TBB - Sweet Dreams are made of you (CROSS/MAYDAY - Finale FixIt Series PART 9)
By Gun Roswell
Preface
On duty
Cuddle duty
Preface
Set somewhere in Star Wars the Bad Batch and the Clone Wars galaxy of things (A Multiverse of Star Wars Fan Fiction by Yours Truly)
They had been rescued from Mount Tantiss. Living their best lives.
Dreaming of their future. Hopefully together after the Empire was gone.
But first things first. Saving all the clones, surely a huge task?
Well, it wasn't like it was just the two of them doing it. The saving.
Even if Crosshair sometimes thought he needed to go solo. Not risking the others.
Being sent on a mission to get a double agent out from Coruscant. The first one for the newly formed squad. A proving point.
Some fluff for the dynamic duo added as a reward as well.
A tie-in to "We don't leave our own behind" / The Bad Batch Season Two Finale FixIt Series Part 9 link as part 9 to the finale fixit series
Part of Crosshair/Mayday Series /The Bad Batch Season Two Finale FixIt Series
On duty
'The cause always comes first, at least most of the time it does.'
The time for missions was finally upon. Mayday and Crosshair having joined forces with Rex and were now part of a newly formed squad together with Veetch, Hexx, Tumblr and Dopey. The two shiny commandos they had rescued from Mount Tantiss along with themselves. Running ops for the rebel clone cause was something they had all been looking forward to after a somewhat lengthy recovery time only waiting to be cleared for duty.
And so now the time was there and they were out in space finally headed to their target location. The under cover operation right into the heart of the Empire to get one of their operatives out. A double agent. Someone close to Rex. The agent having become under suspicion by the imperials after working both side for the longest while and was in need to be extracted before they would be detained. Something inevitable for sure. There was no option of failure for this mission. This was a proving point for them all. But especially for Crosshair. Personally at least. Having been the one to go back to the Empire of his own accord. And so, the need to prove he was trustworthy, even if Rex had told him as much. Still, Crosshair needed to show them all he was just that. To be trusted.
The team had landed inside of a remote zone in the lower levels of Coruscant where most citizens did not dare to thread. A blind spot for the imperial location scans. And, a perfect spot for the pickup. Having hopefully managed to avoid any imperial locator devices so far with the aid of a scrambling device onboard their ship. Something of an inbuilt for all the rebel ships these days as provided by Tech and Echo. With big thanks to Tech's brilliant thinking. The genius having built the gadget together with Echo and soon enough been deployed onto all rebel ships within the clone armada.
The team debarked the ship taking their positions around the ship just in case of hostiles. Their weapons ready scanning the area constantly.
Their contact, the clone in need of pickup was nowhere in sight though.
"Are you sure they got the coordinates right?" Veetch asked, nervous of being on Coruscant. Never really having cared for the place even back in the GAR days.
"Rex is sure. He knows the clone." Crosshair was worried though. Being back on Coruscant right smack in the middle of the imperial action was certainly giving the sniper the creeps and wanting their stay to be as short as possible.
"We'll keep the perimeter. I am sure they will come soon enough. Rex said they were an experienced trooper so I trust they know how to find us." Mayday tried to keep the mood calm having been put in the lead of the operation. Seeing as he was the highest ranking officer. Not that it was a competition. And Crosshair did not seem to mind not being the one in command despite his latest position while in the imperial ranks. Then again, so many things had changed and they were mostly equals now, the clones. Adhering to their old ranks was something which simply came natural for them for the sake of managing the missions. Besides, Crosshair would most certainly tell Mayday if he disagreed with the Commander's decisions. Something which surprisingly happened rarely despite Rex's warning to Mayday about the sniper being somewhat of an opinionated shebs even if he mostly followed orders. "How long should we give them?" Hexx asked feeling the nervousness of the others around him. They all feel it. The shivers while close to the imperials. Somewhat of a warning mechanism keeping the troopers on their toes.
"A few hours, tops. Then we'll contact base." Mayday was prepared to give the clone at least a fighting chance. But he wasn't prepared to sacrifice his team for just one person no matter what.
"Sounds like a plan boss." Veetch told their leader.
Crosshair was chewing on his pick as per usual. Thinking about their options. As much as he hated being back on Coruscant he knew he would not leave their own behind. Having learnt the lesson the very hard way. And so, an idea formed in his mind.
"May, if he won't show up during the allotted time then I will go after him." Crosshair had a sort of a plan knowing the layout of the land quite well having been stationed there for a longest while.
