The Bad Batch: Book 2

Part 8: Different Lives

Crossahir's POV 

I opened my eyes as the alarm went off. A long sight left my mouth as my hand traveled over my face. Pushing myself up I set up and placed my legs on the hard ground. The cold floor sent chills over my body as my feet made contact with the metal. After another sleepless night, I pushed myself onto my feet and began approaching the bathroom that was connected to my room.

Immediately after stepping into the bathroom and the doors closed behind me, I removed my clothes. Stepping under the shower I pressed the button and the hot water began to roll down my body. As I was done I turned the shower off and then I took the towel placing it around my waist.  Brushing my teeth I then returned to my room.

I approached my wardrobe and just as I was about to open the drawer doors I felt someone behind me.  Quickly turning around I saw her covering her eyes with her hands. 

Luna: "I'm so sorry." 

I turned back towards the wardrobe and began to gather my clothes. 

Me: "What are you doing here?" 

Luna: "I came to check on you." 

The first time she used the Force to communicate with me was months ago. Weeks after they left Kamino. Now every so often she contacts me. I still don't know how she does it. I removed the towel and began to dress up.

Luna: "How are you?" 

Her voice sounded always so...caring. As I got my underwear, pants, and boots on I turned around towards her. She was still covering her eyes with her hand.

Me: "It's the same answer as last time." 

She turned her body around, so she could move her hand away from her eyes. Her hand fell next to her body. Each time she did this I could only see her. Not the place where she was or any of the guys. Just her. 

Luna: "Are you sure that you are okay?" 

I placed my shirt over my head and then I approached her. She turned around to face me. 

Luna: "You look....exhausted." 

Me: "You shouldn't be here Luna." 

Luna: "I am worried about you Crossahir." 

Me: "I don't need you to be." 

Luna: "Crossahir, please. I'm not your enemy." 

Me: "This is t-" 

At that moment a knock came on my door. I quickly looked towards them but as I looked back at Luna I saw that she was gone. 

Luna's POV 

The moment I heard someone knocking I broke the connection. I found myself back in my room on Marauder. I knew that contacting Crossahir wasn't a good idea. But a week after Kamino I had a nightmare. It was about him and I was worried that it might be true. Even though that was months ago and might not happen I still contacted him. 

Hunter: "Luna are you in there?" 

My head snapped to my right, towards my curtain. 

Me: "Yes." 

The curtain moved a little so I could see Hunter's face. Our eyes meet and my heart once more skips a beat. That happened each time I looked into his eyes. It happened only with him and no one else. 

Hunter: "Hey." 

Me: "Hey." 

Hunter: "The boys and I prepared the polygon for you. Ready?" 

Me: "Sure." 

He moved out of the way so I could step out of the room. As I did I looked at him. 

Me: "Can I expect the challenge?" 

Hunter: "You are always challenged, Luna." 

Me: "A little." 

Hunter: "You are still training." 

Rolling my eyes I stepped past him and then out of Marauder towards my training polygon.

Crosshair's POV 

Stepping in Admiral Rampar's office I saw him sitting behind the table with a monitor in his hand. As I stopped myself in front of his table I placed my hands behind my back. 

Rampar: "CC-9904. Congratulations. You've been medically cleared for active duty. Remind me. How long were you left stranded on that Kaminoan platform before being recovered?"  

Me: "32 rotations." 

Rampar: "Hmm. All that time. Left for dead and yet you still come back." 

He said as he placed the monitor away so he could turn his full attention towards me. 

Rampar: "Why?" 

Me: "I'm a soldier of the Empire." 

Rampar: "I see. Your loyalty and determent are commendable. Which is why I have a mission for you on the planet Desix. As far as Separatists' worlds are connected, it's rather remote. I normally wouldn't pay any mind, but as the issue has arisen." 

Me: "What are my orders?" 

Rampar: "The newly appointed Imperial governor has been taken hostage by insurgents demanding Desix be recognized as an independent planet. But we do not negotiate. You're being sent in under the guise of discussing a diplomatic resolution. Once you arrive, do whatever is necessary to secure the city and ensure Governor Grotton's release." 

Me: "What squad will I be leading?"  

A chicken left his mouth. 

Rampar: "You're not ready to play commander again. Not yet at least. Your new commander will brief you on the details. Report to the Battle Memorial at 0900 hours." 

He looked at his monitor again. If my eyes could kill I knew that he would be dead in a second. Looking back at me he rolled his eyes. 

Rampar: "You're dismissed." 

I nodded then I turned around and left the room. 

Luna's POV 

In the past month, I had many polygons made by Tech who always made a different one. Some were a little easier the others but this one...this one was a different level. The droids that were shooting at me kept on coming trying to hit me with their leaders. Of course, we weren't using the real leaders but if one laser touched me I had to the polygon again. 

I was running around the empty forest trying to block the lasers with my lightsaber. Jumping over the fallen tree I continue running. Looking back a little I saw three droids still flying behind me. The first one shot towards me but as I blocked the attack and the attack hit the droid it fell on the ground. Because they were shooting fake lasers they also didn't get hurt. Tech was so smart. 

As I got the two more droids down I was able to stop and took some breaths. The forest around me was quiet. To quiet. Suddenly a knife was placed against my neck as a hand took hold of my right hand that was holding the lightsaber. 

Hunter: "Almost Luna." 

Me: "Really Hunter?" 

He didn't notice my free hand taking hold of my blaster and pointing it right a his stomach. He might be holding a knife to my neck but I was holding my blaster right against my stomach. One blast and he was gone. My blaster was faster than his knife. We both knew that. He removed the knife that was on my neck and then he took a step back. I turned to look at him. 

Hunter: "Great work. You passed another polygon." 

Luna: "I have great teachers." 

I said as I turned my lightsaber off and placed it behind my belt next to my blaster. Looking to my right I saw Echo, Tech, and Wrecker approaching us.

Wrecker: "That was amazing!" 

Echo: "Very good." 

Tech: "Impressive."