*Once again, warning to torture and minor sexual assault*

-Day 3, Havoc Marauder, Omicron-class Attack Shuttle-

It's been three days since the Bad Batch set out to Coruscant. Their ship was low on fuel so the use of hyperspace was unavailable due to their money shortage and in their rush to save Ryki. It would take them another full week until they reached Coruscant, as per Tech's calculations.

"Vendi only allows a max of two bodyguards to join in so Bandana and Muscles will follow me during the consultation." She gestured to both Hunter and Wrecker. "Scompy,(Echo) you will disguise as a droid. Vendi likes gifts so I'll send you in as one. He keeps his droids in the security room. There you can disable any recording systems he would have rigged in his bar. Tiny, you stay with Goggles on the ship. Goggles, you do your research thing and let us know if something goes wrong and get a plan ready for us to get Ryki out."

The others nodded. "I've already scrambled our ships signature and prepared our fake identification" Tech swivelled on his chair and passed Hunter, Wrecker and Echo their chain code discs and then returned Omega's. "I've put in fake names and dates of birth for all of us."

Wrecker flipped his disc "So we have fake names. What's mine?"

Tech and Omega shared mischievous smiles, as the girl skipped to his side "Wrecker, you're Percival Hooper, Hunter is Lancelot Du Lac and Echo is Leon Young." 

Hunter's, Wrecker's and Echo's faces morphed into partially disgusted partially confused ones. "What kind of names are those?" Echo asked with distaste. Tech pointed to Omega "She's the one who came up with it." Omega nodded "I watched it on Kamino. A show called...Merlin. He's a wizard." Hunter rolled his eyes, "What's Tech's name?" 

"He is Emrys Merlin." Omega beamed proudly and Tech mirrored her expression, "The main character and genius of the show. Omega is Orlena Se." 

"Finally, a normal name" Cid exclaimed. The others seemed to chuckle in agreement. For a little while, the tenseness of Ryki'd kidnapping was lifted from everybody's consciousness. "Tech are you sure there are no refuelling stations along the way?" 

Tech disappointedly shook his head "Unless you want to run in with pirates and risk more delay, no. We're cutting through a short cut and any more shortcuts would decrease our success of finding Ryki." 

Well, that just had to happen, didn't it? No rest for the Bad Batch, an occupational hazard. 

"Get your head in the game nerf herders!" Cid slapped her hands on the table, pulling the boys from mulling over the mirialan. "I've already set a meeting with Vendi and specifically asked for Ryki's council. He will deliver." 

---

-Day 3, Maq'derer, Mor Vendi's Bar, Coruscant-

Bruised skin, tired eyes, also known as imperfections in the words of Mor Vendi. Vendi had been nothing but living hell to her. Ryki was worked day and night, serving his low-life scum-bag clients at odd hours and for odd reasons. As the slime ball umbaran had promised, no harm came to her in whatsoever way but the mental torture that had begun to inflict harm on Ryki was worsening by the second. Not to mention the sudden use in the Force is draining her severely.

She splashed her face with some cold water and leaned over the sink. The running water slowly drowning the strong nauseous feeling she constantly felt. Ryki began to question how she managed to live to work for Vendi before her escape. Every day was the same routine, wake up, dress up, and consult. She had a taste of freedom for a while and finally became acclimated to a leisure life of medicine making and with a blink of an eye, it was taken away. 

The door to her room opened and Vendi came to greet her like he did every morning. "My sweet, you look ravishing today." He came over and slid his arm around her waist and spun her to face him. "This dress... brings out your tender curves darling." Ryki clenched her jaw and didn't fight back. 

Why? 

She learned the hard way after her first day back. Vendi's customer tried to have her way with Ryki after seeing her in the blue dress, Ryki slapped her hard on the cheek. The customer as usual was dissatisfied and Vendi was there to witness the whole thing.  Vendi's guards caught hold of Ryki and the female customer demanded punishment. She was put into a cage and electrocuted on stage. Vendi's female customer was controlling the intensity of the shock delivered by Ryki's collar. Vendi had other slaves, they could only look away in horror and pity.

Later that night, Ryki's limp body was thrown into her room, fully conscious but unable to move. Vendi ruined her that night by inflicting more wounds on her skin with his blade. He relished in her silent cries and tears that escaped her eyes. Lucky for her, he didn't decide to go any further with his torture. 

"You learned your lesson darling" Vendi waved the shock collar controller in front of her face. Ryki eyed it with fear and nodded. Vendi clicked his tongue, slyly bending in to kiss the sick purple veins on her neck making her shiver with disgust. "Good. Let's get to work." 

---

-Day 5, Havoc Marauder, Omicron-class Attack Shuttle-

Hunter leaned on the pilot seat, taking the first watch while the others rested. His brothers and he had not known Ryki that long, but somehow she was already their friend. Well, it may have started as a business agreement, but Ryki and the boys have come a long way since then. 

