Hey everyone!
OneLittleSpark18 - Yes. Yes you are.
nw150 - Thank you so much! As for the Kaminoans, well, I have plans for them. Less violent plans, but plans.
Direct aftermath of the speeches!
Mando'a translations at the end!
The week in between Senate sessions crawled for Ahsoka. Each day brought more good news, however. Every day more Senators came to talk to Padme about the clones. Many asked to meet with Omega and Echo. Hunter had been firm in saying no at first, but eventually relented to Kal and Padme's persuasion.
He allowed Omega to meet with a few senators at time, with the entire Bad Batch monitoring the room and acting as security detail. Ahsoka was there for some of them and the sight of Hunter and Wrecker standing as looming sentries as Omega and Echo tried to answer questions made her laugh.
"What do you think our chances are?" Ahsoka asked Kal after one such meeting.
The Batch were rechecking the room for any security risks. Ahsoka watched Tech check the stun charges planted underneath the visiting senators chairs.
"My boys calculated around a 70/30 chance in our favor." Kal said. "Tech over there thinks it's more of a 67/33."
"Good odds." Ahsoka said.
"Better than I hoped." Kal said. "I'll be honest, I thought this wasn't going to work. I was ready to give up all this politicking and go gut some aiwha bait."
Kal popped some Ruik root into his mouth and began chewing.
"Then why come to us in the first place?" Ahsoka asked with a frown.
"I thought I'd give it a try. I was ready to scrap the whole plan and just start blowing things to hell when Fives screwed up. But your plan with the Batch made me give this thing one more try." Kal said.
"Yes." Ahsoka said. "And now the boys have a chance."
Kal gave her a sideways look.
"I knew Jango Fett personally." He said. "I knew about his love life. And I can tell you, he was never as successful as his clones."
Ahsoka started and stared at Kal.
"You've got it bad for one of them, I can tell." Kal said. "You get all moony just like Dar and Atin did when they were away from their girls."
"I don't remember when it was any of your business." Ahsoka said sharply.
She liked Kal, but the idea of him being privy to her feelings about Rex made her uncomfortable.
"No one ever does." Kal said with a chuckle. "But it ends up being my business anyway. Good luck with him. I like you, 'Soka. You'd make a good match with any of the boys."
Ahsoka furrowed her brow. She didn't know if she should snap at Kal or thank him.
"Keep an eye on Fives." Kal went on. "I think he feels badly about this whole thing. He might have shabbed everything up, but I know he was trying his best."
"Right." Ahsoka said. "I will."
Unbidden, the memory of the kiss she shouldn't have accepted flooded her mind. She closed her eyes. No matter how- uncomfortable it made her, she would keep an eye on Fives.
Finally, finally it was the day of the vote. Ahsoka stood by Padme's side as she explained the contents of the Cloning-Slavery Act. Ahsoka was shaking. She couldn't help it. If this failed to go through, there was next to no chance that the clones would ever come home.
"Please place your votes." Padme said.
The Senate chamber was eerily silent as each delegation made their choice. Ahsoka resisted the urge to reach out into the Force to influence any mind in their favor.
A chime went off, indicating that the votes had been cast. Ahsoka heard Padme take a deep breath before looking down at the screen.
Padme stared at the screen. Tears filled her eyes and Ahsoka's heart lurched.
Then she saw that Padme was smiling.
"The ayes have it." Padme said. "The Act has passed. The clones are no longer the property of the Kaminoans!"
Cheers broke out in the chamber. They seemed fairly subdued to Ahsoka's montrals, but maybe it was because of the jubilation echoing in her chest. Tears flowed freely as Ahsoka embraced Padme. She could feel Plo's exultation from somewhere in the building. Further away was Anakin's excitement and joy.
The clones were free. They could come home.
"Senator Burtoni, please inform your government that they have three days to release the clones." Padme said.
Ahsoka focused on the Kaminoan senator, anticipating with pleasure the consternation that she knew would be on Burtoni's face.
