When Stars Align

Chapter 11 - The Bad Batch

The Clone War is over, but the fight's just beginning. Anakin won't let the Empire get the final say. And if that means he has to burn it to the ground, well, he's just getting started.

The moment Rafa and Trace send the message through that the Clone Force 99 apparently left the Empire, Anakin and Rex set off to Ord Mantell to find them. Anakin stays on the ship – albeit reluctantly – because Echo is there, and Anakin is desperate to see him again.

Rex is gone for what feels like hours, though it really wasn't that long before he finally returns.

"I didn't tell them about you," he says, "They still have their chips in. I don't know if it's that they're normally rogue, or that they're just different, so their chips don't work as well."

"We have to get them out," Anakin replies, biting his lip. "As long as they're in, they're still in danger."

"I promised I'd find them a way to get them out, and contact them once we get something concrete," Rex explains, "We could use a cruiser, but I don't know where to find one."

"All cruisers we know are gonna be swarming with Imperials." Anakin still finds it hard to believe how the galaxy has fallen. He can't even believe it most of the time. He doesn't know what happened to Obi-Wan, and he's afraid to. He doesn't want to believe he's dead. He can't. If anyone could've survived, it's him, but Anakin is just as worried about... something else. About him Falling.

"So... we need to find one that isn't, but what kind could that be?"

"Ones that have been evacuated or abandoned," Rex muses, "Which means we gotta find a shipyard somewhere."

"That doesn't sound too hard," Anakin ventures, "Do you think it'd be safe for me to go along? I have the feeling this could get... complicated, and if something went wrong, and they're as good as you say, I don't want anyone to get hurt."

"The Bad Batch are everything unexpected," Rex promises, "Whatever happens is guaranteed to be..."

"Exotic?" Anakin guesses, laughing, "That's okay. I'll be ready for anything. I'll tag along. Besides, I really want to see Echo again."

"I never told them about you," he adds, "I wasn't sure it was safe."

"Under the circumstances, I think that's the best choice."

***

It doesn't take long. Or, rather, Anakin thought it would be longer. They are, after all, working entirely on their own, but for a two people team up, they're doing well. Artoo is with them or Rafa and Trace, depending on who's where. Under any other circumstance, he'd say "what could two people and one droid do against the Empire?" but these are Anakin, Rex, and Artoo, so he'd say they have good chances.

Or good enough to try.

Bracca is a junkyard. There's really nothing more to be said about it. At least the sky's bright – that's the best thing Anakin has to say about it. The scrappers are everywhere, and they have to be careful.

Anakin sees the Bad Batch from afar – senses their approach. He senses Echo, who feels so familiar, but still... broken in a way Anakin never remembers on him. Dim. Dulled, and it makes him ache, because that isn't what he used to be. He was never... dark quite like this. Rigid and grumpy, yes, but never like this. Not outright dark.

"Right on time," Rex says as the two of them approach. The Force is whispering in warning, but it's elusive. They just have to stay on guard.

"How's a junk planet gonna help us?" one of them asks.

"That's why it'll help," Anakin replies, stepping forwards, "It's a junkyard. I took Rex's chip out in a Jedi cruiser. It's the only facility I know of that'll work."