A/N: Thank you so much to all the people who reviewed my first stories! :D I'm glad you liked them. Hopefully, I should be getting a couple more in; We'll have to see. ;D
By the way, (for those who have read it) you could consider this a sequel to ''A Long Night.''
Anyway, on with the story!
Hunter was rudely jerked from sleep as he flew across the crews quarters.
''What the Kriff!'' he shouted, grabbing hold of the nearest bunk rail before the Havoc Marauder tipped sharply again, equipment flying.
Outside the barracks, there was a loud crash followed by the lighter tinkling of other metal objects. As soon as the ship leveled before tipping again, Hunter dashed to the cockpit, wobbling with the Marauder. Angry shouts from Wrecker sounded in the armory, something was pounding on the ship, gear was everywhere; Hunter wanted to groan but was afraid there wouldn't be time as he tried dodging the loose equipment while also trying to keep his balance.
Beside him, Crosshair fell into step as they raced to the front, leaping as the Marauder rocked wildly. Skidding to a stop in the cockpit's doorframe, gripping it to keep his balance, Hunter growled.
''Tech, what is going on!?''
''We have to land.'' he replied, voice strained as he fought the ship for control. ''Go back to the main cabin and strap in. This blizzard is ruining the scanners so I'll have to land blind.''
''Crosshair,'' Hunter ordered, ''co-pilot. Tech, get us on the ground. I'll get Wrecker. Just keep us steady until then.''
''Wrecker? Wrecker!''
''Ouch! Sarge, what's going on?''
But Hunter raised an eyebrow, glancing around the armory. ''Where are you?''
Suddenly, the Havoc Marauder bucked. As all the loose equipment crashed to the opposite side of the cabin, the heavy weapons closet slid too. Hunter watched in silence when Wrecker faceplanted behind it after losing his balance when the closet shifted.
Grunting, he grabbed him. ''Come on, we have to strap in before we break our necks on the landing.''
''Aw, I think I'm gonna be sick.'' Wrecker groaned.
Plucking his squad mates helmet out of the as it sailed by, the sergeant rammed it to him. ''Here, keep it in your helmet. No hurling in the ship or else you're the one cleaning it.''
Up in the cockpit, the storm was getting worse the lower they got. Warning lights flashed urgently, but Tech flicked them off, not willing to risk his attention with the distractions while he brought them down.
''Alright, here it is,'' Tech muttered, brow furrowed in concentration, before calling. ''We're going down! Hang on!''
And pray to the Maker that we don't mess this up or else we'll be meeting Him a might early.
Afterwards, as it turned out and luckily for everyone else, Wrecker didn't throw up during the landing. He was still feeling queasy, but that was natural. Besides, so was everyone else.
In the cockpit, Tech sat back in his seat, shaking in relief as the adrenaline drained, sweat dotting his face.
We made it, he told himself, We made it. We made it.
In the chair next to his, Crosshair closed his eyes, leaned forward, rested his arms on the control panel and dropped his head into them.
Back in the main cabin, Hunter and Wrecker both let out tired sighs.
Taking one more deep breath, Tech glanced over his shoulder, ''Hey, you alive in there?''
''More or less,'' Hunter's voice replied. ''The Marauder, how is she?''
''Still in one piece, but the snow is already starting to cover her window so we won't be going anywhere for right now.''
''That's okay,'' Wrecker grumbled, ''With a landing like that, I don't think I want to be in the air.''
Unstrapping from his seat, Hunter stood, ''Alright, we'll clean up the mess in the other rooms, then go take a look at where we are.''
Thirty minutes later, Bad Batch stood outside their ship, surveying the surrounding area. All they could see was white and grey fading into night. They had landed on a plain, completely isolated by snow drifts gathering in the distance. What ever else was here on this void planet was hidden from them; at least, at the moment.
Later, when they discussed it back inside, the only reasonable course of action was to wait. They figured they'd have to hog-tie Wrecker to keep him from pacing through the floors (which, they knew from experience last time they had to tie him against his will, was no small feat), but they would still wait.
Tech was still staring at his datapad when the meeting ended. Passing him, Hunter asked, ''So, is there any danger of the power going out like last time?''
''No. Not this time.''
