Mayday turned and strode out of the kitchen.
"Mayday. What's wrong?" Hela asked, before glaring at Zur. "You could have at least announced your presence."
He made a 'whatever' face at her.
"You're infuriating at times. I should terminate your employment." She continued.
"But you won't."
"Don't tempt me!" Hela retorted,
"And you can't, the Opera House pay me!" he shouted after her.
"Mayday!" She shouted, ignoring Zur, "It's not what you think." She followed him.
Mayday heard what she said and wasn't sure what he thought; he hadn't expected to see Zur, thinking he was her assistant especially after Ord Mantel but he had seen how he watched her and how he looked at him. If she wanted a one night stand she should have made it clear from the beginning and he could cope with that; it had happened before.
He wasn't even sure why he was angry about it.
Yes he was. There was that feeling again, the one that trickled through to him occasionally—more often now the longer the war went on; the feeling of being used by everyone.
She appeared at the door, "Mayday?"
"You should have told me about him. I don't like surprises or being taken for granted."
He watched her take a tentative step forward.
"Zur? He's my assistant and friend. We just live together. Just like you and your brothers."
"Not exactly like us. You have a choice and you chose to live together."
"He had nowhere else to go. I wasn't going to leave him homeless. He's been with me for years. Since I first started at the Opera House."
Mayday frowned.
"Not everything is provided for us. It's not like the GAR. We have to pay for our own homes, food, clothes and other things. I work and he helps me. It's what pays for all this. Without him I couldn't cope with everything."
"But the way he watches you."
"He is used to anticipating everything I need before I need it."
Mayday hadn't considered that. There was a lot he didn't know about being a civvy, about Hela; all he had ever done was obey orders and fight.
"I don't take you for granted." she added.
"Breakfast is here." Zur's voice announced from the kitchen, interrupting them.
"Please stay. Just for breakfast. Then if you want you can shower and go." Her hand rested lightly on his.
Mayday looked at his greys scrunched up in his hands then at Hela. He wasn't used to this; there usually wasn't a morning after. He smoothed them out.
"Please. Zur said you could borrow these." She held up some lounge pants. "And the breakfast is from Dex's."
"They deliver?" Mayday asked, showing his interest.
"For select clients."
"And you're select?"
"Of course, I am."
"Okay then."
She leaned up, her arms reaching around his neck and pressed her lips against his, he reacted, responding despite his uncertainty about Zur. She smoothed her hands down his arms, he winced when she hit the still healing blaster burn.
"What did I do?" She asked, concerned at his reaction.
"Nothing. It's just a wound."
"You were wounded? Why didn't you tell me? And you still came here? Why aren't you in a Bacta tank or at least Medbay. Did they treat you? Did they discharge you? Have you gone AWOL?"
He smiled, this was more like her; the torrent of words flying from her mouth.
"It's a flesh wound. It's healing." He explained, inexplicably touched by her concern. "And No. I am not AWOL."
She saw it now, the red mark, "They can still become infected." She studied it, frowning.
"It's fine. It's healing well."
She watched him, uncertainly, "What about the armour, is it defective?"
He huffed, "There are gaps but it's still not as bad as it could have been without the armour and bodysuit."
"So you're okay?"
"Yes, didn't I prove that last night—twice?" He smiled.
She pulled her arm back to punch him but that was his injured arm; she stopped herself.
"Yes you did. You know you did. Now… breakfast."
"Yes, ma'am."
Zur had laid the breakfast out.
"I thought I may have to come and disturb you two, before breakfast became cold. Caf?"
Mayday nodded.
"Help yourself to food!"
And he did. This was his first experience of what normal people did and he had to admit he liked it; the soft bed, the waking up next to Hela, the breakfast, except the unexpected roommate.
"I'm sorry I surprised you. This is supposed to be temporary and I can always make myself scarce when you want some privacy." Zur commented, as he helped himself to more Roba sausage.
