REX'S CAMPING TRIP Chapter 1
Hera Syndulla looked over at the three "youngest" crewmembers of the GHOST. They were sitting around the common area table looking miserable.
"No fun having sick kids is it?" Captain Rex said coming up behind her. She looked back and smiled at the former clone trooper who was now part of the family.
"Yes, it was bad enough when Sabine and Ezra got the flu, but now Zeb?"
"They're exhausted," Kanan said coming up behind the two of the them. "We all are. I've been talking to Commander Sato and he agrees that we need some serious down time. Not just you and I, but all of us."
A loud sneeze from Zeb startled them. The Lasat leaned back on the seat rubbing his irritated nose. Ezra and Sabine leaned back and layed their heads on his shoulders. All three let out pitiful moans.
Kanan watched as Hera went over and placed a hand on each of the sick crewmember's foreheads. Ezra coughed leaning against Zeb more. Sabine just groaned cuddling closer to Zeb who was shivering with chills.
"You three need to rest, especially you Zeb," Hera said in her maternal tone she used alot with her crew, even Kanan.
"I'm fine," the Lasat said before a sneeze doubled him over, "Oh...Karabast!"
"No, you're not, Zeb. You have a fever even higher than Ezra's and Sabine's."
She handed him some tissue so he could wipe off his nose. Zeb looked at her with the saddest eyes. She almost chuckled at how pathetic he looked.
"You know what this family needs?" Rex announced over the commotion of Zeb blowing his nose.
"What?" Kanan asked.
"A camping trip," Rex said watching Hera help the sick ones up and leading them back to their cabins.
"What's camping?" Kanan asked sensing through the Force his three friend's flu miseries. He had hoped along with Hera that Zeb wouldn't get sick since he got very sick with Loth-Cat flu once and drove them crazy for two weeks with his whining and complaining. A sick Lasat was not a pleasant being to be around.
Rex went on to tell Kanan about all the ins and outs of a camping trip.
"You know, Rex, that sounds like fun but..."
"You don't want to take sick kids along. Don't worry, the fresh air will do them good. Kanan, you and Hera need time to rest up, me included. I don't know of many kids who don't like camping. I'll get Gregor and Wolffe to help me with the supplies. They enjoy camping too. We did alot of that while we were clone troopers for the Republic. Well, at least roughing it on different planets. We tried to lighten up the mood. General Skywalker always appreciated that. I bet Zeb, Ezra and Sabine will have the time of their lives."
Hera returned after getting her three friends back to their cabins and tucked into bed. She gave them a big dose of medication from the medbay hoping it would bring down their fevers.
"They should sleep for awhile, I hope," the Twi'lek said, "Gave Zeb an extra big dose since he has the highest fever. He can be such a big baby when he's sick. Even more than Ezra and Sabine. At least they stay quiet and don't whine as much. What have you and Rex been talking about?"
Kanan gestured to her to sit down next to Rex and himself.
"Hera, I think this family needs to go on a camping trip." Rex suggested, "I'll get ahold of Gregor and Wolffe to help. They love a good camping trip."
"Rex," Hera began to say, "That sounds okay...but what with the kids sick and repairs needing to be done at the base..."
"Hera...We need this," Kanan replied, "We all need this. Commander Sato has okayed for us to take a much needed break. I know I'll enjoy some down time."
"What about Zeb, Ezra and Sabine? They are sick and shouldn't be exposed to the elements."
"The planet Kswah Prime is very warm all year round and a haven for family camping trips. Gregor, Wolffe and I have been there many times. Hera, the kids will love it and you will too."
"All right," she answered realizing that she was outnumbered, "Sounds great. What do Kanan and I need to do?"
"Nothing," Rex said, "Gregor, Wolffe and I will get all the necessary supplies together so we can leave day after tomorrow. I know this will be the best way to unwind after the missions we've been on recently."
"Hera!" came Ezra's frantic call.
She ran to the boy's cabin he shared with Zeb.
"Ezra, what's wrong?" she asked coming inside the cabin. He pointed to the lower bunk.
Zeb was sitting up, head hung down his pointed ears drooping.
"I...I threw up," the Lasat whispered looking like he was about to cry.
Hera had to surpress a chuckle at how pitiful he looked.
"Oh, don't worry, Zeb. I"ll get it cleaned up. Let's get a blanket wrapped around you. Why don't you go out to the common area with Kanan and Rex. Try to get some rest."
The big Lasat let her wrap a blanket around him and she gave him a pat on his feverish face. Zeb managed a tiny smile as he walked out of the cabin.
Hera got his bunk cleaned off and climbed up the ladder to Ezra's bunk to check on the boy. He was dozing a bit but felt her tuck the blanket around him.
