To Heal Poignancy ■ TECH - The Bad Batch ■

A Star to Palpatine

The Marauder entered the atmosphere as Adla finally managed to step foot inside of the cockpit. She collapsed and panted in the chair behind the pilot seat. Through the window of the ship, Adla could spot the vast ocean that made up the water planet. In the distance, a tiny speck stood out.

"What is this place?" Wrecker questioned.

Adla pointed to the speck. "Go there."

Tech flew up to the top of the little island and landed. Adla moved to the front of the group, so she would be the first one to exit the ship. Tech quickly shut everything down and gravitated towards her side in case she fell. The ramp's descent was slow and Adla matched that speed. When she got to the bottom of the steps though, she tilted her head back and closed her eyes.

The brunette woman took a deep breath and lifted her hands above her head, reaching for the sun and sky. It was midday on the planet, so the atmosphere was warm and humid. A gentle breeze caressed her cheeks and shoulders. The strength of the sun warmed her cheeks, a tingle going down her spine as the rest of her body acclimated to the temperature. The sound of the beach birds called in the distance. Slowly, she let her breath out and lowered her arms.

A tiny giggle escaped her as her head spun.

"Well, well, well, look at what the tooka dragged in."

Adla smiled and slowly opened her eyes. She had to squint due to the intensity of the sun, a headache thrummed dully at her temples. Before her stood a woman with dark skin. Her brown hair was tied up by a blue bandana wrapped around her forehead. Her left hip cocked out while her arms crossed over her chest. The woman smirked at Adla.

"Phee," Adla greeted with a grin, ignoring her pounding headache.

"Phee?" Omega questioned as she poked her head around her brothers to get a better look at the woman.

"Hey, Omega," Phee greeted with a grin, "and how is my favorite group of rogue clones doing?"

"I'm sorry, how do you two know each other?" Hunter interrupted.

"Well," Adla took a deep breath, "when you came to Naboo to be the security for the banquet -"

"- What -" Crosshair hissed.

"Omega," she punched emphasis on Omega's name as she sent a tiny glare to Crosshair. "Told me about your adventure with a 'Liberator of Ancient Wonders' and I thought, 'hmm, I know a Liberator of Ancient Wonders.'"

"That doesn't explain how you two know each other," Hunter pointed out.

Phee and Adla looked at each other. "Well, before the war I was sent to other planets to learn and explore their culture. I was to report back to the Queen, so she could form a good relationship with the authority on the other planets. On a few of my travels, I met Phee."

Phee jumped into the conversation, "I told her all about the culture and history of the artifacts and treasure I was looking for. Ads, here, was so enthralled to listen I couldn't possibly pass up the opportunity to tell her. After enough run-ins with each other, we kept in contact."

"Most of you have met Phee, so I thought you'd be more relaxed with a person you're familiar with. So, here we are," Adla threw her hands up and gestured to the island, "welcome to Pabu!"

"Welcome to Pabu indeed!" The group all turned to see a tall bald man approach them with his arms outstretched and a wide grin on his face. His eyes were kind as he glanced at them all. A little girl around Omega's age trailed closely behind them.

Crosshair and Hunter stayed on high alert as the stranger approached, they both sized him up silently. Wrecker had his arms crossed over his chest with his feet apart in a relaxed position. Tech had his head buried in his datapad, while Omega stood by Hunter looking curiously at the other young girl.