Chapter 1 - Departure
Plot: The Bad Batch have stuck with each other through thick and thin, until they don't. Echo's departure was something they all saw coming, though it hurts no less. Omega is left without the closest-to-parent she's ever had, forcing her to turn to Hunter for the safety and protection she found in Echo, and the others without the one who led them while Hunter was away.
When Rex asked them to come help, they went without a second thought. It... was easy, all the way up until the end. Omega's at the Senate right now, delivering the evidence from the star destroyer to whichever Senator is involved, leaving the boys out here alone. They're heading back for the garage bay area, waiting for Omega and Senator Chuchi to rejoin them.
They all know what's about to happen. It's an unspoken thing, not even something anyone needs to voice.
The knowledge doesn't make it easier.
Not any easier than accepting that Hunter tried to kill them. That he hurt them, even if it wasn't his fault.
Crosshair isn't exactly overly excited to flat-out ask Echo about it, though. He's never been one to chase down awkward conversations. Not about to change that.
"Help's hard to come by these days," Rex had said pointedly, and that was the moment that Crosshair just knew what was about to happen.
Echo's been very, very vocal about his displeasure with trying to hide from the very beginning, all the way back from Kamino when they got Hunter back.
"You comin'?" Wrecker asks finally, the first and only one brave enough to ask.
Echo looks at Rex and sighs. "To tell the truth," he says, "I think I can do far more good here."
They've been together since Skako Minor. Since Anaxus. It's been well over a year that they've had Echo, that he's been a part of their family. Crosshair knew, from the start, there would be struggles – having siblings is hard, but it's always been different with him. They didn't know him the same way they knew each other.
Crosshair knew there was a high chance that they'd get ripped apart someday, because he and his brothers have never been able to have anyone else. There's a reason none of the regs liked them. Wanted them. Even tolerated them.
But now, they've been together long enough for their family to fall apart.
No one has a guarantee of survival in war. Of being together. But after months of... so little action, war feels so far away. They're not really soldiers anymore. Or at least, they're far more than that.
Echo wanted them. Choose them. Took care of them when Hunter was gone, or at least he tried. And now, he's – he'll be gone.
Crosshair understands it, because there has been so much tension between him and the rest of them since Kamino and even before, but it still feels like he's running. He knows Echo and he trusts him, but that doesn't stop the terrified little part of his mind that's afraid he'll never look back or even miss them.
"You expect to come back with us in one piece?" Crosshair asks him finally, because Echo was practically the sole voice of reason back then.
"Hunter will take care of you," he promises, not really flippant, but still overwhelmingly factual, like he finds it simple somehow.
"You'd trust me for that?" Hunter queries. He looks almost incredulous, and maybe the slightest bit touched.
"Of course. I know we don't always agree –" Crosshair snorts at the understatement. "Especially not on how we do things, but I know you'll always protect our squad."
He'll try, is what Echo means, but there's no use rubbing it in. That would be cruel.
Well, Crosshair might've been tempted sometimes, but when they got Hunter back, he was a mess and so overwhelmingly uncertain and hurt it was all they could do to get him to... he'd said he thought about leaving, not that he actually would, but...
Point being, he was a mess enough that Crosshair felt too bad to actually yell at him, even if he found it very, very tempting sometimes.
"Thank you," Hunter says, "I – I know we've... disagreed on almost everything, but you're still our brother, and if you ever feel like you don't fit in there, or... if you ever want to stop fighting, you're welcome with us."
It needed to be said, but it still makes it real, and Crosshair thinks it hurts more than anything else. He doesn't want Echo to leave, but they can't force him to stay, either. If he wants to stay, it has to be his choice. Still feels like they failed, but Echo's not... angry. That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.
"I know," Echo replies, holding his gaze.
They really don't have anything else to say.
**w**
Omega's mind is still reeling from what happened at the Senate. Hunter's "wherever you end up... just remember what I said" as he grips Echo's shoulder is the first very, very strange comment that catches her attention.
"Stay safe," Echo replies with a nod, squeezing his wrist.
"Don't get into trouble without us," Wrecker says, punching Echo's shoulder. He nods to him, and Wrecker turns back for the ship, looking uncharacteristically a little let down. Not upset, exactly, just a bit...
"Without us?" Omega echoes in a confused whisper.
