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Echo couldn’t believe what had just happened. One moment, the car they were in was tilting backward, pulled by a second damaged car, and the next, they were speeding toward the terminal, and Wrecker was screaming as if a limb had just been ripped off.
“Wrecker! What’s going on?”
No response, but sobs began to escape Omega.
“Omega, what’s-”
“We have to go back!” The girl asked through her sobs. “Tech- Tech!”
“Wrecker, where’s Tech?” Hunter asked, using his Sergeant voice as he hugged Omega.
Only a sob answered him.
“Wrecker!”
Wrecker let out in a heartbreaking sob. “Tech was- He was tied to the second car!”
Echo and Hunter exchanged a look, and even through their visors, Echo knew that Hunter was as alarmed and devastated as he was.
“He has…” Wrecker continued. “Plan 99.”
Echo’s blood ran cold. Plan 99. Sacrifice himself for the good of the squad. After a Plan 99, there wasn’t supposed to be any organized rescue. But Echo refused. He’d been left for dead at the Citadel, and even if he’d never held it against Rex, Fives, or anyone else, he wouldn't let Tech suffer the same fate. Yes, given the situation they were in, Tech was probably dead, but Echo wouldn't stop at probably. He refused to abandon his little brother until he had definitive proof that he was dead.
But right now, he didn't have time to think about that. The train car they were in was moving far too fast, and they were approaching the terminal at a speed that was far too great and dangerous.
“The car's going too fast.” Hunter said, turning to him.
“The system is too strong. I can't stop it.” Echo replied in frustration, disconnecting his scomp.
Echo exchanged a look with Hunter, Omega, and Wrecker, and before he could really see what was happening, Wrecker grabbed Omega under one arm and rushed towards Hunter and Echo, pulling them towards him as well, wrapping all three of them in his arms and pushing them to the ground, protecting them with his body.
The next few moments were a blur, but when Echo opened his eyes again, he was in the ruins of the car, which had crashed into the terminal, destroying both entities. He was still in Wrecker's arms, Hunter was beside him, and Omega had rolled a few meters away. Hunter and Wrecker quickly regained their senses.
“Status.” Echo asked, sitting up with a grunt.
“Bruises and an abdominal injury. Not dangerous.” Hunter replied.
“Probably a concussion and neck pain. Bruises on the back. Not dangerous.” Wrecker added.
“Right shoulder dislocated. Bruises on the rest of the body. Not dangerous.” Echo said in turn.
“We're getting Omega and getting out of here.” Hunter ordered, standing up, pressing a hand to his wound.
“Hunter, Tech-” Wrecker began.
“Tech has made his choice.” Hunter said harshly. “It's up to us to seize the opportunity he's given us.”
Hunter then walked over to Omega, Echo following after glancing at Wrecker.
“Omega!” The Sergeant called, kneeling beside the girl, who seemed to be regaining some of her senses. “We have to get her out of here.” He then said to Wrecker.
The bigger clone shook himself and came to take their sister in his arms. “I've got you, kid.”
The next few minutes were a blur as well, but they managed to board the Marauder and Echo took the controls, stopping himself from thinking that Tech was usually the one piloting their ship.
“Head to Ord Mantell. AZI can help us.” Hunter ordered, Wrecker gently placing Omega on his bunk.
Echo entered the correct coordinates, put the Marauder into hyperspace, and then pulled up his comm.
“What are you doing?” Hunter asked.
“I'm calling Rex, I need his help.”
"To do what? You seriously want to go on another mission with him now?" Wrecker accused, removing his helmet, his tear-filled eyes now visible to everyone.
“On the contrary.” Echo refuted, removing his own helmet. “I want to ask him to come back with me to Eriadu. We'll get Tech.”
“Echo, Tech had-” Hunter tried again, his face closed.
“No. I refuse to abandon him.”
“Think for 30 seconds!” The Sergeant exploded. “Did you see how high he fell? No one can survive a fall like that.”
