiss the underside of my wrist and placed his hand upon mine, grasping it. “No. You earned this opportunity and I want you to take it.” “But the squad-” “Will still be functional. Sort of.” he added, jokingly. He gave me a kiss, his lips warm and soothing as we fell into our loving rhythm. After a few moments, we pulled away, and he held me close. “I love you, Hp. I really do. That’s why I’m insisting you accept this.” “I don’t…want you to feel like I’m leaving you again.” Hunter sighed. “Don’t worry about me. You know how I get.” “Grumpy? Possessive? Sarcastic?” He gave my ass a pinch, chuckling softly as I let out a muffled yelp. “Behave,” he warned teasingly, grabbing me and rolling onto his back, situating me on top of him. I laid there, a smile on my face, as I rested my head against his chest. He rubbed my back, something he knew soothed me. “Hunter?” “Hmm?” “What if…I fail?” He slipped his hands under my shirt and continued to do what he was doing. “You? Fail? That’s actually impossible. No, you are going to impress your tutors and show them that the Kaminoans were, as you so sweetly put it, showing off when they created you.” I giggled softly at his warm words. “Just give it your best, my love. You’ll be the greatest negotiator the Republic has ever seen!” I smiled and placed a kiss on his chest. “Thank you, Hunter.” “For what?” “Believing in me.” “You know I always will, and you haven’t proven me wrong yet.” I could sense his proud smile in the dark, and for the first time in a long while, fell into a deep sleep, there in Hunter’s arms.