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IMPORTANT

I have some important and unfortunate news for my fanfiction dot net readers. This will be my last update on this site.

This site is practically unusable at this point. Fics and updates disappear. There are rampant bots. The posting system is such that it destroys my formatting and I have to go in and redo every italic. The only reason I've kept it up this long are my regular readers.

This makes me really sad because I started reading fanfic on this site 15 years ago. I've posted on it, my sisters have posted on it, heck, my mom posted on it. I've also had some of my favorite interactions with readers on here.

I will be continuing my stories on Archive of Our Own. I'm under the same name, same profile pic. I even have a couple of fics that I haven't posted here. I'd put a link, but it's a difficult process on this site. My profile and stories are open to guests, so you don't have to make an account.

Thank you all for reading and commenting, and I'll hopefully see you on AO3!

Bvadams: I'm glad you're enjoying, and I hope to see you on AO3!

I'm very excited for this chapter. It has one of my absolute FAVORITE scenes.

Trigger warnings: a form of panic attacks or PTSD attack, implied suicidal ideation.

Chapter 7: Byproduct of Love

They were arguing again. CX-2 listened carefully. Any cracks in their squad should be exploited. Unfortunately, the arguments tended to revolve around the same issue: their watch rotation.

"Omega, you were not on the schedule this many times when I made it!" 1409 was scolding.

The target folded her arms.

"You can't prove that."

1409 tapped at the datapad and then held it up.

"It was edited yesterday." He said flatly.

"Who said it was me?" The target asked.

"Yeah, because Hunter gave you twice as many shifts as the rest of us." 1409 said. "You've spent too much time around Crosshair."

Genoa, who was standing by CX-2's bed, snorted.

"That might be my influence, actually." She said.

9903, lounging by the door, gave a short laugh.

"Ahs-" The target started, but then glanced at CX-2. "She says I help him the most."

CX-2 narrowed his eyes. They had made several references to a vague 'she' that was obviously neither the target or Genoa. They treated this individual as a figure of authority over his perceived condition.

'She' was wrong. CX-2 was not affected by any of their attempts to return him to the individual he was before Dr. Hemlock had saved him. In any case, he believed the 'she' was likely an enemy of the Empire. Otherwise they would not go to such lengths to conceal her from him.

"We've got time, Omega." 1409 said. "We don't have a deadline. We can afford not having you by his side every waking moment."

"Fine!" The target snapped. "Go wake up Hunter or Crosshair, now that they're finally sleeping. Or are you gonna break your own rules and have you or Phee do two shifts in a row?"

1409 drew his hand down his face.

"Echo, lemme talk to ya." 9903 said.

The large clone drew 1409 aside, closer to CX-2 and away from the target.

"Listen, she's not gonna last the whole shift." 9903 said quietly. "She's putting on a strong front, but she's gonna pass out after an hour or two."

"And that's a reason to let her have her way?" 1409 asked.

9903 chuckled.

"Better than gettin' her riled up. That'll get Cross and Hunter up for sure. I'll get someone when she runs outta steam."

1409 sighed again, but turned back to the target.

"You can take this shift, but I will be adjusting and locking the schedule after this." He said.

CX-2 watched as the target smirked and waved to Genoa and 1409 as they left the room. He deduced that it must be sometime during the night cycle on whatever planet they were on. He thought he remembered one of the squad mentioning Pantora during his delirium, but he could not be certain. That meant after the change of shift, 1409 and Genoa would likely retire.

Leaving CX-2 alone with a tired child and the member of Clone Force 99 with the lowest academic scores as his sole guards.

He endured the next two hours. The target and 9903 had a whispered conversation that CX-2 could hear plainly.

"I don't think we should be showing him combat situations, Wrecker." The target told 9903.

"'Snot a combat situation." 9903 replied. "It's our first combat sim! We weren't in danger!"

"I feel like we need to remind him about stuff that isn't being a soldier." The target said.

"No, I know!" 9903 said. "This-"

The clone trailed off.

"We failed our first combat sim." He finally said.

"I know." The target said. "I watched as much as I could, remember? I- was scared for you."

9903 laughed a little, though CX-2 could not tell what was humorous.

