The ‘other peters’ were dragged out of their universes and just showed up in this one. That was probably pretty weird and disorientating. And what is their response to being in this situation?
Andrew!Peter decided to go around as Spider-Man. Toby!Peter decided to blend in as a ’normal guy’.
And I think that is entirely in character for both of them.
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7
As the contracted Cybernetic Expert for the GAR, they’ve called me to Kamino to work. Not the first outpost I’ve been stationed at, but this has the most work. Work in one clone named Echo.
Self-Indulgent First-Person Reader Insert
Making friends with the Bad Batch as I help Echo with his cybernetics. Cause I want some soft Batch and hugs for everyone.
Warnings - Blood, mentions of Blood, medical inaccuracies, technical inaccuracies, PTSD, mentions of past torture, mentions of past human experimentation, panic attacks, needles, surgery, mentions of surgery
——
Wreckers Appointment
All the anxieties ~
——
Day9 -
Everyone shows up for the appointment. It’s clear that no one slept very well. I just gesture everyone inside. It does make the room feel slightly claustrophobic.
“Ok big guy, come sit down so I can take a look.” I go stand by my tray of tools as everyone settles.
Crosshair stands guard by door. Viciously chewing on his toothpick. Echo stands near him, naturally shifting into parade rest. Hunter is standing on the far side of the examination table, whispering to Wrecker, who’s getting on the table, Tech is looking over the tools I’ve laid out.
“Alright let’s get started.” I hold the scanner over him. “Ok, this is just gonna measure everything. I need you to hold still.” The lights are sweeping over him. I can tell he’s trying not to fidget. Distraction time. “So a few questions. Has it been hurting you at all?”
“No.”
“Any noticeable vision problems?”
“No.”
“Increase in dizziness or headaches?”
“No.”
“Black spots or strange lights in your vision?”
“No.”
“Are you just telling me what I want to hear?”
Awkward shifting around the room.
“No.” The device beeps.
“Looks like the fit is good, I was worried it might have been loose after the swelling went down.”
“You remember that far back?” Tech queries.
“It was unique. And gross.” I flex my fingers a bit. “There’s not usually so much blood by the time I get involved.” I grab the next tool. “I mean, implants have a little bit, but I don't usually end up in the surgery room. I needed to measure your good eye, they were busy rebuilding the other side. I thought I was gonna pass out. Or throw up.” I breath deeply to clear the image from my mind. I look at Echo. “That. That ranks in my top ten.”
“What top ten?” Hunter asks.
“Top ten worst.” Echo rolls his eyes. “Congrats Wrecker you’ve got me beat.”
“You rank your jobs?” Tech inquires, I shrug.
“Only the memorable ones. It’s kinda inevitable and it lets me give people some perspective on how bad I think it is and how much experience I’ve got.” I twist some of the dials on my tool. “Some people appreciate it.”
“So where exactly does Wrecker rank?” Tech asks.
“Eight.”
“Where’s Echo?”
“Somewhere in the twenties. He’s slowly moving up with all the stupid engineering decisions that make me want to stab stupid engineers with blunt objects. And sharp objects. And a laser.”
“Technically, lasers aren’t for stabbing.” Tech points out.
“Wanna bet.” I had some laser cutters.
“I'm not arguing that there’s not a way to, but traditionally lasers are for burning, cutting, even engraving.”
“I’d argue that a lightsaber is a laser for stabbing.” Echo points out. “Although I doubt you have a lightsaber.”
“No, my plan is more stab, then turn the laser on and cause burns.” I hold up the next tool, moving on with the appointment. “This is gonna check your vision. See if it matches. Just look at the picture.” It scans and displays the results on the screen. “Hmm.”
“What?” Wrecker’s hands tighten on the edge of the table.
“You calibrated this, Tech?”
“Yes. It was necessary in the field.” He insists.
“How recently?”
“Ninety-six standard days ago.”
“Did you get hit in the head or face between now and then?” I ask Wrecker.
