Chapter 2 - Undone
Author's Note: And... things start changing. ;)
~ Amina Gila
Rex... doesn't really know what to think about this. A machine, that, for all they know, could be the size of the entire planet, capable of... repopulating the galaxy? He has no idea how much of this planet is the machine, assuming the entire thing isn't. It's not as though he would know. But clearly, the galaxy was far more advanced than anything that Rex has ever been told.
The knowledge that clones are, apparently, popular, is...
Many natborns don't like the clones. Rex has always been used to that, and for all it bothered him, he accepted it years ago. But all humans were destroyed?
And the Jedi and Sith have been at war for... far longer than they've even been recorded to exist. The machine undid that, but in the end, it doesn't seem like it really mattered, because they came back with the same result, anyway.
Thousands of years later, they're still fighting the same war.
"I can't imagine the Jedi causing the destruction Arty mentioned," Rex says finally.
"He may have been misinformed," General Kenobi replies.
"I don't think so," Anakin interjects, "He was saying what he believed, and... it was thousands of years ago. And there's Yasha, of course."
Rex doesn't find the prospect of a non-Sith nearly as disturbing as the three Jedi do, but then again, he didn't fully realize what Sith were until a bit over a year ago. Anakin explained it to him after Christophsis specifically, after they encountered Ventress, to drill in exactly how dangerous they can be, and that they needed to stay as far from them as possible.
Rex, of course, couldn't promise him that, because the mission always comes first, but they tried. Tried as much as they could, as long as they were able to carry out their mission and protect the Commander.
The kid. Their kid.
She's older, far more skilled than she used to be, but Rex was there when she came, and a part of him will always be back when Ahsoka was young, when she was first seeing the reality of the world beyond the Temple, back when she was small and childish and just learning what it meant to be a Commander.
"That's what really doesn't make sense," Ahsoka agrees, "Sith don't use the Light. That's not how it works."
"There's one more to go," Anakin replies, "You ready?"
"Couldn't be worse than what we've already seen," Rex points out.
Anakin glances at him, a look of appreciation on his face. Rex just nods to him, because that's expected – Anakin is his General, but he doesn't demand their support or loyalty. They give it to him because he deserves it, because he's fighting for them as much as the Republic, and that is more than anyone has ever done for them.
"Go on," General Kenobi concedes.
"This one's recent," Anakin warns, and turns it on.
It's from about a thousand years ago, when the last Jedi and Sith war ended.
"My name is Caleb, and I am a Jedi," the human man who appears in the hologram introduces himself, regret and sorrow evident on his face, "This war between the Jedi and Sith may finally be over, with the Sith now destroyed but I still question if it was truly worth the cost. So many species were lost, and many of the Jedi I've worked with and spoken to seem to have no regrets for the destruction. They believe it was a "worthy cause", and even though the Republic itself and much of the populace now fear the Jedi, they insist those opposing them are being influenced by the Dark Side."
This... it's worse than the previous videos. This is recent. Maybe it's been a thousand years, but what was formed back then is still what stands today.
Rex genuinely doesn't know how to feel about that.
"It's wrong," the hologram continues, "And I think they know that, but most of the Jedi are losing themselves in a blind quest to destroy the Sith. Nothing else matters to them."
He sees a certain tightness on his General's face, and Rex silently wonders what he's thinking. Personally? He has no idea what to think. If this is real, then it raises questions about everything they've fought for, because they're fighting the Separatists and defending the Republic because the Republic has always stood for peace and justice, while the Separatists for destruction. But if – if the Republic has done things just as bad...
"Not that the Sith have been any better in their quest to destroy the Jedi. They seem to actively enjoy wiping out species that stand against them, but the fact still remains. I fear if this mindset of the Jedi continues, one day it will destroy the galaxy beyond repair," Caleb goes on, "I will use it to restore all the lost species and erase the memory of how much was lost. I believe the only way people may learn is if they do not forget, but if the galaxy remembers the devastation caused by both sides, then they might start hunting all Force users. Still, I believe Arty was right, and I hope Yasha's gray Force Order – if it's out there somewhere – will succeed in the future."
Something about his expression tightens, and Rex can see the guilt there. "But I will not be a part of it. My time here is done. I cannot continue on with the things I've done and seen, against everything I once thought the Jedi believed in."