Mayday was still working his way through some eggs.
"We just have to work out some sort of system." Zur added, looking at Hela, who sat and smiled; he had not seen her so relaxed and comfortable in herself for a long time. Not even with Krennic, who had made his feelings about Zur known. The clone didn't seem to have any misgivings about him, other than surprising him. He didn't think he was that naïve.
"I apologise if I was rude earlier." Mayday said, "I understand now you are close to Hela and look after her and that's fine…..and I appreciate what you do for her."
Zur looked up. He hoped the clone didn't fully understand his role. He had heard they were experts in body language; it's part of what made them exceptional soldiers.
"How many days of furlough do you have?" He asked, innocently.
Mayday glanced at Hela, she was very quiet, "Three at most because of resupply but it could change and I really need to check in on my men. They're not as bad as the 501st but there's a few that can get into all kinds of trouble."
"Trouble?" Hela asked, brown sauce dripping down her chin.
Mayday suppressed a smile.
"You would not believe what highly trained, cooped up soldiers can get up to. I usually have a lot of flimzi work to do afterwards."
He leaned over and wiped her chin, "So I have to go back and check on them. Now where's the fresher? I really need a shower."
Zur pointed down the corridor, he was still eating.
"Use whatever you want and there's plenty of soap." added Hela.
.
Mayday stood staring at the refresher. It was bigger than his office, bigger than Cody's office, bigger than their squad rooms. He wasn't sure what all the parts were but the bath tub you could practically swim in and it appeared to have some kind of jet system. Hela had said he could use whatever he wanted. There was also a small room that was lined with wood. He ignored that.
He stuck to the shower and stepped in and sighed. It had numerous bottles lined up on integrated shelves and more instruments than a gunship cockpit, with no obvious instructions. He pressed what he assumed was the temperature button and waited. The water hit him like stun blast, forcing him back a step. He pushed against it, adjusted the knob and the force reduced. Then he just stood there; this was a luxury, unlimited time in a shower with hot water. He wasn't interested in any of the other items there. He picked up one of the numerous bottles that was dotted around the wet room; laughing as he imagined what some of his brothers would say. He looked around it again, it seemed to be made out of some kind of shiny stone. He ran his hand along it. The freshers at the GAR were prehistoric compared to this; he had already been in here twice as long as he would be allowed at the GAR.
He finally picked up one that said Ginger-lily and pepper. He sniffed at it; not too bad. He had smelt some perfumes in his travels and they were overpowering. This was the one Hela used; he recognised it.
He was forgetting himself, he needed to be back at the barracks and soaped himself quickly, rinsing it all off and drying himself quickly on an unimaginably soft towel. He pulled on his shorts, then there was a soft knock.
"Mayday?" Hela's voice was soft.
"Yes."
"Can I come in?"
"Yes." he wondered why she asked after what they had done last night.
"Your uniform. I had it pressed for you."
"Thank you." it looked immaculate.
"Are you coming back?" She asked hopefully.
"Do you want me to?"
"Yes. I want to get to know you better, Commander Mayday."
"There's not much to know. I'm a clone, a simple soldier. I go where I'm ordered. Fight where I'm told."
"I don't think you're that simple, in fact I know you're not. No one is."
Mayday smiled, no one except the General had ever spoken to him like that.
"Tonight?"
"Tonight." she agreed.
Before he realised it, he had wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him in a kiss; he was already looking forward to tonight.
.
Zur sat with his caf, he looked over and smiled at Hela, "Happy?" He asked, after the clone had left.
"Yes."
"Is it going to be serious with him?"
"I don't know and he has a name. It's up to Mayday."
"He's a soldier. They're not renowned for their….monogamy."
"It's early days."
"It is."
"Why him?"
"I don't know. I just have a feeling about him."
"Yeah? It's called lust."
She rolled her eyes.
"I won't deny it. I like the look of him."
"So. Do I need to make myself scarce tonight? Is he coming back later?"
