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Wrecker assumed after years of military service, he would be in a better position.
Yet laying on a cold floor with his face pressed against toilet pipes was not the life he had in mind when leaving the military was decided. Wrecker was a demolitions expert- he'd been the leader of air strikes, disarmed mines with people standing on them, and could tinker with any bomb placed in front of him. That wasnt even chipping away at what else he was capable of.
Now, all those skills got him was a half way decently paid job as a plumber. Wrecker heard Hunter grunt from above him, and got back to work fixing the pipes.
Don't mistake him, Wrecker didn't blame Hunter for pulling them out. Wrecker tried not to think about it, absentmindedly brushing his hand against the scar that stretched across his face and head, and shivered thinking worse had happened. "Wrecker," Hunter sounded strained. "Hurry up down there." Wrecker got back to work, a short, "sorry." slipping into the silence and he got back to work. After some tinkering, the pipes were cleared and they were good to go. Hunter sighed in relief when he got to ease the weight to the floor.
"C'mon, Echo texted," Hunter helped Wrecker stand and they packed up to leave. "He says he needs a little help with his job, then we can have a break." Wrecker nodded, hefting the toolbox over his shoulder and following Hunter out. The lady thanked them, offering money, and Hunter refused it awkwardly. Wrecker hid his disappointment well as they pulled out of the driveway and drove off. Cid didn't allow tips, but sometimes those tips paid better than her.
Wrecker found himself thinking about the bills, again, and worried quietly how many extra hours were they going to have to pull this time. Hunter kept his head cool about it, in front of the rest of them anyway. Wrecker thought it was because of the argument Crosshair made when they first started working for Cid. It had been a good one, no one could deny that. Wrecker heard the words in his head, and stared at the clouds shift and move above him.
"If we're dependent on some shady, barely legal tender that might one day turn around and dump you, how on earth are you gonna keep this house going? I'm not that stupid, Hunter."
Thinking back to their last paycheck, which was supposed to be paid the week beforehand, that wasn't paid because of 'difficulties' and then the bills again, Wrecker found himself wondering about the possibility that Hunter might actually lose this fight. Hunter and Crosshair fought a lot, especially after they pulled out of the military. At least out there, Crosshair had something else to focus on. Here, he didn't, and the only thing that calmed them down much was Tech moving in after a year.
Tech. Wrecker watched the sun rays escaping over the edge of a cloud and sighed to himself. Lying to get around things was their specialty, even at the cost of their safety. Though even Wrecker agreed Hunter went a bit too far with that one. Even now, years later, they could all still get arrested for a long time for what he did. Wrecker knew it was for a greater good, that it was better to have him out with them than back there with her. Wrecker still couldn't shake the bad feeling, and won't ever forget what happened.
Those screams would haunt him forever.
"Wrecker." Hunter said gently, pulling Wrecker back to reality. "I need you here, bud. Just a few more jobs." Wrecker nodded, shaking his head to clear it and shooting Hunter a grin. Hunter smiled back, and pulled up to the site. Echo was waiting for them, and waved them over as they grabbed their things. "It's just down there." Echo sighed, pointing at the burst pipe. "I'd get there myself, but.." Wrecker saw the water, that had risen to maybe their knees, then to Echo's prosthetics.
"We'll handle it." Hunter assured. "Get a hold of the other two- see if they're free for food." Echo glanced at Wrecker, but bit back his commentary and walked off, pulling out his phone. Hunter was a strong believer in strength in numbers. If they could be together as a group, they were. Wrecker liked to think Hunter just enjoyed their company, but Crosshair had hissed about it being another weak excuse, to make up for lost time. Hunter had missed a lot of their childhood, being the oldest. Crosshair was left behind more than Wrecker was, but he didn't understand it, not like Wrecker did. Neither did Tech, Wrecker guessed, but Tech wasn't picking fights about it all the time.
