Cold
This is set after season 1 with Crosshair in the mix. Enjoy.
This had been the team's first mission after spending a long time laying low. Cid had sent this to a cold and snowy planet to retrieve a package. The problem was the fact that to get to the location, the team had to walk 3 days in the snow. They managed to get the package and were heading back to the ship. Omega was fascinated with the snow and every once in a while would look up into the sky and then picked up a handful of snow.
"How long till we get back?" Wrecker questioned.
"If you'd pick up the pace, we'll be there tonight." Echo replied.
Wrecker picked up a handful of snow and formed it into a ball. He threw it and watched as it hit Tech in the back. Tech glared at Wrecker but kept walking. Omega giggled and looked up at Wrecker. Wrecker made another ball and threw it at Crosshair and it hit him in the leg. Crosshair glared and rolled his eyes. Hunter rolled his eyes and shook his head. Then he felt a snowball hit him in the neck. He yelped and looked around to see Omega and Wrecker laughing while Crosshair and Echo tried to control themselves.
"Who threw that?" Hunter questioned.
"It was him/ the kid!" Wrecker and Omega exclaimed as they pointed at each other. Hunter growled and started walking again. Omega picked up a handful of snow and formed it into a ball. She giggled to herself and stepped away from Wrecker. She walked over to Echo and Crosshair who saw the snowball in her hand. Omega paused and threw the ball as hard as she could and watched as it hit Wrecker in the arm. It didn't even faze him.
"Here's how you do it." Crosshair stated as he made a snowball. He aimed at Wrecker and sent the ball flying. It hit Wrecker in the head and Wrecker let out a yell causing everyone to stop and look.
"It's on." Wrecker challenged. He picked up a snowball and threw it towards Crosshair but instead it hit Omega who yelped. Wrecker chuckled only to get nailed in the face by Hunter. Hunter grabbed Omega and the two hide behind a pile of snow. Tech joined Wrecker while Echo and Crosshair hid behind their own snow pile. A snowball fight broke out and it wasn't long before the teams were competed to see who'd win. After Tech had been hit by Omega for the third time, he stepped out.
"Hey, where are you going?" Wrecker questioned.
"I can't do this. Everyone's hit me. Omega's hit me several times already. I'm sorry, Wrecker, but you don't need my help." Tech answered. Tech waved his hand and sat on the sideline.
"Should have known you had no guts."
"I could have told you that when we met."
Wrecker chuckled and looked around for his next target.
"Knew it wouldn't take long for Tech to give up." Echo stated. Then Echo groaned as he felt joints struggle. "I'm sorry, Crosshair. I guess I'm out too."
"Afraid your joints will freeze and break?" Crosshair teased.
"As a matter of fact, yes."
"Chicken."
"And you can do this yourself."
Echo joined Tech and Omega tapped Hunter.
"We're the only team left. Tech and Echo are out." Omega said.
"This is until the last man or team is standing and now it's getting challenging," Hunter replied as he ducked Wrecker's ball. Crosshair signaled to Hunter asking to team up. "Hey, Crosshair wants to join us. Should we let him?"
"No. I think he's about to give up."
"Agreed."
Hunter shook his head and Crosshair glared. Hunter and Omega attacked Crosshair who groaned and tried to get them back, but then Wrecker started to attack him.
"I give." Crosshair exclaimed before getting hit again by Hunter. "I'm out."
Crosshair joined Tech and Echo and watched.
"Who do you think is gonna win?" Echo wondered.
"Well, Hunter has his senses and he has a good aim and his hits hurt. Omega has endless energy. Both have kept at the same pace. Hunter won't give up till she does and even then he might stay in. Wrecker is already getting worn out. If Omega and Hunter keep up at their pace, Wrecker will be out in say 5 minutes." Tech explained.
"I can agree with that. What about you Crosshair?"
"I'm not voting for Wrecker." Crosshair stated.
They watched as the remaining three continued to fight. HUnter's senses had finally failed him and he took a blow to the face, but it didn't stop him.
