Chapter 2 - Aftermath
Author's Note: In which Crosshair tries to deal with everything, and Hunter continues to... act strange. ;)
~ Amina Gila
It's predictable that Echo, who isn't used to these scuffles, is the first one knocked out, which ended the fight pretty fast before the Kaminoans could come put an end to it themselves. "Admiral Tarkin's here," Echo tells them the moment they're alone in the medbay – he's been out for some time, but not quite long enough to get worrisome. "He's the one evaluating the clones."
"The same Tarkin from the Citadel rescue when you, uh..." Tech trails off. "How shall I put this?"
"Blew up?" Wrecker offers.
"And turned into that?" Crosshair finishes, pointing at Echo with his toothpick.
Echo sighs. "Yes. And he's not a big supporter of clones."
"We'll soon find out. We've been summoned by the Prime Minister," Hunter replies, arms crossed.
"Guess he didn't find that mess hall fight amusing," Wrecker volunteers cheerfully, "But I sure did."
Well, Omega sure did, too, from what Crosshair saw of her, and he can't help casting a glance at the girl as she stands silently off to the side. She had, apparently, insisted on staying with Echo until he woke up even if she was told to go elsewhere. It's like he thought – she's persistent. Stubborn. They won't be getting rid of her anytime soon.
"Come on," Hunter says, moving for the door, "Let's get this over with."
The others start filing after, but Omega sprints forwards, planting herself between them and the door. "Wait. The fight was my fault. I'm going too."
Hunter pauses, looking down at her. "Not happening. We'll handle this," he replies, brushing past her and moving for the door.
"But I –"
"Listen, kid," he tells her shortly, "Our squad's nothing but trouble. For your sake, keep your distance. Got it?"
She looks stung, but she doesn't object. Still, something about leaving here there, alone, just feels... wrong. Any other time, Crosshair would've blindly trusted that Hunter knows what he's doing, but after Kaller... but what could else any of them do? They're soldiers. She's not their concern, even if she wants to be with them. They'll be gone again before she knows it.
"She's just a kid," he finds himself saying, anyway, "She doesn't understand."
Hunter looks at him, and it's not the first time Crosshair noticed it, but he thinks it's the first time he understood it. Something about the tightness of his brother's expression, even if he's doing all he can to hide it – he's in pain. Which is unusual, because he wasn't injured on Kaller, aside from when he got knocked out. His head then, maybe? "She doesn't belong with us," he replies, "We already nearly got her in trouble."
"Technically, it was Omega who started the fight," Tech interrupts before moving off down the hall.
Hunter hasn't... mentioned anything to Tech, which is unusual. They don't hide their injuries, because that's dangerous, but it's happening now, and Crosshair will just have to trust his brother's judgement.
Even if... he's not sure he should do that anymore.
**w**
It was so... fast. None of them could've expected the droids to randomly switch to live fire mid-training session. That's never happened before. They had no warning, and – and Wrecker was shot. It happens all the time, enough that they're all mostly numb to it, though that doesn't stop the unease.
It's different on the battlefield. This is Kamino. They're supposed to be safe here.
And yes, safe is a relative term, but they've never... had this happen before.
And Tech – Tech was quite nearly killed, even if he wasn't actually injured.
"Live rounds?" Wrecker yells, throwing his helmet onto the table hard enough that it bounces off and sails across the room. Any other time, Crosshair would've jumped at the chance to tease him about it. Not now though. Not when he's just as angry. "They used live rounds! On us!" he slams his fists down on the table in a failed attempt to let out the rest of his rage – he'll be going on about this for a long time, won't he?
"We know," Crosshair reminds as the rest enter the room.
"I tried to warn you about Tarkin," Echo points out.
"Who's that Imperial snake think he is?" Wrecker yells.
"You get shot all the time," Hunter replies, and the sheer strangeness of the comment makes everyone present turn to stare at him.
"There's a fundamental difference between taking fire in battle and being used for target practice," Tech argues, the wording itself betraying, for the first time, how irked he is. He is always about reasoning, but he still has emotions. It's almost hard to remember sometimes.
