#Hunter and Fennec | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

leapingbadger · 7 months ago

Text

Safe

Summary: It’s finally time to return Jax to his family after his ordeal on Tantis and time on Pabu. But as usual, things don’t go to plan.

Read on AO3

Notes: This follows my general head canon. You don’t have to read any of the other stuff I have written to understand what is going on but Tested ties directly into this story. If interested you can also check out some of my other stories at these links: Hope; Sunrise; Sunset, Goodbye and Tattoo

Word Count: 4697 (sorry, it's a long one)

***

It had taken a while to get to this point, but Hunter was still nervous. Rex had heard from Ventress and Vos and they were ready to get Jax and his family back together. They thought it best that they do this with one kid at a time in an effort to draw less attention.

With his family extracted and at a safe house, Hunter and Omega were tasked with transporting Jax. Crosshair had been less than enthusiastic about missing out on yet another mission, but until he had a permanent prosthetic, he wasn’t capable a wielding a weapon properly. Wrecker also grumbled at the plan, but he stood out way too much for a covert mission.

“And you don’t?” he had barked at Hunter, pointing at his tattoo.

Hunter had been thinking about it for a while but Wrecker’s indignation made him act on it. He had grown a beard as a way to try and hide his most prominent feature. The dark hair covered enough of his tattoo to soften the appearance of the skull’s mouth, leaving the top part of the tattoo passing for a strange birth mark. It was unlikely that the empire was still looking for them, but it didn’t make sense to make things too obvious. His new helmet would also help with that. It lacked the distinctive design he had had since the war, and for this one mission he was thankful for it.

Jax and the other Tantis kids had had a long, sad goodbye. They didn’t have the comfort of knowing they would see each other again. They didn’t know if they’d be able to stay in touch. These siblings, forged in fire and trial may never meet again, and they all knew it, well…maybe except Behrn.

Hunter watched sadly as Jax turned from the farewell party and boarded the ship. He brushed hurriedly at his green cheek and slunk up the ship’s ramp. Omega put her hand to his back in comfort and he nodded appreciatively.

Hunter hung back and said yet another goodbye to his brothers. It was rare for them to take on missions alone, but it seemed to be all he was doing since Pabu had become their permanent home. At this point it was routine, but they still said the same things anyway, it was comforting in a way.

“Comm us if you need us,” Wrecker said after squeezing Hunter into a hug. Hunter nodded obediently.

“Watch out for her. You know what she’s like,” Crosshair said, eyebrow arched, eyes on Omega.

“Yeah, I do.” Hunter said with a sigh, “I will.”

He really hadn’t wanted to take Omega along but there was only so much resistance against their kid’s strong will. She had made some excellent points, pacing the floor in their small common room.

“Jax will need comfort. You know I’m better at that than you, Huntah. He needs me with him.” She had said, foot stomping in place. Hunter was reminded of their first mission together on a desolate moon long ago. She had refused to be left behind then too.

After the third go around, Hunter had relented and as much as he was concerned for her safety, as he always was, he was glad to have the company. She was right, comfort wasn’t his strong suit in most cases.

He waved at his brothers from the ship’s ramp with promises to check in at regular intervals. He took one last deep breath of the salty, sweet, Pabu air and walked onto the ship, the door hissing and closing with a clang behind him.

***

Hunter, Omega and Jax sat in the back of the ship. Echo was on a different mission and none of them, nor their pilot were interested in small talk. Hunter could see the familiar blue swirls of hyperspace from where he sat. Omega was opposite him, Jax asleep with his head on her shoulder. They were taking multiple jumps just in case there were any designs on following them. You never know with the empire.

“You okay?” Hunter asked Omega with a whisper.

She nodded her head and smiled in answer. She wore her old jacket and hat but it didn’t fit her like before, the sleeves were too short and the hat sat at an odd angle because of her ponytail.

“It’s been a while since you’ve been off world,” he said quietly.