"We were too. We thought we were gonna be decommissioned for sure. Crosshair especially. He thought it was his fault."

9903 looked at CX-2 and tried to meet his eyes. CX-2 did not allow this.

"But Tech didn't let him think that way." 9903 went on. "Didn't let any of us think that way. He figured out that the sim was wrong and it was like ten levels higher than we were supposed to do."

CX-2 clenched his hands tightly. He hated the way they talked about the person he once was. Always looking to him to react.

"What?" The target asked. "I didn't know that! Was it an accident?"

9903 shook his head.

"The long necks wanted us to fail for some reason and knew it was gonna happen." He said. "They weren't gonna get rid of us 'cause of it. But we didn't know. Tech found out what was goin' on just to make us feel better."

CX-2 nearly rolled his eyes at that. Clearly his past identity had feared for his own existence and had looked into the matter for his own peace of mind. He likely shared the information as an afterthought.

"You're right." The target said. "That's a good one. Go ahead."

And so CX-2 was forced to listen to the recording of Clone Force 99's first combat simulation and the aftermath. However, soon after the blaster fire and cursing died away, 9903's prediction came to fruition. The target's eyelids drooped and she fell asleep. 9903 chuckled and moved to pick her up.

It was time for CX-2 to act.

"Wrecker."

The name was odd on his tongue. He pushed away the thought that it was familiar.

9903 froze, hands outstretched to lift the target. Slowly, he turned his head to stare at CX-2 with wide eyes.

If CX-2 was correct, the shock of hearing his chosen 'name' from his 'lost brother' would cause enough emotional turmoil in 9903 for CX-2 to manipulate him into releasing him.

"Wrecker." CX-2 forced himself to say again. "I need your assistance."

9903 straightened. CX-2 tried not to grit his teeth at how slowly the man moved. He kept staring at CX-2, even as he walked to his bedside.

Did he believe CX-2? Was the name enough?

"I need you to-"

"Tech." 9903 cut him off. "Don't."

CX-2 frowned, confused.

"Please." 9903 went on. "I'm talking to the part of you that's you that's listening. Don't use our names. Yeah it hurts, but it won't get ya anywhere."

CX-2 glared at 9903. Frustration boiled inside. 9903 has been so affected at first. CX-2 had been sure the manipulation would work.

In a moment of pure spite, he fixed his gaze on the target and opened his mouth.

"Om-"

9903 shoved his hand against CX'-2's mouth.

"Don't you dare." He growled. "Not to her. You don't say her name unless you mean it."

The spite faded. CX-2 looked down. 9903 slowly took his hand away.

"Hurt us, if you need to, but please don't hurt her." The man said.

CX-2 nearly spat the name out, a knee-jerk reaction to oppose whatever these traitors said.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the girl. Still asleep.

Omega.

Something stirred in his chest. He clamped it down as soon as he was aware of the feeling.

He could not say their names, it seemed. If the mere thought of them made him react this way, he should not encourage it.

Tech didn't talk. Omega didn't know if that was a good or bad thing. On one hand, it was nice that he wasn't snarling at them and telling them they were traitors. On the other- Tech wasn't Tech if he didn't talk.

Omega watched him from the hallway. It was Wrecker and Hunter's turn to stand guard now, but if she wasn't sleeping she found it hard to stay away. Hunter, at her request, had the datapad playing more of Tech's recordings. He and Wrecker made the occasional comment on the contents.

"I remember this mission. I had to make you throw that set of blacks away after we got sprayed by that slither skunk. You wanted to study the stuff."

"Hah! Didn't smell that bad! Didn't even make ya faint! I've got socks that did worse!"

Tech didn't respond to any of it. He just stared ahead. Omega missed his little reactions from when he was sick.

A hand on her shoulder almost made her jump. It was Echo, followed by the Jedi. They stood to the side, out of Tech's sight.

"Any change?" Echo asked.

Omega shook her head.

"Don't let him see you." She told Ahsoka. "It might make things worse."

As she spoke, Tech's gaze snapped to her. She made herself smile at him, though she just wanted to hide from how wrong his eyes were now. Even from the beginning, before he loved her, he'd at least look at her with curiosity. That had turned to fondness or worry, at least Tech's versions of them. Now the way Tech looked at Omega reminded her of the way Cad Bane had. Like Omega was nothing more than an object that needed to be retrieved.

