A.N.- Okay, last chapter. Not a long story I know, but if your reach for tissues at the end then I have done my job.
Also big thanks to everyone who read this story, and a Wrecker size thanks to those who reviewed.
Chapter 4 - 9904
Omega was amazed at how fast her brothers grew; she knew that most clones aged much faster than normal, (unlike her). She just never saw it up close and personal before. With a smile on her face she watched her three brothers, Hunter the oldest was a toddler in size, he didn't say much, even in baby speak unlike Tech, who's constant babble filled the room. Wrecker unsurprisingly was still the biggest, but he still had the round pudgy baby look about him, even when he pulled himself upright and ran around like a hooligan.
Right now Hunter sat with Tech in his lap as the youngest brother played with his blocks. Tech had gotten used to his goggles very fast in her opinion, He could see his whole world now and when a block was out of his reach, Hunter would easily bring it closer for him.
Omega thought the eldest brother was copying her when she sat with her brothers. It was adorable and she couldn't help but grin.
"Omega," AZ said to her getting her attention. "It is feeding time."
Nodding her head Omega hurried to get everything prepared for her brothers along with AZ's help. Wrecker clearly knew what time it was hurried to her side and glommed onto her wanting his food. He, like Hunter, had upgraded from just a bottle, and was eating soft food that looked like puréed green or orange slop.
AZ had assured her that it was full of everything a growing clone baby needed to sustain their rapid growth.
She handed the no spill feeding pouch to Wrecker who took it happily. Omega could only imagine how messy was going to get when her brothers upgraded to bowls and spoons. Shaking her head she took one pouch and one bottle to Hunter and Tech.
"Trade you?" Omega asked holding Hunters food pouch out to him.
Hunter gave a nod of the head, 'Ya ya!" He said in his simple baby talk.
Handing over the food pouch Omega smiled as she gathered Tech up into her lap. He was getting bigger too and was able to sit comfortably in her lap now as she held his bottle for him. Tech might not be the most affectionate baby, enjoying his blocks more than cuddles but he had learned to sit quietly and take his bottle from his older sister.
Omega looked at her brothers and couldn't help but think how fast they had grown. Omega was still bigger than they were, but she thought soon they would be the ones to stand taller than her. Omega grinned as she ran her fingers over Tech's soft red hair. She would take care of them, no matter how big they got…
Despite the fact that Omega knew her brothers were growing fast, they still looked to her for comfort and love. Especially when they were scared, Hunter more than the others would come and cuddle with her when there was a thunderstorm outside. Wrecker seemed fearless but when she tried to pick him up, (he was getting big) the strong baby would squirm; he didn't like having his feet off the ground. Tech didn't seem to be afraid of anything; new things fascinated him, now more than ever with his new goggles.
Omega was just burping the little red head when Nala Se came into the room with a new cradle floating behind her. Joy jumped into Omegas chest as she realised her last brother was now here with them. After a surprisingly loud burp form the Tech, Omega set him down to play before hurrying to meet her newest brother.
"This is 9904." Nala Se told her as Omega looked inside the egg shaped cradle.
Grinning Omega looked down at her new brother, he had a fine fuzz of gray hair on top of his head, and his lips set in a pout as his eyes stared at her intently. Unlike Tech, 9904's eyes were steady, focused. There was no indication that he had vision problems. They were squinted though, like when Omega found herself squinting as the sun reflected back on the open water.
"Hello grumpy face." Omega said grinning down at him.
9904 let out a sudden wailing cry and Omega winced, backing up.
Nala Se merely sighed. "Remember Omega, Babies cry." She told the young clone girl, but it was clear that the noise also got to the Kaminoan. "I will leave you to …settle him." She left a little quicker than normal.
Omega sighed heavily and looked back down at him. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, don't cry." She pleaded with him and offered the baby her finger which he batted away.
Trying not to be upset at the baby's rejection, Omega tried rocking the cradle a little. 9904's wails intensified, she wanted to pick him up but every time she reached for him he would swat at her hands.
