Caleb Dume stood on the bridge of the Venator Star Destroyer known as 'The Tribunal'.
There was nothing particularly special about the ship in comparison to others within the fleet. It looked the same. It functioned the same. It fought the same.
The only major difference was who commanded it. Admiral Yularen was one of the most gifted officers to serve in the Republic navy. Caleb was honoured to be on board his ship, just as he was honoured to be part of the 212th, if only for a little bit.
He missed his Master considerably, but for now he was more than happy to work with and learn from Master Kenobi. How many Jedi could say that they had been personally tutored by Obi-Wan Kenobi after all?
Glancing out the window of the bridge, Caleb's eyes surveyed the planet they were in orbit above.
Coruscant looked beautiful, in an odd way. From orbit he could tell it was becoming night over the Jedi Temple. The thousands of skyscrapers that made up the surface shone with light bright enough to create patterns of it across the surface.
Caleb found his eyes tracing the lines of light, making intricate patterns and wondering what lay at the end of each. Perhaps one of those lights was a hospital? Or a pet shop? Or an apartment complex?
Caleb didn't know. He might never know, but that didn't bother him. He didn't need answers to everything.
Just most things… the Force especially.
"Hey kid. What are you up to?" The voice of a Clone, one that Caleb recognized as Commander Boil, hit his ears as the trooper came to stand beside him, helmet held under one arm.
"Just looking." Caleb replied. He honestly didn't have a better answer than that. He really was just looking.
"Yeah. I get that. She's a beauty isn't she? It's views like this that remind me what I'm fighting to protect."
"Glowing lights on a planet?" Caleb quipped in response, throwing a cheeky smirk at the Commander.
"Ha! No kid, the Republic. Life everywhere. That's what I'm fighting for." Boil might have laughed at the start of his answer, but his tone shifted to serious within an instant. Caleb could tell he was committed.
"Well, with Dooku gone and Maul captured, all that's left is Grievous."
"Damn right. And if anyone can scrap General Clanker, it's you and General Kenobi."
Caleb appreciated the praise. But their success would be down to more than just the Jedi.
"You and your men will play an important role too, as they always have Commander. The Republic owes you everything when this is all over."
A small smile came to Boil's face at the reply before he refocused his attention on Coruscant, his eyes now tracing the same lines as Caleb had done before.
A companionable silence settled between them for a few moments as other troopers, as well as Yularen, moved around the bridge, preparing it for the trip to Utapau.
Hopefully they would arrive in time to assist Master Fisto and stop the cyborg menace that was Grievous once and for all.
If they did, then the Clone War would come to an end, and peace would be restored.
At least, Caleb hoped it would. He wanted to go home to the Temple, and to his Master.
"Commanders? General Kenobi requests your presence in the briefing room." Another Clone, one that Caleb didn't recognize, called out from his position on the bridge. Unlike the rest of the troopers on the ship, the bridge staff seemed to forgo armour for the lighter official Republic uniforms instead.
It made sense of course. The odds of fighting breaking out on the bridge of a Venator were slim after all. And even if it did, the bridge staff were still more than capable of defending themselves.
"Copy that Trooper. Let's get moving, kid." Boil replied as he pivoted on his heel and led the way out of the bridge and to the adjacent briefing room.
Upon entry, Caleb took note of three individuals gathered round the central holoprojector.
Master Kenobi stood one one end, and standing opposite him were two troopers who Caleb had only briefly met in passing. From memory he recalled their names being Crys and Trapper. Assuming he wasn't remembering them wrong of course.
Moving to take his place by Master Kenobi's side whilst Boil went to stand between them and his troopers, Caleb shifted his attention to the hologram before them.
It was a projection of the galaxy, specifically the course the Tribunal would be taking to reach Utapau in the fastest possible time.
"Glad you could both join us. We were just going over the plan once we reach Utapau." Obi-Wan explained as he gestured to Crys and Trapper. "Scouting reports from General Fisto's Legion say that the bulk of the Separatist fleet is in orbit above Utapau. Republic Forces have broken through the best they can, but the battle on the surface rages on."
"Do we know if General Fisto has engaged General Grievous yet?" Boil inquired.
