"Infested" marks the thirteenth installment of the animated web-TV series Star Wars: The Bad Batch's first season. This episode premiered on July 23, 2021.
Having completed a task for Ciddarin Scaleback, the Marauder lands at a landing bay in Ord Mantell City. Echo voices his hope for a substantial payment from Scaleback for their recent endeavor. Wrecker remains unfazed by their last mission, but Echo complains that Scaleback neglected to mention that gundarks were abundant in the drop zone. Tech notes that this is a recurring pattern with her. As the Bad Batch and Omega traverse the streets of Ord Mantell City, a pair of armored figures take notice of them.
Upon returning to Cid's Parlor, they observe that it is bustling with patrons, including several armored individuals. They make their way to the counter, passing by some Pykes. One of the armored figures confronts the Bad Batch, questioning their destination. Hunter dismisses the armored enforcer, and the Bad Batch proceed to force their way into Cid's office, where they encounter even more armored guards. A Devaronian man informs them that barging into an office without announcement is impolite.
Hunter retorts that it is not his office, but the Devaronian insists otherwise. Omega expresses her shock upon seeing him caressing her pet lizard Ruby, who has become his cherished companion. When Omega inquires about Ruby's presence with him, the Devaronian responds that he paid for her and Scaleback delivered. When Hunter asks about Cid, the Devaronian states that Scaleback is absent and that he now controls her parlor and Ord Mantell. He proposes hiring the Bad Batch if they seek employment. Hunter responds gravely that they will consider it.
After departing Scaleback's former parlor, Hunter decides that the group should evacuate Ord Mantell. He instructs Tech to ready the ship, while the others gather supplies. Omega inquires about Cid's fate and welfare. Tech infers that Scaleback was either eliminated or ousted based on the Devaronian's demeanor. Omega is hesitant to abandon Cid. Just then, they overhear her voice. Scaleback expresses her relief that at least one of them cares and invites the Bad Batch to board their ship.
Aboard their vessel, Scaleback reveals that the Devaronian they encountered is Roland Durand, a former client of hers and the offspring of crime lord Isa Durand. She explains that Roland aims to establish his reputation by aligning himself with the Pyke Syndicate. When Hunter questions his presence on Ord Mantell, she elucidates that the planet's connection to numerous hyperspace routes renders it ideal for smuggling. Given that her parlor occupies a central location, Roland recognized its value and seized it.
Scaleback pledges to reclaim her parlor, asserting that the Bad Batch are complicit due to her proficiency in maintaining confidentiality. Tech deduces that she is attempting to coerce them into assisting her. Scaleback confirms this assertion. Omega appeals to the others' sense of compassion, emphasizing that Scaleback aided them in their time of need. Omega underscores Scaleback's predicament and their inability to abandon her. Scaleback endorses Omega's altruism. Hunter accepts Omega's rationale and solicits Scaleback's plan.
Subsequently, Scaleback informs Hunter and the Bad Batch that her informants have revealed that a buyer is scheduled to meet with Roland tonight to procure a shipment of spice that he is storing in her back office. Tech realizes that Scaleback intends for them to disrupt his supply chain by pilfering the shipment, thereby sabotaging the transaction. Scaleback concurs with Tech's interpretation of her plan. She clarifies that her objective is to render Roland incapable of fulfilling his obligations, thus making him their liability.
Scaleback guides them into a manhole that leads to Ord Mantell's antiquated mining tunnels. She directs them to a rail cart, explaining that these rails extend beneath the city. She intends to utilize them to infiltrate her parlor and abscond with the spice. Wrecker suggests that they storm the parlor and engage the guards in combat. Scaleback counters that their involvement must remain concealed. She cautions that while Roland is one matter, the Pykes are an adversary they should avoid provoking. She also mentions that they will employ the carts to transport the crates of spice.
Tech cautions that the carts are in disrepair and offers to restore the motors to functionality. Scaleback dissents, asserting that the motors are excessively noisy and that this is a stealth operation, a domain in which the Bad Batch excels. She and Scaleback navigate one of the carts using levers. The other clones emulate them in two additional carts. Scaleback and the clones traverse the tunnels until they reach a gate. She urges them to remain silent when passing through the doors to avoid disturbing the hive.
She warns of an infestation problem within the caverns. Wrecker proclaims that they are unfazed by a few insects. Scaleback retorts that it will not pose a problem if they remain silent. Scaleback enlists Wrecker to open the gate, enabling the travelers to proceed on their journey. This segment of the mining tunnels is adorned with colossal cobwebs. While navigating this section of the tunnels, Wrecker inadvertently drops his torch light, generating noise. Scaleback expresses her displeasure, but Wrecker claims it was unintentional. Suddenly, they detect a resounding animalistic cry emanating from a deep pit. Hunter instructs them to continue moving.