“And no one can survive the explosion of a shuttle they're boarding.” Echo retorted, undaunted. “I was left for dead when I was blown up. I don't blame anyone because how could I have survived such an explosion? I refuse to do the same to Tech. If there's a chance, even one in a billion, that he survived that fall, I'm going to take it. I won't give up until I get my answer. I won't abandon my little brother.”
Echo then left the cockpit, taking his comm with him and leaving Hunter and Wrecker behind.
Once seated on the floor of the loading bay, Echo called out to his big brother, hoping he would answer quickly.
His prayers were answered as Rex picked up the phone in less than 10 seconds. “Echo, it’s nice to see you.” The blond greeted.
“Hey Rex. I'm not going to beat around the bush. I need you.”
“Of course.” the blond man immediately agreed. “You know I'm always here if you need me.”
“Perfect. I don't know where you are, but I need you to join me on Ord Mantell as soon as possible.”
“Let me look… I can be there in an hour.”
“Perfect. I'll be there in an hour and a half. I'll arrive and we'll take off.”
“I'm on my way.” Rex informed him. "Where are we going?"
“Eriadu.”
“Eriadu?” Rex repeated. “Wasn’t that where you were supposed to go to explore an Imperial base?”
“Yes. We are currently between Eriadu and Ord Mantell. But I have to go back there.”
“What’s going on, Echo?” Rex asked, frowning, noticing his little brother’s disturbed attitude.
“Tech… Sacrificed himself to allow us to escape.” Echo blurted out, doing what he could to keep his voice steady. “He severed the wagon he was tied to and fell into the ravine. Hunter is convinced he's dead, but I refuse to believe it until I see him. I won't abandon my brother, and if there's a chance he's still alive, I refuse to let it slip.”
"I understand." Rex said immediately. "Of course, I'll come and help you look for him."
Rex had made the mistake of abandoning one of his brothers to death once, he wouldn't do it again.
“Thanks, Rex.” Echo whispered, relieved by the blond’s understanding. “I’ll drop Hunter, Wrecker, and Omega off at Ord Mantell and we’ll head back.”
"I'll be there." Rex assured before disconnecting.
Echo exhaled a long breath and dropped his head into his hand, trying to calm himself.
He stayed in that position for a while, curled up on the ground, before the loading bay door opened and someone came and sat down next to him.
“If this is to try to change my mind, you're wasting your time, Hunter.” Echo said without even looking up. “I'm going to get Tech, whether you like it or not.”
There was a short silence before the tracker spoke. “I'm not here to try to convince you.” The Sergeant said softly. “I heard you talking to Rex. I'm coming with you.”
“No.” Echo refused, raising his head. “You're hurt. Stay on Ord Mantell with Omega and Wrecker. They're going to need you.”
“They… Tech might need me too.” Hunter whispered, sounding broken.
“That's why I'm going after him. And I won't be alone. Rex will be with me, and we'll be more discreet this time. Omega will need you. Wrecker too, for that matter. They saw him fall… It's not something they'll soon forget.”
Hunter didn't answer that but eventually sighed.
“Okay. I'll stay with them. Promise me you'll be careful, Echo. I don't want to lose two brothers in the same day.” Hunter asked, stifling a sob.
Echo turned slightly to pull Hunter closer, hugging him. “I'll be careful.” The cyborg promised.
He wanted to repeat that Tech might not be dead and that Hunter hadn't lost anyone yet, but he knew it wouldn't do much good.
Hunter allowed himself a few minutes of weakness, letting his tears fall against his big brother before taking a deep breath and pulling back. "At least let me reset your shoulder. I didn't forget you said it was dislocated."
To be honest, Echo himself had almost forgotten that his right shoulder was dislocated. He didn't tell Hunter, of course, not wanting to get a disappointed and disapproving look.
Instead, he simply shifted a little to show his right shoulder to Hunter, who quickly placed his hands in the right spot, slipping them under his armor to get them in the right position.
