Jake and the others sat within Adas ship, which Jake had only recently found out was named the Wireweaver by Ada. To be fair Jake didnt know people named their ships, he didnt name his before it blew up. Either way, that didnt matter, the Mustafarian ships were speeding through hyperspace as they went back to Mustafar, going along with the plan they had set with the Ravascorch a half hour or so ago.
In the meantime not much had been done, Jake and Teesh ate the last of the Bespin food bars, much to Adas annoyance, and with all repairs done the three War Relics sat in the seats attached to the walls of The Wireweaver, the droids exchanging a conversation that lasted only a few seconds before they went back to silence.
Ada kept her self busy by scrubbing her and the groups blasters with rags and such to clean them, Jake offered to help but she said she was almost done, and that he needed rest. While she did want Jake to rest, the teen needed it, part of her also didnt want him to find out all the blasters were already clean, and she had just been pretending to clean them again and again to pass time.
Teeshes slitted eyes scanned the quiet ship, the rough walls aged with small scratches and dents, similar aging on the droids he worked with, and on Jakes shirt, still adorned with various pieces of metal for protection. Teesh gritted his teeth slightly as he watched Jake rest, eyes closed and head tilited up as he sat on the floor leaned against a wall, the teens armor on his chest had a glaring gao in it, a hole that exposed the brown T-shirt beneath, with the surronding metal of the gap being burnt to a charry black color. Teesh remebered that hit, by the heavy repeating blaster, how Jake even survived is beyond him.
Not that he cared, Jake was like a brother to the lizard. Someone who he would mess with, prank, and joke with. But would still protect if needed, it was one of the main reasons he tolerated the droids when he first met them, he claws and teeth itched during the first encounter with Rusty, like a parasite crawling at his brain.
He despised Battledroids. Not like he showed it much, able to keep himself contained when the boy showed him Rusty, only scratching the tin heads face.
but.... Jake liked Rusty, so he dealt with it, and as time went on, the B1 prooved to the lizard it would also protect Jake, when the droid was electrocuted to near death by a clone, while trying to help Jake win the fight.
Teesh glanced over at the Droids, their unmoving faceplates all staring at one another, their voices all different, with the only hint that they were speaking being the slight up and down movements of their heads. Expect for Clank of course.
The reptile sighed...
___________________________________
The cool air blew across the large town, houses and shops scattered about in orderly fashions, with several ships of different males and models parked in the open areas of concrete not to far off.
Teesh walked with his school bag slung of his shoulder, a raggy old leather bag, covered in wear and tear. His clawed foot steps back slight clicks against the stone pathways as he waved at those who waved first, other neighbors varying from Trandoshan to Human would always wave when he walked back from school.
Walking home Teesh opened the door and walked inside plopping his bag on a chair as he went to lay down on the rugged couch, walking over a wookie pelt to reach it.
Two tall figures looked over as they heard the familiar crunch of paper once Teeshes form fell on the couch, they both sighed.
"Honey, what did we tell you about wearing that" The female lizard spoke, her tone obviously calm.
The male flicked out his forked tounge "it issssnt the best way to make friendsssss at ssssschool"
What they were talking about was a bag, a grayish semi torn bag that covered Teeshes head, with a clear bump where his snout is, and two rugged holes so he could see, seemingly cut by claws rather than something more stable like scissors.
Teesh huddled to himself on the sofa "Don't, need friendssss-ss"
His other gave a worried look to his dad, who just shrugged and walked over to Teesh before crouching down by the sofa.
"Now we both know that's some bullssssshit sssso " Teeshes dad spoke with a half chuckle as Teesh giggled lightly.
"….true" Teesh nodded lightly.
His mom scoffed at the foul language and returned to making food, the large meat chunk sizzling. Teeshes dad gently grabbed the mask and took it off the boy, placing it on a table before lifting the kid up.
"Now how about we go for a walk huh? And let your mother cook up some food in peace"
Teesh nodded excitedly as his mom responded from the kitchen. "Finally I can get ssssome sssstuff done" she mused, Teeshes dad just snorting before he and Teesh walked out.
