Here is the next chapter! I am thrilled that you all are enjoying the story so far! You're positive feedback makes it all worthwhile!
"How long were you with the GAR?" Ahsoka had enough of the silence and needed to talk, about anything.
"I wasn't really with the GAR. I flew for the Republic before the clones were even created, before the war broke out," Thea coolly answered. "I flew various cargo, senators, representatives; even Jedi. Lots of Jedi after the war broke out. I became really good at getting my crew where they needed as close as possible without getting shot down. When they established the GAR the need for outside pilots were no longer wanted and told all of us to leave, but I volunteered my services anyway."
"Why?" Ahsoka asked curiously.
Thea cocked her head at the Jedi, some of her red tresses falling over her shoulder. "Why not? I was good at my job and I wanted to make sure the men that were fighting for my life, your life, for peace and freedom would have at least a safe journey in and maybe a safe journey out of their battles."
"That's very noble of you," Ahsoka thoughtfully said and stretched in her seat, some of her joints popping in protest.
Thea shrugged her shoulders, "I guess."
"Did you fly with Echo? Is that how you two met?" The girl prudently inquired.
"We'll be entering the Mando atmosphere within fifteen minutes and should make landing at Kyrimorut not long after," Thea rushed out and avoided answering Ahsoka. "Do you want to let the captain know that we will be approaching the destination shortly?" Thea had been completely unaware that she had addressed Rex in such a formal manner as Ahsoka paused before getting out of her seat. Feeling the other woman's stare, Thea looked out of the corner of her eye and asked curtly, "What?"
"Nothing," the young Jedi answered just as briefly as she slipped from her seat and made her way toward the exit.
"Ahsoka," Thea called to the girl. Ahsoka stopped before exiting the cockpit, but did not turn away from the door. "I still love him. That's why I can't talk about it."
"Maybe that's why you need to talk about him," with that, Ahsoka exited the cockpit to leave Thea with her emotions she fought so long to squash, screaming for a release.
"Rex, we'll be entering the…" Ahsoka announced and stopped abruptly as she felt the commander's abhorrent energy crashing violently just as the waves on Kamino had when showing their fury in one of their infamous storms. The Jedi looked at Cody for a good long moment noticing that he was no longer wearing the blindfold, but his hands were still bound behind his back. His head was cast downward and he was hunched slightly forward, as much as the armor allowed and together the picture displayed a man who had just met defeat. With the Force though, Ahsoka was given another depiction of Cody; self-loathing, animosity for those around him and emptiness without a clue of how to fill it.
Is this why the Masters wanted us to stay away from attachment? Is attachment the darkside? Ahsoka shuttered at the thought and shut herself away from Cody's despair.
"We'll be at Kyrimorut probably within the next half hour," Ahsoka sat down next to Rex and tangled her slim fingers into his strong ones. She felt him squeeze her hand tightly and gazed at his tense face who had not taken his eyes off Cody. "What's you game plan?"
Rex shifted in his seat and a small breath escaped from his lips. "I need to comm Fives to let him know that we will be approaching shortly and also inform him about our additional passenger."
"You wouldn't have an additional passenger if you just did what I asked you," an antagonistic, hoarse murmur made Ahsoka and Rex turn and look at Cody. "Fives is also a deserter? I should have known with his out of the box ways," Cody spat. His head still downcast, it didn't hide his hostility toward any of them.
"Get it out of your head right now Cody," Rex ordered no-nonsense, "no one is going to kill you and you will not kill anyone."
"We'll see," Cody fumed.
Rex's grip tightened on Ahsoka's until she thought it might actually break. She did not want to complain, but she did not want a broken hand. When she could not tolerate it any long and was about to protest, the pressure on her hand suddenly released and Rex jumped up from his seat, glaring down at the cause of his anger. Cody lifted his head, eyes rolled up at the ex-captain.
"Tell Fives I said hi and see him soon," Cody grinned.
Rex was not comfortable leaving Ahsoka alone with Cody, but he was still bound and she had her blasters and the Force to help her. Not to mention Rex with his superior hearing would be able to hear if something was going on back there. It still did not ease his nerves.