“On three.” The tracker warned before counting to three and quickly repositioning his brother's shoulder.
Echo choked out a curse or ten and took a few deep breaths, pushing the pain away. And when he opened his eyes again, Hunter was still there.
"I'd tell you to go easy on that arm for a while, but I know it wouldn't do much good." Hunter said quietly.
"You know, given the state it's in, this shoulder won't mind a little rough treatment." Echo tried to joke.
The attempt at derision remained an attempt and Echo and Hunter got up, Hunter heading towards the cockpit to monitor the navigation and Echo joining the bunk room, where he was almost certain to find Wrecker.
And bingo, the gentle giant was there, curled up on the ground, holding Lula close. It was clear he was trying to suppress his sobs, but his broad shoulders were still shaking. Echo quietly approached and knelt beside his brother, placing his hand on Wrecker's shoulder.
The taller one raised his head without even bothering to try to wipe away his tears. “Echo.” He murmured in a broken voice.
“Hey, Wreck. Has anyone been looking at your neck?” The cyborg inquired softly.
“No. But it's already better.” Wrecker brushed off, grimacing.
Echo, of course, didn't believe him, and grabbed his handheld scanner, running it over and around his brother's neck and upper body. When the small machine beeped, Echo looked at the results and sighed in relief.
“It's nothing too bad. You just pulled a few muscles. Try not to overdo it for the next few days. Anyway, as soon as we arrive on Ord Mantell, AZI will want to check you all over to make sure you're okay.”
“Not you?” Wrecker asked, noticing that Echo hadn’t included himself in his phrasing.
Echo shook his head from side to side before answering.
“Rex will meet me on Ord Mantell, and we'll leave straight away as soon as we arrive. We'll go get Tech.”
“So you were serious…”
“Of course I'm serious. I won't abandon Tech.”
“Do you really think that… Well, you think it's possible that he…”
“I don’t know.” Echo answered honestly. “But I know what it’s like to be left for dead, and I won’t put him through that. And even if it’s just to get his body back, it’s worth it. He’s worth it.”
Wrecker nodded slowly and opened his mouth to add something, but Echo beat him to it. “No, you're not coming with me. You're staying on Ord Mantell with Hunter and Omega. Yes, I'll be careful. Yes, we'll be discreet. And no, we won't take any unnecessary risks. And if it ever gets too dangerous, I promise I won't be stubborn. Getting Tech back is my goal, but getting back to you is far more important.” Echo reassured.
Wrecker didn't answer but looked down. Echo had answered all his questions, but that didn't make the situation any easier. He couldn't forget what he had just seen... “He… I told him not to.” Wrecker whispered, his voice cracking at the end.
“I know.” Echo said softly, sincerely.
“He shot so fast. I couldn't do anything.” The taller one sobbed, trying in vain to wipe away his tears with his hands.
“I know.” Echo repeated, coming over to hug Wrecker, trying to soothe his little brother as best he could.
Echo stayed with Wrecker for a while before standing up and heading over to the still-unconscious Omega. As with Wrecker, he pulled out his handheld scanner, and thankfully, the scan revealed only a minor concussion. Nothing too dangerous, but it justified her unconsciousness.
The rest of the journey passed in tense silence, but at least they arrived quickly at Ord Mantell. And Echo hadn't even finished landing the Marauder when he noticed a person half-hidden under a cloak who seemed to be waiting for something.
“He didn't waste any time.” Hunter said quietly, next to Echo.
“He told me he'd be here before us.” Echo simply confirmed. “I'm entrusting Omega and Wrecker to you. I'll be back soon.”
Echo turned to head for the ramp but was held back by Hunter, who spun him around and pulled him into a brief hug.
“Be careful.” The tracker asked again, staring into his brother’s eyes.
“I promise.” Echo repeated, nodding his head very seriously.