"We have to win this, Omega. When I give you the signal, move to that pile of snow closer to Wrecker." Hunter whispered. Hunter distracted Wrecker while Omega ran. Then he joined her.
"Uh oh." Wrecker realized. Wrecker tried his best, but he was about ready to collapse.
"He's almost done, Omega. Keep it up." Hunter said.
"This is fun." Omega giggled. Hunter made a snowball and snuck up behind Wrecker. Wrecker noticed that Hunter was missing and he looked around. Hunter jumped Wrecker and shoved the snowball down the back of his armor. Wrecker let out a yelp and a lot of hollering. Hunter fell to the ground and laughed as everyone laughed as they watched Wrecker run around trying to get the snow out of his armor. Eventually, he collapsed and panted.
"I'm done." Wrecker panted. "Kid wins."
Omega cheered and walked over with Hunter.
"We got ya good," Omega said.
"We sure did," Hunter answered. "Let's rest for a bit and then keep going."
After a short break, the batch started walking again, but this walk was quieter.
Sometime later, they came across the lake and Hunter checked the ice.
"We'll be safe just as long no one falls," Hunter stated. "Omega, I want you right behind me."
"Ok," Omega answered.
They carefully started walking across the ice and Hunter listened closely. Omega almost slipped and Hunter caught her. He decided to carry Omega and then he heard it. He could hear the ice breaking in front of him.
"Stop," Hunter ordered. Everyone stopped and Hunter took a step forward. The ice broke away causing Hunter and Omega to fall into the water. Hunter hit his head on the ice and groaned. Everything hurt and he couldn't tell what was going on.
"Careful! Follow my lead." Crosshair warned. He could see Hunter keeping his head and Omega's over the water, but he knew they were in shock. Everyone followed Crosshair to the two and Wrecker pulled them out of the water and laid them on the ice carefully.
"Are you ok?" Echo questioned.
"Not really." Omega shivered.
Hunter didn't answer. Instead, he pulled Omega close and whimpered painfully. He shivered and hissed painfully.
"His senses are overloading." Crosshair warned.
"He's hugging me too tight." Omega panicked.
"Don't fight. You're warm to him. He also needs to make sure you're ok."
Omega nodded and hugged Hunter back.
"I'm ok, Hunter," Omega whispered. Hunter nodded and relaxed.
"We need to find shelter now. Both of them have hypothermia and they need rest." Tech stated. Crosshair stood up and looked around.
"I see a cave where we can hide." Crosshair stated. "Wrecker, get Hunter. Tech, get the kid, and be careful."
Tech and Wrecker grabbed Hunter and Omega and Crosshair led them across the lake. They raced to the cave and Crosshair checked inside.
"It's safe. Go." Crosshair stated. Everyone rushed in and walked as far back as they could. Echo set up their equipment and soon, it was light and warm.
"We need to get them out of these clothes." Echo said. Crosshair and Echo grabbed Hunter and Omega's packs and pulled out their change of clothes.
"Omega, go behind us and change," Tech suggested. Omega shivered and nodded. She changed out of her clothes and Crosshair cursed.
"His pack was compromised. Most of his stuff is wet." Crosshair stated. Omega walked over and sat down on Wrecker's lap. Wrecker covered Omega in blankets and kept her warm.
"I brought two changes of blacks. He can fit into my other ones." Wrecker replied. Crosshair opened Wrecker's pack and grabbed a pair of blacks. Tech and Crosshair helped Hunter change out of his wet clothes. When Crosshair removed Hunter's bandana, he saw the wound and he looked at Tech. "That's not good."
"No." Crosshair sighed.
Tech treated Hunter's head and Hunter hissed painfully.
"Hunter, you need to talk to us," Tech stated.
"Cold." Hunter shivered.
"Well, you did fall into a frozen lake. Did you swallow any water?" Crosshair questioned. Hunter nodded weakly and Tech confirmed it. "What about the kid?"
"I did," Omega answered. Tech examined Omega and sighed.
"It's not bad, but we won't be able to move for a day or two. The two will probably come down with a fever and have some congestion." Tech explained.
