The Runaway {Hunter} (WATTYS 2022)

Chapter 66

Kamino wasn't raining for once, it was calm, the water soft below them on the platform. The sky turned blue and was void of the usual dark clouds. It was calm for such a heartbreaking scene.

Dark smoke clouds clouded further in the distance. The soft glow of fire painted it red and orange as they all looked to the facility, burned and completely destroyed before them. It was the end of the clone era. No longer being made for war, but rather, destroying a whole new generation that wasn't just clankers and droids.

Omega stood in front of the group, her voice completely destroyed. "It's..." she had no words "all gone." She gasped out.

"We should leave before the Empire's scouts show up." Tech mentioned to the group.

Wrecker turned to Crosshair, who looked unharmed by his old home being destroyed. "You coming with us?"

Everyone turned to Crosshair, waiting for his answer. "None of this changes anything." He said.

"You offered us a chance, Crosshair." Hunter spoke, "This is yours."

Crosshair glared to Hunter. "I made my decision."

Hunter watched for a moment, the wind slowly blew across the group as the smell of smoke filled the air. "We want different things, Crosshair." Hunter told him. "That doesn't mean that we have to be enemies."

Crosshair looked to Hunter, his mind taking in his words as he turned away, crossing his arms. He watched the water as the group turned to each other. Echo, Tech and Wrecker, who was holding AZI, walked back towards the ship. Hunter turned to Cora who watched him. Hunter nodded as she sighed.

"You don't have to do this." Cora turned to Crosshair. "There's still good in you."

Crosshair turned to her, his eyes slits he didn't fully turn to her, but his eyes fell to the ground as he turned away again. Cora took this as her leave. Hunter stepped forward putting a hand on Omega's shoulder. She looked up to him before he turned away and walked back to the ship with Cora.

Cora held her side, her ribs still throbbing under her chest plate. She leaned on the wall next to Hunter as he waited for Omega. She watched him carefully as he looked out over his sister. She admired the bond that they had, it was something Cora had never seen in a clone, but they were different.

"She cares for you." She whispered.

Hunter didn't look at Cora, his face still, "I know." He nodded slowly.

Cora winced as she stood up more straight. Hunter glanced her way as Omega ran into the ship. Hunter let Omega go further into the ship as Tech took off. There was a moment of silence as they all felt the pain again of leaving Crosshair. He had made his choice but it still hurt his brothers, even after everything they had been through.

For a moment, Cora closed her eyes as she saw little spots again. She felt Hunter hold her arms as he tried to steady her. Cora didn't realize she had been rocking back and forth, trying to keep her mind straight from a dizzy spell.

"Cora," she heard Hunter say.

She opened her eyes and saw his mouth move, but she couldn't hear him. His face was painted with concern as Echo joined him after hearing his tone. Echo's mouth opened as well but Cora couldn't hear them, her ears were ringing. Louder and louder, the ringing became too much. Blinking, her eyes grew heavy as the voices around her became muffled. She reached out to grab Hunter's arm but stumbled forward. Hunter caught her before she hit the ground, holding her as her body fell limp.

"Tech, we need you back here!" Hunter yelled frantically.

Hunter quickly lifted Cora, her body motionless as he carried her to one of the bunks to lie down. Omega watched closely, no saying a word as she saw her friend, her motherly figure, become so weak and break. Hunter looked over her body, looking for anything that could show blood loss. Only for the nose bleed, she was fine. Soon enough, Tech joined Echo and Hunter as he found a safe place to idle the ship.