Love and War

Chapter 25

Rex woke up with a start. He rose up and shook his head. He rubbed his eyes and looked around. He was lying in bed in a sterile place. It looked like a lab. It reminded him a bit of Kamino. Was he back on Kamino? No, he remembered. He was at the Blackswan Colony on Yavin 4. He was sick. He caught that bio-weapon back on Darmondo. The doctor did something to him. They froze him. They froze him in some kind of coffin and then everything was black. It was the last thing he remembered. Yet, now his kit was off and he was wearing a medical gown. He didn't feel sick anymore. In fact, he felt fine. He rubbed his chest and the back of his neck as he swung his legs off the side of the bed.

"How are you feeling?" asked Lord Blackswan.

Rex looked up. He hardly noticed him before. He said, "I feel all right. What happened?"

The scientist was wearing a long white lab coat. He came closer and sat down on a chair beside the bed. He looked middle ages with black hair and smiling red eyes.

"You were contained with a genetic virus designed specifically to your DNA. It was telling your cells to self-destruct. You were dying. However, I was able to cure you. Though—"

"Wait. You mean I'm cured?"

"Yes, and more so."

Rex frowned. "More so, how? What'd you do to me?"

"I re-cloned you a new body and removed the sequence in your DNA that accelerated your aging. You will now henceforth age like a regular human. Oh, am I removed that bio-clip from your head."

Rex just stared at Lord Blackswan stupefied. He had been re-cloned. He could hardly wrap his brain around it. He had no idea something like that could even be done. All the things he said were mind blowing. He had been cured. He was going to age like a normal human being. He had a bio-chip removed from his head?

"Wait? What bio-chip?"

Lord Blackswan shrugged and said, "Well, technically it wasn't removed from your brain. It just wasn't grown in your new body."

"Never mind that. What did this bio-chip do?"

The smile from Lord Blackswan's face suddenly slipped. He straightened up and was no longer so relaxed. Rex noted the change in his posture. He knew what being at attention looked like. He moved closer towards Rex and lowered his voice.

"What I am about to tell you is probably a secret. You won't like what you will hear, but it's your brain, your life. I think you have a right to know. You don't remember but I performed a test on you. I put you under hypnosis to see what that bio-chip would make you do and it was most disturbing."

Rex's face grew hard. He leaned forward. "Tell me. I want to know."

"I made you carry out an order. An order to kill Jedi."

"What! Why? That doesn't make any sense. Why would the Jedi program us clones to kill them if they were the ones that had us made in the first place?"

"I don't know, but I'm curious to find out."

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Location: Jedi Temple

Meanwhile, Master Yoda had just learned of the report that Lady Thrice had escaped the Detention Center with the help of Master Obi-Wan. It was unfortunate. Master Yoda did not believe the accusation against the Blackswan Ambassador, but her escape only furthered to incriminate her.

Master Windu said, "Skywalker wasn't able to apprehend the Lady Thrice or Master Kenobi. Together they took out Skywalker's men and left Coruscant for what is believed to be Darmondo."

The little master nodded his head and said, "To the Darmondo base to investigate the bio-weapon."

Master Windu followed Master Yoda towards one of the large windows of the Council Chamber. The window was tinted so the holo-image of the other High Council Members could be more easily seen.

One of the Masters said, "Master Kenobi may be compromised. His feelings for Lady Thrice might be clouding his judgment. I know under normal circumstances he would never defy the Senate by aiding in a suspect's escape."

Master Yoda closed his eyes. He knew that Obi-Wan did indeed have feelings for Lady Thrice. He had come to him for advice. He feared he may have told him the wrong advice in telling him to make his own path. Perhaps he should have told him to try and remain unattached though even then he sensed that his advice may have come too late.

He said, "Where is Skywalker?"

Master Windu replied, "He and Ahsoka Tano are in pursuit of them, Master. Though, there has been talk at the Senate. They are questioning Lord Blackswan's loyalty to the Order and Master Kenobi's as well. If he is attached then he will have to be expelled."

Another member of the Council said, "This is troubling. These accusations need to be dealt with properly. Master Kenobi and Lady Thrice need to be questioned directly. Speculation will get us nowhere."

Master Windu sighed and folded his hands into his sleeves and said, "Agreed. We will question the Lady Thrice and Master Kenobi once they have been brought in."

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Location: Darmondo

"He's not here," said Anakin.

Ahsoka shook her head. Her mind wasn't on Master Obi-Wan or Lady Thrice. She was still sadden over the sight of all those men dying men. Seeing all their dying faces was too much. They were heading back from the compound and towards the ship. The world was dark. Darmondo was a dark world. It only made the situation look even worse. It also didn't help that Ahsoka found out from Gear that Rex had caught the disease.

"Anakin, Master Jet-Tal said that they were heading to Yavin 4 to investigate the Clan space station. They wanted to learn the source of the bio-weapon."

"I'm not sure there really is an investigation, Ahsoka. Thrice might be setting Obi-Wan up for a trap."

