Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“It’s okay, Echo. You’re going home.”

Rex’s voice echoed in and out of his ears. His form blurring and re-focusing as well. Home . Rex. His mind was all over the place, but those two things stayed clear. His body relaxed at the assurance of safety, someone had come back for him. But that also could have been the injuries. He wasn’t exactly sure how bad it was. Everything felt half numb and in pain all at the same time. Now he was incredibly tired. The voices, pulling and digging in his head were gone, though he could still feel something at the back of it. It was all over. He wanted to sleep. 

He must have shut his eyes for a few moments as suddenly Rex’s voice was calling him back again softly, his hand taking his own again. He weakly gripped at it, the hand comfortably warm against his own freezing skin. Where was he again? What happened? The shuttle-the mission. No-there was an explosion. Something bad happened. But Rex is here now. He’s being rescued. 

His eyes fluttered, looking straight up into an unfamiliar face-more so eyes. But at the same time, the eyes felt comforting and familiar the more he looked at them. It had to register for a second that it was a helmet and not a face. A weird helmet-not regulation. Their head was moving, coming in and out of focus for a second. He blinked, squinting at them, whatever they were saying wasn’t quite reaching his ears.

“Echo?” They repeated, tilting their head at him. “Can you hear me?”

Echo relaxed again, eyes drooping. “Yeah,” he nodded, “I hear you.”

“Good.” The person nodded, satisfied. They held a datapad, typing something into it. They looked back up at Echo, a more soft look in their eyes. When they spoke again, their tone had softened as well. “My name is Tech. My Sergeant and our squad came with your Captain to find you.”
Echo took in Tech’s whole appearance-like the helmet, the rest of his armour was unlike any he’d seen before. “Squad?” He rasped, tilting his head. “You brought an entire squadron for me?” He glanced at Rex. 

“Not exactly a squadron.” Rex chuckled. “They’re Clone Force 99, an experimental unit.”

“We go by “The Bad Batch”,” Tech held up a finger, “There’s only four of us. And it’s not like your Captain and General had much support on the nature of this mission. But we are more than efficient enough to have accepted it.”

Tech reached up to remove his helmet, setting it on the floor beside him. “Now, let’s check you over quickly. I need to see what i’m working with.”

Echo raised a brow, tilting his head as Tech’s face was revealed. The goggles weren’t part of his helmet and stayed on his face. “How long have I been here, Rex?” He slurred a little. “You’re a clone? You don’t look at all like one.” 

Both Tech and Rex gave a small laugh. “Wait til you see the rest of us.” Tech gently started to prod at Echo’s body. “As Rex stated before, we are an experimental unit. We are deviant with genetic mutations giving us exceptional traits.” He smiled at Echo, adjusting his goggles. “For me, it’s my mind. I decrypted and tracked your signal to find you here.”

“Really?” Echo swayed a little even though he was sitting. The longer he looked at Tech, the more he focused on his eyes. Even if he didn’t look like a normal clone, he still had the same eyes as his brothers he knew. It was comforting.
“I’ll call in for an extraction.” Rex went to his comm. 

Tech gently turned him a little to look at his back and back of his head. Echo shivered a little at the fingers skimming over the skin and around the ports, but Tech was careful and gentle, keeping his other hand on Echo’s shoulder to steady him. Without comment, he let Echo sit back against the console again, then lifted a finger up again. “Follow my finger with just your eyes.”

He tried as best as he could, but he couldn’t help his head swaying to the side a little. Tech didn’t comment, just gave another command, keeping eye contact with him. “Now can you lift your hand and touch my finger with one of your own?”

Echo paused, looking down at his hands, remembering there was only one flesh one left. Weak and shaky, he slowly lifted it, pursing his lips to focus on getting it to Tech’s finger. He initially missed, grazing the side, and then getting it right. That probably wasn’t good.
Tech gave Echo another comforting smile, before grabbing his helmet and slipping it back on. He looked to Rex. “Any word back?” 

“No.” Rex shook his head. “We might be on our own here.” Some louder blasts outside caught his attention for a moment. “We need to get Echo unplugged and out of here now.” Rex moved, starting to reach for one of the plugs when Tech’s hand stopped him. 

“No, not yet. Echo’s cerebral interface and other life support systems are connected to the computer. Simply unplugging him could do significant damage.” He lowered his voice. “Possibly even kill him.” Tech released Rex’s hand, standing up and grabbing the datapad. “I’ll need to decrypt it.”
He pushed the vizor down, giving a glance down to Echo. “Just hold on a little longer there, Echo.”

------------

Getting unplugged was unpleasant to say the least. Tech had confirmed it was safe, but that didn’t stop it from hurting like hell. The one in his head hurt the worst. His vision definitely whited out, making him crash back to the floor in a coughing fit. If he had any contents in his stomach he was pretty sure he would have thrown it up. But, even if it hurt, the biggest wave of relief washed through his entire body. Things were definitely clearer than before, the scrambling in his head calmed. 

They needed a way out. It was like second nature. It came to the front of his mind immediately. He could see the schematics and layout right before his eyes, and he knew how to access what they needed. As he pointed out the vent to the cooling ducts, he moved to try and push himself back up on his feet, proving difficult. He’d forgotten for a second the scomp was a scomp as it slipped and scratched against the console, making him almost fall back down. Tech was already one step ahead, reading him and keeping him upright, helping him turn towards the console to lean against it and get the scomp into the port. 

