Chapter Text
This was not how things were supposed to go. You had expected the worst but not this worst. He was getting away. Palpatine was winning.
You stare off, stunned, into blank space and think back to how all this happened.
*****
“Rex. Be serious and think. If you are in there with us and he says something, you will be lost to me in the space of a second. I can’t do it.” You look at the ground in despair.
Rex just calmly takes your hand. “ Cyar’ika . We fight together on this. Besides, he can’t control me anymore.” Rex places your hand on a fresh scar hidden by his hair.
Your eyes widened. “What? How? When?”
You cup your hand around Rex’s head as he explains about the new regulation.
“It’s slow going. Only around a hundred of us have them out. Wolffe, Cody, Fox, and I were some of the first ones. We need a better solution that won’t attract his attention and get more brothers free.” Rex rests his hand on the back of yours.
Your mind races. “I… I might have an idea. Did you know the Jedi temple was built over a mountain? There are lots of hidden away gems underneath the main areas like, for example, a door into the temple without any guards patrolling it and an abandoned healing hall. I think they used it for Darksiders who wanted to come back to the light but had trouble.”
“ Cyare , you are amazing.” Rex kissed your forehead before hugging you tightly. “How soon can you bring Kix and a few medics there and show them around?”
“As soon as we have a break from all this fighting.” You sigh. “I’m getting tired of fighting.”
“Stay strong, Cyar’ika . We are almost done. We are almost done.”
*****
Rex’s voice reaches your ears. He called your name frantically. You blink sleepy eyes open and turn over on your bed to face your thrashing Captain.
“Rex. I’m right here. I’m alright.” You caress his short blonde hair. “ Cyar’ika. Udesiir, udesiir Alor’ad .” You murmur in Mando’a to Rex until his eyes shoot open and he seems to curl into your arms.
“Sorry. Nightmare.” He gasps for breath.
“Want to talk about it?” You keep running your hands over Rex’s head and humming deep in your chest.
Rex’s hand comes up and rests over your heart on your sternum. It wasn’t like that. This was comfort. Making sure your heart was still beating and you were still breathing. That you were still whole and alive.
“I can’t let you go in there alone.” Rex’s voice was soft in the quiet of your room. “I dreamed that you went in without me and he got you right here. You cried out for me but I couldn’t hear you. I wasn’t there. Cyar’ika , please. I need to be with you.”
You hold back your sigh. Ever since that planning session at the Author’s home that the men crashed, you and Rex had been arguing on whether or not Rex was going to be confronting the bastard alongside you.
You had denied his request because of the fear you felt. You were working on letting go of your stubbornness, but fear was a huge contributor to it.
You take a small breath in before speaking. “You know, it’s different seeing it on a movie screen. Someone dies on screen and ninety percent of the time it’s all ‘no big deal, the actor lives it’s just a show.’ Having met Aayla Secura and Plo Koon and many others that I saw die on that screen, it’s different. It’s made me more frightened because I have seen one possible way they die. Even you guys are different. Each and every one of you has a presence in the Force and you shine like lighthouses in the darkness of a stormy sea.”
“What’s a lighthouse?” Rex traced a line across your collarbone before flattening his hand back over your heart.
“On my planet, we have a bit of everything terrain wise. We have deserts in some areas like Tatooine and Jakku. We have rainforests like the Wookies homeworld and even icy tundras like Hoth. But we also have oceans. Massive oceans. About two-thirds of my planet’s surface is covered in water. Storms are nightmares for sailors. The coastline has rocky beaches and coves that would have huge boulders just ready to shred their boats against them. Lighthouses are pretty much what is in the name. They were buildings with tall towers on top that used a light and mirror system to project their light over the water. When the lighthouse was on, sailors knew that there were rocks nearby and to be cautious. It’s a warning system.”
Rex just listened quietly as you talked about your homeworld.
“You miss it.” He sounded resigned. “If you could go back to it and everything would be as if you never left, would you go back?”
You had to think about that for a moment. Rex seemed to be pulling away from you. You reach out and grab his hands. “Never.” You swear. “Why would I want to, when you wouldn’t be there. Well, you would but it wouldn’t be the actual you. It would just be you on a screen and that would be the biggest heartbreaking thing of all. Because my heart would remember you but all I would have are these short little glimpses. As cliche as this sounds, you have my heart Captain and I don’t think I will ever want it back.”
