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Tech and Echo sat dressed in humble, but clean embroidered Nabooian tunics. Their battle days long behind them, they enjoyed a quiet tea at a café along a wide river. A warm breeze ruffled the umbrella that shaded the two elderly men from the midafternoon sun.
Tech read from his old fashioned datapad, one he had no need to update. Echo had procured him a brand new model, and Tech was grateful for the gift. But he needed to make personal customizations before he would actually use it. Echo understood what it was that really prevented Tech from using the new machine. Echo said “The font is nice and clear, you know. The lady at the shop showed me.” His voice was a bit more gravely from age.
“I’m sure it is top of the line” Tech said absently, then throwing his brother a tight smile, his own voice a bit shakier than it was in his prime.
Echo continued “The volume…eh… you can uh…”
Tech said “Echo, it’s a wonderful gift and much appreciated. I only wish to make the adjustments when I have all the data I want to transfer organized as I prefer.”
Echo nodded and looked out over the river. “It’s so peaceful” he said to himself taking a sip of ice cool tea.
“Indeed” said Tech. “I cannot complain about the benefits the New Republic has provided surviving clones. “
“Yeah, thanks to Rex, of course. Again.” Echo grimaced.
“Do you… resent him?” asked Tech.
Echo, shocked at the idea “No! It’s just, it’s always Rex, helping me. I just wish I could find a way to pay him back.”
Tech’s eyes scanned the old fashioned screen of his device. “Taking care of those he holds dear is his own reward. That is his nature. You know this.”
“Better than anyone” said Echo tapping his cup with a new hand, covered in synthflesh. “Better than anyone.”
Tech said “Keep in mind we earned our retirement. Our service at the Battle of Endor was voluntary and considering our advanced age and level of experience, our stipends are quite generous.”
“They could give us so much because there aren’t that many of us left, Tech.” Echo’s eyes scanned the crowd. “Ah!...” he said then waved his hand to someone in the distance.
Tech looked up from his datapad “Ah! Yes, there she is.”
Omega, now a young woman, made her way through the maze of tables, chairs, and other patrons to her old brothers. Echo, ever the gentle man, began to stand from his chair.
She rushed over and blurted out “Oh, Echo, don’t be silly!” She got to his side before he could get up and said “Don’t be silly, don’t get up for me!” She hugged Echo in greeting then Tech before she sat. She sat between them at the table said “You two look great. The sun here Is doing wonders for you.”
Tech said “Fresh air, sunlight, and meeting our daily nutritional requirements certainly does help.”
Omega nodded, inured to Tech’s factual descriptions. “But I meant you, Echo, mostly. You have some color in your face again!”
Echo nodded, touching his face with his fingertips “Yeah, almost like my old self again.”
She looked at Tech and his old data pad “How old is that thing now, Tech?”
“Not too old to be of any use” he replied.
Omega shared a knowing glance with Echo. She said “Like you? A bit old, but still plenty to offer?”
Tech stiffened “Are you suggesting I am projecting my insecurities onto inanimate objects?”
“Yes” said Omega, plainly. “You’re not a computer, Tech, the New Republic wants to give you time to yourself. Time to enjoy the galaxy you spent your entire life fighting for. They didn’t throw you away.”
Echo looked again at the river “We don’t know what else to do Omega. We don't know how to be civilians.”
“You seem like you’re doing ok” she said. “You found a nice home, a garden for some fresh food! You take trips to the local market here, right?”
She knew it wasn’t enough for them. She knew their minds were keen but their bodies were fading fast. Her heart ached for her brothers. Her brave, caring, brilliant brothers.
Echo came back from his daydreams and said “Why don’t you tell us about school? What have you been wowing your teachers with this week?”
“Oh! That reminds me!” she said pulling around her backpack. “Tech, I need your help…”
As Omega spoke with Tech, Echo felt himself drifting away. It wasn’t a negative feeling, just a state he was finding himself in more and more recently. He would end up staring off into no where, and when he came back he had no idea how long he had been gone.
Omega snapped him back with a simple “Echo?”
“Ah, sorry, kid” he chuckled.
Tech and she shared a concerned look.
