So, originally I thought S2 would drop at the end of the month and planned a double upload to celebrate. Alas, that did not happen, but al least y'all get a double upload! Ch 3 has a bit of a feels section as I'm alone with Tech, but the mood is lifted when the Batch returns with gifts! I also draw on my seven days at sea for water color description lol. Ch. 4 is a lovely infodump and sets the stage for the rest of the book before Shadow gets a bit protective and goes mildly feral for the boys. As usual, Cross is into that.

CW for Ch 3&4: Bittersweet reminiscence, missing old friends, horny Twiggers.

I knew the Marauder was bigger than in the show, at least on the inside, but dang! There was a lot hidden in this ship. My favorite had to be the crawl space above the back hall, bunk room, and main cabin, and I definitely saw myself hiding up there in the future. I loved the boys to the furthest reaches of the known and unknown universe, but I still needed alone time; there were just some sides of my crazy that I wasn't comfortable with anyone seeing.

"Well?" Tech chirped, grinning ear to ear as he led me back into the cockpit. "What did you think?"

"I'm shook!" I laughed, sitting across from him in one of the chairs. I glanced around the cockpit, admiring the different lights and sensors covering the walls and console. "This is different from the show, and definitely different from my home planet's tech."

"You mentioned you do not even have hyperspace on this… Earth?" Tech asked.

"We barely have space flight," I replied with a flick of my tail as I tapped on a random blinky light. "We've only ever had humans on our moon and it was nothing permanent."

Tech blinked rapidly for a moment, shaking his head in amazement. "I cannot fathom… And humans are the only sentient species on Earth?"

"Yeah. Well, not really." I shrugged. "There are many other animals that, like, pass the mirror test which proves self-awareness or whatever. But as far as species that can build advanced technology or harness electricity for technology, yeah. We're it."

A real pity, too. Were there more species on earth of human intelligence, perhaps things wouldn't be so fucked environmentally. Or, at least, a species with more advanced senses wouldn't have made coal the main energy source for technology. Or, maybe Earth just needed different groups of humans in charge.

Tech tapped away on his datapad that I swore he didn't have a second ago. "You at least have some form of primitive spacecraft, right?" he asked almost desperately.

"Yeah! Just nowhere near as advanced as this." I now ran my hand over the dash, frowning at the pale clawmarks from earlier. "Sorry about dentin' your baby."

Tech eyed the indentions with a frown. "We will work on your trauma, do not worry."

"I got clinical anxiety, Tech," I said with a tired smile and flick of my tail. "I always worry."

He faced me and sat straight, lifting his chin. "I shall devise a way to mitigate that."

He said it with such conviction, such faith, I was half inclined to believe he actually could find a way to manage my anxiety. And who knew, maybe he could. Aside from having a super computer for a brain, he also had advanced science spanning millennia to back him up. Maybe, too, they had better medication and actually knew how it affected your brain aside from just hoping for the best. They had working AI, after all. Not to mention the success rate and efficiency of cybernetics, especially when it came to delicate ones like eyes.

Maybe he really could come up with something.

"Can't wait to see it, Techie."

He smiled. "Now that you are one of us, I shall also teach you how to fly the Marauder in case of emergency. I am certain the others will teach you in their areas of expertise as well."

Andddd good feeling's gone.

I grimaced, ears back as my hopeful feeling wilted. "Err, you sure you want to turn me loose with the ship?" I asked uncertainly, tail tip furiously twitching. "What if I mess up?"

"Messing up is a part of learning, Shadow," Tech assured me, once again speaking with that matter-of-fact tone. "However, I will only let you do small test flights in areas with minimal hazards to lower the risk of permanent damage."

I scratched my arm. "Any chance at a simulator first?" I asked, voice slightly whiny.

"We do not have that capability, and I do not think it wise to take you to Kamino to use the facilities there."

