mcrdvcks - Tumblr blog

[mcrdvcks]

Down Bad - Chapter 8

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

Word Count: 17.2k+

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

(translations are at the end of chapter)

Series Masterlist - Chapter 7 → Chapter 9

AO3 Link For Chapter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Who’s the bond with, Amina?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

“He’s… alive?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What was it like to be in love?

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

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

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

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

Kark.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Emotional, you are. Reckless and stubborn.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But the taste was awful.

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

“But Master Windu- ”

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

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

“Lucky- ”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hunter chuckled, “it’s Mando’a.”

“And?” Amina asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“You’re not… mad?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Yes.” Hunter replied.

“All parts of the ship?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Omega jumped up, “can I come?”

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Our slave owner.” Amina said casually.

“Oh.” Omega responded.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He looked over at it, “jujumon.”

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

Hunter leaned in, “what did he say?”

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

“Make-cheesay.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

Huttese translations:

Hi chuba da naga? - What do you want?

Kava che copah? - How much for that item?

Jujumon - 100 basic

Make-cheesay. - I can't make exceptions

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

tags: @callsign-denmark

[mcrdvcks]

Down Bad - Chapter 7

Chapter Summary: After a few small missions for Cid, the group goes with Phee on a treasure hunt to Skara Nal.

Word Count: 9.9k+

Notes: and we're back! this chapter covers episodes 3-5 of season 2. i didn't include crosshair's perspective just because i mainly focus on amina, and sometimes hunter. but we do get a classic dressed up reveal (does that make sense?) in the beginning. i hope y'all enjoy this chapter!

i don't know if people like this, but whenever i write scenes where the clothing is described, i have to have a visual to look at in order to describe it. so here's a link for amina's dress

Series Masterlist - Chapter 6 → Chapter 8

AO3 Link For Chapter

Omega and Tech sat at the dejarik table playing a match as Amina stood at the bar behind the counter, cleaning a glass with Hunter sitting in front of her.

Wrecker groaned from across the room, “I’m bored.”

Omega glanced up from the dejarik table, her brow furrowing in thought as she considered Wrecker's complaint. "Well, what do you want to do?" she asked, her tone curious as she studied the clone's expression.

Wrecker scratched his head, his eyes scanning the room for inspiration. "I dunno," he replied with a shrug, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "I just feel like we've been cooped up for too long. I need some action!"

Hunter turned around in the stool, “just yesterday you said you wanted at least a two week break after the mission on Serrano.”

Cid walked into the parlor, waving around a datapad. “Well, I have a mission, but it’ll only take one of you.”

"What's the mission?" Amina asked, as she turned her attention to the Trandoshan.

Cid grinned, her sharp teeth glinting in the dim light of the parlor as she held up the datapad for everyone to see. "A simple data extraction on Zeltros.”

“Zeltros?” Hunter asked, as Cid threw the datapad at him. "What's the catch?" he questioned; his tone cautious as he looked up at Cid. The Trandoshan grinned, her eyes glinting with amusement as she leaned against the bar, crossing her arms over her chest.

"No catch, Bandana," she replied with a smirk. "But this job is not for you.” She grabbed the datapad and handed it to Amina, “it’s for her.”

Amina frowned, “me? Why?”

Cid shrugged, her expression unreadable as she leaned against the bar, her sharp gaze fixed on Amina's face. "Because you're the one with the skills for this job," she replied simply, her tone matter-of-fact. "And because I said so."

Amina's frown deepened as she studied the datapad, her mind racing as she processed Cid's words. “Wait.” Amina exclaimed, holding up a finger, “you want me t- to go to a party on Zeltros and get a data extraction? How’s that going to work?”

“Your extracting information from a target.” Cid said, raising her hands in the air.

Amina tilted her head, “like… interrogation?” She said slowly.

"No," Cid replied with a shake of her head, her expression exasperated. "Not like interrogation. Think of it more like... social engineering."

Amina furrowed her brow in confusion, her mind racing as she tried to wrap her head around Cid's explanation. "Social engineering?" she echoed, her tone skeptical as she glanced down at the datapad in her hands. "You want me to manipulate someone into giving up sensitive information?"

Cid nodded, her eyes narrowing as she studied Amina's face. "Exactly," she replied with a smirk. "And lucky for you, you've got the charm and charisma to pull it off."

“Um… thank you?” Amina trailed off, glancing at Hunter who was glaring at Cid.

“Plus, you’re a woman. I don’t think Drego Syko is going to want to be seduced by a man.”

Echo let out a choked laugh in the room as Amina’s eyes widened, “wh- what? I’m a Jedi, not a- a- a seductress.”

Cid crossed her arms, “I thought you had womanly wiles.”

Omega nodded at Amina as she grumbled under her breath, “that’s my line.” She shook her head pushing the datapad to Cid, “no deal. I’m sure you can find someone else.”

“It pays well.” Cid countered, pushing the datapad back to Amina.

“How well?”

“20 credits.”

Amina scoffed, “20 credits? Are you kriffing insane? My dignity is worth more than 20 credits.”

Cid shrugged nonchalantly, as if the low offer was nothing out of the ordinary. "Take it or leave it, sweetheart," she replied with a smirk. "Plenty of other jobs out there if you're not interested."

"One, don't call me sweetheart. Two, the job is 1,000 credits total, meaning I'm only getting 2%. 100 credits, take it or leave it," Amina retorted, her voice firm as she pushed the datapad back towards Cid.

Cid raised an eyebrow, her sharp gaze fixed on Amina's face. For a moment, there was a tense silence in the room as the two women locked eyes, neither willing to back down.

Finally, Cid let out a low chuckle, her sharp teeth glinting in the dim light of the parlor. "You drive a hard bargain, Skywalker," she remarked, her tone tinged with amusement. "But I like your spirit. Deal."

Hunter stood up, “no deal. She’s not going on a mission alone.”

Cid rolled her eyes as Tech and Echo shared a look with each other, “fine. But you can go as her bodyguard or something. But neither of you can wear that.” She looked at Hunter’s armor and Amina’s tattered tunic. “Buy some clothes, the both of you. You need to leave in 3 hours.”

Amina looked down at her tunic and over at Hunter’s armor. She had only worn a dress once, and it was one Cid gave her. She had worn her tunic and Jedi robes all her life, buying a dress, or something nice and appealing to others was daunting.

Omega walked over to Amina, “does that mean we get to go shopping again?”

"Yeah, I guess it does," Amina replied with a grin, her voice bright with excitement as she turned to face Omega. "Looks like we're going shopping again."

Omega's eyes lit up with delight, a wide smile spreading across her face as she clapped her hands together eagerly. "Yay! I can't wait!" she exclaimed, her excitement contagious as she turned to the rest of the squad. "Who's coming with us?"

Tech raised a hand, his expression thoughtful as he glanced around the room. "I'll come," he offered, his tone calm and composed as he looked at Amina and Omega. "I might be able to find some useful gadgets or tools while we're out."

Echo nodded in agreement, his expression serious as he surveyed the group. "I'll come too," he added, his tone resolute as he met Amina's gaze. "Just to make sure everything goes smoothly."

Wrecker grunted in approval, his excitement evident as he flexed his muscles in anticipation. "Count me in!" he declared with a grin, his voice booming with enthusiasm. "I could use some new gear!"

Amina chuckled at Wrecker's enthusiasm, her heart warmed by the camaraderie of her squadmates. "Alright then, it's settled," she declared with a smile, her eyes shining with excitement as she glanced around the room. "Let's go shopping!"

With their plans decided, the squad quickly made their way to the nearest marketplace, their spirits high as they wandered through the bustling streets. Amina couldn't help but marvel at the sights and sounds of the vibrant marketplace, the colorful array of stalls and shops stretching out before them in a dizzying display of goods and wares.

Omega and Amina walked ahead of everyone else, as she held Amina’s hand. “So… you need a dress then?”

“I guess so.” Amina muttered, looking around at all of the different shops.

---

“We are entering Zeltros’ atmosphere.” Tech announced, as Hunter walked into the cockpit wearing a black leather jacket, a white shirt, and tan pants.

He looked around, “where’s Amina and Omega?”

Echo glanced at him, “in the refresher I believe. She’s putting on her dress and Omega said something about doing Amina’s hair.”

Hunter nodded, sitting down in one of the seats in the cockpit as Tech landed the ship close by a nightclub.

Echo and Tech exchanged a glance before Tech spoke up, "We're all set to go. Are you ready for this, Hunter?"

Hunter nodded, his gaze focused as he double-checked his blaster and made sure his comms were working properly. "As ready as I'll ever be," he replied, his voice steady with determination. He stood up walking to the door as Wrecker patted his back.

Tech walked behind them, “I will go get Amina.” Hunter walked outside and down the stairs, adjusting his sleeves.

Before Tech could knock, Omega opened the door, “oh, we were just about to come out.” She said stepping outside the refresher.

Amina adjusted the thin straps of her black, shimmering dress. “I feel like a kriffing chik youngee.”

Tech pulled down his visor, “that was Huttese for dancing girl.”

"Well, obviously. I look like a slave girl in Jabba’s Palace," Amina muttered under her breath as she adjusted the thin straps of her black, shimmering dress. She glanced at herself in the mirror of the refresher, feeling self-conscious in the spaghetti strap, mermaid dress that had a V-neckline with a sheer bodice and a high slit, adorned with small jewels and glitter.

It wasn't something she was used to wearing, especially considering her usual Jedi robes.

Omega tilted her head, studying Amina with a curious expression. "You look pretty," she offered, a warm smile lighting up her face as she reached out to straighten Amina's hair. "Trust me, you'll fit right in at the party."

"Thanks, Omega," Amina replied, her voice soft with gratitude as she met the girl's gaze. "I appreciate it." She took a deep breath, trying to summon up some confidence as she straightened her shoulders and stepped out of the refresher, Omega following closely behind.

She grabbed her lightsaber on one of the seats in the hall, strapping it to the inside of her thigh. Amina glanced inside the cockpit where Echo and Wrecker sat, looking for Hunter.

“He’s already waiting outside.” Echo said, looking over at her, “we’ll been on comms in case anything comes up.”

Amina nodded, her expression serious as she glanced at Echo and Wrecker. "Got it," she replied, her voice steady as she made her way towards the door of the Marauder, seeing Hunter on the ground at the bottom of the steps. She stood on the stairs, looking at his form with his back to her.

He looked… different. In a good way- in a really good way.

Her hands were clammy she realized, as she wiped them on her dress discreetly, trying to control her shaky breathing all at the same time.

She took a silent deep breath, taking another step down the stairs when the clicking from her heels was finally heard by Hunter, as he turned to look up at her.

Hunter's breath caught in his throat as he looked up and saw Amina standing on the stairs, her figure silhouetted against the soft glow of the ship's lights. She was breathtaking, her brown skin glowing in the dim light, her hair pinned in a low bun with a few strands framing her face. The black dress hugged her curves in all the right places, accentuating her figure in a way that made his heart skip a beat.

For a moment, Hunter was at a loss for words as he took in the sight of her. He had seen Amina in her Jedi robes plenty of times before, but there was something different about seeing her like this, dressed up for a night out on the town. She looked... stunning, in a way that took his breath away.

As Amina descended the stairs, Hunter's eyes never left her, his heart pounding in his chest as she approached him. He swallowed hard, suddenly feeling acutely aware of how close she was, how the air seemed to crackle with tension between them.

"Hey," he said softly as she reached the bottom of the stairs, his voice barely above a whisper as he met her gaze. "You look... amazing."

Amina adjusted the thin straps of her dress, gulping, “u- uh, thank you.” She said briefly looking down before looking back up at him, “I- I mean, you look good too. Very good, actually.”

Hunter couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth spread through him at Amina's compliment. Her words were hesitant, almost shy, but they still managed to send a thrill down his spine. He cleared his throat, trying to shake off the sudden bout of nervousness that had overtaken him.

"Thanks," he replied with a sheepish grin, his voice a little hoarse. "You clean up pretty nicely yourself."

Amina smiled, her cheeks flushing as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She couldn't deny the flutter of excitement in her stomach at the sight of Hunter standing before her, looking handsome in his leather jacket and casual attire.

"Shall we?" Hunter gestured towards the bustling streets of Zeltros, his expression eager as he offered Amina his arm.

Amina nodded, her heart racing as she looped her arm through his, feeling a jolt of electricity shoot through her at the contact. She glanced up at Hunter, their eyes locking for a moment, and she couldn't help but notice the warmth and sincerity in his gaze.

Together, they stepped out into the lively nightlife of Zeltros, the sounds of music and laughter filling the air as they made their way towards the nightclub.

When they entered, the loud music and bright lights overtook them, as Hunter slightly winced at it overwhelming his senses. He felt Amina rub his arm with her other hand as she looked around the crowd.

"So, we just need to find Drego, and get him to tell us about the smuggling route he uses. Simple enough, right?" Amina looked up at Hunter, her voice confident despite the chaos of the nightclub surrounding them.

Hunter nodded, his gaze scanning the crowded room as he took in the sights and sounds of the bustling establishment. "Simple enough," he agreed with a wry smile, his voice tinged with amusement as he glanced down at Amina. "Just your typical night out on the town."

Amina chuckled softly, the sound melodic as she squeezed Hunter's arm gently. "Exactly," she replied with a grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she began to weave her way through the throngs of people towards the bar. "Now, let's go find our mark."

Hunter followed close behind, his senses on high alert as he kept an eye out for any sign of trouble. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol and sweat, the music pounding in his ears as he moved through the crowd with Amina at his side.

As they reached the bar, Amina flagged down the bartender, her voice cutting through the din of the club as she ordered a couple of glasses of water. Hunter watched her with a mixture of admiration and amusement, marveling at her confidence and ease in this unfamiliar environment.

Once they had their drinks in hand, Amina turned to face Hunter, a determined glint in her eyes as she leaned in close to speak over the music. "Alright, let's split up and see if we can find Drego," she suggested, her voice low but firm as she scanned the room. "I'll take the left side; you take the right. We'll meet back here in ten minutes, got it?"

Hunter nodded, his gaze focused as he took in the crowded dance floor to his right. "Got it," he replied, his voice determined as he glanced back at Amina. "Be careful."

Amina flashed him a reassuring smile, her brown eyes alight with determination. "Always am," she quipped with a playful wink before turning to weave her way through the throngs of people towards the left side of the club.

Hunter watched her go, a sense of unease gnawing at him as he turned his attention to the right side of the room. The dimly lit space was packed with bodies, the air thick with the scent of sweat and alcohol as he moved through the crowd.

As she made her way deeper into the throng, Amina kept her senses on high alert, scanning the faces around her for any sign of their target. The music pounded in her ears, making it difficult to focus as she pushed through the sea of bodies.

Drego caught sight of her and walked in front of her, “well, hello there, beautiful. You look lost.”

Amina let out a giggle, her voice slightly higher-pitched as she played along with the charade. "Yeah, I think I lost sight of my friends. I've always been such a klutz," she replied, her brown eyes sparkling with mischief as she glanced up at Drego.

Drego grinned, his eyes roaming over Amina's figure appreciatively. "Well, lucky for you, I happen to know my way around this place," he said smoothly, reaching out to gently touch her arm. "How about I show you around? Maybe we can find your friends together."

Amina hesitated for a moment, her mind racing as she weighed her options. She knew she needed to gather information from Drego about the smuggling route, but she also didn't want to lead him on. Glancing around the crowded club, she made a split-second decision.

"Sure, why not?" she said with a playful smile, leaning into Drego's touch ever so slightly. "Lead the way."

Drego grinned, his hand lingering on Amina's arm as he began to guide her through the crowded club. As they walked, Amina kept her senses sharp, her mind focused on the task at hand. She listened carefully as Drego chattered away, his voice laced with charm as he pointed out various areas of the club.

"So, what brings a lovely lady like yourself to a place like this?" Drego asked, his tone casual as he glanced down at Amina.

Amina shrugged nonchalantly, her expression carefully neutral. "Just looking for a good time," she replied with a playful grin, trying to keep her tone light and flirty.

Drego chuckled, his gaze lingering on Amina's face. "Well, you've certainly come to the right place," he said, his voice low and smooth as he led her towards the bar. "What do you say we start with a drink?"

Amina nodded, her mind racing as she tried to come up with a plan. "Sounds good to me," she said, flashing Drego a bright smile as they reached the bar. "But nothing too strong, okay? I don't want to end up stumbling around like a drunken bantha."

Drego laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he signaled to the bartender. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you stay on your feet," he said, his tone teasing as he ordered a couple of drinks.

As the bartender set their drinks down on the counter, Drego slid one of the glasses towards Amina with a charming smile. "Here you go, sweetheart," he said, his voice smooth as silk as he lifted his own glass in a toast. "To new friends and good times."

Amina forced a smile, her fingers tightening around the glass as she raised it to her lips. "To new friends," she echoed, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty as she pretended to take a small sip. She didn’t want the buzz, especially because she’s never drank before.

Drego watched her intently, his gaze lingering on her face as he studied her reaction. "So, tell me about yourself, beautiful," he said, his tone light and casual as he leaned in closer. "What's a girl like you doing on a planet like Zeltros?"

Amina hesitated for a moment, her mind racing as she tried to come up with a believable story. "Oh, you know," she said with a shrug, her tone nonchalant. "Just traveling around, seeing the galaxy with my friends. We decided to stop by Zeltros for a little R&R."

Drego nodded, his eyes gleaming with interest as he leaned back against the bar. "Sounds like my kind of girl," he said with a grin, his voice tinged with flirtation. "So, what do you say we ditch this place and find somewhere a little more... private?"

Amina's heart skipped a beat at Drego's suggestion, her mind racing as she tried to come up with a way to steer the conversation back towards their mission. She felt his hand slide up her bare thigh as she gripped the glass in her hand.

Hunter continued to look around until he heard shouting from the bar, with a man, who looked like Drego, screaming at Amina. “What the kriff!? Are you crazy lady?”

Amina stood over him, a piece of glass through his hand and the bar, “are you?” She hissed.

Hunter ran over, the people in the nightclub paying no attention to Amina and Drego, as if this happens all the time. “Amina are you alright?” he asked, placing a hand on her hip.

“Well, I am now.” She glared at Drego, as she moved her head forward and he flinched. “Alright, I’m done here.” Amina glanced up at Hunter, gesturing to the door, “let’s go.”

Hunter nodded in agreement, his hand still resting lightly on Amina's hip as he guided her towards the exit. The crowd around them seemed to part effortlessly, the other clubgoers paying them no mind as they made their way through the bustling nightclub.

As they stepped out into the cool night air, Hunter took a deep breath, his senses slowly returning to normal after the chaos of the club. He glanced down at Amina, his heart swelling with admiration for her strength and resilience in the face of danger.

"You handled that pretty well back there," he said with a small smile, his voice gentle as he squeezed her hip reassuringly. "I'm glad you're okay."

She returned his smile, “thanks. But honestly you should be more worried about him. I’m the one who stabbed a shard of glass through his hand.” Amina lifted her hand to Hunter’s face, “and now I’m the one sporting blue blood. This shade of blue doesn’t go with my complexion.”

He chuckled, “did you at least get the information?”

“Of course I did. That’s what we were here for. I just ended up with blue alien blood on me. A minor misstep.” They made it to the Marauder as Hunter stepped on the stairs ahead of her, his hand leaving her hip as he held it out for her.

As Hunter held out his hand for Amina, she couldn't help but notice the way his gaze lingered on her. There was something in his eyes, a warmth and sincerity that made her heart skip a beat. She reached out, placing her hand in his as he helped her up the stairs of the Marauder.

"Thanks," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she glanced up at him. "For everything."

Hunter smiled, his expression gentle as he squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Anytime," he replied, his voice warm with affection. "You know I've got your back."

Amina felt a rush of gratitude swell within her as she met Hunter's gaze, her heart pounding in her chest.

Together, they stepped inside the Marauder, the familiar hum of the ship's engines filling the air as they made their way towards the cockpit. Echo and the others were already there, their expressions tense as they waited for news of their mission.

"Did you get the information?" Tech asked, his voice tinged with concern as he glanced at Amina and Hunter.

Amina nodded, her expression serious as she moved to stand beside Echo at the helm. "Yeah, we got what we came for," she replied.

Omega gasped while looking at Amina’s hand, “is that…?”

Amina chuckled, “nope, not my blood.” She used the force and grabbed a cloth from the hall, wiping the blood from her hand. “But I got the information, so we’re all good.”

Echo glanced at Amina with a mixture of concern and relief. "Good to hear," he said, his voice steady as he turned his attention back to the controls. "Let's get out of here before things get any more... interesting."

Tech nodded in agreement, his fingers flying over the console as he plotted their course away from Zeltros. "I'll set a course for Ord Mantell," he said, his voice focused as he monitored the ship's systems. "We'll be out of here in no time."

---

The ship was currently traveling through hyperspace as Amina, Hunter, and Echo sat on the ship on their current mission.

Although, transporting 50 cases of nerf nuggets was hardly a mission, which Echo and Hunter brought up numerous times.

Amina leaned back against one of the crates, her legs stretched out in front of her as she fiddled absentmindedly with the hilt of her lightsaber. Hunter sat opposite her, spinning his blade in his hand as Amina watched his movements. Echo, meanwhile, was busy tinkering with some of the ship's systems, muttering to himself about the inefficiency of their current route.

"So, remind me again why we're transporting nerf nuggets across the galaxy?" Hunter asked, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled over the group.

Echo let out a frustrated sigh, glancing up from his work to shoot Hunter a pointed look. "Because apparently, the client couldn't find anyone else willing to take on this thrilling job," he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Amina stifled a laugh, shaking her head at Echo's grumbling. "Come on, Echo, it's not so bad," she said, trying to lighten the mood. "At least we're getting paid for it, right?"

Echo snorted in response, rolling his eyes as he returned his attention to his work. "Yeah, that's true," he conceded, his tone begrudging. "But it's hardly the kind of mission I signed up for.”

“Well, at least we’re not being shot at, right?” Amina added on, “come on, Echo. It’s a little break, although I’d much rather feel sunlight on my skin rather than sitting on a ship.”

Hunter chuckled, nodding in agreement as he leaned back against the crate, his gaze flickering between Amina and Echo. "She's got a point," he said with a smirk, his voice light with amusement. "We could be dodging blaster fire right about now."

Echo sighed, shaking his head as he continued to tinker with the ship's systems. "Yeah, yeah, I get it," he muttered, his tone resigned. "But that doesn't mean I have to like it."

---

Omega finished retelling the story of Tech winning the landspeeder race. “It was so cool!”

Amina crossed her arms, looking over at Hunter, “okay, I lied. I would’ve much rather been Cid’s so-called ‘security detail’ and raced. I can’t believe it.” She tapped Tech’s datapad, causing him to look up at her, “I’m the one from Tatooine, who podraced, and yet I missed out on a Safa Toma race!”

Tech adjusted his goggles, “well, I wouldn’t consider racing to be as spectacular as you describe it. It is merely calculations- ”

Amina cut him off, “no it’s about feeling, Tech. Feeling.”

“I would have to disagree.”

Amina rolled her eyes playfully at Tech's insistence on logic over emotion when it came to racing. "Well, agree to disagree," she said with a grin, her tone teasing as she nudged him lightly with her elbow. "But mark my words, Tech, one day I'll prove to you just how exhilarating it can be."

Tech raised an eyebrow, adjusting his goggles as he glanced at Amina. "I look forward to the opportunity to be proven wrong," he replied dryly, his tone deadpan as he returned his attention to his datapad.

---

“You will die.” Palpatine hissed, as his force lightning struck Amina, sending her to the ground.

She screamed in pain, unable to curl up in a ball or move at all, as her brother watched, but didn’t intervene.

“An- Anakin. Pl- p- please h- help me.”

Mechanical breathing was her only response.

Amina slowly felt the life leaving her body as she peeked though clouded eyes to see large black boots in front of her. “An… Anakin.” She whispered, before feeling the heat and sting of a lightsaber by her neck, singeing her hair.

A sharp gust of air was felt around her, as his arm rose above her head-

Amina gasped awake, banging her head on the wall of the ship. Her hand raised to the back of her head, rubbing the sore spot.

She looked around, it seemed like every other night, with Tech, Echo, and Wrecker asleep in their bunks, and Omega asleep in her room, or the gun turret.

Her head poked out from her spot on the floor to see Hunter sitting in the cockpit, keeping watch. She stood up, the blanket from her form dropping to the floor as she picked it up and draped it around her shoulders before walking to the cockpit.

Hunter’s head turned towards her as she entered the cockpit, “you okay?”

Amina thought it over, biting her lip to try and keep her emotions in check. But a tear escaped her eye as she shook her head.

“Nightmare again?” he asked gently, as she nodded. “Come here.” Hunter gestured for her to come over to him.

A part of her thought that she should just brush it off, and say it was nothing. But she hadn’t had a nightmare in a while, so instead, she walked over to Hunter and sat sideways on his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face on his shoulder.

Hunter wrapped his arms around Amina, holding her close as she buried her face in his shoulder. He could feel her trembling slightly, her breaths coming in short, uneven gasps as she tried to steady herself.

"It's okay," he murmured softly, his voice gentle as he rubbed soothing circles on her back. "You're safe now. It was just a nightmare."

Amina nodded against his shoulder, her grip on him tightening as she tried to push away the memories of her dream. She could still feel the phantom pain of Palpatine's force lightning coursing through her veins, the fear and helplessness washing over her in waves.

"It felt so real," she whispered hoarsely, her voice muffled by Hunter's shoulder. "I thought... I thought he was going to kill me."

Hunter's heart clenched at the pain in Amina's voice, the raw vulnerability in her words tearing at his soul. He wished he could take away her fear, her nightmares, and make everything okay again. But he knew he couldn't, not completely.

"And… and I thought that he would save me. But h- he never does." Amina's voice trembled as she spoke, her words choked with emotion as she clung to Hunter, seeking comfort in his arms.

Hunter held her close, his heart aching at the pain in her voice. He could feel the weight of her words, the burden of her past traumas pressing down on her shoulders. He wished he could erase the pain, make it all go away with a simple touch or a few comforting words. But he knew it wasn't that easy.

"I'm sorry, Amina," he murmured softly, his voice filled with empathy as he pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head. "I wish I could take away your pain, make everything better for you."

Amina shook her head against Hunter's shoulder, her tears soaking into the fabric of his compression shirt. "It's not your fault," she whispered hoarsely, her voice thick with emotion. "It’s… it’s…” she trailed off.

It was Palpatine’s fault as much as it was Anakin’s fault. But she couldn’t say that, couldn’t bare to say that her big brother is the man tormenting her.

"Amina," Hunter murmured softly, his voice gentle as he brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face. "You don't have to go through this alone. Whatever you're going through, whatever nightmares you're facing, I'm here for you. Always."

Amina's breath caught in her throat at Hunter's words, the sincerity in his voice washing over her like a soothing balm. She lifted her head from his shoulder, her eyes meeting his as she searched for any hint of judgment or condemnation. But all she found was warmth and understanding, a silent promise of support and acceptance.

"Thank you," she whispered hoarsely, her voice barely above a whisper as she reached up to cup Hunter's cheek. "I... I don't know what I would do without you."

Hunter's heart swelled with emotion at Amina's words, his chest tight with the intensity of his feelings for her. He wanted to tell her how much she meant to him, how much he cared for her, but the words caught in his throat, trapped by the weight of his own insecurities and fears.

Instead, he leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to Amina's forehead, his lips lingering against her skin for a brief moment. "You'll never have to find out," he whispered, his voice barely above a whisper as he pulled her close once more.

Amina closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of Hunter's embrace, the reassuring strength of his presence. In that moment, surrounded by the darkness of space and the hum of the ship's engines, she felt a flicker of hope ignite within her, a glimmer of light in the midst of her darkest fears.

---

“Suddenly, I felt its tentacles wrap around my legs, pulling me down into the depths.” Bolo and Ketch gasped as Phee continued, “I had no choice but to fend off the Octomorph. Bare-handed.”

“This story changes every time she tells it.” Tech said.

“Vanquishing the creature, I swam to the coral cave. And do you know what I found?”

“What’d you find?” Bolo exclaimed, as did Ketch.

Amina shook her head, sipping her drink as she sat in between Hunter and Tech who were sitting at the bar.

“What? What was there?” Ketch asked.

“Spit it out!” Bolo yelled.

“Only the Grand Pearl of Novak.” Phee said, as the two gasped.

“Those two will believe anything.” Hunter sighed.

A door opened as Wrecker came in chuckling, with Omega behind him. “Mission accomplished! One compressor, as requested.” He tossed the compressor to Tech.

“Ah. Nicely done, Wrecker.”

“That’s not all we got.” Omega said cheerfully, as she dumped various things she found onto the table.

Tech adjusted his goggles, “this assortment, however, could have been left at the junkyard.”

Phee walked over to the table to interrupt, “easy, quick draw. Let the expert take a look.” She picked up an item.

“It is a manifold regulator. And a broken one at that.” Tech pointed out.

Hunter, Echo, and Amina shared a look as Phee retorted, “thanks, Clone Obvious.” She looked at the stack again before something caught her eye, “hang on.” She picked up the circular object, turning it around in her hand. “These look like coordinate markings.”

Omega gasped, “coordinate markings?” she asked excitedly.

Phee turned to face her droid, “Mel, take a look at this.” The droid waddled over and shone a light through the circular object, making the light a purple color. Mel beeped. “I was right. This is a compass. One from long before our time.” Mel beeped again. “These coordinates are in the Kaldar Trinary system.”

Tech tapped on his datapad, “I have no record of that system.”

“Because the best treasures usually aren’t found on maps.” Phee answered.

“Theres’s treasure there?” Omega asked, her voice lightning up.

“Without a doubt. This compass is a rare find. You’ve got a good eye.”

Omega turned around and jumped up and down, “let’s go check it out. You heard Phee.” She told Hunter.

Hunter crossed his arms, “she says a lot of things.”

“I can go alone and take the spoils for myself. Or we go together and split it 50-50.” Phee handed Omega the compass and put her hand on her shoulder.

“Please, Hunter. What if there really is treasure there?” Omega asked excitedly.

“Yeah. We’re not on a mission.” Wrecker added.

“It could be fun.” Omega said, her voice still full of excitement.

“The last time we went after treasure, it didn’t go as planned.” Echo said, looking over at Hunter.

“You weren’t working with a professional then.” Phee spoke confidently. Mel beeped as Phee continued, “what do you say?”

Hunter looked over at Echo, who gave a slight shrug, and then at Amina, who sipped her drink. She looked over at him and patted his shoulder with a small smile.

He sighed, before nodding his head in agreement.

---

Amina stood in the hallway behind Hunter, cleaning her lightsaber hilt, although she wasn’t exactly doing that. She was watching as Hunter spun his vibroblade in his hand, as he stood in the hallway close by where Omega and Phee sat.

Lost in her thoughts, Amina didn't notice Hunter glance over his shoulder at her, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. He had felt her gaze on him for a while now, but he didn't mind. In fact, he found himself enjoying the attention, even if he wasn't entirely sure why.

"Admiring the view?" Hunter teased, his voice breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them.

Amina jumped slightly, caught off guard by his sudden question. She quickly composed herself, trying to play it cool as she looked up at him. "Just making sure my lightsaber is clean," she replied, gesturing to the hilt in her hand.

Hunter chuckled, his smile widening as he turned to face her fully. "Well, it looks pretty clean to me," he remarked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "But I suppose it never hurts to double-check."

Amina felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment at Hunter's playful teasing. She glanced down at her lightsaber hilt, suddenly finding it difficult to meet his gaze. "Yeah, well, you can never be too careful," she mumbled.

“How many uncharted planets have you been to?” Omega asked Phee, both their legs propped up on Mel.

“Too many to count.” Phee put her legs down, “that’s why I need Mel to keep track of all the legends I’ve chased down over the years.” Mel beeped, “that’s the life of a treasure hunter.”

Hunter stopped spinning his blade, turning to look at Phee, “don’t you mean ‘pirate’?”

“I prefer ‘Liberator of Ancient Wonders’.” Phee replied, turning back to Omega, “wanna hear about the time I found the Blade of Zakata Par?”

“Yes, I do!”

Hunter sighed and sheathed his blade. Amina turned to face him, “hey, there’s no need to be sad.”

He blinked in response, “I’m not sad.”

Amina let out a chuckle, “yeah, you are. You’re a little upset that Omega is spending time with Phee instead of you.”

Hunter's eyebrows shot up in surprise at Amina's observation. He opened his mouth to protest, but then closed it again, realizing that she was probably right. He hadn't realized it until now, but he did feel a twinge of jealousy watching Omega and Phee bond over their shared love of adventure and treasure hunting.

"I... I guess you're right," Hunter admitted, his voice tinged with embarrassment as he ran a hand through his hair. "It's just... I don't know. I'm not used to seeing Omega spend so much time with someone else. It's... different."

Amina nodded in understanding, her expression sympathetic as she placed a comforting hand on Hunter's arm. "I get it," she said softly, her voice gentle. "But you know Omega. She's always been curious and eager to explore new things. And Phee seems like a... an okay influence on her."

Hunter sighed, leaning back against the wall of the hallway as he looked at Amina. "Yeah, I know," he replied, his voice heavy with resignation. "It's just hard, you know? Seeing her grow up so fast, becoming more independent... It feels like she doesn't need me anymore."

Amina's heart ached at the sadness in Hunter's voice, the vulnerability in his words tearing at her soul. She reached out, gently squeezing his arm in a silent gesture of comfort and solidarity. "She'll always need you, Hunter," she said softly, her voice filled with warmth and reassurance. "No matter how much she grows and changes, you'll always be her family. And she'll always look up to you."

"Thanks, Amina," Hunter said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I needed to hear that."

Amina smiled at him, a gentle and understanding smile that made his heart skip a beat. "Anytime, Hunter," she replied, her voice filled with genuine affection. "We're all in this together, right?"

Hunter nodded, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders as he realized that he wasn't alone in his feelings.

---

The ship landed on the planet as Phee and Omega exited the ship first, with Hunter walking down and to the side of the staircase as Amina exited last, holding his hand out for her to grab.

As they walked down the staircase together, Amina felt a sense of warmth and comfort wash over her as she held onto Hunter's hand. It was a simple gesture, but it meant more to her than she could express in words. She glanced over at him, catching his eye and offering him a small smile, which he returned with a soft smile of his own.

The planet they had landed on was unlike any Amina had ever seen before. Its landscape was rugged and barren, almost a gray overtone surrounding the entire dry, dead planet.

Phee broke off a dead branch from a bush as Omega did the same thing.

“I’m not picking up any signs of civilization whatsoever. Which makes sense, considering this land appears to have been razed and left uninhabitable.” Tech said.

“Who’d wanna hide treasure here?” Echo asked out loud. Beeping and whirring sounded out as the group looked at Echo, who held the compass. “The compass just activated.” He held up high as he walked around, before taking a few steps forward when the beeping quickened, “it’s telling us to go south.”

“Let’s go!” Omega exclaimed, grabbing the compass from Echo’s hand.

“Now she’s got the right attitude.” Phee said, looking at the 5 of them, “wait up, kid!” She yelled, running to catch up with Omega.

The rest of them started to walk as well, following Omega and Phee. They made it to the side of the mountain as the beeping got faster then stopped completely.

Omega grunted, “it’s a dead end. Maybe we go around the mountain?”

“Or it’s telling us to go inside it.” Phee said, putting her lantern on the ground and pulled out her cutlass, pushing it in between two large rocks. One of the rocks was pushed to the side, as she felt a small gust of wind from inside. “Big guy, help me move this.”

Wrecker walked forward and pushed the two large rocks away. A rumbling was heard as Wrecker and Phee stepped back, as rocks and boulders fell from the top to reveal a gap in the side of the mountain.

“Look! It’s a secret entrance.” Omega whispered.

“Oh! It is a secret entrance.” Wrecker repeated quietly.

They walked in, some of them holding flashlights and lanterns as they looked at the circular room, with markings etched onto the walls.

Tech tapped on his datapad, “Hunter, these etchings are easily a thousand years old.”

“Older. Much older.” Phee said. “If I’m right, which is always, we are standing in the entranceway to Skara Nal.”

“To what?” Echo asked incredulously.

“Every pirate out there’s heard the legend of Skara Nal. It traces back to the ancients.”

“You mean the Jedi?” Echo questioned.

“No, not the Jedi.” Amina said, tracing her fingers on one of the markings.

“She’s right. Even older.” Phee replied.

“So, what kinda treasure’s in there?” Wrecker asked.

“The Heart of the Mountain. And we’re going to liberate it.” Phee turned around to face the wall, looking at different blocks in the wall that looked similar to some sort of lever.

“How do we get in?” Omega whispered to Phee.

“It’s a pattern.” Phee replied, “we need to align the symbols in the right order.” She placed down her lantern, before pushing the bottom lever. She then looked at the next one, which was higher than her, “some help would be nice.”

Wrecker stepped forward as he reached up and pushed the lever in the same direction Phee did. Once the symbols fell into place, a rumbling shook the room.

“That doesn’t sound good.” Hunter spoke.

The ground below them started to spin, as the door slammed closed. A cracking sound was heard as Phee pushed Wrecker out of the way of the falling rock.

Hunter walked around the rock to check on Wrecker who sat on the ground. Phee rolled her shoulder, “booby traps. Now it’s getting interesting.”

Hunter turned to face her, “you’ve just trapped us in here.” Before quickly walking away to look around.

“Relax. There’s always a way out.” Phee responded, “we just have to find it. It’s part of the puzzle.”

The group looked around the small room as Omega gasped, “wait! We’re aligning the wrong symbols!” She ran onto the rock that had just fallen and looked at the levers through the compass.

“What do you see?” Hunter asked, looking where Omega was.

“Some of the symbols are glowing.”

Phee briefly looked around, “here. Lay the compass on my lantern.”

Omega bent down and held the compass over the lantern as the room illuminated, with some of the levers glowing. Wrecker pushed the middle lever to align with the symbol needed as Tech did the same with the bottom one, with Wrecker’s help.

Omega picked up the compass as the room began to spin again, as the door they entered and a new one opened.

“Mel, note the coordinates and wait here.” Phee stood up, “come on, kid. Time to go exploring.” She led the way as Omega eagerly followed.

Wrecker pulled his helmet onto the top of his head, “looks like we’re doing this.” He chuckled, going through the entrance Phee and Omega went through.

“My interest is certainly piqued.” Tech said, following Wrecker.

Echo stayed silent, gesturing to Hunter and Amina to follow the rest of them. Amina glanced at Hunter, who nodded in response before they both fell into step behind Echo, their footsteps echoing softly in the narrow passageway.

“So, what exactly is the Heart of the Mountain?” Omega asked, her voice quiet as her Phee led the way.

“A rare crystalline stone. Some say it’s the key to an ancient power, which makes it worth more than you could possibly fathom.”

“I have run a preliminary analysis of the minerals in those stone slabs.” Tech said, as Hunter heard a low sound as he slowly came to a stop, with Amina, Echo, and Wrecker following. “They predate the Republic. Phee may be onto something.”

Phee and Omega turned around when they noticed that the rest of the group had stopped walking. “Hey, tough guys. Want to pick up the pace?” Phee asked.

Hunter’s hand came to hover over his holster, “Hunter?” Omega asked warily.

Suddenly, a deep growl sounded throughout the tunnel, as everyone pointed their flashlights at the hole in the ceiling. Nothing appeared as Amina took her lightsaber off her belt, holding the hilt tightly.

Wrecker turned around when a creature jumped out and pinned Wrecker to the ground. Everyone started to shoot at the monster as Wrecker grabbed the horns, stopping it from biting him. “It’s drooling on me!” Wrecker shouted.

Hunter moved closer to the creature as it raised its arm and hit Hunter, causing him to fall to his knees. The creature had gone back up to the hole, still keeping its grip on Wrecker as everyone stopped shooting.

Wrecker then tore off a horn from the creature as he fell to the ground. They resumed their shooting causing the creature to go back through the hole in the ceiling. But the shooting caused rocks to fall from the top as everyone ran away from the rockfall.

Omega and Amina started to cough from the dust and debris as they looked at the rocks that created a barrier in the middle of the hallway, with Amina, Hunter, Omega, and Phee on one side, and Tech, Wrecker, and Echo on the other.

“Echo, Tech, Wrecker, are you okay?” Omega asked through her comm.

“We’re fine, but there’s too much debris. We can’t get through.” Echo replied.

“The readings in here are not as clear, but I can track your position. There are smaller side tunnels throughout. We will navigate a path and rendezvous with you at the other end.” Tech chimed in.

“Good. Then we’ll keep looking for the treasure.” Phee said into Omega’s comm, as she felt Hunter’s stare at her. She stood up, “what? That’s what we’re here for. They’ll be fine. Come on. Fortune awaits.”

Amina grumbled under her breath as she followed behind Phee and Omega, with Hunter behind her. He looked over at her, “what?”

She shook her head, “just thinking about how I would much rather go on a treasure hunt with Hondo Ohnaka.”

Hunter came up to her side, “who?”

“A Weequay pirate. We first met him after he captured Count Dooku, Obi-Wan, and Anakin. But he did help us a few times throughout the war.” She turned her head to give Hunter a half-smirk, “he had a sense of humor, and at least he didn’t kill us- or, nope, never mind, wishful thinking.”

They all paused when they were met with a different cylindrical tunnel, followed by the sound of growling.

“We need to keep moving.” Hunter said, as he stepped into the tunnel first.

Omega, Phee, and Amina stayed at the beginning of the tunnel as Phee spoke, “hang on. This is too easy.”

Omega put the compass over her flashlight as she gasped, “look, there are more markings.”

Phee and Amina came to the same conclusion as Phee stepped forward and yelled, “wait!”

