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The Light

Words: 1374

Summary: Hunter and Crosshair have a chat

Notes: I promise I can write from another POV but this is a Hunter POV again.

Hunter gritted his teeth to try and stifle a scream. It was a deep, guttural noise that seemed to get stuck in his throat. They were taking away his life, his family, his battles, and his dreams. Pictures flashed in his head, the edges browning, coiling and burning away, lit by some bright, invisible flame. The pain in his head radiated from his forehead to the top of his spine. It felt like his brain was being liquidated inside his skull.

He sat bolt upright in bed, chest heaving, sweat covering his face and dripping down his back. He had the blade of his knife clutched between his fingers, pulled back to his ear, ready to be released at the enemy.

There was a silhouette in the doorway, the amber light from the common area shining around the tall, lanky frame. They were leaning against the door but didn’t cross the threshold into the room.

Hunter relaxed, recognizing the hiss like breathing of his brother. He slowly lowered the knife, tucking it back under his pillow. “What can I do for you, Crosshair,” he said gruffly, trying to steady his beathing and shake off the last remnants of the nightmare.

“You were screaming,” Crosshair said matter-of-factly.

Hunter nodded and swung his legs out of bed. He pushed his sopping wet hair out of his face and padded past his brother, through the common room to the kitchen beyond. The sky was dark through the window, but Hunter could hear the stirring of the birds and the splashing of the fish in the harbor. Sunrise wasn’t too far away.

He set about making some caf. The thought of trying to sleep again wasn’t appealing, he might as well get the day started. Crosshair had followed him and was now propped in the doorway of the kitchen, once again leaning.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Crosshair asked, his voice unusually soft.

“It was just a nightmare, Crosshair. Don’t worry about it. Go back to sleep,”

His brother crossed to the table and sat down. Hunter could feel his eyes on him the whole time and deliberately didn’t meet his gaze. Crosshair cradled the stump of his wrist in his left hand and rubbed it absentmindedly. He was getting used to the prosthetic, but still hadn’t committed to a permanent replacement. Hunter wasn’t sure if it was because he didn’t want it or wasn’t ready to leave the safety of Pabu and travel off world for the procedure.

Nightmares weren’t an uncommon occurrence in the house. Hunter had woken to Omega and Crosshair’s screams too many times to count. Omega would sob into her brothers’ arms before falling asleep against one of them and getting tucked back into bed.

Crosshair’s nightmares were a mystery. He never spoke about the content, just the feeling. Hunter was usually the first to respond, just because he heard him first. He’d stumble into his room to find him curled up in the corner under his lofted bed, knees pressed to his chest, head buried in his knees. They didn’t need to talk, Hunter would sit next to him, ground him in his presence and wait until he was ready to get up.

Wrecker had the fewest nightmares but when he did, he re-lived Eriadu. He watched Tech fall again and again in slow motion. He screamed out for him and every time woke up with his arms stretched outwards, trying to catch him. His scream would permeate Hunter’s dreams sometimes, and he’d wake up, reliving the moment with him.

Hunter’s dreams had started more recently. It had been three months since Tantis and just as the others had started to heal, the insidious mind experiments of Doctor Hemlock started to take hold. Even in death he couldn’t escape the Doctor’s grip and he couldn’t stand it.

The image of Omega handcuffed to Hemlock, being dragged away flashed in front of Hunter’s eyes. He pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head to get rid of it. He was so lost in his own thoughts that he was startled when Crosshair spoke again.

“The dreams…they’re bright white and searing pain…”

Hunter looked over at his little brother, his narrow face contorted in anguish. His eyes were down, staring at the stump where his shooting hand should be.

“You feel like your soul is being stripped bare, your memories distorted or erased…like you are being erased. You can’t tell what’s real and what’s not.” Crosshair continued.

Hunter grabbed two cups of caf and sat down at the table opposite his brother. “Yeah, that sounds about right,” he said grimly.

He winced as he sat on the rickety wooden chair. The explosion he got caught up in had damaged the discs in his back. Another souvenir from Tantis. The bruise had finally faded, but the rest was yet to fully recover. And every so often a twinge sent a shockwave down his right leg.

He slid the second cup of caf to his brother, watching him curl his left hand around it. Hunter felt a wave of regret wash over him. How many times had Crosshair been tortured? How many times had he been put in those machines and for how long? Hunter had only been in them a few hours, at his best guess, and he was still feeling the ramifications from it. No wonder his brother was so wounded when he returned to them.

He looked out of the small, round window behind Crosshair. Sunlight was licking the horizon. He could hear boats departing the harbor and the chatter of the Moon-yos darting about the island. The soft scent of the weeping maya blossom drifted into the kitchen.

“Crosshair,” he started, his voice getting caught in his throat. He cleared it and started again, putting down his caf. “Crosshair…I’m sorry…for not understanding…about what they did to you…for…for all of it…” he trailed off. Perhaps it was too late for apologies.

Crosshair looked up at him, “I deserved it,” he said at last, one fat teardrop fell into his caf. His right hand started shaking ever so slightly. Hunter rested his hand on his brother’s forearm and left it there.

“Nobody deserves to be tortured, Crosshair,” he said bluntly. He thought they had moved past this. Thought that Crosshair had realized he wasn’t to blame.

“I…I submitted a report, after Kaller. Said the Padawan survived. It was my fault…”

“Crosshair, it was the inhibitor chip. None of that was your doing. You have to let it go. I have.” Hunter said softly.

Crosshair nodded, seemingly shaking off the despair that had overwhelmed him moments ago. Hunter knew he was still coming to terms with everything. It’s easy to push these thoughts away when you’re running, it’s the quiet moments when the trauma bubbles up to the surface, and this squad had a lot of that to go around.

A faint tinkling sound entered the room and Batcher padded softly over to Crosshair, resting her head on his thigh. He scratched the top of her head while absentmindedly sipping his caf. Omega may have been the one to tame the lurka hound, but she had adopted Crosshair as her minder and favorite person. Hunter smirked at the thought of Crosshair having a pet. It really was possible for people to change.

Hunter and Crosshair sat in silence, watching the sun gradually rise over the horizon. The golden light filled the room, banishing the shadows that had lingered moments before.

Hunter took a deep breath and smiled as he heard Omega shuffling through the house. She appeared in the doorway, blonde hair wild, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She had grown so much in such a short amount of time, but here, in this light, she still looked like the child they had taken from Kamino, big eyes, wide smile. She seemed to glow in the golden light of the kitchen.

“Morning, Kid” he said getting up and letting her sit opposite his brother.

Crosshair smiled at Omega then looked at Hunter. He gave an ever so slight nod, which Hunter returned.

There would always be darkness but they both knew where to look for the light.

Love this!!!

I Won't Leave You

Crosshair & Hunter

Warnings: intense training, discussion of decommissioning, loss of squad members (OCs that I made to explain why Tech seems to carry multiple roles), resignation to a supposed death

Note: this fic is not clone shipping. Nothing I write is clone shipping.

Mando'a Guide Osik'uram - rude person (literally "shit mouth") Di'kut - idiot

Crosshair’s arms were getting sore from holding up the too large rifle. The weight of it was familiar, but it had been hours of holding it up; his arms were getting weaker. 

“CT-9904,” the surly bounty hunter—who was now his instructor—growled. “How can you possibly expect to be a sniper if you can’t hold still?”

Crosshair knew it was a rhetorical question; he’d been punished for “speaking out of turn” when he’d answered before. He wouldn’t answer him this time, despite the resentment boiling in his gut. Instead he just rolled his eyes under the cover of his helmet. 

“Run it again,” the instructor warned. “Do better this time.”

That all too familiar knot formed in Crosshair’s throat, but he swallowed it down. Soldiers didn’t get nervous, right?

The simulation began and he fell into a rapid rhythm, taking down training droids one by one. 

Simulated sounds of war blared over the speakers; explosions all around him, screams of people being injured, never ending blasterfire. Then the rain started. Crosshair felt the temperature in the room drop. He hated the cold. His hands tightened on his rifle, but did not stop his rhythmic firing. 

The rain grew colder and heavier until it would be nearly impossible for anyone to see clearly through it, but Crosshair wasn’t just anyone. His eyes adjusted rapidly, easily seeing through the sheets of freezing rain. 

He’d been counting, of course. He only had 14 more targets and the simulation would be over. Maybe I can leave after this round, he thought, knowing that this was only the eighth time they’d been through this simulation today. Idly, he wondered how his brothers were fairing in their training today. 

A noise behind him nearly startled him, breaking his concentration and his rhythm. He spun around just in time to see the blue circle of stun bolt about to hit him. 

He woke up in a medical bay, head aching and eyes burning from the bright lights overhead. 

A medical droid hovered next to him. “CT-9904, you are awake,” it told him. “I will alert the medic.”

Crosshair watched the droid go, irritated by its happy tone, then closed his aching eyes. 

“Hey, Cross,” someone said. That voice was far too familiar. 

“Hunter,” he replied simply. 

“You okay?”

Crosshair didn’t answer, his brow furrowing into the deep scowl. 

“Right, stupid question,” Hunter admitted. “Are you hurt?”

“Don’t think so,” Crosshair shrugged. “Head hurts. Lights are too bright.”

Hunter wasn’t sure what to say, but as the newly minted leader of their squad, he figured it ought to be something positive. “Don’t worry, Cross, you’ll get it next time.”

Crosshair sighed. “There won’t be a next time, Hunter.”

Hunter scowled at his slightly younger brother, even though the other couldn’t see him. “Don’t talk like that.”

“We should just accept it,” Crosshair shrugged. “I got lucky during the initial testing; I only outshot Tech by six points.”

“Crosshair, you were made to-”

“I hate that he’ll have to take my job when he’s already got Fixer and Bugg’s on top of his own.”

“Cross-”

“Maybe you could take on piloting, too,” he suggested, ignoring his brother and squad leader’s attempts at redirecting the conversation. “I know you scored higher than me and Wrecker.”

“Would you just-”

“Oh! And make sure you don’t tell Wrecker that 99 and I made Lula for him; I’ve got an image to maintain even after I’m dead.”

“You’re not gonna-”

“You gotta make sure Tech sleeps. I know he’ll be busy with four roles instead of three, but he’ll work himself to death before choosing to sleep. But if you wrap him up in a blanket like a tubie, he knocks right out.”

“Crosshair, please. Please stop.”

He did, unable to continue after hearing the desperation in Hunter’s words. 

“You’re not getting decommissioned,” Hunter affirmed.

“Hunter-”

“No. I was too late to save Bugg and Fixer, but I’ll die before I let the long-necks take away another one of my brothers.”

The regret and guilt that permeated his voice stung. He knew Hunter blamed himself for not helping the others enough, but hearing him now, he realized that his older brother blamed himself entirely for the loss of their brothers. 

“I-” Hunter whispered, not daring to look at his brother. “I can’t lose you too.”

“You won’t,” Crosshair promised, reaching out to touch Hunter’s wrist. He looked up to see his brother’s signature smirk. “Can’t get rid of me that easily, ya know.” (I won’t leave you.)

Hunter chuckled as he wiped a stray tear onto his sleeve. A sense of normalcy crashed over him like a wave. “Yeah, well, first time you go off on your own during a training sim, I’m throwing you in the water.” (I won’t let you.)

Crosshair scoffed. “Osik’uram.” (I love you, brother.)

“Di’kut.” (I know, and I love you, too.)

Thanks for reading! - River

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Tested

Summary: Hunter and Rex go on a mission for intel and come across some unlikely acquaintances.

Word Count: 4349

“Are you sure you’re doing that right?” Rex asked,

“You know this is kind of my thing, right?” Hunter said exasperatedly. He was crouched, close to the ground, rolling dirt over his fingers. His helmet, or the replacement helmet he had been given by Echo, sat next to him on the ground. An unfamiliar face staring up at him.

Hunter understood where Rex was coming from. They had been at this for more rotations than he could count. He couldn’t even remember the name of the small, jungle like moon they found themselves on, but they seemed to be going in circles, and it wasn’t because of Hunter’s tracking skills. The muscles in his calves were screaming. Sweat dripped down his back and bandana was soaked through.

“Did you ever think that maybe this Jedi doesn’t want to be found and that’s why we’re having such a hard time.”

“I did.” He said smugly, clapping Hunter on the shoulder, “that’s why I brought the best,”

Hunter signed and got closer to the ground. They were close, he could sense it.

Suddenly he stood up, “Rex, move!” he shouted, shoving the captain out of the way just as the glowing blade of an emerald lightsaber fell to the ground where he had been moments before.

Hunter fell back onto the attack stance, blaster pulled and aiming in front of him. The stranger wore a black cloak, only his chin visible underneath.

“Well, well, well,” he said in a relaxed kind of way, “Captain Rex. I heard you were dead”

“Likewise, Master Vos,” Rex said cooly.

Both men relaxed their stance. Quinlan Vos lowered his hood, a cocky smile on his lips. His black hair hung past his shoulders, the yellow markings on his face seemed to glow in the green light of the lightsaber.

The hum on Vos’ laser sword still hung in the air. Hunter hadn’t lowered his weapon but had loosened his grip. He knew of Vos by reputation. But these were difficult times and given his last experience with a force user, he had no intention of letting his guard down.

“And who’s this?” Vos nodded at Hunter, “your tracker, I’m assuming?”

“That’s right, this is Hunter,”

Vos shut off his lightsaber with a snap hiss and stepped forward. He reached his hand out to shake Hunter’s, “not many people can track me. I’m impressed.” Hunter nodded but didn’t respond to the outstretched hand. He still wasn’t sure if they were safe yet or not.

“I don’t need to worry about you both trying to blast me, do I?” Vos asked with an amused expression, as if he’d like to see them try.

“We’re not working for the Empire.” Rex said simply, and that seemed to assuage any fears in Vos.

“So, what can I do for you, Captain” he asked, hooking his lightsaber to his belt and turning his back on them, walking through the thicket of trees, bushes and twigs crunching with every step.  

Rex looked at Hunter, shrugged and followed.

“We rescued a number of force sensitive children from the Empire. Are working to find their families, have found some but we think they’re being watched. We can’t return the kids to have them taken again. A friend suggested we try and find you. That you had a network that might be able to help.”

“A friend?” Vos asked, eyebrow raised.

“Fulcrum,” Rex responded quietly.

Hunter was only half listening to the conversation. There was something lingering at the edge of his senses that he couldn’t place. He could hear something in the tops of the trees. It was moving methodically, not like an animal. His eyes searched the dense canopy. The rustling was following them.

“We’ve got company” Hunter said quietly.

“Don’t worry about it,” Vos said with a shrug.

Hunter looked at Rex who just nodded and continued to follow the Jedi deeper into the forest. Hunter rested his hand on his blaster, held his virboknife and continued to trek.

It was some time before they reached a small cave like structure in a small clearing. A circular opening looked like it had been cut directly into the rock, Hunter assumed with the lightsaber hanging from Vos’ waist. He hated to think how long that had taken.

Rex settled on a large tree stump that lay horizontally on the ground. He sighed as he took off his helmet, wiping the sweat from his face. Hunter wasn’t ready to sit. He was still unsettled. Whatever was following them was still lingering at the edge of his senses. It was oddly familiar.  

Vos disappeared into the cave and came back without his cape and carrying a tray with a grey liquid in a bottle. “Figured we could all use a drink” he said.

There were four cups. Hunter raised his eyebrow at Rex. He had taken the cup he was handed but Hunter noticed he hadn’t taken a sip yet. The captain knew something was off too.

Hunter slowly turned around on the spot, looking out into the deep forest, through the trees. A gentle scent wafted over the clearing, flowers, ash and…death?

Hunter spun around; blaster raised to the tree line. He knew that scent.

“Have you come for round two?” a tall and slim figure emerged, the grey markings tracing down the side of her mouth, giving her a permanent scowl. He hair was longer now, chin length and cut in a slant as sharp as the side of a blade.

“Ventress?” Rex said, blaster up, eyes darting from Hunter and Vos.

“How’s Omega?,” Ventress asked, casually walking through the clearing and taking the seat next to Vos. Any closer and she would have been sitting on his lap.

Hunter didn’t answer, lower his weapon, or blink. He had turned on his heel to follow her as she walked.

“Another one of your acquaintances, my dear?” Vos asked her sweetly, pouring her a cup of the cloudy liquid. “Is there anyone you don’t know?”

“What can I say, I get around,” she replied with a smirk. She crossed her left leg over her right and knocked back the drink in one go.

Hunter was still scowling and wondering what Rex had gotten him into. He didn’t know Rex’s contact and who had put him on the path to Vos and Ventress, but he couldn’t help but wish he were back on Pabu with his squad. He, Crosshair, and Wrecker had been no match for Ventress the last time. He and Rex wouldn’t stand a chance against both her and Vos.

“Easy fellas,” Vos said, standing with his hands up as though approaching a wild animal. “She is no longer a Sith.”

“Something I believe I shared with you on your island,” Ventress added to Hunter.

“We didn’t get a great impression of which side you were on,”

“You’re still beathing, aren’t you?” Ventress replied, tucking her silver hair behind her ear.

Hunter hesitated but lowered his blaster. He watched out of the corner of his eye and Rex followed suit. They weren’t going to get anywhere with open hostility. The sooner they got this over with, the sooner the kids could get back to their families, and the sooner he could get back to his.

Rex cleared his throat, seemingly trying to get things back on track. “We’re looking for help relocating…”

“Force sensitive children. Yes, I heard” Ventress said. She looked at Hunter with a smile on her lips, “are you collecting them?”

Hunter scowled but didn’t respond. She was trying to get under his skin. It was working.

“Have the children been tested? Have their abilities been confirmed?”

“They were being kept at a secret facility run by an Imperial scientist working directly for the emperor. They wouldn’t have kept them if they weren’t” Hunter replied, bristling a little. He didn’t want the kids to have to go through anything else, especially Ventress’ ‘tests’.

“A secret facility?” Ventress looked at Vos who simply nodded. He seemed more than happy for her to take the lead. “And how did you hear about it?”

Hunter didn’t respond, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Ah… Omega. She was taken I’m assuming?”

Hunter felt a tightness in his check and a catch in his throat but kept his face blank. He didn’t want to think about the time she was taken from him. The many times she was taken. He fought the immediate need to check in with his squad on Pabu, making sure she was still there.

She was safe, she was fine. He repeated it again and again in his head until it took hold.

“So, what happened to the facility” Vos interjected

Hunter shrugged, “partially destroyed,”

“And the scientist?” Ventress asked.

A cloud fell over Hunter’s eyes. “He died.” He said calmly.

***

Hunter sat by the fire. Watching the embers spark and float into the deep forest night. He and Rex hadn’t had time to return to their base before nightfall. The woods weren’t safe to navigate in the dark, although Hunter had been prepared to take the risk.

Vos and Ventress did plan to help them. Rex’s contact had been right about that. Their small network was growing exponentially but it would still take time to locate a safe space for Jax and Sammi.  The kids had been in contact with their families, something Hunter was pleased about, but it hadn’t been safe enough to reunite them yet. He knew how painful that must be for their parents. They were willing to help Rex and Echo locate the families of Eva and Behrn, if possible.

Hunter heard the crack of a tree branch behind him, but didn’t stir. Rex sat down on the log opposite him and smiled.

“Need an extra set of eyes out here?” he asked

“Hm, not really,” Hunter replied, his eyes not leaving the fire, “but you’re welcome to stay.”

“I appreciate you doing this, Hunter. I know this is not where you want to be,”

“Happy to help, Rex. You know that.”

“I do,” Rex said, scratching at the stubble on his chin, “I hate to think the chaos your squad is getting into,” Rex chuckled.

