Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I'm afraid I don't understand.”

General Skywalker tilts his head to the side.

“Which part?”

“Everything,” Rex confesses.

All three of them - General Kenobi, General Skywalker and Commander Tano stand in front of him, watching him closely. Their gaze is slightly different - Ahsoka smiles slightly, while Kenobi is a bit more serious. They are both as determined as General Skywalker.

Rex and Kix stand side by side, trying very hard to understand what they’re saying to them. They hear the words but… without Kix Rex would be lost.

He needs Kix next to him. He needs someone to confirm that what he hears is real.

“We’re thinking about creating a Rebellion,” says Commander Tano calmly, as if she is not persuading him to betray the Republic. “The Rebel Alliance, more precisely.”

“Padmé came up with the name,” adds General Skywalker with a hint of pride in his voice. “In short, we would like to call it the Alliance.”

“I understood that much,” Rex says, feeling his head start to hurt. “But what for?”

He had long ago stopped questioning his General's orders or trying to understand some of his decisions… but this?

This isn't a situation where he can just shrug and blame it on “Jedi osik”. No, it's not something that can be explained so easily. What the Generals and Commander are presenting to him is treason. There are no other words for it.

When General Skywalker asked him for help on a private matter, Rex was convinced that it would be a matter of hiding his talks with Senator Amidala from General Kenobi. This was a normal thing to be asked for.

But creating the Rebel Alliance? Betraying the Republic?

No, Rex would never have imagined that the Generals and Commander might ask him for something like this.

“So…” Rex says, trying to get his headache under control. “You want to create this Alliance and then? What do you want to use it for? I doubt you’re trying to become a Separatist.”

At least he hopes so.

He’s not sure if the Republic would survive the war had the Generals and Commander joined the Separatists.

“No, we’re not,” says Commander Tano, looking for General Kenobi for confirmation. “Right?”

“We’re not going to become Separatists, do not worry,” General Kenobi smiles at her, making her relax slightly.

Thanks to the stars above. At least they’re not totally crazy.

Because they are crazy, all three of them (there’s a reason why some clones call them Disaster Trio when no one is looking). But it’s good to know they’re not crazy enough to betray the Republic.

But wait, they do want to betray the Republic, don’t they?

“Our little… let’s call it Alliance, have a little different goal. Don’t get me wrong, captain, we wish to remain a part of the Republic. However, recently we met with a… situation that made us think that maybe not everything in the Republic works as it should.”

Rex raises an eyebrow, waiting for the next part.

“We know there are clones who aren't satisfied with the position they're in,” General Kenobi says, choosing his words carefully. “Personally, I have only seen one such situation where the clones have given it to us directly, but I believe there are more of them.”

Rex stiffens. He knows General Kenobi must be talking about Slick.

Slick was… Rex doesn't know exactly what to think about him. He can't say Slick was wrong - because there was some truth in his words, no, Slick was telling only the truth - but his actions put the brothers at risk. They made dozens of people die. He'd betrayed them and said he was working for the clones, but in the reality, he was only thinking about himself and his own freedom.

And yet, he was right.

The clones are not free. They never really were, even though Rex is trying very hard not to think about it.

‘We'd like to find such people,” General Kenobi looks him in the eyes. “Those who feel that the Republic has treated them inappropriately. Those who want to break free but don't know how.”

“We don't need to ‘be free’,” objects Kix. “We're doing our duty.”

Rex nods, agreeing with his brother's words. They never really thought of "freedom". They exist to serve. They exist to fight. It is for this purpose that they were created.

If they fail to fulfill their purpose, what will they be?

“But nobody pays you,” remarks Ahsoka. “You were made to fight, but nobody asked you if you wanted to fight. Surely there are many of you who don't want to fight.”

And she is right. Rex knows they are really none other than slaves to the Republic - but do they have any other choice? They know no other life than fighting. They were made for this war.

(Rex tries so hard not to think about what will happen when the war is over.)

Even if - purely theoretically - they deserted, what next? The Republic will pursue them, and their brothers will fight anyway. So they must fight because they cannot stand idle while their brothers shed their blood. They all have the same goal - to protect the Republic.

“We don't want you to do anything personally,” says Ahsoka quickly. “The only thing we ask of you is to think about it, just think. Maybe they are clones that would like to leave the Republic or would need help, and yet are unable to publicly ask for it. If you know someone like them, send them to us. It’ll be enough. We'll do the rest.”

