Hello, lovely people!

Already the new schedule is coming in clutch. We had to postpone editing and it for once didn't cause me to have an anxiety attack!

If you aren't watching Andor, YOU SHOULD. I'm not caught up yet because I'm busy, but hot DANG is it good. Different from a lot of other Star Wars media, but it's still very good.

bsmith1138 - You talk like I'm going to accidentally trip into writing a multiverse or time travel fic lol. But thank you very much!

4thwallbreak - Thank you!

We're finally going to work on some of the Bad Batch situation and move forward there!

I don't think there's any Mando'a in this chapter?

ABSOLVED: Chapter 16

"Ahsoka, may I have a word with you?"

Ahsoka was a little surprised to hear Obi Wan call her name. He had been quiet ever since news of Maul had been brought to them. He seemed calmer as he strode to her outside the main temple on Yavin.

"Of course, Obi Wan." Ahsoka said with a smile.

Her grandmaster paused in front of her and glanced up at the ship leaving the atmosphere.

"Master Plo and Master Gek are on their way, then?" He asked.

Ahsoka nodded.

"I just saw them off." She said.

Obi Wan's brow furrowed slightly but he relaxed as he looked at Ahsoka.

"I was considering the situation of the Bad Batch." He said. "Do you have a way to contact them?"

"Yes." Ahsoka said quickly. The Batch and Omega were often at the back of her mind. "Do you have a lead for them?"

"Possibly." Obi Wan said. "I remembered an informant that may be of use. She knows many bounty hunters. She may be able to identify their assailant."

"Thank you, Master." Ahsoka said. "I'll get into contact with them."

"Commander!"

Ahsoka looked up, blinking at Fives. His face was creased with concern as she focused on him. Ahsoka immediately became alert, glancing around the Marauder.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Nothing. You were just really out of it." Fives said.

"She is a Jedi." Tech said from across the bay. "It is to be expected. Have you not observed this behavior in her before?"

Tech's voice had an undertone of harshness to it. Ahsoka had been shocked to see how angry and severe he'd grown after the Batch's short time away. All of the Bad Batch had, except maybe Wrecker. He seemed just- lost. His cheerfulness rarely surfaced.

"I'm just making sure." Fives said, his own edge slipping into his voice. "Besides, you didn't have a Jedi. What would you know?"

Tech glared at Fives.

"Need I remind you that I was genetically altered to be better than you?" He asked. "Most of all intellectually. You should trust any information I give to you."

Fives seemed to swell with indignation.

"The only thing that the long necks managed to make better about you is your over-inflated ego!"

Ahsoka had in the past allowed a few blows between Fives and the Bad Batch, but this was going to lead to Wrecker dangling Fives by the foot. Wrecker had already stood, glaring at Fives. Crosshair looked ready to say something, and Ahsoka knew she needed to keep that from happening if they wanted to keep things together for the mission.

"Hey. We're all on the same team here." Ahsoka said.

Ahsoka carefully laced her words with a soothing suggestion as she spoke. It seemed to work. Fives relaxed somewhat. Tech turned back to his work, shoulders hunched. Wrecker shot Fives another dirty glance, but sat down.

Ahsoka glanced at Echo, who hadn't said anything. That was odd. Echo usually took it upon himself to mediate between Fives and the Bad Batch. Ahsoka thought he looked tired.

Echo was the reason the Batch hadn't gone straight to Ord Mantell after receiving Ahsoka's message. Though Ahsoka thought that having a Jedi with them might be helpful in getting Cid's trust.

"Anyway," Fives said. "You're good then?"

Ahsoka nodded.

"I'm just keeping an eye on Master Plo." She said. "He'll be negotiating with Maul soon."

"Don't exert yourself." Fives said. "We need you on this mission."

"We're just meeting up with an informant." Ahsoka said. "I'm fine."

It was mostly the truth. The pain she was enduring would fade before they got to Ord Mantell.

Tech had hacked into the Imperial database, but there had been no sign of Nala Se or Omega. All of the research facilities were updated Republic labs and Tech was adamant that Nala Se would not be there. That left them to pursue more traditional means of finding information.