"Apparently so." Crys spoke, "Got him on the run across the sinkhole city. He might get the clanker before we get there."
"Hope the boys at least save some for us. They know we are coming to support them right?" Trapper asked, turning his focus to Obi-Wan.
"We managed to get a transmission through the chaos, yes. Fisto's men have secured and are holding a landing zone for us despite heavy Separatist resistance. Once we enter the system, the Tribunal and its escort ships will engage the enemy fleet whilst Commander Boil leads the men on the surface. Meanwhile, myself and Commander Dume will attempt to locate either General Fisto or Grievous."
"Sounds like a plan General. Are you good with this Commander?" Boil said, bringing Caleb into the meeting.
"I'm happy Commander. You're the experts after all." Caleb replied, earning a chuckle from Boil and a wry smile from Obi-Wan in the process.
"Excellent then. Assuming we don't run into any incidents, we should arrive in the Utapau system within twenty four hours. Take some time to rest and prepare your equipment. This battle could be the one that ends this war once and for all."
"Hope so General… no offense. Serving under you has been a privilege, and an experience."
"None taken Commander. And the same can be said of you and your men. I'm honoured to have served with the 212th."
Caleb was about to open his mouth to comment when a sudden beeping interrupted them.
His eyes darted to the central holoterminal, and the small red light that was flashing on it.
Crys was the first to respond to it, his eyes surveying what appeared to be an incoming message.
Perhaps it was a message from Master Fisto? Perhaps they didn't need to go to Utapau after all.
"Commander Boil. There is an incoming transmission marked for you. Shall I let it through?" Crys spoke a few seconds later, shooting a confused look towards both Boil and Obi-Wan.
Boil turned his head to Obi-Wan first, as if asking for permission to accept.
Obi-Wan nodded without hesitance. Caleb was pleased to see that Obi-Wan too trusted his troopers implicitly.
Boil moved to take his position in front of the holoprojector as Crys and Trapper moved to the side.
Caleb watched as Boil tapped the inbuilt communication link, accepting the call.
A hologram fizzled into existence in the centre of the holoprojector, and Caleb suddenly felt himself go cold.
A single figure appeared, draped in a black cloak that hid their identity from his view. Through the Force, he felt a spike of danger.
Something was wrong.
"Yes?" Boil asked, addressing the hologram from his position across the holoprojector.
"Execute Order 66."
In an instant, the hologram vanished as fast as it had appeared, and Caleb saw Boil's body tense sharply.
Something was very wrong.
The cold that Caleb felt got worse, The Force suddenly aching in his mind with… something. But what he couldn't tell.
And then, it happened.
Crys and Trapper began to move, their arms reaching for their blasters. Within seconds they had their weapons primed, and began to aim them towards…
A pair of shots rang out, and both Crys and Trapper slumped to the floor, blaster marks burning in their chests.
"What is…" Obi-Wan cried out in surprise, but Boil didn't listen.
The door to the hallway beyond the bridge opened suddenly, and a trio of Clones came charging through, firing their blasters towards Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan managed to avoid the shots that would have killed him otherwise, before his lightsaber flashed into existence, deflecting the next barrage.
Caleb began to cry out to the Clones, to demand that they stop, but his words fell on deaf ears as again, several shots sailed over his head, crashing into the Clones.
The three unexpected assailants crashed to the floor dead, just as Crys and Trapper had moments earlier.
"Boil! What are you doing?!" Caleb heard Obi-Wan yell, fury in his voice.
"Not now General!" Was all Boil responded with as he darted over to seal the hallway door, blasting another Clone that had been charging down the hallway towards them in the process.
As the door slammed shut, Caleb ignited his own saber, just in case.
What was Boil doing?! Why was he killing his own men? His own brothers?
And why had the Clones been trying to kill Master Kenobi?!
Caleb brought his lightsaber into a defensive stance, just in case Boil turned on them next, but the Clone Commander didn't seem phased. Instead, he darted between the two Jedi, opening the main doors to the bridge.
Caleb watched as Boil moved through the doors, his blaster turning towards a pair of guards on the bridge.
He gunned them both down, before turning to blast an officer who had taken up arms as well.
"BOIL!" Obi-Wan cried out again, shock in his voice. What was going on?!