Rex pulls you into his body and hides his face in your neck. “ Ni kar’tayl gar darasuum, ner atin Jetii .”
“ Gar darasuum, ner udesla Alor’ad .”
You spend the rest of the night quietly talking about the pros and cons of the different terrains and living on them.
******
You punch in the code for the lower levels to the temple and wait impatiently for the door to open. You discreetly check out those around you in the Force. A group of clones was headed your way.
You enter the lower floors, holding the door open for the troopers. You recognize parts of Ghost and Torrent company.
“Hello, boys.” You nod at them in greeting.
The rusty elevator comes rumbling up its tract. You step in with Jesse, Hardcase, Boil, and Longshot.
“Sir?” Jesse speaks up. “Do you know why the Captain told us to come here?”
The doors close behind you and you descend into the darkness. You sigh. How to begin this?
With a wry twist of your lips, you decide to take the Traveler’s well-defended path. “How much do you know of your maker, Jango Fett?”
“Not much, Sir?” Longshot seemed confused. “He mainly worked with our Commander and the other CC’s before he died.”
You sigh. “The Jedi are not perfect. As much as I hate to admit it, we do fuck up occasionally.”
“Sir?” Jesse sounded like he wanted to protest what you were saying.
“Have you ever heard of the planet Galidraan?” You lean back as the elevator slowly goes down.
“Sir? Do I need to get a medic? You are not making any sense.” Jesse was undoubtedly worried about you.
“Jango Fett was Manda’lor of the True Mandalorians. As you know Mandalore is in a civil war between the Dutchess and Death Watch. There was a third faction called the Haat Mando’ade . Jango Fett was their leader. Death Watch thought they were getting too powerful and went through a local politician who then hired the True Mandalorians to take care of a rioting issue. The politician then contacted the Jedi and claimed there were people attacking his citizens.” You begin your story with deep regret coating your words.
“Sir? I don’t know what that has to do with us being here?” Hardcase bounced on his feet.
“It was a setup.” You keep at it with your story. “There were no riots and the True Mandalorians were not attacking the people but the Jedi rushed in and we karked up. It was a slaughter. The Jedi attacked the True Mandalorians without fact-checking beforehand and people paid the price. The only Mandalorian survivor of that battle was Jango Fett. Hundreds of Mandalorians were there and there was only one survivor. Jango was carted off by the politician after the Jedi left and was sold into slavery. And we didn’t care enough to check on him. Jango swore vengeance on the Jedi.”
“Then why did he agree to make us?” It seemed that at least Boil came to the right conclusion because he swore. “ Haar’chak! What did he do to us? What did he let them do?” Boil demanded.
You sag against the wall. Your shoulders slumped. “The Jedi did not order you guys. Master Syfo-Dias was dead long before you guys were even made. It was Dooku. Dooku paid for you to start a war with this Republic.”
“Why?” Longshot looked between his fuming brother and you.
“That’s a long and complicated story that we won’t go into today. Now is not the time. Just know that Jango agreed for revenge. Each one of you has a microchip in your head that will cause you to turn on your Jedi and kill them given the right order. You won’t even know you are doing it because it will take over everything you are.” You wait for their reactions.
“Tup,” Hardcase said with a horrible realization. “And Fives?”
You blink back tears. “Yes. That’s partly how we found out. Tup’s chip malfunctioned. When he went to Kamino they ‘decommissioned’ him.” You spit the words out. “Fives found out about the chips and tried to take it to someone he shouldn’t have. He was killed because of it.”
“I want mine out.” Boil demanded slowly.
The members of the 501st were in pain. You could feel their hurt and loss through the Force.
To your horror, you couldn’t keep the tears back. They spilled down your cheeks. “I-I’m so sorry. I tried to save them. But I was out on a mission and I missed the whole thing.”
“Commander?” The men shifted uncomfortably.
You laughed through your tears as Longshot, Boil, and Jesse stepped away and shoved Hardcase towards you.
“I’m alright.” You wipe your face as the elevator opens. “Kix and the other medics have been working to get this little area up and running.” You lead the way down the dusty halls into the abandoned healing rooms.
“I need you guys to spread the word and have as many as you can fit, come here and get their chips removed. The Commanders and I know who the Sith Master in charge of this war is and there is going to be a final battle. The Sith is the one who holds the list of orders to give. It is mandatory that if you are going to be in the final battle, that your chip must be removed. One word from this Sith and you will be lost like that.” You snap your fingers for emphasis.
