#gundark squad

[nimata-beroya]

Last Line Challenge

Rules: in a new post, show the last line you wrote (or drew) and tag as many people as there are words (or as many as you feel like). 

I was tagged by @airlockfailure (in my main blog) and (like a week ago) by @annwayne! Thank you dearies!

This is from The One to Survive, my Order 66 AU that I've been working on since forever (and you can know all about it here). It's the last line of a chapter, which means I have (at least) 4 more to write.

Anyway.. Here you go. A very short line.

It’s a clone.

It's more interesting if you read it with the rest of the chapter 😅 I promise. In fact, I think you'll kill me for leaving it there 🤣

No pressure tags: @photogirl894 @takadasaiko @seleneisrising

[rooksunday]

because @whiskygoldwings

thorn writes notes.

Thorn wrote the first note quickly. He’d received last minute orders for an off world escort mission, and Fox had been disappeared for days on a blackout; Fox’s absence meant he and Thorn couldn’t exchange their usual parting words. Something about that made Thorn uneasy and he grabbed a scrap of flimsi from the stack of GAR invoices on his desk that had yet to be filed.

Sorry I couldn’t take the stupid with me, since apparently you’re still using it. I’ll be back to relieve the burden soon xoxo

He left the note folded on Fox’s sad limp pillow in the barracks. Fox didn’t say anything about the note when Thorn returned a tenday later, with some new bruises and chipped paint to show for his time away, but he drew Thorn into a keldabe that lasted longer than usual.

The next time an off world mission came, Thorn had received more notice, and Fox had been around to exchange farewells the night before, but Thorn had to leave planet while Fox was on-shift. It felt strange to leave Coruscant without one last look at Fox growing small in the distance. Thorn’s own red sun setting.

Another GAR invoice sacrificed for the cause.

Don’t let Thire work triple shifts again, I caught him eating soap last night. I left the last of the good caf hidden in your socks and it worries me you haven’t found it yet. Change your socks. I can’t always be there to remind you.

Thorn returned with a story about a narrow miss with a gundark and a rash of burns on his calf. He found three new pairs of socks in his drawer; one had a packet of bon bons tucked inside.

(On one of their shifts, he thought he’d spotted Fox reading a piece of flimsi and tucking it behind his chest plate. That had probably been Thorn’s imagination.)

When the mission came for Thorn to go to Scipio, Fox was around and off-shift, and he accompanied Thorn and the squad to the bay to salute them away. After their exchange of farewells, Fox lingered, touching Thorn’s pauldron briefly, a curious tilt to his helmet.

Grinning behind the shield of his bucket, Thorn tucked his folded note into the cuff of Fox’s glove, saluted him as jauntily as he could get away with, and boarded the ship without looking back.

[sgthunter001]

Echo: Just for once it would be nice to not have to worry about being the only responsible adult in this squad.

Wrecker: Now what’s that supposed to mean?

Tech: It means that Echo believes he is the only one capable of making rational and well-founded decisions. Based on my factual data, that may be true for the rest of you. I on the other hand am perfectly capable of being responsible.

Crosshair: *Flicks toothpick at Tech* You spend so much time looking at your datapad you wouldn’t know if there was a Gundark standing two feet away from you. It’s lucky the rest of us always have your back.

Tech: Actually— *Begins analogical lecture about the scanner on his datapad*

Hunter: *Shakes his head and runs a hand down his face* Not again.

[photogirl894]

Hey Morgan! I came across this prompt and thought it would fit well with your fics:

“How could you just abandon her like that? She needed you!”

“It was— It was complicated, okay?”

Feel free to use or not to use but I thought you could do something really cool, creative and interesting with it! Feels like a Hunter, Crosshair, or Tech thing to me but thought I'd throw it your way!

Oooh this is an interesting one! Thanks, my friend!! 💜 I'll make this a Tech one since I haven't done anything for him in a while! Let's give our favorite smart Clone some love!

"Barricade"

Pairing: Tech x fem reader

What should've been an easy, calculated explosion to seal in some gundarks behind you and Tech ended up being a huge mistake.

You thought you had made the shot precisely enough that the ceiling would only collapse between you two and the gundarks trailing you, but it did more damage than you anticipated. The whole ceiling had started to come down.

"This is not going as anticipated!" Tech called out as you ran.

You replied, "Tell me something I don't know!"

Right then, you heard a loud crack from directly above you and you could tell that the ceiling was about to give way and Tech, who had gotten ahead of you, was going to be directly impacted by the debris.

"Tech, look out!" you yelled, picking up speed and shoving him forward. Just as you did that, a section of the rocks above you came down and a heavy impact hit you on the back of your head and neck, a sharp pain shooting through you as you collapsed to the ground and everything around you went dark.

Tech, after being pushed, skidded to a halt upon hearing your cry of pain and he shouted your name, running back to you. However, the ceiling continued to cave in and he couldn't get close enough to you before it all came down, separating you two. He moved back a few feet, waving his hand through the cloud of dust that had formed and continued calling out for you. To his concern, there was no reply.

"Oh no," he said aloud with worry. While he was strong, he knew he wouldn't be able to move all of the rocks and debris on his own. He'd have to have the rest of his squad help him. In order to do that, though, he had to get out of the cave and run back to the Marauder because he knew comms would be no good. There was too much atmospheric interference on this planet.

He turned on his heel and ran back in the direction of the cave entrance, overwhelming guilt eating at him inside. He didn't know if you were alive or dead and he hated the thought of leaving you in there alone, but there was no other way. You had saved his life and he was leaving you to an uncertain fate in order to return the favor. He could only hope he could get his brothers and make it back in time.

Minutes later, he spotted light from the outside and made his way out of the cave, now booking it as fast as he could for the Marauder.

"What happened?" Hunter questioned as he saw Tech coming. "And where's (Y/N)?"

Catching his breath, Tech replied, "There was...an unforeseen cave-in. She's...trapped inside."

"And you just left her there?" Wrecker questioned.

Then Echo added, frustrated, "How could you just abandon her like that? She needed you!"

"It was--it was complicated," Tech responded. "The fallen debris separated us and I knew I could not get through the barricade alone. That and I could not comm any of you. I need your help. Her life may be in jeopardy."

"Then we need to hurry," stated Hunter, already breaking into a run.

The Clones all sprinted back to the cave and made their way back to the barricade. Wrecker suggested just blowing the cave-in up, but Hunter said that might too dangerous as the debris could further injure you. Instead, they set to work immediately moving the boulders and stones that were in the way by hand. Tech took out his datapad and did a scan of the area ahead. Your body was still lying motionless on the ground...and to his relief, his scan was still reading signs of life.

"She is alive," he stated aloud to the others.

"She won't be for long unless we get this cleared," said Echo.

A few more minutes went by as the Batch moved the stones as quickly as possible. Before long, they were able to create a big enough hole for Tech to slip through to the other side. He ran over to your unconscious body, knelt by your side and pulled you into his arms.

"All right, Wrecker, I've got her. You may blow the rest of the barricade," he called out.

Seconds later, Wrecker cried out, "Take cover!"

Tech shielded you with his body just as the small explosive went off and the rocks all went flying around him, a few small stones bouncing off his back and helmet. Once he saw the way was clear, he scooped you up carefully into his arms and rejoined his squad. Then all of them returned to their ship to get you proper medical attention.

Your eyes fluttered open, a throbbing pain in your head. Your hand reached up and felt there was a bandage wrapped around your head. The last thing you remember was shoving Tech out of the way of some falling rocks and then...

Tech!

Just as you were about to panic and wonder if he was okay, you turned your head and Tech was already seated at your bedside, his datapad naturally in his hands. However, hearing you stir, his attention was immediately on you.

"Welcome back," he said to you.

"What happened? Are you okay?" you asked him.

Tech's eyebrows rose in confusion. "You are the one with the injury and yet you ask if I am all right?" he questioned.

"Well...yeah," you answered. "I remember pushing you out of the way so you wouldn't get hurt, but then...everything's fuzzy after that. I don't know what happened and I just want to be sure you came out all right."

"I am...unharmed," he told you, still trying to figure out how you could be so concerned for his wellbeing when you were the person who had been hurt. "You should not have done that, however. You were hurt and I should have been the one to protect you," he then said.

You sat up, slightly wincing from the aches in your head. "You had gotten ahead of me, Tech. Even if you wanted to, you wouldn't have been able to stop that cave-in in time."

He released a sigh. "That is a fair point...and indeed, an oversight on my part."

"It's okay," you said. "You're okay and that's all that matters to me."

In that moment, Tech felt the sudden urge to reach up and lay his hand on your cheek, overcome with foreign emotion at seeing how caring you were regarding him. His hand came up, but then hovered hesitantly and he looked away for a moment, contemplating if that was a wise choice. Though, when his eyes returned to you, you were smiling at him and the look in your eyes was telling him it was okay for him to proceed. His gloved hand ever so gently came to your cheek and he laid his palm against your skin, caressing it softly with his thumb.

"Thank you," he said to you.

Leaning into his touch, you replied, "You're welcome, Tech. I would do it all again if I had to."

"I would advise against that," he stated back, eliciting an amused laugh from you.

More Tech fics

Bad Batch Writing Requests

[burnwater13]

Grogu standing on a seat on the bridge of Moff Gideon's Ship. The Mandalorian, Season 2, Episode 8, The Rescue

Din Djarin wondered what was going through Grogu’s mind as his foundling stood on the command console seat on the bridge of Moff Gideon’s ship. Really, the New Republic’s ship now. 

The Jedi had arrived and was willing to train Grogu in the ways of the Force. But Grogu wasn’t budging from that seat. He was just giving the Mandalorian a look and cooing at him. Grogu didn’t want to go, but why? This young man was his kind. One of his people. Why wouldn’t he want to be with his people?

But that just reminded Din Djarin of himself as a youngling, struggling to fit in with the people who saved him and then claimed him. He hadn’t been born on Mandalore like Bo-Katan. He hadn’t even learned any of his Mandalorian Creed there. He’d had to learn all of that on Concordia, Mandalore’s moon. 

Thinking back on his life on Aq Vetina, Din Djarin had been a bit of a mischief maker. He’d like tricking his mom and dad and ran around with the kids who lived near by whenever his chores and homework were done. He hadn’t been a serious student then. But you could dare him to do almost anything and Din would take that dare and turn it upside down. 

That was not how things were done on Concordia. He found out that people there treated life very seriously because it could end so abruptly. He knew how abruptly life could end. He missed his parents and his friends and his carefree silliness more than he would have ever admitted when he and those friends had been dashing around and getting yelled at by the stall owners of the market. 

He became a serious student, desperately trying to mimic and then actually be like his instructors, mentors, and leaders. The other foundlings found him insufferable at times. He got pushed around and was often singled out by the bullies and bigger kids trying to prove that they were as Mandalorian as he was. Din Djarin didn’t let it get under his skin. He just learned from it. 

Several of his instructors encouraged him to fight the bullies and put an end to the nonsense. But he didn’t follow their advice. At least not then. Instead he would dare the bullies to do things that no one thought could be done. Enter the forbidden mineshaft and cross over the underground gorge using the hanging pieces of the old rail system and bring back a chunk of beskar ore. Steal enough food from the dinning hall kitchens to feed the gundark that old Mace Vizlsa had won on a bet and then kept in a makeshift pen, outside of the enclave’s main facilities. Or, sneak into Pre-Vizsla’s offices and come back with his mythosaur charm. 

No one believed he’d done any of those things until he showed them his trophies. Then they had stopped bullying the skinny boy who seemed like such a prig. He had layers. Layers that they didn’t have but really wanted. It had been too easy to just push or hit him. He hadn’t cared because he knew things that could have ended them and he hadn’t bothered to do it. That had been power and control those kids could understand and respect. He was no longer their target but their teacher. 

And wasn’t that what Grogu needed right now? A teacher? Someone who could help him tap into the power that others called the Force and learn to control and manipulate it? Except, Grogu already knew how to do that. Picking up the mudhorn hadn’t been a mistake. That had been a deliberate action. Healing him and Greef Karga. Stopping Cara when they were arm wrestling… Uff. That was the problem. Grogu had access to a lot of power, but he didn’t have access to equal amount of judgment to guide his use of it. Could this young Jedi teach Grogu that? Din Djarin had his doubts.

He remembered a trip his squad of friends had made on Concordia. They were supposed to go to the outskirts of Oriya and practice their skills at reconnaissance.  Din Djarin had completed the task several times without his squad and now he’d been directed to lead them on the mission. He was maybe twelve years old. 

But unlike every other time that he’d run down the forest paths, avoid the old, hidden and decaying mine shafts and caves that provided cover for the first part of the mission, this time he’d become distracted. It was like a voice was calling to him. He knew that couldn’t be true. Nothing had called to him any of the prior times and he reasoned that he was feeling more stressed because this time he was in charge of a group of his friends. 

