Bad Batch: Healer's Heart

Infested

Thanks to @BibliophileSince2003  for helping come up with some ideas for this chapter! Now, on with the show!

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

"Cid better pay us extra for that mission." Echo grumbled as the squad exited the Marauder and began their walk to Cid's parlor.

"Eh. It wasn't so bad." Wrecker said.

"She failed to mention the drop zone would be swarming with Gundarks." The ARC reminded his brother.

"It is not the first time she has left out key details." Tech added.

"And we manage to pull through every time." Althea said. "That's why we're the best." She flashed a crooked smile as she bumped her fist against Wrecker's, his own face beaming in a grin.

​​​​As they neared Cid's parlor, the crowd grew thicker. It was normal for Ord Mantell to be bustling with people, but this was new.

It didn't change when they entered the normally dead parlor, now crowded with patrons. Guards in black armor hung around, and two Pykes left Cid's office.

"When did this place get so popular?" Asked Echo.

"Not our problem." Hunter said. Something had changed there, for better or worse the Sergeant didn't know, but he didn't plan on sticking around to find out. "Let's find Cid."

When they approached the door to their employer's office, two guards stopped them. "Where do you think you're going?" One asked, a hand on Hunter's chest plate.

What they didn't know was that Hunter fluent in the language of fist-to-face, and handled them accordingly.

But the mysterious events didn't stop there. Upon entering Cid's office where more guards. They trained their blasters on the squad, who mirrored their hostility.

"It's rude to barge into one's office unannounced." A Devaronian male with pale grin skin said. He sat behind Cid's desk, his legs on the desk and a pet in his lap. The beaded necklace Cid so often wore was sitting on the ornamental horn, a cause for concern.

"This isn't your office." Althea said, her grip on her blaster tight.

"Guess again." The man scoffed. He stood, placing his creature on the desk and revealing it's familiarity.

"Ruby?" Omega asked upon seeing the blue and green lizard.

"She's my prized pet." The man answered as he walked in front of the desk.

"What are you doing with her?" The young clone asked.

The man examined his nails. "I paid. Cid delivered."

"And where is Cid?" Hunter asked, his words as hard as his glare.

"Cid's out. This parlor and Ord Mantell are now my territory." He looked at them. "But if you're looking for work, I might have use for you."

His offer made it clear he wasn't a threat. The squad holstered their weapons, but their guard was still up.

"We'll think about it." Hunter said, choosing his words carefully before they left the parlor.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•

"We're getting off Ord Mantell." The Sergeant said as soon as they were close to their ship. "Tech, prep the ship. The rest of us will gather supplies."

"But what about Cid?" Omega asked, her eyes wide with worry. "What did he mean when he said she was 'out'?"

"Given his tone," Tech stated. "It is a plausible assumption that Cid was either forced out or taken out."