The Bad Batch: Oneshots

Reunited

     The Marauder slowly touched ground in the midst of towering lush trees. They had received a message from Rex about a clone that needed help. It was one of many pickups that they had done for him. As long as it didn't risk the lives of the batch, like Daro had, Hunter was willing to go along with it. Of course he still was reluctant, but it was the least they could do. Rex especially was more eager for this clone to be rescued. He had told him that the clone wanted out of the Empire. Perhaps he knew him from the war.

"Tech, did you pinpoint the location of the reg?" Hunter asked as he opened the ramp leading down into the forest of bright greenery. Omega appeared by his side, waiting for the okay to look around.

"I have," Tech nodded. "The clone sent a message on our channel that he would meet at this-" He showed Hunter his datapad,"-spot. It's a bit farther up ahead. A mile to be exact."

"Okay." He gently placed a hand on Omega's shoulder. "We should get started on walking there now. Sorry Omega, you can explore later."

Omega sighed in disappointment, but she was aware of the mission. That came first, even if she so desperately wanted to go on an adventure.

"Are you sure this isn't, ya know, a trap?" Wrecker looked to his brothers. "It's the Empire! They ain't trustworthy!"

"They might not be," Echo said, pointing with his scomp, "but Rex trusts him. Believe me, he doesn't just trust anyone without reason."

"He has a point, Wrecker," Hunter agreed. "Besides, Tech scanned the area. There's no sign of any bases or ships."

"I guess," Wrecker muttered. He still didn't like the fact that the last time they helped someone on a planet of somewhat similar terrain, their squad became divided. He didn't say anything then, but that was one of the hardest experiences emotionally.

"It'll be okay, Wrecker. Rex hasn't been wrong about the other regs before." Omega patted his arm reassuringly.

Wrecker smiled down at her. "Thanks, kid."

"We should really get moving before night falls," Tech piped up, brushing past the group.

"Who put you in charge?" Wrecker shoved him forward, almost causing him to trip which earned him the start of a long lecture about credits and how much it would have cost if the datapad were to break.

"This is gonna be the longest mile," Echo grumbled to Hunter as Wrecker's voice only rose to talk over Tech.

Hunter chuckled. "At least it's not us," he said back, following the rest of his brothers.

     Omega walked beside Tech as he rambled on about the nature and the history of Endor. She from then on kept a close eye out for the furry creatures that he had said hid in the vegetation.

"Can we meet one?" Omega excitedly bounced on her toes, circling in front of the technician .

Tech cracked a small grin. It was nice when she actually listened to the facts he shared instead of ignoring them like his brothers did most of the time, if not all. "I'm afraid that would not be the best choice. They are very territorial when it comes to outsiders."

Omega huffed a frustrated breath. From the pictures Tech had shown her, they didn't seem that dangerous. She continued asking different questions, wanting to make the most of the trip before things got serious. She was so caught up in the information that he was spilling that she didn't hear the rustling in the bushes behind her. Luckily, Hunter picked it up, immediately rushing forward, pointing his blasters at the noise. Omega in return, whipped out her bow as the others took after Hunter.

"Who's there?" Hunter called out, stepping closer. "Come out!" A dark figure moved out and into the opening, his arms raised in the air. "W-What," Hunter stuttered, wondering if it was a dream.

"Hello, Hunter." The face of a man with a singular tattoo stood before them. His voice held the same tone as it did months ago, but a slight wave of nervousness was mixed in just the slightest bit.

"Crosshair?" Omega's eyes widened. She slowly lowered her weapon expecting the rest to do the same.

"I knew it," Wrecker growled. "Didn't I tell ya. He's settin' us up!"

Crosshair rolled his eyes. "If I was setting you up, I wouldn't be this stupid. That's your job, Wrecker."

"What are you doing here, Crosshair?" Hunter stared hard at him, waiting for him to slip up. As much as he wanted to think...he couldn't take the risk.

"I assume you already know." He looked at Tech, exchanging glances.

"You're the clone?" Tech pushed up his goggles, setting his blasters back in its holders. "Captain Rex said that-"

"Would you have actually come if you knew it was me?" Crosshair's heart hurt more than he would have liked it to. He already knew the answer and his brother's faces only proved his statement. "I contacted Rex when my chip malfunctioned after Kamino. He helped me take it out." He reached for a small compartment on his belt, aware that a few raised their blasters once more. He took out a small clear glass, holding it out to Tech. "See for yourself."

Tech took the glass, examining it carefully before looking back at him, for once a loss of words.

"I believe you," he said after a moment, dropping his precious datapad on the ground.

Omega set down her bow, walking up to the marksman, looking him in the eyes. She didn't need to look long. She could read him perfectly. She wrapped her arms around his middle. "I'm sorry for what I said back on Kamino." Her voice was muffled, but Crosshair could hear every word.

"It's...It's fine. I don't blame you," he said to her as she pulled away.

Wrecker stepped in front of him, rubbing the back of his neck. "You did try and come back." Wrecker hated how he doubted him. He knew what the chip was like and how it trapped a person's mind. With tears welling up, he picked up the skinny clone who wasn't prepared for all the physical contact.

"Okay, that's enough." Crosshair squirmed to get out of the embrace, to which Wrecker only held on tighter, but eventually set him down.

"Hunter?" The sniper asked carefully.

Hunter broke into a smile. He threw his blasters to the side. His brother was finally back. "We've been waiting for you, vod. It's good to have you with us again." He heard his voice tremble. He didn't remember the last time he had the chance to call Crosshair his brother to his face.

"We never forgot about you, Crosshair. I hope you know that." Echo never imagined that his broken family would ever be pieced back together, but yet here they were.

"Thank you, for taking me back. Even after everything I did to you." Crosshair nodded to them, his guilt surging.

"It wasn't your fault. It was the chip," Omega reminded him. "You didn't have a choice."

As much as Crosshair wanted to believe that, there was still a part of him that couldn't accept that fact. He still had a piece of him even under the chip's control.

"Believe me, Cross. It wasn't," Wrecker added, knowing exactly what he was thinking about. He understood.

"What matters now is that you're here. That's all we could ask for." Hunter held his hand out. Crosshair took it, shaking his brother's hand firmly like they had done so many times before.

"Welcome back, Crosshair."

A shorter one, but I was trying to get it out today for ya'll!

Happy May the Fourth!!!!!!!!!!! Omg the Kenobi trailer was just amazing. Literal chills.