Viral Vector Chp.1 (Echo X Reader)
Another addition to Caduceus. We've hit The Bad Batch now! This may be a bit of a brief series, but we'll see!
Enjoy!
Chapter 2. Chapter 3. Chapter 4. Chapter 5. Chapter 6. Epilogue
Galactic Empire
TW: Order 66, death, shooting, Jedi genocide, mention of blood and gore, reader insert, Reader is gender neutral, Reader a medical scientist, Echo x Reader, a bit of a slow-burn though
Minimally proofread and edited LOL
Minors DNI
DNA.
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Definition: a self-replicating material that is present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.
Living organisms. Humans. Pantorans. Twi’leks. Togrutas. Many more species in the wide Galaxy.
And clones.
Clones of Jango Fett. a Mandalorian bounty hunter with a strong paternal instinct and superior fighting skills.
Handsome too, but you try not to let anyone know.
Kamino, your home and workplace as a medical scientist, did not see clones as living beings. Most of your colleagues viewed them as property. A notion that went against everything you knew with ethics and morals.
Even if you weren’t technically a part of the cloning experiments, you still interacted with many of them daily. Afterall, along with your lab and research, Shaak Ti had put you and several others incharge of running a clinic for the clones.
Your place was taken from a lower level Hospital on Coruscant and put all the way to Kamino at the Jedi’s request. Once the war had begun, they wanted several non-Kaminoan doctors overseeing the clones' health as they grew and trained. You, along with a few others, had volunteered to stay on the stormy planet. To you, this was an escape away from the dark, crime filled low levels of the Republic planet.
Apparently the Jedi tried to stress ethics to the Kaminoans, only for their words to fall on deaf ears. So, the compromise was the clinic.
You mostly saw cadets with bruises from tussling with batchmates, training accidents and occasional sicknesses their rapidly developing immune systems couldn't handle. Rarely did you receive any true emergencies, but it was fine. Less emergencies meant more time for you to research.
It was medicine. Created specifically to slow a clones ' accelerated aging.
It was a secret. One that you were careful not to tell anyone.
Well…Except for Omega.
The little girl was a helpful assistant. Nala Se didn’t like her going out of the lab, so you meeting her was entirely an accident. She hid in your office months ago during a surprise lockdown. Apparently a clone had triggered a false alarm, but no one knew that at the time.
Ever since then, when Nala Se didn’t have her, she wanted to spend time with you.
Right now, she was with you and Rig Nema, a Jedi healer. The older woman had come to visit Kamino at the request of Shaak Ti. You weren’t entirely sure why, but she seemed interested in your clinic.
“How many patients do you see in a day?” The Jedi asked as she helped you tend to Rein, a Kamino guard who, unfortunately, was hit by the shrapnel of an exploded training droid.
“It can vary,” You informed her with a smile, “depending on when specific batches train. Some are more prone to injuries than others.”
“Like Clone Force 99?” Omega chimed in from where she was organizing some medicine for you.
Rig tilted her head, silently asking you to explain.
“Genetically different clones.” You explained quickly, “They had genetic mutations that gave them…advantageous traits.” They were your friends. Having developed a rather close relationship with them since they were often at Kamino.
Especially Echo. The ARC trooper had always been polite and kind to you. He’d visit your clinic first whenever Force 99 had returned from a mission. You were already friendly with the other members of the squad when he officially joined them. His addition was welcome, and you treated him with the same amount of respect as you did the rest of them. It helped him feel welcome, even normal after everything he went through on Skako Minor.
She nodded in understanding. The Jedi was about to speak before an alarm blared. The lights overhead turned red, bathing everywhere with crimson. In between the high pitched beeps, a gravelly, unfamiliar voice announced.
Execute Order 66.
You looked around confused, stepping away from the clone on the medical bed. What the hell was Order 66? The beeping stopped just as quickly as it started, but the lights were still a deep red.
