War does not determine who is right— only who is left.
~Bertrand Russell
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The Clones searched us, yet no one could find the medicine. We've had our rest— maybe two and a half hours—and now, here we are again. Here we stood on the 46th level of the South tower of an abandoned business center. My Master and I, along with several Clone Troopers. Anakin had his men in the North tower, and we all waited for the plan to begin.
As my Master surveyed for oncoming droids, I watched the Clones set up the cannons next to us. Really now, watching these Clones work is fascinating. They all have a job to do, and they want to get it done. I'm sure the Clones understand that every second counts.
Just like Commander Cody when he announced his arrival.
My Master put down his binoculars at his report and announced to the room, "The show is about to begin."
I stood to his right with my arms crossed, shaking my head, "It began a while ago. I like to think we're in the third act."
It was my Master's turn to shake his head— a faint smirk no doubt on his face— and he brought the binoculars back up. I heard the Clones speak about giving the cannons their jobs back, and I saw the tiny yellow mass slowly but surely get bigger. As they did so, I couldn't help but scoff.
"Programming: such a straightforward yet obtuse thing— also a perfect description for those droids the more I think about it. So painfully simple."
Master Kenobi side-eyed me, "You sound like you don't like them."
"On the contrary," I side-eyed him, "I like them just fine this way— they're easier to defeat."
At this, my Master chuckled, and I heard a few other chuckles around me. I hope that invigorates them all.
A bald Clone, Gus was his name, I think, used his own scopes to make his own observations, "That's the whole battalion, alright, arriving on schedule...and tanks! They've got tanks!"
I didn't have any scope, so I settled for squinting my eyes. Of course, they brought their tanks— resembling those that invaded Naboo all those years ago, marked in blue paint. For whatever reason. It didn't matter, though; our ambush would see the end of this battalion one way or another. Their path would lead them between the North and South towers, and we would strike.
But something went wrong.
They didn't go between the towers; they split into three groups. Two lines of droids from each group, not walking forward like it didn't matter. They were going around the South tower— the one we were in!
I looked at them in confusion, "What are they doing?"
"They're splitting up!" Said Gus. A few Clones voiced their confusion and became alert.
I blinked, "I mean, yeah. But why?"
"Something's not right," My Master became grim, "Prepare all troops for—"
Suddenly, blaster sounds could be heard— high-pitched ones— throughout the building. My Master didn't tell us what we should prepare ourselves for, but he didn't have to. Everyone in the room understood what was happening: the plan had failed before it began. Battle droids were in here with us!
At their approach, the only two with lightsabers acted quickly. Droids on the left doorway wouldn't have a chance to shoot as long as my Master and I were here. Clones close to the door had yet to prepare themselves, so we gave them time.
"This is different!" I yelled, "Defend yourselves!" I utilized Shien to protect the Clones close to the doorway— giving them time to escape. Master Kenobi thrust his hand forward, unleashing a heavy Force blast against the droids. Getting past the tense patience, this would almost have felt 'mundane.' Well, not anymore.
"Abort the mission!" Came my Master's command over the commotion. There was a doorway that led to another exit. We protected the Clones that moved to the door— the rest continued firing on the droids. Hopefully, we can salvage this.
"Our position's been compromised!" A Clone's voice rang out; going out that way was now out of the question. Those skinny...skinnies were flooding both exits! Clones and skinnies were dropping left and right— quite literally! Now, this cacophony had become much more intense!
"Thanks for the update!" I shouted to no one in particular, and a blast nearly took my left eye, "AH, DAMN!"
"Obi-Wan, what's happening?" Anakin called my Master, concern apparent through the comlink.
"Change of plans! The droids have discovered us!" Master Kenobi answered, and from there, the comlink went silent. The only voices that could be heard were the Clones in this room. This makes for decent training in Soresu, though. A perfect chance to see if I'm a wall of steel or feathers. Even though the sounds burden you heavily, listen hard enough— you'll hear that stupid 'Roger, Roger' over the suffering.
Maybe after a few minutes of dodging and redirecting, you'll hear the piercing sound of glass breaking. If you glance behind you for the most fleeting second, you'll see Anakin Skywalker behind you, lightsaber in hand, and more Clones backing him up.
I did not jump when Anakin arrived and said, "The way is clear!"
"What the hell?!" I exclaimed, but I didn't jump; if I did, I'd hit my head on the ceiling. Obviously.
"How did you get here?" Master Kenobi asked though I suspected he needed no proper answer.
"I improvised." Well, too bad! Because Anakin gave him the best answer ever! "I was gonna tell you we moved up a floor, but that's when everything went sideways."
"Thank the Force you did! Never mind that the warning never came; the fact that you're here makes up for it!" I just couldn't contain my happiness— it helped me forget that I could've easily been killed at that moment.
"Not just yet!" Anakin reminded me, "Let's survive this first!"
I focused on my defense again, and we made considerable progress driving the skinnies away. So, of course, that was when the droids started getting closer. With a thrust of his hand, my Master launched a whole cannon, destroying many droids. I scrapped the ones he missed, yet still more came.
"Aww, it never even got to fire!" I lamented the lost cannon before someone roughly pulled me from behind, "WAAI!"
"C'mon!" Shouted Anakin. Anakin was the last one in the turbolift after me; the doors closed, and it automatically took us up. After taking a few breaths, I was the last to turn my lightsaber off.
