Chapter Text
INTERIOR - AFTERNOON - VOS GESAL HOTEL/ Rm 4322
"Debbie, you promised!"
Freena had just unpacked and hung her clothes. Her empty suitcase was still in hand when Debbie dropped some bullshit nonsense about "Wowzer clones from Ryloth" and General Cham Syndulla meeting with the Senate for peace accords.
Freena had heard enough. Just us gals, my ass.
She was ready to pack her things back in her suitcase and head back to her apartment. A staycation in the city's upper levels with Debbie and no clone soldiers ? Unbelievable. Freena should have known better.
"This was supposed to be our girls-only weekend, Deb! You are the one who suggested that part! You said, 'Just us gals. No clones, I promise!,' I can't believe I actually thought you would be able to handle one weekend away from them."
Freena wanted to travel somewhere for their big weekend. Debbie knew the insane demands of her job when they worked together at the Office of Residential Authority. So to make sure Freena didn't bail, she suggested they just treat themselves to a nice room at the Vos Gesla hotel. They had reserved this ridiculously expensive hotel room in the city, booked spa appointments for morning tomorrow, tickets to the water ballet in the afternoon, and they were just going to relax.
But no, Debala and her bizarre Shebby world just had to ruin everything.
"Freena, I know what I said. But you have to believe me, this will be better than any girls-only weekend. When you see these guys from Ryloth…you just have to trust me! The Wowzer Squad is a work of art, a blessing to the eye and soul. These soldiers…they all truly look exactly the same. They look just like their Captain, and he's…oof…I mean, they all are just––" Debbie bites her lip. She dramatically falls back onto the king-sized bed, "Freena, they are so unbelievably gorgeous, strong, fun, and kind. It's like an overload of sexy, handsome, gentlemanly perfection. And their armor? Oh, sweet stars above, that color of teal alone gets me soooo wet."
"Well, you are a stylist, so that part isn't as disturbing as it sounds, I think? No, actually. It's still disturbing."
"Freena, we cannot miss a Wowzer Squad appearance at 79's. I will never forgive myself. Never!"
"Explain this to me, please. How are these clones different from the ones you see all the time? Don't they all just look the same? And don't give me that rant about how each one has a different personality. I know you are not ditching our girls-only weekend to go hang out with some clones for their fucking personality, Debala. Puh-lease"
"You will understand when you come out to 79's tonight. So hate me now and thank me later. I can handle it. But believe me, I didn't plan this, I just got the intel when we were checking in that they were here. They escorted Gen. Syndulla for his meeting with the Senate committees and are now on liberty leave for the next two rotations, starting this morning."
"Debbie, I just don't know—"
"Freena! I have never once urged you to come out with me and the other Shebby gals. Not once. I figured if you wanted to or when you wanted to you would ask. But tonight I insist. This…is happening."
"I'm not going."
"Stop it, Freena. Will you just—"
"Seriously, Debbie. I'm just gonna stay here tonight and get room service. It's fine. I'm upset now but will calm down later," Freena lops her hair up into a bun to assume her end-of-the-week comfort uniform. She wants to get out of her work clothes, free her waistline from the elastic digging into her skin, and get her heavy boobs out of her support bra as soon as possible.
"And, Deb, I'm calling the hotel room tonight. No kicking me out of the room so you can screw some more clones. This will stay our girls-only weekend hotel room, no hanky panky in here. I mean it."
Debbie doesn't argue. Instead, she sits up and pats the spot next to her for Freena to sit down. She takes Freena's hand and holds it in both of hers.
"Freena, we were cubicle sisters for five years. Our very stressful job was draining me and I was miserable. You were the one who convinced me to get out of the rut I was in, quit that job and become a stylist. I will always, always be grateful that you were a true friend who was honest and supportive of me."