The floor beneath Hunter fell away as Omega yelled his name. Hunter acted quickly as he threw his grappling hook. Before the hook could fall down, Amina grabbed the line as Phee and Omega also grabbed it and stood behind her as they pulled the line up.

Hunter hoisted his body onto the surface as Omega spoke up, “I think we need to find a way to walk across the ceiling.”

Phee stood up, “my thoughts exactly.”

“You’re just making this up as you go.” Hunter panted out.

“It’s part of the fun.” Phee said as Hunter groaned, “loosen up, Bandana. You’re in good hands.”

“We have almost died three times already.” Hunter said sharply.

“This reminds me of the time I tracked down the Belmont diadem- ”

“I don’t care.” Hunter interrupted Phee angrily.

“Ooh. Someone’s in a mood.”

Hunter sighed, “I’m only interested in getting us outta here in one piece.”

“It fits.” Omega said, standing by the wall where she put the compass in a small lock and rotated the notch. The circular tunnel formed a bridge, no longer containing holes in the walkway, now replaced by glowing white symbols on the floor. Omega grabbed a rock and threw it across, “all clear.” She walked back over to the wall to grab the compass, but found it stuck. “The compass. I can’t get it.”

Phee placed a hand on Omega’s shoulder, “it’s served its purpose. Skara Nal’s reclaimed it.”

Omega gasped, “Skara Nal has reclaimed it.” She repeated Phee’s words. She started to walk across the tunnel.

“So, we have to navigate this death trap without it?” Hunter asked.

“Good thing you have me.” Phee replied.

Hunter let out a sigh as he placed his hand to his side, his palm facing Amina. Without a thought, she placed her hand in his as they walked across the tunnel behind Omega and Phee.

---

The four of them watched as Echo, Tech, and Wrecker emerged from the side tunnel. “What took you so long?” Hunter asked.

“Phee thinks we’re getting close to the treasure.” Omega said eagerly, before facing the door that they needed to go through.

“What type of puzzle is this?” Tech questioned, walking closer to the door shining his flashlight.

“Don’t overthink it, brown eyes.” Phee said, as she placed her lantern down. She traced her hands down the center of the door, “sometimes a door’s…” she lifted a latch at the bottom as the door slowly opened, “just a door.”

Phee shined her light at the object. “There. The Heart of the Mountain.” She jumped onto a ledge at her side and started to make her way down towards it, as Omega and Hunter followed, while Amina and the rest stayed above by the door.

Phee twisted the jewel and pulled it out, as a violent rumble sounded out through the room. Wrecker and Echo turned towards the door, but it started to close and cave in, as the two of them, along with Amina and Tech, jumped away and clung onto the edge of the ledge.

A sound similar to an engine starting up sounded out loudly, as bright lights lit up the large room and ledges. A large blast shook the room, as Hunter placed a hand on Omega’s chest to stop her from potentially falling.

Everything started to shift, causing everyone to fall down towards the bottom of whatever they were in.

“I suspect this is not, in fact, a treasure vault.” Tech said calmly.

“Then what is it?” Omega asked hurriedly.

“Good question.” Echo replied.

Another blast sounded out as everyone shielded their eyes from the bright light.

“It just emitted a massive surge of energy.” Tech said, his visor down, “whatever we are standing inside is highly destructive!”

“So what do we do to shut it down?” Wrecker asked Tech.

“If removing the Heart of the Mountain activated it, perhaps we must return it to its proper place to deactivate it.” Tech responded.

Phee clutched the large jewel to her chest, “do you know how much this is worth? It’s what we came for! Can’t you find a separate kill switch or something?”

“Our ship’s out there. If that thing destroys it, we’ll be trapped on this planet!” Hunter argued.

Phee let out an aggravated sigh, “all right. But you owe me.”

A familiar growl came from the door, as it crawled out. Everyone began to shoot at the creature as Phee lost her balance, dropping the Heart of the Mountain. “You deal with that! I’ll get the stone.” She yelled, as she started to climb down.

Hunter glanced down at Phee before following her. Everyone continued to shoot at the large creature as Echo yelled out to Amina, “can’t you use your lightsaber?”

Amina sighed, pulling out her lightsaber, “I guess we’re about to find out.” She replied, as Echo got thrown to the side. Wrecker grabbed the back leg of the creature, but it kicked him hard in the chest, as he was thrown against the red window.

Amina stood in front of Omega, keeping her lightsaber at the ready as Omega continued to shoot her energy crossbow. Wrecker stood up and grabbed the creature’s tail, dragging it back, “shoot the window!”

Amina raised her hand as Omega shot off two shots, weaking the glass. Amina then used the force to completely shatter the window as Wrecker tossed the creature out.

But it didn’t stop there, since right after the creature was thrown out, a loud mechanical groan was heard as it started to move. “Tech, do something!” Wrecker yelled out.

“I am trying, but nothing is working!” Tech frustratedly yelled.

“Tech, the stone!” Hunter yelled, throwing Tech the stone as he and Phee emerged from the lower level. Tech caught the stone as him and Omega tried to insert it in, putting it in wrong the first time before finally fitting it in and turning it, when the machine powered down.

The stone started to glimmer and melt away as a series of explosions rang out around them and the lights went out. The machine started to give out, slowly falling down, “hang on to something!” Hunter yelled out.

He noticed Omega slipping away as he reached out and grabbed her forearm and pulled her in front of him as everyone fell down along with the machine.

They walked out of the broken window and stopped at the edge of it. “This puts us at 0 for 2 in treasure hunting even with a professional.” Tech spoke.

Omega looked up at Phee, “we did find the Heart of the Mountain. The legend was real.”

“Now that’s the right attitude.” Phee replied to Omega cheerfully.

---

They were closer to the Marauder now, with the sun now lighting up the sky. Amina and Hunter walked side by side in the middle of the group as Phee and Omega walked in front, and the rest of the guys behind them.

Hunter glanced over at her as she kept her gaze straight ahead before feeling his gaze on her and looking at him with a small smile.

“Oof!” Amina said, as she fell to the ground, hitting an invisible barrier.

Hunter pulled out his blaster looking around to see nothing, as Amina rubbed her forehead with her eyes closed sitting up. “What the- “ she looked up to see Vader standing in front of her, the cause of her stumbling.

“I couldn’t sense you for the past few hours sister.”

Hunter reached out a hand to Amina as she stood up with his help. “Poor you. I quite liked it.”

Vader crossed his arms as he stood in front of her, as Amina copied his movement, “where are you?”

Amina scoffed, waving a hand to the rest of the group, telling them she was fine as they continued to walk forward, with Hunter standing a few paces ahead of her. “We’ve been over this. I’m not going to tell you where I am An- sorry, Vader.”

“The Emperor has been looking for you.”

“And why do you care?” Amina countered.

He didn’t respond, instead his mechanical breathing filled the air between them. “Oh, great. You’re not giving me an answer, again. E chu ta.” She hissed in Huttese, walking around Vader’s form and past Hunter to the ship.

As Amina strode past Darth Vader, her heart pounded in her chest, the weight of his presence heavy on her mind. She quickened her pace, eager to put some distance between herself and the Dark Lord. Behind her, Hunter glanced back at the empty space, a frown creasing his brow.

Once they reached the safety of the Marauder, Amina let out a shaky breath, her hands trembling slightly. She leaned against the ship's hull, trying to steady herself as Hunter approached her, concern etched in his features.

"Hey, are you okay?" Hunter asked softly, his voice gentle as he reached out to touch her arm.

Amina nodded, forcing a smile despite the unease churning in her gut. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, her voice wavering slightly. "Just... wasn't expecting to run into Vader out here."

Hunter's expression darkened at the mention of Vader's name, his grip tightening on Amina's arm. "Yeah, that was unexpected," he muttered, his gaze flickering to the entrance of the ship where the rest of their squad had gathered.

Amina followed his gaze, her eyes meeting Omega's concerned stare. She offered the young girl a reassuring smile, silently willing her not to worry. But she knew that explaining her encounter with Vader would only raise more questions, questions she wasn't ready to answer.

“Have you ever thought about getting help? From… I don’t know, another Jedi? If there are any left.”

Amina's smile faltered slightly at the mention of other Jedi, her expression turning thoughtful as she considered Hunter's question. "I've thought about it," she admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "But... it's complicated. I’m… not sure, but I guess I’ll think about it.”

---

Huttese translation:

E chu ta - fuck you

tags: @callsign-denmark

[mcrdvcks]

Down Bad - Chapter 6

Chapter Summary: Cid sends the group to Serrano to collect Count Dooku's war chest, and of course the mission doesn't go as planned.

Word Count: 9.0k+

Notes: and season 2 begins! i might have already written up to chapter 21 (thanks summer break), so the bad batch will get their happy ending. i'm not going to say anymore about that so i don't spoil anything, but next chapter will have me writing something in place of crosshair's episode and a few more episodes. enjoy!

also, there are a few words in Huttese, so i will put the translated words on the notes at the end.

Series Masterlist - Chapter 5 → Chapter 7

AO3 Link For Chapter

They started to run away from the swarm of Aggrocrabs as they cut a left turn and Echo briefly fell into the water with Hunter pulling him up. Wrecker came running behind them carrying the large crate as Amina followed behind him.

“Go, go, go, go, go, go!” Wrecker yelled. “Go, go, go! Go, go!” He continued, as the crabs continued to chase them.

“We went over the plan five times.” Echo chastised Wrecker, holding up his hand.

“I got the package, didn’t I?”

“Just keep moving.” Hunter added. He held his hand to his helmet, “Tech, we’ve got the cargo, but we could use some firepower.”

“Wrecker woke the pod, didn’t he?” Tech asked over comms. A crab came from their right side, almost colliding with Echo as Hunter quickly shot it.

“Yeah, and they’re not happy. We need a pickup.”

“Copy that. We’re on our way.” Omega replied.

They continued running as moments passed, “Tech, where are you?” Wrecker yelled through comms. More Aggrocrabs ran in front of them as the Marauder turned the corner, flying towards them.

Amina gasped, “is that…?”

Hunter raised his hand to his helmet, “why is Omega hanging off the ship?”

“It is an unscheduled study break.” Tech replied hastily.

Omega came back up onto the platform, shooting at the crabs from the ship with her energy bow as she unhooked the line from herself.

The line came down as Wrecker clipped the hook to the crate and Echo and Wrecker sat on the small surface with Hunter occupying the remaining space.

Amina force jumped, rolling onto the platform of the ship before the line reached the ramp. They walked in, as Omega continued to shoot, and Wrecker unhooked the crate from the line before they flew away.

Wrecker grunted, “I thought the beach was gonna be relaxing.” He set the crate down.

Hunter sat down in one of the chairs and took off his helmet, facing Omega, “appreciate the backup, but try staying inside the ship next time.”

“I’ll try.” She took off her head gear, “but it was still pretty fun.” She smiled, as Hunter gave a soft grin in return.

"Next time, just stick to the plan," Hunter teased lightly, his voice laced with amusement as he leaned back in his chair, his gaze still fixed on Omega. "We don't need any more surprises."

Omega grinned sheepishly, nodding in agreement as she settled into a nearby seat, her energy bow resting against her side. "Got it," she replied, her tone earnest as she glanced around at the rest of the squad. "I'll try to keep the unexpected stunts to a minimum."

Wrecker let out a hearty laugh, slapping Hunter on the back with enough force to make him stumble forward slightly. "Ah, come on, Hunter," he chortled, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Where's the fun in sticking to the plan all the time?"

Echo rolled his eyes, though there was a hint of amusement in his expression as he adjusted his gear. "Fun doesn't usually involve getting chased by giant crabs," he retorted dryly, his voice tinged with sarcasm.

Amina couldn't help but chuckle at Echo's remark, her laughter echoing through the confines of the Marauder as she watched her squadmates banter back and forth. “Yeah, Wrecker, maybe next time be a bit more careful. I don’t want to get eaten by crabs.”

Wrecker grinned, his expression unrepentant as he shrugged his shoulders. "Ah, come on, General," he replied with a playful glint in his eye. "Where's the adventure in playing it safe?"

Echo rolled his eyes at Wrecker's antics, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice as he shook his head. "I think we've had more than enough adventure for one day," he remarked dryly, his tone tinged with sarcasm.

---

They entered Cid’s parlor with Wrecker in front carrying the crate. AZI flew up in front of them, “greetings. It is I, AZI-345211- ”

“Yeah, yeah, we know.” Wrecker responded.

“You are all quite late. Mistress Cid has been extremely vocal about her displeasure.”

“Well, there’s a surprise.” Echo said sarcastically.

They entered Cid’s office, “well, well, well. The space lugs decided to finally show up.”

A woman sat in Cid’s chair, her legs propped up on the desk, “better late than dead, I always say.”

“And who are you?” Hunter asked.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” The woman stood up from the desk, carrying her cup with her, “so, this is the top team you’ve been talking about? The rogue clones on the run from the Empire, huh? How juicy.”

Hunter looked over at Cid, “you told her?”

“Don’t get twitchy. Phee’s a friend. She’s the most trustworthy pirate I know.”

Amina frowned as Echo shared the same expression, “is that supposed to be comforting?” He asked.

“Aren’t clones supposed to look alike? So much for quality control. This one’s too big. This one’s too small. This one’s got a face tattoo.” She chuckled, “yeah, real subtle.” Phee looked over at Tech, “oh. Hey now. Got a name, brown eyes?”

Tech adjusted his goggles, “Tech. However, the phenotypic eye color for all clones is brown. Iris pigmentation was not affected by our mutat- ”

Phee cut him off, “well, as fascinating as this has been, I have places to be.” Phee finished her drink and held the cup over Cid’s claws and dropped it. She walked over to the door, “you, let’s see those muscles in action. Grab that and follow me.”

Wrecker glanced over at Hunter who gave a small nod, “uh, y-yes ma’am.” He picked up the crate as Phee addressed Cid.

“And, Cid, that intel is not free. I expect a cut if your ‘top team’ comes through.” Phee walked out the door with Wrecker following, carrying the crate.

Hunter turned back around to face Cid, “what is she talking about?”

“Your next mission. You lot are heading to the Outer Rim.” Cid tapped on the holo table.

“That is Castle Serenno, the former home of Count Dooku.” Anna shuddered at the name, and the memory of Anakin cutting off his head.

“Who’s that?” Omega asked.

“A Jedi who betrayed the Republic and led the Separatists in a war.” Echo answered.

“With him being dead, Dooku’s entire war chest is up for grabs. The Empire has already started pillaging his palace, but there is still time to strike before it’s all gone.”

Hunter thought about if for a moment before shaking his head, “too much of a risk. You want that war chest? You go after it.” He turned around and walked out of the room. Amina tilted her head and followed him out as he glanced behind him, “are you going to try and convince me?”

She shook her head no and chuckled, “nope. I fought Dooku multiple times you know? Have a few scars to prove it.”

Hunter raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued as he glanced over at Amina. "Really?" he asked, his tone laced with genuine interest. "I didn't know that."

Amina nodded, her gaze drifting to the floor as she recalled her encounters with him, particularly his last moments. She shook her head, “I fought along with Obi-Wan and Anakin a lot throughout the war, so fighting Dooku was just a small part of it.”

"That must have been quite an experience," Hunter remarked, his voice filled with genuine interest as he studied Amina's expression. "To fight alongside Jedi like Obi-Wan and Anakin, it's... impressive."

Amina shrugged nonchalantly, though there was a hint of pride in her demeanor as she glanced up at Hunter. "Well, you fought with Anakin when you rescued Echo from Skako Minor.”

Hunter nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips as he recalled their encounter on Skako Minor. "Yeah, we did," he agreed, his voice tinged with nostalgia as he thought back to the daring rescue mission.

"Anakin was... something else." Amina chuckled softly, a fondness evident in her gaze as she remembered her brother's fearless determination. "He always did have a knack for getting himself into trouble."

Hunter chuckled at her words, a warmth spreading through his chest at the shared memory. "That's one thing we definitely have in common," he admitted, his tone lighthearted as he leaned against the wall of the Cid’s parlor. "Always finding ourselves in the thick of it."

Amina grinned as she felt cold overtaking her as her smile dropped. Hunter leaned forward, “is… Vader back again?”

She gritted her teeth, crossing her arms over her chest and ignoring her brother’s presence beside her. While Hunter, or any of the squad, doesn’t know who Vader is, they’ve occasionally seen her glaring at a seemingly empty corner of the ship or mumbling curses under her breath.

As Amina gritted her teeth and crossed her arms, Hunter could sense the tension radiating from her. He leaned forward, his expression filled with concern as he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Amina, what's wrong?" he asked softly, his voice laced with genuine concern.

Amina shook her head, her gaze flickering to the empty corner of the room where she felt the presence of her brother, Vader. She swallowed hard, her jaw clenched as she struggled to find the words to convey the turmoil brewing inside her. “Yeah, he’s back, the kung.”

Hunter frowned, “what?”

“Sorry, Huttese. It slipped.” She looked out of the corner of her eye to see Vader standing beside her, arms crossed like hers as he seemingly glared at Hunter.

“A clone, sister?” Vader asked, slowly.

“Yeah.” She murmured, “don’t you have innocent people to terrorize?”

Vader's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression unreadable as he regarded his sister. "You've grown bold, sister," he remarked, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement. "But I see you still possess that Skywalker wit."

Amina clenched her jaw, her hands balling into fists at her sides as she resisted the urge to lash out at her brother. Despite the passage of time, the sight of him still filled her with a mix of fear and anger, memories of their tumultuous past swirling in her mind like a violent storm.

“Not long ago, you did too.” She glared at him through the lenses of his mask, “I’m done talking to you.” She said, grabbing Hunter’s hand and walking further down the hall, hoping Anakin wouldn’t follow her.

Amina quickened her pace, her steps purposeful as she led Hunter away from the lingering presence of her brother. She knew she needed to put some distance between them, to clear her mind and regain her composure before facing Anakin again.

"Are you okay?" Hunter asked softly, his voice filled with concern as he matched Amina's brisk stride. He could sense the turmoil swirling inside her, the weight of her past bearing down on her shoulders like a heavy burden.

Amina nodded, her jaw clenched with determination as she fought to keep her emotions in check. "I'm fine," she replied tersely, her voice edged with frustration. "I just need some space." She stopped walking and turned to face him, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped. It’s just… every time I see him, he aggravates me, which is exactly what he wants.”

She let go of his hand and slid down the wall, “I probably look crazy talking to someone that no one else can see.” Hunter sat down on the floor next to her.

"You don't look crazy," Hunter reassured her softly, his voice gentle as he reached out a hand to gently brush a lock of hair away from her face. "And you're not alone. We all have our ghosts."

Amina sighed heavily, leaning her head back against the wall as she stared up at the ceiling, her mind swirling with memories of her past. "I know," she murmured, her voice tinged with frustration. "But it's like every time I see him, he just... gets under my skin."

Hunter nodded sympathetically, his gaze softening as he studied Amina's troubled expression. "I get it," he admitted quietly, his tone laced with empathy. "But you can't let him win. You're stronger than that."

Amina glanced over at Hunter, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips at his words of encouragement. "Thanks," she murmured, her voice filled with gratitude. "I needed to hear that."

Hunter offered her a reassuring smile, his gaze unwavering as he reached out to gently squeeze her hand. "Anytime," he replied softly, his voice filled with sincerity. "I'm here for you, Amina. Whatever you need." He placed their intertwined hands on his thigh, “and maybe you do look a little crazy.”

Amina let out a snort, “I knew it.”

Hunter chuckled softly, the sound warm and reassuring as he glanced at Amina with a playful glint in his eyes. "Hey, it's not necessarily a bad thing," he teased lightly, his tone lighthearted as he squeezed her hand gently. "We're all a little crazy in our own way."

Amina rolled her eyes, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips as she shook her head in mock exasperation. "Speak for yourself," she replied with a playful grin, her voice filled with amusement. "I'm perfectly sane."

“Some of your skills don’t make you seem sane. You fly like you’ve got nothing to lose.”

"That's harsh," Amina playfully replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes, her gaze meeting Hunter's with a playful challenge. "I'm a very talented pilot, Sarge. One of the best."

Hunter couldn't help but chuckle at Amina's retort, a warm smile spreading across his lips as he shook his head in amusement. "I'll give you that," he admitted, his tone lighthearted as he glanced over at her. "You definitely know your way around a cockpit."

Amina grinned, her expression filled with satisfaction at Hunter's admission. "See? I told you," she replied smugly, her voice tinged with amusement as she leaned closer to him. "You should have more faith in my flying skills."

Hunter raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on Amina's face as he felt a warmth spreading through his chest at her playful demeanor. "I never said I doubted you," he protested lightly, his tone teasing as he met Amina's playful gaze. "I just think you tend to take a few more risks than necessary."

"What can I say? I like to live on the edge," she replied cheekily, her voice filled with amusement as she flashed him a playful grin. "Keeps things interesting."

Hunter shook his head in mock exasperation, though there was a hint of affection in his expression as he regarded Amina. "That's one way to put it," he remarked dryly, his tone laced with amusement. "But maybe try dialing it back a notch next time. We don't need any unnecessary risks."

Amina rolled her eyes playfully, though there was a warmth in her gaze as she met Hunter's eyes. "You worry too much," she teased lightly, her voice soft as she gently squeezed his hand. "But don't worry, I'll try to keep the crazy stunts to a minimum."

Hunter smiled, a warmth spreading through his chest at Amina's reassurance. "I'd appreciate that," he replied sincerely, his voice filled with gratitude as he returned her squeeze. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Amina."

Amina's smile softened, her gaze meeting Hunter's with a warmth that mirrored his own. "You don't have to worry about that," she murmured softly, her voice tinged with affection as she leaned closer to him. "I'm not going anywhere."

Omega walked down the hallway, jogging towards them, “I was looking for you guys.” She said stepping in front of them breaking whatever spell they were under, “Tech wanted you to help me with my homework, Hunter.”

Hunter sighed before nodding and standing up, “alright, come on.” Omega smiled and walked into the main part of the parlor, sitting down at the bar stools as Hunter held a hand out for Amina.

Amina reached out and took Hunter's hand, allowing him to help her to her feet as they made their way into the main part of Cid's parlor. Omega was already seated at the bar stools, a datapad already in her hand.

Tech looked up from his own datapad as Hunter and Amina approached, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he adjusted his goggles. "Ah, there you are," he greeted them, his voice tinged with amusement. "I was beginning to think you'd gotten lost."

Amina chuckled softly as she settled onto one of the bar stools beside Omega, glancing over at the datapad with a curious expression before walking behind the bar to pour each of them a glass of water.

Hunter sat down next to Omega as they went over the kinds of Imperial ships. “What class of shuttle? Lambda or Delta?”

“Lambda-class.”

“Very good.”

“I’m in too.” Wrecker quietly said.

“Good. Then we’re all in agreement. Now, all we gotta do is convince dark and broody.” Cid said, as Hunter walked over.

“Convince me about what?”

“Uh, well, we took a vote, and we wanna go after the war chest.” Wrecker said, a hint of guilt in his voice.

“It’s unanimous. Even killjoy over here agreed.” Cid gestured to Echo.

“Serenno is Imperial occupied. We’ve stayed off the Empire’s radar since Kamino. Why chance it now?” Hunter asked.

“Because the contents of just one of those containers would be worth more than all the jobs you pulled for me combined. You can buy your freedom.”

“We’re already free.”

“It’s cute you think that. Clearly, you’re not paying attention to what’s happening out there, but I am. It’s only a matter of time before the Empire comes here. And then my little operation is over, which means no more jobs for you.”

“She does have a valid point.” Tech said.

“You wanna really be free? Then pull off this heist, and you’ll have the means to disappear. No more risky missions. No more living hand to mouth. You can have a future. Isn’t that what you’re after?”

Hunter glanced over at Omega and Amina, as Omega tapped on her datapad and Amina questioned her to see how she was learning.

---

The ship exited hyperspace as they descended upon Serrano. Tech landed the Marauder in a remote area in a clearing in the forest.

Echo exited first, with Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, Omega, and Amina following.

“So, where is this palace?” Wrecker asked, looking over at Tech who was looking down at his datapad.

“The city is on the opposite side of this mountain range.” Tech announced, as Echo and Wrecker followed. Amina stood behind Omega who stood on the stairs.

“Are you coming?” Hunter asked Omega. She made her way down the stairs as Amina walked behind her and Hunter put on his helmet, catching up to Tech and the others.

They walked up the side of the mountain, looking down at it from up high. “That’s the city? What happened to it?” Omega asked.

“Imperial orbital bombardment. Same as on Kamino.” Echo answered, looking at Tech and Wrecker before turning around and continuing to walk.

The group made it to a small clearing above the Imperial site as Tech pulled out his binoculars. “It appears that they are beginning to transport the war chest off-world. Our window of opportunity is quickly closing.”

Tech passed the binoculars to Echo, “there’s over 40 troopers down there.”

Wrecker hit his fists together, “that’s nothing.”

“Stealth, Wrecker. Remember?” Omega reminded Wrecker, looking up at him.

Two small ships flew up behind the larger ship carrying the crates, as they flew up into the sky. “Imperial escort ships. The standard protocol for when high-level cargo is being transported.” Tech said.

“Get to the nearest container and grab whatever you can. I’ll be the eyes on the ground. If things go sideways, I’ll divert their forces and buy you some time.” Hunter said, walking down one side of the mountain as the rest of them walked down the other side.

They stopped behind a tree as they watched a trooper walk by in front of them, pushing a hovercart.

“In position. And the second transport’s launching.” Echo said through comms.

“We’ve got roving patrols. Stay alert.” Hunter replied through comms.

“Let’s go.” Echo looked back at them as they ran to the transport shuttle. They hid behind a container, waiting for troopers to pass before running onto the shuttle.

Wrecker stood by the door, keeping watch as a trooper walked by and Wrecker stun blasted him, dragging him up onto the shuttle. “What? I did it quietly.” Wrecker responded to Tech’s look at him.

“They will definitely notice when he does not report in.”

“Well, let’s be gone by then.” Echo added in.

“I’ll keep watch. Start loading up.” Wrecker said, as Tech, Echo, Omega, and Amina looked at the crates on the shuttle.

“Whoa. So, this is what a war chest looks like.” Omega said, a hint of curiosity and excitement in her voice.

“This is only a fraction of it, but that is all we need. The priority is items of high value.” Tech responded.

“Like what?”

“Anything shiny or heavy is a start.” Echo said.

Tech opened a crate of gold as Omega opened a crate filled with credits. “Echo…”

“I’d say that qualifies as high value.”

Omega lifted up a jewel, as Tech walked over. “How could all of this belong to one person?”

“It is safe to assume that the majority of Dooku’s fortune came from the many worlds he controlled and exploited. All in the name of his war effort.” Tech answered.

“That’s what corrupt people do.” Echo added.

“Well, that’s an understatement,” Amina also added. She walked over to one of the crates, and opened it, finding more credits before lifting her head up and looking around.

“But isn’t that what we’re doing?” Omega asked.

“Depends on how we use it.” Echo answered.

“CT-8801, come in.”

Echo walked over to the stunned clone upon hearing the comm coming from the trooper’s helmet. “Hunter, I think we’re about to have some company.”

“Are you clear?” Hunter spoke through comms.

“Negative. We could use that diversion about now.”

“On it.”

Amina walked over to the front of the transport shuttle, on the other side of Wrecker. “I’m heading your way. Be ready.” Hunter said.

“Let’s speed this up. Wrecker, that one goes first.” Echo ordered, as Wrecker walked over to the crate and lifted it, putting it on his shoulder before walking off the shuttle.

Amina grabbed a smaller crate and stepped down and out of the shuttle, dragging it with her to the clearing where Wrecker and Hunter were.

“Where are the others?” Hunter asked.

“Still in the container.” Wrecker answered.

The engines of the transport shuttle turned on, “Tech, the ship’s taking off. Get out of there.” Hunter spoke.

“Hunter, we’re trapped in the container. We can’t get out.” Omega spoke quickly through the comms.

“On our way.”

“Uh, Boss? I think they know something’s up.” Wrecker said, looking at troopers standing in front of the trees.

Hunter huffed, holding up his blaster, “we’re done hiding anyway.” Hunter ran out, stun blasting the few troopers in front of them, with Wrecker and Amina following.

They walked by the shuttle as it slowly lifted off the ground as they shot at the incoming troopers. Hunter quickly climbed onto the ladder on the side with Amina then Wrecker following suit.

“Ha ha! Come and get me!” Wrecker exclaimed, still blasting the troopers.

The troopers shot at the side of the ship, close to the ladder as one blast hit by Hunter’s hand, causing him to fall as he grabbed onto the bottom of the ladder.

“Oh, I’m starting to regret this.” Wrecker said, looking down.

“We have to jump.” Amina said.

“Jump where?” Wrecker asked loudly.

The ship hovered over Castle Serrano, “jump!” Hunter exclaimed, as the three of them fell onto the top of the castle, sliding down the side.

Hunter used his knife to slowly stop his fall, now standing on a small circular ledge. Amina landed beside him as Wrecker continued to slide down, “this isn’t any better!” He grabbed onto the end of the ledge as Hunter pulled him up.

Hunter sheathed his knife as they watched the large transport shuttle with Echo, Tech, and Omega continue to fly away.

“Hunter, where are you?” Omega asked through comms.

“Sorry, kid. We got a little sidetracked. You need to get off that ship before it jumps to hyperspace.”

“If we gain access to the ship’s main hold, we could commandeer an escape pod.” Tech said.

“Do it. We’ll get to the Marauder and recover you.”

Wrecker grunted, “it’s gonna take a while.”

Amina and Hunter looked in the direction Wrecker was as a squad of troopers started to shoot at them from below.

“Quick! Inside.” Hunter yelled as they entered the castle from a side entrance. The three of them quietly made their way into Dooku’s office.

“This place gives me the creeps.” Wrecker said, looking at the large broken stained window. The door opened as Hunter immediately started to stun blast the troopers.

They jumped behind Dooku’s desk to find cover from the small group of troopers. More troopers started to show up at the front door, as they continued their blasting.

“Any idea how we’re getting out of here?” Wrecker asked, as they ducked behind the desk.

Hunter looked around as Amina and Wrecker continued to shoot at the troopers. “We’re not going out. We’re going down. There’s a lift below us. Cover me.”

He tapped on the electronic part of the desk as Amina and Wrecker continued their blasting. The two side doors opened, with more troopers showing up.

“What is taking you so long?” Wrecker yelled.

“I’m trying. Tech usually does this.” Hunter answered, using one hand to shoot at the troopers on his left.

The lift started to slowly go down until one of the trooper’s blaster shots hit the desk. “It’s jammed.” Hunter said.

“Well, I can fix that.” Wrecker confidently said. He threw a smoke grenade over the desk as he started to jump on the lift.

“Wait! Don’t! No!” Hunter yelled, as they all fell down the lift’s shaft.

As they plummeted down the lift shaft, Hunter, Amina, and Wrecker braced themselves for impact. The darkness enveloped them, broken only by the faint emergency lighting of the lift shaft. Wrecker let out a loud grunt as they hit the bottom with a thud. Amina, luckily, was able to use the force to break her landing.

"Ow," Wrecker groaned, rubbing his neck.

"Everyone okay?" Hunter asked, checking on Amina and Wrecker.

“Yep.” Amina said, standing up from her crouching position. She reached out a hand to Hunter as he grabbed it and she pulled him up. “Are you okay? You landed on your shoulder pretty roughly.”

As Hunter stood up from his rough landing, he winced, feeling a twinge in his shoulder. "I'll manage," he grunted, trying to shake off the discomfort. Amina's concern was evident in her eyes as she looked at him. Despite the urgency of their situation, she couldn't help but worry about his well-being.

"We need to keep moving," Hunter said, pushing through the pain in his shoulder. He glanced around the dimly lit corridor, searching for any signs of their next move.

Amina slowly nodded, “there may be a way to get to the lower part of the castle.”

Hunter's brow furrowed slightly as he considered her words. "How?" he asked, his gaze flickering between Amina and their surroundings. The dim emergency lighting cast long shadows across the corridor, lending an air of tension to their predicament.

Amina glanced around, her eyes scanning the walls for any sign of access points. "There has to be multiple elevators here," she explained, her tone resolute. "If Dooku was rich, he surely wouldn’t walk up and down stairs all the time.”

Hunter nodded, acknowledging Amina's reasoning. "Good point. Let's keep an eye out for any elevators or access points," he said, his voice firm yet calm as he took the lead, his blaster at the ready.

Amina followed closely behind, her senses heightened as she scanned the corridor for any signs of danger. They found a small elevator, as they descended the floors. Wrecker walked out first, followed by Hunter as they checked around the room.

Hunter tapped on the controls by the lift as the wall opened up, revealing that they were still high up, and troopers surrounded the castle.

“The regs have all the entry points to the castle surrounded.” Wrecker said.

“Not all of them. Our way out is down.” Hunter pointed out of the building.

Hunter placed a hook on the floor as Wrecker groaned, “I knew you were gonna say that.”

Hunter threw the end of the line out, “we use the city ruins for cover and trek back to the Marauder.” Wrecker started to slowly climb down as Hunter turned on his comm. “Tech, did you reach the escape pods yet?”

“Not exactly. We are using an alternate mode of transport. My calculations have us crashing towards the upper forest region of the planet.”

“Crashing?” Hunter exclaimed.

Amina’s eyes widened as Hunter shook his head, letting out a heavy sigh. “Alright, let’s get going.” Hunter grabbed the line and started to climb down as Amina stood on the ledge looking down. “Are you coming?”

Amina shrugged in response, “yes. But I’m not climbing. I’ll jump.”

Hunter took a glance down and back up at Amina, “that’s got to be a few kilometers from here to the bottom.”

“So?”

“You’re going to get yourself killed by jumping. It’s suicide.”

Amina kneeled down and flicked the spot on Hunter’s helmet where his nose was, “it’s called force jumping, wermo. I’ve jumped out of ships in the sky before, this is a piece of cake.”

They heard Wrecker’s mumbled curses and dislike of heights coming from slightly below as Hunter held onto the line.

Amina raised her hands, “plus I’m not wearing gloves. I don’t want to get rope burn. And jumping is fun. And- ”

"Yeah, I got it. Just be careful," Hunter said with a mixture of concern and exasperation in his voice. Amina offered him a playful grin before taking a step back from the ledge, preparing herself for the jump.

With a graceful leap, Amina propelled herself into the air, her body twisting and turning as she descended towards the ground below.

As Amina neared the ground, she extended her arms and legs, her movements fluid and controlled. With a soft thud, she landed gracefully on the forest floor, her landing barely making a sound as she rolled to absorb the impact.

Hunter let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding as he watched Amina dust herself off and glance back up at him with a triumphant grin. "See? Piece of cake," she called up to him.

Hunter shook his head in amazement before turning his attention back to the task at hand. He tightened his grip on the line and began to descend slowly, his muscles tensed with the effort as he carefully made his way down the side of the castle.

Below, Wrecker waited impatiently, his grumbling audible even from the distance. As Hunter reached the ground, he released the line and landed with a solid thud beside Amina and Wrecker.

Wrecker glanced over at him with a smirk. "Took you long enough, Boss."

Hunter rolled his eyes before turning his attention to their surroundings. They were surrounded by dense forest, the towering trees casting long shadows in the fading light of the day.

"We need to move quickly," Hunter said, his voice low and urgent. "The longer we stay here, the greater the chance of being spotted by the Empire." He held his fingers on the side of his helmet, “Tech. Report.”

“We are alive. But where we are, I am not fully certain.” Tech spoke.

“The Empire’s gonna come looking for their containers, and for us.” Echo also said through comms.

“Get out of sight and lay low. Once we get to the Marauder, we’ll come for you.”

“Roger that.” Tech said.

Amina, Hunter, and Wrecker made their way to the outskirts of the city, moving through hilly terrain when shuttles started to fly over them.

“Get down.” Hunter ordered quietly, as they bent down and leaned against the hills made of metal trash.

They crawled to the side of the small hill as two shuttles landed in front of them. “They’re setting up a perimeter.” Wrecker scoffed, “like that’ll stop us.”

“They know our forces are split. They’ll monitor comm channels.” Hunter raised his hand and pressed against the side of his helmet, “Havoc-2. The fourth sun is setting. Plan Double Zero.”

“Copy that.” Tech responded.

---

They made their way up a hill, where the three of them lay down, looking down at the troopers below with a pair of binoculars.

Hunter sighed, taking the binoculars away from his helmeted eyes, “we’re gonna need to break through their ranks. How many explosives do you have?”

“Nothing that’ll do any damage. Just a couple of smoke bombs.” Wrecker replied.

“Ten o’clock.” Hunter said, as Amina and Wrecker’s gaze followed his.

“Separatist tanks?” Amina whispered.

“Oh, now you’re talking.” Wrecker said, a hint of glee in his voice.

They made their way down the hill as Wrecker pulled out a droid from the tank, “thanks for the ride.”

Hunter got into his tank and pressed all the buttons as Amina stuck her head in from the top, her ponytail flipping over her head. He looked up at her and shook his head as Amina sighed.

“No good.” Wrecker called out from his tank, “how about yours?”

“This one’s down too.” Hunter said, as he hopped out of the tank and onto the ground. He made a gesture with his hands for Amina to jump down from the top as she slid down the side, Hunter’s arms at the ready in case she fell.

They walked around the small junkyard, looking for anything to help. Wrecker pointed his flashlight at a tank, with its interior exposed. “There! That one!”

Hunter placed his arm on the tank, “forget it, Wrecker. That tank’s not going anywhere.”

Suddenly, blaster shots fired in their direction, causing the three of them to duck and take cover behind the tank Wrecker had previously been looking at.

“Don’t need it to. Grab the battery pack.” Wrecker said.

“For what?” Amina responded.

“Leave it to me.” Wrecker said, as he climbed to the top of the tank and began firing stun shots at the troopers.

Hunter ducked and grabbed a smoke grenade before throwing it onto the ground. Amina reached down in front of Hunter and grabbed the battery, as Wrecker began to tug on the cannon. “Come to… Wrecker!”

Amina tossed the battery to Wrecker as she helped Hunter with firing blaster shots. The sound of a ship approaching sounded out, a V-Wing flying above for air support.

“Pick up the pace.” Hunter ordered.

Wrecker watched as the battery powered up the cannon, “and we’re in business!” He stood up and aimed it in the direction of the approaching ship, before firing it blasting off one of the wings, which sent the V-Wing crashing behind them.

Wrecker let out a laugh, “boom! I make a pretty good tank!”

Amina raised an eyebrow at Wrecker patting the makeshift tank, “well, I can’t argue with that.”

Wrecker moved from their position and into the fading smoke, holding up the tank and sent multiple shots at the troopers in front of them, as Hunter and Amina continued to fire stun blasts as they moved forward.

They ran closer to the Marauder, taking cover behind rocks as the troopers continued to shoot. “The Marauder is just over that ridge.”

“You said that about the last one.” Wrecker complained to Hunter.

“This time I mean it.”

Wrecker groaned, before he jumped out from his spot and shot the cliff in front of the troopers, causing a small rockslide behind them, blocking the troopers from reaching them.

Finally, the Marauder came into view as Wrecker let out a few more shots from his tank, hitting the trees as Amina got onboard the ship first, settling into the pilot’s seat.

She powered on the ship as Hunter got into the co-pilot’s seat. Wrecker got on last, looking around the cockpit, “this old bird never looked so good.”

“We’re in position.” Amina said through comms.

Hunter took off his helmet, setting it to the side, “Tech, send your coordinates.”

“Transmitting.” Tech replied.

“Coordinates received. We’re heading your way.” Hunter responded, as Amina started to take off.

“We got company.” Amina said, looking over at Wrecker. She rotated the ship in a circle before pulling the ship straight up in the air. “I count three!” She yelled back at Wrecker, who was now in the gun turret.

Wrecker shot down two ships, and once they made their way to the cliffside where Echo, Omega, and Tech was, Wrecker shot down the last one, causing it to fly into the side of the mountain.

Amina flew to the side of the cliff as Wrecker opened the door and gestured for them to come onboard. Once Tech came onboard, the doors closed, and Amina flew the ship away.

She flew the ship into hyperspace as Echo walked back to Omega. Amina walked into the hallway, where Tech sat rubbing his thigh.

“What happened?” Amina asked.

“When we landed on the surface, a container fell onto my femur and fractured it. And considering the actions of the rest of the day, it has exacerbated the injury.”

Amina raised an eyebrow before grabbing the med kit. “I’ll handle it.”

“Are you sure you can properly tend to the injury?” Tech asked, as Amina took off his armor on his thigh.

She grabbed a few things, including a splint and some bandages, “I’m not dumb you know. I may make jokes, but it doesn’t mean I’m incapable.”

Tech adjusted his goggles, “I didn’t mean to insult you.”

“I know you didn’t. That’s why I’m not insulted.”

As Amina finished applying the splint and bandages, she stepped back to inspect her handiwork. Satisfied with the results, she offered Tech a reassuring smile. "There you go, all patched up," she said, her voice calm and reassuring.

Tech nodded appreciatively, his expression softening slightly. "Thank you, Amina. I must admit, I underestimated your abilities," he admitted, adjusting his goggles.

Amina chuckled softly, a playful glint in her eyes. "Don't worry about it. I'm used to people underestimating me," she said, her tone light-hearted.

Tech smiled wryly, recognizing the truth in her words. Despite her youth and seemingly carefree demeanor, Amina possessed a quiet strength and resilience that belied her appearance.

“Now, go get some rest.” Amina said, gesturing to his bunk. “And maybe not on the top ones? I’m sure Echo or Wrecker wouldn’t mind climbing to the top just for tonight.”

Tech nodded in agreement, appreciative of Amina's concern. "I'll take you up on that suggestion," he replied, rising from his seat and making his way towards the bunks.

