Chapter 6 - Don't Need A Hand To Hold (1:3-5)

Author's Note: Adorableness continues. Don't think about what's happening with Crosshair right now. :D Also, I should probably hate Cid, but I don't. Idk. Doesn't mean Vision agrees. 💖 xDXD

PS. This is for the square "facing fears" on the Clone OC bingo. :)

~ Rivana Rita

"Hunter, wake up," Omega begs, shaking his shoulder.

I sigh, pushing myself to my feet, even if I don't want to stop touching him right now. Not at all. I want to cling to him and not let go, just to make sure he's here, alive and breathing, not somewhere far away like Crosshair is. "Echo? Wrecker? Tech? ... Hi?" I call into my comm. "You there, or are you ignoring me?" Probably, only Crosshair would do that, though. "Hmph. Guess we'll hafta finish the mission on our own."

Omega looks up at me, worry written on her soft features, before she twists to watch the dragon.

"We'll be fine," I assure, "I know what I'm doing." And yeah, I'm a terrible shot, and terrible at just about everything, actually, but I can still protect her.

It's sitting atop a rock opening that must lead into some underground cavern, seeing as it crawls down inside.

Omega sighs, pushing herself to her feet, picking up Hunter's flashlight and blaster. "We have to get the part," she says.

"Yeah," I agree, "Me first." I'm the one who's been trained. I pick up my blaster again, keeping it in my hand in case the thing comes back. "Can I have the flashlight?"

"Be careful," she requests, holding it out to me. I can see the genuine fear in her eyes.

I nod, taking it. We move forwards together, cautiously. We're alone, and I climb up, swinging myself over into the opening and sliding down. There's a rustling and quiet thump as Omega lands beside me, and we creep forwards. It's a little clumsy, and I instantly understand why my brothers wear gloves. I'd like to, also. The rocks are so rough.

We make a few turns before reaching a slightly wider area. "There." Omega points through the darkness, and I refocus the flashlight. It's the capacitor alright.

I brighten instantly, darting forwards.

"Guess we got lucky," Omega says cheerfully, moving forwards to take it. Considering I'm the one with the flashlight and blaster, that's probably best.

I have that prickling feeling again, then I hear a snarl. The thing's back again, and I freeze up instantly. That thing nearly killed Hunter, and I have no doubt it could get us, too. And I cannot lose Omega. A month without her was torture, and I can't – can't –

No.

I whirl around, snarling, blaster aimed in one hand, shining the flashlight at it. I don't even think.

The dragon jerks away from the light, then twists towards us, snarling. Omega flinches back, covering her face, and I throw the flashlight at it instinctively. Which is stupid because that won't make it stop but the thing literally jumps it, chomping down on the center battery.

I gape at it, mind blown.

"Come on," Omega says breathlessly, tugging at my sleeve, and we turn, scrambling away. Omega picks up the capacitor and crawls out of the hole, me right behind.

Through the darkness, I see Hunter's dimly lit form approaching us. "Are you okay?" he asks, darting to the rock structure, reaching out to help Omega to the ground. He takes me a moment later, lowering me to the ground, and I savor the touch more than I should.

"Yep," I assure, grabbing and squeezing his hand. "We're fine. I guess it's a good thing we came, after all."

"What were you thinking going down there?" he asks, more freaked out than anything else.

I want to stick my tongue out at him, but he wouldn't see through my mask. "We finished the mission. You're welcome." I tell him snippily, cheerfully. I'm not upset right now, and I don't want him to think I am.

"Is that my blaster?" Hunter asks incredulously as Omega hands it to him.

"Don't worry," Omega assures, "I didn't have to use it. I got the part. We lost your flashlight, though."

Hunter takes his blaster, holstering it, then takes the part from her. "Well," he admits grudgingly, "You did good. Come on, we should leave before that thing wakes up."

I shudder. "Gladly."

**w**

"Where have you been?" Omega asks as Wrecker saunters into the cockpit.

"Hey, kids," he greets cheerfully, crouching and extending a hand. He looks better than earlier – at least he isn't stumbling around and practically running into things anymore. "Come with me. Cover your eyes."

