revivalproject | What's Behind Door Number One?

Entry tags:

What's Behind Door Number One?

WHO: Echo & ~~YOU-SA~~ OTA
WHERE: The Agrii Ship
WHAT: Lost
WHEN: ~~Yes~~ Now-ish
WARNINGS: TBD but I'm pretty sure it's N/A. Will update as needed.

----

His initial disorientation quickly subsided the moment he realized nothing was familiar.

It was huge, yes. But oh, it was different – very different from the Venator-class Republic Cruiser Echo was used to living on between missions. Through the dark visor of his helmet, he looked up, scrutinizing the lines running along the corridors, the shape of the bulkheads, the lights. However, it soon dawned on him that he would have to learn where everything was before any further venturing was done.

"Which means we're back to square one," he muttered under a breath, shouldering his blaster while he stood there to figure out his next move. And after staring down the way at the nearest door, he sighed. "Well. Looks like I got the time. A little exploring won't kill me..."

* * *

His first point of inspection:

"Large an' empty. I wonder what could've been held in here."

* * *

Second point of inspection:

"Inventory," he almost snorted through his vocabulator. The thrill in his tone (or lack thereof) was evident. "Always loads of fun."

* * *

A third point of inspection:

"...What is this, a refresher?"

* * *

Hits and misses were plenty the more he looked around, but for some reason, it wasn't boring him. Wherever he ended up next, he was sure to find something interesting.

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Echo hums. "Research can be exciting." And he genuinely means it, not being sarcastic in the least. "Quieter, sure, but it's still interesting." Can paranormal encounters be quiet? It's an area of study the clones never covered (?). His helmet tilts a few degrees to the right. "How many cases have been disproven so far?"

Fortunately, the number of questions has been put on hold upon the approach of said corner. The clone nods, almost brightening now that their destination is close. "–We made good time."

They have, indeed, made good time. Though Jon is still looking rather amused at that last question Echo has provided him with. "The Institute has been collecting statements for two hundred years by now. We have thousands of them in the Archive. And to be fair? Most of them are disproved easily. The real ones... Those are rare." Which used to put him at ease - Back before he knew more about the details.

Jon pushes open the door to the medbay and gestures for Echo to step inside. It's just about as empty as it has been when Jon woke up there after their little Graq encounter. Which means that it is empty save for the still unconscious Cloud occupying one of the beds at the far end. Though after Bucky woke up Jon is a lot less worried about Cloud.

"I would like to know a few more details before trying something if that is okay with you."

Thousands of cases created through years of research makes sense to him. Despite how simple it all sounds, he can respect the effort put behind the collecting.

"You're older than you look," Echo casually intones, the shift from his earlier seriousness brief now that they're heading into the medbay. Once he enters, he scans the area; it's oddly reminiscent of any of the medbays he's seen before, save for the fact there's only one non-clone patient in bed.

"How long has he been in here?" he asks, turning to look at Jon again. So many questions, and sometimes they're about him. "Whatever you need, I'll try to answer."

"I- I'm 31..." Jon says in return, stopping in his tracks and looking positively befuddled. This is just the exact opposite of what he's used to hearing. The greying hair has made him look older even before he got the scars.

But he shakes the temporary confusion and follows inside, having his attention directed towards Cloud. "That- Cloud. His name is Cloud. He has been in this coma for a few weeks now. He wasn't the only one so- We're hoping he wakes up soon. A-anyway..." Jon trails off for a moment, casting a futile look around for something to write with, only to be reminded that the Agrii aren't big on taking physical notes. So he pulls out his recorder instead while gesturing for the clone to sit on one of the empty beds and walking to sit on the one next to it himself.

The clone almost winces when Jon responds the way he does. "Eh. Bad joke." Maybe it's easier just to stick with what they've been doing.

Like talking about Cloud, for instance. Learning that he's been in a coma for weeks is sobering enough to reel the awkward back in. "I see. Here's hoping he will." Considering the reality of the situation, it doesn't hurt to have a small boost of optimism as a silver lining.

Taking the cue from the Archivist, Echo sits down, back straight as he sets the blaster beside him. As an extra measure, he makes sure not to have it pointing at anyone. He's also taken several glances at the recorder, but appears to have no problem with it. "Should I take off my helmet?"

“Oh, whatever feels more comfortable for you, I suppose.” Jon says in regards of the helmet. “Don’t think you will need it here, though.”

