Chapter Twelve
Geonosis. Again. Or, really for the first time but for some here it would be again.
His orders had just been confirmed a few hours ago, and Echo was packing his knapsack and prepping his blaster.
Slender fingers wrapped around his middle and he smiled. "That better be who I hope it is, or I will retaliate, Fives."
But a feminine giggle put his threats to rest and he turned to see a beautiful face.
"Ah… there's my girl," he said joyfully, pulling her into a kiss. He still couldn't believe that he was really kissing her.
Mmm… she wore the cotton candy gloss again today. She knew.
She pulled away and leaned her head against his chest. "I wanted to see you."
"Well don't you know how to make a guy feel special. Comere."
She squealed as she was quite literally swept off her feet and into his arms.
"So Geonosis."
"Yeah," he sighed. "Home of the giant man-eating bugs.
"Eww!"
He chuckled. "Don't worry. I won't let them eat me."
"If they try I'm gonna come after them like a vengeful mynock," she stated.
He shivered, "That's the scariest thing I think I've ever heard."
They sighed and leaned back against his bunk. Then she took something out of her pocket.
"Here," she whispered. "I have this for you."
She pressed something into his hand.
Echo looked down to see a leather bracelet with a metal anchor tied to it.
"To remind you to come back to me," she said.
He turned and kissed her, murmuring, "Thank you, vheh a'oatr. You should know you're what I think about when I go out there to get me back. You've been that since we met."
She hummed, interlocking her fingers with his. "How long did you love me?"
Echo thought a moment, "Ever since I saw you in the medbay taking care of Rogue while we were waiting on Fives."
Her eyes widened. "Really? That long?"
He chuckled, "It took me awhile to realize it, Ella, but you had me at the reg manuals."
She giggled and elbowed him.
"How about you?" he murmured against her ear. "How long?"
She blushed. "Before Naboo."
His eyes widened, "So… just about the same time as you met me?"
She nodded. "I didn't know exactly what it was about you, but you were so special to me since then. Even more so than the others. I didn't understand for a while. And then I did. The virus really drove it in, I think."
"Ah, nothing like near death experiences to make you come to life-altering realizations, eh?"
She snorted, "I know. I sat by the door for days, Echo. I barely moved from that spot until the jedi got back with the cure."
Echo kissed her forehead, "You're such a devoted person, Ella. I don't think you do anything without pouring all of yourself into it."
She sighed. "Yeah."
They lapsed into a peaceful silence, listening to their breathing while lost in their own little worlds.
Echo was deep in thought.
I want to marry this girl.
Okay but when? After the war?
No. Too long, he thought. Much too long.
Then how soon?
Very soon.
Civvies don't do that. They're in a relationship for years before marrying.
But I want her to be my wife! I want to wake up with her at my side, and have kids - however that works - and watch them grow up. I want to have the pretty white house with the porch with her.
"Echo?"
"Huh?"
Ella looked a little concerned, "You're thinking hard about something. What is it?"
Tell her!
"I wanna marry you," he blurted.
He expected to see something different than Hope in her eyes. But she looked so full of joy. A sweet smile spread on her face and she nodded.
Holy Kriff!
"Yes!" she breathed.
"Really?" Pinch me. I'm dreaming.
She nodded, "Yes, really Echo. I want to marry you too."
He pulled her closer, "It's fast, I know."
She nodded, "It is but I don't care. I want to marry you, Echo. I want to be your wife."
Echo smiled so widely his cheeks hurt, and a sheen of tears rose in his eyes.
He, a clone trooper bred to be killed and replaced, was so loved. This girl - this beautiful woman with a heart so soft and kind and fiercely loving - was giving that treasure to him.
"I want to get you a ring," he whispered. "And I want you to have a real wedding. I want to ask your father's permission too. Can I write to him?"
Ella nodded. "I've written to him about you," she said.
An uneasiness bubbled in his core. "Does he…?"
She kissed his cheek, "Yes. He likes you from how I've described you, actually."
Oh thank the Maker! Echo prayed as he let out a huge sigh of relief.
"He wants to arrange a meeting," she continued. "He says when the next time we're on leave, he'll come to Coruscant and meet you."
Oh boy.
"You okay, Echo?" Ella asked sweetly. "You look a little pale."
Do I? I'd never have guessed.
He nodded, "I'm okay. It's just… I want him to like me."