Hunter smiled. He had been trying not to think about it. “I’m sure Crosshair’s keeping them in line,” he said. Rex, raised an eyebrow. “Okay, maybe not Cross. Omega then. If she’s following the rules herself that is.”

He knew she wouldn’t be. That kid had never heard an order and followed it.  He smiled at the thought of Omega’s big brown eyes and floppy blonde hair.

“This work you and Echo are doing. When’s it going to be enough, Rex? You can’t do this forever. There’s only so much time before your luck will run out. Trust me,”

“We’re in it for the long run,” Rex said with a confident smile and Hunter couldn’t help but think back to their first missions together, his unwavering belief and trust that he was on the right track. He admired his friend but feared for him too. If Rex was an optimist, then Hunter was a realist. This was a fight that was not easily won.

For so much of their lives, their decisions, had been made for them. Hunter didn’t know how any clone could want anything other than peace after the madness and misery of war.  

“You think we can trust them?” Hunter asked, nodding to the cave where Ventress and Vos had retreated to.

Rex looked pensive for a moment, like a memory flashed behind his eyes. “Not all Jedi are trustworthy, I’ll give you that. I trust Vos, I have no evidence not to but… Ventress…she’s something different. From the story of your encounter with her and some other things I’ve heard, I like to believe she’s changed…”

“We can’t trust these kids to just anyone.” Hunter said, adamantly. “We can’t let the empire get hold of them again. Who knows what they’d do to them this time.”

“I won’t let that happen,” Rex said firmly. “How are they doing on the Island, anyway?”

Hunter smiled, a wide, serene smile that he didn’t think he was capable of anywhere but Pabu. “Good. Adapting. Omega meditates with them most days. The oldest go to school. They’re being looked after by two neighboring families so we can keep an eye on them. Baryn is walking now although things tend to start flying when he loses his temper. There’s the occasional Jedi stuff with the others too but we have been able to keep it quiet. Contained.”

Rex smiled. “Fatherhood suits you,”

Hunter felt his cheeks get hot and brushed the comment off, “Well, someone’s got to look after them.”

“You did that for Omega too, you know. Do you ever think where she’d be if you hadn’t taken her with you?”

Hunter shook his head, but he had thought about it. She wouldn’t have been chased by bounty hunters, shot at, kidnapped and otherwise threatened. But she could have died on Kamino, or been sent to Tantis earlier.  It didn’t really matter, Hunter thought. She was meant to come with them. She was their family before they even knew it. She chose him before he had an opportunity to choose her. It was a choice he would make every single time.

“Why don’t you get some rest, Rex.” He said finally. “I’ll keep watch. We’ll switch in a few.”

Rex nodded and stepped closer to the treeline, put on his helmet and sat against a tree.

The creatures of this moon were making a strange trilling noise in the trees. The air smelled like wet dirt. The scent had been stuck in his nose for days. He longed for the sweet, salty air of Pabu and the dry heat instead of this wet, cloying environment.

Hunter pulled out his knife and started twirling it between his fingers. There was a time, as a cadet that his fingers would be covered in bandages, as he tried tricks with the blade. These days it was an extension of his hand. It was intuitive, a mindless activity.

It wasn’t long before Hunter sensed her behind him. Her footsteps wouldn’t have been detectable to anyone else, that’s the nature of the Jedi or Sith or whatever she was these days. But Hunter knew, he heard as soon as she stood up in the cave.

She stepped lightly over the log and sat down next to him, a little too close for comfort. Once again, she was trying to make him uncomfortable, and once again he hated that she was succeeding. Her angular face turned towards him. “How is Omega?”, she asked, her drawling voice quieter than usual.

Hunter raised an eyebrow, “curiosity got the best of you?” he asked, turning towards her and managing to put a little space between them at the same time.

“I suppose you could call it that,” she replied, running her long fingers through her chin length hair.

“Well, she hasn’t made anything levitate or explode like some of the other force sensitives I’ve met. Does than satisfy you?”

Ventress looked into the fire, deep in thought. Hunter frowned, watching as the orange flames danced in front of her face, making her eyes look like they were glowing.

“She is…unusual…”

“She’s unique,” Hunter corrected.

Ventress turned to him, eyes narrowed her eyes. “She’s not force sensitive. Why was the empire after her?”

“Why do you care?”

“Call it professional curiosity,” she said sarcastically.

“I couldn’t tell you if I wanted to. I don’t know.” Hunter said, lying. He knew Jedi should be able to sense when they were being deceived, he’d seen it in action during the war, but Ventress didn’t press, and he was thankful for it.

They sat in silence for a while. Listening to the strange calls of the creatures in the trees. Hearing the rustling of larger animals in the woods.

Ventress seemed to be comfortable with the silence, but Hunter found it intrusive, much like her presence. He didn’t know why she was here or what she wanted.

“You smell like death,” he said, into the night.

“I bet you’re really popular with the ladies,” she retorted.

Hunter rolled his eyes. It had been bothering him since she had appeared. He had been too fraught when they last met to notice but it was so obvious now.  There was something in the back of his senses, he couldn’t describe it, or see it, but it was there.

“Is it true you can see things through the force?”

Her eyes narrowed, “yes,”

“Like people?”

“All living things are connected through the force. But yes, I can see them, in my mind’s eye”

“Even dead people?” Hunter asked slowly, looking down at the knife he had been casually twirling his hands as he did so.

Ventress sat up straighter and shifted in her seat. This clearly wasn’t where she thought the conversation was going to go when she came out here.

“Yes… occasionally force sensitives can see, hear and even talk to the dead.” She paused; lips pursed as though holding in a question that didn’t want to be contained. “Why are you asking these things?”

Hunter ran his hand through his hair, “it doesn’t matter,” he said, suddenly feeling foolish. He wasn’t ready to talk about this. Why would he bring it up with this woman of all people? He hadn’t even brought this up to his family. Was that why he had been so interested in leaving Pabu? Was the stress of keeping this secret from them easier at a distance?

Ventress was staring at him intently, unwilling to let her question go. “Should I have tested you instead of Omega?”

Hunter scoffed, “I’m no Jedi,” he said, amusement in his voice.

Ventress narrowed her eyes at him again. “Stand up,” she barked, snatching the blade out of his hands. “Over there,” she gestured a few meters away. Normally, a former Sith assassin stealing his knife would set off alarm bells, but Hunter didn’t feel threatened. Without thinking he followed her directions.

“Close your eyes,” she said in the same tone, “I’m going to throw your knife. Try and catch it”

“I am not force sensitive,” he said exacerbated, “The Kaminoan’s enhanced my senses.”

“And what do you think force sensitivity is?” she asked, dryly. “Now close your eyes,”

Hunter huffed. He thought of the look on Crosshair’s face when he told him he willingly let Ventress throw a knife at him, smiled to himself and closed his eyes.

He felt his senses start to tingle, as though they were reaching out to try and find the knife. He heard Ventress pull the blade back to her ear.  As she released the knife it made a schwing sound though the air. He heard it as if came closer, second by second until his hand shot out, involuntarily, and the hilt fell into his palm.

Ventress crossed her arms looking smug, but Hunter just shook his head.

“I’ve been catching knives and everything else by brothers could throw at me since I was a cadet. This doesn’t mean anything,”

“It means I should test you further”

“Ventress,” it was the first time he had used her name, in the same tone he would use Crosshair’s or Phee’s, and it took him aback. He cleared his throat and started again, “I was just asking because…”

“You can sense dead people.”

“Just the one, my brother. But yes,”

“Well, technically two. You sensed me as well, remember? There were three people in this galaxy who knew I died. There is no way you would have known, unless you sensed it. You have no way of knowing how the Kaminoans enhanced your particular skills. They had access to Jedi. Perhaps you were supposed to be force sensitive.”

“But I’m not.”

“That remains to be seen. I can’t sense your brother in the force right now. Perhaps he’s not around but I can sense you. You look different in the force than your friend,” she nodded to Rex, sleeping slumped against a tree. How he was sleeping through this conversation Hunter didn’t know. “All clones are unique in the force, but even Omega didn’t look like this. Perhaps you find these force sensitive children, protect them, because you can sense them through the force.”

“Does it matter? It just matters that they’re safe,” He replied. He had thousands of thoughts jumping through his mind. He was suddenly overwhelmingly tired. He wished Rex would wake up and Ventress would leave.

Ventress shrugged, “it doesn’t matter to me, beyond mild curiosity. But the force works in mysterious ways, and it sent you here for a reason, perhaps it was to discover this information.”

Her words hung in the air. Hunter didn’t know how to respond. Had no way to respond. He was different by design; they all were, but could it be possible? Did he want it to be possible? He needed to talk to Tech, ask him what he thought. But that was easier said than done. The silence hung there.

He hastily changed the subject. “This path you’ve created. How safe is it?”

“As safe as anything now days.” She replied cooly. She paused and looked intently at his face, as though trying to read his mind.

“So, not safe at all,” he said, more to himself than her.

“Your children will be protected by Quinlan and myself. It doesn’t get much safer than that,”

“They’re not my children,” he insisted. Although they might as well be.

“You could help, you know. Your skills would be useful.  I could continue to test you. Perhaps between the Quinlan and I, we could give you some answers.”

Hunter raised an eyebrow. “I’m retired,”

“And I’m dead, yet here we are. Think of all those children and survivors who need help, just like Omega. You could do a lot of good.”

“I’ve got my own family to look after.”

“Then why are you here?” she asked pointedly.

Hunter paused. The light of fire was dimming now, the embers fading from bright red and orange to cool yellow amid the tangle of twigs and leaves. He had thought of little else but returning to Pabu during his time with Rex, usually in the quiet moments. But when on the island he struggled to find purpose. When you have been going night and day since you were born, slowing down was a strange sensation. But the longer he was away, the more he thought it was something he could learn to be satisfied with.

“Hmm.” Ventress cooed “well, if Island life ever gets too dull, I’m sure you can track us down,”

She stood up and sauntered back to the cave. Hunter sat bemused for a moment, staring out into the darkness of the forest. He really needed to get back home.

***

Hunter was at the ramp before the ship had even landed. The heat of Pabu hit him as soon as the ramp started to lower. The sweet, ubiquitous scent of blossom from the weeping maya tree, cooking smells from the market and salty air of the surrounding sea signaled that he was finally home.

Omega ran at him as soon as he hit the stone top of Pabu. He kneeled to hug her and then stood so her short legs dangled. She giggled and hugged his neck tighter, burying her cheek into chest. She had grown since he had left. Her hair was longer down her back, her bangs stretched to fit tightly into the braid.

“Huntah, we missed you,” she said with a beaming smile.

His brothers, Crosshair and Wrecker both came forward. Wrecker giving him his usual, spine crushing hug and Crosshair, a slap on the shoulder.

“Managed to stay alive then?” Crosshair said with a smirk.

“Yeah, despite Ventress’ best efforts,” Omega, Crosshair and Wrecker exchanged confused looked and exploded with questions at once.

“We can talk about it when we get home,” Hunter said with a smile.

They walked back to their little house. After some time in the refresher, Hunter, clean for what felt like the first time since he left, joined his family at the table on the patio.

Wrecker had created a feast. The table heaved under plates of fish, cooked meat from the market, fruits and vegetables and a sweet dessert that Omega had decorated with flowers.

“So, was the mission a success?” Wrecker asked as Hunter took the seat opposite.

“Yeah, you could say that. We found the target. Two for the price of one it turns out. They’re going to help the kids find their families find a safe place…”

“And where does Ventress fit in,” Crosshair asked cooly “I knew I should have gone with you,”

“She and Vos are an item. They may have been together before we met her last,”

“And why are you alive despite her best efforts?” Crosshair continued.

Hunter knew his brother wouldn’t let that comment go. He paused and took a sip of his wine. The liquid was sweet with a bitter, rich aftertaste. “ I let her throw my knife at me while my eyes were closed,”

“YOU DID WHAT?” Crosshair, Wrecker and Omega all shouted in unison. Batcher started underneath the table at the noise, shook head so her collar tinkled and laid back down on the warm stone patio.

Hunter chuckled and gazed out over Pabu’s harbor. He felt a familiar prickling at the edge of his senses and closed his eyes to see Tech in his mind’s eye.

He smiled at his fallen brother.  He supposed now as was good a time as any. He nodded to the empty chair they always kept for him at the family table, and sensed Tech slide into it. There was a slight scraping noise on the stone, but he was the only one to notice. Omega, Crosshair and Wrecker looked at him quizzically.

Hunter sighed, put down his glass and faced his family. “I have a lot to tell you.”

Calling All Skeletons

The beginnings of my tbb x oc fanfiction! This is mainly a slow burn romance between Wrecker and oc, Doc. This takes place during season 1 episode 5 and will follow the show's story. I'm new to this writing fanfiction thing, so bare with me! I hope you all enjoy!

Word count: ~2.4k

Banner by: @blackseafoam

Chapter 1: Crash Landing

As the Havoc Marauder glides over Ord Mantell, a seemingly recent crash site is noticed outside of the city. The smoke danced out of the dismembered ship as the batch of clones observed from the forward cabin.

“That does not bode well for us,” Tech stated as he maneuvered to the landing site.

Hunter kept his eyes on the crashed ship, “While I doubt anyone survived that crash, we’ll stay vigilant and avoid making too much noise.”

With that said, the Marauder hovers down the landing port and securely lands. The group rehashes rules with Omega and, with a placement of their helmets, they head into the city in search of Cid.

From inside the city, a poorly disguised imperial medic stumbles out of an alleyway. Blue and green paint drips from her arms and runs down the dents and wears in the armor. Her helmeted head tilted up to the sky, a familiar ship flying overhead.

“An omicron-class assault shuttle?” The medic questioned quietly to herself as she began to assess her situation.

With a heavy disgruntled sigh, she moved forward to another alleyway to investigate the ship further. Traversing through the unknown of the city, each step taken questioned if it was going in the right direction.

“Remember the rules?” Asked an unfamiliar voice down the way.

The voice brought the medic’s feet to a halt, her eyes moving to investigate. It took no time for her to duck down behind a crate, recognizing the distinctly armored clones and observing from her place. The realization pushed through the countless questions in her mind. These were the deserter clones and child from Kamino. Wanting to solidify her thoughts, her hands typed away on her data pad and found the reports. Tucking her data pad away into a bag on her belt, the medic begins her pursuit of the assault shuttle from earlier once again. Her senses have seemingly returned to her as she searches the city’s layout and successfully finds a path to the ship port.

With some trial and error, the painted medic was gazing at the omicron-class shuttle and taking in each of its features. It was like the aura of the ship was drawing her closer to it, much different than other shuttles she’d been around. Her hand hesitated before meeting the ship’s side instinctively, her lips curling up into a small smile as her shoulders relaxed.

“I hope I’m making the right choice,” the medic whispered to herself as her hands and eyes studied the shuttle.

“We’ll be in and out of there in no time!” Wrecker exclaims with a hearty laugh.

Tech is quick to reply to Wrecker, “While the job seems to be simple, we shouldn’t assume all will go well. When does it ever?”

Hunter examines the drive Cid handed off to them as the squad makes their way back to the ship. Saving a kid and maybe some others from slavers shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for them, right? Sounds like a breeze compared to escaping the Empire. He held the chip between two of his fingers and tilted his hand out, Tech taking it away and beginning to analyze.

The entrance to the port was approaching, a sight that should be reassuring yet Hunter stops in his tracks as he brings his fist up. He noticed some colored splotches along the way  with some tracks, pointing them out to the others as he brought out his blaster. Starting to move in to watch from the entrance, there’s a single armored person who was… covered in paint?

“Who’s that?” Omega questioned.

“Not sure. Stay in the middle of us,” Hunter readied his aim on the unknown figure by the Marauder. Omega didn’t bother asking questions as she positioned herself between all her brothers with their guns ready at the aim.

Hunter moved out slowly with the batch so they all had good eyes on the target, “Drop any weapons on you.”

The medic’s body tensed at the demanding words said behind her back. Her hand found the blaster holstered on her hip and threw it to the ground before raising her hands above her head. Taking a heavy breath in and out, she turned her body slowly to the voice.

With a lighthearted sigh, the medic took a turn to speak, “I’ve been waiting to talk to you guys!”

Her hands move slowly and lift off her helmet. Her ashy brown hair is tied up in a bun, many stray hairs falling out of place messily. Her green eyes, accompanied by dark tired bags, crinkled as a smile curved her lips.

“They call me Doc,” she revealed as her gloved hand pushed back the hairs in her face, “Before you shoot me, I need some help. If you’ll hear me out.” Her brows furrowed with soft eyes.

The squad of defiant clones eyed Doc suspiciously as she moved and spoke. Doc kept her hands where they all could see them, even if her nerves were starting to tingle. Hunter eyes each of her features and gestures before lowering his weapon with a disgruntled sigh.

“You’ve got a minute to explain.”

Doc nodded as she began, “The Empire started recruiting soldiers from planetary defense forces, and I was part of the first Elite Squad as a medic. I thought the Empire was going to better the galaxy…” She struggled to find her words, “that was, until I was forced to follow unneeded violent orders. After we left Onderon and returned to Kamino, I stole a ship, I crashed it here, and I hope they think I’m dead.”

At the mention of Onderon, the brothers looked between each other. Her story seemed to make sense, and it also explained the crashed ship outside of the city. Doc shifted awkwardly where she stood, hands still raised in the air while watching them.

Omega spoke into her comm device in a whisper, “I think she’s like us.”

Wrecker was first to look at Omega and then back at the medic. From under his helmet, he was smiling eagerly. His head turned to Omega and gave her a small nod. There wasn’t much time to debate the medic’s situation as Hunter holstered his blaster, inviting the others to do the same.

“Just get on the ship. Don’t think you’re trusted yet,” Hunter glared at Doc as the hatch to the Marauder lowered.

Picking up and holstering her blaster, Doc gave Hunter an understanding nod and watched as the others loaded into the ship, “I get it. Thank you.” Doc followed behind, “Knowing some names would be pretty nice too,” she added with a cheeky smile.

Omega piped up first as she stood in front of Doc, “I’m Omega, and these are my brothers Hunter, Tech, Echo, and Wrecker,” pointing to each of her brothers.

“Brothers, you say?” Doc questioned lightly before shrugging it off, “Well, it’s nice to meet you and your brothers, Omega.”

With a nod, Omega walked off with Echo and to find her trooper toy. Doc on the other hand admired the interior of the ship as she made her way up to the front cabin. She couldn’t wrap her head around the fact a group of rogue clones managed to make a ship into a home.

“You mentioned the Empire recruiting soldiers including yourself. Was it just your squad or are there others?” Tech questioned Doc with a glance before returning back to his data pad.

Doc whipped her head around, snapping out of her thoughts of the Marauder, “Well, I don’t have an exact number.” She paused for a moment before continuing on, “I know there were many more offering their services or asked by the Empire to join the Galactic Army. I was one of the first and didn’t interact many with soldiers outside of my squad.”

Hunter thought through her words before adding to the conversation, “Why would the Empire be training people to be soldiers when they’re supplied with clones?”

“I have no clue. I thought the same thing you did when they offered to train me.” Doc leaned her back against the wall, “I understand why you all left.”

Wrecker was making an attempt to listen to the conversation, but the pang of pain in his head made it a weaker attempt. He groaned as he held his head, hunched over in his seat.

Hunter turns to his brother with a hint of concern, “You all right?”

“Yeah, yeah. It’s nothing,” Wrecker groaned as he stood and began to walk away.

Doc placed a hand on the large clone’s arm to stop him from leaving, “I can run a diagnostic and provide a remedy for the ache.” She offered to Wrecker, “I’m specifically trained in this. It wouldn’t hurt to let me give it a shot.”

