Chapter Text
Al’lo felt at peace under the Soul Tree’s far-reaching shade. It was like the Gods and Goddesses were covering them all in their protection. He looked around at the crowds of people gathered there. As usual there were less people around this time of year. The big crowds were during All Night season, but afterwards they died down for a few of months.
He gasped when he saw a woman running a stall selling woven baskets, and looked back at the others. “Any of you want a Branis’ka basket?!” he yelled excitedly.
“What’s that?” Omega asked.
Phee stepped up. “A Branis’ka basket is connected to a myth I purposely didn’t tell you about, because I wanted to wait until we were here.” She pointed straight up to the branches of the tree. “You remember the importance of the Soul Tree’s leaves, right?”
“They hold souls, yeah?” Wrecker said.
“Exactly!” she said emphatically. She motioned to an area of the ground where a few leaves had fallen. “Sometimes the leaves hit the ground before getting to where they need to go. Branis’ka, the youngest of the moon goddesses, is tasked with finding these fallen leaves, and gathering them in her basket to return them to the tree, where they’ll be sent back up to a branch, and given another chance to ride the wind to their new life.” She walked up to the stall. “These baskets are sold to visitors so they can go around and gather leaves. The proceeds go to the maintenance of the Soul Tree and the surrounding area.
Omega ran up to the stall. “Can I get one?”
Al’lo handed the woman some credits, and looked to Omega. “Pick which one you want.”
Omega studied the near dozen baskets on display, each one slightly different from the other, telling her that they were most likely woven by hand. She finally settled on one, and thanked the stall woman.
“You know,” started Phee. “Leaves that share a branch are destined to be blood related in someway, but those who share a basket? They become found family, or as they’re called here: basket brethren.”
Omega ran up to her brothers. “Let’s go collect leaves!”
Wrecker pumped his fist in the air. “Yeah! Let’s go!” He looked to the others, who each turned down the offer. Picking up leaves just sounded like work. “Aw, you’re no fun!”
Al’lo looked to his daughter. “Would you like a basket?”
Margo scoffed. “I can’t be tricked into unpaid labour anymore. I’ve done my time.” Al’lo laughed.
“You can join us!” Omega offered. “We can do the hard work.”
“Sounds good to me,” Margo said, and followed the two as they headed off. They saw a bunch of children running around, picking up every leaf around.
Omega groaned. “We aren’t going to get any leaves at this point.”
Margo chuckled. “This is where my experience comes in.” She started walking off. “Follow me. Less kids hang out on the other side of the tree.”
“Why?” Omega asked, as she and Wrecker followed.
Margo just smirked. “You’ll see.” They walked around the colossal tree, and the crowds started thinning. Soon, the only people around were mostly elderly adults slowly wandering, looking contemplative. The number of leaves on the ground proved that children rarely came around.
“So, why do less kids hang out on this side?” Omega asked.
“Maybe ‘cause it’s on the far side from the railspeeder station,” Wrecker said.
Margo pointed. “Actually, it’s because of that.” They looked over, and saw a stone structure at ground level, built against the side of the tree. It looked like a stone door, small enough that Wrecker would struggle to fit through. “That is the door to Margot’to’s tomb. When people die, there’s where their souls enter the tree. It’s also where Branis’ka passes the leaves she collects to her uncle. Most kids are spooked by it because they think if you get too close to it you’ll die.”
Omega took a step closer, trying to inspect it without getting too close. She wasn’t worried about dying, but about accidentally committing some form of sacrilege. “Is there an actual tomb in there?”
“Nah,” Margo answered. “Margot’to’s tomb isn’t a physical place, it’s a spiritual one. If we opened that door we’d probably just see the trunk of the tree. Well, also a bunch of attendants running towards us and screaming.” Wrecker chuckled, almost tempted to try.
Omega looked at her nearly empty basket. “Is that where we put our leaves when we’re done?”
“Actually we give them to one of the attendants, like the woman at the stall,” Margo explained. “There’s a whole ceremony for it at the end of the day when all the moons are out, but we have to head out before then.”
“Have ya ever been scared of the tomb?” Wrecker asked Margo with a wry smile.
