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“What would you think of going on a short trip back to Tatooine with me? I have a little business there I need to finish up in Mos Eisley,” Ada proposed to Omega, who was sitting at the kitchen table making beaded bracelets. It was a rare but welcomed rainy day on Pabu, and Omega was spending the afternoon at Tech and Ada’s home.
“Really? Yes! I would love to!” She responded eagerly. She set her bead project down and gave Ada a squinty look, “having business on Tatooine sounds a little suspicious. What sort of interesting trouble are you going to get us into?” A smirk emerged on her face.
“Omega, there is more to Tatooine than crime and gangs. Lots of good beings live there who live honest lives. That’s where I grew up, you know. Although, it was due to criminal reasons…”
“So, what you are saying is this business will not involve any interesting trouble?”
“Yes, that is what I’m saying. Sorry to burst your bubble, silly.”
Omega’s smirk disappeared, but her bright and curious eyes remained, “just us?”
“I think so. It will be a very quick trip and everyone else is busy right now with the construction projects on the island. We can make it an educational trip, too! Maybe that will help me convince Hunter to let you come with me…” Ada thought out loud, knowing the biggest hurdle ahead of her would be getting his permission.
“Educational?! Really, do we have to?”
“It will be fun! I can tell you all about the natural history of the planet, the evolution and adaptations of the desert life forms, and maybe we can take a couple field trips!” Ada began to get excited about figuring out a perfect excuse to infodump all the most interesting (to her) facts about Tatooine.
“Fun,” Omega said flatly. “Okay, I suppose that doesn’t sound too bad, as long as I can go with you. What exactly is the business you need to take care of?”
“Well, when I was there last, months ago, I left in a big hurry. It was when I found out you were taken, and about Tech’s fall. So, I'd like to go back and tie up a few loose ends. I want to give something to someone who lives there, something I’ve decided I no longer need. I also have to figure out how to get a ship I have stored there back to Naboo.” This was the first time Ada had said her plans out loud, she hadn’t even discussed this with Tech yet. It all seems simple and straight forward, right?
“When should we leave?” Omega asked.
“I suppose we can go whenever, but first, I need to talk to your brothers about you coming. Hopefully that isn’t too much of an obstacle. I haven’t exactly talked to Tech yet of my plans, although I don’t anticipate any push-back from him.”
“How about we bake some cookies and bring them over to the house tonight when we talk to them?” Omega suggested.
“You think it’s going to take cookies to convince them?”
“Probably.”
“It’s not Wrecker I'm worried about, Omega.”
“Well, I don’t think cookies will hurt any,” Omega said, standing up from the table to walk towards the food pantry to grab the baking supplies.
“Absolutely not,” Hunter said without hesitation.
“Oh, please!” Omega begged, clasping her praying hands in front of her.
“No. Any other planet, any other city – I would consider.”
The three of them stood in the kitchen of the clones’ house as they discussed.
“Hunter, I think you are exaggerating a bit about the danger,” Ada defended. “How much time have you actually spent there?”
“I’ve never been,” he responded, much more restrained. “I just don’t know that it’s a safe idea right now.”
Omega piped up, mimicking Ada’s comment from earlier that day, “Hunter, there’s more to Tatooine than gangs and crime and stuff, and a lot of good beings live there who live honest lives! It’s where she grew up, you know.” She looked up at Ada, who was standing there awkwardly.
Ada despised confrontation and was ready to give in to Hunter just to get out of this situation. However, with Omega batting on her side, they had a fair chance at this.
“Besides, we’ve traveled to so many other sketchy planets and cities before. I know how to stay out of trouble,” Omega added.
Hunter sighed, “I know, but you were with us.” He glanced at Ada, “no offense.”
Ada stiffened and furrowed her brow. She felt a flood of anger rising, causing a flush of red to her face. She couldn’t hold back.
“Actually, offense taken,” she snapped.
Hunter startled from the unexpected response from Ada, who was normally apathetic and unassertive.
“I know that city like the back of my hand and understand the subtleties of the culture there. I know the places to stay away from – I’m not a fool, Hunter!” Ada could feel the sweat popping up on her forehead and her mouth suddenly felt incredibly dry. Her chest heaved with emotion. She immediately regretted her tone towards him, but was also so satisfied with saying every word of it. Her hands trembled as she shoved them into her trouser pockets. She stood there staring at the floor.
Hunter was quiet as he looked at both of them, contemplating. Omega stared at him, her eyes wide with hope, while Ada avoided looking at him at all.
He sighed and he raised his hand to rub the back of his neck, a look of surrender on his face. “How long will you be gone?”
