The Bad Batch - One shots

Blaze

"I'm just wondering," Wrecker said as they walked through the busy streets full of haggling vendors and convenience stores with neon advertisements. "If you replace every piece of a ship, is it still a ship? When does it stop being the original ship and become a new ship?"

Echo wanted to roll his eyes. For all Wrecker made himself out to be stupid, he always came up with these ridiculous philosophical questions that gave him a headache.

He preferred to think of life as black and white- he didn't need to question the purpose of every little thing.

Once, Wrecker had tried to ask him to define 'knowledge'. Echo had to lie down to ease the headache after that conversation.

"It is very obvious." Tech began, and Echo suddenly wished he hadn't decided to walk in between them. He could be walking with Hunter ahead, or trailing just behind the squad with Omega as she took in the sights.

"The ship's signature is the only part of the ship that contains its identity. Once that is removed or replaced, it is no longer the same ship."

"Ah, but on Pantora, you scrambled the Marauder's signature." Wrecker countered, and Echo had to pinch the bridge of his nose. "But it's still the Marauder, isn't it?"

Tech touched his chin, "Well, I suppose. Perhaps a more fitting question is how many more cybernetics will change Echo into a new being?"

Oh great, now they were comparing him to a literal ship.

Wrecker wrapped an arm around his shoulders protectively, "Hey! He'll always be our Echo, no matter how many parts of him are metal or wires."

"Then you are answering your own question, Wrecker." Tech pushed on. "It is our memories of something that retain it to its original state. You could replace every piece of Echo, but retain the memory of him, so it would still be him."

Wrecker stopped walking, staring at his brother, "Uh, now you've lost me."

"Would you lot give it a rest?" Hunter turned around, pressing his temples with his fingers. "I have a headache the size of Coruscant."

He looked between them, frowning, "Where's the kid?"

Echo spun around to where Omega should have been standing, but she wasn't there. He muttered a swear. He thought they were past this, but apparently not. The girl was like a tusk-cat. As soon as she saw something shiny, she got distracted.

Hunter shouldered past him, jogging down the street. "Omega!"

The others began to follow, Wrecker attempting to remain calm, "She's probably fine, right? There are no threats on this planet."

"Except Empirical troopers," Tech scoffed whilst Echo pulled on his helmet. "No, it is a relatively harmless city with a surprisingly low crime rate, which is likely due to the increased police presence and the formidable relationship between the police force and the citizens."

Thankfully, Omega hadn't gone far. Just around the block, Echo could see her looking at something in the dumpster alleyway.

"Omega," Hunter called, "Come on!"

She turned to them but seemed hesitant to leave. "Hunter, wait! Someone needs help!"

They moved to join Omega, forming a defensive formation. In the darkness of the alleyway, Echo registered a slim individual draped in a cloak. Under the hood, he caught a glimpse of luminous blue eyes surveying the squad.

Echo swore he recognised those eyes.

Before he could place it, the figure drew a blade and held it towards them, sinking into a defensive position.