Chapter 5 - It Scared Me Out Of My Wits
The residents of Pabu are quite relieved to see Tech is alive. It is good to be able to see again.
It is right before they sit down to eat that Crosshair finally comes over to him when they are alone. They are in the courtyard where they will be eating, and the sun is lowering in the sky. They do not have much time, and it would be ideal to depart prior to sunset.
"Tech," he says quietly, moving to his side.
Tech looks up from his datapad – it is good to have it back. "Is there something you require?"
Crosshair sighs, crossing his arms. He isn't looking at Tech, which is a clear sign of his discomfort. "I know what happened to you is because of what I did."
"You were captured by the Empire," Tech replies, "You needed us."
"I told you to hide. I know you got my message."
He is hurt, and Tech does not fully know what to say to him. These are not like the struggles Wrecker and Omega have had, and emotions have never been Tech's strong point. He is wholly uncertain on how to handle them. His preference is facts, but that is what Crosshair came to him for. If he wanted something else, he would have gone to Hunter. "It was clear you required our aid, and that you had turned on the Empire."
"You weren't supposed to come. I risked everything to send you that message. Then I was waking up, and Omega was there, and she said –" He cuts off, shaking. His hand is shaking slightly, though Tech cannot tell if it is from the emotional nature of their discussion, or if something else is amyss. "They used me to make you comply. You shouldn't have come."
"We will always come for you, Crosshair," Tech promises, "Regardless of what you have done to us. You are still our brother."
Crosshair throws himself at Tech, clinging to him. He grunts, stumbling back into the railing.
"I'm sorry." He's crying, too. He's shaking, and Tech very awkwardly wraps his arms around his back and holds him.
There is too much emotion for him to process. He is still angry at Crosshair, no doubt, but he is also fully aware of his brother's inability to handle any sort of confrontation right now. "You are not incorrect it was your choices which lead to these occurrences," Tech says, "Though you could not have predicted this outcome."
"I'm sorry." He's clinging tighter, voice breaking off. "I didn't know. I – I left when I realized you were right. Everything Hunter told me. I know you tried to warn me, too."
It is a difficult thing to counter when the fact remains, he is not incorrect that it was his choices which caused all of this. It will never stop hurting that Crosshair did not choose them, but he is their brother, and they will not reject him as he once did them. "You were not under full control of your own when it began," Tech says instead, "Once it started, I imagine it was... difficult for you to break away on your own."
"I should've known."
"Yes, you should have," he agrees, "However, it does not change that you did not, and that dwelling on the past will not change your past actions."
Crosshair pulls back, sniffling. "What do I do?"
"You do not need to do anything. You are free now. That is a choice you make yourself."
"I don't know. I don't know, Tech – I thought I was doing the right thing, but I almost got you killed. I thought – for months, I thought –"
"If I gave you an order, it would not be your choice."
Crosshair sighs, burying his face on Tech's neck again. Perhaps he is more himself than Tech had assumed. That is a good thing. It will make it far simpler for them to make it through.
**w**
The meal is fast, for all Tech knows his younger twin brothers would like to linger. Food on Pabu certainly has more taste, and Emerie looks in genuine awe of the entire island.
They split up to gather supplies. Omega goes to say goodbye to Lyanna while Wrecker loads the ship. Emerie is dropping off Bayrn with some of the locals who volunteered to care for him while they are away.
Wrecker is decidedly unappreciative of the amount of supplies Hunter maintains they need to bring, though they truthfully have nowhere else to obtain them from, seeing as they are no longer working for Cid.
"That's gotta be all of it, right?" Wrecker whines when they arrive with the cart of explosives.
"We still need to grab the rations," Hunter replies, "Keep loading up the ship. We'll be back."
Wrecker groans. He's changed a lot. Tech doesn't remember him whining so much about carrying anything. He has always been excited to use his strength. A lot has changed, but Tech still does not trust his organization skills.
"I refuse to sleep by a projectile on my first night back aboard the Marauder," Tech informs flatly, "Or ever again."
"There's not even room on the ship for all this gear!" Wrecker whines.
"Perhaps I should –" Tech starts, mid-offering to stay, because he is not going to let Wrecker block off anything of importance.
"I'll stay," Hunter interjects, "You and Crosshair can finish getting the supplies we need."
"Fine. But at least bring me back an ice cone," Wrecker grumbles, "No, no, no. M – Make it two."
Crosshair turns to shove the cart off with a groan and shake of his head.
"Things are back to normal," Wrecker had said so well over a year ago when he and Crosshair had returned from the armory prior to their mission to Onderon. It feels much the same now. That could just as well be a bad thing.
They head back in, and Emerie meets up with them half-way, reporting she had Bayrn temporarily settled in. "You should not be carrying that," she warns, pointing to the crate Tech's carrying.