The stale sky matched the rest of the town, battered walls held up poorly built roofs, as houses in disrepair stood next to newly built ones, like Teeshes. The path was made of round cobblestone that would make and astromechs shiver at the thought of crossing, it was common to see any droids with wheels stumble and fall.
Something which made Teesh chuckle to watch, before he went to help them up of course. As the pair continued the streets became less crowded, the hoards of humans, Trandoshans and other common species ceased as the sun slowly began to fall from the sky.
Teeshes father sighed "sssson….dont be ssscared of new things you don't undersssstand, and don't be sssscared of thingsss you've been sascared of before, because things change, everything doesss"
Teeshes small slitted eyes scanned his father as he let out an agreeing hum, both of them turning around to begin heading home.
Before a boom erupted form overhead. Teesh and his father stared upwards, seeing the distant figure of a massive ship, Teeshes young mind couldn't comprehend what he was looking at.
His dad did though, as he dragged his son along and ran into a large tower, running up the stairs and slamming a large button , a Galactic Republic symbol on it.
The father picked up the comm set.
"Sssseparatissstsss!"
—————————————
Teeshes eyes flew open as he felt a sturdy poke to his head, he tracked the movement and by instinct grabbed the hand near him.
A surprised yet stale yelp came from the owner of said hand, sitting up from the floor and looking over Tac stood kneeled down, the droids hands still locked in Teeshes grip before the lizard let go, the Tactical Droid, seeing him awake stated simply.
"We have arrived, Jake requests your help in transferring the resources our allies have given" Tacs voice was stale un to ll he mentioned Jake, the monotone tone seemingly becomes happier, before it died back down after.
Teesh just nodded "yeah yeah…I'm on it"
Tac nodded with a "Thank you"
Teesh sat up and walked through the empty ship as Tac walked off into the cockpit, stepping down the steps Teesh saw the same hanger as before, fit with bugs scurrying about as per usual, and stright ahead by several crates colored a stale green, Jake stood talking with Ada, while Clank walked by the two, and eventually Teesh as the B2 heaved one of the crates to The Wireweaver.
Jake stopped mid sentance and waved happily at the incoming lizard, Teesh waved back as Ada also gave a slightly more polite wave. Rusty popped his head out from behind an open crate, hands filled with a variety of items.
"Oh hi there friend! you want some consumables material!" The B1s voice boxed screeched in the classic high toned voice.
Teesh eyed Jake, the boy simply showing of the half eaten meat stick in hand, Teesh handnt even noticed it before. So the lizard shrugged nodded.
"Ssssure thing, tossss it ov-"
-CLUNK!!
Rustys throw was harder than needed as the food item slammed into Teeshes face, the lizard only deadpanning his expression and catching the item before it fell to the floor.
"pff...hey Rusty, maybe be a bit more careful" Ada explained as her helmet hid the small smile, the B1 nodded extremely quickly as he rambled his apology.
Teeshes just sighed walked around Jake, patting the boys shoulder as he went to help Rusty put the rest of the stuff in the crates.
"Droids, i love em buuuuttt..." Jake paused as he thought of what to see, placing his hands in a cross on his chest.
"they can be a bit dense?" Ada finished.
"Tell me about it..." Jake smiled as he looked at her for a moment.
She made him feel better...about, well everything. Jake internally scoffed at the notion, only not thinking on about it cause Ada playfully barged into his shoulder.
small issue with that.
"AAAHG oww ow ow owowow!" Jake winced as he curled inwards slightly, Ada slammed her hands to cover the section of her helmet her mouth was behind.
"Holy crap im so sorry i completly forgot, ah..uhm" Ada watched Jake slowly recover back to his feet with a strained expression.
"Im good....Im..good yup" Jake sighed as he mumbled "Stupid..fucking chest, why you gotta be hurting. well actually i know why you got shot but cmon..."
Ada found his mumbling slightly endearing, but gently placed her hand under his arm to keep him steady, Jake evetually nodding, Ada stepped back and Jake just flashed a thumbs up.
"Okay...." Ada felt relief rush through her.
"Anyways, as i was saying, by the time were done storing this stuff, we should be able to fly off this ship before it lands...at least thats what Ravascorch said"
Ada nodded, jumping slightly to sit atop a crate and let her legs dangle, the light of the ship shimmering over the two teens armors, obviously one alot more rugged than the other, Jakes shirt catching the light in odd ways with its sewn metal.
