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[OOC] The Wake Application - "Echo"
Character Information
Character Name: CT-26-1409/ARC-26-1409 ("Echo")
Fandom: Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 tv series)
Character History:See Fives' history Like all clones, CT-26-1409 was created from the DNA of a bounty hunter called Jango Fett. He hailed from Tipoca City on the stormy, water-logged planet of Kamino – the home of many a clone brother bred, raised, and trained to become expendable troopers for the Republic during what was aptly dubbed "The Clone Wars."
Every clone cadet in the running had the opportunity to become a great soldier, and if they worked their way up the ranks, they could even become ARC- (Advanced Recon Commandos) Troopers. In order to get there, they had graduate first.
The cadets in general had to run one final obstacle course to showcase all of their training, including their ability to cooperate with one another. Each squad performed exceedingly well, and they were marked high as promising additions to the Republic forces. But the Domino Squad wasn't one of those squads. They lacked the teamwork necessary to get them to the final part of their training. It was also in Domino Squad that CT-26-1409 found himself at odds with the other four clone cadets that made up the team. These four were Hevy, Fives, Droidbait, and Cutup. Unlike (and perhaps much like) the others who followed their own instincts, CT-26-1409 tried to stick with the procedures given each time they stepped out into the training field. Repeating everything that had already been established at the start of every session earned him the nickname "Echo."
Lacking coordination, strategy, and breaking the one rule they were told never to do in real combat ("never leave a brother behind"), the squad's attempts to pass their final combat simulation test ended in failure yet again. Echo and Fives (the one clone brother he was okay with in his team) sought out Jedi Master Shaak Ti to ask if they could transfer to one of the other, better squads. She did not grant them their request, but she told them to give their teammates another chance, encouraging them just as the others were getting small sparks of inspiration around the headquarters. It all beautifully came together when they were given permission to redo the test, each cadet getting their act together to do just as well as the other squads before them. Since they were missing one integral piece of equipment during their run, they earned extra points for getting creative in scaling the gun tower with the flag on top of it. Echo and the other clones had proven themselves to be trooper material, and they were finally getting off of Kamino to join the frontlines...
...On an isolated rock in space. Rishi Moon Base was where Echo and his clone brothers were stationed as their very first assignment as troopers. While the others were growing restless (bored), Echo spent the majority of his time reading up on regulatory manuals or actually doing his job watching and listening for any incoming Separatist actions. They soon would get the action they were promised when the Separatists dropped in on the base. General Grievous gave the order, leaving the new assassin droids to pick off the clone commander and most of the "shiny" new batch of troopers.
Sorely outnumbered, Echo escaped with Hevy, Fives, and Cutup through the nearest ventilation shaft. Being outside of the station was not without its own dangers, the wildlife whittling down their party of four to three before any help came for them. Luckily for them, Captain Rex and Commander Cody were checking in on the base for inspections; the two figured out the base had been taken, but the distress signal from the flare gun of one of the "shinies" confirmed it. Despite their newness, Echo and the others were determined to help Rex and Cody take back the base.
While they were initially successful in defeating most of the droids inside, they found that the controls had been tampered with. In order to warn the Republic of the issue, Rex came up with a new plan: destroy the base. Echo was understandably confused and aware the new plan would go against their original orders of protecting the base, but it was a big step to help him adapt to what the situation needed. With that in mind, Echo applied what he learned of the base's workings and suggested the use of a highly explosive fuel found in the base to aid in its destruction. He helped move the fuel into the trashbin droids that were still walking around, leading them over to the control room. When everything was in place, the troopers all evacuated the area again once a new batch of droids dropped in. They were to set off the trashbin droid with a remote, but the activator failed to go off. Hevy decided to fix it manually, sacrificing himself so that Echo and the others could get off of the rock alive.
Echo and Fives were the only two remaining members Domino Squad to survive, being rewarded for their efforts that they felt they didn't deserve. Rex saw the potential they had, inducting them both into the 501st battalion – Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker's personal troop.