"Before I do so," Burtoni said. "Would you be so kind as to answer a question?"
The Senate chamber fell silent. Ahsoka felt a jolt of panic at the Kaminoan's calm demeanor.
"And that is?" Padme asked.
"How exactly are you going to enforce this law?" Burtoni asked.
Ahsoka wanted Padme to answer. She needed her to answer and shut down the smug Kaminoan senator.
Padme stayed silent.
"Are we to expect a visit from the Jedi?" Burtoni went on.
Ahsoka itched to grab her lightsabers and hold them to Burtoni's overlong neck until she took back what she'd said. This was wrong. This was all wrong. The amendment had passed. They had won.
But Burtoni was speaking the truth. The Jedi, as they were now, would never choose to interfere with this. Ahsoka wanted to contact Plo regardless and have him present the case to the Council. Maybe he was already working on it.
"Senator Burtoni, let us discuss this in a more private setting." Padme finally said.
Once again the Senate Chamber was filled with mutters and cries of outrage. Padme calmly ignored them.
"This Senate Meeting is adjourned." She said.
Ahsoka now found herself within striking distance of Senator Burtoni. It took quite a bit of her training to hold herself back.
"What is this, Senator?" Padme asked. "Your refusal to comply will lead to Kamino's ejection from the Republic."
"I don't think it will." Senator Burtoni said. "I believe it is in your best interests to keep us in the Republic. The bill you passed only affects members of the Republic, correct?"
Ahsoka gripped her lightsabers until her knuckles turned pale.
"Why stay in the Republic?" Padme asked.
"Being a member of the Republic does have its benefits." Burtoni said. "All these allies and trade deals are quite nice."
"I promise you, Burtoni." Padme said. "You will be compelled to release the clones. And you will, because if you don't, both the Republic and the CIS will reject you. As for your other clients, the Hutts, the Pykes, whoever would consider using the clones, I will make whatever deals I have to in order to ensure that they do not go to you."
Burtoni rolled her bulbous eyes.
"We'll see." She said. "If that's all-"
"No, Burtoni." Padme hissed. "This is only the beginning."
"That cannot be your decision!" Plo said.
Mace Windu raised an eyebrow.
"You are no longer a member of this Council, Master Plo. You are in no position to challenge its rulings." He said. "We are not indentured to the Republic. We decide if and when we will act.
Plo clenched his talons.
"So that is it, then." He said. "You are so desperate to distance yourself from the Republic that you are willing to let millions of innocent men suffer!"
"Hardly innocent." Master Rosan commented. "Need I remind you that those creatures were bred for war?"
Plo completely ignored the man and turned to Master Yoda.
"Is it not our duty to relieve suffering in the Force?" Plo pleaded. "Did you not yourself say the clones were individuals?"
Yoda stared at the floor, silent. Finally he shook his head.
"Blinded by the Dark side during the war, we were." He said. "Sure of anything, we cannot be."
Plo nearly took a step back. The weariness in Master Yoda's voice seemed to pierce him.
"The Darkness is gone!" Plo said. "The Force is clear! Can you not hear their voices? Can you not feel their suffering?"
The entire council was silent. Plo was pleased to see that some, like Master Fisto and Master Unduli looked uncomfortable. Master Mundi merely looked concerned.
"It is worrying that you alone are feeling this." He said.
"I am not alone! Ahsoka-"
"Is no longer a Jedi. It is possible she has fallen prey to the influence of the Dark side." Mundi said.
"Not everything you disagree with is the Dark side!" Plo all but shouted.
"This matter is not up for debate." Master Windu cut in. "You are dismissed, Master Plo. In the meantime, it may do you well to curb any possible attachments you may have developed."
Plo stiffened and then slowly let himself relax, releasing the frustration and anger into the Force.
"If I have formed attachments," He said quietly. "It was because I sought compassion. I would rather show an excess of love than none at all."
He turned and left the chambers.
He wasn't paying attention to where his feet took him next. Birds chirping and the sound of running water let him know he had wandered into the Temple gardens.