Echo said a quick goodbye to Wrecker and then exited the Marauder, heading towards Rex.
“Do you have a good ship?” Echo asked by way of greeting, not wanting to waste any time.
“It’s almost new.” Rex confirmed, understanding his little brother’s haste.
“Let's go then, I'll explain a little more when we get going.”
Rex nodded and headed towards where he had left his ship, Echo following in his footsteps.
This ship was a little smaller than the Marauder but would be more than sufficient for their mission.
Without a word, Echo boarded behind his big brother, and without a word, Rex launched them, entering Eriadu's coordinates and quickly making the jump to hyperspace. Only after activating the autopilot did Rex turn back to Echo, who had collapsed onto the ship's only bunk.
"Well, now that we're going, you can tell me a bit more." Rex said, coming to sit next to his little brother.
“There's not much more to say. The power had been cut in the line that supplied the suspended cars we were in. To fix the problem, Tech was on one of the pylons next to where we were stopped. When he fixed the problem, he wanted to get back in the car with us, but the Imps were shooting at us at that moment, and he slipped. He managed to hang on with his harpoon to the car behind ours, but that car was damaged by enemy fire and was attached to the one I was in with Hunter, Omega, and Wrecker by really little. The damaged car was pulling downward, and there wasn't enough power to pull our car. So, Tech… He severed the connection hinge between the two cars, causing the one he was attached to, to fall. The reduced weight allowed our car to continue its journey, but he… yeah, here we are.”
Rex was silent for a moment, trying to piece everything together. Echo's speech was a bit disjointed, and the blond hadn't fully understood everything, but he'd gotten the gist. Tech had sacrificed himself to allow the others to escape. The path forward was simple from there.
But before Rex could say anything, Echo had already spoken again.
“We can't abandon him, Rex. I know there's a good chance he didn't survive that fall, but I… I have to be sure. Please don't try to change my mind too, I-”
“Echo, Echo.” Rex interrupted gently, placing his hands on his shoulders. “I'm not going to try to change your mind. Of course we're going to go get Tech. If there's a chance he's still alive, we have to take it. I made the mistake once of abandoning one of my brothers to died, and I won't do it again, I promise you that.” Rex assured him, more sincere than ever.
He had before him, in his hands, proof that one should never abandon a brother to death, no matter the circumstances, no matter the odds.
Echo actually gave a small, wry laugh at this remark. “Stop blaming yourself.” He asked, resting his forehead against his older brother’s.
“Never.” Rex replied. “I could never forgive myself for abandoning you at the Citadel, Echo. But that's what allows me to do this kind of mission. I learned from that experience, and it's that guilt that allows me not to make that vital mistake again.”
Echo let a small silence pass, remaining in this reassuring position. “I never blamed you,” He said quietly. “Because honestly, what were the odds I'd survive that explosion? So, I never blamed you. But I know what it's like to be left for dead. And I would never do that to Tech. And if he really is already dead, at least I'll know for sure. I can't live with this uncertainty.”
Rex didn't respond immediately but eventually broke contact, straightening up to look his little brother in the eyes again. “Well then, let's go get Tech.”
Echo nodded, determined.
The rest of the trip to Eriadu went smoothly. Echo showed Rex the geography of the planet, where the base was, where Tech had fallen, and where they could approach undetected.
By the time they left hyperspace around Eriadu, they had a solid plan. Their goal was to be as stealthy as possible. They weren't coming to sabotage a base; they were simply coming to retrieve their brother.
Echo wasn't sure how they'd managed to do it, but they successfully infiltrated the planet's atmosphere undetected. They then headed toward the mountains where Tech had fallen. Because of the thick fog in that area, it was impossible to see much with the naked eye, so Echo and Rex relied almost exclusively on radar to land their ship.
"We'll continue the search on foot. Visibility is too poor in this fog." Rex said, landing their ship.
Echo didn't respond verbally but nodded, focused on his mission to find his brother.
