--Building a New life --Tech x Jedi Reader Bad Batch

Chapter 102 -- The Battle of Tantis - Part 1 The final battleground --

Tech was quietly sitting in the cockpit of the marauder, running a few ship diagnostics checks and just taking a moment to relax without all the engineers clinging around him and asking persistent questions about things they should already know.

There was a lot of stress in Techs mind about the upcoming battle, but his sense of foreboding that they had missed some crucial information was interrupted when you came up the gangplank.

Tech knew the sound of your footsteps well, and preemptively turned as you came in through the door. You looked like you were relaxed and pulled together for the mission ahead, although he noticed an angry spark in your eyes, and quickly put down the hollow pad he was holding before standing to greet you.

" I assume you have finished with dinner? I apologize that there has not been more for you to assist with today"

" that's fine" your reply, your tone giving away your frustration " I've been informed that you didn't plan on me assisting today, or with the battle"

" That is correct" tech replied, facing the discussion head on " Rex gave me permission to utilize each of the bad batch members as individual specialized forces. As such, I delineated our responsibilities accordingly".

" Why would you keep me off the field? Golrin he's going to be down there. I know I don't match up to the physical requirements of the regs, but I don't fight like them. Why not have me with you?"

"Golrin is a separate case. He does meet the physical requirements of the regs and even if he didn't the loss that could be incurred would not be as detrimental"

" I would care! I don't want him to die, I want as little death as possible. If you keep me off that field more people will die"

" It is a necessary sacrifice. Rex knew going into this—

—" Rex has his own mind about things, but you chose all the positions Tech. You are the person choosing the risk"

" and I cannot risk losing you" Tech replied, and you fell silent. You sit there looking at your husband, searching his brown eyes through the orange lens of his goggles. His face remained neutral, but you could see in his eyes that he was completely serious, and even nervous.

"Tech" you said quietly.

"Do you remember when you were lost on Toola?" Tech replied and you nodded "its a bit recent to forget".

" correct, but how I felt despite any logistical reasoning I had, is burned into my memory. I thought you were gone. It threw me so far off I wasn't even sure what course of action I should take to return to my standard routines... and I hadn't even married you yet".

You smiled gently, stepping forward into Techs embrace as he continued " I knew things would change, that is the standard procedure with heightened levels of intimacy and commitment. However, I had underestimated how it would impact this upcoming battle. I was skeptical before, but your involvement is now nonnegotiable".

" I love you too" you chuckle quietly, kissing Techs cheek " but I would argue against you anyways."

" I understand that you wish to support Rex's efforts"- Tech began, but you raise your hand and pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him.

" it's not completely about Rex." You explain, your eyes locked on his " you're right that I want to support him, and you're right that I believe in this effort no matter how risky it might be. But those feelings that you have towards me, are the same that I have towards you."

You lower your hand from Techs mouth, and your husband squints at you slightly as you continue " I love you Tech, and there's no place I would rather be than by your side. I know it sounds silly but I want to be there to keep you safe, and if I'm going to die I'd rather die protecting you"