Accelerated Ageing
A.N: Timeline setting: Five years after Operation Cinder. Tissues needed!
It happened on what appeared to be a normal day. Nothing was out of the ordinary for anyone. No remnant imperial upstarts had showed. No internal conflict raged.
It was almost as if the galaxy was at peace.
And it was here, on Alderaan of all places that CT-7567, Captain Rex, currently worked.
To be fair, 'worked' was stretching it. Instead, he was simply on guard duty, along with his brother Gregor.
The formation of the New Republic had gone well under Bail Organa's lead, but that didn't stop some people from attempting to ruin everything. Mon Mothma herself had recently been the target of an assassination attempt, and if rumours were true, was saved thanks only to the sudden intervention of a mysterious Togruta with lightsabers.
Rex would never tell it to her face, but he was proud of his old commander.
So now here he was on Alderaan, acting as security detail for an upcoming meeting between Bail Organa and the representative from the Imperial-Chiss alliance, a man named Eli Vanto.
Apparently Vanto was some sort of confidant of Thrawn's. Why the Chiss Grand Admiral was not available for this meeting Rex was unsure. He had shown up for the vast majority in the past. This time however he had simply left a message apologising for his absence, but insisting that his replacement would be worthy.
"Funny, isn't it? He we are waiting for some personal aide of Thrawn's. Five years ago we were trying to kill each other!" Gregor spoke from beside him as the two old clones stared up at the sky of Alderaan, waiting for Vanto's shuttle to come in. The sun was blazing hot today, with no clouds in the sky.
It was a nice day for such a meeting, one that sung peace and prosperity.
Reaching a hand up to his head to wipe the building sweat away, Rex closed his eyes, a sudden wave of dizziness coming to him.
"Yeah, it would help if it wasn't so kriffing hot though!" Rex spoke in return, feeling a cold sweat cover his body unexpectedly.
Gregor merely chuckled in return before his focus was back on the sky. Feeling that the brief conversation was over, Rex too shifted his gaze back upwards.
The heat wasn't unbearable, not like the deserts of Tatooine.
But Rex did find that it made it a lot harder to breath.
"Hey Rex, you ok buddy? You're breathing awful heavy." Gregor's concerned voice hit his ears seconds later.
"I'mmmm fffinne." Rex replied, throwing a smile over at Gregor.
But Gregor's response was not one he expected. The old clone commando's face suddenly dropped with dread, the concern that was present now seemingly turning into deep worry.
"Rex?"
Rex began to speak again, when a sharp pain lanced through his chest causing him to grasp it tightly. In seconds Gregor was by his side.
"Rex? What's wrong?!"
Rex attempted to brush off the concern. There was nothing wrong with him. It was just a funny spell because of the heat.
And then he felt tired, his joints aching and pulsating, his chest throbbing in agony, and his stomach feeling like it was jumping side to side. Beneath him, he felt his legs begin to wobble, as if they were suddenly made of liquid.
And then, everything went black.
BEEP.
BEEP.
BEEP.
Those were the first sounds Rex heard when he finally regained consciousness. He didn't open his eyes at first, instead opting to both listen and smell.
If he was where he thought he was…
BEEP.
BEEP.
BEEP.
That sound was familiar, one he had heard many times before. The tell-tale monotonous sounds produced by what Rex could only assume was a heard rate monitor suggested that something bad had happened to him.
The smell in the air only confirmed his hypothesis. The room he presumed he was in reeked of antiseptic and other chemicals that were often associated with doctors and medics.
And then he opened his eyes.
His vision was blurry to begin with, the bright light of the room taking a while to adjust to. Clearly he had been out a while.
And when his vision did clear, Rex saw he was without question cooped up in a hospital bed.
"Ah kriff!" Rex muttered to himself, gently moving his arms and hands in an attempt to sit himself up in his bed.
"Whoa there Captain, take it easy." The familiar and comforting voice of Gregor hit Rex's ears next as the clone commando sprung from the chair he had been seated in beside Rex's bed to help him. "The doc said you need to relax and take it easy for a bit."
