THIRD PERSON POV
When Fern and Crosshair finally rejoined the rest of the clones, Hunter in particular was there waiting for them, anxiously. His eyes asked Fern, How did it go?
Fern responded with her own, Don't worry, everything will be fine.
Meanwhile, Wrecker lifted a tall medical capsule vertically in place in the wall, in which Echo proceeded to scan its integrity. "These medical capsules could be our way out of here."
"I agree," Tech nodded, typing in a calculation into his datapad. "If our mass is evenly distributed, the buoyancy of these watertight chambers will bring us to the surface."
"Medical capsules have not been tested for such capabilities." AZI objected monotonously.
"We won't have any control, either." Fern tucked a loose strand of wet hair behind her ear. "How will we steer around the debris that's out there?"
"The droid." Crosshair chimed in. Everyone's attention turned towards him with perplexed reactions, wondering what the clone could apply to the inducing plan. "He can do it. He can guide the capsules through the water with us in them."
"Can you do that, AZI?" Hunter asked the droid directly.
"Barring any extraneous complications, I should be able to complete the task." he confirmed.
"Won't it be dangerous?" Omega asked, worried for her floating companion.
"There's nothing to worry about." Fern smoothed out her damp hair. "AZI knows his purpose, and he will see it through."
"Alright, let's do this." Hunter initiated. Fern and Omega started setting up their last charges across the broad glass wall while the boys gathered and positioned four capsules against the wall. Wrecker squeezed into his, whining on how tight the fit was. "Quit complaining. At least you're not doubled up." Echo snapped, while Tech, who was his capsule partner, gave the cyborg clone a side-eyed glance.
Once the two female clones were finished, they hopped into their capsule. "Charges are set." they reported.
"Alright, seal them up." the sergeant ordered, locking himself in with Crosshair. Everyone followed suit. AZI double-checked all capsules and signaled a thumbs-up in satisfaction. Finally, Hunter gazed over at Fern, and nodded for go.
"You ready for this, Half-Pint?" the latter smirked half-heartedly.
"Ready as I'll ever be." the young girl's teeth chattered nervously.
"Here. We. Go." Fern squeezed her eyes shut as she pounded her thumb into the ignitor. The charges shattered the viewport, and seawater burst through within seconds, sweeping up everything that wasn't bolted to the lab's interior structure. Her and Omega's capsule was knocked into Echo and Tech's, the clank rang within the hollow, glass tube. She caught a blurry glimpse of AZI adjusting to the sudden chaos, catching each capsule and pushing it out of the submerged compartment. The elongated tubes flipped and whirled out of control. The water was so murky and dark, the ominous silhouettes of debris descending were only visible once they were almost too close. But AZI performed his duty well, zipping ahead to shove the giant, metal remnants out of the upward path. Furthermore, everyone's comms fortunately were still linked. "Anyone else enjoying the ride?" she quipped.
No one replied besides Wrecker, who complained, "I can't see anything."
"That is a good thing." Tech stated.
A crack appeared next to Fern's head, but luckily it didn't penetrate through. "We got to hurry." she mumbled, taking back her joke.
Omega steadied herself by pressing her feet and hands against the glass. AZI worked. Three of the four capsules were finally cleared for straight passage to the surface. Fern and Omega were the last ones.
And that, was when things went wrong...
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FERN'S POV
"AZI, watch out!" Omega screamed, but from inside the capsule, we could not avoid this outcome. Two large metal rafters crossed directly under the droid, and started dragging our capsule down to the bottom of the ocean. As AZI descended, I saw the last juice of his power seep out and he began floating to the surface... We were stuck.
"No!" Omega cried.
"He'll be okay. He's going to the surface." I had to think fast, or we would soon be too deep and perish.
"Fern, Omega?" Hunter's voice chimed into their comms. "What's happening? AZI has surfaced unconscious. Are you clear?"
"No," I responded truthfully. "Omega and I are going to have to swim for it." The young girl nodded to me without any objections. I squeezed her hand tightly and braced myself as I placed my hand on the circular control panel. I filled my lungs deeply before exhaling through my pursed lips. "Deep breath, Omega."
"Fern—"
I released the watertight seal, and we instantly spiraled out of the capsule. We both dropped our torch and comm as we tried to gained our composure. Still clinging to her hand, we started kicking as hard as we could. I had no idea how far below the surface we were...the dim fiery light that shimmered above us seemed to grow farther away. The water pressure violently plugged my ears. My lungs were straining so much, I could hardly imagine what Omega was feeling...
Don't give up...We're nearly there...I think...
My vision began to blur. No, I'm losing consciousness.
Omega was starting to slow down her kicks...
No, we can make it...we can...Hunter, we're coming...