Omega ran to Hunter and embraced him tightly, “thank you!”
Hunter looked at Ada, who was still trying to avoid his eye contact. “Listen, I’m sorry, I do trust you, Ada.”
She looked at him finally and forced an awkward side smile, “it’s okay. I understand your side, too. But, I assure you this will not be dangerous like the stories you’ve heard about that place. We’ll only be gone for three days, max. And, I’m planning to make it an educational trip.” Ada ended with much more excitement in her voice.
Hunter’s eyebrows shot up. “Educational? You are going to teach her about what?”
“Tatooine! Ecology, geology, desert ecosystems, organismal evolution... You know, the basics,” she explained.
“The basics, right. Sounds good,” he laughed with a half smile. Ada’s comments didn’t reduce his worry much, but he was glad to hear she wasn't educating Omega on crime families and various gambling hubs and all the various underground dealings that commonly occur in Mos Eisley. He had to admit to himself that Ada was a capable person, and knew he had to let go a little if Omega was to enjoy her childhood.
“I would suggest making it an educational trip,” Tech said.
“That’s what I thought, too!” Ada practically shouted with excitement. She enthusiastically grabbed his shoulders and pretended to shake him.
Tech stumbled back and caught himself on the kitchen table, not the steadiest yet on his new bionic leg. There was a slight look of annoyance on his face.
“Sorry, got a little too excited,” she sheepishly admitted, also suddenly realizing everyone was looking at them. She let go of him and stood at his side. Clearing her throat, she gestured awkwardly towards the plate on the table, “ah… Omega and I made cookies. Help yourself.”
“Don’t mind if I do,” Wrecker said eagerly, wiggling his fingers in front of him and moving towards the plate. He had been eyeing them since he walked into the room.
Tech, Wrecker, and Crosshair had returned to the house only a few minutes after the conversation with Hunter. They had been assisting with the deconstruction of a storefront that was too severely damaged from the tsunami to be salvaged. They were cold and tired from working in the rain all afternoon.
While everyone else began conversing about their day and what dinner plans would be, Ada turned to Tech and asked privately, “so, you are good with me going back to Tatooine, and taking Omega with me?”
“Yes, of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, I don’t know… It’s sort of a big decision, some might find it less than ideal. I just want to make sure you are okay with it.”
“I am fine with it, Ada. Now, are we staying here for dinner tonight?”
She sighed. “I suppose, at this point.”
The day ended with an impromptu family dinner. They all gathered around the table, warm and cozy, as the steady rain continued throughout the evening. The small home was filled with hopeful and exuberant conversations, and the richness of their new lives was flowing vigorously through the air.
It soon became late, and time for Ada and Tech to excuse themselves and return to their own home. They walked briskly back through the incessant rainfall, saving any conversation until they were under their roof.
When they stepped inside, Tech immediately assisted her with removing the dripping rain poncho, then removed his and hung them both to dry. Ada remained quiet and was mentally preparing to bring something up that had been working through her mind that evening. They made their way into the softly-lit kitchen, where Ada poured herself a glass of water. Tech plugged in his datapad to charge and began checking the weather forecast for tomorrow. She stood at the sink and looked at him fondly for a pleasant minute before speaking up.
“Tech, I want to apologize to you.”
He set the datapad down and looked up at her with confusion. Ada walked over to him, set the glass down, then took his hand in hers. She hesitated while looking down towards the floor and chewing the inside of her lip. Finally, she pulled her eyes all the way back up to his.
“I should have talked with you before making the decision to travel back to Tatooine with Omega, especially before announcing it to everyone. I’m sorry.”
Tech’s confused look did not recede. Additionally, his head cocked in perplexity. “If you believe I am perturbed you didn’t come to me first, then you are incorrect. The qualities I revere most about you are your competence and your independence. There is no need to apologize for your life choices.”
“But that’s the thing, Tech. If you and I are… together, then we make big decisions like that together. It’s what being each other’s significant other is all about.”
He hadn’t thought about it this way before. He understood they were not married, or bound by some other legal or ceremonial union. They were linked by nothing more than love and commitment.
“Ada… we aren’t–”
“We aren’t just roommates, either. No matter how we are bonded, my life revolves around you, around what we need as a team, as a couple. I want to feel that connection and make sure it’s taken care of.” She continued, “I appreciate you empowering me and respecting my independence – I also love that about our relationship. But that’s just one part of it.”
“Then what is your point? I believe this matter may be receiving more emphasis than warranted.”
