#only you chapter 8 | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

mcrdvcks · 5 months ago

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Down Bad - Chapter 8

Chapter Summary: Finally having enough, Amina goes to a remote planet to get some help and find insight about her connection with Darth Vader.

Word Count: 17.2k+

Pairing: Hunter x fem!Jedi Original Character

Notes: i had no idea that this chapter was over 17k words until now but here we are. this covers episodes 6-11 (and 12, but i don't write crosshair's episodes), but most of it is from amina's perspective so we don't actually see the events of those episodes, and you'll understand why when you read it. happy reading! :)

(translations are at the end of chapter)

Series Masterlist - Chapter 7 → Chapter 9

AO3 Link For Chapter

Amina turned the comm over in her hand as she sat outside the Marauder late at night while everyone else slept. With a deep sigh, she pressed the button, and after a few moments, Obi-Wan appeared.

"Obi-Wan," Amina greeted, her voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid that someone might overhear their conversation.

Obi-Wan's expression softened at the sight of her. "Amina," he replied warmly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "It's good to see you. Is everything alright?"

Amina hesitated, her fingers nervously tapping against the smooth surface of the comm device. "I... I'm not sure," she admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I... I… do you know of any sort of Force bond or something that causes you to… see people? Like they’re right in front of you but only you can see them and talk to them.”

Obi-Wan's brow furrowed in concern as he listened to Amina's question. “No, I don’t believe I’ve heard of such thing. It’s… certainly different.”

Amina nodded, her fingers tightening around the comm device. "Yeah, it's... it's strange," she murmured, her gaze dropping to the ground as she struggled to find the right words to explain her situation.

Obi-Wan studied her for a moment, his expression filled with empathy. "Amina, is there something specific you're concerned about? Something you're not telling me?" he asked gently, his voice laced with concern.

Amina hesitated, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts and emotions. “Um…”

“Who’s the bond with, Amina?”

She gulped, “it’s with Anakin. Or Vader I guess.”

Obi-Wan's expression softened even further, his eyes filled with understanding. "Anakin... I see," he murmured, his voice gentle as he processed Amina's revelation. "This... complicates things."

Amina nodded, her throat tight with emotion. "I know," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the ship's engines. "I don't understand why this is happening, Obi-Wan. Why can I see him? Why me?"

“I wish I had the answers, Amina," he said softly, his voice filled with empathy. "But the Force works in mysterious ways. There may be a reason for this... connection."

Amina swallowed back the lump forming in her throat, her mind racing with questions and doubts. "What should I do, Obi-Wan?" she asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "I don't know how to handle this. It's... overwhelming."

Obi-Wan's gaze was steady, his expression reassuring. "First and foremost, Amina, you must trust yourself," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "Secondly, I may be able to give you the coordinates of where Master Yoda is hiding out, maybe he can help you more than I can.”

Amina nodded, her heart fluttering with a mix of relief and apprehension at the thought of seeking out Master Yoda. "Thank you, Obi-Wan," she murmured gratefully, her voice tinged with emotion. "I... I'll consider it."

Obi-Wan gave her a small nod, his eyes filled with understanding. "Take care of yourself, Amina," he said softly, his voice gentle as he reached out to end the transmission.

As the hologram of Obi-Wan flickered out of existence, Amina was left alone in the quiet darkness of the night, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty. She tucked the comm device back into her pocket, her mind racing with questions and doubts.

---

The group walked out of Cid’s office as Amina watched Hunter walk up next to her. She turned to face him, “I thought about what you said, and I think you’re right.”

“What am I right about?” He asked, leaning against the bar’s counter.

“Getting help. I commed Obi-Wan and he said he didn’t know anything about this force connection, but there is someone else who can help me. At least, I hope he can help me.”

Amina's words hung in the air between them, the weight of her decision palpable as Hunter absorbed her revelation. He straightened up from where he had been leaning against the bar's counter, his expression a mixture of concern and curiosity.

“Who?” he asked, his voice low with a hint of urgency. He knew how important it was for Amina to find answers about this mysterious force connection she had been experiencing, and he wanted to do everything he could to support her.

“Master Yoda.” she answered, taking a sip of her water.

“He’s… alive?”

“Yep. And probably won’t be too happy to see me, considering the whole in hiding thing.”

"You really think he'll help?" Hunter asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty as he watched Amina carefully.

Amina nodded, her expression determined despite the lingering doubt in her eyes. "I have to believe he will," she replied firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Besides, what other choice do I have?" She looked at the chrono on the wall, “Rex should be here in a few to take me to Alderaan where Bail is going to let me borrow a ship.”

“Cid wants us to bring a shipment to Vanguard Axis.” Hunter replied.

Amina scoffed, “sounds like fun. Don’t run into any trouble.”

Hunter chuckled softly, a playful glint in his eyes as he leaned in closer to Amina. "I’m pretty sure you’re taking all the trouble with you.”

Amina shrugged with a small smirk, “I bring a certain flavor to life. You’re lucky to have me around.”

"Am I interrupting something?" Tech asked, his tone casual but his eyes betraying a hint of amusement as he glanced between Amina and Hunter.

Amina turned her head quickly to Tech, clearing her throat. “U- uh… no. Do you happen to know anything about the Dagobah system?”

Tech raised an eyebrow at Amina's sudden change in demeanor, his curiosity piqued by her question about the Dagobah system. He glanced at Hunter, who shrugged in response, equally puzzled by Amina's sudden interest in the remote swamp planet.

"Dagobah?" Tech repeated, his brow furrowing in thought as he accessed the databanks on his datapad. "It's a remote, uninhabited planet located in the Outer Rim Territories. Not much is known about it, other than the fact that it's covered in dense jungles and swamps."

Amina groaned; Yoda couldn’t have picked a better place to hide out on? With sunshine and clouds and no dirty water? She stood up from the stool and grabbed her backpack, as the rest of the guys grabbed their things as they all walked to the hanger, them going to the Marauder, and Amina to wait for Rex.

She leaned against the hanger wall, waiting for Rex to arrive as Omega waved at her from the ship. She waved back with a smile before glancing over at Hunter, who was already staring at her, his expression unreadable. She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, a flush creeping into her cheeks as she tried to ignore the butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

“You ready to go, General?” Rex said, slightly startling her.

“Um… yeah. I’m ready.” She said, following Rex as Hunter watched her figure slowly walk away before turning around and walking to the stairs of the ship. Amina turned around and looked at Hunter, his back turned to her as Wrecker pulled a crate on the ship.

Amina stopped momentarily, watching Hunter from a distance, Rex already walking ahead of her. She turned away and caught up to Rex.

They walked down the small streets to the hanger Rex as parked at, which wasn’t too far from the one the Marauder was parked at.

A small green light up ball rolled in front of her as she crouched down to grab it. A young Twi’lek girl ran up in front of her. “My ball!” The girl exclaimed, taking it from Amina’s hand.

Amina gave the girl a small smile as two Twi’lek’s came in front of her, “sorry, she runs off a lot.” The woman said, picking up her daughter.

“It’s no problem.” Amina replied, standing up. The young girl showed her ball to her dad as he grabbed her from her mother’s arms. The man kissed his wife’s cheek as the wife did the same to him.

Amina suddenly felt like she was intruding and quickened her pace to catch up to Rex.

“I missed you,” Anakin said, bringing an arm around Padme’s waist and the other around her shoulders, kissing her deeply.

Padmé leaned into Anakin's embrace, her heart fluttering with warmth as she returned his kiss. She wrapped her arms around him, savoring the feeling of being close to him after so long apart. "I missed you too," she murmured against his lips, her voice soft with emotion.

Amina stood outside the door to Padme’s apartment, groaning quietly. Every time. Every time they come back from the war Anakin has a make out session with Padme and totally forgets she’s standing outside.

She put her head through the small opening of the door, not able to open the door fully since Anakin was standing right behind the door.

The two finally broke apart as Padmé slowly opened her eyes and looked to the side, “Amina!” She exclaimed, “Ani, you couldn’t even let your sister in?”

“I think he was more concerned about making out with you.” Amina replied.

Padmé laughed softly, shaking her head. "Well, you know how he gets," she said, giving Anakin a playful nudge.

Anakin grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Can you blame me?" he replied, his eyes sparkling with affection as he glanced between Padmé and Amina.

Amina rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Just try to remember you have a sister waiting outside next time, okay?"

Anakin laughed, pulling Amina into a quick hug. "I'll try, but no promises," he said, winking at her.

What was it like to be in love?

To go against the rules set for you even if it means losing your reputation, but it wouldn’t matter because you had someone by your side?

To do anything to save your love, that you would even think about turning to the dark side because you loved them so much, you couldn’t imagine your life without them?

They entered the hanger as Rex made his way onto the ship as she slowly followed, her gaze on the ground beneath her, many paces behind.

As she stood in front of Rex’s large ship, she couldn’t help but wonder what love felt like. What it felt like to want to be with someone no matter the consequences, no matter the rules, no matter if he was a Sergeant and she was a General-

Kark.

She stood still in front of Rex’s large ship as she dropped her bag at the foot of the ramp and turned around, running to where the Marauder hopefully still was.

Amina entered the hanger in a sprint, a large sense of relief coming over her seeing the Marauder in its spot and Hunter walking up the stairs. “Wait!” She yelled, as Hunter quickly turned around at the sound of her voice.

Amina's voice echoed through the hangar, cutting through the air with a sense of urgency that caught Hunter off guard. He turned around just in time to see her sprinting towards him, her expression a mixture of determination and relief as she closed the distance between them.

"Hold on!" Amina called out as she reached the foot of the ramp, her chest heaving with exertion as she skidded to a halt in front of Hunter. He watched her with a mixture of surprise and concern, his brow furrowing in confusion as he tried to make sense of the situation.

"What's going on?" Hunter asked, his voice tinged with concern as he reached out to steady Amina, who was breathing heavily from her sprint across the hangar. She met his gaze with a sense of urgency, her eyes pleading for his attention as she struggled to catch her breath.

"I... I need to talk to you," Amina replied between gasps for air, her voice strained with effort as she fought to compose herself. “Well, maybe not talk- or, maybe talk- talk after? Or t- ” She cut herself off with a shake of her head.

In a quick movement, Amina put her hand on the back of Hunter’s neck as she pressed her lips to his.

Hunter's mind went blank as he felt Amina's lips against his own, the warmth of her touch sending a shiver down his spine. He instinctively leaned into her, his left arm dropping his helmet as his hands came up to cup her face as he deepened the kiss, his heart pounding in his chest as he savored the taste of her lips against his.

