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They have pushed this back for too long. Now none of them have any pretext not to do it any longer. They all recover from the even of Tantiss and Echo had returned from Pantora after helping their clones’ brother and Emerie settle.
It’s time to offer Tech a proper memorial.
It had been hard to decide what to do. Clones don’t actually have a funeral rite. Most will honor there fallen brothers with significant symbols or change to their armor since they don’t have the chance to provide them real burial. Even if Jango Fett has mandolorian, the batch don’t feel comfortable to use their traditions.
Lucky Shep hear about their dilemmas and bring them a solution. Pabu is a haven for so many refugees with different cultures, they could explore some and find what is right for them.
During one night, the whole squad sit around their little home on Pabu, going through all the files they manage to salvage from the Marauder wreckage, his datapad and the camera on his googles. A lot of laughs, memories and heavy hearts where share that night since it wasn’t a small task Tech always been fascinated by everything. There was so much he wanted to study in detail some plants, animals and culture when the war end.
Sadly, that opportunity would never come.
“Why not bring some of those to him?” Omega comments haft asleep as she leans against Hunter. The four men exchange a look knowing it was feeling right. That how the memorial garden project start.
Echo, Phee, Deke and Stak have gone off world to assemble a few plants, after making sure none were invading for Pabu’s fauna, recording a few more creatures Tech couldn’t get and try to recover more stories to add to his collection. The ARC trooper has worked hard to save everything Tech has compiled during life on datadiscs, making one copy to store into the Archium since it’s a real treasure of knowledge. He makes some more personal one for each of his brothers.
Hunter and Omega, with Batcher enthusiasm assistance, had looked over the whole island to locate the perfect place for a garden. Finally, they discover a beautiful spot in Pabu Cove, hidden in the back of the cavern, there is a luxuriant cenote where they could put some plants and still be protected. Lyana, Jax, Eva and Bayrn join them to help to prepare the garden. How the children laugh echoing on the rocky wall assure Hunter they choose the right emplacement. The younger girl asking a lot of questions about Tech only hear stories from Omega. For the first time he had lost his brother, Hunter finds himself able to talk with fondness of Tech and not only guilty.
During that time, Crosshair and Wrecker work on a cenotaph to add to the garden. Initially it’s only Wrecker with some help of Mok and Sami, Crosshair only wander around the place. Without his dominant hand he didn’t want to risk making mistakes or mess up something. Wrecker manages to coax Crosshair of assisting with the paints and the caving. Both clones ending teaching their little helper how to use different tools. Like how Tech have taught them a lot in their life.
Nearly a month after the beginning of their project did the celebration of soul finally happen.
The memorial takes off a sunrise.
Food, music, dance and abundant color. As much Tech never been the most comfortable in social interaction, seem he have let his mark on a lot of people on Pabu. An hour before sunset, Wrecker unveil the maker they have built. Made from scrap pieces of the Marauder there was a replica of the ship front part as the back is a sculpture of Starbird made from wood from many planets they have visited in their career. It’s the perfect tribune to Tech love for flying, the mystery of life and the fact he will always exist in their heart. Embedded on the top there was a holoprojector showing the few pictures of Tech.
As the sun goes down, the guess slowly leaves to allow the close family to have their private time. Phee is last to the memorial and take a moment to quietly talk to it. When she is done, she wraps a flower crown around the bird neck.
“See you in another life Brown Eyes. I won’t let you take off without a goodbye.” She says before turning around. Wrecker advance to hug her. The pirate accepts as she tries to hide her tears.
“You’re welcome to stay.” Hunter offers.
“That sweet of you … but that your time.” She answers before leaving.
For a long moment, no one move. They all agree to do this, yet now it seems to make entirely too real. Finally, Omega step away from Hunter’s side and walk to the cenotaph. Her fingers rest at the edge of the holoprojector looking at the pictures.
“Hey Tech. I want you to know that Crosshair his home. We finish the mission. We’re safe, thank to you and everything you taught me… Taught us.”
Her voice breaks as she lays her head on the metal part of the monument and sob.
“I miss you so much Tech. You show me so much regarding ships, about staying strong and I’m going to keen flying. Keep pushing forward, just like you. I carry your lessons with me each day. I love you Tech. Always.”
Echo walk beside their sister and wraps her in a hug letting her cry as much as she needs.
“Every time you reach the sky, he will be at your side.” He promises softly as he pushes a blond lock back from her face. Omega smiles weakly and lean against the ARC trooper. Echo keep her close and look at the memorial.
“You were more than a comrade, the mind of our unit that turned the impossible into the achievable. Your courage and brilliance have always been our guiding light, and now, that light will continue to shine even in your absence.
Your legacy is not just in the battle we won or the plan you engineered, but in the way you made use all better. You taught me to accept and see the positive side of my difference and modification. I will miss your view of life, your snarky and dry humor.
We will carry your spirit with us into every mission, every challenge and every day. Rest well Tech. We’ve got this. For you, and for all who came before and after us, we will continue.”
Echo straight up and raises his scomp to offer a heartfelt salute.
The moment is broken but an ironic snicker.
“You can count on the Reg to make everything so dramatic.” Crosshair snarls as he walks closer and glaring at the holo. No one comment on how glassy his eyes are.
“You and your brilliant brain, always thinking you were one step ahead. Yet you missed the biggest equation of all, didn’t you? The one where you end up dead! I’m left here. Trying to figure out how to move on without … my brother.” His tone begins with his normal snarky but rapidly grow shakier. “Last time we meet…. I said some things. Typical me, right? Always had to get the last word. And now I can’t take any of it back…”
“Tech never was angry at you Cross.” Wrecker announces as he wraps one of his arms around the sniper’s shoulders. “He knows your nature, but he never abandoned the idea of getting you back home. Now, you are.”
Crosshair only produces a wounded sound turning his head away, hiding his face in his giant brother’s neck. Wrecker hug him a bit closer and decide to talk to Tech.
“I gotta say it. I miss you. You always have all those fancy words and big plans that I didn’t always get, yet you have the patient to explain to me. We always been different and yet we were the best team. It’s weird not having you around, you know? They’re such a big hole. But don’t worry, I’ll watch over the others. I’ll make sure stick together. I love you, brother.”
He is opening crying by the end. Crosshair tries to look annoyed yet he is hugging Wrecker back. Omega whimpers and runs to them.
Echo glances back at Hunter. The leader seems frozen. After all those months, Hunter has to face the loss of his brother. The ARC knows the feeling, he is still dealing with Fives’ death. He moves and rests his hand on Hunter’s arm and squeezed softly.
“You don’t have to speak.” He mutters.
Hunter shakes his head.
“I need too…. I… I don’t even know where to start. As a leader, I’m supposed to have the right words. Now I’m just a brother and I miss you more than I can say. You were always there with the answers, the logic and the calm in the chaos. As much you were the chaos itself. I should’ve found a way to save you, and I’m so sorry. I couldn’t. It’s hard without you here, but we’ll keep going because that’s what you wouldn’t want. You weren’t only the brain, Tech, you are our heart and our brother.”
As he talks, he walks to the cenotaph, falling to his knee and pressing his forehead against it. A lone silent tear rolling on the tattoo side of his face.
One by one, other members of the batch join Hunter in one giant group hugs. Even if Tech’s presence will always leave a hole, now they feel as a whole family for the first time since Eriadu.
Clones never have their spot in the galaxy except Kamino. But without brothers there, it was just another prison. Pabu was there first place they finally have roots.
Crosshair have been right. Clone Force 99 die with Tech, but the bad batcher would learn to live a new existence because of him.