Freena squeezes Debbie's hand. She knows that it's true; Deb has reinvented herself in the last year or so, starting with her business and working for herself. Then came the war…and that damn clone army. Now Debbie was a firebrand of sexiness, positivity, compassion, and just overall happier. While Freena…had lost everything eight months ago. This was the weekend the two friends had planned to help her take a break and practice self-love.
Debbie continued, "You know that I am not one to expect anything in return from my friends."
"No, you are not.
"But, karking hell, Freena! When it comes to the rare visit of the fucking Wowzer Squad of Ryloth, here in the capital?! This time…I am going to remind you: I was there for you. When all that shit went down with Asshole. Who was the one who stayed with you the night he broke it off? And the whole week that was supposed to be your honeymoon?
"You did."
"I did, I even sent away my date for your wedding, the kriffing Marshall Commander of the entire Grand Army of the Republic, who had taken leave - by the way - to be my date for your wedding.
"I never knew that."
"Oh yes, and boy did I have to make it up to him later. Damn, I made it up to him, Freena. Cody really made me beg, and it was so fucking hot…he brought Wooley along. That was my first and their first threesome. It was unbel—
"Debbie."
"Right, sorry. Look, I helped you get your deposits back on all the wedding shit, kept up your accounts and updated your application files at the office when they let you' work from home' I woke your ass up when you couldn't get out of bed on your own…for weeks. My point is, I was there."
"You were."
"I was. So please, give me this. Come with me tonight. That's all I'm asking. One kriffing night, oh wait, maybe tomorrow too? I think for Ryloth they leave around midnight?"
"Fine. One night though."
"Really?! Oh Freena, REALLY?"
Freena takes a deep breath and is smiling now from Debbie's infectious delight.
"Yes, I'll go. But you know that I don't like the club scene and meeting all kinds of people at once. So please, if I'm going to go, just let me be myself. If that means I'm hiding in a corner somewhere on a datapad, let me do it. Okay?
"Yes, okay! You take it at your own pace. But…you are going to let me dress you tonight?"
"Ugh…fine, that too. That part I don't mind. I didn't bring anything to go out to that 75's place."
"79's!" Debbie corrected her lovingly with a laugh.
Freena rolled her eyes, "Whatever. I'm going to get my fat ass in the shower."
"Freena, I told you to stop saying that. You are not a fat ass. You have a great ass. And I can make you look incredible," Debbie was getting all sing-songy and laying out her plans, "We'll head to this boutique nearby, I know the owner. You have a gorgeous, voluptuous body."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's code for 'big girl' and you know it."
"Damnit, Freena, it's not worth it to let what the Asshole thought of you, be what you think of you. I can safely say he does not represent all men. You are incredibly sexy and you always have been. If you want to hide in that sexy woman's body, that's your choice. But I see that perfect skin, killer eyebrows, bright eyes, and sweet face and I think you're kriffing hot. I'd totally do you."
"Debala?! Don't weird me out if we're sharing a bed…but thanks, Deb."
"I love you, Free."
"Oh stop. I love you too, girl."
Debbie blows a kiss and looks at her friend with a loving, sympathetic face as Freena heads to the bathroom. She knows Freena is beautiful, smart, and can be so adorably funny, even if Freena doesn't see that in herself anymore. Debbie remembers that feeling that you aren't good enough or sexy enough or ever will be. She was that way for a long time too. The capital city of Coruscant is tough, busy, and very lonely at times.
By some miracle of the galaxy, the clone army that was designed only to fight and die also needed to live, love, and feel good occasionally. These soldiers were not only perfectly designed specimens of men. They were good men, dedicated, loyal, and so wonderfully, wonderfully eager, and curious about women and sex.
This whole first year of the war, Debbie had never felt such passion and sexual empowerment. She also felt love and grief for each of the men killed in action. She and her fellow Shebby friends treasured and cherished the moments of bliss, heat, and even laughter that they shared with each and every soldier.
Maybe that wasn't what Freena wanted. But Debbie also knew Freena's emotional injury of being jilted had crushed her spirit and done significant damage to her dear friend's confidence.
