I know I said this chapter wouldn't be posted until after the week of the Bad Batch release. But honestly I'm hoping to take the month of May off to frontload a bunch of chapters so I can have MAYBE a weekly schedule, or at the very least post more often because there are some FIRE chapters I wanna get to. I'm... also kinda tired of dragging this story out. At this point we're only half way through and I do want to eventually get into the greater clone wars universe with saving Echo and preventing Umbara. And I also know the longer a series drags on, the more people lose interest and leave. PLUS I wanna do a revisit to a lot of the beginning of OTRATTW and I cant do that until the book is complete so I can release a "revised" edition.
All that to say hopefully after May the chapters will come much quicker.
AS FOR THIS CHAPTER. It's long. Almost 5900 words long. We first see Wrecker who is also catching on to the Realm Walker bit, but THEN we get a bit of a surprise from Techie! That was SUPPOSED to wait until Ch. 38 but Tech said now.
It's a fun chapter, and I hope you do enjoy!
Also, Kindness (for those who care) is a Bolt Action .22 Rifle from Savage Arms. The Palmetto State Armory should have one that looks exactly like mine minus the scope. Tannerite is also... a blast XD
Content Warning: Mild violence, language, suggestive material, guns
That girl could fight !
He'd been so worried she would be hurt, but boy she proved herself a dangerous warrior.
And he loved it!
Wrecker paced in the clearing, kicking various scraps of droids away as he hummed a happy tune. As he ran to save them earlier, he'd switched to the feed from Hunter's helmet. What he saw only made him fall harder for Shadow.
She was just like him in battle! Up close and personal, using her body as a weapon. Damn could she kick hard!
He knew it was a good idea to have her fight. He just knew it!
Hunter hadn't believed him, and Shadow ended up saving him. Hunter would have managed, sure, but not as well as he had. Shadow saved his ass and the sarge better be grateful to her for it.
Wrecker really hoped Tech somehow recorded that like he recorded everything. He loved watching Shadow fight. Feral little Alphian!
That was her species, right? Alphian? Or at least the species she looked like now.
Something didn't add up about her. He didn't know if the others caught on, but there was just an oddity to her. He didn't reckon she was immortal, or anything like that, but he wouldn't be surprised if Shadow was from another...
Another what? Reality? Universe?
Silly as it sounded, he wouldn't be surprised.
What about one of those Realm Walkers from legends? Could she be one of those?
That would be really cool!
Wrecker didn't know much, but he found the concept fascinating. Magic in general was fascinating, but a multi-verse? Awesome!
Should he ask? No, that'd be too invasive. She got upset when asked about things like that. He didn't want her to feel uncomfortable around him!
She was one of the few outside his brothers that wasn't uneasy or mistrustful around him. He didn't want to kark it up with her. Romantically or... was it plitonic? Or platonic?
Either way. He wasn't losing her.
He could ask Hunter or Tech what they thought since they usually knew things he didn't, but if they didn't notice the oddities...
Wrecker didn't want to betray Shadow like that. She trusted him. He was keeping that trust no matter what. He was not losing her!
"Getting close," Hunter growled through the helmet.
Alright! More smashin' clankers! Nothing better than the feel of metal denting and crumpling beneath his fist, or sparks flying as he tore them limb from limb.
Looking up to the distant tree where Shadow perched on a branch above the path, half hidden by leaves and vines, he grinned beneath the helmet and gave a thumbs up.
She winked and returned the gesture with a thumbs of her own.
Gonna make you proud, Squeaky!
Cracking his neck and rolling his shoulders as the first droid came into view around the tree, he laughed in excitement. "Bring it on, clankers!" he challenged, letting loose a volley of shots.
"Blast him!"
Red streaked towards him, but Wrecker held no fear. Even if the bolts hit him directly, it'd take more than one or two to pierce his armor.
Need to get Squeak somethin' like this!
Was her ear ok? She had no armor like that, and with the way she fought she was bound to get scraped.
Or worse.
Not while I'm around !
Much as he hated seeing her upset, he loved that he was the one she always sought comfort from. He was the one she turned to for support. He was her overall favorite.
