FORESIGHT and SCOPE: BOOK TWO

C H A P T E R F O R T Y-F I V E

"A new sort of trigger, perhaps?" Crosshair balanced himself on his own two feet.

Athena's head popped up at the unexpected quip, her neck craning to see his natural smirk. She raised a brow before the corners of her mouth cracked. "That was a pretty dark joke. Even for you."

"Heh, I guess it was."

Athena wanted to kiss the man again. She had no idea she had the capability to wildly grow a sensational feeling like this in her chest that didn't involve her wielding a vibro-knife or escaping an exhilerating heist. Her impassioned heart was tugged on by the urge to pounce, steal a toothpick from his pocket case, shove it in his mouth only to rip it out again so she can crash her lips into his again.

Instead, unbeknownst to her on why..., a sense of guilt washed over her. She straightened her posture, like she was standing before a commanding officer, and spoke bluntly, "All those clones I've killed over the years...I'm sorry for it."

"Why are you apologizing to me?" Crosshair blinked at the bounty hunter's odd atonement.

Athena pondered over her response, hoping a legitimate explanation would arise. When none availed, she nonchalantly shrugged. "Well, I suppose I should, you know? After all, they were our blood. I figure I should apologize to another clone for all I've spilled."

"What do you want from me?" The elite clone's brows furrowed in confusion. "To accept it? On behalf of all the clones?"

Athena's face burned once more, but this time in disbelief. She tossed her arms up in defeat before crossing them with a dramatic huff. "I-I don't know. I just felt the need to say it, jeez..." When she pouted her lips, Crosshair fought the urge to burst into laughter. He exhaled with a grin. "Do you feel better?"

"Actually, yes." the bounty hunter stucked her tongue out childishly, then paused before sighing and adding a wink. "I still can't seem to wrap my head around it."

"Around what?"

Athena's chin lowered in thought. Simultaneously, her shoulders, unexpectedly, were relieved from an imaginary weight she didn't even realize existed. "To think, I once thought I was the one and only superior clone who had the potential to become the most formidable soldier for the Grand Republic Army."

"Superior, huh?" Crosshair sighed.

"What is it?"

"Nothing. Just an interesting choice of words."

Athena shrugged again and then tugged on the hem of her filthy shirt. "You know what would make me feel even better? A bath, sone clean clothes, and a hard drink. If you don't mind, I'm going to—"

"Miss Athena Quinn." An Imperial officer apparated out of thin air and addressed the bounty hunter, causing both her and Crosshair to exhale sharply. She narrowed her eyes at the young female dressed in a neatly-pressed uniform to her left with confusion. "Yes? Can I help you?"

"Vice Admiral Rampart, with the privilege to appeal for a single contact while he is being detained, has requested his personal abettor's audience."

"My audience?"

"That is correct." The officer elegantly gestured towards the corridor where she just arrived from. "If you follow me, I will take you to him. Due to Imperial policies, however, you are only permitted to meet alone." She side-glanced Crosshair. "Your subordinate will have to wait here for your return."

"What did you just call him?" Athena's eyes glowered as her fingers reached for her knife hilt. Crosshair stopped her by seizing her skinny wrist. Subconsciously acknowledging him, Athena's grim expression deepened. "You will not make the mistake of addressing my partner anything but 'commander' from now on. Do I make myself clear?"

"Y-you cannot declare militarial titles to clones." The young woman strained to remain unfazed by the sudden aggressive behavior, unknowing of what Athena's true potential consisted of.

"I just did, as Rampart's personal abettor. I supposedly still have a claim on that title, according to you."

The officer flinched, her lips twisting in a judgemental state. She then cleared her throat. "Very well. Please accept my apologies. However, he still cannot attend your meeting with the vice admiral. Imperial policy reads—"

"That I must meet with him alone. I got it." Athena rolled her eyes. She then looked to Crosshair, and her mouth nervously tightened in a straight line. "I'll come find you once I am finished." she said softly.

"I'll be waiting." Crosshair nodded, his own expression fell. He released her wrist and anxiously watched the bounty hunter follow her escort down the corridor until they disappeared around the corner. With one final exhale, he turned on his heel and headed in the opposite direction to wash himself and discard his armor, silently trusting she would handle herself accordingly once she came face to face with the vice admiral...His bare fingers subconsciously grazed over his bottom lip when he curved around at the intersection.

They may be phasing out clones and arresting high-ranking officers, but my and Athena's situations are secured. We are still valuable...and useful. I know she will not abandon me, and I will not desert her... Maker, I'd give anything for someone to tell me what I'm feeling right now...and why I long for it more... If all is to change around here from now on, this is one feeling I hope remains.