(A/N: Hey guys, here I am with the latest chapter of Love in Coruscant! Hope you enjoy!)
Chapter 6: Dangers
Kix stood in the forest a little away from the camp, reviewing his entire life, because he had heard that people did that before they died.
The encroaching jungle was claustrophobic, and felt like it was closing in on him every moment that passed. Kix stared at it, blaster in his hands. Earlier in life, he had had a reason, or more, a wish or dream to live for. Now that it was gone, and he needed a way to escape the nightmares and regrets made clear in haunting thoughts of what ifs.
Kix's hands began to tremble as he slowly, deliberately placed the gun to his helmeted head. He had to do it now, or else he may never have the courage to do it again, doomed to live his nightmares forever.
Shutting his eyes, Kix to breath easier and stop his hand from trembling. Steeling his nerves, he prepared to pull the trigger when a noise jerked him from his thoughts. Kix listened. There was silence, but in that silence he heard a noise... a clanking sound, robotic voices.
Kix got up and slowly lowered the gun as he crouched, peering through the branches and trees, just able to make out the gray form of Super Battle Droids, and the lesser brown ones also. He ducked behind the branches of a brightly coloured plant, slowly making his way back to where the Jedi were travelling through the forest, seemingly not to notice Kix's absence.
Kix forced himself to move slowly and silently, ignoring the impulse to move quickly when a noise from behind caused him to jump to the left in a roll as red plasma scorched the earth where he had crouched only moments before.
Pivoting in his crouch, the clone shot the droid, leaving a burning hole in it's head, and somewhat settling Kix's roiling emotions for a moment. Kix listened for any sound that may announce that the noise had been heard, and noticed the larger body of droids stop moving and make their way toward the sound. Kix held his breath, crouching in the foliage.
"Investigate." A robotic voice ordered.
"Roger, roger." Droids began to move toward the area where Kix crouched in concealment and swore. Hopefully they wouldn't notice the dead...
"There!" A droid pointed at the dead droid and waved at his companions. "Search the area."
"Roger, roger." The droids began looking around, and Kix felt his heart sink as a droid looked at him.
"Shab."
Ahsoka looked over her shoulder for Kix, and noticed that the clone medic had not rejoined the group as they had expected him to.
"Master?" Anakin looked at her, eyebrows raised at the fact that she had interrupted him trying to explain Kix's actions to Aayla Secura and Bly. "I don't see Kix." Ahsoka said, pointing at the empty path behind them.
Anakin frowned, and paused in his walk. "Where has he gone?" He wondered aloud.
Aayla and Bly stopped, staring down the trail. Anakin turned to the latter. "Bly, are there any creatures that could take someone with absolute silence?" He asked.
The clone stared at him. "Not for a clone. No matter if he is a dik'ut or not." He responded coolly.
Ahsoka glared at the clone commander and opened her mouth to speak when a look from Anakin stopped her.
"Your commander is a little independent, Master." Anakin stated, looking at the Twi'lek Jedi, who glared at Bly.
"I could say the same for your medic, General." Bly snapped, tone icy. Only a look from Aayla Secura made him shut his mouth before speaking any more.
Aayla looked back at Anakin. "I allow my clones to speak their mind, even if some if it is too true to be appreciated."
Bly looked at her, then turned away with a sigh. "I'll go find him..." The clone barely finished when someone shouted and blaster fire was heard form somewhere in the foliage.
"The bloody idiot!" Bly growled. "He ran himself right into a patrol."
There was a flash of white, then there was Kix, falling through the brush to land in a heap on the path.
"Kix?" Ahsoka asked as the clone medic scrambled to his feet and ran toward them.
"Droids! Lots of them!" He shouted.
"Let's go, double time!" Bly ordered his men, racing down the trail with the others following in close pursuit.
Kix began to follow but stumbled. He bit his lip to keep from crying out as he grasped his right leg with his gloved hands. Medic to the core, Kix looked at his leg. A blaster had scored a hit, but from what he could see and feel, it wasn't serious. Painful, but not critical.
"Kix!" The shout caused the medic to look up and see that Ahsoka had come back for him.
"I'm fine." Kix responded, heading toward her, limping slightly as he watched over his shoulder for any sign of danger. There was nothing at the moment, but Kix knew that it would come, people would die, possibly even Aayla Secura, and it would be all his fault.