To cover more area in less time, Echo and Rex split up, heading in different directions, staying in radio contact and each having thermal and infrared cameras.
After about 20 minutes of searching, Echo stumbled upon his first clue. Moving forward by the light of his helmet's flashlight, Echo almost missed this small object and nearly stepped on it. But by a stroke of luck, he happened to look at that part of the ground and stopped immediately, kneeling down to verify that it was what he thought it was.
And indeed, Echo now had Tech's glasses in his hands. The lenses were shattered and the strap stained with blood, but they were undeniably his little brother's glasses. And if there was one thing he'd learned after all these years with the Bad Batch, it was that where Tech's glasses were, the engineer wasn't far behind. And that had to be the case today, too.
"Rex, do you read me?" Echo asked, sitting up and starting to scan the area.
“Loud and clear, Ey'ika.”
Echo held back a small smile at the nickname but didn't waste any time. “Come to my position, I just found something.”
"I'll be with you in 15 minutes." Rex replied immediately, setting off. "What did you find?"
“Tech's glasses. If his glasses are here, he can't be far away.”
“I see. Keep searching the area, I'll be there as soon as possible.”
“Copy that.”
The communication then went dead and, even though he didn't think he had much result, Echo opened his communication channel with Tech. “Tech, can you hear me? This is Echo.”
Only a heavy silence answered him. But Echo wasn't one to be discouraged. So, as he began his survey of the area, he continued talking. “I don't know if you're able to hear me, or even if you still have your helmet with you, but know that I'm looking for you and I won't leave without you. Don't worry about the others. Hunter, Wrecker, and Omega are safe on Ord Mantell, and I came back with Rex. I just found your glasses, and I won't stop until I find you too.”
Echo walked around an area about twenty square meters around where he had found Tech's goggles before returning to the starting point.
And as Rex began to appear in the fog, Echo received an answer.
There was no speech and no human sounds, but Tech's line had just opened. The line remained open for a few seconds, no more, but Echo couldn't have imagined that. Immediately, his hope soared, and the cyborg had to force himself not to jump to conclusions.
“Tech? Tech, can you hear me? It's Echo. I came to get you. Tech, I need you to open your line again if you can hear me.”
There was no immediate response and in the meantime, Rex had moved closer. “Echo, what is-”
“Shh!” The younger one interrupted, focused on his radio.
And again, Tech's line opened. This time, Echo could make out what sounded like breathing. Slow, labored, and wet, but breathing, nonetheless. Again, the line remained open for only a few seconds.
“Fantastic. That's great, Tech, thank you very much. I'm coming. I promise I'll be there soon, little brother. I'm here, I'm not leaving without you.”
Echo then muted his mic, while leaving his communication channel with Tech wide open, in case the engineer felt like opening his line or something.
“He answered.” Echo announced, looking at Rex. “He didn't speak or anything, but his line opened. Twice, and the second time on command. Rex, I'm pretty sure it's him.”
“Well, then let's find him.” Rex replied simply, turning on his thermal camera and observing the surroundings.
Echo did the same thing but with his infrared camera, to have two different points of view.
"I have a heat signature." Rex said after a few minutes.
“Where?” Echo asked immediately.
Rex pointed up to indicate the direction.
"It's pretty faint, so he’s likely quite high up." The blond explained, fully aware that nothing was visible to the naked eye, or even with the infrared camera.
"Then I can thank him for insisting that my base armor includes a jet pack." Echo said, removing a few plastoid pieces, revealing the jet pack in question.
"I don't even want to know what happened that Tech insists you carry a jet pack with you at all times." Rex sighed, amused.
“Let’s just say the Bad Batch allowed my stupidity potential to flourish.” The cyborg replied simply with a small smirk. “Do you have your own jet pack?”
“Do you know who you're talking to, kid?” Rex smirked in turn. “I've been thrown off a cliff by General Skywalker enough times to always carry a jet pack.”