He fiddled with the recorder a moment before clicking it on and setting it on the nearby table and turning to Echo. He isn’t sure what he hopes to record, but he likes to have something he can review later. “You’re a soldier, you said. Which means you follow orders, correct?”

That works for him. Echo breaks the seal of his helmet, pulling it off with little flair so that he can look at the Archivist with his own eyes. "Guess it would be silly to keep it on the whole time," he says with a wry smirk.

Jon is quick to move on, however, and the clone sits ready, sandwiching the helm between one gloved hand and his armored thigh. "Of course. Good soldiers follow orders," he answers. "If I didn't, then I wouldn't be in the position I'm currently in."

Jon nods when Echo takes off his helmet and offers the man a little, yet genuine smile at finally seeing the person within the heavy armor.

Good soldiers follow orders. Now that? That's sentence that just might send a chill down Jon's spine. "But you also can disobey an order if you don't agree with it. If it's... Inadequate." He hopes so, at least.

Outside the doorway of medbay, Cal has stopped, closing his eyes as he steels himself, listening to the voices that come from within. Both are familiar to him, Jon's of course for all they've been through in the span of months they've been caught up in the Agrii's predicament. The other...the tone, he knows it too well. The last he'd heard it had been from an old recording, back on the ruined remains of the Venator back on Zeffo.

Even hearing this speaker now, he can tell the subtle differences. He knows that the clone troopers had their individual personalities, their ways of speaking. There's a pang at the reminder of those he'd once considered comrades, friends of a sort for a young padawan eager to test his mettle in battle alongside his master and their assigned troops.

Behind him, he hears BD-1's soft beep in inquiry, and he opens his eyes, glancing over his shoulder at the little droid. "...yeah. I think," he replies, letting out a breath before inhaling a fresh one. Now or never.

He steps into the room, letting his eyes linger briefly upon Cloud's still quiet form before he lets his attention drift towards the Archivist and ARC Trooper. With a nod at them, he starts on over, the single glove he wears on his left creaking just slightly as his fingers curl in towards his fist at his side, the only external sign of whatever remnants of anxiety he hasn't completely managed to banish before this encounter.

Jon's question makes the clone think, his brow furrowing slightly when he's presented with that option. "If it goes against protocol and if it doesn't feel right, then...yes, it's an option I can take."

Although he sounds mildly uncertain since this is a scenario that hasn't come up at any point in his career. All of his experiences have been more or less positive in terms of heeding orders and cooperating with others on the battlefield.

Out of the corner of Echo's eye, he sees another figure. And for a second, he appears to frown at Cal upon his approach, his stare hardening the longer he studies the young man. Perhaps it's a trick of the lighting if the lighting works that way; any trace of intensity is gone from his expression, replaced with friendly acknowledgement.

The words against protocol raise the question what said protocol entails. And that, in turn, might be tricky to fully determine.

Jon is still contemplating where to go with this when Cal enters the medbay, the subtle, yet deep fear the Padawan radiates putting a silent frown on the Archivist’s face. He greets Cal with a nod, pushing his frown aside.

“Hello, Cal. This is ARC-1409, Echo.” Jon introduces the clone with a gesture of his hand before turning towards Echo. “And this is Cal. You two share the same galaxy, and.... He has witnessed- Some of what happened at the end of that war you are still fighting. I’m hoping that together we can find some answers.”

The memories come unbidden, a trooper in the flesh much different than one in recording, although still less haunting than coming across floating, submerged bodies. Cal stiffens just a little at the clone's scrutiny, but he can sense no negativity from the man, and why should he? Feeling guilty but no less cautious, the padawan looks from Echo to Jon, hoping the faint smile he manages doesn't look too forced.

"Hey," he replies, giving another nod at the introduction. BD-1 pokes out from behind the padawan with a few beeps, as much an 'And me! I'm here too!' as anything. It at least serves to break through the tension, and Cal slowly relaxes his hands, instead drawing his arms up to fold his arms in front of him. "This is BeeDee-One," he adds, before returning his attention to the two. Still cautious, but he feels better having others here. He can't help but look away, obviously bothered, at Jon's mention of the end of the war.

Whatever deep-seated feelings the other two have, Echo remains mostly oblivious to. And maybe for the better, given how much has been explained so far. It's the outermost feelings he's able to pick up on with Cal, now knowing how sensitive the topic can be if Jon says he lived through it.

Same galaxy, different points in time. As sobering a thought that is, BeeDee is very helpful in lightening the mood. The brief look of surprise turns into a soft laugh.

