Work Text:
Crosshair was rarely ever seen handling his precious Firepuncher rifle with anything other than the utmost care, but this wasn’t his best moment, and he couldn’t have cared less. He all but threw it aside as soon as they were on board the Marauder.
“Typical.” Crosshair hissed as he shoved the nearest chair, making it squeak as it spun. “This is so kriffing typical.”
“Be that as it may, we cannot let our frustration overwhelm us.” Tech spoke up from where he was sitting in the pilot’s chair, powering up the Marauder and preparing her for takeoff. Wrecker assisted him in the co-pilot’s seat. “Now sit, before you lose your footing and render yourself useless for our inevitable rescue mission.”
Crosshair grumbled to himself, but nevertheless complied with his brother’s orders. Without Hunter around, Tech was next in line of seniority, and Crosshair didn’t need a second headache from arguing with him about it. He strode towards the cockpit and planted himself down in the navigator’s chair, crossing his arms and leaning back as Tech piloted them away from their hiding place.
If he had been just a single second faster… well, then maybe Hunter wouldn’t have felt the need to treat that blast door’s control panel like target practice for his vibroblade, effectively locking himself inside with the enemy.
“So, uh…” Wrecker hesitated, glancing between Tech and the endless stretch of the unfamiliar planet’s horizon ahead of them. “What now?”
Tech sighed and checked something on the navicomputer. “Now, we must find another place to keep our ship concealed while we devise a feasible plan.”
Crosshair huffed. “A plan won’t do us any good. We all know we’re just gonna end up rushing in, anyway.”
Tech threw him a look over his shoulder. “That is not a sound idea.” He pushed harder than he had to on the yoke, forcing Crosshair back further into his chair. “Nor is it a tactically effective one.”
Crosshair’s brow rose. “Does that matter?”
Tech rolled his eyes, something Crosshair could see even from this angle. “It does, should we wish to rescue Hunter both quickly and quietly.” He adjusted his goggles, a nervous tic, as he started to lower the Marauder towards a wooded clearing. “That is before knowing just how severe his current situation is.”
Wrecker waved a dismissive hand. “Eh, it’s Hunter. He’ll be fine.”
But even Wrecker couldn’t hide the concern that laced his tone, making it just a fraction more unsteady than it usually was. Crosshair’s eyes narrowed as he looked between his two brothers. Even without speaking, he was all-too aware of the understanding they had reached.
Nothing good was going to happen to Hunter in there. Not inside the hidden laboratory of a Separatist scientist.
It wasn’t until Tech had landed the Marauder that any of them dared to break the tense silence that suffocated the ship’s cockpit. Tech let out a heavy breath and turned to face both Wrecker and Crosshair. “Although Wrecker does have a valid point about Hunter’s endurance, we ought not to rely on it. We cannot be certain what they intend on doing with him.”
Crosshair grimaced. “Well, we stole information from them. They could be using him as a bargaining chip to keep us from sending that data along to the Republic.”
Tech’s jaw tightened, a clear sign that he agreed with Crosshair. Wrecker shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
Crosshair continued. “There’s no other reason why they would even bother doing anything other than outright killing him.”
Wrecker hesitated. “I mean… do we know for sure that they didn’t?”
“They didn’t.” Crosshair hissed. “They were using stun blasts when they ambushed us.”
“There would also be no tactical advantage to killing him.” Tech nodded in Crosshair’s direction. “Hunter is their best way of discovering what information we are after and who we intend on transmitting it to.”
Wrecker huffed. “That’s what they think.”
Crosshair frowned. “That’s exactly what Tech’s saying.”
Wrecker threw a hand up in the air. “I know that!” He gestured towards the sealed hatch. “What I’m sayin’ is that they’re not gettin’ anything out of Hunter. He’s a durasteel trap.”
“That is true.” Tech let out a worried sigh. “Though it does little to comfort me.”
Crosshair resonated with that sentiment. Hunter’s ability to withstand interrogation, no matter how intense, was good from the Republic’s view. From a brother’s, though… they couldn’t care less what information got released to the enemy, not if it came at the cost of losing their brother altogether.
Tech pulled his datapad off of his belt and leaned forward. “Let us begin with what we know from our initial infiltration.” He began typing away as he thought out loud. “I believe I saved the laboratory’s full schematics when I was in the midst of downloading—.”
Tech was cut off by the sound of their comms suddenly chiming. All three of them froze, exchanging wide-eyed looks. No one contacted them during missions, not even the Republic. It was essential to keeping their missions as top-secret as possible.
And if it was someone else trying to contact them, well… that didn’t mean anything good, given how few friends they truly had.
