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doublebladedbitch · 2 months

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Chapter 17 - 'The Target'

Pairing: Crosshair x FemOC

I blinked my eyes open and everything circled around me. Feeling dizzying, it took me a while to realize I was in my bed on the Marauder. I slowly propped myself up onto my elbows.

„I am Omega“ The voice scared me and only then I noticed the blond girl, sitting next to my bed. „You’re Shae, the others told me a lot about you.“

Slowly nodding and slightly confused on why she was here, I sat myself up. „Be careful, your body has probably not fully recovered“ she added and placed a caring hand on my knee to stop me from standing up.

„What happened?“ I asked her and rested my head in my hands. When she didn’t came up with an answer right away, I lifted my head and looked at her questioningly.

„You’re Crosshair’s girlfriend, right?“ She asked, causing me to blush.

„Girlfriend? No!“ I stuttered. „Crosshair…“ I breathed out, when I slowly began to remember what happened. „Where is he?“ I asked her, panicking and grabbed her by the shoulders, but she didn’t dare to answer. Guessing where the others were, I stood up with shaking legs and made my way to the cockpit as fast as I could. My mind replayed everything that had happened and the fear and desperation rose inside me, causing tears to run down my cheeks…

„Where is he?“ I asked panicking as soon as I entered the cockpit, causing the four to turn to me. Omega had followed and came up behind me and Hunter rushed up to my side immediately. „Where is he, Hunter?“ I asked shakingly and his expression told me everything I needed to know… we had left him there.

„We have to go back!“ I cried out and rushed my fists against his chest. „We have to get him!“

„Shae…“ he breathed out with a shaking voice and placed his hands on my shoulders to hold me. He didn’t even try to stop me from hitting against his chest. „We can’t…“

„He is your brother!“ I screamed. „We have to go back, Hunter…he is your brother…“ my voice failed, getting more and more quiet. This time I didn’t resist and let Hunter take me in his embrace. „I love him.“ I whispered, slowly realizing what I had just admitted, naming the feeling I had for Crosshair.

„You love him?“ Hunter asked slowly. He turned to Tech, who had walked up to my side.

„Well, I thought it was obvious“ he stated and shrugged his shoulders.

Hunter stroke a hair behind my ear, causing me to look at him again. „Shae…he…he has changed. I am sorry…“

„How?“ I was only able breathed out, fighting the ocean of tears that had grown in my eyes. „What do you mean?“ I asked scared and looked at Tech when Hunter looked down. „Tech?“

„The Kaminoans found a way to engineer us, that we follow orders without question. The so called inhibitor chip is a cognitive function-“ Tech explained and got interrupted by Hunter. I was only able to stare at him in utter shock. “A chip? Inside you?”

“Yes, I’d assume it would be somewhere here” Tech explained and tapped onto his temple.

„Did you really have to explain it like that?“ Hunter mumbled towards his brother, before he turned his attention back to me. „W-We thought we were immune, because of our modifications…“

„Since when do you know about this?“ I interrupted him slowly and tilted my head. Hunter sighed.

„After Kaller… we didn’t want to worry you, Shae“ Hunter replied truthfully and begged for forgiveness through his eyes. „I am so sorry, Shae. Crosshair… has changed. It wouldn’t be safe, not for any of us, not even for you…“

Defeated I sank down into one of the chairs. Everything felt numb, my emotions gone, every kind of joy was vanished. I lost him…

Weak and drained I fell to sleep. I only woke up when I felt Wrecker carrying me over to my bed. „Wrecker?“ I softly asked, my eyes burning from the crying, when I opened them. „Can I sleep in his bed?“

He nodded and smiled weakly, before he walked to the other side of the room and carefully laid me down in Crosshair’s bunk and covered me with the blanket. Crosshair’s smell surrounded me and a tear rolled down my cheek when I breathed it in and pulled the blanket up to my chin.

„Shae?“ Wrecker softly and hesitantly asked, causing me to open my eyes and letting another tear run down my face, before it melted with the pillow fabric. „You can have my Lula…you need it more than me“ he said and handed me the stuffed and soft figure, he had named Lula. He had always hold it close and I had never seen him sleep without it, this meant much to him.

„Thank you, Wrecker“ I whispered and smiled softly, before I cuddled onto it and quietly cried myself to sleep, after Wrecker left.

„Where is she?“ Crosshair’s shaking voice filled the grey room. He was usually able to keep his cool and his voice firm, but it trembled in anger. „Where did they take her?“

Governor Tarkin eying him closely with a risen eyebrow. „Sit down“ he simply replied, unfazed by the furious clone in front of him. Crosshair hesitated but obeyed and let his body sink down in the chair, opposite to Tarkin’s.

„Why doesn’t it bother you as much that they left you behind?“ Tarkin asked, followed by a long pause. „Your reaction shows me, you only care about the girl…“ Another long pause.

He wasn’t sure what to respond, the fight inside him now visible to his opponent. „She belongs to me, by my side.“ He snarled, the angry side winning.

„Interesting.“ Tarkin simply replied and watched him closely. „If you continue to prove yourself loyal and a useful asset to the empire, I can guarantee you, we will return her to you.“

Crosshair’s eyes flickered with hope as he looked at the governor. „But first I would like you to meet someone…“ Tarkin continued and pressed a button on his desk, so the door opened and another human imperial officer, dressed in grey joined them.

