The Visitors
Maureen got up to see, whoever the new people wanted, and Echo kicked his bag under the couch. When Maureen opened the door four figures stood in the doorway.
"May I help you?" Maureen asked
"We would like to check your house." One of the men said
"Of course, I have nothing to hide." Maureen said and Echo got and walked to her side.
"On whose authority?" Echo asked
"The Empire, of course." The man said proudly
"Why do you need to check our house?" Echo asked
"For any weapons, and any Republic or Separatist contrabands." He said and Maureen noticed Echo clenched his fists.
"Okay, you may check out house, even though we have nothing, of the sort." Echo said letting the stormtroopers pass.
The stormtroopers checked every room, and found nothing. When they were about to leave, one accidently ran into the couch. Then there was a clank that came from under the couch.
"What was that?" one stormtrooper asked and Michelle coughed
"Officer, sir, flying creatures fly and hit our house all the time. Considering, we live in the woods, and they don't expect a cabin around here." Michelle said
"Impressive, who taught you protocol?" the leader asked
"From me, I have a brother that worked in the military." Echo said
"What's your name? And how did you make contact with your 'brother'?" the stormtrooper leader asked
"My name is Evan, and I made contact with my brother with this." Echo said getting a comlink from his pocket.
"That's for military, only. How did you get a hold of it?" he asked
"I actually signed up, but they refused due to my age. They never asked for it back, which probably meant I could keep it." Echo said
"I see, well, have a good day, Mr. Evan." The leader said walking outside with the others following him. Maureen shut the door behind them.
"I'm glad I carried another comlink with me." Echo said
"Why?" Michelle asked
"I broke my first one, on purpose." Echo said
"How could you trick them, like that?" Maureen asked
"It's the oldest trick in the book, for a clone." Echo said
"What was in the bag?" Michelle asked and Echo got the bag from under the couch.
"This one?" Echo asked and Michelle nodded "It has my old armor and gear, something the Empire can't find."
"Can I see your armor?" Michelle asked
"Sure." Echo said unzipping the bag and Michelle came closer to Echo.
"What's the blue markings for?"
"The blue was the legion color. The 501st or Torrent Company, was a powerful and fearless company, we NEVER gave up. Now, I don't know." Echo said
"Did you have any best friends?" Michelle asked
"Plenty, but I don't know if they rebelled or they stayed with the Empire. "Maureen, is it okay if Michelle holds a little pistol? It has the safety on." Echo asked and Maureen nodded "Okay, Michelle, don't point the pistol at anyone, no matter if the safety is on or off. Unless, you are intending on shooting the person."
"Okay." Michelle said and Echo handed Michelle on of his twin plaster pistols. "It's heavy."
"Most of the military guns are." Echo said laughing.
"Mom, can I have a gun someday?" Michelle asked hopeful
"I don't know, Michelle, a gun is a very dangerous weapon. It can kill people." Maureen said and Michelle made a sad face.
"Your mother is right, Michelle, but that doesn't mean you can't own one." Echo said
"How old were you when you got to hold a gun?" Michelle asked
"Oh… Uh… Since I was a toddler, but I was made to be a soldier. Nothing else." Echo said
"A toddler?! That's young." Michelle said giving the gun back to Echo.
"Yes, well, Maureen is it okay if I bring Michelle to the town, for the day?" Echo asked
"If you're back before dinner." Maureen said
"Yay!" Michelle said running to her room.
"Where's Brian?" Echo asked
"He's off at another planet, doing medical stuff." Maureen said
"Oh."
"Do you promise to keep Michelle safe?"
"Of course, I will bring one of my blasters, if that will make you feel safer."
"But, the stormtroopers, what will you do?"
"I won't do anything. If you don't look suspicious, then they will leave you alone."
"Okay, but Echo, was that you who blew the base up?" Maureen asked and Echo burst out laughing
"Yes, and did Mandalore stay neutral?" Echo asked
"Yes… Until now." Maureen said and Michelle came back into the room.
###
When Echo and Michelle got to the town, there was a lot of stormtroopers in the street. "Stay close, Michelle." Echo said and Michelle nodded
"Who are you?" a stormtrooper asked coming over to Echo
"I am Evan. Now please let us pass." Echo said
"I haven't heard you lived on Mandalore." The stormtrooper said pulling out his datapad
"I just came from the Outer Rim to come and meet my niece and my step sister." Echo said
"Yeah, Evan is a great uncle. Isn't that right, Uncle Evan?" Michelle asked
"Of course." Echo said
"Who is this little girl?" the stormtrooper asked
"This is my favorite niece Michelle." Echo said
"How old is your niece?" the stormtrooper leader asked coming over
"I'm turning 9 in a couple days." Michelle said acting cute.
"Well, you may pass." The stormtrooper leader said.
Echo and Michelle walked farther away from the group of stormtroopers.
"One thing, you need to watch out for, never show fear on the outside world." Echo said
"Why can't I show…?" Michelle started saying
"Michelle?" Echo asked turning around on the busy street without seeing Michelle anywhere. "MICHELLE?" Echo asked pushing through the crowd "There you are, you had me worried. What are you looking at?"
"That blue dress up there on the window. It's so pretty." Michelle said
"Well, your life day is coming up. Maybe, you might get it." Echo said
"Can we go try on clothes?" Michelle asked
"Sure," Echo said "but we need to go home soon, it's getting late." Echo said
"Okay." Michelle said in a depressed voice.
"We will be able to do this again, soon." Echo said.
"Really?" Michelle asked and Echo nodded
###
Cody saw a young man and a young child walk away. Then they went into a clothes shop and the young man looked back. After a couple minutes he finally walked inside.
"Watch his every move, wait for him to slip up. If he does, contact me immediately." Cody said
"Yes, sir." The three stormtroopers said and Cody walked away
"Something doesn't seem right about that young man. But what is it?" Cody asked himself.
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