Wrecker’s eyes found Doc and he once again tried to shrug it off, mostly to avoid having to sit and get stuck for a diagnostic, “No, really. I’m fine-”

“Please. It’s the least I can do,” Doc nearly pleaded to Wrecker, “We can skip the in depth diagnostic if that’ll convince you.”

There was a brief pause between the two before Wrecker let out a deep sigh, “Fine, but just this once.”

“Fine, just this once,” Doc assured with a grin as she moved her arm for Wrecker to walk to the back of the Marauder.

Slumping into one of the swivel chairs, Wrecker released a mild groan with a hand on his head. The sharp stabbing pain followed with throbs was too much to handle, even for a person of his strength and stature. Doc took her seat across from Wrecker, setting her data pad and backpack to the side. A few bacta patches were pulled out along with different bottled  liquids and pastes before she stood up.

“I’m going to do a quick examination to try and determine what kind of headache you have,” Doc explained gently as she placed a hand over the one on his head, “Will you let me do that?”

Wrecker had his eyes closed tightly as she spoke, up until he felt her touch. His eyes slowly peaked open to look at Doc as he moved his hand from his head hesitantly. Doc shared a soft smile before looking for any bruising and coming up short.

“This might be silly to ask,” she started with a hum, “but have you hit your head at all recently? Multiple times?”

Wrecker let out a gruff chuckle, “I hit my head all the time! Nothin’ I can’t take!” He claimed with confidence, a grimace and groan following after his words.

Doc rolled her eyes at his words as she brought out her flashlight, “Ah, right. The big tough guys don’t get hurt,” she chuckled.

“Hey! I didn’t say I didn’t get hurt, I said I can take it!”

“Yeah, yeah. Now, tilt your head up,” the medic bantered as her hand slid down his head to his chin. Her fingers beckoned him to turn his face up towards her, Wrecker complying as his eyes met hers. The touch was demanding, yet felt soft and caring, even through a glove. A warmth ran through his body and appeared faintly on his cheeks. The stare they shared was short-lived as Doc turns on her flashlight and dims it, “I’m going to flash this light into your eyes. I’m testing for light sensitivity and to be sure your eyes…”

She paused as she looked back into his eyes, focusing specifically on the left one. This then led to Doc grabbing his chin and turning his face away to get a better look at his scar. Doc managed to successfully snap Wrecker from his thoughts as he raised an eyebrow, “Uh, what’re ya doin’?”

Tilting her wrist, she brings Wrecker’s face back towards her, “Can you see from your left eye at all?”

Wrecker closed his right eye, forming a wink, “Not much. Everything’s blurry and looks like shadows.”

“Noted,” She brought the flashlight up and beamed it into his left eye, noticing little to no dilation from his pupil, “Open the other eye.”

Following her instruction, Wrecker opened his eye to be met with a light, “Agh!” He was quick to shut his eye tight, batting away the hand holding the flashlight, “What was that for?!”

“I warned you!” Doc turned the flashlight off, turning to the items she set out. Examining a bottle, she grinned, “To make up for it, I have a drink for you that’ll ease your headache.”

“Like medicine?”

“No, like tea. This isn’t anything the Empire or the Republic would’ve given you.”

Doc unscrewed the lid of the bottle and offered it to Wrecker, “It works best if you drink it slowly over the next twenty or so minutes.” Wrecker eyed the bottle, not sure if he should accept, but his headache urged him differently. He takes the bottle, bringing it to his lips and tilting it back. A silky sweet flavor danced on his tongue before he swallowed, his eyes widening and lips parting to reveal a toothy grin.

“Where’d ya learn to make this? It’s great!” Wrecker complimented as he went for another sip.

The medic sat back in the seat across from Wrecker with a short laugh, “I’m self-taught. Used to play around with herbs and stuff. I’m glad you like it.”

“You need to make more of it!” Wrecker started to take longer drinks, her instructions and his headache leaving his mind.

Doc shook her head with a shy smile, “Maybe I will.”

The two shared identical looks with one another before feeling the ship turn to land. They both stood up to get ready to go, bumping into each other before trying to awkwardly move out of the way. Doc gave up and sat back down to gather her things, “My bad, you go ahead. I’ll catch up.”

Wrecker lifted his helmet, placing it on, “Nah, uh, don’t worry about it.” The words struggled in his mouth as he walked away to leave the ship. The medic muffled a chuckle before swinging her bag over her shoulders, following after Wrecker with her helmet.

Notes: Well, that's the first chapter! Kind of a rough start, but I'm hoping to improve as I go. Thanks for reading! (Also should I upload this to AO3?)

Rest

Relationships: Hunter & Wrecker

Content Warnings: None

Summary:

Wrecker reaches his limit after a difficult mission.

Written for @augustofwhump Day 1: overexertion

Word count: 997

Read on Ao3

The mission went so much longer than planed. Wrecker had been running on empty before they'd left, a couple of days of bad chronic pain draining him. Beside the exhaustion, it had been a good day before they set off, pain minimal for the first time in ages. But Cid hadn't been entirely honest yet again. They weren't the only ones trying to get a hold of the shipment she'd sent them after, landing the squad in fights they hadn't planned for. Next to the crates Wrecker had to move, their way got blocked multiple times by collapses and broken doors. Wrecker happily dealt with them, heavy lifting being what he was made for. But all of that strain, the running around, the unnecessary fights, Wrecker feels them now, badly. Soon as he got on the ship, Wrecker dropped the crates and himself to the floor. He's resting his head against the cool casing of the shipment, closing his eyes. His head throbs, his spine feeling like a line of fire down his back. He's pulled at least something. Rolling his shoulders, Wrecker groans. Waves of nausea have been hitting him for the last hour, and sitting down has done nothing to improve them. If things would be up to Wrecker, he wouldn't move from this spot, possibly ever. But he knows they have another mission lined up for tomorrow. Remembering that almost makes Wrecker want to cry, maybe crawl into a dark corner and hide like when they were cadets. He's too big to hide easily now, and his vode need him. Wrecker's not going to let them down by backing out last minute. Still, the thought of having to do something even half as bad as the last mission plagues Wrecker. There's no point worrying about it, it'll happen either way, but Wrecker's tired mind is set on terrorizing him. When they fought for the Republic, Wrecker would have took a stim. The price of them prevents stims from being stocked in their medkit now.

Wrecker will have to make due with the cheap caff they've got and will have to hope the caffeine will be enough for him to force his body through the day. "Wrecker?" Hunter speaks softly. It's almost like he's able to sense when a member of his squad has a headache. He's always been good at that. Wrecker groans in response. A hand on his shoulder makes him reluctantly lift his head off the crate. Hunter's extending an ice pack in Wrecker's direction. Wrecker smiles. He'd thought of getting one for himself, but as much as he longed for it, couldn't convince himself to move. "Don't tell the others," Wrecker mutters, grin on his lips, "but you're definitely my favorite brother right now." Shaking his head, Hunter laughs. Wrecker accepts the gift his brother brought him, removing only the armor strictly necessary to hold it flush to his back. Laying down with the ice pack on his back would be smarter, but Wrecker is scared to move. The headache and nausea are barely manageable now, there's no telling how much worse changing positions would make that.

So Wrecker resigns himself to sitting with his arm held at an awkward angle. It's a small price to pay for some relief for his sore back. Wordlessly Hunter sits down behind him, pushing Wreckers arm aside and moving close enough to be back to back with Wrecker. Like this, the ice pack held in place by both of them pressing against it. "Thank you." Wrecker mutters. They'd sat similarly in the past, though usually because they both needed the ice pack. "Sure you don't want to move to the rack?" Hunter suggests. "Don't wanna move at all." Wrecker groans. He can feel Hunter nod. "Then we're staying here." Leaning his head back on the crate, Wrecker sighs. The bone-deep exhaustion isn't going to let its self be shaken any time soon, but at least the ice pack is doing its job nicely. "About tomorrows mission..." Hunter starts. Wrecker can't help the way his shoulders slump. "I'll be good to go by then sarge." Wrecker says. "Promise." "We're not doing the mission, vod'ika." "What?" Wrecker almost moves upright in confusion. "We need the credits Hunter." "We need rest more." Wrecker's not stupid, he knows who's meant when Hunter says 'we'. "I won't be the reason we lose out on a job." Wrecker shakes his head, regretting the motion immediately when pain flares behind his eyes. "The whole squad will benefit from taking a break." Hunter's words do nothing to make Wrecker feel better, to feel less like a burden. "I'll be fine. I can keep going." He won't let his vode down, he'll keep going like he always does, he'll push through the exhaustion. A nights sleep will be more than enough, even if Wrecker's already dreading it. "You're clearly not fine!" Wrecker can feel Hunter moving, probably gesturing for emphasis. Wanting to protest further, Wrecker opens his mouth, only for Hunter to interrupt him. "Don't. We're not soldiers any more, we can rest when we need to." Wrecker sighs heavily. He's too tired to argue, not that Hunter would change his mind. He's surprisingly stubborn. "Cid's not going to be happy." "When is she ever happy?" Hunter replies, making Wrecker laugh quietly. It still doesn't sit well with Wrecker that he's making his brothers lose out of credits, especially since his abnormally high need for food is already a burden on the squad. They're constantly barely scraping by. "Tell me if you want to lay down." Wrecker clocks Hunters words as an offer of help, should he need it. Laying down sounds nice, but Wrecker can't bare to face moving his strained body right now.

In a few minutes, he'll take Hunter up on his offer, actually get some rest in whilst he can. But for now, he just enjoys the relative comfort of sitting still and having an ice pack against his back.

Dark Corners and Shadowed Halls

Relationships: Crosshair & Hunter & Tech & Wrecker

Content Warnings: None

Summary:

As cadets, the Batch watch a horror holovid together. They are definitively not scared of it. If they're unable to sleep after, there must be some other reason.

Written for @summer-of-bad-batch Week 4: Cadets

Reading the first chapter of @sadiecoocoo's fic The Shadows Are Coming got me thinking about the Bad Batch and horror, and I ended up here. I highly recommend reading the first chapter of her fic if you like horror!

Word count: 1,884

Read on Ao3

The holovid hadn't been scary, so obviously Wrecker wasn't scared. They'd heard about if from some regs. They'd been scared, even if they were older, but Crosshair said that's just because they're regs. But it sounded fun, and proving to themselves that they were better than the older clones they'd heard about it from was even more reason to watch it. Tech had no difficulty finding it for them of course, as he often finds things for them to watch or read. He's the smartest clone by far, but Wrecker thinks he might even be the smartest person in existence. They huddled close to watch the hologram projected by a device Tech probably isn't permitted to have. Wrecker loves it when they do that. He gets to hug his brothers, all whilst being at the perfect range to annoy them with jokes and commentary about what they're watching. The holovid was fun, and predictably, not scary at all. But Wrecker can't sleep. His growing pains are mild today, so he should really be able to sleep. It's not like he's scared of the holovid, so it must be the storm keeping him awake. Lighting flashes outside their window, casting long shadows across their barracks. Wrecker bolts upright. Is someone standing against the far wall, near the door? Heart beating against his ribs, Wrecker grasps Lula tightly. It was too tall to be his brothers. It can't be one of those things, those monsters, from the holovid. They're not real. But it looked like one. The room is illuminated again. Wrecker hates how many far too dark corners there is in their barracks, all perfect places to conceal one of those things. Wrecker pulls his blanket up to his chin. He's not scared, but he has to check on his brothers. Just to make sure. But he can't call out to them. What if there really is something in the room with them, and he alerts it? Blanket wrapped around his shoulders, Lula in hand, Wrecker inches to the edge of his bunk. It feels like there are eyes on him from every dark corner of the room.

The first step across the cold floor he takes is slow, but then his mind conjures images of hands grabbing at his leg and he speeds up. Crosshair's bunk is empty, so Wrecker has to cross the room. He's almost running by the time something catches his leg and he's sent sprawling across the floor, tangled in the blanket he's carrying. Wrecker panics. He won't let anything grab him! Flailing and tripping over the blanket and his own feet, he gets to Hunter's bunk, immediately hopping up onto it. Next to Hunter, Crosshair is there already too. Their eyes are wide. "Want- Wanted to check on you." Wrecker says, out of breath. His heart feels like it might just leap out of his chest. "Did you have to be so loud about it?" Crosshair snaps, tremble in his voice. "Didn't do it on purpose! I tripped!" Wrecker omits the part where he thought something grabbed him. A figure appearing at Hunters bunk makes them all flinch. Wrecker's back hits the wall as he moves away with a yelp. It's just Tech. "Who made that noise?" He looks very serious, goggles hastily pulled on his face judging by how crooked they sit. "I tripped." Wrecker mutters, rubbing at his sore knees. The fact that he fell flat on his face hurts more than the bruises. Tech hums, climbing into Hunter's bed too. He squeezes himself between Wrecker and Hunter. "To set things straight, I am most certainly not frightened of the holovid we watched." Tech states. "That would be irrational." Wrecker, Crosshair and Hunter second the statement, even if all four of them are trembling slightly. When Wrecker takes both his younger and his older brothers hands, neither Crosshair, nor Tech deny him. "The regs were just being silly, letting a holovid scare them, but that couldn't actually happen, right?" Wrecker asks, clearly directed at Tech. They all go to him for answers, even Hunter, and he's the oldest. "A illness that that can change people, even when they're dead?" "Hypothetically, making a virus with those capabilities could be possible. There are species of fungus that do something similar." As not frightened as Wrecker is, Tech's answer still makes him gasp. "Not here on Kamino, right?" Hunter asks, leaning forwards. "They wouldn't make something like that..." The holovid said the virus was made in a lab, and practically half of Tipoca City is labs. Wrecker squishes Lula to his chest. There was a part in the holovid that played in a lab that was out of power, dark an silent. There was a lot of bodies in those bits. "They wouldn't." Tech doesn't sound sure. Wrecker swallows dryly, pulling his brothers closer. He always sweats at night, so Wrecker's thirsty, but the prospect of getting up and looking for his canteen isn't very appealing.

They stare out into the dark together, huddled closely.

“You see anything, Cross?” Wrecker asks, squeezing his little brother's hand.

“Nothing.” Crosshair says. Wrecker watches as his pupils flick about the room. With his enhanced eyesight, Crosshair can see far better in the dark than any human.

The shadows shouldn't bother Wrecker as much, now that Crosshair's confirmed he can't see anything. But Crosshair looks far too unsure for Wrecker's liking.

“We could beat them easily.” Crosshair mutters, pulling the hand linked with Wrecker's close to his chest. It's clear he means the monsters from the holovid.

“Some of the characters were soldiers too, Crosshair.” Tech says.

“Yeah, but they weren't enhanced.” Wrecker doesn't want to think about Tech's statement more than he has to. Almost none of the characters survived the holovid.

They go silent again.

“How'd they do all the effects?” Hunter asks. There was fire at some point, but Wrecker knows Hunter is referring to the way the monsters looked and the gory ways characters died.

“The holovid was entirely made with rather low budget practical effects.” Tech says. Of course he looked this up already. “That's why everything looks so-”

“Fleshy?” Crosshair interrupts. The word invokes the scene were a character is shown being torn apart and eaten in graphic detail. Wrecker shudders, but definitively not because he thought the scene was frighting.

“Precisely.” Tech says.

After a few seconds, Hunter wiggles free of the huddled group and gets off the bunk. “I'm going to the refresher.” Hunter says, voice wavering.

“Alone?” Tech asks.

Hunter swallows, looking around. “We should all go together.” It almost sounds like a question.

Wrecker nods. He doesn't want to get out of Hunter's bunk, but Hunter leaving their barracks alone wouldn't feel right. They should stick together. What if he runs into some regs?

Leaving their barracks, following behind each other closely, Wrecker regrets not taking Lula with him, even if he doesn't like taking her out of their personal space. Instead, he clutches his now empty canteen tightly.

Tipoca City's lights function with sensors, so they aren't walking in the dark. But the halls in front of them, sensors not yet activated, those remain pitch black. Wrecker squints to sharpen what he sees in the dark, unable to make anything out.

Besides Hunter making them stop a few times so he can listen to their surroundings, they get to the closest refresher without any issue. They're alone, thankfully. Regs is the last thing they need right now.

After they've all finished, and Wrecker's refiled his canteen and drunk from the tap, spilling some water on his shirt in the process, they head back to their barracks. Wrecker is calmer now, certain they won't stumble upon anything unwanted on the way.

Hunter stops them again occasionally. The first time, it's just a precaution, but the second, Hunter's breath hitches.

“Someone's walking towards us.” He whispers. Despite having had water, Wrecker's mouth feels dry. He grabs the back of Hunter's shirt, pulling his closer to the wall.

They can't see what's approaching them, they're standing near a branch in the corridor. Wrecker doesn't dare breath as they wait. What if it really is one of those monsters from the holovid?

Wrecker can hear the footsteps too now, far too loud as they grow closer. They should have armed themselves with something. Wrecker gears up to throw his canteen at whatever is about to come around the corner.

Swiftly, a tall figure turns into their corridor. Without hesitating, Wrecker throws his canteen. The figure dodges, canteen clattering loudly across the white floor.

“What the kark is your problem?” The figure, a human with straight brown hair shouts, making Wrecker flinch. She must be one of the bounty hunter trainers, going by the way she's dressed.

“Sorry.” Wrecker mutters. He's not sure the bounty hunter hears it. She's already turned around to pick up Wrecker's canteen. She throws it back.

The canteen hits the wall between Wrecker and Crosshair's heads, force of the throw knocking the lid off it and splashing them both with water. Wrecker repeats his apology.

The bounty hunter takes a step towards them, disapproving expression on her face. Wrecker looks at his shoes. He knows better than to provoke a trainer that's already mad at him.

“Aren't you supposed to be asleep?” Her words sound almost slurred.

“We were using the refresher.” Wrecker's thankful for Hunter taking the initiative. It's not just the fact that he'd the oldest that makes him their leader.

“And do you have to do that in a group of...” The bounty hunter pauses for a long time. “four?”

When none of them answer, not really having anything to justify their actions, The bounty hunter groans.

“Fine, don't answer! I don't kriffing care what your reason is.” She walks off, turning to look at them a final time. “I'll be watching you.”

Wrecker's heart beats furiously as he shares a look with his brothers. He scoops up his now dented and empty canteen. Wrecker should just be grateful it didn't hit him in the face, but the bent metal still makes him a little sad.

Mind on the confrontation with the bounty hunter, Wrecker doesn't think of the holovid until they're in their barracks. Then, the unease of being surrounded by shadows returns. Walking a little too fast, Wrecker beelines for Hunter's bunk.

Not a word exchanged, they all get comfortable in Hunter's bunk, sharing blankets as well as Lula. It's Crosshair that starts another conversation, asking about a specific effect in the holovid, where one of the monsters is cut in half by a closing door.

Wrecker doesn't plan to fall asleep whilst Tech tells them more about the process of making the holovid. He wants to know what Tech has to says, but even more so, he wants to stay awake to keep an eye on his brothers. But at some point, his eyes drift closed.

Next think he knows, Wrecker wakes to Tech's loud snoring and one of his brother's limbs digging uncomfortably into his back. Whilst the weather on Kamino is rarely good, it's brighter during the day.

Most importantly, the shadows are a whole lot less threatening. And even if they were, it's not like the holovid was scary, so Wrecker wouldn't be scared.

Aches and Pains

Relationships: Echo & Wrecker

Content Warnings: beside some self-deprecation, this doesn't really need warnings.

Summary:

Wrecker wakes up to his chronic pain flaring up badly. Echo, who's taking a day off on Pabu, forces Wrecker to do the same.