But the farther along the path he went the louder the voice became. He couldn’t ignore it, but he also couldn’t fail his mission. He made a quick decision. He stopped and got his squad in a huddle. He delegated authority to his least favorite but most skilled squad mate. He explained quickly how he had gotten in and found observation posts and gave them a time and location to regroup and he’d check in with them then. 

They did as they were told and no one questioned him. It was a mark of how they viewed him as a leader. 

They moved forward and he ran toward where he’d heard the voice calling to him. He moved through the trees and brush and found himself at the mouth of sandy bottomed cave. It was strange. Like it had been made somewhere else and plopped there just for him to find it. 

He entered the cave without a second thought. The voice’s strength and words hadn’t changed. But that was a problem. They weren’t getting stronger or softer or closer. They weren’t changing. How could that be true? He stopped. He turned around and began to walk slowly back the way he had come. He wanted to see if his action caused any change. At first, nothing happened. The voice didn’t change at all. 

Then, just as he saw the light of the woodland path shine through, he felt, rather than saw, the walls of the cave move in, trying to trap him in it. Dank Farrik! He’d fallen for some wretched leftover of the wars Mandalorians had fought against the Jedi and the Sith! 

He ran as fast as he could and managed to get out of the cave with just a couple of bruises and long gash down his leg. He would tell his squad mates, when he met up with them again, that he’d fallen and just cut himself on a rock. They believed it because he was reached them at the appointed place and at the appointed time and they had no reason to believe that he had gone on an adventure without them. 

He thought about the lesson that he learned that day and hoped that wasn’t the same lesson that Grogu was struggling with right then. When do you listen to yourself and when do you trust the people you care about? His leader had told him to remember his responsibilities and the Mandalorian hadn’t. Nothing bad had happened to his squad mates, but it could have gone horribly wrong. He’d just been lucky. He hoped, with all his heart, that the choice Grogu made was the best one for him. They had both been lucky but now they needed to listen to the people they trusted. This was the way…

@mduluozz Here's the story you helped inspire. Again, thank you for sharing you art. If you want to repost this with your drawing, please feel free.

[saggitary]

Clone Wars + Bad Batch Headcanons

(That I also use in writing)

It's been a while since a headcanon post so here we go

Clone troopers were generally physically affectionate. Hugs, nudges, and hanging off each other constantly.

Most jedi padawans are used to sleeping in groups and constantly rough housing with their crechmates from their time in the crèche so it isn't uncommon for them to be found physically engaging with their troopers (especially in cuddle piles)

All clone troopers are powerful swimmers

Echo and Wrecker hate water because they both have a harder time with swimming. Due to Wrecker's mutation he has a high amount of muscle mass and a very low amount of body fat, meaning he sinks in water. Echo weighs a lot more then he's used to with his metal cybernetics, as well as missing some vital limbs it makes swimming very difficult

Clone troopers picked up mando'a from their trainers, but bastardized it due to their lack of proper language training and the conditions they were raised in

Each battalion has their own even more bastardized version usually mixing in languages their Jedi general speak

Ahsoka loves playing with hair and that is a very specific weakness all clone troopers have. Fives always falls asleep when Ahsoka starts running her hands through his hair.

Back on Kamino when a member of a batch was injured in training, the Kaminoans would allow the squad to visit their injured brother because they believed it helped them be less distracted and improved test scores

When a trooper is injured on the battle field their close brothers usually won't be able to rest until they've visited their vod in the medbay

This habit soon expanded to their Jedi COs as well, much the Jedi's amusement

The 212th was peeved that Ahsoka ended up with the 501st, they thought they were going to get her

The clones do in fact have the “see a lonely child and adopt it” gene and this comes out particularly strong with the Jedi Padawan Commanders

Many of the jedi generals teach their troopers certain hobby skills like knitting, painting, craft, etc to help with stress and what not

Hunter uses a bar of soap to clean his hair while Tup has a 3 step hair routine

The Bad Batch drew many of their plans and strategies from Rex's battle plans and also got many from Echo's (back when he was int he 501st)

Ahsoka taught Cody how to use a lightsaber so next time Obi-Wan drops his he can use it to defend himself and his men

Torrent company compares scars on who's is the coolest

Hardcase as the most scars because heavy class troopers are usually on the front lines

Jesse has the coolest from a run-in with a gundark on a scouting mission

Hardcase refers to Ahsoka as 'sir yes ma'am' or 'ma'am yes sir'

Multiple members of Torrent snuck Ahsoka out to get a tattoo on her 16th birthday

Tech is the only one in the bad batch that snores, and he snores like a freight train

Medics keep cleaning supplies for armor in the medbay in case they are keeping someone in for observation and need to keep them occupied (it also helps keep the medbay clean)

[lamaenthel]

"You Lied To Me"

[read on ao3][masterlist]Febuwhump prompt: "You Lied To Me."

Coronet City detectives Avana and Freerly respond to a crime scene where a gonk blew some poor Kiffar's head off. Once they get a hold of the datachip, they find out why.

Characters: Ailyn Vel, Sintas Vel, Mirta Gev, Boba Fett, Original Characters Wordcount: 1284

"So bomb squad's cleared it?" Avana slammed the speeder door, took one last drag off her t'bac stick, and tossed it. "Last thing I want is to get blown up by some leftover banthashit that nobody noticed."

"They been over the place with a fine-tooth comb." Freerly, her Rodian partner, poked her shoulder with a suctioncup-tipped finger as they walked to the crime scene. She brushed it away irritably with her lek, scowling. He was doing it to annoy her, he damn well knew she hated the marks it left behind. He snickered and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Don't worry, kid, your purple ass is safe."

"Yeah, yeah." Avana flashed her badge to the droid at the door and carefully stepped over the rubble. The apartment building was nice for the area. The damage was thankfully localized to their vic's apartment. Besides a few cracks in the wall she shared with her neighbor, the damage beyond was minimal. Broken transparasteel shards crunched under Avana's feet like spring snow as she picked her way over to the body. 

"Vic is Sintas Vel. Kiffar bounty hunter, came to Coronet City a few months ago. Born on Coruscant, hopped dozens of planets." Freerly shrugged. "You know the type."

"Yeah." Avana crouched and gingerly poked the ruined cavity of bone and meat that was Vel's face. "And the bomb was in a gonk?"

"Apparently. This was a straight-up assassination." Freerly moved out of the way of an evidence collection droid. "Forensics thinks they found a holotransmitter, though. They're trying to reparse the datachip right now."

"Detectives!" A Human man with tightly braided hair and large glasses waved at them.

"Speak of the Sith." Avana followed her partner to the technician's workstation.

"I've got what looks to be a holovid attached to a timer. When it ended, the gonk blew up." 

Avana's lekku jabbed into her spine. "Were you able to get the message?"

"Sure was. Here we go." The woman in the hologram was young and pretty, pale with a purple tattoo like a block made of three, thick lines that covered almost half of her face; it was a qukuff, Avana realized a moment later, a Kiffar clan marking. The girl was at least part Kiffar, she could see it from the way that she hunched in her chair, tall as a karking gundark. She had a toddler in her lap with thick line markings similar to hers painted on her cheek. "Hi, Mom," she said to the cam.

Avana and Freerly exchanged grimaces.

"It's been a rough few years for us, I know. Between the jobs and, and what happened with Makin…" the woman glanced in the direction of her child. "I thought I could find closure if I found him. If I found my father. And if I killed him for what you said he did to us." 

"Oh, shit," Freerly mumbled.

"You told me he was horrible. He was a cold-blooded murderer, a, a serial killer. You said that he terrified you, made you believe that he'd kill you if he left. You were his victim, and you were afraid he was going to murder me too." The woman shushed the irritated toddler wiggling in her lap. "Mama's almost done, Mirta. Just wait." She turned back to the cam. "So I decided I was going to do something about it. I'm good. I'm damn good. You raised me and trained me. And I'm not just your daughter, I'm Boba Fett's daughter. I can get him. That's…" She blinked again.

"She's crying," Avana said softly.

"I took a bounty out on myself on Tatooine. For return only, I'm not an idiot." She sniffed. "He picked me up within hours. Easy credits for him, right? I don't have the rep in Huttspace. So he picks me up and I don't cause a fuss, and that's when I ask him if he wants to share dinner with me before he turns me in. I had… I had a whole fucking plan. You know pepperleaf—the one from Kiffex, not Kifu, the one that's toxic to non-Kiffars—I had a whole roll of it in my bag, ground down 'till it just looked like the normal Kiffu stuff. I…"

Freerly let out a low whistle. "Uh oh."

"He bought some meat, then we went back out to the edge of town and made a camp. He didn't feel like dealing with the crowds, he said. I cooked that meat real well after I seasoned it." Her eyes unfocused. "I took the bounty out under an alias. But after we ate, he asked me my parent's names. Asked if I was really Ailyn. He knew who I was as soon as he saw the bounty. You know how he knew?" Her big brown eyes snapped back to the cam. "Because I have his eyes, Mom. I have his fucking eyes and you never bothered to tell me.

"There were a lot of things you never bothered to tell me, apparently. Like how my dad wasn't a damn psychopath like you made him out to be. That he almost always brought his bounties in alive unless it was a killjob. That the murder he allegedly committed on Concord Dawn was of the governor's son who got high on spice and raped you while he was at work." She was outright glaring at the camera now. "And you kicked him out for it. Forced him to stay away, convinced him that he was a monster that would end up getting me killed. So he did stay away. He stayed away my entire life because that was what you wanted, Mom. You know what else he did?"

The three investigators leaned forward.

"He made me a savings account. Completely legit, made deposits every single single month for seventeen years. I had no idea." Ailyn's pupils dilated. "You did. He told you about it and gave you all the information. Said it was for when I reached the age of responsibility. Almost a million credits in that account, Mom, not to mention what was in the safety deposit box. Remember about five years ago when you won the lottery?"

"Oh, shit," Avana said again, covering her mouth.

"I didn't bring an antidote. I didn't need one. I'm immune." Ailyn shuddered with the effort of holding back her tears, visibly haunted. "You lied to me. I killed my father for you, and come to find out all he ever did was love me and support me from afar. And then on top of that, you stole my motherfucking money." Ailyn wiped away the tears that had escaped furiously, then fixed the cam with a death glare. "Well unfortunately for you, Mom, I remember everything you taught me, and one of the first things was that you never fuck with a hunter's money, and here you are fucking with mine. And the second thing was to make sure that whoever fucks with your money goes out with a bang so that nobody else gets the bright idea." Ailyn raised the little girl up and shook her hand at the cam. "Bye bye, Mirta, say bye bye!"

"Bye bye gamma!" Mirta sang, waving happily.

Ailyn lowered her back to her lap. "Say hi to Dad for me," she said—her smile was wide, unnerving, and didn't go anywhere near her eyes.

The holorecording ended. The three stood still, silent, completely shocked for at least a minute. Avana glanced over her shoulder to the corpse being loaded onto a stretcher.

"That is one fucked up family," Freerly finally said.

Avana reversed the holorecording and paused on the little girl's face. She had her mother's eyes.

Taglist: @starwarsficnetwork, @febuwhump, @soliloquy-of-nemo Divider: @saradika-graphics

[silverwings22]

Song of the Sea: Chapter 21: Radiant Bride

Chapter warnings: mentions of starvation, questionable food choices, drugs, violent crime Series Warnings: explicit smut, alien anatomy (it's a monsterfucker fic, guys), major character injury, grief, canon typical violence, autistic meltdowns, and my terrible attempts at Mando'a

Previous chapter:

Next Chapter:

“You okay, Baby Mega? Gundark didn’t get you, did it?” Shiani poked her head into the girl’s room. They’d been on a pickup mission for Cid, and the drop zone had been  swarming with the creatures. 

“No, I’m okay. Are you?” Omega had Lula in her lap, looking out at the stars as they headed back to Ord Mantell. 

“Mad I couldn’t catch that little one.” Shiani laughed, climbing up to sit beside her. “Ran out of time, or I’d have had it as a snack.”

“You’d eat a gundark? Eeew!” Omega laughed. 

Shiani scooped her up in her tentacles and lifted her up in the air, giggling too as she turned her upside down. “Not ew! I’d eat anything that didn’t eat me first!”

“Really?” Omega blinked. “Even gross stuff?”

“I’ve eaten plenty of gross stuff. I lived in the trash.” Shiani shrugged. “Hunting was bad. Sometimes, you do what you have to do. But some things you think are gross turn out to be tasty.” She set Omega in her lap and cuddled her. “I wasn’t a great hunter when I lived in Acopit, but I got better when I was in exile. I had to.” 

“Is it weird to eat something you killed?” Omega looked up at her. 

“I don’t think so. There’s honor in doing it yourself, and surviving by your own power.” She booped the girl’s nose with a delicate claw. “It does taste better when you cook it though.” 

“You ate stuff raw?” Omega blinked. 

“The nearest thermal vent was two klicks into Acopit territory, and every siren on Kamino wants to kill me.” Shiani shrugged. 

Omega turned around and cuddled back. “I don’t understand why they don’t like you. You’re great.” 