The information ran through his head, almost like ghosts in his vision and another inner voice. As soon as it was open, he extracted the scomp, his body threatening to slip down again. Pulling away from the droves of information and data was dizzying. This time both Tech and Rex were there to steady him, while the others decided how they were going to get up there. Oops-he hadn’t thought about that. 

“There’s no way Echo can climb up there.” Rex shook his head, looking up at the opening as Wrecker approached for their turn of getting thrown up. 

“Just throw him up to me. I’ll carry him the rest of the way.” Tech said casually. 

“You sure?” Rex raised a concerned brow at him; trying and failing to hide the whole statement of “are you sure that’s safe for him?”. 

Tech walked over to the spot to be thrown up. “Right now he’s light enough that even a cadet could do it.”

Echo let himself be led over as Tech was tossed up, getting into position for when Wrecker would throw him up. He looked up at Tech in the tube, lips pressing together in sudden nervousness. He hesitated to move as Wrecker put careful hands on him. “Echo.” Tech called to him from above, making his gaze snap back up. 

The comforting eyes were back, as Tech had a hand extending down. “Trust me.”

Echo let his shoulders relax, signaling Wrecker he was ready. It was a blur, the movement so fast for him as suddenly he was flying up in the air towards Tech. He focused on the extended hand, letting it tell him to just reach up with his own. That's all he needed to do. The pit of fear in his chest, making him feel like he was already falling. But, a strong grip grabbed around his wrist, and held firm. His eyes found Tech’s again with a smile. Tech’s expression was “I told you so”. He pulled Echo up to wrap his arms around his neck and start climbing while Rex followed behind them. Echo let himself just focus on holding on until they got to the top. He could at least find enough strength to do that. Or trust that Tech wouldn’t let him fall if it didn’t end up that way. 

------

“No, no, no-what in the world do you think you’re doing?” Echo turned his head to see Tech pushing his way past the medical droids to his cot. 

“Sir, please step back.” The head medical droid addressed Tech. “This is a standard procedure.”

“This is not “standard”.” Tech rolled his eyes, an annoyed tone. “Have you even looked at him? You can’t just take tools and start removing things!” He moved towards the tray of tools, shoving his helmet down hard on an empty cot beside them. He picked up a tool, looking it over, inspecting it. “This is delicate.”

“Uh..Tech,” Echo started, “I’m sure the droids can handle it.”

“With all due respect, Echo,” Tech rolled his eyes again, “you don’t even understand what all this stuff is the Techno Union attached to you.”

“Well if you want to be blunt about it.” Echo shrugged. 

“I’m merely stating a logical fact.” Tech came to stand behind him. “Now hold still.”

“Fine.” Echo sighed. 

“This won’t take long.” Tech lifted the tools to the first spinal piece. “I’ll let the droids take over to finish.”

Tech ended up doing the whole thing, removing the final plate at Echo’s head. At some point, he’d let him lay down and he must have dozed off for part of it. He was awake by the end when Tech removed the piece and placed it onto the tray with the rest with a clang. “There.”

As Echo sat up, Tech grabbed his helmet. “Everything else should be fine. Now then,” he started to head for the door, “until next time, Echo.”

“Uh...see ya, i guess…” Echo gave an awkward wave. He’d meant to ask why Tech had come down here in the first place, but forgot in the moment. 

---------

“I told you, he’ll be fine, it was just a neural overload.” He could recognize Tech’s voice in the darkness. Slowly, he could feel himself laying on something, small vibrations and shaking underneath. Other voices were around but they were muffled and quiet. 

His head was buzzing and throbbing. He tried to bring a hand to it, only hitting his forehead with metal, making him groan more. Stupid scomp, no right hand anymore, idiot. A hand guided his scomp away from his face, then another on his shoulder. He blinked his eyes open, finding Tech’s unhelmeted face in front of him. “See, he’s awake already.” He had a smug smile on his face. 

His hand left his arm, then brought a small pen-light up to shine in his eyes. Echo recoiled from it, squinting, and batting it away. “Ah! Ow-”

“Pupils are equal and reactive.” Tech clicked the light off, pulling it away. “Though sensitivity to light is noted. Most likely just a side effect of the overload.” He held out a hand, Echo took it, Tech pulling him to sit up. Looking around he could see they were on the Havoc Marauder, and he was on one of the sleeping racks at the back of the ship. His helmet was off and on the floor beside it. Rex was kneeling next to the rack, worry slowly melting off of his face. 

“What’d I miss..?” Echo rubbed his forehead, this time with the correct hand. His head snapped up, remembering the last moments before everything went haywire and dark. “The bomb! General Windu-”

Tech held him down with a hand on his shoulder, still calm and cool. “General Skywalker took care of it and got him the last number. The mission was a success, and Wrecker just blew up their ship.” He gave Echo a smile, but then a scolding look and accusing finger, letting go of his shoulder. “Next time I say to unplug-unplug!”

“Okay, okay.” Echo held up his hands in surrender. “Noted. But is there really going to be a next time after this?”

He didn’t take notice of Tech glancing at Hunter over his shoulder. 

-------

Echo sat in the chair in the back of the ship, staring at the floor ever since they all boarded and took off from the base. What had he just done? Did he really just join the Bad Batch? Rex said to do what he felt was right. Go where he felt like his place was. Follow his own instincts, not what someone else voices. 

