FORESIGHT and SCOPE: BOOK TWO

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

"You are correct."

"So how do you know about her missions?"

Tech flinched before replying in a calm tone. "Simple observation," He cleared his throat. "and the occasional review on her mission reports."

"Why would you do that?" The young girl questioned bluntly.

"W-Well, I—um."

Omega hid her grin behind her palm as the intellectual clone stammered. "I get it—you always have to be updated on everyone and everything. What else did you notice about Fern?" Tech detected a hint of irony in her tone.

"Despite your expressed perception, your inflection indicates you have an ulterior motive in your query—one I will not humor." His face burns red.

Suddenly, a splash echoed in the cavern. Tech and Omega's eyes popped up to spot two more of their squad members tumbling over the waterfall—Wrecker's scream was cut off as he crashed into the lake. Tech watched Fern's head emerge above the surface, and his chest subsided in relief. He heard Hunter shout her name. Omega jumped to her feet and waved her arms as she excitedly cried, "Fern!"

Tech wanted to call to her, too, but something welled up inside his throat. Omega's last question echoed in his throbbing ears as he watched the female clone's paddle to shore with her feet.

"What else do you notice about Fern?"

What else do I notice?... Tech swallowed, sucking in his lips as his true emotions dawned on him. Deeply.

What else do I notice?...

Everything...

END OF FLASHBACK

"Tech, Wrecker," Hunter's distressed voice called over the comms. "I lost our spies. They've called in backup and heading your way. And I've lost contact with Fern..."

The two clones immediately dropped everything, armed themselves with their blasters, and bolted for the corridor that led them to the main access portal. They left their helmets and other gear behind. Upon the last panel door opening, they stepped through and onto an eroded, metal suspension bridge. They faced who could only be Mokko, surrounded by his sentry droids. He was a gluttonous being with sloped pointed ears and beady, black and yellow eyes. His sagging skin was a mix of beige and red markings. He had a cybernetic right arm in the form of a stiff hunk of metal with a three-prong contraption for a hand.

"So you think you can come here and steal from me?" his gruff voice boomed, swinging both arms wildly.

"Technically," Tech stated firmly. His fingers gripped his dual blasters as he aimed for the gang boss' mechanical guards. "this ship belongs to us."

"Not anymore!" Mokko spat, then followed up with a chuckle. "And I'd rethink the blasters. One stray shot, and we're all done for."

"We don't miss." Wrecker huffed.

"I believe you," Mokko waved his left hand above his head. "but I think you'll reconsider." Tech and Wrecker's eyes trailed upwards and heard Omega's small voice protesting. They watched as she was dragged by another droid to the edge of a broken overpass. "And!" The sinistered boss maniacally laughed. "to exhibit a taste of what else is going to happen if you continue to defy me." He stepped aside, revealing a droid hauling a body by her bicep across the grate.

"F-Fern?" Wrecker stammered, the nose of his blaster dropped slightly. Tech's eyes widened in utter shock. His grip on his weapons suddenly quivered.

"Go on," Mokko ushered his minion. "hand her over so they can consider their next choice wisely." While his boisterous laughter filled the shaft, the droid obeyed, took a couple steps forward, and violently tossed Fern's limp body to the two clones; she crashed against the rusted metal, unmoving.