The next day, I lay just outside the hut, the suns rising over the horizon, their rays stretching out like golden fingers to gently caress my back, much like a mother soothing her hatchling. The warmth roused me, and I became aware of soft giggling nearby. My red eyes fluttered open, and I saw Cut and Suu's children playing catch with Omega. A smile tugged at my lips; it was a rare and endearing sight to see children at play amidst the turmoil of this war-torn galaxy.

"Cute, aren't they?" a voice remarked, breaking the serene moment. I turned to see Cut sitting on the steps of the hut, a gentle expression on his face.

I nodded, agreeing, though my words were laced with the hard edge of experience. "They sure are, though kids have never been much to me." My gaze softened as it fell upon Omega, her laughter ringing out with a purity that was almost otherworldly. I chuckled softly, "But Omega... she's wormed her way into my heart."

Cut chuckled and leaned back, a knowing smile on his face. "I can see that. You know, you'd have been a good mother," he said.

I snorted, tracing idle lines in the sand with my finger. "Perhaps one day, I'll have hatchlings of my own," I mused, my voice distant and contemplative. "But that day is not now."

"I see," said Cut, rising to his feet. "Well, you know where to find us. My family and I are leaving for a faraway place." He looked down at me, a hopeful gleam in his eyes. "Why don't you come with us?"

I stood, towering over the clone, my gaze steady and resolute. "My place is with my pack," I said softly, glancing over at Omega playing with the children, their laughter a bright spot in the harsh reality of our lives. I then looked back at Cut and placed a clawed hand gently on his chest. "But one day, Cut, we will see each other again."

He nodded and walked back into the hut. Moments later, Hunter and the rest of the Batch emerged, their expressions curious.

"What was that about?" asked Echo, looking at me with a hint of concern.

I smiled warmly, my gaze shifting to Omega, still playing with the children, her laughter echoing in the air. "Just saying goodbye to an old friend," I replied softly, the warmth of the memory lingering in my heart.

I then gurgled and made small, short barks. Omega looked up, as did the others. She smiled, waved goodbye to Jek and Shaeash, and ran up to me. I leaned down, nuzzling her affectionately.

"You doing alright?" I whispered softly.

She nodded and hugged my snout, and I smiled, purring contentedly.

"Where are we going now?" asked Omega, her wide eyes full of curiosity.

I stepped away, my tail twitching thoughtfully. "First, we'll help Cut and Suu get on that freighter that'll take them away from this place," I said, my voice steady with purpose.

I glanced at Hunter, who stood with his hands on his hips, his expression mirroring the uncertainty we all felt. "Then, I don't know, Omega. Somewhere far away from Kamino, anyway," I added, a hint of hope creeping into my tone as I imagined the possibilities that lay ahead.

Then I heard something growling. My quills tensed and raised instinctively. "Hunter, get Omega in the hut," I snarled, my voice low and urgent.

Hunter didn't hesitate. He grabbed Omega, and they all rushed into the hut. Omega's worried voice called out, "What's happening?" but she was quickly shepherded inside by Hunter.

I lowered myself, muscles coiled and ready, as the boys tensed behind me. Crawling forward, I honed in on the source of the growling, hidden just beyond the copse. Without warning, I leaped over the brush, slashing down hard on a strange, cat-like being. It screeched and clawed at me, but I roared in its face, the sheer force of my fury startling it into submission.

In the heat of the moment, I bit down hard on its throat, feeling the warm swell of blood against my jaws. The creature stiffened in shock before going limp, and I released my grip, standing over the fallen predator, my breath heavy but victorious.

With the deed done, I let the creature lay there to rot and limped back towards the hut, lifting one foreclaw in distaste as red blood oozed from the wound.

"You're hurt," exclaimed Omega, rushing over to me.

I grunted, "Nothing worse than I've had before," I said through clenched teeth. Damn, who knew that other animals could hurt me like that? Well, it did have claws, I thought, shaking myself off. "I'll be fine, just gonna clean it," I said and then sat down, lifting the foreclaw to my mouth.

But Tech grabbed it, his expression stern. "No, you're gonna set in lots of Bacta if you do it like that," he said.

Reluctantly, I let him tend to the wound, grateful for his expertise despite my stubbornness.

"You didn't have to do that," said Suu, emerging from the hut, concern etched on her Twi'lek features.

I snorted at her, my tone unwavering. "For my family and friends, I'd gladly die," I replied. Hunter gave me a stern look, his eyes flickering to Omega, who had a deeply worried expression on her face.

I sighed, feeling the weight of their concern. Gently, I dragged Omega closer with my tail. She leaned against me, seeking comfort as Tech diligently worked on my leg. I nuzzled her reassuringly, trying to ease her fears even as I endured the treatment.

Soon, Tech finished his work and flicked his goggles up. "There'll be cautions to walking on it too much," he said, his tone practical.

I nodded, testing my weight on three legs. "This should do," I said, sniffing at the bandaged wound. I turned to Cut and Suu, who stood with their children behind them, bags packed and ready.

"You're ready to leave, I take it?" I asked.

The two parents nodded, their faces a mix of relief and determination. I shook myself, the last of the tension easing from my muscles.

