Tech might seem a bit cold in this, but that's because I headcanon that when he's dealing with something he kinda separates his emotions from everything.

Why do I think that?

Because that's what I do and I use Tech to express myself because I see a lot of myself in him.

Sue me.

Tw: Gore, death, violence,

Tech was confused.

How in the galaxy did Wrecker die?

There was no one on the ship but them, and they had been floating through space for a week.

He couldn't deny that it had happened, though. Wrecker's body was lying in his bunk with his neck snapped.

Tech could feel all-consuming grief rising in him, but he kept pushing it down. He needed to focus on discovering what tragedy had occurred.

He had promised Wrecker's corpse that he would uncover what had really happened. So Tech examined Wrecker's neck, noting that Omega wouldn't have the strength to do it.

Perhaps Wrecker slept at an awkward angle and shifted, snapping-

No.

The probability of that was next to nothing.

Tech shook his head and moved on from that small detail. He covered Wrecker with the blankets, tucking Lula in as well.

He tilted his head before peeling the blankets back a smidge to reveal Wrecker's face. His eyes were shut and it looked as if he was slumbering peacefully with his beloved tooka doll.

Tech smiled at his brother, happy with what he had done. Then he paused, opening Wrecker's eyes.

Wrecker's new position might be a bit morbid, but it would do its job.

Whoever killed Wrecker hopefully felt guilty about what they had done. Seeing Wrecker as if he was sleeping happily before looking at his eyes, which stared blankly ahead, could possibly make them snap.

"Anything yet?" Hunter asked, untying his bandana to help alleviate his headache.

"Not yet," Tech replied, pushing his goggles up the bridge of his nose. "I am currently uncertain as to how Wrecker died, but I believe it to be murder. His neck has been snapped."

"So when you say you're not sure, you mean it's murder?" Hunter ran a hand through his hair and stepped closer. He looked sick at what Tech had done to Wrecker. "Tech-"

"I know," Tech interrupted, "but I believe this will help me discover who did this."

"I think you're taking this a bit far," Hunter softly said. He put a hand on Tech's shoulder, but Tech flinched away.

Don't let him touch you. He could be the murderer. He could be the traitorous brother who KILLED Wrecker. He could be after you next. HecouldbetheonewhobetrayedWrecker.

"My apologies," Tech murmured, attempting to relax his tensed muscles. "I'm a bit on edge due to the recent events."

"We all are." Hunter ruffled Tech's hair affectionately before sighing. "You're the smartest so you're gonna have to be the one who figures this out. Please, Tech, find out what happened."

Tech swallowed thickly, feeling the heavy weight of high expectations settle on his shoulders. "Roger that."

Hunter squeezed Tech's shoulder once before moving away, glancing at Wrecker with a pale face. "I'm gonna talk with the kid."

"A wise idea," Tech remarked. "In my research I have discovered that children tend to be quite emotional. I assume this kind of traumatic experience would cause her to tear up at the very least. Would you like me to send you a link for a site that could aid you?"

"No, I think I've got this," Hunter said with a heavy sigh. "The kid's young, though. These things aren't easy."

"Have you considered the fact that one of us did it?" Tech bluntly asked. "You might want to prepare Omega for something along those lines."

Hunter chewed at the inside of his cheek, shaking his head. "I'm trying not to think about it. It's hard to think that one of us did it..."

"Understandable." Tech excused himself to join Echo in the cockpit, leaning over his shoulder to flip a switch.

"What? Did I do something?" Echo blinked as Tech sat next to him, pushing a button before pushing a lever forward.

"Nothing," Tech said and flipped another switch. "Except you forgot basic safety protocol for flying. You didn't open the cooling systems. We would eventually combust if I hadn't resolved the situation."

"Sorry," Echo sheepishly said. "My mind's been elsewhere in the last couple hours."

"It's perfectly alright. We didn't perish due to your unplanned carelessness." Tech stood, already moving to the next task. "Please be more careful; I'd hate to die before I discover who killed Wrecker."

"So someone killed Wrecker? It wasn't just... an injury he hid or something?" Crosshair hoarsely said. It looked like he had been crying. 

"Yes," Tech answered. He pushed past Crosshair. "I should check to see that we still have rations."

Tech stood over Echo's body.

His neck had been snapped as well, his mouth opened in a silent scream. His eyes were wide as if he had been staring up at his attacker as Death came to collet, holding out her hand for him.

Tech covered Echo's body with his blankets and moved on with his day. Their supplies needed to be reorganized.

