Some chickens crossed the road
Straying far from the hen
Five reached the side one step below Zen
One was a female, four were mad men
Who moved on, moved on, moved on
Joined hands and moved on

"I am aware that you miss him, but we have to adapt and move on." ~ Tech

stop right there! first you need to read my story "Underneath It All" which takes place during season 1 of The Bad Batch.
Then read "Simple Kind of Life" that takes place during season 2.
But disregard the epilogue! That epilogue was written before season 3 was released and it leads you to the wonderful alternate universe that i have created with my dear friend Lux's Sister entitled "Defect".
THEN if you're all caught up, this story begins right where season 3 picks up, with all the tragedy and waiting around for news of absent friends.

In the morning I wake up

And in the night I sleep

Since the day that I was born

Repeat, repeat, repeat

Brought to this life

Born to this life

Where was I before

Non-existent, not at all

Will I ever know

Today is my birthday

And I get one every year

And some day

Hard to believe

But I'll be buried six feet underground

When I woke up in the med center I was alone and my legs didn't work and they told me both of the twins had been killed…

Genna woke, gasping for breath. For a moment she didn't know where she was or what it was that had awoken her. She surely wasn't in the Iziz medical center where she had received the news of her brothers' death.

She stretched her legs which were half uncovered from the sheets that were tangled from her tossing and turning in the night. Nor was she in the med center on Kuat where she had regained the use of her lower extremities. She hadn't been alone then. Tech had been there holding her hand.

She sat up too quickly causing a momentary dizziness and remained perched on the edge of the bed, surveying her surroundings while her head ceased to spin. This was likewise not the bedroom in the house where she had grown up with her brothers near Malgan Market. She had shared that bed with her husband only once even though they hadn't done anything that night.

The bed she occupied now was quite empty.

Then she heard a soft cry and Genna knew what it was that had woken her. Her own twins were alive and well. They were her only real reason for getting up in the morning, any morning. And yet it wasn't a desperate, sad or angry cry.

An almost identical jabbering answered the first. The twins at least had each other. They would keep each other busy for a while yet, long enough for their mother to fully rise and get dressed, before their vocalizations became a competition for her attention, a change, and a feeding.

Not that it mattered if she made herself fully presentable. She wouldn't be seeing anyone else if she could help it. She still had yet to open up her place of business in the new premises the leaders of the island had been so kind to offer her. They said she could take her time settling in.

Phee, the one person she might have been able to talk to, had made herself scarce almost as soon as the introductions had been made, at least after Hunter and Wrecker had stopped by to deliver the news…

The clones hadn't stuck around long either, even after learning of her presence here on Pabu and the existence of their nieces. Maybe the girls reminded them too much of Omega. They surely had a reason to fly off in search of their sister.

A squeal from the other room became a little more insistent as Genna's head emerged from a fresh tunic.

"Buir's coming!" She called as she quickly pulled on a pair of comfortable leggings.

She was thankful that Shep had arranged for their laundry service. He said he understood what it was like raising his daughter on his own and not having time for such things. Of course he had only had one to worry about.

Genna almost smiled imagining what it must have been like on Kamino when an entire squadron had been teething at once or learning to walk. Would her girls have been already walking by this age if their growth had been accelerated? Manda forbid!

Kebiin was the first to require attention when Genna entered the nursery.

Saviin still seemed content sucking on her fist. It was her left.

Genna had been told when she had all those tests done that it was evident the girls would be 'mirror' twins and that their dominant sides would be opposite. She wondered if that preference could be exhibited this young. Tech surely would have found the prospect fascinating.

Genna also wondered at her daughter's seeming oral fixation. She was fairly sure that neither she nor her brothers had been thumb-suckers and yet everything that Savi got her little hands on found its way like lightning directly into her mouth. Maybe that was a trait from their father's side as well.

Kebiin babbled at her from the changing table, demanding her focus once again. Soft brown eyes looked up at her mother as if she were expected to understand the soliloquy.

"Maybe your daddy could interpret that but I'm just going to have to guess that you're hungry, elek?"

"Ms Genna?"

Another voice called up through the open window from the street below and Genna picked up the baby to cross the room and see what it was all about.

Lyana Hazard smiled, holding out a small basket of fruit. "I thought you might like some of these."