"We won't be able to last that long. We only have enough for another day." Echo warned. "We can keep them wrapped up. It's not too far. We should still wait till the morning."
"Agreed."
Crosshair wrapped Hunter in some blankets and noticed that Hunter was growing worse already.
"He should be getting better." Crosshair stated.
"He will soon," Tech answered. Echo handed Crosshair and Wrecker a cup of hot liquid and they helped Omega and Hunter drink some of it. Omega finished hers, but after a sip, Hunter started fighting. Crosshair took a sip and shook his head.
"It's too sweet. HE won't drink it."
"He needs something." Echo replied.
Crosshair grabbed Hunter's pack and grabbed some packets. He tossed them to Echo who stared at them. He poured hot water into a cup and opened a packet. He poured the powder in and stirred it. He handed it to Crosshair who helped Hunter drink it. Hunter started fighting and Tech stopped Hunter.
"You have to drink, Hunter," Tech stated. Hunter took a sip and started coughing. Tech helped Hunter get comfortable while Crosshair helped Hunter drink the liquid. When Hunter was done, he looked at Omega who was snuggled in several blankets and Wrecker's arms. "The rest of us should change into warmer clothes."
The others changed out of their wet clothes and made supper and checked on Hunter and Omega.
"You had quite an adventure today." Echo stated as he helped Omega into her bedroll.
"Yes, but I wouldn't want it to happen again," Omega answered.
"I can imagine."
Omega looked over at Hunter who was in and out of consciousness.
"Will Hunter be alright?" Omega wondered.
"I hope so." Echo answered.
Echo walked over to Crosshair and Tech who were examining Hunter.
"His senses are still overloaded. Hitting his head and the water caused his body a lot of stress. All we can do is make him comfortable. He needs to get off this planet." Tech explained.
"What does he need?" Echo wondered.
"He needs someplace warm and isolated to rest. We can't provide that here."
"We should be able to eat soon. Will he be able to?"
"I'll make him eat." Crosshair stated. Crosshair looked over at Wrecker who was playing with Lula and Omega. "Wrecker!" Wrecker stopped what he was doing and looked at Crosshair.
"Huh?" Wrecker wondered.
"Get over here and keep Hunter warm. Tech can take care of Omega."
"Why can't you take care of Omega?"
"Please, Crosshair. Can you at least come and sit with me?"
Crosshair groaned loudly and huffed.
"Fine!" Crosshair exclaimed. Wrecker sat beside Hunter and hugged Hunter who groaned and tried to push Wrecker away.
"No," Hunter mumbled.
"Sorry, sarge. Crosshair told me to." Wrecker answered loudly.
"Shh." Crosshair hushed.
"Sorry." Wrecker whispered.
Crosshair sat next to Omega who laid her head on his lap. Crosshair rolled his eyes and sighed. He pulled Omega onto his lap and Omega curled into his chest. Crosshair covered most of Omega's face so that only Omega's face could be seen. He could still feel her shivering and he sighed.
Soon, Echo was handing out bowls of soup and Wrecker sighed.
"Crosshair, Hunter won't eat." Wrecker stated. Crosshair groaned and put Omega down who was being fed by Echo. Crosshair walked over to Wrecker and took the bowl.
"Hunter, eat." Crosshair ordered. Hunter shook his head and shivered. "That's not a request."
Hunter opened his eyes weakly and Crosshair helped him swallow some soup. When Hunter was done, Tech examined him.
"Well, you're a little better, but not much. You still have hypothermia." Tech stated. Hunter closed his eyes and Wrecker looked at Tech. "He's exhausted. Let him rest. We'll be able to keep an eye on him."
"What about Omega?" Wrecker wondered.
"She's much better. Her temperature is almost normal. But I fear she'll develop a cough during the night. Both of them will. I'm afraid we don't have anything that can help."
"So what do we do?"
"All we can do is keep them warm, hydrated, and keep an eye on their breathing."
A few hours later, Echo walked over to the other side of the fire and checked their clothes.
"They'll be dry soon." Echo sighed. "We should get some sleep. Wrecker, Tech, the two of you can take the second shift. Crosshair and I will take the first."
