Hello, everyone!
4thWallBreak: It has been like 30 chapters and I don't mention it much, but remember when Rex gets attacked by a Karkadoan after his trial? And has to be sent off for rehabilitation? Yeah. That's when that happened. The dynamic is about to get a bit more interesting...and yeah, screw Nala Se. I have never actually adopted a story before, and if I were to, it would have to be one I'm fairly interested in. But in most cases I see myself not, just because of the time commitment.
CHRF: Unfortunately, there isn't room in this story for a lot of the characters or scenarios you have suggested, especially the Legends characters. I did try early on to include too many characters, at least in my opinion, and they just don't have much of a place anymore. If I do bring a character in at this point, it's because I think they have a place in the narrative I'm trying to tell at the moment.
OneLittleSpark18: Happy New Year to you too! It's lovely to hear from you as always!
Tech yesterday from the Bad Batch, Tech today because I have a problem. Though his experiences here are going to be a little different than the episode...
No Mando'a this chapter!
ABSOLVED: CHAPTER 20
Tech had not realized how dull approaching a new planet was. Omega had always made it to be an enjoyable experience. Without her it was mundane and Tech could see none of the beauty he knew she would have experienced.
Corellia was simply another temperate planet, like so many others Tech had seen.
It was silent as the Bad Batch changed into their civvies. Unfortunately, Tech could not allow it to remain so.
"What are your skills?" He asked the two Togruta.
It was possible that they had spoken to the rest of the Batch regarding this, but Tech had been too busy actually trying to find Omega.
Tech guessed that was the case at Taja's bemused look as she began to explain.
"I am a demolition expert." She said. "And I have skill in toxins and gasses. Admani is a sharp shooter."
"I see." Tech said, storing the information for later.
"Tech." Hunter said. "Go with Taja. Wrecker and I will be a team, while Cross and Admani keep an eye on things from afar. Echo will handle listening to the chatter."
Tech frowned. That was normally his job. They likely wished to have someone keep an eye on him. Their concern was unnecessary.
"Remember, it's not just the long neck." Hunter continued. "There's a human girl. She's a padawan, so she's fairly young. Fair skin, red hair, and green eyes. Probably going by 'Scout.'"
Tech quickly pulled up a database listing the Jedi the Empire was looking for. He found a picture of the padawan in question.
"Tallisibeth Enwandung-Esterhazy." He said aloud. "Her unique name may be useful."
"Let me see." Taja said.
Tech frowned before tilting his pad so she could
"She'll be the front." Taja said. "Kaminoans are too noticeable. This Kina Ha will be holed up somewhere while Tallisibeth here will be the one to go out in public. We should focus on finding her."
Tech was annoyed as he realized her analysis was correct.
"Okay, focus on looking for the padawan, then." Hunter said. "Let's get going."
Taja took the lead, which irritated Tech. However, he did nothing to correct it. Taja likely had more experience with urban planets and blending in.
Tech adjusted his scanners as he walked. Unfortunately Corellia had a majority of humans in their population, so looking for a human female was useless. However, if they by chance passed by the Kaminoan, Tech would know.
A hand grabbed Tech's shoulder and he stumbled to a halt. A large, unpleasant looking Ithorian was lumbering past. Tech shot a glare at Taja, who had stopped him.
"I was aware of the Ithorian." He said shortly. "I knew when to stop."
"You didn't look like you were." Taja said. "Your scans are useful, but perhaps try using your eyes for this."
"Human eyes are not as accurate as scans." Tech countered. "Unless one is Hunter or Crosshair."
Taja looked at him for a moment longer, before turning and walking off again.
Tech followed her and quickly overtook her. She glanced at him.
"Calm down and slow down." She said. "Relax. You look like you're on a mission."
"I am on a mission." Tech said.
"No one else needs to know that." Taja said. "One moment."
She wove through the crowds to a nearby fruit vendor, put down a few credits, and returned with two large fruit that faded from red to yellow.
