#commander fox is a starbucks regular

[itsagrimm]

green tea

Fox: What's this?

Thorn: tea.

Fox: pah, get away from me with this murky dishwater.

Thorn: It's green tea.

Fox: I don't care what color it's supposed to have, this isn't even really gre-

Thorn: it has caffein.

Fox: oh

[itsagrimm]

Coruscant Lost

Day 1 of 3

Summery: Commander Fox needs to find a lost trooper all while fuled by caf and annoyance. He gets a bit help from some colleagues. Short thriller (attempt *hahaha*) with kind of enemies to lovers in it.

“Female folk” is corry speech for female passing/feminine understood bodies/women* because trust me, the galaxy far far away works like that.

CN discrimination of clones, missing people, heavy flirting, making oneself sick so form of self-harming, insomnia, bad mental health in general, forbidden relationship, pretend relationship, pining, will include piv smut later on

Commander Fox X she / they senatorial aide

· 0253 SCT / 02:53 Standard Coruscant Time, Senate building, Fox office

His head felt like a solid block of steel, weighing him down and binding him to his desk.

Maker, he hated paperwork.

Fox, commander of the Couscant Guard and clone trooper CC-1010, likely was the only GAR soldier in the galaxy thinking back to his training on Kamino as the good times. At least back then he fought with a blaster against droids. Now the only thing he yielded was a moderately sharp letter opener, mountains of holopads and what was left of his dignity against moody senators and murderous criminals.

Arrrrggghhhh.

Fox turned his heavy head a bit to peek at the clock.

“Why bother, it’s time for a caf break somewhere.” He thought and heaved himself from the desk and out of his office.

The corridor was moderately busy, and the lights were on. Apparently, it was dark outside. Fox tried to remember the last time he had left the building to enjoy natural sunlight. He couldn’t. Instead of depressing himself further he pushed the thought aside and entered the mess hall.

There it was. In the corner was the Caf maker. The best thing in Fox deplorable life. He moaned.

Only a few steps were between Fox and his miracle machine. Wavering he moved across the mess hall only to get stopped by a mountain of plastoid intercepting him.

Fox looked up and pulled his shoulders back.

“Thire! Good to see you! How are you?” Fox tried to sound as nonchalant as possible while hiding his caf cup behind his back from his second in command.

“It’s 3 am, commander. We talked about this. No caf between 00:00 and 5:00 in the morning.” Thorn looked something between amused, worried, and annoyed - like a mother seeing her child eating sand.

“I am not-“

Thire just shook his head.

“Alright fine. I came to the mess hall for a cup of caf. What do you what from me? I need to finish a report. I’m crunching a deadline.”

Thire kept shaking his head. “Fox, it’s always urgent. You always need to finish something. But mate, you need to sleep. You look like shit. And quite frankly you smell like shit too. When was the last time you took a shower?” Thorn sighed. “You worry me. Take a break.”

Fox grimaced unpleasantly. “Don’t be like that to me. I am your commander, not some shiny.”

“You are. And you’re my brother.”

Fox started massaging his temples. “Listen, I appreciate your concern. But I need to finish this. Get out of my way or get wrecked. I love you but I don’t have the patience for your preaching now.”

Thire took up his disapproving head shack again but moved out of the way.

“Thank you.” Fox declared. “What are you doing here Thire, except guarding the caf machine of course?”

“I …aaaahhh…. I have a new task for you.”

Fox rolled his eyes.

“What kind of command is it?”

“It’s not technically a command. More like a good deed … or a favour.”

Fox stopped in his tracks, faced Thire with a judging expression before turning to the caf machine and finally typing in his order.

“You are insufferable, Thire. You come to me and be all mother hen about my workload and hours. And then you have the nerve to ask for a favour? What else do you want? Shall I fill for a vacation on Naboo for you? Give you a bj? Or maybe some human rights? Am I a joke to you?”

It was Thire turn to grimace painfully. Fox took a sip from his fresh caf and glared at Thire expectantly.

“I am sorry, Fox. I wouldn’t bother you if it weren’t important. It’s … clone business.”

“Oi, we ARE clones. Everything we do is clone business.”

“Don’t be like that, Fox. It’s important.”

For a moment both troopers stared at each other, tired and tense.

“Alright.” Finally, Fox gave in. “What is it?”

Thire stepped closer and whispered. “One of my boys vanished. We need to find him.”

Fox pressed his lips together into a thin line.

“I am sorry. But we are soldiers and expendable. If your boy vanished during duty, there is little I can do to justify a search for him.”

“I know. But he didn’t vanish during patrol or mission off planet. He vanished out of this building and from thin air.”

Fox raised his left eyebrow and took another sip from the caf. Hmmm, delicious.

“Maybe your boy deserted.”

“Maybe. But he left a message about his girlfriend. No deserter ever does.”