Beside you, Rig stumbled back, gripping her head. You were at her side, hands holding her arm firmly. She was weak all of a sudden, and worry washed over you.
“Ms. Rig?” Omega approached, looking concerned. She had abandoned her task, and approached the two of you.
“I got her.” You informed the blonde child, “Omega, go to the back of the room and hide behind the scanner. Can you do that?”
She nodded and rushed back, getting out of sight quickly.
You weren’t sure what was happening, but you’d be damned if anything happened to Omega.
“The Force…” The woman in your arms was trembling, “It's…It's weeping.”
Your hands squeezed her arm, “Stay with me, Jedi.” You lead her to the bed across from Rein, who was already standing. He seemed ready, tense and prepared to fight if needed.
It was a relief, having a trained guard. Once he was up, you turned to see him holding a laser scalpel. Your brow furrowed and you spoke, “Rein…What are you-”
“Good soldiers follow orders.” He mumbled coldly, twirling the medical instrument in his hand, “The Jedi have committed treason against the Republic. Step aside or you will be executed.” His steps were slow and deliberate.
“Rein, what…?” Your confusion was palpable. You tried to get between him and the Jedi healer behind you, “Slow down, whats-”
The clone guard grabbed your shoulder and shoved you out of the way. He used enough force to cause you to stumble, hands and knees hitting the sterile white tiles. You looked up as soon as you heard the Rig and Rein scuffle.
“Get back!” Rig shouted. She raised a hand, lifting him with the Force. Her free hand activated her bright green lightsaber, “Why are you doing this!?”
“Good soldiers follow orders.” Rein repeated, raising a shaky hand to make a weak attempt at a stab. She, however, raised him higher before throwing him into the wall.
You heard a crack and Omega yelp from her hiding spot.
Before you could speak, the healer panicked. She ran out of your clinic, lightsaber ready. However before the door fully closed, you saw Kamino guards with their blasters aimed, as if waiting for her.
The sound of multiple rifles firing pierced your ears through the door. After the barrage of noise, there was the thump of a body hitting the metal floor of the hall. Then silence.
“What…” You scrambled to your feet and shot to the door. It slid open and you nearly tripped over Rig’s smoking corpse. She had been riddled with blaster bolt holes. Her eyes were still wide with terror, and her lightsaber was tight in her palm. Blood began to surround her, staining the once white floors.
All around you were clones. Those you recognized. Those you treated. But they looked…empty. Their helmets were on. Their blasters were steady.
“Doctor,” Captain Silvo lowered his gun, “Did this traitor harm you?”
“What…What is going on?” Even the Captain sounded unlike himself. It seemed like every clone had their personality stripped away, leaving only husks.
What the fuck was going on!?
“The Jedi have committed treason against the Republic.” He answered, repeating Rein’s words. He motioned for the others to lower their own weapons, “We were given orders to execute them.”
“The Jedi…as in…All of them?”
“Yes, Doctor.”
It felt like the floor beneath you collapsed. The Jedi. Peacekeepers. Were ordered to be executed?
Omega had crawled from her hiding spot, and you turned, raising a hand to her, “Stay back. Close your eyes and stay right there.” You didn’t want her to see…Rig.
Kamino suddenly felt…cold. Empty. Everyone around you, your former friends, were now strangers.
“I..I see Captain.” You swallowed. Your instincts were screaming at you to run. But Omega was behind you. She could be in danger if you acted out, “Well…I…I’m glad none of you were…hurt by the…traitor.”
The word barely managed to leave your mouth. You swallowed thickly.
“There is still more out there. But they will be brought to justice.” He answered your statement with coldness.
Your nod was stiff, “Thank you, Captain.”
“Return to your duties, Doctor.” He turned swiftly before commanding his men, “Spread out, there are more Jedi on Kamino. Find them and execute on sight. You three, get this body covered and out of the way.”
You were shaking when you turned back into your clinic. the door closed behind you, and there was silence. The light switched back and you blinked, adjusting your eyes to the sudden lack of crimson.
