The Runaway {Hunter} (WATTYS 2022)

Chapter 52

Ord Mantell was busy. People walked the streets and talked to vendors, buying their goods from the side of the road. Cora had just bought Omega her favourite, Mantell Mix, which had become a tradition for her and Wrecker to get after a successful mission.

"How's the Mantell Mix, kid?" Wrecker asked as Omega sat on his shoulder, eating her treat.

"Mm-hmm." She nodded while chewing. "Better then ever." Omega smiled.

"Yeah it is." Wrecker laughed.

Cora looked over her shoulder and smiled. She turned back towards Hunter who was lost in his own thoughts. She leaned over and nudged his arm, a soft smile on his face as he finally snapped from his thoughts.

"Care to tell me what's eating you up?" Cora asked.

Hunter looked over at Cora. He was looking better, feeling better. His wound had healed nicely and he was now able to go on missions. Although they had only done one since Omega's capture and Hunter's injuries, and yet they still seemed to get caught up in it without even trying. But he was healed and ready to go, but he wasn't thrilled about it, Cora could tell. He had been so eager to get out when they were on that water planet, but now he didn't want to go out on missions.

"I think we should keep a low profile." Hunter told her.

Before Cora could answer, Omega asked when their next mission was.

"With two bounty hunters after you, it'd be wise to keep a low profile." Tech replied.

Cora glanced at Hunter, who looked over his shoulder to Tech. The Sergeant had talked to his brothers about this before they landed back towards Cid's, probably while she was buying Omega's mix.

"Tech's right." Hunter stopped and turned to his group. Omega jumped down off Wrecker's shoulder as Hunter helped her down. "There's too much heat on us right now."

"Ha!" Wrecker chuckled, "That never stopped us before."

Hunter pulled Wrecker closer, "The kid's been though enough. She needs a break." He whispered.

"She seems fine to me." Wrecker shrugged.

"She just needs some time away from all..." Cora motioned to herself and their weapons, "this."

Hunter nodded in agreement. He started down towards the way to Cid's, walking down the stairs and entering her bar. The group followed, sitting themselves at the bar. Tech handed the black Pearl to Cid as she slid the credits over to Hunter.

"I've got a mission for you boys." Cid said looking over the Pearl. "A simple extraction on Raxus."

"Raxus?" Tech questioned, pushing his glasses up. "That is the former center of the Separatist government. It has since become an Imperial outpost—"

"I'm not interested in a history lesson, Goggles." Cid stopped him, waving her arms. "You're being hired to locate and free Senator Avi Singh from his confinement." Cid pulled up a holo image of the man.

"Avi Singh?" Cora mumbled back.

"Are you dead Angel face?" Cid grumbled as the group turned to Cora at her surprising look, "My client will meet you at the given coordinates to brief you. Details are on this. Now get going."

She grew the chip towards Tech, but Hunter reached out and caught it mid air.

"Help a Separatist?" He questioned with a hard gaze. Hunter looked down to the chip and threw it back to Cid. "Not gonna happen."

Cid stood in shock. "Your debt's still not paid, remember? A job's a job."

Hunter pulled Cid back, Cora following. She knew what he was going to say, so the Senator spoke first. "We are not bringing Omega to a planet filled with Imperials." Her voice was low and harsh.

"So leave her here with me. I'll keep an eye on her." Cid shrugged at the two.

Hunter and Cora exchanged a look. "I don't exactly trust you either." Hunter said.

"Good. You shouldn't." Cid said. "But if keeping the kid safe means more money in my pocket, it's in my best interest to do so, isn't it?" Cid placed her hand on Cora's shoulder.

"If any happens to her—"

"Yeah, yeah." Cid interrupted Cora, "You two love birds don't have to worry about a thing. Just get outta here, will you?" She grumbled turning away and leaving them.

Hunter and Cora looked to each other. "I don't like this."

"Neither do I." Cora nodded. She looked back to Omega, and sighed. "We have to tell her."

"I know." Hunter nodded stepping forward and walking towards the little girl. Cora followed. She should be there too.

"Ready when you are Sergeant, and Senator." Omega beamed with joy, ready to help. She saluted the two which earned a soft smile from Cora.

"Not this time kid, you're staying with Cid." Cora said bending down as Hunter did the same.

"But th-the mission. I'm part of the squad too." Omega gave a sad look.

"Then following orders shouldn't be a problem." Hunter said. He laid his hand on the girls shoulder. "Stay close to Cid, and don't leave this parlor. Got it, soldier?"

Omega rolled her eyes, groaning. "Yes, sir."

Hunter gave an approving nod to the little girl, before standing up and turning away. Cora looked at the girl who turned away from the two, her arms crossed and an angry frown on her face.

"We'll be back soon, kid. Don't you worry." Cora whispered placing a hand on her cheek.

Omega pulled away from her. Not wanting to even look at the Senator. Cora dropped her hand and stood to her feet. She felt bad. Omega meant well but this mission was too dangerous for her. For a little girl.

The group started out and made their way back to the Havoc. Once the ship was in the air, Cora threw her helmet on one of the crates and sat down with a huff. She leaned back and rubbed her face.

"How are you holding up?" Wrecker asked standing across from her. He sensed something with the Senator.

Cora peered up to the clone, "Ah you know." She shrugged. "Just dreading this job."

"That makes two of us." Echo said joining the two.

"Maybe we could blow something up?" Wrecker asked rubbing his hands in excitement.

Cora chuckled, "Is that all you think about?"

"Most of the time, yeah." Wrecker nodded with a laugh.

"Do you know this Senator?" Echo asked as Hunter stood next to him, his arms crossed.

"Ah..." Cora hesitated, she looked down and kind of shrugged, not sure what to say. "Maybe." She offered to say.

"You're lying." Hunter pointed out.

Cora looked up to Hunter. "God, can't you turn your heightened senses off for one second." She huffed, leaning forward on her legs. She felt the eyes of the men around her. "I've heard the name before, I may have met him, but I don't really remember."

She lied.

It was getting harder to lie to the group, especially when Hunter was around. Echo looked to Hunter who narrowed his eyes to the woman. He nodded after a moment and turned away, heading towards the front of the ship.

"I can't believe you still try to lie around him." Wrecker mumbled.

"Stupid, I know." Cora joked. "God, I hate him." She mumbled.

Echo huffed and turned away. "No you don't."