Daro. 

Forest planet. Beautiful, peaceful. Harmonious. 

Ryki muttered under her breath again as she busied herself with the medicine kit. She already had a surplus of medicines and healing ointments that she makes specifically for the four men and one child that she lives with. Especially since they somewhat find themselves in the most dangerous situations. Yeah, working for Cid's helps you stay safe, but if you are not careful it can cost you an arm and a leg. The surplus should put her mind to ease. It didn't. The Bad Batch had gone out to survey the planet's surface and gather whatever information they could about the mission as Hunter led the trek through the forest using his enhanced abilities. The clone they were sent to find got caught and Hunter had instructed the girls and Wrecker to go back to the ship and wait for further orders. They were acting as the get-away crew, much to the mirialan's dislike. 

Wrecker and Omega sat in the cockpit doing who knows what. Wrecker's joyful laughs echoed into Ryki's quarters did little to put her at ease. The mirialan sighed and placed her kit down. She is somewhere between the twentieth kit of patented medicine as a result of her worrying too much. Throwing her head back, Ryki glanced at the comm device sitting on her table. Hunter had yet to call her.

She wished for a small update. Like a 'Hey we're not dead' or a 'Cyare, I'm on my way back and there is nothing here'.

"No... nothing. Zelch, Zero. Of course, he wouldn't call me. Wouldn't want to jeopardize his mission," In the middle of her rant, she did not notice the door opening. "Who are you talking about?" Ryki swiveled to meet Omega and gave her a soft smile before inviting her in.

"No one. Just tired is all"

Omega gave the mirialan a sad look, "I'm not dumb, Ryki. I know you are talking about Hunter.

Ryki frowned and pulled Omega onto her lap and hugged her, rubbing her back comfortingly "No, you're not, and yes I am talking about Hunter." The girls cuddled into each other, finding calm from the other. "Are you and Hunter alright?". Ryki stilled, "We-It's complicated, love. It's nothing bad, it's just- I worry, Omega. I worry so much that Hunter, and the guys might find themselves in a situation that they cannot get out of one day. What am I to do then?" 

Omega tightly bunched on the mirialan's clothes indicating the worry she felt rolling of the other female. "I'm scared, Omega. I don't know if I am capable of keeping you safe or- what if something bad happens to you and I'm unable to protect you? I don't know how to fight properly, I don't-"

"Ryki!" Omega's tiny voice cut through Ryki's rambling clean like a lightsabre. She did not notice it then but tears poured out in streams and trailed down the mirialan's face. Ryki watched Omega shift in her lap to face her properly. Her tiny hand gently wipes the tears of the older female, "We may not know what to do now, but we will figure things out, right?" .

Ryki tilted her head into Omega's palm as she wonders how optimistic the young girl could be and the wisdom Omega seemed to hold. "I don't think Hunter, Echo, Tech, or Wrecker would leave us so soon anyways. I think they are too stubborn to even try to leave us anyways." Ryki huffed, a small sad smile creeping onto her face. "Hunter loves you," Omega declared sincerely. "I love you too," she said sheepishly. "I feel like you're my mother. Or-or maybe sister, you know, if you don't feel like-" 

A small kiss on the forehead stopped Omega's own rambling. Ryki gently cupped Omega's face and rested her own forehead on Omega's , "I love you too, kid, and I'll be whatever you want me to be." The girls hung on to each other like a lifeline, both now enveloped in peace and serenity. Who knows how long this happy feeling would last, after all, everything seems to cave down around them. At least they had the boys and each other. 

"LADIES!" Wrecker suddenly bursts into the room, "Tech just signaled for a pick-up. Come on!". The three quickly maneuvered themselves to the cockpit and prepared for take-off, Wrecker and Omega at the controls. The Marauder's thrusters roared to life but quickly powered down. "Wrecker, what's going on?," Omega asked worriedly. The giant clone began to worry, "I don't know! Tech must have done something" he began to randomly press buttons. 

"You wanna blame Tech, now?" Omega shouted back in equal frustration and copied her brother's actions, pushing buttons. Ryki all the while standing behind their seats finally decided on the logical solution, "Just hit it!", the launched herself to the panel and have a firm and hard knock. The loud clang resonated through the Havoc Marauder and immediately the thrusters sprang to life. "Yeah!" Wrecker cheered and began lift off. Omega shared an ecstatic smile with Ryki before returning to the controls.