"Meiloorun fruit." Tech said as she returned. "A common fruit that can be grown in many climates. How is this going to assist our search?"
Taja's expression was- Tech could not quite identify the emotion- strange as she handed the fruit to Tech.
"Eat it." She said.
Tech hesitated.
"I have never had meiloorun before." He said.
Taja blinked.
"You haven't?" She asked. "You just said it was common."
Tech shrugged.
"Our diet consists of ration bars and food designed to exactly meet our dietary needs." He said. "Importing fruit to Kamino was not a priority when the vitamins it would provide could be added to other food for less cost."
Taja was silent, but she began moving.
"Eat it." She said again.
Tech bit into the fruit absently, scanning the crowd as he did so. He chewed quickly, keeping the fruit in his cheek, and swallowed when the pulp was soft enough. He took another quick bite.
He noticed that Taja was staring at him.
"Did you even taste it?"
She sounded upset.
"Food is to fuel us." Tech said, quoting the Kaminoans. "The taste is irrelevant."
Taja's eyes narrowed
"Perhaps I should finish yours." She said. "The way you're eating it will draw attention."
Tech raised an eyebrow.
"And how exactly am I eating it?" He asked.
"Like someone who's never eaten food before." Taja said.
That, of course, was ridiculous. No being of Tech's age had never consumed sustenance before. He took another bite and opened his mouth to inform her of this. In doing so, the piece of fruit fell onto his tongue.
Tech froze. The sweetness on his taste buds was overwhelming, but he immediately wanted more. He took a larger bite and the flavor filled his mouth. He chewed slowly.
It took a moment to realize that Taja was staring at him. Tech swallowed the meiloorun. He had been sitting there, merely eating, instead of focusing on the mission. But she was smiling at him.
"Let's keep going." She said. "Remember, we're taking a leisurely walk."
Tech frowned once more.
"I have- never been on a leisurely walk."
Taja's smile slipped, but it was not replaced with anger or frustration. She looked- sad.
"Take my arm." She said, holding it out. "I'll set the pace."
Tech only hesitated for a moment before taking it. She was more experienced in this matter.
They walked in this manner through the crowds. Tech's eyes darted from person to person, trying to spot anyone who was or could reveal themselves to be a small, red headed human female. All the while he savored more bites of the meiloorun.
Tech was craning his neck to try and see a shorter figure when Taja stopped in her tracks.
"What is it?" Tech demanded.
"Look." Taja hissed, nodding at a disturbance.
Tech looked towards the crowd and saw stormtroopers pushing their way past the inhabitants.
"Ah." He said.
"They are clones." Taja said. "I can hear them. Are they going to recognize you?"
Tech frowned and ran the numbers in his head.
"It is fairly likely-"
He cut off when he noticed one of the troopers staring at him. The trooper gestured to another and began making their way to where he and Taja stood.
"They have recognized me." Tech said quietly. "I suggest-"
Taja let out a shrill giggle and pulled herself close to his side. She held up her sizable meiloorun to his mouth.
"Go on!" She said, her voice higher than it had been before. "Mine's sweeter, take a bite!"
Tech could see nothing but the orange and red of the fruit. A part of his mind realized that it was likely obscuring his face. He took a slow bite. This was only a temporary solution. He tensed, ready to run.
Taja removed the meiloorun and moved closer.
"You have some on your face." She said in the same, overly bright tone.
Then she pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth. She did so for only 1.5 seconds, but it was enough to send Tech's thoughts racing.
His first thought, though it should not have been, was how pleasant the sensation had been. Taja was an objectively attractive woman. Lips were a very sensitive part of the body and she had pressed against his in a- pleasing manner. He stared at her, his eyes drawn to her face.
The logical side of his mind, usually so prominent and now only a pinprick, told him that this was a clever distraction. Affection tended to make others uncomfortable, so the clone guards would not look too closely. Furthermore, the idea of a clone trooper in a romantic relationship was foreign to most clones. Combined with his own slightly different features, that fact would help the troopers dismiss him as a clone. The realization of how intelligent her actions were made the logical side of his mind shrink even further.