A low growl rumbled in my throat and my fur bristled. "Good call," I muttered, the pitch of my voice dropping as fury blazed within my chest. "I'd go on a rampage at the very sight of one of those longneck bastards."

After what they did to my boys? To all clones, really? That'll teach them not to treat these men like lab rats. Percussive maintenance always works.

"I would expect nothing less, you are very protective of us all," Tech quipped.

I chuckled and leaned back, crossing my arms. "Damn straight."

"Which could be problematic in the future."

I acknowledged the comment with a nod and tail flick. "Also true."

"But, for test flights, I will be there the entire time for when you make a mistake."

My ears stood up. "When? Thanks for the confidence boost."

"I am only being honest!" he defended. "You are a novice at flight, and completely unfamiliar with any technology from this universe. It is only logical to assume that you will mess up." He frowned. "Or, ah, you were being sarcastic, weren't you?"

I nodded. "Yeah, but don't beat yourself up. Some people get sarcasm, others don't. Ain't your fault."

"At least you are more accommodating of this than Crosshair," Tech grumbled, crossing his arms.

"I can imagine," I chuckled. "He, like, runs on sarcasm when not being a spiteful bastard."

"It certainly is his preferred method of communication," Tech agreed, then stood. "But, about the ship. I assure you, I have complete faith in you! It is just your ship handling skills that I doubt."

I frowned lopsidedly. "Hey, I steered a ship ten times this size!" I defended. "Only it was in open water. And it was only for a little bit. But nuance."

"The cargo ship you briefly served on with those sailors in the other universe."

I nodded, playfulness tempered by bittersweet nostalgia. "Aye."

"What was the ship's name?"

"The Karaboudjan. Loosely translates to 'Black Spirit', ironically."

I know too much about Tintin movie trivia.

"You miss them, don't you?" Tech asked gently, tilting his head. "The members of the crew whom you befriended."

"Understatement," I sighed, then stood and looked out the viewport.

The edge of the sea was just visible in the distance, the vibrant turquoise water contrasting well with the lush green landscape. Yet farther out, I knew the water would turn a deep, rich blue as the continental shelf dropped off and the sea floor plummeted. Or perhaps, if it was cloudy yet not windy, the sea might be closer to gray than blue and resemble glass. Should a storm appear, the water may become a foreboding and frothy green as the harsh winds whipped up massive swells.

That was one thing being at sea taught you; the ocean would never be the same color twice.

"Shadow?" Tech asked softly.

Eyes still on the distant horizon, I continued, "Those boys will always hold a special place in my heart, aye. It's thanks to that fandom I got into writing, my main hobby, in the first place. Not to mention my hyperfixation of cargo ships. Without them, don't reckon I would have become the writer I am today. Many of my characters stem from 'em." My gaze dropped to the console as my vision blurred. "Hurt like hell when I woke up."

"Woke up?" Tech asked, coming to my side.

I wiped my tears with my arm as one dripped off my nose. "It was after the main events of the movie- er, holo film. I'd altered things so the sailors didn't all get arrested after, ya know, basically becomin' pirates and tryin' to kill numerous people. We were headed to a port to pick up some cargo and I went to sleep like I had for the past week and a half or so."

Emotion closed my throat and I had to stop. I hadn't ever let myself process what exactly happened. I couldn't let myself. In reality, no one would believe me about what happened and would probably just tell me I'd been dreaming. And I certainly hadn't had time to revisit the trauma after landing in this fandom. But, now…

"You do not have to continue," Tech assured me. "Please, if it brings you pain, you do not have to put yourself through this."

"No, Tech. I need… I want someone to know." I met his gaze, his face blurring through my tears. "But if you are annoyed-"

"Absolutely not!" he said quickly. "I just do not know how to properly comfort you. This isn't my- Wrecker is the one who supplies emotional comfort."

"I mean." I sniffled and wiped my nose on my arm again. "Just talkin' about it helps."

"Then I shall listen."

