The atmosphere is cold on the Havoc Marauder. After the capture of Omega by the Empire, the stench of failure permeates the ship. Clone Force 99 was down to half a squad, and they had to start working on getting Omega and Crosshair back. The craft was unlit except by hyperspace. Hunter was brooding about losing his daughter and overwhelmed by failure. If he were a leader, he would have failed in every role he took on. Looking at the empty Gunner Nest, he saw AZ lying alone with Omega's helmet and bow.
"What do we do to get Omega and Crosshair back?" Hunter asked, turning to his teammates.
"We can start by finding Rex and seeing what he knows. But we need to take action, or we'll never get them back," Echo replied grimly.
"We need to tell Phee what happened. She deserves to know," Wrecker sighed, "Don't forget, in our current condition, there isn't much we can do,"
"That is true," Hunter sighed.
"Alright, but once we tell Phee, we need to head to Coruscant to team up with Rex, alright?" Echo asked.
"Alright," Hunter replied as he adjusted the Havoc Marauder's course towards Pabu. Hunter didn't know what would be more painful for Phee. Tech's death, being betrayed, or the Empire capturing Omega.
We should send Phee to keep an eye on Cid. She will probably spill as much information on us as she can," Hunter suggested.
"That sounds like a plan. Once we've got that set up, we head for Rex," Wrecker replied.
"Alright," Echo replied sceptically. Hunter turned back to the controls, unable to shake the feeling that things would keep going wrong.
On the way, Hunter decided on something. He would hand leading the squads over to Captain Rex. Hunter felt like a failure in his duty as the leader of Clone Force 99, which had led to the capture of Omega and Crosshair and the death of Tech. Now, he had to rediscover his way if he ever wanted to see Omega and Crosshair again.
It took four days to get to Pabu, and Hunter sighed as he steered the Havoc Marauder into a landing. Phee Genoa was waiting for them. It was midday on Pabu Island, and the weather was warm for a Spring day. Pabu's star lit the landing pad, and as Hunter exited the Havoc Marauder, he took in the sounds and scents of the ocean surrounding the island and the earth of the island. The ground was hard but supportive. Hunter noted the reconstruction efforts were almost complete, and Hunter also noticed the ocean currents had subtly changed.
Hunter immediately could tell that Phee knew something was wrong.
"Where's Brown Eyes? And where's Omega?" Phee asked, concerned.
Hunter explained everything that had happened, "We travelled to Eriadu to attach a tracking device to the ship containing Dr Hemlock so we could find out where he's holding Crosshair. However, we ran into Saw Gerrera and his Partisans, who were trying to destroy the base to kill high-ranking Imperial officials. We had to flee the base due to the Partisans' bombs. The damage to Hemlock's ship destroyed our tracker. Our gondola stalled, and Tech had to reset the mechanics of the gondola. Trying to get back, V-Wings shot the pathway. Tech got caught on his cable dangling from a damaged gondola, then implemented Plan 99, blasting the gondola he was attached to so we could escape as Tech plunged to his death. The gondola we were on smashed through the walls of the facility, badly injuring everyone, including Omega. We rushed her to Ord Mantell only to learn that Cid now works for the Empire. Cid sold us out and got Omega captured by Dr Hemlock. And now we're here,"
Phee looked to Hunter, Wrecker, then Echo, hoping either would contradict Hunter's words. When they didn't, Phee broke down sobbing. The pain and grief of losing someone she liked were overwhelming, especially since their final conversation had gone badly.
"Phee!" Hunter said as he ran over to try and comfort her. Echo and Wrecker went over and attempted to help Phee calm down.
"Damn you, Cid," Phee spat down between her sobs.
"We should've seen it coming. Cid warned us her loyalty was flimsy," Wrecker admitted shamefully.
Hunter turned to Wrecker, "I know. Maybe we should've taken AZ with us when we left Cid,"
"Maybe," Echo replied. It took ages to calm Phee down, and when she did, Hunter said, "I'm sorry about Tech, Phee,"
"Everything is even worse because our last conversation didn't go well," Phee sighed.
