The Bad Batch (Star Wars X My Hero Academia)

Chapter Twenty Three - The Lion's Den

As the Bad Batch split up, Jiro followed Hunter's lead as they moved through the shipping yard. As they moved through the shipping yard, Hunter's Electromagnetic Sonar Quirk picked up something nearby. He raised his hand and gestured Jiro to stop. 

Jiro: What is it?

Hunter: Take cover, now!

Hunter and Jiro took cover behind a large shipment container. Hunter then contacts Crosshair.

Hunter: Crosshair, my Quirk is picking up nearby hostiles. Can you see them?

Crosshair(Communicator): I see them. There's two of them. It looks like they don't know you're there. There's another patrol heading their way. Once I take shots, you and Echo are going to have to move quick to hide them. Taking them out in 3...2...1....

As Crosshair said this, the two gangsters were shot down. No sound was heard as Hunter and Jiro moved them away and hid them just as the next patrol was heading their way. Hunter and Jiro waited for them to move past them. Once they did, Hunter and Jiro continued moving through the shipping yard. As they moved, they were contacted by Tech. 

Tech(Communicator): Hunter, I managed to hack into their communications. It seems that the Shadow Dogs are getting ready to move the girl. 

Hunter: That's not good. We need to move quickly. Tech, have you found a location on the girl or the Shadow Dogs?

Tech(Communicator): Yes. It looks like there's a large gathering near the docks. 

Hunter: Tech, grab Wrecker and meet us at the docks.

With that, Hunter and Jiro continued moving through the shipping yard. Once they got close to the docks, Hunter and Jiro began climbing up the shipping crane to get a bird's eye view on the docks. It wasn't long before Tech and Wrecker made their way to the crane. Once they reached the crane, Jiro looked down to see the docks flooded with gangsters. 

Jiro: There's...there's so many of them! 

Hunter: Relax, Echo. We'll be fine. Tech?

Tech then uses his Chart Quirk to form a holographic map of the docks. 

Tech: I managed to map out several points of entry that can be utilized. However, all of them have a high risk of alerting the enemy. And with the Shadow Dogs here, rescuing the girl will no doubt be a difficult endeavor. But I have a plan. 

Tech then forms a holographic chart of the crane they were currently standing on. The chart showed several highlighted spots. 

Tech: I've mapped out several weak points in this crane. Setting up explosives in those areas will bring down the crane on the gangsters.

Wrecker: You mean we get to blow it up?!

Tech: Yes. In the meantime, Hunter and Echo could sneak into the docks and find the girl. Once Hunter gives the signal, we'll detonate the crane and use the chaos to escape. 

Hunter: Good thinking, Tech. 

Hunter then contacts Crosshair. 

Hunter: Do you have eyes on the Shadow Dogs?

Crosshair: Affirmative. They're moving the kid inside a storage container marked with the Shie Hassaikai symbol. I'm also seeing a boat coming. 

Hunter: Then there isn't much time. Let's get going, Echo. 

Jiro: On it! 

With that, Hunter and Jiro climbed down the crane while Wrecker and Tech began planting explosives on the crane's weak points. Once they were on the ground, Hunter took the time to survey the area. 

Hunter: We're in the lion's den, Echo. I can see the shipping container from here. On my mark, get ready to move. Stay right behind me and follow my lead. 

Jiro nods her head as she takes a deep breath. After a moment, Hunter gives the signal and the two begin make a dash for the shipping container, using the various shipping containers as cover. They avoided the patrols and the Shadow Dogs as they reached the container. Jiro plugs her Earphone Jack on the door to listen in. She could hear a distant heartbeat. She then nods to Hunter. 

Hunter: Let's get this open. Quietly. 

Hunter and Jiro then quietly open the shipping container. They opened it slightly to avoid attracting any unwanted attention. They then entered the crate to find the girl sitting at the corner. Hunter and Jiro slowly approached the girl as to not scare her. But as they got close, the girl became terrified. 

???: P..please! Don't hurt me again!

Hunter: It's okay, kid. We're not here to hurt you. 

Despite Hunter's reassurances, the girl was still terrified. Remembering what happened to Eri, Jiro took off her helmet. Taking the cue, Hunter takes off his helmet as well. 

Jiro; Don't be scared. We're Heroes. We're here to help you. 

???: H...heroes? 

Jiro: That's right. Heroes. Heroes help people. It's why we're here. 

Hunter: You'll be all right, kid. What's your name? 

At first, the girl was hesitant to trust them. Hunter holds out his hand in a comforting manner. 

???: O...Omega....

Hunter: It's going to be all right, Omega. We're getting you out of here. 

As Hunter says this, Tech contacts Hunter. 

Tech(Communicator): The explosives are set. Have you located the girl?

Hunter: I found the girl. We're inside the shipping container. You two get to a safe distance. Once you get to safety, blow the charges. 

After giving the signal, Hunter turns to Omega. 

Hunter: Listen to me, Omega. Whatever happens next, we're getting you out of here. 

Omega shook her head. In that moment, Omega felt an emotion she had never felt before. She now felt hope. And that hope had finally come to her in the form of the Bad Batch.