Guarded (#2 Post-Order 66 Series)

Guarded - Part 18

Author's Note: Just a heads up that there are MAJOR spoilers for "In Command" (my Rex x OC fic) in this chapter, so if you'd planned on reading that fic spoiler-free, I recommend pausing here.

Boots. Shin guards. Knee plates.

There had always been something about the routine of putting on his kit that Echo found calming, particularly as he prepared for a battle. It was methodical, something he'd practiced hundreds of times, and even with the way his body had changed, it was still something he found peace in.

Kama. Utility belt. Chest plate.

He couldn't deny that it went much faster with his new hand, and the first few times he'd been able to complete the process quickly, he'd had to sit in silence for a bit, memories invading the quiet in his mind. The last time he'd been able to put his kit on that quickly, he'd been on his way to the Citadel. Fives had been sitting next to him, bragging about the latest woman he'd met at 79s the night before. Echo had rolled his eyes, earning him a nudge to his shoulder from his rambunctious twin before he continued on with his story. It had been such a trivial moment at the time, but now, it was one that he replayed over and over again in his head. If he'd known that would be the last time he'd see Fives, maybe he would have said something different, given him a hug as they stepped out onto the planet's surface. Echo ultimately had to just accept the fact that often, that's how last moments with loved ones go; you don't know that they're coming, and many times, they're not as satisfying as you'd hoped.

Helmet on. Blaster in holster. Vambrace powered. Comms working.

He stood, completing his mental checklist in the dark of his room. It would take them several hours to get to Moenia, and they planned to start the attack before dawn to give themselves the best chance possible. He heard Iden's door open and close in the hall, her boots heavy as she descended the stairs. She'd insisted on coming along, and no one had really tried very hard to stop her. He could hear Crosshair shuffling about on the other side of the wall before his door also opened and shut and he moved down the stairs.

It's time.

Echo followed the others, assembling in the lower level of the building as they all quietly filed out to the speeder. Inez was staying behind to monitor comms and relay anything if the long range frequency got jammed. He noted her lingering hug with Jex before the guard clambered into the driver's seat of the speeder next to Iden while Echo and Crosshair climbed into the back with Sabé sandwiched between them.

"The others have assembled and are ready to move out," Jex said quietly.

"Very good," Iden responded. "Away we go."

Jex spoke quietly into his commlink, signaling the other militia members, and the speeder gently eased out of the town before gaining speed on the open lake country.

Most of the trip was made in silence. Iden occasionally spoke into her commlink, getting status updates from the groups that were planning on rendezvousing with them on the cliffs outside of Moenia. Crosshair was going through his normal routine of checking and double-checking his rifle and ammo count, his face hidden behind the visor of his helmet. Sabé sat between them rigidly, her gaze focused out on some distant point in front of them as the wind tugged at the hair that had escaped her bun. Echo took in the blaster strapped to her thigh and the pouch of explosives that hung from her hip. D-4 was powered off and folded up into a more compact configuration on the floor at her feet. Echo couldn't imagine what was going through Sabé's mind, but he wondered if her thoughts were on Padmé and what this battle would mean to her if she was still alive.

They reached the cliffs before even the first traces of dawn were emerging, pulling up along a handful of other transports that had parked out of sight of the city. Echo followed Iden and Jex as they hopped out, moving to greet the other militia leaders that were crouched down behind a large set of rocks.