''Good.'' Hunter started to pass.
''However...''
''Aw, great.''
Turning back, he crossed his arms over his chest and peered at Tech. '' 'However' what?''
''While there is no current probability that the power will go out, we are still going to be stuck here.''
''And the reason is?'' he prompted, leaning in emphatically.
''Are.'' Tech corrected. ''ReasSONS are. The weight of the snow; the blizzard conditions; and the likely fact that, because of the Marauder's weight and relative heat, the snow could have been packed into ice; in-advertently making our take-off more dangerous should we slide.''
Hunter raised an eyebrow. ''On take off, we go up.''
Tech just looked at him, holding his gaze, expression flat.
If the sergeant had ever wished to be telepathic, now was not it. Also, it took no imagination to decipher the words behind Tech's eyes. Anyone who knew him could do it. He was practically an open datapad.
You have no idea, do you? the look said. There is a logical, scientific explanation to why I say that sliding is a probable hazard take off. But because you're not going to listen, I won't bother telling you.
Had he not been standing right there, Hunter would have snorted in amusement. It was an over-exaggeration, of course, and a bit snobby for Tech...But it got the main idea across. But then, Tech surprised him by actually answering.
''The stabilizers?'' he droned, ''The ones that help with take off and landing? They need traction. Ice has no traction unless you're on an edge.''
''Edge? What edge?''
Tech was about to reply, but then Hunter thought better of his question and held up a hand. ''Don't actually answer that. We don't have time for the explanation you probably have. When's the earliest we can get to work on the snow covering the Marauder so we can leave?''
''Tomorrow at dawn...Unless you want to be working during the blizzard.''
''Hardy harhar. I'll pass. We'd better get some sleep then. We'll be up early. I'll tell the others.''
The next morning, long before the dawn had broken, the Bad Batch was already up. Unfortunately though, so was the blizzard. The early morning just beginning, the sky was dark and the wind was howling as the snow flurried outside the cockpit window.
''Well, there goes that idea,'' Hunter said glumly, watching. ''Looks like we'll be waiting until the wind stops before we can get out there.''
''Hope has yet to be lost.'' Tech snorted. ''The sun isn't up yet. That tends to change things.''
''For better or worse?''
Tech smirked. ''For as much sunshine as you are willing to give it. Otherwise, no matter the weather, all you will get is a personal storm cloud.''
Behind him Wrecker's eyes went wide. ''Whoa, that was deep.''
Hunter rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to ignore the head ache building behind his eyes.
It's too early for this.
It was days like this that he wished he'd gotten more sleep. But, as Fate would have it...with a little help from everyone on board the Havoc Marauder, he rarely did. It wasn't that he didn't like the guys, just...a man just needed to get away every once and a while. Which, because of his occupation, didn't look like it would be happening anytime soon.
''Well, fellas, looks like the weather is calling for a change of plans. If anyone needs me, I'll be in the crews quarters. If not, then wake me when the sun comes up.''
And for goodness sake, don't jerk me from it this time...
Two hours later, Crosshair was sitting in the co-pilot's seat, merely watching the weather, when he suddenly squinted. To any other human, they wouldn't have seen anything different from the past four hours...But the sniper saw the light through the storm, enough to faintly see the horizon begin to peak out from night. The dawn was about to break and the sun was coming.
He allowed himself to show a faint grin, no more then one corner of his lips curling, but it was there...And because Hunter liked sunrises, he was going to see this one...as payback along with some other stuff Crosshair had planned.
Slinking out of his seat, he darted swiftly to the back of the Marauder. He paused in front of the door, cocking his head to hear what was going on inside. Faint snoring was all he heard. He lightly tapped the shiny new door, and slipped inside.
Hunter was lying face down on his bunk on the right, one arm supporting his head like a pillow while the other partly hung limp over the mattresses edge. Despite the death-mask he had tattooed to his face and the stray hair hanging down, Crosshair could see the growing dark circles under the sergeant's eyes...Or, eye rather, as the other was hidden in his 'pillow.'