I raise a curious eyebrow at him, grabbing his hand and covering my eyes, hopping off the seat 'mega and I are squeezed onto together. He takes us farther back in the Marauder, and I hear him moving past us.

"Okay," Wrecker says cheerfully, "Open 'em." I drop my hand, staring at the gunner's mount. There's a curtain hung over it, parted slightly on the right side, and its bright gold. I love gold. Not as much as dark blue, but still. That definitely wasn't there before. "Check it out," he laughs, gesturing to it.

Omega and I move forwards together, and I pause to let her go first as she tugs back the curtain.

"It's your own room," Wrecker tells us as we look around in awe.

There are lights hanging from the ceiling, and there's gold and orange wallpaper on the wall. He redecorated the entire area back here behind the seat itself. The colors are bright, flashy, everything I know he'd love. 'mega, too. Lula is sitting on the floor, propped up against the wall, and the picture I took from Kamino is leaning next to her, face down. Probably, he couldn't look at it, either. My droid head is there, too, and I squeal.

"Well, what do you think?" Wrecker queries almost nervously, "I thought this place could feel more like a home."

I jump off the top rung at Wrecker, who catches me, laughing. "It's amazing," I promise, arms wrapping around the neck part of his chest plate – why is it shaped so weirdly? – and squeezing.

"It's perfect," Omega tells him, gratitude and adoration in her tone. "Thank you, Wrecker."

"Oh, uh, it was nothin'," Wrecker assures, squeezing me tightly.

"We've never had our own room before," Omega replies, and I twist around, climbing back up beside her. She's settled onto the floor, holding Lula, andshe tugs her legs up so I can get past and settle down on her other side.

I drop my head onto Omega's shoulder, hooking an arm through hers and snuggling against her side. She shifts, pressing her cheek to my hair. I snatch my droid head into my lap, just because, and then... I reach for the picture.

"Well, you're a part of this squad now, too," Hunter tells us, and I look over at him, smiling faintly. After... earlier, I need that assurance.

I nestle back against my sister, turning on the screen to just... be. The picture flickers on instantly, of all five our brothers. I study it, ingraining it into my mind forever. Crosshair's at Wrecker's side. It reminds me of... that time. It was just a month we were together, and they mean everything to me.

"We're gonna get you back," I promise, the moment the others have drifted away out of earshot. "I promise. I'm not gonna stop looking for you."

Would he annoy me to death for being sentimental? Yeah. I don't care, though. It's... Crosshair. I'd do anything for him.

I curl up next to Omega, briefly dozing off as exhaustion from the last day or so starts catching up to me.

"Let. Her. Go," Hunter's voice hisses, dark and angry. Warning – he's furious. And I have never seen Hunter so angry before.

"Hand over the kid," a smooth voice replies, "And I'll let her go. She's not the one I'm here for."

I jerk against the hand holding me firmly. "You're not touching 'mega!" I twist, trying to glare up at her.

"What about you, kid?" she asks, "Come with me, and I'll let your friend go."

"Sister," I hiss, snarling when I see the look on Omega's face. She looks terrified.

And that's the last thing I see before jolting back to consciousness.

I jolt forwards, panting, something clattering right nearby. The droid, probably. I drop the picture beside it, shuddering, rubbing my eyes.

"Vision!" Omega's down below, and she runs over to me the moment I awaken. I swear, she has a sixth sense to keep an eye on me.

I suck in another breath, gasping, hand pressed to my face. "I saw something," I tell them, shuddering as I climb down from the mount. 'mega pulls me in for a brief hug, and her warmth someone sooths my fear. It doesn't wipe the memory of her terrified face, though. "Someone's after us, Hunter."

"Someone who?" Wrecker asks, crouching nearby, worried.

"Did you see them?" Hunter asks me.

I shrug helplessly. "Sort of. She was holding me, trying to get 'mega to come with her. She was wearing black, and a bit of orange. The surroundings were... blurry though." I frown. That's weird. It's never happened before.

"Could you recognize her if you saw her?" Hunter asks.

I nod. "Yeah, think so."

"Stay close," he requests, "We're going to Pantora to scramble the Marauder's signature and get some supplies."