"We've got word from Rex." Echo said. "He wants to come see Tech."

"Is that a good idea?" Omega asked. "It's not like he can help more than we can. And the Empire thinks he's dead."

Echo raised an eyebrow.

"Do you have any intention of letting Tech report back to the Empire?" He asked. "But I'll tell Rex you don't want to see him."

He sounded like he was making a joke, but it still felt heavy. Everything was heavy now. Omega didn't feel strong enough to carry it.

"I don't mean it like that." Omega said. "Of course I want to see Rex."

"You're not the only one." Ahsoka said. "He's coming for more than just Tech."

Omega's heart sank at her words.

"Another mission?" She asked. "Are you going to go too, Echo?"

"I don't know if Rex needs me or not." Echo said. "But you know my work with him is important, Omega."

Omega nodded, but she couldn't stay silent.

"But we're all back together now!" She said.

Echo put his hand on Omega's shoulder.

"I know." he said. "But the galaxy isn't just us."

Omega ignored the hand and threw her arms around his middle. She felt a soft chuckle as he returned the embrace.

"You never let me hug you like that during the war." Ahsoka commented.

"Yeah, well, Omega doesn't give you much of a choice." Echo said.

Omega smiled a little, remembering how shocked each of her brothers had been when she'd first hugged them- except Wrecker.

"I've got to get Crosshair trained." She said. "Like I did the rest of you."

Echo laughed aloud at that. He gave her an extra squeeze before letting go. The humor in his eyes died as he looked over at Tech.

"You'll have to train Tech again too." He said softly.

Omega's stomach churned.

"If it's possible." She said.

"If anyone can do it, it's you, Omega." Echo said. "After the miracle you pulled with Crosshair-"

Echo just shook his head, looking back at Tech.

"It'll be you." He muttered.

Echo probably meant to be comforting, but his words were a weight on Omega's shoulders.

There was minimal light pollution on Pabu. That meant on clear nights, one could see practically the entire galaxy in the sky.

Tech and Phee had developed a game of sorts. They would sit together outside the Marauder and Phee would point to a star. Tech would identify it and any planets of note in its system. If he could provide a fact about those planets that she did not know, he got a point. If she knew three of the facts he gave, she got a point. If she could tell him something he did not know, she got two points.

It often ended with her telling him about some adventure, the score forgotten, at least by her.

Tonight started no differently.

"Ah, you have selected Yalbec Prime." Tech said. "You are at a disadvantage, I have been there."

"Who says I haven't?" Phee asked, nudging Tech's shoulder. "Shoot."

"Cutting off the Queen's stinger will cause the entire male population to attempt to mate with you." Tech said.

Phee burst out laughing. Tech watched her, pleased, as she clutched her stomach. To his surprise, she leaned against him, seemingly for support.

"That- that happened to you?" She choked out.

"The mission before we retrieved Echo." Tech told her.

She grinned at him.

"Any of them succeed?"

Tech felt his face heat.

"No." He said. "We escaped before that could happen."

"Mm." Phee said. She was still leaning against him. "Good to hear."

"I am assuming you did not know that fact." Tech said. "The point goes to me. That brings us to seven-five, in my favor."

"You and your points." Phee said. "We don't even write them down, Brown Eyes."

"I do." Tech said. "I have won twenty-three times and you have won twenty."

She looked at him.

"You keep track?" She asked.

Tech cocked his head.

"I always keep records of significant moments of my life." He said.

A strange expression crossed her face.

"You're sweet, Brown Eyes."

Tech opened his mouth to reply when the sound of rapid footsteps from the Marauder made him turn around. Omega had appeared in the entrance. Tech frowned. She was wide eyed and was breathing heavily.

"Omega?" Phee asked. "Honey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing!" Omega said. "Um- where's Hunter and Wrecker?"

"Wrecker wished to try night fishing." Tech said. "Hunter was coerced into accompanying him."

"Oh." Omega said. She bit her lip. "I just woke up and no one was here."

Tech could see that she was upset.

"I am here, Omega." He said.

"Come sit with us for a bit." Phee invited.