Taking Hunter’s offer-it felt like the right thing. But, on the other hand there was a bit of guilt. He didn’t miss the undertone of Rex’s words, the feeling in the air as he walked away from him and to the Batch. Even at a distance, the look in his eyes as he saluted. Even though everything since the Citadel to Skako Minor was a blur, he still remembered a singular thought that was in his head of wanting to go home-wanting to be back with his brothers in the 501st. To be back with Rex, Fives, Jessie, everyone….but now when he had it, he left it. 

He blinked, lifting his head at laughter and loud chatter coming from the cockpit. He realized, a bit embarrassed that he was the only one back here. Everyone else was up there. Is it rude for him to be back here, away from them when he just accepted the offer to be one of them? He could already hear Crosshair chastising him in his imagination. Setting his helmet on the seat beside him, he quietly made his way to the doorway of the cockpit. He lingered in it, listening to the tail end of the laughter and comments. They were already in hyperspace, the blue light flying by outside the window. 

Of course, Hunter already knew he was there. Even with the seat turned forward, he saw Hunter’s head move in a way that showed he sensed Echo come in. It only took a few seconds, probably because he didn’t move or say anything, for Hunter to swivel around in the co-pilot’s chair to look at him. 

“There you are.” He gave Echo a smirk. “Was wondering when you’d come up here.”

“Not getting cold feet are you?” Crosshair teased, turning a little in his chair, behind Hunter, sneering at him a little, arms crossed. “But if you are, we can just open the airlock for you.”

“Ease up a little, Cross.” Hunter warned, but still smiling so it was more lighthearted than actually stern. 

Crosshair turned his chair to be facing him more. “Hm, you think you could breathe in space with all... that ?” He gestured at him with a hand. “You should find out how it all works.”

Hunter gave a quick swipe to the back of Crosshair’s head at the comments, which Crosshair only brushed off with a grin. 

“No, you’re right.” Echo started, a smirk growing on his own face as he stepped into the room. “I should find out how everything works.” He lifted the scomp hand, making it spin. “Finding your Republic file and all the locked up details would make a fun experiment.”

Both Wrecker and Hunter glanced at each, a bit of surprise and smiles. Someone sassing Crosshair back was a sight to see. Crosshair picked his toothpick from his teeth. “Oohoo, aren’t you a testy one.” He smirked back at Echo. The reply at face value seemed cheeky and goading, but underlying and obvious to all of them, it was one of accepting. “I can see a little bit more of why you wanted to adopt this stray, Hunter.” He swiveled back around to look at Hunter. 

The “stray” referral to him made Echo raise an eyebrow, but he moved past it. Suppose it was in some way better than being called a “reg” as he’d heard from Jesse and Kix about how the sniper usually referred to other clones. 

“So…” Echo turned the conversation, as he was wondering, “where are we going to now? Another mission?”

The four shared a look, then Hunter chuckled, standing up from his seat. “We’re heading back to Kamino.”

“Kamino?” Echo raised an eyebrow. He let himself be led by Hunter to the co-pilot seat he’d just left. 

“Gotta re-supply, but more importantly-we have to get you ready.”

Echo gave himself a once-over. “Am I...not ready right now?”

He could hear the others laugh, but his gaze went to Tech who was flying, his laugh sticking out. Hunter pushed him down into the seat. “Not quite. But don’t worry, we’ll take care of that.” He clapped his shoulder. “Why don’t you take your first small assignment and be Tech’s co-pilot, while I go finish up some reports we’ll have to turn in once we arrive.”

Echo glanced at Tech, who did so as well to him, giving him a small smile. “Well, alright.” He settled into the chair, looking over the console. Flying a ship wasn’t anything unfamiliar. An Omnicron attack shuttle was certainly different though. 

Hunter left the cockpit, Crosshair and Wrecker soon followed, leaving just him and Tech. It stayed silent for a good while. Should he say something? Ask Tech something? “So…” he started, unsure what to say. 

“You surprise me, Echo.” 

“Huh?” He blinked at the sudden and blunt statement. Tech stayed facing forward, tinkering with something. 

“This mission I expected many things, but never once did I ever figure for us to be leaving with another member to join us.” He set down one tool, picking up another. “Not to mention you in general.”

“What does that mean?” Echo swiveled to be facing Tech, confused. 

“You survived an incident unthought of actually being survivable. The alterations to your body. And how quickly you adapted to them to then pull off high-risk moves as you did.” Tech finally turned to look at him. “I had my own perceptions of you, and you exceeded those.”

“Uh...thanks, I guess.” Echo gave an awkward smile, rubbing the back of his neck. 

“I’m not surprised so easily, Echo.” Tech tilted his head at him, trying to spell something out for him. “My mind, I can most often calculate and logically determine the results and proceedings of a mission. With this one,” he shrugged, “I could not determine them. You were an anomaly that bested even me.” He quickly held up a finger. “Don’t think you can make a habit of it though!”

Echo laughed, a warm feeling rising in his chest. His eyes wandered the console of the ship again. To his right, how convenient, was a port for a scomp. “What do you think I could do with this, Tech?” He held up the scomp arm. “I mean, you’re the expert with this stuff.”

