The Darkness Within

6. Recovery and Omissions

A/N The first part of the chapter is just the regular story with no content warning. 6B is where it might get a little uncomfortable. There is sexual content, and consent is given. The rest is up to the interpretation of the reader and not necessary for the plot.

Wrecker's recovery was moving along nicely. It also helped that he had accelerated healing properties from being a clone. The other four members of his strike team,-Gin, Raze, Burner, and Kidon- were all healed up and ready for another assignment. The Requiem had docked with another venator to restock supplies and receive another assignment. There was still no reliable intel on the rebel leader who had escaped.

Sunny was under extreme pressure from Commander Darand. She had received a scolding for her fraternization with the strike team, although he understood he had asked her to be their concierge of sorts. He also was under pressure from Admiral Rampart. He needed a victory in order to boost the ship's morale and perhaps receive more favor from High Command.

Wrecker was not willing to let his friendship with Sunny be subtle. He was standing in Commander Darand's office, standing at parade rest. "With all due respect, she's a grown woman and can make her own decisions. Sir." Wrecker coughed the last part. This is the part of his job that he hated; pandering to a natborn desk jockey who never fired a blaster off the firing range.
"As long as your activities with her do not take away from her duties of the ship, I will allow you one hour a day with her, in the common areas. Nothing more," Darand said.

Wrecker gritted his teeth so hard he thought they might break. He sternly looked at the Commander, not caring about rank. He wanted Sunny and he would have her, no matter who or what stood in his way.

"If she were to be compromised, or you for that matter, I have no issue transferring her to an Outer Rim outpost on a frozen planet. And as a clone," Commander Darand sneered, "you are expendable."

Wrecker took a deep breath and then took a step towards the Commander, nearly in his personal space. "You might consider me expendable, but the Empire and the Chancellor need me. Because you won't do the things I will. You can't do the things I can. I do the things you whisper about in the hallways because you don't dare speak them out loud. You wouldn't dare get your hands dirty... or get blood on your uniform." Darand swallowed thickly, completely aware of Wrecker's size and strength. He knew he could snap his neck as easily as a porg bone.
"So before you think you can exert your supposed authority over me, just remember who holds the real power." Wrecker held his gaze for a beat and then let himself out of the room.

It would be weeks before the Strike team would be able to operate on their own. Wrecker, along with his men, led TK Trooper battalions onto rebel planets. If there was a rumor of rebellion, they were there to snuff out the spark before it became a flame. Wrecker and his strike team became very popular among the crew. Everyone had accepted them, and Wrecker, as an integral part of the Requiem. Sunny spent more time with Wrecker and his men. She and other crew mates would frequently dine with them in the mess hall. There was an air of camaraderie never seen before and Sunny let down her guard. She grew closer with the other petty officers on the ship. She began spending more time with Petty Officer Trin Landar. With his olive colored skin, dark hair, and almond eyes, he was easy to talk to. Wrecker began to notice she would sit by him during lunch. He could hear her laughing at something Trin said. He saw the way her face lit up when she saw him. The tendrils of jealousy were growing around his heart. His thoughts were interrupted when Burner said to him, "Hey big guy, you ok?"
Wrecker was startled and looked down at his hands. He had bent his fork over in his hands. "Ah, I'm fine." Wrecker threw his fork down and left the mess hall with a scowl on his face. He avoided most everyone for the rest of the day and didn't see Sunny until much later the next day.