The Clones and Scaleback eventually arrive at the tunnel's terminus, where a ladder ascends to Scaleback's office. Tech inquires about how they will ascertain that Roland is not present. Scaleback assures him that she has accounted for that. Scaleback activates her comlink. Simultaneously, the Weequay Ketch receives Scaleback's signal on his comlink. He approaches and consumes what appears to be some Mantell Mix, leaving a trail for Ruby to follow. As Ruby devours the final portion of Mantell Mix in the streets, she is abducted by Bolo and emits a squeal.
Roland realizes that Ruby is missing and commands his enforcers to locate her. They evacuate the store to pursue the kidnappers. Bolo contacts Scaleback to inform her and the Bad Batch that the coast is clear. Meanwhile, the Clones emerge into Scaleback's parlor through the trapdoor. Upon observing rodents, Echo laments the conditions, prompting Scaleback to instruct him to maintain silence, as Roland will return shortly. Tech confirms the presence of six crates of spice. Wrecker assists his comrades in lowering the crates into their rail carts.
Meanwhile, Roland inquires about Ruby's whereabouts, but his enforcers report that they cannot locate her. He orders them to persist in their search. Simultaneously, Ketch instructs Bolo to keep Ruby, who is confined in a cage, quiet. However, Ruby bites Ketch, causing him to drop the cage. Roland and his men overhear Ruby's cries and pinpoint his location. Bolo and Ketch are compelled to flee through the streets. Roland pets Ruby, who permits the Devaronian to stroke her belly and carry her. He directs his enforcers to pursue Bolo and Ketch.
Scaleback cautions the Bad Batch that they are running out of time and to retrieve the final two crates. Echo hurries to seal the storeroom's door. Meanwhile, Roland carries Ruby back into the parlor, assuring his pet that he and his men will apprehend the fugitives and eliminate them. The clones manage to escape just as Roland reaches the door to the storeroom. As the lock fails to respond, he discharges his blaster at it, causing the door to open. Inside the storeroom, he discovers that his trove of spice has been stolen. Roland discovers the trapdoor beneath.
Scaleback and the clones abscond with the stolen spice on the rail carts. Roland's enforcers pursue the fugitives on powered rail carts. Despite Scaleback's directives, the Bad Batch engage Roland's enforcers in a blaster skirmish. Hunter leaps onto the lead pursuing cart, disabling it and causing it to collide with the second pursuing cart, resulting in the enforcers aboard plummeting into the tunnels below. Scaleback is distressed because she fears that their actions have awakened the hive.
As Scaleback and Omega venture deeper into the tunnels, Scaleback detects animalistic cries emanating from beneath the tunnels. She expresses her unease regarding the sound. A swarm of winged irlings ascends up the tunnels, prompting Scaleback to instruct the Bad Batch to power up their carts. The swarm overwhelms a group of Roland's enforcers, tearing into their flesh. The Bad Batch employ their blasters and lights to repel the winged predators. Despite Scaleback's objections, the clones jettison the spice and rail carts. They escape from the tunnel, with Wrecker sealing the entrance shut. Omega attempts to sound optimistic by stating that at least they disposed of the spice.
Subsequently, Roland and his enforcers apprehend Bolo and Ketch. Roland concedes that he did not anticipate Scaleback's audacity or foolishness. Bolo and Ketch inform Roland that the kidnapping of Ruby and the spice heist were Scaleback's idea and that they had no intention of harming Ruby. Roland demands to know where Scaleback concealed his spice. Bolo claims ignorance. At that juncture, representatives from the Pyke Syndicate arrive and demand their payment.
After escorting Bolo and Ketch out, Roland admits that the spice shipment was stolen. He pledges that they will receive their money but requests additional time. The Pyke delegation's leader remains unmoved, cautioning that if he fails to deliver as promised, he is of no value to them. Roland and his men raise their blasters. Roland informs the Pykes that they will receive their money and instructs them to return to Oba Diah and await. The lead Pyke warns Roland Durand that he is out of his depth, cautioning him to rectify his error or face true suffering for himself and his entire family.
Meanwhile, Omega inquires of Scaleback whether her parlor is secure. Scaleback informs her and the Bad Batch that Bolo and Ketch have reported that the Pykes have already sought out Roland. She notes that they do not take kindly to unpaid debts. Upon returning to her parlor, she discovers several of Roland's fallen enforcers lying on the floor. Scaleback believes that her plan exceeded her expectations. Just then, a humbled Roland arrives with the Pykes. Roland identifies Scaleback and the Bad Batch as the perpetrators of the spice theft.