She nodded again, gave a concerned look at Jax as he stirred and spoke in a soft voice only after he settled.

“I’m kind of looking forward to it. Pabu’s wonderful, but this was part of my life for so long. It’s nice to be amongst the stars again,”

Hunter smiled and nodded. He felt the same way. He’d spent most of his life flying around the galaxy with his brothers. Being planet bound, no matter how beautiful, felt unnatural in many ways.

The ship rumbled as they came out of hyperspace. Hunter didn’t have much intel on who was meeting them but knew Rex and Vos had arranged for someone to take Jax for the next part of his journey. Hunter wasn’t happy about not seeing him to his final destination, but Rex had assured him it was for Jax and his family’s safety and Hunter was trying to be okay it.

He gave his thanks to their pilot as they exited the ship into a back world space port. Muffled announcements rang overhead as he guided the two kids through various hangers to a cantina on the outskirts.

“We have to go in there?” Jax asked nervously.

“It’ll be okay, I practically grew up in a place like this,” Omega said reassuringly taking his hand.

Hunter led them down the uneven steps into the dark space. Pink and blue neon lights shone and reflected off the shining metal surface of the bar. Music thumped from a juke box in the corner, the beat making the bottles behind the bar rattle.

“Stay close,” Hunter instructed, and he made his way over the bar, taking in his surroundings. The cantina wasn’t full by any means. A Rodian was draped over the bar on his right, head on the metal bar, bottle in hand. A mon calamari couple argued loudly on a booth, something about gambled tickets.

Hunter froze when he saw her. In the far corner booth, boot propped up on the table, black and orange helmet at her side sat Fennec Shand. Hunter instinctively pushed Omega and Jax behind him.

She had spotted him too and raised her fingers lazily in greeting with a lopsided smile on her lips.

Hunter swore under his breath and Omega looked up startled.

“What is it?”

“Shand,” he said quickly. He looked at the entrance they had come in. A large party of patrons had entered after them, blocking the exit.

Shand had sat up straighter now, eyes wide and on Omega.

“Head for the exit, I’ll cover you,” Hunter whispered to Omega. She didn’t hesitate to follow his order. She threw her arm around Jax and led him back the way they had come.

Hunter walked backwards slowly, hand resting on his blaster.

Shand was up now, walking towards him. She left her helmet at the table, her long black hair, braided with thick orange cord trailed over her shoulder. Her hands were up and facing him, not resting on her blaster like he had expected.

She had crossed half the distance between them now, Hunter shifted again, trying to hide Omega and Jax from view as they made it to the stairs.

“It’s been a while, Tracker,” She said in a smooth voice, “Hi, Omega,” she called over his shoulder.

Hunter drew his blaster, aiming it directly between her eyes. She didn’t flinch or move, but a smile crossed her lips, and he didn’t like it.

“Nice to see you too,” She said with grin, “Ventress sent me.” she said calmly.

Hunter paused. His blaster was still raised but he relaxed his stance slightly.

“Didn’t think bounty hunters worked for noble causes,” he growled.

Fennec shrugged, crossed over to the bar and grabbed the bottle out of the now passed out Rodian’s hand, “friendship makes the galaxy go ‘round,” she said, knocking back the last of the bottle and gently placing it back on the bar.

Hunter gave a quick glance at Omega and Jax. They were three steps up the stairs, Jax pulling at Omega’s arm while she crouched, energy bow primed (Echo had come across a few Zygerian’s and had…liberated it). Good girl, Hunter thought.

“I told Ventress you wouldn’t trust me.”

“Why would I?” he said again, his blaster still pointed directly at her. The other patrons hadn’t noticed or simply didn’t care. Most skirted around them to get to the bar. The music thumped loudly in Hunter’s ears.

“I came through with the Intel, didn’t I?”

“You sent a Sith assassin to find us,” said incredulously.

Fennec shrugged again. “Former Sith assassin. And did you or did you not find out that you wanted to know?”

Hunter huffed but didn’t respond. This wasn’t getting them anywhere.

