"I'm standing in the ashes of who I used to be."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"I have a mission for you, if you're willing." Rex spoke through the hologram.
(Y/N) raised an eyebrow at the captain.
"Why us specifically? Don't you have some clones that might be better suited for this? The Empire thinks we're dead, we're trying to keep a low profile for now." Hunter asked skeptically.
"I would, except, they don't exactly know the terrain like the general does." Rex said slowly...cautiously.
"What do you mean?" (Y/N) questioned.
"There's a droid factory that the Empire is reusing to make some kind of experimental weapon. It's...uh, on Nevarro."
(Y/N)'s mind went blank.
As Rex laid out the mission to Nevarro, every word felt like a distant echo in (Y/N)'s mind. Nevarro had a droid factory that the Empire was making weapons, to slaughter civilians.
Her heart thudded in her chest, and the air in the Marauder seemed to grow thicker, harder to breathe. Nevarro—the name alone was enough to make her pulse race, her mind recoiling at the memories she had buried deep. It was the place where her world had crumbled, where the clone troopers she had fought beside for years had turned their weapons on her, where Order 66 had nearly claimed her life.
She stared at the floor, her fingers instinctively curling into fists as the weight of those memories flooded her senses. Her breath became shallow, but she didn't say anything. She couldn't. Not now.
Hunter was the first to pick up on her change in demeanor. His sharp eyes darted toward her, narrowing as he took in her clenched jaw, her distant gaze, the tension radiating from her. He turned to Rex's hologram, his tone firm and unyielding.
"Absolutely not. Rex, we're not going to Nevarro. Not for this."
Rex blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden objection, but before he could respond, Tech had already shifted closer to (Y/N). His quiet, analytical mind was anything but detached when it came to her. He had been observing her reaction since Rex had first mentioned Nevarro. He knew something was deeply wrong, even if she hadn't said a word.
Without hesitation, Tech reached out, his hand hovering near hers for a brief moment before gently covering it. He squeezed her hand in silent support, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin in an attempt to ground her. The warmth of his touch cut through the cold fog of fear that had enveloped her, offering a lifeline she didn't realize she needed. For a moment, she allowed herself to lean into that small comfort, her fingers tightening around his as if he were the only thing tethering her to the present.
The silence between them did not go unnoticed. Omega, seated nearby, sensed the tension and, with the innocence of a child, asked the question that hung unspoken in the air.
"What happened on Nevarro?" Her wide eyes were full of concern, flicking between (Y/N) and the others, searching for answers she didn't yet understand.
(Y/N) remained silent, her chest tightening further at the thought of explaining it. How could she? How could she even begin to describe the terror, the betrayal, the heartbreak? Her mouth opened, but no words came out. The memories of blaster fire, of clone troopers she had once called friends aiming their weapons at her, of running for her life as her comrades fell around her, were too heavy to voice.
Hunter glanced at her again, his jaw tight with protective anger. He knew better than anyone how deeply she had been scarred by what had happened. Before he could speak, Echo leaned over and whispered softly to Omega, filling the silence with the truth that (Y/N) could not bring herself to say.
"Nevarro is where the clones tried to kill her... during Order 66."
Omega's face fell, the weight of Echo's words sinking in. She didn't need more details to understand how painful the memory was for (Y/N). Her innocent curiosity was replaced by genuine concern, her wide eyes softening with empathy.
Tech's grip on (Y/N)'s hand tightened slightly, his own feelings simmering beneath his usual calm exterior. He could see how hard this was for her, how the mention of Nevarro had shattered the composure she usually held so tightly. He had heard her screams of terror during the night, he couldn't even imagine how terrifying that moment had been for her. He wanted to say something to comfort her, to remind her that she wasn't alone, but the words felt inadequate. Instead, he leaned closer, letting the warmth of his hand and his steady presence speak for him.
(Y/N) stared blankly ahead, still unable to speak, her mind racing with the memories she had fought so hard to suppress. She could almost hear the echoes of blaster fire in her ears, feel the heat of explosions against her skin. Every muscle in her body was tense, as if preparing to fight or flee, even though there was no immediate danger.
