The Shadow

CHAPTER 2 - HUNTING

The clones had walked for a while, Wrecker carrying Cody, before they found a more wooded area. They were mostly gathered around the fire Tech had made, with the exception of Rex, who was with Cody. As well as Hunter and Z, who were a few feet away. When they had got there, Z had immediately braided her hair and pinned it into a crown braid. Hunter had helped, and now the two were standing away from the camp. Hunter was tracking, and Z was watching his back.

"So, I get what makes the other Batchers unique, but what's so special about Hunter and Z?" Jesse wondered, leaning towards Kix who sat next to him.

"They can put up with the other three." Kix whispered in reply, and they started snickering. Z, personally, would have classified it as giggling. Tech kneeled down, putting more wood in the dimming fire.

"Z was designed with enhanced hearing, agility and stealth capabilities. Hunter was engineered with heightened senses. A place like the Cyber Center, Hunter can feel the electromagnetic frequencies from anywhere on the planet." Jesse nudged Kix playfully.

"And here I thought we were smart just using a holomap."

"Maps can be wrong, Hunter never is."

"You sure Z has enhanced hearing? Because she seems like she isn't hearing what we're saying." Jesse asked cockily. Tech titled his head slightly, like he was discipling children.

"Give her about two more seconds." He said, and Z turned to face the Regs, lifting both of her middle fingers at Jesse and giving him a rather fake smile. She lowered both her fingers, rolling her eyes and looking away.

"She can hear everything you say, and do. Every breath you take and every beat of your heart. It's why she's so lethal. She can tell what you are going to do before you do it." Tech poked the fire once more. Rex was moving, and Z tapped Hunter on the shoulder as he approached the group.

"Listen up. We have to move out." Crosshair jumped down from a rock he had been perching on, and moved to join everyone.

"Commander Cody's in no position to move." He said, and Z had to agree with him.

"Already called in Evac, Kix will stay with Cody until it arrives. I'm in charge now." Rex said sternly, "And I've got a plan to get into that Cyber Center."

Crosshair took his toothpick out of his mouth and stepped closer to the Captain. "If your plans are so good, why did Commander Cody have to call us in?"

"You can't talk to Captain Rex like that!" Jesse protested, also moving closer. Z knew where this was going, probably a meaningless fist fight. But if Crosshair was going to start it, she was going to help him finish it. Wrecker grabbed Jesse by the collar of his armour, lifting him up into the air. Kix stood up, looking at where Wrecker was holding the arc trooper.

"Put him down!"

Crosshair pushed Kix's shoulder. "Stay out of it." Z took a step forward, already drawing a knife. Hunter grabbed her shoulder, shoving her back behind him.

"Don't." He hissed sternly, and she sheathed the knife.

"Uh, Guys, come on." Tech said, being the only one who wasn't actively being an idiot. Well, other than Hunter.

"Wrecker, drop him now." Hunter ordered, stepping forward. Z reluctantly followed him. Wrecker let out a whine before dropping the Arc to the ground. Z snickered quietly at him. That earned her another stern look from her Sergeant.

"Fellas, come on." Hunter said, sounding rather disappointed. "We're all fighting for the same thing, right?" He pinned Crosshair and Kix with a look. The two were still wrestling with each other. If this went on much longer Z wouldn't be surprised if they started slapping each other. They shoved each other away, and Z raised an eyebrow at Crosshair. He let out a huff and looked away.