Preface

Clone Haven's Ship-of-the-month weekly prompt "Trick or Treat" Rex/Echo.

Set somewhere in the space time continuum of the Clone Wars and the Bad Batch. The seasonal holiday is celebrated even in the galaxy far, far away. And so, even for the clones and their several allies, with the base having a few kids living there presently, are having the celebratory mood catching on to them.

Echo, however, is not really feeling the holiday spirit. But leave it to Rex, to cheer his partner up and convince him for at least accepting a, treat!

Part of the Echo/Rex series

Trick?

'Play the game or don't! Still it can be lots of fun, so, just try it on for a size!' "Dressing up? In funky looking costumes? Going around door to door, just begging for some candy, from strangers?"

Echo had listed all the crazy things he had heard just a moment ago from one of the other clones. Those whom where apparently rather enthusiastic about the upon coming seasonal celebration a few of the nat-borns on the base had enlightened them about. And so being now heavily involved themselves in the setup, having found the whole process rather intriguing.

But Echo wasn't sold on the whole process. Finding it rather, odd.

"More like threatening to do some sinister deed to whomever they are bugging at the time unless they are given this, whatever treat they're demanding! Most likely they are heavily armed too!"

Wrecker had kind of gotten the gist of what the idea was for this, practise of Trick or Treat. But his own version of it, naturally. Not that he wasn't all for tricking others himself. Because he totally loved to pull pranks on the others. But these were kids after all. And well, there were still rules to follow, right? Or perhaps they were possessed or something? Wrecker had heard a few of the horror tales they kids had been telling around the campfire on a few nights. And those had been really scary!

"It's nothing like that. Not really."

Tech finally corrected the duo's thought process of the whole ordeal. After all, Tech was nothing if not thorough. And having run his several searches to the subject matter at hand as soon as he had heard of the stories from the others. He had uncovered out the truth behind the sinister plot of the young children.

"It's just a child's play. The kids are dressing up trying to look whomever they are idolising at the moment and then going around in the neighbourhood asking for treats. Namely, sweets. The tricks are there just for the show, because the parents are prepared to give them the candy after all."

Tech checked his data pad further to check if there was something he had missed. But he already knew the gist of it and had told the other two as much.

"Rest assured Wrecker, there is really nothing nefarious as it is all simply, children playing a game."

"Well, whatever it is, I sure am not going to be anywhere close to them."

Wrecker was still convinced this was some ploy. And that it would be trouble for the rest of them if they did not make themselves scarce for the duration. "I agree with Wrecker. Those kids can raise some serious havoc out there."

Crosshair chimed in and none of the other three could tell from his serious face whether he was joking or not.

"Well, guess we just have to wait and see, whether we get away unscathed or not."

Hunter had joined the conversation, finding the things said rather amusing, especially coming from seasoned soldiers. The lot of them being scared of a few kids in costumes. And besides, Hunter had talked about the whole ordeal with those putting the whole thing together as Omega was clearly interested in joining in the games with the other children of the base. So Hunter knew better at this point.

"I am all in!"

Omega chimed, being already fully prepped, having designed a costume for herself and all.

"See, this is what I will wear."

She then continued to show the data pad drawing to the rest of them. Letting the device circle from hand to hand, each of the Batchers checking her design and nodding in appreciation.

"This looks good."

Tech stated then and handed the pad back to Omega.

"Just be careful out there, will ya!"

Wrecker still not assured it was safe warned the kid.

"Don't worry, Wreck! I promise to behave!"

Omega let out a somewhat sinister sounding laugh just then. Having practised it for the upon coming festivities night. But, unfortunately, her clearly practised chuckle sounded a little too real as the rest of her team were getting the chills from the totally scary sounding laugh of hers.

Rex was just arriving when he heard the rather ominous laugh coming from the young girl. He could not help but laugh himself, as he was totally on board with the whole thing. His people and the kids having something else to think about rather than the rebellion going on in the galaxy.

Rex approached the group and placed his hand on Omega's shoulder.

"You, my dear, would make a great villain!" Omega was positively beaming, as she was totally taking this whole dressing up and playing the part of an evil being seriously.

"Thank you Rex. I have rehearsed for the role for a while now and will try my very best to be the best evil queen I possibly can."

Omega assured Rex, getting curious looks from the others around her, as clearly, Rex was the only one understanding the whole idea of this particular celebration. Well, maybe Hunter as well.

"I know you will, Omega."

