"Pabu" marks the thirteenth installment of the second season of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, the animated television program. It was initially broadcast on March 15, 2023, via the Disney+ streaming service.
Omega and Phee Genoa arrange a meeting with Lanse Crowder and his crew at a cantina with the intention of purchasing an artifact shaped like a tree. Crowder demands upfront payment, but Genoa insists on verifying its authenticity. Crowder, upon noticing Omega, inquires if she operates independently. Genoa responds that she is mentoring Omega in the "art of negotiation." Crowder extends an offer for drinks, which Genoa declines, suspecting poison. Crowder expresses his admiration while discreetly releasing a kouhun beneath the table.
Hunter detects movement. Omega clarifies that Genoa is not a pirate, but rather a "liberator of ancient wonders." Genoa concurs, while Hunter engages in a game of sabacc with a Bith, preventing him from drawing a card. Before the kouhun can inject Genoa with its venom, Hunter uses his knife to impales it against the wall. Crowder's armed guards then aim their blasters at Hunter. Crowder believes he has the advantage, but Genoa reveals that Hunter is not her only protection.
Wrecker engages in combat, defeating several of Crowder's henchmen, which leads to a shootout. Omega participates in the gunfight, firing her energy bow at Crowder and his associates. She seizes the artifact and brings down a ceiling lamp above Crowder. Meanwhile, Tech is engrossed in a game against himself, with Gonky serving as the game board. Hunter requests immediate extraction, and Tech prepares the Marauder. Genoa and the clones use smoke bombs to confuse Crowder and his men, allowing them to escape the cantina and board the waiting Marauder.
Crowder's forces pursue them, but fail to disable the Marauder. During their journey through hyperspace, Omega and Wrecker describe the mission as a success. Genoa is impressed by Omega, and Hunter notes that her training is proving effective. Genoa suggests that Omega should acquire skills beyond those of a soldier, and socialize with peers who are not her genetic profile. Tech expresses his disagreement with this sentiment.
The Bad Batch receive a transmission from Ciddarin Scaleback, who complains that their absence over the past 20 cycles has cost her several deals. She reminds them of their "mutually beneficial" agreement and her knowledge of their secrets. Genoa comments on the clones keeping their ties with Cid a secret. Hunter states that their arrangement with Cid is not mutually beneficial. Genoa concurs, describing Cid as a valuable but dangerous ally.
With no immediate plans, Genoa takes charge and persuades the clones to travel to a new set of coordinates. The Bad Batch arrive at a scenic world dotted with oceans and pilot the Marauder to a remote island on Pabu. Genoa refers to the island as a "hidden sanctuary" and guides the clones to the Archium, a repository of treasures from across the galaxy. Genoa intends to deposit their "liberated" artifact there. Tech informs her that his scans indicate the artifact has little monetary worth, but Genoa argues that value is not solely monetary.
She elaborates that the island's inhabitants are primarily refugees, and many of the artifacts are relics of their cultures. Genoa is greeted by Shep Hazard, a dark-skinned human man who serves as the island's Mayor, and his daughter Lyana Hazard. Lyana calls Genoa "Auntie Phee." Genoa presents her with the green tree artifact before introducing Hazard and Lyana to the Bad Batch. Lyana remarks to Omega that Genoa has never brought friends before, implying that she must like the clones.
Genoa invites the clones to a feast, promising ample food and celebration. As Genoa stores the artifact, she and the clones accompany Mayor Hazard and Lyana on a tour of the island city, which is situated by the sea. Lyana takes a liking to Omega and invites her to explore the city up close. Hazard explains that Upper Pabu is the oldest part of the island. Over time, they expanded beyond the wall into Lower Pabu.
Hazard is greeted by an elderly resident named Mister Eenta, who informs the Mayor that Sari and Micha are doing well. When Wrecker inquires if Hazard knows everyone there, Hazard describes the community as a family. He invites the Bad Batch to his home, where they encounter several simian moon-yos. Lyana explains that the Elders say that moon-yos lived here before the island was settled. Omega plays with a moon-yo and laughs, prompting Tech to comment that he hasn't heard Omega laugh like that for a while.