I smiled weakly. "So, I… I went to sleep. When I opened my eyes again… it was all gone. I woke up in my own time, in my bed, as if it had all been nothing but a dream." I looked down and reached under the edge of my shirt, running my fingers along the two blade scars. "Even these had vanished. I wondered if it really had been just a dream."

"I am… sorry you did not get a chance to say goodbye to them," Tech said, hesitantly reaching out. "I wish we could get you back to them."

I shook my head, gaze back on the console. "I wouldn't be with y'all." I paused. "And I love y'all."

"Did you not love them?"

"I did," I replied quietly. "They were like family to me. Rowdy brothers, chaotic cousins, and murderous uncles. But, realistically, I couldn't have stayed with them. Besides." I forced my head up and attempted a smile. "The Clone Wars was a special interest and hyperfixation far longer than that universe. Runnin' around with clone troopers? Younger me would never pass it up. You have no idea how many fantasies I kept myself amused with when playing on my own. For most of my childhood, ninety percent of my play schemes were Star Wars related."

"But you still grieve for the friendships lost with the sailors," Tech said gently.

"Yeah." I wiped my eyes again. "But what is grief if not love persisting?"

Tech blinked. "That is quite poetic."

"Don't credit me, I stole it from another fandom," I joked, voice catching in my throat as my lower lip quivered.

"Even so. You have my condolences and I am here if you ever need a distraction from your grief."

I smiled sadly. "Thanks, Techie." I shifted my weight, ears half back in uncertainty. "Mind a hug?"

He opened his arms.

Stepping in, I wrapped my arms tightly around his back. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, I croaked, "I just miss them so fucking badly." I hugged him tighter. "I never… never even got to say goodbye."

And, perhaps, that's what hurt the most.

Had I known, had I been warned, I would have made that last day count. I would have…

Hell, I didn't know what I would have done. Cry, maybe? Avoid sleep until I finally passed out from exhaustion? Curse the universe about how unfair it all was? Fret and worry about the inevitable until I made myself sick?

If I did know what day was my last, would I even have truly enjoyed it?

A hand hovered over my back before gently stroking it. "I understand your pain," Tech said softly, slowly pulling us down to the floor. "I feel similarly about my batchmates. Or, at least, the one I remember."

I curled my tail around us both and huddled close to him. "What… what was his name?"

"Gears. He, like me, had a brilliant mind and was gifted in all things science or engineering. We were unmatched by all other cadets and our intellect was a source of great pride for the Kaminoans who attended us. One day, after an intensive exam, he disappeared. Even when I hacked the records, I found no mention of him. I grieved for him, and sometimes still do. But, like you, had I stayed with him I would never have formed my new squad. It was after his disappearance that I was placed with Hunter. Eventually, Crosshair and Wrecker joined us and our squad was formed." He paused for a breath, burying his face into my neck. "I do wonder, sometimes, how things may have gone had he not disappeared."

"I'm sorry, Tech." I hugged him tighter, not caring about the way his goggles bit into my skin. "Thought I had it bad."

"You do." He pulled back and held my gaze. "I did not tell you that story to negate your pain. I merely wanted to show you that you are not alone with your pain and I can understand how it hurts you."

I managed a weak laugh. "Know how that is."

"I am glad." He paused. "May I ask about your planet? To distract us both?"

I flicked my tail. "Can't guarantee I'll be as lively as I was on the trail before things got dark af, but fire away."

"Af?"

"As fuck."

He made a face. "Ah."

"Sorry," I apologized. "Know you don't like cussin'."

"It is alright. That is a way you vent emotions and I will certainly not hinder that."

"Definitely a coping mechanism of mine," I agreed. "A bad one at that. But c'est la vie."

"Surely you must have some healthy coping mechanisms?" Tech said.

"Writing. Sometimes." I rubbed the back of my neck. "It can get pretty angsty and depressin' at times, though."