Written for @augustofwhump Day 5: Ache

I only noticed halfway through writing this that Echo wouldn't be on Pabu at the time, so lets all just pretend it makes sense for him to be there, taking a day off.

Word count: 1,627

Read on Ao3

Over the years, Wrecker's learnt to tell what kind of day it's going to be just by waking up. When he opens his eyes and is hit with the realization that he can barely sit up, he knows it's bad, that his body isn't going to play along today. Wrecker has to roll onto his side to get up, relying on his arms to carry his weight. He still doesn't manage to do so without sending a sharp spike of pain down his spine. Wrecker just sits there a moment, not wanting to stand up. His hips ache just as bad as his back. They thankfully haven't got a job planned, but Wrecker had hoped to help out with Pabu's rebuilding. He can't imaging being much help, though he might be able to force some useful work out of his body. White-knuckled grip on the rack above the one he was on, Wrecker gets himself upright. One hand rubbing at his lower back, the other pinching his hip, Wrecker looks for his vode. None of them are still asleep, so Wrecker's up late. Guilt settles heavily in his stomach.

Wrecker rubs a hand across his face. Maybe once he's got some caffeine in himself he'll be able to function better. He fills himself a mug of caff from the pot his brothers must have made.

They almost never have fresh milk, but usually, they stock the dehydrated kind. They ran out a while ago and still haven't come around to buying more. It's not that Wrecker minds black caff, he's just never in the mood for it when he already feels bad. Shep might have milk, dehydrated or fresh, but Wrecker isn't walking that many flights of stairs for it.

Instead, he just puts far too much sugar in his cup. If Crosshair were here, he'd make a stupid joke about it. But he isn't. That thought makes Wrecker frown, so he drops another spoonful of sugar in his caff. If the caffeine doesn't lift his mood, maybe the sugar will.

Descending the steps out of the Marauder wreaks havoc on Wrecker's knees, additionally sending shock waves of pain up his spine. Wrecker feels miserable, weak. He hasn't had a day this bad in ages, not without putting strain on his body to land it in such a state.

Across the plaza, Wrecker spots Echo sitting by the central tree. Echo waves, so Wrecker changes course to join him. Wrecker tries to speed up his pace, not wanting to show off exactly how worn he feels.

Taking longer than Wrecker would have liked, he sits down next to his older brother. It hurts his knees to do so and Wrecker isn't sure if he'll be able to get back up, but sitting is a whole lot better than standing.

“Morning.” Wrecker mumbles, taking a sip of his too sweet caff. Echo nods. He has a mug in his hand too. “Sleep alright?”

Echo shrugs. “Could have been better.” He cracks his neck, stretching his limbs. “You?”

“I'm fine.” Wrecker musters a smile. He isn't going to bother Echo with his problems, though he's done so before. Certain similarities can be drawn between them, both bearing large scars, having hearing issues and reoccurring aches and pains.

But Wrecker always feels guilty for comparing himself to Echo, for complaining about his own issues to the ARC. Echo's been through hell and back, been a prisoner of war, tortured and used by the Techno Union. And despite all that, Echo still manages to keep going. If anyone's earned the right to complain, it's Echo.

Wrecker shouldn't be complaining to him. Wrecker hasn't lost limbs, or been held captive by the enemy for months. Wrecker has it easy, but still manages to be useless time and time again.

Not today though, Wrecker's not going to let anyone down.

“You sure?” Echo ask, placing his cup down to put his hand on Wrecker's shoulder. “You look a little rough.”

Wrecker stops himself from glaring at his brother. It's not Echo's fault he's in an awful mood and even worse at hiding it. Wrecker's teeth grind against each other as he clenches his jaw.

“I'm fine.”

Wrecker can feel Echo giving him a suspicious side eye without having to look at him. “If you say so.”

Taking a big sip from his caff, Wrecker gets a mouthful of undissolved sugar. He thought he stirred it well enough, but he'd failed even that.

“What're you drinking?” Omega's voice makes Wrecker jump. He hadn't even noticed her walking over.

“Caff, want some?” He holds the cup out to her, managing a rather convincing grin. He can tell Echo's about to tell him off for offering Omega a caffeinated beverage, but the blond clone shakes her head before Echo can speak. Wrecker wouldn't have offered if he didn't know Omega would refuse. Tech told them something about caffeine stunting growth.

“Will you come to the docks with me?” Omega beams.

“Sorry Omega, I slept badly. Maybe later.” Echo smiles.

At Echo's answer, Omega's eyes turn to Wrecker, waiting for his answer next.

“I...” Wrecker should just push himself and go with her. He wants to go with her. But trying to stand sends a sharp pain through his knees, making them give out. “I can't. Don't feel too good.”

It hurts to admit that out loud, especially since he's letting Omega down. Wrecker can't make himself look at her, not wanting to see disappointment on her face.

“Okay.” She says, voice neutral. “Are you in pain? Do you need me to get you something?” She leans down so Wrecker has to look at her. Her eyes are wide, eyebrows knitted together, but she doesn't look hurt by Wrecker letting her down.

“It's not that bad, 'mega.” Wrecker ruffles her hair, smiling weakly. It baffles him that she's not upset by Wrecker not putting even a minimal amount of effort into at least trying to go to the docks with her.

“You sure? I can get the medkit from the Marauder!” The way she's eagerly swaying on the spot and swinging her arms, Wrecker wouldn't be surprised if she'd already had caff.

“Don't worry about me. Go have fun!” Wrecker laughs.

Omega hesitates, than hugs both of them and sprints off.

Echo shakes his head, laughing, before turning to Wrecker. “So you won't be honest about your health to me, but you'll tell a child?”

Wrecker groans in annoyance. “It has nothing to do with honesty! And besides, it's not like I wanted to tell her.” His voice tapers off as he talks, looking at his hands intently.

“I know. You told her because you couldn't get up.” This time, Wrecker does glare at Echo. The ARC raises his scomp defensively, trying not to laugh. “I meant no offence.”

Wrecker knows that, but that does nothing to make the truth hurt less. He draws his aching knees to his chest, making his back feel so much worse. Staring into the bottom of his now almost empty cup, filled with grainy, sugary sludge, Wrecker takes a shaky breath.

He'd almost forgotten how much his worst pain days make him hate himself and his faulty body.

“The truth's already out, so you might as well take it easy.” Echo puts his hand on Wrecker's back carefully. Wrecker shakes his head. His ori'vod sighs.

“I can't.” Wrecker mumbles into his forearm.

“And why not?” Echo asks. “You're no longer part of an army, there's no mission to be completed right now. The repairs will keep going with or without you. No one will begrudge you a day off.”

“I can't be useless, Echo.” Wrecker places his cup on the floor so he can wrap his arms around himself.

“We're not living under threat of decommissioning any more, vod'ika.”

“Doesn't feel like it.” Wrecker sighs. “Every time I make a mistake or slow down or fail at what I was made for, it feels like someone's watching me. Like I'm being evaluated.”

Echo breaths deeply. “I won't waste both our time trying to convince you you're doing enough, nor do I know how to shake the fear of failure they drilled into us growing up, but I'm not taking no for an answer on you taking a break.”

“Didn't you say we should be doing more?” Wrecker huffs, narrowing his eyes at his brother.

“Not every day of you life, Wrecker. I want to fight for our brothers, but I'm human, so I need to rest sometimes.” Wrecker doubts Captain Rex is following that motto. “We can afford actual down time now.”

Wrecker opens his mouth to protest, but Echo cuts him off.

“Don't you dare say some osik like you don't deserve to rest.”

Wrecker doesn't try again, Echo having guessed his thoughts exactly.

“Just lay down, will you?” Echo says as he does exactly that, stretching himself out in the grass beneath the tree.

Not in the mood to argue, Wrecker complies. The sun shines through the tree's leaves, light blocked enough to be comfortable to look at directly. It's nice. The grass is oddly comfortable, and the temperature is pleasant. Wrecker's body is still killing him, but he feels a little less like he might cry any minute.

“Don't think your brothers are going to get off the hook either.” Echo warns. “They need to take a break too, even if their bodies haven't forced them to do so yet.”

Wrecker laughs. “They won't like that.”

“They'll just have to deal with it.” Echo counters. “We'll ask them to bring you some painkillers when they join us.”

“That's a good idea.” Wrecker says, closing his eyes and at least trying to enjoy the good weather whilst they wait.

Calling All Skeletons | Chapter 2: Rampaging Binds

Notes: hi all! This one may feel a little bit like a drag, but we’re through the team’s first mission with Doc! Hooray! I’ll be working steadily on the next chapter as soon as I can! Hope you all enjoy! (Also this was very poorly proofread, but anyways)

Word count: ~3.5k

Banner below by: @blackseafoam

The squad emerged from the ship, gathering by the edge of the hill and using the surrounding rocks and terrain as cover. They all took a knee as Wrecker, Tech, and Omega scoped to find the target and anything that could compromise the mission. Doc, only recently informed of the job, prepared herself to prove her ability to the group in the hopes of gaining more trust.

Tech zoomed in through his visor, “I have a visual,” he scanned the rest of the area before confirming, “I only see one child.”

“Poor Muchi,” Omega added with a small frown, “She looks scared.”

Doc inched closer to Omega and held her hand to her, “If you don’t mind, let me borrow your visor. I need to see if anyone has sustained any major injuries.” Omega gladly handed the visor over with a smile to Doc, to which the medic returned with a nod as she looked out to the captives.

“I’m clocking two dozen hostiles,” Tech started to brief, “Multiple entry points with minor fortifications.”

“The captives don’t seem to be badly injured, maybe some cuts and bruises,” Doc explained after Tech.

Wrecker piped in with confidence, mostly towards his brothers, “Simple smash and grab like that time on Kuat. Easy enough!”

Before Doc could ask, Omega butted in with her eagerness, “I’m in! What’re we waiting for?” She started to step to follow after her brothers before Hunter grabbed her shoulder, turning her to face him.

“You get back to the ship.”

“But-”

“That’s an order.”

With a sigh, Omega complied, “Yes, sir.”

Omega slumped as she walked back towards the ship. The medic looked over her shoulder at the scene, the interaction feeling uneasily familiar to her. Doc shook her head to clear the thoughts from her mind, focusing on the task at hand. She can ask questions later.

Running and climbing through the rocky terrain, the squad settles by a disheveled tower. Hunter promptly began to give orders and divide out the plan, “Echo, you’re the eyes in the sky. Wrecker and Doc, draw the Zygerrian forces out. Tech and I will grab the kid.”

“Not a problem,” Wrecker affirmed, cracking his neck as he stood.

Once again keeping her questions for later, Doc followed along with Hunter’s plan. Considering the fresh coat of paint on her armor, she could understand why Hunter would have her help Wrecker in being a distraction. She moved quietly behind the three and waited for her next command.

“Echo, sitrep,” Hunter inquired through his comm device to determine the perfect moment of execution.

Echo surveyed the area as he spoke into his comm, “Two roving patrols on speeders. First guard checkpoint dead ahead.” A growl emits from behind him, making him draw his blaster. He takes no time to alert the others below him, “Hang on. I think I’ve got company.”

“Well, take care of it. Quietly,” Hunter insisted before hearing Echo’s grunt, watching him get thrown off the tower. A shriek from a brezak alerted the rest of the squad. Hunter quickly noticed where it’s coming from, “Watch out!”

The four braced themselves and made attempts to move out of the creature’s way. The brezak wasted no time after landing, whipping its tail aggressively towards its enemies. In a quick moment, Wrecker’s arms enveloped Doc as he swung his back to the tail, attempting to shield her. The force of the tail was enough to effectively swing them into a nearby boulder. Getting slammed into a rock and a heavy guy pushing into her knocked the air out of Doc. The tail’s hit alone made Wrecker feel like he was struck by a large speeder. Hunter and Tech shot rapidly at the beast until they noticed the Zygerrians surrounding them. Before they could react, a stun net was flying towards them.

Her eyes vacant, Doc stared quietly at the ground with each point of her body tensed. Less than a day of being free, and she wore a shock collar and shackles. She shook the present thoughts from her mind as she looked to her companions, first for any cuts and abrasions then for some reassurance. Wrecker started grasping at his shock collar. A poor attempt to subtly remove it, but an attempt nonetheless.

Doc watched closely, deciding to strike up a quiet conversation, “You would’ve had more of a chance if you let me get hit.”

Tech chimed in, “The probability of that chance would most likely only be raised by an insignificant amount, not enough to actually be useful.”

The medic opened her mouth to protest, but closed it when thinking back on the situation.

“I thought it would hurt ya less if I took the hit,” Wrecker admitted as his eyes found Doc.

Doc’s eyes gained their shine at his words, a small smile forming on her lips, “Appreciate it.”

The large clone returned a grin with a nod before he got back to his plan of removing the collar. The mechanisms slowly started to shift as he tugged subtly, “It’s gettin’ looser.”

Almost instantly, an aggressive shock jolted through Wrecker’s collar. His hands dropped the collar as he groaned with the shock, losing his progress on freedom.

Echo snapped at the Zygerrians at his brother’s defense, “Do that one more time and you’ll be-” A shock through his own collar interrupted him as he emitted a painful groan.

Doc’s brows furrowed at the Zygerrians, her fists clenched tightly and nearly started to shake.

“Save your energy,” Tech heeded to his team, “We’re going to need it.”

A brezak’s shriek grabbed the squad’s attention as it flew overhead to a tower, the lead Zygerrian standing tall as he loomed over at his slaves. The brezak let out another loud screech after perching on the tallest point. The sound of a cry took Doc’s attention away from the brezak, her eyes finding the child they plan to save.

Unsure of what else to do, she smiled to the other captives, “It’s okay. We’re going to get you out of here. All of you.”

“Yeah! Relax, Muchi. We’re the cavalry!” Wrecker reassured the child.

Hunter knew they needed to get back to Omega soon. They needed a plan now. He looked over to Tech, “What are our odds out of this, Tech?”

“I am not certain,” Tech stated plainly.

“So much for bein’ smart,” Wrecker snarked.

Sighing heavily with an eye roll, Tech explained, “This is not a standard military operation, and seeing how we’ve never been tasked with rescuing a child from slave traders before, there is no data I can compare it to.”

“Odds are low, if you’re still wondering,” Doc clarified after Tech, shifting her hands in an attempt to loosen the tight cuffs.

Echo raised an eyebrow, “You’ve been in this situation before?”

Doc avoided the question, shrugging, “Not exactly,” she turned to Hunter, “The Zygerrians have most likely already searched the ship. Does Omega know what to do?” There was a string of concern within her words.

Hunter fell silent for a second at Doc’s words before going back to strategizing, “We need to signal Omega.”

“Except our comms are over there with our weapons,” Echo sassed to Hunter, the squad all equally frustrated they can’t get to Omega.

A short moment of silence fell over them. Tech searched high and low for anything that could help them out of this situation. What he hadn’t expected to see was Omega about to climb across some dangling cords. He looked back to Hunter, nodding his head towards Omega’s direction, “We won’t need a comm to signal her.”

At the news, each of them began to look up at the girl with a sense of relief. Omega waved down to Hunter, pointing to herself and then down to them. Hunter’s eyes widened at her suggestion, shaking his head in disagreement. The sound of steps and doors opening alerted Hunter as he subtly nodded for Omega to hide.

The head Zygerrian slaver strides out of the tower with hands behind his back, his eyes wandering over his property, “Look at what we have here. Five new slaves to add to my collection.” He stops in front of Doc before he continues, “Some strong ones,” he leans down and forcefully grabs her chin with a smirk, “And a pretty one. You all should fetch a nice price.”

Doc’s face burned red as her nostrils flared, that shine leaving her eye as she stared down the Zygerrian with his hands on her. Beside her, Wrecker’s brows were furrowed at the head Zygerrian, his arms threatening to rip the chain and cuffs at that moment.

Echo butted in, “The Republic outlawed slavery!”

The Zygerrian glared at Echo, “We’re not in the Republic anymore, skug,” he pushed the medic’s face away as he stood up straight, beginning to walk away.

Doc snapped her head back towards the Zygerrian, huffing heavily at him. She glanced to Echo, each of them sharing the boiling rage through their eyes.

While the Zygerrians were distracted with the conversation, Omega had already moved to another position. She watched over the exchange for a moment, knowing she needed to get to work on helping her friends. Echo spotted her and, almost like he read her mind, decided to keep up his conversation with the slave traders, “You’re lucky we don’t have our gear!”

“Yeah. We’d have you and your men in shambles right now,” Doc glared heavily at the Zygerrians, unaware of Omega’s position.

“Oh, really?” The Zygerrian stepped back to face Echo and Doc, “My men captured you with your gear, so I don’t see how they couldn’t do it again-”

“One blaster bolt between your eyes sounds sufficient enough,” The medic snarled with no resistance. A painful shock followed, coursing through her body as she barred her teeth, taking the shock better than her companions.

Clunk!

Omega pressed her back against the wall after knocking down a rock, covering her mouth after mistakenly gasping. The Zygerrians all turned towards the sound, the head going to investigate. Wrecker focused on Omega. He positioned a large rock beside him, kicking it at one of the Zygerrians and knocking him down.

The head Zygerrian stopped in his tracks, landing a glare on Wrecker. One of the grunts retaliated by whipping the larger clone. Wrecker growled at the grunt.

“We can make do with one less slave,” the Zygerrian lead threatened, “Maybe I’ll feed you to my pet.” On cue, his brezak screeches from it’s place on the tower. “As for the rest of you,” he paces around his slaves, “You will be part of a new beginning. With the meddling Republic gone, we can return to Kadavo and rebuild what was taken from us. Under this new Empire, our operation will flourish once again.”

While the Zygerrian monologues, Omega peaked into the cage she happened to land on. After seeing the creature inside she instantly had an idea, “Hmmm, I know.” She grinned as she jumped off and went around to the door.

“And if you do not comply,” the Zygerrian started, “the person next to you will pay the price.” There was a sinister tone in his voice that would send a shiver up anyone’s spine.

Not wanting to cause anyone else to get hurt, the squad fell quiet while their faces spoke for them. Anger. The only thing they could do was sit to avoid drawing any attention to Omega.

“No! Let me go!”

“Gotcha,” a Zygerrian grabbed hold of Omega, bringing her towards the group. The girl thrashed in his arms as hard as she could to escape him. The group watched closely, ready to take action no matter the situation.

“I found her sneaking around the cage.”

As the lead Zygerrian approached, Omega looked up at him innocently, “I wasn’t sneaking.” A smirk wiped across her face as she revealed the bar to the cage, “I was unlocking.”

The cage started thrashing about. The Zygerrians were shot with panic, making a quick attempt to secure their caged possession. The doors flung open as a young rancor busted out of her prison. It took no time for her to start wreaking havoc and harming the Zygerrians who encaged her with a blaring roar.

“A rampaging adolescent rancor is not the distraction I was anticipating,” Tech looked between the destruction and his companions.

Wrecker stood up, “That’s their problem!” He tugged aggressively on the chain, breaking it, “We’re gettin’ outta here!”

The chain fell and allowed each captive to be freed from their place. Wrecker flung his hands down on his knee, effectively breaking the handcuffs as he tore the collar off of his neck. Doc eyed Wrecker as she stood up. She knew he was strong, but there was something skillful about his strength. Wrecker grabbed the sides of Doc’s collar and pried it off as if it was a twig. The medic’s heart thumped for a moment at the contact, a feeling she had forgotten.

“Uh, you okay?” He tilted his head slightly.

“Oh, yeah. Could you get these cuffs off me?”

