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kybercrystals94 · 5 months

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The Stardust Conspiracy (Part 4)

Read on Ao3 here!

(Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3)

Rated: G | Words: 2139 | Summary: The truth finally comes out about Stardust

“Is this it?” Hunter asks, holding up a metal latch.

Echo barely glances at it before resuming his search through his own crate of miscellaneous parts. “No.”

Hunter drops the latch back into the crate with a heavy clang. “What did Tech say he needed these parts for?”

“He didn’t say specifically. Just that it was for a critical upgrade.”

“Well, it’s turning into a critical headache,” Hunter grumbles, halfheartedly rummaging. They’d been at this for hours, scouring the market for a list of parts Tech had given them. The list maker himself had conveniently needed to make some repairs to the main console and enlisted Omega’s help, leaving Echo, Hunter, and Wrecker to do the supply run. Wrecker had disappeared about half an hour ago, claiming a vital errand but Hunter knew his brother was circling back to the vendor selling sweets they had passed earlier in the day.

Echo holds up a part. “This is what we’re looking for. I thought you said you checked in here.”

“That’s not at all what you described.”

“It’s exactly what I described!”

Hunter rolls his eyes, conceding the argument. “Well, at least we found it. Now we can find Wrecker and get back to the ship.”

After haggling over the price with the shopkeeper, Hunter comms Wrecker to get his location. Based on the hem and hawing, he knows that the giant clone probably spent more credits on whatever snack food he’d discovered than they probably paid for all of Tech’s random parts.

“I’ll meet ya back at the ship,” Wrecker decides, booming voice tinny through the comm. He signs out quickly.

“I wonder how much his little errand is gonna set us back,” Echo muses as they pick their way through the crowded sidewalks.

Hunter huffs, sounding vaguely amused. “We can afford to let the kids have their fun once in a while.”

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

Omega watches Tech work on the Marauder’s main console, adjusting a lever that has been sticking. He is hoping to have the repair done before their brothers get back from their supply run in town. While Omega doesn’t want to distract him, she gauges by his unhurried movements, that the task is nearly completed. He is simply taking his time.

Leaning forward, Omega poses the question that has been forming all afternoon. “You know, don’t you?”

Tech doesn’t even look away from his project. “I know many things. You’ll have to be more specific.”

Omega rolls her eyes and grins. “About Stardust,” she clarifies.

This earns Tech’s full attention, and Omega catches the mischievous glint in his eye as he turns to meet her gaze. “Ah. About the criceto housed next to the nav computer. Yes. I am aware of her presence.”

“Have you known all along?” Omega asks.

Tech puts his tools aside, arranging them by size, as a rare and wry smile appears. “Not all along. But since late the first night, yes. She and I are well acquainted.”

“You also found her the day she escaped,” Omega says.

Tech chuckles. “Yes, I did. What gave me away? Besides the fact that a creature of her size would find it nearly impossible to return to her enclosure given its location.”

“When I was cleaning her cage, I found more seeds than I’ve ever given her,” Omega says. She giggles. “You spoil her, Tech!”

Tech scoffs, but the accusation sticks. “I retrieved her, didn’t I? She was just being fairly compensated for her cooperation.”

Omega smiles widely. “I knew you’d love her!”

“I am fond of her,” Tech allows, demurring the use of the word love. “She has proven to be an engaging companion during late watch shifts. I have been training her to sit on my shoulder. She seems to be enraptured by the glow of hyperspace.”

“You can train her?” Omega is in absolute awe.

“Of course,” Tech says, “I have been researching the behaviors and habits of cricetos. They are incredibly intelligent. They’ve even been known to complete complex obstacle courses with the proper incentives.”

Omega gasps. “Can we build Stardust an obstacle course?”

Tech is practically glowing in the brilliance of his sister’s enthusiasm. “Absolutely. I’ve already drawn up a few plans if you’d like to look over them. I’d value your input.” He brandishes a data pad, taps through some files, then hands it over to Omega.

She is pouring over the first schematic when realization strikes. “If you’ve known about Stardust all this time, why wouldn't you tell us? Hunter, Echo and Wrecker think you haven’t noticed her yet.”

“I’m conducting an experiment,” Tech replies easily. “How long before they realize there is no keeping stowaways on my ship without my knowledge…it has proven to be an amusing study.”

“What if they never figure it out?” Omega asks.

Tech turns back to his project. “Oh, I’m sure they will figure it out soon enough.”

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

Omega smells something wonderfully sweet alongside the sound of Wrecker bounding up the ramp. “I’m home!” he bellows, “And I brought a surprise!”

Omega looks to Tech to make sure he doesn’t need any more help, and he tips his head slightly to indicate that she’s free to go. She runs out into the main area to meet her biggest brother. Wrecker is holding a box overflowing with pastries. They are warm and fresh and beautiful, curls of steam floating off of them.

Omega bounces on her toes. “I can’t believe Hunter and Echo let you get all that!” she says excitedly, eyeing a specific baked good dripping in icing.

Wrecker makes a face. “They might not know about it yet. It was kind of a surprise for all of you.”

“You forget they know you, Wrecker,” Tech says, coming in to replace the tool kit to its shelf. “The moment you disappeared from their sight, they knew you were going to get a treat of some kind.”

“That’s not true!” Wrecker balks while Omega laughs.

As if summoned, Hunter and Echo appear, Hunter holding the crate of supplies on his shoulder. “At least tell me you got something that’s actually good this time,” Hunter says, dropping the box by the door.

“Mantel Mix is good!” Wrecker argues, “But this is even better!”

“Well, put them away in the warmer for now,” Echo says, “Healthy food first.”

“Aw,” Wrecker and Omega protest in unison.

“None of that,” Hunter says. “Echo’s right. Late meal first.”

While Wrecker and Omega continue to wheedle with Hunter, Tech approaches the box of supplies with a critical eye. “You found everything on my list?” he asks Echo.

“Took us most of the day,” Echo says, waving his scomp at the offending items, “but yes, we found everything on your list.”

Tech brightens. “Excellent! I will be able to start on that critical upgrade later tonight.”

“What exactly is this upgrade again?” Echo asks.

“Oh, I didn’t tell you?” Tech looks vaguely surprised, although Echo gets the impression it is not genuine.

The cyborg frowns. “No. You didn’t.”

“Must’ve slipped my mind,” Tech says elusively, but he doesn’t elaborate. Instead, he turns to intervene in the argument that Hunter is on the verge of losing.

What are you up to? Echo wonders.

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

Late meal is a compromise of nutritional rations and incredibly unhealthy pastries, much to Wrecker and Omega’s delight. Tech had unexpectedly changed sides during the debate, saying that if Wrecker had already spent all those credits on fresh pastries, they might as well consume them while they were at optimal temperature. He had been awarded a huge smile and brief hug from Omega for his contribution to the cause. Hunter didn’t miss the trace of an indulgent grin on Tech’s face as he gave their little sister a single pat on top of her feathery blond head in response.

Hunter knows he really should just come clean about the criceto. Tech might resist the idea for a while, but he’d come around when he saw how good having a pet is for Omega. They’d had Stardust for nearly a standard month now...Hunter isn’t sure how he is going to explain that.

Late meal finishes, and Hunter begins to work on how he is going to break the news to Tech. He has come up with a few subtle openers when Tech enters the main room with the crate of supplies they’d bought that day. He starts laying the pieces out on the table, muttering to himself as he inspects each one.

“Yes,” he says out loud after everything is in whatever order he has deemed useful, “these will do quite nicely. Hunter, I wonder if you’d be so kind as to retrieve Stardust’s cage for me?”

The silence that follows the offhanded request is so dense, even Hunter’s vibroknife couldn’t cut through it.

Tech tilts his head, looking puzzled. “Is something wrong?” he asks Hunter when the silence has stretched to a painfully awkward length.

Hunter isn’t sure when his mouth dropped open, but he snaps it shut, teeth audibly clacking together. “The parts...” Hunter begins, pauses, restarts, “You said you needed parts for a critical upgrade?”

Tech nods slowly, as though he is dealing with a particularly stupid life form. “I believe altering Stardust’s cage so that she is not escaping into the interior of the ship at odd hours would be considered a critical upgrade.”

“Kriff, Tech!” Echo bursts out, “How long have you known?”