Mayday glared at him. Not that he was surprised to hear such a half cocked plan leaving Crosshair's lips but he also knew the guilt the sniper still felt and being borderline suicidal in trying to save others now. Well, it wasn't unexpected to say the least to hear Crosshair suggest something like this. Mayday knowing the man quite well now. While weighing their options for a moment, Crosshair cut Mayday's train of thought as if knowing the answer already or at least his objections. And so.
"I know this place. How to get around here. I can get to him easily. Just in case he is in trouble I can help him." Crosshair tried really hard to sell his plan. "And I will go alone." Crosshair glanced around the others seeing the objections written there as well. But it was their best bet still. Not to raise too much suspicion any way if he went alone.
Mayday shook his head, sighed heavily before replying. "Let's call that…. Plan B."
Crosshair simply nodded. Thankful for Mayday considering it. As it seemed he was one of the few people whom truly understood Crosshair these days. Or perhaps ever having understood him. Not even his former squad had managed that. At least that was how Crosshair felt now.
"Times up!" Tumblr alerted the others having kept a close eye on the chrono. They could not stay for too long as the locals could get suspicious no matter their current location.
Crosshair and Mayday exchanged glances. Mayday wasn't ready to let the sniper go out there on his own without backup. Then again, alone Crosshair would be less conspicuous. Not really looking like a clone anyway and dressed in his civvies as they were all dressed in a sort of disguise. Just in case anyone was looking. Hauling clone armour around wasn't really their best bet these days with all the decommissioning going on. And so trying to fit in, hiding in plain sight was their M.O. even if it left them somewhat vulnerable if someone started shooting at them.
"I will go." Crosshair was already mentally prepared in taking the tour around the city he had so grown to hate.
"Fine. But, keep your comm channel open at all times. You hear!" Mayday half warned the sniper.
"I will." Crosshair promised him. Getting a pat on his back from Mayday while the rest of the team simply nodded as there was no debating about this now. Mayday having pretty much made it clear. Crosshair was capable of pulling this off. At least Mayday had to believe it. Trusting in Crosshair.
"We'll be waiting for you here." Veetch reminded Crosshair they would not leave without him. He was part of the squad. Crosshair simply acknowledged the comment with a nod. Crosshair started his route towards the imperial base hoping to find their missing vod there. If not, at least to get some idea where they might just be. After all, Crosshair still had a few friends on the inside having been in contact with them after his escape. Getting some valuable intel in the process. So, plan B it was now, in action.
Crosshair was making good time in getting to the imperial base. He was avoiding all the hotspots determined to not to get caught. Always a great plan to have during an op like this one. As Crosshair knew which places to dodge figuring their missing clone would too. And most likely having served on Coruscant for a longest while at least according to Rex they would know which route to take to the pickup point without being detected. This was all hypothetical of course, betting on the other clone to have the similar mindset as he himself did but Crosshair had to believe they would think similarly. Being clones there were certain thought processes they all shared enhanced or not. That was why the worked so well together. Most of the time. Crosshair had reached the the base soon enough halting his movement at the very edges of it keeping himself hidden in the shadows. Seeing the patrols there in place. Two by two the TK-troopers made their rounds across the perimeter. Clearly more of them out there now than before. The unruliness among the natives visible here as well. In the Imperial Capital. Alas they were TK-troopers. The lot of them. Not one clone in sight. What a shame, Crosshair thought to himself. Crosshair spat his toothpick out in disgust seeing the so called hired soldiers having taken their places. The clones places. Even if Crosshair would never again want to serve the Empire, he still felt robbed. Those half assed badly trained soldiers replacing his kin. Crosshair took a deep breath and was about the enter the lion's den when he spotted some commotion a little farther away. Just outside the base. In another shadowy area of the structure where he knew there would be no surveillance recorders present. Crosshair's quickly surveying the area visually before honing in on the action. And what he saw there made him spurt into running.
A clone. Not in uniform nor in protective armour was being used as a punching bag by several TK-troopers.
As he approached the group he could see the clone taking several hits before falling onto the ground, spewing blood from his mouth as he dropped. He looked bad. Really, really bad. But, much to Crosshair's surprise, the clone let out a loud laugh even while down on his knees.
"You lot… will never be able to replace us clones." He was a defiant one for sure.
Crosshair had remained a short distance away staying hidden from the others view. He made a few quick calculations. Prepping his trusted riffle he watched through the scope and then, it started. Crosshair was popping out shots. One by one the troopers fell down never knowing what hit them.
