Chapter Text
Mace Windu used to enjoy visiting planets. To witness other cultures and feel how the Force moved around different people gave him a sense of contentment. How various shatterpoints appeared as each citizen passed him by. Not lately though. The war brings out the worst in people.
Hurt. Anger. Confusion.
It's all Maces feels every time he enters a new solar system, and it's no exception now.
Ryloth is a critical turning point for the Clone War. The first planetary siege. And so many voices cry out in fear. Malice. All Mace can do is pull his shields tighter, his ability to see Shatterpoints limited. A necessary sacrifice, yet one that fills him with sorrow. What's the point of having such a unique ability if he cannot use it? He breathes in deep, holds in, and releases it along with his frustrations.
There is no emotion, there is peace.
He focuses again on the present. With Skywalker and Tano's victory of destroying the blockade, he and Obi-Wan can help the Twi'leks. Finally. Hopefully, once he liberates the capital, Ryloth can return to peace.
Were it so easy.
A laugh pulls Mace out of his musings. Turning his head slightly, he sees his loyal Commander, Ponds, with two of his troopers, Stak and Razor. Both ARF troopers help load AT-RTs on the transport. A slight smile crosses Ponds' face while an embarrassed flush grazes Razor's. Stak must have been the culprit of the laugh. Taking the scene in for a moment, Mace makes his way towards the trio.
"I see the two of you are taking care of your equipment personally," he says to announce his presence. ARF troopers are known for being protective of their scouting gear, and Stak and Razor are no exceptions.
While Stak and Razor snap to attention, Ponds simply turns to give Mace his full attention. The commander is so used to Mace's presence that he knows strict military bearing is unnecessary for an informal report. Unfortunately, Stak and Razor do not.
"General Windu!" exclaims Razor. "A trooper is always responsible for his own gear."
Stak jumps in, "Yes, sir. A trooper is only as good as his weapon."
"I see. It's the same for Jedi as well." Mace holds his lightsaber. "A jedi's lightsaber is their life." Mace knows every component, every part, every nick that graced the hilt.
"Because it's their weapon?" asks Stak.
Mace shakes his head. "That's the last reason. A lightsaber can only be made with a kyber crystal, and each kyber crystal is unique to a Jedi. It cannot be copied. It is a bond only between the crystal and the Jedi that holds it. The crystal knows our strengths and weaknesses. That is what it means for a lightsaber to be a Jedi's life. We use it in defense of others."
He places his lightsaber back on his belt. Both Stak and Razor show astonishment on their faces. Ponds is a little more difficult to read. It must be his Commander upbringing.
"General Windu," says Commander Ponds, thus cutting through the silence, "I've checked in with all companies. We will be ready to go as soon as we land."
Mace nods. "Good to hear it. We will coordinate with General Kenobi once we hit the surface." He turns back to Stak and Razor. "Keep up the good work, troopers."
With a simultaneous salute, they snap out "Sir, yes sir!" and load their AT-RTs.
Ponds falls in at Mace's right and together they head for the off loading dock. "I've been in contact with Commander Cody. He reports tunnels under the cities. Perhaps we could use them to our advantage?"
A memory flashes across Mace's mind, about Obi-Wan's report of the 212th Commander. Good man, that Cody.
Good man, indeed.
"Perhaps. Once we locate the Freedom Fighters. I doubt we will be able to do a planetary geoscan to map out these tunnels due to the Separtists fleet." Mace says.
"Of course, sir."
They continue their walk in silence. Everyday Mace thanks the force that his Commander understands the importance of contemplation and does not feel the need to fill the silence with small talk. Mace prefers to hold an actual conversation. Not one filled with half empty words.
As they approach the dock, Ponds speaks again. "Sir, permission to speak freely?"
"Of course, Commander." Like his Jedi colleagues, Mace encourages his troopers to make opinions for themselves. If the first step in learning to think for themselves is giving permission, Mace will gladly do so.
"I appreciate you talking with the men and sharing parts of yourself. We were told on Kamino that Jedi were seclusive, but you take the time to get to know us and allow us to know you." Ponds shifts, obviously feeling uncomfortable. "What I am trying to say, sir, is thank you. And we won't let you down."