“My point is,” she said, squeezing his hand, “I undermined our partnership, and I feel bad about it. It may not feel like a big deal right now, – and, yeah, you’re right, it isn’t. But I want to nurture a habit of approaching situations like this with consideration for both of us.” She moved her hand up to massage the triceps on the back of his upper arm, and continued speaking earnestly. “Think of it as an investment in our relationship, strengthening our trust and showing respect to our bond.”
Tech thought about her words, absorbing this new perspective and formulating a response. He was quiet, as he normally was when contemplating a new concept. She gave him space to think, and could tell he was being very thoughtful about this.
“Ada, darling, I did not know you saw it this way. I’m still learning so much about what it means to be with you. In my mind, allowing you freedom for decisions was what I presumed to be the best way of showing I cared. However, I see now that it’s not quite that simple.”
“It’s not simple. Communication between couples is always a work in progress. And for the record, you did absolutely nothing wrong here. I’m just thinking about what I wished I had done differently.” Her face softened with a warm smile. “Of course there will be many decisions where we won’t ‘check in’ with each other. But I truly care about what you think, and want to demonstrate how I respect your views, too. I hope that you feel the same towards me, too.”
Tech felt eased seeing her smile. It did make sense. He moved in closer, placing his arms around her waist and pulling her up against him.
“We function as two interdependent subsystems within a single integrated mechanism,” he said quietly, boiling it down to simpler engineering terms.
“Precisely.”
He smiled and leaned down to kiss her. Pausing momentarily, he whispered, “thank you.”
Omega gazed absently through the transparasteel window of the Augury, zoning out at the speeding hyperspace lane. She had the look of “Maker, take me now” on her face as she silently endured Ada’s seemingly unending lecture on bantha biology.
“Bantha horns can be used to age the individual as the spiraled horns grow one ridge, or segment, per year. Segments that grow wider indicate a year of plentiful food and water, while thinner, cracked segments generally indicate a year of famine and drought. Now, on the subject of eating, banthas are actually omnivores, meaning they eat opportunistically, and will eat both vegetation as well as other animals, and can even include various species of fungi. Bantha tongues are very dexterous, and in addition, contain special olfactory glands for detecting scents-–”
“That’s cool. How much longer until we get to Tatooine?” Omega interrupted, finally having enough and sitting up straight in her co-pilot seat.
“Oh… uh, well it looks like we are getting close. Maybe another 90 minutes before we drop out of hyperspace. Just enough time to introduce you to the dewback’s evolutionary adaptations for desert life.”
“Right… Ya know what, Ada? I think I actually need to, um, go back and check my gear. Yeah, I need to make sure my canteen is full, and that my comlink is charged. I think we can hold off on discussing ‘doo-bees’ for another time?” Omega looked at Ada with a sweet but desperate looking smile.
“Dew-backs. …sure, Omega. I believe that’s a good use of this time as well,” Ada responded, finally grasping the young woman’s hint of needing a break.
Omega jumped from her seat and bounded out of the cockpit towards the back of the ship. Ada leaned her head back on the pilot seat and closed her eyes. She took a few deep breaths and attempted to settle her mind, which was usually a fool’s errand for her. Quiet moments to herself were sometimes the loudest as she struggled to slow her brain. She had a lot on her mind, considering the conversations from the last few days and the tasks at hand once they reached Tatooine. Feeling unsettled, she ultimately decided to retreat to her holobook for the remainder of travel time.
The Augury flew low as it approached Mos Eisley, and banked sharply as they turned to head towards Gavia’s shop and hangar. Omega rested her forehead against the window, taking in as much of the aerial view of the city as she could.
“Wooowww…,” she whispered to herself. “OH! Is that big place over there Jabba the Hutt’s palace?” She pointed towards a large building near the town center.
“No, that’s the great indoor market place. We could stop in there later if you wanted to get your brothers some souvenirs. Jabba’s palace is over near Mos Espa on the edge of the Dune Sea. Probably a good hour’s ride on a speeder bike from here.”
“Can we go check it out?”
“Uh, no. Sorry, I think Hunter would have my head on a platter if he found out we went over there,” Ada laughed. “We’ll just stick to Mos Eisley. There’s plenty to do and see here.”
“Fine,” Omega resigned. “So, you actually grew up here? What was it like?”
“We moved here when I was probably around your age, maybe a little younger. Living here was interesting. Lots of good people, lots of culture, lots of lessons to be learned. Prior to coming here, we had been living out of a spacecraft, always on the move, going from planet to planet for years. Being in one place finally felt normal, regardless of it being a relatively dangerous city. We made it our home.”
Ada hovered the Augury momentarily above the landing area at Gavia’s place, then gently lowered the ship down behind the shop.