"No NO. The thorn bust pollen goes with the florrum ria herb to create the pain killer." Tech nodded and did as Ryki instructed, she hummed with approval. "I suggest we also add in the enhancing chemical, to make it more effective." Tech pointed to some blue substance on a dish. 

Ryki furrowed her brows, "I don't know Tech. Won't the effects of the medicine be more concentrated?" 

"You don't know until you try." Tech began to mix the two substances together and Ryki watched in fascination.

Just at that moment, Wrecker, Hunter, Echo and Omega walked into the main area. 

"Woah, what's that? Looks delicious.." Wrecker pushed past the others and ran up to the table, swiping the medicine off Tech's hands. 

Many panic shouts filled the air "Wrecker don't-"

The others watched as Wrecker began to slur then pass out a moment later. "Wrecker!" Ryki scooted beside him and shook him gently, "Wrecker, you okay Muscles?" 

Wrecker giggled "Spppicyyyy!". Ryki sighed "He's okay."

Omega couldn't help but snicker then mumbled some sorry's. 

"Well, at least it doesn't kill" Tech exclaimed and the others groaned.

The Sargent chuckled at the memory. Tech and Ryki got along well because both of them shared a liking in the medical and for once Tech had someone rationale to relate to. 

"Ryki! Disarm the bomb!" 

"I'm trying! I'm trying!" Ryki panted, keeping a death grip on the tweezers. "I-I don't know which one!"

Omega stood with cross arms over her chest, "Time's ticking Ryki."

Ryki rolled her head exaggeratedly, "Not you too Omy.." 

Wrecker tapped his foot impatiently, "We're gonna die Ryki!" He shouted suddenly, making Ryki jerk forwards and accidentally cut one blue wire. The bomb began to beep rapidly.  "Uh oh.."

Wrecker and Omega moved a few steps back when the bomb suddenly exploded, releasing multicoloured powered smoke. Ryki screamed.

 The smoke cleared but Ryki's eyes were still shut. She heard some chuckles and opened her eyes. 'Snap' 

"GOT YOU!" Wrecker shouted as Omega took another holo of Ryki. The mirialan squinted her eyes in question. Omega and Wrecker burst out laughing. 

"What happened? Are we under attack?" Three more Batcher's ran out of the ship only to look shockingly at the confused mirialan. Omega raised her hand to show the others the holo and to Ryki's surprise, they too laughed. 

"Wh-" She dropped the tweezers. Ryki stood up and brushed herself off only to find her clothes and the ground covered in colourful dust. Ryki's eyes widened, "Why you little!" Echo warned Wrecker to run and luckily he did cause he and Ryki were caught in a long-winded chase.

Once again the Sargent caught himself drowning in another memory. He supposed it was good. The boys never had 'friends' before. Even if they did it never lasted and it never ended well. Ryki was excepting and generally the few people he found himself to be able to trust.

"You good?" Ryki joined Echo watching the sunset. The trooper was acting jumpy one day. Ryki had spoken about her time under Vendi and what he put her through. 

"Sorry, I'm just... thinking." Echo glumly replied. 

Ryki nodded but joined him in the silence. "How did you not give up? With Vendi I mean?" He asked cautiously. Ryki smiled sadly, "It... was hard. I admit. I never lived properly and at times I wish life just left me."

Echo sympathized with the mirialan. They may not have had the same experiences but slaves always recognized another slave. "I-I should have asked you-" 

"It's alright," Ryki said gently, calming his rambles. "I know you went through something similar." The two stared off into the sunset. 

"You know, I had brothers, Domino Squad. Surefire and stubborn but ... unfortunate. During our first time off Kamino, most of my squad died. Fives and I were the survivors. Then, the citadel happened, and Fives... " the trooper shuddered. Ryki gently squeezed his arm, "We're survivors. You're a survivor Echo, and I'm sure Fives and the Domino Squad would be very proud of you." 

"That's how you survived?" 

"I figured my parents would have wanted me to try to survive, thinking I deserved a better life than giving up. So I tried, if not for them, for myself. You did the same, they are very proud of you, Echo." 

Echo smiled "You remind me of Fives."

"Really?" Ryki smirked. Echo hummed, "Less reckless but very poetic when he needs to be." He chuckled.

It became to Hunter that Ryki was just like them. Broken and lost. Like the Bad Batch. Echo told him about the conversation and found comfort with Ryki. Of course, Hunter could agree.

After Omega was kidnapped by Bane, Hunter felt immense guilt eating away at his soul. He promised Omega he'd protect her. He promised Crosshair no one would be left behind. Yet, they were taken from him and he could not do anything. Hunter sat up late one night, refusing to sleep. Ryki found him in a terrible condition. The brothers tried to console him but Hunter straight up refused to accept it. 

"You're going to faint any minute now." 

Hunter grumbled, "I'm fine Ryki." 