Later that evening Omega made sure her two older brothers were settled at home. Echo made his way into bed, despite the early hour and Tech made his way to his favorite chair. Omega came down a set of stairs and watched from the doorway as Tech shuffled to the chair, rested a shaking hand on the arm of the chair, then lowered himself with a thud into the familiar upholstered seat.
His new datapad lay on the table and he put his fingers on it. He somewhat struggled to pick up the slick device with his stiff elderly hands.
Omega entered and asked “So you’re gonna stay up?” and wordlessly lifted the slim device off the table and handed it to him.
He nodded “Yes, I must master this device first.” He held it far, then close, then far again.
Omega tapped the touch screen for him to open the device. “There’s a manual, right?”
“My body is frail, Omega, but my mind is still very sharp. I need no manual for such intuitive technology.” He pulled down his old goggles and magnified his vision. “There we are.”
“So…is it getting worse?” asked Omega during on the arm of his chair.
“Hm? What is that?” asked Tech, gently tapping away, uploading all sorts of programs, data, and applications.
“You know what” said Omega somberly.
Tech paused his furious tapping and quietly said “Yes. If we aren’t talking he just drifts away. He says it’s lost time, and this has me concerned.”
Omega nodded in agreement. “I’ll call the doctor. I don’t think this is normal.”
Tech rested the datapad on his lap. He lifted his goggles to look at Omega. “My dear, it is, unfortunately not unusual for a man of his age to experience this. We are old, Omega. We are no longer the healthy, robust men with which you galivanted around the galaxy all those years ago.”
“But…” Omega shook her head. “No. I can see how you’re frail now. But I can’t watch him slip away from us like this …” her voice cracked and she cried. “I’m calling a doctor.”
“Do as you wish” said Tech, slightly peeved.
Omega stayed the night in their small house. There were a couple of spare rooms where Hunter and Wrecker had lived. Hunter had moved away with a woman to a small cottage in the forest. Omega still stayed with them and when she was not in class or living in the dorms of her school. Omega helped take care of Hunter, like all her brothers. He was more physically robust than the others, but was becoming quieter and more withdrawn. He would leave the woman he was living with and spend a lot of time out hunting and hiking alone in the woods.
Wrecker had passed away a year and a half earlier. They were having a bar-b-que when he got a distant look in his eyes, his can of ale slipped from his hand, and he dropped his plate of nuna-dogs, before he fell flat on the ground. The medical droid explained he had passed away before he had even hit the ground. His heart just gave out.
It had crushed Omega, and she found she could not focus on anything and paused her studies. She grieved deeply, unable to comprehend how he could be so full of life one moment and completely gone the next. His tiny girlfriend also mourned, but moved on and away after several months. Omega’s other brothers did their best to console her, but only time could help her.
The only thing that drew her from her grief was helping Echo as he recovered from some reconstructive surgeries and synth-skin grafting. He would never be a full human again, but his treatments were helping him live out his retirement in more comfort than anyone expected.
Omega woke and sat up, half a smile perking up the corner of her mouth. “Much more comfortable than the gunners mount, I guess” she mumbled. She got out of bed, dressed and walked past the living room where she had left Tech the night before. As she suspected he was fast asleep in the chair in which he had been sitting. She shook her head in disapproval, but knew her brother was never quite comfortable in a regular bed. After living on the Marauder hiding, running, and having to be on constant alert for threats for so many years, Tech was not comfortable laying helplessly and defenselessly in a bed.
She walked over to Echo’s room and the door was ajar. She pushed it open fully “Good morning!” she said. Echo was sitting up, feet on the floor hands on his knees, staring at the floorboards.
The sun beamed through his window but he didn’t notice the beauty of the morning sun. Nor the lush green trees outside his window, nor the sweet song of the morning birds. He didn’t blink, or move, and for a moment Omega thought he had died sitting up. “Echo!?”
He flinched as If waking up again and cleared his throat. “Ah, g’morning Omega” he said. He smiled weakly and said “Is the caf machine acting up again?”
Worry was written across her face and he tried to hide his discomfort. He glanced at the clock and said “Sorry, I didn’t dress myself yet. I just….” He trailed off guesturing to his striped pajamas, the true issue being obvious.
“Where do you keep your medical contact info? I am going to make an appointment for you” said Omega.
“For what!?” snapped Echo, standing easily thanks to his cybernetics and walking over to his wardrobe. “I was just at the doctor” he said, grumpy. He pulled out a robe and put it on. “I don’t need to go back, yet.”