"I shouldn't expect a call from Rex in a couple weeks about how you got blown up again, should I?" Crosshair asks dryly.
Echo scoffs. "I'm not planning on dying again."
"You sure?"
"If you want a hug, you can just say so."
Crosshair scoffs, and he and Echo hug each other briefly before stepping back. Crosshair follows Hunter and Wrecker back towards the Marauder.
"Best of luck, Echo," Tech says last, and Omega hears him walking off, though her gaze is fixed on Echo.
"Luck with what?" she asks desperately.
"I'm going with Rex. The clones will need our help now more than ever. I can't turn my back on them."
"You – you can't leave," Omega argues desperately, tears burning in her eyes. "We're – we're a squad. We're supposed to stay together." He's her brother, and they need him. He's supposed to take care of them, of her, of everyone. And he – why –
"Omega, this is something I have to do. I'm going where I'm needed."
"But we need you, too!" Echo's always been there. He's been part of them even longer than Omega has, and she can't imagine going back to Ord Mantel without him. They can't keep living without him – they need him. They need him he can't go they're supposed to stay together. He's always been there for her, beside her, and he might be harsh sometimes, but he's always there.
He's always protected her. All of them.
Echo kneels in front of her, setting his helmet down and laying his hand on her shoulder. It's warm and grounding, and Omega leans into it, desperate. She can't just go back and pretend everything's fine.
"It's not forever," Echo promises, and she thinks he means it, but the promise still falls flat. Omega thought everything would be fine after leaving Kamino, but then they lost Hunter and so much happened. They're together now though, and everything was fine even if they were struggling. She tried to make things right with Echo. Tried to give him what he wanted, but he's – he's leaving them.
They're not supposed to do that.
She can't imagine how their family would be less important to him than – than anything.
"I'll be back. Keep up with your training while I'm gone. Huh? Understood?" Echo's pulling that commanding voice on her now, and Omega nods, wiping her eyes with a quiet "yes, sir."
She jolts forward, throwing her arms around Echo's neck. He presses his hand to her back, cradling her tightly against his chest.
She doesn't understand, know how he could just leave but they're going to miss him.
Omega sleeps by him more often than not, and she can't imagine it being any other way. It was just – a thing they did. Something her brothers picked up after Hunter came back and they were trying to readjust to his presence.
Echo's not supposed to be gone.
"Keep an eye on them," Echo says, nodding towards her brothers once he stands and they break apart.
Omega nods, wiping her eyes, not trusting herself to talk.
They need him.
Stars, they need him how can he be gone how are they supposed to live without him?
Her brothers are already on the ship, and Omega knows she has to walk away, but the trek to the ship feels impossibly long. She pauses at the ramp to look back again, at Rex and Senator Chuchi and Echo. Echo's watching them, a distantly lingering sorrow in his eyes, but she knows he's not going to change his mind. She wants to say something else, but Omega's already tried everything she could. There's nothing more she can say to Echo.
Hunter's waiting for her in the doorway, and he touches her shoulder briefly, but it does nothing to soothe the emptiness or heaviness in her heart.
She brushes past him and heads for the gunner's mount. She's not ready to talk to anyone, even if she feels Wrecker and Crosshair's eyes lingering on her.
Echo's the one who's always made everything okay, made everything right and now he's just. He's gone.
**w**
The ship is infuriatingly quiet, and Hunter is a millisecond short of begging somebody to just talk. They're never this quiet. They haven't had these quiet, brooding periods since right after he came back, and everyone was still struggling with adjusting to his presence. That was hard. Everything was hard and it always is.
Echo's gone, and Hunter feels ridiculously relieved about the fact that he won't have someone constantly, obsessively questioning his every order anymore. He's just with – with the brothers he grew up with, and it feels like now, maybe he'll somehow be able to rebuild and fix what's broken inside him.
That doesn't change the chest-crushing sense of loss and failure, though. Echo's gone because Hunter couldn't give him what he wanted. He wasn't able to do or be what Echo needed, and he's always been afraid of that happening. It's never been easy.
Hunter wants to do this with Echo, too, and his absence definitely hurts. He knew it'd only be a matter of time before he missed something up with his older brother, and he feels... sort of as lost as he does relieved. Because if he is actually wrong, his little brothers would blindly follow him to their deaths, and Hunter wouldn't know until someone was hurt or worse.