Amina's heart raced in her chest as she felt Hunter respond to her kiss, his touch gentle but firm as he pulled her closer. She melted into his embrace, her senses overwhelmed by the rush of emotions coursing through her veins as she surrendered herself to the moment.

Their kiss was electric, a spark igniting between them as they lost themselves in each other's arms. Hunter's lips moved against Amina's with a hunger that mirrored her own, his hands trailing down her back as he pulled her impossibly closer.

For a blissful moment, nothing else mattered. The world fell away around them as they clung to each other, their bodies pressed together in a passionate embrace that left them both breathless and wanting more.

But just as quickly as it had begun, the moment was shattered by the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. Amina and Hunter broke apart reluctantly, their breaths coming in ragged gasps as they turned to see Echo standing in the doorway of the hangar, a curious expression on his face as he took in the scene before him.

Amina's cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment as she met Echo's gaze, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to compose herself. Hunter's expression was unreadable as he watched Echo carefully, his hands clenched into fists at his sides as he braced himself for whatever reaction might come next.

"Am I interrupting something?" Echo asked, his tone casual but his eyes betraying a hint of amusement as he glanced between Amina and Hunter.

Amina cleared her throat, her voice slightly shaky as she stepped away from Hunter's embrace. "Uh, no, not at all," she replied quickly, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment as she attempted to regain her composure.

Hunter nodded in agreement, though there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes as he glanced at Amina. "Yeah, we were just... finishing up here," he added, his tone slightly strained as he fought to keep his emotions in check.

Echo raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical as he glanced between Amina and Hunter. "Right," he said slowly, though there was a playful glint in his eyes as he turned to leave the hangar. "Well, don't let me stop you."

As Echo walked around them onto the ship, Amina let out a shaky breath, her heart still racing in her chest as she turned to face Hunter. He was watching her with a mixture of concern and uncertainty, his expression guarded as he searched her face for any sign of regret.

"I'm sorry," Amina murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she met Hunter's gaze with a mixture of guilt and longing. "I shouldn't have... I mean, we shouldn't have..."

Hunter reached out to gently brush a stray lock of hair from Amina's face, his touch light but reassuring as he met her gaze with a soft smile. "Don't apologize," he said gently, his voice filled with warmth as he took her hand in his own. "I wanted to kiss you just as much as you wanted to kiss me."

Amina's heart skipped a beat at Hunter's words, her breath catching in her throat as she searched his eyes for any sign of insincerity. But all she found was honesty and affection, his gaze unwavering as he reached up to gently caress her cheek.

“Well, thank the Force, because that might be one of the most impulsive things I’ve ever done.”

Hunter chuckled softly, the tension between them easing as he met Amina's gaze with a warm smile. "It was definitely unexpected," he admitted with a playful glint in his eyes. "But I wouldn't change it for anything."

Amina smiled back, her heart swelling with gratitude as she squeezed Hunter's hand gently. "Me neither," she replied softly, her voice filled with sincerity as she leaned in closer to him. "I'm glad I kissed you, Hunter. I'm glad I took that chance."

Hunter's smile widened at Amina's words, his heart soaring as he felt a sense of relief wash over him. In that moment, surrounded by the chaos of the hangar, he felt more alive than he had in a long time. And it was all thanks to Amina.

"Me too," he whispered, his voice barely above a breath as he leaned in to press a gentle kiss against Amina's forehead. "I'm glad you did too, Amina. I'm glad you took that chance."

She sighed, before stepping away, “well, I better go back to Rex. I kinda of just… ran away from him and the ship when I came up with the idea.”

He gave her a small smile before bending down to pick up his helmet, “be safe, alright?”

Amina gave him a two-fingered salute, “no promises.” She looked around before walking back up a few stairs and gave him a peck, “for luck.” She smirked.

Hunter leaned in and did the same thing to her, “for luck,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he leaned back slightly, his eyes still locked with hers.

Amina returned his smile, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of embarrassment and anticipation as she felt a surge of affection for the clone trooper standing before her. "For luck," she echoed softly, her voice filled with warmth as she reached up to gently brush her fingers against Hunter's tattooed cheek.

Their moment was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching from behind, and Amina reluctantly stepped back, breaking the intimate connection between them. She turned to see Rex standing at the foot of the ramp, a concerned expression on his face as he glanced between Amina and Hunter.

"Everything alright?" Rex asked, his voice tinged with concern as he took in the scene before him. Amina nodded, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment as she cleared her throat and attempted to regain her composure.

"Yeah, everything's fine," she replied quickly, her voice slightly breathless as she glanced at Hunter, who was watching her with a mixture of concern and uncertainty. "Just... catching up with Hunter before I leave."

Rex raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical as he glanced between Amina and Hunter. "Right," he said slowly, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone as he turned to leave the hangar. "Well, don't let me stop you."

Amina walked back down the ship’s ramp, “I guess I’ll comm you when I get to Alderaan. I don’t know if I’ll have any connection on Dagobah.”

"Take care of yourself, General," Hunter called out as Amina reached the bottom of the ramp. His voice was filled with warmth and sincerity, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips as he met her gaze.

Amina returned Hunter's smile, her heart swelling with gratitude for his unwavering support. "You too, Sergeant," she replied softly, her voice tinged with emotion as she turned to face Rex, who was waiting patiently by the ship's entrance.

Rex nodded in acknowledgement as Amina approached, his expression serious but supportive as he gestured for her to follow him. "Let's get going," he said briskly, his tone businesslike as he led the way towards the waiting transport that would take them to Alderaan.

---

Amina landed the ship in swampy waters as she opened the hatch to look around. It had only been around 7 months since the Empire formed, and this seemed like an awful place to live for the rest of your life.

Amina stepped out of the ship and onto the swampy ground, the thick mist swirling around her as she surveyed her surroundings. The air was heavy with humidity, and the smell of decay hung in the air, making her nose wrinkle in disgust.

She glanced around, searching for any sign of life amidst the dense vegetation that surrounded her. The trees loomed overhead like ancient sentinels, their gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers towards the sky. The ground beneath her feet was slick with mud, making each step treacherous as she ventured further into the swamp.

"Master Yoda?" Amina called out, her voice echoing through the mist as she strained to listen for any response. But the only sound that greeted her was the chorus of insects buzzing in the air, their incessant hum adding to the eerie atmosphere of the swamp.

Amina pressed on, her determination unwavering as she pushed through the dense undergrowth, her senses on high alert as she searched for any sign of the Jedi Master.

“Master? It’s me, Amina. I need your help- your expertise with something. Master Yoda, are you here?" Amina called out again, her voice echoing through the mist as she scanned the surrounding swamp for any sign of movement. But there was still no response, and Amina couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her insides.

Suddenly, a rustling sound caught Amina's attention, and she whirled around to see a small figure emerging from the dense foliage. Her heart leaped in her chest as she caught sight of the familiar green robes and wizened face of Master Yoda, his eyes twinkling with wisdom as he regarded her.

"Amina Skywalker, it is," Yoda greeted her, his voice like a gentle breeze as he approached her with slow, measured steps. "Come seeking guidance, you have."

Amina nodded, relief flooding through her at the sight of her old mentor. "Yes, Master Yoda," she replied earnestly, her voice tinged with urgency. “I have this… connection with Anakin and- ”

“Your brother, dead he is.” Yoda interjected, walking towards her with his cane. “Replaced by Darth Vader.”

As Amina stood in the swampy terrain of Dagobah, facing the diminutive figure of Master Yoda, her heart clenched at his words. "He's not dead. He's just... lost," she insisted, her voice trembling with emotion as she met Yoda's wise gaze. "I can feel it. There's still good in him. I know it."

Yoda regarded Amina with a mixture of curiosity and concern, his wrinkled face betraying no hint of emotion as he studied her carefully. "Feel it, you do?" he asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper as he leaned on his gnarled cane.

Amina nodded fervently, her eyes shining with determination as she met Yoda's gaze. "Yes, Master Yoda," she replied earnestly, her voice filled with conviction. "I can sense the conflict within him, the struggle between the light and the dark.”

She looked around before kneeling down in front of him, “weird things have been happening. Sometimes, he will just appear in front of me clear as day. I can talk to him too, and he can even interact with my environment. But no one else can see him.”

Yoda regarded Amina with a mixture of curiosity and concern, his ancient eyes peering into her very soul as he listened intently to her words. He could sense the turmoil within her, the conflict that raged within her heart as she grappled with the truth of her brother's fall to the dark side.

"Troubled, you are," Yoda observed quietly, his voice like a soft whisper in the stillness of the swamp. "Disturbed, your mind is. Fear, anger, uncertainty... cloud your thoughts, they do."

Amina bowed her head, her chest tight with emotion as she struggled to contain the torrent of feelings that threatened to overwhelm her. "I don't know what to do, Master Yoda," she admitted softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I believe there’s still good in him, but at the same time, I need to know how to break this connection we somehow formed.”

Yoda stroked his chin thoughtfully, his gaze drifting into the mist-shrouded depths of the swamp as if seeking answers in the ethereal currents of the Force. "Break the connection, you cannot," he said finally, his tone grave. "For it is not a bond formed of mere flesh and blood, but of the very essence of the Force itself."

Amina's brow furrowed in confusion. "But how can that be?" she asked, her voice tinged with frustration. "I've never heard of such a thing before. Anakin and I are not twins, nor are we bound by any mystical rites or rituals."

Yoda nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Amina's troubled face. "Indeed, a mystery it is," he admitted. "But one thing is certain: the Force has woven a connection between you and your brother, whether by fate or design. And it is a bond that cannot be easily severed."

“But Master- ” she started angrily as Yoda hit her knee with his cane, causing her to sit down on the ground.

“Emotional, you are. Reckless and stubborn.”

Amina winced at the rebuke, but she knew deep down that Yoda was right. Her emotions had always been a driving force within her, sometimes clouding her judgment and leading her down paths she later regretted. But this time, it was different. This time, it was about her brother, her family.

"Master Yoda, I know you're right, but I can't just stand by and do nothing," Amina pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation. "Anakin needs me, and I can't turn my back on him, no matter what."

“If dark side you fall to, lost will the galaxy be. Further darkness it will descend into.”

Amina frowned, tilting her head to the side, “I don’t understand.”

Yoda regarded her with a steady gaze, his expression inscrutable. "Lied to you, we did.”

Amina's brow furrowed in confusion at Yoda's unexpected admission. "Lied?" she echoed, her voice tinged with disbelief. "What do you mean, Master Yoda? About what?"

