Missing You

The ARC trooper known as Fives was technically Jinx's subordinate, at least according to the rules of the GAR. However, as Ahsoka had advised him prior to his first mission with the clones, experience outranked everything. He accepted that maxim willingly; especially when the mission against the new Separatist ear-popper-thingy-ma-bob went awry, leaving Jinx and his squad of clones lost and separated from the main company. Fives found them and easily took over, and Jinx had no objections at all.

When evening came, they made camp until they could be found, or at least contact their Masters or the rest of the 501st. Using the Force, Jinx's inborn Twi'lek knowledge of caves, and (most effectively) blasters to find a suitably arachnoid-free cavern to hide in, they rolled out their bedrolls, and took turns keeping watch throughout the night, two by two.

Jinx got paired with Fives for the last watch, which passed in tranquility, which was unexpected given that Fives had been one of the clones glaring at the new kid forebodingly in the mess hall. To Jinx's minor chagrin, the ARC didn't even seem willing to talk; in fact, he'd seemed quiet before in the mess, sitting alone, and looking carefully neutral. Much like he acted now, only now the sadness was a bit more detectable.

The Twi'lek wanted to ask what was wrong, but decided against it. Grief was personal, and he didn't want to intrude. So, the hours until dawn passed in silence.

As soon as the distant red giant sun came over the horizon, though, they both started talking at once. "Ni su'cuyi, gar…"

They broke off, staring in equal astonishment at each other, before continuing. "…Gar kyr'adyc, ni partayli, gar darasuum."

Fives motioned for Jinx to go first, still staring incredulously at the young Padawan. Jinx, in his turn, cleared his throat nervously, and started.

"Pelo."

"Droidbait," Fives supplied, after a moment's hesitation from the kid.

"Narya."

"Cutup."

"…Lorelei." Her name stuck in Jinx's throat, as it always had. It was getting easier to say though, day by day.

Fives continued as if he had barely noticed. "Hevy."

"Kalifa."

Then it was Fives' turn to pause, the pain still fresh on his face. "…Echo."

They were the names of the dead, recited in the order they had died, as was custom. Fives and Jinx stared for a moment, then, when no more names came forth, the trooper broke the silence.

"Natal squad?"

The Twi'lek assumed that meant "youngling Clan," and nodded, swallowing at the lump in his throat. "Most of them." Only Kalifa had not belonged to Eagle Clan. "You?"

"Yeah." Fives nodded quietly. "You...know the daily remembrance?"

"A brother from the 327th taught me," Jinx replied, remembering Commander Bly's compassion fondly. "I caught him saying it one morning, and asked what it meant."

"'I'm still alive, but you are dead. I remember you…'"

"'…so you are eternal,' yes. I learned it because it made things…easier."

He didn't explain why it made things easier. Saying the Mandalorian daily remembrance was more real, more tangible to Jinx than simply believing that his friends lived on through the Force, like the Jedi taught. They had just been too important for him to leave their fates up to the Force, which, in his experience, had been fickle and untrustworthy.

Yes, it was probably attachment. Yes, he would, sooner or later, have to face up to the fact that his friends had died and there was nothing he could do about it. But he wasn't ready yet. The daily remembrance helped him hang on in some small way, and still feel useful to his friends, without spending time in denial as to their deaths, as he had for so long with Lorelei.

Fives understood that without question. He nodded curtly, giving Jinx a pat on the shoulder, conferring just a tad bit of strength through the Force without even realizing he did so.

Thank the Force for good, brave men such as this one, thought Jinx, not even dreaming that Fives was thinking the same thing.

Fives was being relatively more friendly because Ahsoka wasn't anywhere near that camp. It'll probably be business as usual once they get back. Poor Jinx.

And, yes, Echo does die in this continuity. My fellow Echo fans, you have my deepest condolences.