Caleb made to move towards Boil, to try and stop his madness when the Force screamed a warning to him.
One of the guards that Boil had shot hadn't died, and had instead trained his blaster on Caleb.
"No, wait. Don't!" Caleb yelled, but it had no effect.
Blue bolts of plasma sailed from the wounded trooper's blaster towards him, forcing him to deflect the shots to save his own life.
Why were the Clones trying to kill him?! Why was Boil killing them?!
Caleb deflected three more blasts before the wounded Clone suddenly found himself hit by several shots from Boil.
Caleb felt a rush of remorse as the Clone slumped to the floor dead. This was wrong! So very wrong!
What was happening?!
"Padawan! Focus! Defend yourself!" Obi-Wan's voice was on the verge of panic as he attempted to defend himself from a pair of officers who were firing in his direction. The assault didn't last long however, as again, Boil stepped in, gunning down the two officers who had been attempting to kill his General.
All Caleb could do was defend himself as Boil methodically moved around the bridge, executing troopers and officers without remorse.
The skirmish lasted barely a minute, but by the time it was done, all Caleb felt was horror.
A combination of stenches hit his nose. The scorching blaster marks around the bridge, the smell of burning flesh. It was enough to make him want to retch.
Boil stood in the centre of the bridge, his blaster rifle gripped tightly in his hands, scanning for anything he deemed a threat.
Caleb didn't extinguish his lightsaber, and neither did Obi-Wan. Right now, neither were sure they could trust Boil. The Commander had just executed well over a dozen of his fellow Clones after all.
"Commander Boil! Explain yourself at once!" Obi-Wan yelled, making Caleb flinch at the Ferocity present in his tone.
Boil glanced over his shoulder at his Jedi General before moving towards the end of the bridge where several consoles were situated. Caleb didn't know their function, but clearly Boil had an intention with them.
"Boil! Answer me!"
At the second shout from his General, Boil sighed before he turned around to face the two Jedi.
"General Kenobi. Commander Dume. As of a few minutes ago, Order 66 was issued to every Clone Legion across the galaxy. Effective immediately, members of the Jedi Order, as well as anyone who defends them have been declared traitors to the Republic and are to be executed on sight. Every single trooper on the Tribunal is currently under orders to hunt and kill the both of you."
The words hit Caleb like a punch to the gut. The Clones were under orders to kill them? To kill all of the Jedi?
… the Clones had betrayed them willingly?!
"Then why aren't you trying to execute us Commander?" Obi-Wan all but demanded, his tone steadier now that he had an explanation, but with an undercurrent of rage that Caleb could barely detect.
"Because General, these orders are not happening by choice, but rather by control."
"I don't follow…"
Boil's response was to remove his helmet, his eyes locking onto Caleb's briefly before they focused on Obi-Wan again.
"Do you recall the incident on Ringo Vinda? With Tup executing a Jedi and then Fives going on the run? Well sir, that's what started it all. Fives found evidence of the truth. Every single Clone has a chip inserted into their heads from creation. I don't fully understand the details, but we speculate that these chips can make the Clones follow any orders without question."
"Such as executing the Jedi?"
"I'm afraid so, General."
"But then why aren't you attacking us?" Caleb called out, hoping to be included in whatever disaster had befallen them.
"I've had my chip out kid. I'm not under the influence of whoever issued Order 66, and I'll be damned if I'm gonna let them get away with this."
Boil had had his chip out? How? When? Had anyone else?
"It was Rex's idea. Fives came to him and Kix, spread the message. Rex has been working to get as many chips out as possible. Most of the 501st veterans have theirs out. As does Commander Wolffe and Bly. My chip activated prematurely like Tup's did on Mygeeto. I nearly killed Commander Tano in the process!"
The image of Boil turning his blaster on Ahsoka came to Caleb's mind. He wanted to be sick again. How could this be happening?
"How widespread is this Boil?"
"Galactic sir. Any Clone that hasn't had their chip out will follow the Order without question. That includes every Clone on this ship."
"But we can help them right? Get their chips out?" Caleb cried out in horror.
"I'm no medic kid, and we don't have the time. As hard as it is to accept, we need to put down as many brothers as we can. It's a mercy I'd want."