"The truth about your potential," Yoda replied cryptically, his eyes piercing through her with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. "Hidden, it has been, from your sight."

Amina's brow furrowed in bewilderment. "My potential?" she echoed, her mind racing with a flurry of questions. "What do you mean, Master Yoda? What have I been lied to about?"

Yoda let out a deep sigh, his ancient features etched with sorrow as he regarded Amina with a mixture of sympathy and regret. "Powerful, you are, Amina Skywalker," he began, his voice low and measured. "Strong in the Force, like your brother before you."

Amina's eyes widened in disbelief, her mind reeling at the implications of Yoda's words. "But that's impossible," she protested weakly, shaking her head in denial. "I'm not like Anakin. I don't have his strength or his abilities. I'm just... me."

Yoda nodded slowly, his expression grave. "Believe it, you must," he insisted, his voice tinged with urgency. "For the Force flows through you, as it does through all living beings.”

Amina's head spun with the weight of Yoda's words, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to comprehend the truth of her own existence. "But why was this hidden from me?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion. "Why did no one ever tell me?"

Yoda's gaze softened, his eyes filled with compassion as he reached out a withered hand to touch Amina's shoulder. "Fear, perhaps," he mused quietly. "Fear of what you might become, if your true power were unleashed. Fear of the darkness that lurks within us all."

Amina looked down at her hands, holding the japor snippet on her wrist. "Because you didn’t want Palpatine to know the same way he knew about Anakin," she mused aloud, her voice tinged with bitterness and regret.

Yoda nodded slowly, his wise eyes gazing into the distance as if seeing beyond the physical realm. "Correct, you are," he affirmed, his voice a soft murmur in the stillness of the swamp. "Secrets, the Jedi kept. Safe, you must be."

Amina clenched her jaw, her emotions roiling beneath the surface as she grappled with the weight of Yoda's revelation. "But hiding the truth didn't protect us, did it?" she remarked bitterly, her voice thick with resentment. "It only made us vulnerable, easy prey for Palpatine's machinations."

Yoda placed a reassuring hand on Amina's shoulder, his touch gentle yet firm. "Learn from the past, we must," he advised solemnly. "Mistakes, we have made. But redemption, there is always."

“But did anyone else know? Like Obi-Wan or my master? Or was it supposed to stay hidden from me forever?”

As Amina looked up at Master Yoda, her eyes searching for answers, she couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal that gnawed at her heart. The revelation that her true potential had been kept hidden from her, buried beneath layers of secrecy and deception, left her feeling raw and vulnerable.

Yoda met her gaze with a solemn expression, his wise eyes reflecting the weight of centuries of Jedi wisdom. "Obi-Wan knew," he confessed quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "But your master, Be Pa'dor, she did not.”

Sensing Amina's inner turmoil, Yoda placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his touch grounding her in the present moment. "Hide, you must. Found by Sidious and Vader, you cannot be.”

Amina stood up quickly, her mind racing. All this time she had been lied to, what was she supposed to do with this knowledge? “Thank you, Master.” She mumbled, walking back to her ship not sparing another glance back at Yoda.

---

She walked into the castle on Alderaan, where Bail and his wife Breha lived. Amina walked over to Breha, “where’s Bail?”

Breha smiled warmly at Amina as she entered the castle, her gaze softening with affection. "He's on Coruscant today," she replied, her voice tinged with warmth. "Although, he did tell me that you could keep the ship if you'd like."

Amina nodded, a grateful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Thank you, Breha," she said sincerely, her voice filled with appreciation. "I'll make sure to take good care of it."

Breha walked over to her, placing a hand on Amina’s elbow, “would you like to see Leia?”

Amina turned her head over to Breha, her lips parted, “you’d… you’d let me see her?”

“Well of course, you are her aunt. And a close friend of Padme’s.”

Breha's words hung in the air, echoing in Amina's mind as she processed the unexpected invitation to see Leia. Her heart fluttered with a mixture of excitement and apprehension at the prospect of meeting her niece for the first time since she was born.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Amina nodded eagerly, her lips curving into a grateful smile. "Yes, I would love to see Leia," she replied earnestly, her voice laced with emotion. "Thank you, Breha."

Breha returned Amina's smile, her eyes shimmering with warmth and understanding. "Follow me," she said gently, leading Amina through the corridors of the castle towards Leia's nursery.

As they walked, Amina's thoughts raced with a whirlwind of emotions. She couldn't help but wonder what Leia would be like, whether she would have any resemblance to her mother, Padmé.

Breha pushed open the door to Leia's nursery, revealing a cozy room bathed in soft light and filled with the gentle cooing of a baby. Amina's heart skipped a beat as she caught sight of Leia lying in her crib, her tiny form swaddled in blankets as she gazed up at them with wide, curious eyes.

Amina's breath caught in her throat as she stepped closer to the crib, her eyes fixed on Leia with a mixture of awe and wonder. "She's beautiful," she whispered, her voice barely above a hush as she reached out a trembling hand to gently stroke Leia's cheek.

Breha watched Amina with a soft smile, her eyes brimming with maternal pride as she observed the tender moment between aunt and niece. "She's a precious gift," she said softly, her voice filled with love. "Just like her mother."

Amina's heart clenched at the mention of Padmé, her eyes misting with unshed tears as she thought of her beloved sister. "I wish she could see her," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "Padmé would have been so proud."

Breha placed a comforting hand on Amina's shoulder, her touch warm and reassuring. "She knows," she said gently, her voice a soothing balm to Amina's wounded soul. "And wherever she is, I'm sure she's watching over Leia with love."

Amina nodded, her gaze still fixed on Leia as she marveled at the miracle of new life before her. She had grown since she held her when she was just born. “She has Padme’s eyes.”

Breha smiled as Leia lifted her tiny hand and wrapped it around one of Amina’s fingers. “You can pick her up if you’d like.”

Before Amina could respond, Breha reached into the crib and took Leia out, unwrapping the blankets from her body.

Taking a deep breath, Amina reached out and gingerly took Leia into her arms, marveling at the warmth and weight of the tiny bundle. Leia stirred slightly, her dark eyes blinking up at Amina with a mixture of curiosity and innocence.

Amina couldn't help but smile as she gazed down at Leia, her heart melting at the sight of the precious baby in her arms. "Hey there, little one," she whispered softly, her voice filled with warmth and affection. "I'm your aunt Amina."

Leia cooed in response, her tiny fingers reaching out to grasp Amina's hand with surprising strength. Amina chuckled softly, feeling a rush of joy and wonder wash over her as she cradled Leia close to her chest.

Breha watched the tender exchange with a smile, her heart swelling with pride at the sight of Amina bonding with her niece. "She seems to like you," she remarked with a teasing twinkle in her eye.

Amina chuckled, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she glanced up at Breha. "I hope so," she replied sheepishly, her voice tinged with amusement. "I don't think I've ever been this nervous before."

Breha reached out and gently squeezed Amina's shoulder, her touch reassuring. "You're doing just fine," she said warmly, her voice filled with encouragement. "Leia is lucky to have you as her aunt."

---

She spent a few days on Alderaan before making her way back to Ord Mantell. The Bad Batch was finishing up a mission with the help of Rex on Coruscant, so she stayed on her small ship.

Amina held her comm tightly in her hand, still trying to will herself to make the call to Obi-Wan. How could he keep it from her? He was one of her closest friends, a father and a brother to her, yet lied to her since he knew her.

Taking a deep breath, Amina finally mustered up the courage to press the call button, her heart pounding in her chest as she waited for Obi-Wan to answer. After what felt like an eternity, his holographic image flickered to life before her, his familiar features etched with concern as he regarded her with a furrowed brow.

"Amina," Obi-Wan greeted her, his voice filled with warmth and sincerity. "Is everything alright? Did you speak to Master Yoda?"

Amina clenched her jaw, struggling to maintain her composure as she met Obi-Wan's gaze head-on. "No, everything is not alright," she replied evenly, her tone tinged with barely contained anger. "We need to talk."

Obi-Wan's expression softened, his blue eyes filled with understanding as he sensed the turmoil within Amina. "Of course," he said gently, his voice a soothing balm to her frayed nerves. "What's on your mind?"

Amina took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation ahead. "Why didn't you tell me?" she demanded, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion.

Obi-Wan's brow furrowed in confusion, his gaze flickering with a hint of guilt as he searched for the right words to say. "I... I thought it was for the best," he admitted reluctantly, his voice tinged with regret.

Amina scoffed, her frustration bubbling to the surface as she struggled to contain her anger. "For the best?" she exclaimed incredulously, her voice rising with each word. "You think keeping such a crucial piece of information from me was the right thing to do? How could you, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan's expression softened, his eyes filled with remorse. "I understand that you're upset, Amina," he said gently, his voice laced with sincerity. "But please, try to see it from my perspective. Master Yoda told me to keep a secret, from you, from Anakin, and Be. Not even Master Qui-Gonn knew.”

Amina shook her head, her eyes blazing with righteous indignation as she scoffed at his hologram. "I’ve been lied to my whole life. This whole thing about mine and Anakin’s force connection isn’t really that much of a surprise, is it? Since I’m actually more powerful with the force than I thought.”

“If you go down this train of thought, you will find yourself- ”

“I’ve spent most of my life with the Jedi, and now I find out that the way I was treated was all a lie. You all were just terrified that I might be like Anakin, even when we were young," Amina vented, her voice laced with frustration and hurt.

Obi-Wan sighed, his holographic image flickering slightly as he leaned forward, his expression pained. "Amina, please try to understand," he implored, his voice soft but earnest. "We did what we thought was best to protect you, to keep you safe from the dangers of the dark side."

Amina scoffed bitterly, her arms folded across her chest as she glared at the hologram of her former mentor. "Protect me? By keeping me in the dark? By treating me like I was some fragile thing that needed to be sheltered from the truth?" she retorted, her voice rising with each word. "I'm not a child anymore, Obi-Wan. I deserve to know the truth."

Obi-Wan's features softened, his eyes filled with remorse as he regarded Amina with a mixture of regret and empathy. "You're right, Amina. I should have been honest with you from the beginning," he admitted, his voice tinged with sorrow. "But please believe me when I say that everything I did, I did out of care for you."

Amina scoffed again, her anger getting the best of her as she smashed her comm in her fist, throwing the broken pieces at the dashboard.

As Amina's comm shattered against the dashboard of her ship, she slumped back in her seat, her chest heaving with a mixture of anger and frustration. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she struggled to contain the torrent of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.

