Whumpril Day 13: Burry Vision/"I Think I Need To Sit Down."

Whumpril Day 13: Burry Vision/"I Think I Need to Sit Down."

Fandom: Star Wars The Clone Wars.

Summary: Obi-wan gets wounded by Grievous. Cody's in there to just wait till closer to the end.

    Blood poured from Obi-wan's head. He had been slammed into a nearby wall by General Grievous. The Jedi stood back up swiftly and pushed off the wall. He swung his lightsaber towards his foe.

    As the fight continued Obi-wan's strikes became less coordinated. His vision started to blur. The nearby blaster fire mixed with the color of Grievous's blue lightsabers. It confused him. Using the force to find where the blades would be coming from, Kenobi looked for a way out. He had two goals now, don't let any more of the men be killed by Grievous and survive.

    The 212th had the upper hand in the fight. The main issue was Obi-wan's injury. He hoped to stick it out until Grievous would eventually retreat. Blinking he tried to get rid of the blurriness.

    A few minutes felt like an hour and Grievous was gone. "This isn't over Kenobi" he spoke calmly and angrily.

    "Of course it's not" he whispered. Obi-wan wanted to come up with something to say but his splitting headache made it difficult to think.

    Obi-wan stumbled around the area, trying not trip over droids and over his men's bodies. A shot from behind startled him. Turing around, lightsaber drawn, he heard a voice. "Obi-wan!"

     He saw the white and he saw the orange meaning the voice had to be a member of the 212th. Which member he wasn't sure at first.

    A new droid laid on the ground behind him. The clone jumped over it and ran up to his jedi. "Are you alright?" A hand carefully touched the man's upper arm and Obi-wan knew who it was.

    "Yes, I'm alright. Thank you dear."

    "Don't thank me; thank Wooly. 

    Obi-wan looked around, trying to find Wooly. "Thank you."

    "That's not Wooly."

    "Oh. Where is he?"

    "I'm right here General. Anytime."

    Obi-wan took a few shaky steps forward. Cody held his arms out just in case he needed to catch the other.

    The Jedi stopped for a second. " I think I need to sit down"  His legs gave out from underneath him. Cody slid and caught him.

    "Wooly." Cody sounded scared. Woolly moved in and grabbed the general and took him to the triage. His wound would be taken care of there.

    Later Obi-wan would wake up. His head throbbed but at least he could see clearly. Looking around he tried to find his commander.

    After a little while Cody would appear to check on his lover. "Hey dear" he kneeled down to Obi-wan, "how are you feeling?"

    "Better. That was a good catch."

    "Thanks. I've gotta go but I figured I should check on you."

    "Go on." Cody nodded and left.

    Obi-wan could deal with a concussion. Cody would get him up every hour, even though he told him it wasn't necessary. 

    Tears welled in his eyes as he thought of the memory of his lovers kindness. The sandy planet of Tatooien was lonely. His vision blurred and he sighed knowing, even if he was never supposed to have it, he would never have it again. Cody was gone, not dead, but gone. He was forever out of reach. There was no one to help him, no one to dry his tears and there never would be again.

Whumpril Day 2: Stress/"Get Some Rest."

Fandom: Star Wars The Bad Batch

Note: This story contains heavy spoilers for season two, episode 16 (Plan 99). The story will make a lot more sense if you have seen the episode.

Summary: When Wrecker gets captured it's up to Hunter to find his brother. After all he's the only one who can.

  It had been a few days since Wrecker had gotten captured. Hunter was waiting for Echo to get to Padu. Of course he could just get Tech to help as he layed in the bottom of the chasm on Eriadu. Omega was captured and so was Crosshair. He was alone this time. It was up to him to figure out where Wrecker was and how to get him back.

    Now Hunter stood alone in the Marauder. He started pacing back and forth, wondering where the imperials might have taken his brother. The clone had already had Echo to have one of his contacts check Coruscant's databases.  Nothing.

    Hunter's pacing got quicker. "Haar'chak!" He slammed his hands on a nearby table. Letting his head fall he sighed. This was his fault. How could that squad leader fail so miserably? It was his job to protect them after all.

    Two rotations went by and Phee decided to go see Hunter. She was doing her best to help the batch cope while also coping herself. "Hey Hunter" she greeted.

    "Hello Phee." Hunter sounded tired. Not just tired but exhausted. His appearance betrayed him as he appeared tired as well.

    "Have you gotten any sleep?"

    The clone stayed silent.

    "Get some rest."

    "No. I have to find them Phee. I can't lose them all. I need to find them."

    "You're not going to find them like this."