Rex and Kix exchange glances.

“Okay, before we say anything… I’m not saying we’re agreeing on this plan, because we’re not, not yet anyway…But why?” Rex asks after a long time. “Where did you get this idea?”

General Skywalker just shrugs.

“I was born a slave,” he says calmly, as if talking about the weather. Rex stiffens. No one told him about this. “ The Jedi found me when I was nine, but in some ways, we’re the same. I’m able to fully understand the feeling when you have to obey others and when you don't have any other choice. When no one asks you for your opinion, only give orders.”

For a moment, Rex feels as if something else is lurking beneath those words - something that makes General Kenobi look away - but it all disappears with General Skywalker's next words.

“Besides, I had a dream. I wanted to become a Jedi and free the slaves. I become a Jedi, but I had not yet freed the slaves. I think we can start with you.”

Rex doesn't agree or reject this plan, and neither does Kix. They need time to think it over, they know it even now.

“Got it,” says Rex. “And if I'm allowed to ask, why… now? With all due respect, the war started years ago. You've had a long time to notice that something is wrong, but you are only acting now?”

He notices the pain that passes through General Kenobi's eyes, but the man hides it quickly, so quickly that Rex is not sure if he imagined it.

“We recently learned something that proved to me how blind I was to the actions of the Order and the Senate,” General Kenobi says. “And… a certain person brought to my attention the problem of slavery that still exists in the Republic.”

“Slavery is illegal in the Republic,” Rex objects, repeating the words he has been told so many times.

“And yet there are ways to make a man a slave in anything but name,” General Skywalker looks up, looking him straight in the eye. “We cannot help everyone, not everyone wants our help and not everyone needs this help... but if there are those who would like it, I think we should give it to them.”

Rex and Kix exchange glances. Again. Which time they’re doing this?

“Purely theoretically,” Kix begins, “what exactly are you able to do?”

“Purely theoretically,” General Skywalker replies, “we know a certain person who knows many ways to leave the Republic without being captured. There are safe planets, places beyond the control of the Republic.”

“Purely theoretically,” adds Ahsoka “we know a certain person who is able to encode a signal so that the Republic does not intercept it so that you can communicate with each other.”

“At least we can try to do that,” General Kenobi corrects her. “Purely theoretically, however, it is possible. Purely theoretically, we can also describe the course of battles a bit differently and make the report of losses show a bit more names than they should.”

“Not much, however,” General Skywalker points out immediately. “Too much would attract unnecessary attention. But if that were a reasonable number… yes, it is possible.”

“Purely in theory,” Rex keeps his eyes on him “what would happen to those clones that would decide to take part in this?”

“Purely theoretically, it would be up to them. But the general idea is to send them somewhere far away where no one will recognize them or where they can live in peace. If necessary, we know a certain person who knows someone who would be able to issue the necessary documents. Purely theoretically, of course.”

“I see,” Rex nods.

He already knows everything he needs.

“And you would need our help, because...?” Kix looks expectantly at the two Generals and one Commander standing in front of them.

“Because not every fight can be won alone,” General Kenobi replies. “This idea… It's just an idea, a proposition. We do not even know if there is a need for such actions.”

“And we think clones will be more likely to turn to their brethren for help,” adds General Skywalker. “Slaves tend to be wary of the freeman.”

Rex stiffens.

“We're not slaves.”

“If you say so,” agrees General Skywalker. “But perhaps there are some of vod’e who think of themselves that way. If they are, we'd like to talk to them.”

Kix opens his mouth as if to say something, but closes it. He is silent for some time. He glances at Rex, who nods as he recognizes the look.

“Give us some time,” he asks.

“As much as you need,” Ahsoka smiles slightly at him. “But whatever your decision, tell us what you will do.”

“We’ll do it,” Rex replies with a smile. However, he cannot smile for too long. “Commander, do you know that if we tell someone about this, you might be in trouble?”

Is it his imagination or is General Kenobi just looking like he's trying his best to keep from looking at General Skywalker?

“We know,” the man says. “But I trust you. I believe you won't betray us.”

“Because we won't,” Rex replies.

This is a truth - what they want to do, while it is a treason of the Republic… well, it’s not such a horrible betrayal that Rex must go with this to other Generals.

