In Command (#1 Post-Order 66 Series)

In Command - Part 29

"Well, we won't let that happen."

She finally locked eyes with him, and in them, he saw revulsion and horror. "I couldn't stop him, and you won't be able to either."

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They arrived at Cham Syndulla's hidden base on Ryloth just before sunset. Senna had been alarmingly silent for the remainder of the journey, and her silence continued as she helped Wrecker unload crates. Rex was very worried as she quietly greeted Cham and his soldiers. He noted she'd hidden her lightsaber from view and introduced herself only as Senna. As she, Tech, Echo, and Wrecker were led to their quarters for the night, he hung back with Hunter and Cham.

"Is she alright?" Syndulla asked.

"Yeah...she was shaken up pretty badly by what she saw on the freighter," Hunter replied.

"What were they looking for? Why did they leave you with the cargo?" Cham asked.

Hunter met Rex's eyes. "Some Jedi Master. The Grand Inquisitor seemed to think there would be one aboard. Guess he got some bad intelligence."

Cham nodded, seemingly accepting the explanation. "The Empire seems to become more dangerous every day."

"Indeed."

The base had several dorms on it, and Cham had assigned one of them to the team for the evening. It had a small kitchen unit, dining area, and refresher on the lower level and several bedrooms on the upper level. The Bad Batch allowed Senna and Rex their own bedroom without any questions, dividing up the remaining rooms between themselves. Senna, Wrecker, and Echo got a semblance of a dinner pulled together, and they all sat around the small table to share the meal. They were mostly quiet, and Rex kept watching Senna. He was concerned about her, and it seemed as though she was working through something, her teeth digging into her lower lip again as she internally struggled. About halfway through the dinner, he noted her shoulders suddenly relaxed. It was as if she'd come to some sort of resolution, and her eyes became more determined yet sad. I'll talk to her about it later, but she seems more at peace now. That's good.

Noticing him staring, she met his eyes and smiled at him, slipping her hand into his under the table and giving it a light squeeze. "I'm alright," she whispered. He was relieved to see her smile, but the sudden change alarmed him slightly. Everyone deals with trauma in their own way. Just be there for her if she needs you.

"So, any updates on the information you were hoping to get, Hunter?" she asked. Hunter's eyes snapped to Rex's, and he shrugged. Senna smiled. "Wrecker told me this morning."

Wrecker rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. "I didn't know I wasn't supposed to say anything."

"It's fine, Wrecker," Hunter reassured. "I just don't want too many people to know, especially since this is kind of off the books." Senna nodded in understanding.

"You've kept my secret. I've got no problem keeping yours."

Hunter took a sip of the tea in front of him and sighed. "It seems like a good opportunity. Crosshair's arriving tonight, and tomorrow he's going to be on his own for an inspection of the Imperial manufacturing facilities. It seems that he's getting more responsibilities that keep him separated from his unit. I'm sure he hates these types of tasks, but they're perfect for a snatch and grab since he'll be isolated. I only hope he won't be too far gone."

Senna looked at him and closed her eyes for a moment, her brows furrowing. Hunter looked at her with a puzzled expression as she exhaled deeply. "I can feel him here," she said quietly. "He's not too far gone, Hunter. He's still under control of the chip, but he's fighting. I can feel his struggle." The silence at the table was deafening as they all stared at Senna. She opened her eyes and met Hunter's. "Go get your brother." He nodded, letting his eyes drop to the table and swallowing hard. She stood, carrying her empty plate into the kitchen. As she passed by Hunter, she reached down and gave his shoulder a squeeze.