“So, I’m supposed to just give you the kid and trust that you’re taking him where he needs to go?” he finally lowered his blaster and jerking his head to Omega who obediently came over, a nervous looking Jax in tow.

Fennec smiled, “that’s about it, yeah.”

Hunter took off his helmet and cupped it under his left arm. He kept his blaster in his right hand, just in case. He hated talking to bounty hunters. Everything was double talk.

“Omega, look at you,” Fennec said, sounding like a proud aunt. “nice energy bow,” she said with a wink.

Omega glared at her but didn’t speak.

“I’m glad you found you way back to each other.” Fennec said sincerely, turning and walking back to her table.

Hunter and Omega exchanged a confused look and followed. Hunter rested his hand on Jax’ shoulder, “it’s going to be okay. You’re safe,” he said, trying to force himself to believe it. Jax looked up at him and gave what Hunter thought was a half-smile at best. He supposed it was better than nothing.

They slid into the opposite side of the booth, Jax in between Omega and Hunter. He nervously played with the fastener on his jacket.

“I’m not just giving him to you,” Hunter said gruffly, before she could talk.

“Then this is going to be a short visit,” she replied, her eyes narrowed.

“What if we come with you?” Omega interjected leaning over the table looking between Hunter and Fennec.

Fennec paused for a minute looking from Jax to Omega and finally rested on Hunter.

“I suppose that could work,” she said smoothly, “I’m not one for babysitting duty anyway,” she looked at Omega and Hunter scowled at her. He heard his kids trembling voice after her first and second encounters with the bounty hunter. “What do you think, Tracker?” she said calmly, a teasing tone in her voice.

“It’s Hunter,” he said gruffly. He hated nick names. He looked at Omega and then Jax, who looked like he was holding it together by a thread. He couldn’t leave this kid with Fennec Shand, even if this was not the plan. “Fine,” he said finally.

“Great,” Shand said, hopping up from the booth, “let’s get going,”

She shoved her helmet on her head and strode out of the door. Hunter, Omega and Jax followed.

“Do you think we can trust her?” Omega asked Hunter, out of earshot of Jax.

Hunter scowled, “Not sure. Keep your guard up and your weapon ready,”

Omega nodded.

***

Hunter looked up at Fennec Shan’s ship in the hanger, the black and orange paint peeling away. He had told himself last time he would never set foot on this particular ship again but here he was.

Hunter had sent a hastily prepared message to Rex, Crosshair and Wrecker letting them know the change of plans. He hadn’t heard back and didn’t expect to before they took off, but at least they knew who they were with.

Shand lowered the ramp and Hunter hesitated for a second before following her aboard. He heard Omega and Jax’ footsteps behind him and waited at the top of the ramp to usher them onboard. He noticed omega looking wearily at the number of ray shield protected cages as they walked thorough the hold. No doubt thinking of the first time they met Shand and the fact that this is where she would have ended up had they not been able to evade her on Pantora.

“You okay, Kid,” he whispered gently, as they continued to follow Fennec through the massive ship.

“Yeah, just…thinking,” she said introspectively.

Hunter nodded and rested his hand on her shoulder in what he hoped was a reassuring way. They climbed a set of steep steps up to the cockpit. Shand disappeared behind the sliding door and Hunter indicated for Jax and Omega to take the seats outside. There were only two, he supposed bounty hunting didn’t lead to friends or the need for extra seats.

Hunter propped himself against the door, still holding his helmet under his arm. He felt the rumble as they took off and blasted out of the planet’s atmosphere. He heard Shand’s chair swivel and braced as he heard her boots on the deck.

The doors slid open with a swoosh. It was tight proximity in the space, so much so that Hunter backed up to the top of the stairs to put a gap between him and Shand.

“We’ll make a couple of jumps, just to be safe,” she said, parroting what their other pilot had told him. He had trusted the clone though, Shand, not so much.

