The Runaways

Relaxing?

*20 BBY, Zygerria*

Detta and the Queen ate for quite some time, talking in hushed tones. The Queen was very animated in her facial expressions and hand movements. Detta kept a smile plastered on. Though, at times, it seemed real. At one point and time, I caught wind of a slave auction. The Queen was inviting Detta to the auction and to the dance afterward.

"There is a dance afterward, you must attend!"

"I did not think Zygerrians traditionally danced!"

"I am not traditional." The Queen purred. "Dessert time!" She clapped.

***

Dessert was served and eaten. The sun had long set, and the candles were the only light.

"I must be going." Detta stood. "I am spent!"

"Oh! Why did you let me keep running my mouth? You must say something next time."

"Any time spent with you is wonderful." Detta bowed and excused herself. "Goodnight, your Majesty."

"Goodnight Runo my dear." Detta summoned us and the palace guard to escort us to our room. The guard brought us back, along with a tray of hard break and murky water.

"What is this?"

"Food? For your slaves." The guard looked confused.

No." She said simply. "My slaves, you think they look like this-" She pointed to us. "Eating that?" Detta pointed to the food. "Get me something of substance for my prized possessions." She sent him away with a wave of a hand. We entered the room. I flopped on the bed.

"Thank you." Ranahan sighed, flopping beside me.

"Of course! I'm not going to let you starve!" Detta looked at Kittyhawk, who was curled on the foot of the bed, snoring lightly. Ranahan was not far to follow. I leaned against the wall and struggled to stay awake. "Spitfire." She whispered. I lifted my very tired eyes to look at her. "You can have my spot." When I did, she laid a blanket on top of us. The guard knocked.
"Your...food, ma'am." He handed Detta a large tray.

"Thank you." After he walked away, she opened the lid. Leftovers from her dinner with the Queen were piled under the lid. She set the tray on a small coffee table and curled up on the bench beside the door. Detta picked up Kittyhawk's datapad and contacted the rest of the Runaways.

***

The need to sleep crept into every corner of my mind, but I heard Detta whispering.

"No Crack-Up, not yet. Though I do need you to contact me if you catch any wind of the Jedi coming after me...I do not know how they have not found me yet."

"Most likely too busy."

"Do not let your guard down." Detta reminded them.

"I won't. Goodnight General."

"Goodnight." Detta disconnected from her call and shuffled into the refresher. I must have fallen asleep, because when I woke, Detta was in comfy clothes and dividing the food up between 3 plates. She had a soft expression on her face, but an underlying worry remained in her eyes. Once she finished plating, she sat down and rubbed her eyes.

"Detta, are you ok?" She whipped her head around, sending her lekku swinging.

"Oh, yeah, of course." She sighed and stood. "Food is ready."

"Thank you." I woke the other two, and we ate together in silence. The food was the best I have ever had. Sweet and salty, sugar and spice.

"I'm going to sleep. You guys get the bed." Detta curled onto the bench. It was too small and hard, but she was asleep before any of us could protest.

"Jedi...They can sleep anywhere." Ranahan muttered, shoving a roll of bread into his mouth.

***

Detta woke early that morning. I am a light sleeper, so any slight movement by anyone wakes me. It was her comlink. A frantic call from Coria.

"Detta! They're on your trail. Send your remaining clones to Ryloth to send a transmission."

"Got it, thank you." Detta reached for her datapad and made the call. She told them to send a fake transmission from Ryloth to make them think we were all there. "Let's just hope we don't need them." I rubbed my eyes. I was surprised that Detta wasn't more scared.

"How did they find us?"

"Well, in my meditation with Master Yoda, I told him the Zygerrians took my family. But we were on Ryloth for so long it must have thrown them off." Detta let out a long sigh.

"Do you need a hug?" She paused after my question.

"Yes please." I stood and stretched, then padded over to give her a hug. She melted into me. "This has all been so stressful."

"Yes it has, but I believe in you. We can do it." I assured her.

"Thank you." She pulled away. "I need to meditate, clear my mind." She sat on the floor and took a deep breath. I walked away to see if I could find some caf. None. I rummaged through many things, but found none. I groaned. Caf sounded so good. I padded back and woke up the other two. We sat on the edge of the bed and talked. Until Detta let out an ear-piercing scream.