Margo puffed up, looking insulted by the very notion. “I’ve never been scared of it. Why would my patron God hurt me?”
Omega let out a contented sigh. “Your religion is so interesting.” Her smile turned regretful. “The only way I’ve been able to learn about other planets religions and cultures is through Phee, and from what I’ve read on the holonet.” She looked up at the tree, taking in its beauty. “Outside of the Archium, I’ve never been able to visit other planets museums and holy sites.” She spotted a leaf heading down. She waited for it to drift down to her before she grabbed it, and placed it in her basket. “Don’t worry,” she whispered. “You’ll get where you need to go.” She looked at the others, Wrecker quickly putting his datapad away. She chuckled. “I hope one day I can travel the galaxy freely, and learn about all those other cultures first hand.”
Wrecker walked up to her and tussled her hair. “The Empire won’t be around forever.” He punched his palm with a wicked grin. “They’ll be beaten back. I’m sure of it.”
Omega sighed. “I want to join Rex and Echo in the fight.”
Wrecker let out a nervous chuckle. “Maybe leave the fightin’ to the grown ups.”
Omega pouted. “I can fight! Besides, I’ll be an adult soon enough!”
“And we’ll have that conversation then,” Wrecker said. Omega groaned. “Hey, I know it’s tough livin’ your life as a kid. We clones never really got childhoods, so we never really got to learn how to do it.” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “It can be tough, just bein’ a regular person, because regular people we ain’t. I get that draw to keep doin’ what we were made to do, but with how far the Empire went to get ya, we gotta keep you hidden for now.”
Omega sighed. “I know.” Her lips tightened, and her brows furrowed. She gave a determined nod. “I’ll stay safe. I don’t know why the Empire wants me, but I know them getting me would probably be a bad thing.”
“Probably?!” Wrecker sounded aghast. “A Pabu without ya would be a tragedy!”
Margo wrapped her arms around Omega. “It’d be a tragedy for me too!” Omega laughed, hugging her friend back. “But I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
Wrecker wrapped his arms around both of them, lifting them up. “Now that’s my job! I’ll make sure both of my girls stay safe!” Margo felt something bubbling up inside her; a bizarre burst of joy that made her feel like she might tear up. She had her family here on Shaduul, people who were like aunts, uncles and cousins, but this felt different, she just didn’t understand how.
The three continued gathering leaves, Omega and Wrecker stopping from time to time to take holos. Their basket was about a quarter of the way full when they saw Phee waving them over. “It’s probably time for lunch,” Wrecker said gleefully.
They’d been too focused on their task, and each other, to notice that a new railspeeder had arrived. New arrivals exited, while attendants assisted the railspeeder crew at bringing out containers of food. A crowd had already formed by the time they arrived. Wrecker groaned. “All the food’s gonna be gone by the time we get through.”
“Don’t worry,” Phee said. “The others are already in there,” she squinted at the crowd, leaning forward to get a better look. “Somewhere…”
From the mass of people emerged the others, carrying multiple containers. “Let’s find a nice, shady spot to sit,” Al’lo said with a laugh. Margo rolled her eyes, since the entire area was covered in shade.
“What about by the tomb door,” Omega suggested. “There’ll be less people there.”
“Oh, you saw it, did you?” Al’lo gave her a conspiratorial grin. “Did you touch it?”
Omega laughed. “No, I didn’t want to cause a problem.”
“I was tempted, though,” Wrecker added.
Crosshair snorted a laugh. “You would be.”
Hunter grimaced. “Is it even sanitary to eat there?”
“It is simply a tomb door meant to symbolize the entrance to the spirit realm,” Tech stated. “There is no physical tomb, ergo no physical corpses.”
They walked over, and sat down. Al’lo noticed their basket. “My, you have a fair number of leaves.”
“That’s because we’ve been picking them up away from the kids,” Margo said.
“We?” Al’lo asked. “I thought you weren’t going to do free labour this time.”
Margo let out a smug chuckle. “I haven’t picked up a single leaf.”
“That’s what we’ve been doin’!” Wrecker announced proudly, motioning between himself and Omega. “What’ve ya been up to?” he asked the others.