"You ever meet this Cid?" Hunter asked.

"Obi Wan has." Ahsoka replied. "She's apparently pretty abrasive, but can be worked with."

"We're not General Kenobi though." Fives said with a small smirk. "He can sweet talk anyone."

"Yeah, he could sweet talk me!" Wrecker said, though less boisterously than usual.

He seemed to look around for a second, as if searching for a reaction that would normally come from Omega. He deflated after a moment.

"Fair." Ahsoka admitted. "But Obi Wan assured me she'll work with us."

"That was before all Jedi were declared enemies of the state." Tech said. "She may be less inclined now."

"Do you want to find Omega or not?" Wrecker suddenly snapped. Everyone looked at him in surprise. "This is the first lead we've gotten! Stop givin' reasons why it could go wrong!"

No one had a response. Ahsoka could feel a potent guilt and fear from Wrecker. He turned from them, eyes filled with tears. Ahsoka wished she could do something to help him, but she knew the only balm would be to bring his sister back.

Tech got up and retreated to the cockpit. Crosshair glared at Fives and Ahsoka as if it were their fault. Ahsoka tried not to raise her eyebrows back. She gave Fives a look, letting him know he was to not instigate anything more.

She turned her thoughts back to Plo, so far away. He was agitated and afraid, but in control. Ahsoka tried to get more details, but it was growing difficult. Even her powers had their limits, and Fives was right. She couldn't cripple herself.

She checked up on Rex. He wasn't stressed beyond his normal worries and duties. He noticed her attention and sent a tender feeling of love and concern. She smiled to herself and replied in kind, though she tacked on a more- passionate addendum. She could almost see his flushed face as he received it. She hoped guiltily that he was alone.

"We are coming up on Ord Mantell." Tech's voice came from the cockpit.

Ahsoka bid a hasty farewell to her husband and focused on her surroundings.

"It's just intel." She said to the Batch as they kitted up. "You don't need to be armed to the teeth."

"That's what we thought the last time we were here." Crosshair said darkly.

Ahsoka glanced at him. Before, Crosshair had a sort of- light-heartedness to his contrary nature. Now he was truly angry at the galaxy.

"All right." Hunter said as they landed. "This is a quick operation. In and out. Keep your guard up. Those bounty hunters might still be around here."

"You have me now." Ahsoka said. "It would go better this time."

It didn't seem to make them feel better.

"Fives, keep an eye on the ship." Ahsoka told him. "And be ready to come for us if there's trouble."

Fives gave a short nod.

"Be careful." He said, eyes flicking to Echo. "Both of you."

"Let's go." Hunter said.

The Force around them snapped with anxiety as they left the ship. Ord Mantell was dirty, reminding Ahsoka of the undercity of Coruscant. The bar they were looking for wasn't far in and looked as seedy as the rest of the place.

Cid's bar was just like any other grimy undercity bar Ahsoka had been in. Low lights, thudding music, and the feeling that everyone's attention was on them once they came in. Not that there were too many people to notice. There was only a short, heavy Trandoshan who was pretending not to care, and an Ithorian and a Weequay who were staring openly at them.

Ahsoka approached the Trandoshan, who fit Obi Wan's description.

"Whaddya want?" The Trandoshan asked in an annoyed voice.

"I'm looking for Cid." Ahsoka said.

"Never heard of 'em."

Ahsoka popped one of her lightsabers from their electrostaff hiding spot. She laid it on the counter and raised an eyebrow at the Trandoshan.

"Oh, a live one." Cid said. "And a bunch of freaky clones. Great. Well, you might as well come in the back."

Ahsoka nearly could hear the Batch's sighs of relief.

Cid led them to a room filled with strange artifacts and containers. There was even a clone's helmet. She sat at a desk and peered at them.

"I'm guessing you all need a place to hide." Cid said. "You Jedi aren't exactly popular right now, but your kind always did well by me, even if you've got sticks up your asses."

"Not exactly." Ahsoka said. "My friends here need some information."

Cid looked them up and down.