"Exactly!" Wrecker huffs. "We're not dummy droids."
"That much we agree on," a voice says from the doorway, and everyone freezes. Hunter slides his knife away and everyone instantly snaps to attention. They should've been more careful. "That was quite an impressive display," Tarkin continues, entering their barracks and standing in front of them. "Our new Empire may have methods which seem a bit unorthodox, but so does this squadron. Both certainly have their merits. Nala Se speaks quite highly of her five enhanced clones. She claims you're more capable than an army."
"You have a mission for us, sir?" Hunter deduces.
"Indeed. We have tracked a group of insurgents to the Onderon sector. They must be dealt with."
Crosshair is good at keeping his expression blank, as are all his brothers, but this instantly ignites a flare of suspicion. After Kaller, after... the padawan, he's no longer so certain he can take this to be... real.
"What sort of insurgents?" Echo inquires.
"Separatist forces intent on keeping the galaxy at war. If you neutralize this grave threat, you will be looked upon most favorably as I assess the needs of the Imperial Army." Tarkin leaves when no one else speaks, and the door closes behind him.
For a moment, everyone stands there. Simply from the tight, dark look on Echo's face, it's clear enough he doesn't trust Tarkin's word for it any more than Crosshair does.
"Alright," Hunter says finally, "Time to move out. Tech, Echo, prep the ship. Wrecker, Crosshair, restock our weapon supply."
**w**
"I'll say this for the Empire, they know firepower," Wrecker declares, pushing the cart to a stop in front of the Marauder where Echo and Tech were trying to splice into the Imperial files while waiting. "You should see the new armory."
"He actually cried," Crosshair adds dryly. Not that anyone could expect anything different from Wrecker.
"Hey," he argues, elbowing him, "We both did."
"There's no room on board for that," Tech protests, eyeing the crates warily.
"Yeah? Well, I'll make room," Wrecker throws back, hefting the crate off the cart and moving for the ramp. "A new mission and unlimited explosives. Things are back to normal."
"That's not going near my rack," Tech calls, running after as Crosshair shakes his head in disbelief at his brothers' sheer insanity behind him – he ought to be used to it by now. Of course, Wrecker and Tech are at it again the moment Hunter steps out. "I refuse to sleep by a projectile again."
Hunter is approaching from down the hall, and Crosshair is about to board the ship to keep the rest of his brothers from ransacking the ship without supervision, but Omega's voice stops him. He pauses to see Hunter turning around to face Omega as the girl sprints down the hall towards him.
"I told you to keep your distance," Hunter says.
"I know, but I need to talk to you."
Hunter sighs. "We're being sent on a mission, kid. We need to leave."
"I know, but I think that Imperial officer has it out for you. I overheard him talking to Lama Su. He doesn't like clones." She says it, as if she thinks it's not normal for many of the very people they fight for to dislike clones. Clone Force 99 themselves haven't interacted much with civilians, but they've seen it enough. "I don't trust him."
"That's nothing new for us, but we get the job done. It's nothing to worry about," Hunter replies, taking a step back, about to turn to leave.
"Then let me come with you," she requests, stepping forwards.
"It's dangerous, kid. You're not a soldier."
"It's dangerous here too. Things aren't like before. We need to leave Kamino." She seems genuinely nervous – whatever it is that's happened, it's really shaken her up. But Hunter knows what he's doing, or at least Crosshair has to believe he does. He's used to having to trust his brothers, watching them from afar. But somehow, leaving Omega here when she wants to come feels... wrong.
"Hunter, let's go!" Wrecker yells from inside the ship.
"Change takes getting used to. Just give it time," Hunter says before turning away and heading to the ship.
Omega doesn't move, standing there, watching them.
"Problem?" Crosshair asks when Hunter finally arrives.
He pauses, and for a moment, Crosshair thinks he's about to look back, but he doesn't. "No," he replies, "It's nothing."
But Omega genuinely feared something, and even if she's overreacting in the way that all children do, Crosshair is certain there's some legitimacy to her claims. But still, a mission is a mission, and it's not as though all missions they went on for the Republic weren't... a bit tricky sometimes – like when they ran into Cut.
