The Runaway {Hunter} (WATTYS 2022)

Chapter 5

Jesse, Rex and Cora all approached the centre with caution. Hiding behind the red trees and wildlife around them, they saw two droids talking with each other. Rex pointed to the one on the left with Cora nodded, another walked closer, causing Rex to point to Jesse, then the third droid. The two nodded as they all jumped out and took down the droids. Cora ripped the head off the droid as Rex and Jesse took care of theirs. Stepping closer, the three watched as the Cyber Center was just up ahead.

"Is everyone in position?" Rex asked over their comms.

After a brief moment of static voices were heard, "Affirmative." Hunter said.

"Affirmative." Crosshair bounced back.

"Cap," Tech's voice broke the static, "you wanted to know when those Separatist forces breached the outpost." Rex looked to his group, "Well, they're getting there just about now."

In the distance, the sound of heavy machinery could be heard as the glass sounding trees broke to the ground.

"Are you ready?" Rex asked Cora and Jesse.

"I'm always ready." Jesse smirked.

"You know it." Cora said pulling out her two blasters.

Rex nodded and all three came out from their hiding spots. Cora shot at the droids in front of the cyber centre as they advanced forward. She knocked the head off one and turned to Rex, who threw a shock bomb to a group of droids coming closer. The three hid behind a small cluster of rocks to regain themselves. From above them, Crosshair started to knock droids one by one.

More droids came from behind the centre as Cora shot at them. One came close, so she took out her knife and slid on the ground, taking out its legs from under them. She kicked her feet out and knocked a few to the ground as Jesse covered her. Rex finished off her handy work and shot the ones that dropped to the ground. Back to back, Rex and Cora shot each droid in front of them. Lowering his body, Cora leaned back on Rex's back as she grabbed his hips and kicked the droids coming her way. Rex grabbed her whole body as she leaned back and she rolled over his back, falling on a small group of droids. Standing up, Cora saw that Wrecker and Hunter had joined their fight from within the centre, meaning Tech was already inside. Hunter took out his knife and took down nearby droids and Wrecker did what he does best, which was smashing the droids.

Jesse joined with Cora and Rex as they blocked the entrance with Hunter and Wrecker, shooting at the incoming army of droids from the small outpost.

"What took you so long Wrecker?" Rex asked.

"Hey, this is a 'delicate operation'." He said, almost sarcastically.

Their attention was brought towards the way they had came, from the small outpost. In the distance, a ship load of droids was headed their way.

"Better get in there, Cap." Wrecker told Rex.

Rex ran off to join Tech inside the centre as Cora stood her ground. "Not joining him Senator?" Hunter asked.

"And leave you with all the fun?" She laughed.

"I like you." Wrecker chuckled as the droids deployed themselves on the ground.

Taking some cover behind a rock, Cora shot at the battle droids that were currently shooting at the ground. So many came out at once earning the group a push backwards.

"Crosshair." Hunter said into comms, kneeling behind a rock. "We're gonna need a lift out."

"Not gonna be a problem." Crosshair said.

The overwhelming amount of droids, started to push the group back too close to the building. "We have to get out of here!" Cora yelled over all the blaster fire.

The group raced back into the Cyber Centre as Wrecker tried to hold them off as much as he could. Trying to avoid the fire, they made it back to the room where Rex and Tech were. Looking into the room while firing, Tech raced to help his team while Rex stood there, a shocked expression, his helmet off.

"We're gone. Rex, let's go!" Hunter yelled.

After a second of standing there, still in shock, Cora turned as Jesse covered for her. "Rex! We have to go now!" She pleaded.

Rex turned to her and she caught his expression. It sent chills down her spine. Rex put his helmet back on and joined them as they all retreated through the back of the building. Shooting at whatever droids came their way, once they made it outside, Crosshair flew down and picked up the group. Sitting down, now safe from the droid attack, the group all took off their helmets. Sighing, Cora looked over to Jesse who nodded towards Rex. Standing from her seat, she sat down next to Rex.

"What is it?" She asked, worried for her friend.

Rex sat there, his elbows resting on his legs, "It's Echo, he's alive."

"What?" Cora gasped.

"He was the strategy plans like I thought." He looked up to her, "He's alive. We have to save him."

Cora looked into his eyes, she placed her hand on his. "We will."

Cora tried to give Rex a smile but he just looked away, a ghost of a smile on his face. She looked away from her friend and caught the eyes of Hunter, who was leaning against the passenger seat. He nodded to her as she tried to smile back, but her mind was busy on Rex.

If Echo really was alive, then they had to convince the council to let them go, which was a whole other battle.