I'd normally be bouncing off walls, but the thought right now makes me want to curl up into a dark corner of the ship to hide. "Uh... um. Can 'mega and I stay here? 'Cuz that person is gonna come for us, but at least if we're here, we can get out, right?"

"I was about to suggest that," he says. "Echo and I are going into town. Wrecker and Tech will take care of the ship. Vision and Omega, stay with them, just in case."

Omega looks disappointed, but she grabs my hand, squeezing it tightly as she nods.

**w**

"Why'd you tell me we're out of rations?" Wrecker practically wails. "Now I'm starving!"

"Our priority is scrambling the ship's signature key," Tech is trying to convince him, and I laugh in the doorway, just watching my hopelessly cray-cray brothers.

"Your priority," Wrecker growls grumpily. Apparently, he's taking his time to whine about everything right now. Considering the stress and blatant lack of our normal grouch, I think that's excusable.

I watch, bored, as some random person comes over and squabbles with them, then leaves.

"You can't sell that explosive," Wrecker complains when Hunter and Echo come down the ramp. "It's our last one."

Omega and I follow come down the ramp, scanning the area. I've never seen anything like this before, but I already love it. It's cool, and I wanna see more.

"And it's the only thing we have worth any money," Hunter replies as Omega walks over to him, holding his backpack.

"Because we are not selling Lula," I deadpan, and I will gut anybody without hesitation who tries committing such a crime.

"You wanna eat, don't you?" Echo snips, walking up.

Hunter puts the explosive inside, slinging his backpack on.

"Why do Tech and I have to do all the repairs," Wrecker whines, jabbing a finger at the other two. "While you get to go sightseeing?"

"Not us," Omega replies, and she sounds disappointed. "We're staying here."

"This is a supply run," Hunter reminds, "In and out, quickly and quietly."

And take a guess why Wrecker isn't going?

"Yeah, and you stick out too much," Echo adds.

"Oh, and you don't?" Wrecker throws back.

"Not dressed like this," Echo throws back, and snaps the mask part of whatever helmet he's wearing on. It looks like a droid, which is so convenient. Not that I even know a droid like that.

"Hey!" Wrecker yells after Hunter and Echo, suddenly brightening as they start moving off together. "Bring back something good to eat."

"And something cool if you find it!" I holler after, watching longingly as they disappear from sight. I flop out onto the ramp with an annoyed huff. Time to just wait and watch, I guess. This will be boring.

**w**

The wait. Is. Boring. Not that I want anything to happen, obviously. I just don't want to sit here. We spend a while running back and forth around Wrecker and Tech, trying to help out a bit, though there's not a lot we can do.

I have a bad feeling, though, and turn away, just to try Seeing.

I don't like the person we first saw when we were here. Maybe he's just too fat and ugly, no clue. But if something's gonna go wrong, that's where to start. I'm by the building he was in when I finally See it – a flash of that person again. She's dressed in black, with a ridiculous shade of orange highlights, and her helmet is half orange.

Neon orange, brilliant enough that I think it would annoy Crosshair, and I instantly want to know what he'd do if I painted his armor that color. He's not here to stop me, so...

It's a brief image, gone as fast as it comes, but I know what it means.

"'mega!" I yell, standing, sprinting back. "Wrecker, Tech – I Saw it again. She's coming. We gotta get outta here." I know we're going to fight her sometime, because my visions are never wrong, but I'm fully intent on holding it off.

"My adjustments are not yet complete," Tech replies immediately, "And unless you have a team of maintenance droids, it's going to be a while."

I stick my tongue out at him. That is so rude. And then I comm the others for good measure. "Hunter? Echo?" I call. "Well... I Saw it again. That person. We need to leave soon." And I'm not opposed to fighting – at all, I crave it and it's in my blood – but this is different. This person is after Omega, and I'm too afraid to risk it. To risk her. She means so much to me, and I cannot let anyone take her, and that's not to mention what our brothers mean to her.

I already lost Crosshair. I can't lose Omega, too.

"I'm on my way back," Hunter replies instantly, soothingly, and I almost sigh with relief at hearing him. "Tech, what's the status with our ship?"