With a nod, Wrecker gripped her handcuffs and threw them against his armored knee with precision. Doc rubbed her wrists, sharing a smile with Wrecker before darting over to the other captives to assist Echo. Kneeling down, she first addressed the Falleen child she believed they were saving, “Hi, I’m a doctor. Does anything hurt?” She offered her hand out to her with a soft smile. The child was reluctant until a look from her father reassured her, placing her hand into Doc’s.

Omega ran over to Doc and the supposed Muchi, “It’s okay, Muchi! We’re here to take you home!”

The Falleen father spoke in his native tongue, explaining that his child was not the Muchi they were looking for. He pointed to the rancor on a rampage, “Muchi! Muchi!”

After freeing the other captive, Echo turned to look at the true Muchi with confusion, “The rancor is Muchi?”

“Wait, you weren’t told the rescue was for a rancor?” Doc questioned as she finished her quick examination of the young Falleen.

Muchi continued on with her destruction and violence as she ran from the scene, trying to escape the shots from the Zygerrians. Hunter wasted no time as he, Tech, and Wrecker brought over Doc and Echo’s gear, “Gear up. We have to go after Muchi.” He continued to explain as they threw on their things, “If we don’t capture her, we don’t get our intel from Cid.”

Wrecker passed Doc her pistol, noticing it was different from his own from the Republic, “That’s a weird lookin’ blaster.”

She holstered it with a smile, “From my time on Naboo. First blaster I ever fired.” She put her helmet on her head as they all followed Muchi’s path.

“Naboo. Are ya from there?” Wrecker inquired.

“I am, nothing too special,” she shrugged, focusing more on the task at hand.

Wrecker pressed on, “Naboo is pretty far from here. Do ya miss it?”

An eerie silence fell onto Doc.

Wrecker sensed the tension instantly, “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to-”

“It’s fine, just drop it.”

The group halted at a fork in the path, Hunter crouching down to track which direction Muchi went. As he pointed in her direction, Omega interrupted him, “What about them?” She gestured to the freed slaves.

Echo provided a solution before Hunter, “Omega, Doc, and I will get them to safety. You find Muchi.”

“Right,” before taking off, Hunter directed Echo and Doc, “Go for the speeders at the south entrance.” Tech provided instructions to the Falleens before the trio took off with them, then following Hunter and Wrecker to retrieve Muchi.

Doc readied her blaster as they escorted the captives. She shot at any Zygerrians they passed, ensuring everyone’s safety.

Echo took notice of her falling targets, “You’re a pretty good shot.”

“What can I say? The Empire didn’t want me just because I’m a doctor,” she blasted another Zygerrian.

They began to approach the speeders, ducking behind some rocks as Echo and Doc scoped out the area. As soon as they peaked their heads up, they were met with purple shots from the Zygerrians’ energy bows. In no time, Doc shot at the two approaching enemies while Echo took out the one up high.

Echo took the lead towards the speeders while Doc covered their flank. She watched Omega as she came across an energy bow on the ground. With a smile, Doc walked up to the young clone and her new weapon, “That’s a fine bow for you.”

Omega’s eyes sparked with joy as she looked up at the medic. Her smile was wide until the bow suddenly activated, a face of shock and slight panic appearing instead. Doc chuckled softly before kneeling down and helping Omega deactivate it. “You’ll get used to it,” she explained while standing, ushering Omega to rejoin the group.

The girl’s pace picked up, “Will you teach me how to shoot it?”

Doc laughed at the suggestion, “Oh, you do not want me to teach you.”

“Why not? I thought you were good at shooting?”

The medic tilted her hand to show her blaster to Omega, “I was trained on this gun for years.” She holstered the gun and placed her hand on Omega’s shoulder, “Your brothers would give you better advice than I could.”

The young clone thought for a moment before grinning up at Doc, “Yeah, but I think you’d be a good teacher too.”

“Ah, well,” Doc shrugged, “We’ll see. I can at least show you how to defend yourself without a gun. How about that?”

A determined nod from Omega sealed the agreement.

Echo turned back to see the two interacting with each other. He furrowed his brows, thinking to himself and assessing the situation. He dropped the thoughts in his mind and knew he would interrogate her later with his brothers.

Echo ushered the three captives to escape, “You’re free. Go quickly.” With some gratitude and good-byes shared, all that remained were two clones and a medic.

Doc mounted the other speeder, “Let's get going!”

“You’re driving?” Echo placed a hand on his hip and cocked his head to the side.

Doc rolled her head with her eyes, “Would you prefer to drive one-handed?”

Echo went to argue, but gave up as he got onto the speeder. He lifted Omega up to sit between him and Doc before they sped off towards the group.

Muchi and Wrecker sluggishly fought with each other as the speeder pulled into the scene. Parking the speeder, Omega hopped off and watched the fight with curiosity. Echo and Doc joined Tech and Hunter.

“How long’s he been at this?” Echo asked.

“Too long,” Tech clarified, “He’s losing his touch.”

Doc crossed her arms, “I didn’t think he could get worn out.”

Each punch and shove from the clone and rancor were slow. A pitiful fight put in slow motion. Wrecker was just about to give up, groaning as he knelt. “Come on, Muchi. Go to sleep,” he pleaded with the rancor. Muchi fell onto the ground into Wrecker’s arms, completely exhausted. He tiredly patted her, “There we go.”

Omega stepped closer to the sleeping rancor, awing, “She’s kinda cute up close.”

“Nice job putting the baby to sleep,” Doc walked over with a grin, standing beside Omega.

With a few huffs and a thumbs up from Wrecker, the job was done.

The trip back to Cid’s parlor was quiet. Unexpected to Doc, yet somewhat pleasant. Not much of a peep from everyone the whole trip until they got back into the city. As the squad walks down the familiar alley with Muchi, they’re greeted by Cid and her client. Omega slid off of Muchi’s back and stood with Wrecker as they waved a goodbye.

“Gotta say, fellas, I wasn’t sure you could pull this job off,” She eyed the group and noticed the addition of Doc, “I see you grabbed an extra set of hands to help.”

Echo ignored her words, getting straight to the point, “You could have told us we were going after a rancor.”

Cid hummed, “Must’ve slipped my mind,” she pointed at Hunter, “You, dark and broody. My office.” She turned into her parlor with Hunter following.

That left Doc with the remaining squad.

“So, what’s your deal?” Echo narrowed his eyes at Doc.

The medic sighed, “I promise that I mean well,” she looks to the parlor, “I’ll tell you everything inside. It’s not much more than what I’ve already said, but if it makes you all trust me I’ll tell you every detail.”

Wrecker patted Doc’s shoulder, smiling out of eagerness, “Sounds like a plan!”

Doc raised a brow with a small smile to Wrecker, a sense of comfort and curiosity washing over her.

Tech and Echo glanced at each other, speaking through just their eyes, after watching Wrecker’s actions. Not completely unusual, yet strange towards a stranger he met today.

Looking between the duos, Omega had already decided her opinion on Doc. She bounced over to the medic with a wide grin, “Don’t forget that you can’t leave before teaching me your skills.”

Doc laughed as she knelt to Omega, “yeah, I know. I promise I’ll teach you, as long as your brothers are okay with that.” She stood up and looked at the bunch, “Let’s hurry up and get inside.”

With that they entered the parlor, all with varying ideas of the medic that joined them today.

Notes: I don't have too much to say on this chapter tbh. More Doc lore might or might not drop next chapter, so get ready for that! See y'all next time!

Calling All Skeletons | Chapter 3: Honest Interaction

Notes: A shorter chapter! I didn't want to overload information in this chapter, so I'm dividing it up. Hope you all enjoy some Doc lore (feat. Crosshair).

Word Count: ~1.6k

Banner by: @/blackseafoam

Doc held her cup with both hands, sitting across from Wrecker, Tech, Echo, and Omega. The atmosphere of the parlor was quiet. Only the five of them were seated around a small table, blue lights dimly glowing from the bar.

“Where do I even start?” She hummed, her fingers tapping the sides of her glass. “I’m not going to give you my life story, but I was on Naboo’s Security Force before I joined the Galactic Army. I was mainly trained as a doctor and learned how to do countless procedures on Naboo.” She set her cup down and placed her blaster on the table, “They taught me how to defend myself.”

The bunch of clones listened and watched Doc closely, taking in every piece of information. Tech adjusted his goggles, looking at her blaster then to Doc, “If you’re trained specially for medical practice, what would the Empire want with you? Besides being on standby as a medic, I don’t see a reason why they’d seek you out as a soldier.”

Doc chuckled softly, “Yeah, you would think I’m just some doctor, right?” She crossed her arms as she leaned back into her chair, “I can shoot, I can fight, and I can doctor. I’m good in tense situations, and the Empire liked my enthusiasm,” she smiled faintly, “When I got an offer, I took it and knew I was going to be helping people across the galaxy instead of a singular planet.” Her lips turned down as she glanced away from the batch, “After months of training, I was sent on my first mission with the Elite Squad. To Onderon.”

A shuttle flew through the stars and vast space. From the inside, only a red light illuminated the area and the Elite Squad.

“Why would they put him in charge?”

The soldiers stood in the shuttle with their clone commander, Crosshair. Four of the squad members remained quiet while ES-01 expressed his complaint. Doc, being one of the four, looked over to ES-01, head tilted.

Crosshair narrowed his eyes, “Problem?”

“Considering our commander has more experience than any of us, it only makes sense for him to be our commander,” Doc interrupted, “You should be respecting him and the efforts he made along with all other clones during the clone wars.” She looked to Crosshair before quickly darting her eyes away, “Apologies Commander.”

Sharing eye contact with Doc, Crosshair’s expression remained the same. He didn’t respond to her at all, yet there was a familiar silence between them.

ES-01 rolled his eyes, ignoring Doc, “Tell me this, clone,” he started as he eyed his commander, “If you all are so efficient, how come the Empire’s scouting soldiers like us?”

Doc furrowed her brows, “It’s giving a job to people like you and me. It’s allowing the clones to train us and rest-“

“ES-05, they were made to be in war! The Empire is obviously done with clones,” ES-01 snapped, facing away, “Sounds to me like it’s time for a change.”

Doc rolled her eyes, disengaging from the conversation. Meanwhile, Crosshair glued his intimidating glare to his argumentative squad-member.

“Enjoy being commander,” ES-01 smirked, “For now. We’ll see how things shake out.”

A tense and awkward silence fell on the squad. This lasted until the shuttle landed at their destination, each member taking their positions with Crosshair’s guide. They started to move in on the targets, Doc’s blaster at the ready and stationed further back. She watched the so-called insurgents from behind her squad and her eyes widened. She lowered her blaster slowly. These weren’t insurgents, but they had to be the target.

“ES-05, move up.”

Doc snapped back to reality at Crosshair’s command, swallowing, “Yes,” she hesitated, “Commander.” She moved forward as told. She lifted her blaster at the targets shakily, eyeing each individual. This is wrong. This isn’t right.

Crosshair led the blast fire, taking out Saw Gerrera’s fighters like light work. Each of the other squad-members followed their commander as they shot at each believed soldier. Doc’s hand shook as she watched the bloodshed and falling of people before her. Each shot she fired intended to miss, only to say that she was technically following orders. She watched as one went to pilot the vehicle and make their escape. She watched. Hopeful.

A blast shot through the pilot’s chest. The transport dropped to the ground immediately.

Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach as the scene replayed in her head. Doc’s eyes stung with tears as she looked to her commander and squad-mates as they moved in on the innocents. Each step she took with her squad was heavy, begging her to turn away.

The targets spilled out of the transport, knowing they had nowhere else to go. One of Gerrera’s fighters glared at the squad as she threw her weapon down to approach Crosshair.

Holding a gun to her chest, Crosshair pressed, “Where’s Gerrera?”

“I don’t know. But I wouldn’t tell you if I did-”

A bolt fires through her chest.

Crosshair stands over her body as it falls, holstering his gun, “I believe you.”

The medic turned her head away from the scene. Her eyes shut tight at the sound of the blaster firing, tears threatening their escape.

Her commander continued with his interrogation as he walked to the other individuals, “Do any of you have any information you’d like to share?”

A couple huddled close together, the human man speaking, “We don’t know anything,” he quickly assured, “We were promised transport off world, that’s all.”

“Then you’re of no use to the Empire,” Crosshair snarled as he aimed his gun at the couple.

“What are you doing?” ES-01 interjected, “Gerrera’s fighters are dead. These are civilians.”

Doc shook her head, clearing her throat, “They aren’t a threat to us or the Empire.”

“Right,” ES-01 straightened his posture, “We should bring them in.”

Crosshair turned to his squad, “Those weren’t our orders.” His voice was sharp.

“Forget our orders! This is wrong,” ES-01 looked over to the civilians, attempting to advocate for them. Even if it’s just to give them another day to fight and live.

Doc placed her blaster on her hip. She couldn’t go through with it. She wouldn’t.

“So, you’re not going to comply?” Crosshair threatened as he leaned in close to ES-01.

“No. None of us are,” ES-01 answered directly as he turned to his squad-mates, “Ignore the clone. We signed up to be soldiers, not an execution squad.”

The rest of the squad listened closely to ES-01. Doc, moving in closer to listen to her companion, readied herself to do what was necessary to avoid any more death than there had to be. That was until Crosshair interrupted ES-01’s plans.

“You want to know why they put me in charge?”

Doc and her squad turned towards their commander, listening to see what he had to say. The medic’s stomach churned at his words.

“It’s because I’m willing to do what needs to be done,” Crosshair quickly drew his blaster, shooting directly into ES-01’s chest.

There wasn’t a moment to turn away or stop him before it happened. Doc couldn’t hold back her gasp. Immediately, she dropped to the ground beside ES-01 as she pulled her bag off to search for supplies.

“Leave him,” the commander pointed his blaster at Doc as he snarled.

“’Good soldiers follow orders,’” Doc repeated the words Crosshair said to her. The memory of the cold and unforgiving stare and tone remained with her, “Those civilians never stood a chance. I should’ve run away and taken the ship then and there, but I froze.”

The "bad" batch of clones were all together at the table with Omega as Doc told her story. Their faces all deep in thought of the situation. Knowing Crosshair all this time to suddenly knowing nothing about him shook their cores. How could he do this? If only his chip hadn’t activated Order 66.

A silence loomed over the bunch as Doc finished her retelling of events. Omega looked down, thinking to herself, before fixing her gaze on the medic and moving closer to her. She placed a hand on her arm, looking at the table, “His behavior isn’t his fault. Clones have inhibiter chips that influence their behaviors.”

Doc’s brows furrowed, “Then why do all of you act reasonably?”

“We are defective clones,” Tech answered, “Our chips seem to have malfunctioned when Order 66 was given. Except for Crosshair’s...” His eyes moved to look at the ground. His brothers shared a similar expression to him, panged by the actions of Crosshair.

Glancing to Omega and then to the men before her, Doc could feel their grief. They lost their brother to the Empire. More than anything she lost to them. “I’m so sorry,” her eyes soften, “I’m sure he was a great brother to you all.”

Wrecker’s eyes found Doc’s after she spoke. His lips barely curved a woeful smile, acknowledging her words.

Hunter thought through her story, eventually standing up as he spoke, “Crosshair’s actions were his choice to make, even if influenced by the chip.” He sighed heavily as he crossed his arms, “There was nothing we could do about it,” he looked to Doc, “But if you have nowhere else to go, the least we can do is help you and make things right.”

“And I’ll do anything I can to help you all,” Doc’s mouth shone a small smile, “Running from the Empire is no joke.”

Echo scoffed a short chuckle, “Yeah, you can say that again.”

Omega jumped up from her seat, clasping Doc’s hand in both of hers, “So, that means you’re going to stay?”

The medic stood up as she shared a smile with Omega, “For the time being, yes.” She looked to Hunter, “On a different note, what did Cid tell you?”

Getting back on track, Hunter turned to the group, “We need to discuss Cid’s intel further on the Marauder.”

Notes: I'm already in the process of writing the next chapter, so hopefully there won't be as long of a wait this time! Classes, moving, and working have all been very stressful as of recent. I'll have some more free time soon! Until the next chapter!

Test Subjects: Part 1

Relationships: Crosshair & Echo & Hunter & Tech & Wrecker

Content Warnings: Blood and injury (mentioned), Drug Usage

Summary:

Experimental Clone Force 99 isn't called "experimental" without reason. Even when on the battle field, they end up as test subjects, sometime given new or untested supplies.

After a batch of experimental stims is given to them, their mission takes a bad turn when both Wrecker and Crosshair are put into a state of "fight or flight" thanks to the usage of the new stims. It's up to Tech, Echo and Hunter to get their brothers back to the Marauder in one piece, even if it means getting hurt themselves.

Word count: 1,625

Read on Ao3

A quiet groan makes Tech turn around, Echo doing the same after stopping. The source of the noise is leaning on the wall heavily.

“How you holding up, Wrecker?” Echo asks through their shared comm-channel.

Wrecker staggers a few steps forwards before shaking his head. “Adrenalin and the hypo you gave me aren't doing their thing any more,” Wrecker hisses.

“Can you give him something else for the pain?” Echo asks Tech directly.

“I doubt anything I have on me would be enough,” Tech answers. He's amazed Wrecker made it this long. They're all looking a bit rough, but after the unfortunate way Wrecker was pushed from a ledge last mission left him with hairline fractures in his right tibia and enough swelling to make Wrecker getting his boot and greave on a minor miracle as well as the incident with the stuck door netting Wrecker electrical burns all over his left hand and forearm, Tech expected something like this far sooner.

They're almost done with the mission, all they need to do is get out alive. It's too risky to attempt that with Wrecker moments from passing out.

“Taking stims may be the best option we have,” Tech says to Wrecker. They're not an option Tech likes to resort to, but having to help Wrecker walk will only make them bigger targets. The way things are going, Wrecker's strength would be greatly appreciated in fighting their way through the hoard of droids roaming the base anyway.

Wrecker groans again, a mix of pain and frustration this time. “Kark, I thought I'd get away without using any,” Wrecker pauses, breathing heavily enough for Tech to hear it from a good meter away even without their comlinks active. “Fine, you're right.”

Tech closes the gap between him and his brother, setting his pack on the floor. Wrecker's still using the wall for support as he watches Tech.

“Have we even got any?” Wrecker asks. He's right to ask, they've used a lot of stims recently.

“You're in luck, Hunter was given a few of the most important supplies after he was at the last mission briefing. Stims fall in that category.” Tech pulls the small box from his pack, running over the inscription on it with his thumb as he does. They all have one, though Tech avoids using his as much as he can. He can't afford to cloud his mind, his vode rely on him to relay information and do so clearly.

“Ooh, lucky me,” Wrecker sighs, sounding worn. Echo takes a moment from watching their backs to tap his scomp against Wrecker's arm in sympathy.

Tech lets three stims roll out of the box and into his hand. “How much do you need?”

“You don't need me to do any thinking, right?” Wrecker ask.

Tech doubts they'll need Wrecker's expertise in explosives or weaponry, so he shakes his head, even if it feels like he's reducing Wrecker's usefulness to his physical strength.

“Give me two then,” Wrecker says, unlatching his breastplate with his good hand. Wrecker flinches when Tech brings the needle to his skin, but holds still. If only he acted as calm around other needles, Tech thinks to himself. Hissing quietly, Wrecker presses his hand firmly to the injection site once Tech backs off.

“I will keep a third on hand, in case things take a turn for the worse.” The base is big and the last thing Tech wants is Wrecker coming down from the stims whilst they're still inside. Wrecker nods, though Tech knows he must be pulling a face under his helmet.

They give Wrecker a moment to let the drug take effect, the change visible in the way Wrecker holds himself. Wrecker laughs to himself, flexing his burnt hand that had previously been held close to his chest.

