A/N: I do not own Star Wars or any part of the franchise; all rights and ownership belongs to Disney. The ideas portrayed within this piece of fiction are purely Fan-based explorations for my fellow enthusiasts to enjoy. I very much appreciate constructive reviews so please feel free to leave me your thoughts.

P.S. Chapter 2 now updated. (25MAY18)

~ProphetessMinty


Chapter 2

As soon as Rex reached the capital, he sent in a request for personal leave. Not too long ago, some Coruscanti Senator, named Skennah, had raised a heated debate for Clone rights; specifically petitioning for a certain regiment to receive R&R. This peculiar request was unheard of but hit the heart chords of those with similar sentiments. At first, their argument gave leeway to a sort of trial period but soon after, the metropolis of Coruscant began to boom with excitement. Various news networks swelled with a barrage of questions and public opinions, both good and bad.

The seemingly harmless idea became a great tactic for boosting both morale and public relations. At last, Republic citizens were given a face to the men on the front lines. It was all thanks to various senators—like Amidala and Organa—that the Grand Army even approved of their property taking leave. Even though the clones were newly afforded such a once, non-existent luxury; Rex and his brothers alike found this to be very strange. One day they were just property and the next…somewhat recognizable, semi-sentient beings with needs. No matter how little ground was gained to identify Clones as flesh-and-blood with valid, civil liberties; the army of brothers would take what they could get. This was one small step for Clone-kind but, what would they do with it?

Not long after filing out his application, Rex was granted leave for one week. He hastily made his way back to the barracks and exchanged his armor for an officer's uniform. Rex fiddled with his belt for a moment before gathering his R&R credits together. The small chips clanked against each other before settling deep into his pants pocket. Before turning to the door, he looked longingly towards his empty hip holsters lying neatly on his bed. Earlier, he had dropped off his favored DC-17's at the weapons depo as it was standard protocol to leave them in the armory when not on duty. With one final look, he left the room.

Moments later, Rex reached the building's exit that lead him to the roof top of the skyscraper. The tall metal tower overlooked a deep chasm filled with life. Business lights began to glow brighter and brighter as the sun hid itself below the skyline. Golden, airy clouds drifted lazily in the air while accenting the vibrant shades of scarlet and purple left behind from the retreating light. The evening air was oppressed by dry heat and a slight breeze that eagerly kissed the cheeks and necks of those about. Rex breathed deeply, soaking in the view. Out in the distance floated a holographic ad for 79's—the "Clone Bar". The image depicted four brightly polished BD-3000 luxury droids holding platters full of frothing drinks. With a sigh of content, Rex shoved his hands into his pockets and started walking to the southside of the roof top.

"Rex!"

The Captain looked over his shoulder and came to a stop as Commander Cody jogged toward him. "Commander Cody, sir," he acknowledged, snaping into a formal salute. "At ease Captain," Cody responded with his own salute. Rex relaxed as the two began walking in step with each other. "Word has it that you're on leave. Where are you headed?" Rex chuckled softly as he shook his head. "I am on my way to 79's for a drink, Sir. Care to join me?" Cody nodded as he gestured toward his plain-clothes uniform, "I've got a moment." The two walked on in silence until they reached an air traffic fly-over zone at the south end of the barrack's roof top.

The two of them hailed an air taxi and within moments found themselves sitting in the back of the dingy cab. The Rodian cabby and his passengers were separated by noise canceling transparisteel, leaving the occupants free to speak in private. Cody continued looking out the window until his thoughts finally got the better of him. Turning his attention to Rex, he found the man staring intently at the partition. "It's been a couple of months since Commander Tano left the Jedi Order and a month since Tup and Fives died...," Cody commented leaving all unspoken questions up for grabs.

The atmosphere hung on the very precipice of a double-edged sword; the outcome either good or bad. It had been a while since they last spoke as most of their conversations were held over holonet chatrooms. Rex replied softly even though he looked like someone had snatched his deece without permission, "They were good men, Sir."

"It's a shame that we lost such a fine Commander," Cody added.

"Now we have to deal with more paperwork and angry Civvies. I wish they would can it. It's not like they have a war to fight anyhow," Rex spat in disgust.

"At this rate," Cody said shaking his head, "they might tell the Jedi and us Clones to ship out."

Rex scoffed, "Not without risking a Republic collapse."