Tech gives his cyborg brother a wounded look, but there is a glimmer of mirth behind the tinted glass of his goggles. “I understand that I am the one with enhanced cerebral processing, but did any of you actually think I wouldn’t notice a criceto in a cage next to the nav computer on my ship?”

Omega is the first one to laugh outright, her melodic giggling breaking through the building tension. Wrecker and Echo immediately follow her example, laughter explosive.

“So, wait,” Hunter says, “You’ve known since...”

Tech rolls his eyes. “I’ve known since the very first night, Hunter.”

Hunter feels the warmth of embarrassment burn across his face.

Tech gives him a lopsided grin, obviously relishing the situation. “I also know that our little friend was able to evade your enhancement after her escape, which is why I employed my own tactics and found her myself.”

“You found her?” Echo gasps between hysterics.

“Of course, I found her,” Tech says, “Did you really think a creature of her size could climb back into her cage of her own power?”

Hunter rubs a hand down his face. “I’m an idiot.”

“You’re all idiots,” Tech corrects him wryly, “The exception being Omega who figured out I’d known about Stardust for an extensive period of time.”

“Tech’s even trained Stardust to sit on his shoulder, and we are going to build her an obstacle course!” Omega pipes up excitedly.

While Omega continues to explain the specifics of the theorized obstacle course in great detail, Hunter meets Tech’s eye. His brother offers him a subtle grin and a wink. Hunter shakes his head and smiles. He should’ve known Tech would love having a little creature to study in the comforts of their wayfaring home.

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

Stardust is perched in the hollow of Tech’s neck and shoulder, contentedly nibbling at seeds Tech offers her when Hunter enters the cockpit. Hunter drops into the copilot’s seat with a smile. “Looks like you’re Stardust’s best friend.”

Tech is looking at his data pad. “Bribery is an excellent resource when it comes to earning the affection of animals.”

“So, you spoil her,” Hunter deadpans.

Tech chuckles. “Perhaps, but I doubt you have tried to resist her request for more seeds when she puts out her paws. She can be very persuasive.”

“Is that your way of saying she’s cute?”

“If that is how you interpret it, I wouldn’t disagree,” Tech says. He sets aside his data pad and turns to face Hunter fully. “Have you had much opportunity to interact with the creature?”

Hunter shakes his head.

Tech promptly puts his hand up to Stardust, and the criceto climbs into his hand. Tech offers the fluff ball to Hunter. “Here, I think you will better understand my plight if you have first-hand experience.”

Hunter hesitates a moment but puts out his hand. Stardust sniffs at him skeptically. Tech drops several seeds into Hunter’s palm. Stardust perks up immediately, whiskers twitching and feet carefully climbing out of Tech’s hand and into Hunter’s.

“Omega was right. I can barely even feel her in my hand,” Hunter marvels under his breath.

“She only weighs approximately one hundred grams,” Tech informs him.

Stardust is busily tucking the seeds into her cheek pouches, and once they are gone, she gazes up at Hunter expectantly, paws reaching, minuscule fingers splayed.

Tech was right. How can Hunter possibly say no to that?

END

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mosspapi · 9 months

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There's like a 90% chance this will not make sense to anyone else but let me indulge in a little autistic crackposting abt Fall Out Boy for a second

I genuinely love the use of violins/classical instruments in Folie and the way it contrasts with their use in SMFS. Like in Folie, their inclusion gives it a sense of discordance, almost desperation. "I am ripping everything apart and trying everything in my power to get through to you, to get my head above water, to scream for help. This is so far out of left field but I don't feel like I have any other options left." But in SMFS, they almost feel like they're doing the exact opposite. "I am staring down at the pieces of the mess I've made and gingerly sewing it back together. I'm trying to soothe the chaos and rawness and show you that even when things seem so far gone, they can always be reeled in and thrown a life raft." It's just. Idk. Something about the musical similarities being used to create polar opposite emotional states gets me. "I was not ok, and expressing that in the only way I knew how, but I can take that and put myself back together again in the same way I tore myself apart."

#thank you for indulging in my unhinged personal musical conspiracy theories #my playlist kept shuffling Folie/stardust/Folie/stardust back to back to back and it struck a chord in me (pun intended)#I don't think this is articulated well enough to fully get my point across. might come back and edit or add to it later lmao #but I'm just Feeling Things abt it rn. Ough.#armchair speaks #fob #fall out boy

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just-here-with-my-thoughts · 5 months

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A Cosy Bed: A Stardust Conspiracy Fanfic

A Bad Batch Fanfic ~4575 words Click here to read on AO3 Content: Space Hamsters, Snowball Fights, Brotherly Fluff, Crosshair to the rescue The Batch have grown very attached to their newest and smallest member; Omega's pet hamster. But escapology isn't the criceto's only skill... Can Omega keep her brothers from finding out what Stardust has done this time - and can she undo the damage caused?

With thanks to @kybercrystals94 for giving me your blessing to write a story with your character Stardust! If you haven't read kyber's fun fic about the chaos that ensues when the Batch get a pet hamster yet, you should go check it out Here. It's been so much fun swopping stories about our real-life hamster woes and turning them into fanfics!

“Omega, the planet we are landing on has a very frigid climate. The ambient temperature inside the Marauder is likely to drop, which may trigger a hibernation response in the criceto species. Make sure that Stardust has plenty of insulating bedding materials available, as she is likely to want additional warmth in her nest.”

“Sure thing, Tech,” chirped Omega, poking a finger into the cage to wave at Stardust. The criceto blinked sleepily as she waddled from her nest to the food bowl, checking for uneaten seeds.

Wrecker had lifted Stardust’s cage up into the gunner’s mount so that Omega could play with the criceto in her ‘bedroom’ whilst the others planned for the mission planet-side. Omega bounced Lula on her knees, making the stuffed tooka toy wave at Stardust too.

“You’ll keep an eye on Stardust whilst we’re gone, won’t you Lula?” Omega chatted to herself. “Don’t worry, Stardust,” and she tipped a whole mountain of additional seeds into the bowl right before the stunned criceto’s nose, “I’ll make sure you have plenty of food and water, and we won’t even be gone that long!”

The criceto scrubbed her little paws over her whiskers, then started stuffing her cheek pouches full of the new bounty which had appeared before her.

There was a gentle tremor as the Marauder settled on the ground. Omega looked up as Echo entered the bunk area with a groan.

“There’s snow everywhere,” the cyborg clone lamented to no-one in particular. “My joints are going to freeze.”

“There’s snow?” Omega exclaimed. In a flash she was bouncing in front of Echo, hands clasped before her in excitement. “Real snow, Echo? I’ve never seen real snow! Can I go outside? Can I see it now?”

“Not until you wrap up warm.” That was Hunter, smiling as he followed Echo to the bunks. He shed his scarf, draping the striped material over Omega’s shoulders and wrapping it round and round until it smothered her up to her nose. Omega giggled. “Nearly done,” said Hunter, reaching into an overhead locker and pulling out a box of cold-weather gear. He dug around until he found a thick pair of gloves, far too big for Omega’s hands but he popped them on her anyway, then swaddled her further in a thick coat with a fur-trimmed hood.

“Now can I go out?” asked Omega, her voice muffled behind the layers of fabric.

“Sure thing, kid,” Hunter grinned, and Omega skipped off happily.

“Are you going to wrap me up like that?” asked Echo, earning a snort of laughter from Hunter.

“Not a chance,” he teased as he retrieved his own thick coat from the crate. Wrecker appeared and started pulling on hat and gloves too.

Lula slumped, forgotten, against the side of Stardust’s cage.

The mission was unexpectedly easy; no-one else was here to challenge them about retrieving the cache. Because no-one else was mad enough to be out in this cold, was Echo’s frequently-voiced opinion. And whilst Hunter groused about their preparations going to waste, he was smiling inside his furred hood – they were all glad of an easy win for once.

Dragging the cache back to the ship on the makeshift sled shouldn’t have taken long, except Wrecker kept dropping the cable to gather up handfuls of snow to throw at his brothers. He was kind enough to leave Echo alone – the reg was struggling with the cold and his cybernetic implants – but Tech’s indignant squark when the icy mush slithered down the back of his neck and beneath his armour only spurred Wrecker to greater mischief. Before long he, Tech and Hunter were engaged in full-blown snowball warfare.

Omega, hiding behind the sled, was in helpless giggles. Whenever she got the chance she popped up the hurl another snowball into the fray. Wrecker eventually wised to her ambushes and tackled her into the snow, then let her ride on his shoulders the rest of the way back.

