Even before flying into orbit, it was easy to see that Bracca was not a pleasant place to live, being nothing but lifeless plains covered in large fields of scrap that could be seen even from orbit, broken up only by big rail lines and large pits dug into the earth.
It might have been a decent place once a long time ago, but millennia of dumping who knows how many ships and other trash onto the planet's surface was likely not great for its environmental health. And the sad part was that Bracca wasn't even the worst case of a junk planet in the galaxy, just one of many who simply specialized in breaking down ships.
I still found it crazy that despite millennia of advanced civilization that the galaxy still used some habitable planets as landfills. Did no one in this galaxy believe in proper recycling and zero-waste manufacturing? They have the tech for it!
Anyway, as the Sleipnir followed the Marauder into the planet's atmosphere, more and more of just what was on Bracca was laid bare before me.
Apparently the planetary landfill divided up its garbage into sectors, and the one we were currently heading towards was full of the most recently discarded ships waiting to be broken down and sold off for parts. Said ships were also among the newest in the galaxy, since many of them were only built only a couple of years ago when the Clone Wars started and even younger than that by an almost ridiculous degree. But rather than use them, the Empire was scrapping them to cut down on costs and remove any symbols of the old Republic that they could.
As we flew over it all, it was a depressing sight.
I could see them all; Acclamators, Peltas, Arquitenses, and of course, once mighty Venators. And between all of them I could see smaller ships and vehicles, such as fighters, gunships, walkers, and more, all of it tossed away like so much scrap and left to rest. Once mighty war machines left where they were abandoned to die ignoble deaths.
There were a couple of CIS ships and equipment sprinkled about, but former Republic ships were certainly the majority.
I wasn't sure if it was Bracca's natural atmosphere, improper scrapping practices, lack of general maintenance, just the fact most of these ships weren't built to be in atmosphere for a long time, but so many of these giants were already rusty and breaking apart despite being here only relatively recently. Either way, it was a sad sight in so many ways, but for now at least the bones of these machines would hide our ships from locals for a while.
"We are nearing our landing area," Launchpad informed me as he directed the ship towards a wreck with a hole in the top, which the Bad Batch's own ship was being gently guided through. "Gonna be a tight squeeze…"
"The Sleipnir can take it, few scratches add character to a ship," I said while patting the command console from the co-pilot seat. "Just make sure you don't hit any of our friends' ships."
"Gently… gently… oh dear…" Launchpad muttered to himself as he maneuvered the ship through the ragged hole in the wreck and landed it not far away from the Marauder and Rex's own personal Y-wing. As the landing gear engaged and the engines spun down he finally relaxed. "Oh thank goodness, a successful landing with only… minimal superficial damage!"
"I'm sure that will buff right out," I smirked as I grabbed and put on my helmet. "Remeber, once I leave you should lock the ship down. And if anyone besides me, the BBs, or Rex tries to get on board, just shut down and don't draw attention to yourself. Things could get hot if the Scrappers find us. I'll stay in contact and let you know if we need to leave in a hurry."
"Got it Nick… but I do hope that nothing goes wrong," Launchpad admitted. "I'm not exactly made for combat after all."
"Well, Launchpad, that is the thing about life," I said wisely as I stood up from my seat and shouldered my pack. "It rather likes throwing challenges our way that force us to either adapt or die. So, let's try to aim for the former."
"Oh boy…" Launchpad muttered to himself as I left the cockpit and came up to the rest of my droid crew hanging out in the lounge area.
"Okay, triplets, make sure to go over the ship while I'm gone and make sure its functional for a quick exit if needed, Sir Gonkington, keep everything and everyone topped off, Doc, stand by in the medical bay and prepare for any sudden patients if need be, and Thing 1 and 2, you're on guard duty as always, but only if anyone tries to damage the ship or anything like that. Play it cool if anyone comes on board unless there is active danger to act on… or a duros with a wide-brimmed hat shows up, got it?"
There was no certainty that the bounty hunter in question would show up like he did in canon, I really hoped he didn't if we moved fast enough, but better to be safe than sorry.
(Will do, Boss!/Will get to it, Boss!/Will get it done, Boss!)
(Will power.)
"Of course, Sir. Do try not to come back damaged."
"Sir, yes Sir/Sir, yes Sir!"
All around me the droids responded to my words, making me smile beneath my helmet as they each walked off to do their own thing, but also reminding me once more of the fact I was the only living biological being on board… which was kinda sad.