"But surely we can stun them instead?"
"The stun would only last a short while General, you know that. They'd get back up and continue to hunt us. This is the only way. They aren't our loyal brothers anymore. They are battledroids in Clone armour."
The Force screamed out suddenly to Caleb, causing him to wince in pain as he gripped his head with his free hand. Beside him, Obi-Wan did the same.
"That's my cue." Boil spoke as he placed his helmet back over his head and returned to whatever he had been doing previously.
Through the Force. Caleb felt death and destruction. He heard screams of pain and agony from the thousands of Jedi who were being slaughtered by their own troops.
"Master?" Caleb whispered towards Obi-Wan. "What do we do?"
"I don't know Padawan. Oh please Anakin… please be alright."
"Skywalker will be fine sir! Rex and the boys will watch his back. Tano's too. Now, get ready to…"
"Not so fast Commander Boil!"
A new voice echoed around the bridge, one that Caleb would have normally welcomed.
But right now, he didn't know who to trust.
Boil pivoted on his heels as he faced the new arrival, his blaster aimed and ready.
"Admiral Yularen, stay out of this."
"Stay out of what trooper?! I just witnessed you execute every member of my bridge staff without remorse! Explain your treasonous actions at once!"
Yularen stood off to the side, his own blaster pointed at Boil, ready to fire. Caleb could tell from the tension in his body that Yularen was barely holding off outright executing Boil as he had done to his brothers moments earlier.
"You can't seriously buy this kriff Admiral! The Jedi aren't traitors!"
"I haven't a clue what you are babbling about trooper!"
"Order 66! An order from someone in Republic High Command, possibly the Chancellor. The entire Jedi Order has been declared traitors to be executed. Your loyal staff on this bridge just tried to kill General Kenobi and Commander Dume! A kid Yularen! A KRIFFING KID! And they were going to kill him!"
The anger in Boil's voice made Caleb flinch. Boil was furious, and rightfully so if he was telling the truth about what was happening.
"And how am I supposed to believe that Commander. In my eyes you and the two Jedi have just stormed and executed everyone on my bridge! Rather convenient timing alongside this accusation of treason, is it not?" Yularen replied, his blaster raised, ready to fire.
"Admiral, you can't believe we are traitors, surely?!" Obi-Wan said, shock in his voice at the implications.
"Right now Master Jedi you could be. The Jedi have had a recent history of members going rogue. Krell and Offee stand out the most."
"They betrayed the Jedi as well!" Caleb joined in, trying to convince the Admiral to stand down. He didn't want to see anyone else get hurt.
Yularen didn't reply right away, but he made no move to lower his blaster either. Boil too stood ready, his rifle aimed at Yularen's body.
One move from either of them and someone would die.
"Stand down Admiral!" Boil spoke suddenly, taking a step towards the Admiral, most likely to get a better shot. Yularen wasn't phased however.
"Commander Boil, you have executed fellow soldiers of the Republic, and if the orders are true…"
"They aren't!"
"...if they are true, then you are also aiding and abetting known traitors of the Republic. Surrender your weapons to me and I will ensure you are safely escorted to the brig until all of this blows over. I promise I won't let any harm come to any of you."
Yularen's offer was tempting, but Caleb didn't truly know if he could be trusted, or if he understood the gravity of the situation they were in.
The Clones on the bridge had tried to kill them. Crys and Trapper had tried to kill them.
Every single Clone on the Tribunal had orders to kill them. There was no guarantee of safety. If the Troopers wouldn't listen to Obi-Wan, why would they listen to Yularen?
They had to get off the ship as soon as possible… that was the only way to guarantee their safety.
Besides, how could they trust that Yularen wasn't trying to lead them into a trap?!
"If we come with you Admiral, the Clones, my brothers! They'll just gun us all down. We need to get off this ship. If you don't move out of our way…" Boil spoke, his voice dropping into a threatening tone. The threat was unspoken, but Caleb knew what it was.
"You know I can't do that Commander. If you run, I can't protect you from the consequences. If you come with me, I promise I'll do everything in my power to ensure your safety. If what you say is true, then you'll all be granted a fair trial. We are the Republic after all, not the Confederacy." Yularen spoke, his tone resolute. It was clear he had made up his mind about what needed to be done.
