After all he had been through- the soul-crushing battles, the countless lost brothers- Fives couldn't believe it was all for nothing. He had simply wanted to save the Jedi from the conspiracies that Chancellor Palpatine had hidden from them, but he couldn't seem to find the words. His thoughts swam as he tried to impress on his General and Captain the importance of what he had to say.

But they wouldn't listen to him! Why couldn't they see the truth?

The more questions they asked, the harder it became to think clearly, logically. He had to tell them about the chips. About the plot to use the chips to kill all the Jedi.

He felt so dizzy, so weak. It was like being drunk and battle fatigued; but somehow multiplied. What was happening to him?

He tried to warn them about the Chancellor but they were so blinded by his facade that they wouldn't believe him. If he could only lead the General and Rex to the evidence, if only he could-

"Stand down, stand down! Get on your knees!"

How had Commander Fox found him? He wouldn't go with him; he had to show General Skywalker his evidence to save the Jedi! He couldn't let Fox stop him. Fox was closer to the Chancellor than any clone. He had to be in on it!

His mind racing, he glanced over at Rex's blasters, a plan forming in his mind. He could stun Fox's entire squad. He was an ARC trooper and they were just a handful of Coruscant Guard. It would be easy.

Fox shouted more orders at him but Fives made up his mind. He quickly moved toward the pistols, automatically calculating the best cover.

He was suddenly interrupted by a heavy, invisible barrier in his path, knocking him off his feet. Shocked into silence, Fives watched as Fox's men fell backwards and their blasters flew away from them. After years of fighting beside Jedi, he knew a Force Push when he saw it. He turned to General Skywalker to thank him for his interference when he was stopped by a voice behind him.

"That's enough, Fives."

It was a familiar voice. A voice he had heard and trusted since he was just a Cadet on Kamino.

"General Shaak Ti. How…?"

He shifted on the ground and watched the tall Togruta calmly step forward toward him. She had believed in his squad on Kamino when everyone else was ready to dismiss them. Would she believe him now?

Shaak Ti carefully regarded the rogue clone in front of her, uncertain of his future but certain in the path that the Force was leading her toward. She knew that Fives had been acting out of character since leaving for Coruscant but she couldn't tell why. The explanation from Nala Se that the removal of his chip was causing him to act erratically didn't seem to be entirely accurate. Her meditations at the Temple following the incident further cemented in her mind that Fives was vital to the future of the Jedi and the Republic.

"Master Shaak Ti! Can you get us free?" Anakin was stunned to see Shaak Ti but was relieved that Fives was safe from Fox. He hadn't trusted the Clone Commander since his role in Ahsoka's manhunt and eventual capture.

Shaak Ti waved her hand at the force field generator, using the force to disconnect the power couplings. Anakin rushed forward toward Fives and helped him sit on a nearby crate.

"He's been drugged," Anakin said, horrified at the mistake that almost occurred. "Fives, who did this to you?"

"Nala Se," Fives muttered, relief flooding his body. "I haven't felt…right, since I left Kamino."

"General Skywalker, General Shaak Ti. I have orders from the Chancellor himself to detain CT-5555," Fox interrupted, rising to his feet and reaching for his pistols.

"Stand down, Fox. That's an order," Anakin demanded, eyes narrowing. His eyes flicked toward his lightsaber, torn between pulling it to him to force Fox to retreat or de-escalating the situation peacefully.

"I can't do that, sir. My orders come from the Chancellor himself. Please stand aside and do not interfere."

Shaak Ti sensed the conflict in Anakin, the threat of the dark side rising in him. This wasn't new for the Jedi Knight but it was nonetheless concerning.

"Anakin," she murmured gently.

She turned to Fox, raising herself to her full height and putting the weight of a Jedi Master behind her voice.

"The Jedi Order is formally taking ARC Trooper Fives into its protection. Chancellor Palpatine e can take it up with the Jedi Council if he has any objections. Until then, you will stand down and we will be taking Fives back to the Jedi Temple."

She could see Fox contemplating her words. She sensed his indecision between obeying his orders from the Chancellor and his uncertainty about whether the Order could claim ownership over Fives like this. The clone squad behind Fox shared glances, uncertain how they should proceed.

Taking advantage of their confusion, Shaak Ti turned to Anakin, ordering him to take Fives to a waiting gunship outside the facility. She rapidly gave him clearance instructions that would allow the LAAT to land directly in the Temple complex itself.

It was clear that the Jedi needed to run their own tests on Fives before the situation got more out of hand. After Fives had been allowed proper rest, they would set up a meeting in front of the Jedi Council and try to piece together the puzzle before them.

Sensing Fox's growing frustration from losing control of the situation, she moved to block Fox from following the trio.

"Now Commander, you and your men will remain with me until I have confirmation that the gunship has arrived safely at the Temple. Then, you may do your duty and make your report to the Chancellor."

As Anakin, Rex, and Fives made their way toward the exterior doors, the Jedi shared a startled look as a major ripple in the Force passed through them.

"Master?"

"Trust in the Force, Anakin. All is as it should be."