Mace pauses, truly absorbing Ponds' words. Ponds stops a half step after him. "If that was out of line, I apologize," he rushes.
Out of line?
"No, Ponds," Mace shakes his head. "It was not out of line. I simply was taking in your words."
Allowing the clones to get to know him? Mace can do that.
He offers an olive branch. "Not many people try to understand us Jedi. I don't blame them. The Force is something that is a part of our culture. It can be hard to understand something you have no concept of. Your words are kind, Ponds, and I hope to continue to get to know you all."
Thankfulness. Loyalty.
Relaxing, Ponds tips his head. "That will be easy." That small smile crosses his face again. Mace hopes he can continue to make him smile more often.
"Now, let's finish this campaign, Commander Ponds."
"Right with you, General Windu."
The Coruscant atmosphere never bothered Ahsoka, so deciding to take a walk before she returned to the Jedi Temple on her speeder was not a difficult choice. Meeting with her friend, Senator Riyo Chuchi, was a nice reprieve from the constant fighting she was currently facing. Coming across a drunk Jesse and Fives was a surprise that she did not plan for.
Both Fives and Jesse were being supported by their brothers, who were seemingly sober. Kix had Jesse’s arm across his shoulders while Fives was proving to be difficult-as usual. His laughter carried through the alley and his arms were flailing around, nearly hit the other clone attempting to guide him, who happened to be the Captain of the 501st. Ahsoka couldn’t help but chuckle at Rex’s annoyed face. Feeling pity, Ahsoka went over to offer assistance.
“Need help there, Rexter?” She piped, letting her amusement shine through her words.
Fives’s attention immediately come to her. “Commander! ‘Soka!” Fives slurred. “Great t’ see ya!” His previously flailing arms went around her in a hug, but as soon as he hugged her, his arms disappeared from around her.
Ahsoka laughed. “Good to see you too, Fives.” She cast a look at Rex, who now looked exasperated.
Kix looked back over his shoulder at her, still leading Jesse in the direction of the barracks, who answered her question laced with sarcasm. “Yes, Commander, please help our dear Captain, who can lead men, but can’t lead a drunk ARC back to the barracks.”
Rex sighed. “If you’re so amused, Kix, why don’t you lead Fives?” His lips twitched into a smirk, and Ahsoka stifled another chuckle.
Kix waved his hand. “No, thank you, Sir. You’re doing a great job. I’ll keep mine with Jesse.” To Ahsoka, Jesse looked ready to fall asleep on Kix, content to be carried.
Ahsoka reached for Fives’ arm, one that was about to accidently wack Rex in the chest, and placed in around her shoulders. She wrapped her other arm around her torso, giving the Fives the illusion of a friendly hug while walking. “Come on Fives,” she sent a wink to Rex. “Tell me what crazy stories you head today.”
The way back to the barracks was filled with Fives retelling stories he heard from brothers at 79’s, Rex refuting the outlandish details, Fives needing to vomit, and both Rex and Ahsoka gently steering the drunk ARC from crashing into anything. The process took more time than one would think, but Ahsoka now understood why Fives was hard to handle when drunk. Together, Rex and Ahsoka brought Fives to his bunk shared with Jesse. Kix, who was helping Jesse out of his armor, gave one look at the trio and smirked. Rex sent him a glare in return, but Kix wasn’t freighted by the glare, and returned his attention back to his closest brother.
“Wish I coul’ave seen that,” Fives slurred, as a yawn cut off his sentence.
Ahsoka hummed as Rex rolled Fives onto his side. “Yes, Fives, you mentioned that before.” The past 10 minutes were of Fives proclaiming his desire to see a gunship toppled over by a large whale on Midian Prime.
Kix finished placing Jesse’s armor in his locker and come over, starting to undo Fives’. “I'll handle this,” he said.
Rex raised an eyebrow. “For being such a hassle to get him here, I was just going to leave him in his armor.” Ahsoka snorted. While Rex held didn’t give out sever punishments, he was no stranger to getting a little payback.