“But I don’t understand. Why did Dooku have us made just to be on the opposite side of the war?” Longshot eyed the medics moving in the rooms up ahead.
“That falls into the long and complicated story from before. Get your chips out if you want and someone will fill you in later.” You wave them towards the doors. The four clones step through.
You remain in the halls. “I know you are there, Master Windu.”
Master Windu greets you by your title. “It seems you have been holding back some vital information. It’s a nice operation you have going.”
You give him an unimpressed look. “Pun intended?”
Mace just stares at you. “Come with me. We need to have a talk. I think a walk back to the main levels should be long enough.”
“As you request, Master.” You bow and follow the Jedi Master down the halls. You tell him the same story you told the clones.
Master Windu demands the full story. You com Rex and tell him you will be late back to your rooms. This is going to be a long day.
*****
You manage to convince Master Windu to not inform the council. You reasoned it by saying they will most likely jump the gun and cause their destruction earlier than planned. You asked him to wait until the clones were unchipped before telling the council. You try to convince him you were not a double agent and the Force (thankfully) backs you up.
Master Windu asked what your plan was. You tell him the bare bones of it.
The Jedi Master says nothing as he leads you through a hidden passage that comes out near the Knight rooms.
“I will meditate on this… distressing news. Stay safe,” Master Windu says your title with a nod before heading down the hall. “Oh, and tell Captain Rex I say hello.”
You stare slack-jawed at the man briskly walking away from you. You laugh under your breath. Mace Windu was a badass.
You quickly make your way out of the temple and back to the barracks.
“ Cyar’ika ? Everything okay?” Rex was talking with Kix.
“Are we subtle? Master Windu told me to tell you that he says hi. This was after I told him I was heading for my rooms for the night.” You sink into Rex’s side.
“You’re about as subtle as General Skywalker, sir.” Kix piped up. “When you are off duty that is.”
“Great.” You would have thrown your hands up but that would require you to take them off your Captain. “Please tell me that I am not as dramatic as him.”
Kix seemed to be hiding a smirk. “Well, Commander… you did make a scene worthy of a holodrama when you got together with the Captain. I don’t think even General Kenobi could have made a better scene if he tried.”
Rex blanches and you giggle. “I don’t think Rex would like it if Master Obi-wan did that.”
“I didn’t mean it like that!” Kix protested.
You just keep laughing at the sick look on Rex’s face and the disgruntled look on the medic’s.
“Commander, I expect you in for a check-up within the next week.” Kix tried to change the topic.
You sighed. “Do I have to?”
“Yes, Commander. You will go or I will drag you there myself and as a medic, I outrank you when your health is at risk.” Kix nearly growled.
“She’s fine.” Rex protested.
Kix gave you a pointed look.
You sigh. Kix was right. You had been off for a few days. Damn medics and their keen gazes.
“Alright, fine. I’ll see you in a week.” You whine. “Can we please go to bed now? I’ve had a long day.”
“Before a week.” Kix insisted. Kix shook his head and stalked off muttering under his breath about stupid people who never took his advice.
***
You kick your feet in the air as you sulk on the gurney.
Kix had given you a thorough exam and declared you healthy if not a bit stressed.
"We're fighting a war, Kix. Of course, I am stressed." You snap.
"No breaks on your knuckles. Nice to know the Captain is teaching you to wrap your hands." Kix murmured to himself as he checked off a list. "Are you using protection?"
Your jaw drops. "Excuse me?"
“Protection. Are you using it?”
Kix’s words made your brain stall for a moment. You grunt and cross your arms over your chest. “I don’t see how that is any of your business.”
“It is my business because as much as I would love to be a ba’vodu , we don’t need that kind of issue right now.” Kix clicked his stylus and looked at you over the top of a datapad. “So, protection? What kind are you using?”
You huff. “You should tell Anakin to use protection. Maybe then we wouldn’t have this big of a mess on our hands.” You mutter.
Kix doesn’t react and just stares at you. He barely even blinks.
The silence gets to you. “Fine.” You glare at him. “I have an implant. All Jedi females are supposed to get one when they hit puberty and are expected to keep it up to date. I’m supposed to get a new one in a couple of months. Is that enough for you, Doctor?”
