First thing: Bad Batch coming out in a few months! (Whoop, whoop! :D)
Second: Republic Commandos is being updated!
Third: next chapter, Arc of Illness will begin! :D This chapter is kind of the set-up.
Fourth:...I don't know why, but Hunter always seems like a good place to start for the chapters XD
Hunter would have been lying if he thought he wasn't beginning to wonder if someone (other then the Maker) was starting to time the weather. After all, it came and went at the most convenient of times.
Like now, for example.
The weather the day before had been fairly decent. Barely a cloud in the crystal sky and birds would have been singing if there had been any (assuming there had never been birds in the first place because other wise...well, that would mean they're dead). But not today. No. Not on the same day as an 'Interrogation.' Hunter briefly wondered if this was 'natures' way of playing a hideous joke on someone.
What was going on? Oh, nothing much...which was the problem.
Imagine this, if you will: four men in a confined area plus (let's just pretend) a pet and all of them sleep-deprived (though only one is actually sensible enough to admit it). So, five beings plus life equals...what? One?
Short answer?
Yes.
One big mess of trouble.
Want to add to the equation? Okay. One big mess of trouble plus complete boredom. Can you guess the answer?
Bingo! Insanity. Pure and simple.
But usually that was an 'early morning thing'...so what happens when it has been happening all day, there's a brief pause, and then it starts up again after lunch? Easy: the situation goes from being insane to driving the only sane person in that situation insane. Still with me? Good. Cause then that means that you kind of know how Hunter was beginning to feel.
It was weird. At first, everything had been extremely quiet and then...he didn't know what happened.
There supposed to be a full moon tonight or something? he wondered, shaking his head. This is getting weird.
'Weird' was an understatement. As previously stated: Insanity peak, lunch, down swing, Hunter takes a nap because no one except Crosshair was in the barracks and he was quiet anyway, then insanity peaks again when something suddenly wakes him, and all the while there's a blizzard going on outside so he can't vent his rage outside. Here's how it started:
He wasn't sure what woke him, but something did...and he knew from experience, when he woke up for seemingly no reason, there was trouble. Also, the Marauder was silent. No, not just the crews quarters, literally the whole ship. Bad sign, given past events? You think so? Better believe it.
Crosshair was still there, hunched over his sketch book with his back against the wall. No trouble there...Sighing, he sat up and cocked his head ever-so slightly towards the door. Noise was starting back up again. Yep. Something was happening. He glanced up.
''Cross, you hearing that?''
The sniper paused, no more then his pencil stopping to hover over the page, but his eyes narrowed just the same. Straightening, he nodded.
Great, then it wasn't Hunter's imagination like he'd hoped it was. Kriff.
Bolting to the main cabin, they skidded to a stop...and simultaneously cocked their heads in confusion.
''Huh?''
In front of them, Snowflake was running around in small circles, screeching at various pitches. Behind her, Wrecker just looked surprised (though by Snowflake's screeching or Hunter's entry, he couldn't tell) and Tech was frantically shifting through the data on his bracer, panicked. When she saw them, Snowflake squealed again, charging over to tackle Hunter; but he stepped aside and pulled the sniper into his footsteps...colliding him perfectly with the dragonet's crash course.
Due to lack of sleep, all he saw was Crosshair standing...next moment, Crosshair down. Ooops.
''Come on, come on!'' Tech muttered.
''Have you found anything yet?'' Wrecker asked.
''If I had, would I still be searching!?''
''Sorry, just thought I'd ask.''
''Okay..'' Hunter yawned, walking over to them. ''First person to tell me what's going on and who wrecked my beauty sleep either gets my wrath or my judgment...So...?''
The two glanced at each other.
''Well,'' Wrecker began.
''The thing is..'' Tech added.
''We didn't know..''
''That she was...uh...hyper.''
Hunter's flat expression had not changed. Nor would it change even when Tech and Wrecker began giving excuses (that, if he was honest, was going in one ear, out the other...and what was it with everything bad ever happening always beginning with cookies?) as to why Snowflake would not stop. When the explanation was done, he lifted an eyebrow (personally surprised he could manage even that) and asked, tone flat as his expression, ''You didn't stop to consider that that was a bad idea?''