“I was 19 years old when I left for school, however I still traveled back here regularly. My friend, Gavia, who I’ll introduce you to in a minute, is the one who took care of me a lot as a child,” Ada explained as she shut the engines down. “She is who I am giving the house to. Come on.”
A gust of hot, dry air hit them like a blast furnace when Ada opened the hatch. They both shielded their unadjusted eyes from the double-strength sunlight as they made their way down the ramp. Gavia was already standing at the back door of her shop waiting for them with a huge smile across her piggish Ugnaught face. On her way towards Gavia, Ada glanced over at the Archer, still stored safely inside the hangar. A little dusty, but ready to be returned to Naboo.
“Praise the Maker! Ada, sweetheart, it’s good to see you! Give me a hug.” Ada got down on one knee to be at Gavia’s height and welcomed her tight squeeze. “I was so worried about you when you left. The last time I saw you, you were a wreck." She pulled away and looked at Ada, “your eyes. They are so clear and bright – I can see right in. You are happy, aren’t you?”
Ada beamed at her. “I am. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been,” she replied with confidence. Ada stood up and moved aside so Gavia could see Omega, who was standing patiently behind her. “I want you to meet Omega. She is… like my little sister.”
Omega stepped forward with her hand outstretched, “pleased to meet you, Gavia.”
Gavia reached and grabbed her hand and shook it slowly. She didn’t say anything immediately, but studied Omega for a good minute. “Hello Omega… don’t you look like a feisty and curious one. I can tell you two are related.”
“We aren’t actually rela–,” started Omega.
“I know,” Gavia interjected. “You may not be related by blood, but there’s something deeper that you two share.”
Omega looked up at Ada with a puzzled look and caught her rolling her eyes at Gavia’s numinous comments.
“You are sisters on another level, linked soul-to-soul since before either of you were created.”
“Okay, Gavia. Thanks for the ‘spirituality’ lesson, but you know I don’t buy any of that nonsense,” Ada said contemptuously.
Gavia smiled warmly at Omega. “I know you don’t believe in it. But that doesn't change the fact that it’s true.”
“There’s no way of knowing it,” Ada continued, humorously annoyed. “You could be making it all up and telling us anything you wanted, and still claim it’s real.”
“But, how do you know?” Omega cut in, excited to learn more from her. “Do you use the Force??”
Omega was absolutely captivated, now. This was the kind of interesting stuff she wanted to learn more about, as opposed to bantha gestational periods or the special salivary glands of the eopie.
“She claims she can,” Ada said flatly, before Gavia could respond to Omega’s questions.
“I do,” Gavia said, looking at Omega with a twinkle in her eye.
“Wow!” Squealed Omega. “So, are you a Jedi?”
“No, I am not a Jedi. I am force sensitive, but I never understood what it was inside of me until later in life. I did not go through any sort of training, or anything.”
“Oh, so no light saber…,” Omega said with disappointment.
Gavia squeezed Omega’s hand again and turned to lead her into the back door of the shop, all while answering Omega’s cascading questions.
Ada just laughed to herself, rolled her eyes once again, then followed them inside. She should have known Gavia would take to Omega. She had a keen sense of character, and Omega was bright and empathetic, with a significant future ahead of her.
That afternoon in Gavia’s small home next to the shop, the three of them enjoyed cups of ola tea and sat around the kitchen table.
“I want to give you something,” Ada said to Gavia. She reached down to her pack and pulled out her datapad. She pointed the screen towards Gavia, showing her some sort of document.
“What is this?”
“It’s the deed to my house. I’ve signed it over to you. I want you to have it.”
Gavia looked at her with a furrowed brow, then back to the datapad. She reached to grab it from Ada’s hand to take a closer look. The quiet patter of Tot’s paws across the kitchen floor was the only sound in the kitchen while she read to herself.
“Ada, honey. You really shouldn’t.”
“No, I want to. I have been thinking about this for a very long time, even before all of these recent events. I don’t want it anymore, I don’t need it anymore, and who better than you to give it to. You already take care of it most of the time. You might as well move into a bigger place. You could sell this place, or rent it out.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Gavia said.
“Just say you’ll take it,” Ada pushed.
“It seems like a nice little place,” Omega added, although she had only seen images of it on Ada’s datapad.
Gavia smiled at Omega, then to Ada. “I’m honored, Ada. I thought you would have wanted to sell it.”
“I could, but I prefer the idea of it going to someone I trust. I truly want you to have it. The money is not important to me.”
“Thank you, Ada, sweetheart,” Gavia said as she got up from her seat to hug Ada. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. You are my family, I wouldn't want it any other way. Now, I also need to figure out the business of returning the Archer to Naboo. Do you know any good people needing some work? I’m willing to pay a decent amount of credits,” Ada asked, figuring Gavia met some honest folks coming through her shop.
