𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓪𝓭 𝓑𝓪𝓽𝓬𝓱 𝓞𝓷𝓮-𝓢𝓱𝓸𝓽 𝓒𝓸𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷

𝐼'𝓁𝓁 𝒜𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝐵𝑒 𝐻𝑒𝓇𝑒

Crosshair's peaceful sleeping face shifted into one of sorrow and anguish as memories in the form of dreams plagued him relentlessly.

***

Shadowy clouds seized the skies, mercilessly pelting raindrops onto the cloning facility below. From the Bad Batch's private barracks, Tech stood beside the panoramic window, datapad in hand. The look on his face could only be described as hopeful.

"Why are you in such a good mood?" Crosshair inquired from across the room.

"I'm just wondering what being a soldier of the Republic would be like." Crosshair walked over to his spectacled brother who sighed in frustration.

"What is it?" The Sharpshooter questioned.

"I...am tired of being a cadet." He confided, "Our squad is more capable than any reg but we still train at their pace. It seems as though we'll never actually reach the battlefield."

"Don't worry," Crosshair roughly patted his shoulder, "We'll get there."

~~~

Dozens of voices filled the cafeteria as the food was served. Young Clone Force 99 grabbed their meal and headed to their secluded table. The defective clones despised large crowds, for that was when they were ridiculed most often. Although, Wrecker didn't mind it as much as the others.

The Batch had just tasted their chow when the food went flying. The regs had banded together to make the defects' lives miserable. They usually picked on Tech the most since he was the littlest, but they never touched him without getting an injury themselves. Compliments of his hostile brother, Crosshair. 

So when a smug reg kicked Tech in the shins, it wasn't long until he had his own bruises.

~~~

"Ouch! Tech, that hurts!" Teenage Crosshair whined as his brother examined the gash on his arm.

"Sorry, Crosshair, but I need to clean the wound to prevent infect-"

"Yeah, yeah." Crosshair said impatiently, "I know. Just do it quickly." Tech nodded and continued to tend to the injury. The goggled clone applied some bacta spray and then meticulously bandaged his brother's arm.

"There," Tech said after he had finished wrapping the gash, "It'll be good as new in a few days. Just be careful not to reopen it."

Crosshair nodded in assent as Tech began to walk away. 

"Wait!" He said, "Uh-thanks for patching me up, Tech." The intelligent clone gave one of his rare smiles, "Sure thing, Crosshair."

~~~ 

"You're just a defect!" An assembly of regs mocked, shoving an adolescent Tech to the shiny white floor. The clone's goggles slipped off his head and landed a few steps away from him. With a crooked grin, the nearest reg harshly pounded his boot against the yellow-tinted lenses, until they fissured. He kicked them farther away from the helpless clone. 

Next, a reg struck his fist against Tech's face. Laughter followed as they all took turns in beating him. Tech, who had done his best to fend off his attackers, attempted to call for help, but couldn't find his voice.

Someone else spoke for him.

"Get away! Leave him alone!" Roared an enraged Crosshair. With fists shaking from fury, he charged at the cadets. The young regs, intimidated by his unwavering aggression, eventually backed off and scattered.

Crosshair hooked his elbow with Tech's and helped him to his feet. He noticed a small trail of blood on Tech's face and wiped it with his sleeve, careful not to hurt his brother. 

"Thanks, Crosshair." Tech quietly said looking at the ground, embarrassed. 

"Those regs just want trouble," Crosshair insisted as he handed Tech his discarded goggles, "But don't worry. I'll always be here."

*** 

Crosshair's amber eyes shot open. He breathed in deeply as he took in his surroundings. He was in his bunk on the silent Marauder. The cool night air of Pabu, made him shiver. 

Or maybe that was his dreams' doing.

Either way, sleep was now out of the question.

The Sniper headed toward the Navi-computer, where he wearily dropped into one of the seats. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, wishing he could quiet the depressing thoughts lurking in his mind. Crosshair looked up in a daze only to find an eerie and evocating sight.

Tech's goggles.

Fractured from the fall that claimed his life. 

Those yellow lenses would forever torment Crosshair. 

Tears stung his eyes as he felt a searing pain claw at his heart. 

He remembered his own words to his fallen brother, haunting him incessantly, I'll always be here...

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Happy Easter! I know I just published a depressing story but I hope you all have a lovely day :)

-MJ