Star Wars: Destiny's Choice

Chapter 11

Beka reclined against a weathered boulder, her gaze fixed upon the vast expanse of the night sky. The twinkling stars above seemed to dance in harmony, casting a soft, ethereal glow upon the tranquil scene below. The rhythmic lullaby of distant waves crashing against the shore provided a soothing backdrop to Beka's contemplation, luring her into a state of serene reverie. But her peaceful solitude was abruptly shattered by Omega's urgent cry, jolting Beka back to the present moment. Startled, she turned towards Omega, whose voice carried a note of frantic panic that pierced through the stillness of the night.

"Beka," the name echoed in the night air, a plea for help intertwined with the frantic urgency of Omega's voice. Beka's heart skipped a beat at the sound, her concern deepening as she focused her attention on Omega.

"Omega, what's wrong?" Beka's voice was laced with concern as she rose to her feet, her eyes scanning Omega's face for any sign of distress.

"Something is wrong with Batcher!" Omega's words tumbled out in a rush, her breaths coming in short, uneven gasps.

"Batcher?" Beka's brow furrowed with worry as she followed Omega's gaze, her eyes falling upon the form of a lurca hound lying nearby. Batcher, their loyal companion and trusted friend, lay on her side, her breaths labored and shallow. Crosshair knelt beside her, his hand gently rubbing her head in a gesture of comfort and concern.

"What's wrong with her?" Omega's voice trembled with apprehension, her eyes brimming with worry as she looked to Beka for answers.

Beka approached Batcher with gentle determination, her movements deliberate as she knelt beside the hound. With a soft touch, she placed her hand on Batcher's side, her connection to the Force guiding her senses as she sought to understand the source of the hound's distress. As Beka delved deeper into her Force connection, she felt a reassuring pulse of many lives emanating from within Batcher. The sensation washed over her, confirming her initial intuition that there was no imminent danger threatening the hound's well-being.

"Nothing is wrong," Beka reassured Omega and Crosshair, her voice steady and calm despite the lingering concern etched on their faces. "But I do need both of you to get me some blankets and warm water," she added, her attention already shifting to the practical steps needed to ensure Batcher's comfort and recovery.

"Why?" Crosshair's voice held a note of confusion as he looked to Beka for clarification.

"She's having babies," Beka's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of excitement and warmth.

"Babies?" Omega's gasp of astonishment echoed through the night air, her eyes widening in wonder at the unexpected news. The realization of Batcher's impending motherhood seemed to fill the atmosphere with a sense of joyful anticipation, uniting them in a shared moment of awe and delight.

Omega and Crosshair exchanged a meaningful glance, their shared astonishment giving way to a sense of determination as they understood the gravity of the situation. Without a word, they sprang into action, each eager to assist Beka in whatever way they could. Meanwhile, Beka wasted no time, rolling up her sleeves in readiness for the task ahead. With a nod of approval, she watched as Omega and Crosshair swiftly gathered the necessary supplies, their movements synchronized in a silent display of teamwork. As the night wore on, the atmosphere around them hummed with a sense of purpose and anticipation. By the time the other members of the Bad Batch returned from their night fishing trip, dawn was already upon them. Wiping her hands with a rag, Beka descended the stairs to greet her comrades, a satisfied smile playing on her lips as she prepared to share the news of Batcher's new arrivals. Beka had already been fully immersed in her duties for hours. With a quick gesture, she signaled to them to keep their voices down, mindful not to disturb the delicate peace that had settled over the scene. The team ascended the stairs, their footsteps muffled. As they reached the upper level, they were greeted by the sight of Omega and Crosshair, their forms slumped in peaceful sleep, the exhaustion of the night's events evident on their faces. Nearby, Batcher lay contentedly, her gentle whimpers accompanied by the soft suckling sounds of her seven newborns. Outside, Hunter found Beka standing at the edge of the balcony, her gaze fixed on the horizon where the first light of dawn was beginning to break through the darkness.