Crosshair stood up to greet the new officer, like he had been taught. When their eyes met, brief uninterested rushed over the officers face.

„This is Vice Admiral Rampart“ Tarkin explained, not standing up from his chair. „He will overlook your work and will give you new tasks, but for now wait in your quarters.“

„Yes, sir“ Crosshair replied and only then turned back to Tarkin, throwing Rampart a last look before he excited the room and made his way to his old quarters.

I woke up from Echo tappig on my arm to gently wake me up. For a split second I believed all of this just to have been a horrible nightmare, but when I found myself in his bed with Wrecker’s Lula, it all came back…

„How long did I sleep?“ I asked him rubbing my eyes and sitting myself up.

„Only a few standard hours“ he replied and eyed me worriedly.

„Oh, stop looking at me like that…we all lost him“ I said after I noticed his look and stood up.

„Yes…we did“ he agreed with sadness in his voice and stepped forward to hug me. I fought the tears creeping up again, before I hugged him back.

„There must be a way to get him back, right??“ I asked him, after a while of contemplating of even asking. He didn’t answer right away.

„Maybe, if all of it comes from the inhibitor chip…“ He answered, not letting go of me, „but you saw him, Shae…that wasn’t the Crosshair, you know…that we know.“

I let out a sigh and quickly wiped away the tears on my cheek, before he let go of me and looked deep into my eyes.

„We’re still a family and…we have to adapt to the current situation for now…the right time will come. I am sure.“

I nodded and smiled at him with teary eyes. He smiled back at me and a little awkwardly patted my shoulder, causing me to chuckle lightly.

I followed him to the cockpit where the other’s where gathered, they looked at us when we arrived and gave me weak smiles.

„Where’s the girl?“ I asked them.

„She tired herself exploring the ship“ Echo replied next to me.

„And…what are we going to do with her?“ I questioned, looking at Hunter. But before he could answer Tech received an information about our destination.

„We’re approaching Salucemi“ Tech informed us, so we all sat down for the smooth landing.

“What are we doing here?” I slowly asked, sitting next to Hunter.

“We have to lay low for a good while now and…we know someone that is an expert with not being on anyones radar.” He explained.

“A clone?” I assumed, getting a nod as reply. “How can you be sure that he isn’t changed…like the others?”

The four exchanged hesitant looks, they clearly hadn’t considered this yet.

“Valid point.” Tech replied and thought about it.

We landed and Wrecker left to get Omega. When we step out onto the dusty terrain I try my best not to let my worries about Crosshair to overcome me. Trying my best to trust the others judgement.

Omega seemed overly excited about the planet and I share a look with Hunter, both realizing that it probably is her first time feeling real sun, breathing this fresh air, seeing plants and nature like this. I chuckled when she got excited about the dirt.

On our way to wherever Tech is leading us, she suddenly walked up to me and pulled on my sleeve.

“Have you ever seen a planet like this before?” She asks me excited, her eyes glowing.

“Lots of them.” I replied and smiled softly. “My home world looks almost like this” I tell her. “But I lived in the big city. I always ran away… and explored the planet…” I paused, not telling her the part why I ran away or felt the need to escape my home.

“Why did you ran away?” Omega asked curiously.

“Omega!” Hunter shut her down like a father, causing me to smile. I walked slower and thought about how to answer her question.

“My family had a lot of problems… and at one point it was too dangerous for me and I left and never came back.” I replied, hoping she wouldn’t ask further.

“What did you do then?” She asked. I felt Hunter’s eyes on me. Tech, Echo and Wrecker leading the way through a field.

“I…I worked as a bounty hunter, working for all kinds of people, got around quite a lot,…saw many different planets” I told her smiling.

“A bounty hunter?” She repeated curiously.

“You do all different kinds of task for people that hire you” I explained, trying my best to keep the murdering part out. Unsure about my answer I looked at Hunter over my shoulder.

“How did you meet the others?” She asked me further.

“I was undercover on a job and they actually kil- screwed up my mission…” I told her with a chuckle after I corrected myself. “Then they…took me in” I said, trying to avoid the whole trading me topic.

“As what were you undercover?” She didn’t stop asking and this time I didn’t know how to answer her… The others must have listened to our conversation and all of them looked at me. Omega noticed their looks.

“Tech?” She asked confused and innocently. Hunter stepped forward and tried to signal Tech not to answer.

“A slave…for pleasure” Tech answered before any of us could step in. Hunter glared at him and Omega looked up at me confused.

“So Tech, where are you leading us?” I ignored the whole thing and grabbed him by the arm, leading him further.

“Was that really necessary? In front of her?” I hissed at him in a low voice.

“What? I was just stating a fact” He replied calmly.

“Tech, not in front of her… She just experienced dirt for the first time, I think it’s a bit early for that talk.” I told him.

“What talk?” He asked and I rolled my eyes at him.

“Sex, Tech!” I said annoyed, this time in a louder voice. Echo had listened and chuckled deeply. Embarrassed I looked over my shoulder, Hunter looking at me as well.

“Oh” Tech stated bluntly and with reddened cheeks I followed him when he continued leading the way. He was leading us through a forest and Hunter had caught up with me, walking silently next to me.

“I am sorry” I silently said after awhile. Confused he looked at me. “I shouldn’t have told her this much…” I felt guilty and I knew Hunter tried his best to take care of her.

