Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter. It's actually gonna be a bit shorter than usual.
So, this will be the last of the inhibitor chip chapter. Next chapter will be a long one, and will probably actually cover the first two Banking Clan episodes, just because I don't feel like there's enough material for me to work with to make each episode its own chapter.
Also, this chapter will debut a new Terran unit, and prove an important chapter in the future of Terran involvement in the Clone Wars.
Let's get to it.
CT7567Rules: Sorry I haven't responded to your last few reviews. My apologies. As for Fives, well, you'll see in this chapter.
CMac54: We won't see Ahsoka again for a few more chapters.
Dalej0523: So, the Terrans will not learn about Order 66 before it happens, but you can bet they'll fight back.
Chapter 52- Orders
Colonel Hall watches the hologram before him grimly. Word had just reached the Jedi Temple that Fives, who had been brought to Coruscant for an audience with Palpatine on a serious matter, had attempted to kill Palpatine when they were alone.
Hall had been called in for a meeting to discuss the situation. Also present were Anakin and Shaak Ti, as well as Yoda, Mace Windu, and Plo Koon via holo-transmission.
"I can't believe Fives would try to assassinate the Chancellor," Anakin says.
"The Kaminoans feel a virus corrupted the clone's inhibitor chip, which has led to this behavior. ARC trooper Fives feels he is the victim of a plot, Separatist or otherwise," Shaak Ti says.
Hall muses on this as he stares at the hologram. Personally, he feels skeptical, especially after being briefed by Paton on what happened at Ringo Vinda, and a French commander stationed on Kamino about what happened there. But, for now, he decides to keep his suspicions quiet.
"All security and clone forces on Coruscant have been ordered to join the manhunt. The Chancellor has been moved to his Senate quarters, and the perimeter has been secured. However, Jedi or Terran involvement has not been requested," Mace says.
"That's a little odd, isn't it? I mean, not asking the Jedi is odd enough. But why not the Terrans too?" Anakin asks.
"Hmm. Discover the truth we must," Yoda says.
"If there is a plot involving the clones, we must get to the bottom of it. We will investigate quietly, undercover. We must make sure this clone is not killed," Mace says.
Anakin glances over at Hall before looking back at Mace and saying, "Hall and I will handle this investigation. Fives was part of the 501st. If Rex and I find him, he'll trust us. And he knows Hall. Plus, we'll need the Americans' help."
"Be wary. Since he removed his inhibitor chip, Fives may no longer be the man you once knew," Shaak Ti warns. Anakin and Hall both nod.
The two leave the room and prepare to depart. However, once he knows he's clear, Hall makes for an empty room.
Once he finds an empty room, he enters the room and secures the door. Once he does, he pulls out his commlink and activates it. A few moments later, a hologram of General Powell comes up.
"Colonel Hall. What do I owe the pleasure?" General Powell asks.
"General Powell. There's a situation here on Coruscant. An ARC trooper from the 501st has seemingly gone crazy. He thinks there's a plot against the Jedi, and he supposedly tried to assassinate Chancellor Palpatine. The problem is I think he is being framed. I also think that he could be the crucial source of information that we need. He is currently being hunted by the Republic. We need to get to him first," Hall says.
"Hmm. I see what you're getting at. I'm assuming you know this clone. Since you are familiar with the situation, what do you recommend as our course of action?" Powell asks.
"Pretty much every clone unit on Coruscant, as well as other security forces, have been tasked with finding the clone. We need men skilled at stealth, who can find the clone quickly, and move quickly," Hall says. He then pauses again, and says, "I think it's time to deploy the Zulu Force."
Powell is quiet for a moment, then nods. "Very well. I will detach a squad immediately. They should be arriving on Coruscant within hours. If what you say about this clone is true, he could be a crucial piece of intelligence in our investigation. Do all you can to delay the effort to find the clone, or keep the Republic off his scent, until the squad gets to Coruscant," he orders.
"Understood, General," Hall responds, then terminates the transmission. He then heads out to find Anakin.
The two, accompanied by Rex, soon head off to the building allocated to the Alliance, where some of the FBI agents that worked on the Temple bombing are still stationed, though most of the rest had returned to Terra. After the agents are informed of the situation, they quickly get to work accessing any type of surveillance or security camera within a hundred miles, trying to track down Fives.
Hours into the search, Rex' commlink suddenly activates. Rex touches it and says into it, "This is Rex."
"Rex, it's Kix. I just ran into Fives. He told me he's being framed, and that he needs you and General Skywalker to meet him at some coordinates. And he asked you to come alone," Kix says over the commlink.
Hall, Anakin, and Rex all look at each other in surprise. Then, Rex says, "Alright, give me the coordinates."
Kix gives Rex the coordinates, then says, "He seems a little paranoid, Captain. Be careful, but be trusting."
"We will. Thanks, Kix," Rex says before cutting off the transmission.
"Alright. Let's go," Anakin says. He and Rex hurry off to go find a shuttle to take down to the coordinates.
As Hall follows them, he discreetly enters the coordinates into a device he's holding, then sends them out to General Powell, hoping he can get them to the people who need to receive them, and fast.
(Lower levels of Coruscant, minutes later)
Fives is breathing heavily, hoping with everything that he has that Anakin and Rex are going to come. He has to get this warning out. Yes, he's still not sure exactly what is happening, but he knows that he's caught up in something bad.
Suddenly, he hears something. What sounds like a jetpack, then several sounds of someone hitting the ground.
"Who's there?!" Fives calls into the darkness, but receives no reply.
Fives slowly walks among the items stored in the warehouse, wondering what is going on.
Then, he hears something behind him. Before he can even begin to turn around, he hears a voice say, "ARC trooper Fives."