He vaguely heard someone crying but couldn't place a finger on who it was.

He was too busy thinking on where they could go. The nearest planet was-

"Tech."

He glanced up, meeting Hunter's gaze. "Yes?"

"You've been pacing for ten minutes," Hunter pointed out. "Have you slept since it started?"

"Unnecessary," Tech instantly said. He prepared to go into a long tangent about how the human body could function without sleep, it would function very poorly mind you, but function nonetheless.

"You've been in the cockpit during the nights. Get some rest tonight. That's an order." Hunter sharply added the last part when Tech opened his mouth to protest. "None of us have been sleeping well. Crosshair's been sleep-walking again and Omega's having nightmares."

"Very well," Tech conceded. "Tonight I will get some rest."

"That means staying in your bunk the entire night. Not just for an hour," Hunter said. 

Tech kept his expression a careful neutral as he inwardly cursed Hunter for knowing him so well. "Of course."

Hunter stared into nothing for a minute, before Tech cleared his throat. "Yeah?"

"Something on your mind?" Tech questioned.

"I was just thinking about my enhancements," Hunter quietly said and stared down at his hands.

"What about them?" Tech asked, eager to answer any possible questions.

"Being able to sense whether someone is lying," Hunter said, glancing up at Tech.

Tech froze.

How did he not think of this?

Perhaps his lack of sleep was hindering his ability to think.

Well he couldn't have that. He stood and made his way to his bunk, crawling in immediately. He shut his eyes and waited for sleep to embrace him.

"Tech, what are you doing?" Crosshair asked, narrowing her eyes. 

Tech popped up from his project, holding up a set of binders. "Strengthening them. Even though none of us have Wrecker's strength, we still possess Jango Fett's basic abilities. There is a point-seven percent chance that one of us would be able to break out of regular binders."

"And why would we be wearing binders?" Crosshair questioned.

"One of us has killed Echo and Wrecker," Tech stated. "One of us will need to be restrained."

Crosshair swallowed. "Right."

"Can you tell Hunter to come here?" Tech requested. "It's time we discover who did it."

Crosshair nodded and scampered off, returning with Hunter and Omega, who trailed behind curiously. 

"I will need you to act as a lie detector," Tech instructed Hunter. "That is assuming you aren't responsible."

Hunter grimaced, but sat down, clearly ready. "Who's first?"

"I will go first," Tech announced. He looked Hunter in the eyes and said, "I am not responsible for Wrecker and Echo's deaths."

Hunter blinked and his lips thinned. "You're telling the truth."

"I didn't do it either," Crosshair said.

"Telling the truth too," Hunter declared.

Tech was puzzled.

He stood straightened, examining the group carefully. "I will need to think on this further. I will see you in the morning."

He went to his bunk and pulled his blankets over him, mulling over the results from the experiment. So far, he had no idea who the killer was.

He faintly noticed as Hunter turned the lights out, signalling it was time for everyone to sleep. He heard the rustling of fabric as the others got into their bunks.

Was Hunter lying? Were one of them actually the one behind the recent events? Perhaps he didn't want the team to be torn apart further, so he was covering for someone.

Or maybe he was behind it all.

He heard someone exit their bunk, but paid no mind to it.

Then he came to a sudden realization that made his whole body tense.

They hadn't asked Omega.

But he dismissed the notion.

Omega didn't have the strength to snap someone's neck.

Think, Tech. What are you missing?

Tech sighed and slipped his goggles off, deciding to get some rest. 

Wait.

Hunter could only tell when someone was lying. Someone who lied knew what they were lying about.

What if the killer didn't know that they were the killer?

But he dismissed the idea.

It was ridiculous. Who would kill without knowing it?

He sighed again and rubbed at his face. So much for getting sleep.

Then hands wrapped around his neck, squeezing.

He let out a gasp, blindly reaching out as he tried to throw his attacker off. His fingers scraped across someone's chest, and he scratched Omega off the list. She was too short to be at level.

Tech tried to grab his goggles so he could see. He tried to scream for help. He tried to fight.

Tears came to his eyes at the lack of air before he finally found his goggles, hurrying to put them on.

Then his neck was snapped.

Tech stared blankly at the ceiling, goggles askew and crooked. His mouth was slightly parted as if he was still taking air in. He had gone limp, no longer fighting back against his attacker.

Crosshair stepped back, eyes shut in his sleep. He returned to his bunk, drool dripping from his mouth onto his pillow.

I think this is the best thing I've ever written?

Idk I just really like it.