Groaning, Rex took a gently breath before continuing in his quest to be seated up, Gregor helping him all the way.
When he was sat up, back against the head board of his hospital bed, Rex glanced around.
He was in a ward of some kind, and various other patients of varying species all seemed to be present.
Surveying the room further, Rex could see that the vast majority of the other patients were still out of it. In fact, he seemed to be the only one awake.
Turning his eyes back to Gregor, he asked the most obvious question.
"What happened to me?"
Gregor seemed hesitant at first, his face contorting briefly in despair before he answered.
"You had a heart attack Captain. Chancellor Organa and I brought you here. You've had to have a bypass operation in order to save your life. In fact, you were clinically dead for about twenty seconds."
That was a lot of take in, but Rex took it with stride. He had been through worse before after all.
"Right, well then, let's get out of here." Rex answered, beginning to lift his legs out of the bed, fully intending on returning to duty.
But Gregor stopped him, laying a hand on his chest and pushing him back.
"There's more Rex. The docs know why this happened, and it's very likely that it will happen to me soon as well."
Rex felt his eyes widen in shock. What was Gregor going on about?
"What do you mean Gregor? Some sort of bioweapon?" Rex inquired, fear in his voice. Out of all of his brothers, he only had Gregor left, and he was damned if he was going to let anything happen to them.
But Gregor didn't seem fazed at all by whatever news he had to deliver. Rather, he seemed to have already accepted whatever bombshell was coming.
"It's about us Rex, specifically our biology. We were created to fight and die in a war, not survive two. We weren't built to last this long Captain, and our time is running out it seems. Accelerated ageing is catching up to us it seems."
At that, Rex couldn't stop himself from slinking back in his bed in despair.
He had known that eventually his clone biology would catch up to him. It was as inevitable as the shift between day and night.
But he honestly thought he had more time.
"How long?" Rex asked, already fearing the answer.
Gregor shrugged his shoulders lightly in response before speaking.
"Don't know really. Docs say that if you take it easy you might have another decade in you. But if you don't, it could be less than a year."
Rex nodded in understanding. It was a simple choice. Continue working and living his normal life, and die sooner.
Or retire and live peacefully, something he had no idea how to do, and live longer.
In his now fragile heart, Rex wanted nothing more but to push on, continue working and prove the doctor's wrong. He would be fine, wouldn't he?
But then he remembered Gregor's tone as he delivered the news. It wasn't a maybe… it was a definite. There was nothing he could do about it.
And that terrified Rex far more than anything he had ever faced in his life.
Shortly after his discussion with Gregor, the chief doctor who had performed the surgery on him had come to speak.
The talk had been brief, going over the various problem that had occurred in regards to Rex's health, as well as what could and could not be done to help him.
It was nothing that Gregor hadn't already told him.
And then another piece of news hit him. The doctor had outright said that he couldn't leave, not for several weeks. Apparently the doctor's wanted to keep an eye on him for a bit due to any unexpected complications that might emerge from the surgery.
So Rex was stuck in a ward in a hospital, confined to a bed and a refresher.
The food was horrible, and the constant smell of antiseptic grated on his nerves.
Gregor visited whenever he could, but the old commando was currently undergoing his own tests to see if anything could be done to help him.
Aside from his brother, Rex received very few visitors, not that he minded. They had their own lives to live.
Bail Organa had come by once, offering support for Rex's condition and promising to fund a research program into the effects of accelerated ageing and how to slow it down. Whilst it was a token gesture, Rex appreciated the sentiment.
When Rex didn't have visitors however, he honestly did not know what to do.
He had tried to watch some sort of sitcom on a holopad, but had found it incredibly boring. Even a war documentary about the 'Clone War' did nothing for him, mostly because the vast majority of the 'facts' presented were false.
When he had had enough of the holopad, Rex had attempted to solve various puzzles in a pair of books that Bail had brought him to pass the time.
Those too began to bore him however, especially after the fifth one he couldn't do.