"Well met," the clone says, nodding once the introductions are made. His smile then fades a bit around the edges, however, not forgetting the business Jon intends to delve into. "As I've said, I'll do my best to answer your questions so that we can get a better idea of what's going on," he reinstates for the record. For both Jon and Cal, now that the latter is joining them.

Jon nods towards BD-1 when the droid makes himself known, the by now familiar noise bringing a smile to the Archivist's face. He then turns to Cal first. "I am still asking Echo a few basic questions. Trying to get more of a picture of how things are from his point of view." Though he has already mentally set aside certain details.

His attention shifts to the clone and Jon nods once more. "And I appreciate your willingness to cooperate. Obviously something dreadful has happened in Cal's time already that you are still getting to. And I don't want to lie, but... I feel like there might be some degree of compulsion involved." As he says this, Jon looks from Echo over to Cal, gesturing with one of his hands.

The padawan nods, unsurprised at the methodical approach Jon's taking to this. There are things he'd like to know too, and the opportunity isn't one they'd likely get outside of the unique situation they currently find themselves in.

"Compulsion..?" Cal frowns, looking at Jon again. For an entire army? He doesn't voice that part, but very suggestion is a frightening one. It also makes his stomach turn. Something so compelling that it completely changes a clone's personality, makes them so easily turn upon the ones they have fought beside?

Slowly his eyes drift towards Echo again. "You're an ARC Trooper. Were you stationed at Tipoca City, or assigned on mission?"

Echo's brow furrows again, his expression leaning further into uncertainty with the idea of compulsion being a major factor in the way clones act. In the way he also acts, even if he feels...well. Normal.

He lets his gaze fall, mulling over this – probably mentally echoing what Cal doesn't say, moreso trying to figure out the 'how' and 'why' compulsion would be used to such a degree. When Cal speaks up, his eyes flicker, darting away from Jon so that he can reply to the young man properly.

"I was assigned on mission," he recounts almost dutifully. "Haven't really had the chance to get back in from its completion, now that I think about it, and it's probably not my last." Probably, since there's never a guarantee clones will survive. Recompartmentalizing these thoughts, Echo glances between the two before settling back on the Archivist. "If compulsion is involved in any way, what were you going to try doing?"

Tipoca City. That's not a place Jon is familiar with, but apparently the name means something to Echo and Jon can't help but feel that it can only be helpful for the padawan and the clone to find they have things they can talk about with one another.

The Archivist will keep his focus on the matte with the potential compulsion and he remains silent for a bit, considering his reply.

"I... I'm not certain. It's hard to say for sure and if it is a type of compulsion that might depend on what exactly magic and technology in your galaxy is capable of." He looks from Echo over to Cal, gesturing with one hand. "When Billy was controlled by one of those bugs I was able to locate the creature by accessing his mind. But we're not looking at an insulated event but something widespread and coordinated." Pausing there for a moment, Jon's eyes narrow as he drops them towards the floor. "Something that was prepared and triggered at just the right moment."

An army of well-trained attack dogs that wouldn't question an order given to them regardless what the target - It's not a comparison Jon speaks out loud, though.

"I see," Cal replies, nodding at Echo before glancing towards Jon. "Tipoca City is on Kamino, where you could consider the birthplace of our clone troopers. I've never been there personally, only heard about it from other troopers mostly."

He realizes he's given a little away about himself even just stating his familiarity with Echo's armor and station. Still, it's difficult asking questions without divulging a bit, and Echo acts no different from the troopers he used to know and chat with. That pang of past recollections begins to creep up on him again, and Cal rolls his shoulders, focusing on Jon as the Archivist offers his explanation.

"..." He nods slowly, remembering the bug incident. He'd encountered Tommy in a similar state, and there had been only so much he could do without being further injured or causing the speedster too much harm. "Prepared and triggered..." he murmurs with a frown. It certainly sounds like what had happened. Cal remembers the scant moments before the betrayal, his master reacting to something through the Force. He remembers the clone captain who had just a bit earlier been playfully adding some challenge to his most recent training run, cold and calmly raising his blaster towards the Lassat Jedi. His fingers tighten around his arm as he tries to break off the memory, closing his eyes.

"Kamino's mostly water, really. The city itself is built on pylons standing high above sea level, and the weather isn't always pleasant. Unless you're a fan of storms, then you're in for a treat." Echo can still see Tipoca City clearly in his mind's eye, a faint smile crossing the lower half of his features. However, it doesn't last; he realizes Cal was very specific in saying he knew about his home planet through other clones.