The hologram flickers off at that, and suddenly Rex has the distinct feeling that the skeleton on the floor is Caleb. Did he kill himself?
That isn't something he wants to know. He can't imagine why someone would do that, and suicide missions don't count.
"This... wasn't long ago," Ahsoka says, finally. Given she and the General are Jedi, Rex can only imagine it can't be easy hearing that the Jedi have done things like this, the very thing he's heard they speak against.
"No," Anakin agrees quietly, "I don't know what this means for us. A thousand years ago. That... that was when the Sith were thought to be extinct. Not much has changed since."
"I cannot believe the Republic would stand for such a thing," Rex says finally.
"They make mistakes, too," Anakin reminds, "We all do in war, but... you're right. It makes me wonder how much is happening that we're missing."
"I can't believe that," Ahsoka argues fiercely, shaking her head. "I can't. We're fighting for the right thing. The Jedi would never do something like that. That's not what we are."
It hurts to see her so upset and distressed, but there's nothing Rex can do for her, because in the end, it's clearly the truth. The Jedi who did it died because of it, and it's not something they can deny.
"He's telling the truth," Anakin says quietly, "He died here because of what happened, whatever he did. I can feel it."
How his General can know these things, Rex has long since stopped questioning. He seems to know everything sometimes though, from whatever deepfelt Force power he has that Rex could never begin to understand. It so often leaves him in awe, though. And if Anakin said it, then Rex believes him, which means that everything here is true. It's not a trap, a lie, like he'd have tried to convince himself otherwise.
The body is proof of it.
"This is... troubling," General Kenobi admits at last, "But we are still fighting for peace and justice. That has never changed."
"But how many of us are?" Anakin asks, and the other three pause, turning to him.
Rex hasn't heard his General question things before and to hear it now is...
Anakin twitches, shifting back, crossing his arms. "It's not that I don't believe in it," he explains quietly, "It's... so much happened on Mortis. I used the Dark Side there. I drew on the Force as one, like Yasha was saying, when I fought the Son and Daughter. I just don't know. I thought maybe it was just the place, Mortis, but now, I'm not so sure."
"Nothing has changed," General Kenobi argues, "And we're still on the way to a briefing that we're going to be late for."
It's something of top priority, classified, and nothing about it has been divulged prior. In war, those are normal, though it's obviously something big.
"Yeah," Ahsoka agrees, shuddering, looking at the skeleton again. "Let's get out of this creepy place."
Anakin puts a hand on her shoulder, guiding her towards the door, and they walk out without looking back.
That doesn't stop Rex from thinking though, from wondering, questioning. What else has happened that they don't know about? How much of what they're doing and believe in is a lie, something they may never know? What if... what if the Republic and Jedi are still capable of the same things? What do they do then?
**w**
Anakin has... questions. So many questions, and he can tell that both Rex and Ahsoka have the same. They're being sent to infiltrate the Citadel on Lola Sayu now, to rescue a group of hostages, and Anakin knows that, at least, is the right thing to do. The Separatists are hurting them, and they deserve freedom.
His mother always used to tell him to follow his heart, and Palpatine has always done the same. Now, Anakin wonders if he's been taking that wrong all this time, and he needs to... re-find that balance, those morals that he's long since let go of, because following the Jedi way was... more important. He never questioned them, because why would he? It wasn't as though he knew they could hurt anyone.
But if the Republic is in the wrong, Anakin can't fathom taking Ahsoka or his boys into a literal death trap. He can't let them get hurt, but he can't refuse the mission, either.
As soon as the briefing itself is over, he pulls Ahsoka to the side. "Are you certain you want to come, Ahsoka? This will be... dangerous." They've been on very serious missions before, but this is excessively so. They're going to the heart of Separatist territory, and it's possible none of them could make it out.
Besides, they're going to a lava planet, and the protective suits they'll have to wear will pretty much halve her abilities.
Ahsoka's montrals work by echolocation, and they don't function well if they're covered. That will both cut her agility in half – she won't be able to sense physically, even if she still can with the Force – and the same goes for her sight, so no, Anakin isn't happy about it. Not at all.