“That I will determine while we are on Kamino.” Tech answered. “Majority of this stop is for you. We have to check all of your prosthetics, neural implants and interfaces, make any adjustments or improvements to those and run tests. Not to worry-” he added, “-I will be heading that. There’s no way in this galaxy i’m letting Kaminoan medical droids mess with it.”

Echo stared at Tech’s profile for a few seconds. All that work that needs to be done with him, the thought of procedures on him pertaining to all of that, was admittedly nerve-wracking. More people and droids touching him, pulling things apart, plugging things in. But the absolute declaration of Tech vowing to do it himself-for some reason it was comforting. It suddenly wasn’t as scary to think about. 

“Well…” Echo smiled, “think we could run a couple of tests now?” He gestured his scomp to the ship’s console port. 

Tech glanced over, then smiled back. “I don’t see why not. Just don’t break anything or drop us out of hyperspace.”

“Hmph,” Echo laughed, “noted.”

Chapter Text

Landing on Kamino was a mixed bag of emotions. At first, he didn’t think anything of it. When the city came into view, bright lights in the dark rainstorms of the planet, he was happy to see it. But then as they touched down into the hangar, a small spark of nervousness lit in his chest. First nervousness, then to uncertainty. It had been so long. But it had been so long . He hated how many times he was seeming to second guess himself today. While the others started grabbing their gear to depart the ship, he lingered in the co-pilot’s seat. At least none of the other three noticed-that he could tell- his hesitation to get up with Tech remaining at the helm for the final checks and shutdown of the ship. 

He stood up, gazing out the front windshield into the hangar. It relieved him a little that it really hadn’t changed at all. Troopers in shiny, new armour moving in every direction. Some splotches of colored armour here and there. Ships moving in and out of the hangars. Always buzzing with life and something happening. Even inside the ship, he could hear some of the noise outside. Kamino really never was a quiet place. 

Movement in his peripheral caught his attention as Tech had stood up from his seat, grabbing his helmet and datapad. He was muttering to himself, looking down at his datapad while turning and heading for the door to leave. Echo watched him go before his thoughts finally caught up with him, realizing he should follow. He hurried to the back of the ship to grab his helmet he’d left on the seats and headed for the door. Tech had already descended the ramp, joining the others at the bottom. Echo took one step down the ramp before stopping and lingering on it, now fully taking in the presence of Kamino. 

The noise from before was now clear. Orders and calls being shouted all around. The sound of hundreds of boots in unison on the hard floor. The hiss and roars of engines shutting off and starting up. He could smell the metal mixed with the sea air, a nostalgic scent that in the moment was a bit overwhelming. His fingers flexed around the bottom of his helmet tucked under his arm. Pursing his lips, he slowly stepped down the ramp, eyes continuing to scan the whole room. Tech gave him a quick glance as he reached the bottom, joining them.

The longer he looked around the room, the more he became aware of the stares. While some were shorts, others lingering, there was no doubt that every clone in the hangar was at least giving the group a glance. Even with many of their faces hidden underneath helmets, he could feel the looks under the visors. It must just be because they’re Clone Force 99. They do stick out like sore thumbs in a crowd of white, and they have a reputation. Of course others would stare. He gave a quick shrug of his shoulders, brushing them off. When he lifted his eyes again, he saw Hunter speaking with the deck officer. He hadn’t been paying attention, but he didn’t miss Hunter jabbing a quick thumb back at him over his shoulder and the officer’s gaze going to him as well. He blinked, shifting awkwardly on his feet and looking away as the officer’s look drilled into him. 

The conversation finally ended as a light tap was at his arm. He looked up from spacing out a little, Tech staring at him. “If you’re done finding the floor interesting,” he gestured with his head at the others beginning to leave, “we’re heading to our barracks.”

“Uh, right.” He moved alongside Tech to catch up with the others. 

The white color and bright fluorescent lights of the hallways hit his eyes hard. He slowed for a moment, squinting and reeling back from them. Of course, lifting his arm to try and shield his eyes was moot as it was the scomp; he was seriously getting annoyed that he kept forgetting about that. The smell was also strong. Sterile and clean. 

Blinking, adjusting to the lights, he moved to catch up to the group again. Thankfully they had only gotten a few steps ahead. But as he did, he noticed the stares again. Even more now, without helmets, where he could see their expressions, their eyes. Even if they tried to hide it, he saw the double takes and raised eyebrows. 

“Echo,” Hunter slowed them down, looking over his shoulder at him, “stay close, yeah?”

“Don’t want the rookie getting lost on his first day.” Crosshair chided with a smile, inserting a new toothpick into his mouth. 

Wrecker just gave a quick pat on the back, while moving to be behind him, like a makeshift fence. Unconsciously, as the little circle was made around him, he moved a bit closer to Tech as they continued to walk. “Is it..always like this when you guys come back to Kamino-or is it just because i’m here?”

“Hm?” Tech raised his eyes to him, then removed his helmet. He read Echo’s face for a moment, before answering. “Oh,” Tech’s eyes went to a few clones as they passed them, “you mean all that . That’s fairly standard with the regs. I wouldn’t worry about it.”

“We aren’t exactly the most popular around here.” Hunter added on. Though the statement seemed negative, the tone in his voice was very casual, confusing Echo for a moment. Then Hunter chuckled. “You can probably figure out why.”

“Yeah!” Wrecker sounded loudly from the back. “But who cares what they think.”