“Mostly listening to Phee and Tech take turns info dumping,” Crosshair answered, sounding a bit exasperated.
Wrecker looked to Hunter, who shrugged. “Same.”
Wrecker then looked to Al’lo. “Mostly just mingling, praying and enjoying the atmosphere.”
After a pause in conversation, Margo looked around at the group. "So, my sabre finals are coming up. Any want to come watch?" Her eyes mostly focused on Omega and Wrecker. She knew she could count on Phee and Tech to be there, but didn't want to make assumptions about the rest.
Wrecker perked up. "You know I'm comin'! Gotta cheer you on!"
"Me too! Me too!" Omega piped up. She looked to Tech. "You and Phee are coming too, right?" Tech nodded, his mouth full of food.
Omega batted her eyelashes at Hunter, who sighed. "Provided no Imperial activity has been detected, you can go." The two girls cheered.
They finished their lunch. “The next railspeeder will be coming by in a few hours,” Al’lo explained as he gathered the empty containers. “We should catch that one to get back home in good time.”
Crosshair sighed bitterly. “Back to the cold.”
“If ya hate the cold so much, why do ya wanna move here?” Wrecker asked.
“It’s just temporary,” Crosshair said. “To help keep my home safe.”
“It’s appreciated,” Al’lo said. “We’ll need all the help we can get. Have you thought about where you’ll live?”
“So far, I’ve been offered a couch by Shorra,” he answered.
“If it’s just temporary, you can stay in my room,” Phee offered.
Al’lo looked at her with a shocked expression. “You might not be a permanent resident anymore, but that’s still your room. Where will you stay?”
“I can just stay on the Providence,” Phee said.
Crosshair shook his head. “Absolutely not. I’m not taking your room.”
Al’lo nodded. “Agreed.” He looked to Crosshair. “I’ll see what I can do. Find you a place.”
“No,” Crosshair firmly stated. “I’d prefer doing it on my own.”
“Alright,” Al’lo said. “But if you do stay with Shorra and Brisk, don’t you dare let Brisk sleep on the couch. She’s slept on enough of those.”
“I promise,” Crosshair swore.
Omega, Wrecker and Margo continued their leaf collecting while the others dispersed. Crosshair decided to enjoy the rest of his time alone, without anyone yapping his ear off about history and mythology. Hunter spotted him and approached. “Mind some company?”
“Only if it’s quiet company,” Crosshair replied with a smirk.
Hunter chuckled. “I could use some quiet too.”
After dropping off the empty containers, Al’lo decided to keep an eye on Wrecker and the two girls while staying at a distance. He loved seeing the three of them together. He had hoped that Omega and Margo would at least get along enough to tolerate each other, but their friendship had blossomed into something he could see lasting a lifetime. Perhaps even developing into a sisterly bond.
Seeing Margo with Wrecker always warmed his heart. Perhaps she could finally get the second father she deserved. His mood soured as he remembered that Laz was on-planet. Al’lo wanted to storm up to him, and wring his throat, demanding to know why he was there. He took a few deep breaths. This was a place of peace, and tranquility, but he couldn’t stop his mind from spiraling.
With Laz on-planet, and the Empire having their sights on Shaduul, he thought again about leaving Margo on Pabu. Omega would have to stay on Pabu after the Empire’s arrival, and having Margo there would ensure the two girls could stay together. They would both be safe there. He smiled sadly as he thought of the two girls with Wrecker on Pabu, having fun together; a happy family. Away from danger. Away from the Empire. Away from him. He let out a shaky breath, and shook his head.
Peace and tranquility. Peace and tranquility. Peace and tranquility.
He found a clear area, and laid in the grass. He looked up at the branches as they swayed in the wind, sending leaves off to their new hosts. He closed his eyes, and started started silently praying.
“Oh Mikal’lo, God of chaos and war, please be on our side during these tumultuous times. Oh Arafo’til, Goddess of children, keep our babes safe. If any should die, guide their souls here so they may be reborn. Oh Margot’to, God of death, protect our dead as they pass from their previous life to their next. Oh Frerika, Goddess of balance, may this little, middle of nowhere planet achieve peace and unity.