He took a seat on a stone bench underneath one of the flowering trees.
They had been so close. His sons would have been free. Once again they suffered because of the pride of the Jedi.
Plo put a hand to his head. How far could he act before the Council punished him? He had overheard the Mandalorian, Kal Skirata, discussing the possibility of an insurgency on Kamino. Perhaps he could offer his services-
"Master?"
Plo looked up to see Ahsoka walking towards him.
"You are technically not supposed to be here, Little 'Soka." Plo said absently.
"Since when have I cared about technically?" Ahsoka said.
She made a brave attempt at a smile, but it quickly faded.
"What did they say?"
"They will not act." Plo said.
A flash of anger punctured the Force.
"How could they?" Ahsoka asked. "What was their excuse?"
"In the end, that the Republic cannot tell them what to do." Plo said.
Ahsoka jerked her head to look at the temple.
"Those-"
Ahsoka let loose a long string of insults in Mando'a, Huttese, and Ryl. Plo would have chided her, but he agreed with the sentiment.
"Calm yourself, 'Soka." He said. "Violence will do us no good."
Ahsoka removed her hands from her lightsabers and carefully sat down next to Plo. Her anger was mellowing into despair.
"What do we do now, Master?" She asked.
"I do not know." Plo said.
"Kal said-"
"I know what he has said." Plo said. "I do not know if it is the best plan of action."
"At least it is a plan of action!" Ahsoka said. "Master, I can't just sit here!"
"Neither can I." Plo said. "But what can I do?"
He provided no solution. He provided no comfort. He could not.
"My poor boys." He murmured. "My poor, poor sons."
Ahsoka took his hand and squeezed it.
Ahsoka forced herself to go home. She had asked Padme over and over if there was anything she could do. She knew there wasn't, but she needed there to be. Padme finally got her to leave by promising they would make a plan the next day.
Ahsoka came home to an argument. Omega and Hunter were facing off in the living room, while Crosshair, Tech, and Wrecker watched from the couch.
"Hunter, we're free! We don't have to be afraid of the Kaminoans anymore!" Omega said.
"Nala Se isn't going to let anything, including the law, get in the way of getting you back." Hunter said.
"But we can protect ourselves now without getting in trouble! We don't have to leave!"
"You don't understand, Omega, you're too young-" Hunter said.
"I'm older than you!" Omega shouted.
Hunter heaved a great sigh.
"How many times has she used that?" Crosshair asked Tech.
"Forty-seven." Tech said promptly.
"Oh good, we're almost at fifty." Crosshair said. "Maybe if she uses it a few more times, we'll consider it a valid argument."
Omega shot Crosshair a sharp look.
"Omega, I have to do what's best for the squad." Hunter said.
"There are people other than the squad, Hunter!" Omega said. "What about Rex, or Cody?"
There was an uncomfortable silence as the Bad Batch looked at each other.
"Chancellor Amidala has asked me and Echo to be the new joint representatives of the clones." Omega said.
"What?" Hunter said. "Echo, why didn't you-"
Hunter looked around, as did Ahsoka. Echo wasn't in the room. Neither was Fives. Ahsoka couldn't sense them in the apartment.
"They're not here." Ahsoka said.
"What- when did he leave?" Wrecker asked.
Tech frowned.
"I don't recall."
"Is he with Fives?" Ahsoka asked.
The Batch looked at each other.
Ahsoka's comm beeped.
"It's Fives." She told the rest of the group. "Maybe he knows."
She clicked it on.
"Ahsoka!" Fives' voice was harsh and frightened.
"Fives?" Ahsoka said. "Do you have-"
"Echo's hurt!" Fives interrupted her.
The entire Batch froze in place.
"I need Tech!" Fives went on. "Something's wrong with his cybernetics, he won't wake up-"
"Where are you?" Ahsoka asked, making eye contact with Tech, who was already gathering up his tools from the table.
