A/N: Has this not been done yet? Why not? I must fill this gap. :D

So, this take place about six months after the end of the Clone Wars. Since I have them stopping for supplies, let's say the squad is on an away mission that has them tailing someone for some reason.

"Meiloorun?"

Hunter blinked at the red-yellow orb thrust into his face. He politely pushed the merchant's hand away.

"Not today," Hunter said.

Hunter walked away from the stall, pushing Omega in front of him. He automatically scanned the area, finding no cause for concern. Tech and Echo -his cybernetics hidden under a floppy hat and shirt sleeves- were at a nearby stall selling bits of tech. Wrecker was further along, buying water and rations.

Hunter tried to relax as he and Omega joined Tech and Echo. The squad wasn't on the run -not at the moment, at least. They had stopped only on the planet Lothal for supplies since their mission was running longer than planned. They weren't in any trouble.

And then Hunter saw a pair of Imperials enter the far end of the street, close to where Wrecker was. Hunter glanced at Echo, who nodded slightly and took Omega's arm. Hunter walked toward Wrecker, who hadn't noticed the Imperials while he spoke to the vendor.

Hunter reached Wrecker at the same time as the Imperials, unfortunately. Not knowing if there were more Imperials nearby, Hunter decided to play it cool.

Hunter put a hand on Wrecker's shoulder in a friendly manner, subtly telling him to not react. He could feel Wrecker tense, but he remained calm. To Hunter's amusement, the vendor dropped his friendly smile to address the troopers.

"Can I help you?" the farmer asked.

"Just a routine chain-code check," the trooper said in a tone that clearly showed he felt he had more important places to be.

"Of course," the farmer said without changing expression.

While the farmer held out his chain-code, Hunter took a casual step back with Wrecker.

"Hold it right there," said the second trooper. "I need to see your chain codes."

Hunter made a show of checking his pockets. "Sorry, looks like we left them on our ship."

The trooper shook his head. The first trooper gave the farmer back his chain code and turned to them.

"Chain codes are to be kept on you at all times," the first trooper recited. "You'll need to come with us for questioning."

"Oh, wait a second," Wrecker said with an overly friendly grin, "I've got them right here!"

On the last word, Wrecker punched the nearest trooper hard enough to slam into the other. Both crashed into a crate of fruit and didn't move.

"Wrecker!" Hunter scolded.

"What? I don't like questions," Wrecker said with an innocent grin.

Hunter huffed, then glanced at the farmer. "Sorry about the mess."

"It's about time someone did that," the farmer chuckled.

"What?"

Hunter looked around. The civilians were regarding the unconscious troopers with disinterest or amusement, unconcerned with Wrecker's actions.

The farmer suddenly stood and moved closer to the building. "Now, come, follow me before back-up arrives."

Before he followed, Hunter checked where he'd left Omega with Tech and Echo. The three were gone, hopefully having snuck off when Wrecker punched the trooper. Then, Hunter and Wrecker ran after the farmer. Behind them, confused voices rose from the market.

"Where are we going?" Hunter asked.

"The city will be locked down before you can reach your ship," the farmer said. "I know someone who can help you lay low until nightfall."

"Why are you helping us?" Wrecker asked.

"I like the Empire just as much as you," the farmer said.

The farmer suddenly stopped and pressed himself behind a crate. Hunter and Wrecker followed his example, seconds before a patrol ran in the direction of the market.

"I'm Morad, by the way," the farmer said as he continued on.

"Hunter. That's Wrecker," Hunter said.

Hunter pushed back a flicker of unease. It wasn't the first time locals had helped the Batch escape Imperial soldiers, but depending on a farmer for safety never got any easier.

Despite Hunter's misgivings, the group made it without incident to the entrance of a building with a sign reading "Old Jho's Pit Stop" over it. Hunter followed Morad inside with hesitation, but found only an eating establishment with no sign of the Empire.

"Hunter!"

Hunter turned, startled by Omega's voice. Omega ran up to him, followed by Echo, Tech, and the man from the tech booth. Hunter hadn't paid the vendor any attention before, but he, like Morad, had a kind face.