    Hunter knew she was right but still argued, "I will. I don't have the time to rest. I need to find them. It's my response to keep them safe."

    "That was in the war. Hunter you're not their leader anymore, you're their brother. Right now the best thing you can do is get some rest and continue trying later."

    "Phee you don't understand-"

    "Maybe I don't, but I do know you can't do anything for them until you take care of yourself." Phee sighed, "rest please."

    The two kept arguing until adventaly Phee got him to agree to sleep. She took the datapad from him and sent him to his room. After that she sat down in Tech's chair and started to scroll down the information. Hunter needed his rest but that didn't mean she couldn't look while he was asleep. Those clones had made their way into her heart and Phee would be damned if anything else happened to the others. She couldn't do anything for her love so maybe she could help the others.

@whumpril

Haar'chak: Damn it in Mando'a

Whumpril Day 5: Defiance/Dragged/Stifled Scream

Fandom: Star Wars The Bad Batch

Note: Later parts of season 2 explain the context.

Summary: Crosshair's down with the empire and their experiments.

  Crosshair hated his cell, he hated the doctors, and he hated himself. After all it was his fault he was here. They should have killed him for what he did to that baster of a lieutenant. But no, now he lived in misery.

    Two stormtroopers stood in front of the cell door and after a few seconds they entered. Instead of just getting up to go with them, this time Crosshair decided he was done being compliant. Even if this killed him, he didn't care anymore.

    The clone sat down and stared at the two "What?" He snarled. The troopers looked at each other then shrugged and grabbed him. Crosshair probably should have expected that. He fought back. It hurt but nothing physically hurt more than that damn droid. He kicked at the others feet and thrashed to get out of their grip.

    When they got him to the door he tried to stand so he could fight them better. Almost escaping the left bucket head slammed his gun over Crosshair's head. He fell and the troopers put a pair of handcuffs on him.

    This time the clone didn't fight. He didn't comply either. Instead he just let them drag him. Every now and again he would try to pull his arm to his side but it never worked.

    Crosshair was thrown into the room he hated the most. If he ever had it his way he would blow up this Kriff forsaken facility. Not only for himself but for his imprisoned brothers as well. Why he cared for the regs, the clone didn't know.

    Hemlock entered the room with Emory close behind. "I see you're being defiant again? Bad decision really."

     Crosshair looked over at the man. The hum of the imperial prob came into earshot and Crosshair attempted to stay calm. As the prob got closer he started to panic.

    The droids needle stabbed into his flesh. A cold, poisonous liquid was released into Crosshair's body. It hurt, it hurt like hell. The dose had been increased to show the clone why he better comply. Imperial property can't be fighting against the very thing that owns it after all. 

    The pain took over his body. Screams started to escape Crosshair's mouth but he tried to stop them. Showing the pain he was in would only satisfy the mad scientist. Muffling a scream tears ran from his eyes.

    Hemlock smiled. He was wining; Crosshair was breaking. A while later the torture would end and Crosshair would be dragged back to his cell.

    The other clones on the hall began fighting as well soon after seeing Crosshair defy. Maybe there was hope for them after all. They followed in their brother's footsteps by refusing to leave their cells or by denying Hemlock the pleasure of seeing them express their pain. As irritating as it was the scientist was impressed.

    Time passed and the clones never backed down. They were created to fight so why not fight? If they got dragged down to hell because of it they would go with a smile, waiting to see their lost brothers. That was an ending they could live with.

Whumpril Day 14: Holding back tears/"I said I'm fine."

Fandom: Star Wars The Clone Wars

Notes: Bear with me. I hate dialogue. Also no beta reader we die like Mayday.

Mando'a used: Cyara: Love. Vod: Sibling

Summary: An unwanted visitor comes to the planet the 212th is on. After being separated from the others Cody and Obi-wan talk.

Obi-wan knew something was wrong when his commander and him had been separated from the others. What was worse was Darth Maul's looming presence. He wanted, more than anything, to keep his soldiers safe. Unfortunately the sith would have other plans.

    Cody followed Obi-wan closely. They had gotten lost before, got separated from the others before. Why this time was so different, he didn't know. Obi-wan wasn't outwardly panicked but the man saw right through him. Cody tried to assure him that everything was going to be fine but he didn't seem convinced.

It felt like the two were wandering around aimlessly. Time passed and suddenly Obi-wan felt a disturbance in the force. Fear. Fear was followed by pain and death. It was familiar as in war it practically surrounded him.