"They're gone." Taja's voice was low, and while Tech knew it was to be inconspicuous, her tone did not help the logical side of his mind return.
"Is- that your plan for every time we encounter a clone trooper?" Tech asked.
"No." Taja said.
She unwound one of her cloth belts and handed it to Tech.
"Ah." He said.
He wrapped it around his head so that she could not see the change in skin color the rush of blood to his face had caused.
"I- have not done that before." He confessed.
He for some reason needed her to know that he was inexperienced.
"I could tell." Taja replied. "But it does not matter."
Of course it did not matter; they had been osculating as a means of a diversion.
"Yes, of course." Tech said, adjusting his goggles.
Then Tech remembered why they were there.
Anger cleared his head and he was displeased that he had allowed himself to become distracted.
He focused once again on the crowds and his target, and not on his distracting companion.
He threw away the meiloorun at his first opportunity.
It was another thirteen minutes until Tech's comm beeped.
"Eyes on the target." Crosshair said. "You're closest, Tech. 2 o'clock, coming out of a store."
Tech quickly found the young woman ducking out of an inconspicuous building.
"Admani, agent 34." Taja murmured into her comm. "Aim to the north, we've got a southern wind."
Tech glanced up to where he knew Crosshair and Taja's brother were hiding. The tip of a rifle peeked over the rooftop's edge. Tech only heard the silenced shot because he was listening for it.
He looked back to where the target had come out of the shop. She was still hesitating on the threshold, looking through her bag. Tech, squinting, could make out a faint swirl of pale green gas.
"What did you just do?" Crosshair demanded over the comms.
"Agent 34 targets and suppresses the adrenal glands in the human brain." Taja said in a low voice. "It also keeps the heart rate from accelerating and increases serotonin production."
Tech blinked.
"You made this yourself?" He asked.
Taja gave a vacant nod, still staring at the young Tallisibeth Enwandung-Esterhazy. The padawan had tucked her bag tightly to her side and was making her way out into the crowd.
"Let's go." Taja said.
Tech followed her, ready to break into a run, but Taja kept a slower gait.
"We don't want to scare her." Taja said under her breath. "And two people sprinting at her is going to do just that."
"Why did you not use that agent on Omega?" Tech asked as they slipped past a group of chattering Gotals.
"That was one option, if we encountered her alone." Taja said. "But she wasn't leaving the ship and we knew we had limited time. And once we took out your leader, well, 34 doesn't work if the target is already hysterical."
Tech nodded.
"I see." He said. "I assume that you have already exposed me to this agent, or a similar one, to lower my guard."
"What?" Taja looked away from Tallisibeth long enough to give Tech a confused glance. "No, I haven't."
"I do not believe you." Tech said. "The level of enmity I have felt towards you has diminished significantly since this mission began."
Taja gave him another glance, but didn't respond. Tech set a mental note to test his system for foreign substances once the mission was over.
They were walking parallel to Tallisibeth now.
"Talk to me." Taja said. "And follow my lead."
"About what?" Tech asked.
"Anything." Taja said. "Try to make it look natural."
Tech, for once in his life, could not think of something to say.
"I-" He started, and then caught sight of Taja's severed lekku. "Did you know that Togruta are the second most fetishized non-human species? The first being Twi'leks."
Taja let out a long sigh, a sigh that Tech recognized as being resigned.
"I did not." She said, changing her course slightly. "What are the top five?"
"The ranking goes Twi'leks, Togruta, Pa'lowick, Faleen, and Ithorians."
"Ithorians?" Taja asked.
"I was surprised as well." Tech said.
"And might I ask how you came across this information?"
"I was researching Togrutan biology when I was attempting to diagnose Commander Tano's condition after Palpatine experimented on her." Tech said. "I came across many forums that er-"
"I know what you're talking about." Taja said in a flat tone. "I'm guessing you just got curious?"
