Hello everyone, I am back!

I love how I take like 2 months off to catch up on this fic…and I manage to write ONE chapter…(while writing like 5 for the upcoming Tech centric fic) Ah well. Having to post will keep me focused.

Hanmariamar: Don't worry, I have every plan to finish this. I better, after so many chapters. I'm glad you enjoyed!

SWNerd4Life: I uh…still haven't seen Tales of the Empire. I was- um, really, really torn up after the end of the Bad Batch. I just haven't gotten around to it. But no, I don't think she ever REALLY fell. And even in this, she's being really, really manipulated. I'm enjoying the Acolyte so far too, even though I'm not caught up. I hope your fic still does well! I used to be a really big Doctor Who fan, and kept up without til about halfway through the Capaldi era. I really liked Capaldi, I just didn't have anyone to watch it with, which I really need. I'm sad to hear it's really fallen off. I wouldn't say Star Wars is falling off. I like the Acolyte, love Bad Batch season 3, and I've enjoyed practically every show that's come out. I am looking forward to see what they're doing animation-wise. I'm actually firmly in the camp that if Omega is Force sensitive, she's BARELY above the average clone. What's special about her blood is that it doesn't reject the Midichlorians when they're introduced. I wouldn't call Omega a 'padawan,' per say, more like 'let me help you stop throwing your brothers across the room.' Omega in this would like meditation, if she hadn't been traumatized. And geez, you want me to add ANOTHER character? I've got like every Star Wars character involved already lol. We'll see about Baylan. And yay Mayday! Helping Crosshair in every timeline. I'm glad you've been enjoying!

Not much to say here except to get going!

No Mando'a this chapter!

TW: Child death

RESTITUTION: Chapter 4

SC-04 focused as hard as he could at the flashing holos before him. It was hard to concentrate sometimes. There was just so much information! The voices in his head didn't help.

One of them was humming.

Stop it, 07! Another snapped, 03. Each of the others had a- tone to their mental voices that 04 could recognize. I'm trying to learn!

Keyword 'trying.' 09 said.

Don't, 09. 01 said. It's not even true. Sergeant says our scores are practically identical.

Scores are dumb. 00 said. And don't mean nothing.

You only say that 'cause you're a point behind. 09 said.

Sergeant says-

This argument is worse than 07's humming. 06 interrupted 00. Come on, guys, we need to focus.

Did someone say my number? 07 asked.

Focus, 07. 06 said. We can talk during rest.

09 smiled to himself. He'd come across the concept of 'brothers' during his flash training. That was what he considered the others to be.

Trying to be as 'quiet' as possible, he felt at his brothers. Their presence made him realize how lonely he'd been before. And how he wasn't lonely anymore.

He cocked his head. 00 was- off in his mind.

00? He asked. Are you okay?

There was a pause.

I hurt bad today. 00 finally muttered. And I got pain meds three days ago. Can't have more til day after tomorrow.

04's heart ached for 00. He seemed to hurt more than them all, even though they all had at least some pain at all times.

I wish I could give you mine. 04 told him. I don't use it much.

I gotta be strong. 00 said.

04 gave him a hug. At least, his mind hugged 00's mind.

You are strong. He said.

"04."

04 jolted at Sergeant's voice. He realized he'd missed the last five minutes of flash training. The holos slowed and eventually petered out.

"I'm paying attention!" 04 said quickly. "You can turn them back on!"

"You need to focus." Sergeant said. His blurry face flashed with an expression of concern. "All of you need to keep up with one another."

04 cocked his head.

"But only one of us will be chosen." He said.

"Yes." Sergeant said heavily. "But-"

He shook his head instead of continuing.

"Return to your training." He said. "Soon we will begin working with the Force."

04 perked up. His training had covered the Force and that it could provide amazing powers. He knew it was why he and his brothers could speak with one another. He also knew it was his purpose to use the Force as a tool for his Master.

It was strange. Ever since he had connected with his brothers, that purpose seemed less and less important.

04 studied hard for an hour. His brothers faded mostly to the back of his mind, save the occasional sharing of an interesting fact. It was nice like this.

But then-

04 felt 07 slow down, like his mind had fallen out of hyperspace. This was normal; it always happened when they were taken out for testing.

But 07 wasn't due for a test for three days.

"Sergeant," 04 ventured. "Is there something wrong with 07?"

Sergeant did not turn to him. 04 felt 07's confusion bleed slowly into his head.

And then he began to fade. Slowly, 04 felt his brother's light dim. The others were shouting in his head now.

07!

What's happening?

Who's hurting him?