Tech turned towards the comms, his brow furrowing as his shoulders tensed with unmistakable dread. Crosshair’s chest tightened uncomfortably as Tech spoke in a low tone. “It is an unknown frequency.”
Wrecker looked between Tech and Crosshair. “Should we patch it through?”
Crosshair raised an eyebrow. “Do we have a choice?” He tightened his hands around his armored thighs. “It’s pretty obvious who it is.”
Tech let out another sigh before he reached for the comms. His hand hovered over the controls as he fixed both Wrecker and Crosshair with a look. “Prepare yourselves accordingly. This could be distressing.”
Crosshair tensed, shifting his grasp back to his arms as he crossed them over his chestplate. It would do little to guard himself from whatever awaited them, but he would at least try.
Tech activated the message. They all sat up straighter as the holographic image of their brother, stripped of his armor, appeared before them, his arms cuffed to the walls on either side of him as he was forced to his knees. He was not only blindfolded, but also gagged, rendered both sightless and soundless as a droid flanked each side of him. They each held an electrostaff.
Crosshair audibly sneered before the scientist had even entered the frame.
“I’m certain that I need no introduction, or re-introduction.”
The Petrusian woman grinned wickedly as she tapped the tips of her fingers together. Crosshair set his jaw as his body hummed with a hateful type of sickening adrenaline.
“Though I am unfamiliar with your squad and your purpose at our facility, something I do understand is that this individual is more than likely of great importance to you.” She gestured back to where Hunter was still forced to kneel behind her. “We haven’t spent much time together yet, but I have already made a fascinating discovery.”
The scientist waved her fingers at the two droids. They brought the electrostaffs closer to Hunter, who instinctively flinched away from them. The Petrusian hummed before she turned back to her own comm device.
“It seems your friend here is more sensitive to these weapons than most sentients. It would be a shame to make him suffer so, though it can be avoided.” Her expression tightened in severity. “Return our stolen data to us, and he will not have to die at the hands of such a sensitivity. Because should he, well… he would become a fascinating subject for us to study.”
Wrecker stood from his chair, tightening his massive hands into fists. Crosshair also shifted forward in his seat, his jaw tensed hard enough to make him wince. Even Tech’s glare was lethal behind his goggles as he clutched his datapad with a white-knuckled grip.
“Your first hour begins now. Should you fail to return the data in that window, then we will offer you a live chance to watch the experimentation begin.” The scientist clapped her pink hands together. “I look forward to seeing you again soon.”
The comm fizzled out. Wrecker instantly strode out of the cockpit, and it only took a few seconds for Crosshair to hear the sound of durasteel crunching. He didn’t have the physical strength to do that, but in that moment, he wished he did.
Crosshair let out a hiss of frustration. “This is why that idiot should’ve let it be me. I don’t have anything like this that they could use against me.”
Tech shook his head. “Hunter would never allow that.”
“Exactly.” Crosshair stood and pointed a finger at Tech. “And it’s becoming a problem.”
“I do not disagree with you.” Tech adjusted his goggles and looked down at his datapad. “However, lamenting about it will do little to help him. We must take the time we have been granted to form a plan.”
Wrecker groaned from midship before he stomped back towards them inside the cockpit. “We don’t got time for that, Tech!” He gestured wildly towards the comms. “You heard her. If we’re not there in an hour, then they’re gonna shock ‘im!”
Tech narrowed his eyes at Wrecker. “This is now a hostage situation, Wrecker. It is far too delicate for us to approach without a plan.”
Crosshair sighed and set his hands on his hips. “Tech’s right.” As reluctant as he was to admit it. “But we can’t waste time.”
Tech’s brow shot up. “When have I ever?”
Crosshair snorted. “Oh, so you’ve suddenly forgotten all the times Hunter’s called you out over the comms because of unnecessary chatter?”
Tech straightened in his seat. “I hardly see how that is relevant in this case.”
“It isn’t!” Wreckler grumbled with frustration and rocked his shoulder against Crosshair’s. “So let’s stop bickerin’ and start focusing. Yeah?”
Crosshair shifted his weight between his feet. Wrecker being the one to put an end to their banter was a sign of just how serious this situation really was. It wasn’t Hunter’s first time being captured, or any one of them, really, but this time…
Well, they had given their eldest brother their word that they wouldn’t let anyone treat him the way the Kaminoans had with their experimentation during their youth. That was an oath they all undoubtedly intended on upholding to the best of their ability.
The three of them shifted to midship, which allowed Tech a better display with his datapad hooked up to the central computer. Once it was all set, and the three of them had somewhat settled the best they could, Tech let out a breath and faced Wrecker and Crosshair. “First, we must recount what happened. Crosshair, what went wrong on your end?”
