The Sniper and Jedi

A distant echo part three

Back at the base Hunter and Carlina were walking with Rex and Anakin Skywalker,"Word is the general staff isnt completly behind this mission."Hunter said looking at General Skywalker who stroked his chin in thought,"I'll admit the idea that Echo is still alive is a long shot."He said watching Carlina out of the corner of his eyes, her mouth was pressed into a thin line. Hunter interjected,"I'm sure the counsel will approve the mission."Skywalker nodded,"Just remember the goal."Hunter crossed his arms,"Well if you want my opinion it sounds like a trap, but the General and the boys will tag along, only to tell you i told you so."Hunter said unfolding his arms,"If your so certain he'll approve the mission why wait? Lets get going."Rex said rather anxiously causeing Hunter and Carlina to raise their eyebrows. Skywalker stopped and placed his hand on Rex's chest,"First we have that one thing."Rex looked confused,"Uh what thing?""You know."Rex's expression changed,"We dont have time for that sir."Anakin crossed his arms,"Yes we do."Carlina cleared her throat,"We'll just let you figure this out, we'll be waiting on the ship with the rest of the team."Turning they saw Rex and Anakin walked towards the barracks,"Those two certainly are strange."Hunter said looking at his General,"Rex and Anakin are good freinds, but whatever that was I'm sure it's nothing.""You've been rather quiet on the whole Echo being alive situation, what are your thoughts?"She pursed her lips and then sighed,"I for one think it's a trap, theres no way he could have survived.""I agree, but I guess we cant let them go in alone."She nodded her head, entering the ship she sat down and watched as the boys got ready for the mission on hand. It was nearly dusk when Anakin and Rex appeared, everyone made themselves comfortable. Crosshair gave Carlina a smile before his attention was turned to General Skywalker,"Thats a pretty cool sniper Crosshair, may I have a look?"Crosshair hesitated but handed his prized possession to the General."So Sargent how many missions has your team been on?""Honestly sir I've lost count, all the action seems to blur together."Rex pushed off the wall,"I know you've worked with Cody in the past but who do you report to?"Hunter smirked,"Good question, dont really say I have an answer for that."Wrecker who had been lifting a Gonker droid and eating a drum stick proudly stated a yeah before the ship rocked, Tech turned to the group."We are approching Skako Minor, it appears to be a difficult landing."Putting the droid down Wrecker rushed to the front and sat down in the co pilots seat while the rest of the group secured themselves in the safety seats, Carlina quickly sat down. Pulling the harness down she made sure it was snug, Crosshair smirked when he saw a breif flash of fear cross her features,"Want me to hold your hand General?"She laughed softly,"No thanks, I'll be fine.""If you say so."The ship landed with no incident. Standing , Anakin, Carlina and Rex headed to the front they watched as the wind blew the dust around them,"Rex, what do we know of this planet?"Anakin asked not tearing his gaze from the view up front,"On this part of Skako Minor theres a race of people called the Poltecs, there a primitive race."Tech turned in his seat slightly,"Primitive would be putting it mildly, according to my intel the Poltecs worship flying reptiles."As soon as he had said that a large creature landed on the front of the ship, it screeched and scurried to the top of the ship causeing the ship to rock."What the heck was that?"Wrecker shouted,"It's one of those reptiles."Tech said quickly pulling his helmet on, Hunter grabbed his blasters."I want that thing off my ship."Rex grabbed his arm"Hold on lets not just go rushing out there."Ignoring his words they rushed outside to face the reptile, Carlina and Anakin drew their lightsabers igniting them, Wrecker out of impulse shouted,"Hey get off of there."Anakin held his free hand out,"Wait, we need to talk to them."Carlina turned towards him,"Why?"Asked Crosshair, Carlina lowered her saber."He's right."Just then two more of the creatures appeared aiming for Rex, Carlina force pushed him out of the way. She felt one of the creatures grab her arm yanking her into the air, out of surprise she dropped her sabers. Crosshair quickly picked them up and stashed them into Tech's bag, looking through his visor, quickly locking into her thermal status,"I have a thermal reading."Crosshair changed his barrel and propped the gun on Techs shoulder,"Relax, I've got this."Shooting the grappleing hook, it wrapped around the creatures leg. Hunter grabbed