Tech and Wrecker nodded and walked over to their bedrolls and soon were asleep. Crosshair winced at the sound of Wrecker and Tech's snoring and he shook his head.
"This is the one thing I did not miss when I was with the empire," Crosshair whispered.
"I'd rather listen to their snoring than be a prisoner of war and an experiment in a tube." Echo replied.
Omega started coughing and Echo helped her sit up so she could breathe. When Omega's cough had calmed down, Echo gave her a cup of water. Omega took a sip and relaxed. Echo made sure that Omega was comfortable and Omega went back to sleep.
Crosshair looked over at Hunter and saw that he was looking at Omega.
"The kid's fine, Hunter. Go back to sleep." Crosshair stated.
Hunter nodded and closed his eyes. Crosshair sighed and moved closer to Hunter.
"What is it?" Crosshair questioned.
"My chest." Hunter croaked. Crosshair helped Hunter sit up and he gave Hunter some water. Hunter took a sip and relaxed. "What happened?"
"What's the last thing you remember?" Echo wondered.
"We were walking across the ice."
"You found a weak spot and when you tested it, you and the kid fell through. You hit your head and both of you swallowed some water." Crosshair explained.
"Omega?" Hunter rasped.
"She's fine, Hunter. She's nice and warm now, but she will deal with a cough. How do you feel?" Echo reassured.
"Cold, tired, sick, hurts."
"Where?"
"Head, chest, senses."
"You should try to sleep, Hunter."
Hunter nodded and closed his eyes. Soon, Crosshair could tell that Hunter was asleep and he relaxed.
"He's asleep." Crosshair whispered.
"Good. He'll need his rest." Echo replied.
A little while later, the wind blew through the cave causing Hunter and Omega to shiver and cough. Echo helped Omega while Crosshair helped Hunter.
"Hunter?" Omega coughed.
"He'll be fine." Echo answered.
"I want to sit with him."
Echo looked at Crosshair who nodded. Echo picked Omega up and laid her beside Hunter. He made sure that Omega was comfortable and then he looked over at Hunter who was still coughing.
"He doesn't sound good." Echo sighed.
"Neither of them do." Crosshair sighed.
A few minutes later, Hunter's cough relaxed, but his breathing was worse. Crosshair and Echo could hear Hunter struggling to breathe.
"Can we try more hot liquids?" Echo wondered.
"I don't think it could hurt." Crosshair sighed. Echo walked over to the burner and heated some water. He prepared the cups and watched Crosshair check Hunter and Omega.
"Fevers?"
"Omega has a slight fever, but I don't know about Hunter. He should be better."
"Has this ever happened before?"
"Once."
"How was he?"
"It was one of our first missions. He was severely hypothermic. We had to take him to a medical base."
"What did the medical droids say?" Echo wondered.
"He said that it took Hunter longer than he would've liked for him to stabilize." Crosshair remembered.
A little while later, the water was hot and Echo poured it into the cups. He handed one to Crosshair and the two helped Hunter and Omega drink it.
A couple of hours later, Tech woke Wrecker up and they walked over to Crosshair and Echo.
"How are they?" Wrecker wondered.
"They're asleep, but... they both have a cough and Hunter's wheezing. Omega has a slight fever. They won't be able to handle the cold." Echo sighed.
"Perhaps only Crosshair and I would have to go. We can get the ship and land outside. It's safe enough." Tech answered.
"That might be the only way."
Echo and Crosshair tried to sleep while Tech and Wrecker watched over Hunter and Omega. Just before dawn, Tech examined Hunter and sighed.
"He's finally warm." Tech sighed. He checked Omega and looked at Wrecker. "Her fever's the same."
"Poor kid." Wrecker replied.
"It could be worse."
"Yeah, I guess."
Hunter started coughing and Wrecker helped him sit up. Hunter continued to cough heavily and Tech examined him.
"He needs something for this cough," Tech stated.
"Whose job was it to make sure we had everything for this mission? Wrecker questioned.