"I hope so." She leaned her elbows on the table and drank yet more caf, "He's supposed to be on furlough."
.
Coruscant Skylanes
Hela pushed the Cobalt blue custom built Flitknot speeder to its limits through the sky lane, as Zur held onto his seat. There were not many of these vehicles around now, let alone a two seater and she refused to let him drive it.
"Can you go a …little slower—please." implored Zur.
"No! This is perfectly safe. Did I ever tell you the Chancellor taught me how to drive."
"Did you upset him on that day?"
"Very funny!"
"I try."
She accelerated quickly upwards. Zur was once again thankful for the seat belt.
"That dress rehearsal took way too long."
They levelled out.
"There was nothing wrong with the last three as far as I could see and why did we have to do it today?" She groused.
She swerved sharply to the left, undertaking a Public Transit vehicle and taking the next corner too fast.
Zur swallowed before replying.
"There was nothing wrong with the four dresses prior to that but no," he adjusted his hold again, "not for you. And for your information the last three made you look dumpy."
"I never look dumpy." She retorted as she pushed the controls causing the speeder to dip downwards. Zur's stomach objected.
"We had to do it today because," he paused to take a deep breath, "actually I don't know why we had to do it today. Something to do with the new Director. He has the last say. And is going away for a few days. Why are you in such a hurry."
"Mayday!"
"Ah yes. I forgot. Is that why you've been twitchy all day."
"I have not been twitchy, as you call it!"
She swerved, Zur lurched.
"Just concentrate on the driving."
"I am." She replied, banking left as they reached the Apartment complex. She finally pulled into the speeder garage and parked up carefully.
"Thank the maker." Muttered Zur, as she switched off the engine.
Hela jumped out of the speeder and started walking.
"What should I wear tonight?"
"I don't think it matters, it won't be on for long." Zur caught up with her.
"Geonosian!" she rerorted.
"There's no need for insults. I'm just stating the obvious."
"So what do you think? I'm also ordering food."
"Like I said, it's immaterial." He sniggered at his own joke.
"Very funny!"
Hela stopped dead; Zur bumped into her.
"I'm not really dumpy am I?"
"Only in those dresses my dear. They were an abomination."
"Yes. I suppose they were. Especially the fuchsia pink one with flowers. What about the cobalt dress with tiny straps for tonight?"
"Ideal!"
"Thanks. And you'll be going out?"
"I will."
"Perfect!"
.
GAR Barracks.
Third Systems Army HQ
"So you finally managed it, finally got laid."
Mayday ignored Veetch's comment and his hand gesture and sat at his desk.
"Or did you play Sabacc all night?"
Mayday raised an eyebrow, then ignored him again.
"So did Cody say why he wanted to see me?"
"No but I'm invited too. Seventeen hundred hours. Might need to eat beforehand."
"Okay, let's see what the damage is. How many have we got to see?"
"Only ten, should be finished in time for the Commander. Should I order more toothbrushes?"
"Might be an idea. It would be good to see how many different things can be cleaned as punishments."
Veetch grinned.
.
Mayday could not look at his brother officer, if he did he would laugh. He stared at the trooper standing in front of him, with a serious look on his face. Some clones can lie, others can't. This one couldn't.
His opponent must have been pretty good for him to get the black eye and bruised face and Mayday still wasn't sure he was totally at the bottom of what happened.
Another shiny had been shown the delights of Coruscant.
"Dismiss!" He finally said, watching the trooper give the sharpest salute he had seen in a long time.
"I know this is why we beat the Clankers, because we're adaptable and imaginative. But sometimes, troopers are just too imaginative for their own good in their down time."
Veetch finally grinned, "Thirty minutes sir and your comlinks flashing with a message. Are you going to answer it?"
Mayday checked it.
'Are you still on for tonight?' From helavaday.
'Yes.' He replied.
'Good. Bring your appetite. 😉'
Veetch leaned over, "Why has she put a winking face on it?"