As he entered the cockpit, he saw Thea turn a little in her seat to see who was entering and slightly nodded to him. "Captain," she acknowledged.
As Rex sat down in the co-pilot's seat he said distantly, "I haven't been a captain for over a year and a half, Thea. That's not who I am anymore."
"Sorry," she briskly apologized. Thea tried to tune Rex out as he used her communicator and commed his contact.
"Fives?" Rex asked a little brighter than he had been feeling.
Fives, Fives! Thea's mind raced with the name. He was with Echo at the time he had died. He was the one to deliver the devastating news of his death to her. He was the one who had changed her world forever. Thea felt like she could throw up right about now. Numb, all you feel is numbness…
Rex may have not been able to see his brother, but he could hear the smile in his voice. "Rex! Good to hear you, when are going to be here?"
"In about thirty minutes, listen Fives…" Rex trailed off.
Fives voice instantly turned serious. "What is it Rex? Is it Ahsoka?"
"We had a bit of an entanglement with a former comrade," Rex described delicately. "It's Cody, Fives and he's aboard the ship with us." There was a long pause before Fives spoke again.
"Is he dead?"
"No," Rex rushed to answer.
"Then why did you bring him Rex?" Fives voice was emotionless.
"For the same reason you and I left."
"He could be a spy for the Empire," Fives pressed. Rex understood Fives reasoning to be weary. He had a wife, a child on the way, a haven to keep safe, but wasn't this haven supposed to be open to those who sought it?
"I can promise you he's not Fives, but he is different and needs our help." He could hear Fives sigh on the other side of the comm.
"I understand and will let the others know. I'll see you when you get here."
"Thank you Fives." Rex logged off and sat back in the chair.
"What's so special about this clone that you didn't you kill him Cap…I mean sir?" Thea aloofly asked.
"You don't have to call me sir Thea. I didn't kill him because he's my brother and needs my help. He always had my back and was one of my most trusted friends. Cody, if he had truly wanted Ahsoka and me dead would have done it before we reached the ship."
"What if he doesn't want your help?" She continued to work on the landing procedures without looking at Rex while asking her questions.
"What makes you believe he doesn't?" Rex folded his arms over his chest and regarded the small pilot skeptically.
"What makes you think he does?" Thea jerked her head up and flashed her dark coal-colored eyes at Rex. Her hair fluttered over her shoulders contrasting drastically with her pale skin, making it look like her head was on fire and enhancing her searing temperament.
"Cody was my best friend…" Rex started to defend.
"Was your best friend, was your brother. All in the past. What about in the now?"
"The man I knew, I know is still in there."
"Are you sure? How can you see that when you don't even know who you are Rex? You tell me not to call you captain or sir, so who are you? How do you expect to help a man so immersed in anguish when you have no identity of yourself?" Cold-blooded is how Rex would describe the woman sitting across from him, but that was the nicest thing that he would dare to say out loud.
"At least I care enough to help," Rex retorted lowly. "You have no idea who I am, what I have been through and am going through."
"No? You don't think I do? I'm glad to know how little you think of heartache and loss." Thea deliberately said slowly and turned away from Rex.
Loss…Echo, of course."You blame me for Echo don't you?" Rex asked softly.
"Echo was a soldier, a clone soldier and died in the line of duty." Thea snapped.
"So you're just going to let what you had with him, die with him? You lady, are a hard, bitter shell."
"That's right; I am a hard bitter shell, but at least I know who I am Captain."
Who am I?Those three words taunted him. "Didn't I say no questions asked?" Rex order stormily.
"My apologies sir, it won't happen again," Thea retorted sarcastically.
"Just land the damn ship," Rex mumbled.
"Cody," Ahsoka called to the resting clone. She remained on the opposite side of the ship while Cody still sat now with his back resting on the wall with his eyes closed. At the sound of the Jedi's voice he craned one eye opened. "Did you see Barriss before the Order?" His other eye now open, Cody blinked blankly at Ahsoka. "Would you have left with her?" Again, Cody just blinked blankly and remained silent. "Rex thinks there's hope for you. As a Jedi, I suppose I should too. As a civilian, I think you're a lost cause."