Omega was starting to get upset herself but tried to remain calm. She was determined to fix this, there was something wrong and she needed to fix it. So focused on 9904 wails and his rejection she didn't realise that Hunter had come over and was standing on his tiptoes to peer down at his new brother.
"Ah ah!" Hunter opened his mouth calling to his bigger brother form across the way. They had a language all their own. Wrecker hurried over and flopped down on the floor next to Hunter who climbed onto his back.
Omega didn't even realize what was happening until Hunter crawled into the crib next to 9904 and wrapped his brother in a hug, his little arms shielding 9904's face form view.
The wailing stopped, and only a little whimper could be heard as Hunter held him close.
Blinking Omega stared down at the two brothers; she had been on the verge of panic. None of the others had rejected her like that before. But seeing Hunter cuddling his brother Omega sighed with relief.
Now that it was quiet, Omega was trying to think of why 9904 was crying before, the only real difference other then the hug was that 9904's eyes were hidden now. She looked around the room and wondered then if the lights were too bright for the baby. His eyes had been so big…
"AZ, can you lower the lights by …10%?" She asked the droid.
The lights dimmed a little, she watched as Hunter loosened his grip. 9904 blinked his eyes open then and did not cry as he looked at Hunter then at Omega who was still peering down at him.
His face was less pouty then and Omega sighed with relief. "You got super sensitive eyes." She told him softly. "Sorry…" She reached out again and this time he griped her finger instead of swatting it away.
Relief flowed inside of her and she looked to Hunter, "You're a good brother." She told Hunter and he smiled at her, maybe he understood or he was just happy to see her smile. Omega liked to think he understood, that he knew he was the oldest of his brother's and that he needed to care for them like Omega was.
"Would you like to meet your brothers now?" She asked 9904. He just blinked at her and Omega took that for a yes. She picked Hunter out of the crib first; he was getting heavy for her. They were growing up so fast.
Carefully Omega gathered 9904 up into her arms and carried him over to the play mat. She sat with him in her lap and her other three brothers crowded around her. Hunter by her side leaning his head on her shoulder as he reached out and gently stroked his soft silver gray hair. Wrecker sat on her other side and he would poke at 9904's toes because the little silver haired clone seemed to be ticklish. Sitting in front of Omega staring intently at his new brother was Tech, not touching but just staring wide eyed as if trying to figure out what to do with him.
Taking care of 9904 was actually a lot easier then Omega thought it would be. At first it had been hard, he seemed to cry, much like Hunter did, for no reason.
Days later She actually found a solution by accident, or Hunter did. Hunter still enjoyed a bottle like Wrecker did, but mostly the two had upgraded to non-spill pouches. Today he had a bottle and he was just finishing it up, Hunter was just sitting next to 9904's crib.
The new brother was crying, loudly. He had just finished his bottle, been changed, burped, the whole 9 yards and still he cried.
Omega wondered if she should just stuff her ears with pillows.
But Hunter took cap off his empty bottle and popped the nipple into 9904's mouth. The noise stopped as Omega watched 9904 began to suck on the nipple. After that she made AZ get a soother for the newest member of their family.
Hunter seemed to know what to do with his brothers whenever they were upset. The eldest boy would sit with his youngest brother in his lap looking out the window on clear days. 9904 really seemed to like those moments. He liked it less when Omega tried to feed him or when the AZ changed his nappy. He would always try to get away.
Omega though was only grateful to have Hunters help with him. For some reason the two really seemed to like each other. Hunter was big enough now that he was no longer crawling, but still too young to speak properly. He would make sounds, point or pout. Omega got the jist of it, and so did his brothers who, other than Tech, weren't much into talking either.
Looking over to the two brothers sitting in the big round egg shaped chair staring out the window as Omega came with a bottle in hand. She smiled looking down at 9904, he always had a pout on his face but his eyes were wide and he was getting a sprig of silver white hair coming in on top of his head.
