Chapter 2: A Loss In Direction
Adam Cook
"Wow… That is quite the story!" Colin nodded. Fives had told him everything. He told him all about the Domino Squad… the war… the conspiracies… but he didn't say too much. He couldn't risk his trust on someone when he still had a chance to stop the Chancellor from completing his plan.
"Well, sir… I mean, Colin. Thank You for your hospitality, but I should get going. I've got something I need to do." Fives stood up and walked towards the door, but not before Colin said something that made Fives freeze in his tracks.
"Echo." Fives didn't know how to respond. "I know who you are Fives. You were a hero to the Republic… before it…" Colin stopped. Fives turned around.
"Echo is gone!" Fives bellowed, "He died on Lola Sayu! So I don't know what your deal-"
"He was presumed… dead…" Colin interrupted. Fives stood in shock. Is Echo… alive? He thought as he sat back down.
"Is Echo alive? Is he okay? Can I see him?" Fives was desperate. The bond he had shared with Echo was irreplaceable and he had suffered long after Echo's death in mourning.
"As far as I know… he's alive and well." Colin confirmed. Fives' heart skipped a beat. He was overjoyed. Until he realized something.
"Wait, how do you know so much about Echo?" Fives leaned forward in his chair. Colin took a sip of his grog and leaned back.
"I provide kind of a clone hideout. If any clones are in town they stop by here because they know they're safe." Colin explained. Fives was confused.
"What do you mean? Why aren't clones safe?" He questioned. Colin slapped his palm against his forehead.
"Oh right! I haven't told you how long you've been down there! Ha ha! Yeah, it's been about a year." Colin admitted casually.
"A year?!" Fives bursted, "I've been dead in the ground for a year?" Colin laughed.
"Ha ha! I guess so brother!" Colin chuckled, but then his face went straight. "But, a lot has changed." He breathed heavily. "The former chancellor announced himself as the new 'Emperor'. He announced the betrayal of the Jedi, the fall of the Republic, and the rise of the New Empire." Colin continued to tell Fives everything. All he could do was listen and try his best not to burst.
When Colin finished, Fives just sat back in silence. He had been so close. He almost prevented all of this from happening.
"What do I do?" Fives thought out loud. Colin shrugged.
"Well, like I said earlier, I know quite a few clones. Next time one shows up I can introduce you and see if they'll let you tag along. How's that sound?" Colin waited for an answer. "Fives?" Fives looked up quickly.
"What? Oh, yeah. Yeah I'll do that." Colin nodded.
"Alright. The next one let me know that he's gonna be here tomorrow morning. So, why don't you get some sleep. I know you've been sleeping for a year, but it'll give you some time to process everything." Colin got up and guided Fives to a cot. "Goodnight Fives" He said. "And welcome back"
"Holy Bantha Fodder…" Fives woke up to someone talking at the door. He opened his eyes and looked towards the speaker. The man standing there had a blonde buzzcut and was built like Fives. He also had Fives' eyes… and chin… and…
"Fives? But… you died in my arms…" Rex managed, holding his chest. Fives went from confusion to shock to joy within seconds, lept up and embraced Rex.
"Rex! You… you survived? How?" Fives asked, pulling Rex back to get a better look.
"Me? After you died I had my chip removed. I'm alive thanks to you! The bigger question is, how did YOU survive?" Rex chuckled.
"Well, I… I… don't actually know." Fives admitted. "I just woke up last night and Colin here heard me through my helmet's comms." Rex scratched his chin which was now home to a thin layer of facial hair.
"That's… bizarre. We can talk about it later. Welcome back brother!" Rex announced. Him and Fives embraced in a strong friendly hug. "What are you planning on doing now that you're… you know… alive?" Rex asked. Fives looked over at Colin.
"Well, I told Fives here that I'd see if he could hitch a ride with whoever came in next! So, if you're up for that than I gue-"
"Done. You're coming with be Fives." Rex decided, punching Fives' shoulder. Fives smiled. This was all so surreal. One moment he was dead in Rex's arms and the next… alive in Rex's arms…
"Hey, c'mon Fives" Rex said gesturing towards the table. "We've got a lot to talk about."
END OF CHAPTER TWO
Note: Thanks for reading my second chapter of "A New Order". Please feel free to leave a review so I can improve my writing. See you in chapter 3!