A years-long relationship with the Asshole had sucked the joy and passion out of Freena's very being. Debbie knew if this weekend was supposed to be the one to wake up Freena and move on…it had to be a Wowzer Squad Weekend.
INTERIOR - NIGHT - LOWER ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT/ CORUSCANT- 79’s
"Kriffing Maker of Men. It's… It's…" Freena's jaw had been hanging open at the sight for more than five straight minutes. As if seeing the other clones with all their tats, different hairstyles, facial hair, armor patterns weren't enough, when what was clearly the Wowzer Squad walked in, the sight was incredible to behold,
"Okay, you were right. They are all…wow, Deb."
Debbie put her arm around Freena and simply said, "You're welcome."
"It's fascinating. Even their haircuts are exactly the same. Bizarre. Do any other squads or whatever do that? I thought I saw you talking to a blonde one in blue, but the other one in blue had a shaved head and tattoo across his face?"
"No, they definitely don't all do this. In fact most clones go out of their way to show their individuality. That is what makes the Ryloth boys so interesting! It all started with their Captain, he is the one who sported the look first. Then apparently all those Twi'lek women just lost their lekkus drooling over him all the time. So his troops copied his look and now it's like their thing. Isn't that hysterical?"
Debbie finished her drink and ordered another.
"So how do you know which one is the Captain? I mean, his men must also admire him. They didn't emulate him just for attracting women?"
"Captain Howzer? So he actually has quite a severe scar on his face from the Battle of Ryloth. It covers most of his left cheek and down his jaw,"
Debbie starts looking through the sea of clones, over fifty of them are sporting that slick fade and beautiful shade of teal she mentioned to Freena earlier in the day,
"Uhhh...I don't see him yet? Oh, he is so fucking sweet. Too sweet for me, really, is that terrible? Hmmm…you know? I don't think he's been with any of us Shebbies. Oh my goodness! No, he hasn't. He's actually really, really shy. Like one of the shyest clones I've ever met."
"He's a shy military officer? How does that work?"
"Well, Freena, when it comes to being a clone soldier, they are trained, conditioned, and basically programmed to be the best at being soldiers. Even the officers are designed to be worthy of their rank. But when it comes to social skills, sex, and even basic relationships, it's a complete toss-up with them. That is where you see who they are as individuals. As I have told you…."
"Yes, I know, they all fuck differently. You continue to use that as your supporting argument, but instead it's just way too much information, Deb. I assume they all like different ice cream flavors too. You should start with that when you start trying to explain this to people."
"But it's true, Freena! And to me, it really says something about human emotions, sexuality, genetics, psychology, so much! You know I get very carried away with it––"
Their conversation is interrupted by two very handsome Wowzer soldiers.
"Oh hello, Debbie! Do you remember us?" The clones spoke at the same time to ask the question. It took everything for Freena to not burst out laughing.
"She remembers me," said the one on the left.
"Please, you wish," said the one on the right.
Freena is truly taken aback by the two gorgeous Ryloth clones looking at a very panicked Debbie. She clearly has no idea which one is which. Freena is so amused. It was worth coming to this crazy bar just to see Debbie's face as she struggles to sort out which clone is which.
"Hmmm...so memorable this weekend will be, huh, Deb?" Freena chides. Debbie shoots her a best friend's side-eye.
"Of course, I remember you guys. Rusty and Dash, of course."
"Do you know which one is which?" teased the one on the left.
Freena sees Debbie gulp. It was the greatest moment ever. This night can't get any better, can it? As much as she wants to watch Debbie truly struggle, she actually feels for the soldiers and somewhat for her dear friend. Somewhat. Freena decides to help all of them and inserts herself into the exchange,
"Can I guess? You guys are the very first clo-"
"Soldiers…" Debbie quickly rescued Freena before she used that word in front of them.
"Soldiers, yes, right. You are the first soldiers I have ever officially met! I'm Freena and you are?"