"I'm at Grif's ring." Fives said. "It was the closest place I knew. He let us stay in a back room, but Echo won't wake up, Ahsoka, and he's barely breathing-"
"We'll be down in a minute!" Ahsoka said. "Stay calm and stay where you are!"
"Where exactly is he?" Tech asked as Ahsoka shut the comm off.
Despite his level voice, Tech's posture was tense. The rest of the Batch were on their feet.
"Level 1313." Ahsoka said. "A fighting ring we used to be part of."
"Then we cannot all go." Tech said.
Wrecker made an immediate sound of protest, while Hunter narrowed his eyes.
"He's right." Ahsoka said. "A group of well armed clones are bound to get attention. Echo must have been noticed while they were down there."
"Why were they down there in the first place?" Hunter asked.
"It does not matter." Tech said. "We must get to Echo."
"Fine." Hunter said. "Crosshair, Tech, you go. Keep us updated."
"Hunter!" Omega protested as Crosshair grabbed his rifle.
"No, Omega!" Hunter said.
"Lead the way, Commander." Tech said as he hoisted his pack onto his back.
Ahsoka's mind raced for the quickest way down there. Their speeder would bring them more unwanted attention. Her speeder bike couldn't carry all three of them.
"Shuttle's our only option." She said. "Come on."
Luckily there was a station nearby. Ahsoka went straight to the driver and dropped a handful of credits onto the dash.
"Straight to 1313." She ordered.
The Sullustan driver narrowed his eyes at Ahsoka.
"This shuttle's got a route." He said. "Ain't nothing-"
He squawked as Crosshair shoved his rifle barrel into the man's face.
"1313." Crosshair hissed. "Now."
"Don't bother calling the authorities." Tech said. "I have the comms jammed. And you should know, 'ain't nothing' is grammatically incorrect."
The driver gulped and started the shuttle. Thankfully, they immediately started going down. Ahsoka was glad that Tech and Crosshair were her companions rather than Wrecker. She was sure the large clone did not handle waiting as well as these two. Though she noticed that Tech sat down and began jogging his leg up and down incessantly. Crosshair merely stared out the window, the only sign of his worry in the deathgrip he had on his rife.
The minutes sludged past like a protocol droid on Dagobah, until finally the familiar, grungy sights of 1313 became apparent to Ahsoka.
"Let us off here." Ahsoka told the driver. "Keep the credits."
The three of them disembarked. Ahsoka took off at a run, the other two close behind. Grif's wasn't too far away. Ahsoka recognized Pez, the twitchy young Zabrack under Grif's care, peeking out of the doorway.
'There you are!" He said. "Follow me!"
The ring was crowded, but Ahsoka gently nudged people out of the way with the Force. Pez led them to the back room where Grif would stow any fighter that'd had it too rough. Fives looked up as they entered. Ahsoka could see he had bloody knuckles and a bruise blossomed across one side of his face. He was crouched over Echo's prone form. Echo was disturbingly still. Though she could tell he was alive through the Force, Ahsoka had to stare at him for a moment before she discerned that he was breathing.
Tech pushed Fives out of the way.
"What happened?" Tech asked.
"I was coming down here to-"
"I could not care less what reason you were down here." Tech said in a harsher tone than Ahsoka had heard from him. "What has happened to Echo?"
Fives looked shocked for only a moment.
"The scum that came after him had some sort of device." Fives said. "I don't know exactly what it did, but Echo just started- screaming and his implants started sparking."
Ahsoka glanced at Echo. There were raw, bloody marks around his implants, as if Echo had tried to claw them out.
"Cybernetics fetch a high price on the black market." Tech said as he ran a scanner over Echo's head. "Devices have been developed to overwhelm cybernetic systems. Your attacker must have used one of these. Unfortunately, Echo's cybernetics are far more than just his arm and legs."
Tech seemed to steel himself before pulling free the cybernetic attachment around Echo's head. Echo made a choked noise, and stopped breathing.
"What are you-" Fives made to move towards Tech, but Crosshair roughly shoved him back.