Fox furrowed his forehead.

“Odd.”

“Odd indeed.”

The clones looked at each other.

Fox considered the whole situation. A clone had vanished mysteriously from an official republic complex. Clones rarely deserted. It happened sometimes but they never left basically instructions about how to find them. Giving a name about someone dear like a romantic partner was just calling to be caught and court martialled. Clones were cleverer than that. – Another sip from the cup – Something was not adding up here. He could feel his senses tickle. This clone likely had not deserted. Maybe something sinister had happened. Or maybe not. But the lost boy was a clone and only other clones would care to find out. Clones like Thire. – Sip. – Still, Fox had little time. The Reports and assignments were coming in, binding him to his desk. But the lost trooper was of his command, a missing brother.

“What exactly do you have in mind for me, Thire?”

Thire smiled mischievously.

“I knew I could count on you.”

“That’s not what-“

“I suggest you finish your report, take a nap and shower, goddamn! I’m gonna get us some help in the meantime.”

XXXXXXXXXX

· 0524 SCT / 05:24 Standard Coruscant Time / senate building basement

Fox felt like a newborn. His Report was filled and finished. He had napped in his office and taken a shower. His fresh blacks felt like cotton wool on his skin. The feeling was divine.

His comm beeped.

“What.” Fox barked into the comm in his vambrace at whoever had dared to disturb his peace.

“And a good morning to you too, commander Fox.” A voice replied dryly at his bad mood.

Fox checked the comm contact. Unknown but using an internal comm channel, mainly used by clones.

“You are no clone. Your voice is too high. Who are you?”

“Ah, how attentive of you commander. I am your help. Thire sends me. Call me Mina. She/they please. I work at the senate building too.”

“Oh really? Thorn recruited an ordinary civilian and gave you my personal comm contact? Spare me. I don’t have time for commbeep swipes.”

He ended the call, annoyed by the disturbance.

The comm beeped again.

“Listen I don’t have time for games why are-“

“Commander, the chancellor’s secretary speaking.”

“Oh I am so sorry. I-“

“Just send an escort to pick up the corellian representatives and don’t yell at me next time.”

“I am sorry. Will do.”

The call ended.

Fox leaned back on his chair and starred at the ceiling.

He had enjoyed a fraction of a moment of peace. And then everything became kriffing ordinary again.

The comm beeped. He checked the contact this time. It was the same unknown number from before.

“Yes?”

“Mina, remember? As I said, Thire sends me. We need to talk. Meet me in front of the shock trooper barracks.”

XXXXXXX

· 0544 SCT / 05:44 Standard Coruscant Time / senate building basement

The shock trooper barracks were a bit off from the main halls of the senate, deep in the basement. Fox arrived in front of the large door. He wasn’t alone. A human female was there too.

With an access key around her wrist and simple yet elegant clothing.

Expensive.

Fox narrowed his eyes.

Politicians.

“Commander Fox?” It was the woman.

“Aye?”

“I am Mina. We just spoke.”

Fox pressed his lips together und nodded.

“Where is Thire?” He asked.

The woman checked her comm. “Apparently he had been called in to escort some corellian representatives. Guess we are on our own for now.”

“Yay.” Fox replied unenthusiastically. “So, what do you know, Mina?”

She raised an eyebrow at Fox for his bad mood but continued professionally non the less.

“Not much. Thire called me about a lost trooper, vanishing from here without a trace. I knew Sasha, the missing clone, from some previous diplomatic missions. But it’s not like I know Sashas biggest secrets or anything other.”

Fox nodded.

“So, you’re just a civvi who accidentally happened to know Sasha.”

“Ah, yes. I guess.”

Fox took a deep breath to prevent himself from flying into rage on the spot. Thire had dumped some little senate worker, some minor politician on him and then left. Yes, Thire had been called for duty. But Fox wasn’t in the mood to be fair. It had always been like this between Fox and Thire. Thire the chivalrous and kind one, always managing to find friends and allies wherever he went. A natural leader. And Fox, the stupid stubborn workhorse, that always ended up doing the actual unpleasant tasks.

“Alright Mina, let’s search Sashas stuff.”

The shock trooper barracks were empty. Thire and his troopers were on mission, conveniently leaving the lost soldier’s stuff untouched. Like all troopers it wasn’t much. A neatly done bed. A little compartment with spare blacks. A chest with the trooper’s armour. The Standard equipment for all troopers.

“The lost boy was an exemplary clone.” Fox commented.

“Sasha IS an exemplary trooper.” Mina corrected him.

Fox stayed silent, unwilling to fight his own pessimism for now.

“Looks like he did not sleep here very often.” Mina indicated at the sterile and the unwelcoming order of Sashas gear and bed.

“All troopers get taught to be neat. We are soldiers after all even the Corrie guard does not appear like one most of the time.”