“Yes.”
“Ok. That explains some of these readings.”
“Is there a problem?” Hunter asks.
“It’s just not following the standard deviations. But concussive blows would explain them.”
“What?” Wrecker’s face is scrunched up.
“You get hit in the face too much.” Crosshair summarizes.
“Hey, it’s not my fault.” Wrecker protests.
“It’s just due for a restart and recalibration. It’s holding up well though, I was worried over nothing.” I put down the scanner. “In the future, you should check if recalibration is needed any time you get hit in the face or head.”
“Do we need one of those?” Hunter points to my scanner.
“No, there are less technical ways to do it. I need the data it gathers to check for problems, but you can just look at something with sharp contrasts and if you close one eye it should look the same if you close the other eye.”
“That doesn’t seem very accurate.” Tech complains.
“It’s good enough, and it’s simpler than learning how to decipher readings on this.” I wave at the scanner. “And something you would know to do if you’d come to my follow-up.” Another wave of awkward shifting.
I don’t let the awkwardness linger very long, swapping out the scanner for the calibrator. Wrecker panicked as soon as he saw it.
“What’s that thing?”
“The calibrator?” It was kinda wicked looking with the fine spines needed. It’s possible theirs had a housing to conceal the sharp bits rather than a cap. “Does yours not look like this?”
“Tech made the one he uses.”
“You made yours?” I shift my wide eyed look to Tech.
Tech launches into the description of what he does to adjust and calibrate Wrecker’s eye.
I’m equal parts impressed and concerned. Impressed that Tech was able to construct, from standard tools, a device that could adjust and calibrate a cybernetic. And concerned that the way it was used could have damaged the cybernetic, thankfully it didn’t, but it definitely wouldn’t be comfortable for either party.
“Ok, well… I’m gonna give you this one, because it’s much simpler and I will have a conniption if I have to think about someone having to do that on the regular.”
“Given the circumstances, I feel it was excellent work.” Tech argues.
“Given the circumstances, I’m surprised nothing was damaged. It’s like threading a needle. A needle that he’s holding while you both ride separate speeders.”
“I’ve told you, I’m quite skilled.”
“Yes Tech, we’re all very impressed.” Crosshair drawls.
“Just— use the tool from now on. It will be more comfortable. And please—“ I beg, looking at Echo, “For the sake of my sanity. Do not leave without me giving you a proper calibration toolbox. I will customize it to whatever modifications we have and haven’t gotten too. I don’t care if you ship out tonight in the middle of the night. Get one from me.”
Echo nods. Relaxed from the promise, I return to the purpose of the appointment.
“Ok if you’ll lie down—“
“Wait. Wait. Do we have to do this now? Can’t Tech do it later?” Wrecker tries to lean away.
“Since he’s been using his own device, and I’m going to be giving you this one. He needs to see how it works, and I need to check that everything is normal.” I take a step back. “I can get a sedative if it’d help.”
“No!” The whole room snaps.
“Ok…” I chew my bottom lip. “Would you prefer if I just talked Tech through it?” Wrecker nods. I smile gently. The trust he has in his brother is touching. I look to Tech who has put on a determined expression . “Think you can handle that, Tech?”
“Of course.”
“Ok,” I hold the device out, “here’s how it goes.” I point to the different parts explaining what they do and demonstrating how it should work as best I can. The calibrator whirs ominously against nothing as I continue the demonstration. Wrecker flinches at the noise. My table creaks under his grip. His anxiety is still high as I hand the calibrator to Tech.
“Thank you.” Tech says.
“Oh don’t thank me yet. I’m going to be watching everything. And I will be looking at all the readings.”
Tech nods, holding tighter to the calibrator. I turn my attention to the very tense Wrecker.
“Alright, time to lay down.” I pat the table.
Wrecker stiffly removes his hands from their grip on the edge, and even more rigidly lays down. There are indents in the table where his grip has warped the metal.
“Are you sure you don’t want something to help you relax?”