''It was Wrecker's fault!'' Tech cried quickly, taking a step back. Then he put his hands on his hips and a pointed scowl crossed his face, glowering up at Wrecker. ''I can't believe the knucklehead did it!''
Before the larger man could even begin to protest that wasn't how it happened, Hunter raised a hand.
''Well, while you're disbelieving the situation, can you please get her back under control so that I may go back to sleep?''
''We made need you awake just in case.''
''Come on,'' Crosshair added, groaning as he lifted Snowflake off him, ''it's only four in the afternoon.''
Scowling through a yawn, Hunter sniffed; then he called over his shoulder as he turned on his heel, ''Wrecker!''
''What?!''
''The new door to the barracks, I need you to break it down.''
''Why?''
''Because we need to replace it with a sound absorbing one so I can't hear anything from the outside.''
Hunter was lucky Wrecker hadn't taken him literally yet. Especially with Snowflake's constant screeching. Because they didn't have a replacement door yet, it would have only made Hunter more miserable. They weren't even aware yet of Wrecker's package from earlier and the door still being there saved them...but only in part. And it wasn't so much a 'gift' as it was a 'return.'
The whistle hadn't been the only thing 'accidentally' left behind.
So when Wrecker hid his compad in the cockpits speakers (turned up on High throughout the Marauder) and started playing his music...everyone knew it was his.
Now, of course, they all had their preferences. Crosshair tended toward harder, faster orchestrations while Tech personally listened to a more classic jazz style. Hunter would listen to just about anything that he was in the mood for (with few exceptions)...
And then there was Wrecker. There were two things he listened to, and two things only. Heavy metal and music from sixty years before...the two just didn't mix. Wrecker himself didn't even listen to the latter all that often...but, there were times...and if there were times when everyone was annoyingly stuck together with no where else to go and he felt in the mood for mischief...
''WRECKEEERRRRRRRR!''
''ROARROAAAAAAARRR!'' Snowflake echoed, pausing just long enough to add her voice to the angry bellow from all around the ship before humming long to the tune.
Again, Hunter was lucky he hadn't asked for the door to be replaced right then...but that didn't help when the speakers were connected throughout the Marauder and his pillow couldn't drowned out the noise either. He took it for about as long as he could stand...
Then decided his sanity wasn't worth it.
Grabbing his earbuds, he darted out the crews quarters, yelled a quick 'I'll be back later' to Crosshair over the din, and bolted outside despite the swirling snow, heading for the mountain. It was about time he'd had a run.
I don't hate being around them; I just need to clear my head...Okay, I hate being around them for right now.
Breath coming in measured intakes, Hunter reached for the next freezing handhold, trying to ignore the wind; He was near the ledge, he could tell. He just had to reach it. Another gust made him tense, pausing before pulling himself up. He didn't know exactly how high up he was, but he didn't think he cared to know. It was hard not looking down.
Five minutes later, he was on top, taking a breather at the edge, looking down at the Havoc Marauder. From where he was, it seemed so much smaller then it really was, the other Bad Batchers only moving smudges on the snow.
Well, if he could see them from here, they weren't completely unsupervised.
That in mind, he shrugged, turned, and began battle drilling himself to clear his head. He would only be gone for a little while...
Four hours later.
Oh kriff.
While breaks were occasionally good, there were times when too much could be a problem. Take now for example. Hunter had been gone for four hours and had no knowledge of what was going on down below. Honestly, there were times when he couldn't help feeling like a over-stressed parent of younglings; they just couldn't be trusted to be left alone!
For all he knew, his squad mates could have started a full-blown war! With out him! Where would he have his fun then?
As it turns out, 'war' was not an unbelievable concept and actually not too far off. When he scrambled back down the mountain, he returned to see Wrecker and Snowflake ducking behind a large snowdrift, Tech dodging something Hunter couldn't see, and Crosshair darting to a more defendable position.
