Febuwhump Day 4: Knife To The Throat

Febuwhump Day 4: Knife to the throat

Fandom: Star wars

Timeline: The Bad Batch

Warning violence

Crosshair perched in the tree. He waited and waited for one of his brothers to arrive, maybe even for his little sister. Today he righted the wrong of letting the rogue clones live in the first place, today he picked them off one by one.

    Hunter walked carefully through the woods. He listened for his family and for any unfriendlies. The clone kept he's eyes peeled, every hair was on its end. Something wasn't right but no matter what he did, he simply couldn't put his finger on it. No matter what he could have done nothing prepared Hunter for what was next.

    Crosshair eyed his target. After fighting alongside Hunter his whole life he knew exactly how his brother would act. The soldier grabbed a puck and threw it to a nearby tree.

    Hunter spotted the shine of the puck. He swiftly moved from his spot out in the open, well as open as the woods could be to a spot behind a tree. Hunter was exactly where Crosshair wanted him. He pulled his gun and tried to find Cross. He wasn't sure how the sniper had managed to get past him. Unless... Crosshair had planned this.

    Crosshair shot the puck . He watched the surprise on the others face as the bullet hit his gun. Slightly angling his rifle differently he proceeded to almost immediately shoot his beloved brother in the left kneecap.

     Hunter cried out as the bullet hit his knee. He leaned against the tree then slid down to sit. Hunter reached for one of his vibro-knifes but quickly remembered they had been left of the ship. He had been cleaning them previously and simply forgot to put them back. Echo had even reminded him. Hunter knew Crosshair hadn't missed, he never misses so what did he want?

    Crosshair climbed down from his hide out and walked towards Hunter.

    Pulling his arm up, Hunter touched his comm.

    "I wouldn't" Crosshair spat.

    Hunter moved his arm to his knee "so, what do you want?"

    "Smart." As soon as Crosshair got close enough Hunter attempted to kick him with his uninjured leg. Crosshair took one step closer and kicked in Hunter's other knee. He screeched with pain, tears welling in his eyes. Hunter  wondering what in the hell Crosshair wanted from him. Could he?  No. Hunter hoped Crosshair wouldn't do that to him. If Crosshair was going to kill him he'd at least let it be quick right?

    Crosshair kneeled down to Hunter's level, pushing his vibro-knife to the others throat. Hunter flinched thinking Crosshair was going in for the kill. "Listen here Hunter" Crossing hissed "I'm here to fix my mistakes. He pushed the knife into Hunter's skin. "I'll start with you."

    "Crosshair please." Hunter's voice was shaky and faint. Crosshair looked his brother in the eyes. He hadn't seen Hunter so scared in quite some time.

    Hunter was shaking. The agony in his legs made him wish he were Echo. If the knife went any further he would die. He grabbed Crosshair's arm and pulled the knife away from his throat. Curling his hand into a fist he hit Crosshair.

    Crosshair pulled his arm out of the others grip and slowly stood. Hunter attempted to stand only to be met with stabbing pain. Unable to do much else to protect himself Hunter defensively set his arms in front of him.

    "Good soldiers follow orders." Snarled Crosshair.

    "Then I'm not a good soldier."

    Crosshair moved his arm back ready to throw the knife to take his brother's life. Hunter drew into himself, preparing himself to meet the Domino squad.

    Suddenly Crosshair fell to the ground. Hunter lifted his head to see Echo. "Are you okay?" Echo walked over to his brother.

    Hunter shook his head yes before once more making the decision to try to stand. He yelped as he put the slightest amount of pressure on his legs

    "Stop Hunter, sit down." Echo spoke calmly. "Let me look."

    Before Echo got the chance Hunter explained what had happened.

    "Let's get you back to the ship okay?"

    "Alright. What are we going to do about Crosshair?" Despite everything Hunter still cared for his brother. He grew up beside him, how could he not.

    "He'll be fine." Echo gently picked Hunter up. Together the two headed to the Marauder where the rest of the batch would meet soon.