“That’s not what I meant, Fox.” Mina said. Fox blinked surprised by the quick drop of title and the casual familiarity with which Mina spoke his name.

“See.” She continued and stepped closer to the bed, touch the bedframe, and wiped over it with their index finger. “Its dusty. He hadn’t slept here in a while.”

“All clone troopers are ordered to spend their down time in the barracks.”

“Maybe, but this one did not use his bed or just ignored the barracks rule entirely.” Mina stepped away from the bed and faced Fox. He must admit, she had pretty eyes with which she fixated on him.

“Maybe he always went to his girlfriend after work?”

Fox grimaced.

Strictly speaking any romantic relationship between clones and nat-borns were forbidden. But being stationed on Coruscant and having a lot of contact with more or less ordinary citizen it was inevitable for some forbidden entanglement to happen. It was Fox job to persecute his vod for crossing this line. But as long as he did not know about were his brothers dipped their dicks in, he wasn’tin the need to do anything. So, nobody ever told him anything of the juicy gossip. And he sure as hell wasn’t hellbent to ask about his own brothers love life. Or lack thereof most of the time.

“Yes, maybe he went to his girlfriend.” Fox finished his chain of thoughts. “But then some of his fellow shook troopers must have known. Leaving the barracks every night is too noticeable.”

“If you say so. I don’t know about soldier life.” Mina continued searching Sasha’s stuff. Nothing but boring standard gear. No clues about Sasha or his whereabouts.

“What about the message? Thire spoke about a message.” Fox requested.

Mina finished their search and pulled out her holo pad.

“Thire had forwarded me the message because your official communication goes through the digital chancellor’s system check filters before. Mine does not.”

Fox nodded approvingly. Staying low and covering their tracks. They did not know much yet. Better not getting the wrong attention to what he was doing instead of reading documents.

“Thire had received it from Sasha at 2254 SCT yesterday. Its short. >>>Brother, save Tal-Vala.<<<”

Fox furrowed his forehead.

“That’s it?”

“Yep.”

He massaged his temples.

“Ok, we are done here. And I need some caf.”

XXXX

The corridors of the senate started to fill up. Senate workers rushed through the never-ending endless halls, busy with their tasks for the rotation.

Fox marched with his helmet on to the mess hall, followed by Mina.

“Where do you think you are going, woman?”

“I’m sorry?” Mina asked politely, but her tone and expression indicated a readiness to get argumentative. Just like a politician.

“Your work here is done. Sashas disappearance is clone business. Leave.”

She stopped while Fox continued his stride towards his next caf refill.

Good, he wanted to do as little with politicians, nat-borns and feminine folk as possible - and Mina was all of that.

“Oi!” she barked, ignoring the flinching and wincing office workers around her.

“Yell all you want woman. You are not part of this. It’s clone business.”

“Commander! Don’t shut me out like that and listen to me! Sasha was a friend.”

Fox whirled around at her gripping his arm.

“A Friend?” He hissed. “Don’t make me laugh. Sasha was a clone. You are not. You know nothing about our life’s. You can’t be friends. Kriff, you OWN us. A brother of mine is missing. This is not your adventure or moral moment. You can’t help.”

She starred at him.

Fox felt her grip at his arm loosen. He felt sorry for her. But he was right. They knew nothing. And they could not help. Better to be clear on that front and chatter the illusion as quick as possible. It was less painful that way. For him too.

“I know.” Mina finally said. Her beautiful eyes starring to the floor. “I am sorry. But don’t treat me like that because I do care. Even if me caring is of little help right now.”

Fox carefully moved her hand off him and cleared his throat.

“Wanna join me for a cup of caf?”

· 0705 SCT / Senate Building Commander Fox’s Office

Having Mina in his office was strange. The woman in her pretty clothing looked misplaced in Fox chaotic office, the caf cup with the pin up in red lingerie a foreign body in her hands. Everything about them was something Fox hated yet felt oddly familiar with and drawn to.

He sipped from his equally inappropriate cup with a suggestive “Red is the colour of Love” print on it. He wished he could wear his helmet to avoid the awkward looks at a woman that irritated him. But then he could not drink his caf, nay, consume is lifeblood and Fox was starting to get too tired again not to do that.

Mina looked at the cup and nodded.

“Lovely design. I guess not every trooper has a romantic friend like sasha.”

“Yes, we are sexy, single and ready for a mingle.” Fox did not even pause. If she wanted to small talk about the sad love life of clones, she could have that. He gave no kriff about decorum anyways.

“That’s another good slogan for your next cup. Where do you get these?” Mina asked.

“Sorry, that’s confidential.”

She lifted a brow.

Fox couldn’t help himself but shortly smile at her.