"No, actually. I just happened upon the information while trying to find actual biology." Tech said, and then paused. "If it helps, clones are the fourth most fetishized human subspecies-"
Taja ran into Tallisibeth, knocking the young woman over. The padawan squeaked, dropping her bag, and stumbled to the ground. Tech froze, taking in the situation.
"Oh my goodness!" Taja said, her voice taking on a higher pitch. She hurried forward and helped Tallisibeth up. "I am so very sorry! Are you all right?"
"Fine!" Tallisibeth said. "I- I'm fine! It was my bad, I wasn't looking where I was going!"
"Oh, you poor dear!" Taja said, brushing at Tallisibeth's plain clothing.
Tech, catching on, picked up the girl's bag. As he brushed it off, he slipped a small holo puck inside.
"This is yours, I believe." He said, holding it out to her.
"Yes!" Tallisibeth said, taking it. "Um- thank you!"
"Where do you live?" Taja asked. "It's getting dark, and I don't think a girl your age should be out and about by yourself."
Tech nearly raised an eyebrow at that. This was a hunted, terrified girl. It was completely unlikely that she would accept an offer of help from two complete strangers-
"Just this way." Tallisibeth said after a moment's hesitation. "I'm afraid you won't be able to come in. My- mother's ill."
Tech blinked. That was right. Agent 34.
Taja kept up light, inane conversation as they walked. Tallisibeth barely responded. Even with the calming agent, her eyes kept darting back and forth. It was barely ten minutes before Tallisibeth took a deep breath and attempted a smile.
"It's just around the corner." She said. "Please don't bother yourself, I'll be okay."
"All right." Taja said. "Please, don't be a stranger if you see us out and about."
"I won't." Tallisibeth managed a slightly more genuine smile. "Thank you. Good night."
Tech and Taja turned around and let Tallisibeth walk away. Up above, Crosshair and Admani were watching for which building the girl would go into.
"Mission accomplished." Tech said into his comm. "Tallisibeth has the holo puck containing General Kenobi's message. With any luck, she and Kina Ha will be prepared to leave when we return tomorrow."
"Good job." Hunter said. "Now let's get back to-"
"Hunter!" Echo's voice cut in. "There's an incoming Imperial ship."
Tech frowned. He did not know why Echo sounded so worried. Corellia had an Imperial presence. Of course there would be incoming Imperial ships.
"What's special about this one?" Wrecker asked.
"They've been talking about nothing else on the Imperial chatter." Echo said. "Apparently they're Jedi hunters. Called Inquisitors."
Tech and Taja looked at one another.
"Oh." Tech said. "That complicates things."
The stormtroopers, true to their name, had begun storming the living quarters in the sector Tallisibeth and Kina Ha were hiding in. Tech, the Desai siblings, and the rest of the Batch had a good vantage point of this from the roof of one of those living quarters.
"We're going to have to go in sooner than we thought." Hunter said. "Taja, Tech. You're already a friendly face to them. We'll need you to go retrieve them. Crosshair, Admani, you're back up. Wrecker, you and me are on distractions."
Tech nodded sharply, as did the others. Wrecker did not even shout at the prospect of destruction.
Tech glanced at Taja. She raised her eyebrow at him and her lips quirked up in a brief smile.
He had done a quick scan of himself while they were waiting. The only anomaly was the meiloorun in his stomach and that matched the genetic makeup of other meiloorun fruit. She had been telling the truth when she had told him she had not used any altering substances on him.
She confused him. She was distant with the other members of the Bad Batch, but seemed to gravitate towards Tech himself. She had been rather abrasive when they had first met, but had mellowed considerably.
This was Tech's first experience where he had dealt with someone he had disliked so much before and found he was beginning to dislike them less. It was odd.
"Come on." Taja said.
Tech nodded and followed her down into the already raided tenement building. Families were strewn in the halls, trying to gather their belongings scattered by the stormtroopers.
There was a child crying. A girl.
Tech froze at the sound.
Omega.