The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the soft hum of the ship's engines and the ragged sound of Amina's breathing. She closed her eyes, willing herself to calm down, to push aside the anger and hurt that consumed her.

But try as she might, she couldn't shake the sense of betrayal that gnawed at her heart. Obi-Wan, her mentor, her friend, had kept the truth from her, had lied to her for years. And for what? To protect her? To shield her from the dangers of the dark side?

A bitter laugh escaped Amina's lips as she shook her head in disbelief. "Some protection," she muttered bitterly, her voice thick with sarcasm. "Hiding the truth, keeping me in the dark... How is that supposed to protect me?"

She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees as she buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with suppressed sobs. She felt adrift, lost in a sea of uncertainty and doubt, with no one to turn to for guidance or support.

After a few hours of sitting in silence, Amina decided to exit the ship and walk to a nearby pub. She needed to clear her head, to find some semblance of peace amidst the turmoil of her thoughts. As she stepped out into the bustling streets of Ord Mantell, she pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, seeking refuge from the prying eyes of passersby.

The pub was dimly lit, the air heavy with the scent of alcohol and sweat as Amina made her way to an empty seat at the counter.

“You look like you could use a drink, hun.”

Amina hummed and nodded as a shot glass with bright blue liquid slid in front of her. She grabbed the shot glass before realizing this must be some sort of alcohol. “Hey, actually, I just want water- and, you’re on the other side of the bar.”

She sighed, swirling around the blue liquid. She had never drank before, never wanted to and never thought about it.

Taking a deep breath, she lifted the glass to her lips and downed the contents in one swift motion. The liquid burned as it slid down her throat, leaving a bitter aftertaste in its wake. She grimaced, setting the empty glass back on the counter.

As the initial shock wore off, Amina leaned back against the counter, her head swimming with a heady mix of sensations. The alcohol had hit her hard and fast, leaving her feeling light-headed and strangely euphoric. It was as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, if only for a moment, and she found herself succumbing to the intoxicating allure of oblivion.

But the taste was awful.

The bartender came back around as Amina leaned forward, “do you… uh, have anything that’s easier to drink, but still strong?”

The bartender, a burly man with a grizzled beard and a no-nonsense demeanor, eyed Amina warily before nodding slowly. "I think I've got just the thing for you," he replied gruffly, reaching for a bottle behind the counter.

He poured a clear liquid into a glass and slid it across the counter towards Amina. "Here you go," he said gruffly, his voice tinged with a hint of skepticism. "But be careful, it's stronger than it looks."

Amina nodded, taking the glass in her hand and raising it to her lips. She took a cautious sip, savoring the smooth, slightly sweet taste of the drink as it slid down her throat. It was much easier to handle than the previous one, yet still packed a powerful punch that left her feeling pleasantly buzzed.

"Thanks," she murmured, offering the bartender a grateful smile as she set the glass back down on the counter.

---

“Anakin and Obi-Wan will go to Karthi, Amina you are to return back to Coruscant.” Mace said.

“But Master Windu- ”

“Dismissed.” Mace cut Amina off, the transmission ending.

Amina stood there in front of the holotable, as Obi-Wan turned towards Cody giving orders and Anakin glanced over at Amina.

“Lucky- ”

Amina angrily walked away, passing by the clones and Ahsoka.

“Oh, master- ” Ahsoka started, but Amina continued on her way.

She turned a corner and walked into the hangar, walking towards her ship, “Amina!” Anakin yelled after her, running to catch up to her as he grabbed her wrist. "Ami-" he started, but she cut him off with a sharp glare, her eyes flashing with anger.

"It's not fair," Amina snapped, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Why am I always being sidelined, Anakin?"

Anakin's brow furrowed with concern as he released her wrist, his expression pained as he struggled to find the right words to say. "Well, I-"

"It's never you, or Obi-Wan, or Plo Koon, or even my master, but it's always me!"

Anakin let go of her wrist, “Amina, the war- ”

Amina continued, her voice rising with each word. “Has lasted only 3 months, I know. But I just don’t understand why I’m always called back to Coruscant to do nothing while my own Battalion gets to go fight!”

Anakin sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration as he struggled to find a way to reassure his sister. "Amina, it's not about sidelining you," he insisted, his voice earnest as he met her gaze with unwavering sincerity. "It's about keeping you safe. You're too important to risk on the front lines."

Amina scoffed, her anger boiling over as she turned away from Anakin. "Too important?" she exclaimed incredulously, her voice rising with each word. "I’m not as important as you or Obi-Wan. If anything, it should be me on the frontlines and you and Obi-Wan during errands for the Council.”

Anakin’s own frustration and anger rose, “how could you say that? How could you say you’re not important?”

Amina whirled around, her eyes flashing with indignation. “Because I feel useless, Anakin! Every time I get sent back, it feels like they don’t trust me. Like I’m not capable of handling myself.”

Anakin clenched his jaw, trying to keep his own temper in check. “Amina, it’s not about capability. The Council has their reasons- ”

“Reasons they won’t share with me,” Amina interrupted, her voice breaking slightly. “I’m a Jedi Knight, just like you. I deserve to know why I’m being sidelined. I deserve to know why they treat me lesser than all the other Jedi. And I don’t want to hear about the Council, we both know exactly what you think about them.”

Amina turned around and made her way to her X-Wing, jumping into the pilot’s seat.

“At least talk to Padme when you get there. She may be able to help you understand things.” Anakin called out.

“Fine.” Amina replied forcefully, the hatch of the X-Wing closing.

---

Hunter and Tech walked around Ord Mantell as Omega and Wrecker stayed on the ship. They had just gotten back from the mission and when they landed, they saw a small new ship in the same hanger.

So now, the two of them walked around the city looking for Amina.

Tech adjusted his goggles, “she could be in any one of the numerous establishments in Ord Mantell. It is going to take a while to look inside every one.”

Hunter nodded in agreement, his brow furrowed with concern as he scanned the crowds for any sign of their missing companion. "We'll just have to keep looking," he replied determinedly, his voice steady despite the underlying sense of urgency.

He gestured with his head at one of the bars as they entered looking around. “It seems Amina is not in this one- ” Tech got cut off as a body wrapped their arms around Hunter’s waist.

Amina looked up at him, “did you know that blue tastes like clouds and rainbows?”

Hunter blinked in surprise as Amina wrapped her arms around his waist, her words slurring slightly as she looked up at him with a playful grin. He couldn't help but chuckle at her intoxicated antics, his heart warming at the sight of her carefree demeanor.

"Blue tastes like clouds and rainbows, huh?" he replied with a smirk, his tone teasing as he gently extricated himself from her grasp. "I'll have to take your word for it."

Amina pouted playfully, her cheeks flushed with alcohol as she swayed slightly on her feet. "You're no fun, Hunter," she protested half-heartedly, her words slurring together in a drunken slur. "I thought you'd appreciate my poetic insights."

Hunter chuckled softly, reaching out to steady Amina as she stumbled slightly. "I appreciate them, Amina," he assured her, his voice warm with affection. "But maybe you've had enough to drink for one night."

Amina pouted even more dramatically, her bottom lip jutting out in a mock expression of sadness. "But I'm having so much fun," she protested, her voice muffled as she buried her face in Hunter's chest.

The bartender came around, “you her boyfriend? She’s being kicked out. I’ve never seen a person drink 3 bottles of Sunfruit liquor and not vomit, pass out, or die. Kid’s got a gut of steel.”

“Do I get gold stars? I want a gold star. Or maybe I’ll jump into a star. Boom!” She said, making a blast motion with her hand.

As Hunter stood there, his arm still around Amina to steady her, he couldn't help but chuckle at her antics. "Gold stars, huh? I think you've earned a whole constellation," he replied with a grin, his tone playful as he glanced over at Tech.

Tech adjusted his goggles, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Indeed, Amina. Your resilience is quite impressive," he remarked dryly, his lips quirking up in a small smile.

Amina beamed at their words, her cheeks flushed with alcohol as she swayed slightly on her feet. "See, even Tech thinks I'm amazing," she declared triumphantly, her voice tinged with satisfaction.

The bartender raised an eyebrow skeptically, unimpressed by Amina's drunken bravado. "Amazing or not, you've had enough for tonight," he said firmly, gesturing towards the door with a jerk of his thumb. "Time to call it a night."

Amina pouted exaggeratedly, her bottom lip jutting out in a mock expression of disappointment. "But I was just getting started," she protested half-heartedly, her words slurring together as she stumbled towards the exit.

Hunter chuckled softly, gently guiding Amina towards the door with a firm but gentle hand. "Come on, Amina. Let's get you back to the ship before you decide to take on the entire galaxy," he teased, his voice warm with affection.

As they stepped out into the cool night air, Amina leaned heavily against Hunter for support, her steps unsteady as she clung to him like a lifeline. “Do you think I’m a bad person?" she asked, her words slurred as she walked with her arm still around Hunter’s waist.

He looked down at her as she continued, “don’t lie to me. Too much lying. Everything…” She trailed off, looking up at Hunter with wide eyes.

"No, Amina, you're not a bad person," Hunter replied gently, his voice soft but firm as he met her gaze with unwavering sincerity.

Tech glanced back at the two of them as Amina pulled out a small bottle of pink liquid from her poncho. She popped off the cork and took a long swig before Hunter grabbed the bottle out of her hand.

"Amina, I think you've had enough," Hunter said gently, his voice tinged with concern as he looked down at her.

Amina pouted, her lower lip jutting out in a playful pout. "But I like this one," she protested, her words slurred slightly as she reached out for the bottle.

He pulled the bottle out of her reach, “where is this coming from? I’ve never seen you drink at all, cyar’ika.” Hunter asked gently, his voice filled with genuine curiosity and a hint of worry as the Mando’a slipped from his lips.

“Accident. Wanted water got blue drink.” Amina shrugged. “Little green man lied to me forever and ever and ever and ever.”

"Amina," he said gently, his voice laced with reassurance as he reached out to steady her. "I know things are confusing right now, but you're not alone. We're here for you, all of us."

Amina blinked up at him, her gaze unfocused as she leaned heavily against him for support. "You're… you're too nice," she mumbled, her words slurring slightly as she tried to focus on his face. "Shouldn't… you shouldn't trust me."

Hunter shook his head, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips despite the seriousness of the situation. "Trust isn't given, Amina. It's earned," he replied earnestly, his voice filled with sincerity. "And you've earned our trust a hundred times over."

Amina's brow furrowed in confusion, her thoughts muddled by the effects of the alcohol. "But… but what if I'm not who you think I am?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "What if… what if I'm not good enough- oh! Look!” She pointed at a seemingly empty spot outside as they entered the open hanger. “Big black man with bad breathing.”