"Is everyone okay?" Anakin asked.
Most of the Clones answered with nods or a soft 'Yes, sir,' a great contrast to our earlier spirit. I was surprised by how quickly this fell apart but confident in Anakin and my Master's abilities; they haven't failed so far.
As the turbolift stopped, our group ran to the roof's edge. I only noted the cool air and paid no mind to the scenery; I could only be shocked as our numbers had declined so quickly. I heard once that any Republic victory was delivered with a substantial loss in soldiers— I should never have assumed that it was just slander designed to break our spirits.
Then, I felt that hum of the Force. The one I'm being taught to trust above all else, the one that begs— orders— me to duck!
Sharp blaster fire flew where my, as well as the other two Jedi's, heads were. They were aiming for us, the ones with lightsabers, the more significant threats. Well, anyone who knows how to fight with a weapon is a threat. Such as these snipers.
"Snipers!" Anakin yelled in warning.
"Lovely!" My Master exclaimed in sarcasm.
"I can't see— AAHHH!" A poor Clone fell from a shot. To make things worse, I learned today that the intelligence of the droids is...spotty. They knew how to use elevators, much to our dismay.
The Master of Soresu confronted the snipers, "I'll protect the Clones! You two destroy the droids!"
I followed Anakin's example as he rushed in to make a junkyard. It was very uncomplicated with Shii-Cho; simple-minded droids meet a simple-minded end. No, wait, I'm anything but simple-minded! That's more Toshi's thing. Before I could wonder how he was, the doors to another turbolift opened on our far left.
More of the skinnies being led by a droid I'd never seen before. A brown one with a broad torso, long straight legs, and a horizontally narrow head with glowing white eyes. The droid's boxy frame was quite a contrast to its brethren.
There's some joke about a roof getting hot, but I'm not the one to make it. Instead, I kept my guard up even after hearing our cruisers' sounds. They flew close to the edge of the building, opening their doors—the Clones provided covering fire for us while we kept doing what we did.
Once Anakin broke away from the fight, I took that as my sign to run. The fear of being knocked out of the sky was present even after I boarded. The last one to enter the ship was the blue Trooper, Rex, and we were finally away.
After the doors shut, I wiped the sweat from my brow and exhaled a long, ragged sigh. It was comforting knowing I wasn't the only one holding my breath on this ship. That comfort left when I realized exactly how many Clones had died.
But Rex was the last one to board for a peculiar reason. He held a brown object that could only be a droid's head— that stocky one from before— it must be a crucial droid if he risked his life for it.
"What is that?" I asked, straightening my hair.
"A tactical droid, sir. It might tell us how they knew our plan."
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This loss wasn't as bad as the others; we'll pull through. These were the thoughts of a certain ARC Trooper who survived near extermination. But A-18 had faced more dangerous scenarios. No, 'perilous' wasn't the right word. 'Hellish' was more appropriate.
He was a Trooper who fought to save Kamino, trudged through the disgusting slog of Ohma-D'un, and survived Jabiim. This loss was heavy, but absolutely nothing compared to Jabiim... not yet, anyway.
Of course, he didn't survive that alone. He had support back then, just as he does now. His knees couldn't buckle now, after all of that. Being an Advanced Recon Commando, the elite breed of Clone Trooper, he wasn't expected to. He was expected to win and find new ways to keep winning. And if he fails, then he adapts.
He hasn't failed today, but he'll desperately need to adapt. Then again, A-18's not the only one who must adapt like yesterday. Curious blue eyes watched as he, Cody, and Appo worked on getting their information. Back then, Alpha-17 referred to Skywalker as 'the kid.' But now, he's become a soldier's soldier, and Rex was wondering what his brother would think of this one.
Currently, Rex, Cody, and Appo occupy their makeshift command center. The new Padawan/Commander was seemingly content to watch them work as they extracted information from the droid's head. Rex and Cody had worked in silence, neither Appo nor the young'un saying a word. Unsurprisingly, the kid spoke first, if a bit late.
"This thing isn't a combatant?" He asked about the head currently being wired into the holo-table.
"No, sir," Rex answered.
"But it 'lead' that group into battle?" The kid's head tilted.
"Apparently," Cody answered. Rex could tell what he was getting at.
"...Kind of dumb."
"Most clankers are." Appo agreed. And with that, the occupants ended their conversation. The holoprojector showed the buildings they returned from with a mechanical voice talking.
"The Republic Army is on level 46 of the north and south towers." As quickly as it appeared, it fizzled away, leaving three very confused, very frustrated soldiers. At least the kid was just confused.
"Damn it!" Appo growled, hating this ruined opportunity. Appo took losses worse than Rex; Cody grimaces but keeps it to himself. Rex notices the kid make a strange gesture: lightly slapping a hand on his mouth, like the lid on some trash container shutting. Rex wasn't sure what reaction he expected; it was honestly unremarkable. But combined with those eyes that Rex recognized as calculating—
"At least we're not the only ones having a bad day." General Skywalker said, walking in with General Kenobi.
"Generals." The Clones acknowledged their superiors.
"But we're on the same side! Why would that make you glad?" Asked the Padawan in an animated tone, despite his eyes never glancing at his Master.
"Nevermind." General Kenobi rolled his eyes. Though, the comment gave everyone pause, as if silently asking, 'did I really just hear that?'
