"How much longer until we're in hyperspace, Tech?" Hunter impatiently asked as he shot with the Maurader's tailguns.

"That depends on when Echo plans on getting the drive back online." Was his saucy reply.

"I'm working on it!" Echo irritably said in defense. 

Annika was in the back helping Wrecker secure their live cargo. "Why won't this thing shut up?" She asked no in particular as it squawked unceasingly.

Astrid replied as she helped Omega strap in. "I don't think Ruby likes all this action."

Wrecker and Annika finally managed to secure the lizard. Wrecker asked the Medic, "You named that thing?"

"No, but Omega did." She smiled at the little girl seated beside her.

Annika and Wrecker strapped themselves in as Tech skillfully piloted the Marauder away from the three vessels, which were currently on their tail.

"What's with these guys?" Annika's words dripped with annoyance.

"Well..." Astrid ventured and Omega helpfully finished her thought. "We did steal from them."

"Technically," The spectacled pilot called from the cockpit, "The Rhokai stole the lizard first. We are merely intercepting it."

"They don't see it that way!" Hunter said over his shoulder. Just then, Tech jerked the ship to the left and Ruby's cage clattered to the floor.

"It's loose! It's loose!" Wrecker screamed at the creature which leaped onto his lap. "Get it off! Get it off! Get it off!" He ran towards the cockpit, clawing at the wild lizard.

"Stay calm," Omega instructed, "You're scaring her."

Finally, Wrecker knocked into a chair, sending Ruby flying. Thinking quickly, Annika used the force to slow the creature's fall. She grabbed Ruby's discarded enclosure and slammed it down, caging her in. "Ha! Got it."

"Hyperdrive's online!" Echo said much to everyone's relief.  Tech wasted no time in pulling the ship's lever, freeing them from their vexed attackers.

✵   ✵   ✵

The clones, the Jedi, and the medic exited the Marauder and headed toward Cid's bar. Annika lagged behind, her thoughts distracting her. Astrid noticed and slowed her pace so that she was right beside her sister. "What is it?" Astrid quietly asked.

Although Annika had reunited with her sister barely a month ago, she already felt as if she could speak to her about almost anything. Astrid emitted such a trustworthy aura, that it would be impossible not to feel that way. "I was just thinking about the mission."

"Hmm, what about the mission?"

"Well, I think I could have handled a few things better. To start, I should have been calmer. My master taught me how to handle stressful situations, but it's like I've already begun to forget what he's trained me to do. I've been letting my emotions get in the way." She ended with a sigh.

"Annika," Her voice was soothing, "You've just lived through a severely traumatic event. It's no wonder that it might affect you in such a way. To me, that sounds like a natural response." Annika looked up at her sister. She kept forgetting that she was a medic and had some knowledge of not only physical issues but mental as well.

"It's just that," Annika began, obviously disappointed with herself, "It feels like my entire life's worth of training is slipping away and I can't do anything about it. A month ago I was fighting for peace in the galaxy alongside my troopers. But now? I'm a fugitive. The Jedi order has collapsed and it feels like my identity has crumbled along with it. The Jedi lifestyle is the only thing I've known. If I can't be Jedi, what am I?" She desperately gazed at Astrid like a child searching for an answer.

"You're forgetting one thing." Astrid pointed out. She was met with a puzzled expression. "Just because you're a fugitive, it doesn't mean the Empire or anyone for that matter can strip away your identity. The Jedi order may have fallen, but you haven't." 

Astrid paused and firmly gripped both of her sister's shoulders in her palms so that they faced each other. "You're my sister, Annika. And you are our parents' daughter. Your identity hasn't been stripped away. And your master's training will live on through you." 

Annika stared at her sister, who was giving one of her rare smiles. 

"C'mon, we better catch up." Astrid led them both back to their group.

"Astrid?" Annika said. Astrid looked at her with kind hazel eyes. "Thank you." The Jedi bowed her head slightly. Astrid nodded in return. 

✵   ✵   ✵

Hunter tried not to listen, but with his enhanced hearing, it was impossible not to catch the sister's shared words. When Annika spoke of her troubles, his heart clenched at the pain in her voice. He thought about what he and his brothers had been through during Order 66, being manipulated into killing innocent Jedi without question. Though he never thought what it might be like for a Jedi. 

From his understanding, the Jedi took children to the temple on Coruscant at a very young age -- or more accurately, ripped them from their families. The Jedi Order must be the only "family" Annika had ever truly known. And they had all been brutally murdered in the span of mere days.

However, if Annika survived, there might be more out there who did too.

The group reached Cid's bar, though the sergeant halted them in their tracks before they entered. He looked at Annika and Astrid. Before their most recent mission, they had all agreed it best to keep Cid in the dark about the two sisters. "You two, wait out here for us. Unless you'd rather go the ship?"

The sisters glanced at each other. Annika spoke in her usual nonchalant tone, "We can wait out here. Just don't take too long."

Hunter nodded. "We'll be back soon." 

The Batch entered the bar where the scaleback greeted them in her usual cheery mood. "You're late. How hard is a simple extraction for a group of commandos?"

Annika strained to hear what they said, but their voices didn't carry very well into the bustling streets of Ord Mantell. After a moment, Wrecker and Omega emerged from the bar in a hurry.

"Hunter said we can get Mantell mix!" Omega called over he shoulder as she and Wrecker ran off.

A minute passed before Astrid asked her a question. "Echo said Cid was a Jedi contact during the war. Did you ever meet her?"

Annika shook her head, shrugging. "No, I hadn't even heard of her. But I'm sure Echo knows what he's talking about. Why do you ask?"