"Sergeant!" 04 cried. "Something is wrong with 07! They took him out and he's getting weaker!"

"I know." Sergeant said. His voice was flat. "He is being decommissioned."

04 stepped back like he'd been hit.

"What?" He said. His brother was draining from his head and he struggled to keep him there. He felt the others do the same. "No, he's not like 02 or 05 or 08! He's not defective!"

"He was not performing to standard." Sergeant said. He still wasn't looking at 04. "Your Master has no need of unworthy servants."

Tears filled 04's eyes and he couldn't hold back a sob. Not 07. Not their dreamy brother, always lost in his thoughts.

"No!" Sergeant whirled around. "You cannot cry! You cannot show weakness!"

He was angry, but somehow 04 knew Sergeant wasn't angry at him.

"Don't you understand?" Sergeant growled. Then he looked away. "No, of course you don't. I thought I could protect you."

He turned back to 04 and a glare appeared on his hazy face.

"This is why you must never fall behind, never falter!" He said. "Never show weakness!"

"But-" 04 managed. "Only one will be chosen. Does that mean-"

Something flashed across Sergeant's face.

"Prove yourself useful." He said. "Your Master may have- other plans for you."

04's mind raced. But at the forefront was that 07 was scared as he grew smaller and smaller. 04, they all tried to help him, but communicating when one of them was Out was nearly impossible.

For twenty minutes, 04 felt his brother die.

This had been a bad idea. Omega crouched in some shrubs, clutching at her blaster. Twisted trees surrounded her. She could hear the alien grumbling of a patrol nearby.

She wished she'd at least taken Tech's data pad in order to research who had control over Serenno. She- didn't have any idea.

She had to admit she hadn't been thinking straight when she left.

Well, it didn't matter now. She was here, near where Ahsoka had said the Jedi and his padawan was.

She was a member of the Bad Batch. She could do this. Even though she could feel her legs trembling. And the blaster was too heavy in her arms. And everything seemed louder than it should have been.

Omega swallowed. Her body still hadn't recovered from her abuse on Tantiss. But she refused to be weak anymore. Her brothers hadn't been allowed to be weak. She would be like them.

She peered through the underbrush. It was a patrol of four guards. She focused on the first, tuning out all distractions. It was simple! Pull the trigger four times.

But her head throbbed and she thought she could feel two people nearby. The Jedi?

No! She thought. No distractions!

And fired.

She missed.

The four guards whipped around. Omega ducked down, heart pounding. What was she doing? She needed to be running. But her legs felt like jelly and she doubted she could.

Maybe- she could use the Force? She closed her eyes and reached for the light she only sometimes touched.

"You didn't see anything." She whispered. "No one's here."

The shouting paused, as if they were confused.

And then the sound of a lightsaber cut through the air. Omega jerked her head up to see two figures leap from the trees on top of the guard.

Flashes of yellow and indigo struck out and the guards fell. It was over, but Omega still watched carefully. The Jedi sheathed their lightsabers.

"You may come out now." One said.

He was a human man with a dark beard. He seemed a little older than Omega's brothers' physical ages.

"We don't bite!" The other added.

He was a Theelin, with coppery skin and swept back dark teal hair. He was younger, but still a little older than Omega. The Padawan?

Omega crept out. The human looked at her with raised eyebrows.

"You are who Tano sent?" He asked. "A youngling?"

"Not- exactly." Omega said. "The team she was going to send couldn't come."

The Theelin laughed.

"You snuck away, didn't you?" He said. "Brave little sprite!"

Omega felt her face warm, though she still smiled.

"My name is Callum Brun." The Padawan said. "This is my Master, Baylan Skoll."

"I'm Omega." Omega said.

Callum gave a bow.

"You have our thanks, Miss Omega." He said.

"We couldn't just leave you." Omega said. "Come on, my shuttle's about a klick this way."

"There will be more guards." General Skoll said. "They are hunting for us."

"For how long?" Omega asked. "What are their search patterns? What are their resources?"

General Skoll and Callum looked at her with bemused expressions.

"Who are you, child?" General Skoll asked. "You are strong in the Force, but you are no padawan."

"It's a long story." Omega said. "I'm a clone."

"Of Fett?" General Skoll asked. Omega nodded. "Interesting."

"We need to go." Omega said again. "I didn't see many patrols on my way here, but tell me everything you know."

According to them, it was the Hutts who had taken over the planet. Omega was surprised that Serenno hadn't been taken by Dooku, who was apparently still alive.

"We took out some of their grunts here, but they've got bounty hunters." Callum explained. Omega had a hard time looking at him. If she did, it made her heart thud uncomfortably. "They've known we've been here for a few months now, but they recently caught our scent."