She scooted away from Tech, creating a space. Omega came and sat there. Tech gently touched her shoulder.

"Did you have a nightmare?" Phee asked.

Omega shrugged.

"I guess. I was just- alone."
"That's plenty enough for a bad dream." Phee said.

She put her arm around Omega and pulled her close. Tech thought he could hear Omega sniffle.

They were quiet together for some time. Omega had hooked one of her fingers around one of Tech's.

Phee began to hum, and then sing softly. They were words about night, sleep, and safety.

Tech listened carefully. He had heard few songs, especially ones of this variety. It was- pleasant. Omega gave a long sigh and slumped against Phee.

"Is that- a lullaby?" Tech asked during a pause in the song's words.

"Mm-hm." Phee said. She was carding her fingers through Omega's hair. Tech briefly wondered what the feeling was like. "From my home planet."

"What's a lullaby?" Omega asked sleepily.

"A song created for the purpose of lulling one to sleep, I believe." Tech said.

He glanced at Phee, seeking confirmation. She nodded.

"Oh." Omega mumbled. "I think- I think I sang you lullabies when you were little."

Tech became alert and made sure his goggles were recording. Omega did not often speak of their early time together.

"I made them up." Omega went on. "They didn't have words like yours, Phee. But you all had such a hard time sleeping and it helped. Hunter especially."

Omega let out a long breath. Tech waited for her to continue, but her breathing had evened out. Tech lightly placed his hand on her back. There was a familiar tightness in his chest. She was so- precious to them.

He looked up at Phee and saw the expression on her face as she looked at Omega. A similar feeling clenched in him. Phee was precious as well.

She looked up at him and her eyes crinkled in a smile. Her hand joined his on Omega's back. It was odd- Tech did not usually enjoy physical touch. The feeling of Phee's fingers on his own was unexpectedly pleasant.

Tech found himself looking at her lips. He wondered vaguely if they were as soft as they looked.

Oh. I am physically attracted to Phee. He thought. And then, a more alarming thought- It is not only physical.

He had never felt romantic or sexual attraction towards any being before. But if this strange, bright, upsetting in its intensity feeling was not a byproduct of love, then he vastly misunderstood the concept.

The thought was terrifying.

His throat went dry and he did not know what to do. He unceremoniously jerked his hand away from hers.

"I should return Omega to her room." Tech said. "We are having a flying lesson tomorrow and she will need to be well rested."

"Oh." Phee said. For a moment he thought she looked- disappointed? But then she smiled. Before he had known Phee and Omega, Tech did not know that smiles could be so pleasant. "You're probably right. Goodnight, Brown Eyes."

"Goodnight, Phee." Tech said.

He lifted Omega from Phee's side and carried her towards the ship. As he reached the top of the ramp, he looked back. Phee was walking away. The sight was distressing. Now that he knew he had these feelings, he did not know how to proceed.

CX-2 woke from a fitful dream, as usual. It was irritating how he could not escape them through stasis now. He did not feel rested after natural sleep.

He opened his eyes and was immediately met with a half blurred world. He closed his biological eye. It was disorientating to have both open.

"Hey, Brown Eyes."

The woman was here.

Phee Genoa. The even voice supplied.

CX-2 gritted his teeth. He did not care what her name was. But he turned to look at her regardless. She was holding a bowl of soup. So it was to be this humiliation. But unlike on the ship, CX-2 had a chance of escape here. He would need his strength. So when the woman held a spoon to his lips, he took it. She let out a long breath.

"Sorry, it's the same stuff." She said. "You seemed to like it best, when you were sick."

CX-2 did not know why she apologized. Sustenance that could be consumed repeatedly without varying was ideal. And-

It is pleasant. That voice said.

She fed him in silence, which was unusual, though not unwelcome. They normally overwhelmed him with their chattering or the cursed recordings that made him feel so odd. It was preferable to eat in silence.

"I found my file on your datapad." The woman said.

Damn.

"I- didn't expect there to be so many recordings." She said. "Of course, I talk plenty, but I didn't think you'd want to record my stories."

She fell silent again.

"Not all of them were my stories, though." She said after a few more mouthfuls. "Most of it was just- us. On Pabu."