“Perfect. I'll go up first to locate him more closely and let you know.”
“Okay. Be careful, Echo.”
Echo responded with a small, strained smile and then took off, joining the heat signature he was picking up.
The ascent was slow enough to avoid bumping into the sheer cliff face, but within about ten minutes, Echo landed on a small ledge. Again, due to the thick fog, he couldn't see a meter in front of him, so he couldn't see anything, but the heat signature was strong.
“Tech? Can you hear me?” He asked, both out loud and over the comm channel with Tech.
The line crackled again, and this time a more distinct sound came out. “‘Cho…”
The voice was low and muffled, but it was Tech's, no mistake. And Echo had heard him on his own, not from his radio, so he really couldn't have been far away.
“Tech! Tech, I'm here, hang on, little brother, I'm coming.” Echo asked, slowly approaching the heat signature he was still picking up, the light from his helmet barely illuminating his path.
And it was a few meters later that Echo finally found Tech. His brother was there, sprawled on the ground, really not in good shape.
At first glance, Echo saw that his brother's left leg was beyond saving, torn off at the knee. His left hand also looked like it had been crushed by something. His brother's face was covered in blood, so much so that Echo couldn't see any specific injuries. Tech's right leg, though still attached to his body, was twisted in a way that clearly indicated a fracture at the thigh. Tech's breathing was slow, ragged, and wet, but it was present. Tech's right eye was so swollen shut, but his left eye was half-open, staring in Echo's general direction.
“Oh, Tech.” Echo breathed, kneeling beside his brother, his hand reaching out to him but unsure where to begin.
Tech was there, Echo had found him, and he was alive, but given the condition he was in… Echo had to act fast, and he knew it. Only there was so much blood, so many injuries… He didn't know where to start.
Luckily, even in his condition, Tech still seemed conscious, at least somewhat.
“E-… E-cho'…” The younger man gasped, trying to move his right arm, his only visibly intact limb.
Echo shook his head to snap out of his panicked thoughts and removed his helmet, setting it down next to him so the light illuminated the scene, leaning over his brother to be in his field of vision.
“I'm here, Tech. Everything's going to be okay, I promise. I'm going to get you out of here.”
“W-wh…y?
His words were distorted and so quiet that Echo had to strain to understand them, but he was used to it and understood the word his brother was trying to get out, even though he didn't understand his question.
“Why? Because I came for you. There was no way I was abandoning you.”
“P…Pla' 9…9…”
“Yes, that was pretty stupid thing to do. For the fifth time, Tech… gravity applies to you too!”
Tech didn't respond, asking for a more serious answer, which Echo finally gave him after sighing softly. “Plan 99 or not, I will never abandon my brothers.” Echo assured. “I came looking for you and I found you, so whether you like it or not, you're coming home with us.”
“Ho-me… I jus wan-na c-co…me hom’…” Tech managed to whisper, a tear rolling down his right cheek.
“Shh, we're going home.” Echo promised, gently wiping away his brother's tear, careful not to hurt him. “I'll get you home, I promise. Just keep breathing, I'm here.”
Tech didn't nod, but Echo saw his right hand move a little, Tech opening his fingers slightly.
Echo understood the message and gently grabbed her brother's right hand, squeezing delicately. “I'm here. I'll stay with you, and you'll stay with me.”
Tech weakly squeezed his brother's hand before closing his eyes, without losing consciousness, Echo's hand still loosely held in his.
Echo swore again at his lack of second-hand goods, but he had no time to waste and called Rex again. “Rex, do you read me?”
“I do. Did you find him?”
“Yes… Yes, I found him. He's not in good condition, Rex, we have to get him out of here as quickly as possible.”
“Understood. Do you need me right away, or would you prefer I go get the ship and bring it a little closer? I have medical supplies, including immobilization equipment, on board.”
Echo hesitated for less than half a second. “Go get the ship. Once you've gotten as close as possible, join us with medical supplies.”
