Whumpril Day 18: Escape Attempt

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.

Whumpril Day 6: Bad Coping Mechanisms

Fandom: Star Wars The Bad Batch

Warnings: Self harm and slight mentions of suicide.

Summary: Hunter had to find a way to deal with the war.

Finding ways to deal with the war was hard. Wrecker joked or talked about it, Echo walked around or read reg manuals until he felt better, Tech distracted himself with research projects or with tinkering, and Crosshair trained. Hunter however wasn't sure how to deal with the pressure.

After a long and brutal battle the clone found himself sitting alone on the Marauder. Angry at himself Hunter pulled one of his vibro-knifes and stabbed it into the ground. It didn't make him feel any better.

With tears in his eyes he started into the knife. When the idea came to his head the anger in his heart took over and he set down the weapon to remove his left lower arm armor. Quickly it was removed and the blade was right back in his hand.

Almost without hesitation Hunter dragged the knife across his inner arm. The long wound hurt but most of the stress and memories that had been drowning him disappeared.

He stared at the blade and sighed. The pain calmed him in a disturbing way and suddenly Hunter knew how to deal with the war. It was self destructive but at least it could keep him alive.

Over time scars grew. No one could see as the soldier tore himself apart. Armor and long sleeves hid the marks. Hunter chose to get up earlier to change so no one could learn.

The man knew that harming himself was unhealthy but the Kaminoans never taught them how to cope, they had to find their own ways. Unfortunately the thing that kept Hunter alive was actively destroying him.

Small and large cuts littered Hunter's arms, stomach, thighs, and lower legs. No where on his body was safe from himself. Sure the armor and tight blacks hurt when they rubbed the wounds but it almost helped keep him calm.

As the clone walked into the shower the water stung all the open wounds. He winced and looked down at his body. That's when he decided he'd stop after the war. What Hunter didn't realize was that it wasn't his choice anymore. The addition would be something he'd have to fight as hard as he fought the droids that threatened his life. The war he had unleashed while just trying to survive would be a long and hard one. The scars of his decision would forever rest on his body.

When the war ended Hunter fought against the urge at first but as things got worse, gave up, deciding that once things got better he would stop. There was this overwhelming feeling in the man's stomach that this cycle would continue, that he would stop when he was dead. However a bad coping mechanism was better than being dead, right?

Hiding the scars and fresh cuts were harder. The batch was constantly around him and there was no war to blame sore spots on anymore, no battle to fall back on. They no longer had a fixed time to wake up so Hunter couldn't just plan to get up and dressed before the others.

Hunter knew the batch would find out eventually. He feared that day. Injuries on missions that he couldn't just brush off would cause the truth of all the small movements he made away from their touch. One day Hunter would stop punishing himself to stay alive. Today unfortunately would not be the day.

@whumpril

Whumpril Day 3: Rope Burn/"Hold Still."

Fandom: Sta Wars The Bad Batch

Note: Spoilers for season 2 episode 16. This story will make more sense if you have watched it.

Summary: The remaining members of the batch go on a mission on a mountain. Wrecker ends up on a ledge below the other two.

  Tech had insisted that the Bad Batch kept rope on board the Marauder. At first they never understood why. Their cables should be enough right?

    Now Wrecker stood on a tiny, week ledge. They had lost the cables earlier during their mission. Echo had gotten the other two to help with rebel missions while they searched for Omega and Crosshair. The Rebels may be able to aid in finding them and they needed the help.

    The rope had been tried around Wrecker's waist so he couldn't fall. As the ridge started to crumble Hunter prepared to pull him up. However the rocks gave way before any of them excepted them to and Wrecker was dangling.

    Rope slid quickly through Hunter's hands. "Echo!"

    Echo slid in and grabbed the rope and dug his feet into the edge of the ledge the other two stood on. "Hold on Wrecker! Don't look down!"

    "I don't plan on it!" Wrecker responded. The two started to pull Wrecker up. Echo noted that hits of red appeared on the light tan of the rope.