Her words fade from mind as they set out. It's easier to pretend everything is fine even if it's not, to pretend nothing will go wrong even if it will.
But he cannot ignore something is... wrong with Hunter. Not as if Crosshair himself has mentioned the way his head is occasionally throbbing for no apparent reason, either. But this is... something's wrong.
**w**
Onderon isn't a particularly nice place to be on, but mostly, it's that Crosshair has the feeling something's not right. Everything seemed normal though, until they move in to get a closer look. "I'm clocking 25 heat signatures ahead but zero droids," Tech reports.
Up ahead is a camp, just a bit too far for anyone but Crosshair to see clearly. But they're not... they're not armed fighters. They look like civilians, despite how they're hiding out in the forest. It's like – too much like Kaller. And Jedi padawans, at least, could pose a legitimate threat. But that's not who these are. He lowers his rifle to look at the others. "Tarkin did say insurgents," he points out finally as the others exchange glances, "Not droids."
It wasn't a blatant lie.
He almost wishes it was.
Everything about this mission was locked down, or else Tech and Echo would've figured out the details already. But it's obvious enough that this was intentional, and he doesn't understand the reasoning behind it. Why send them after people who aren't dangerous? After civilians?
"I'm not sure they're either. There are children down there," Echo replies, still looking through his macrobinoculars.
"You mean, we're not blasting any droids?" Wrecker asks, confused.
"There aren't any droids, Wrecker," Tech answers.
"Well, so what do we do?"
"Alright," Hunter says, "A mission's a mission. We need to move in."
Everyone pauses, staring at him.
"You can't be serious," Echo replies firmly, lowering his macrobinoculars. Wrecker looks between Tech and Hunter, confusion practically radiating off him. Crosshair pushes himself up, slinging his rifle over his shoulder. The padawan was... different. But these? They're civilians, and no matter what the Empire is saying, he knows it's wrong.
"They're civilians, Hunter," Tech argues.
"They're insurgents. We wouldn't have been sent here without a reason. Good soldiers follow orders."
"What's with you?" Wrecker demands, and Hunter turns around to face him.
"Me? I'm following orders!"
"Precisely," Tech agrees, "That is why he was asking."
Behind them, Crosshair hears the quietest rustling sound, and he looks back. They're being surrounded. "We're not alone," he warns. Separatist or no, the Batch will defend themselves if attacked.
Hunter turns to look to the forest, raising his blaster.
"Wait," Tech cautions, darting forwards to stop him from shooting first, "If we harm civilians without assessing the situation, we will be guilty of treason." Of all of them, of course it's Tech who knows how to argue. He has always been about reasoning ahead of... feeling, or orders.
"Stand down," one of the approaching people yells, blaster aimed their direction.
Hunter is the last to comply, and his moves are slow, uncertain, but it's clear he won't fight when his brothers already chose not to.
"These aren't Separatists," Echo says as they're led through the trees towards the encampment. "They're Republic fighters."
"Why would Tarkin send us to attack our own forces?" Tech inquires.
"Because we refuse to fight for an Empire," one of them replies, standing and approaching.
"You're Saw Gerrera," Tech says, moving forwards, "Trained by Captain Rex and General Skywalker to fight for the Republic."
One of the figures steps forwards, taking Hunter's blaster from him and handing it to Saw Gerrera, who stops in front of them. "So, the newly declared Empire sent you to wipe us out?" he asks.
"If you're the insurgents we were sent to neutralize, yes." He sounds too... aggressive. Hunter is only angry when he has a reason to be, when one of his brothers is exhausting him, and even then, he only lashes out when he's stressed. He's being so unlike himself it's... unnerving.
Gerrera laughs. "Well... here we are. What are you gonna do? Strike us down like you did the Jedi?"
"We came here expecting to fight battle droids," Echo replies finally, "Not... civilians."
"Times change, targets change. Why don't you take a look at the insurgents you were sent to destroy? Makes you wonder what else they're lying about." It does, at least for Crosshair, and he knows the same is true for the others – save Hunter. And he doesn't understand this. Gerrera turns away, waving to his troops. "Let's mobilize. Pack up the camp."
