Disclaimer: I do not own anything with any connection to the Star Wars universe.

It was the middle of the night when Ahsoka commed Rex to retrieve the transport. He quickly woke up Coric and they snuck out of the barracks to head to the Jedi Temple. Ahsoka had the door open and was standing next to a small ship. "That does not look like a Jedi transport," Coric commented.

"I couldn't manage to get one since I haven't been assigned on a mission. We're spread so thin right now, there's no way they would just give me one. This is Senator Amidala's. She let me borrow it. Anakin doesn't know."

"Does she know what its being used for?" Rex inquired.

"Kinda. I wasn't specific, but she trusts me. Just please try to bring it back in one piece."

"I don't know if I'm comfortable with this," Coric said.

"It'll be fine," Rex responded, putting the ships ramp down and hopping on. "Give our thanks to the senator, Kid. We'll have it back soon as we can."

"I know. Please be careful," Ahsoka said with a worried voice.

"We will be," Rex said with an assuring smile.

"Thanks again, Commander," Coric said before reluctantly walking up the ramp into Padme's ship.

Rex closed the ramp and headed to the controls.

"When is the last time you flew a ship of this size?" Coric questioned him.

"When you're close with General Skywalker, you know how to fly just about anything," Rex replied. He gestured to the seat beside him. "C'mon copilot. I'll show you how it's done."Coric rolled his eyes and sat down.

"Medics," Rex chuckled as he lifted the ship off the ground and out of the atmosphere.

Hours later they arrived on Kamino. As the two exited the ship, Shaak Ti greeted them. "Captain Rex, this is a pleasant surprise."

"Morning General," Rex replied. "We are here to check on the new cadets."

"I didn't here of anyone being assigned for that," Master Ti said suspiciously.

"We weren't officially assigned here," Coric quickly replied. "But the 501st is practically out of commission for the time being, and we were given permission by General Skywalker to check out our future."

"We were bored," Rex added, acting sheepish.

Shaak Ti just chuckled. "Well, we could use some fresh faces around here. Come on in."

The two relieved clones turned to go into the main tower. "You know," Master Ti began, "that does not look like a typical Republic transport."

"Senator Amidala wanted to express her appreciation to the 501st for all of our service to her throughout the years. It was a gift," Rex said.

"Somehow, I believe that," Shaak Ti smiled.

Later that evening, Coric snuck into the med bay. Other medical clones waved and nodded at him as he casually walked through the halls toward the room of medical records. Once there, he logged onto a machine to access the 501st records for the past year. He was shocked to find that no record of Tup or Fives being listed. He was about the search the entire medical database when Nala Se entered.

"Trooper, what are you doing?"

"Um… I was just accessing my legion's records. I got report of a sick clone back on Corosaunt, and since I was here already, I figured I would make sure he had no prior conditions that could cause complications."

"I'm sure the doctors on Corosaunt could have handled it," Se replied a little curtly. "Did you at least find what you were looking for?"
"Yes, I did. He was here for medical attention, but it was nothing related to his current illness."

"Good to here," Se said plastering a smile on her face.

"Good night," Coric said quickly leaving the room. Nala Se watched him suspiciously as he left.

Coric strolled down the corridor and burst into the temporary quarters he and Rex shared.

"What's wrong?" Rex asked from a bunk, noticing the relieved expression on the troopers face as the door closed.

"The records of Tup and Fives' visit are not with the rest of ours."

"They're hiding it?" Rex asked.

"Either that or they put those in a special file. Either way, I'm afraid we couldn't get to them without setting off alarms. Nala Se caught me looking into our files, and I have a feeling she's paranoid about us finding something. We know how guarded this place has been since…it happened. Those records would be under lock-and-key, if they even still exist. I'm afraid we're not going to have much luck figuring this whole thing out." Coric said, defeated.

After a few moments of silence, Rex abruptly stood and walked over to Coric. "Yes, we will. The records wouldn't have been our best shot anyway. We need to look into what Fives was telling us about the chips. Encounter it for ourselves."

"What exactly do you mean?" Coric asked.

"Cut me open, see if a chip is there, and if so remove it."
"Are you insane?!" Coric replied. "You saw what happened to Tup and Fives! How could you even think that doing the procedure on you would be a good thing?"

"Keep your voice down. We don't know what will happen. This is the only way to learn the truth." Rex calmly replied.

"We do already know that after Tup had his removed, he died. After Fives had his removed, he went delusional and was killed. How do you know that you will not suffer a similar fate."
"I'll take my chances. I'll do anything to find out the truth."

"What am I to say if I come back without you? Or worse, if the Kamonians or Ti find you dead?"

"You're a smart man, improvise," Rex stated simply.

"I won't do it, Captain. The 501st needs you." Coric argued.

"I rank above you, Coric. I will order you." Rex firmly replied.

"Fine I'll do it, but I will not take responsibility for whatever happens."

"That's all I ask."

Ahsoka sat in the Lars' front room recliner with Obi-Wan and Owen on an adjacent couch. Owen was filling Obi-Wan in on some secrets of surviving life on Tatooine. Beru was getting Luke, who had just woken up from a nap.

"She's wanted a child for as long as I've known her," Owen commented. "She's a natural."

Ahsoka didn't know why she was nervous, but she was. This was Anakin and Padme's child. One of two pieces of them she could hold onto. Beru walked into the room, gently bouncing the bundle of newborn in her arms. "Ahsoka," she said, smiling, "Meet Luke Skywalker." She handed the bundle down to Ahsoka. As she supported the baby in her arms, the first thing Ahsoka noticed were big blue eyes that belonged entirely to his father. She fought back the emotion as the eyes turned up to look at her with curiosity. The baby smiled at her, which caused tears of joy to stream down her face as she returned the gesture. Obi-Wan stood from the sofa and came to them, sitting on the arm of the recliner and wrapping his arm around her. He smiled down at Luke as well.

"Hello, Luke." Ahsoka said softly to the cooing infant.

"Hello, hope," Obi-Wan said so only she and the baby could hear.

After an evening of talking, dinner, and cuddling Luke, Beru had insisted the former Jedi stay the night. Normally, Obi-Wan would have kindly declined, but it was a long walk back to town and as much as she was trying to hide it, he could sense Ahsoka was in pain. He made sure to borrow a few painkillers from Beru, but as soon as the woman found out about the extent of Ahsoka's injuries, she packed them a potluck of different medical supplies. He gave Ahsoka the guest room to sleep in, and took the front room couch for himself.

Not long after he had settled into sleep did a large roar from the sky awaken him. He ran outside to see what had to be Imperial ships flying over the desert toward Mos Eisley. He rushed back in to see Owen and Ahsoka in the front room. "What is it?" Owen asked. Beru entered the room comforting a crying Luke. Obi-Wan walked over and put a hand on the infant's head. "The Empire," he responded.

A/N: I don't know how many of you watch Star Wars Rebels, but did you see that trailer for season 2?! Also, it was great to see the new teaser for "The Force Awakens" this weekend as well! This week, I'd love for you guys to post in the reviews the one thing from at least one of the new trailers you are most excited about.

Until Next Time,

Bluejay