Omega's curled up in the gunner's mount. She's crying, and she's hurt and that's Hunter's fault, because he couldn't fix this. Was supposed to.
He can't protect her. Can't even protect his brothers, who don't need half of what she does.
... okay, maybe he's far more lost and terrified by Echo's departure than he wants to admit.
Tech's already set them back into hyperspace, and Hunter still feels slightly numb. He's not in shock – he knew this was coming from lightyears away, but that somehow didn't brace him for the actuality.
Hunter finally picks himself up to go check their ration supply.
"I'm not hungry," Omega says when he tries to offer her one.
Hunter steps back, and Crosshair is watching them, expression tight. He doesn't say anything, though. Still quiet. Wrecker looks worried.
"It's – been a long day for all of us," Hunter decides finally, "How about we settle down for the night?"
"Fine with me," Wrecker replies, stretching. He looks tired. They all do. Hunter thinks he's basically constantly tired. Tech said he's just depressed. He's probably right, but Hunter still doesn't like that word. He's supposed to be their leader; he's supposed to be fine.
Omega finally climbs down from the gunner's mount to join them. She's holding Lula tightly in her arms, and Hunter reaches out to her, in a silent request for her to come by him. She's usually by Echo. She's almost always by Echo when they sleep together. But he's not here, so Hunter has to be the one to help her. She and Echo have always been close in a way Echo has never been with his brothers.
Omega presses against his side, and Hunter looks towards the cockpit.
"Tech?" he calls. "You coming?"
"I'm fine," he snaps back, which is a telltale sign that he's not. He and Echo were close, too. The fact that he's gone will be hard for everybody, but – living it is worse. He'll need to try to talk to Tech, though how to approach it is a different story.
Wrecker drops his hand on Omega, and she curls up in between them, hugging Lula to her chest.
Crosshair pauses a moment before settling next to Wrecker. He seems upset, and Hunter makes a mental note to talk to him about that later, too.
Tech does come join them, after the others are mostly asleep. Hunter hears the quiet approach of his footsteps, feels the pricking of his heartbeat, and smells the coppery-mechanical tinted scent. Tech always has smelled a bit machine-y, and Hunter has no idea if it's a him thing, or something about being constantly surrounded by machines. Doesn't really matter.
The normal wholeness of sleeping between his brothers is lost on him without Echo, but – but Echo had said he trusted Hunter to take care of them. He'll try. He would, anyway, obviously, but that Echo said that is still enough to give him hope. Echo may never have been outright angry at Hunter, but it never felt like he forgave or trusted him.
Not as though Hutner can blame him, exactly, but still.
He wishes they could've talked longer, said more to each other, but there will always be more to say. If Echo had to go, Hunter doesn't blame him, either. He wanted to help the regs, and that wasn't something Hunter could give him. He... hopes whatever is about to happen is something he has the ability to get them through, that Echo's trust isn't misplaced.
**w**
Tech is the first one up, as he often is, already back into the cockpit. Crosshair wakes briefly to hear him move, which probably means they should be getting back to Ord Mantell soon. He's wrapped in Wrecker's arms, though, and doesn't want to move. It's warm and comfortable here, and he feels safe.
Mostly, he just feels miserable.
Echo's gone, and he knew it was coming but it felt like they never even got a proper goodbye. They said everything that needed to be, but... there should've been more. Echo's the one who led them when they had nothing, when they had no one and were entirely lost.
Crosshair pulls himself out of the pile a few minutes later, opting to steal the 'fresher before anyone else makes it.
Omega's still curled up against Hunter's side, and she looks peaceful there like that. Hunter looks calmer than he has in a long time.
She stole his snuggle-spot, which – well, Echo's not here, and Crosshair's not a baby. He doesn't need Hunter to hug him and tell him everything's fine.
Still wants him too, though.
Still wants to hear it.
Which is stupid, because Crosshair's nine years old, and Omega's...
Well, that's exactly it.
Omega's thirteen.
Ugh.
So, yeah, maybe she's their kid, but she's still their older sister. Crosshair might want to take care of her, and he might want her taken care of, but he just... doesn't want to be ignored. Which he is not, but after Echo leaving, he could really have used a night-full of being by Hunter himself, too.
Wrecker had turned over in the night to hold him, and Crosshair's grateful for that, but he still feels lonely. Lost.