“Don’t be sorry, Shae” He replied with a soft smile and placed his hand on my shoulder. Suddenly he was alarmed and pulled me close, stopping me from walking further. My back was pushed against him and through my clothes’ fabric I could feel his armor pieces. His arm was wrapped around my waist and his hand was placed on my lower stomach.

“Careful!” He alarmed the others behind us, all of us followed his eyes down to a tripwire. My face heated up when I realized his hand placement. He seemed to notice and carefully let go of me again. Embarrassed we glanced at each other and didn’t notice when Wrecker, not intimated by the trap, sprung onto it. B-1 battle droids appeared, but something about them seemed off so Hunter stooped us from firing at them.

Wrecker didn’t react and fired at two of them before he seemed to realize what Hunter had just said. And he had been right, the droids where just to scare us off.

“Was that me?” Wrecker asked confused about his own actions. But before anybody could answer a Twilek woman and a clone came through the field, pointing their rifle at us.

“Look who we have here” The woman spoke, recognizing the others. The clone behind her stepped forward and greeted us. When his eyes landed on me he knowingly smiled at Hunter.

They lead us to a farm house and offered us food and drinks, which all of us gladly accepted.

“I see a few new faces…” The woman stated and looked at Omega and I. Omega was too busy exploring the place, that she didn’t even notice.

“Echo, Omega and Shae” Hunter said, introducing us. “Cut and Suu.” He introduced the couple.

“Pleased to meet you” She said to us and I smiled at her.

“Where is Crosshair?” Cut asked after looking into the round, leaning forward. I felt my heartbreak only at the mention of his name and stared down onto the table, stopping to eat.

“Its complicated…” I heard Hunter replying.

“Sounds familiar…” Cut said, leaning back again. I forced myself to look up again and followed their conversation. “Rex told us about the clone troopers turning against the Jedi…”

“You talked to Rex?” Echo stepped forward. “When?”

“He passed though yesterday” He replied to Echos surprise.

“Where did he go?”

“Didn’t ask…He was going on about some behavioral implant.” Cut explained.

“Maybe he knows a way to remove the chip!” I stated excited, rushing to my feet. All of them eyed me and Hunter lowered his head, staring at the table. The silence was unbearable and none of them to have any hopes…so I sank back down…

“Anyone up for dessert?” Suu asked into the round, breaking the tense silence when she walked out of the kitchen.

“Oh yes!” Wrecker, Omega and their two children screamed excited and followed her into the kitchen, leaving me with the clones.

Cut told them about his plan to leave the planet, claiming it wasn’t save for his family anymore. The empire had already made their way out here and was controlling every move, making his plan rather difficult…

Hunter offered our help after a quick exchange with his brothers and as the kids walked outside to play, I offered Suu to help cleaning.

“How did you two meet?” I asked her after a while.

“In the early stages of the war…he got injured and lost his whole squad. I helped him get better and…the rest is history…” She explained with a soft smile.

We continued talking and she asked me about my story. I only told her the necessary parts and gladly she didn’t dig deeper. As she told me more about the life they built for themselves here, I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like having this with Crosshair…

“Alright what’s with the girl?” Cut asked leaning against the doorframe alongside Hunter.

“Shae? Oh no thats-” Hunter began flustered but Cut interrupted him.

“I meant the kid.”

Hunter scratched the back of his head and nodded, playing down the awkwardness.

“She’s a defective clone, like us”

“Not quite like you…the Kaminoans don’t create without a purpose. You all have one…so what’s hers?”

“I doesn’t matter…She’s just a kid.”

“Mhm…batteling droids isn’t as easy as raising a child….” Cut said chuckling, “Or telling a girl that you like her…” He added with a knowing smile.

Hunter blushed and shock his head. “No no…she…she’s Crosshair’s girl…” He said and after Cut left he looked over his shoulder, watching her and Suu in the kitchen. A small smile crept onto his face after he saw her smiling again.

„Hey! What are you doing there?“ A clone’s voice suddenly asked behind Echo, Tech and I. Their bickering while fixing the ship must have been a little too loud. I rolled my eyes in annoyance and slowly turned around to face him.

„We’re maintenance technicians“ I lied to him and threw an innocent smile. Before he can even react he got stunned by Tech, who stepped out behind me.

„I had it under control, there was no need to stun him, Tech!“ I turned around.

„A thank you would be enough“ he stated and turned his attention back to Echo and the ship. „And there would have been no need, if you would’ve been keeping watch like we discussed.“ He added over his shoulder, not even looking at me.

I rolled my eyes at him and turned around to keep watch. We were stranded on Salucemi for now. The empire had established chain codes for each citizen, so getting on and especially off world was a lot harder now. Cut and his family were planning on going somewhere safer. They had gone undercover and we now helped them to get off world with the empire’s transport and we had to steal said chain codes. After Cut had talked to Hunter about Omega, Hunter had told us to get one for her too. He definitely had is trouble with letting go off her and I had immediately seen it in his eyes, when he had told me, but it was probably the best for her. I was just not sure, if she would agree to this…it already seemed like she viewed us as her new family…

„We got more visitors“ I informed the two behind me and the others over the coms, after I sighted a group of clones approaching through the crates on the landing zone.

Tech joined me, so Echo could continue and we successfully fought off the first wave.

„We have outlasted our welcome“ Tech informed Hunter over the coms. Right when we got up again, thinking that was it, shots were fired at us. We quickly hid behind the crates again, but we both curiously looked up when we heard loud thuds.