-----

"We're receiving heavy fire!" Tech shouted through the fray. "They'll be here Tech. Just be patient!" Echo replied while shooting back at the TK-troopers, the Empire's cronies. Gregor, the clone they were looking for grumbled, "They'd better hurry. The long fall from this cliff is looking rather welcoming now." Echo, Tech, Hunter, and a wounded Gregor managed to find themselves at the edge of a cliff while searching for an alternative route to exit the newly discovered secret Imperial base, where Gregor was held prisoner for running away from the Empire. Their escape route was a ventilation tunnel that led into a small corridor, but the cliffside view that came with the package was a surprise to be sure, and an unwelcomed one. Problem is, the pesky Imp's decided to tag along and decided that an on-the-spot execution would suffice as the proper send-off. They now stood in a tight shoot-out, Imps locked with the Bad Batch trio and slightly crazed ex-clone commando.

"No one is jumping anywhere! Ryki is with them and she'll make sure they reach here soon enough" Gregor's ears perked in interest at this new person the Sergeant spoke off. "Sound's like a hottie this... Ryki". Hunter heard this over the fire exchange and stopped shooting to give Gregor a very weird outlook, to which Gregor only shrugged, "Something I said?".

"The 'hottie' is Hunter's girlfriend and he is protective of her" Tech stated the fact plain and simple. The ex-clone commando looked back at Hunter with a smirk and a raised eyebrow, "Ladies man huh?". Hunter grumbled, face turning red beneath the helmet "Can we not discuss this now!"

The Imp's were closing in as the shoot-out began to get more intense. The boys were pushed right to the edge. "They should be here by now!" Worry began to creep up Echo's spine.

Just coming behind a hill is the Marauder. "There!" Tech signaled to his brother. 

"Get the captain on board. Echo, you and I hold the Imps' fire."

-----

Ryki slammed a button to open the hatch, Wrecker waiting with a heavy-duty blaster at her side. "Omega's handling the ship," he answered to Ryki's unasked question. The door opened and Wrecker immediately pushed Ryki from incoming blaster fire. The giant clone stepped up and quickly shot back at the Imps, then signaled Ryki to help Tech and the captain on board. 

Ryki secured a safety cable to herself before stepping on the ramp, ducking just in time from an incoming bolt. "Tech! Come on." The technician nodded and instructed Gregor to jump first while he covered their backs. The commando met Ryki's eyes with some hesitation, "You can catch me?" He asked while estimating his jumping force. "Can you ask questions later!?" Ryki barked, and the ship rocked closer to the cliff edge. Gregor squared his shoulders and leaped with faith. Hands clasped tightly, Ryki heaved the commando up the ramp with all her strength. Gregor let out a surprised laugh, "Didn't know you had it in ya' dollface." Ryki grimaced and ignored him, turning to Tech instead and catching him next and he nodded gratefully.

"We got incoming!" 

Several fighter jets shot at the Marauder making the ship sway unsteadily. Tech rushed inside to assist Omega, with Gregor as the co-pilot. "Hunter, Echo! We'll swing back for you both. Hang on!" Ryki warned through the comm. "Alright. Hurry back, and be safe" the Sergeant replied instantaneously. 

----- 

Wrecker raced to the gunner's mount as Tech raced the Marauder in sharp turns and dips to evade the unfriendlies in the air. Gregor worked on stabilizing the ship every time Tech brought the ship out of a crazy loop-de-loop, Omega watching on with awe and fear.

"Tech, we have three on our tail!" Wrecker shouted over while trying his best to shoot down the pursuers. He managed to hit two but one escaped and this one evaded Wrecker's shots expertly. 

The Marauder rocked violently as its rear took a hit from the enemy. Blue electricity crackled across the ship's surface, "Tech, the deflector shields are down. We've taken too many shots!" Ryki relayed information from the system's analysis board. "Rerouting front shields!" he replied, then without warning the ship was brought into a steep nose dive, the enemy following suit. 

Wrecker hollered, recognizing his brother's famous flying move. "Wrecker now!"

