"Captain Cody called us on a mission, boys, we're heading to Anaxes," Hunter said in a casual tone as he changed the ship's course to the planet.
"And what mission would that be, Hunter?" asked Tech, while typing something on his datapad.
"I don't know yet, Captain didn't give too much detail. He just said it's a mission with Captain Rex and General Skywalker."
"General Skywalker" So many times Crosshair has heard of the great Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and his successful missions against the Separists across the Galaxy. Crosshair has often wondered what it would be like to work side by side with Skywalker on a mission, but he never thought it would be possible, given Skywalker's fame.
Crosshair wasn't much a conversationalist, or a person who shows his feelings, although he loved his brothers and would do anything for them, Crosshair was simply more reserved and preferred to be alone with his thoughts. No one but himself knew about his curiosity about Anakin, and it was better that way.
Apparently, Crosshair's long-awaited moment had arrived. He still didn't know anything about the mission, only that it would be with Skywalker, but how much he would be involved in the mission, or even if he would actually be there, for now, Crosshair had no idea. He chose not to ask questions and just wait for their arrival in Anaxes.
"Hey Crosshair?" A loud, excited voice called him from the other side of the ship.
"What was it?" Crosshair asked after a few seconds. His gruff voice echoed through the ship as Wrecker laughed.
"We've been calling you for a while Crosshair, is everything alright?" Hunter's voice was calm. He was now in front of Crosshair looking curiously at his younger brother, who had a grumpy face looking at him.
"I'm fine, Hunter." Crosshair said as he put a toothpick in his mouth and leaned back against the bench he was sitting on.
"Great, let's land, get ready."
Crosshair wasn't prepared, but he didn't let on. He was only a few minutes away from meeting General Skywalker, and his heart felt like it was going to leap out of his mouth at any moment. He took a long breath, and tried to remain calm and wait for the landing.
~
The ship landed in a hurried and disorganized on the airstrip at the Anaxes Fort.
Crosshair got up nervously from his seat but trying to maintain his posture. He put on his helmet and could let out a long breath again. He felt his hands sweat cold, and his heart race, he was finally just steps away from meeting General Skywalker.
The ship's door opened and his brothers walked towards it. Crosshair took the sniper and followed them.
Crosshair exited the ship and walked down the ramp, stopping just behind the group. His curious eyes searched for the General. Crosshair didn't know what he looked like, after all, he'd never seen him, but figured he was accompanying Rex and Cody. His hands were sweating beneath her armored glove, her heart pounding like never before in her life. Crosshair didn't quite understand what was going on, these sensations were new to him. How could he feel all this for someone he didn't know?
While he was lost in thought, he saw three figures approaching. Two of them were clones, Cody was one of them, and assumed Captain Rex was the other. Among them, a figure that wasn't a clone, because of his bearing, was a Jedi. Was he General Skywalker? A wave of thoughts invaded Crosshair's mind, he would finally meet the Jedi known across the galaxy, he would finally work with him on a mission, but why was he so nervous this time? After all, it was just another mission like so many others they had participated in before.
His brothers removed the helmet, and before he did the same, Crosshair gulped and removed it as well. "Crosshair what's wrong with you?" he thought to himself.
The three approached the group.
"Cody, long time brother, glad to see you again" Hunter said approaching the three of them.
"So these are your friends?" Anakin asked as he watched the group, with a friendly smile on his face.
"This is Clone Force 99, also known as Bad Batch." Said Cody, to Anakin and Rex. "This is Captain Rex and General Anakin Skywalker, boys"
"Nice to meet you" said Hunter and started to introduce his brothers one by one, to the trio.
Crosshair wasn't really paying attention to what Hunter was saying, he only heard voices in the background. His attention was fully directed to General Skywalker.
So that was him. Crosshair was somehow mesmerized by Anakin's beauty, long shoulder-length brown hair blowing in the wind, the serious posture of a general, arms crossed and eyes intent on the newly arrived clones.
"Crosshair doesn't say much, but if you need to hit a target a mile away, he's the guy!" Hunter said introducing his younger brother to the three in front of him. The words woke Crosshair from his thoughts of the General, who was now staring at him with a slight smile on his face. Crosshair felt his stomach lurch as Skywalker looked directly at him, and he froze, couldn't say a word, just popped the toothpick into his mouth again as he stared back at the general.
"So you don't like to talk very much?" Anakin's voice was soft but firm. The smile on his face was something Crosshair would never forget. Crosshair's heart sped up again and he felt his throat go dry.
"I.." Crosshair started to speak when he was interrupted by Wrecker
"Oh Crosshair doesn't say much, but he's good guy, isn't truth Crosshair?" Wrecker slapped his brother on the shoulder so hard that he fell a couple of steps forward, inching closer to Anakin.
"Well, glad to meet you guys. Can Hunter join us so we can go over some mission details?" Rex said as he turned to walk back to the base.
"I think it would be better if everyone followed, Rex so we've already talked to everyone at once and there's no doubt about the mission" Anakin's voice again was steady, and Crosshair could hear him talk for hours, was hoping he would introduce the mission and explained everything in details.
~
The group arrived at the base and Rex and Anakin opened a holomap and explained the mission to them. It was a stealth mission. Rex suspected that one of his brothers from 501st batallion was alive and in control of the separatists. The mission was simple, track the signal, and rescue his brother, Echo.