Upon Hunter's inquiry, Hazard explains that Pabu is a haven for refugees fleeing the War and other conflicts. Hunter asks if he is concerned about the Galactic Empire appearing. Hazard believes that the Empire would not be interested in a remote island with limited resources, but acknowledges that they will try to manage. Hazard tells Hunter that many come to Pabu to start afresh with a clean slate. Mistaking Hunter for Omega's father, he suggests that the island would be a suitable place to raise a child. Genoa encourages Hunter to consider settling on Pabu permanently.
As Omega and Lyana play with the moon-yos, Genoa suggests that the Bad Batch would benefit from some stability. Later, the clones, Genoa, and Hazard share a meal of rolls. Lyana invites Omega for a boat ride, and Hunter allows them to go have fun. After the children leave, Wrecker expresses his satisfaction with the meal, while Tech describes it as memorable. Hazard offers his guests a platter of fruits, causing Wrecker to declare his love for Pabu.
At the wharf, Lyana takes Omega aboard a motorized boat and they sail into the sunset. Omega enjoys the sea breeze, explaining that she has spent most of her life near the ocean. Omega tells Lyana that she left her home because of the Empire. When Lyana offers that she and her friends can stay as long as they wish, Omega explains that they never stay for long. Lyana asks if she gets lonely, prompting Omega to admit that she hasn't really considered it.
Back at Hazard's home, Genoa introduces the Bad Batch to Pabu's sunset. The city lights illuminate the island at night, and the clones enjoy beverages as the sun sets. Genoa senses Hunter's tension, and he warns that something is coming, as the ground trembles. Meanwhile, Lyana and Omega feel the tremor at sea and begin their return to the island. Hunter contacts Omega via comlink, and Omega informs them that they are returning to shore. Hazard assures his guests that it is a minor tremor, but they soon experience another, more significant tremor.
Tech warns that the island is susceptible to a sea surge. Hazard responds that they have not experienced a sea surge in over three decades. Suddenly, the island's hazard warning system activates. As the ground and buildings shake, the residents seek shelter. Tech advises Hazard to evacuate Lower Pabu due to the receding tide. When Hazard reminds them that Omega and Lyana are out on the water, Hunter says he will set out on his ship to evacuate them and tasks the other clones with evacuating the residents to higher ground.
Meanwhile, Lyana and Omega's boat is pulled out to sea by the waves. The two jump before their boat crashes into a rock formation. Elsewhere, Hazard collaborates with the clones and Genoa to evacuate the residents of Lower Pabu to higher ground. Omega and Lyana land on top of the rock formation. Omega wakes Lyana up. Despite the receding tide, the two see giant waves approaching the island. Omega contacts Hunter, who tells her to keep her locator on and that he is on his way. The two girls run towards the island.
With the residents fleeing up the stairs, Tech warns that there will not be enough time to evacuate everyone. Genoa suggests lowering the rescue ladders to enable more people to evacuate. He and Genoa use a grappling cable to reach the top of the battlements. Since the mechanisms for the rescue ladders are rusty, they manually release the ladders. This enables more civilians to climb up to safety. Wrecker and Hazard also find Mr Eenta with the former carrying the elderly man to safety.
Hunter departs in the Marauder and flies towards the sea to rescue Omega and Lyana. Omega encourages Lyana to run. Hunter flies above them and uses a retractable line to evacuate them before the ocean waves catches up with them. Wrecker carries Eenta up a rescue ladder with Mayor Hazard following him. The ocean waves sweep through Lower Pabu, engulfing the city. After depositing Eenta, Wrecker pulls Hazard to safety before the waves hit the rescue ladder. Omega and Lyana wave from the Marauder.
The ocean waves leave Lower Pabu in ruins. The tsunami leaves many residents without homes. Mayor Hazard is relieved that everyone was evacuated to safety. Tech estimates that it will take several rotations to rebuild Lower Pabu. Hazard replies that his people are resilient. Hunter offers to stay and assist with the rebuilding of Lower Pabu. Tech concurs, and Hazard welcomes the Bad Batch's offer of help.