Alternate Route Pt. 1: Aftermath

The last whole rotation had been full chaos from start to the present.

Kaller had started as just another support mission for Experimental Unit Clone Force 99. It was supposed to be an in and out and ensure the Siege was victorious under the Jedi General and the Battalion under her. They'd accomplished all but one last wave of Klankers headed in their direction, to which they'd have made short work of.

The young Padawan Learner, Caleb Dume if they remembered his name well enough, was eager to follow them into battle. He'd already proven his ability to keep up at the breakneck pace they operated on when he'd met them at the rendezvous point just minutes earlier. In fact, he'd beat them back to his Master and the Clone Troopers he served with, though it was likely only for the reason they had to slow their pace in order to take out the approaching Droids effectively with as little expended energy as possible. He'd have probably been right beside them if they hadn't had to stall and that was impressive enough.

However, the first moment of the slew of unexpected and chaotic mishaps began in that very click the Commander was granted permission to join them.

The Bad Batch heard the familiar and yet unheard voice speak over the COMMs within their buckets. It was the Supreme Chancellor's voice, but he had taken a strange tone that he'd never used before, even to the Clones. It was malicious, dark... evil. It was not the charming, charismatic and wise manner they were accustomed to. Not only that, but he uttered something they were clueless as to the meaning of.

"Execute Order Sixty-Six."

They were unable to question the orders, as the sounds of blaster fire and a laser sword resonated from behind them. The young Commander paused and quickly turned, and the Batch did the same. They all found themselves watching in horror and surprise as Commander Grey, Captain Styles and their men began to shoot with the intent to kill the General.

All six of them moved to intercept, but the Regs finished the job in mere seconds. The last dying screams of the Jedi Master echoed in a cryptic and haunting wail through the snow dusted landscape. Her final moments were spent telling her Apprentice to run and giving her life to stall her own men long enough for her Padawan to escape the same fate.

The poor boy was distressed and overcome by fear. Betrayal set in and he did not waste time or risk falling for a trap. Good intentions or not, Commander Dume bolted and refused to be anywhere near even the Bad Batch.

Hunter and Crosshair tried splitting off and going after him with every intention of escorting him off-world and someplace safe, but the boy did not listen or concede. Instead, he nearly killed them both in an effort to escape, then appeared to try and kill himself by leaping over what would have been an impossible-to-cross ravine, only to prove his skill yet again by landing safely on the opposite side.

The two Troopers were left with only one choice, fire their blasters and cover the boy's tracks in hopes to convince the Regs he fell to his death.

It worked well enough, and their reports would not give any further suspicion either.

They were recalled back to Kamino, only to have a Fighter escort intercept and request clearance codes. The Havoc Marauder was a familiar and very distinctive. There was no other modified Omicron-Class Attack Shuttle in the GAR with the distinctive painting of Senator Amidala upon the helm. True, it was not unheard of for Droids to steal Republic vessels to sneak behind enemy lines, but this was the Bad Batch... Tech would've sooner blown the shuttle to pieces when the alert appeared upon his vambrace.

A hijacked Havoc Marauder would've never made it to Kamino, thus it was common knowledge to simply let them pass through and dock without questions.

It seemed protocol was being heavily enforced.

Upon landing, Clone Force 99 was informed of the end to the Clone War. The Separatists had been defeated and collapsed after the death of General Grievous.

Several litters of Jedi bodies draped in white sheets were being carried across the facility from one landing pad to another. They were all a mixture of Generals and Padawan Commanders. They had all been killed by their own men, but even after the reason was given for such brutality, it didn't make sense. The Jedi would have never betrayed anyone, especially not the Republic or the democratic society they upheld.

Something was very wrong.

A mandatory assembly elaborated on the plot of deception against the Chancellor himself as well as the Galaxy was held. Even still none of it made sense and a feeling of distrust started to rise within the Experimental Unit.

The Chancellor becoming the first Galactic Empire didn't sit well either.

Kamino seemed more like a staging area for zombified pawns rather than Clone Troopers. There was no longer laughter, pride, individuality or free thought. They were all loyal to the Empire and did not seem to question the sudden fall of the Republic and rise of the Empire, nor the uncharacteristic change in the Jedi Order.

Tech informed his vode of the programming in the Regs which likely attributed to their loyalty. He also explained that their enhanced mutations were possibly causing them to resist it, including Echo's cybernetic changes by the Techno Union despite the ARC Trooper being a former Reg himself.