As Amina pointed out into the open hanger, her companions exchanged puzzled glances, unable to see anything out of the ordinary. Hunter furrowed his brow, his gaze scanning the area for any sign of movement.

"Are you sure, Amina?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern as he glanced back at her.

Amina nodded eagerly, her eyes wide with excitement as she gestured towards the empty space. "Yes, look! He's right there," she insisted, her tone filled with urgency.

Tech adjusted his goggles, his analytical mind working overtime as he scanned the area for any signs of life. "I'm not detecting any unusual readings," he reported, his voice calm and measured. "It's possible that Amina's senses are being affected by the alcohol."

Hunter frowned, torn between trusting Amina's instincts and heeding Tech's analysis. He glanced back at Amina, his expression softening with concern as he studied her flushed cheeks and glassy eyes.

"Maybe we should get you back to the ship," he suggested gently, his voice laced with reassurance. "You've had quite a bit to drink, and it's starting to affect your judgment."

But Amina shook her head stubbornly, her gaze fixed on the empty space in front of her. "No, you don't understand," she insisted, her voice tinged with frustration. "He's here, I can feel it."

Vader took a step forward, standing in front of her, “you’ve had too much to drink.”

Amina stuck out her tongue as she clung onto Hunter to keep herself upright, “boring. Why do you always get to have all the fun and I don’t? You’re a spoilsport. And you’re a terrible big brother.” She stuck her tongue out and raspberried at Darth Vader while holding her hand out and pointed her thumb down.

Tech looked over at Hunter and tilted his head, “it is entirely possible that she is hallucinating, as Anakin died during Order 66 according to official reports.”

Amina walked away from Hunter, her steps uncoordinated as she tried to make her way up the steps of the Marauder.

Hunter watched with a mixture of concern and amusement as Amina stumbled her way up the steps, her movements unsteady and her words slurred from the effects of the alcohol. He exchanged a worried glance with Tech, silently debating whether to follow her or give her some space.

Tech adjusted his goggles, his brow furrowed with concern as he watched Amina's clumsy ascent. "Perhaps we should accompany her," he suggested quietly, his voice tinged with apprehension. "She may need assistance getting back to her quarters."

Hunter nodded in agreement, his expression grave as he followed Amina up the steps of the ship. He couldn't shake the nagging feeling of unease that gnawed at his insides, a sense of foreboding that whispered of danger lurking in the shadows.

As they reached the top of the steps, Amina stumbled and nearly fell, her grip on the doorway slipping as she struggled to maintain her balance. Hunter reached out a hand to steady her, his heart pounding in his chest as he caught her before she could tumble backward.

"Easy there, Amina," he said gently, his voice filled with concern as he helped her regain her footing. "Let's get you inside where it's safe."

Amina blinked up at Hunter, her gaze unfocused as she leaned heavily against him for support. "I'm fine," she slurred, her words barely coherent as she tried to push him away. "Just need to lie down for a bit."

Hunter shook his head, his expression firm as he guided Amina towards the interior of the ship. "No arguments," he insisted, his voice leaving no room for debate. "You've had too much to drink, and I'm not letting you wander around in this state."

Wrecker and Omega sat in the cockpit as Hunter helped Amina sit down on the floor by her small pillow and blanket.

Wrecker glanced over his shoulder as Hunter settled Amina onto the floor of the ship, his brow furrowed with concern as he watched the scene unfold. "Is she gonna be okay?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry as he turned back to the controls.

Hunter nodded, his gaze focused on Amina as he knelt down beside her, his expression softening with concern. "She'll be fine," he reassured Wrecker, his voice calm and steady despite the underlying sense of unease. "Just needs to sleep it off."

Omega peered over Wrecker's shoulder, her eyes wide with concern as she took in the sight of Amina slumped against the wall of the ship. "Is she sick?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

Tech adjusted his goggles, his analytical mind already at work as he studied Amina's condition from a distance. "She is intoxicated," he remarked dryly, his tone matter-of-fact as he glanced back at the group. "Given her current state, it's best to let her rest."

As soon as Amina hit her pillow, she fell asleep, gripping it tightly. The rest of the squad exchanged concerned glances, their expressions reflecting a mixture of worry and relief. Hunter remained by Amina's side, his hand resting gently on her shoulder as he watched over her with a protective gaze.

Wrecker leaned back in his seat, his brow furrowed with concern as he glanced over at Hunter. "You think she's gonna be okay?" he asked quietly, his voice filled with genuine concern for their teammate.

Hunter nodded, his eyes never leaving Amina's sleeping form. "She just needs some rest," he replied softly, his voice tinged with reassurance. "She'll be fine once she sleeps off the effects of the alcohol."

Omega shifted in her seat, her eyes lingering on Amina's slumbering figure with a worried expression. "Do you think she'll remember anything in the morning?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Tech adjusted his goggles, his analytical mind already calculating the potential effects of Amina's intoxication. "It's hard to say," he remarked thoughtfully, his tone measured and precise. "Alcohol can affect memory retention, but it's possible that she'll have some recollection of tonight's events."

---

“…Master Fisto will accompany Plo Koon to Isin. Dismissed.” Mace said, as the hologram transmission ended.

Amina ran to catch up to him, “Master Windu, what about me?”

Mace Windu turned to face her; his expression impassive but his eyes reflecting a hint of concern. “Amina, your presence is required on Coruscant. The Council needs you there.”

Amina frowned, frustration bubbling up inside her. “But why? I can help on the front lines, just like the others. Why am I always sent back?”

Windu sighed, his tone remaining calm but firm. “The Council has made its decision, Amina. We believe it is in the best interest of the Order.”

“But I deserve to know why,” Amina insisted, her voice tinged with desperation. “Why am I always being sidelined?”

Windu's expression softened slightly, a rare occurrence for the stoic Jedi Master. “There are reasons, Amina. Reasons that we cannot disclose at this time. But know that we have your best interests at heart.”

Amina clenched her fists, her frustration mounting. “I feel like I’m being treated like a child. I’m a Jedi Knight, just like Anakin. I should be out there, fighting alongside all the other Jedi.”

Windu placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his gaze steady. “You are a valuable member of the Order, Amina. Your time will come. Trust in the Force.”

Amina sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. “Yes, Master,” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Windu gave her a nod of understanding before turning to leave. “May the Force be with you, Amina.”

---

Amina woke up and slowly sat up, holding her head feeling only slightly dizzy. She blinked her eyes as she found Vader standing in front of her, his arms crossed.

She looked around the ship and saw no one around as she turned back to Vader, “hello dear brother. May I ask why you decided to show up again in my head?”

Vader regarded her with a steely gaze, his expression unreadable as he towered over her with an air of authority. "You summoned me," he replied cryptically, his voice deep and resonant as he spoke. "Your thoughts called out to me across the void."

She laughed, “like I’d ever summon you. If you were Anakin, then, yeah, maybe I would. But your not Anakin anymore. So, like I’ve said a million kriffing times, get out of my head.”

Vader's mask betrayed no emotion as he regarded Amina with an inscrutable gaze, the darkness of his presence seeming to envelop her in its suffocating embrace. "You cannot deny our connection, Amina," he intoned, his voice low and commanding. "The Force binds us together, now and forever."

Amina clenched her jaw, her fists tightening at her sides as she fought against the tendrils of fear that threatened to overwhelm her. "I am not afraid of you," she declared defiantly, her voice ringing with a steely resolve. "You may have been my brother once, but you're nothing but a shadow now. And shadows hold no power over me."

Vader's mask seemed to loom closer, his presence pressing in on Amina from all sides. She stood up, walking away from him as she walked into the doorway of the Marauder, seeing Hunter sitting at the bottom of the ramp. She hurried down the ramp towards him, the memory of Vader's looming presence still fresh in her mind.

Hunter glanced up as Amina approached, his expression softening with concern as he took in her troubled demeanor. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked gently, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Amina nodded, her gaze flickering towards the empty space where Vader had stood just moments before. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied unconvincingly, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Hunter studied her for a moment, his brow furrowed with concern as he reached out to gently touch her arm. "You don't seem fine," he observed quietly, his voice filled with warmth and understanding.

Amina sighed, her shoulders slumping as she leaned against the doorway of the ship. "I just... I saw him again," she admitted reluctantly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Hunter's expression softened with sympathy as he listened to her confession, his hand tightening slightly on her arm in a silent gesture of support. "Vader?" he asked softly, his voice tinged with concern.

Amina nodded, her gaze dropping to the ground as she struggled to put her feelings into words. "Yeah," she murmured, her voice barely audible. She nudged him with her shoulder, “I’m sorry about yesterday. I feel… embarrassed. And I’m never embarrassed. But, after speaking with Master Yoda and Obi-Wan, I guess I was feeling kinda of lost.”

Hunter's expression softened as he listened to Amina's words, his heart aching at the vulnerability she displayed. He reached out to gently squeeze her shoulder, offering her a reassuring smile.

"You don't need to apologize, Amina," he said softly, his voice warm with understanding. "We all have our moments of uncertainty. And it's okay to feel lost sometimes."

Amina glanced up at him, her eyes searching his face for any hint of judgment or reproach. Instead, she found only empathy and kindness reflected in his gaze, a silent reassurance that she wasn't alone in her struggles.

"Thank you, Hunter," she murmured, her voice tinged with gratitude as she leaned into his touch. "I just... I've been feeling so lost lately. Like I don't know who I am anymore."

Hunter's brow furrowed with concern as he listened to her words, his heart aching at the pain and confusion she must be feeling. He brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face, his touch gentle and reassuring.

"You're not alone, Amina," he reassured her, his voice soft but firm. "We're all here for you, no matter what. And together, we'll figure it out."

Amina's lips twitched into a small smile, her eyes shining with gratitude as she looked up at him. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Hunter's heart swelled with warmth at her words, a sense of protectiveness washing over him as he gazed down at her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a comforting embrace.

Amina placed her head on his armored shoulder looking up at him, “you called my cyar’ika yesterday. What does it mean?”

Hunter chuckled, “it’s Mando’a.”

“And?” Amina asked.

"It's a secret," he replied playfully, his tone light with a hint of mischief. He nudged her gently with his shoulder, the familiar warmth of their camaraderie easing the tension that lingered in the air.

Amina raised an eyebrow, a playful glint dancing in her eyes as she leaned in closer to him. "Oh, come on, Hunter," she protested teasingly, her voice filled with mock indignation. "You can't leave me hanging like that. I need to know!"