Some time later, word came through that the Separatists were planning to attack Tipoca City. It was only natural for Echo and his clone brothers to head back and defend their home from any invasions. His return to the city was nostalgic; he and Fives ran into an all-too-familiar face (99) as they walked the halls, but it was a bittersweet reunion. Echo did his best to switch topics to get 99's mind off of the passing of Hevy, getting him pumped to protect the city in any way he could.
This was then rudely interrupted when General Grievous and Sith Apprentice Asajj Ventress finally attacked. An ARC-Trooper (Havoc) gave Echo and Fives sniper duty, leaving them to blast any droids that tried to get past their line of fire. 99 came to their aid, supplying them with ammo and thermal detonators when they were running low. After blasting another batch of droids, they almost turned on a group of young clone cadets who got lost on the way to the barracks.
With 99's mental map of the city, Echo and Fives let the old clone lead, escorting the cadets as he did. Captain Rex and Commander Cody met up with them once they got there, drawing out another strategy to fight against the droids. Although the young clones thought their training wasn't up to par, Fives gave them a tough pep talk. Echo followed up with firm but gentle encouragement. Again they fought back the droids that appeared within the barrack. In fact, the clones in general were able to force Grievous and Asajj to retreat, winning the battle while suffering losses. It was here Echo and Fives were awarded for their service and promoted yet again to the rank of ARC-Trooper.
[In which I'll take Echo from this point.]
Then came a special stealth mission that needed some ARC-Troopers. Lucky for Echo and Fives, they were the right clones for the job. With Anakin Skywalker and Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, they were given the assignment to break Jedi Master Even Piell out of a Separatist/Confederate prison known as "The Citadel." Since Piell held vital information for the Republic, it was necessary to get him out of there before the Separatists were able to take it from him. In order to get inside the high-security prison without being noticed, Echo and the others had to endure carbon freezing, leaving the astromech droid R2-D2 and his merry band of reprogrammed battle droids to pilot the shuttle that would carry them into the facility without a hitch. Of course, there were a few snags in that plan; one of them was the sudden appearance of Skywalker's padawan, Ahsoka Tano. Although she wasn't suppose to be with the group, they let her stay as they navigated the fortress to the best of their abilities.
The Citadel did live up to its name – it was well-equipped in its defenses and surrounded by a natural "moat" of sulfur. Getting in was hard, but getting out alive with the captives was difficult. Pressed for time, every turn and security reinforcement caused the group to dwindle. Breaking up into two separate parties between Anakin and Obi-Wan, they planned to rendezvous at the rear platform where R2-D2 parked the shuttle. Echo was in Anakin's group. A long trek through the old corridors of the prison and a large fuel pipeline while being attacked by droids at various points was worth the journey to the platform, but the glimmer of hope was immediately snuffed when Obi-Wan's group was bogged down by the droids guarding the shuttle.
Echo and the others joined the fight, however, and everything became chaotic. This was also when he saw that one of the droid in the watch tower was aiming to destroy their only means of escape with a laser cannon. Determined to protect the shuttle at all costs, Echo grabbed a discarded droid shield to use as cover as he went. Unfortunately, the droid in the tower succeeded in blowing it up with Echo caught in the explosion. His burnt helmet was the last thing the rescue team saw of him.
Character Personality: Like all good soldiers, Echo follows orders. While he is just as eager and willing to go into battle as any other clone would, he has been known to follow military protocol as ordered. In the very early stages of his training, however, he followed his orders all too closely.
As a cadet and even when he became a "shiny" rookie soldier, he used to be a big stickler for the rules. It was easy for him to call his squadmates out on not following the orders on the simulated battlefield, taking care to point out the fact long after they had failed to reach their goal. He had their best interest in mind as a group, but he also added to the tension by forcing his perspective while lacking the leadership skills necessary to unite them, initially making him sound repetitive. Sticking to the orders also made Echo rigid in how he executed his own actions during each practice run. Thankfully, talking to Jedi Master Shaak Ti gave him an indirect hint that following orders is something he shouldn't be dwelling on too deeply.
