Chapter Text
“You busted Rampart out? That… that's certainly something I wouldn’t have done!”
Howzer could not help but chuckle out loudly. After all the Captain had clashed on several occasions with the former Vice Admiral while serving under the imperial commander back on Ryloth. With one final incident finally leading to the Captain and his men being arrested by Crosshair no less. Who was following orders at the time but of course. Well, Howzer certainly had no love lost for the former Vice Admiral even if Howzer and Crosshair had managed to mend the broken fences between the two of them.
“But, guess these are trying times and we have to get our allies where we can huh?”
And he wasn’t wrong either. Howzer and Crosshair having had a wee chat about Clone Force 99’s most recent stint along the happenings on Pabu and Omega’s surrender as well. Something of a situation they all knew only too well. The Batchers having arrived to Rex’s new hideout after catching the Admiral. It was a clone rebel base more guarded than a newly created state’s secret having learnt their lessons the hard way on Teth and making sure nothing or nobody would come through their defences unless invited to do so.
"Well, like you said, these are trying times. And despite Rampart being a huge pain in the shebs, his attitude certainly not having improved during his time on the labour camp, we can still use him to our advantage.”
Crosshair too was glad him and Howzer were finally on the same page. Things between them having improved a lot since both of them having gotten out from the Empire. Even taking to talking here and there, which was certainly new for Crosshair. The chatting part and with a reg no less!
“I certainly would like to wipe that smug smirk off of his face if you let me in on the interrogation.”
Howzer’s expression changed from amused to slightly enraged. And even if he wanted to punch the Admiral in the face, well, it would do little good to him or their cause. But yeah, Howzer was totally ready to aid Crosshair getting everything they needed from Rampart.
“I could use the help.”
Crosshair let out a hint of a smile knowing between the two of them, Rampart would certainly talk. But that was a whole other matter as Rampart truly had and always did have an agenda of his very own. And most like any intel from Rampart would need to be treated as dubious. And of course, there was some kind of price to pay, that much was excepted.
As of yet, Rampart had not been very forthcoming with is information. The Bad Batch having brought him directly to Rex’s base wanting to extract the intel the former imperial had in a safe locale.
“Well then, we better get started.” Howzer being eager enough, half a foot already on his way towards the holding cell where Rampart was being held as their ‘guest’.
“We need to agree on a strategy first.” Crosshair reminded the Captain.
Howzer seemed to contemplate their options for a moment.
“How about Good Cop, Worse Cop?”
Perhaps it was a joke or then not, but they both agreed on it just the same.
“Sounds about right to me.”
Crosshair let out a hefty laugh just then, something causing Howzer’s brow to raise for sure, never having heard the sniper laughing nor seen him smiling for that matter. But live and learn Howzer guessed.
The duo taking themselves to the holding area, walking in lockstep, something neither of them would have expected to happen in the past having never seen eye to eye on anything really back on Ryloth.
Times were certainly a changing for them all.
*
“Well, well, well! Look what the Loth-cat dragged in!”
Crosshair had not been exaggerating when telling Howzer Rampart still being his obnoxious self.
“Rampart. Always lovely to see you too.”
Two could play at that game as despite Howzer’s earlier comment on wanting to ruffle the former Vice Admiral up a bit. Perhaps some other time? As getting Rampart to cooperate was key, something both Hunter and Rex had urged them all to heed, a warning not to get on the Admiral’s bad side. Something which was not really that hard to do either.
“Now that they pleasantries are over, let’s hear what you have, Rampart.”
“Now now, is that any way to talk to your former superior, CT-9904?”
“You, were never my superior in any kind of way.”
Crosshair’s low hiss startled Howzer, seeing the sniper’s attitude chaining suddenly too. Guess this was going to be a longer session than anticipated after all!
“His name is Crosshair and you’ve better start using the proper designation, Rampart!!”
Howzer chivalrously jumped in front of Rampart, his fists clenched as he glared at his former boss having no good thoughts at all for the Admiral at the moment.
“Or else?”
Rampart really was testing the two clones he had had the displeasure of working with in the past, considering the clones were so, well hive minded and so easy to rile up too. Offend one and all hell broke lose! Couldn’t they simply act as individuals? Rampart was at a loss, always had been, always would be.
“Or else, we forget you are our guest here.”
Crosshair gave an appreciative sideways glance to Howzer, something of a silent communication between them passing. Only nodding to each other, rather wickedly too. Rampart seeing it, suddenly getting scared. His initial suspicions coming to fruition. The clones clearly were of a hive mind and that somehow got him even more worried.
Guess an attitude adjustment was the best way to go for him, if he wanted to get out of this, intact and preferably, alive too. “I um… well, like I mentioned before, nobody knows where Tantiss is… not really, but there is a work around.”
“We’re listening.”
Howzer and Crosshair both stood in front of Rampart with their arms crossed with their best scowls on, Howzer having taken a few lessons from Crosshair, clearly.
“i still have a few connection inside the Empire and one in particular who uses the Clone CX’s sometimes for their, um… well, shall we say dirty work.”
“And how do we get in touch with this, person you know?”
“I can send an encrypted message… but first…”
Both Crosshair and Howzer rolled their eyes and sighed. The but always being in there somewhere!
“What is it you want?” Crosshair snarled.
“I want better clothing and decent food. And a more comfortable bed and a bath!”
“Is that all?”
“For now.”
“Fine.”
“Great.”
“Thank you!”