    Hunter was so focused on saving Wrecker that he didn't hear the cracking of their own ledge until it was too late. Now all three fell. They landed on a another part of the mountain below them.

    Hunter woke up first. He sat up slowly and quickly moved over to Wrecker. He was closer to him. The leader assessed the other's injuries and then moved to check on Echo.

    When Echo woke up the first thing he saw was the sky. The blue that previously filled the canvas was painted over by black. The white dots of light looked beautiful. Then the pain from the fall hit him.

    Hunter came into view. The cyborg tried to sit up but was pushed softly back to the ground. "Hold still."

    Hold still? Why did he need to hold still? What was wrong? "What's going on?" Asked Echo.

    "You're alright. Just stay still." A shard of rock rested in the man's side. Unsure if Echo would panic Hunter reframed from telling him. He grabbed some bandages and started to wrap the rock in place. Taking it out right now was a terrible idea. None of them knew what to do for this kind of injury. Tech typically handled this stuff.

     Echo held still. He hated every second of it. "How's Wrecker?"

    "He's alright."

    "And how are you?" It was the first time Echo had finally really looked to see if Hunter was okay. Blood had flowed from some injury on his head. The crimson liquid mixed with hair and made in stick to the side of his face. His eyes and face relayed the message that he was in pain, even if Hunter's voice hid it well.

    "I'm fine." 

    As Hunter finished attending to Echo's injuries he heard Wrecker stir. Once finished he walked back over to Wrecker and asked if he needed anything. He responded with "no" and sat up.

    Hunter sat between the two and finally looked at his own injuries. Looking at his hands he understood why treating his brothers wounds hurt so much. The man's hands had been torn up by the rope; his thin, cloth gloves tattered. Moving them hurt more than he realized. Luckily other then his head the clone had no other major injuries. The brothers stayed the night on the ledge.

    In the morning Wrecker would take Echo back to the Marauder and meet Hunter back at the ridge they rested on with medical supplies and a rag. Gently the large man cleaned his brothers face off and got some of the blood out of his hair. After that, despite Hunter's protest, he would clean and wrap his hands.

    The men finished the mission in spite of their condition. In the back of all of their heads stabbed the question of why they survived the fall while Tech never stood a chance. It was a shorter way down and they all knew it but I just didn't seem fair.

    Back on the Marauder that three set off with a new piece of information for the Rebels and for themselves. Now they were one step closer to finding Omega and Crosshair.

   @whumpril

Whumpril Day 7: Words That Can't be Taken Back. (Alt prompt 12)

Fandom: Star Wars The Clone Wars/Prequels

Summary: Anakin and Obi-wan get into an argument and Anakin says something he'll regret.

    "Sometimes I wish you were killed by Maul instead of Qui-gon! Maybe then I could have had a good teacher!" Anakin angrily yelled at his brother.

    Obi-wan just stood there, unsure of what to say. Words mustered after a moment, "me too." With that the man started walking away.

    "Obi-wan, wait! I didn't" Anakin started to follow after his brother, "I didn't mean."

    Rex walked into the room the two had been arguing in, "what's going on, general?"

    Anakin sighed and turned to face Rex, "I said something I should have. I didn't even mean it I'm just angry." He walked over to the commander, "should I follow him?"

    "Sir, I don't know General Kenobi well enough to know what he's gonna need. What did you say?"

    Anakin explained their argument and waited for Rex to reply. The clone had heard stories like this before. He knew good ways to handle angry words. "Does he have a place that he goes when he's upset?"

    "Yeah, the tree in the temple garden."

    "Then go there. Anakin, you really fucked up this time."

    "Yeah, I know that Rex" annoyance slipped through his voice and he turned to leave, "wish me luck."

    Rex didn't say anything. Obi-wan had every right to be upset. What Anakin said was unforgivable, no matter how angry he was.

    Anakin was right. Obi-wan sat at the stump of the old tree. Most of the time he would be meditating but this time he sat with his legs laid out and his back against the tree. The man was quietly talking to himself.

    "Obi-wan" Anakin started, "I'm sorry."

    "Thank you."