Kix chuckled. “Well, think of this as my apology for not helping you with Fives.”
“Besides, I did that,” Ahsoka chimed in, not wanting to be left out of the conversation.
Rex and Kix smiled. “And I appreciate it,” Rex said. “And I’m sure Fives will too.”
Casting one more look at Jesse and Fives, Rex nodded, satisfied they would be fine in the morning. Something in Ahsoka’s chest squeezed. Rex’s devotion to the welfare of his brothers was a trait Ahsoka admired. For all his strategical military intelligence, he was never blind to the fact that his brothers sometimes needed more than a Captain, and instead needed an older brother to watch over them. For that the Jedi taught no attachments, Ahsoka chose to follow Rex’s example, and bonded with the men of the 501st, and other legions she met. Never once has she regretted that.
Compassion. Kindness. Devotion.
"Yeah, but we should definately hang it over his head first," Kix said with a wicked smile. "A five-o-first ARC acting like a shiney's first time getting drunk."
Ahsoka couldn't help but laugh. Kix diligently turned back his focus to the now sleeping ARC.
Rex turned his attention to her. "Come on, Commander. I'll walk you back to the Temple."
"Don't worry about me, Rexter. I know my way around," she waved him off. "I'll be fine."
"It's only fair," Rex insisted.
"Seriously, Rex. You don't need to."
With an exasperated huff, Kix chimed in. "For once in your life allow a man to walk you home, Commander."
Heat flushed to Ahsoka's cheeks. Thank the force for her orange complexion. It was notorious that Ahsoka liked being independent. Afterall, there was a war going on. She did not want to be a burden. But the 501st liked to challenge her independence by offering to come as backup on Padawan specific missions like her trip with the Younglings to Illum, or insisting they be her backup on any patrol. The Trandoshan and Hondo incidents only bolstered their insistence.
"Kix," Rex chidded in a tone only a Captain could pull off.
But only a medic could ignore it. Kix simply shrugged, unbothered by the glare he was currently receiving. Maybe Jesse and Fives were not the only ones affected by alcohol. Or maybe it was just Kix.
Thankfully, Rex was used to the craziness of his brothers, and returned to the topic at hand. He gestured to the door in a wordless conversation that meant after you.
Ahsoka nodded, but not before saying a good bye to Kix, who replied with a "good night". Not willing to disturb the sleeping troopers, she made sure her feet were light as she left the barracks. Rex seemed to be in similar mindset. With her enhanced hearing, she noticed how he rolled his feet from ankle to toe. That squeeze in her chest returned.
The door shut behind them and they made their way to the exit, back into the streets of the planet that never sleeps.
"What are you smiling about?" Res asked.
Sure enough, Ahsoka lips were twitched upwards. "You." she blurted out, and suddenly wondered where her filter went as Rex made a choking sound. Oh yeah, she never had one.
"I mean, I'm impressed with you. You have this balance of being a fun brother who goes out on leave, yet you know when it is time to act as their Captain," Ahsoka rushed to say. "It's almost something like a Jedi teaching."
Rex cleared his throat. "Well, being compared to a Jedi is high praise."
He wasn't getting it. "I mean it, Rex." She was going to explain more, but he cut her off.
" I know." His tone was softer. "Thank you."
Gratefulness. Caring.
Maybe he did understand.
Ahsoka smiled, and Rex matched it with his own half-smile. "Anytime."
Perhaps, Ahsoka mused, all she needed was a friend to walk with her.
The Force is vast. It is a part of everything. Even those who cannot feel it within themselves.
Attachment is a tricky thing. It can be valuable possessions. More often than not it is the form of another person. It can be dangerous.
But love is straightforward. It is innocent and, like the Force, in everything. Some mistake love for attachment, but that is not true, especially for the Jedi. For the jedi, love is compassion and kindness.
For the Clones, love is devotion. Devotion to someone, not just the Republic. It is their greatest strength as men.
For both Jedi and Clones, love is selfless. Perhaps, in time, when the galaxy is at its darkest hour, that love will shine through.