She shook her head as they entered the ship and began setting up the launch sequence. She strapped on her seatbelt and waited for Anakin to do the same. She lowered her eyes. She didn't like the fact that Obi-Wan was on the run. It just didn't seem right.

"I don't know, Anakin. Maybe Lady Thrice is innocent."

Anakin took the controls and began to enter in a course for Yavin 4. He sympathized with Ahsoka. He didn't want Thrice to be guilty, but her escape didn't help matters either. Obi-Wan had said he had faith in her and that he should have faith in him. Anakin only hoped Obi-Wan's faith was not missed place. He knew early on that Obi-Wan had been troubled by his arranged marriage and opened that his infatuation would pass over time. However, Anakin wasn't sure if time could mend what was happening now. Obi-Wan was putting himself at risk of being expelled from the Order if he continued to go out on a limb for his wife. In his heart, he didn't believe Thrice was worth it.

"We can't take that chance, Ahsoka. We'll have to find out for ourselves."

XXX

Sometime later, Obi-Wan woke to find that he was in Thrice's bed. He was sleeping in her bed and she was lying beside him. His heart warmed when he looked at her and reached out to brush away a lock of hair from her face. She was beautiful and ageless. He had come to know her and learned that she was more than a pretty face. She was brash and bold, but also kind and trusting. She was more than he deserved.

The night before, he and Thrice hadn't visited the ship to check on her midi-chlorine count. Instead, they returned back to Thrice's chambers to rest. She looked tired and could barely keep her eyes open. Though, when they arrived at the apartment she insisted that he stay. He didn't need much convincing. He was tired as well.

He smiled as he watched her sleep and moved to brush away a lock of hair away from her face. In response, she groaned and buried her face farther into her pillow. He then caressed her neck and down her shoulder. He could feel her Force-presence. It was calm and peaceful. He had felt her presence many times even before their bond while she mediated in her room at the Temple, but as he passed his hand over her hip he noticed something was off. He narrowed his brow and keened his sense to locate what he felt. Slowly he shifted his hand and placed it over her stomach. It was a life form. It was small, but it was there and it was strong with the Force. He sat up. He took her arm and shook her awake.

Thrice groaned and sat up. "What? Are we under attack?"

"No, but I'm afraid I have some startling news."

"What's wrong?"

Obi-Wan sighed and looked down while he held her arms. He didn't what to do but just say it. "Thrice, you're pregnant."

"What?"

She frowned. She couldn't believe what he was saying. It was impossible. No, it was possible. She suddenly remembered the strawberries she consumed while she and Padme were held captive by Count Dooku. Obi-Wan had come to save her. He recused her. He came to her. She also didn't remember anything because of that blasted drug.

"Strawberries!"

She uttered the word like a curse. She then rose up. She was already fully dressed. She was too tired to change the night before. She grabbed her sword and headed towards the door. Obi-Wan quickly followed her.

"Wait, where are you going?"

"To the lab. I need to speak to Lord Blackswan."

XXX

Location: Lord Blackswan's lab

It didn't take long for the two to reach the lab. Obi-Wan was surprised to see that the doctor was up so early. He was standing next to a computer and looking at samples while wearing his white lab coat. He also so that Rex was back on is feet and standing beside him.

Rex politely nodded his head in greeting. "General. Milady."

Thrice didn't bother to give him a look when she spoke. "Captain, if you please I want a word with my father."

Rex could tell something was up and knew it was time to make a retreat. He picked up his helmet and clipped it to his belt and began to move out. He paused when he reached the General and patted him on the back.

"Just so you know, General. I'm grateful to both you and Lady Thrice for saving me. I only wish we could manufacture enough of the cure in time for the men on Darmondo. Lord Blackswan said he is preparing a convoy with the cure and it sending it out today."

Obi-Wan returned the pat on Rex's shoulder and said, "That's good to hear, Captain. Did Lord Blackswan mention anything to you about the base, Black Promise?"

Rex shook his head. "No, but from what I understand the base is well guarded. Lord Blackswan doesn't seem concerned at all that we had problems reaching it."

"Thank you, Rex. I want to talk more about this later."

"Yes, Sir."

Lord Blackswan grinned at Thrice and sat down on a chair. Lady Chard arrived and handed him a cup of tea. Thrice turned to her and said, "You are dismissed as well, Lady Chard."

The lab assistant frowned but obeyed. This dismissal caught Lord Blackswan's attention. He raised his brow. It wasn't like Thrice to keep secrets from his staff. He sipped his tea and placed it down on a table.

"Tell me your thoughts, my dear."

Thrice began to fidget. She took a deep breath and felt her heart racing. She could hardly say it. Her warrior spirit was wane in fear. Though, she knew she needed proof and her father had the best means.

"I am with child."

Lord Blackswan dropped his cup onto the floor and it broke into pieces. He whipped around to look at her wide eyed with both glee and surprise. He could hardly move.

"Astonishing!"

Thrice approached him and said, "I would like it removed from my body."

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TBC

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