As Tech disappeared into the sleeping quarters, Amina let out a sigh, feeling the weight of the day's events settling upon her shoulders. Despite the successful mission, the constant danger and uncertainty of their situation weighed heavily on her mind.

She went into the refresher and took a quick shower, before she made her way into the cockpit, the blue and white lights of hyperspace lighting up the room. Hunter sat in the co-pilot’s chair, keeping watch while everyone else slept.

She carried in one of the med packs and set it on the pilot’s chair, opening the kit.

“What are you doing?” Hunter asked, as he turned his chair to the side to face Amina.

“When we fell in Dooku’s castle, you fell on your arm. I’m assuming it’s not broken, but maybe bruised. I’m going to check it over and put some ointment on it.”

“It’ll be fine.” He replied, as Amina turned around.

Amina turned back to face Hunter, her expression firm as she held up the tube of ointment. "Take off your armor," she instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I think you only need to remove your shoulder pads, but you also have a compression shirt on, so you might need to take that off too."

Hunter hesitated for a moment, his gaze flickering between Amina and the tube of ointment in her hand. "Ami-" he began, but Amina cut him off with a pointed look.

"I can't hear you unless the words coming out your mouth are 'yes, ma'am'," she retorted, a playful glint in her eyes as she held Hunter's gaze.

Hunter chuckled softly, shaking his head in resignation as he reached up to unfasten his shoulder pads. "Yes, ma'am," he replied with mock deference, though there was a warmth in his voice as he met Amina's gaze.

Amina grinned in satisfaction, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she watched Hunter comply with her instructions. As he removed his armor and peeled off his compression shirt, she couldn't help but admire the strength and grace of his movements, the muscles of his arms and chest rippling beneath his skin.

Once Hunter had removed his armor, he turned to face Amina, his expression open and vulnerable as he met her gaze. "Alright, what's next?" he asked, his voice gentle as he held out his arm for her inspection.

Amina stepped forward, her movements confident as she moved to stand in between Hunter’s legs. She reached out and gently took hold of his injured arm, her touch light but firm as she began to assess the damage.

“Does it hurt?” she asked, her voice soft with concern as she carefully probed the area around his shoulder. Hunter winced slightly but shook his head.

“Not too bad,” he replied, his voice steady despite the discomfort. “Just feels a bit sore.”

Amina nodded, her brow furrowing in concentration as she examined the bruising on his skin. She squeezed a small amount of ointment onto her fingers and began to gently massage it into the affected area, her touch gentle but purposeful.

Hunter leaned back in his chair, his eyes closing briefly as he savored the sensation of Amina’s skilled hands working to ease his pain. He couldn’t help but marvel at her expertise, her confidence evident in every movement she made.

“You’re good at this,” he remarked, his voice filled with admiration as he glanced up at Amina. She looked down at him, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.

“I’ve had plenty of practice,” she replied modestly. The ointment was rubbed in completely as her hand went up from his shoulder to the side of his neck. “Your tense. When’s the last time you had a massage?” she playfully asked.

Amina grinned mischievously as she felt the tension in Hunter's muscles beneath her fingertips. She had always been intuitive when it came to reading people, and right now, she could sense the stress radiating from him like a palpable aura.

"Hmm, let me think," Hunter replied with a wry smile, his voice tinged with amusement as he tilted his head slightly to the side, pretending to ponder her question. "I believe the last time I had a massage was... never."

"Hmm, never, huh?" Amina echoed, a playful glint in her eyes as she continued to massage Hunter's tense muscles. She could feel the knots melting away beneath her touch, and she couldn't help but marvel at the contrast between his tough exterior and the vulnerability he displayed in this moment. One of his arms slowly moved to the small of her back, pulling her in further.

Hunter's touch sent shivers down Amina's spine as she leaned into him, her fingers working deftly over his skin as she continued to knead away the tension in his muscles. She could feel the warmth of his breath against her neck, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat echoing in her ears.

"Feels good," Hunter murmured, his voice low and husky as he relaxed into her touch. Amina's heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice, a rush of emotion flooding through her as she reveled in this moment of closeness.

"Yeah?" Amina replied, her voice barely above a whisper as she continued to work her magic on Hunter's tense muscles. She could feel the tension melting away beneath her fingertips, replaced by a sense of calm and contentment that she hadn't felt in a long time.

Hunter let out a soft sigh of satisfaction, his body relaxing against hers as he surrendered to the sensation of Amina's touch. In that moment, there was no war, no Empire, no danger lurking just beyond the stars.

Hunter chuckled softly, his gaze meeting Amina's with a warmth that mirrored her own. "I guess I've been missing out," he admitted, his voice filled with amusement as he relaxed further into the chair, allowing Amina to work her magic on his tired muscles.

Amina grinned, her movements becoming more confident as she applied a bit more pressure to the particularly stubborn knots in Hunter's shoulders. "Well, consider this your lucky day," she teased lightly, her voice soft but filled with playful energy. "You're experiencing the wonders of a Skywalker-style massage."

Hunter raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued as he watched Amina work. "Skywalker-style, huh?" he mused, his tone laced with amusement. "Should I be worried?"

Amina chuckled softly, “nope. Although, you may be disappointed because it’s only trademarked by me and not my brother.”

Hunter let out a low chuckle, the tension in his shoulders slowly dissipating under Amina's skilled touch. "I'll take what I can get," he replied with a grin, his voice filled with amusement as he leaned back in the chair, allowing himself to relax fully into Amina's ministrations.

A comfortable silence settled between them as Amina continued to work, her movements fluid and confident as she focused on easing the knots in Hunter's muscles. The gentle hum of the ship's engines provided a soothing backdrop to their quiet conversation, the rhythmic sound lulling them both into a state of calm.

He looked at her face, the soft curve of her lips, the small freckle she had on her jaw, and how a few pieces of her dyed black hair fell out of her ponytail, framing her face.

Lost in his thoughts, Hunter didn't notice the way Amina's gaze flickered down to meet his own. She couldn't help but feel a flutter in her chest as she caught the intensity of his gaze, a warmth spreading through her veins at the sight of him.

"Is everything alright?" Amina asked softly, her voice breaking through the comfortable silence that had settled between them.

Hunter blinked, snapping out of his reverie as he met Amina's gaze with a sheepish smile. "Yeah, sorry," he replied, his voice tinged with embarrassment. "I just got lost in thought for a moment there."

Amina chuckled softly, a playful glint in her eyes as she tilted her head to the side. "Must have been some thought," she teased lightly, her voice filled with gentle amusement.

Hunter shrugged, a faint blush coloring his cheeks as he shifted slightly in his seat. "Just admiring the view," he admitted with a shy smile, his gaze flickering back to Amina's face.

Amina felt her cheeks warm at Hunter's words, a soft smile playing at the corners of her lips as she met his gaze. "Well, I hope it's not too disappointing," she replied with a playful wink, her voice light with humor.

Hunter chuckled softly, the tension in his shoulders easing as he relaxed further into the chair. "Not at all," he assured her sincerely, his gaze never wavering from hers. "In fact, I'd say it's quite the opposite."

Amina's smile widened at Hunter's words, a warmth spreading through her chest at the sincerity in his tone. "Well, I have been told I’m pretty captivating. And sometimes annoying, but you can take your pick," she quipped, her playful demeanor inviting Hunter to banter with her.

Hunter chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he leaned back in his chair, his gaze never wavering from Amina's face. "Oh, I'll definitely take captivating over annoying any day," he replied with a grin, his voice filled with genuine warmth as he met Amina's playful gaze.

Amina laughed, the sound light and musical as she shook her head in mock indignation. "Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence," she teased, her tone playful as she reached up to tousle Hunter's hair affectionately.

Hunter smirked, his eyes dancing with mischief as he leaned into Amina's touch, relishing the feel of her fingers running through his hair. "Anytime," he replied cheekily, his voice filled with playful energy as he met Amina's gaze with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

A comfortable silence settled between them, the air crackling with an unspoken tension as they both savored the moment. Amina's heart raced in her chest as she met Hunter's gaze, her pulse quickening at the intensity she saw reflected in his eyes.

Hunter's breath caught in his throat as he gazed at Amina, his heart pounding in his chest as he drank in the sight of her.

But just as quickly as it had begun, the moment was shattered by the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. Amina and Hunter both turned to see Echo standing in the doorway of the cockpit, a curious expression on his face as he took in the scene before him.

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

Amina and Hunter exchanged a sheepish look, a flush creeping into their cheeks as they realized they had been caught in a moment of intimacy. "Uh, no, not at all," Amina replied quickly, her voice slightly breathless as she cleared her throat and attempted to regain her composure.

Hunter nodded in agreement, his gaze flickering to Echo's face before returning to Amina's. "Yeah, we were just, uh, finishing up here," he added.

A small sound was heard as the three turned their heads to a panel on the side, a wire cut. Amina turned her head to look out in the hall when she saw Vader standing in the hall, his fist closed.

What a way to kill the mood.

She sighed as she gestured to the hall to Hunter as he looked out, seeing nothing but emptiness, other than Wrecker and Tech sleeping in their bunks.

Amina shook her head, bringing her hand down her face, “seriously? You’re that angry?”

Echo looked at Hunter, at the empty hallway, and then back to Hunter who shrugged.

"You're getting awfully close to him, sister," Vader's voice echoed through the hallway, his tone icy and disapproving.

Amina's jaw clenched at the sound of her brother's voice, her fists balling at her sides as she fought to keep her emotions in check. She turned to face him, her expression guarded as she met his intense gaze.

"And what if I am?" she shot back defiantly, her voice tinged with anger as she squared her shoulders. “You don’t get a say in my life anymore.”

Echo leaned closer to Hunter, “is she… talking to herself?” he whispered.

“It’s some force thing.” Hunter whispered back.

“Perhaps you need a lesson.”

“On what? Not being a awful person? Cause, you need to take that clas- ” Darth Vader raised his hand, turning the steering wheel of the Marauder, causing a sharp turn.

Amina stumbled as the ship lurched to the side, her heart pounding in her chest as she reached out instinctively to steady herself. But before she could hit the ground, Hunter was there, his strong arms wrapping around her waist and pulling her close to him.

"Whoa there, easy," he murmured, his voice low and soothing as he held Amina steady. She blinked up at him, her breath catching in her throat as she met his gaze, the intensity of his eyes sending a shiver down her spine.

"Thanks," she managed to whisper, her voice barely above a breath as she struggled to regain her composure. Hunter smiled down at her, his touch gentle as he helped her to stand upright once more.

"Anytime," he replied softly, his voice filled with warmth as he met Amina's gaze with a reassuring smile. She couldn't help but feel a flutter in her chest at the sight of him, a warmth spreading through her veins at the closeness between them.

Echo watched the exchange between Amina and Hunter with a bemused expression, his eyes flickering between them as he tried to make sense of the situation. "Well, that was... interesting," he remarked dryly, a hint of amusement in his tone as he glanced at the pair.

Amina rolled her eyes playfully, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips as she stepped away from Hunter's embrace. "Yeah, you could say that.” She turned to glare at the hallway where Vader previously stood, but now it was empty.

Hunter noticed the tension in her shoulders leaving, and he could only guess that Vader, was gone.

"Is he... gone?" Hunter asked quietly, his voice filled with concern as he watched Amina carefully.

Amina nodded, her expression tight with frustration as she crossed her arms over her chest. "For now, at least," she replied, her tone weary but resolute. "He tends to pop up when you least expect it." She shook her head, “alright then boys, I’m going to meditate and hopefully fall asleep.”

"Think she'll be alright?" Hunter asked quietly, his voice filled with concern as he turned to face Echo. The clone shrugged, his expression unreadable as he glanced back at Hunter.

"She's a Skywalker," Echo replied cryptically, his tone laced with uncertainty. "They tend to bounce back from things like this."

Hunter nodded, though he couldn't shake the feeling of worry that gnawed at him. Amina may be strong, but even the strongest of individuals had their limits. He made a mental note to check on her later, to make sure she was alright.

---

Huttese translations:

kung - scum

wermo - idiot

tags: @callsign-denmark

[mcrdvcks]

Down Bad - Chapter 5

Chapter Summary: After the events on Kamino, the squad lays low, completing small missions for Cid.

Word Count: 12.9k+

Notes: so this is a short (not really tho it's around 13k words) interlude between bad batch season 1 and 2. there are a few different short stories, pretty much all of them fluffy. but if you do not like sicknesses or illnesses (they are not described much, other than sneezing, coughing, and stuffy nose) i suggest you don't read the end of this. enjoy!

Series Masterlist - Chapter 4 → Chapter 6

AO3 Link For Chapter

Amina walked onto the Marauder, as Omega glanced up from her datapad. “Hey, Omega. Want to help me with something?” Amina shook the small box in her hand.

Omega got off the chair in the cockpit, “yeah! What do you need, General?”

Amina chucked, “well, I need to dye my hair again.”

Omega raised an eyebrow, “that’s not your natural hair?”

“Nope. My natural hair color is brown, but since most people know who I am, I died it to an auburn color. But the dye is fading so I thought I’d try a new color.” She shook the box again, “it’s black, so not a big difference, but anyways, do you wanna help me?”

Omega's eyes widened with excitement at the prospect of helping Amina dye her hair. "Sure, I'd love to help!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with enthusiasm as she practically bounced over to where Amina was standing. "I've never dyed anyone's hair before. This is gonna be fun!"

Amina chuckled at Omega's excitement, feeling a warmth spread through her chest at the younger girl's infectious energy. "Glad to have you on board," she said with a smile, holding out the box of black hair dye for Omega to inspect.

Omega eagerly took the box, examining it with intense curiosity as she read the instructions printed on the back. “Wait,” she looked up at Amina, “won’t Hunter get mad?”

Amina shrugged, “if we can get it done before the boys get back from getting our supplies, they’ll never know until they see the final results. We just have to be careful to not ruin the refresher.”

Omega grinned mischievously, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Sounds like a plan! Let's get started."

The two of them made their way to the refresher, leaving their weapons in the cockpit. Once inside the small refresher, Amina spread an old towel over the floor to catch any drips, while Omega eagerly tore open the box of hair dye.

"So, how does this work?" Omega asked, peering at the instructions on the back of the box.

Amina took the box from her and quickly skimmed over the directions. "Looks like we just mix these two bottles together," she explained, holding up two small tubes of liquid. "Then we apply it to my hair, wait for a bit, and rinse it out. Simple enough."

Omega giggled, her excitement bubbling over as she eagerly grabbed the bottles of dye from Amina. “Alright, let’s do this!”

Working together, Amina and Omega mixed the two liquids according to the instructions on the box, creating the black hair dye. Omega carefully sectioned off Amina’s hair, using clips to keep it out of the way as they began the process of applying the dye.

“You have a lot of hair.” Omega said, starting to dye the lowest section of her hair.

“Yeah. I don’t think my hair has ever been this long. I kept it short because of the Jedi’s rules.”

Omega nodded, her brow furrowing slightly in concentration as she carefully applied the dye to Amina's hair. "What were the rules?" she asked, her curiosity piqued as she worked.

Amina chuckled softly, the memory of her Jedi training bringing a smile to her lips. "Well, there were a lot of rules," she admitted, her voice tinged with amusement. "But one of them was that Jedi weren't supposed to have attachments. Relationships, especially romantic ones, were discouraged."

Omega's eyes widened in surprise as she processed this information. "That sounds... kinda lonely," she remarked, her tone thoughtful as she continued to work on Amina's hair.

Amina nodded, a hint of sadness creeping into her expression. "It could be," she agreed quietly. "But it was also about avoiding the temptation of the dark side. Attachment can lead to fear, and fear can lead to anger, and... well…” Amina sighed, “they tried to keep me and Anakin apart, but it didn’t go well. They realized that we were stronger together, so they stopped trying to keep us separate. We didn’t see each other all the time when we were padawans, because we had different masters, but we saw each other when we were both at the Temple.”

Omega finished the first small section, “I guess I never realized how hard it was.”

Amina smiled, “it’s alright. It’s all over with now. All we can do is move forward.”

---

Hunter and the rest of the squad walked back onto the Marauder, finding it empty. The absence of Amina and Omega was immediately noticeable, and a sense of unease settled over the group as they exchanged worried glances.

"Where are they?" Wrecker asked, his brow furrowed with concern as he scanned the interior of the ship.

"I don't know," Hunter replied, his voice tinged with worry. "They were here when we left to get supplies."

Tech looked in the cockpit, “Omega left her crossbow and Amina left her lightsaber. So, either they went somewhere close by, or are still on the ship.”

"They wouldn't have just left without telling us," Echo remarked, his voice laced with concern as he scanned the interior of the ship.

"No, they wouldn't," Hunter agreed, his brow furrowing with worry. "Which means something must have happened."

Wrecker's eyes widened with alarm as he glanced around the empty hangar. "What if they've been captured?" he suggested, his voice filled with dread at the thought of his friends being in danger.

Hunter's jaw clenched with determination as he considered Wrecker's suggestion. "We need to find them," he declared, his voice firm as he turned to face the rest of the squad. "Tech, see if you can track their comms. Echo, check the surrounding area. Wrecker, with- ”

They heard muffled laughing coming from down the hall as Hunter walked over, with his helmet under his arm. He stopped in front of the refresher’s door and knocked hearing Amina let out a muffled curse.

Hunter's brow furrowed with concern as he heard Amina's muffled curse from behind the closed door of the refresher. Without hesitation, he knocked again, this time with a sense of urgency in his rap on the metal surface.

"Amina? Omega?" he called out, his voice tense with worry as he waited for a response. He heard another round of muffled laughter from within the refresher, followed by the sound of shuffling feet.

The door slid open slowly, revealing Amina and Omega standing side by side, both with guilty expressions on their faces. Part of Amina’s hair was covered in black dye, and there were splotches of the dark liquid on her forehead and cheeks, while Omega had streaks of dye on her hands and arms.

Hunter's eyes widened with surprise as he took in their appearances, a mixture of amusement and exasperation crossing his features. "What in the galaxy are you two doing?" he asked, his voice a mixture of amusement and concern.

Amina glanced sheepishly at Omega before meeting Hunter's gaze. "Uh, we were just... dyeing my hair," she admitted, her voice tinged with embarrassment as she gestured to her half of her head covered with dye, while the other half remained up in clips.

Wrecker came up behind Hunter, his brow furrowed in confusion as he held his blaster, but then he burst into laughter. "Dyeing your hair, huh?" he chuckled, his deep voice booming through the hallway of the Marauder. "You two had us worried sick! Hunter was about to send out a search party!”

Hunter glared at Wrecker before turning his gaze back to Amina and Omega. Amina’s face held a smirk, “I guess we are pretty important, aren’t we?” Amina said, holding her hand out for a high-five as Omega air high-fived her.

Hunter's glare softened slightly at Amina's smirk, unable to suppress the fondness that warmed his chest at her playful demeanor. He couldn't help but admire her resilience, her ability to find humor even in the midst of uncertainty and danger. As much as he tried to maintain a stern facade, he couldn't deny the affection he felt for the spirited young Jedi.

"Yeah, you two definitely keep us on our toes," Hunter replied with a chuckle, returning Amina's high-five with a gentle slap of his hand against hers. "But next time, maybe give us a heads up before you disappear. We were starting to worry."

Amina grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she exchanged a glance with Omega. "Noted," she said, her voice filled with amusement. "We'll try to remember that for next time."

Omega nodded eagerly, her brown eyes shining with excitement. "Yeah, we promise!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious as she flashed a bright smile at Hunter and the rest of the squad.

“Now, come on, Omega. Let’s ignore them and finish up. I don’t really think a half-and-half look is going to be good on me.”

As Omega and Amina resumed the task at hand, Hunter and the rest of the squad exchanged amused glances. Wrecker was still chuckling to himself, a wide grin plastered across his face as he shook his head in disbelief.

"I swear, those two always find a way to keep us on our toes," Echo remarked with a smirk, his tone filled with amusement as he leaned against the wall of the hallway.

Tech nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful as he adjusted his glasses. "Indeed. Amina's presence has certainly added an element of unpredictability to our missions."

Hunter couldn't help but smile at the camaraderie shared between his squadmates. Despite the challenges they faced on a daily basis, moments like these reminded him of the bond they shared, the sense of family that had formed between them.

"Yeah, well, let's give them some space to finish up," Hunter said, gesturing for the rest of the squad to move away from the refresher. "We can catch up with them later."

The squad dispersed, leaving Amina and Omega to finish their impromptu hair-dyeing session in peace. As they worked together to apply the dye to Amina's hair, their conversation drifted to lighter topics, their laughter filling the confined space of the refresher.

Once they had finished applying the dye and rinsed it out, Amina stepped out of the refresher with a grin, her hair now a sleek shade of black that contrasted beautifully with her brown skin. Omega followed close behind, a proud smile on her face as she admired her handiwork.

"You look amazing!" Omega exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement as she admired Amina's new look.

Amina smiled gratefully at Omega, a warmth spreading through her chest at the younger girl's enthusiasm. "Thanks, Omega. You did a great job," she said, reaching out to ruffle Omega's hair affectionately.

Omega beamed at the praise, her cheeks flushed with pride. "Anytime, Amina. I had a lot of fun," she said.

Amina smiled warmly at Omega, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over her. "I had fun too," she admitted, her voice soft with affection. "Thanks for helping me out."

Omega grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Anytime," she said, her tone playful as she reached out to give Amina a playful nudge. "Just let me know if you ever want to try out any other hair colors. I'm always up for a new adventure."

Amina chuckled, shaking her head in amusement at Omega's boundless energy. "I'll keep that in mind," she replied with a smile, ruffling Omega's hair affectionately. "But for now, I think I'm happy with black."

As they made their way back to the cockpit, Amina couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment settle over her. Despite the lingering threat of the Empire and the uncertainty of their future, she found solace in the camaraderie she shared with Omega and the rest of the Bad Batch.

As they entered the cockpit, they found Hunter and the rest of the squad waiting for them, their expressions a mix of amusement and relief. Hunter's gaze softened as he took in Amina's new hair color, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"Nice hair, General," he remarked, his voice warm with approval as he gestured to Amina's sleek black locks. "I like the new look."

Amina grinned, a warmth spreading through her chest at Hunter's compliment. "Thanks, Hunter," she said, her voice tinged with gratitude. "Omega did most of the work."

Omega beamed at the praise, her chest puffing up with pride at the acknowledgment from Hunter. "It was a team effort," she said proudly, her eyes shining with excitement.

“Now, Omega, how about we get some food? I’m starving.” Amina suggested to Omega.

Wrecker perked up, “food?”

Hunter held out his hand with a few credits as Amina shook her head, “I don’t need credits.”

Amina's refusal caught Hunter off guard, his hand lingering in the air for a moment before he withdrew it, a puzzled expression crossing his features. "You don't need credits?" he echoed, his brow furrowing with confusion as he glanced at Amina. "Why not?"

Amina waved her hand, “mind tricks. Although, I consider it to be more like persuasion. And if needed, womanly wiles.” She patted Omega’s back, “come on, let’s get some food.”

“I would li- ”

“I’ll get you food too, Wrecker.” Amina called out, cutting him off, as her and Omega walked into the streets of Ord Mantell.

---

Omega sat on the stairs of the Marauder, fiddling with her comm. They were on a mission, a simple grab and go. The squad went to go get the crate as Omega and Amina stayed with the ship. An idea popped into Amina’s head as she jumped out of the ship holding her lightsaber.

“Want to have some fun? Grab some twigs or rocks and throw them at me.”

Omega's eyes widened with excitement at the prospect of a game. "Really? That sounds like fun!" she exclaimed, eagerly hopping to her feet as she scanned the area for suitable projectiles. Spotting a pile of small rocks nearby, she quickly scooped up a handful and turned back to Amina with a wide grin.

Amina grabbed a thick ribbon she uses to tie up her hair as she blindfolded herself. “Throw when ready!”

“Are you sure?” Omega asked, taken aback by Amina putting a blindfold on herself.

“Yep. This is how we trained at the temple. Move around if you’d like, I promise you won’t hurt me.” Amina turned on her lightsaber, twisting it in her hand as the blue light shone.

Omega hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should really throw the rocks at Amina, but the Jedi's reassuring smile put her at ease. With a determined expression, she wound up and threw the first rock, aiming carefully to avoid hitting Amina.

Amina listened intently, relying on her senses to anticipate the trajectory of the rocks. With a graceful spin of her lightsaber, she deflected the first one effortlessly, the rock bouncing harmlessly off the blade and clattering to the ground.

Encouraged by her success, Omega threw another rock, this time with a little more force. Amina reacted swiftly, deflecting the rock with ease as she moved gracefully around the forest floor, her movements fluid and precise.

As the squad walked closer to the Marauder, with Wrecker carrying a heavy tote, they saw Amina blindfolded, twirling around as Omega threw varies objects at her.

"What in the galaxy are they doing?" Echo muttered, his brow furrowing with confusion as he watched Amina gracefully deflecting Omega's projectiles.

Wrecker chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest as he adjusted the weight of the tote on his shoulder. "Looks like they're having some kind of training exercise," he remarked, his eyes following Amina's fluid movements with interest.

Tech, ever the analytical one, squinted as he observed the scene. "It appears to be a form of sensory training," he observed, his tone thoughtful as he studied Amina's blindfolded form. "A test of her ability to rely on her other senses, particularly her connection to the Force."

Hunter nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on Amina as she continued to move with grace and precision. There was something mesmerizing about the way she moved, a fluidity and confidence that spoke to her years of training as a Jedi.

"Should we... interrupt?" Echo asked hesitantly, glancing uncertainly at Hunter as he gestured towards the blindfolded Jedi.

Hunter considered the question for a moment, weighing the pros and cons of interrupting Amina's training. On one hand, they were on a tight schedule, and they needed to get moving as soon as possible. But on the other hand, he didn't want to disrupt Amina's focus or inadvertently cause her harm.

Before he could make a decision, Amina seemed to sense their presence, her movements faltering slightly as she turned towards them, the blindfold still covering her eyes.

"Hey, guys!" she called out, her voice bright and cheerful despite the blindfold. "Just finishing up some sensory training with Omega.” The girl threw two rocks at Amina as she spoke, her lightsaber cutting them in half.

The Bad Batch approached cautiously, their curiosity piqued by the sight of Amina twirling around gracefully, her lightsaber slicing through rocks and twigs thrown by Omega with precision.

Hunter stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Amina with a mixture of admiration and concern. "Sensory training, huh?" he remarked, his voice tinged with amusement as he watched Amina's fluid movements.

Amina nodded, a grin spreading across her face as she continued to deflect Omega's projectiles. "Yeah," she replied, her voice slightly breathless from the exertion. "Just trying to stay sharp."

Omega threw one last rock and twig as Amina took off her makeshift blindfold. “You did good. But not good enough, young one.” Amina playfully said.

"Aw, man," Omega replied, her tone playful as she stuck out her tongue at Amina. "I'll get you next time, General."

Amina chuckled, her heart light with amusement as she watched Omega's playful antics. Despite the challenges they faced on a daily basis, moments like these reminded her of the joy and camaraderie she shared with the rest of the squad.

---

Cid’s parlor was a bit busier than usual today, so Amina took it upon herself to do some bartending for extra credits. AZI was her helper, or really more like an annoyance, but she made the drinks quickly and to everyone’s liking.

Cid walked behind the bar and threw a piece of clothing at her, landing on her face as Amina pulled it off. “Put that on.” Cid said.

Amina looked it over, grimacing. “What… is it?”

“It’s a dress.”

Amina scoffed as Cid walked away, throwing the so-called dress underneath the bar. She wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea of wearing a dress, especially not one that seemed to have been picked out by Cid of all people. With a shake of her head, she leaned against the bar, glancing around the bustling parlor.

AZI hovered nearby, its mechanical whirring filling the air as it scanned the room for any potential troublemakers. Despite its somewhat grating presence, Amina couldn't deny that having AZI around provided a sense of security, especially in a place as rowdy as Cid's parlor.

"So, are you going to put on the dress?" AZI chirped, its voice tinged with curiosity as it floated closer to Amina.

Amina rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. "Not a chance," she replied firmly. "I'd rather wear my Jedi robes than whatever monstrosity Cid picked out for me."

AZI let out an amused beep, its sensors flickering with amusement. "Suit yourself," it said, its mechanical voice filled with amusement. "But you might want to reconsider. Cid can be... persuasive when she wants to be."

Amina arched an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "I'm not afraid of Cid," she declared, her tone confident. "I can handle whatever she throws at me."

As if on cue, Cid returned to the bar, a mischievous glint in her eye as she approached Amina. "So, did you try on the dress yet?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Amina shook her head, her expression unapologetic. "Not interested," she replied, her tone firm.

Cid chuckled, leaning against the bar as she regarded Amina with amusement. "You're a stubborn one, aren't you?" she remarked, a hint of admiration in her voice. "I like that."

Amina raised an eyebrow, taken aback by Cid's unexpected compliment. "Uh, thanks?" she replied, unsure of how to respond.

“But since the rest of the gang is out, you are working for me.”

“I’m not working for you. I’m not even getting paid other than the tips. I’m doing this because I’m bored.”

Cid tapped her long nails against the bar, “how about I pay you and you put on the dress?”

Amina arched an eyebrow, “alright, maybe. How much?”

“15 credits for the night.”

“No way, I’m worth a lot more than 15 credits. 60.”

“25.”

“40.”

Cid sighed, “deal. Put on the dress.”

Amina groaned, “why? It’s an ugly dress.”

“Because you’re bringing the mood down here with those rags of yours.” Cid said, her eyes roaming over Amina’s clothes. She looked down at her raggedy poncho and back up.

“Okay. I see your point. But it’s not that bad. And how do I know you’re not lying to me to try and get some of these mercenaries to get handsy with me?”

“You don’t trust me?”

She scoffed, “no. I don’t trust Trandoshans.” She looked outside, noting it was almost nighttime and the squad and Omega should be back from their mission in a few hours.

“Fine, think of it this way. You putting on a dress, means more tips.” Cid said, making the money gesture.

Amina rolled her eyes at Cid's persistence, but she couldn't deny the logic in the argument about potentially increasing her tips. With a resigned sigh, she relented. "Fine, but I'm not wearing it for long," she grumbled, reaching under the bar to retrieve the discarded dress.

Cid grinned triumphantly, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she watched Amina begrudgingly retrieve the dress. "That's the spirit," she declared, her tone cheerful as she leaned back against the bar.

As Amina slipped into the dress, she couldn't help but feel self-conscious. The fabric was scratchy against her skin, and the cut of the dress was far too revealing for her liking. She tugged at the hem, trying in vain to cover more skin as she shot a glare in Cid's direction.

Cid chuckled at Amina's discomfort, her laughter ringing out through the bustling parlor. "Looking good, General," she teased, her tone playful as she surveyed Amina's appearance.

Amina scowled at the nickname, but she didn't protest. She knew that Cid was just trying to get a rise out of her, and she refused to give her the satisfaction.

With a resigned sigh, Amina straightened her shoulders and plastered on a forced smile. "Happy now?" she asked, her tone dry as she turned to face Cid.

Cid grinned, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she nodded in approval. "Ecstatic," she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Now get back to work. We've got thirsty customers to serve."

Amina rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at having successfully negotiated with Cid. She may not have gotten the best deal, but at least she wouldn't have to endure the dress for long.

As she moved behind the bar to serve the next round of drinks, Amina couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the back of her mind. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something about wearing the dress made her feel vulnerable in a way that she wasn't used to.

Pushing aside her doubts, Amina focused on her bartending duties, determined to make the best of the situation. She may not have liked wearing the dress, but she refused to let it affect her performance.

Hours passed in a blur of activity as Amina served drinks and engaged in idle conversation with the patrons of Cid's parlor. Despite her initial reservations, she found herself enjoying the lively atmosphere, the camaraderie of the mercenaries and smugglers providing a welcome distraction from the trials and tribulations of their daily lives.

She was waiting for the parlor to clear out and the Bad Batch and Omega to come back so she could escape, hopefully with a lot more credits than they’ll get from the mission.

And because she’s close to cutting one of Cid’s arms off.

Just as Amina was about to give in to her mounting sense of unease and make a hasty exit, the familiar sound of footsteps echoed through the parlor, drawing her attention towards the entrance. With a sense of relief, she watched as Hunter, Echo, Tech, Wrecker, and Omega made their way inside, their weary expressions a testament to the challenges they had faced during their mission.

Omega ran behind the bar to Amina, “woah, that’s new.”

Amina let out a huff, “yeah, I know. Cid made me wear it. But I got some credits out of it.”

Hunter approached the bar, his gaze lingering on Amina for a moment before he spoke. "You look... different," he observed, his tone careful as he studied her appearance.

Amina shifted uncomfortably under Hunter's scrutiny, suddenly self-conscious in a way she hadn't been before. "Yeah, well, Cid has a way of convincing people to do things they don't want to do," she admitted, her voice tinged with annoyance.

Hunter nodded in understanding, his expression sympathetic. "I know the feeling," he replied, his tone rueful. "Cid can be... persuasive when she wants to be."

"Well, at least I got some credits out of it," Amina added, trying to lighten the mood. "And I didn't have to wear the dress for too long."

Hunter chuckled, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "That's one way to look at it," he agreed, his tone playful. "Although, I have to admit, you do look good in a dress."

"Thanks," she replied, her voice soft. "But once I get out of this thing, I’m going to burn it with my lightsaber.” Amina reached down on a counter behind the bar and pulled out a small bag of credits, “I think there’s around 400 in there.”

Amina rubbed her japor snippet, looking up at him, “And I still don’t understand why I couldn’t go on the mission.” she muttered.

Hunter looked up from counting the credits, “you had a nightmare last night, I didn’t want to risk it.”

“Come on, a nightmare doesn’t make me a liability. I have them all the time.”

"Amina, it's not just about the nightmare," Hunter began, his voice gentle but firm. "It's about your well-being. We can't afford to take any unnecessary risks, especially when it comes to the safety of the squad."

Amina sighed, her frustration evident in the furrow of her brow as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I know you're just looking out for me, but I'm not made of glass, Hunter," she protested, her voice tinged with irritation. "I can handle myself, nightmare or not."

Hunter reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Amina's shoulder. "I know you can," he replied softly, his gaze meeting hers with unwavering intensity. "But I can't help but worry about you.”

Amina's expression softened at Hunter's words, a warm feeling spreading through her chest at the sincerity in his voice. Despite their occasional disagreements, there was no denying the bond that had formed between them over the past few months, especially with what happened after Kamino.

"I appreciate your concern, Hunter," Amina said, her voice softening with gratitude. "But you have to trust me. I can handle whatever comes my way."

Hunter nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I do trust you, Amina," he assured her, his grip tightening slightly on her shoulder. "More than you know."

Amina felt a flutter of warmth in her chest at Hunter's words, a surge of affection welling up inside her as she met his gaze. There was something about the way he looked at her, something that made her heart skip a beat every time their eyes met.

Before either of them could say anything more, they were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. Turning around, they saw Tech and Echo making their way over to the bar, their expressions somber as they joined the conversation.

"Everything okay?" Tech asked, his brow furrowing with concern as he glanced between Amina and Hunter.

Amina nodded, offering them a reassuring smile. "Yeah, everything's fine," she replied, her tone light despite the lingering tension in the air. "Just having a little chat with Hunter here."

Echo arched an eyebrow, his gaze flicking between Amina and Hunter with a knowing look. "Ah, I see," he said, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Talking about your feelings, are we?"

“Yeah, I was talking about me and Omega going on a shopping spree.”

Omega looked up at Amina, “have you ever been shopping?”

“Nope. But it’s worth a try.” She picked up another small bag with around 500 credits, “there’s got to be some nice shops around here somewhere.”

Hunter’s eyes widened looking at the second bag of credits. “Where did those come from?”

“You really think I’d give you all the credits I earned wearing this stupid thing?” Amina said, walking out with Omega from behind the bar, “no way. I deserve to get some new clothes and maybe some Nectrose Freeze if we’re lucky.” She patted Hunter’s chest plate as her and Omega walked out of the parlor and out into the streets of Ord Mantell.

Hunter turned around on the stool, his gaze lingering on the doorway where Amina and Omega had just exited Cid's parlor. There was a softness in his eyes as he watched them leave, a warmth spreading through his chest at the sight of Amina holding Omega's hand.

Echo and Tech exchanged a knowing glance, their lips quirking up in amused smiles as they observed Hunter's reaction. It wasn't often that they saw their stoic leader display such obvious affection, especially towards someone outside of their squad.

"You think he's got it bad for her?" Echo whispered, his voice barely audible over the din of the parlor.

Tech shrugged, adjusting his glasses as he studied Hunter's retreating form. "It's possible," he replied thoughtfully. "There's definitely a connection between them, whether he wants to admit it or not."

---

A few hours later, Amina and Omega walked back to the Marauder, where Echo said they were now, the two of them holding 3 bags each.

She honestly had no idea what to expect, the closest she got to shopping was watching Padme shop online for dresses.

As they reached the ramp of the Marauder, Amina glanced over at Omega with a grin. "I can't believe how much stuff we got," she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "I can't wait to show everyone."

Omega's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she nodded eagerly. "Me too! I can't wait to see what you got," she replied, her voice tinged with anticipation.

With a shared giggle, the two of them made their way inside the ship, the bags of clothes and trinkets swinging from their arms. As they entered the main living area, they were greeted by the rest of the squad, who had gathered around the holotable, deep in conversation.

Hunter looked up as Amina and Omega entered, a smile spreading across his face at the sight of their overflowing bags. "Looks like you two had a successful shopping trip," he remarked, his tone warm as he gestured towards their haul.

Amina nodded eagerly, her excitement palpable as she set her bags down on the floor. "We found some amazing stuff," she replied, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. "You won't believe the deals we got."

Echo arched an eyebrow, his gaze flicking between Amina and Omega with curiosity. "I'm sure it's all very exciting," he said, his tone dry. "But did you happen to find anything useful? You know, like supplies or equipment?"

"Actually, I did, I can be responsible occasionally," Amina said with a playful smirk, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she glanced at Echo.

Echo raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Amina's confident tone. "Oh really? And what did you find?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Amina reached into one of her bags and pulled out a small datapad, holding it up triumphantly for the squad to see. "I managed to pick up a few supplies that I think will come in handy," she explained, her voice tinged with satisfaction. "Some medpacs, extra rations, and a few spare parts for the Marauder."

Tech's eyes lit up with interest as he took the datapad from Amina, his fingers flying across the screen as he examined the inventory. "Impressive," he remarked, his tone approving. "These supplies should help replenish our stockpile."

Amina grinned, her chest swelling with pride at Tech's praise. "Glad I could be of assistance," she replied, her voice tinged with satisfaction. "I figured it couldn't hurt to be prepared, especially with everything that's been happening lately." She reached into one of the bags and threw 3 detonators at Wrecker, “thought you might like those.”

Wrecker caught the detonators with a grin, his eyes lighting up with excitement as he examined the explosives. "Thanks, Amina!" he exclaimed, his voice booming with enthusiasm. "These will definitely come in handy."

Amina chuckled at Wrecker's enthusiasm, pleased to see her efforts being appreciated by the squad. "Glad you like them," she replied, her tone warm as she watched Wrecker inspecting the detonators with childlike curiosity.

---

The Marauder flipped upside down as Amina piloted the ship, much to Tech’s dismay who sat in the co-pilot seat as they flew away from a swarm of pirates.

"Would you mind keeping us right side up?" Tech asked, his voice laced with a hint of urgency as he adjusted the controls in a futile attempt to stabilize the ship.

Amina grinned mischievously, her fingers dancing across the controls as she expertly maneuvered the Marauder through the chaotic space battle. "Where's the fun in that?" she replied, her tone playful as she evaded another volley of blaster fire.

Tech let out an exasperated sigh, his frustration evident as he struggled to maintain control of the ship. "Fun?" he echoed, his voice tinged with disbelief. "This is not fun, Amina. This is reckless and dangerous."

Amina shrugged nonchalantly, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she glanced over at Tech. "You worry too much, Tech," she teased, her tone light despite the gravity of their situation. "We'll be fine. Trust me."

Echo let out a chuckle, “I’ve missed Skywalker flying.”

Amina laughed, “see, someone appreciates my flying skills!”

Wrecker let out a whoop of excitement as he fired the Marauder's cannons, sending a barrage of blaster fire towards their pursuers. "This is what I call a good time!" he exclaimed, his voice booming with excitement as he reveled in the thrill of battle.

Omega bounced in her seat, her eyes wide with excitement as she watched the space battle unfold before her. "This is so cool!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe as she cheered Amina on.

Tech, however, was less enthusiastic about their precarious situation. "Cool or not, we need to focus on getting out of here in one piece," he reminded them, his tone serious as he scanned the ship's scanners.

“You think I’d let me die? No way, Tech. But at least let me have some fun.”

Wrecker let out another whoop of excitement as he fired the Marauder's cannons, sending another barrage of blaster fire towards their pursuers. "Keep 'em coming, Amina!" he shouted, his voice booming with excitement as he unleashed a relentless assault on the enemy ships.

Amina grinned, her heart pounding with exhilaration as she pushed the Marauder to its limits. Despite the danger they faced, she felt alive in a way she hadn't in a long time. Flying had always been her passion, her escape from the chaos of the galaxy, and she relished every moment of it.

Echo glanced over at Tech, a wry smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Looks like Amina's having the time of her life," he remarked, his tone amused as he watched her expertly maneuver the ship.

Tech grumbled under his breath, his frustration evident as he struggled to keep up with Amina's erratic flying. "She's going to get us all killed," he muttered, his voice tinged with irritation as he adjusted the controls once again.

Amina patted Tech’s shoulder, “relax, Tech. I’m an expert flyer. If I can survive pod racing, and fighting General Grievous, I can survive a few pirates.” She flew the ship downwards in space, as the pirates continued to shoot, “ready for hyperspace?”