"I don't know. I guess I'm just a bit concerned regarding her trustworthiness. After all, she knows the Empire is after Clone Force 99 and Omega. She could easily turn them in for a handsome reward. You know she has got to be tempted at the very least."

"I don't doubt that," Annika's expression grew troubled as she examined Astrid's words. "But what else are we supposed to do? We don't have the republic to rely on anymore." Her sentence turned quiet at the end.

"Hey, don't worry. I'm sure Hunter has given it a lot of thought. Anyone can tell that he cares about his squad."

The Jedi pondered for a moment what it must feel like to lead a squad, how difficult it would be. She had led her own troopers into battle countless times, but this wasn't a battle. It was daily life. She could expertly tear apart droid battalions without a drop of hesitation. But strangely enough, living the life of a mercenary or a civilian frightened her.

She glanced over at her sister, who was absentmindedly touching the clear bandage on her cheek. "Does it hurt?"

"Hmm?" Astrid looked confused until Annika pointed to her cut. "Oh! No, I can barely feel it."

Suddenly for some reason unknown to Annika, Astrid began to blush. "Are you okay?"

"Yep! I just-uh -- " Blaster fire abruptly cut off her stuttering sentence. They both frowned at each other and then dashed towards the parlor. Astrid and Annika waited until they heard Cid's voice retreat to the back room before they stepped inside.

"Captain." Hunter addressed the clone before them.

"It's been a while, boys." The clone said.

"Where have you been, Rex?" Echo questioned him, disbelief coating his voice.

"Hmm. That's a long story."

✵   ✵   ✵

"And when the war ended, I guess you could say I've been...keeping a low profile" Rex summarized with a drink in his hand.

"Very low." Tech pointed out, "Imperial files have you listed as killed in action."

"Being dead in the Empire's eyes has its advantages." He replied.

When Echo had said Rex's name, something stirred in Annika's memory. She vaguely remembered a clone captain by that name, although she had never met him.

Rex turned her way. "So, Annika, who did you serve with during the war?"

"Well, I fought alongside my Master, Plo Koon, Commander Wolffe, and the rest of the wolfpack." She said it with pride, but her eyes grew sad. "If I remember correctly, you served with Jedi General Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano."

"That's right. They were some of the most loyal people I've ever met." 

It was quiet for a moment before Echo spoke up, "Well, how'd you track us down?"

"Trace and Rafa Martez. They said a squad of rogue clones helped them on Corellia. They told me I could find you here. And that you were traveling not only with a kid but a Jedi too."

Tech glanced at Astrid, who sat beside him, and added, "A medic as well."

Rex's eyebrows rose. "So who's the kid?"

"Omega," Hunter said, "She's a clone like us."

"Well, look who it is!" Wrecker's voice boomed from the parlor entrance. "Come here, Rex." The muscular clone squeezed Rex in a tight embrace.

"I thought you didn't like the regs," Omega said.

"This one we like," Wrecker confirmed, still hugging the captain. Astrid smiled lightly at his playfulness. At first, Wrecker had intimidated her quite a bit. Nonetheless, once he had said a few kind words, she realized how fun and genuine he was.

"Omega," Hunter held his hand out, "This is Rex."

The captain knelt down at her level. "I've met many clones in my time, but never one like you." 

Omega moved forward a bit and studied his face intently. "You're a generation one." She decided.

"Now how'd you know that?"

"From the lines on your face." Annika covered her smile with the back of her hand.

Rex chuckled at the young girl's comment. "Yeah, I guess I've been around."

"You got that right." Wrecker heartily agreed. Then, he clutched his head and groaned. "Tech, I need one of those med patches."

Annika's heart almost stopped. She noticed Rex looking over at Wrecker, worry etched on his facial features too. He firmly asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Wrecker said, "It's just a headache."

"Which are becoming more frequent." Astrid pointed out matter of factly.

"Is that so?" Rex questioned as his hand felt for his blaster. 

"If you're concerned about the so-called inhibitor chips, don't be," Tech said, "Our deviant nature appears to have impeded their functionality. Except in Crosshair." 

"You're telling me you haven't removed your chips?" The captain questioned.

"No, not yet," Tech admitted. Rex reached for the blaster on his hip.

"Rex?" Hunter said, his voice low.

"Those chips make you a threat to everyone around you. Even her," Rex said nodding toward Omega, then he glanced at Annika, "But especially Annika. You're all ticking time bombs."

"Take it easy, Captain," Hunter held his hands out in a peace gesture.

"What's in your heads is more dangerous than you can imagine. I've seen what happens when the chip activates, and I don't want to bury more of our brothers."

The Jedi in the room spoke up. "He's right Hunter. I don't think it's something you can control."

Rex agreed with her, "Trust me, you can't. I couldn't. It's a risk you do not want to take." 

Hunter glanced at Omega and then at Annika. "How do you suggest we get them out?" 

"Good Question," Rex said, "I'll be in touch."

✵   ✵   ✵

Annika held the hilt of her lightsaber, studying the markings she had added to it when she was just a padawan. Hunter strode over to the navi-computer seats, where she was currently sitting.

"Everything all right?" He asked her sincerely.

She gave him a half smile, "I'm sure things will be fine." His eyes prompted her to go on. "Okay, I admit, I'm a little nervous about this whole thing. Just because it worked on Rex, it doesn't mean it'll work on you and the boys. After all," She said with a smirk, "You guys aren't like all the other clones."

He considered her words for a moment. "Don't worry, I'm sure Rex knows what he's talking about. Besides, it would be more dangerous if we did nothing about the chips."

"You're right, of course," She said, straightening her posture, "Nevertheless, I sure will be glad when it's over."

Hunter smiled, "I'm with you. The sooner we get these chips out the better -- for everyone."

─── ❖ ── ✦ ── ❖ ───⋮✧