Shiani nuzzled into Omega’s hair gently. “I think you’re great too. My favorite girl in the galaxy.”

Omega grinned at her. “Tech’s your favorite guy, isn’t he?”

“Tech’s my favorite everything.” Shiani giggled. 

“Would you ever marry him? Wrecker and I were watching a holo-show and some of the people in it got married.” 

Shiani pondered thoughtfully. “I never thought about it before… but yeah. If he gave me the gift, I’d accept it.”

“Gift?” Omega blinked.

Shiani laughed. “When you want to get married, you give a gift. Something you make yourself, that they wear on their chests over their hearts.” She smiled fondly. “Males are supposed to ask, though.”

“Like the armor Tech’s making for you?” Omega flopped dramatically across the siren’s lap. “I saw it on the worktable. It’s too small for any of the guys.” 

Shiani froze, eyes wide. “He’s making me armor?” Her hearts picked up with a delight that spread like warm sunlight throughout her entire body. Armor, like he and his brothers wore, marked them as a part of the squad. It was the ultimate symbol of love, to build something by hand that was so hard to make but so protective. 

“I hope I didn’t spoil the surprise.” Omega whispered. 

“I’ll still act surprised.” Shiani assured her. “Promise.”

Omega grinned and nodded. “How much longer til we land?”

“Not much longer.” Shiani nodded. “Want to come view the landing? Tech said I could do it this time.”

“Yeah!”

The two of them climbed out of the gunner’s seat and headed to the cockpit, where Tech and Echo were sitting and talking. Well, mostly Tech was talking, but Echo didn’t mind listening as he cleaned his pistol. Tech looked back and smiled faintly. “Right on time, cyar’ika.” She leaned over the back of his chair and nuzzled his face with her own, which made Echo snicker and Omega beam. Tech ignored both of them, patting the arm rest. “Come around here and take the controls.”

Shiani nodded and they swapped spots, so he was standing behind her. Echo let Omega sit in his lap to watch, watching the siren as she went through the landing processes. She was efficient with it, using tentacles to flip dials and pedals as her hands stayed steady on the controls. 

“Very good.” Tech praised as they entered the atmosphere and headed for their usual hangar spot. 

She grinned, engaging the landing gear and bringing them down gently, landing with barely a wobble. Echo smirked. “She lands better than you.”

Tech huffed. “This is a controlled environment. You have experienced my landings in a combat zone, those are not comparable.” 

Omega giggled. Shaini just smiled and reached back for Tech’s hand. He took it and pulled her out of the seat. “Come along. I have a gift for you before we step out.” 

“Gift?” Her eyes sparkled as he walked her back to the work bench, glancing over her shoulder at Omega. The girl gave her a thumbs up. 

Tech stood her in front of the work table, adjusting his goggles and turning her so she was facing away. “Hold your arms out, let me make sure it fits.”

She blinked, lifting her arms obediently. Tech dropped a chestplate over her head, with flexible vest-like shoulder pieces similar to his own. It covered her gills but sat high enough not to impede her tentacles, with extended plates that went low on her stomach and sat above her belt in the back. It latched on the sides, and was much lighter than his armor that she’d picked up once or twice. 

“I have vambraces for you as well. I considered leg cover as well, but I thought it may irritate your tentacles or be too heavy for you.” Tech adjusted the latches carefully, making sure they were secure. “Is this comfortable? I can make adjustments as needed.”

Shiani’s eyes sparkled with absolute delight as she turned around, checking the fit. “And you made this?”

“Yes. I should have made it sooner, and I apologize for waiting so long. Do you like it?” He startled when she threw herself into his arms. 

“I love it. Love you.” She grinned, nuzzling into his chest happily. “I’ll wear it on every mission, promise.”

“Good.” He smiled, hands on her hips squeezing his familiar set of three. “You can paint it as you see fit, when we have time.”

Shinani nodded with delight, touching the metal when he let her go. Holy tides and stars… he’d put the armor on her himself. All she had to do was make him a gift in return and they would be married!

“Come along, we need to get our payment from Cid.” Tech waved for her to follow him down the ramp after his brothers.

“Cid could have mentioned the gundarks.” Echo complained as soon as his boots touched the ground. 

“We made it out okay.” Wrecker grinned, scooping Omega up and setting her on his shoulder. She had a box of Mantell Mix, smiling as she tossed a couple pieces in her mouth. “How’s it this time?” He grinned

“Better than ever.” She beamed and gave him a piece. 

They headed for the Parlor, all of them immediately noticing a crowd of armored figures they didn’t recognize. Shiani tucked herself a little closer to Tech, frowning,. “Who are they?” 

“I am unsure.” He frowned, hand moving to her opposite shoulder firmly and giving her a comforting three squeezes. Wrecker carefully set Omega down and carefully put her in the middle of the formation to keep her safe. They ducked into the Parlor, finding it much more crowded than they remembered. 

“Since when is this place so popular?” Echo frowned. 

Shiani scrunched her face. “The appeal of the Parlor is it’s normally empty.” 

“Let’s just get paid and go.” Hunter sighed, heading for the office. He hated the eyes on them, especially Omega. 

Tech was thinking much the same thought about Shiani, the siren’s unique appearance catching lots of attention. She just looked annoyed by all of it, crossing her arms and tentacles tightly. She’d gained some confidence about sticking up for herself with strangers now, but stares still made her uncomfortable. An unusual looking hooded figure in a mask passed  as they approached the office door, and she lightly tugged Tech’s vambrace. “Pyke?” She murmured. Now that she was well versed in most sentient races, Tech had suggested she study common group affiliations and their symbols. 

“It appears to be.” He nodded. “That is not a good sign.”

Omega frowned. “What’s a Pyke?”

“Spice trader. They’re a very violent gang.” Shiani patted her hair gently. “Nothing for you to worry about though. They’re leaving, and Cid’s not stupid enough to make deals with Pykes.”

Omega nodded, looking over at Hunter as a guard tried to stop him from getting into the office. “Appointment only.” 

Hunter narrowed his eyes and gave Wrecker a nod. The big clone quickly seized the guard by the chest plate and threw him out of the way. Shiani leaned over and picked the office lock with her claw quickly. When they walked in, a green devaronian male with a familiar looking lizard purring in his lap came into view.

“It’s quite rude to barge into someone’s office unannounced.” He raised an eyebrow at them curiously, waving down the group of other enforcers who moved to intercept the group. 

“It isn’t your office.” Hunter frowned. 

“I beg to differ.” The man chuckled. 

Omega spotted the lizard and blinked. “Ruby? What are you doing with her?” 

“I paid Cid for her, and she delivered. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.” He scratched the creature gently with his long nails, making her roll over on her back to get her belly rubbed. 

“Where is Cid?” Shiani narrowed her eyes, head cocking to the side to examine his face. She usually tried to keep from being confrontational at the first meeting, but something was amiss and her family had just walked into it. “And who are you?” 

“Cid is out. Permanently. The Parlor and surrounding territory are mine now… you all look like competent mercenaries. Well…. Most of you.” He eyed Shiani and Omega. “If you’re looking for employment, I might have some work for you.” 

“We’ll think about it.” Hunter huffed. 

“You didn’t answer my question. Who are you?” The little siren puffed up a little, standing her ground when the devaronian got up and walked to her side of the desk.

“I am Roland Durand.” He curiously examined her. “I’ve never seen anything like you. I’m a purveyor of oddities, Miss. You would be much better paid as my assistant than whatever you make with them.” 

She narrowed her eyes. “I’m very happy with my family. Thank you.”

“Let’s just go.” Omega pulled at Shiani’s arm gently, trying to get out of the office quickly. Tech’s eyes were burning holes in Durand, and she was slightly concerned about a fight.

Shiani nodded, putting her arm around the girl. The followed the guys out of both office and Parlor, Hunter immediately shaking his head. “He’s a gangster. We’re not equipped to deal with anything like that. We need to leave Ord Mantell. Tech, get the ship ready and we’ll start supplying to leave.”

Omega frowned. “But what about Cid?”

Tech shook his head, arm firmly around Shiani’s waist now. “She was likely eliminated or forced out of the area, if Durand’s tone is anything to go by.” 

Omega looked horrified. “Would they really kill her? We need to look for her, she could be in trouble! She’s our friend.” 

“She is our employer.” Shiani shook her head. “You have a good heart, Baby Mega. But that care doesn’t go both ways.”

The girl dug her heels in. “She’s helped us. It’s only right to do the same in return.”

Hunter sighed, starting to kneel and try to explain for the millionth time why everyone wasn't their friend, when Cid's voice caught his attention from behind. “At least someone was worried about me.”

Cid was standing in the doorway of the Havoc Marauder, arms crossed. Shiani  matched her stance. “What did you do to make Durand take your Parlor?”

“We'll talk about it in private, Suckers. Come in.” 

Tech cleared his throat. “Are you inviting us onto our own ship?”

“You're catching on, Goggles.”

“Rude.” Shiani grumbled, but walked up the hatch with an extremely displeased look. 

They gathered around and Cid offered an explanation. “I see you met Roland Durand. He used to be a client of mine… he's the son of crime boss Isa Durand. I guess he's trying to make a name for himself out from under his mother's shadow, so he's making a deal with the Pykes.”

“Stupid.” Shiani shook her head. 

“Yeah. But he had enough goons to run me out of my bar.” Cid huffed.

“Why would he want a bar on Ord Mantell anyway?” Hunter raised a tattooed eyebrow. 

“Ord Mantell sits in the crossing of multiple hyperspace lanes. Ideal for smugglers, and my parlor is right in the middle of all the action.” Cid explained. “He saw the value, but I'm going to get it back.”

“And how do you intend to do that?” Echo's native sass had been mostly repressed by Cid's absolute audacity thus far, but he was finding it again. 

“You're going to help me. We're all in this together.” Cid threw her arms over Hunter and Wrecker’s shoulders. “We've been through a lot together so far, and I've done right by you boys. I'm good with secrets.”

Tech narrowed his eyes. “You are blackmailing us into compliance.”

“You catch on quick.” Cid nodded. 

Shiani bared her teeth and hissed softly, making the trandoshan take a step back and give her blue rings and split jaw an uneasy look. “Threatening people you need help from is a bad idea.” She growled. She usually didn’t let Cid 

Omega immediately got between them. “I'm sure Cid didn't mean to make that sound like a threat. She's just scared and needs help. She helped us when we needed it.” Her little hands pushed gently at Shiani's chest plate. “You're sorry, aren't you Cid?”

Cid nodded immediately. “Yeah. Sorry, Suckers. Like Tiny said, I'm just in over my head.” She tried to placate the siren. 

“We should help. She's helped us, and her Parlor is her home and livelihood.” Omega pleaded. “It's the right thing to do. How would we feel if we lost the Marauder?”

“We do not interact with gangsters.” Tech sighed, patting Shiani on the arm to get her to relax, until she covered her mouth with her hand and stared daggers at Cid. “But I see your point, as much as I disagree.”

Hunter grumbled and looked at Cid. He really couldn't afford to be on Cid's bad side, and Omega looked so adorably sure they'd make the altruistic choice. Even Shiani, who he was sure was about to bite Cid, softened a little at her big brown eyes. “Fine. What's your plan?” He sighed.

“There's an access point to the old mining tunnels that goes right under my office. My sources say Durand has a shipment of 6 cases of spice in my office right now.”

Shiani nodded. “Saw it. Big boxes.”

“We'll go into the tunnels and steal the shipment. Then when Durand can't deliver,  the Pykes will take care of him for us.” Cid tapped the holo table with a claw. 

“Why don't we just go in directly? I hate sneaking around.” Wrecker grumbled. “We could take his guards.”

“No one can know we're involved.” Cid said it too fast, and Shiani felt fear bubbling up around her like an underwater steam vent.  “The Pykes are no one you want to cross. They'll make you wish you were dead a long time before they kill you.”

Shiani sighed, drumming her claws together. “And how will you distract Durand? If he's in the office, we can't steal the spice without being seen.”

“I've got Bolo and Ketch on it.” Cid smiled. “They'll steal the lizard. He's nuts about that thing, he'll go looking for it.”

“They won't hurt Ruby, will they?” Omega fretted.

“Ruby’s got teeth and claws. She’ll be fine.” Shiani patted her head. “Don’t worry. Go get your bow.”

Omega nodded and headed to her room to get her gear, and Shiani followed Tech to the cockpit to double check the ground security protocol. He didn't like Cid getting into the ship uninvited. 

“Were you actually going to bite her?” He asked after a moment. 

“It crossed my mind.” She said firmly. “She threatened my family.”

“You are the most remarkable woman in the galaxy.” He dipped his head against hers, arms around her waist as he squeezed his little siren three times. “Loyalty means everything to clones. Yours means everything to me.”

Shiani smiled. “I’d follow you anywhere, Tech.”

He picked up his helmet and nodded. “Then let us make this quick. I have no interest in running into the Pykes.”

She followed him back out, rubbing her thumb against her chest plate. She didn't relish a fight with notorious gangsters either… but she'd follow Tech anywhere he led her.

