Silence prevailed. The Marauder was quieter than it had ever been before; no one dared speak as reality slowly began to sink into each member of the elite squad. Not only were they now traitors to the new power, deserters, but they had also broken their own wordless promise by leaving Crosshair in the grip of the newly founded Empire. Although they had succeeded in retrieving Omega and sparing her from a fate few could imagine, it didn't soothe the guilt of leaving Crosshair to fend for himself in a place where few would see him as anything more than an object, an unfeeling piece of equipment, an number.

On top of that came the realization that thousands, if not millions, of Clones across the galaxy had been slaughtered amidst their effort to fulfill the directions of Order 66, an order that took away their free will and suppressed everything that made them human. An order that forced them to turn on and betray their friends in the Jedi and any innocent who stood in their way. An order that went against who they were and against anything any clone could have truly desired. Slowly, it was becoming obvious that Crosshair, too, had fallen victim to the galaxy-wide sweep of Order 66.

As Tech did more research, it became obvious it wasn't just the Jedi targeted. The Civvi personnel had been to. Those considered valuable had been sent to different divisions amongst all the chaos, whereas those deemed useless had been mercilessly executed alongside the Jedi. Echo was unsure what was worse, fearing his friends and brothers had been killed or finding out (Y/N) could also be among the lost. Despite his best efforts, the battle-worn Arc Trooper couldn't bring himself to speak the words ringing through his mind. The words that could shatter what remained of his resolve or fan the flames of hope. It had been Wrecker who had bravely worded the question.

"What about (Y/N)? You said she was on Coruscant." Wrecker's voice had softly rumbled through the tight confinements of the Marauder, bouncing on the durasteel walls as if to trap all of them in an unending loop with the question and any fears it would bring forth. Omega had spoken up curiously after finally diverting her attention away from the swirling colors of hyperspace, asking who the Civvi was, trying her hardest to break up the harrowing atmosphere that had since settled over the cold modified attack shuttle.

"I can't find any trace of her," answered Tech, pushing his goggles back up the bridge of his nose; he soon returned to tapping away at his holopad, a renewed determination to find the answers to lingering questions and maybe settle their growing nerves. If they could save even one they cared for, then their efforts and hope wouldn't be in vain. "It appears others are uncounted for as well. Commanders Wolffe, Thire, and Blackout are among them," he commented, intending to grow the small amount of hope each had, but especially for Echo, who had already lost so much and stood to lose more.

"Where are we heading anyway?" asked Echo, attempting to change the subject and drown the dread beginning to take hold in the pit of his stomach. All he wanted now was a distraction, if only so he could ignore the growing concerns and silence the thoughts of terror floating through his mind as if to torment him more than the Separatists did during the war. The Arc Trooper was well aware the Batch had built up a network of contacts during their assignments across the galaxy. Rex and Cody were among them, as were Senators, Civvi Personnel, and random civilians across the galaxy.

"Saleucami," announced Hunter, confidence flooding his smokey voice, even if his honey-colored eyes didn't echo it. "There's a friend there that's been hiding for years. Figured he'd be the best person to get advice from," he added, recalling when the batch had come across Cut and Su. It had been one of their first assignments off Kamino. At first, each had assumed he was just undercover for something but soon learned otherwise when he interrogated them, believing the Republic had sent them to retrieve or execute him for treason. They'd parted on good terms, though, keeping his whereabouts a secret and stopping off every now and again to visit when they were close by. They'd slowly built a friendship to the point Cut was one of the few they trusted.

"Found something," announced Tech, a forefinger pointed upwards, although a neutral expression painted upon his features, clearly stating he didn't know if his findings were good or not. "Two of the (Y/L/N) sisters are accounted for, Devika. She still remains in the Senate. Senators Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, and Riyo Chuchi have taken her under their wing. Isolde is listed among the military base casualties, as is her husband Octavius," he added, unsure if (Y/N) being unaccounted for is a good thing or not. It certainly brought up more questions and barely answered others.

"She got away?" commented Omega, her voice full of hope and optimism despite the dire situation placed before her. Despite not knowing much about the civvi medic, it was clear she meant a lot to the clones who did know her. Some who came back to Kamino often spoke of the civvi medics, how some were far gentler than the Kaminoans. Others spoke of the medics being friendly and good listeners, brave even for fearlessly volunteering despite the cost of doing so. Risking their lives to ensure clones were taken care of, too.