"Depends on the information, Toots."

Ahsoka raised an eyebrow at the nickname.

"We're looking for certain bounty hunters." Hunter said.

"I could name a million." Cid said dryly.

"At least one of them is a Togruta." Crosshair said. "Red and gold markings. The other is a sniper."

"They were here on Ord Mantell almost a month ago." Hunter said.

His voice had taken on a desperate tone. Ahsoka winced. Cid had worked with the Jedi, but that didn't mean she wouldn't take advantage of the situation. By the way that Cid had leaned forward, she hadn't missed his tone of voice either.

"I think I might know who you're talking about." Cid said. "But I might need some help recalling."

The men behind Ahsoka tensed.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Crosshair said in his low, dangerous voice.

"It means that information ain't free, Toothpick." Cid said.

She seemed unphased by the sniper's glare.

"We have credits." Ahsoka said.

"I got credits." Cid said. "What I need is muscle. Which you seem to have an overabundance of."

"A mission?" Tech asked.

"A job." Cid said. "You in?"

Ahsoka glanced back at the clones, who were looking at each other. Hunter looked back at Cid.

"We're in."

It turned out that Cid's 'job' was tracking down and intimidating a debtor in town. Ahsoka watched as Wrecker hauled the scrawny Bith down the street by his collar. The man was scared stiff after Crosshair had rammed his rifle in the man's face and had threatened to castrate him from fifty paces. Ahsoka had mostly watched from afar. The Batch, including Echo, worked so well together. She didn't need to interfere.

Wrecker led the way into the bar. Cid raised her eye ridges at them as they came in.

"That was quick." She said.

"You could've sent a comm, Cid!" The Bith babbled.

"I did. Seven times." Cid said. "Now pay up."

The man gave a down payment and scurried out.

"We did your job." Hunter said once they were alone. "Now tell us about the bounty hunters."

Cid appraised the group through narrowed eyes. Ahsoka was impressed that she didn't wither under the combined glares of Clone Force 99.

"What do you want with 'em?" Cid asked.

"I don't remember that being part of the deal." Crosshair said.

"Deals change, Toothpick." Cid said. "Listen, the bounty hunters you're looking for do a lotta jobs for me. I don't want you killing them."

"If they cooperate, their lives will not be in danger." Tech said. "Do you believe they will not?"

"Depends on what you're asking them, Goggles." Cid said.

Ahsoka could feel her getting testy. She decided to take control of things.

"These bounty hunters took their little sister." Ahsoka said.

Cid's eye ridges only lifted slightly.

"I know that job." She said. "Saving a lost little girl kidnapped by rogue commandos."

The group behind Ahsoka burst into sound.

"What?" Hunter and Echo hissed.

"Commandos? But was us who took her!" Wrecker said, sounding absolutely lost.

"They are talking about us, Wrecker." Crosshair said.

"This is an obvious misrepresentation of the circumstances by Nala Se in order to garner sympathy for the situation." Tech said.

"I'm guessing you don't see it that way." Cid said.

"Omega chose to come with us!" Hunter said angrily.

"We saved her!" Echo said.

Cid turned her gaze to Ahsoka.

"What do you think, Jedi?" She asked.

"They're telling the truth." Ahsoka said. "Omega willingly left with the Bad Batch. Nala Se is presenting herself as a concerned parent. I don't know if you know any Kaminoans, but there aren't any left that could feel that deeply. Likely she wanted Omega for her genetic material."

"Huh." Cid said. "Well, it won't be the first time a client exaggerated the truth."

She tapped a few things on a datapad.

"Admani and Taja Desai. They're a brother and sister pair." Cid said. "If you hang around here for a while, they'll show up. They're fairly new in the game and Admani is as idealistic as a bounty hunter can get. Probably why he took the job. You'll want to tell your sob story to him. They should be coming back here in a few hours; they just finished a job for me."

"We'll wait then." Ahsoka said, folding her arms.

Cid rolled her eyes.

"Just don't touch anything." She muttered.

Ahsoka quickly sent Fives a message, informing him of their delay.