Tech glanced nervously at the rapidly approaching ships on the sensors before turning back to Amina. "Ready as I'll ever be," he replied, his voice tense with apprehension. "Just make it quick."

Amina nodded, her fingers flying across the controls as she plotted the course for hyperspace. With a flick of a switch, she engaged the hyperdrive, and the stars outside the viewport stretched into streaks as the Marauder jumped into lightspeed, leaving the pursuing pirates far behind.

As the ship hurtled through hyperspace, Amina let out a relieved sigh, her shoulders sagging with exhaustion as the adrenaline of the battle began to fade. She glanced over at Tech, a grin spreading across her face as she nudged him playfully.

"See? I told you we'd be fine," she teased, her voice laced with amusement as she leaned back in her seat.

“Yes, your flying techniques are…” he adjusted his goggles, “not very technical.”

“It’s all about feeling Tech.” she replied, bumping his shoulder.

Tech grumbled under his breath, adjusting his goggles as he muttered something about reckless piloting techniques. Amina couldn't help but chuckle at his exasperated expression, finding his disapproval oddly endearing.

"Relax, Tech," she teased, nudging him playfully with her elbow. "We made it out in one piece, didn't we?"

Tech huffed, his irritation evident as he shot Amina a sideways glance. "Barely," he replied, his tone dry. "But I suppose I should thank you for not getting us all killed."

Amina laughed, the tension of the battle melting away as she basked in the afterglow of their victory. "You're welcome," she replied, her voice light with amusement. "Just doing my job as the best pilot in the galaxy."

Tech rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Modest as always," he remarked, his tone fond despite himself.

As the banter between Amina and Tech continued, Hunter watched them from his seat across the cockpit, a soft smile playing on his lips. Despite the chaos and danger they had just faced, there was a sense of camaraderie among the squad that he found comforting.

Echo glanced over at Hunter, his gaze lingering on the captain for a moment before he spoke. "You seem awfully quiet over there, Hunter," he remarked, his tone curious.

Hunter shrugged, his attention still focused on Amina and Tech as they traded playful barbs. "Just enjoying the show," he replied, his voice tinged with amusement. "It's not often we get to see Amina in action."

Echo nodded in understanding, his lips quirking up in a smile. "True," he agreed, his tone thoughtful. "She certainly knows how to keep things interesting."

Wrecker let out a booming laugh from his seat behind Tech, his enthusiasm infectious as he clapped Amina on the back. "That was some top-notch flying, Amina!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with admiration.

Amina grinned at Wrecker's praise, her chest swelling with pride at the recognition from her squadmates. "Thanks, Wrecker," she replied, her voice tinged with gratitude.

Omega bounced in her seat, her eyes wide with excitement as she looked around at her family. "That was so cool!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe.

Amina gave Omega a high-five, “why thank you. Maybe one day I can show you Boonta Eve on Tatooine.”

"What's Boonta Eve?" Omega's question hung in the air, prompting Amina to smile fondly as she considered how to explain the significance of the event to the young girl.

"Boonta Eve is a big race that happens on Tatooine," Amina began, her voice filled with excitement as she recalled the memories of watching the event with her brother Anakin when they were younger. "It's a podrace, where pilots from all over the galaxy compete in these incredibly fast and dangerous vehicles called podracers."

Omega's eyes widened with fascination as she listened intently to Amina's explanation. "Wow, that sounds amazing!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with awe.

"It is," Amina agreed, her tone nostalgic as she thought back to the exhilarating atmosphere of the podrace. "The sounds, the sights, the speed- it's unlike anything else. Anakin and I used to watch the races together when we were kids. It was always the highlight of our year. It’s also how we got our freedom.”

“Freedom?” Omega asked again, “why would you have to race for freedom?

“Me and Anakin were slaves.” Amina answered casually.

Echo turned around to face her, “what? General Skywalker never said anything about that.”

“Yeah, we were slaves before Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan came to Tatooine. And Anakin didn’t really like to talk about it.”

"I'm sorry, Amina," Hunter said, his voice gentle as he reached out to place a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I can't imagine what that must have been like for you and Anakin."

Amina offered Hunter a small smile, her eyes shining with gratitude at his words. "Thanks. But I don’t really remember much. I was 8 when they brought us to the Temple, so I didn’t spend much of my life as a slave. But enough about my boring life, how about a game of dejarik, Omega?”

Omega's eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect of playing dejarik with Amina. "Yes, please!" she exclaimed, bouncing in her seat with enthusiasm. "I love playing dejarik!"

Amina chuckled at Omega's eagerness, her heart swelling with affection for the young girl. Despite everything they had been through, Omega's boundless enthusiasm never failed to bring a smile to her face. "Alright, let's do it," she said, gesturing towards the dejarik board with a playful grin. "But be warned, I'm not going easy on you."

Omega grinned, her eyes sparkling with determination as she settled in front of the dejarik board. "Bring it on, Amina," she replied, her tone confident. "I'm ready for anything."

---

“Your destiny lies with me, sister. Like it always has.”

Amina stood her ground, her lightsaber held in front of her. “I write my own story.”

Vader took menacing steps forward, the ground shaking, “Join me and we can rule the galaxy together.”

“No.” she said firmly.

Vader's mechanical breathing filled the air, a menacing sound that sent shivers down Amina's spine. She stood her ground, her grip tightening on her lightsaber as she faced off against the dark figure before her.

"You cannot resist the power of the dark side," Vader growled, his voice echoing with a cold certainty. "It is your destiny."

"I will never join you," Amina declared, her voice steady despite the fear that gnawed at her insides. “I may not be a Jedi, but I will not fall.”

Vader's mechanical hand tightened around the hilt of his lightsaber, the crimson blade humming to life with a menacing glow. "So be it," he replied, his voice dripping with malice as he raised his weapon to strike.

The two combatants circled each other warily, their lightsabers casting eerie shadows against the walls of the darkened chamber. Amina could sense the raw power emanating from Vader, a palpable force that threatened to overwhelm her. But she stood her ground, her resolve unwavering as she met his gaze with steely determination.

"Your resistance is futile, sister," Vader hissed, his voice laced with contempt. "You cannot hope to defeat me."

Amina clenched her jaw, her grip tightening on her lightsaber as she prepared to strike. "I don't need to defeat you," she replied, her voice steady. "I just need to survive."

With a roar of rage, Vader lunged forward, his lightsaber flashing as he unleashed a flurry of strikes. Amina met his attacks head-on, her movements fluid and precise as she parried each blow with expert skill. She could feel the heat of the lightsabers as they clashed, the sound of their duel echoing through the chamber.

With a upwards move, she sliced the eyes of his helmet as he kneeled down in front of her. Instead of bright blue eyes staring at her, they were a vengeful yellow. “Anakin.” She whispered.

Vader's expression twisted into a sneer, his lips curling in disdain. "You cannot save me, Amina," he growled. "I am lost."

But Amina refused to be deterred. She reached out with the Force, her mind probing his, searching for any trace of the man he used to be. And amidst the darkness and despair, she found a glimmer of something else—a spark of longing, of regret.

"You still care," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the hum of their lightsabers. "You still feel.” She turned off her lightsaber, “Padme died knowing there was good left in you. And I agree with her, I know it’s there somewhere. And I will find it Anakin, I promise.” She stroked the outside of his mask, kneeling down in front of him.

She thought the yellows of his eyes started to disappear when she felt a sharp sting in her gut. She looked down to see his red lightsaber through her stomach as he turned his saber off and she fell to the ground.

Amina quickly sat up on the Marauder, something that seemed to happen every time she fell asleep. No matter what happened in her dreams, she always tried to turn him, but it never worked.

And never in her dreams did Anakin actually deliver the final blow like in this one.

She glanced around the dimly lit interior of the Marauder, her eyes landing on the familiar forms of her companions. They were all asleep, unaware of the turmoil that plagued her mind. Amina ran a hand through her hair, trying to steady her racing thoughts.

"Another nightmare?" A voice broke through the silence, and Amina turned to see Hunter watching her with concern from his spot across the room. His expression was soft, his eyes filled with understanding.

Amina nodded, her throat tight with emotion. "Yeah," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "It was... intense."

Hunter moved closer, his footsteps barely making a sound on the metal floor of the ship. He settled beside Amina, his presence a comforting anchor in the midst of her turmoil. "You know it's just a dream, right?" he said gently, his voice laced with reassurance.

“I don’t know about that.” She pulled her legs to her chest, “me and Anakin have these… Force gifts. We have vivid dreams, but it’s so hard to tell if it’s just a dream or a vision.”

Hunter listened to Amina's words, his brow furrowed with concern. He had heard her speak of her Force gifts before, but he couldn't imagine the weight of carrying such a burden- especially when those gifts manifested in haunting nightmares.

"Yeah, I get that dreams can feel pretty real sometimes," Hunter said, his voice quiet as he tried to find the right words. "But you can't let them consume you. You're stronger than that."

Amina nodded, her gaze distant as she wrestled with her thoughts. "I know," she replied softly. "It's just... hard to shake the feeling that there's some truth to them."

Hunter reached out, gently resting a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, we're here for you," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "Whatever you need, we've got your back."

A small smile tugged at the corners of Amina's lips, grateful for Hunter's unwavering support. "Thanks, Hunter," she said, her voice tinged with warmth. "I appreciate it."

The two of them sat in companionable silence for a moment, the gentle hum of the Marauder's engines filling the air. Amina leaned into Hunter's touch, finding solace in his presence as she tried to push aside the lingering echoes of her nightmare.

Eventually, Hunter broke the silence, his voice soft but determined. "You know, we could always try talking to Tech about your dreams," he suggested. "Maybe he could help figure out if there's more to them than just... well, dreams."

She shook her head, “I can’t tell anyone about my dreams.” Telling anyone that Anakin became Darth Vader would put them in more danger than her being with them.

"Okay, I won't push it," Hunter said, his voice gentle as he gave Amina's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "But just remember, we're all in this together. You don't have to face whatever's troubling you alone."

Amina offered him a small smile, grateful for his understanding. "Thanks, Hunter," she said, her voice soft but sincere. "I really appreciate it."

As the two of them sat in companionable silence, Amina couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the bond she shared with her fellow clones. They had been through so much together in the short time they had known each other, and yet they had always remained steadfast in their loyalty to one another.

But amidst the warmth of their camaraderie, Amina couldn't shake the lingering sense of unease that clung to her like a shadow. She knew that her nightmares were more than just figments of her imagination—they were visions, glimpses of a future that she desperately hoped to avoid.

Lost in her thoughts, Amina barely noticed as Hunter turned to look at her. "Well, it's getting late," he said, glancing towards the viewport where the faint glow of distant stars could be seen. "We should probably get some rest."

He went to stand up when Amina grabbed his forearm, “could you…”

Hunter turned back to look at Amina, his expression softening as he saw the earnest look in her eyes. He settled back down beside her, his curiosity piqued. "Could I what?" he prompted gently, giving her a reassuring smile.

Amina hesitated for a moment, her gaze dropping to her hands as she tried to find the right words. She could feel the weight of her request hanging in the air, the vulnerability of baring her innermost thoughts to another person almost overwhelming. But Hunter's presence was a comforting anchor, a steady presence that made her feel safe enough to voice her fears.

"Could you... stay with me?" she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just for a little while?"

Hunter's smile widened, a warmth spreading through his chest at the sincerity in Amina's request. He reached out, gently taking her hand in his own. "Of course," he replied softly, his voice filled with reassurance. "I'm not going anywhere."

Amina's shoulders relaxed slightly at his words, a small sigh escaping her lips as she leaned into his touch. She could feel the tension slowly melting away, replaced by a sense of calm that she hadn't felt since before her nightmare had begun.

"Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely audible as she closed her eyes, allowing herself to savor the warmth of Hunter's presence beside her.

As Amina slowly fell asleep, she sleepily wrapped her arms around Hunter’s waist and placed her head on his chest as she drifted off. Hunter remained still for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest as he felt the weight of Amina's head against him. He could hear the soft sound of her breathing, steady and rhythmic, as she slipped into slumber.

Carefully, Hunter shifted his position, adjusting himself so that he could wrap an arm around Amina, holding her close. He could feel the warmth of her body against his own, a comforting presence in the darkness of the ship. For a moment, he allowed himself to simply bask in the intimacy of the moment, savoring the feeling of being so close to her.

---

Amina blew her nose on a tissue, walking out of the Marauder to see Omega sitting on Gonky going over the types of Imperial ships as “homework” from Tech.

"Hey, Omega," Amina greeted warmly, her voice carrying across the open space. "What are you up to?"

Omega looked up, her face lighting up with a smile as she saw Amina approaching. "Hey, Amina!" she replied cheerfully, setting aside the datapad. "Just doing some homework from Tech. He's been teaching me all about the different kinds of Imperial ships."

Amina nodded, her interest piqued. "Sounds interesting," she remarked, taking a seat beside Omega on Gonky. "Mind if I- ” Amina brought the tissue to her mouth, sneezing 3 times.

Tech walked over from the ship holding his datapad, “from my calculations, you’ve had this so called ‘cold’ for 3 rotations. And you’ve used 12% more tissues every day.”

Amina chuckled weakly; the sound muffled by the tissue pressed against her nose. "Yeah, well, I guess you could say I'm a bit under the weather," she replied, her voice nasally as she sniffled. "But don't worry, I'm sure I'll be back to my usual self in no time."

Tech nodded, his expression thoughtful as he continued to analyze the data on his datapad. "It's just... unusual," he mused, his fingers tapping against the screen as he processed the information. "Your symptoms seem to be persisting longer than anticipated, given your usual resilience."

“Well, it’s not my fault you have mutations that allow you to not get sick. I’m the unlucky o- ” Amina sneezed into the tissue again. “Unlucky one.”

Tech raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking from his datapad to Amina and back again. "Indeed, it does seem that you're experiencing some rather inconvenient symptoms," he remarked, his tone laced with curiosity as he continued to analyze the data.

Amina nodded, a frustrated sigh escaping her lips as she tossed the tissue into a nearby waste bin. "Tell me about it," she muttered, rubbing at her nose with the back of her hand. "I feel like I've been hit by a speeder."

Omega frowned, her expression filled with concern as she watched Amina's discomfort. "Is there anything we can do to help?" she asked, her voice soft and earnest.

Amina shook her head, a weak smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Thanks, Omega, but I think I just need some rest," she replied, her words punctuated by another round of sneezes. "I'll be fine."

Hunter stepped forward, his gaze lingering on Amina with a mixture of worry and affection. "Maybe you should take it easy for a while," he suggested, his voice gentle as he reached out to touch her shoulder. "We can handle things here."

"Oh, please. I was on Naboo when whatever his name was released the Blue Shadow Virus. This is nothing," Amina quipped, her voice tinged with playful sarcasm despite the discomfort she was feeling.

Hunter couldn't help but chuckle at Amina's response, admiring her resilience even in the face of adversity. "Fair enough," he conceded with a smile. "But still, maybe you should take it easy for a bit. We don't want you getting any worse."

Amina rolled her eyes playfully, but the concern in Hunter's voice didn't go unnoticed. Despite her efforts to downplay her illness, she appreciated his caring nature. "Fine, fine," she relented with a sigh, giving him a mock glare. "But only because you asked so nicely."

Hunter grinned, relieved that Amina had agreed to take it easy. He knew she had a tendency to push herself too hard, especially when it came to fulfilling her duties as a Jedi. But even Jedi needed to rest sometimes, and he was determined to make sure she took care of herself.

Tech, ever the analytical thinker, couldn't resist chiming in with his own observations. "According to my calculations, rest is indeed the most logical course of action," he remarked, his tone matter-of-fact as he consulted his datapad.

Amina sighed in mock exasperation, shooting Tech a playful glare. "You and your calculations," she teased, shaking her head with a smile. "Sometimes, I swear you forget that we're not just numbers on a screen." She tapped on his datapad, “have you ever looked up at the sky? Do you know what clouds look like?”

Tech raised an eyebrow at Amina's playful jab, his expression unreadable as he glanced up from his datapad. "Of course, I know what clouds look like," he replied, his tone dry. "But I fail to see how that's relevant to our current discussion."

Amina chuckled, shaking her head in amusement at Tech's literal-mindedness. "It's not," she conceded with a grin. "I just think you could use a little more... spontaneity in your life."

Tech arched an eyebrow, considering Amina's words for a moment before responding. "Spontaneity is an inefficient use of time and resources," he remarked, his tone matter-of-fact. "I prefer to rely on logic and calculation to guide my actions."

She shook her head, "I swear one day I'm-" Amina's sentence was cut short by another bout of sneezes, two in quick succession. She sniffled, feeling utterly miserable as she struggled to keep her symptoms at bay.

Hunter's expression softened with concern as he watched Amina, his brow furrowing with worry. "Maybe you should head back inside," he suggested gently, his voice filled with genuine concern. "You need to rest."

Amina nodded weakly, conceding defeat to her stubbornly persistent cold. "Yeah, you're probably right," she admitted, her voice hoarse from all the sneezing. "I hate to admit it, but I think I'm beat."

Omega frowned, her worry evident as she watched Amina's discomfort. "Is there anything we can do to help?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Amina shook her head, a weak smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Maybe some Karlini t- ” Amina trailed off, it was something Padme had made for her whenever she visited, a Nabooian specialty.

Omega hopped off Gonky, “what’s Karlini?”

“It’s a tea from Naboo. Padme always was stocked up on it, and whenever me and Anakin would visit, she would always have some ready. But we can’t get any since it’s mainly sold in core world planets. Som- ” Amina sneezed again before letting out a few coughs. “But it’s okay, I don’t want tea.”

Or rather she doesn’t want tea that’s not Padme’s.

"Would it help if we tried to find some?" Omega asked, her voice filled with determination. "I mean, we travel to different planets all the time. Maybe we could track some down for you."

Amina smiled weakly at Omega's offer, touched by her friend's thoughtfulness. "Thanks, Omega, but I don't want to put you guys through all that trouble," she replied, her voice still hoarse from all the sneezing. "I’m just going to do some meditating and see if that’ll help the healing process.”

Hunter watched Amina with concern, his brow furrowing as he took in her weary appearance. He knew she was stubborn when it came to accepting help, but he also knew that she needed to take care of herself if she wanted to get better. "Are you sure you don't want us to at least try to find some Karlini tea for you?" he asked, his voice gentle but insistent. "It might not be as much trouble as you think."

“I don’t want to drink tea that’s not from Padme,” she admitted, a tad harshly, before turning around and facing him. “Sorry. It’s just… I never liked tea, but Padme said that I’d love the one she had. And I did, but when I tried making it myself it was never the same.”

Hunter listened to Amina's words, his heart aching at the pain evident in her voice. He knew how much Padmé meant to her, how deeply her loss had affected her. And he understood why she was hesitant to accept any substitute for the tea that held such sentimental value.

"I understand," Hunter replied gently, his voice soft with empathy. "I'm sorry, Amina. I didn't mean to push."

Amina glanced up at Hunter, her eyes filled with gratitude for his understanding. Despite the distance she had tried to maintain, she couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in his presence. He had a way of making her feel seen, of easing the weight of her burdens with just a few simple words.

"It's okay," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know you were just trying to help."

Hunter nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Well, if there's anything else you need, just let me know," he said, his tone warm and reassuring. "I'll be here."

Amina offered him a grateful smile, touched by his unwavering support. "Thanks, Hunter," she replied softly, her voice tinged with warmth. "I appreciate it." Amina walked onto the Marauder and sat down cross-legged on the floor. Hopefully a good mediation will connect her to the force more, and it’ll be taken care of. Then she could breathe properly.

---

A few rotations later and she felt no different. The squad had gone on a mission while she had stayed behind on Ord Mantell.

But as she finished her meditation, she stood up feeling a little shaky and dizzy. She leaned against the wall of the Marauder and took a few deep breaths as she felt a light gust of wind and a whispering voice.

Amina turned her head to look behind her and found nothing. Either she was starting to hallucinate or Anak- Vader, was trying to make a connection with her through the force.

“Amina.”

She made a shushing sound, “why are you so loud?”

“Turn around sister.”

Amina shuddered at the vocoder and the coldness surrounding her. But even with that coldness she felt warm, “last time I saw you in my dream you tried to kill me.” Amina placed her cheek against the wall of the ship, the cool metal feeling good against her skin.

“You’re sick.”

Amina stuck out her hand and made a talking motion with her hand, “blah, blah, blah.” She felt a hand on her upper arm, and she glanced behind her, and there he stood, clear as day. “Man, this hallucination is good.”

Vader's mechanical breathing filled the air, a harsh reminder of the man he had once been before he had succumbed to the lure of the dark side. “You’re sick,” he said again.

Amina rolled her eyes, her irritation momentarily overriding her fear. "Yeah, thanks for the update, Captain Obvious," she retorted, her tone sharp with sarcasm. "I'm well aware of the fact that I'm not exactly firing on all cylinders right now."

Vader's expression remained impassive, his gaze unwavering as he studied Amina with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "You should rest," he suggested, his tone surprisingly gentle despite the mechanical rasp of his voice. "You won't get better if you push yourself too hard."

Amina scoffed at Vader's advice, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "And what do you care?" she demanded, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Last time I checked, you were more interested in cutting me down than offering me sympathy."

“I can feel you from across the galaxy. Where are you?”

Amina let out a laugh, “as if I would tell you. You’re gonna,” she made a whooshing sound, “me. No, thank you, sir.”

Vader's mechanical breathing filled the air, a harsh reminder of the man he had once been before he had succumbed to the lure of the dark side. “You underestimate the power of the Force,” he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement. “I can find you, Amina. It’s only a matter of time.”

Amina raised an eyebrow, her skepticism evident in the quirk of her lips. "Is that a threat?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Because last time I checked, I wasn't exactly quaking in my boots."

Vader's expression remained impassive, his gaze unwavering as he studied Amina with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "You should rest," he suggested again, ignoring her jab. "You won't get better if you push yourself too hard."

“Like I said, no, thank you, your majesty. I don’t take orders from you. Now, can you get out of my head?” Instead of a response, she heard mechanical breathing, “come on. You may be a Sith, but you can’t hold this connection for much longer.”

She blinked and felt lighter, turning around to see no Vader looming over her. She still wasn’t quite sure if it was really a force connection, or a wild hallucination.

Amina slowly walked down the ramp where the group was gathered, her steps faltering slightly as she fought against the dizziness that threatened to overwhelm her. She could feel the eyes of her companions on her, their concern palpable in the air as they watched her with furrowed brows.

Hunter was the first to approach, his expression filled with worry as he reached out to steady her. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft with concern. "You look a little... off."

Amina blinked at him, her vision becoming blurry and reminiscent of a kaleidoscope. Her hands came up to his face, patting his cheeks gently. "I didn't know you had two heads," she murmured, her words slurring slightly as the dizziness threatened to overwhelm her.

Hunter's brows furrowed with concern as he gently grasped Amina's wrists, guiding her hands away from his face. "Hey, come on, let's get you back inside," he said softly, his voice laced with worry. He wrapped an arm around her waist, supporting her weight as they made their way back towards the Marauder.

The rest of the squad followed closely behind, their expressions filled with concern as they watched Amina's unsteady steps. Tech stepped forward, his datapad already in hand as he analyzed Amina's symptoms with clinical precision. "It appears that Amina's condition has worsened," he remarked, his tone matter-of-fact as he consulted his data. "Her symptoms are consistent with a viral infection, possibly exacerbated by her recent exertions."

Hunter helped her lay down on one of the bunks as Amina looked to the side, at a space that was empty. There he was, standing there looking down at her with his arms crossed over his chest and his loud mechanical breathing. Was she hallucinating? Should she comm Obi-Wan? Or would he get angry at her like Anakin seemed to be right now?

Hunter followed Amina's gaze, his brow furrowing with confusion as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing. But all he saw was an empty space, devoid of any presence except for Amina lying on the bunk, her eyes wide with fear.

"Are you okay, Amina?" he asked gently, his voice laced with worry. He reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair away from her face as he searched her eyes for any sign of what she was seeing.

Amina blinked, her gaze unfocused as she tried to process what she was seeing. She could still feel the weight of Vader's presence, the coldness of his stare burning into her soul. But as she looked around the empty bunk, she couldn't find any trace of him.

"I... I don't know," she whispered, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "I thought I saw... someone. But they're not here."

Tech stepped forward with his datapad, his expression serious as he analyzed Amina's symptoms. "I believe she might've contracted Dantari flu," he announced, his tone matter-of-fact as he consulted his data.

Hunter's brows furrowed with concern as he turned to Amina, his expression filled with worry. "Dantari flu?" he echoed, his voice tinged with concern. "Isn't that... serious?"

Tech nodded, his gaze focused on his datapad as he continued to analyze the data. "Indeed," he replied, his tone clinical. "The Dantari flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to severe respiratory symptoms, among other things."

Amina groaned, her head spinning with dizziness as she tried to process the information. She had heard of the Dantari flu before, but she had never experienced it firsthand. And from what she had heard, it wasn't something to be taken lightly.

"What do we do?" Omega asked, her voice tinged with concern as she looked to Tech for guidance. "Is there a cure?"

Tech nodded, his expression serious as he continued to consult his datapad. "There are treatments available," he explained, his tone measured.

Hunter's brows furrowed with concern as he considered their options. "So, what's our next move?" he asked, his voice steady despite the worry gnawing at his insides. "Do we need to find a medic?"

Amina shook her head, “maybe just some medicine? I don’t need a medic; it would bring unwanted attention.”

Hunter nodded, his gaze flicking between Amina and Tech as he considered their options. "Alright, let's see what we can do," he said, his voice steady despite the worry gnawing at his insides. "Tech, do you have any idea where we can find medicine for the Dantari flu?"

Tech consulted his datapad, his brow furrowing with concentration as he analyzed the data. "There's a medical supply shop a few blocks from here," he announced, his tone matter-of-fact. "They should have what we need."

“Alright, Tech, you and Omega can go get some medicine, Wrecker and Echo, see if you can’t find any water or food. I’ll stay here with Amina.”

As the squad dispersed to carry out their assigned tasks, Hunter remained by Amina's side, his concern for her evident in the furrow of his brow and the gentle touch of his hand on her shoulder. Amina leaned against the bunk, feeling the weight of her illness pressing down on her as she struggled to keep her eyes open.

"You don't have to stay," Amina murmured, her voice hoarse with exhaustion as she glanced up at Hunter. "I'll be fine on my own."

Hunter shook his head, his expression resolute as he met Amina's gaze with unwavering determination. "I'm not leaving you," he replied firmly, his voice filled with quiet resolve. "Not when you're like this."

Amina offered him a weak smile, touched by his steadfast loyalty. Despite her stubborn insistence that she could handle things on her own, she couldn't deny the warmth that spread through her chest at the thought of having Hunter by her side.

"Thanks," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she closed her eyes, allowing herself to rest against the soft fabric of the bunk. "I appreciate it."

Hunter went into the refresher and wet a piece of cloth with cool water. He came back and brushed Amina's hair off her forehead before gently placing the cloth on her skin. The coolness of the cloth provided some relief to Amina's fevered brow, and she sighed softly, leaning into the soothing sensation.

"Thanks," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she opened her eyes to look at Hunter. "That feels nice."

He smiled and nodded, “I’m going to go keep watch until the squad gets back.” Before he made it far, Amina gently grabbed his wrist.

“Can you stay?” She asked quietly, scooting over on the bunk towards the wall, “you make a pretty good pillow.”

Hunter hesitated for a moment, his gaze flickering between Amina and the door of the Marauder. He knew he should keep watch, especially with Amina feeling under the weather, but her quiet plea tugged at his heartstrings, and he found himself unable to resist.

"Sure, I can stay," he replied softly, a warm smile spreading across his lips as he settled onto the bunk beside Amina. He shifted slightly to make himself more comfortable, his arm instinctively wrapping around her as she leaned into him.

Amina sighed contentedly as she rested her head against Hunter's chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat a comforting presence in the midst of her illness. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to bask in the warmth of his embrace as she drifted off to sleep.

For a while, the only sound in the Marauder was the gentle hum of the ship's engines and the soft rustle of fabric as Hunter shifted slightly to get more comfortable. He glanced down at Amina, a fond smile playing at the corners of his lips as he watched her sleep.

Despite the circumstances, there was something undeniably comforting about having Amina in his arms. He had always felt a strong connection to her, ever since they had first met on Kamino all those months ago. And now, as he held her close, he couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over him.

As the minutes turned into hours, Hunter remained vigilant, keeping a watchful eye on the door of the Marauder as he held Amina in his arms. He knew he should be focused on the task at hand, but he couldn't shake the feeling that being here with Amina was exactly where he was meant to be.

Eventually, the rest of the squad returned, their arms laden with supplies and medicine for Amina. Hunter helped them unload the supplies, his gaze never straying far from Amina's sleeping form as he kept a protective watch over her.

Tech quickly got to work, administering the medicine to Amina and monitoring her vitals with his usual clinical efficiency. The rest of the squad hovered nearby, their expressions filled with concern as they waited for any signs of improvement.

As the hours passed, Amina's fever began to break, and her breathing eased as the medicine took effect. Hunter breathed a sigh of relief, his shoulders sagging with relief as he watched Amina's color return to her cheeks.

Amina stirred slightly in Hunter's arms, her eyelids fluttering open as she blinked up at him in confusion. "Hey there," Hunter greeted softly, his voice gentle as he brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face. "How are you feeling?"

Amina smiled weakly, her voice hoarse from sleep as she glanced around the Marauder. "Better," she murmured, her gaze drifting back to Hunter's concerned expression. "Thanks to you."

Hunter smiled, a warmth spreading through his chest at Amina's words. "Anytime," he replied softly, his voice filled with sincerity. "I'm just glad you're feeling better."

The rest of the squad gathered around, their expressions filled with relief as they watched Amina slowly sit up in bed. Echo offered her a glass of water, which she gratefully accepted, taking small sips as she regained her strength.

"Thanks, everyone," Amina said, her voice stronger now as she looked around at her friends. "I really appreciate all of your help."

Wrecker grinned, his expression filled with genuine warmth as he clapped Amina on the back. "No problem, General," he said, his voice booming with enthusiasm. "We're just glad you're okay."

Omega nodded in agreement, her expression serious as she met Amina's gaze. "Yeah, we were worried about you," she admitted, her voice tinged with concern. "But I'm glad you're feeling better now."

Amina smiled gratefully at her friends, feeling a surge of warmth in her chest at their unwavering support. She knew she was lucky to have them by her side, especially in times like these when she needed them the most.

"Well, thanks again. But I think I’d much rather get shot at by Separatist droids than go through that again," Amina remarked with a weak chuckle, her voice still raspy from her recent illness.

Hunter couldn't help but smile at her attempt at humor, though he knew firsthand just how serious the situation had been. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that," he replied, his tone lighthearted as he glanced around at the rest of the squad.

Wrecker let out a booming laugh, clapping Hunter on the back with enough force to nearly send him stumbling forward. "You hear that, Tech?" he exclaimed, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Amina would rather face a whole army of droids than be laid up in bed."

Tech rolled his eyes, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice as he shook his head. "I highly doubt that Wrecker," he retorted, his tone dry as he adjusted his goggles. "But I suppose it's a sentiment we can all agree on."

Echo nodded in agreement, though his expression was more subdued as he surveyed the small group gathered in the Marauder. "We should count ourselves lucky," he remarked quietly, his gaze flickering to Amina with a hint of concern. "Not everyone gets a second chance."

"More like a twenty-second chance," Amina quipped, her voice laced with a hint of amusement as she glanced around at her squadmates, her eyes lingering on Hunter for a moment longer than necessary.

Hunter couldn't help but chuckle at her remark, a warm smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he met Amina's gaze. "Well, let's make sure you don't need a twenty-third," he replied, his tone light but filled with genuine concern.

tags: @callsign-denmark

[mcrdvcks]

Down Bad - Chapter 4

Chapter Summary: Rex contacts the group about helping a clone on Daro. But the mission takes a turn after Hunter and Amina are taken by the Empire.

Word Count: 10k

Notes: alright, so this chapter covers season 1, episodes 14-16. next chapter will be a few short stories of things that happen in between season 1 and 2!

also, i know that this gif is overused, but it's the last time the group is together ;(

Series Masterlist - Chapter 3 → Chapter 5

AO3 Link For Chapter

Amina sat on the floor of the Marauder, levitating a ball with the force in her hand, as Omega was fiddling with Gonky, and Hunter sat in the hull, twirling a knife in his hand.

It was the simple metal ball she still held onto from Padme, moving it from hand to hand and up and down. Maybe Padme was right, it does calm her a bit.

She glanced over at Omega, who was fixing up Gonky’s wires and then at Hunter, who was twirling his knife in his hand, his gaze focused on his movements. His movements were fluid, almost mesmerizing, and Amina found herself watching him with a mixture of curiosity and admiration.

Omega also glanced over, trying to do the same thing with her screwdriver when Echo called out from the cockpit. “We’re being hailed. It’s… Rex.”

Hunter put his knife back into its spot on his wrist and Omega closed the patch on Gonky that she was working on as they walked into the cockpit.

Echo turned on the transmission, “hello, boys. Sorry to cut right to it, but I could use your help.”

“What do you need, Captain?” Hunter asked.

“I received a distress signal from a clone trooper, but I’m a bit tied up at the moment to retrieve him.”

“You want us to recover a reg?”

“He’s an old friend, and he’s in trouble. I need you to get him out.”

Omega looked up at Hunter, “out of what exactly?”

A beeping sounded out from Rex’s side, “can’t talk right now. Sending you his signal. I’ll be in touch.” Rex tapped the comm on his wrist as the transmission disappeared.

“What was that about?” Wrecker asked.

“The distress signal sent by CC-5576 is originating from Daro, a terrestrial planet in the Outer Rim with no known settlements or installations.” Tech said, turning to face Hunter.

“What’s he doing all the way out there?”

“Well does it matter?” Echo cut in.

“We’ve gone on missions before without much intel. But this would be stretching it.”

“Rex wouldn’t ask us for help if it wasn’t urgent.”

“Echo’s got a point.” Wrecker added on.

“May I remind you that we are in the middle of a job for Cid. If we deviate, we will not be compensated. No money means no food.”

“Oh, yeah. Tech’s got a point.” Wrecker spoke again.

“But Rex’s friend is in trouble. That’s more important than getting paid.” Omega said, looking up at Hunter.

“Well, the kid’s got a point.” Wrecker spoke.

Hunter sighed, glancing over at Echo. “Fine. We’ll check things out. But… I don’t like it.”

---

They flew out of hyperspace as Tech announced that they were approaching Daro’s atmosphere. “I’ll bring us in low to avoid any possible tracking scanners.”

“We’re banking a lot on a clone we don’t even know.” Hunter said.

“Rex trusts him. And I trust Rex.” Echo responded.

They landed the ship in part of the forest, surrounded by trees as they all got off the Marauder.

Tech looked down at his data pad, “the signal is coming from that direction.” They walked slightly ahead as Tech tapped his pad, “the beacon should be right ahead.”

Omega looked around before going to a fallen tree trunk and taking off the beacon. “Found it.” She handed it to Tech as the rest looked around the area.

“So, where’s this reg?” Wrecker asked, looking over at Hunter who took off his helmet.

Hunter kneeled down and grabbed a small twig, sniffing it for clues. “We’re already too late. The clone was being hunted. He was dragged. That way.” Hunter put his helmet back on and led the group through the forest.

They ran into a clearing, at the edge of the hill with a view of large mountains. Hunter stopped, “hang on.” He brushed his hand through the dirt, before looking up at the mountains, “there’s something here, inside that mountain.”

Tech stepped forward, tapping on his data pad, “I believe you are right. My scans are being jammed.”

“You said there was nothing on this planet.” Wrecker exclaimed.

“That data appears to be inaccurate.”

“Wrecker, you, Omega and Amina wait on the ship.” Hunter ordered.

“Wait, why can’t- ”

Hunter cut off Omega, “coming here was up for debate. This isn’t.” Hunter, Echo, and Tech started to climb the mountain, as Amina followed glancing back at Omega.

Hunter quickly turned around, “I told you to wait on the ship.”

Amina crossed her arms, “I’m a Jedi, you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.” Echo and Tech stopped walking, glancing back at Hunter and Amina before sharing a look with each other.

“I gave you an order.” Hunter replied.

“I’m a General, I outrank you.”

“This is my squad.” Amina glared at Hunter through his visor as he continued, “stay with Wrecker and Omega. You can fly the ship if we need a pickup.”

Amina clenched her jaw before relenting, “fine. But I’m not happy about it.”

Hunter nodded curtly, acknowledging her compliance before turning back to face the mountain ahead. He knew Amina wasn't pleased with being left behind, but he couldn't risk her safety on what could potentially be a dangerous mission.

---

Amina sat in the pilot’s chair, force levitating her ball as Wrecker and Omega played a game on Gonky’s head.

“It’s still your turn.” Omega said.

“I know. I’m thinking.” Wrecker tapped the side of his head.

Then a comm beeped, “Wrecker, do you copy?”

“Yeah, we hear ya. Did you find the reg?” Wrecker replied to Hunter before moving his piece.

“Not yet. But we did find an Imperial base built inside this mountain. We’re going in.”

“Wait for us! We’ll help.” Omega responded.

“Negative. Stay on the ship. You’re our backup. Comms will be jammed once we’re inside, so keep alert.”

---

Wrecker was now in the co-pilot’s chair with his feet on the dash as Omega walked around the cockpit holding her doll, Lula.

“How can you be so relaxed?” Omega asked Wrecker.

“Oh, I’m preparing. I’m chargin’ up before I charge in.”

“We should’ve heard from them by now. What if something went wrong?”

“I’m sure they got everything under control.”

---

The comm beeped, “Wrecker, Amina, Omega, come in.”

Omega ran into the cockpit as Amina pressed the button, “we read you.”

“We have the target, but we ran into some trouble. We need a pickup.”

“On our way!” Omega said, getting into the co-pilot seat as Wrecker entered the cockpit.

“On our way! Wrecker repeated, as Amina prepared the ship for takeoff.

Amina flew the ship towards the signal as Omega spoke through comms, “we are on approach!”

“We see you.” Tech said through comms.

Amina flew the ship parallel to the side of the mountain as Wrecker opened the doors and shot the troopers in the hall behind Hunter, Echo, Tech, and the other clone. “Little closer!” Wrecker yelled, as Amina flew the ship closer to the mountain.

“Incoming!” Amina called out, as Tech and the other clone got on the ship.

“I’ll take it from here.” Tech said, as Amina got out of the chair and into the co-pilot seat. “Wrecker, get on the tail gun.” Tech flew away as enemy ships shot at them, “shields are down. We’re losing power!”

“Gonky, we need you!” Omega exclaimed, getting out of her seat and plugging him into the ship.

“It’s working! Systems are back online.” Amina said.

Tech flew further away before flying straight down, and at the last minute, back up as he flew back to the mountain. “We’re coming back around. Be ready!”

Omega stood by the door, “jump!”

Amina got onto the stairs in front of Omega and helped Echo onto the ship. More TIE fighters came their way as Tech turned the ship sideways and Hunter jumped as Amina caught his hand.

She went to pull him up when one of the TIE fighters shot her in the shoulder, causing both her and Hunter to fall off the Marauder and through the trees.

Hunter took out his knife to try and stop the fall on the mountain, but it didn’t work, causing him to keep falling along with Amina, as she rolled down the mountain side he tried clinging to. As they fell, he grabbed Amina’s waist as they hit more branches, before finally hitting the ground.

Hunter tried to get up, as did Amina as she used the force to grab her lightsaber which came off her belt in the fall.

“Multiple system failures! We cannot take many more hits!” Tech sounded out through comms.

An Imperial shuttle landed next to them as they glanced over. Hunter slowly got up, shaking his head, “get the ship out of here. We’ll find another way back.”

“Negative. The odds of escape are not in your favor.”

“Go, Tech! That’s an order!”

Amina slowly got up, wincing at the pressure she was putting on her shoulder.

“Hunter, tell them to come back! Order them to come back!” Omega yelled through the comms.

“Sorry, kid. I can’t do that.” Hunter put his knife in its holster as Amina attached her lightsaber back on her belt as dozens of troopers surrounded them.

The troopers cuffed them and put them on the shuttle, flying away from Daro.

---

They were now on a different ship, with Hunter and Amina on the floor cuffed and without their weapons. She wishes she got lucky enough that they didn’t use force suppressing cuffs or take away her lightsaber.

Buzzing sounded out as Crosshair entered the room.

“Where are we going?” Hunter asked.

Crosshair kneeled down and grabbed Hunter’s comm, “you’ll find out soon enough. And so will your squad.”

“Using my comm won’t work. They’ll know it’s a trap.”

Crosshair stopped halfway to the door, turning around to face Hunter, “they’ll still come for you.” he said, before exiting the room, leaving two troopers guarding them.

Amina leaned back against the wall, holding back a hiss at her shoulder touching the wall.

She glanced over at Hunter, who was sitting next to her, his expression grim as he assessed their situation. Despite the cuffs restraining them and the uncertainty of their fate, there was a steely determination in his eyes that gave Amina hope.

"We need to find a way out of here," Hunter said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper to avoid alerting the guards. "Any ideas?"

“Not really. I can’t use the force.” she said, lifting her hands up without thinking as she grimaced at the pain in her shoulder.

Hunter glanced at her, his brow furrowing with concern. "Your shoulder," he said, his voice filled with empathy as he observed her discomfort. "We need to find a way to treat it."

Amina nodded, her jaw clenched in an effort to mask the pain. "I'll manage," she replied, her tone determined despite the agony pulsing through her injured shoulder.

Hunter leaned closer, his expression serious as he studied her. "We can't afford to overlook your injury," he said firmly. "If we're going to get out of here, we need to be at our best."

