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"Jesse. You need to listen. Please, listen to me.” Kix begged his brother. They were in the medbay together, Kix told Jesse that 'he had to do a scan, to make sure Jesse didn’t have brain damage'. Well, it was clearly a lie. But believable one. After last campaign, Jesse got hit pretty bad and had a strong concussion. But really, Kix shut down the security cameras in the scanner room, with the intention of telling Jesse everything he had learned about the inhibitor chips. The very same chips that were the reason for Fives’s death.
"I am listening, Kix’ika. I am. Just…tell me what’s going on, so I can help." Jesse assured him, eyes darting to the hypo with a sedative, neatly placed on the gurney.
"Okay. Okay…but promise me that what I’m about to tell you won’t leave this room. Please, Jesse. It’s important." Kix replied, as if he doubted him. Jesse knew that wasn’t the case, Kix trusted him like no other clone, so it had to be serious. "I won’t tell anyone." The ARC Trooper promised, his eyes locked with Kix’s. The medic took a long breath.
"Well, I don’t really know how to start, but those chips, that are supposed to restrain our aggression, really have different purpose…"
*****
"What?!"
Jesse’s eyes were wide from shock.
"You want to tell me that there is something in my head that could control me?!" He yelled. "Jesse, keep your voice down!" Kix hissed, his expression panicked. Jesse nodded, instinctively clasping a hand over his mouth. Luckily, no one seemed to be around the main ward, because they were still alone, undisturbed.
"Get it out, Kix. I don’t want to have something like that in my brain, I-I CAN’T. Please, Kix…" Jesse kept pleading, until Kix placed his hand on Jesse’s shoulder. "Don’t worry, I will. But I have to sedate you." Kix warned, grabbing a hypo. "Whatever is needed, just do it." Jesse whispered, lying down. As soon as he was asleep, Kix began the procedure.
He was relieved to finally share his burden with Jesse, even if he had just marked him as target as well. But for the past week, Kix felt like someone was almost constantly watching him. That way, if anything happened to Kix, Jesse could take his findings to Rex.
*****
"Execute Order 66." The hooded man in the hologram said. His voice sent a shiver down Jesse’s spine. Or maybe it was Rex’s reaction? "Yes, Lord Sidious." The Captain said, his voice emotionless, droid-like. The door behind Rex hissed as it opened, Ahsoka came running into the room. "Rex, it’s Anakin. I think something terrible has happened." She called to Jesse’s ori’vod. The hand under which Rex had tucked his helmet started to shake. It was wrong. Rex’s hands never shook. He dropped it, plastoid clattering loudly against the durasteel. The Captain straightened, his expression turning blank. Jesse had no idea what exactly was happening, but he knew one thing for certain. It had something to do with the chips, and Kix’s disappearance from Mandalore. The clones on either side of the door aimed their blasters at her. Jesse’s eyes widened under the helmet. Yes, it was definitely about the chips. Because, why would they turn on her if they weren’t controlled by the Sith? Why would Rex be so calm and obedient to the enemy? "No. I’ll do it." Rex said, turning around to look at Ahsoka, DC-17 blasters drawned and aimed at her. His hands were shaking as Rex took aim, his face looked like he was in pain, struggling against the control something had over him. A single tear fell down his cheek, as he mumbled something under his breath. "Fives. Find him. Find him. Fives. FIND HIM!" "FIVES!"
Rex shouted, unable to control himself any longer. He started shooting at Ahsoka, who fortunately managed to activate her lightsabers in time. Their humming disturbed by sounds of blaster bolts deflecting from the blades, she swirled around, leaping in the air to protect herself from the torrent of blue bolts.
"She’s down. She’s down" One of the clones yelled.
"Hold your fire!" Jesse screamed frantically, his heart spiking at the thought of Ahsoka getting shot. Luckily, there was no sign of her when the smoke died down.
Rex looked up, and Jesse’s eyes followed Rex’s. There was a large gap in the ceiling, large enough that Ahsoka would fit in. Jesse breathed a sigh of relief.
"Sir, are you alright?" One of the Corries asked Rex, who nodded, though Jesse could see that something was off. It looked like Rex was fighting with the chip, so there was hope.
"Fine, just tired is all. I want you to go to the detention level. Execute Maul." Rex ordered,
and put helmet on.