"If only they knew what went on out there," Cody said thoughtfully.

"Would it really change anything?" Rex asked rhetorically. Cody shrugged in response, "I don't know but one would hope so. We can't risk doubting our allies based on assumptions and opinions. If we start to doubt them, then what? What good does that do?" Rex nodded dismissively and went back to staring out the window pretending to be fascinated with the blurry ads that littered the air ways.

"Are there any more updates on Tup's or Fives' death?" Cody asked.

"Nothing. It's been quite…too quiet," Rex responded.

Cody awkwardly scratched at his temple, "How are you dealing with all of this?"

"I don't know—"

"Yes, yes you do Rex," Cody said cutting him off.

"Alright, alright," Rex snapped, "I'm frustrated. Something isn't adding up."

"Okay, shoot."

Rex thought to himself for a moment, unsure of how to proceed. He was fully aware that anything he spoke in these next moments could make him sound like a lunatic. At worst, it could wind up with him getting court martialed on the grounds of conspiracy. He sighed, what else could be said other than the facts?

"Right before Fives died, he told General Skywalker and I that these things—," Rex pointed to his head, "these chips—were in all us Clones. What if what he said was true? That means we would be walking, talking time bombs."

"No way," Cody barked, suddenly flustered. As if to illustrate his objection the Commander slammed his fist into the seat with a loud thunk. "It's a farce. A wild fantasy filled with misadventure. Worse, it means that we Clones—" Cody grunted, cutting himself off. "I don't know what happened to Tup or Fives, but one thing is for sure," Cody continued a little softer, "they were out of their minds."

"Sir, with all due respect, I—," Rex began before Cody interrupted him.

"I understand that losing your men in addition to Commander Tano's unexpected absence is hard to cope with, but don't lose focus Rex. You and I are loyal soldiers. We are not some evil mastermind's playthings. We have control over ourselves and that's exactly why we are able to have conversations like this. Just because two of your men went off the deep end and came up with a disturbing story, doesn't mean we need to follow suit."

"Sir!" Rex objected.

"Get it together Rex. If you continue down this line of thinking…I'm not sure I can follow you. Not this time," Cody sighed with grief.

"Sir, yes, sir," Rex responded though he didn't agree. The two men went back to starring off at nothingness, letting the awkward lull in the conversation leak out the cracks of the taxi's windows. Minutes passed, and the cab finally arrived at 79's. Cody paid the Rodian driver and watched as the cabby took off, greedily in search of another customer.

79's front terrace was full of customers, entering and exiting, the establishment. The music was loud and it practically poured out the doors every time they opened. This was exactly the place to become enlivened by the thumping of joyousness and frivolity. Cody stretched out his back and playfully clapped Rex on the back, leaving all frustrations by the wayside.

"Drinks are on—"

Before Cody could finish his sentence, a roar of quips and retorts rang out from the inner circle of an indignant mob. Near the entrance of the cantina, a large cluster of customers had formed, jeering and whistling in unison. Their attention was completely stolen by whatever they were focused on. Cody and Rex raced from the curb to the crowd in anticipation to break up a brawl.

Whack! Whack! Whack!

A fresh round of punches audible enough to feel were doled out to its receivers. Rex and Cody forcefully shoved aside the gawking spectators and found two of Cody's men standing in the middle with a raging Dug male. "What's going on here," Cody yelled causing Trapper and Boil to flinch into a lazy salute. Both men sported bulbous, black eyes and embarrassed pride.

The Dug walked passed Commander Cody, but not before shoving Trapper and Boil on his way to the curb. As the indignant creature reached an air taxi, he turned around yelling at them in his native tongue. It didn't take a translator droid to understand what it had shrieked with rage. The cab made a mad dash into heavy traffic, leaving the men with an angry commanding officer. The crowd disappointedly disbanded as they left the four Clones to their own devices.

"We were on our way out of the Cantina when Boil was shoved by that Dug—uh—Sir!"

Boil kept a blank face until Cody looked to him. "What was so important you needed to start a fight?" Before Boil could answer, Cody took both men by the shoulder leading them away from the cantina. Cody looked back toward his companion, "Sorry Rex, duty calls. I need to take these numbskulls back to the barracks before they get into any more trouble."

Rex waved goodbye and turned back to the doors of 79's.