Freena expected them to respond as most men when she assumed the role of the cute, chubby friend. Instead, the troopers were so excited to be the first she has met, that they drop their teasing of Debbie and are perfect gentlemen to Freena. Well, they are more like charming and polite, silly young men.
"Hello, Freena. I'm Rusty," he kisses her hand. Freena's eyes widen as she looks at Deb.
"No, I'm Rusty. Dash, cut it out. You'll confuse them again. Sorry, Freena. Nice to meet you, I am actually Rusty."
"You sure are, you di'kut," Dash knocks Rusty in the back of the head.
Debbie stands up and steps closer to the one on the left.
"Oh, yes. This is definitely, Dash," she gives him a wink with a kiss on the cheek,
"And you? You are definitely, sweet and sexy, Rusty. I could never forget those lips."
She kisses him right there at the bar. Dash starts to laugh, but Freena is shocked. Rusty is certainly not a rusty kisser, as his lips take Debbie's passionately. Rusty moves smoothly with Debbie, lifting her wrists gently to drape around his neck. They are kissing like the world is ending, and it's their last hello and goodbye. Not only has it been too long since Freena has kissed anyone, but it's also been just as long since she has been so close to other people being intimate around her so nonchalantly.
Dash gives her a grin and raises his eyebrows. Freena panics, "I've got to go use the 'fresher"
She doesn't even wait for his response.
As Freena heads towards the signs, she can't help but take them all in. It's a little jarring to keep seeing the same face over and over again. She feels completely out of her element like she is in some bizarre dream. She hasn't been to a club in years. Definitely not since the wedding that never happened, but even before that. They never went out. Well, more like she never went out. Her ex was certainly going somewhere to meet those women. Her head was spinning with slight anxiety; she'd only had a couple of sips of wine. As she got closer to the bathroom hallway, the clones were no longer chummy guys hanging out. Towards the back, she started to see more couples making out. The dance floor wasn't full but she saw one couple grinding and kissing so seductively; if their clothes were off, he'd practically be in her.
Freena didn't even have to go to the bathroom, but now she just needed a place to hide and get herself together. Everything and everyone was making her blush, and her stomach flutters a bit at all the sexual energy hanging in the bar's atmosphere. Everywhere she looked, she saw the same attractive man over and over again, chatting and hooking up with all the different types of female humanoids.
The purple neon of the hallway to the bathroom was even more disorienting. Freena attempted to move around one set of clones that were quite close. It almost looked like they were about to kiss. Suddenly, she stumbled over the calf of a young woman who was kneeling and giving head to clone with the craziest two-striped haircut she had ever seen. That clone was kissing another girl standing next to him who had the biggest breasts on such a tiny frame. He had his hand up her skirt (and most likely) was fingering her. For a stunning moment, Freena stared to confirm her theory watching the standing girl writhing on the clone's forearm. The clone was cupping her huge breast and pinching. The chesty girl had her free hand pulling the other girl's hair below to guide her, sucking and pleasuring the soldier down below.
The whole visual was so jarring, but the threesome hadn't even noticed her presence. Freena tripped again on nothing just from being near them. This time, a worse fall, she crashed right into the cold hard armor of some random clone who caught her as though she was light as a feather.
"Whoa! Watch it there. I got you, miss."
Her face was buried in his shoulder-thing that stuck out, but with the purple light, she couldn't tell what color was his armor. When she looked up, though, she noticed his scar. She had just face-planted into the body armor of THE Captain Howzer himself.
In the darkened hallway, his eyes still somehow glimmered a shine. His smile was soft, kind, a little crooked from his scar. When it widened as he watched her get herself together, Freena made sure she stood strong and did not fall again.
"Goodness. I-I Thank you. I didn't realize it was an x-rated obstacle course to get to the 'fresher."
"Unfortunately, yes. I was able to escape, barely. Are you sure you are okay?" The handsome captain gently put his arm around her shoulders to help them both avert their eyes. He moved them away from the many sexual escapades in the bathroom hallway.