Febuwhump day 2! Flinching

Fandom: Star Wars

Time: The Bad Batch after the episode 'Battle Scars'

Walking off of the Marauder the batch made their way to the forest in front of them. The trees consist of pretty pinks and purples, the sky a beautiful shade of blue, and the grass a bright green. The planet had a calming aura to it. This worked well with the tension being high in the batch lately. Though everyone understood Wrecker did not wish to hurt them this would not change the events that happened on the shipyard planet Braca.

    Walking though the woods was simple. Hunter stooped and looked back at his squad "Everyone gets to your positions" Hunter whispered. The batch looked at him confused. He understood what that meant at this point having seen this look maybe times. They simply didn't hear him. "Sorry."

    "No worries, we understand your volume control is wacky." Wrecker reassured him.

    Hunter smiled and repeated himself loud enough for them to hear him.

    Everyone headed their respective ways, Wrecker and Tech heading left, Omega and Echo heading right, and Hunter waking the way they had previously been going.

    Tech and Wrecker got to their position first and simply waited. "So Tech" Wrecker turned around quickly, moving his arm swiftly to rest on Tech's shoulder. Tech flinched. Tech... flinched?

    "Tech?"

    Tech took a step back. "I" he continued to step back. Everything in his heart hated the way he felt. Tech loveed Wrecker but that couldn't change what had happened, what the order made him do. Tech hit a tree.

    Not understanding just how threatening his presence was to his brother, Wrecker walked towards him. Feeling trapped Tech looked for a way out. All rationalities left his mind as he forgot that Wrecker had not ment to hurt him.

    Tech looked around him and stepped to the side of the tree before taking off running. Wrecker yelled for him before starting to follow. Tech make a sharp turn and Wrecker lost him.

    Hunter, who had been just about to his position heard the yelling. "What's going on?" He commed Wrecker.

    "I lost Tech. I startled him and he took off. I'm not sure where he went." Concern filled Wrecker's voice.

    "I'll find him. You meet with the others and take care of the mission."

    Wrecker thought before answering. He wanted to disagree for he wanted to make things right but understood he couldn't at this time. Later Tech and him would have to have a long conversation. Maybe he should invite the other to talk as well. "Yeah alright."

    Turning off the comm Hunter started to look for Tech.

    Tech finally stopped running. Out of breath he sank to the ground. He pulled himself towards the stump of a tree near him. He couldn't slow his breathing, not only was he out of breath from running for so long he was in the mits of a panic attack. Tech tried and tried to reason with himself but every attempt failed. He hastily removed his helmet, then goggles as they had begun to fill with tears.

     Tech's breathing had not slowed. He started to feel lightheaded from breathing too hard. Tech had always thought it was somewhat silly that breathing too much could harm you.

    Most of his thoughts were about the events on Braca. Struggling to find a way to calm down Tech looked for good memories of Wrecker. He thought that he could reassure with his head by  using his heart to fight it. 

    His breathing began to slow as wonderful memories of his beloved brother would calm him. For once his heart would win the battle of head vs heart. Pushing his hands against the blue bark Tech slowly stood up. He needed to find the rest of the batch and see if they still needed his help with the mission. the mission, he forgot about the mission.

    Tech retched for his comm and debated which of his brothers to contact. Choosing Hunter he tapped his comm "Hunter" he began

    "Tech! Where are you? Are you alright?" Hunter's voice was laced with concern.

    "I'm... alright. I'm not sure where I am."

    "Start yelling."

    Not long after Hunter would hunt down Tech and the two would meet the rest of the batch at the Marauder. The mission was a success.

    Tech walked to Wrecker. "Hey, I"

    Wrecker cut him off "I'm so sorry."

    "I know you won't hurt me. It wouldn't make sense unless you are joking as you do. However the trauma is still there. I see you no differently. I just have to heal. Please be patient with me." Tech explained.

    "Of course." Wrecker was ready to take however much time Tech needed.

    Hunter smiled at the exchange. Everything would be okay.