Then, Cody got everyone back on track, "The tactical droid confirms it: they knew our intel."
"And thus, the makings of their perfect day." Drawled the Padawan tapping his fingers on his lips.
Rex side-eyed him. They must kill us all and take this planet for it to be perfect.
The younger General crossed his arms, "We let this ambush happen. How could we leave ourselves open to a security breach?"
"I don't think we did." The older General stated after regarding the holo-map, hands clasped behind his back.
"So... someone's infiltrated our defenses?" Skywalker asked.
Kenobi frowned, "Possibly. Someone resourceful and with enough cunning to gain access to our plans."
Skywalker shook his head, "That doesn't explain how they got our intel." then he looked at Kenobi, "Right?"
"No, of course not. They're not working alone." Kenobi agreed; their minds almost worked as one Rex observed.
"A spy, sir?" Cody asked, clearly concerned about the thought.
"Well, if we're thinking along those lines." Announced the Padawan, looking at Skywalker, "You said you were in the 47th level, right? The droid said we were in different buildings but on the same floor."
"Yeah, we switched positions at the last minute. I was going to tell you, but that's when the droids attacked." Skywalker nodded.
"Which means the information didn't go to the Sepper-Deppers until before we were in the buildings."
"Does that help us find our spy?" Appo asked, not seeing the significance.
The kid shrugged, "Possibly not. But let's ask ourselves: you infiltrate enemy ranks and report where your enemy will strike. Why don't you notify your allies that your enemy has altered the plans at the last second?"
Rex answered after a second, "He couldn't."
Asher's nodded enthusiastically, "Exactly! He couldn't tell his superiors, even if he wanted to."
"So there's probably a limit to this spy's abilities," Kenobi stated.
"Of what he can do and when he can do it." Finished Skywalker.
Finally, the Jedi Master's decision came, "I think it's time we paid a visit to enemy lines. I'm inclined to believe there's more than just a simple spy at work."
"Whenever you're ready, sir." Cody and Appo stood at attention.
But Kenobi and Skywalker told them to remain at the base to find the breach. Both Clones saw no need to argue.
Kenobi held out a hand, "One more thing: this mission is highly confidential; only five people may know of this mission and are in this room. We must keep it that way until the spy is found. Understood?"
"Yes, sir." The three Clones answered in unison.
Asher made to move out the door, but his Master stopped him, "Zakriahs, you'll stay and help them."
The Padawan blinked, appearing shocked by the command. He looked around before shrugging, "I'll do my best."
With that, the Jedi Knight and Master left the room. After a few seconds, they began discussing their next move.
"What is that beeping sound?" Asked Asher. And yeah, it'd begun to annoy Rex, too. When Cody picked up the source, Rex was sure he and the other three would look back on this in shame for not noticing it sooner. Throughout the row of comlinks laid out on the holotable, one was blinking.
Cody quietly picked up the comlink while Rex and Appo quickly ran to the door. Appo saw nothing and no one on the left side of the hallway, but Rex saw someone on the right. And that person saw Rex, too, since he took off running.
"Hey, stop!" But there was no point; he ignored Rex and fled as a rat would.
All four began their chase of this mystery man. He moved too fast for any of the chasers to discern anything apart from black hair and white armor, white Clone armor.
"Who is it?" Asked Appo, straining his eyes.
"I only see white armor!" Cody responded. The Clones put the troublesome thought aside and focused on the chase. Whoever he was, he was fast; his distance at the start certainly helped. Turning right at a blast door, they saw their mystery man go left at another blast door.
"Take the west corridor!" Cody barked, "Appo!"
"Understood." Came the reply. Appo would follow Cody, while the new face followed Rex. Only in that second did they remember that he's not a Clone kid. When Cody called out the name, Asher assumed that meant 'You follow me.' With that said, Rex went west, and Asher didn't follow.
"No, kid! Follow me!" Rex called out.
"Oh! Sorry!" Asher exclaimed, hastily changing his course. Rex didn't slow down, knowing the kid would catch up. Or at least now hoping. They're working on this later.
A few more turns and the ARC Trooper finally arrived at where their paths would meet. Eventually, Rex stopped and leveled his pistol at the approaching figure descending the hall. The shadows approached, and the sight of the Commander and Sergeant made him lower his blaster.
The three Clones knew immediately just where their unknown soldier had disappeared. Rex looked to the blast door on his right with unspoken dread.
"Isn't this the mess hall?" Rex nodded at the Padawan, then opened the doors, knowing that his train of thought would follow theirs at the mere sight.
Asher peered in, and his face dropped with his shoulders, "Which... is full of Clones."
A few red Commanders, blue Lieutenants, and lots of white armored Clones— they knew their spy wasn't just somebody random who found some armor because these boys would have pointed him out instantly. But they wouldn't think twice if that spy shared their face. The traitor was a brother, their brother.
Give Asher credit. At least they didn't have to spell it out for him.
"Terrific..."
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"One of us is a spy," Rex repeated as if trying to convince himself.
"Well, that certainly narrows it down," You didn't need to be a Jedi to sense Appo's building anger. The idea of the most loyal soldiers the galaxy's ever known having a traitor? Rex wondered what Alpha or Fordo would think. What would Jango think?
Cody repeated their standing orders, "Keep this to ourselves. He'll make another move soon enough. I'm contacting the Jedi."