Back at the Marauder everyone was stamping feet and rubbing hands to try and warm them whilst they clamoured over each other with plans for the evening. Echo grumbled at having his prosthetics checked, saying the Marauder was so cold he’d rather run the risk of frostbite to his stumps than strip off and inspect them. Tech forced him to anyway, and Omega piled every blanket on the ship onto Echo’s shoulders as he sat and shivered whilst his thighs were examined. Then she ran to the galley and clambered up to retrieve Wrecker’s stash of chocolate powder, mixing watery hot chocolate drinks for everyone.

Tech had the Marauder in the air and the cabin was finally warming with the roar of the engines before Omega remembered Stardust. She left Hunter, Wrecker and Tech in the cockpit, darting past Echo on his bunk to climb into her gunner’s nest and peek into the criceto cage.

Her distressed squeak immediately summoned Echo.

“What’s wrong, Omega?” he asked, peering up with concern.

Omega stared at Stardust’s cage with both hands clamped over her mouth, eyes wide with panic. Slowly she turned to fix Echo with a wretched look, pointing a trembling finger at the corner where the criceto nested.

“Stardust isn’t dead,” Echo reassured her quickly, a flash of worry in his own eyes. “If she’s not moving it’ll be because she’s in a deep sleep, hibernating, just like Tech said!”

But he had misinterpreted Omega’s alarm.

“It’s Lula,” Omega whispered, voice cracking from behind her fingers.

Lula was still leant up against the side of the hamster cage. Echo climbed another step up the ladder to look more closely, first at the lopsided toy, then at the shreds of red fabric surrounding the sleeping criceto. The nest made warm and fluffy with toy stuffing…

“Stardust ate Lula’s ear!” Omega’s voice was a frightened whisper. “I forgot to put extra bedding in there, and she chewed up Lula’s ear and Wrecker is going to kill me…”

“Hey, hey,” soothed Echo, boosting himself the rest of the way into the gunner’s mount and curling his left arm round Omega’s shoulders. He reached past her with his scomp, nudging Lula away from the cage, inspecting the damage.

“She’s ruined,” said Omega, voice breaking on a sob. Echo squeezed her tightly.

“No she’s not,” he reassured her, pulling the tattered toy into Omega’s lap. “Look, it’s not that bad really. I’m sure we can repair the damage, and Lula will look good as new.”

“I don’t know how,” his little sister wailed.

“Leave it to me,” Echo told her with a smile.

Omega’s cry had alerted Tech, who now appeared at the ladder to her small room.

“What is the matter?” the engineer asked, sticking his head into the now-crowded gunner’s mount. “Is Stardust well?”

Echo quickly moved Lula out of sight. “Stardust is fine,” he said to save Omega from answering. “Omega was just startled by… uh… how still she looked. In hibernation, just like you said.”

“Ah.” Tech nodded sagely. “Never fear, Omega. Once the ambient temperature starts to increase, Stardust will naturally awaken from her slumber.” He peered at the girl’s worried face and adjusted his goggles. “Would you like me to check on her, just in case?”

“No!” said Omega, far too quickly and a little too loudly. Her cheeks flushed guiltily. “No, it’s fine Tech,” she managed in a more normal tone. “Echo made me feel lots better about it.”

“Very well.” Tech climbed back down, flashing Omega one of his rare smiles. “If you do require any further information about the habits of the criceto, I am more than happy for us to work on our joint research project together.”

“C’mon, we should head down too,” Echo said, nudging Omega towards the ladder. He paused, then grabbed Omega’s blanket and threw it over the cage. “For extra warmth,” he told her. “Certainly not to hide anything.” He gave her a sympathetic smile, and tucked Lula’s mutilated body under the blanket and out of sight.

“How are we going to fix her, Echo?” Omega asked as she descended. Her brown eyes shone as she gazed up at him, desperation written on her young face.

“Don’t worry,” he smiled. “I’m going to make a call. You should help Hunter prep evening meal. You know he doesn’t like you skipping out on your chores to play with Stardust.”

Wondering what Echo had planned, Omega moped off to find Hunter. She was withdrawn as she helped with dinner, prompting him to ask what was up.

“Come on, ‘Mega,” he said with a gruff smile, knocking his shoulder gently into hers. “You can tell me what’s wrong.”

“Nothing’s wrong,” she said, feeling the cold weight of guilt settle in her stomach. “I’m just…”

“Worried about Stardust?” asked Hunter kindly. “Tech told me she’s hibernating. You don’t need to worry, kid. Your little criceto will be just fine, and she’ll wake back up before you know it.”

“Yeah,” said Omega morosely, fretting about how she was piling lies on top of lies to hide her mistake.

The boys were in high spirits during the meal, celebrating the mission gone off without a hitch, but Omega poked at her food without appetite. She was so subdued that after dinner Tech insisted on taking her temperature in case she had come down with a cold after playing in the snow, and Hunter was the picture of concern hovering over Tech’s shoulder asking about the results.

“I’m fine,” Omega insisted, cheeks going pink from the embarrassment of her deceit rather than a temperature. She glanced at Echo for support.

Echo picked up on the cue perfectly. “I expect Omega is tired out from all the fun we had today,” he said. “She should probably have an early night.

“Awright then kid, time for bed,” said Wrecker cheerily, scooping Omega up in a bone-crushing hug as he did every night. He lifted her easily into her bedroom in the gunner’s mount, flicking the switch to turn the fairy lights on. “Want a story?”

“Not tonight, Wrecker,” said Omega, burrowing into the blankets and trying to hide. “I’m really tired.”

“Fair ‘nuff,” grinned Wrecker. “I’m tired too, from playin’ in the snow! I’ll jus’ say goodnight to you an’ Lula.” And he waited expectantly for Omega to present the toy, as she always did, for a goodnight hug of her own.

“You can’t!” yelped Omega in alarm. “I mean, uh…” She sat back up a little, trying to school her face into a reassuring smile. “Lula is hibernating,” she lied. “Just like Stardust. You shouldn’t disturb her.”

“Ohh!” Wrecker gave her an exaggerated wink. “I get it!” He reached out and ruffled her hair. “Alright kid, sleep tight. I’ll see Lula when she wakes up from hibernation!”

Omega pulled the blanket over her head and wished she could hibernate, and not wake up until this nightmare was over.

They were due to dock at a small spaceport to resupply before their next mission. Echo reassured Omega that someone would be there to help with their problem, but Omega remained concerned.

“What if he doesn’t come?”

Echo smiled down at her gently. “He will, Omega. He’ll always come, if it’s you.”

Omega nodded, only partially convinced. It was hardly an emergency, but if Echo said he was coming, she wanted to believe him.

They docked the Marauder without challenge, Hunter assigning them instructions for a speedy resupply. Together, the five of them descended the ramp to the spaceport.

There was no mistaking the mercenary waiting by the one-man fighter on the other side of the docking bay. He was lean, armoured in deep red with grey accents – the mirror of how they were used to seeing him. A familiar skull decal adorned his shoulder pauldron, and a sniper rifle rested casually across his shoulder.

“Crosshair!” squealed Omega, breaking away from her brothers to run and meet him. The tall clone caught her in a one-armed hug, the other hand tightly gripping his rifle.

“Hey, kid,” he greeted, although he kept his gaze trained on his approaching brothers. A patch covered the empty socket of his right eye, a centrepiece for his fine-line tattoo; an injury earned during their escape from Mount Tantiss, when he had rescued Omega from Dr. Hemlock. A fair price for their freedom, he thought, not that he would ever tell Hunter that. He had let his hair grow back in around the scarring above his ear, steel-grey locks just starting to curl atop his head.

“Crosshair!” cried Wrecker, looking for all the world like he too wanted to run at his brother for a hug, just as Omega had. He held himself back, settling for a friendly punch to the shoulder. “Haven’t seen you in ages! How’s it goin’?”

“You are looking well,” said Tech with a nod which Crosshair returned.

They weren’t all so happy to see their estranged batchmate. “What are you doing here?” asked Hunter, a little too sharply.

Crosshair stiffened, biting down hard on his toothpick. “Two mercenary groups can’t be at the same spaceport at the same time?” he sneered, glaring at his brother.

“I guess they can.” Hunter narrowed his eyes suspiciously but let it go.

