Hello everyone!

Aquaria: YES. YES TECH IS ALIVE. I WILL BE TAKING NO QUESTIONS. Yeah, it's strange, when I write a character, I always become more attached. I once was kind of neutral on Tup, but then I wrote him and now I love him to death. Actually, I love him to not death, as I decided not to kill him. I'm just here to provide endings where a majority of them do not die.

imaginationflies: omg now I'm imagining Grogu grabbing Fox's face and squishing it. I'm glad you enjoyed the romance! (Unfortunately not much this chapter, but I think I make up for it)

We have a couple of characters I think you all will be pleased to see this chapter!

No Mando'a this chapter!

ABSOLVED: Chapter 33

Ahsoka's bed was cold without Rex. She sighed and shifted under her blankets. It was the first time since the Lothal mission that they had been parted. She had gotten used to falling asleep to the sound of his breathing.

Let him be safe. She pleaded into the Force.

She knew she could let him go, if she needed to. But if she didn't- she would very much prefer that her husband stay alive.

Ahsoka's comm beeped. She got up with a groan and went to grab it. It wasn't like she was going to get much sleep tonight anyway.

"Tano here." She mumbled.

"Ahsoka, we've got word that there's an important Senate meeting being broadcast over the holonet." Anakin's voice sounded wide awake. "I have a bad feeling about it. We need to tune in."

"Why does this always have to happen in the middle of the night?" Ahsoka asked with a sigh.

"Because our spies are running on Coruscant time. Let's go."

"Fine. I'll be there." Ahsoka said before clicking the comm off.

She considered what Anakin had said as she dressed. To her discomfort, the idea of Palpatine's announcement also sent a shiver down her spine. What more could he do? She supposed he could announce the immediate execution of every remaining clone. Or that somehow they'd found a way to destroy planets.

Anakin was pacing when she arrived at the command center. Obi Wan was standing with his hand on his chin, looking as he always did during meetings like this. Aayla and Bly were standing practically on each other's toes, feigning professionalism. Gek and Wolffe were standing together. Ahsoka almost laughed at their near identical expressions of annoyance.

Including Rex, they were the leadership of the Rebellion. Master Fisto, Master Ti, and of course Master Plo had gone to Ossus, as well as the younglings and padawans. Those here were what was left of the Jedi still alive and willing to fight. Out of hundreds of Jedi Generals and Commanders.

Once again, Ahsoka felt the hole in the Force. Could it ever be filled?

Anakin glanced up as Ahsoka came in.

"The session is set to start any moment now." He said.

Ahsoka nodded and went to go stand next to Obi Wan. They waited for a tense minute as Anakin tuned the holo. It crackled for a moment and then Palpatine's hated voice filled the room. Ahsoka did not miss the way Bly and Wolffe stiffened. She was glad that Rex didn't have to hear it now, considering the last time he'd been forced to.

"-spite the best efforts of the Empire, the our troops have failed to quell the rebellions Naboo." Palpatine said. "Senator Amidala, why will they not stand down?"

Ahsoka glanced at Anakin, who was clutching the edge of the holo as Padme's voice was broadcast.

"Emperor Palpatine, I have repeatedly been on record pleading with my people to stand down." Padme said.

It pained Ahsoka to hear her so tired and strained. Anakin was broadcasting his distress at the tone in her voice. And then, so softly that it was barely picked up, a quiet peep. The sound of a child. A baby.

Anakin's eyes widened. This would be the first time he had heard one of his children.

Ahsoka was more concerned that one or both of the babies was there with Padme. Why would she bring the twins to a Senate meeting?

"They are simply afraid, your Excellency. If you would just relax the restrictions on our planet-" Padme continued, but she was cut off by a sharp voice.

"That would merely allow the insurgents to run amok!" Ahsoka recognized Tarkin's voice. A jolt of loathing shot through her. "But that is what you want, is it not?"

"What exactly do you mean by that?" Padme responded.

Ahsoka could nearly see Tarkin's smirk as he continued.

"So you deny, Senator Amidala, that you are in fact inciting and are involved with these rebellions?"