"I'm sure," she promises fiercely, "This is dangerous, and I don't want you to go alone."
"Ahsoka..." She's a Jedi, and always has been. She doesn't really understand it the same way Anakin does, but to him, it's always so simple. All that matters is keeping Ahsoka safe. That's more important to Anakin than anything else. He's grown used to it in the war, and so have the clones – always doing their best to protect her, even if she'd do the same for them.
"We've been in tighter spots before," she insists, "I want to come."
She won't change her mind; he knows that, but that doesn't mean he's happy about it. "After hearing this, I don't know if I can risk you like this, Snips."
"We need to stay together," Ahsoka insists firmly, and Anakin caves in no matter how reluctant he is, no matter how terrified that something will happen to her when they're there, just like on Mortis. He tried so hard to protect her, but he failed. More than once.
It's easier when Ahsoka is there, but this isn't about easy, especially not anymore. He doesn't want to risk her, but he can't force her to stay, either, even if he wishes he could.
**w**
Being back at the Temple feels... different, even if nothing's changed. Should he tell the Council? Obi-Wan spent a long time considering it on the way here and now that he's in the Council room, whilst concealing something this large, he's wondering again, but...
Frankly, it's dangerous. The machine could be used for anything. He doesn't question that the Council members would misuse it – or even use it at all – but the word could get out. Or at least, he... doubts they'd misuse it.
He can't stop thinking about the messages, though. Ever since the war started, given that he's leading the war effort, he knows the Jedi have done things they never would have otherwise, because they're trying to win the war.
They... have to, don't they? But that doesn't change that these aren't things they ought to be doing. And he can't stop remembering Caleb, Yasha, and Arty's words. The Jedi destroyed countless species in the pasts. He... can't believe it was intentional or entirely their fault, and yet –
Hunting the Sith constantly is what led to it. That's a major part of this war now, and why the Council conceded to being involved, because Dooku is a Sith. How far will it go, before –
He can't believe this isn't all for a reason, that they aren't doing what they need to as they always have, but Obi-Wan can't... quite shake those messages from mind, no matter how hard he tries. Even so, dwelling on it won't count, because they still have a war to fight. (What if they're not even doing the right thing? What if Anakin is right and there is more going on, and they aren't even on the right side?)
**w**
Rex isn't surprised when Anakin calls the boys together to talk to them, before leaving for the Citadel. Echo and Fives are here, as are some of their other best men.
He hasn't had time to talk to his General about the recordings, or about what he thinks about it all, but Rex himself is... uncertain. It feels like he doesn't know reality from illusion anymore. He doesn't know if what they're fighting for is even real or not, but thinking that it might not be is... This is what he was created to do, what so many of his brothers have died for. What would it mean for it to all be a lie?
How many of his brothers have died for something that isn't even real? It's not something he's willing to accept.
"This is a dangerous mission," Anakin says. "We all know that. We were trained for it. We're prepared for it. I know you're ready to die fighting for the Republic, and that it's what you were trained for, but I need to tell you, you mean more than that to me."
They've always known that they mean more to him, so Rex's unsurprised none of them reply. After a moment, Anakin continues. "You are more than just men made to die, especially when fighting for the Republic is not a choice you made on your own."
"We're still ready to do our part, sir," interjects Echo – of course, it's him to respond first.
'Choices' aren't something Rex truly understands. He can't imagine making another choice either, when it's what they were made to do, but now... He can't shake the doubts from mind, either. What if the Republic is wrong? What then?
That's what the General is getting to, though.
"I know you are. All of you. You have always been loyal to the Republic," Anakin replies, "But not everyone running the Republic has the same loyalty."
Echo and Fives exchange glances. "What do you mean?" Fives queries.
Anakin sighs, crossing his arms. "It's complicated," he replies, "But I found some information that is... too risky to let get out, but it raises questions about the past of the Republic. Evidently, there have been numerous wars in the past, that the Republic was far from innocent in, that could have entirely destroyed countless species, including humans without... intervention."
"Intervention?" echoes Echo, uncertainly. Rex can see their horror at the words. As ludicrous as this all sounds, he knows they won't doubt it when Anakin is the one telling them.