Three blasts were sent from the Marauder, each meeting their equal force from the enemy ship resulting in explosions creating black clouds of smoke, temporarily blinding the enemy. The Marauder was closing towards the ground fast. Wrecker shouted the clear and Tech and Gregor both yanked on the controls, sending the Marauder into a sharp spin before straightening up and taking off into the skies almost horizontally. The enemy came in too fast and crashed right into the planet's surface just as the Marauder moved away. 

Ryki cheered in excitement, however more heat signatures from enemy fighter jets surfaced on the scanners as they appeared on the horizon. They quickly raced back to the cliff edge where Echo and Hunter were both overwhelmed by the secondhand cheap excuse of loyal soldiers. Tech quickly ordered Ryki and Wrecker to intercept them at the ramp and an overly eager and worried Omega followed behind, "No," Ryki stopped while picking up a blaster, "Omega, you stay here away from the fire" then she raced to the already opened hatch, giving no space left for discussion. 

"COME ON!" "HURRY!" Wrecker provided cover fire while Ryki slinked on the ramp secured with the safety cable. The mirialan managed to whistle to get the attention of the two clones then she extended her hand. Echo turned to get on the ship after exchanging a silent conversation with Hunter. "JUMP, ECHO!" 

Echo took paces backward until his body hit the cliff wall then planted his heels into the ground to gain momentum before launching himself onto the ramp. "Gotcha' " Echo clasped tightly on Ryki's hand, heavy pants leaving him as he latches his mechanical arm over the safety cable, the other drawing his blaster and shooting the Imperials who relentlessly peppered Hunter with heavy fire. Ryki extended her hand once again, "Hunter! TAKE MY HAND!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. The Sergeant's helmet captured the desperate calls of the one he loves. He'd jump off any cliff for her. Heck, he'd jump right into Kamino's oceans for her. 

A rogue blast caught him on the shoulder, not strong enough to penetrate his armor but taking him by surprise. Hunter quickly ducked behind the stone surface. Heat accumulated in the confines of the helmet, his frantic and exhausted breaths fogging up the interior. At least the sweat is not evaporating into stinky gas, he thought. That would definitely take him out if the Empire fails to take him out. His thoughts snapped back to reality to the three figures on the ramp of the ship. Wrecker and Echo shoot relentlessly at the enemy, Ryki waving him over frantically. Hunter willed his feet to move despite the almost limp feeling he got from all that running around in the base. "HUNTER, TAKE MY HAND!" was all Ryki had to say for the Sergeant to gear up and jump. 

Fate is good to good people, but it is cruel to the best people. It's just how the galaxy functioned. 

Just as the Hunter leaped, the Marauder suddenly tilted downwards violently tossing Wrecker, Echo and Ryki back into the ship. Hunter leaped after the ship and began falling just seconds behind the ship. Time seemed to slow down as Ryki watched angry red blaster bolts from Imperial fighter jets miraculously pass Hunter without hitting him. Her hands stretched out, reaching out for Hunter's own. The Marauder began to level out unsteadily and Ryki raced forwards as much as the safety cable would let her. 

In a flash, Hunter's upper body hit the ramp while the other half dangled off the side of the ramp. Ryki felt the warmth of Hunter's hands on hers but neither could catch hold of the other in a firm grip. Hunter's gloved hands slipped out of her hold, their fingertips grazing one last time. Fear plastered itself on Ryki's face as she screamed. The Marauder was tossed to the side to evade another round of enemy fire. Hunter watched the Marauder grow distant from him while Daro pulled him back to the surface. 

"NO! NO! NO! HUNTER NO!" Ryki tried to unlatch the cable to dive after Hunter but was quickly pulled back by Echo. Ryki, angered tried to fight him off, legs kicking in the air. Her eyes began to sting with tears. Wrecker closed the ramp and the hatch before returning to the gunner's mount. "What happened?" Echo released Ryki from his protective grasp as Omega approached them, noticing Hunter missing. "Where's Hunter? Is he alright?" The two adults failed to meet Omega's innocent and hopeful eyes. 

"Negative! The odds of escape are not in your favor" Tech exclaimed while the other three entered the cockpit hurriedly, Echo replacing Gregor as co-pilot. "What's going on?!" Ryki shouted, body tensing as she grasped tightly to the pilot seats when the Marauder was sent into another crazy turn, Omega tightly clinging to her leg. More fighters were chasing the Marauder's tail.