Hunter glances back at the others. Crosshair finds himself looking to Tech and Echo – he trusts their judgment most right now, and he doesn't know what to do. They fought for the Empire, even if they thought they were fighting for the Republic and accepting that the Republic has become... what it appears to be now isn't easy.
But he can't deny the truth right in front of his face.
Finally, Echo moves forwards, following Gerrera. "Who are these people?" he inquires.
Gerrera stands from where he was crouching in front of one of the children in the camp, turning back to face them. "Villagers, croppers, former Republic fighters, all now displaced refugees since Palpatine unjustly appointed himself Emperor."
"According to reports, the Jedi made an attempt on the Supreme Chancellor's life. His actions were a defensive measure," Tech objects.
"And I figured you for the smart one," Gerrera throws back. Tech twitches a little, though his expression hardly shifts – it's hard to tell if he's stunned or angry, but it disappears as fast as it usually does. "With the Jedi decimated and the clone army under his command, Palpatine will have control over the entire galaxy. Unless we stop him."
"The war is over," Hunter objects sharply, taking a step forwards, "This is what we fought for."
"We fought to win our planet," Gerrerra throws back, "If we give up now, everything we fought for... everyone we lost, will have been for nothing. I won't let that happen."
"Then you are traitors," Hunter replies, eyes narrowed. Tension is practically buzzing in the air around him. He's about to lash out. If he still had his blaster, Crosshair is almost certain he'd be reaching for it right now. And that he has to watch one of his brothers for a threat instead of watching out for them – it hurts, even if Tech already explained that it's... probably not Hunter's fault.
He doesn't know.
None of them do.
Tech had said, earlier, that the regs are programmed, but he didn't think it would affect them. Even at the time, Crosshair hadn't known what it meant, but the longer it is since Order 66, the more he can see that his oldest brother is very much not himself. The Hunter they all knew wouldn't have brushed off Wrecker's injuries, and Crosshair is certain he wouldn't be this cold about this, either, even if he would still be slightly hesitant to disobey the Empire's orders.
Echo steps forwards, turning to Hunter. It's obvious who he's siding with – and this is how he is, every time General Skywalker is mentioned. Echo trusted his General as deeply as his brothers. "They aren't traitors for trying to protect their planet, Hunter. We would all do the same for each other."
"We should leave if we're gonna make the rendezvous. What do we do with them?" someone asks, stepping up to Gerrerra, who eyes them consideringly.
"The clones once helped us free Onderon, so we'll give them a choice. The old ways are done. You can either adapt and survive, or die with the past. The decision is yours." Gerrera passes Hunter's blaster back to him, who takes it instantly, eyes narrowed.
There's a heartbeat of silence before Gerrera turns off the light next to them and the others start moving away into the woods.
Tech moves forwards instantly, quite pointedly putting himself between Hunter and everyone else with a "clearly, we are either being blatantly lied to, or Tarkin was misinformed."
"They're plotting against the Empire," Hunter retaliates, "We were sent here to put them down."
"They wouldn't have a reason to if the Empire was right," Echo throws back. He's angry. He's often angry, even if he very rarely lashes out. For Echo, it's more a constant, ceaseless rage deep inside him that has never really gone away since Skako Minor. If it's because he feels responsible for what he unwillingly did, and that he's now trying to make up for it, he's never said.
"At least with the Republic we knew where we stood. Tarkin and this Empire are a whole different story," Tech adds.
Finally, Hunter sighs. He's not taking their word for it, but with everyone standing against him, he won't oppose them. "And if this was intentional?"
"We know right from wrong, Hunter," Crosshair interjects. "It's not hard to figure out."
The Empire gave them the order to kill a padawan, a child.
They had Wrecker shot, and nearly killed Tech.
And now, sending them out here, to massacre a group of civilians?
There's another tense, painfully long, pause of silence.
Hunter twitches suddenly, glancing into the trees, then back at them, but Crosshair knows that look. He's sensing something, even if he hasn't voiced it yet.