I knew intellectually I needed to have living crew members at some point, those I could trust, had useful skills, and in general would have my back when I needed it. But I was slow to actually look since inviting people on board would mean letting people into my safe space in general, and most likely having to open up about my abilities, which could go in so many ways depending on the being in question. I had to make sure that anyone that I invited aboard for a long period of time was someone I knew I could trust with my life, and vice versa.
"Maybe I should start off small to get used to the idea first…" I muttered to myself as I walked down the entry ramp and onto Bracca proper. "A pet of some kind? The question is, what kind could I get that would fit well in my current spacer lifestyle?"
These important questions came to me as I exited my ship and into what must have once been a large hangar or cargo bay some time in the past, judging by the cavernous hold big enough to hold multiple ships and the huge half-open door that led to the outside.
My exit attracted attention from the Bad Batch and Rex, and not just cause I was walking up to them. But rather, what I was walking up to them in.
"Nick, is that you in there?" Echo asked in shocked confusion as I stepped forward with surprisingly light steps.
"Yup," I answered with a slightly modulated voice. "I figured that if I was following actual soldiers around, it was only proper to wear the best equipment I had to lessen the odds of holding you guys back. What do you think?"
I turned in place with my arms out as I showed off the AV-1S Scout Armor purchased weeks ago, for relatively cheap 15k, and which I had been practicing using in the ship whenever I could, along with adding my own personal touches here and there.
Despite the name, the suit of armor was still power armor, which meant that it greatly enhanced my strength, to the point I could easily use my DC-17m one-handed despite its weight if I wanted to and most likely knock out most sentients with a single punch. And that was to say nothing of its inbuilt repulsorlift engine that allowed me to freaking fly in this thing!
That last one had a learning curve to it that took a bit to get right, and lots of crashes and slamming into the walls, floor, and ceiling of my cargo hold, but eventually I got it down to at least passable levels. It helped to visualize myself as Iron Man, I found, and by the end of it I really did feel like him as I straight up ignored gravity.
Other than that, I had also spray painted it a bit on the helmet, shoulders, chest plate, and legs dark grey and blue to give it some color while at the same time not making it stand out too much. My personal energy shield was strapped to my side, the gungan energy shield strapped in its collapsed mode on my left arm, and a stealth field generator belt, 5k credits, around my waist with utility belt pouches attached to it. And that was to say nothing of the other goodies I kept in my pack.
"You are wearing a high-tech powersuit that only special forces military personnel should have," Tech pointed out. "Providing increased strength, a number of sensory suites, a great deal of durability against typical forms of damage, and other useful systems. Given your noted lack of military training, it should more than make up for your deficiencies in combat."
"And that's what I was going for," I responded positively. "And let me tell you, it cost quite a bit, so I'm glad I'm getting my money's worth out of it now.
"You also have a DC-17m rifle…" Hunter noted with narrowed eyes.
"Just like me! We're blaster buddies!" Wrecker happily noted while taking his own blaster off his back and showing it to me. "The rest of the guys all like using pistols. At least Omega's weapon packs an actual punch! No offense, Rex."
"Some taken," the Clone Captain smirked as he patted his signature weapons.
"How did you get weapons made for commandos?" Hunter asked suspiciously.
"What, you thought the Empire was just tossing away regular trooper equipment?" I asked honestly. "Clone commandos might have a longer self-life than them, but make no mistake, the Empire is seeking to phase out all clones. Some might still stick around longer, but right now they are working on downsizing everything they can, wherever they can. Besides, I love the weapon and figured this mission would be the one to bring it along. Hope you don't mind."
Hunter was silent for a second before eventually nodding. "At least you have good taste in weaponry."
"How could I not?! Have you seen the amount of attachments this thing has?" I asked before I realized how stupid that question was. "Nevermind, you guys are commandos, you'd probably know better than anyone."
"Oh! You got a spare grenade launcher attachment?" Wrecker asked excitedly. "I wasn't able to grab mine when we left Kamino."
"As a matter of fact-"
"We'll talk about this later," Hunter interrupted. "We have a mission to complete."
"Finnnne," Wrecker grumbled while holding his head. "But how is a junk planet gonna help us?"
"Follow me," Rex simply said as he donned his helmet and walked forward, causing the Bad Batch to put on their own and all of us to follow after him out of the hangar and into the surprisingly clear Bracca sun.