"You know that Tech struggled with communication. He was probably too focused on preparing for the mission," Hunter sighed.
"Even so," Phee sighed, "How's Lyana going to react, knowing she may never see her friend again?"
"I know," Hunter replied, "But I promise we'll do everything we can to get Omega back,"
"Alright. What can I do in the meantime?" Phee asked.
"Well, you could keep an eye on Cid for us," Hunter replied, "See how her time working for the Empire is going for her and how much information she's giving up about us to them,"
"That could be an option. Though I'll need to smooth talk the Imperials there. We don't have the best history," Phee chuckled.
"If anyone can smooth talk people, it's you," Hunter replied.
'I'll have to tell Shep and Lyana about what I'm doing. I could be gone a while," Phee said.
"They're not going to take it well, especially Lyana. Let me come with you," Wrecker suggested.
"Sure, big guy," Phee replied, and she led Wrecker towards where Lyana and Shep were playing. Hunter turned away, back towards the Marauder.
"You know we have no idea where Omega and Crosshair are, right?" Echo said.
Hunter sighed, "I know. Phee might overhear an Imperial mention something. Or maybe Rex knows something. We've got to start somewhere, and Rex and Cid are two that could prove beneficial,"
"I guess," Echo sighed, "So, are you going to team up with Rex?"
"Maybe. I might go off alone for a bit to rediscover who I am," Hunter replied.
"You don't need to do that, Hunter," Echo replied, "We've turned to you for guidance in the past. You lead the squad, you don't need to abandon us now, we need you more than ever,"
"And where has my leadership got us, Echo? We're down to half a squad and staying half a squad at best until we know where the Empire's keeping Omega and Crosshair. And that's if we get to Omega and Crosshair before whatever the Empire is doing to them results in death," Hunter replied, frustration threatening to boil over.
Echo sighed. He had already lost so much. Many brothers, his twin, Tech, Omega, and, Hunter is on the verge of leaving. Echo decided on a different track.
"Do you seriously expect me to keep control of Wrecker?" Echo asked.
"Rex should know how to handle Wrecker. I can advise him if he needs it, but with enough Clones around, Wrecker will be OK," Hunter tried to reassure Echo, who looked at him sceptically.
After being told about the Empire capturing Omega, Lyana broke down, and it took ages to calm her. After an hour, Lyana reaches Hunter and Echo.
"Please tell me you're going to get Omega back," Lyana said.
"I will," Hunter replied, kneeling to Lyana's level. Lyana nodded, then embraced Shep.
"I'm off to Ord Mantell. How long should I be spying on Cid for?" Phee asked.
"Long enough to bug the Cantina. The Empire will be there, so I recommend getting in and out as soon as possible," Echo replied.
"Alright," Phee replied, smiling gently.
"We'd better get going. Rex is going to want to know what's happened," Hunter replied.
"Alright. Good Luck," Phee replied before she departed while Hunter, Wrecker and Echo headed onto the Havoc Marauder.
"Stay close, though. We never know what the Empire or Cid have planned for me," Phee called through the intercom.
"Confirm that," Hunter replied, "Stay safe. The last thing we want is to lose you too,"
"Just ensure you don't get captured, alright?" Phee responded.
"Alright," Hunter replied before he shut the intercom off and followed Phee's ship off Pabu.
Despite the warmth of Pabu, the atmosphere inside the Havoc Marauder was still cold. Hunter noticed as he eased the craft into hyperspace.
The craft was lit again by hyperspace, and Hunter could hear the craft's hum and the scents of the metal and failure. The stench of failure and a ray of hope that they could at least start on their quest to rescue Omega and Crosshair filled the craft. Phee overhears a stormtrooper talking about something related.
"Let's hope Phee can smooth talk her way past the Empire," Echo said.
"She'll be OK," Echo replied, "She's been in tight situations before and got out of it OK,"
"I hope so," Hunter replied.
Due to a problem with the ship during the trip, the Havoc Marauder fell a day behind Phee, with the travel time to Ord Mantell extending to five days. Little had changed on the Havoc Marauder in that time except for some of the hope in the air rapidly being replaced with nerves.