He let out a long breath, and opened his eyes. He would do what he could to achieve what he wanted: unity, peace, and a good life for his child, but anything he couldn’t control, he would do his best to put in the Gods’ hands. He stood up, feeling like the weight on his shoulders was just a little bit lighter. He saw Phee and Tech in the distance, walking together and endlessly chatting, Tech’s smile so large Al’lo could see it from there. He smiled, and sent out one more silent prayer.
“Oh Rein’arch, Goddess of romance and marriage, may their love be eternal.”
By the time Omega’s basket was full it wasn’t long before the train was coming. She dropped the leaves off with the woman she got the basket from. “I can keep the basket, right?”
“Of course,” the woman replied cheerfully.
They headed to the station to meet the others. “I’m going to use this to collect shells!” Omega said, looking closer at the build of the basket, seeing if she could recreate it, and make baskets for others. She gasped as a sudden realization came to her. “That wouldn’t be sacrilegious, would it?” she asked Margo, with genuine fear in her eyes.
Margo laughed. “No! You can do whatever you want with it. It’s just made of normal wood.” She pointed to a group of kids, each carrying their own baskets. “You really think they’d give super sacred objects to kids?”
They all regrouped as the railspeeder arrived. They found their cabins, again, right across from each other, and settled in.
“Most people will be going for dinner in a couple of hours, so we should either eat early or late,” Al’lo said.
“Or both!” Wrecker laughed. He looked to Crosshair. “You have to join us this time.”
Crosshair smirked. “Aww, I was hoping for another nap.”
They arrived back in Henna hours later. Hunter let out a frustrated grunt at the first blast of cold wind, wishing they were heading back to Pabu tonight instead of tomorrow morning.
Al’lo stepped forward, addressing the group. “Unless people have plans for the evening, I’ll drive Hunter and Crosshair back to the hotel.”
“Yes please,” Hunter pleaded.
Phee chuckled. “And here I heard you used to be a real party animal.”
“Keyword: used to,” Hunter grumbled.
Wrecker laughed. “Feeling your age?” He noticed Hunter’s look of hurt by his comment.
Hunter turned away. “I…just want to get out of the cold.”
Wrecker was filled with regret; jokes like that hadn’t ever hurt him before. He reached for his brother, but stopped short of actually making contact. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”
Hunter looked back with a forced smile. “Hey, it’s fine. Don’t worry about me.” Wrecker pulled his hand back as his shoulders slumped. Hunter playfully smacked Wrecker’s arm. “Let’s get to the speeder, yeah?” Wrecker nodded with a small smile, but his eyes still looked sad. He knew Hunter was just trying to lighten the mood, but it was obvious that the joke was still bothering him.
Al’lo drove Hunter and Crosshair to the hotel, with Wrecker in the front seat. “I’m coming in with you,” Al’lo said when they arrived. “You coming, Sunshine?”
Wrecker shook his head. “Nah, I’ll wait here.”
Al’lo nodded, and patted his thigh. “I’ll leave the speeder running then. Can’t have you freeze.” Wrecker’s head turned when he felt Hunter pat his right shoulder. They both gave each other a smile; Wrecker’s was one of remorse whereas Hunter’s was one of compassion. They both understood their unspoken words.
I’m sorry.
I forgive you.
“So, why’d you want to join us?” Hunter asked, and they walked through the lobby.
“I was hoping you and I could have a little chat, Hunter. One on one.” Al’lo gave him a friendly smile, in hopes of portraying his genuinely innocent intentions.
It didn’t work. Hunter shot him a suspicious look. “Why?”
Al’lo shrugged. “Just wanting to see how things are going, I assure you.”
Hunter looked to Crosshair, begging him to intervene. Crosshair looked between the two men, then shrugged. “Have a nice chat you two,” he said, then walked away.
Hunter sighed. “Fine, what is it?”
“Walk with me,” Al’lo said. “The lobby has some lovely couches, just over there.” He pointed to some plush couches arranged together in the far corner of the lobby. Hunter followed; at least they would still be in a public place. They sat, and Al’lo let out a sigh. “Feeling your age?”