“Thire.” He explained. “Our dear Thire is not always as much of a gentleman than he wants to appear. He can be an ass sometimes.”

“You mean a sexist.”

Fox considered.

“Yes.” He paused. “I am sorry. Most troopers experience with female folk is limited to armed Valkyries and holoporns. Our impression of the feminine is a bit …warped. But clones are not supposed to spend much time with non-clones anyway, so nobody really says anything. If something I do makes you feel uncomfortable, just tell me.”

Mina starred at him.

“Wow that was direct. Are you always like this?”

“Yes.” Fox lied. He had no clue why he explained his and his vods struggles to her.

She blushed. It was the prettiest thing Fox had ever seen.

“Sasha.” Mina tried to change the subject. “If you do not want me around or consider me unhelpful, I understand. But I have fond memories with Sasha. He was always good to me. Senatorial aides like me do not get treated well by higher ups but he always did. At least for that I want to try to help finding him. Even if it is just with some paperwork so that you have more time to search for your brother.”

Fox leaned back. Mina appeared honest. But he knew too well that everybody lied, sometimes even to themselves. Yes, she might want the best for Sasha. But she was still a nat-born and despite being just a little aide, she was powerful enough to cause problems with a snap of their fingers.

But she could be helpful. People tended to talk more freely with non-clones and civvis, even more with non-threatening looking female folk. And having a senatorial aide around gave him the aura of being busy. Mina’s involvement could loosen his chains a bit.

“Alright.” Fox agreed. “I have a few things you can help me with. Do you have the time?”

Mina nodded. “Senator Falorm is off planet. My duties are minimal right now.”

“Good. I need you to get me something.”

XXXX

He looked at the cup. Plain water. How unusual.

“Are you sure you followed my instructions?” Fox questioned, looking at the thick lumpy mixture in the bottle in his other hand. “I only want to get sick a little bit not die.”

Mina chuckled. Her dress rustling with her movement.

“Be brave, soldier! I followed your recipe to the detail. Drink it an wash it down with the water. Trust me.”

“That is the problem” He murmured before emptying the little bottle and drinking the water. The taste was as bad as he remembered. Gregor, an old friend from his Kamino days had come up with the mixture. It was a crazy idea, but it worked. Every time they had needed an excuse to not participate in the various trainings the kaminoans subjected their clones, Gregor had mixed his little drink to make him sick. Not much. Just enough to spend a few hours or days in the med bay, free from any obligation except getting better.

That is exactly what Fox needed right now. A bit of time away from his duties as the highest commander in the coruscant guard.

His belly protested and he felt sweaty.

“Maker.” Mina commented. “You look pale like one of these ration bars. And equally unappetizing too.”

“Did I look pleasing to you before, woman?” Fox wanted to hit his head on the desk. Flirting with Mina was the last thing he should do right now.

“Maybe.” She just replied, her expression unmoving, her tone a tad too casual.

Fox’s lower lip twitched in amusement before a wall of nausea hit him.

Urgh.

Mina looked at him, concerned.

“Do you want me to call the medic?”

Fox shock his head before fighting his gag reflex.

“Wait until I pass out.”

XXXX

· 1733 SCT / Senate building med bay

He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. Snorring and the beeping of medical equipment surrounding him. Fox made it.

“Hey there commander! Feeling better?” It was Nocte, the head of the medical department of the coruscant guard.

“I wish I was dead.” Fox moaned, his belly still rumbling and his circulatory system running wild.

“Aren’t we all.” Nocte replied. “I got some painkillers for you, friend. You will feel very nice in a few minutes. And then you will stay of duty and get better until I clear you.”

“Oh no.” Fox protested weakly.

“Oh yes. You work to much. And your caf consumption is no replacement for sleep.”

Fox just rolled his eyes.

“Someone else will cover your workload. Anyone in mind?”

Fox eyes gleamed naughtily.

“Ah yes, I think commander Thire will be most pleased with helping me out.”

That’s for getting between me and my caf, sucker.

XXXX

· 2156 / back entrance senate building

Fox looked around. It was dark out here, he had ditched his armour and dressed in civvi clothing he snatched from the evidence room. This way he would not get knifed out here alone instantly for being a clone. He had slept well with the painkillers. But with a lost brother on his mind his slumber was shorter than expected with the amount of painkillers in his body.

Nocte was unwilling to let him leave the med bay, assuming that fox likely would only return to the desk where he had collapsed hours ago.

And so, fox had played his wild card and commed Mina.

“Pick me up at the med bay as soon as you can, Mina. You are my girlfriend now and you need to tell the medic that I won’t work today. Otherwise, Nocte won’t let me leave.”

She had just chuckled.

“You two are cute.” Nocte had commented, beaming with joy at the prospect of having another ally to preach Fox about the importance of a good work-life-balance.