Genna managed to refrain from rolling her eyes. They were all trying so hard to make her feel welcome. But at that moment Saviin also demanded to be extricated from her crib and Genna figured she could use the extra pair of hands.

"Come on up and put it in the kitchen."

The girl must have taken the steps two at a time and then dumped the basket on the table in her haste before she appeared, slightly out of breath, in the nursery doorway. "May I hold one of them?"

Saviin had developed a shyness of strangers even if she didn't need to be changed so Genna handed over Kebiin who was already in a clean diaper and ready to analyze the newcomer.

"She's so cute!" Lyana gushed. "I mean they both are," she amended. "How do you tell them apart?"

Genna patiently pointed out the birthmark that each infant possessed, one on the left side of her throat beneath her ear and the other on the right side. "But really they're very different from each other."

"Like the clones?" Lyana observed and then immediately apologized for bringing them up.

"No, you're right." Even so, Genna turned away for a moment to compose herself. She wiped her eyes on the edge of Saviin's blanket and sniffed before spinning back with a pasted on smile. "Maybe if we peeled and mashed some of those shuuras you brought we could let these two have a taste. There were shuuras in that basket, weren't there?"

"They might be a different variety than what you're used to."

"Never know unless we try."

Perhaps if she got this over with, the girl would feel that her obligations to the poor widow were fulfilled and she would leave them in peace. No, that wasn't quite fair. Genna liked Lyana and she appreciated the gesture and, she had to admit, the help with getting the twins strapped into their mismatched high chairs.

She just wasn't ready to deal with people yet. She hated their pitying looks. They all knew what had happened or thought they did. She had been married to one of the heroes who saved them all from the great sea surge and had assisted in the rebuilding of their community. And then he had sacrificed himself for his brothers and sister leaving behind a wife and children whom nobody knew about.

Sometimes she felt like she knew as little or less about him than they all seemed to know. They had been together for such a short time before…. And yet his daughters deserved to know who he was and all he had done. And there was no other place in the galaxy where they could hope to have that chance than this place where the rest of his squad might choose to settle once they were reunited.

They would be reunited!

Lyana giggled, breaking her out of her train of thought. Both of the twins had their mouths open wide like baby birds, squawking for another spoonful of the mashed up fruit.

"Guess they like it." Genna mustered a more authentic smile.

Perhaps Lyana took that as a sign that she might try again to initiate a conversation. "Auntie Phee said she would be dropping by soon to…"

"You've spoken to her?"

"Well, no. She commed my dad to ask him if he needed her to pick up anything else."

Genna nodded.

"She asked how you and the girls were doing? He had to say he wasn't sure because you hadn't really left the house."

"She… didn't happen to mention if she was bringing anyone… if she had told anyone we were here?" Mollymauk, in particular, was whom she was thinking of.

Genna knew that Phee had worked unofficially with the fence in the past but now that they were starting up some new sort of rescue network she wasn't sure how formal the association had become. Mollymauk had done a lot for her. She just didn't know if she was now expected to perform some service to return the favor.

"You're safe here." Lyana reached out and touched her arm and Genna gave an involuntary jump.

She covered by rising to her feet and grabbing a few dishes to take to the sink. "Yeah, I know. Of course she would never reveal this place and all of you, all of us."

It was probably the first time that Genna had counted herself and her daughters among the long term residents of the island. Funny really that someone who was so prone to seasickness would end up in another spot that was completely surrounded by water. And though it did share that feature with the northern sea region of Onderon, the climate was much more like where she had grown up in Iziz, except for the fresh ocean breeze that wafted through the open windows.

Quite frankly, she thought that this place had the real potential to feel like home.

Lyana, sensing that the visit was coming to an end, also rose to her feet. "Well, is there anything else you need? It looked like you pretty much have everything set up downstairs to start taking clients in the salon. And… I could come and help out with the girls sometimes if you want."

Genna sighed and then gave a decisive nod. "You know, I think maybe getting back to work is exactly what I need." It couldn't be any worse than the gossip she endured on Blackhold when she opened her old salon while alone and pregnant. At least here they all knew her girls had a legitimate father.

"Great! I'll tell everyone you're ready to start taking appointments!"