Rex and Omega then both shared a devilish laughter. Making the others skin crawl in the process as it sounded totally believable. Or then, the duo had totally lost their marbles, for good?

Or Treat?

'If you promise to join in, rest assured, a treat will be there waiting for you.'

Rex and Echo were settled in for night. With the couple's daily grind done, the evening ablutions were well on the way before heading to bed. Echo and Rex were brushing their teeth by the sink in the refresher. Each still reeling the days events in their mind, trying to quiet down for the night.

As it was, Echo had gotten a taste of the candy which a few of the clones had set up for the 'Trick or Treat' walkabout for the kids to be shared, when the children did their rounds in the barracks. But in Echo's opinion, they were certainly teeth rotting stuff if anything, never really the one with a sweet tooth himself.s

The facial expressions had been a tell tale sign of Echo disliking the sugary treats. Rex, who had joined the group while having coaxed Echo to join them in the preparation had certainly noticed it and Echos's reluctance to the celebration. But, however he felt for it all, Echo had decided to do it for Omega. To take part in the festivities, the Trick and Treat and all. Even if the whole idea of dressing up in ridiculous costumes and wandering about and begging for candy was simply lost to him.

After all, Echo had only recently having had the pleasure of dressing in tacky sweaters, so, the memory was still haunting him. And well, like said, Echo was rather particular in how he dressed. Especially these days as he himself got to decide what to wear. Echo was still deep in thought when he felt Rex's eyes on him. And then realising Rex had asked as question form him. Shaking his thoughts off and concentrating more on the moment, something which Echo still had some difficulty with after his ordeal with the Techno Union.

"Sorry, you asked me something?"

Echo apologised his eyes blinking in a tad of confusion surrounding him still. But, trusted that Rex understood his position, knowing how he still was, with his loss of being in the moment. Because Echo wasn't always aware of this happening to him and it took someone to shake him out if.

Rex smiled at his partner. He was still very much in awe of how tough Echo really was considering all the things he had gone through. Despite these lapses to his own thoughts, with the outside world disappearing, Rex did not take offence of it. How could he?

"I did, love. I asked if you are still opposed to taking part in the candy rounds. I know Omega would love to have you there with her."

Rex reminded Echo of the request of the young girl's. As Echo had been the one to help her out with the preparations in the end, even if she had started out sewing the costume with Hunter. Still, for whatever reason, Omega had turned to Echo for help when the final preparations needed to be done. And even having asked Echo to be her escort for the rounds.

Echo had been surprised of the proposal to join Omega. And as Hunter had not seemed to mind Omega choosing Echo instead of Hunter, well, Echo could not possibly reject it. Still, Echo had felt it should have been Hunter going with the kid. But, Omega usually got what she wanted, so, Echo had agreed, albeit reluctantly. Because this meant, of course, that he too, needed to put on a costume. Well, sort of.

Echo was going with his go-to disguise for the occasion. Dressing up as a droid. That one, in his mind, never failed. "Yeah, I told her I would."

Echo let out a deep sigh. After all, Omega had been pretty adamant about it and it was really, really difficult to deny her anything. Especially when she made those large puppy dog eyes and pu to on the pouty lips act. So, it all had been Echo's undoing.

Rex could not help but smile at Echo.

"I know she can be very persuasive."

"Indeed."

"I can join the two of you, if you want."

Rex then offered, not sure if it would be of any help.

"Nah, it's all fine. I will go with Omega. It's just for the while. And if it makes her happy, then I have to do it."

Not that it was a chore for Echo to do so. Not even close to a chore. Echo loved spending time with the kid like the rest of them did. It was just the venue which bothered him. Echo was none too big on crowds, celebrations or well, new things in general. But he was making his very best effort to try things out.

"Well, then…"

Rex looked rather coyly at Echo, both of them finished with their evening tasks and ready to head into bed.

"Guess, if I cannot go Trick and Treating with you darling, then perhaps I can offer you a treat of my own. Right now."

Rex was clearly hinting on something other than simple sugary candy for his partner. Then again, Echo totally loved Rex's personal treats and they were certainly much better than any kind of sugar coated candy in Echo's opinion.

Echo was fully onboard now. As this kind of Trick or Treating was much more close to his taste. A wide grin appeared onto Echo's lips. Leaning into his partner, giving Rex a kiss, before responding to his offer.

"I would love nothing more than to be at the receiving end of one of your treats, sweetheart."