"Let's go to the spaceport," I said, setting off with purpose, ready to see them safely on their way.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

We reached the spaceport, the hum of activity buzzing around us. As I moved closer, my attention caught by the bustling troopers, Cut suddenly grabbed my shoulder, pulling me back.

"Careful," he whispered urgently. "If they see you, they'll hit the alarm."

His warning came just in time. I froze, glancing around to ensure we remained unnoticed, my heart racing with the thrill of evading discovery.

I sighed and shook myself, then positioned myself around Hunter and Omega, effectively creating a protective barrier. I was like a giant guard dog, ensuring they moved safely through the spaceport.

A few troopers glanced our way, their curiosity piqued. I tilted my head down, focusing on the floor as if fascinated by the scurrying debris that skittered across my claws.

Then I heard something crackling over the comlink. "Hunter, we might have some problems," Tech's voice came through, laced with urgency.

I lifted my head, my red eyes locking onto the source of the commotion as the voice faded. "I'm going to them," I said, my voice a low hiss.

My scales began to shift, blending seamlessly with the surroundings as I moved stealthily toward the area where our ship was docked. Each step was deliberate and silent, my senses alert to any potential threats.

I spotted a few troopers closing in on Tech and Echo and snarled, my instincts flaring. With a burst of motion, I leaped out from my hidden cover, tackling the troopers to the ground. I didn't kill them this time, but the ferocity of my attack was undeniable.

Even though my primary goal wasn't to take lives, the raw power of my strike left a few troopers dead before their heads even hit the ground. The urgency of the moment overshadowed any concern for their lives; my focus was on protecting my allies.

I turned to face another incoming wave of troopers, my gaze steely and determined. "Get into the ship!" I barked at Tech and Echo, who scrambled to comply.

"But we need to give Hunter the codes!" Echo shouted, ducking a blaster bolt that whizzed past.

I snarled, my claws flaring out menacingly as I confronted the troopers. They hesitated, recoiling from my intimidating presence. The spaceport was a chaotic battlefield, but my focus remained sharp.

I ducked under a blaster bolt, my reflexes sharp. "I can try to get them," I said, my voice low and determined.

Turning to Tech, who was crouched behind a crate, I moved swiftly. He handed me the disks, which I took into my mouth, careful not to crush them. "Be careful and don't crush them," he warned.

I nodded, my scales shifting to blend with my surroundings. Leaping over the crate, I crept forward, moving stealthily despite the chaos around us. The mission was clear: protect our people and get those codes to Hunter.

I ducked under a blaster bolt, my reflexes sharp. "I can try to get them," I said, my voice low and determined.

Turning to Tech, who was crouched behind a crate, I moved swiftly. He handed me the disks, which I took into my mouth, careful not to crush them. "Be careful and don't crush them," he warned.

I nodded, my scales shifting to blend with my surroundings. Leaping over the crate, I crept forward, moving stealthily despite the chaos around us. The mission was clear: protect our people and get those codes to Hunter.

I ran over a few troopers, their screams fading as my sharp claws sliced through their throats. I burst into the spaceport area where Hunter and the others were waiting. They looked up as I skidded to a stop, my scales shifting back to their normal hue.

"Here," I panted, dropping the disks into Hunter's hand. They were a bit sticky from my saliva, but they would dry.

Omega rushed forward and hugged my leg. I blinked, looking at Hunter before letting my head rest gently on her back. "Not that I mind hugs, but what's happening?" I asked, as I let Omega go. Her eyes were teary, and I could sense Hunter's sadness as well.

"She's better off with Cut and his family," Hunter said, averting his eyes. "They can give her peace and a real family."

I blinked again and looked down at Omega, who gazed up at me with pleading eyes. I sighed and nuzzled her gently, brushing her head away from her tear-filled eyes. She chuckled softly.

"Hunter's right, little one," I said, my voice soothing. "You're better off with Cut and Suu. They'll take care of you." I smiled, trying to lift her spirits. "And you'll have a brother and a sister."

She shook her head, sniffing back tears. "I want to stay with you guys," she said, her voice quivering.

I sighed, pulling back and staring deeply into her eyes. "You'll always be in our hearts, Omega," I said softly. I gently touched her chest with my snout, bumping her affectionately. "And we"—I paused, my voice steady with emotion—"will always be here."

She took a deep breath and hugged me tightly once more. I wrapped an arm around her, holding her close. I breathed in her scent, savoring this moment as if it might be the last time. The warmth of her embrace was both comforting and bittersweet, a final, heartfelt connection before we parted ways.

"I'll see you in the stars, my dearest flower," I whispered softly, feeling the weight of our parting.

Gently, I pulled back and nudged her toward Suu, who had walked over. "Come on," Suu said, her voice kind but firm. "It's time to leave."

Omega sniffed, allowing Suu to take her hand as the Twi'lek led her away. Hunter stepped closer, standing by my side as we watched them go. I sighed, my heart heavy with the weight of parting.

Catching Omega's eye one last time, I made a gesture of farewell, something I had seen my people do once—a press of the forehead and then to the mouth. "Stay safe," I murmured, a silent prayer for her well-being.

With a final, lingering look, I turned and slithered back toward our ship, Hunter following close behind.