Then she settled down to endure the next however many hours of the Bad Batch's restlessness.

"Someone's come in." Hunter broke the tense silence.

Ahsoka nodded, feeling two presences enter the building.

"Do you think it's them?" Wrecker asked.

The Force squalled and Ahsoka guided the incoming blaster bolt to the side. It careened into one of Cid's treasures, splitting the spiked wooden weapon in half.

"Look what you did!" Cid said. "Taja, put your kriffing blaster away!"

"Do you know who these men are?" The figure in the doorway said in a harsh Shili accent.

"Yeah, yeah, they're the ones you took the kid from." Cid said. "Listen, they just want to talk. Where's Admani?"

The figure stepped forward and Ahsoka caught her breath. The woman was Togruta, as Crosshair had said. Her skin was a garnet red, interrupted by pale geometric markings. Golden star-shaped markings ran up her creamy lekku and montrals. She was striking and beautiful, but that was not what had taken Ahsoka's breath away.

This woman's lekku had been severed: one right above her collarbone, the other over her breast. The injuries were old, the scarring pale. Ahsoka guessed that some of those scars were from burns, as if the initial wound had been crudely cauterized.

Taja met Ahsoka's gaze and lifted her chin, daring Ahsoka to pity her.

Her pale green eyes flicked back to the clones and her lips twisted in disgust.

"There is nothing to talk about." She said. "The girl is back where she belongs."

"What would you know about where she belongs?" Echo snarled.

"Where'd you take Omega?" Wrecker demanded.

Taja turned her attention to Wrecker and her expression softened. Wrecker didn't care to hide his emotions and Ahsoka was sure that the anxiety and fear he was blaring into the Force was plastered on his face.

Ahsoka could work with that.

"Listen." She said. "I don't know how you transported Omega without her demanding to be taken back the whole way, but I swear to you that she was with these men out of her own choice."

Taja looked back at her.

"And why should I trust you?" She asked. "You seem very comfortable with them. How do I know that you are not lying for their sake?"

Ahsoka hesitated, testing the Force for any danger. Then she stepped forward, reaching her hand forward.

"Ahsoka Tano." She said. "Former Jedi."

Taja's eyebrows flew upward.

"A credible source." She admitted. "But even if I were inclined to help you, it would be pointless. We returned the girl to the Kaminoan at a rendezvous. We have no idea where she went afterward."

"Where was this rendezvous?" Tech asked. Ahsoka was surprised at the desperation in his voice. It wasn't much, but it seemed an enormous amount for the usually reserved commando. "I may be able to create some hypotheses from that information."

It seemed like a longshot to Ahsoka, but Tech was known to do the impossible.

A new presence was approaching. Soon a shadow loomed behind Taja in the doorway. The newcomer was obviously Taja's brother. The markings on his face and lekku matched hers exactly. His lekku, which were whole and unmarred, was the same red as her skin, and his skin the same gold as her lekku. His dark green eyes took in the scene solemnly.

"Taja." He said. Somehow his deep voice fit better the melodic standard of Shili accents. "These are-"

"So you're the bastard who shot me." Crosshair interrupted, eyes gleaming unpleasantly.

Admani, if Ahsoka remembered his name right, met Crosshair's glare defiantly.

"It was not personal." He said. "Unless you wish it to be."

"It was personal the second you targeted Omega." Crosshair spat.

"The girl you kidnapped?" Admani said.

"About that," Cid said, inspecting her claws. "You may want to hear what they've got to say."

Admani's face quickly grew horrified as Hunter tersely explained their relationship with Omega.

"I knew something was wrong." He said. "She kept crying out names-"

Hunter had gone ashen.

"She was calling for us?" He demanded. "What the hell did you do to her?"

"We kept her sedated." Taja said coolly. "A rather humane option, if you ask me. If she had not reacted poorly to the drug, she would have remained unconscious the whole trip."

The room burst aflame with anger. It was to be expected. The Kaminoans had instilled a hatred of sedation and mind altering drugs by their constant testing and experimentation. Ahsoka assumed the Bad Batch would have stronger feelings than most clones.