“Where are we going?” he asked

“That’s need to know,”

“I agree,” Hunter said doggedly. Why Rex hadn’t told him to expect a bounty hunter he didn’t know. He should have been aware of their previous run ins with Shand. Even if Echo only mentioned them in passing. Either Rex wasn’t aware, or Ventress was lying to him.

Hunter looked down at Jax, he was huddled in on himself, clearly scared. Perhaps reliving the horror of being stolen from his family those many months, possibly years ago. They really had no idea how long the kids had been kept on Tantis. Hunter nodded to Shand and stepped over the threshold to the cockpit.

She followed quickly, the door closing behind her.

“This kid’s been through a lot. I need to make sure he gets to his family in one piece.” Hunter whispered.

“That’s why I’m here,” Fennec said.

Hunter studied her face. He reached out with his senses as though he was trying to read her mind. Trust was so hard to gain. In this galaxy, everyone was out for themselves.

“How much are they paying you for this job?

“That’s a pretty personal question there, Hunter,” she said slyly.

Hunter sighed, a long, exasperated sigh. “Bounty hunters are only out for themselves. You’ve gotta be making something off this deal to make it worth your while. You’re not altruistic and you’re not above kidnapping children.” He added pointedly.

“Money’s not everything.” she said with a smile, throwing his own words back at him.

“It is to people like you” he growled back.

“The galaxy is a dangerous place. Having a ‘former Sith assassin’ as an ally is priceless as far as I’m concerned.” She stepped closer to Hunter than he was comfortable with and looked up at him, “I’m taking the kid to safety as promised. I’ll make more than enough money on my next bounty to make up for it.”

She reached her hand up to his face, but he caught her wrist and glowered at her. She raised her eyebrows and smiled, “loving the beard.” She said before he let her go. She gave him a look over her shoulder and walked out in the corridor with a whoosh of the door.

What is wrong with these women, Hunter thought. He followed her out and gave Omega a reassuring nod when he returned. Shand had gone down the narrow steps into the bowels of the ship.

“I think she likes you,” Omega said in her usual cheery voice.

“Omega, don’t,” he said warningly.

She smiled up at him, that knowing smile. He ran his hand through his hair. This really was the longest day and it had only just begun.

***

Hunter started as the ship shook. Omega and Jax were both gasping as they awoke to the flickering lights above them and the ship listing to the side.

“what’s going on, Shand?” Hunter called

“Relax, just some rough air,” she called calmly from the cockpit. Hunter raised an eyebrow and went to look for himself. He heard Omega rise too and let her follow.

They were cutting through the sky of an unremarkable looking planet. There didn’t seem to be any cities to speak of as far as Hunter could see. Clusters of tall, dark green trees swerved in and out of view as Shand moved the ship this way and that. This was not the smooth, if a little eccentric, flying Hunter was used to. Even Phee was a steadier pilot.

She landed on a circle of dirt that looked like it had once been grass. Shand swiveled in her chair and grabbed her helmet from the shelf.

“We better move if we want to make it by nightfall,” she said coolly.

Hunter and Omega followed her out of the cockpit, picking up Jax as they exited the ship. The temperature was cooler than expected. Omega zipped her jacket up to her chin and pulled her hat over her ears. He noticed Jax pull his jacket tighter around him and fished in his backpack for something.

“Here,” he said, handing him a red scarf with thin, white lines. Jax smiled up at him.

“Thanks, Hunter.” He said, quickly wrapping the scarf around his neck.

Hunter adjusted his pack and followed Fennec across the landing pad, as it was, and through the small village. The smell of roasting meat and cooked vegetables wafted out of a tavern on their left. Hunter’s stomach grumbled and he realized he hadn’t eaten anything since they left. He pulled out ration sticks for the kids and smiled as they inhaled them hungrily.

“You kids doing okay?” he asked, dropping slowly behind Shand so she wouldn’t be able to hear their conversation.

“Yes,” they both replied in unison.

“Are we almost there?” Jax asked, wiping his mouth on the sleeve of his jacket.