Hmmm, I should properly float the idea of giving Omega a proper helmet to Hunter after this. As it was, she was the only one present not wearing one, and that seemed unsafe given the location, potential for getting into a firefight, generally higher odds as a kid to bump her head into things, and many other reasons.
"For the record, Wrecker, if I had two arms I'd happily use a rifle," Echo told his larger teammate while waving his right-sided scomp linkat him.
"Oh yeah…" Wrecker stated. "Too bad you got blown up then."
"Yeah… too bad," Echo said in an unamused tone.
Hmm, that gave me an idea… but I would have to look into it after all this was over.
Anyway, we soon left the hangar and started walking up along an old hulk, Rex leading the way to the edge of it before it dropped off quite a ways. And in the distance, we could all see the back end of a Venator sitting at a downwards angle.
"Bracca may not be much to look at, but it has exactly what we need. I had my inhibitor chip taken out on a Jedi cruiser just like that," Rex explained as he pointed towards the ship in question. "That's where we are heading."
"Then why did we land all the way over here?!" Wrecker whined, but before anyone could answer him, Hunter shouted out.
"Everyone down!"
At those words everyone quickly kneeled down and tried not to stand out as a hover barge flew far in the distance near the Venator wreck.
"That's why," Rex stated.
I activated my scout helmet's zoom feature to get a better view of the barge, finding it being ridden by two fully covered humanoids wearing masks, one driving and the other one looking around with macrobinoculars.
"It's the Scrapper Guild," Tech informed the group, having done the same with his data visor.
"They control this entire planet," Rex explained. "We need to keep out of sight from their patrols. Let's move."
We did just that, heading off our elevated position and downwards to move through some wrecks with overhead cover so that we wouldn't be spotted by any scrapper patrols. As it was, Rex chose a good location since it seemed they weren't working in this area at all, so we avoided running into any workers who might rat us out. So for now, it was just us and just a matter of walking to our destination.
Honestly, assuming we did everything right, the worst threat we faced was tetanus given all the rusty, jagged metal we were moving through.
"Why are we hiding from the Scrapper Guild?" Omega asked curiously. "Are they dangerous?"
"Not so much directly dangerous to us," I explained as I took a small jump down and Wrecker helped Omega do the same. "They are kinda like a cartel or mafia of salvagers, who make people work in horrible conditions with little support and barely any pay. And if anyone complains too much about it, they have leg breakers on hand to shut them up. Worse though, they are working on a direct contract from the Empire. Meaning, if things get really bad for them, they can call them in to handle it."
"Which we don't want happening," Hunter stated the obvious.
"Okay… but why are they patrolling a bunch of garbage?" Wrecker asked curiously.
"These wrecks are full of valuable resources and technology," Tech explained. "A properly scrapped and recycled ship could well be worth millions of credits. However, the process takes time and a great deal of manpower and equipment to do well enough to turn a profit, which means many of these ships will likely be unworked for a great deal of time and thus make an enticing target for non-Guild affiliated salvagers. Therefore, the patrols are here to discourage anyone coming around seeking to make off with what is technically theirs."
"Or in our case, using what is what is technically theirs," I added. "Though I admit we could all stand to earn a great deal if we pick up the right stuff before we leave. After you guys all have your chips removed, of course."
"Best not to plan ahead until we get what we came for," Echo pointed out, something we could all agree on.
We walked some more after that, occasionally dropping or climbing, through various wrecks on our way to the Venator. During which, I noted that thanks to the suit all this physical activity was way easier on me in general. Certainly made my decision to wear it on this mission a good one, especially since pretty sure after all this walking my feet would be hurting without it or I'd be pretty winded.
It was hard to believe that somewhere on this planet a certain padawan was hiding out and would continue doing so for years until the Empire found him, waiting for a signal from the Jedi Council that would never come. It made me want to try and find him to give him some kind of support network, but finding one desperate young human working among countless Scrappers that was actively trying to avoid attention would not be easy. Besides, I had a different mission right now and it wasn't like he was going anywhere at the moment.
Later though…
While I was busy with my thoughts and future plans, various conversations broke out between everyone present, mostly small talk, but I did make note of a few interesting tidbits.
"Fives… tried to warn me about the chips," Rex said to Echo with a voice full of regret. "But… I didn't understand at the time."
