Loss
The Marauder dropped out of hyperspace above Pabu, and Echo guided it into a steady descent toward the landing pad.
Hunter sat behind him, hands knotted, head bowed.
He wished they had some other haven to retreat to. With their injuries far from healed, they needed some place they could regroup, begin the search for Omega.
Nowhere was safe, perhaps not even Pabu, but with Cid's betrayal, they had zero options.
His heart ached with dread, for he had no desire to give Phee the news, about Tech, or Omega.
It wouldn't be possible to keep it from her, but Hunter didn't know if he had the strength to do it.
Wrecker sat across from him, holding Lula. He'd barely spoken since….
Since he'd watched Tech fall.
Hunter and Echo had insisted on the details of what'd happened, and the recounting had driven Wrecker to tears.
The ship settled into an easy landing, the ramp lowering with a familiar hum.
Hunter looked across at Wrecker, up at Echo, who had come to stand alongside.
Hunter had endured many challenges as a leader. Loosing a member of his squad, no, a member of his family, was worse than all of them.
Telling a woman who had strong feelings for him was going to be even worse.
'Ya gotta do it, Hunter,' Wrecker toned, a tremble in his voice.
'I know,' Hunter sighed, unknotting his hands, standing.
'Hey, in there!' Phee's cheery voice summoned from outside the ship, 'Anyone home?'
Wrecker didn't move, just clutched Lula tighter, and wiped away tears.
It hadn't been that long ago since he'd merrily teased Tech about Phee liking him.
Echo laid a consoling hand on Hunters shoulder, met his eyes, gave a nod.
Hunter headed down the ramp, Echo not far behind. Wrecker stood, looked at Lula a moment, before giving the doll a hug, and reaching to set her up in Omegas room, then slowly headed down the ramp.
Phee stood impatiently, hands on hips, tapping one foot. She'd expected Omega to come barreling out, excited to share the tale of their latest adventure. Of course, Tech would come off last, tapping his data pad and acting like he wasn't looking at her.
She smiled broadly when Hunter appeared, but that faded rapidly. He was moving slowly, painfully, wearing bandages. Echo seemed alright, but Wrecker, too, was obviously wounded.
She didn't see Omega..and..
Where was Tech?
Anxiously, she ran, closed the distance between them, met Hunter at the foot of the ramp. Her heart racing, she grabbed his forearms, insisting,
'What's happened?'
Hunter met her eyes, and Phee knew by his desolate expression the news was bad.
'Omega,' she said, sharply, and Hunter said,
'Captured, by the Empire.'
Phee shook her head, afraid to ask, afraid to hear the answer,
'Tech?'
Hunter, eyes closed, dropped his head, shook it slowly,
'Phee, I…he's gone…I'm so sorry…'
Phee let go of Hunter, took a step back,
'No. Not my Brown Eyes…'
Hunter couldn't look at her, not with his own grief still so fresh.
Shep had come up behind Phee, quickly enough to hear what he'd said,
Phee turned, flung herself into his open arms, sobbing shamelessly, and Hunter felt as if a knife had turned again in his heart.
He glanced over at Wrecker, still wiping away tears, and Echo, chin lifted stoically.
After a few moments, she lifted her face from Sheps chest. Her face wet with tears, she managed to ask,
'You ..you brought him home?'
Hunter hadn't expected that question.
Ashamed, he excused,
'The Empire was there. We…couldn't..recover him…his…' but he couldn't bring himself to finish.
'You left him?' she cried, turning, about to pummel Hunter with her fists.
Shep stopped her, folding her into another embrace.
'Phee, it will be alright,' he said, softly, but she shook her head, angrily, spun and pointed an accusing finger at Hunter,
'You don't leave your men behind! How could you leave him alone…'
Burying her face in her hands, she fled, the sound of her sorrow fading as she went.
Shep watched her go, heaved a giant sigh, turned back to Hunter.
His kind face was free of judgement, but not of sadness.
Hunter, shoulders dropped in defeat, said,
'I'm sorry, Shep. We didn't have anywhere else to go. We can leave, if you'd like.'
Shep stepped forward, grasped Hunter by the shoulders.
'We will never turn you away, Hunter. You are all family now.' He looked over at the other two, face twisted with sorrow.
'You look like you need medical attention.'
Hunter nodded, but couldn't come up with any words.
Shep wrapped his arm around Hunters shoulders, turned to gesture to Wrecker and Echo,
'Come with me. Eat. Rest. We can talk about what happened, later.'
'But, what about Phee? Won't this make her even more upset?' Hunter protested, as Shep urged him to follow.
'Phee…. Actually, I'm not sure. But I do know that even tho her first reaction was anger, once she accepts what's happened, she'll….' Shep paused, searching for what he wanted to say,
'She will want to join the search for Omega.'
Hunter nodded, and allowed Shep to lead them, relieved to let someone else take charge for now.
He was so tired.
Wrecker dragged along behind them, miserably, eyes downcast, Echo by his side.
On the Marauder, a small light at Techs station began to flash on the console.
Slowly, consistently, quietly.
But there was no one on board to see it.