The Runaway {Hunter} (WATTYS 2022)

Chapter 44

Cora didn't know how long she was passed out. She felt awake, as she heard echos of blaster fire and yelling, but all she saw was darkness, and her body felt frozen with fear. The heavy weight of the metal wall was lifted from her as she slowly gained consciousness. Her eyes opened as she saw Rex standing over her. He bent down and helped her sit up as she groaned, her ears ringing, throat dry and sore to the touch.

Rex saw the fear in her eyes as she stood, looking to an unconscious Wrecker in the med bay. She took a breath and rubbed her neck. "What happened?" Her voice cracked.

"His chip activated." Was all Rex said. Cora swallowed, wincing as she did and nodded.

Hunter entered the room and rubbed the back of his neck. He looked tired, more then usual. He approached Cora and looked at her with a careful eye. "Are you all right?" He asked softly.

Cora nodded and looked to him. "Are you?"

Hunter looked away for a moment. Cora could tell something was bothering him. Maybe it was the fight he had with Wrecker, because with his strength, she knew Wrecker put up a fight. Which couldn't have been easy on him or his team. But he was drawn away from her as Hunter looked to Rex.

"Yeah. I'm fine." He said before turning away and sitting on some old medical boxes.

Cora looked at Rex who didn't look at her. Either something bad happened, or Rex and Hunter weren't telling her something.

"Is it supposed to take this long?" Echo voice broke Cora away from Rex as he spoke to him.

Wrecker was laying in the medical machine as Tech held the controls. Omega paced by him as Echo stood, arms crossed.

"I'm not sure." Rex looked away. "I've never been on this end of it."

After a moment of everyone looking to Wrecker with worried eyes, Tech broke the silence. "The procedure is complete."

Wrecker was pulled out of the blue hue light as he still lay unconscious. Everyone looked, waiting for him to wake up. Omega put her hands on his chest, shaking him to get him to wake up. But nothing.

"Wrecker." She nudged him again. Nothing. "Wrecker!" Again... nothing.

Her soft smile had melted into a sad expression. Hunter and Cora exchanged a sorrow filled look as the watched.

"He should be awake by now." Omega said.

Tech looked back down to the computer in front of him. "He is alive, but his vitals have not stabilized. We won't know more until he regains consciousness."

Cora placed her hand on Omega's back. She looked up as Cora tried to offer a soft smile. Although they both knew the same feeling. Dread, and fear of the outcome of the clones around them. Both were afraid of loosing the men around them. Both were afraid of being alone.

"This could be a while." Rex said behind the two, "Why don't you take Omega topside and get some air." Rex offered to Hunter.

"No." Omega snapped. The two men turned as Omega stood her ground, her eyes hard with determination. "I'm staying until he wakes up." She pushed a chair over and sat down next to Wrecker, putting her hands in his. Her eyes grew soft and Cora looked to Rex and Hunter.

Rex and Hunter turned away again, leaving Cora with Omega. Cora kneeled down in front of Omega and leaned over, trying to get her attention. "Hey, kid." She whispered.

Omega didn't look at her. Cora looked down and sighed, closing her eyes. "I know how you feel." Omega finally looked up. "I understand the fear of being alone." Cora looked at Omega, her eyes sad. "But you're not alone."