"My Manda'lor, supply runs are being made monthly to the out-lying covers and colonies but I fear our food stores will run out."
"What about the farms?" Din shoots a look to Boba and he shifts, nodding curtly before he stands.
"Manda'lor?"
"Yes, Fett?"
"If we expand each farm by an acre, we could manage to increase their output. But we need to be careful not to drain the soil of its nutrients. Might I also suggest putting together a few teams to hunt on a few uninhabited jungle planets for meat."
Din looked to Talur who tapped his chin in thought, "that's a plausible idea. We could create an additional trade market for the leather and bones. Feathers too. It could help to further stabilize the economy if done properly."
Boba raised his hand and Din waved him to continue.
"We should also think about a conservation effort for the planets in question if you do agree to this idea. That way we aren't killing off an entire species of animals."
Din stands, "it's an idea that has merit. Draw up a proposal and have it to me as soon as you can. That is...all..." he shook his head, suddenly dizzy and he sways, vision blurring and he's pitching to one side, barely making out the figure of Boba jumping out of his seat.
"Din!"
His helmet bounces off the floor with a loud clang and darkness creeps into his head.
"Someone get a doctor! Now! The Manda'lor has collapsed!"
Boba lifts him from the floor, barking at Talur over his shoulder, "I said get the doctor!"
Talur nods, fingers flying over his tablet as he messages the medical ward, following Boba closely as he carries Din out of the throne room.
He's kicking the door panel, activating it and ducking sideways through it.
"Yuli!" She's rushing out at Boba's voice, eyes going wide when she sees him carrying Din.
"Din! Maker above! Boba what happened?"
"He collapsed, passed out in the throne room."
Talur rolls his eyes, "This probably can just be chalked up to stress. Worrying about the clutch and all."
"He was stressed before and didn't pass out like that. This...something's wrong. He's been eating like crazy lately too. It's crazy though...its almost like he's...well shit...can he? Shit."
Yuli prods, "Almost like he's what?"
"Almost like he's pregnant."
Talur laughs, "that's not possible though. He's male. I thought he needed someone else to carry for him."
"Is it a possibility though?" Boba directs this question to Yuli.
She shakes her head. "No. From what Din told me, his heat cycles are only once a year."
When Boba laid him on the bed, he slipped Din's helmet free, brushing a knuckle across his cheek.
'Wake up, cyare.'
A knock sounded on the doors and they slid open to reveal the doctor. Boba frowned behind his helmet.
A part of him hoped it was just stress.
Another...deeper, smaller part of him hoped otherwise.
"I came as quickly as I could. What is wrong with the Manda'lor?"
Talur explained to the doctor and he nodded, listening intently. He knew the Manda'lor's secret, sworn on pain of death to keep it.
"Then lets see what's wrong with his majesty."
It was a tense thirty minutes of him examining Din before he's gasping, shooting a look at Talur and then at Boba.
Yuli is the one to ask. "What is it? Something bad?"
The doctor seems almost nervous, his hands shaking.
"Well, you see...its...his body..."
Boba explodes. "What is it!?"
"He's carrying more eggs. Which shouldn't be possible, considering his cycle just ended."
'He's carrying more eggs.' Boba felt like his body was flushed with ice.
Yuli gasps, shocked. This was strange.
Din chose that moment to finally wake up and he's groggily looking up, half-blurred vision landing on Yuli.
"Mesh'la?"
"Din! How are you feeling?"
"Like a Rancor went romping inside my brain. What happened?"
The doctor was quick to back out of the room, stating he would be back later.
"You passed out...mid sentence by the way."
Din groaned, throwing an arm over his eyes.
"Din?"
"Yes, Yuli?"
"The doctor found out something and I think you need to know."
Din's arm froze and he lowered it, worried eyes falling on her.
"What? What did he find out?"
"You're carrying more eggs."
Din did a double take mouth gaping open and he looked at Boba who stood there, arms crossed, helmet still on. He frowned.
"What?"
"Eggs? You said your cycles were only once a year."
"They are. This is...oh...oh shit."
Yuli by now has crawled onto the bed, brushing his hair from his face. "Din?"
"I think I know why."
Its then that Boba removes his helmet, tossing it into a chair.
"Oh, then do enlighten us."
"Remember the last few times we...well that one time we went three straight hours?"
Boba chuckled hotly, "Yeah I remember. I remember all too clearly. Damn if you had been there Yuli..."