"That's honest of you," Cody said reservedly.
"That's the Jedi in me," Ahsoka sardonically shot back.
"What if I am a spy for the Empire, will you shoot me Ahsoka?" Cody asked oddly.
"If it means keeping Rex and my friends safe, I will. But I don't think you are a spy," she answered cautiously.
"Oh? What do you think I am?"
"A victim who has been forced to do ungodly acts against humanity; is now suffering the consequences for those who were too weak and afraid to do it themselves. Maybe you sought us out for a reason, Cody."
"I thought you said I was a lost cause," Cody gave a caustic snarl, but looked to be a little more contemplative than he was a few minutes ago.
"Maybe you are," Ahsoka said causally as kicked her legs back and forth while she sat on the bench. "Many of times I thought I was a lost cause as well and Rex pulled me back from my own self loathing."
"You should have self loathing, you are a Jedi," Cody insulted.
"And you loved a Jedi at one time and perhaps somewhere in that dark heart of yours you still do." Cody opened his mouth to protest, but Ahsoka beat him to it. "We've already taken the first step Cody. You said you weren't going to talk to me because I am a Jedi, and we are."
"Look where we are," Cody muttered. He bit the bottom of his lip in thought. "I am not a good man, General," Cody admitted.
"Then it's time to redeem yourself Commander. It's time for all of us to heal."
"We were just having a nice chat before you came in here Rex," Cody smirked as Rex returned from the cockpit and began to gather his and Ahsoka's belongings. He strapped the stealth carbine to his belt and had the smaller blaster holstered for easy accessibility in case of any trouble, mainly from Cody.
Rex cast Ahsoka a quick worried glance as he helped hold her duffle up as she swung her arms through the straps. "It's okay Rex," the young Jedi assured.
"Yes, dear Captain, you're Jedi hasn't lost her sense of honesty at all. It's very helpful," Cody went on to gibe. "I think I will become a better man for it."
"I would hope so," Rex grabbed Cody by his tied hands and hauled him to his feet.
"Did you tell Fives I was excited to see him?" Cody twisted his head around to jeer at Rex. We have a long way to go Rex thought mournfully to himself.
"You have less than thrilled Null troopers, Mandalorian warriors and a pissed off ARC trooper all waiting for you. I would say no, Fives is not excited to see you," Rex pushed Cody forward toward the landing ramp and they waited until Thea set the ship down and the ramp lowered. "This is your only chance Cody. Fives once respected you not only as a grand soldier of the GAR, but as a friend as well. Be that man we all once knew and looked up to."
"Such sweet talk, I think I'm falling in love again," Cody scoffed.
"If not for your friends, do it for Barriss," Rex faintly rumbled into Cody's ear. Cody instantly sobered up and any vicious retorts and contemptuous humor disappeared. His face became blank, unable to read and his jaw tightened in tension. The only display of emotion was the distrust pooling in his russet eyes.
Rex, Ahsoka and Cody were greeted by Fives, Ordo, Kal Skirata and Walon Vau. Fives frowned deeply as he looked over the former commander of the 212th Attach Battalion now dressed in the elite ebony clad armor of those worn by stealth troopers. Seeing that his hands were tied behind his back did nothing for Fives's resolve. Disappointment mainly filled within Fives, but also pity, sorry and anger as he continued to look at the commander. He's here for a reason Fives, Bella's voice played in his mind. He had told her as soon as he got off the comm with Rex that Cody would be joining them. Help him learn that there's more to life other than strict walls, cruel words and harsh regulations.
Cody stopped in front of Fives, standing at attention. "Like what you see Fives?A traitor like you could never wear such a thing. But maybe your brother, he was so much more loyal, so much more by the book. He would have made a fine Imperial trooper," Cody's voice dripped with vile ooze.
