Revised 6/1/2019 to tighten up the dialogue between Rex and Plo Koon.
Chapter 21
Both Rex and Fox fell silent as soon as they entered the Jedi Temple. Rex had been inside the Temple many times before with both General Skywalker and Commander Tano, but it felt different being here without them. The atmosphere was oppressive and hushed. Few Jedi roamed the hallways. It was a grim reminder Jedi had sent many of their own off to fight in the war, including padawans like Ahsoka.
The lift ride to the High Council chambers seemed to take forever while at the same time, it was much too short. Rex was dreading the upcoming meeting.
The Jedi Temple guards eyed them warily as they came into sight. "Remove your helmets," the first Temple Guard said, stepping forward.
Both clones eased their helmets off, careful not to make any sudden moves. The bounty hunter attack earlier in the day at the prison made anyone in clone armor suspect.
"Commander Fox, proceed into the Chambers. Captain, you will wait here."
Rex dipped his chin toward Fox and the Coruscant Guard commander returned the gesture. They weren't brothers in the way Rex was with Cody, or they he was with the vode in the 501st. But, there was some respect between them, even if it was grudging, at times. Fox spun neatly on his heel and headed into the chambers. Rex clipped his helmet to his belt, and stood patiently at parade rest. The minutes dragged on and Fox didn't emerge from the Chambers.
If Fox's meeting takes this long, they'll have a fete week with me.
He had to account for two missing months and his actions at Darkknell. Rex rubbed at his eyes and tried to stifle a yawn. He didn't entirely succeed. The guards glanced at him sharply.
Should have asked the service bots at the barracks to brew me caf.
Rex drew his shoulders up straighter, trying to maintain his decorum. He concerned jamming his bucket back on.
Maybe I can work in a decent bucket nap.
He glanced at his chrono. Fox had been in there an hour already.
Rex did a mental review of everything he and Cody had discussed on the journey home, trying to prepare for the upcoming confrontation. He refused to think of it as a 'cover story'. It was a detailed accounting of events. He was here to deliver a report to the Council, like he had done dozens of times before. Nothing different.
Fek.
Everything was different now.
Thinking like that would get him killed. And, the lives of the Legion he'd left behind on-
No. He couldn't think of them anymore. He headed over to the large windows looking out over Coruscant. There was too much at stake for him to fail. Too many people depending upon him.
He set his arms behind his back at parade rest and looked out at the constant flow of traffic.
But, he opted not to go to sleep.
Rex allowed his breathing to slow, and his mind to slowly let go of his racing thoughts. A deep sense of calm flooded over him, and he lost all measure of time.
# # #
"You may go, Commander Fox. Send in Captain Rex."
Fox nodded to the Council members and quickly pivoted on his heel toward the exit. He hurried to leave before they came up with any more action items for him.
"I will see you out," General Plo Koon said, falling into step beside him.
"Send in Captain Rex," General Windu called after them.
Fox and the Jedi Master walked silently out the chamber doors, and the doors swished shut behind them. Once they were out of earshot, Plo Koon turned to Fox. He handed the security commander a compact datapad.
"What's this?" Fox asked, looking down in surprise at the item in his gloved hand.
"The WolfPack asked if I could find a way to get it Commander Cody. This was a fortuitous meeting," the Jedi Master nodded, "the Force does indeed work in mysterious ways."
"Yes, sir," Commander Fox nodded, and tucked the datapad into his belt. He looked over at Rex, studying his unmoving brother. The Jedi Master placed a comforting hand on Fox's shoulder.
"You can go," he dipped his chin toward Rex, indicating he would bring the Captain in.
Fox nodded and hurried on his way, relieved to leave the Temple.
"Captain?" Plo Koon approached the 501st Captain.
There was no acknowledgement he had spoken.
So, this was the clone thought lost and dead.
Plo Koon took a moment to study him curiously from behind, and out of curiousity, extended his own awareness. His lips pursued slightly in surprise.
On a hunch, Plo Koon brushed Rex gently with his own awareness.
Captain?
—Sir?
It was an automatic response done without thinking.
The Captain spun around to face Plo Koon
"General, sir!" he snapped to attention. "Sorry, sir," he blinked rapidly several times, seemingly unaware of what he'd just done. He looked toward the council doors, "is it time for my meeting?"
Plo Koon studied the Captain another moment. This one was a puzzle indeed. He was different from Wolffe. The Wolfpack Commander was steadfast and loyal and brilliant in his own right. He possessed a keen wit and at times, and increasingly since his encounter with Ventress, bouts of fiery anger and depression which Plo had been trying to work through with him. But, this Captain seemed to possess some interesting skills that Wolffe did not not.