Mina just stayed silent, blinking with her beautiful eyelashes at Nocte until Nocte had agreed on letting Fox go.

They had left the med bay, walked the corridors in silence, stopped quickly at the evidence room and left the complex through the back door.

Now they were here.

“Thanks. You helped out a lot, Mina.”

She just waved their hand.

“It was nothing. I meant what I said. No need to thank me.”

He nodded, too many painkillers in his system yet to formulate a good sounding sentence.

Mina looked at him.

“Hey, I looked up the address of Sasha’s Girlfriend Tal-Vala in the public data back. You still look a bit soft in the head and I need to agree with Nocte that you shouldn’t be alone out here until they stopped working. Wanna check it out together?”

He nodded again, feeling like an idiot for not speaking and stumbling after Mina into the neo-light filled coruscanti night.

Day 2

Would you like to be tagged for the next chapter? write me a quick message.

[itsagrimm]

Coruscant Lost - Day 2

Summary: Commander Fox teams up with a senatorial aide to find a lost trooper and his girlfriend.

Note: I personally imagined none of the characters as white. The only felucian canon character I am aware is Mace Windu. Mina is a neat secretary Miss-Moneypenny-style at least for me which is currently portrayed by Naomi Harris. And the clones are canonically played by Temuera Morrison. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ You do with that what you want.

CN: discrimination of clones, missing people, heavy flirting, bad mental health in general, forbidden relationship, pining, mentions of pregnancy, mentions of violence especially police violence, structural violence, tiny moment of disassociation, mentions of death and murder, we are running up to some good ol' piv sex & smut but I could not make it work in this chapter pacingwise

Commander Fox X she / they senatorial aide

0024 SCT / 00:24 Standard Coruscant Time – Midlevel 145 Block 67c Republic City, Coruscant

Fox head started to clear after all the painkillers. He was glad. It left him with a bit of a headache. But his mind was sharp again and his eyes carefully scanned for danger in the dirty dark corners of the path along the urban coruscanti canyon. It wasn’t a nice part of the city and Fox missed his armour.

Mina walked next to him. Unlike Fox she appeared to feel safe outside the heavily secured senate building walls. The shady lower levels and its inhabitants felt like a gartro trap waiting to snap shut.

“We are nearly there.” She spoke. “How are you feeling?”

“Good enough.” Fox replied. He disliked her caring tone. Mina was a politician. Her types care and consideration were going to be short-lived.

“Listen” She started “I am not sure how to put it. But most people get confused, defensive, or even angry when talking to a clone. How about I start talking and you just enter into the conversation if it feels right?”

Fox pressed his lips together, unhappy about the situation. But she was right. Most common folk hated clones. Clones were a reminder of war, executive power, and oppressive rule. Not that any clone wanted to be in that position to begin with.

“Got it. You do the charming part and I stare menacingly. Sounds more reasonable than the other way around.”

Mina laughed. It was a cute laugh.

“Oh, I can look menacingly too.”

“Really? You might be a menace woman, but your presence is as menacing as a loth cat begging to be pet.” Fox wanted to jump of the walkway and fall to his immanent doom. It would be less painful than hating himself being a smooth flirty mess towards a little senator’s aide. Why was he doing this to himself?

She just laughed again. “Loth cats can be menacingly. Especially when they want something.”

“Maybe. I must admit, my experience with pet animals starts and ends with tracker massiff’s. And they look like a murderous danger to society even when trying to be nice.”

Mina chuckled and checked her holopad.

“Tal-Vala’s flat is around the corner. Strange level she is living on. Still some sunlight yet mostly dark. It’s surprisingly peaceful here for that.”

“You think so?”

“Yes, for a deep, poor neighbourhood it’s really nice.”

“Yeah, beautiful pile of trash over there. And that playground looks like a death trap.”

“Oh, come on! Most coruscanti would love to live like that.”

“Maybe it’s not that bad being a clone trooper after all.” Fox grimaced darkly. At least he saw light when he was working.

They turned around the corner and entered a narrow dimly lit open hallway with apartment doors. It smelled like cleaning supplies and someone cooking dinner close by.

Mina stopped in front of a sealed door.

“We are here. This is her apartment.”

“Guess we are too late.” Fox stepped closer and read the police code on the electronic seal. “This was the military police. Why would they be interested in Tal-vala or Sasha?”

“Let’s find out. I’ll comm Thire. He must be back on Coruscant.” Mina replied. “He can look up any police activity in this area and maybe even lift the seal for us to get in.”

She stepped away and started working her comm.

Fox looked around.

The apartment door, the hallway, the pathway they used to get here – all of that was dark and rundown. And yet it fit together perfectly like the graffities on every wall, giving this part of Coruscant an artistic finish. Maybe Mina was right, and it was a nicer area, he just wasn’t accustomed to see that. The commander checked the list of inhabitants at the beginning of the hallway. All of them neatly listed with buttons to activate doorbells next to it. Most names were felucian, like Tal-Valas: Tol-Ino, Thu-Jinrah, Thé-sabin… Felucians were rare on Coruscant. No wonder they sticked together and tried to live as close as possible.

