Their Hope
Chapter Eight
After leaving the labs Allie reaches out into the Force and follows the feeling of her brothers within it, coming to one of the mess halls. Looking around she smiles seeing them sat with 99 and the Batch, though they don't look impressed Domino are sitting at their table, especially Crosshair.
Moving quickly though the room, dodging cadets as they move about getting their food, she comes to a stop behind Tech.
'What have you boys been up to?' Allie asks causing Domino, Tech and Wrecker to jump as they didn't notice her approach.
'Vod'ika!' Hevy shouts. 'You shouldn't sneak up on us,' this causes the Batch to look at each other weirdly, with the very friendly and familiar way Domino are interacting with the Jedi that has just approached them.
'You should pay more attention to your surroundings,' Allie retorts, causing Hevy to grumble. 'Want to introduce me to your friends?' Allie asks as she takes a seat between 99 and Tech.
'Oh right,' Hevy beings but Fives cuts him off.
'This amazing person beside you is 99,' Fives says fondly.
'Oh, oh I wouldn't go so far as amazing,' 99 blushes as Allie smiles at him.
'You're 99, I have heard so many things about you from this lot, all good, I promise,' Allie reassures seeing 99's slight panic. 'It's so lovely to finally meet you,' Allie leans over and gives 99 a gently hug, surprising him as no one has ever done so, apart from a few one armed hugs from his brothers.
'It is nice to meet you too General,' 99 return the hugs, tentatively.
'Oh please just Allie, General makes me uncomfortable and Ma'am just makes me feel old, before you try that one,' Allie laughs as she pulls away from 99 and turns her attention to the other four seated at the table.
'And this is the Bad Batch,' Cutup introduces.
'Or Clone Force 99,' Droidbait adds, seeing Allie wince at the nickname.
'It's nice to meet you all,' Allie smiles but frowns seeing the unimpressed looks on the Batch's faces. 'Um, I'm Allie,' she introduces herself nervously.
Hunter makes eye contact with Crosshair, they haven't met many Jedi but this one seems a little different.
'Nice to meet you, I'm Wrecker, this here is Tech, Crosshair and Hunter,' Wrecker laughs heartily, making Allie relax and smile at him.
'Wrecker,' Hunter warns but stops seeing Nala Se walking towards them.
'Great what does the longneck want now,' Crosshair snarls quietly.
'Good afternoon Master Jedi,' Nala Se greets.
'Good afternoon,' Allie stands and bows to Nala Se.
'The Prime Minister wishes to see you to thank you for what you have done,' Nala Se motions for her to follow.
'Um, can you give me a few minutes please and I'll be right with you?' Allie asks politely.
'Of course,' Nala Se agrees and walks back towards the entrance.
Allie sits back down and groans. 'Do I have to go?'
'Think so, sorry vod'ika,' Echo says smiling sadly at her.
'Yay,' Allie says with so much fake enthusiasm.
'Ha, I like her,' Wrecker declares loudly, banging the table.
'Wrecker do try to contain yourself,' Tech comments not looking up from his tablet. Allie smirks at the Batch, a plan forming in her head as the Force rings with agreement.
'No. Allie, no don't even think about it. Rex will kill you,' Fives tries but already knows it's too late. 'Oh shab,' Fives drops his head to the table in defeat.
'What…' Hunter starts but stops as Allie clears her throat.
'What would you say about joining the 501st, well my squad in the 501st?' Allie asks. 'Before you say no, please just think about it. It would mean you wouldn't really be here on Kamino and it would piss Nala Se off,' Allie says with laugh and wink before standing from the table, to make her way after Nala Se.
'Allie catch,' Echo throws a granola bar at Allie which she catches with a smile. 'Coric would have our heads if we forgot to feed you, after he made sure we had loads of snack bars each,' Allie pauses looking at him in confusion. 'He still feels kind of guilty,' Echo smiles softly, 'now go on, don't keep the longnecks waiting,' Allie mock salutes him before running off.
'We need to teach that girl how to walk places,' Droidbait says shaking his head, making the rest of Domino laugh.
'You have a very strange relationship with your Jedi general,' Hunter comments.
'She's the best,' Fives grins.
'She's our little sister,' Echo says fondly.
'You should think about what she said, she wouldn't have made the offer is she wasn't sincere about it. I know you don't always get along with us but we'd make the effort if you did,' Hevy adds.
'Why should we make the effort?' Crosshair mumbles.
'That's why,' Tech sighs. 'We don't always help ourselves either, but getting away from Kamino sounds, nice.'
'Any idea how long we have to decide?' Hunter askes Hevy.
'I think Coric said that everyone should be cleared to move in about forty eight hours or so, so I'd say about that long,' Hevy answers. Hunter nods and motions for his squad to follow him out.
'I wish I could go with you,' 99 sighs.
'I think Allie would take you with us in a heartbeat if she wouldn't be worried about you on the ship. Stay here and stay safe for us, yeah 99,' Hevy smiles at his friend.
'And whilst we are here, we will help you out, yeah,' Fives adds.
'Oh, no, you don't have to do that boys, I'm sure you have more important things to do,' 99 panics, not wanting to get them into trouble.
