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

C H A P T E R F O U R

ECHO'S POV

"Where could they possibly be going?!" Fern shouted over the blaring alarms as we both sprinted through the corridors towards Hangar 4.

"I have no idea!" I made a left with the female clone at my heels. "But we have to find out or else there is going to be major trouble!"

"When has any trouble been minor?"

I had forgotten how quick Fern was to joke, but when it came to it, she was very relieable. She was the fastest runner in the entire clone army, thanks to her enhanced agility and flexibility, but she chose to keep at my pace in case we did run into something messy. However, when we finally reached our destination, we were too late. The Marauder was gone.

The hangar itself was in disarray. It seemed like Hunter and the others did not leave without putting up a fight. There were several bodies and dozens of clones and officers injured. Fern and I stepped back against the wall and observed. We could track the Marauder using the system, collect its tracking number, and skaddle, but there was entire investigating team between the two of us and the console to extract that tracking number. Among the investigators was—

"Look, Governor Tarkin..." Fern said the government figure's name with so much disgust, that I half-expected her to throw her vibro-knife at his head just for her satisfaction. "Why is he here? He hates clones."

"Maybe that's why." I suggested, agreeing that the sight of the official wasn't welcoming. In fact, it made matters even more difficult. Tarkin was one of the most skeptic individuals in the galaxy. Fern and I would not be able to cover up any suspicious activity if we were to get caught now. I tapped Fern's arm, signaling her to keep moving along the wall. Eventually, we reached a secured area where we duck down behind some crates. We spoke in a whisper.

"So what's the plan?" Fern questioned, still sporting a sour face.

"I'm, not sure." I sighed. "This is getting dangerous. At this point, we just need to get off Kamino. Once we're off the planet, we can pick up chatter anywhere in the sector and surrounding ones. Surely, Hunter and the others will leave a trail we can follow. But there's no way we'll be able to steal a ship. Not with this security."

"Then we hijack one." Fern smirked.

"What?"

"We sneak onto an outgoing ship," Fern wiggled two fingers facing down to mimic walking. "And take over once its in hyperspace." She smashed her fist into her palm to signify...well, I wasn't sure. "Boom. Done. And then we can pick up on your plan." She spread all ten fingers and waved them with excitement. "Giving that jerkwad Tarkin the slip."

"I think you're enjoying this a little too much." I muttered. "Fern, I'm grateful I have you here with me, more than I can fathom. But I wish you would take this a little more seriously. My squad is in real danger of getting killed because of an idea I put in their heads. It'll be on me if they die."

"Your squad, huh?" Fern sighed, the corner of her mouth twitched. "So you are going to be just like them, Echo? That's harsh."

"That's not what I meant, Fern." I knew I had struck a chord. Fern's history with Clone Force 99, specifically Hunter, was a touchy subject for both parties. It was the reason she never joined the Bad Batch when it was first assembled. I didn't know the full story, but I couldn't lose Fern now. I needed her if I was going to find the others. "I'm sorry."

"No biggie." Fern shrugged, but her frown told me otherwise. At least I knew she wasn't going to ditch me. Suddenly, she pulled on my arm. "We can't stay here. Let's go to my ship for now. Unfortunately, it's a one-seater, so I'd have to leave you behind if we used it."