Summary:

Rex talks to Cody.

Jinn has breakfast with Master Yoda.

5.

Rex was pleased to learn that Kix and Coric had done good work figuring out how to locate and remove the biochips. The two medics program a couple of medical droids to help with the surgery and it wouldn't be long before all the 501st legion were biochip free.

Rex had just finished his surgery. He rubbed the bandage on the side of his head with relief. It was just one less thing to worry about. However, they didn't disclose the whole truth behind the biochips to all the men. Only Jesse, Kix and Coric knew what was really going on. Rex wanted to keep that information on a need to know bases. As far as the men were concerned it was a medical procedure to prevent mental illness. It wasn't too far a stretch from the truth and frankly a half truth was better than a lie.

Though, Rex was concerned about the clones on Kamino. It wasn't safe to warn the Master Ti about the biochips without revealing that they knew. He needed to come up with a new strategy. He wondered if Cody or Kenobi could come up with something. He smirked to himself. It had been a long time since he asked either men for help. It was nice.

He pressed his comm to contact Cody.

"Cody, this is Rex. Got a minute?"

"Sure, what do you need?"

Rex's stomach grumbled. He realized he skipped breakfast this morning after his meeting with General Skywalker and General Kenobi. Knowing Cody, he probably hadn't eaten yet either.

"Tell you what, Codes. Let's meet in the Mess Hall. I want to go over something with you while we eat."

"Alright, Rex. See you there."

Rex knew at some point he'd have to tell Cody that he was really a time traveler. However, he felt nervous about it. It wasn't like he didn't trust Cody. On the contrary, Cody was a true vode. He knew he could keep a secret. He just wondered if Cody would believe him as easily as the others did.

When Rex entered the Mess Hall, he saw that it was pretty much dead which wasn't a surprise. It was late in the day and most of the men had already eaten. However, it wasn't usual for him or Cody to take their meals late. It came with the territory of being in command. Rex may not be a commander though he practically was in all but name.

He saw that Cody was already there. Rex joined him in line and picked up an empty tray. Together they picked up the latest portion of rations. Rex picked a seat away from the rest of the men. He wanted to keep their conversation private. Cody noticed and idly picked at his food with his fork.

"So, what do you want to talk about?"

Rex ate a fork full of the rations and made a disagreeable face. He shook his head and muttered, "I can't believe I ate this slop."

"Rex, are you listening?"

"Yeah, I'm sure you noticed my medics have issued a new medical procedure. You should have the 212th undergo it too."

Cody looked up and noticed the bandage on Rex's head and tapped the side of his own head and said, "Hm, looks like you already had yours. Still not clear on what it's supposed to prevent."

"It's to prevent mental illness."

"Come off it, Rex. The Kamino wouldn't let something like that slide."

Rex shrugged and took a sip of his caff and said, "Just doing what I'm told, Codes."

"Yeah, right."

Rex wasn't sure if Cody was being sarcastic or not. Knowing Cody, he probably meant it seriously. Cody was a no-nonsense kind of trooper. It was just one of things that made Cody, Cody. However, his brother looked like he was building up to something. He clenched his fists and shoved his tray.

"Damn it, Rex. I know something is going on. I heard from Jesse that you want to start some kind of clone network outside of the GAR. I'm not saying it's a bad idea, but I don't know why you'd want to. What spurred this on?"

Rex looked away and rubbed the back of his head before raising his hand slowly and said, "Alright. I'll tell you, but in private. Come on. Finish your caff. We'll talk in my office."

Rex shoved down what was left of his rations and washed the taste away with the rest of his own caff. Eating fast didn't make it taste any better, but it did end the meal faster. Cody got up when he was done and stacked both his and Rex's tray and deposited them in the proper area before picking up his bucket.

"OK, let's go."

Rex sighed. He figured Cody was right in wanting to get things over with. He picked up his own helmet and tucked it under his arm as they marched down the hall to his office. He wondered where Ahsoka was. Last time he saw her, they were working on a report to hand over to Skywalker about any future events they could recall. They were cooped up in his office working on it for hours. He was sure Skywalker and Kenobi would find the report interesting to say the least.

When he opened the door, he saw that Ahsoka was sound asleep at his desk. The sound of the door startled her, and she lifted her head up with blurry eyes.

"Oh, Rex. Sorry, I guess I must have fallen asleep."

Rex smiled warmly at the sight of her and said, "No worries, Commander. Cody and I just came in for a little chat. I don't know if you heard, but we're due for a little shore leave on Coruscant. We should arrive by tomorrow."

"That's good news. I need to make a few inquiries when we land." She then got up and picked up her data-pad and said, "I just finished the report. I'm going to hand it over to Anakin."

Rex said, "Not so fast, Commander. First, you're going to the Mess Hall and getting yourself something to eat."