Wrecker wasn't exactly a constant presence in their youth, either. Crosshair seemed to forget that, or he was simply ignoring it. Wrecker hopped down, water sloshing around his shins, and felt guilt sink into him. He had missed as much as Hunter, in some regards. Wrecker nodded when Hunter pointed towards the pipe, too large for Hunter to hold up this time, and lost himself to his thoughts as he held it in place. Did Crosshair hold the same grudge against Wrecker as he did Hunter?
He mustn't, Wrecker mused. Otherwise Crosshair wouldn't indulge him the way he indulged in Tech or Echo. Crosshair made time for Wrecker, and showed his affections in his own way. When tensions were high, Crosshair kept his jabs to a surface level sting, never crossing lines like he did with Hunter. "As the oldest," Wrecker remembered Hunter telling him one night, after a bad fight that left a plate smashed and the neighbours worried. "I'm responsible for you guys. Crosshair's right to direct his anger at me. I'll handle him, he'll-... he'll come around." Hunter sounded assured, and Wreaker chose not to point out the two year gap between him and Echo.
Wrecker thought about Tech again. Tech was the youngest, and came around just before things plummeted to their worst. Tech had never known it was good, or that it could be good, not like the rest of them did. Even Echo, before he left, had experienced more of the good than Tech ever would. Tech would only ever hear the whispers of "before you were born." from Hunter, or Echo, or maybe even Cody sometimes, and it pained Wrecker that Tech would never know.
Yet, in all of their years, all of their tests, Tech had never complained, like he thought what was happening was good. Like it was acceptable. He had every right to be angry. Wrecker gripped the large pipe a little tighter. Tech had much more right than some who did complain, but his little brother held his tongue for years and said nothing. Wrecker couldn't ever understand that.
Wrecker certainly complained. For both of them.
That place, that orphanage, was nothing short of hell. Something you wouldn't wish upon your worst enemy. Wrecker paused, and decided Crosshair would wish it upon people, probably. Still, how Tech didn't go insane, left along there, Wrecker will never know. If it was him, watching his brothers drive away, after years of military level threats breathing down their necks, watching Echo become- well, Echo, and then being told you cant see your siblings again? After experiencing what they had? Wrecker wouldn't have survived. He wondered how his little brother managed that, knowing the rest of his siblings were happy and free after everything, and Tech was stuck in that dark, old building, with who knows what happening to him—
That gave Wrecker pause. He wracked his brain, frowning. What did happen? Wrecker realised with a start he had no idea. Wrecker never thought to even ask. "Wrecker." Hunter sighed from below him. "Keep the pipe up, it's slipping." Wrecker didn't answer, raising the pipe high- probably too high, and his mind raced. Wrecker never thought to ask. He looked up at Echo, who was speaking over the phone. He looked agitated, which meant he was most likely talking to Crosshair. An exaggerated sigh from Echo confirmed Wrecker's guess. So, Crosshair most likely wasn't making it to lunch with them.
Typical, Crosshair was probably held up at his new job. A job that was sure to become the source of the house arguments for the next while. Hunter disagreed strongly with working for the same people that oversaw their military work, from the other side of the war no doubt. Crosshair had no such concerns, claiming he was doing good work for the entire world. Wrecker tried to insert himself once, telling Hunter that it wasn't as if everyone had pulled out of the war like they had. People were still fighting, people they knew. There was no reason that Crosshair couldn't do the same.
Wrecker shot Echo a sorry look for even thinking about it. War was not something Echo liked to talk about. It made him angry, bitter in a way that surprised them all. Echo hissed and screamed as much as Crosshair when war came up. It was scary, Wrecker admitted to himself. His grip had slipped again, because Hunter was calling his name. With a start, Wrecker dropped the pipe completely. Echo flinched when the pipe hit the ground with a loud splash and crash.
"Wrecker!" Hunter snapped, barely dodging the pipe as it swung down on top of him. "I'm sorry!" Wrecker helped Hunter up, wincing when Hunter shot him a look. "You're totally out of it today." Hunter said, rolling his shoulder and inspecting the pipe, not looking at Wrecker. "What's up with you?" Wrecker fumbled with his words for a minute, hand flying up to his scar again. Hunter seemed to soften. "Alright," he sighed, standing fully. "We're done. Let's go, any answer, Echo?"
