Cid leaned back against the worn counter of the cantina, her eyes narrowing as she studied the group before her. The low murmur of the cantina's other patrons created a backdrop to the tension hanging in the air. She crossed her arms over her chest, her claws clicking softly as she tapped them thoughtfully on her arm.

"Tell me," she said, her voice rough but tinged with curiosity. "Why are you looking for Lady Velmont? I thought she worked with you on that shiny new Empire of yours."

Her sharp gaze flickered between Hunter and the others, clearly trying to piece together the situation. There was something about the group's presence that didn't quite fit with the image she had of the Jedi's so-called allies. The connection to the Empire was clear, but the unspoken tension between them told her there was more going on than met the eye.

Hunter gave a soft hum of acknowledgment as he shifted his weight on his feet. He didn't take offense at Cid's pointed words; in his experience, everyone in this galaxy had their own motives, and trust was a currency in short supply. "She was," he said, his tone flat but edged with a quiet determination. "But then she was sent on a mission to Serenno. We haven't heard from her in weeks."

Cid's eyebrow arched as she shifted her focus to Omega, who was standing off to the side, her small form dwarfed by the towering figures of the Bad Batch. The girl was an enigma in herself, a puzzle Cid wasn't sure she wanted to solve. "And what's with the kid? Clones don't get babies now, do they?" Cid asked, her voice heavy with skepticism, though her eyes softened just a bit as she looked at Omega, who was clearly no stranger to this life.

Wrecker, who had been holding Omega close, a protective arm wrapped around her shoulders, tightened his grip and gave Cid a glare that could freeze water. "She's our sister," Wrecker said firmly, his tone gentle despite the usual roughness that surrounded him. His smile was wide, though there was a flash of fierce loyalty in his eyes. "Don't go messin' with her."

Before Cid could retort, a sudden beep sounded from the comm unit mounted on the wall behind the bar. The screen flickered to life, and a shadowy figure appeared, their face obscured by a hood. The others tensed instinctively, hands ready to reach for weapons, the weight of their previous experiences pressing down on them. Trust didn't come easily, especially with mysterious figures.

Cid scowled, raising an eyebrow. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice steady but laced with suspicion.

The figure smiled beneath the hood, a soft, knowing expression spreading across his face. He slowly removed the hood, revealing a familiar face—weathered but warm, eyes sharp and knowing. It was a face they all recognized. Hunter blinked, his heart skipping for a beat as his voice broke through the moment of disbelief. "Rex," he said, the word full of surprise and relief.

Rex smiled back, his expression one of camaraderie and familiarity. "Hey, old friend," he greeted, his voice easy but with a quiet weight behind it, as though years had passed since their last meeting. His eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces of the Bad Batch and pausing briefly on Omega. A soft smile tugged at his lips when he noticed her. "Well, hello there!" he said warmly, his voice light with amusement. "I can't remember seeing you on Kamino anywhere."

Omega blinked, a shy smile creeping across her face. "Well, I was always with the medical assistants," she explained, her tone innocent yet curious. She tilted her head slightly, studying Rex. "You're a friend, right? You're a good friend of General Velmont, aren't you?"

Rex's smile deepened as he reached out, his hands deftly finishing the braid that hung from Omega's hair. "That I am," he said, his voice carrying a note of pride. "She's on her way now."

Hunter and the rest of the Bad Batch perked up at the news, hope flickering in their eyes. "Really?" Hunter asked, his voice filled with disbelief and urgency.

Rex nodded, his posture relaxed but his eyes wary. He looked around at the group, sensing the subtle undercurrent of tension still lingering in the air. "Um, not to be blunt, but where's Crosshair?" Rex's question was casual, but there was a seriousness behind it. "I expected to see him with you all."

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Hunter's face darkened, and Wrecker's hands tightened into fists, the smile on his face fading. The shift in mood was palpable as the reality of their situation settled over them.

Hunter sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. "We thought Satoru saved him—pulled him out of the Empire's grasp," he said quietly. "But apparently, he didn't. Tarkin got his claws into him and... intensified the programming on the chip. Now he's with them. He's working for the Empire."

The words hung in the air like a heavy cloud. It wasn't a new revelation for them, but hearing it spoken aloud, particularly in the presence of someone like Rex, brought the brutal reality of their situation back into sharp focus. Rex's face hardened as he absorbed the information, his eyes briefly closing in understanding.

"I see," Rex said softly, his voice filled with empathy but no judgment. "I'll keep an eye out for him. If anyone can break that conditioning, it's you all. But if it comes down to it... we'll need to be ready."

