#wookiee gungi

[darth-kote]

Personally a big fan of Omega for her empathy. I, too, wish to save everyone.

[jswahaarts]

“Whhggrrrrhh! Wrrrgghrraaa!”

“Really?? Huh! Sounds like you’ve been keeping busy!”

“Wghhrrrr!"

~

Bg is from The Bad Batch !!

[queen-daya]

Hunter Being Omega’s Dad -> Tribe (1/2)

[talesfrommedinastation]

My redneck neighbor Doug on 'Tribe'

When not turning his home into a giant light hazard for Jesus's Birthday or getting into yelling fights in the alley with Bobby Lee (another redneck neighbor who is a DIE HARD 'Bama fan) about SEC football, Doug's been randomly texting me things about the Jedi.

I'll update y'all on that soon enough. (Plo Koon = Sexy Shrimp Daddy?!)

Meanwhile, here is his review of his favorite episode of Season 2 of The Bad Batch...TRIBE, or as Doug calls it 'Chewbacca Junior and the Weed Business'.

Yes, a random fetch quest one in which Clone Force 99 helps out a random Wookiee kid. His favorite. Don't ask.

Need a Doug refresher? Check it out under Doug Talks Star Wars here.

TW: Doug Doug's as is his Doug-like wont. Hold onto your butts. A little calmer since Daddy Warcrimes is MIA in this one.

-----------------------------------------------------------

So we got Daddy Rambo and the gang making counterfeit licenses for underage drinkers or whatever. You gotta do what you gotta do, I guess, and Daddy Rambo will do a lot of things, but obtaining gainful employment ain’t one of them. 

Ryan-from-Accounting is smug as hell about his counterfeiting operation. You’re so smart, Ryan-from-Accounting, why don’t you go to law school and start practicing corporate licensing? At least you can get equity there, ya dingaling.

And Little Orphan Blondie runs away because she’s embarrassed to be seen around them. I get it, kid.

Woah, it’s Chewbacca Junior! Are the lizard and robot people trying to sell him to the circus or something? Oh, he’s a Jedi?! When did this happen, this is awesome! I loved Chewbacca! I love Wookiees! AWESOME!!!

And Little Orphan Blondie is protecting him, go Little Orphan Blondie, go! 

I hope they adopt Chewbacca Junior and get him a collar and a nice bed on the floor of the HMS Search Warrant. They need a pet. Little Orphan Blondie can brush him and put bows in his hair! Do you think he uses a litter box?

They’re taking him home, and look! Little Orphan Blondie is giving him her Lunchables. I’m proud of the Dad Batch, they’re teaching Little Orphan Blondie good morals. Oh, poor wee Chewbacca Junior, he has no family and when he talks it sounds like Jimmers when he’s treed a squirrel*.

But Ryan-from-Accounting can understand him! Ya know, I wonder if his helmet can translate Bitch and that’s how Ryan-from-Accounting talks to his Bitch Wife Laura. 

It would be awesome if they adopt Chewbacca Junior and he attacks people with his lightsaber. He’s like a pet version of an MR-15! Imagine the DAMAGE his furry ass would do on the battlefield! 

Ooh, they made it to Wookieeland! Ya know, it always reminded me of where Jenny and I used to camp in northern California. I wonder if there’s a brewery nearby? I bet Toaster Strudel needs to throw back, that man needs a beer and a restraining order from Daddy Rambo. 

Oh SHIT, looks like the bugs from Klendathu made their way down to Wookieeland. Somebody call the Starship Troopers! Oh, wait, they can talk to those things like Dougie Houser did? Woah. Neat. 

Looks like the Empire found the Wookiee weed farm and torched it. Poor Wookiees, they’re just trying to make an honest living growing herb. Leave ‘em alone!

Which planet makes meth, my money’s on Tatooine, it looks like New Mexico and that place is meth Disneyland, there was a whole TV show about it. 

(Above is...Tatooine?! - Dr Meat Muffin)

Oh man it’s Houma-BBQ-Bitch’s shitty brothers and they’re burning the whole weed operation to the ground. Guess they work for the DEA.

Kick their asses, Wookiees! Now they want Chewbacca Junior, but the Dad Batch is saying FUCK YOU! 

Go Dad Batch go! Fire ‘em up! Destroy the tanks! GO JULIO GO! It’s like Apocalypse Now with Bigfoot!

More Wookiees! And they’re riding giant monkey-cats! AWESOME. Man, I feel stoned just watching this episode. Why can't I stop giggling.

Granny Wookiee says come on in and have some weed! Oh, shit, are they doing ayahuasca? Toaster Strudel ain’t having it, but Julio’s down. Julio’s down for anything, he’s probably gonna stick around, use his pipe laying skills, and get some free ganga out of the deal. Man, we all need a Julio in our life. Love him. 

Oh, poor Chewbacca Junior can’t find a home. Come on, Granny Wookiee, just let him crash with you guys! He can clip weed on the side, he’s got that lightsaber, let ‘em have it. But first, let’s talk to the trees! Did they take mushrooms before this scene, Jesus Christ this really does take place in Humboldt County, doesn’t it.

Ah, nevermind, the gators that run the DEA are here. With Stormtroopers. Oh shit, are the gators wearing Wookiee pelts while fighting Wookiees? That’s some Silence of the Lambs shit right there.

Welp, time for fire fights, Smokey the Bear does not approve of this episode, especially as one of the lizard men chases Chewbacca Junior and Little Orphan Blondie into the woods with a flamethrower. 

Oh shit, there are the bugs! Shit, am I actually cheering on the bugs from Starship Troopers? What is going on here, I’m so confused. Whelp, they’re eating Houma-BBQ-Bitch’s brother, good for them.

Back to Granny Wookiee’s Pot Palace, where Toaster Strudel and Julio throw back her questionable moonshine and smile at each other. If they end up with Wookiee girlfriends, it will be weird, but I will be happy for them. 

And Little Orphan Blondie and Chewbacca Junior are talking to the trees, again. Just watching this episode makes me wanna go back to Electric Forest. Except I don’t think Oceana County has wookiees, but it does have crazy people in the woods I guess. 

*=Jimmers is Doug’s extremely handsome poodle mix dog. His full name is Jimmers Jimothy Jimerson III and they found him as a stray when he was eating trash behind a bowling alley in Nacogdoches. 

Where my Doug fans at? @amalthiaph @eyecandyeoz @merkitty49 @sued134 are the biggest, but let me know if ya wanna be tagged in the next installment!

[tlmtwelve]

June 29, 2024: Gungi

[reyturnofbensolo]

😍❣️Wonder if any of the other kids survived???

[angela-art13]

Quick screencap redraw of Gungi 💚

This episode was so far my favorite from S2!

[notgonnaedit]

Healer's Care

Tribe

Summary: Eight months after the destruction of Tipoca City, and the Bad Batch are starting to question where they truly belong

Pairing: Bad Batch x Teen!OFC (clones being good brothers/dads)

Chapter summary: A job for Cid turns into a Wookie side quest

Warnings: Canon-typical violence, forest fires, deforestation, creepy spider things, (If I miss a tag LMK)

Masterlist

Tags: @hugmekenobi @nottwonerdy777

@dreamsight73 @delicioustacocollector

@covert1ntrovert @clonethirstingisreal

The ramp hissed as it lowered, allowing the Batch to exit the Marauder's confines into the shady space port.

"Cid said the Vanguard Axis is notorious for illegal smuggling," Hunter informed them. "So be ready for anything. We'll make the delivery. Echo, Omega, Althea. Guard the ship."

The medic nodded, watching as her squad walked off to deliver the forged chain codes. Omega settled on the ramp, resting her elbows on her knees. Althea leaned against the door, folding her arms as she scanned their surroundings.

"There's something off about this place," She murmured.

"I don't like it," Omega added.

Echo nodded. "Yeah, me neither. But we're not staying for long," He turned and walked up the ramp. "I'll prep the ship."

After the ARC entered the ship, a sound reached Althea's ears. She furrowed her brow. It sounded like a shout, followed by two thuds. ​​​​​​

She stood up straight, walking down a few steps.

"You hear it too?" Omega asked as she stood.

Althea grabbed her blaster made her way down to the end of the ramp. "Stay close."

The two of them made their way through the space port, following the sound of the shouts. They came to an area with shipping crates in orderly stacks everywhere, but that wasn't the center of their attention.

A Wookiee –A young one it seemed– was being electrocuted by two guard droids.

"Stop!" Omega demanded. "You're hurting him!"

Both girls raised their weapons.

"Halt, humanoid," One of the droids ordered. "Do not interfere with Vanguard Axis business."

"No!" Althea blasted one droid in the head.

The Wookiee quickly took advantage of this and jumped on the other's back, grabbing it's electo-staff and stabbing it.

Omega deactivated her bow. "More are coming. Hurry!"

Althea, Omega, and the Wookiee ran through the maze of stacks. Twisting and turning as they avoided more droids.

When they finally made it out, the Wookie ran the opposite direction they needed to go.

"Not that way," Althea said as the Wookiee began to dig through crates. "What are you doing?"

"You need to go before they find you," Omega warned.

"Omega, Thea," a familiar voice said. Echo walked up to them, helmet concealing his expression. "let's get back to the ship."

The Wookiee looked up at Echo and snarled.

"It's okay," Omega assured him. "He's a friend."

But the Wookiee payed no heed and ran off.

"Wait!" Althea called. She turned to Echo. "Those droids are after him. Come on!"

                        •°•°•°•°•°•°•

Hunter watched as the leader of the droids closed the case of chain codes– well, forged chain codes. So far, the mission was going well, even if that place didn't feel right.

The droid's comm beeped. It sounded with blaster fire and a modulated voice saying, "We have a situation."

The droid looked at Hunter, who cocked his helmeted head to the side. "Problem?"

It said nothing, merely walking past him and out of the office with a few other droids.

"The cause of that blaster fire is either Echo or the girls," said Tech. "Most likely the girls."

Just then, Hunter's own comm beeped. "Hunter, we need backup now," Echo demanded.

Hunter suppressed a sigh. So much for a smooth mission.

                          •°•°•°•°•°•

Echo, Althea, Omega, and the Wookiee took cover behind a crate as they fired at the droids.

"What sort of treachery is this?" Asked the leader.

"Stay back!" Omega ordered, her bow casting an intense light on her normally sweet face.

One of the droids went to fire, but a shot from behind stopped them.

Hunter, Wrecker, and Tech came out of the office, blasters ready.

"They're with us," Hunter warned, his voice low.

The leader regarded him. "I would advise you to take your soldiers and extricate yourselves from the situation."

"No!" Althea's held a firey glow. "They're going to hurt him."

The droid turned to her. "Oh, on the contrary. The Wookiee is a worth a great deal to our buyer alive."

