NOBLE: The Bad Batch

𝟑𝟒: A New Home

18 BBY | Month 3 Day, 31
Hyperspace | Havoc Marauder
After a mission at 'Club Lao Che'

The Havoc Marauder hurtles through hyperspace, its hull humming with the rhythmic pulse of the ship's drive. After a whirlwind mission—exchanging a tree-shaped artifact for credits—the Batch finally has a moment to breathe.

In the cockpit, Phee Genoa leans against the doorway, arms crossed. Her dark skin catches the soft glow of the console lights, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she watches Omega with Wrecker and Gonky. The power droid honks as Omega giggles, ducking under Wrecker's arm in a mock wrestling match.

"Kid's gotten more impressive," Phee comments, keeping her voice low as she glances at Hunter.

Hunter doesn't look up from the control panel. "Her training's paying off. She learns fast—especially with Noble around. Always there to teach her what she needs to know."

"Oh, I know she's got the whole soldier thing down," Phee replies, tilting her head. "But don't you think she should learn some other skills?"

"What other skills?" Tech asks, sliding into the conversation with his usual analytical tone.

Phee raises a brow. "Omega spends all her time with you guys. Yellow Eyes counts as an exception, especially now she's got two mini-hers wandering around. The kid needs friends. Ones her own age—and who don't share her genetic profile."

Tech adjusts his goggles, his expression unchanging. "We never had such a thing. I do not see the issue."

"No kidding," Phee mutters, shaking her head.

A sudden crackle from the comms cuts through the moment. Tech taps a few keys on his pilot console. "Incoming transmission—from Cid," he announces, earning a wary look from Hunter.

"Patch it through," Hunter says.

The screen blips to life, but instead of Cid's grizzled face, only static and distortion fill the cockpit. The message is scratchy, and the voice is warped and unsettling.

"So... it's been 20 rotations and no word. You better be dead because your absence has cost me a few scores. Remember our mutually beneficial arrangements and how well we know one AnOthErrr... if you know what I mean. You'd do well to not assume I am just threatening you bOYssss—and giRLSss...."

The transmission cuts off abruptly, leaving a harsh hiss of static before it goes silent. Flash steps into the cockpit, his brow furrowed. "That was a little creepy dont ya think?"

Phee's expression shifts, a mix of amusement and concern. She plants a hand on her hip, turning to Hunter. "Mm. You didn't mention you cut ties with Cid."

"Our... mutually beneficial arrangement wasn't so beneficial," Hunter replies, his tone flat. He exchanges a glance with Flash, who just shakes his head.

"She's been causing a lot of problems," Flash adds, sliding off to the side to get to the tool box so he can tinker with Gonky for a bit.

"Figured that out, did you?" Phee smirks, easing into a chair. She brings her fingers behind her head, regarding Flash with a relaxed but sharp gaze. "She's a useful ally, but not someone you want to cross. No matter how long you've known her. Do you have a plan?"

Hunter makes a vague gesture around the ship. "You're looking at it."

Phee's lips press into a thin line, her expression somewhere between a grin and a grimace. The Marauder is a refuge and a prison all at once—constantly on the move, never with a clear direction. Gonky honks, his defective circuits chiming in with the awkward silence.