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The datapad glows brightly before him like a homing beacon drawing him in from the darkest night. Anakin skims over the fine print as he waits for the final piece to drop into place. While the Council may not agree with him, he straightens up with a smile because this is, in his opinion, the best idea he’s ever had.
When he first devised this weeks ago, the plan had stumbled into his path. While on Mandalore, he’d heard an off-handed comment from a story he was partially listening to, which in turn led to one of the greatest ideas he’s ever had. It had taken several days for Padme to come around to the idea.
Although he’s not certain if she’s truly on board.
She did offer her assistance and has been running around backend channels working out the finer details for him. This entire situation is unheard of and could possibly be illegal, but Anakin knows that Padme can do anything. With her skill and expertise, she was, in fact, able to get everything in order and greenlit.
Or he thought she did.
“Is, uh… everything alright, Sir?”
Tapping his foot on the ground has earned him a question and raised brow from Captain Rex, who sits close by working on reports.
“Perfect, Rex,” he replies as his foot hastens.
Or it will be perfect as long as Master Obi-Wan doesn’t catch wind before the announcement is made. Given how his master can be, it wouldn’t surprise him if the man somehow knows what he’s up to. He’s got an uncanny relationship with the Force, which means some of Anakin’s plans are diverted before they get off the ground.
For a brief moment, Anakin does consider what the council would think about this. He could see Master Yoda shaking his head, Master Windu would give long lectures for days on end, but Master Obi-Wan?
Obi-Wan will have his hide for this.
Regardless, it didn’t stop him from proceeding. Why would it? Obi-Wan might disagree, but it’ll be too late by then. He’ll have to deal with his master’s frustration and disappointment for a while, but eventually the man will come around. Eventually, he’ll see that this was a great idea. He’ll probably want to join him.
Taking a deep breath doesn’t still his foot, which has earned several agitated looks from Rex, who seems to have forgotten there were reports to file. Anakin can’t help it and debates comming Padme. Shouldn’t this have been completed by now? They have his signature. He’s looking at the final agreements. He should have been cleared by now. After all, Padme has said this process should be relatively simple once all the semantics are ironed out.
And there had been several large hurdles. How she maneuvered this from an idea to reality, Anakin will never understand.
“Sir?”
Anakin looks up at the captain.
“Your foot sounds like it’s about to take flight. Is there something you need?”
“No, Rex. It’s fine—”
The chime from Anakin’s ‘pad jolts through his system, and his foot stills as he looks down at the glowing screen. It takes him several long moments to read, re-read, and read again the confirmation written across his screen. As he does, he gives a happy sigh before jumping for joy.
Turning to Rex, Anakin gives a grin. “Captain, gather up the men and have them meet me in the cargo hold for a special announcement.”
The man looks worried for several long moments, which Anakin doesn’t hold against him. The captain is only being cautious. After all, they’ve gotten themselves into several disasters because of plans Anakin has had. They’ve all worked out in the end, but Kamino never prepared for these things.
Clearing his throat, the captain finally nods as he rises from his seat. “Right away, Sir.”
“Oh, one other thing,” Anakin continues and lowers his voice. “Make sure Obi-Wan doesn’t hear about this.”
There’s a longer hesitation this time as if the man is considering a court-martial possibility in his future. Anakin’s sure it takes everything in the captain to give a slow nod.
“Of course, Commander.”
Sending Rex on his way, Anakin is positive it will take every bit of training the man received not to say a word to the general. It will likely take more willpower not to tell Commander Cody—which is the same as telling Obi-Wan.
Turning, Anakin jogs down the Venator halls telling every soldier he sees to follow him—regardless of orders they may have otherwise. While confused, they know better than to disobey a direct order, and before long he has nearly a hundred little ducklings following him all the way to the cargo bay. Once there, Anakin directs them towards the large, open space while he uses the Force to stack crates.
Typically, Anakin is one of the best when it comes to using the Force. Today, the crates he piles are haphazardly arranged at best. It probably isn’t the best idea to climb to the top of the wobbly pile, but Anakin cannot be stopped. Halfway through his ascent, he spies Captain Rex entering with the men requested.
“Hope on up here, Rex!” Anakin calls as he continues his climbing expedition. “You’ll need a good place to look over the men.”
If the other looks were any indicator of the new expression on the captain’s face, Anakin should probably have known better. It’s crystal clear the man would rather be doing anything else but climbing the shaky structure, but he obeys anyway.
Reaching the top, Anakin sways gently back and forth watching as Rex takes a stance on one of the lower crates, which threatens to give out from under him.
“Attention, boys!” Anakin calls out to the men already lined up in perfectly neat rows. “I have an important announcement.”
Hundreds of trained eyes are fixed on him, and for a moment, Anakin loses his train of thought. These men, just like him, were thrust into a war they don’t understand. They were denied a family, and depended on those seen as brothers—similar to the way he is with Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan!
Taking a breath, Anakin knows he has maybe four minutes until his master catches on. Four minutes is a lot, however, because Commander Cody could have easily caught on since he’s always skimming the data coming in and out of a ship. After that nonsense with Slick a few months ago, he’s become a bloodhound for any sign of betrayal.
And this will certainly draw his attention.
As the troops continue to gaze up at him, confusion crossing their faces, Anakin grins. This moment of silence is great for building up to his grand plan, but it’s also provided a second of reflection. It’s a quiet moment where everyone here gets to breathe, and most are probably waiting on bated breath to see what explosive plan he’ll unveil next.
“Alright now, boys. I’ve got some news,” he says and places his hands behind his back. “I know it’s been a rough month given the battles we’ve undertaken, but I want you all to know how proud I am of you.”
“Sir,” Rex whispers, brow knitting together since regulations say Obi-Wan should be giving what the captain thinks is a pep talk. “Shouldn’t General Kenobi be making this speech?”
“Don’t think a lowly commander like me can handle it?”
“Not what I was referencing, Sir.”
Anakin smirks at him before turning back to the awaiting crew. “As a sign of my appreciation for your efforts, I’ve put into place a new regulation.”
The men shift uneasily. Of course, they’re concerned, they’ve got every right to be. He’s got them out there doing reckless missions that they were dissuaded from on Kamino. Here, however, they’ll eventually learn his plans typically work out.
Even if they seem to be insane.
“I have the agreement right here, which states I’ve adopted each and every one of you as my sons.” He grins and holds up his datapad. “From this day forward, you can refer to me as papa, father, dada, or dad. Whatever you prefer.”
Most faces seem confused, albeit a tad amused. Several of them break into smiles, but the room overall remains quiet.
“Apparently, I need to read it to you,” Anakin teases and clears his throat. “From this day forth, Anakin Skywalker has been granted custody of every clone in the 212th.” Pausing, he looks over at Captain Rex, whose face reads uncertainty. “That means you, too, Captain. You’re now my son. Do you have a hug for your dear ol’ pa?”
The captain shakes his head as Anakin hops down to the box.
After a moment, he breaks into a soft smile. “You’re crazy, Commander. You know that?”
Anakin laughs. “You should know better than to talk about your father that way.” He then turns to the rest of the troopers. “I expect some really good gifts for Father’s Day.”
As the troopers erupt into laughter, the box beneath shifts and sends Anakin tumbling into the unstable crate tower. With Rex landing beside him, the two of them work to deflect the boxes that bury them as they’re buried under the weight of a bad decision.
“ANAKIN!” Obi-Wan bellows from somewhere nearby.
Anakin glances at Rex. “Maybe we just stay here for a while.”
And they both break into a fit of laughter.