„Wrecker!“ I exclaimed when we saw him, he had hurled one of the crates at the two troopers. Hunter joins the fight when more arrived. They joined us behind the barricade and we waited for the next wave.

„The magnetic clamp’s system is not responding“ Echo explained frustrated. As more clones arrived, Wrecker gets over to him and uses his strengths to pull off the clamp. In a mixture of surprise and amusement I watch him, before I return my attention back to the larger group of clones.

„The empire keeps sending more and more, let’s get out of here!“ I yelled over the blaster fire and we quickly made our way onto the marauder.

„Wait, where is Omega?“ Wrecker asked confused and looked around, like he was searching her. I exchanged a sad and knowing look with Hunter, signaling him, that he should tell his brother the truth. He opens his mouth to speak, but get cut off by our com-link.

„Wait for me!“ We hear Omega speak, between breaths. She was clearly running and me and Hunter waited at the ships entrance to look for her, while Tech and Echo start the ship.

„For a second I thought, you’d leave her with them“ Wrecker stated with an amused sigh. I exchanged another look with Hunter, but I could see his expression lighten up at the fact that she wasn’t leaving us.

We see her running towards us over the landing pad and I get out onto the boarding ramp to help her up, when Tech already started the ships engine, so we can leave as quick as possible. Suddenly a trooper got out of hiding, surprisingly grabbing Omega. Instinctively I ran towards them, to help her. When he sighted me, he threw her to the side and got into fighting stance. I jumped at him, tackling him down onto the ground. „Run!“ I yelled at Omega, she looked at me in shock, but did as she was told.

We rolled over the ground and I found myself being pinned down. „Shae!“ I heard Hunter scream in distance and tried my best to fight him off. I managed to punch the blaster out of his hand and dodged the punch he tried to target at my face, but then I felt the air being cut off when he wrapped his hands around my throat, choking me. I desperately gasped for air and tried to pull his hands away, but without any success.

With the last bits of my collected strength I pushed him up with my legs, so his grip loosened and he landed on his back. Quickly and coughing I got up and pinned him down now. To my surprise I wasn’t looking at his visor, but his brown eyes. He seemed surprised as well, when I just froze and looked at him. For a split second I saw him in his eyes.

„Why are you doing this?“ I breathed out.

„It’s the chip, right?“ I asked further, gently tapping onto the side of his head, when referring to the chip. „You must be able to fight it…the urge, the thoughts growing from it…are you still in there?“

He just stared at me, when I cupped his face, like I was speaking a completely different language.

„Shae! His blaster!“ I heard Hunter scream as he ran towards us. I shock my thoughts away and looked at the clones arm, his fingers slowly pulling the blaster on the ground closer. I stepped onto his arm to stop him with my foot. „Wake up!“ I yelled at him now, in his eyes I could see a flicker of frustration and desperation.

Suddenly I got pulled off of him by Hunter, who immediately stunned the clone and dragged me onto the Marauder. The door shut behind me and Hunter stormed off into the cockpit. Omega was standing in front of me and gently took my hand and gave a sad and knowing look. I ignored her and stormed angrily after Hunter.

„I think they can fight it“ I told them when I followed Hunter into the cockpit. Omega right behind me.

„What?“ Wrecker asked confused, but I didn’t took my eyes off of Hunter. He didn’t turn around like the others and his expression darkened.

„The chip.“ I explained, continuing to stare at Hunter. „I could see it in his eyes, maybe-“

„Stop!“ Hunter suddenly interrupted me in a loud voice. He barely ever raised his voice and I froze in place. Then he finally turned to look at me. „Shae, face it. He is gone!“

Not wanting to believe it, I shock my head.

„That clone out there was ready to kill anyone of us. That is not our brother anymore, so is Crosshair…“ he continued and lowered his voice more and more. „He made his decision…and even if he could fight it, he didn’t, didn’t he?“

Everyone looked at him in shock at his words and I was not able to stop the tears. Angry and frustrated I excited the cockpit and laid down in his bed, pulling Wrecker’s Lula close to me as I cried myself to sleep.

#bad batch #clone force 99 #tbb #clone x reader #crosshair x reader #tbb crosshair #sw tbb

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doublebladedbitch · 2 months

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Chapter 16 - 'The Target'

Pairing: TBB Crosshair x femOC

When I returned to the cockpit, Tech was transferring clearance codes for our arrival and I sighted the two V-wing starfighters, siding us on both sides.

„All clear. Landing bay one-tac-one“ The clone on the other side ordered us and Tech easily navigated the Marauder to said landing bay and we landed in the hangar.

While the others carried their helmets under their arms, I hid under my white one and tried to stay in the background, to not draw attention towards me. Our eyes landed on a squad of troopers with crimson red markings.

„What is the Coruscant Guard doing here?“ Hunter asked in a low voice. Before someone could answer an announcement was filling the halls over the communication system, „Lockdown 5 remains in place. All security teams report to the command center.“

„So this isn’t a drill“ Tech stated.

„What have we missed?“ Wrecker asked and turned to us questioning. A group of shock troopers were approaching and two of them were carrying a dead body, that was hidden under a white medical blanket.

„What is happening?“ Hunter stepped forward to ask them. Their leader turned to us and answered „General Grievous has been defeated on Utapau and the separatist leadership has collapsed.“

„It really was like you said“ Wrecker whispered towards Tech.