"It was mine, but to be fair, I did not expect any of us to fall into a frozen lake."
"Yeah, I know."
"Tech?" Hunter moaned.
"I'm here, Hunter. What is it?" Tech answered.
"What's wrong with me?"
"You swallowed some water when you fell in the water. We have nothing to give you to help."
"Omega?"
"She has the same problem. Only she doesn't have a head injury."
Tech examined Hunter's eyes and sighed as Hunter flinched.
"Your senses are still overloaded." Tech sighed.
"I could have told you that," Hunter murmured.
"Get some rest."
Hunter nodded and tried to sleep.
Tech started breakfast and looked at Crosshair and Echo.
"The two of you make terrible liars. I know you're awake." Tech stated. Echo sat up and looked at Tech.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to get an early start." Echo answered.
"Breakfast will be ready soon."
Wrecker threw a pillow at Crosshair who groaned and glared at Wrecker. He sat up and looked at his brother.
"You never give up, do you?" Crosshair questioned.
"Nope." Wrecker answered.
Everyone had breakfast and Crosshair and Tech changed into their dry and warm blacks and armor.
"We'll be back soon," Tech said. "Keep Omega and Hunter warm."
"We'll try." Echo answered.
Tech and Crosshair walked out into the cold and the light in the cave flickered.
"The burning's almost out. I thought we'd have at least half the day, but I guess not." Echo sighed.
"What'll we do?" Wrecker wondered.
"Hope it doesn't go out before Tech and Crosshair get back."
"What doesn't go out?" Omega croaked.
"Nothing kid." Echo answered. Omega saw Hunter next to her and she curled up into his chest. Hunter felt her and he wrapped her in his arms. The two fell asleep, and Wrecker smiled.
"Aw, they look so small." Wrecker sighed.
"They are small." Echo replied. Echo felt a pillow hit him in the head and he heard Omega giggle. Hunter tried not to laugh, but Omega's giggle was infectious. Soon the two were laughing and then coughing up a lung. "That'll teach you."
"It wouldn't have happened if you hadn't done a shorty joke about the two."
Echo rolled his eyes and made sure that Hunter and Omega were comfortable.
A little while later, Crosshair and Tech arrived at the Marauder.
"How long will it take to get her running?" Crosshair questioned.
"I only need a few minutes," Tech answered.
A few minutes later, the ship was up and running.
"Let's go." Crosshair stated.
At the cave, the burner had stopped working and it was dark and cold in the cave. Hunter and Omega were alert and they watched Echo and Wrecker pack up their things.
"Hunter, let's change you into these clothes while they're still warm. You should change too, Omega." Echo suggested. Hunter and Omega changed into warm clothes and curled back in their bedrolls and blankets.
It wasn't long before they heard the Marauder and Wrecker and Echo looked outside. They watched the Marauder land and they watched Crosshair run out to them. They loaded Hunter, Omega, and their gear into the ship and they flew away. Echo grabbed the medkit and grabbed the meds that they needed. He injected them into Hunter and Omega and sighed.
"We'll know soon enough." Echo sighed.
Several hours later, they arrived on Ord Mantell. Crosshair and Tech went to meet Cid while the others stayed on the ship. Omega and Hunter sat in Hunter's bunk resting, but they looked and felt better now that they were safe, warm, and medicated.
"Both of you seem to be feeling better already, but you should take it easy for the next few days and you'll still have to take your meds, but I think the worse is over." Echo explained after he examined the two.
"That just means more hugs," Omega answered.
"And restlessness." Hunter sighed.
Crosshair and Tech returned and saw Echo with Hunter and Omega.
"The worst is over. The meds are helping." Echo stated. "They just need a few days to make sure."
"Good." Crosshair replied. "We got our pay. Cid won't have a mission for a few days. Let's go home and let them recover."
Everyone agreed and they went home. The next time the batch was on an ice planet, they were even more cautious than they were before. None of them wanted a repeated. Especially Hunter and Omega.
THE END
Please sent me some prompts guys. I can torture and focus on Crosshair, Hunter, and Omega, but I'm struggling with the others.