The only other activity that Rex could really do, and the one that was heavily recommended by the doctors, was to sleep.
So Rex did. He slept for hours, hoping to regain his strength. And as he did, he began to feel better. Gone was the ache in his bones, as his vision remained sound and steady.
But that still did nothing to stop the ounce of loneliness he felt from time to time, wishing someone would come by to see him.
And then one day, as he awoke from his nightly slumber, half expecting to find himself either alone or having tests run on him by a doctor, Rex was greeted with a welcome surprise.
"Hey there Rex, what have you got yourself into this time?"
Rex couldn't help the smile that came to his face as he pushed himself up, embracing the Togruta was she leaned in towards him.
"I've missed you old friend." He muttered gently into her lekku as he held tightly onto the woman he had known since she was a child. He hadn't seen her for months, let alone heard from her. No one had it seemed except for Kaeden, and the only information she had given Rex was that Ahsoka was off doing something history related with Maul of all people.
But right now Rex did not care, his friend was here, and he was going to make the most of the time with her that he had.
Ahsoka had stayed with him for a while, catching up on lost time and sharing tales of her adventures with Maul. Apparently the Zabrak had shown up at her apartment one day with a question to ask her. Said question had, in Ahsoka's own words, 'exploded into a massive quest to discover which came first, the Jedi or the Sith?'
Rex had listened intently as Ahsoka described what she and Maul had discovered so far, much of which surprised even the old clone. The history of the force and its respective orders was far more ancient than he realised.
Eventually he had to tell her about his current condition. Suffice to say it had not gone down well with the Togruta, who had all but ordered him to live forever, swearing that she would find a cure.
It had taken a while to calm her down, and even when he had done so it was clear that she was still upset.
So Rex had promptly changed to the subject, opting to enquire about how Ahsoka was doing personally.
Luckily, it worked, and as Rex began to doze off, Ahsoka had left happy and content, promising to visit him again soon, even offering him the spare room at her apartment for when he was better.
Closing his eyes with the intent on sleeping, Rex decided that he might just take his oldest friend up on that offer.
He only hoped he wouldn't get in the way of her and Kaeden.
The next few days seemed to drag, and Rex was honestly more bored than he had ever been in his life. He had nothing to watch. Nothing to read. No one to talk to.
Even the automated Dejarik set that Gregor had recently brought him had begun to tire after Rex's twentieth victory against the computer.
And so he was stuck, sitting in the hospital bed waiting to be discharged, with nothing to do, a solemn expression on his face.
And then a youthful energetic voice echoed across the room, and Rex's solemn expression vanished instantly, a bright smile replacing it.
"UNCLE REX!"
Rex couldn't help the burst of laughter that erupted from him as a young green haired children bounded across the room towards him, jumping onto his bed and wrapping his arms around the old clones neck in a tight embrace, one that Rex returned without hesitation.
"Hey there little Jacen, it's good to see you." Rex replied, his voice full of joy and wonder as he hugged the young child closer to him, who giggled in response.
"Oh he's fine, crazy, but fine." Another voice followed Rex's question, this one coming from the approaching figure of Kanan Jarrus, who held in his hands what appeared to be a blanket of some kind.
"Kanan!" Hera's voice followed afterwards, the Twi-lek woman beside the Jedi in an instant, lightly swatting him on the arm in response, to which Kanan feigned injury.
Rex was more than glad to see the small family. After everything that had gone wrong, and despite Kanan's previous misgivings about Rex, the two had formed a strong bond, one that Rex hoped would last the rest of his life.
"Ok Jacen, let's not hurt grandpa anymore yeah?" Kanan continued, coming to sit in the chair beside Rex's bed.
"Ok daddy." Jacen replied, carefully extracting himself from Rex's arms and jumping off the bed onto the floor on the other side of the bed, where Hera now stood.
Rex couldn't help but smile at the family dynamic that was around him. Out of everyone, Kanan and Hera deserved their happy ending.
Small talk emerged moments later, with both Kanan and Hera inquiring into what happened to him, Rex explaining in what detail he could, and later him asking about how their life was going.