Tears started to gather in his eyes. Once more Obi-wan had failed to protect the people he cared about. He failed to protect them over and over. Qui-gon, Satine, all the innocents that got caught in the crossover were gone and maybe if he had been stronger he could have saved them.

Obi-wan's pace started to quicken; not that he hadn't already been walking quickly. Cody took a few larger steps to get in front of the other. "What's going on?" He demanded. "We've been separated from the battalion before, what's nothing you.?" He came off rather harsh, though it wasn't attended to be that way.

Then he saw the tears that Obi-wan tried to keep from escaping his eyes. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." The Jedi pushed past the clone.

"No you're not. W-"

"I said I'm fine!" For the first time Obi-wan snapped at him. The man stopped walking.

"No you're not." Cody remanded calm. "What's going on? What are you not telling me?"

"Maul" he whispered, "it's Maul. I know I'm not supposed to be, but I'm scared, Cody; I'm scared of him. I can't save them, I've never been able to save them from him." Obi-wan started to walk again. "That doesn't mean I won't try." A few tears crawled their way out of his eyes.

Cody wasn't sure what to say. "Cyara, we'll find them. It'll be okay." Words slowly formed, "it's not your fault."

"He's here to hurt me Cody. Not physically. He already found some of the men."

Cody's fear rose. He loved his vods. "We find Maul. I'm not sure what to do from there but we have to do something." The clone was almost walking faster than Obi-wan now.

"Just try to stay close."

The two would walk to find Maul. Rather it was their last fight together they didn't know. Both were terrified, for the path in front of them was unknown. Whatever it was, they would face it together.

They wouldn't find Maul. The message had been delivered. No where was safe. The commanding officers helped the injured. The Jedi informed the council that someone else would have to be sent to the planet.

Tears would border his eyes once more, not brave enough to move any closer. They would betray him if they moved any closer. The Jedi are supposed to care for everything, but this would be different. His emotion needed to stay known to him and him only.

After the call he still couldn't let the tears fall. Obi-wan's men needed a strong leader. He walked out of the woods to the clearing the soldiers rested in. Now to take care of the aftermath of a man's hatred.

Whumpril Day 1: Destress Signal/Panic Attack

Fandom: Star Wars The Bad Batch

Note: this story may not make much sense if you haven't seen episode 14 of season 2.

Summary: What would have happened if Tech checked their old comm lines earlier?

  Tech checked the batch's old comm line sometimes. There was never anything on it. He looked because just maybe Crosshair would reach out to them, not caring what he said. This time when he turned the comm on and checked there was something. Almost immediately Tech played the message.

    "Plan 88, you have to hide. They're after Om-"

    "Plan 88?" Tech whispered. As he was about to play the message again he realized it was still playing. The sound of a door closing and then a hissing noise could be heard. That was it.

    Tech listened to the message over and over. Anxiety crept in and he started to lose control of his breathing. Crosshair didn't try to get them to help him nor did he bother to give them his location. The man sounded week. Not only that catching the last part of the message meant that they wanted one of them. The O made him believe it was Omega.

    The clone moved from the chair he sat in the floor and against the wall, holding the comm in front of him. Tech's breathing got worse. Air moved swiftly through his lungs as he listened again. Tears began welling in his eyes and he pulled his knees up to his chest.

He felt sick, his heart ponded, and he started to feel dizzy.

    Tech threw the comm across the room. When he heard it hit the ground his mind attacked his body harder. What if he broke it? They needed to find Crosshair. Despite the man's current condition he attempted to stand. Failing he fell back to the ground.

    With tears filling his googles he hastily pulled them off and stopped himself from throwing them as well. Placing them beside himself he lifted his hands up to his face. Tech knew how to deal with panic attacks, he had helped his brothers many times and had calmed himself down before. This time was different, this time he just couldn't.

    Alone in that dark room Tech fought to think clearly. How could he help Crosshair if he was stuck in this room? The walls felt like they were closing in and his hands felt tingly.

    Phee had been instructed to check on Tech. What she didn't expect was to hear sobbing when she got close to the room he occupied. Rushing in she kneeled in front of him. "Brown eyes?" He looked up. "I'm going to need you to breathe, okay?"

    "I" he stifled, "I can't."

    "I know it's hard but you have too. Breathe with me."

    When nothing changed in his behavior Phee called for Hunter. "Honey please you have to breathe. We can work through this."

    When Hunter got the call he dropped everything and ran to the Marauder. When he would arrive Tech was breathing a little earlier. It had been a while since he had seen his brother like this. He didn't miss it. The scene in front of him always broke his heart. "I'm here. What's going on Tech?"

