When in trouble, call the Bad Batch team
Trouble always finds you, no matter where you go.
Ord Mantell, the centre of life. Once a proverbial mecca of commerce and a thriving space port for those weary travellers flying across the wide galaxy in a need of a safe haven. But not only that, as the myriad of produce and services provided there, would not leave anyone cold. The mere mention of the name, Ord Mantell, a rose in the midst of a desert, had brought tears of pride into the inhabitants eyes.
But that was then, and this, is now.
Ord Mantell might not have been much to look at anymore, but it served its purpose. At least for those who wanted to lay low and out of the way of the Empire. Or basically, anyone who ever needed a hideout, if running amok in the wide of the galaxy. Running from the law, creditors or even an angry spouse or few. This was the place to do just that.
Even if the roses had bloomed a long time ago.
For the Bad Batch, this was a specially fortunate and lucrative respite.
Getting their much needed missions from the sole provider, the infamous barkeep Cid. Taking on any gig they deemed worthy of their time and effort. At least mostly so, if it was for a good cause and paid a few credits. And even if it always wasn't.
Still, the Bad Batch's main goal these days, was that of helping those, who could not help themselves.
The grapevine message for all those in a dire need, spoken in hushed tones on the streets. If feeling lucky enough indeed, to find this team in hiding. To figure the team's unlisted call sign, then those too, would be able to hire, the Bad Batch team. That is, if the team wanted to be in the path of finding.
A rose by any other name
Regs, cyborgs and enhanced clones - their designations really does not matter anymore.
"You, are all, clones?" The woman asked sounding uncertain while glaring at the team after having met the Batch she was about to hire for a rather delicate operation.
"Yes. Is that a problem for you?" Echo was the one to make the snide query to figure out their prospect client's attitude towards the former troopers, now mercenaries for hire.
Tech nudged him slightly. Even if Tech totally agreed with Echo's attitude.
As it should have made no difference whom they were as long as they could do the job the woman was about to hire them for. Getting a scowl from Echo in return. As it was, the job would be a relatively easy one with a high pay. But it seemed at least to Echo and perhaps to the rest of the squad, that their new client had some prejudice for the clones. And Echo for one, would not have it.
The woman looked baffled, perhaps scared even of the grouchy voice and badass attitude of the clone in front of her. It did not help that they were all now staring back at her, demanding an answer.
"No, no! Not at all. I know you are all very, um capable." She finally told them. And despite her fears and whatever feelings she might have housed before, she had decided the Batch would succeed where others had failed.
"Good. Then we are in an agreement then?" Hunter piled on matching the tone of Echo's.
"We are." The woman stated. "Here is the description of the runaway." The woman offered the data disc over to Hunter, who gladly took it from her. "Contact me when you have found them." She stated rather softly as clearly, Echo had managed to intimidate her somewhat and she wanted to leave as soon as they had made their deal.
After the woman left, Tech was the one to berate Echo.
"You should not have scared her like that."
"Why not? Clearly her trust started to fade as soon as she saw us, the fact that we were, clones." Echo defended his actions.
"Well, whatever her attitude towards us was, we could have handled it better." Tech reminded Echo and glanced at the others as well, as their faces had pretty much told their client how they all felt about her.
"Well, we got the job just the same." Echo reminded Tech. "She knew nobody else could pull the rescue, but us."
Tech sighed. "How could she have possibly known that?"
"Our track record?" Wrecker piled on. "We are that good and everyone knows it too."
Tech turned to Wrecker and simply glared at him. "Great, now you are all siding with Echo."
While Hunter and Omega might have agreed with Tech, nodding to him indicating he was in the right. Crosshair snidely smirked and patted Echo on the shoulder.
"I totally agree. That woman hated clones. Regs, cyborgs, us, whomever. You were right to put her in her place." High praise from the sniper indeed!
Tech and Hunter both rolled their eyes. Sometimes, they simply could not agree on things. And guess that was all fine in the world of the Bad Batch.
Upgrades
Brand new, fancy and shiny armour might just do the trick!
The market place was crowded at this time of day. But it did not hinder the Batchers as they were set on updating their outlook. Which mainly meant they were going to do complete new paint jobs of their armour. And if possible, make some adjustments to the designs of them as well. That meant of course, that they needed to purchase some paints and additional parts as well.
There had also been discussions of getting some better suiting civilian clothing for those occasions which demanded such attire. And because Omega was growing rather quickly now, and so, they needed new things for her as well. Shoes mainly, but clothing as well.
And so, today was the day they had ventured out to the market centre to get all the needed things. After all, their mission for the somewhat disturbed woman who had not liked clones had been a success and they had earned more than they really needed from said job.
Finally being able to splurge some, the Batch members were on a mission, for some new threads for the whole lot. And some good old fashion family time as well.
Omega especially was interested in all the booths with different kinds materials, being quite drawn to the textures and lush colours of them. She was clearly looking for something specific, as despite touching a lot of stuff, she could not make the decision as to what to pick.
Amused, Hunter just had to ask what the Kid had in mind as so far, and also several booths later, she still was undecided.
"Omega, perhaps if you tell the rest of us what you are looking for we can help you locate it?"
