Hey everyone!
OneLittleSpark18: That just makes my day to hear! I really appreciate your comments on every chapter.
Maeve111999: Thank you! Rex just can't help but love on his brothers.
nw150: At least in canon they're getting what they deserve. Except Nala Se. Can something terrible happen to her? And thank you so much!
SpaceJesus17: And that is the exact reaction you were supposed to have.
Guest: It's always great to hear about emotional reactions to your work. Thank you!
mrprop16: Indeed they have.
It's a longer chapter today, as I had one section that wasn't long enough for a chapter by itself, and the second section I didn't feel right about splitting up.
Enjoy!
Mando'a Translations at the end!
Concordia's nights were peaceful. Obi Wan took a deep breath of the cool air. The trees rustled in a gentle wind.
Obi Wan tried to absorb as much of it as he could. It was very possible that within an hour they would engage the enemy.
Master Ti came to stand next to Obi Wan. She had arrived a few nights before with the unsurprising news that Obi Wan was removed from the council.
"It is a nice night." Master Ti commented.
Obi Wan nodded in agreement.
"I have never been on Mandalore." She went on. "Is it anything like Concordia?"
Obi Wan snorted.
"No." He said. "There's an old Mandalorian legend that the trees of Mandalore were cowards. They couldn't stand the fighting and fled to Concordia. The trees that remain are tough and gnarled, the only true warriors."
"Ah." Master Ti said. "Not pleasant, then."
"Unless you like deserts and wastelands." Obi Wan replied.
"I think it would be preferable to unending rain." She said. "Never seeing the sky or stars."
"That is one of Mandalore's strengths." Obi Wan said. "There is a reason they believe their ancestors dwell in the stars."
For the first time in a long time, he let himself remember that time with Satine. Out in the wastelands and the forever sky. Staring up at the stars while Satine told him legends of Mandalore and the Ka'ra. He remembered how beautiful she was, the sweet cadence of her voice. How soft her lips were on his own. Then- well, they didn't notice the stars again for quite some time.
"Oi! Jetii!" Boba's voice cut into Obi Wan's recollections.
Both Obi Wan and Shaak Ti looked back to see the young man striding towards them.
"We're leaving in half an hour." He said shortly. "Get your shebs'e ready."
"Thank you, Boba." Shaak Ti said.
The boy hesitated at her genuine tone, then snorted and left.
"That poor boy." Master Ti said once he was gone. "I feel there is more the Council should have done for him."
"Yes." Obi Wan agreed. "The Council has made many mistakes in the past."
"And continues to do so." Master Ti said unexpectedly. "They trust fear and paranoia more than the Force."
"Who do you think will be chosen to replace me?" Obi Wan asked as they began the walk to the covert.
Master Ti was silent for a moment.
"They are considering Master Bogs Rosan."
Obi Wan stared at the Togruta Master.
"Rosan?" He hissed.
Obi Wan was well versed in clone gossip and he had heard plenty about General Bogs Rosan, leader of the 483rd Legion. An open criticizer of the war, the human Jedi had been known for his staunch refusal to join the clones in combat. He did not send his men into meat grinders as Krell did, but the clones would and could not respect a leader who would not fight alongside them. Neither could Obi Wan, for that matter.
Then there were the rumors from the Jedi temple after the war. It was said that Rosan had suggested the clones be 'put down'. He claimed they were an insult to the Force due to their violent purpose.
Even if those rumors weren't true, Rosan was a problematic choice due to his hardline traditionalism. Obi Wan himself had heard the older man berate a Master and Padawan for acting too friendly with each other, believing them to be too attached to one another. He believed that any feeling towards another being, good or bad, meant attachment. That made him an unpopular Master.
And they were considering him for the Council.
Obi Wan found himself agreeing more and more with Qui Gon's view of the Council as the years went on.
Oh, how he missed Qui Gon.
He used to wonder how exactly his Master never noticed Obi Wan and Satine's nightly activities, but he realized one day that Qui Gon knew exactly what was going on. He even supported it, as he was the one constantly volunteering for perimeter checks.
It didn't take long to prepare for the journey. Obi Wan was going to be wearing a set of armor from Maul's men. It was disturbingly familiar to the set he wore the last time he was on Mandalore. Unlike the other, bittersweet memories, Obi Wan did not let the ones surfacing breach his mind. It was good that he was a master at compartmentalizing.
He met with the rest of the group just outside the Slave I. He wasn't the last. Ventress and Vos were missing.
When he pointed this out to Bo Katan, she merely rolled her eyes.
"Don't worry." She said in a pointed tone. "They're coming."
She was right. Only a few moments later the pair stepped out into the night. Obi Wan was surprised to see Vos looking a bit out of sorts. Had they had a fight?
"Have fun?" Bo asked dryly.
Asajj gave a wolfish grin.
