Rest, Children

Hello, everyone. This prompt is one that I thought of while watching Clone Cadets. ENjoy.

The Bad Batch had finished intense training after a week of being tested for their enhancements. They were all tired, but they couldn't sleep. Hunter laid down in his bunk while Crosshair sat down at the table. Tech worked on a project while Wrecker lifted weights. Hunter looked around and winced at the lights. Crosshair heard Hunter's breath hitch and he set down his weapon. He walked over to Hunter and placed his hand on Hunter's shoulder.

"You should sleep." Crosshair whispered.

"I can't. It's too much." Hunter sighed.

"I know."

The door opened and the boys stood up at attention and looked at their visitor.

"General Shaak Ti, what can we do for you?" Hunter wondered.

"You can sit down around the table." Shaak Ti suggested.

The boys sat around the table with Shaak Ti.

"Today was the first time I'd watched you train. You are by far one of the best squads I have ever seen." Shaak Ti explained.

"But?" Crosshair wondered.

"I sensed great pain and exhaustion from each of you. I sense it even now. And now as I look at each of you, I see it in your eyes."

Shaak Ti laid her hand on Tech's head and he felt relaxed. Then she did the same to Wrecker.

"It was after this training exercise that I was made aware of your abilities and all that you have endured. I was disgusted to learn that 4possibly more clones were being treated in such a horrible manner." Shaak Ti stated. "Rest assured, you ones, I have dealt with your personal trainers. They will not harm you again. Nor will they harm another clone. I have tried to discourage the Kaminoians from experimenting on you, but to no avail. I am sorry."

"Why do you care about us? We're just units." Tech wondered.

"That is where you are wrong. You are all human beings. Special."

"Thank you," Hunter mumbled. "Thank you for helping us."

"It is the least I could do. You all have great potential, but in order to become warriors, you must rest." Shaak Ti replied. She stood up and removed Tech's datapad and tools from his hands. "That means put away all your projects." She guided Tech to bed and Tech laid down and Shaak Ti used the force to cover him with the blanket. Then she walked over to Wrecker and removed the weight in his hand and gave him Lula. "Put down your weights." She guided Wrecker to bed and covered him. She walked over to Crosshair and placed his rifle on the table. "Put down your weapons." She guided Crosshair to bed and she tapped his forehead. "Relax your eyes." She covered Crosshair and then she walked over to Hunter and guided him to bed. "Forget your burdens." Hunter laid down and Shaak Ti placed her hand on Hunter's forehead. "Relax your mind and sleep. Tomorrow will bring a great many troubles all of its own. But do not worry about them tonight."

"Shaak Ti, it hurts," Hunter murmured. Shaak Ti nodded and placed her hand on Hunter's chest. Hunter felt his sensory overload go away and he smiled. Shaak Ti walked over to Crosshair and did the same causing his eyes to feel much better. She walked over to Wrecker and placed her hand on his chest relieving his hunger pains and growth pains. Lastly, she walked over to Tech and placed her hand on his forehead causing his mind and his eyes to rest.

"Rest, children, rest." Shaak Ti whispered as she watched the four close their eyes and fall asleep. She turned down the lights and she left the room. She knew she could not be attached to these boys, but there was a part of her that worried more for them than any other clones. She did not know what would happen to them, but she did know that they would become great warriors and even better brothers.

THE END