Chapter 7

86205 entered cargo hold A2, and saw immediately Captain Rex, along with 3 other clones. He entered, and addressed them all. "Hello. I am 86205. I am at your service." The clones turned to face him, and Rex spoke first. "86205. This is Shiner, Ricochet, and Rascel. Are you here to help with moving?"

86205 nodded. "Yes master."

Rex's perspective-

Well. General Skywalker was full of surprises. Rex hadn't been expecting that either. But he was nothing if not adaptable. Still though, good to understand this new version of his once General. "I thought General Kenobi was your master."

"Yes master. Though all are my masters, my true master is the one I primarily serve. When he is in the room, connected by hologram, or in some related circumstance, then I must refer to him as my master, and all else are 'sir' or 'mam' with alterations depending on the person. When my master is not present though, all are my master, so says the manual of Kelnal, chapter 5, verses 16 through 20." Rex nodded. It made sense. It also sounded like a clone reciting the manual. This was getting most enlightening. Rex also noticed that when his master was not in the room, General Skywalker was allowed to look up, if not make eye contact. He filed the information away for further inspection later, as it could be useful, and continued his work.

They completed the moving without further ado, and General Skywalker turned out to be a good worker, not that Rex had expected any less. After the moving had been completed, Rex checked his assignment board, and found that he was to disable cannons 5 through 8. The order had come from General Kenobi. Rex went to the weapons array check-in for clearance. He didn't understand the orders, but he didn't have to. He would obey anyway.

Anakin's perspective-

The work had indeed made him feel better. 86205 felt much better now, calmer. Now to find his master. He was on his way to the man's quarters, where his master had informed said he could come join him over the com. On the way there, he thought about his latest experience. Wasting time was pointless, after all. He had decided he liked the clones, particularly Captain Rex. The man obviously didn't know that much about slaves, especially not the kind from the strict brand the Separatists favored. But he did seem to respect the way 86205 did things, and he caught on quickly. He didn't judge, and 86205 was interested to see that there were undeniable differences between the life of a clone, and slavery, something he was sure Captain Rex was discovering.

He was slightly worried about the clone, though. He wasn't sure how his future would play out. If he died in battle, then, well, he would be dead. If he survived, and the Separatists won, then he would probably be killed then to. If he survived and the Republic won… now that was the question. What would happen to all the clones? 85205 hoped it didn't involve slavery. While the life of a slave was fine for him, it didn't mean he wanted it for others. But it was possible, he knew that much. For nearly all did not consider clones people, and that was always the first step to justifying slavery. And slavery was all too prominent a reality, he knew that better than anyone. He thought too deeply into things. He shouldn't. Slaves weren't supposed to think. And yet. And yet it was allowed here, he thinks. Then he is angry at himself. He cannot sacrifice the rules like that. Rules are there for a reason. They are to help. He cannot fight them. No matter what. He finishes the walk to his master's quarters, then stands outside the door, he is not to enter without permission. Besides,the door had a pressure sensitive mat around it; his master will know 86205 is here. And he does. The door opens.

"Hello A - 86205. We're nearing that medical station. Do you have anything you want to bring? We could be there a bit, but it is alright if you forget something, we can just have someone bring it." 86205, horrified at the prospect of someone else serving him, quietly walked over to the corner where he had put his bag of things. After retrieving it, he walked over to the door and made to stand outside. He was interrupted by his master's voice. "Where are you going?" 86205 noted that his master seemed to speak softly to him most of the time, as though he was afraid of damaging his slaves feelings, or self esteem. 863205 filed the information away for further inspection later, as it could be useful, and turned around to face his master's direction, though obviously not looking up.

"I stand at the door to guard you, master." Said master walked over to 86205, and put a hand on his arm.

"I do not believe someone who is able to get to me through all of the clones, security systems, and the simply fact that I have the Force, would be stoppable by you." 86205's master seemed amused. "You will be more helpful to me by lying down, or at least resting, so you can protect me even better against the things you can do something against. 86205 nodded, and sat cross legged across the room from his master. The man sighed and sat on his bed. "You can sit on the bed."

"Thank you master, but I can only do that if you wish me to."

"I wish you to if you wish to."

"..."

86205 wasn't sure how to respond to that. If he wanted to? That had never been an option before. What did he want? He decided to sleep on the floor, yet he could feel his master's disappointment that he had not yet learned to treat himself as an equal hanging over his head. Yet he could not do such a thing, his master would understand later. He awoke when a voice sounded through the speakers, informing them that they had 'reached their destination' and it was time to go. 86205 followed his master out the door, and walked toward what could answer so many questions about his life before.