“You speak Huttese, I’m sure you can give me a nickname in that language.”

Amina laughed, “there are no good words in Huttese. Unless you want me to call you slimeball, scum, or idiot.”

Hunter chuckled at Amina's response, shaking his head in amusement. "I think I'll pass on those options," he replied with a grin, his tone playful as he nudged her gently. "But thanks for the offer."

Amina grinned back at him, the warmth of their banter easing the lingering tension that still hung in the air. "Peetch goola," she said cheekily, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Anytime you need a creative insult, just let me know."

Hunter chuckled, his smile widening at Amina's playful demeanor. "I'll keep that in mind," he replied, his voice light with amusement. "But I think I'll stick to calling you cyar'ika for now."

Amina rolled her eyes playfully, her grin widening at the familiar term of endearment. "Fine, cyar'ika it is," she conceded with a mock sigh, her tone teasing as she nudged him gently with her shoulder. “But… I could just go ask Tech wherever he may be.” She slowly stood up, “I’m sure he’d be more than happy to tell me what it mea- ”

Hunter grabbed her arm pulling her back down to her seated position, their knees touching each others. “No need for that.”

Amina stuck out her bottom lip, “no fair. How do I know you’re not insulting me?”

“I would never do that.” he said, brushing his thumb over her bottom lip.

Hunter's touch sent a shiver down Amina's spine, her breath catching in her throat as she met his gaze. There was something about the warmth of his hand against her skin that made her heart race, a fluttering sensation stirring deep within her chest.

She swallowed nervously, her lips parting slightly as she searched for the right words to say. "I know," she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur as she leaned into his touch. "I trust you, Hunter."

His thumb brushed over her bottom lip again, sending a jolt of electricity coursing through her veins. Amina's breath hitched at the intimate gesture, her heart pounding in her chest as she fought to keep her composure.

Hunter's gaze softened, his eyes flickering with warmth and affection as he leaned in closer to her. "I would never do anything to hurt you, Amina," he murmured, his voice low and husky as he brushed his lips against hers.

Amina's breath caught in her throat as Hunter's lips met hers, sending a surge of heat coursing through her body. She melted into the kiss, her hands reaching up to cup his face as she lost herself in the moment.

She pulled away, her hand still on his cheek, brushing over his half-tattooed skin, “did you get better at this, or did I get worse? Or maybe you watched something on the Holonet?” she cheekily asked.

Hunter chuckled at Amina's cheeky remark, his heart swelling with affection at her playful demeanor. He brushed his thumb over her cheek, his touch gentle and tender as he met her gaze with a warm smile.

"I think it's a combination of both," he replied teasingly, his voice light with amusement. "But I have to admit, you're a pretty quick learner."

Amina grinned back at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she leaned in closer. "Well, I wouldn’t say that. I mean, I’ve never… kissed anyone other than you. So, if you say I’m good at it, maybe I have a natural talent.”

“Well, to be fair, you are also the only one I’ve ever kissed.”

Amina’s cheeks flushed, “so you were watching something on the Holonet. Did you practice on your hand?”

Hunter's cheeks tinged with a faint blush at Amina's playful question, his gaze dropping slightly as he cleared his throat. "Uh, well... I may have picked up a few pointers," he admitted sheepishly, his voice tinged with embarrassment.

Amina's grin widened at his response, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes as she leaned in closer. "Oh, really?" she teased, her voice laced with amusement. "And here I thought you were just a natural."

Hunter chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck as he glanced around the empty hanger bay. "Well, you know, practice makes perfect," he replied awkwardly, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Amina's laughter filled the air, light and infectious as she reached out to gently nudge him with her elbow. "I guess we'll just have to keep practicing, then," she teased, her tone playful as she met his gaze with a warm smile.

As Amina's laughter filled the air, Hunter couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth wash over him. Despite the lingering tension and uncertainty that hung in the air, her playful demeanor never failed to bring a smile to his lips.

He met her gaze with a playful glint in his eyes, his heart swelling with affection at the easy camaraderie they shared. "I guess we will," he replied, his tone light with amusement as he leaned in closer to her. "Practice makes perfect, after all."

Amina grinned back at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she leaned in closer, her breath warm against his skin. "I'll hold you to that," she teased, her voice tinged with playful anticipation as she closed the distance between them.

Their lips met in a soft, tentative kiss, a gentle brush of warmth and intimacy that sent a shiver down Hunter's spine. He melted into the kiss, his hand reaching up to cup Amina's cheek as he savored the sweetness of her lips against his own.

She moved closer to him, her right leg moving to hang over his right one as her hands moved to cup his jaw, with his other arm moving to the small of her back, pulling her closer.

Amina's heart pounded in her chest as she savored the sweetness of Hunter's lips against hers, her fingers tracing the contours of his jawline with a feather-light touch. She felt a surge of electricity coursing through her veins, igniting a fire within her that she had never known before.

Hunter's touch sent shivers down Amina's spine, his hand gentle yet possessive as it cupped her cheek. She leaned into his touch, her breath mingling with his as they shared the intimate closeness of their embrace.

“Whoa.” Wrecker exclaimed, as him, Tech and Omega walked back into the hanger, seeing Amina and Hunter on the steps of the Marauder. Wrecker put his hands in front of Omega’s eyes, “close your eyes kid.”

Omega swatted Wrecker’s hand away as Tech adjusted his goggles. Amina and Hunter momentarily stayed in a paused position, with her hands cupping his lower face, and his hand resting on her lower back.

Tech adjusted his goggles, his analytical mind processing the situation with characteristic efficiency. His expression remained unreadable behind his visor, “this was an expected development. I am surprised however, that it took you this long.”

Amina and Hunter exchanged a sheepish glance, their cheeks tinted with a faint blush as they reluctantly pulled away from each other. Amina cleared her throat, her voice slightly hoarse as she tried to regain her composure. "Uh, yeah... sorry about that," she mumbled, her gaze flickering towards the ground as she avoided eye contact.

Hunter scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, his heart still racing from the intensity of their brief embrace. "Yeah, sorry," he echoed, his voice tinged with embarrassment as he glanced back at his teammates. "We, uh, got a little carried away."

Wrecker raised an eyebrow skeptically, his expression a mixture of amusement and disbelief as he surveyed the scene before him. "Carried away is an understatement," he remarked dryly, his voice laced with humor as he nudged Omega with his elbow. "Looks like we've got a couple of lovebirds in the squad."

“Lovebirds?” Omega questioned. “What does that mean?”

Wrecker let out a laugh, “you’ll learn when your older kid.”

Omega crossed her arms, “I saw them kissing you know. I’m not a baby.”

Tech looked up from his datapad, “I believe you are using an incorrect term. The term you are looking for is ‘passionate kiss’.”

Amina’s jaw dropped as she sat there with a loss of words. “Um…”

“Woah.” Wrecker said, “I’ve never seen Amina not say anything back.” He hit Tech’s shoulder, “this has never happened before!”

Tech nodded, “you are correct. I will note this date and time.”

---

The team had been given a mission by Cid to go mine ipsium. But Amina decided she wasn’t coming along. She thought it best to talk to Obi-Wan in person, rather than over comms after her… slight outburst when she confronted him about the lie him and Yoda were keeping from her.

She walked to the hillside where Obi-Wan was living on Tatooine, climbing up the hill. “Master?” Amina called out.

Obi-Wan emerged from his humble dwelling, his expression grave as he regarded Amina with a mixture of concern and sadness. "Amina," he greeted her softly, his voice tinged with regret. "I've been expecting you."

Amina's jaw clenched at the sight of Obi-Wan, her heart heavy with the weight of her unresolved emotions. "We need to talk," she said firmly, her tone brooking no argument as she met his gaze with a steely resolve.

She walked further into the cave, sitting down on a crate in front of the small fire.

Obi-Wan took a seat opposite her, his expression grave as he regarded Amina with a mixture of concern and sadness. "I know why you're here," he began quietly, his voice heavy with regret. "And I understand your anger. But there are things you must know, Amina, things that I have kept from you for far too long."

Amina's jaw clenched at Obi-Wan's words, her heart heavy with the weight of her unresolved emotions. "You lied to me," she accused him, her tone sharp with accusation. "You and Master Yoda, you both kept the truth from me. About myself.”

Obi-Wan's gaze softened with sympathy as he listened to Amina's accusations, his heart aching at the pain and betrayal she must be feeling. "I'm sorry, Amina," he murmured, his voice tinged with regret. "But there are reasons why we had to keep the truth from you. Reasons that go beyond simple deception."

Amina nodded slowly, “I have the right to be angry. I’ve been lied to ever since I was a child.”

Obi-Wan's heart ached at the pain and betrayal etched on Amina's face, his own guilt gnawing at him from within. He reached out a hand towards her, his voice gentle as he spoke. "I understand your anger, Amina," he said softly, his tone filled with remorse. "But please, allow me to explain. There are things you must know, things that have been kept from you for your own safety."

Amina's gaze softened slightly at Obi-Wan's words, her heart torn between anger and a lingering sense of curiosity. She nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper as she spoke. "I just don’t understand. How could I have that high of a midichlorian count? Anakin’s not even my real brother.”

“I’m afraid I do not know the answer to that question, Amina. Your birth parents are unknown, as you well know. But whoever they were, either they were also strong with the force, or it was pure luck that you were born with the way you were.”

Amina looked at his hand on hers, “but… what even is my midichlorian count? Why would the Council have wanted me to be sidelined?”

Obi-Wan sighed, his gaze flickering with a hint of sadness as he regarded Amina with empathy. "Your midichlorian count is exceptionally high, Amina," he explained gently, his voice tinged with regret. "Higher than even Master Yoda’s.” She waited for him to continue, “I believe it was around 19,000.”

Amina’s eyes widened slightly; 19,000 midichlorians. That was only a thousand less than Anakin’s count.

Amina's brow furrowed in confusion, her mind reeling with the implications of Obi-Wan's words. "But why would that make the Council want to sideline me?" she asked, her voice tinged with frustration. "Surely having a high midichlorian count would be an asset, not a liability."

Obi-Wan nodded slowly, his expression grave as he met Amina's gaze with a solemn intensity. "Normally, yes," he admitted reluctantly, his voice tinged with regret. "But when you both started your padawan training, and small cracks began to show with Anakin, they decided to keep it a secret.” He tugged her hand closer to him, “Amina, I want you to know that I didn’t think it was right, but I, like everyone else, was blind to the Council’s own faults. But it’s too late to go back and change everything that has happened.”