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
As if things weren't bad enough, neither Jedi responded when Cody used the terminal. When they tried boosting the signal, they were greeted with nothing but garbled noise.
"He's jamming our communications." Cody announced to the other three, "We'll have to do this on our own."
Rex's comlink went off and answered, "Yes?" When he did, it sounded like two Clones spoke in unison.
"Testing, testing. One, two, one, two." Asher's similarly double voice came, and they turned to see him speaking into his own comlink. He said again as if chanting and moved around the room, getting closer and farther to Rex. After retreating outside the room, he shut off his comlink.
"Well, at least short-range still works," He said, adopting his pensive face from before Rex again, "And I think this confirms the theory I had."
Rex raised his eyebrow, "Theory?"
"About why the spy couldn't report to his friends. He couldn't tell anybody because he was likely with us when the ambush occurred."
"Why didn't you bring this up before?" Rex asked simply, yet the question caused Asher to look down.
"I'm sorry, it was just a theory, and I didn't want to waste everyone's time on it."
Theory or not, it helps. Now, what does Rex have to work with? He has Cody, Appo, Asher, and Skywalker's blue astromech. Time to put the droid to work.
"R2, come over here and plug in." The blue droid rolled up and complied.
"What are you doing?" Asked Appo.
"The guard got his messages out there somehow. We just got to find them." Appo appeared satisfied with Rex's answer, trusting the Arc's judgment, while Cody was more the skeptic of the two.
"What do you think? He just sat down and wrote a note?" The idea was hair-brained, so naturally, Cody found it amusing.
Rex looked at him, "It's either starting here or never."
Cody's always by the books, knowing the more straightforward approach might be more effective, just like Appo. Rex found the difference between them was that Appo would take time to mull over his orders, while Cody seemed sharper and more decisive. That's not to discredit Appo; on the contrary, the Sergeant was a silent analyst, while the Commander was vocal. But they both regarded Rex with a sense of respect.
After all, experience outranks everything.
"Excuse me," Asher piped up, "is there a list of everyone present during the ambush?"
There's a list of everyone who survived, which would have been Rex's bitter thought, but instead, he said, "There is," and handed him a datapad.
He paced for at least thirty seconds, all while staring at the pad and scrolling through the names. Silently handing the datapad to Rex, Asher shut his eyes and paced closer to the door.
"I'm going to check something." And the door shut before Rex could even tell him to stay. The ARC briefly wondered what he saw that made him leave, but the datapad revealed nothing. Still, Rex felt to give Asher a chance.
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Only five minutes after Asher left, Artoo found something intriguing. Unusual activity traced back to a particular terminal. Day by day, it would be there, then gone, rinse and repeat. You'd never notice such a small detail unless you had the time for it. Even then, who knows if you'd even consider that there would be a nefarious motive behind it.
But there it was, the spotty terminal activity sourced back to Sergeant Slick's barracks. Slick's men were like any other: loyal, brave, and determined. And one of them might be a traitor.
Rex, Cody, and Appo marched over to see if this was the case. They only started running when they distantly heard the great bang of a flash bomb. The three troopers found the source to be Slick's barracks and were greeted by an unexpected sight.
Rex and Cody kneeled to a dazed Zakriahs Asher on the ground. Appo attended to the only other person in the room, Slick. Rex sat the Padawan up and examined him for wounds; finding none, he asked the Sergeant what had happened.
"I'm fine, but my ears are ringing!" Slick shouted in the small room. He shook his head a few times before waving Appo off gratefully.
"Sergeant, what happened here?" Cody pressed before finally noticing the strange substance on Asher's face.
"I don't know! I think," Slick groaned," I think someone threw a flash bomb! Commander Asher and I were talking, and then the door opened, we became blind, and this happened!"
"What is this?" Cody brought Rex's attention to Asher. Instead of being covered in blood, Asher's face was covered in a pulsating deep turquoise liquid; it looked as though someone threw it in his face while he was disoriented. But the scent... The sickly-sweet, especially pungent smell already had Rex wanting to recoil. Cody must've been using all of his willpower not to drop Asher.
"Commander Asher, are you okay?" Cody shook the Padawan slightly. Asher's head lulled as if searching for the source of the voice. When his eyes drunkenly opened, Asher struggled to focus on Cody and Rex even after his expression livened.
"Reh-guh, smm da truuo!" The frizzy-haired teen slurred.
"What?" Rex blinked.
"Truuo gwa... bluh-jushnn!" Asher's voice raised pitch, and his jerking arms caused Cody to hold him still.
"Commander—" Rex tried to calm the boy, but Asher's ravings became more hectic and drowned out Rex's voice.
Rex shook his head, "I don't think he can speak; this substance must be messing with his head." He turned to Appo, "Take him to the medic!"
Asher shook his head, "Mah! Mah duhs!" and wobbly tried standing up to no avail. Rex and Cody helped him up so he could hang off of Appo's shoulder. After reassuring the dazed Padawan, Appo took Asher through the exit, which led outside. Rex and Cody gave a quick peek, remembering that this was the door Slick mentioned. As expected, no one was there.
But it didn't matter because Cody made sure to contact Slick's men ahead of time. They knew they were to report here at once. If it was one of his men, and Rex believed this incident proved that theory, they'd get him.
"Slick, how are you holding up?" Rex patted Slick's shoulder.
"I'm okay. I don't think I was exposed."
"Clearly." Cody nodded.
