Chapter 5

Tech had been face-first into his computer screen looking for ways to get around or disarm the firewall that was preventing Echo from freedom of his own mind. It was the middle of the night (or whatever you call it when you're in the middle of space)

Wrecker, Crosshair, and Hunter were asleep in the other room. Tech could hear the slight snoring coming from Wrecker, no doubt. They had all been through a lot and deserved to sleep. Tech hadn't earned that privilege yet, he had to get his brother unplugged first. He did it once, he can do it again. File after file, program after program, Tech searched for anything to help his Vod.

"Tech?"

Tech jumped a little from his computer as a voice suddenly filled the once silent space. He turned to see a tired and sluggish, Hunter in the door way from the bunks they shared. He was in his blacks, his hair was messy and each strand was in every different direction. He had lines across the side of his face from where the fabric on the pillow bunched up underneath his head.

"What are you doing up?" Hunter asked walking towards Tech and an unconscious Echo laying on the medical bed in the wall.

"Working, what does it look like I'm doing. I still haven't disconnected Echo from this date base." Tech said pushing his glasses up his nose.

"Tech, take a break. Sleep, Echo will be fine." Hunter said

"I can't, not when Echo is like this. I've seen him like this before and-" Tech trailed off remembering the sight of Echo when he and Rex went to rescues him on Skako Minor.

"We all did Tech," Hunter started.

"No, you saw him after he was unplugged, Rex and I were the ones who had to unplug him and take him out of the stasis chamber. He didn't know where he was, he was weak and pale. Even though I didn't know him like I do now… it just…" Tech trailed off, "… and now he has to go through it again. Its' not fair and I'm not leaving him in this state for longer than he has to be."

Hunter had never seen Tech like this before. He seemed so out of character from the day-to-day Tech that he knew. Tech had turned back around in his chair facing his computer once more as he continued to type. Hunter nodded to himself and made his way into the kitchen worried about both of his brothers he just left.

A few minutes later he returned with two mugs full of a black liquid. He set one cup down next to Tech, "If you're gonna be working all night you might want some caf to help you stay awake."

Tech looked down at the mug than back to hunter, "Thank you Hunter," he said and took a sip before typing something else into his computer.

Hunter took a sip of his own mug before laying himself down on the couch a few feet away from where Tech and Echo were. He propped his had up on the arm rest and an extra pillow as he closed his eyes listening to the soft sound of Tech's typing and tinkering.

Crosshair woke up feeling rather warm. He made an attempt to move into a colder spot when he realized that he was being held in place by something. His eyes shot open and as soon as the panic came it left just as quick as he discovered the problem.

"Wrecker…. Wrecker!" Crosshair yelled,

Wrecker's eyes popped open and noticed Crosshair's alert face. He looked at him curiously.

"Get. Off. Me." Crosshair said sternly.

Wrecker had swung his arm and leg over Crosshair in the night and was holding him almost like one would with a teddy bear. Wrecker quickly realized what his brother was talking about and removed his arm off of his chest while Crosshair kicked and shoved the rest of Wreckers body off of him.

He stood up from the pile of blankets and pillows that were thrown on the floor from the last time they were on the ship and Wrecker had challenged Crosshair to a pillow fight. Of course, Crosshair didn't agree at first but with a few swings at his face and some challenging words Crosshair was more than ready to thrown pillows at his Vod's face to prove a point.

Crosshair pulled his shirt down, straightening all the wrinkles in it and made his way to the common area. Hunter was passed out on the couch and Tech was unconscious at his desk, his face pressed against his keyboard. Echo, to his surprise, was stirring slightly.

Crosshairs eyebrows knitted together as he moved closer towards Echo. His brow was layered with sweat and his left hand had gripped around the thin sheets that covered his underweight figure.

"Echo?" Crosshair tried, he lifted his hand to gently touch Echo's shoulder and decided against it in fear of scaring him. But, to his relief, Echo calmed down and came still once again. His brothers face relaxed but broken.

Crosshair sighed and went to go pour himself a cup of caf that he definitely needed.

Hunter was awake as well as Wrecker and Crosshair. Tech was still asleep at his desk; Hunter draped a blanket over him and let him rest as he made his way to the cock pit.

"So, fearless leader, where do we go now." Crosshair said in his usually slimy voice.

Hunter sighed, "I don't know, we need to go somewhere off the grid. I would've wanted to take Echo to the Jedi Temple where Anakin and Rex might be but with whatever Order 66 is I'm not sure that's a smart idea anymore."

"Well, that's comforting," Crosshair said folding his arms and glared at Wrecker who was sitting in the back chair in the cockpit.

"We need somewhere we cand hide out," Hunter said thinking out loud.

"What about Lothal, that's on the outer rim ain't it?" Wrecker chimed in.

"No, they are affiliated with the Jedi Order, we need to get away from both the Republic and the Separatists." Hunter said

"Ok how about Queah." Wrecker said moving his hands while he spoke. Hunter and Crosshair turned and stared at him for a moment.

"… Queah?" Crosshair said slowly in disbelief wondering if Wrecker was joking or if he was that stupid, "You do know that place is a waste land and hardly habitable, right?"

"How am I suppose to know these things!" Wrecker wined throwing his hands in the arm for exaggeration.

"What about Seelos?" Hunter suggested, "It's remote and in the outer rim territories. It's the perfect place to hide. Plus, it's not like we can trust anyone right now with everything that's going on."

"What about Echo?" Wrecker asked,

"I'm sure Tech can find something at a near by market if he needs anything at all. We wont be there long, just long enough to refuel, resupply and figure out our next move." Hunter said looking at both of his vod

"Alright, Seelos it is." Crosshair said.

Hunter nodded and turned around in the pilot's seat and set the coordinates for Seelos.