"But Rex-"

Initially, he gave her a stern look, but then his lips turned to a smile and he said, "You're a growing girl, Commander. I'm sure you'd want to make sure you become a strong young woman when you grow up."

She raised her white brow and mischievously replied, "Oh, I'm woman enough, Captain. However, I'll take your advice and stop by the Mess Hall first. Have a good day, gentlemen."

When Ahsoka finally left the office, Cody narrowed his brow in disbelief. He locked the door and then turned on his brother flabbergasted.

"What the hell was that?"

"What do you mean?"

Cody shook his head and said, "Don't play dumb with me. You were flirting with her. That's against her regs, Rex. She's a Jedi."

"I'm aware of that, Cody."

"Well, it looks like you need reminding."

Rex groaned and put his hand over his face. He realized he really should have told Cody everything sooner. He just realized he cared a lot of what Cody thought of him than he realized. It had been a long time since he last saw him. It was before the siege of Mandalore. After the Order was sent out, Rex had spent a long time looking for his brothers. He wanted to know if anyone them could be saved from the biochip like he'd been. He never found out what happened to his Cody. He didn't even know if he was dead or alive. It was hard to pick up like nothing happened.

Cody sat down in the chair next to his desk and noticed Rex's quiet mood and said, "Look, I'm not saying you can't have a working relationship. I just don't want to see you get hurt."

Rex said, "Codes, I'm touched that you care, but there's something I should have told you sooner. The thing is, Ahsoka and I are time travelers from the future. I started the network so we could change things."

"...What?"

"That's why I had the meeting this morning with General Skywalker and General Kenobi. We're trying to warn them about what's coming. That's why I had Kix and Coric issue the new medical procedure and why Skywalker clear it so fast."

Cody took a moment to absorb Rex's words. It was hard to believe, but not impossible. It did explain a few things. He noticed since yesterday that Rex was suddenly good at delegating his workload. Normally, Rex was a workaholic. He tended to take on everything himself. Instead, Cody had been receiving reports from his subordinates.

It also explained the flirtatious exchange he just witnessed between him and Commander Tano. He thought it was strange for Rex to be so close to her when they didn't know each other for very long.

"Do you believe me?"

Cody sighed and said, "Yeah, I do. You've been a little off lately. I guess that explains it."

Rex said, "Well, that's a relief."

"So, you and the Commander?"

Rex smiled and said, "Yeah, me and the Commander."

"Isn't she a little young?"

"Don't let her catch you saying that. Remember, she's from the future. She really is a grown woman. She has been for a while."

"Isn't she a Jedi?"

Rex lowered his gaze for a moment and said, "Not in the future."

Cody said, "Then, I guess something must of went wrong if you two ended up back here."

"Brother, you have no idea."

"Then, explain it to me."

Rex sighed and said, "The short version is that we were all played. The Chancellor is the Sith Lord and he's been pulling the strings from the start. He created us clones and the droids to duke it out, so he'd have enough chaos to take power and make himself Emperor of the whole thing."

"What about the Jedi?"

"The Chancellor put biochips in all the clones, so we'd obey him and take the Jedi out for him. I have to admit, Palpatine sure knows how to plan."

Cody stood up and shouted, "No! That's not right. The Clones are born and bred to obey the Jedi. We'd never take them out."

Rex remained at his desk and softly said, "Cody, I was there. When the Order came. I didn't stop. I shot her. I loved her. Maybe not the same way I do now, but I pulled the trigger."

Enraged, Cody said, "Then, what are we doing? What's the point of this war if we're just being played?"

Rex got up and put his hand on his shoulder and said, "We're here to change things. I can't do it alone. I'm going to need your help. We're not going to lose this time. I can promise you that."

XXX

Jinn woke up and for a moment couldn't remember where he was. He looked around the guest room and it finally came back to him. He groaned and saw that he had slept in his clothes. He hadn't even bothered to take off his boots. He decided it was best to take a quick shower and find some fresh clothes. He couldn't remember the last time he had the luxury of hot running water.

While poking about in the refresher, he found a pair of scissors and a razor. Jinn pressed his lips and examined his beard and decided he needed a trim. After grooming, he set out to find some new clothes. He was pleased to find a nice selection of various sizes and colors.

He picked a set of black robes and a light grey tunic underneath. He felt more like himself than he had in years. He also managed to find a new pair of brown boots that matched his leather belt and wrist gauntlets. However, Jinn knew he couldn't go walking around the Temple with a sword and covered it all with a long brown Jedi robe.

He set out with his hood drawn up and entered the hall and promptly collided into Master Windu and Master Yoda.

Jinn hastily bowed his head and said, "Uh, forgive me. It was an accident. Good day, Masters."

Master Windu narrowed his brow and said, "Master Kenobi, is that you? We weren't expecting you till tomorrow."

