Well well, look who's posting kinda-not-really early! XD I apologize for the lack of action and promise I will make it up in the next chapter.
DojoYoyo: Yeah pls stop upsetting Anakin, he's got enough on his mind as it is. Yee, Ahsoka's back in action! Kix needs to drop all medical stuff to hug his Commander INSTANTLY!
After Ahsoka left, Anakin braced himself on the railing. A cold sweat had formed at the base of his neck, he couldn't focus. His vision narrowed and darkened. Falling, he was falling and there was no way up. Breathe, breathe, why couldn't he breathe? Why couldn't he breathe?! He gripped the railing so tight that it creaked and twisted under his metal hand. His breaths were rasping and jagged through his too narrow airway. Ahsoka, Ahsoka was coming back. But not for him, never for him. For the war, to protect others, but he was cast aside. She didn't want to be with him, she didn't need him. It was selfish and he knew it, but he couldn't help it. Nothing was the same anymore, nothing was normal. Lies, betrayal, secrets, when would it all end? When would the truth finally be revealed?! Once you stop being ignorant and actually accept the fact that Fives is right. A small voice in his mind hissed poison and he shoved it down. No, Fives couldn't be right. It wouldn't make sense, it wasn't logical. It wasn't the truth!
Something cold and hard slammed into Anakin's body and he jerked violently as pain assaulted his senses, opening eyes he hadn't realized were closed. He first noticed that the railing was sideways and his arm was pinned beneath him. He'd fallen to the ground, when had that happened? Climbing unsteadily to his feet, Anakin gingerly touched the left side of his face. It was throbbing and aching, probably bruised. He hissed under his breath and shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. "Get it together," he muttered, pressing his hand on the uninjured side of his face.
"Anakin," he whirled around, looking only slightly hysterical as he saw Obi-Wan standing directly behind him. Obi-Wan's gaze flicked to Anakin's face but he made no move to ask what had happened. Anakin relaxed only slightly, at least Obi-Wan hadn't seen him freak out. "Do you have a moment?" Anakin nodded, his face heating with shame that he'd been acting so panicked. "There's a sort of...experiment with the clones that the Council wants to try." Anakin's gaze narrowed, ready to refuse if it meant his troops would be harmed. "It's nothing bad," Obi-Wan continued, seeing Anakin's expression, "they want you and I to remove the chip from one clone in our respective battalions." Anakin blinked, that wasn't what he'd been expecting. "We're going to meet with them in private to see if they'll agree."
"Who'd you pick?" Anakin asked as he moved towards Obi-Wan.
"Cody," Obi-Wan replied instantly as the two began to walk down the hallway. "Do you know who you're picking yet?"
"Rex," Anakin responded just as quickly, "he's never let me down."
"Very well then," Obi-Wan turned to face Anakin. "We'll meet behind the left entry statue by the Jedi Temple in five minutes. There's a rather large alcove behind it, safe from prying eyes."
"How'd you find that Master?" Anakin asked, his brow raised.
Obi-Wan gave a faint chuckle and patted Anakin on the shoulder. "I wasn't always a perfect padawan Anakin." A lightness seemed to fill Obi-Wan, making him seem younger and happier. But it was gone in a heartbeat, leaving the weary old man who was stooped and broken. Anakin didn't want to see that man, he wished Obi-Wan could be happy. But this war was taking a toll on his former Master. Not even Anakin, for all his power, could heal Obi-Wan's wounds. "Anyway," Obi-Wan forced his tone to be brighter as he noticed Anakin watching him, "I'll see you soon." Obi-Wan began to walk away quickly and Anakin didn't even try to run after him, he knew Obi-Wan would just change the subject or find something else to talk about. The old man was more stubborn than Anakin himself on certain occasions.
Shaking his head, Anakin moved out of the Temple and to the barracks. When he opened the doors, he found a comforting scene awaiting him. All of the clones, save Rex and Jesse, were playing a game of sabacc. They'd all taken a liking to the game and, more than once, a poor shiny was often the receiver of many a bet gone wrong. He found himself scanning the room for another familiar figure. The Commander that always lived up to her nickname 'Snips' by sassing any clone who dared face her in sabacc. He didn't see her, she wasn't there. Stupid, he berated himself, of course she's not here; she's back at the hotel. You're a grown man. You can handle yourself without Ahsoka. You don't need her. He flinched involuntarily, shaking his head rapidly. No, no he had needed Ahsoka. He still needed her, he wanted her to be here with him. He wanted them to exchange banter, to tease and argue with each other until one of them was thoroughly fed up. Ahsoka was who he needed and wanted by his side more than he could explain. He wanted his little sister back.