“Good to see you Crosshair,” said Echo, stepping past Hunter. The Imperial-sniper-turned-mercenary reached out and tapped vambraces with Echo as the cyborg came to stand on Omega’s other side. “Would you like to join us for dinner?”

“You’re casually extending dinner invitations now?” asked Hunter caustically. Echo ignored him, but Crosshair didn’t.

“I know when I’m not wanted,” he said bitterly. “Don’t trouble yourself on my behalf.”

Then he glanced to where Omega was tucked under his arm, looking up at him with a glaze of tears in her eyes.

“On second thoughts,” he said, fingers tightening on her shoulder, “I suppose dinner might be nice.”

Omega jumped to lock her arms around his neck in a tight hug, dangling from his tall frame. “Thank you, Crosshair,” she whispered, and was sure she felt him smile against her cheek.

The Marauder’s tiny galley was crowded with six, but the warmth of jovial conversation kept anyone from feeling too cramped. Omega was crammed onto the bench between Hunter and Tech, the latter engaged in animated descriptions of their recent adventures to Crosshair, who sat on a storage crate pulled up to the end of the table.

Crosshair was smiling, thin lips pressed together in a smirk as he listened to his brothers. Wrecker was an enthusiastic assistant storyteller, gesturing broadly from his position leaned against the wall across from the small table. There wasn’t space to seat all of them, so Wrecker had volunteered to stand.

Echo perched on the end of the bench between Tech and Crosshair, nodding along to the stories but casting the occasional glance between Hunter and Cross. He had made sure they were seated at the opposite ends of the table, hoping the distance would be enough to avert an argument. Hunter’s less than enthusiastic response to Crosshair’s presence was affecting Omega as well; every time she laughed at one of Crosshair’s retorts she quickly glanced up at the long-haired Sergeant, gauging his reaction. For Crosshair’s part, he pointedly ignored Hunter, and Echo supposed that was the best he could hope for.

When Crosshair disappeared outside, seeking respite from the noise and the scrutiny of his brothers, Hunter silently slipped from his seat to follow him.

The sniper hadn’t gone far, stopped under the wing of the Marauder as he tipped a toothpick from its pack and placed it between his teeth. He leaned against the ship with his head tilted back, breathing out a sigh as his face dropped into a worried frown.

Hunter didn’t try and disguise his approach, taking up position beside Crosshair with shoulders hunched and tense. He glanced up, still not used to seeing his older brother with a patch covering his eye instead of the hard but familiar glare that was usually framed by the crosshair tattoo.

When he spoke he couldn’t control the challenge in his voice.

“Why are you really here, Crosshair? It’s not a coincidence.”

Crosshair chewed for a moment on his toothpick. Then, “Echo called. Said the kid needed me,” he said truthfully.

Hunter bristled. “What does she need you for that one of us can’t help with?” he asked, an edge of hurt roughening his words.

“Getting out of Tantiss, for one,” hissed Crosshair, rounding on his smaller brother. For a moment they locked gazes, glowering, before Crosshair turned away. “Think what you want. I don’t care.”

Hunter took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “I’m sorry, Crosshair,” he said quietly, facing out across the landing bay instead of looking at his brother. “I’m grateful for what you did. Bringing Omega back to us.”

“You’ve got a funny way of showing it.”

For a while silence stretched between them, strained. Hunter crossed his arms over his chest, tilting his chin down in thought.

“How’s the aim?” he asked at last.

Crosshair merely grunted.

Hunter could sense the tension radiating from him even without his enhancements. He didn’t need to be told how losing an eye affected Crosshair’s depth perception – what that meant for a sniper.

“It’s… getting better,” Crosshair admitted at last. “The biggest problem is the muscle memory. I keep bringing my rifle up to…”

He trailed off.

Hunter gently knocked his shoulder against his brother’s. “You’ll get it back. It’ll take time to train to use your off-side.”

Crosshair rounded on him with a snarl, but seeing the genuine concern in Hunter’s face he softened. “Yeah,” he agreed, leaning back against the Marauder. He flicked his toothpick away, then almost immediately brought out a fresh one.

“So,” said Hunter after a moment. “What does Omega need you for?”

“Perhaps if you’d leave me alone for five minutes she’d come and tell me,” said Crosshair with a humourless smile. He tilted his head a little, glancing down at his brother. “You know, there’s going to be things she doesn’t want you to know. It’s good she has someone else to turn to.”

Hunter’s mouth turned down. “Why wouldn’t Omega come to me with a problem?” he asked.

“Because she cares what you think of her,” Crosshair told him. “She doesn’t want you to see her making mistakes.” Then, barely audible, “I know how that feels.”

“If she’s in trouble I want to be there for her.”

For a moment Crosshair stiffened, and he bit hard onto his toothpick. Hunter grimaced, tattooed face contorting with guilt.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you,” he said quietly, voice raw.

Crosshair resumed chewing on his toothpick. Eventually he sighed.

“Forget it.”

His words were twisted with bitterness and worse – resignation.

Hunter took a shaky breath. “Are we ever going to be good again, Crosshair?”

“You and me?” Crosshair’s gaze was distant, unfocused. He shook his head. “No.”

Beside him, Hunter tensed.

“But I owe the kid. If she needs me, you can call. It doesn’t have to be Echo.”

Hunter nodded, jaw clenched tightly.

Crosshair turned to him, a shadow of doubt crossing his face. His one eye narrowed, then softened. Reaching out, he ruffled Hunter’s hair, ignoring his younger brother’s half-hearted snarl of protest at the treatment.

“Come on, vod’ika. Let’s go back inside. I can play nice for one night, for Omega.”

“You called me out here for this?” Crosshair hissed, rolling his eyes at Echo. He turned the stuffed toy over in his hands, inspecting the damage.

“You’re the best at this kind of job,” Echo said defensively, arms crossed over his chest. “Your stitching has always been the neatest out of all of us.”

“You could have had Tech do this,” muttered Crosshair, but stopped when he saw Omega’s worried face. He gave a sigh, pinching his fingers to the bridge of his nose. “Fine. I’ll repair the dumb toy.”

Omega threw her arms round his neck once more, burying her face in his shoulder. “You’re the best, Crosshair.”

“Get off me,” he said without heat, gently prising the girl away from him. “Alright, do you have what I need?”

“I found needle and thread in the medical kit,” said Echo, indicating where they were.

“And the missing ear?”

“Chewed to pieces in the criceto nest, I’m afraid.”

Crosshair paused half-way through threading the needle. “What?” he asked, surprise smoothing some of the careworn lines from his face. “You got a criceto?”

“She’s called Stardust,” said Omega in a small voice.

Crosshair looked between them and gave a grunt of amusement. “Hunter really is getting soft.” He ruffled Omega’s hair gently, just like he had with Hunter. “Alright kid, so your pet chewed Lula and there’s no ear left for me to sew back on. Where can we get some red fabric to make a new one?”

Echo coughed. Crosshair glanced at him, then a wicked grin spread on his face.

“Got it.”

Omega padded softly past her sleeping brothers in their bunks and let herself into the cockpit. A silver-haired head faced away from her; Crosshair, sitting alone in the pilot’s chair. He didn’t turn, or give any indication that he registered her presence.

Closing the door behind her, she approached Crosshair and stood silently by his side. The sniper held a narrow tube of red fabric in his hands, running precise stitches down the seam.

Crosshair paused, flicking his gaze to her, and subtly shifted his position. Omega took the cue and crawled into his lap.

“If Wrecker doesn’t kill me, then Hunter definitely will,” she lamented, tucking into Crosshair’s side and resting her head on his shoulder.

A vibration of a supressed chuckle spread through him. “Most certainly,” he agreed in his driest voice, looping his arms round her loosely so he could continue sewing. “You’re done for. The best you can hope for is a swift death.”

Omega pouted. “You’re not helping,” she complained, and Crosshair jostled her gently.

“Do you want me to fix this or not?”

“Yes,” she said meekly. “Please.”

They settled into silence, Crosshair’s hands moving swiftly as he pulled thread through the new ear he was making. Omega retrieved Lula from the Marauder’s console and dug her fingers into the hole in the toy’s head, stirring the stuffing inside.

“What if they’re so mad they don’t want me around any more?” she asked in a small voice. “What if they banish me from the Batch?”

Crosshair gave a derisive snort, his breath stirring the girl’s hair. “You can come live with me,” he said, eyes never leaving his task.

“Do you mean that?”