“HEY! WHO ARE YOU?”

Fox turned around. An elderly human was standing at the hallway end.

“Who is asking?” He replied.

“I live around here. And I have never seen you before.” The elder replied, leaning on a walking stick. “We don’t have many visitors here and the last had been most unpleasant. So, state your business or I will make sure that you won’t forget your time here.”

Mina stepped forward and raised her hands so that the elder could see, fox mimicked their gesture.

“We are searching for a friend.” Mina explained. “He didn’t show up to work. We just know that he had a girlfriend here. Do you know what happened?”

The elder considered.

“Fine. I guess you mean Sasha. Yeah, that boy was alright. Came here often. He helped watching the kids sometimes. Even started to learn your tongue. Very tall, like you over there.”

Fox bowed his head slightly to thank the Elder. They were speaking to them and not raising the neighbourhood to kick them out. That was something to be grateful for.

“Sasha was something of a distant cousin of mine. We all … share attributes.”

The elder stepped closer and looked at Fox.

“I might be old, but I am not blind, boy.” The elder stated half amused, half sour. “You are a clone just like Sasha. We have no problems with your kind here. Don’t worry, young one. As long as you let us live peacefully, we have no quarrel with each other. Down here few of the … upper crust politics matter.”

“I am glad to hear that.” Fox wasn’t lying. He appreciated the simple yet reassuring words of the elder.

“I don’t know where Sasha is. Or Tal-Vala.” The elder spoke.” Some official looking guys came down here in black armor and scary helmets. They had big guns and searched the apartment. But no one was there. Then they left, sealing the apartment. Behaved like a bunch of rude boys. Very unpleasant.”

Fox nodded. He already expected that and started looking up a picture of republic commandos “Thank you very much. Did these soldiers look like this?”

“Yes. Will they come back?”

“I doubt that they will return. Commandos are few in numbers and often very busy. Besides, if they haven’t found what they came for, there is few chances that they will be luckier a second time.”

The elder nodded pleased.

“Thank you for your help, elder.” Both Fox and Mina bowed like it was custom among the felucian people.

The elder chuckled. “Oh, don’t mention it. I just happen to live close by and I want Sasha to be found too if he is lost.”

And with that the elder left, leaving Mina and Fox alone again.

“That went well.” Mina said.

“Yeah, so much for me staying in the background. Guess I am the negotiator now. Step up your game. You are the muscle now.”

Mina flexed her arms. Tiny in comparison to the genetically engineered super soldier next to them.

“Will do, commander.”

They grinned at each other. For a second both hold their gaze, then Minas comm beeped.

Fox cleared his throat and looked away. Mina did likewise and answered the call.

“Hey, Thire. Did you find anything out?”

“Hey, good to see you both alive and well. I expected one of you severely wounded by now if not dead, but I can live with petty fighting between an overworked commander and a lowly politician.”

“Thire” Fox growled like a warning.

“Alright, that bad then. Okay, Mina got me up to date. I looked up any activities in the area. The military police bust of Tal-Valas apartment is not listed as usual. But the droid patrol is tasked to check if the seal is active every now and then.”

“That matters little if we can’t get in.” Mina pointed out.

“Indeed. It would matter little if you could not get in. But you can so it does.”

“Really?”

“Yes, unlike you two I am not a techno-illiterate. Because I-“

Fox muted the connection. “Watch. He is about to flex his special training. Does it everytime.” He unmuted Thire again with a wink at Mina.

“-therefore, I am a security specialist. Super secure lock? Not for me! Cyber secured banking system? You mean a walk-in. Hiding your secret fic stash of porn without plot scribbles? If already read them all! Building a-“

“Okay we get it, Thire. You are very smart. Can you get us in?” Mina cut him off.

Thire smiled like a devious little child. “Of course. And not just that. I can override the seal temporarily under the name of a senator at your choosing.”

“Are you saying that some senators name will be put down for sneaking in and meddling with military affairs? That is irresponsible and puts the senator in danger if someone notices! We can’t do-“

“Take the kaminoan senator.” Fox said, his face expressionless. “Her name is Halle Burtoni.”

Thire, in all blue tones due to the holotransmission, nodded.

“Burtoni keeps vetoing clone citizenship-rights. Good choice, vod.”

Mina stayed silent, biting their lips. Finally, they shook their head in approval.

Thire started working and moments later the seal got lifted.

“Good work, Thire. Thank you. Would you mind looking up what you can about Tal-Vala while we look inside?”

“Will do but it might take some time. I have your workload now, remember Fox?”