He could go talk to Tech, because Tech always wants to talk, but right now, Crosshair doesn't really want to talk to anyone.
Hunter wakes, but he doesn't move. Omega's still sleeping. Wrecker's the next to actually get up, and Hunter dozes off again somewhere on the way.
"You okay?" Wrecker asks, nudging Crosshair's shoulder with a worried expression.
"Fine," he sighs, even if the answer is a not really. He wants to talk to Hunter, or – or something. Wants to feel like everything's fine again.
Wrecker lingers, and Crosshair grumpily takes that as his cue to start talking, because – well, this is Wrecker and he might drive him crazy, but he's still his brother and Crosshair trusts him with anything. "I miss Echo." It sounds silly. He's only been gone half a day and losing Hutner hurt incomparably more.
"Yeah," Wrecker sighs, "I miss 'im, too."
"He was there when... Hunter wasn't. I never saw him as our leader, but maybe... I did a little."
It feels like some sort of betrayal to confess it, which is ridiculous, because no it's not. It's how he feels, and he thinks he has every right to say so. Hunter might take it hard and all wrong, but he wouldn't blame Crosshair for it, either. That wouldn't be fair.
"I know, but... we'll be fine," Wrecker tries assuring, patting Crosshair's shoulder.
He believes that. Also kinda doesn't. Just wants to sleep.
Wrecker wanders off, and Crosshair doesn't say anything else until Omega finally wakes, and Hunter sits up.
"Got up early," he says, looking at Crosshair, who shrugs self-consciously. Tech's landed them now, though he's still in the cockpit, doing Force-knows-what on his datapad like he always does.
He makes a non-committed sound, not caring to talk. Not really knowing how. "What's with your arm?" Crosshair asks instead, because Hunter's dragging it around like it's dead or something.
"Omega slept on it," he says dryly, "Basically the whole night. It's still sleeping."
"Don't complain next time I do that, then," Crosshair grumbles, because that is so not fair. Hunter whines about it obsessively whenever Crosshair manages that.
Hunter sits beside him, and there are a few awkward moments of silence. Crosshair glances at him a few times but doesn't have it in him to confront the situation. He just feels... lost.
"Hey," Hunter asks, voice gentle, "Something wrong?"
How can it be that obvious? "No."
Hunter moves to sit on the edge of the control panels by Crosshair, and Tech will absolutely murder him if he sees. Both Hunter and Tech get all "my ship"-y. Crosshair doesn't Get It.
"Crosshair," he says, voice gentle but firm. "You can talk to me."
Can. Won't. "Don't know how."
Hunter's hand touches his shoulder, tight and warm. Crosshair leans into it. and Hunter slips his hand up, stroking through his hair. Crosshair shifts closer to him, resting his head on Hunter's thigh.
"Echo's leaving is gonna be hard for all of us," Hunter tells him finally, "But... we'll make it."
"I know," Crosshair mutters, lightly squeezing his brother's wrist. He trusts Hunter, most of the time, even if there are phases where it's hard. He knows Hunter would never hurt them. He hadn't wanted to believe it even at the time. Tech was never clear about the chips initially, but Crosshair still... wondered, because Hunter never yells at them. He never hurts them.
He would never shoot at them or try to stab them willingly.
But Echo had been there, and he'd taken Hunter's knife for Crosshair.
Hunter nearly killed him. Would've.
Echo had been there to help. To stop him. And now he's... gone.
"This doesn't all have to do with Echo though, does it?" Hunter asks quietly.
"No." He doesn't want to elaborate, but... "It's different." And he wanted Hunter to make it okay, because he always does. He's supposed to. Always does. Hunter always knows how to make things better and make it right.
"Omega?"
"How'd you know?"
"It's not hard to guess. I saw you watching her. And you basically said as much. What's wrong? You didn't fight, did you?" he prompts a minute later when Crosshair stays quiet.
This is such an awkward thing to discuss. He feels hopelessly lost about it. And mostly, childish. "I wanted you," Crosshair says sullenly. He feels stupid and childish for it. "Last night."
"Ah." Hutner stands, wrapping his other arm around Crosshair and squeezing him tightly. "I'm sorry," he says, "Omega was hurting, and I never really thought about how it would affect you. I did, just..."