"I'd say so, wouldn't you, Vos?" She said.
Vos cleared his throat and nodded. He seemed flustered. What had-
"Next time, find a room with a door that locks." Bo said, before turning to Boba.
Asajj laughed.
Oh. Obi Wan thought.
"This is a new low for you, isn't it, Vos?" Obi Wan asked. "Making us late I expected, but making us late because you're breaking the Jedi code?"
He glared at Vos, bitterness rising like bile in his throat. Obi Wan suddenly hated Vos for so casually breaking the code, when he had agonized over it with Satine. He doubted Vos would ever make the choice to either leave the Jedi Order, like Anakin, or leave his attachment behind, like Obi Wan.
Obi Wan also hated the Jedi Order in that moment, for forcing Anakin, Vos, and himself to make that choice.
And if Vos wasn't attached to Ventress, well, that made Obi Wan even angrier.
Vos merely raised an eyebrow.
"You're making a lot of assumptions, Kenobi." He said.
That was true, but Ventress' smirk told Obi Wan that he had made the correct assumption.
"We need to leave now." Boba interrupted, clearly irritated with the delay. "This will be the only time this month things will line up."
"We know." Bo said. "Let's get a move on."
Waiting for Shaak Ti had given them the perfect opportunity to observe the blockade movements. The Force had blessed them with a time in between patrols where Concordia and Mandalore lined up perfectly to give them a straight shot to their goal.
Soon they were all packed into the Slave I's surprisingly roomy passenger bay. Boba had taken Asajj as his co-pilot.
As the ship took off, Obi Wan thought uncomfortably of the last time he'd seen the ship: on Geonosis, hours before Jango's death. Considering Obi Wan's involvement in the affair, it had been a surprise when Boba began treating him civilly. In fact, the only one he still had a sneer for was Bo Katan. Obi Wan supposed that being constantly taunted about one's birth would create enmity.
Bo Katan was glowering around the ship, as if it was offending her personally.
"I can't believe we're trusting the clone to get us through this." She grumbled. "He didn't manage it the first time."
Obi Wan couldn't understand Bo Katan's insistent gibes.
"Some of the best pilots I've known have been clones." Obi Wan said mildly. "And we all make mistakes. You won't be able to complain about Boba if he succeeds here."
"As long as he claims that armor, I have a problem with him." Bo Katan spat.
"Sister, his claim is legitimate." Koa Tes said. "It was his father's. Jango Fett was Mandalorian."
"His donor was dar'manda." Bo Katan insisted. "He forfeit any status for himself or his spawn."
"He was still Manda'lor." Koa Tes countered.
"He left us!" Bo Katan snapped. "He abandoned Mandalore and left our culture to be destroyed by our dar'manda sister!"
Obi Wan would not stand for that.
"Satine did not destroy Mandalore's culture!" He protested. "She loved the legends. She loved many aspects of being Mandalorian. She just-"
"What would you know of it, aruetti?" Bo said angrily. "She might have felt that way when she was with you, but when she rose to power she tried to erase everything from the past!"
"She was doing what she thought best for her people! You were in the Civil War, you know what it was like!" Obi Wan let his voice raise just the slightest bit. He was not shouting. He was merely expressing his opinion- loudly.
Vos and Shaak Ti looked between the two, confused.
"She was a hu'tuun-"
"Sister!" Koa Tes' voice was suddenly sharp. "You will not disrespect Satine's memory in such a way!"
"She abandoned our ways!"
"We dealt with the civil war in our own ways." Koa Tes said. "I found solace in the past. Satine looked to the future. Shall I remind you what you did, sister?"
Bo Katan's eyes widened. Obi Wan couldn't tell if it was from rage or shock.
"Satine was not a coward. It took much courage to do what she did. I might not agree with what she did, but I can honor her bravery and conviction." Koa Tes went on. "But there is no honor in the path you took."
Bo Katan flinched back as if she was struck.
"Even now, you demean a child because he threatens your claim to Manda'lor." Koa Tes said. "You cast the word dar'manda on people rather easily, considering how close you have come."
Bo stood up and stalked out of the room, though Obi Wan had no idea where she would go. He didn't think Boba would like them wandering his ship. Koa Tes' helmet was pointed towards where her sister disappeared.
"She should not become Manda'lor." She said quietly. "She has not accepted her past. She doubts."
"Then who?" Obi Wan asked. "We cannot leave Mandalore leaderless. Would you take up the mantle?"
"No." Koa Tes said. "I am content with where I am. Someone will step forward."
"And if they do not?" Obi Wan prompted.
Koa Tes' helmet turned to him.
"Then the Mando'ade shall splinter." She said simply. "And the stars will weep for the fall of Mandalore."