Amina sighed heavily, the weight of her unanswered questions pressing down on her shoulders. "So, what am I supposed to do now?" she asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.

Obi-Wan regarded her with a sympathetic gaze, his heart aching at the pain and confusion etched on her face. "For now, all we can do is focus on the present," he replied softly, his tone reassuring. "You have a gift, Amina, one that can be used for good. But it's up to you to decide how you want to use it."

“And what if…” she let out a deep breath, “what if I don’t want to?”

Amina's question hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty and doubt. She sat there, her gaze fixed on Obi-Wan as she awaited his response, her heart pounding in her chest with a mixture of fear and anticipation.

Obi-Wan regarded her with a sympathetic gaze, his mind racing as he searched for the right words to say. He could see the turmoil etched on Amina's face, the weight of her unanswered questions pressing down on her shoulders like a heavy burden.

"It's okay, Amina," he said softly, his voice gentle and reassuring as he reached out to gently squeeze her hand. "You don't have to have all the answers right now. It's okay to be unsure, to feel lost. What's important is that you take the time to figure out what you want, what feels right for you."

Amina nodded slowly, her gaze dropping to the ground as she struggled to process Obi-Wan's words. She had always been taught that being a Jedi was her destiny, her purpose in life. But now, faced with the reality of her own doubts and uncertainties, she couldn't help but wonder if there was more to her path than she had ever realized.

“When you and Qui-Gon brought me and Anakin to Coruscant to become a Jedi, I thought I was going to be trained to keep the peace. To help people other there who couldn’t protect themselves,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “But for the past few years all I’ve been is a soldier.” She looked over at Obi-Wan, “I don’t know if I want to be a soldier anymore.”

"It's okay to be unsure, Amina," he reassured her softly, his voice filled with understanding. "We all have doubts, moments of uncertainty. But what's important is that you listen to your heart and follow your own path. No one can tell you what to do, or who to be. Only you can decide that for yourself."

Amina nodded, her gaze trained on the crackling fire in front of her. She clasped her hands together as Obi-Wan looked over at her. “Maybe your journey has already begun.”

Amina looked over at him, a furrow in her brow, “what do you mean?”

Obi-Wan gave her a half-smile, “you haven’t touched your japor snippet since you’ve been here. Meaning, you’re less anxious. Something has changed for you.”

She looked down at the bracelet on her wrist, where the snippet lay. She hadn’t noticed that she hadn’t gripped it or traced the engravings in a long while.

“You’ve met someone.” He commented, a small grunt escaping him as he stood up from the crate.

Amina's heart skipped a beat at Obi-Wan's observation, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she glanced down at the ground. She hadn't realized that her growing feelings for Hunter had been so obvious, but apparently, even the wise old Jedi Master could see right through her.

"I... um, yeah," she stammered awkwardly, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggled to find the right words. "I guess you could say that."

He walked back over holding 2 ration bars, handing one to her. “It’s alright. There’s no point in following the Jedi rules anymore. They didn’t get us very far, did they?”

As Obi-Wan handed Amina a ration bar, she accepted it with a grateful nod, her mind swirling with a mixture of emotions. She tore open the packaging and took a bite, the familiar taste of the nutrient-rich bar doing little to soothe the turmoil within her.

“You’re not… mad?”

He shook his head, “no, I’m not mad. I realize now that if I was a better master to Anakin, he would’ve come to me for help with his nightmares about Padme. But he didn’t.”

Amina regarded Obi-Wan with a mixture of surprise and understanding, her heart heavy with empathy for the guilt that weighed heavily on his shoulders. "You did the best you could," she said softly, her voice filled with compassion. "None of us could have foreseen what happened to Anakin, or the choices he made."

Obi-Wan nodded solemnly, his gaze dropping to the ground as he wrestled with his own inner demons. "Perhaps," he murmured quietly, his voice tinged with regret. "But that doesn't change the fact that I failed him. I failed both him and you."

“You didn’t fail us. Palpatine manipulated Anakin. I couldn’t save him… and neither could Padme.” She said, taking a bite of her ration bar.

Obi-Wan nodded, before briefly shaking his head, “anyways. Tell me about this someone you’ve met.”

Amina's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she glanced down at the ground, a sheepish smile tugging at her lips. "Well," she began hesitantly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "You’ve met him once before.” She looked over at him, “Hunter, part of Clone Force 99.”

He rubbed his beard, “ah, yes. The squad that helped Rex and Anakin rescue Echo on Skako Minor.”

Amina nodded, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips as she thought back to their first meeting. "Yeah, they're... something else," she remarked fondly, her voice filled with warmth and affection. "But Hunter, he's different. He's... special."

Obi-Wan arched an eyebrow at Amina's words, his curiosity piqued by her cryptic tone. "Special in what way?" he asked gently, his voice laced with intrigue.

Amina's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she struggled to put her feelings into words. "I don't know, exactly," she admitted reluctantly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "It's just... there's something about him. Something that draws me to him."

Obi-Wan regarded Amina with a knowing smile, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he leaned back against the crate. "Ah, I see," he remarked teasingly, his tone playful. "So, you've found yourself a crush, have you?"

Amina's cheeks flushed even darker at Obi-Wan's teasing remark, her embarrassment palpable as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "It's not like that," she protested weakly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I don't know what it is."

---

After a few days of staying with Obi-Wan on Tatooine, the guys came over to pick up Amina, after finishing up two missions.

The ship landed a far distance away from the cave as Amina walked over to where the Marauder just landed.

As Amina approached the Marauder, she could see the familiar figures of Hunter, Tech, Wrecker, and Omega waiting for her. She quickened her pace, a smile spreading across her face as she greeted her squadmates.

"Hey, guys," she called out, her voice filled with warmth and affection. "Did you miss me?"

Hunter grinned at her, his eyes sparkling with amusement, "of course we did," he replied teasingly, his tone light with affection. He walked forward to embrace her when Omega ran in front of him, hugging Amina’s waist.

Amina laughed, wrapping her arms around Omega and giving her a tight squeeze. "Hey there, kid," she said affectionately, pressing a kiss to the top of Omega's head before releasing her. "Did you behave while I was gone?"

"Of course," Omega replied with a mischievous grin, her eyes twinkling with playful innocence.

Amina chuckled at Omega's response, ruffling her hair affectionately before releasing her from the hug. As Amina turned back to Hunter, her smile widened as she reached out to give him a hug. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close as he returned the embrace. Amina felt a sense of warmth and comfort wash over her as she buried her face in Hunter's shoulder, reveling in the familiar scent of his armor.

"It's good to see you, Hunter," she murmured softly, her voice filled with genuine affection.

Hunter squeezed her tighter, his voice warm with affection as he replied, "You too, cyar'ika."

They pulled away as Wrecker groaned loudly, “it’s so hot here! Can we go now?”

Amina shook her head before grinning, “I could use some air conditioning.” She ran onto the ship with Omega behind her as the rest followed in, with Tech sitting in the pilot’s seat.

He pulled off the ground and moved past the cave Obi-Wan stayed at when the ship started to sputter. Tech furrowed his brow behind his goggles, his fingers flying across the control panel as he tried to diagnose the problem. "We're losing power to the engines," he muttered, his voice tinged with frustration as he toggled switches and flipped through diagnostic readouts. "I don't understand what's causing it."

Wrecker grunted in annoyance, his massive frame shifting uneasily in his seat. "Well, figure it out, Tech!" he barked impatiently, his voice booming in the cockpit. "I don't want to be stuck in this desert any longer than we have to."

Omega shifted nervously in her seat, her eyes wide with apprehension as she glanced around the cockpit. "What's wrong with the ship, Tech?" she asked, her voice tinged with fear as she looked to him for reassurance.

Amina walked forward, “Tech you need to land it. I think I know why.” Tech quickly landed the ship as Amina pulled on her gloves, “were you guys watching the ship?”

“Yes.” Hunter replied.

“All parts of the ship?”

Tech and Hunter shared a glance, “no.” Tech replied.

Amina opened the ship, walking down the stairs as she went to the other side, looking at the torn wires. Tech followed first, along with the others. “Tuskens. They’re sneaky. Looks like they took a lot.”

Wrecker stood up straighter, “wait, but we were standing by the ship the whole time!”

Tech nodded, his expression grave as he surveyed the torn wires with a critical eye. "That's correct," he confirmed, his voice laced with concern. "We were all here, guarding the ship. There's no way the Tuskens could have snuck past us without us noticing."

Amina put her hands on her hips, “have any of you been to Tatooine before?” They all shook their heads, “then you’ve clearly underestimated them. They’re incredibly sneaky little sleemos.”

“We need the parts if we’re going to go anywhere.” Tech said, “perhaps we could track down where the Tuskens went.”

Amina shook her head, “not worth it. Some of us should just walk to Mos Espa. It’s- ” she turned around in a circle before pointing west, “5 or 6 clicks this way.”

Hunter furrowed his brow, his gaze flickering towards the horizon as he considered Amina's suggestion. "Walking all that way in this heat?" he muttered skeptically, his tone laced with concern. "It's not going to be easy."

She patted his armored chest, “relax. This is easy. I’ve walked way further in this heat when I was little. I can go to Mos Espa and buy us the parts we need.”

Omega jumped up, “can I come?”

Hunter looked down at her, sighing. “Fine. Me, Amina, and Omega will go to Mos Espa to get a capacitor. Tech, Wrecker, stay with the ship.”

Tech nodded in agreement, his expression serious as he turned his attention back to the damaged wiring. "We'll stay here and keep an eye on things," he replied, his voice filled with determination. "You three be careful out there."

Amina nodded, her gaze flickering towards the horizon as she mentally calculated the distance to Mos Espa. "Thanks, Tech," she said gratefully, her voice tinged with determination. "We'll be back before you know it."

With a final nod to Tech and Wrecker, Amina turned and began to lead the way towards Mos Espa, with Hunter and Omega following close behind. The sun beat down mercilessly on them as they trudged across the sandy terrain, the heat radiating off the ground in shimmering waves.

---

Omega panted, “maybe this was a bad idea.” she said, wiping sweat from her forehead.

Amina turned to face Omega, “do you need water?”

Omega shook her head, her breath coming out in short gasps as she tried to catch her breath in the scorching heat of Tatooine. "No, I'm okay," she replied weakly, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "I just... need to rest for a moment."

Amina raised an eyebrow, “stay here. Both of you.” Amina walked a little further ahead before brushing sand away from 2 black melons.

She walked back to them cracking one open and handing it to Omega. She took a sip of the water from the melon, coughing. “Ugh, it tastes awful.”