Omega stared at you, wringing her hands and looking so small. Wordlessly, you knelt and she ran into your arms for a hug.
You waited as you held her. Until you didn’t hear the plastoid boots outside. Until you didn’t hear the shuffling of Rig’s body being taken. Until you were certain the chaos had passed.
You waited until Nala Se walked into the clinic, “There you are.” She sounded as steady and emotionless as ever, “Come. There is still work to do.”
Behind her were two clones, both wearing the identifiable Coruscant red.
Shock troopers.
“Nala Se…?” You looked at the Kaminoan, “What…happened?”
“The Jedi have betrayed the Republic.” She stated, repeating things you already knew, “They are being hunted and executed.”
None of this made sense…
You squeezed Omega before letting her go to follow your boss. She gave you a sad look but remained silent as she stepped behind Nala Se. Wordlessly, you watched as the two of them walked out of your clinic. Once they were gone, you grabbed your holo, attempting to get a hold of your other colleagues.
Silence. The others, those you came to Kamino with, didn’t answer.
Assuming the worst, you tried to seek them out. Your assumptions were half-correct. Some of them were killed, either by interfering or cut down by panicked Jedi. Others you managed to catch in the hangar before they left to go back home.
“The war is over, we’re leaving before Nala Se fires us officially.” Doctor Ulluk stated, stepping on the transport. You debated on going with them. Leaving the cloning facility behind, but before you could move, another ship touched down.
The Marauder. Clone Force 99.
You stepped back, watching your colleagues and friends leave Kamino.
The troopers, Guard, Shiny and Shock, shuffled and moved around. They resembled droids, emotionless and empty as they walked in line. Announcements rang out from the intercom system, directing them. No one bid you any mind.
Level five lockdown remains in effect. Security teams report to the command center.
You walked towards the ship slowly, waiting until the clone force stepped off. Once they did, you approached.
Hunter stepped down first, brown eyes scanning the area. He was alert, guarded yet calm. He gave a questioning look to you when he was on the Kaminoan floors. Wrecker was the same, but more curious than tense, he gave a friendly wave. Tech was beside him, unsurprisingly tapping a datapad. Crosshair looked uninterested, bored even, at the state of Kamino.
Once Echo Stepped down, he saw you and got to your side first, “You look spooked.” He was concerned, looking your form over for any injuries, “What happened?”
“Doctor, do you know what's going on?” Hunter got beside the ARC trooper, “This…isn't a drill.”
“Oh, man. What did we miss now?” Wrecker huffed, crossing his arms.
A shock trooper, one with a datapad, stopped and answered, “The end of the war.”
The sergeant turned to him, “Say again, trooper?”
He answered, voice flat and emotionless, “General Grievous was defeated on Utapau. The Separatist leadership has collapsed. The war is over.” Behind him, two other clones were pushing a wheeled autopsy table. Draped over it was a white sheet, covering the body underneath.
Your eyes widened, watching as it passed. You were frozen, hyper focused on who was on the table.
“Just like I said.” Tech barely looked up from his datapad. His eyes roamed the screen, uninterested in the world around him.
Wrecker gasped, “It is like you said!”
Crosshair and Tech both rolled their eyes.
A lightsaber rolled from the autopsy table and hit the floor with a clatter. A hand, Rig’s hand, slipped out, confirming it was her under the sheet.
Your throat tightened as the Shock trooper knelt and picked up the Jedi weapon, “Is there a problem?”
Hunter answered first, “No problem.” He looked to his squad before continuing, “We'll just head to our barracks then.”
The trooper nodded, continuing to walk, “Best hurry. There's a mandatory general assembly at 1500.”
Echo put a gloved hand to your shoulder, “Doc?”
“That was Rig,” You whispered, “I watched them…they just…”
“Stay calm.” Hunter’s harsh, hushed tone snapped you out of your state, “Explain everything once we have some privacy.”