"Can I sit with you two?" She asked, the seat was big enough for all three of them. And she wanted to try something with her new brother.
Hunter smiled and scotched over in the seat allowing Omega to climb in beside them. Once settled with the bottle in her hand she reached over and pulled the soother form 9904's mouth and the young clone began to fuss before Omega could get the bottle in to replace it.
Sitting in Hunters lap with Omega holding the bottle, 9904 eat without much fuss this time around. Even as he eat 9904's eyes were staring out the big picture window, watching things that seemed to be too far away for even Omega to see.
Hunter ran his hand over 9904 soft hair and kissed the top of his head. Omega grinned watching them. She couldn't help but think they looked so cute together. She wondered as they sat together what his name was going to be.
Whatever it was going to be she couldn't wait to find out.
With Four brothers to look after Omega found she couldn't spend as much time with each as she wanted to. She made sure each was fed and clean, but playing with them had taken a hit. Not only was she exhausted, but the boys were growing into their own personalities.
Tech was so absorbed in the workings of things that he almost succeeded in taking apart AZ as the droid had powered down to recharge. If Omega hadn't stopped him and ended up giving him her Data pad to distract the baby AZ would have been in parts by now.
Wrecker loved to destroy things. He would run around the room at top speed, he was almost as tall as Omega now at her unimpressive height of a five year old. She spent most of her time chasing him and that just made the game of destruction more fun for him.
Hunter was thankfully her right hand man…boy. He would fallow her around and help clean up or take care of his newest brother 9904, while Omega dealt with the other two. She always tried to make time to thank him and tell him he was a good boy for looking after his brothers.
Her newest charge was harder to figure out but Omega thought that was because she hadn't had the time to spend with him.
He was being fussy one day, even with his soother in his mouth; he kept throwing away the toys she tried to give him. He didn't like any of them, not the stuffed tooka cat, not the blocks with numbers or letters, not even the brightly colored top.
Even sitting in Hunters lap hadn't settled the youngest.
Omega sighed and as a last resort she gave him the soft squishy ball hoping at lest if he threw it, the ball wouldn't hurt anyone.
And Throw it he did, Right at the back of Wrecker's head.
Wrecker, who had been piling up the abounded toys, turned and looked at 9904. The silver haired baby waved his hands and wriggled in Hunters lap. There was delight in his eyes and he pointed to the ball that had bounced away.
Wrecker picked up the ball and returned it to the baby as Omega sat and watched. As Wrecker returned to his toys, 9904 threw his ball again hitting the seconded oldest in the back of the head again.
Omega's eyebrows shot up into her hair line as Wrecker stared at the baby.
The ball bounced away and Hunter snagged it as it rolled by. He was about to give it back to his youngest brother, who was reaching for it, when Omega stopped him.
"Hold up Hunter." she told him.
Omega suddenly had an idea and she grinned as she jumped up and ran to the blocks. Tech was no longer interested in the blocks anymore, so she didn't fear he would be upset. She began to set them up, stacking three and four high.
She stepped back, "Okay, give him the ball now."
Hunter nodded his head and gave 9904 his ball.
The youngest clone brother seemed to give Hunter a dirty look for keeping his ball away from him for so long. But he took the ball and threw it at the blocks Omega had set up.
Omega caped her hands together as the first set of blocks fell over, she retrieved the ball and gave it to 9904 again. She was amazed at how good he was. He would throw the ball, weather it bounced or rolled or hit the blocks first time, the ball would knock the blocks over and 9904 would clap his hands happily.
She had to steal the data pad back form Tech for a bit, so she could get a video of little 9904 sitting in Hunters lap, soother in mouth as he threw the ball at the blocks, knocking them over. Tech wasn't impressed with her. He kept reaching for the data pad back so Omega gathered him in her lap. She let him hold the data pad to record the image with only a little guidance form Omega.
Omega was smiling happily very content. Wrecker came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders and leaned over to look at the image they captured.
