Delivery
Summary: While on the famous Nerf Nugget delivery for Cid, Hunter and Echo clash over their philosophies and future plans.
Word Count: 1,323
Read on AO3
***
“Was that the last crate?” Echo asked as Hunter made his way up the step of the marauder.
“Uhuh,” Hunter replied, tossing the case of credits at him in the pilot seat.
“What’s our cut?” Echo asked.
“Not enough,” Hunter grumbled.
Delivering nerf nuggets wasn’t exactly the best use of his expertise he thought as he sank into the co-pilot seat.
“I’m not sure why Cid only sent the two of us on this mission.” Echo said, flicking a few switches above him and making the Marauder roar to life.
“It’s a delivery, Echo, not a mission. It didn’t require the whole team.”
“Maybe she’s got something else in mind for the others that she didn’t share,” Echo said pointedly.
Hunter paused and sighed, “I wouldn’t put it past her. The sooner we get going to sooner we get back and see what they’ve been up to.”
“Well, let’s hope she doesn’t try to sell any of them.” Echo said, eyebrow raised.
Hunter rolled his eyes and chuckled, “I did apologize for that multiple times.”
Echo laughed as he guided the ship through the dark grey clouds, “I know. Maybe next time we’ll sell you.”
Hunter laughed. “I’m not sure I’d make a very good droid,” he said, taking a bite out of a ration stick and putting his foot up on the console.
“You ever think of going into the entertainment business? There are a couple of Twi’lek’s at Cids who I know would pay for your company,”
“ECHO!” Hunter threw his half-eaten ration bar at his brother. Echo’s Arc trooper training came in handy as he ducked out of the way and shoved Hunter’s shoulder, grinning from ear to ear.
As they cleared the atmosphere Echo pulled the lever sending them into the hypnotic blue swirls of hyperspace. Hunter watched his brother relax in the pilot seat and tear the top off his own ration bar. He sniffed it wearily before taking a hesitant bite. Hunter smiled, Echo did this every time he ate.
“It’s probably time to cut ties with Cid.” he said, his mouth full and muffled.
“I know,” Hunter said, running his hand though his hair. “But then what do we do? We need credits, clothes, food, fuel…”
“We could get in touch with Rex. Join his network…” Echo said. The blue light of hyperspace bouncing off the metal parts inserted into his skull.
He mentioned it casually, like it had just come to mind but Hunter knew he’d been ruminating on it since they’d last seen Rex on Bracca. Hunter hung his head as silence permeated the air and he thought how to respond. He wanted to be sensitive, show Echo that he understood the pull to his old squad mate. But his hesitation to speak seemed to give Echo impetus to continue.
“If we worked with Rex we could use his support system, senators, mechanics… we could do something that matters.”
“Keeping us safe and together matters, Echo.” Hunter said quietly.
He felt Echo’s eyes on him and lifted his head to meet them. The Arc trooper’s intense golden gaze was impossible to turn away from and very difficult to say no to. Hunter had learned that the hard way over the last few months.
“We’re meant for more than this, Hunter.” Echo said seriously. “You know that.”
“You sound like Crosshair,” Hunter said, involuntarily wincing at the mention of his lost brother’s name.
“He’s not right about a lot these days. But he was right about that.” Echo said gruffly.
Hunter shot him a look but again said nothing. Time as the leader of the squad had afforded him some perspective and learning to hold his tongue or wait to voice an opinion was one of the enduring lessons he took with him.
“I understand your hesitation, but we’d not be putting much more on the line than we do now.” Echo continued unabated.
“You know why we can’t do that.” Hunter said firmly.
“Why? because of Omega?”
Hunter sighed. Of course, it was because of Omega. She should have a peaceful life, An actual childhood. Over the last few months she’d been shot at, chased, kidnapped and almost died in a sinking city. She needed a break. He needed a break.
“She’s a child. She deserves…” Hunter looked around as though the right words would fall from the blue clouds of hyperspace, “…I don’t know, safety, peace, a family…”
“We tried to give her that with Cut and Suu, Hunter. She ran. She chose us, she chose this.” He gestured to the Marauder, scattered with bits of machinery, blankets, empty food wrappers and debris.
“She’s our responsibility, Echo. We have to make the best decision for her and the rest of the squad. Even if it’s not necessarily what we want.”
Echo stood up in frustration and slammed his scomp into the durasteel siding. Hunter watched as he walked to the back of the ship, left hand on his hip, his boots clanging on the grated floor.
It was rare for Echo to lose his temper. That was one of the reasons Hunter enjoyed having him as a member of the squad. With the big personalities of Wrecker, Tech and Crosshair, when he was with them, Echo was steady and sound. He was another voice of reason that Hunter could always rely on.
The light on Echo’s metal headpiece flickered rapidly and Hunter wondered if that was a visual clue to Echo’s racing thoughts. Hunter forced himself up to continue the conversation, knowing he probably wouldn’t like the outcome.
He sank into the red chair next to the communication array and swiveled. Echo knew he was there but kept his back to him for a moment longer. They had had a similar conversation on their way to Serenno, in the exact same spot.
“I understand that this isn’t what you signed up for when you joined us,” Hunter said softly “It isn’t something I would have signed up for either. But this isn’t a fight we can win. I don’t like running anymore than you do, it’s not in my nature but some things are more important. Keeping Omega safe is more important. Keeping you all alive is more important. I can’t change the fundamentals of our situation. But I understand if this isn’t where you want to be anymore.”
Hunter kept his head down but looked up at Echo, like he was taming a wounded animal. Echo’s large eyes flickered left and right as though searching for the right words.
“I lost so much time on Skako. I’m not sure how much more time I’m willing to…sacrifice, when I know I could be making a difference.” Echo said.
“I respect that.” Hunter responded gently, trying to keep as much emotion out of his voice as possible. He didn’t want Echo to leave. Didn’t want to be responsible for the desertion of another brother. But just like Crosshair, if that’s what he chose, who was Hunter to get in the way?
“I don’t want to leave,” Echo said. The corners of Hunter mouth ticked up and he tried his best to hide it but failed, “I know your jobs not easy, keeping us together and in one piece.” Hunter nodded, thankful for the acknowledgement. “But I’m not going to be able to do this forever.”
“Understood.” Hunter said. He clapped Echo on the shoulder and started to head back to the cockpit.
“Hunter?”
“Hmm?”
“I can’t believe I’ve never asked this before but what do you want?”
“What do you mean?” Hunter responded, confused.
“Out of life. What do you want?” Echo asked again, his gravely voice curious.
Hunter shrugged, “I dunno, nothing much. Settle on a remote planet somewhere. Watch Omega grow up. We could all have our own space but be close. You know, peace, I guess.”
“Hmm” said Echo with a wistful smile. “Sounds nice.”
“Maybe one day,” Hunter said.