Along with this lesson, he learned he had to cooperate with his other squadmates if they wanted to succeed. While it is easy for him to get along with Fives, he found it difficult to interact with the rest of the Domino squad. For instance, Echo and Hevy had their differences in how they approached each practice battle to the point in which it turned into a fistfight. But despite their differences, Echo is able to overlook the mistakes and hardships he goes through with Hevy and his squadmates in general, supporting them when they all take the chance to work together. He does care about his brothers, after all, and he will fight alongside each of them if he's given the opportunity with every mission he receives.
It's plain to see that Echo looks very similar to his clone brothers, but his personality still makes him stand out as an individual. The clone displays more rational thought over immediate action. His level-headedness comes in handy where outright aggression may fail, giving him time to take into consideration the consequences of any action that may be taken. This sort of caution may not always be the best choice in a situation, but it just goes to show he can give suggestions that will yield favorable results in the field. He also doesn't speak up very often, only doing so in order to correct someone in the wrong, speak of vital information he has retained over time, or to ask questions about the actions he and the others are set to carry out.
Where most focus on the bigger picture, Echo tends to focus more on the details. Details capture his attention so much it almost becomes a hobby. This is why he favors spending his down time reading up on regulations, but doing so also makes him an easy target for teasing amongst his brothers. It's not all bad, however – his attention to detail becomes useful in times of crisis, giving his clone brothers and any cooperative ally a way around a problem. Of course, he can also come off as redundant when he explains the obvious, but it only happens on occasion.
As an ARC-Trooper, Echo doesn't abuse the title that he has been given. He earned it through his bravery, courage, resourcefulness, and creativity during battle, especially in his ability to think and act on the fly when there is no time to react. The issue with adaptation has developed by the time he gets here, giving him the freedom to add these traits in with his military skillset. It isn't something he flaunts, nor does does he try to become the center of attention with the rank; he acts mainly as support and he does his job well.
Powers and Abilities: All clone troopers have been engineered specifically for military use. The important aspects in creating the perfect soldier are strength, endurance, and most of all, obedience. All other characteristics (which adds to each clone's individuality) comes secondary. Like the others, Echo is not superhuman; his training keeps him alive for as long as he can possibly live.
His ARC-Trooper gear is basically a major upgrade of the standard armor given to a clone trooper. The plates are gray and white with blue lines and markings outlining the outer sides of the armor, well-worn and telling of the missions he's been in. Accessories include a kama skirt/kilt, a plated collar, pouches and harnesses for any weapons or ammunition he has to carry, a grapple and ascension cable, and a backpack. The finned helmet is also marked with two blue lines on top of the skull and outfitted with a long-range scope. He keeps the iconic blue handprint on the right side of his chestplate, reminiscent of the first time Captain Rex decided to put his eel blood-covered hand on the spot.
He can use most weapons, ranging from military-issue blasters (that can also be set to stun), pistols, a rifle, "droid poppers" (ion/pulse grenades), and frag grenades. He can do hand-to-hand combat as well, but it appears to be a last resort use (or something that comes up whenever Hevy acts out his aggressiveness). He can also handle bridge duties, sitting at the control panels of a station or ship to make sure everything is working according to standard procedure.
Echo's pretty much the nerd among his peers, but that mind of his does wonders in retaining information. Whatever he reads up on or researches on his own time, or if he collaborates in strategic planning, it stays with him forever.
Samples
Network:
[BOOM, headshot. Of Echo. Reading a book. It should be easy to guess where he's been for a while now. When he notices he's being watched, the initial alertness in his expression passes, letting him relax a bit.]
Well, I see what you all mean by things turnin' on by themselves. Y'caught me at a good time, though.
[He closes the book, putting it down on a pile that reaches about chest-height.]
About this place here: while impressive, I have to say the library is rather…ah..."archaic."