Sorry Scarlett. And Thatcher And Skipper. And Williams. And Ace. And Kent. And Henry. And Silver. And Winston. And Horet. And Alphia. And… literally everyone else. Ain't nobody happy in Shad's stories. Least of all my own damn self.

"Can you tell me more about your world?" Tech asked, petting my tail. "Kelusia, right?"

"Aye. What do you want to know?"

"Everything."

I chuckled. "Everything, huh? We'd be here for days."

"I would gladly listen to you speak about your stories for days."

My cheeks darkened, the comment giving me the warm fuzzies. "Have no idea how much that means to me, Techie."

He smiled. "You allow me to ramble. I shall do the same for you."

"Alright," I laughed, spirits rising. "Ramblin' time it is."

-nnnnn-

Sergeant Hunter, honestly, felt a little ridiculous.

Here they all were, bringing gifts to Shadow as if the Realm Walker were some monarch to be appeased. It wasn't that Hunter didn't plan to treat their partner like royalty, far from it, but three armored Republic commandos carrying a various assortment of items that were clearly not mandatory back to their ship had to be a spectacle. Commandos on this side of the galaxy were rare enough given the war didn't really reach this far, and they weren't exactly normal looking soldiers to begin with.

Hunter felt dozens of eyes peering at them curiously, and at least a handful maliciously.

That supply officer among them. Only the threat of reporting him made him cooperate. Hunter hated pulling rank like that, but they needed supplies. They were headed to the literal unknown, for who knew how long, so they needed to stock up all they could. He didn't have the luxury of being nice, especially not with all the unknown variables looming over his head like a Kaminoan hurricane.

He trusted Shadow with his life, and his heart, but that kernel of doubt stubbornly lingered. No one had gone where they were about to venture. Not even Shadow themselves. The squad had flown in blind to situations before, but that didn't mean Hunter liked doing so. There was no way of knowing what could happen once they left the known regions.

Perhaps nothing would happen. Perhaps all would go perfectly according to plan. Perhaps it would be an easy in and out mission. Perhaps they would encounter no resistance, no magic, no setbacks, no catastrophes.

The past few days pointed to the other end of the spectrum, however.

Did he regret taking Shadow onboard as part of the team? No. But did he worry about the uncertainty that came along with the Realm Walker? Absolutely. Afterall, Shadow was a magnet for chaos.

He climbed the stairs and was greeted with Shadow setting up the team holoboard in the main cabin with Tech's help. They must have finished the tour while Hunter and the others were gone.

As he entered, the Realm Walker turned to meet him. A slight puffiness around their eyes, as well as a bloodshot look in the barely visible whites, suggested Shadow may have been crying but Hunter could hardly be sure. Especially when they greeted him with a wide smile. "Howdy, Shaggy! You're just in time for the briefing!"

"Briefing?" he echoed as Crosshair and Wrecker joined him in the ship.

"Aye!" Shadow grinned and flicked their tail towards Tech. "Inspector Gadget here wanted to get the low down on Kelusia and I want to ramble about my creations so he's helpin' me set up…" They frowned and gestured at the holoboard. "Whatever this thingy is."

"Holoboard," Tech supplied, jumping up to stand beside Shadow. "It will allow you to draw or write anything you need."

"Neat!" Shadow then noticed the gifts and cocked their head to the side. "Supplies?"

Maker, they're cute when they do that.

"Got 'em for you, Squeak!" Wrecker said with a grin, passing Shadow and laying his gifts out on the table.

Shadow's ears perked up and they trotted over. "Wait, they're all for me?"

"Yeah!"

Shadow grinned. "Thanks!" They scanned the items, head tilting this way and that before picking up the carved Varactyl. "What critter is this?"

"Varactyl," Tech replied, looking over Shadow's shoulder. "A species of giant reptavian herbivores native to the world of Utapau. They typically have blue and green crests and feather ridges along their backs, and are incredibly loyal and obedient mounts. They are fearless and willing to jump down perilous slopes if asked to by their rider. With their strong, long strides and bounds, they can easily navigate the uneven and vertical surfaces of their homeworld. The creature's soul is simpler than that of a sentient, but they are still intelligent in their own way."