Fives whips around, and to his utter shock, sees two men in blue Mandalorian armor standing in front of him. One is aiming a blaster pistol at him.
"You're coming with us," one of them says. And then, the one holding the blaster pulls the trigger, firing a stun ray and stunning Fives.
Minutes later, Anakin, Rex, and Hall finally make it to the warehouse. As they enter, Anakin calls out, "Fives? Fives, we're here."
No response. Anakin glances back at Rex and Hall, then repeats himself. Several times, Anakin repeats himself. But nothing. No sign or sound of Fives.
After several minutes, there's been nothing. Anakin finally says, "Nothing. I can't even sense him."
After a few more moments, Hall says, "Let's get back to the surface."
They take the shuttle back up to the surface. As they are flying back towards the Jedi Temple, Hall's commlink comes to life, and a voice says over it, "Colonel Hall, this is Captain Jones, British SAS. We wanted to let you know that we found and captured ARC trooper Fives before you got there."
Hall has to prevent himself from smiling, knowing what's really happened.
"Awesome. Where is he?" Hall asks.
(Senate building)
"What do you mean, your men have begun transporting him to Terra?" Palpatine asks Hall. Anakin and Hall, along with Yoda and Mace Windu, had been summoned to the Senate after hearing Fives had been captured by the Terrans.
"Well, I consulted with a psychiatrist that works with the FBI team still here on Coruscant. He said that all behavior clone trooper Fives has exhibited are indicative of some kind of nervous breakdown. He seems to have gone completely out of touch with reality. He's been babbling nonsense nonstop since he was taken about some conspiracy against the Jedi, and that the Chancellor is some evil geniues. I spoke with General Powell, who recommended we take him back to Terra and send him to a psychiatric care facility. We have a number of such hospitals in America alone. Arrangements have already been made for him to be treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital in America, one of the top hospitals in the world. We feel very confident that after a period of treatment, and after receiving medication, clone trooper Fives will be back to normal," Hall says.
"What gave you the authority to do this?" Palpatine asks.
"I apologize, Chancellor Palpatine. But, through my service alongside him, I know what an asset Fives could be to the Republic, and I wanted to see him back in action. This was personal for me. I'm sure General Skywalker would agree that he's someone not easily replaced. I just wanted to help him come back to himself," Hall says.
Palpatine is quiet for a moment, then nods. "Very well. If you really think your doctors can help him overcome his delusions and breakdowns," he says.
"They can. It may take a long time, but they'll be able to handle it. If worse comes to worse, they can commit him to long term care until he snaps out of it. It may take years, but we'll have Fives back to himself eventually," Hall says. He is trying so hard not to smile, knowing what is really happening.
(Earth)
Fives slowly comes to, then remembers what happened. His eyes shoot open. He realizes he's in a bed in a nice room, with a platter on a table beside the bed with a steak and mashed potatoes on it.
Fives stares at the food, then looks around. Seeing nobody else in the room, he feels he might as well eat.
Fives sits up and starts to eat. He's finished the potatoes and is tearing into the steak when the door opens.
Fives turns to the door, very wary. Then, the two Mandalorians he saw in the warehouse walk in. Fives is ready to get up and fight them when, to his surprise, General Powell follows them in.
Fives stands up and salutes General Powell. "General Powell, sir," he says respectfully.
"At ease, soldier," Powell says.
Fives eases up. Then, he realizes there's a symbol painted on the Mandalorians' helmets. A white circle with various shapes inside it.
"How are you feeling?" Powell asks.
"Alright. But, what are Mandalorians doing with you, sir?" Fives asks.
Powell grins. The Mandalorians then take off their helmets, revealing Captain Allen and another Delta Force officer Fives has met before.
"They're not. We captured a number of suits of Mandalorian armor a little while back following the incident with General Kenobi. After that, the Joint Terran Command formed an elite special ops unit, drawn from special ops units all over the world. That force, meant to be the ultimate special ops force in the Terran Alliance, is called the Zulu Force. And they all wear suits of Mandalorian armor," Powell says.
Fives looks surprised. Powell then motions for Fives to sit down at a table. He does so, and Powell sits down a second later, pulling a notepad out of his briefcase.
"Now, Fives. We have convinced the Chancellor and the Jedi Council that we brought you here to Earth to receive treatment for your supposed delusions and mental breakdown. In truth, you're here because we couldn't risk the Chancellor getting to you first," Powell says.
"What do you mean?" Fives asks.
Powell smiles as he clicks his pen and sets it against the notepad, ready to write. "I mean…I need you to tell me everything that's happened the last couple of days, everything you've discovered. And especially, everything you know about Chancellor Palpatine's connection to what's been happening," Powell says.
And, that's it.
So, a number of you have asked if there would be Terrans wearing Mandalorian armor. The answer: yes. The Zulu Force will be a relatively small force, but they'll be the only force, aside from maybe the ASAT team, to wear Mandalorian armor. Also, for those wondering, the crest on their helmets is basically Earth. It's a white circle, and the white shapes are the continents. Oh, and for those wondering, no, nobody in the Republic knows about the existence of the Zulu Force.
So, obviously Fives lived. I've gotten some reviews asking for him to live, and this is the best way I could think of doing it. So, I think it's clear now that the Alliance is intensifying its investigation into Palpatine. Also, just for the sake of the story, in this, Palpatine didn't reveal as much to Fives as he did in canon, but he revealed enough to really fuel the Terrans' investigation. That investigation will continue to play out until the end of the story. Also, for those wondering why Palpatine gave in, the Terrans have him convinced they think Fives is delusional, and he's afraid pressing the issue could seem too suspicious.
Next chapter will be up either tomorrow or Thursday. Until then, leave a review, and stay tuned!