Not like it's a bad thing! I'm not tryin' to offend anyone by saying so – this is the first time I've ever been to a library that still uses paper. I'm just more used to reading everything on a datapad. Uhm. Words on a screen? Holo-recordings and logs, all of that was stored away in rows of aisles in the same manner here, more or less.
[And as the camera zooms out, Echo is actually sitting within a wall of books he constructed. For some reason, he looks pretty pleased with himself.]
...But I can get used to this. I dunno how long it would take to get through all of these, but I don't mind. [He picks out another book, flipping it open.] Now, if you excuse me...
Third Person:
Fives had told him it was a training exercise, and since it was Fives, Echo had no problem in trusting his fellow clone brother about what they were getting themselves into. But he soon found out this was nothing like the standard training procedure he was used to.
Armored hands gripped the hilt of his pistol tightly, cautiously edging around the other end of the wall. Each step the clone took was slow, pausing in between to keep himself low as possible to the ground. He had no idea where he was headed. It was dark – every light source was tinged in an unearthly glow, too dim to make out anything clearly. Even without his helmet, relying on his sight alone wasn't going to get him anywhere. He still had his other senses to help him out. His hearing, for instance, still worked.
But he couldn't hear anything. The constant pulse in his head was pounding all too loudly, making it impossible to concentrate. He then realized this was happening outside of his head. The beats were a part of a techno song coming from the hidden speaker system linked all around the black-lit monster of a maze.
And then, something moved. Brown eyes darted over to catch his clone brother ducking off to the side, his mouth moving rapidly, hand signals blending in with the shadowed walls and glowing paint in a vain attempt to usher Echo out of the path.
"Fives? What are you doing? Wait, I can't even hear you– "
His vest suddenly went off, the little lights blinking rapidly in succession as the sensor rung out.
Bewildered, Echo quickly bit down on his lower lip to save himself from swearing aloud. Now he understood what Fives was trying to tell him. It was one thing to complain he was never prepared for a situation like this, but he reminded himself to adapt. Adaptation was always in play. To give his position away when there were a few others still lurking about the laser tag area was the second-to-the-last thing he wanted to do.
Within seconds, he resolved to fix this. He kept moving, seeking out the one who shot him.
Character Name: CT-26-1409/ARC-26-1409 ("Echo")
Fandom: Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 tv series)
Character History:
Every clone cadet in the running had the opportunity to become a great soldier, and if they worked their way up the ranks, they could even become ARC- (Advanced Recon Commandos) Troopers. In order to get there, they had graduate first.
The cadets in general had to run one final obstacle course to showcase all of their training, including their ability to cooperate with one another. Each squad performed exceedingly well, and they were marked high as promising additions to the Republic forces. But the Domino Squad wasn't one of those squads. They lacked the teamwork necessary to get them to the final part of their training. It was also in Domino Squad that CT-26-1409 found himself at odds with the other four clone cadets that made up the team. These four were Hevy, Fives, Droidbait, and Cutup. Unlike (and perhaps much like) the others who followed their own instincts, CT-26-1409 tried to stick with the procedures given each time they stepped out into the training field. Repeating everything that had already been established at the start of every session earned him the nickname "Echo."
Lacking coordination, strategy, and breaking the one rule they were told never to do in real combat ("never leave a brother behind"), the squad's attempts to pass their final combat simulation test ended in failure yet again. Echo and Fives (the one clone brother he was okay with in his team) sought out Jedi Master Shaak Ti to ask if they could transfer to one of the other, better squads. She did not grant them their request, but she told them to give their teammates another chance, encouraging them just as the others were getting small sparks of inspiration around the headquarters. It all beautifully came together when they were given permission to redo the test, each cadet getting their act together to do just as well as the other squads before them. Since they were missing one integral piece of equipment during their run, they earned extra points for getting creative in scaling the gun tower with the flag on top of it. Echo and the other clones had proven themselves to be trooper material, and they were finally getting off of Kamino to join the frontlines...