Tech laid a quick hand on Echo’s shoulder. “Just ignore it. They’re most likely staring at us more than you.”

Echo gave a surprised blink, face relaxing a bit, at Tech voicing and answering what he was internally debating. 

“But-uh….” his eyes flit to the floor then back to Tech, “aren’t I part of the ‘us’ now..?” He shrugged. 

Tech actually gave a thinking expression, a hooked finger and thumb to this chin. “Well, technically, yes. But you know what I mean.”

-----------

The Batch’s Barracks were a mess. The state of the room fit the squad perfectly though for who they were. Their squad having shiny, clean barracks like everyone else? There was no way. The state of their ship told Echo that much on the way there. He appreciated the dark colors and lighting of the room though, much easier on his eyes than the hallway. 

Unsure where exactly to go when they entered, he settled for following Tech to the table in the middle of the room. Scattered droid parts and other spare mechanical parts and pieces littered the table. It must be one of those organized messes as Tech had sat down on the other side of him and began tinkering and building something. He didn’t even have to look away from his project to grab a part or tool. 

Echo was entranced by it, to say the least. He couldn’t help but stare and watch Tech work, taking in everything he did. In the heat of battle, he hadn’t focused too closely on seeing how Tech worked, but now he could see it- even if on a smaller, more casual scale. He remembered liking to tinker with things sometimes, especially back when he was just a shiny. Little things here and there. And General Skywalker would sit with him sometimes and show things as he liked to build stuff as well. 

Tech moved so naturally and expertly. He didn’t have to pause to question what he was doing. He could see the concentration in his eyes, but at the same time it was so calm and relaxed. It made him smile to himself a little every time Tech made a small noise at his work or the calm facade was broken with a squint and tilt of his head to look at something closer. 

After a while, he realized how awkward it must be for him to just be sitting and staring at him. “Whatcha working on?” 

“Just a prototype.” Tech answered, his eyes not leaving his work. “Once I get it finished, it should improve several key components of the ship’s processing system and other functions.”

“A bit vague, but..cool.” Echo shrugged. 

Tech finally looked over at him, adjusting his goggles. “I’ll get started on some drafts soon for your own assets.”

“Huh?” Echo raised an eyebrow, heavily confused. “Assets?”

“I would like a bit more observation,” Tech held up a finger, “but from the little i’ve seen so far and what I know currently about your mechanical components, it stands that there are massive improvements that can be made. Especially for combat.”

Echo chuckled. “I just joined the team a few hours ago, and already you’ve been thinking about all of that?”

Tech turned back to his work, a flippant hand. “We were already thinking about you joining us before we left Trench’s ship at Annaxis. It was Hunter’s idea. So I had a bit more time than that to think about it.”

Echo blinked, giving a glance to Hunter who turned himself away to make it seem like he wasn’t listening to the conversation. “Really?”

“I would have still made the suggestions to Captain Rex even if you hadn’t.” Tech shrugged. “But, if someone there could actually do it was another variable.”

“Obviously not the droids, according to you.” Echo leaned on the table, inclining his head at Tech with the tease, remembering the time in the medbay at the base. 

Tech looked back to him, pointing a finger, a tool held in hand. “You’re body, a combination of flesh and machine the way it is is unprecedented. A cybernetic marvel in blunt terms. I wouldn’t let a reg droid near it.”

Echo rubbed at the back of his neck at the compliment, strangely worded as it was. But that was Tech-speak. 

“Just don’t get carried away.” He smiled back at Tech. 

-------

Hunter sat back against the wall of his bunk, one leg up while he sharpened his vibroblade. His eyes went from the knife to the pair at the table; Tech and Echo. Several days on Kamino and he already had begun to notice something. He was positive he was sure about what he was seeing, but still wanted to know if anyone else saw it as well. 

“Wrecker.” He called over to him at his bunk, nudging his head for Wrecker to come over. As soon as Wrecker walked over, he scooted over on the bunk, beckoning Wrecker to come in close. He didn’t want the question to be overheard. 

“Have you noticed anything specific about Echo and Tech?” He kept his voice low, eyes and head flicking to them at the table. 

“What do you mean?” Wrecker followed his gaze, tilting his head at the two who weren’t paying attention to them. “Something going on?”

“Mmmm, maybe.” Hunter hummed. Wrecker just tilted his head again, prompting Hunter to explain. Hunter just pressed his lips together, continuing to watch the two. He didn’t have to call for Crosshair as he made his way over to the two on his own, picking up on something happening. 

“Are we that bored that we’re watching our nerd and science experiment play together?” He leaned against the bunk, crossing his arms. 

Hunter gave him an unamused look, before moving to the edge of the bunk. “You notice anything with those two?”

“Have you?” Crosshair jeered back at him, a smirk on his face, already knowing the answer. 

“The whole time we’ve been on Kamino, I swear I haven’t seen those two apart for more than a few minutes.” Hunter twirled his blade in his fingers absently. “They’re always together.”

Wrecker shrugged. “Tech’s been working on stuff for Echo hasn’t he?”

“Yeah,” Hunter rolled his head, nodding, “but even then, Echo sticks around Tech a lot.”

“You think that could be a problem?” Crosshair, played with his toothpick in his fingers. 

“I don’t want to think like that, but it could be a liability when we get back out in the field once Echo is cleared.” Hunter sheathed the knife, setting it down. 