"Its still hard to believe now," Echo admitted.
"How did you boys find out about them?" Rex asked curiously.
"Omega."
"The kid?" Rex asked in surprise as he turned back and looked at Omega following behind.
"Sorry for eavesdropping," I spoke up to get both their attention. "But Omega mentioned before how she worked as a medical assistant to one of the cloners, Nala Se. She learned it directly from them."
"Right, that would make sense. They were in on it after all," Rex grunted in anger.
"Also, if you don't mind me asking, who is Fives?" I asked, knowing even without metaknowledge the topic was likely a sensitive one.
"Fives was another clone, my old squadmate ever since we were cadets," Echo explained. "He… died before I was recovered from the Techno Union during the war."
"He had found out about the chips before anyone else and tried to warn us… but we didn't listen," Rex said in a regretful tone. "He died trying to convince me and our old general, and given how everything has worked out since then I'm certain that Palpatine set him up and ordered his death."
"Just another crime of his to add to the list then," I growled. "That old bastard deserves a rocket up his ass."
"You won't hear me disagreeing," Echo nodded.
We all climbed up some scrap and found ourselves under the engines of the Venator high above, birds flying far above us. We started crossing a bridge of scrap that was sitting just above a large pool of water that looked decidedly unhealthy looking from who knows how many toxic materials that flowed into it from the surrounding wreckage.
"Whoooa, it's much bigger up close," Omega commented as she looked up and spun around to take a good look at everything.
"This is an original Venator-class ship," Rex explained to her. "The first batch off the line."
"First off the line, huh?" Wrecked asked. "Just like you, Rex, ha!"
While they all walked ahead, Hunter stopped short and stared at the water nearby, which I noticed made some movement that shuffled around the debris floating on the surface. Activating my helmet's environmental scanner picked up something alive and big just swimming within.
"What is it?" Tech asked us as the only one in the rear who noticed us both stopping.
"...Stay above the water line," Hunter stated ominously before walking off.
"And what does that mean?" Tech asked me directly.
"I have a guess, but no solid proof," I admitted. "But there is something alive in there, and anything that can live in such polluted water is something I very much doubt we want to encounter."
"On that, I can agree."
Soon we climbed up near the bottom of the ship, crossing a thin metal beam inside through a hole in the hull. Most of us got across alright since it wasn't too thin, but Wrecker made it a point to walk over it on his hands and knees.
Once we entered the ship proper, it was to find it mostly a mess of metal debris littered throughout its hallways, exposed cabling hanging out from everywhere, broken bulkheads and busted open wall panels, hallways were at a slight angle, and to top if all off, it was pitch black inside.
Thankfully, every soldier came in with flashlights and my own helmet had a good powerlamp installed that could illuminate up to 100 meters if I wanted to, but I toned it down for the relatively short hallways.
"Last time I was aboard one of these… it didn't end so well," Rex commented as he led the way and pushed some cables out of his path.
"If the inhibitor chip isn't something you can control, how did you get yours out?" Hunter asked curiously.
"I… had help," Rex admitted before stopping short at a sudden drop off, pushing some debris off which fell into a large body of water below.
There was a huge rent in the middle of the ship that went through several decks, separating us from the other side.
"Medical bay is at the other end," Rex noted. "We need a way across…"
"Don't you guys, like, carry grappling hooks or something around?" I asked curiously.
"We've had to make some cuts in places…" Hunter admitted in an embarrassed tone of voice.
"Oh for goodness- that's it, after this, I'm starting you guys a tab," I grumbled as I walked forward. "If you are gonna go off on an important mission not fully kitted up one of these days you are gonna end up dead and I will be down several customers. Anyway, I guess this is my time to shine."
"What do you mean?" Omega asked curiously.
"Have you ever seen a man fly, Omega?" I asked with a smirk. "Well, you're about to."
With that, I activated my suit's repulsorlift engine and gently floated over the gap, turning around to face my stunned audience.
"I know, I know, I'm pretty awesome," I chuckled.
"Damn, why didn't we get equipped with that during the war?" Hunter asked.
"Cause the Republic was full of cheapos, and the Empire is even worse," I answered as I looked around. "I should be able to ferry you guys across one at a time? Up for it?"
"Better than my plan," Rex admitted before turning towards the rest of the squad. "Alright, who's up first?"