"I am fine. Thanks. The worst part is, I don't even have to go. I just thought I would take a break and–– OH MY!!!"
A fully armored clone, his helmet still on, was pounding into the most beautiful tattooed girl. He was taking her from behind as she clawed at the wall, her bare breasts pressing into the cold permacrete. A sight that flushed Freena's face completely. Now, she was entirely grateful for the darkness of the hallway.
"Karking hell, soldier," he grunted under his breath.
"I promise that's not one of my men. Everybody deserves a good time, I guess. Some soldiers are way too open with, um, their recreational exploits," he chuckled a disapproving laugh as he shook his head.
"Here let's move out of the hallway already."
He took his hand away from her shoulders and let her help herself walk around the free sex show on display. Freena appreciated that he didn't continue to treat her like some damsel in distress. She was also very grateful that she had bumped into the one other (known) shy person in the building. A shy Captain. One who was undeniably the most gorgeous being she had ever accidentally bumped into like a fumbling toddler.
"Is it always like this?" Freena was relieved. They had made out of the den of glorious debauchery.
"I have only been here twice, but yes. My guys do love it though, but they won't act like that if I'm around. I'm Captain Howzer, by the way.”
He gave a small wave that looked like he wanted to shake her hand, but gave it a second thought and delivered an adorable, awkward wave.
"It's nice to meet you, Captain Howzer. I'm Freena."
"Freena? Did I say it right?"
"Yes. Perfectly," Freena adjusted her dress to check and make sure it wasn't tucked into her underwear or anything embarrassing, "Thank you again. You rescued me. I'm pretty sure you are supposed to be taking a break from your heroics, Captain."
Howzer had an aw-shucks curl to his smile and looked away. If he was trying to think of a response, he missed the moment and knew it. Freena just smiled at the confirmation of Debbie's description. He really was so shy he didn't know how to even take a compliment.
Freena continued making her last once over of her outfit, and even then, Howzer signaled he would look away. She was just fixing her bra strap.
He really is that shy. Okay. Everything is in place, but I still feel incredibly naked in this outfit.
Debbie had convinced Freena to wear a high-waisted, short flowing patterned skirt that showed off her legs. The top was a black, three-quarter sleeve that had a flattering cinched waist cut pulling everything into place without suffocating her. Her breasts were up and in place with some cleavage, but not too much. She really hadn't worn anything this revealing in a long time. Standing before this man, in his full armor and holding his helmet, seemed bizarre. He looked ready for battle; she looked ready for a date that didn't exist.
"Okay Captain, I'm all done. Very kind of you."
Howzer nodded an acknowledgment to convey a "Don't mention it."
This clone world was so strange she just could help but laugh.
"That was crazy, it just all hit me now," Freena confessed.
They were both laughing from the other one laughing as they now walked away from the dance floor, which was playing a block of slow songs with a scattered amount of couples pressed cheek to cheek on the dance floor.
Howzer laughed with her but had to ask, "What? What is so funny?"
"That soldier was…he was wearing his helmet while having sex! Is that a thing?"
"Uhhh…," Howzer seemed to not know how to respond. Freena realized she may have asked a question that he was too embarrassed to answer. Howzer knew he was caught off guard but looked adorably amused.
Freena insisted, "Oh, you don't have to answer that."
"Freena, it's fine. I will just speak for myself. For me? No, not a thing. For some of my brothers and the women they hook up with…" he leaned in to whisper to her as if he was telling her a naughty secret that even shocked him, "I have heard it is absolutely a thing." His eyes widened as he pulled back to see her reaction. Freena's eyes matched him at learning this new bizarre fetish. They both giggled at the awkwardness of it.
"Well to each their own, I guess."
Howzer agreed, "May they all find lasting love and bucket sex. We call our helmets' buckets,' just to clarify."
"Oh okay, got it. Well I'm pretty sure bucket sex is a lot more likely to be found than lasting love, Captain Howzer. Whichever works out better, but I'm betting on the former."