Crosshair circled his jaw. “We got the timing wrong.” He shrugged. “It happens. We would’ve been fine if he hadn’t been so hellbent on—.”
Tech held up a hand. “There is no time for ruminating. What has been done is done.” He typed something on his datapad, missing the steam that poured from Crosshair’s ears as he forced himself to take a steadying breath. “Remind me of your precise coordinates at the time.”
Crosshair hissed. “You think I paid attention to that?”
Tech rolled his eyes and pulled up the three-dimensional schematics of the laboratory in holographic light. “Point it out.”
Crosshair stepped forward from where he’d been leaning against the console on the opposite side. He studied the schematics for a heartbeat or two before he pointed. “There.” He tightened his jaw and tried not to think too hard about just how close they’d been to their exfiltration point at the time.
Tech hummed. His eyes narrowed as they flickered all over the holographic map, and Crosshair stepped back to let him work in silence. Wrecker’s leg bounced as he leaned forward in his chair, waiting for whatever Tech was clearly turning over in his mind. Crosshair resonated with his sense of impatience, even if he was better at not letting it show.
Eventually, Tech nodded to himself and started marking points on the schematics. “Hunter was apprehended here, and the background of their comm appeared to match that of the smaller examination rooms that Wrecker and I passed on our way to the console. Therefore…”
Tech paused, circling his finger around the schematics until it landed on a single room inside the facility.
“I believe that Hunter is being held here.” He nodded to himself again in satisfaction.
Wrecker folded his hands together, his brow furrowed as he studied Tech’s work. “And how sure are ya’ about this?”
Tech looked mildly offended. “I am quite certain. Ninety five point two six percent, to be precise, which is no small amount.”
Wrecker shook his head and sighed. “Sorry, Tech. M’not trying to say you’re wrong. Just…”
Wrecker didn’t go on. Crosshair could see the gears of his mind turning, but his grimace spoke for him. It looked almost strange on his face, which was typically turned up in some kind of smile.
Tech’s expression softened. He let out a gentle breath before his stare flickered towards the deck. “I am worried for him as well, Wrecker. However, we cannot allow our emotions to interfere. Not when the stakes are this high.”
Crosshair grunted. “Then let’s actually plan something.”
Tech blinked at him. “I already have.” He lifted a finger as he indulged them. “The scientist has requested that the data be returned to them in exchange for Hunter. I can create a copy that will mirror the original, and I will present the data to them alone.”
Both Wrecker and Crosshair shifted uncomfortably. Wrecker spoke up before Crosshair could. “I don’t like the idea of you goin’ alone.”
“It is inevitable.” Tech shrugged. “It would not be wise for all of us to do their bidding together, and we are a man down.” He pointed at an infiltration point. “You two will enter the laboratory together, closer to where Hunter is being held.”
Crosshair interrupted with an unconvinced hum. “And what if your data exchange takes place in that same room?”
“I have reason to believe it will not, given the live feed the scientist has promised for the supposed ‘experimentation,’ but if it is, then you will secure the area outside the room to give us the freedom to take any of her forces inside with little to no issue or resistance.”
Crosshair rolled the plan over in his mind a few times, just as he did with the toothpick he had set between his lips. It made sense, at least… but communication would be a problem. Tech would have no good way of making contact with them, aside from coded phrases—or an open comm channel.
“So, what happens first?” Wrecker studied the holographic schematics with a type of focus Crosshair rarely saw from him these days. “The data exchange, or Cross ‘n’ I grabbin’ Hunter?”
Tech turned towards the computer and began typing, undoubtedly preparing the fake copy of the data he had referenced before. “The exchange must occur first. That way, they may still release Hunter voluntarily.” Tech spared a look at Wrecker and Crosshair over his shoulder. “Your accompaniment is merely a contingency, should the exchange go poorly.”
“Which it probably will.” Crosshair nodded towards the computer Tech was working at. “Don’t you think they’ll expect a fake copy?”
Tech nodded. “They will. Though I am doing what I can to make it as foolproof as possible, it is not a one hundred percent guarantee. They will wait to test it, and that period of time will be critical for both you and Wrecker.”
Wrecker grunted. “I still don’t like that this leaves ya’ alone if somethin’ goes wrong, Tech.”
Crosshair sighed. “I agree.”
Tech paused for a second before he shrugged. “Perhaps there is some merit to your concern. In that case…” Tech turned back to the holographic schematics and marked a new infiltration point. “Wrecker can enter here, undetected, near the heart of the laboratory, where I expect to make the data exchange. Crosshair can stand by at Hunter’s location.”