The only break in the chaos was a tiny little being who'd introduced herself as 'Omega'. She was female, but bore the same features as they did, though she carried the blonde hair color that a small handful of Clones were produced with. She was the first one to acknowledge them as equals and seemed drawn to them rather than repulsed. In turn, all five men of Clone Force 99 were drawn to her.

The six of them forged a rather strong bond rather quickly, which in itself was unusual as the Troopers had never had experience with children, and the girl was clearly not a soldier. Still, she stuck up for them during mess and did not falter during the ensuing food fight with the Regs, whom had taken a rather crude jab at them.

Echo took a direct blow to the head in order to spare her from being harmed for whatever strange instinctual reason he couldn't explain, other than it wasn't right to attack a child with the intent to harm no matter what they might have said or done.

Omega escorted him to the medbay and stayed with him until he woke. She even soothed him when he entered into a small fit under the examination in the infirmary by the Medical Surgical Droid AZI-345211896246498721347.

She volunteered to take full responsibility for the mess hall fight.

A visit from Admiral Tarkin saw the Batch separated from the girl for a time. It appeared they were being tested to ensure they were as efficient and valuable as they were projected to be. It was a combat proficiency exam to determine their place in the soon-to-be Imperial Army, as well as to answer the question concerning the necessity for continued Clone production, or switching to the cheaper alternative of conscripted soldiers.

Despite being used as living targets for live fire by a new type of Battle Bot, the Batch came out on top and seemingly did so impressing the Admiral, even if Wrecker and Tech had taken hits.

To further determine their worth, Tarkin assigned them a mission to Onderon to destroy a band of 'Separatist Insurgents', and he did not leave room for refusal.

Before departing, Omega warned them of the possibility they were being sent on a suicide mission. She tried to tell them not to come back, and even tried to convince them to let her tag along so they could all be safer than on the rapidly changing Kamino. She was frightened and concerned for them all, but they hadn't listened.

Their inexperience with children was to blame.

Sure enough, they were proven foolish. The 'Separatist Insurgents' were nothing more than former Republic fighters and loyalists who refused to fall under the Empire's rule. Saw Gerrera, who'd once fought alongside them to free Onderon from Confederate reign, illuminated the truth in full and made them realize their suspicions were correct.

They no longer agreed to complete the mission and immediately headed back to Kamino to retrieve the girl, whom Tech identified as another Fett Clone like themselves, only she was not altered as they had been.

They were arrested upon arrival, their failure to comply documented and reported by a Probe Droid that Hunter had unfortunately been unaware of. This was enough to charge them with treason and Tarkin personally saw to it they were thrown in the brig with full intentions of sending them for reprogramming.

Their plan to spring Omega and leave was not entirely wasted, for she had been put into the same detention cell as they were. Unfortunately, they'd been stripped of their armor, weapons and other gear. Only their Blacks remained, but that didn't deter them from plotting escape.

Their one and only opportunity was the moment the Coruscant Guards tried to take Echo first for reprogramming, though it was done upon a whim rather than actually plotted out.

The ARC Trooper didn't refuse, but Hunter was unwilling to allow his Squad to be separated for any reason. They would all go or none of them went.

When a Corie winded him with a blaster to the abdomen, Crosshair, Tech and Wrecker acted out of instinct and protective rage and jumped the unsuspecting Guards. Echo joined in as well, leaving Omega to tend to the Sergeant.

The Squadron and their newest member made a fast exit to the hanger bay where their ship and their entire barracks of belongings were waiting.

The Boys were quick to armor up and prepare for departure. Their 'sister' stayed close and assisted however she could, including finding and keeping a safe hold upon Wrecker's beloved Tooka doll, Lula.

They had nearly finished loading as much supplies and ammunition they could fit when the doors of the landing pad were finally opened despite Tech and Echo's best efforts to disable the controls.

Cories stormed the hanger and positioned themselves behind supply crates, blocking the exit and yet surrounding the Batch in a half circle. The Squadron responded by ducking behind cover themselves and preparing to fire in retaliation and self-preservation.

Another wave of Clones adorned in solid black and polished armor appeared some moments later. The lead, a Commander by the rank pins upon his left breast, took the center with little to no concern for his own safety in the open. He removed his semi-familiar helmet and tucked it under his left arm.

Even when their own buckets were on, except for Hunter, the Batchers seemed to express a horrified, surprised and hesitant posture.

"Is that... Commander Cody?" Wrecker asked in confusion and wariness.

The Sergeant took a long, slow and deep breath, trying to maintain his composure despite his own discomfort at the sudden change in situation. He was faced with a difficult choice no Clone should ever have to make, whether to fight their own brothers or save innocent lives by defecting and standing up for what's morally right.