Perhaps, just perhaps, if they surrendered and followed Yularen's plan, they'd be safe. Yularen had always been on their side. He wouldn't betray them now, would he?
And like he had said, the Republic would surely grant them a fair trial?
Boil didn't speak. Neither did Yularen. Obi-Wan stood ready, just in case, lightsaber defending his body. Caleb copied the stance, just in case.
Tense seconds passed by, both Boil and Yularen eyeing each other, waiting for the next move.
And then. Boil spoke.
"No… we won't be."
The sound of a blaster discharging caused Caleb to again cry with horror as he watched a blue bolt sail through the air and crash into Admiral Yularen's unprotected chest.
The Admiral was blown backwards from the impact, firing a pair of shots from his own blaster on reflex as he fell, both of which crashed harmlessly against the bridge's ceiling, sending a shower of sparks down around Boil.
As quickly as it had started, it was over. Yularen lay on his back, a smoldering hole in his chest, his eyes staring lifelessly up at the ceiling of his ship.
Caleb couldn't help but mourn the loss. Why was this all happening?
"Boil! That was too far!" Obi-Wan yelled out in anger once again as the Clone turned his attention back to the console he had been previously working on with little care for what he had just done for Yularen.
"I couldn't take the risk General. I'm sorry. Right now my mission is to get you both safely off this ship without pursuit."
"What do you mean without pursuit?"
Boil's hands worked over the console he was near for a few more seconds before he took a step back from it and raised his blaster to it.
A trio of shots later and the console was a wreck.
"I've just set the Tribunal's self-destruct sequence. We've got about fifteen standard minutes before the reactor overloads and takes the ship with it. Commander Tano left her experimental shuttle in the hangar bay. If we time it right, we can use that thing's stealth drive to escape under the cover of the explosion."
"The self-destruct?! How is that necessary? Obi-Wan demanded.
Boil turned to face the Jedi as he moved towards them, his rifle gripped tightly in his hands.
"With all due respect General, Commander. Right now, everyone on this ship excluding myself is out for your blood. They cannot, will not stop until you are dead. Even if we get off this ship they'll pursue you to the galaxy's edge, and even there you won't be able to hide for long. But, if the galaxy assumes you died with everyone else aboard this ship, then maybe, just maybe you'll be able to escape. I don't like this anymore than you do. But if I have to put a thousand of my brothers out of the misery of mind control in order to save two people who I deem friends, then I damn well will, and I will live with the consequences. I'm not asking for your approval, and we can discuss the morality of it all once we are off this ship! Am I clear?"
Caleb had lost track of how many times Boil had shocked him in the last few moments. This whole situation was messed up! How could things have gotten so bad that the Clones had somehow been turned against them all? That the Jedi had been successfully accused of treason?!
Not for the first time since Mygeeto, he wished he could sense Master Billaba through the Force still, but Grievous had taken that away from them both. Now there was nothing but an empty void where she used to be.
She could be dead, for all he knew. She had been at the Jedi Temple after all… and if things down there were as bad as they currently were on the Tribunal…
He didn't even want to think about what might happen to all of the younglings within those walls.
Caleb's internal thoughts were interrupted by a hand resting on his shoulder.
Glancing up, Caleb saw the helmeted visage of Boil.
"Kid, I know… but we gotta go."
He knew Boil was right. They had no choice.
Turning his head slightly, Caleb shot a questioning look over at Obi-Wan. Who simply nodded slowly with a solemn expression on his face. He didn't like this anymore than Caleb did, but right now he knew that survival was their goal.
"Ok Commander. We'll trust you."
"Thank you… both of you." Boil replied with warmth in his voice, perhaps the last he'd ever hear from a Clone.
Taking a deep breath, Caleb centered himself in the Force, and fell into step beside Obi-Wan as Boil led them back to the briefing room where it had all started to go wrong. Caleb tried not to spare a glance at the bodies of the fallen Clones as he passed them by.
He knew he shouldn't be angry at them. It wasn't their fault, at least that's how Boil painted it. But even still, an element of anger seeped through Caleb. Why couldn't they fight it? Why hadn't they gotten their chip out like Boil had?