"Rex," Anakin called out the Captain's name before he'd even realized his mouth was open. Rex looked up and nodded to Jesse to keep doing whatever he was doing before walking up to Anakin.
"Yes General?" Rex asked, his back straight and eyes bright.
"We're going to be meeting with Obi-Wan and Cody for a private conversation in a few minutes. Is this a good time?"
"No better time sir," Rex was now fully alert, his brow narrowed the way it always was when something serious was happening.
"Good, let's get going then." Anakin said, turning on his heel and walking out of the barracks. Rex's soft but direct footsteps could be heard behind him as the two walked up to the Jedi Temple. He could sense Rex stiffen beside him, nervous energy radiating from the tense clone. Poor Rex, don't worry, we're not going to see the Council today, Anakin laughed to himself as they stopped outside the entrance. Taking a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching, Anakin ducked behind the left statue with a bewildered Rex following suit. There he found Obi-Wan and Cody already waiting in a shady looking alcove, the Commander looking just as confused as Rex.
"Anakin, glad you're here on time for once." Anakin smirked at Obi-Wan's teasing and crossed his arms.
"I'm always on time Master," he said breezily, "you're just early." Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, crossing his arms as well.
"If you say so my old apprentice." Anakin grinned but quickly schooled his features into a serious expression and saw Obi-Wan do the same, his old Master placing one hand under his beard. "Rex, Cody," Obi-Wan looked at the troopers, "I assume you're both well-aware of the controversy surrounding Fives." Both clones nodded, only a few select Jedi and the clones had been made aware of Fives' predicament. "The Council wants to conduct a trial of sorts. You two are the best of the best, that's why Anakin and I have selected you for this particular experiment." Cody and Rex stared intently at Obi-Wan, each a mirror image of the other. "The experiment will be the removal of your chips and analyzing the results." Both Cody and Rex froze and Rex's eyes flashed with uncertainty. Anakin cocked his head, why would they hesitate? It wasn't like Rex to be uncertain.
The brothers exchanged a look, Rex dipped his head slightly to Cody. Anakin's confusion only increased when Cody stepped forward and looked both Jedi in the eye. "With all due respect sirs," he said slowly, "I'm afraid I cannot accept this task." Obi-Wan's brows rose in surprise and his hand dropped from his face.
"Nor can I," Rex spoke up from behind Cody, but he wouldn't look Anakin in the eye.
"May I inquire why you two have made this decision so suddenly?" Obi-Wan asked as he stepped forward.
"Yes sir," Cody said, tilting his head down. Now Anakin was surprised, Cody never avoided eye contact. "There's a possibility that these chips, whatever they are, stop us from doing horrible things; like the Kaminoans said."
"We believe Fives," Rex said quickly, twisting his hands, "it's just...we don't know enough to be safe."
"Rex," Anakin was stepping forward now, his hand raised as though to touch the clone. "The whole reason this experiment is being conducted is so we know what these chips do or don't do. It'll be perfectly safe."
"Sir, I'm not sure you understand," Rex backed away from Anakin, "we could be unsafe."
"We could hurt you," Cody said, his eyes still fixed on the floor. "If these chips stop us from hurting you, if they keep us under control, I'll keep mine in."
"Cody," Obi-Wan's voice had dropped to nearly a whisper, gentle and patient. As though he weren't talking to a battle-hardened Commander, but rather a scared child. "Whatever these chips do, they don't suppress some inner rage."
"Tup died from his," Anakin reminded them quietly, "Fives is acting perfectly fine with his chip gone, there's no proof that these chips do something good. The more likely solution is that they could potentially be...a program of sorts; a deadly program" Anakin winced even as the words left his mouth, the very idea that the clones had been programmed at a young age to commit a despicable act was nearly unthinkable. But not unfathomable, knowing the Kaminoans views on their 'projects'.
"But what if Fives was an isolated incident?!" Cody blurted out as his head shot up, eyes wide. "What if he had a different reaction due to the drug? What if we hurt you, what if something goes wrong?" Cody turned to face Obi-Wan, begging and desperation unlike anything Anakin had ever seen shone in Cody's eyes. "How do you know we're not just animals?" Anakin flinched away from his harsh questioning, but Obi-Wan simply looked at Cody calmly. "Animals, and these chips are our leashes! Keeping us under control! How do you know that we won't—we won't—snap, and do something terrible?" When Obi-Wan gave no answer, Cody began to tremble. "How do you know? How do you know I'm not a monster?!"