"Y-Yes, well I'm ahead of schedule for once. Again, forgive me, Masters. There is something I must attend to."

Jinn then began to walk as fast as he could down the hall without actually running. However, Master Windu was surprisingly quick on his feet and managed to grab him by the shoulder.

"Son of a dog!" Jinn mentally cursed.

"Wait a minute. What's with the hood?"

Jinn turned around to face the Jedi Master and pulled down his hood. He knew his face alone wouldn't give him away. He was perfectly aware what he looked like. Jinn just had to be convincing and hoped they didn't look too closely.

"It's nothing really, I just had a long night. You needn't concern yourself, old friend."

Master Windu removed his hand from his shoulder and looked Obi-Wan over. He seemed fine. Though, he was surprised to see him at the Temple so early. Even at hyper-speed, he and Skywalker couldn't have made it back any earlier than this evening. Then, he noticed the black robes underneath his brown outer layer and his amber eyes.

"You're not Master Kenobi! You're an imposter."

Master Windu then drew his purple lightsaber. Meanwhile, Jinn could not believe his bad luck. He thought about fighting, but it might cause more trouble than he was already in. After all, having a sword and lightsaber were one thing, but being able to fight like a full-fledged Jedi Master was another.

In response, Jinn raised his hands and said, "Alright, I surrender."

Master Windu frowned but deactivated his lightsaber. He then pulled open Jinn's robe and pulled out his lightsaber. However, he paused when he saw the sword but took it off him as well.

"So, who exactly are you?"

"My name is Jinn."

Master Yoda twitched his ears when he heard that. He hobbled closer to him and examined him closely. He hummed to himself and closed his eyes for a moment to better read him with the Force. Jinn did not like the intrusion and kept his Force-shields up. He knew how to mask his presence better than any Jedi. When he was a younger, he used to enjoy playing hide-and-seek with his sister. He had fond memories of her laughter as they took turns chasing each other in the woods.

"Your thoughts betray you."

"Oh? How so?"

"Alone you feel."

"Yes, well I am hungry too. If you insist on interrogating me, can we at least do it over a meal?"

Master Windu frowned and said, "You are in no position to make demands."

"That's terribly uncivilized. Even prisoners of war are provided meals."

Master Windu was beginning to get annoyed. The imposter was as stubborn as the real Obi-Wan. He sarcastically said, "I suppose next you'd want a cup of tea."

"That would be lovely."

Irked, Master Windu said, "Don't test my patience. Come on, I'm taking you to the detention center."

Jinn did not like the sound of that. He shrugged Master Windu off his arm when he tried to lead him down the hall and said, "Wait a moment, don't you think you're being a little harsh? I haven't done anything to warrant an arrest."

"Yes, you have. You are impersonation a Jedi Master."

Jinn crossed his arms over his chest and said, "Technically, I am a Master. I'm just not the Jedi Master you thought. I don't see how your mistake is somehow my fault."

"What?"

Master Yoda laughed and said, "Like him, I do. Take him to tea, I will."

"What?" exclaimed Master Windu and Jinn.

XXX

A Padawan came into the mediation room with a serving tray with tea and an assortment of fruit and bread. Jinn was practically salivating. Though, manners dictate that he remained restrained. He hadn't eaten anything since yesterday. He was a bit disappointed that the tray didn't contain a side of bantha or eggs.

Silently, he began to set a plate first for Master Yoda and then for himself before he started to pour them both each a cup of tea. All the while, Master Yoda kept a watchful eye on his guest. Jinn could practically feel him trying to worm his way through his Force-shields.

"Hm, well trained, you are in the ways of the Force."

"Thank you, I'm better than some and less than others."

Master Yoda laughed and said, "Humble you sound, but in truth you are not."

Jinn wished he had some jam to go with his bread. He dipped a morsel into his tea and closed his eyes as he ate it. It had been a long time since he had any bread. Living on a deserted planet had its limitations. The tea had a rich herbal flavor and the fruit was sweet and savory.

Jinn said, "No, I'm not."

"Ah! So, you admit, you are not humble."

"Not particularly, but that doesn't mean I am without etiquette. I am grateful for the breakfast, but I don't understand why you'd want to invite me?"

Master Yoda said, "Curious, I am. Why did you come here?"

"Well, would you believe me that I only came here looking for a place to sleep?"

Master Yoda laughed and said, "Then welcome you are to stay."

"That's very kind of you."

Master Yoda raised his clawed finger and said, "Under one condition."

"Of course."

"Lower you must your Force-shields."

Jinn stopped eating and said, "That's not a good idea."

"Afraid, are you?"

Jinn raised his brow and said, "Do I look like a youngling to you? I don't respond to taunts."

Master Yoda smiled and said, "Most beings are younglings compared to me. However, rush you do not have to. Stay another day before you decide."

XXX

TBC