"Tech knows what he's doing." Crosshair said. "Unlike you."
Tech was furiously moving wires and jabbing tools into Echo's cybernetic piece. Within seconds he reattached the piece. Echo gasped and began to breathe, deeper than he had before.
"Is he- is he okay?" Fives choked out.
"For now." Tech said. "Many of Echo's involuntary systems are maintained by the programming in his cybernetics. When his cybernetics were overwhelmed, those programs were destabilized. I have stabilized his respiratory and cardiac programs, but it will require more work for him to wake up."
"Then do it!" Fives said.
"Excellent idea." Tech said. "Let us remove the implant again that is currently allowing him to breathe and his heart to pump."
"We should go." Ahsoka said.
Fives tried to push past Crosshair to get to Echo, but Crosshair pushed him back.
"I'll carry him." Crosshair said. "You've done enough damage."
Crosshair scooped up Echo and stalked out of the room, Tech close behind. Fives stared after him.
"Come on, Fives." Ahsoka said. "He'll be fine."
Fives looked to her, his eyes wide.
"What is wrong with me?" Fives asked. "I keep- Everything I do makes things worse!"
"This wasn't your fault, Fives." Ahsoka said.
"Wasn't it?" Fives asked. "Echo was only down here because of me. I was going to go fight, damn whatever Skirata said, but Echo said I shouldn't. He followed me down here and those hu'tuun saw him. They went after him and nearly killed him! I nearly killed him!"
Ahsoka didn't know what to say. One on hand, how could he blame himself for the actions of the scalpers? On the other, the only reason Echo was down there was because of Fives.
"Let's go home." Ahsoka finally said.
Fives kept his head down as he followed her.
Ahsoka hadn't realized how much the Bad Batch truly cared about Echo until she saw them react to him coming home in his battered state. Wrecker and Omega were the most openly upset. Wrecker's face was contorted with anxiety and worry as he took Echo's limp form from Crosshair. Omega refused to leave Echo's side, hovering around whoever was currently holding Echo. They both hurried off to Fives' and Echo's room, likely to deposit him in his bed. Hunter immediately went to Crosshair and Tech, demanding to know what happened. He was mostly calm, but Ahsoka could feel the anxiety sparking off of him.
"Why don't you ask the Hero of the Republic?" Crosshair said.
Hunter looked to Fives. Fives was staring at the ground. Ahsoka was trying her best to not let his shame, which was battering at her in the Force, affect her.
"We were caught by some cybernetics scalpers." Fives said. "Tech-Tech knows more about what happened to him."
"Why don't you explain why you let Echo, who has a bounty on his head and has cybernetics worth more than those scum have seen in their lives, go down to the most dangerous level of Coruscant?" Crosshair asked.
"He followed me!" Fives protested. "I didn't let him do anything."
Crosshair snorted and turned away from Fives.
"He wouldn't have followed you if you weren't being a complete ass." He said. "Really, when was the last time you made a decent decision?"
Fives recoiled.
"Crosshair." Hunter said.
"Don't listen to him." Ahsoka muttered to Fives.
She attempted to touch his arm but he jerked away from her. Ahsoka bit her lip, but moved away. She needed to contact Padme and let her know.
Padme took the news well, considering it was more bad news on top of everything else.
"Is there anything I can do?" Padme asked.
"Let me ask Tech." Ahsoka said.
"We need a ventilator and ventricular assist device." Tech said promptly when asked. "I would prefer to work on him here than in a med center."
Ahsoka relayed the information to Padme.
"I'll see what I can do." Padme said. "Please, keep me updated."
"Of course." Ahsoka said. "Do you need me to come in tomorrow?"
"If you can. But if you want to stay with Echo-"
"No." Ahsoka said. "I'll just be in the way. Besides, he'll be fine."
Ahsoka said it mostly to convince herself. The image of Echo's pale form lying still made it hard to believe.
Padme had insisted on coming home with Ahsoka the next day to visit Echo. Echo was set up in Rex's old bed, wired into the machines keeping him alive.
