In Command (#1 Post-Order 66 Series)

In Command - Part 17

Senna's eyes widened as her hands flew to cover her weapon from view. Echo gently grabbed her arm. "I didn't know," he said quietly.

"No one was supposed to," she said softly.

"Well, your secret's safe with us," the largest clone rumbled from beneath his helmet. Pulling it off, he revealed an incredibly scarred face and one blinded eye, but the warmth he exuded almost negated his size and physical appearance. "We're good at keeping secrets."

"That's Wrecker, and that's Tech," Echo said, gesturing at the last clone in white armor. The clone was busy typing something on his datapad and halfheartedly waved hello before pushing his visor back up a little further on his helmet, his goggles reflecting the glow of the datapad's screen.

"Well, it's great to meet you guys. Also, for the record, not a general," she said turning to Hunter.

He nodded. "Commander then?"

"Nope, just a normal technical specialist that also happened to be a Jedi," she grinned. That statement finally grabbed Tech's attention as he looked up from his datapad.

Echo let out a chuckle at Tech's reaction. "I figured you two might get along."

"As much as I'm enjoying all this chit-chat, we really should get you two loaded up on the Marauder," Hunter stated.

"You're right," Senna agreed. "You guys are going to have to help move Rex. He's not in much of a state to be doing anything right now. Also, if you've got better first aid on that ship, he could definitely probably use a second look. I'm not well-versed in medicine, but I did what I could."

"I'll get him," Wrecker grunted, stepping into the cave. The massive clone squatted down next to Rex, and Rex reached up to grasp his arm in greeting.

"Good to see you again Wrecker. If you're gonna pick me up, maybe do it a little gentler this time."

Wrecker cackled at that. "If you insist, Cap." Slipping his arms under Rex, Wrecker lifted him bridal style as if he was weightless, carrying him back out towards the ship.

"I probably could have walked on my own, you know," Rex muttered as he passed by Senna.

"Yeah, well better safe than sorry," she called after him, biting back a giggle.

Suddenly, Hunter stiffened next to her, whirling to look out over the plains behind them. Taking notice, Tech stepped forward, bringing up his macrobinoculars to look in the direction Hunter was staring.

"We've got Imperials inbound, about a klick out and closing fast. They appear to have a troop transport and an AT-DP."

"Great. Better hustle," Hunter said, turning to Senna. She nodded, sprinting back into the cave to grab her bag while the clones took up defensive positions behind the rocks.

As she came running back out, Tech was speaking quickly with Hunter. "I still have to complete the pre-flight sequence since the hyperdrive's been acting up, otherwise we'll never get out of here."

"Tech, here take this and get going," she said, tossing him her bag. "I'll hold them off until the engines are hot." Tech nodded and took off sprinting towards the ship.

"We'll help," Echo said, pulling his helmet back on. Senna noticed that it snapped into place under the equipment wrapped around his head.

"Ok, we have to talk about your helmet later," she said.

"Thought you'd like that."

Hunter slipped his helmet back on as well. "Alright, take cover behind the rocks. Echo and I will draw them in, you slice and dice them. Also, if you've got any ideas about how to take down that walker, now would be the time."