Now, Crosshair would not consider himself a compassionate person (as he almost considered it an insult if anyone said so), but when he saw the tired look on his boss's face, he paused. He'd planned on just waking him up, but he ditched the idea. Instead, he pulled out his commpad, flicked through the various digital folders, selected one, then set the timer before placing it carefully under his pillow on his bunk across the room. Then he left just a quietly as he'd come.
After all, there was no honor in rudely waking an exhausted man for mere revenge...
When Hunter opened his eyes, he moaned softly.
''Aw, stang it, CH left his commpad in here.'' he muttered, dropping his head to the pillow once more before rubbing his eyes.
Inside the barracks, Crosshair's morning alarm was singing. And, despite himself, the steady yet emotional orchestrated battle music began tugging at his mood. Hunter listened in his bed for another minute before the music changed songs and the tempo began picking up. He moaned again, then pushed himself out of his bunk before he grabbed the commpad and half staggered out of the crews quarters.
He found Crosshair in the cockpit. Taking the pilot's seat, he handed the commpad back to its owner.
''You left this in the barracks.''
Crosshair took it, then glanced at him. ''Looks like you needed it more then I did.''
Grunting, Hunter leaned back against the chair. ''I am so tired. How does Cody do it?''
''He's Commander Cody.'' the sniper replied simply, as if that explained everything. ''But since you're sub-consciously awake, suns coming up...'' he gestured to out the window.
Hunter groaned, sleep slurring his words as he rubbed a hand down his face. ''CH, there's nothing out there but snow.''
''Look closer.''
Hunter rolled his eyes, then suddenly sat up. ''Wait.''
He saw it. The faintest hint of light was beginning to crack the storm; the winds were dying down and the snow flakes were smaller then they had been earlier. But rather then be at least grateful that the weather was softening up, the sergeant sighed.
We get to work as soon as the suns up, he thought. No extra five minutes in bed. Kriff.
Fifteen minutes later, by the time the system's sun was a third of the way up and the wind was a mere breeze, Tech gave them a three minute warning for breakfast.
''Why didn't you do that back when I was actually tired?'' Hunter frowned, ''Would have helped with the wake up.''
''Because,'' Tech replied over his shoulder, ''It's not a good idea to be tired, tired, sugar rush...Especially with Wrecker.''
''Tech, which MRE packets did you open this time?'' he grumbled, Crosshair and he scrambling out of the cockpit.
However, upon entering, they paused to see Wrecker trying to pick up something pale and glistening from a plate.
''Wrecker!'' Tech snapped scoldingly. ''Wait for the others.''
''Just one?'' he begged.
''There are only four. No.''
''Just a tiny-''
Tech shot him a look.
''Fine.'' Wrecker grumbled.
''Well don't let us keep you.'' Hunter said dryly, '' 'Specially if it's something we don't like.''
''But if it was something you didn't like, would Wrecker be trying to sneak one?'' Tech retorted.
Hunter was about to answer that, then closed his mouth as he reconsidered.
Good point. He is the most picky outa the rest of us.
Nodding his head, he conceded. ''Then what is it?''
Raising an eyebrow at them, Tech lifted the plate up. ''You didn't recognize the smell of cinnirolls?''
''Cinnirolls?'' he raised an eyebrow, glancing at the pinwheel-shaped biscuit drizzled with glaze-frosting. ''Where'd you get those?''
''From the pantry.''
Hunter glanced at Crosshair worriedly before asking, ''Did you happen to checked the expiration date on those?''
''I didn't have to. I'm the one who got them on the last resupply errand we went on. Since I knew our next destination-here-would be cold, rich and heavy foods were mostly what I got because it gives more immediate energy for fighting off the cold weather.''
When Crosshair suddenly snickered, Hunter winced. He could practically hear the sniper's thoughts in his tone.
Keep it up, Tech, and we'll be what we eat. Heavy minus rich while we're trying to keep in good shape.
Shooting him a look, Hunter inhaled carefully, let it out, then grabbed his plate before taking a seat at the pullout table. But as he tore off a piece of the biscuit, he couldn't help thinking.
I prefer these warm when the glaze is melting. But, no time to be picky.
''Now?'' Wrecker pleaded, giving his best impersonation of tooka-eyes at Tech, who sighed, rolling his eyes.
''Yes. Now you can have one.''