“You know why” said Omega. She was going to continue when they both heard Tech in the living room scream “CLANKERS!” then a crash.
They both ran to the living space and saw Tech on his knees, blood all over his hands. “I…I…I’m sorry” Tech sputtered.
He was confused and trying to pick up broken shards of glass on the floor. “It seems I have knocked the new datapad onto the floor…” His voice was weak, his hands shook, and his eyes darted around trying to find a solution.
Echo walked forward and knelt down on one knee next to Tech. “Your hands!” he said. “And you think I’m losin’ it? Stop. We have that house keeping droid to clean this up.”
“Don’t allow them to throw any of it out!” said Tech starting to get very upset.
Omega stood back as Echo helped Tech to his feet. Once standing, the elderly brother moved his goggles to wipe away tears. “Those DAMN Clankers! I wouldn’t…” he looked around fear and confusion falling across his face. Echo held him steady with hands on Tech’s shoulders. Tech was disoriented and upset “Omega?”
Echo said “Maybe you should sit down again.”
“No!” snapped the genius, sounding like a child. “No! I don’t want to!” he snapped.
Omega and Echo exchanged surprised looks. She didn’t say anything but rushed up and hugged Tech. She always knew he was the leanest of her brothers, but in her arms he felt frail. She pressed her face into his neck and cried.
Later that afternoon a human doctor and two medical droids came to their house. The doctor spoke quietly and privately with Echo about his episodes and it seemed he just needed some vitamins.
Tech was reluctant at first but sat with the doctor at Omega’s insistence.
Omega wanted to give them privacy, but she and Echo both waited outside the door of his bedroom and eavesdropped to hear anything they could.
The doctor emerged and said “He’s alright. The bacta you applied, Ms Omega, had his hands already healing well.”
Omega and Echo shared a brief but tense look. The two droids rolled out toward the vehicle and the doctor said “Otherwise, I suggest further testing at the Central Hospital in Theed. There’s a neurologist there who specializes in geriatrics.” Omega followed the doctor out to the transport and he gave her further details on which to follow up.
She joined Echo on the porch and they returned inside. They went straight to Tech and found him sitting with his old data pad ignoring the injuries on his hands. Echo approached first and asked Omega to get them some fizzy drinks. She accepted the task and while she slipped off to the kitchen Echo told Tech “So, uh, did the doctor mention going in for some testing?”
“Yes, unnecessary!” replied Tech brightly.
“I, uh, don’t think it would hurt, ya know” said Echo.
“Unnecessary” he said again. “I had an episode, but all is well now.”
Echo sat down as he heard the click of ice cubes in drinking glasses. “I don’t think it’s as easy as all that-“
“It is, actually” snapped Tech.
Omega approached putting down a tray and handing her brothers a drink each. Tech said “I will not go for further testing. There is no reason I can see and you cannot force me.”
After Omega handed Tech his drink. It was his favorite, the green one, and she said “We aren’t forcing you. It’s just the responsible thing to do.”
“I had a nightmare and when I awoke I accidentally knocked the device off the table.” He placed the drink on the side table and leaned over to drink from his green and white striped straw. “There is nothing to worry about.”
Omega and Echo knew there was something else going on and dropped the idea for the time being. “Alright” said Omega reluctantly.
A couple days later she rode a transport out to Hunter’s cottage in the woods. She knocked and entered the modest cottage and Hunter’s lover called out in greeting. “Omega?” she said with a smile.
"Hi Marlin!" The two women smiled and stood awkwardly in the silence. “I, uh, came by to see Hunter. Is he out back?” asked Omega walking up and peering out of a tiny window over the sink in the kitchen.
“No, he’s, well you know him" said Marlin, wringing her hands in a dishtowel. "He’s off on one of his hikes. He’s been out there for a week. He should be back soon” she said.
“Soon?” said Omega turning her attention back to Marlin. “Did he say he wanted to be back today?”
Marlin looked down and shook her head. “He didn’t say anything. He just left before the sun rose.” She lifted her face and said to Omega “A week is the longest he usually goes without checking in.”
Omega felt a pit in her belly. I’ve got a bad feeling about this she thought. She realized she hadn’t responded out loud and reassured the woman with “I’m sure he’s fine. I can head out and find him.”
