In Command (#1 Post-Order 66 Series)

In Command - Part 20

"Seems like she's getting her stuff back," Echo whispered. "Or at least she's certainly trying to."

Rex glanced sideways. Hunter, Wrecker, and Tech stood behind Echo, Wrecker munching on some kind of bun he'd gotten from the kitchens. The clones were out of their armor and wearing lightweight clothing clearly meant for them to work out in.

"I think that encounter with the Inquisitor shook her up a bit. It's been a while since she was challenged on that level, and trust me, she hates to lose," Rex said under his breath.

"She didn't lose though. She survived," Echo replied.

Rex smirked. "She won't see it that way."

"Are you all going to stand there like mynocks on a power cable, or are you going to come over here and make yourselves useful?" Senna called from the middle of the room, her back to them.

Rex snorted and Echo rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly as they all stepped into the room. Senna turned to face them, the tiny wisps of hair that had come loose from her braid sticking to her face and neck. "Anyone wanna spar with me? I could use the practice instead of shadow boxing."

"Only if you put the lightsaber away," Hunter teased, walking over to grab some wooden staffs that were leaning against some of the weight equipment. Stepping forward, he tossed her one and she caught it above her head, giving it a few experimental spins to test its balance.

"Deal," she said, a grin spreading across her face. Rex and Echo took a seat against the nearest wall while Tech stood at the edge of the padded flooring and Wrecker sat on a weight bench. Senna squared her feet, taking on a ready stance as Hunter let the staff dangle at his side, stalking around her confidently.

Rex leaned over to whisper to Echo. "Care to make this interesting?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"I'm betting he doesn't land a hit on her."

Echo shot him a skeptical look. "Not a one? I think that's a little overconfident. It is Hunter, and you know how competitive he can get."

Rex nodded. "Twenty credits?"

"You're on."

Just then, Hunter lunged at Senna. She easily sidestepped him, and his swing flew by her. Hunter tried to redirect his momentum, swinging the staff backhanded towards her, and again, Senna lightly stepped back and out of the way.

Rex raised an eyebrow at Echo. "Still feeling good about that bet?"

Echo grinned. "He's got time. He's testing the water still to see what she'll do. I've got faith in him."

Hunter was walking slowly again, and a grin was tugging at Senna's lips. She squared her feet again as Hunter stalked behind her. Her eyes drifted over her shoulder, and she swung her hips to the left just as he stabbed at her midriff, releasing her staff with her right hand to wrap her fingers around his wrist and pull him forward. Hunter stumbled, off balance as she spun him and stepped forward, knocking him on the floor so she could kneel on top of him, the edge of her staff pressed to his throat. "Got ya," she teased.

Hunter's face was blank for a moment before a smirk crossed his lips. Shifting his weight, he bucked his hips upward, knocking her forward. Senna flipped over the top of him and onto her back as Hunter whirled away from her to grab his staff. Kicking herself back up into a crouched position, she brandished her weapon outwards. "Is that all you've got?" she mocked, sticking her tongue out slightly.

"Not even close, sweetheart," Hunter rumbled, and he charged forward. His footwork was no longer sloppy and he had adapted to her parries as he pressed her. She retreated backwards, blocking his blows as he continued his advance.