“As a matter of fact, Ogle, who you bought the Augury from, his daughter is back in town after her extended off-world job ended. She’s a good kid, her name is Gemmi. Great pilot, and comes from a trustworthy family. I think if you left now, you could still catch them at Ogle’s repair shop.”
“Good idea. Omega, let’s walk over there now. Then maybe we can stop by Moona’s Place for dinner after we talk to Gemmi. Gavia, will you join us?”
“Not tonight. I have way too many shipments to receive and stock, I’m way behind. Just be careful, Moona’s has been a little rough recently.”
“That surprises me, I always remember it as a pretty family-friendly establishment.”
“Yes, historically it has been, but times change, management changes, and new riff-raff moves in. You should be fine, just keep your eyes open.”
“We will, thanks for the heads up.”
Ada and Omega stepped into Moona’s Place and found a table near the east corner. Ada sat so she could see the front entrance, just in case. They had come from Ogle’s, and for 2000 credits were able to successfully hire Gemmi to fly the Archer back to Theed. She gave her 1000 up front, and would leave the remaining 1000 with Gavia to give to her when she returned on a shuttle.
Ada’s instructions to Gemmi were to simply drop the ship off at a specified landing area, and just leave it. She recorded a holo-message and left it within the ship’s computer system, intended for Dr. Strix to find. In the message, she explained that she was doing fine, however she was officially resigning from her position at the University. She didn’t leave a way to contact her, but said she hoped to cross paths with him again someday, then ended the message by wishing him well. Easy enough.
Ada and Omega scanned the food menu and prepared to order. “This place is famous for its grilled bantha cheese and vaporator mushroom sandwiches. You couldn’t get a more Tatooine meal if you tried! A local favorite,” Ada explained.
“No need to look any further. I’ll be getting that, obviously.”
“Me too—,” Ada cut short.
It couldn’t be…
A Kiffar man walked in through the front door with two Weequay cronies flanking behind him. He paused and scanned the room before continuing into the eatery, taking large, arrogant steps. Ada quickly turned her head and shielded her face with her hand.
It is…
“Follow me,” she whispered to Omega. Ada’s heart raced as she grabbed Omega’s hand and pulled her towards the back entrance.
“What is it?” Omega asked as she followed close behind.
“Someone walked in who I need to avoid.”
“Who?”
“Just… someone. He’s not a good person.”
Right as they reached the back door to make their escape, a scaly Weequay hand abruptly grabbed Omega by the shirt collar.
“Ada! Ada, wait! Let go of me!!” Omega struggled as the crony gripped her tightly and pushed her through the back door. “Let go!”
Ada, who was already outside, whipped around and lunged towards Omega in an attempt to free her from her captor.
“Get your hands off of her!” She gripped the Weequay’s arm and pulled, but it was no use. Ada was violently pushed against the wall, then was gripped from behind with her arms pulled back tightly by the second Weequay. She looked up and was face to face with the Kiffar man, someone she hoped she would never meet again. He smirked at her and extended his hand to grab her waist.
“Dosh. What the kriff are you doing here? Get your foul hands away from me,” Ada sneered at the man and kicked him in the shin.
Immediately, Dosh’s open hand struck Ada across the cheek, causing a trickle of blood to form at the corner of her mouth.
“I see you still haven’t learned how to show respect,” he said back to her.
Ada spit at his face, and he instantly struck her again in return. She slowly looked back at him, baring her teeth. Her eyes were animalistic with rage as she peered through the hair that had fallen wildly over her face. Omega watched with wide eyes; she had never seen Ada like this before.
“I heard you were back in town. I wanted to see if it was true,” he said to her. “I also got word that there is a small bounty on your head. For some trouble you’ve gotten into recently? Is this true, Ada?” Dosh tsk-tsked her, shaking his head. He held up the handheld holoprojector and an image displayed of Ada’s face and bounty amount. “That’s very unlike the young woman I used to know.” His voice came out irritating and condescending, causing Ada’s blood to boil even hotter.
Ada didn’t realize there was a bounty on her. If she had known, they definitely would not have come back here, at least not alone.
“What do you want from me? What could I possibly still have to give you?” Ada’s voice trembled as she choked back her rage. A couple of rogue tears slipped down her cheeks.
“I thought maybe we could make a deal.” Dosh turned towards Omega, his hand gently caressed her cheek. He gripped her chin and moved her face side to side as if he were examining her. “And, what is your name, Princess?”
“None of your business,” Omega snarled.