...On an isolated rock in space. Rishi Moon Base was where Echo and his clone brothers were stationed as their very first assignment as troopers. While the others were growing restless (bored), Echo spent the majority of his time reading up on regulatory manuals or actually doing his job watching and listening for any incoming Separatist actions. They soon would get the action they were promised when the Separatists dropped in on the base. General Grievous gave the order, leaving the new assassin droids to pick off the clone commander and most of the "shiny" new batch of troopers.
Sorely outnumbered, Echo escaped with Hevy, Fives, and Cutup through the nearest ventilation shaft. Being outside of the station was not without its own dangers, the wildlife whittling down their party of four to three before any help came for them. Luckily for them, Captain Rex and Commander Cody were checking in on the base for inspections; the two figured out the base had been taken, but the distress signal from the flare gun of one of the "shinies" confirmed it. Despite their newness, Echo and the others were determined to help Rex and Cody take back the base.
While they were initially successful in defeating most of the droids inside, they found that the controls had been tampered with. In order to warn the Republic of the issue, Rex came up with a new plan: destroy the base. Echo was understandably confused and aware the new plan would go against their original orders of protecting the base, but it was a big step to help him adapt to what the situation needed. With that in mind, Echo applied what he learned of the base's workings and suggested the use of a highly explosive fuel found in the base to aid in its destruction. He helped move the fuel into the trashbin droids that were still walking around, leading them over to the control room. When everything was in place, the troopers all evacuated the area again once a new batch of droids dropped in. They were to set off the trashbin droid with a remote, but the activator failed to go off. Hevy decided to fix it manually, sacrificing himself so that Echo and the others could get off of the rock alive.
Echo and Fives were the only two remaining members Domino Squad to survive, being rewarded for their efforts that they felt they didn't deserve. Rex saw the potential they had, inducting them both into the 501st battalion – Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker's personal troop.
Some time later, word came through that the Separatists were planning to attack Tipoca City. It was only natural for Echo and his clone brothers to head back and defend their home from any invasions. His return to the city was nostalgic; he and Fives ran into an all-too-familiar face (99) as they walked the halls, but it was a bittersweet reunion. Echo did his best to switch topics to get 99's mind off of the passing of Hevy, getting him pumped to protect the city in any way he could.
This was then rudely interrupted when General Grievous and Sith Apprentice Asajj Ventress finally attacked. An ARC-Trooper (Havoc) gave Echo and Fives sniper duty, leaving them to blast any droids that tried to get past their line of fire. 99 came to their aid, supplying them with ammo and thermal detonators when they were running low. After blasting another batch of droids, they almost turned on a group of young clone cadets who got lost on the way to the barracks.
With 99's mental map of the city, Echo and Fives let the old clone lead, escorting the cadets as he did. Captain Rex and Commander Cody met up with them once they got there, drawing out another strategy to fight against the droids. Although the young clones thought their training wasn't up to par, Fives gave them a tough pep talk. Echo followed up with firm but gentle encouragement. Again they fought back the droids that appeared within the barrack. In fact, the clones in general were able to force Grievous and Asajj to retreat, winning the battle while suffering losses. It was here Echo and Fives were awarded for their service and promoted yet again to the rank of ARC-Trooper.
[In which I'll take Echo from this point.]
Then came a special stealth mission that needed some ARC-Troopers. Lucky for Echo and Fives, they were the right clones for the job. With Anakin Skywalker and Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, they were given the assignment to break Jedi Master Even Piell out of a Separatist/Confederate prison known as "The Citadel." Since Piell held vital information for the Republic, it was necessary to get him out of there before the Separatists were able to take it from him. In order to get inside the high-security prison without being noticed, Echo and the others had to endure carbon freezing, leaving the astromech droid R2-D2 and his merry band of reprogrammed battle droids to pilot the shuttle that would carry them into the facility without a hitch. Of course, there were a few snags in that plan; one of them was the sudden appearance of Skywalker's padawan, Ahsoka Tano. Although she wasn't suppose to be with the group, they let her stay as they navigated the fortress to the best of their abilities.