Ella cuddled closer into his side. "He will. I promise."
Echo sighed, "What do we do about the General?"
She shook her head. "I don't know."
"Ella…" he murmured, "I'm not allowed to have any romantic relationships. It's against regs."
She nodded, "I know. And I don't know what to do about it, but I love you. I don't ever wanna be without you."
Echo nodded and kissed her cheek. "I think I know what to do."
"That sounds morbid."
He sighed, "It could be."
Her eyes filled with fear.
"It's alright, cyar'ika," Echo soothed. "I'm hopeful. And we're gonna pray first. Yeah?"
Ella nodded and grabbed his hands. "Please protect Echo. Keep him safe, and show him what to do now. I love him. I want him with me all the time. I know you have good plans for me, and for him. I feel peace from you when I think of us together. So however this is supposed to work, show us. Guide us. We'll follow you."
Echo nodded. Yes, Way Maker. Keep us both in the palms of your hands, and show us where to go.
•~§~•
General Skywalker was on the bridge when Echo walked in. The captain could tell that his younger brother was concerned, and he hoped that whatever was on his mind would be easily remedied.
"General Skywalker, Sir," Echo said, snapping to attention. Good lad, Echo.
He turned around and nodded, "Echo! Good to see you. Is anything the matter?"
Echo shifted, "If you have time to spare, sir, I'd be grateful if you and the captain would speak with me."
Skywalker's brow furrowed with worry, "Is something wrong?"
Echo looked uncomfortable, "It's a private matter, sir."
Rex watched his General consider, then nodded, eyeing him to follow.
Echo led the way out of the bridge and into a supply closet, one that they'd often read in together. He shut the door.
"What's the problem, Echo?" Skywalker asked, crossing his arms.
Echo drew in a breath, then sighed. "It's Ella, sir." He squirmed, then went for it, "I love her, and she loves me, and we want to get married, but it's against regs, and I'm scared we'll get caught, and she'll be in trouble and I'll be reconditioned!"
Rex gasped. He hadn't guessed that Echo would actually come right out and tell the General.
Oh, vod'ika… God protect him.
Skywalker's blue eyes had widened enormously. But he took a breath and nodded. "Okay. So you've known her for the last few months, and you love her. And you asked her to marry you...?"
Echo nodded, "Yes sir. And... I kinda just told her that I wanted to and she said yes. I didn't expect her to. I thought..." he shrugged. It was obvious what he'd thought though.
General Skywalker chuckled, "That takes guts to do that."
Echo nodded. "I... I needed to tell you, sir. I want to marry her. I love her. I love her with everything in me. She's my reason for fighting this war. The reason I come home after every fight alive. She gives me hope that after the war there will be peace and joy." Echo looked at his boots. "I know it's against regs, sir. Everyone here will tell you I know regs. But I..." he struggled to find what to say, then sighed. "I just love her anyway."
Their General sighed and pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes, then walked to a porthole and looked out.
Rex looked over at his younger brother. He was scared. Rex knew he was terrified. And he was being incredibly brave for doing this. It could mean his death.
Finally, the General took a deep breath and turned around. "You and I both know what is required to happen."
Echo gulped, and he looked faint.
Rex's heart leapt to his throat. He felt like he was going to be sick. Oh, Echo... oh Maker, give him strength and please, please, please make the General see sense! Please! I know that's a tall order, especially the part that has to do with Skywalker, but please!
"We both know it's against the rules to fall in love, and to marry and want a future not tied to our work," the General continued. "I understand this more than you know, Echo. What it's like to love someone and not be allowed to be with them..." then he sighed and looked to the heavens. "And I also know what it's like to love them and be with them anyway."
Wait. Hold up. WHAT!?!
Echo grabbed at the wall in order not to fall on his shebs. "S-Sir? What?! I-I thought... you're?"
General Skywalker nodded. "I am. Ever since the First Battle of Geonosis, actually. We went on our honeymoon right after."
Rex thought he was gonna pass out due to the shock of this conversation.
"Wh-Who sir?" Echo asked.
"Padme."
Oh. Ohhh!
"Ok, I don't know how I didn't see it before," Rex admitted. "Why else would you ask me to guard for you every time you holoed her."
Skywalker nodded. "I was surprised that you hadn't figured it out yet."
