Work Text:
Our shared history
It was already a late in the rotation, most on the base having already retired for the day.
Omega though, was still up, sitting in the mess. She was browsing through her holo-pad containing all the precious memories, the holographs, she had managed to save over time. Having scraped and search long and hard all imaginable databases to finally be able to compile a worthy album of her own. Pictures of the clones mostly, but also of friends Omega had made along the way. Some of the clones she had known, while others were strangers to her. But it did not mean she would not save their images. No, this was her way to save some of the clone history. To give back in a way. Feeling strongly it was her duty to do so.
Omega was looking at one image in particular, deep in thought imagining how their lives had been having heard the stories from Echo and the rest of her family. It was then when she heard someone clearing their throat right behind her.
“Sorry! Am I interrupting?”
Rex’s tone was soft and slightly coarse at this hour, most likely having talked most of the day. It was so close to Echo’s lilt yet Omega could easily differentiate the two. But then again she could so with the rest of the clones around her as well. Each of them having distinguished voices.
“Of course not, Rex.”
Omega patted the spot on the bench right next to her indicating for Rex to join her.
“What’s ya got there?”
Rex having noticed the Kid was hunched over a datapad, Omega usually doing homework assigned by other clones. Her bathers mostly though the lot of them trying to give Omega the best possible training. But there were a few medics and technicians having been teaching Omega as well as there was still so much Omega wanted and needed to learn.
Omega pushed the pad closer for Rex to have a look-see. Seeing the familiar picture on top of the screen, the faces staring right back at him. Rex could not help but chuckle at the image. It had been a while since he had seen it.
“I remember this. We were just gotten out of a particularly bad mission, receiving our accolades from a job completed above and beyond duty..”
The holo-image that of Rex himself, Echo, Fives and Cody. All of them staring right into the holo-imager with wide grins on their faces. Those had been happier times for sure, despite the war and losses. But at least, there had been a sense of purpose for the clone troopers back then. Even if in hindsight, their lives had not really been… theirs. But those were different times back then.
“Echo downloaded this one for me. He told me a little about the other two, Fives in particular.”
Omega having had to coax the stories out of Echo at first, about his past. The adventure of Echo’s original batch, the Dominos and Fives. But after a while, it had become something of a tradition for the two. Sort of bedtime stories Echo telling Omega about the clones, the war and his former family.
“I have others too. A lot of them actually. Still trying to put all the faces and names together. But I am trying to save our history the best I can. Record it. Just like Tech taught me.”
Because of course Omega had picked the trait from Tech.
There had been some time between her keeping track on her album, containing so much more than simply images. Each of the clones in there having a short history attached to their files along holo-clips and such. As ever since her return, Omega had diligently sifted through all off Tech’ data and whatever Rex’s base had stored, preserving and recoding her own stuff, keeping it all safe for the future.
“You never met either of them did you, Fives or Cody?”
Rex was sure Omega had not, despite being the older sister in a manner of speaking, but she had lived a rather sheltered life back on Kamino with Nala Se. Not really having interacted much with the rest of the vod’e. But doing what Omega was doing was something Rex could understand easily. They were a culture after all. The clones were. With so much shared rich history despite their so far short existence in the galaxy.
“You feel it’s your duty to do so.” It wasn’t really a question rather a statement of fact,
“I feel it is.” Omega sounded solemn, assured though.
As Omega wanted to know so much more about the clones, the culture, the background she shard with them all. Feeling so much of it having gone past her, never having taken part in their lives while on Kamino still. Not even the younger clones or the cadets.
“I hear you’re making new friends here around the base now though.”
Rex had seen how Omega was, with people she met. Never taking anyone for granted, always trying to treat them like friends she wanted to get to know even if not all were as friendly as that. Not at first. But Omega could bee relentless. Which was mostly a good trait.
“I am. I have talked to most of the clones here, having tried to record their stories too.”
Omega knew it was a huge task to take upon. To become a sort of a historian, an advocate in a manner of speaking for the clones. But it needed to be done and Omega felt she was the best candidate for it. Having the access, the attitude and well, it was the right thing to do.
“Well Omega, there are more incoming soon, rescues from a mine. I know you want to talk to them too after they are cleared by the medics.”
Rex’s operatives having gotten a hold of two ships carrying clone prisoners on their way to yet another facility as slave labour for the Empire. Thankfully the lot of them now on their way to safety.
“I will.”
Omega’s face lit up. She was only too glad more clones were saved again. Hoping this trend would last for the unforeseeable future. Feeling already guilty for Tantiss and all that. But, like Rex and Echo kept telling her, even the littlest wins helped.
“And thanks Rex.”
“For what?”
Rex had a soft smile on his face, not really sure why Omega was thanking him for though.
“For letting me help around here.”
As Omega really had helped the others. Her calm and gentle way of talking with the new clones arriving. Helping the medics to handle those been treated badly, their injuries, but mostly, the mental side of things. Omega’s gift to sense the wounds not visible on the outside.
“We’re lucky to have you here with us, Omega.” Rex patted her shoulder gently. “Truly lucky.”
Omega could only nod, feeling a tad choked for a moment, the emotions getting the better of her for a spell. As clearly, this was a touch subject for them both. Rex even feeling the lump forming in his throat, thinking back down memory lane, of all the lost souls along the way…
After a while, the two relaxed again.
“So, would you like me to tell you the story how Echo and Fives ended up in the 501st ?” Rex asked, not really sure how well Omega knew the tale.
Having heard Echo’s side of it before, Omega was eager to hear what Rex could add to the tale as well.
“I would yes, if you’re not busy.”
“Nope. Am off for the night.” Rex laughed out loud. “So get comfortable as it’s gonna be a long one.” Rex started.
The two got more comfortable with soft drinks from the kitchen, while seated in the leisure area of the mess, sharing in this part of their history. Together.