Besides, the fact that Jetii turned to him with their proposition, makes him feel a kind of… pride? Gratitude? They trusted him enough that he was the first person they thought of - though perhaps, now that he thinks about it, General Kenobi is probably going to ask Cody as well.

But this doesn’t matter.

At the moment, he and Kix have to make a decision and what to do about it.

Kix closes the door behind him.

“So what do you think?” He asks, leaning against the wall. “Are they telling the truth?”

“General Skywalker has never deceived us before,” says Rex. “I think they really want to do this.”

They look at each other.

“This is treason,” Kix says after a long time.

“Yes,” Rex admits. “We should report it.”

Silence.

“Some of our brothers don't want to fight,” says Kix, “there are more of them than I like”

“If everyone quits, who will fight? You know full well the Republic won't let all of us just get away. They'll kill us or give us back to Kamino. Besides, many of our brothers want to fight.”

“Yes,” admits Kix. “Most of them, yes.”

Silence.

“But there are some who shouldn't fight. People who want something other than constant struggle.”

“The Republic won't help us leave.”

“Not everyone.”

“Yes,” Rex confirms slowly. “But if the Generals and Commander really can do what they promised... it might be possible. For a few. It doesn't cost us that much, but if it could save a few lives…”

“Lives that would later save multitudes of other lives.”

There is no way to argue with that. Rex's hand tightens on the blaster he carries with him. The truth is, they need every human being. There are never enough of them.

But why should they fight for those for whom they aren't even human?

On the other hand, Jetii has always been nice to them. Nobody asked them if they wanted to fight. They were just sent to war, made soldiers. And Jetii must be very desperate because they are sending the children to fight as well.

If the children fight, how can they, the clones, give up the fight? How can they run away and forsake their brothers? It would be treason - not so much of the Republic as of the whole vod.

At the same time, what if there really are those who cannot bear this situation? People like Slick who are willing to risk their brothers' lives to gain freedom?

“Perhaps,” says Rex. “Perhaps we should just… leave the decision to those who are interested. We can just ask brothers what they’re thinking. Don’t force anyone to do anything. Leave the choice to that person - but give the choice.”

“What if there are more? What if entire legions start to disappear? If we lose the entire war?”

“If we act carefully, it shouldn’t be an issue of entire legions,” Rex says carefully. Wait, haven't his and Kix's roles just turned around? A moment ago he was against this plan. “And if there are more people interested, we will spread the plan over time. We can also talk privately with any person to know how serious the matter is. Understand their thinking.”

Kix sighs grimly.

“As a soldier, I’m forced to oppose this idea. As a medic, however, and as a private person, I can say that it can be useful. It could save a lot of lives… and kill just as much.”

They look at each other. Silently, they make a decision.

They will ask their brothers. They will find out what they think about it. How many of them want to fight, and how many are against this war.

And then… then they’ll see.

Chapter Text

So, they're starting to work.

...okay, let's be honest. It's hard to call it “starting to work”. At the very beginning, they just ask questions. They talk to other brothers, first with those they can sincerely trust (what Slick did is still strong in their memories and they don't want to be betrayed again). They ask what they think about it and discuss the possible consequences. They consider whether it is worth doing something like this and how much they can trust their Jetii.

They are careful. They don't want to make a mistake by accident. They also don't want unwanted parties to know about their actions or that they are thinking about something like that. So far they are not doing anything, so far not one of the clones has said that he cannot withstand the war or that he feels like a slave, but perhaps one day that someone will appear.

Days pass, then weeks. The whole thing calms down, Rex and Kix stop asking, and their Jetii doesn't bring it up anymore.

And it’s fine. Maybe the whole plan was stupid from the whole beginning. Why should they do something like that? The clones don't need to “be saved” or “be freed”. They should be fighting the war, not thinking about how to betray the Republic.

Yes, that’s fine.

Until the day a clone stands in front of Rex. He approaches him with a little uncertainty and asks him for a private conversation.

“I heard,” he begins, glancing to the side as if he was afraid they might be overheard. Rex raises an eyebrow, curious to see what this might be about.

They are not from the same Legion. They are talking for the first time in their lives, so what could have made his brother want to talk to him?

(It doesn't occur to him that he might want to speak about the Alliance. Rex had stopped thinking about it some time ago.