"Well, it's not technically a ship at the moment," he replies.

"Hey, anyone got an army of droids to help him out?" I quip, "Cuz he said it'd be helpful."

"That is not what I said," Tech objects instantly, immediately resuming his important role of arguing with everything I say.

"I can help with that," Echo offers.

I don't want to know, but he shows up a bit later with a practically literal army of droids, and Hunter arrives not long later, immediately shooing Omega and I back inside. "Stay out of sight," he tells us, "If someone's looking for you, the last thing we need is to be out in the open."

The itching sensation of danger is growing as we wait inside together, taking the seats along the wall beside each other, holding hands. It's nerve wracking, really, and I almost wish we could be out there. We should fight instead of run, but this is for Omega, and I'd do anything for her, even something I am very much not comfortable with.

Like running.

But it's like I said – if Hunter gives the order, if it's for Omega, I can't complain about it, no matter what it is. She's all I've ever had, and the same is true in reverse. We mean everything to each other in much the same way the... original four Bad Batchers did.

"Don't we hafta find this person?" I ask the moment Hunter enters the ship. I just do not want to hide, okay? I was raised for action, and now that I'm not stuck in a boring lab, that's where I wanna be. I don't want to go hide out on some backwater world.

"We will," Echo assures, right behind. Tech is already aboard and halfway to the pilot's seat. They're tenser than they were moments ago. "I got a visual of her."

... Yikes.

Even if we're going to see her again, because I know we will – my visions always happen. We just have to be ready. Omega and I have to be ready, because our brothers always are. "Black and orange?" I ask, leaning forwards.

"Yeah," Hunter confirms as Tech takes us off. "She's probably a bounty hunter."

"A what?" Omega queries curiously, leaning forward.

"Someone hired to retrieve targets," Tech replies quickly.

... I don't like the sound of that. "They were after you, I think?" I tell her, squeezing her hand. "I dunno, that doesn't make sense."

"We have to find out who she is and who hired her," Hunter adds.

"Can we get 'mega a comm?" I ask, snuggling closer to her in an attempt to somewhat soothe her. "If something happens..."

"The only comm we have aboard is Crosshair's," Tech replies, "But he doesn't appear to need it."

I bite my lip. "But – what happens when he comes back?"

Everyone stills.

Somehow, I feel like I said something stupid. "What?" I ask, slightly hurt, though I can't say why. "We're gonna get him back. We can't not try. He's our brother. He needs us, and we need him."

Hunter looks away. Echo's even tenser, if possible, and Wrecker just looks sad. "If that becomes a concern," Tech replies firmly, a bit sharply, with an underlying note of hurt and anger in his voice, "We will consider it then."

I frown. If? I turn my desperate gaze to Hunter instinctively, expecting reassurance.

"Tech is right," he replies instead, straightening, visibly recollecting himself. "It's a temporary solution, but that's all we need right now."

Why does it feel like I'm the only one bothered?

That doesn't make any sense, and nor can it be right. They're a family, so what... why? I know he hurt Wrecker, and he was being mean and horrible to all of us, but still. I don't want to lose him.

"I'm not going anywhere."

Stop, I hiss, shoving the memory fiercely from mind. If I think about Crosshair any more than I already have, I'm going to start crying again, and if I start, I won't be stopping anytime soon.

Hunter sets his backpack down, pulling the flap open and reaching inside. "There's something I got for you," he says, offering us a half-hearted smile I can tell he doesn't really feel. I can relate – when was the last time I smiled that I felt truly happy? I can't remember. Probably, when they finally got back to Kamino. Omega jumps up, and we crowd over.

It's white, and it's a... person-shaped thing, sort of. It looks like clone armor.

"What's that?" I ask, blinking.

"It's a doll," Echo says, twisting around in his seat and coming over. "I saw it, and I thought you'd like it. It's... something children usually like."

"Better than naming lab equipment," I quip. Because we used to do that when we were bored and very little.

"It's amazing," Omega says, taking it. "Thank you."

Wish I could be that cheerful about something.

"Is it a he or a she?" I ask. It's white and sorely needs a repainting job. We need colors.