"You can't smuggle living beings," Echo snapped.

"For the right price, I can do whatever I want."

Out of the corner of her eye, Althea saw the Wookie reach his hand out.

"Now stand down or be destroyed," The droid ordered.

Suddenly, a hilt hanging off of the droid's belt shot into the Wookiee's hand. In his grasp, it ignited into a green blade.

Althea stared in shock. The Wookie was a Jedi.

Blaster's fired everywhere, and the Wookie used his lightsaber with incredible skill.

Althea fired back, twisting and dodging in the fray. Hunter and Wrecker over turned a cart and used it to crush several droids.

"Get to the ship!" The tracker shouted.

The Wookie deactivated his blade. 

"Come on!" Althea shouted.

"Hurry!" Omega called.

In a rush of the battle, they made it to the ship, where Tech and Echo quickly flew away and into hyperspace.

                        •°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

Omega glanced to the back of the ship as she set her hat and bow down. The Wookiee was sitting there, his knees tucked to his chest and his head buried in them. "Why is he sitting back there alone?"

Hunter glanced back at him, turning in his chair. "Because he's scared. He's been through a lot."

Althea dug through her medical bag, fishing out gauze, bandages, and an old salve her mother made. There wasn't much left, but it would have to do. "Well, he still needs to eat."

She stood as Omega took a ration pack from Wrecker, carrying a canteen as they walked back to the Wookiee.

He groaned softly as the girls approached, curling further into himself.

"Here," Omega set the food down in front of him. "You look hungry."

Althea looked over him, her eyes finding a small gash in his furry arm. He followed her gaze, grunting softly.

"I need to patch you up," The medic told him. She held up her old salve. "I had a feeling you'd like this better than stim meds."

He nodded, a small smile on his face. But as Althea moved to apply the salve, he snarled. Surprised, the ebony haired girl looked back to see Hunter and Wrecker, their hands raised in surrender.

"What's wrong?" Omega asked.

"He doesn't trust us," Hunter told her remorsefully.

"Well," Tech started. "seeing how all the clones were given an order to execute the Jedi, he has good reason to be cautious."

"I'm sorry about what happened," Hunter told he young Jedi as he sat down. He spoke slowly, acknowledging the language barrier. "But we are not like other clones. We did not follow that order. And we don't work for the Empire either."

Althea nodded, a kind smile on her face. "Hunter's telling the truth. You don't have to be afraid of us. They're different. They helped me when I needed them."

Omega smiled softly. "It's okay. Eat," She pushed the tray and canteen a little closer.

The Wookiee took the tray and ate from it, no longer wary. Althea worked on his arm as Omega hopped up on a crate for a seat.

"I'm Omega," She introduced. "What's your name?"

The Wookiee growled, his tone much more friendlier than before.

Hunter hummed. "My Wookiee is a little rusty, but I think he says his name is Gungi."

Gungi growled again, and this time Hunter turned to Tech for help. "You catch that?"

The pilot's visor was down and littered with the translation. "He's been on the run since Order 66, and was attempting to reach the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk before he was captured by those smuggling droids."

Hunter looked back to the Wookiee. "I'm not sure how you survived this long on your own, but it's impressive."

Althea tied off the bandage and Gungi growled gratefully. "If he's trying to get to his homeworld, we can take him."

"It's been a while since we've been to Kashyyyk," Wrecker added.

Hunter furrowed his brow before standing up and walking into the doorway to see what Echo thought.

"The Empire could have outposts there by now," The ARC muttered. "We don't know if it's safe for him there."

Hunter sighed. "He's a Jedi. He's not safe anywhere."

                     •°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

Tech dropped the ship out of hyperspace as Wrecker opened a ration bar. He was about to take a bite when he noticed Gungi eyeing it hungrily. The demo man handed it to him, nodding kindly. Gungi took it and ate it in one bite.

"We're heading to a village we know of," Hunter told the Wookiee. "The Wookiees there should be able to help you."

"I've locked on to the coordinates," Echo said. "But I'm picking up heavy smoke and deforestation."

"Keep an eye out for Imperial outposts," Hunter warned. "Oh, and kid. Keep that laser sword hidden. It, uh, draws attention we don't want."

Althea snorted as she walked into the cockpit. "They're called lightsabers, Hunter," She snickered. "You're so old."

Hunter shook his head and folded his arms. "You remember that you're older than me, right, kiddo?"

The medic shrugged, still sniggering. "Laser sword. Heheheheh."

Tech brought the Marauder into the atmosphere, flying over the thick forests of Kashyyyk. He landed in a small clearing, and as the team stepped out, Althea found herself in the humid jungle. 

Gungi seemed incredibly interested, watching the wildlife intently as they walked.

"Do you remember anything about this planet?" Omega asked.

Gungi growled softly.

"What did he say?" Althea asked.

"From his dreams," Hunter translated.

They came to an area covered in large webs. They silky strands created a curtain blocking their path.

"Here," Wrecker grabbed his blade. "I'll take care of it." 

As he began to swing his knife, cutting down the webs, a creature emerged from the trees.

"Whoa!" The demo man stumbled back, grabbing his blaster to attack the clicking creature.

Gungi growled, putting his hand on Wrecker's arm.

"He says, 'They will not attack unless we pose a threat'." Tech told them.

Gungi reached out his hand and closed his eyes. The creature moved peacefully out of the way, allowing them to move on.

Althea marvelled at power Gungi held. She had only encountered the Jedi a few times in the war, but never had she seen something like this.

"According to my telemetry, the village is... straight ahead," Tech trailed off as they came to a cliff over looking the forest. Right where the village was supposed to be, smoke was billowing from the trees.

As they made their way to their destination, it became clear the village was destroyed. Whatever was left of the thatch and wood houses was replaced by ash and cinders. It felt all too familiar to Althea.

Hunter crouched, his hand running over the dirt. "Tanks came through here," 

Althea sighed, furrowing her brow. "The Empire incinerated the entire village."

Gungi walked to a smoldering house and fell to his knees.

"The Empire destroyed out home too," Omega told him. "Don't worry. We'll find your people." She helped him up with a kind hand.

A low rumble signaled the Batch to hide. They ran behind the smoldering home to find even more smoke climbing the skyline. They crouched low, avoiding detection as they tried to figure out if the Empire was there.

"What do you see?" Hunter asked Tech, who had pulled out his binocs.

"Trandoshans," The pilot answered. "And they have a Wookiee hostage."

"How did they get their hands on Imperial tanks?" Althea asked upon seeing the reptilians with the machinery.

One of the Trandoshans, probably the leader, shouted something. The tanks began to shoot fire at stones with carvings. The Wookiee hostage roared in protest.

Althea watched with sad eyes, but then she realized someone was missing. Gungi was gone.

"Hunter, Gungi," Althea pointed to the young Wookiee running into the fray.

They followed, finding their new friend fighting with his lightsaber. Omega and Althea joined him, fighting back to back to back.

Hunter disabled the tanks by fighting their drivers, and in no time, the Trandoshans we're defeated and the Wookiee was freed, seeing as he ran off into the jungle.

But the fire was still blazing.

"We need to stop the flames from spreading," Hunter said as he grabbed one of the Trandoshan's shovels. "Start digging."

                        •°•°•°•°•°•

It had been an hour and the fire had finally died out. Althea took a seat on a tank next to Gungi and Omega. The three sat there, taking in the shakey peace of a tired forest.

That's when they heard it. The trees rustlesd, putting everyone on guard.

"More Trandoshans?" Asked Tech.

Hunter listened. "No. Something bigger."

Just then, large felines hopped down from the trees with Wookiees on their back. Althea watched them as they lended their hands out. "I think they're offering us a ride," She guessed.

"I think so too, kiddo," Agreed Hunter.

                       •°•°•°•°•°•°•

When they reached the Wookiee village, the first thing Althea noticed was the large common house. 

Once the felines halted, the medic slid down from her place behind Tech, followed by the others.

An elder Wookiee came out of the house and greeted the former hostage. They put their heads together, closing their eyes in a type of greeting.

She then turned to them, her hooded shawl following her every movement. She growled in her native tongue.

"Her name is Yanna," Tech told them. "She appears to be leading them."

Hunter nodded to show his respect. "We are returning him to his homeworld," He and Wrecker moved to reveal Gungi standing behind them. "But he doesn't know what village he's from."

He approached the elder slowly, his soft eyes brimming with cautious excitement. Yanna looked up at him and held the back of his neck, lowering her head. Gungi looked around in confusion before realizing he was supposed to put his forehead to hers. 

When they pulled away, Yanna looked to Hunter and growled.

"We were soldiers of the Republic," The tracker answered as he took off his helmet. "But let's just say we don't see eye to eye with the Empire."

Yanna growled inquisitively.

"We came because Gungi was in trouble. Jedi or not, he's still a child. He needs his people."

                        •°•°•°•°•°•°•

Night had fallen on Kashyyyk and the Batch settled into the common house. The Wookiee hostage, who's name they learned was Chori, dipped a wooden cup into a bowl full of green stew and drank.

Echo scrunched his nose, waving his hand when Chori offered him some. "Uh.... No thanks."

"You don't know what you're missing," Wrecker declared. He took the entire bowl and drank from it.

Chori chuckled at the demo man as Gungi looked between the two curiously.

Althea sat by the wall, digging through her bag of medicine. She huffed in frustration when she saw she was running low on her herbs and salves.

"Yanna's agreed to let Gungi stay with them," Omega announced as she, Hunter, Tech and Yanna entered the room.

"What about the Trandoshans?" Althea asked as she walked over to join the conversation.

"The Empire's been using them to strip the planet's resources," Hunter told her as he took a seat at the table. "Many of the villagers have fled deeper into the jungle."

"Yanna's scouts are reporting a large convoy headed in this direction," Tech said. "She says to leave."

"Hunter," Echo started. "the Wookiees have been our allies for years. We have to do something."

Gungi growled in agreement.

"We'll stay and help you fight them," Hunter looked directly at Yanna.

She growled in a tone Althea couldn't place.

Hunter furrowed his brow. "You don't have to do this alone."

Gungi growled and Yanna answered. She tapped her staff on the floor and walked outside. Chori and the other Wookiee warriors followed her, and Gungi after some confusion.

The Batch walked to the doorway to watch them. They went to the roots of one of the many trees in the jungle and places their hands on them. Gungi mimicked them. Then they kneeled and closed their eyes. Gungi did that too.

"What are they doing?" Althea whispered.

"They're asking the trees for help," Hunter told her.

"They're talking to the trees?" Omega asked.

Tech nodded. "They believe this planet belongs to the trees. And they are allies in this fight."

"We'll take all the allies we can get," Hunter hummed.

Althea glanced at him. She was surprised to see how quickly he volunteered to help the Wookiees, especially since it was the Empire after them.

