Magnet for Trouble

by Virodeil

Instead of vanishing into oblivion, Jango's clones find themselves on the fields belonging to the Fett family after death, fresh as new. Now, what is a pair of farmers to do with the homeless, clueless millions of individuals bearing unnervingly close similarities to their children popping up all over their property? And what if the number increases even more with other people?

43. Premature Warriors, Part 1

Magnet for Trouble
By Rey

Chapter summary: One problem's solved, another crops up.

43. Premature Warriors, Part 1

Kote counts it as an achievement on par with the most high-yield harvest in the farm's history that is fully used and traded, when CC-1010 agrees to ride on their shoulders after encountering the new difficulty of a small body trying to look over a very, very expansive spread of small bodies.

Not that it is much better with the new vantage point, as there are indeed a truly mind-boggling number of children present, spread nearly from horizon to horizon to Kote's naked sight, with their helmet in CC-1010's custody as "hostage."

But, with this arrangement, the other children at least no longer look at the unhelmeted Mando as if looking at one of their abusers.

Some of them even dare titter a little, from the safety of the crowds, even though others seek to hush them frantically right after.

Well, Kote just looks on, with the easiest and most open posture they can muster under so much scrutiny of so many children, and visibly preens when the children slowly, slowly, slowly relax. Including CC-1010. Who is by now somewhat draped over the back of Kote's head, which is thankfully not populated with horns, unlike the front.

They only speak when CC-1010 is fully draped over their head, apparently drowsy after so much tension and wild emotions, followed with a peaceful lull while attached to an adult in a position that – Kote would bet – the child never ever experienced before. In a voice that will hopefully carry while not startling CC-1010 awake, they introduce themself and their absent spouse again, welcome the children into the farm and their family, apologise that the spouses will not be able to provide adequately for everyone at present, promise to do better, explain that other children have arrived before them and this is yet long, long, long before the so-called war they had to fight in and will hopefully never fight in again, hope that everyone will get along, and invite the little ones to rejoin their siblings, at least to take shelter in the less-exposed garden if they feel too skittish yet – although Kote doesn't use those words verbatim! Just the gist of it – to mingle with everyone else.

Their throat is hoarse for more than one reason, at the end. But they cannot deny how uplifting and daunting the spark of hope in those young-but-too-old upturned little faces is.

Nor how pliant CC-1010 is, when they oh so carefully shift the child from atop their shoulders to the circle of their arms.

And how amusing and horrifying they find it, when CC-1010 refuses to let go of their helmet even in a deep sleep.

They end up leading the many, many, many children to the nearby swatch of lush vegetation – like a nuna with its chicks – with one of the children curled round their helmet in their arms.

And it feels like a very nice bonus indeed when they find a horizontal, disarmoured Ruusaan cuddled up from head to foot by the remaining children still in the garden.

It's comparably very easy to settle the remaining children throughout the garden, after beholding such an open, warm, familial, vulnerable sight.

Just, quite unfortunately, Kote's commlink vibrates their vambrace before they can join Ruusaan with CC-1010.

And the caller is Jaster. Who turns out to have arrived at the farm. Without informing Kote beforehand. And that lout must have seen the children congregated round the farmhouse by now.

Also the one snuggled up in their arms, given that the call is audiovisual.

Kote refrains from cursing up a streak only because they're coaxing a stirring CC-1010 back to sleep and many of the other children are looking at them as if waiting for further orders in relation to this call.

But they do glare at the said lout and hiss lowly, "Jaster, if you bring trouble to my home, with this many children around, friend or not, you'll pay."

Jaster – also out of helmet at present, somehow – looks hurt and dares look insulted, but Kote can't care less about it for now.

"Can't I just visit?" the lout demands back. "You didn't even tell me that Jan'ika's multiplying. How would I know? Don't you trust me?"

Kote snorts. "You, maybe. But not those surrounding you. And are they here, too?"

Jaster opens their mouth, looking even more insulted, but Kote beats them to it. "You may trust them with your life, but I do not. So, Jaster, for the sake of our friendship and these children, answer me."

Jaster huffs, glares, scowls, but they also bite out, "No. Came alone. Told them I went scouting for a good place to regroup. Knew you wouldn't like it if I told anybody about this place. Happy, now?"

Kote gives them a firm nod. "Good."

Jaster glares harder, but their scowl softens into a pouting frown. More disgruntled than hurt, now, and Kote can see a spark of curiosity in the other's eyes.

Uh-oh.