    "I'm glad you're here." The boy moved next to his master and sat down with him. "You've been a great master, a great brother. I know you're doing your best and that I can't always be an easy person to deal with. Thank you Obi-wan. I know that doesn't make what I said any better but I just needed you to know I didn't mean it."

   Obi-wan just stared at him. He'd never heard something like that from Anakin before. He sounded genuine and he understood that the knight didn't mean anything he'd said but words like that dig into a person's heart and stay like parasites, they cause deep wounds that can never be seen on the outside and scar all the same. Time was needed to heal any wound.

    "Thank you Anakin. Please be careful with your words, they can hurt. Make sure to never let anger drive you."

    "Got it. Now, what did you mean by 'me to'?"

    Now Obi-wan was left with his own words to deal with. "It's" he paused, "hard to be the one who survives sometimes."

    "I understand." The two talked for a little while before agreeing they would be okay.

    "Words can be weapons. They stab into hearts the same way knives can, they burn into people's skin and stay there. Reminders of the things that have been said can hurt just as much as physical injuries; sometimes worse. You must be careful with what you say." That's what Qui-gon used to say. Getting up to leave Obi-wan looked back at the tree. It looks like he still has parts of his teaching to instill in his padawan.

Warning suicide joke.

If only Anakin had thrown himself into a pool of acid like Xanatos.

Whumpril Day 4: Needle

Fandom: Star Wars The Bad Batch

Warning: Medical trauma

Summary: Echo goes to the doctor and it doesn't go well.

    Echo hated going to medical centers. He wouldn't have gone if Rex hadn't made him. As soon as he stepped foot in the doctor's office he was already panicking. No one could go with him. The clone thought of reaching out to the batch to see if one of them could go but it felt so silly to do so. Why would he waste their time like that? What if they thought differently of him? Trying to shake the thoughts from his head Echo sat down. He was called back not soon after.

    Stepping inside the white room sent a chill up his metal spine. He felt his chest tighten. It looked so different from the room he was experimented on in but felt so similar. The doctor was nice enough which put his mind at ease a little.

    Then she said that he needed his blood drawn for some test and he froze. Just the word test frightened him. Drawing blood required a needle. Echo never liked to admit it but he was scared of them.

    The movement from the doctor opening a draw for the materials needed made Echo jump. "Are you okay?" She asked softly.

    "Ye..yeah." he stuttered.

    The doctor turned around and introduced him to roll his sleeve up. Hesitantly he complied. She tied an electric band around his arm then rubbed an antiseptic on the part she needed to.

    As soon as Echo saw the needle panic overtook his mind. Thinking looking away would help he did. Then he felt the needle pierce his skin.

    Before his mind had a chance to react his body did. Echo jumped back, pulling his arm towards him. This jammed the needle further into his arm. Blood flowed from the injury. He stood and cornered himself by accident.

    "Not again, not again" Echo whispered.

    "What do you mean Echo?" The doctor asked.

    He didn't respond. Instead he pulled the needle out of his arm with his teeth. The needle landed on the floor and the noise, though not very loud, was terrifying. The experiment had heard it many times.

    Echo's mind was flooded with memories from Skako Minor. He didn't have many but the ones he did he could feel. The needles and scalpels stabbed at him all over again. Sinking to the floor Echo forgot where he was. He was safe in a doctor's office with a woman who had given him no reason not to trust her.

    The doctor kneeled down and tried to comfort him. "It's okay" she spoke kindly. "You're safe." The women talked to him until he was able to relax a little.

    "How about we schedule a time to do those tests? That way you can prepare, yeah?"

    "That sounds.. okay. I apologize for earlier."

    "It's okay. I completely understand. Trauma is not something that's easy to get over. I'll do whatever I can to make you comfortable next time."

    "Thank you."

    Echo decided he would get in contact with Wrecker and ask him to come with him next time. It may not be the best idea but he could hold Echo down. Wrecker agreed quickly even though he wasn't fond of the idea of holding him down like that. Wouldn't that just be worse? The appointment would be in a week. They would just have to see how it goes.

@whumpril