Amina cracked open the other one, taking a sip of it. “Yeah, it does. It takes some getting used to.”

Hunter took the melon from Omega’s hands, grimacing at the strong, retched taste. The two of them looked over at Amina, who drank it with no problem. Hunter raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "How can you stand to drink this stuff?" he asked incredulously, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Amina shrugged nonchalantly, wiping the residue from her lips with the back of her hand. "You get used to it," she replied casually, her voice laced with amusement. "Sometimes Watto wouldn’t pay you enough to buy water or food, or Jabba would raise water prices. You got used to drinking this.”

“Watto?” Omega asked slowly, taking another sip of the water from the melon, wincing at the taste.

“Our slave owner.” Amina said casually.

“Oh.” Omega responded.

Amina placed a hand on Omega’s shoulder, “it’s no problem. It was over 10 years ago. I hold no grudges anymore.” She tilted her head, “unless we see him, then I might curse him out in Huttese.” She took another sip from the black melon and stood up, “come on, let’s get going.”

As the trio trudged through the sweltering heat of Tatooine, the sun beat down mercilessly on them, casting long shadows across the sandy terrain. Amina led the way, her steps steady and determined as she forged a path through the endless expanse of desert.

After what felt like hours of walking, they finally reached the outskirts of Mos Espa, the bustling city looming before them like a mirage in the desert. Amina's heart swelled with relief as she caught sight of the familiar sights and sounds of civilization, her steps quickening with renewed energy.

"We made it," she exclaimed triumphantly, her voice ringing out across the desert as she gazed upon the city with a sense of awe and wonder. "Now all we have to do is find a vendor and buy the parts we need."

Omega nodded eagerly, her eyes shining with excitement as she surveyed the bustling streets of Mos Espa. "Let's split up and search for a vendor," she suggested, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "We'll cover more ground that way."

Hunter shook his head, “negative. I don’t think it would be wise to split up here.”

“I agree. People might try to buy us.” Amina said, “we’ll stick together and find a junk shop.”

After a few minutes of searching, Amina spotted a rundown junk shop nestled between two towering buildings, its sign barely hanging on by a thread. She motioned for Hunter and Omega to follow her as she made her way towards the entrance, her eyes scanning the assortment of salvaged parts and machinery on display.

As they stepped inside, the air was thick with the scent of grease and metal, the sound of clanking machinery filling the small space. A grizzled old Toydarian hovered behind the counter, his beady eyes narrowing as he appraised the newcomers.

"Hi chuba da naga?” he croaked, his voice raspy with age as he eyed them suspiciously.

Amina looked around the shop pointing at a capacitor, “kava che copah?”

He looked over at it, “jujumon.”

“What!” Amina exclaimed, looking at the capacitor.

Hunter leaned in, “what did he say?”

“He wants 100 credits for this junky capacitor.” Amina turned to the Toydarian, but before she could speak, he cut in.

“Make-cheesay.”

“Mi stuka mo gootu nooma na junkee Watto.” She responded. Amina looked around the shop before waving her hand in front of his face, “you will let us take the capacitor.”

Amina's words hung in the air as she waved her hand in front of the Toydarian's face, her gaze steady and unwavering. Hunter watched with a mixture of surprise and amusement, his lips quirking up in a smirk as he observed the exchange. The old shopkeeper blinked rapidly, his expression growing slack as he nodded in agreement.

"Of course, of course," he mumbled, his voice subdued as if under a spell. "You can take the capacitor. No charge."

With that, Amina retrieved the capacitor from the counter, tucking it securely into her satchel before leading the way out of the shop. The three of them made their way back onto the bustling streets of Mos Espa, the sounds of alien chatter and mechanical whirring filling the air around them.

“Do we really have to walk all the way back?” Omega asked, looking up at Amina.

“Well…” Amina looked around, before spotting a speeder. “Let’s see.” She walked over to the person by the speeder, waving her hand in front of his face, “you will let us take your speeder.”

The man blinked rapidly, his gaze unfocused for a moment before he nodded slowly. "Of course," he replied, his voice monotone as if in a daze. "You can take it."

Amina flashed him a grateful smile before turning back to Hunter and Omega. "Looks like we've got ourselves a ride," she said, her tone filled with satisfaction as she motioned for them to follow her.

Hunter raised an eyebrow in surprise, impressed by Amina's ability to influence the man. "Nice work," he commented, his voice tinged with admiration as they approached the speeder.

Amina shrugged modestly, a smirk playing on her lips. "Just a little Jedi trick I picked up," she replied casually, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Omega hopped onto the speeder, her eyes wide with excitement as she eagerly awaited the journey back to their ship. "This is so cool!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with childlike enthusiasm.

Amina got onto the speeder as Omega sat in front of her, with Hunter taking his spot behind Amina. “You might want to hold on.” Amina reached into her satchel and pulled out two pairs of goggles, giving one to Omega, “put this on. We don’t want sand in our eyes.”

Hunter put his helmet on as Amina revved up the speeder, “you ready, Omega?”

Omega eagerly nodded, her eyes shining behind the goggles as she tightened her grip on the speeder's handles. "Ready!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement and anticipation.

Amina grinned, her heart racing with adrenaline as she revved up the speeder's engine. With a burst of energy, they shot forward, the wind whipping at their clothes as they sped across the sandy expanse of Tatooine.

The journey back to their ship was exhilarating, the speeder cutting through the desert landscape with ease as they navigated the rough terrain. Amina expertly maneuvered the vehicle, weaving through obstacles and dodging sand dunes with precision.

As they approached the landing site, Amina slowed the speeder to a stop, bringing it to a smooth halt near the Marauder. Omega hopped off the speeder, her face flushed with excitement as she turned to Amina and Hunter.

"That was amazing!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe and wonder as she removed her goggles, her eyes shining with excitement.

Amina chuckled, a sense of pride swelling within her chest as she watched Omega's excitement. "Glad you enjoyed it," she replied warmly, reaching out to tousle Omega's hair affectionately. "You did great."

Hunter dismounted the speeder, his helmet still on as he surveyed their surroundings with a cautious eye. "We should get back to the ship," he said, his voice serious as he scanned the area for any signs of danger. "Tech and Wrecker will be waiting for us."

Amina nodded in agreement, her expression shifting to one of determination as she turned towards the Marauder. "Let's go," she said, her voice firm and resolute as she led the way back to their ship.

As they approached the Marauder, Tech and Wrecker emerged from the cockpit, their expressions filled with concern as they took in the sight of the damaged ship.

"What happened?" Tech asked, his brow furrowed in confusion as he surveyed the torn wires and damaged components.

Amina explained the situation, recounting their encounter with the Tuskens and their journey to Mos Espa to procure the necessary parts. Tech listened intently, his expression thoughtful as he processed the information.

"We managed to get the capacitor we needed," Amina continued, holding up the salvaged part for Tech to inspect.

Tech's eyes lit up with interest as he examined the capacitor, turning it over in his hands as he assessed its condition. "Looks like it's in decent shape," he remarked, his voice tinged with approval. "Should be able to integrate it into the ship's systems without too much trouble."

Wrecker grunted in agreement, his massive frame shifting uneasily as he glanced towards the damaged wiring. "About time we got this bucket of bolts back up and running," he grumbled, his voice echoing in the confined space of the cockpit.

Amina chuckled at Wrecker's comment, her gaze flickering towards Hunter as she caught his eye. "Well, let's not waste any more time," she said, her tone filled with determination. "Tech, can you start working on the repairs?"

Tech nodded in response as he walked outside, “I’ll get started on the repairs.”

Amina turned to Hunter, a playful glint in her eyes as she grinned at him. "Looks like we've got some time to kill while Tech works his magic," she teased, her voice laced with mischief. "Any ideas on how to pass the time?"

Hunter gave her a small smirk, putting his helmet down on one of the seats in the cockpit before grabbing her hand and taking her down the hallway. He opened the door to the small refresher, dragging her in as she turned to look at him locking the door. “Should I be worried?”

Hunter's smirk widened as he locked the door behind them, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he turned to face Amina. "Worried? Why would you be worried?" he asked innocently, his voice laced with amusement as he closed the distance between them.

Amina raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes as she took a step closer to him. "Oh, I don't know," she replied teasingly, her voice tinged with amusement. "Maybe because you just dragged me into a refresher and locked the door?"

Hunter chuckled softly, his gaze fixed on her as he reached out to gently cup her cheek. "I just thought we could use a little privacy," he murmured, his voice low and intimate as he leaned in closer to her.

Amina's breath caught in her throat as she felt the warmth of Hunter's breath against her skin, her heart pounding in her chest as she looked up at him. "Privacy, huh?" she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper as she leaned in closer to him.

Their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss, the world falling away around them as they lost themselves in the heat of the moment. Hunter's arms wrapped around Amina's waist, pulling her close as he deepened the kiss, his lips moving hungrily against hers.

Amina melted into his embrace, her fingers tangling in his hair as she returned the kiss with equal fervor. The air between them crackled with electricity, desire coursing through their veins as they surrendered to the undeniable pull of attraction.

As they broke apart, gasping for breath, Hunter pressed his forehead against Amina's, his eyes dark with desire as he looked into hers. Amina spoke up, “wow, 4 days of no me and this is how you act? Maybe I should take getaways much more often.”

Hunter chuckled softly, his breath warm against her skin as he leaned in to place a gentle kiss on her lips. "I can't help it if I missed you," he murmured against her mouth, his voice filled with warmth and affection.

She laughed, “once again, it was only 4 days.” She raised her hand to trace the left side of his face, rubbing her thumb along his tattooed cheekbone.

Hunter grinned, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he captured Amina's hand in his, pressing a soft kiss to her palm. "Well, I promise to make up for lost time," he said playfully, his tone filled with mischief as he leaned in closer to her.

Amina's heart fluttered at his words, a warmth spreading through her chest as she looked up at him with a soft smile. "I'll hold you to that," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper as she brushed her lips against his in a tender kiss.

---

Huttese translations:

Hi chuba da naga? - What do you want?

Kava che copah? - How much for that item?

Jujumon - 100 basic

Make-cheesay. - I can't make exceptions

Mi stuka mo gootu nooma na junkee Watto. - I've seen better in Watto's junkyard.

tags: @callsign-denmark

#FINALLY!!#took them long enough #only 8 chapters but who's counting??#tbb hunter #tbb hunter x oc #tbb hunter x reader #tbb hunter x you #hunter tbb x oc #the bad batch #the bad batch fanfiction #sergeant hunter x oc #sergeant hunter x reader #tbb hunter x amina skywalker

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