With a nod, you followed them to their barracks. Echo was at your right, and Crosshair was at your left. Occasionally Hunter would cast a glance back to you, as if making sure you were still present. Wrecker and Tech were behind you. The squad encircled you, as if intending to protect you.
“Are you ok?” The ARC trooper leaned closer to whisper, “did anyone hurt you?” He was protective. Ever since you met him he’s always tried to keep you safe.
Really all the clones had the drive to protect. To fight and defend. But after….after order 66….
That instinct was gone now. From all of them.
You shook your head and were about to speak when a shock trooper snapped, “Where do you think you're going, doctor?” He wore the standard painted red armor. There was a rifle in his hands as he spoke to you.
You froze and damn near jumped out of your skin when he demanded an answer. Echo stopped beside you, as did the others of his squad.
“I…They..” Your voice was lost, and after a quick clearing of your throat, you gave a proper answer, “Examining Clone Force 99. They’ve just returned from their mission and…”
“There is a Level Five Lockdown in effect.” The trooper stepped towards you, “All nonessential personnel are to go to their quarters and remain until the all clear is given.”
You hated pulling rank, but in the hierarchy of Kamino, you stood above most clones, “Excuse me,” your tone became stern, hiding your shock from earlier. With a quick movement, you had your I.D out and nearly shoved in the clone's helmet, “I head the clinic in medical wing B. I am essential personnel. If it's such an issue for me to be out, you can take it directly to Nala Se.”
After a second, the Coruscant Guard stepped back, “My apologies Doctor. Continue on your way.”
Echo shared a look with you, “Are…you allowed to be with us?”
“No.” you admitted once the guard was out of earshot, “But I…I’m scared. I don’t want to be alone.” It felt like you were in the ocean, surrounded by predators. All they needed was a single drop of blood before they attacked.
Would they gun you down like they did the Jedi? Or would they opt to throw you in a cell? Would they try to mind-wipe you the same way many of their brothers had been?
Your pace was hurried once you got to their barracks. The door slid open, and Crosshair damn near shoved you inside. Hunter caught you and gave the sniper a harsh look.
Their barracks were messy but homey. There were posters and used targets on the walls. There were scribbles and doodles carved into the once shiny metal. Tables had droid pieces, tools and other projects that Tech most likely worked on.
It was…personalized. Very Un-Kaminoan.
Hunter was about to speak when his comrade cut him off.
Wrecker walked past you, letting out a small cheer, “Ah! Good to be back!” He stretched his large arms above his head, entirely missing your state, “Well, I'll get the board. Eleven more successful missions.”
“Kaller wasn’t a win,” Hunter softly chastised his brother. He wanted to hear what you had to say, but Wrecker chimed in again to argue.
“Says who?” The larger clone turned, facing the team leader, “We completed our objective.”
“Not every objective.” It was Crosshair that spoke, not allowing you to talk, “Hunter let that Jedi kid escape.” His arms were crossed, glaring at the long haired sergeant, “Or do you want to keep lying to us?”
“E-even the padawans?” Your throat tightened. Horror washed over you all over again. Nausea slammed into your stomach, and you nearly dry heaved. You slapped your hand over your mouth and bent slightly.
Children were executed too?
Echo’s arms were around you, “Everyone, shut up!” He snapped, “None of this makes sense!” His angry gaze was trained on the sniper, clearly not happy he wanted a padawan dead, “Those clones served alongside General Billaba for years. How could they have turned on her like that?”
“Because of the regs programming,” Tech finally spoke up, hands tinkering with a small robotic project.
Programming…
You looked up at the intellectual clone, realization dawning on you.
Months before this, Kamino was put on lockdown. A clone and a Coruscant doctor had infiltrated the labs and went through genetic files searching for something. To your knowledge they were trying to cure another clone from a disease of some type.