Wrecker and Crosshair shared a look before they nodded. Wrecker spoke for them. “That’s better.”
Crosshair walked over to where he had discarded his Firepuncher earlier. He picked it back up and checked it over, already in his mission mindset. “How long will you need to get that data together, Tech?”
“Not long.” Tech didn’t look away from his work at the computer. “Perhaps five to ten minutes.”
“And how long is the trek back to the lab from our new hiding spot?”
Tech paused. He seemed to be making a calculation in his mind, and the grim pinch in his expression didn’t make Crosshair feel any better. “We are, admittedly, farther from the laboratory here than we were before, for discretion’s sake.”
Wrecker huffed. “Which means…”
“We are, at minimum, thirty minutes away from the laboratory.”
Crosshair froze where he was, tightening his grasp on his rifle as he checked the nearest chrono. “We won’t be able to get to the lab within the hour?”
Tech visibly swallowed before he shook his head. “I am afraid not.”
Wrecker stepped forward. “But that means they’ll start hurtin’ Hunter before we get there.”
“It does.” Tech adjusted his goggles as his jaw hardened. “Which is why time remains of the essence.”
Crosshair didn’t like that. He had wanted to keep this from happening entirely. He remained stiff even as he continued adjusting his rifle. “Well, if they’re still doing whatever they intend on doing to him when I get there, I’m not waiting for them or you to be done.”
Tech’s sharp gaze found Crosshair. “That is not—.”
Crosshair hissed. “This isn’t up for debate.”
Tech’s eyes narrowed, but Crosshair had won this fight. It was evident in the shared concern that darkened Tech’s typically bright brown eyes. He ultimately let out a heavy sigh and turned back to his work. “I do not believe it will be an issue, anyway. Upon my arrival, they will more than likely cease whatever they are doing to him to instead focus on the validity of the exchange.”
Crosshair grimaced. “Let’s hope so.”
He and Wrecker then focused on suiting up as Tech finished his work in the exact window he had estimated. Thankfully, there wasn’t much for them to gather, as they had already been mission-ready when they had moved the Marauder. All they had to do was restock munitions and re-check their armor and weapons.
Tech led the way off the ship, guiding both Wrecker and Crosshair with his scanner. They remained in focused silence, the tension bleeding between the three of them without the fourth member of their squad in tow. Crosshair couldn’t help checking his nearest chrono obsessively, watching as it ticked closer to the time that would mark an hour since that comm had come through.
That hour had nearly passed when Wrecker blew out a worried breath. “Do we really have to watch that live feed when it patches through?” He winced. “I don’t wanna see Hunter like that.”
Tech’s armored shoulders tightened. “It will indeed be distressing.”
He didn’t go on, but he undoubtedly had more to say. Crosshair nudged him. “But…”
Tech glanced back at him. “Seeing as it will be a live feed, viewing it will allow me to track the source of the comm, thus verifying Hunter’s precise location.”
Crosshair grimaced beneath his helmet. The last thing he wanted, like Wrecker, was to have to watch whatever they were doing to Hunter, but Tech was right. They needed to find out exactly where he was.
The only consolation Crosshair could grant himself was imagining what he would do to those droids and anyone else inside that room who dared to lay a single finger on his brother.
Wrecker let out a heavy sigh. “Fine. Just, uh… maybe turn the sound down?”
Tech’s voice was low. “I will try my best.”
They sat with the heaviness of this until the chrono hit the point Crosshair had been dreading. They were just over halfway to the laboratory when their generic comm channel chimed, and Tech patched the incoming message through.
“It is not a two-way connection.” Tech nodded at Wrecker and Crosshair. “I have made certain of that.”
Crosshair was at least somewhat eased by that knowledge, but it was far from being enough to relax him, especially as the holographic image of Hunter’s restrained form appeared before them again. Tech clutched the holoprojector tighter in his gloved grasp even as he continued to navigate the terrain.
“Your allotted hour has passed.” The Petrusian scientist’s voice floated over the feed, despite the fact she was no longer visible, as if she was speaking over an intercom from another room. “Starting now, we will begin to test the limits of your comrade’s endurance, the first phase of experimentation into the fascinating reasoning behind his electrical sensitivity.”
Wrecker ripped off the closest tree branch and snapped it like it was nothing more than flimsi. Crosshair yet again envied the strength he had to release his anger like that.
“The laboratory should be in view, and I must begin tracking the feed.” Tech pointed ahead as Crosshair lowered his rangefinder. “Crosshair…”
“Yeah, I see it.” He pushed himself harder until he was leading their three-man formation. “I’ll guide us from here.”
