The Bad Batch: Oneshots

Gone Wrong P1

Hunter stood impatiently behind the holotable as Cid rambled on and on about the large dept she owed. He grew tired of hearing her pity spiel day after day. He had his squad to provide for, and couldn't risk the constant inconsistent missions. It was becoming too much.

"Hey Bandana," Cid's shrill voice cut through the air like a knife. "Did you hear me?"

Echo glanced over, elbowing the absentminded sergeant. Hunter slowly picked his gaze up from the soft blue hue of the holotable, staring at their employer. "How much will we be compensated?"

Cid huffed, "Enough for at least three days."

"Three days?" Tech interjected, his eyes narrowing. "Our original agreed on rate sustained us for at least a week."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Cid let out a long sigh of defeat. "Look, I just need this information badly. Once I have it I can try to up your payment, but since I don't, this is what you get for now." The Trandoshan pointed a long claw at the goggled clone. "It's a simple data extraction. I don't see the problem."

"The problem is—" Tech began before a hand was settled on his shoulder, pulling him back.

"We'll take it." Hunter stepped forward. "We need the credits," he said lowly to Tech. "We haven't had a proper meal in weeks."

"I am aware of that, but we shouldn't be backing down on our payment."

"Just this once. I promise I'll try to find us some work elsewhere."

Tech shook his head slightly. "That's not what we need." What they needed was stability. "But I suppose some credits are better than none."

"If you two are done chatting, I need this intel within the next rotation," Cid snapped, tossing Echo a datapad that held the details of the mission. "Now scram." The lizard shooed them away, plopping down in her large wooden chair.

"At least it's a fairly straight forward mission," Echo commented as they exited. "Seems almost out of the ordinary for Cid."

"You never know what she's capable of." Hunter shared a look with the ARC. "Comm Wrecker and Omega. Tell them to meet us on the Marauder. If we leave now, we should be back by late afternoon tomorrow."

The three left the parlor, entering the seedy streets of Ord Mantell. Tech kept his gaze trained on the bright screen in his hands. Hunter's words of their lack of nutrition sparked further concern than he would have liked to admit. Growing up, they were raised on ration packs, bars and bland grub followed by intense training. It was never an obstacle for them before. However, now they were raising a child—one who lived a completely different life, though growing up on the same planet, the same facility—who relied on them for bare necessities. Up until a few months ago, Tech noticed the slight changes in Omega's physical appearance. She appeared skinnier, paler, and remained the same height as that of a ten year old despite being two years older. She needed more attention from them. Not more missions.

"Tech, prep the ship. We'll leave in ten," Hunter said, climbing up the ramp to the Havoc Marauder.

Tech stopped abruptly, realizing they had made it all the way back to the ports. "On it." He gave a curt nod. He plugged in the coordinates, flaring up the engines. Hopefully, when they got back, he could resume his research on the parental guide he had found while scrolling through the holonet.

~~~

Endor's trees stood tall and proud, covering the planet with their leafy arms. The warm sun crept through the breaks in the greenery, causing long looming shadows of twigs to dance on the forest floor as a gentle wind blew.