Omega gave as confident a nod as she could muster. She knew more basic tactics about fighting an army and not as much about fighting individual specialists. She had two Jedi though, which was something.

"Let's go." Omega said. "It'd be best if we avoided them."

"Agreed." General Skoll said.

She tried to walk confidently, but she was feeling shaky again. Callum and General Skoll were watching her.

Omega bit her lip, feeling very self conscious.

They're probably wondering what kind of dumb kid comes on a rescue mission in this state.

General Skoll and Callum both winced.

"That's not what I'm thinking." Callum said. "Though I am wondering why you're projecting your thoughts so loudly."

"What?" Omega asked. "Projecting?"

Ahsoka had never mentioned that.

General Skoll stiffened.

"The hunters." He said. "Get the girl."

Callum lunged, dodging a shot from somewhere in the trees. He caught Omega in one arm and dove into the ferns. Omega's heart raced- and it wasn't just from the danger. General Skoll batted away two more blaster bolts with his golden lightsaber.

"Let me go!" Omega managed to hiss. "I can help!"

"Not in your condition, Miss Omega." Callum said. "My Master can handle it."

"You will not succeed by hiding in the shadows." General Skoll said.

"That's usually how I succeed." A woman's voice called back.

Something twinged in Omega's head. At the same time, Callum shoved them both flat to the ground. A blaster bolt from a completely different direction flashed over their heads.

"Stay here." Callum ordered before leaping to his feet and jumping clear of the shrubbery.

He ignited his blue-violet lightsaber and- waited.

"I wasn't expecting to deal with Jedi again." A voice drawled. Omega peeked through the brush to see a Duros with a really big hat saunter towards them, stepping over roots carefully. "But I guess if even one of you are around, someone's bound to want you dead."

"We should be flattered." Callum said.

He stood with his free arm tucked behind his back, the other outstretched at his side.

"Spose you should." The Duros said. "Especially when they hire me to take care of you."

"Ah yes, you are Dengar, correct?" Callum said.

Omega saw the Duros' mouth tighten.

"Playin' the fool won't save you." He growled. "Prefer to kill fools, anyway."

Omega caught her breath as she noticed a movement in the trees. Was that a droid flitting about there? The two Jedi were locked in a standoff with the two hunters and didn't seem to notice. Omega could tell the droid was no good, but she'd dropped her blaster when Callum had grabbed her. All she could do right now was watch the droid.

Callum and General Skoll moved at the same time. Callum lunged for the Duros and General Skoll dashed into the trees.

The Duros leapt back from Callum, bursting into the air with rocket boots. He fired a barrage that Callum swatted aside.

The bounty hunter lifted his wrist to his mouth. Calling for backup. Omega realized. They needed to go, but General Skoll was out of sight and Omega didn't think that Callum could fight the bounty hunter and go get his Master.

The bounty hunter didn't seem to be trying too hard to fight Callum. He probably just wanted to keep him in place. Omega was still nervous about the droid. She couldn't stand just watching anymore. So as lightly as she could, she slipped through the brush towards the floating figure.

As she got closer, Omega realized that the droid was placing- something on the trees. And- she could hear it talking to itself.

"He could have placed these himself." It muttered. "Not even a 'please' either. Just 'Todo, get the charges set or I'll sell you for scrap.' He would never of course, but it's still rude."

Omega's heart skipped a beat. Charges? She needed to stop the little droid. She tried to ignore the blasterfire behind her. She needed to figure out what she was going to do when she reached the droid. Maybe- the Force again?

She paused and stretched out her hand. She tried to pull on the power she never seemed to reach.

Breathe.

Omega closed her eyes. She struggled to shove aside her fear. She needed to do this.

She pushed.

"Oh!" Todo cried.

Omega opened her eyes. The droid had been pushed through the air- about three feet.

"Another one!" Todo gasped. "Mr. Ba-"

It was interrupted by a blaster bolt through its head.

Omega turned to see Tech running towards her.

He was with her in a few moments and put his hand on her shoulder.

"Are you injured?" He demanded.

"I-I'm okay." Omega said. "But- the Jedi-"

"I have found her. She is unharmed." Tech said, hand to his helmet. "The Jedi are here and engaged with the enemy. Prepare for combat."

"Tech-" Omega said.

Tech pulled her back, close to him as he watched Callum and the bounty hunter fight.

"Omega, we are extremely disappointed in you." He said. Omega's stomach lurched and she felt like crying as shame fell on her. "You must be obedient now and return with Wrecker to the Marauder. Hunter and I will assist the Jedi."

