Graveyard of Stars - Being Rewritten

Seven

"You did what?!"  Hunter shouted, jumping up from his seat just in time to see the Marauder be carried away by an Imperial ship.  

"It was the simplest solution," Tech's voice said through the comms.  

"One problem:  Omega's on the ship," Hunter informed him and Echo.  

Silence.  

"That slightly complicates things," Tech said eventually.  "But we'll manage."  

Hunter sighed in frustration.  Aster only watched in amusement from where she sat on the floor. Both Suu and Cut had offered to set up a makeshift bed for her, but she'd politely refused.  She liked sitting on floors.  

The family finished packing, and all seven of them heading into the city.  Hunter kept Aster in front of him, his hand staying close to her shoulder, as if afraid she'd run away if given the chance.  He was smart.  

Even though she knew it was because he didn't want to cause a scene, incredibly deep down, she found the gesture reassuring.  As if he actually cared for her.  No one had cared for her since Jango, Boba, and Kenji.  

"Omega's in route with the chain codes," Tech's voice reported.  

"By herself?  You let her go by herself?"  Hunter whisper-yelled.  

"Well, we didn't let her go."  

The group continued walking, though more tense now.  Suu kept a protective hand on Jek and Shaaeh's shoulders as they walked.  Wrecker had gone to assist Tech and Echo, who had worn out their welcome in the hangars.  

"I have a bad feeling about this," Cut murmured as they neared the space port, no Omega or chain codes in sight.  

"Stick to the plan, Cut," Hunter said quietly, a hand going to Aster's shoulder.  She could feel the tenseness, even he wasn't sure.  

"I'm here!"  Omega called as they moved forward in the line, running up to them.  "And I've got the chain codes!"  

"Yeah, Omega!"  Jek cheered.  

She handed them the chain codes.  "Tech accidentally made six instead of four."  

Cut glanced at Hunter.  "You... didn't tell them?"  

"Tell us what?"  While Omega's voice was light and curious, Aster's was full of suspicion.  She had a bad feeling about this.  

Hunter pulled the two girls aside.  "The extra chain codes are for you two."  

Omega frowned.  "But... I want to stay with you."  

"Cut and Suu are good people.  They can give you a life that we can't," Hunter told her, glancing at Aster.  

Aster was stiff, folding her arms across her chest.  She should have known.  Of course, they wouldn't want her or Omega around.  They were soldiers, they didn't have any experience with children.  They'd only slow the batch down.  

She tried her best to swallow down the negative feelings, trying not to admit to herself how much it felt like a slap on her heart.  She should have known.  

"Come on, Omega," she said quietly, placing a hand on her little sister's shoulder and guiding her toward Cut and Suu.  

Omega looked down sadly, glancing at Hunter before allowing Aster to lead her away.  They stepped in line with Cut and Suu again, slowly making their way forward.  Suu smiled down at the two, but neither of them were able to return it.  

Finally, it was their turn.  Cut handed the clone the chain codes, who sent them through for another clone to check.  The clone looked at Cut for a minute, recognizing him but not saying anything as he handed back the chain codes.  

"Ready?"  Suu asked gently as they prepared to board the shuttle.  

Omega frowned, glancing back.  But Hunter was gone.  She looked at Suu, then to Aster.  Some sort of silent question was asked through the young clone's eyes.  

Aster knelt on one knee, now a couple inches shorter, but she looked at her sister, both gentle and serious.  "I know you want to go with them," she said softly.  "If that's what you want, then you should go.  I'm staying, I've made my decision.  But you need to make yours."  

Omega looked beyond torn.  She kept glancing back and forth.  Aster could see how much she wanted both the batch and her.  Part of her hoped Omega would choose her, but she knew Omega needed to choose what she wanted, not what Aster wanted.  

The clone called for them to move, that they were holding up the line.  Rushed, Omega tightly hugged Aster before running down the ramp in the direction Hunter had gone.  

Aster closed her eyes briefly, letting out a sigh before she followed Suu and the others into the shuttle.  They found their seats, Jek and Shaaeh in one row, Cut in front with a row to himself, and Suu in the row behind them with Aster.  

"Are you alright?"  She asked the young, teenage clone.  

"Fine," she mumbled.  "I'm used to not being wanted.  I'll try not to cause trouble."  She curled her knees into her chest, resting her head on them as she closed her eyes, not leaving any room for Suu to say anything else.  

832 Words 

Written: 10/13/2024 

A/N:  That turned out a longer chapter than I thought.  Hope y'all are enjoying the story so far!  For Aster's age, she about 15 and a half.  Slightly older than Boba should be in this timeline.  Originally she was going to be the same age as him but I decided to make her a little older.  

Anyways, hope y'all are enjoying, stay safe and have an amazing say / night!  

- Anne