"Ephraim told us you were coming, but I was worried," Omega said, leaning against Hunter.

Hunter patted her shoulder while he studied their rescuers.

Both had the light brown skin of the locals and slight builds. They also both had black hair, although Morad's was streaked with gray. And while Morad's dark eyes were mild, Ephraim's deep blue eyes were penetrating and intense.

"Ephraim Bridger!" a voice shouted, making the group jump.

Ephraim spun with a guilty smile as a man in an official emblem on his tunic stormed down steps in the back of the building.

"Ryder!" Ephraim said. "What are you up to?"

"What am I-" Ryder pinched the bridge of his nose briefly, then grabbed Ephraim's arm and dragged him to the side, saying over his shoulder, "Excuse us for a minute."

Morad chuckled. "Don't worry. Ryder's against the Empire as well. He just doesn't like when we're so… obvious about it."

Hunter hummed, then focused. Ryder and Ephraim were far enough away to be out of earshot of everyone but Hunter.

"Ephraim, do you have any idea who those people are?"

"People who need our help?"

"Ephraim!"

"Yes, yes, I know who they are, Ryder. But they did need our help."

"You must stop getting involved against the Empire. Think of Mira-"

"The transmissions were Mira's idea, Ryder. You know that."

"Then think of Ezra! Who will raise your son if you two are caught by the Empire?"

Now Ephraim did hesitate, but not for long. "Ryder, we can't just lie down and let the Empire do as they wish. I'd rather die fighting the Empire then let Ezra grow up in a world where he has to hide."

Hunter suddenly felt like he was invading a personal conversation, and turned his attention back to his teammates.

Wrecker was tense, as he always was when the Empire was searching for them. Tech was on his datapad, checking security feeds and patrol placements. Echo seemed surprisingly relaxed, chatting with Morad about how long the Empire had been on Lothal. Omega was staying close to Hunter, watching everyone around them.

"Alright," Ephraim said as he rejoined them a minute later, a sullen-looking Ryder leaving the building. "Let's get you out of here. Hey, Old Jho, we need to use your back door."

The Ithorian behind the bar nodded and walked from behind the bar to an empty alcove in the corner. In the floor was a circular hatch that Old Jho opened to reveal a tunnel and a rank smell.

Echo plugged his nose. "The sewers?"

"Run all through the city," Ephraim explained. "Follow me. Thanks, Old Jho."

"You're welcome. Be safe," Old Jho said before returning to the bar.

Ephraim climbed down a ladder in the tunnel wall. Shrugging to the others, Hunter followed. Wrecker went next, then Omega, Tech, and Echo. Morad called a soft good-bye, then closed the hatch.

The group was thrown into darkness until Ephraim turned on a flashlight. Hunter and Tech had flashlights in their packs, so they dug them out as well.

After a brief climb, Ephraim dropped with a splat. Hunter grimaced and dropped to the sewer floor, doing his best to not imagine what was in the ankle-deep slime. Wrecker landed beside Hunter, then reached up and plucked Omega off the ladder and put her on his shoulders. Tech gave no indication of caring, but Echo gave a dramatic groan when he stepped down.

"It's not pleasant, but the Empire never thinks to check down here," Ephraim said with a grin. He sloshed his way down the tunnel. "Come on."

"Do these tunnels lead to the shipyard?" Hunter asked.

"Yes, but you won't be able to get close to your ship yet," Ephraim said. "Troopers will be guarding every ship."

"We can handle them," Wrecker said.

"I bet you could, but you'd have the whole Imperial force here looking for you. If you wait until nightfall, it will be easy to get out unnoticed."

"Why?" Echo asked as he took rather exaggerated steps.

"The troopers stationed here don't like to take the night watch, so the locals have been forced to watch the shipyard at night." Ephraim shrugged. "And we kind of suck at that job."

"Won't you get in trouble if we escape while you're on duty?" Hunter asked.

"Eh, what can they do: fire us for sleeping on the job?" Ephraim said lightly. "It's not something that will work much longer, but we'll use it to our advantage for as long as we can."