Obi Wan felt only one jolt of the ship during their passage to Mandalore. It was quickly followed by a rapidfire barrage from the Slave I. Then all was still. It wasn't long before Obi Wan watched the ship gyrate to a landing position. Boba and Ventress came climbing down soon after.
"Piece of uj." Boba said with a smirk. "Where's the princess?"
Obi Wan hadn't seen Bo since she had left the room hours earlier, but now she came back to join them. Her imperious air had returned.
"Let's get going." She said shortly. She didn't even look towards Boba.
Obi Wan saw Boba's face contort with frustration.
"Well done, Boba." Obi Wan said quickly.
Boba glanced at him as if confused. Ventress patted his shoulder.
"You've certainly earned your share." She said. "Now, shall we?"
Bo snorted and was already halfway towards the ramp. Koa Tes followed. Obi Wan led the rest of the Jedi down the ramp and into the harsh Mandalorian sun.
A small group of armored Mandalorians waited for them. Only a few bore the blue of the Nite Owls. One of them hurried forward.
"Aunt Bo!" He exclaimed. He tore off his blue helmet to reveal a young face, pale skin and reddish blonde hair.
Something chimed in the Force as Obi Wan looked at him.
For the first time something like a genuine smile crossed Bo's face.
"Korkie." She said. "How have things been progressing?"
"We've mustered the support of a few more clans." The boy said. "Including-"
"Korkie?" Koa Tes said. "You still use that nickname?"
Korkie laughed.
"Aunt Koa?" He asked eagerly. "I haven't seen you since I was five!"
"Are you well, Kor'ika?" Koa Tes asked.
Korkie's demeanor became somber.
"We're in the middle of an insurgency, Aunt Koa. None of us are that well." He said. "But I have good news, Aunt Bo. This is Mij Gilamar. One of-"
"The Cuy'val Dar." Bo Katan finished. "Are you with Skirata?"
She directed the question to a Mandalorian in gold armor.
"Yes." The man, who Obi Wan assumed to be Gilamar, said. "Is there a problem?"
"It's Skirata who has a problem with me." Bo muttered. "I doubt he'd be pleased that you're willing to help me."
"Are you familiar with the term narudar?" Gilamar said. "Kal agrees with me that Maul is a bigger problem than your ne'veman Kyr'tsad."
Obi Wan knew what the Cuy'val Dar were. According to Cody, the elite Mandalorian warriors had trained the Clone Commandos.
"Does that mean we will be receiving Commando assistance?" Obi Wan asked. That would make things much easier.
"No." Gilamar said. "Kal doesn't want his boys involved, especially now that half are trapped on Kamino."
"Then what do we get?" Bo said testily.
"Me." Gilamar said. "You're welcome.
Bo scowled, but Korkie stepped forward.
"Come on." He said. "We should get to the hideout. Maul's forces patrol here occasionally."
While Korkie gave Boba coordinates to where he could hide the ship, Obi Wan found his eyes drawn to the young man. The Force whispered a connection to him. But how he was connected, Obi Wan could not say.
Fives sat with his head between his knees. How long had he been in here? It felt like days. It was kriffing freezing in here, though at least they'd given him blacks. He wished the Kaminoans would hurry up and kill him. He knew they wanted to. He had exposed their chip scheme and ended the war. After the stunts he'd pulled all those months ago, they knew they couldn't control him.
His breakdown had probably cemented his fate. They'd taken Rex away and Fives, who'd already been struggling to stay in control, had lost it. If the vague memories were correct, he had attacked one of the droids, started yelling about the chips, and demanded to know where- where Tup was.
He'd woken in a small room, strapped to something too close to what Tup had been in. Cold and calm voices had discussed his 'outburst.' They'd determined that he was clearly broken. They'd decided to decommission him.
I'd rather be dead than be a slave to you again.
He'd spat the words at the long necks. They'd only looked at him with slow blinking eyes.
He'd woken again in this new room. It was dark and small. There was nothing in it, save a container of water, a pile of ration bars he'd barely touched, and one of those single person freshers found in prisons. If Fives didn't know better, he would have thought he was on a starship, by the feeling of things.
But that was impossible. They were clearly doing some psychological test on him before killing him.
Or maybe they were sending him to one of the medical stations to run tests on him, though he had no inkling why they would do so.
Maybe they were just trying to break his spirit, just to see if they could. If so, it was working. He'd shed tears twice in here and the plans he'd made to attack whoever came in next lay rotted at the bottom of his mind. He'd barely slept, because Tup haunted his dreams.
He didn't care anymore if he lived or died. He just wanted it over with.
He cursed the Republic. After all the clones had done, after Fives himself had ended the kriffing war, they had been just tossed back to the Kaminoans.
The door opened. Fives jerked his head up. Through the blinding light pouring in, he could make out a figure standing in the doorway.
"Fives?"
He hadn't expected to ever hear that voice again. He struggled to his feet and the figure came closer, examining him.