"Jacen honey, why don't we go get something to eat?" Hera interrupted in the middle on a conversation, her face never changing from the serene calm and nurturing nature she was renowned for.
"Yum yum, yes please mum."
And with that Hera and Jacen left in search of something to eat, leaving Rex with Kanan, who was currently preoccupied by the small blanket he still held.
Smiling gently, Rex leaned over in his bed to spy what was cuddled up within the blanket.
"She's beautiful Kanan." Rex said softly, admiring the small child in Kanan's arms. Depa Jarrus, second child of Kanan and Hera. When the two had announced they were expecting their second child, Rex had been overjoyed, as had everyone. Unlike Jacen however, the young girl that had been born shared more similarities with her mother and her father. Her biology was clearly Twi-lek dominant, unlike Jacen who took after his father.
"I know she is." Kanan replied, his gaze never leaving his daughter's face.
Out of everyone he had ever met, Rex had to say that Kanan made a wonderful father. He was kind and compassionate, always looking out for his family and trying to teach them the right path in life, all qualities of a perfect father in Rex's opinion, not that he had any real point of comparison.
"Do you know what she looks like?" Rex had to ask. Hopefully Kanan wouldn't find it too insensitive.
"Course I do. You gave me your eyes remember?" Kanan replied, gesturing with a free hand to the faceplate he wore, the one painted with white Jaig eye markings.
Rex chuckled in response at the memory of the gesture. After Kanan had been blinded on Malachor, he had lost his way for a while. It had been Rex of all people that had first approached him, telling about the markings on his helmet and what they meant. It hadn't been long after that that Rex had asked Sabine to create the mask for Kanan that he now frequently wore.
"So tell me Rex, truthfully. How bad is it?" Kanan's tone shifted suddenly. It was not full of overt concern, like Ahsoka's had been, but instead full of what Rex could only describe as steadfastness. Rex appreciated that someone wasn't treating him like he was useless, even if he was sure that wasn't what Ahsoka and the others had intended.
"Depends really. If I keep up this lifestyle of fighting in wars, I probably won't make the year. But if I stop now then I've got a while left." Rex spoke, his voice grim. He didn't want to stop, that was the problem. It wasn't him. Rex needed to be active, not sitting around. His time in hospital had proven that.
Kanan nodded his head in understanding. "Have you spoken to Ahsoka about it?"
Rex nodded in reply, informing Kanan about the offer Ahsoka had given him about living with her.
"But you don't want to take it?" Kanan asked, confusion in his voice.
"The last thing I want to do is get in her way, especially since she had Kaeden now. I can take care of myself." Rex replied, lowering his head briefly, before lifting it again.
"You know she wouldn't think that Rex, and no offense, but this whole situation proves that you might be needing help soon." Kanan continued, his face serious.
Rex knew Kanan was right. Sooner or later he would need help. Not on an every second of every day basis, but enough to support him, both physically and mentally.
"I just don't know what to do Kanan." Rex answered honestly, one of his hands coming up to scratch at his beard lightly.
"Well then, let me offer you another option to take." Kanan did not hesitate a wide smile coming to his face as he spoke.
Rex's face shifted to one of confusion. What was Kanan going on about?
Seconds later, Kanan continued.
"Hera and I had a spare room in the Ghost since Sabine went to live back home. It's overly decorated I'll admit, but I'm sure Sabine wouldn't mind you taking it. Besides, the kids love you."
Rex's eyes widened at the generous offer from the Jedi. First Ahsoka, now Kanan.
Was he really that popular?
"Besides, it would mean someone other than Zeb or Ezra can look after Jacen for a bit. Those two are bad influences on him." Kanan leaned in to whisper, humour in his voice.
"I imagine Chopper is worse?" Rex couldn't help but quip, knowing exactly what the droid was like.
"Surprisingly that astromech is ok with the kids. Probably because they are fifty percent Hera after all huh?" Kanan responded, his tone light.