"I think I'd better get back to—"
Rex put his hand on the Sergeant's chest, "Actually, Slick, if you're in good condition, there's something we need to discuss."
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"This is strange." Said the Clone medic examining the liquid substance.
"Why? What's strange?" Asked Appo. They laid Padawan Asher on an operating table when he finally seemed to calm. His eyes and ears had been examined for any lingering side effects caused by the flash bomb.
"This substance isn't poison; the opposite, in fact." Analyzing the substance revealed compounds that any medic would be most familiar with, though the color was the dead giveaway. What medic shouldn't be able to identify bacta in a heartbeat?
"Highly concentrated bacta mixed with the liquids in a stim." He explained, "It creates a powerful scent; get too close, and the side effects are nasty. There's already been temporary blindness and deafness to worry over. But now there's dizziness, loss of coordination, confusion—" A goofy-sounding laugh startled the two Clones, "A state of happiness...and possible hallucinations."
"How long til he snaps out of it?" Appo shook his head at the Padawan, staring in all directions.
"He's young and a Jedi. So, hopefully soon." The Sergeant nodded to the medic's words and made to report back to Rex and Cody when—
"Stupid..."
The dry muttering caused Appo and the medic to see Asher no longer smiling. His shaking hands slowly raised, "So..stupid," before he began banging on his head.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid! Stupid Zakriahs!" He pulled his hair before attempting to stand; Appo and the medic laid him back on the table.
"No, let go! Puh, please help me get— !" Asher's struggle had gotten more passionate; it seemed his senses were slowly returning to him.
"Sir, you need rest!"
Desperate blue eyes bore into the Sergeant's, "Nuh, No! Tray! Traitor!"
Finally, Appo's hand stopped the medic, and his full attention was brought forward. With the words 'go on' felt instead of heard, Asher withered a pitiful exhale before he stammered, "Know... know who. Zakriahs— me know— I know!"
"Who?" Appo pressed.
The Padawan grabbed the Trooper's chest, "Take Zakriahs! Back to, to, to barracks! Please!"
"Yes, sir!"
The two Clones hauled up Zakriahs Asher fast enough to make a Jedi jealous. The medic could tell there would be a time when his curiosity would be sated; in the meantime, he knew the dire situation was on a timescale and helped them both.
What could have taken a four-minute run to Slick's barracks became a five or six-minute drag. Asher's feet quite literally dragged while he was carried, and his arms gave away and had to be hauled back up. Appo constantly worried that his senses were waning with every jumbled mutter and senseless wail that spilled out the Padawan's mouth.
"Faster!" Rasped Asher, dashing Appo's doubt to dust.
Ten paces away from the barracks, Appo was taken aback when Asher halted them. Before he could ask why, Asher gave him a task, "Turn your comlink on, walk in there and tell them I'm being healed."
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Appo obeyed and strode into the room, vaguely understanding the tactic. Rex and Cody acknowledged him and continued with their interrogation. A few seconds passed before they spoke with Chopper.
It was easy to tell Chopper would instead be shot at than go through this. The longer this went on, the guiltier he appeared. And if not that, he seemed to be deranged. The battles have done more than just scar his face if the droid fingers were anything to go by— everyone knew the rules about this, however. Appo knew that the dead had to be respected, no matter their side. Appo wouldn't admit it, but he didn't much care in this case, nor did he blame Chopper.
After all, they were only droids.
What Appo found odd was Slick's behavior. After Chopper confessed his activities, the Sergeant pressed on with his disgust. Appo would bet that Slick strongly objected to having a traitorous soldier considering his values— despite not being present, Appo knew Slick had been in denial.
Slick was... faithful, so to speak. It appeared strange when a Clone was paired with that word, but they've become more frequent. The lies and the minor war crime weren't much of a reason to convict Chopper, but now questions were raised.
As Chopper became more agitated, Slick placed a hand on his shoulder, "Don't worry. This will be cleared with a proper investigation; you can stay silent until the Jedi return."
Bristling, Chopper knocked his hand off his shoulder, "And what about you, sir?!" He jabbed a finger at his superior, "Told them where you went?"
Chopper's brown and dull yellow eyes bore into Slick with intensity. At this point, the Troopers present paid focus less on the bald Tropper and more on Slick. Most wouldn't be able to see it, but Slick was becoming uncomfortable.
"I was at the south exit, remember?" Chopper continued sardonically, "I saw you go in, sir. I saw you!"
"Chopper," Slick warned, "I've had the patience of a—"
"Everyone else turned right," Chopper interrupted, "toward the barracks and the mess. But you!" Slick leaned away from Chopper's growling face, "You turned left. That's toward the communication center."
That's when Appo realized, just as Rex and Cody have no doubt, that they haven't examined Slick's activities. As the speech continued, Appo's face matched that of Chopper's, as did Rex and Cody's. He was sure that besides Slick, every Trooper had a look of growing realization, disappointment, and contempt.
And then, Zakriahs Asher walked in.
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"Wait a m-minute!" All eyes found Asher limping forward with the medic by his side.
Cody muttered, "What's he doing here?" as Rex made to hold him back. Appo stopped them both before either could get close.
Every Clone, though confused, parted ways to make space as Asher stumbled toward Chopper and Slick. The Padawan's arms flailed toward the Clone Sergeant, clearly indicating his destination. Chopper's anger gave way to confusion and curiosity.
