Chapter Text
‘Sometimes sparing a life is necessary for the greater good no matter the worth of said life.’
“I will kill you you self-serving bastard!” Crosshair seethed through his gritted teeth housing the maddest look ever on his face with his blaster aimed directly at Rampart’s head.
Rampart had gotten up from the seat acting even more defiantly while moving ever closer to Crosshair clearly bating him to try.
“Do it if you got the guts for it!” Which in hindsight wasn’t perhaps the best choice of words having witnessed Crosshair’s handiwork in the past while still serving the Admiral. Rampart was standing his ground just the same. Always the one to try to bluff his way out of everything and anything.
Crosshair squeezed the trigger tighter if even possible. The moment between the action of starting to and actually finishing the task stretching out forever to those close observing the situation unfold. With most of the clones cheering silently for Crosshair to actually shoot Rampart. The hate in the transport for the former Admiral palpable.
Trex having observed the situation was also debating on what to do. But being the senior officer there he had to make a call to diffuse it. And so, with one swell move Trex had placed himself between Crosshair and Rampart thus standing in the line of fire himself.
It was a desperate move to make for sure. But it seemed the only one to make to get Crosshair’s attention. Because the sniper seemed to be completely consumed by his hatred and anger he clearly harboured for Rampart. Not that Trex could blame him. The history between the two a painful one for sure. Because Trex had heard the rumours. Those of experimentation and torture conducted on clones falling out of favour from the good Admiral.
But, there was a bigger picture to consider. And so.
“Crosshair. You can’t kill him.” Trex was using his best calm tone he could muster. His pleading eyes on Crosshair’s hoping only to get through to the sniper even if they weren’t exactly best of friends. But Trex was pretty sure he had gained some insight to the solemn man after Crosshair had joined them just the same. “We need him. Please Crosshair. He has vital information we can use against the Empire.” Trex had his gaze on Crosshair trying oh so very hard to get through to Crosshair in the moment of stand still.
The standoff lasted a spell longer. Crosshair never faltering in his stance. But neither did Trex. Several changing expressions running through Crosshair’s face in a rapid succession. Something which only Trex could see having obscured the view from Rampart. And so… a loud growl was expelled in clear frustration from the sniper as he finally lowered his weapon.
“Thank you.” Trex mouthed to Crosshair. Trying to let Crosshair know he had done good without letting Rampart hear the interaction between the two clones.
Crosshair glared at Trex for a brief moment more. Something inside of him suddenly clicking into place. A revelation of sorts. And with an almost invisible nod to Trex, Crosshair walked off without further words or actions.
Trex let out a breath he realised he had been holding. Only too glad to have finally gotten through to Crosshair. Making a mental note to talk to the sniper at a later point. Because despite what the other clone might have thought, Trex knew what had made him want to kill Rampart.
Trex turned to Rampart who still looked oh so very smug. As if he had won this round. Again.
Must’ve been the rumoured imperial deep training making all these nat-born officers so full of them self.
“I could have just let him shoot you you know.” Trex told the former Admiral as his eyes connected with the other man staring right back at him defiantly.
“What made you stop him?” The snide words left Rampart’s lips.
Trex glared at Rampart for the longest while not answering his question at first.
Letting the man stew for a bit. Because Trex knew exactly what Rampart was all about. But his personal feelings aside, Trex did not flinch either. Rather standing his ground against the cocky disgraced former imperial officer. Having learnt from the best on how to handle the sort.
“You really don’t remember me do you?” It was Trex’s turn to bate Rampart.
Rampart let a brief look of surprise cross his face before the snide smirk was back again. His mask as Trex knew it to be. Because nobody was that collected. Nobody. “You clones all look alike to me.” The slur all too familiar to Trex. Having heard it so many times before he had lost count.
Trex stood there simply glaring back at Rampart. And then… without any further words, any warning, he punched the Admiral in the gut with such force the man doubled down in pain. His face growing pale with the blood receding. The cocky smug glare nowhere to be found.
“That one… was for Captain Wilco you bastard.” Trex spat at the former Admiral showing just how much respect he had for the Empire and Rampart.
Trex then motioned for the two clone troopers having stood right behind him. “Take this… garbage and place him in the hold.” Trex ordered.
The troops immediately grabbed Rampart and started dragging him out of the transport and into their own ship. Rampart whining as they did not being too careful in handling him. Paybacks being a total bitch and all that!
And soon all the clone rescues had been taken to the other ship for the medics onboard to check them just to be sure they were all alright. But also deactivating the chips where needed.
Trex remained with two other clones securing the imperial transport vessel to haul it back with them to their base. After all, a ship was a ship which could be put to good use in the future. The Clone Cause needing all the resources they could get.