“Sure.” A faint smile curled the corners of his mouth, his usual sarcasm absent. “I’ll get a bigger ship. A two-man fighter.”

Omega snuggled her face into his chest, wrapping one arm around his waist. “Can Stardust come too?”

“I don’t know about that. She sounds like trouble.”

Omega giggled despite herself. “Yeah. She can be,” she said, remembering Hunter’s red-cheeked embarrassment the first time Stardust had escaped and he hadn’t been able to track her. At least Tech had tamed the little criceto with bribes of treats since then.

Turning the fabric tube to hide the seam inside, Crosshair stuffed it with spare criceto bedding and took Lula from Omega’s hands, starting to attach the new ear. Omega watched sleepily, boneless and relaxed against her brother. Before long she started to doze.

Omega was vaguely aware of strong arms wrapping round her and lifting her up, of being cradled against a chest and carried, of being laid into bed and the blanket pulled up over her. A soft-bodied form was tucked in beside her.

She mumbled sleepily, not awake enough to form words. A hand rested on her head, long fingers stroking through her hair. Omega squeezed Lula tightly and burrowed into the blankets, giving a soft, contented sigh as she drifted back to sleep.

“Where’s my bandana?” Hunter muttered, still half-asleep and rubbing his face as he pulled back the blankets on his bunk. He ran his hand through his unruly hair, strands curling into his eyes now they weren’t tamed by his usual headgear.

“It must be around somewhere,” Tech told him, heading for the cockpit. Crosshair was gone and they were preparing to depart themselves.

“Wrecker,” called Omega from her bedroom, her voice shaking just a little. “Can you come over here?”

The big clone lumbered up the gangway to the gunner’s mount. “What’s up, kid?” he asked with a grin, resting his forearms on the floor of her small room.

Omega shifted uncomfortably, not meeting his eyes. “I want to tell you something,” she said, then rested her small hand over his large one. She looked at him at last, mouth downturned in an unhappy line. “I had an accident with Lula.”

Wrecker chuckled. “Whatcha do, spill somethin’ on her? Tech’s always tellin’ me to be more careful about that. Don’t worry, whatever it is usually washes right out!”

“No, it’s not that.” Omega sniffed, trying to hold back tears and keep her voice from wobbling. “I b-b-broke her. But Echo called Crosshair and Crosshair fixed her and-”

She pulled the tooka toy out from under her pillow.

“I hope it’s okay.”

Wrecker withdrew his hand from Omega’s and took hold of Lula, cradling her delicately as he stroked his fingertips over her right ear. It was now red all the way to the base, and where the new ear joined the toy’s head, there was a small bow with a familiar skull at the centre.

“Omega! I love it!”

Omega jerked her head up from where she had been looking miserable.

“You do?”

“Ha hah!” Wrecker grabbed her in one arm, dragging her to the edge of the gunner’s mount so he could hug her and Lula together. “It’s adorable! I’d never have thought to make a BOW for Lula to wear!”

Smooshing the plush tooka into his face, Wrecker kissed the beloved toy between her ears. “You look great, Lula,” he told the toy, beaming from ear to ear. “I’m sorry I never made you anythin’ pretty to wear before now!” He turned his grin on Omega, laughing. “Is this why you said she was hibernatin’? Tryin’ to keep it a surprise ‘til it was ready?”

“Uh… yeah,” said Omega lamely, stunned in the face of Wrecker’s excitement. “So you’re not mad?”

“Why would I be mad? You had me worried when you said you broke her, but she looks just fine to me!” And with that Wrecker sauntered off happily, Lula tucked under his arm.

Echo appeared in the space Wrecker had vacated. He was wearing a knowing smile.

“I think we got away with that, don’t you?” he asked casually.

Omega nodded fervently. Somehow Wrecker hadn’t noticed the difference between Lula’s original ear and the new one.

“Maybe next time, keep Lula a bit further away from Stardust’s cage,” Echo smiled wryly. “Cheer up, kid. It all worked out in the end.”

At last Omega found her smile again. “Yeah. You’re right, Echo.” She reached over and petted the edge of the cage fondly. “And next time we go somewhere cold, I’m going to make sure Stardust has as much bedding as she needs!”

Hunter’s voice floated down the ship; Omega and Echo shared a guilty grin.

“Has anyone seen my bandana?”

Much like @kybercrystals94 original Stardust fic this is based off of a true life story. In that it was Lucky Rabbit who bore the brunt of hamster-based attentions to an ear, and my mum painstakingly retrieved chewed bits of fluff from the hamster cage and sewed him back together for me. I was about eight :)

#the stardust conspiracy #the bad batch #tbb fanfic #space hamster #tbb hunter #tbb echo #tbb omega #tbb tech #tbb wrecker #tbb lula #tbb crosshair #tbb stardust #brotherly fluff and shenanigans #just_thoughts

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dreammelt · 1 year

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Unsurprisingly, being made of stars and stardust usually makes you really big

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infinitecharliecox · 2 years

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Charlie Cox characterized as an old man.

Giovanni Bruni, Casanova 2005

Biafebus, Tirante el Blanco (Maiden’s Conspiracy) 2005

King Tristan Thorn, Stardust 2007

#charlie cox #giovanni bruni #casanova #Biafebus #tirante el blanco #the maidens conspiracy #tristan thorn #stardust #work of art

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workingonmoviemaps · 2 years

Photo

Popular Locations Wednesday

Spain’s Castillo de La Calahorra

Castillo de La Calahorra was constructed in 1512 and is one of the first Italian Renaissance castles built outside Italy.

The castle can be seen above in Action of the Tiger, Assassin's Creed, The Maidens' Conspiracy, The Wind and the Lion, Emerald City, Inés of My Soul, and Stardust.

It will also be used in the upcoming House of the Dragon.

#castillo de la calahorra #action of the tiger #assassin's creed #the maidens' conspiracy #the wind and the lion #emerald city #inés of my soul #stardust #popular locations #spain

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the-little-moment · 5 months

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Thanks for the wonderful fic, @kybercrystals94 ! Everyone needs to go read "The Stardust Conspiracy". 🐹

#star wars the bad batch #clone force 99 #the little moment art #the bad batch art #tbb tech #space hamster!

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fandom-friday · 4 months

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Thank you so much to everyone that submitted recommendations this week! This was one HECK of a week, and it couldn't have happened without all of the submissions I received! A comprehensive list of this week’s submissions can be found under the cut! Recommendations are organized by show/media, and any main pairings will be listed after the title.

✨ = 18+ content

Fics:

The Clone Wars: Vermillion (Clone OC Specter x f!Reader) by @dickarchivist New Members (Fives x OC Rasha Skohl, Echo x OC Ari Nierre) by @fives-lover ✨ The Den (Kix x OC Nihlus Brek) by @for-the-sake-of-color ✨ Dancing Lights (Wolf!Wolffe x f!Reader) by @the-bad-batch-baroness ✨ I Yearn, And So I Fear (Wolffe x OC Kazi Ennari) by @enigmaticexplorer ✨ Man on the Moon (Fox x Riyo Chuchi) by @emeraldvsociety ✨ In Command (Rex x OC Senna Aven) by @wild-karrde ✨ Eight Shades of Blue (and the Touch of Orange) (501st Legion x f!Reader, Cody x f!Reader) by the_rain_on_kamino (AO3) Crèche to Command by Boredom (AO3) The Commander Swap by @brainrotrants Dominoes by meridianpony (AO3) Fox Hates Red by @stormyblue90 Dead Dog by @corvod

The Bad Batch: ✨ Stars Beyond Number (Echo x Riyo Chuchi, Gregor x OC Cerra Kilian) by @dystopicjumpsuit Tooka Dad (Crosshair x OC Rayla) by @drafthorsemath Sunflowers & Blasters (Crosshair x OC Isabella Ramót) by @523rdrebel Low Battery (Crosshair x gn!Reader) by @523rdrebel ✨ Cleaning Up (Tech x f!Reader) by @reader6898 Secret Kingdoms (Knight!Hunter x f!Reader) by @jedipoodoo/@lizartgurl A Cosy Bed: A Stardust Conspiracy Fanfic by @just-here-with-my-thoughts

Call of Duty: ✨ If I Had a Heart (Ghost x Soap) by @cod-fishing

Legends of Chima: The Forgotten Legends of Chima by @olivescales3

Marvel/MCU: Black and Tan (Bucky x Sarah Wilson) by @btwxsixesandsevens

Crossovers: The Misadventures of Cosplay Man (Danny Phantom x DC Comics Crossover) by Shynnohwen (AO3)