"You drugged her?" Hunter said.

"What did you use?" Tech said, frantic. "If she had an adverse reaction, it might have long lasting effects-"

Wrecker was projecting distress, and Crosshair and Echo were glaring vibrodaggers at the pair.

Taja was watching their anger with a strange expression. Ahsoka hoped that meant she was beginning to understand how much Omega meant to the Batch.

"Her reaction was mild." She said. "An occasional risk of the substance and I treated it quickly."

If it weren't for her sharp, defensive tone, Ahsoka would have thought that Taja was trying to reassure them.

"I can see she means very much to you." Admani said quietly. "And that we were deceived by this Nala Se."

He stood up tall and looked Hunter in the eyes.

"I am a man of honor." He said. "And I right the wrongs I commit. You have my services until we can retrieve the girl."

Ahsoka blinked, her surprise mirrored in the Force by the Batch.

"Admani!" Taja hissed.

Admani turned to look at his sister.

"We took their sister." He said. "We split their family apart, Taja."

That seemed to have a marked effect on Taja. She stiffened, then looked away.

"Do what you will." She said. "But you're lucky that the Kaminoan paid enough for us to not need a job for a while."

Hunter seemed to have overcome his shock.

"We'd- be glad to have your help." He said. Ahsoka could tell that things were not going the way he had expected. "But you'd likely be put up against the Empire if you work with us."

Both Admani and Taja got a gleam in their eyes.

"We have no qualms about acting against the Empire." Admani said.

"Okay, great." Cid said. Ahsoka had nearly forgotten she was there. "You're a team or whatever. Now someone pay for what you broke and get out."

Tech did not trust these bounty hunters, regardless of their claims. What being in the galaxy would be so willing to help a former enemy? Tech suspected ulterior motives. Perhaps they were still working for Nala Se, and were trying to bring them to her.

Tech almost wished it were so. If they were taken to Nala Se, they could find Omega and Tech doubted that Nala Se had the resources to neutralize the Bad Batch.

In any case, Tech did not know if he could forgive anyone who had drugged his little sister.

Omega had had a bad reaction- and Tech hadn't been there. None of them had been there for her. A now familiar ache tore at Tech's heart. As usual, he tucked it away and focused on what he could do. It wasn't much.

As they left Cid's bar with the bounty hunters in tow, Tech cleared his throat.

"If you are indeed willing to help us," He said. "Then you will provide me with the coordinates where you rendezvoused with Nala Se."

The man, Admani, Tech believed, blinked.

"Yes." He said. "It was on Bora Vio."

Tech took the new information and ran it through his mind. Yes, that was an abandoned facility of the Kaminoans. But- he would have to consider it further- he could not glean any clues from the information, unless Nala Se's hiding place was nearby. He assumed they would keep Nala Se at a research facility, but there weren't any Republic facilities near that location. The closest was halfway across the galaxy. Perhaps- it would be logical for the Empire to create new facilities. There were sure to be individuals in the Rebellion like Tech himself who were aware of the existing Republic facilities. It would be safer to create new ones.

Tech could narrow it down some, using hyperspace lanes and the status of the planet's government.

If that yields nothing, he thought, resigned, I will break every code the Empire has if I need to.

Nothing would be too much to find his sister.

For the first time in a while, Ahsoka was regretting her enhanced Force sensitivity. It meant she could feel every shred of hostility, resentment, suspicion, and pure awkwardness that the inhabitants of the Havoc Marauder were generating.

Crosshair had demanded that one of the siblings come with them on the Marauder as collateral. He, and Ahsoka assumed most of the Batch, did not trust the Desai siblings to not simply flee in their ship. Taja had agreed and was now sitting calmly in one of the crash chairs, enduring stares from most of the ship. Ahsoka felt bad for the young woman. She and her brother had been misled, and despite Taja's own protests, had agreed to right their mistake.

At least Tech wasn't staring at her, absorbed in his work. Fives' gaze seemed more intrigued than hostile as well. He was fond of Omega, but hadn't been part of the initial kidnapping, and he seemed interested in the fact that they had agreed to help them.