"How is he?" Padme asked Tech.
Tech rattled off a list of systems that had sustained damage during the system overload, leaving Padme looking politely puzzled.
"He means," Omega said. "That it'll be a while before Echo can wake up."
The girl was subdued. From what Ahsoka could tell from that morning and Hunter's gentle prodding, Omega had not moved from Echo's side since she'd woken up. She would have stayed there all night if she hadn't fallen asleep and been whisked off to bed by her brothers.
Ahsoka could barely stand being in the apartment. It was almost as bad as being alone. Wrecker couldn't sit still. Crosshair glowered at everyone from a corner in Echo's room. Hunter brooded from place to place. Fives was sequestered in Jesse's old room, refusing to come out. Only Tech had something to do, and even then his leg bounced up and down constantly.
"Chancellor," Hunter said after Padme had spent a few minutes with Echo. "May I speak to you?"
"Of course, Hunter." Padme said.
"Omega mentioned that you had asked her and Echo to become the new joint senators for the clones."
Omega stiffened and glanced at Hunter.
"Yes, I did." Padme said.
"Begging your pardon, ma'am, but Omega is a child-"
"I'm older than you!" Omega put in angrily.
"A child without accelerated maturation." Hunter finished.
"Do you know how old I was when I became the Queen of Naboo?" Padme asked.
Hunter hesitated.
"Fourteen, ma'am." He said. "But aren't the rules for being a Senator different?"
"Yes, but seeing as any clone is at the oldest fourteen, we'll have to bend the rules regardless." Padme said. "If you are worried about her safety-"
"That's part of it." Hunter confessed. "But I suppose she's a target regardless. Chancellor, we're doing our best to give Omega a normal childhood. Maybe we're not ideal candidates, but we're trying. Being the representative for the clones isn't what I would call normal."
"I understand." Padme said. "Which is in part why I asked Echo to be joint representative. That would take a lot of the pressure off of Omega until she is ready to fully take on the role."
"But why Omega?" Hunter asked. "And what about Fives?"
"Omega has greatly impressed me while she's been here." Padme said.
Omega straightened and smiled proudly.
"She has passion and does well in front of a crowd. Most importantly, she understands what's important." Padme went on. "As for Fives-"
"Isn't it obvious?" Crosshair said from his corner.
Ahsoka started. She'd forgotten he was there.
"Fives over here is a failure of a representative." Crosshair said. "The only reason the bill passed today was because of Omega and Echo and in spite of Fives' tenure."
"Crosshair!" Hunter said sharply. "There's no reason-"
"He almost killed Echo." Crosshair hissed. "I think that's reason enough."
"Fives did what he could." Padme said.
Ahsoka appreciated her tact.
"Hunter, I feel like I could do a lot of good as the Senator." Omega said. "I want to do it."
Hunter looked down at Omega and sighed.
"We'll talk to Echo when he wakes up." He said.
"He seemed very supportive of the idea when I spoke to him." Padme said.
"Let's see how he feels after having his brain fried." Hunter muttered.
Padme left soon after, leaving the apartment drenched in dread.
"Has he eaten?" Ahsoka asked Hunter, jerking her head towards Tech. "Or slept?"
"Neither." Hunter said grimly. "But if Tech doesn't want to sleep there isn't much you can do."
Ahsoka studied Hunter's face. He looked exhausted. She glanced at Crosshair and Wrecker. Both had obvious shadows under their eyes.
"Have any of you slept?" Ahsoka asked.
Hunter hesitated and that told Ahsoka everything.
"Okay, you are all going to bed. Now." Ahsoka said.
"Someone's gotta stay with Echo!" Wrecker protested.
"Omega and I will." Ahsoka said. "As she is the only one of you who's gotten any rest."
Hunter furrowed his brow.
"Go on, Hunter." Omega said. "He'll be okay."
Hunter's shoulders drooped and he shrugged.
"Fine." He said. "Come on, Wrecker, Crosshair."