But the danger had never really left her. It had followed her, haunted her, from the moment she escaped Nevarro.
Hunter continued arguing with Rex, his tone harsher than before.
"You're not hearing me, Rex. We're not going to Nevarro. It's not just another mission. It's a death trap—for all of us."
Rex hesitated, his eyes flicking between Hunter and (Y/N), finally beginning to understand the gravity of the situation.
"I understand," he said quietly, regret flickering across his face. "But this mission is critical—"
Hunter cut him off, shaking his head. "Not for her. Not after what happened."
Omega looked up at (Y/N), her eyes filled with the same concern that now lined Tech's face. "You don't have to go back there." She said softly, her small voice laced with sympathy.
(Y/N) couldn't bring herself to respond, still overwhelmed by the flood of emotions swirling inside her.
(Y/N) took a slow, steady breath, still gripping Tech's hand as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded. Her head was spinning with fear, but a stronger voice deep inside her—the voice of the Jedi she had always been—cut through the haze. She blinked once, twice, before her lips parted and she quietly said:
"We'll do it."
The room fell into an immediate silence. All eyes turned toward her in shock, the weight of her words settling over the group like a thick cloud. Even Rex, who had been so focused on the mission, seemed taken aback. Wrecker was the first to break the silence, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"What?!" he blurted out, his booming voice carrying the disbelief of the whole squad.
(Y/N) didn't waver. Her gaze was firm as she straightened her back, her eyes moving from Rex's hologram to Hunter, then lingering on Tech before finally settling on Wrecker.
"If innocent civilians are involved," she said, her voice gaining strength, "then we have to help. Whether the Republic is gone or not... I'm still a Jedi."
Hunter took a step forward, clearly torn between concern and responsibility.
"Are you sure this is a good idea? The Empire still thinks we're dead. If we go to Nevarro, it might be over. We might get right back on their radar."
She turned to face him fully, eyes blazing with conviction.
"And what if we don't? What if people die because we were too afraid to act?" Her voice softened just a little, but the determination in her tone remained.
"I won't stand by and let innocent people get caught in the crossfire of another Imperial experiment. We've seen what they're capable of, Hunter. I can't ignore that... even if it means facing my past."
Hunter's face was hard, torn between wanting to protect his team and knowing that (Y/N) was right. His jaw clenched as he considered her words. He looked away, his thoughts clearly battling with his instincts.
It was Tech who broke the tense silence, stepping forward and clearing his throat.
"She's right," he said, his voice steady but filled with an underlying emotion that he rarely let show. His gaze fell on (Y/N), and though his usual stoic tone remained, there was a softness in his eyes.
"If there are civilians in danger, it's our duty to intervene. It's what we've always done, and it's what we'll continue to do."
Hunter glanced at Tech, eyebrows raised in mild surprise. Tech wasn't usually one to speak up in this way, but his defense of (Y/N) was clear, unwavering.
Omega, sitting close to Tech, nodded in agreement.
"We can't just leave them," she added, her youthful determination mirroring (Y/N)'s.
"If people need help, we have to help. Isn't that what we're supposed to do?"
Wrecker scratched the back of his head, still looking a little uncertain but slowly coming around. "Yeah, I mean... if Omega says we should go, then we should go, right?"
Hunter sighed, clearly weighing the risks. He looked back at (Y/N), his protective instincts flaring.
"You don't have to do this. You don't owe Nevarro anything."
She met his gaze evenly. "I don't. But I'm a Jedi, Hunter. And no matter what happened there, that hasn't changed. I can't run from that."
The words hung in the air for a moment, the finality of her decision clear. She wasn't backing down. This was bigger than her, bigger than her fears. It was about protecting the innocent—something she would never stop doing, even if it meant facing her darkest memories.
Hunter rubbed a hand over his face, exhaling sharply.
"Alright," he muttered, finally relenting. "But we do this smartly. One mistake, and the Empire will be all over us."
