The Path of a Jedi Book 2 (The Bad Batch x Reader)

Chapter 17

Several hours later, you awoke calmly to see the rest of the batch still sleeping soundly. Hunter was right next to you, his arm draped over you. You smiled at him sleeping, he looked more peaceful that you have ever seen him.

You brushed your fingers over his long hair. He stirred slightly and opened his eyes, "what are you doing, love," he said lazily.

You smiled at him and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead, "I am going down to command to get briefed, I'll be back soon," you whispered.

He ran his hand through your hair, "I can go with you."

You placed a hand on his chest, "it's ok, rest, I know you have not slept much."

Hunter wanted to protest, but his eyes were already getting heavy. You chuckled quietly and waited for him to fall back asleep. Then you got up and quietly left the room before making your way down to the command center.

Once you arrived, there were a lot less people there, it must have been meal time. However, the leaders were still gathered around a large holotable, overlooking a map of a planet you had never seen before.

"Ah, general," Bail greeted, "please join us."

One of the other senators switched off the holotable once you took a seat. "General, welcome to Pollis Mossa," one of them said with a smile, "you must have a thousand questions."

You nodded, "Captain Rex said this is just a faction of the rebellion, are all of them this large?"

Senator Mothma shook her head, "no, most are still small planetary factions," she explained, "many are still afraid of joining for fear of retribution from the Empire."

"We call ourselves The Alliance, but there are several smaller cells that join us," Bail explained, "it is a continuous work in progress to unite."

You nodded in understanding, "how have you remained hidden?"

Senator Mothma's smile faded, "we are not, the Empire knows that we exist, we are just constantly moving."

"Then how are you able to rebel, if you cannot stay in one place long enough?" you asked.

Bail held up his hand, "by aiding regular people against the Empire, by helping citizens rebel on their own planets," he explained, "the more people we help, the more we recruit to our cause."

You nodded in understanding, "final question, how are a group of senators able to be here?" you asked, "The Emperor would kill you if he found out."

Mothma nodded in agreement, "yes he would, but sometimes doing what is right is worth the risk."

"The question remains," one of the other senators added, "if you are willing to take that risk too?"

You thought for a moment, "it is not a decision I will make on my own."

"Are you not the general, can you not order your clones to follow you?" one of the other senators asked.

You turned to them in annoyance, "this is not the Republic anymore, the clones are free to do as they please, they follow me because I do not order them, they have just as much say as I do."

Bail shot the other senator an angry glance before turning back to you, "you will have to forgive senator Dodd, he meant no disrespect."

You nodded and stood up from the table, "I appreciate the hospitality, but I must return to my squad and inform them of our options."

"Of course," Senator Mothma responded, "please feel free to use all our resources while you remain here." You smiled in thanks and walked out of the room, heading back to your temporary quarters.

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"What makes you so certain we need this general?" Senator Dodd asked when you were gone.

Bail threw up his hands in anger, "she is a powerful Jedi with the ability to lead large masses of soldiers, we need good military leaders with experience if we are to succeed."

Dodd crossed his arms, "we have not even seen her fight or lead, how do we know she will be of any help."

"She is a jedi general-" Bail argued.

"The jedi are gone!" Dodd fought back.

"Enough!" Senator Mothma yelled, drawing the attention to her, "we are in no position to turn away willing people, and having someone with military experience will be incredibly helpful," she explained, "the jedi order may have fallen, but what they stood for has not. I call this meeting adjourned, we will reconvene to discuss the next campaign tomorrow."

The other senators nodded and left the room, until only Bail and Mothma remained. "You are certain about her?" Mon asked.

Bail nodded, "I watched her progress her whole life, she is who we need."

"And if she refuses to join us, what then?" she asked.

Bail thought for a moment, "then we look for a new hope."