The Runaway {Hunter} (WATTYS 2022)

Chapter 21

The door opened to the ship as Cora stepped out into the sunlight with the members of The Bad Batch. They took a few steps before Hunter turned back towards the ship. Cora saw his light gaze and followed it back to Omega, who stood there looking out into the planet they were on.

Omega closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. A smile on her face as she felt the sunlight and the fresh air. Her gentle step out onto the ground made her drop to her knees, her hand brushing the dirt below her. She picked up a handful and let it run down through her fingers.

"Woah." She gasped as the slight breeze took the dirt from her hands. "What is this?" Omega asked with such amazement.

The group of men looked to each other, kind of confused at her reaction to dirt. "That would be dirt." Tech said.

Omega gasped, her face bright with wonder. "It's amazing."

She ran her feet across the dirt, kicking it up. She laughed and jump towards the group, her gaze landing on Hunter as she approached him. His face was gentle, a small smirk across his face at the childlike nature that Omega had.

Hunter turned his head towards a group of stoke clouds. It brought chills down Cora's spine as she remembered the rain only hours prior. Her mind spiralled, thinking of Lark and Jax. Her heart was beating loud in her ears as the blood rushed to her cheeks.

"Come on." Hunter's voice broke her thoughts, "Let's get moving."

Cora watched as the guys all started off down towards the tall fields with the weird looking plants. Omega trailed behind her as she took in the wonderful world. Cora had to be honest with herself, she didn't know where they were. It felt oddly familiar but, she had been to so many planets in the past few years, it all meshed together. She kept her head away from the conversation that was being held by Echo and Tech who were ahead of Wrecker. Every once and while, she would turn and look for Omega, making sure she was still following the group. The group stopped at a small opening, a small wire stopped them in their path. Everyone gathered around Hunter as he looked down to it, Omega almost stepped on it if it wasn't for Hunter pulling her back. His hand held her shoulder as she looked up to the Sergeant.

"What are we looking at?" She asked.

"A booby trap." Hunter told her.

"Single trip wire." Wrecker stepped over the wire and moved closer towards the barbed wire that protected whatever was beyond the clearing. "That's cute." Wrecker laughed stepping into the field.

Hunter put his hand out, trying to stop the clueless clone. His feet passed over a small laser, which triggered a group of old droids that sprung from the ground. Cora shook her head as Wrecker pulled out his blaster and started to yell, shooting them.

"Easy Wrecker!" Hunter demanded causing him to stop.

"Was that me?"

Hunter sighed as Cora turned away, her head was aching, and the sun felt too bright. She rubbed her temple as a voice spoke. "What do we have here?" Cora turned around and locked eyes with the two people who were standing with their guns out. "More close who have lost their way." The women spoke again.

The couple lowered their blasters as Cora felt her body relax. She couldn't move, nor could she find the words to say anything. "It's been a while, fellas."

The guys in front of Cora stepped closer, but her feet felt heavy. She inched closer as Hunter nodded to the couple. "Senator Tane." The man spoke.

"Cut." She exhaled.

Cut looked to his wife Suu, "Come back to the house," Cut waved them to follow, "We'll talk there."

Cora fell behind for a moment, causing Tech to turn towards her. "How do you know Cut and Suu?" He asked pushing up his glasses.