They crowded out of the room and Ahsoka felt like she could breathe again. She ducked out into the hallway and knocked at Jesse's door. When she got no response, she sighed and unlocked the door with the Force.
"Fives?" She asked as the door opened.
Fives was lying on Jesse's bed, facing the wall. Ahsoka could tell he wasn't asleep. Ahsoka moved so she could see his face. He looked exhausted, but he stared forward with no indication that he was attempting to sleep.
"Are you doing okay?" She asked.
He didn't even look at her.
"Please try to sleep." She said. "Tech's working on it. Echo will be okay."
Fives gave a vague shrug.
Ahsoka frowned, but went to the kitchen, where Tech was still working. An untouched ration bar was pushed to the side.
"You should eat." Ahsoka told him.
"I am quite aware of my limits." Tech said. "The longer the implant is detached, the more permanent damage is possible."
Ahsoka sighed and rummaged around the prepackaged meals she tended to eat. She grabbed two and returned to Echo and Omega.
"Thanks." Omega said, accepting the plastiwrapped package.
The girl silently ate, her eyes never leaving Echo's face.
"Echo wants to be the representative." She said suddenly.
"Really?" Ahsoka asked.
Omega nodded.
"He wants to help all our brothers, not just the Batch." She went on. "And he wants to help the Republic."
Omega bit her lip and Ahsoka knew what she was thinking. Echo may not be fit for duty if things went wrong with the repair.
"He'll be okay." Ahsoka promised.
She hoped it wasn't a lie.
A few hours later Omega's eyelids began to droop.
"Come on." Ahsoka said with a smile. "It's time to switch guards."
Omega nodded and squeezed Echo's hand before following Ahsoka.
"Commander."
Jesse's door had opened and Fives stood in the doorway. She doubted he had gotten any sleep. There was something- off about his expression. But he seemed more at peace than he had in a long time. The Force was confused around him, like it didn't know what to make of him.
"Yeah?" Ahsoka asked.
"Goodnight." He said simply.
"Oh. Goodnight." She said.
She smiled at him and he gave a small one back, before retreating back to the room.
Hunter's eyes snapped open when they entered the living room. He shook Crosshair and they both silently got up. Hunter placed a hand on Omega's head as they went to take up their posts.
Omega smiled at Ahsoka before ignoring her own bed roll and curling up next to Wrecker. The large clone grumbled in his sleep before tucking an arm around his sister.
Tech was still at the table, tinkering away.
"How's it going?" Ahsoka asked in a whisper.
Tech jolted and snapped his head to stare at her.
"Ah!" He said. "Oh. It's you."
He adjusted his goggles.
"It would be going better if I were not interrupted."
"It also might be going better if you took care of your body." Ahsoka challenged.
Tech frowned at her.
"I received the same lecture from Hunter. Echo's wellbeing is more important than my own in this circumstance."
"But what if it affects your work?" Ahsoka pressed.
"It will not. I have worked in far less ideal situations. It will be hours before my fatigue affects my work."
Tech glanced at her when she didn't respond.
"Do you think I would sincerely allow my pride to risk Echo's wellbeing?"
"No. Of course not." Ahsoka said. "Good luck."
"I do not need it, but thank you."
Mando'a:
shabbed: effed
hu'tuun: coward, worst possible insult
Ahahahaha you thought things were getting better. NOPE. Though having the legislation in place is still a plus. I do think Omega and Echo are going to (maybe if Echo recovers) better representatives than Fives. Echo has Fives' sense of justice and is slightly less traumatized in this universe, and has more chill than Echo. Omega is empathetic and very justice orientated. Together they make a good team. Also friiiick the Jedi Counciiiiil. Yoda is kinda traumatized tbh. I love writing the Bad Batch being bros and not being torn apart. It's fun. Also, Hunter knows what age Padme was elected because they may or may not have done their research on their 'girl.' I hope all the reasoning and legal stuff makes at least some sense.
Anyway, wear your masks, remember to review, and have a great few weeks!