the line and hooked it to the front of his belt, Rex raised an eyebrow,"What are you doing?"Under his helmet Hunter rolled his eyes,"Going for a ride."Flying into the air he reeled himself a little closer, drawing his blaster he started to shoot. The Poltec and the creature dove, causing him to loose the blaster, they tried to crush him by weaving through some tall rock structures. Unsecuring the line he rolled onto the rocky ground, quickly getting up he saw the creatures land in a village,"Tech, I've got the General in my sights, hone in onto my location."He watched as she struggled to free herself, the leader to his understandings pushed her shoulders back down to the ground and started to speak,"I think we're going to have a slight communication issue."Carlina said as the creature pressed harder on her chest. The ship soon arrived, everyone gathered around Hunter. Rex grabbed his banoculars and looked through them,"That creature still has a hold of the General."Skywalker nodded and stood,"We're going in, remember no causilties disarm only.""We're on it General."Rex said, Hunter looked over and saw a boulder and an idea came into his head."Wrecker, Crosshair. Time for a rock slide."Wrecker and Crosshair started to push the boulder, when it went over Wrecker slid down to keep it moving. Crosshair had placed himself on the hill and watched as the others followed suit, when all of the Poltecs were disarmed he aimed for the leg that was holding Carlina down and fired, shocking the creature it screeched and flew back. Rolling out of the way Carlina dodged the boulder. The leader raised his arms and started to talk,"Tech translate what he said."Hunter said making room for Tech to step forward, reading the words out loud he said,"He says that he does not want war on his planet, that is why he took our leader."Anakin stepped forward,"We didnt bring the war here, it was Wat Tambor and the Sepertists."Tech started to translate, speaking fluently in the Poltec tounge. Rex tapped him on the shoulder,"Tell him we apoligize for whats happening, but tell him the enemy is holding one of our men in Purkoll. As soon as we rescue him we'll leave his planet for good."Tech started to translate, the leader interested in the gadget stepped forward examining Techs visor, when he was done the leader thought and then stepped back, speaking in his own launguge."The chief says that he will provide us with scouts. And lead us to Tambor's city, from there we are on our own."Anakin patted him on the shoulder and smiled,"Any help is better than no help."They headed out, soon reaching a rocky cliff, the scouts soon left"Hope no one is afraid of heights."Anakin said, watching as three of the bad batchers looked at Wrecker,"Well, I'm not scared of nothing. I just... When I'm real high up I've got a problem with gravity."Carlina chuckled,"It's something we've been working on."Echo looked up from his data pad,"Speaking of problems Generals, I'm no longer picking up Echos signal."Rex whirled around,"I dont understand. You said it was coming from this city."Tech tensed slightly and looked at Rex,"I can only speculate, but it is possible that there is a latency issue with the frequency caused by the atmosperic disturbences."Hunter then interjected,"Or the signal was sent as a trap and your friend is actually dead. I cant be the only one thinking that."Rex grew angry, jabbing his finger at him he hissed,"Look every mission could be a trap. This one is no different, I'm telling you Echo is alive."Crosshair then spoke in an icy tone,"I think your letting your personal feelings get in the way. Becuase you left him for dead at the Citadel."Carlina wanted to speak out but knew that would only make things worse, Rex angryly spat,"I had no choice you hear me."Crosshair had turned,"Oh I dont blame you, I would have left him for dead to besides he's just another reg."Rex lunged at Crosshair punching him in the face, Wrecker grabbed Rex by the collar and threw him off of Crosshair,"Why dont you pick on someone not your size."When Rex had regained his footing he marched up to him squaring his shoulders,"You'll be a whole lot smaller when I'm done with you."Anakin shoved himself inbetween the two,"Enough."Turning to Carlina he hissed,"General take your men and scout for an enterance at the base of the towers I wish to speak to my Captain alone."Carlina nodded and motioned for the men to follow her, the went reluctantly, when they were out of earshot she shoved Crosshair agianst the wall,"What the hell was that?""Just speaking the truth.""Well dont, the next time you step out of line I will suspend you from the missions, do I make myself clear?"Looking