“I’m fine,” he lies. I pat his shoulder and stand at the head of the exam table as Tech gets into position.
“Ok, you’re going to feel some pressure.” I explain.
“Is it gonna hurt?” He whispers. I hold up my hand to get Tech to pause. I tilt his chin a smidge so he’ll look up at me.
“If it hurts I need you to tell me, 'cause that means something is wrong.” I tell him. Trying to convey all the important feelings. The need for him to voice discomfort, reassurance that it should be fine, hope that he would trust me. “Just remember to breathe.”
That was the wrong thing to say. I can tell he’s overthinking it. Trying too hard to breathe evenly, but it was too fast and shuddering.
“Calm. In, two, three, four. Out, two, three, four.”
Wrecker followed the guided breathing well.
“Hunter’s gonna keep counting while I help Tech.” I give the leader a pointed look. He nods and leans forward to keep counting for Wrecker. I gesture for Tech to start.
The whirring is less obnoxious as it latches onto the cybernetic. Wrecker flinches, breath stuttering. Hunter keeps counting, reminding him to breathe. It doesn’t take long for Tech to finish. He really is skilled.
“And all done.” I pat his shoulder, letting him know he can sit up. Wrecker blinked a few times.
“You ok there?” Echo asks.
“Colors are different.”
“Better or worse?” I ask.
“More… colorful?”
“Oh. That’s probably what those readings were then. Normally it’s the last thing to get affected. You must have been keeping the vision clear, but the colors needed the reset.”
Wrecker seems distracted, looking at different parts of the room. I demonstrated how to clean and store the calibrator. Tech takes it and puts it in one of the pockets on his belt.
Echo and Crosshair have moved from the door to stand with Hunter at Wrecker’s side.
“Think I can see better than you now Crosshair.”
“No.” Crosshair flicks his toothpick to the ground. I roll my eyes. “Don’t we have places to be.”
“Yes. Are we free to go?” Hunter looks at me.
“Wrecker is free to go. Echo, we still have business.” I pick up the tools to wipe them clean, “Just give me a second.”
“See you two later then.” Hunter pats Echo’s shoulder and nods to Tech who nods in return. The three of them leave, Wrecker still arguing that he might be able to outdo Crosshair.
The last thing to wipe down is the table, where I can now see the damage Wreckers nerves have caused. I slide my hand over the dents from his grip. They didn’t affect the table so I opt to ignore them.
“So just a check up, make sure the implant is working properly.”
—
With the Batch
“Told ya it wasn’t gonna be that bad.” Echo punched Wrecker’s shoulder. Wrecker shoves him back, making Echo stumble and laugh. A huffy chuckle that makes the others smile. The
“I like her. She’s welcome at our table any time.” Wrecker declares.
“I will be sure to pass on the sentiment.” Tech is buried in his project at the table again.
“How’d your check up go?” Hunter asks.
“I’m cleared for slicing again.” Echo announces.
“Good, we’ll have to get you in our training regiments.”
“Think you’ll be able to keep up?” Crosshair smirks.
“Aww, we’ll go easy on you the first time.” Wrecker promises.
“Technically this would be the third time.” Tech points out.
“But he wasn’t part of the squad before.” Wrecker argues.
Tech rolls his eyes, jumping when his lapse in attention causes his project to spark.
“So what are you working on?” Echo asks.
“Almost… Done!” Tech holds up the device he just finished. “Here.” He hands Echo the data pad. Echo just looks at the obviously modified device.
“I already have a data pad.”
“I’ve modified it so you can practice your slicing skills. I’ve loaded it with every level of difficulty and type we have. It will also automatically forward me your results so I might assist if you have questions. But it allows you to work at your own pace and I’ve attached a scomp port.”
Echo looks back at the data pad, noting it did indeed have a port. He hesitantly slots in, taking a look. The starting menu was easy to read and navigate. Everything labeled in a very Tech like system, but it wasn’t difficult to figure out.
