𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓪𝓭 𝓑𝓪𝓽𝓬𝓱 𝓞𝓷𝓮-𝓢𝓱𝓸𝓽 𝓒𝓸𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷

𝐻𝓊𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝓍 𝐹𝑒𝓂 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇 (𝓅𝓉. 𝟦)

"Woah," Y/N said as she and the Bad Batch entered the ship hanger holding the Marauder, "Your ship is an omicron class attack shuttle?.." She trailed off, realization crawling over her features. Y/N turned her head back in Hunter's direction, who tilted his head in confusion.

The Jedi glanced at the unique faces of these men, despite their being clones. 

"You're Clone Force 99!" She exclaimed, "How did I not realize sooner?"

"You've heard of us?" inquires Tech, pushing up his yellow-tinted goggles.

"That's right," Y/N confirmed with a smile, "I served alongside Clone Commander Wolffe during the Clone Wars. Once or twice he mentioned a special batch of clones with desirable mutations. Always said he'd like to complete a mission with your squad." She looked at nothing in particular when she said this however Hunter noticed how sad her eyes appeared.

The sargeant thought about Crosshair and how much he missed his brother. He wondered if they would ever fight on the same side again.

Y/N lightly shook her head to herself then said, "Well, we better get going, right?"

"Right," Hunter replied before his thoughts could progressively become worse.

The Bad Batch, Omega, and the Jedi filed into the Marauder. Tech took his place in the pilot's seat where he plotted a course for Naboo, with Echo co-piloting. Wrecker and Omega immediately started a game of holo-chess, using Gonky as a table.

Awkwardly, Y/N settled down on the rough ground, laying her head back against the wall. Her multicolored eyes closed as she took a calming breath. She threw all reason out the window after voluntarily entering a ship full of clones, who she assumed had recently been ordered to kill her and her fellow Jedi friends. However, Y/N sensed nothing but trustworthiness from the soldiers. Especially after they sincerely offered their assistance.

The sergeant, who had been examining the navi-computer, noticed the lone Jedi sitting on the floor. He turned his chair so that it was facing Y/N, before saying, "You know you don't have to sit on the floor, right?"

Y/N smiled at that, "I know, but I prefer it. Reminds me of good times." Hunter wondered what the story behind that was.

Hunter shrugged, "Well, I guess I can't force you to sit in a slightly more comfortable seat." There was a pleasant silence between the two, until the Jedi spoke up, "Tell me, Hunter, I'm a bit confused. I could have sworn that Clone Force 99 had had a sniper in their squad. Yet I don't see a marksman on this ship..." She trailed off feeling the sergeant's whole mood shift into something depressing. But then, past all the intimidation, Y/N felt something cold and heart-rending.

Guilt.

The slimy feeling that always left one restless and unsettled.

Y/N's heart ached for the squad's dejected leader, who obviously blamed himself for losing a dear member.

The Jedi cleared her throat, eyes hopelessly wide, "I'm so sorry, Hunter. I should have realized or-"

Hunter interrupted her by holding his palm up, "It's," he breathed in deeply, "It's fine. You couldn't have known. We're all still getting used to...the change." Y/N nodded her head sincerely. Then, she broke the silence by rising to her feet. The Jedi plopped herself down on the vacant seat beside the sergeant.

"Although the Clone Wars brought heavy losses," she slowly began, "The galaxy was fortunate to gain many good clones. Good men," She insisted making eye contact with Hunter, "One of my closest friends was a clone commander, and every day I am grateful for our friendship, despite facing...challenges in the end," she concluded, her thoughts dwelling on the horrific order 66.