No one was thrilled about going into a manhole, but the group followed Cid to the old mining tunnels she’d indicated. It was creepy and musty smelling inside, with a set of mining carts hanging from a cable that wound its way through the cavernous abandoned mine. Shiani investigated them curiously, then scrunched her face and looked at Tech. “Rusty.”

“They are in poor condition.” He agreed. “But given a little time, the two of us could reasonably get the motors running.”

Cid shook her head. “The motors are too loud. This is a stealth mission.”

Wrecker pouted immediately. He hated stealth missions. 

Shiani patted his arm. “Into the cart. We’ll have to work the levers.” 

He sighed. “Okay… but a fight would have been more fun.” 

“I’ll wrestle with you when we get done.”

Cid eyed the petite siren as she swung into a cart next to Tech and the two of them broke the rusty lever free. Wrecker was doing the same in the next one, Hunter and Echo working the third loose. “Doesn’t seem like your style to beat up on a little woman like Suckers, big guy.”

Wrecker laughed. “She’s a lot stronger than she looks, Cid.” 

“She wins more than 90 percent of the time.” Hunter chuckled. 

“She is strategic. And it is 92.67 percent.” Tech sounded amused too. 

Shiani smiled at the praise and started helping Tech work the lever to push them along the overhead track. The cavern was narrow here, and it reminded her of when she was first exiled, before she’d made the little cavern in the belly of the inactive volcano her home. It had been just a dark and lonely cave, only safe by comparison to an execution. That was before Tech had filled it with light and his voice, and she found her place in the galaxy beside him.  

She wasn’t alone anymore. Someone would face the dark places with her. 

They got to a large door and Cid gave them a sharp look. “Once this is open, not a peep out of any of you. You’ll wake the hive.”

“Hive?” Hunter frowned. 

“The tunnels have a little… pest infestation problem.” Cid said quickly. “But it won’t be a problem if you all keep your traps shut. That means no humming, Suckers.”

Shiani looked unimpressed. “I hum when I’m happy. Don’t see how this is a happy time.”

“We’re not scared of a few bugs.” Wrecker grinned. “Right, Shiani?” 

“The closest thing I know to bugs is a crab. I can eat those.” She shrugged. “Can I eat these bugs, Cid?”

“I wouldn’t recommend it.” Cid shook her head, and waved for Wrecker to come shove the door open. “Remember. Not a sound.”

Past the door, the tunnels were full of giant cobwebs. Shiani held her flashlight tightly, the only sign she was any bit uncomfortable was a tentacle wrapped around Tech’s ankle. Behind her, Wrecker was just as deeply uncomfortable at the distance between them and the bottom of the cavern, so far below he couldn’t see it even when he pointed his own flashlight downward into the dark. When it slipped from his fingers, every one of them froze and watched in silent horror as it bounced down against the webbing and went out, out of sight in a turning depression underneath them. Cid looked like she was about to crumple, shaking and staring, so Shiani lightly patted her arm. “Nothing woke up.” She whispered gently. A low, animal cry from below echoed as she spoke, but seemed to be the groan of something rolling over in its sleep.

Cid nodded and swallowed hard before giving Wrecker a murderous look. “Nice going.”

“It was an accident.” He looked a little red-faced, but it was hard to tell in the dark of the caverns. 

“Just keep moving.” Hunter grumbled, shaking his head. Tech went back to his lever, Shiani helping him. Not that he needed her help, but he liked having it. This entire adventure seemed entirely ill-advised, but having her cut down on the bickering that usually came up between his brothers… and himself, if he was honest. He and Wrecker bickered a lot. 

When they arrived up under the office, Shiani held her tentacles up like railing to make sure all the clones got out safely. Hunter sighed at the stairs going up, then looked at Cid. “He out of the office yet?”

“Ketch just commed, he’s out. Let’s go, quick.” Cid urged, pushing them up the stairs. “He won’t be gone for long.” 

The top of the staircase led to a trapdoor, which they pushed up. A rug slid off the top, and Echo made a face at the skittering of rodents out of their path. Before he could complain too much, Cid admonished him to be quiet and started counting the crates of spice to be sure they were all accounted for. Hunter gave a couple quick hand signals, and the clones set themselves in a line to start passing the crates back efficiently. Shiani and Omega remained near the bottom, the siren taking each crate and loading it into the carts while the girl tied them down as securely as she could. “What even is this stuff, Shiani?” She grumbled. “Why’s it worth so much?”

“Drugs.” Shiani set another crate down. “Illegal drugs. People pay lots of credits to get it, because they’re not supposed to have it.”

“But why do they want it?”

“Sometimes life feels so bad, people want to escape.” Shiani sighed. “Drugs make an easy escape. Can’t be sad or stressed when they’re high.” She shook her head and patted Omega’s head. “Doesn’t fix the problem though. It’s still there when you wake up.”

“How do you know so much about it?” Omega blinked at her as the siren took another crate from Wrecker.

“Sirens are not that different. When some sirens get tired of life, they suck on puffer fishes.” Shiani chuckled. “Looks stupid. Makes them act stupid, too.” 

Omega giggled and finished securing the crates as Wrecker came down with the last one. The guys looked to be in a hurry, Cid rushing them from behind. Hunter pulled a quick strap over the last crate. “Secure enough. Let’s go.”

“Durand coming back?” Shiani frowned as Tech waved her and Omega to the carts. 

Tech nodded, pulling her in and securing the door as a blaster shot rang out. “That would be him shooting the door lock.”

“Oh no. Lever time.” She grabbed ahold of her side of it and they started their way through the tunnels as quickly as they could. 

Hunter glanced back as a couple of the enforcers got into another cart behind them and got the engines working. “We’ve got company.” 

“Blasters?” Shiani reached for the pistol on her hip. Tech insisted she carry it, though she frequently forgot it was there. She was a close combat kind of girl. 

“You’ll wake the hive!” Cid hissed. 

“This hive will be inconsequential if we are shot.” Tech ducked and pushed Shiani down before she could get hit. “I do not think, even with our accuracy, we can take them out quick enough to avoid being caught.” 

Shiani blinked, peeking up. “Cover your ears!”

Hunter blinked, then activated the filters in his helmet and put his hands over Omega’s ears. 

Shiani sucked in a deep breath and leaned over the cart edge, letting out a scream that blew their pursuers off the tracks and into the caverns below. She snapped her jaw shut and looked down, watching them vanish. “Sorry Cid.”

The trandoshan shuddered as another creepy animal cry echoed from beneath them. “... I don’t like this.” 

Tech frowned. “Maybe we should activate the motors and get out of here as quickly as possible.”

“Good point.” Hunter frowned, crouching to examine the mechanism. Fortunately it wasn’t in as bad shape as they’d initially thought, and all three motors came to life after a moment. They started hurrying along the track, over where Wrecker had lost his flashlight, when a swarm of creatures came hurtling up towards them. Shiani squeaked when they started biting, tearing into her exposed head tentacles. Wrecker doubled over to protect Omega, and Cid started swearing and swatting at the monsters. 

Shiani screamed again, a group of them falling out of the sky and back into the darkness, but more just replaced them. Tech threw an arm over her to try to protect her face, throwing his flashlight up in an attempt to aim his blaster. The creatures screeched, wheeling out of the way of the light. “Use your torches!” He called over the din of screeching insects and yelling clones. It was hectic, everyone clinging for dear life to the carts to avoid being thrown over the edges with the jostling monsters and blaster shots ringing out. One by one, the crates of spice were knocked over the edge and went hurtling to the ground below. 

“The spice!” Cid wailed, watching her chance at a get rich quick scheme fade away. 

“Forget it!” Hunter snapped, the group finally making it to the manhole door. Wrecker wrenched it open and everyone darted out, letting the big clone slam it shut aggressively hard. 

Everyone collapsed to the ground, catching their breaths. “At least we got rid of the spice?” Omega gave an optimistic, tired smile.

Something squeaked behind her, and the clones and Cid turned around. Shiai was sitting on the ground, holding one of the creatures with her claws jammed into it as it squealed and fought against her and the light outside. She was grinning brightly, head cocking back and forth and heedless of the little bites and scratches all over her face and head. “Shiani…?” Tech frowned. “Cyar’ika, what are you doing with that?”

“Snack. Insects are like crabs, right?” She turned it, looking for a place to sink her fangs. 

Hunter, Omega, and Cid looked disgusted. Wrecker just looked confused, watching her. “You’re gonna eat a bug?”

“No, she is not.” Tech grumbled, pulling the flapping and screeching monstrosity from her hands. It tried to bite him, still screaming, until he tossed it in the air and shot it before it could get its bearings. 

Shiani made a sad little noise. “But Tech…”

“I will get you something to eat after this. I will find water and catch you a fish myself, or buy whatever you would like from a cantina. But please do not make me watch you eat an insect. I fully intend to kiss you later, and that would be detrimental to the experience.” 

She scrunched her face. “They serve crab in cantinas on some planets we visit. What is the difference between crab and bug, except crab is wet and bug is dry?”

“A crab is served cooked, to begin with.” Tech gave her a hand up, and she sighed. 

“Sushi isn’t cooked. Neither is cookie dough, and Baby Mega and I ate a whole bowl last week.”

Hunter gave Omega a stern look. “Really?”

“It was good.” She smiled sheepishly. 

Cid sighed, nudging the dead insect out of the way with her foot. “C’mon. Let’s go wait for Bolo and Ketch to send the signal.” 

Hunter sighed. Now he had to deal with her on his ship for even longer… “Fine.” 

It didn’t take long for Cid to get the message from Bolo and Ketch saying the Pykes had arrived and come for Durand. “They don’t take kindly to unpaid debts, so they’ll fix our little problem for us.” 

“Your problem.” Shiani raised an eyebrow. “We’re just helping clean up mess.”

Cid huffed. “And here I was thinking about giving you guys dinner on the house.”

“The least you can do, after I got bit by all those flying things.” The siren chuckled, dabbing bacta on her many scratches. “I didn’t even get to eat it.”

“Were you actually going to eat it?” Cid eyed her. 

Shiani nodded. “I was. But I like kisses more than snacks..” 

“How do you go from threatening to bite me or apex predator mode, to a teenager in love?” Cid huffed. 

“I’m not a teenager. I’m twenty three standard years old.” The siren laughed. “Teenage years were terrible. All suckers and elbows, never knew how to fix my head to look pretty, and then got banished.” 

Tech chuckled. “You looked fine when we met.”

They walked into the Parlor and found Durand’s armored enforcers laid on the floor dead. Omega’s eyes went wide before Shiani put her hands over them. Cid just grinned. “See. Told you it would take care of itself. Now we can clear this mess out and start over.”

“I guess you want our help with that too?” Wrecker grumbled. 

Shiani and Hunter both turned their heads. “I don’t think the problem is all gone yet, Cid.” The sergeant muttered. 

Coming out from the office, four Pykes were escorting a humble looking and handcuffed Roland Durand. He spotted them, and in a desperate bid to save his own skin nodded at them. “They’re the ones who stole the spice. I know she was involved, and she got them to help her.”

The Pyke leader turned, examining the group who all pushed Omega to the middle protectively in the face of danger. “Return the spice, and we will consider the matter between us resolved.” 

“We don’t have it.” Cid frowned. 

“Then you are of no further use to us.” The Pyke drawled. “Kill them.” The Batch all reached for their own weapons, and Shiani’s claws came up along with her bared teeth.

Hunter realized quickly they were in over their head, and slowly lowered his blaster. “We don’t have the spice, but we know where it is. We can retrieve it and bring it back to you, if you’ll let the matter die here.”

“My patience is wearing thin. You have until nightfall to retrieve the spice. But the child remains here.”

Hunter started to balk, but Shiani put a hand on his shoulder. “They won’t hurt Baby Mega, as long as we do what they say. If we don’t, everyone dies here.” Her eyes moved sharply to the Pyke leader. The gang was ruthless and legendary, but they kept their word… most of the time. She would have to hope this was one of those times. 

The sergeant was backed into a corner with no option, and he hated it. Cid just nodded, looking terrified. “Suckers is right. It’s not a negotiation. We’ll all die here unless we get that spice.” 

Shiani knelt, putting her hands on Omega’s shoulders. “Listen to me.” She whispered. “Be very brave, Baby Mega. We’ll be back for you. We’ll always come back for you. Stay quiet and safe, okay?” 

Omega nodded shakily, glancing around. “I will.”

Shiani hugged her tightly and got up, running her tongue over her fangs as she looked at the Pyke leader. She wanted to puff up, make threats to bite and claw until they were all bleeding. But that would provoke them. Family didn’t provoke the enemy. They just protected their own. “By nightfall?”

The Pyke nodded and turned away, pointing for Omega to sit at a round table and shoving Durand over beside her. The Batch regretfully had to leave her and headed outside. 

“How are we going to get the spice?” Wrecker frowned. “Do we have to go back in there with those things?”