What was this? A snow-battle rematch?!
The war, as it turned out (just like the real one still going on), had started without him.
Shame. Shame, shame, shame.
Bad things always happened when that was the case.
All of a sudden, Snowflake squeaked...and started crying. It seemed that, while no one had been looking, she had been hit - hard - in the shoulder by a snowball, coating her wing and paw. Luckily, it seemed to have scared her more then actually hurt, but still...Crying, kids, and what to do next were some of everyone's worst nightmares...and this situation had all three.
Sprinting over, Hunter snapped, ''Who hit the baby!?''
Shocked, everyone stared. The sergeant glared at his squad mates, but could only see horror or surprise on their faces...Yet no one was admitting to it.
No class. No class, man.
Hunter rolled his eyes.
Fine.
Turning to Snowflake, he crouched slightly, motioning for her to let him see where she was hit. Instead, she let out a whimper before darting over him, burying her head in his chest.
''Are you okay?''
Ruffle, ruffle.
She shook her head no, tiny facial spikes rubbing against his jersey.
''Want me to take you inside?'' he asked, patting her back.
Thump, thump; her head bobbed, not looking up.
''Okay, come on.''
Once inside, he carried her to the cockpit so they could still watch what was going outside, taking the pilots seat with her in his lap. She was still whining a little, golden eyes wet with heavy tears, small wings fluttering in discomfort. Breaking her tight clasp on him, Hunter lifted the injured limb carefully, asking if it hurt too much to move. When she sniffled and shrugged, he tried the few other tests he could remember from when he'd injured his own shoulder, all the results telling him she was fine and just needed hugs.
But...come on, he was a Republic Commando. There was no way he would be willing...Well...she was little...and no one else was around...
I can't believe I'm about to do this.
While he couldn't believe he was doing it, that didn't mean that he didn't enjoy the cuddle once Snowflake stopped crying.
''Aww, so cute.'' someone cooed.
Hunter and Snowflake both jumped, jerking their gazes up to see Commander Cody smirking at them. Then Hunter had to resist the urge to roll his eyes.
''Yeah, just next time, Commander, give a man a warning first?''
''Okay,'' he replied, a cheeky grin plastered on his face, ''If I see any, I'll be sure to do that.''
Setting the dragonet down so he could stand to get a better view of the holo, Hunter crossed his arms. ''Why the call?''
''Eh,'' Cody shrugged, ''Just checking in on you guys, making sure you haven't killed each other yet.''
Letting his chin drop to his chest, the sergeant sighed.
''Big emphasis on the yet, sir,'' he mumbled.
Wearily lifting his head to peer tiredly up at the hologram of his mentor, he added, ''Sir, how did you do it? Keep us from killing each other and still manage to keep somewhat sane?''
Leaning closer with a smirk on his face, Cody replied, ''Very carefully.''
Beside him, Rakasha purred, rubbing his leg. Cody must have noticed (well, DUH he noticed) because he grinned.
''She like being around you.'' he commented.
''Yeah, I'm beginning to wonder if she does too much,'' Hunter grumbled.
''Oh really?'' his tone sounded interested.
Oh no, what did I just get myself into?
''Let's test that, shall we?'' An unholy gleam of gleeful delight sprang to his eyes and he pointed at Hunter. ''Rakasha, kiss!''
The words barely had had time to register in his mind when suddenly he was tackled to the ground by Snowflake, smothered in wet, slobbery animal licks.
''AAAAHHH! CODYyyyyyyyyyyyyy!''
''Ah, ah, ah, that's 'Commander' to you, sunshine.''
He was enjoying this! This, Hunter realized, was the Cody few people ever saw...and in his personal, humble opinion, for good reason!
Between gasped breaths and Cody's own roars of laughter, the sergeant desperately called, ''Cody! Cody, call her off!''
But the commander was doubling over so hard he was out of view from the holo-projection.