Howzer frowned at Freena's remark, confused by it, but didn't press. Freena caught herself and quickly changed the mood back. There was no need to bother the nice Captain with her jaded side after he had been so friendly and polite.
"You want to grab a table, Captain?" She said with a casual smile.
"Sure! Freena, I hope you don't mind, but I might shadow you as a defensive strategy to survive all this nonsense. I, uh, places like this, even the ones on Ryloth, they make me…I don't know? Quiet. Which I'm not, usually. Sorry, I don't know what I'm saying."
They were quickly interrupted when a bartender droid came over to take their drink order. Freena ordered a spiked rose fizzer, and Howzer ordered an ale. Their drinks were easily produced in seconds.
"Oh no. You are fine. I absolutely understand feeling like that. I had to be dragged here tonight. I planned on shadowing my friend, but well, that was a terrible strategy, clearly . I'm friends with–– Hmm…where is she, now? Oh! Ohhhh…Oh goodness, Debala. What are you doing now?" Freena took in the scene, marveling at Debbie in her element.
Debbie was laid out on the bar top with a bunch of the Ryloth troops taking belly shots off of her. One at a time, they would place a shot glass on her belly button and try to drink it with no hands. The scene was drawing a crowd around her, and Debbie loved it.
"You are friends with 'Shebby Debbie'? Really? She's pretty famous in the GAR."
"Oh, Captain. I knew her before she was Shebby Debbie. Maker, that nickname! It's too much, but she's very proud of it. What can I say? She's one of my dearest friends...we've been through a lot together."
A beat of silence hangs.
"Oh I'm not a––"
"Oh I knew you weren't. Not that there's anything wrong with it."
"Exactly."
The moment hung, and they both huffed out a laugh and looked back over at the scene at the bar.
'What are they doing to her stomach?" Howzer was trying to see what his men were up to but chose instead to focus on Freena to just tell him as he could barely peek without concern.
"Well, Captain Howzer, I believe Debbie is testing the accuracy and precision of your men's ability to pick up a full shot glass with only their lips."
"Oh. Well that'll come in handy fighting seppies," Howzer rolled his eyes and laughed, "What if they don't and it spills? Great, now I'm invested."
Freena laughed at his joke, "Um…if it spills, they have to drink it up off of her."
Howzer's eyes widened big before curling his shoulders down and facepalming.
"How do people come up with this stuff?" Howzer took a long swig from his bottle of ale as he shook his head in amusement.
Freena snuck a last peek back over, "I have no idea, Captain Howzer. It just seems very messy to me."
When he brought the bottle back down, Freena noticed the fullness of his lips around the mouth of the bottle. He smiled at her. She hitched her breath, looked away, and had to adjust in her seat before quickly taking a sip or two of her drink. He was undeniably attractive. She had to admit, even if his face was covered (yes, even by a bucket), she would have no problem just talking with him all night.
Freena and Captain Howzer's wonderful conversation was suddenly rudely muted as the dance music radically changed. It got significantly louder and brought the crowds to the already packed floor. The whole club was now dancing to this song. Neither Freena nor Howzer knew it; they shrugged and smiled in their seats. Whatever the song was, it was meant to get the women to sandwich themselves between two men at a time and everyone singing along:
She got you! She got me! We got three!
It's ecstasy! Ecstasy. Sex-ta-see
You, you, me!
Sex-ta-see
As the music built to an electronic and rhythmic pump pump pump pump, the beat shifted to hold an anticipating rise in tempo that seemed...to...last...for...an...eternity. Then silence, until...the beat dropped. The whole place went nuts with raucous screams and a visual of hedonistic gyrating of everyone. Even the lights in the club were moving and flowing like they were trying to get some action. Sweaty clothes were starting to come off.