“Irlings.” Tech looked up from his datapad. “They are called irlings. They are nocturnal and photosensitive, so I recommend finishing this before dark.”

Hunter rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Not much choice there. Tech, we need a plan.”

“Working on it.” Tech showed Shiani his datapad, and her eyes brightened. 

“I love lights.”

Wrecker and Cid were lowered by the Marauder's outboard pulley system into the irling nest below the mining track. Hunter was waiting at the controls anxiously, pulling each crate of spice up and pushing it back inside to Shiani. “We could use a hand here, Tech.” He grumbled. 

“I’m giving you six extra arms. Let him work..” The siren chuckled. “If we need it, you'll be glad he did.”

“It's almost dark. Those things are going to wake up.” Echo muttered tensely from the cockpit. 

“I am preparing for the possibility.” Tech assured him. 

“Four crates up.” Shiani chirped. “Cid and Wrecker can ride the last two up.”

Hunter nodded, touching his comm. “Got the last two secure, Wrecker?”

“Yeah. This place is creepy, pull us up.”

Hunter started the pulley once again and glanced back at the setting sun. Shiani patted his shoulder. “Baby Mega is strong, Hunter. She'll be okay.”

“I hate that she's in this mess. And for Cid of all people.”

Shiani sighed. “I don’t like Cid much either, but I do think she feels bad about getting Baby Mega into trouble. Cid’s selfish, not evil.”

“Maybe I should have let you bite her.” He huffed. 

“Then Cid would be mad. Selfish means vindictive when crossed.”

He sighed. “Yeah, ye-”

“Hunter! Get us out of here! They're swarming!” Wrecker’s voice screamed through the comm, and blaster fire echoed below.

“Tech!” Shiani yelped. “The swarm’s coming up!”

Tech quickly tightened a screw and tossed her an oblong shaped device. “Twist counterclockwise on the left side! You have six seconds after.”

Shiani twisted the device sharply. “Tell Wrecker to close his eyes.” She leaned out and threw the invention straight down into the hole. “Incoming!”

Hunter hit the comm. “Eyes shut!”

Shaini shielded her face, listening to the swarm getting closer and the echo of Wrecker’s screaming. “Four. Five. Six.”

The cavern below lit up with an explosive flashbang, sending the irlings scattered and diving back to their silent and dark nest. Hunter hauled Cid and Wrecker to safety, he and Shiani pulling them up to the platform of the ship when they came into view.

“See Muscles? That wasn't so bad.” Cid's voice was shaky and her claws clutched Shiani's arm a little too tight. 

Wrecker just groaned miserably. 

Hunter patted his back. “C'mon. We gotta get the kid.”

Shiani darted back to Tech with happy eyes. “That was brighter than all the lights on Tipoca City!”

He chuckled and pulled her to him by the hips, so his chin rested against her stomach where he was seated and she stood. Her praising his invention was his favorite part of this mission. “Should I make you lights more often?”

“I like lights. It's dark underwater.” She smiled and traced a claw over his cheek. “Baby Mega lets me sit under her lights in her room sometimes.”

“Once we collect Omega, you can do that.” He let Echo pull the ship around, though, so he didn't have to let her go yet. 

The Batch walked into the Parlor with six crates of spice and set them in front of the group of collected Pykes. “Here. We kept our end of the deal.”

The leader nodded. “Then the matter between us is resolved. The child is free to go.”

Omega ran straight to Hunter, who tucked her immediately to his side. She looked anxiously back at Durand, who was quickly realizing that the matter between Pykes and Batch was solved, but his life was still in danger. “What's going to happen to him?”

Shiani shook her head. “Don't look.”

“But he just made a mistake! He shouldn't have to die over it.” Omega turned pleading eyes to the Pykes. “Don't hurt him!”

Shiani winced as the Pykes forced Durand to his knees over a crate. “Killing one means their family comes for revenge.” She murmured, hand on Omega's hair. She was thinking of sirens, who'd swim halfway across the planet after a missing member of their clans, or who'd hunt the largest sea monsters on Kamino if it meant protecting their children. 

Cid nodded. “Just call it a bad deal and move on.”

“We do not accept bad deals.” The Pyke sneered.

“If you kill him, you'll have a blood feud with Isa Durand. Do you really need that heat right now?”

Hunter moved to cover Omega's eyes as a knife came down, but instead of killing Roland Durand they only cut his horn at the scalp. He was dumped on the floor, and the Pyke leader pocketed his trophy. “Our business is concluded. See that our paths do not cross again.”

The other Pykes took the spice and filed out, leaving Durand humiliated but alive. 

Omega crept over to him. “Are you okay?”

He touched his horn and winced. “It's a small price to pay…” Ruby hopped into his lap comfortingly, and he looked over at the group who were all checking on Omega. Shiani spotted his expression and stepped out of the family huddle to approach him. 

“You're lonely.” She said matter-of-factly. “Miss you family?”

“I thought striking out on my own would earn my mother's respect.”

Shiani chuckled. “Go home to your mama. Love is more important than respect, and she loves you.”

“You don't even know my mother.” He frowned.

“I know mamas. They love, even the tough ones. Go home.”

He sighed and nodded. “... good idea.”

Once he'd shuffled out, Shiani went back to Tech's side. Cid smiled. “First round is on the house.”

“You owe us more than that.” Wrecker laughed. 

“Don't push your luck.” The trandoshan chuckled. When she glanced over her shoulder, Tech and Shiani were already slipping into a back booth to look at datapad holos of Nabooian paper lantern festivals. “Those two are easily entertained.”

Hunter chuckled back. “Only when they're together.”

[highwaytothedungeonzone]

I finished my Deathwatch commando squad for Star Wars Legion. I also finished a couple gundarks that I 3d printed a while back.

[callme-xo]

I did a thing

I'm not good with the Star Wars normal Au but hehe

I was craving dad Hunter coming home to a totally excited Omega! 😊

Racing Dreams

!Gen, No archive warnings. Just fluff!

“Quite eventful today, wasn’t it?” The sergeant casted a glance back at Tech, lost in a deep slumber on his workbench. He’d try to persuade him to a proper rest. But only after he’d taken care of their little verd’ika of course.

And so, he passed the engineer, softly snoring into yet another invention.

Carefully, he shooed the little girl in front of him, desperate to cut the rather long day short now. Especially since Omega had developed a habit of rebelling against her (in her own words) too restrictive sleeping schedule. But good soldiers not only had a well-balanced diet. No. Good soldiers also knew when to rest.

Maybe that came over the years though. He lent his little crewmate a hand in climbing up the ladder, knowing that although Omega claimed not to be tired, her body often gave away that late in the evening. With a couple of staggering steps, he went up after her, flipping her covers back. While suppressing a sigh, Omega melted into her covers.

“You should’ve seen his face, Hunter.” Judging by the way she mimicked it, Hunter was sure the gangster boss wasn’t too amused by it. “And then- and- then Tech just discarded the weapons-” the now (almost) teen giggled. Hunter smiled down at her, draping the rather thin blanket over her shoulders. He'd get her a second one, Hunter determined.

In an instant, a big yawn followed. The ship’s luring, deep buzz could put even the most energetic soldier to sleep. And likewise, it seemed to work with Omega, now snuggled in in the repurposed gunner’s mount.

No matter how much Hunter liked to be the sergeant, god kriffin gundark was he glad not to have been present. The seven deaths he died when receiving a transmission about what the rest of Clone Force 99 had been up to while he and Echo were retrieving Cid’s … uhm…. snack…. was enough.

With their entire vessel full of kriffing nerf nuggets -unrefrigerated at that- Hunter had enough trouble breathing as is. And that without Tech pulling yet another risky move so soon after his leg had barely healed up. When returning though, all the technician had to say for his concern was a twitch of his shoulders paired with a snide exclaim about the ships luring smell.

He’d left the ship's hatch open for a good two hours, hoping the smell would eventually vanish. Yet to no avail.

Despite the others saying they couldn’t distinguish it from Wrecker’s socks anymore, Hunter still smelled the musky meat in the ship’s iron paneling.

He smoothed over Omega’s tuft of hair, now growing longer and longer in an attempt to mimic his. Or at least, that’s what Tech had told him about childhood psychology and the search for role models.

“mhhh.” he hummed, tucking Lula in along with her. Since Omega’s twelfth life passed, their kid hadn’t reached for Lula all too often anymore. Many times he found her abandoned in Wrecker’s bunk nowadays. His heart churned a little at that.

No longer was she a tiny, childish force. She’d grown, matured, gone through several trials. Both with Cid’s clientele as well as alongside the rest of the squad. She’d been brave, fought to the bone, and had shown no mercy in regards to her own health. Even though Hunter would’ve liked for her future and present to be a bit different.

Yet, whenever he dared to bring it up, Omega had ten more reasons to stay at the ready than she did before. He’d given her a choice though. Go with his brother and Suu, grow up safe. Or as safe as safe could get these days.

He leaned forward, his head on her floor, directly aside her pillow and staring right into her eyes. Despite his initial apprehensions against a child on board, Hunter had grown quite fond of the time he spent with Omega one-on-one.

With a smile, he nodded, tugging her blanket in at the side facing him. “Are you comfortable, kiddo?” He asked, getting a small smile and nod as a reply. “I think we should consider having a backup to this tiny cot, huh?”

“I like it.” Omega closed her eyes, turning on her side and nestling in close to him. Hunter let his left leg dangle outside of the mount, fed through the paneling of both curtains. Kriff, he wasn't the tallest clone by any means, but this space was too small, even for a soldier who still had some growing left to do.

Omega’s breathing began to deepen, lesser, more thorough breaths left her lungs with her heartbeat soon following the new rhythm. “Sleep well, kiddo.” he murmured, slicking her hair back. He’d turned around, almost half-way down the metal ladder, as Omega stopped him with a “Hunter?”

“Mh?”

“I think I wanna race too… one day .” in dozing off, Omega blissfully huffed, curling around the big plush Tooka.

Oh dear. Oh dear.

Hunter just stood there, his mouth slightly agape. “Sure thing, kiddo.” He mumbled, hoping she’d switch her dream out for a new one soon. “Sure thing.”

[nimata-beroya]

Send me any of these for Katkris or the members of the Gundark squad: Ares, Clawbird, Nock and/or Dropper (Onix not included because he's aroace)

Spicy Headcanon Prompt List

Since I couldn't find a prompt list for nsfw prompts (because apparently nsfw now gets filtered out as a tag by Tumblr) I decided to make my own!

Send me an emoji and a character and I'll post a corresponding headcanon of mine.

😈 - are they dominant, submissive or a switch?

😍 - what is their favorite body part (in regards to their partner)?

👎 - what's a no go for them (in the bedroom)?

🧠 - what would they pick as their safeword?

👥 - what's their favorite position?

❤️ - what's their favorite way to be intimate (can be non-sexual)?

💭 - which petname/honorific/title do they prefer for themselves?

💬 - which petname/honorific/title do they use for their partner?

🎮 - what's their favorite toy?

🤓 - how experienced are they?

🔉 - what noises do they make?

😳 - what 'common' kink do they have?

👾 - what universe-specific kink (like Monster Fucker, tentacles, etc.) do they have if any?

😘 - what do they do for foreplay?

🥰 - what do they do for aftercare?

🧐 - what unexpected kink do they have?

🤭 - what unexpected turn-on do they have?

🏕️ - where do they prefer to have sex?

🌟 - free form (send a random headcanon and I'll add my opinion)

[nimata-beroya]

For the emoji ask game!

🌧️

💧

☔️

🌦️

(PS if you feel like it, can we hear more about Betrothal? 👀)

🌧️Share something angsty from your WIP.

Since you ask, @lost-in-derry, (thank you so much for that, btw) let me tell you about the angsty part of The Betrothal. I don't want to spoil too much, but besides being an Order 66 didn't happen AU, this also is an Arranged Marriage AU. Both Kallus' and Zeb's fathers are Senators and arranged their sons' marriage as part of a deal. Kallus is just resigned to it, his father doesn't care if he wants or not, but Zeb hates the idea as soon as he hears it. He warms up to it after spending some time with Kallus. Kallus has reasons not to like or trust Garazeb, and yet, he can't resist his charm.

That's when everything goes south, and I'm not telling you how or why, but they both end up at the hands of slavers (I haven't decided if Zygerrians or some other). Zeb is taken as a slave immediately to be a fighter, but *for reasons*, Kallus is confused as a slave trader. He plays the part until he can figure out how to get Zeb out there. But as if that wasn't enough, Kallus is a veteran of war (and Onderon happened, not for the same reasons, but with the same people and same result), so guess who also happens to be among the fighters (the champion to be defeated)? If you thought Gerrera's Lasat mercenary, you'd be correct.

☔Is there a fic concept you have that you'd like to just explain and share because you're not sure if you'll ever write it? If so, what is it?

I already answered it here, but I have so many ideas, that you're in luck. Let me tell you about another fic.