Echo sank down to lean against the wall. General Skywalker went over to him and sat with him.
"Look. It was incredibly brave of you to come and tell me this. I feel honored that you trust me so much," he said. "When do you want to get married?"
Echo shrugged, "I'm kinda leaving it up to her. Ella told me her father wants to come to Coruscant and meet me when we have leave next. I want to get her a ring, maybe something simple but meaningful. And I can't afford more, really. Then we'll get married sometime after that."
"What about a honeymoon? Or at least a week or so to yourselves?" General Skywalker offered.
His eyes widened, "You'd do that for us sir?"
He nodded, "Yes. And gladly. And for the rest of our sakes as well. I'm sure all of us would rather you had a honeymoon alone."
Echo's brow furrowed. "Well, I suppose it would be nice to have alone time and not have to worry about people for a few days. I can't wait to go to sleep with her in my arms every night."
"I'm sure," the General said smugly, a naughty look on his face.
Echo shook his head, "Sir... I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Why would everyone want us to be somewhere else after the wedding? Why are you looking at me like that?"
General Skywalker froze for a moment, then laughed, "You know, you're a good actor Echo. Should go into the industry after the war. You really had me there for a second."
Echo shook his head, "Seriously sir, I don't know what you're talking about."
The General's laughing countenance turned to one of embarrassment, and he turned to his captain. "Rex, he knows, right?"
Rex furrowed his brow, "Knows what, sir?"
Immense frustration was growing on his face. "Come on, Rex. Not you too!"
The hells does he mean?
"Sir, I'm confused..." Rex murmured.
The General leapt up and stalked to the window. "The... the birds and the bees?"
This only confused them more.
"Sir, with all due respect, please be clear. What are you going on about?" Rex asked. What the heck did insects have to do with weddings?
The General groaned. Then he turned back to them, "What is the number one reason most couples get married?"
Rex and Echo looked at each other, trying to see if the other could make sense of his tomfoolery.
"Uhm... they like kissing?" Echo tried.
The General groaned and beat his head on the wall.
"Uh...? Sir?"
"This is not happening," he cried. "I am not doing this! I can't believe this!"
The jedi stayed like that for a few more seconds, then took a bracing gasp of air and turned back to them.
"Rex, you're going to want to sit down," he warned.
Rex gave him a strange look, then walked to sit beside Echo. His general sat before them.
"Okay. What you're about to hear will hopefully make sense, and won't scar the kriffing hells out of you," he began. "I'm seriously shocked that you don't know this. Why didn't they teach this to you on Kamino?" Then he sighed and began. "Okay. So there's a girl and a boy, right? And they really like each other a lot..."
•~§~•
Echo and Rex parted ways with the General- no! He said call him Anakin.
'After the lengthy and embarrassingly detailed talk we just had, its Anakin when we're out of sight. Okay?'
Rex sighed and ran a hand over his blond head. "So that's how the nats do it."
Echo nodded, suddenly understanding why every kriffing base they went to was decorated - by non-clones - with pinups.
This is the most embarrassing thing ever.
Then he got a funny thought.
I know more about girls than Fives.
This gave him a tiny bit of smug satisfaction, but only just a little. He still wanted to go bury himself in his bunk and never come out.
This explains so much that I wish I understood when I was younger.
"Uhm, Echo?" his captain said. "I'm gonna go okay? No offense, but…"
Echo just nodded and waved him away. "No. I get it. I'm going to go too."
"Hey," Rex patted his shoulder. "I'm proud of you. You really stuck your neck out on the line today, but I'm proud. You've got courage, Echo. And a lot of it." He smirked, "And I'm glad you finally got together with Ella. The whole crew was just dying for you to get together."
Echo smiled and grabbed his shoulder in an honoring lock. "Thanks, Rex. I'm glad too. You're coming, you know," he said, "to the wedding."
Rex grinned, "I'd kill you if you didn't let me."
With this exchanged, they parted ways.
Echo found himself in Ella's room. He sat down on the bed and just stared at the blinking fairy lights lining the ceiling. The whole place was soft and gentle, and he felt like he was sitting inside a giant warm hug. Amazing what some feminine touch can do.
Ella entered and jumped when she saw him, obviously surprised. "Echo! Oh my gosh, you scared the living daylights outta me!"
"Sorry," he murmured absently.
She walked over and sat beside him, taking his hand. "How did it go?"
