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Cody was swimming in his tank.
The very nice and rather large size specifically constructed salt-water tank back on the clone base. It had been built right after Rex had brought Cody back to his home after finding his lost love while being on a vacation on a backwater planet. The one where Rex had been fishing on.
And what a fish he had caught! A tall tale if any!
Out of pure luck it had seemed too to find the missing clone on said planet where Rex had been visiting. Cody having been turned into a half fish, half man of a creature. A merman as it were by one of Hemlock’s more nastier experiments done on the clones. As to why Cody had ended up on said planet was still a mystery to be resolved.
But now, the two were reunited which was all that mattered.
And Cody, while able to change at will still needed to take the form of a merman several times a week. Something which did not bother him but on some level it did bother Rex. Wanting the man he loved by his side all the time. But when Cody was in his tank and Rex could go swimming with him Rex could hardly dive into the deepness of. It al and spend time under water like Cody did. Something the merman Cody certainly enjoyed a lot and Rex wanted to be a part of it. Feel what Cody felt. See what Cody saw while submerged.
And so, Rex had done the unthinkable. Having asked Doctor Karr, Emerie now privy to most of Hemlock’s research and overseer of it all, to change him into a merman as well!
Unheard of! Dangerous! Is Rex out of his mind? Why would Rex want to do such a thing? Is he gone completely bonkers? Rex? Why?
Just some of the comments thrown his way when the choice had been announced to the rest of his crew. But Rex did not care, as he wanted to be part of Cody’s existence. All of his partner’s existences. Having already spent too much time apart from the one he truly loved.
It wasn’t a decision having been made lightly by the leader of the rebel clones at all.
Rex having managed to convince his men, they could easily work around it.
Knowing well there were capable leaders among his recruits. Wolffe, Echo, Gregor, Howzer, the list going on, Rex was more than willing to leave the cause in good hands. Having learnt the lesson of getting a life of his own before it was too late. The signs having already been there before. But getting Cody back being the top most one to change Rex’s mind for good. Seeing how great the other clones were, not that there had been any doubt in Rex’s mind and yet Rex having carried the burden of leadership on his own for far too long. So now, he was finally willing to give the others their chance too.
“We’ll take care of things here, Rex, while your… out and well, with Cody as a…” Howzer wasn’t sure what he could say to be proper and not offend Rex.
“It’s okay Howz, you can say it out loud ya know.” Rex chuckled. “A merman.”
“Heh, yeah that one.”
“Howzer is right. You need not to worry, Rex.” Echo echoed the sentiment of his fellow commander. “We’ll keep up the fort until you are back.”
The four of them gladly sharing the burdens of leadership while the head honcho was out of touch.
As it was, the clear orders were not to disturb Rex nor Cody for anything while in the tank. Not unless the base was under fire and about to be destroyed horribly. Thankfully, there was a minimal chance of that happening as the Force sensitives saved from Tantiss, the kids among them had kind of put their Jedi magic on the planet the base resided on now. Leaving it and its inhabitants quite undetectable by any onlookers unaware of such place or planet even existing.
“Well, if Emerie is successful and I do turn into a merman, then I can take the form of a man whenever I choose to as well. So I will be back eventually.”
Rex though, need not remind the others of the risks this procedure had.
But for the sake of Cody, Rex wanted to try to become like him. As life was way too short for the brief moments shared with those one loved and cared for. And Rex certainly loved Cody. Even if Cody loved him back as much if not even more, Cody’s own words, he had not initially agreed to Rex’s decision. But, Cody was thrilled after some, persuasion to get Rex by his side full-time.
After all, too much time had already been lost to the two partners spent apart, not knowing if the other was even alive… all the sorrow and loss between them having happened.
“We know Rex. And we are sure Emerie knows what to do.” Gregor chimed in.
As it was, the six of them Cody included having had lengthy discussions with the good Doctor about the procedure. Them all trusting Emerie on this one to go, right.
“Alrighty then, see ya all on the other side.”
Rex already prepped and ready for the procedure ahead with his family having come to wish him the best. Getting several hugs from the others before Rex was left in the skilful hands of Doctor Emerie Karr and the medical staff.
*
He could feel the dampness around him.
It was, strange to say the least. The sensations he felt all over his body. Not bad, but nothing too exhilarating either. A surprise? That was, until he felt it. The part where his legs should have been now something, different resided.
He tried to move the new appendix, once twice simply to get a feel and the hang of it. How it moved around in the ware. It felt strange true, but in a good way. Daring to open his eyes, he could see the familiar surroundings. The place where he had often spent time with…
Cody.
“Hey there.”
Rex turned to look at the direction of the familiar voice.
“Codes.”
“Yeah, Rexy, is me.”
Cody was all smiles, moving closer to Rex.
“I see you got your tail then.” Cody let out a soft chuckle as he spoke.
Not that any of it was news to him, having been part of the decision making, But Cody also having snuck to the med bay to observe the process of Rex’s change. Something scary for sure, Rex not wanting to traumatise Cody more than he needed to.
But Cody could not stay away. Besides, this was a choice Rex had made. To turn into the very creature Cody now was. And so, deciding to be there out of respect for his partner, Cody had stayed until the process was over.
Rex glanced at his new tail again, trying it on for size once more, finding it fascinating as he did. Having always admired Cody’s tail and now, Rex had one of his own to play with, all puns intended.
“Yeah…”
“Feels good, no.”
Rex dared to move about a bit, all of this form still new to him. The medics having brought him into the shallower end of the tank soon after the operation. Letting Rex get used to the new existence of his.
“It really does.”
“So, care to take a swim around our pond then Rexy my love?”
Cody had had a conversation with Emerie about Rex’s recovery.
The Doctor having assured him it would take a surprisingly short amount of time. As it was, becoming a merman, Rex too had gained the healing powers involved to the change. Similar to what Cody had, his wounds from the fishing line having healed in record time.
“I would love, I definitely would.”
Rex felt happy, free somehow. More so than he had been even as a free, well, self liberated clone. But now, he was so much more. Rex was the same as Cody was. Rex’s partner in everything having shared it all and now also this, new existence.
Rex was about to take a dive, when Cody caught his arm.
A surprise passed on Rex’s face, but it faded quickly enough when Cody drew him in for a kiss. Holding onto Rex for a long moment after they broke free from it.
“I was so worried for this, love.” Cody admitted, not that he had not done so before. But it bore repeating just the same.
“I know, and I’m sorry. But I wanted… I needed to do this Codes. I want to be with you sweetheart. Forever. In whatever format.”
“I know Rexy, I know love. And I do love you for it.” Cody kissed Rex again.
“And I love you, Cody. I am only too happy for us to get a second chance.”
“As mermen.”
“Yeah, that, but this is…. Great.” Rex flapped his new tail again. A smile emerging on his face. “Race ya to the bottom sweetie!”
“Heh, see ya there love! See ya there!”
The two taking into a dive, frolicking in the deep clear waters of their new home. The tank they could spend their time in together without any disturbance as long as they liked to now that they had found each other again.