What had changed?

"I'll go keep watch," Echo said. He and Wrecker moved to the other side of the house porch.

Althea looked up at Hunter. "So, why are you so eager to help the Wookiees?"

"What do you mean?" The tracker asked.

"Usually you want to avoid the Empire, but you're rushing head on this time."

Hunter looked over at her, his expression unreadable. He sighed softly. "I had a friend back in the war who was a Wookiee. He was the one who taught me their language."

"Where is he?" Omega asked. 

Hunter shrugged. "Don't know. But it wouldn't be right to let his people suffer. Not when I could help."

"Not when we can help," Althea corrected with a determined expression.

A corners of Hunter's lips tugged upwards as he nodded to her.

Footsteps sounded from around the bend. Echo and Wrecker came running to them. "The Trandoshan convoy's closing in," Echo warned.

Just then, the Wookiees stood from the tree roots. Gungi ran over and growled eagerly.

Hunter raised a brow. "The trees have a plan?" He shrugged, slipping on his helmet. "Alright... Whatever they say."

                      •°•°•°•°•°•°•

The Imperial troops making their way through the jungle was the only sound. The leaves crunched under their feet, and sticks broke under the weight of the tank.

BOOM!

An explosion directly under the tank sent the troops in disaray. From the bushes, the Batch and the Wookiees lept to join the fray. Althea blasted the Trandoshans, fighting with Omega.

"Stick to the plan," Hunter ordered. "Draw them into the nest!"

Althea nodded, backing up slowly but surely into the jungle. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gungi and a Trandoshan run into the trees. Omega did too.

Together, the girls chased after them, knowing they needed to help their friend.

They found Gungi in a tree, watching as the spider creatures took the Trandoshan away as he screamed.

"Gungi!" Althea called him down.

The Jedi landed at their feet, nodding to them before the flames could swallow them. They ran back to the others. Hunter and Echo were waiting for them.

"The fire!" Omega panted. "It's spreading too fast!"

Hunter pressed his fingers to his helmet. "Tech, gather all the Wookiees."

                      •°•°•°•°•°•°•

It was morning before the fire was put out, and everyone was exhausted. In the common house, the Batch rested.

"You know, I could get used to this," Wrecker remarked as he drank the soup.

Echo took a small sip, trying it out. A small smile graced his face. "Hmm. Not bad," He hummed.

Yanna looked outside to see Hunter standing in the doorway. She took the bundle she readied and walked out. 

Tech stood and grabbed his helmet to translate if needed.

Hunter was leaning against the outer wall, his steel brown eyes gazing at the sight before him.

Omega, Althea, and Gungi kneeled at the base of a tree, their eyes closed in concentration.

"They're just kids," Hunter said sadly as Yanna walked out. "But they don't get to be. Not in this galaxy."

Yanna growled, and Tech slid down his visor. " 'When a young one leaves, the trees weep. But when they return, the trees sing. As this child found his new home, perhaps, one day, we all will find a new path'."

Hunter let out a sigh. "Hopefully..." He breathed. "One far away from war."

Yanna growled, and this time Hunter could catch what she was saying. She held out the small bundle in her hands, earning a small smile from the tracker.

He took the bundle. "I'm sure she'll love these," His gaze drifted back to the medic as he held the medicinal herbs. "They'll make her happier than you know."​​​​​​​

Previous

Next

[jswahaarts]

Life Day 2024 - Gungi

——————

Summary: Gungi’s first Life Day post TBB season 2, episode 6, “Tribe”.

Word Count: 1,182

Author’s Note: get this kid some wookiee-ookiees and a juice box STAT!!

——————

“Wait— Life Day Celebration??” the young Jedi, Gungi, exclaimed. “TONIGHT??”

“Why, of course, dear,” Yanna, the elder of the village, answered with a warm smile. Although, her gaze didn’t meet his. Her eyes were, instead, focused on the vibrant red Life Day robe that sat on top of her lap. She had been working on stitching it up all morning. By the looks of it, it seemed like she was nearly done, too. “You didn’t forget, did you? Oh, I would have thought a cub your age would’ve been counting down the days since the start of the season…” She chuckled lightheartedly.

Gungi furrowed his brows. He opened his mouth, attempting to say something more, but, just as soon as he opened it, he hesitated, closing it again. For a moment, he stood still, wondering if he should even say anything at all. In the silence, Yanna pulled her gaze away from her stitching, shooting a quick glance at the boy, only to be met with something she’s never seen before on a cubs face during Life Day… a face full of concern. Fear.

“Gungi?” Came her voice again, making Gungi flinch as the old wookiee looked at him with kind, but concerned eyes. “Is everything alright, dear?”

Gungi swallowed, “Oh! Uh… y-yeah! Yeah, I’m alright, Elder, really!” He tried to wave nonchalantly. “I’m sorry, I just… y’know, I didn’t get much sleep last night, I was just so excited and-“

“Gungi.” Came Yanna’s voice again, “I know that tone… you’re not telling me the truth.” She said, making Gungi’s heart skip a beat. Dank farrik, she read him like a holo-book. “Please, tell me, what’s REALLY troubling you, dear…”

Gungi was silent for a few more seconds… holding his breath as the Elder’s fixed gaze penetrated through him… It didn’t take long before it finally broke him, as he sighed in defeat.

“Well… I-I don’t know it’s just…- is…” Gungi hesitated. Elder Yanna’s brows furrowed as she attempted to listen, “Is… holding Life Day now really a good idea…?” Gungi finally asked with a cringe.

“Is… celebrating Life Day a good idea?” She repeated, confused. “Gungi, where is this coming from?” She asked.

Gungi hesitated with his response, rubbing his hands together, nervously, “It’s just…” He started. “I don’t know what if…” He swallowed, “What if The Empire comes back here today?”

“Oh, Gungi…” Yanna frowned.

“I know! I know we talked about this, b-but we can’t just drop our guard, right? What if something DOES happen??“

“Gungi, dear, The Empire’s long gone from here, you know that-”

“But you DON’T know that!”

“Gungi…”

“Just because they have’nt come back NOW doesn’t mean they won’t come back EVER! We’re all vulnerable! W-what if they launch an ambush in the middle of the celebration?? What if they try to burn the village down again?? W-what if—?!”

“Gungi!” Yanna spoke sternly, taking Gungi by the shoulders. Gungi flinched, his breath shaky as he starred back at the Elder, her eyes worried as she stared at the trembling cub.

“Breathe…” She whispered.

Gungi swallowed again as he nodded quickly, closing his eyes, remembering the breathing techniques he had been taught by Elder Yanna and the other wookiees of the village. Good for tranquility and stress, he remembered her saying. So slowly… he began breathing in… and then out. In… and then out. In… and then out. In… and then… out.

As he breathed, Gungi began to feel his nerves settle. The worry, the fear—though, not all of it— beginning to leave his body.

“That’s it…” Came Elder Yanna’s voice again as Gungi opened his eyes. “How do you feel?”

“U-uhm….” He swallowed. “A little better…”

“Good…” She smiled, taking a seat in her wooden chair once again. “Come. Sit…” She said, gesturing with a hand. Gungi looked around… there wasn’t any real place for him to sit, really, so… he instead opted to sit on the floor, crossing his legs in front of the Elder.

“Now, Gungi… Do you remember what we talked about in our sessions?” Started Yanna.

“Yes, Elder…”

“And, what did we discuss?”

“That… The Empire won’t come back to the village.”

“That’s right…” Yanna nodded.

“But… Elder, are… you’re sure…?” Gungi asked again, hesitantly. “I know you keep telling me you are but I-I don’t know… I… I just—“ He sighed wearily. “How can I be sure that you’re right?”

Yanna sighed sadly. She honestly couldn’t blame the poor boy for feeling such paranoia. Especially considering what he’s been through at such a young age. He’s lost so much and has been through so much hell, that he was just so afraid of losing it all and falling back in. Into a life where he was constantly on the run, on-edge and fighting just to survive. Just to exist. But she wasn’t going to let that happen to him again. Never again.

“Gungi…” Yanna spoke, taking the boys hands. “The truth is… I, myself, don’t even know if I’m right…” She started, making Gungi look up at her in surprise. “Nobody really knows. It’s like you said; The Empire could come back any day now; days, weeks, months… maybe years. But… the way I see it, we can choose to let our fears of them control us, or we keep living. For ourselves. For the ones we love. And for the ones we lost…” She said, squeezing his hands gently. “And if the day ever comes where they come back… we fight. Fight like hell. But, today, I can say this; Today… the Empire isn’t coming back. The scouts have reported no Imperial activity outside the village. There’s no troops, no trandoshans, no weapons, no fires, no ambush planned at all… it’s just as peaceful as the day when our village claimed victory over them the first time. We’re safe.”

Gungi was silent as he looked back down at Yanna’s hands, holding his.

“But enough about the Empire. Today, they mean nothing. Today… is a day of peace, life, and harmony, and rest… And I think we all deserve that today… wouldn’t you agree?”

Gungi nodded along as Yanna spoke… letting her words sink in. Perhaps she was right. No. She WAS right. 100%. The Empire can try like hell to take everything from them. Their land, their people. But he was going to keep fighting. Keep living. For himself, for the village and for everyone he lost. And there’s not a damn thing they can do about it. Besides… at least for today, he did earn the right to relax. To be a kid for once.

“Now…” Yanna said, pulling her hands away from Gungi, picking up a finished Life Day robe from her lap. “I believe we have a ceremony to attend to…” She smiled, handing it over to Gungi. His eyes lit up like stars seeing it. It was just his size, too.

“Well, go on, try it on.” Yanna chuckled.

“Yes, Elder!” Gungi beamed, “Thank you, Elder!” He said, giving a quick hug to the old wookiee, before darting away to try on his new robe for this years Life Day celebration.

[queen-daya]

Hunter Being Omega’s Dad -> Tribe (2/2)

[sillyromantic4ever]

Chapter XXIX: "Ignition" from Beneath the Armor, Volume I

FINAL CHAPTER OF VOL. I

Excerpt: "The heat coating her accent is mesmerizing. She shifts on the ground and re-arranges her legs, folding them on her other side. Her movement causes his eyes to drop, and he observes how her tanned legs, long dried from the fire’s warmth, appear exceptionally smooth. When he raises his gaze, he sees that the front of her black robe has parted a little more, revealing a few extra centimeters of precious cleavage. His mouth begins to feel parched, and he cannot tear his eyes away from her flawless complexion. How long has it been since he has seen this much skin on an attractive female?

"A long time.

"Too long, his primal needs agree in a deep growl that resonates throughout his body."

Read here: Beneath the Armor, Vol. I - Chapter 30 - SillyRomantic4Ever - The Mandalorian (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

[zima74824]

Zima : GUNGI!!! I’ve missed you so much!

