The plan to steal spice directly from under Durand's nose had gone terribly wrong. After nearly becoming caught in a blizard of sub-terrestrial bugs, Cid led the group back to her parlour. 

"You're certain this will work? That Roland is going to accept this defeat?" Ryki trained her wary green eyes as they apporached the entrace of the parlour. 

"You worry too much, Greeny." Cid assured again. She grew tired of the mirialan's doubt. "You worry to much." Ryki scoffed from Cid's own lack of worry. 

"I am worried for my welbeing and the clones. Roland isn't someone to simply...toy around."

"Look, I understand you and him have a pass connection,"

Pass connection was putting it lightly since it was more of a mistake. A big mistake on Ryki's end. She let Cid explain her plan though the mirialan did not agree to it one bit. 

"However, you've put your past behind you and he's not going to try anything. Trust me"

Grunting out her frustration, Ryki watched as Cid pushed on ahead. Roland, during her short escape from Coruscant was one of the first people she stupidly put her trust into. Desperation stood firm as the catalyst which drove the two young hearts to meet. 

Roland Durand, in their early days appeared as a charmer when the two met on a dingy street on Ord Mantell. He said some words, flashed some winning smiles and whispered the sweetest things to Ryki. For someone who had not known the proper taste of love and trust, and like any new lover, Ryki fell easily for his trap. 

If only she'd known the other hearts Roland broke and the lives he robbed of freedom.

Taking the innocence of a woman like a play thing was fair game. A muse on a boring winters day. One thing Ryki took pride in herself was not giving away inimate parts of love, freely. He had asked for some nights of passion. Luckily Ryki was smart enough to refuse. Still, time wasted with Roland was never to be gained back. She'd allowed him to 'court' her, wanting not to feel empty inside and hoped to fine even the smallest shred of happiness.

One day, Roland coaxed her into having dinner with him. The evening started out lovely as he showered her with praises no woman could resist. Though has Ryki been smart enough, she would recognize the signs of bitter lies, but it was too late. That night, Roland brought forwards a group of twilek males, binded and gaged her then tried to slave her off for fine credits.

He discovered her as the runaway from Coruscant's underground slave facility, marked property of Morr Vendi. Ryki placed her trust in him foolishly and regretted every ounce of it. Miraculously, she escaped that night, no short of being tormented by enraged twi'lek slave drivers pursuing her relentlessly. She felt like a bird trapped in a cage. Eventually she escaped them, Roland didn't pursue her, but the nightmares and sleepless nights were inevitable. 

Meeting Cid after that nearly promised her a life of a own, free of being owned by other greedy people. 

Busy thinking of her past, she picked at the sore skin by her thumb drawing a tiny crack on tender skin. "Ryki," Hunter's deep voice cut through like a blade, bringing her out of the stun. Hunter noticed the work her fingers did on her own and gently detangled them, only to replace her fingers with his. Innocently lacing their hands together till palm touch palm. "I have a bad feeling about this. Roland can't be trusted."

"We don't really have a choice right now," The sargeant slowed their pace by tugging on her hand as the others filed into the parlour. "Cid is the only thing keeping us alive and away from the Empire and the Bounty Guild. We need to see this through."

Ryki averted her eyes from Hunter's, trying to find some other way to urge him to abandon the mission but he was right. Without Cid they will die, simple as that. Without Cid, Omega would never have a break from the insanity of the galaxy. The tension within her mind reduced from flames to ambers, "Okay, will get this over with"

---

Roland stumbled out with cuff encircling both of his wrists, eyes immediately finding Ryki's the turned to Cid "I told you. They stole it from me"

The clones began to tense as the group of pykes appreared behind him, pointing blasters at the new comers into the parlor. "Where is the spice?" their leader hissed through the moducator. "Gone, " Ryki rolled her eyes at the much to forward admitance of the stolen spice. "We require the spice. Our deal was with Durand, not you." With a flick of a finger, the other two pykes aimed the blasters towards the Bad Batch, the latter not choosing to react. 

"Return what is ours and this matter is resolved." Ryki frowned deeply. The mini heist had them abandon the spice crates by force. Unless death by bugs was a things, they were much more entitled to more heroic deaths.  

"Unfortunately, we don't have them anymore. Your deal with this Durand has gone sour. There's noting for you hear."

