Chapter Text
‘Loosing someone close, a member of the family, a vital part of the whole, will never become easier.’
“Hunter, we need to talk.”
The mission behind them and despite their best efforts they had still lost. Big time.
“What is it Echo?”
Echo pulled Hunter away from the rest of them wanting to have this discussion in private.
“Hunter, this has been a long time coming as you know.” His eyes were on Hunter’s. “And you know how I feel about wanting to do more. And now, I don’t really see an option to stand in the sidelines anymore. Because the fate of all the clones is sealed.”
Hunter’s eyes darted on Echo’s. “What are you telling me Echo?”
Echo glanced down, the nervous tick with his hand rubbing the back of his neck being back. “Hunter, I am staying here. With Rex. I want to help him help the clones in anyway I possibly can.”
“You can’t be serious.” It wasn’t a question. Not really. Because Hunter knew better.
“You know how it is going to be.” Echo sounded a tad angry perhaps. “We blew the last chance for the clones to get any consideration, any compensation for what they have done. Their service. Being the good soldiers they were made to be. The Emperor is going to phase them down and not in any kind of good way either.”
“I, I know, Echo. I know. But you are part of our team. Our family. I don’t want to lose you.” Hunter had seen the signs. Hell, he had been part of all the arguments Echo had had over the same matter over and over again. Joining Rex, doing the more, helping others. And so here they were with the decision having been made.
“I am and I will always be, Hunter. It’s not like I am going to disappear. We’ll see each other and I will be back when my work is done.” Echo tried to assure Hunter.
Hunter was trying to find something in Echo’s eyes something he wasn’t telling him. And then it hit him like a ton of bricks.
“Is, is this all.. this urge to so adamantly help the regs because of Skako Minor? Because of what the Techno Union made you do? To kill your brethren? The losses for the Republic in the war?”
Echo’s eyes flew wide. Not that he had not excepted Hunter to put the pieces together. Hunter was rather intuitive after all. Especially when it came to Echo. And Hunter wasn’t wrong either. Not completely. The time Echo had spent on Skako Minor had left its wounds in the man. The physical ones having healed but those deep within under the skin never having healed. Not really.
“Partly. But you see how things are now. The clones will all perish if Palpatine will have his way.”
Hunter had hit the core. Then again, this was neither the time nor place to debate what it was truly behind Echo’s decision to join Rex now. And even if Hunter did not agree and not wanting Echo to leave, Hunter knew Echo needed to make his own choice. Just like Crosshair had done. No matter how much it might just have stung.
“Yeah. These are trying times to say the least.”
Hunter and Echo stared at each other for a moment.
“What will we tell the others?” Hunter knew it would be hard for all of them. Never really getting used to loosing a member of ones family. And it certainly wasn’t getting any easier. As here they were, another one leaving no matter how hard Hunter had tried to keep them all together.
“That Rex needs me.” It was as simple as that. “They all know I am doing what needs to be done. For the others sake.”
“They might not want to let you go.” Hunter gave a brief glance over to Tech, Wrecker and Omega taking with Rex in the distance.
“They won’t have a choice.” Echo smiled a little, because he knew there would be objections. But it could not be helped. They all knew this was for the best.
After all had been said and done Hunter pulled Echo into his arms. Holding on to him tightly. As if not wanting to let go of Echo. But the choice was already made. This was a goodbye. For now.
“If… when you decide to come back, you know how to find us.” Hunter’s tone was low and coarse.
“Yeah, Hunt, I know.”