The Citadel did live up to its name – it was well-equipped in its defenses and surrounded by a natural "moat" of sulfur. Getting in was hard, but getting out alive with the captives was difficult. Pressed for time, every turn and security reinforcement caused the group to dwindle. Breaking up into two separate parties between Anakin and Obi-Wan, they planned to rendezvous at the rear platform where R2-D2 parked the shuttle. Echo was in Anakin's group. A long trek through the old corridors of the prison and a large fuel pipeline while being attacked by droids at various points was worth the journey to the platform, but the glimmer of hope was immediately snuffed when Obi-Wan's group was bogged down by the droids guarding the shuttle.
Echo and the others joined the fight, however, and everything became chaotic. This was also when he saw that one of the droid in the watch tower was aiming to destroy their only means of escape with a laser cannon. Determined to protect the shuttle at all costs, Echo grabbed a discarded droid shield to use as cover as he went. Unfortunately, the droid in the tower succeeded in blowing it up with Echo caught in the explosion. His burnt helmet was the last thing the rescue team saw of him.
Character Personality: Like all good soldiers, Echo follows orders. While he is just as eager and willing to go into battle as any other clone would, he has been known to follow military protocol as ordered. In the very early stages of his training, however, he followed his orders all too closely.
As a cadet and even when he became a "shiny" rookie soldier, he used to be a big stickler for the rules. It was easy for him to call his squadmates out on not following the orders on the simulated battlefield, taking care to point out the fact long after they had failed to reach their goal. He had their best interest in mind as a group, but he also added to the tension by forcing his perspective while lacking the leadership skills necessary to unite them, initially making him sound repetitive. Sticking to the orders also made Echo rigid in how he executed his own actions during each practice run. Thankfully, talking to Jedi Master Shaak Ti gave him an indirect hint that following orders is something he shouldn't be dwelling on too deeply.
Along with this lesson, he learned he had to cooperate with his other squadmates if they wanted to succeed. While it is easy for him to get along with Fives, he found it difficult to interact with the rest of the Domino squad. For instance, Echo and Hevy had their differences in how they approached each practice battle to the point in which it turned into a fistfight. But despite their differences, Echo is able to overlook the mistakes and hardships he goes through with Hevy and his squadmates in general, supporting them when they all take the chance to work together. He does care about his brothers, after all, and he will fight alongside each of them if he's given the opportunity with every mission he receives.
It's plain to see that Echo looks very similar to his clone brothers, but his personality still makes him stand out as an individual. The clone displays more rational thought over immediate action. His level-headedness comes in handy where outright aggression may fail, giving him time to take into consideration the consequences of any action that may be taken. This sort of caution may not always be the best choice in a situation, but it just goes to show he can give suggestions that will yield favorable results in the field. He also doesn't speak up very often, only doing so in order to correct someone in the wrong, speak of vital information he has retained over time, or to ask questions about the actions he and the others are set to carry out.
Where most focus on the bigger picture, Echo tends to focus more on the details. Details capture his attention so much it almost becomes a hobby. This is why he favors spending his down time reading up on regulations, but doing so also makes him an easy target for teasing amongst his brothers. It's not all bad, however – his attention to detail becomes useful in times of crisis, giving his clone brothers and any cooperative ally a way around a problem. Of course, he can also come off as redundant when he explains the obvious, but it only happens on occasion.
As an ARC-Trooper, Echo doesn't abuse the title that he has been given. He earned it through his bravery, courage, resourcefulness, and creativity during battle, especially in his ability to think and act on the fly when there is no time to react. The issue with adaptation has developed by the time he gets here, giving him the freedom to add these traits in with his military skillset. It isn't something he flaunts, nor does does he try to become the center of attention with the rank; he acts mainly as support and he does his job well.
Powers and Abilities: All clone troopers have been engineered specifically for military use. The important aspects in creating the perfect soldier are strength, endurance, and most of all, obedience. All other characteristics (which adds to each clone's individuality) comes secondary. Like the others, Echo is not superhuman; his training keeps him alive for as long as he can possibly live.