Tech : you know the Wookiee?

Zima : yeah one of my friends trained him as a padawan glad to know some other Jedi’s survived Order 66 matter of fact there’s another Wookiee that I’m close with but he’s not a Jedi I’m sorry about kashyyk gungi….I know the feeling of a home being destroyed….all too well…..

[mac-darf]

Yoda: "Luke, when gone am I... the last of the Jedi will you be...except for Ahsoka Tano, Ezra Bridger, Cal Kestis, Cere Junda, Grogu, Gungi (the Wookiee Jedi), Reva, Quinlan Vos, Glupp Shitto and many other fan favorite characters."

[kaminocasey]

Wherever You End Up

WC: 1.4K

WARNINGS: MINORS DNI; ANGST

Pairing: Echo x GN!Reader

A/N: DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN EPISODE 8, PLEASE!!!

Summary: It's not a goodbye. It's a see you later.

“Palpatine was one step ahead of us during the war, and he’s still several steps ahead of us.” Rex looks between you, the Batch, and Senator Chuchi. “We played right into his hands.”

It’s been a long couple of days. Between trying to help Rex and get the proof of Rampart’s involvement in the downfall of Kamino, you’re running on a lack of sleep. You keep looking at your partner, Echo but he won’t meet your eyes. He’s been quiet since you got back to the Martez’s garage. 

“I don’t understand.” Omega speaks up. “We did the right thing. We told the truth.”

Hunter looks down at her. “And he twisted it to his advantage.”

“The Emperor wanted us to implicate Rampart to get what he was after all along.” Rex fumes. “Senate approval for his stormtrooper program.” “The fate of all clones is now sealed… because of us.” Echo looks at Rex and you can practically feel the regret radiating off of his body. “What’s gonna happen to them?”

Echo’s been done for a while now. You know there’s more that he wants to do. You keep thinking that one day you’re gonna wake up and he’s going to be gone so that he can join this new “rebellion” with Rex. You’re completely torn because… you want him to be happy. But now, you think that maybe he’ll only be happy if he’s out there, still fighting. Or at least helping people. When you helped Gungi, the Jedi Wookiee child, you saw a spark in Echo’s eyes that had been missing for a while. A spark that wasn’t even there when the two of you lay in bed together at night. 

It hurts, but you get it.

“I don’t know.” Senator Chuchi sighs. “But I will keep fighting for the clones. You all deserve the same rights as every citizen.”

She leans down toward Omega, with promise in her eyes. “I won’t give up.”

Omega nods and the senator stands back up, looking at all of you. You admired her. She was standing up for what’s right and not backing down out of fear like the Emperor wants and expects out of this new “Empire”. 

“If you need anything Rex, just say the word.” Hunter looks at the captain and then nods at Senator Chuchi. “Senator.”

Echo steps forward, looking between you and Hunter. You get a weird feeling in your stomach and you furrow your brows in confusion as you look at Echo. What’s going on?

“Wherever you end up, remember what I said.” Hunter pats Echo on the shoulder and starts to head back to the Marauder. 

“Don’t get in trouble without us.” Wrecker

“Without us?” Omega asks, looking up at Echo, confused.

Oh… You understand now. And your heart still breaks into a million pieces. 

“Best of luck, Echo.” Tech nods with a smile and then heads back to the Marauder with Hunter and Echo. 

“Luck with what?” Omega asks.

You don’t know what to say. The lump in your throat is making it difficult to speak anyway. But Echo finally looks at you, into your eyes once before looking down at Omega.

“I’m going with Rex.” Echo tells her. 

You can tell he’s firm in this decision. This decision he’s made without you… 

Omega looks up at Rex and he nods slightly, his eyes full of respect for the young girl. 

“The clones will need our help now more than ever.” Echo tells her. “I can’t turn my back on them.”

Even though he’s kind of turning his back on you… sort of. You know it’s more complicated than that. But still, the ache starting to form in your chest is about to become unavoidable. 

“You… You can’t leave.” Omega starts to look to you for help, but you’re still not able to form words. “We’re- We’re a squad.” 

“Omega… this is something I have to do.” Echo sighs. “I’m going where I’m needed.” “But… we need you, too.” Omega’s eyes start to tear up and your heart shatters even more as you place a hand on her shoulder.

She’s been through so much. And the fact that Echo is blindsiding her with this really upsets you. Hunter apparently knew. Wrecker and Tech seemed to be fine with it. Did they really not think to let Omega know so she’d be better prepared? 

Echo kneels down on the ground, sitting his helmet down and putting a hand on her other shoulder and she closes her eyes for a moment. 

“It’s not forever.” Echo promises her. “I’ll be back.”

“Will you?” You finally speak up. 

“Of course I will.” Echo looks up at you and finally, the tears slip past your lids and down your cheeks. He looks back at Omega. “Keep up with your training while I’m gone, huh? Understood?”

Omega slightly nods, launching herself into his arms, wrapping her own around his neck. He looks up at you with surprise at such an action. Like, maybe he wasn’t expecting her to be so attached to him. Even after all this time. He wraps his arms around her one last time and you look over at Rex and the senator, who now have decided is the time to step away for a moment. 

“Yes, sir.” Omega wipes her tears as she pulls away. 

“Keep an eye on them.” Echo nods in the direction of the Batch and she nods. 

He stands up with his helmet and tosses it to Rex before Rex walks away. Omega runs back to the Marauder but stops one last time to glance at Echo again before climbing aboard where Hunter pats her on the shoulder. You look up at Hunter and he nods to you that they’ll wait. 

When you turn back around, you find Echo staring at you, cautiously.

“A heads up would have been nice…” You murmur. 

“I thought maybe you’d try to talk me out of it.” He looks down. 

You run your hands down your face, exhaustion starting to settle in your bones. 

“We’re partners… we’re supposed to make decisions together… Right?” You clench your fists at your sides, not sure what to do with them. “I’d never try to talk you out of doing the right thing. But I’m glad to know the thought never occurred to you to ask me to come with you.”

You’re so angry at him. You understand. But Maker, you’re so angry… and heartbroken. 

“Of course the thought occurred to me.” He looks back at you. “I just know that your answer would’ve been no.” 

Would it have been? Would you really have told him no? Would you have been able to leave this little family you’ve found? You suppose you may never know now. 

“I know you. You need them as much as they need you.” Echo takes your hand.

The urge to bitterly pull it away is strong but you don’t. How many more times in this lifetime will you get to hold his hand? He said he’ll be back one day… but the future is always uncertain.

“I love you.” He tells you, pulling you into his arms and kissing you on the head.

“I know.” You whisper, tears still falling. “I love you, too.”

“I know.” He rests his forehead against yours one last time. “We can still comm each other whenever, you know.” 

The thought honestly hadn’t occurred to you. You supposed that’s true. 

“Long distance never works out and you know it.” You laugh, softly, wiping your tears.

“We can make it work.” He nods, cupping your face, pulling your eyes in level with his so he can look into your eyes one last time.

You crush your lips to his, pulling yourself against him desperately, as a goodbye and he squeezes you to himself, as if he’s trying to make sure his body remembers yours against his. You know that yours will. 

“I swear to the Maker, Echo… if you get yourself hurt or worse… I won’t forgive you.” You try to make a serious face.

“I fell in the water one time and now I’m never gonna live that down, am I?” He rolls his eyes, amused.

You shake your head. “Never. Fives would be so proud of me.” 

He laughs, nodding his head in agreement.

“Fives would be proud of you.” You sigh, coming to terms with this decision of his.

He needs to do this. For all of his fallen brothers. For the Domino Squad. For the 501st. For Fives. He needs to do this. And you’ll support him, no matter how hard it hurts, no matter where he ends up.

TAGS: @twistedstitcher27 @rebel-finn @grievouus @madameminor @dumfanting @rain-on-kamino @corona-one @tecker @ladykatakuri @brynhildrmimi @the-sith-in-the-sky-with-diamond @zoeykallus @maulslittlemeowmeow @littlemousedroid @arctrooper69 @rexxdjarin @agenteliix @padawancat97 @hated-by-me @sleepingsun501 @quigonswife8 @idlenesses @redheadgirl @dnxgma @themcuwriter @ashotofspotchka @sunshinesdaydream @crosshairsimp73 @ariadnes-red-thread @rosmariner @heyitsaloy @starstofillmydream @high-ct5555 @echos-girlfriend @sleepywych @nekotaetae @justanothersadperson93 @brownstalebread @aconstructofamind @book-of-baba-fett @chopper-base @palliateclaws @501st-rexster @dead-poolz @nahoney22 @where-is-my-mind-tho @jediknightjana @erishimoon @witching3

[moonstrider9904]

Coruscant

Chapter 9 of Moonwalker: The Flame

{series masterlist} {next chapter} {previous chapter}

{crossposted to Wattpad - coming soon} {crossposted to AO3}

Summary: Sarah goes undercover to aid Riyo Chuchi on Coruscant, but in doing so, she is faced by her most unspeakable fears.

Tags/Warnings: Mature. Canon-typical violence, death, threats, force-choking, implied sex, language.

Word count: 7.7k

Songs: The Gem Sea Giant

Sarah sat back on one of the passenger seats of the Marauder with her eyes closed. The absence of light made it easier for her to focus on the sounds around her, from the whirring of the Marauder’s engines in hyperspace to the subtle chatter between Tech and Wrecker coming from the cockpit. She couldn’t quite make out what they were saying, but the tones of their voices were constant and relatively calm despite the fact that they were headed towards Coruscant.

It had been a long time since any of them had been to Coruscant.

A sudden laugh emerging from Wrecker prompted Sarah to open her eyes, and when she did, she noticed Echo sitting across from her. His arms were crossed and his gaze was gracefully set on a point on the floor, oblivious to the fact that Sarah was looking at him. She stared at him, wondering what could possibly be going through his mind, and for a moment, she felt remorse. She’d been through a lot those recent months, and she wouldn’t deny it, but she couldn’t help but feel for a moment that she’d become detached from Echo.

That was when Echo felt her gaze on him, and he looked up. His brown eyes looked tired on his pale skin, and Sarah could swear that the bags under his eyes were somehow heavier. Sarah’s eyebrows furrowed in worry, but in return, Echo directed a soft smile at her as if he wanted to dismiss any of her concerns. It wouldn’t work.

“What’s with you?” Sarah asked him.

With that same gentle smile, Echo shook his head. “Just thinking. This mission Rex is asking us to help him with… it seems a hell of a lot bigger than anything we’ve done in the past few months.”

Sarah’s gaze absently wandered to the floor as she quickly recalled the events of the past months, and she was inclined to agree. Save for helping out Gungi and the Wookiees on Kashyyyk, and her own internal endeavors, Echo was absolutely right. Everything else they’d been focusing on for the past months paled in comparison to Rex’s efforts. It made his work seem like the front lines while the batch were on mere guard duty.