    "He just keeps trying to say something about some Crosshair, Omega, and a plan."

    Hunter nodded then switched places with Phee. She wanted, more than anything, to be able to help Tech but right now he needed his brother. "I got you. Breathe okay. Tell me what's going on once you're able to."

    The two would sit there for another few minutes before Tech could really think clearly again. Tears still fell from his eyes but his breathing was under control now and he felt less ill.

    Finally Tech could explain. "We need to find Crosshair. I checked our old comm channel and found a distress signal from not too long ago." Getting up he went to check on the comm. A sigh of relief escaped his mouth as he realized it was still in one piece. After that he played the message for the other two.

    The three talked then went to find the rest of the batch. Echo would arrive soon after and once handed the information to decode the puzzle was completed. Crosshair was on Mount Tantus. Now they just had to go get him.

@whumpril

Whumpril Day 18: Escape Attempt

Fandom: Star Wars The Clone Wars

Summary: Caleb, two of his men, and Depa are captured. Caleb wants to find a way out.

Caleb paced around the cell. Two of his men, his master and him had been captured. Now he needed to get them out. Thinking of possible escape tactics he sat down in the middle of the room. Maybe a little mediation would help? That's what Depa would tell him to do.

    The child crossed his his legs and closed his eyes. Breathing calmly helped to make him focus. After a moment Caleb got frustrated and stood. He looked at the door. Parts of the wall connected the entrance to the hall. He could hide behind that. The only problem was which side would he need to do this on? If he was wrong his only plan would be foiled.

    "That's what the force is for" he whispered to himself. For a moment he debated just trying to remove the door with the force but a stealth approach would be better.

    Sitting back in the middle of the room, Caleb waited. It wasn't easy but he did it. Time passed and he would stand to the right side of the door. The droids would open it and he would slip right out. While in the movent of leaving he pulled the key card to him.

    Closing it behind them he ran to find his lightsaber. Trying to break the others out without a weapon was stupid. Skidding to a stop Caleb found the door to the room he needed. He hit some buttons and it opened.

    Quickly he grabbed his lightsaber and his masters. He reopened the door and left the room to find his mother and men.

    Caleb slid past the door and fell to the floor. He chuckled to himself and stood up, dusting himself off to feel a little better about his trip up.

    Opening the door with the stolen key card Caleb greeted Dogwood first. "Hey" he said casually.

    "Commander?"

    "Let's get out of here." The two moved through the cellblock and grabbed Blue on their way. Last but not least was Depa's cell.

    Caleb slid the key card into the transmitter. The door opened. Inside Depa laid on her side, injuries scattered across her body. "Mom" Caleb let the truth escape his mouth. He ran to her side. "Are you okay?"

    The women slightly looked towards him. "Caleb?" She whispered.

    "Yeah. Dogwood, grab her. We need to go."

    The four made their way though the facility, grabbing guns for the two clones as they went. Though it went unnoticed Depa slipped unconscious.

    They were already having trouble so when a big group of droids entered the hall Caleb started to think of ways to get the others out, even if it meant he didn't. It didn't take him long to figure out his next move. "Dogwood, Blue, get her out of here! I'll be right behind you!"

    The two men looked at each other then to the boy in front of them. "We aren't gonna leave you here kid!" Blue yelled.

    A door rested open right behind the group. Turning slightly around Caleb faced the others. "You don't have a choice." He said it slowly with hits of sadness in his voice. Pulling his unoccupied arm up he force pushed the others though the door and closed it.

    The three fell to the floor. Depa stirred slightly. Blue stood up quicker than Dogwood. "Kid!" He hit the door. Dogwood stood and grabbed his general gently.

    Fighting through what felt like a fog, Depa opened her eyes. The sight sent fear deep into her heart. As Blue tried to open the door the three watched as  Caleb took his master's saber from hims belt and turned it on. Blue and green light lit up the dark hallway.

    "Blue" Dogwood paused, "we have to go."

    Blue knew he was right. He took one more look at his little commander and turned around. The two men started running through the halls.

    "Caleb, no wait" Depa whispered.

    "I know sir. It's going to be okay." Dogwood comforted her.

    The three escaped. Caleb, now cornered, fought until a bullet hit his right knee. He folded and desired it was time to surrender. The droids listened and took him back to his cell.

    Caleb knew what was waiting now. He already knew torture was inevitable. His future now he wasn't sure, then again he didn't really care. The people who he cared about were safe that's what he wanted. More than the war to end, more than becoming a Jedi Knight or master, more than life itself. All Caleb could do now was wait and see if his sacrifice truly saved them.