He disconnects, and just stares at it. Tech had made it just for him. Something to help, have him be prepared for anything.
“Thank you.”
“If you think that’s great, wait till we get your armor.” Wrecker wraps his arm around Echo's shoulders.
———
———
Dents in the table inspired by the anon on here who asked if I was going to give Wrecker something to fiddle with. And I thought about adding something, but this felt better.
—
Next chapter - Batch focused
Hiii!! I love your medic fic!! Chapter 6 was so sweet!! Wrecker being afraid of doctors is cute!! And all the batch is going!! I bet someone willsneak lula so he doesnt feel so afraid!! Oooh and I doubt she'll have candy or anything sweet to give to Wrecker but do you think she'll have something he could hold or fiddle with so he could calm down? You know like a bomb with no charge or a unfinished weapon he could play with. You are amazing!!!
Thank you, I’m glad you’re enjoying it.
And I love your ideas. Wrecker is definitely a fidgeter.
The next chapter is mostly written, so it should be up next Tuesday.
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7
As the contracted Cybernetic Expert for the GAR, they’ve called me to Kamino to work. Not the first outpost I’ve been stationed at, but this has the most work. Work in one clone named Echo.
Self-Indulgent First-Person Reader Insert
Making friends with the Bad Batch as I help Echo with his cybernetics. Cause I want some soft Batch and hugs for everyone.
Warnings - Blood, mentions of Blood, medical inaccuracies, technical inaccuracies, PTSD, mentions of past torture, mentions of past human experimentation, panic attacks, needles, surgery, mentions of surgery
——
We finally meet the rest of the Batch.
——
Day 8 -
I look up at the clattering of trays. Usually I ate alone, even at other medical facilities. It looks like Tech and Echo have decided to join me, and the rest of their squad had come with.
“Hi? Can I help you?” I lay my holo pad down.
“Well, you’re at our table, so it’s more like can we help you.” Echo smirks in a way that lets me know he’s kidding.
“Explains why it was the last one that was empty.” I glance at the rest of the squad. Tech had sat next to me and Echo across. I recognized Hunter, but the clone next to him was unknown. The clone that sat beyond Tech gave me pause. I’m trying not to stare, and failing, as I wrack my brain for why he looks familiar.
“This is Hunter, Crosshair, and Wrecker.” Echo introduces. Hunter nods at me, Crosshair ignores me as he eats, Wrecker gives me a big smile. It clicks when he turns to face me and I can see the webbing of scars.
“Yes, now that pleasantries are out of the way, I have a question about some of the servos you use—“ Tech starts. He’s cut off when I stand abruptly.
“You!” I point accusingly at Wrecker. The entire table tenses. Looking confused but obviously ready to react to my actions. “How dare you!”
“Err— What?” Wrecker voices.
“You never came for the follow up.” Wrecker looks to Hunter. Given the general confusion and tension at the table, I sit back down with a groan. Rubbing circles against the headache trying to form. “Of course, you were unconscious. You wouldn’t remember.”
“You're not making any sense.”
“I thought I recognized you. I built and helped with the surgery for your eye.” Wrecker gently touches his face where the scar was. “You were still unconscious, so I left instructions to see me after you woke up and I got some rest, cause honestly, I'd worked nonstop on that thing once I was told you needed it. But when I woke up, I was told you'd left. How you even got permission to leave was a mystery, but I guess now I know." I give the rest of the team a look. They looked nervous. “Did you ever get it properly calibrated?”
“I calibrated it.” Tech informed me. I give him a level look, trying to decide if that counted as ‘properly’. Even with his skills I doubted he had the experience.
“I still want you to come by so I can take a look.” I grab my data pad, viciously tapping open my schedule. Both Tech and Wrecker start talking.
“It’s fine Doc, I don’t need—“
“That’s not necessary—“
“I need to look at it. Since you didn’t get my send off I’m worried about it’s longevity.” I huff over the fullness of my schedule. “I’ve got time this afternoon. If you want me to schedule—”
“We’ve got training.” Hunter interjects.
