Graveyard of Stars - Being Rewritten

Eight

Three days.  

Aster had been with Cut and Suu for three days.  The family had settled down on a quiet planet, out on a farm once again, far from the city.  She tried to do her best to help, watching Jek and Shaaeh when they were busy or helping Suu with chores around the house.  

More than she wanted to admit, she missed Omega's cheerful presence, and kind of missed the batch, too.  Even though they'd seemed more than eager to get rid of her the first chance they got.  She could only hope Omega was doing well. 

It was another sunny afternoon on the farm.  Cut was out hunting, while Suu was watching the kids, telling Aster to take some time to settle in.  They were both nice and friendly to her, it was so different from how she was used to.  She'd never had parental figures besides Jango before.  

It almost hurt.  

But she pushed it aside as best she could and did everything they asked, trying not to be in the way or an inconvenience.  As she sat far away from the house, in the tall swaying grass, she couldn't help but count every way it was different than Kamino.  

It wasn't stormy or rainy, it wasn't inhabited by only clones and Kaminoans, it wasn't stiff, it wasn't pristine brightness.  It was fresh, beautiful, open.  The breeze felt nice under the warm sun, the faint smell of fruits and dirt filed her nose, not the sharp clean sanitizer that forever stained the cloning facility.  

Rushed footsteps came near.  The urgent pace and quickness made Aster sit up, looking to where Cut was running toward her.  

"Aster," he said, stopping in front of her.  "Come on, kid, we have to go."  

Her heart stopped.  "What?"  

"There's Bounty Hunters after you, kid," he told her gently, his voice still carrying an out of breath urgency.  

Dread filled her, turning her blood cold, seeping into her bones.  It was hard to breathe.  She should have known they'd be looking for her.  Of course, the Kaminaons would be after her.  How could she be so stupid to forget and put Cut and the others at risk?  

In an instant she was on her feet, following Cut inside the house.  Suu was already packing, Jek and Shaaeh hurrying after her in a frantic.  They shouldn't have to leave.  Not because of her.  It wasn't fair to them.  

"Cut," she said quietly.  

The older clone turned to look at her, sensing something in her tone and the look in her eyes.  He shook his head.  "Don't even think about it."  

"They're after me," she pointed out.  "Not you."  

"You're just a kid-" 

"So are they."  She nodded to Jek and Shaaeh, who were following Suu as if they were glued to her.  The woman paused, looking at them silently.  "You have to protect them.  You don't owe me anything, but they're your family, Cut.  Don't put them in danger, not for me."  

He knelt on one knee in front of her, putting a hand on either of her shoulders.  "Kid, you can't survive on your own.  I won't-" 

"Don't think about me," she interrupted, not sure if she could hear the words he'd been about to say.  "Think about Jek and Shaaeh and Suu.  I can survive, I've picked up some skills here and there.  You need to protect them."  

Cut stared at her for a long time, seconds-minutes?-passed, until her reluctantly sighed, dropping his head slightly in defeat.  He hurriedly went over and rummaged for something through a drawer, fishing out a small comm device.  

"You can reach Rex on this," he told her, forcing it into her hand.  "He can help you.  Promise me you'll contact him, and I'll let you go."  

Promises can be broken, she thought, but slowly nodded.  "I promise."  

642 Words 

Written: 10-11/3/2024