Rex laughed in response to the comment. The very thought of the Ghost crew looking after the children of Kanan and Hera was humorous, especially considering their vastly different personalities.
"I wouldn't want to be in the way Kanan." Rex shifted the conversation back to the offer at hand, concern in his voice. The last thing he wanted to do was impose himself on a happy family, especially in his condition.
But Kanan seemed resolute, shaking his head once before standing from his chair, a devious smirk on his face.
"Well perhaps this will convince you then." Kanan finished, bending down and laying the blanket that contained little Depa Jarrus into Rex's arms. The old clone didn't have much of a choice to accept, positioning and balancing the new-born baby gently into a comfortable position.
Looking down at the child in his arms, Rex couldn't help but smile at her face and tiny lekku that were forming. It would be years before they grew to full length. But for now they suited the girl perfectly.
And then the girl awoke from her slumber, opening her eye lids to reveal bright green eyes, ones that were clearly inherited from her mother, much like many other features.
Rex couldn't help but smile in response as the small girl in his arms began to babble lightly, a hand being reached up to touch Rex's beard in the process.
"Careful, she bites." Kanan joked from the chair where he had sat back down.
But Rex found that he didn't care whether or not she did bite. Depa was adorable.
'Maybe I should take up Kanan's offer?' Rex thought in his head.
He was, after all, a clone trooper. Bred to fight and succeed.
But his fight had ended now, all due to the way he was created.
If he was going to survive, if he was going to get to witness the happiness of his friends, no, his family around him, the he needed to find another way to fight, another way to be who he was.
And perhaps, just perhaps, he could get used to this kind of fighting.
He had fought to protect people for so long.
And he fully intended to continue doing so.
Just in a very different way from now on.
Author's thoughts
Oh boy, a dark and depressing chapter I know, but one I felt had to be done. The whole accelerated ageing thing with the clones is kind of a double edged sword really. It makes them excellent warriors in their own right, but kind of dooms them to a shorter lifespan. As much as I don't want to say it, it is very likely that unless some magic cure is found quickly (which I personally think is a bit stupid) then we may never get to see clones such as Rex fighting again post ROTJ. A sad thought I know, hence why I gave him a chance in this AU.
Also, would you look at that! Hera and Kanan have another child! ;)
And now for my next tease regarding my super secret project, and this is a big one: This new story will be an entirely seperate standalone AU that has no connections to my main AU. The story will be divided into two large acts, both of which span very different time periods. I wonder what that means huh?
So for the next few one shots I will be doing another multi part story arc. I won't reveal much except for the overarching title of it, as that pretty much sums up who it will be about. The multi part arc will be called: 'The Name's Kallus, Alexsandr Kallus' (Licence to be #Hot - Cue the theme music for those who get the massive reference)
As usual, comment and speculate at will. Speaking of which:
SLE's fave guest: Yeah I seem to remember something about her tomb in canon, hence why it was included.
Interesting guess with the lightsaber colour. I won't say whether you are right or wrong. Guess you'll have to wait and see.
Hope you 'enjoyed' the accelerated ageing one shot. Hopefully it wasn't too sad.
Travis Middleton: Glad you enjoyed seeing the more emotional chapter. It was hard to write, but if you enjoyed it that's all that matters.
Cranky Paws: Thanks, glad you liked it despite my reservations about it.
Jayson-Master of Storm: Glad you liked the look at Ahsoka's mental state through the eyes of Luke. Out of everyone she knew both Anakin and Padme the best, hence why it felt right to have it more focused on her.
As for your question, in this AU the empire portrayed Padme's death the same way they did in canon. I imagine Palpy framed the Jedi for it, most likely Kenobi.
FossilQueen1984: Guess it's sort of my way to be self deprecating. No need to worry, though I appreciate the kind words. Glad you enjoyed the one shot regardless of my opinion of it.
Mysterious Guest number one: Oh no, so sorry for the tears. Here, have a tissue of mine!
In all seriousness, glad you liked the emotional chapter. Luke and Leia treating Ahsoka as family is all I wanted. :)