The weight of Rex's words didn't need further elaboration. They all knew what lay ahead, what they had to face—together.

Rex called out cheerfully, his voice full of familiar warmth, "Well, come along, you five... or six," he added with a wink toward Omega, who giggled softly at the playful jab. She gave him a quick grin before turning to face Cid.

"Sorry if I steal them," Rex continued with a shrug, "but they probably want to see General Velmont."

Cid merely rolled her eyes with an exaggerated sigh, though a hint of amusement tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Go on, don't wait for me," she muttered, her voice both gruff and affectionate in its own way. It was clear she didn't mind the unexpected departure, though she was used to the unpredictable nature of this group.

The clones, following Rex's lead, moved toward the hangar with purpose, their boots echoing on the cold metal floor. The rumbling sound of an approaching ship vibrated through the hangar, and just as the massive doors began to retract, the roar of the ship's engine grew louder, filling the space with an almost electric hum. The doors fully opened, and the unmistakable silhouette of a ship, sleek and powerful, emerged into the light. But it wasn't just the ship that caught their attention—it was the figure stepping out from the cockpit.

A flash of white hair in the blinding light made everyone freeze for a brief moment. General Velmont.

"Satoru!" Echo's voice broke the silence, full of joy and relief, his usual stoic demeanor slipping away as happiness surged through him. He took a step forward, the others following in a mixture of excitement and disbelief.

Omega, who had been waiting eagerly, darted forward with surprising speed for someone so small. She ran toward Satoru, a bright smile plastered across her face. The general's arms were already outstretched, ready to embrace the child. Omega rushed into her arms, the two sharing a brief, heartfelt moment of connection.

"Well, hello there," Satoru chuckled warmly, lifting Omega up with ease. Her voice was light but with a familiar sense of calm that had become characteristic of her over the years. "You're a clone too, aren't you?" she asked, a knowing twinkle in her silver eyes.

Omega, never one to shy away from a good conversation, nodded enthusiastically. "You must be Commander Velmont," she said, her voice bubbling with curiosity. "I've heard lots about you."

Satoru smiled at her, her expression softening at the mention of her name. She chuckled, her gaze flicking over to the Bad Batch. "Well, have you now?" she teased, a hint of amusement in her tone.

As Satoru straightened up, she turned toward Rex, who had been watching the reunion with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. She moved toward him, and without hesitation, she pulled him into a warm hug. "Hello there, Rex," she said softly, a fondness in her voice that hadn't been there the last time they'd met.

Rex's face flushed slightly, but he returned the hug with a quiet intensity that spoke volumes. "General," he murmured, his voice almost reverent. His feelings for Satoru ran deep, and the warmth of their brief reunion only amplified that bond.

Just as they pulled apart, a soft clearing of the throat from behind Satoru caught everyone's attention. The general stepped aside, and her eyes widened in surprise, her mouth parting in an expression of shock. "General Skywalker?" she breathed, her breath catching in her throat as her heart raced with a mixture of disbelief and surprise.

The clone troopers turned, their expressions a blend of curiosity and wariness. Standing just behind Satoru, his broad figure framed by the light from the open hangar doors, was none other than Anakin Skywalker. He gave a wide, easy smile as he stepped forward, his presence unmistakable, as if he had always belonged beside them.

"Hey there, Rex," Anakin greeted, his voice deep but laced with the familiar warmth that had always accompanied his interactions with the clones. His smile was genuine, though his eyes held a glimmer of something more—perhaps a secret, a promise, or a history they all shared.

Hunter watched them exchange glances, his brow furrowed slightly as he processed the sight of Anakin's presence. The room, which had been filled with the hum of quiet conversations and the rustle of movement, fell silent as the weight of Anakin's unexpected arrival settled over them.

Satoru glanced between the two men—Rex, the steadfast soldier, and Anakin, the conflicted Jedi—her silver eyes narrowing slightly as if she could see the depths of their connection and the unspoken words they had yet to share.

"Anakin," she began softly, her voice almost a whisper, though it carried with it a weight that only those who truly understood the complexity of their shared history could comprehend.

Anakin's smile faltered for just a second, his expression softening as he met her gaze. "It's good to see you, Satoru," he said, his tone far more serious now, the playful glint in his eyes replaced with something deeper—something more like longing or regret.

The air between them was charged with the unspoken bonds of their past, of battles fought together and decisions made that had irrevocably shaped the galaxy. The reunion, while filled with warmth, hinted at the darker things that had passed between them, things that none of them were ready to fully confront.

But for now, they were together again. And in this moment, that was enough.