"She," Omega decides.

"But it's a clone," I object, "All clones are boys."

"Not us," she reminds cheerfully.

Fair. "What colors do we make her? Black and red? Or should we go for green and –"

"How about we make her a Bad Batcher?" 'mega suggests.

"Then we need a name, too!" I add. "Uh... how 'bout we name her after you, cuz you're the only smart clone I know?"

The offended look on Tech's face made everything worth it.

**w**

"Why are we going to Ord Mantell? I thought the plan was to lay low," Omega asks as we crowd around in the hold. Echo had insisted we rest before moving on, and I hadn't been too opposed to curling up in the gunner's mount to sulk and sleep. And I still don't feel much better. Currently, Tech is busy poking at Omega's new comm and Wrecker's playing with Gonky.

"Not while a bounty hunter's after you," Hunter replies immediately, turning his seat around to face us. "We need to find out why."

"I know an informant there named Cid who might be able to help," Echo explains.

"And you trust him?" Wrecker queries.

"Well, the Jedi trusted him."

"The Jedi who are all dead?" Tech throws back, standing up.

"Do we know that?" I have to interject, because I can't help it. I know that's what they say, and I have no reason to disbelieve it, but... even if all the clones turned on their Jedi, would that have been enough to kill them? Jedi are... they're legends. I saw Anakin Skywalker. I felt just a touch of his power, his fire, his strength. He wouldn't have died, though I don't know how to tell Echo that.

"That is what the reports say," Tech replies, "And we have no reason to disbelieve that."

"Well, anyone have a better option?" Echo throws back.

"He has a point," Omega's voice says over the comms, and I laugh when everyone turns to look at her. "Right," she says, jerking her arm down, "Not a toy."

Hunter and Echo take us on an overly obsessive lecture of what-you-do-when-something-bad-happens as we head for Cid's. "Don't worry," I assure finally, waving my hands, "I'll keep an eye out." Literally, heh. "I'll watch over 'mega."

"That is not comforting," Tech assures me immediately, and I stick my tongue out at him.

"This is the place," Echo says as we stop outside a building. It has glowing, multicolor light, even if it's dark inside.

"Charming," Tech grumbles as we enter. Echo goes first, Omega and I trotting along behind. Wrecker and Tech bring up the rear. Hunter's beside Echo – per usual.

There's only three people inside: a Trandoshan, and two other creatures who are squabbling even more fiercely than me and Crosshair.

"Which one of them is Cid?" Hunter queries, scanning the room.

"I couldn't tell ya," Echo admits, "I only heard about Cid. Never actually met him."

"That would have been information to share earlier," Tech grouses, like he's one to talk.

"Yeah, so would the thing about that dragon back on the dragon moon," I remind him dryly before sauntering off to look around. This place is cool. Omega and I are looking around, inspecting every corner of the room when I realize the Trandoshan – who firmly maintains she doesn't know who Cid is – is watching our brothers a bit warily.

"We didn't ask her if she was Cid, did we?" I whisper.

"I was thinking the same thing," Omega replies, walking up to her. I watch, arms crossed, leaning against the console.

"What's your deal, tiny?" the Trandoshan grumbles when she spots Omega standing beside her.

"Tiny?" I echo grumpily, immediately moving over to join them. I do not appreciate anyone being rude to Omega.

"You're Cid," Omega replies cheerfully.

"You're sharper than your friends over there," she grumbles again, and I immediately find myself wondering if she's perpetually cranky. Used to know someone like that.

"I found Cid," Omega tells our brothers over the comm that she's obsessed with using. I'd have bene the same with mine, had I gotten it when I had energy to move.

The boys freeze and turn to us. Omega points to Cid.

"Apparently," I tell them, waving my hands, "We need to go around asking people what their names are instead of if they know themselves." I do not like this person.

"We'll talk in my back office," Cid says, waving a clawed hand towards the door. "You too, Snippy."

"I don't even know what that means," I grumble, looking up at Tech. "What does that mean?"

"It is a term used to describe speaking in a sharp, condescending manner," Tech replies as we move for the back room.