He found that his body began to move before he was fully conscious of it. Taja's hand stopped him.
"It's not her." She said. She looked concerned. "I'm sorry, but it's not her."
Tech stared back. He had not cried since he was a cadet, but now he had the urge to do so.
He missed his sister so much that it felt like a physical pain in his chest. Which was of course ridiculous. It was not logical that a piece of his heart was missing, even if it felt like it.
"Come." Taja said, tugging at Tech. "We have a job to do."
Tech shook himself. Yes, they needed to go. This Kina Ha might have information on where Nala Se could be.
The stormtroopers were one building away from the Jedi's hiding place when an explosion sounded behind them.
"That is our cue." Tech told Taja as the screams and cursing began. "Do not be concerned. Wrecker will have avoided harming anyone."
Taja blinked at him but did not say anything as she and Tech waited for the troopers to start congregating towards the explosion.
Crosshair had confirmed with infrared vision that the room was on the sixth floor.
Tech and Taja raced up the stairs, past frightened or curious tenants. The housing was old, the stairs creaking as they ran up them.
The sixth floor still had many occupants out and about. Tech began tapping on his vambrace. He could easily isolate a Kaminoan signature-
"Oh!"
Tech looked up at the noise of surprise. Tallisibeth was standing in the hallway. Her eyes were wide and fixed on Taja and Tech.
She did not immediately flee, which was a good sign.
Taja took a step forward.
"Scout." She said softly. "We're here to help."
"I know that!" Tallisibeth snapped. "I watched the holo puck!"
Tech raised an eyebrow. She was certainly not acting like the timid girl they had met on the street.
"Where is your companion?" Tech asked. "It is no longer safe here. We must go now."
"This way!" Tallisibeth said, turning.
She led Tech and Taja to a room near the end of the hallway. Tech appreciated that she was not panicking. She opened the door with a rather long key code sequence. Tech counted 26 digits.
The door slid open.
"Master Ha!" Tallisibeth called softly. "You were right! They came early!"
A Kaminoan stepped out from the gloom of the apartment. Tech's muscles stiffened, his heart rate increased and he was a cadet back on Kamino.
Nala Se had come to punish him for his mistakes. 9904 wouldn't let Tech tell her of his degrading eyesight. 9904 was terrified of any of them being taken away. But that meant Tech's combat scores were far lower than they should be.
Nala Se said that these sessions were not punishments, but were for proving that he was still functional enough to be kept.
Tech did not know which option he preferred.
He straightened to attention. They had all learned a long time ago that Nala Se would punish them for cowering from her. So though Tech wanted nothing more than to hide, he came to attention.
"Ma'am, today was an aberration. I will perform to your satisfaction tomorrow. I do not need to do the tests." He said.
Nala Se said nothing. Not a good sign. Tech became more frightened.
"Please, ma'am." Tech said. "You are aware of the negative impact my absence has on the others. I will perform well tomorrow. I guarantee it."
Why did she not respond? Had she found out about his failing eyesight? Was she going to take him away-
Tech sucked in a breath as he was pulled from his memories. He recognized a presence in his mind, both from his training on Kamino as well as from working with Commander Tano.
The Kaminoan, who was decidedly not Nala Se, was looking at Tech with an expression he had never seen on a Kaminoan's face: concern.
"Poor thing." Kina Ha murmured. "You have seen more in your short years than many do in a lifetime."
Tech realized that there was a steadying hand on his arm. He looked up to see Taja looking at him with her brow furrowed.
"Are you all right?" She asked.
"We do not have much time." Tech said, purposefully not answering the question. "Are there any alternative methods of egress other than the front door?"
He felt a jolt of frustration at Taja and Tallisibeth's blank stares. Did no one have a proper vocabulary?
"There is a window in our quarters." Kina Ha supplied.
Tech eyed the Kaminoan's lanky frame.
"Is it large enough to allow you to pass through?" He asked.
Kina Ha chuckled.