The thought filled him with energy and spirit, drawing another crazed laugh from him as he rushed to meet the droids head on. "Show me whatcha got!"
Down they fell. For those who didn't go down as easy, he helped them with a kick or by slamming one of their comrades into them. Or a punch did the trick just fine too.
"Here's Shadow!"
The woman dropped down behind the squad as Hunter raced out of the bushes to meet her and they attacked together.
Once again, Shadow relied heavily on her kicks and momentum to spin and slash her way through the tinnies.
He should introduce her to the count game! She would like it!
"Go, Squeak, go!" he cheered, using one droid like a bat to take out two more.
"Thanks, Wreck!" she laughed, leaping into the air and crashing down on a droid while driving her blades through its chest.
Such a badass fighter, he could watch her for hours. A shot across the back of his left shoulder reminded him that this was unfortunately not the place. But he made sure to teach the droid a lesson for trying to kill him.
A dented pile of sparks later, Wrecker turned to take out another droid only to find himself staring at a decimated sea of tan metal.
Between him, Shadow, Hunter, and Crosshair's occasional sniping, the droids lasted perhaps five minutes.
What a team they all made!
Breath ragged, Shadow laughed and came over to him. "Havin' fun, big guy?"
"Kark yeah!" he laughed, scooping her up and spinning around with her.
"You're gonna spin us to the ground!" Shadow warned, yet she continued to laugh.
She always got so playful around him, and he loved it!
He loved her .
"Hey! Knock it off, you two," Hunter barked.
There was, of course, the issue that Hunter did not like sharing. But he'd just have to get used to it.
Wrecker was Shadow's favorite. Her first pick.
None of the boys could take that away from him.
"I've got it!" Tech shouted from the undergrowth. "Shadow, I did it!"
But it seemed everyone wanted to be on her goodside. Even Crosshair, no matter how many times he denied it. Why did he have to be so bad at talking to girls though?
Wrecker held Shadow closer, a low growl in his throat, as Tech jogged out with his datapad in hand followed by Crosshair. Tech cuddled with her last night. It was Wrecker's turn now!
Shadow grunted and wriggled slightly. "Air."
"Sorry!" Wrecker gasped, quickly dropping her. He didn't hurt her, did he? He'd rather die than hurt her!
"Hey, it's ok, Scruff," Shadow assured him, leaning against him briefly and purring before turning to Tech who stopped in front of her.
"Shadow, I found it!"
"Let's hear it, Hackerman!"
"There's three total groups planetside," Tech began, tapping away at his datapad. "This one, consisting only of B1s under two commanders."
"Cross 'em out, we took care of 'em!" Wrecker boasted, slamming a fist to his chest.
"There's a unit of B2s in the crater with us," Tech continued, ignoring him. "Fifteen in number."
"Only fifteen?" Hunter snorted, helmet tucked under his arm. "Karkin' insulin'."
"I'll say!" Wrecker shouted. Did they really think that little of them? C'mon!
"There's one final squad," Tech said with a glare at them both. "May I tell Shadow or will I be interrupted again? Or perhaps I should let you decipher the central processing unit? Oh, wait. That's right. That's something only I can do."
"Tech," Hunter groaned. "Third squad?"
"Commandos."
A bit trickier. But not impossible! They'd taken care of them easily enough a few times before.
"Commandos?" Shadow echoed sharply, ears pinning and tail puffed out twice its size as her pupils narrowed.
She knew about commando droids?
"Yes, around ten of them," Tech chattered, unaware of Shadow's reaction. "They are not in the crater, but rather took a longer route around the rim."
"Shadow, what do you know about commando droids?" Hunter asked.
Shadow looked away. "Just that... a lot of troopers lose their lives to those bastards ."
"We can handle 'em, Squeak!" Wrecker assured her.
"Oh, I know you can," Shadow replied softly before shaking herself. "Yeah. Yeah it'll be fine. Just ten, Techie?"
"Yes. That is all of the preliminary force sent before the main force. We should have made it to the Vault and back through this crater before the main force reaches the planet."