"With the General?"
She nodded.
He smiled, "A lot better than I thought it would. We have a honeymoon taken care of now, and he's going to cover for us."
Ella squealed and hugged him tightly. "Oh thank God! I was terrified! I actually was on my way back to pack in case you were in trouble and we could run away together."
He sat her up, holding her by the shoulders. "You'd do that for me?"
She nodded, "Oh Echo, I'd assassinate the Chancellor to be with you. I'd forfeit chocolate for the rest of my life to be with you. I'd poke my own eyes out to be with you. I'd—"
"No!" he cried, holding his finger to her lips. "No. Not another body part sacrificed, or favored food denied, or treason committed. While it is absolutely thrilling that you are willing to do such things, it's unnecessary. We're going to be fine."
She smiled and kissed his finger, staring up at him through her long eyelashes.
Echo's heart pattered against the windowpanes of his chest. His cheeks reddened and he looked at his lap.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
He shrugged.
"Uh uh. Echo, tell me!" she whined. "How bad can it be?"
Incredibly.
"Bad," he replied.
She scoffed, "Oh come on, Echo, tell me!"
Echo sighed and bared himself for this second awkward conversation. "Until today, I didn't know how nat borns were made, or why people go on honeymoons, or a dozen other things that far surpass kissing. Rex didn't know either, Fives doesn't know, and I don't want to tell him."
Ella gasped, "Wait, you mean no one ever told you…?"
He shook his head, "Yes, and I really wish I'd learned a long time ago, it would've been very helpful and clarifying."
"Who told you?" Ella asked, then her eyes widened even more. "No! Not… not Anakin!"
Echo nodded and buried his face in his hands, wishing he could dissolve into thin air.
Ella giggled, "Stang! I can't believe… do they just not tell you?"
He nodded. "They tell us how we are made. They tell us that nat borns are born from a woman. And that's it."
"No teenage talk or anything?"
"Nope."
She huffed out a laugh, "Oh, gosh!"
He couldn't help but crack a smile. "Yeah. I'm officially calling the General by his given name now. He says the conversation deems it necessary."
Ella sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder. "You know something, Echo?"
"What?" He leaned his head on hers, his arm around her back.
"I don't understand most mando'a."
"... oh. Okay?"
She huffed, "I don't know what vay ay… oh otter means."
Echo chuckled at her frustration and kissed her nose, smiling as it wrinkled beneath his lips. "Vheh a'oatr."
"Yes, what does it mean?"
He kissed her lips, tenderly. A fire was beginning in his heart, something deep and unexplainable. He pulled away and whispered the answer to her curiosity.
"It means 'earth angel.'"
Ella gasped, her fingers threading through his thick raven locks, "Like… like the song?"
He nodded. "Earth angel, earth angel, won't you be mine? My darling dear, love you all the time. I'm just a fool. A fool in love with you."
Ella pulled him close and kissed him again, affection searing him deliciously as she thanked him for showing her his love this way.
Oh Ella, my angel, he thought. I'm so in love with you. So, so in love.
•~§~•
"Move it! Move it!"
"Take cover!"
"Look out on the left! Bugs incoming!"
It was a frenzy. An absolute frenzy. Ella had never experienced such hapless mayhem in her life.
So far, she'd been cooped up inside the safety of the Resolute during every skirmish. Not this time. Geonosis was a giant and they were little David. Even if she went unused, being an extra stone wouldn't hurt. Especially with her training.
Still, getting used to dodging lasers and keeping up with marathoning men would take some getting used to. So far, Rogue had pulled her down three times, Chopper had tackled her twice, and it was a miracle that Echo had been pried from her side. She could still see him, shooting creepy flying thing after creepy flying thing from the sky.
What was worse than lasers was the acid that the bugs shot at them. Ella had no craving to feel the helpless agony of being hit by one of those flying orbs of death.
At the moment, she was trying to comfort one of the men who'd been unfortunate enough to be struck by one such bolt. The stuff had eaten through the thick plastoid and was burning him slowly. She was removing his armor to disinfect the site and object him with an anti-acid.
"Shh, shh… it's okay, Oz. It's okay. Breathe, honey. Breathe," she soothed, wincing in anticipation as she pressed the sterile pad to his wound. As she'd expected, he bucked and screamed against it, his grip on her hand locking in an iron vise.