“So what are you going to do about it?” Crosshair asked. 

Hunter sighed. “I don’t want to put either on the spot, more so Echo. But it can’t be left alone. I need to talk to at least one of them.” He paused. “But not right now.” He looked to Wrecker and Crosshair. “If you two could get him alone in here sometime tomorrow, that would make it a bit easier.” 

“No problem,” Wrecker nodded, “we can do that.” Crosshair made a noise of agreement, before moving back to his own bunk. 

------

“I’m telling you, just re-route the auxiliary power. It would be much easier.” Echo insisted, walking down the hall beside Tech back to the barracks. 

“But that wouldn’t be making it any more efficient.” Tech shot back. “Easier does not make for better. I want my ship to be at its best for our missions. There’s a chance we could be assigned to assist in orbital battles.”

“Alright, alright.” Echo waved a hand in surrender. “I get it. Have you at least thought about me being able to control the front cannons from the co-pilot scomp port?”

“That seems a little advanced for the work we’ve done with your scomp and neural system so far.” Tech narrowed his eyes at Echo. “But I will consider it for the future, as it is an interesting suggestion.”

“Fair enough.” They stopped outside the door. 

Before either could hit the button, it opened with a hiss, Wrecker appearing in the doorway in an instant. “Ah-there you are!”

“We weren’t gone that long Wrecker.” Echo looked up at him. Suddenly, a hand was on his shoulder, pulling him into the room. Tech started to follow, but Wrecker blocked his path, an awkward smile on his face. 

“I need to borrow Echo-uh-go do something else!” Wrecker moved back, shutting the door in Tech’s face. 

Tech scoffed, expression confused and irritated. “Wha-Wrecker!” He sighed, shaking his head. “I guess i’ll “go do something else”.”

Echo stumbled down the steps into their barracks, righting himself as he hit the bottom. He spun around to face Wrecker. “Uh-what exactly do you need, Wrecker?” He raised an eyebrow. “So much that you’re kicking Tech out?”

Wrecker rubbed the back of his head. “It’s not really me.” He gave a nervous laugh. 

“Huh?” He tilted his head, even more confused, until a hand was on his shoulder from behind. He turned to see Hunter, Crosshair back by the windows as well. Even as stoic as Hunter was, Echo still could feel the implication that something amiss. “Is...something wrong?”

Hunter’s face softened a little bit. “We just need to have a little talk about something.”

“Something that Tech can’t be involved with..?” Echo took the guess. “Is it about him?”

Crosshair spoke up from the back. “Well, you got half of it.”

Echo’s eyes went back to Hunter for an explanation.  “Look, it’s nothing too serious.” Hunter went to reassure him. “But I felt that it needs to be addressed.”

“And that would be…?” Echo trailed off again, getting just a bit frustrated with the continued vagueness. 

“Ah….how do I put this?” Hunter looked down for a second. Wrecker and Crosshair came to stand on either side behind him. 

Crosshair spoke for Hunter, albeit in his usual blunt fashion. “You’ve been acting like a lost tooka the whole time we’ve been here.”

Echo’s brow furrowed. “How have I-?”

Hunter took over, giving a small squeeze to Echo’s shoulder to keep him calm. “We’ve just noticed that ever since you joined us, you’ve been tending to hover around Tech a lot.”

Crosshair chimed back in, seeing his reaction. “You practically hover like a probe droid.” He smirked, looking him up and down. “Though technically you are halfway there with the droid part.”

Echo didn’t have time to react or retort as Wrecker moved over to smack Crosshair, making him stumble. “Hunter said no droid comments.” He whispered sharply, even though they could clearly be heard. Crosshair just rolled his eyes, re-crossing his arms and pouting. 

Hunter regained Echo’s attention, continuing. “We’re not trying to say you’ve done anything wrong, Echo.” He removed his hand from Echo’s shoulder, crossing his arms. “But I would like to know what’s going on.”

Echo’s gaze fell to the floor, his brow still furrowed, but more so in confusion with himself. He’d been hovering? Around Tech? Had he really? His head swirled and shifted through everything he’d done since they’d gotten to Kamino. Re-examining every action, every conversation, every off-duty moment that wasn’t spent on working. Now that it was pointed out to him, he saw the pattern as well. Almost all of it, Tech was there. Tech infinitely more than anyone else. 

Sighing, he sank onto the bench, his hand cupping his forehead. “Ah, geez….” He took a breath, lifting his head. “I’m sorry, Hunter-I….I didn’t even realize I was doing it…”

Hunter came to sit down beside him. “It’s alright. Like I said, it’s not really a bad thing. It was just a little concerning.”

“Concerning being that it could make you a liability in the field.” Crosshair spoke up again. 

Hunter sighed. “Yes, that too.” He did say that yesterday. “I don’t have any doubts about you as a soldier, Echo. I’ve seen it firsthand-we all have. But, you also have been through a lot and we’re moving to get you cleared for officially joining us. If something is going on that can affect you in the field, it needs to be dealt with immediately and directly.”

“I know.” Echo nodded. He sighed again. “You’re right. Being a liability is that last thing I want  to be, especially if I can’t even see that I am.”

“Well, let’s fix that then.” Hunter said, leaning forward, resting his arms on his thighs. “So….can you think of why you’ve been pretty much attached to Tech?”

