FORESIGHT and SCOPE: BOOK TWO

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

Wrecker instantly stomped forward, crunching down on the urge to start firing on a rampage. He shielded Tech as the latter knelt down, discarded his weapons without a second thought, and gathered Fern's torso in his arms, her head folded back in dead weight. He adjusted his forearm to act as a bar for her spine to lay across; gravity claimed her arms, dangling them lifelessly, her bony knuckles scraped against the metal. With his other hand, Tech reached under her head to support it, sinking his fingers through her tousled, raven hair. A sharp gasp choked in his throat as warm liquid seeped into his gloved hand when he pressed it against her scalp. He slowly removed it, and his chest constricted, shortening his breath intake, when his vision grasped the crimson-red claret. He quickly checked for a pulse.

It was faint...but she was still alive.

"You will regret this." Tech's voice deepened as he lifted his chin, glaring at the heinous monster with eyes that could dull daggers. "You will not lay a hand on her again. Mock me, and I will ensure you can never touch her as long as I breathe."

"Tech," Wrecker said, breaking his brother's red vision. The muscular clone did not dare turn to look over his shoulder. "get Fern out of here. I got this."

Tech did not hesitate, leaving his blasters behind, and lifted the unconscious clone, cradling her close to his chestplate. He hurried back to the Marauder. He wasted no time racing up the ramp, laying Fern on the medical cot, and scrambling to retrieve the bacta spray. The same medicinal remedy that the clever woman had purchased with the treasure she looted from the war chest on Serenno—the same restorative that saved his leg. Once acquired, with a delicate touch, he located the abrasion on her crown and swiftly, but attentively applied it generously.

"C-can you hear me, Fern?" he called quietly. The air was still around him. His heartbeat pounded in his ears.

There was no response—not even a stir from Fern. Tech exhausted the last drops of the bacta spray in her blood-soaked hair.

"Do not think you are going to die under my supervision."

He examined her injury and was briefly relieved to discover the lesion had scabbed over, ceasing the blood loss and progressing the healing process at an incredible rate. However, his frown deepened as she remained unconscious... Removing his ensanguined gloves, he followed his instincts and picked up his datapad, scanned Fern, and tapped over her vitals. Although he was comprehending the intel on the small screen, his mind was scattered. He felt himself sinking into an invisible pit as his intrusive thoughts overwhelmed him. His ribcage grew sore from his heart bashing against it. His blood felt like it had congealed, weighing his limbs and shoulders down in a hunched position.

Why has she not woken up yet? Does she sustain other injuries? Are they internal?

"You cannot die."

His breath shuddered. His right leg spasmed, bouncing rapidly in place as he battled his deliberation. He could not formulate a single conceivable idea, which sent him into further panic.

What can I do? What are the next steps? She should be awake by now. Has she lost too much blood? Was I too late?

"You are too extraordinary to die." He bit down on his bottom lip as he folded his hands over his mouth, fighting every urge to scream. His eyes stung with frustration. "If you die, you will be deserting us. You cannot deprive us of your presence. Not after Echo. After Crosshair..."

Their departures...I can—I have accepted them. But in no way, shape, or form will I accept something this permanent...

"We need you. You understand each of us better than we know ourselves...exceptionally me." His eyes crinkled behind his spectacles as his breath convulsed and choked. "There is a great deal I never had the—If only I could tell you what you truly meant to me...a revelation I've come to recently. And now that I am aware, I cannot imagine not seeing your smile—your vexing, real, superlative smile—I do not believe you ever knew how vindicating your smile makes someone feel."