Pabu? That was new information. If it was a planet, it was one CX-2 had not heard of.

"And I saw your notes on some of them." Her voice had dropped low. "Wondering how- what I felt towards you. How confused you were."

Something knotted in CX-2's chest. It- it was uncomfortable.

"I should have known you didn't know." Genoa said. "And I wish to every deity alive or dead that I told you before you left."

She touched his face. Instinct screamed at him to jerk away. He did not. He sat, frozen.

"I care for you a whole lot, Brown Eyes." Phee said. He saw a tear run down her cheek. "Stars- I love you."

He wanted to get away- from her, from the recordings, from the strangling tight warmth that they forced on him. Why did those words pain him? He squeezed his eyes shut. Traitors. He said in his mind. Traitors- traitorstraitorstraitorstraitors-

He had to remind himself what they were. He felt his lips move.

"-Traitorstraitorstraitors-"

"Oh hell." Genoa's voice seemed from a distance. "Tech- I'm sorry-"

"Tech?" Suddenly the girl's voice. "What's wrong?"

Not her. He couldn't-

He was suffocating. He jerked his arms against his restraints, trying to get his hands to his ears.

"What's going on?"

They were all here, the traitors. He was surrounded by them.

"Let his arms go."

"Are you crazy?"

"He's overwhelmed, and what is he going to do? He has no legs!"

His hands were free and he clapped them to his ears. The muffled voices still jabbed at him.

He wanted to rip these feelings out. He wanted these traitors to be gone- to kill-

No- no, not kill. The idea made his writhing insides worse.

He just wanted them away from him.

Away and safe.

Except- Hemlock. The target.

She would be safe on Tantiss. The others would be safe away from Tantiss.

"-Traitorstraitorstraitors-

He hated them.

Why do you hate them?

They were traitors.

To what?

To the Empire! To Hemlock, to- to him!

How are they traitors?

Because they wouldn't let him die! Because they kept him in this state! If they cared, they would have killed him as a mercy long ago. If he was at all what they thought he was, they should have seen how wrong he was! How he'd rather be dead than like this!

"-traitorstraitorstraitors-"

Brothers.

"No!" He screamed.

No, he would not be their brother! Their brother was dead, should be dead!

If they wouldn't let go, he would make them.

A plan began to form in CX-2's mind, clear among the haze the world around him had become.

He would escape. Wait for Genoa and the ARC trooper to be the ones watching him. He would take Genoa's blaster, take the ARC's cybernetic legs.

And then take her.

He would deliver her to Tantiss, because if she remained free, Hemlock would never stop hunting them. She would be safe there. And CX-2 would be prepared for his next mission. He would be given a new implant in the case of capture.

And he would use it.

From the top!

Omega is totally someone who takes way too much on herself, to the consternation of her brothers.

CX-2 thinks Wrecker is stupid because he doesn't have great test scores. CX-2 is WRONG.

Wrecker probably believed for half a second that Tech was back, but he turned around and saw his expression and immediately knew.

Oops using their names might have backfired a little bit…

I don't think we talk enough about how the Batch canonically STINK. I think it's hilarious.

I am a firm believer that unless truly evil, like Hemlock or Sidious, if given enough time Omega could turn anyone. Even Vader. I don't actually know if I'm kidding or not.

I love this flashback. That is all.

Part of why I love Tech and Phee together is that they're both so curious.

The show touched on it a bit, but I think Omega would be SO TERRIFIED of being alone again. I also adore any and all ideas of her interacting with the Batch as babies.

Huh. I guess I'm leaning towards Tech being some form of demisexual. That, or he just wasn't paying attention.

Yeah, this is this fic's version of why Tech is so awkward during their final interaction. Though I do believe part of it is that Tech just doesn't know how to say goodbye to someone he cares about. He's never had to do it before.

I adore the phrase 'byproduct of love.'

Yes, I'm changing how I spell Brown Eyes. Please ignore my inconsistency.

Maybe not the best time for this, Phee. Oops.

I know it's a serious scene, but 'He has no legs!' still makes me laugh.

A little more Tech coming to the surface. Unfortunately he makes all the wrong conclusions.

Okay, should be everything.

Stay safe, remember to review, and thanks for reading!