"And were will we go after that?" Ada followed, tilting her head, the girls voice softer than usual.
The vocie made Jake pause for a brief moment, for reasons unknown to him, but it was enough for Ada to ntoice and smile beneath her helm.
"Well...ill just explain on your ship, tell everyone" Jake explained, going to lift a box. Ada simply shrugged and went to help him, at the same time, Rusty and Teesh shimmyed by the two as they carried a heavier box.
"Watch it, watch it!" Rusty yelped.
"I am, you sssstupid droid!" Teesh half-
snarled, half-amused.
"To your left?! No, no—put your weight to the right!"
"We're not even falling! Why are you panicking, you hunk o' junk?" Teesh snarled with half actual annoyance half humor, although both Ada and Jake who watched were fully humored as the pair stumbled their way to the back of Adas ship, Clank assiting the two to shove it into storage.
"Alright, lift on three" Ada spoke, Jake nodded.
"One...two..Thre-AAGJH!" Jake put all his mucle force into his legs to lift, but his arms gave out seconds after they had lifted it, cuaisng Jakes side to slam into the floor and Ada to stumble forwards.
"What was that?" Ada asked as Jake shook off the pain.
"Tac explained to me earlier, apparently in the rush to run out of the ship that was blowing up...Gideons ship..that is" Jake hesistated "Well i tore some muscles in my injuries, considering i was shot in the chest and left shoulder, any use of force causes pain...Tac told me to die down on over extering my se-"
SMACK!
Jake reeled back as Ada slapped the daylight out of him. "Hey what was tha-"
Ada happily interupted him "Fuck you mean what was that for?! you dumbass" Ada spoke clearly annoyed but not at all angry, which suprised Jake considering the slap.
"Tac, the droid made for ya know...Tactical decisions, told you to not exert yourself, and your here lifting these crates..." Ada sighed as Jake just sheepishly shrugged. "Just chill, me and your droids will deal with it"
Reluctantly, Jake agreed. "Sorry"
Ada looked over to him, her helmet staring daggering into him, before the friendly voice from beneath spoke up. "Dont be, i get you wanna help but. I.. I dont wanna see you hurt again"
Jake stared at her as she turned, just in time to meet Teesh and Clank as they walked back, Rusty staying behind to supervise the crates in the ship, Ada quickly helping the duo out lift another box. Jake opened his mouth to say something else, but it caught in his throat. So instead, he just nodded, letting the silence say what he couldn't, not that Ada understood it.
She was nice....Jake thought internally, he quickly shook off the phrase, lifting himself up and doing what he could to help, mostly sorting the items in the boxes themselves before they were taken by the three others, Rusty ackwardly jogging over as his skinny frame shook, stopping by Jake and instantly saluting and beggining to assist him, Jake gave a thankful smile and pat the droids back, before they contiued to sort.
An hour flew by, walking back and forth, the group carefully managed, sorted and placed all the items they already had, and the ones gifted by their insectoid allies. Jake and Ada stood by the backend of the Wireweaver as the Droids were hussled into the vessel by a typically snarky Teesh. The back storage of her ship, covered in added metal sheets and repainted metal, seems to have used to have been a medical bay of sorts, fit with a small barrier that allowed a cable to fire forth and grab things from space, and real them in. Jake admired their work, before being nudged.
Jake turned, his shirt rattling with scrap briefly "h-huh? yeah?"
Adas helmet stared at him "nice job we did..."
Jake nodded, although his smile faded slightly. Something Ada noticed nearly instantly.
"Jake...." Ada began, the boys insides crackling like a fire when he heard her say his name...Jakes mind halted in confusion, before he focused again.
"dont worry about your arm...you were literally shot, plus you helped a lot, even when I told you not to" Ada put a hand on his shoulder and despite her face being hidden, tilted her head, which was friendly enough. Jake gave a small nod back, looking at the boxes ahead.
"I coudlv-" Ada was quick to interupt him.
"No no no, shut up" Ad poked the side of his head, Jake giving a half smile half confused glance at her.