''HaHAAAAAAAA! I've always wanted to try that on someone! HaaaaaaAAAAh that look on your face is so priceless!''
Snowflake just kept going, either completely ignoring Hunter's protests or once she was given an order, she just kept going until she was ordered to stop. And if that was the case...
''CoMMANDERRRRRR!''
Just for a moment he realized just how lucky he was that no one was recording this...that he knew of...
When they arrived back outside (both for Hunter to get away from the ever-seeing Commander and for Snowflake to play with someone other then him), as usual, there was a heated discussion - probably over who had hit her. None of them seemed to be admitting to it and Hunter wondered how he would have to rip the truth out of them.
As he did, a sudden maniacal smile split his face, remembering how Cody had handled the situation.
Bending down, he hissed gleefully, ''Rakasha...KISS!''
Though he had hated it when it was happening to him, Hunter found himself laughing the same way Cody had (doubled over) as surprised and disgusted screams and shrieks permeated the air.
It was then he suddenly realized the useful quality of payback.
Ahhhh, the intangible spoils of war, he might have thought...but he wouldn't until later.
At the moment, he was laughing too hard now to notice.
Once back inside, the events were almost normal. Luckily nothing of note happened. True, Wrecker had asked Tech what the best way to tape a random someone (liiiiike Hunter, per se?) to the wall was when they didn't want to be taped up-side down for four hours but Crosshair snitched on the insertion and nothing came of it.
The next morning though (three o'clock to be exact), Hunter was staring up at the underside of the bunk bed, scowling both at the fact that the one time he had to sleep was the one time that he found he couldn't and also there was nothing for him to do except wait there...
He thought back to the spartan run the day before, fidgeting a little in the discomfort of the moment because he was stuck in one place in one position. Kriff, he needed to move. It was getting painful staying where he was.
Well...Everyone else was asleep (and in no chance of waking up)...
Slipping out of the Marauder, he headed back to the mountain base. Again, the weather's annoying habit of the magic disappearing act had prevailed. The wind was a mere whistle in his ears, the snow coming down in a light flurry; The bright moons shone enough to see clearly. It was lonely, cold, and had a certain calmness to it.
He switched on his earbuds, then gave a running leap and started climbing back to the ledge from earlier. For the next hour or so, he fell into the rhythm of the near dance-like martial arts katas from his training days, his movements coming harder, faster at every snap of his hips for the kicks, side-step, and attack. Once he fell into it, everything got calm...or maybe, he just lost himself in the repetition...
By the end, he sat at the edge of the cliff, simply watching the snow drift over the silver-misted landscape. He was getting rather tired of the clowning around that had been happening over the past week. So, he was going to fix that...
The still early morning was shattered when a warning siren screamed. Jolting upright, all eyes turned to the figure at the door. Hunter stood in full armor, arms crossed over his chest before he took a step back and pointed.
''Out the door!'' he bellowed, ''I want your shebs off my ship; get out the door, off my ship, and stand in line!''
Only half-awake, the other three Bad Batch members bolted out the door, scrambled down the stairs, and formed up facing the Marauder, ignoring the wind and snow.
Hunter slowly stalked over to them, moving up and down the line, peering them menacingly.
''For the past five days, you lot have been clowning around, getting fat and lazy and I'm sick of it. Today, we're gonna change all that because the moment we are in the air, we are heading back to the Negotiator because the Commander has another mission for us. We are the best Republic Commandos the GAR has and I will not let us fall from that after two weeks. Now drop down and give me one-fifty!''
It was a miracle! After the six days they'd been there, Hunter finally had a legitimate reason to actually smile.
Nothing had gone wrong! The whole day! He had worked them all too hard for anyone to do anything stupid! Needless to say, he was a little proud of himself for that (watch it, bud; it's about to come back and bite...in more ways then one).
Snowflake had been inside sleeping the whole time so they hadn't had to worry about her.
They'd all been able to practice mountain climbing in case of emergencies.
They'd also worked on target practice (snowballs and snowmen now lay shattered as proof).