"Well then I guess it's time for we to left, guys, but first, can I talk to you for a second?" Hunter said towards Anakin and Rex.
"Sure" Said Rex in a serious tone.
"We're waiting on the ship" Tech said and the group walked back to the ship. Crosshair looked once again to Anakin before leaving.
"Well, I think it might be a trap. I'm in, but I still suspect it's a trap to get us." Hunter was confused about the mission, he wanted to believe that Echo was really alive, but he couldn't trust that Separatists would keep a clone alive.
"I understand Hunter, but I have strong reasons to believe that. I appreciate your help." Rex was sure of his position, and he wouldn't change his mind that easily.
"Oh Rex, can we go do that little thing now?" Anakin said as he looked directly at Rex.
"Oh sir, we don't have time for that right now" Rex was confused, clearly not wanting to contratic Anakin but was really eager to go after his brother.
"Yes, we do" Anakin's voice was strong, as he arched an eyebrow at Rex and gave a slight nod. He wouldn't change his mind.
Hunter was very confused about what was going on there, but just said goodbye and that he would wait on the ship, for them to left.
~
"Boys, I just witnessed a funny scene over there with Captain Rex and General Skywalker," Hunter said as he entered the ship. Everyone was seated awaiting his return, and upon hearing Hunter's voice, all attentions turned to him.
"And what scene was that, Hunter?" Crosshair was curious because from the tone Hunter mentioned, it wasn't common.
"Ahh even Crosshair wants to know, go Hunter, speak" Wrecker said as he punched Crosshair on the shoulder.
"It wasn't a big deal guys, but they were acting weird, with little secrets, it looks like General Skywalker wanted to do something but Captain Rex wasn't really into it." Hunter chuckled, and the others just mumble some words that Crosshair didn't understand.
"Well, if it was their thing and they didn't tell you, then they clearly didn't want you to be involved" Crosshair was serious as he spoke and stared at Hunter, his voice was harsh, and even he didn't quite understand what he was feeling. He took the toothpick out of his mouth and left the ship without looking at the others.
"What's wrong with him?" Wrecker looked confused and watched Crosshair exit the ship in front of him.
"He's been acting weird since Hunter told us about the mission, but if we know Crosshair, he won't say anything" Tech spoke casually and turned his attention back to into his datapad.
Hunter just watched him leave the ship, decided not to go after his brother, and just left him alone for a while.
Crosshair walked to a pile of some big packages next to the ship and sat down, in the dark and alone with his own feelings. "As far as I know, Jedi can't have romantic relationships" Crosshair though, quietly to himself. "But why am I thinking this?" When he realized what he was thinking about General Skywalker, he was even more confused. He couldn't be jealous, because it just didn't make sense, he barely knew General Skywalker.
Admiration. That was it, Crosshair admired him and he was fulfilling a dream, silly, but the dream of working with him on a mission. But when he remembered the General's soft but firm voice, when he remembered the hair blowing in the wind, the way he spoke, the gentle smile and the brown eyes looking right at you... "Ah General Skywalker..." Crossahair's expression, which had previously been frowning, now softened as he remembered Anakin.
Now that he knows Anakin's face, he could picture him on missions, destroying battle droid with his lightsaber, giving orders to the others, doind whatever Jedi thing he wanted to do.
But again Crosshair's mind returned to Anakin and Rex, what was so important they needed to do that it couldn't wait? And why couldn't they tell anyone? Crosshair was completely lost, resting his elbows on his shoulder and lowering his head to concentrate on what was happening there, and try to understand his own feelings about the situation.
"Hey Crosshair, right?" Anakin's voice echoed through the dark outside the base. Crosshair felt his heart pounding, and quickly raised his head and saw Anakin walking towards him waving his right hand.
"Yes General, it's me" Crosshair again frowned and stood up to receive Anakin, trying to keep himself serious and not look nervous or anything.
"Oh perfect, we are going to leave, alright? Can you call the others and meet us on that ship over there? Sorry for the delay, I was solving some pending issues." Anakin was serious but his voice was just soft as before.
"Jedi stuff?" Crosshair tried to look casual as he walked towards the general in front of him. He couldn't help but notice how gorgeous he looks with the low lights on him.
"Yeah… things that Jedi shouldn't be doing… B-But that's not the point right now…" Anakin looked a little confused and smiled crookedly putting his hand over his head. "We will be waiting on the ship." Anakin said and turned to walk towards it.
"Of course, we'll be there soon." Crosshair said in a low voice as he placed a toothpick in his mouth. Anakin's reaction made him even more confused and curious about what happened, he stood for a few minutes, just watching Anakin walk away, while he was completely absorbed in thought.
Anakin's voice echoed in his mind "things that Jedi shouldn't be doing" what did that mean? Why would Rex be involved? Crosshair frowned, and walked to the ship slowly as his mind traveled with thoughts of Anakin.
"General Skywalker called us, said we're on our way" Crosshair's voice was low and serious, as usual, and he walked over to his sniper gun and helmet.
The others took their things and left the Havoc Marauder towards the ship where Anakin was.
Crosshair was the last on to leave, he was nervous. His frown was quickly hidden by his helmet. He took his sniper and left the ship, following his brothers. His eyes were fixed on Anakin. So beautiful and so mysterious.
He entered the ship, and it took flight. The mission would finally begin, Crosshair was anxious for the first time in his life. He would finally work alongside Anakin Skywalker and couldn't wait for what was to come.
