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“It’s gonna be alright Mayday, just hang in there.”
Crosshair kept on repeating the same mantra to the unconscious Commander right by his side. Mayday’s pulse faint yet beating still, as was Crosshair’s very own.
Convinced, that if he kept on saying it aloud, the mantra would become the truth no matter how dire their situation seemed to be. The endless snow, being now half buried inside of it, the freezing cold wind on his face, having given his own bucket to Mayday knowing the Commander needed it more than he did.
There was no end in sight from the blizzard howling all around them. The makeshift shelter not really providing much in protection and Mayday’s condition was getting worse. Crosshair himself was freezing deep within, the frostbites already showing signs of existing all over his body.
And yet Crosshair was holding onto Mayday for dear life. Trying to keep the Commander warm with his own failing body heat. Shivering to the bone Crosshair’s teeth were clattering.
“It’s gonna be okay. We’re going to be rescued. Don’t ya worry Commander.“
As to the whom their would be saviours were, Crosshair did not know. Not even daring to entertain any other idea except that they would be rescued. The decoded signal Crosshair had sent before the battery died most likely not having gone through. Then again the imps might not even care to send a rescue the clones way.
And yet Crosshair remained hopeful for whatever unfathomable reason. He once again having hope were there had been none before. Most likely due to the fact that he had found, Mayday.
“Crosshair?”
“Yeah, I’m right here May.”
Mayday having regained some semblance of consciousness once again.
“You should leave me.”
“Not going to happen.”
Crosshair tucked Mayday impossibly close, trying to secure the Commander with his last efforts.
“We’re gonna be okay. Just… hang in there, okay.”
Crosshair repeated again, while trying to remain awake. But soon he too, was succumbed to the coldness. Falling into the cold grip of it as he did no matter how hard he fought against it.
*
“Cross! Can you hear me?”
“W… wot? What’s going on?”
“He’s coming to!”
“Cross, it’s Echo. You’re safe now, you will be okay.”
“O… kay?”
“Yeah, you’re going home trooper.” Echo’s familiar voice assured the Sniper.
Crosshair tried to raise his head and look around, but failed in doing so.
“Easy there!”
“May-day?”
“The Commander is fine, we got to you just in time.”
“We found the others as well.” Echo explained seeing the questioning look on Crosshair's face.
“How?” Crosshair managed.
“The Empire was gone when we got to the planet and they left the clones behind. All of them locked up. We found them thanks to the signal you sent.”
“My signal?”
“Yeah, it was your id we tracked. Thankfully me and the boys were close by in this system.”
“Our team?”
“No Cross, we’re working for Rex.” Echo explained to the confused Crosshair. “That’s Gregor, Fireball and Nemec.”
The other clones saluted him.
Crosshair only nodding to them, feeling quite groggy and out of sorts.
“The others… are safe?” Crosshair had to know.
“They all are. And thanks to you, so is the Commander and his team too.”
Crosshair swallowed hard, still feeling the coldness deep inside of him.
“All that matters.” He managed to mumble.
And with that Crosshair fell into a slumber, with the knowledge of both his new and old squad being safe. And Crosshair? Well, he was on his way home as Echo had promised.
With Commander Mayday.