Ahsoka clenched her fists.

"I want peace, Admiral." Padme said. "I want my people to be able to live their lives. I would never encourage them to actively disrupt that."

"So you say." Tarkin said. "And yet a people who seem entirely devoted to you ignore your pleas and continue to fight against the Empire."

Ahsoka closed her eyes, fighting against the flashbacks of Rex's trial as well as her own. It was difficult, with Anakin's fear and anger bludgeoning her as well.

"I suggest, Emperor, that Senator Amidala be taken into custody." Tarkin said. "As we investigate her involvement in the rebellions on Naboo."

Ahsoka held her breath, even though she knew what Palpatine would say.

"I am afraid I must agree." Palpatine said. "If she is involved, Senator Amidala must stand trial."

Sound exploded from the holo, shouts of the other Senators mixed in with Anakin's own protests. He had gone white and Ahsoka herself felt the blood drain from her face.

She hated Tarkin and Palpatine. She hated that they seemed determined to hurt the people Ahsoka loved most.

Then she felt the trembling in the air. She looked to Anakin. His fists were clenched tight and his face was a mask of pain and rage.

The holo creaked in its setting, other instruments began to rattle and shake.

"Anakin!" Ahsoka called.

She reached for him in the Force and was not surprised to be rebuffed by his emotions.

"For hell's sake, Skywalker, pull yourself together!" Gek snapped as a device flew past his head.

Ahsoka shot him a glare.

"If everyone save Ahsoka and myself could remove themselves," Obi Wan said. "That would be best."

Aayla gave Ahsoka a concerned look before leading Bly out. Gek and Wolffe were close behind.

Anakin knelt in the middle of the room, hands clutching at his hair. Everything in the room trembled as surge upon surge of the Force burst from him.

Obi Wan tried to take a step forward, but he was thrust back. He looked to Ahsoka.

"Ahsoka, if you could please." He said, remarkably serene. "I cannot calm him by myself."

Ahsoka nodded and felt for Anakin's mind. She braced herself for his raging emotions. They speared her as she struggled closer to him.

Be still, Anakin. Ahsoka sent. Let me help you.

To her surprise, she felt Anakin agree. Before he could change his mind, Ahsoka started soothing the jagged peaks of emotions. She looked away from the thoughts that were causing them. She didn't want to upset herself by thinking of Padme just yet.

She felt Obi Wan join her in helping Anakin calm down. Finally, they were able to approach him. Anakin heaved a few deep breaths as Obi Wan put a hand on his shoulder.

"My children." He muttered. "What will happen to my children? They can't take them away from their mother."

"I'm sorry." Ahsoka said. She swallowed, suddenly aware of how she was blessed to have Rex with her here. "Anakin, it might be time to get her out."

"We should have before it got to this!" Anakin said. "She'll be impossible to get to- Palpatine expects me to come for her!"

"He is expecting you to come." Obi Wan said slowly. "But perhaps not an army."

Anakin and Ahsoka looked at him. Ahsoka had expected him to encourage caution.

"You have been planning to reveal the Rebellion to the galaxy at large with a major assault." Obi Wan went on. "Perhaps this would be an ideal opportunity."

Anakin looked up at Obi Wan, hope blazing in his eyes.

"You're- You're right." He whispered. "We've been hiding for too long. We need to show the galaxy that we're fighting."

Ahsoka nodded. This- This made sense. What was the point of all of this if they just spent their time hiding and surviving? They needed to strike back.

"We'll need to wait until Tech finishes the way to stop the chips." Anakin said with a sort of desperate excitement. "And then- Ahsoka, when will the recruits be ready for battle?"

"Anakin," Obi Wan said before Ahsoka could respond. "We cannot do this as soon as possible. We need to wait-"

"Why?" Anakin demanded. "Why wait for Palpatine to hurt them even more?"

"We should wait for the trial." Obi Wan said. "All eyes will be on the Capital and the galaxy will see our resistance. Hopefully it will be a few months, so that we can prepare."

"I'll need that long until the recruits are ready." Ahsoka put in.

She saw the wisdom in waiting for Padme's trial.