"My people may not be the most flexible, but I have trained long with the Force to overcome that obstacle."
"Good." Tech said. "We will descend to the ground, make our way through the back alleys, and find a location where the Marauder and my brothers can retrieve us."
"Hold on-" Tallisibeth said, her eyes wide as she stared at Tech. "You're a clone-"
"Yes." Tech said.
"Do not fear, Tallisibeth." Kina Ha said. "The Darkness that controls so many of his kind is absent in him."
"I no longer have the inhibitor chip." Tech added.
Tallisibeth frowned and gave Tech a wary glance.
"We need to go." Taja said.
Tech nodded and went to move past Kina Ha and Tallisibeth, but both had frozen.
"We must move." Tech said.
"Master." Tallisibeth whispered. "Do you-"
"Yes. I feel it." Kina Ha said. "One of our own, twisted to Darkness."
"Ah." Tech said as he understood. "It must be the Jedi hunter. Inquisitor, I believe they are called."
"The what?" Tallisibeth asked.
"I believed it was not wise to tell you unless necessary." Tech said. "To prevent undue panicking."
"I have faced this galaxy for over 3,000 years." Kina Ha said. "Few things make me panic. We will merely have to avoid him."
"But Master-"
"He is newly Fallen." Kina Ha said. "And his powers in the Dark Side are still developing. I fear little from this child playing at a Sith. We will be able to avoid him."
Though her words were derisive, Kina Ha sounded regretful.
"Yes, it would be best if we did not encounter a fallen Jedi." Tech said.
"Indeed." Taja said.
She sounded unnerved. Tech remembered that she likely had not experienced many Force users in battle.
"It will be quite all right." Tech said. He paused. He did not know why he was reassuring her. "To the window."
They passed through the dingy apartment. Tallisibeth grabbed a few bags and slung them over her shoulder. The window in question was barely large enough for a human to squeeze through.
Tech pulled out one of his grapples and hooked it to the windowsill. He threw the end of the whip cord to the ground several stories below. He glanced at Kina Ha.
"I have already practiced, young man." The Jedi said with a chuckle. The noise sounded odd coming from the Kaminoan. "Tallisibeth and I have had our escape route planned for months."
Tech nodded.
"Taja, go first." He said. "Tell us if it is all clear."
Taja swung herself out of the window and deftly descended. Tech watched her and the area below. Taja soon had her feet on solid ground and beckoned to Tech.
"You are next, Tallisibeth." He said.
"Call me Scout." Tallisibeth said.
"You did not correct Kina Ha." Tech said.
"That's because she's a Master. She can call me bantha poodoo if she wants." Tallisibeth, or rather, Scout said.
"Scout, then. Please go down."
Scout took the cord in hand, glanced down, and then jumped. Tech's instincts shouted, but his mind calmed them immediately. She was a Jedi. They often survived leaps like this. Indeed, when he looked down, the padawan was waving up at them. Tech nodded at Kina Ha.
It was mildly disturbing and impressive to watch the Kaminoan fold herself up to pass through the window. Once outside, standing on the sill, her body seemed to spring back into place. She too jumped.
Tech took hold of the whip cord and rappelled down the building. His scans were picking up multiple life forms, but none within five and a half meters. When he landed on the ground, he hit a button on his vambrace. The hooks of the grapple disengaged and it fell for him to retrieve.
"We have acquired the Jedi." Tech said into his comm. "I am turning on my tracker. We will attempt to find a suitable rendezvous point."
"Acknowledged." Hunter said. "We've got everyone but you."
Tech hit his vambrace again and turned to his companions.
"Scout, are you familiar with the alleys of this town?" Tech asked.
"Fairly." Scout said. "I use them most days."
"Then please lead us to the most open section of the city. Open enough for a ship to come close to landing."
Scout nodded and darted into the alleys. Tech and the others followed.
"He draws near." Kina Ha warned as they went.
Tech scanned again. Unfortunately, he hadn't been able to finish the midichlorian scanner he had been working on when the Bad Batch had originally worked with the Rebellion. He did pick up a small squad of clones surrounding a nat-born. It was making its way towards them.