"Is everything OK, Hunter?" Echo asked.
"I can't help but shake the feeling that something's going to go wrong," Hunter replied.
"Relax. Phee can handle herself, alright?" Wrecker reassured.
"I guess," Hunter replied.
"Where are we going?" Wrecker asked.
"Coruscant. We've got to inform Rex about what's happened and form a plan," Hunter replied.
"Sounds good," Echo replied. Suddenly, they get an urgent message from Phee.
"Get the intercom," Echo called, and Hunter turned it on.
"Phee, come in, what's going on?" Hunter said, a note of urgency in his voice.
"So I managed to get into Ord Mantell and Cid's Parlour, past the Empire. I haven't overheard anything from Cid or the Empire, but there's blaster fire all over the city. We're locked down. Can you find out what's going on?" Phee replied urgently.
"We're on our way," Hunter replied as the intercom with Phee suddenly cut out.
"The Empire is jamming communications," Echo said.
"This is what I was worried about," Hunter replied as he got the navicomputer to generate a hyperspace route to Ord Mantell.
When the Havoc Marauder reached Ord Mantell and flew to the surface, Hunter's fear was confirmed when he recognised the ships.
"What are the Partisans doing here?" Echo asked, horrified.
"Whatever Saw's doing here, we need to extract Phee from the city," Hunter replied as he landed the Havoc Marauder just outside the city.
It was a warm fall, late afternoon, on the surface of Ord Mantell City. Ord Mantell's star lights the city, and Hunter can hear the city residents working. The city's dirt and stone filled Hunter's nostrils as he moved on the solid and rough ground. Everyone could see the Stormtroopers locking the city down, though only Hunter could see the Partisan's marks on a few already dead Stormtroopers.
Two Partisans shot stuns at the Batch, and Hunter, Wrecker and Echo had to scatter to avoid it as the stormtroopers fired back.
"We're caught between two enemies. It's a good thing we know this city well so we can forge a path to Cid's Parlour," Hunter said.
"Agreed," Echo replied, and the trio headed further inside the city.
As the trio closed in on Cid's Parlour, there was suddenly a major, firey explosion coming from the Parlour.
"Oh no," Hunter said, racing towards the Parlour with Wrecker and Echo close behind. Phee was in big trouble if she was even close to that explosion.
"I only hope Phee got away in time," Hunter said as they reached the Parlour.
When they got inside, Echo saw that the fire had wrecked the Parlour. The fires were out, except for smouldering parts. Hunter turned on a torch so he could see. The destroyed Dejarik tables were sparking, and the scents of smoke hit Echo's senses. The floor was rough and unforgiving. Everyone could see the destruction of the Parlour, fuelled by the smashed alcohol bottles, but Hunter saw a potential escape route for Cid and Phee.
"Hunter," Echo asked, turning to see Hunter clench his hands in rage.
"Hunter," Wrecker tried to reassure, but nothing got through to him.
"SAW! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Hunter yelled and ran like an angry bull out of the Parlour.
"HUNTER!" Echo called.
"Come on," Wrecker replied miserably, "We'd better try to recover Phee's body,"
But at that moment, Echo and Wrecker had to run further into the Parlour to avoid Imperial blaster fire.
"Do you remember where Cid's little escape route is?" Echo asked Wrecker.
"Will do," Wrecker replied, and he retreated further into Cid's office, looking for an escape route. A smashed spice pack had left Spice all over the floor, adding to the smell of smoke. As they retreated into the office, there was additional blaster fire, followed by confused yells of "Retreat!" from the Imperials.
"What the?" Wrecker asked. The answer came quickly as unknown figures called, "Echo, Wrecker, is that you?"
"Yeah," Wrecker replied, while Echo asked, "Who are you?"
"We're mercenaries sent by Captain Rex. We must ask you to depart the Parlour while we search for survivors. Alright?"
Suddenly, Wrecker and Echo realised they were talking to other Clones. Slowly, they lower their weapons and exit.
"Why are you here?" the trooper asked.
"We're looking for our friend, Phee. We sent her to spy on Cid and the Empire," Echo replied.