Anakin's fists clenched, but then he let out a long breath.

"Palpatine will want to prove her a traitor." He said. "He won't just do away with her quietly."

He spoke as if reassuring himself. Ahsoka could tell he was comforted somewhat by having a plan. She was as well. She wasn't looking forward to being on a battlefield again. And Padme- Ahsoka couldn't help but worry something would happen before the trial. But they were no longer in limbo, standing by as the Empire committed more atrocities. From now on, the Rebellion would live up to its name.

CC-2224- Cody- He stood ramrod straight in front of Vice Admiral Rampart's desk as the man sifted through datapads, thoroughly ignoring the clone in front of him. Cody waited to be addressed. He knew it would come. Rampart liked making Cody wait. Why he had to always call during mealtimes, CC-2224 would never know. Sometimes he had half a mind to ignore the summons until breakfast was over.

Good soldiers follow orders.

Cody's eye twitched at the thought. He knew where it came from and it wasn't him. Still, the chip that he had so foolishly left in his head had a loud voice.

"I don't know what Hemlock is thinking." Rampart muttered in a voice that Cody nearly couldn't hear. "We weren't supposed to run low this quickly-"

The man sighed and looked up at Cody.

"There is another situation on Pantora, CC-2224." He said. "Did you know that?"

"No, sir." 2224 said in his flattest voice.

"This is the third time this month." Rampart said. "Another minor Imperial official has been kidnapped."

Cody knew very well that this was the third time. It had been his squad that had been deployed to handle the first two incidents.

"This means that you failed your previous missions on Pantora." Rampart said. "Do you know why?"

"No, sir." 2224 said, genuinely confused.

They had extracted the officials with minimal casualties on either side both times.

"Your mission was to extract the official, yes, but also to ensure that this did not happen again." Rampart said. "And in this, you and the other clones failed."

Anger rose up in Cody's chest, though he was careful not to show it. He knew what Rampart was saying. Cody's methods hadn't been a proper representation of the Empire's power. In short, Cody hadn't killed enough of the insurgents to make them fear standing up to the Empire again.

General Kenobi had never encouraged brutality. He told them to be merciful, to let beings live if possible. They had wanted peace, not fear.

He is a traitor. The chip whispered.

"I'm giving you another chance, CC-2224." Rampart said. What Cody wouldn't have given to hear his own name spoken aloud again. "You leave at 1900 with your remaining men."

"Yes, sir." Cody said.

Kriff, how he hated this man. Always pushing, never giving the clones the support they needed or the respect they deserved. And despite what the Empire and the Kaminoans had said, clones did deserve respect.

General Kenobi had taught them that.

Traitor. The chip said a little louder.

"Dismissed." Rampart said, already focusing back on his data pads.

As Cody turned on his heel and marched out of the room, he heard Rampart mutter again.

"Amidala shouldn't have been our only arrest today, if you ask me."

2224 managed to keep his stride even until the door of the office closed behind him. Only then did he place his helmet on and allow a fraction of emotion cross his face. They had arrested Senator Amidala?

He had only met her a few times, but those instances had been remarkable to him. The first had been when he'd been allowed to visit Rex for the first time after the Blue Shadow Virus debacle. He'd been shocked to find that Rex and the other clones had been in as nice of lodgings as the Senator and Commander Tano. He'd learned later that it'd been on her orders that it had been so.

The next had been once again visiting Rex: this time at the Jedi Temple. In fact, she had been the only reason he had gotten in.

Cody stood on the steps of the Jedi Temple, hesitant. He wished General Kenobi was there, but the General was busy dealing with General Skywalker's own reaction to what happened to Rex. Finally Cody forced himself up towards the masked guards.

"Halt." One guard said, "State your purpose."

Cody swallowed. He suddenly felt like a cadet in the presence of the formidable guards.

"I'm here to see Captain Rex." He said. "In the Halls of Healing."

The guards turned their heads towards each other before looking back at Cody.

"Only clones on official GAR business are to be allowed in." The second guard said.

Their voice wasn't unkind, but Cody felt himself withering. General Kenobi hadn't said anything about that.

