"Good Soldiers Follow Orders...": A Bad Batch Story

C H A P T E R T W O

ECHO'S POV

I could not truly fathom on what was happening...It was as if the entire galaxy flipped over its shoulders in a split second. Just like that, the Jedi were murdered by the very soldiers they fought side by side with throughout the entirity of the Clone Wars... Was I relieved Hunter sent Crosshair and Wrecker to finish off young Calub Dume? Well...if it had been me, I'd probably be dead now from "violating Order 66"...

Why hadn't I heard the Order? From my observation, every clone registered it automatically once it was initiated, like they all received a signal internally. I had no idea why I was spared...All I knew, I couldn't let anyone know...

There was a glimmer of hope in the barracks when Hunter questioned everyone if they had a "itchy feeling" in their heads. I had wondered if it had something to do with the Order, and had attempted to counter it, but the moment Crosshair reacted, I knew I had to cover up my mistake. It was too soon. I needed answers and evidence before I could confront anyone.

But who could I go to for those answers and evidence? I couldn't just stroll around the medical labs and record rooms scourching for clues when one) I wasn't sure what I'd be looking for, and two) I knew Hunter was suspicious and was keeping an observant eye on me.

"The remaining Jedi, will be hunted down and defeated!" Chancellor, or more appropriately, Emperor Palpatine declared holographically in the briefing room. "The Republic will be reorganized into the first Galatic Empire! For a safe, and secure society!"

Galatic Empire? I cringed at the thought, and then glanced to my right, where Hunter stood, and on the other side of him was Tech. My eyes narrowed behind my helmet when the latter stepped out of formation to speak to the sergeant. I caught a few words, such as force-sensitive users and mission.

Wait...That's it! I was grateful my face was covered, for my eyes widened and a faint smile crept at my lips. A plan start to devise itself in my head: a way to perhaps distract Hunter and the others while I attempted to find clues. It was difficult to think when the entire briefing room exploded with cheers for the self-appointed Emperor. The only five who didn't join in, were Clone Force 99. Perhaps, there was some hope.

The five of us returned to our barracks after the meeting ended. We all removed our helmets and found our individual spots to rest before heading to the mess hall. "So," I cleared my throat. "Does anyone have any thoughts they'd like to share?"

It was a dumb segway, but I needed to bring the squad on the same page before I pitch my plan.

"What do you mean, Echo?" Hunter asked.

"I mean, the Empire, you know?" I quickly recovered. "Why are we now an Empire, huh? Has exterminating all the Jedi now turn the Republic into an tyrannical form of government?"

There was moment of silence, like my squad mates were pondering over my question. Until Crosshair rose to his feet. "Why does it matter to you?"

"It matters because of this:" I stood my ground. "Only the Jedi are being executed. But what about the rest of the Force-sensitive users in the galaxy, huh? They get away with the potential to become Jedi? What about the ones who have turned to the dark side? They are more powerful and could destroy the, erm, Empire, if they decide to do so. Force-wielders are all dangerous, not just the members of the Jedi Order."

"Echo has an exceptionally valid point." Tech nodded, and a sigh of relief exhaled from my chest.

"Thank you, Tech."

"Perhaps..." I could see the gears spinning in the clone's head, and I had to resist the urge to coax him, hoping he could snag onto the bait. "This would explain the discomfort in our craniums, well, minus Crosshair and Wrecker. Perhaps because we are defected clones, the true indications of Order 66—"

"Only registered with us." I concluded. "Remember all the regular clones who were cheering in the briefing room. They must've never received the true Order 66. Chancel—I mean Emperor Palpatine must've intended all Force-sensitive beings, but has made Jedi the priority because they are the most abundant and most dangerous. But we are the only ones who have the true orders."

"Why would you've received the 'true orders', Echo?" Crosshair sneered. "You're a reg just like the rest of them."

"Um..."

Shoot, Crosshair has always been the most skeptical and suspicious member of the squad. I tried to quickly think of a theory that would make sense. "Maybe after the events on Skako Minor...My brain had been completely fried, so maybe when I was recovering..." I hated using my most traumatic experience as a footholder on my lies, but I didn't have much choice. "The point is, I've been having this bad feeling just like Hunter. Don't you agree?" Turning my attention on the sergeant, I watched as he suddenly grew nervous, like he was taking all that I've pitched to heart and processing it all, but of course not to the full extent like Tech was.

"Are we going to kill any more Jedi, or what?" Wrecker suddenly chimed in. I flinched at the sight of the large clone as he joined in the circle. He looked larger and much more threatening than usual as he loomed over the rest of us. I had thought I'd known Wrecker's capabilities, but now, I wasn't so sure. And I didn't want to find out.

"What's our next move, then?" Crosshair asked, curious.

"Hunter?" I laid down all my cards. I met Hunter's dark eyes and, if I had the Force, I sent all my power telepathically to reach him and make my ideal decision. But Hunter has always been the logical one, so unless whatever is inside his head that is connected to Order 66 blocks that sense of his, all was doomed.

"Even if we wanted to go hunt Force-sensitive users..." Hunter said, slowly. "Without any coorinates or beacon, I'm not sure how we would find them."

At last, a breakthrough...

"Leave that to me." I volunteered. "I know how to find Jedi and other Force users not yet discovered."