His body stayed protectively over Omega's, his frame becoming a protective shield as he knelt with her behind a supply crate. His focus was upon the Marshal Commander, however, their gazes locking with one another in a rather intense and heavy aura.

"You and your boys stand down, Sergeant. Don't make me resort to violence against you. I owe you all my life and you're all still my vode'ika. I'd rather bring you in quietly and without incident so we can help you correct the mistakes you made on Onderon. It's not too late to save you Boys from the Jedi's brainwashing." the former Commander of he 212th Battalion began slowly and placidly.

Despite the cold, calculating and hyper-focused expression in his eyes and on his face, his voice was reasonably gentle and honest.

His conditioning by the Kaminoans was in full effect, but he had enough free will remaining to be reasonable and patient.

The words he spoke sank in quickly, but did not sit well in place.

Hunter slowly rose to his feet and stepped out from behind the crates, motioning for Omega to stay hunkered down and safe. He stood in full exposure in a brave, brazen and confident stance, and his focus never removed itself from Cody.

"All do respect, Commander, I can't do that. Whatever is going on isn't right. You and the others... You're not yourselves. You've all lost your minds!" he countered, trying to remain steadfast and reasonable.

Cody's expression and posture never wavered.

"I understand you and your squad aren't exactly the type to follow orders, but you've never disobeyed mine. I'm disappointed in you, Sergeant. I'm disappointed in all of you for deserting your post and committing treason against the Emperor." he countered with an eerily cool patience that nearly sent chills up the Batch's spines.

"We did what we thought was right! We're still trying to do that. Isn't that what you and the other Commanders wanted? Since when is killing civilians, avoiding fair trials or even abolishing democracy the better choice? Have you forgotten what we were born and raised to fight for? Did all those men die for nothing?" the younger retorted, beginning to sound desperate and frustrated to make the other see the error in his ways.

It was all so wrong and none of the Regs seemed to be able to see it. Sadly, it was blatantly obvious and not being well hidden, and yet the Regs acted as if it was perfectly normal to suddenly go against everything they'd once believed in. So much of their blood had been spilt for those concepts. What had the dead fought for then? Was it all in vain simply because one man said it was?

Who was the Chancellor to decide that anyway? Self proclaimed Emperor or not, it wasn't his sole judgement to determine what was right or wrong. That was not liberty or justice... it was tyranny and dictatorship.

There was no honor in serving a government like that. Honor was heavily engrained into their DNA... Going against that was going against their very own existence.

With a deep, patient and regretful breath, Cody slowly slipped his bucket back on. When finished, he stood straight backed and retrieved his blaster from his hip holster but did not aim for the Batch just yet.

"I'm giving you one last chance, Hunter. Surrender now, or I'll be forced to use any means I deem necessary to detain you. I will kill you and your squad if you refuse. You've already disregarded enough orders today. Let's not continue the pattern and force me to waste good men like you."

Hunter cautiously shifted his left arm which was still holding his helmet. It looked as though he'd only been moving it to adjust, but in reality he was silently telling Tech to get onto the ship and get it ready for launch.

Tech took notice and slowly started slinking his way towards the Marauder, keeping himself low and behind cover as much as he could to go unnoticed as long as possible. The only time he'd be seen was the last two meters from nearest crate to the steps of the loading ramp.

The soft clack of Crosshair's rifle going from 'safe' to 'fire' was faintly heard amongst the Batch, and it perked little Omega's attention as well.

Echo and Wrecker didn't hesitate to adjust the status of their weapons the next moment.

The very instant Tech lunged to get aboard, the Cories, Cody and the other black armored Troopers would undoubtedly begin firing to stop him. They could not allow him to be hit if they were going to have any chance of getting out of the hanger alive.

"Omega..." the Sergeant began to gain the girl's attention.

The child looked up at him but did not move from her spot.

"Keep your head down and head for the shuttle as fast as you can. If any of us tell you to stop or divert, do not wait." he instructed firmly, but in a hushed volume so only she could hear.

He raised his helmet and slipped it over his head, then took a freestanding shooter's position.

The Youngling, though terrified and entirely out of her element, nodded in understanding and slowly crept to the edge of the crate and prepared herself to move as soon as the shooting started.

"Sorry, Commander. I can't obey orders I know are wrong..." he finally responded to the Marshal Commander.

Cody copied the posture.

"Then you leave me no choice... Arrest them if you can! Kill them if you can't!" he snapped in full authority.