Before Cody could decide to argue or just leave, a clear voice rang out behind him.

"Commander! Commander Cody!"

Cody turned around to see Senator Amidala somehow hurrying up the steps in an intricate gown.

"Commander, I told you not to go too quickly!" She scolded as she drew near. Then she turned to the guard. "I'm here to see Padawan Tano. Commander Cody here is my escort."

Cody tried not to look too flabbergasted as the guards once again shared a look.

"He will have to remain-"

"Nonsense!" Senator Amidala said. "You've tightened security since the bombing, well, so have I. Besides, Padawan Tano was looking forward to seeing him."

The guards looked at her for a moment longer before uncrossing their pikes and allowing them through.

"Ma'am, how-" Cody started once they were out of earshot.

"Most of the Jedi feel terribly about what happened to Ahsoka." Senator Amidala said. "Honestly, that fact is probably the only reason they let me in."

"Thank you, ma'am." Cody said.

"It's ridiculous that they're not letting any of you come to see Rex." Senator Amidala said. "This way, Cody."

Cody followed her into a large, bright room filled with rows of soft looking beds. Only two were occupied. Cody forgot decorum as he hurried to Rex's side.

His brother looked pale and wan and didn't even manage a smile when he saw Cody. He did allow Cody to pull him into a keldabe kiss.

"How are you feeling?" Cody asked as he let go of Rex.

Rex shrugged. He was keeping his hands under the blanket. Cody tried not to look at the angry scar on his face or the flat sheets where his leg should have been.

"They said none of you would be able to come." Rex said.

"Senator Amidala got me in." Cody said. He paused. "Is she for real?"

Rex glanced to where Senator Amidala was smiling at Commander Tano.

"What do you mean?"

"Does she care as much as she says she does?" Cody said. "With all her talk about clones rights, helping so much with your trial- does she mean it?"

Rex's lips twitched up slightly.

"Yeah." He said. "She's the real thing."

The real thing. A nat born, who wasn't a Jedi, who cared about the clones. Which was probably part of the reason they had arrested her.

Cody hurried to the nearest terminal and checked the holonet. Even with a clone's limited access, Senator Amidala's arrest was plastered everywhere. Cody quickly found the recording of the Senate meeting where it had happened.

With a pit in his stomach he watched as Senator Amidala tenderly gave her twins to one of her handmaidens and allowed herself to be led away. Even worse was the rough way the clones steered her out. The champion of the clones was just another traitor in the eyes of the chipped guards.

His mind was racing as the recording ended. Where were they keeping her? Could he get her out?

A shot of pain spiked through his head.

She's a traitor.

2224 put a hand to his helmet. He had felt the effects of the chip wear off to a certain extent, but apparently it wasn't completely gone. With an effort he cast the thoughts of 'traitor' and the compulsion to leave her to rot away.

He wanted- needed to help her in some way. He turned back to the terminal and brought up the prisoner roster for the GAR holding cells. She was there.

Without a plan, Cody set off down the corridor.

To his displeasure, the place was staffed with TK troopers rather than with any of his brothers. Each TK he had met had treated him with absolute disdain and contempt. No favors crossed between the clones and the new troopers.

Which was a problem, because Cody had no official reason to be here.

Good soldiers follow orders.

Cody clenched his fists.

She cares about us. And she was General Kenobi's friend.

He pushed past the chip's screaming and considered the situation. There was an advantage of having the TK troopers here: they were far less competent than his brothers.

He just needed to get in. The troopers on guard out here would question why he was here, but once he was past them, everyone else would assume that he was on official business.

He wished Rex was here. He'd always been better at insane plans.

Traitor.

2224 winced, but the thought of Rex brought an idea to him. Not based on any of Rex's plans, but the Separatists'.

Cody turned and hurried towards the nearest armory.

This new armor was terrible. It barely fit him, though that might have been because nat borns were different sizes, unlike the clones. But that didn't excuse the awful range of vision and the cheap feeling of it. Not to mention that the HUD was severely downgraded.

There was an upside. No one was giving him haughty looks, no one was calling him 'clone', and no one was asking him what he was doing.