“Well. If you come to Echo’s appointment tomorrow, I'll just check it out then. No need to even add it.” The data pad blinks. A message appearing. I give the device a string of swears, standing up at the same time. “Can anybody follow instructions?” I grab my half eaten tray. “I’ve got to go. Don’t make me hunt you down.” I leave in a huff to go help some idiot who detached his arm and somehow no one could get it back on.
——
*With the Batch at Lunch*
The quiet at the table lasted longer than normal. Everyone was in shock over that interaction. They look at each other as if to ask ‘What just happened?’.
“Well, that was strange.” Tech adjusts his goggles.
“Oh, she’s not normally a spazz.” Crosshair sneers, the fork in his hand clinking against his tray. Frustration was radiating off him.
“Am I gonna have to go see her.” Wrecker mumbles.
“Later.” Hunter commands, returning to his own meal.
They finished eating in complete quiet. A drastic change from normal. It did mean they got through lunch without incident. But it wasn’t worth it. They would all trade the uneasy quiet for a chaotic lunch brawl
The walk back to their barracks was equally tense.
As soon as the door was sealed, Crosshair turned on Tech and Echo.
“That went well.” Crosshair hissed.
“I didn’t know she was the one who built Wreckers cybernetic. Nor that she would want to do the follow up that we avoided.” Tech snaps back.
“You were the one who insisted we sit with her.”
“Am I gonna have to go.” Wrecker mumbles. Uncharacteristically quiet. Hugging Lula as he sits on his bed.
“She did seem insistent.” Tech confirms. Wrecker whines.
“I don’t like Medical.”
“I assure you, even though it’s in the medical wing, her room doesn’t look like a standard examination room.”
“She’s gonna poke at my eye.”
“Hey.” Echo rests his hand on Wrecker’s shoulder. “She’s really gentle with me, she made it so things hurt less. She won’t hurt you.”
“It doesn’t matter, it always hurts when Tech has to fix it.”
“She has the proper tools that I don’t.”
“And Tech and I will be there.”
“Can Hunter and Crosshair come too.”
“I don’t see why not.” Hunter “We’ll say we have exercises right after if she asks.”
“It’s unlikely she will ask. Seeing as Echo requires an escort after appointments, it would be logical to assume that she would hold the same standard for Wrecker. Even if this isn’t a standard appointment.” Tech assured.
As the contracted Cybernetic Expert for the GAR, they’ve called me to Kamino to work. Not the first outpost I’ve been stationed at, but this has the most work. Work in one clone named Echo.
Self-Indulgent First-Person Reader Insert
Making friends with the Bad Batch as I help Echo with his cybernetics. Cause I want some soft Batch and hugs for everyone.
Warnings - Blood, mentions of Blood, medical inaccuracies, technical inaccuracies, PTSD, mentions of past torture, mentions of past human experimentation, panic attacks, needles, surgery, mentions of surgery
——
This was fighting me. So much.
Sorry for the delay.
—
Angst, phobias, panic attacks
——
Day 7 -
The day starts early. It needs to. I need to let the cleaning droids into the space, transforming it from an exam room into a ‘surgery’ space. Usually, I’d leave any surgeries to the actual doctors. Although there had been those few times where there was no other option. This wasn’t that time, and this was only cosmetic. Pulling things out was simpler than putting them in. A full on surgery room wasn’t necessary. Just me and the medical droid that arrived with the bacta.
Echo and Tech arrive as I’m arranging the variety of bacta, so the best one could be chosen.
“Good morning.” I smile, “Ready to get all that extra metal out of you.”
“You have no idea.”
“Do you have the interface completed?” Tech asks.
“It’s over here. I left my notes next to it, I will send them to you when we’re done.” I wave to the side that has the cybernetic waiting. Tech picks up the datapad and is going over the data.
“Can I double check your results?”