The mirialan simple shook her head. "What's eating you up?"  Determination on her face. Hunter sighed. 

"Omega's safe, Hunter. You got her back." She leaned closer to him. 

"I lost her the first time."  He countered.

"You tried your best."

"I blamed you." 

"And I blamed you too."

"I lost Crosshair." 

Ryki shrunk back in her chair. Now she understood. "Your brothers are worried about you, you know."

Hunter chuckled dryly, "Cross' right. I'm not fit to be a leader." 

"Why do you say that?"  she inquired.

"I made a mistake on Kaller. I made a mistake on Onderon and made the biggest mistake on Kamino." Hunter raised himself from his seat and turned to the mirialan beside him. "I ignored Cross, I left him behind and I... I miss Cross." 

Ryki's eyes soften, Hunter's gaze dropped to his feet and tears his the wet floor. He clutched his head as his senses began to go haywire. 

"I admit, I don't know what it feels like to lose someone close, a family. But I understand this, Hunter." The Sargent sniffled and slowly looked at Ryki's green eyes. "You're Sargent Hunter of the Bad Batch and you protect your family. You've always done your best for them and they know it. As much as you can't blame yourself for it, you can't linger on it, Hunter. "

He just sat there, quiet, allowing Ryki to continue. "These problems won't solve themselves unless you fight back and keep on trying. You did the impossible for Omega, I know, you're brother's know you can do the impossible for Crosshair, and you know you will." 

Hunter sucked in a shaky breath, "I did something stupid to get Omega back." 

Ryki smiled confidently when Hunter began to slowly pick himself up. "Good, but you've already done that. So, what's next?" 

Hunter caught himself under Ryki's lively eyes. Something about this woman made it impossible to not believe in himself, "Probably something crazy-"

"-if it means saving Crosshair, definitely crazy." 

Ryki smiled and shook his hand. "That's more like it."

"Something crazy," he thought back. That mirialan is poetic as she comes. Stubborn and headstrong. A real piece of work. Hunter knew that his brother's needed her, Omega needed her and... he needed her. They were all a team, and if he got Omega back, he'll get Ryki back then he'll get Crosshair back. Otherwise, these will just be far away memories and he dreads that to come.

---

-Day 8, Maq'derer, Mor Vendi's Bar, Coruscant-

Ryki burst upright from her bed, sweating profusely.  Another vision flooded her mind. It has been happening more lately, especially with her sudden reliance on the Force. Ryki flipped of her bed and scrambled for a book. 

"Bright lights..." she panted, her hands began to scribble down short notes. She paused for a while and closed her eyes, "Cid- I saw Cid."  She quickly wrote that too. "Uhm.. blue? Blue liquid?" Ryki did not bother to understand its significance and continued to write down everything before she forgot about it. 

"Room, dark," The vision was slowly slipping her mind. "NO...no no no" she begged as she tried to recall the memory. Then she gasped, more shocked with gratitude than fear. She had sensed them, "The... Bad... Batch..." Ryki pushed her pen down and held the tattered book with shaky hands. She began to chuckle, "They're coming!" She said with the first once of joy she's felt since arriving on Coruscant. "They're coming, they're coming!" She chanted. 

The door to her room opened and Vendi stood there, looking disgusted at her sweaty form. "They're coming," she whispered to herself as an assurance. 

"Ugh, you look terrible." The umbaran marched in and gripped her chin tightly, turning her head this way and that. She quickly dropped the book and pushed it under her bed. "You filth! My clients are arriving. Why aren't you dressed for me?" Ryki struggled in his grip. Vendi noticed a change in her eyes as he stared into it, his face scrunched into a questioning look, "Get dressed or I'll dress you myself!" he shoved her back into the sink. Ryki grunted in pain but the fight never left her eyes. She stared him down and spat into his face. 

Vendi shouted in surprise, "Kriff you!" Fumbling for the control, he began to activate the shock collar. Ryki's body began to jerk violently, the intensity of the electric flow was increased and screams began to flood the room and echo off the wall. Vendi released the controller when Ryki was writhing on the floor. "You will learn some manners damned woman." He grasped the panting mirialan by her shirt and slapped her across the face twice. 

The corner of her mouth tore and some blood got onto Vendi's pristine white tux. He dragged her to the wall and slammed her. "Don't make me kill you Ryki!" He warned before releasing her off his grip. The door closed and Ryki sank to the floor. Only this time, she didn't cry. She never thought of being rescued since she'd arrived, maybe because she never expected to mean much to anybody. Now though, oh wow... 

Her hair fell messily over her face as she leaned against the wall. A smirk on her face, "They're coming." 

She believed the Force won't lie, though it hadn't done much good for her before. This surge of confidence was something else. She could feel them approaching. If they would go this far for her, she'd damn well not give up now.

---------------------------

*if they are grammar mistakes, I'm so sorry. just comment there and let me know... hehehe. THANK YOU!!*