Something to Prove (A Bad Batch Fanfic)

Stay

Summary: You confess the truth about Captain Kaldor to your family and convince him to stay.

Warnings: Angst

~

     After getting dinner at that restaurant with Wrecker, Echo, and Omega, you decided that it would be less awkward for you to sleep in Captain Kaldor's ship. This time, you were able to sleep on an actual bed instead of the floor. When you wake up, you get dressed and walk out of your small room on the ship and into the main area. Captain Kaldor is already awake, and you see him sitting in the cockpit, gazing out the window. You walk up to him and sit down next to him.

Kaldor turns to you, giving you a gentle smile. "Morning. How was everything last night?"

You shrug. "Better than I expected it to be, I guess." You laugh softly, thinking about dinner last night. "I think Wrecker, Echo, and Omega are on to me. I think they're starting to realize that I'm hiding something else."

Kaldor smiles. "Me?"

You nod. "Yeah."

"Do you think they'll mind if you tell them?" He continues.

"They'll be suspicious at first, mainly Hunter, but they'll come around. I know they will." 

     You hear footsteps behind you. You turn around and watch Crosshair walk over to you and Captain Kaldor. 

You clear your throat. "How was you conversation with Hunter?"

"Fine."

You don't ask any more questions about the conversation- you don't want to upset Crosshair. 

"I'm going to talk to the rest of the squad." You say, standing up. You turn to Kaldor. "I'll let you know when you can meet them." You say quietly. 

Kaldor nods, and you walk out of his ship. Crosshair follows you.

~

     It's not a long walk from Captain Kaldor's ship to the Havoc Marauder. You press the button to open the ship door and you and Crosshair enter. Everyone is in the common area of the ship. Omega gives you and Crosshair a warm smile. 

"We were planning on going on a mission today. Would you two like to join us?" Hunter asks. 

"Sure. But before we go, can I talk to you all about something?"

Hunter nods. "Go ahead."

You aren't sure how to put this whole situation into words. "There's... someone else who helped Crosshair and I escape."

"Who?" Echo asks.

You're afraid to say his name. Everyone in the squad knows how he was your enemy, and they don't know that he isn't anymore. "Captain Kaldor." You say softly.

"Him?" Echo asks.

"He's changed, I promise. I think he could be really useful. Maybe he can get us into some Imperial bases for missions."

"He's a fugitive now, just like the rest of us." Crosshair mutters.

You sigh. "You need to trust me. If Crosshair can change, so can he."

Hunter pauses for a while until speaking again. "Fine. Go get him. But if he turns on us-"

"I know." You respond, walking out of the ship.

~

     You walk back over to Captain Kaldor's ship. You ascend the steps that lead into the ship. He's sitting where he was earlier this morning. 

"I didn't get the chance to tell them the entire situation with you and I, but they said you can come on the mission today."

"I... I don't know if that's a good idea."

"What? Why?"

"The Empire is after me, too. I'll only put you and your family in more danger."

"My family and I are always in danger. We can handle it."

"I won't risk it. I need to leave."

"You can't... please. I want you to stay. I don't kriffing care if it puts us in more danger."

"Don't take this the wrong way. I'm leaving because I care about you, and I don't want anything to happen to you."

You feel tears start to form in your eyes. "I can't let you go, Silas. Not after everything that has happened."

The expression on his face softens as you call him by his first name. He sighs. "Okay. But please promise me that you'll try to be careful."

You gently take his hand in yours. "I promise."

~

     You and Silas begin to walk over to the Marauder. Occasionally, you glance at him, noticing how nervous he is. You two reach the ship. Before you enter, you turn to him, softly saying, "Hey. It'll be alright."

     You enter the ship first, Silas following after you. Everyone is silent as the two of you enter. You notice that Hunter narrows his eyes at Silas. Crosshair doesn't act any different since he's used to seeing Silas by now. The rest of the squad tries to act normal, but you can sense their suspicion of him. 

Hunter starts the mission briefing. "This mission is actually here on Ord Mantell. Cid wants us to trade this briefcase she gave us for an artifact."

"Why does she need us to do this? Seems like just a business transaction." Silas asks.

"My guess is that she has a bad history with the person we're trading with. It's an easy job; no Imperial bases, no weapons, nothing." Hunter responds.

"Y/N and Kaldor will complete the deal. The rest of us will standby for backup. We'll hear everything that's happening."

"Me, Sir?" Silas asks hesitantly.

"You want to be a part of this squad? Then we need to see if you have the skills to succeed."

"Understood."

"Let's head over there now." Echo suggests.

All of you get your gear ready and walk towards the destination for the mission.

~

     All of you stand outside a busy cantina with loud music blasting from inside. 

"Ready?" Hunter asks you two.

You both nod and enter the cantina. You have to push your way through the crowd of people to get to the bar which is where Hunter said you'll meet Cid's client. Eventually, Silas points to a woman who is sitting at the bar, sipping a cocktail. You two walk over to her. 

You set the briefcase in front of her. She looks up at you two. 

"Are you two here for the deal?" She asks, having to raise her voice because of the music.

"We are." You respond. 

     The woman gets up and motions for you two to follow her. You grab the briefcase and follow her. She leads you and Silas to a room in the back of the cantina. She closes the door behind you all, the music somewhat quieter now. She sits down in a chair at the table in the middle of the room. You two sit across from her, once again setting the briefcase down in front of her. 

As she starts to open one of the latches on the briefcase, Silas interrupts her by saying, "Let us see the artifact first."

The woman smirks. "What, you don't trust me?" She sets the artifact on the table. It looks like a box with intricate designs on it. 

She opens the briefcase. "You promised 10,000 credits. This is 7,000."

As you're struggling to come up with a response, Silas pulls his old Imperial badge out of his pocket. "You won't be getting a single credit if you keep complaining. I could always tell my superior that you're 'business' here is breaking multiple laws..."

Her eyes widen. "Deal. 7,000 credits is fine, Captain."

Silas picks up the artifact and stands up. You quickly follow him out of the room and out of the cantina. 

~

     "That was incredible!" You say to Silas.

"We're just lucky that word hasn't got out that I'm a fugitive. I was afraid that using my badge wouldn't work."

Hunter walks up to Silas, holding out his hand. "Nice work out there."

Silas shakes Hunter's hand. "Thank you, Sir."

Crosshair pats Silas on the back. "Welcome to Clone Force 99. Trust me, you'll regret it..."