Prompt:
Tech and the rest of the Bad Batch, accompanied by his girlfriend, (Y/N) are attempting to escape an Imperial stronghold after trying to locate Crosshair.
Requested by Shester2021
She/Her❥
1st POV
♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡
"I really don't feel good about this," Echo whispered while nudging my shoulder to grab my attention. Although he ultimately respected whatever decisions that Hunter made, he still questioned them. Often, I was the one he would go to when venting over the sergeant's decisions.
I shrugged while nudging the Clone's shoulder right back, "Try and trust Hunter. He and Omega are right— despite Crosshair's betrayal, he's still your brother. I will do anything in my power to rescue him."
We were already inside of the Imperial stronghold, so it was too late to turn back now. This was probably the most dangerous mission any of the members of the Bad Batch had ever been on. The only thing keeping me from having a nervous breakdown was the fact that my boyfriend, Tech, was nearby.
"We have no way to track Crosshair, but I would have to assume he's in the prison level after his latest stunt he pulled," Tech commented quietly while tapping unknown coding into his data pad, "Which, according to my data pad, it's right above us."
"Let's get a move on, then," I said while clasping my hand to Tech's shoulder, "Lead the way, pretty boy."
I couldn't see Tech's cheeks thanks to his helmet, but I know my boyfriend well enough to know that his cheeks are a shade of crimson. He doesn't take compliments very well, and I truly think it's the cutest thing ever.
Tech stepped ahead; Wrecker stepping up to be by his side in case anyone decided to pounce on Tech.
I stood back with Echo. Despite Tech being my best friend for obvious reasons, Echo was a close second. Sometimes I liked talking to Echo more than Tech during scenarios like this. It helped my mind settle down regarding Tech. I was worried something was going to happen to him on this mission... Echo knew what I was thinking.
Our group headed into an abandoned work room in this particular Imperial stronghold. It was at least 30° warmer than the rest of the stronghold in here, and I couldn't stop my back from getting drenched,
"This must be the engine room," Hunter observed as he watched various puffs of steam rise from the overworked machinery and out of the vents that were stationed on the ceiling.
"Okay, Tech," I whispered while slowly and quietly shutting the door behind our group, "See if you can break into the transmissions and figure out where Crosshair is since we can't directly track him."
My boyfriend nodded eagerly and immediately got to work. Hunter and I are the only people in the galaxy that Tech would willingly listen to without some form of complaint.
He quickly logged into his data pad and began tapping away. Something cute about Tech that I knew that his brothers didn't, is when he was concentrating on something as important as this, underneath his helmet, his little tongue would stick out. I just think that's absolutely adorable.
As Tech tapped away, Wrecker growled angrily. He must've heard something everyone else had missed, "We aren't alone," he whispered while pulling his blaster off his back.
"Don't freak out, big guy," a male voice said.
We watched in anticipation as two Stormtroopers appeared from the shadows. Their hands were up and their blasters were holstered, "Put your blasters to the ground," I commanded while pointing my blaster at their heads.
The man and the other Stormtrooper quickly complied, then did something that shocked me. They began to remove their helmets.
"Saw Gerrera?" Hunter gasped while slightly lowering his blaster, "What's in the blazes are you doing here?"
"Same reason you're here, I assume," the man smirked while bending down to pick back up his and his companion's blasters. He knew we wouldn't shoot them now that we knew who he was.
I assume Saw had no real idea why the Bad Batch decided to invade this Imperial stronghold. I highly doubt he's here to rescue Crosshair,
"We are here to rescue Crosshair," Wrecker said while holstering his weapon; the rest of us following, "Why are you here?"
"We're gonna blow this Imperial base into the sky," Saw said with a smirk as he and his friend began to attack various thermal detonators on the walls and floors; out of sight from the Empire, "This will be a huge blow for them and a huge success for the Rebellion."