Her almost-step-mother smiled weakly and said “You always could find him faster than the rest of us. Even Tech’s scanners!”
They shared a nervous laugh and then another awkward silence. Omega made her excuses and left to find Hunter. She walked out of the charming cottage and down the creeky wooden steps. She opened her eyes with Hunter’s teachings in mind. She soon saw some old footprints crushed in the leaves on a path that led deeper into the woods. She was only about 50meters along when she heard Hunter say “Did she send you to look for me?”
Omega looked up and smiled broadly. Hunter’s long dark hair was now a shimmering silver, his face and eyes were a bit sunken but his body was still strong. His shoulders were still proud and broad, and his smile just as bright as always. “Hunter!” she called out feeling like the little girl that left Kamino. She ran up to her brother and gave him a big hug.
He wrapped one arm around her and she took comfort in the familiar chuckle she heard. She was quite a bit taller now compared to the early days.
"So what brings you out here?" he asked his smile wide and genuine.
Omega smiled back and said, "Can't a girl visit her brother?"
He rustled her short hair and said "Of course! But I get the sense something is on your mind."
Her smile faded, and she nodded. "Yeah, well..."
They started back up the path and Hunter smirked. "Is it Tech or Echo?"
"How'd ja know?" She smiled wistfully. "Both, really."
They stopped walking when they reached the mouth of the path. "Whattaya mean, both? Are they fighting?"
"No," Omega crossed her arms and dragged her toe across the sandy dirt under her foot.
Hunter flashed back to when they landed on Saluecami and Omega first visited a new world outside the stark and sterile hallways of Tipoca City. "Well, out with it" he prompted with a gentle voice.
"They're... old, Hunter."
He laughed and said. "Yes, Omega. We've aged" he shrugged. “Better than the alternative.”
She stepped closer and looked up into his brown eyes with hers. "Tech is feeble. Echo is more solid, but not by much. I had a doctor come by and check them out, but only after they both had episodes."
Hunter demeanor turned serious "What kind of episodes?"
"Echo will be fine. Turns out he just needs a supplement. But Tech, well... he... he seems to be losing touch, and he hurt himself the other day screaming about clankers."
Hunter nodded as he listened to Omega retell the events that brought her there. "And what did the doctor say?" They began walking down the path back towards the house.
Feeling playful despite the heavy topic, Omega took a large step ahead. "That Tech should have further testing. In Theed.”
"And Tech refuses?" asked Hunter, putting the pieces together.
Omega nodded.
"So you need me to order him?" he confirmed, half amused. They stopped and faced each other.
She nodded affirmative again.
"Alright. The sooner the better or should I wait for a bigger plan?"
"As soon as is convenient for you, Sarg" she said, giving him a salute.
That made him smile and he said "Fine, lemme tell Marlin and we can head to their house right away."
Hunter and Omega pulled up to the house and entered to find Echo putting on a cardigan he used as a light jacket. "Hey there!" he said to Omega and he saluted Hunter with a straight a back as always. "Sargent on deck!" he yelled into the house with his humor.
Tech came shuffling into the foyer, and Hunter cursed in his mind. Damn, he does look old he thought.
Tech saluted Hunter and welcomed his brother with a smile "Hunter! What brings you out of the mountain trails?"
Hunter hesitated only slightly, but it was enough for Echo to notice. The retired Sargent said, "I'm just coming by to check in on my brothers while our sister is in town. How are things, boys?" he asked as the group as they all moved back to the kitchen.
Echo shared a glance with Omega that said I know what this is about. Omega shrugged slightly, and Echo smirked. Clever girl he thought.
They settled down at the kitchen nook overlooking the sunny backyard and sparkling river beyond. Omega got everyone a beverage and some snacks.
Echo stretched his arm across the back of the bench and said "When's the last time we were all together like this? It's nice!" He took a drink of his fortified juice.
They all knew when the last time they were together was. Wrecker was with them, in his last moments.
Tech tapped the bridge of his goggles, and he broke the glum silence that had fallen around them. "Perhaps we should have dinner together."
Omega smiled wide, and everyone agreed. Whatever made Omega happy made everyone happy. They sat and chatted further and talked about light topics. What Rex and Wolffe were up to, the sports teams they began to follow, and a bit about Omega’s schooling.