The Pyke leader confronts Scaleback and the clones regarding the theft of their spice shipment. He instructs them to return it, and in exchange, they will consider the matter resolved. Scaleback denies possessing the spice. The Pyke leader commands his Pyke enforcers to eliminate them. Hunter offers to assist the Pykes in recovering their spice. The Pyke leader warns that his patience is waning. He instructs them to retrieve the spice and demands that they leave Omega behind as collateral to ensure compliance.
The Bad Batch, including Scaleback, refuse to abandon Omega and raise their weapons to protect her. The Pyke leader warns that this matter is not open for negotiation. Scaleback addresses Hunter and the Bad Batch, cautioning them that if they do not lower their blasters, there will be dire consequences. She persuades Hunter to allow her to handle the situation.
Subsequently, Scaleback walks with the Bad Batch, asserting that they have no choice but to comply, as they know the spice's location. She reassures the clones that Omega will be safe with the Pykes. Tech informs the group that the ptero-creatures they encountered in the cavern were irlings. He explains that they are nocturnal insects with visual sensitivity to thermal registers. He advises them to strike before nightfall.
Scaleback proposes that Wrecker and she rappel down into the cavern to locate the crates. Scaleback vows to extricate Omega from the predicament she created. The clones and Scaleback board the Marauder and flee towards the cavern opening. Scaleback and Wrecker employ grappling lines to descend into the depths of the cavern. Scaleback cautions Wrecker not to drop his torch this time. Inside the cavern, Wrecker discovers a crate. Scaleback states that she will secure it while he searches for the other crates.
Meanwhile, Omega and Roland await in Cid's Parlor. Omega eyes a blaster, but Roland cautions her against provoking their captors, as the Pykes will kill them. He explains that if her friends do not return the spice, they will both perish. He asserts that this is the consequence of meddling in other people's affairs. Omega refutes the notion that they are united, pointing out that he was the one who seized Cid's parlor from her. Roland retorts that the Durand way is to "take what you want." He claims that this is a tactic that his mother Isa has perfected.
Omega inquires whether Roland's mother is also a criminal. Roland disagrees with her black and white worldview but expresses embarrassment about how his mother will react to his current state. Just then, Ruby approaches and settles in Omega's lap. Omega strokes her. Observing Ruby's affection for Omega, Roland remarks that Ruby is selective about whom she likes. Omega reassures Ruby that they will escape this situation.
Meanwhile, Hunter employs a pulley system to lift the first four crates. Echo warns them that night is approaching and that the Irlings are awakening. Tech states that he is preparing for that eventuality. Meanwhile, in the cavern, Scaleback and Wrecker locate and secure the final crate. She instructs Hunter to bring them up. As the pulley system lifts them, one of the cables snaps and falls into the cavern. Wrecker hopes that the Irlings did not hear it, but Scaleback is pessimistic.
As Scaleback anticipated, the Irlings swarm the pair. Wrecker pleads for his comrades to rescue them. Hunter inquires about the situation. Scaleback warns that the Irlings are upon them. Wrecker fires at the creatures. At Hunter's signal, Tech throws a flash bomb of his own creation into the cavern below, generating a brilliant explosion of light that disperses the Irlings. This provides sufficient time for the Marauder's pulley system to retrieve Cid, Wrecker, and the last spice crate. Scaleback reassures Wrecker that it was not so dire.
Subsequently, the Bad Batch return the stolen spice to the Pyke Syndicate. The Pyke leader deems the matter between them, the Bad Batch, and Scaleback resolved. He releases Omega and Ruby back to her friends. However, the Pyke is not finished with Roland and has his subordinates force him onto a crate. Omega pleads for Roland's life, stating that the criminal made a mistake. Scaleback concurs and warns the Pyke that killing Roland would incite a war with his mother, which she knows is some heat they couldn't risk to have at the time since their leader Marg Krim just had them come out of hiding. She urges him to consider it a bad deal and walk away.
The Pyke leader responds that they do not accept bad deals. Instead of killing Roland, he severs one of his horns. Showing mercy to Roland, he warns the Devaronian that their business is concluded and that he should avoid crossing paths with the Pyke Syndicate again. Roland is left humiliated.
Out of kindness, Omega inquires whether he is alright. Roland replies that it is a small price to pay. As a consolation, Omega allows him to keep Ruby, who has developed an affection for Roland. Hunter stands behind Omega. Out of gratitude, Scaleback offers to treat the Bad Batch. She states that the first round is on her. Wrecker asserts that she owes them far more than that. Scaleback jokingly warns him not to press his luck.
Hunter asks Omega why she defended Roland despite his actions. Omega admits that she is unsure and states that Ruby liked Roland. She believes that Roland is not entirely malevolent. Hunter walks with Omega as the two join Scaleback and the others.