"She doesn't seem that bad." He muttered into Ahsoka's montral. "Or her brother. You said Nala Se lied to them?"

Ahsoka nodded.

"Makes sense." Fives said. "Nice of them to help."

Ahsoka nodded vaguely. There was something off in the Force. Something was happening, but she had no idea what.

"Shake me if something happens." She muttered to Fives.

He gave a nod and Ahsoka closed her eyes. She expanded her senses, spreading far beyond the Havoc Marauder and into the larger galaxy. She let the Force guide her focus to a world with billions upon billions of minds. Coruscant.

To her surprise, the Force did not bring her to Palpatine. Instead, Ahsoka felt herself pulled to a more familiar mind.

Padme was in pain, but it was unlike any pain Ahsoka had felt. It came in strange waves and in pressure and cramps. Ahsoka could nearly hear Padme's deep, guttural cries.

Ahsoka instinctually pressed against Padme's mind in an effort to comfort her and found herself joined by another.

It's all right, my angel. Anakin's voice floated to Ahsoka as he spoke to Padme. I'm here. You're doing amazing.

Anakin shouldn't have been able to reach Padme from Yavin, but Ahsoka would worry about that later. For now, they needed to help Padme.

But- Ahsoka found that Padme didn't need help. Padme was pushing now. Ahsoka was in awe as Padme pushed with a strength Ahsoka hadn't known she'd had.

Then Ahsoka was blinded. The universe cried out in unison as a new life came into the world. But it was so different from the scream of despair when men died before their time. This was a shout of joy, of exhilaration. Ahsoka marveled at the gentle child who had taken his first breaths.

Then the next light burst into being. It was just as bright as her brother, but fiercer. The universe welcomed her as they had her brother. Ahsoka felt the joy permeate her, filling her until she felt she would burst.

Luke. Padme's voice was tired, but happy. And Leia.

Ahsoka wanted to sit there with Padme and bathe in these new lights, but pain from her physical form tugged her away.

Be strong, Padme! She called as her mind retreated.

Ahsoka opened her eyes and found most of the ship staring at her with concern, even Crosshair. Fives had his hand on her shoulder, as if worried she would collapse. It wasn't a bad idea; she felt woozy from the raised a hand to her cheeks and found she had been crying.

"I'm okay." She said in a shaky voice. "Just- Force stuff."

The Bad Batch looked at each other before returning to their previous tasks. Taja still stared at Ahsoka with curiosity.

"You need any pain meds?" Fives asked quietly. "You were out of it for a while."

"Please." Ahsoka said.

Along with the pain, she still felt shaky from what she had just experienced.

Fives got up and grabbed the medkit. Crosshair gave him a glare and for a second Ahsoka thought he was going to stop Fives. Instead he huffed and looked back down at his rifle.

"Ask next time." He muttered. "It's not your ship."

Fives ignored the jab and returned to Ahsoka.

"They don't have the pills for some reason." Fives told her as he took out a hypo. "Which is pretty kriffing stupid."

"Wrecker refuses to take them." Tech said, not looking up.

"They hurt going down." Wrecker mumbled.

"It would help if you took them with water." Echo said.

The banter was familiar, but it seemed flat and dull. Omega's absence was a planet sized weight on each of their shoulders. Ahsoka wondered if any of them did not blame themselves.

"Tech!" Hunter called from the cockpit. "We'll be coming out of hyperspace soon!"

To Ahsoka's surprise, Tech made a furious noise and slammed down his datapad.

"Must you interrupt me for everything?" He snapped. "Do you not have the capabilities to land the ship by yourself?"

Even Crosshair's eyes had gone wide at the outburst. Tech was the most collected of the Batch. Ahsoka had never heard him sound so angry. Even when yelling instructions, Tech had the tendency to be more monotone. Not to mention the fact that Tech insisted on being the one to land and take off every time.

Hunter came to the doorway and frowned at Tech.

"So you don't wanna land us." He said.

"No." Tech said. His voice was calmer, but Ahsoka could feel the irritation prickling underneath. "I have work to do."