Echo sat in silence for several long moments, just thinking. Why had he been around Tech so much? What was the common factor out of everything? His leg bounced a bit as he thought. Relax, Echo. Break it down, just like examining a battle. He went back through each instance, each specific memory. Slowly, the pieces fell into place. The puzzle completed at the last one, technically the first one. 

“It’s…” he started, but wasn’t sure where to go. What to say. How to say it. He shook his head. “I don’t know how to explain it.” He couldn’t look over at Hunter or any of them. The feeling and knowing exactly what it was, he felt embarrassed. 

From his peripheral vision he could see Wrecker running off towards his bunk then coming back. He came to kneel in front of Echo, then held something out to him. Echo blinked, staring straight into the face of Wrecker’s stuffed tooka he called “Lula”. “Uhhh…..”

“Here,” Wrecker asserted, “talk to Lula. I find it’s easier to talk about stuff to her a lot.” He pushed the doll into Echo’s hands, letting him hold her. 

He was careful with his scomp hand, keeping it under the doll, while his normal hand rubbed at the fabric and feeling the weight of the doll. Wrecker was right, surprisingly, in that he was already a bit calmer. The red button eyes stared back at him, no emotion or judgement. Just red and circular. 

“I didn’t realize what I was doing.” He started. “I guess I was just doing what was natural.” He sat up a little. “.....When I came out of that stasis chamber. Well-” he huffed out a laugh, “-it was all a blur. The first face I saw….The first clear memory I have is of Tech.”

He could feel the gazes of the others on him shift and ease up. “He was the first one of you guys that I met, as confusing as it was to learn he was a clone as well. He was... there .” He wasn’t sure how else to say it. “And he just kept being there…..I haven’t doubted myself on joining you guys, but it is proving to be more of an adjustment than I first thought. I guess I just feel at ease being around him.”

He finally raised his head, looking around at the others. Wrecker looked worried, sympathy written all over his face. Hunter had a look of patience and compassion. Crosshair, surprisingly, had a look of understanding. He handed the doll back to Wrecker with a small smile of “thanks”. “Guess you were right, Wrecker.”

Wrecker beamed. “Told you.”
Hunter placed his hand back on Echo’s shoulder. Echo looked at him, taking a  deep breath. “I’ll try to ease up on the….hovering.”

“We’ll work on that together.” he patted Echo’s shoulder. “And don’t worry-we won’t say a word to Tech. Not unless you do.”

Echo nodded, turning his head back forward. “Yeah-that’s gonna be a thing.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Hunter pushed himself up off the bench. “If it goes south, you could always just bribe him with really nice technology, or some experimentation with your scomp, he won’t shut up about it sometimes.”

“Really?” Echo smiled, raising an eyebrow. 

“Really.” Hunter emphasised the word. 

While the others went back to their business, Echo grabbed his helmet, prepping to head out and find Tech.

Chapter Text

It didn’t take long to find Tech. He didn’t even know exactly where Tech had gone when Wrecker kept him from the barracks for their talk, yet he knew exactly where to find Tech. He didn’t know if that was adding to what Hunter and the others talked about and if it was concerning or not. 

Tech was in the hangar with the Havoc Marauder. He spotted him outside the ship when he entered the hangar and saw him go back up the steps inside. Mind focused on getting to Tech and talking to him, he walked through the hangar without paying any mind to the secondhand glances thrown his way. It made him glare into the floor for a moment, knowing what he did now. It was true that every time he went somewhere on Kamino, he’d been with one of the batch, mainly Tech; never alone. 

He stopped at the entrance to the ship, staring up the ramp into it. He could already hear Tech working inside, the whir and hiss of his tools. It was now or never. Time to face the music. He took a deep breath, ascending the steps, making his way inside. Once inside, he made his way to the cockpit where he could hear Tech working. Even from the back he could see Tech laying underneath the console, working away. The closer he got, he could also hear the soft sound of the radio playing some music. It wasn’t all the time that Tech had music while he worked, so this must be very casual work. 

Even if the work was casual, it was still work and when Tech was working, he was concentrating and many a time Echo had come to learn-meant that he was lost to the world around him. He stopped just in front of his feet, not being able to help the smile that tugged at the corner of his lips as Tech took no notice of his presence and just kept muttering to himself. 

“Seems like you found something to do.” He gave a kick at Tech’s foot. 

Tech jumped, just as expected, banging his head off the console and groaning. “Ah! Echo, do you have to do that every time?”

Echo folded his arms, smirking down at him as he crawled out from underneath the console. “Maybe when you stop jumping from it.”

Tech gave him an unamused look before brushing himself off and standing up. “I assume whatever Wrecker needed to “borrow” you for is taken care of.”

Echo rubbed at the back of his neck, looking away. “Ehhh..sort of.”

Tech gave him a deadpan stare. “What did he break this time?”

“Nothing.” Echo waved a hand. “It wasn’t anything like that.”

“Oh. Alright then.” Tech picked up his datapad, seeming to just let it go at that. If only it were that easy. It would be so easy to just back out, but Echo pretty much promised Hunter he would talk with Tech. 

“But...there is something.” He started. “Something I need to talk to you about.” He rubbed the back of his neck, as Tech’s gaze came up from the datapad, curious at the change in his tone. 

Promptly, he set the datapad aside, his full attention on Echo. “This is something important. Something serious.” He took a step closer to Echo. “What’s wrong?”