"Just be proud idiot" Ada stepped towards Jake, grabbing his shoulders and carefully as to not hurt the injured arm, turned him to face her. Jake face was one of wide eyed confusion as she opened her arms.
"You hugged me that one time—my turn," Ada said, her voice quieter now.
Jake blinked. "Wait, are you saying—oh."
She opened her arms.
And Jake, never one to read subtext well, threw himself into it without a second thought, shrugging before hugging her.
His weight was enough to cause to stumble back a bit as he hugged her, the girl just gave a half chuckle, one that unbeknowst to Jake was filled with anxiety, Ada was more thankful now more than ever to always be wearing a helmet.
The two stood there, enjoying the moment, ignoring some of the bugs stares as they skittered on by. It was nice....
Jake hadnt really hugged anyone who wasnt made of metal, R4 came to mind first, and only really only knew about the topic thanks to adult couples at his now devasted town. Ada, gently stepped back, Jake mimicking her out of fear of ruining the moment, one between friends that is.
At least thats what he told himself, not even he knew what the nagging at his chest was, so he ignored it.
Neither exchanged a word as they started to walk back into the ship, pressing the large button to close to storage area, Jake glanced at her for a moment, and raised his hand.
Ada stared at his still hand for a moment "A high five?"
"Cmon, its a courtesy" Jake spoke with a chuckle, Ada just rolled her eyes and high fived him, earning a wide grin from the sterotypical dumbass.
-------------------------
Teesh, Ada and Jake stood side by side, the boy shaking the rather disgusting hand of the bug. Words exchanged, a bow, and they left, several insects waving being the last they saw of the Mustafarians, before Jake and Ada watched their remaining fleet zip into hyperspace from the cockpit.
Rusty stood by Clank at the entrance to the cockpit, seemingly following whatever they remebered of basic guarding of separatist offcials, aka, guarding the entrance to the area they were in. Teesh sat munching on one of weird sticks of gooey meat the bugs had given, stick included in the lizards meal, while Tac tapped at his datapad, not having been able to update due to recent events, the droid inputed info directly from his droid brain, long paragrpahs appearing by images caught in his systems.
"Friend Teesh?" Rustys voiced squeaked out, followed by a whirr as the droid turned its head.
"Yeah?" Teesh spoke with a glance.
"Why are you gluttonus?"
Teesh just glared at the droid, Clank thankfully turned to the B1 before the lizard did anything.
"Dont you know that organics are sensitve about weight, you should not say it so bluntly even if it's true"
"But why?"
"No clue" Clank made the slightest shrug motion. Teesh just gave a disapproving scoff and went back to eating.....
"Im skinny....stupid droids" Teesh spoke to himself, and he wasnt lying, he was skinny for a Trandoshan, but the reptile was ovethinking, and soon threw the food stick away, and sat against the wall with an annoyed look, the look only enhancing as the B1 tried to frantically apolgize, which of course wasnt working.
Ada and Jake sat in the cockpit, both scanning the dark blue hologram emmiting from the ships control panal, a map of system they were in, several known locations made them selves apparent, Bespin, Utapau, Mustafar, and of course furthest away, Geonosis. Jakes eyes drooped as he read the planets name, but a quick sigh reduced the look back to its normal state.
"So where too?"
Jake motioned for her to follow as he walked back to the main area. Ada followed as Jake quickly called everyone.
"Alright guys, as you know we aren't….going to Naboo"
Tac spoke up "a wise tactical choice sir, apologies that this choice is causing you distress"
Jake nodded with a smile "thanks Tac, but as for what happens next, we've gotta decide where to go"
Rusty looked between Clank and Teesh as everyone stared at Jake.
"As much as I'd love to hear ideas, I've got a plan. Ever since my speeder uhhhh, blew the hell up, we don't really have a fast way to travel on foot"
Teesh and Ada bother nodded in agreement.
"Soooo, we're going back to Utapau!"
"…" Teesh thought for a moment. "Wait.."
"Don't tell me you wanna try and tame that huge lizard"
Jake just smiled, Ada immediately agreed after being informed about their travels to Utapau. the droids spoke their Rogers Rogers, leaving Teesh to sigh and stretch his back.
Before agreeing aswell.
Time to befriend a Varactly.