Later, he will be able to recognize these kinds of looks, but that day he still knows nothing.)

“I heard you had some… contacts,” his brother lowers his voice. “Possibilities.”

“What?” Rex frowns.

The clone looks around once more. He looks like he's gathering the courage to speak about something to shouldn’t even think about.

“To leave the Republic and not be decomposed.”

Rex blinks his eyes. He looks at him in surprise, at first wanting to tell him that he is an idiot, that such a thing is impossible, that it is not allowed, that it is treason, and that-

The clone is still talking.

“I love her!” he bursts out. “I'm in love with her and I would have run away with her months ago, but the day before I was supposed to do that, we were transferred to another planet. I thought... I thought it was a sign that it should be so, that I couldn't do it, because I know we were made to fight and I want to fight, to help the rest of us, but- Then I heard those rumors and it occurred to me that if it were possible, maybe- just for a while. For a few weeks, days even, so that I can at least honestly talk to her. Then I'll be back. I don't want to abandon my brothers. I want to fight, but- I want to explain everything to her. She deserves to know.”

Rex nods, feeling like he is still slightly shocked.

“I understand,” he says slowly. “Give me– give me a day. Then I'll tell you everything, okay?”

“Can you do something like that?” hope appears in the clone’s eyes.

“I'll see what I can do,” Rex promises him. He puts his hand on his shoulder, then leads him to Kix and the rest of the brothers.

The two of them - he and his brother - won’t make this decision alone. No, it’s something they need to talk about with the rest of them.

“Come on. Let's talk.”

They talk.

It’s a long talk. Their conversation takes a little longer than it normally would have to, because each of them has something to add, each thinks a bit differently. But everyone listens to CT-8072, called Mirror, when he explains his situation.

As it turns out, he found out about “the Alliance” (Rex still doesn't know whether to think seriously about it or laugh at the idea) from his brother, who heard from his brother, who in turn overheard two other brothers. Rex almost raises an eyebrow - he hadn't expected that this seemingly poorly planned idea could carry such an echo that it had reached another battalion fighting in a different part of the galaxy.

“Can you help me?” Asks Mirror (Rex doesn't even think why he chose that name for himself. He met brothers with weirder names).

“My General mentioned this idea to me a while ago,” Rex admits, “but I'll find out if it's still valid.”

(It is, as it turns out.)

Nine days later, in the course of one battle, Mirror disappears. CT – 8072 is officially entered on the list of missing in action. Two weeks later he is presumed dead.

Three weeks later, Rex receives a short message from him that yes, he is fine and that he still has to stay a while, but he will be back.

(He does come back five weeks after that news.

The General responsible for his legion accepts his explanation without batting an eye.

“You couldn't help but lose your memory,” he says simply. “It's good that you came back.”)

Mirror is first, but soon, more appear as if they were just waiting for confirmation that it was safe.

Before that happens, General Skywalker asks Rex aside and takes him for a short walk. He leads him steadily through the winding streets of Coruscant, towards the apartment hidden among the buildings.

“We can treat this as a hiding place,” he says, handing Rex the spare keys. “At the moment, only trusted people know about it. I have the keys, but so have Shaak Ti and Plo Koon. I’ve been thinking about making spare keys for Obi-Wan as well, but in the end, we didn’t use this place, so I didn’t make them. But I think you will use them. Also, you have to make some extra keys, but that’s the talk for later.”

General Skywalker opens the door, showing him the inside.

“We have a working kitchen and bathroom,” he says. “You can easily spend the night here, if necessary.”

Rex nods, his thoughts already creating uses for this place.

“Not many people know about it,” General Skywalker repeats. “Me, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, Shaak Ti, Plo Koon and Padmé, that is, Senator Amidala.”

Rex almost bites his tongue just to not say General, I'm aware of your romance.

“And you,” General Skywalker adds, smiling slightly at him. “This place is safe. The Jedi don't know about it. And they won't find out as long as I have something to say about it.”

“If I understand correctly, the idea for the Alliance did not come from the Jedi Council?”

“I don't think the Council cares about the slaves,” General Skywalker replies. “The Council prefers to have control over them.”

“General Kenobi, General Ti, and General Koon are on the Council,” Rex notes.

A grimace of dissatisfaction crosses General Skywalker's face.