(sorry it's a day late)

Febuwhump Day 13: Forced to Hurt a Loved One

Fandom: Star Wars

Timeline: The Bad Batch

Simple supply runs could never be simple. Ever since the empire had found out they were alive it seemed all they did was run. The worst part was having to look out for Crosshair's precise shots. 

    The city was beautiful; the large buildings loomed over the small people, the sunset covered in gorgeous reds, pinks, purples, and oranges. The clouds reflected the colors perfectly. The street was busy with a variety of different people walking about their business.

    Hunter heard the sniper running on the roofs as the five of them ran on the pavement below. Crosshair wouldn't shoot them unless he had a good shot. If he shot a civilian he'd be a murderer, not that he wasn't already but still.

The chase was nearing the end of the city limits. A small clearing was in front of them. If they entered that clearing none of them would ever leave it.

    "Any ideas Hunter?" Echo ran beside him.

    "We need to stay in the city" he stared. "He's gotta come down here before we can do much against him. He'll get frustrated, just give it time."

    It didn't take long before Crosshair proved Hunter right. He knew what his targets were doing. He lived with them for most of his life so he knew how they thought. He'd play into their game and he would win. He had to.

    The batch came to a stop when Hunter confirmed Crosshair had left the roof. "Alright, split up. Everyone get to the Marauder, I'll try to get Crosshair off our tail." The others nodded. Tech and Omega stayed together while the other two went off on their own.

    The plan didn't work. Echo ended up being Crosshair's prey first. The two raced through the streets. Hunter tried to find Crosshair. He knew Echo could handle himself but something didn't feel right.

    Turning the corner Echo relieved it was a dead end. He pulled his blaster but it was quickly shot out of his hand. He looked down at it briefly then back to Crosshair. "I'll give you one chance Echo, come back with me or die."

    The cyborg stared at Crosshair. No matter what he wouldn't join the empire. He hated it with every fiber of his being, it would go against everything he believed in. He'd have to stall. One of his siblings had to be close right?

    "What's so great about the empire?" Echo knew that he was in dangerous territory by asking but he was already in danger so did that really matter. Maybe he could help Crosshair see a little clearer.

    Crosshair gave no answer. He crept forward. Hunter turned the corner. He made no sudden movements. Neither knew he was there. He heard the movement of the guns trigger. It wasn't fast. It was like Crosshair was hesitant to kill his brother. Sure Echo and Crosshair hadn't been together for all that long but with Echo it was impossible to dislike him. He grew on everyone quickly.

    Hunter knew the sound right before the gun would go off. He'd heard it too many times, the slight sound the trigger made as it inched back that no one else would hear. This time a shot wouldn't follow, at least not from his gun.

    Hunter shot Crosshair in the left shoulder. He hated it but he had to. Shooting the man he grew up with, his brother hurt him deeply. Corsshair leaving had hurt him deeply. There was no time to change the setting to stun. Echo would've died and Hunter would just have to live with his decision.

    Crosshair fell to the ground with a yelp. Echo ran up and slid the gun away from the imperial. Crosshair sat up and looked at Hunter. A mix of physical and mental pain was reflected on his face.

    Hunter ran over to his brother and kneeled down. He wasn't sure how to help him or if Crosshair would even let him but he had to try. Echo seemed to be on the same page.

    "Get away from me" Crosshair hissed. Echo moved, Hunter didn't.

    "No."

    "You shot me." The man had a fair point.

    "I had too. You didn't leave me a choice." Frustration and concern laced Hunter's voice. 

    The three heard other clones approaching their location. "Hunter we gotta go." Echo stood behind his brother.

    Hunter sighed and got up. He started walking the exit of the alley. He stopped and looked back, trying to decide what to do. Crosshair looked angry. Despite everything he nodded, signaling for Hunter to leave.

    Hunter nodded and left. With everyone now on the Marauder they left the planet, the mission a success.

    Hunter got lost in his thoughts. They'd left Crosshair behind again. He felt terrible. His brother would never see him the same. He had every right to hate him. He had to shoot him and he just hoped Crosshair would see it that way eventually.