“Keep your hands OFF of her!” Once again, Ada tried unsuccessfully to wrangle herself free from the crony’s grip. Her shoulders began to ache from the strain of being held back so tightly.
“She seems special to you,” Dosh continued. He began pacing slowly back and forth in front of them. “Your bounty is set at 4000 credits. Not huge in comparison to more dangerous criminals. But you are obviously still wanted.” He stopped pacing and turned to face her. “I’ll make you a deal, Ada. Give me double the bounty amount, and I’ll let you go.”
"Double?!” Ada whimpered.
Dosh leaned into Ada, his nose skimmed her cheek and he whispered into her ear, “but I know you are worth so much more.” His lips grazed her ear, sending chills down her spine. He stood up straight and looked possessively at her scowling face.
“Fine,” she said quietly.
She rapidly did the math in her head – 8000 credits, in addition to the 2000 she was paying Gemmi, would essentially wipe out her entire savings. She hadn’t been working for credits since staying on Pabu, so she would quickly need to figure out a plan moving forward.
“I can get the credits for you,” she said, defeated and emotionless.
“Excellent,” Dosh responded. “Release her.”
The lackey let go of Ada. She grimaced as her arms were freed, her left hand attempted relief by rubbing her right shoulder.
“Meet us back inside by the end of the night with the credits,” Dosh said, pointing back to the door of the eatery.
“Fine. Come on, Omega.”
“Oh, that’s the other thing,” Dosh said. “Omega? That’s her name? Omega stays with us until you return. Sorry, I forgot to mention that part of that deal.”
“No!” Ada gasped. Her stomach tightened with dread. “No, please. I promise to come back. I promise. Just let her go.”
“I can’t trust you, Ada.”
It was true, he rightly could not trust her. But Ada begged anyway. She definitely did not trust him.
“No, please, let her come with me. Here, take my datapad, or my pack. NO – take my ship! Take it instead. Please. I’ll be back with the funds. Just let her go.” Her desperate voice cracked, the panic wavering in her words.
“Ada. Ada, look at me,” Omega spoke to her sternly. “I’ll be okay. Go. I can take care of myself. Let’s just get this over with, I’ll be fine.” She smiled at Ada, hoping her honesty and bravery would break through to her.
Ada looked into Omega’s eyes for a long time. She stared through them as she contemplated the situation and thought about what she was losing. Ada was certain Omega’s brothers just lost all trust in her. No doubt Hunter would be livid. And Tech? Tech... Would he still want to be with her? She completely blew it, she ruined it. They would never trust her again.
“Ada, Ada…” Omega softly pleaded.
Ada's eyes focused back on her.
“Okay,” she said quietly. Then she said, a little louder and more annoyed, “okay! I’m going. I will be back right away. …Omega, I’m so sorry.”
Omega gave her a reassuring smile and nod. “GO,” she insisted.
Ada was unusually quiet on their trip back to Pabu. Omega was certain she hadn’t said one word since they jumped to hyperspace a few hours prior. She had given Ada some space and left her alone in the cockpit for a while. However, it really bothered Omega, and she felt the need to console her.
“Hey,” she said softly as she slipped into the copilot seat.
Ada continued looking straight ahead, then closed her eyes for a moment, preparing herself to acknowledge Omega’s presence. She opened her eyes back up then slowly turned her head to face Omega, who greeted her with softness and compassion. Ada had obviously been crying, her eyes were swollen and red, and the bruised cheek and bloodshot eye where Dosh had hit her looked angry and sore.
“Hey,” she said back quietly. She tried to force a pathetic smile, but failed miserably. She had to close her eyes and look away again as the emotion and tears came pushing its way back up.
“Ada, I’m here for you, and to listen. I want to know what I can do for you. I hate seeing you like this.”
“...I’m sorry, Omega. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry…” She trailed off as more tears came. There was something embarrassing about falling apart like this in front of a child, but she couldn’t help it.
Omega reached over and placed her hand on Ada’s arm, then moved to hold her hand.
“We’re okay. We’re safe, and we are heading back to Pabu. I know you are sorry for what happened, but there was no way of knowing that man would be there. I’m not mad at you, or upset about what happened. I am actually thankful for our little adventure.” Omega leaned over to look at Ada, trying to get her to look her in the eye.
“Thank you,” Ada finally said. She tried smiling again, and this time it was more genuine. “I’m so thankful we are safe, too. I’m just absolutely sick over how your brothers are going to respond to this. I’m afraid… I’m afraid they’ll never trust me again. They’ll push me away…”
“No. No they won’t,” Omega laughed. “Like I said, there was no way of knowing what would happen, and everyone, even Hunter, knew the risk. And Tech – he would never push you away, Ada. He’s crazy about you! I mean, as crazy as Tech can get.”
