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The problem, Echo laments to himself as he watches his twin be savagely jabbed with a hypo by their CMO, is that their medic has far too much experience avoiding his vode.
It's problematic to say the least, he thinks, sipping the cup of caff. Fives calls out to him for support across the mess and Echo casually salutes them both as Kix’s glare focuses in his direction. Echo would normally support his twin - but he had warned him against trying to sneak up and hypo their own kriffing medic, ARC or not. Di’kut, he thinks fondly as he takes another sip.
The hypo is quickly secreted in the medic’s sharps bag on his belt as Fives’ legs crumples beneath him. He falls to the floor with a clatter of armour against durasteel. Kix bends down with a tired sigh and hefts him over his shoulder before swiftly retreating to his domain. Vode scattering from the path of the irate medic. Echo thinks he should probably be concerned that Kix is collecting sedated vode.
Echo continues to ponder the puzzle of helping Kix take a karking nap whilst he finishes his caff, enjoying the warm steam on his face as he deliberates numerous potential strategies to ensure success. Jesse and now Fives have both failed in the mission. Echo suspects Hardcase may well have forgotten or gotten distracted along the way. Kix is now on the alert too, making this more complicated, and Echo just wishes sometimes his poor vod would just succumb to the much needed slumber. For some reason, medics seem to be able to exist purely on caff, stims, and a worryingly high amount of spite.
Caff finished and set down on the table in front of him, Echo taps his vambrace lightly in thought. A mindless pattern which he picked up from somewhere. Or someone. Likely a certain Captain. Excellent, he thinks, the Captain will absolutely be able to assist him in getting Kix to karking sleep. Perhaps, he muses, Echo can get two porgs with one well-placed stone.
Echo sets his plan in motion by making a quiet trip to Scan, the 212th’s CMO. He's already decided he can't attain sedatives from Coric, as he would be the first vod under suspicion from Kix. However, Kix doesn't oversee the 212th’s medbays and Echo knows Scan will absolutely be on board with his plan. Although Echo doesn't plan on enlightening him. OpSec and all that.
Scan ushers Echo into the office when he arrives, and hands him a powdered form of sedative with strict instructions as to usage. Echo claims its to help him with his own sleep needs, although the look he receives from Scan gives the impression that Scan does not believe him in the slightest. Scan doesn't question Echo though, and Echo decides this is probably to claim plausible deniability in the upcoming manhunt from Kix.
From the 212th medbay 4, Echo casually strolls towards Commander Cody's quarters. A quick check of the bridge cameras shows both of the Generals, Tano, Cody, and Rex pondering over a holotable - likely discussing the outcome of the most recent campaign. It's the perfect time to incorporate his precious cargo in the Commander's caff stash that Rex likes to pretend he doesn't raid.
Echo carefully connects to the lockpad with a cable trailing to his vambrace, and has the door open in short order. He slips inside, locates the target, plants his cargo, and quickly leaves - taking care to ensure there are no residual signs of his presence. Objective complete, Echo stores his cables and strides nonchalantly towards the medbay. He's got an idiotic twin currently sedated by an exhausted medic to check on after-all.
It's midmeal and Echo is once again back at the mess, watching the general bustle and banter of vode. Fives and Jesse are still laid up in the medbay, so Echo is currently sat with Waxer, Boil, and Wooley. Crys and Longshot are further down the table, Nax and Attie plonking themselves down next to them with a clatter of trays and plastoid. The sound of vode chatter increases as Echo mindlessly pokes at the food on his tray.
He glances up and sees Commander Cody, Rex, and Commander Tano stroll in. Tano is bouncing happily on the balls of her feet gesturing animatedly whilst Rex sways on his feet, smiling in acknowledgement. Cody nudges Rex gently towards the table and beckons Tano to follow him, both disappearing off to collect their trays and one for Rex.
Rex sags heavily onto the bench across from Echo with a sigh, rubbing at his face tiredly. Moments later Kix appears, plopping down next to him, cutlery rattling on his tray. Rex takes a look at the knackered medic and huffs a laugh. He staggers back up to his feet, pulling two sachets from a pocket on his belt and wanders slowly over to the caff machine. He returns a short while later with two mugs brimming with steaming caff. Rex places one down in front of Kix with a pointed look. Kix nods in appreciation and then proceeds to steal Rex’s mug for himself. Rex rolls his eyes in response, taking a tentative sip and Echo watches his Captain slouch even further into the table. Kix similarly seems to melt into the table upon his first sip, body relaxing.
Echo brings his own mug up to cover the grin of victory as he watches them both. He's almost startled by the return of the Commanders, and Cody raises a questioning eyebrow at him as he clocks the reaction. Echo waves him off as Cody settles down next to him and pushes a loaded tray to Rex. Tano sits down next to the exhausted medic greeting him cheerily. Kix offers a lazy salute and a mumbled greeting in response from where he's resting his head on one arm.
As midmeal progresses, Rex and Kix slowly slump more and more, and before long Kix finally lets out a loud snore. Rex's head almost lands in his half-eaten food tray as his head bobs lower. Everyone's gaze snaps to the pair as they both finally fall asleep. Commander Tano looks concerned for a moment and then comms Coric, who confirms he’ll be right there with a couple of medics to collect the dozing duo. Echo watches the whole thing unfold, amused and relieved at finally being able to pull off his self-appointed mission. Tano’s gaze swivels to him with a questioning expression, moments later followed by a predator’s grin. Echo carefully keeps his expression neutral as he shores up his mental shields to prevent the Commander figuring out what had happened. Thankfully, Tano is quickly distracted by some of his vode and doesn't ask him about it.
Unfortunately, he isn't quite so lucky to avoid the suspicion of the other Commander. Commander Cody sits quietly, considering his not-yet-consumed caff with suspicion as he watches Rex and Kix be taken to the medbay.
“Thought it was Waxer and Boil stealing my caff,” the Commander mutters to himself, “kriffing vod'ike.”
Both suspected parties look up from their meals, expressions affronted in response. Cody ignores them and eyes his mug warily before turning his gaze to Echo. Echo tries not to shift guiltily under the Commander's scrutiny.
“Know anything, ARC Trooper?” Cody asks pointedly, eyebrow raised.
“No sir,” Echo states with as level voice as possible. He's not Fives’ level of can't lie to save to his life, but he's not much better. Short and simple responses are his best strategy here.
Commander Cody looks at him for a long moment. “Hmm.”
He reaches over and plucks Echo's GAR-standard mug of caff from the table before standing. Echo doesn't move a muscle and Cody stretches with a sigh before turning and leaving the mess, bidding those at the table farewell as he goes.
As soon as he's gone Echo reaches across and steals Cody's mug with Cody's not-spiked-but-much-better-than-GAR caff. He takes a long sip and it tastes like victory. Kix and Rex are finally getting some sleep, albeit induced. Rex will suspect Cody. Kix will suspect Rex. Echo may be suspected by Cody but the Commander can't prove anything. Kix won't come after Echo with needles and he got a bonus cup of decent caff out of the mission.
Mission Sleep is a resounding success, he decides.