The Bad Batch: Oneshots

Defender

     Hunter smiled down at Omega who happily munched away at her carton of Mantell Mix. He had taken her out to buy some art supplies. She had taken interest in painting her bow since she didn't have armor like the rest. He would get her armor one day, he just wanted to let her be a kid a little while longer. He gently guided her away from a crowd of people walking towards them.

"Can I start working on my bow when we get back?" Omega glanced up at him, bouncing up and down excitedly.

Hunter gave it a brief thought. They had a job as soon as they got back, she would need her weapon ready to go. "You can,' he said, "Once the mission is finished. You wouldn't want wet paint keepin' ya from performing to your best ability." He took the empty bowl of mix that she handed to him and threw it in the nearby trash can.

"How long will the mission be?" Omega sighed. She had been planning with Wrecker about the colors and patterns for the last two days. All she wanted to do was get started immediately.

"Should be quick, 'Mega. I promise you'll be able to paint it within the break we have between this job and the next." Omega seemed satisfied with his answer as she picked up her pace again.

Hunter turned the corner of the next street. He came to a sudden halt. Something was off. His senses were warning him of something, but he couldn't quite place his finger on it.

"Hunter?" Omega asked quietly, tapping his arm. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

Hunter looked around, still finding no sign of any danger, yet the mysterious feeling still lingered in the air.

"Yeah, everything's fine," he answered, trying not to spook the kid. The Sargent kept a hand on his blaster as they continued their path back to the parlor. He didn't like what his gut was telling him.

Omega sent a worried glance to Hunter. His mood changed in a parsec. She knew something wasn't right. The only time she's seen him so alert is on missions, especially when he felt that they were all unsafe. Knowing that information, she too became more jumpy as each person passed by.

Hunter's stomach tossed and turned. The threat was behind them and catching up to them fast. He took his blaster in hand, concealing it in front of him. He made sure that Omega was also hidden by his body by moving her center of him.

"Omega," he whispered to her, "When I say run, you run all the way back to Cid's. Tell Echo what's happening and stay with Cid."

"But Hunter—"

"Please, Omega. I need to know that you'll be safe." He placed his helmet on. "On my mark."

"Wait—"

"Omega...I mean it," he hissed under his breath. Hunter could hear footsteps now. His finger held firm on the trigger. "NOW!" He shouted as he whipped around.

Omega darted out of the way as blaster fire exchanged. The adrenaline pumped through her veins as she moved further from Hunter. She needed the others. They could protect Hunter. She took a quick look over her shoulder just before turning the corner. Her feet hit the ground hard as she skidded to a stop. A man had Hunter pinned on the ground. His helmet was also knocked off as well.

Fear took over as she stared at the man pointing his blaster directly at Hunter's face. He was going to kill her brother. She wouldn't make it back to the parlor in time to get help. If she left, there wouldn't be a Hunter to get back to.

As if on instinct she raced back towards the scene.

"Hunter!" A scream tore from her throat, causing the man to be distracted for a moment. She ran full speed at him, using her body weight to knock him off their feet. She landed on the ground with a loud thud, rolling to the side.