Tech bounded out like a startled beast and vaulted across the entire two meters, then loped up the stairs with the first shots trailing after him. Sparks exploded from the scorched armored plating on the shuttle, large black and red patches painting the dark hull. A few made it passed the door and ricocheted off the interior components of the Marauder, the ping of their path of travel echoing out into the hanger.

Hunter ducked behind the crate where he'd been hidden before, narrowly missing a bolt passing through his unarmored abdomen. He briefly gazed over to track down Omega's position and check on her condition, finding her waiting at the opposite end with her hands over the back of her head and Lula's neck squished tight in the crease of her arm. Her eyes were squeezed closed and yelps of surprise and terror occasionally escaped her as bolts pattered the side of the crate only centimeters from her head.

He and the others were going to have to draw fire in order to make a safer passage for her.

His head turned over the other direction and zeroed in on his youngest sibling.

"Crosshair! Cover!" he demanded hurriedly.

The Sniper ducked low behind the crate he'd chosen to use as a shield and settled his rifle down across his lap horizontally. He pulled a pair of smoke bombs from his belt and when timed between shots, launched them into the air in a long arch that nearly landed them against the helmets of the Cories. The things exploded with loud hissing pops and smoke quickly created a massive, thick, dark grey wall between the two sides. Blaster bolts still came through the cloud, but they were randomly aimed instead of precisely.

"Go, Omega! Get to the shuttle and don't stop!" the Sergeant commanded.

The little blonde jolted in surprise and ran to the ramp like a startled Eeopie. Despite the fear she felt, she kept her head ducked down and hands near the back of her head protectively even though it would have done nothing to keep her safe in the end. It was a natural instinct to survive and avoid pain, which was a good start.

The four remaining Batchers recollected and regrouped, closing their ranks and backing through the crates towards their ship. Their bodies were also acting as a line of shields to deflect or absorb stray bolts.

It was not until they were nearly to the base of the ladder that the hairs on the back of Hunter's neck stood up in alarm. He couldn't see them, but he sensed the presences of the opposing Troopers closing in around them. They were using the cover to advance on them. His concern was for Wrecker and Crosshair who were on the outside flanks and would be targeted first in order to break through the defense.

However, he was unable to do anything about it when a black shadow burst from the smoke and slammed into his torso at full speed with a single shoulder. The impact knocked the wind out of him and sent him sprawling to the floor, but his combat training and survival instincts sprang up to the highest levels, giving him enough strength and time to block a crippling blow to the head and brace against the outstretched hands trying to lock around his neck.

His blaster was knocked away in the brawl, but so was Cody's...

His Squad tried to intervene, but were equally caught in Corie and Dark Trooper assault groups. This turned the battle into a close quarters and hand-to-hand brawl to which both sides excelled greatly.

Wrecker was first to shake himself free of the cluster trying to immobilize and or terminate him. Most of them he clobbered with a punch or two and knocked them clean out, but the last two or three were used as flying blunt objects to decommission a few from each of his vode.

"Hurry up, Tech!" he bellowed in annoyance and impatience, only briefly looking to the shuttle in a pointed gesture. He also checked upon Omega's status while he had the chance and found her scrambling up the last of the stairs before ducking into the aircraft amidst a few very close blaster bolts from the unoccupied extra Troopers.

As if to answer him, the engines of the Havoc Marauder kicked over and began to warm.

Cody's head popped up from glaring down at Hunter's visor and scanned the ship's rear. He quickly glanced over his left shoulder.

"Shut those bay doors! NOW!" he barked harshly through gritted teeth, feeling the Sergeant beneath him push back in attempts to use the distraction.

Hunter slipped passed his defenses and winded him in the guts with both feet coming up between them. Not only did it hurt and stun him, it sent him crashing into a stack of crates that toppled over and pinned him under, doing more damage and restraining him.

One of the Troopers rushed to the control panel at the hanger entrance and began to try and shut the outer doors while the others otherwise left standing moved to get the Commander back on his feet. The remainders still engaged with Clone Force 99 continued valiantly to stall for time.

"Get onboard!" Tech called via the internal COMM he shared with his brothers and Echo after a minute or two.

The Batch quickly rallied and dispensed with the Troopers and Guards and made a run for the open hatch.

The Corie that had run to the controls turned almost immediately and started firing on them, his efforts to seal the bay shut were unsuccessful as the controls seemed to be out of commission. The Troopers who'd rallied to Cody, and the Marshal Commander himself who'd been freed the crates, joined in attempts to stop them.

