Febuwhump Day 28: "You're Safe Now."

Febuwhump Day 28: "You're Safe Now."

Fandom: Star Wars

Timeline: Post Order 66 (Character is Caleb Doom/Kanan Jarrus)

  Caleb ran. Gray and Styles followed. Depa's body lay on the ground behind him. Other members of his beloved battalion followed the two officers. The Bad Batch tried to help, except for Crosshair. Hunter yelled that they would take care of the child. "Taking down a padawan shouldn't be too hard!"

    The child ran for the trees. Not long after he would come to a cliff. Hunter talked to him, trying to reassure him that everything would be alright. Caleb took a step back and fell.

    Kanan woke up. His breathing sped up and tears dropped out of his eyes. Hera touched his shoulder and the man jumped. "Kanan? What's going on?" She asked. He leaned into her shaking.  "It's okay. You're safe now." She rubbed her hand gently over her lover's head and held him.

    Hera knew what this was about. Nightmares always got worse nearing the anniversary of the Jedi purge. Kanan had already explained what the nightmare had been about, assuming it was the same one he kept having. The man's reaction was always the same.

    "You're safe Kanan." After a moment his tears dried and breathing became less panicked. He pulled away from Hera briefly before resting his forehead against hers.

    "I know." He responded. "I know."

Febuwhump Day 23: "You'll Have to go Through me."

Fandom: Star Wars

Timeline: The Bad Batch

Warning: Major character death

Tech laid on the ground. Trying to pull his self back up to fight he looked up at Crosshair. "Finished?" The sniper antagonized.

    The mercenary's hand slipped in the mud as he fell again. Crosshair walked closer as Tech thought of a plan. For once in his life he didn't know what to do.

    The two had found each other by chance. Both had been on their own mission. Tech was instructed to extract some information from an old separatist base while Crosshair was there to assist some commandos with rounding up some civilians. A child had escaped so the clone had gone to find her.

    When the two met they quickly managed to disarm each other. Vibro-knifes and guns fell to the ground, both knowing the other was too dangerous armed. Hand-to-hand combat is not Tech's strong suit. Though Crosshair was the sniper he found pleasure in hand-to-hand combat so he spent a lot of his free time learning. It didn't take long for the brothers to get where they were now.

    Tech started at his brother who had gone to pick up a vibro-knife. Why he chose the knife instead of his rifle confused Tech. His weapon of choice had always been his rifle so most likely it was to antagonize him.

    Omega ran out to where the two had fought. She slipped slightly in the mid then planted her feet in front of her older brother and glared at the other. "You'll have to go through me if you wanna get to him!" She flung her arms out to take up more space.

    "Omega" Tech struggled to sit up. Crosshair, at least like this, wouldn't hesitate to kill her. Being her older brother meant he had to protect her not the other way. Again his arm gave out from under him and he slipped.

    "Brave girl. If you want to protect him then you shall die with him."

    Omega stood firm. She never wavered. Tech kept trying to get up, injuring himself more in the process. He'd never felt so helpless before. Omega was going to die and it was his fault.

    Crosshair walked up to her until he was uncomfortably close to her. The girl just looked up at him. Her eyes met his and something changed. The sniper had never seen Omega so angry. Hate filled her eyes the same way it filled his.

    The child pushed Crosshair away from her and looked around. Her eyes laid on one of Tech's blasters. Not wanting to leave Tech defenseless she walked towards her imperial brother. Unconsciously Crosshair moved back. This gave her the space she needed. Sprinting over to the gun Omega purposely slid to grab it. Right after she checked quickly to make sure the gun was set to stun.

    Tech was so proud of his little sister. She used her surroundings to her advantage. Not only that the kid managed to take Crosshair off guard, something few people could do.

    Omega wouldn't get the chance to shoot before Crosshair's knife sunk into her chest. The mud around her lifeless body splashed as she hit the ground. Tech could do nothing but watch, knowing she died for him.

     Crosshair turned back to his brother. "She said I'd have to go through her so I did." Tech tried to find anything that may hint to any regret or remorse his brother may have for killing their sister. Nothing. Had Crosshair really become so cold? Was the man in front of him, the man that was about to kill him, the man that just killed a little girl, the man he grew up with. He'd seen Cross eat glue before, to think he was capable of killing his family stung. It didn't more than sting it hurt. The pain carved into Tech's heart and made itself at home.

    Crosshair walked over to the child's body and removed the knife from her chest. He slowly walked back to Tech to finish what he started. Dropping to his knees he grabbed Tech's face.

    Tears leaked into the man's googles as he started at the monster in front of him. "Murderer" he hissed.