Mistake: Never ask a someone looking for a specific item, whether boots, bags or whatever, to explain their gut feeling of things they know, when the see it!
Omega let out a frustrated sigh. "Cannot explain yet. I'll know when I see it." Simple as that.
Echo nodded in agreement, as he too, having the best fashion sense of them all, could easily relate to what Omega was on about.
"Hunter, trust her, Omega will make her choice when she finds what she is looking for." Echo told the Sarge.
Hunter simply nodded while Crosshair simply rolled his eyes. Again. He would go crosseyed soon enough if he continued doing that!
Tech nudged Echo as he had noticed the similarities between Echo and the Kid. Especially when it came to shopping for more than simply edible produce. Some kind of inherit shopping gene which had completely jumped the other four members of the Batch. As it was Echo and Omega seemed to be the only ones enjoying the ambience of the market place while the rest of them just wanted to pick up the needed stuff and leave.
"Over there!" Omega exclaimed enthusiastically suddenly.
Omega had finally seen what she wanted. A pair of fine looking boots with a matching cap.
Echo could easily see what she was pointing at while the rest of them were in various stages of boredom and giving up after having picked up the needed stuff. After all, how much stuff could a clone need? Having the paints, some additional gear already bought and paid for?
Echo and Omega both rushed to the booth.
Omega was already trying on the footwear while Echo was throwing questions at the seller and checking what else there was for them to check. The two of them spending some time at the booth which clearly housed what Omega and also now Echo had been looking for. The others yielding and getting seated some distance away having finally gotten tired of the whole family-shopping-outing kind of a day. Only able to wait for the two shoppers to finish with their purchases so they could get back and start working on their armours. Finally!
Echo's got DRIP
A well dressed clone, always gathers the glances of the crowd.
"Look Tech! I've got DRIP!"
Echo proudly presented the freshly painted armour alongside his newly fashioned and rather colourful kama completing the very ensemble. He was taking a few swirls around the room simply for the show of it all.
"Indeed you do!" There was an appreciative glare on the other man's face looking at Echo prancing around their room. Tech's lips curling into a suggestive smirk. "But I'd still much rather see you naked!" Tech had a coy expression on his face, clearly planning on something, for later.
Tech quickly got up from where he had been seated at, making the finishing touches to his own accessorises. But, as Echo was declaring his fashion sense, prancing around the room, Tech simply had to admit Echo indeed had the DRIP. Tech then proceeded towards Echo, taking the man by his hand, guiding his partner into a glide, and started dancing with him, as the tunes from his data pad started playing, filling the room.
Dipping the other man, while doing their tango for two. The mood being totally elated now after the day spent hopping from booth to booth in the market place and then coming back to Cid's and doing the modifications to their respective armours. It had been a full day indeed. Considering the trip to the market much harder than most missions even. The words of Crosshair's to be exact.
With the work now completed, it was time to let their hair hang out, figuratively speaking of course. As the rest of the group having gone for some food to bring back to eat, the duo kept on dancing without a hurry to go anywhere. A luxury for sure for the quite busy Batch.
And while the music changed and turned to something slow, Echo and Tech found themselves leaning against each other. Slowly swaying to the soft beat, basking in the warmth of the other.
The peace was however soon disturbed when the rest of the Batch burst into the room. The quite moment quickly turning into something more rowdy.
Wrecker and Hunter were both hauling bags of food stuff, as apparently, they had been shopping for a whole squadron rather that the small team of theirs. The smells of the purchases soon filling their living area, leading the hungry to eat.
"What is it? Smells good?" Echo admitted even if he would have preferred to continue with the quiet moment with his partner a tad longer.
"We got all kinds!" Wrecker stated cheerfully.
"We got everyone's favourites too!" Omega piped in having memorised each Batcher's choice of food and making sure they would all get what they liked.
"Yeah! She took us for another spin just to get Tech's special treat." Crosshair snarled, even if he really had not been that bothered of having to take a few extra steps to get the karking meal Tech was fond of.
They all gathered around the large size table of their living quarters which Cid so graciously let them dwell in while planet side. The barkeep might seem like she did not care for them, much. With her constant snide remarks, even putting Crosshair to shame, not to mention the odd nicknames she had given them all. Cid clearly had a soft spot for the Batch. Even if she would deny it all the way.
The food was all placed onto the table with the plates and utensils. They had all gathered around it, each sampling of the plentiful bounty in front of them. It certainly was a far cry from the regular ration bars they were used to while out there, running missions. A special moment for them all to enjoy some family time with good food.
After the food had been consumed, they all took a moment before donning their new gear. Making a runway of it. Each taking their turn in showing off what they had done to their former armour, the paints and the newly added features. Each member stomping away across the now cleared floor space, to the beat of music. While the rest of the Batch hooted and hollered and clapped cheerfully during each runway.
"Echo! You got DRIP!" Both Wrecker and Crosshair hooted and whistled when it was Echo's turn to show off his new stuff.
Echo's face lit up and he made a gesture, half lewd, half smirking to Tech as Echo then strutted his way across the floor towards his partner. "Told ya!"