“It's… complicated. But they are different. They’re not the same as the rest of the Council members. But never mind that. That's not why I wanted to show you this place. I just wanted you to know where to send someone if necessary. Or where plans can be made without risking being overheard or noticed.”

Rex nods.

“Okay,” he says. “That sounds fine.”

General Skywalker smiles at him in his characteristic way, that you already know that he is thinking about something crazy, but what will work.

“So, ready to join the Alliance?” he asks, holding his hand out to him.

“With you?” asks Rex, taking his hand. “Always, General.”

Well, he's officially committing treason.

He probably should be ashamed. He knows that what he is doing is treason - he is betraying not only the Republic and the army but also vod's and Jetii. At the same time, he tries to tell himself that he is doing something good… because it's a good thing, right?

Honestly, he doesn't know exactly what to think about it. In fact, all he does is talk to his brothers and try to find out why they want to leave the Republic.

As it turns out, there are many reasons and they differ from each other. Some have fallen in love and want to spend their lives with those they love. Others wish to protect the inhabitants of certain planets but have been sent on a different mission (“the moment we left this planet, we gave it to the Separatists. Who will protect them when GAR is not there?”). There are those who feel like slaves and cannot stand the contemptuous looks of the naturally born. There are those who have been betrayed by their generals and commanders and are unable to trust the Republic anymore.

They always talk to determine how serious the situation is and whether it is really necessary to leave the army. Rex, being a soldier, doesn't want to encourage desertion. He knows it's their duty that they were made to fight. However, each time in his memoirs, the words of the brothers appear (“the Republic does not care about us, we are just cannon fodder for them”, “they bought us like a product on the market, why should we owe them anything?”).

So, well, he doesn't encourage desertion. Nor does he encourage them to stay. Like Kix, they try to find out if the desire to leave the Republic is due to simple fear of war and fear for their own lives, or if there is some other reason.

Sometimes they refuse. “The food served by the GAR is nasty” is not yet a reason to betray the Republic.

Rex becomes an intermediary. The brothers talk to him, they ask for his help. Only his decision (as well as the decision of Kix or other brothers) makes them go to Jetii and talk to them about the problem.

They most often talk to General Skywalker and Commander Tano, because it is the easiest to contact them. (Rex speculates that those of the brothers who go to Cody later talk to General Kenobi.) Rex… Rex is not responsible for what happens next - for falsified reports, for escapes or transportation. No, he just introduces one to the other. It's not that big of a betrayal, is it?

Besides… it's not like hundreds of clones want to escape. No, it's a matter of one or two people a week, well, sometimes. The rate at which interested people appear varies - sometimes five people may appear in one day, and sometimes for weeks no one shows up. Rex stops asking unnecessary questions over time and just does what he thinks is right.

But it's still treason.

Sometimes, in the evenings, when he tries to fall asleep, he thinks it's not entirely fair. Jetii risk much less than they, the clones, do. If this came to light, the worst that could happen to them would be a conversation with the Council and a public reprimand. Meanwhile, they, the clones, could die - no, they would most certainly be killed if it came to light.

At the same time, it's something Rex knew from the very beginning. He knew, but he decided to take part in it anyway.

Seeing a smile on his brothers' faces is worth it.

Chapter Text

Weeks pass.

The war is still going on. It doesn't seem like it's going to end, but that's okay - at least they, the clones, have a reason to exist, to live. It's not okay, the war should finally end - but at least they're useful, at least no one speaks out loud about the need to get rid of them.

And then the Jedi Temple is bombed.

Commander Tano (!) is accused of the bombing. What happens next doesn't help prove her innocence, but Rex doesn't believe for a moment that Commander Tano is guilty. He knows her, knows she would never do something like that.

And he is right. General Skywalker helps find the real culprit.

But it is not enough.

Commander Tano does not return to the army.

“Forgive me, Rexter,” she says, looking at him with pain in her eyes, “but I’m not coming back.”

Rex understands her. Jetii betrayed her, they did not fight for her.

(That wasn't true. There were many who fought for her. There just weren't enough. But how could he know? For most, he was “just a clone”.)

“Forgive me, Rexter,” repeats Commander Tano, “but I'm not coming back. I can’t.”

“You weren't supposed to be here.”

“Who said I'm not allowed on Coruscant?”