The comment about Tech made Ada’s heart flutter. She hoped Omega was right. “But, Hunter… I was so confident, and I got incredibly offended when he didn’t trust me to begin with. Now, I’m just proving him right.”
Omega sighed. She understood Ada’s worries, but she also knew her brothers very well, and had been through many more dangerous situations with them before.
“You know what?” Omega asked. “Yeah, Hunter is going to be mad. But when is he not grumpy about something? This little situation is not going to ruin anything between you. Believe me when I say this: it is not as bad as it seems to you.”
Ada remained quiet, not believing Omega completely. However, her support was already making her feel better.
“Who was that guy, anyway?”
Ugh…
Ada scrunched up her face as she prepared to explain it all to Omega. “His name is Dosh Forrid. He’s a loser, a low-life. Someone I got caught up with when I was still living there, years ago. At the time he was not a criminal, but he was well on his way to being one. I should have read the writing on the wall, but hindsight is 20/20. He hangs in the Outer Rim, spending much of his time hiding out on Tatooine.”
“What do you mean? How did you get caught up with him?”
“Well, he was my boyfriend. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“Wait– your boyfriend?!”
“Yeah. Unfortunately,” Ada sighed. “He was older, handsome, confident... I didn’t realize it at the time, but he was also abusive and manipulative – a real narcissist. Or is one, I should say. I was so young and naive. I had mistaken it all for something special, you know? But, really, all he was doing was love bombing me, taking advantage and controlling me…” Ada paused, clearly uncomfortable talking about this part of her past. “I’m… I’m just so ashamed.”
Omega listened intently, but didn’t offer any words. She wasn’t quite sure what to say, however it was evident what likely seeded many of Ada’s insecurities.
“By the time I admitted to myself that I was afraid of him, I also decided I was going to leave for school. I finally got up the nerve to tell him. He tried to threaten me if I left, and whatever. But my mind was made up – I was leaving. And that was that. I never really saw him again, until now, even when I would come home periodically. I was thankful for that. I’m sure he was off doing his dirty deeds by then. Anyway… yeah, that’s the story with him.”
“Wow, you really dodged a blaster bolt with that guy. I mean, you may have been grazed and wounded, but you survived.”
“Yeah…”
It was quiet again for a little while, besides the steady hum of the hyperdrive. They both sat staring out the window.
“Maker, I really hate this phrase, but it’s true,” Ada said. “It could have been worse. A lot worse.”
“EXACTLY,” Omega reassured.
“It still doesn’t alleviate the broken trust,” Ada continued. “That's really the most devastating part to me.”
“I know. But being honest when we get back will be the first step of rebuilding it. And I’ll be right there with you explaining it all. You will not be alone in this.”
Ada felt much better after their conversation. She spent the rest of the trip mentally preparing for their return to Pabu, and how she would explain their story to the other clones. Having exactly 156 credits to her name was another thing she was going to have to figure out. Before they left Tatooine, Gavia had insisted she take back the house and sell it, but Ada refused. She wasn’t as concerned about the financial aspect since she was already attempting to simplify her life for the sake of sustainability – but she still had to eat. Fortunately, her small stipend at the new research lab that Emerie, Mil, and her were establishing would kick in soon, thanks to some successful grant applications and generous donors. That should be fine for now.
By the time they reached Pabu, the local time was already late afternoon. The sun was low in the sky and the shadows were stretched. Ada carefully landed the Augury near the Murauder. As they gathered their personal belongings inside the ship, there was a gentle knock on the hatch.
“Ope, we already have someone coming to check on us,” Ada chuckled.
“It’s just me,” came Tech’s voice from outside.
Ada looked at Omega and took a deep breath. She hit the control for the hatch and it opened with a loud creak.
“I will need to get that lubricated for you—,” Tech cut himself off when he entered the ship and saw Ada’s bruised face. It took a moment for him to register her smile while he focused primarily on her injury.
Ada went to him, but before she could pull him in close, Tech held her at arm’s length to get a better look at her face.
“Ada, what happened?” He glanced at Omega, relieved to see she was not hurt. “Are you okay?” His hand hovered over her cheek bone, afraid to touch the sensitive looking area. Ada’s hand grasped his wrist to pull it away gently. She slid her hand into his and locked their fingers together.
“I’m fine,” she assured. She gazed at him with apprehension, knowing she’d have to explain it all soon. But at that moment all she wanted was to be held.
“I think I’m gonna head back to the house,” said Omega. “See you back there?”