“Yeah, I get what you mean,” Sarah obliged.

Echo got up and walked across to take a seat next to Sarah, leaning back on the wall behind him and gazing up at the ceiling. “It’s better than being alone, I guess.”

“Echo, is there something on your mind?” Sarah asked gently.

Echo chuckled softly. “Yes.”

Fair answer. Sarah hadn’t asked him what was on his mind. And it wasn’t as if she hadn’t kept a secret from him throughout the past weeks. Enjoying his company, Sarah leaned back on the wall and gazed up at the ceiling much like Echo, and the two remained in silence until he finally broke the silence again, trusting in the confidence of his best friend.

“I was relieved when Rex’s transmission came in,” Echo confessed.

Sarah nodded slowly. “Yeah, boredom leads to insanity.”

“It’s not just the boredom,” Echo said. “Wherever Rex is involved, we know we’re gonna be doing something meaningful.”

The two sat up on their chairs and looked at each other. For a few moments, Sarah’s gaze traveled absently around Echo, deep in thought as she pondered on his previous words, reaching her own realization.

“I hate to break it to you,” Sarah began, “but so long as we’re mercenaries, our drive will always be the money at whatever cost.”

“Oh, I know,” Echo nodded, unamused.

Sarah chuckled. “I don’t like it either. It just seemed like the only choice after Kamino. It was the way to go.”

“But you want something more,” Echo prompted.

“Of course I do,” Sarah replied. “I want a home. I want my family together again.”

Echo nodded slowly and momentarily avoided her gaze at the realization that what they wanted was vastly different, and Sarah couldn’t help but observe his body language.

“That doesn’t mean I won’t keep fighting for now,” Sarah added.

Echo met her gaze again, silent. Sarah then leaned back on the wall again and softly sighed.

“You remember what Hunter told us when we joined them?” Sarah asked.

“Yeah,” Echo smiled briefly. “It was a different life back then.”

“And your path was different,” Sarah looked over at Echo. “The thing about paths is they can morph.”

Echo nodded, deep in thought. “I also remember what Rex told me. If that’s where you feel your place is…”

“Then that’s where you belong,” Sarah finished.

They made silent eye contact.

“That’s right,” Echo whispered.

Sarah smiled at him. “You were always the best of us, Echo.”

“Come on, the batch are crazy, but they’re all fine men,” Echo humbly declined.

“I don’t mean the batch,” Sarah stated. “I mean the GAR. The 501st.”

A sad smile appeared on Echo’s features as flashes of blue-painted armor and legions of clones marching raced through his mind, only for him to be brought back to his present life as a mercenary. His features then dropped, deep in thought.

“What would Fives have done in this life?” Echo asked.

“Honestly?” Sarah sat up with a chuckle. “Fives would be blazing through the galaxy, most likely with Rex. He’d despise the Empire more than anyone I currently know, but he’d use that to do good.”

Echo chuckled in return. “Yeah, he would.”

The two accompanied each other in silence until the Marauder exited hyperspace and Tech announced they were approaching Coruscant. Tech flew the Marauder into the planet’s atmosphere while everyone gathered in the cockpit and waited to land among the lower levels of Coruscant, seemingly far from the main complex of the city where the Senate and the Jedi temple were… or at least, the ruined Jedi temple.

The Marauder landed on a platform about halfway down one of the pits on the lower levels of Coruscant, and just as the engines were powering down, Sarah could see through the windshield that Rex’s figure was approaching the ship. She smiled at the sight and made her way down towards him with the others, lunging at Rex and giving him a big hug when she reached him.

“What happened to your hair?” Rex chuckled as he hugged Sarah back.

“Cut it,” Sarah giggled. “I kinda miss having it long, though.”

“Don’t, it looks nice,” Rex smiled serenely, letting Sarah go so that he could acknowledge the others. He first greeted Echo, and then Hunter, and as Rex finished greeting the entire squad, Sarah became aware of another person approaching them.

It was a young Pantoran woman who walked with an air of elegance. Her outfit was professional, and though she was clearly among the higher classes, nothing about her came across as opulent. Her long lavender hair was done upward, and the golden markings on her cheekbones contrasted with her rich blue skin; her eyes, large and round, held an unfathomable amount of wisdom for someone who would almost appear too young to hold whatever position she held, most likely a result of recent unfortunate events she’d had to witness.

“I’d like to present Senator Riyo Chuchi of Pantora,” Rex gestured at the woman as she stopped in front of the squad.

“Oh, we’ve been there!” Omega said excitedly.

Riyo looked over at Omega with a gentle smile, and then she greeted the others, demure with a hint of gratitude. Riyo’s gaze lingered on Sarah for a moment with a gentle curiosity, and her discreet smile widened subtly. Sarah felt it too. In other circumstances, Riyo would have been someone Sarah would want to befriend. She’d heard of Riyo many times from the clones and from Ahsoka back in her days in the army. It was nice to finally put a face on the name.

“Thank you for coming,” Riyo spoke. “If your reputation precedes you, we might have a chance against what’s going on here on Coruscant.”

“How can we help?” Echo asked.

Riyo’s gaze landed on Echo and she smiled softly, appreciative of his support.

“You’ll need context,” Riyo answered. “Please, follow us inside.”

Riyo turned around and led the way for the others to follow. Rex took notice of Omega following closely behind Sarah, and he hesitated, fumbling towards Sarah and Hunter and speaking in a hushed voice.

“Er…” Rex began. “I’m not sure what we’re about to show you is alright for Omega to see.”

Sarah and Hunter exchanged a wary look.

“What is it?” Sarah asked.

Rex leaned in and whispered the answer in Sarah’s ear, and she felt herself going pale.

“I’m not sure I want to see it,” Sarah admitted.

“You’ve seen worse in your day,” Rex assured her. “The kid, however, still has some innocence I’d like to salvage.”

“She can handle it,” Hunter affirmed. “She hasn’t exactly been shielded. Not like I didn’t try to.”

“Then come on,” Rex gestured.

Sarah fell to the back of the crowd and remained close to Tech as Rex and Riyo led them inside to what appeared to be a repair shop, and Sarah was doing fine until she saw the casket ominously placed on a large table. She stuttered in her footsteps—caskets and anything having to do with post-mortem were usually where she drew the line. Regardless, duty called.

Tech noticed her faltering. “Are you alright?”

She sighed. “Yeah. Just… hold me.”

Sarah clutched Tech’s forearm, and soon, everyone had circled around the casket only for Rex to reveal that the body inside had belonged to a clone, adding an evident tension to the air. In an attempt to leaven the weight of the sight in front of her, Sarah focused solely on Rex as she held tighter onto Tech, and Rex explained how they’d gotten there. He told the squad about Slip, about his discovery, about what he’d been doing and trying to achieve since the last time he and Clone Force 99 had met. When he finished, Riyo looked at the squad solemnly.

“Slip was taken out by this clone assassin not long after he came close to uncovering the truth about what happened on Kamino,” Riyo said. “And the assassin was after me as well.”

Echo sighed with disillusion evident in his features. “But how could a clone do such a thing?”

“Before he… died,” Rex began, his gaze faltering as he said the words, “this trooper spoke in a manner I’ve never heard another clone do so. That at any trace of identity, from his identifying number to any markings, were erased.”

“Erased?” Sarah asked.

“How is that possible?” Tech inquired.

“I don’t know,” Rex answered. “But all of these signs point to mind control, brainwashing, and we’re not even talking inhibitor chips here. This is far more sinister.”

Sarah broke through her fears and looked down at the casket, her thoughts pondering on the clone who lay inside it. She thought about this clone having begun in the army, fighting the cause he was bred for. He had brothers. He had a name, and a story behind that name, as all clones did. He was forced into serving the Empire, and then for some reason, he was plucked and put through some sort of training to turn him into a lethal masked assassin who would be capable even of killing his brethren. It was unthinkable.

Sarah looked up at Rex and Riyo. “What do you need us to do?”

Riyo stepped forward. “For starters, I need someone to testify to the Senate about what happened on Kamino.”

“We’ll do it,” Omega said. “We were there.”

“I can testify,” Echo proposed.

“That won’t be enough,” Hunter said. “You’re going to need proof. If the Senate and the Empire are already on the fence about clones, the testimony of a rogue group won’t sway them.”

“Which is where you actually come in,” Rex said. “Admiral Rampart is on planet, as is his Venator.”

“Rampart’s here?” Sarah let go of Tech and walked forward in front of the whole group. “Where?”

“In the Senate,” Riyo replied. “He’s representing the military forces for this bill.”

“What about his legion?” Sarah continued digging. “His squads, his elite soldiers, are they on the planet too?”

Riyo’s features softened in sympathy. “I have no way of knowing.”

“If we had seen Crosshair anywhere around here, you’d be the first to know,” Rex assured.

Sarah nodded, sighing her agitation away.

“If you can retrieve the command log from the Venator, then I can show it to the Senate,” Riyo said. “We’ll need it before sunrise tomorrow. I can keep Rampart occupied in the meantime, as well as try to sway some more of the senators toward our cause.”

“Let me go with you,” Sarah proposed. “Please.”

“I could use the help,” Riyo nodded.

“Can I come too?” Omega spoke up.

“No offense, Sarah, but you stick out way too much,” Wrecker intervened. “Maybe it should just be Omega and the senator in there.”

“I can get her a disguise,” Riyo said. “She’ll blend in perfectly. We just need to cover your marks, and I’m sure I have colored contacts somewhere.”

“That’ll be perfect,” Sarah agreed.

“Be careful, both of you,” Hunter instructed.

“Yeah, we’ll get what you need from the Venator, senator,” Wrecker added, and chuckled at the end. “Hey, that rhymed.”

Riyo chuckled at Wrecker, and the group scattered to prepare for their respective parts of the mission. Riyo, Omega, and Sarah disappeared deep into the repair shop, and when they returned to the landing platform, Omega wore a blue poncho over her attire and Sarah stole the spotlight. She was dressed in a burgundy gown with long sleeves that covered all the marks on her arms. The gown was discreet, but the color matched her to Riyo. Her hair was done in a low bun that covered any of the dark red strands that could have been exposed at the tips, and she wore a single golden brooch over the bun to further sell her status. On her face, Sarah wore foundation the tone of her skin to cover up all her markings, and her nebulous eyes were concealed by the gray contacts Riyo had available. The gray contrasted with her olive skin, and the full disguise made Sarah appear regal, as if she’d never fought a battle in her life. She drew every pair of eyes toward her as she made her way across the landing platform, and though Sarah was aware that she looked good, she couldn’t help but feel like a stray tooka with a diamond collar.

“Oh, she’ll blend in alright,” Echo said, and he directed his gaze at Riyo. “You did a great job with her.”

