Chapter Text
Returning to Coruscant was not something Fox had ever planned on doing. He especially didn’t plan for a return to include him being bound while force suppressor burned through his veins. Fox thought back to the series of poor decisions that had led up to him being captured by a low level bounty hunter.
Fox had been having a bad day and nothing about today was helping with that. The Bad Batch was hanging around Cid’s bar on Ord Mantell, much to Fox’s displeasure. As if the seedy customers weren’t enough on their own it was also too crowded and too loud.
Crosshair and Omega had been playing Dejarik while Wrecker and AZ spectated and offered advice that neither party took. Tech was sitting on a barstool near the others tinkering with his latest project. Echo sat next to Tech partially helping and partially making idol conversation. Hunter was in a private meeting with Cid, likely trying to get a new job for the group or trying to negotiate a higher cut from their jobs.
Fox had been sulking in the back corner of the bar, sitting opposite the rest of the group, all afternoon watching his siblings as well as the other patrons in the bar. Well sulking was what Hunter had called it but really Fox was trying hard to remind himself that he wasn’t in a seedy club on Coruscant. The voices in his head that day had decided to call him a coward on loop and Fox was tempted to get a drink from the bar in the hopes that it would help with his mounting headache.
Then Hunter had stormed over to him, clearly in the mood for an argument. Or maybe just a sympathetic ear to listen to his problems with Cid. Either way it was going to be an argument.
“I can’t believe her. After everything we do for her, she still won’t give us a fifty-fifty split.” Hunter huffed as he crossed his arms and leaned against the wall next to Fox.
“You still believe you can negotiate with a conwoman?” Fox shot.
“Cid is not a conman. She’s a middleman.”
“Right, and Phee is a liberator of ancient treasures. It doesn’t matter what she calls herself, her actions speak for her.”
“Well if you’ve got a better way for a bunch of fugitives to make money I’m all ears!”
“Don’t get mad at me because you’re a terrible leader!”
“You don’t get to talk like that when you don’t pull your weight! Omega helps on missions more than you and she’s a child!”
Instead of retorting Fox pushed past Hunter and stormed out of the bar. He didn’t quite remember wandering into the market. Or getting stunned by the bounty hunter that his mind was too jumbled to warn him about. But he had the vague impression of those things happening as some of his last memories.
So now here he was being forcefully led in cuffs around the all too familiar halls of the Senate Dome by a bounty hunter and two red guards. Fox couldn’t help but notice that while a few Coruscant Guard members were stationed throughout the building there were distinctly more Coruscant Security Members. Crosshair must have been right about the empire starting to phase out clones in favor of volunteers.
It didn’t take a genius to guess where Fox was being led to. He still had the path to the chancellor’s office memorized even after being gone for almost a year. They arrived at the office sooner than Fox had realized, he cursed the drugs in his system. The two guards that had escorted the bounty hunter stayed outside while the bounty hunter shoved Fox ahead of him.
The inside of the office looked exactly the same as Fox remembered. It was strange to be standing in front of the large desk with the floor to ceiling window overlooking the city. His attention was drawn to the figure sat at the desk as they turned dramatically to face the pair. Fox recognized the force signature of the man faintly but everything else about the man was unfamiliar. Palpatine looked much older with deep wrinkles covering his face and less hair on his head than last time Fox saw him. The worst part though were the man's unsettling yellow eyes that had replaced his piercing blue. Fox couldn’t help but shudder as those eyes landed on him before the chancellor spoke.
“Ah, so you’re the man who brought in my impossible bounty.” The man’s voice was raspy. “Quite an impressive feat.”
“Thank you, Emperor.” The bounty hunter replied in a smooth tone. “Though given the ease with which I brought him in, maybe everyone else just wasn’t trying.”
“Or perhaps my wayward commander finally remembered his place.” The sinister glint in the man’s eye made Fox take a half step back. “Whatever the case my men will have your reward waiting for you at your ship. Thank you for your service to this great empire.”
“It's always a pleasure when the pay is this good.” The bounty hunter gave a mocking bow with a laugh as he left the room.
“I knew you’d return to me, CC-1010.” Palpatine crooned.
“My name is Fox and you know that because you put it on the wanted posters!” Fox shouted. He hoped his defiance would earn him a faster death. “I didn’t come back, I was dragged here! You don’t have any power over me anymore!”
“You are a clone.” The emperor’s voice was icy. “You were made to obey.”
“That’s not true! Just go ahead and kill me because I’ll never follow your orders ever again!”
“Now, now, CC-1010 don’t be so hasty.” Palpatine pulled up a list on his desk and scrolled idly. “It’s just a matter of finding the right persuasion for you. I’m sure we still have some of your brothers nearby.”
Fox clenched his jaw. His recklessness was fine if it harmed him but he couldn’t let his rashness get an innocent clone hurt or killed. When he spoke again Fox had a more level tone.
“What do you want from me?” Fox tried to keep his head high and a defiance to his eyes. “Why didn’t you just have the bounty hunter finish the job you started with Order 66?”
“I never intended that order for you.” The man waved his hand slowly but dismissively. “It would be foolish to waste an asset such as you so soon.”
“You have something in mind for me then?” Fox glared.
“It will be a simple task for you, given your experience. I find my inquisitors lacking in potential for leadership.”
“You want me to lead the inquisitors?” The anger Fox felt seeped into his voice. “You want me to hunt down Jedi?!”
“Your former subordinates at the Jedi Temple don’t share your reservations. We both know that you are good at falling in line though, CC-1010.”
“No.” It came out barely louder than a whisper.
“What was that?” Palpatine asked in the condescending tone that told Fox that he’d been heard but not believed.
“I said no!” Fox shouted. “I won’t do it! No matter what you threaten or what you do I will not do anything else for you!”
“You believe you have a choice here?” Palpatine’s voice took on a warning tone.
“No I don’t think I do.” Fox leveled the same cold tone.
The conviction on his face must have been enough to convince Palpatine that this wasn’t a fight he could win. A viscous anger crossed the man’s face before it was replaced by a knowing smirk.
“Very well, CC-1010.” His tone was far too eager for Fox’s liking. “Maybe some time in your precious prison will change your view. If nothing else, maybe Dr. Hemlock can find a use for you.”
Fox was left to stew on the meaning of that threat as two guards entered the office and dragged Fox out of the room.