Crosshair follows his gaze to the tree line. He reacts almost instinctively, raising his rifle and firing at the probe droid. It drops to the ground, sparking.
"That is a probe droid," Tech declares as they gather around the mechanism.
"Tarkin's spying on us now?" Wrecker exclaims, "The Jedi never did that."
Honestly? Considering everything else that's happened, Crosshair really isn't surprised. They knew not to trust Tarkin and – "Omega warned Hunter before we left," he says. And suddenly, everything that the girl said makes perfect sense. "She said it was dangerous for us to go back."
"Knowing Tarkin, he might accuse us of treason," Echo realizes, "She isn't wrong to be worried."
"We're going back," Hunter replies shortly, "We can ask Tarkin ourselves." He brushes past the others, disappearing inside the ship. He's... angry. And it doesn't seem to be directed at the Empire.
It's the first time in his life that Crosshair feels the genuine need to say something, though there's nothing to be said. He can't understand why Hunter is acting like this, but he doesn't want to call him out on it, either.
He argues with Wrecker all the time, and Echo on occasion, and Tech and Wrecker spend all their time together arguing unless Wrecker is falling into one of his hero-worship phases (Crosshair outgrew those long ago), but they all know better than to argue with Hunter. He's their leader, and he's the one with the responsibility of taking care of them, looking after them, and it's hard. Everyone knows it.
But what are they supposed to do when what he tells them is so obviously wrong?
"What's wrong with him?" Wrecker asks finally.
"I cannot be certain," Tech replies, "But I suspect the regs' programming is more active in him than we realize."
"He's never been anything like the regs," Crosshair objects finally. None of them have.
"Well, no," Tech agrees, "But on account that he suffered a mild head injury the same time Order 66 came out, it may have triggered the programming to activate."
"So... what do we do about it?" Wrecker asks.
"Get on board before he comes back looking," Echo advises, and they board the Marauder without another word.
The trip is mostly in silence until Wrecker starts talking again. "Why's that kid on Kamino, anyway? Only clones live there."
"And here I thought you wouldn't even notice," Crosshair ribs snidely, "Past the fights you were starting with the regs and all the explosives you found in the armory."
"Hey, don't even start on that," Wrecker huffs, ramming into him.
"Because she is a clone, obviously," Tech replies, ignoring them.
Clone? Omega's... a clone? There are no female clones. That's... not possible, though it would explain her similarity.
There's a brief pause of silence. Wrecker laughs. "Good one, Tech. You almost had me."
"When Nala Se spoke of five clones, Tarkin assumed that meant us, but Echo's a reg. The fifth is Omega. I confirmed my suspicions after analyzing her DNA while we were in the infirmary," Tech explains.
Bickering with Wrecker at least gives him something to do other than brood, because no one has the answer to what they're going to do now, and that is what they all need to know. If the Empire is... becoming what it appears to be, Omega isn't wrong that going back is dangerous, but they can't just leave either, can they?
And what will it mean for her? Crosshair doesn't know her, but she's a child, and her... attempts to defend them are something that no one else has ever given, whether they need it or not. He doesn't want to leave her somewhere that she could be in danger.
**w**
Everything from the point Tipoca City comes into view is... off, but that's becoming increasingly normal. The Marauder lands not unlike it always does, only this time, they weren't brought in like they were before.
They're on Kamino, and this is their home, so it shouldn't feel so much like they need to be on guard, as if they're about to be attacked. The hangar appears empty, but Crosshair doesn't think it actually is. He doesn't have a chance to look or to warn the others before they're suddenly surrounded by members of the Coruscant Guard. "Freeze!" one of them barks.
Everyone immediately moves into defensive positions, standing back-to-back, even if it's already obvious they couldn't come out on top surrounded like this – there's no cover.
Another group of the Coruscant Guard approach from the hall into the hangar, the two in front stepping aside to reveal Tarkin.
"The Empire does not tolerate failure, Sergeant," he says sharply. The lightning flashes outside, only adding to the sense of foreboding.
"There were... complications," Hunter replies, "We weren't certain your intel was correct."