A quiet tension settled over the group as they all absorbed the gravity of what was ahead. Rex nodded slowly through the hologram, clearly relieved but also aware of the danger.
"Then we go in prepared," Hunter said, glancing at the squad. "Nevarro's not the same place it was. We'll need to be ready for anything."
(Y/N) took a slow, deep breath, she looked at Tech, who gave her a small, encouraging nod. His hand is still holding hers.
XXXXX
The Marauder came out of hyperspace. As they approached the dull-colored planet (Y/N)'s heart began to pound in her chest. That earned her a concerned look from Hunter, who was off to her left. He had likely heard her heartbeat due to his enhanced senses. The planet Nevarro wasn't exactly a nice-looking planet, with its black sands, volcanoes and flowing lava, along with the ash in the air, made the planet a more secluded place that others likely wouldn't want to live. Tech punched in the coordinates of the droid factory. The Marauder came up on the large building. They decided to land the ship in the mountains a distance away from the factory. As they geared up, Tech announced to the group.
"My scanners indicate the factory is highly unstable. With high temperatures and molten metal due to the atmosphere."
"Then we'll be quick about it." Hunter says.
The group all look at Hunter for instructions.
"Alright," Hunter began, his voice low and steady.
"Here's the plan. Wrecker and Echo, you'll head in through the main power grid. Plant the explosives on the energy core. Omega, you'll be with AZI on overwatch, keeping us updated on enemy movements. Tech," he looked over at the clone, "you and (Y/N) will need to crawl through the ventilation system to reach the control center. That's where we'll upload the virus to disable their defenses."
The moment he said it, all eyes briefly flicked to
Hunter caught her hesitation. "You okay with this?" His voice softened slightly, concerned.
She swallowed her doubt and forced herself to focus.
"Yeah, I'm good. We'll get it done."
Tech stepped up beside her, datapad in hand.
"It'll be tight in the ventilation system, and we may encounter environmental hazards due to their manufacturing process. The heat from the factory core could cause rapid malfunctions in the vents. We'll have to be quick."
Hunter gave a firm nod. "Exactly why I need the two of you on this. You'll be the best equipped to handle it."
Wrecker grinned, nudging Echo. "You hear that? They're the ones going through the vents. I wouldn't fit anyway!"
Omega, standing beside AZI, seemed worried. "You sure it's safe for them to be in there?" she asked, her wide eyes turning to Hunter and then to (Y/N).
"We'll be fine, Omega," (Y/N) reassured her with a small smile, though the knot in her stomach tightened. "It's just another mission."
Hunter brought the attention back to the task at hand.
"We plant the explosives, disable the defenses, and get out before the whole place blows sky high. Timing is everything. Stick to the plan, and we'll all make it back in one piece."
The squad dispersed, preparing for the mission ahead. As they all gathered their gear, Tech approached (Y/N) quietly, adjusting his goggles as if it gave him something to focus on. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"If you're uncomfortable with this assignment—"
She cut him off, her voice calm but firm. "It's not the mission. It's... Nevarro."
Tech gave a slight nod, understanding immediately. "The past doesn't define the outcome of this mission. I've ran the probabilities. With the two of us, the chances of success increase significantly."
(Y/N) couldn't help but smirk. Tech always had a way of making the most dangerous of situations sound so clinical.
"Glad to hear your odds are in our favor."
He glanced at her, his expression softening. "They are. And I'll be right there with you."
XXXXX
With that, the group headed towards the factory. The squad separated to do their respective tasks to make the job go smoothly. Tech and (Y/N) rounded the corner to a small vent. (Y/N) cringed at the size. The vent was more suited for someone Omega's size, but with (Y/N) and Tech's agility, it wouldn't be a huge problem. What the real problem was, the harsh heat coming from the inside of the vent.
"That is not ideal. The temperature inside these vents range from 90 to 160 degrees." Tech sighed.
"If we're quick about it, we may not have to stick around for higher temperatures." (Y/N) began to climb into the vent.
Tech followed behind her, his flashlight being the pair's only source of light.