"Someone cloned the species, to keep them alive," he explains, "But that is not the... crucial part. The Republic's own actions in the past led to much destruction. While the Separatist leadership here is undoubtedly wrong, I don't know how different the Republic is. We're fighting for peace, for justice, and we can only keep doing that, but I don't know how many there actually are."
There's a pause of silence as the others exchange glances. They'll need time to think about it, just like Rex himself still does.
"We're still ready to come on the mission, sir," Fives asserts, finally.
"I don't question your continued loyalty to the Republic, but you are more than numbers, to be lost in this war. You should at least have the chance to choose."
It makes Rex think of Cut, someone he's never told anyone about, even if it was his duty. He'd said similar things, once. And it makes him wonder now, how... right he was.
**w**
Ahsoka has never been in a place like this before, and it's... intriguing, though admittedly a little terrifying, too. One slip up, and she'll fall all the way down, in the lava below, or hit an electro mine on the way down. There's no room for mistakes, and she's never wished quite so much to be able to properly use all of her senses. The protective suit she has to wear because of the lava is seriously limiting her agility.
She can't feel the same way that she usually does, can't sense her surroundings, but she can still see fine, even if Ahsoka doesn't really know where to look. To a human, it's probably a bit like being deaf, and she does not like it. That doesn't mean she was about to let Anakin go here on his own, though. She's accustomed to the clones dying, to them being hurt, and it has always bothered her, though it somehow feels different now.
"You hanging in there, Snips?" Anakin calls, twisting around to glance down at her.
"Couldn't be better!" she yells back, even if that's... not exactly true. She's managing, though. "I could do without the wind, though."
Another gust whips past them, the intensity of it only making the climb more precarious.
But they keep moving, finally reaching the platform outside the entrance. Anakin offers her a hand, helping her over the edge when she hears a panicked yelp from one of the clones down below.
Ahsoka turns back, watching as she feels the flicker of energy in the Force.
Anakin's at the edge of the platform instantly, reaching out to catch the clone before he can fall, even though he's already very far down. She's... never sensed him using the Force this deeply before, as he pulls the clone to safety.
"Thank you, sir," he says, breathing heavily.
Anakin nods. "Think nothing of it."
The point is moot, because they're all going to be thinking about it, but still.
"We'll have to get the ray shield down," Rex observes. Anakin stays near the edge, helping the others over if they need it.
"I saw a port when I was climbing. I think I can get inside," Ahsoka volunteers.
"Be careful, kid," he calls after her, as she darts away.
Getting inside from there is simple enough, though the alarms go off immediately. Between electric fields and droids constantly jumping them, it's hard to keep working through the halls, but Ahsoka can't help noticing how Anakin's still using the Force in a way she's never seen before. He's never used it so deeply in the past, not so freely.
Ahsoka hasn't seen him use it this deeply since Mortis, and it's amazing in its own right, though it doesn't bring back good memories. She's not sure what changed, if it was that planet, black hole, or whatever it was, or if it was Mortis itself, since this is one of the first major missions they've been on since.
All she knows from the moment they reach the cells to rescue everyone though, is that she does not like Piell's captain. There's a certain arrogance to him, and the way he talks just rubs her the wrong way.
"I am beginning to admire the design of this fortress," Tarkin muses, as they scale a wall outside the compound, overlooking rivers of lava far below. It's tight, but their only escape route. "It's rather formidable to evade."
Admire?! Is he serious? "How can you admire such a horrible place?" she demands.
"Ah, you reveal your short-sightedness. This ordeal only demonstrates how effective facilities like the Citadel are. Pity it ended up in Separatist hands and not ours."
Ahsoka glares up at him. She shouldn't be angry, because that isn't the Jedi way, but under the circumstances, she simply can't help it. It's because of people like Tarkin that she's worried about the state of the galaxy, about what could happen to the Republic, about whether the machine will need to be used again. Even about whether everything could fall again, and she has not fought in the Clone Wars for one and a half years for it to mean nothing.
She didn't lead her entire squadron to die on Ryloth for it to mean nothing. She didn't fight to and beyond exhaustion, in the desperate hopes of it meaning something, to protect her men, to win the battles they fought. They didn't go through – through so much together for some arrogant idiot to destroy what they've built. They've been trapped on planets for over a month before, sometimes with no way off, fighting on, because it's what they thought was the right thing to do. Ahsoka has seen things – things she will never be able to unsee. She's seen her men starving before, has been through that herself.