Tech went silent, though Crosshair could hear his fingers flying over his datapad as he worked. Wrecker remained tense and dangerous at Crosshair’s other side.
“Begin on the lowest setting. We’ll work our way up to see how his response changes.”
Crosshair let out an audible hiss. It didn’t take Hunter’s sensitivity towards all kinds of frequencies for someone to respond unfavorably to higher levels of electrocution. It was simply a cruel way of framing Hunter’s torture as experimentation.
He fought hard to maintain his composure, but the second he heard the unmistakable humming of the electrostaffs in time with Hunter’s muffled yet pained growling, it started slipping away. Crosshair’s finger itched over his rifle’s trigger, Wrecker snapped another tree branch, and even Tech let out a breath that was more a snarl than anything else.
“I have the coordinates.” Tech’s voice was strained as he set his datapad on his belt and instead typed on his forearm computer. “I am transmitting them to you now, Crosshair.”
Numbers flickered across Crosshair’s HUD display as he nodded. “Got ‘em.”
“The response to this level is still elevated than most, but not enough to stand as anything unique or significant.” The scientist’s grating voice spoke from the open live feed, and Crosshair tensed as he picked up on Hunter’s heavy breathing and quiet whimpering in the background. A red haze of vitriol threatened to blind him completely. “Progress to the next level.”
Crosshair raised his voice over the dimmed sounds of the live feed. “We’re almost there.”
Wrecker growled. “We have to go faster.”
“We’re trying our best!” Crosshair whipped his helmet around to glance at Tech, who couldn’t quite look away from the horrifying sight of Hunter being shocked on the live feed. He snapped his brother to attention with his words. “How are you getting in there, Tech?”
Tech blinked a few times behind his goggles before he nodded. “I am surrendering myself.”
Both Crosshair and Wrecker stopped in their tracks at that. Wrecker beat Crosshair to the punch. “You’re what?”
Tech shrugged. “It is the only way. Infiltrating covertly will make it appear as though I do not trust them.”
Wrecker’s helmet tilted in confusion. “But ya’ don’t.”
“And we do not wish for them to pick up on that.”
Crosshair didn’t like it, but yet again, Tech was right. He heaved out a sigh and faced Wrecker. “Watch his back, Wrecker. Don’t let him out of your sight. I’ll let you know over the comms when I’ve got eyes on Hunter.”
Wrecker nodded. He set a hand on Crosshair’s shoulder and squeezed. “Be careful in there.”
Crosshair returned his nod. “You too.” He gestured to Tech. “And you.”
Tech raised a placating hand. “I will be fine.” He hesitated, leveling Crosshair with a serious look. “It may jeopardize my end of the mission, but if Hunter is still being harmed upon your arrival…”
He didn’t say it, but he didn’t have to. Crosshair just nodded again. “I will.” He tapped his helmet. “I’ll keep you updated.”
Tech and Wrecker offered one more nod before they all split off. Crosshair zeroed in on his objective, breathing a sigh of relief once he was out of earshot of Hunter’s continued torment inside the lab. He trekked along the structure’s exterior until he found his infiltration point, which was, unfortunately, more heavily guarded than it had been before.
That was courtesy of his brothers and himself. Crosshair would have snickered with delight if he wasn’t so focused on getting to Hunter as soon as possible.
Crosshair checked how many droids were on guard, though it was thankfully a more private entrance. That made it even easier to get close and take aim at the two who stood there, firing off two consecutive headshots that gave them no time to alert anyone to Crosshair’s far-off presence.
Crosshair bounded forward and stole an access card off one of the fallen droids. He got himself inside, remembering the schematics he had memorized while Tech had worked on copying the data, and easily maneuvered himself around without being seen by any stragglers or wandering patrols.
At some point, the corridors were nearly empty. Crosshair had to hand it to Tech; their focus on him was more than likely responsible for that. It made it that much easier for Crosshair to get around completely undetected.
Crosshair heard the chaos coming from his destination before he could actually see it. Just as he had feared, they were still torturing Hunter, despite Tech’s arrival with the data. His gloved hand flew to the side of his helmet.
“Wrecker, they’re still hurting Hunter. I’m moving in.”
That was all the warning Crosshair gave either one of his brothers. With a growl, he turned the corner, taking down the four droids posted outside the door without having to use his scope. He darted forward and slammed his hand on the door’s access panel, tensing for a fight.
Sure enough, the very same image Crosshair had seen in holographic light appeared before him, with Hunter knelt down between the two droids as his arms remained cuffed to the walls on either side of him. The droids at least pulled their electrostaffs away from Hunter upon Crosshair’s arrival, though it did little to stop Hunter’s muffled screaming from the pain he was enduring.