„You sound surprised?“ Tech replied and I couldn’t help but giggle. Echo quickly silenced me by hitting me with his shoulder. We quickly turned our attention back to the troops when they carried the dead body besides us and suddenly a lightsaber fell onto the ground. Hunter eyed it closely as the shock trooper picked it up, „Is there a problem?“

As an answer Hunter stepped back. „Let’s head to the barracks.“

„I wouldn’t stay for too long, there is a mandatory meeting for all clones at 1500.“ The shock trooper informed us, before we headed to the barracks.

„The smell hasn’t gone any better“ Echo stated when we entered their room. It was a similar layout to the bedroom on the Marauder, a little bit messier even. B1 droid heads under the table, a pile of blacks thrown over a chair, all kinds of weapons placed all over the room. With an amused smile I took off my helmet and curiously looked around the room.

„Shae, try to not breathe in the smell“ Echo suggested jokingly after he passed me and placed his helmet on the table in the middle of the room.

„It just smells like Hunter’s bandana does after a week“ I joked and tried to act as serious as I could and earned a „Hey!“ from him. „Next time when you sleep, I’ll hide it under your pillow so you can enjoy it the whole night…“ Hunter threatened jokingly and stepped closer. I played along and ran away from him.

„Approximately, you’ll have suffocated by then“ Tech stated in his usual voice, but smiled lightly when he saw Hunter’s expression.

„I’ll note to hide one under your’s too“ Hunter replied smirking and crossed his arms over his chest. I walked up to him and leaned my arm on his shoulder, „Did you hear that Tech?“ I joked about Hunter’s threat.

„We should focus, the meeting is soon“ Crosshair suddenly spoke, causing everyone to look at him. Concerned I walked up to him after I sensed the tension between him and Hunter, as the others got back to their things. I tried to look into his eyes, but he just stared down at his rifle, ignoring me.

„Eleven more successful missions!“ Wrecker stated proudly as he drew markings on the wall, counting them.

„Kaller wasn’t a win“ Echo commented.

„We’ve completed our objective“ Wrecker argued and stoped drawing lines.

„Not every objective“ Crosshair snarled and looked up at Hunter. With furrowed eyebrows I looked at him, being worried. „He let that Jedi kid escape.“ He continued, keeping his eyes darted on his sergeant.

„I don’t think that executing our commanders is a mission objective“ Hunter replied and turned to him.

„An order is an order.“

„Since when?“ Hunter counters and they just stare at each other angrily, the tension filling up the whole room. It gets interrupted by the intercom ordering all clones to assemble in the staging area for the briefing.

„This is one meeting, I don’t want to miss.“ Hunter stated, dragging his eyes away from Crosshair.

„There is a first for everything“ Tech commented and collected his belongings. Sighing I wanted to grab my helmet but Hunter placed his hand on it, stopping me. „You stay here“ he orders and not wanting to argue, I accept and took a step back. „We’ll tell you everything when we get back“ Wrecker tried to comfort me and smiled.

„And we’ll grab you a bit, that’s probably safer anyway“ Echo added and followed his brothers.

„Shae…“ Crosshair spoke up as he walked up to me. „I-I…it’s just that kid, we had our mission and he…“ He tried to find the right words to explain himself, but I placed my hand on his shoulder. „Cross, it’s fine. I’ll try to talk to him later, okay?“ I offered, hoping it would make things better. He nodded and smiled weakly. „Please don’t kill each other“ I joked and couldn’t hide the hint of worry in my words. He rolled his eyes at me and smirked slightly, before he left. I stopped Tech when he wanted to walk past me.

„Take care of them…“ I said with pleading eyes.

„I’ll try my best, but I won’t take any responsibility“ he answered and corrected the position of his glasses, when he excited the room after the others, leaving me behind.

„They used live rounds on us! I can’t believe it!“ Wrecker stated angrily when they entered the barracks again.

„I tried to warn you about Tarkin…“ Echo answered.

„W-What happened?“ I asked, immediately jumping off the bunk I had been waiting on, worrying for standard hours. I glanced over at Crosshair to check on him first, but he just looked onto the ground.

„The republic is now the empire, Echo got knocked out in the cantina and there was a girl, then we had to do a battle simulation and they used live rounds!“ Wrecker replied and threw his hands in the air.

Before I could answer, Crosshair commented dryly „People get shoot at all the time…“

„There is a difference between getting shot at in battle, then be used as target practice“ Tech replied and eyed his slim brother. I walked over to Crosshair and placed my hand on his shoulder. „Tech is right…“

„Well, no one got hurt, right? So what’s the big deal?“ Crosshair replied annoyed, without looking at me and shook my hand off his shoulder before he walked past me.

„We are no dummy droids“ Wrecker added annoyed and sank onto a chair behind him.

„Someone is coming“ Hunter suddenly said and threw my helmet towards me to put on. Right when the helmet covered my face the door opened.

„…I agree.“ I froze in shock when I heard the voice coming from the door. „Most impressive, I have to admit“ the man added and like the others I stood still, not looking at him. I stood out like a sore thumb between them and the slick voice made me fear the man even more. Under the visor I glanced over without turning my head and watched him getting closer. He was wearing a grey officer uniform, that matched his hair and his shark-like eyes closely watched all of us. Suddenly his eyes met mine and even through the visor, it felt like he was staring into my soul.