Art:

The Clone Wars: How Dominoes Fall by @frostycatblr-fandom-files Temeura Morrison Study by @keldabekush Cody with Long Hair Art by @rochenn Commander Cody Art by @captora Blade to Blade by @rackcty Anakin and Ahsoka Art by @finpews

The Bad Batch: The Bad Batch Dark Souls AU: Character Introduction by @amorfista The Bad Batch Dark Souls AU: Introduction by @amorfista Hunter and Omega Art by @eggdrawsthings Tech Art by @talesfrommedinastation

Critical Role: Caleb Widogast Art by @middimidoris

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Zuko Artwork by @chiptrillino-art

Yonderland: Cake Bake Lady Edith Art by @bahoreal

#ff weekly summary

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ventismacchiato · 1 year

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˗ˏˋ balladeer & friends ´ˎ˗

scaramouche x g!n reader

scaramouche — film major, childe got him into streaming and everyone thirsted over his hands when his camera accidentally pointed towards them, gained popularity from being in childe’s videos first, uses the name kunikuzushi irl so nobody figures out his online persona, goes by scara online, horror game fanatic, loves story games and gets rlly invested in them, ppl love his voice and snarky attitude.

childe — business major, kinda like mr beast and throws a lot of money away in streams for entertainment. just lookin for a good time and has scara in the back of his videos but always slaps a giant eggplant emoji on his face to not expose him. already had a following because of the insanity of his videos as time went on and gave scara a jumpstart, closest friend of scara #chiscara4lyfe

heizou — criminology major, started streaming as a side project for class and then never stopped, known for his conspiracy videos like those game theory ones and loves mystery games but always figures out the ending, also does those buzzfeed unsolved/watcher kinda videos, SUPER flirty to his chat omfg so many edits of him saying the most outlandish shit, joins kazuha’s streams and attempts to flirt via donations

tighnari — botanic science major, has a bunch of compilations like “tighnari roasting his friends for 10 mins straight” very blunt with his chat and will judge them. does those judging my viewers confessions videos a lot, will play story based games solely to judge the writing, does garden tours during streams and his fans like to send him rose petals through his p.o. box, has a long geoguesser streak

albedo — art major, art streams and youtuber, does a lot of drawing tutorials and known for his unique art style and talent. lots of edits since he’s rlly attractive and has a sexy voice, has a segment where he lets his fans send in their hw and he does it for them when he’s bored, he and tighnari get shipped a lot for their compatible personalities, his sister klee streams with him when she visits and he lets her win in all the games and tells his chat to keep quiet about it

behind the lens !

masterlist — prev | next

teyvat university, junior year of college, age 20-21

everyone lives off campus together

scara doesn’t have a face icon for now cus he’s a faceless streamer he’s so sexy and mysterious

both groups tend to collab but usually stick to their own, kinda like content houses but less douchey lmfao

tighnari is so sexy but pretend he isn’t a furry in this modern setting ☠️

synopsis - , better known as STARDUST, and BALLADEER have always been in competition for the top streamer spot on twitch, which is especially impressive since the two of you have never shown your faces. you’ve never been on good terms, constantly one-upping each other in matches and getting into petty arguments on twitter, causing your fans to also dislike each other. that’s until BALLADEER does a face reveal that breaks the internet with his good looks…which makes you realize it’s the same guy you went on a date with last night. the type of date that made you crave to see him again. the only problem was he didn’t know you were STARDUST and he was way different behind the lens than he portrayed himself online to you. should you keep your identity a secret to salvage the relationship or just let him go?

author’s notes - planned out the au for the most part will start it when i feel like it 🤗

taglist is closed — @captainzep @elysiumarchieve @plinkuro @sakkakuu-squared @eliqusgenma @vuvulia @kunikuzushiit @heehooyeslol @stxrgxzxr @lilneps @uma-umie @lynnforever @mitsukifilms @caesars-bubbles @wheneverthesunrise @its-like-twilight @kazuhalvrr @camiluvsreading @cloudxemoji @thenightsflower @p1utto @caesars-bubbles @lxry-chxn @orbitscara @court-jester-stuff @lauragalliart @veyu002 @kaeyas-eyepatch-69 @leathernourishingshoepolish @satowaluverr @lexlapis @drunkwithfever @remiikoe @exhaustedcommunist @vincanzu @just-here-reading @amoguz @ainlaw @ovaliz @depressedwhore @kitsuvil @whatamidoing89 @bunny-x-sakura @scarasaver @kazioli @xiaosoneandonly @vinskypuff @cridtiins @cherrybeomgyu @asukahiriko [1/3]

name in bold means i can’t tag you

#genshin impact #genshin fluff #genshin imagines #genshin smau #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact headcanons #scaramouche x gender neutral reader #scaramouche x reader smau #scaramouche smau #scaramouche x reader #scaramouche x you #scaramouche x y/n #scaramouche x oc #kunikuzushi smau #kunikuzushi x you #kunikuzushi x reader #behind the lens smau

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eulalielatibule · 5 months

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Hey guys! This is Heather aka astrorogers. My new username is @eulalielatibule, please spread the info!!

@stargazingfangirl18 @brandycranby @babyjakes @georgiapeach30513 @thedrysdaleanon @drabblewithfrannybarnes @astheskycries @thursdayygrrrl @ttyls @simpforlizzie @chrisevansdaughter @rebel-stardust @lilacevans @jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory @littlelioncub43 @stargirlfics @asittwas @our-marvel-universe @starryevermore

And everyone else that I might have forgotten, I'm sorry!!

#signal boooooost #signal 👻st

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kybercrystals94 · 6 months

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The Stardust Conspiracy (Part 1)

Rated: G | Words: 1,656 | Summary: The Batch gets a pet…chaos ensues.

Author’s Note: special thanks to @just-here-with-my-thoughts for their contribution to the chaos that will transpire…😂

The market is crowded and loud. Omega's eyes are wide and constantly moving, a small smile teasing the edges of her lips. She has attached herself to both Hunter and Wrecker, her hands tucked snugly in theirs. It links them in an awkward chain; however, Hunter would rather that than Omega getting lost or snatched up. And maybe he doesn’t mind the feel of her tiny fingers locked around his, an unspoken familiarity that has grown in the months since they’ve taken her in.

“There’s so much to look at!” Omega declares, skipping between her brothers without a care in the world.

Hunter smiles. “Definitely more to offer than Ord Mantell.”

“That’s not hard to do,” Echo comments from behind them, voice muffled behind the mask of his droid disguise.

“We should get food,” Wrecker declares. “I’m hungry.”

“You’re always hungry,” Hunter says, shaking his head. They’d just had their rations not even a standard hour before.

“I’m hungry too,” Omega says, tugging on Hunter’s hand.

“See! Great minds think alike!” Wrecker laughs, giving Omega’s arm an enthusiastic swing, making her giggle.

Hunter glances back at Echo, but the cyborg just heaves one shoulder in a shrug. “We’ll see what we can find,” Hunter concedes, earning a cheer from Wrecker and Omega.

The morning had started out on a sour note, the four of them having been banished from the Marauder by Tech for the remainder of the day while he made repairs “by himself.” Really, Wrecker and Echo were to blame, while Hunter and Omega were guilty by simple association. Wrecker had, somehow, managed to drop Gonky on Tech’s favorite data pad, cracking the screen even through the screen protector. Echo then followed up by inadvertently deleting a file from the navigation system’s hard drive that he thought was clutter—but was actually a collection of mundane information that Tech had wanted to keep. Verbal apologies were not enough to smooth over the offenses, and the four clones were asked to leave.

Omega, never one to linger on hard feelings, brightened the mood almost immediately, pressing into the excitement of a new place to explore. She was especially delighted with the fact that they were in no hurry to return to the ship, nor did they have any specific task to accomplish, leaving them free to wander to her childish heart’s content.

Their search for food is interrupted when they walk past a specific shop window. Omega’s attention is immediately captured by the sight of tooka kittens peering out at her, mouths moving in soundless mews through the glass pane. “What is this place?” she asks.

“It’s a pet store,” Echo replies.

Omega turns wide eyes on their oldest brother. “Pet store? What’s a pet?”

Hunter starts to step away. “Nothing we need,” he says firmly. “C’mon.”