A sudden chime from above sent their eyes skyward, only for them to all dive in different directions when a massive clump of metal crashed to the ground.
Getting to their feet, Hunter was the first to yell, " Rollie !"
Wrecker readied himself to smash it with a fist, only for it to roll away from him. And towards Shadow.
How dare this pile of scrap threaten her?!
Yet when Shadow dove out of the way, it didn't stop. Instead it headed straight for a tree and slammed into it.
Ok, maybe the tinnie just was slow on the uptake.
But... then it continued to roll around and crash into other trees without stopping to focus on them.
Regrouped near the edge of the trees, they stared at the droid as it went from tree to tree.
"Uh... whatcha make of this?" Shadow asked, gesturing.
"Never seen one do that," Hunter commented, head tilting to the side.
"Broken," Crosshair remarked.
"Obviously," Tech snorted.
"Where'd it come from?" Wrecker asked as it slammed into yet another tree.
"The sky I guess?" Shadow said, tail swishing side to side.
"There were no drodikas on the manifest I retrieved from the B1," Tech protested.
"Clearly there's a rollie," Hunter countered, gesturing at the crazed droid.
"Wrecker, can you put it out of its misery?" Shadow sighed. "This is just sad to watch. Like an old blind dog... with lasers."
Him! She asked him! Sweet, he got to show off in front of Shadow! "Gotcha covered, Squeak!" Wrecker laughed, running into the droids path. A triumphant yell and straight punch later the droid crumpled to the ground.
Shadow wandered over, a stick in hand. "Miss Kiesha?" she asked, poking it. "Miss Kiesha?"
What ?
She looked back at them. "Oh my fuckin' gods. She fuckin' dead."
Bizarre little mountain guide .
"Who is Miss Kiesha, or do I want to know?" Hunter asked slowly, clearly just as confused as Wrecker.
Shadow flashed a smile. "Remind me to show you Vines later."
Huh ?
"Vines?" Tech asked, pointing to one overhead.
A chuckle and a shake of the head. "Oh, hun."
" Hun ?" Tech echoed, eyes wide beneath his helmet.
Wrecker couldn't help but laugh. Surely his little brother knew Shadow was aware by now that he had a crush on her. And surely he knew she had a crush on him . Or maybe his nose was so buried in his datapad he didn't realize it yet.
"It's an expression, bud!" Shadow laughed, nudging him. "No, Vines are short funny videos. I quote them a lot. Yeet is from a Vine."
His new favorite word! "Do you have them on your phone?" Wrecker asked enthusiastically.
"I can access that one! But first we better deal with those B2s. Any ideas where they..." Her eyes narrowed. "Ah. Path lit up again."
"What?" Crosshair asked.
"It uh... magic makes the path glow. I can see it."
"That's cool!" Wrecker exclaimed.
"What do you mean glow ?"
"Mean what I said. We gonna argue or we gonna get movin'?"
She was still upset at Crosshair, it seemed. Understandable...
Wrecker just hoped they'd be friends by the end of the mission. Shadow certainly seemed willing until Crosshair went after her. It wasn't Crosshair's fault they'd gone through absolute shit, but it was his fault if he was mean to Shadow.
She only wanted to help!
When Crosshair stayed silent, Shadow remarked, "Good. Everyone ready?"
Affirmation echoed around the clearing.
"Alright, men. Let's hunt some droids."
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
That first battle went pretty well, all things considered!
Pity about my ear, though. I was rather attached to it. Or was it attached to me?
Yes .
Wow though, had that fight been exhilarating. Wrecker's near psychotic delight at destruction and chaos made perfect sense now. It was fun !
Seeing the boys fight in person had been quite an experience too. Damn could Hunter move. And Wrecker's power?
Mark me down as scared and horny!
Distracted, I pulled a Rex and bonked my head into a low branch. "Ow!"
"Shadow?" Tech exclaimed. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," I groaned, rubbing my head as my face burned.
"Distracted, Ice?"
Damn your nose . "Don't know what you mean," I grumbled, tail twitching furiously at the tip.
"Sure," he chuckled, nudging me.