Fives's lip curled and snarled, "You don't ever get to speak about Echo Imp trash!" So much for kind words. Fives cranked back his arm and fist, but a strong hand restrained him. Kal Skirata, the man who made Kyrimorut happen and brought sanctuary to his family, shook his head negatively at Fives.
"Don't son, you'll regret it later." Fives relaxed his arm, but the pure seething revulsion toward Cody was unmistaken.
"Listen you," Skirata shoved Cody against his chest, causing him to take a few steps back. Kal Skirata wasn't a giant, wasn't even as tall as the men he helped saved, but he was wise, strong and well-respected to those who did and didn't know him. Only the dim-whited dared to try and challenge him. "Everyone here has a story to be told of tragedy, loss, pain, remorse, repentance, and the list goes on. They come here for a new, better life and to heal. You are here because someone cares enough about you to think you are worth saving. I have no problem putting a blaster to a traitor's head when it comes to the safety of my family and neither does Vau here or any of the Null boys. You get one chance Commander, use it wisely."
Cody and Skirata stared at each other while the others watched in tense silence seeing who would back down first. "Maybe you should just shoot now," Cody finally said.
"I suggest you try and find an outlet first before you decide that's the best path. Ordo, could you please take him inside and give him a room. We'll be by to see you later, Commander," Skirata did not take his eyes off the man until Ordo and Cody were half way to the house.
"That was intense," Walon Vau breathed.
"He needs a lot of help," Skirata sighed.
"Sometimes, some of us are beyond help," Fives spat on the ground and wiped his mouth in distain.
"I hope not Fives," Rex disagreed, but Ahsoka was tending to agree with Fives. Maybe some people just didn't want to be saved.
The mention of people, the echoing of footsteps on the steal ramp turned everyone's attention to the woman making her way toward them. Curious and suspicious gazes turned to her.
"This is our pilot…" Rex started.
"Thea!" Fives gaped. He couldn't believe it was really her. The exception of the vicious scar that ran across her face, she was the same as he remembered when she was with his brother. Small, delicate, the laugh lines still there and faint, but replaced was a look he was unfortunately all too familiar with. Distant, scornful and bitter, he had worn it himself after his brother had died and didn't care about life until he had met Bella.
"Fives," Thea whispered and nodded slightly toward him.
Feeling the awkwardness, Ahsoka nudged Rex who cleared his throat and asked, "Fives, you said that you had something to share with us?"
Fives took his eyes off the fiery red haired woman and turned to Rex. "It's more than you could have ever imagined Rex, more than we all could ever hope for. Come on, get settled and then we'll catch up." He directed his gaze back to Thea.
Ahsoka stared at the large house in front of her and all she could hear were the thumps of her heart pounding in her ears. Just a few more feet and you've made it through the threshold. Do it. If you want answers, do it. But Ahsoka's feet were frozen in place.
"Soka?" She could hear Rex's voice in the back of her mind, but it did not register to her.
If you want to mend broken bridges, fight the monsters that haunt you, walk forward. Her feet would not cooperate with her though. They felt like they were covered in cement and plastered to the ground. I'm not ready. I want to go back home…I want to go back to Saleucami, to the farm, back to Suu, Cut and the children. To the eopies and the farm. Back to where I can hide.
"Rex," Ahsoka uttered his name weakly. She looked up at Rex with her frightened blue eyes.
"Soka?" Rex concerned at the "deer in the headlight" look she was giving him, he reached for his blaster at the possibility she sensed danger. What he wasn't expecting was the young Jedi to toss her duffle on the ground and take off at a dead run away from him, away from having to confront everything she and Rex came to Mandalore for and fled into the fields, leaving Rex dumbstruck.
Coward, her heart screamed.
I know, her mind whimpered.
"Ahsoka!" Rex yelled at the top of his lungs.
So I know Cody is a bit out of character, but he's been through some major drama (you'll find out why and what later)
Can Ahsoka confront her fears, will Rex understand, and Thea, will she find her answers? Stay tuned for more!
I want to say a big thank you to Sachariah, Queen, Laloga, Jess Marylin, Redone & General Herbison for their awesomeness and reviews!