“Guess the pain wasn't as bad as I thought. S'gone completely now,” Wrecker says, undoubtedly grinning. That does surprise Tech a little, as he'd thought Wrecker's injuries would leave him with traces of pain, but he isn't going to begrudge Wrecker this development.

When they're ready to keep going, Wrecker's moving faster than they are, taking the lead. Tech knows he'll soon slip into a more compliant head space, that he and Echo will have to keep him on track. It's a big responsibility, acting as their brother's navigators as he blindly does as they say. Tech can't say it's a responsibility he enjoys. Wrecker's barely there during these times, reduced to nothing but his ability to destroy. One wrong order from one of them and Wrecker would blindly march into his death without a second thought.

They don't get to that point before droids round the corner, blocking their way. Wrecker doesn't wait for his brothers, running at their enemies without even drawing his blaster.

Echo and Tech pick off stragglers as they keep an eye on Wrecker.

They progress smoothly for all of fifteen minutes before Wrecker stumbles into a wall, grasping at it almost panicked. Echo's at Wrecker's side in seconds, having been closer to him.

“What's wrong?” he asks, leaning to get a good look at their brother, blocking Tech's view of him in the process. Wrecker's wheezing for air, gasping in pain. The stims can't possibly have worn off yet, so something must be wrong.

“Tech,” Echo calls, “he's not responding and he's clutching at his chest.”

Before Tech can worry about the implications of that, Echo's tried to put his hand on Wrecker's shoulder, only to be grabbed by the arm. Wrecker flings Echo across the corridor, hard enough to leave Echo laying on the floor for a moment.

“Kriff,” Tech hisses. Stims can cause people to lose their bearings, make them unable to tell ally and enemy apart. But that hasn't happened to Wrecker since they were cadets, he's learnt to catch himself before he hurts someone.

Watching Wrecker closely, Tech helps Echo to his feet. Wrecker is still clutching at his chest, breathing sounding almost like snarling.

“Wrecker, calm down.” Tech speaks calmly and clearly as he approaches his brother, making sure to stand in his field of view. This is just the stim affecting Wrecker, but Tech can't shake the feeling that something is very wrong. “Just listen to my voice.”

Wrecker moves his head suddenly, visor pointed directly at Tech, his laboured breath being the only thing breaking the silence. Then his legs give out, sending Wrecker to his knees. He cries out as he goes down, making Tech react on instinct, crouching down next to Wrecker.

“It's okay, vod'ika.” Tech has his hand on Wrecker's shoulder before he can think about it. He should have known better than to let his fear dictate his actions.

Wrecker's fist connects with Tech's helmet hard enough to make a loud crack ring through the corridor, sending Tech to the floor. Head throbbing from the impact, Tech barely catches a glimpse of Wrecker as he scrambles to his feet and starts running.

Swearing under his breath, Tech pushes himself up with shaky arms. Echo helps him onto his legs. Tech doesn't wait for his vision to clear before sprinting after Wrecker. What Wrecker's experiencing is not normal. Two stims shouldn't cause this kind of reaction.

Wrecker is long out of their sight, but Tech can hear his heavy footfall echoing through the base. As they follow that, Tech awkwardly reaches for his pack and retrieves the package of stims.

He has a theory, though he doesn't like the idea of it being true.

Tech lets Echo lead the way as he inspects the small box, turning it around in his hands as he runs. The first odd detail he notices is a tiny red dot on the the underside of the package, right in the corner. It could be a mistake in the printing, but Tech doubts it.

Without asking, Tech starts going through Echo's pack as they continue running.

“What are you doing?” Echo asks, annoyed that they're slowing down.

“I have to confirm something,” Tech states as he grabs hold of the stims in Echo's possession. The box bares the same red mark.

Tech frowns. These stims were marked for a reason, marked with the purpose of keeping them separate from other identical packages. Tech should have noticed that.

Taking a stim out of each package, Tech holds them against the light. If he isn't mistaken, the liquid is ever so slightly darker than usual. But what really gives away the difference is the fact that the stims content isn't fully transparent. It's almost cloudy with undissolved particles floating in it. Tech swears again, throwing the two stims against the wall, leaving their contents splattered across the duracrete.

That confirms it. They've been given an experimental batch of stims. If Tech had paid better attention, he would have noticed the difference. Kark, he almost gave Wrecker three. They have no idea how the drug has been altered.

Echo looks at him, slowing down a little. Tech hands Echo's pack of stims back to him.

“It's the stims,” Tech says, “They've been altered.”

“What?”

Echo sounds horrified. Tech is too. It's his job to notice things like these, his job to notice when they're given experimental substances. If Tech had noticed soon enough, he would have had the time to analyse and decide whether using the stims would be worth the risk.

He failed his brothers.

“I'm contacting the others. No one should use any of the stims until we're certain what they do,” Tech says.

They can still hear Wrecker, which is some comfort. They have to get to him fast, get him out of this base. If they don't, there's no telling what damage Tech's oversight might lead to.

Mando'a Translation:

Vod/vode – sibling/siblings Vod'ika – little sibling

Test Subjects: Part 2

previous next

Relationships: Crosshair & Echo & Hunter & Tech & Wrecker

Content Warnings: Blood and injury, Drug Usage

Summary:

After finding out about the tampered with stims, Hunter tries to contact Crosshair. Only problem is, Crosshair refuses to answer is comlink. Hunter correctly suspects that something is very wrong.

Word count: 1,650

Read on Ao3

Hunter's crouched near the central landing platform in the base when his comlink activates, allowing Tech's voice to spill into his helmet.

“Do not use any of the new stims,” Tech speaks, sounding out of breath. “They've been tampered with.”

Hunter groans, catching what Tech means immediately. It's been a while since new supplies have been tested on them, Hunter should have expected something like this. Then it dawns on Hunter that it's strange Tech decided to inspect the new stims mid mission.

“Tech, what happened?” Hunter asks. Something feels off.

“I gave Wrecker two. He's unusually hostile and currently running from us.”

“Kark,” Hunter hisses.

“You can say that again,” Echo's voice joins their conversation.

“You two focus on getting Wrecker, I'll contact Crosshair,” Hunter orders, getting affirmative answers from both his vode.

As soon as Hunter's cut the communication with Tech and Echo, he switches to Crosshair's comm-channel. “Cross, we've got a problem. The stims we got are bad, don't use them.”

Hunter waits, waits for a full minute, then two, all with no response from Crosshair.

“Crosshair, answer your comm,” Hunter tries again, a little louder this time. Crosshair has a tendency to block out his surroundings when sniping, but this doesn't feel right. He doesn't answer Hunter this time either.

“Crosshair!” Hunter snaps. The silence answering him is deafening.

Hunter tries to remember the last time he talked with Crosshair, coming to the worrying conclusion that he'd communicated with him directly only at the start of the mission. Anything could have happened during that time. He'd heard the shots of Crosshair's Firepuncher, but that does little to calm Hunter.

He peers across the landing platform. Crosshair set himself up somewhere here, that much Hunter knows. There are deactivated droids littering the the platform in every direction, giving Hunter no indication of the origin of the shots. Crosshair will likely be on one of the roofs or raised platforms.

Hunter will have to rely on his senses to find his little brother. Crosshair's evidently too far away to be heard, Hunter can't hear his heartbeat or breathing. Hunter doesn't let himself linger on the thought that he might be unable to hear Crosshair because he's dead.

Tilting his helmet up, Hunter sniffs the air. There are dozens of smells hanging in the air, fuel and fire being those most noticeable. Some natborn separatist wearing an awful perfume must have been near the platform a while ago and a container of mechanical lubricant must have spilled some way away. Under all the different scents, Hunter can pick out his brother.

Hunter knows they all crossed the landing platform earlier, but distinguishing Crosshair from the others isn't difficult.

Careful of the open space of the landing platform, Hunter follows the smell. If Crosshair is well, he'll cover Hunter, but if Crosshair were well, he'd answer his comm. Even he isn't petty enough to ignore Hunter in such a serious situation.

Hunter moves slowly, watching his surroundings. He can't hear any droids nearby, but that doesn't mean he's safe.

Halfway across the platform, Hunter stops to look at the building he's approaching. The roof is high, no clear way indicating how to get up, but it's the direction the scent has led him so far. Hunter can't spot Crosshair on the roof, but only a lousy sniper would let themselves be seen this easily. That means nothing and says nothing about the state Crosshair is in.

That's when something in the air seems to tense, putting Hunter on high alert. He drops to the floor, blaster bolt clipping his shoulder bell. Ducking behind a crate, Hunter stays flat to the ground. He hisses between clenched teeth as he prods at his shoulder. A second shot rings out, hitting the ground near the crate.

Hunter recognizes that sound. Crosshair's Firepuncher, he's sure of it.

Confusion grips Hunter as he tries to make sense of that revelation. Crosshair wouldn't shoot at his brothers, not in a way that actually hurts them. But no clanker can snipe like that. Hunter's not even sure B1's and B2's can deal with weapons they weren't programmed for.

“Crosshair, what the kark are you doing?” Hunter tries his comm again, not even expecting an answer any more.

There's one way Hunter could explain the situation, that being Crosshair taking one of the experimental stims. He doesn't like the idea of two of his little brothers having unidentified substances in their blood, but it's better than Crosshair being dead and having his blaster stolen.

Moving close to the ground, Hunter sprints to the next crate, just a little closer to where Crosshair should be. Two bolts narrowly miss Hunter. If it's Crosshair on that roof, something in that stim is making him slow.

The next bit of cover is further off. Hunter doesn't doubt Crosshair will hit him if he's exposed for that long, so he attempts to create a diversion. Pulling the arm off a broken B1, Hunter throws it across the platform. It clatters across the ground and, as predicted, it is hit by a blaster bolt split seconds after landing.

Hunter can work with that. Grabbing two more pieces of twisted metal, a head and a plate of metal likely previously part of a droids chest, Hunter runs, throwing one after the other far away from himself.

He doesn't wait around to watch Crosshair shoot, only hearing the two shots across the landing platform. It's a distraction, but not a big enough one. A third shot is fired, hitting the outside of Hunter's thigh.

Either Crosshair's aim is off, or the shooter is toying with Hunter.

Laying on the ground behind the cover of a land-speeder clearly used to haul crates, Hunter listens for movement as he inspects his leg. It's worse than his shoulder, but thankfully missed bone. Hunter grits his teeth as he moves. He's closer now, almost certain he can hear a heartbeat. It has to be Crosshair's.

Hunter looks underneath the speeder, scouting his route. He's almost at the building, only needing to cross a few more meters to get there. The speeder looks functional and from what Hunter can see, he could drive it. Doing so would make him a target, but the speeder can serve as a diversion.

Without thinking too much, Hunter quickly pops up from his cover, activating the speeder. Speed clearly isn't what the vehicle was designed for, but as Hunter runs, he can hear it knocking something over.

Shot after shot is fired, but none at Hunter. Only when he's underneath where Crosshair should be does the agony of his leg catch up with Hunter. Pressing his palm to the thigh plate on his injured leg, Hunter searches for a way up. The heartbeat is louder here, fast and frantic. It's Crosshair's, Hunter's sure of it.

He's in a corner, one wall being almost featureless duracrete. There's a slight indent in the second wall due to a window and a ventilation unit a little above it near the first wall. Above the Ventilation unit sits a grate, likely a part of ventilation as well. Hunter reckons he could use the gaps in it to climb high enough to reach the roofs ledge.

Hunter sighs. Of course Crosshair would pick to scale something like this. If Hunter had the time, he'd look for a better way up onto the roof, but they're rarely afforded the luxury of time.

Pulling himself onto the tiny ledge of the window, Hunter can reach the space between the wall and ventilation unit. Pressing a hand against each surface, Hunter uses his legs to give him enough leverage to lift his hands higher. After a few more rounds of this, Hunter can press his back against the wall to keep himself in place.

Slowly, he shuffles up the wall, pressing himself against either surface to stay up. When he finally grasps the edge of the ventilation unit, Hunter drags himself up onto it, internally cursing Crosshair the entire time.

Hunter's legs shake as he stands up, groaning at the pain shooting through his injured limb.

The grate is a little ways up, so Hunter has to jump to grab it. Not wanting to hang there, begging to be used as target practice, Hunter begins to climb. He's yet to attract Crosshair's attention. If he had, he'd already be dead.

Once over the ledge and on the roof, Hunter crouches low, looking around as he gains his bearings.

Sure enough, Crosshair is laying flat on the roof, Firepuncher in hand. He still hasn't noticed Hunter. A couple of destroyed droids are spread across the roof, proving to Hunter that there must be a better way up here. The air smells of dried blood, giving Hunter an idea as to why Crosshair might have taken a stim in the first place.

As he shuffles closer to his brother, Hunter hears his breathing. Crosshair's almost panting for air, nearly as hectic as his heartbeat. There's no doubt in Hunter's mind, Crosshair must have took a stim.

Hunter doesn't want to opt for immediate hostility, not wanting to harm his brother, but can't think of a good way to subdue him.

Before his mind can go further than that, Hunter's comlink activates.

“We found Wrecker,” Echo says, sounding winded, “Everything good at your end.”

“No,” Hunter hisses quietly, hoping Crosshair doesn't hear him, “Crosshair had a stim too. I've almost got him.”

When Hunter cuts the connection, for a split second, he thinks Crosshair hasn't noticed. Then Crosshair suddenly sits up, turning quickly to stare at Hunter.

“Just me, Cross'ika,” Hunter ties, “Stay calm, I'm not the enemy.”

Usually, speaking softly works wonders against the fog stims put on his brothers minds. Not with the altered stim.

Crosshair stands up, raising his Firepuncher as something almost growl-like falls from his lips and pulls the trigger

Mando'a Translation:

Vod/vode – sibling/siblings 'ika - diminutive suffix, can be added to a name as a very familiar or childhood form

Test Subjects: Part 3

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Relationships: Crosshair & Echo & Hunter & Tech & Wrecker

Content Warnings: Blood and injury, Drug Usage, Choking, Emetophobia

Summary:

Echo and Tech catch up to Wrecker, but Wrecker isn't about to go down without a fight.

Word count: 2,296

Read on Ao3

Echo contacts Hunter when they manage to corner Wrecker, only to learn Crosshair's in a similar state. He informs Tech, who sighs.

Tech takes a step towards Wrecker, making Wrecker lurch forwards and take a swing at him, only to press himself against the wall again.

It took them far too long to get him here, trapped in a small storage room. Wrecker cleared out the few droids that had been in there, only to promptly start panicking when he managed to get himself stuck in a corner.

Echo and Tech are in front of him, trapping him between the wall and two shelves. He looks like a scared animal, glancing about frantically and swiping at them blindly. He's still clutching his chest and heaving for air. Echo helped bandage Wrecker's burnt hand, but that's been long bleed through, leaving bloody marks on anything he grasps at. If there's that much blood through layers of bandages and Wreckers blacks, Echo's not sure he wants to know what the skin underneath looks like.

What ever the stims have been contaminated with can't be good. The most likely perpetrator is the separatists, like those reports Echo read about contaminated bacta. So far, the symptoms seem to show that the contamination was made to make soldiers attack their allies, so Echo hopes the stim wasn't designed to kill the user.

Echo can't believe something like this could happen. If this is the kind of quality control the GAR has, Echo's worried for the safety of every soldier. Either that, or they've got separatist spies infiltrating the supply chain.

“Any ideas?” Echo asks. They tried stunning Wrecker and all that did was hurt him by the looks of it, even after four direct hits. Echo isn't willing to try that again unless they run out of ideas. There's no guarantee Wrecker won't be permanently harmed by stunning him in his state.

“He's weakened, our best option may be physically subduing him,” Tech answers.

Echo hates to admit it, but Tech's likely right. With his ARC training, Echo's managed to beat Wrecker countless times when sparing. But Wrecker wasn't trying to kill Echo then and he wasn't desperate either.

“What do we do if we get him down?” Echo asks. It's not like they carry binders on them.

“He may be able to recognize us if he is forced to calm down.” Tech approaches Wrecker slowly, blaster in its holster. Hand to hand combat seems to be the way to go here.

In a sudden burst of speed, Tech launches himself forwards, grabbing hold of Wrecker's arm, trying to twist it behind his back. Wrecker is surprised by the attack, but not long enough for Tech to complete his manoeuvrer.

Echo can see the punch Wrecker's hoping to land on Tech a mile away, moving to block it with his arm.

“Trikayc, vod'ika,“ Echo mutters, knowing his next move is going to be dirty. Using the momentum from blocking Wrecker, Echo connects his foot with the knee of Wrecker's injured leg. It buckles under Wrecker's weight as he grunts in pain.

Just as Echo's about to move out of Wrecker's range, he grabs Echo's chest plate, bringing him down onto the floor as well. The air is knocked out of Echo's lungs and his vision briefly turns black as he hits the ground hard. Echo can't see it, but Tech's pained cry and the crashing that follows tells him that Wrecker got his arm out of Tech's grip.

Wrecker ties to run, but after all the trouble it was to get him trapped here, Echo isn't going to let that happen. He sweeps Wrecker's legs out from under him, standing up in the same move.

Dazed from the impact, Wrecker lays flat on his stomach for a moment. Long enough for Echo to kneel on his back, putting a hand on the back of Wrecker's neck to pin him to the ground. Wrecker's arms flail uselessly, unable to reach Echo as he dodges.

But then Wrecker seems to realize that he has other uses for him arms, bringing them to his side and pushing up off the floor. Far too easily, he shakes Echo off, slamming him into the shelf in the process. Echo thinks he must have hit his head, his surroundings swaying as he lays crumpled on the floor.

Tech did something to draw Wrecker's attention, having cornered himself in the process. To stop Tech from being grabbed, Echo throws the closest item he can reach at Wrecker. The object, previously stored on one of the shelves, appears to be metal by the sound it makes hitting Wrecker's helmet. Wrecker snaps to look at Echo.

Not wasting an opportunity, Tech runs at Wrecker, shouldering him in the chest hard enough to make Wrecker's back hit the shelf. Good thing the shelves have been attached to the floor, Echo thinks to himself as he staggers to his feet.

Wrecker grunts at the impact, is however barely slowed by it. He gets his fingers under Tech's shoulder bells, throwing him by them. Tech slides across the floor, coming to a halt near Echo. There's a bloody handprint on his right shoulder, standing out against the white he's painted it.

“This isn't working,” Echo hisses, making Tech glare up at him from his spot on the floor.

“I am acutely aware of that, Echo,” Tech responds as he uses the shelf to get himself standing.

“What the kriff is in those stims?” Echo asks, keeping a close eye on Wrecker. He's moved back into the corner again. ”He just keeps getting back up again. He's not responding to anything. It's like he can't even see us.”

Despite Wrecker looking weakened and moving sluggishly, there's a seemingly limitless well of energy in him. Echo's certain he and Tech will go down long before Wrecker will.

“I might have an idea,” Tech says, “However, I doubt you will like it.”

“What?” Echo asks, sighing. He quickly learned that the plans the Bad Batch, especially Tech, come up with are an entirely different kind of crazy. What's worse, is that Echo's found that quite suits him. He only wishes Fives were still around to take part in the chaos. He would have loved it.

But when Tech says he thinks Echo won't like a plan, Echo knows better than to doubt the statement.

“You will just have to trust me.” Without elaborating further, Tech charges at Wrecker again.

It takes a moment for Echo's brain to catch up what's happening, simply standing there watching as Tech ends up pressed against the wall by Wrecker. It only then dawns on him that he should intervene.

This time he kicks Wrecker in the back of the knee, making him stagger and drop Tech. He turns to Echo, swinging at him with little to no aim.