I want to write a fic with Cal Kestis and Merrin after Jedi Survivor where Cal struggles with the Dark Side. The idea is that one day he loses control again like he did in Nova Garon and Katra is present. After he regains control, he senses fear coming from her, so he thinks she's afraid of him. In reality, she's afraid FOR him. She already lived something similar with her dad and that didn't end well, so...

Anyway, it's an excuse to write a moment between Cal and Katra, plus Merrin and Cal being adorable together 😆

🌩️ Share something funny/cracky from your WIP.

I've said before, and I'll say it again. I don't write funny, comedy, or crack. I'm bad at it. So this snippet might not be as funny as I think it is. But whatever… It's from The One to Survive.

The high-pitched, mechanical voices of a pair of B1 droids come from the end of the hallway, “Did you hear about Vee-Tee Seven-Six-Four?” one asks.  “Yes, his operative system got corrupted. Started thinking he could use the Force.” Dropper, Clawbird, and Onix share a look. Even when hidden behind his helmet, Onix senses Dropper’s wide eyes. Clawbird’s shoulders shake at the rhythm of their silent laugh. Onix tries to ignore the absurdness of that statement. He has heard nothing more ridiculous in his life. A second later, he’s proved wrong. “Is he going to be a Jedi now? How’s that work?” “It doesn’t. The commander shot him.”

💧Share something romantic/hot from your WIP, or just something sweet if it's gen.

Well, this for Crosshair and my OC Katkris, and it goes under the cut because it's HOT and kinky 😏🔥🥵

TW: anal fingering, praise kink, D/s dynamic

Kat is kneeling on the bed between Crosshair's thighs. He looks so beautiful to her lying in bed, naked. His skin glistens with beads of sweat, and his cock lies on his stomach, hard and flushed. He's the perfect picture of decadence. He has his eyes closed, and his face is pinched with concentration when Kat slowly pushes two fingers into his greedy ass. His body swallows them, offering just a slight resistance as she slides them deeper.  “You’re doing so good, baby. That’s it. Open up for me like the good boy that you are.” The praise provokes a familiar reaction: Crosshair’s ass muscles clench slightly, and he turns his face away into his arm, trying to hide the growing flush in his cheeks. She knows what praises do to him. They are a double-edged blade, eliciting both satisfaction and embarrassment at the same time. It satisfies him because her praises fulfill his great need to feel valued. It’s something that he got satisfied with in the past in the most toxic ways, and it has taken time and effort to unlearn unhealthy behaviors. The embarrassment comes with the difficulty of accepting a compliment, even when deserved. Also, he sees it as a weakness, knowing that he’d do almost anything to get simple praise from her.

[the-marshals-wife]

Having A Child With Tech Would Include

A/N: First fic of 2022! I’m back from my unplanned hiatus (with a new, functioning laptop) with another entry into The Dad Batch series! I super appreciate the love y’all gave the Wrecker one [the original post unfortunately got deleted, but I just reuploaded it], and I hope this pleases my fellow Tech girls! As before, there’s some story (mainly the number of children + the genders that I envisioned each having), but otherwise this is a reader | Y/N insert.

(I know clones are canonically sterile, just pretend with me that our favorite genetically modified squad is not)

Description: Tech x Fem!Reader | Rating: General audiences. No warnings: just indulgent, domestic fluff! | Gif credit: user sergeant-hunter

─ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─ 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 ─ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─

“Parenting is a science that can be understood and mastered like any other.”

That’s the stance Tech confidently took at first, anyway

It didn’t take long after for him to figure out that it wasn’t quite so precise

He was surprisingly calm when you told him that you were pregnant, even when you questioned him about it

“Well, why wouldn’t I be? There is no one else I would have as my partner and the mother of my child. I have no reason to worry.”

His words, methodic as they were, were all the assurance you needed

You knew he was overjoyed in his own, logical way

In the days following, he continually mentioned your pregnancy and his enthusiasm for fatherhood every chance he got; Hunter eventually had to order him to stop bringing it up while they were “on duty”

He is a Book Parent™

If there was a file, book, pamphlet, or database about pregnancy and child rearing, you can bet he had them all read and memorized before your second trimester even arrived

Tech has never been exceedingly verbose about his affection, but he more than proves the depths of his care for you with his actions

Although you were often sick during the early months of your pregnancy, you couldn’t have been in better hands

Tech is an excellent caretaker

There’s no ailment this man doesn’t have a fix for, and even if there were, he would have a cure invented in two shakes of a gundark’s tail

“You require additional rest and nutrition when you are with child. It is my duty and my honor to provide it to you, along with anything else you may desire.”

Whatever you wanted, he would either retrieve it or make it himself - the reclining chair he fashioned for your aching back was, in your opinion, his greatest invention ever

Often your greatest need was simply his company, which he gladly provided, reading to you many nights until you fell asleep with your head on his shoulder

Your child would never, ever want for knowledge

Tech ensured that your baby’s nursery was stocked with the galaxy’s greatest works on every subject imaginable

You were going to explain to him that it would be several years before they would be able to read any of it, and several more to understand even half of it, but you couldn’t bring yourself to do it after seeing how much pride it gave him to supply his child with the knowledge he treasures so much

He loved rubbing your pregnant belly and sharing with you the endless facts he’d learned about motherhood

“Infants establish a familiar bond with their mother in the womb simply through the sound of her voice,” he informed proudly

“Does it work for fathers too?” you asked with a smile

“The data is inconclusive. I am, however, willing to test that theory.”

When the time came to fly to the hospital, he was as level-headed as ever, and it was probably the smoothest flight you’d ever been on with him at the helm

His enduring calm soothed your nerves and helped you focus during labor

He never let go of your hand, reminding you of your breathing techniques and constantly reassuring you

You gave birth to a healthy baby boy, and in the moment that Tech first laid eyes on his son, he was struck speechless

Dad Mode Activated

Thanks to his extensive research, he knew instantly how to cradle an infant, bringing him to your side when the doctors were finished

“Hello, little one,” he smiled, tears in his eyes, “We are your parents, and we’re delighted to meet you. Officially.”

The excitement of that day never faded - if there was a code for parenting, Tech was determined to crack it

He is a master at changing - you didn’t know it was possible to switch a diaper that fast, but Dank Ferrik, were you grateful he could

When your son is fussy, Tech loves to sing lullabies to him, especially ones in other languages

His favorite is a traditional Mandalorian song that your little one loves so much, every time he sings it, it puts your baby to sleep without fail

Tech was eager to introduce his adorable offspring to his brothers and Omega

Matching Father + Son goggles

It only took a few months to realize that your son inherited his father’s challenged eyesight, but Tech was more than happy to make a special pair of goggles for his little face

He continued to craft new ones as your baby grew, always thinking of ways to improve them

Omega finds their matching eyewear endlessly amusing (as do you)

“It’s like they’re twins!”

There’s nothing he can’t fix

He has every broken toy repaired before the tears can even dry

He also often find ways to “improve” certain playthings to make your little one that much happier - the Bantha and Reek toys he modified to have “authentic vocal patterns” are your son’s absolute favorite

You did have to draw the line at your tinkerer’s idea for a model starfighter with functioning, to-scale boosters

Everything is a learning moment

Although you couldn’t be more grateful for his dedication to all things dad, sometimes you have gently remind Tech that some concepts, like the ecological impact of modified hyperspeed engines, don’t need to be explained to a three-year-old

Luckily, your son also inherited his father’s inquisitive nature

As limitless as the questions of a toddler are, Tech’s thoughtful answers seem to be just as infinite; it warms your heart to see how closely Tech listens to your little one’s half-babbled inquiries

Fieldtrips

Tech saw to it that his son would grow up with an appreciation for all cultures- it seemed like your kid had been to every museum, library, and gallery Coruscant had to offer by age five

After encouraging your beau to also include playgrounds, zoos, and a few sugary snacks on the itinerary, he soon achieved a healthy balance of educational incursions and “necessary adolescent antics”

Wrecker is a huge help with fun times as well, more than happy to take his favorite nephew and “Aunt Omega” out for a flight around the city to get sweet treats

Although between the two of you, Tech was more inclined to be the disciplinarian, the occasion rarely calls for it - logical discussions are usually sufficient for your already well-mannered child, as opposed methods like time outs and groundings which Tech insists are “unpredictable and unpleasant for both child and parent”

You weren’t so sure at first, but the results were undeniable as your boy grew up almost always choosing reason over impulse, getting top marks in all his classes at academy and never once needing discipline

Tech never misses an opportunity to boast about this, incredibly proud of his son in all his pursuits

The family that hacks together, stays together

As soon as your son was old enough, Tech began teaching him everything he knew about technology, communications, engineering, and most importantly, how to hack it all

Mini-Me

While your boy definitely takes after you in temperament, and is a bit more inclined to hands-on solutions over data and calculation, he is the spitting image of his daddy, goggles and all

When they stand beside each other (especially since your son hit a growth spurt), you often have to do a double take

Flying lessons

Tech was thrilled when your son showed an interest in learning how to fly, and perhaps to the detriment of pilots and their ships everywhere, he turned out to be a natural

Just like his father, he’s a risk-taker in the pilot’s seat, occasionally pulling maneuvers that even Tech admits are “decidedly dubious”

After that first time, you never forgot again to fly with an empty stomach

Your boys are your entire world, and there is no one you would rather run the risks of life with than your brainy beloved and your precocious progeny

[sundownsquad]

Click on the images for more information!

*Note: Character ages are from the beginning of the war (22 BBY)

Explore Character Tags

Click on the links below to browse a character's tag.

Nitsani | Kess | Speedy | Knox | Drums | Ottaburas

Plain Text Character Sheets

Plain text versions of the above character sheets below the cut for easy reading!

Nitsani Ziomar

Jedi Knight

Human

Female

1.65M

Jedi Investigator and leader of Sundown Squad

Saber staff splits in half and becomes two shoto sabers

Description: Attentive • Perceptive • Patient Nitsani is a charismatic Jedi adept in Force manipulation, telekinesis and telepathy. Before being assigned to Sundown Squad, Nitsani routinely worked with Republic Intelligence as an agent.

Facts:

Nitsani prefers combat from a distance where she can use Force manipulation to take advantage of her surroundings.

Sundown Squad started using the nickname “Zio” for her as a cover name on missions, but it stuck and they began using it even when off duty.

RC-0748 Kestrel

Clone Shadow Trooper

Human

Male

1.71M

Squad Sergeant and Tactics Expert

Also received CLS medical training

Goes by the nickname “Kess”

Description: Intuitive • Decisive • Steadfast

Kess is a level-headed leader with an aptitude for strategy. He is fiercely protective of his brothers, and he prioritizes their safety and well-being above all else.

Facts:

Along with the eidetic memory present in all clones, Kess also has acute photographic memory that allows him to easily recall fine details with only limited exposure to the source material.

Kess loves junk food, and will bring snacks along at every opportunity.

RC-0747 Speedy

Clone Shadow Trooper

Human

Male

1.71M

Weapons Expert

Favors dual-wielding twin DC-17s

Lightning-quick reflexes

Description: Precise • Laser-focused • Quick-witted

Speedy is known for his quick reflexes and deadpan sarcasm. He can shoot from the hip and head-shot a target before anyone else knows they're there.

Facts:

Speedy has a 98% accuracy rating. 98% of his shots are dead on target. The other 2% are just a little to the left.

Speedy lost parts of his ring and pinky fingers on his left hand in a training accident. He has special prosthetic fingers he uses in combat.

RC-0746 Knockout

Clone Shadow Trooper

Human

Male

1.71M

Hand-to-Hand Combat Expert

Favors Dual-wielding vibro-daggers

Goes by the nickname “Knox”

Description: Adaptable • Expressive • Emotionally Driven

Knox is a feisty fighter with an affinity for kicking droids in the shins. Can be rather impatient, but once he's set loose on the enemy he gets the job done in record time.

Facts:

Though Knox is highly skilled in many forms of hand-to-hand combat, he’s especially fond of using the unorthodox methods Drums thinks up for disabling droids (like simply tripping them; that one works wonders).

Knox tends to wear himself out easily with all the energy he expends, and has a knack for being able to take a nap just about anywhere.

RC-0745 Drums

Clone Shadow Trooper

Human

Male

1.71M

Engineer and Pilot

Expert on droid behavioral and logic programming

ARC-170 fighter certified

Description: Inventive • Pensive • Reserved

Drums is an excellent engineer that loves to create new things. He is especially adept at finding weaknesses and anomalies in droid programming that can be exploited.

Facts:

Drums got his scar from a high-voltage discharge while working to disarm a generator on a mission. The scar covers most of his right side.

Drums is inexplicably much stronger than his brothers, and could easily knock a Gundark out cold. He prefers shooting over punching, though.

Riggs, Thea, and Noodle

The “ATV’s”

Ottaburas

Females

1.8M

Omnivorous

High stamina, average speed

Bond strongly with their handlers

Description: Intelligent • Maneuverable • “All-Terrain Vehicles”

The Ottaburas were obtained through an impulse-buy Knox made at a spaceport livestock sale. Though the purchase was not planned, it quickly became clear that the Ottas would become a great asset to the team. Highly intelligent and maneuverable, Sundown uses the Ottas to get through rough terrain or on recon and infiltration missions where going undetected is absolutely necessary.