Riyo returned the smile. “That’s a relief.”

Sarah watched as Echo and Riyo’s gazes lingered on one another for a second too long until Riyo stammered and walked over to Rex to review final details of their plan to retrieve the command log. Echo watched as Riyo walked away, and when he turned to look at Sarah again, he noticed her temporarily gray eyes were already on him, and she wiggled her eyebrows at him.

Echo scoffed. “No one’s gonna believe you’re her handmaiden if you keep acting like a child. Omega’s being more mature than you, for crying out loud.”

“I didn’t say anything,” Sarah cooed.

“You implied it,” Echo growled.

“You were staring at her,” Sarah wiggled her brows again.

“I think there’s something on your face,” Echo stood up to Sarah.

Sarah giggled, and she finally stood down from her teasing, looking at Echo with slight worry. “Be careful out there.”

“You too,” Echo replied, saluting her with his scomp.

Echo walked back to the squad, and Sarah was then approached by Tech. He was fully armored and had his helmet on, and as usual, he stared directly at his datapad as he walked up to her. He stopped close to her, reaching out a free hand to take Sarah’s.

“Crosshair is not on planet,” Tech said.

“What?” Sarah asked. “How do you know that?”

“I tapped into the military logs,” Tech showed her his datapad’s screen and looked at her. “He hasn’t been on Coruscant for a long time.”

“Does it say where he went?” Sarah looked at it.

“I’m afraid not,” Tech replied. “His destination is classified. Only his commanding officer will know where he is.”

“Well then, if I run into Rampart, I’ll say hi,” Sarah nodded.

“Sarah…” Tech tugged at her hand.

“Yes?”

Through his goggles, Tech scanned Sarah from head to toe before finally landing on her gaze again, his eyes visibly softening.

“Take these imperial clearance codes, I forged them myself. They’ll help you get into the senate,” Tech said. “Remember our distress signal agreement.”

“I will,” she smiled and pressed herself close to him. “You be careful too.”

“Always am,” Tech rested a hand on her waist.

They held each other for a brief moment before letting go, and Sarah walked over to Riyo and Omega for them to depart. Tech made his way back to the rest of the squad, seemingly oblivious to the way Rex was staring at him as he walked by. Rex then faced Hunter, unable to hide his surprise.

“When did that happen?” Rex asked.

“Why don’t you ask him?” Hunter growled.

“Hunter is still not adjusted to the fact that Sarah and I are a couple,” Tech said, his eyes still glued to his datapad. “I do not hold it against him.”

“Well…” Rex stammered. “We should, uh… probably… get going?”

Wrecker chuckled, shoving Hunter playfully. “Tech totally stole your girl.”

Hunter glared up at Wrecker before putting his helmet on. “Shut up.”

“The very reason why Sarah and I concealed the truth for so long was to avoid this sort of immature conversation,” Tech said. “We have a very brief window of time to get Senator Chuchi the command log. Let’s not waste time.”

“Right,” Rex steered back into his role of leader. “Let’s go, boys.”

The clones put all other things aside and headed towards the imperial shipyard.

*

Being inside the Galactic Senate headquarters was an experience of its own, but Sarah found it far more enjoyable to listen to Omega’s numerous questions and the way Riyo gracefully answered each one of them. Hearing Riyo talk about the senate and what she was trying to achieve would really make one strive for a higher purpose despite what they were trying to do, and it dawned on Sarah that a sensation such as that one was rare when working as a mercenary or a pirate. She thought back to the conversation she had with Echo on the way to Coruscant, and she found herself understanding more. And although Sarah probably wouldn’t jump at the idea of being a senator—it wasn’t as if roaming around freely in imperial proximity was a good idea anyway—Sarah realized there were times when even she lost sight of what she wanted to accomplish.

It was just as Crosshair had once put it back on Kamino. Sarah and the others were merely drifting through the galaxy from mission to mission without a cause or a purpose. Sarah missed having something greater to drive her.

And when the three of them turned a corner and Sarah saw a familiar face, she was suddenly reminded of what that drive was.

“Ah, Senator Chuchi!”

Sarah despised that voice.

“Admiral Rampart,” Riyo acknowledged him, pulling to a halt when she was just in front of him with Sarah and Omega flanking her sides.

“I thought it best to let you know that I have begun preparations for tomorrow’s vote,” Rampart said. “Surely, you must understand that this bill is in the best interest of the galaxy. Is that not what we are all striving for?”

“Yes, the common and greater good should be what all senators and imperial representatives achieve,” Riyo masked her disgust with dignity. “Though I’m afraid that rushing the voting on the military bill will yield unforeseen results.”

“No need to worry, senator, it has all been revised and handled by only the best officials,” Rampart answered.

Sarah’s blood was boiling. He didn’t acknowledge her or even Omega, as if they weren’t even of importance to him. And his good natured speech was despicable; Sarah knew just how much of a monster he was, and without even trying to hide it, her repulsion towards Rampart bled into her eyes as she pierced into him with her gaze. It was only then that Rampart bothered to look in her direction just as he was finishing what he was saying. His gaze lingered on Sarah, and he didn’t retrieve it; his eyes seemed to harden only faintly at her, and when he smiled in acknowledgement, Sarah could feel the twisted intention behind her.

“Senator, you did not tell me you’d be accompanied,” Rampart commented.

“It’s not uncommon for senators to bring their staff along, admiral,” Riyo answered with professionalism. “Especially not on days with such long hours.”

“It’s a pity, otherwise, I may have brought some staff of my own,” Rampart continued to look at Sarah as he said it.

Sarah clenched her fists behind her. She knew exactly who he was talking about. Riyo must have felt the tension rise, and her hand glided over to Sarah’s shoulder, bringing her attention away from Rampart.

“Admiral, what would you say if my handmaiden were to escort you?” Riyo asked.

Sarah tried not to look too quickly at Riyo, but that was the last proposition she’d expected to come from her.

“Pardon me?” Rampart asked.

“You are still quite new to this, and my handmaiden knows the protocol,” Riyo said looking at Rampart, and then she faced Sarah. “I can finish the preparations on my end. The vote is coming up soon, and it wouldn’t be right for the senate’s guest to be wandering around such a large facility with no guidance.”

The new plan became so clear to Sarah that she wondered how she didn’t come up with it first. It was perfect. Sarah would keep Rampart occupied while Riyo and Omega did everything they had to do, and in the meantime, Sarah could do some digging of her own.

“Well, if it’s no major problem to you, senator, I would be delighted to accept,” Rampart looked at Sarah.

Riyo gazed over at Sarah too, but all the latter did was smirk over at Rampart.

“Of course,” Sarah said.

“Very well,” Riyo nodded at Sarah. “I’ll see you after the vote.”

Sarah bowed lightly in deference, and she stood still as Omega and Riyo began to walk away. The silence grew thick as Sarah was left alone with Rampart, and when Riyo and Omega were out of sight, her eyes landed on him again, unamused. When Rampart looked at her, he scoffed and brushed a tad of fuzz from his uniform.

“Well, miss, why don’t we go somewhere more comfortable while we wait for the vote?” Rampart held his arm out to escort her.

She felt she would have puked, but she took his arm regardless of how unwilling she was to continue playing the handmaiden charade. They walked silently down the halls until arriving at a deserted room, one decorated elegantly with a large desk, chairs, and a couple couches, even a balcony that could overlook the whole city. Sarah walked in and examined it—it looked like the mix between an office and a home, and thankfully, the only thing missing from it was a bed. Sarah flinched when the door closed behind them, locking her inside it with Rampart, but she wouldn’t back down, not at that moment.

Rampart looked at her and seemed amused, and although Sarah was almost sure had recognized her already, she wasn’t willing to blow her cover while there was still a possibility she could fool him.

“You could have at least tried a different voice,” Rampart broke the silence. “However, your disguise is commendable. You almost had me fooled, but you didn’t have to speak for me to see right through you.”

Sarah said nothing, and her gaze on him was unfriendly.

“I know what you’re after,” Rampart said. “I can either give you what you want or keep you in the dark.”

“You’re not in charge here,” Sarah answered.

“Oh, but I believe I am,” Rampart threatened, pacing closer to her. “To be in here, you had to be thoroughly searched. You have no weapons on you, and using your abilities will give away your identity. Your hands may as well be tied behind your back.”

Rampart stopped just in front of her, towering over Sarah with an arrogant look plaguing his features. Rather than intimidation, Sarah felt impatience, and she wasn’t willing to continue stalling.

“Where is he?” Sarah spat.

Rampart raised his brows, shocked that she would get there so fast, and he laughed. “You do amaze me with your one track mind. Of course, it comes as no surprise to me, not after the last time you went to Kamino. All the time you and CT-9904 spent locked inside his private quarters… I’d have reprimanded both of you sooner had I not liked what I heard. Not to mention, what I saw.”

Sarah’s eyes widened, disgusted at his implications. “You saw nothing.”

“My senior commanders are under constant surveillance,” Rampart said. “I saw it all.”

She bared her teeth at him.

“I came close to making a proposition of my own,” Rampart continued as he came even closer to Sarah. “You two were having all the fun. Perhaps my involvement may have swayed my opinions in favor of the clones.”

“You disgusting son of a—”

“Watch your language, dear, it’s not appropriate coming from a handmaiden,” Rampart sneered.

“Quit playing around!” Sarah shoved Rampart enough to make him tumble a couple steps back, much to his surprise. “Tell me where he is.”

Rampart dusted himself off and regained his composure, and all hints of teasing and desire left him. “I’d pretend your terrible behavior would drive me to take it out on him, but the mere confirmation of you being alive is enough.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Sarah growled.

Rampart smirked. “He told me you were dead.”

Sarah’s features momentarily softened, but with every second that passed and every word that came out of Rampart, any fear Sarah felt morphed into anger boiling through her veins.

“And it’s no surprise why,” Rampart continued. “I simply expected better, though perhaps one could not blame him. An error in judgment as grave as that one is bound to happen after thirty-two rotations stranded in a platform on Kamino. Regardless, lying to a commanding officer is still a grave offense.”

“Thirty two?!” Sarah stomped toward him. “You left him there for thirty-two rotations?!”

“Why do you yell at me?” Rampart said calmly. “You left him there for good.”

“That’s not true!”

“I was overseeing my official imperial duties, I couldn’t be taken away from my post to scan the ruins of Tipoca City. And he tried to cover up for you even after that,” Rampart mused. “Ah, what a tragedy. It almost makes it pitiful that I’ll have to enforce the consequences now that his lie has been uncovered—”

Rampart abruptly stopped talking to clear his throat, and he coughed in an attempt to talk again, suddenly feeling himself unable to breathe. His once confident gaze widened in fear, and he looked at Sarah again to see her holding her hand up in front of her, with her palm facing up and her fingers tensed like claws. She stared at him viciously, mercilessly, and all around him, Rampart could hear a low rumble as he made a futile attempt to free himself from the invisible strain over his throat. Sarah watched unwaveringly as Rampart squirmed, guiltless after all the trash and the threats he’d spat her way. She felt the power coursing through her, the hate and the anger rising within her as she walked closer to him and Rampart attempted to crawl away.

