𝗙𝗔𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 | anakin skywalker

✰ 72: the bad batch

The crew of the Trinity went to the cantina in town and told Clone Force 99 to meet them there once they found a docking bay.  They weren't hard to miss— after a little while, four tall men walked through the doorway clad in armor. They noticed Rex at the table a couple feet away and stepped over there.  Rex stood, and Hunter shook his hand.

"It's good to see you, Rex," he said.

"You— hold on. Where's Crosshair?"

Hunter glanced at the rest of the Batch, then back at Rex. "Long story," he said, "for another time.  Who are your friends?"

"Right," said Rex. "This is Ahsoka Tano, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and you know Anakin Skywalker. This is his wife, Akya Sagral."  Each of them waved slightly as Rex said their names.

"Wife?" questioned the one wearing the goggles.

"It's another long story," said Akya.

Rex then turned to the Jedi to introduce them to Clone Force 99. "This is Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, and Echo."  Each clone sent up a wave or a nod as he said their name. She knew Anakin had worked with the Batch before, but hadn't met them until now.

"Actually, Rex," began Hunter, "we've got something to show you." 

The Bad Batch stepped aside, revealing a young girl of about 12. She had short blond hair and wore a white dress and a silver headpiece, the kind the Kaminoans wore on their heads.

"This is Omega," said Hunter, as the girl stepped forward. "She's a clone, like us."  Rex seemed to have already realized that, because he bent down to meet her.

"I've met many clones in my time," said Rex with a smile. "But never one like you."

Omega smiled back at him. She looked at his face curiously, examining every inch. Rex looked confused, but let her do what she wanted. After a moment, she said, "You're a generation one."

"Now, how'd you know that?" said Rex.

"From the lines on your face," said Omega simply. Akya smiled at the young girl.

Rex chuckled, and looked at the Bad Batch standing behind him. "Yeah, I guess I've been around." He stood up, and put his hand on Omega's back. "Omega, these are all Jedi," he said, gesturing to them.

The girl widened her eyes. "All of them?" She looked up at Rex, who nodded.

"It's nice to meet you, Omega," said Akya. The girl simply smiled.

"So what exactly is this mission you called us here for, Rex?" asked Echo, stepping forward.

"Right," said Rex, turning away from the Jedi. "That's not something we can talk about here. Too many people."

"We can head to our ship," said Obi-Wan.

"Good," said Hunter. "Let's get out of here."

— ★ ✰ ☆ —

"This isn't a Republic ship," said Tech, as the Jedi and the clones stepped aboard the Trinity.

"No," said Obi-Wan. "It's a civilian ship. It's equipped with blasters and shields, but we wanted it to be unassuming. And it's not registered."

"Where's your ship?" Rex asked.

"In a docking bay nearby," said Echo.

"Ah," groaned Wrecker, holding his head. He bent slightly down in pain, and Omega looked up at him in worry, putting a hand on his arm.

"What's wrong?" asked Akya.

"Headache," said Wrecker. "It comes and goes. But it's never been this bad."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Hunter asked him.

"The chips," said Rex.

"You mean the inhibitor chips?" asked Omega. "Is that what's causing it?"

Rex and the Jedi looked down at the girl. "How do you know about the inhibitor chips?" asked Ahsoka.

"I worked on Kamino," she said. "I know all about them."

"Well, you're right," said Rex. "That's what's causing his headaches. Before we do anything else, I think we should get those removed. All of them."

"You want to cut into my head?" Wrecker asked. "I'm fine now. The headache's gone."

"Either way, those chips are a danger to everyone. The Jedi, each other, Omega. You can't control it. I couldn't."

"If you couldn't control it, how'd you get yours out?" asked Hunter.

Rex looked back at Ahsoka. "I had help."

"Where exactly are we going to find a facility where we can take out the chips?" asked Tech.

"On this planet, for enough money, you can get anything you want," said Anakin. "That's why I hate this place." He started stepping back down the ramp, and Rex and the Batch followed him.

"Where are you going?" asked Akya.

"I know a guy," said Anakin. "You guys stay there. We'll be back."

— ★ ✰ ☆ —

They got back after about 30 minutes. Anakin had taken them to a nearby medical facility and paid off the owner to let them have it for a while and not say a word about anything.  It worked, and now they had the now inhibitor chip-less Bad Batch up and ready for planning.  Before anything, they gave them the run-down: Sith Lord chancellor, dead Jedi, etcetera.  Then they briefed them on the plan they had already— get into the senate building, get through the senate building, and split up.  The Jedi take Palpatine, and the clones do the rest.

"It's not exactly a fully formed plan," said Obi-Wan.  "But we can't exactly plot every step.  With so little of us, it's going to have to be spontaneous.  We need to keep the element of surprise on our side."

"It sounds easy," said Hunter.  "It won't be, but it sounds easy."

"Someone needs to scout the area," added Akya.  "We need to find the best time to do this.  We don't want to risk any other senators' lives, and we want as little blocking our way as possible."

"Tech and I can go," offered Echo.  "We can take the Marauder.  It shouldn't take more than one rotation."

"Good," said Akya.  "Once we know that, we can strike.  Hopefully, it'll be when they least expect it."

"Hopefully," Obi-Wan repeated.

a.n.:

here we go... 

this is a quickie so i'll publish two this week.  love you guys <3

don't forget to vote!

molly