“I’ve survived worse.” She replied.

Hunter sighed at hearing the same argument come from her again. He knew Amina had a tendency to downplay her injuries, but he also knew that her resilience could sometimes border on stubbornness, making it difficult for her to accept help, even when she needed it most.

"Stubborn as ever," Hunter muttered under his breath, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips despite their dire situation.

Amina shot him a sideways glance, her expression a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "You say that like it's a bad thing," she retorted, her tone teasing yet affectionate.

Hunter shook his head with a fond chuckle, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "It's just frustrating sometimes, that's all," he replied, his voice gentle yet firm. "You don't always have to be the tough one, Amina. It's okay to let others take care of you."

Amina's expression softened at his words, her defenses momentarily dropping as she met his gaze, before looking straight ahead.

Soon, the shuttle landed on a planet as Crosshair walked in front with three troopers behind Hunter and Amina, pushing them along.

A man, who she thinks is Admiral Rampart, met them at the landing bay, followed by 5 troopers, 3 in white gear and two in grey gear, like Crosshair and the 3 troopers behind them.

“Where are the rest of them?” Rampart asked.

“They’ll be here.” Crosshair replied. “We’ll intercept upon arrival.”

Rampart looked at Crosshair before moving in front of Hunter, “so you’re the one they call ‘Hunter’. The destruction your squad caused on Ryloth got my attention.” Hunter stayed silent as Rampart turned his gaze to Amina, who stood next to Hunter. “And the infamous Amina Skywalker, or ‘The Sword’.”

Amina winced at the trooper who nudged her shoulder with their blaster, “I prefer ‘The Dazzler’ but I suppose that’s an inner circle thing.”

Admiral Rampart raised an eyebrow at Amina's remark, his expression unreadable. "The Dazzler, huh?" he mused, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Well, I must say, you've certainly made a name for yourself in certain circles. Governor Tarkin would love to speak to you.”

Amina’s eyes widened, that’s the last thing she needs. If Tarkin knows she’s alive, then Palpatine and Anakin will too.

“I leave this to you, Commander. Stay on schedule.” Rampart told Crosshair, before looking at a few troopers behind him, “bring Skywalker with me.”

The two grey-suited troopers nudged Amina in the back, prompting her to move forward with hesitant steps. She glanced over her shoulder at Hunter, her expression a mixture of concern and determination.

As Amina was led away by the troopers, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her gut. She knew Admiral Rampart's reputation; knew the kind of danger they were walking into. But she also knew that she couldn't afford to show any signs of weakness, not now, not ever.

Hunter watched Amina being escorted away, his jaw clenched with frustration. He hated feeling helpless, hated being unable to protect his squad, especially Amina. He glanced over at Crosshair, “where are they taking her?”

Crosshair remained stoic, his expression unreadable as he replied, "To meet with Governor Tarkin, as ordered by Admiral Rampart."

Hunter's fists clenched at his sides as he fought to suppress his rising anger. He knew that facing Tarkin would only bring trouble, especially for someone like Amina who had already attracted unwanted attention.

“Are you showing care for a Jedi?” Crosshair hissed, “I didn’t realize you would go so low.”

Hunter’s jaw tightened at Crosshair, his gaze narrowing as he met his cold stare. “I’m not showing care for a Jedi,” he retorted evenly. “I’m showing concern for a member of my squad.”

Crosshair scoffed, his lip curling in disdain under his helmet, “a Jedi is a liability, Hunter,” he countered, “you should know that better than anyone.”

---

Amina was escorted into a small office within the Kamino facility, her heart pounding with apprehension as she glanced around the dimly lit room. Admiral Rampart stood beside her, his imposing presence casting a shadow over the proceedings. With a flick of his wrist, he activated the hologram projector, and Governor Tarkin's image materialized before them.

Governor Tarkin's stern visage filled the room, his steely gaze scrutinizing Amina with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. She stood tall despite the unease bubbling within her, steeling herself for whatever interrogation lay ahead.

"Ah, Amina Skywalker," Tarkin began, his voice cool and calculating.

"Tarkin, nice to see you again. Although, I must say, grey isn’t your color," Amina quipped, her tone laced with a hint of sarcasm as she regarded the holographic image of the stern governor.

Tarkin's expression remained impassive, his steely gaze fixed on Amina as he spoke. "Your wit is as sharp as ever, Miss Skywalker," he replied, his voice dripping with condescension. "But I'm afraid we have more pressing matters to attend to."

Amina raised an eyebrow at Tarkin's cryptic remark, her curiosity piqued despite herself. "And what pressing matters might those be?" she asked, her tone guarded yet intrigued.

Tarkin leaned forward slightly, his holographic image casting a menacing shadow over the room. "The Emperor has been wondering about your whereabouts, and now we’ve found you. Admiral Rampart will bring you to Coruscant for… a conversation with the Emperor.”

Amina's heart sank at Tarkin's words. The thought of facing Palpatine filled her with dread, knowing the danger that awaited her on Coruscant. She glanced at Admiral Rampart, her mind racing as she tried to formulate a plan to escape their grasp.

Admiral Rampart stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Amina with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "You're quite the elusive one, Miss Skywalker," he remarked, his tone tinged with admiration. "But rest assured, you won't be able to evade the Emperor's reach for much longer."

Amina bristled at Rampart's condescending tone, her jaw clenched with frustration. She knew she had to tread carefully, to buy herself time until she could find a way to escape. "And what makes you think I'll go willingly to Coruscant?" she asked defiantly, her voice laced with determination.

Rampart's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes narrowing as he regarded Amina with a calculating gaze. "Oh, I have no doubt that you'll come willingly," he replied, his tone dripping with malice. "Or perhaps you need a little... persuasion."

A cold chill ran down Amina's spine at Rampart's ominous threat, knowing all too well the kind of torture and interrogation tactics the Empire employed. She glanced around the room, searching for any means of escape, but finding none.

"Resistance is futile, Miss Skywalker," Tarkin interjected, his voice cold and authoritative. "The Emperor's reach is vast, and his power absolute. You would do well to remember that."

Amina gritted her teeth in frustration, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. She knew she was outnumbered and outmatched, but she refused to give in without a fight. She had to find a way to resist, to defy the Empire at every turn.

“Admiral, have your troopers escort Skywalker to your starship.”

The troopers nodded and brought Amina out of the room and down the barren halls of Kamino. She had to get away, before they brought her onto the starship. If the Emperor got hands on her, she shuddered, who knows what would happen.

Amina glanced at one of the troopers in front of her, spotting her lightsaber handing from their waist. If she could unlock her handcuffs with a piece of metal she kept on her waistband, she could get rid of the troopers and find Hunter.

As they reached a dimly lit corridor, Amina subtly reached for the small metal piece hidden in her waistband, her heart pounding with anticipation. She had to time this perfectly, to catch the troopers off guard and make her move before they could react.

With a swift and practiced motion, Amina slipped the metal piece into the lock of her handcuffs, her fingers deftly manipulating the mechanism as she worked to free herself. Her hands trembled with adrenaline, her senses heightened as she focused all her concentration on the task at hand.

Finally, with a soft click, the handcuffs sprang open, and Amina wasted no time in seizing her opportunity. With lightning speed, she reached for her lightsaber, igniting the blade in a flash of blue light as she whirled around to face the startled troopers.

Before they could react, Amina lunged forward, her lightsaber slashing through the air with deadly precision as she disarmed the troopers with expert skill. The corridor erupted into chaos as blaster fire erupted from all sides, but Amina remained focused, her movements fluid and graceful as she fought off her attackers.

With each swing of her lightsaber, Amina moved closer to her objective, her determination unwavering as she carved a path through the troopers standing between her and freedom.

As she rounded a corner, Amina came face to face with another group of troopers, their weapons trained on her with deadly intent. But she didn't hesitate, didn't falter in her resolve.

The troopers fought back fiercely, their blaster bolts raining down upon her with relentless force. But Amina was undeterred, her movements swift and precise as she deflected their attacks with ease, her Jedi training shining through in every move she made.

With a final flourish of her lightsaber, Amina dispatched the last of her adversaries, the corridor falling silent once more as the smoke cleared and the dust settled. She took a moment to catch her breath, her heart still pounding with adrenaline as she surveyed the aftermath of the skirmish.

But there was no time to waste. With a sense of urgency driving her forward, Amina sprinted down the corridor, her lightsaber held at the ready as she made her way down the halls. She had no idea where she was, or how to get out of here, but she didn’t have a choice other than to figure it out.

---

Hunter turned Crosshair’s head to the side, seeing a large mark on the left side of his head.

“Hunter, three Venators are descending on the city. We need to leave, now.” Tech said.

Hunter took off Crosshairs backpack and his sniper, “Wrecker, grab Crosshair. He’s coming with us.”

Omega looked up at Hunter, “what about Amina? Where is she?”

"I don't know where she is. They separated us when we got here," Hunter reiterated, his voice tight with concern as he glanced around at his team. Omega's worried expression mirrored his own, her brown eyes wide with apprehension.

Tech's fingers flew over his datapad as he processed the incoming information. "We need to regroup and get out of here before those Venators arrive," he urged, his tone urgent.

Wrecker hefted Crosshair's limp form over his broad shoulder, the sniper's unconscious body a stark reminder of their precarious situation. "Let's move, boys," he grunted, his voice gruff with determination.

Omega trailed after them, her small frame moving swiftly as she kept pace with the rest of the team. "But what about Amina?" she pressed, her voice tinged with worry.

Hunter clenched his jaw, his mind racing as he weighed their options. He couldn't shake the feeling of unease gnawing at him, the knowledge that Amina was out there alone, facing who knew what kind of danger. But they had a mission to complete, and they couldn't afford to risk everything for one person, no matter how much she meant to them.

"We'll find her, Omega. But right now, we need to focus on getting out of here," Hunter replied, his voice firm as he tried to reassure the young girl.

Omega nodded reluctantly, her shoulders slumping with disappointment. She trusted Hunter implicitly, knew that he would do everything in his power to keep them safe. But she couldn't shake the worry gnawing at her gut, the fear that something terrible would happen to Amina if they didn't find her soon.

---

As Amina ran through the empty corridors, blaster shots and explosions covered Tipoca City, causing destruction all around her.

What was happening? Tipoca City wouldn’t just collapse in a fiery, explosive manner.

As she rounded a corner, Amina stumbled upon a scene of utter devastation. The once pristine halls of Tipoca City were now littered with debris and smoke, the remnants of fierce battles between the clone troopers and their mysterious assailants. Blaster fire erupted from every direction, casting eerie shadows on the walls as explosions rocked the facility to its core.

The building tipped to its side as Amina slid down the floor as she pulled out her lightsaber and ignited it, puncturing the floor trying to stop her sliding. But it didn’t work.

She slid down until she fell through one part of the building to another, and narrowly avoided getting trapped underneath metal. Amina patted down her pockets suddenly realizing she didn’t have her comm. Well of course she didn’t, they took it from her.

Her feet started to feel cold as she looked down to see the room she was in slowly starting to fill with water. Kriff. She doesn’t know how to swim, and she’ll be damned if she dies by drowning.

Amina's heart raced as she looked around the rapidly flooding room, panic threatening to consume her. She clutched her lightsaber tightly, the familiar weight providing a small measure of comfort amidst the chaos. But she knew she couldn't rely on her weapon alone to save her from drowning.

Frantically, Amina scanned the room for any means of escape. Her eyes landed on a ventilation shaft near the ceiling, its metal grating barely visible through the murky water. With a surge of determination, she propelled herself upward, kicking against the rising tide as she reached for the shaft above.

Her fingers grazed the metal grate, slipping once before finally finding purchase. With a grunt of effort, she pulled herself up, her muscles straining against the weight of her soaked clothing. Inch by inch, she dragged herself closer to the opening, the water swirling around her legs as she fought to keep her head above the surface.

Finally, with one last burst of strength, Amina hoisted herself up and into the ventilation shaft, collapsing onto the cold metal floor with a gasp of relief. She lay there for a moment, catching her breath as she listened to the muffled sounds of chaos echoing from the corridors below.

But there was no time to rest. With a grim determination, Amina pushed herself to her feet, her sodden clothes clinging to her skin as she peered into the darkness of the shaft. She had to find a way out of here, had to reunite with the group before it was too late. If they were even still alive, that is.

---

They stood in the maintenance deck as AZI made a circle as he welded a hole to get into the tunnel.

Tech looked over at Wrecker, “my scans indicate the tunnel is directly below this maintenance deck. AZI says, with a precise weld to maintain an airtight seal- ”

A loud banging was heard as everyone looked up. “What was that?” Omega asked slowly.

Tech looked down at his datapad, “I am unable to tell. There shouldn’t be anyone else in the facility.”

Hunter walked to a ventilation shaft standing below it. He tilted his head to the side as the grate flew off as a figure jumped out and landed on Hunter, sending them both to the ground.

Hunter grunted as the figure landed on him, the impact knocking the wind out of him as they both tumbled to the ground. He struggled against their weight, instinctively reaching for his blaster as he tried to regain control of the situation.

Amina's heart raced as she collided with Hunter, her reflexes kicking in as she scrambled to disentangle herself from him. She pushed herself up onto her hands and knees, her eyes widening in surprise as she realized who she had landed on.

"Hunter?" she gasped, her voice tinged with disbelief as she looked down at him, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

Hunter's eyes widened in recognition as he gazed up at Amina, his mind struggling to process the sight before him. He hadn't expected to see her here, hadn't even known if she was still alive after they had been separated in the chaos of Tipoca City.

"Amina?" he echoed, his voice rough with emotion as he reached out to touch her face, his fingers trembling slightly as they brushed against her cheek.

Amina's heart skipped a beat at the feel of Hunter's touch, a rush of warmth flooding through her as she met his gaze. Despite the danger they were in, despite the uncertainty of their situation, there was something undeniably comforting about being in his presence again.

She stood up hooking her lightsaber to her water-soaked belt, “thank the Force, I’m not gonna die by water. I want to at least die in a cool way.”

Omega bounded forward, her brown eyes bright with excitement as she threw her arms around Amina in a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're okay!" she exclaimed.

Amina bent down and picked her up, “me too.”

"Are you hurt?" Hunter asked, concern evident in his voice as he pushed himself up from the floor, his gaze scanning Amina for any signs of injury.

Amina shook her head, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I'm fine. Just the blaster shot to the shoulder from before," she reassured him, her voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through her veins.

AZI finished making a hole down into the tunnel, “the tunnel is clear!”

They all slowly made their way into the tunnel, slowly walking in the depths of the ocean.

“We need to go back. There must be another way.” Crosshair said.

“That would be unwise. I am afraid this is our best option.” AZI responded.

“You done complaining? You know, if it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

“Something on your tiny mind, Wrecker?” Crosshair stepped closer to Wrecker.

“All that time, you didn’t even try to come back. We still would have taken ya.”

“Let it go, Wrecker.” Tech placed a hand on Wrecker’s shoulder, turning him to face himself. “Crosshair has always been severe and unyielding. It is his nature. You cannot change that. He cannot change that.”

Wrecker walked away to the rest of the group who stood a few steps ahead as Crosshair turned to Tech, “why are you defending me?”

“I am not. Understanding you does not mean that I agree with you.”

Amina followed Omega as she shined the flashlight at the cracked glass in the tunnel. Amina gulped, why did there have to be so much water?

“AZI, this doesn’t look very safe.” Omega said.

“Barring any further complications, this enclosure remains a viable means of transport.”                                                                                            

“Let’s keep moving.” Hunter said. They moved forward slightly before they heard roaring in the distance. “Uh, I think we got a problem.”

“AZI, these tunnels are protected, right?” Omega whispered.

“Only when the power is operational, which it is not.” AZI replied, and a few seconds later, the creature roared again.

“Run!” Hunter yelled.

“Restoring power should deter the creature. Try to stay alive!” AZI exclaimed as he flew down the tunnel.

They continued to run as the creature followed them outside the tunnel, biting down on the curve ahead of them, causing water to start to leak through.

The power slowly came on as the creature roared again, before swimming away. AZI closed the hatch, as they fell down on the floor, catching their breath.

“It appears I have caused this structure’s remaining power to short out. But you have survived the transit. This outcome is satisfactory.”

The group continued their journey, before climbing out of the tunnel and into a lab. Hunter took off his helmet, “what is this place?”

“Nala Se’s private lab.” Tech responded. “Omega says this is where our mutations were manipulated and enhanced.”

“How would she know?” Crosshair asked.

“Because she was there. Omega was created before us. Technically she is older than we are.”

They walked further into the lab before looking at the clear glass. “Uh oh. That’s gonna be a problem.” Wrecker said, looking at the broken tunnel outside of the lab.

“That tunnel was the only way to the Marauder.” Omega said slowly.

“It would seem that, once again, we are trapped.” AZI responded as Amina shook her head.

She was not going to die down here by water. Amina grabbed her japor snippet, holding her wrist. She didn’t want to die now, what about Luke and Leia? They may still be babies, and she may not have any contact with them, but selfishly she wanted to see them grow up, even if it was from a distance.

Hunter watched Amina from across the room, his brow furrowed with concern as he observed the turmoil etched upon her features. He knew that she was grappling with her own fears and doubts, just as he was.

"You okay?" he asked quietly, his voice a soothing presence amidst the chaos surrounding them.

Amina glanced up at him, her eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions. "I'll be fine," she replied with a forced smile, though Hunter could see the strain beneath the surface. "Just… I’ve never been around this much water. I don’t even know how to swim.”

"You've never been around this much water before?" Hunter asked gently, his voice soft with understanding as he moved closer to her, his presence a comforting anchor in the midst of their uncertainty.

Amina nodded, her shoulders slumping slightly as she met Hunter's gaze. "Yeah," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I grew up on Tatooine, you know? Sand, not water. Never really had the chance to learn how to swim. It wasn’t part of my training.”

Hunter's heart went out to her as he saw the apprehension written plainly on her face. He knew what it was like to be thrust into unfamiliar territory, to face situations that stretched the limits of one's comfort zone. But he also knew that Amina was strong, resilient, capable of overcoming whatever challenges came her way.

"Well, lucky for you, I happen to be a pretty good swimmer," Hunter said with a small smile, hoping to lighten the mood with a touch of humor. "I'll make sure you stay afloat."

Amina couldn't help but smile at his attempt to ease her worries, grateful for his unwavering support in the face of adversity. "Thanks, Hunter," she said sincerely, her voice tinged with warmth as she met his gaze. "I appreciate it."

Hunter returned her smile, his own worries momentarily forgotten as he focused on reassuring Amina. He knew they were facing an uphill battle, with danger lurking around every corner, but he also knew that they were stronger together, united in their determination to overcome whatever obstacles lay in their path.

Omega glanced at Amina, “can you use your Jedi tricks to get us out of here?”

Amina kneeled down, “not really. The force can only do so much.”

“What a waste,” Crosshair hissed.

Amina raised an eyebrow at Crosshair's remark, her expression a mixture of irritation and amusement. "I'm sorry, did you have a better suggestion?" she retorted, her voice laced with sarcasm as she glanced pointedly at the broken tunnel outside the lab. "Or are you just here to criticize?"

Crosshair bristled at her response, his jaw clenching with barely contained frustration. "I'm just stating the obvious," he shot back, his tone sharp with annoyance. "Seems like a waste of Jedi powers if you can't even get us out of here."

Amina resisted the urge to roll her eyes, choosing instead to maintain her composure in the face of Crosshair's provocation. She knew he had a tendency to be prickly, especially when tensions were running high, but she wasn't about to let his attitude get under her skin.

She almost wanted to say something about cutting off his head, but she reined it in. She couldn’t be like Anakin, couldn’t fall to the dark side no matter how easy it was to do so.

"Believe me, if I could use the Force to magically conjure up an escape route, I would," she replied evenly, her tone calm despite the underlying frustration simmering beneath the surface. "But unfortunately, I'm not exactly a miracle worker."

Amina stood up as Omega stood by her and Crosshair continued on, “I should’ve shot you when I first saw you.”

She walked towards him, “then do it. Kill me. I’m sure you’d love to snap my neck.” The rest of the group had slowly put their hands up, waiting to intervene if necessary. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. If you were to kill me, the Emperor you blindly follow wouldn’t be that happy with you.”

Crosshair's lips curled into a sneer as he stepped closer to Amina, his eyes narrowing with disdain. "Why would the Emperor care about you?" he challenged, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Amina met his gaze head-on, her expression steady despite the anger simmering beneath the surface. "Take a guess," she retorted, her voice cool and composed.

Crosshair's brow furrowed in frustration, his fingers twitching instinctively towards his blaster. But before he could make a move, Hunter stepped forward, his presence a calming influence amidst the rising tension.

"Enough," Hunter said firmly, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife. "We don't have time for this."

Amina nodded before moving off to another part of the lab, her hand rubbing her japor snippet. What if she was destined to fall the same way Anakin did? The Jedi order was as wary of her as they were of Anakin. They constantly told her she was to reckless, headstrong, and emotional.

What would happen if the Emperor got his hands on her? Would he try to turn her the same way he did to Anakin? Or would he use her to push him further down the path of the dark side?

The Jedi were right, she was emotional. She gets angry and upset quickly, something her Master tried to rectify but never could. In writing, she would make a perfect Sith, but in practice she would fail miserably.

She heard metal creaking as Wrecker lifted a medical capsule upright. Everyone gathered around as Echo spoke, “these medical capsules are our only way out of here.”

“If our mass is evenly distributed, the buoyancy of these watertight chambers will bring us to the surface.” Tech said.

AZI flew in front of Tech, “medical capsules have not been tested for such capabilities.”

“We won’t have directional control. How do we avoid the debris field out there?” Hunter asked.

“The droid.” Crosshair spoke up, walking towards the group, “he can do it.”

Hunter shined his flashlight towards AZI, “AZI, can you guide us to the surface?”

“Barring any extraneous complications, I should be able to complete the task.”

“Won’t that be dangerous?” Omega asked.

“Your safety and well-being is my primary mission objective.”

"Alright, let's get these capsules ready," Hunter said, his voice steady as he directed the group towards the medical chambers scattered around the lab. "We need to move quickly if we're going to make it out of here in one piece."

Omega started to place detonators on the windows of the lab as the rest of them grabbed the medical capsules, 4 in total.

Wrecker stood in his and groaned, “I barely fit in this thing!”

“Quit complaining. At least you’re not doubled up.” Echo replied.

Amina got in the tube she was sharing with Omega as she ran over to the tubes, “the explosives are set.” She got into the tube with Amina, holding the detonator.

“All right. Seal ‘em up.” Hunter said, as everyone closed the tubes with the keypad on the inside.

AZI flew around before giving a thumbs up to Hunter as he looked over to Omega at the other end and nodded.

Omega held the detonator and pressed the button as Amina closed her eyes as the window broke and water filled the lab, causing them to all float out in the water as AZI guided them through the debris.

“I can’t see anything.” Wrecker exclaimed.

Glass cracked on Tech and Echo’s tube, “that is a good thing.”

AZI came to Omega and Amina’s tube as Omega looked up at the droid who was now above them, “you’re doing great, AZI.”

A piece of metal hit the tube as Omega gasped and the glass cracked. The metal weighed them down, causing the tube to float downwards.

AZI came back and attempted to lift the piece of metal off the tube, before moving around it to try and cut the metal.

“Omega? Amina?” Hunter asked through comms. “Omega? What’s happening?”

Omega grabbed her comm, “we got caught on some debris. It’s okay. AZI’s got us.” Omega turned to face the droid who shook his head, his eyes flickering. “Don’t give up. We’re nearly there.”

AZI started to power down, “your path is clear.” His voice started to distort, “I have completed my objective.”

“No!” Omega yelled, her eyes wide as AZI started to fall down through the water. “I’m going after AZI!”

“Omega, don’t!”

Amina grabbed Omega’s hand before she could press the keypad as Amina reached out her hand in the small tube, closing her eyes and looking for AZI through the force.

She felt him, dragging him up with the force as he floated through the water and their tube surfaced. Amina used one last pull as she grabbed AZI’s powered down body, handing him to Omega.

"AZI!" Omega exclaimed, her voice filled with relief as she cradled the droid in her arms, her fingers trembling slightly as she checked him over for any signs of damage. "Are you okay?"

Amina squeezed Omega’s shoulder, “he’s just powered down. We can charge him when we get to the Marauder.”

“I have a visual on the Marauder.” Tech said. “I suggest we start paddling.”

---

When they made it to the platform the Marauder was at, the group stared at the distance where flames and smoke were the only things left of Tipoca City.

“It’s… all gone.” Omega said.

“We should leave before the Empire’s scouts show up.” Tech suggested.

Wrecker looked over at Crosshair, “you coming with us?”

“None of this changes anything.”

“You offered us a chance, Crosshair. This is yours.” Hunter said.

“I made my decision.”

“We want different things, Crosshair. That doesn’t mean that we have to be enemies.”

Crosshair took one last glance at Hunter before turning his gaze back to the water. Hunter walked forward, placing a hand on Omega’s shoulder before following the group onto the Marauder. Hunter stood in the doorway of the ship, waiting for Omega to come on board as she shared a few words with Crosshair.

Amina sat down in the small corner of the ship, sighing and making sure her shoulder didn’t touch the wall to induce any more pain.

The ship took off, leaving behind Kamino as Amina rubbed her japor snippet. She sighed, bringing her knees up to her chest looking at the crevices of the snippet.

Lost in her thoughts, Amina almost didn't notice Hunter's approach until he was standing before her, his presence a familiar warmth at her side. She glanced up at him, offering him a small smile as he settled down beside her, their shoulders brushing lightly as they sat in companionable silence.

"Hey," Hunter said softly, his voice a gentle murmur amidst the hum of the ship. "You okay?"

Amina nodded, her smile widening slightly at the concern evident in Hunter's eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, her voice soft with gratitude. "Just… thinking."

Hunter nodded in understanding, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he spoke again. "It's been a rough day," he said quietly, his tone gentle as he reached out to touch her hand. "But we made it through."

Amina's heart skipped a beat at the warmth of Hunter's touch, a rush of emotion flooding through her at his words. Despite the hardships they had faced, despite the dangers that still lurked in the shadows, there was a sense of peace that settled over her in Hunter's presence, a feeling of safety and belonging that she cherished more than words could express.

"Yeah we did," she said sincerely, her voice barely above a whisper as she met his gaze.

"Now, how about I check out your shoulder?" Hunter suggested, his tone gentle as he looked at Amina with concern.

Amina nodded, grateful for his offer. "Yeah, that would be great," she replied, shifting slightly to give him better access to her injured shoulder. “Although, I think I just need a bandage.”

Hunter nodded, his expression serious as he examined Amina's shoulder. "Let's take a look," he said, gently easing aside the fabric of her clothing to assess the wound beneath. Amina winced slightly at the touch, but she remained still, trusting Hunter's expertise to see her through.

“It looks like more than a graze. It was a clean shot through your shoulder.”

Amina winced slightly at the touch, her jaw clenching against the pain as she forced herself to remain still. "Yeah, I kind of figured," she replied with a wry smile, though there was no mistaking the strain in her voice.

Hunter's expression softened at her attempt at humor, his eyes reflecting a mixture of sympathy and determination. "We'll need to clean and bandage it properly," he said, his tone matter-of-fact as he reached for the medical supplies nearby.

Amina nodded, grateful for his care. She held still as he gently cleaned the wound, his touch firm but gentle as he worked. Despite the pain, she found herself oddly comforted by his presence, his steady hands a reassuring anchor amidst the chaos of their surroundings.

Once the wound was cleaned, Hunter carefully applied a fresh bandage, his movements precise and methodical as he secured it in place. Amina winced slightly at the pressure, but she remained quiet, trusting Hunter to take care of her.

"There, all done," Hunter said, his voice soft as he finished dressing Amina's wound. He looked up at her, his eyes searching hers for any signs of discomfort. "How does that feel?"

Amina tested her shoulder gingerly, feeling the tightness of the bandage as she moved. "Better," she replied with a small smile, grateful for Hunter's skillful ministrations. "Thanks, Hunter."

Hunter returned her smile, his expression warm as he met her gaze. "Anytime," he said softly, his tone earnest as he reached out to touch her hand. "I'm just glad you're okay."

Amina felt a warmth spread through her at Hunter's words, a rush of gratitude welling up inside her as she squeezed his hand gently. "Me too," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper as she leaned in closer to him.

“I’ll go check in with the others. You should get some rest.”

As Hunter disappeared into the main cabin of the ship, Amina closed her eyes, allowing herself to sink into the relative comfort of her surroundings. The gentle hum of the engines, the steady rhythm of the ship's movements—it was oddly soothing, like a lullaby coaxing her towards sleep.

---

She was kneeling in front of Palpatine’s throne, force restraining handcuffs binding her hands together behind her back.

“Ah, Lord Vader. I have a gift for you.” Palpatine said, a dark joy engrained in his voice.

Amina heard the mechanical footsteps and masked breathing as she looked up to find Anakin- Vader, in front of her, staring her down.

“Anakin.” She whispered, as Palpatine struck her with force lightning, causing her to cry out and fall down.

“Your brother is dead.” Palpatine hissed, as he stopped his attack. Two royal guards lifted her back up to a kneeling position.

She looked up through the black mask, “please, Ani.” She whispered, feeling tears fall down her face.

“Kill her.” Palpatine sneered at Vader, as Amina’s eyes widened.

"Ani," she whispered hoarsely, her voice barely above a whisper as she stared up at the masked visage of her brother. Despite the darkness that surrounded him, she could still see glimpses of the man he once was, the boy she had grown up with on the sands of Tatooine.

But those glimpses were fleeting, overshadowed by the darkness that consumed him now. As Vader raised his lightsaber, the crimson blade igniting with a hiss of power, Amina's heart clenched with despair. She had failed him, failed to save him from the clutches of the dark side, and now she would pay the ultimate price.

The hum of the lightsaber filled the air, drowning out the sound of Amina's racing heartbeat as Vader raised the blade high above his head. In that moment, time seemed to stand still, the world holding its breath as the Sith Lord prepared to strike the final blow.

She could feel the heat of his red blade close to her neck as he lifted the saber and-

Amina gasped as she woke up, her heart racing as she looked around the empty Marauder. They weren't flying anymore, so she assumed they were back on Ord Mantell. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she sat up slowly, her mind still reeling from the vivid nightmare that had plagued her sleep.

She felt a tear fall down her cheek as she quickly wiped it away. Kriff, she was angry. She was being tormented by her own brother who she hadn’t seen since he was burning on Mustafar.

What would happen if they saw each other again? Would he not hesitate to kill her like in her nightmares?

With a deep breath, Amina rose to her feet, her muscles protesting with fatigue as she moved towards the main cabin of the ship. She needed to check in with the others, to make sure they had all made it back safely from their harrowing journey.

The door to the ship was open, so she descended the ramp and saw the group fixing up the ship, with Omega sitting on top of Gonky eating Mantell mix.

Omega hopped down from Gonky, her eyes bright with excitement as she approached Amina. "Hey, Amina! Want some Mantell mix?" she offered, holding out a handful of the crunchy snack.

Amina smiled gratefully, taking a handful of the mix and popping it into her mouth. "Thanks, Omega," she said, her voice warm with affection.

Omega grinned back at her, her brown eyes sparkling with excitement. "No problem! Want to help me finish fixing up Gonky?" she asked, gesturing towards the droid as she reached for another handful of Mantell mix.

Amina nodded, swallowing the crunchy snack before following Omega over to where Gonky was parked. "Sure thing," she replied, her spirits lifting at the prospect of spending some time with Omega. Despite the lingering effects of her nightmare, being around the energetic young girl never failed to brighten her mood.

As they worked together to make some adjustments to Gonky's systems, Amina found herself relaxing in Omega's company. The rhythmic clanking of tools, the occasional burst of laughter— it all served as a welcome distraction from the weight of her worries.

“Amina.” A voice infiltrated her mind as she dropped the screwdriver and looked around.

Amina's heart skipped a beat as she heard the voice in her mind, her senses going on high alert as she glanced around, searching for the source of the mysterious communication. There was no one nearby, no one who could have spoken to her in such a way. She frowned, her brow furrowing with confusion as she tried to make sense of what had just happened.

"Did you hear that?" she asked Omega quietly, her voice barely above a whisper as she cast a wary glance around the hangar. Omega shook her head, her expression puzzled as she looked up at Amina.

"Hear what?" she asked, her brow furrowing with concern. Amina hesitated, unsure of how to explain the strange sensation that had washed over her just moments before. It felt like someone had spoken directly into her mind, a voice that was both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.

"Nothing," Amina replied, forcing a smile as she tried to shake off the unease that had settled over her. "Must have been my imagination."

She bent down and grabbed the screwdriver when the voice spoke again in a eerily familiar sound, “Amina.”

Amina turned around, “Anakin?” She whispered.

She heard the breathing that haunted her nightmares as she turned around once more and found herself in a pod, staring at the back of a black helmet. She felt a chill run down her spine as she took a step back, her hand instinctively reaching for the lightsaber at her belt.

"Anakin?" she whispered, her voice barely above a hoarse whisper as she stared at the figure in front of her. She knew it was him, knew it with a certainty that sent shivers down her spine.

The figure turned slowly, the sound of servos whirring as the helmet faced her, the dark visor hiding any trace of the man she once knew. Amina's breath caught in her throat as she stared into the abyss of that mask, searching for any sign of the brother she had lost.

“You left me for dead.” Vader said, as Amina took a small step back.

“I didn’t leave you!”

Vader took a step forward as she took a step back, “you let me burn on Mustafar.”

“I had no choice.” She replied, her voice breaking and eyes welling up with tears, “I didn’t want t- to leave you, Ani.”

Vader's mechanical breathing seemed to echo through the pod, a haunting reminder of the man he once was. Amina's heart clenched with anguish as she looked into the abyss of his mask, searching desperately for any hint of the brother she had lost.

Vader's mask remained impassive, his presence imposing as he loomed over her. "You abandoned me," he accused, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down Amina's spine.

"No, Ani, I swear," Amina pleaded, her eyes brimming with tears. "I thought you were dead. I would never have left you willingly."

Vader's grip tightened on his lightsaber, the crimson blade casting a sinister glow in the dim confines of the pod. "It matters not," he declared, his voice cold and unforgiving. "You will pay for your betrayal."

“No, Anakin! I didn’t betray you! I swear I didn’t.” She cried, “you’re my brother, Anakin! I know you’re still in there.”

Vader raised his hand, pushing her with the force as she found herself flying through the hanger on Ord Mantell. She flew into the wall and onto the ground as the Bad Batch watched.

As Amina collided with the hard surface of the hangar wall, pain shot through her body like lightning. The impact knocked the breath from her lungs, leaving her gasping for air as she struggled to push herself upright. She could hear the concerned voices of the Bad Batch echoing in her ears, their footsteps approaching her prone form.

"General! Are you alright?" Hunter's voice cut through the haze of pain, his tone laced with worry as he knelt beside her.

Amina blinked away tears of pain, forcing herself to focus on his concerned face. "I'm... I'm fine," she managed to choke out, her voice strained as she pushed herself into a sitting position.

Hunter's brow furrowed with concern as he reached out to gently touch her shoulder. "That looked like quite a fall," he remarked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

She heard mechanical breathing as she whipped her head behind her, only to find the cement wall.

Wrecker came forward and helped her up, “woah, how did that even happen?”

Amina winced slightly as she brushed herself off, trying to shake off the lingering effects of her encounter with Vader. "I'm not sure," she replied, her voice strained with pain. "I must have lost my footing."

Hunter raised an eyebrow, “and flew across the hanger?”

“I- ” She cut herself off. If Anakin- Vader, knew she was alive, that means the Emperor does too. And if they both know she’s alive, she can only assume that they’re going to be searching for her to use in their dark, twisted schemes. She started to slowly walk back onto the ship, brushing off the group’s concerns, and grabbed the few things she had as Hunter followed.

She was a threat, a risk, how can she stay with them any longer if she was putting them and Omega in danger? Maker, was she really that stupid and naïve to think she can stay in one place for a long period of time?

Hunter followed closely behind her, his brow furrowed with concern as he watched her movements. "Amina, what's going on?" he asked, his voice gentle yet tinged with worry. He could sense her distress, her turmoil, and it pained him to see her in such a state.

Amina paused in her packing, her heart heavy with guilt as she turned to face him. "Hunter, I... I can't stay," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's too dangerous for all of you to have me around."

She put the things in her backpack and pulled out her blaster from her bag, checking it over before putting it in her holster.

“Stop.” Hunter said, grabbing her upper arm, stopping her from moving. Amina stopped, her back to him as she gripped her backpack.

"The Emperor knows I'm alive now, and he’ll stop at nothing to capture me. Ana- ” She cut herself off, she couldn’t let anyone know that Anakin was alive.

She scoffed, Master Yoda was right, she’s too emotional. What if Anakin and Palpatine did get their hands on her? Would she turn that easily to be reunited with her brother? Or should she listen to Obi-Wan’s advice? Maybe attachments weren’t such a bad thing, after all, she has a group of people surrounding her who all takes care of each other.

Amina turned around in his grip, as she now faced him, a few tears streaming down her face. “I… I’m so confused right now. It’s like everything I knew is crumbling around me and I don’t know how to stay afloat.” She looked down, “everyone I knew is gone, dead or… buried within themselves.”

"I know it's hard, Amina," Hunter said softly, his voice filled with empathy. "But you're not alone. We're all here for you, no matter what. Whatever you're going through, we'll face it together."

Amina swallowed hard, her throat tight with emotion as she met Hunter's gaze. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, the genuine care and concern he held for her, and it touched something deep within her soul. Despite her doubts and fears, there was a part of her that longed to trust him, to believe in the bond they shared.

"I want to believe that, Hunter," she whispered, her voice barely above a hoarse whisper as she looked down again. "But I can't shake this feeling that I'm putting all of you in danger just by being here."

Hunter reached out and gently brushed a stray tear from her cheek, his touch warm and comforting against her skin. "We knew the risks when we decided to take you in," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. "But that doesn't mean we're going to abandon you now. We're a team, Amina, and we stick together, no matter what."

Amina nodded, her heart heavy with gratitude as she leaned into Hunter's touch, seeking solace in his presence. In a quick, almost impulsive moment, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Hunter stiffened slightly at the unexpected embrace, his breath catching in his throat as he hesitated for a moment before tentatively returning the gesture. His arms encircled her waist, pulling her close as he rested his chin on the top of her head.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, “Master Yoda and Master Windu always said I was emotional and impulsive. I guess I have a think later attitude.”

"You don't have to apologize, Amina," Hunter murmured, his voice soft as he gently stroked her hair. "We all have our moments of doubt, of uncertainty. It's what makes us human."

Amina pulled back slightly, meeting Hunter's gaze with a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability in her eyes. "Thank you, Hunter," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "For everything."

Hunter smiled warmly at her, his heart swelling with a sense of affection for the young Jedi. "Anytime, Amina," he replied, his voice tender. "We're in this together, remember?"

Amina nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yeah," she said softly. "Together."

tags: @callsign-denmark

[mcrdvcks]

Down Bad - Chapter 3

Chapter Summary: After Amina experiences a nightmare, she decides to pay a visit to an old friend.

Word Count: 6.5k+

Notes: so this is where i stray a little bit off canon, but really it's not that much. this chapter takes place during season 1 episode 13 if anyone was wondering. enjoy!

Series Masterlist - Chapter 2 → Chapter 4

AO3 Link For Chapter

“Together we can rule the galaxy.” Vader’s hand reached out, as Amina stood her ground.

"I won't join you," she declared, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her veins. "I may not be a Jedi anymore, but I know right from wrong."

Vader regarded her with a mixture of curiosity and disdain, his towering presence casting a shadow over her. "You underestimate the power of the dark side," he warned, his voice tinged with an ominous edge. "Together, we could achieve greatness."

Amina shook her head, her resolve unbroken. "I've seen what the dark side does to those who embrace it," she countered, her gaze unwavering. "I won't be a part of your tyranny."

Vader's expression darkened, a flicker of anger flashing behind his mask. "You dare defy me?" he growled, his voice low and menacing.

Amina stood her ground, undaunted by his intimidation tactics. "I won't stand by while you destroy everything good in the galaxy," she replied, her voice filled with conviction. “I won’t stand by while I watch my brother die in front of my eyes all over again.”

Vader's dark gaze bore into her, his presence imposing and overwhelming. "You cling to sentimentality," he scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "It will be your downfall."

Amina narrowed her eyes, her grip tightening on her lightsaber. "I will never succumb to the darkness," she declared, her voice steady despite the fear simmering beneath the surface.

Vader regarded her for a moment, a calculating glint in his eyes. "You have much to learn, young Skywalker," he said, his tone laced with an eerie calmness. "Perhaps a demonstration is in order."

Before Amina could react, Vader's hand shot out, sending a powerful Force push hurtling towards her. She braced herself, summoning the Force to shield her from the impact. The invisible barrier absorbed the brunt of the attack, but Amina staggered backwards, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

She turned her head to the side as she watched Obi-Wan fighting Vader. She slowly stood up as she watched a red lightsaber go through Obi-Wan’s gut.

Amina screamed as she ran towards him, only to fall down in the darkness with mechanical breathing hovering over her.

“Obi-Wan is dead, and soon you will be too.”

Amina gasped as she woke up slowly sitting up on the Marauder’s floor. Her hand came to hold her japor snippet as she moved her knees to her chest.

She hoped it was just a nightmare and not a reality. She hoped Obi-Wan was still alive and it was just a figment of her mind. And she wished, more than anything, that she didn’t have to be cursed with this power of the force, waking up constantly to nightmares.

None of this would be happening if Anakin hadn’t listened to Palpatine, hadn’t listened to his nightmares about Padme dying in childbirth. But instead, Anakin turned on everything, including her.