“Go ahead. Just don’t break anything.” Tech pulls out his data pad, attaching some sort of a probe so that he can touch the prongs and get readings. “I have a few final things to go over with you before we begin.“
“Shoot.” Echo settles on the table.
“Alright. How do you want to handle pain management? I don’t want to do anything too heavy, since you also want your cerebral interface. I mean, I’ve scheduled this for the full day so we could knock you out if you want—“
“No.” No surprise there.
“Then I recommend a local anesthetic.”
“Ok.”
“Do you want something to help you relax?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Don’t have a problem with needles?”
“No.”
“Alright. Let me know if you change your mind. If you get too stressed out we can reevaluate.” I pick up the data pad with the standard medical questionnaire.
It takes no time to go down that list, and no surprises there.
“Ok. Looks like we’re all ready to go. I’ll let AZ-26 take over.”
“What?” Echo glares at the droid hovering in the corner.
“Greetings. I am AZ-26530—“
“Why’s it here?” Echo growls.
“I told you I’m not a medic. So I got someone else in to do the medical portion.”
“So you brought a droid.”
“Droids are more available than the doctors.” Awkward quiet. Echo is watching the droid wearily.
“I thought you were going to be doing it.” Echo finally confesses.
“I’m not a doctor and this is technically a medical procedure.” Echo is biting his lip. Tech has stopped messing with the cybernetic and is standing next to Echo.
The anxiety Echo is fighting is unexpected. He had been so excited until I’d introduced the droid. Oh…
“Would you rather I brought in a humanoid doctor?”
“Yes— No— Maybe?” Echo fumbles over his words. He seems so unsure.
“Alright. But, the only doctors here are Kaminoans. I’d have to see if any of them are available, and we’d be subject to their schedules.” Both Tech and Echo stiffen up. “If possible, I’d like to avoid working with them. Everything they say always sounds condescending and they like to argue with all my decisions.”
“There are no clone doctors?” Echo tries.
“None available when I asked.”
“What about Medics?”
“Deployed as soon as their training is done. If they’re still here, they’re still in training.”
“So the options are the medical droid or see if a Kaminoian doctor is available.” Tech summarizes.
“If it means getting them out today. I’ll take the droid.” Echo decides. The droid beeps happily.
“An excellent choice, I am happy to —“
“Nope. No talking.” Echo snaps.
“I will activate my silence mode.” The droid beeps.
“Ok, if we’re all ready, we can get started with the setup on your arm.”
The medical droid hovers closer, the hypo touching the edge of the first port to be removed. Echo jolts, pulling his arm away, foot coming up in a power kick against the chest of the droid. The droid flys back, smashing into the back wall. It collapses in a heap on the floor, eye lights flickering as it reboots.
Echo’s breathing heavily, looking at the air. Tech slides into his line of sight.
“Echo? Are you with us?” Tech inquiries.
“Yeah. I’m— I’m with you.” Echo slumps, curling in on himself. His breathing evens out, but he’s shaking.
“Where are we?”
“Kamino.”
The droid powers back up, system rebooted.
“Status.” I ask it.
“All systems are normal, but I do not wish to repeat that experience.”
“Then stay over there.” Echo snarls.
“I can not complete the operation from across the room.” It informs.
Echo grits his teeth, he’s staring at the ports on his arm. He’s debating something in his head. Hand tightening into a fist.
“Are you alright?” I ask.
“I changed my mind. No droids.” Echo decides
“Alright, no droids.” I agree.
“So where does that leave us? Try and get a Kaminoian doctor? Hope they do what they’re supposed to?” There’s an edge to Tech’s tone that I’ve never heard.
Looks like I’m caught between Echo’s trauma with medical and Tech’s paranoia with the Kaminoans. I guess throwing my aversion to blood into the mix won’t hurt.
“Maker, I thought it wouldn’t come to this…” I mutter before I offer, “I could, but I won't guarantee it will be pretty after.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve looked at the schematics for hours, I can map each port that I need to remove with my eyes closed. But I can’t be certain I can do this without leaving scars.”