Echo shrugged as he helped Hunter up. "The usual." Wrecker climbed up himself while Echo and Hunter reached for the toolbox. "Crosshair's too busy with a meeting or something, and Tech's still in class." Hunter nodded, muttering to himself as Wrecker loaded the van. "Guess we'll go ourselves, then?" Hunter turned to Echo, who shrugged. "I guess." Wrecker hopped into the van, watching Hunter and Echo chat. He sighed, resting his head on the dash before pulling out his phone and shooting Crosshair a text.
You sure you're not coming today?
Wrecker knew it was pointless. If Echo couldn't convince him, Wrecker probably couldn't, either. It didn't hurt to try, though Wrecker was getting tired of always asking and being told no. Wrecker knew Crosshair was difficult, it was something they'd grown up to realise, but that didn't mean it wasn't frustrating. Wrecker blinked when he got a notification, and checked it, and despite his opinions, a glimmer of hope rose up in him as he opened the message app.
No.
Disappointed, again. Another bubble caught his attention.
Maybe tomorrow, just us. My treat.
Wrecker lit up. Fingers flew as he sent a reply, and sat straight when Hunter shut the door, settling into the drivers seat and giving Wrecker a look. "What's got you so happy suddenly?" Hunter asked, and Wrecker shrugged, happily leaning back a little. "Nothin', just happy to be out of that hole, I guess." Hunter shot him another look, but didn't comment, pulling away again and following Echo through the winding street.
From an office building, Crosshair scoffed at the corny reply Wrecker had sent him. Great, now Wrecker might expect regular lunches with him. Sighing, Crosshair tossed his phone back onto the stack of papers beside him and looked at his laptop. He was trying to get into files he's not supposed to have access to, but Crosshair can't for the life of him remember how, despite Tech's many 'lessons' on the subject.
"Fett." A voice snapped from behind him, and Crosshair slammed his laptop shut before spinning in his chair. A man stood in front of him, eyebrow raised as Crosshair stood, shooting a look of his own back. "Problem?" He asked, and the man shook his head. "You've been assigned a new project." The man told him, and gestured towards a door at the end of the corridor. "Mr. Rampart wants to see you to give you the full briefing." Crosshair nodded, and walked off, not-so-subtly shouldering past the man.
Crosshair didn't bother knocking, pushing the door open and pausing. Rampart was sitting at his desk, and gave Crosshair a look. In the chair across from him, a man was sitting, arms folded carefully. "Ah, Fett." Rampart gestured for him to come in, and Crosshair stopped in front of the chair, eyes on this new person. "This is Kallus." Rampart told him, eyes flickering towards Kallus for a moment before they settled back on Crosshair. "From the ISB. He's been transferred here to help with a few tasks." Crosshair rolled his eyes.
"One of those tasks." Rampart's eyes had a gleam in them. "You will be working on together." Kallus didn't react, and Crosshair forced himself not to either. "Of course, sir." Kallus gave Crosshair a tight smile, feinging friendliness. "Whatever you need." Crosshair scoffed, and swiped the file up before either of them could say anything else. "What's the job?" Crosshair asked, flipping through the file and pausing. A lot of these were profiles. "I'm sure you'll find it," Rampart waited until Crosshair's eyes settled on a name he recognised. "Familiar."
Crosshair looked up at Rampart, then towards Kallus, and stayed silent. "With the fighting part of the war over." Rampart gestured towards the files. "The political war can continue." Kallus took the file off of Crosshair, with little resistance, and Crosshair didn't move his gaze from Rampart. "These are loyal men." Kallus mentioned, barely seeming to care. "You're sure this is what you want?"