    "I know." The imperial pulled his former team mate into a sitting position and looked him dead in his eyes. Neither recognized the other's gaze anymore. Crosshair's eyes once had a hidden softness. Now they only reflected hate. Technalways had a sort of deadpan look in his and now they reflected the pain of loss.

    "Goodbye Tech." Tech closed his eyes. Omega's sacrifice wouldn't be for nothing. From behind Echo stunned Crosshair. He collapsed into the reddish mud. Tech fell with him.

    Echo rushed to his brother's side. "Tech, are you alright?" Kneeling down to the other side of him he put pressure on a large wound with his only hand. Seeing the water in Tech's googles he pulled them off.

    Hunter and Wrecker joined the others in the field. Hunter looked around to learn more about their surroundings. That's when he saw her. With no explanation the sargent rushed over to the little girl. As soon as he saw the location of her wound he knew she was gone. Hunter checked for a pulse anyway. Feeling her skin already growing cold startled him.

    Wrecker grabbed Tech and walked over to the other two. Echo followed. "Is she?" Wrecker already knew the answer. The lack of an effort to tend to Omega's wound and the sound of soft crying spoke the words Hunter couldn't say. Carefully Hunter grabbed his little sister and stood. He nodded and they left.

    Back on the Marauder the men mourned their sister. Once Tech had the strength he explained to them what happened. No matter how hard the three tried to explain it wasn't his fault, it was Crosshair's, he wouldn't see it that way. Omega made the decision to save his life. Tech would have to come to accept her decision. Even though he wanted to there was no way to switch places with her. After all he should be the one the family buried deep in the dirt of Kashyyyk.

Some Jedi (and a few clones) and how often I think they would say "I love you" or something similar.

Anakin: Says I hate you more than I love you but everyone knows it means I love you. Knows how much it means to Obi-wan so he comms him every night to say good night and I love you. It's been a thing since he was a padawan. He does the same thing with Padme.

Obi-wan: As often as he can. He made the mistake of not telling Qui-gon that he cared about him enough and won't make that decision again. Some people worry that he overuses love/caring words but he genuinely means it every time.

Ahsoka: Pretty often. She loves to make sure people know that they are loved and know it's important they know.

Rex: Not very often. In very certain situations or if someone says it first. He thinks it a lot tho.

Cody: Very similar to Rex. Every now and again it will hit him how much he loves the people around him.

Fives: Extremely often to certain people (Echo, Anakin, Ahsoka, and Rex). Not much of a words of affirmation guy so he mostly shows it through physical touch.

Echo (before he gets blown up): Mostly when people say it to him first. He gets the same feeling as Cody, they all do really.

Plo: Very often. Kinda like Obi-wan but it's not trauma based and not quite as often.

Kit: Often. The thing as Obi-wan. After his padawan died he started saying it more and more.

Yoda: Says it the most out of the council. Maybe slightly trauma based as he's probably known a lot of people who have murked themselves.

Shaak Ti: Not directly "I love you" but more like "I care about you." Said very often to the clones.

Mace: Not often. When he does it's important.

There will be more

Febuwhump Bay 21: Inferno (alr prompt)

Fandom: Star Wars

Timeline: The Bad Batch

Warnings: Character death and somewhat graphic depictions

Old and new buildings always fell the same way when fire overtook them. It never mattered what or who was inside when the building gave. Family homes and war command posts collapsed under the same pressure, no matter the memories inside. Innocent children and terrible murderers succumb to the same smoke and flames when an exit could not be found. Both feared the pain that would come with the overpowering smoke consuming the air or when their skin lit up like Christmas lights.

  Fires like this were the worst. Fires like this one torn apart families. A bounty hunter had found Omega and taken her to an old warehouse while waiting for further instructions. Of course her brothers came and rescued her. Warehouses like this were already unstable.

    When the fight against the bounty hunter started a spark lit a small flame. No one saw the heated light until it started growing. By then the hunter had been killed and the girl untied. Running through the halls the floor creacked.

    Hunter skidded to a stop putting his arms out. The fire had spread quickly. He pushed Tech back into Wrecker as the floor caved in under him. Hunter fell down to the floor below them.

    "Hunter!" Omega's voice rang through the air. Wrecker pulled her away from the newly created edge.

    After a moment Hunter looked up to them, "I'll find another way out! Go!"

    The four complied and left. Now to find a way out. Hunter pulled himself up and stood slowly. The pain from the fall made moving difficult. Smoke had filed most places inside the walls of the old decrepit building.

    Breathing became difficult as did seeing. Hunter wasn't sure how much time had passed. He did know that his family was safe outside. They talked about going to get him but Tech tried to reason with them. "We can't go back inside. Hunter can get out on his own. If we went back in there is a possibility that we could die. Hunter would never forgive himself if something happened to any of us. The best thing we can do is wait." Tech was right. That's exactly what he wanted them to do.