"I can't go wrong with that kind of free publicity." Genna demonstrated to her daughters how to wave goodbye to their new friend as she left with the promise to return as soon as she was needed for babysitting duty.

"Well." She turned once again to look at the twins. "Looks like Buir is back in business." She interpreted their squeals of delight as approval of the plan. And maybe getting back to work was exactly what she needed.

…

Emerie stood a moment before the entrance to the little girl's room. She would be positive. She would be welcoming. There was after all no other choice, for either of them, and it would be preferable to make the best of the situation. She activated the door with a swish and stepped inside. "Good morning Omega. How are you feeling today?"

"Like a prisoner," she answered coolly. "I want to leave."

Oh no, this wouldn't do at all. "Prisoner? Omega, you are no such thing. It will take time to adjust but you will acclimate. It is far safer in here than out there." Emerie believed the words.

She had seen the state of many of the clones who had entered the facility. The galaxy at large was no place for someone, well, like them. Omega just needed to see that this is where she belonged, that she had a purpose. "Come. We have much to do."

As they traversed the hallway towards their primary destination Omega's gasp alerted Emerie to the fact that they were passing a group of test subjects that included Crosshair. He was walking of his own volition but he did not look up to see them pass.

At least they were taking him to a regular cell now since his M-count compatibility test came back negative and he had exhibited a resistance to reeducation. Emerie would no longer need to observe him quite so closely to make sure that he didn't give anything away in his tortured ravings. She alone would be aware of the things he had let slip that confirmed what she had witnessed and then deleted from the goggles that had belonged to CT-nine nine zero two.

Yes, she was sure it would be of great interest to the doctor to learn that there were legitimate progeny of one of the members of clone force ninety-nine out there somewhere. Even if they would not be of use for his top secret project Necromancer, whatever that was, he was sure to believe that the offspring of any clone were also Imperial property and therefore his own personal resources as test subjects.

Emerie sighed when they reached the lab. It was time to start encouraging Omega to feel useful. She began by handing her the tray of samples she was extracting from this group of subjects. The girl took it without question and followed dutifully. So far, so good.

"And now I need to take a blood sample from you."

"From me?" Omega inquired but she did not resist. "Why?"

"The samples are used for various research projects," Emerie explained and then added, "All of us serve a purpose here. It won't hurt."

Omega hopped obediently up onto the table. "Can you at least tell me where my brothers are?"

"I do not know." There may have been clues from the goggles but she thought that Omega probably knew that much as well. As for where they were at this moment, Emerie had spoken truthfully.

"If you're a clone like me, how come I never saw you on Kamino?"

This question was easier to answer. "Because I was sent elsewhere until Doctor Hemlock took me under his wing. He saw potential in me as Nala Se sees in you."

Emerie didn't want to worry the girl with her own changing attitude toward the doctor. As long as Omega did as she was told and didn't attract notice there was no reason why she should often if ever come into contact with Hemlock. He was so busy with his other projects. Especially whatever he had going on down in the vault…

"I never knew that I had a sister. It's nice not being alone."

The statement took her by surprise as did the small smile that Omega gave her as she finished the test and placed the vial into the tray with the others.

"Head to the lab. Nala Se is expecting these."

Emerie watched her go. Yes, getting right into the swing of things was exactly what the child needed and if her duties with Nala Se weren't enough to keep her busy they could think of something else. Maybe helping to take care of the animals would give her a sense of purpose.

…

Or perhaps, thought Emerie months later as she stood in the kennel listening to the report, the assignment hadn't been the right place for Omega to apply her talents after all.

"I am not a medical droid," K-9X1 complained, "but my programming does include keeping track of the inventory of this area and medical supplies have been taken…"

Emerie interrupted him. "And you suspect Omega of taking them?"

"I do not suspect, Doctor Karr. I know that she has been using the items to treat the wounds of LH-201."

So Omega was interested in healing medicine. That was wonderful! Emerie herself had been flash trained almost from the time she had been decanted but Omega was still young and her growth had not been accelerated. She had time to learn.

But the droid was still speaking. "I'm going to have to inform the guards about the missing items from the supply inventory."

"What? You just said that you knew the items had been used on the injured lurca."

"Regardless of their use, the items were stolen from Imperial supply. The proper authorities will be informed."

K-9X1 did not take long in making good on the threat. Emerie barely had time to reach Omega's room on the heels of the two commandos.