"Why? You think he's made of glass?" Crosshair grunts, dropping his own on the edge of the cart.
"Your concern is unwarranted," Tech replies, setting his own down, "I will be fine."
"You are not yet healed."
"I am as healed as I will ever be. We are soldiers. We adapt with what we have to accomplish whatever tasks are necessary for survival." He might be getting sore far faster than usual from carrying it but he'll be fine.
"Healed from what?" Crosshair repeats, frowning.
"The injuries I sustained on Eriadu."
"He injured his shoulder," Emerie interjects, "The strength he possesses in it now is... minimal."
He ignores Crosshair's eyes on him and makes a minor detour in search of the ice cones Wrecker requested. He picks up once for Crosshair, because he and Wrecker used to go for sweets all the time.
"I have never seen those before," Emerie observes, looking at the ice cones.
"Do you desire one?" Tech asks.
Emerie seems uncertain so he just passes one to her. She takes it, very carefully licking it as though it is an experiment she might ruin.
"Do you want one?" Emerie inquires, holding it out to Omega.
"Sure," she chirps, taking the cone to eat.
Tech's about to get a few more when his comm suddenly beeps.
"We need to leave soon," Hunter says, and Tech can hear the worry in his voice, "Something's wrong."
That does not sound promising. If Hunter knows something is off, then they do not have much time, though Tech is uncertain what could already have happened.
The ice cones will have to wait.
"Come," Tech urges, even if he is reluctant to not bring back anything for Wrecker. It has been so long since he was last able to be with any of them.
They have not made it more than a few paces further before there's a blinding, deafening explosion.
Tech whips in the direction of it and it's – it's the Marauder.
It happens so fast but he still sees it as Wrecker splashes into the water and a figure in dark armor moves between the smoke and flames – the explosion looks like it disabled the ship he and Emerie came in to.
Crosshair takes off running and Omega stops to snatch up her crossbow from atop their crate pile – she had told him Echo gave it to her after her return – before she runs after, Tech close behind. Emerie is in the back
The ships are burning furiously when they skid to a stop next to them, to see a black armored figure with an electrospear. The weapon is pressed against Hunter's chest, who's on the ground – trying and failing to shove him off – electricity crackling into him.
Crosshair and Omega start shooting at him and Tech draws his own blaster to do the same. Whether he is supposed to be using his arm to fight or not is unimportant right now.
The attacker dodges the shots, spinning and taking off, ducking their shots as he goes.
Tech gives chase, Crosshair close behind.
The attacker loses them between the buildings before they can go much further – his armor is dark, and with the smoke and darkness from the sunset, it is easy to lose sight of him. The only lights by which to tell him are his electrospear and the blue light on his helmet.
They could attempt to follow, but Hunter and Wrecker are down. Tech does not even know what Wrecker's condition is. He saw him blown up once. He does not know if this is permanent again or – or if he has to be treated urgently. Hunter did not appear to be hurt as seriously, but he does not know that.
Tech glances furtively both ways to see if he can see the attacker anywhere but he does not. They will have to get to him soon but first –
He turns back, running back to the still burning ships, Crosshair at his side.
The three cadets Hunter mentioned that he and Wrecker picked up are here, trying to get Wrecker back to shore with Emerie's help. The sight of her trying to help carry someone Wrecker's size is nearly ridiculous, but he appreciates her efforts even if they are doing little good.
Omega has run to Hunter's side. He has still not moved from the ground, which does not mean anything good. He is sensitive to electricity, and the chances are high he will be down for a while.
"He is alive," Emerie says, kneeling beside Wrecker. Not as if Tech did not know that, but the confirmation is appreciated. It does little to stop his concern, though. Wrecker is entirely motionless. It reminds him so much of when he was blown up. He can never forget that moment.
Batcher is licking Wrecker's face in an attempt to wake him, but he is out cold.
Tech goes to Hunter first, because he is closer, still panting on the ground, mostly unconscious. His body is still twitching from the aftershocks.
"We must track down the attacker," Tech says firmly. He does not doubt that he is from the Empire, even if the armor is unusual.
How did the Empire track them here so quickly?
Omega's quiet gasp and Crosshair's sharp inhale are what draws his attention skyward. A Star Destroyer is looming in the sky above.
Not only is the Empire here, they are also fully aware of their presence here.
Tech is uncertain as to how – he finds it unlikely he missed a tracker on the shuttle he and Emerie escaped in, though it is possible. But questioning how it happened will not change the reality of the situation and that they need to get off planet immediately, except both their ships are gone. They are too late.
From there, it's a scramble. Two of the clone cadets move to get Hunter and Wrecker to safety and out of sight, and the third goes in search of AZI who was staying on Pabu, though Tech still has yet to see him.