Even when he slipped into the cell block following a group of TK troopers.

He had confirmed Senator Amidala's location when he had looked her up. No one asked him anything as he opened the door to the solitary cell.

Senator Amidala looked up sharply as he entered. For a second he was confused as she pulled away from him. Then he remembered his armor.

"Senator." He said.

Her eyes widened, but not all of the suspicion had left her.

"Why are you here?" She asked.

2224 didn't have an answer. He just stared at her.

"Are the children safe?" He asked.

Senator Amidala blinked.

"Yes." She finally said. "My handmaidens and Bail are looking after them."

Cody struggled to find what to say next. His thoughts were his own again, but his words were far harder to wrest from the chip's control.

"I'm sorry." He finally said.

Senator Amidala looked down.

"It's not your fault." She said.

Wasn't it? Cody had chosen not to remove the chip and was used by the Empire as a result. He was part of the rot that Senator Amidala was trying to fight against.

He had believed Tech when the Bad Batch had told him about the chip. He had even gone to have it removed, but the medical droid had terminated the operation before it had even started. It had stated that it could not detect the chip where the procedure stated it was. Performing the surgery could be disastrous without the precise location.

He had planned to contact the Batch and ask for Tech's help, but there had been delay after delay. The life of Marshall Commander left little time for other pursuits. His duties had taken too much of his focus, not to mention that the Batch had several missions that shouldn't have been interrupted. Then the chance finally came and Cody was able to call the Bad Batch in. He had vowed that he would get it out after Anaxes had been won, but then the Order had happened.

"Did you kill your Jedi?"

Senator Amidala's whispered question jolted Cody.

"No." He said.

It was his greatest relief and his greatest shame that General Kenobi lived.

Senator Amidala nodded, as if satisfied.

Cody wished he could tell her he could help or that he was getting her out of here. But with the chip in his head, he couldn't trust himself. He could make things worse.

They looked at each other for a few dragging moments.

"I'll be back." Cody finally said.

Senator Amidala nodded. She reached out and touched his hand.

"Thank you." She said.

He felt more like Cody than he had in months.

He managed to nod and turned away from her, back to being a tool of the Empire.

From the top!

Have you considered how warm the clones would be? They have increased metabolism canonically and probably would be a FURNACE. No wonder Ahsoka is cold.

I wish they'd have more instances dealing with the time differences on the different planets in canon. I think it'd be funny. 'Contact so and so!' 'We can't, it's three a.m. where they are!' Or answering the holo in their jammies.

Finally we get to hear from Padme! Unfortunately it's in the worst circumstances! She is one hundred percent guilty, which means Palpatine is going to do this by the books because he has her.

At least he thinks.

HEY CODY! It's been literally THIRTY FOUR chapters since he's appeared in the flesh! Somewhat less since he's been mentioned.

Rampart still exists and he still sucks and interrupts clones when they eat.

I had fun writing Cody with a weakened chip. It felt like a unique perspective.

Also, Rampart thinks they should arrest Riyo because there's clearly a problem there too.

I was trying to think if Cody and Padme meet in Canon and I couldn't think of any times? Let me know if there are.

I, uh, originally had Padme bring the twins with her to jail until my editors told me that would be impossible. Though, if you will, please imagine Palpatine yelling "ARREST THE BABIES" in his gross Emperor voice.

Poor Padme and Cody. Both good people held captive by the Empire.

I hope Cody's explanation why he didn't have the chip removed makes sense. It was kinda hard to find a good reason, because I'd established that the Batch had told him about it. He's such a responsible character, so I couldn't say he was just afraid or put it off. I can imagine that certain clones have the chips slightly off in their head, making the procedure, which is based off of the chip being in the exact right place, useless. And Cody's a Marshall Commander. He's busy. And then it was too late.

So yeah, we're still not with Rex and the Batch on Daro, but this needed to be its own chapter.

Should be everything!

Check out the discord! (I'm under misc and then superheroes for some reason)discord . gg . / elibrary(without the spaces because fanfiction . net is dumb)

Stay safe, remember to review, and have a great week!