„Who do we have here?“ The officer asked eyeing me up and down.

„A new recruit, part of our team, Sir“ Hunter answered quickly. The officer nodded slowly and turned his head back to the others, before he dragged his eyes away from me.

„The empire might have some unorthodox methods, but so do you…“ he began again. „Nala Se speaks quite highly of her five enhanced clones. She claims you are more capable than an army.“

Hunter firmly nodded, acknowledging the compliment.

„That’s why we have a mission for you“ he continued and looked into the round again.

„What do you need us to do?“ Hunter asked, staying in his stance, causing the officer to slightly smile.

„The empire has tracked down a group of insurgents to the Onderon sector. They must be dealt with - immediately.“

„What kind of insurgents?“ Echo asked the officer, who turned to him before he answered. „Separatist forces, leftovers, trying to keep the galaxy at war. If you five eliminate this threat, I’ll look upon you most favorably, when I assesses the new imperial army.“ he finished with a slick smirk.

„Five? We are six, Sir“ Crosshair spoke up.

„I wish to talk to your sixth member in the meantime, let the guards outside guide you to my office, when the others head off“ he spoke towards me, before he left with his two shock troopers. We stood still until the door closed behind him.

I sighed heavily when I took off my helmet. My eyes wandered over to Crosshair, when our gazes met he looked at me worryingly, but Hunter stepped between us. He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, causing me to look at him.

“Everything will be fine…”

„I don’t trust Tarkin“ Echo said grumpily, eying the door the officer had left through.

„Don’t do anything stupid and try to behave when he talks to you“ Hunter said in a warning tone.

„You guys are not helping“ Crosshair snarled and stepped beside Hunter.

„The chances are very high that he figures out, that you are not one of us, but he will probably welcome that, considering he isn’t very fond of clones…“ Tech added joining me by my side.

„…no one is“ Crosshair scoffed.

„We will be back soon“ Hunter added trying to calm me. „Say what he wants you to and don’t forget you are one of us now, he won’t hurt you, Shae“ he added, but I could see the doubt in his eyes. The others nodded, agreeing with him.

„I hope you are right about that…“ I replied, still a little worried. „And please be careful yourself“ I said to all of them.

„Oh don’t worry about us“ Wrecker said confidently and laid his arm around Crosshair, who annoyedly shock it off immediately. All of us exchanged a nod, before they gathered their belongings and helmets. Crosshair was the last one and stopped before he exited the room, following his brothers.

„Everything will be fine“ he said and hesitantly took my hand in his. He didn’t look into my eyes and kept his eyes on my hands and intertwined our fingers.

„Cross…I’m scared…“ I replied, causing him to look at me. Something in his expression was different since Kaller…

He seemed torn and conflicted. Slowly I lifted my hand up to his face and wanted to stroke over his cheek to comfort him but he quickly stopped me, grabbing me by my wrist.

Confused and shocked I looked at him and his sudden roughness towards me. Almost scared of his own actions he quickly let go again and put on his helmet to hide his face and walked towards the exit.

“Be careful!” I added in a pleading tone, causing him to stop in his tracks for a moment. He hesitated for a while and I could hear him sigh under his helmet, before he left, following the others. I put on my helmet myself and exited the room as well.

I watched after them as one of the shock troopers lead them away, the other one waiting for me. Crosshair turned around a last time and our eyes met through the visors. I turned away and nodded towards the other trooper, waiting to lead me to Tarkin.

I followed him and my worries around my boys slowly turned into fear about what would happen now. What if he wouldn’t accept me being a part of them and would send me away? It wouldn’t surprise me, if someone like me wasn’t allowed along them nor accepted. I doubted that the republic nor empire had ever faced a situation like this…

„Sit down, he will be here shortly“ the trooper spoke after he stopped in front of a white door. His hands slid over the control panel next to the door, before it hissed open, revealing a white bright room, with a dark grey desk and two chairs. I looked at him for a short while and had to stop myself from thanking him, which would have given away that I wasn’t a clone. So I just nodded firmly and entered the room, slowly walking towards the chair on my side of the desk. I flinched nervously when the door hissed again, when it shut. I sat down and waited.

I didn’t know if it just felt like an eternity because I was so anxious or if the officer really took his time. But I guessed he would have a lot of more important manners to attend to, than me. Anxiously my leg bounced up and down and I looked around the empty cold room to pass time, not finding anything to distract me.

Suddenly the door hissed again, causing me to freeze in place. When I heard the steps coming closer and closer, until I could see the figure in the corner of my eye, I jumped up and saluted, like I had seen clones do before.

„There is still some improvement I see“ Tarkin chuckled and walked onto the other side of the desk and added „ease up, trooper“ before he sat down. I did as I was told and watched his every move. „Please remove your helmet now.“

I froze again and he repeated himself, the smile from earlier disappearing. Really slowly I lifted my hands and removed the helmet. I felt even more intimidated by him without the helmet. With it, I had felt safe, hidden in a way. The smile returned when he looked at my face.

„If it helps, I already knew you weren’t a clone“ he explained and leaned back in his chair. „So… who are you?“

„Shae“ I replied with a shaking voice. He raised one eyebrow and waited for me to continue „…Chuchi“ I added and swallowed hard. I knew lying would just get me in trouble. His eyes flickered at the mention of my last name, but he didn’t comment on it.