“You said you weren't coming back…”

“To the Jedi. To the army. But I never said I was leaving.”

Commander Tano, in civilian clothes, smiles happily at him. She is sitting in their hideout on Coruscant as if she rules it.

She looks normal, sitting here. It’s like she has never left the Army, them - as she has been a part of this place from the very beginning.

(Because she was. It was she who gave the idea of creating the Alliance.)

Rex only came here because he wanted to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything. He is sent to another mission, so he’s leaving Coruscant soon - but there exists a possibility he might have forgotten something. He can’t find his datapad so he thinks it can be found here. Probably.

In recent months, this hideout has become something of a second home for members of the Alliance. Here, no one treats clones as if they were inferior. Usually, there are not many people here, but sometimes there are so many of them and the place is full of laughter and friendly smiles. Rex can’t count the number of times he saw Commander Tano and General Ti staring in amazement at General Kenobi as he fell asleep over the reports he had to write. Usually, General Skywalker would come over then and carefully, so carefully, pull out the datapad and then sit down on the sofa and finish his reports by completing his part. More than once, Senator Amidala or Senator Organa appeared from the kitchen, offering tea or coffee to those present. Senator Mothma and General Koon have always politely declined.

Now, there is only Commander Tano in the room, sitting with her legs crossed, smiling happily and waving her hand at him in greeting.

“What are you doing here?” Rex asks in shock.

The smile on her face only widens.

“You didn't think that I would abandon the Alliance, did you?” she asks. “I'm staying on Coruscant. We need someone on the planet, right?”

“Right,” Rex agrees carefully. “But I thought you didn't want to come back.”

“I'm not going back to the Order,” says Commander Tano. “But there's too much going on for me to just walk away.”

Rex sits across from her in the vacant chair.

“What are you going to do now?”

“Don't worry about that,” smiles a Togrutan girl. “I got a job offer. And I think I'll take it.”

“What kind of job?”

“Bodyguard,” she shrugs. “Nothing new and well paid.”

Rex nods, reassured.

He would rather have the girl not be in danger, but he knows he wouldn't be able to stop her anyway. All he can do now is give her his approval.

“If you need anything, speak up. I will help you.”

“It’s fine. I don't think I need your help, Rexter... but thank you. I appreciate it.”

Commander Tano becomes their liaison on Coruscant.

She's right - they need someone on the planet. Commander Tano's new job is sometimes demanding and means she has to leave Coruscant at times, but she is still there more often than the rest of the Alliance (not counting Senator Amidala, who recently almost lives on the planet).

While many of the Alliance's missions take place outside of Coruscant – on ships, on the battlefield – they still need someone here, someone who can open their hideout door and take in a person or two before they continue their journey.

Contact with Commander Tano weakens the moment they are sent to the Outer Rim.

This mission simultaneously makes their lives difficult and easier. It makes it difficult because this campaign is tough, devastating. It makes it easier because in such confusion, the disappearance of one or two clones passes without a trace and no one even notices it.

(Somewhere else in the galaxy, General Ti and General Koon are still fighting. Oddly enough, their troops have high recruit retention. Many of them “die” in the first few weeks.

Maybe – just maybe – someone on the Council notices this. Perhaps one or two of the Jedi Masters are asking a few questions... and then stop asking, trusting the actions of these two Generals.)

The campaign in the Outer Rim is long. Months pass before they return to Coruscant – and when they do, they find themselves in the middle of a galactic battle.

But it is not even a few hours after their arrival, and Dooku is dead. General Skywalker and General Kenobi dispose of him easily, saving Chancellor Palpatine's life in the process.

It's only a matter of days until the war is over.

Rex… Rex is happy because they'll finally be able to stop fighting. Eventually, there will be peace in the galaxy. Yes, he is still worried about what may come after the war is over and the Republic no longer needs such a huge army... but he wants to believe that everything will be alright; that Jetii would take their side and would not allow them to be decommissioned.

They stay on Coruscant.

“I guess that's something new,” Rex says one day, knocking on the open door to get attention. “I was convinced that Commander Tano was the permanent sight here, and not you, General.”

General Skywalker looks up and gives him a slightly weary smile. His attempts to pretend everything is fine don't go unnoticed. Everyone notices his war fatigue – not only Rex, Kix, and the rest of the 501st, but General Kenobi and Commander Tano as well.