Tech, Emerie, Crosshair, Omega, and Batcher fall back to the city wall as gunships descend on the island. They do not have much time. The civilians are scrambling for cover, though knowing the Empire, they will have no way of finding it. They need a way out and Tech's best guess is to make it through the enemy lines down to the boats, though transporting Hunter and Wrecker will be hard.
Omega is their primary target, no doubt, and the priority is getting her to safety.
"This is all my fault. They're attacking because of me," Omega whispers, crouching against the wall as they move through the city, trying to avoid the troopers moving around, arms wrapped around herself.
"The Empire's choices are their own," Tech replies, "Not yours."
"We must find a way to get Omega off-world," Emerie interjects, "Until she is gone, they will continue searching the island." Despite her lack of military knowledge, she is remaining well focused. Tech is mildly impressed, though his experience of civilians being thrown into war is Omega, and how she handled the nexu and the entire ordeal on Saleucami. Considering she was not eaten or harmed by the creature, it had gone well, but she had not dealt with it well. Emerie is not a child by physical standards, though.
"They're destroying all means of escape and jamming our comms," Crosshair interjects, "We have to steal one of their gunships. Once we're out of range, we can contact Echo."
"We do not need help," Tech objects, "We will find a solution, as we always do. Besides, it is highly unlikely Echo will receive our signal on time, much less that his ship will successfully make it past the Star Destroyer."
Crosshair turns back to him, crouching against the wall. "Well, do you have a better plan?"
Tech takes up the pair of macrobinoculars, scanning the city. His old helmet had the ability to recognize objects and people digitally, and it substantially sped up his calculations. "We will not have much time. We can use the boats as a means of escape, though we will need a diversion."
"I'll handle it," Crosshair offers.
"Negative," Tech answers instantly – that is not a suggestion he will consider. "I will not risk you being recaptured."
"You think I can't handle it? I don't want to go back to Tantiss, either."
"From my experience, you have not been overly trustworthy."
Crosshair jerks back, then moves closer, hands clenching. He should not have said that, but the words are out, and there is no taking them back.
"We did not survive what we did so you could die," Tech replies firmly.
"That isn't what matters," Crosshair hisses, "Get Omega out of here. That's the mission."
"No." Omega steps forward, pushing them apart. "The mission is getting all of us out of here. Not just me. I didn't spend months planning an escape so you could be recaptured." She looks up at Tech. "And you already died for me once. I'm not letting you do it again."
Tech understands what she is saying, and he will try, but he cannot give a guarantee. They are soldiers, and he will always do whatever he must to protect his family. He would not hesitate to die for them, even if it was for real.
"We need to move," Emerie interjects quietly, throwing glances in the direction Tech hears footsteps approaching. They do not have long.
Leaving Hunter and Wrecker will be a risk, but once they have secured an escape route, it will be far easier for them to come back for them.
Tech leads as they move down. It is strange to be leading, though it is not as though he does not know how.
When they near the Empire's lines, Batcher takes off on her own, distracting the nearby troopers, and they move on. Omega tries to go after, but Crosshair pulls her away, and they move forward.
"There's too many," Crosshair warns, crouching behind a crate. "We won't get through all that unnoticed."
"I will cause a diversion," Tech replies. Between a few well-placed explosives and a smoke bomb, they will have sufficient time to make it away from the shore, though it should be enough to bring them around to the caves. The assassin who came must have a ship hidden somewhere on the island.
Tech is attempting to set the explosives in place when there is a movement in the shadows. He spins around right as the attacker jumps him, electrospear activating. Tech dodges out of the way before it hits him, but he is not used to using his legs in fighting, and it nearly throws him off-balance.
A blaster shot nearly hits the attacker in the head.
Crosshair is shooting and the attacker spins away from Tech, jumping him instead. The electrospear hits him in the chest, knocking him to the ground.
Tech goes for his blaster instantly, but the assassin is already turning, knocking the blaster from his hand before his hand wraps around Tech's neck and he jerks him off his feet, just as Wrecker had on Bracca. His strength must be enhanced or something, unless his arms are metal,because he should not be this strong – it is the last thing he is able to register before he's thrown into a nearby object.
**w**
Emerie was so certain something was going to go wrong from the moment they jumped to hyperspace. She just never expected the Empire to show up only hours after getting to Pabu. She knew Hemlock catching up to her again was possible, but not so soon. She had let herself think getting out would mean getting away.
But the Empire is here on Hemlock's orders and there's a high chance he's going to find her. That he is going to find all of them.
And she does not want to think about having to face him again after what she did. He will be angry, and she doesn't – She is not ready to think about having to face that. But she never will be. She doesn't want to think about what he will do, what he will say if he sees her again.