The question hung in the air, radiating tension. Anakin was stunned into silence, but Obi-Wan wasn't. Obi-Wan took small steps towards Cody until he was close enough to touch him. "How do I know you won't hurt me Cody?" Obi-Wan asked softly, raising his eyes to Cody's. Cody remained silent, his trembling had grown worse; his hands were unable to stop shaking. Gently, Obi-Wan grabbed Cody's hands in his own. The clone stiffened at the contact, but made no move to pull away. "I know you won't hurt me, because I know you." Cody's eyes widened and Obi-Wan grasped his hand tighter. "I know you Cody, I've seen you on and off the battlefield and I have one thing to tell you: after all these years and all those battles, you're more human than most. In this galaxy and the next." Cody blinked, confusion and surprise evident on his face; Anakin smiled warmly.
"It's true," Anakin said, Cody's gaze slid towards Anakin. "The same goes for you Rex," Anakin nodded to the befuddled Captain, "I've told you before that you and your men aren't expendable. You're not just pawns in a war; you're living, breathing individuals with remarkable talents and personalities. Those droids we've fought are more monstrous than you, they don't have the ability to feel." Anakin crossed his arms, his smile saddening a little. "I've seen you laugh with your brothers and mourn those who fall, you get angry when a plan goes south or something just doesn't work right."
"You may have been created in a laboratory, but that doesn't define who or what you are." Obi-Wan soothed, placing a hand on Cody's shoulder. "You're a good soldier, but you're an even better friend and person. You're no monster."
"You—you really believe that sir?" Cody rasped, his voice raw and vulnerable.
"I'd sooner be damned to the Nine Corellian Hells than say otherwise." Obi-Wan smiled, his eyes a little brighter than before. "I trust you Cody," his voice turned sincere again, "I trust you. Whatever those blasted Kaminoans have made you believe, none of you are animals that need leashing." Obi-Wan spat out the word as though it were something rotten. "You're not evil, you're not monsters."
"Thank you sir," Rex murmured, "I—it's strange, hearing those words out loud."
"What words?" Anakin asked, fearing he already knew the answer.
"That we're human," Rex said softly, "and we're not just dogs for heavy labor." This time, Obi-Wan flinched at the choice of words. Anakin's heart grew heavier, Rex had said it so calmly; like he didn't believe it was worth arguing. "And that we're not worthless things the Kaminoans created. I know you keep telling us things like this General," Rex shook his head in wonderment, "but it's still strange. Strange, but nice."
"I'll say it a thousand times over if it'll make you believe it." Anakin said comfortingly, putting his hand on Rex's shoulder. Cody and Rex exchanged another look, a silent conversation passing between the two.
"We'll accept the task sir." Cody said, turning to face Obi-Wan again.
"You don't have to—" Obi-Wan started to shake his head.
"No General," Cody said firmly, "you've shown me how much faith you have in Rex and I. The least we can do to repay that faith is accept this mission and get one step closer to finding out what's going on." Anakin smiled proudly and Obi-Wan clapped Cody on the back, a smile blooming on the old man's face.
"Very well then," Obi-Wan grinned as he gestured to the opening, "Jedi Master T'ra Saa is at the barracks and will perform the operation when you two get back." Cody and Rex saluted before turning and walking out. "Cody's a good man," Obi-Wan murmured once the clones were out of earshot, "but for him to believe that he himself is a monster…" Obi-Wan's voice trailed off and he shook his head.
"It's despicable," Anakin snarled, his disgust for the Kaminoans rising. "First they treat the clones like osik, then Nala Se drugs Fives so everyone thinks he's insane. Now we know that those men," Anakin jabbed his finger in the direction of the barracks, "in our blasted war think of themselves as less than human!" His breaths had grown deeper and the familiar anger surged like a tidal wave. Quickly, he tried to stamp it down and smother it. "I can't say I'd be too upset to raid that place and find out the nasty little secrets those kungs are hiding." He said quietly, his rage simmering just below the surface.
"I can't say I'd disapprove of that idea Anakin." Obi-Wan hissed out between clenched teeth, "Unfortunately, I don't think that we have enough evidence to perform a raid of that scale." Obi-Wan shook out his arms, as though resisting an urge to punch something. "I have to report to the Council on this, then I need to blow off some steam." Anakin smirked, some of his anger subsiding at Obi-Wan's tone.