That was enough to send Crosshair into a fit of utter bloodlust. The droids were left sparking with lifelessness on the floor in mere seconds, their electrostaffs rolling away uselessly—though Crosshair shot those too, just to make sure that they couldn’t be used on his brother again.
Crosshair shot the vidcams in the corners of the room last, closing the door behind him to at least grant them some kind of privacy and security as he shouldered his rifle and approached Hunter.
His brother was still gasping and whimpering in an evident fight against whatever had been done to him. Crosshair shoved his anger away in favor of helping Hunter as he knelt down in front of him.
“Easy, Hunter. It’s over.” Crosshair started to set a hand on Hunter’s shoulder. “We’re—.”
Hunter thrashed away from Crosshair’s touch and let out an animalistic growl. Crosshair just barely jumped back in surprise, but even that wasn’t enough to keep him out of range of Hunter’s desperate fight. His brother pulled as hard as he could on his restraints and slammed his head against Crosshair’s helmet, making the sniper curse as he held his head and fought against the sudden dizziness that flickered across his vision.
“Hunter!” Crosshair let out a hiss and dared to come closer. “Stop! It’s just me!”
Hunter was breathing even heavier than before, clearly still trying to put up a fight against whoever had put their hands on him. Crosshair froze for a second, unsure of what to do, but the realization fell upon him quickly.
Without his vision, his voice, or any control over his touch, Hunter’s trusty senses had been limited—and there was only one way Crosshair could truly ground him again.
“It’s me, Hunter. Just me.”
Crosshair reached forward and grabbed Hunter hard, wrapping one arm around his torso as the other secured the back of Hunter’s head against his chest. Hunter started tugging against Crosshair’s grasp, but Crosshair held him tighter, turning his head so that Hunter’s ear was right over his heart.
“Easy. Listen. It’s me.”
Hunter’s fighting grew weaker as he started to obey Crosshair’s command. He relaxed against his brother, his rugged breaths and snarls now turning into quiet whimpers. Crosshair’s eyes slid closed behind his helmet. He held Hunter close, easing both of them as they began to breathe in time with one another.
“You’re safe now.” Crosshair sighed and reopened his eyes, lifting a hand from Hunter to start working on freeing his brother’s wrists from the cuffs that held him in place. “We’re here.”
Crosshair got both of Hunter’s wrists free, but Hunter didn’t seem to have any control over his arms anyway. They fell uselessly to his sides as Hunter remained tense and frozen within Crosshair’s grasp. Crosshair frowned, reaching hesitantly towards Hunter’s face to remove the device around his mouth and the blindfold over his eyes.
The second he had been completely freed, Hunter squeezed his eyes shut and pulled away from Crosshair, panting more heavily now as he turned away and braced his hands upon the floor. Crosshair’s brow furrowed, his concern spiking as he set a hand on Hunter’s back.
Hunter flinched and tried to get away from Crosshair’s touch, mumbling something indistinct that Crosshair couldn’t quite make out. Crosshair frowned and lowered his voice. “Hunter?”
Hunter shook his head, yet again mumbling as he lifted a hand to his head. He pinched the bridge of his nose and kept his eyes closed, still panting all the while.
Crosshair’s fear spiked as he lifted a hand to the side of his helmet. “Whatever you two are doing, wrap it up, because something’s wrong with Hunter.”
It was only seconds later that the door slid open, and Crosshair whipped around with his hand hovering over his blaster pistol. Tech and Wrecker all but ran through, with Tech immediately kneeling down at Crosshair’s side by Hunter. “What is it?”
Crosshair shook his head. “He’s unintelligible. I can’t understand him.” Crosshair’s jaw tightened. “And he keeps moving away from me.”
Tech let out a worried exhale. “Sensory overload. I suspect it is from enduring the shocks while having so many of his senses limited.”
He reached for his medscanner and did what he could while keeping his distance, though even that was enough to make Hunter wince louder. He scurried back, essentially pinning himself against the nearest wall.
Tech’s gaze darkened. “I should have had the foresight to bring his equipment.”
Wrecker spoke from behind them. “You couldn’t have known for sure, Tech.” He shifted his weight. “Is there anything we can do to help him before we get outta here, though?”
Tech’s brow creased as he analyzed the readout. “Unfortunately, no. We will have to help him get back to the Marauder, despite his discomfort.” He sat up more and nodded in Wrecker’s direction. “Locate his equipment, and we will be on our way.”
Wrecker nodded dutifully and bounded out of the room. Crosshair remained frozen where he was, afraid to do anything that could grate on Hunter’s senses.