"Ella," a familiar voice called.
"Wander! Thank God!" she breathed in relief.
"Here, let me give the hypo. You're needed over there with someone. Shiny's dying. He needs you. Awful scared. Hurry."
Ella sprinted to the fallen boy. He'd been badly wounded, practically riddled by the geonosians. She fell at his side and pulled him into her, rocking him slowly.
"You're okay. You're okay," she murmured.
"El… lllla?" the boy slurred.
She nodded. "You're okay, Oaks. Just breathe."
He whimpered, "'M g'nna die!"
She hushed him again, "You don't have to die, Oaks. You just have to keep breathing. You're gonna be okay. That's it. Calm down."
"Don' leave meeee," Oaks begged, a lone tear carving a channel in the dirt and dust caked to his face.
Ella nodded and just held him. "It's gonna be okay, Oaks."
He just nodded. He knew. He knew he didn't have long. But she made it easier. Somehow, she seemed to help those who were beyond help to go a little more peacefully. That's all he wanted; to die in her arms where he knew he was safe. For just a moment, he was safe, even with the chaos around him.
Oaks moaned and burrowed his face into her neck desperately trying to control his harsh, labored breathing. "El-El-la. S-s-sing f' me?
Ella nodded, blinking back her tears which were definitely brought on by the flying earth and dust.
"Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me."
"Take cover!"
"Jesse watch your left!"
"Medic!"
"Get down!"
"Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away
Change and decay in all around I see
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me."
Oaks was barely even breathing now, every breath rattling in his lungs. Ella didn't stop singing, determined that if he was going to die here, he'd die with someone holding him and a familiar voice surrounding him.
"Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me."
The boy in her arms took one last breath, his golden eyes fixed on a patch of blue sky, barely visible through the viscid dust. Then he stilled, and they closed, his head falling against her neck.
Tears streamed against her cheeks, and she eased him to the ground, covering his head with his helmet once again. There was a slim chance of him or any of his fallen brothers receiving a proper burial. Likely, they'd remain where they fell.
Ella just wanted to find Echo now. To fall into his secure embrace and let him keep out everything that swirled around them for a little while. Just a little while. Would it kill them to have some peace? For the fighting to end? For their lives to touch beyond the barrier of this war?
Oh Oaks…
He'd been a shiny. So many of the ones who died were so young, barely off Kamino.
It's so unfair! she cried to herself.
A hand tapped her shoulder and she looked up to see Kix.
"Hey," he said, his voice gravelly. "You gonna be okay?"
She nodded, swiping at her tears. "I'll be fine. He… oh, Kix, he was so young!"
Kix nodded, "I know. Believe me. I know."
A loud explosion and earth-shattering crumbling split the air, and Kix covered her bodily, shielding her from any fallen debris. She curled into a ball, covering her head.
Someone screamed, far away and high above at first, but nearing rapidly.
When the dust settled, Kix rolled off her and helped her to her feet. She looked a few feet away to see General Skywalker relinquishing Rex's hand as he helped him to his own shaking feet.
"Next time, just tell me to jump," he pleaded, trying to keep his voice calm.
"Now where's the fun in that?" the jedi teased right back before darting ahead.
Fives sidled up to the captain, nudging his shoulder, "I didn't know you enjoyed skydiving, Captain. Must've been a real scream."
Rex socked his shoulder, "I swear, if you don't move your shebs right now, I'll show you what's a real scream."
Fives squeaked at his ominous threat and scurried on ahead.
"Ella!"
The girl turned just in time to be swept into someone's strong arms. She immediately melted into them, squeezing her arms around their waist.
Echo kissed her forehead, "Oh, Maker. I was worried."
She smiled, "I'm okay. Really. I was more worried about you. You're wearing the targeted outfit."
He chuckled, "I suppose I am. Stay safe, Ella. You have to introduce me to your dad, remember?"
She nodded, "Yes and you have to stay alive to be introduced. So watch out, okay?"
Echo nodded and relinquished his hold on her. "I will, I promise, vheh a'oatr. I promise."
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Mando'a Translations
Shebs - booty.
Cyar'ika - darling.
Vheh A'oatr - earth angel.
Vod - brother
Vod'ika - little brother
Stang - Star Wars version of dang.
Kriff - cuss word you likely know. Fill in the blanks peeps. You're smart. I believe in you.
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