Crosshair wanted to protest, but Rampart spoke up. "You both fought in the war." Rampart said, like it wasn't obvious. Crosshair had the decency to look surprised, and Kallus gave a stiff nod. "Then you both understand," Rampart tilted his head, he stared through them. "How important this is. The war is over, yes, but the system being put in place is.. not one they much agree with." Rampart took the file back, fixing it before placing it back down. "However, this system is necessary for our prosperity. I trust you both understand," Rampart looked again at Crosshair. "And will see this through."
Kallus stood, nodding with a short, "Yes sir." Before he walked out, leaving Crosshair alone. Crosshair turned back to Rampart, who simply watched. "Problem?" Rampart asked, and Crosshair drew up. "No, sir." Crosshair snapped, snatching up the file before he spun on his heels and marched out. The door swung shut, and Crosshair startled when he saw Kallus, who hadn't moved far. "So." Kallus started, tilting his head. "You're this sniper I've heard so much about."
Crosshair scoffed, wishing he had a toothpick. "What of it?" Crosshair told him, waving a hand. Kallus regarded him with a offstandish look. "Your brothers aren't with you." He commented, and Crosshair huffed. "What does that matter to you?" Kallus didn't react other than a sigh and walked away. Crosshair waited until he was gone to let his shoulders lower slightly. Crosshair walked back to his desk and flickered through the file again.
Crosshair was concerned, mostly because of the amount of these 'targets' that shared his name. Truth be told, when Crosshair joined, he had no idea he'd be doing as much manual labour as he did. It only took a few months for him to be trusted with his rifle again, and given a name and a location. Crosshair couldn't say he was proud of what he did. It melted when he saw the face Tech or Wrecker made when they found something they'd been eyeing 'appearing' in their room.
Crosshair glanced at the photo at the corner of his desk. It was of him and his brothers, during Tech's first dispatch. It was one of the first times the four of them had actually been together for longer than a few hours. Crosshair let a small smile ghost his lips when he stared at the smiles on his brothers faces. Wrecker's couldn't be wider, Hunter's grin was young and full of life, Crosshair himself had a genuine smile on his face. Tech's eyes were lit up, shining the brightest Crosshair's seen as a toothy smile was plastered on his face.
It was pure, it was genuine.
Crosshair missed it so much his heart hurt thinking about it. He flipped the picture face down and opened his laptop, opening a document and sorting their targets, muttering about how silly it was that he had to work with some security agent he didn't care for. He just wanted to get this over with and get paid. For his brothers, for their happiness to be genuine again.
It was why he worked so hard, and why he would continue to do so, hesitating only for a moment to glance at the letter of recommendation he had written for Tech. For the program. The program that Crosshair knew was just like before. He was putting Tech back into the labs. How different was it, really? Was it really worth dragging him back in again, or was Hunter right? Crosshair sighed before looking back at the file. A figure appeared beside him, and Crosshair internally groaned at having to deal with one more person, when they picked up the letter.
"How interesting." The voice said softly. Crosshair looked up, glaring slightly. The man read through the letter, tilting his head curiously. "Is this for our internship program?" He asked, and Crosshair reached over, snatching it back. "So what if it is?" Crosshair said sharply. The man smiled, slightly crazed. "Tech." The man said his name carefully, sounding it out. Crosshair's glare sharpened. "He seems like an incredibly intelligent man. You said he's a college student?" Crosshair nodded, suspicious.
"May I take the letter?" The man took it before Crosshair answered. "I would like to review it again. How do you know him?" Crosshair huffed, muttering. "He's my younger brother." Crosshair hated the way the man's eyes lit up. "Fascinating." He said, holding the letter. "He will be looked upon most favourably." The man smiled down at him. Crosshair sat stiffly. "Thanks." He bit out. The man tilted his head again, and moved to walk away. Crosshair rolled his eyes.
"My name is Dr. Hemlock." The man said suddenly. Crosshair stiffened again, and he turned towards Dr. Hemlock. "I look forward to working with you, and your brother." He walked away. Crosshair watched him leave, and turned back to his files. Crosshair stared numbly at the file again, and couldn't understand the regret that creeped up his spine. He couldn't stop replaying the words.
Crosshair had an awful feeling about this.