Hunter suddenly sat bolt upright, startled by the question. “And what gave you that idea?” He asked defensively.
Al’lo let out a soft chuckle. “Me too.”
Hunter’s posture softened. “I just…” He shook his head. “I’m not that old, so why do I feel like I’m slowing down?”
“War ages you,” Al’lo stated. “Trauma ages you. We’re past our prime, Hunter, at least physically.”
Hunter let out a mix between a sigh and a laugh. He combed his fingers through his hair, pulling back his upper layer to show off a couple of greys. Al’lo nodded with a sympathetic smile. He brought his ponytail forward, and spread it to show off his own streaks of greys. “Grey hair is a crown not everyone has the honour of wearing,” he said, echoing Tagin’s words of wisdom.
Hunter thought back to the millions of clones that had died long before ever getting their first grey hair. He’d survived long enough to see his hair change, and realized that he should be grateful for that. So many clones never reached the age he was now. Hunter mind shifted to Crosshair, and he huffed out a laugh. “I guess Crosshair earned his crown early.”
Al’lo laughed. “Wait, his hair’s grey?” He’d only ever known Crosshair with a shaved head.
Hunter nodded. “Since he was a cadet.”
Al’lo cackled. “I guess he stands above us all.”
“All but Wrecker,” Hunter added. He’d remembered how much Crosshair fumed when he’d lost his titled of the tallest clone not long after their squad had hit puberty. Wrecker had actually felt guilty, and apologized for his growth spurts.
“Did Wrecker ever have hair on his head?” Al’lo asked. He hadn’t even see stubble on the large man’s scalp.
Hunter nodded. “Yeah, but he lost it around the same time Crosshair went grey. The Kaminoan’s experiments had some negative affects. I, uh, ended up a bit…less tall, Tech’s eyes weakened, Wrecker went bald, and Crosshair went grey.”
“That must have been scary, especially for kids,” Al’lo said.
Hunter nodded. “Wrecker was so scared when he started losing chunks of hair he cried.”
“I can imagine.”
Hunter went quiet. He looked down at his hands, his fingers gently intertwined, then looked back up to Al’lo. “Why has it been so easy to talk to you about this stuff? About going grey? I haven’t even told my siblings.”
“Because you’re the oldest,” Al’lo answered.
“Technically Omega’s the oldest,” Hunter responded with a smirk.
Al’lo rolled his eyes with a grin. “Who are you? Tech?” Hunter laughed. “Fine, because you’re the head of the family; you’re the one who’s always in charge. But with me here, I’m the big brother, and in that respect, I understand. We’re on even ground, and you know it.” Al’lo have him a soft smile. “Don’t worry about slowing down. You don’t need to be the man you once were.”
Hunter nodded. “I know, I just have trouble remembering it.”
Al’lo stood. “I shouldn’t leave your brother waiting much longer.” Hunter stood as well. Al’lo patted his shoulder. “Sleep well, old man.” Hunter laughed, and pushed him away. They laughed together.
“When my brothers eventually moves here,” Hunter started, “whether permanently or not, please take care of them. Watch over them.”
Al’lo’s expression turned serious. “I swear on my life that I will.”
Hunter took in a deep breath. “And I’ll wear my grey crown in honour of all of my brothers who never got to.”
Al’lo nodded. “I’ll hold you to that.” Hunter held out his hand. Al’lo took it, and they shook. They both then headed off, Al’lo returning to his speeder.
Wrecker turned to him when he got in. “Everythin’ okay?”
Al’lo looked over and saw Wrecker’s concerned expression. “Yeah, everything’s okay, Sunshine. Hunter’s just having trouble accepting that time marches ever forward.”
Wrecker let out a sigh. “We weren’t exactly taught how to live after the war. I shouldn’t’ve made that joke.”
Al’lo grinned. “I’m sure he’ll get you back when you’re first grey beard hair comes in.” Wrecker laughed.
The next morning they all headed to the spaceport. After the Batch was off, Al’lo headed to the hotel. He’d enjoyed his day off, but now it was back to work.