Bolts bounced and grazed all around the four Troopers as they crossed the open platform, causing them to either duck or jump in order to avoid being struck. There was also diving and dodging involved in order to turn and make return shots in retaliation. It was a dangerous dance with Death, and yet it was almost admirable how skillful they were at avoiding bolts.

Crosshair made it first to the top of the incline and posted to one side of the doorway. With a stable rest to lean on, he pulled off more challenging shots, not that he needed much help while freestanding or running. Still, he had a better visual and ability to track his brothers as well.

One of the Troopers managed to draw a bead on Wrecker's back.

"WRECKER! DOWN!" the Sniper instructed quickly without averting his focus on said shooter and firing a shot to put him down.

Of course he didn't miss, but his shot came just a split second too slow to prevent the other from firing first.

The command was responded to with instinctual nature. Wrecker was pushed from behind and forced to duck at a faster pace and out of the line of fire. The bolt bounced off the thick armored plating of the shuttle's outer hull instead, missing Echo's head by centimeters and causing he and Hunter both to backbend mid-stride to avoid crossing paths with the shot and each other.

They quickly recovered and helped Wrecker scramble to his feet before skipping steps to board the Marauder.

The door began to close and the ship started to rise with blaster fire still passing into the hold through the shrinking opening.

Echo hopped into the co-pilot's seat while Wrecker, Hunter and Crosshair surrounded Omega and returned fire until the door was fully closed, acting as both shields and weapons to defend her.

They exited the docking bay quickly enough and rushed into the stormy skies, headed for the upper atmosphere at full throttle.

It wasn't until they cleared Kamino's gravity that they released a collective breath none of them realized they were holding.

"Everybody alright?" Hunter inquired, scanning every individual in the shuttle while waiting for answers.

Four adult male voices affirmed alongside a single adolescent female voice.

"Are you?" Crosshair questioned in return.

The Sergeant nodded honestly and removed his helmet, taking note the others except for Tech did the same.

"Shaken but unharmed."

"What's our heading?" Tech called back over the rear of the pilot's seat.

The entire Squad focused upon their CO, waiting patiently and expectantly for him to answer. However, a much longer pause than usual followed instead.

For once, Hunter was absolutely clueless about where to go and what to do. He'd never been a deserter before and neither had his brothers. There was also the fact they'd taken a young girl with them too. None of them knew how to take care of a child, much less a female.

They had no idea who was loyal to the Empire and who was not. Their specialty was not staying off the governing body's radar. Not only that, but they'd never really been on their own with no support of some kind from other Clones. Now, they were likely going to be hunted by them. Even more disturbing, it seemed the first Reg they'd ever trusted and worked with was the one leading the charge against them.

"Don't you have any friends that could help?" Omega piped up, innocently curious.

All eyes leveled on her for a moment, then returned to Hunter.

"That's a list that almost doesn't exist." the lanky sniper murmured rather gently, placing a signature toothpick between his teeth.

The Sergeant's eyes suddenly lit up with a thought.

"I can think of a guy." he responded hopefully.

His focus moved forward towards the cockpit.

"Set course for J-Nineteen. Saleucami."

As the two pilots made the appropriate adjustments and calculations, Omega slowly approached the cockpit and stood between Echo and Tech. Her wide, bright and curious eyes gazed upon the endlessness of space. The Galaxy itself reflected in her amber hues and she was in awe.

She was the picture definition of a child exploring the vastness of the universe.

"Ever been in space before, Kid?" Wrecker's voice picked up from a quiet pause. He stepped up behind the girl and gently picked her up into his arms, settling her onto his hip so she could get a better look. His own childlike personality was shining brightly in his mismatched hues and he undoubtedly knew exactly how she felt.

The little blonde smiled shyly up at him, almost hiding her embarrassed flush behind Lula's head while shaking her own.

"Well then, this'll be the best view you'll ever see." Hunter added gently, motioning to the viewport.

Tech initiated the Hyperspace sequence a click later.

Omega's eyes grew even wider as the stars switched from stationary glittering orbs to bright white streaks. The vast blackness disappeared and a tunnel of holy light surrounded them, a kaleidoscope of white, blue, yellow and red flashing by.

"Wow!" she absently beamed with honest, wholesome excitement and joy.

It was in that moment the five males realized how incredibly precious childhood was, and how difficult it was becoming to resist growing fond of the child they now came to realize was their sister. Even if she wasn't, her personality, charm and innocence were quite easy to be drawn to. They were battle-hardened men, but even they could appreciate a little joy in their life.

Seeing her smile was becoming an unspoken goal, and protecting that was a personal agenda.