The bounty hunter had noticed Tech now.

"They called for backup!" Omega said in a rush. "There's two, the other Jedi went after the other one!"

Tech nodded.

"Wrecker will arrive momentarily." He said. "Stay here."

He left her and once he was a distance away, he began firing at the bounty hunter.

Omega felt frozen. Her brothers were here, which she had wanted from the beginning. Why did she feel so awful?

A blaster bolt narrowly missed Tech's head and Omega bit back a cry. She hadn't thought this through. In fact, she'd made things worse. She'd been caught, which made the Jedi reveal themselves to save her. Her brothers could have gotten them out without anyone knowing.

And when Tech said they were disappointed-

"Omega!"

Omega turned to see Hunter and Wrecker sprinting towards her.

"Back to the ship, soldier!" Hunter barked.

It wasn't until Wrecker had scooped her up and carried her away that Omega realized that Hunter had been talking to her. He'd never called her 'soldier' like that, like he was angry. At her.

But- Callum and General Skoll had needed them- right?

Her confusion and distress became too much and Omega couldn't stop the tears from falling. She cried into Wrecker's shoulder and didn't realize they'd arrived at the Marauder until Wrecker put her down in one of the crash seats. He put his hands on her shoulders.

"Are you okay?" He rumbled.

Omega hiccuped as she nodded her head. Wrecker leaned back, his face sad.

"You can't do stuff like this." He said. "You scared us."

Omega choked back a sob.

"I just- I just wanted to do something!" She whispered.

Wrecker pulled her close.

"You were doin' something." He said. "Your job is to get better."

"What if I can't, Wrecker?" Omega asked. "What if I can't help anymore?

"So what?" Wrecker said. "You'll always be our kid. We don't need you to do anything. We just want you."

Omega burst into tears and clung to Wrecker. He held her tightly for a minute.

"I gotta go help Hunter and Tech." He said.

Omega took a deep breath.

"Okay." She said. "Please, be safe."

He grinned at her before rushing off the ship. Omega followed to the ramp and watched him jog back into the tangled woods. She realized that they'd managed to find her shuttle and had landed right next to it.

She waited, resisting the urge to go find them. She wasn't any help right now. Wrecker had made her feel like that was okay.

Still, time dragged and it felt like hours before she heard shouts and blaster fire. Her brothers and the Jedi burst from the trees amidst a rain of lasers. The Duros was hot on their heels and Omega could see a troop of goons through the woods.

Something, a something she was beginning to realize was the Force, pricked her mind. At the same time, the Duros aimed at the back of Tech's head. Without thinking, Omega threw her hand out. She didn't need to help. But she wanted to.

It felt like the Force smiled at her and suddenly it was easy to push through the air to the bounty hunter's blaster. The Duros cursed as the weapon flipped from his hand.

It gave her brothers time to reach the ramp. Hunter pulled her in as he passed, Tech went straight for the cockpit, and Wrecker stayed on the ramp to lay down cover fire.

"They're on the shuttle!" He barked after a moment.

"Get us out of here, Tech!" Hunter shouted.

The Marauder roared to life. Wrecker quickly grabbed Omega and locked her in a crash seat before securing himself. Hunter got up into Omega's room to man the turret.

After a few stomach knotting minutes, Omega heard Tech shout back- "The Jedi have jumped, we are clear!"

Then the ship lurched and Omega knew they were safe.

Hunter climbed down from the gunner's mount. He wouldn't look at Omega.

"Hunter-" Omega started.

"We'll discuss this later." Hunter bit out.

Omega wanted to shrink into nothing at his tone. She didn't think he'd ever been this upset at her. Hunter went to the cockpit and closed the door.

"He just needs a minute to cool off." Wrecker said as he pulled up the crash seat restraints for her. "He doesn't want to yell at ya."

Omega swallowed.

"I guess I'm in a lot of trouble." She said.

"Well, yeah." Wrecker said, but he put his arm around her shoulders. "Can't go AWOL like that."

"How does he normally discipline you?" Omega asked hesitantly.

Wrecker chuckled.

"He's not gonna make you clean the Marauder by yourself." He said.

"That wouldn't be so bad." Omega said. "I was so scared of getting in trouble with Nala Se.

Wrecker gave her a weird look.

"Did she- did she do the same stuff to you that she did to us?"

Omega's heart wrenched. Nala Se had been kind to her compared to what her brothers went through.

"I watched you, when you were growing up." Omega said slowly. "But you knew that. It was my favorite thing to do. It made me feel less alone."