“Don't distract him,” Tech spits as he gets up. “I have to try something.”

“And just let you get hurt?” Echo hisses back, dodging a weak kick from Wrecker.

“Trust me,” Tech repeats. He goes for Wrecker's arm again, fumbling with his vambrace. Wrecker gives up trying to hit Echo, instead swiftly closing his hand around Tech's neck. Echo moves to sweep at Wrecker's legs again, but Tech shakes his head, even as Echo can hear him gasping for air.

One of Tech's hands is on Wrecker's, trying to give himself some breathing room, the other is still at the clasp of Wrecker's forearm armor.

Echo doesn't want to ignore Tech's wishes, but he hates having to stand here, just watching the fight Tech's losing. Wrecker wouldn't want this, never. But Echo trusts Tech. He still readies his blaster and stands close. He won't let either of his new brothers die here and he sure as hell isn't going to just watch if it gets to that.

Wrecker's heavy breathing and Tech's struggle for air are suddenly broken by Wrecker's vambrace clattering to the floor. Echo watches in confused silence as Tech starts tapping Wrecker's forearm rhythmical. He taps it twice, pauses shortly, then taps it another two times followed by a longer break. Tech repeats this rhythm over and over.

“What ever you're doing isn't working,” Echo shouts, preparing himself to break the two up.

“It will,” Tech wheezes, barely audible with his neck constricted as it is.

And then Wrecker's shoulders tense and he releases Tech, immediately reaching for him with a shaky hand. When his palm connects with Tech's helmet he gingerly feels about the plastoid. Tech is slumped against the shelf, coughing and clutching his neck.

Echo takes a step forwards, wary of what Wrecker's doing. Evidently Wrecker isn't a fan of the sudden movement. Faster than Echo can react, Wreckers hand covers the front of his helmet, gasping it tightly.

“No,” Tech orders, voice cracking, and for some reason, Wrecker listens. With his visor uncovered again, Echo can see that Tech's tapping Wrecker's arms again.

“What are you doing?” Echo asks. He's never seen any of the Batch do anything similar.

Tech gets to his feet, swaying as he moves, still holding Wrecker's arm, still tapping it. Wrecker stands frozen. “Ah, it's something we did as cadets,” Tech says, “Both to identify one another and reassure each other.”

“You risked your life to bet on Wrecker remembering something you did years ago?” Echo asks.

“It worked, did it not? Besides, we still use it occasionally.” Tech sounds awful, neck likely swelling already. “Could you push his helmet up for me? If this is anything like a regular stim, Wrecker will likely be sick at some point.” Tech doesn't stop tapping Wrecker's arm.

Echo nods, moving slowly as he approaches Wrecker. He still flinches, but doesn't try to hit Echo again.

Wrecker's expression is vacant but fearful, eyes and pupils blown wide. His eye movement as well as breathing is frantic. Blood streams from his nose and mouth in addition to the saliva seeming to coat his chin.

Echo pulls a cloth from his belt pouch. He'd used it to clean the joints of his prosthetics earlier, so he cringes at the oil smeared on it. He uses the cleanest corner to wipe Wrecker's face. It's not exactly sanitary, but it feels wrong to leave his vod covered in his own blood like that.

Wrecker cringes away from his touch, squeezing his eyes closed. Echo apologizes quietly.

“Wrecker's heart rate is alarmingly high and he's running very hot. He also seems to have very limited vision and hearing,” Tech observes.

“Is there something we can do to help him?” Echo asks.

“Getting him to the Marauder is likely the best option,” Tech says, slinging Wrecker's arm over his shoulder. “I will try and keep him focused on me, but we should be ready to deal with him trying to attack again.”

Wrecker leans his head against Tech's helmet. “Tech...” he says, voice slurring.

Echo isn't sure if he should take that as a good sign. Carefully, Echo supports Wrecker from the other side. He grips his blaster tightly. With Tech focused on Wrecker and Wrecker barely conscious, defending them from droids will be Echo's job.

Echo cringes as he sees how heavily Wrecker limps as they start moving, knowing very well that he played a significant role in making his little brother's leg injury worse.

“We got him to calm down,” Echo speaks into his comlink once they're out of the warehouse, “How are things with Crosshair?”

Hunter groans, sounding exhausted. “I got him, but you don't even want to know what a hassle it was.”

“Complain to me about it once we're on the ship.” Echo's comment gets a laugh out of Hunter.

Typically, they can't go long without a break, droids attacking them shortly after Echo's talk with Hunter. Tech manages to shoot and keep Wrecker reasonably calm, but with less accuracy than usual.

The nearby battle clearly affects Wrecker, agitation clear in the way he 's clenching his hands and looking about. It gets worse every time they're faced with enemies.

Echo's head seems to do nothing but worsen either, persistent pain building with their agitated movement. He can feel blood running down the back of his neck, soaking into his blacks.

He can ignore that with ease, he's been through far worse and it's not like headaches are anything new to Echo. But when he's hit with a sudden, intense wave of nausea, Echo has to let go of Wrecker and rush to the side. Years of training make him able to remove his helmet before he's sick.

When his stomach calms its self, Echo feels rather bad for leaving Tech to support Wrecker's weight alone. Tech's barely keeping both of them upright.

“Well I certainly didn't expect you to be the one out of the three of us to throw up first,” Tech says. Echo can't tell is it's supposed to be an observation or a joke.

“I hit my head,” Echo states, wiping his mouth with his hand.

Tech doesn't ask any further questions, letting Echo silently take his place next to Wrecker again. Echo grits his teeth as they continue, urging himself to fight against his body screaming for rest. He sighs in relief when he starts recognizing the corridors again, placing them near the way they entered.

Smaller groups of droids are milling about the area, but significantly less than when they first arrived. Their luck has been abysmal, but Echo is prepared to see this as a win.

Once they're finally out of the base, Echo pats Wrecker's arm. “Just a little further, Wreck'ika, then you can rest,” Echo says, reassuring himself just as much as he's trying to do so for his brother.

Wrecker just groans in response.

Mando'a Translation:

Trikayc – sorry Vod'ika – little sibling 'ika - diminutive suffix, can be added to a name as a very familiar or childhood form

Calling All Skeletons | Chapter 4: Mantell Mix

Notes: Some more filler and stuff. Next chapter will be episodic and action packed!! In the meantime, Mantell Mix!!!

Word Count: ~1.7k

Banner by: @blackseafoam

With everyone gathered in the cockpit of the Marauder, Hunter started to share everything Cid told him. “The bounty hunter that tried to take Omega is known as Fennec Shand-”

“Fennec Shand? What are you doing with a bounty hunter like her on your tail?” Doc’s eyes were wide as she interjected Hunter.

Everyone stopped and turned to Doc, each with varying expressions full of questions. “What do you know about her?” Hunter furrowed his brows.

Doc sighed heavily, “I don’t, I just know she’s good at what she does.” She rubbed the back of her neck as she looked away, “You’re lucky you don’t have worse coming after you to be honest.”

“And what do ya mean by that?” Wrecker cocked his head to the side.

Tech narrowed his eyes at the medic, “You seem to know about the bounty hunter scene well.”

“I do,” Doc began to fidget with her hands, rubbing and squeezing her fingers and palms, “You can say I’m paranoid when it comes to bounty hunters. You have to be careful with who you can trust.” Her eyes found the group once again. “Continue, Hunter.”

Hunter stared at her for a moment as he continues, “Cid wasn’t able to find out who hired her. Lets just be sure to stay aware of our surroundings at all times.” He goes back to eyeing Doc, “Cid said we needed friends and money. If everything you told us before is true, you seem to be one of those friends we need,” He focused back on the squad as a whole, “Besides that, we might need to take some more jobs from Cid to get some credits”

“Not ideal, but we will suffice if we do not overstay our welcome,” Tech commented as he brings his data pad to his face, hunched over as he taps on the screen to do his own research on Shand.

With a consensus floating around the group, the small meeting in the Marauder was over. The sky was beginning to dim as day turned to night. Doc placed her helmet on as she lowered the hatch to get off, “I’m going to grab some fresh air and food that isn’t rations. If you want to join, feel free.”

At the mention of food, Wrecker’s eyes lit up as a smile came to his face, “I’m in!”

“I want to go too!” Omega stepped beside Doc, looking back at her brothers for reassurance.

Hunter simply gave them both a nod as he took a seat beside Tech.

Doc turned her head towards the two and gave them a hidden smile, “Alright. We won’t be too long.” She stepped off the ship with Omega and Wrecker following her out.

Omega fastened her pace to get ahead of Doc and Wrecker, turning to the medic, “So, where all have you gone? Do you have any other friends?”

“Oh- well, that’s a lot,” Doc laughed gently, “I honestly haven’t been to many planets or systems. As for my friendships, I tend to keep to myself.”

“Oh,” Omega thought for a moment, “I hope we can be your friends!” She smiled brightly up at Doc.

Wrecker added, “Yeah! Ya can’t have no friends forever!” His smile was wide and inviting as he patted Doc’s back.

The medic felt a warm comforting feeling throughout her body, her smile widening from under her helmet, “Yeah, I hope we can be friends too.”

The trio walked through the street, looking at the different stalls and stands with different vendors and items being sold. Many different aromas and lights spilled out into the streets among the buzz and crowd. Soon, they came across a stand selling a variety of snacks and meals.

Doc raised a brow at the menu and noticed the big selling item, “Mantell Mix? What exactly is that-”

“We’ll take three cartons of it!” Wrecker ordered eagerly, excited to try something new. Meanwhile, the medic turned her head to the large clone as she crossed her arms, “I don’t think that’s something we should eat for dinner.”

The vendor handed the Mantell Mix to Wrecker. He gave a carton to Omega and Doc before considering what she had said, “It’s food! Who said we couldn’t have this for dinner?”

Doc handed over the few credits she had to the vendor as she turned back to Omega and Wrecker, “Well, you usually want to have something of nutritional value. This will have to do for tonight.”

“That’s what rations are for,” Wrecker argued with a grin as he shoved some Mantell Mix into his mouth. “Mmm this is delicious!”

Doc rolled her head to over exaggerate her unseen eye roll. She stared at her own carton of Mantell Mix, noticing the different colors and obvious sugar coat. Reluctantly, she lifts her helmet to expose her lips as she pops some into her mouth. The medic could taste the cavities forming on her teeth, but it wasn’t horrible. The tiniest smile came across her lips as she popped some more pieces into her mouth.

“Looks like ya needed this as much as we did,” Wrecker pointed out Doc’s smile as they all munched and walked.

Turning her head to look at Wrecker, helmet still slightly lifted to show her mouth, Doc pushed another bite to her lips, “You don’t know what I need.” She turned her head away from him, “It has been a long time since I had sugar though.”

Omega had already gone through half of her box, “This stuff is amazing! Can we get it again tomorrow?” She spoke with a mouthful.

“Eh, sorry, kid. I’m low on credits. We’ll see,” The medic explained to the young clone. Credits wouldn’t be stopping them from doing this again.

Back on the Marauder, the remaining squad members were stuck on the conversation from before.

“She knows more than what she’s letting on,” Hunter expressed.

“I know we only met her today,” Echo started, “but she wouldn’t work with Shand… Would she?” Echo furrowed his brows in thought.

Tech had already started searching databases, “I’ve only found records from her security status on Naboo. These records say she was on the force for around five years, that time ending not too long ago.” Tech glanced up from his data pad, “Based on this information, she’s strictly been with the Empire since then.”

Hunter and Echo look between each other and then back at Tech.

The information lingered in the air, Echo adding onto it, “Maybe she had a run in with a bounty hunter before while working security?”

“Unlikely, but not impossible,” Tech double-checked his information, “It says she was on the palace guard, however she is also listed as a surgical doctor. She very well could have had an interaction with a bounty hunter defending whoever she was escorting if she’s ever escorted the Queen or Senator.”

Hunter looked to the floor, quiet for a moment. “We’ll take her word… For now,” He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees.

“It’s an S-5 heavy blaster pistol,” Doc showed Omega, “Every palace guard on Naboo had one.”

The trio was sitting just outside the port the Marauder was stationed in. Doc had her pistol out, letting Omega hold it and learn more about the gun. Wrecker had taken Doc’s share of Mantell Mix after she refused to eat the last half of it.

“What was it like to be a palace guard?” Omega asked as she held Doc’s blaster, studying the details on it.

Doc chuckled softly, “I got to travel off world for the first time when I became a palace guard. Senator Amidala let me escort her to a few senate meetings.”

“Wow, ya must’ve been around the Senator all the time,” Wrecker raised his brows and was now very interested in the conversation.

“Well, not actually. I was mainly in the med bay,” Doc glanced at him with only a single brow raised, “What’re you getting at?”

“Oh nothin’! Just… The Senator is pretty-”

“I knew it,” Doc laughed loudly as she threw her head back, “Every time I ask people that about my job, I get the same answer.”

“Well, am I wrong?!” He joined in her laughter.

Omega just looked between the two with a confused face. She handed Doc’s blaster back to her, “Do you miss being a palace guard?”

Doc’s laughter ceased as she holstered her pistol, processing Omega’s question, “You know…” The medic shined a forced smile, “I do and I don’t. The Senator’s death and then everything with the Empire… It’s not the same on Naboo anymore.”

At her words, Wrecker put a hand on her shoulder, “Yeah, Kamino isn’t the same either.” He tried to reassure her with a grin, “But we have each other.”

“…Right,” Her eyes shifted to the ground.

“Hey, as long as you’re with us, you’re a part of this squad,” Omega piped in, scooting closer to Doc with a smile, “We’ve all lost our homes. What makes you different from us?”

Doc glanced at the girl, an innocent and cheerful energy radiating from her. It was enough to make Doc’s lips curve up into a more genuine grin, “Thanks, kid.”

A comm comes in from Hunter, “You guys coming back any time soon?”

“Uhhh we’ll head that way now,” Wrecker responded back as he stood. He lifted Omega up onto his shoulder and offered a hand to Doc.

The medic gazed up at the two, giving them a wide smile as she placed her helmet onto her head. She took Wrecker’s hand, instantly getting pulled to her feet like she was a sack of vegetables.

The walk to the Marauder was quiet, only wisps of wind and distant noise in the streets chattering. Doc turned to Wrecker and Omega before fully approaching the Marauder, “Thank you. I needed a night like tonight.” She lifted her helmet off of her head and brushed some pieces of hair from her face, “It meant a lot to not to be alone.”

Wrecker felt the same warmth from earlier that day return to his chest. “Oh, ya don’t have to thank us for that. We all needed a good time!”

“Yeah, and I got to learn more about you and your blaster,” Omega grinned ear to ear with determination, glad to have another person around.

“Well,” Doc started, unsure of what to say, “…Thank you anyways.”

Wrecker and Omega each gave her a nod before they all loaded into the Marauder.

Notes: Yay Mantell Mix originssss! Besides that, next chapter is gonna be based around episode 1.6! Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you for the next chapter! <3

Couldn't have said it better myself

Quote of the day:

“Of course I’m a civilian medic assigned to clone force 99, what else would I be?”

Omg omg. Your awesome. Can I make a request? Can I request either hunter or echo with a winged S/O? I absolutely fell in love with what you wrote for tech. (Bonus points if you could also write hunter/echo when S/O asks their help in cleaning their wings/straightening some feathers)

Aww, thank you darling! I’m gonna do Echo cause he’s my second favourite after Tech, and I’m gonna make a Drabble since I’ve been writing a lot of head canons

Ruffled Feathers

Echo x GN! Reader

Type: Drabble

Warnings: None, just tooth rotting fluff. This can be seen as platonic or romantic

Enjoy

"Echo, could you come here for a minute?" You called from your bunk, looking down to the cockpit to where Echo sat.

“Coming.” He replied, standing up from his seat and walking over, a soft smile on his face. You smiled back as he approached, shifting your wings so that the tops were visible. His eyebrow rose questioningly, and you moved your wings again. Some of the feathers were rumpled and out of place, and they were in spots where it was hard to reach without twisting the wings in painful ways.

“Could you please help me with the feathers? They’re pretty uncomfortable and I can’t reach them.” You explained. He smiled softly, coming over to sit behind you. "Of course, meshla." He said, reaching out with his hand to carefully smooth out the feathers and put them back into their usual positions. You sighed softly, patiently waiting as he fixed your feathers. It was quiet moments like these between you that brought you closer together. He worked carefully for a while, his hand carefully smoothing out the feathers. “Echo?”

“Mm?”

“Thanks for doing this.”

He smiled softly. “It’s okay, meshla.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Woow, I finally got this done. To the poor soul who requested it, I am so sorry that this took so long to get done. I hope you enjoy it.

-Axel

💜💐

Me when someone likes my post

No Regrets

Hunter x reader

So I made this today while doing alot of driving with my grandma so I hope you all enjoy alot of shit has gone down today so I put alot of how I'm feeling into writing this fanfic so enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The bad batch had been on Ord Mantell for a while now working for Cid. That's how you had meet the odd band of clone men. Cid had you working as a bar tender for who knows how long.

She had taken you in when you were young. As much as Cid puts up the bad guy act she cares alot and that transfered over to her looking after you as one of her own.

Meeting all the boys and Omega had been an experience and a half. Five roudy clones which had turned your world upside down. Echo is a kind soul who looks out for his batch and tries to keep the peace very much the mom of the group.

Wrecker was the crazy explosive uncle kind of figure who always spoke his mind even if it offered people. Tech seemed like the older bother kind of guy. He used his smarts to get everyone in and out of trouble constantly and always had something to talk about.

Omega the youngest of the batch was a riot to be around she had dragged you into quite a few of her plans when being left on Ord Mantell. And you had taken to her quite alot making sure she stayed out of as much trouble as you could.

And then there was Hunter. The leader of the bad batch and the self appointed father of Omega. Your first opinion of him was he was broody but you had seen how he interacted with Omega. He always seemed to have a smile on his face. And watching him now as he went up against Omega in a game was quite adorable.

It had been a busy night tonight and now it had slowed down thanks to the batch coming back. Wiping down the benches is where you now find yourself as you watch them both plan out their next move in their strategy.

Echo has himself seat at the bar sipping on a dirty wastelander while he chats with Tech. You hum along lightly to the music playing thought the holotape.

You hear Omega shout in joy while Hunter laughs along "Yes! I knew I could do it!" You laugh out and clap your hands. "Congratulations Omega" you call out. Hunter moves over to pick Omega up and spin her around.

"Can we get a drink for the running champion here" Hunter calls out to you as he hold Omega. " sure can Sarge! One Quantum soda coming up, can I get you anything?" You call out as you turn around to prep the young girls drink. "I'll have what ever you recommend" Hunter calls back. You smile to yourself as you lean down to grab two glasses.

Unknown to you the new figure who enters the bar. "I lost all my credits to you kid and your gonna pay" a voice calls as a blaster is pulled to Hunter's head. Everyone goes still in the bar. Your eyes go wide as kneel behind the bar bench hidden from view.

"Easy, easy let's all talk this out live civil people" Cid calls out walking slowly with her hands raise. Hunter holds deadly still Omega still in his arms. "My problem isn't with anyone but the kid, so stay out of this" the twi'lek calls. Your eyes look down towards the slug thrower hidden behind the many glasses and cups.

"If your deal is with my daughter your deal is with all of us" Hunter calls only to have the blaster shoved into the back of his head. "Shut up, shut up, I want my credits back"

You move slowly reaching in to grab the slug thrower. Your hand wraps around the grip before you slowly pull it towards yourself. You look towards Cid who can see you. She shakes her head a no. Before speaking up.

"Listen, listen I can sort this out If you put the blaster away, the kid works for me" Cid says while taking a few steps forward only to now have the twi'lek pointing the blaster at her. "I told you not to move!" At this you take it as your sign to stand up and point the slug thrower at the intruder.