Omega resists, returning her gaze to the tookas. “Can we go inside and just look? Please!”

“Yeah, Hunter, just for a few minutes,” Wrecker says. “I’ve never gotten to see a tooka kitten before. Maybe we can hold one!”

Omega gasps. “We could hold one?”

Two sets of eyes turn on Hunter with a level of pleading the sergeant isn’t ready to contend with. He sighs. “Fine. We can go inside for a few minutes.”

A small bell rings cheerfully when they push open the door, and an elderly woman eyes them from behind the counter. “Welcome,” she says, “is there anything specific I can help you find today?”

“We’re just looking,” Hunter says.

“Can we hold a tooka kitten?” Omega pipes up.

“Of course, you can, little one,” the woman croons. “You can hold any one you’d like.”

Omega and Wrecker go to the window, looking down into the glass pen where the tooka kittens have toddled over on wobbly, baby legs, their beady eyes blinking up under huge ears. Omega carefully lifts out a brown and black striped kitten then holds it close to her chest, stroking it between its ears.

“It’s the softest thing I’ve ever felt in my whole life,” she whispers, “and it’s so tiny! Look at its little paws, Hunter! It’s so cute!”

Hunter’s heart melts a little.

Wrecker hesitates, but after looking at the woman and receiving a nod, he also picks up a kitten, the little creature practically disappearing in his cupped hand. “Imagine if Lula were this small,” Wrecker rumbles, his attempt at a whisper.

“She’d be so cute!” Omega cries quietly.

“Lula isn’t real,” Echo feels the need to clarify to the storekeeper. “It’s a toy.”

The woman gives Echo a funny look, and Hunter realizes it’s because of his droid disguise.

The woman turns her attention to Hunter. “The kittens are just old enough to leave their mother this week. We have everything you’d need to adopt one today.”

“Oh, no,” Hunter assures her a little too quickly, “We don’t want a kitten. We are just looking.”

The woman raises an eyebrow and pointedly glances at Omega. “Pets are very good for children. Teaches responsibility”

Omega is snuggling the tooka up to her face, her nose pressed into its round, fuzzy body. “It’s making a funny sound,” Omega says.

“It’s purring,” the woman explains, “that means it likes you.”

“It does? Awww! Can you hear it purring, Hunter?” Omega giggles when the kitten lets out a tiny, rasping mew.

“This one’s purring too!” Wrecker says, gruff soldier voice sounding absolutely delighted.

Hunter tries to ignore the sticky sweet emotion that stirs somewhere deep in the muscle thumping in his chest. They cannot get a tooka. Don’t even entertain the idea! “Alright,” he says, stamping down the joy daring to bloom in the light of his siblings’ utter happiness, “a few minutes is up. Let’s go.”

“Hunter, wait! There are more animals, and I want to see them all!” Omega cries, turning on him with those galaxy filled eyes. It doesn’t help that she has the tooka kitten nuzzled under her chin, peering up at him, daring him to break a little girl’s heart.

Hunter looks at Echo for backup, but the man looks about as helpful as Gonky at the moment. He is staring down at Omega, and even with the mask hiding his expression, it looks like he’s about to let Omega adopt the whole litter of tookas on the spot.

Maker, help me.

“Alright, well, you better start looking. We’re gonna have to head out soon,” Hunter says in his best command voice. Unfortunately, Omega and Wrecker are practically immune to it. They gently put down their tooka kittens, and begin meandering around the store, looking into glass cages housing all sorts of creatures from over the galaxy.

“What are these called?” Omega asks, leaning down to look into a cage containing what look to be tiny puffs of fur, smaller than the palm of her hand.

“Those are called cricetos,” the woman says, “They make wonderful first pets. Would you like to hold one?”

“Yes, please!” Omega chirps.

The woman reaches in and plucks a golden ball of fluff from the cage. She sets it in Omega’s hand. The creature is tiny, and stares up at Omega with large, round eyes. “I can’t even feel it in my hand, it’s so light,” Omega breathes.

“Would you like to give it a treat?” the woman asks.

Omega nods eagerly, and the woman gives her a small handful of seeds. Omega holds out a single seed to the criceto, and the animal reaches out and snatches the seed in its minuscule fingers. After an experimental sniff, the criceto licks the seed once before shoving the whole thing in its mouth, tucking it in its cheek. Omega offers it another and another and another, each seed carefully stowed away.

“That,” Echo says, “is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”

And that’s the moment Hunter knows they’re doomed.

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

The storekeeper is more than accommodating in providing the squad with everything they need to take care of a rodent aboard a spacecraft, even supplying discounts when Hunter tries to make the excuse that they really don’t have the credits to make such a purchase right now. Echo and Wrecker are absolutely no help, and the look on Omega’s face seals the deal. Tech is going to kill me in my sleep.

Omega is practically beside herself with excitement, words tumbling out of her in an endless stream as she plots, strategizes, and anticipates what having a pet will mean for their lives now. “Do you think Tech is going to love Stardust as much as we do?” Omega asks, holding up the small crate to peek at the rodent stashed inside.

Hunter suppresses a sigh. “Maybe we should wait to tell Tech until...” never. We should never, ever tell Tech.

“Until he isn’t mad at Wrecker and Echo anymore?” Omega supplies sweetly.

Echo and Wrecker make noises of protest; however, Hunter cuts them off with a sharp look. After all, it’s their fault they had to meander into the market at all. Their fault Stardust – as Omega quickly named the animal now in their care – is on a journey back to their ship. Their fault they hadn’t backed Hunter up when he tried to talk his way out of the situation.

“Maybe,” Omega says thoughtfully, oblivious to Hunter’s inner turmoil, “we can let Tech find Stardust on his own. We can put her cage by the nav computer, there’s a perfect spot for it! He’ll see how cute she is, and he won’t mind at all.”

It isn’t the worst idea, and at least it’s an idea. Tech might be miffed at first; however, he will come around. He might try to appear otherwise, but he is just as indulgent to Omega’s whims as the rest of them. The moment he sees how much their sister adores her new ward, he won’t be able to say anything against it. And besides, how much damage could a little rodent do?

TBC

Next Part >>

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brookbee · 1 month

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I know people are either following me because I used to post about Star Trek constantly or because I post about Bowie a lot, so here’s some random David Bowie and Star Trek connections I’ve been collecting for the past year or so. This is purely self-indulgent, but if you find this sort of thing interesting, here you go.

This is from an unpublished interview for Zygote magazine from 1971 where he was discussing the meaning of various songs. The particular song he's talking about here is "The Supermen." In case you don't want to read the full article for context, he mentioned Star Trek to act as a comparison, he was not saying that that was the initial inspiration/meaning.

This ad has song notes that Bowie wrote for the album Hunky Dory. The one of relevance is “Bewlay Brothers,” which is at the bottom of the list. It says, “Another in the series of David Bowie confessions — Star Trek in a Leather Jacket.”

You might be wondering what this means, well Bowie never really gave a consistent answer as to what this song was about. And according to Ken Scott, the producer of the album, Bowie purposefully wrote it to give a song to Americans who were reading too much into things (this was in the era of the Paul McCartney actually died and was replaced conspiracy lol). Bowie did say at different points that it was more or less about his own half-brother, but who knows if he changed his mind about that.

Although as a side note I will say that some of the lyrics sound like they could be describing Star Trek episodes lol

My Life With Bowie: Spider From Mars by Woody Woodmansey (drummer for the Spiders From Mars, Bowie’s band during the Ziggy Stardust era). He’s describing the bar in The Rainbow Room, as they were rehearsing for the most elaborate of the Ziggy Stardust concerts in August of 1972.

Mick Ronson talking about the Ziggy Stardust boots, the clip is from the documentary Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story. Angie, in case people don’t know, was Bowie’s first wife.

Side note about this one though, Bowie compared his own boots to wrestler boots (see image below). But Mick’s shoes weren’t far off from the Star Trek boots.

Book page from Moonage Daydream: The Life and Times of Ziggy Stardust, which was written by David Bowie and photographer Mick Rock.

Bowie in Brussels in 1978 doing (his best attempt at) the Vulcan LLAP salute, photo by Gie Knaeps.

Because I’m me, I’ve been trying to figure out what song he did this during—with certainty I can say it was during the second half of the set after the intermission. That would make it so that they were either songs from Ziggy Stardust or from Station to Station.

