The Runaway {Hunter} (WATTYS 2022)

Chapter 54

Racing to the top of the tower, Hunter leaned his body out over, watching the troopers below as they scrambled to get into position. They had rejoined back with Wrecker and Echo, the Senator and his droid following them close behind.

The group scrambled to look for an exit from their current position. Cora turned and saw one of the tanks towards the side of the building.

"Over here." She called the men over. "We can seize that tank and blow out way out of here." Cora pointed down towards the courtyard.

"How do you intend to gain control of the armoured vehicle from up here?" The droid asked.

"Coming through." Wrecker pushed his way to the front and fired his blaster that had rope to it. It hit the side of the tank.

Tech and Echo jumped on the rope and slid their way down towards the trooper who was manning the huge vehicle. They stunned him as Cora watched the two clones take over the tank with such ease. "All clear." Tech said through the comms.

"Impressive." GS-8 said as Hunter nudged Cora to follow him.

Wrecker grabbed Senator Singh and Hunter grabbed the droid. "Ladies first." Hunter motioned for Cora to go first.

"Such a gentleman." She nodded. Cora grabbed the rope and glided her way down, landing inside the tank. Wrecker with the Senator, came next, then Hunter and GS-8.

Once their boots hit the inside metal, Hunter turned towards the front of the tank. "Get this thing moving, Tech."

The Walker started to move as the team made their clear exit through the city. But the tank moved and rattled, wires busted and sparks went flying. It hissed and fell to the ground as Tech quickly tried to work.

"The rear axle stabilizer is off-line." He said quickly. "We will need to recalibrate manually."

Hunter groaned, "Get this bucket up and running. Wrecker, Cora and I will hold them off."

"Cora?" Senator Singh mumbled as Cora brushed past him. She didn't stop at his gaze on her, not wanting to face him.

Running out of the tank, Echo and Tech quickly went to work on fixing their own walker, as another one drew closer. Hunter, Wrecker and Cora rushed forward as a group of clone troopers started to fire at them. Hunter rushed under the tank and slide on his hip, stunning some of the troopers as he did so. Cora pulled out her grabbing hook and shot it to the top of the tank. Blaster fire just barely missed her as she brought herself up. Wrecker joined her and forcefully pushed the nozzle of the canon, so it over shot and missed where Tech and Echo were working.

Cora blew open the tank, stunning the clone that looked up to her. Turning around, a clone shot at her as it blasted through her armour and into her shoulder. Cora let out a scream in pain as she dropped to her knees. Someone dropped behind her from the open hatch and fired at the trooper, stunning them. A hand went around her hips as she looked up and saw Wrecker helping her to her feet. Wrecker lifted Cora up to his shoulder as she tried to brush herself off. Hunter looked down into the tank and Wrecker lifted her up towards him. Hunter saw the clear blaster wound on Cora as he reached down and helped pull Cora up.

She crawled on her legs as she leaned back with a hiss. Hunter looked her over for a brief moment but was soon interrupted by more blaster fire. "I'm fine." She groaned pushing herself up.

A soft whistle of a canon could be heard as Wrecker joined the two. Looking to the sky, a blue blaster from one of the walkers came hurtling towards them. Wrecker grabbed Cora and jumped from the tank as the missile hit it, causing it to explode. Hunter rolled on the ground as Wrecker steadied Cora as she shook her head.