“Roger that.”
Rex then cut the communication, wasting no time.
Once again completely alone with his brother, Echo examined him more closely. Despite the absence of a left leg, Tech hadn't bled to death, and upon closer inspection, Echo saw a leather strap wrapped around his brother's left thigh, tightened like a tourniquet. So, Tech had been able, at some point, to place a tourniquet on himself. Echo didn't know how that was possible, but he didn't waste time wondering about it. Instead, he grabbed his helmet with his scomp, managed to get it back on his head as best he could, and then launched a diagnostic.
And as he'd already seen, Tech's list of injuries was long. Really long. Torn lower left leg, crushed left hand, displaced left humerus fracture, dislocated left shoulder, multiple fractures in his right foot, non-displaced right tibia fracture, displaced right femur fracture, dislocated right hip, non-displaced right radius fracture, lacerations on his back, two broken ribs, three cracked ribs, lacerations on his torso, pulmonary contusion, multiple facial lacerations, concussion.
Fortunately, none of the bleeding was too severe, and surprisingly, Tech wasn't currently in life-threatening danger. Echo wasn't sure how that was possible, but he certainly wasn't going to stop and ask.
“Oh Tech…” Echo murmured again, managing to take off his helmet again.
"Echo, I'm back on board my ship. I'll be able to get within about fifty meters of where you are." Rex informed him through his earpiece.
“Perfect. We're waiting for you.”
Rex didn't answer, but Echo didn't expect him to.
“Tech, Rex will be here soon with something to get you out of here. I'm sorry, but we're going to have to get you moving to get you to his ship. I won't lie to you, it's going to hurt, probably a lot.” Echo said softly, stroking Tech's right hand with his thumb.
Tech weakly opened his left eye, looking at his brother through his glassy, hazy gaze.
“I know this is going to hurt and I’m sorry, little brother, but it’s necessary, we have to get you out of here. Rex will come with more equipment, but I already have a hypo of painkillers with me. I’ll give it to you before we even start moving you, okay?”
Again, Tech didn't respond verbally but weakly squeezed his brother's fingers.
“Okay. I'm going to need my hand to do this.” Echo apologized. “But wait, I have an idea.” He added, seeing the flash of panic cross his brother's open eye.
Echo shifted a little, so that his right arm, just above his prosthetic, was level with Tech's right hand. This position wasn't comfortable at all, but he understood that his brother needed to feel him, to be able to hold on to him. And unfortunately, Echo didn't have many flesh-and-blood limbs left, and he needed his left hand, so it would be fine like this.
Still gently, Echo loosened Tech's fingers from his hand to slide his arm into it instead.
“Here we are. I'm here, little brother, everything's fine. It's going to be okay, Tech.” Echo calmly reassured, then grabbed the hypo of painkillers he always carried in his waistband. “In the neck, okay?” He warned, really not wanting to catch Tech in the state he was in.
Tech briefly closed his left eye and opened it again, as if to nod, and Echo pressed the hypo, letting the painkiller flow into his brother's system. At that moment, Echo was thankful for the existence of fast-acting painkillers because the effects of the product were felt almost instantly, Tech relaxing a little as some of his pain was brought under control.
It was around this time that Echo heard Rex's ship land not far from where they were. Shortly after that, he heard the sound of his big brother's jet pack activating.
“Okay, Tech. Rex is coming. We'll go as slowly as possible, but don't hesitate to let us know if it gets too much. I can't promise we'll be able to stop because we have to be pretty fast, but I'll do my best.”
Tech didn't really respond, already high on the painkiller Echo had just given him. Honestly, it was probably for the best. Echo had a very good idea of the unbearable pain Tech must be in right now, and he wouldn't wish that on anyone, least of all his little brother.
Rex arrived quickly, landing a few meters from Echo and Tech, a large bag containing everything he needed in his arms.
