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Hunter was spluttering and panting heavily.
The deep dive having taken its toll on the warrior but he would be fine. As Hunter, was always fine eventually. And this time was no different. Hunter having taken worse blows in the war and even after that, having fallen to his near death from a tall mountain no less.
Crawling out from the water, Hunter spat out the last of the salty liquid before getting up on his feet and his bearings. Hunter was observing his surroundings when suddenly something altered his senses. A noise, some movement close by. A shadow of sorts. The assassin having found Hunter’s location?
One thing was sure though, Hunter was not alone on the beach.
Slowly drawing his weapon Hunter took aim. His eyes on the target. It took a moment, nothing happening but then Hunter heard the whine. The familiar one he could easily recognise.
“Batcher?”
The hound jumped out from behind the rocks, wagging her short tail as she did while pouncing on the scout only too happy to see one of her family member there and not one those bad people shooting at her constantly.
Hunter petted the dog, his eyes focused on their surroundings constantly. Observing, monitoring, scanning, as they were at war now. This, was a war zone for the lack of a better word. The Empire having declared war on the peaceful island of Pabu. Staying alert was a do or die situation.
Hunter realised this was the same place, the same beach and caves where Ventress had hidden her ship when she had snuck onto the island some time ago. Just inside the cave Omega and Batcher had found her in.
What if…
Hunter glanced up, seeing the plethora of imperial ships hovering over the tower of the island. His senses pinging wildly though, of something off in the caves. Sensing something was wrong Hunter made a decision then and there.
“Good girl Batcher. Now you wait here while I go and have a look see inside that cave you don’t like so much.”
Hunter having seen Batcher acting all odd the first time around deciding it was better for the hound to remain behind. Hunter patted Batcher one more time before making the hand signal of sit and stay. Something the two had trained. Batcher immediately taking a seat and staying put like the good dog she totally was.
Hunter quickly made his way to the caves, like a shadow in the darkness of the night. Confident nobody had seen him on the beach or lurking about the area. Reaching the widest cave in no time.
And as Hunter had suspected, there it was. The ship so sleek and polished, positively gleaming in the sliver of Hunter’s torch, neatly tucked away. Guess the joke was on the assassin clone, as this trick had already been used. Hunter remained in the shadows for a moment. Listening, waiting but there were no sounds to be heard. Nothing indicating the assassin clone was there nor anyone else for that matter.
A spell passed and Hunter’s second choice was made. Stepping out from the shadows and beside the ship. Hacking the lock was relatively easy as clearly the imperial safeguards were exactly what they were cracked to be. Easily hackable.
Once inside, Hunter looked for a place to hide in. The options limited due to the size of the ship, without much in a cargo hold. Hunter spotted something though. A crawl space for access to the ship’s engines which was rather narrow but it would suffice. Hunter easily able to fit in or at least he hoped he would.
Making quick work of getting inside, it was a tight squeeze for sure but Hunter had endured worse. Staying perfectly silent and still being key and so lowering his breathing to almost a halt, Hunter prepared himself for the long haul.
The plan made on the spot, true. But, they needed to find Tantiss and this was as good as plan as any. For Hunter to stowaway on the enemy ship and find the imperial base.
*
Soon after getting on board, Hunter was roused by the noise of footfalls getting closer on the slippery rocks. He heard the ramp being lowered and steps moving inside of the ship. But wait, there were… two sets? One set lighter than the other.
Hunter’s curiosity peaked.
“Sit.” The distorted order was given.
“No need to shove.” The all too familiar young voice responded. “I can walk on my own to feet!”
Hunter felt shocked, becoming nauseated even. Omega! The assassin clone had Omega!
Hunter felt the jolt of the ship when taking off. There was no use to try to do anything now as it would most likely risk Omega in the process.
No, it was still Hunter’s best bet to remain in hiding until they would get to Tantiss and then, he would react.