I throw up my hands. "That's great, but I have no idea what condese-whatever means. Does it have something to do with condensation?"

I'm pretty sure Tech is about to start giving me a fierce lecture for that, but luckily for all of us, Cid interrupts first.

"I had a good thing going with the Jedi," Cid says as we enter an office-like area. She has a desk and a chair, and there's a holotable in here, too. "They valued my insights, but now that they're all dead, the demand for my services has declined. Thanks to this new Empire." She circles to stand by her desk, and Echo pulls Omega away from some of the weird artifact thingies everywhere.

"Times have changed, for all of us," Hunter replies.

"No kidding. I never had clone deserters come to me before," the Trandoshan remarks.

"Yes, well," Tech offers quickly, adjusting his goggles, "We separated due to a fundamental difference in ideology."

"That's cute, you thinking I care," Cid grumbles, and I glare at her for being rude again. "Cut to it and tell me what you want."

Echo steps forwards, setting his helmet down on her desk and plugging his scomp into the holotable.

"By all means, make yourselves at home," Cid grouses.

"Vision," Echo says as a hologram flickers on, "This is her, right?"

My head snaps around and I look up at the person in the hologram. Orange and black, just like my vision. "Yup," I nod, "That's her."

"Well," Echo says, turning to Cid again, "We encountered this woman on Pantora. Do you know who she is?"

"No, but I know a bounty hunter when I see one."

"Well, we already knew that," I grumble. No, I don't know why I'm in such a mood suddenly. Hunter throws an unreadable glance at me, and I could almost swear I feel the faintest flicker of longing, which is weird. ... Or not. The grumpy glaringness used to be Crosshair's role. Which is fine because I'm perfectly happy to take on that role if he's not here.

"Can you find out who hired her?" Echo queries.

"That depends on what you boys do for me." We all stare blankly at her, clueless. Hunter and Tech briefly look at each other, then at Echo. At least I certainly don't have a clue what she's talking about. "Are you fresh outta the tube?" Cid snaps, annoyed, turning off the hologram. "You pull a job for me, and I get the information you want. That's how this mercenary thing works."

"Mercenary?" Echo repeats, staring at her as she stalks past him towards her chair.

"Not too quick, are ya? Clearly, the kid's the brains of your operation."

Wrecker holds his hand out towards 'mega and I, and I think we should get a galactic award for managing the first three-person high-five. It's true though – Omega's the smartest person I know. I do not care what Tech claims about himself. Cramming a massive amount of information in your brain doesn't mean you have a clue how to use it.

"What kind of job?" Hunter asks, moving to the front. That's when it catches up to me that we're planning to go on a mission together for the very first time, and even if we're... down one, I'm still excited. This is what I've always wanted – to be with my brothers, to do things with them.

"A rescue," Cid explains, "There's a nice bounty on a kid named Muchi. My sources say she was taken by Zygerrian slavers who are holed up on the other side of the planet. Bring me the kid and I'll get you your intel." What are Zygerrians? And what are slavers? And nor am I sure I like the thought of them being on the same planet as us.

"Well, who collects the bounty?" Wrecker asks.

"Oh, look!" Cid snips, "It talks."

"It is my brother," I snap, hands on my hips, "Don't be mean."

Cid seems to be making her life's mission to ignore me entirely, and I step back, crossing my arms and glowering. "We split the bounty 70-30, my favor. Take it or leave it," she tells my brothers, pulling some kind of small... device out from something.

"Grab a kid from a few Zygerrians?" Wrecker asks cheerfully, laughing. He hits Hunter's shoulder, who throws him an annoyed look, one Wrecker looks entirely unphased by. Wrecker laughs, tossing his helmet from one hand to the other. "We could do that in our sleep."

Wrecker's already bounding for the door, and Omega takes off after, looking more cheerful than I've seen her in... I don't know, but it softens some of the frustration and longing inside me. I've never been scared to go on missions before, never had a reason to – not until Saleucami, when that thing nearly ate us, or Pantora, when I had that vision.

It's not about to stop me, though. We're going in, together for the first time, and this is where I wanna be. Surrounded by chaos and fighting because that's the only life I've ever known.

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