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10,000 READS 🥳 🥳 🥳 🥳 
as of 12pm today, we are at a combined 10,100 reads, 810 likes/kudos, and 250 comments across all platforms!!! 
thank you to everyone who reads/engages with the story! it really makes my day ☺️ 
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Soft sunshine coaxed Saedii out of a deep sleep. 
For a moment, she laid in her small, makeshift bed, enjoying the fact that for the first time in a while, she felt rested. That bone-deep tiredness that had weighed her down for months was gone, replaced with a much lighter feeling. Pulling the blanket up under her chin, she relished the warmth for a second longer before forcing herself up. 
The bed across from her was empty. Omega was awake. 
To Saedii's surprise, she didn't hear any voices down in the lower quarters. The rest of the Batch couldn't still be sleeping, could they?
Trilling calls of birds echoed in from outside along with the smell of jet fuel and oil. That was when she understood. 
They'd made it back to Ord Mantell.
Saedii dressed quickly, back into the tighter, more stream-lined clothes that were best for the day. Easier to move in. To fight in, if need be. She hesitated with her lightsabers in her hand, debating whether or not to wear them. 
With a bitter taste in her mouth, she put them back on her mat. Bane's warning was still heavy in her mind. Perhaps it would be a better to keep them here while she was walking around. To draw less attention. 
Downstairs, the remnants of breakfast were laid out on a small folding table. Cold eggs and toast with some jam. Nothing special, but Saedii made herself a plate anyways, eating it cold. Once she'd finished, she poured a cup of coffee, grateful to discover that this, at least, was still hot. 
Coffee in hand, she wandered outside onto the docking ramp. Sunshine warmed her face – a lovely feeling after their long day of travel in space. She closed her eyes, tipping her face back. Letting it wash over her. 
"Hey! Look who's finally awake!"
She opened her eyes to find Wrecker down below. He was busy balancing a big box on one shoulder, adding it to the stack waiting at the bottom of the ramp. 
Leaning against the other side, Crosshair observed the larger clone, twirling a toothpick between his teeth. He didn't glance up as Saedii joined him at the bottom of the ramp. 
"You slept all morning!" Wrecker exclaimed. 
Sitting on one of the boxes, face flushed, Omega nodded. "Hunter said to let you sleep. He said you needed rest."
Her voice sounded funny. Garbled, almost. She coughed a moment later – a horrible, grating sound. 
"I did need it. Thank you." Saedii joined Omega on the crate. When her arm brushed against Omega's, she couldn't help but notice the girl felt warmer than usual. "Are you feeling ok, Omega?"
"I'm fine," Omega said at once. It was the same tone Saedii used when she was definitely not fine. 
She frowned, but let it go for the moment. "Where are the others?"
"Hunter, Tech, and Echo went to see Cid for a job."
Of course they did. Saedii had nearly forgotten in the chaos of the past few days that they were still broke. That they'd still need to run jobs for Cid just to survive.