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“None of this changes anything.”
“None of this changes anything.”
“None of this changes anything .”
“Are you alright, darling?”
Ok’sana didn't even turn her head as Tech placed a hand on her shoulder. It hadn't even been a full minute since they left Crosshair, a man who she considered to be her best friend, on that damned platform.
Well, my only living best friend.
“This isn't right.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I’m talking about Tech. Cross,” her voice rose a bit and Tech glanced behind her to where Echo and Hunter were murmuring in the cockpit.
“What choice did we have?” he hissed.
Tech rarely yelled at anyone, but Ok’sana knew this was a touchy subject for him- for any of them really. Especially given recent events. She turned and craned her neck back, leaning against the wall of the Marauder.
“Don't give me that. You know there's always a choice.”
“Then propose a plan.”
Ok’sana scoffed. This was part of the reason she loved Tech. He didn't mince words or speak to her like she was anything less than an equal. Even though he was the resident genius, he trusted her input.
“Run the numbers. If we turned around right now, how likely is it we’d reach Cross before the Empire would?”
He hesitated, pushing his goggles up- it was a nervous tick at this point more than anything else. Maker knows he adjusted those goggles every morning before missions.
“That wouldn't mean much if he doesn't want to be here, Sana. He was very clear about that. We need to respect Crosshair’s wishes.”
“Dammit Tech, you didn't even say anything to him. He's your brother , do you know what I'd give to have my broth-” her voice broke.
“Ok’sana-”
She took his gloved hands in hers, and it was almost comical how much bigger his hands were.
“I respect you, Tech. I love you. But I hope you don't take it too personally when I tell you that respecting his wishes is the biggest piece of Bantha shit . ”
“Excuse me?”
Sana leaned forward and kissed his cheek, slipping by towards the cockpit. Tech turned to watch her go, making no move to stop her. When Ok’sana Rue set her mind to something, not even the threat of theEmpire could shut her down.
“Just-,” she turned back, and Tech could see that crescent shaped birthmark under her eye- the one he loved to trace every night before they fell asleep.
“This isn't easy for any of us, just go easy, love.”
—
“Where the hell do you get off?” Hunter was furious.
If this is her going easy, I must remind myself to never get on her bad side, Tech thought distractedly.
“I’ll get off back on that landing strip, Hunter. Now turn the ship around,” Ok’sana commanded.
. “And I’m saying no. You're not a General anymore, Rue. You don't call the shots here.”
“Oh and you should? I told you once I met up with you that Crosshair was especially vulnerable to this type of influence, and once again you're all fine with sitting there with your tails between your legs while Hunter leaves your brother. AGAIN.”
“Anyone has a problem with the shots I’m calling, they can say so,” he crossed his arms.
Ok’sana's arms flailed around, “So you do take complaints,” she laughed harshly, “good to know.”
“Let it go!”
Sana got so close to Hunter that if she was tall enough, their noses probably would be touching. Tech’s fists clenched anxiously. If she swung at Hunter he didn't know what he’d do, because it was a high probability that with use of the Force (or even without it, really) she’d knock the Sergeant back before any of them could reach her.
“How about you let go of whatever ego you're holding onto here and tell us why you aren't willing to turn around for your vod , Hunter,” Ok’sana spit, “from where I’m standing it looks like fear.” He didn't break her glare, saying nothing.
“And I might not be a General, but talk to me like that again and I’ll Force throw you into the flight panel. Cross isn't something you just “ let go” .”
“Maybe we should-”
“Echo, if it was safe for us and Omega I’d have no problem with turning around. I told him to come with us. I’m not willing to risk our squad for someone who doesn't wanna be here.”
“Then leave us there.”
Omega.
They all turned at the sound of her voice, Hunter gaping at the outburst.
“What?”
“If you're not willing to help Crosshair, then you're not who I thought you all were,” Omega started, sounding more than upset.
“Omega..”
“Ok’sana's right. He's our brother. He's scared, and we didn't fight hard enough to go save him,” her eyes fell to her shoes, “and that's on all of us. Hunter made the decision but none of us stopped him.”
Sana felt Tech come up behind her and place a hand on her hip, silently giving her his support. He passed by her, and moved into the pilot seat since Hunter was still staring open mouthed at his sister.
“You wanna go back?”
“He saved my life.”
“To get even Omega, not because he cares about you!”
Sana had to protest at that, “Why would he? Cross barely knows her, and you all threw your lives on the line for months for a sister you just met- but left him out to dry.”