Perhaps the fact that they were allowed to stay on Coruscant for so long is a blessing. At least General Skywalker can take a break from incessant war and stress.

“I'm waiting for Ahsoka,” General Skywalker says. “She wanted to meet me and tell me something.”

“I just hope you don't want to make a joke on General Kenobi again and get him into something.”

“It wasn't me,” General Skywalker gives him a resentful look. “I had nothing to do with it. You know I'm a nice person.”

“Of course you are, General.”

General Skywalker can sense the irony in his voice but decides (rightly) not to bring it up.

“Everything's all right?” Rex asks after some time.

General Skywalker looks up at him in surprise.

“Yes. Yes, of course.”

“You look tired.”

“I don't sleep well,” General Skywalker confesses. “But it'll be alright. I will not panic. Yes, I won’t panic without a reason.”

Judging by the way he says these words, Rex has the impression that General Skywalker is on the verge of panic.

“Can I help you somehow, General?”

For a moment General Skywalker thinks as he ponders his proposal. Ultimately, he shakes his head.

“Thank you, Rex, but that's my problem. I don't want to burden you with anything. Besides... It’s the Jedi problem.”

“Have you talked to anyone about this?”

“Yes,” General Skywalker says, perhaps a bit too fast. “With Shaak Ti. And with Ahsoka. It will be okay.”

“You don’t look like you believe in it,” Rex sighs, sitting down next to his General. “General, with all due respect, you told us something some months ago. You can’t win every battle alone. Maybe I can somehow help. Or give advice.”

“Well…” General Skywalker looks at the datapad he’s holding in his hands. “I have reasons to suspect someone I care about is going to be killed soon.”

“Assassinated?”

“Murdered.”

“The reasons for this murder?”

“Being associated with me. Probably.”

“So you’re not sure.”

“Rex, if I knew who, when, and why is going to murder he– this person, everything would be easier.”

“So?”

“So what?”

“What are you going to do then?”

“I don't know,” the General doesn't look at him. “Protect this person, I guess.”

Rex nods.

“I can help. I’m a soldier, General. You can trust me. If you need me, just ask. I will protect this person.”

General Skywalker shakes his head.

“Don’t, Rex. I appreciate this, but don’t. It’s more complicated.”

“Then why won’t you explain this to me, General?”

“I can’t. I just can’t.”

“General–”

“No, Rex. I’ll– I’ll explain everything to you when it’s over, okay? I promise.”

General Skywalker has never broken a promise.

“Fine, General. As you wish. But don’t forget I’m here. I’ll help you.”

“Thank you, Rex.” General Skywalker smiles slightly at him.

This smile cannot hide the fatigue in his eyes - a fatigue that has been building up for months and which seems to have grown even more over the past few days.

“It's gonna be okay,” he says, sounding like he's trying to convince himself. “You will see.”

(He had lied, but not one of them knew it at the time.)

One day, there’s a call.

Rex answers it without hesitation, recognizing the number and knowing he has to answer.

(This was a mistake, but he didn't know it yet.)

A masked figure appears on his hand, which seems to be familiar, it is probably–

“Activate Order 66.”

And nothing matters anymore, and the world is black.

The Temple is on fire.

There is red.

Is the color of the blood – blood he spills, as he should be doing.

In his hand is a blaster that targets traitors. He has the impression that he knows them from somewhere - but no, that impression disappears, they are only traitors.

His job as a soldier is to get rid of the traitors.

So he shoots and shoots and shoots because that's the purpose of his existence.

There is gold.

A face appears amidst flames, screams, blood, blasters, and lightsabers.

“Rex,” someone says, holding out his hand as if to protect the little figures hidden behind them. “Step back. This is an order.”

“There is no point in arguing with him!” someone else hisses. It’s a woman.

“There is.” The golden eyes look at him intensely. “Rex, step back. You didn't see us here.”

And he steps back, although he doesn't know why. Two orders are fighting within him, but the worst of it all is this terrible feeling that he has forgotten something very important. He should have remembered, he remembered only a moment ago, he most certainly didn't–

“You didn't see us here. You will not tell anyone that we met here. You will leave the Temple without killing anyone.”

And nothing else matters anymore.

“I didn't see you here,” he says. “I will not tell anyone that we met here. I will leave the Temple without killing anyone.”