"You're taking a lot of risk for a bunch of strangers," Echo said.

"Hey, the Empire wants you just because you resisted their orders," Ephraim said. "That puts us on the same side."

"That is a very… simple way to look at it," Tech said.

"Which we appreciate," Hunter added. "But it's still a big risk."

"Can't fight against the Empire without taking a few risks," Ephraim said with a smile.

Ephraim led the way through a confusing series of tunnels, eventually reaching another ladder to the surface. Ephraim gestured for the Batch to wait, then cautiously climbed to the top and opened the hatch.

"Oh, hey, little guy," Ephraim said. He called down, "It's clear, come up!"

"Who's he talking to?" Omega asked.

"Guess we'll find out," Hunter said, climbing up the ladder first.

When Hunter emerged, he found they were in the abandoned end of an alley. Ephraim was uncoiling a hose from a hook on the wall, and there was a pure white tooka with blue eyes sitting at his feet.

The tooka mewed and got up to sniff everyone as they emerged. Omega was delighted, immediately kneeling so she could pet it.

Ephraim flipped a switch on the wall, and water poured out of the hose. Everyone used it to clean the muck off their boots, then Ephraim hosed the surrounding area clean.

"There, now the troopers won't know we were here," Ephraim said as he recoiled the hose. "My house is near here, but we'll have to be careful."

"Obviously," Tech said.

Echo rolled his eyes, but Ephraim didn't seem to notice them. He trotted down the alley. The tooka left Omega to follow him, and the Batch hurried to catch up.

Ephraim led them into the street and to the corner, then ground to a stop and looked down. Hunter followed his gaze and found the tooka had its ears flat. The tooka hissed, then ran back the way they'd come.

"This way," Ephraim whispered, running after the tooka.

The group ran down the street and followed the tooka into a different alley. They pressed themselves against the wall, and Hunter heard a patrol cross the intersection they'd nearly reached. They waited until the sound of footsteps had faded before moving back into the street.

"When in doubt, trust the loth-cats," Ephraim said, crouching to pet the tooka. "They hate the troopers as much as we do."

The tooka mewed and ran off. Ephraim followed and, with a few shrugs, so did the Batch. It wasn't long before they stopped in front of one of the dozens of identical houses. Ephraim took a key card from his pocket and opened the door.

"Mira, I'm home," Ephraim said. "I brought guests and trouble."

Hunter blinked at the statement, but Ephraim got a laugh in return.

"Don't you always?"

Ephraim smiled and greeted the woman at the door with a kiss to her forehead, just under the headpiece hiding her hair. Like Ephraim, she had light brown skin, and her simple clothes were colored a soft lavender.

Ephraim waved the squad inside the small house. "Everyone, this is my wife, Mira."

Hunter introduced the squad, and Mira kindly greeted them all.

"I hope Ephraim hasn't dragged you into any trouble," Mira said.

"Mira, I would never," Ephraim said with a mock-offended frown.

"I'm afraid we brought trouble to you," Echo said. "Your husband helped us when Imperials were causing us problems."

"Oh, I'm used to dodging Imperials," Mira said.

"She's the best," Ephraim praised.

Hunter turned his head at voices in the street. "Speaking of, an Imperial patrol is coming."

Ephraim quickly sobered and went to a low, round table. He moved it aside, revealing a hole in the floor.

"Downstairs, quickly," Ephraim urged.

Hunter waved his team ahead. Wrecker went first, with Omega right behind him. Echo followed, then Tech went last. Hunter hesitated at the top of the ladder.

"You can hide down there until nightfall," Ephraim said. "I must go back to my stall, but Mira will make sure no one disturbs you."

Hunter nodded, unease at trusting his squad's safety in the hands of a stranger pricking at him again. But, the troopers were getting closer; he had no choice.

Hunter climbed down the ladder into an even smaller round room, lit by a single light bar. He glanced up as Ephraim pushed the table back over the opening, then scanned their hiding place.

