(no subject)

[imthepilot]

{From here}

Bodhi takes Galen's hand and walks back through the door and back into the base. The cerebration is in full swing, happy shouts echoing from the hall. They run into only one other person on their way to Bodhi's room. The young lieutenant who had escorted Galen earlier.

Nika salutes, eyes drifting from Bodhi's face to their joined hands and back again. "Sir, Dr Erso."

"Lieutenant." Bodhi acknowledges, his voice a tense growl. Ready to deck the young man for a word out of place.

Instead the young man stutters shyly. "Sir?" He starts uncertainly. "I hope- have a good night, sir. You- you've earnt it."

Bodhi relaxes a little, resting his metal hand on the youth's shoulder. "As have you, lieutenant. Now go and enjoy yourself."

The boy nods, freckled cheeks warming with a blush. "Sir, yes sir." There's something about the way he steps aside to let them pass, watching them go. A crush perhaps? Or something more like hero worship?

Bodhi doesn't speak again till they're inside his room, the door firmly closed.

Comments

[imthepilot]

"Could such a thing be done without kyber?" She asks, watching his expression with interest. "I'm aware there's kyber on New Kisge but I don't believe it's suitable to be mined."

She knows about Bodhi's temple. Not that Bodhi knows that.

[galen_erso]

"But you have kyber," Galen says. "Scattered in the debris clouds of both Death Stars."

[imthepilot]

"Interesting." She acknowledges, making a note on her terminal. "That's not something I'd thought of. How soon can you put together a proposal on how to recover it?"

[galen_erso]

"I can think of three different ways of doing it, and I can write up an outline for them until tomorrow," Galen says.

It will give him something to do until Bodhi comes back and he can go outside.

[imthepilot]

"It's my intention to reactivate Delta Base as a research centre. One I hope to offer to General Rook to command. We cannot afford to disband Rogue Strike. There are times he and his team will be required. But between missions, I intend to make this his base of operations."

She gives a small shrug. "I've not yet discussed this with General Rook."

[galen_erso]

"I hope he will take it," Galen says. "Herding scientists is a mammoth undertaking -- especially if those scientists are all vital to rebuilding the galaxy after that depredations of the Empire."

Pause.

"As for the Death Stars, there is more to find in the debris than just kyber. The Empire has sunk a sizeable percentage of its resources into those monsters. Harvesting those will help a lot."

[imthepilot]

"I know he has- a fondness for this place." She cocks her head, sharp eyes looking straight through him. "And you. You may not be aware of this, but General Rook updated his personnel details this morning before going off-world. Listing you as his next of kin. And registering you as his life partner."

[galen_erso]

Oh. He had become sort-of married without even knowing about it. Of course, had Bodhi asked him, Galen would have enthusiastically answered with all sorts of yes.

Instead of looking gobsmacked, or jumping up with the sudden happiness, Galen just nods. "Glad to hear he had time to file that," he says. "We will do our best to make sure none of the other scientists feel at a disadvantage, or accuse him of a conflict of interest. Scientific rivalries can be vicious, and are of course massively counterproductive. That mustn't happen."

[imthepilot]

Mon gives him a very flat look. You're not fooling anyone, Galen.

She closes her terminal, very deliberately. "Dr Erso, let me make something very clear. We, the Alliance, failed your daughter. We failed Cassian Andor, the Jedhean Guardians and K-2SO. We failed Bodhi Rook."

"Since the return of his ship from Scarif. I've made his care my personal concern." There's a subtle warning in her tone.

[galen_erso]

"I will do my very best not to fail him," Galen says. "Because I love him deeply. He went out there for me, risked everything to help undo the monster I was made to build. When he runs this station, I will make sure he doesn't think it a sinecure. We will put out good work and helpful solutions for a war-ravaged galaxy, because that will give meaning to both of us. And make sure that Jyn and those others are remembered as they should be."

[imthepilot]

She holds his eyes for a long moment, her gaze level. Then nods.

"You've been granted the rank of special project science officer. You're cleared to move around the base and its environs freely. However any transmissions or travel off-world must be cleared beforehand."

She presents him with a wrist comm and a rank pin. "Now that you're officially an alliance officer, I can tell you that Bodhi left early this morning to attended the funeral for the pilots lost during the battle. He should be back by morning."

"I suggest you spend the time preparing a proposal for recovering the kyber and setting up labs here to manage it."

[galen_erso]

"And the other resources," Galen says, "which will be quite useful for rebuilding the sector. I am thinking of a three stages approach, with which -- anyway, I will put it all in writing."

He accepts the comm and pin.

"I will have to to outside and also get something to eat, rather than explain to Bodhi why I didn't."

[imthepilot]

"I'm glad to see you're already thinking it through. Let Nika know if you have any immediate needs. He's your assigned liaison for now."

She manages a small smile. "I would expect no less. If we don't take car of ourselves, how can we help others."

"One last thing - Dr Mothma has also elected to remain on Delta Base. I hope you will help each other settle in."

[galen_erso]

"Of course," Galen says, getting up. "I'll be glad to go on working with her. I owe her my life Bodhi's life, and then some."

[imthepilot]

Something fleetingly sad crosses the stoic senator's face, gone as soon as seen. "It would seem we now owe her yours as well."

She seems to come back to herself. "Now, before I bid you farewell, is there anything you'd like to ask of me, Dr Erso?"

[galen_erso]

"I'd like to offer a scholarship in memory of my daughter," Galen says. "Give some young women displaced by war a chance to achieve something. Is that something we could discuss to implement once we have the science outpost running?"

[imthepilot]

Mon Mothma's expression softens. "That is most certainly something that can be arranged. And as you don't appear to have any assets with which to fund it, I shall do so in your name. Yours and Jyn's."

[galen_erso]

"I suppose I will be paid?" Galen says. "I thought I'd use some of that money."

[imthepilot]

She nods, almost apologetic. "You will have an income, yes. Not as generous as the Empire I fear. I'll make the necessary arrangements."

"Now, if you will excuse me, Dr Erso. There is much to be done."

[galen_erso]

Galen stands, and nods.

"Thank you for everything, Councilwoman," he says. "I have proposals to write and ideas to hatch."

And Bodhi to wait for, and a new life to start.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi returns in the early hours of the morning, dressed in the uniform of an x-wing pilot. He lets himself into their room, quietly careful not to wake Galen. If he's there, of course.

[galen_erso]

He is there, and there is also a data pad of freshly written proposals, a pair of slightly muddy walking shoes in a corner, a large mug of caf seven eightths empty, and a bottle of water.

And Galen, curled up on the he bed in his jumpsuit.

[imthepilot]

There's something rather endearing about the view. Galen looks so relaxed.

Bodhi moves silently around the room, tidying up Galen's notes, emptying the caf and topping up the water.

Removing the black band from his upper arm, he changes out of his uniform.

He come over to the bed, dressed in soft pj pants and gently shifts Galen off the blanket so he can drape it over the sleeping man, curling up next to him.

[galen_erso]

Galen snuggles up to him, mumbling.

Then, suddenly his voice is awake, and breathlessly happy. "Bodhi! It's all real, and we're here. I got a job."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi's hair and skin smells of engine fuel and booze. Although he hasn't been drinking himself. He kisses the back of Galen's neck and shakes his head. "Yes, it's real. And we're here. What does Mothma have you doing?"