And there was Geonosis, so many things on Geonosis, that she never wants to think about again, even if it was enough to give her a friend.
Anakin had always been stupidly, stubbornly insistent on giving her his rations when his own were running out, so she could survive, and nothing she said would change his mind. "I have to protect you," he'd said firmly, refusing to back down, flaming passion burning in his eyes. "That is more important than anything else, Ahsoka."
He'd done it, or sometimes, she suspects, even Rex would do it, so long as she was alright.
And Ahsoka didn't go through that for – for this. "Short-sightedness?" Ahsoka echoes, trying her best not to think about how this monstrosity was used way back in the time the Jedi were – were massacring people and calling it for the greater good. "This place is a menace. It should never have been built."
"You simply cannot see its value," he retorts, "That is why the Jedi are ineffective in the military. And clones are scarcely more effective."
What?
Did he just insult the clones for being clones? Even though they're literally surrounded by them? And he's supposed to be a captain, not some random citizen of the Republic with superiority complexes. Yes, it took time for her to see them each as individuals but that doesn't mean she looked down on them.
Fives snorts behind her.
It takes her only a second to realize why. Because technically, Tarkin's a clone too.
She almost wishes she could see the look on his face if he knew.
But he's precisely the kind of person they never need getting ahold of the machine, and the exact kind of person she knows brought the Republic down in the past. And if they've already run into someone like that, how many more are out there? How much further is the Republic as it is now going to continue before it falls? She doesn't think she wants the answer.
**w**
Anakin does not appreciate Tarkin's attitude in the least, but they can't fight about it when they need to focus on getting out of here alive. He won't let anyone be lost in this mission if he can help it, though it's getting increasingly difficult by the time they get out of the building entirely. Obi-Wan is already out here, just like he said he would be.
Anakin can feel it, the way things are... changing, and he's delving into the Force deep enough that he can already feel he's going to pass out the moment they're out of danger, but that's fine. It doesn't matter, as long as his boys are safe. That's the only thing that matters.
"General Skywalker, a droid is manning one of those turrets. They're going to blow up the shuttle, sir," warns Echo.
Except, no one can get even close to the turrets with the droid's constant shooting.
Anakin flies his speeder towards it, but the cannon shoots it down, and he ducks for cover. "That's our chance. We have to stop it," he hears Echo say before the clone darts out from behind the wall he was using for cover, picking up one of the assassin droid's shields and running for the shuttle.
He can feel it more than anything else, the knowledge of what's about to happen, and he hasn't come this far, tried so hard not to lose anyone, only to lose Echo. He scrambles out from behind the wall he was sheltering behind.
Echo is standing in front of the ship now, shielding himself with one of the droid's blaster-proof shields, firing, in the desperate, last-minute hope it'll help something. Of all of them, of course it's Echo willing to do something so rashly unreasonable, even if Anakin told them pointedly to not risk themselves like this before the mission started.
The blaster shot strikes the ship, hitting the engine and igniting the fuel.
Maybe somewhere, sometime, he wouldn't have been fast enough, but Anakin reaches out, catching the burst of fire, holding it back with a Force-shield.
Echo's still thrown over from the explosion, but Fives bolts towards him, pulling him to his feet as they scramble for cover.
And Anakin lets it blow up, because it's beyond what they can salvage, and they'll have to find another escape route, but at least they survived.
That, at least, Anakin can believe in. He has always wanted to help people. Nothing's mattered more than that.
Final Notes: Reviews are always appreciated! ^-^
Come hang out on Discord (delete spaces), discord . gg / nqSxuz2 or find us on tumblr at fanfictasia (our more serious blog which does have controversial posts on it; I won't be offended if you choose to block it, promise), and disastertriowriting (which is our fun blog with crack posts or incorrect SW quotes)
We've got a YT channel for tributes! (delete the spaces) youtube channel / UC_g1M5rSCxJUzQCRS29B6pA
ALSO: We have SW gift request forms for General, Anakin-Clones-centric, and Bad Batch fics. :D (delete spaces) bit . ly / CourtesyTrefflinFicRequests