They came down from a chuckle when Omega said "Nothing quite like living and learning on the Marauder"
"Oh! That reminds me. I must run diagnostics in her this evening. We may not live in her lately, but she still requires maintenance" said Tech.
Tech slowly stood up and Echo said "You mean further tests?"
"No" snapped Tech, uncharacteristically angry. "I need to run the master program across the whole mainframe!"
Hunter waved a hand and said "Have a seat Tech, there's time."
"No, Sarg, it's..." he adjusted his goggles again as he searched for the words. "It's..." his eyes went wide with panic.
"There sure is time" said Echo. "Ya did it just yesterday."
Tech slammed his fist on the table, making the silverware clank and some juice to spill about. "NO I DIDN'T!" he yelled, knowing in his bones Echo was right.
Hunter was shocked. Tech had raised his voice on occasion, but never out of rage. It was usually to protest a plan, but he would quiet down when all his questions were answered. "Tech!" exclaimed Hunter, his voice as smokey and sitting as always. "Sit down, corporal!"
After Tech plopped back down into his seat and put his head into his shaking hands. "I...I didn't... do it yesterday..."
Omega rubbed Tech's back, feeling all his bones protruding.
Echo's eyes went soft and sad, "I'm sorry, Tech. I...I just..."
Hunter interrupted a lot more gently "You alright, there? Tech?"
Hunter caught Omega's eye with his, confirming he saw what she did. She looked so grown up caring for Tech. The Sargeant said "I think you need to get checked out by a doctor, Tech."
"I'm fine!" he cried into his palms.
"No, you're not" Hunter said with his naturally smokey voice. "I want no more arguments" he said with gentle command. "You're going to a doctor and having a health check. At that medical facility in Theed."
"Oh yeah" said Echo. "They really helped Rex with his back. He's strong as ever again."
"And you, too, Echo" said Omega slowing her soothing touch. She spoke to Tech "Remember? When we brought Echo for his upgraded hand? How you toured the lab? You thought it was good. You said you were impressed."
Tech calmed a bit and sat up. He pulled a crinkled up tissue from his pocket, pulled up his goggles, and dabbed his eyes. "I... apologize. I thought...I was confused for a moment. Now..." He sat up a bit straighter. "You are all correct. I..." he sighed. "I am acting strange. I will see the doctor as soon as possible."
Tech did make an appointment and Omega gladly brought him to Theed for an exam.
The doctor diagnosed him and said “While this degenerative brain disease is common, the treatments are only effective now and then. We may halt the diseases but reversing the effects are rare.”
Tech tapped his goggles and he said “So I may not get better.”
The doctor shrugged and said “I cannot guarantee optimal results.”
Omega spoke up and said “But we have to try!”
Tech tapped her wrist gently with a stiff wrinkled hand and calmly told the doctor “If there is a chance, I would like to take it.”
The doctor replied “There are also risks. Possible undesirable side effects.”
“Such as?” prompted Tech with a tap of his goggles.
“The initial medication should clear the neurons of the plaque building in the brain allowing for connections to resume. We then add the next solution which revives and encourages those connections.”
“Yes, yes, you have explained all this” snapped Tech, impatient. This time Omega put her hand gently on his spotted wrist. He looked back at the doctor and said “I apologize. I am eager to know more.”
“Yes, well, there is a risk, about 40%, that the initial medication will do damage when it removes the plaques which are causing your disorientation and distress. There is an additional risk of about 30% that the second solution will not mend connections correctly.”
“I see” said Tech. “I believe the risks are well within my comfort zone. I would like to schedule the procedure.”
A few days later Omega arrived at the house to pick up and take Tech back to Theed for his procedure. Echo welcomed her at the door and she settled in the kitchen while Echo finished packing up a small overnight bag for Tech.
Tech shuffled towards Omega with an old data pad in one hand and leaning on a cane in the other. The moment she heard the now familiar shuffle of his slippers across the old wooden floor. She popped up out of her chair “Tech!”
“Sit, sit” he said waving his hand with the datapad. “I…” he wheezed. “I am coming to you with something precious.”
She helped him to his seat despite his protestations. He leaned his cane on the kitchen table and placed the datapad in front of her with two hands. “This pad contains the codes for my journals. I have downloaded a copy of all of them in a separate location. This datapad has the security codes to access all of them.”