"No! You can't do that yet!" Hunter snapped angrily. I wouldn't be surprised if Hunter was going to put a blaster bolt right between Saw's eyes if it meant not jeopardizing Crosshair's rescue, "We have to find our brother and get out of here! You'll ruin everything with this!"
Saw frowned a bit at Hunter's reaction, "Think about the bigger picture, Clone. Isn't that something you're used to? You and your brothers have sacrificed a lot over the years to better society and make life easier for those who couldn't make it easier for themselves. Why are you changing your way of thinking now? And why for Crosshair?"
I gnashed my teeth in anger at Saw's ignorance. Out of everyone in the galaxy, I really believed Saw would understand considering all he's lost, "Perhaps they've changed and begun caring about more than just the outcome of the war," I answered for my friends, "They're people too. They deserve to be happy too, especially if Crosshair is considering abandoning the Empire and joining up with the Rebellion. Crosshair would be an irreplaceable asset to your Rebellion."
Saw shrugged, obviously not impressed with my sentiment towards the Clones, "See, I don't care about that. Regardless, my people and I always strive to look at the bigger picture. If you're right about Crosshair wanting to join the Rebels, I'm sure he wouldn't mind dying on our behalf."
Wrecker growled and began popping his knuckles. If Saw kept speaking like this towards their brother, I wouldn't be surprised if Wrecker broke the man over his knee,
"Crosshair is right below us," Tech said, interrupting the fight between Saw and Wrecker, "He appears to be injured and on the run. I picked it up in the comlink. He broke out of his cell."
"That's our Crosshair," Hunter said; electricity in his gaze. He turned to look at Saw and frowned, "Give us half an hour. If we aren't out of here in that time, then you can blow this Imperial base into bits with us inside. All we're asking for is half an hour to get Crosshair out of here."
Saw glanced over to his companion, and after a moment, nodded in affirmation, "30 minutes. That's all. And, not to be like this, but I would really be doing you and your friends a favour by blowing you up. The bounty the Empire has on your heads isn't anything to joke about. At least if you're not out within that half an hour, it will be quick and painless."
"We aren't going to be trapped in the blast, don't worry," I snapped while shoving past Saw. My boyfriend and the rest of the Bad Batch quickly followed me towards where Crosshair is... but that's when we heard the comlink directed at us. It was from Crosshair.
"It is a trap!" Crosshair's familiar raspy voice said through Tech's comlink, "They are using me to get to you! Leave and never return— I will be fine! Don't get yourselves captured on my behalf. I have been nothing but a threat to you."
I eyed Tech, and for the first time ever, he looked scared. I wasn't sure what was frightening him, but I knew whatever would come from Tech's mouth next would be important,
"How many of us are willing to die to get Crosshair back?"
I immediately raised my hand, as did my boyfriend. Wrecker also raised his hand, alongside Omega, but Echo and Hunter both didn't. I eyed them, "Why'd you bother to come on this mission if you weren't ready to fully-dedicate yourselves to rescuing Crosshair? He's your brother."
"By blood yes," Echo said, "But not through relationship. I only came along because Hunter asked me to, but Crosshair is no more of my brother than he is yours, (Y/N). He's tried to kill us all multiple times and capture Omega for the Empire. I am not willing to die for that turncoat."
Tech cleared his throat and stepped in front of me, "Technically, Echo, we're the turncoats because we didn't let ourselves be influenced by the Empire. And, if you're not willing to die for Crosshair, you should leave. Same with you, Hunter."
I was surprised by how bold and brave Tech was being to his brothers. Echo and Hunter were among the most talented in the entire Clone army, and to send them away for jeopardizing the mission took guts,
"Nah, we will stay," Hunter responded while clasping his hand onto Tech's shoulder, "But, we are wasting time. Saw will blow this place up in 25 minutes, so this conversation won't even matter if we keep wasting time like this."
"Hunter is right. Let's get a move on," I commented while racing towards where Crosshair's location was on Tech's data pad. I was inwardly praying this wasn't some Imperial trick... I was praying this wasn't Crosshair's way of dragging us out so we could be captured.
