A Sacrafice of the Heart (HunterxCrosshair) Book 1 - COMPLETE!

Chapter five

Warning: Mention of sexual assault (word used - nothing else)

A week later…

Upon awakening, his eyes met the sight of a grey ceiling. His head was in pain, reaching a hand towards the left side of his face. He felt the scar he had received back on bracca from the ion engine explosion. Searching for the bump, smiling when he couldn’t find it. Sitting up slowly he didn’t recognise his surroundings. One he was lying on some bed of some sort, there was a smaller one next to the bed where he found his son asleep. Groaning as he made his way to his feet, picking up his son whose eyes opened, smiling at him. Lulling his son back to sleep, but still in his arms. He headed for the door, making his way down a bland corridor he could hear laughter emitting from one of the doors. Cautiously opening the door revealed some living quarters where the rest of the batch sat watching some show on the Television. 

The door creaked alerting his presence in the doorway. “Cross?” Hunter whispered as Crosshair walked slowly into the room being mindful of the sleeping clones on the floor. Hunter got up meeting Crosshair in the middle. Ash fussed in Crosshairs arms reaching for Hunter who led them both to the sofa. In the week, Crosshair was unconscious. Hunter felt a connection with his son, a bit like the one he had with Omega and they bonded while Crosshair was asleep.

“I had just put him down about 20 minutes ago. He doesn’t like being separated from you. But then neither do I” Hunter jokingly whispered. “Did you get it out?” “Yes, Cross. You are chip free”. Crosshair slumped into Hunter's waiting arms, thankful the other batch mates were asleep. Public affection was rare for Crosshair who smiled snuggling into Hunter, who kissed his forehead. Ash had drifted off in his parents' loving arms.

“Is he okay?” came the distant whisper of Howzer in the doorway. Hunter nodded at Howzer as he left. Hunter frowned remembering what Howzer told him earlier during the week.

Hunter left the room after putting both Ash and Omega to bed. Omega insisted on sharing her bed so she could keep an eye on her brother. Allowing Hunter to have time to look over Crosshair as well as take care of himself. Closing the door to the bedroom the children had shared with Tech so he could keep an eye on the two. He was walking down the hallway when an arm grabbed him, pulling him into a room. Hunter shook his head at Howzer’s antics; some things never change. 

Hunter sat down opposite Howzer and Wolffe who had information to share that was too important to keep to themselves. 

“Hunter, there is something you should know about the time when I was arrested by the Empire” Howzer spoke. Hunter, who was exhausted suddenly turned his full attention on the two clones in front of him. “Go on”.

Continuing, “When I was placed in my cell, and stripped of my armour. Leaving me in my blacks. I was popular as you could say with the Admiral. He visited regularly in hope for me to reveal the location of the bad batch.  I refused on numerous occasions. I was expecting torture but it never came. Until one night I was invited to the Admirals quarters, who claimed to have set me free as long as I followed his orders. I refused, so he decided my execution would happen in the morning. I found myself shoved in a cell with some guards, expecting to be beaten. I surrendered, yeah call me a coward but there is more than one way to defeat your enemy. I noticed I had another cellmate who was pulled out of the shadows. He was revealed to be Crosshair. I was shocked at the state of their commander but Crosshair held his head high as he took the beatens meant for me. I was forced to watch what they were doing to Crosshair. I still refused to give away information but then I was forced to watch what the Admiral did to Cross. Hunter. He had placed a chip in Crosshairs head without medical help, the screams of pain coming from Crosshair was enough for me. But when the Admiral realised he wasn’t getting through to me, he did something worse. I have sadly learned it was not the first time. Which I apologise for giving away the information of the revealed location of where you guys were with Rex and the other civilians”. Howzer looked down in shame, Wolffe held his hands. 

“What did he do?” Hunter questioned, eager to know the truth about his distant lover.

“Hunter, Crosshair was assaulted sexually” Hunter stood up abruptly throwing a nearby chair at a wall in anger. “NO WONDER he flinched away from me when I hugged him. When I get my hands on that so called dirt bag of ....”. He didn’t finish as he let out a sob, he found himself hugging Howzer who wrapped arms around him. Wolffe left the room heading down the corridor for some water.