„W-What gave me away…Sir?“ I asked nervously, when he said nothing and just eyed me. He chuckled.

„Everything.“ He replied. „The height, the stance and the whole explanation of Clone Force 99 recruiting a new trooper seemed a little…odd to me.“

I just nodded as reply.

„I still wouldn’t have expected someone like…like you, miss“ Tarkin added and lightly tilted his head. „A pleasant surprise.“

He wanted to say something but got interrupted by a message on the com link on his desk. „Sir, we have new information about the mission on Onderon-“ A trooper explained through the com.

„Good. I’ll be right there“ Tarkin replied shortly and shut the com system off with a beep. „I am sorry Miss Chuchi, but I’ll have to attend this-“

„I-I can come with you“ I interrupted him and rushed onto my feet when he lifted himself up to leave. They had new information about Onderon, that was where the bad batch was headed. „Sir“ I quickly added, when I realized how unprofessional this had been.

„I fear not…“ he answered, „Besides, I am sure it’s only good news. Don’t you trust them to accomplish this mission?“ He asked me when he slowly made his way around the table.

„No doubt, Sir“ I answered truthfully.

„Then there is nothing to worry about“ He said, pleased with my answer and walked past me. „I’ll send someone to guide you to your new quarters, you can wait here“ he said over his shoulder to me, before he left through the door. I sighed and sank down into the seat again. And waited.

After an even longer, but not as anxious, wait, the door opened again and I quickly turned around in the chair to look at the arriving person. The shock trooper looked surprised to see me, but quickly turned back into his professional persona and signaled me to follow him. I stood up and almost forgot the helmet, I had placed on the desk, before I followed him onto the hallway. I had loosened up a little and like I had told Tarkin, I had trust in them and was surprised at how well the officer had accepted me…I would have expected a lot worse.

„How do you find your way around here?“ I asked the trooper as I caught up with him with a smile. „Everything looks the same…so white“

He just shrugged his shoulders. Probably not really a joker, I thought to myself and noticed the weird looks I was getting. „Hi“ I greeted a few troopers, who I caught staring at me. I didn’t get any answer, but mumbled words they exchanged when we passed them.

„They aren’t really used to beings such as yourself“ the trooper explained after a while.

„Such as myself?“ I repeated amused. „I’m human too“

„Females.“ he answered dryly and I let out a small „oh“

„Sounds like a boring life“ I joked after a while and eyed him.

„Sounds like a quiet life“ He answered slightly annoyed, without looking at me.

We stopped in front of a door, that honestly looked like every other door in Tapioca City. If this would be the new quarters, I knew, I would have trouble finding it again. The trooper pressed a button next to the door to open it, revealing a smaller but cleaner room. I thanked him when I walked past him. It had a small window next to the bed onto the stormy seas. I noticed a bathroom being connected to it and a stach of the newest weapons in a corner of the room. „Wow“ I breathed out, „they are going to love this“ I stated with a chuckle and let my fingers slide over the black rifle and eyed the bag of grenades and explosives.

Suddenly I heard mumbling words being spoken over his helmets com-system, but couldn’t make any of them out. I slowly turned around to face him, only to find that he was already pointing his blaster at me.

„What is-?“ I began to ask with my hands in the air, but was stunned by his blaster before I could finish.

I woke up on a hard metallic bench and immediately jumped to my feet when I became conscious again. Stumbling and shaking I had to lean against the cold wall behind me as everything turned and I shock my head to get a clearer vision. I was only wearing the blacks now and they had removed all armor and weapons I had on me.

A red ray shield, metallic grey walls, a guarded control panel on the other side of the shield. I was a prisoner.

„Hey!“ I yelled to get the two guards attention and hit onto the wall. They pressed a button to be able to communicate with me and one of them replied „Silent, girl!“

„Why am I in here? Where is my squad?“ I asked, ignoring his order.

„Clone Force 99 failed“ He answered.

„Failed?“ I asked in shock. „They never failed a mission before. Where are they now?“ I ask further. And felt the fear and worry rise inside me.

„Locked up, like you“ the other trooper answers.

„W-Why didn’t you lock me up with them?“

„We have our orders.“ One answered. „Shut it now“ The other added and pressed off the sound button of the cell.

I slammed my fist against the metallic wall in frustration and sank down onto the bench again. My mind circled around an escape and rescue plan, but I couldn’t figure out a way to come out of this cell. Then it seemed like my answer just came through the door. Tarkin.

He sighted me and I jumped onto my feet, closely watching their interaction. With a nod and a few words I couldn’t make out, one of the troopers removed the ray shield and the both of them slowly made their way towards me, blasters at the ready.

Without thinking twice, I quickly pushed the blaster away from me and dodged the stun shot from the other one successfully. With a flick of my hand on his wrist he whined in pain and let his blaster go, I managed to catch it in fall as I rolled over the ground and with a kick of my leg I swept his feet away from under him. I caught his falling blaster and lifted up both at them, targeted at the two surprised troopers in front of me.

„You are full of surprises“ I heard Tarkin laughing behind me. Still on my knees I quickly turned around and targeted the blasters at him. „Where are they?“

„Easy there, Miss“ he said calmly and unfazed by the blasters. „I am sure you’re gonna want to listen to this first…“

Suddenly both of my wrists were being grabbed and turned, forcing me to let go of the guns. They fell onto the ground and I grunted in pain, when the trooper behind me pinned my hands behind my back. Quickly the other one cuffed them and collected their blasters again, so they were guarding me on both sides now.

