Anakin walked down the halls of the Resolute, looking for Fives, wanting to apologize (and reassure the trooper). He'd had no idea what his men had endured at the hands of Krell. Obi-Wan had told him the entire horrific story last night, leaving him speechless, and feeling terribly responsible for the carnage caused by Krell. Anakin couldn't imagine how his troopers felt. In fact, he was surprised they were still able to look at him. Especially Fives, who'd been personally threatened by Krell. Which made that training session even worse. He'd (unintentionally) put Fives in the same position as Krell, making him feel incredibly guilty. He'd briefly considered calling Fives to his office, but decided against it. He needed to approach Fives where the man was comfortable. It made Anakin uneasy, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth, thinking that his men were afraid of him. He didn't want the troopers scared of him. Force, he didn't even want them being that formal with him!
He rounded a corner and spotted Echo.
"Echo." The trooper whirled in surprise, hand starting towards his blaster, only to be pulled back at the last minute.
"Yes, general." The trooper saluted, holding completely still.
"At ease. Do you know where Fives is?"
Echo, who had dropped the salute and minutely relaxed, tensed at the mention of his brother.
"I-I haven't seen him, sir." Anakin frowned.
"Alright." He nodded to the trooper. "If you see him, let me know."
"Of course sir."
Anakin walked off. He was positive Echo had seen his brother, but had said he hadn't to protect him. And that bothered him, the fact that his men felt the need to protect themselves from him. Especially since it was Echo, always followed the rules, never omitting information or lying, who had even memorized the majority of the regulations manuals! If Echo was lying to him, then he was scared, no, terrified, that he was about to lose his brother. Anakin mentally cursed Krell with everything he had. That traitor had done this. Had made Anakin's men fear him when they shouldn't. Sighing, the Jedi continued his search.
Entering the hall by the mess, Jesse came into view.
"Jesse!" The trooper turned, eyes widening.
"General!" Jesse saluted, then hesistated. "What can I do you for you, sir?"
"Have you seen Fives?"
Jesse stiffened.
"May I ask why, sir?"
"I just need to talk to him. And apologize." Anakin explained, hoping to ease the trooper's worries. Jesse blinked.
"A-Apologize, sir?"
"For last night. I don't want him to think I'm..angry at him, or…or anything."
Jesse studied the Jedi in front of him with wonder. He was so different from Krell; concerned for his men, treating them well, always listening to what they said, even if he didn't always act on it, apologizing to them.
"He's…in the mess, sir."
"Thank you."
Anakin entered the mess, and after looking around for a minute, spotted Fives near the corner furthest away from him.
As he neared the table, Fives glanced up. His face blanched and he tensed; then his face settled into a blank mask, and stiffly he stood, saluting, tensed as though expecting a blow.
"At ease, Fives, please."
The ARC trooper didn't reply, simply stood at parade rest.
Anakin bit his lip, unsure of how to proceed. So, the Jedi did what he was so famous for, he blindly rushed forward ahead without thinking it through.
"Fives, I'm sorry."
Fives frowned in confusion. "You're….you're what sir?" Surely he hadn't heard that right.
"I'm sorry, about last night. I didn't know about Krell, if I had, I would have never suggested training with lightsabers, and I want you to know I'm sorry."
Fives stared at Anakin for a few minutes, completely silent, astounded. He'd been expecting demerits, punishments, maybe being sent back to Kamino for reconditioning, hell, after Krell he'd half expected to simply be cut down with the general's lightsaber; not for the general to apologize to him. Finally, he found his voice.
"Thank you, sir." Anakin could barely hear him, his voice just above a whisper. He grinned crookedly at the trooper, who hesitantly returned the smile.
A beep on his comm pulled Anakin's attention away.
"Yes?"
"Anakin, we need you on the bridge."
"I'll be right there." Anakin looked back at Fives and gave him a nod. Fives saluted him again, and this time all the tension, all the worry, and all the fear, was gone. And it would remain that way.
The end! I'm such a sap for feel-good happy endings. But I hope you enjoyed it! Please review and tell me what you thought!