"I have no idea." Mayday replied, he was not going there at this time and definitely not just before meeting Cody.
.
Briefing Room.
17:00 hours
"Afternoon gentlemen, take a seat."
Mayday and Veetch sat at the table opposite Cody.
"I asked you both to come here today to advise you about your new Company."
Cody was being formal.
"New Company?" Asked Mayday. He had thought he was getting a Battalion.
"The General has had an idea for what he has called a Rapid Response Team."
"Sounds interesting!" Mayday leaned forward.
"They back fill quickly when reinforcements are needed or in specific circumstances."
Cody watched the two men in front of him; he had their full attention now and was satisfied these were the men he wanted on this.
"Sometimes it takes too long for full reinforcements to be gathered and sent in and usually at the detriment of other army's campaigns, pulling the GAR in separate directions."
"But won't this just do the same?"
"It will to a certain degree but the response time would be quicker and targeted, and won't always need direct approval from above."
"We're bypassing the Chancellor?" Mayday asked, shocked.
"No, just circumventing the red tape."
"SOB would have liked to take it on but their numbers still aren't up to scratch. So you'll be getting a mixture of shinies, experienced men and ARC trained troopers."
"Sir, I like the sound of it." Veetch grinned.
"You'll be in the thick of it most of the time."
Mayday smiled, "Best place to be, sir. When do we start?"
"I'm sending a list of recruits for you to review. So now."
.
Hela's Apartment.
Mayday let himself in, the code still worked. He half expected to be locked out, as he was hours late, after the meeting with Cody; he was fully prepared to make a full and frank apology and then take her to bed and make her forget it.
He was confident he could do that now.
The room was dark, "Lights—low." He ordered softly.
Then he saw the table laid out ready for food, artificial candles, an empty bottle of wine and his flowers were still there. Hela lay asleep on one of the couches, dressed in a very flimsy dress that matched the colour of the plom blooms he had brought her.
He contemplated leaving, letting her sleep. But he couldn't just leave her lying there; it didn't look particularly comfortable. He leaned over her.
"Hela!" He whispered, gently shaking her shoulder. He didn't want to carry her, still unsure how far he could go, "Hela!" He said louder. She shot upright, their heads cracked together.
"Ow!" She yelped, suddenly awake.
Mayday backed away eyes smarting and touched his nose, it was wet; he could smell the iron in the blood and his fingers came back red.
"Ow too." He replied.
"Mayday? It's late." Hela blinked up at him, "I thought you weren't coming." She levered herself up to face him. "What have you done to your nose?"
"You mean, what you did to my nose."
Her hand went to her mouth, "I did? I'm so sorry." Let me get some Bacta or a plaster or something. I should have some somewhere." She looked frantically around the room.
"It's okay, it's almost stopped. What about you, does it hurt?"
"What?"
"Your eye? Are you concussed? Lights—brighter."
The lights became brighter, her eyes squinted, he could see the lump forming on her eyebrow.
"That's a nasty lump."
Her hand went to her eyebrow and she winced.
"I think it's you that needs the Bacta. Where is it?"
"In the bathroom—I think."
He wandered off to find it, as Hela frantically looked for her comlink.
"Talking to someone already?" He asked, as he returned, to see her fumbling with her comlink.
It clattered as it hit the floor.
Mayday picked it up and read the message; he winced, he had not checked his own messages, as he was rushing to see her, knowing he was late.
"Are you very angry with me?"
"I was but you're here now."
He dabbed the Bacta on her eyebrow.
"I thought I was joining the other notches on your bedpost." she added.
"I don't have any."
She tried to arch an eyebrow but it hurt too much.
"It's difficult to put notches in our bunks; they're durasteel. Now, time for bed." He pulled her up.
She wobbled, unsteady on her feet.
"Come on." He cajoled, holding her up and smelling the wine on her breath.
"Best laid plans…." He murmured, as he walked her to the bedroom.