"GO Tech. That's an order!" Ryki jumped at the sound of Hunter's voice. "Dank farrs, he's alive." She muttered to herself with joy but her mind quickly snapped back to Hunter's latest command. Tech exchanged an uncomfortable look with Ryki and Echo and was hesitantly reaching for the lever but Ryki stopped him. "Hunter, we're not leaving you behind! Tell us where you are!" she demanded over the comms. 

The line was silent for a few seconds before Hunter's voice resurfaced again. "Ryki, I'm sorry. Tech, the family safe and get out of here. NOW!". Ryki froze, tears freely falling down her face. She understood why Hunter did this. She'd do it if she were in his shoes. Still, she wanted to be selfish and get Hunter to safety. Still, she wanted Hunter to be with her at this very moment. 

Omega noticed Ryki's sudden silence, her eyes widening in the realization of what the others were going to do. "NO! Turn around!" Omega tugged on Ryki's shirt. "We have to go back for him!" the young clone's voice began to break. The others felt their hearts breaking as well. Tech shared a sad look with Echo and Ryki, knowing very well that they'd obey Hunter's commands to the end. This had to be done. For their sake and Hunter's. For Omega. 

"Hunter! Tell them to come back! Order them to come back!" Omega screamed and cried out to him. "Sorry, kid. I can't do that."

The Marauder breached into Daro's higher atmosphere racing right into the blackness of space, dragging the Imperial fighters with them. Tech hesitantly punched in Ord Mantell's coordinates. Using whatever restraint he had to not turn back towards Daro, he sent the ship into hyperspace. 

-----

Hunter watched the Marauder sail off into the sky until it became nothing but a tiny speck. He kept his family safe. That's all that matters to him at this point. Bruised, cracked rib or two, and tired. He just wanted to quit, but as long as the Empire threatened his people, the Sergeant would never back down. Even as the TK troopers and turned clone commandos corner him, backed up by their jagged tooth mutts, Hunter's resolve never ceased. For now, he'll surrender. At least he would act as a temporary major distraction for the attention of someone he once knew, a brother. 

-----

Dead silence enveloped the Havoc Marauder. The crew had retreated to the communal area of the ship Tech set the autopilot and then distracted himself by patching up Gregor's wounds. Echo standing wordlessly beside Wrecker, who had his head held in his hands. Ryki slumped against the metal wall. Fresh tear tracks stained her face like a dried riverbed.

 After shooting off into hyperspace, Omega confined herself in her room. Refusing to make contact with any of the Batch members. They could only wish that the young girl did not have to experience this. Far too torturous for innocent hearts. 

Gregor cleared his throat, "I'm sorry" is all he could offer. Tech hummed unappreciatively, "You have no logical reason to be sorry. H-Hunter choose this on his own term and we obeyed strategic reasoning." The technician uncharacteristically left his med-kit unpacked and quickly retreated to the cockpit. Gregor sighed defeatedly, knowing that no words could heal the broken souls on board. "Don't take it hard, Gregor. Tech is ... just tired" Wrecker gently patted the ex-commando's shoulder. "I'll handle Tech. Glad to see you safe". He walked off to find Tech leaving the last three alone.

"We'll find a way to get him back" Echo tried breaking the silence. "Hunter's a smart and strong man. He'll know how to survive and we will get him back." It did nothing to soothe Ryki's inner torment, still, it calmed her only a little so she gave a little nod in reply. 

"The kid alright?" Gregor tilted his head towards the gunner mount. Ryki's body tensed at Omega's mention. Eyes shifted to the drawn curtains of Omega's room, "She does not want to speak to anyone."

"She'll come around, Ry. This is all new to Omega and truthfully, I wouldn't wish this on her at any time." 

"It's been four hours, Echo. I-We don't even know if she's sleeping, or hurt," 

The three settled back in silence. About an hour later, Gregor had excused himself to the bunks leaving Echo and Ryki in each other's company. The cyborg-like clone found himself seated beside the mirialan. "Ryki? You need to rest" 

The flesh under her eyes sagged from the stress. "I can't,"

"At least try," Echo pushed on gently. "How can I when don't know if Hunter is safe? How can I when we're broken? How can I when I have no idea what Omega is going through right now?" Another tear left her eye. 