"What's going on here?" She stopped them.

"We have to search the girl's room."

"I've already told her before about personal items…"

"That's not what the order was about." The soldier pushed past her.

Hurriedly Emerie typed something into her datapad. She found the original order about the stolen medical supplies and edited the field concerning the reason for the search. "No, see, look here."

But they weren't listening. The soldiers whooshed open the door and began their search. Emerie rushed in after them.

Omega jumped out of her bed. "What's going on?"

"Surprise inspection." Emerie's heart beat wildly while she continued to update the file. "Standard procedure." She was sure that they wouldn't find anything, at least not the medical supplies they had been ordered to look for.

And then one of the commandos noticed something that Omega was hiding behind her back.

Oh Omega, Emerie groaned internally. "Bring it here." She took the handmade doll. "We've been over this before, Omega." So it would be easy enough to cover up. "Personal items are forbidden. I'll dispose of it."

"Don't!" Omega protested. "Please, Emerie."

"It is for your own good. Come. We have work to do." She didn't relax until they had left the company of the commandos. She could only hope that Doctor Hemlock was too busy with his pet project to notice the report even as modified as it was and that Omega wouldn't do anything else to cause trouble in the meantime.

There was very little hope of that.

…

Over the next few months, since she had officially opened the salon, Genna never had a shortage of clients come through her door. The credits were not flowing in only because the villagers had little use for currency, Republic or Imperial or otherwise. They mostly did business on a system of trade and that suited Genna just fine.

She and her girls were clothed and fed and she never lacked for babysitters, which was a very good thing since the twins were crawling now and likely to get into everything.

Occasionally shipments would arrive containing her most used styling products and other supplies and always along with the deliveries would appear small presents for the girls like the tooka dolls that they went to sleep with every night.

Saviin's tooka was at the moment hanging out of her mouth by one ear as she speed-crawled her way across the salon floor. Genna leaned her broom against the wall and swept the little girl up before she could plow her way through the pile of clippings from the last haircut of the day.

"Come on, you, too." She scooped up Kebiin with the other arm and carried them both up the stairs squirming and giggling. "Tomorrow Mrs. Levi has her appointment and she'll bring along her grandchildren for you to play with. Won't you enjoy that?"

The evening routine was a bit of a blur by now, food, baths, and then pulling the curtains closed to block out the sun that was still shining late this time of the year.

Genna settled both girls into their beds and then began to sing them a lullaby that she half remembered from her childhood. She had looked it up once to figure out the lyrics that had grown hazy over the years.

Mhi b'verda Mandalore,

Mhi be a'den aru'e,

Mhi b'verda Mandalore,

Par cyare buir.

She found it rather funny that her parents who had sent her and her brothers away so that they wouldn't have to fight in a war had put them to sleep with a song all about the pride of being a warrior and taking no mercy from the enemy for the love of one's father.

Genna barely remembered her own father. She would not have it be so for her girls even though they had never met him. She would keep the story of him alive.

Once they had drifted off, she finished the last few jobs tidying up around the apartment and salon. This was the time of day she dreaded, when she was alone in the quiet with her own thoughts and memories.

She stepped out onto the veranda and watched the lights of the town begin to wink on and couldn't help but wonder if Tech had ever put down his datapad long enough to see this beautiful sight. What might it have been like if they could have watched it together? It was moments like this when she had nothing else to keep her hands or her mind busy that she ached for him and what they might have shared.

And then something diverted her attention. Over the sound of the moonyos and birds and the general hum of the other residents of the island at the end of the day there was the rumble of an engine entering the atmosphere.

Genna shaded her eyes in the twilight and tried to make out the craft as it circled for a landing. It wasn't the distinctive shape of the Marauder or one of the ships Echo sometimes used when he dropped by on supply runs.

No, this vessel, silhouetted against the sunset, was The Providence, Phee's new ship that she had most likely gotten from Mollymauk to assist in whatever business it was they were doing together now.

Maybe Phee would see fit to actually come and visit with her and the girls this time or maybe there would just be another inconspicuous delivery of supplies and gifts.

It wouldn't be tonight, either way. It was late and tomorrow Genna had a full schedule in her appointment book. If Phee wanted to see her, she knew where to find her.