"You, the perfect Jedi Master, need to blow off some steam?" Obi-Wan shot him a death glare and Anakin raised his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I'm not judging. In fact, I think I'll join you. There's a punching bag in the training room with my name on it."
Obi-Wan smiled and crossed his arms. "If you bring the hand wraps, I'll try to get out of the Council meeting as soon as possible. Though, knowing the Council that won't be for at least another thirty minutes." Anakin's eyes widened and he shook his head.
"How?...How will telling them that Rex and Cody accepted the mission take thirty minutes? It should take at most five minutes!"
"Normally it would, but there are some other issues I'd like to address." Anakin nodded but rolled his eyes.
"Must you always be so cryptic?" Anakin drawled, casting a dramatic glance at Obi-Wan.
"It's a recommendation for being a Jedi Master, it's in the job description. Didn't you know?" Obi-Wan teased, rolling his eyes in turn. Anakin laughed and waved his hand in a dismissive gesture.
"Yeah yeah, whatever you say Master." Anakin jerked his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the barracks. "I'm gonna check on the men before I go to the training room. No matter how professional they are, they're always a little bit too lax with the rules when we don't have a mission." Obi-Wan nodded, turning to go to the Temple while Anakin headed in the opposite direction. Checking over his shoulder to make sure Obi-Wan was out of eye-range, Anakin did a sharp turn right towards the Senate building. What he'd told Obi-Wan was partly true, the 501st did have a tendency to slack off if there was nothing to do. But when he'd gotten Rex for the meeting, he could tell that the men were organized and would be ready to go at the drop of a hat. Padmé was who he wanted to see right now, maybe she could help him untangle his thoughts. Speeding towards the Senate building, Anakin slowed down at the entrance and walked in the building as calmly as he could.
Maintaining a secret marriage was difficult, especially now that he had to do so much with Padmé on 'official business'. The main thing that reminded him of their need for secrecy was Padmé's reputation in the Senate. The Jedi Council would flip their lids if they knew he'd broken the rule of attachment, but he found himself caring less and less what those old windbags thought of him. Granted, he still wanted to surpass them as Jedi and he could. He was powerful enough to have a seat on the Council by now. But Padmé was who he was worried for, why he tried so hard to keep their relationship a secret. If word got out that she'd married a Jedi, her reputation as a Senator would be forever marred. She could be accused of meddling in Jedi affairs and getting outside knowledge or being biased against some cases...the lists went on and on. She would be devastated if her credibility was questioned because of whom she loved, Anakin couldn't force that upon her. When he reached her room, he checked to make sure the hallway was clear before ducking inside. Her room was empty, which puzzled him. Usually if she had spare time she could be found whittling away at a stack of reports and trying to solve every single problem in the whole galaxy. He moved over to her desk and a flash of yellow caught his eye. A corner of paper was sticking out from under her japor snippet necklace. He laughed aloud, shaking his head. Oh Padmé, aren't you clever my darling wife? Chuckling to himself, Anakin removed the paper from under the necklace and unfolded it to read the contents.
My dearest Ani,
I'm afraid that I've been called away to Scipio on the Chancellor's behalf. He wishes for me to complete a transaction that will give the Republic more money for the war effort. Unfortunately, bankers can be as slippery as politicians so I have no idea how this will play out or how long it will take. I wish I could have spent this week with you more than anything, I'll be looking forward to seeing you when I get back. Try not to instigate another war while I'm gone, okay?
With all the love in my heart,
Padmé
Sighing to himself, Anakin refolded the letter and slid it neatly into his belt. Inadvertently, his hands brushed against the slika beads of Ahsoka's padawan braid. His hand stiffened and his eyes narrowed before he forced himself to relax and let his hands fall to his sides. No matter how many times one of them was called away from the other, it still hurt. Padmé had it worse than him, for he left with them both knowing that he could very well die. Anakin tried not to worry about Padmé, but he couldn't help it. No matter if she wasn't actively in the warzone, people still wanted to hurt her. Because of her ideals and her beliefs, the power that she held in the Senate. She scared powerful people, he was torn between being proud and being terrified. Something bad could happen to her if he wasn't there, he should be there. He shook his head vigorously, warding off the negative thoughts. Now where were those hand wraps Obi-Wan had asked him to bring?
A/N: I know I keep saying this, but I really think that I'll actually be able to upload the next chapter faster! Also, I'm sorry if it seems like Cody acted ooc, but it was hard to try and get his character for this bit. This is just my interpretation of how I think he would act. Lemme know what you thought of that scene in the comments, so I know if I need to change anything. See you hopefully soon! :D