“Oh yeah, I totally forgot. My bad. Sounds awful. Anyway, bye.”

Fox ended the transmission, leaving the last expression of a very unamused Thire hanging in the air.

Mina looked confused. “What was that about?”

“Thire kept preaching me that I work too much so I transferred my responsibilities on him while being away. I hope he will leave me alone with the fiddly monologues once I return.”

“Is your workload that bad?”

“When Nocte, our head medic, told me I needed 8 hours of sleep I first did not understand why he was mad at me because most of the time I do manage to get 8 hours of rest per week.”

Mina stared at him. “What?”

“Anyway. Let’s get going.”

Fox stepped in the apartment. It was tiny and messy. The commandos apparently had moved through Tal-Valas living quarters with little care for her personal belongings. Like most coruscanti apartments, it was a modest space. A tiny refresher unit. A little kitchen doubling as a living room. A room with a build-in storage below and a plateau for sleeping above. Its size was so small that Fox wondered how many times the apartment could fit into chancellor Palpatine’s office.

Despite the chaos, Fox felt charmed by the little space. Tal-Vala had put up pictures of the luscious forests of Felucia. And her stuff smelled clean, warm, and inviting. He looked around. Broken kitchen utensils, flimsis and clothing was cluttering the floor. He looked closer.

“Mina? What is that?”

She moved and looked at the pile of fabrics.

“Oh my, that is clothing for babies.”

They exchanged a look.

“You said only Tal-Vala was listed in this apartment.”

“The Elder did not mention a child either.” Mina added.

Another uncomfortable look. A child in this bleak scenario was a tragedy in motion.

“Let’s ignore this for now and look for more clues where they could be.”

They continued their search quietly for a while. Fox felt uncomfortable digging through a stranger’s life. Clones had little concept for privacy, starting from growing up in glass tubes and rooms - to sharing face, thought and fate with each other – to finally growing up to be soldiers interchangeable with each other. He had little chance of being different from his brothers. This woman however, clearly had put in lots of care into the physical objects in her life. Everything was personalised, painted, or worn - infused with the owner’s presence. Just like the graffities outside Tal-Valas apartment, her stuff was a mosaic of beauty and Fox had not been invited to look at it.

“I got something!” Mina called from the sleeping room.

Fox moved closer, carefully walking around Tal-Valas belongings, and leaned against the door frame with silent anticipation.

“I found a flimsy under the mattress.” Mina explained, “Those commandos as you called them must have overlooked that or not cared. It’s a picture of Tal-Vala and Sasha.”

She passed Fox the picture. It was indeed a picture of Tal-Vala and Sasha. They were standing close, Sasha having his arm casual around the woman’s hip, and she was leaning against him, her hands on a very big round belly. Fox stared at the picture, unable to process what he saw except the smiling couple. It’s just a picture. They are just happy together. Just a little romance. Nothing more.

“Fox?”

He jumped up slightly, his hands holding the flimsi trembling. Mina placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Fox, are you alright?”

He breathed heavily. Clones are not living beings according to law. Just property. They can’t make friends, fall in love, have relationships. They can’t have families. They can’t become parents. This was not happening.

Sasha smiled at Fox from the flimsy with happy defiance.

It was happening.

“We need to go.” Fox declared. “The patrol will pass by soon. Let’s get out of here.”

He put the flimsi into one of his pockets and got out, followed by Mina. Behind them the door resealing the apartment.

0204 SCT – Midlevel 98 Residential Complex Zina II Republic City, Coruscant, Mina’s Apartment

Mina moved Fox through the night like a good pilot moved a space craft. Concentrated, with minimal adjustments, avoiding risks. In one of the elevators, she turned around.

“Fox, my apartment is close by. I am bringing you there if it’s alright with you. You can rest there, and we can think of what to do. Okay?” Their voice was soft and quiet as if Mina was trying not to startle him.

Fox nodded. He didn’t feel like talking and so they moved under tacky advertisement neon lights and though Urban Canyons in silence.

Mina’s apartment was indeed close to Tal-Valas, just a few levels up but still in the Midlevel where light never reaches except for a handful lucky days with a few rare hours of darkness defying light.

Just like Tal-Vala’s living quarters Minas were miniscule, taking up a total space which would have made up a single room in other cities. Mina moved Fox into her kitchen, placed him at a table with a glass of water before sitting down across with an odd device.

“What is that?” Fox finally broke his silence.

“It’s a caffa bean mill. I thought Caf is your go to drink, and I thought I’d make you one. I only have a mechanical mill from home so it will take a little while.”

Fox stared curiously at the mill. “May I?”

“Sure”

The handle was wooden and warm from Mina’s touch. Fox started milling the beans, the repetitive movement and rattling sound calming him down.