Always ready with facts.

"Ah!" Shadow picked up the tooka doll. "This is a tooka, right?"

"Yeah!" Wrecker said with a grin.

"Like Lula!"

Wrecker gasped. "You know about Lula?"

"Aye!" Shadow laughed. "She's your stuffed tooka! Cute as hell."

"Brought Meilooruns," Crosshair said, stepping forward with the two fruits as Wrecker excitedly ran to get the plushie.

Shadow's face lit up. "Gimme!" They took one and held it in their hands with a smile.

"Shadow?" Hunter asked when the Alphian just stared at it.

Expression not changing, Shadow looked up. "I have no idea how to eat this."

"Will wash it," Crosshair said, taking the fruit and heading to the kitchenette sink.

While he was busy and before Wrecker got back, Hunter quickly stepped forward with the gauntlets. "Got these for you."

Shadow gasped and snatched them from his hands. "Armor! Fuck yeah!"

Their excitement warmed Hunter's chest. They approved of his gift!

Quickly sliding them on, Shadow adjusted them and ran their fingers along the top of one. "Now I just gotta paint two nines and it'll be complete!"

"I'll help with that!" Wrecker said, grinning ear to ear as he arrived with Lula. "Need to touch up my armor too!"

"There she is!" Shadow said, taking the plushie. "And hell yeah! Paint time!"

"Not on the ship, you two," Hunter scolded, yet he couldn't hide his smile.

Shadow was fitting in just fine. Give it a week and they'd all be a well oiled machine, working together as if they'd been a team from the very outset. Shadow would need weapons training, of course, as well as a rundown of their different tactics, but they'd all be more than happy to train the Realm Walker. Hunter planned to cover the tactics and melee combat, since those were his areas of expertise. Tech would no doubt train Shadow in the technical aspects, while Wrecker covered heavy weapons and Crosshair taught them everything he knew about firearms.

It went without saying, however, that Hunter planned a bit more than training in his sessions. Only this time, Trevor would not be around to thwart his plans.

Crosshair came back, carrying the fruit. "Here."

Passing Lula back to Wrecker, Shadow eagerly took the Meiloorun and gave it a sniff before taking a bite. Of all the reactions, Hunter did not expect Shadow to moan.

Wrecker's eyes widened. "Did you just moan?"

"It's heaven in a pod, ok?!" Shadow defended, clutching the fruit to their chest as they flushed bright red.

"Didn't know you made that sound," Crosshair teased, raising an eyebrow at the flustered Realm Walker.

I sure did.

Wrecker laughed. "Oh, they make lots of sounds!"

"Can you not?!" Shadow squeaked, an exaggerated look of comical terror on their face.

"Aw, but I love horny Shadow!" Wrecker said, shoving the Realm Walker.

Hunter had to agree. Especially when he was alone with them. Shadow's more sexual side was something he'd only tasted, and the commando yearned for a chance to explore it more thoroughly. He just wished he could do so without people interrupting them every five seconds.

"Horny Shadow is currently away," Shadow said, swatting Wrecker's arm. "Worldbuilder Shadow is here and wants to infodump."

"I look forward to hearing about it!" Tech said, glaring at them.

Hunter knew, however, that Tech was just as curious about Shadow's sexual side as the rest of them, even if it wasn't for the same reason. The man no doubt planned to use Shadow, as long as they were willing, to experiment how pleasure worked in an AFAB alien.

"I look forward to tellin'!" Shadow glanced at Hunter, ears lopsided. "Supplies comin'?"

"We got some time to kill," he said with a shrug, still thinking about that sound they'd made earlier. "Tell away, Icy."

Shadow grinned and took their fruit with them as they stood by the board. "Gents. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show."

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