Tech lowered his voice to a whisper and spoke. “Hunter, it is Tech. Though your hearing is likely warbled, I will at least inform you that you are being rescued, and we will be heading back to the Marauder in short order.”
Hunter cringed, but he at least held up a weary hand in Tech’s direction. That caused Crosshair and Tech to share an optimistic look. Tech, however, immediately went tense when he glanced back at Hunter again. He squinted his eyes behind his goggles and looked closer.
“Crosshair.” Tech still kept his voice low for Hunter’s sake. “Why is Hunter bleeding?”
Crosshair’s brow furrowed beneath his helmet. “What do you mean? Where’s he bleeding from?”
Tech nodded at Hunter. “His forehead, just beneath his bandana.”
Crosshair looked and found what Tech was pointing out. He scoffed and shook his helmet. “He was disoriented when I first got here, and I tried to touch him. He headbutted me.” Crosshair huffed. “Like the idiot he is.”
Tech sighed, though there was no true malice in his exhale. “He likely thought you were the enemy.”
“Sure.” Crosshair crossed his arms. “But he still wasn’t wearing a helmet when he did that, which means he’s an idiot.”
Wrecker returned in record time, panting lightly as he held Hunter’s armor and other equipment under his arms. Tech stood from where he was and approached Wrecker. “I will take that. You will need to assist Hunter.”
Wrecker nodded dutifully. He hesitated, however, when he saw Hunter still cowering on the other side of the room. Wrecker whispered the best he could. “Is there a way to do this without hurting ‘im worse?”
Tech shook his head. “Unfortunately, any kind of contact will be painful for him. If you can limit your physical contact, then that would be beneficial to his current condition.”
Wrecker’s hands tightened into fists. “Alright. I can try.”
Crosshair watched with bated breath as Wrecker made his approach. He took noticeably lighter steps before he knelt down by Hunter, still attempting his best whisper all the while. “‘S me, Hunter. I’m gonna help you back to the ship. Okay?”
Hunter’s head jerked, a potential attempt at a nod. Wrecker must have interpreted it as such, given that he moved in as gingerly as he could. He took one of Hunter’s arms and wrapped it around his shoulders, getting both of them to their feet even as Hunter let out a low, agonized groan.
Hunter reached for his head and kept his eyes screwed shut. This time, his words were slightly more decipherable. “Too much.”
Crosshair’s chest seized with helplessness, the same kind he spotted in the shifting between Wrecker’s feet. “M’sorry, Hunter.”
“Wait.”
Crosshair turned around towards Tech, who was organizing Hunter’s equipment in a way that made it easier for him to carry. He took Hunter’s helmet and brought it over to where Wrecker and Hunter were standing together.
“Here.” Crosshair was gentle as he eased the helmet over Hunter’s head. “This should help some.”
Hunter didn’t protest Crosshair’s actions, at least not loudly enough for any of them to hear it. In fact, once it was set in place, some of the tension seemed to ease from Hunter’s form altogether. Crosshair and Wrecker shared a look before they both nodded in satisfaction.
“I have not yet been able to properly enhance the muffling abilities within Hunter’s helmet, however…” Tech paused to grunt as he collected all of Hunter’s equipment underneath his arms. “It should work for now.” He nodded towards the door. “We must make our egress. Crosshair, you ought to lead the way.”
Crosshair nodded and prepared to take point. Before he could, though, Hunter’s weak voice crackled through his helmet’s filter. “Cross.”
Crosshair spun around, sparing Hunter a once-over as he tried to identify what was wrong. What he saw was Hunter lifting his spare arm. He didn’t need words for Crosshair to understand, even if he had no idea why Hunter was suggesting that.
Crosshair shook his head. “I can’t, Hunter.” He hesitated. “I shouldn’t. That’ll hurt you more, won’t it?”
Hunter exhaled heavily and spoke again, this time through gritted teeth. “Cross.”
He wasn’t going to make Hunter say it a third time. Crosshair strode forward and hooked Hunter’s arm over his shoulders, mirroring Wrecker as they held Hunter between them. Hunter was clearly suppressing his pain, but for whatever reason, it was what he wanted.
Crosshair’s visor met Tech’s gaze behind his goggles. They didn’t have to use their words to come to an understanding, and Tech took point in Crosshair’s place. The four of them finally began to make their way out of the room together, starting their trek back to the Marauder.
Crosshair kept his voice low even as he addressed both Tech and Wrecker. “What happened on your end?”
Wrecker scoffed. “Nothin’.”
Tech sighed. “What he means is that I had only just been escorted into the main part of the laboratory when you informed us that they were still hurting Hunter. Thus there is not much to say, as we simply did the same as you.”