There were other life forms trickling into the alleyways.
"We need to increase our speed." Tech said. "Otherwise-"
Scout let out a sharp gasp as she made to turn a corner and stumbled back towards them.
"He's there!" She hissed.
"Did he see you?" Tech demanded.
"I know you are there."
A smooth voice echoed through the alley.
"Ah." Tech said.
He glanced around a corner to see a tall figure in black striding towards them, followed by eight troopers in dark armor. The figure was Pau'an, Tech believed, with pale, lined skin and a tall head. He wore deep crimson markings on his forehead and face, and his eyes shone yellow.
"We need another route." Tech said.
Scout broke into a run again. Tech was impressed with how quickly Kina Ha followed her. Taja and Tech took up the rear.
The city map Tech had downloaded was inaccurate. The group of troopers led by the Inquisitor seemed to be moving through walls that were supposed to be there. Other lifeforms were swarming the passages, but they seemed to have almost reached a wide open area-
Tech realized it was surrounded. As they burst into the open square of the city, Tech could see white forms at every escape route. According to his scans, the Marauder was still a few minutes away.
Tech felt cold.
"How cowardly." The figure in black, the Inquisitor, had caught up with them. "You will not face me?"
Kina Ha stepped between the Inquisitor and the rest of their party.
"I know you." She said. "One of the Temple guards. One who sought knowledge that was not yours to hold."
"How perspective." The Inquisitor said, walking forward with casual steps. "Though I took that knowledge, no matter who the Jedi decided were deserving of it."
"I did not always agree with the council's decisions regarding the knowledge in the Archive." Kina Ha said. "Though I doubt that matters to you."
"No." The Inquisitor said. "It doesn't."
Kina Ha unsheathed a pale purple lightsaber.
"I do not wish to harm you, Knight" She said.
"I am not a Knight." The Inquisitor said. "I am the Grand Inquisitor. I am beyond a mere Knight."
"Grand Inquisitor then." Kina Ha said. "The matter still stands. I would rather not hurt you."
"You think you could hurt me?" The Grand Inquisitor said with a derisive laugh.
He ignited a crimson lightsaber with a sound unlike any other lightsaber Tech had heard, though Tech had limited experience. Captain Rex would be the better judge.
"I will remind you," Kina Ha said. "I am older than Master Yoda. And my experience and skills still reflect this."
Kina Ha stepped forward.
"We're almost to your location." Echo's voice rang in Tech's helmet. "Distract them."
Tech refocused on the duel now happening between the Grand Inquisitor and Kina Ha. Tech was not very familiar with saber play, but he could see that Kina Ha was toying with the Inquisitor, deliberately drawing out the fight.
Clever. Tech thought. His respect was growing for this Jedi, though he did not know if he would ever be comfortable with her presence.
"Do not go down this path" Kina Ha said, sounding genuinely sorrowful. "It leads only to suffering."
"And what of the suffering I witnessed as a Jedi?" The Inquisitor asked. "The suffering I experienced?"
"That suffering would pass." Kina Ha said. "This will never leave you and will leave you as something lesser than you were before."
The Grand Inquisitor laughed again.
"I doubt that."
The sound of engines was becoming clear. The troopers surrounding them were beginning to murmur.
"A ship!" One of the called. "Open fire!"
The Marauder had come into view. The troopers began shooting at it as it drew as close as it could. Tech saw the ramp descend.
"The Light will wait for you." Kina Ha said.
Then Tech felt a grip very much like Wrecker's on his chest and he was launched upwards. He bit back a yell as he hurtled through the air. A part of him was used to this.
A large hand that he knew belonged to the real Wrecked grabbed him by the shoulder.
"She does that as well as me!" Wrecker said cheerfully. Tech saw that Wrecker had Taja by the back of her shirt and that Echo was steadying Scout.