After that, we took the time to carefully transfer each person using my suit's repulsorlift. It technically had a weight limit, which adding an extra full grown body went over, but that just meant that I couldn't maintain lift for too long and thankfully the gap wasn't too wide. So, after making sure everyone was secure, it was relatively easy to transfer most everyone across, with Omega being the easiest.
Of course, near the end of it we had run into an issue.
"Soooo, how much does Wrecker weigh?" I asked the Bad Batch as I set Omega down on the other side of the gap. "I don't want to assume anything, but…"
"He weighs nearly three times more than the rest of us," Tech helpfully answered.
"Hey! It's all muscle!" Wrecker complained from the other side of the gap.
"Correct, his skeletal structure and muscular are all reinforced and incredibly dense for a being his size," Tech added.
"Yeah! I'm dense!"
"In more ways than one," Echo said quietly, much to Omega's giggles.
"That's gonna be a problem then," I admitted. "If I try to ferry him over with this suit we won't make it to the other side. We won't drop like a stone or anything, but we will still fall."
"Well, I guess we have to go with my plan after all then," Rex commented before pointing his flashlight to a bunch of loose cabling next to Wrecker. "Wrecker, grab that cable."
Wrecker moved over and picked up part of the cable.
"This?" Wrecked asked in confusion. "Wh-why? Wh-what are you gonna do with it?"
"Make a makeshift bridge," he answered.
"Oh," Wrecker said miserably.
It took a little work, and me acting as the floating middleman, but eventually we were able to stretch across and secure the cable to both ends of the gap so that Wrecker could use it to climb across. Still though, I had doubts about its ability to hold up Wrecker for long, and Wrecker had nothing but doubts in general with anything height related.
"Alright, we have it secured over here," Hunter stated. "You're up Wrecker!"
"Ahhh, yeah, my head doesn't hurt anymore," Wrecker lied badly. "I'm fine, you guys go without me."
"You can do it! Just keep your eyes on the cable!" Omega cheered him on.
"I'll be right beside you, big guy," I also assured him from where I was floating next to the cable. "The faster you do this, the faster it's over."
"Arghhhh, eh," Wrecker groaned as he grabbed onto the cable and started to inch across while wrapped around it, falling a bit as his full weight left the comfort of the ground.
"Alright, good start man, just-" my words were interrupted by the sudden sound of the cable slacking a bit, nearly causing Wrecker to lose his grip as his legs fell. However, he quickly wrapped his legs around them again and sighs in relief.
"Huh, that was close," Wrecker stated.
"Yeah, we need to get you-"
Then the cable suddenly snapped.
"Wrecker!" I screamed as I tried to catch him, only for his heavy self to slam into me and slam us both into the opposite side below, sending me reeling for a moment and sending us both tumbling towards the water below.
"AHHHHHHHHH!" Wrecker and I both yelled, until suddenly we stopped just before hitting the water several meters up from the others by the broken cable wrapping around his right leg and my left arm, respectively.
Well, at least I was right side up, unlike Wrecker.
"Oh, great!" Wrecker grunted as he tried to bend upwards and reach for the cable, to no success.
"Oh man, you really do hit like a truck, even if you don't mean to," I coughed out, already feeling a bruise forming even underneath my armor as I grabbed the cable with my free hand.
"Wrecker! Nick! Are you alright?!" Rex called down at us while Omega shined a light our way.
"No! It smells awful down here! Blegh!" Wrecker complained.
"Thank goodness this suit is sealed then," I commented as I tried to pull myself free, but Wrecker acting as a weight trapped my arm real good. "I'm alright! But my arm's stuck and I can't get loose unless I cut Wrecker free, which I doubt he wants."
"I don't!"
Hmm, this whole situation was feeling awfully familiar… but it's been so long since I saw the animated show I couldn't recall exactly why.
"What's… that?" Omega suddenly asked fearfully as I saw her shine her flashlight a bit away from us and over the water… where a large shadow was currently swimming in.
Oh, that's why.
"Wrecker, Nick, start climbing!" Hunter ordered us.
"Why?!" Wrecker asked, not seeing the danger we were in.
"Just take their word for it!" I said in panic as I tried to climb upwards.
"Hurry!" Omega screamed in fear.
Before either of us could act, however, several large tentacles snapped out of the water and grappled both of us, dragging us into the filthy water below.
And that is how I got my first up close and personal look of a dianoga.
And quite possibly my last.