“If I let you live, you won’t lay even a finger on Crosshair,” Sarah snarled. “You will tell me where he is. Now!”

“I-” Rampart struggled. “I don’t know where he is!”

“You lie!” Sarah growled, pressing harder.

“He was reassigned to a lieutenant by the name Nolan!” Rampart cried. “I haven’t known his whereabouts for months, I swear!”

Sarah didn’t relent.

“Please!” Rampart begged. “You need me alive!”

Only then did Sarah release Rampart from her grip. He dropped to the ground coughing and clutching his chest, looking up at her in fear with a hint of anger. Sarah walked up to him, equally unamused with him.

“Where is this Nolan?” Sarah asked him.

Rampart didn’t respond. Sarah held her hand out again without power, only as a threat.

“I can still do this,” she said.

“I don’t know where he is now,” Rampart flinched. “He’s on a series of missions along several imperial outposts. CT-9904 was reassigned months back, his records are no longer under my possession.”

“You’ll get me those records,” Sarah ordered.

Rampart scoffed. “What makes you think I’ll do that?”

“If you get them to me, I’ll sway Senator Chuchi to vote in favor of your bill,” Sarah said.

Rampart raised an eyebrow. “That could take days. The vote is tomorrow. You’ll need to sway her before.”

“Not a chance, I don’t trust you enough,” Sarah said.

“I don’t trust you either,” Rampart snarled. “I think you’re just an infatuated girl angry at the world because she can’t have her little toy with her. Perhaps if you’d had any sort of experience with a real man—”

Sarah wouldn’t listen to any more. She had just begun to raise her hand, but anger blinded her from her surroundings, and Rampart was quicker to react. From his belt, he took a taser, one like Sarah had never seen before, and all it took was one tap of the electric tip to paralyze Sarah’s entire body, sending her plummeting to the ground squirming in pain and whimpering helplessly. The taser didn’t render her unconscious, but she was still unable to move, unable to do anything to defend herself.

“You almost had me there,” Rampart mocked. “Too bad you’re simply too weak.”

Sarah groaned at him, wishing she could at least muster the strength to reach out and scratch him, smack him, punch that disgusting face of his, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t do anything.

“You made a mistake crossing me. Have fun with the Coruscant guard. They’ll most likely take you to the Emperor himself once I tell them what your crimes are,” Rampart replied. “And don’t even think about looking for your little clone while you’re on the inside, you have my word that your precious CT-9904 will face the firing squad.”

Sarah growled. She strained and struggled, unable even to yell at Rampart as he made his way outside of the room while Sarah lay there helpless. She wanted to believe, with every fiber of her body, that Rampart had just been spewing empty threats. She wanted to believe she hadn’t just sealed her fate as well as Crosshair’s, that she hadn’t just failed miserably and cost herself and her family far too much for anyone’s good. And as the fear coursed through every corner of Sarah’s being, all she was able to do was weep in desperation.

Hours passed as she lay there, alone and in the dark. The only good that could have possibly come of it was that no Coruscant guards arrived to take her away, but she was still sulking in her terror and her misery. Sarah tried to move her body to no avail; each time, pain shot through her limbs. But she couldn’t risk wasting precious time. Every second she spent there, Rampart could have already given the order against Crosshair.

Sarah put the fear of pain aside. The fear of losing Crosshair for good was far too great for her to care about anything else. And so, she pushed through it, straining her arm towards the belt of her gown and reaching for her hidden comm, crying through the pain until she finally brought the comm up to her lips and dialed Tech’s frequency.

“Sarah?” Tech’s modulated voice came in through the comm. “What is going on? Are you alright?”

“Tech…” Sarah whimpered. “Tech, you need to come help me. Please.”

“Where are you?” Tech asked her. “Are you not with Omega? She just received the command log.”

“No, I’m in a room somewhere in the senate building,” Sarah replied. “I can’t move.”

“Are you hurt? Sarah?”

“I—” Sarah hiccuped, stifling a sob. “I was tased, I can’t move!”

“Sarah, be patient, Omega’s on her way to you,” Tech assured. “I will infiltrate the senate—”

“No, it’s too dangerous!” Sarah cried. “Tech, I… I messed up.”

“Sarah, you’re going to be alright,” Tech comforted her through the comm.

In full force, Sarah began to wail.

“I just did something terrible!” She kept crying. “I think I just put Crosshair in danger!”

“Sarah, please breathe,” Tech told her. “What do you mean?”

“Sarah?” Echo’s voice came in through the comm. “I need you to calm down, and I need you to explain.”

“I tried to get information from him, from Rampart,” Sarah sobbed. “But it backfired, and he threatened him! He threatened Crosshair!”

For a brief moment, there was silence through the comm, but soon enough, she heard Tech’s voice comforting her again.

“Rampart is currently busy with his bill’s vote,” Tech explained. “If we lay out the facts, we know that he has no access to Crosshair at the moment, and once the truth about Kamino is exposed, he will be rendered a criminal. No one will be taking orders from him, nor will he have the autonomy to execute his own plans.”

“Crosshair’s going to be fine, Sarah,” Echo said through the comm. “You just wait for Omega to go get you. She’ll come through. Once we’re all back together we’ll figure something out.”

“Hang in there, darling,” Tech said. “We’ll be together soon.”

At that moment, the door to the room Sarah was laying in opened, and she felt three different pairs of feet approaching her. She thought she was done for, and that the Coruscant guard had finally made it to her, that she was going to be taken prisoner most likely to suffer a fate worse than just being in a cell, but the fear began to fade when a soft, small hand placed itself on Sarah’s shoulder.

“Sarah!” It was Omega who cried out and gently helped shift Sarah to look up. She was accompanied by two of Riyo’s bodyguards, and one of them had a first aid kid from where he retrieved a vial. He injected the liquid just behind Sarah’s hip, and though the sting of the needle did little to relieve Sarah, she felt the antidote spreading through her body and the mobility slowly returning. Not long after, she was finally able to relax, and her eyes drifted toward a worried Omega, who gently stroked Sarah’s hair.

“What happened?” Sarah asked. “Are you okay?”

Omega nodded, and a little tear slid down her cheek. “I’m okay. Are you?”

Sarah began to sniffle again as the two bodyguards helped her stand up, and as she panted, Sarah reached to clutch Omega’s shoulders.

“What happened? Where’s Riyo? Did you get the command log?” Sarah inquired.

“Yes,” Omega said. “And, well… Rampart was arrested.”

Sarah couldn’t help but feel relief, but the fact remained that his arrest didn’t mean he didn’t give the order before.

“So, the senate knows that Tipoca City was destroyed intentionally?” Sarah asked.

Omega nodded, but she reflected no sense of victory. “Yes, but… There were clones on that Venator, clones serving the Empire when it happened. It gave them leverage.”

“How?”

“The clone rights bill failed,” Omega looked at the ground as she spoke. “And the senate voted almost unanimously for stormtroopers.”

Sarah’s heart sank. Even in their success, they’d been faced with a surprise failure.

“Let’s get you out of here,” Omega said softly. “Tech contacted me while he was with you.”

Sarah nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, let’s go.”

*

As Riyo and Rex were filling the squad in on the outcome of the voting, Sarah sat silently in the Marauder. Her legs were pressed tight together and she held her hands over her thighs, and she was slightly hunched over in her posture, her eyes vacantly staring at a point on the ground. She’d let her hair down and removed the contacts from her eyes, and she constantly found herself looking at whatever reflecting surface she could just to make sure they were still their natural blue and pink starry hues.

Despite her evidently having tapped into her inner darkness, her ill premonition from the caves hadn’t yet come true. Sarah knew she had to be more careful. And as she continued to ponder on how easily she’d slipped into such an extreme, she felt her chest going cold and her head getting heavy, with her hands subtly beginning to shake.

Sarah straightened up when she heard someone climbing up the Marauder’s platform, and she sighed softly when she saw that it was Echo. Her features dropped at the sight of him.

“If you need me to stay, I will,” Echo told her. “But I’m telling you, I’m sure Crosshair’s going to be fine.”

Sarah got up from the chair and walked over to him. “I truly hope you’re right, Echo. And as much as I do want you to stay, I don’t want to stand in the way of your path.”

With a sad smile, Echo thanked her silently.

“How did Omega take it?” Sarah asked him.

“She’s upset, as we all expected,” Echo answered.

Sarah nodded slowly, and she inhaled sharply as a small realization made its way into her mind. “Actually… here, I want to show you something.”

Sarah went to the back of the ship and searched around the Firepuncher’s pack for the little hard drive she’d kept close to her for a while now. Never having found the ideal moment to sit down and watch its contents, Sarah knew that it was either now or an indefinite wait. She made her way back to Echo with the drive and she plugged it into one of the computers, selecting the first file on it.

“What is this?” Echo asked her.

“AZI gave me this,” Sarah said. “He said I’d want to see it because of who’s in the recording and, well… I think you’ll want to see this too.”

Sarah pressed play and, on the screen, the vivid image of a long lost loved one appeared. He was tall and handsome, smiling with the most charisma any living being could have, and he looked like the perfect soldier in his white, blue, and gray ARC trooper armor. He was staring right at the camera, chuckling just before standing up from where he was sitting.

“I’m telling you, she’s freaking amazing,” Fives said in the recording. “She’s got these cool markings over her face and her eyes look like galaxies. You’ll know her when you see her, you can’t miss her.”

“And is her name also a word play on a number?” AZI’s voice filled the recording. “Like yours, Fives?”

Fives chuckled. “No, no, her name’s much prettier. Her name’s Sarah.”

Sarah felt herself tearing up at the recording, but she wouldn’t bring herself to regret watching it. It was simply painful to see Fives so happy and to remember how she’d lost him, and inevitably, the fear began to creep into her heart again at the thought of losing Crosshair in a similar way.

“Oh, she’s coming!” Fives said in the recording. “Hey, were you filming this entire time?”

And the recording ended, taking them back to the file select among several other videos in the drive. Sarah and Echo stood for a moment in silence, each one smiling sadly and pondering on the past.

“Fives started this,” Echo broke the silence. “He discovered the inhibitor chips. I owe it to him to continue his legacy.”

Sarah nodded and looked at Echo through teary eyes. “He’d be so proud of you, you know that?”

Echo chuckled sadly. “Sarah, you’re gonna make me cry.”

