Analysis

4

Then suddenly Hunter was running and running and running as fast as he could. He needed to get to Tech before it was too late. He spotted Tech ahead and shouted, "Tech!"

Tech turned, wearing a curious smile on his lips. "Hunter? What are you doing here?"

Hunter put a hand on Tech's shoulder, grimacing. "I have some bad news."

Tech's expression crumpled as he heard what Hunter had to say, shoulders slumping. "This cannot be true."

"It is." Hunter nodded, feeling his chest tighten in sympathy for his brother. "I'm truly sorry."

Tech's jaw flexed and his hands balled into fists. "How? This isn't logical. It's impossible for..."

Hunter's eyebrows pulled together. "What?"

Tech sighed. "It makes sense now. What I found in her bag."

Hunter ran a hand through his hair. "What did you find in-"

"Amelia, we will be leaving for our mission briefing now," Tech murmured as Amelia slowly woke. "Apologies for waking you, but I thought it best to let you know before you find yourself alone."

Amelia yawned, sitting upright in the chair. "Thank you for letting me know, Tech."

He paused before he said, "Your eyelids were twitching. Were you having an unpleasant dream?"

"I don't remember," Amelia lied. She rubbed at her eyes. "Have the others left yet?"

"I'm not going." Crosshair glanced up from the armour in his grasp. "I need to patch some of this up."

"Would you mind if I asked you some questions?" Amelia asked, crossing her legs. "It's for my report."

Crosshair shrugged. "Whatever."

"Great." Amelia pulled out her datapad, opening her notes. "Let's begin with your goals. What do you wish for in life?"

"I live to serve," Crosshair blandly said, returning his attention to the plastoid in his hands. "The Republic is my life."

Amelia jotted it down, stopping to study his face. "And how does your tattoo serve the Republic?"

Crosshair's fingers hovered over his vambrace. "What?"

"You heard me." Amelia pushed her glasses up her nose. "It's a simple question, too. Do you want me to explain it?"

"I understood it." Crosshair stood up, leering over her. "Why do you think you have the right to ask about that?"

"Tattoos are against uniform regulations," Amelia reminded him, not faltering in the slightest. "You just said you were loyal to the Republic. Where is this loyalty now?"

"Does this make you feel better about yourself?" Crosshair hissed. "Do you like demeaning clones? Does it make you feel smart and important?"

Amelia blinked before her lips twisted in a wry smile. "Is that why you have your tattoo? To feel smart and important?"

Crosshair began to pace, hands fidgeting at his sides. "Don't reverse the question! You can't just-"

"Is it the lack of control in your life that made you get it?" Amelia inquired. When he didn't respond, her grin widened until she was showing her teeth. "Ah. You got it to feel in control of your life."

Crosshair glowered at her, fury radiating from him. He spat out, "You don't know anything."

"You're not denying anything." Amelia stretched out her legs. She got to her feet and went over to her bag of belongings. "And I think we're finished here. Why don't you go get some fresh air? You look like you need it."