His ARC-Trooper gear is basically a major upgrade of the standard armor given to a clone trooper. The plates are gray and white with blue lines and markings outlining the outer sides of the armor, well-worn and telling of the missions he's been in. Accessories include a kama skirt/kilt, a plated collar, pouches and harnesses for any weapons or ammunition he has to carry, a grapple and ascension cable, and a backpack. The finned helmet is also marked with two blue lines on top of the skull and outfitted with a long-range scope. He keeps the iconic blue handprint on the right side of his chestplate, reminiscent of the first time Captain Rex decided to put his eel blood-covered hand on the spot.
He can use most weapons, ranging from military-issue blasters (that can also be set to stun), pistols, a rifle, "droid poppers" (ion/pulse grenades), and frag grenades. He can do hand-to-hand combat as well, but it appears to be a last resort use (or something that comes up whenever Hevy acts out his aggressiveness). He can also handle bridge duties, sitting at the control panels of a station or ship to make sure everything is working according to standard procedure.
Echo's pretty much the nerd among his peers, but that mind of his does wonders in retaining information. Whatever he reads up on or researches on his own time, or if he collaborates in strategic planning, it stays with him forever.
Samples
Network:
[BOOM, headshot. Of Echo. Reading a book. It should be easy to guess where he's been for a while now. When he notices he's being watched, the initial alertness in his expression passes, letting him relax a bit.]
Well, I see what you all mean by things turnin' on by themselves. Y'caught me at a good time, though.
[He closes the book, putting it down on a pile that reaches about chest-height.]
About this place here: while impressive, I have to say the library is rather…ah..."archaic."
Not like it's a bad thing! I'm not tryin' to offend anyone by saying so – this is the first time I've ever been to a library that still uses paper. I'm just more used to reading everything on a datapad. Uhm. Words on a screen? Holo-recordings and logs, all of that was stored away in rows of aisles in the same manner here, more or less.
[And as the camera zooms out, Echo is actually sitting within a wall of books he constructed. For some reason, he looks pretty pleased with himself.]
...But I can get used to this. I dunno how long it would take to get through all of these, but I don't mind. [He picks out another book, flipping it open.] Now, if you excuse me...
Third Person:
Fives had told him it was a training exercise, and since it was Fives, Echo had no problem in trusting his fellow clone brother about what they were getting themselves into. But he soon found out this was nothing like the standard training procedure he was used to.
Armored hands gripped the hilt of his pistol tightly, cautiously edging around the other end of the wall. Each step the clone took was slow, pausing in between to keep himself low as possible to the ground. He had no idea where he was headed. It was dark – every light source was tinged in an unearthly glow, too dim to make out anything clearly. Even without his helmet, relying on his sight alone wasn't going to get him anywhere. He still had his other senses to help him out. His hearing, for instance, still worked.
But he couldn't hear anything. The constant pulse in his head was pounding all too loudly, making it impossible to concentrate. He then realized this was happening outside of his head. The beats were a part of a techno song coming from the hidden speaker system linked all around the black-lit monster of a maze.
And then, something moved. Brown eyes darted over to catch his clone brother ducking off to the side, his mouth moving rapidly, hand signals blending in with the shadowed walls and glowing paint in a vain attempt to usher Echo out of the path.
"Fives? What are you doing? Wait, I can't even hear you– "
His vest suddenly went off, the little lights blinking rapidly in succession as the sensor rung out.
Bewildered, Echo quickly bit down on his lower lip to save himself from swearing aloud. Now he understood what Fives was trying to tell him. It was one thing to complain he was never prepared for a situation like this, but he reminded himself to adapt. Adaptation was always in play. To give his position away when there were a few others still lurking about the laser tag area was the second-to-the-last thing he wanted to do.
Within seconds, he resolved to fix this. He kept moving, seeking out the one who shot him.