So he does.

There is white.

White walls, white corridors, white uniform, white helmet.

There is a voice. The voice he must listen to, the voice he should listen to. A voice that guides him and tells him what to do. So, he does what he is told to do, because he is a good soldier, and a good soldier follows orders.

There is a black.

A black figure he follows and who pays no attention to him - but he knows to obey this person, that this is his leader. There is no point in asking questions because the questions are irrelevant here.

And he doesn't ask questions because there are no questions. There are no questions, not when you don't need to think.

He doesn't need to think.

All he has to do is hold his blaster and listen to those who know better than him.

,hr>

“What are you doing here?” a sharp voice asks. “You shouldn't be here.”

He turns to the voice, responding in a matte tone to what was given to him - his task, his purpose, and the reason why he is standing here.

He is not given an opportunity to speak.

“Take the helmet off, soldier.”

He takes it off.

“Rex?”

This familiar name makes him momentarily want to say yes, it's him. Familiar eyes look at him, a familiar face he cannot forget, which he knows...

And then there's nothing. He blinks his eyes and that unpleasant sensation disappears. He goes back to non-thinking.

“You don't know who I am,” the figure whispers. “You don't recognize me, do you?”

“I do not understand the question.”

“Oh, Rex.” A hand goes to his face, then freezes at other footsteps.

The figure recoils sharply, eyes widen suddenly. The figure puts on a helmet, then quickly walks away, as if not wanting to be caught in his presence. Or are they just dissatisfied that he didn't recognize them? Or maybe they shouldn't be here?

It does not matter.

It briefly crosses his mind that he should report it... but no one asks. Nobody asks him questions and nobody told him to report incidents like this, so there is definitely nothing wrong with him. It wasn't his fault, he is still following his orders.

“Is that really him?”

“It's him.”

“Are you sure?”

“If I wasn't sure, we wouldn't be here!” the voice shouts. “Please hurry. We can't be here long.”

He is lying on the bed with white in front of his eyes. He should fight, he should resist, but his body is so heavy. It doesn't seem to belong to him. What happened?

“I know.” It's a male voice, no doubt. “We have a limited time. Medic, please start the surgery. Now.”

There are footsteps somewhere, someone is talking to someone in a low tone.

“You think he's going to be okay?” someone asks.

“Yes. He is strong. Everything will be back to normal soon, I promise.”

“But…”

“Hush… It'll be okay. We'll get back everything that has been taken back from us. I promise.”

And then he remembers everything.

He knows his name. He knows who he is and what he is doing here – okay, he doesn't quite remember the latter because he has no idea how he got here.

Fragments of memories flicker through his head – the burning Temple, the blaster in his hand, the falling bodies of Jedi, red, gold, white, and black.

Memories mingle in his head, making him unable to fully assign them to the moment and place, but leaving him with a terrible thought: something bad has happened. It’s so wrong. Why?

Before he manages to extract anything meaningful from his broken memories, his eyes flap open.

Where is he? The room is white, and he certainly doesn't remember how he came here – or maybe he remembers because there are some pieces of memories in his head – someone was talking about him, someone was discussing something, but what exactly?

The questions don't matter anymore because he realizes he's not alone.

There are two people against the wall of the room where he lies – yes, someone has put him on the bed. It takes some time to put the faces together with the names because the faces are older than he remembers, but it's undoubtedly them.

Commander Tano is leaning against the wall with a lightsaber strapped to her waist. She's older, more mature than he remembers, but that's her. General Skywalker is standing next to her, arms crossed over his chest as if expecting something. He, too, is older, his blond hair longer than Rex remembers. A long staff is leaning against the wall, but that is not what draws his attention. No, his attention is drawn rather to General's eyes, dark circles under them and full of tiredness, as if he hadn't slept in the last few weeks.

They are both dressed in black, and something similar in the outfits makes Rex feel that they are uniforms, although he does not know exactly which planet. They're definitely not Jedi robes, though they both have their own lightsabers.

“He's awake, Anakin,” Commander Tano says.

General Skywalker nods.

“I know,” he says softly.

Rex blinks his eyes, trying to control the pain in his head and the memories that are coming back.

Memories that he doesn't think he wants to have, because the more he thinks about them, the worse they seem.

Commander Tano smiles at him, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Welcome back, Rex.”