The Bad Batch: Book 2

Part 38: Not Stupid

Crosshair's POV

As I came to the base I saw a tower and quickly climbed up it. I had more chance of seeing the enemy from there. I placed my blaster in front of me and looked through the lance.

Veetch: "Hexx is down. Three raiders are heading towards the shuttle at zero-one-five."

Because there was a snowstorm I placed another lance over my eyes and I was able to see the human running away. He ran behind the ship and soon I saw Veetch running after him. Suddenly the ship exploded making me close my eyes as the light hit the lance. The pain was so strong that I threw the helmet off my head. 

The high-pitched noise ran inside my ears as I was trying to get my eyesight back to normal. As I was able to look I saw that the ship was destroyed. Placing the blaster in front of me again I looked threw the lance to see the enemy running away.

Getting him on the dot I pulled the trigger. I shot him but I didn't kill him. Losing him in the ditch I quickly climbed off the tower and went up to the destroyed ship. Seeing the trace of blood on the ground I began to follow it. Coming to the ditch I slide down it and approach the cave. Taking the flashlight from behind my belt I pointed to the ground seeing a trace of blood.

Hearing footsteps approaching I quickly pointed my blaster and my flashlight up to see Mayday.

Mayday: "A snow skiff took off down the western ridge. The rest must've fled on foot into the mountain pass."

Me: "Wrong."

He came climbing down to me and I showed him the trace of blood the raider left behind.

Mayday: "So that's how they snuck past our defenses."

Returning to the base Mayday placed Veetchs and Hexx'es helmets on the create next to others.

Nolan: "What are you doing just standing around? Those raiders stole two creates of cargo during the attack. Send your troops to retrieve it."

He said as he came into the room and stepped in front of me as he looked at Mayday who was showing him his back.

Mayday: "Hexx and Veetch were killed in the ambush. We don't have the manpower or gear for a mission beyond the perimeter. Especially just to retrieve a few creates."

He said as he looked back at him.

Nolan: "It's not up to you to determine what is of value to the Empire."

He said as he approached him. Mayday stood his ground.

Mayday: "Then I need all your men for this mission."

Nolan: "And leave the outpost vulnerable to another attack? I think not. This task falls to you two, and you two alone. Recover the cargo. Is that clear?"

Mayday: "Yes. Lietenent."

I said nothing. With Mayday, I returned to the cave where the trace of blood was left behind. I was leading the way with my blaster and flashlight. The person that I shot was losing a lot of blood. I stopped walking as I saw a leg behind the rock. Mayday took the lead as I followed him to the body.

Me: "He didn't get far."

Mayday: "Not sure what bothers me more. That he is wearing the armor stolen by my man or that his cohorts just left him here."

Me: "No point in carrying deadweight."

I said. Mayday looked back at me.

Mayday: "Remind me not to die on your watch."