    While making his way to the closest exit a support beam fell, trapping him under it. Pain shot through Hunter's body and it took a moment before he started squirming to escape it.

    The heat began to rise as the fire creeped up on him. With the clones enhanced senses it felt like the fire was already clawing at his body. He had no way to contact his family; if not for anything then for closer. Out of everything Hunter thought could take him out he never thought a beam and some fire would do it.

    The outside the building looked like it had been engulfed in the flames. Hope faded from the family's minds as the fire got worse and worse. Omega cried insisting they had to at least try while Tech argued with her. Wrecker and Echo tried to get the two to stop but it didn't work. All of them wanted to go in and save him. Hunter wouldn't answer his comm; rather this was because it was broken or he was dead none of them knew.

    Looking around Hunter gave up. The orange and yellow attacker had seemingly surrounded him. Could the smoke kill him first or would he have to suffer being torn apart by flames?

    Hunter listened to the batch talk. Hearing their voices almost relaxed him. At least the man knew the others cared.

    The inferno had destroyed Hunter's hope the same way it destroyed the building. It tore it down and suffocated it. The fire started spreading from just the building to the surrounding area.

    As the fire started talking over nearby buildings and trees the family knew they had to leave. With heavy hearts they ran back to the Marauder.

    Hunter couldn't really breathe. The flames engulfed the room. Pained screaming escaped his mouth as the fire caressed his skin. The pain would be over in time and suddenly nothing hurt.

    Not long after the family would leave they would learn of how far the fire had spread. They comforted each other, understanding that their brother had died in the inferno. Of course the flames had claimed other lives as well. Nearby wildlife fell victim to the flames.

    Somewhere in Echo's mind he decided the Domino squad would take care of Hunter until they got there. The four would tell him stories that Echo never had the strength to repeat. His other fallen brothers would greet him and then greet the others as they came.

    Tech blamed himself. Likely he would have been the one to fall to the next floor; to die in that cursed building. Now he had to watch as his family grieve their oldest. Somewhere the man knew that Hunter chose to save him, that it was Hunter's fault he burned in the warehouse, but blaming himself was easier than admitting the truth.

    Wrecker did his best to keep the family sane. Unfortunately this came at his expense. The clone didn't mind because he helped them. Slowly his happy attitude became more protective and tired.

    Omega tried to help her brothers as she fell apart. In her mind it was her fault for making them go to that damn building. Not only was his death on her so we're the numerous others.

    Slowly the family would heal. In the same way the life around the warehouse would grow again they would live again. Going on without the guidance and comfort from their squad leader, their brother was difficult but it was what he would want. In the same way fire rises they would rise again.

Febuwhump Day 24: Bloody Clothes

Fandom: Star Wars

Timeline: The Clone Wars

      Pain doesn't always register. Sometimes the adrenaline of trying to stay alive and keep your men alive; all while trying to win the battle in front of you, drowns out body signals. The warm blood mixed with sweat and become unnoticeable to Obi-wan. The gash in his side didn't bother him other then an uncomfortable feeling he couldn't pay attention to. It has come from a flying piece of debris. Stuff like that could move so quickly no one even knew.

    As the battle came to a close Obi-wan started to get dizzy. The uncomfortable feeling grew from when it appeared a few minutes ago. When the 212th overtook the Separatist base they knew soon they could rest. It only took a few minutes to overrun the remainder of the droids and the few sentient beings that occupied the base.

    Obi-wan searched for triage. He wanted to help prepare the men before they were taken somewhere for better help. Quickly the bloody fabric around the wound was noticed. "Sir!" The clone rushed up to their injured general.

    "Yes?" Kenobi felt lightheaded. He blamed it on dehydration.

    "You're hurt."

    "Huh? Where?" Obi-wan looked down at himself. The bright red liquid surprised him. The cloth clung to his skin. Blood allowed the man to find other injuries easier.

    Now the pain hit. The feeling brought Obi-wan to his knees. His breathing sped up and he pulled his brown robe off his shoulders and balled it up, careful to not get anymore dirt in the wound.

    The clone called for a medic and kneeled down to their general to help keep him from bleeding out. A medic would arrive and the Jedi was taken to triage.

    Once at triage the cloak was removed from the injury and thrown off to the side. Not long after Obi-wan would be moved.

    Cody had made his way to triage. He intended to help where he could as well. Seeing the blood-covered cloak struck fear into the man's heart. Cody loved Obi-wan; not that he'd ever tell him. He'd have to look later. For now he had a responsibility to help his men.

    When everything calmed Cody finally got the chance to find his general. He was fine. Visibly he relaxed and walked over to talk to him. "How are you feeling?"