"Yes, Sir. All right, men." Corrie confirmed, running to follow the order along with two other members of the Coruscant Guard.
"All right. We know Ahsoka Tano is on board. She’s been marked for termination by Order 66. Under this directive, any and all Jedi leadership must be executed for treason against the Republic. Any soldier that does not comply with the order will also be executed for treason. Understood?" Rex announced. Jesse felt his stomach turning, he stiffened.
"Yes, Sir!" All clones called out. Jesse did too, careful not to give anyone a hint that he isn’t controlled. If he slipped up, they’d execute him for sure. He shook himself from his thoughts, his attention back on Rex. He decided to play this game of pretend, until he could get Ahsoka to listen to him and get her out of here.
"There are only so many places to hide in this ship. Gather out search parties. We’ll fan out and move section by section. Come on. Let’s get moving." Rex commanded. His voice didn’t even sound like it should. Too emotionless, too droid-like. The troopers ran out of the room, and Jesse did too.
When they were walking through the corridors, one of the search parties ran to them. "Sir, we finished our sweep of the detention level. The prisoner has escaped. There’s no sign of Tano or Maul." The clone reported. Rex - no, the chip in Rex’s head - gave them new set of orders. "Destroy the escape pods and increase security on the hangar decks."
"Right away, sir.” The trooper said, saluting and turning to go to the hangar.
“ARC-5597, go with him." Rex ordered him. Jesse bristled at being called by his number. Last time, it was by Krell. But with Rex, his Captain who saw him bleed and scream, who was there at his worst, calling him that, it was different. "Yes, Sir." He responded, trying to make his voice as blank as Rex’s voice.
*****
Jesse saw Rex and Ahsoka in the control room. So, Ahsoka must have figured out how to help Rex and removed his chip. Oh, he had wished that other clones would listen to him, and let them go. Even if Jesse had to die in their place. He couldn’t even let them know that he was on their side.
"Go!" One of the clones yelled.
"I can see them there!" He added.
"Go, go, go!"
All the clones in the hangar ran to the main deck, quickly taking their positions, creating dozens of rows, ready for Rex’s and Ahsoka’s arrival. Jesse’s stomach turned as he realised they were waiting for his orders. He steadied himself and took position in the front.
"Hold your position, men. If they try to leave, they’ll have to go through us." He said.
Soon after, Jesse saw Rex leading Ahsoka at gunpoint. It had to be one of their plans, but damn risky one, to say the least.
"Hold your fire!" Rex shouted.
"Hang on. We have Tano and the Commander." Jesse said to his comm, aware of many potentially enemy guns behind him. He had to make it look like he was under the chip. Just for a little longer. Knowing Rex and ‘Soka, they’d escape. They just needed some more time. He heard the telltale sound of blasters being prepared to fire. He tensed automatically, ready for the worst.
"I said hold your fire, Jesse. I have the situation under control." Rex repeated. Jesse nodded to his men, a sign to lower the weapons. He just hoped they’d listen.
"You have your order, Sir. Now execute it or they will!" Jesse warned Rex, choosing this words carefully, so Rex might get his point, get it that Jesse’s chip wasn’t working, too.
"The order was to execute the Jedi for treason against the Republic. The problem is, Ahsoka Tano is no longer a Jedi. Hasn’t been for some time." Rex argued, and Jesse smiled under his bucket. Classic Rex. Finding loopholes to save their Jedi, hoping it would be enough to fight the chips of others in the room. And if not, at least buy them some time.
"Sir, you said yourself we’re under special order from Darth Sidious to eliminate Ahsoka Tano and any other clone who disobeys Order 66." Jesse turned around to see who spoke that. Sergeant Fern. He was a good brother, but it didn’t matter when his mind was taken away from him.
"Jesse. Jesse, listen to me. We’ve known each other a long time. If we don’t get this right, we will be the ones committing treason, not her." Rex addressed him, pleading tone in his voice. Jesse flinched, his hand twitched as he instinctively wanted to sign something to Rex. But Fern would see, and he’d likely shoot him. Not that his life mattered, anyway. But Jesse was the last obstacle between the clones and Rex and Ahsoka.