Suddenly, blaster fire could be heard ahead. Either that was Saw Gerrara and his goons, or those were Stormtroopers pursuing our Crosshair, "Get a move on!" I commanded while pulling my blaster off my belt to combat whatever threat laid ahead.
Once the six of us made it down to where Crosshair was being attacked, we were shocked by the sight. Crosshair had been handcuffed and was being dragged out of the room,
"Get out of here, you morons!" Crosshair hissed while struggling against his captors, "I'll be fine! Don't let the Empire get Omega!"
Before any of us could respond to him, one of the Stormtroopers that was dragging him had bashed the side of his blaster against Crosshair's face. The man fell unconscious immediately. Wrecker growled and began pursuing the man who was dragging Crosshair, but Hunter stopped him,
"We have to trust Crosshair!" Hunter said while pulling back Wrecker and holding back an angry Omega, "He has a plan! We can get him another way."
"Is this your way of ensuring Crosshair doesn't make it? Or that we don't have to die for him?" I snapped; my boyfriend pulling me back from Hunter as I advanced, "He needs us now more than ever, and we don't have time to discuss this! Crosshair needs us, and you're a coward if you think otherwise."
Hunter gnashed his teeth and poked me hard on the chest, "He is my brother, (Y/N). I know him better than anyone here, including his other brothers. Crosshair isn't selfish, but he isn't stupid either. If he thinks he will make it, he will. After his switch to the Empire, he hasn't shown any care or interest in us unless it was to kill us! If Crosshair is trying to warn and help us, we need to listen to him."
"Hunter is right," Tech said finally, "We need to get out of here anyways. We only have 5 minutes before Saw blows this place up."
That concerned me too. What would Crosshair do when this place exploded? I'm sure the Empire had safety measures set for things like this, so maybe Crosshair wouldn't be in the blast. Saw knew this though, so maybe he prepared to combat that?
I just can't think about that right now.
After a moment, I fell into Tech's arms. I needed to feel him during this devastating time. Sniffling, I finally nodded, "Let's get out of here, then."
Omega and Echo led the way back to the transport machines that brought us into the Imperial base to begin with. As we got on, that's when the explosions began,
"I don't know if this transport will get us to the other side in time," Tech whispered while helping me up and into the transport.
I pulled him into it as well, and before we could test Tech's theory, we were off and away from the base. However, because of Saw's explosives, the transport machine began to fail.
In less than a minute, we were dangling, dead in the air,
"This isn't good!" Wrecker grumbled; his face legitimately turning green thanks to his phobia of heights, "What's the plan, Tech!"
Tech grabbed my hand and smiled, "(Y/N) and I can fix this."
He then led me to the top of the machine, "I need you to hold me steady while I rehook the power. Once we get the power back to this transport machine, we will need to get back inside within 12 seconds, or we will be absorbed in the machinery."
I nodded and swallowed the accumulating spit in my mouth. This is the most dangerous thing Tech or I have ever done.
We got to work, but as soon as we started, numerous TIE-Fighters had begun to appear and shoot at us. Unfortunately, one hit the machine dead centre, causing Tech and I to lose our grip and slip,
"Tech!" I shrieked as I dangled off the side of the machine, "Help me!"
Before Tech could grab me and pull me up, another TIE-Fighter shot a bolt into the side of the machine once again. This caused both my boyfriend and I to completely slip from the machine and begin plummeting towards the earth below.
The only thing I could think of at this moment was Tech... and how I wanted to die in his arms.
He was within arm reach, and it appeared he had the same thought as I did. He reached his arms out and our hands linked. Using all of his strength, he pulled me into his chest as we plummeted to a certain death.
I was content as our lives ended... we were together now and forever.
We died knowing we tried to help Crosshair, and there was nothing anyone could do to prevent what happened. At least we would remain together forever, and now, there was no Empire. There was just us:
Tech and I.
May 8th, 2023