In the final moments of my consciousness, my ears caught the muffled fwoosh, a jet line of bubbles sporadically attacked my nose and eyes. I forced one eye open and found a thin cable line inches from me. My instincts snatched it and instantly the two of us were yanked to the surface. The seawater surged into my face as I clung onto that line and Omega's wrist with every ounce of strength I had left.
At last, we broke to the surface... Hunter reached down, hoisted the sputtering young girl, and allowed her to rest in his arms. Temporarily floating on my back in my exhausted state, my eyes adjusted to Crosshair tossing his rifle aside to Wrecker, and then kneeling into the capsule to help me in. After I managed to wade over, he scooped me under my arms and hauled me into the tube. I coughed and panted as I surrendered into his hold on me, my head collapsing on his shoulder.
"I have a visual on the Marauder." Tech reported. "I suggest we start paddling." Hunter and Crosshair took over steering and propelling the makeshift canoe, one of the latter's arms still supported my back. When I finally managed to open my eyes and gain my bearings, I see Crosshair's dull eyes... and for the first time, they were without ill-intent; rather, they were almost gentle, instead of the cold, calculated glare they usually depicted. They also repeated one message over and over...
The damage has already been done...
No one thanked Crosshair for saving me and Omega. Instead, they had pointed their blasters at him when he was armed. The boys no longer trusted him and assumed the worst of him. The connection between Crosshair and Clone Force 99 has been choked... My heart ached at this realization, this truth...
"I'm sorry..." I breathed where only he could hear. I didn't expect him to reply. All I could think about was my outburst in the training facility when he confessed he no longer had his inhibitor chip... How furious and heartbroken I felt...
Not another word was spoken the entire sailing to the Marauder, which waited for us on this secret platform in the middle of the ocean. It took us the rest of the night to reach it, the sun shined in the bright sky as we hiked up the ladder. Hunter was the first one topside, and assisted the rest of us, hoisting Omega gently from under her arms and me by my biceps. His tough lingered a little longer. Once we were all present, the boys removed their helmets, and, from the platform's ledge, we all gazed across the calm, crystal-blue sea where the last remnants of Tipoca City disappeared underneath its surface. Thick, black smoke billowed into the clean air.
It was all gone...
Hunter and I exchanged a glance. Our fingers laced together silently, squeezing each other's hands as if to reassure the other that we were all okay. When I looked at the other clones' reactions, they all had a subtle sadness, like they didn't want -- or perhaps know -- to show how broken they felt. After all...even though Kamino never felt like one, it was still our home...
"It's...all gone." Omega breathed. I released Hunter's hand and knelt down behind her, hugging her across her front. As my chin rested on her collarbone, I whispered, "In the end, Omega, home is where your heart is."
"We should leave before the Empire's scouts show up." Tech suggested.
"You coming with us?" Wrecker asked Crosshair. I rotated my head to the latter, and his distressed eyes told me everything.
"None of this changes anything." He glared at the boys.
Hunter stepped forward. "You offered us a chance, Crosshair. This is yours."
"I made my decision."
The sergeant paused, locking eyes with his former comrade. "We want different things, Crosshair. That doesn't mean that we have to be enemies." Instead of responding, the sharpshooter averted his eyes and crossed his arms, giving Hunter the signal that he was through discussing it. One by one, I watched the boys file onto the Marauder. I nudged Omega along towards Hunter, who gave me a wary look when I didn't follow. I gestured over to Crosshair with my eyes. He received the message.
I strolled over to the sharpshooter and stood next to him, shoulder to shoulder. With my feet parted, my arms knotted across my chest. A slight breeze wisped through my damp braid -- well, it was hardly a braid anymore; with dozens of long strands loosened, it had lost its integrity. For a moment in silence, we both stared out at the ocean. I don't recall contemplating over anything specific; however, I supposed this would be the last time I'd see him...
"What is it?" he asked in an airy sigh.
"Thank you, for saving me and Omega."
"Consider us even."
"I also want to apologize for how I reacted in the training facility. That was childish of me." I sighed. "However, that doesn't mean I forgive you. I'm not sure if I can... But don't worry, what we discussed will stay between you and me. I promise."
"How thoughtful of you."
I figured he'd pull the tough act, forcing himself so he wouldn't appear weak. While I allowed it for the sake of time, I needed him to absorb my next words. Rotating and facing my whole body towards him, I stated, "I know you believe the Empire is all you have left." I paused when he wouldn't make eye contact. Remedying that, I reached up and turned his chin. "But remember that family, is forever. No matter the trials and tribulations."
As my hand lowered, I turned away to join the others.
Unexpectedly, Crosshair snatched my fingers in his. "Fern," he started.
"What is it?"
"Your presence, has never a nuisance to me. And, it never will."
My lips curled into a smile, and I gently pulled my hand free from his grasp. "Likewise." I winked, then hurried to the Marauder, hopping up the steps, never turning back. The door sealed behind me, and the ship sailed off the platform and into the clear sky.