“It’s just passed the other side of the village,” Shand called back.

Omega and Jax looked at Hunter who nodded reassuringly. They continued the walk in silence. The wind started to whip up as they left the safety and warmth of the village. They followed a dirt track up a small hill, through a enclave of impossibly tall, green trees. Hunter hadn’t realized how big they were from the air.

Jax started to look nervous again and Hunter noticed Omega instinctively put her arm around his shoulders. He smiled up at her and whispered “thanks, Sis.” Omega smiled back at him.

Hunter noticed Fennec watching the exchange and sank back so she was in lock step with Hunter.

“She’s a pretty remarkable kid,” Fennec said quietly as the kids continued on in front.

Hunter nodded but didn’t engage.

“It takes a special kid to inspire such…loyalty,” she continued.

Hunter stopped and looked at her. She paused too. “You even think about trying to take her again I’ll kill you where you stand,” he said, his voice deep and threatening as it had ever been.

She cocked her head to the side and smiled, “I believe you, but I’m not interested in being a babysitter, remember? I just meant that there’s something about her. She even got to me. Offered me a spot on your squad when we first met,”

Hunter laughed despite himself, “of course she did,” he said, thinking back to that sweet, innocent and hopelessly naive version of Omega they first took off Kamino.

“I have to admit I was a little tempted. She certainly had Nala Se wrapped around her finger too,” she said, glancing up at him.

Hunter stopped again, eyes narrowed, “Nala Se hired you?”

Fennec raised her eyebrows and shrugged, “she called me off, once she realized she was safe with you.”

Hunter looked down, trying to organize these thoughts in his mind.

“Why are you telling me this?” he asked. He noticed Omega and Jax had paused ahead, watching their conversation with interest.

“If we’re both working for the path we need to trust each other. I figured this was the quickest way to get there.” She started walking but turned around to watch him, “besides, what does it matter now that Nala Se is dead and the Kaminoan’s are gone,” She shrugged and caught up with the kids. Hunter jogged to follow.

The path curled around and opened up to a small wooden house. Hunter noticed Jax stop dead, fear in his eyes.

“Jax, it’s okay,” Hunter said gently. Omega took hold of his right hand and led him forward.

“Are you sure it’s them?” he asked Hunter.

“it’s them,” Fennec supplied.

Brown paint was peeling off the door. Hunter reached out with his senses. There was nothing that would indicate a dangerous situation. He kept his hand on his blaster, just in case.

Shand knocked on the door and to Hunter’s surprise, Ventress answered. Her chin length hair was still cut in the same sharp bob at her chin. She nodded in greeting and stepped back to let them in.

The cabin was warm, a stove on the far wall roared to life and to the far left, gathered around an old table was what could only be Jax’ family.

All hesitation in him melted away as he sprinted to the other side of the room and threw his arms around a green skinned women in a blue dress. His mother buried her head into his neck and Hunter knew she was drinking in the scent of him. Sometimes your eyes can lie to you, but your nose never can.

Hunter felt awkward, like he was intruding into a private moment. He noticed Ventress and Fennec sneak out of the door, mumbling quietly to each other. He gently touched Omega’s shoulder and indicated for her to follow him.

He looked back at the family reunion. Jax had now moved on to his father whose arms were wrapped around him, quiet sobs coming from him. Perhaps they didn’t think this moment would come. Jax had a few siblings to work his way through as well. It was best they wait outside.

Omega smiled up at him as he leaned against the exterior of the cabin. Fennec and Ventress had walked further to the tree line. He kept a close eye on them, his enhanced hearing picking up most of their conversation. He was pleased to know there was nothing duplicitous, just two friends catching up.

Ventress noticed them and walked over.

“Omega,” she said with a fond nod, “…Hunter…” she said trepidatiously as if not sure she was correct.

He nodded confirmation and her eyes traveled back to Omega.

“This is an unexpected surprise. Any changes, Omega?” she asked

“No,” Omega said confidently.

