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Chapter one
A new lease in life, with sunshine and everything nice?
Several months had passed since Crosshair had been left on that platform in the roaring seas of Kamino. Alone, unwanted, for dead. But, that was then. And now? Well, after making off the planet thanks to his wit, he had been cruising around the galaxy by himself. Surprisingly. After all, throwing the very thing against his Batch? Accusing them of drifting rather than having a purpose? Well, Crosshair wasn’t loosing any sleep over it. As a matter of fact, he had never slept better in his life!
Being free of control, of orders, of an agenda was doing Crosshair a galaxy of good. And all that needed to happen was for him to be forsaken by everyone he knew. Well, there were a few downsides of course to this, being alone and fancy free. As even if his ship, the one he had stolen from Kamino had been fully stocked, the rations did sometimes run low, among other things.
But, luckily for Crosshair, there were always jobs open for those willing to do the hard work. But also those people willing the pay more for the, let’s say seedy kinds of tasks not everyone was willing or even capable of doing. And so, he had found quite a few gigs out there for a good sniper such as himself. After all, killing people was nothing new to him. Most of them deserved it any way. Right?
Okay, so, he was a mercenary. Sometimes.
As Crosshair really did not need much. A few necessities, like food and fuel and that was about it. He was easily entertained with the odd holo vid or a book. But mostly taking care of his somewhat accumulated weapons arsenal and keeping himself in shape. After serving the Empire, his muscle tone had gone down and now that he had the time, Crosshair was able to take care of himself like never before. He felt so much better mentally and physically too.
Sometimes, when Crosshair wanted to, he landed on some desolate planet. Simply because he could. Enjoying the peace and quite of the nature around him. Bathing in a creek or other water source. And then, laying in the sun, just for the heck of it. Those kinds of things had always seemed trivial in the past. Not that the soldiers had the luxury for anything remotely like that anyway. But now, he could. And when he wanted to, he put up his targets and stated blasting away. Again, because it was fun, it was good exercise and simply because he could. There was no one around blaming about the noise nor him wasting time.
Crosshair was on the lam. The Empire most likely thinking he was dead. Dying together with his Batch on Kamino. That was all good in his book. For both parties. Crosshair had learnt the hard way how to scramble his ships signature. And so was now able to fly under the radar after a couple of near runnings with his former employer. Thanks to his enhanced visual acuity and quick response time, he had managed to outmanoeuvre them before they had been able to track his ship. Not that they knew who it was they had run into.
Crosshair’s appearance had also changed. Somewhat. He had let his hair grow out, which had kind of happened by accident really. As there really had not been proper tools onboard for keeping the body hair in check. Crosshair had not managed to land on a planet housing such luxuries until the hair had taken a new shape. And then deciding it looked rather good suiting his new life. So, he was now housing a greyish-white long braid or hair. And to top it off, Crosshair had let his beard grow out as well, hiding his distinguished features. A great disguise if he said it himself.
The only distinguished reminder of Crosshair’s past life was the tattoo over his right eye. But it too was fading, somewhat. Thanks to his slight tan he maintained while planet side whenever he fancied to do so. And the armour Crosshair mostly donned in his past life, as never the one for civilian clothing? After all he had been a soldier back then. But now? Well, different times and all that. Crosshair had managed to purchase a few sets of suitable clothing on his travels and was only using those now. After all, he was not a soldier. Not any more.
Naturally Crosshair still loved his gadgets. So, keeping a few on his person while not on his ship or on a deserted planet. All well hidden under his clothing of course. Crosshair had two well equipped Firepunchers in his arsenal now. His pride and joys. While getting paid for a job well done, he had been able to indulge himself with the few creature comforts like new weapons. Besides, if he wanted to keep doing the odd jobs out there, he needed good tools of the trade, right? Well, a few things was a kind of an understatement really. As he had a closet filled with weapons, explosives, knives, you name it. Making any other mercenary cry with envy.
Chapter two
All dressed up and nowhere to go, what a bore!
It had been a few weeks since Crosshair had pulled a job. It wasn’t that he was pressed for credits. But, despite the freedom of having his own time, his own say in what he wanted to do? Well, he felt, bored. After taking a break from space only a few days ago, landing on a sunny and lush planet. Void of most living things part from a few animals, he had enjoyed running amok butt naked in the fields and bathing in the sun. Something which he had only recently discovered he totally enjoyed.
Having one’s own schedule, free of control chips and other plans had its perks, naturally. But sometimes, a clone needed more, no matter how independent they were. And well, even if Crosshair really did not care for a steady job, not really. He still wanted to do the odd job every once in a while. It was the balance of things really. Not just doing whatever whenever. But having a sense of purpose of doing something more. Even if it was a paid gig. And even if he was fine without a regular purpose. Confusing, but true. This learning of being a person.
