Jedi Fugitive (The Bad Batch)

53:

"What do you need, Rex?" Echo hedged carefully.

"I'll explain everything when you get to Coruscant." There was a hint of guilt in his tone, and he glanced at me carefully, already anticipating my reaction.

I stiffened at the mention of the former Republic headquarters, now homebase for the Empire. "Coruscant?" I repeated incredulously. The man was a friend, he'd helped me out of more tough binds than I could count, but after everything we'd endured from his last mission, he wanted us - me - on Coruscant?

"No." Hunter was already shaking his head. "I'm not taking Astera anywhere near Coruscant. It's too big an ask, Captain."

Gratitude washed through me, along with the familiar blush that was becoming too common for comfort. My revelation on Kashyyyk had finally allowed me to identify my strange reactions around him, especially after memories of Onderon and Ahsoka's very odd behaviour towards Lux Bonteri had resurfaced. I had feelings for Hunter.

My mind had violently tried to reject the notion as soon as I'd put a name to it. Jedi weren't supposed to have romantic attachments. They weren't supposed to have attachments at all. We were taught it made us susceptible to negative emotions, which in turn was a path to the dark side. And we'd been taught to fear the dark side since we were young. I couldn't have feelings for Hunter. It wasn't the Jedi way.

But you're not a Jedi anymore. Which was true. Even if the Order was still here, I was no longer bound by their rules. I was free to form attachments however I chose, though I knew next to nothing about romantic ones. It was all too confusing for me to try and figure out, so I shoved it to the side and tried not to think about it. Which was damn near impossible every time Hunter got too close or even said my name. I had to get a grip on myself.

"Why?" Omega asked, once again uninformed of our negative reactions. "What's on Coruscant?"

"It is the galactic capital," Tech told her. "And thus, the heart of the Empire."

"But the Empire thinks we're dead," Echo reasoned. "They won't be looking for us."

It still didn't seem to sit well with Hunter. "And I'd like to keep it that way," he argued. "Astera's a Jedi. Coruscant is the worst possible place for her."

"It's a covert mission," Rex reassured the sergeant before he could further veto the idea. "A simple data extraction, but a crucial one. I'll send over a flight plan to bypass Imperial security and coordinates to a safe landing zone."

"We're on our way," Echo answered before Hunter could, rounding on him as soon as the hologram winked out. "Astera's not incapable, Hunter. She can look after herself."

"Do you remember what happened last time we went on a mission for Rex? She was captured by the Empire!"

"We can't let her be the only reason we don't help Rex." Echo could be hugely stubborn when he wanted to be. Which presented a few problems for Hunter more often than not, as the leader of the squad.

"I'm right here," I muttered, more to myself than anyone else, before clearing my throat and speaking louder. "Echo's got a point. As dangerous as it is, Rex needs help." I couldn't resist reaching out to lay a reassuring hand on Hunter's arm, my skin immediately starting to tingle where it touched him. "I have all of you too. As long as we're careful, it should be all right."

"Fine." Hunter blew out a long breath. "But you do what I say and when I say it. The same goes for you, Omega."

"Of course, Sergeant." I tried to ignore the small thrill that went through me and mock saluted him with a grin instead. "When are we leaving?"