“Tech!” she gasped “Why are you…”
He lifted his head and said “My physical decline is unpleasant, but expected. My mind, on the other hand…I never prepared for a time where I would not have full control of my facilities.” He put a shaking hand on the datapad. “This, Omega, is all of me. I have kept diligent journals as soon as I could write. I realize not everyone is as literate as you and I so should you want to share it with someone after I am gone it is also in audio.”
“Tech, I…I don’t know what to say” said Omega lifting the datapad reverently.
“It is a comfort to know what I have accomplished sits with you” he said. “If I wake up a mad-raving man tomorrow, it’s okay. Who I once was is here. And with you” he smiled gently thinking of all the time they spent together and all the things they taught each other.
Omega burst into tears. “It’s okay, Omega” he said. Life ends and sometimes not the way we expect. I have lived many years beyond the average life expectancy for a clone such as myself. I have seen much of the galaxy, learned more than most, and found a family. We have lived our golden years here in comfort and I am glad of it.”
Omega took a couple deep breaths, wiped her own tears, and said “I know, but…I can’t imagine…I don’t want to live without you. Without any of you.”
“You won’t! That’s why I have given you my journals!” he said smiling.
Echo stood in the hallway, listening to Tech speak gently with Omega. He let the sorrow hit him and felt the pain of pending loss. No one was watching, but he got himself together and entered the kitchen. “Hey, Tech. It’s time to head to the hospital.”
“Right” said Omega with a refreshed smile. She stood and wiped the residual tears from her eyes. “Let’s go!”
A short while later Echo sat next to Omega in a long white hallway on a bare bench outside a procedure room. He looked around and crossed his arms. He said “Looks like Tipoca City, here.”
Omega nodded. “I thought the same thing. At least it’s clean.”
“Yeah” he said to her. As clones they had mixed feelings about the planet. “I wonder…I wonder if…”
Omega cut off his thoughts “I’ve already asked after some Kaminoans. Even if I am successful in finding them there’s no guarantee they’ll have the materials they need to help him. We’ll just have to be patient here. See how this procedure goes.”
Echo‘s brow raised in surprise, and he grew a lopsided smile “Yes, ma’am.” He was impressed by the thoroughness of her care. He let his gaze longer on her a bit long feeling pride and warmth. We raised her well.
The two clones sat for the duration of the procedure in silence, waiting for the doctor to emerge. When the door finally opened Echo and Omega stood right away, eager for any news.
“The procedure went smoothly as it could have. We have successfully completed the wash of his brain with the medication and with the connections solution, but only time will tell if it is having the desired effect.”
Omega threw her arms around Echo and his surprise made him hesitate before his prosthetic arm wrapped around her. “When can he come home?” asked Echo, absently rubbing Omega’s back.
“We will keep him here overnight as planned, to monitor his immediate progress. Then if all is well you may take him home any time tomorrow.”
They both nodded and Omega with happy relief making her voice a bit breathy “When can we see him?”
The doctor smiled “He is still unconscious now, but he should be awake and ready for visitors in about an hour.”
Sure enough, Tech was awake about 60 standard minutes later and sat himself up in his recovery bed. He pressed the button for the nurse and she came to his bedside. “Where is my datapad? I would like to record my experiences.”
“Well, Mr. Tech, I apologize, but we do not have your personal datapad here. I can offer some graphite and flimisplast.”
“That will do” he said with a pleasant smile.
“No need” said a familiar deep voice. “I figured you’d want your hands back on this old thing” said Echo holding it up as he walked into the room.
Omega and Echo thanked the nurse and sat with Tech while the patient began to note all the questions he had and how he planned to collect all the data related to the procedure, his personal experience and medical literature as well.
Omega and Echo shared a knowing glance and chuckled at Tech’s revival.
The next day Tech went home with his family and settled back into their little ranch in the suburb of Theed. Tech picked up the new, repaired tablet that Echo had gotten him and with renewed fervor enjoyed the new piece of technology, even if his old hands had trouble with the touchscreen. The procedure had been an amazing success. He was himself again, granted repreive from losing his identity.
In the following years, Hunter and his lover Marlin came by more regularly for dinners and the family shared good meals, many laughs and all the love they could until the end of their days.