"Get some sleep, Ezra. Let the medicine help. I'll take care of Zeb. Don't worry about him."
After seeing the boy go back to sleep, Hera went over to check on Sabine and was relieved to see that the girl was fast asleep. She tucked the blanket around her more.
She went back out to the common area and smiled seeing Zeb curled up in his Lasat-sized chair the blanket wrapped around his broad shoulders. He was snoring his breathing a bit wheezy sounding. She placed a hand against the Lasat's forehead and felt that the fever hadn't gotten any higher than it was. She tucked the blanket around him more.
Kanan watched seeing her maternal ministrations towards the Lasat. He smiled loving that part of her, a maternal side that wasn't only for Ezra and Sabine, but also towards Zeb even though he was older than both of them.
"What are you two up too?" she asked looking once more at Zeb to see if he was comfortable enough.
"Making a list of what we need for the camping trip," Rex answered, "Camping trips require alot of gear."
"We have alot of supplies on the GHOST," Hera said seeing Zeb shivering with the chills of up a fever. She got up and made sure Zeb was wrapped up completely in his blanket. The Lasat woke up with a start and let out a sneeze that nearly shook the walls. His pug-like nose began running and Hera took a tissue to wipe up the mess. Zeb's big green eyes were watery and dark circles were under them.
"Sorry," the Lasat said in a voice unlike his own. It sounded small and helpless.
"Try to go back to sleep," Hera said making sure he was comfortable again, "Rex what else to we need?"
"Camping trips require sleeping in tents or under the stars. Since the kids are sick, we'll need some tents. We also will need sleeping bags, sleeping pads, food, a camp stove, and a lantern. The campground I want to take you to is in a very pretty area of the planet next to the Woh River. Gregor, Wolffe and I have camped there most of the time."
Later that day, Gregor and Wolffe came aboard armed with all the camping gear that would be needed for the trip. All this was loaded into the ship's cargo bay. After everything was secured, Hera and Kanan invited their friends up to the common area for a cup of caf.
"Where's the kids?" Wolffe asked looking around for the other crewmembers.
"Ezra, Sabine and Zeb are sick with the flu," Hera answered,"They are resting in their cabins hopefully asleep. I gave them some medicine to bring down the fever. Zeb is the sickest of the three and his fever is still a little high but hopefully will be going down with this last dose of meds."
"Didn't know the big guy could get sick," Gregor said hoping his friend would get better. He was anxious to see Zeb's reaction at going camping.
"Lasats can get sick like the rest of us," Kanan said, "It's not fun to be around them when they are."
"Does Zeb get cranky?" Gregor asked.
"He's probably a big baby when he's sick," Wolffe answered as he smiled. Rex was trying not to laugh.
"Yes, he's a bit needy when he doesn't feel well," Hera said, "I don't mind taking care of him."
"Hera's the resident mother to all of us," Kanan replied, "She takes care of all of us, not just Zeb and the kids."
The next day Gregor and Wolffe with Rex and Kanan helping got the last of the supplies loaded onboard the GHOST. Ezra and Sabine were feeling a little better, just sniffling alot. Zeb still feverish also wanted to help but Hera made him lay back down on his bunk.
"I'm not a kid," the Lasat grumbled, "I don't need a nap."
"Yes, you do," came Hera's no-nonsense response, "You're sicker than Ezra and Sabine. Just relax..."
"Yeah, Zeb, just relax," came Ezra's response from the doorway.
"Shut up, you."
"Ezra, you and Sabine need to rest too. Up on your bunk."
"Aw...Hera..."
Her stern look gave him the answer. Ezra knew he had to do as he was told.
Zeb was snickering softly and Ezra gave him a dirty look.
"Sabine!" Hera called out, "You need to rest too!"
The Mandalorian girl got an almost pout on her face, but did as she was told. She did feel a little tired.
"You three get some sleep. You should feel better by the time we get to Kswah Prime."
Three grumbling responses came to her ears.
"Zeb, you and Ezra are the biggest babies," Sabine said as she looked across the corridor at her two "siblings".
"No, we're not!" came the response back.
"Hey!" came a voice from the common area. The voice carried alot of authority, "You kids need to get to sleep!"
It was Wolffe and he was smiling.
"Hi, Wolffe!" came three tired-sounding voices.
"You three need to be quiet and get to sleep. Don't want three sickos on this trip."
The elderly clone trooper smiled at the "youngest" crewmembers he had grown to consider his niece and nephews. It felt good to him to be part of a family again even if the family were a mistfit crew of rebels.