“Yes,” they both said in unison.
Omega skipped down the short ramp and transitioned into a sprint towards the house.
Ada closed the small space between them. She shut her eyes and tucked herself up under Tech’s chin. “I’ve missed you.”
“It’s only been two nights, darling,” he said. “Two, very long, nights…”
She took a deep breath in and exhaled with a little sigh.
“What is troubling you?” He asked.
She hesitated, “…something frightening happened, and I– I’m afraid I may have created reason for you to lose trust in me.”
She looked up at him, searching for his reassurance (which he provided), then proceeded with her explanation. She described every detail, every decision, every mistake – everything she could remember as it had happened on Tatooine, while Tech listened attentively.
“So, you are afraid I would not want to be with you anymore because of this incident?”
She looked back up at him, her teary eyes wide with remorse and her lips downturned into a pathetic pout. Considering what Tech really felt about Ada’s story, the look on her face was almost comical.
He smiled and said, “I’m practically offended you would think that, Ada. There is almost no reason in this galaxy that would require me to leave you, and this is absolutely not one of them. I love you more every day, no matter the circumstances.”
“You are sure?”
“Yes, with the highest confidence levels.”
He leaned in to give her a long awaited kiss. She responded eagerly and tightened her arms around him. She kissed him back impatiently, but was able to break away enough to say, “let’s go home… now.”
“We need to stop at the others’ house first.”
Ada kissed the line of his jaw, down his neck, then back up to his mouth. “No. Our house first. We can go there later.”
Catching on, Tech forced himself away from her clutch and urgently grabbed her travel bag, backpack, and whatever else that needed to go to the house and headed down the ramp. Ada followed very close behind.
When Tech and Ada arrived at the other clones’ house later that evening, they found them all sitting around the table eating the dessert Wrecker had made earlier that day.
“Just in time! I saved some for you two,” Wrecker said, handing them each a small plate. “It’s jogan fruit crisp, Hunter’s favorite.” He elbowed Hunter with a smirk. “I experimented with the crust, so you’ll have to tell me what you think of it.”
“Wrecker conducting experiments might become dangerous for us all,” Tech said, accepting the plate.
Ada elbowed Tech and gave him a dirty look. “Yum. Thank you,” she said to Wrecker. They both found a seat at the table next to Omega, across from Hunter.
“Omega told us all about your adventure,” Hunter said.
Ada stopped chewing and swallowed.
Just gonna jump right in, I guess.
She looked at Hunter as the flood of panic filled her abdomen. She then looked at Omega who only smiled and nodded back to her.
“It sounds like you were a quick thinker and were able to do the best you could given the circumstances. But you are both safe, and that is what matters. That had to have been traumatic.”
Am I hearing this right? Did Omega even tell Hunter the truth?
The fact was, Omega had told him the truth. Hunter’s frustrations came first, sharp and immediate, but Omega’s level-headedness and wunderkind way with words helped him step back and recognize the more significant conclusion of it all. He accepted that sometimes shit happens, no matter how much you try to control the circumstances. What mattered wasn’t the incident, but the resolve and grit they took into the situation. He finally understood that sheltering Omega would allow those gifts to wither away when she ultimately would need them the most going forward.
“...ah, yeah…” Ada’s hands flexed anxiously under the table as she struggled for words. Fortunately, she felt Tech firmly place his hand on the small of her back in reassurance, signifying his faith in her abilities while understanding her personal struggles. “Right,” she continued, more assured. “We did have quite the field trip to Tatooine, meeting some good people, and some bad. But I believe the curriculum, although mostly improvised, provided an enlightening lesson for everyone.” Tech’s hand moved over to her hip and pulled her closer, signalling, without words, his admiration.
“Yes, quite the lesson,” Hunter laughed.
“It’s good to be back,” Ada added, relief seeping into her voice. “I was so kriffing scared!” She admitted with a chuckle. “But honestly, it wasn’t the heist that got to me, it was worrying I’d disappointed you all.”
“I know,” Hunter admitted. “Just proves to us how much you care.”
The conversation lulled momentarily until Wrecker finally said, “anybody want seconds? There’s a little bit left.”
“I would take a bit more,” Tech said, handing him his plate.
“Me too,” said Omega.
“Wrecker, the crust is perfect,” Ada reported.
They all remained at the table a while longer that evening, enjoying their desserts and each other’s company. The gentle wave of relief covered Ada like a warm blanket. She realized that through all of this, no trust had been lost, only a deeper respect gained and stronger kinship developed. As the conversation settled into a comfortable hum, she felt the exhaustion finally catching up with her.