'Our General hasn't given us any orders so we are good,' Cutup assures him.
'Right let's go,' Droidbait says whilst standing from the table.
'What do you think Hunter?' Crosshair asks once the Batch are safely back in their quarters.
'I think, she is hiding something. I'm not sure what but something. Something she needs our help with but she can't just come out and say,' Hunter replies, having always had a gift for reading people and situations.
'So what do we do?' Tech questions.
'I like her, I say we go,' Wrecker answers loudly.
'Cross'?' Hunter prompts.
'Fine. Time to start packing then,' he mumbles in reply.
'Yes!' Wrecker says punching the air.
Hunter shakes his head but smiles at his brothers, he can't help but wonder what the strange young Jedi has in store for them.
'Think she will let us call her vod'ika? Kinda always wanted a little sister,' Wrecker wonders out loud.
'Best not push her Wrecker,' Tech cautions.
'But…' Wrecker whines.
'Maybe one day Wrecker,' Hunter tells him.
'Jedi Master Alayah, Prime Minister,' Nala Se introduces as she leads Allie into the Prime Minister's office.
'Thank you. Welcome Jedi Master,' Lama Su greets politely.
'Thank you, Prime Minster. It's an honour to meet you,' Allie bows, though she doesn't really like this man, at all.
'The clones have been talking about what you did to Krell in defence of them, I thank you for routing out his corruption before he could do more damage,' Allie smiles and bows again, knowing Lama Su doesn't care about what happens to clones as long as he gets paid.
'I did what was right, and what the Force told me to do,' Allie replies, trying to keep any emotion out of her voice.
'Kamino is in your debt, I dread to think what would have happened should one of my own people has discovered this horrible crime.'
'Probably nothing,' Allie thinks. 'Of course, Krell was extremely dangerous. If there is nothing else Prime Minister I promised I would meet Master Ti,' Allie lies smoothly.
'Of course, don't let me delay you any longer. I hope you have a pleasant stay for the rest of your time here on Kamino. If you require anything do not hesitate to ask,' Lama Su bows his head slightly to Allie.
'Thank you, Prime Minister,' Allie bows once more before walking out of the office and allowing the Force to guide her to Shaak. 'What did the council say?' she asks as she steps up beside Shaak.
'They were disappointed. Krell has always walked closer to the dark side of the force, but we never imagined,' Shaak trails off, not wishing to finish her thought.
'It's hard when someone close to you betrays you,' Allie places her hand on Shaak arm. 'I'd offer you a hug but I don't know if you would accept one,' Allie laughs softly.
'I could use a hug, young one,' Shaak says opening her arms, which Allie gladly steps into. 'Thank you.'
'Anytime. I'm a cuddle fiend,' Shaak laughs at Allie's answer.
'How does a spar sound? It seems I have been neglecting my duelling practice,' Shaak asks once she has released Allie.
'I would love too,' Allie smiles.
'Shall we,' Shaak gestures towards the training simulator below her, where the cadets run the citadel simulation.
'Gladly,' Allie laughs as she jumps down, Shaak shakes her head but quickly jumps down after her.
El-Les quickly sends out a message informing the cadets and troops stationed on Kamino that their generals are about to spar, sure that it will be a good experience for them to watch. As the two Jedi prepare for their spar, taking off their outer robes and stretching, a crowd slowly gathers.
'Seems we have acquired an audience,' Shaak comments standing several feet in front of Allie.
'We best give them a show then,' Allie winks, causing Shaak to smile, while nodding in agreement.
'Best of luck young one.'
'I'm sure you'll teach me a few things,' Allie laughs.
'GO ALLIE!' Allie laughs shaking her head at hearing Domino's cheering.
'Those boys are going to be the death of me,' Allie's laughs dies down to a giggle before she activates her lightsabres.
'They love you,' Shaak states simply, having clearly seen it and felt it in the Force.
'And I love them, most of the time,' Allie smiles at Shaak before making the first move, charging forward toward the elder Jedi.
The cadets watch on in awe as the Jedi trade blows and fetes of agility and flexibility that they couldn't hope to mimic.
'Twenty credits on Allie,' Hevy says to Fives.
'Nope, betting against Allie isn't allowed,' Fives replies seriously.
'What's going on here?' Hunter asks as he and the rest of the batch arrive.
'General Ti and Allie are sparring,' Droidbait tells them. Making the Batch turn their attention to the spar going on in the training room below.
'So you joining us?' Fives asks, pretending not to be too interested in the answer.
'Wouldn't you like to know,' Crosshair huffs.
'Cross,' Hunter warns, 'we will, for now.'
'You won't regret it,' Hevy comments.
'Welcome to the family,' Cutup laughs. 'We'll probably drive you crazy but it'll be fun,' wrapping his arm around Crosshair's shoulder.
'Fun,' Crosshair sneers shrugging off his arm.
A cheer goes up as they return their attention to the spar to see Allie has disarmed Shaak.
'Again, young one?' Shaak asks, once she has retrieved her lightsabre.
'You're on,' Allie smirks twirling her blades and taunting Shaak, very much like what Obi-Wan does.
Mando'a translation
Vod'ika- little sister/brother
Shab- fuck