Jon's timing lets the ARC Trooper shelve his question for the teen, brown eyes falling back onto the man as he explains his theory. Trying not to react to someone having access to another person's mind is hard, especially when he's heard accounts of the Jedi being able to do something similar. Except that melts back into a deeper kind of concern, his brow knitting the more he thinks about the possibility of it being a widespread coordinated event.

"None of it sounds good." He hesitates, correcting himself. "None of it is good. It's horrible. I still can't believe it happened..."

Echo trails off, staying quiet for a while. He then returns to what he's wanted to ask earlier, trying to take care with his words. "Cal? You said you heard about Kamino from other troopers. What exactly was your relation to us?"

Jon gives a few short nods at the descriptions he is being provided regarding Tipoca City, which he can't help but start seeing as the only city on a planet entirely covered in water. Laboriously set up on massive stilts to remain above the unruly waters below and withstanding the storms above and around.

Who in their right mind would even realistically consider such a construction a good idea? There sure must be less hostile planets available...

He won't ask, though. Right now that's not important and Jon settles for a pensive silence, allowing for Cal to respond to Echo's questions, instead.

Jon's imagination wouldn't be entirely off. It would certainly be an aquaphobic's nightmare.

Anticipating the inquiry, Cal looks back at Echo again. He can feel BD-1 shift a little behind him, but he doesn't let the droid distract him from the question as he tries to frame a response.

"...I knew the Thirteenth Battalion," he says, glancing briefly between the clone trooper and Jon. "They were serving under my Master Jaro Tapal, aboard the Albedo Brave." That said enough without him going into specifics, although he already committed himself to providing answers as needed. The man here should still be considered a comrade, which is both strange and difficult to think about when Cal knows the outcome and Echo does not.

It is what it is. The Kaminoans somehow inhabit it. The clones adapted well enough.

The ARC Trooper's eyes narrow, then widen when Cal lays it all out. "You're a Jedi." It should be another question. A whole slew of follow-up questions in the way he normally goes about business. Instead, he seems to accept the fact that the young man has a history with a Jedi Master and a clone battalion. At the same time, everything he's learned so far just hits different, hits harder.

He doesn't mean to sit there and say nothing after that revelation comes and goes, unintentionally gripping his helmet tighter the more he thinks on it.

"...And everything was fine up until that point." Echo eventually tries to get back what they're supposed to be doing, but he spends another long moment looking between the two. "Jon. You said you can access the mind, right?"

At least hearing that Cal is a Jedi, one of those Echo's fellow clones turned against, doesn't result in any sort of aggressive reaction. Echo tenses, however, seeming concerned and uncertain. Questions, indeed. They all are having those.

It's when the clone turns to him that Jon shifts slightly where he is sitting. "Ah- R-right. That's correct. I'm more used to... Accessing a person's memories. Information they might be consciously hiding from me. I have never-" He gives a small gesture with one hand. "I've never had to try and find something that might be hidden from them as well. I- I can't alter or add anything. That... That would be someone else."

Cal looks down again as Echo pieces things together, his silence as much a confirmation as any actual response he might make. Still, he clarifies, eyes tracking back towards the clone. "Padawan," he says, at least maintaining his calm. "That was...five years ago, for me." Five years ago when the war ended, after a sudden, unseen twist.

Echo's question to Jon has him glance at the Archivist then. The things Jon described sound like things that could be potentially done through the Force, and not entirely in good ways. Cal nods slowly. "...I can only read events, echoes, of the past in the Force attached to places and objects, so I don't think I'd be of much help for whatever we might be wanting to find either." He glaces between the other two.

"We're here in the medbay. Did you have something other thoughts, Jon?"

Padawan. Echo murmurs to himself, ultimately linking that term with the jedi he knew to be of the same rank if he remembers correctly. Commander Tano, Padawan to General Skywalker of the 501st. "A commander?" he carefully ventures, but if Cal said it was five years ago he would have been much younger. Five years of history that have not been revealed just yet to the ARC Trooper.

With Jon and Cal both explaining the details on what they can and can't do, he looks on in awe, nodding as he commits these things to memory. Despite the limits to their abilities, there's an earnestness in the way he also looks back to the Archivist, echoing Cal's approach. "Medbay's gotta have something for an examination..."

Okay! Yayyyy more friends 8D;;

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