Electronics and recording disks were scattered across a couple small tables. A tool belt hung on the wall, and two stools were pushed against the wall. A rattle and soft tooka plush laid on the floor, reminding Hunter of Ryder's words about Ephraim having a son.

Hunter realized he'd crossed his arms, and made himself lower them. "Might as well get comfortable. We've got half a day to wait out."

Wrecker sat cross-legged at the base of the ladder, keeping watch without being asked. Echo sat nearby, but leaned his head against the wall and closed his eyes. Tech was already poking around the electronics, and Omega was watching him curiously.

With nothing better to do, Hunter sat beside Echo. He smirked when he heard Echo's steady breathing. He'd fallen asleep.

Omega got bored watching Tech and wandered around the room, gathering the disks and sorting them according to some system Hunter didn't see. After a bit, she settled herself beside Hunter and leaned against him. She'd picked up the tooka plush, and sat there stroking it.

Hunter watched her, content to sit still with Omega's warm presence pressed against him. They'd been on the move for the last week, and the relative safety had his body urging him to take advantage of it.

"It's a transmitter."

Hunter startled and blinked hard a couple times. He'd been about to doze off.

"What is?" Hunter asked.

Tech pointed to the device on the table. "It's been modified to mask it's signal, and it doesn't look like it sends images or receives messages."

"So?"

"It's an unusual item for a family on a farming planet," Tech said.

Hunter shrugged a shoulder. "Sounds like Ephraim and Mira have had problems with the Imperials before. Actually, Ryder mentioned something about transmissions to Ephraim. Could be because of that."

Tech didn't respond. He might have been too busy poking around the transmitter to have heard.

Hunter watched Tech for a bit, feeling Omega shifting as she played with the tooka plush. After struggling to keep his eyes open for a few more minutes, Hunter gave up and let himself doze.

Hunter was alone when he woke up. He could hear the others talking upstairs, so Hunter opened his eyes. He was surprised to find a blanket wrapped around him, since he usually woke up if something touched him while he was asleep.

Strange, but the sense of safety persisted, so Hunter shrugged it off. He was probably just more tired than he'd thought. Hunter folded the blanket and set it aside, then climbed to the main floor.

Tech, Echo, Ephraim, and Mira were huddled around a holo-image in a tiny kitchen. Wrecker and Omega were sitting on the floor. Omega was holding a baby on her lap.

Hunter looked at the tiny boy. Even seeing the baby toys in the transmitter room hadn't prepared Hunter for the Bridger's child to be so… young.

"Hey, Hunter," Omega said. "This is Ezra. Isn't he cute?"

Hunter looked at the baby's big blue eyes and fluffy head of hair, and had to smile. "Yeah, he is."

Ezra's face squished into a huge gaping grin and he gave a happy babble of noises. Hunter chuckled as he joined the others in the kitchen.

"You're finally up," Echo commented. "I was about to go look for a pulse."

Hunter rolled his eyes. "I wasn't sleeping for that long."

Echo smirked. "Hunter, you've been asleep for eight hours."

Hunter blinked, looked at Echo, then turned to the window. It had been almost midday when they'd taken refuge, but it was almost night outside. He turned slowly back to the others, clearing his throat uncomfortably.

"...did I miss anything important?"

"Imperials never realized who you are," Ephraim said. "They thought you and Wrecker were just a couple of troublemakers. They pretty much gave up as soon as they started searching."

"That will make getting out of here easier, then," Hunter said, ignoring Echo and Tech's persistent grins. "How soon can we leave?"

"Night watch will be starting soon," Ephraim said.

"Then we'd better get ready to go," Hunter said.

"Not yet," Mira said. "There's still time to eat some supper. And don't bother arguing; Echo already tried. But something tells me it's been too long since you had a home-cooked meal."

Hunter closed his mouth. The last time they'd eaten anything that wasn't a ration bar or freeze-dried was… probably Saleucami. So, no, Mira wasn't wrong.

"Supper sounds great," Hunter said instead.

Omega gasped. "Hunter, look!"

Hunter turned.

Omega was staring with huge eyes at Ezra, who had his chubby arms held aloft. Above his hands, a wooden cube appeared to float.