"You like the show, Squeak?" Wrecker teased from my other side.
Bruhhhhhhhhhhh .
"Leave me be, pair of jackals," I growled, pushing them away.
"You know you love us," Hunter laughed.
Couldn't refute that.
Tech shouldered his way in between Wrecker and I. He'd been oddly... clingy for the past hour or so. "How does this 'clairvoyance' work?" he asked, vambrace ready for notes.
I looked back at the glowing blue trail leading me on through the jungle. "Well, it's blue for one thing."
"Shape? Is it a continuous line?"
"Um... ok so like... " I squinted at it. "You know how stars travel through the galaxy right?"
"Yes!"
"And then the planets have the spiral orbital tracks around it?"
"Correct."
"Like that. There's a star in the center and a singular planet orbiting around it as it travels through the jungle," I explained.
"Elliptical pattern?"
"I think? I don't know man. I suck at terms," I sighed.
"I can visualize it!" Tech assured me. "You are interested in astronomy?"
"Aye! Very fascinating!"
"Your nerd is showing," Hunter commented.
"What a concept for I am, in fact, a nerd!"
"Haven't been acting like a nerd, Squeak!"
"Haven't had a reason to," I snickered.
"What's your favorite science branch?" Tech asked.
"Mmm. Natural sciences mainly."
"What your degree is in."
"Correct. I do love biology too, though botany can rot in hell. Plants befuddle me."
"What is your favorite natural science?"
"Geology, geography, and ocean-" I abruptly halted as I turned a corner around a big rock and saw the patrol of B2s... completely destroyed. "-Ography..."
The boys stopped beside me, pulling their helmets off to join me in staring at the carnage. Not a single droid had been spared and, after a quick count, I discovered that the entire patrol was here. And dead.
"What in the Sam Hill happened here?" I said, slowly moving forward through the sparking remains. B2s were nothing to sneeze at! But yet the entire patrol was nothing but piles of spare parts.
I don't like the look of this...
"This... is all of them. They're all destroyed," Tech exclaimed after a quick count.
"Looks like someone got here before we did," Hunter remarked, nudging a shredded B2 with his boot.
"Yeah, but who?" Crosshair muttered, helmet cradled under his arm and a toothpick in his mouth.
Seriously, where did he keep getting those? That little pocket on his belt?
"Dunno, Twiggs," I said slowly, looking at the jagged gashes in the chest of one droid.
Hunter knelt down by the droid, slipping off his helmet.
"Whatcha see, Hunt?" I asked, standing beside him and peering at the earth.
A footprint.
No.
Hoofprint .
I knelt down beside it. Two main impressions, looked to be a deer. Or...
A creature flashed in my mind.
Large boar with heavy armor plating along its back and massive, wickedly sharp tusks. The image flash gave no name, but it didn't need to. I didn't need to know the name to know this pig was bad news.
"Whose print did you find?" Crosshair asked, standing beside me.
"Not who ," I corrected with a swish of my tail. "What."
"What?" Tech asked, crowding in and looking over my shoulder as Wrecker stood guard behind us.
I twitched my ears. "That's what I said. There's no 'who' in this equation." I looked out over the sea of destroyed B2s. "We're dealing with a pack of armored wild boars."
The low rumble of drums began in the distance, setting us all on edge.
"Where are those damn drums coming from?" Hunter growled, pulling out his side arm as he straightened.
"Not the issue right now, I don't think," I replied, hand going to my sabers as I stood as well. Cross, you're in my space.
Then again, that did seem to be his method of apology. Just silent, nearby hovering. Like an apologetic wasp.
I'll allow it .
"Do those drums mean the jungle is going to throw some other hell our way?" Hunter asked.
"Correct. Guess these porkers are level two."
"Any suggestions on how to deal with them, animal expert?"
"Need to recon and find 'em." I mulled over options then groaned. "Can't believe I'm sayin' this given how it's usually a death sentence, but we should split up and see if we can get a glimpse of where these pigs from hell went."
"Split up?" Wrecker echoed.