"Prepare yourselves General, Commander. We've got Clones in the hallways beyond. No doubt they've been fortifying their position in case we make a run for it."
"And to get to the hanger from here we have to go right through them." Obi-Wan replied to Boil's assessment, bringing his lightsaber out in front of him in preparation as they approached the previously sealed door.
"Sword and shield?" Caleb inquired. In his mind it was their best chance.
Boil agreed.
"Good call kid. Cover me whilst I take the enemy down and we should make serious progress."
The idea of the Clones being the 'enemy' made Caleb shudder briefly again. He still didn't fully understand how this had happened!
"Don't kill them if you can help it Boil. Go for wounding shots."
"Sorry General, but either way these men are dead when the ship blows. I respect that you want to minimize casualties, but that's not always an option. Focus on deflection rather than reflection when it comes to the blasters if that helps you at all."
"It doesn't Boil. Not really."
Boil didn't respond verbally. Instead he lifted one hand towards the panel that would open the door to the hallway beyond. The Clone Commander glanced over at his Jedi General and nodded once.
Obi-Wan returned the nod, and Boil pressed the panel.
"It's Kenobi! Take him down!"
Chaos erupted the second the door opened, just as Boil had predicted.
A squad of Clones in 212th armour stood ready, their blasters pointed directly at their Jedi General.
Obi-Wan, despite his reservations, didn't hesitate. His blade pivoted and moved at lightning speeds to protect both himself and Caleb from the onslaught.
Within moments of the first barrage of blaster bolts, a pair of the Clones fell to the floor under the blaster fire of Boil, who had taken position behind Obi-Wan, taking accurate pot shots when he could to remove the threats.
"All Forces! Commander Boil has gone rogue! Shoot to argghhh!" One of the Clones managed to communicate before he too fell to the floor dead from a shot to the chest.
However, as quickly as Boil managed to reduce the number of Clones before them, more arrived to reinforce their brothers.
Taking that as his time, Caleb moved to join his temporary Jedi Master, his own blade moving in tandem to defend their small squad.
"Focus on the Youngling!"
"Oh no you don't!" Boil's yell was one of rage as he fired another series of shots over Caleb's head, taking down the lead Clone and two other members with precision.
Pushing aside the thought of how willing the Clones were to kill a person his age, Caleb continued to defend his centerline as best as he could. He wasn't nearly as skilled as Obi-Wan, but he could more than handle his own against battledroids.
Clones were just slightly more skilled versions of battledroids.
"Padawan! Force push!" Obi-Wan yelled out suddenly as Caleb felt the Force rush into Obi-Wan. Following the same instinct, Caleb did the same.
Both Jedi thrust their palms out, sending at least seven Clones catapulting backwards down the hallway. The two that had remained standing were quickly cut down by Boil's blaster rifle.
"Now's our chance! Go go go!" Boil commanded as he gestured down the hallway with a 'move up' signal.
They had to take the risk. They didn't have the time to fight off every Clone on the ship. They had to make it to the hangar.
Breaking into a sprint, Caleb charged after both Obi-Wan and Boil, following their lead.
Each hallway they passed through seemed to contain a new, yet familiar threat.
Clones lie in wait, setting up choke points in hopes of cutting the Jedi and their renegade Clone Commander off.
And yet, despite their best efforts, Caleb had watched as Boil cut through the defences with ease.
Blaster shots echoed through the halls of the Tribunal, Clones falling dead in the process. Caleb did the best he could to defend himself from the torrent of blaster fire, but he knew he wouldn't be able to hold out forever. He was only a Padawan after all.
And even if he could hold out, the self destruct timer was still counting down. If the Clones didn't get him, the ship exploding would.
"The hanger bay is just round this next junction, hard left!"
"Then let's keep moving General!"
Caleb didn't speak. He had nothing to say. Everything was so wrong. Even if he did speak, he wouldn't know what to say in a million years.
So instead he continued to follow, ignoring the way his legs were beginning to ache from the strain of sprinting around the ship.
As the trio turned the junction, they came face to face with a pair of Clones guarding the door to the hangar bay.
Caleb felt a pit grow in his stomach as he recognized the two Clones.
It was Styles and Grey.
"There they are! Get them!"
