Chapter Text
‘Rethinking one’s decisions, bending but never breaking, as yielding being key.’
It had been a few weeks since Echo and Omega had left the squad to join Rex and his Rebellion.
The mood was, well, rather bad to say the least. All of them down, quiet, sour, sulking, the overall ambience grisly even. With the moping faces of Tech and Wrecker around, neither of them hardly speaking a word other then the necessary ones to keep the business running, so to speak.
Sure, there had been a few ops ran for Cid in between.
But, other than that, the three remaining members of the Bad Batch, well, guess they could not really call it that any more, as the squad was hardly bad nor a batch anymore.
Simply a trio of mercenaries for hire.
There had been no word from the other two. Echo and Omega. Nor had Rex called them up for help either. It was like the trio had fallen to a pit, becoming personae non gratae. The unwanted. Or at least, that was how they felt.
Then again, it had only been a few weeks…
The rebellion? Well. Guess it was most likely keeping the others quite busy.
While Tech and Wrecker had clearly sided with each other, still holding a grudge against Hunter for a) either driving the other two away or 2) not following suite. Because both Wrecker and Tech, after some thinking and even talking with each other, had come to the conclusion they all should have joined Rex after all.
Regrets?
Yes, they both had those for not speaking up earlier.
Hunter?
Well, he had neither mentioned the other two having joined Rex by name nor any other manner to either Tech or Wrecker. Nor had Hunter taken any opportunity to bring up his great retirement plan either.
In essence, there was no talking between the three of them happening. Not really.
Which was the worst, and annoying the Sith out of Cid.
Because Cid was the one having to watch the three sulking clones when they weren’t on a mission. And so, having come up with jobs on the to run left and right, simply to get them out of her sight.
Because being Dark and Broody was one thing. This? Well this was something else.
But, as there was nothing planned for the moment they were all hanging in the bar, Hunter having his own side corner table and Tech and Wrecker sharing one at the other end of the establishment.
“Have you heard anything?”
Wrecker whispered to Tech.
“No, nothing.”
Tech sounded more clipped than usual.
“I even scoured the imperial dark net to see if they, well, had ran into trouble. But there was nothing of the sort there. Only mentions of an increasing number of clones missing in action and going AWOL.”
“So, it’s a good thing huh? On both counts?”
Wrecker double checked to be sure.
“Yes, it is. As we have to assume those clones have been rescued by Rex and his little rebellion.”
Tech was sure of it. He had to be. For the others sake.
“So, are you gonna tell ‘im?”
Wrecker nodded towards Hunter, knowing he would want to know they were keeping tabs on Echo and Omega.
“Why?”
Tech simply asked.
“Well, he is worried.”
Wrecker tried.
“He, let them go.”
Tech was clearly in a mood at the moment.
And even if he wasn’t showing his feelings most of the time, this incident had rattled the man somewhat. And Teach was angry at Hunter. Clearly.
“You are as stubborn as he is.”
Wrecker wasn’t stupid either, seeing what was happening between the two.
Tech simply gave Wrecker the glare.
But Wrecker wasn’t wrong either. If they all had simply discussed the matter rather than Hunter and Echo coming to blows, this matter could have easily gone differently. And their family would still be in tact.
At least, that was what Tech was thinking now. Hindsights and all that. Not a good state to be in.
Tech sighed and really looked at Wrecker, whose puppy dog pleading eyes were fixed on Tech now.
“Fine, I will let him know.”
Tech finally yielded.
With another more heavier and louder sigh, Tech got up and walked to where Hunter was sitting at.
Hunter had been staring into the half empty glass for the past hour or so, not really sure of anything really any more.
Hunter knew he needed to talk with the other two. Of course.
But somehow, he had lost all sense of leadership, of self, not to mention up to three squad members. Hunter felt like shit at the moment, wanting only to turn back time and maybe, make a better decision?
Hunter did not think he had been wrong though, in wanting a future for his family.
But now, he had finally realised that his dream, his major plan for them, had not been shared with the others after all.
Hunter was roused from his musings by someone clearing a throat beside him.
“Tech?”
Hunter was surprised, really surprised and in a good way too.
“I, well, I just wanted you to know, that I have been monitoring various channels… and well, as far as I can see, the rebellion is progressing rather greatly and our people have not shown up on any imperial boards nor files.”
Tech knew Hunter would understand what information he was trying to convey to him. Even if none of them had mentioned the names of well, Echo, Omega nor Rex even. Well, Tech and Wrecker had in their private conversations of course.
“I see.”
Hunter managed.
Tech stood there for a moment, unmoving.
“Anything else.”
But this was already more than Hunter had gotten in a longest while from either of the other two.
“Yes.”
Tech stated flatly.
There as another moment of silence there.
“Yes?”
“Have you reconsidered, well, your decision?”
Tech wasn’t totally sure what the query held as Hunter had not mentioned the retirement plan nor any other plans either since the now named Echo and Omega incident. Well, at least, between Tech and Wrecker.
Hunter looked at Tech and then turned to glare at the glass in front of him again. Not really looking, simply staring.
“I have.”
Hunter finally said.
He looked back at Tech and motioned for him to sit down. Tech did as, well, offered. After all, they had finally opened their communications channel again.
“I am aware of how you and Wrecker feel about, well, me.”
“Oh?”
Tech wasn’t aware there were feelings involved, not really. Only facts. Then again, they were both mad at Hunter, so guess that was it. The feeling.
“Yes. I do. You both hate me for letting Echo and Omega leave. Alone.”
Tech blinked once, twice. The names finally stated by Hunter out loud was a surprise.
“Well, we are in, well, a disagreement with you of that decision. Us not following them yes.”
Tech responded, with words getting stuck in his mouth.
“I know.”
Hunter sighed and leaned back, clearly feeling a little more relaxed.
“Maybe, well, maybe we should just do some rethinking, all three of us? Maybe come to some, compromise and then only decide…”
Hunter did not even managed to finish his sentence when Cid barged in, looking a tad, confused? A first for sure?
“Fellas!”
Cid motioned for Wrecker to join them.
“What is it?” Hunter asked her.
“There is a distress signal pinging on, um, certain channels.”
Cid sounded rather cryptic.
“What do you mean by certain channels?”
Tech just had to ask, even if he already had his suspicions, having found out by, well, accident, that Cid monitored old GAR and Jedi com channels still.
“Well, let’s just say that I have my interests and keep tabs on certain, things.”
That was as much as they were going to get from her for sure.
“So, this distress signal.”
Hunter asked then wanting to skip the chit-chat.
“You want us to investigate?”
Hunter was eager enough to get back out there.
“Yes. And I am pretty sure this one is right up your ally!”
Cid wasn’t smiling though, nor making further snide comments, as clearly, this one was close to her heart as well.
“Alright.”
Hunter glanced at Tech and Wrecker, who simply nodded their agreement.
“We’ll check it out.”