Order 66 | The Bad Batch | Hunter

Chapter Sixteen- Season Two

Kiv jumped ahead of the others, falling into the ocean and managing to trip Echo while doing it.

"Kiv!" He scolded, pushing her face down into the water.

"Echo!" She yelled as Hunter pulled her to her feet. "I'm gonna get you for messing up my hair."

Hunter scoffed. "Not important!"

"Uh, yes it is! These curls don't curl themselves!" She snarked back, splashing at Echo. More splashing came from behind them, a sign that the crab-like creatures had caught up to them.

"You can get him back later!" Hunter yelled.

"Yeah! When we're not being chased by giant crabs!" Echo added, then turned to Wrecker. "Y'know, we went over the plan five times!"

"I got the package didn't I?!" Wrecker retorted.

"Just keep moving!" Hunter ordered.

"Well, it's not like it was entirely my fault!" Wrecker continued.

"Don't you dare!" Kiv yelled back.

"You were supposed to help me get the package!" He said.

"Wrecker!" Hunter scolded.

"I was busy making sure Echo didn't fall off the ledge!"

"Kiv!"

"No!" Echo interrupted. "You were busy flirting with Hunter!"

"Can we all just move on and try not to die?" Hunter yelled, shutting the rest of them up. He turned his comm on, alerting Tech. "Tech, we've got the cargo, but we could use some firepower."

"Wrecker woke the pod, didn't he?" Tech asked simply.

"Yes!" Kiv answered.

"And they're not happy," Hunter finished. "We need a pickup."

"Copy that. We're on our way," Omega was starting to sound so old. She really was growing up.

They continued running, the crabs slowly catching up to them.

"Tech, where are you?!" Wrecker yelled, just as the Marauder flew around the corner ahead of them, shooting at more of the crabs.

"Why is Omega hanging off the ship?" Hunter asked.

"It is an unscheduled study break."

Kiv laughed out loud, running forward and grabbing the line Omega had just lowered down. She hooked it onto the package and allowed the boys to climb on top of it. Then after hooking her legs underneath and allowing herself to dangle upside down, she pulled out her lightsaber, slashing at the crabs attacking them.

Once the line reached the ramp of the Marauder, Hunter reached down and pulled her up. They had a good system going for missions. They had a flow unlike any other Jedi/clone duo during the war.

"I thought the beach was gonna be relaxing," Wrecker grunted, throwing the package down on the ship.

"Me too, big guy," Kiv agreed.

Hunter pulled off his helmet, which Kiv took from him, placing it on the floor next to where she was sitting.

"Appreciate the backup, but try staying inside the ship next time," Hunter suggested.

"I'll try," Omega said. "But it was still pretty fun." Kiv reached up, giving Omega a fist bump.

Hunter glared at her, which Kiv only smiled at.

"You are very late," AZI commented. Kiv pushed his head as she walked by. "Mistress Cid has been extremely vocal about her displeasure."

"Well, there's a surprise," Echo droned.

The group made their way back into Cid's office, Wrecker carrying the package along with them.

"Well, well, well." Cid was there to greet them. "The space lugs decided to finally show up."

"Better late than dead, I always say," some lady said from her seat in Cid's chair.

"And who are you?" Hunter inquired.

"Wouldn't you like to know," she said, standing up. Kiv sneered silently at her, warming Hunter's heart a little bit. They weren't official yet, but at this point everyone knew it was coming. But still, even the tiniest hint of her affections made Hunter's day. "So, this is the top team you've been talking about? The rogue clones on the run from the Empire, huh? How juicy."

"You told her?" Hunter asked, his voice monotone.

"Don't get twitchy," Cid dismissed. "Phee's a friend. She's the most trustworthy pirate I know."

"Is that supposed to be comforting?" Kiv snarked.

"And the token girl," Phee smirked, grabbing Kiv's face. "Which one is it, hmm? Which lug is your lug?" Kiv pushed her hand away, crossing her arms. Phee stepped back, analyzing the boys. "Aren't clones supposed to look alike? So much for quality control." She stepped to Wrecker. "This ones too big." Then Omega. "This ones too small." Then Hunter. "This one's got a face tattoo. Yeah, real subtle." Then Tech. "Oh, hey now. Got a name, brown eyes?"

Kiv's jaw dropped as Tech looked up from his datapad.

"Tech," he said, adjusting his glasses. "However, the phenotypic eye color for all clones is brown. Iris pigmentation was not affected by our mutat-"

"Well, as fascinating as this has been, I have places to be." Kiv was chuckling as Phee interrupted Tech. Maybe they could actually get along. Phee tapped Wrecker's shoulder. "You. Let's see those muscles in action. Grab that, and follow me," she ordered.

Wrecker almost didn't know what to do, looking at Hunter for his permission. When Hunter nodded, Wrecker continued. "Uhh, yes, ma'am."

"And Cid, that intel is not free," Phee continued. "I expect a cut if your 'top team' comes through."

The batch watched as she left before turning back to Cid.

"What is she talking about?" Hunter asked.

"Your next mission," Cid explained. "You lot are heading to the Outer Rim." She clicked a button on her table and a holo map appeared.

"That is Castle Serenno, the former home of Count Dooku," Tech informed.

"Dooku?" Kiv questioned, realizing why the pictured castle was so familiar to her. She'd been there before. "Oh, no. We're not doing this."

"Who's Dooku?" Omega asked.

"A Jedi who betrayed the Republic and led the Separatists in a war," Echo informed her.

"With him being dead, Dooku's entire war chest is up for grabs," Cid continued. "The Empire's already started pillaging his palace, but there's still time to strike before it's all gone."

"Too much of a risk," Hunter said. "You want that war chest? You go after it." Kiv sighed, silently thanking Hunter. She never wanted to return to that place again.