She couldn't help but think they found 9904's gifts. He was amazing and Omega couldn't be prouder of him.
With Techs help, Omega had taken to recording the little things that the brothers did. When they were all together they were so cute. Tech was usually behind the data pad with her but she had been able to get a couple of shots with the red head in with his brothers.
It was a late afternoon; her brothers were all quiet as a soft rain splashed against the windows outside. Hunter sat with 9904 in his lap as the youngest watched the water refract the light into rainbows. Wrecker for once was not tearing around the place; he had found black, white, and red Tooka-cat stuffy in his arms and looked like he was falling asleep. Tech was sitting on the floor using the data pad to capture the rainbows that splashed across the floor.
A quiet day, Omega smiled as she watched them, it was nice. Being as young as she was, Omega hadn't yet developed the apprehension of the 'Quite before the Storm.'
She just basked in the moment thinking it would stay like this forever, or at least until one of the brothers got upset or hungry.
Omega lay down next to Wrecker and the big boy leaned against her using his stuffed Tooka cat as a pillow. She was just enjoying the moment with her brothers when the door opened and Nala Se stepped inside.
Blinking Omega pushed herself up as she looked to the Kaminoan.
"Nala Se," She cocked her head to the side, Omega felt a strange feeling in her gut, she didn't know what it was but it was reminiscent of when she had a tummy bug.
"Omega," Nala Se nodded her head to the clone girl. "9901 and 9902 are old enugh to be placed in the main nursery." She told her.
Omegas eyes widened, "But, but Hunter-um 9901, always helps me with his youngest brother." She gestured to the two sitting together.
"He has clearly demonstrated that he is ready to move on." Nala Se told her, "9902 is, although not mentally mature, his physical body can be trained."
Omega opened her mouth and closed it again.
"B-But they will be sad," Was the only thing she could think to say. She didn't want them to go; Omega couldn't tell Nala Se that she would be sad without them.
Even that comment made the tall long necked Kaminoan frown at her. Feelings were not something that the Clone Creators really tolerated or even understood of their Clones.
"Omega," Nala Se looked at her. "Clones are created for a purpose." She told her with a frown, "Even you have a purpose. I believe this has been a mistake on my part…"
"W-What?" Omegas lips wobbled a little.
"The responsibility is too much for you, it is time you resume your studies under my tutelage and the 9900 clones will be sent to the main nursery." The Kaminoan stared down at Omega with her big black unfeeling eyes. "I will go now to make arrangements."
Omega stared after Nala Se as the tall kaminoan left and the door shut behind her. Big fat tears began falling from her eyes, wiping them away angrily she looked to her brothers. She couldn't leave them…no …they were leaving her.
Sniffing she hurried over to them, Hunter and 9904 were sitting in the big egg shaped set. Omega picked Tech up and placed him in there with them. Confused but content as long as he had his data pad Tech just sat beside Hunter.
Trying to control her tears Omega looked at Wrecker who was sitting up and looking at her as he held his stuffed toy.
"Come on Wrecker; let's sit with your brothers." She held her hand out to him and he took it and hurried to follow her into the egg shaped chair.
Omega sat with Wrecker on one side of her and the Hunter with his youngest brother in his lap and Tech against his side. She wrapped her arms around them and held her brothers close. She sniffed and leaned her head down so it rested on top of Hunters soft brown hair. She breathed in the scent of him and tried not to cry.
Omega was a child and tears came anyway.
She wanted to remember this moment with them; she couldn't help but feel if she clung just a little tighter she wouldn't lose them. Omega loved them all, each in their own different way.
CT-9904, didn't have a name yet but she thought he was so close to getting one. She loved him even with his grumpy face and tendency to cry when she fussed over him. She thought he would make a good marksman with his keen eyes and ability to hit the target no matter what…
Tech, wonderfully inquisitive and so smart, she couldn't wait to hear what he had to say about the world. He was starting to repeat words she had been teaching him but mostly he still babbled in baby talk. She remembered how interested he was in numbers and facts. Reaching out she curled her fingers in his reddish hair and gave it a twirl on top.