“I think this is fine now. Thanks for the help.” Mina declared, reaching out for the mill and starting to prepare caf. Fox watched her and tried to be as little in the way as possible. Finally, the bubbling sound and smell of fresh brewed caf filled the little room and Fox felt himself relax in his shoulders.

“I hope you like it. I made it like we do on my home planet. No caf machine or fancy ingrediencies. Just plain caf from the can.”

Fox took the cup with the black liquid into his hands, slightly surprised how small regular cups for regular people looked in his large soldier hands and took a sip.

“Yes.” He just stated with approval. “I like it. A lot.”

Mina smiled and got back on her spot across him with her own cup. She looked tired. It was the middle of the night after all. And yet she made the effort to sit upright and smooth out any wrinkles in her neat clothing.

“Thank you for inviting me in. I guess it is rather personal to show someone their space.” Fox said.

“Don’t mention it. It’s nothing. I said I wanted to help with what I can. Sharing my rations and my space is comparably easy. Besides, you are a nice caf break company.” They lifted their cups like a toast.

Fox grumbled in agreement before lowering his head. “As much as I enjoy a break, we need to talk about Sasha and Tal-Vala.”

Mina’s face got serious again.

“You know that clones are not allowed to … socialize much outside of the army. We are property of the Republic and are not considered people. What Sasha did, wanting more, having community outside of the army, having … a family… that got him killed.” Fox felt his throat tighten and yet freed from the inevitability of spoken word.

“Are you sure he is dead?”

“Very. We haven’t found his body; we might never do. But the military police got to him and killed him. I am certain that some hints of his murder will turn up so that his comrades in his unit will be deterred to do as he did. The boys did not report him for leaving after every shift. They knew something and yet covered for him. The army, mostly consisting of involuntary forces, brainwashed and breed for war, cannot allow their clones to explore any freedom that might question that status. We are not meant to think about a future.”

Fox felt something inside of him unravel as he spoke those words. He never had voiced his feeling about his existence to anyone like that. It felt like a victory after a costly battle.

Mina just starred at him, shaken by his words.

“I don’t care if that child is Sashas child or not. I kind of always expected us clones to be infertile but who knows, maybe I am wrong. I have seen a lot the past days that did not fit what I have been taught. Sasha clearly cared about Tal-Vala and her pregnancy. So, it’s none of my busines how or why. But Tal-Vala is in danger if she is still alive. The commandos did not find her in the apartment. Maybe she is hiding. We need to find her first and we need to get her and the child to safety. That is what Sasha asked us to do.”

Fox felt good phrasing a clear goal. It was simple. Just do this and everything will be alright. He refused to think any further than that.

Mina still stared at him. Then she swallowed loudly and blinked. “Okay. I will comm Thire and ask him to check hospitals, social facilities, anything for Tal-Vala.”

“Thanks.” Fox reached over the table and pressed Mina’s hand. “I am glad that you are helping us.”

“I am glad that I can.”

The stayed like that, comfortably looking at each other, Fox drawing little circles with his thumb on Minas Hand.

0945 SCT – Midlevel 98 Residential Complex Zina II Republic City, Coruscant, Mina’s Apartment, Bedroom

Mina’s bedroom smelled like a dream. Fox lied stretched out on the mattress, dozing with closed eyes. She had offered him the room for a nap only for him to pass out a few hours straight up. He should feel guilty for leaving the research about Tal-Vala to Thire and Mina. But he felt too well rested for once to do that. Fox cuddled up more into the warm sheets with nothing on him but his boxers. It was so cosy he felt like floating. If he could, he would never get up.

A soft knock at the door made Fox growl with disapproval. It better be important.

“Fox?”

“Hmmmm?”

“Thire commed me.” Minas voice was shaky. Fox sat up, alarmed by her tone and looked at her, Mina’s expression nothing but defeated.

“What happened?” He asked.

“It’s just like you predicted. I guess, I hoped you were wrong. But they found Sasha. He is dead.” Mina hugged her arms around her frame, her head bobbing down. “The medic found him in a bacta tank in the coruscant guard medical bay. The bacta destroyed all marks on the body, leaving no clue about how or when he died. But someone with access to secured guard rooms was able to do bring his body in without an alarm. I-… It’s just not fair for Sasha to die like that. I-“

They stopped speaking. Fox was not sure what civvis like Mina needed to hear after learning about someone’s death. He hated seeing her like that, lost on what to do to change that.

“I-…” she tried again. “Can you hug me? I just need to cry a bit if it is alright with you.”

He opened his arms invitingly, happy that he did not have to speak. Mina crawled into his embrace, shaking slightly, and crying against his chest.

XXXXXX

Day 3 in progress

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[itsagrimm]

commander fox has a personal caf tumbler with cute fat unicorns & live laugh love bs on it and everyone who jokes about that mysteriously disappears.