"We'd cover more ground and the tracks seem to lead in two different directions," I explained. "The hogs are big and dumb, but still clever. They split in opposite directions and converge at the center. Then, once the fight is done, they split and regroup elsewhere."
"Divide and conquer," Hunter remarked with a nod.
"Yeah. So, let's do the same. Will make it harder for them to tell we're comin', too. But, and I know y'all gonna hate it, but do not engage if you see one."
"Aw, what?" Wrecker whined.
"Look around, Wreck. A group of fifteen super battle droids was taken out by pigs they outnumbered three to one. We're neck and neck with the pack." I offered a sly smile as I nudged the demolition expert. "But trust me, with the plan I have in mind, it'll be well worth the wait."
"What's on your mind?" Hunter asked.
"You'll see. First, we need to find the fuckers."
"I think splitting up is a great idea. Shadow, you and I can go this way."
We all stared at Tech. "Huh?"
"That way each group will have a tracker. Crosshair and Wrecker can go with Hunter."
Ok, he was plotting something. His fidgeting had gotten worse. But what was he planning?
Curiouser and curiouser. "I mean... I'm down. Makes sense," I said with a shrug.
"I don't like you two going alone," Hunter said with a shake of his head as he stepped closer to me.
Tech grabbed my arm. "We will be fine. Come on, Shadow."
I shrugged and grinned apologetically at Hunter as Tech dragged me away. "Stay safe, Sarge! Contact Tech if somethin' happens!" As Hunter's face dropped into what I could only call a pout , I turned to follow Tech. "I'm comin' nerd, I'm comin'!"
Who lit a fire under your ass?
After we were out of even Hunter's hearing range and after he slipped his helmet back on, Tech turned to me. "Shadow... I must tell you something".
Those words slammed into me with the force of a rogue wave. Is this going where I think it is?
"What's up, Techie?" I asked, taking care to keep an eye on the pig tracks.
"First I... apologize for being so forward with my curiosity concerning your species' physiology. I realize I have made you uncomfortable and I promise that was not my intention at all!" Tech began, voice slightly squeaky. "I am sorry for putting you under stress."
"Ain't gonna hate on curiosity," I said with a shrug and a tail swish. "With the amount of things I like to look up, I can hardly talk."
"I like hearing you talk. You are very knowledgeable on many topics and it is refreshing to meet someone who understands the value of science."
Oh, so you're gonna make my stomach a butterfly garden again huh? "I appreciate the... vote of confidence, Techie." That's probably not the right term but oh well . "But that's not really what I meant. I meant I can't hate on people for being curious."
"Oh." His brows furrowed. "I still enjoy hearing you talk."
"Glad you do, Techie." I smirked. "So, how many recordings of me do you have so far?"
I saw a faint blush spread across his cheeks under his helmet. "Only... only a few."
"And now, ironically, I'm curious. Do tell, Techie," I purred, a sly grin on my face.
"Er, I cannot show you here. I do not have the equipment and you would not fit in my helmet with your ears."
I fit in Wrecker's. Then again his head is bigger than Techie's . In more ways than one . "Then tell," I chuckled, nudging him. "You're a talkative fella."
What was teasing warmth on my end turned to guilt as he shrank back. "Is that bad?"
You upset the nerd, good job.
But... seeing someone worry about being annoying when talking about things they liked...
It hit way too close to home.
"Techie..." I began, pain deep within my chest. I knew all too well how it felt to ask that question. "There's nothing wrong with it. At all. You get so passionate and animated when you talk. And the joy in your eyes... I love it. You wouldn't be you if you didn't share your knowledge." I snorted softly in amusement. "Granted, your timing needs... work. But that's a situational issue. Not an issue with you."
"Crosshair tells me to shut up," Tech mumbled.
"Crosshair's more prickly than the lovechild of a cactus and barbed wire fence." And more complicated than a graduate course on organic chemistry. " The amount of knowledge you got in that brilliant head of yours is nothing short of amazing . I mean that."
"Thank you, Shadow."
I nudged him with a smile. "Course, Techie. I got your back."
His eyes scrunched under the helmet, and I was honestly sad that I couldn't see that smile of his. I loved it to bits.