As Rex approached, Echo saw the exact moment the blond noticed Tech's injuries because he felt him freeze and wince, even through his helmet.
“Rex, do you have an immobilization board and inflatable splints for his leg and arms?” Echo asked, sensing that his big brother needed outside intervention to snap him out of his horrified trance.
And indeed, Rex shook himself at the cyborg's request, advancing the last few meters. “I got all this.” He said, setting his large bag on the ground and starting to open it to find what he needed. “Hey, Tech, we'll get you out of here, promise.” He added, noticing that Tech's left eye was half-open and the younger man was looking at him.
Tech only responded by weakly squeezing his fingers around Echo's arm, which he still had in his hand.
The first thing Rex took out of his bag was a breathing mask connected to a small oxygen tank. Without a word, Echo grabbed the device and refocused on Tech. "Tech, I'm going to put this mask on your face. It'll help you breathe." He warned softly just before doing so.
He hadn't waited for a response from his little brother because even though he didn't want to surprise him, he also knew they had to move quickly, and he couldn't waste time waiting for Tech to respond to his every direction.
Once the oxygen mask was placed on the younger man’s face, his breathing seemed to improve a little, although it still wasn't ideal.
By the time Echo did that, Rex had pulled out all sorts of immobilization equipment, including a stretcher with an inflatable compartment shell, allowing each body part to be precisely immobilized with the least possible manipulation.
Placing Tech on the stretcher and immobilizing him in the process wasn't easy, and Tech quickly lost consciousness, the pain too unbearable. Honestly, it maybe was for the best.
Acting as quickly as possible, Rex and Echo managed to get Tech aboard Rex's ship in about twenty minutes.
"I'm getting us out of here." Rex announced, just after he finished hooking up the stretcher Tech was still on so it wouldn't move.
“You need a hand getting out of here?” Echo asked, not wanting the answer to be yes because he really didn't want to get away from Tech.
“No, I’m good.” Rex thankfully refused. “Focus on Tech. We may have gotten him out of there, but that doesn't mean the job is done.”
“I know that.” Echo whispered, watching his brother.
Under the ship's white light, Tech looked even worse. The skin that wasn't covered in blood was white, and his breathing was still shallow despite the added oxygen.
Unfortunately, there wasn't much Echo could do at the moment. Fortunately, by some miracle, none of Tech's wounds were bleeding too heavily. Tech's vital signs also weren't too off and didn't require immediate intervention.
Now that he had Tech back, Echo knew he should call Hunter to give him an update, to tell him they had gotten Tech out of there, and that he was alive, but he decided to wait until they had left Eriadu's atmosphere and were safely in hyperspace before doing that.
But since he couldn't just stand there and do nothing, Echo grabbed a bowl of warm water and a clean cloth, then set about cleaning the more or less dried blood covering his brother's face, still unconscious. The cyborg knew it wasn't much use in itself, but it was something. Maybe without his face covered in blood, Tech would look better. Echo doubted it, but he set to work anyway, delicately cleaning his brother's wounds.
Echo worked like this in silence for about ten minutes before feeling the ship jump into hyperspace. At the movement, he couldn't help but sigh in relief. That was it, they had finally left Eriadu for good, and Tech was with them, alive. They were safe. They were going to be able to help Tech.
Echo wasn't stupid, and he knew it would take time, a lot of time, for Tech to recover from this adventure, and that his healing journey would be long and difficult, but he also knew Tech would get there.
He would succeed because Tech was incredibly strong. He would succeed because Echo had come to the depths of Eriadu to find him, and he won’t abandon him now. He would succeed because he knew Tech would never be alone and that he would always have his brothers and sister to help him, no matter what.
The Batch had helped Echo rediscover and rebuild himself when they rescued him from the clutches of the Techno Union, and the Batch would be there to help Tech rediscover and rebuild himself after this terrible mission.
Echo knew the road would be long, winding, and full of pitfalls, but he knew they would get to the end, all together, and that was what mattered.