"Walk with me, Captain," the Jedi Master said. He turned to the Temple guards. "Tell the Council we need a few minutes."
The guards bowed in acknowledgement and one headed inside to relay the order.
The 501st Captain automatically fell in step beside him. The Jedi Master was silent for a long moment until they were well away from the Council Chambers. He finally paused by another massive window, settling down into a cushioned alcove. He patted the space next to him, inviting the Captain to do the same. Rex hesitated, standing stiffly at attention.
"You're not in trouble, Captain. I only wish to speak to you."
Rex paused and finally sat down next to the Jedi Master, still sitting rigidly at attention, as if afraid to relax even for a micro-second.
Plo Koon stroked his chin thoughtfully, studying him for a long moment.
"Tell me Captain, where did you learn to meditate like that? It is unusual behavior for a clone."
"Sir?" Rex's hesitation was clear, mixed in with the respectful tone he'd been trained to use with superior officers.
"I am only curious, Captain. Anything you tell me remains in confidence between the two of us." He pretended to study one of his long claws with interest. "There are many things I opt not to share with the Council." At Rex's surprised look, Plo added in diplomatically, "The Council is very pressed for time, so I am judicious in my sharing of information."
"Of course, sir," Rex said, his head dipping with a respectful nod. "Very wise, sir."
His shoulders relaxed slightly, but Plo could see the clone captain was regarding him with renewed interest.
"Tell me only what you are comfortable sharing," Plo Koon prompted. "The Force will be your guide. It guides all living things."
"If you say so, sir," the clone captain conceded, "I've never been convinced the Force thinks highly of us clones." Before Plo Koon could argue with that statement, Rex launched into his official recounting, providing the Jedi Master with the information he'd been requesting. "As you likely already know, sir. On my last official mission for the Republic, I was with Commander Tano. I was struck with a new type of Separatist weapon designed specifically to penetrate clone armor."
"The one they call clone shredder ammo," Plo Koon said.
Rex nodded. "From all accounts, it appears I am the first clone they tested the new weapon on."
The Captain's voice was steady, but the General had read the reports with the Council. The reports had enough to push through the long delayed Phase II armor program.
"Go on, Captain," Plo Koon encouraged, "what happened next?" He could see the Captain held his emotions tightly, but there was underlying trauma from the experience just as there had been with Wolffe after his encounter with Ventress.
The 501st Captain sucked in a deep breath, obviously choosing his words carefully. "There was a long delay before we could leave the planet and my injuries were severe. The meditation skills Commander Tano shared with me were..." Rex stopped and took a deep breath as he struggled to encompass the experience into words. He met Plo Koon's gaze. "She saved my life, sir."
"I have a long history with Ahsoka," the Jedi Master said, warmth coming into his voice even through the mask he wore. He glanced back toward the entrance of the Chambers and then back at Rex. "Come. We should return. Thank you for answering my inquiries. I am sure the Council is eager to hear what other stories you have to share."
Rex nodded and walked in side-by-side with the Jedi Master. Another unexpected ally.
"Is everything alright?" Mace Windu asked as soon as the chamber doors opened, his voice expressing his displeasure at the delay.
Plo Koon nodded. "Yes, I had a few questions of my own for the Captain about the specific ammo used on him before his disappearance. My commander was keenly interested."
That wasn't exactly what they'd discussed. The clone shredder ammo had barely come up.
Rex carefully kept his expression neutral, but he made a note this particular Jedi would be worth watching more closely in the future. He was learning more and more that like clones, not all Jedi were created equally.
He had no more time to ponder the greater questions of life. This was not Ando.
The Council Chamber doors closed behind them.
"Greetings, Captain," Mace Windu began, "we have many questions for you."
Out the Council windows, the sun was starting to set over Coruscant.
# # #
Another note on Plo Koon: Always loved the character of Plo Koon and wish more time could have been devoted to him in the TV series. He has a deep, rich voice like a medieval King and a measured way of speaking like a philosopher. He always watched out for the clones. An amazing character. The Wolfpack was the most insanely resourceful unit in the Clone Wars. They would not have let their General die. Revised September 7, 2016. Tightened up the wording and clarified the beginnings of the relationship between Rex and Plo Koon. Parts of this chapter are now told from Plo Koon's POV where he reflects upon his relationship with Wolffe, and how the clone he is observing (Rex) is different from the leader of the Wolfpack.