The clone still on the ground simply watched on as the imperials around him fell down to their deaths.
Almost as quickly as it had started it was over. The smoking heaps of flesh on the ground surrounding the attacked clone. Crosshair emerged from his hiding carefully approaching the scene.
"Need a hand?" He coyly asked seeing the other clone still lucid despite his condition and having been attacked.
The clone looked up and right at Crosshair. The surprise clear in his eyes.
"Crosshair?"
Crosshair was surprised the clone had recognised him. But as the bloodied face came to full view, he too immediately could see whom it was.
"Commander Wolffe?"
Rex had not told the team as to whom it was they were rescuing. His reasoning unclear, but it was most likely for the safety of them all. And Wolffe had to be it. Their double agent.
"Yeah, what's left of him." Wolffe chuckled, spitting out blood from his mouth.
Crosshair was by his side helping the man up. Supporting him while he stood.
"So, you're my pickup then?" Wolffe might have been beaten to the pulp, but the fight was still in him. Giving one the closest dead imps a good kick just out of spite. Crosshair could only admire the other man's spirit.
"Yeah, guess I am." Crosshair tapped on the comms channel. "I've got him." He spoke over the frequency.
"Roger that. Do you need help?" Mayday's voice came over them coms.
"I think we need a pickup." Crosshair was worried though not wanting the imps to see their ship. "Hone in on my position. We'll get away from the base just a little farther to avoid detection."
"Base?" Mayday sounded surprised. But he did not question Crosshair's choices though, the sniper having made his way to the base and getting their contact was all he needed to know.
"Yeah, I found him. But we'll try to get some distance between us and the imps."
"Sounds like a plan. See you soon."
Crosshair turned his attention back to Wolffe. The man not in then best of shapes for sure.
"Can you walk?"
Wolffe took a step then another.
"Sure I can. If it means getting out from this hellhole!"
Crosshair placed his arm to support Wolffe.
"I think we can manage."
Wolffe only nodded, leaning into the support as the two started making their way out from the base as quickly as humanly possible.
"So, they caught you huh?" Crosshair asked as they half jogged side by side.
"Yeah, I was too late in getting out. Someone ratted me out and guess the commanding officers decided I was better off dead as quickly as possible. So they staged the little fight scene you just witnessed."
Crosshair wasn't surprised. Seeing how the clones were treated now, this was simply an other addition to the brutality the imperials used against their kind.
"We'll get you out of this Sithspit of a place don't you worry!" Crosshair promised Wolffe then getting a small smile from the Commander.
Because Crosshair was totally prepared to kill anyone else stepping in their way trying to prevent them from leaving before the others would come for them. Swearing internally he would not let another vod die. Not on his duty!
Cuddle duty
'Time off, because why not? They've certainly earned it!'
"Are you sure this is alright?" Mayday asked for the second time the two having snuck out of the base in the early evening hours not really telling anyone they were going out. Well, not officially. "I mean that weren't breaking any rules or anything like that?" Mayday still new to Rex's command and his ways of working. Then again Crosshair was hardly a stickler to the rules either and Rex having requested for him to stay so, guess this was all… good?
"Why wouldn't it be? We're hardly shinies sneaking out after curfew." Crosshair chuckled. "We're grown ass men and we certainly don't need to explain our comings and goings to the rest of them. It's not like this is the military or the Empire even." Crosshair was kind of finding it cute how Mayday had still trouble adjusting to the more freer way of life even if the clones still had a hierarchy and duty shifts. Still they were all free now even if they served the cause. Their own rebel cause.
Crosshair was in the lead, walking down the narrow path he could see clearly despite the darkening skies above them. Having found the perfect spot for the two of them to spend some alone time together away from the others prior to their little impromptu outing. After all, it was getting kind of cramped on the base. So, this small trip being the perfect time for the two of them.
"Where exactly are you taking me?" Not that Mayday was complaining. Much. If this little surprise of Crosshair suddenly dragging Mayday's shebs into middle of nowhere for them to have some time alone then it was all good. Mayday would have preferred to be able to see better though. Not exactly sure where he was stepping. But Crosshair had his hand in Mayday's hauling the other man behind him. So feeling somewhat safe in that.
"You'll find out soon enough." Crosshair had scouted the area during a survey run him and Echo had done while mapping the planet from the air. This being a new location for the rebel base so they needed to find out all about the otherwise unoccupied planet they could for their own safety.
