The Bad Batch - Mini Stories

Things Left Unsaid (Tech x Crosshair)

(Warnings: Death)

Italics - commlink/radio

"Tech! Get out of there! The whole place is about to blow!" Hunter roared into the commlink, he was evacuating the squad. Wrecker pushed Echo and Fives forward towards the Havok Marauder. The whole planet was set to explode in 12 exact minutes. The 501st were moving back to their ships. Rex was standing in the doorway of the Marauder with Jesse and Kix. 

Crosshair was nowhere in sight but last Hunter heard he was on his way. 

"I can't Hunter. I have to manually flick the switch" Tech said, "leave now" The order Hunter wished to never hear. 

"No Tech! There has to be another way! Tell me what I can do!" Hunter yelled into his comm, all of them in the Marauder could hear the conversation. Wrecker felt numb hearing the engineer's voice. 

"Look after Crosshair for me, he will need it" Tech answered, flicking a few switches off camera as tears slipped down his face.

"I love you Ori'vod" Tech spoke with love in his tone. "Both of you" Tech directed his answer to both his older brothers. Hunter and Wrecker shared a look. "We love you too Tech’ika" the two knew it was the end. 

"Hunter, Wrecker, Tech! Someone answer the blasted Comms! Karking…"

"We read you Cross, where are you?" 

"Stuck, some red faced freak with his plastic sword thought he could take me down. I need a pickup, sending coordinates now" 

"Coordinates received, on route" Hunter tried his hardest to hide his upset tone but it seemed the marksman hadn't picked up on it or so he thought.

"Okay, what's wrong Ori'vod?" 

"Nothing"

"Bantha Shit! Karking…"

"En route Cross, stay alive"

"Yes sir" 

Hunter smiled hearing the sarcasm laced tone. 

Tech was ready to flick the switch but he had to wait the minutes away for the batch to escape. The last thing he expected was for his comm system to go off after his tearful goodbye.

"Tech! What do you think you're doing? Get out of the facility and…"

"Cross, it's too late. I'm in a lockdown facility, there are eight minutes left on the timer and with a simple switch I can end the war!" 

"Tech, please. Don't do this" 

"I'm sorry Cross, but I have too, take care of the others for me. Take care of Omega"

"Tech please…I can't do this without you, I'm sorry for not telling you. I was going to tell you this morning but the mission…Tech please, I can't raise her myself" 

"You can and you will. The others will be there for you. Cross'ika, I love you" 

"Tech"

"Six minutes" 

"Tech, please…"

"Cross, I love you, now please say it back, one last time…" 

"I love you my Technician, Omega will truly know what her father was like" 

"Please Cross, don't beat yourself up about this. It's my choice…"