Take-downs and martial arts sparring matches had been cushioned by their armor and the snow-powder so no one got seriously hurt (after all, bruises the size of fists and strained muscles were just part of the fun).
And it was early over. The systems sun was beginning to set and Hunter was almost sad to see it go; It had been a productive day.
Hunter, Wrecker, and Crosshair went inside. The three of them, not including Snowflake - who had woken up by now - made their way over to the cockpit to check the Marauder's support systems. And just in time. The weather was picking up again. It was so windy and flakes were coming down so hard it almost sounded like pounding on the door.
For the next few minutes, they were so focused on what they were doing that they didn't even notice that something was missing. But to make up for it, just then, the wind momentarily stopped.
''GUYS!'' a voice suddenly screeched from outside.
Or...*ahem* someone, rather.
Jumping at the sound of the disembodied howl, their blood suddenly ran cold as they all noticed there was a member missing. Then they flushed, glancing at each other sheepishly. In the excitement, they'd accidentally forgotten to keep the door open long enough for Tech (who had been slow as usual because he'd probably been focusing on his datapad rather then getting inside). All eyes turned to Wrecker, who had been the last one in.
He chuckled nervously and shrugged.
Ooops.
The three Bad Batchers scurried over to the main door. Hunter stabbed the access button and there stood Tech, shivering miserably. He lifted his head, arms wrapped around himself to keep warm, and chattered,
''W-wrecker, y-you wi-ill regrrret this.''
After being ushered hurriedly inside, they made sure Tech wasn't in any risk of frostbite, sending him back to the crews quarters the first instant he would stop fighting them. Rightly, he didn't want to miss anything, but Hunter had already made up his mind that no one was going back outside until the next morning.
So, naturally that was then Wrecker raised a hand, ''Can I take Snowflake out again though? She's wants out.''
''I don't know, Wrecker,'' Tech called, ''CAN you? And does she 'want out'? Where could she get that?''
Cocking his head, he glanced at Hunter. ''Uh...Yes? Outside?''
Then he scowled. ''I don't know, that's why I asked you!''
Hunter face palmed, grumbling under his breath. Kriff it, he took the bait.
Oh please, not this again.
But oblivious to the sergeant's pains, Tech yelled back.
''No, Wrecker! It's may I take Snowflake and she wants to get out! Proper grammar, Wrecker!''
''Proper grammar? Why does it have to be proper?''
''Just makes you sound smart,'' Hunter mumbled under his breath.
''It is the basics of a language! If you can learn the basics of proper grammar, then you can communicate with anyone and at any setting that could be thrown at you. Obviously, it's one of the most important life skills we can learn!...Well, okay, I take that back. That you could learn. I already passed my Language tests.''
Ah, yet like iron, it gets a little rusty after a while without up-keep...and we've been on our own for, what? Two years? Give or take?
''Yeah, but we're also obviously not you, buttercup.''
Wrecker frowned between Hunter and where Tech's voice was coming from, confused.
''I keep hearing two different things...which is it? Would someone please make up their minds?''
''Would some one please make up their mind; and yes I - wait...'' Tech came in, a blanket wrapped around his shoulders, ''Hunter has an opinion on this?''
Oh no.
''Yes. Every time you would say something, he'd say something.''
''Oh really?'' He studied him carefully. ''I'd greatly wish to hear what he has to say...''
Messa in biiiiig trouble...
Thankfully, he cut the argument short by ordering them all to bed.
Don't worry, Tech and Snowflake are okay. I promise ;)
(LOL in the comments if you got the 'can/may' argument) From what I've heard it's mostly a homeschoolers thing...But I'd imagine it's only cuz we are typically bored as heck...which is partly why I'm on here for writing XD
Heavy metal for Wrecker equals Disturbed. X} (Indestructible is still a favorite of mine) Also, for Hunter's night training scene, I was listening to 'How Far I'll Go' from Moana in case it seems a little dramatic. XD (if you don't believe me, re-imagine that scene while listening to the second half of the song)
Anyway, thanks for reading! I hope you like it! :D