Hunter shrugged, but he seemed shaken. It was Tech's turn to be gawked at. Crosshair opened his mouth, but Wrecker touched his shoulder and shook his head. Ahsoka agreed. She was afraid that the next person to interrupt Tech would be stabbed by the spears of anger protruding from him.

Ahsoka was glad when she heard the comm beep.

"Identify yourselves."

"Havoc Marauder, returning from personal mission." Hunter said. "Keep an eye out for a modified Ghtroc 720. He's with us."

"It's called the Ai." Taja muttered under her breath.

She got up and the group tensed. Crosshair already had his rifle out.

"I did not think I was a prisoner." Taja said coldly.

"You're not." Ahsoka said with a pointed look.

She was agitated. She wanted to find Rex and tell him what had happened. She tested their bond and found him asleep. Ahsoka cursed under her breath, but it was well into the night here.

Anakin, on the other hand, was waiting for her. He was ablaze with a mob of emotions.

Ahsoka felt the ship land and she turned to Fives.

"Don't let them mistreat those two." She muttered. "I have to go and speak with Anakin."

Fives nodded.

"About the Force stuff." He said.

"Yes." Ahsoka said. "I'll get into contact with you when I can. But it might not be for a while."

She was the first off the ship, bolting into the temple. She found Anakin with Obi Wan in Anakin's quarters. Anakin was sitting tight fisted on the edge of his cot with Obi Wan's hand on his shoulder. He jerked his head up as Ahsoka came in.

"Snips-" He said, before bursting into tears.

Ahsoka hurried forward to pull him into a hug. Anakin clutched her back, shaking.

"Would someone be kind enough to explain what is going on?" Obi Wan asked. "Anakin went into a trance and hasn't said a word since he came out of it."

Ahsoka looked up.

"Padme had the babies." She said. "Luke and Leia."

Obi Wan's eyes widened. For once he seemed like he didn't know what to say. Ahsoka knew how he felt. Was she supposed to congratulate Anakin? Or give her condolences that he couldn't be with his family?

For now she held her Master as he cried. When his sobs subsided, Ahsoka held him at arm's length.

"How did you manage to be there with her?" She asked. "It's lightyears away."

Anakin shrugged, wiping his nose.

"I just- I knew she needed me." He said. "And then-"

He was in danger of breaking down again, she could tell. Then Obi Wan did something Ahsoka had never seen him do. He put his arms around both Anakin and Ahsoka.

"It will be all right, Anakin." He said. "I assume that they are healthy?"

Anakin nodded.

"Then they are safe." Obi Wan said. "Padme is wise and cunning. She will be able-"

"No." Anakin croaked. "No, you don't understand. Before I came back- I could sense Palpatine. He knows. He knows how strong they are."

Ahsoka went cold at his words.

"As long as they're in his reach, they'll never be safe." Anakin whispered.

Obi Wan, trying desperately not to think about Maul, instead tries to help other people with their problems without actually facing his own.

All of the Batch are traumatized! A short tempered Tech is really interesting to me. Hunter and Wrecker are more on the depression side of things while Crosshair and Tech are just angry. Echo is tired.

There's your chapterly Rexsoka tidbit. Don't worry. Next week for Fives Effect is going to have a bunch of Rexsoka and so will the next chapter of this fic.

Cid is a delight to write. I had fun picking nicknames for Ahsoka and Crosshair. I was going to write an actual heist sort of thing for the job she gives them but...I couldn't think of anything and I was excited for the next part.

Taja and Admani are characters I'm excited to explore, especially Taja. She and her brother have gone through some crap but have come out of it fairly triumphant and have overcome a lot of crap. They're both people of morals, and they thought they were doing the right thing when taking Omega from the Bad Batch.

Tech is not handling things well. This will become more apparent soon.

I had to figure out some WONKY Star Wars time math to figure out when the heck the twins could be born. I once spent like two hours mapping out Guilty's timeline so I could keep track of it.

But yay the twins! Boo the Emperor knows exactly where they are!

I think that's everything!

Stay safe, remember to review, and have a good week!