The trooper had died anyway. And according to the news from Coruscant, once the ARC trooper and doctor left, the clone had gone insane and killed the doctor before trying to assassinate the Chancellor.
It was shared with the medical team that every clone had a bio-mechanical chip in their brains. You were told that the chip was planted to help the clones deal with the stresses of war. What caused the ARC trooper to go insane was a breakdown of said chip. In his insanity, he killed the doctor.
But now it was clear, you had been lied to.
“It's been well documented that the Kaminoans inhibited the cognitive functions of clones to engineer them to follow orders without question,” Tech continued, “The good doctor here can confirm.” His eyes were on the small trinket he was working on.
You nodded, “I…I think…Yes. But I’d need to confirm. Check some records…” You straightened, still feeling sick to a degree, “All the clones were programmed to kill Jedi after being given an order.”
Wrecker furrowed his brow, “If that's the case, why weren’t we affected?”
“Obviously, we are different,” The intellectual clone picked up a small screwdriver and continued to tighten something in his project, “They manipulated preexisting aberrations in our DNA, resulting in your brute strength, Crosshair's sharpshooting skills, Hunter's enhanced senses and my exceptional mind.”
“Those differences make you immune.” You looked at Echo. He still kept a hand on your shoulder, something you appreciated, “And Echo, most likely what happened to you on Skako Minor…it might have affected the chip. So the order didn’t affect you either.”
He sighed and looked down, “Lucky me…” However, his eyes met yours again, “All the Jedi executed, even…”
“Most likely General Skywalker too. I’m sorry, Echo.” You raised a hand to squeeze his shoulder before pulling him into a comforting hug.
He told you stories of Skywalker. How he was a good, if adventurous general. How he cared for his men deeply enough to risk everything for them.
And now…the Jedi general was most likely dead too. Shot in the back by the very troopers he fought alongside.
You hoped, for Echo’s sake, he was alive and in hiding.
The former ARC trooper accepted the embrace before he pulled away, turning to look out the window. You could see the storm of emotions in his soft brown eyes. Hunter was about to speak, most likely offer words of sympathy, but he had been cut off by an announcement over the PA system.
All personnel report to the staging area for a briefing on the state of the Republic.
You shared a confused look with Wrecker. That was sudden…
“This is one meeting I don't want to miss,” Hunter shrugged and began to walk out of the barracks.
“First time for everything.” Crosshair snarked, following the sergeant.
You followed the others before bidding farewell and going to your designated place. Your thoughts overwhelmed your mind and you nearly walked right into Nala Se’s back when you met up with her and Omega.
The young girl greeted you happily and grabbed your hand. She smiled up at you, “Good to see you, doctor!”
Your smile was small but you were relieved to know that she seemed to handle the rapid change well enough, “Glad to see you, Omega. Are you alright?”
She nodded, but remained silent when Lama Su joined you three.
You were behind the heads Kamino. The scientists and leaders you reported to walked steadily to the observation deck. None of them seem bothered from the chaos just hours before. No one seemed to care that Shaak Ti was gone…
Was she dead? Did Commander Colt shoot her down? Or did she escape and survive?
You were so deep in thought you missed the entirety of the beginning of the briefing. In fact, you didn’t even register that it was Chancellor Palpetine announcing the news. By the time you snapped into focus, he was already giving a speech.
“and the Jedi rebellion has been foiled. The remaining Jedi will be hunted down and defeated.” The holo echoed around the large staging area. “The attempt on my life has left me scarred and deformed. But I assure you. My resolve has never been stronger!”
Troopers stood in line. You could easily spot clone force 99. Their black and red armor was stark against the white plastoid of the other soldiers.
“In order to ensure the security and continuing stability the Republic will be reorganized,” Palpetine continued, and you perked up.
“into the first Galactic Empire!”
Immediately troopers began to cheer. Many raised their fists in celebration, however, some of them looked around as if confused, entirely shocked by the news.
Your head spun, no longer hearing the speech.
Galactic…Empire…?
