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Fox stared at the Chancellor, still in shock over the events that transpired in the last half hour. A clone trooper, a brother, tried to kill Palpatine. And not just any brother, Fives. Fives, Rex's vod-ika , tried to kill the chancellor. Fives, a brother known for standing up for their rights and protecting his family. A probe droid had just spotted Fives going into a warehouse in Sector I-9, and the Chancellor was giving him quick orders.
"Commander Fox. It is urgent that we apprehend ARC-5555." The Chancellor's fingers were intertwined as he stood in front of his window.
Fox resisted the urge to correct the chancellor. The trooper wasn't a number; he was Fives. "Yes, sir. The rogue trooper will be apprehended and in custody by the end of the day."
"Excellent, Commander. I will entrust this in your capable hands." Palpatine nodded and turned around to face Fox and the other troopers in the office.
Fox felt his blood freeze as the man's eyes grew dark. No . "One more thing." The Chancellor spoke with an icy tone, "CC-1010, execute Order 36."
Fox's eyes briefly widened before he felt CC-1010 take control. No, no, no . This couldn't be happening not now. Not with a vod's life on the line!
"CC-1010 , you are to eliminate ARC-5555 using any means necessary." The Chancellor's order rang in Fox's mind, and the commander was forced to watch through a stranger's eyes.
CC-1010 saluted, a picture of a perfect soldier. "Yes, your excellency."
Fox tried screaming, tried pounding again against the shield that kept him from controlling his own actions. He never knew why he tried fighting it each time. Eventually, his consciousness would fade, and he would wake up not remembering anything. He never remembers what CC-1010 did; just this once, he wanted to. He wanted to fight for control. He couldn’t let CC-1010 kill Fives.
Fox watched helplessly as CC-1010 left the Chancellor’s office and activated his comms. "Alpha Squad is to meet me outside the Senate Dome; we have a mission." CC-1010 rattled off the commands as he walked briskly down the hall and out of the senate dome.
Fox was spiraling; CC-1010 was pushing him back, trying to make him disappear. He wouldn’t, he couldn't, allow that. Fight. Fight. Fight. He needed to take back control.
"Commander!" Thire's voice was sharp as he ran up to CC-1010.
"CC-4477, get the men ready to move out." CC-1010 barked. "ARC-5555 has committed treason. We need to find him."
Fox watch with pain as Thire tensed. The youngest Commander quickly realized that Fox was not in control and was trapped deep inside his mind in a blackout mission. Thire saluted and turned around to the squad. Fox was glad his men knew not to talk to another trooper under the control of the chips. It saved them many times.
It wasn’t long before the squad of eight plus CC-1010 was hopping into a gunship to head to the lower levels. Fox quickly observed each trooper as CC-1010 looked at them. They were all tense, the realization that this was not going to be an easy mission dawning on them. It was well known that if a trooper was on a blackout mission, then they were going to do something they normally wouldn’t be allowed to. It was also known that if Fox was sent on a blackout mission, then someone was going to die.
Fox panicked as the edges of his vision began to blur and tried gripping tighter onto alertness. His consciousness couldn’t fade now; he was still trying to fight back. Come on, Fox! You’re supposed to be stronger than this. What kind of commander lets a small chip control him?
“We’re closing in on the target.” CC-1010’s voice was cold and unfeeling. “Everyone get ready.”
The gunship touched down, and Fox screamed in frustration as CC-1010 led the squad into the warehouse. The troopers moved quietly, staying hidden as they moved to the sound of muffled talking. Fox pounded against the shields in his mind, desperately trying to get CC-1010 to let him free.
“You have gone too far, Fives. The Chancellor is incapable of what you claim.” General Skywalker’s irritation was clear to hear and Fox knew then that Fives wasn’t being taken seriously. General Skywalker trusted Palpatine far too much.
CC-1010 came to a stop behind some crates and peered around them. Fox almost let go of his grip on the cage in his mind at the sight. Fives had General Skywalker and Rex trapped in a ray shield. Smart and foolish. What shocked Fox the most was how erratic the trooper was. Fives looked lost and confused like his mind was struggling to stay in the present.
“He is, I swear to you, General. You have no idea-” Fives turned around in shock as CC-1010 led the men out of cover, blasters raised.
“Stand down, soldier! Stand down!” CC-1010 shouted, running up to Fives and stopping short. Fox begged and urged CC-1010 to lower his blaster. “Get on your knees!”
Don’t do it. No. Don’t do it.
Let go. Stop fighting
No. He wouldn’t stop fighting.
You need to
“No, no, no!” Fives waved his arms frantically, Fox slamming against the mental walls trying to stay conscious. “Stay back!”
“Don’t do it! Don’t do it, soldier!” CC-1010 warned as Fives looked down at Rex’s pistols.
Fives no! Fox’s vision grew black, and he felt his grip weaken. He could practically hear CC-1010 speaking to him.
Good soldiers follow orders.
Let go; we have our orders.
No, Fox couldn’t kill a sick brother.
He wouldn’t.
Good Soldiers Follow Orders.
ARC-5555 must be eliminated.
Stop resisting.
CC-1010’s finger pressed against the trigger. It stopped. It hesitated as Fox continued to press forward, resisting the pull of darkness.
Good Soldiers. Follow Orders.
Don’t do it. Don’t do it.
He’s a brother.
Let go.
Good soldiers follow orders.
Good soldiers follow orders.
Fox let go. Blackness consumed his vision as the shouting continued. Rex’s panic, CC-1010’s orders, and Fives’ pain and desperation. Fox lost, CC-1010 and Palpatine won. He wasn’t strong enough.
Bzzt!
Crack.
I’m so sorry, Rex.