Facts:

The oils in the Ottaburas’ coats that make them water resistant also reflects the majority of blaster fire, effectively making them blasterproof.

[worth-more-than-two-thousand]

Omega’s Observations

Request:  Congrats on starting the blog!! Pumped to have a new writer's work to read 🥰 If you need some requests, how about an echo/gn!medic reader who he develops a crush on, for a little of that sweet sweet mutual pining action✨ Dunno if you write pre-citadel or just BB echo, but I'm happy with either. Have a good weekend!! :) (@krussyfed)

Author’s Note: Whew! This took a while for me to get to a place where I felt good about posting it. Honestly, as most of my writing does, it got a bit away from me, but that’s because I love fleshing out a story, showing-not-telling, and building on events from the canon. But if I saw this through until the end, I probably wouldn’t end up posting this for months! So I hope what I have here is worth the wait, and if you want more, let me know! 

Story Notes: Unbeta’ed, no obvious warnings. 

🖑 🖑 🖑 🖑 🖑 🖑 🖑

Ask her brothers to describe her, and ‘still and quiet’ would not be two of the words any of them would use. 

Hunter would call her curious to a fault, then ruffle her hair to let her know that he meant it in the nicest way possible. 

Wrecker would boom with laughter, proclaiming her one of them (“Always ready for action and adventurin’! Let’s go get those gundarks!”). 

Tech would probably consider for a moment, then use a four-syllable word. Like effervescent.

Echo would call her young and energetic, but his brow would furrow as though this might be a bad thing. Then he would inevitably follow up with a reminder to stay within sight and keep out of trouble. She didn’t mind. She knew he just worried about her. Omega would always reassure him that she would keep close to her brothers. Of course, whether it actually happened was usually another thing. 

Crosshair, if he was with them, would probably call her troublesome. 

But really, this was a tactical advantage. Her brothers never expected her to be still and quiet, so she could settle in and be observant when it was least expected of her. 

Omega was actually quite accustomed to being taciturn, at least when she needed to be. Her time with Nala Se, after all, was mostly like this. 

Watching over like a stone guardian as Nala Se pored over the capsules containing her modified brothers…

...being as unobtrusive as possible during another endless meeting with Lama Su…

...laying noiselessly and without complaint as Nala Se inserted a needle into her arm for yet another blood sample…

 These days, Omega could be as boisterous and vivacious (two more words Tech had taught her) as she wanted to be, so long as there was no chance of enemies being around. The only time she was obediently still by choice during these times was when she was being treated by Y/N, Clone Force 99’s on-board medic. 

Again, this was mostly out of habit from her time with Nala Se, but it wasn’t as bad. For one thing, Y/N fielded all of Omega’s questions with unending patience. And their hands were less clinical, more gentle than Omega was used to. Nala Se was efficient, not a movement wasted in her examinations. Y/N, however, always offered a comforting touch on the back after a scary encounter, and would gently but firmly place their hands on Omega’s face to look her in the eye to assess emotional well-being. 

The first time Y/N had done this was on the Ordo Moon, as Y/N was finishing wrapping up Omega’s small scratches on her hands and knees from her misadventures in the underground tunnels. 

At this point, not used to such close eye contact, Omega averted her eyes and looked over Y/N’s shoulder for something to distract her from the unusual awkwardness she felt. 

Her eyes met Echo’s. 

Her awkwardness vanished as he seemed to startle, a faint flush appearing on his neck, as he coughed, crossed his arms, and turned away, suddenly much more interested in examining the ship’s ceiling than anything else. 

What an interesting reaction. Her brain filed it away, curiosity piqued.  

Then, over the course of a few weeks, Omega confirmed her suspicions. 

Echo was always watching Y/N. Echo liked Y/N. 

Omega caught him absentmindedly gazing at Y/N’s hands as they tapped thoughtfully on a datapad while Wrecker carried new medical inventory aboard the Marauder during a supply run. 

After Wrecker’s successful inhibitor chip removal on Bracca, and Tech volunteered to go next, Omega watched Y/N’s hands fly across the medical controls, fierce determination sharpening their features. Glancing up, she saw that Echo’s attention was similarly arrested, a look on his face that was bordering very close to adoration. 

He seemed most captivated by Y/N’s hands, however, whenever they were treating him personally for any ailments or injuries. Echo always sat pin straight, almost comedically robotic (it would be funnier, but his history brought a sort of cruel irony to the thought) and allowing Y/N to turn his body and maneuver his prosthetic arm however was needed without any fidgeting or complaint. 

But his eyes were another story. Darting back and forth everywhere their fingers touched, such a stoniness to his face that Omega was certain he was committing every graze, every feather-light touch, to memory. Y/N, as always, was so focused on the medical work that they never seemed to notice. 

Omega saw things, though. Echo was like Y/N’s shadow, often slipping into the same room or area Y/N was in, like a ghost. She observed with fascination how he always angled himself to face her whenever there was a conversation in the cockpit. It didn’t matter if it was just the two of them, or if the entire squad was there and discussing a mission, it was as though he had attuned himself to wherever Y/N happened to be and was drawn to them.

Like a sunflower always facing the sun. 

She saw in the field how Echo, not Hunter, was usually the one to call the Marauder to check in or alert Y/N to any injuries that would need to be treated when they returned. How the space between his brows would crease whenever they would radio in but only receive the static of communications interference. 

Or worse, no answer at all. 

Echo wouldn’t say anything, but Omega felt that her brother’s steps would quicken, just a little. And she wasn’t sure she was just imagining a sudden sense of urgency in the air as they completed the mission, with just a bit more efficiency, a bit more ruthlessness than was usual. 

Omega saw how Echo always let out a tiny breath in relief, as though he had been holding it the whole time, whenever they returned to the Marauder with its medic unharmed. 

And she would never forget that one time they had returned to the Marauder, doors blasted open, interior trashed, with no medic in sight and droplets of blood leading away from the ship. 

Omega had never been in war, had only heard about it passively from the conversations between Nala Se and Lama Su, then a bit more directly from her brothers once she was allowed out of the private lab. 

She had once asked Tech about the war, but his response clearly paled in comparison to the dark look on Echo’s face, as they battled their way through enemy after enemy to rescue Y/N.

Omega felt as though she understood war a little bit more after this. At least its motivations. 

It took longer for Omega to figure out whether her brother’s feelings were reciprocated. Y/N’s affection wasn’t as obvious, but the trick was to watch more for their actions than in body language. 

Since Y/N and Tech slept the least, they would swap bunks and so were usually on opposite sleep schedules. This meant that Y/N would stay up late into the night well after the rest of the boys had retired to their bunks, face alight in the glow of a datapad. They would concentrate fiercely, chewing on their thumbnail and pausing often to tap notes into the margins. 

Omega eventually managed to snatch and break into Y/N’s data pad, and saw that they were working their way through a series of medical journals, detailing the latest treatment for prosthetics. There were also several articles on treating post-traumatic stress disorder for former prisoners of war. 

Omega had even checked Y/N’s search history, and discovered that they had been using an encrypted channel to search for chatter on the whereabouts of the former 501st legion and its various members. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem like Y/N had much luck so far, but if the number of searches were any indication, they weren’t giving up. 

Omega wondered incredulously how none of her other brothers had yet caught on to the two’s clearly mutual affection for each other. Until she realized that no, they already knew.

Once, when Omega had offered Echo some of her Mantell Mix, Echo had sniffed it, much to her amusement. Her giggles subsided immediately when Echo murmured apologetically that he sometimes had trouble digesting pretty much any food that wasn’t nutritional paste, due to half his digestive system being completely artificial. 

Of course, this meant that he must have been experiencing constant abdominal discomfort, as they hadn’t had any nutritional paste on the ship since their escape from Kamino. Hunter once mentioned to her that even the plainest of rations seemed to bother him, but he gamely never complained.

One day, Hunter was giving out rations in the cockpit, and had already given Tech and Wrecker their usual. Then he pulled out a green, unlabeled squeeze packet instead of the usual rations bar, and handed it to Echo, who took it with some confusion.

“What’s this?”

“New brand. It should be easier on your digestive systems than the usual stuff. Tastier, too.” 

Echo glanced at the packet skeptically, unscrewing the cap and sniffing at its contents. 

“It smells...fresh?” 

“Try it,” Hunter urged him, to which Echo obediently tried a small amount. 

His mouth rounded in a surprised ‘oh’. Omega wished she could have captured the look on his face with a holovid. He stared at the packet in his hands, with a look that was a bit like wonder and amazement. 

This didn’t escape Wrecker’s notice, who immediately stood up in protest. “What? Why does Echo get something new to eat?” He glanced forlornly at the slightly crumpled, stale rations bar in his hand. “I want some!” 

“They’re too expensive for your appetite, Wrecker,” Hunter replied, just a bit too quickly, though none of the others seemed to notice. “Besides, you probably wouldn’t like it.” 

“I’ll be the judge of that!” Wrecker proclaimed, swiping the packet from Echo’s hands despite Hunter’s attempt to chastise him. Wrecker took a giant slurp. 

...and immediately spat it out, some of it splattering on poor Gronk. 

“Blech! That tastes weird.” 

“Probably because it’s made of fruits and vegetables,” Tech said dryly, “Your palette likely isn’t sophisticated enough to appreciate the subtle bitterness and natural sweetness that are characteristic of those food categories.” 

Echo eyed Hunter skeptically. “And we have the money to keep buying these?” 

Hunter hummed, closing the rations box and turning away from the cockpit. “Omega’s paying for it from her holochess winnings.” She startled at the sudden mention of her name. “We have extra to spare, for now.” Hunter subtly winked at her when the others weren’t looking. 

“Oh. Thank you, Omega,” said Echo, looking at her with true gratitude. Omega flushed a bit, but mostly because it actually didn’t have anything to do with her. She played along, however, and insisted it was no problem. It did seem to make him happy, so there was no harm in a small lie like that, right? 

She cornered Hunter later, though, and insisted on him telling her the truth. After wearing him down a bit, he finally relented.

“Okay, but you can’t tell the others, all right? Believe me, I’ve already tried to talk them out of it. But Y/N has been doing some medical work on the side, working at one of the clinics near Cid’s bar. They’ve been using the money to buy these.” 

Omega’s face screwed up in confusion. “Why can’t you just tell Echo that?”

Hunter sighed. “Because they don’t want Echo to know. Figures that Echo wouldn’t like them going out on their own to work in the slums for his sake. They’re probably right, of course.” He rubbed at his forehead, a sure sign of an impending headache. 

Omega frowned, then decided to go for it.

“You know they like each other, right?” 

Hunter blinked at her, looking surprised. At her determined stare, he gave a sigh and muttered something like, ‘I’m getting too old for this’. He proceeded to explain patiently to her that perhaps Echo and Y/N liked each other, but pointed out how awkward or difficult it could be to have a romantic relationship in such close quarters, especially when they as a team also had bigger things to worry about. 

It sounded like Hunter had given this exact speech at least twice before. 

So Tech and Wrecker knew, then, but were being polite about it (or, in Wrecker’s case, had probably gotten an earful from Hunter earlier about tact and ‘minding one’s own business’). 

Well. That wouldn’t do. 

By the time Echo got up the nerve to say anything, he’d probably be old! (Omega wouldn’t, but she tried not to think too hard about that particular fact.)

So, she began to scheme. Quietly. 

She had the tactical advantage, after all. 

[treesnutsandleaveswrites]

Negotiation

Pairing: The Bad Batch x Reader (Polyam)

Summary: The Batch get back from a mission to encounter some trouble on Ord Mantell

Warning: Some angst, some PTSD, some Roland Durand x Reader?

Word Count: 2831

A/N: Lol Roland is gonna sort of be recurring idk

pt xviii pt xx

XXXXXXX

You trailed off the ship with the others after another job.

“Cid better pay us extra for that mission.” Echo grumbled.

“It wasn’t so bad!” Wrecker laughed.

“She failed to mention the drop zone would be swarming with gundarks.”

“This isn’t the first time Cid has left out key details.” Tech pointed out which made Echo scoff. You shook your head with a smile while walking along with the Batch. However, you felt something off as you were approaching the bar. You hesitated to step in while looking around the alleyway.

“Lodestar.” Hunter called, which pulled you away from your scouting. The lot of you walked into the parlor and saw many people occupying the games and tables.

“When did this place get so popular?” Echo asked.

Tech added, “And who are they?”

Hunter shook his head, “Not our problem. Let’s find Cid.”

You eyed the armored men cautiously, speaking up, “I’ll catch up, go on ahead.”

They looked at you for a moment as you went to the bar.

“Corellian Sunset, please.” You asked the bartender who nodded and started preparing your drink.