Febuwhump Day 11: Fever

Fandom: Star Wars

Timeline: The Bad Batch

"Skyguy I don't feel so well" Ahsoka complained.

    Anakin turned around to face Ahsoka. She looked ill. "Let's get you checked out."

    The two walked to the medical bay on The Resolute. It wasn't too busy and Ahsoka was seen immediately.

    The droid confirmed that the padawan was indeed sick. She had a high fever of 101. Ahsoka was prescribed an antibiotic and rest. Of course with the coming mission she didn't want to rest. As the commander of the 501st she didn't feel it was right to abandon them right before battle.

    Anakin walked with his sister back to her quarters. He opened the door with the force and entered. The room consisted of a bed and a nightstand that had drawers. There is where she kept her extra clothes. The Togruta's lightsabers rested on top of the nightstand.

    Sitting down Ahsoka argued about how she needed to help in the fight. "Master it wouldn't be fair if I didn't fight. The men fight when they feel under the weather why can't I?"

    "Snips" Anakin sighed. "Barely any of the men say when they feel sick. Now lay down."

    Ahsoka complied. Of course she was stubborn about this. Anakin remembered being the same way with Obi-wan. When he wasn't much older than Ahsoka, maybe 14 or 15, the two had a mission to protect a world leader who was wanted by a rather large gang. Anakin had started to feel ill on their way and complained to Obi-wan, the same way Ahsoka had. Once on the planet Anakin was checked out by a member of the leaders medical staff. He was indeed ill and Obi-wan tried his best to help him rest. Anakin was sure he had to help. The mission was a mess but a success.

    The girl's master looked down at her. "I'll be right back." He stood and walked to find a rag and some warm water.

    When he returned Ahsoka was nowhere to be found. Anakin sighed and started looking for her.

    As the ship approached the planet below, Anakin finally made it to the clones barracks. There she was.

    Rex was sitting upright in his bunk. Ahsoka had wandered to the barracks and Rex had gotten her to lay down. Her head rested in his lap and he was rubbing her back.

    Anakin looked relieved to find her, better yet that she was resting. "How'd you get her to lay down?"

    "I just said come here and opened my arms. She came right to me."

    The general shook his head.

    "Anakin she's got a fever. Feels pretty bad." Rex dropped the formicalities, after all they weren't taking general to captain. They were just two brothers concerned about their little sister.

    "It was 101 when I got her checked out."

    "Wow." Rex looked down at the sleeping girl and softly smiled, "I feel bad. I'm gonna have to move her when we land."

   "As long as you're slow it should be fine."

    "Yeah." Rex rested his head against the wall behind him. Anakin sat on the floor near the two and leaned against the wall. The cool metal was somewhat comforting.

    When the ship would in orbit everyone started to get ready. For some this would be their last mission, for others their first. Ahsoka woke as Rex moved beneath her. "Huh? Are we here?" She said weakly.

    "Yeah kid, we're here. You're staying on this ship okay?"

    "But I have too -"

    Anakin interrupted her, "no you don't. It'll be fine if you stay here okay. We got it."

    "Stupid fever, giving me away" Ahsoka grumbled. She sat up and watched the concern rise in the others eyes. It was nice to see how much they cared about her. Realizing her being on the field would only worry them, she laid back down.

    The commander had been convinced she had to go, she had to fight with the others. Now she could see it clearer. They'd be okay. She needed the break anyway. Sure she had to get sick to know it but now she knew.

    Ahsoka was right. Anakin and Rex returned to her relatively unharmed. This battle luckily didn't have many casualties. In a few days the padawan was back at her masters side, both of them causing havoc and training.

(I really gotta catch up on these. Wish me luck.)

Febuwhump Day 12: "Can you hear me?"

Fandom: Star Wars

Timeline: The Clone Wars/The Bad Batch

War zones were always loud. Explosions drowned out orders and screams. No matter what Hunter heard it all. His enhanced senses made sure if that. Even if it was Echo's job to repeat orders, Hunter found himself relaying the messages others could not hear.

    Wrecker hadn't seen Hunter when he set the explosives. The Demolitionist pushed his thumb down and set the explosives off.

