You, along with the Bad Batch, exchanged stories with Rex and Anakin, each of you filling in the gaps about your journey on Serreno and how, through a twist of fate, you had found Anakin. The tension between you and Anakin was palpable, and as you finished recounting your tale, you found him leaning against you, his warmth radiating through the space between you both.

"I'm happy I found you," Anakin murmured, his voice tinged with a deep relief. "When I snapped out of the control, I didn't know where to go. So, I just followed your presence." His smile was soft, but there was an unspoken weight to it. "I'm happy I did."

A gentle smile curved your lips, and without a second thought, you wrapped an arm around him, pulling him just a little closer. You didn't notice the quiet, lingering glances from the other clones—how their eyes narrowed with something unspoken, a blend of confusion and jealousy—but Omega did. You could feel her playful gaze shift between you and Anakin, and before long, she smirked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Before anyone could comment further, the door to the parlour swung open with a tired creak, and Cid, the Trandoshan, stepped into view. She heaved a long, dramatic sigh, clearly unimpressed by the exchange unfolding before her. Her sharp eyes scanned the room as she crossed her arms, her voice low and businesslike.

"Look, boss," she started, eyeing you and the others, "If you want to have a job around here, you're going to need to talk to me. I can get you those credentials you're looking for, but it'll cost you." Her gaze shifted momentarily to Anakin, assessing him before she added, "The doll face here might join as well," she said with a nod toward you.

Anakin, ever calm, raised an eyebrow at Cid's blunt manner but didn't rise to the bait. Cid's gaze sharpened as she continued, her voice dripping with pragmatic sharpness. "I know who you are, Skywalker. You can stay here, eat at my bar, and I'll protect you if any Imperials come knocking."

Anakin's response was simple and warm, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Thank you, Cid."

"Don't mention it," Cid replied, waving it off with a nonchalant flick of her wrist.

With that, she turned to face the rest of the Bad Batch. "Now come along," she said, beckoning them into a back room. They followed her, their footsteps heavy with anticipation. Inside, the dimly lit room was filled with the faint hum of conversation and the faint clink of cups from the nearby bar.

The Trandoshan pulled out a few holo-projectors and activated them, casting a map of Ord Mantell across the table. "I need your help with a little mission," she said, her tone slipping into a more serious mode. "There's a kid named Muchi, taken by Zygerrian slavers. They're holed up on the other side of Ord Mantell, and I need you to get her back. In exchange, I'll give you the intel you're looking for."

The Bad Batch exchanged looks, the familiar tension of a dangerous mission settling over them. Wrecker's grin was unmistakable, his hands clenching with anticipation. "Zygerrian slavers, huh?" he asked, his voice eager. "Now that sounds like a good fight."

Cid nodded, her expression hardening. "You want to make money? You get her back for me. I'll throw in the intel, but the bounty split is 70-30. I take the bigger cut. You can take it or leave it."

Wrecker's grin didn't falter for a second. "Deal!" he said enthusiastically, already imagining the fight with the slavers. The others, after a brief moment of silent agreement, nodded, and the deal was set.

Cid tossed an intel stick onto the table, her eyes locking with Hunter's as she spoke. "All the details are on there. Get it done, and I'll make sure you're taken care of." She turned toward you then, her gaze softening ever so slightly as she gave you a knowing look. "Take care of them, will you, doll face?"

You smiled, a mix of affection and understanding in your expression as you nodded your head. You were no stranger to missions like these, and it felt good to be back in the thick of it. With a final wave to Rex and Anakin, who had been lingering near the doorway, you turned and made your way out with the Bad Batch.

"See you soon," you called back over your shoulder, your voice steady but carrying a sense of reassurance.

You could feel the warmth of being back in the ranks of the Bad Batch, the sense of purpose that had always driven you forward, pulling you toward the next mission. The weight of the intel stick in your hand was light, but the weight of the task ahead was unmistakable. And with the Bad Batch by your side, there was no doubt that you'd be ready for whatever lay ahead.