Hearing this, the pykes were not pleased, as expected. Spice was silver and gold to the Pyke Empire. When their deals go sour, the only reward for the failure of the other party was death. 

"If the spice is not returned to us, then there is no use of any of you." Blasters lifted into the air. With only seconds in between the wrinkled bipedal lizard lifted her staff in the air. The pupils of her eyes growing into a thin line "WOAH, woah!"

"This does not have to end in blaster fire" The pyke gang leader stared menacingly towards the Trandoshan. "We can pay you with unmarked credits. All you need to state is the price equivalent to the spice."

The pyke leader stepped forward "We have no interest in anything but our spice." Blasters could be heard clicking over the dual debate. If Cid does not make the right decision, none of their earlier efforts would be worth while. Ryki grasped Omega's shoulder and pulled her close, the young clones own hands coming to rest on the mirialan's. 

"We require the spice" 

Cid carefully nodded. "We know where the cargo is. Just let us get it and everything will go fine"

The pyke's patience was being tested. "Fine."

Nodding in silent agreement, Cid hurriedly try to usher the Bad Batch out of the facility only to be stopped, "The woman and the chile stay."

As instinct took over, Hunter hurriedly hid Ryki and Omega behind his back. Wrecker, Echo and Tech reacted instantaneously drawing out their blasters and prepared to defend their two Batch members. Threat clearly displayed on their faces, "That's not going to happen." 

Cid hissed angrily towards Hunter. "It's only fair we have insurance."

Ryki pulled Omega behind her back, "We will get your spice but we are NOT staying-"

"Are you crazy?" Cid turned her hardened eyes on the clone sargeant. "If we don't listen to their demands we're as good as dead"

Hunter only tightened his grip on the blaster, "I will not put them in danger"

Cid shook her head in dispear, "If we don't do this, we all die Bandana. Now, please, let me handle this" Clawed finger forced the blaster towards the floor and asked the others to do so. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Ryki staring back in fear, mouthing 'don't do this'. Out of shame the trandoshan lowered her gaze having to betray the mirialan once again. "Alright but, no harm comes to them. We know where the spice is and we will retrive it for you. Absolutely no harm comes to the girls,"

The pykes took their time to consider it, finally agreeing to the negotiation. "Very well. You have until sundown to deliver all the packages, otherwise the woman and child die." Two pykes stepped forwards, shoving the clones and pushing Ryki and Omega towards the center of the parlour. Hunter sensed the sudden rise of Ryki's pulse while fear coursed through her veins. Watching Omega and Ryki being forced into cuffs sent his heart raging with anger. 

Cid didn't miss the whisper of "I hate you" from the mirialan, feeling the prick of shame eat her whole. 

Settling unconfortably beside Roland Durand, Ryki helplessly watched the Bad Batch exit the parlour. Hunter and her locking eye for a brief second brought her a temporary relief until he went off. The pykes returned to their work leaving Omega and Ryki to Roland's company. 

"Omega, we will be alright" The young clone nodded silenty. Ryki pulled the clone to settle between her legs and hugged Omega close, as the girl huddled closer into the mirialan's chest. "Hunter will get back," Omega nuzzled closer to listen to Ryki's heart beat. "Yeah, he will. He always does."

What little domestic moment the two females shared was interrupte rudely by a rude cough. Both eyes landed on Roland Durand, pathetically slumped to the floor as he watched the two exchange their promises of hope. "Your trust in these clones disgust me"

"Yeah, well my brothers are the only thing keeping you alive."

Roland flinched back, not expecting the young clone to act so snippy. Ryki raised an eyebrow with hidden pride laced underneath and the Omega flashed back a secret winning smile. Guess all they had to do now is wait.

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

EXAMS ARE OVER. I am back and sorry for being late. This is a very short chapter cause I really can't write and need a brain break. Still, thank you for hanging on to this book and voting and commenting. I hope the stories have been interesting so far lol not sure how its going now but i hope it not too bad? Let me know. 

Please Ignore the spelling mistakes for now cause I am going to correct them..... someday....... over.... the rainbow......

Also i feel like i've grown butt roots to the couch with my inability to stop binge watching. If i continue i might as well become the couch

New chapters coming soon!!!! - Adanna