    Hunter was pushed back by the pressure. He fell to the ground. Echo had seen what happened and rushed to his brother's side. He dropped to his his knees beside him. "Hunter, you okay?" There was no answer. "Hunter?" Echo yelled. Now he was panicking. "Hunter can you hear me?" Fear struck into his heart as he gently removed the mans helmet. Franticly the cyborg removed his glove and checked for a pulse. It was there.

    Hunter's head was spinning. He snapped back to reality when Echo removed his helmet Echo's mouth moved but no words came out. Come to think of it the world was quite, to quite.

    "We gotta go! Can you move?" Hunter looked confused. "Can you hear me? We gotta go!" Hunter shifted and carefully sat up.

    With Echo helping him Hunter stood. Neither had noted the blood trickling from the man's ears. Wrecker however saw it. He put the pieces together and his heart sank. He injured his squad leader, his brother.

    Hunter and Echo moved behind a nearby rock. Only then did Echo see the blood. "Hunter, can you hear me?" With his brother's highest senses he had to right?

    Hunter stared at his brother, unaware of what he said.

    Echo drew a question mark with his scomp in the sand and pointed to his ear. The other reached up to his own ear. When he pulled it away the crimson liquid stared him. He'd seen lots of blood but never from his ear. The clones brain attempted to process what was going on.

     The reg was able to find the answer on his own.

    The shock was prominent on Hunter's face. He slowly shook his head no.

    Echo called over the medic and Hunter would be checked out. The medic didn't let him

    Back on the Marauder Tech would give Hunter a more thorough check up. Other than large bruises from the fall he was fine. The man would be very sore. Then there was his ears.

    "He's lost his hearing. No worries as it would be temporary." Tech found no point in telling Hunter as he wouldn't hear him, so he just told the rest of his brothers.

    "Should be?" Wrecker stood nervously. He caused Hunter to lose his hearing in the first place. The clone wasn't sure what he'd do if it was permanent.

    Echo grabbed a pen and a sheet of paper. 'Tech said you should be able to hear again.' he scribbled.

    Hunter nodded. Even when he could hear his volume control was out of sorts. Wrecker snatched the pen and quickly wrote his apology. Hunter smiled softly and spoke, "it's okay, you didn't mean to."

    Wrecker gave him a soft hug. The five began doing there own things until. They were back on Kamino.

    Around a day and a half into Hunter's hearing loss he stared to notice just how peaceful the quiet could be. The man never knew a life without his hearing. It was arguably his most valuable trait. After so long of hearing everything, hearing nothing was a change. It was calming. There were no over hearing death threats; often targeted towards him and his brother's, no suicide plans, no dirty conversations, and no classified information he was unknowingly interested him with.

    The batch walked to the mess hall. They greeted Hunter who had left a little earlier than he normally would. Afterwards the others would go to join their 'brothers' in line.

    A reg walked behind Hunter and started to talk. His rant went on until he noticed that Hunter wasn't paying a bit of attention to him. He had no idea the reg was even there to begin with.

    Roughly, the reg slammed his hand into Hunter's back. Annoyed he tried around. "Can you not hear me idiot." The reg just about yelled. "Or do you know that I'm right about you and your pathetic little squad?"

    Hunter just sort of stared, unsure of how to handle the situation. If he knew what the clone was saying he could at least answer but now he had no real way to verbally defend himself.

    Echo would enter the situation, informing the reg that Hunter indeed could not hear him. Once the reg finally backed off the brothers enjoyed their lunch.

    A few days later Hunter began hearing his brother's voices faintly. He was glad to have his hearing back but part of him would miss the silence. Even if most all the clones sounded the same he was able to pick out his brothers.

    Echo walked up to Hunter and asked if he could be heard. For the first time in a week he'd answer with "faintly". Everything would go back to normal soon.

Febuwhump Day 10: Difficulty Breathing

Fandom: Star Wars

Timeline: The Bad Batch

Warnings: Attempted murder and drowning

The sea of Kamino could be  beautiful. When it wasn't storming the sky's blue could compliment the sea very well. The storms however were common, making seeing the wonder of Kamino rare.