"All Troopers, Kenobi and the youngling are attempting to get into the main hangar bay. Reinforce our position immediatel…"
Styles didn't have time to finish his sentence. Instead, like every other Clone on the ship they had encountered thus far, he fell to the floor with a blaster mark burning on his chest.
Mere seconds later, Grey joined him.
"No." Caleb whispered to himself as he ran towards their fallen forms. Through the Force he could tell it was too late, but they had been his friends.
And Boil had gunned them down without hesitation, just as he had Yularen, Crys and Trapper.
Caleb knew deep down that this was probably for the best, but he didn't have to like it.
"I'm sorry kid… but they would have…" Boil began to speak. Caleb didn't let him finish.
"They would have tried to kill me… I know. Let's… let's just get out of here."
"Couldn't agree more, kid." Boil responded solemnly as he opened the door to the hangar bay.
Caleb expected it to be packed with Clones, and if it wasn't, it soon would be.
But instead the sight that greeted him was one that resembled the Tribunal's bridge.
Clones lay strewn around the hangar bay, blaster marks present on their armour. There were signs of a firefight all around, the smell of scorch marks hitting Caleb's nostrils within moments.
And there, sitting in the back of the hangar bay untouched was Ahsoka's experimental T-6 shuttle.
There was their escape route.
"Some good luck for once." Boil commented as he began to slowly move into the hangar, his blaster searching around for threats.
"Careful Boil, if this scene is anything to go by, you aren't the only one who has gone against the orders to execute us." Obi-Wan said cautiously as he moved to cover Boil, just in case. Caleb moved to join them as well. He could just break into a sprint towards the shuttle, but right now they needed to stick together. After all, this could very well be a trap.
"It doesn't make sense, General." Boil said, "I was the only 212th Clone who had his chip removed, and aside from Yularen and yourselves, everyone else on this ship is a Clone. Why would they fire on one another?"
"Unless we are missing something obvious that is?" Caleb inquired as his own eyes darted around. Through the Force he could sense a presence somewhere in the hangar, but he couldn't pinpoint their location.
The trio continued to move forward, picking up speed as they closed in on the shuttle before…
The sudden sound of a fighter engine powering up drew their attention. Caleb spun on his heels just in time to catch a glimpse of a ARC-170 fighter beginning to take off from the other side of the hangar.
"Oh kriff." Caleb whispered as he assumed the worst. The Clones had laid a trap! There was no way they would be able to defend themselves against the firepower of the fighter in such close quarters.
And even if they did, the fighter could easily cause the entire hangar to be exposed to the vacuum of space. They might survive the fighter, but they wouldn't survive freezing and suffocating in the void.
However, as it turned out, Caleb's caution was unwarranted. Rather than turn to face them and open fire, the fighter continued to lift off before heading for the now opening blast shields above them. Whoever was piloting the ship clearly was looking to escape, just as they were.
"Kid, let's go! Ignore the fighter! They aren't interested in us!"
Boil's cry brought Caleb back to the present situation. He hadn't realised he had frozen up to stare at the fighter whilst Obi-Wan and Boil had continued on to the shuttle.
Caleb glanced back at Boil, before he took one last look at the ARC as its engines began to channel more power, likely to allow a quick getaway.
Glancing towards the cockpit, Caleb caught a glimpse of what looked like a pair of red eyes staring back at him momentarily before the fighter sped away.
Taking that as his cue, Caleb began to sprint towards Ahsoka's T-6 shuttle.
A sudden barrage of blaster fire erupted from behind him as he sprinted, a clear sign that the Clone reinforcements had arrived.
Caleb tried to pay them no mind, instead focusing his entire effort on reaching the lowered ramp of the ship. From the looks of it, Obi-Wan was already onboard, and Boil…
Boil stood at the base of the ramp, his rifle firing over Caleb, covering him as best as he could before…
A blaster bolt slammed into Boil's leg, knocking him off his feet.
"BOIL!" Caleb cried as he tried to pick up speed.
"GET TO THE SHIP KID! I'VE GOT YOUR BACK!" Boil's response was pained as he lay his back against the ramp, still firing his blaster as best he could at the approaching Clones.