Her hand tightened on the snippet around her wrist, trying to control her breathing. The thought haunted her, what if Obi-Wan was really dead? Would Luke be okay? He was just a little baby, not even a year old.

Feeling a surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm her, Amina pushed herself up from the floor of the Marauder and made her way to the cockpit. She stared out into the vast expanse of space, the twinkling stars offering little comfort to her troubled mind.

As she gazed into the endless void, memories of her time with Obi-Wan flooded her thoughts. She remembered his gentle guidance, his unwavering belief in the light side of the Force. He had been an important figure in her life, a father and an older brother wrapped in one.

But now, faced with the possibility of his death, Amina felt a profound sense of loss. She couldn't bear the thought of a galaxy without Obi-Wan, without his guiding presence to light her way.

Lost in her thoughts, Amina didn't notice Hunter's approach until he was standing beside her, his presence a comforting presence in the midst of her turmoil.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly, his voice filled with concern.

Amina forced a small smile, though her eyes betrayed the sadness lurking within. "Just a bad dream," she replied, her tone attempting to downplay the turmoil raging inside her.

Hunter studied Amina for a moment, sensing the weight of her words despite her attempt to brush off her distress. He knew that nightmares plagued her, reminders of a past filled with pain and loss. But he also knew that she was strong, resilient in the face of adversity.

Leaning against the console beside her, Hunter offered her a supportive smile. "Bad dreams seem to be a common occurrence lately," he remarked, his tone sympathetic. "Guess it comes with the territory."

Amina nodded, her gaze still fixed on the star-studded expanse before them. "Yeah, I suppose so," she replied, her voice tinged with resignation. "But sometimes they feel too real, you know? Like they're trying to tell me something."

Hunter's brow furrowed in concern as he considered her words. "It's easy to get lost in the what-ifs," he admitted, his voice quiet. "But we can't let fear dictate our actions. We have to focus on what's in front of us, what we can control."

Amina sighed, a mixture of frustration and acceptance in her breath. "I know you're right," she conceded, her shoulders sagging slightly. "But sometimes it's hard to shake off the darkness, to see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Hunter reached out a hand, gently resting it on her shoulder in a gesture of comfort. "We're in this together, Amina," he reassured her, his touch grounding her amidst the turmoil of her thoughts. "No matter what happens, you don't have to face it alone."

She nodded, still looking out at hyperspace before looking down at her wrist and the japor snippet, “I might go to Tatooine. Just for a day or something, I need to check out something.”

"Tatooine?" Hunter repeated, his brow furrowing slightly as he processed her words. "What's on Tatooine that you need to check out?"

Amina hesitated for a moment, her gaze drifting to the japor snippet nestled against her wrist. It was a token of her past, a reminder of the family she had lost and the bond she shared with her brother, Anakin. She took a deep breath, steeling herself before meeting Hunter's gaze once more. “An old friend. When we get to Ord Mantell, I’ll find a ship and go.”

"Tatooine can be a dangerous place," he cautioned, his tone gentle yet firm. "Are you sure you want to go alone?"

Amina nodded, determination flickering in her eyes. "I have to do this, Hunter," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil raging within her. "Plus, I grew up there. I know the ins and outs of that place. Plus, I doubt there’s an Imperial presence, no one would go to Tatooine willingly.”

He glanced over at her, “alright then. We’ll be at Ord Mantell in a few hours. I suggest you try to get some sleep.”

---

They got to Ord Mantell as Omega ran up next to Amina’s side, “can we get some more food with your mind trick?”

Amina kneeled down beside Omega, her expression softening as she met the young girl's eyes. "I'm sorry, Omega," she said, her voice gentle yet firm. "But I have to go to Tatooine for a few days. It's something I need to do."

Omega's brows furrowed in concern, her eyes reflecting a mixture of curiosity and worry. "Tatooine? Why?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Amina hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal to the young girl. She knew that Tatooine held painful memories for her, reminders of her past and the family she had lost. But she also knew that she couldn't ignore the pull of the Force, guiding her towards something she couldn't quite understand.

"It's personal," she replied evasively, offering Omega a small smile in an attempt to reassure her. "But don't worry, I'll be back before you know it. And I'll bring you something nice from Tatooine, how about that?"

Omega's expression brightened at the prospect of a gift, her worries momentarily forgotten. "Really? What kind of gift?" she asked eagerly, her curiosity piqued.

Amina chuckled softly, ruffling Omega's hair affectionately. "It's a surprise," she said with a wink. "But I promise you'll love it."

As Omega's excitement bubbled over, Amina turned her attention to Hunter, who had been listening to their conversation with a thoughtful expression. She could sense his concern lingering beneath the surface, his protective instincts kicking into overdrive at the mention of Tatooine.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked quietly, his voice laced with uncertainty.

Amina nodded, her gaze meeting his with unwavering determination. "I have to do this, Hunter," she replied, her tone firm yet gentle. "Trust me."

Hunter regarded her for a moment, his eyes searching hers for any sign of hesitation. But all he found was resolve, a steely determination that mirrored his own. With a sigh, he relented, knowing that he couldn't stop her even if he wanted to.

"Alright," he said finally, his voice resigned. "But be careful, Amina. Tatooine can be a dangerous place."

Amina offered him a reassuring smile, gratitude shining in her eyes. "I will," she promised, her voice sincere. "And thank you, for understanding."

She walked away from the group as they headed to Cid’s parlor while she went off to find a shuttle or a ship to use.

After what felt like hours of searching, Amina finally spotted a rundown spaceport nestled in the outskirts of the city. It was a far cry from the bustling spaceports of Coruscant or Nar Shaddaa, but it would have to do.

Approaching cautiously, Amina surveyed the area for any signs of activity. The spaceport appeared to be deserted, its hangars empty save for a few decrepit ships scattered haphazardly across the tarmac.

Taking a deep breath, Amina steeled herself for what lay ahead. She knew that finding a ship wouldn't be easy, especially on a backwater planet like Ord Mantell. But she was determined to press on, driven by a sense of purpose that refused to be quenched.

But just as she was beginning to lose hope, Amina spotted a familiar silhouette lurking in the shadows of one of the hangars. Her heart leaped with excitement as she recognized the familiar contours of a YT-1300 freighter, its hull battered and worn from years of use.

Hurrying forward, Amina approached the ship cautiously, her senses on high alert as she searched for any signs of danger. But the hangar appeared to be deserted, the only sound the faint hum of the ship's engines as they idled quietly in the background.

With a sense of relief, Amina climbed aboard the freighter, her heart pounding with anticipation as she prepared to take off.

But first, she had to contact someone.

---

After a few hours of walking in the intense heat, she made it to the Lars homestead. She knows where Obi-Wan is, thanks to Senator Organa, but first, she wanted to make a stop to see Luke.

She knocked on the door as Owen opened it and tried to close it, but she put her foot in between the door, “Owen, I just want to see him. Please?”

Owen hesitated, his gaze flickering between Amina and the interior of the homestead. He knew the risks of letting her in, knew the danger that lurked in the shadows of Tatooine. But he also couldn't deny the sincerity in Amina's eyes, the genuine concern etched in her features.

After a moment of tense silence, Owen relented with a resigned sigh, stepping back to allow Amina entry. "Fine," he muttered, his tone gruff yet begrudgingly accepting. "But make it quick. I don't want any trouble."

Amina nodded gratefully, offering Owen a small smile as she stepped inside the dimly lit homestead. The air was heavy with the scent of moisture evaporators and sand, a stark contrast to the different environments she’s been to in the past few years.

But now, faced with the reality of her return, Amina couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. So much had changed since those carefree days, so much had been lost to the passage of time.

Pushing aside her melancholy thoughts, Amina focused on the task at hand. She had come to Tatooine for a reason, and she couldn't afford to let sentimentality cloud her judgment.

Finally, she reached the doorway to Luke's room, her heart pounding with anticipation as she prepared to face her nephew. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door and stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of movement.

And there, lying in the makeshift crib in the corner of the room was her nephew. He was sleeping peacefully, his tiny chest rising and falling with each steady breath.

Amina couldn't help but smile as she approached the crib, her heart swelling with love and affection for the young boy. She reached out a hand, gently brushing his cheek with her fingertips as she whispered words of encouragement and love.

"Hey there, little one," she murmured, her voice soft and soothing. "It's me, Amina. I'm here to keep you safe, just like I promised."

Luke stirred slightly at the sound of her voice, his eyelids fluttering open to reveal bright blue eyes that seemed to sparkle with curiosity and innocence. He gazed up at Amina with a mixture of wonder and recognition, as if sensing the connection between them.

She let out a shaky laugh, his eyes were blue, just like Anakin’s.

Lost in her thoughts, Amina was startled by the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. She turned to see Owen standing in the doorway, his expression guarded yet curious. She could sense his apprehension, his reluctance to trust her after everything that had happened.

But Amina refused to let his doubts dampen her spirits. Rising to her feet, she turned to face Owen with a determined expression. "He's doing just fine," she said softly, her voice filled with warmth. "You don't have to worry about him."

Owen regarded her for a moment, his gaze searching hers for any sign of deception. But all he found was sincerity, a genuine desire to do right by Luke. With a reluctant nod, he stepped forward, his demeanor softening slightly. "Thank you," he said gruffly, his tone laced with begrudging appreciation. "But don't think this changes anything. You're still not welcome here."

Amina nodded in understanding, her gaze steady as she met Owen's eyes. She knew that earning his trust would take time, patience, and a lot of hard work. But she was willing to do whatever it took to prove herself, to show him that she was worthy of his respect.

Turning back to Luke, Amina pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, her heart overflowing with love for her nephew. She whispered words of encouragement and protection, a silent promise to always be there for him, no matter what. Then, with a final glance at Owen, she turned and made her way out of the room.

As she stepped out into the harsh sunlight of Tatooine, Amina started her way to the cave Bail said Obi-Wan lived.

The journey was long and arduous, the desert landscape stretching out before her in all directions. The sun beat down mercilessly, its intense heat sapping her strength with each passing moment. But Amina pressed on, her resolve unyielding as she navigated the rugged terrain with practiced ease.

Finally, after what felt like hours of walking, Amina spotted the cave in the distance. It was nestled against the rocky cliffs, its entrance obscured by shadows cast by the harsh midday sun. With a sense of anticipation coursing through her veins, Amina quickened her pace, eager to finally confront the man who had once been her mentor and friend.

She could sense Obi-Wan's presence emanating from within, a faint yet unmistakable echo of the Force that pulsed through her veins. With a steady hand, she reached out and pushed aside the heavy curtain that served as the cave's entrance, stepping inside with cautious determination.

The interior of the cave was dimly lit, the only source of illumination coming from a small fire that flickered in the center of the chamber. Amina's eyes scanned the room, searching for any sign of movement amidst the shadows.

And then, she saw him.

Obi-Wan Kenobi sat cross-legged near the fire, his eyes closed in meditation as he communed with the Force. His expression was serene, his features illuminated by the soft glow of the flames.

Taking a deep breath, Amina stepped forward, her footsteps echoing softly against the cave walls. "Obi-Wan," she called out, her voice filled with a mixture of relief and uncertainty.

Obi-Wan's eyes snapped open at the sound of her voice, his gaze locking onto hers with a mixture of surprise and recognition. "Amina," he said softly, his voice tinged with emotion. "It's been too long." He stood up, “but what are you doing here? It’s dangerous, Master Yoda said to- ”

“Yeah, yeah, I know what Master Yoda said. I just… I had to see you.”

Obi-Wan sighed, before gesturing her to come further in the cave, “how did you know where I was?”

"I contacted Bail," she admitted finally, her voice tinged with a hint of apprehension. "He told me where to find you."

Obi-Wan regarded her for a moment, his expression unreadable as he processed her words. "I see," he said quietly, his tone neutral yet guarded. "And why did you seek me out, Amina? What brings you to Tatooine?"

Amina hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal to Obi-Wan about her reasons for coming to Tatooine. She knew that he was cautious by nature, wary of revealing too much to those he didn't fully trust. But she also knew that she couldn't keep her intentions hidden forever, not from someone who had once been her mentor and friend.

“I’ve been having these… visions, or nightmares. About someone named Darth Vader.”

Obi-Wan showed no signs of recognition, probably because Tatooine doesn’t get a lot of news, and because the Empire is absent on this planet.

She turned to face him, “Anakin is alive, Obi-Wan. I know it.”

“Anakin is dead. He died on Mustafar.”

Amina shook her head, “I don’t think he did, at least, not physically.”

Obi-Wan regarded her with a mixture of concern and skepticism. He had known Amina for many years, had watched her grow from a spirited young girl into a skilled Jedi Knight. But her insistence on Anakin's survival troubled him deeply, stirring up memories of a past he had long tried to forget.

"Anakin is dead," he repeated, his voice tinged with sadness. "He fell to the dark side on Mustafar, and there's no coming back from that. Now, what are your… dreams about?”

“Someone named Darth Vader, who I suspect to be Anakin. It’s usually just been me and him fighting, but in my last nightmare I saw him kill you. I had to come to be sure.”

Obi-Wan stroked his beard, “Amina, you are your brother have a unique connection to the force, allowing you to see visions. But most of the time, those visions are fake, meant to disarm you.”

Amina shook her head vehemently, “no! Obi-Wan, I know what I saw, and it was real. Maybe not the part about you dying, but I know Anakin is out there, still a pawn in Palpatine’s game.”

Obi-Wan raised his hands, “Amina- ”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. Calm down.” She said, sitting down.

Obi-Wan regarded her with a mixture of concern and understanding. He knew all too well the pain of losing someone you cared about, the relentless pull of hope in the face of overwhelming odds. But he also knew the dangers of clinging to false hope, of chasing after shadows that might never materialize.

"Amina, I understand your desire to find your brother," he said gently, his voice filled with empathy. "But you have to be careful. The path you're on is fraught with danger, and I fear what you might find at the end of it."

She played with the japor snippet on her wrist, her eyes welling up with tears of frustration. “I don’t have anyone, Obi-Wan. Not anymore. Anakin is gone, Padme is gone, Ahsoka is out there somewhere, and you’re here. And… I’m alone.”

Obi-Wan watched her with a mixture of concern and empathy, his eyes reflecting the pain of his own past losses. He knew all too well the heavy burden that Amina carried, the weight of her grief and guilt threatening to consume her from within.

"Amina," he said softly, his voice filled with compassion. "You're not alone. You have friends who care about you, who would do anything to help you in your time of need."

Amina looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "But it's not the same, Obi-Wan," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "I miss them, all of them. Anakin, Padme, Ahsoka... They were my family, and now they're gone."

Obi-Wan reached out a comforting hand, gently squeezing her shoulder in a gesture of solidarity. "I know, Amina," he said softly. "But you have to remember that they're with you, always. In your heart, in your memories... They'll never truly be gone as long as you keep them alive in your thoughts."

Amina nodded, her gaze drifting to the japor snippet wrapped around her wrist. It was a tangible reminder of her past, a connection to the family she had lost and the memories she cherished. She traced the intricate patterns carved into the wooden pendant, her fingertips lingering on the smooth surface as she sought solace in its familiar presence.

"They would want you to be happy, Amina," Obi-Wan continued, his voice gentle yet firm. "They would want you to live your life to the fullest, to embrace the light and find joy in the darkness. Don't let their sacrifice be in vain."

Amina blinked back tears, her heart heavy with the weight of Obi-Wan's words. She knew he was right, knew that dwelling on the past would only hold her back from embracing the future. But letting go was easier said than done, especially when the wounds of loss still felt fresh and raw.

"I'll try, Obi-Wan," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it's hard... It's so hard to let go of the pain, to move on when everything reminds me of what I've lost."

Obi-Wan squeezed her shoulder reassuringly, his gaze filled with understanding. "I know, Amina," he said softly. "But you're stronger than you realize. You've faced unimaginable challenges and overcome impossible odds. And you'll continue to do so, because that's who you are."

Amina felt a flicker of hope stir within her, a glimmer of light amidst the darkness that threatened to engulf her. She drew strength from Obi-Wan's unwavering belief in her, his faith a beacon of hope in the stormy sea of her doubts.

"Thank you, Obi-Wan," she said sincerely, her voice tinged with gratitude. "For everything."

Obi-Wan smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners with genuine affection. "Anytime, Amina," he replied. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what. Now, you’re going to stay here for the night to avoid the Tusken raiders, alright?”

Amina nodded, grateful for the offer of shelter amidst the harsh sands of Tatooine. "Thank you, Obi-Wan," she said, her voice tinged with relief. "I appreciate it."

With a reassuring smile, Obi-Wan gestured for her to follow him deeper into the cave. "Come," he said softly, his voice echoing in the dimly lit chamber. "I'll show you where you can rest for the night."

Amina followed him obediently, her footsteps echoing softly against the rocky floor. The cave was cool and dimly lit, a stark contrast to the oppressive heat of the desert outside. She couldn't help but feel a sense of calm wash over her as she followed Obi-Wan deeper into its depths, the weight of her worries slowly lifting from her shoulders.

Finally, they reached a small alcove nestled against the cave wall, its floor lined with soft blankets and cushions. Obi-Wan gestured for Amina to make herself comfortable, a warm smile playing on his lips.

"You can rest here for the night," he said gently, his tone reassuring. "I'll keep watch outside to make sure you're safe."

Amina nodded gratefully, sinking down onto the cushions with a sigh of relief. The events of the day had taken their toll on her, leaving her exhausted and drained. But now, surrounded by the comforting embrace of the cave, she felt a sense of peace settle over her like a warm blanket.

"Thank you, Obi-Wan," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "For everything."

Obi-Wan's smile softened, his gaze warm with affection. "You're welcome, Amina," he replied softly. "Rest now. Tomorrow is a new day."

With a final nod of reassurance, Obi-Wan turned and made his way to the cave entrance, his silhouette disappearing into the darkness beyond. Amina watched him go with a sense of gratitude and fondness, her heart full with the knowledge that she wasn't alone.

As she settled down to sleep, Amina couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope stir within her chest. Despite the uncertainty of the future, despite the dangers that lurked in the shadows, she knew that she had allies by her side. And with their help, she was determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Closing her eyes, Amina let herself drift into the welcoming embrace of sleep, her dreams filled with visions of a brighter tomorrow.

---

The next morning dawned bright and clear, the first rays of sunlight filtering into the cave and rousing Amina from her slumber. Stretching languidly, she blinked away the remnants of sleep and sat up, taking in her surroundings with a sense of calm.

Obi-Wan was already up, his form silhouetted against the entrance of the cave as he kept watch over the desert landscape beyond. He turned as he sensed her presence, offering her a warm smile of greeting.

"Good morning, Amina," he said softly, his voice carrying on the morning breeze. "Did you sleep well?"

Amina nodded, returning his smile with one of her own. "Yes, thank you," she replied, her voice tinged with gratitude. "I feel much better now."

Obi-Wan nodded in understanding, his gaze thoughtful as he studied her. "I'm glad to hear it," he said warmly. "Are you ready to continue your journey?"

Amina hesitated for a moment, the weight of her mission weighing heavily on her mind. She knew that she couldn't afford to linger on Tatooine for long, not when the galaxy was in such turmoil. But she also couldn't shake the feeling that there was something she was missing, something important that she needed to uncover.

"I... I think so," she said slowly, her brow furrowed in thought. "But before I go, there's something I need to ask you."

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow in curiosity, his gaze intent as he waited for her to continue. "What is it?" he asked gently.

“Do you… do you ever wonder what would happen if you made different choices? Like, you never told me and Anakin what happened between you and Satine.”

Amina's question hung in the air, the weight of it lingering between them like a heavy cloak. Obi-Wan regarded her thoughtfully, his expression unreadable as he considered her words.

"Satine..." he began, his voice trailing off as memories of the past flooded his mind. "She was... a complicated woman."

Amina nodded, sensing the pain and regret that shadowed Obi-Wan's words. She had always wondered about the woman who had captured her mentor's heart, the woman whose memory still haunted him to this day.

"I know you cared about her," she said softly, her voice gentle yet probing. "But you never told us what happened between you."

Obi-Wan sighed, running a hand through his hair in a gesture of frustration. "It's... complicated," he admitted finally, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "Satine and I... we were friends, once. But duty and destiny pulled us apart, and in the end... I couldn't save her."

Amina's heart ached at the pain in Obi-Wan's voice, the raw emotion that lay just beneath the surface. She reached out a comforting hand, squeezing his shoulder in a gesture of solidarity.

"I'm sorry, Obi-Wan," she said softly, her voice filled with empathy. "I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you."

Obi-Wan offered her a small, sad smile, his eyes reflecting the weight of his past mistakes. "Thank you, Amina," he replied quietly. "But regrets won't bring her back. All I can do now is honor her memory and carry on her legacy."

Amina nodded in understanding, “do you think the Jedi were wrong? That… connections and love are really that bad?”

Obi-Wan regarded Amina with a thoughtful expression, his gaze distant as he pondered her question. "The Jedi believed that attachments and love could lead to the dark side," he said finally, his voice tinged with regret. "But I've come to realize that love is not inherently evil. It's how we choose to act on that love that determines our fate."

Amina listened intently, her brow furrowed in contemplation. She had always struggled with the teachings of the Jedi Order, the rigid rules and dogma that seemed to stifle any semblance of humanity. But hearing Obi-Wan's perspective gave her hope, a glimmer of possibility amidst the darkness that threatened to engulf them all.

"So, you don't think love is a weakness?" she asked softly, her voice tentative yet hopeful.

Obi-Wan shook his head, a wistful smile playing on his lips. "No, Amina," he replied. "Love is not a weakness. It's a strength, a source of courage and resilience that can see us through even the darkest of times."

Amina felt a weight lift from her shoulders at Obi-Wan's words, a sense of liberation washing over her like a gentle breeze. She often wondered if what Anakin and Padme did was wrong, or if it was in fact the Jedi who were wrong, banishing admiration and attachments.

"Thank you, Obi-Wan," she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. "For everything."

Obi-Wan smiled warmly, his eyes reflecting the depth of his affection for his former apprentice. "You're welcome, Amina," he replied. "Just remember, love is not always easy. It requires sacrifice and compromise, but in the end, it's worth it."

Amina nodded, her heart filled with a newfound sense of purpose and determination. She knew that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges and obstacles, but with Obi-Wan's guidance and support, she felt confident that she could face whatever lay ahead.

As they sat in companionable silence, the sun began to rise over the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the desert landscape. Amina watched in awe as the first rays of sunlight illuminated the cave, banishing the shadows and bringing forth a new day filled with endless possibilities.

With a renewed sense of hope and determination, Amina rose to her feet, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "It's time for me to go," she said, her voice filled with resolve. "But I'll never forget what you've taught me, Obi-Wan. Thank you."

Obi-Wan stood beside her, his expression filled with pride and admiration. "You're welcome, Amina," he replied. "May the Force be with you, always."

With a final nod of farewell, Amina turned and made her way out of the cave, her heart light with the knowledge that she was not alone.

---

Amina made her way back to Ord Mantell, making her way to the Marauder where Echo said they were currently at.

As she approached the Marauder, she spotted Hunter standing outside, his posture tense as he scanned the area.

Seeing her approach, Hunter's expression softened, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes. "Amina," he greeted, his voice a mixture of concern and warmth. "You're back."

Amina nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, I'm back," she replied, her voice soft yet determined. "Did I miss anything?"

Hunter shook his head, his gaze never leaving hers. "No, just the usual," he said. "We've been laying low, waiting for our next assignment."

Omega ran off the ship and to Amina as she bent down and hugged her, “hey, kid!” Amina said.

Omega stepped back, “did you bring back anything?”

Amina nodded, taking her backpack off and setting it down, the rest of the Bad Batch coming out of the ship. She held up a carton of blue milk and handed it to Omega, “a Tatooine specialty.” She said, handing one to each of the guys as well.

Tech looked the carton, “blue milk is also known as Bantha milk, which is produced by female banthas- ”

“Yeah, yeah,” Wrecker cut in, opening the carton as did Omega.

Omega grimaced, “ugh, I don’t like it.”

Amina gasped, “What? You don’t like blue milk?” Her incredulous tone carried a mix of surprise and amusement as she looked at Omega, who wrinkled her nose in distaste.

“Sorry.” Omega replied, a small awkward smile on her face.

Wrecker grinned widely as he took Omega's rejected carton of blue milk and took a long swig. "Thanks, Amina!" he exclaimed between gulps, his enthusiasm infectious as always.

Amina chuckled softly at Wrecker's antics, shaking her head in amusement. "You're welcome, Wrecker," she replied warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she watched the big clone enjoy his drink.

Hunter stood by, his arms crossed over his chest as he observed the scene with a small smile playing on his lips. Despite the tense situations they often found themselves in, moments like these reminded him of the bond they shared as a team, as a family.

Tech, ever the curious one, took a sip of his own blue milk, his brow furrowing in concentration as he analyzed the taste. "Interesting," he remarked, his tone thoughtful. "It has a unique flavor profile, reminiscent of certain fermented beverages found on other planets."

Amina raised an eyebrow at Tech's analysis, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "You mean it tastes weird?" she quipped, earning a chuckle from Hunter and a playful shove from Wrecker.

Echo, who had been quietly observing the interaction from the sidelines, finally spoke up. "So, how was Tatooine?" he asked, his tone casual yet curious.

Amina's expression softened at the mention of her recent journey, memories of her time with Obi-Wan flooding her mind. "It was... enlightening," she replied cryptically, her gaze drifting off into the distance. She reached into her backpack again and pulled out a bag, “maybe you’ll like this more, Omega. This is Haroun bread.”

Omega's eyes lit up with curiosity as she took the bag from Amina, inspecting its contents with interest. "What's Haroun bread?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

"It's a traditional bread from the planet Haroun," Amina explained, her tone warm as she watched Omega's reaction. "It's soft and fluffy, with a slightly sweet flavor. My mom always had when I was a kid.”

Omega's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze flickering between Amina and the bag of bread in her hands. "Wow, that sounds delicious!" she exclaimed, a smile spreading across her face. "Thank you, Amina."

Amina returned Omega's smile with one of her own, her heart swelling with affection for the young clone. "You're welcome, Omega," she replied, her voice gentle yet sincere. "I hope you like it."

As Omega eagerly tore into the bag of Haroun bread, the rest of the Bad Batch gathered around, their curiosity piqued by the new addition to their rations. Hunter glanced at Amina with a grateful smile, his eyes silently conveying his appreciation for her thoughtfulness.

"Thanks for bringing back supplies, Amina," he said, his voice genuine as he reached for a piece of bread. "We were starting to run low."

Amina waved off his thanks with a dismissive gesture, her focus solely on Omega as she watched the young clone take her first bite of Haroun bread. "It's no problem," she replied, her tone casual yet sincere. "I'm just glad I could help. I stole it from some Jawas.”

Hunter chuckled at her admission, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, as long as they didn't put up too much of a fight," he joked, earning a playful shove from Amina.

"You know me, I can handle myself," she quipped, a mischievous glint in her eye as she leaned against the side of the Marauder.

Tech, ever the inquisitive one, examined the bread with a critical eye, his brow furrowing in concentration as he analyzed its texture and composition. "Fascinating," he remarked, his voice tinged with curiosity. "The molecular structure of this bread is quite complex. It appears to be a blend of various grains and starches, resulting in a unique flavor profile."

Amina chuckled softly at Tech's analysis, amused by his scientific approach to something as simple as bread. "Just eat it, Tech," she teased, earning a chuckle from Hunter and a playful shove from Wrecker.

Tech raised an eyebrow at her playful jab, his expression earnest as he continued his examination of the bread. "I prefer to approach things with a methodical mindset," he replied, his tone matter-of-fact. "It allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter."

Hunter shook his head with a fond smile, amused by the dynamic between Amina and Tech. "Sometimes you just have to go with your gut, Tech," he remarked, his voice gentle yet firm. "Not everything needs to be analyzed to the nth degree."

Wrecker nodded enthusiastically in agreement, his mouth full of bread as he gestured emphatically with his free hand. "Yeah, Tech, just eat it!" he exclaimed between bites, his enthusiasm undiminished by his mouthful of food.

Omega, who had been eagerly sampling the Haroun bread, chimed in with her own opinion. "It's really good, Tech," she said, her voice muffled by a mouthful of bread. "You should try it."

Tech hesitated for a moment, torn between his desire to analyze the bread further and his curiosity about its taste. Ultimately, his curiosity won out, and he reached for a piece of bread, taking a tentative bite.

His eyes widened in surprise as he savored the flavor, his analytical mind momentarily forgotten as he focused on the sensory experience. "You're right, Omega," he admitted, a hint of wonder in his voice. "This is quite delicious."

Amina grinned triumphantly at Tech's admission, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Told you so," she said smugly, her tone playful yet satisfied.

As the Bad Batch continued to enjoy their impromptu snack, Amina couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over her. Despite the uncertainty of their current situation, moments like these reminded her of the camaraderie and bond they shared as a team, and maybe, as a family.

Maybe Obi-Wan was right, the Jedi were flawed, and attachment wasn’t so bad after all.

tags: @callsign-denmark

[mcrdvcks]

Down Bad - Chapter 2

Chapter Summary: Amina and Omega stay on Ord Mantell while The Bad Batch goes on a mission. Then, they become involved in a Imperial occupation on Ryloth.

Word Count: 6.0k+

Notes: so this chapter covers episodes 10-12 of bad batch season 1. next chapter is where i stray a little bit from canon, but in reality it doesn't change much. you'll understand once you read it. but, happy reading! <3

also, i've literally written 10 more chapters of this because i'm crazy and bored, and in need of hunter so bad. hopefully i'll remember to post more regularly...

Series Masterlist - Chapter 1 → Chapter 3

AO3 Link For Chapter

The group had landed back on Ord Mantell, walking to Cid’s Parlor as Omega sat on top of Wrecker’s shoulder.

“How’s the Mantell Mix, kid?” He asked.

Omega ate another piece, “mm-hmm. Better than ever.” She dropped a piece of the mix into Wrecker’s mouth.

“Yeah, it is.” Wrecker said, laughing.

“So, when’s our next mission?” Omega asked, holding the small box with the Mantell Mix with both hands now.

“With two bounty hunters after you, it’d be wise to keep a low profile.” Tech replied.

“Tech’s right.” Hunter said, as he grabbed Omega off of Wrecker’s shoulders and helped her back on the ground. “There’s too much heat on us right now.”

“Ha! That never stopped us before.”

Amina came over, and took a piece of the Mantell Mix, trying a piece. It was different and sweet. Echo grabbed a few pieces in his hand and smelled them.

They watched as Hunter walked into Cid’s parlor as they followed along. When they entered, Cid turned to look at them. “I’ve got a mission for you boys. A simple extraction on Raxus.”

“Raxus?” Tech said, “that is the former center of the Separatist government. It has since become an Imperial outpost- ”

“I’m not interested in a history lesson, Goggles. You’re being hired to locate and free Senator Avi Singh from his confinement.” Cid pulled up a holographic image of the Senator on her data pad, “my client will meet you at the given coordinates to brief you. Details are on this. Now get going.”

She threw the chip towards the group as Hunter caught it. “Help a Separatist? Not gonna happen.” He threw the chip back at Cid.

“Your debt’s still not paid, remember? A job’s a job.” Hunter gestured for Cid and him to walk away from the group as Amina hopped on the stool next to Omega, being careful of her ankle.

Omega glanced up at Amina, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What's going on?" she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur.

Amina leaned in closer, keeping her voice low. "Looks like Hunter and Cid are butting heads," she replied, her gaze flicking back to the two figures engaged in conversation.

Omega furrowed her brow, her expression thoughtful. "Why does Hunter seem so reluctant to take the job?"

“Raxus was the home planet of the Separatists. We fought against them in the war.” Amina answered.

“Yeah, yeah, Bandana. Just get outta here, will you?” Cid exclaimed, walking away from the group.

Omega stood in front of Hunter now, with her crossbow on her back. “Ready when you are, Sergeant.”

Hunter kneeled down, “not this time, Omega. You’re staying with Cid.”

“But th-the mission. I’m part of the squad too.”

He put a hand on her shoulder, “then following orders shouldn’t be a problem. Stay close to Cid and don’t leave this parlor. Got it, soldier?”

Omega groaned and rolled her eyes, “yes, sir.”

Hunter went to Amina, who still was seated on the stool. “You okay with staying here with Omega?”

"Yeah, yeah, we’ll be fine. Plus, I don’t trust Trandoshans," Amina replied with a smirk, her tone light but tinged with a hint of mischief.

Hunter chuckled, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Fair enough," he said, nodding in agreement. "Just keep an eye on Omega for me, will you?"

Amina nodded, her gaze flicking over to where Omega was now standing. "Consider it done," she replied, her voice confident.

As Hunter turned to leave, Amina couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease at the prospect of being left behind with Omega. Despite the young girl's enthusiasm and resilience, Amina couldn't shake the feeling that trouble always seemed to find them, no matter where they went. Perhaps, find her wherever she went.

Omega huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "I don't need a babysitter, you know," she muttered, her tone petulant.

Amina chuckled softly, reaching out to ruffle Omega's hair affectionately. "I know you don't, kiddo," she replied with a playful grin. "But it never hurts to have a backup, just in case." Amina stretched out her leg, “plus it’s not like I can go that far.”

Omega grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yeah, I guess you're right," she conceded, her earlier annoyance slowly dissipating as she moved the sponge in a circle on the table that Cid gave her.

“Hey, think of it like this. You’re babysitting me. And let me tell you, I’m quite slippery.” Amina smirked, trying to lighten up the mood.

---

Amina looked at the shelves of alcohol Cid had. She doesn’t drink, but one of the missions she went on with her master before the war was to Morlana One, where she was undercover as a bartender for information.

She learned a few things there, she had to since she worked at that bar for almost 7 rotations. She glanced over at Omega, who was still scrubbing the table.

“You’ve got her cornered.” Bolo laughed.

“Oh, yeah, I’m real scared.” Cid replied.

“Delay all you want, you’re not getting out of this one.” Ketch taunted.

Cid hovered over a button as Omega chimed in, “I wouldn’t do that.”

“Hear that? We got an expert here.” Cid rolled her eyes.

The dejarik table made noises as one of Cid’s figures went down. “She’s done for!” Bolo laughed, again.

“I told you.” Omega said.

“Well, expert, what should I do next?” Cid asked Omega, as she hopped down from the stool and pressed 3 buttons on the board.

Bolo groaned, “you blew it!”

“Yeah, but you’re the one who said to bet it all!” Ketch retorted.

“You wanna take this outside?”

“Gladly.” Ketch got off his seat as the two walked outside.

“How’d you know to do that?” Cid asked Omega.

“It’s a strategy game. I’m good at strategy.”

“Hmm. How good? Enough to, uh, win a few matches for some money?”

“Depends.” Omega said slowly. “What’s my cut?”

“Hmm. Thirty percent.”

Omega thought it over quickly, “sixty.”

---

As Omega played, Cid’s parlor gained more and more people entering, to watch and to play against her. Amina took it upon herself to get some new clothing, and to bartend the crowd.

It wasn’t hard, since most people weren’t getting any drinks, but the few that did tipped well. Whether it was because they were kind, or because she had put her hair down, she wasn’t sure.

Her hair had grown since Order 66, and she got used to keeping it short and up, but now, she hasn’t had time to cut it. She handed another drink to someone as they went back into the small crowd.

“No one can stop this kid.” Someone in the crowd spoke, as Hunter, Tech, Echo, Wrecker, and the Senator and his droid walked in.

“Of course.” Hunter said.

Omega’s current opponent played his move, as Omega pressed two buttons and played hers, winning the game.

Cid shook Omega’s shoulders with a small smile as Omega looked into the crowd and waved at the guys. She jumped off the seat and ran towards them.

“All right, show’s over. No more bets.” Cid announced.

Wrecker picked up Omega, “Kid, where’d you learn to do that?”

“She’s a natural. I’ve never seen anything like it.” Cid said.

Omega smiled, as did Wrecker. Hunter walked in front of Cid, “I told you to keep a low profile. This is the opposite.”

Omega’s smile dropped, as she glanced down. Cid pushed Hunter’s shoulder, “ease up, Bandana. Omega made enough money to pay off the debt you boys owe me, so try showing a little gratitude to my friend.” She walked around Wrecker, patting Omega’s shoulder, “you did good.” She walked over to the Senator, “Senator, glad you made it. Let’s talk payment.” she said, guiding the Senator and his droid to her office.

Wrecker set Omega down as the group walked away. He nudged Hunter’s shoulder with his as Hunter looked down. “You really paid off our debt?”

“I wanted to be useful, even if I couldn’t go on the mission.”

Hunter hummed, before turning around to look at Omega. “How about we put those strategy skills to the test? One match. If you win, then no more sitting out on missions.” Hunter turned on the board as Omega’s eyes brightened. He gestured for her to sit down as she ran over and took the seat across from Hunter. “You ready for this?”

“Are you?”

Amina shook her head and finished cleaning up the glasses before setting down the towel underneath the bar. She counted the credits she earned, which was around 100. Not too bad.

"Come on, Omega, you got this!" Amina found herself cheering aloud, unable to contain her excitement as Omega made a bold move, catching Hunter off guard.

Hunter chuckled, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Not bad, kid. But let's see if you can handle this."

Amina watched with bated breath as Hunter made his move, his fingers flying across the board with practiced precision. Omega's brow furrowed in concentration as she assessed her options, her gaze darting from one holographic figure to the next.

Suddenly, Omega's eyes lit up with realization, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. With a swift motion, she made her move, her fingers dancing across the board as she executed a series of calculated maneuvers.

"I did it!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement as she looked over at Amina.

Amina couldn't help but grin, her heart swelling with pride at Omega's accomplishment. "You were amazing," she said, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

Omega beamed, her chest puffed out with pride. "Thanks, Amina!" she said, practically bouncing with excitement.

Meanwhile, Hunter leaned back in his chair, a look of disbelief on his face. "I can't believe I lost," he muttered, shaking his head in mock defeat.

Amina chuckled, crossing the room to join Omega and Hunter at the table. "Well, looks like you owe someone a mission," she said, nudging Hunter playfully with her elbow.

Hunter sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, yeah, I know," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "You earned it, Omega."

Omega's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze flicking between Hunter and Amina. "Wait, really?" she asked, her voice tinged with excitement.

Hunter nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, really. You proved yourself out there, kid."

Omega's grin widened, her excitement bubbling over as she practically vibrated with energy. "Yes! I won't let you down, Hunter," she said, her voice filled with determination.

Amina reached into her pocket and pulled out the credits, placing them in Hunter’s hand.

“Where’d this come from?”

She shrugged, “I bartended. I learned a bit on a mission with my master years ago. But I don’t trust myself holding them, I’d probably lose it.”

Omega glanced over at the credits, “how much is there?”

"I think 102 credits," Amina replied, her gaze flicking between Omega and Hunter.

Omega's eyes widened with excitement. "That's amazing!”

The rest of the group walked out as Wrecker looked at the credits in Hunter’s hand. “Whoa, that’s a lot of credits! How’d you get them?”

“Womanly wiles.” Amina said, crossing her arms, as Echo let out a chuckle.

“What’s that?” Omega asked.

“Uh… I’ll teach you when you’re older.” Amina pondered, “surprisingly, it was actually Padme who taught me that. She made a whole deal out of it, even pretending she was teaching a class to me and Ahsoka. Anakin found out when he visited her office and saw me and Ahsoka taking notes.”

Amina chuckled at the memory, her lips curling into a fond smile. "Yeah, it was quite the sight," she said, her voice tinged with amusement. "Anakin was absolutely baffled. I don’t even want to think about what happened after he dragged her out of her office.” She shuddered at the thought.

Omega's eyes widened with curiosity, her gaze fixed on Amina. "What happened?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.

Amina chuckled, shaking her head. "Let's just say Anakin was not pleased," she replied cryptically, her lips quirking into a smirk. "But enough about that. How about a game of dejarik? I'm sure you're itching for a rematch after beating Hunter."

Omega's eyes lit up with excitement, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "You're on!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing with enthusiasm.

Amina chuckled, her own grin mirroring Omega's infectious excitement. "Prepare to be defeated, young one," she teased, gesturing towards the dejarik table with a playful wink.

As they settled into their seats, the holographic figures flickered to life on the board, casting a soft blue glow across the dimly lit room. Amina watched Omega carefully, her gaze sharp and focused as the young girl deliberated her next move.

Omega's brow furrowed in concentration as she surveyed the board, her fingers hovering over the holographic controls. With a sudden burst of determination, she made her move, her fingers dancing across the controls with practiced precision.

Amina's lips curled into a smirk as she studied Omega's move, her mind already calculating her own counterattack. With a swift motion, she executed her move, her holographic figures springing to life as they clashed with Omega's.

The game unfolded with a rapid flurry of moves, each player vying for dominance on the holographic battlefield. Amina's heart raced with excitement as she anticipated Omega's next move, her competitive spirit fueling her determination to emerge victorious.

But Omega was proving to be a formidable opponent, her strategic prowess matched only by her youthful enthusiasm. With each move, she pushed Amina to the limit, testing her skills and cunning at every turn.

As the game neared its climax, Amina felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. Victory was within her grasp, but she knew she couldn't afford to underestimate Omega's tenacity.

With a final, decisive move, Amina unleashed her masterstroke, her holographic figures converging on Omega's position with deadly precision. The room erupted into cheers and applause as Omega's last line of defense crumbled beneath the onslaught.

Omega stared at the board in disbelief, her expression a mixture of shock and admiration. "I can't believe you beat me," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with awe.

Amina grinned triumphantly, her chest swelling with pride. "Never underestimate the power of experience, young one," she teased, reaching out to ruffle Omega's hair affectionately.

The two laughed and exchanged playful banter as they reset the board for another round.