Soon enough, the squad and Omega landed on Saleucami, landing on the outskirts of what appeared to be a farm. The fields of crops appeared about ready to be harvested. In the middle of the farm was a small homestead, surrounded by electrical fences to keep away deadly wild beasts that often roamed the area. No doubt there were other boogie traps set up to catch intruders unaware. One of which Wrecker found, made up of a laser trigger and repurposed B1 battle droids, their battery had long since gone flat.

The group had been met at the homestead by Su, brandishing a rifle, no doubt loaded and ready to use. Clung to her were her two children, Jek and Shaeeah, both seemed more curious than frightened despite the difficult time the entire galaxy faced. Both their faces lit up as they recognized the majority of the intruding group, excited even to see Omega with them, a child herself around the same age. Su lowered her rifle soon enough, as did Cut when he appeared from the rows of crops nearby. Both welcomed the former Republic soldiers before getting down to obvious business.

"Rex passed through here the day before yesterday," spoke Cut, giving hope not all was lost. "Wolffe and a medic the day before that," he added, sparking some interest among the group. Even more so at the mention of a medic being with him, despite the odds, Echo couldn't help the curiosity get the better of him and hope filled his heart. Could the medic be Snap? Had Wolffe saved her from whatever fate the Empire had in mind? Could his Snap have survived the slaughter at the military base?

"Wolffe was here?" questioned Hunter, recalling hearing many stories of the gruff commander, although the batch never had the chance to work with him. "Who was the medic?" he voiced, asking the questions all were thinking. Su and Cut glanced at each other. The sudden hope and the change in each of the enhanced soldiers suggested the medic was of great interest to them, perhaps a connection.

"He called her Snap," replied Su, finding herself uncertain if they should share the information; after all, Wolffe had made it clear his intention was to protect her from the Empire, indicating they would hunt her for some reason or another. "She's as stubborn as he is, insisted on tending to the wounds sustained."

"We have to find her and Wolffe," voiced Echo, the words escaping his lips the moment they popped to mind; he didn't spare a second to think about it. Hunter, Tech, and Wrecker all shared a glance as if confirming they were thinking the same thing before either of them spoke up. "Did they say where they were going?" asked the Arc Trooper, determined to keep to the promise he'd made (Y/N) before joining the Bad Batch moons prior. Determined to find her again while refusing to allow the empire to take anyone else away.

"Didn't say, but I wouldn't suggest going after either of them with the little one in your company," uttered Cut, showing his concern for Omega, even more so as he remembered Wolffe sharing his concerns and something Rex had mentioned the following day. "Rex mentioned the Empire highly valued her; they're hunting her. She was supposed to be taken to a top-secret division somewhere." cluing the four troopers in on the dangers that would await if they chose to pursue finding the medic, commander, or captain.

"She's alive, Echo, right now that's what matters. You know she'll be safe with Wolffe," said Hunter, taking Cut's advice and thinking of Omega and what was best for her. She was already stuck with four men who had no clue what to do with her, let alone care for or raise a child. It would be cruel to throw her in danger to try and find someone all considered a friend, all of them loved in their own way.

"But ..." started Echo as if to protest.

"Cut's right. Plus, if we did find Snap, she'd rip us all a new one for putting Omega in harm's way," voiced Wrecker, recalling witnessing Snap whack an incompetent member of the Civvi personnel upside the head. The sound of her hand colliding with the back of the blonde's head was enough to make even the toughest man cringe. The fury that blazed in her eyes that day could warm both Hoth and Ilum or freeze the desert planets of the outer rim.

"I have little doubt we will meet Snap again sometime down the road, but for now, we are on different paths," started Tech, becoming the voice of reason, whilst noting both Su and Cut had gone quiet, observing the interactions. "She's a survivor, a fighter. Eventually, she'll reappear. As Cody said, she had an army of big brothers. She has Wolffe; she's alive; we could ask no more than that," he added, thankful at least one of the few he had grown fond of had survived even when others hadn't been as fortunate. However, he did question how Wolffe had found her. Was it during the chaos of Order 66 or after it? Did he have help, or was it a coincidence he'd found her? Were there others out there helping, or was it just Wolffe and maybe Rex? Had the commander been affected by Order 66, or was he one of a few who had been immune to the effects?

There are so many questions with no answers to them. Echo soon sighed, resigning himself to doing what was best for Omega, even when every fiber of his being was screaming at him to find (Y/N) to help protect her. As the conversation continued, the Arc Trooper began to zone out. Thinking about what was and what is still to come. About all the wrongs he so desperately wanted to make up for, the redemption he sought after. His many brothers across the galaxy as well, both those who had fallen during the order and those now forced to serve the empire, the very thing they were fighting the war to prevent. He thought about Rex out there somewhere, no doubt with a mission in mind. The surviving Jedi who now hid across the galaxy, friends who had lost nearly everything.