“I’m a soldier, I’m used to scars.”
“Alright then. I guess this is also an option.”
“And you didn’t offer before?” Tech is watching me closely again.
“I’m not good at this, ok. I’m much more comfortable with my screwdrivers than with bacta. I usually only do the surgeries as a last resort. And that's what this is, a last resort.” I’m waving my hands around, trying to explain without diminishing my capabilities. “I mean we could drug you so you’re so out of it the droid can do it’s thing, but I don’t think that will help the situation.”
“No.” Echo is firm.
“So here we are.”
Both of them are thinking. Different things I’m sure. And as much as this is dragging out uncomfortably, I’m trying to restrain from rushing their decision.
“You do it.” Echo says.
“I’m going to reiterate that I’m not trained for this and it will not be as precise.” I warn again.
“I want you to do it.”
“Ok.”
“You can leave.” Echo commands the droid.
“I’ll need him to monitor your vitals as I work.”
“I will do that.” Tech offers. Well, this was going to be interesting.
“Thank you for your time, you may leave.” I tell the droid.
“Have a healthy day.” It says before leaving.
The anxiety in the room has see-sawed. Echo is calmer but I've skyrocketed. Tech seems to have maintained. A constant anchor in the background. He’d probably explain it away, saying panic was illogical. If I was confident in my skills, there was no need to be nervous. Of course my skills weren’t what was in question here. It was my ability to compartmentalize my discomfort.
“Ok— ok— I can do this.” I mutter, psyching myself up. Rolling my shoulders as I put on my professional face. “I’m going to set up the sensors Tech will need to monitor you, then we will get started.”
The sensors are stuck to his skin and synced to a holopad. I pass it to Tech and give him a rundown of what sort of patterns I need him to watch for. Sudden spikes, sudden drops, repeated irregularities. It’s already set to alarm if something goes wrong, but I want to try and solve things before they become problems. Tech nods in understanding and sits next to Echo so they can both see the stats. It also puts them within arms reach of each other.
I move the tray of equipment over, making sure everything was in order.
“Ok, I’m gonna start with your arm, this will just numb it.” I pick up the hypo. I pause before bringing it near Echo. “You’re not going to kick me across the room, right?” I half joke.
“Keep talking.” He requests.
“Ok, yeah, I can do that.”
I start a running commentary of what I’m doing. Narrating my actions, reciting the procedural steps, describing the specs for each port I'm removing. It’s repetitive, but it keeps me from freaking out about the blood and Echo from dissociating or shoving me across the room. Tech has his own bit of commentary. Filling any silence with Echo’s stats or his own ramblings about his results from the cybernetic.
It takes longer than it would have if the droid had done it. Probably twice as long. But Echo is finally free of the extra metal, he’s just sitting there, wrapped in bacta and bandages. A small smile at the results.
“And done.” I secure the last bandage and move away from Echo. The gloves get pulled off and thrown into the garbage with the rest. I’m struggling to keep my hands steady. They vibrate with the remnants of adrenaline.
“Shall we install the interface?” Tech suggests.
“In a minute.” My adrenaline is crashing. I need to pull myself together. Focus on getting the implant properly synced to Echo’s brain patterns. And my hands won’t stop shaking.
Tech has me under his intense watch. I wonder what he’s observing and concluding.
“Do you need me to go over the- the-“ Pull it together. “The bacta schedule. Or is that something you’re familiar with?”
“I know how often to change bandages.” Tech assures.
“Alright. I’ll pack up the extra for you. If you need more, go to the infirmary. If they give you any problems, let me know.” I do that. My hands have stopped shaking as I tidy the space.
Echo is running his hands over the bandages. Pressing at the spots that used to have ports.
“Hey, leave it alone, you’re just gonna make them sore when the anesthetic wears off.”
“That explains the weird feeling.”