Hunter blinked and took a step closer. Omega and Ezra weren't touching the cube at all. It was actually floating!

"Your son has the Force," Echo whispered, as though afraid to say it too loud.

"He's a Jedi?" Hunter asked.

"A youngling, technically," Tech corrected.

"Ah… maybe in another time," Mira said.

Mira went and knelt in front of Ezra. She gently took the cube from the air and handed it to her baby, who giggled and shoved the toy into his mouth.

"How have you kept him hidden so long?" Echo asked, still whispering. "The Republic kept track of all Force-sensitive children."

"Ezra was born on the day the war ended," Mira explained.

Hunter looked at the mother and child. Yikes, tough life day.

"There aren't any Jedi left to find him, and the Empire is still too new to be looking for new younglings," Ephraim said. "I hope."

Hunter briefly thought of the padawan he'd let escape back on Kaller. He wondered if the kid was still alive, and if Ezra would be more or less at risk if another Force wielder was with him.

"Younglings escaped even the Jedi's notice, even when there were thousands of Jedi," Echo said. "Your son will be safe."

Hunter nodded. "Nobody will hear about him from us, I promise."

"Well, I'd hope so," Mira said. "After we fed you and everything."

Even Echo laughed at Mira's words and mock-haughty tone.

Shortly after, the Bad Batch followed Ephraim outside. Hunter glanced back at the Bridger's house before they were out of sight. He nodded to Mira, who was holding Ezra, then kept walking.

The group reached the shipyard without incident. A Rodian opened the gate for them, babbling nervously in his native language to Ephraim.

"It's okay, Tseebo," Ephraim said. Turning to the others, he explained, "Tseebo said there's some trooper patrols tonight. None in the yard, but you might be spotted leaving."

"We'll be fine," Hunter said. "The Marauder can outrun whatever they might have."

Tseebo muttered something and closed the gate. Ephraim just chuckled and moved on.

Luckily, the Imperial troopers hadn't locked down any of the ships, otherwise getting out would have been a bit louder than Hunter liked.

"Thanks," Hunter told Ephraim as Tech unlocked the ship. "That was a big risk you took for us."

Ephraim held out a hand to shake Hunter's. "Just an average week for us."

"Do you hide rebels regularly?" Echo asked.

"No, actually." Ephraim grinned. "Tune into frequency zero when you take off. You might hear something interesting in the next hour."

"Okay?"

The group quickly said their good-byes, then the squad boarded the Marauder. Ephraim trotted off, pausing at the gate to wave when Tech started the ship. Everyone waved back, then the Marauder turned toward the sky.

"Echo," Hunter said. "Find frequency zero. I want to hear what Ephraim meant."

"Every day, the Empire's presence grows stronger. They take over our businesses, our farms, our homes. Anyone who resists is imprisoned… or killed."

The message had no face or location. The voices were distorted. But Hunter knew it was the Bridgers.

"The Empire thinks that if they knock us down, that we'll stay down. Stay on our knees and beg for our lives while everything is stolen from us."

And it wasn't just one transmission. There were more, each one bold and fierce, telling people to resist the Empire. It became a habit for the squad to stop what they were doing and listen to what the Bridgers had to say.

"Well… they're wrong. We have too much to fight for."

Word of the Bridger transmissions spread from planet to planet. Message after message, the Bridgers drew more people, more families, more planets into stubborn resistance.

"Our families, our homes, our futures! And the future of those who come after us."

Until, six and half years later, frequency zero went silent.

"For if we must die, know this: we will die on our feet. Die fighting for what we believe in. People who the Empire would see lay down and give up, rise up! Rise up and fight for the future. A future for our children!"

A/N: Tah-dee. :D So, Mira got Ezra's stubborn recklessness. (If Sato's cell had shown up fifteen years earlier, she'd have been out there fighting Imperials with baby Ezra on her back. XD) For Ephraim... I wrote most of him while picturing that scene in S4E3 where Ezra's sitting on an Imperial relay dish, smiling sheepishly and waving at the Imperials who just spotted him and Sabine. :D