"Oh, we're sorry for your loss. We'll need you to leave, however, as it's now a crime scene due to the actions of Saw Gerrera and his terrorist Partisans," the trooper replied.
Seeing half a dozen troopers inside the Cantina, Wrecker and Echo nodded and departed.
Once they exited the Parlour, they saw that the air was thick with smoke and the sounds of blaster fire. It sounded like the entire city was fighting.
"Try and get in contact with Hunter," Echo commanded to Wrecker, who nodded and turned on his communicator.
"Hunter, where are you?" Wrecker asked.
"I'm on the way back to the ship. Where are you?" Hunter replied through the intercom.
"We're just outside the Cantina. But we're on our way," Echo replied. As he and Wrecker started making their way towards the craft, both were trying to process the enormity of what happened. So soon after the death of Tech, now Phee was dead. At least Cid was out of the picture because the Empire would seek information about them from her. But still, they had made another massive mistake by sending Phee after Cid.
Meanwhile with Hunter
Hunter's heart thumped as he ran out of the Parlour and charged down the alley as he tried to process the enormity of his mistake. The ground was rough on his boots as he searched for the scent of Saw Gerrera. The sun beat down on him, but he didn't care.
They should've known that the Partisans would attack any Empire target he could hit. And with Cid having defected to the Empire, it was only a matter of time before Saw Gerrera targeted the Cantina. Before long, Hunter spotted Saw Gerrera walking towards a ship.
"SAW!" Hunter yelled, pulling a vibroblade out of his sheath as he charged at Saw Gerrera. Saw turned around, but before Saw could raise his blaster towards Hunter, Hunter drove his vibroblade into Saw Gerrera's chest.
"W-Why?" Saw asked as he and Hunter fell to the ground.
"For Tech, Omega, Phee, and every Clone currently being held by the Empire," Hunter growled. As Saw passed out, Hunter had to run as other Partisans started firing on him. Hunter didn't even have enough time to pull his Vibroblade out of Saw's chest, but he didn't care. It felt cathartic to stab Saw, though he knew it wouldn't last.
As he headed for the Havoc Marauder, he got the message from Wrecker and Echo.
Wrecker and Echo moved quickly through Ord Mantell City and soon caught up with Hunter.
"What's going on?" Hunter asked as they took cover from a group of Stormtroopers, Partisans, and other Clone Trooper groups.
"What's going on?" Echo asked.
"Because this city has become a shitshow, that's why," Hunter replied as they slowly made their way around the conflict and headed for the Havoc Marauder.
"I don't know. Between the Partsians, the Empire, and the other Clone Troopers, we've got an absolute clusterkriff," Hunter replied.
Finally, Wrecker, Echo and Hunter reached the Havoc Marauder, and Hunter started flying off the city that was destroying itself. Hunter, Wrecker, and Echo were stunned with horror. First, they had lost Tech on Eriadu. Then Cid defected to the Empire, and now Omega is being held by Dr Hemlock, who the Republic compared to the Kaminoans on his dismissal. And now they've lost Phee. The light of hyperspace lit the Havoc Marauder, and the stench of guilt and failure was more pungent than ever. The seat Echo was sitting on was solid but rough.
"Hunter," Echo said.
"Save it," Hunter replied, "See why I don't want to lead this squad anymore? It's because I've failed everyone. Tech is dead, Omega and Crosshair are with Dr Hemlock and Nala Se, who are probably torturing them, and now Phee is dead,"
"Please don't mention the word torture regarding Omega and the Kaminoans," Echo replied, glaring at Hunter.
"What?" Wrecker asked.
"Let's just say that Omega had a difficult time growing up on Kamino and leave it at that," Echo sighed.
"I'll take your word for it," Hunter replied, realising he'd said something he shouldn't.
"Let's see what Captain Rex has for us," Wrecker replied.
"Sounds like a plan, Wrecker," Hunter replied.
Eventually, they reached the Coruscant underground. It had been more than two weeks since the Empire captured Omega. And only now were they starting on the quest to get her and Crosshair back.