Wrecker pulled her closer.

"If I was bad- Nala Se wouldn't let me see you. Sometimes for weeks. It was- hard."

Wrecker just sat with her for a few minutes.

"He won't do that to you." He said in a husky voice. "Never."

Omega almost laughed. He seemed so hurt at the way she'd been punished. She remembered Nala Se withholding 'privileges' from her brothers- like pain killers after tests or experiments. And the trainers had been cruel. At least Nala Se had never hit Omega.

"I'm sorry." Omega mumbled to Wrecker. "I shouldn't have gone."

"It turned out okay." Wrecker said. "But I don't think you should try it again."

"I won't." Omega said with a sigh. Then she remembered. "Wrecker- I used the Force!"

"Huh?" Wrecker sat up. "You did? On purpose and everything?"

Omega nodded.

"I pushed the blaster out of the bounty hunter's hand!" She said.

"Woooah!" Wrecker said. He sounded really impressed. "How'd you do it? How'd it feel?"

"I think I was trying too hard before." Omega said. "It was really cool."

"Great job!" Wrecker said with a grin. "Are you gonna get a lightsaber or-"

The door to the cockpit slid open and Hunter slipped out. Tech was right behind. Omega felt small under their disappointed gazes.

"Omega, what you did was unacceptable." Hunter finally said. "I gave you an answer and it was no. It turned out well this time, but you could have been killed."

Omega nodded.

"We do appreciate that you did what you believed to be right." Tech said. "However, you must consider your vulnerable state."

Omega had planned to listen to their lecture quietly, but she had to speak up now.

"But you're not vulnerable." She said.

Tech blinked and shared a glance with Hunter.

"Please elaborate." He said.

"You guys can help with things like this." Omega said. "Why don't you want to?"

Hunter sighed.

"Our priority is you, Omega." He said. "What happens if we take every mission thrown our way? What happens if one of us dies? I'm not putting you through that."

Omega swallowed at the thought. It still felt selfish to hoard her brothers.

"Have you considered, Omega," Tech said. "That if you successfully recover under our care and become a trained Force user, you will be able to do more good than us?"

Omega blinked. An image came to her, an image of herself wielding a lightsaber like Callum and General Skoll. Tech was right. She could help more people.

Hunter was frowning, like he didn't like the idea. He cleared his throat.

"That's a debate for later." He said. "You betrayed our trust, Omega. You'll have to have one of us with you at all times until we feel we can trust you again."

"Okay." Omega said.

It was fair, if not a little annoying. Still, she was lucky to have brothers who were so kind, even when she'd disobeyed.

Hunter softened a bit and he put his hand on Omega's shoulder.

"I'm glad you're okay." He said.

"Hunter has excluded the second portion of your punishment." Tech said. "We will not be interfering in any reaction Crosshair may have upon our return."

'What?" Wrecker said. "Come on, Tech, that's cruel!"

"A prolonged lecture is hardly cruel or unusual punishment." Tech said.

Omega was already imagining Crosshair demanding to know what she'd been thinking and then rambling about how stupid it'd been.

Maybe she'd rather clean the Marauder.

From the top!

Awww cute little brothers. And then I kill one. Yaaaaaaay.

Hunter, I would suggest getting your sister into Space Therapy so she stops pulling stunts. I decided that Baylan Skoll should have a padawan. I think it adds a little something to know that he lost one and got another in the form of Shin Haati. I created Callum as a Theelin BEFORE I KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT THE ACOLYTE. (Which has been pretty good so far, though I haven't caught up).

Yes, that is Aurra Singh shooting at them from a distance. The flow of the chapter led away from her though, and it doesn't help that she's a long range fighter. Oh hey Bane, you haven't been in this fic yet.

Annnnnd I just murdered Todo. Oops.

Tech may or may not have looked up child disciplinary methods on the way here. And Hunter has never been so mad. I really wish Omega had a full name so Hunter could use it, but I think 'soldier' gets the idea across.

Omega is like me, in that any notion that someone is mad at or disappointed in me makes me extremely upset.

Luckily we have Wrecker to help here.

I've started using the Force as a therapist, I guess. Ah well.

Don't worry, this isn't the last we see of Callum and Baylan.

Hunter needs a minute to talk to Tech about how the heck to parent their kid.

I always got the sense that Tech would be extremely supportive of Omega wanting to do more. Hunter, on the other hand…less so.

If you think Crosshair is bad, Omega, wait until they call your mom. Though I think Echo would also be proud.

There will be Rex and Ahsoka next time, I promise.

Until then,

Stay safe, remember to review, and have a great couple of weeks!