"Sah— Sergeant," Asher straightened himself. Or at least tried to but nearly fell over if not for the medic.
"Your suh, super... thing— taller soldier tells you to go left. What do you do?"
Slick blinked, "I don't think I—"
"I tell y-you to go left!" Asher raised his voice, "Wh- where do you go?"
Slick resigned, "I go left."
Asher's eyes and mouth widened, making him resemble a Mon Cal, "I tell you to go up a tuh, turbolift. What do you do?"
"I go up the elevator."
"I - I -" He exhaled sharply, "I ask you to explain the intricacies of Form II Makashi, how to make a Holocron, and where I was raised before I came to the Jedi Temple. What do you say?"
If everyone wasn't at a loss before, they were now. Rex looked at Apoo, and the latter shrugged.
"I, uh..." Slick looked around.
"It's okay, be honest."
Slick sighed, "...I say I don't know, sir."
"Exactly. You don't know." Asher's slurring speech disappeared, "So, why do you know that Masters Kenobi and Skywalker aren't here?"
Now, it all made sense. Slick breathed in through his mouth briefly and made to respond. No sound came from his mouth, however. His face morphed into something indiscernible, Rex observed with satisfaction.
"You must have been imbued with psychic powers, Slick. That or it was you listening to us on that comlink?" The curly-haired kid asked, tilting his head with a coy smile. Green eyes shifting to Chopper, "How inconvenient that he forgot to mention his own movements, yes? You know what else he didn't bring up?"
The Clones silently watched as he swayed slightly to Slick's locker, his green lightsaber activating with a hiss. He slashed once, but he missed. Besides the lightsaber hum, the faintest 'stay still' was heard in the room. Then, Zakriahs slashed the lock off, and Slick darted out of the room, pushing through and punching any who opposed him.
"Go after him, Captain! Commander!" Said the Padawan with his back to them, "Sergeant, please stay for a second."
"Sir, with respect," said an anxious Appo after Cody and Rex rushed out, "but we must all go after him!"
"A moment, please." Zakriahs dismissed, "I need to clear up this fog." With a deft and dramatic flourish, he sheathed his lightsaber and placed his hand on the locker. The locking mechanism melted away; it opened quickly to reveal a sight that confused every Clone except one: a discarded set of white Trooper armor.
To the Clones present, this added more questions. To Appo, his questions began to fade away.
"Let me s—" Asher rasped, "—see if I can..."
With a slide, he turned to face the door. What was supposed to be a Jedi dashing turned into a sack of meat falling face first.
"No, not there yet. Okay, go get him."
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The situation got better. Cody could admit it; it was a proven fact.
And then, like so many other times, it all went wrong.
Sure, Commander Asher showed up to unravel the same thread they were following. But he may have been pushing himself. Their traitor had been discovered but remained at large. And worst of all? They hadn't known the scope of Slick's plan until it was too late.
They followed the traitor to the gunships, assuming he was escaping; he was not. Instead of Slick, they found explosives. Not just one, but several. Their AT-TEs, the barracks, and the entire weapons depot went up in flames!
Christophsis was not under Republic control yet, and may never be now. No one could admire the sunrise when the fire was all around them.
But Cody knew as much as the ARC did that they were far from done. Their brothers, loyal as they are, were all around. One was bound to have noticed the rogue. When the news came to Cody and Rex, they ignored the jolts coursing through their bodies and ran to the command center.
On their way, Appo finally caught up. That's when Cody discovered that Commander Asher would be useless from then on. He played his part, melodramatic as it was. Before they entered the room, Rex turned his comlink on, smirking at his companions. This ARC Trooper was a peculiar one, but he got results. Cody knew to trust Rex.
The doors slid open, and with the ease of a soldier on edge, they searched every corner of the Command Center, watching each other's back. The defect Clone was nowhere to be seen. While they crept with blasters pointed forward, Cody recalled how Asher suggested they think like the traitor to understand his movements. The silver lining was revealed when they were reminded that Slick was a Clone, so Cody tried it.
"Imagine you're Slick right now," Cody began. "What are you thinking?"
"My cover's blown: gotta leave," Appo answered absentmindedly.
Rex crouched in front of the holoprojector, "Only a ship's too obvious," Rex rolled his eyes and, for two seconds, lingered upward. Cody followed his gaze and, within the vent, glimpsed what looked to be a tuft of hair. Cody turned to Appo on the opposite end of the projector, nodded to the vent, and with a peek, Appo caught on.
"We're blind!" Appo exclaimed, his lips quirking upward.
"The entire security system could go down any second!" Rex followed suit.
Cody made his gamble, "Yeah, only he'd expect us to know that." The Commander laid his blaster on the projector and turned to the maps. The stare he gave his brothers was all the confirmation he needed: they knew what to do.
"Then again," Appo rolled his eyes, "maybe not."
"Let's go, Sergeant!" Rex made sure not to sound too phony.
"Head to the south exit," Cody commanded, his voice crisp.
"You'll stay in the Command center?" Rex articulated the last words louder for his comm to pick up.
"Yeah, I'll get the power back up." If this doesn't fool him, nothing will, Cody thought.
Appo and Rex stood quietly by the door as it shut. After a few seconds, the gamble paid off. The Clones knew that if they were in Slick's position, they'd be just as desperate as he was.