"Yes, the probe droid's report was quite detailed. Conspiring with Saw Gerrera. I assume you know the punishment for treason," Tarkin replies smoothly. He's not going to address their concerns, is he? This was deliberate. All of it.
They have never had experience with... untrustworthy superiors. Clone Force 99 has always looked out for one another first and foremost, and their entire existence is built on not following regulations, but they've never been in a situation like this before.
"Treason?" Hunter echoes, jerking back.
"Throw them in the brig," Tarkin orders.
Omega warned them of this. Echo warned them of this. Being thrown in prison for making the right choice doesn't even phase him anymore. Except now, there's only one way out – away. Away from Kamino, from the Empire, from everything, because now? Now, they're considered traitors, too.
**w**
The moment they enter the brig, Hunter moves to the bench, sinking onto it and pressing his hand to the right side of his head. Wrecker stops to grumble about the smell in the background, but what immediately catches Crosshair's gaze is Omega.
"I told you not to come back," she says.
"There were complications," Wrecker repeats, very blatantly mocking Hunter from earlier. The eldest looks up with a glare nearly fierce enough to send them all cowering.
It would be wrong to say Hunter is never angry, because he can be, but he has a patience and softness to him that Crosshair has never seen in anyone else. And he's their leader and was once their eldest – before Echo joined – and they look up to him. Hunter is only angry when someone did something exceedingly reckless, or downright stupid and endangered everyone else. But usually? It's Hunter who breaks up his brothers' arguments, not starts them.
"I told you we can't disobey orders," he bites out, jolting to his feet.
"We do it all the time," Crosshair replies, his own anger spiking. His concerns from earlier are disappearing through a haze of fury – his brother has been like this for hours, days now, and that he would so coldly give them orders to carry through with, something they all know is wrong?
"Yeah," Wrecker agrees, "You never complained about it before."
"This is completely different," Hunter snaps, "They were plotting against the Empire."
"Not all of them," Tech objects the same moment Echo steps forwards, a stormy expression on his face, with a "and with good reason."
The tension is practically crackling in the air, and Crosshair doesn't look away from Hunter, but he can still see the way Omega's gaze is darting between them all. She doesn't understand what's happening. They probably shouldn't argue in front of her, but she's here, and they can't go elsewhere, and there's no way around this... conversation.
"We can't disobey orders like this," Hunter retorts.
"Now you care?" Crosshair throws back.
"I'm just trying to keep you safe!" Hunter yells. He glares at them again, scathingly, before turning away back to his self-appointed brooding corner.
"Then how are we breaking outta here?" Wrecker asks, the first to break the silence.
Crosshair's gaze turns to Omega, who's watching Hunter, something soft and sympathetic in her expression.
They should say something to her. Maybe. He doesn't know what he'd say though. He's used to being quiet. It's part of his role in their squad, part of being a sniper – he has to be quiet. It's been ingrained into him since he was young. He grew up with it. He doesn't know how to talk, to interact with people.
And it usually doesn't matter. Normally, Hunter would do it all for them.
They were trained for fighting, not talking to children.
"Well," Tech says, turning to Omega and sitting on the bench near her, "Thank you for the warning. We wouldn't have returned if Hunter hadn't insisted."
Hunter doesn't move, but he side-eyes Tech with a glare hot enough to vaporize metal.
Echo instantly sits down between them, even if they're a good distance apart, crosses his arms, and glares right back.
"Why are you in the brig?" Crosshair asks, sitting on the far side of the room. He's not trying to keep his distance from Hunter exactly, but he still doesn't want to be near him.
Omega twitches. "Me? Um. I was caught... wandering around."
"Do you still want to leave with us?" he inquires as Wrecker sits down on the floor nearby.
Her expression brightens instantly at the mention. "Yes. It's like I said before. I want to go with you."
Wrecker looks almost as exuberant as she does. "Of course, kid."
Hunter is eyeing them again, and everyone settles into silence. They need a way out, but Crosshair doesn't know of one. Once, everyone would've been looking to Hunter for answers. Now, they have no one to look to, and they're spending most of their energy fighting each other.
Now, they'll have to wait for Tech to come up with something.
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