To Heal Poignancy ■ TECH - The Bad Batch ■

Preparations

Tech reached out to her a little over a week ago to announce that they would help Adla for the charity event. She was so grateful and relieved he said that because truthfully, she hadn't had a backup plan. The challenging part was getting Crosshair to not come along. He had been in the room while Adla and Sola laid out the plan of the event. He had heard every bicker pass between the two. He knew Adla was not crazy about Sola, so he insisted on escorting Adla to Naboo. But she couldn't let him find out about his brothers being there. She knew he would not take it well. Convincing him that she would be fine without him there as a buffer to stop Sola from truly being hurtful was not an easy task. She managed though, in the end.

Omega was the first one off of the ship as she bounded towards Adla.

"Addie!" The girl giggled with glee.

Adla indulged the young blonde for a moment as she picked her up and swung her around.

"Hello, my dear," she greeted. While her words may have been welcoming, her tone had not been. She sounded on edge, stressed. When the two stopped spinning, Omega was placed back on her feet. Adla faced the rest of the squad. "Gentlemen," she nodded, "thank you for coming, if you would please come this way."

She began leading them toward the back of the palace. She made sure the corridors they took were not interacted with much, if at all. Everyone would be up front around the ballroom. When they arrived at their destination, Adla ushered them all inside the room.

She closed the door behind herself. TC-6O was already in the room, standing still on the opposite side of the wall. When Adla faced Clone Force 99, she grinned. Her posture, although still rigid, relaxed the slightest bit. "Now that we are in a more secure location, Hunter, Echo, Wrecker, Tech," she addressed them all before she winked at the young girl, "and Omega, it's wonderful to see you all again."

Hunter spoke for the group. "Likewise, Senator. We're grateful for you thinking of us for this mission."

The edges of her smile twitched as she was reminded of why they were here. The group was not on Naboo for pleasure, they were here for work. An event that was accelerating the process of turning her hair gray. Adla could practically feel the stress of the event ooze from her pores. Whatever relaxation she felt quickly evaporated.

"Right. I have a part of your payment for you now, when the event is over you will receive the rest." The Senator called over the droid. The protocol droid shuffled over with a case. "Everyone, this is TC-6O. TC-6O, this is our security detail. If you need something and I for some reason am not around, then TC-6O will help."

"Greetings, friends of my mistress."

Adla handed the pouch of credits over to Echo. In the mainly empty room, there was a table behind Adla. On it, laid a few piles of clothes. "I do apologize for the sneaking around. The Empire occupation is not potent and demanding here, but that does not mean it is completely obsolete. To ensure your safety, when you are in the public eye you should be wearing your disguises, which I have behind me. Your normal armor is a dead giveaway.

"For the event, there will be Naboo guards located around the premises at all times. Where I need you all is inside the event. I just need you to make sure everything is running smoothly from the inside and no suspicious activity goes on. Truly, it should be a quiet night. You will pose as Naboo guards as well, although Echo, it has already been discussed that you will go as a service droid-- if that's alright with you?" she asked when she noticed Echo turned to Wrecker and mouthed "already discussed?"

Echo's back straightened and he cleared his throat, "yes, Senator, will not be a problem."

Adla nodded at him. She then turned around and made her way to the table. Tech quickly approached her side. His left hand hovered just below her elbow. His shoulder almost gently brushed the back of her shoulder. He stood so close it almost looked as though he was about to step on her.