"This is your warning put the blaster down before I turn you into mantell mix, and I promise I'm a quicker draw then you are." You say while point the weapon at the twi'lek's head. He quickly turns to face you fear in his eyes. The rest of the boys are quick to draw their weapons.

"You come into My club and threaten my employees, you have some balls kid" Cid says walking up towards you. "Give me the word Cid and I'll have clean up ready, no one threatens a kid here" you call almost deadly serious. "I...I'm sorry, I'm sorry"

the twi'lek stutters as he looks around to see he's out numbered. Hunter let's out a sigh of relief as Omega quickly jumps out of his arms and moves to hide behind the bar beside you. She looks over and watches as Hunter gets a punch in on the intruder before Wrecker grabs the man by his shirt and walks him to the door.

"And don't you dare come back here and threaten a child!" You call out as you follow Wrecker. Gun still pointed at the man as he is thrown on the street. "If I see you here again your body won't ever be found" you calls as you fire a warning shoot.

The man is out of sight almost instantly and bystanders watch in horror and shock. "What are you all looking at" Wrecker says before everyone goes back to minding their own business.

You walk back in to see Hunter checking Omega and Cid sitting down shaking her head. "I think you might have over done it (Y/n)" she calls which makes you shake your head.

"Isn't this kind of situation exactly what you trained me to deal with. And if i remember correctly you did something very similar when I was younger" you say with a smile on your face as you walk over to Hunter and Omega.

"Are you two alright" you ask while doing a quick check of them. "Yea, it's not the first fire fight we have been in I think Omega is a little shaken up" Hunter says as the young girl moves quickly to hug you.

"Thank you, thank you!" She says hugging you tightly. Leaning down you smile to the young girl. "Are you alright honey" she nods before pushing her head into your chest and shaking. You wrap your arms around her and rub her back. "It's ok, it's ok sweetie your safe, no one got hurt your alright" you say softly trying to calm her down.

"You were really brave Omega, hoe about we get you that drink, ok" she nods as you walk back over to the bar and placing the slug thrower on the bench. Your quick to wip up the drink for Omega.

After that the rest of the night until closing is quite Omega disappears with Echo before closing. Tech and Wrecker and now no where to be seen. Hunter is sat at a table with his head in his hands. You smile lightly while walking over with two drinks. "Order for tall, dark and broody." You say jokingly which makes him look up and take the drink with a small smile.

"Thanks" he says before taking a sip and cringing at the amount of alcohol. "What in the galaxy is this" he ask while coughing. "It's calls a 'no regrets', talk to be Sarge you have been sitting over here brooding since Omega went to bed, so talk get it off your chest it will make you feel better" you says while also taking a mouthful of your own drink.

"I should have sensed him, I.." you cut him off before he can continue. "Hunter, you were preoccupied with a little girl who had just won against you in a game and were excited for her. Your not going to always be able to sense things. It's called over stimulation and having to many things happen at once can do it. What happened was a chance accident. It happens" you says which makes him slouch in his seat. "It nearly cost both Cid and Omega" he says while taking another mouthful.

"It wouldn't have happened Cid knew I needed a distraction, and she provided. Hunter I've been in this exact situation many times Cid taught me how to shoot slugs because her first time having to save my ass was when I was about Omegas age. Had a bunch of angry drunks out for me for pick pocketing. And that's how she took me in. Taught me how to shoot and I've had to pull that gun out alot it's a bar there's always a chance of some angry person coming in wanting to rob, or hold the place up. I did what was instinct and what I was trained to do." You reply with a smile. "Omega reminds me alot of myself when I was a kid, it's reason I try and look out for her when you guys are off on missions" you reply.

"Thank you (Y/n) I don't know what we would have done" Hunter says lightly. You take his hands hd them. "Any time Hunter, I'd recommend you get some sleep, you will need it" you reply as you down the rest of your drink.

Standing up you go to walk back to the bar when Hunter grabs your arm quickly. "No regrets" he says which makes you tilt your head before he stand up and pulls you closer and presses his lips to yours. Your eyes go wide before Hunter pulls away. "Sorry, good night" he says before beginning to walk way. "Hunter!" You call only for him to turn back and look at you.

"Kiss me again, please" you call out which makes him stop in his place. He turns to you, you quickly make your way over to him and wrap your arms around him and kiss him again. He melts into your touch his arms wrap around you as he pulls you in closer.

"Took your sweet time Hunter" a voice calls out which makes you both look to see Echo and Cid walk out of the shadows for you both to see. Echo leans against the wall with a smile while Cid walks towards you both.

"You hurt my kid Broody and it will be war, do I make myself clear" she says which makes Hunter nod. "Understand ma'am" it's quite before Cid speaks up. "Get out of here you lot, I'll finish cleaning up"

With that you grab Hunter's arm and pull him towards the back doors. "Let's get out of here sarge "

Hey everyone I don't think I'll be continuing any of my fanfics again sadly. Alot has happened in the past 3 weeks and is gonna be happening for along time. On the 23rd my mum was killed in a truck accident and I'm trying to look after my younger siblings the best to my ability. I don't really have a set home Atm since I'm 5 hours away from my place but my brother and sister need me more then anything Atm

I don't know if I'll get a chance to even write again. I need to look after my siblings and Atm writing hurts to much because it just makes me think to much. I'm not going to delete any of my works but I don't think I'll be working on them again sadly. Maybe one day I'll come back to work on them but I don't think I will

Bit different from my version of Tech, but hot as hell. 🥵

Resourceful

Tech x M!Reader

NSFW

Warnings: sexual tension, explicit sexual content, cock rings, light dom/sub like very lightly implied, anal fingering, anal sex, inappropriate use of a mechanic creeper, multiple orgasms, anal creampie

Inspired by and Written for @clownbloody based on this very spicy masterpiece and outcry for more male reader fics told you I would ;)

“I am not sure that your idea is a good one,” Tech noted, still not looking up at you. 

You’d been trying to distract him from the repairs he’d been working on for the last hour, having to repair a part to go back into the malfunctioning console. 

“Why not?” you asked, pushing yourself up to sit on his workbench. “The rest of the squad is going to be out for at least an hour, right?”

“Yes, they will be. However-”

You took his chin in your hand. “And it’s been a while since we had some time alone.”

“It has been two weeks-”

“Then what’s stopping you?” you moved your face closer to his, stopping mere millimeters from his.

He sighed, his breath tickling your lips. “I… Well, I do not want to neglect you. I want you to have my full attention any time we are… intimate.”

You chuckled a little, releasing your hold on his chin. “That’s sweet, but the repair needs to be done before we can get back into hyperspace.”

“That is accurate,” he agreed, his attention turning back to his work. 

“Don’t you think this could be a good way to multitask? You’re always talking about how you want to be more productive.”

His hands froze. You smirked at the small victory. 

“And you can have two things you love at the same time.”

He glanced up for only a moment, eyeing you suspiciously. “Those being…”

“Having the repairs finished and having your ass railed by your very sexy and very needy boyfriend.”

His breath caught in a tiny gasp as his grip on his spanner nearly faltered. 

“I mean really, you could think of it as an experiment.”

He set the tools down, finally returning his attention to you.

“What is it that you would be testing?”

“Oh, that would be you, darling,” you laughed, sliding off the table to stand behind him. You placed your hands on his shoulders before slowly pushing them down his chest, the shudder he fought encouraging you. Your hands slipped past his stomach to his thighs and his breath hitched. “I think it could be quite interesting to see just how long I need to fuck you to make that brilliant mind of yours go completely cock dumb.”

His head fell back against your chest as he sighed. Your fingers ghosted over his groin, pulling a whimper so soft that you felt like you might melt then and there. 

“So what do you think, my love?” you cooed in his ear. “Think I can shut down all that clever thinking?”

He took a moment to respond, obviously enjoying the way your hands roved over his body. “Y-yes, I believe such a… compelling theory should prove interesting to test.”

You padded off to your footlocker to grab a few tools you would need, allowing him the space and minimal distraction to finish repairing the part before he returned to the console.

He set the part on the ground and started to lower himself onto his rolling cart. 

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” you teased, chuckling at the confused look you received. “I can’t very well fuck you with your blacks on, can I?”

His cheeks flushed the prettiest pink as he pushed the bottom half of his underarmor down. 

You hummed, taking in the delicious sight of his bare legs. As he stood back up, you noticed the small discolored spots around his hip bones and the insides of his thighs. You dick twitched in your pants as you realized that those were left from your last adventure. 

He watched the way you licked your lips, swallowing hard as his length continued to harden with just the thought of what you were planning. 

“Go ahead and lay down, love,” you smirked, pushing your own pants down, as he laid on the cart, pulling himself under the console to begin installing the repaired part. 

You took out the items you’d retrieved before, two cock rings and a bottle of lube. You first put one cock ring on yourself, suppressing a moan as you situated it around you. 

You knelt down in front of Tech, grabbing his legs by the ankles. You heard his breath hitch as you lifted them up and apart so his ass would be on full display for you, humming satisfactorily. 

Releasing his ankles, you slapped his bare thigh, pulling a small whimper from him. 

“Don’t worry, sweetheart, I can smack you around as much as you want later,” you breathed as your fingers trailed over to ghost across his balls. 

“Please, cyare,” he whispered. “Teasing was not in the itinerary.”

“You’re right,” you agreed, wrapping your hand around his now fully hard cock. You pulled the cock ring onto him, his whimpers and moans sounding like a symphony in your ears. “Ready, love?”

He eagerly nodded, despite not looking away from his work. 

You lubed up two of your fingers and swirled it around his ass, pushing in suddenly. 

He gasped and let out a low moan as you started to work your fingers in and out of him. Once you were sure he was ready for your length, you applied more lube to your own cock. 

Kneeling in front of him, you lined yourself up and shifted your hips forward to slide into his waiting ass. 

You both moaned as he took you all the way to the base and you heard the sharp sound of metal meeting metal as a tool hit the floor. 

You wrapped your hand around his cock, lazily pumping at it, watching his face flush even darker. 

“Cyare,” he moaned. 

You smiled. “Yes, dear?”

“Please move.”

You tried to shift your hips but found the movement awkward. He was too close to the ground. 

You looked up at his face, amused at how he was clearly trying to concentrate on the repair. 

A grin split across your face as an idea entered your lust-riddled brain. 

You released your hold on his dick to grab his hips. Shifting your hips backward to slide out of him, you got comfortable. 

“Is something wrong?” he asked, glancing down at you for just a moment. 

“You tell me,” you hummed.

You yanked him by his hips, rolling the cart towards you to impale him on your cock. 

“Fuck!” he shouted, nearly losing hold of the wire he’d been reconnecting. 

You pushed him away again, before quickly pulling him back, your eyebrow quirked up, watching to see any objections. 

Not seeing any signs of dissent you quickened the pace, pushing and pulling the cart, slamming his ass against your thighs. 

He kept his attempt to work at a relatively steady pace. That is, until you shifted your hips just a bit and suddenly the tip of your cock was pressing against that soft spot. 

He cried out your name, his hands dropping to grip the underside of the console. A couple more thrusts and he was moaning between the heavy panting dripping from his lips. You saw the drops of precum beading at the head of his member and picked up the pace, wrapping your hand around him. 

“Fuck! Fuck, cyare- oh, fuck I’m going to-”

He fell apart with a shout, his hands flying to the cart. You fucked him through it, his cum spilling out over his stomach.  

Despite the delay the cock ring was providing, you knew the way his orgasm made his already tight hole squeeze around you would make you cum fast but at this point you didn’t care. 

His moans and cries were still ringing in your ears as you slowed your pace, pulling the cart out more. 

You repositioned, never fully pulling out of his ass, and pushed his legs up towards his chest. Then, you started anew. 

You pistoned your hips into him, sheathing and unsheathing yourself in his heat. His moans were nearly constant now and you felt his muscles contract beneath you. 

Tech attempted to form words, but they all came out as moans, but you soon realized what he had been trying to say; he was cumming again, the tip of his cock leaking cum. 

The gasping breaths he took between moans sent you over the edge and you plowed into him, working yourself through your own climax.

When the room stopped spinning, you pulled your cock slowly out of him, admiring the way your cum leaked down his ass. 

You took a moment to catch your breath before smiling down at him. “How’d the repair go?”

“Actually,” he managed between pants. “I finished it… just before I came. The- the first time, that is. I must say… that was- it was quite resourceful.”

You shook your head, laughing in disbelief. “Come on, genius,” you smiled, holding your hand out to pull him up. “Let’s go get cleaned up.”

Thanks for reading! - River

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Tags: @writing-positivelyexisting @nekotaetae @lokigirlszendaya @get-wr3ckered @jediknightjana @idoubleswearimawriter @lucyysthings @unstable-kiwi @6oceansofmoons @l3xi3luv @winter-phoenix1995 @serenityselene @nomercyforthewarrior @ravenclawbitch426

Hot. Damn.

Target Practice

Crosshair x M!Reader

NSFW

Warnings: Snark, snarky flirting, hair pulling, Crosshair is a BOTTOM, reader is a top, manhandling, scratching, anal sex, fucking at the blaster range, rough sex, distracted fucking, prostate massage, creampie, Crosshair is a brat

Inspired by and written for @clownbloody! Thank you as always for the amazing inspiration!

You weren’t going to lie, you had been getting a little bored. Yes, there is something undeniably sexy about a man who’s good at his job, but you could only watch him pick off automated droid targets one by one for so long. You inched closer to him, your arm brushing against his.

“You’re making it difficult to concentrate,” Crosshair growled, not looking up from his scope. 

“Hey, you invited me, Hotshot,” you smirked. “Insisted on it, really.”

You saw his brow furrow as he sent three shots off in quick succession. “Fuck you.”

“I know you want me to, darling, but you said you were coming out here to practice.”

Crosshair didn’t reply, only shifting his toothpick between his lips.

Maker, the things you’ve seen him do with those lips.

“Besides, I thought you were an expert sniper,” you teased, ghosting your fingers across the back of his neck. You saw him fight a shudder. “Who’d have guessed you’re so easily distracted?”

He sent off a couple more shots, the blaster bolts finding their targets easily. “Maybe you’re just an expert pain in the ass.”

You laughed. “Oh, Crossy,” you grinned, leaning down so your lips were barely brushing against his ear. “We both know ‘pain’ isn’t the right word for what I do to your ass.”

Crosshair hissed as he fired, the shot still hitting the droid, but off to the side instead of his typical center mass. “Told you not to call me that.”

“I know,” you smiled, flicking your tongue out against his helix piercing. “But you know how much I enjoy pissing you off.”

“You don’t have to stay if you’re bored,” he grumbled as you shifted your position to lay next to him.

You were now in a very similar position, both prone, but where he faced the targets on the range, you faced your target: him.

He reached over to press a button, resetting the range while he grumbled about making Tech and Echo give him a real challenge.

“I can think of a way to make this more interesting for both of us,” you mused.

That earned a moment’s glance before he began firing again. “What?”

Got you now, you thought. “Pause the simulation for me, Hotshot?” you requested.

You heard him scoff, but he reached for the control pad, pressing another button on it.

You stood up, moving behind him. 

“What are you doing?” he asked, attempting to watch you over his shoulder.

“Stay in your position,” you instructed. “Just let me readjust it for you.”

He did as he was told, only flinching a tiny bit in surprise as you worked your fingers between the top and bottom half of his black underarmor. You might have imagined it, but you thought you heard a soft sigh from the sniper as your hands made contact with his hips.

He started to turn his head back to look at you. “Eyes front, soldier,” you scolded, reaching up to grab at his short curls, forcing his head back forwards.

You heard a muttering of annoyance, but the way the tips of his ears tinged pink betrayed him.

You grabbed his hips, fingers pressing in almost hard enough to bruise. You drew in a deep breath as you pulled his hips up suddenly.

He gasped, catching himself on his knees as his grip tightened on his rifle.

“You okay, Crossy?” you murmured, your hands roving over his newly presented ass and thighs.

“Fine,” he growled through gritted teeth, but his face was redder than the trim of his armor.

“And you’re…okay with this?” you prodded, slipping your hands under his shirt to run up and down his back.

“Go fuck yourself,” he grunted. 

“But I thought that’s what I had you for,” you teased, curling your fingers to claw long stripes down his back. A moan caught in his throat.

He could never make it easy for you, you knew. Could he let you know how much he enjoyed your attention? No, that would be too close to admitting the feelings he definitely did not have for you. And you certainly didn’t already know about those feelings.

“What I think you need is a proper challenge,” you said as you slowly eased his pants down, revealing his bare ass to you. “Let’s see if you can still hit all your targets, hm?”

You knelt down, craning your neck to lick a long stripe up from his balls to his pulsing asshole. 

“Just fuck me already,” he groaned.

“If you say so love,” you said as you slapped his ass, enjoying the way the skin flushed.

You pulled out a small bottle of oil you’d slipped into your pocket before, distributing it along your already hard cock and around his hole.

You lined yourself up, pressing into him.

You groaned as his ass eagerly took you in, delighting in the sighs that escaped him.

“Fucking hells, Cross,” you groaned, gripping his hips. “Fuck you’re perfect.”

“Move,” he pleaded - though it sounded more like a demand - as he pressed the button to start the simulation again.

He began firing as you began to rut into him. You went slowly at first, making sure he felt each inch of your cock entering and exiting him as you tried not to jostle him too much.

The first ten of the fifty targets down, you kept your speed pulling out, but switched to plunging your cock into him, hard and fast. He grunted with the first one and you could see sweat starting to drip down his temples.

Another five down and you switched back to the slow but steady pace, enjoying his little whimper of disappointment a little too much. But now as you pushed into him you rolled your hips, making sure to really brush up against that sweet spot inside him each time.

“Thought you said it would be a challenge,” he grunted out through his panting breaths. 

“Careful what you wish for, Hotshot,” you grinned, slapping his ass hard.

He groaned and you sped up your pace, slamming your hips against his roughly. You heard a string of curses he mumbled under his breath, so you quickened your thrusts even more. 

“Fuck, your ass is so fucking tight for me,” you moaned, lifting on leg to balance on your foot instead of your knee. It shifted the angle of your thrusts and you hit that perfect spot in his ass.

“Fuck,” he hissed, his legs beginning to shake under you.

You bent forward, grabbing at his short silver hair, yanking his head back.

“Only three more targets, Crossy,” you told him before releasing your grip on his hair and placing it back on his hips. 

You used all your strength to pull him against you as you thrust into him. He moaned as he fired, hitting one of the targets.

“You’re gonna make me cum,” you groaned, the wet sound of your balls slapping against his making your cock twitch inside him.

Another target down, one to go. “Fuck, fill me,” he all but whimpered as he lined up his final shot.

You reached around him as your hips began to stutter, grabbing his cock and roughly thrusting your hand around it.

He fell apart under you just after his final shot left his blaster. He shouted as he succumbed to the waves of pleasure washing over him, spilling his cum onto the floor beneath him as yours filled him so much that it started to spill out, dripping down his balls.

You’d both stopped moving, simply trying to catch your breath. Slowly, you began to pull out of him, your cock half-hardening again at the messy sight before you.

“I can’t believe you actually hit them all,” you scoffed.

“Must not have done a very good job distracting me,” Crosshair sneered, despite the way he still fought for breath. “Might have to give it another try.”

You groaned, sitting back on your heels. “You’re gonna have to give me like ten minutes.”

“Not so big and bad now, are you?”

“Shut your mouth and clean me up like a good boy.”

He moaned as he began to do as he was told.

This was going to be a beautifully long evening.

Thanks for reading! - River

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