The space was tight, and the heat from the factory's core was already becoming apparent, creating a stifling atmosphere. The sounds of the factory echoed around them—machines clanking, droids marching, and far below, the hum of energy pulsing through the production lines.
As (Y/N) and Tech hurried through the narrow, stifling ventilation shaft, Echo's voice crackled over their comms, filled with urgency.
"We've got a problem. Some of the droids have gone haywire—attacking us. The factory is heating up fast. Something's causing the systems to overload."
Tech froze mid-crawl, his face going pale as he processed the situation.
"That explains the rising temperatures. If the droid production lines are malfunctioning, it could trigger a full meltdown."
The vents groaned above them, and another burst of steam hissed dangerously close to them, forcing
(Y/N) to shield her face. "We need to get out of here now." She urged.
Tech nodded sharply. "If the factory overheats, we could be looking at an explosion that will take the entire complex out with us in it."
The urgency of the situation hit them like a tidal wave. They weren't just running out of time to escape; the entire mission could fail if they didn't move fast enough. Worse, Wrecker and Echo were still inside, planting the charges.
"We're on our way back, but the factory is heating up too fast," Wrecker's voice cut in. "We won't make it out at this rate!"
Tech cursed under his breath, his eyes darting to
(Y/N).
"If the production lines overheat, the entire facility could explode before we set off the charges. We need to shut down the core now, or it won't matter how quickly we plant the explosives."
Sweat was already dripping down (Y/N)'s face, her breathing becoming more labored with the rising heat. Her mind raced, the pressure of the moment weighing heavily on her. "We'll handle the core," she decided, her voice steady despite the chaos. "You and Echo need to focus on finishing the explosives. We'll shut down the heat source."
There was a brief silence on the other end, before Hunter's voice came through, hesitant but trusting.
"You sure you can handle that?"
Tech, though already sweating from the oppressive heat, gave a firm nod.
"We'll manage. Get the explosives ready. We'll meet at the extraction point."
Hunter's voice came over the comm, his tone tense and filled with worry.
"This is dangerous. You know what you're getting into, right? It's going to be deadly."
(Y/N) nodded, her resolve hardening. "I know, Hunter. But we don't have another option. This is the only way to get it done."
The two went back and forth for a moment, Hunter clearly torn about sending them into such a dangerous mission. He knew Tech and (Y/N) were capable, but the stakes were too high, and the odds of something going wrong were astronomical.
Before Hunter could protest further, Omega's small, confident voice cut through the tension. "Hunter, they can handle it. (Y/N) and Tech always get through these missions. I believe in them."
Her faith in them seemed to soften Hunter's voice. He let out a frustrated sigh, his voice dropping.
"Alright... but just—be careful. Please."
The moment the comm went silent, (Y/N) turned to Tech, preparing to head into the heart of danger.
"You ready?"
But Tech didn't answer right away. He looked different—like he was waging a battle in his own mind, uncertainty and conflict flashing in his eyes. His usual composed demeanor faltered, his fists clenching at his sides in the compact space. As if trying to make a decision he couldn't take back.
Then, suddenly and without warning, Tech leaned forward. He hesitated only for a split second before his lips met hers in a kiss.
It was quick, soft, and delicate. Also entirely unexpected.
(Y/N) froze in shock, her heart skipping a beat. For a moment, the heat of the factory, the dangerous mission, everything faded into the background. The only thing that mattered was the feeling of Tech's lips against hers. She instinctively kissed him back, the world narrowing down to the two of them and the emotions that had been building between them for so long. The Force itself seemed to still as it recognized the raw emotions between the pair.
Tech pulled back, his face flushed, a mix of surprise and vulnerability in his expression as though even he couldn't quite believe what he had just done. There was a beat of silence, neither of them sure what to say or do next.
But before they could react, Omega's voice suddenly blared over the comm, cutting through the moment with her usual bright energy. "Okay, I'm ready! Is everything good to go?"
The two of them quickly snapped back to reality, pulling away from each other, hearts still racing.
(Y/N) cleared her throat, her face flushed as she reached for her comm.
"Uh—yeah, Omega.
You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net