#oooooof

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Echo had to crane his neck to stop the bounty hunter behind him from breaking it. Whoever they were, whatever they wanted, it was beyond his understanding. The three of them had clearly been stalking them since they touched down on the planet. They couldn’t know about Cid’s, though, or they would’ve ambushed there. This, was his only solace as the electrified collar was clamped around his neck. They couldn’t know where they were headed. He had to keep reminding himself of that.

Hunter rounded the corner, blaster already aimed at them, a deep glare set on his face. A sigh of relief left Echo’s lungs before he even heard Hunter speak.

“I’d let him go if I were you.” Hunter’s threat sent comfort through every bone in his body, but it didn’t seem to concern the three men who had him on his knees. The two other hunters flanked them on either side, weapons aimed towards Hunter who simply tilted his head. A challenge.

The one holding him straightened up, pulling Echo up and onto his feet. “Can’t do that.” The edge of his weapon was pressed into Echo’s jaw, hot against delicate skin. “See, this one is wanted by the Empire and I intend to deliver. He’s got quite the price on his head.” The man leaned closer, lips brushing against the ridge of his cheekbone. “There’s someone who wants to see you, really bad. Tambor, was it?”

The name brought every ounce of dread he’d ever pushed away right to his gut. No. That wasn’t possible. Wat Tambor didn’t work for the Empire, he couldn’t. He couldn’t still remember, could he? It had to be some kind of bluff but how? Why Echo’s eyes pleaded with Hunter who made a move to open his comm. Yes. Tell Wrecker to get over here. Tell Tech to bring the ship! Anything. Anything but this.

“Ah, ah!” Breath, hot and moist against his cheekbone. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

“Give me one good reason not to.” Hunter’s face broke into a snarl, lip curling as anger filtered over his features.

“You’re looking for the girl, aren’t you?” How could he know that? Panic rose in Echo’s throat. How much did they know? The hunter practically growled next to Echo’s cheek. “I can give you a lead if you let me walk away with this one.”

Somehow Echo smiled. There was no way in hell Hunter would go for that… but he saw the moment his eyes changed. The second he started to consider it.

“Hunter-“ Echo warned, but it was cut off as his collar was yanked backwards to choke him off. Echo tried to struggle but his collar zapped him, stinging every nerve he had. He let out a cry. The look that passed over Hunter’s face made him think he could feel it somehow.

“I tell you what I know, you let me get on my ship. You get closer to getting her back. Everybody wins.” Hunter’s eyes glanced between them, hand still gripping the comms that would bring their squad down onto this hunting party.

“How do I know you won’t screw me?” Hunter asked.

Anger flared under Echo’s collar. “You can’t seriously be considering this!?” His complaint was punctuated by a hit to his gut, doubling him over. White hot pain spread through his body.

“I have a contact. He calls me from a secure line to give me the names of targets. He’s warned me about a group of clones looking for a girl. Omega. He knows where she is. I’ll give you the contact over your channel the minute my ship takes off.” Hunter’s face morphed. Like he was fighting a part of himself that Echo couldn’t see. The man across from him, a man he had followed for so damn long, was no longer someone he recognized. Deep bags were under his eyes, a cagey look flitting between everyone gunning for them. Well, for him. Hunter’s eyes rested on Echo’s for only a second and in that moment Echo couldn’t see the one thing he thought he never would.

Hunter made his decision. It’s what set Echo off, yanking and fighting with all his might even though the shocks kept burning into his skin.

“If you screw me I’ll find you.” Hunter lowered his weapon. Echo’s heart sank into his stomach. The man holding him laughed, backing them away, Echo thrashing like a hound on a leash.

“I know.” He leaned close to Echo’s face again. “Say goodbye to your handler. You’ll have a new one now.”

“HUNTER!” Echo screamed as they tied his arms behind his back, forcing him to his knees to watch the door start to shut. “Don’t do this! You’ll can’t do this!” He screamed, cursing as the doors started to take his view of the planet from him. Below, Hunter stood, hands hanging at his sides, face turned towards him.

Hunter had made his decision.

The doors shut. The ship started to rise. Echo’s breath came out in pants that hurt his chest. This couldn’t be happening. There’s no way this was happening.

A voice rang in his ear.

“What’s going on, guys! We’ve got to go!” Wrecker! He couldn’t respond as his headpiece was ripped off of his head. The air and sound hit his ears and he let out a pained yelp. The bounty hunter looked at it then started to flip through channels. He put it to his lips.

“Don’t worry, clone, I’m holding up my end of the bargain.” It was all Echo heard before he walked away. Then his men dragged Echo off of the floor towards the back of the ship. He was tossed against the wall, shoved into a cell that wasn’t even big enough for him to sit down, then a metal door was slammed shut in his face. That panic rose even more, bile filling his throat. Too small. Everything was too small.

Something deep in his gut begged for this to be a trick. Hunter was bluffing. He wouldn’t let this happen. It wasn’t like him. They were brothers!

couldn't agree more with Link here, because this haircut might not be terrible, but it doesn't scream Link Neal to me. it just doesn't. it doesn't match his personality.

Me:

Kit when i find you Kit

Kit when i find you.

like DAMN. no need to call me out like that