In the afternoon the GHOST landed in the area reserved for ships at the campground. Hera and Kanan were amazed how beautiful the planet was. Rex and Gregor lowered the cargo bay ramp and the smell of flowers, fresh water and fresh air met their nostrils.
"It's so beautiful," Hera whispered holding Kanan's hand. The Jedi/rebel closed his eyes taking in all the sounds and smells.
"Wolffe, go wake up the kids," Hera said looking around at the scenery.
The former trooper went back up to the crew cabins and saw that Ezra and Sabine were getting their boots on. Zeb was still dozing until Ezra threw a pillow at him.
"Hey!" the Lasat cried out as he woke up.
"Up and at 'em, kiddo," Wolffe said helping Zeb to his feet,"We're at Kswah Prime."
Ezra and Sabine ran to the ladder and nearly slid down it.
"Last one out is a Loth-Cat's mother," Ezra said running down the ramp. Sabine laughed as she followed him outside.
"This is so cool!" the boy called out as he gazed at the scenery around him with the wonder of a child.
"Hey, Ezra, bet I can climb this tree," Sabine said pointing to a big pine tree with sweet smelling branches.
"You're on!"
Zeb followed Wolffe down the cargo bay ramp and stopped. He closed his eyes, stretched his muscles, and then opened his eyes. What he saw made his green eyes widen with wonder. A big toothy grin appeared on his face.
"Wow!" was all he could gasp out.
"Hey, Zeb!" Ezra called from the tree, "I bet you can't climb a tree!"
The Lasat looked up at his younger "sibling" and grinned more.
"Hey, bet I can climb this tree!"
Hera, Kanan, Rex, Wolffe and Gregor watched amazed as the big Lasat climbed up the tree faster than the two teenagers did. Soon he was sitting on a branch several feet above them.
"Been climbing trees since I was a little kid on Lasan! I climbed one twice as tall as this one!"
"Braggart!" Sabine called up to him.
Zeb just chuckled until a big sneeze almost sent him flying off the branch.
"Zeb! Be careful!" Hera called up to him,"You three need to get out of that tree, now!"
The three "kids" slowly climbed down out of the tree as the campground manager came around to get them checked into their site.
She was an older human woman a bit on the heavy side and carried herself with an air of authority. She had a cheery smile that Kanan and Hera liked right from the start.
"You're the strangest looking family to ever visit Woh River Campground. I'm used to seeing Twi'leks, humans, Ithorians, Wookiees, Duros and even human clones. Never seen one like the big one with the purple fur. What is he or she?"
"Oh..." Hera answered, "The big purple-furred kid is a Lasat. He's harmless."
Gregor, Wolffe and Rex tried not to laugh.
"What are your names?" the woman asked. Her name was Priscilla and the rebel family really liked her.
"My name is Kanan Jarrus," the Jedi/rebel said shaking her hand. "This is Hera Syndulla. The two teenagers by the tree are Ezra and Sabine. The big purple-furred kid is Zeb. Ezra, Sabine and Zeb waved hello to her as they helped Gregor open one of the supply crates.
"I'm Rex," the clone captain said, "Over by the kids is Gregor and the bearded gentleman is Wolffe."
"Will our unique family be allowed to stay at the campground?" Hera asked hoping they could stay. She saw how much Kanan loved the area and the "kids" were enjoying themselves too.
"Of course, dear. What should I call your family group?"
"I guess you can call us the Jarrus/Syndulla clan," Kanan said, "My family is really looking forward to this camping experience. We've been very...busy and our children have been fighting flu. This is out first time camping."
"You will have alot of fun, not just the adults but the children too. Do they like to hike? There's a big hike coming up in a few days that the children love. Your...uh...kids should like it too." She looked over at Zeb a bit taken back at the Lasat's size and somewhat fearsome facial features, but seeing his flu irritated nose, feverish cheeks and fever-dulled eyes made her realize he was just another sick kid. A big alien kid. "Enjoy yourselves and let me know if you need anything."
"Thank you."
By early evening the GHOST crew had their camp set up. Like typical curious children, Ezra and Sabine with Zeb in tow, explored the campground. The two teenagers didn't get many glances but Zeb did from the other families. He felt uncomfortable being scrutinized by Duros, humans, Rodians and a Wookiee family not far from their camp site. A young Wookiee female smiled at him and batted her eyes. She obviously was flirting with him. Zeb looked away...quickly swallowing hard.
"Maybe they've never seen a Lasat before," Ezra said seeing his friend look a bit sad, "That Wookiee was sure looking you over."
Sabine chuckled seeing Zeb's face darken with embarrassment.
"No she wasn't," was the Lasat's murmured response.
Ezra and Sabine knew better but didn't press the matter. The three of them had to get back to camp before Hera got worried about them like a mother hen.