“He was being controlled! And now he says he isn't, but he still doesn’t want to be one of us anymore.”
“He’s hurt! Leave me and Ok’sana and maybe we can get through to him-”
“ No .”
It was Tech and Hunter who spoke this time. Their eyes met briefly. The Batch was well aware of the threat to Omega from the Kaminoans, but they still hadn't had time to figure out why the Empire seemed to want Sana captured, not killed like the other Jedi.
“Being a member of this squad may be a choice, but being part of this family isn't. Can you imagine what the Empire will do to him after he helped us escape?”
Hunter said nothing to that.
Wrecker rubs his neck, “I think she has a point.”
Omega smiled at him gratefully. Those two were usually on the same page, and having both them and Tech behind her settled the issue no matter what Hunter said next.
“I just-” he sighed, “I want us to be safe.”
Ok’sana walked over to the wall he had slumped against, and while she wasn't yelling anymore, the glare hadn’t left her face. “”Us” includes Cross, you know that. Maker, you two are so similar sometimes it's scary. Two tough guys against a whole untrustworthy galaxy.”
Omega walked over and placed a little hand on his chestplate.
“This is the right thing, Hunter. The squad isn't complete without Crosshair,” he just bobbed his head once and walked to his bunk.
“What do you think, Echo?” Tech said, still pressing buttons along the panel.
“I think.. We’ve lost too many brothers to those chips. And if he really got it removed, we owe it to him to check- and to keep the Empire away from him.”
“Agreed.”
“Echo, Tech, turn us around.”
“I stopped the autopilot six minutes ago. We’ve merely been floating in one spot,” Ok’sana smiled at him.
“You're the best.”
—
Plopping down on the narrow bunk, Sana pulled her legs under her- giving Hunter plenty of room. When he was upset his senses tended to overwhelm him, so she had waited a minute before coming to check in. His mind was still scrambling for purchase, but now that the shouting was over, Hunter’s heartbeat had slowed back to its regular gallop.
He’d pulled his bandana off and was rubbing at his temples. She waited another beat, and then spoke as softly as she could,
“I don't mean to get in your face like that.”
Silence.
“I just don’t think you’re telling the whole truth. Which is okay, you're allowed to keep things to yourself.”
Still nothing, and the lack of response made her shift a little.
“Hunter-”
“I can't look at him.”
“You- what?”
He took a shaky breath, and it made Sana’s chest tighten. Hunter was always so steady.
“I failed him, Rue. I was a coward, and I failed him. I wanted to go back as soon as we escaped and Omega explained the chips to us, but then we ran into Rex and..” she let out a breath she hadn't realized she’d been holding.
“Then you saw Wrecker succumb to his inhibitor chip.”
Hunter nodded, “You know Wreck, off the battlefield he wouldn't hurt a fly. And the way he threw Tech, I mean, you saw it. My little brother got thrown like it was nothing, Ok’sana. He could've killed him”
“But that. Wasn't. Him.”
“What if we bring Crosshair on board and he hurts Omega or Tech? Echo? Not that he could take Wrecker, but If he hurt you I’d-”
“You'd protect us. And we protect each other, like we always do,” she whispered.
Sana was never one for physical touch, but this was a special circumstance. Opening herself to the Force, she cleared her mind as she'd done thousands of times before. Closing her eyes, she leaned forward and grabbed Hunter’s hand. Jedi tricks always came in handy when it came to Hunter’s enhanced senses. She’d done this many times before to help calm him and dull the senses to normal levels.
He didn't pull away, but let her twine her fingers through his- feeling the warmth leak through his arm. Suddenly he couldn’t hear Tech and Echo clicking away in the cockpit. Couldn't smell the expired rations in the crates beside Wrecker’s bunk, or Ok’sana's perfume.
Breathe, Hunter. You're safe. We’re safe.
This family will be whole again.
Trust in the Force.
Trust me .
I do.
She opened her eyes and smiled at him.
“Good.”
“I’ve always trusted you vod’ika, I-”
“-am just an over-cautious pain in the ass? I’m aware,” Hunter chuckled, but then looked uneasy as they felt the ship shake at the re-entering of the atmosphere.
“Do I apologize right away?” Ok’sana thought for a second, dropping his hand.
“Cross is more likely to take a swing at you or any of the boys, and if we beat the Empire there.. Just let me deal with it, and keep Omega back, okay?”
He paused, “He's stronger than he looks.”
“So am I,” Sana smirked, “and no one said we had to bring him aboard conscious .”
“Ok’sana, Hunter, you may wanna come see this.”