The Bad Batch: Oneshots

No Escape P1

The halls were littered with bodies of rebels, each slashed or stabbed out of pure anger. They weren't told how dangerous the mission would be. The batch had tried as long as possible to stay under the radar from the Empire, but the mission would help a lot of people and that was something most of them couldn't pass up. The end of the Empire would bring the galaxy to peace for once. They took precautions of having Rex join them since he had been helping the rebellion for a while, but nothing could have prepared them for such a bloodied sight.

"I think we should turn back," Hunter voiced. He looked around, a knot forming in his stomach at the sight. " We're clearly not prepared for whoever did...this."

"I don't like this either," Rex agreed, keeping his blaster raised as they entered the next hallway.

Wrecker pulled apart the malfunctioning doors with ease. "Do we have to go this way? I'm not scared er anything, it's just a little creepy, ya know?"

"It's okay, Wrecker. I'm scared too," Omega offered her friend.

The lights flickered on and off. The base was deserted. It seemed that whoever came through before they could arrive to help showed no mercy.

"This is the way to the hangar. There's not much else we can do for these people," Echo pointed out.

"I doubt Cid will be happy that we would be returning so soon," Tech said as they walked down the corridor. " Especially after we informed her that we would do longer be working for her just four rotations ago."

"Do we have much of a choice? As much as I hate to admit it, at least we were getting paid." Echo shrugged.

Rex stopped the group as they approached the end of the hallway. Something felt wrong. It was a feeling he hadn't felt since the clone wars. He hesitated before pressing the button on the control panel.

"There's the Marauder," Hunter said, relieved at the sight of the ship."Let's get out of here."

"Wait—I, something's not right," Rex said haltingly, "We're not alone."

"What do you mean?" Hunter turned around to face the suddenly spooked captain. It was out of character for him, which made the Sergeant worry more than before.

Omega peeked out from behind Tech. The hangar was dark, but even in the blackness she swore she saw a large shadow move in the distance. She gulped as she grasped onto Tech's hand for comfort.

Echo scanned the area carefully. He had to agree with Rex. They were definitely being watched. The squad didn't move, for fear of being attacked if they came out into the open.

"We have to get to the Marauder somehow," Tech piped up. "I suggest we use formation eight, that way we'll have eyes on each side."

"That's a good idea, Tech." Hunter quickly explained to Rex as each of the clones re-positioned themselves. "Alright, blasters ready to shoot. Omega stay close to me and if I give the order, you run to the ship without question."

"But I can-"

"Omega, this is not up for discussion." Hunter's voice was stern, making her back down and giving him a small nod.

"On my mark, we break for the ship." The air was tense as the Sargent gave a silent count down. The second his hand reached zero they made their move.

The group passed a pile of leftover cargo crates which at first didn't seem important until the sound of metal scrapping caused them to glance up. Some were able to dodge the falling boxes, but Rex and Tech weren't as lucky. Both were out cold from the impact.

"Rex! Tech!" Omega crouched down next to them.

Hunter, Wrecker and Echo stopped, looking around to see how the crates fell in the first place. There was no one there to push them. It was as if something invisible knocked them over.

"Who's there!" Hunter shouted into the empty void, but he was greeted with no reply. He raised his blaster to fire into the darkness, but before his finger could pull the trigger it was snatched out of his hand. The sound of it clattering on the floor echoed through the room.

"What was that?" Omega whispered as Echo pushed her behind him ready to defend.

A loud labored breath was heard in the distance along with metal steps inching closer. The sound of a saber ignited. The angry red fire reflected on the stainless black armor the masked figure was wearing.

"Wh-Who are you?" Wrecker asked, keeping his eyes on the figure's weapon.

"The Emperor does not take well to traitors," the metallic voice growled. He hated them. They were all just a fond memory of his past that he needed to forget in order to become stronger.

"I guess he hasn't heard of us then," Hunter remarked, "We don't take orders from the Empire."

The black armored man let out another heavy breath, raising his blade. "Then you will all die a most painful death." He lunged at the clones.

"We need Tech and the captain!" Wrecker shouted as he just barely missed the tip of the blade.

"I'm working on it!" Echo called back as he tried to keep an eye on the moving target while trying to keep Omega safe. "Hunter what do we do?!"

Hunter fired at the force user with Tech's blaster, but his shots were of no help. He heard Echo's question, but he couldn't answer because he didn't know. He had never thought of the current situation. He hated himself for it now. He was the leader and now he would be the reason his squad died because he didn't know how to handle it. It was his fault.

He suddenly felt his throat tighten. He dropped the blaster and reached for his neck. He could feel himself being pulled forward. His eyes widened as he saw the end of the saber coming closer.

"HUNTER!" He heard Omega shriek.

"Omega! Look away!" He screamed just as the blade was pushed through his chest. For a brief second he felt the burning sensation as it stayed lodged inside of him, but he soon found himself losing all feeling. He fell to the ground, his helmet being knocked off in the process. Hunter sputtered, trying to comprehend what happened. He didn't get the chance to think as the same red light came down on his face, permanently leaving him in the dark.

The Sith kicked the dead clone over so that his deformed face was visible to the rest. He wanted to feel bad when he saw the girl frozen, tears streaming down her face as she stared at her dead brother. He could sense her anger, distress and fear, which matched up perfectly to a feeling he had felt in a similar situation a long time ago. Vader took a step closer, pushing the thoughts out of his head. He had a job to finish.