„Looks like I don’t have a choice“ I huffed.

„Miss Chuchi, I don’t have bad intentions“ He began, but I rolled my eyes at him. „This all is a lot more difficult than it seems…I am forced to do this“ he explained motioning towards the cell and the cuffs. „Your…squad brought you and themselves into this position, I am just following our policy here…“

„They never failed a mission“ I answered angrily, not believing him.

„I am afraid, they did this time…“ he answered and pulled out his data pad showing me recordings of the bad batch talking to a group of people, a man leading them on and it seemed like he tried to explain something. I noticed Crosshair stepping up, but Hunter keeping him down and continuing his talk. Still not quite understanding it, I glanced back up at Tarkin.

„The people you see there are said insurgents, they were ordered to take care of. Against orders they even sided with their war fanatic leader…“ Tarkin explained as we continued to watch the holo recordings. In disbelief and shock I felt tears creeping up into my eyes, when I feared the fate that followed such behavior.

„Where are they now?“ I asked with a shaking voice.

„I am glad you ask that“ He replied and pressed another button of his data pad, showing a live security transmission from the hangar bay, where the Marauder was parked. Echo, Wrecker, Hunter and a little blonde girl were lifting and searching the crates around them.

„Where is Crosshair?“ I immediately asked when I couldn’t find him. Fear rose in me and with a risen eyebrow Tarkin watched my scared expression as he noticed it.

„Don’t worry about him, he is the only one of them, that came to his senses“ he explained with a pleased expression. „And I am giving you the same choice…“

„I-I have to see him first…a-and please let me try to reason with them - I am sure this was all a misunderstanding“ I stuttered and looked at Tarkin with pleading eyes. He thought for a while.

„I fear it is too late for that“ Tarkin replied, „But good luck.“

I couldn’t believe it. He would let me go? Why did he trust me? Only when I heard the click as they removed my handcuffs, I could believe it. Without hesitation I ran out of the door and made my way as fast as I could to the hangar bay. The large metallic doors opened when I reached them and I almost slipped when I surrounded the corner.

„Hunter!“ I yelled, gaining his attention. All of them turned their heads surprised.

„Shae!“ He exclaimed happy and surprised to see me. „W-We tried to look for you…We have to leave.“ He said urgently and wanted to lead me towards the ship.

I tried to catch my breath again and stopped in my tracks, taking his hand to stop both of us. „We have to get Crosshair, Hunter!“

„I don’t think we have to look far…“ the girl slowly said and looked at the hangar doors.

We followed her eyes and watched them open with loud metallic sounds. A group of shock troopers carefully entered, followed by none other than Crosshair himself. He wasn’t wearing his usual uniform, but was dressed in a complete black clone armor with his signature toothpick in the side of his mouth, a matching helmet under his arm and a rifle in his other.

Without hesitation I wanted to run up to him and hug him, just happy to have him back, but Hunter grabbed me by my arm and pulled me with him to hide me behind one of the crates, before he protectively stood in front of me.

„Omega, get behind Wrecker“ he ordered the little girl and scared of Crosshair, she did as she was told. Hunter and Wrecker had taken out their blasters and pointed them towards their brother in black. Wrecker held onto my arm to stop me, when Hunter stood up got away from the crates. In horror and confusion I could only watch.

„Best stand down, sergeant. Make it easy on yourself“ Crosshair spoke directly to Hunter, not noticing me.

„Have you lost your mind?“ Hunter asked in shock, his voice filled with bitterness and frustration. Crosshair stayed calm and replied „You should’ve killed that Jedi. You disobeyed orders and got us into this position…“

„I did what was right!“ Hunter defended himself and his hand turned into a fist.

„You never could see the bigger picture…now surrender“ Crosshair slowly said.

With anger and frustration Hunter prepared himself for the fight and held out his blaster. Wrecker did the same and pushed Omega and I back.

„You two, get onto the ship!“ Hunter ordered and as Omega tried to carefully make her way over, I only could shake my head. I couldn’t believe this was happening, how could they fight each other? How could Hunter want to leave Crosshair?

„I am not going with you!“ I yelled over the blaster fire, that had started. Getting cover behind a crate he looked at me. „Shae…it’s not safe here. He-“ he tried to explain but I stood up anyway and with lifted up arms I walked into Crosshair’s direction.

„Shae!“ Wrecker and Hunter screamed in unison after me, but I fought my tears and continued walking. I locked eyes with him for a split second but they quickly darkened when he saw something beside me.

Suddenly I got jumped from the side and slammed onto the ground by Hunter, pinning me onto the ground. „Please don’t do this“ he breathed out.

„We can’t leave him“ I answered with tears in my eyes.

„Hunter!“ We heard Crosshair yell over the blaster fire, that slowly stopped. „You will not take her from me!“

I have never heard him this angry before and swallowed down the fear that crept up inside me. Hunter didn’t resist, when I pushed him off me and slowly got up. My eyes met with Crosshair’s and I saw something soften in his gaze for a split second, before they flickered to something behind me and darkened again, before I felt my body being paralyzed by a stun shot and being caught by someone behind me.

„She belongs to me!“ Crosshair’s voice was the last thing I heard.

#bad batch #clone x reader #clone force 99 #crosshair x reader #tbb #tbb crosshair #sw tbb

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