The Bad Batch - Mini Stories

A Ghost of a Second Chance

“Sargeant, we are surrounded!” 

Hunter’s head whipped around from where he was shooting behind cover beside one of his men, his demolition expert known as Wrecker looked over only to frown beneath his helmet. 

“Wrecker, we need a distraction. Bravo squad, head east. We will rendezvous beside the creek before travelling up north to the extraction site” 

“Understood Sergeant, Corporal Echo out” 

With a nod, Hunter turned to Wrecker who threw a grenade high and at a range of ten feet which was small for the bigger man but it was the target. The two then turned and legged it for the tree’s behind them as they covered each other while an explosion that went sky high caused a huge distraction allowing bravo squad to get away. 

“Echo, are you clear?” 

“We are” 

“Any casualties?” 

“No but we do have a shoulder injury” 

“Who?” 

“Lieutenant Fives but he’s still delusional from the extraction” 

“Not good, hang tight. Me and Wrecker are on the way” Hunter was quick to say as he received an affirmative. Wrecker grinned running beside the one he called a brother, even if they had all met due to the war, they had all become family whether they wanted to or not. 

“Are you going to check in with Mr A-hole?” Wrecker teased making Hunter grin. 

“I better. Do me a favour and watch our six. We must be ready for an ambush” Hunter ordered, Wrecker could only nod as the two came to a man-made path which they shortly tracked Corporal Echo, Corporal Tech and Lieutenant Fives. The first two conscious while Fives looked to have been sedated. 

“Anything for you, Sarge” Wrecker laughed, before turning serious and holding his modified assault rifle before he walked off to get a better view of the area as he continued to circle the small enclosure they had managed to snag for the time being. It was just beside a beautiful waterfall and cliff’s edge which scrambled any of their signals for the time being. Hunter could only sigh thinking about the youngest of the squad, the one who didn’t class himself as family but had somehow made his way into each of their hearts especially Hunter’s, as not long ago the two had become partners in more ways than one. But, on the job they were First Sergeant and Second in Command Sergeant. Yep, they basically held the same title but out of the two, Hunter would rather lead and the other had a few other titles considering they weren’t one for sticking with a squad all the time, they were sent to work with others. 

“How’s the view looking Crosshair?” 

“...” 

“Cross, come in” 

“...” 

Hunter frowned, turning to Tech who looked up and shook his head. It was clear there was no interference so what was taking their resident sniper to answer the comm line. 

“Hunter, we have multiple heat signatures heading straight for us” Tech called out. 

“Sarge, we have a problem” Wrecker suddenly appeared, Hunter turned around only to freeze as footsteps followed by clapping had all attention turned to the trees where a known rogue, a terrorist called Wilhuff Tarkin appeared. He was wearing a smug expression as Tech, Wrecker and Echo held their guns at the ready while Hunter held a pistol. 

“Now, Sergeant. I’d suggest telling your men to stand down, if you all want to see tomorrow in” Tarkin suggested, as he gestured to the multiple men he had surrounding the small squad. Hunter frowned, he continued to aim despite the laser pointers and the injured unconscious Fives on the floor under Echo who had taken his stance to protect his twin. “Pity, I never thought it would come to this…”