--Building a New life --Tech x Reader Bad Batch

Chapter 60 -- Moving on doesn't sound so bad --

{Note: picture pulled from Pintrest; not my original artwork}

You and Omega are resting on your makeshift large bunk on the Havoc Marauder. You are holding her gently with one of your arms while wrapped up in blankets propped up on a stack of pillows. You side still hurts from your broken ribs, but Omega is careful not to poke them as she lays next to you. You had been finally taking the time to view and reminisce through some of David's old logs that Tech had copied over for you. Omega had been studying next to you, but naturally these logs were much more interesting.

For you it was painful, in a bittersweet way that wasn't quite explainable. You were so happy to see his face again, but at the same time it was like salt in the wound of your heart ache. It was a distant life, like old memories you had forgotten were yours once. It almost seemed like you were remembering someone elses lifetime. However, Omega had been very engaged in his logs and enjoyed getting to learn more about him. She seemed to be forever curious about the ways of the Jedi, and even more curious about this man who had been so close to you. In fact, it was these very logs that led you to talking about the Darkside and a new revelation about the Bad Batch.

The missing fifth member.

You had never realized they were keeping this information from you, and it hadn't seemed as serious of a secret as they made it appear. However you could tell from how Omega talked about it that it was a sore spot for the group. Evidently he had left them and remained with the Empire, even going as far as to pursue and hunt them down until an accident caused them to be separated more permanently. This was originally how the Bad Batch had achieved its 'dead to the Empire' status.

"His name was Crosshair?" you ask and Omega nod's the sadness on her expressive face apparent and making you feel like comforting her.

You heard footsteps and looked up to see Tech in the doorway now. You felt your body reflexively tense at seeing him standing in the doorway, your body still reacting in fear. Tech noticed your grip around Omega tighten, so he pulled back the farther curtain and hooked it on the wall before sitting down in the computer chair that was across the room from you. He adjusted his goggles and said "To answer your question; Yes, CT-9904 was commonly known as Crosshair. His modifications resulted in enhanced eyesight making him our squadron's marksman. He was part of the original four members of our group until we discovered Omega as the fifth. He did ... voluntarily... remain as part of the Empire's forces."

"Because of the chip?" you clarified and Tech adjusted his goggles his face still holding its neutrality; "I have my theories, but our last interaction indicated that no such factor existed. He decided on his side by full consciousness".

Omega buried her face in your shoulder and you winced in pain but continued to rub her back. You could hear her sob "I know he cares, I know he misses us, I just wish he would come back".

"It will be okay," you say, leaning your head against hers. You look up across the room, making eye contact with Tech. Even though you still feel your senses telling you to be wary, his brown eyes are so inviting. You miss being held by him every time you see him.

"Why are you telling me this now?" you ask "It's important information but you could have gone on without ever telling me".

"You are open about your previous life and the vulnerabilities that it causes" Tech replied "It is fitting you should also know of our weakness".

"Is Crosshair a weakness?" you ask and you watch Tech leave your gaze and observe the floor as he replies "By all established communication Crosshair is no longer a part of our squad. He wants nothing to .."--he paused, not wanting to make Omega cry more--"he has chosen a side and we do our best to honor that. But it has been more than one occasion where he has used our previous brotherhood to lure us back together."