“Yeah, I expect it to be numb for another couple of hours. The bacta should prevent pain, but if you need something stronger to help, don’t be afraid to get some. Again, let me know if you have problems with medical.”
Echo smooths his hands over the bandages again. Gentler this time. He looks so content with the metal gone.
“Are you ready for your implant?”
He sighs and nods. I bring it over so he can get a look before I put it on. He takes it in his hand, turning it over to look at all the angles.
“It looks so big.”
“Crosshair has said to remind you, ‘It’s because of your fat head,’ although you are statistically average.” Tech supplies. Echo rolls his eyes.
“So I’ll put it on and make sure it fits. If everything looks good, we’ll turn it on so I can monitor the initialization.”
“Initialization?” Echo doesn’t like the sound of that.
“It’s the startup process. It allows your brain to learn to work with the implant.”
“Alright.” Echo hands the headpiece back.
It was easy enough to fit on. Echo shuddered as the probes attached into the ports on his head. Tech squeezed Echo's shoulder, keeping him grounded. The fit was flawless, another perfect measurement and construction.
“Does it feel ok?”
“It’s lighter than I thought it would be.” Echo tilts his head around, getting a feel for the new extension.
“Superior materials. I’m glad it’s not too heavy, I’ve made it more robust than standard, and it does weigh more than usual.” Echo hums, still moving. “If you’re ready, we can start it up.”
“Fine…”
“If you need a minute—“
“No. Let’s move on.” Echo grumbles.
“Ok, I’ll have Tech monitor the data systems and I’ll watch your vitals.”
“Understandable, I have experience with reading his diagnostics.”
“Just a warning, once it starts initializing it could take a while. Like an hour, a while.”
“What does that mean for me?” Echo tenses.
“Well, you probably won't notice. It will be setting up all the sequences and familiarizing yourself with the pathways. It’s more of a warning for Tech so he’s not caught unaware by the time.”
“I figured it would take some time.” Tech adjusts his goggles.
“Good, I’ve had people panic.”
Echo settles in. Nodding to me to start. I activate the headpiece and pass the datapad to Tech. Echo flinching is the only sign he gives that it’s started, then his eyes glaze over, looking at things only he can see.
Tech is monitoring the data that Echo is processing. I’m monitoring his life signs. Everything is holding steady on my side. Tech’s face is blank, giving me no insight as to how he thinks this is going. Echo continues to read the invisible writing in the air, deep in the data.
“Will he always be this unresponsive while accessing the implant?” Tech asks after a while.
“No, he should adjust pretty quickly and it will become second nature to him.” I notice a slight uptick in heart rate. Just something to keep an eye on.
The rest of the time is spent in relaxed quiet.
Echo blinks, focusing on the room. Tech’s attention is now on his teammate, rather than the datapad. Waiting to see how he responds. Echo groans and presses his hand to his eyes.
“Headache?” I guess.
“Yeah…”
“Ok, that’s normal. I’ve got a pain killer for that.” I pick up the hypo. Echo twitches on contact but sighs in relief. “Sorry, I should have warned you.”
“Will they last?”
“They shouldn’t. How do you feel otherwise?”
“It’s… hard to focus.” Echo gaze is switching between the room and the air. Getting used to data streams.
“Unfortunately, that’s a practice thing. It should get easier with time.” Echo huffs at that, “Just take a minute, I’ll go over everything with Tech, then you can leave.”
“I’m fine.” He sits up straight, stubbornly forcing his attention on me. I roll my eyes and go over everything. What’s normal, what to watch for, things that are red flags. Impressively, Echo’s attention only wandered once.
“Contact me if something doesn’t feel right. But it should be good to go. I’ll see you at your next appointment.”
Tech keeps his hand on Echo’s shoulder, subtly guiding their way back to their barracks.
I collapse into my chair and stare at the ceiling.
It wasn't that bad. I’d built it up to be worse in my head.
But it was done and I was going to take a minute before transforming this back into my normal setup.
——
*This is Not AZ from the show. This is just a random droid.
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