He will be angry, and it is never good for the person he is angry at. He has been disappointed with her before, but Hemlock has never hurt her. Emerie was always careful not to give him a reason to – she had been so determined to prove herself useful. It never mattered what he asked her – she would have done it, because she had to mean something to someone.
Doubts are still repeating through her mind, questioning if this was really the right choice, but it is too late for that anymore.
She has never been in action like this before. The Empire has no qualms about hurting people, and they would kill Tech and any of her other brothers here without a second thought. Hemlock may deem them useful, but he is not fully in charge here. And Omega is only safe from being potentially killed because they want to take her back to Tantiss and Emerie doesn't know whether the experiments Hemlock will want done on her there will harm her.
And Emerie doesn't even know how to fight. Not truly. The most she can do is try to copy her brothers' moves. Hemlock had her run through some mild training, but it is nothing compared to what any of her brothers are capable of.
She is crouched next to Omega now as she watches Tech and Crosshair, watches as the assassin jumps them. He is going to kill them. Tech isn't getting back up and he is going to kill Crosshair and then go back for Tech, and she can't let them do that, but she doesn't know what to do. She has no weapon, and even if she did, she couldn't go through them all
"We don't have a way out of here," Omega says breathlessly, "There's nowhere we can hide. They're going to tear this place apart until they get to me. And I don't want them to hurt my brothers again."
"What do you suggest?" Emerie asks, heart pounding. Omega is not wrong and that's what scares her so much. They don't have a way out, and she doesn't know what to do. And all of her brothers are down right now. The only ones still standing are her and Omega.
"This will stop if I turn myself in," she replies determinedly.
Emerie stills. "You will be taken back to Tantiss."
"And then maybe we'll be able to get the coordinates. This is the only way, Emerie. I can't let them be hurt because of me. I already lost Tech once."
She wants to argue, but the assassin is about to kill Crosshair and Tech and there is nothing else they can do. And Hunter and Wrecker are injured, and it will only be a matter of time before the storm troopers reach them, if they are going from door to door. Omega is the only way to stop it, but she can't –
She does not want to just let her go. She does not know what will happen to her. She has never felt this level of protectiveness – if that's what this is – toward anyone before. She never realized how deeply she'd come to care for her sister or brothers until this very moment when she could be about to lose all of them.
She would do anything to keep Omega safe. She already has. She wants to keep her far from harm or any type of danger, some place that nothing will be able to threaten her again.
"There's no other choice," Omega insists, starting forward. "Just try to get a tracker on the ship. I'll leave my comm on, too. You can track it."
Emerie nods slightly. She wants to say something more, but she knows the truth.
All she can do is watch as her sister approaches the assassin, calling for him to stop. He pauses, turning toward her.
Emerie wishes there was something more she could do. She is – tired of never being able to do anything as those around her are hurt. But again, there is nothing she can do. Except... maybe there is.
Crosshair is trying to push himself up from where he's lying on the ground. She darts out from her hiding spot, running over to him. The assassin is distracted scanning Omega for any tracking devices – he takes her comm right away. Emerie loathes having to sit here and watch as the assassin shoves her sister around.
A small ship flies in – she is uncertain if it is on autopilot, or if someone else is flying.
Hoping the assassin is not going to pay her any attention, she helps Crosshair upright, and they stumble away, out of immediate line of sight. At least Crosshair is still moving. She is too well-acquainted with seeing him strapped down and almost entirely motionless. Aside from screaming. It is still so much harder to face that she's hurt him now that she actually knows him as her brother, though. Not that now is the time to think of it.
"What did you do?" Crosshair demands, when it seems to finally occur to him what's happening.
"She insisted on turning herself in," Emerie replies quietly, looking away, "There was – no other way to stop him. She told me to try tracking the ship?"
He turns away, back to where the assassin is pushing Omega onboard the shuttle.
The Imperials aren't paying attention to Tech, who is still unmoving on the ground. She is worried to see him so still, but at least they have not shot him on sight. All she and Crosshair can do is stand there watching as the ship takes off, taking Omega away, back to Tantiss, back to Hemlock. And Emerie won't be there to be with her this time, to make sure she stays as safe as... possible.
That, predictably, is when they are spotted. Crosshair turns to fire at a few of them, and Emerie takes up the crossbow Omega dropped, even if she's never held the weapon in her life.
She had seen Omega show it off to Tech and she knows how to activate it. It is simple enough, anyway. She just has to aim and fire, and the shots miss wildly, but they send the troops scrambling for cover.
Crosshair's hand is shaking when he tries to make the shot.
The tracker barely misses as the ship jerks upright and it falls into the water far below.
He missed.
They just – lost her. The ship streaks off into the sky, carrying her sister – the only one she has ever had – far, far away, back to the nightmare she hoped Omega would never have to be again.
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
