NOBLE: The Bad Batch

𝟏𝟒: Moon Landing Gone Wrong

19 BBY | Month 5, Day 23
Kamino, Tipoca City days ago

Nala Se entered Lama Su's office quietly, her posture rigid and composed as the blastdoor sealed shut behind her. Lama Su stood with his back to her, his long neck arched just enough to glance over his shoulder. He knew why she was here.

"Has the matter been rectified?" he asked in a low, measured tone.

Nala Se's gaze was calm, her voice even as she delivered her report. "The inhibitor chip augmentation was a success for Crosshair. Noble, too, has been implanted with a new chip, one like her others." She paused, carefully choosing her next words. "However, the remaining clones of Squad 99 have escaped, along with Omega... and their medic. Crosshair is still here."

Lama Su let out a deep, discontented hum, his expression remaining carefully neutral, though a trace of irritation lingered in his eyes. "We must be cautious. Until the Empire's intentions are made clear, say nothing."

Nala Se inclined her head, understanding the gravity of his order. "Yes, Prime Minister."

Hyperspace | Havoc Marauder
Present time

In the back of the Marauder, Wrecker lounges in the gunner's seat while Omega sits nearby, leaning against Gonky, who lays on his side, not particularly well-maintained. The droid provides a convenient backrest as Omega watches the HoloNet on her datapad. Hunter emerges from the pantry, carrying a case of rations. He hands the first portions to Echo and Flash, while Tech declines, too absorbed in his tinkering, while Noble is resting her eyes in a seat, closest to the back of the hull. Approaching Omega in the back, Hunter notices her makeshift arrangement.

"Well, that doesn't look comfortable—for either of you," he remarks, eyeing Gonky.

Omega smiles up at him, brushing off his concern. "We're fine," she says, and Gonky emits a honk of agreement.

"Here, chow time." Hunter hands her a ration bar.

Wrecker jumps down eagerly. "Finally!" He grabs his ration and devours it almost immediately, inhaling the food like it's barely there. Hunter shakes his head at the display.

"Hit me again," Wrecker says, extending his hands.

"That's it for now. Rations are low," Hunter says, closing the case. Wrecker groans dramatically, his childlike pout filling the room.

Noble, trying to catch some shut eye in the cockpit, hears his exaggerated groaning and mutters to herself, "What's all that noise for?"

Flash, standing nearby, gives a smirk. "Just a noisy man being a noisy man," he remarks, casting a glance at the sulking Wrecker in the far back. Noble rolls her cybernetic eyes in slight tired annoyance and leans back in her seat to go back to her napping.

The cyborg clone watches her for a moment and then makes a mental note—her eyes seem to power down or dim significantly when she closes them for longer periods. Omega looks at her ration bar, then raises it toward Wrecker while in the back. "You can have mine."

Before Wrecker can accept, Hunter steps in, gently pushing him aside. "Omega doesn't even have a place to sleep, and you want to take her food, too?" he scolds, casting a stern glance at Wrecker that says more than words could. It's a subtle reminder of how much has changed—Omega's presence aboard the Marauder, Noble taking Crosshair's old spot, Echo and Flash filling in as best they can.

Omega settles back down beside Gonky, munching on her ration while browsing the datapad Noble had lent her. Wrecker sighs and scratches his head. "Guess I'm not used to having a kid around."

Hunter glances over at Omega, nodding slightly. "None of us are. But she's not complaining." Just as he says this, the lights flicker, briefly plunging the ship into semi-darkness. Noble's eyes snap open, glowing faintly as she stirs once more.