Despite every desire to stop and help, Caleb vaulted over the Clone Commander and into the interior of the ship, and then he turned around.
Reaching into the Force, Caleb grasped hold of Boil, and pulled. Their loyal Clone Commander was forcibly pulled into the ship, the rear ramp shutting behind him in the process.
Since the outbreak of the conflict on the bridge, Caleb finally allowed himself to breathe a sigh of relief. He was alive. Obi-Wan was alive.
Boil was alive. Wounded, yes, But alive.
The shuttle shuddered lightly as it began to lift off the floor, no doubt thanks to Obi-Wan's piloting, and within moments, Caleb could tell they were in flight, hopefully heading away from the doomed Tribunal.
Breathing another deep sigh of relief, Caleb felt his legs give way as he passed out.
Author's thoughts
Been a while I know. Sorry about that. This chapter, plus real life stuff and a bout of Covid came my way, so that sort of delayed me a bit. Hope this chapter made up for it.
So no doubt some of you are frothing at the teeth right now, crying out for my skin to be removed or for me to be hung from my own intestines or something for having Boil actively go around and kill the Clones on the Tribunal rather than stun them. Well... Boil pretty much explained my reasoning for doing it in this chapter, so no need to repeat myself. Plus I wanted it to be different from Rex and Ahsoka's own canon escape from the Tribunal.
Plus I was originally going to kill of Boil too... but I decided to spare him. Don't make me regret/change my mind now. XD
Also... RIP Yularen I guess. Sorry buddy. At least you can't go on to serve the Empire now and become a bad guy. I did you a favour! XD
Outside of that, not really much else to say. I'm not sure how well received this chapter will be, but hey, it's something.
Once again, thanks to my beta reader 'ArrinSnyders' for all his help and advice and patience.
Next time round, Ahsoka and Rex are both forced to make a choice.
As usual, comment and speculate at will. Speaking of which:
Darth Zyn: Ha... I'm glad you liked Rex's entrance. He has clearly learnt a lot from the masters of dramatic entrances that were his General and Commander. Only fitting that he pulls one on them.
And yeah those little Fallen Order cameos were great fun to write. I knew people would want to see them, so there they are. :)
And thanks again for the kind words. Hope you enjoyed this chapter too.
Drake G Reaper: You aren't wrong there, that's for sure. Ahsoka really doesn't like what she sees around her, but she's being forced into these situations by those around her. All she can do is save as many as she can. Hopefully that doesn't backfire on her.
Ace of Hate: Hope it was worth the wait.
60FPS: Glad you enjoyed the chapter. It was a hard one to write for sure.
An interesting idea you'd like explored right there. Guess you'll have to wait and see if I go that route or not. :)
Vohira: Well... the story and character development aren't over until the word 'Epilogue' comes along... so just bare with me a bit longer and hopefully you'll be rewarded. :)
beard boy: Been a long time coming, but yes, hopefully you enjoy the direction it goes.
Australian Dealer: Heh... I'm not sorry. XD
As for the 501st... well... umm... time to order some tombstones maybe? Or not... guess you'll see. :)
princesselsaamidala22: Yeah... poor Ahsoka indeed. Someone give her a hug. :(
matthewbarcus31: Thanks! Hope you liked this chapter.
FleetingSpectre: Ain't that the truth. :)
Plo and Aayla? Well... I mean... if I didn't show their deaths... there might be hope yet. Plus one or two lines of dialogue in this chapter might hint as to their fates.
tf330129: Trying my best. :)
Ryan1017: Genocide in 99% of circumstances is wrong honestly, but yeah, the Jedi Council at very least messed up with dealing with Palpatine, and now the whole Order pays the price. Hopefully Anakin and Ahsoka won't slip too far into their descent.
I'm pleased you are happy Grievous survived. He's too awesome to kill in a predictable manner. :)
1saaa: Rex to the rescue... hopefully? 0_0
Grievous is a master of running away after all... so him escaping makes some sense. As for Fisto however... I'm sure he can survived a tumble... right?
Hope this update was worth it.
the Mandalorian terminator: It's all been building to this moment. I'm pleased I didn't disappoint you. It was a hectic chapter with a lot of stuff to get right, and I'm pretty happy with the end result. :)