onlydoubts | open rp post

Adjusting to the rule of the Rebellion was no different, in Galen's opinion, than adjusting to the ever-encroaching rule of the Empire had been. Like in his laboratory, he was watched constantly, and he knew that he would be held for trial should a new republic arise for his work upon the Death Star. It had destroyed Jedha, blew a crater so big into the planet that it had created a sort of ice age that would kill all life on the planet in time. It had destroyed Scarif, the waves of it rippling through the water yielding tsunamis that had devastated the islands, the buildings, and the lives of those who could not evacuate. And it had destroyed Alderaan with all of its power, blown the plant to cosmic dust and killed billions with but a single shot.

Which is why Galen wanders through the ancient temples long after dark, the twisting and narrow passages and small rooms converted to bunkers, storage, testing facilities. He was a stranger here, just as he had been on Coruscant. He was a captive, just as he had been on Valt. Certainly, some of the officers had thanked him for the flaw, for the weakness in the terrible machine he had wrought. But more had blamed him for creating the weapon. Even a few ex-imperials brought to the rebellion, like one former ISB agent named Kallus, avoided their association with him. For no matter what their sins had been, surely his was greater.

He was death. Destroyer of worlds.

But it appears he is not alone in his wanderings this night. At least not just him and his guard, some pilot or another who's name he kept forgetting due to their silence. He spots another pilot, far more familiar, and their name slips off his tongue as easy as water off an aquatic avian's feathers.

"Bodhi."

Bodhi isn't sleeping, either. Since arriving back on Yavin after escaping Scarif, he'd had a period of recovery from his injuries with the rest of the team in the med day. Now that he'd been cleared for duty, he mostly spends his time working in the hangar, doing mechanic work. It doesn't feel like it's enough to justify the resources spent to save him, or to replace his hand, but he's willing to do whatever job they'll give him. Until they decide to let him go or bring him on as a pilot.

For the most part, people don't give him too difficult of a time. There are still unruly soldiers that'll mutter imp as they pass by, but outside of his team -- all of which have been scattered, each doing their own thing, he keeps to himself a lot of the time. People are content to let it be that way, and that's fine by him.

Bodhi doesn't really expect automatic trust or respect. And maybe, a part of him feels... disappointed, in seeing the Rebellion for himself. They'd chose to stand down, even with the information Galen had provided, forcing the small band that couldn't sit by to act. And they'd let Jedha be, never once came to their aid -- Saw's rebels might have been a separate group, but they didn't make him feel welcome, either.

The base is quiet, as quiet as he's ever seen it -- but there are less people down these corridors, which gives him a chance to think and to brush away the remains of the nightmares that woke him up. His head jerks up, and he looks around at the familiar voice, he hadn't even know the man was here. He hadn't seen a whole lot of him, either.

"Galen? What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep, much to... Chiani's? Chara's? chagrin." He gives a soft, apologetic smile to the rather grumpy looking Pantoran pilot that seems to be guarding him. He smiles again at Bodhi, then pauses, looking at his hand. Without thinking he reaches out and takes it, examining the wires and the bare metal structure. Not covered with synth-flesh like some of the more extravagant models, but passable. Workable. He could still fly.

"You were injured on Scarif?" He asks. Of course he was. Jyn had been, too. And so had the others that had rescued him from Eadu- Cassian, Chirrut, Baze. Their names firmly cemented in his mind as those he owed his gratitude to. He does not answer as to why he is here, on this base, guarded, because that much should be obvious.

He's a prisoner of war, awaiting trial once all is said and done. One of the Empire's most valuable research scientists. And probably the most wanted man in the galaxy now that he had revealed the weakness of the Death Star.
"Are you on duty, or would you like to join Chitari and I?"

Bodhi nods, noticing the pilot for the first time, greeting them with a small smile. The hand is still something he's getting used to -- the wires and nerves, that work just as well as his own flesh and blood one. Even if they'd offered to give him something more, as if they could, or would on a defected pilot, not even of their own, he wouldn't take it. He twitches his fingers in Galen's grasp.

"Yeah, uh. There was a grenade, on the ship. I threw it, but not far enough, cause some shrapnel and some of the explosion, well." The burns were not serious, the hand had been the big one. "They couldn't save it." It had been his hand, or life. They went with the later, he couldn't complain much. And he hadn't even been as bad off as Chirrut had been. They'd all been in various stages of near death, when they'd been pulled off the beach. None of them had even thought that they'd make it back alive.

But they had, and they'd been able to see their efforts paid off when the Death Star exploded in the sky, thanks to some brave pilots.

Okay, it had been a dumb question. He just hadn't expected to see him up and out, so late. "Sure. I mean, no. I'm not on duty. Just couldn't sleep, either. I'll join you."

Galen doesn't let go of his hand. He holds it tight in his own, thumb still tracing against the wires, caressing it much like he once caressed Lyra's. Much as he had wanted to on Eadu, when the smallest whisper of affection was a dangerous curse. When Krennic was still... He shakes his head, but does not let go, tracing up the back of his hand with his thumb.

"Then walk with me. Chitani, would it be permissible...?" He looks over at the Pantoran, who scratches at the yellow tattoos on her cheek, an irritable look on her face.

"Fine, whatever, I need sleep anyway. Not like a scientist and a pilot can take over the galaxy." She grumbles as she waves her hand away, leaving Galen in Bodhi's charge. A grin splits Galen's face as he gently brings Bodhi's mechanical hand up to his lips.

"I have missed you, Bodhi Rook."

Bodhi watches the alien woman depart, blinking after her. He opens his mouth to ask if she's always been so... nice, and trusting but the words die in his throat when Galen presses his lips to his metal hand. His face heats slightly as something flutters in his chest at the openness. So many stolen moments on Eadu, when they'd had to be careful -- now they're standing here in an open hallway where anyone could walk by.

Granted, it was late so there was less of a chance of that, but...

His other hand goes to Galen's shoulder, solid and warm and real. He swallows thickly as happiness spreads.

"I missed you too, I -- I thought I was never gonna see you again."

Edited 2017-07-08 04:11 (UTC)

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