Echo shook his head, not meeting Tech’s eyes. “Nothing’s wrong-”

“Yes, there is.” Tech’s matter-of-fact tone came in. “I can tell. You have an emotional tick of touching the back of your neck when it comes to something upsetting.”

That got Echo to look at Tech, a surprised and befuddled blink. “Wait-what?”

Tech gave a small smile. “We haven’t known each other that long, but in the amount of time we’ve spent together i’ve picked up on a few of your habits. It’s just a natural thing I noticed with you. So-” He asked again, “-what’s wrong?”

He sucked at emotional talks. And to be doing it twice in one day was tiresome. He never knew where to start. Maybe he could just pretend to be talking to a stuffed tooka again. But, without the actual thing here, it wasn’t really working. How was he supposed to approach this? Apologize for following him around? Ask him if he saw it happening like the others? He must have been quiet for too long as Tech’s voice sounded again. 

“Echo.” His tone was more urging, but patient. “If you don’t say anything, there is no point to this conversation.”

He sighed. “Look…..I-Hunter came to me earlier about it-and I didn’t even realize I was doing it until he said something.”

“Doing what?”

He took a deep breath. Rip the bacta patch off. “The whole time we’ve been here-ever since I joined the team i’ve been following you around-i’m sorry. I won’t do it anymore.” He was starting to talk a little quicker. “Like I said, I didn’t even realize I was-”

“That’s all?” 

The gears in his head came to a grinding halt. “What?” 

Tech’s expression was still as casual as ever, head tilted at him. “I knew you were following me.” Point blank as always. 

“You...did?” He raised an eyebrow at him. 

Tech shrugged. “I didn’t pay it much mind.” He turned around to start messing with buttons on the console. 

“Still-” Echo took a step forward, leaning forward over Tech’s shoulder. “-I won’t be doing it anymore. I don’t want to be a bother…” He receded. 

Tech stopped what he was doing, promptly turning back around and standing at full height. “I never said it was a bother.”

“But-”

“But nothing.” He cut Echo off. Pausing he came to stand closer to him. “Echo, you have experienced unthinkable trauma, and is very fresh at that. It is only logical that your mental state will have you act in certain ways.”

“I came to this team to be a soldier again.” Echo tried to look stoic.”Not a liability because of what happened to me. We’re clones,” he shook his head, “we’re built to withstand the mental stress.”

“Well you’re not exactly a normal clone anymore.” Tech said nonchalantly. “You’re a reg-but you’re also one of us. Like your body, you’re a hybrid. Even then,” Tech looked him straight in the eyes, a certain firm look in them, “ we are not exactly of perfect mental stability either.”

Echo fell silent, pondering Tech’s words. “We” as in the Bad Batch. Was that true? Why would Tech so openly tell him about that? He sank into the nearby chair, looking at the floor. 

Tech continued as Echo remained silent. “I will say, i’m flattered you picked me to follow around.” He gave a small laugh. “It makes working on your prosthetics and implants much easier.”

Echo huffed a laugh. “I didn’t even really pick you. I was just doing it.” At the back of his chest, the urge to tell Tech what he told the others was creeping up. But should he? What would he think? How would he react? While Tech had seemed to come to understand him pretty easily, he still didn’t have much idea on the other. The feeling won out. “It just felt natural going with you. I don’t know exactly how to explain it-believe me I already tried with the others before this….”

It was Tech’s turn to fall silent and listen. Echo sat and thought for a moment. Tech had a logical and exceptional mind, but he still needed a simple way to say it. Then it hit him. “You’re like Fives.”

“Fives?” Tech tilted his head. “I’m assuming they are another clone?”

Echo gave a nostalgic smile. “He was my batchmate, Domino Squad. My best brother. People would call us the “Domino Twins”. We became ARC Troopers together, we were on the Citadel rescue together-” he cut himself off. “-though guess we aren’t really twins anymore.”

“And i’m like this Fives by….” Tech asked, not quite catching up to what he was insinuating.

“It’s….easy to be around you.” He answered, searching still for the right words. “Talking to you is easy, it’s just natural, like we’ve always known each other. Just….being around you, it feels….comforting.” The dam was starting to come down, the words spilling out much easier, proving his point in a way. “After everything with the Techno Union, even if I barely remember it, the first thing I can remember past all that is meeting you and you getting me out.” He made eye contact with Tech for a moment before looking away again, catching the surprise on Tech’s face. “Sorry, that was a lot.”

“And those other three were chiding me on “getting attached” to you after we met.” 

Once again-point blank and not at all the reaction he expected. He sat up straight, looking at Tech again. Tech just smiled down at him. “I suppose in a way, it is the same with me towards you.” He reached over to pick up his datapad again. “So, if you want to keep following me around, I don’t protest.” His eyes lifted up at Echo. “I’ve made it a primary duty for the time being to help provide whatever it is that you need to be prepped for duty in the field with us.”

He was insinuating right back at him. Echo could only chuckle a little at it. “Thanks, Tech…..”

“We’re brothers now, Echo. That’s how our team operates. We help each other, no matter what it is.” Giving one last smile, he lowered himself to the floor and crawled back under the console. “Now help me with running these diagnostics on the internal systems.”

Echo laughed, a real one, with a roll of his eyes. “Alright, fine.”