"Commander Rex, you’re in violation of Order 66. I accuse you of treason against the Grand Army of the Republic. You’ll be demoted in rank form Commander and subject to execution along with the traitor Ahsoka Tano. Now surrender, and go to the holding area, calmly, until we reach Coruscant." Jesse said. Fern tilted his helmet, clearly disagreeing with Jesse.
Ahsoka seemed to mutter something to Rex.
"Yeah, I didn’t much like being a Commander anyway." Rex said aloud. Jesse smirked.
"Lieutenant. It is clear that you have experienced a head injury and are not thinking clearly. In this situation, I am taking the command and will carry out our orders." Fern said. Jesse’s eyes widened. It was over. He couldn’t do anything more.
"Company, ready. Aim!" Fern shouted, all clones raised their blaster again. Then, a mechanisms started buzzing, the lifts in the hangar shook. Jesse managed to jump to the side, before they descended. However, his landing was far from safe. Before falling, Fern managed to take one shot at Rex, which hit Jesse instead. He gasped sharply when the bolt hit him in the chest, just below his ribcage. He stumbled, pain flaring in the wound. Shakily, Jesse got up, trying to find Rex. He saw him, and Ahsoka, making their way to the star fighters.
*****
Jesse breathed out a sigh of relief when he saw that Rex and Ahsoka got out safely. Now, all he had to do was finding his own way out. And while he didn’t want to leave his brothers here to die, he had no other choice.
Jesse quickly looked around. One of the star fighters under maintenance could do, all he had to do was landing on the moon below. Even if it was going to be a crash landing. Jesse jumped into the fighter, hissing in pain as it jostled his ribs. He swiftly detached the cables keeping it in place. The fighter shook as he left the hangar, the engines whined, strained. With the ship in such condition, he’d be lucky if he managed to avoid crashing on the planet surface, not to mention dodging all the debris.
Jesse flew through the atmosphere, desperate to get to the surface safely, without receiving any more injuries. He turned left, sharply pulling the controls. His flight towards the surface turned into deadly dance with fire and debris. The whine of the engine was deafening, and his ribs felt like they were on fire, each breath he took hurt.
Jesse had no idea how, but he had managed to land. Well, if ejecting himself from fighter in flames and inflicting further damage to his wounds counted as landing. Thinking back, he had been extremely lucky that the blaster bolt he took didn’t hit anything vital. Jesse was pretty sure he lost consciousness for some time, too. When Jesse gathered himself from the ground, he noticed next fighter, and two people, standing in front of crashed Venathor.
His HUD wasn’t working as it should, but magnifying function showed Rex, hauling bodies out, and Ahsoka using the Force to carry them. Jesse’s heart clenched. Were they all dead?
Jesse slowly started to walk towards the survivors, each step strained. When he was few metres from them, he collapsed, exhaustion and pain finally caught up with him. His eyes closed, the last thing he was aware of was Rex’s blaster aimed at him, and Ahsoka’s lightsaber at his throat. Then, he just slipped to darkness.
*****
Jesse woke up, tied down. He felt gentle hands on his temples. He felt strangely, like someone was trying to find something in his head.
"I don’t understand. Why I can’t sense his chip?" He heard Ahsoka’s voice, coming from somewhere far away. Rex’s face appeared in his peripheral, his vision still blurry.
"Maybe it’s because…I don’t have it anymore…" Jesse rasped. Rex gasped, startled by the statement. "Jesse…what do you mean?" He asked carefully, untying him. Jesse rolled his eyes and shrugged, wincing when his wound protested, a sign new flash of pain through his body. "It was Kix…he told me about the chips…and removed mine, right before he…" Jesse cut himself off, he still found it hard to believe that Kix wasn’t there anymore.
"Why didn’t you tell me, before? You could’ve trusted me, Jess’ika.” Rex replied softly. Jesse shuddered. "There was no time, it happened night before Mandalore." He explained, and Rex’s shoulders sagged, but former Commander raised his eyebrows in question. "Then why were you there, with them? Why were you acting like they did?" Rex’s voice broke off slightly when he mentioned other clones. It was all that Jesse needed as confirmation that no one else survived. "I…I had to. I had to buy you some time, pretending." He explained and hissed in pain. Ahsoka’s eyes widened when she noticed his injury, and she passed him a slightly worn off bacta patch.
"Here." She offered. "That burn looks pretty nasty, and we…we can’t loose someone else so soon." She whispered. Jesse nodded, accepting the patch.