Chapter Text
‘No matter how big the galaxy, the same people always seem to find each other.’
“It’s been a while.”
Fennec stated casually, clearly trying to make small talk while the two of them were walking towards wherever Fennec was leading the two of them. Not that they had been good friends in the past either, with the initial meeting between the two of them having been under, well, difficult circumstances at best.
But in the later years, the two of them having once again come together, the animosity from the past had kind of been sorted out. After all, even if Fennec had been after Omega as a target paid and bought for by the Kaminoans, it had been to protect her more than anything else. At least, that was how Fennec liked to think of it to be.
And guess, Omega too had come to realise while growing up, that life wasn’t as black and white as she had originally seen it to be. There were always lots of grey there, for every single living being. So, now, seeing Fennec, on Tatooine of all places was surprising, but Omega did not mind seeing a familiar face after having been on her own among strangers for so long.
“Yeah it certainly has.”
Omega wasn’t too talkative at the moment. After all, finding Fennec of all people in the fortress had caught her by surprise. Plus, Omega was after a target. And it seemed that either Fennec was after the same bounty or then, there was something, well, not up to par there. Because knowing Fennec, like Omega did, there really was never anything good going on wherever Fennec was involved.
But, what choice did Omega have right now?
Fennec seemed to really know the layout of the land and she had a helluva lot more experience over Omega even if Omega had honed her own skills over the years. And well, Omega too was good in what she did, even if mostly, not being as comfortable with the choice of profession she was in right now. But, Omega got the job done just the same. And in the end, that was all that mattered. Right?
“So you’re a bounty hunter now.”
The comment was made rather snidely. And most likely it was intended as a jibe towards Omega. As in their past connections, the two of them having pretty much stood on the opposite sides of things despite pulling a few ops while working together. But those had been out of necessity more than anything else. Not because they were best friends or that Fennec had certainly seen the light and turned, well, if not good then at least, less ruthless.
“Well..”
Omega paused because it seemed that they were going to have this conversation after all, whether Omega liked it or not. And she really did not. But, Fennec was clearly grilling her and well, it wasn’t that any of Omega’s life was a secret really. Not any more.
“…after the rebellion, there weren’t too many job opportunities for a former mercenary and a rebel soldier. So guess this was the next best and logical choice to pick.”
Omega tried to be as casual about it as she could. Because she was damned not to spill her regrets and failures to Fennec. Whatever Omega might have been in her life, her youth, adulthood, the choices made both personal and professional were nobody’s business but her own. And certainly not someone like Fennec. With plenty of faults and character flaws of her own was not going to judge her, that much was sure!
But, guess Omega had been wrong after all. As Fennec was only making conversation, trying to find out what Omega had been up to since their last meeting. But yeah, the two of them weren’t friends.
“Yeah, I hear ya.”
Was all that Fennec told Omega then, Fennec’s tone rather solemn, even contemplative if Omega did not know any better. Another surprise for sure.
A moment of silence suddenly passed between them, before Fennec spoke again.
“So, why are you after this, bounty?”
Omega sighed rather heavily at that, feeling again annoyed, as why the questions? They were both professionals now, right? Doing the exact same thing? As in bounty hunting? The word in the name of it?
“Because they are a target and I get the commission upon delivery.”
Omega did not want to sound angry or clipped, but Fennec was bringing those qualities in her to the surface. Fennec had always managed to rattle Omega, so why would that have changed?
And it kind of frustrated Omega, that even after all these years, her being an adult and all, Fennec still treated her like that kid she had once been when they had first met. And clearly knowing which strings of her to pull too.
But the galaxy had changed a lot during Omega’s life time. And now, despite the Empire being gone, the Rebellion gone too, all of it, having changed… They all needed to adapt to a new way of life. And didn’t Omega just explain to Fennec the reason she was doing this, job?
Fennec let out a laugh just then, which was kind of odd in Omega’s mind. But clearly, Fennec had seemed more relaxed, more confident even, not that she had not been before, having earned the title of Master Assassin rather early on. But, somehow, taking a real good look at her companion, Omega could not only see, but more like sense the difference in this Fennec Shand than the one she had had dealings with in their shared past.
Omega found this intriguing on some level, which again, surprised her. A lot of surprises for one day for sure!
But Omega if anyone knew well, how people could easily change after having gone through whatever life had thrown their way. And Omega herself for sure had done just that.
“Yeah, well, guess that is one way of seeing it.”
Fennec stated rather coyly.
“But, this is a high value target and there are quite a few hunters after them. More skilled and experienced ones at that.”
The stab of Fennec’s words present there, clearly.
Omega stopped on her tracks just there and then.
Not that she had not know this to be true. The fact that she was after bounty with a value on their head as high as she even cared to count.
It was the main reason for herself to go after the target. At least, that was the excuse Omega had told herself and half bought it too. But there was the more… still, it wasn’t something she was prepared to admit, not just yet.
But clearly, something was off with Fennec. As if realising it just then and there, as clearly, Fennec wasn’t after the target, not any more, rather she acted so cool and calm. Like she had already captured the bounty? And then something clicked inside of Omega’s mind.
“Why are you here?”
That made her catch Fennec’s attention, her stopping and then turning in her steps, standing right there, glaring back at Omega with a rather unreadable expression on her face.