But before Wrecker could even begin, Tech added, ''Just don't eat too quickly when it's not heated up; it makes you sick and we'll be heading out as soon we're done.''
''That's it,'' Hunter said, pushing out his chair. ''I'm not eating this cold. Tech, scooch; I need to reach the microwave.''
After breakfast, they'd picked their 'stations' and got to work dusting the snow off the landing gears.
Crosshair had chosen his spot on top of the Marauder, right between the wings. Down below, Wrecker was working on the rear landing gears while Tech worked on the front one. Hunter currently sat crouched off at a distance, staring off into the snow covered void, undoubtedly using his internal electromagnetic sensory to determine their location relative to the planet's poles. But Crosshair had chosen his spot for a reason.
After all, there was a little payback in order.
He heard the faintest hint of a crunch, then glanced up just in time to see a clump of snow fall off the side of the Marauder's left wing. Holding out his hands, he caught some it...Then started packing it down.
As he formed it into a fist sized ball, he gauged the distance between himself and the Bad Batch's leader. Hunter's helmet was off, and Crosshair was eyeing the spot right behind his ear.
One shot, one kill.
He waited until Hunter stood up, then cocked back his arm, and took aim...
Hunter let out a sharp 'Ooof!' as something cold and wet slammed into the back of his head, the remnants of the snow sliding down his neck and seeping into the jersey under his armor. Briefly letting out a startled cry as a shiver shot up his spine, he grasped the impact sight, rubbing it. Then he turned on his heel and glared.
Over by the landing gear, Wrecker was laughing. Above him, Crosshair stood with his arms crossed over his chest, shaking his head as he peered down at Wrecker...who suddenly stopped laughing when he noticed everyone was staring at him.
''Uh wait, why is everyone-''
''I told you not to do it.'' Crosshair said, still shaking his head.
''Wha!-Wait a minute! You don't think it was ME!''
Hunter bent down to scoop a handful of snow, packing it down before he took a slow step forward...then another...and another.
And with every step forward he took, Wrecker took a slow step back...and another...and another.
''It was Crosshair!'' he cried suddenly, pointing up at the sniper. ''I didn't hit you, Hunter!''
''That's what the guilty always say.'' Crosshair said smoothly. ''Right up to the end.''
''It was YOU!''
But he merely shook his head. ''What proof do you have?''
He held up his hands. ''See? There's no snow on my hands. What about yours?''
Wrecker looked down...and gulped. ''Oh no.''
Sure enough, the cold white snow clung to his gloves and Crosshair's were completely clean.
''It's because I was cleaning off the landing gear!''
But Hunter was just shaking his head. Next thing Wrecker knew, something smacked him in the shoulder. Looking down at himself, he saw the snow...then put his hands on his hips as Hunter crossed his arms over his chest and stared pointedly at him.
Wrecker's eyes narrowed. ''That. Wasn't. Nice.''
Crunching his own snowball, Wrecker hurled it, barely missing him by a thread. Hunter ducked behind the landing gear, crouching to make more ammo, when he noticed Tech just standing there in the open.
''Tech, come on.''
''Nope!'' he raised his hands, ''Leave me outta this!''
He was promptly smacked by a snowball from on high. Glaring up, he saw Crosshair standing on the edge of the Marauder, casually tossing a snowball and catching it, a satisfied smirk on his face...
The next one landed Tech straight in the face. Sputtering in disbelief and knocked on his backside, he sat there stunned as he tried to wipe the snow off his face. Moments later, because of his own teaching Tech how to throw, Crosshair had to find cover in a hurry...Only to drop to his stomach when Wrecker tried to land on where his head had been mere seconds before.
''Ha ha! Missed me.''
''That's no fair!'' Hunter called, ''You have the high ground!''
''Yeah, you bet I'm bad, baby!'' Crosshair crowed...Only to receive a snowball crashing into his face from Tech.
From below, the others went ''Ooooooooooh.''
''What was that, CH?'' Tech taunted. ''Something about being bad? You know there is a saying: 'Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.' ''
When he recovered enough to trust himself on his timing, he peeked over the edge to see Tech smirking up at him before he mouthed, ''In. Your. Face!''
''You'll pay for that.'' Crosshair vowed, snarling at his batchmate.