Kina Ha launched upwards in a hail of blasterfire. She landed gracefully on the edge of the ramp.
"I suggest we retreat." She said in a calm tone.
They withdrew into the Marauder. Tech left the others to take control of the ship. It was child's play to avoid the troopers, swoop around to allow Crosshair to use the turret to destroy the incoming fighters, and shoot upwards to break the atmosphere. It was a simple press of a button and they were in hyperspace.
Tech sat in the pilot's seat, staring at the console. Now that they had Kina Ha, they could ask her about Nala Se. But now, Tech was apprehensive.
Then he heard Crosshair's voice.
"We got you out in one piece." He said. "So I'm sure you wouldn't mind answering a question or two."
There was a moment's silence.
"I see what you would ask." Kina Ha said. Tech's heart seemed to stop at her tone. "And I cannot help you. I have been exiled from my people for years. I would have no idea where this Nala Se would have gone."
Tech's hope died and in its place crawled despair.
This mission had been pointless.
His efforts had been pointless.
Hoping for a lead had been pointless.
It was all pointless.
Omega was still far beyond their reach and nothing they did brought them any closer.
From the top!
I used to wonder who my favorite member of the Bad Batch was. Then I started doing terrible things to Tech and, because I do terrible things to the characters I love, I realized that it was him...
Okay, I was reading my chapter out loud to my editors, because that's what we do to edit, and holy CRAP the name Tallisibeth Enwandung-Esterhazy is my enemy. I could not say it. She's a character from the later Republic Commando books (which I highly recommend to anyone who wants to be punched in the face with feels), as is Kina Ha. I love Kina Ha. She's the only good Kaminoan in official material.
I really wanted to point out Tech's lack of normal experiences in this chapter. Taja, even though she's experienced slavery, has known a somewhat more normal life, and she wants to help Tech have a few nice experiences. Though the 'kiss' was one hundred percent strategy. (Also she might think he's a little hot) Tech thinks intelligence is hot. Also, I tried to chew something without tasting it and it worked. I imagine the rations don't taste very good, so their habit is to taste as little as possible. If you're wondering, osculating is the scientific term for kissing.
I originally had the kiss be a bit more involved and forceful, but my editors thought it was too much. Unfortunately I had to also cut Crosshair getting PISSED that she kissed Tech. I think it's a fun idea that Crosshair would threaten any significant other of his siblings.
I will not lie, the conversation Tech and Taja have about the fetishized species is one of my favorites. (Also, I love the idea of something like Ithorians being considered super sexy) And don't tell me that half the galaxy don't think that clones are hot. They are hot. I will not be taking criticism at this time.
I like the scene where Tech thinks he hears Omega. I like that it hurts. The poor man just wants his sister back.
AND TRAUMA REARS ITS HEAD AGAIN! If it's not clear, as it may not have been to my editors, Tech was losing his eyesight, Crosshair tells him not to tell Nala Se because Crosshair is scared that they'll kill Tech. That means Tech isn't doing as well in the physical department, so Nala Se has him do a bunch of academic tests to prove that he's worth keeping. It is traumatizing to all.
Yes, Kina Ha is around 3,000 years old in the source material! She's the result of genetic testing and Kal Skirata asks her to donate some DNA so they can figure out a way to reverse the super aging on the clones. She agrees, because she rocks.
It must be horrifying to watch a Kaminoan fold up and squeeze through something. Have fun with that imagery.
Hey, Grand Inquisitor! He was originally someone else, but it would have started a plotline that I'm just not interested in anymore. So this dude will do. (Fun fact, he became disillusioned after what happened with Ahsoka and Barriss. He was one of the Temple Guards there. He also had a thing about the forbidden knowledge in the Archives)
Kina Ha has a pale purple lightsaber because that's cool.
And we end with a double down on the angst! Hooraaaaaaaaaaaaay
Okay, that should be all for this week!
Stay safe, remember to review, and have a great week!
(and try to forget that the next episode of the Bad Batch is called Entombed because THAT IS TERRIFYING)