Echo sighed and leaned his head on the metal wall, understanding her frustration. "You know, when I was saved from the Techno Union and Wat Tambor, I could not rest either." he began in a soft voice. "Every time I slept I had nightmares of what my life would be, had the Bad Batch and Rex and General Skywalker not come to save me. I'd still be there and I'd be entirely a machine. Void of life and consciousness. After I was saved, I doubted my usefulness and if was at all, a human. I didn't know where to belong. Outside of the Rex and the Batch, I was a messed-up creation. A mistake in the galaxy. A mutant and a freak. I was never myself and I hated it."

"For a long time, I never gave myself a chance to rest and be thankful for being alive and for those I care for being alive as well. I grew worse day by day but my body would not give up. I wanted to die but my body wouldn't let me."

Ryki sighed and massaged her head, "That's because of the mechanical enhancements and-"

"Not my point." Echo quickly cut her Tech-like rambles. "Point is, I never rested because I blamed myself for something out of my control. I never rested because I felt accountable for all the strategic information they leeched out of me and used against my brothers. So many died because of that."

"The boys noticed that I was getting worse, so they talked me into resting and even stayed by my side while I slept. Slowly, my nightmares faded. I was sort of rehabilitated from depression and anxiety. I'm still there every now and then, but not like before. I am more alive than I have ever been and I want to continue to be that way. Years of my life cut short as a prisoner of war. With my advanced aging and constant stress, I'd rather live to fight another day. I know I can only do that if I let myself rest."

Ryki let Echo's words sink in. Echo's been through so much yet he still lives for another day, while she is pathetically crumbling like dust and feeling hopeless. "Hunter's alive. The Empire wants us so they wouldn't dare kill Hunter." She reminded herself.

"That's right. We have time to rest and think of a solution to get him back. Whatever it takes," Echo stood up and offered a hand to Ryki, who accepted it gratefully. "We can do this, Ryki. You can do this, for Hunter." Ryki nodded with renewed purpose, "For Hunter." She hugged Echo, whispered her thanks, and decided to retreat to the bunks. "Oh, and for Omega. Give her time. She'll come 'round" Echo smiled then left for the cockpit.

"Ugh," Ryki groaned at the sight of spilled medicine at her room doorway. Guess all that tossing and turning did some serious rearrangement to her room. She was about to enter but the light from Omega's room distracted her. The young clone still had not come out. Taking a brave step, her slowly approached the gunner mount. "Omega?". When the girl didn't answer, Ryki pushed back the curtains to find Omega in a curled-up position, with Lula tucked to her chest and Hunter's spare bandana clutched in her hands. Ryki teared up at the sight. Tear stains tracked down Omega's face and the flesh around her eyes was puffy and pink. Still, she rested.

Ryki gently pushed the blond's hair out of her face. "We will get him back, love. Sleep well." Planting a kiss on Omega's forehead, Ryki then turned the lights dimmer before closing the curtains and leaving the room. She herself needs rest. After all, there's going to be a lot of work to get Hunter back, and you can count on Ord Mantell's moons that they will.

-----

Hunter sat in an isolated cell while two guards stood watch. He was bidding his time. The Empire will use him to get to his family. As long as he is breathing, Hunter won't allow that. 

Beyond the ray shield of his cell, an old friend stepped into view. Memories rushed back into Hunter's mind. The day 'he' turned. The day 'he' choose to side with the Empire. "I'd figured you'd show up" Hunter greeted Crosshair. The sniper turned the ray shield off and removed his helmet, a nasty scar of melted tissue on his head could be seen. If Hunter had seen it, he made no mention. 

"I was hoping for the whole squad," the sniper hissed, "but you will do." 

Only the Force knows what lay in their paths now.

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AND IM BACK!!! Sorry for disappearing for soo long. Anyways, Bad Batch season 2 trailer was the bomb and honestly I just can't wait XD !!!

So, forgive any misspelling, its  late and its night right now and I am super tired. Hope you enjoy! 

Don't forget to vote and comment!!!!!! I'll be updating soon! 5 more chapters to go!!