Echo and Sarah faced each other and held hands, and Echo looked at her in the eyes with a gentle gaze.

“I’m not gone forever, alright?” Echo said. “You have my frequency and I’ll be there if you ever need me. That’s a promise.”

Sarah sniffled as the tears rolled down her cheeks. “We are too.”

The two pulled each other into a tight embrace, holding one another as if they’d never let go.

“You go and find him,” Echo suddenly whispered. “You find him and you bring him back.”

Sarah pulled apart from the hug enough to look at Echo. “Who?”

Echo gave her a jokingly disappointed look. “Jabba the Hutt. What do you mean, who?”

Sarah chuckled through her tears. “I thought…”

“He’s our brother and he’s been controlled and manipulated, much like that clone assassin, and every one of our brothers within imperial ranks,” Echo said. “He deserves his freedom as much as any one of us do. I’m gonna fight for all of us, Sarah. For Fives, for Cody, for Hevy, for Cutup, Droidbait, 99, everyone. Including Crosshair. But… something tells me you’ll see him before I do.”

Before Sarah openly wept, she threw her arms around Echo and held him tighter than ever. She sobbed into his armor, wishing time could stay still and she wouldn’t have to let go of another person she loved. But she couldn’t stay in that moment, and instead, she pulled apart to look at Echo in the eyes, and she willed her tears to stop for long enough to speak to him.

“I’m proud of you, Echo,” Sarah said. “We all are.”

Echo smiled at her. The two leaned in close and their foreheads rested on one another for a brief yet timeless moment, and after that, Echo walked down the Marauder’s platform. When Sarah was alone again, she browsed the files to keep her mind occupied, and she was doing alright until she stumbled upon one that sparked her distress all over again when she saw the identifying number.

CT-9904.

In a heartbeat, Sarah opened it. The recording wasn’t a heartwarming as Fives’ had; it was a silent recording of Crosshair sitting up on a bed in what appeared to be the Kaminoan medical facility. The recording had been taken before Bracca, as she could tell from his missing scar and his full head of silver hair; he’d been stripped of his armor and was merely in his blacks, and as he sat up, he looked tired, unwilling, unhappy. In silence, Crosshair had looked directly at AZI as he recorded him and spoke a few instructions to him, but while AZI talked, Crosshair remained with the same lack of spirit in his features.

Sarah felt as if he was staring directly at her, and she felt her inside world begin to crumble. She should have fought harder to remain at his side, she should never have parted from him. She should have done a better job keeping him safe, and now, there was no telling what was going to happen to him. She thought of Echo’s words, his encouragement to find Crosshair and bring him home, but what good would that do to either one of them if Rampart’s threat went through?

“I think he’ll be fine.”

Sarah flinched when she heard Hunter’s voice filling the Marauder, and she quickly stumbled to pause the recording. Hunter walked inside slowly, inevitably looking at the image of Crosshair on the screen, and when he looked back at Sarah, he held out Tech’s datapad for her.

“Senatorial logs,” Hunter continued. “They apparently have this system in the hallways where they monitor movements and record where their more important staff goes. According to these logs, after Rampart left you in the room, he returned to the senatorial chamber. He was never accompanied by any subordinates, nor did he send out any executive orders, communications, or similar, all the way up to his arrest. Everything he said, everyone he interacted with, is documented here.”

Sarah took the datapad and observed the heavily logged datasheet before looking back up at Hunter.

“This means…” Sarah trailed off.

“Rampart didn’t give the order,” Hunter gazed heavily at Sarah despite his comforting words. “He was arrested before he could.”

Sarah sighed sharply and she sat back on her chair, panting as she assimilated the facts.

“He’s safe,” Sarah whimpered just before looking up at Hunter again. “How did Tech find this?”

“He didn’t,” Hunter said. “I did.”

Sarah’s eyes widened slightly at such an unexpected revelation.

“I know how to hack a few things myself,” Hunter added as his features softened, though he still seemed mildly upset. “I just knew it would eat you inside. I heard how worried you were. I could feel it. And you’ve been through enough already.”

Sarah’s features softened as she clutched the datapad close. “Thank you.”

Hunter gave a soft smile at her before turning around and heading into the cockpit, and shortly after, the rest of the squad followed. The last one up was Omega, probably having lingered behind to say another goodbye to Echo. When she was on the ship and the platform closed behind her, she scanned the ship with her eyes until she found Sarah, and when Sarah looked at her, she opened her arms, inviting her in as her own eyes filled with tears again. Omega ran up to her and threw her arms around her, sniffling into her shoulder, and the two remained as such as the Marauder took off from Coruscant.

For the entire duration of the trip, Sarah and Omega remained close to one another, until they both eventually drifted off to sleep where the recent events couldn’t haunt them.

Thank you for reading! Please reblog to support me! Divider at the top made by stars-n-spice.

Taglist: @nunanuggets @jelly-m0onbeans @arctrooper69

Let me know if you want to be tagged!

NEXT CHAPTER ->

[tremendouskoalachild]

Wookiee Jedi: A History

Wookiees. Jedi. Wookiee Jedi. How could you not love them? I’ve decided to compile a hopefully exhaustive little list of all Wookiee Jedi in Star Wars, canon or not. They are ordered chronologically by their introduction and sorted by decade.

The 90s or: Lowbacca, a category of his own

The first Wookiee Jedi in Star Wars was Lowbacca, nicknamed Lowie, introduced in 1995. He was Chewbacca’s nephew and one of the principal characters in the Young Jedi Knights book series, where he trained as one of the students at Luke’s Jedi academy alongside Han and Leia’s kids. He remained a quite frequent side character in later books, especially the New Jedi Order series.

Lowbacca was literally and figuratively exiled in the Dark Nest trilogy (2005) after Lucas banned Wookiee Jedi (we’ll get to that). He did appear in books since then until the cancellation of the now-Legends timeline, although less frequently than before. His appearances in late-stage Legends content are usually related to Wookiees and Kashyyyk specifically, rather than as just another Jedi knight, and mostly reserved for Troy Denning’s novels. Important fact to know about Lowie: I love him.

The 2000s and The Ban

The early 2000s saw the introduction of several Wookiee Jedi, although always as very minor characters. The first one we need to discuss for completeness’ sake is, no joke, Unidentified Wookiee Jedi. We know next to nothing about them: they appear briefly in the background of a 2000 book as a student of the new Jedi Order. This is contemporary with Lowbacca’s time but due to other storylines we can rule out that this Jedi is him. I suppose you can decide for yourself whether this is a simple continuity error, or a random background character used to characterize the setting of Luke’s Order as a harmonious multispecies organization (while utilizing a well-known Star Wars alien species).

For more senior – and named – Jedi we have Master Tyvokka, member of the Council, introduced in 2001. He appears in the flashbacks of a single issue of the Republic comic line by John Ostrander, though he is mentioned in several following issues. He is technically canon despite only appearing in the old continuity due to a mention in reference to Plo Koon, who was his student in both continuities. I think he’s cool for the simple fact that he used a yellow lightsaber. We know Lucas was familiar with the Republic comics (he famously incorporated Aayla into the prequels) but it isn’t entirely clear how much of them he read.

Next we have RPG Wookiees. Master Kirlocca was a prequel-era Jedi in the campaign Living Force, which started in 2001 and concluded in 2007. He has appeared in many installments and supplementary materials of the campaign but never outside it. Living Force also “introduced” Wookiee Jedi Knight Vorlocca as a corpse players find in one of its adventures. Whatever, he counts. (the RPG also introduced Force-sensitive non-Jedi Wookiees named Kuce and Furellas, who is notable for being a lady.)

At some point in the early 2000s Lucas banned the introduction of more Force-sensitive Wookiees. Apart from Lowie this affected Hanharr, a member of your party and playable character in KOTOR II. The devs were supposedly not allowed to include the option of making him a Dark Jedi for this reason. When working on ROTS, concept artist Derek Thompson "wanted to try at least one Wookiee Jedi on the off chance that George would go for it. He didn't go for it."

The 2010s or: maybe we can get Wookiee Jedi again?

Quite possibly the most widely known on this list is Gungi, the first Wookiee Jedi we’ve seen on screen. He made his first appearance in a 2012 episode of The Clone Wars’ fifth season as one of the Jedi younglings gathering crystals for their lightsabers, in an arc that was at one point considered for its own spinoff. He has since also appeared in The Bad Batch season 2. His nature as a Wookiee Jedi is specifically referred to as rare by Huyang and since Lucas was still involved in making the show at that time we can assume he either went back on his distaste for furry Jedi by then, or wanted Gungi to be all the more unique.

Also in 2012 – suggesting Gungi’s introduction might have loosened the ban – we have another comic Jedi, Ruhr. More accurately, he was a Je’daii, a predecessor organization to the Order we know. He was part of the Dawn of the Jedi series, also by Ostrander for Dark Horse. That series ended 15 issues in because the comic rights were transferred to Marvel after the Disney sale, so no more Ruhr.

We also absolutely have to mention Kitmum. She (!) is not canon and never was – unlike the other books and comics discussed here her 2013 book was explicitly non-canonical even before the impending canon reboot of 2014. We love her for her outfit, teaching children how to exercise, and being the only girl Jedi on this list.

The 2020s and the High Republic, golden age for Wookiee Jedi fans

Star Wars publishing over the last several years was largely focused on the High Republic initiative, which is so far a great time for Jedi Wookiees (or, more accurately, for their fans – the Jedi are not doing so good), with more to come soon in The Acolyte, set in the same era.

The first and most prominent is Burryaga Agaburry, one of the principal characters in the adult novel trilogy in Phase I, introduced in Light of the Jedi (2021). He is both a POV character in his own right and the best friend of the main teenage Jedi in the adult novels, Bell Zettifar. Apart from the novels he appears in the audio drama Tempest Runner and is often mentioned or shown in the background of many other High Republic projects. He is also one of the characters most often depicted in children’s media of the era, probably due to his adorable cuddly appearance. His fate in the wake of Phase I’s ending was a major cliffhanger leading into Phase III, leaving the readers hanging for over a year and a half. You love Burry.

The other major Wookiee Jedi in the High Republic multimedia project is Arkoff, technically first introduced in the same book as Burry due to a single mention of his name in a list of notable Jedi. He is the teacher of Lily, herself the protagonist of the Edge of Balance manga, and appears more notably in the manga’s prequel volume set 150 years earlier during Phase II. Ah, the advantages of Wookiee life expectancy.

2023 saw the introduction of Krrsish, an initiate in the flashback sections of the Yoda comic. He has a hard time.

The first Wookiee Jedi in live action is set to be Kelnacca in The Acolyte. He is played by Joonas Suotamo, the actor who took over the role of Chewie for Solo and TROS. He’s also getting a comic one-shot by Cavan Scott later this year!

I can't wait to meet him.