Freena and Howzer were still sitting at their table, trying to not look at anything around them for too long or each other. On the other hand, Debbie was in the thick of the dance floor. Her shirt was soaking wet as she handled dancing with You, You, You, and Him too. All four clones were the scientifically designed spitting image of their Captain Howzer, in the face, the body, and even right down to that haircut. But Freena noted: no scar.
It was quite a visual with the clone soldiers and their devoted Shebbies gals all dancing and grabbing at everything a hand could touch on a body. For a good moment, Freena forgot her judgments about the creation of a clone army and the morality of it all. The men were here. Nothing could be done about that. They were alive when many of their fellow soldiers had died. How close had Captain Howzer come to losing his whole beautiful face, or worse? Ultimately, the clones were people, and they deserved a lot more respect than she had given them.
Freena was looking at Captain Howzer; he was looking up at the ceiling, pretending to enjoy the music with some offbeat nods. He was clearly studying the lighting rigs and wiring. Freena could see he was as uncomfortable in the club as she was. She missed their earlier conversation that got cut off. And after what they both had to endure when they first met getting to and from the bathroom, she knew 79's was only going to get crazier. They were both doomed wallflowers who needed some quiet.
She looked over and tapped his big shoulder plate, "I never know what to do at these places!"
Howzer immediately responded and smiled at her as he shouted, "WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU NOW!"
She shouted as loud as she could, "I SAID...I NEVER KNOW-- NEVER MIND!"
They both laughed in frustration, shrugging up their arms and looking around at the wild scene playing out around them.
Freena then remembered how happy she was that she was a workaholic wallflower. She pulls out her datapad from her purse and types...
"You wanna get out of here, Captain?"
He beams a smile at the glow from the datapad as she hands it to him. He reads it eagerly. He looked at her with an attempt to speak but then thought for a moment. Freena watches as he hurriedly takes off his gloves with his teeth and proceeds to type his message under hers. Very proud of himself, he hands her back the datapad.
"Yes! As soon as possible..."
They are now acting out some strange silent holovid scene as they giggle and type messages back and forth to each other at the table. Howzer peeks to see what she is writing. Freena holds her datapad to her chest, shooing him away. He laughs. She then slides it over.
"Are you allowed to do that or do you have to stay with your men?"
"Of course I can do that! I'm the Captain :) We're all on leave until tomorrow anyway,"
Howzer sneaked a look at her before he kept typing,
"NGL, it's better if I'm not around these knuckleheads when they are wild like this."
He finally hands her the datapad back, shaking his head shamefully. She eagerly reads his informative and funny, longer message and then looks up at him. Howzer was holding his two hands up in a reverent pleading prayer, flashing puppy dog eyes, as his gorgeous face was nosing towards the exit.
She laughed as she grabbed her purse and stood up from the table. The Captain jumped up and put her chair back in for her as she walked towards the exit.
Freena was so excited to leave 79's it barely occurred to her that she had the unique honor of having Captain Howzer, the Wowzer, walking beside her. He eventually was stopped and checked in with some of his soldiers, spoke to some non-Wowzer clones briefly, and then quickly waved his goodbyes to them all.
Freena isn't foolish enough to think this will be anything other than a friendly adventure walking the city. Once upon a time, she had the curvy, tight body and endless energy that could consider what hooking up with him would be like. Those days were long gone. Her ex had never failed to remind her of that, even when he called off the wedding.
On that day, he still brought it up; if only she hadn't let herself go. She didn't want to think about that now. Freena stood by the door and watched him, helmet in hand, hurry towards her or the exit. Maybe both.
There's something very grounded and unexpected about him. Freena now figured that women like Deb and her Shebby friends have absolutely every right to drool over these men and fall for whatever this weird lifestyle is, clones and Shebbies. She's not going to argue with that anymore. For Freena, though, after eight months of humiliation and despair, just having a nice conversation with a kind, handsome man like Captain Howzer would be all the pleasure she needed.
As they exited 79's together, Freena convinced herself that she was completely fine with just a nice, friendly walk with Captain Howzer.