"What were you drafting last night? When I came in?"
I faltered, which he quickly noticed.
"You go to such lengths to assure me I don't annoy you by talking about my interests but you cannot talk about yours without worrying?"
Wow! Call out, much? "I came out to have a good time, and I'm honestly feeling so attacked right now," I gasped in mock offense, slapping my hand to my chest.
"I'm not attacking you!" Tech exclaimed.
"It's an expression, nerd!"
"You use a lot of expressions," he groaned.
"Correct-a-mundo, Techie!" I laughed. "But if you're ever unsure, just assume I mean it in a playful way. Unless you see a bristling tail and flat ears, I'm not really angry."
"You are very emotive," Tech agreed. "It is interesting to watch."
"I wear the badge of 'interesting' with pride , I guarantee that!" I said with a wide grin.
His eyes scrunched once more in a smile. Then it faded as his heartbeat increased. "Shadow there's... there's something else. Something else I've been meaning to tell you since we left the farm this morning."
I cocked my head to the side. "Aye?"
Tech took a deep breath. "Shadow... I have... feelings for you. Really intense... I think I have a crush on you."
Wat.
Huh?
I just blinked at him.
"See," he began, words rushing out. "It's... whenever I'm around you, I get excited. You... my stomach feels funny and I can't help but smile. I want to be around you, and I can't stop thinking about you either. Seeing you happy makes me happy too. There are various other symptoms I experience in your proximity..."
"Why you say symptoms like I'm a sort of virus, Techie?" I could help my ask, my own brain a mush. I know my name is Shadow, but there's no 'Blue' in front of it.
"I just have never experienced them before," Tech stammered. "And technically they are signs indicative of the existence of something, in this case my crush, so calling them symptoms would be accurate terminology."
I suppose that made sense. "So that's why you were askin' about Alphian courtin' habits." Ok, idiot, why else would he be asking about that?
Why could I immediately spot a crush when it didn't involve me? Two outsiders? Oh hell yeah it was so obvious. But a crush towards me ?
"I..." Tech began, tugging at his fingers. "I wanted to do it right and in accordance with your culture but... I just had to tell you now. I feel... agitated whenever Hunter or Wrecker get close to you."
Oh that's why he's been clingy. How did I not connect the dots on that one? "That would be jealousy, Techie."
"I know," Tech remarked. "I have studied the signs and-"
"Textbooks and articles only teach you so much," I interrupted. "To know , you have to experience it first hand. So, Tech... what do you feel ? Right now?"
He blinked, uncertain silence stretching between us before he ventured, "My heart rate is abnormal and it is rather hard to articulate my thoughts, which are signs of nervousness."
"Nervous because...?"
"I worry I am making a fool out of myself in your culture," he admitted.
"I'm a bit... detached from Alphian culture. And you are not making a fool out of yourself at all . It's... clumsy but in an endearin' sort of way," I assured him.
"I see. Aside from that I..." He swallowed. "Do you feel the same?"
"Well I mean... yeah."
His eyes widened. "You do?"
"Aye. Got a crush on you too, nerd!" I laughed.
"Really?"
"Really really," I affirmed with a nod and a grin.
"That's... that's wonderful!" he exclaimed, bouncing. "Shadow I... I can't believe it!" His enthusiasm faltered slightly. "I... I must be dreaming still."
"I assure you, Techie, this is very real," I teased, then opened my arms. "Hug?"
I could hug him right then and there, but Tech was... funny with physical touch. If he had a choice or initiated he seemed relatively fine, so maybe-
Plastoid armor crashing into me and biting into my neck as Tech threw his arms around me confirmed that yes, Tech was more than fine with physical touch right now.
His helmet was a bit painful against my cheek and the visor bent my wounded ear back, but that didn't really matter right now.
Wrecker.
Hunter.
Tech.
Three Batchers. Three! Holy shit! How did I even manage this?!
Tightening my arms around Tech's lower back, pulling him closer, I purred loudly.
Only to abruptly silence myself when Tech stiffened.
"Shadow," Tech gulped, slowly backing out of the embrace. "What do the boars look like?"
