A/N: There could be spoilers in this. Also, is there a Bad Batch category on FFN yet? If there is, I can't find it :/
"We're not dummy droids!" Wrecker bellows, loud enough to ring through Echo's headpiece.
"That much we agree on."
Echo's breath catches in his throat when he hears Tarkin's voice, and as much as he tries to quell the rising nausea, he can't stop the memories of Lola Sayu from resurfacing.
"This is our only chance! We've got to stop him!"
"Echo, look out!"
"Echo!"
He's the first to stand to attention- opposite from Crosshair but not daring to make eye contact. Tarkin isn't like Skywalker or General Kenobi- he takes the whole superior and inferior thing seriously.
Echo used to, but not anymore- not since joining the Bad Batch.
"That was quite an impressive display," Tarkin says, stepping inside the barracks without permission just as Hunter is the last one to stand to attention. Skywalker always asked for permission to enter the 501st's personal spaces.
"Didn't have much choice," Hunter responds, casting a glance at Wrecker who bears a deep scorch mark in the side of his chest plate- courtesy of the live rounds fired at them during the training drill. He'll certainly have a bruise.
"Our new Empire may have methods which seem a bit unorthodox, but so does this squadron." Tarkin carries on, walking past each soldier in turn. He doesn't look at Echo- for now. "Both certainly have their merits."
Echo can't see anything merit-worthy about this new Empire.
"Nala Se speaks quite highly of her five enhanced clones. She claims you're more capable than an army."
They are, but if Tarkin is suggesting mutating every clone to create a better army, then he's an idiot. Echo knows- maybe the most out of the entire Bad Batch- that enhancements can sometimes cause more discomfort and pain than anything else.
"You have a mission for us, sir?" Hunter asks- apprehensively.
"Indeed." Tarkin turns to him, "We have tracked a group of insurgents to the Onderon Sector. They must be dealt with."
"What sort of insurgents?" Echo pipes up, and immediately wishes he kept his mouth shut as Tarkin looks at him.
"Separatist forces intent on keeping the galaxy at war," he answers simply.
"Separatists forces?" From who-knows-where, Echo musters up the courage to question the orders, "I don't get it; that's exactly what the Jedi were doing."
Tarkin's features skew and the two shock troopers straighten at the mention of the Force-users. This makes no sense to Echo. The Jedi have never been seen as a threat before, and clones were bred to respect their Jedi leaders.
How did one order change that?
"And now it's your job," Tarkin fires back, then his eyes narrow, "What's your name, soldier?"
"Echo, Admiral," he replies- cool toned and eyes dead ahead.
Tarkin hums in thought, and for a man of his age, it doesn't take him long to put the pieces together. "Former-ARC trooper Echo?"
"Once an ARC, always an ARC," Hunter cuts in, sparing Tarkin a glare of warning, "That title hasn't been taken away from him."
Tarkin ignores the Sergeant and looks Echo up and down. It takes effort to not squirm under his gaze, "You're more cybernetics than clone following the Citadel."
A lump forms in his throat, and Echo gives him a small, "Sir," in response to the statement.
"And to think it was General Kenobi who wanted to rush on and leave you for dead." Tarkin muses, a slight smile on his lips. Echo forces his breaths to slow. "Surely, you would see the Jedi in a dimmer light after that betrayal."
He won't stand in silence whilst this man insults his former COs.
Echo moves his gaze to look Tarkin in the eye, "And it was General Skywalker who came to rescue me from the Techno Union. Respectfully, Admiral, don't forget who stopped Osi Sobeck from killing you on Lola Sayu. I've read the report."
Tarkin's thin eyebrows raise, then he quickly masks his surprise with a cool expression, "Ah, yes. Commander Tano, was it? I'm not sure if you heard, but she was expelled from the Order after being accused of terrorism against the Republic. I was the one to trial her."
Fire burns in Echo's chest, but he tries to appear collected. He can't let Tarkin see how angry he's getting. "She was proven innocent and left the Order by choice."
Tarkin chuckles, starting to walk away, "Of course, she did. I wonder, did she ever come to say goodbye to any of her men? She must've heard that you were back in the field. Then again, she probably has other priorities now."
Hunter gives him a look of warning to keep his mouth shut, but Echo doesn't hold back, "She was a better CO than you could ever wish to be, sir."
"Echo," Tech hisses, but it does nothing to quell the storm rising in the former-regs heart. He fought alongside his Jedi for years, and nobody will disrespect either of them whilst he stands by and listens submissively.
Slowly, Tarkin turns around and takes a menacing step forwards Echo. He flinches on instinct- still plagued by memories of what speaking out of turn could do with the Techno Union. The Admiral notices his fear, and smiles- kriffing smiles.
"I might remind you, trooper, that I'm responsible for the upkeep of the clone army for the time being, and I don't take well to insubordination."
It's a clear threat that Tarkin would be prepared to do something to keep them in line and following orders. That's not what the Bad Batch is about, but if that's what it takes to survive…
Tarkin looks across the rest of the group, "If you neutralise this grave threat, you will be looked upon most favourably as I assess the needs of the Imperial army."
Imperial army- no more GAR.
No more Jedi- they're all gone. Echo imagines the 501st turning against their General and Commander. He can't see Rex willingly raising his blasters against his friends, but he's seen a lot in the last twenty-four hours that's shocked him.
"Echo," there's a hand on his shoulder, "He's gone."
He flexes his shaking hand, "Did I kriff that up?"
"Hardly," Hunter reassures, patting his shoulder, "We weren't bound to get along with Tarkin anyway."
Echo shakes his head, "I couldn't stand by whilst he dragged my Jedi officers' names through the dirt."
"We know," Hunter assures, "but you've got to keep your head in the game." He looks up at the rest of the batch, "Lads, let's prepare to move out."