Meanwhile, Hunter watched the scene unfold with a mixture of amusement and pride. He had never seen Omega so animated, so full of life and energy.

As he observed Omega and Amina's playful interaction, a sense of warmth and contentment washed over him. Omega ended up winning the second game as Amina leaned over the table, “want to get something to eat?”

Omega nodded, “yeah, sure! Do you have any credits?”

Amina shook her head and stood up, “I have many ways of convincing people. One of them being,” she waved her hand, “the force. Want to see a Jedi mind trick?”

Omega's eyes widened with excitement, her curiosity piqued by Amina's suggestion. "Really? You can do that?" she asked, her voice tinged with anticipation. “But wait, won’t people find out?”

Amina grinned, her lips curling into a playful smirk. "I won’t tell if you won’t. Come on, let’s go find a stand outside and get something.”

As Amina and Omega made their way through the bustling streets of Ord Mantell, Amina couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration coursing through her veins. She hadn’t used the force in a long while, so she was excited to use it, even in a small, insignificant way.

As they approached a nearby food stand, Amina cast a subtle glance around, ensuring that no one was paying too much attention to their actions. Satisfied that they were in the clear, she turned to Omega with a mischievous grin.

"Watch closely, Omega," she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur. "This is how a Jedi mind trick works."

With a flick of her wrist and a subtle wave of her hand, Amina reached out through the Force, gently influencing the thoughts of the vendor behind the stand. She implanted a suggestion in his mind, a subtle nudge to offer them a discount on their meal.

The vendor blinked in confusion for a moment, his brow furrowing as if trying to recall something. Then, with a shrug, he smiled at Amina and Omega, his demeanor suddenly warm and friendly.

"Hey there, ladies! What can I get for you today?" he asked, his voice cheerful as he gestured towards the array of food on display.

Amina returned the smile, her confidence bolstered by the success of her Jedi mind trick. "We'll take two of your specialty sandwiches, please," she said, her tone casual as she leaned against the counter.

The vendor nodded eagerly, quickly assembling their order with practiced efficiency. As he handed the sandwiches over to Amina and Omega, he flashed them a wink.

"On the house," he said with a grin. "Consider it a gift from your friendly neighborhood food vendor."

Amina accepted the sandwiches with a gracious smile, her heart fluttering with a sense of satisfaction at her successful use of the Jedi mind trick. She turned to Omega, who was practically buzzing with excitement at their unexpected windfall.

"Thank you so much," she said, her voice sincere as she turned to Omega. "Shall we?"

Omega nodded eagerly, her eyes shining with anticipation. "Definitely!" she exclaimed, falling into step beside Amina as they made their way through the bustling streets of Ord Mantell.

As they walked, Omega couldn't contain her excitement, chattering animatedly about everything they passed – from the colorful storefronts to the eclectic mix of alien species milling about the marketplace.

Amina listened with amusement, her lips quirking into a fond smile as she watched Omega's boundless enthusiasm.

Eventually, they found a quiet spot to sit and enjoy their sandwiches, nestled away from the hustle and bustle of the main thoroughfare. Amina took a bite of her sandwich, savoring the delicious combination of flavors as she glanced over at Omega.

Omega looked over at Amina, “can I use the force?”

Amina set down the sandwich and wiped off her hands with a napkin, “well, not really. The force is what gives a Jedi their power. But it’s also an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us, binding the galaxy together. Jedi have a higher level of the force, which makes us Jedi, but everyone else still has the force, but it’s impossible for regular people to use.”

Omega listened intently, her curiosity piqued by Amina's explanation. She nodded thoughtfully, processing the information as she took another bite of her sandwich. "So, does that mean you can't teach me how to use it?" she asked, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Amina smiled sympathetically, reaching out to pat Omega's hand reassuringly. "I'm afraid not, kiddo," she replied, her tone gentle. "The force is something that's innate within certain individuals. It's not something that can be taught or learned, no matter how hard you try."

Omega's shoulders slumped slightly, her expression crestfallen. "Oh," she said, her disappointment evident in her voice. "I guess I'll just have to stick to strategy games then."

Amina chuckled softly, her smile warm and reassuring. "Hey, there's nothing wrong with being a master strategist," she said, her tone playful. "In fact, I'd say it's a pretty valuable skill to have, especially in our line of work."

Omega perked up at the praise, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yeah, you're right," she said, her enthusiasm returning. "I may not have the Force, but I've got plenty of other tricks up my sleeve."

Amina grinned, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "That's the spirit," she said, her tone approving. "Never underestimate the power of a sharp mind and a quick wit."

As they finished their sandwiches, Amina glanced around the bustling marketplace, her gaze scanning the crowd for any signs of trouble. Despite the relative peace and quiet of their current surroundings, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered at the back of her mind.

"Come on," Amina said, rising to her feet and dusting off her pants. "We should probably head back to Cid's parlor before Hunter sends out a search party."

As Amina and Omega returned to Cid's parlor, they found the Bad Batch still sitting at the bar, their conversation paused as they glanced up to greet the newcomers.

"Hey, you two," Wrecker called out, a friendly grin spreading across his face. "Where've you been?"

Amina chuckled, slipping onto a stool beside Omega. "Just grabbing a bite to eat," she replied casually, her gaze flicking over to Hunter. "Did you miss us?"

Wrecker spoke up, “oh, no food for us?”

Amina chuckled, shaking her head at Wrecker's comment. "Sorry, big guy," she said, her tone lighthearted. "Next time, I'll be sure to bring you back a little something."

Wrecker pouted playfully, earning a round of chuckles from the rest of the Bad Batch. Hunter glanced over at Amina and Omega, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Did you two have a good time?" he asked, his voice gentle as he turned his attention to Omega.

Omega nodded eagerly, her eyes shining with excitement. "Yeah, we had a blast!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing in her seat. "Amina even showed me how to use a Jedi mind trick!"

Amina grinned as Omega continued to talk about the mind trick she had used as the rest of the group listened along.

---

They landed on Ryloth’s nearest moon with a crate of weapons and explosives, which was their current mission for Cid.

Everyone got out of the ship, except for Omega who sat on the stairs of the Marauder. “Are you Gobi? Cid sent us.” Hunter asked.

“Along with three dozen blasters and a case of thermal detonators.” Tech added.

“Let’s see them.” Gobi said.

Wrecker placed the two crates on the ground as Echo opened up the crates. The young Twi’lek walked closer to the ship, admiring it. “What type of ship is this?”

“A modified Omicron-class attack shuttle.” Omega said.

“Can I have a look inside?”

“Hunter, can she come aboard?” Omega called out, as Hunter nodded. “Okay. You can come up. But no funny business.”

“Funny business?”

“Uh-huh. I’ll be watching you.”

“Uh…” The girl chuckled, “okay, then. Show me around.”

The Bad Batch, and Amina, stood as Gobi and Serin looked over the weapons. “It’s a start.” Gobi said. “Have Cid contact me when she has more to sell.”

He handed the container of credits to Hunter. “Building an arsenal attracts attention. You better know what you’re getting into.”

“We don’t have a choice.” Serin started to drag one of the cases as did Gobi, “Hera, we’re leaving.”

Hera and Omega walked out of the ship, as Hera followed Gobi to their ship. “Good luck.” Omega said, waving at Hera.

The guys looked down at Omega, “make a new friend?” Hunter asked.

“She’s kind of strange. I like her. Did you know flying’s about a feeling?” she asked, holding one finger up as she made her way back onto the Marauder.

“What feeling?” Tech slowly asked, as Amina snorted as bumped his shoulder, following Omega back onto the ship.

---

“Uh-oh.” Omega said, as she tried to fix Gonky.

“What’s going on here?” Hunter asked.

“Gonky’s prime power source won’t fully charge. I’m fixing it.”

“You can’t. He’s a defective unit.”

“Hunter.” Tech called from the cockpit.

Gonky beeped, tilting downwards. “Don’t worry, we’re defective too.” Omega said, trying to cheer up the droid.

Amina stood up from the floor and walked into the cockpit, along with Hunter.

“We are receiving a recorded transmission, but I do not recognize this frequency.” Tech told Hunter.

“Patch it through.”

A hologram of the young Twi’lek, Hera, popped up. “Omega, it’s Hera. You have to come back to Ryloth.”

“Isn’t she the kid from the weapons drop?” Wrecker asked.

Omega ran into the cockpit, “Hera?”

“The Empire’s taken my parents, and they’re after me now too. I’m sending coordinates. Please hurry. I need your help.”

Hunter tapped a few buttons, pausing the transmission and turning to Omega, “you have her our comm channel?”

“For emergencies, and that sounded pretty urgent. We have to go.”

“Perhaps the situation is not as dire as described. Children often overreact.” Tech added.

“No, we don’t. You heard her. She needs us.”

Hunter placed a hand on Omega’s shoulder, “Omega, it’s a big galaxy. We can’t put ourselves on the line every time someone’s in trouble.”

“Why not? Isn’t that what soldiers do?” Omega asked, as Hunter’s eyes widened and gave a slight nod.

They landed on Ryloth, in a small opening in the mountains. Omega exited first with Amina at the back. A droid with an orange top rolled out beeping.

“What’s his problem?” Wrecker said, as the droid rolled close to Omega.

“Thank you for coming. I wasn’t sure you would.” Hera said as she walked towards the group.

“You said you were in trouble.” Omega responded.

Hunter stepped forward in front of Omega, “care to tell us why the Empire is after you?”

“Because my father is Cham Syndulla.”

Tech looked up from his data pad, “the freedom fighter?”

“Yes. This was his old command outpost. It’s where I’ve been hiding. The Empire’s begun targeting anyone loyal to him.”

Echo spoke up, “what do you want us to do?”

“Free my parents from the Capitol. That’s where they’re being held.” Hunter crossed his arms and glanced at Omega, “they can pay you if you get them out.” Hera added on. “Please. I don’t have anyone else to ask.”

Omega looked up at Hunter before walking over to Hera’s side as she gave a small nod to the girl.

“Let’s see what we’re up against first. But no guarantees.” Hunter said.

---

They lay on a hill overlooking the Capitol from a distance as Chopper brought out a small satellite on his head, letting them hear what Rampart was speaking about.

“But… the perpetrators of this heinous assassination attempt have been captured.”

“Assassination attempt?” Hunter quietly asked, sparing a glance at Hera.

“Rest assured, Cham Syndulla and his insurgents…”

“That’s not what happened.” Hera said.

“…will answer for their betrayal.”

Omega leaned up, “Hunter… Crosshair’s here.”

“Great. Just what we need.” Wrecker said.

Hunter made a gesture as the Batch stood up and moved away from Amina, Omega and Hera. The kids kept looking at the Capitol with their binoculars as Amina sensed something. Turning her head she saw a probe droid, lurking behind the mountain’s curve.

She stood up and walked past the guys and force jumped onto the side of the mountain. Hunter glanced over, also sensing the probe droid as Amina jumped onto the droid, turned on her lightsaber and stabbed it through the probe’s eye as the droid and Amina fell onto the ground.

Amina turned off her lightsaber and hooked it back on her waistband as the guys and Hera and Omega walked over.

“Oh, good. A probe droid,” Tech said dryly as he examined the broken remnants of the droid.

“The Empire will know we’re here.” Echo spoke, looking down at the smoking droid.

“And so will Crosshair. Come on. Let’s move.” Hunter said, as they ran off the hill and back to the hideout.

“All my father wanted was peace on Ryloth. Why is this happening?” Hera said sadly.

“He’s a voice the people stand behind. That makes him a threat to the Empire.” Echo replied.

“I don’t care about any of that. I just want my parents back.”

Chopper chattered as he flew down the ramp of the Marauder with Tech following. “We’re all over the Imperial comm channels. They’ve increased patrols within the city.”

“Crosshair will expect an attack. The element of surprise is gone. There’s nothing we can do.” Hunter said, looking over at Hera.

“Wait, you can’t leave. I told you no guarantees. We’ll get you off world and take you some place safe.”

Hera grabbed Hunter’s arm, “stop!” She let go quickly, “I’ll pay you double.”

“All the money in the galaxy won’t matter if we’re dead. What you’re asking us to do, it’s not worth the risk.”

“Not to you.” Hera said, turning away.

Omega took a few steps in Hera’s direction before stopping and looking at Hunter, “you shouldn’t have said that.”

“Being strategic means knowing your limitations, Omega.” Hunter said, as Echo, Wrecker, and Tech got back on the Marauder.

“She’s trying to save her family, Hunter. I’d do the same for you.” Omega said, before turning around and slowly walking to Hera.

Hunter sighed, before turning around towards the Marauder when Amina stepped in front of Hunter, her hand resting gently on his chest plate as she looked up at him with unwavering determination. "We have to help them," she said, her voice firm and resolute.

Hunter regarded her for a moment, his expression unreadable as he met her gaze. "Amina, you know the risks," he replied, his tone tinged with concern. "If we go back now, we could all end up captured or worse."

Amina nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "I know, Hunter. But Hera's parents are in danger, and she has nowhere else to turn," she said, her voice pleading. "We can't just abandon her." She took her hand off his chest plate, “at least… just think about it. Maybe Hera and Omega will come up with something.”

She turned around and went up the Marauder’s stairs as Hunter slowly followed.

---

Hera and Omega came inside the Marauder, telling the group that they had come up with a plan.

“Attack the Capitol? Wh- that was my plan.” Wrecker said.

“Not the Capitol, the Imperial refinery on the outskirts.” Omega replied.

Chopper projected a holo-map of the refinery, “I’ve been spying on their activity. I know their routine. If we attack there, reinforcements will be diverted from the Capitol.” Hera explained.

“We can use that distraction to rescue Hera’s parents.” Omega added on, as the two girls smiled at each other.

“Any heavy defenses at the refinery?” Echo asked Hera.

“Five perimeter cannons, but they are unmanned.”

“Auto cannons are extremely vulnerable. Where is the control console?” Tech asked Hera.

“Right inside the main gate.” She pointed at on the holo-map, “it is heavily guarded, but Chopper can slip inside with the other droids and disable the cannons.” Hera looked up at Hunter.

“All right. You two go with Chopper as backup, but at a distance.”

“Really?” Hera and Omega asked at the same time. Chopper chattered in response.

“By themselves?” Tech slowly asked.

Hunter continued on, “Tech, Wrecker, Amina. Wait until those cannons are down and move in. Echo and I will scale the Capitol wall and free Hera’s parents.” He looked down at Hera, “I guess we’ll follow your lead.”

---

Tech, Wrecker, and Amina were waiting on the Marauder for Omega to signal about the perimeter cannons.

Tech commed Omega, “Omega, has Chopper deactivated the perimeter cannons?”

“No, but Hera and I are working on it. Just don’t shoot down our shuttle.”

“Wait. What shuttle?” Tech said. A few moments later, Tech looked at the console on the ship, “Omega, I am registering multiple explosions near the refinery.”

“That was us. Cannons are down. Do some damage, Wrecker.”

Wrecker laughed, as he went to the gunman mount on the ship, “that, I can do!”

“Hang on.” Tech said from the pilot’s seat, as Amina sat in the co-pilot seat. He flew forward fast, before cutting the speed and turning around as Wrecker started to shoot at the cannons.

“We’re getting the hang of this.” Hera said through comms.

“Yes, your dangerous and uncontrolled maneuvering is as confusing to them as it is to us.” Tech replied.

A few moments later, Hunter cut through the comms, “Tech, Omega, we have alternate transport. Meet at the rendezvous.”

“Gladly. Because there are multiple Imperial vessels inbound.” Tech said, as Amina looked at the scanner.

She stood up and went to the door opening it, “I’ll meet you at the rendezvous!” She yelled.

With a determined expression, Amina leaped out of the ship and landed gracefully on the ground below. She glanced around, scanning the area for any signs of danger. The sound of blaster fire echoed in the distance, and she knew they had to move quickly.

All she had to do was quickly find an Imperial shuttle, fly it, and get the shuttles off of Tech and Omega.

Amina scanned the area, her senses attuned to the slightest disturbance in the Force. She spotted an Imperial shuttle parked nearby, its engines idling, ready to take off at a moment's notice. Without hesitation, she sprinted towards it, her heart pounding with adrenaline as she drew upon her Jedi training.

As she reached the shuttle, blaster fire erupted from behind her, and she ducked behind a nearby crate for cover. Peeking out cautiously, she spotted a squad of troopers closing in, their white armor gleaming in the dim light.

Amina knew she had to act fast. Pulling out her blaster, she began to shoot at the troopers. The troopers were caught off guard by her sudden attack, and she quickly dispatched them with a series of well-aimed strikes.

With the immediate threat eliminated, Amina sprinted towards the shuttle, her heart racing with anticipation. She could hear the sounds of battle echoing in the distance, signaling that her friends were still engaged in combat.

Reaching the shuttle, she quickly accessed the controls, her fingers flying across the console as she initiated the startup sequence. The engines roared to life, and Amina felt a surge of triumph as she prepared to take off.

She flew the ship up and to where multiple Imperial vessels where following the Marauder and the other Imperial shuttle Hera and Omega were flying.

Amina shot down 3 shuttles in rapid succession, as the rest of them turned towards her, leaving Tech and Hera alone.

---

Hunter walked up the ramp where Cham and Eleni stood, “here’s the payment Hera promised.” Eleni said, holding a case in front of Hunter.

“Keep it. You’ll need it. These occupations are happening on other planets besides Ryloth.”

“I hoped to have fought my last war, but our people need us now more than ever. We must organize.” Cham said.

“Well, that’s not something we can help with, General.” Hunter turned around to look at Wrecker, Tech, Echo, Omega, and Hera, “I have my own people to look out for.”

“If a war is coming, it will be their fight as much as ours. Come along, Hera.” Eleni called out.

Omega and Hera ran up the ramp, “Tech showed me how to scramble a ship’s signature.” Hera said.

“We will soon see how well it works.” Eleni replied. “It is time for us to go.”

Hera and Omega shared a glanced as Hera kneeled down in front of Omega and Hunter walked off the ramp.

“Where’s Amina?” Hunter asked Tech, as he looked up from his data pad.

“She jumped off the ship while we were flying away from the refinery to give us cover.” He replied, adjusting his goggles.

“What?” Hunter yelled, as a whirring sound became louder and a speeder blew in.

Amina turned off the speeder and got off of it. Omega now stood with the group as she ran over to Amina. “Woah, where’d you get that?”

“I ditched the Imperial shuttle and found it.” She patted the speeder.

As Amina patted the speeder, Hunter's expression shifted from surprise to concern. "You jumped off an Imperial shuttle?" he exclaimed, his voice laced with worry.

Amina nodded, “technically I jumped off the Marauder and landed in the refinery, grabbed an Imperial shuttle and handled the ships that were tailing Tech and Hera. Then I ditched it in a remote location that we used during the war and hopped on the speeder.”

Tech adjusted his goggles again, “she had a 28.3% of survival when jumping out of the ship.” He looked up at her, “you’re lucky to be alive.”

She grinned, “lucky is my middle name, Tech.”

Hunter couldn't help but shake his head at Amina's daring stunt. Her recklessness both impressed and worried him, a mix of emotions he wasn't entirely comfortable with. "You're lucky, all right," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of exasperation. "But luck can only get you so far."

Amina flashed him a grin, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Well, it got me here, didn't it?" she quipped, her tone light despite the gravity of their situation.

The group, excluding Amina and Hunter got onto the Marauder.

Hunter couldn't help but admire her spirit, even as he felt a twinge of concern for her safety. "Just be careful, Amina," he said, his voice softer now, laced with genuine concern. "We can't afford to lose you."

Amina's grin softened into a smile as she met his gaze. "Don't worry, Hunter," she reassured him, her voice calm and steady. "I can handle myself. I’ve got the force on my side.” She patted his chest plate as she made her way onto the ship.

tags: @callsign-denmark

[mcrdvcks]

Darkness - Chapter 4: Gone With the Wind

Chapter Summary: Tony goes to Afghanistan for a weapons showcase.

Word Count: 997

AO3 Link For Chapter

January 24, 2010

“Daddy, I don’t like it when you leave.” Tony was going to Afghanistan for a weapon showing. Anna never liked it when he left, she always had a hard time sleeping without him.

“I’ll be back before you know it. Plus, you’ll have mom.”

“I know, but I can’t sleep when your gone.” She gave him a pout with her adorable puppy eyes, which almost made him stay.

“I promise, I’ll be back before you know it.” He kissed her forehead and moved on to kiss Pepper. “Take care of yourself Pep, and-“

“We’ll be fine Tony. Just, come back safe?”

“Of course.”

---

He should’ve known it would have gone wrong. All of the shooting, and the bombs going off, he should have known. Instead he’s hiding behind a rock with the sounds of a battlefield, until a bomb landed next to him, and of course it’s his own bomb. His life flashed before his eyes, thinking about Pepper and Anna before everything went black.

---

“Mommy? Mommy?”

“Hey Anna.” Pepper started to sit up in bed and turned on the lamp by her bed. She looks to Anna by the doorway and sees tears streaming down her face. “What’s wrong baby?”

“I had a bad dream. I think daddy’s gone.”

“Come here honey.” Anna jumped onto the bed and looked at Pepper.

“I had a dream that daddy got hurt, and I don’t know if he’s coming back.”

“Anna, it’s just a dream. Daddy is okay, I promise.”

“But it felt so real. I saw him, it was real!”

“Anna, everything is going to be okay. Now come on, let’s go to sleep hmm?”

“Okay.” Anna laid on her dad’s side and snuggled into his pillow.

---

Tony woke up in a frenzy. He had no idea where he was, but there was someone else with him. He tried to move to his side to grab something but was stuck.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

Tony then looked to his right to see a battery, and it was wired to something on him. Something in his chest. He was afraid. He was able to sit up over time, and the other man started to heat up something in a pot.

“What the hell did you do to me?”

The other man chuckled, “What I did? What I did is to save your life. I removed all the shrapnel I could, but there’s a lot left, and it’s headed into your atrial septum. Here, want to see?” He picked up a bottle, “I have a souvenir. Take a look.” He through the bottle to Tony, who caught it and began to look at the metal. “I’ve seen many wounds like that in my village. We call them the walking dead because it takes about a week for the barbs to reach the vital organs.”

“What is this?”

“That is an electromagnet, hooked up to a car battery, and it’s keeping the shrapnel from entering your heart. Hmm?”

Tony zipped up his jacket and looked around. He spotted a camera above. The other man followed Tony’s eyes.

“That’s right. Smile. We met once, you know, at a technical conference in Bern.”

“I don’t remember.”

“No, you wouldn’t. If I had been that drunk, I wouldn’t have been able to stand, much less give a lecture on integrated circuits.”

“Where are we?” As soon as Tony spoke there was a noise coming from outside the doors, with a person speaking Arabic.

The man came towards Tony and spoke quietly, “Come on, stand up. Stand up!” He grabbed Tony’s arm to make him stand, “Just do as I do.” He let go of Tony’s arm as he said, “Come on, put your hands up.” The men from outside the door walked in.

With their hands behind their heads, Tony sees the three men walk into the room and notices they have his guns. “Those are my guns. How did they get my guns?”

The other man turned to Tony and with a stern voice said, “Do you understand me? Do as I do.”

The middle man started to speak in Arabic, but Tony only understand two words; Tony Stark.

The man next to Tony translated, “He says, ‘Welcome, Tony Stark, the most famous mass murderer in the history of America. He is honored. He wants you to build the missile. The Jericho missile that you demonstrated. This one.’” He shows Tony a picture of Jericho.

“I refuse.” Tony then had his head shoved into the water multiple times, but all he could picture was Pepper and Anna, calling for him. He then had a bag put over his head and was being walked outside, until the bag was pulled off. He was walking around a base camp and saw crates of weapons labeled Stark Industries.

The doctor turned to him, “He wants to know what you think.”

“I think you got a lot of my weapons.”

“He says they have everything you need to build the Jericho missile. He wants you to make the list of materials. He says for you to start working immediately, and when you’re done, he will set you free.”

Tony shakes his hand and puts on his best fake smile. “No, he won’t.”

“No, he won’t”

---

Anna was far from calm or happy. She knew something was wrong, it had been a while since her dad left, and he hadn’t come back yet.

Obadiah came by to visit once, but Anna felt that his presence was off, he never came by the house, and he even smiled at her, which he’s never done before.

She also can’t sleep, and when she does fall asleep she can only dream of her dad in pain, and locked away in a cave. Mom says that it’s her mind making the situation worse than it is, but she can’t believe her, not when her dad is hurting.

It seemed so real.

[mcrdvcks]

Darkness - Chapter 3: Birthday Presents

Chapter Summary: It's Anna's fifth birthday, and her Aunt Peggy takes her out for a little birthday outing.

Word Count: 513

AO3 Link For Chapter

April 26, 2006

It was Anna’s 5th birthday, and while Tony and Pepper didn’t make a big deal out of birthdays, this one was special. Today Peggy was able to make it for Anna’s birthday. Peggy has seen Anna 4 times before, usually during the summertime, but today she was going to take Anna out for birthday celebrations.

So while they were out for part of the day; Tony, Pepper, and Rhodey started to do a little more birthday shopping, and after they made a strawberry cake.

---

“So dear Anna, what do you want, tacos or Korean barbecue?”

“I want the Korean barbecue, it has really good food!”

“Alright, and after this, I’ll take you home for presents and cake!”

“Ok! As long as I get the chicken and rice.”

“Yes, you can, I’ll get you whatever you want.”

---

Tony wasn’t the greatest with presents. So, he thought of something that he would’ve wanted as a kid and never got. Most of the presents he got was from his mother, Peggy, and Jarvis, so he wanted to make sure Anna felt appreciated.

He also wasn’t great at baking, which is why Pepper and Rhodey was doing the cake.

“Mommy, daddy, I’m home!”

“Hi sweetie, did you have fun with Aunt Peggy?”

“Yeah, I did daddy! We even had the Korean barbecue at the mall!”

“And you didn’t bring any back home? How dare you?” Tony picked up Anna and brought her to the kitchen, with Peggy following him.

“Mommy! You made the cake I wanted!”

“I did, just like you wanted.”

“Thank you, mommy and Uncle Rhodey!”

“Hey, I also helped.”

“Daddy, you burnt mac and cheese, and you made it in the microwave!”

“How could you bring that up?” Anna started to laugh, meanwhile Rhodey smiled at the father-daughter duo. As they all sat down, and Anna blew out her candles, it was time for presents. Pepper got her a Star Wars Lego set, and Rhodey got her a physics book.

“Okay Anna, here is my present.” Anna took the sleek white box with a red bow. As she opened it she saw a beautiful knife, with a halter.

“Ah, I love it Aunt Peggy!” Tony spit out his water and took the box.

“Um, Peg, why did you give my daughter a knife?”

“Tony, I got my first knife when I was young. Plus, it’ll be good for her to learn to protect herself.”

Tony was flabbergasted and Pepper just watched as her husband with through a crisis in his head.

“Ok, well, you’re not getting that until your thirty years old. But it’s now time for my present. Come on.” Tony grabbed Anna’s hand and walked down the stairs. “Ok here it is.”

“Daddy, it’s just your lab.”

“Nope, not anymore, if we come to this corner, this is your part of your lab.”

“I get my own lab!? I love it daddy!”

“Well, I’m glad you do kiddo.” Anna ran up and hugged him very tightly. Rhodey and Pepper took pictures of the two holding each other.

[mcrdvcks]

Darkness - Chapter 2: Family: The Greatest Gift of All

Chapter Summary: Pepper and Tony finally get married.

Word Count: 540

AO3 Link For Chapter

June 22, 2004

It was clear that Anna was indeed a Stark. She had already built an engine that she claimed would “help DUM-E move better.” But Tony didn’t want to change anything about his old friend. He was impressed by Anna’s engineering prowess, which he constantly told Rhodey.

Rhodey adored Anna, so as Tony and him were getting ready for the wedding, they realized that they weren’t getting anything done having Anna in the room. Rhodey walked over to the room where Pepper was getting ready and knocked. “Hey Pepper, mind taking your daughter?”

“Yes, just give me a second Rhodey!” She opened the door and found Anna in the arms of Rhodey, and the two of them not ready yet. “Weren’t you supposed to be getting ready? And why isn’t Anna wearing her dress yet?”

“Well me and Tones got distracted, so we thought it’d be better if she came over here.”

“Uncle Rhodey and daddy wouldn’t stop talking! They also are terrible at doing my hair!”

Pepper looked at her daughter in awe. Anna inherited her brown eyes and brown hair from Tony, but her Asian eyes, Indian nose, and brown skin came from her mother. While Anna had deduced on her own a few months ago that Pepper was not her birth mother, Anna still loved her as her own.

“Okay, Anna. Come to mommy.” Pepper lifted her up and thanked Rhodey as she closed the door. “You and mommy are going to get ready for the wedding, okay?”

“Yep! Only if it means I get to stand by daddy at the altar.”

Pepper chuckled, “yes you can stand by daddy at the altar. But first things first, lets get ready!” As someone finished her makeup, Pepper started to curl and pin Anna’s hair. Finally, after an hour and a half, the girls were ready.

Tony and Rhodey started walking to the alter, it isn’t a big wedding with only 25 people attending.

“So, Tones you ready?”

“Yeah, I think I am. I mean I love Pep, and she’s been a great mother to Anna even when I wasn’t.” Tony still felt regret for not caring for Anna for the first month she was there. All he wants is for her to grow up with loving parents; a loving father like he never had.

“Hey, it’s okay. To be honest I never thought you would get married, or even have a child,”

“Well I can be very surprising Rhodes.”

---

Once the wedding and reception was over, the newlyweds and Anna got on a private jet for a trip. Pepper told Tony that Anna would be fine with a babysitter, but Tony insisted that she came along.

“Mommy, daddy, can we watch a movie?”

“Sure kiddo, what do you want to watch.”

“Um, I want to watch The Empire Strikes Back!”

“Fine, but let’s ask mommy. Pep! Star Wars!?”

“Sure honey!” Pepper was getting all of them drinks, they made sure to get juices for Anna, specifically a pineapple orange juice that she loved.

As Pepper sat down with all their drinks, they started to watch the movie. Thirty minutes in Anna had fallen asleep in between her parents, with her head leaning against Tony’s arm.

[mcrdvcks]

Darkness - Chapter 1: The Beginning

Chapter Summary: Tony finds out that a past short relationship of his ended up with a woman pregnant. Turns out, she died in childbirth.

Word Count: 397

AO3 Link For Chapter

Chapter 2

April 24, 2001

Tony had passed out after his long night of drinking and partying. He went back to his house and doesn’t remember anything after that.

*ring ring*

Tony begrudgingly wakes up, and with his eyes closed tries to locate the source of the annoying ringing. “Hello?” He didn’t realize that he sounded half dead but ignores it for now.

“Is, is this Tony Stark?”

“Yes this is, why- who is this?”

-----

May 24, 2001

Pepper is tired of Tony not listening to the crying of his own child. She has been taking care of little Anna for the past month and he has yet to even look at her, or even be in the same room as her. Pepper is tired from constantly taking care of a newborn child and dealing with all of Tony’s work that is passed down to her. She didn’t hear the crying of Anna as she fell into a deep sleep on top of dozens of files that need to be done.

“Pep? Pepper!” Tony keeps calling out for his assistant as he hears the annoying crying. He finally finds Pepper and sees her sleeping, which he knows is long overdue. He so badly wants to wake her up, but his fondness for her overtakes him. He slowly walks to the baby’s room and quietly opens the door. She keeps crying, not too loud, but loud enough for it to annoy him. “Hey, um, kiddo, stop crying.” He just looks down at the baby in the crib and feels an urge to pick her up.

“Sir, I think it would be wise to pick up Ms. Anna.”

“Yeah, JARVIS, I don’t really know how to hold a baby.” As he said those words, he slowly picked up his daughter and looked at her in awe. Once he started to cradle her, she stopped crying. He looked around for a chair and sat down on a rocking chair in the corner.

Pepper woke up with a start, her motherly instincts kicking in and wanting to check up on Anna before she got ready for bed; the paperwork could wait. She walked to Anna’s room and saw the door ajar. She slowly and quietly opened the door to see inside and saw Tony holding his daughter, with both fast asleep. She couldn’t just let this moment go, so she took a picture.

[mcrdvcks]

Darkness Masterlist

Tony Stark was in love with a woman; Annya Vedi. After 2 months of dating she disappears without a trace. 9 months later, he gets a call from the hospital that a woman had a child; his child, but died in childbirth. With much coaxing from Pepper, Tony takes in his child; Anna Maria Stark.

Throughout the years Anna grew up to be a genius like her father, but encountered many obstacles living with the Avengers and their battles. Once she turned 16, she suddenly got powers that have grown to be dangerous.

"Darkness" is a myth, which is said to be a woman created for one purpose only, to destroy the multiverse and rule it with her mother. Anna has to go through her life figuring out her past, and trying to live with her future. Little does she know, she's on her 921st life.

---

pairing: Tony Stark Daughter Original Female Character x Original Male Character

tags: very long story, angst, fluff, violence, injuries and blood, trauma, anxiety, depression, eventual smut, other tags/warnings to be added

---

Part 1: Pre Civil War

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Chapter 2: Family: The Greatest Gift of All

Chapter 3: Birthday Presents

Chapter 4: Gone With the Wind

Chapter 5: Saved; The Light is Back

Chapter 6: The Suit

Chapter 7: Chained in the Night

Chapter 8: Allons-y!

Chapter 9: Keep Holding On

[mcrdvcks]

Darkness - Complete Masterlist

There are multiple series for this story, but the main one is "Darkness".

In each series, Anna is our main character, along with Noah, her love interest. None of them (other than Darkness) have a happy ending. If you want a happy ending for all the stories, this is not for you.

Darkness

Tony Stark was in love with a woman; Annya Vedi. After 2 months of dating she disappears without a trace. 9 months later, he gets a call from the hospital that a woman had a child; his child, but died in childbirth. With much coaxing from Pepper, Tony takes in his child; Anna Maria Stark.

Throughout the years Anna grew up to be a genius like her father, but encountered many obstacles living with the Avengers and their battles. Once she turned 16, she suddenly got powers that have grown to be dangerous.

"Darkness" is a myth, which is said to be a woman created for one purpose only, to destroy the multiverse and rule it with her mother. Anna has to go through her life figuring out her past, and trying to live with her future. Little does she know, she's on her 921st life.

---

pairing: Tony Stark Daughter Original Female Character x Original Male Character

tags: very long story, angst, fluff, violence, injuries and blood, trauma, anxiety, depression, eventual smut, other tags/warnings to be added

ao3 link

tumblr link

Darkness #332

Anna Wayne was 4 years old when Martha and Thomas Wayne were killed. Her older brother Bruce became distant, while Alfred raised the girl on his own.

"Darkness" is a myth, which is said to be a woman created for one purpose only, to destroy the multiverse and rule it with her mother. While this life isn't the penultimate life, Anna has to conquer her demons, escape the facility that kidnapped her, and repair her relationship with Bruce.

How will she move through the world will a devil on her shoulder?

---

pairing: Battinson Sister Original Female Character x Original Male Character

tags: no happy ending, major character death, angst, slight fluff, depression, suicide, anxiety, problems with eating, violence, injuries and blood, trauma, eventual smut, other tags/warnings to be added

ao3 link

Darkness #556

Anna was left on the doorstep of Henry and Nora Allen when she was just six years old. She had no memory of where she came from or who she was. The Allens took her in, and she became the older sister of Barry Allen.

The two were four years apart in age, but there is one difference in this universe. Instead of Barry being eleven when Nora died, he was twelve.

"Darkness" is a myth, which is said to be a woman created for one purpose only, to destroy the multiverse and rule it with her mother. While this life isn't the penultimate life, Anna still has to learn about her past, figure out where she came from, and live with herself and her new found powers after the Particle Accelerator.

And why are some people afraid of her?

---

pairing: Barry Allen (Arrowverse) Sister Original Female Character x Oliver Queen (Arrowverse) Brother Original Male Character

tags: no happy ending, angst, fluff, character death, anxiety, other mental health issues, violence, injuries and blood, eventual smut, other tags/warnings to be added

ao3 link

Darkness: Other Versions

There are 921 versions of Anna, but not all of them are as important to Anna Stark's story.

But, that doesn't mean that her other lives are inconsequential. And, as we all know, there are no happy endings for her.

---

pairing: various versions of Original Female Character x Original Male Character

tags: no happy ending, angst, fluff, anxiety, depression, eating issues, light violence, eventual smut, dark romance, bullying, murder, other tags/warnings to be added

[mcrdvcks]

Down Bad - Chapter 1

Chapter Summary: Amina finds herself meeting The Bad Batch as she accompanies Rex to Ord Mantell. After deciding to watch the group for any adverse effects after removing their chips, circumstances cause her to overstay her welcome.

Word Count: 9.0k+

Notes: hello! so this is my first time using tumblr (at least, posting on tumblr), but i decided i wanted to try my hand at posting on here instead of just ao3. i have a few other series that haven't been transferred from ao3 yet, but if you would like to check it out, you can find the link on my masterlist! <3

Series Masterlist → Chapter 2

AO3 Link For Chapter

Times were tough, tougher than they had been in the last 3 years. With the empire taking over, and the Jedi being hunted down, now was certainly not the best time to be alive.

Amina got out of the ship, making sure it was properly locked and secured before making her way to where Rex was, at Cid’s place.

She was finishing up a few mechanical issues and damages they sustained, and it was a relaxing activity. But it also made her think about Anakin and Tatooine. Life was easier when they were slave children, and while she’s glad to have made it off of that planet all those years ago, maybe life wouldn’t be so difficult now.

Or so depressing.

She pulled the hood over her head, her dark brown hair now dyed an auburn color to try to hide who she was.

Amina Skywalker, a Jedi- formal Jedi.

She walked into the small rundown shop, watching as Rex kneeled down in front of a small girl. “I’ve met many clones in my time, but never one like you.”

The girl stepped forward, moving closer to Rex. “You’re a generation one.”

“Now how’d you know that?”

“From the lines on your face.” The girl stated.

Rex chuckled, and looked back to the other 4 clones, “yeah, I guess I’ve been around.”

“You got that right.” the larger clone said, before groaning and holding the right side of his head. “Tech, I need one of those med patches.

Tech responded, “you used the last one.”

Rex stood up as Amina walked further into the room, “what’s wrong?” He asked.

“Nothing. It’s just a headache.”

“Which are becoming more frequent.” One of the 4 other clones said.

Amina tilted her head, realizing that it was Echo, one of the 501’s clones, who Anakin, Rex, and some other clones had rescued.

“Is that so?” Rex said slowly, his hand slowly reaching down to his holster.

“If you’re concerned about the so-called inhibitor chips, don’t be. Our deviant nature appears to have impeded their functionality. Except in Crosshair.

Amina reached for her gun underneath her poncho, as Rex became more cautious, “you’re telling me you haven’t removed your chips?”

“No, not yet.”

Rex moved his poncho away from his holster, his hand hovering over his blaster.

The clone in the bandana stood up from the stool, “Rex?”

“Those chips make you a threat to everyone around you. Even her. You’re all ticking time bombs.” Rex said, angling himself into an attack position.

“Take it easy, Captain.” Bandana said, holding his hand out.

“What’s in your head is more dangerous than you can imagine. I’ve seen what happens when the chip activates, and I don’t want to bury any more of our brothers. Trust me. It is not something you can control. I couldn’t. It’s a risk you do not want to take.”

Bandana’s eyes widened, before looking down at the young girl. “How do you suggest we get them out?”

Rex moved his hand away from his holster, “good question. I’ll be in touch.” He walked out of the place while Amina followed silently. Better to not say anything now to those clones, just in case they recognize her and try to shoot her down.

---

Amina tapped her foot on the ground as they waited for the Bad Batch to arrive. She didn’t like this, didn’t want to risk getting shot again by clones who want to kill her.

But Rex said he trusted them, and that only helped relieve her tension slightly.

Soon, the Bad Batch’s ship landed as Rex and Amina walked over, with Rex wearing his armor and holding his helmet underneath his left arm, and Amina still wearing her black poncho.

Bandana, or Hunter as Rex told her, walked up to Rex first, shaking his hand.

“Right on time.” Rex said.

“How’s a junk planet gonna help us?” Wrecker asked.

The young girl came up to Amina and looked up at her. Amina kneeled down to the girl’s height. “Are you a friend of Rex?” She asked.

Amina nodded, and slowly pulled her hood off her head, revealing her face to the young girl. "I am," she confirmed, offering a warm smile.

The girl's eyes widened in surprise, and she took a step back. "You're... Amina Skywalker?" she whispered, awe evident in her voice.

Amina’s eyes widened, “Yes. And you are Omega.”

Omega nodded slowly, still processing the revelation. "I've heard stories about you. About your brother, too." Her gaze flickered between Amina and Rex, curiosity and uncertainty mingling in her expression.

Amina offered Omega a reassuring smile. "Well, not all stories are true, but I'm here now. And it's nice to finally meet you, Omega."

Omega returned the smile tentatively before glancing at Rex. "Why didn't you tell us she was coming?" she asked, her voice a mixture of confusion and accusation.

Rex sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It was... complicated," he admitted. "But she's here to help."

Hunter, the leader of the Bad Batch, approached the group, his sharp gaze assessing Amina with caution. "I hope you know what you're doing, Rex," he said gruffly.

Rex nodded solemnly. "I do. And I trust her."

Amina crossed her arms, “I should be asking you all that question. Because as far as I’m concerned you might just shoot me at any time.”

Rex looked over at her, “well, that’s what we’re here to take care of.”

Amina slowly brought her gaze away from the 4 clones and over to Rex, stiffly nodding. Rex nodded back, “follow me.” he said, putting on his helmet.

They walked on an abandoned starship as Rex spoke up as they got to the edge of it, “Bracca may not be much to look at, but it has exactly what we need. I had my inhibitor chip taken out on a Jedi cruiser just like that. That’s where we’re heading.”