I turned and saw a truly monstrous pig staring us down, hate in its dark eyes.
"Uh, that," I said, voice sharp.
We were having a moment, damn porker!
Not that this bastard cared. No, these overgrown meat sacks were carnivores, for some reason, and metal didn't make for a good meal.
But us?
I'd stared down an animal with hunger in its eyes once. Sitting on my grandmother's back porch deep in the hills of Kentucky when I was seven, playing with the cats after the sun had gone down, I found myself only a few feet from a rather savage looking coyote. I still harbor a deep hatred for those cat killing bastards , and apparently one of the momma cats felt the same way because she chased that mangy fucker back into the woods.
But I would never forget the look in that coyote's eyes.
So similar to the monster I stared down now.
Keeping my eyes on the beast, I growled, "When I say dive, tuck and roll to the left. I'm doing right."
"I thought you didn't want us to engage," Tech said as he shifted his weight to his toes.
"I don't think this walkin' bacon buffet is gonna give us a choice," I growled, tail bristling furiously yet slowly sweeping from side to side.
"Don't you speak to animals?"
"Only if they want to talk back, which pork chop here clearly does not!" I retorted.
The porker proved my point by snorting and pawing the ground.
"Sent a distress signal to Hunter," Tech said.
"Good-"
Another bellow and stomp of the foot from piggy before the tensed and charged forward.
"Wait... wait!" I said, claws digging into the earth as it barreled towards us.
Not yet.
Not yet ...
"Dive!"
Tech and I both leapt in different directions, tucking into shoulder rolls and jumping up ready to fight.
Tech blasted the boar, but the shots merely buried themselves in the thick armored hide along the boar's back.
Deciding Tech was the main threat, the boar squealed with rage and charged after the engineer.
Tech dove into a narrow slot between two logs, just wide enough for him to fit through. But I knew that barrier wouldn't last long.
Splinters of wood and bits of moss flew through the air as the boar rammed into the logs once.
Another charge and he very well could break them. Tech's blasters weren't doing shit, except for making the piggy madder.
Looks like it was my time to shine.
I'd just gotten a crush confirmation. I was not losing Techie this soon!
I charged at the boar from the side. " Semper fi , motherfucker!" I snarled, dropping to the ground and sliding underneath the beast. Stabbing my blades into the shaggy underbelly, I gutted the damn pig as I slid out from under it.
It squealed, more like roared, in agony and tried to turn and charge me again but fell to the jungle floor. Wheezing out wet coughs, it glared at me and jerked its tusks towards me.
"Sorry, piggy." I stood next to its head and planted my foot on its snout. Raising my sabers, aiming for its eyes, I bared my teeth in a snarl. "Lights out."
I plunged them down.
Another horrible sequel and the pig went still.
Abandoning the dead porker, I went over and quickly helped Tech out of his hiding spot.
"That... thank you!" he panted, then moved past to inspect the armor. "Tough hide."
"No match for kyber," I chuckled, trying not to drool as I panted. Seriously, what the fuck was up with saliva when humans ran? It was stupid.
"What does 'Semper fi' mean?" Tech asked.
" Semper fidelis . Always loyal."
"Shadow!"
I turned and saw Hunter had made it to us, followed quickly by Crosshair and Wrecker.
I grinned at them and laughed in triumph, planting my foot on the boar. "The mighty Shadow is victorious!"
Movement under my foot sent me into the air with a yelp as I launched myself away. Cheeks blazing, I pointed towards the men. "Not a word or a laugh!"
"Wouldn't dream of it," Hunter grunted, coughing suspiciously.
"Bullshit, you scruffy lookin' nerf herder."
"Someone's feeling nasty today."
"What's wrong? Don't like it when I'm nasty?"
"Depends on the caliber."
I raised an eyebrow at that.
Naughty naughty.
Focus! Jungle heat and action really gettin' you hornier than a drunk nun, huh?
A stifled sneeze from Hunter confirmed it.
Thankfully the others didn't take notice.
But that didn't matter.
Hunter knew.
" So !" I yelped, gesturing towards the boar. "Here's what destroyed the B2s."