“What are you doing here, bounty hunter?” One of the armored men came up next to you. You still had your helmet on, so you had no doubt he thought you were a man. You said nothing as the drink was placed in front of you and you handed the bartender a few credits.

“I’m talking to you!”

You sighed through your modulator, “I’m just trying to get a drink. That’s all.”

“Let me see some identification.”

You laughed, “Identification? You’re no officer for the Empire. Why do you need to see it?”

“Roland Durand likes to know who comes through his bar.”

“The Durands? I thought they liked things better than a beaten down parlor.”

“ID, now!”

You sighed and reached down to your belt before pulling out your blaster and stunning the man. The other men in similar attire started to reach for their weapons, but then a voice called out.

“Leave them be!”

You looked to see a Devaronian standing at the threshold to Cid’s office. The Batch passed him, observing the mess you’ve made.

“Lodestar.” Hunter seethed, which made the devaronian chuckle.

“You’re the infamous Lodestar?”

“You must be Roland Durand.” You took off your helmet, “Mommy’s money get you this far?”

Roland chuckled while looking you up and down, which was not to the Batch’s liking, “You know my mother?”

“Not personally, but many people in the guild were familiar with the powerful Isa Durand.”

“Last I checked, you weren’t a bounty hunter.”

“No,” You downed your drink, “I’m not, but I wasn’t so infamous before this. Had to get some credits somehow.”

“Now you work with clones.”

You chuckled, “If only you knew, Mr. Durand. I best take my leave.”

“I hope to see you again, Ms. Lodestar, maybe I could put a few credits in those pockets of yours… maybe something else too.” Roland smiled deviously.

You smirked with a short nod before grabbing your helmet and walking out with the squad. As you walked away from the parlor, Hunter started talking.

“We’re getting off Ord Mantell. Tech, prep the ship. The rest of us will gather supplies.”

“But,” Omega started, “what about Cid? What did he mean when he said she was ‘out’?”

“Given his tone,” Tech explained, “It is a plausible assumption that Cid was either forced out, or taken out.”

“We have to find her and help her!” Omega exclaimed as she stopped you all from walking any further.

Then a cleared throat came from the ship, which caused everyone to look. Cid was leaning against the doorway of the ship's stairs with her arms crossed.

“It’s nice to see one of you cares. Inside. Now.”

Everyone filed into the Marauder as Cid reeled off.

“So you guys have met Roland, former client and son of crime boss Isa Durand. Roland’s trying to make a name for himself by joining up with the Pykes.”

You sighed with a head shake, having come to familiarize yourself with the Pykes reputation this past year.

“What’s he doing on Ord Mantell?”

“This port’s connected to multiple hyperspace routes. Ideal for smuggling. My parlor’s right in the middle of the action. Roland saw the value in it and took it! But we are taking it back!”

Hunter furrowed his brow, “We?”

“If I lose you lose. Don’t forget how good I’ve been at… keeping secrets.”

“I believe she’s threatening us.” Tech remarked, which caused you to kick his shin lightly and shake your head with a smile.

“When we needed help we came to Cid, remember?” Omega announced, “Now she needs help. We can’t just walk away!”

“You tell them, tiny!” Cid grinned.

Hunter sighed, “So what’s your plan?”

“Follow me.” She ordered, so you all made your way out of the ship. After only a bit of walking, you stopped at a pile of storage containers. Cid moved them to reveal a gated mineshaft.

“Start climbing, tough guys.”

You knew all too well of this feeling and couldn’t move from your spot. Memories started flooding back to you and Hunter could sense it.

“Lodestar?”

You took a breath, looking up at the others as they looked at you, “I-”

“Afraid of the dark, chickie?” Cid raised a brow.

You shook your head before putting on your helmet, “Let’s go.”

The boys hesitated before climbing into the manhole one after another. Once everyone reached the bottom, your torches were activated. You stayed behind everyone else, your feet getting heavier with every step.

“Where are we?” Wrecker wondered.

“Ord Mantell’s old mining tunnels.”

You winced at Cid’s answer, and Hunter finally processed why you were scared to go in.

“You can go back up, wait at the ship.” He turned to you but you shook your head.

“It’s okay…”

Cid approached the carts, “These rails run underneath the city. This is how we’ll sneak into my parlor to get the spice.”

She went on, but you didn’t bother to listen as you looked around. These mines were more constructed than the ones back on Caetum, but there was still a haunting aura about them.

“This is a stealth mission. You guys are good at that, right? Tiny, goggles, you’re with me. The rest of you on the other cart.”

Hunter helped you onto the cart before you all went along the rails. The mines were dark and echoey, which wasn’t reassuring at all. Hunter placed his hand on the small of your back as you stood away from the edge.

“We’ll be in and out, cyare.” He whispered gently. Echo took his place as Hunter scouted the tunnels around you.

“The tunnels are infested… one of the reasons why it closed down.” Cid explained. You all arrived at a latch and a large door.

“Care to let us in, big guy?”

Wrecker nodded and moved to open the door to the new tunnel. Uneasiness filled you as the cold air blew through the newly opened entrance. You all moved quickly in the carts, trying to be as quiet as you can. When some rustling came from below, Wrecker got distracted and dropped his torch. You all held your breaths and you cowered into Echo’s arms, afraid of what was going to happen. After a moment or two, it was quiet.

“What did I say?” Cid sneered.

“It was an accident.”

“Just drive the cart, Wrecker.” Hunter ordered before going to you, “You’re shaking…”

“It’s too late to turn back.” You muttered.

The journey continued until you all reached the door under Cid’s parlor. The boys went up into the office for the spice while you waited with Cid and Omega to load it into the carts. Once all the containers were retrieved, everyone rushed back.

“Let’s get moving!” Cid ordered. Everyone loaded into the carts, but Durand’s men were right behind you. They started the motor of their carts, so you decided to help Echo pump the cart to go faster. Suddenly, blaster fire started to pass by, so Wrecker tried to fend them off.

“I said no blasters!”

“Tell that to them!”

Hunter pulled the brakes of your cart, which caused the men to fall out of theirs, then he sent the other backwards to stall the others, “Let’s go!”

You urged the cart faster and entered just above the hive.

“Let’s hope none of that woke them.” Cid muttered.

You all looked around cautiously, then you heard Omega speak up, “Cid, I don’t like this…”

You moved your torch to look over the hive, then suddenly dozens of bugs burst out and started swarming around the carts. You held them off, but then the spice was knocked down.

“Not the spice!” Cid called out.

You tried to stop one of the containers from falling, but then the bugs knocked you down, causing you to scream.

“Lodestar!” Hunter caught your arm, “Drop the spice!”

You looked at it before letting it go and getting pulled up by him and into the other cart as yours was knocked down. You all hurried out of the shaft and Wrecker closed the doors. You were curled up in Echo’s arms, breathing heavily.

“At-at least we got rid of the spice…” Wrecker commented.

“Let’s get out of here.” Cid ordered, glancing at you.

“It’s okay. mesh’la… we weren’t gonna leave you there.” Echo whispered as he slid your helmet off and held your face gently.

The group made their way out of the mining tunnels and towards the parlor. It was empty and all the men were knocked out.

“See. My plan worked like a charm!”

Everyone nodded, but then Roland walked out at the hands of the Pykes.

“That’s them… they took the spice.”

“Not sure what he’s been telling you, but we don’t have any spice.” Cid argued.

“Kill them all.” One of the Pykes said.

“Wait,” Hunter interrupted, “What she means is that we don’t have the spice with us, but we know where it is.”

“My patience is wearing thin. If you know where the spice is, then you should have no problem retrieving it. Until you do… the girls stay here.”

The Batch pulled out their blasters while pushing you and Omega behind them.

“Not gonna happen.”

“You don’t understand. This isn’t a negotiation.”

Cid took a moment, “If I may…” She turned to Hunter, “Y’all don’t know who you’re dealing with..”

“Hunter… she’s right…” You whispered, “I’ve seen what the Pykes can do…”

He hesitated before lowering his blaster along with the others.

“Cuff them and take her weapon.” One of the Pykes ordered. They urged you away from the squad and you were placed next to Roland as the Batch walked out. Omega leaned into you and you held her close.

“They’ll be back.” You murmured, rubbing her arm.

“You’re not like any mercenary I’ve met.” Roland stated as he looked at you with her.

“Why? Because I have morals?” You laughed weakly which caused him to shake his head.

“I guess… you act more like a family than my own.”

“Your crime boss mother doesn’t treat you like her own?”

“She used to… but that stopped once she thought I wasn’t fit for the family business.”

“So you turned to the Pykes? What were you expecting?”

“Power.” Roland said simply. You shook your head before seeing Omega eyeing the blaster nearby.

“I wouldn’t… or else the Pykes would kill all three of us.” Roland warned.

She looked at you before you nodded in agreement with him, “This time… we wait.”

She sighed, “Y’know, if it weren’t for him we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

“I’m right here.” Roland chuckled, “But you’re not wrong.”

“Lodestar… what did you mean when you said you’ve seen what the Pykes can do?”

You looked at her for a moment before sighing, “After I left the Batch… I needed to earn some credits. I had paid off the bounty hunter meant to kill me with all the credits I had left. In return, she brought me to the guild…”

“The bounty hunter’s guild?”

You nodded, “I wasn’t an official member, of course… I just needed to do a few jobs in order to get a living in the outer rim. I made sure they were jobs where no one had to be killed… and I took a spice running job from the Pykes with another bounty hunter… it paid good and half the bounty was enough for me to get away from the guild. However, something went wrong… the Pykes killed my partner and sent me off with the money.”

“Why?”

You shook your head, “I’d rather not say.”

Ruby came trotting towards the three of you, and Roland held out his hands to hold her, but she hopped into Omega’s lap.

“Huh, Ruby isn’t one to take kindly to others…”

“We go way back,” Omega chuckled, “Right, Ruby?”

The bug cooed and snuggled into Omega, which caused you to smile. Roland didn’t know what it was about you, but he just couldn’t seem to look away.

“Have you thought about my offer?” He wondered which caused you to look at him confused, “About me putting credits into your pocket.”

You laughed lightly, “I don’t think Cid would be so kind if she knew you wanted me to do your dirty work.”

“When is she ever kind?” Roland scoffed, leaning against the table you were sitting under.

“Cid may not be a happy, go lucky person, but she’s done a lot for my squad… I won’t betray her by helping the person who took her things.”

“Betrayal… that’s a strong word to use.” Roland murmured, which caused you to look at him.

“What did your mother do?”

“Huh?”

“You wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her… she’s one of the biggest crime bosses in the outer rim, other than the Hutts and Pykes of course. She must have done something to make you join the Pykes.”

He sighed with a shake of his head, “I’d rather not share my sob story at the moment.”

You nodded gently and looked up as one of the Pykes approached you all.

“Your group is taking an awfully long time.” He bent down and hooked your chin, “I am starting to remember now… you were so naive… let us hope that your friends weren’t as dumb as the one we had to kill the last time you were in our presence.”

You pulled away, but he tugged your cuffs to bring you closer, “If they fail… you will make good compensation.”

Roland moved in front of you, “It won’t come to that. Not while I’m here.” He sneered. The Pyke let you go and walked away, leaving you all alone.

“You didn’t have to do that.” You whispered to Roland, who said nothing. The Pykes approached again.

“Come, to the hangar.” They ordered with their blasters, which urged you all out of the parlor.

You all waited in the hangar for the batch, who trailed out of the Marauder with the multiple containers of spice. You let out a sigh of relief as you saw them, then looked at Omega who smiled excitedly. The Pykes approached them and observed what was in the containers.

“Since the spice has been returned, the matter between us has been resolved.” They uncuffed you and Omega before urging you to the Batch, “But not with you…” They turned to Roland before grabbing him and bending him over one of the containers.

“Stop-” You gasped.

“Don’t!” Omega started, “He made a mistake, that’s all.”

“She’s right,” Cid butt in, “Kill him and you’ll be starting a war with Isa Durand. Do you want that heat right now? Call this a bad deal and walk away.”

“We do not accept bad deals.” The Pyke raised his knife before bringing it down on Roland’s horn, causing you to flinch as he cried out in pain.

“Our business is finished, it would not be wise to cross our paths again.” The Pykes warned him before walking away. Omega approached him with Ruby.

“Are you okay?”

Roland sighed, “It’s a small price to pay.” He got up and Omega handed him Ruby, “I’ll be going now.” He glanced up at you before walking away.

Cid scoffed before speaking, “Come on boys, first round is on me!”

Wrecker laughed, “You owe us much more than that.”

“Don’t push your luck.” She rolled her eyes before following Wrecker, Tech, and Echo as they rushed to the parlor.

You stayed behind with Omega and Hunter. He placed a hand on Omega’s shoulder and asked, “Why did you stick up for him after what he did?”

“I don't know,” Omega answered, “Ruby likes him… and he stuck up for Lodestar... maybe he’s not all bad.”

Hunter turned to you, “What does she mean ‘stuck up’ for you?”

You shrugged with a weak smile before walking towards the parlor.

XXXXXXX

Taglist:

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