Kix ignores your sarcasm and writes on the datapad. “Okay. You are good to go. Please keep wrapping your hands in the future and make sure you come by to get a new implant before the old one wears off.”
“Sir, yes, sir.” You snap a lazy salute and hop down from the gurney.
Kix smirks a little bit. “Tell the Captain I want to see him shortly.”
You leave the medbay, slightly traumatized by the experience. Since when did Kix care about your ‘adult activities’?
A shudder runs through you at the thought of Kix being your GYN. Just no. He’s a good medic, but no.
But maybe, at a later date, he could be your OBGYN? Much later though. Maybe then you would be comfortable with the thought.
First, though, you needed to take down the Sith.
******
You plop down on the couch in the empty rec room on the Resolute. You lay back into the cushions and groan.
“How are things going on your end?” The Singer pops up on a holo call with the Author next to her.
“Terrible. Kix says I am too stressed and then went on to terrorize both me and Rex about protection.” You shudder. “It’s horrible.”
“Which is it? Terrible or horrible? Besides, we weren’t asking about that.” The Traveler flops down on the arm of the couch. “We meant with the clones. How many battalions have gotten their chips out?”
The 212th and 501st were on their way to yet another battle. Rex and Cody were both in meetings with Anakin and Obi-wan.
“I think Bly and Ponds have managed to get almost all of their men down there. Ponds more so than Bly. Fox has all of his unchipped and we are working on getting Gree on board.” The Author explains. “Wolffe I think has half of his men with the other half waiting until their next leave.”
“That’s not all.” The Singer sits forward. “Let the countdown begin because I saw the Senator today and she was glowing. That’s all I’m gonna say. She seemed happy and tired at the same time. She looked about four months along, which gives us four more months before E-day.”
You curse. “Okay.” You sit up as your mind begins to furiously turn. “Okay. Four months. We can handle this. We can handle this.”
You scrub your hands over your eyes. “Start setting up your dates for the rally and your book signing. Get everything set up. Posters for the rally and tables and things for the book signing. Spread the word to the men. In four months the final battle will be here.”
“Hey. Take it easy.” The Traveler stops you with her hands on your shoulders. “Do you want to go back to Kix?”
“No.” You shudder in remembrance of your last visit with the medic.
“Then take a deep breath. You have us three and our Commanders and all their men to help you. You don’t need to take this all on alone. Let us help. That is what we are here for.” The Traveller shakes you once before letting go.
“If you would have said ‘You are not alone’ and then proceeded to turn into a psychotic Time Lord I would have had a heart attack.” You blink at the Traveller in amusement.
“Whoa! Let’s focus on one sci-fi show at a time.” The Traveller teased. “But seriously, you are not alone in this. You have all of us. So… take it easy before you have a mental break and Kix would be forced to sedate you.”
You shudder. “Kix scares me sometimes. If the medics wanted, they could totally take over the GAR.”
“I know. The 212th head medic is scary enough.” The Traveller eases the conversation away from the impending day of battle.
You spend the rest of the time you have with them, teasing the Singer and the Author, teaming up with the Traveller.
*****
Four months passed by in a blur. Soon, the day arrived. You were armed with your lightsaber and the Force. You had your team by your side. Rex, Cody, the Traveller and a few 212th men. You think Boil is one of them.
Fox wanted to be with you but something with bad timing showed up and he was forced to drop back to be with the Author.
“Cyar’ika? Are you ready?” Rex was at your side.
None of the Jedi stood by you. You didn’t tell Anakin for a reason. He would have defended the Chancellor and would have warned him. Anakin was in too deep to see clearly.
“As ready as I’ll ever be, Cyare.” You pull Rex down into a kiss. A bad feeling welled in your gut and you had the horrible inkling that you might not see Rex for a while. “ Ni kar’tayl gar darasuum, ner udesla Alor’ad. K’oyacyi!”
Rex spoke your name slowly. “Whatever you are planning, I expect you to be alive at the end of it. Promise me that you will be alive at the end of this.”
You just stare sadly at him and cup his cheek. You press your forehead to his desperately before the elevator pings open and you march down the hall to face your enemy.
Rex calls your name once before loading his pistols.
The fight breaks out after some goading of information that is recorded in a few helmets.
Rex’s cry of your name is what you hear when you are flung into several walls and crack your head on the durasteel. Blaster fire rained down and you caught the sight of your captain being flung to the side.
You whimper and everything falls to black.