Then there was Wrecker, her big strong boy. He was almost as big as she was now and lived up to his name. She leaned close and kissed the top of his head, he still just had a big of soft fuzz coming in a mousy brown colour. He might be big but he was a softy at heart, always running to one of his brothers if they cried. He loved to cuddle with stuffed toys and gave hugs that would knock the wind out of Omega. She hoped he didn't lose that quality…
Last, her little Hunter, Omega knew how he loved his brothers. He would follow her around as she looked after each of them. She thought out of all of them she would miss him the most. He had been her first brother, the first one to look up at her with love and trust. She worried about him the most because she knew he was a sensitive soul, she didn't want to see him hurt because of the world around him.
As if sensing her unhappiness Hunter looked up at her with his big brown eyes. Omega tried to smile at him but it was hard. He leaned close to her wrapped one arm around her back giving her a hug.
"Oh Hunter," She sniffed, "I'm gonna miss you most." She whispered to him. "You got to look after your brothers, okay?" She wasn't sure if he knew what she was saying.
But she needed him to know, "You're the big brother, you have to take care of them, that is your job, they need you." She kissed the top of his head, "I'll find you again, and don't you worry. You're strong, smart and…and I love you…" she sniffed again as more tears flowed from her eyes. "I love you all."
Hunter looked up at her and leaned close to give her a kiss on the cheek.
"Love 'Mega," He said to her, Like Tech he had been leaning words too, but unlike the talkative brother he only seemed to speak when he had to.
Omega smiled at him, "Yeah Hunter, I love you." She kissed his forehead and pulled him close to her.
Hunter leaned into her hug; she didn't want to let them go because she knew all too soon Nala Se would be back for them.
She made a promise to herself right then, Omega was going to make sure she looked after them even if they didn't know she was there. She was their big sister after all; even if they grew up faster than she did Omega was going to make sure she was with them again.
All too soon Nala Se came back into the room fallowed by four other Kaminoans Omega didn't know. Omega wiped her eyes and knew that Nala Se wouldn't be moved by her tears.
It felt like her heart was braking as the first Kaminoan came forwards and picked 9904 up out of Hunters lap and carried him to the door. The next picked up Tech and he fussed as his data pad was left behind. The Kaminoan who came for Wrecker didn't pick him up as the others had done but took his hand and pulled him along. Wrecker would not let go of his stuffed toy and he looked back at Omega as he was lead away.
Before the last Kaminoan came close Omega wrapped her arms around Hunter and hugged him close. She hoped he remembered her words, and if not that then she wanted him to remember her love. The Kaminoan frowned at her, even Nala Se who was very tolerant of Omega's moods frowned.
Reluctantly she let go of him and the Kaminoan reached out and took Hunters hand and pulled him form Omegas side.
She watched them go feeling like a piece of her hart was leavening, no not just a part, but four pieces of her hart. She wiped her eyes and sniffed.
Nala Se stood and looked at her for a moment before leavening with the four clone brothers and their new handlers.
The door shut and Omega couldn't stop the sob that escaped her lips. She couldn't help the big fat tears as she tried to wipe them away. She looked around the room to distract herself she spied the data pad that Tech was always interested in.
Picking it up she curled up in the big empty chair and began watching the images that she and Tech had taken. A sad smile touched her lips as she watched them.
Omega would see them again one day, she promised herself this.
She wasn't going to be left behind, Omega was going to find her brothers and they would be a family again.
Omega looked out the window and set a determined look onto her young face. She would be with them again, she promised herself.
End.
N.A-Okay, was that sad? Did I hit the feels?
Also, I did not Name Crosshair (CT-9904) because I couldn't figure out how to give a baby the name Crosshair with out it being wired.
AND Hunter and his brothers will go on in their own story, so keep an eye out for it in the future.
Again Thank you for reading.