“And you?” she asked Hunter. Last time they spoke she implied he might be force sensitive. Hunter just shook his head at her. He had no interest one way or the other.

Fennec crossed to the group, “I told you he wouldn’t trust me,” she said with a smirk.

“Trust is earned,” Hunter retorted.

“And now? Ventress asked, stepping in front of Fennec as though shielding her.

Hunter shrugged, “for now,” he said simply. He wasn’t really comfortable with any of this, but if this was the situation they were in, and it seem like they were part of the path whether they liked it or not, he at least have to be civil.

The latch on the door clanked and Jax wrenched the door open. He was followed by his mother, father, brother and two sisters.

Hunter had never seen him look so joyous, although given the circumstances that wasn’t a huge surprise.

His mother threw herself at Hunter, arms around his neck sobs falling onto his pauldron. “I can’t thank you enough,” she sobbed. Hunter was taken aback. He looked down at Omega who was grinning ear to ear.

“Omega is actually the one who saved him. We just kept him out of trouble until we found you.”

The mother enveloped Omega, a fresh round of sobs rang out. Ventress and Fennec had stepped back to the tree line.

Jax came over and offered the scarf to Hunter. “You keep it,” he said with a smile. Jax nodded and held out his hand. Hunter took it and pulled the young boy into a hug. “Take care of yourself,” he said ruffling his hair. “we’ll miss you.”

Jax wiped a tear away and moved to where his mother was finally letting Omega go. Hunter looked on with pride as the two former prisoners, hostages, kids, hugged each other for the last time.

“Goodbye, Sis,” Jax said, tears freely streaming down his face. “Thank you for saving me,”

Omega smiled and nodded, silent tears tracing tracks down her cheeks. It took a few more hugs, handshakes and tears before Hunter could extricate them.

Hunter, Omega and Fennec walked back to her ship in relative silence. Ventress stayed behind, just in case any trouble showed up although Hunter couldn’t imagine it would in a place like this.

The ride back to Pabu was uneventful. Fennec dropped them at the space port where she had met them. The ship landed with a jolt.

Fennec spun around in her chair in the cockpit.

“And here we all are. You’re all in one piece, as promised.” She said smugly, “Shame I didn’t get to see you in action with that bow, Kid,” she said to Omega as she stood up.

“Maybe next time,” Omega said with a smile, as she made her way to the narrow staircase and down to the cargo hold below.

“Wait,” Hunter said suddenly, “you have to wipe the navcomputer,”

“Why?” Fennec asked, eyebrow raised.

“what’s the bounty on Jedi these days? Why don’t you humor me?” He stepped closer, ensuring she wouldn’t be able to leave the cockpit, unless she wanted to shoot him of course. This thought tingled in the back of his mind, but he pushed it away. This was important.

“Fine,” she said cooly. He watched her delete the data and he nodded, satisfied. Hunter followed Omega down and out of the ship. Fennec trailed after them, Perhaps to make sure they got out, Hunter thought.

Omega waived energetically at the bounty hunter; all concern about her seemingly forgotten. Hunter’s memory wasn’t that short though.

“So, I guess I’ll be seeing you around,” she said to Hunter, “we’re both part of the path after all.

“We’ll see,” he said gruffly.

“Looking forward to it,” she called after him. He didn’t turn around.

He jogged to catch up with Omega who had spotted their ride home.

“I think she likes you, Huntah,” she said with a giggle.

Hunter pinched the bridge of his nose, “Omega, she literally tried to kidnap you twice,” he said exasperated.

“Maybe if you have a girlfriend, you wouldn’t spend so much time worrying about the rest of us,”

Hunter rolled his eyes as Omega took his arm and interlocked it with hers.

“I’m pretty sure worrying about you is my life’s purpose, kid.”

She giggled and nudged him with her shoulder, “Then I better not make it too easy for you,” she said.

Hunter laughed as they climbed abroad Rex’s ship. They were all safe and headed home. What more could he ask for.

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