"Oh-kay. Just letting you know I am putting all my trust and faith in you is all." Mayday really was, trusting Crosshair in every single way. Of course he was. The two of them were close. Really, really close. Basically sharing everything between them these days.
"Good." Crosshair could see the spot he had seen a few days before having made a thorough arial scan of it before deciding this was it. Their special place.
The duo reached the location soon enough. Crosshair hauling the gear he had packed for the outing. He glanced around, picking a spot for their tent while Mayday remained glaring at the view in front of them in total awe. The ledge of the mountain curving down to the prefect lake while the starry sky was spreading above them. The three moons shining their soft light onto those daring out into the darkening night.
Crosshair made quick of unpacking their stuff before stepping to where Mayday was still standing. Gawking at Mother Nature's creation.
"So, can I cook or can I cook?" Crosshair snuggled close to Mayday his arm around the other man's waist.
"You can indeed, sweetheart." Mayday leaned into Crosshair. "This is the perfect spot."
"So, how about we make a fire and make ourselves comfortable." Crosshair suggested even if he was reluctant to leave Mayday's side. But cuddling around a warm fire sounded tempting as well.
"I'm game if you are." Mayday turned to look at Crosshair, stealing a quick peck from the sniper's lips.
"Mm… you may hold on to that thought… for later." Crosshair smirked having a few ideas of how to spend the night. Playing some games of a different variety.
"Come on then. Let's get that fire started." Mayday tugged Crosshair with him.
"Oh I think it already has." Crosshair had a grin plastered on his face.
The fire was roaring, the night having fallen finally. The stars twinkling above the two lovers laying in the open air in their sleeping bags having forgone the tent for now wanting to enjoy the nature around them and the gorgeous skies. The views as Crosshair had put it even if he only had eyes for Mayday at the moment.
Laying naked in each others arms, their kisses long and languid as there was no hurry. Simply basking in the others touch. It had been a while for sure, the two of them having run nonstop missions until now ever since they had been cleared for duty. But they never failed to take care of each other, stealing a moment here and there.
The kisses heating soon enough though as were the fires burning bright on the inside and out.
Spent and relaxed the couple lay inside of the tent. Snuggled together tightly ready for some sleep. There was something on Mayday's mind though.
"When this is all over… the Empire defeated…" Mayday liked to dream after all. Of better times when the clones were all free and they had a chance for something more than being soldiers now that the possibilities had opened up to them. "You think you and me will get to live somewhere together?" Mayday was probing somewhat, their relationship still rather new even if they were so totally in tune. Always together, talking… yes, Crosshair talked too! At least with Mayday he did. The two of them taking care of each other in all the ways possible. Crosshair looked at Mayday. Really looked at him.
"If I was to spend the rest of my life with anyone…. It would be you." Crosshair's response was rather vague even if he did mean it to be. As this was so new to him. Someone actually voicing they wanted to spend time with him. Really spend time with Crosshair. Even planning their future… Mayday being the dreamer of the two but the idea had not gone past Crosshair either. Thinking they, the clones actually might have a future after all. Of their own making no less.
"So, if I was to pop the question, then the answer would be…?" Mayday never the one to mince words that much was sure even if he might have sounded doubtful sometimes. Usually not thought, as Mayday knew what he wanted.
Crosshair froze in place suddenly.
"Um question?"
"Yeah, to make things all proper and official between us."
Crosshair really did not thought about that though. Even if he knew what he wanted. And it was to be with Mayday. But the other man saying stuff like that out loud… well, it was making things more real and tangible for the stoic sniper.
"You and me?"
"Yeah, whom else do you see around here?" Mayday chuckled.
"Why would you want to spend the eternity with me?" Crosshair was playing it coy though. He simply had to. Even if he knew how they both felt about each other. The words even having been spoken in soft whispers during their love making. The love word.
"Whoa! Who said anything about eternity!" Mayday too could play it coy.
"Well, it's that or nothing. Take it or leave it!" Crosshair teased Mayday.
"Since you put it that way…" Mayday sounded like he was backing up but the soft smile merging was telling otherwise. "How can I refuse!"
Mayday leaned in for a soft kiss. The dream world calling for them both. It had been a long day after all, with the hiking, nature, the love making, all of it.
"Sweet dreams, Cross." Mayday kissed the top of his partner's head before laying down patting the space beside him. "See ya in the morning."
"I will see you when I dream of you." Yeah Crosshair could be quite sweet too when he wanted to. And with Mayday he certainly wanted to. Lying as close as possible to his…love… Mayday.