My guess (and it really is only a guess) is that it could have been during “TVC15.” When he performed it live he’d often sing “she’s my main creature feature” and sometimes do devil horns with his fingers and whatnot. Seems like a plausible spot, anyhow. The other one is potentially the song “Ziggy Stardust,” but just based on how he usually performed that one, such as where he’d add gestures and how he tended to convey the emotions of the song, I find it more unlikely.

But I wasn’t there and these are literally just guesses. On the off chance someone was there and that they inexplicably remember this, I would love to know.

Gates McFadden, before being Beverley Crusher in Star Trek: The Next Generation, was the choreographer for the film Labyrinth, where of course Bowie played Jareth the Goblin King.

And to avoid possible confusion, she was not the choreographer for "Magic Dance" at least when it came to Bowie's moves, as that was Charles Augin. She was, however, the choreographer for "As The World Falls Down" with the ballroom scene.

Lyrics from one of the Tin Machine albums (Bowie’s band in the late 80s-early 90s, which Bowie wrote most of the lyrics for, minus a few songs).

Additionally Iman, who Bowie met in 1990 and married in 1992, was in Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country as Martia. She was on set filming at least in April of 1991 in LA, as you can see in this filming schedule I found on an auction website. I don’t know how long she was filming for, though.

(Side note, Bowie was in LA at least towards the end of April/beginning May as he talked about how he and Iman saw the riots that happened then. No I’m not saying he visited the set, since for one Shatner says he never met Bowie, but I still think it’s neat he was generally around when she was filming).

And a little snippet from one article (the screenshot is from one of those interview compilation books).

It’s not actually that much in the grand scheme of things and more than anything just shows that Bowie was a fan of the show. It should also be remembered that Star Trek wasn’t ever really cited as a huge influence for him in terms of aesthetic, which is a rather common assumption people make, but I thought that these were fun nonetheless. I’m sure I also missed/forgot stuff, so if I come across more I'll probably add to this later on.

#hey remember that trek fan that turned into a bowie blog? yeah me neither pfft #but anyways this is the post I mentioned #I tried to explain everything in case people only have like cursory knowledge of Bowie. so hopefully this all makes sense #star trek #david bowie #bowieposting #trekposting

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just-here-with-my-thoughts · 4 months

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Elusive: A Stardust Conspiracy Fanfic

@badthingshappenbingo prompt: "I know you're in there somewhere" fight

A Bad Batch Fanfic ~1100 words

Synopsis: Crosshair regrets allowing Omega to bring her pet criceto onto his ship

With thanks to @kybercrystals94 for giving me your blessing to write yet another Stardust fic! This is a continuation of the adventures in 'A Cosy Bed' Stardust originally introduced in @kybercrystals94's fic 'The Stardust Conspiracy'

“I know you’re in there somewhere… I’m going to reach you if it’s the last thing I do!”

Uncharacteristic passion lit his voice, warming his words to a fervent growl. Crosshair paused for breath, dragging a forearm across his forehead to remove the perspiration beading there, before diving back into the computer console of his small fighter shuttle.

In the darkness of the ship’s innards, the scurrying continued.

Crosshair’s arm shot forwards, outstretched hand grasping. His cheek was pressed tightly against the control panel as he groped blindly for the target which eluded him, tauntingly close and yet just out of reach.

“Karking creature,” he swore, wishing he had eyes on the target. If the ship had only been made of plasglas instead of durasteel, he would have had her by now.

“I… know… you’re… there…” he grit out, twisting his arm at an awkward angle as his fingertips swept the inside edge of the hollow console. A gasp as something brushed against his thumb, and instead of grabbing he pulled his hand back in shock – and received a shock as he tangled his wrist in the live wiring of the computer.

“Kriff… karking… fuck!”

“Crosshair?” Tech’s voice floated in from outside the ship. “Are you well?”

The imperial-sniper-turned-mercenary dragged his arm free of the cables, shaking his wrist out and sucking at the electrical burn to soothe it.

“I’m fine,” he snarled with enough acid to deter further questioning. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Very well,” came Tech’s reply, clearly dubious. “If you do require any assistance, you have only to ask.”

Stubbornly, Crosshair knew he was going to refuse that offer. Omega’s criceto was missing, and he was determined to one-up Hunter by finding it.

Next time the kid came to stay with him, he was refusing permission for her to bring the karking pet.

He turned to the back of the cramped fighter, digging through Omega’s overnight bag until he found the pouch of criceto treats. He scooped out a handful and wriggled back under the flight controls, back to the small dark opening where he had removed the panel to try and reach the damned criceto where it had gotten into the ship’s wiring.

“C’m’ere, Stardust,” he muttered, threading his arm into the opening again and this time managing to avoid the wires as he rested his hand, cupped and full of treats, just above the floor of the compartment. “I know you’re in there somewhere. Just get… the kriff… out!”

All his training, all his enhanced skills, rendered useless in the face of a foe too slippery, too evasive, even for his lightning reflexes. He was beginning to understand how Hunter felt, the first time Stardust escaped.

Taking a deep breath, Crosshair cleared his mind and tried to quash the urgency he felt to find the missing pet quickly. He was a sniper. Patience was his thing. He could wait for hours for a target to move into position. This was no different. He just had to wait it out.

It was harder than he thought, knowing that Omega and his brothers were in the Marauder across the landing bay, waiting for him and probably wondering what was taking so long.

Tiny paws against his fingertips. Crosshair bit down against the instinctive desire to convulse and snatch his hand away, breathing hard through his nose. He didn’t like fighting an enemy he couldn’t see.

Warm weight settled on his fingers. He could hear the nibbling sound as Stardust helped herself to the treats from his palm.

Slowly, he tried to lift his hand.

The fuzzy creature clung to his curled fingers, and Crosshair cringed against the feeling of tiny claws digging against his flesh and the criceto scrambled for purchase, half her weight in his hand, half dangling.

She lost the fight against gravity and dropped.

“Kark it!”

Crosshair snarled and darted his hand out immediately, the momentum of his lunge taking him forwards with such force that he cracked his temple against the console. Blinking dazedly he snatched once, twice, in the darkness, and was rewarded with a startled squeak as his hand closed round the criceto.

His triumphant yell was cut off by a bark of pain as sharp teeth sliced into his knuckle, and he quickly loosened the pressure of his grip. Carefully holding the criceto in the cage of his fingers, he extracted the angry, struggling ball of fur. He wasn’t sure if cricetos had feelings, but it seemed to him that Stardust glared balefully as she was dragged into the light.

“More trouble than you’re worth,” muttered Crosshair, pulling the criceto close to his chest and cradling her as he crabbed awkwardly over to her cage. He plopped her in without ceremony, returning her glare, before grabbing the rest of the bag of treats and upending the whole thing into the cage.

“Stay. There,” he hissed, fastening the door, then double checking every catch on the setup.

He thought about the lost handful of treats inside the console. He’d have to clean those up, or if he did let Omega bring the criceto again in the future the karking creature might break out again to try and get at them.

He stood and stretched, trying to work out the kink in his lower back from folding his six-four frame into the tiny cockpit space to retrieve the hamster. Then he stopped, realising Tech was still stood outside the fighter.

Tech covered his mouth to hide a smile.

“You could have asked Omega to retrieve Stardust,” he observed with a lilt of laughter in his voice. “She is quite adept at it.”

“I managed,” said Crosshair sullenly, rubbing a thumb against his bruised temple and then popping his bleeding knuckle into his mouth to clean the wound.

Tech’s hand dipped to his belt pouch and retrieved a small bacta plaster which he held out without comment. Crosshair took it and wrapped it round his injured digit, then grabbed Stardust’s cage and heaved it out of the jet, passing it down to Tech.

“Omega is in high spirits,” Tech told him with a smile. “It seems she enjoyed her week with you whilst we were on mission.”

Crosshair grabbed Omega’s bag and shouldered it, swinging down to fall in step beside his brother.

“My ship is too small for two,” he growled, “let alone three. Next time, the criceto stays with you.”

Tech smothered a chuckle and peered into the cage he carried, where Stardust was industriously burying her motherload of treats for later.

“Whatever you say, Crosshair.”

#the stardust conspiracy #the bad batch #tbb fanfic #space hamster #tbb crosshair #tbb tech #tbb stardust #the hamster is back and causing trouble (again)#badthingshappenbingo #“i know you're in there somewhere” fight #just_thoughts

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