Wrecker spoke up loudly, “then why’d we land all the way over here?”

Hunter motioned quickly, “everyone down.”

Everyone got down, watching a small ship in the distance, “that’s why.” Rex said.

“It’s the Scrapper Guild.” Tech said.

“They control this entire planet. We need to keep out of sight from their patrols.” Rex gestured with two fingers, “let’s move.”

The group made their way into the destroyed cruiser, with Amina staying in the back of the group, and Rex and Echo at the front.

They made their way through the wreckage and jumped up onto one of the intact starship’s ledges.

“Whoa.” Omega whispered. “It’s much bigger up close.”

They started walking over a piece of metal that acted as a bridge over a small pool of water. “This is an original Venator-class ship from the first batch off the line.” Rex told Omega.

“First off the line, huh? Just like you, Rex.” Wrecker added.

Amina followed behind Hunter and Tech as the two of them stopped. Hunter looked at the water.

“What is it?” Tech asked.

Hunter looked at the water for a few moments more before continuing on, “stay above the waterline.”

The group walked over a small bar of metal before finally entering the damaged starship.

“The last time I was aboard one of these it didn’t end so well.” Rex said, shining his flashlight as they walked through the crowded hallway, filled with damaged pieces of the ship.

“If the inhibitor chip isn’t something you can control, how’d you get yours out?” Echo asked.

“I… had help.” Rex replied.

Amina nodded to herself, Rex told her how Ahsoka was the one who practically saved Rex, taking out his inhibitor chip after Order 66 went through.

She shuddered to herself, telling herself to stop thinking about it otherwise she’d go down a rabbit hole of emotions and memories.

Rex suddenly stopped as a splashing sound was heard. “The medical bay’s at the other end. Wrecker, grab that cable.”

Wrecker kneeled down and held part of the cable, “this? W-why? W-w-what are you gonna do with it?”

They set up the cable as Rex, Echo, Tech, Hunter, and now Omega climbed the line. “Nicely done.” Rex told Omega, as she landed on her feet.

“You’re up, Wrecker.” Hunter said into the comms.

“Uh… yeah, my head doesn’t hurt anymore. I’m fine. You guys go without me.” Wrecker said, backing up slowly from the ledge.

“You can do it. Just keep your eyes on the cable.” Omega called out.

Wrecker groaned, before finally grabbing onto the cable and crawling underneath it. The line clicked, as it dipped down. The line clicked again. “That was close.” Wrecker said, before the line broke off, and fell straight down.

“Wrecker!” Rex yelled.

Everyone looked down, as Wrecker hung from the line, only because his foot got tangled.

“Are you all right?” Rex called.

“No! Smells awful down here!” Wrecker yelled back.

The light Omega was shining helped them see a large moving figure in the green water. “What’s that?” Omega asked.

“Wrecker, start climbing.” Hunter said.

“Why?” Wrecker nervously asked.

“Hurry!” Omega yelled.

A tentacle grabbed Wrecker’s body, bringing the line further down, until Wrecker was quickly brought into the water.

“Wrecker!” Omega yelled once again.

“Grab the cable. Get him up.” Hunter said.

Wrecker got pulled out of the water slightly as he cut the tentacle that held him. Wrecker slowly started to climb as Rex, Hunter, and Tech started to pull the line. “Faster! Pull faster!” Wrecker yelled.

The creature got ahold of Wrecker once more, with one tentacle on each of his legs. “Whoa, whoa!” Wrecker yelled.

Wrecker was pulled underneath the water as the three fell to the ground, since Wrecker wasn’t holding onto the cable anymore.

“Wrecker!” Rex called out, as they looked at the water, searching for bubbles or any sign of life. The water slowly bubbled as Wrecker grabbed onto the cable.

“Pull!” Omega yelled.

They started to pull up as Echo started to shoot the creature. Soon, the creature went back into the water and Wrecker was pulled up, with Rex helping him onto the ledge.

“Makes you miss battling clankers, doesn’t it?” Rex asked.

Wrecker groaned, “yeah.” He slowly got up as the group made their way down the hall and Amina finally jumped across the water and caught up.

Rex and Tech lifted the door as everyone entered and looked around the med bay. “This will do nicely.” Rex said.

“I would no longer call this medical bay a sterile environment.” Tech stated.

“Do you prefer to use the facility on Kamino?” Rex asked.

“This will do nicely.” Tech said.

Echo set down his helmet, “I’ll calibrate the surgical pod.” The power turned on, the pod lighting up.

“Time to get scanned, Wrecker.” Tech said.

“Let’s get this over with.”

Tech placed the metal piece on Wrecker’s head as he looked at his datapad. Hunter and Omega walked to the other side of the room as Hunter put some of their things on the ground.

Amina stood next to Echo as he worked with the surgical pod. He shortly glanced up at her and then back down, “how are you doing? With… everything?”

She sighed, “fine, I guess.”

“Do you know what happened to your brother?”

Amina quickly turned her head to face him before trying to put on a neutral face. “As far as I know, he died on Coruscant.”

The memories of the burning Jedi temple, along with the 501st attacking her, leading up to her and Padmé going to Mustafar as she watched Anakin burn on the shore with Obi-Wan standing over him. She lost her brother that day, even if he’s still alive, wreaking havoc on the galaxy.

Amina only knows he’s alive due to a few of her sources and a gut feeling. He’s out there somewhere, a pawn in Palpatine’s game.

Echo nodded, sensing she didn’t want to talk about her brother before moving on, “what about Blu?”

She looked down, “I don’t know.” Blu was her clone commando, and since she worked frequently with Anakin and Obi-Wan during the Clone War, most of their clones knew each other. “I was on Coruscant when Order 66 went through. I think Blu was on Pluvekk.”

Amina softly nudged him, “I’m sorry that you had to go through what you did. I never saw you after what happened at the Citadel.”

Echo looked down for a moment, his expression somber. "It was a difficult time for all of us," he admitted quietly. "After the Citadel, I... well, I wasn't the same. It took a lot to come to terms with everything that happened."

Amina nodded, understanding all too well the weight of the past. "It changed us all," she said softly. "But we're still here, aren't we? Trying to make sense of it all."

Echo glanced up at her, a hint of gratitude in his eyes. "Yeah, we are," he agreed. "And we're lucky to have each other."

Before Amina could respond, Tech’s data pad beeped, “I think I found something. Ninety degrees from his right orbital floor, below the parietal and temporal intersection- ”

Wrecker growled, as he took off the metal piece from his head, shoving it into Tech’s chest, “get that away from me.”

Omega leaned in closer to Wrecker before looking back towards everyone else, “something’s not right.”

“We need to speed this up.” Rex said.

Echo tapped a few more buttons on the control panel as it turned on.

“You boys got lucky. Very few clones were immune to the effects of Order 66. It’s… rare.”

Hunter looked over at Rex, “when the regs attacked the Jedi on Kaller, we didn’t understand why.” Hunter, Rex, Omega, and Amina walked to the back of the room, “we couldn’t save the general, but at least we helped the Padawan escape.”

Amina felt the energy in the room shift as Wrecker started to pick Tech off the ground, “you’re in direct violation of Order 66.” He threw Tech into a wall and picked up a blaster.

“Wrecker?” Omega cautiously asked.

Rex quickly took his blaster out of his holster, shooting a stun blast. But Wrecker hit the gun out of Rex’s hand before it hit him.

Rex, Amina, Hunter, and Omega ducked behind a crate as Echo grabbed a sheet of metal and ducked with them.

“He’ll destroy the equipment if we don’t get him out of here.” Echo said.

“You’re all traitors.” Wrecker yelled, still shooting his blaster in their direction.

“We’ll draw him out. Omega, stay with Tech.” Hunter said. He quickly stood up and threw a large container at Wrecker.

Hunter, Echo, Rex, and Amina ran out of the med bay. Her and Rex hid behind a piece of metal sticking out of the walls of the corridor. They waited for Wrecker to come out when Rex turned to her, “you need to get out of here.”

Amina whispered, “are you insane?”

“Go, general. I’ll contact you on comms when he’s subdued.” Amina glared at him as he continued, “do you even have your lightsaber.”

“No. I left it on the ship. It’s a hazard to have it on me.”

“More than enough reason for you to go.”

Amina looked at Rex before sighing, “fine. But you owe me Captain.” she said, quietly walking off and finding a place to hide. She knows Rex means well, so for now she’ll stay hidden.

From her vantage point, she could hear the echoes of blaster fire and the distant shouts of her comrades. Rex had insisted she leave, but every fiber of her being screamed at her to stay, to fight alongside him. But she knew he was right. Her presence would only complicate things further. So, she gritted her teeth and waited, her hand trembling as she clutched her blaster tightly.

Minutes felt like hours as she strained to pick up any sound that might indicate the outcome of the confrontation. She felt a wave of fear come over her, the source of it close by. Amina rounded the corner hearing distant talking.

“But, Wrecker, I’m your friend.”

“Good soldiers follow orders.”

Amina lifted her blaster and shot a stun bolt at Wrecker as he fell to the ground. Rex quickly came to Amina’s side.

She shrugged in response, “when have I ever followed orders, Captain?” Rex shook his head as she walked into the room and kneeled down next to Omega, “hey, are you alright?”

Omega nodded slowly, “I… think so.”

Amina helped Omega to her feet, offering her a reassuring smile. "Let's get you out of here," she said gently.

Omega nodded, her eyes still wide with fear. "Thank you," she whispered, clinging to Amina's hand as they walked towards the med bay.

---

Wrecker was placed in the pod as Tech worked on the control pad to take out his inhibitor chip.

“Is it supposed to take this long?” Echo asked.

“I’m not sure. I’ve never been on this end of it.” Rex replied.

A few seconds later Tech announced that the procedure was complete. The bed was moved out of the pod as Omega walked over and lightly pushed Wrecker. “Wrecker.” She moved him again, “Wrecker! He should be awake by now.” Omega looked over at Tech.

“He is alive, but his vitals have not stabilized. We won’t know more until he regains consciousness.”

Everyone glanced at each other as Rex and Hunter walked to the back of the room. “This could be a while. Why don’t you take Omega topside and get some air?” Rex asked Hunter.

“No.” Omega said firmly, as the two turned towards her, “I’m staying until he wakes up.”

Amina raised an eyebrow at Omega, impressed by her firm stance as Omega pulled a chair closer to the pod and sat down.

Everyone found a place to sit as they waited for Wrecker to wake up. Amina sat outside in the hall, force levitating a small metal ball she kept with her.

It was something Padmé had gifted to her, saying it would help with her anxiety and boredom. She remembered scoffing at Padmé telling her about anxiety, she was a Jedi, and a Jedi cannot have emotions clouding their judgement.

But, she and Anakin never followed along with the rules and customs of the Jedi.

“He’s awake!” Omega yelled.

Amina walked into the med bay as did Rex who was leaning against the door frame. “Oh. You made it.” Tech said.

“Welcome back.” Hunter told Wrecker, his hand on his shoulder.

“One chip down. Three to go. Who’s next?” Rex held the metal headpiece as he looked at the rest of the guys.

---

Amina and Rex decided it was best for her to stay with the Bad Batch for a little while longer, only until they are alright from the procedure. But, in the time they conducted it, Amina quietly made her way back to Rex’s ship and retrieved her lightsaber.

She held it in her hand, its weight familiar. She let out a sigh, before hooking it to her belt and making her way back.

“Stay out of trouble.”

“Funny. I was gonna say the same to you.”

Amina hopped on the cruiser ledge, both Hunter and Rex glancing over at her. “Where did you go?” Rex asked.

She shrugged, “getting my lightsaber. Don’t worry about me Captain, I’ve made it this far.”

Rex rolled his eyes before putting his helmet on, “yeah, that’s a surprise.”

Amina shook her head and patted Rex’s shoulder before going back into the cruiser and to the med bay.

---

"It's going to be alright, Padme," Amina said, her voice steady despite the chaos unfolding around them. She shared a glance with Obi-Wan, their eyes communicating a mixture of concern and determination as Padme let out another agonized scream.

Obi-Wan placed a reassuring hand on Padme's forehead, his expression focused. "Just a little longer, Padme. You're doing great," he encouraged.

Padme's grip on Amina's hand tightened, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she fought through the pain. "I can't do this," she whispered, her voice laced with exhaustion and fear.

Amina squeezed Padme's hand gently, offering her a small, reassuring smile. "Yes, you can," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for doubt. "You're the strongest person I know, Padme. You can do anything."

Padme smiled at her, barely recognizable because she started to scream once again. Soon, a baby started to cry as the medical droid briefly showed the baby to Padme.

“Luke.” Padme said, as the medical droid handed the baby to Obi-Wan and he held the young boy closer to Padme. She brushed a finger on his cheek, “oh, Luke.”

The labor continued, and a few moments later, the droid held another baby.

“It’s a girl.” Obi-Wan said.

“Leia.” Padme said, almost sadly.

Amina grabbed the baby from the medical droid, holding the girl and moving to Padme’s left side.

Padme glanced at Amina, and then back at Obi-Wan, “there’s good in him.” She took multiple deep breaths, “I know. I know there’s… still- ” Padme took one last breath before her head tilted to the side. Luke started to cry louder, as if sensing his mother died right in front of him.

Amina took a shaky breath, willing the tears to stay back as she looked down at Leia. She knew, deep down, that she may never see them again. The twins were her only connection to Anakin, and she just knew that they would be taken away from her for their safety.

And she was right.

---

Her comm beeped, taking Amina out of her mediation, “Hunter, we’ve got company.” Tech said.

“Is it more scrappers?” Hunter replied.

“No, it’s the Empire.”

Amina made her way to the deck, where Tech, Hunter, and Omega were. Hunter looked out the window with a pair of binoculars and sighed, “it’s Crosshair, all right.”

“He won’t be able to detect us. I’m blocking their scanners.” Tech replied, waving his data pad.

“That won’t stop him. Come on.” They ran out of the deck and to Echo and Wrecker, who had old bombs and weapons.

“How many troopers we talking about?” Echo asked.

“Three attack shuttles’ worth.” Tech replied quickly.

“We already got what we came for. Let’s get to the Marauder.” Wrecker said, holding two large items on his back.

“They’re already on board the cruiser. We need a covert way out.” Hunter said.

“They’ll do a forward-to-aft sweep. We can alternate corridors. Come on.” Echo replied.

They made their way through the corridors, with Hunter and Echo at the head of the group. “Talk to me, Tech.” Hunter said.

“I’m trying to tap into the regs’ comms so we can monitor their movements.” They heard faint banging as Hunter closed his fist, turning to the left.

“Someone’s coming.” Hunter said quickly, as they walked backwards to hide behind the wall. They waited as the troopers passed right in front of them, walking away without noticing the group.

Tech’s data pad beeped, “I’m in.”

“All squads.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Push the targets towards the hangar. We’ll pin them down.”

“Roger that.”

Omega stepped forward, “aren’t we headed to the hangar?”

“Not anymore.” Hunter responded, “we’ll cut through the artillery deck.”

They made their way to the artillery deck, void of any life. Tech and Wrecker looked out of the open spot in the wall. Outside where they were was only a large pit filled with the wreckage of other ships.

“Uh… Okay, I’m not going out that way.” Wrecker said.

The door banged open, “there they are.”

Hunter was at the ready quickly, pointing his blaster at the troopers as everyone else followed along. Amina quickly pulled her hood over her head and pointed her blaster as well.

“Stand down.” A trooper in grey gear said, holding a large automatic blaster.

Another door opened from the other side of them, showing more troopers in grey gear. “Tapping our comms to track our movements? So predictable.” Crosshair said.

Wrecker scoffed, “nice to see you too, Crosshair.”

Tech spoke quietly to Echo, “Echo, scomp in and reroute reserve power to the cannons.”

“If these cannons fire, this whole deck will collapse.”

“Exactly.” Tech responded.

“Look at you all, scavenging like rats. How pathetic.” Crosshair hissed.

“Why come after us?” Hunter inquired.

“You’re traitors.” Crosshair motioned for a few troopers to move into position.

Hunter, Omega, and Amina took a quick glance behind them as Amina gently placed a hand on Omega’s shoulder, guiding her to behind her on her left side.

“Done.” Echo said.

“Crosshair, wake up. You’re being controlled by an inhibitor chip.” Hunter said.

Omega moved in front of Amina and spoke loudly, “he’s telling the truth. The Kaminoans put chips in all the clones. Remember what I told you in the brig? You can’t help it.”

Crosshair took a small step in response, as Hunter moved in front of Omega. “Aim for the kid.” Crosshair ordered.

Hunter pushed Omega into Amina as Amina guided Omega back behind her. “Your issue’s with me, not her.”

“Hurry up.” Wrecker whispered.

“Systems online in three, two, one.” Tech said.

“I suggest you drop your weapon.” Crosshair spoke, at the same time as Tech.

A cannon fired causing troopers to fall backwards. Hunter shot at the troopers behind them, “go!”

Metal started to fall from the ceiling as Amina and Hunter shot at as many as they could, with Omega joining in with her energy crossbow.

“Look out!” Hunter yelled, as he grabbed Omega and brought them to the ground.

Tech, Wrecker, Echo, and Amina ran out of the way before metal fell on top of them. They all got up and started to run to the door, when a trooper with a flamethrower stood in front of them. The group pointed their blasters as the trooper turned on the flamethrower.

“Whoa!” Wrecker said, before grunting and throwing one of the large bombs at the trooper, knocking them out. “Direct hit. Yeah!”

They made their way out of the artillery deck and to the ion engine chamber, getting onto the small ledges on the wall.

Hunter went out first, followed by Echo, Tech, Omega, Amina, and then Wrecker, who stood in the doorway. “The ion engine chamber? Why’d you bring us here?” Wrecker asked Tech.

“Because this is our alternate egress off the cruiser.”

Wrecker groaned, “I don’t even know what that means.”

They all kept their backs to the wall, in order to not fall down into the chamber as Omega turned to Amina. “Why don’t you use your lightsaber?”

Amina glanced over at Tech, who was a bit further ahead of the two of them, and Wrecker, who was a little bit behind since he was carrying the carton of explosives. "Because it makes me and everyone else a risk," she replied to Omega's question, her voice calm but firm.

Omega nodded, understanding dawning in her eyes. "But you're a Jedi. Shouldn't you use it to protect us?"

Amina sighed, her gaze drifting to the floor briefly before returning to Omega's earnest expression. "Being a Jedi isn't just about using a lightsaber. It's about knowing when not to use it, too. Sometimes, the best way to protect others is by not drawing attention to yourself."

Omega nodded slowly, absorbing Amina's words. "So, it's like being invisible, but still being there to help when needed?"

Amina smiled, impressed by Omega's insight. "Exactly. It's about finding the balance between action and restraint. And since I’m skilled in other areas, using my lightsaber is the last resort.”

They made it to a part of the engine chamber where they had to slide down a circular path. Hunter went down first, followed by Echo, and Tech.

“We’re almost there. A little further.” Hunter said, as Omega and then Amina slid down.

“I didn’t think you meant we’d be escaping through the engine.” Echo looked over at Tech.

“I could not have been clearer.” Tech retorted.

“Whoa, I’ve never been inside an ion engine before.” Omega said, looking around the engine shining her flashlight around.

“It’d be weirder if you had.” Wrecker panted out, still carrying the crate of explosives.

“These chambers are quite the engineering marvel.” Tech said, as they climbed up part of the engine, “this blast primer coating is capable of withstand- ”

Wrecker shoved Tech off the ledge, “no one cares! Keep movin’.”

The group had made it to the end of the engine, the darkness of the outside shrouding them.

“Well? Now what?” Wrecker asked.

Tech climbed onto the ledge Hunter was on to get a better look outside when a blaster shot hit right next to him.

“Try again, Hunter.” Crosshair yelled. “I told you before, you’re surrounded.”

“Double back.” Hunter ordered, as they made their way down the engine. Then, a loud rumbling was heard all around them, making them stop.

“What is that?” Omega asked.

“Sounds like the engine’s coming online.” Hunter replied from above. “But that’s not possible, right?”

Tech took out his data pad, “technically, it is. I restored the ship’s main power core when I accessed the central system, which means the engines can be activated.

Another loud rumble was heard the engine starting to shake, “Crosshair wouldn’t do that, would he?” Omega asked.

Echo placed his hand on one of the pieces of metal, “how much time do we have?”

“I estimate less than two minutes.” Tech answered.

A blue light started to emerge from the ion engine as Omega looked around, “what do we do?”

Wrecker turned around excitedly, “uh, what about Plan 7?”

Echo shared a look with Hunter, “Plan 7 has nothing to do with this situation whatsoever.”

“Well- well you think of something?” Wrecker said, taking the crate of explosives off of his back.

“Can we use the explosives from the armory to disable the engine?” Hunter asked.

“It won’t cause a large enough reaction to affect the thermal chamber. But if we place a series of charges around this cone, we may be able to break away from the cylinder while destabilizing the core.” Tech responded.

“Break away? You mean fall? All the way down?” Omega asked, a hint of fear in her voice.

“It’s that or be incinerated.” Echo looked over at Omega.

“Everyone take an explosive. Tech, Omega, we’ll do the middle, Amina can do the top.”

She nodded, as everyone grabbed one explosive and Amina grabbed two, force jumping to the top to place each one.

The engine came on, “everybody, get down!” Wrecker said, before pressing the detonator.

As the explosive charges detonated, sending shockwaves reverberating through the engine, the Bad Batch braced themselves for the impending chaos. Metal groaned and screeched as the cylinder housing the ion engine began to break away from the rest of the ship.

Everyone fell down, as Tech yelled out, “hold on!” Then, once they had separated from the engine, they began to fall, as everyone grabbed onto something. The part of the engine hit the ground, before tipping and falling again, breaking in half.

“Hunter, we landed on the port side. What’s your status?” Echo asked Hunter through comms.

“We’re by the engine, and we’ve got company. Meet back at the Marauder.”

Echo nodded, as he looked around. Wrecker and Tech were next to him, but Amina was nowhere to be seen.

“Amina!?” Echo called out.

“Over here!” She yelled out. Somehow, whether luck or karma, a piece of metal landed through her right ankle, leaving her trapped on the ground.

It didn't feel bad right now, but it could just be the adrenaline. Or, the fact that she's had much worse injuries. Amina gritted her teeth, trying to push past the initial shock of having a piece of metal pinning her ankle to the ground. She glanced around, taking in her surroundings. The wreckage of the engine was strewn all around her, metal debris and sparks filling the air.

"Echo, I'm pinned down!" Amina called out, her voice strained with pain.

Echo hurried over, followed closely by Wrecker and Tech. They skidded to a stop beside her, their eyes widening at the sight of the metal impaling her ankle.

"We need to get her out of there," Echo said, his voice urgent.

Wrecker moved forward, his massive frame casting a shadow over Amina. "Hold still, kid. This is gonna hurt."

Amina nodded, bracing herself as Wrecker reached down and gripped the piece of metal. With a grunt of effort, he pulled it free. Echo and Tech quickly moved in to support her as Wrecker tossed the metal aside.

“Ouch.” She responded, as the two helped her stand up. Amina looked up at Tech and Wrecker who stood by each other, as she leaned on Echo. “It’s honestly not that bad.”

"You sure you're okay?" Echo asked, his voice soft.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Amina replied, trying to sound more confident than she felt. She didn't want to worry Echo or anyone else unnecessarily. "Just a scratch."

Echo didn't look convinced, but he nodded, choosing not to push the issue for now. Instead, he turned his attention to their surroundings.

"We need to find a way back to the Marauder," he said, scanning the wreckage of the engine. "Tech, any idea how far we are from it?"

Tech pulled out his datapad and began analyzing their location. "It's about a kilometer to the west," he reported after a moment. "We'll have to navigate through the wreckage to get there."

Wrecker cracked his knuckles, a grin spreading across his face. "Sounds like fun."

Amina couldn't help but roll her eyes at Wrecker's enthusiasm for danger. "Let's just get moving before Crosshair and his goons show up again."

With Tech leading the way, they started picking their way through the twisted metal and debris of the engine wreckage. Amina winced as she put weight on her injured ankle, but she pushed through the pain, determined not to slow them down.

As they made their way through the wreckage, Amina found herself falling into step beside Echo. He glanced down at her, his expression still worried.

"You sure you're okay?" he asked again, his voice low.

Amina nodded, offering him a reassuring smile. "I told you, I'm fine. Just a little sore." She shook her head, reminiscing. “One time, me and Blu were flying to Hecaya and Separatists shot us down. I ended up with two pieces of metal to the gut.” She let out a small laugh, “Anakin wasn’t happy.”

She trailed off, gulping. The smell of burning skin, Anakin’s cries of pain, and his yellow eyes burned into her mind.

Amina wanted to remember the good parts, how whenever she and Anakin had a rotation off, they would go flying around Coruscant. Then, they would go to Padme’s apartment and eat dinner together, finishing the night with tea.

She would end up going back to her room in the Temple, but usually Anakin would stay with Padme.

She wanted, more than anything, to remember those good times, and not Anakin looking at her with thinly veiled anger. He was her older brother, they grew up together, were slaves together, then brought to the Jedi together.

But she couldn’t get his last day out of her head, no matter how hard she tried.

And it’s not like she could talk to anyone, the only people who know are Padme, Obi-Wan, Yoda, and herself.

Padme’s dead, and Obi-Wan and Yoda are in hiding, leaving her with brewing emotions she doesn’t not what to do with. She was trained to bury them inside of her because that’s the Jedi way.

But the Jedi were flawed, so how can she still abide by their rules and teachings?

Now, as she walked beside Echo, she couldn't help but wonder if she was destined to follow in Anakin's footsteps. Was she doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past, to let her emotions consume her until there was nothing left but darkness?

She knew Master Windu and even Master Yoda were as wary of her as they were of Anakin. She was reckless, headstrong, and had too many emotions. At least, that’s what they said.

But yet, out of all of the Jedi out there, she was one of the few survivors. At least she had that on Master Windu.

They made their way up the ledge, the Marauder right in front of them when they saw Hunter laying on the ground.

Amina made her way on the ship as Echo leaned down over Hunter, “Hunter. Wake up.”

“What happened? Where’s Omega?” Wrecker asked, holding his own blaster and Omega’s crossbow.

“He was shot in the chest plate.” Echo added.

“We have to get him on board.” Tech said, looking through Hunter’s visor.

“Incoming!” Wrecker announced, shooting at the troopers.

“Got him. Let’s get out of here!” Echo said.

“Go, go, go!” Wrecker kept shooting at the troopers as Echo helped Hunter onto the ship.

Amina powered up the ship and once the doors closed, flew up and away. Tech glanced over at Amina, who sat in the pilot’s chair. She gestured for Tech to sit in the co-pilot’s chair as blasts flew nearby.

One similarity between her and her brother was that they were both great pilots. Or, as Obi-Wan said, reckless pilots who might give him a heart attack one day.

As she maneuvered the Marauder through the chaos of the battle, Amina couldn't help but feel a rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. Flying was where she felt most alive, where she could forget about her troubles and just focus on the moment.

Tech glanced over at Amina from the co-pilot's chair, his brow furrowed with concern. "Are you sure you're up for this? Your ankle- "

“I don’t need my feet to fly.” She said, as Hunter and Echo came into the cockpit.

“Any sign of that bounty hunter?” Hunter asked.

“The only vessel in our scanner is Crosshair’s and he is right on top of us.” Tech responded.

“It’s getting hot back here!” Wrecker yelled from the back as he manned the guns.

“Prepping to jump.” Amina said.

“Not without Omega.” Hunter said, turning to face her and Tech.

“The bounty hunter who took her is long gone. We’ll have no chance of finding them if Crosshair shoots us down.” Echo responded.

“Rear deflector shields are failing.” Tech said, as Amina continued to fly the ship.

Hunter let out a sigh before giving in. “Make the jump.”

Amina pressed a few buttons before pushing the lever up, as the Marauder went into hyperspace. After a few moments, she let Tech take over as she went to find a med kit on the ship.

Her patch work wouldn’t be great, but she had to stop the bleeding somehow. This is the one time she wishes it was a blaster shot or a lightsaber injury since it cauterizes the wound, but she’s found herself to be unlucky since everything went down.

Echo went through the computer they had on the ship, “your description of the bounty hunter is a match to one from the Republic’s files.”

“That’s him.” Hunter said, coming up behind the chair Echo was seated at.

“Cad Bane.”

Amina’s head snapped up, as she shakily stood up and walked over to the computer where Hunter, Echo, and Wrecker were.

She looked at his picture, “we had a lot of run-ins with him during the war.”

Echo continued, “he was responsible for attempting to abduct Chancellor Palpatine.”

Amina felt her blood run cold. She never wanted to hear his name again, but that was impossible since he was the Emperor and a Sith lord.

“First the bounty hunter on Pantora and now this guy? Why are they after the kid?” Wrecker asked.

“Because she is more valuable than we realized.” Tech announced, coming out of the cockpit.

“What do you mean?” Hunter looked over at Tech, who was looking at his data pad.

“I further analyzed Omega’s genetic profile and discovered she has pure, first-generation DNA.”

“Whoa!” Wrecker said, as Echo stood up. “Wait. W-w-what does that mean?”

“All clones were created from a host named Jango Fett. While our genetic structure was modified for growth acceleration and obedience, Omega is a pure genetic replication.”

“How many clones like that exist?” Hunter asked.

“To my knowledge there’s only one other. A male clone code-named Alpha, later referred to as Boba. Since he disappeared at the start of the war, that makes Omega the sole living source of Fett’s raw genetic material.”

“If she’s vital to the Kaminoans’ cloning operation, they must have put the bounty on her.” Echo added, looking over at Hunter.

“So how do we find this bounty hunter?” Wrecker asked.

“Tech, check with Cid. See if her contacts know anything. We’ll keep monitoring comms.” Hunter said.

---

Amina took off the bandages she put on not too long ago and grabbed new ones. She didn’t want to waste the bacta patches the group had, so settled for bandages around her ankle, hoping that eventually, the bleeding would stop.

Echo walked through the hall and into the cockpit, “yeah. Cid knows all about Bane but not how to find him. She said we’re on our own.”

Hunter pressed a few more buttons when a faint voice sounded out.

“Come in. Come in.”

Hunter and Echo turned their chairs to face each other, “Anyone?” Omega’s voice asked again.

Wrecker got up quickly, “Omega!”

“Omega, are you there? Omega!” Hunter asked quickly.

“It’s long-range. I’ll try to boost the signal.” Echo answered.

“Is anyone there?”

“Omega, do you copy?” Hunter asked.

“Hunter? I’m here. I got away, but you have to hurry.”

“Where are you?”

“I… I-I don’t know where I am.”

“Hang on, kid. We’re coming for ya!” Wrecker yelled out.

Echo sighed, “the signal’s too weak to establish a direct connection trace.”

Tech stepped closer to Echo, “Omega, we need a relay of your position. Try to create a power surge. Can you find a panel nearby?”

“There’s one by a door. It looks like the ones on Tipoca City.”

“That’s good. First, see if you can activate it.”

“It worked. Now what should I do?”

“Next you will need to reroute the circuits to overload the main grid.” After a few seconds of no response, Tech called Omega’s name, “Omega? Do you copy?”

“Let me go!”

“I still can’t get a good read.”

“Hunter, I need you!”

Hunter pushed Tech as he stepped closer to Echo, “Omega! Omega!”

They looked around, suspecting that something happened to Omega’s comms. A few moments later, Echo looked behind him, “I think I’ve got her. She’s in the Lido system.”

“Where in the Lido system?” Wrecker asked.

“I’m pinpointing the exact coordinates. Hang on!” They flew downwards until going back into hyperspace.

Quickly, they flew onto the planet and searched the skies until finding an escape pod flying. Tech and Echo quickly connected the pod to the Marauder. Wrecker opened the hatch, “Omega! Are you in there?”

“Wrecker!” Omega climbed up the ladder with her handcuffed hands until Wrecker pulled her up.

“Aw! Good to have you back, kid.” Wrecker said, holding her up in the air before setting her down and hugging her.

After Wrecker let her go, she took a quick glance at Hunter before leaning into him. Hunter hissed quietly, his chest bandaged from the shot, before kneeling down and placing his hands on her shoulders. “Are you okay, Omega? Are you hurt?”

Omega sniffled, “why is this happening? Why are the Kaminoans after me?”

Echo rubbed the side of his neck, “Hunter, you have to tell her.”

Omega glanced back at Echo before turning back to Hunter. “You’re valuable to them. More than all the other clones. Even more than us. You’re different.”

“Different? How?”

---

She held her lightsaber up, her blue contrasting with the red of Vader’s. She grunted, “An- Anakin!”

Vader's mechanical breathing filled the air, a haunting reminder of the man he once was. Amina's heart pounded in her chest as she faced him, the weight of their shared past hanging heavy between them.

“Anakin is dead.” Vader said, swinging his lightsaber as Amina blocked it with hers.

“I know you’re in there, Ani. I know there’s still good in you.”

He swung his lightsaber again, as Amina blocked up, turning around and backing up.

"You were a Jedi, Anakin. You wer- are my brother," she said, her voice breaking with emotion. "And I refuse to believe that you're lost to me forever."

An intense energy crackled in the air as Vader raised his lightsaber, the crimson blade humming with malevolence. Amina held her own lightsaber steady, the familiar weight of it grounding her in the midst of her turmoil.

"I am no longer Anakin Skywalker," Vader replied, his voice cold and detached. "That name holds no meaning for me now."

Amina's heart sank at his words, but she refused to back down. She knew there was still goodness buried deep within him, waiting to be reignited.

"Anakin, please," she pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know you're still in there. I can feel it."

Vader's masked visage betrayed no emotion as he advanced towards her, his every step echoing with the weight of their shared history.

"You cling to false hope, sister," he said, his voice dripping with scorn. "The Jedi are gone, and so is the man you once knew."

Amina's grip tightened on her lightsaber, her resolve steeling against the onslaught of doubt and despair. She refused to believe that her brother was lost to her forever, no matter how dire the circumstances seemed.

“And soon, you will be gone too.”

As Vader swung his blade towards her, Amina met it with her own, before he pushed her to the ground, her lightsaber rolling away from her and his at her neck.

He raised his hand as she closed her eyes and heard the swing of a mechanical arm-

Amina rose up from the floor of the Marauder, wincing at the pressure she put on her ankle. She tried to calm her breathing and her racing heart as she leaned against the wall.

Was Anakin really Darth Vader? Were her assumptions right?

She ran a hand down her face and clutched her right wrist where a bracelet sat. Her and Anakin made matching ones when they were first brought to the Temple. It was a simple rope bracelet with a small japor snippet.

As she pondered the implications of her dream, a soft voice broke through the silence, pulling her back to the present moment. Hunter and Omega stood before her, concern etched into their features as Hunter watched her with gentle eyes.

"General, are you alright?" he asked, his voice soft and soothing.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, though her voice held a hint of uncertainty. "Just... had a bad dream, is all." Amina toyed with her bracelet, holding the japor snippet.

Hunter's brow furrowed slightly, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he nodded. "Nightmares can be rough," he said softly, his tone understanding. "If you need to talk about it, I'm here."

Amina's smile softened at his offer of support. Despite only knowing him for a short time, she found herself appreciating his kindness and empathy. "Thanks, Sergeant," she murmured, grateful for his presence.

Omega, standing beside Hunter, looked between the two of them, a curious expression on her face. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice hesitant.

Amina gave her a small smile, “yeah, why?”

“You have… red on your ankle.”

Amina leaned over her legs, looking at her ankle, the bandages seeped with blood once again. “Oh, it’s nothing. Just need to put more bandages on it.”

She took off the bandages as Omega hissed quietly, since the rest of the group was asleep, “that doesn’t look okay.”

Amina shrugged, “it’ll be fine, a piece of metal with through it. Looks worse than what it is.”

Omega looked up at Hunter, “can you look at it?”

Amina opened her mouth when Omega looked back at her with big wide eyes. She let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping in defeat. “Fine,” she relented, her voice resigned.

Hunter nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Of course, Omega. Let’s take a look at it.”

Omega’s face lit up with relief as she stepped aside to give Hunter space to examine Amina’s ankle. She sat down next to Amina as Hunter quickly went away to get the med kit.

Amina sighed, feeling a mix of gratitude and frustration. She wasn't used to letting others take care of her, especially not someone she had only just met like Hunter. But her ankle was throbbing, and she knew she needed help if she wanted to be able to walk properly again.

Hunter returned with the med kit, kneeling down beside Amina and Omega. He opened the kit and began to clean the wound gently, his movements careful and precise. Amina tried to suppress a flinch as he touched the tender skin around her ankle, but Hunter noticed her discomfort.

"Sorry," he murmured, his voice low. "I'll try to be more gentle."

Amina shook her head, offering him a small smile. "It's okay. It's not your fault."

Omega looked over at Amina, lightly tugging her arm. “Are you going to be staying with us now? Or are you going to go back with Rex?”

Omega's question hung in the air, drawing Amina out of her thoughts. She glanced down at the young girl, her brow furrowing slightly as she considered her response.

"I... I'm not sure yet," Amina admitted, her voice quiet. "I haven't really thought about it."

Omega's eyes widened in surprise, her expression hopeful. "But you could stay with us, right?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Amina's heart clenched at the earnestness in Omega's voice. She wasn’t quite sure where she belonged anymore. Before it was with Anakin and Shmi on Tatooine, then the Jedi and her master Be Pa'dor, and now no one.

"I... I'll think about it," Amina said finally, offering Omega a small smile. "But for now, I'll stick around. At least until I figure out what to do next."

Omega's eyes brightened with relief at Amina's words, a grateful smile spreading across her face. "That's great!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "I'm glad you're staying with us." Omega wrapped her arms around Amina’s waist as she hugged the young girl back.

“Looks like that metal rod went completely through the ankle.” Hunter spoke up.

Amina winced as she glanced down at her injured ankle, the throbbing pain intensifying with Hunter's observation. She took a deep breath, trying to push aside the discomfort as she focused on the task at hand.

Hunter rummaged through the med kit, his brow furrowed in concentration as he searched for the necessary supplies. "We'll need to clean the wound thoroughly and apply some bacta patches to promote healing," he said, his voice matter-of-fact.

“You don’t have to use the bacta patches. I know they’re hard to come by now and I don’t want to waste them on this.”

Hunter paused, considering Amina's words. He glanced down at the med kit in his hands, the bacta patches glinting in the dim light of the Marauder. Amina's concern for conserving their limited medical supplies touched something within him, a reminder of the harsh realities they faced in their line of work.

"Are you sure?" Hunter asked, his voice gentle as he looked up at Amina. "Your ankle looks pretty bad. We don't want it to get infected."

Amina nodded, her expression resolute despite the pain etched on her features. "I'm sure. We need to save those bacta patches for emergencies. This... this isn't an emergency."

Hunter studied her for a moment, his gaze searching her face for any sign of hesitation. But Amina met his eyes steadily, her determination unwavering.

"Alright," Hunter said finally, his tone conceding to Amina's wishes. "We'll clean the wound as best we can and bandage it up. But if it starts to get worse, you let me know, understood?"

Amina nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Got it, Sergeant."

With that settled, Hunter set to work, carefully cleaning and bandaging Amina's injured ankle. Amina gritted her teeth against the pain, her jaw clenched as she fought to keep still. But Hunter's touch was gentle, his movements precise as he tended to her injury.

Once he had finished bandaging her ankle, Hunter sat back on his heels, a satisfied expression on his face. "There," he said, his voice soft. "All done."

Amina flexed her ankle experimentally, testing the range of motion. The pain had dulled to a throbbing ache, but she could tell that Hunter's ministrations had helped.

"Thank you, Hunter," she said, meeting his eyes with a grateful smile. "I appreciate it."

Hunter returned her smile, “anytime," he replied, his voice quiet. "Just... take it easy on that ankle, alright? We don't want you making it worse."

Amina nodded, a playful glint in her eyes. "Don't worry, Sergeant. I'll try not to do any more acrobatics for a while."

Hunter chuckled, the sound warm and comforting. "Good. We wouldn't want to have to carry you around everywhere."

As they shared a laugh, Amina felt a sense of camaraderie settle between them, a bond forged in the midst of danger and uncertainty.

She looked over at Omega, who had fallen asleep leaning against her, her head resting on her shoulder. It reminded her of when she would lean against Anakin when they were younger, or even when her and Ahsoka would sleep with their heads on each other’s shoulders during battles.

As Hunter put the medical supplies back into the box and into the compartment on the ship, he came back to Omega still sleeping on Amina’s shoulder and Amina’s head on the young girl’s.

[mcrdvcks]

Down Bad

Amina Skywalker is Anakin's younger, adopted, sister. They were both brought to the Jedi Council after being freed from Tatooine. Amina survived Order 66, and knows much more than what she let's on. One day, her and Rex go to meet The Bad Batch on Ord Mantell to help remove their chips. After the events on Bracca, Amina decides to stay with the group, as strange things start to happen to her, and lies become unraveled.

And she starts to become close with a certain Sergeant.

pairing: hunter x original female jedi character

tags: angst, fluff, slow burn (kind of), light violence, injuries and blood, trauma, anxiety, eventual smut

Chapters

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

[mcrdvcks]

Masterlist

You can also read all of my work on AO3.

Star Wars

Series

Down Bad - Hunter x Original Female Jedi Character

Marvel

Series

Darkness - Tony Stark Daughter Original Female Character x Original Male Character

DC

Series

Darkness #332 - Battinson Sister Original Female Character x Original Male Character

Darkness #556 - Barry Allen (Arrowverse) Sister Original Female Character x Oliver Queen (Arrowverse) Brother Original Male Character

Note that all the Darkness stories are connected! They contain the same main female character and the same main male character, just in different universes. Read summary for Darkness if still confused.

Darkness Masterlist