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The explosions nearly made me heave. Of course, I wasn't going to admit that. The cool air made me slightly shiver from my crate. I sat there, a canteen in one hand and the other grasping my arm. The sickness was fading by now, so the Clone medic could be helpful elsewhere. The flames had my attention as they covered most of the vehicular weaponry.
And I wondered, is this my fault?
Instead of asking for Appo, Cody, or Rex to open Slick's locker, I tried picking it. And then, Slick came in knowing what I was doing, and I tried playing cool, anyway. And, of course, the limited skills of a Padawan on his first mission are nothing compared to the drive of a Clone Trooper, apparently.
Casually dropping a flash bomb? Disorienting me with that drug? How would it have ended if those three hadn't shown up? More importantly, why didn't I just ask for help? ...The answer's on my tongue, but this drug makes me feel like it's in my toes.
That's when my comlink beeped. I answered the thing, but no one answered me. Curious, I put my ear closer to hear the tiniest shuffling sounds. The gruff voice of a Clone told me to be slick.
I already am if that comlink idea says anything, I thought with pride. Then I realized that these voices meant Slick, the traitor. Appo, Cody, and Rex were speaking to each other, and they wanted me to listen!
One of them brought up 'Command center' louder than it had any right to be. My path was set.
"Why do I love double meanings?" I said as I got off the crate. Every Clone around me was busy with something; they wouldn't notice me. At least, I don't think they will. Quickly now, to the command center. But steady on, my face can only take so much.
By the time I was walking in the halls, my comm had given me the good news. Slick was in there with them, and those Clones had captured him. Nice to have a reason to rest on the wall for a little while, a chance to breathe and knock away my headache. No, knocking makes it worse; soothing is a better word.
"YOU'RE TRAITORS!"
The muffled, scuffling sounds had my hairs on end; a battle! Then, a high-pitched hiss could be heard, followed by a brief yell.
Everything told me to start running— to defeat Slick! I flung myself off the wall, picking up my pace to my destination. Any other time, I'd laugh at how my legs seemed to bounce in every direction— and I think I did— but it frustrated me. I couldn't have another failure, not now!
"Such a thing as running! I won't lose!" I grunted, my hands keeping my face away from the floor. Focus and vigilance, Master Yoda would say. Focus and vigilance will give me my speed back. My speed...
No more veering off from a narrow path. Not the pace of a Hutt; the twists and turns would not bring me down. Nothing as minor as this!
"Forward!" I cried, "Forward goes Zakriahs!"
And finally, I was dashing with the Force to help the Clones. Everything else became a blur once I found it: the doors slid open to reveal Slick right in front of me.
"SLICK!" I yelled and trusted both arms forward to Force-push him into the wall. With a breath, I felt his consciousness slip away, and I heard a groan that was not his. Rex tried to lift himself from the ground on the far left: I was by his side in an instant.
"My leg!" He cried, "Piece'a rankweed got my leg!"
I observed the damage: his femur had been dislocated from his hip. The process of putting it back in place would have to be a quick and painful one. Then again, there was an alternative...
I turned to see Cody walking behind me, "You a healer, kid?" I nodded, "Then you know what to do."
My stomach dropped as he put me on the spot. I shook my head, "I'm, I'm not sure if I can—"
Then, I felt a hand grasp my forearm.
"I believe in you," Rex gritted softly. My mouth went dry, and I licked my lips. Then I took another breath and placed my hands near the injury. My eyes closed...
Despite not touching the man's skin, his pain called to me as if it were my own. Focus returned to me once more; flowing outward with the Force, the Clone's dislocated bones eased themselves back into place. The melodic feeling of the Force answering the request of its young vessel transpired in this small room.
Nothing else mattered: no fears, no uneasiness; only the student utilizing the teachings he dedicated himself to at the request of an ancient teacher, saving a soul younger than him to fight for a home. All healers aspired to this; why should he be any different?
The silence in the room passed, and the student, I mean, I opened my eyes. Rex had already hopped to his feet.
"Thanks." He nodded with a grin. He and Cody woke Appo from unconsciousness, "Let's keep this to ourselves, though, eh? I'll never hear the end of how an ARC Trooper lost to a Sergeant."
The three Clones shared a good chuckle, then Appo walked over to retrieve Slick.
"ARC Trooper?" I asked.
Rex paused, staring at me before answering, "Advanced Recon Commander."
"Oh. Okay."
"Sorry for stunning you," Cody said to Appo, seemingly trying to ignore Slick.
"Eh," Appo shrugged, restraining the traitor, "He's better than we give him credit for. In combat, that is."
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A pile of bad moments can create a bad day, and Obi-Wan understood that better than anyone. But now they know what's coming and what was waiting: the Rattataki assassin, Assaj Ventress. It seemed the Sith Acolyte was only there to stall them, yet Obi-Wan's instincts felt something larger afoot.
Perhaps the large army was making him feel uneasy; the number of droids couldn't be scoffed at. Though, considering their problem from before, Obi-Wan knew better than to have doubt. When he returned to the base, his fears were proven true.
The majority of their tanks and gunships had all been exterminated. He and Anakin were fools to leave at such a critical hour. Worse still, it wasn't some random Republic officer but a Clone Trooper! The very same type of soldier the Kaminoans reassured him would be 'totally obedient.'
His feelings on the moral implications aside, Obi-Wan knew it should have been impossible. Then again, this war seemed to churn out all sorts of surprises.
