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Rex was walking through the white halls of Kamino, looking more at the floor than where he was going. Suddenly somebody stepped right in front of him, blocking his path. Rex looked up, only to see that somebody was a group of clone cadets, all older than Rex.
“Can I help you?” He asked hesitantly. The supposed leader of the group scoffed.
“Help us?” He laughed “Did you hear that, boys? The defect here wants to help us!”
Rex swallowed, that’s not good.
“The thing is,” the leader began, stepping closer to the younger clone “You can’t help. Not us, not anyone.”
Rex took a step back “What- what do you mean?”
“You’re a defect! You’re broken.” The clone laughed again “How can you help anyone, how can you fight for the Republic, if you’re broken?”
“I’m not- I can fight just fine!” Rex said, trying to hide the shakiness of his voice.
“Suuure” the leader dragged out the word, as he slightly tilted his head and his lips spread in a mocking smile “I guess we’ll have to wait until you get deployed and see.” He shrugged “Though I bet you’ll get killed the second you set foot on a battlefield. That is if you ever get that far, defect.” He spat out the last word with such hatred, that it made Rex stumble back. The other clone stepped closer, and the rest of the group surrounded the younger clone.
“Look guys-“ Rex started, taking another step back.
“What’s going on?!” A voice demanded from behind him, so suddenly that it made Rex jump and turn around. The voice belonged to a cadet. He was older than Rex, but younger than the clones surrounding him.
“It’s none of your business.” The leader spat out.
“I was talking to the kid.” The newcomer shot back, stepping closer.
“Get lost!” The older clone exclaimed, shoving the other backwards.
“Not until you leave the kid alone.” He said, shoving the leader back.
“Why do you care? He’s a defect!”
That was the last straw. Rex watched horrified as the newcomer punched the other clone in the face. Hard.
“Are you nuts?!” He shrieked, holding onto his bleeding nose.
“Now kriff off, unless you want more.” The other said firmly.
The older clone hesitated, but upon seeing the glare on the younger clone’s face he looked at the rest of his group.
“Let’s go, boys.” He said shooting a glare of his own at Rex. “Di’kute.” He muttered, walking away with the rest of his friends following him hastily, leaving Rex and the other clone alone in the hallway.
“You okay?” The older clone asked, turning to look at Rex.
“Y-yeah.” He said shakily. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. You got a name, kid?” The other cadet asked.
“I’m Rex.” He nodded.
“I’m Cody. What did they want from you, anyway?” The older questioned.
“I don’t know.” Rex replied. “I guess they just wanted to remind me that I’m a defect.” He shrugged.
“Shabuire.” Cody muttered, causing the younger clone to let out a scoff.
“He was right though.” He said, the older clone looked at him with confusion. “Why do you care about me? I’m just a defect, and you don’t even know me!”
“You’re my vod. Whether I know you or not.” Cody shrugged. ”Vode are supposed to care about each other. No matter what.”
“But I’m a defect!” Rex protested.
“It doesn’t matter. You’re still my vod’ika.” He replied. “Hey, do you wanna meet the rest of my batch?”
“Are you sure it’s okay?” The younger cadet asked tentatively.
“Of course! They’re gonna love you.” Cody smiled, thinking how his brothers are gonna react. What he said was true, they’re gonna love Rex. (And most likely become fiercely protective of him, but the kid didn’t need to know that yet).
“Alright then.” Rex said, still a bit hesitant. “I’d like to meet them.”
“Then let’s go, vod’ika.”