into her blue eyes he saw fire and anger,"Sir, yes, sir."He pushed her aside and walked away, sighing she took up the rear. When they reached the base they found an enterance, ungaurded. The wind had started to pick up, billowing gusts of dust into the air, she watched as Anakin and Rex joined them. Tech reajusted his goggled,"We're in buisness Captain, I've regained Echo's signal. It's coming from this tower."The door opened,"Hey look Crosshair it's a lift."She could practically hear him rolling his eyes, walking in he looked around,"Yep its a lift."Wrecker looked up,"Wait just how far up are we going?"Carlina smirked,"Dont worry Wrecker, I'll hold your hand.""Hey cut it out General. Just give me some droids to smash."He said smashing his knuckles together, getting onto the lift Tech pressed the correct buttons."Remember this is a stealth mission, no blasting and no blowing anything up."Carlina said looking at Wrecker, he groaned. When the doors opened there were a few droids,"Intruders attack."Wrecker let out a yell and charged blasting any droids he saw, Crosshair fired a few times. Wrecker let out a whoop then quickly stopped,"Uh sorry, just got excited."Carlina slapped her forehead. Tech looked up from his data pad,"I've still got a lock on Echos signal."Hunter grinned,"Lets go hunt some droids."Entering the enterance way Carlina watched as Wrecker and Anakin took out the droids in the hallway, stepping out she looked at him,"What?""Always putting on a show, typical.""Hey, you could help out you know.""I tend to just observe, Tech you still got the signal?""Strange, I just lost the signal."Rex grabbed his upper arm,"What, how can that be?"ripping his arm out of the Captains grasp Carlina snarled,"General Skywalker get your Captain under control, for the next time he grabs one of my men I will knock his teeth out."This earned her a surprised look from everyone including Anakin, looking at his Captain he glared at him to back down, Tech sighed a sigh of releif."Well I have a new theory, I'm surprised I didnt think of this sooner. The signal is only traceable during data transmissions. So until Echo dispenses more intel I cannot trace it."Anakin looked down the hall,"We'll split up, check every door, when someone finds Echo radio everyone."Carlina, Hunter and Rex went down the right side while the rest took the left. They soon heard blaster fire and rounded back to where Anakin was with Crosshair,"I have the signal, its coming from ahead."tech said pointing to the further side of the hall."You okay Anakin?"Carlina asked eyeing her freind,"Better than I'll ever be, thanks to your boyfriend."Taking their helmets off they stared at him,"We arent together."Crosshair said looking at Carlina, his heart clenched he saw her face fall, Anakin shrugged."Sure doesnt seem like that."Thats when Wat Tambors face appeared,"You clones are so predictable."Rex narrowed his eyes,"Wat Tambor.""Your algorithim predicited every move you would make to attack Purkoll."Carlina took her mask off and hissed,"That is no algorithim, your holding a prisoner of war Wat Tambor.""Prisoner? I am doing no such thing General Storm.""We are not leaving here without our friend."Carlina spat glareing at him, Rex took out his blaster and shot it. Carlina grabbed his arm,"Captain please, control yourself."He looked into her eyes and saw a fear that he had never seen before, calming down he relaxed. Letting go she took a shaky breath,"Tech get this blasted door open, now."They all looked at her,"What are you stareing at? Get this fucking door open, NOW.""Yes sir."Quickly hacking into the door he got them open, running inside Rex, Carlina and Tech made their way into the room, Tech rushed over to the controls,"I'm definatly picking up a life form in there.""Where Tech?""In the status chamber, honestly General it couldnt have been more obvious."Carlina glared at him but remained calm, he walked over to her and gave her a gental smile."Hey, breath General. It's okay, I'll get it open and if it's him we'll be out of here."She nodded and he turned back to the task at hand. Pressing a series of buttons the stasis chamber opened with a hiss. And Echos body fell forward, Carlina covered her mouth fighting back tears, the friend she thought was dead hanging there his eyes fliting back and forth, Rex stood on the counter and helped him down,"Tech find a way to disconnect him from this mess."Echo started to mumble something but Carlina had turned to see the fight outside."Sit tight trooper we're going home."

Hey ya'll! Once more part to the distant echo thing. After the fourth part we'll get back to the Carlina and Crosshair love fest! Hang in there.