Okay, fine, he still craved for some sense of usefulness, despite his current sunny position. Guess it was woven into that damned clone DNA of his!
During these months of living off the grid, Crosshair had managed to build a small network of contacts, thanks to his excellent marksmanship. After all, highly trained assassins were in demand. Especially now, that the Empire was expanding every which way. It was not alway about the perfect kill shot though. Rather Crosshair was hired as a backup, were negotiations to fail. Sometimes they went as plan, sometimes not. And the opponent never knew what hit them.
So, Crosshair had let the grape vine know, he was looking for job again. Usually, when he put the feeler out there it only took a day or so, before someone reached out to him. He had to be careful though. He was still not sure whether the Empire was privy to his continued existence or not. He had the contact usually running through a few hoops before turning up to meet them. Still, he was nothing like the picture perfect sniper, formerly of the Republic snd the Empire. Something he had scratched off of his resume a long time ago.
Chapter three
New vistas to explore, new and old friends to see.
The craft was flying through hyper space. Crosshair was all setup to meet his contact he had started to use recently. Finding them more reliable and safer than simply dealing with the clients directly. Now, he was going to meet them for the third time during his new career. A planet Crosshair had only recently become acquainted with. It was called Nevarro. Home place of a varied assortment of scum and villainy. A perfect hideout for those looking for one.
And so, heading there now, to get to meet his new client. Of course, only after the client having been vetted by Crosshair’s contact. As per usual method for getting his cut. A process which also made the dealings safer for Crosshair. After all, these dealers hardly wanted to lose a good milking cow, so doing their job properly was a must. Loosing a bad client was a small price to pay compared to loosing any good future commissions.
The vessel, which Crosshair had named as the Deadeye, a little on the nose perhaps. But Crosshair was a sniper through and through. Something he was not willing to cast aside easily. Even if the rest of his past had been dumped alongside the rest of the dead weight he had been hauling around before turning the leaf into his new life. But, Crosshair was closing in on the planet and had signalled the contact he would be landing soon enough.
The Deadeye landed just in the outskirts of the settlement. There really was no spaceport to mention on Nevarro. So basically any place empty and large enough was good for landing. Mostly, as the many volcanos present might just be causing issues unfortunately, if the pilot was not being careful enough.
Crosshairs stepped out of the craft and walked with his usual sway towards the already waiting contact. Crosshair’s contact was a newcomer in the business, but had already earned quite the reputation. Good or bad, really did not matter much in this business. But he was trusted among those who worked with him.
“Greef Karga!” Crosshair greeted the man waving at him.
“Cross!” Yes, Crosshair had dropped a part of his name as well. Even if the Empire had never really used his given name rather the clone birth number or Commander, as he used to be. Besides, changing one’s name. Coming up with a catchy new one was surprisingly difficult.
The two shook hands in the most suitable Spartan handshake. Familiar especially among ex-soldiers. Which Crosshair suspected Karga having been at some point.
“I just got word the client will be landing soon.” Karga told Crosshair. “And don’t worry, they vetted out good.”
“That’s good to hear.” Not that Karga had led Crosshair astray. Yet.
The two of them kept on chatting for a moment. Something else Crosshair had learnt to do. After all, working on his own he needed to talk with his contacts. And well, surprisingly enough the talking, once started, had become quite fluid for him after a while.
A moment later, a somewhat familiar looking Y-wing craft landed close by. Something swept over Crosshair briefly. A memory from the past. But he quickly shook it off as nothing but nostalgia. Then glanced at the vessel for a moment longer before turning his attention back to Greef Karga.
“Here he is now.” Karga said then, when the hooded person stepped out from the Y-wing.
Crosshair kept his eyes on the approaching figure. While Karga was already a few steps ahead, moving to greet the arrival. As they shook hands, similarly to what Crosshair and Karga had done. Crosshair’s brow rose on its own accord. There was something disturbing about the scene happening in front of him. Crosshair placed his hand on his sidearm. Just in case.
After a brief moment of exchanging pleasantries, Karga and the client walked back to where Crosshair was still standing. His recent relaxed stance getting stiffer, the closer the two got to him. The duo was close enough for Crosshair to see the new arrival properly as Karga was just about to introduce the two. It was then when time froze around them all.
“Crosshair?” The familiar sounding timbre asked, then shedding off his hood and revealing his face.
The same voice, which reminded Crosshair of home. Of the many similar and familiar sounding voices he had heard in his past. The eyes so much like his own staring right back at him in total surprise.
Crosshair’s voice was unusually gravelly, as if he had not feed enough liquids to his thirsty throat in ages, when he managed to utter the familiar name. “Rex.”