"Good kill," Hunter commented, coming closer. "Looks like we got lunch."
"Aw yeah! Fresh meat!" Wrecker cheered.
I shook my head. "Not yet. They live in groups of five. There's four more we gotta deal with." A wicked grin split my face. "And I know just the trick."
"How, Icy?"
"How y'all feel about some fried bacon?"
"What?" Hunter asked.
"Learned this from a park ranger, actually. Wrecker, drag the hog into that open space. Hunter, start stabbin'. We need blood to attract the others."
"What are you doing, Shadow?" Tech asked as the two got to work with confusion yet enthusiasm.
"Tannerite trap." I turned to Crosshair. "You. Sniper man. Find a tree."
"Want me to set it off?"
"No. You're findin' me a tree so I can set it off."
"You?"
"Got a problem with that?"
Silence before Crosshair turned and headed off.
I beckoned the nerd closer. "C'mere, chemist. We're gonna do some mixin'!"
Once we set everything up and Crosshair called us over to a tree a good distance away, I slipped off my pack and unzipped it. "Y'all ready to meet Kindness?"
"Aw yeah!" Wrecker cheered.
"Sshhh, easy, big guy. Keep it low so we don't give our location," I chuckled, reaching in. "Kindness, bolt action rifle."
Hard, rough plastic materialized in my hands and I began to pull it out.
"Woah," Wrecker gasped. "Really do have a magic pack!"
"Indeed." Unlatching it, I grinned as I opened the top. "There she is."
"Nice gun," Hunter commented.
"Thank you, Sarge." Taking the rifle and pulling the protectors off the scope lens, I handed it to Hunter. "Hold please." Scooping up the ammo clip, I climbed up into a fork in the tree and positioned myself so I'd have a clear shot.
"Alright, Shaggy. Gun, please?"
Carefully passing it up to me, he asked, "How big of an explosion will this make?"
"Nothing super big, I'm afraid," I sighed, inserting the clip and chambering a round. Glancing through the scope, I grinned. Perfect shot. All I had to do now was wait.
Boots scraping against bark alerted me to someone climbing up with me, and I squinted down at Crosshair. "What's with you and invadin' my tree?" I growled.
"Never seen you shoot."
A statement or an admonishment, I wasn't sure which.
Didn't care.
I had bigger concerns.
Like the sound of hogs approaching the trap.
Peering through the scope, I breathed slow and deep as the boars came into view.
They sniffed the air and looked around, before racing forward to tear apart their fallen comrade.
Cannibals...
Breathe deep. Breathe slow.
Let the rifle rise and fall.
Slowly squeeze the trigger.
Gently.
Let it surprise you.
Get ready for the kickback.
In.
Out.
"Got this," Crosshair murmured, and a quick glance to the side revealed that he wasn't looking through his scope. In fact, he didn't even have the rifle out.
He was staring straight at me.
"It's my shot," I hissed softly.
"I know." A small nod. "Got this."
Why do you always have to open yourself up when I can't fully invest in your actions?!
" Now you believe in me."
"Never stopped."
I'm trying to make a shot, Twiggy! Shoot your shot later!
Yet those two words... they struck deep and filled me with a strange sort of determination.
Approval.
I had Crosshair's approval .
He thought I could make the shot.
Trusted me to make the shot.
Guess it was time to show his faith in me wasn't misplaced.
I took a deep breath.
Ready...
Zeroed in on the small patch of white amongst the earthen tones.
Aim.
Slowly squeezed.
Fire .
A sharp crack. A flash of light. A jolt in my chest. A loud boom. A roaring fireball.
The resulting explosion engulfed the boars. Two died instantly, one soon followed, and the last continued to roar in pain as it writhed into the ground.
A bright blue bolt raced from the rifle below me and hit its mark on the underside of the boar's jaw, putting an end to the final member of the pack.
"Thanks, Cross," I said, hitting his shoulder with my tail as a cheer came from below us.
"That's my Squeaky!"
Wrecker's exclamation brought a smile to my face and I looked down. "Gents!" I laughed. "Lunch is served!"