Just as he began to think of Omega, although he didn't regret taking her from Kamino, he wasn't okay with the cost. Leaving Crosshair behind when it was so clear he needed them just as much as they needed him. Echo knew keeping Omega with them would complicate a lot of things; they would need to change how they did things to ensure she was safe and adjust other things for her. They would need to ensure she was their top priority, that she had the things she needed and had the skills needed to survive in the cruel galaxy. But more importantly, they had to remember Omega was a child, not a soldiers trained for battle.

"Echo," called Tech from close by, tapping his shoulder a few times to gain his attention before motioning for the Arch Trooper to accompany him. The moment the two left the homestead, a sharp sigh escaped Tech, one that appeared to surprise the enhanced clone when it passed his lips. "I will continue to search for her, while building the detector device, perhaps luck will be in our favor and we'll cross paths sooner rather than later" softly worded Tech, allowing hope to tint his voice. Although he also hoped to be given the chance to rescue Crosshair at some point, the guilt of leaving the silver-haired sniper behind weighed on him heavily, even if he wouldn't admit it out loud.

"Somethings not right," commented Echo, his voice quiet, as if his words were a secret he didn't want others to know. "Why would they execute Octavius, one of the best cryptographers the GAR had to offer? Yet insist on capturing Snap; what do they want her for?" he added, confusion lacing his voice, but concern and uncertainty also tainted it. Tech only glanced at him as both entered the Marauder, observing the mess either Wrecker or Omega had made at some point. The enhanced clone didn't voice his opinions, noting it would do little to soothe Echo or offer him anything in the way of comfort.

Deep down, Tech had questioned the same thing but had come to the conclusion that Octavius had been killed by another member of the personnel or even a rogue clone. After all, if Wolffe had retrieved (Y/N) from the base, then there had to be others helping him. Perhaps Commander Fox or the missing Thire had lent a helping hand. Maybe members of the 501st to disobey the order had aided, at least the half on Coruscant.

"I have a feeling we're not going to like the answer when we get it," voiced Tech, not admitting he had asked the same question regarding (Y/N). From the many thoughts flooding his mind, the scenarios could have been more desirable. Ranging from holding her captive and using her to lure other rogue clones, knowing they wouldn't abandon their friend, to using her for some top-secret experiment. After all, the emperor had ordered the death of her elder sister, so it wasn't a stretch to think he had a use for both (Y/N) and Devika, too. "I will see what I can uncover; if they plan to hunt her, then she is of more value than either of us initially thought. For now, though, it's better to keep a low profile. If the empire finds we are looking for her, they will likely use us or you as bait to get to her," announced Tech, speaking logically.

After all, the Empire had already displayed they would do whatever was necessary to achieve their goals, regardless of the cost or the opinions of those they supposedly served. They told lies and manipulated to ensure they were presented in the best possible light. For now, Order 66 was hidden, so it appeared like the clones had executed the Jedi willingly. The emperor had played a game of chess to an excellent degree, manipulating and playing both sides. To the separatists, the Republic was corrupt and no longer worked, whereas the Separatists were responsible for tearing the once peaceful galaxy apart in the eyes of the Republic.

The Jedi had become warmongers, and the senators were greedy on both sides. The Sith hid in the shadows for the most part, although there had been rumors of a mysterious apprentice the Emperor now had. The daunting Vader. Count Dooku, on the other hand, had by far received the worst treatment since his death, blamed for starting the war and plunging the galaxy into chaos. Only General Grievous had been judged as harshly for picking up where Dooku had left off; instead of ending the war, he continued with the desire for revenge against the republic.

For now, the Clones hadn't received any judgment nor praise for their part in the war. Instead, their future hung in limbo. It was only a matter of time before they were branded as a weapon too dangerous to be controlled and decommissioned as the battle droids had been. Whether another purpose would be found for them or they would be abandoned was another question. After all, they were created for war, and many members of the imperial personnel had already made their opinions clear: clones were nothing more than weapons that had outlived their usefulness. Now, they had completed their purpose, and the war was over.

"For now, we have to focus on stabilizing our own futures. We'd be little use to Snap if we are running from the empire as well," he added, seemingly getting through to Echo, who nodded before focusing on the task ahead of them. How were they going to get away from the empire and help the Lawqaune family disappear as well? Especially with all the new restrictions and other implements put in place.