The Bad Batch: Unlikely Ally, Unlikely Love

Lek waited impatiently on the holo as he was transferred yet again. It was a simple request yet the Empire had so many rules and regulations to go through. All he wanted was to speak to a higher ranking officer about the prisoners.

Who ended up taking the call was certainly unexpected.

"Grand Moff Tarkin," Lek said, sitting up straighter in his chair. His Ysalimir squirmed a bit on his lap, lazily repositioning the scaly body. "It's an honor to speak to you directly."

Tarkin stared back into the holo, already seeming bored with this lesser man. He could list off a dozen other things he would prefer to be doing right now versus speaking to some arrogant black market salesman. "Yes, but I can hardly say the same back. You are late- again- to pay up on your loan. Perhaps we shouldn't continue to ignore your...special business."

Lek stiffened slightly, hoping Tarkin didn't notice. He did. "I have done as the Empire asked. A large portion of my wages always goes to your own personal project, Grand Moff. In return, I turn in names of anyone or anything of interest to your cause while you allow me to run my business."

Tarkin nearly sighed. "I am aware of the details of our deal. Did you call me to reiterate them?"

"No, of course not. I called because I have a few prisoners you'd like to know about."

Tarkin raised a graying brow. "You automatically know now what peaks my interest?"

Lek withheld a rude comment. "Maybe I'm just good at guessing but I think labeled traitors would be indeed interesting."

"And these so-called traitors are?"

He stroked down his dear reptilian pet. "A ragtag group of clones. Five of them. Going by their armor and serial numbers, I believe this is indeed the Bad Batch."

"Clone Force 99 is in your possession?" Tarkin indeed showed a spark of something.

That gave Lek some relief. "Yes, I have them in cells now."

"That won't hold them." The Grand Moff looked disappointed by the news. "They will escape before you realize it."

"A ray shielded cell?" Lek scoffed. "I don't care what their reputation is. No one is that good."

Tarkin simply blinked. "I can only issue you my warning. You will see for yourself if you don't take them seriously."

Lek wasn't worried. His arrogance proved that. "So you want them? I've heard they're quite the pricey lot."

"You will be paid accordingly, if they're still there when we arrive to Eadu," Tarkin answered. That's as much as he would say.

"While we're on the topic of funds, there is one more prisoner that was working with them," Lek made sure to add. A nice addition of credits would always be welcome. "Some girl. A bounty hunter I'm guessing. Wears black. Colorful hair."

Tarkin stepped closer to the holo. "What girl?"

"I don't know. Like I said-"

"Does she have any unique...qualities?"

Lek studied him. "Depends. Does my pay go up?"

Tarkin was losing his patience rather quickly. "I don't believe you understand who may be lying in your possession. She is more deadly than the clones."

Lek laughed. "What? Just because she can wield a few glowsticks and push people around with her mind? It's a Jedi mock-up. She's in a cell, relax. She can't get out, like the clones can't either."

Tarkin adjusted his uniform to keep his cool. If it was indeed that rogue Inquistor-in-training that went missing...the Emperor himself would be so pleased. Leave it to this moron to screw it up though. "You will soon be proved otherwise. I will send a team there shortly to take all the prisoners back with us. I suggest enhancing your security until we arrive."