Crosshair’s brow shot up underneath his helmet. “And the scientist?”
Tech shrugged. “Stunned. That was all we could do without proper clearance.”
Crosshair grimaced. “Could this be a problem for us later on?”
Wrecker tensed, making Hunter whimper quietly at the shift in weight, while Tech shrugged again. “There is no way to know for certain.”
Wrecker relaxed, murmuring a soft apology to Hunter before he raised his voice just enough for Tech and Crosshair to hear. “Guess it don’t matter right now.” His helmet glanced over at Hunter. “So long as Sarge here is okay.”
Hunter grunted. “M’fine.”
Crosshair scoffed. “Sure you are. That’s why we’re dragging you back to the ship.” He let out a long sigh. Most of the fight had since left him, but he still couldn’t help arguing. “We could have made it, you know. Or you could’ve let me get left behind for once.”
Hunter’s voice tightened. “Not happening.”
Tech looked back at Crosshair and tilted his head. “Just as I said before.”
Crosshair scowled and held Hunter’s arm just a bit tighter around himself. “Well, I’m not letting this happen again, so I beg to differ.”
Hunter huffed, but the sound was immediately followed by a pained whimper, which sobered all of them back into silence for his sake. They closed the distance to the Marauder, where Wrecker and Crosshair helped Hunter into the private quarters on board. After easing Hunter onto the bunk, Tech rushed in with Hunter’s sensory equipment, which they exchanged his helmet for after Tech had properly cleaned and dressed the self-inflicted wound on Hunter’s forehead.
Wrecker and Crosshair both stayed with Hunter as Tech got the Marauder into the air, headed back towards Kamino. They weren’t technically due back at base yet, but they had all agreed that they wanted Hunter to be looked over by medics. Though they were hesitant to place him under the care of the Kaminoans, they were unfortunately the only ones who could help with Hunter’s senses.
Hunter barely spoke the entire time, and he never opened his eyes. Crosshair was unnerved by how pale he had become, but Tech had reassured him and Wrecker several times over that he would make a full recovery. Once they had gotten him more comfortable, Wrecker made a move to brush his hand over Hunter’s head, but froze just before he could make contact. His face pinched, though he pasted on a small smile as he managed to tear himself away from Hunter’s side.
Crosshair stood there for just a little while longer, replaying the entirety of the mission within his mind. Doing so wouldn’t change anything, especially not the torment Hunter had endured, but he ruminated anyway.
He had to be faster. He had to start truly understanding that if he couldn’t make the right decision in a single heartbeat, then Hunter would voluntarily take the fall, and that was the last thing Crosshair wanted. This, whatever this was, couldn’t happen again.
Eventually, Crosshair sighed and reluctantly took a step away from Hunter’s bunk. He couldn’t make it far before he suddenly felt a hand wrap around his wrist. Crosshair turned in shock to see Hunter sitting up on his elbow, his brow furrowed above the eyewear that blacked his vision out.
“Cross.” Hunter’s voice was somehow both rough and soft as he spoke in what was merely a breath.
Crosshair brought himself closer to his brother again. “What?” He gave Hunter a once-over. “Do you need something?”
He didn’t think it was possible for Hunter to hear him, not with the noise-canceling device he wore, but Hunter still answered his question all the same. He was shocked to see his brother slipping off the device from over his ears before he shifted on the bunk and tapped the open space beside him.
Crosshair’s brow rose at Hunter’s silent request. “Are you sure? I… thought that would make it worse.”
Hunter tapped the bunk again. His hoarse voice was barely audible. “Please.”
Crosshair couldn’t say no that time. He was careful as he unstrapped his armor and set it aside, at least making himself less of a sensory nightmare for his brother. He slipped into the bunk at Hunter’s side, maintaining his own personal space and letting Hunter do what he needed to get comfortable.
Hunter moved closer, easing his head over Crosshair’s heart the way Crosshair had done inside the lab. He let out a quiet sigh of relief once he could hear that heartbeat up close, and for the first time since they had been reunited, Crosshair saw Hunter truly relax.
Crosshair stayed stiff at first, but he eventually dared to hold Hunter the way he had inside the lab. That seemed to relax his brother further, so Crosshair remained where he was. He couldn’t really remember the last time they had laid like this, but Crosshair was more than happy to indulge in it for his brother’s sake.
This would be the last time Crosshair let Hunter get left behind, no matter what he had to say about it. Crosshair would ensure his brother’s safety—and Tech’s and Wrecker’s, too—at all costs, because the last thing he ever wanted was for them to have to know a life without each other.
They would survive this war, and they would do it together.