    "Fine" he answered. "How are you?"

    "I'm alright. I saw your cape and got concerned. I thought I'd come check up on you."

    "That's awfully sweet of you." The two would talk about any known casualties, the next step to take, and anything else they needed to say.

    "Looks like I'll be needing a new set of robes." The general joked.

    "Looks like it."

A Month of Whump Day 1: Environmental

Fandom: Star Wars The Bad Batch

Warning: violence

Summary: Hunter takes a few regs to scout the area around a recovered base. What will happen when they are caught in a rock slide?

    Hunter had been sent with some regs to scout the surroundings around the Republic base the battalion had just reclaimed. The other batch members were to stay back to help where needed. The sergeant heard the rocks before the others. Warning them they all tried to get out of the way. Pieces of the land crashed down on top of them.

    Hunter moved from under a thin layer of rock and mub. He escaped to the outside of the tomb. Sitting on the cold ground he started at the rocks. Had anyone survived? After a moment he was able to find the sound of labored breathing. The pain in his wrist already told him he was on his own for now. There was only one thing left to do; dig. 

    The rocks were slippery and sharp. It didn't take long for Hunter's gloves to be torn to shreds. His hands would follow in their footsteps.

    After an unknown amount of time the soldier finally found someone. By this point his hands were covered in his own blood. The reg, known as Butters, breathed healthy. Hunter assessed his injuries and carefully moved him from the pile of rocks to the flat ground. "You're gonna be alright." Butters couldn't keep his eyes open. Multiple bones in the man's body had been crushed. He was drenched in his own blood. Rain pulled the crimson liquid down to the ground where it mixed with the mub.

    Hunter returned to the rock pile. It didn't take too long for him to find someone else. However this time he was dead. The rock had demolished the man's skull. Blood lined the gray rock. Hunter jumped back with freight. Not letting Butters see he removed the body of the unknown clone and took it to the other side of the rock pile.

    After finding a few more dead soldiers and one survivor, Hunter started to give up. At least he found the medic. Of course he was dead as well so he took the supplies from him and went back to the two men.

    "I'm gonna take care of you two the best I can alright?" Butters nodded and the unnamed reg didn't move. "Hey reg?" Hunter moved over to him and shook him a little. Checking for a pulse he sighed and took him to the dead side of the pile.

    After taking care of Butters, Hunter returned to the pile. With only two more people underneath the rocks he once more listened for breathing. One of them had survived while the other hadn't. He would find the alive one first. Another no named reg.

    Pulling him from the pile the soldier went to check up on Butters. His breathing had slowed and it looked like he couldn't stay awake. "Butters, you alright?"

    In response the man tried to answer but instead blood flowed from his month. Hunter gave it everything he had. "It's" stuttered the reg, "alright."

    "You're gonna be fine." Not long after Butters would fall into a permanent sleep. Sadly Hunter moved him over to the dead pile.

    Apologizing to the last reg in the pile he walked over to the only surviving soldier of the ten that had come with him. Picking him up he walked back to the base. Quite a lot of time had passed since the clones had left. The sun was rising, leaving the sky a brilliant mix of reds, oranges, and yellows. Clouds reflected the colors slightly and the light rain caused a wonderful rainbow. If only Hunter could enjoy it.

    Guards welcomed the two and took the unnamed soldier to the medical center. Hunter walked with them and was taken over to a table. The medic assisting him stared at his blood-soaked hands. "What happened Hunter?" He asked.

    The sergeant never took his eyes off the only other survivor, "rock slide. Him and I are all that's left. How long is this going to take?" Some droids took the other back for surgery and Hunter finally looked at the medic. "Oh Tech hi."

    "Hello. This shouldn't take too long. Stay still." Tech grabbed a warm, damp, washcloth and pressed it to Hunter's skin. He hissed as it touched him.

    No long after Tech would begin he would finish. "There. Be careful."

    "We need to retrieve the bodies. I can't just leave them there." Hunter looked up at his brother. The numb look on his face concerned Tech.

    "Alright. We will need help. I will go find Crosshair and Wrecker. Some regs will also be required so I will go talk to the general." With that Tech left.

    Not long after the batch and a few others would leave to retrieve the bodies. Hunter warned them of the horrors that would be ahead once they got close.

    Arriving everyone grabbed a body. The regs knew who these people were, they fought alongside them. Hunter grabbed Butters gently and looked to the others. With everyone ready they set off once more. Walking back was excruciatingly silent.

    The soldiers would be buried near the base. Not long after the batch would be assigned their next mission. Hunter's hands would heal but be covered in small scars. The scars served as a cruel reminder of his failure to protect the regs put under him that day. For a while rain served the same sort of pain on a platter. One day he would enjoy the rain again, one day.