When he and Anakin returned, they were greeted by the sight of Appo and Rex holding a green-colored Trooper, with Cody and the Padawan lingering behind them. Cody had the usual stern face he wore, his eyebrows crinkling more than usual.
And Zakriahs had perhaps the oddest expression he'd seen from him yet: the total absence of one. His complexion was paler than average, and his eyes opened completely to stare into space. Most Jedi wear faces that portray their serenity: no emotion but peace, and somehow there was neither; Obi-Wan would have compared it to trying to read Shaak Ti or Plo Koon if his brows weren't raised as high.
As for the apprehended Trooper, this was no doubt their traitor. Obi-Wan recalled the list of the dead, knowing only one green Trooper could be left on this planet. To know that all this commotion, all their problems, could be traced back to Slick...
Anakin was undoubtedly taken aback by this turn of events; he had fought and saved so many Troopers that this seemed almost comical. Surprisingly, it wasn't any of the Troopers, not even Slick himself, that explained why. Zakriahs pushed himself off the wall and stood between them.
"The first time I met you," He said in a crisp, drawling voice, "was insignificant, yet in hindsight, it was...not everything, but it means a lot. You were the first to be notified of our departure and were present when we discussed what parts of the city we'd trek. It would have been simple to have contacted someone and sent droids to our location, and two Jedi would die, and it would have been seen as an unfortunate tragedy.
"But that is just happenstance, unremarkable. Not enough to incriminate you, but if it's married with everything else... The blaster is too clumsy and wouldn't meet its mark had you shot one of us; no, you had to be subtle in your approach. But a combination of stims and bacta would be a quick and easy way to dispose of somebody who got too close. All we would have to do is inhale it, and down we'd go—case in point," His hand moved above his head and pointed downward, "I'll probably never live this down. And at the beginning of my career too!"
Obi-Wan and Anakin watched as he paced in a small circle, his former student undoubtedly witnessing the same thing Obi-Wan saw. The face Obi-Wan would have when Anakin surprised and impressed him— the Jedi Master saw the tiniest hint of it in Anakin's face.
"The lack of green Sergeants was definitely something you could have done without. Simple, it is to acquire a white set of armor from the dead. You wanted us to see a Trooper in plain colors and be free of suspicion. Just as you were the first besides the medic to notice the missing medical supplies. Since you were the first, that frees you from unwanted eyes."
Slick's brow twitched at his emphasis on that word.
"Your biggest boon, I feel, wasn't me or anyone else: it was the last possible second. The last second really hates you, doesn't it? My presence, Anakin's improvisation, your slippery tongue, these three following after me, and finally, my well-timed intrusion into the command center. The last second delivers nothing but hardship and misery for you. So why? That vexes me; why did you go through all of this? What could you earn besides the deaths of these troopers? Your brothers?"
Slick straightened his posture and stared into Zakriahs green eyes, "Guess I shouldn't be surprised that a Jedi wouldn't get it, much less a child." He snarled breathlessly, "How do you feel to be a slaver, Padawan?! Because that's all you Jedi are! Your every command, on our knees!" He hung his head, "All I wanted was something more."
Despite the cracking waver in Slick's voice, he grunted when Appo's hand gripped his arm.
"And to get that 'something more,' you had to put us all at risk," Appo explained with a snide tone. Obi-Wan could swear by now Slick was close to tears.
"I..." His voice shook, "I love my brothers... You don't see it now, but I know you're not blind. I was striking a blow for Clones everywhere!"
Appo shook his head, "You're a traitor,"
"You put us all at risk." Cody finally said.
Rex remained silent before he motioned for the Troopers behind, "Take him away."
During Slick's speech, Obi-Wan could sense the emotions of both his students. Anakin bristled when he heard the word 'slaver,' but there was no yell. Possibly because all the lessons he taught him were paying off, but realistically, Obi-Wan knew what Anakin knew: there was no argument.
As for Zakriahs, his emotions were evident. They were easy to sense: first, there was shock, then growing dread, his mind searching for something— anything— to respond with, and finally, sadness. Zakriahs' looked to the approaching Troopers as if searching for something to say. Before Appo and Rex were relieved, Zakriahs blurted out the last thing anyone expected to hear.
"Sorry, Slick!"
Zakriahs ignored all the looks he received and even stopped the Slick's escorts. The Padawan's frame went rigid, and he kept his eyes on the ground.
"I... I'm sorry..." He looked at the Trooper, "for Force-pushing you into the wall."
Slick's eyes had widened after being half-lidded for so long. His jaw clenched as if digesting Zakriahs' words. After a moment, Obi-Wan saw Slick's dim eyes dampen with brightness for the first time.
"Yeah," His lip quirked upward, "so am I... For the flash bomb and the... stuff."
Zakriahs nodded, his downtrodden face hanging once again. Slick was then escorted to a secure area.
Obi-Wan leaned in to say something, but the Padawan waved him off. Zakriahs gestured for Rex to say something, and the ARC reported their cannons being the only heavy weapons that survived. Obi-Wan shared a look with Anakin, dark expressions present.
"The battle goes on, gentlemen," Anakin said at last before turning briskly in the other direction. Obi-Wan knew he'd have to say something to Zakriahs, but Anakin was right.
Now, however, Obi-Wan felt his Padawan had indeed learned something today. For better or worse, lessons like these would not end.