"I know," Crosshair grumbles, face pressed against Hunter's stomach. He knows Hunter can't fix everything, and he's not too childish to think he can. That doesn't keep him from wishing he could. Everything was easier when he thought Hunter could fix everything. "I don't need to be taken care of."
"Yes, you do." Hunter's hand slips down to the back of his neck, pressing him close. "We all do." He sighs softly. "How about you stay by me tonight, then?"
"Maybe." Because sleeping on Hunter's right is utterly unfathomable for some reason. Something angle something-something. It would bother him immensely. Crosshair used to climb into his bunk sometimes when they still had their barracks.
Hunter leans down, one hand slipping up to his shoulder and the other touching Crosshair's jaw, tilting his head up. He presses a kiss to Crosshair's forehead. He leans into Hunter's touch, soaking in his warmth.
He's safe and warm. Gentle.
"Hey," Hunter says, pulling back and stroking Crosshair's cheek. He's smirking mischievously, and it feels like years since Crosshair saw that face on him. "You're still the baby of the family."
Crosshair jumps him.
Hunter yelps as they collide with the floor.
"Take that back," Crosshair growls.
"Still a baby," Hunter wheezes, "Just a very big one."
**w**
Cid sends them off on another mission right off, after giving them the equipment she says she bought for them. Ipsium mining or something. Omega hasn't said anything the entire time – she'd been staring blankly at Tech's datapad, definitely not continuing her studies.
Hunter doesn't call her out on it. If she needs a break, he gets that.
Tech is flying, and Hunter slips into the co-pilot's seat.
"Tech," he says softly.
"Is... there something you require?" he asks shortly.
"No. Just – I thought I should talk to you."
"About what, precisely?" He's definitely hurt, and Tech deals with grief by lashing out. It must've been hard for them after they lost Hunter – he never heard how Tech took it. They never acted as though he'd been... difficult, but he usually lashes out at Echo. Sometimes Wrecker.
"I know you're not fine," Hunter says, leaning back in his seat, even if he keeps his eyes on Tech. "You and Echo were... close." But Hunter's still here. He's here, and he's trying. Tech doesn't blame him for anything, and he said as much after he came back, but...
(Sometimes, he thinks about the other them versions they met. Wonders if they have the same struggles, or if they've made it work.)
"Yes?" Tech prompts when he hesitates.
"You're upset," Hunter goes for instead, and Force, getting Tech to have an actual conversation about emotions is maddening. "I know it's natural, but we're still here. We'll be fine."
"I am aware," Tech replies shortly. Which, yeah, he probably is.
"I thought it would help to hear it," Hunter mutters, turning away. He doesn't know what or how to help. He feels... helpless, and he loathes it. Crosshair was hard, but he's easier, because he's still open when he wants to be. Hunter knows how his mind works, and even if Crosshair's not being clear about it, he can still guess. He knows for Tech, but talking to him about it feels like poking at a wild animal.
...
Probably not the best comparison, or a fair one, but he's just tired.
"Perhaps," Tech answers shortly.
"So," Hunter says after another long pause, just going for some sort of topic change, "How much do you know about mining ipsium?"
"Admittedly, not much,' Tech responds, "Though I have done sufficient research."
"Wonder if this'll be an actual worthwhile mission, or another runaround one." They're still holding onto the credits they got from Serenno. Echo had taken some with him for Rex, but not a large amount. Hunter... wasn't willing to part with their only chance at settling down. If they find somewhere, it's fine, but until then...
"Knowing Cid, there will most likely be complications."
Yeah. Fair. The only predictable thing about Cid is that she's gotten them in trouble more times than he can count.
And really, the sooner they can leave her and just – live, the better.
Final Notes: Reviews are always appreciated! ^-^
Come hang out on Discord (delete spaces), discord . gg / nqSxuz2 or find us on tumblr at fanfictasia (our more serious blog which does have controversial posts on it; I won't be offended if you choose to block it, promise), and disastertriowriting (which is our fun blog with crack posts or incorrect SW quotes)
We've got a YT channel for tributes! (delete the spaces) youtube channel / UC_g1M5rSCxJUzQCRS29B6pA
ALSO: We have SW gift request forms for General, Anakin-Clones-centric, and Bad Batch fics. :D (delete spaces) bit . ly / CourtesyTrefflinFicRequests