    It was a rather windy day. The sky was mostly clear with a possibility of rain in the later part of the day. Currently it was late morning; around 9:00. Tech liked watching the water. Today the waters were rough and choppy.

    Tech paid no attention to the regs that whispered behind him; he had no reason to. He walked closer and closer to the edge of the platform. The regs followed.

    Crosshair had a bad feeling. The rest of his brothers sat inside their barracks with him. Hunter was listening to the regs. He didn't think anything of it. The regs were mostly all talk. The man simply continued laying on the floor. Wrecker and Echo told each other stories and Crosshair cleaned his rifle.

    The regs inched closer to Tech. "Do you need something?" Tech turned around to face them. The clone closest to Tech smirked. "Can I help you?" Tech asked again.

    "Na I'm good." The clone answered. Tech recognized the trooper as Kitty.

    "Then why are you here?"

    "For this." With that Kitty pushed Tech over the edge. It didn't take long for him to hit the water. Had this been the normal platforms the soldier would have died on impact. This one was closer to the sea. He chose this platform because it made it easier to see the water.

    Hunter heard his brother's scream and sat up. He had left the barracks not to long ago simply to take a walk. The clone broke out into a sprint, raising his arm to contact Crosshair. "Cross get your rifle and meet me outside, one of the regs pushed Tech into the sea."

    "Understood." Crosshair answered immediately.

    The water was cold. Really cold. Tech's mind was both full and empty as he struggled to fight against the waves. His body was submerged in the water. He'd pull his head above the liquid only for the it to grab him again.

    Water entered his lungs making it difficult to breathe. Fighting in the fight of water vs man, water was winning and quickly.

    He felt like his life was flashing before his eyes. Tech felt helpless. With the lack of oxygen and the physical properties of trying to survive, Tech started to feel tired. He had to survive this; for his family, for himself, for the knowledge he hadn't learned yet, and for the people he was yet to help.

    Hunter ran out to the platform. He found the regs laughing, watching his younger brother drown. "Crosshair where are you?" Hunter's voice was laced with panic.

    "I'm almost there." Not even 30 seconds later Crosshair ran to meet Hunter.

    "Stay back" Hunter hissed at the regs. He'd watch them as Crosshair scanned the sea for Tech.

    He couldn't fight much longer. His body was exhausted and his lungs overworked. He seemed to both accept the fate that he thought was laid in front of him and not. He was both angry and eerily calm.

    Crosshair found Tech. He aimed and took his shot. The grappling hook grabbed him harshly and started to pull him up. Tech wasn't sure what was really going on until he saw Crosshair. Then he knew he was safe.

    The struggle was not over yet as Tech fought to breathe. His lungs had been working as hard as they could. He coughed, water coming up and out of his mouth. Even when the water was gone Tech breathed heavily.

   Air rapidly moved in and out of his lungs. The clone felt as if he couldn't breathe. It frustrated and scared him. Tech could barely hear Hunter calmly telling him to breathe.

    Hunter looked over Tech. The regs had abandoned the platform quickly after Hunter and Crosshair had arrived.

    Eventually Tech could breathe normally again. He hadn't moved from his place against the metal. Finally he noted how cold he felt. The wind only and this feeling worse. Standing Tech looked over to his brothers and thanked them.

    "I love you two. I may not stay that often or do much to reinforce this statement but I do." Tech stumbled closer to them.

    "I love you too Tech." Hunter put his arm under the others and helped him walk.

    "Love you" Crosshair grumbled.

    When the other members of the batch met up with the three Tech would repeat the same sentiment to them.

    "Awww love you too buddy!" Wrecker yelled. He went in for a hug but decided it would wait until Tech felt better.

    "Love you too Tech." Echo smiled and laid his hand on Tech's shoulder.

    For the first time Tech really thought about how lucky he was to end up with the four of them. Though it was sometimes hard to remember he tried to keep the thought of how lucky he was to be living and breathing with him.