''Make me!'' He challenged, packing another round.
''Kriff, you bet I will.''
Crosshair ran down the length of the Marauder towards the nose, dodging and rolling as fire (snow, really) rained from below. He leaped off the nose, getting hit in the side as he came down. Tucking and rolling to break his fall, he popped back up, blocking a near hit with his bracers.
Interestingly enough, as the three were fighting, no one noticed that Wrecker had wondered off and had begun building another snowball of his own...A big one. Had the others noticed, they probably would have scattered for cover. But they didn't and he was left to himself until his little big-project was finished.
They should have attacked him while they had the chance...
Next thing those three knew, they were all pinned together under one large ball of snow. They were stuck between a snow and a snow dune, to put it simply...and literally.
When they'd dug themselves out enough to see the sky, they looked up to see Wrecker laughing once more.
They glanced at each other...
Then Hunter gave Crosshair a sideways look, crossing his arms into an X as he gave a slight inquisitive nod. The sniper nodded in agreement, repeating the gesture before they both turned to Tech and gave the sign...which he promptly returned with a sly grin. As one, they slowly, dramatically swung their gazes to Wrecker, before reaching behind them for more ammo.
And Wrecker, for the second time that day, stopped laughing as everyone suddenly looked straight at him and this time, they were all armed.
''Aw Kriff.'' he muttered, before ducking to escape the barrage of snowballs as they rained down at him...
By lunch time, the Bad Batch was exhausted. It was a little over midday and they had accomplished absolutely nothing...Well, except that each of them had a fair amount of bruises and they had all been able to work on their throwing aim some what; But nothing that would help them get out of where they were.
The sugar rush from earlier that morning had come...and now it was gone, taking whatever energy they might have had and throwing it out the view port.
Lunch was quiet and taken separately, either because everyone was too tired to want to talk or because they were still tending to the significant bruising that popped up into darkly discolored circles. Hunter had one behind his ear while Wrecker had his biggest one on his arm. Crosshair had a good one on his left cheek and Tech had one right under the right upper side of his goggles where his batchmate had smacked him with that second snowball.
As a matter of fact, twenty-five minutes later, they were still arguing about it.
''You didn't have to hit me that hard.'' Tech argued, carefully peeling back the right goggle off the bruise as he inspected it in the bathroom mirror.
''You didn't want to join the fun so of course I had to.'' Crosshair called from somewhere behind him in the crews quarters.
''Nooooo, you chose to; You didn't have to. There's a big difference.''
''Just like you chose not to join until I hit you...and then you hit me?''
''That was in retaliation. Doesn't count.''
''Hey, you two old ladies done yet?'' Hunter called. ''We're heading back out soon. See if we can finished what we haven't even started yet.''
''Old lady, my rifle.'' Crosshair muttered.
Turning, Tech glanced at him. ''You ready?''
He nodded, but winced slightly as he stood up from his bunk, standing a little stiff.
''Side sore from when Hunter got you?'' Tech smirked.
Serves you right...And that bruise on your cheek is going to be painful to shave with.
Crosshair just shot him a look that said, 'Don't rub it in' before he turned and headed out the door.
Tech chuckled, shaking his head. Then, resecuring his goggles in their proper place, he too left to aid in the work to be done outside that, hopefully, they would get done this time...
But, since it's the Bad Batch, we all know how that's going to turn out...
Aaaand CUT! So, this isn't how I planned on ending it so it looks like this is going to be a small series.
Why do the stories that have to deal with weather always start with Hunter being pulled from sleep unceremoniously? XD I donno. Much as I love those guys, I also love to torture them like that ;)
As for Crosshair loving orchestrated battle music, just listen to it and I think you'll get the idea on why ;D
And incase you're wondering what the X sign during the snowball fight meant, in my old youth group it was a sign of 'You don't hit me, I don't hit you' in elimination dodgeball or a team up sign in just about any other game.
So, anyone have any suggestions on stuff I could add to make this more fun and interesting? I already have a small list of stuff I'd wanted to add, but this got kind of long and I know the longer it is, the harder it can be to stay interested. Tell me what you think; leave a review. Favorite character, scene...Pretty please? For Christmas? Next week? Just one?
Seeya later!