"Commander?" He croaked.
Ahsoka looked him over with concern. He just stared at her. Why was the commander here? Where had they sent him?
Ahsoka held out her hand.
"Come on. Let's go home."
Fives hesitated before pulling her into his chest, propriety be damned. She didn't protest, just wrapped her arms around him.
"It's okay." She said. "You're home."
"Am I the only one?" He asked.
"I'm sorry." Ahsoka said.
His chest constricted.
She pushed him back after a moment to study him and the room around them.
"Come on." She said again.
Fives let himself be led out into the Coruscant afternoon. He glanced back at the strange ship he'd been brought in: some sort of droid piloted pod.
Ahsoka guided him to a speeder, their speeder. Blue and white, with the symbols they held dear painted all over.
"Give me one second." She told him.
She stepped a few feet away and held up a comm.
"I've got him." She said quietly.
Fives could barely hear her and any response to her was lost.
"Listen, he's exhausted. I'm taking him home and we'll just meet tomorrow."
A pause.
"Right. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Who are we meeting?" Fives asked as she got in the speeder.
"Padme and the others working on freeing the clones." Ahsoka responded, starting the speeder and taking off. "You were the only one we were able to get out. You're part of the plan to get everyone else."
Fives looked at her. This still didn't feel real. His mind felt muddled.
"What will I do?" He asked.
"We'll tell you tomorrow." Ahsoka assured him. "Tonight you just need to rest."
Fives was too tired to protest, which probably meant Ahsoka was right in bringing him home.
Home.
He was home.
His heart swelled as they pulled onto the landing pad of their apartment building. He eagerly followed Ahsoka up to their apartment.
And then felt nothing as he stepped inside.
With a nauseating jolt he realized this wasn't home. It was merely where home could be. Home was where his brothers were. Home was where they could be free.
He sank onto the couch and put his head in his hands.
Ahsoka hovered nearby.
"Are you all right?" She asked.
"I don't know." He said truthfully. "I- they were going to decommission me."
Ahsoka stiffened for a moment, but then came and sat next to him on the couch. She took his hand. He knew her next question.
"I didn't react well to being back on Kamino." He confessed. "And I don't think they liked me very much to begin with."
"We have good timing then." Ahsoka said in a tight voice. "Kriff, Fives."
He gave a shuddering laugh.
"Have you heard from Echo?" He asked.
"He's fine. He and the Batch have been lying low. When they feel it's safer, they'll meet us here."
Some of the binding anxiety loosened.
"Fives, I'm going to order some food and then I want you to go to bed." Ahsoka said gently. "I know you'll have questions, but it'll be better if everyone is there to explain and you're feeling better."
It was odd, Fives didn't really have any questions at the moment. All he could think of was how unreal it all felt. He wasn't really here. He would wake up in a minute to find that the Kaminoans had come for him.
The feeling persisted as Ahsoka left him for a moment, then returned to hold his hand. It stayed when the food arrived and as he ate it. Even as he lay down in his own bed, he knew he'd wake up back on Kamino. He kept his eyes open as long as he could. He liked this dream.
Fives woke to the sound of a door opening. He squeezed his eyes shut tighter. He had been right. The Kamioans had come.
Then he realized he was lying in a soft bed, something unheard of on Kamino. No eerily calm voice demanded he stand. There was the faint sound of traffic outside.
It was real.
Then who-
He opened his eyes a crack to see Ahsoka edging into the room. She glanced at him furtively. Fives lowered his lids to appear as if he was still sleeping. He watched curiously as she padded to the other, empty bed in the room. Rex's bed. She snatched a jacket up off of it and clutched it tightly to her. She shot another look at Fives before slipping out again.
Fives watched her go, a strange feeling tightening his chest. What was she doing with Rex's jacket? They hadn't- Rex hadn't-
No. Fives had suspected they had feelings for each other, but Rex needed a lot more softening up before the Captain would ever consider fraternizing with his Commander.
But Ahsoka clearly preferred him.
It hurt, for some reason.
"Fives?"
Fives blinked awake at his Commander's soft call. Light filtered in from the window. It was mid-morning at the earliest, far later than Fives had ever slept. He had appreciated the somehow dreamless night.
Ahsoka had poked her head into his room.
"Breakfast." She told him. "Feel free to shower first."
"You trying to say something about the way I smell?" Fives managed to joke.
Ahsoka grinned.
"It might just be my enhanced smell, but we don't want to risk knocking any senators out."
"Ha ha." Fives said, kicking off the blankets.
The shower was blissful. The last time he'd been clean was when the long-necks had sanitized him coming into Kamino. That was- how long ago was it? Fives honestly had no idea. A few weeks at least.
Ahsoka was waiting with a thick slice of uj cake for him. Fives whistled appreciatively.
"How'd you get that?" He asked. From just the sight he could tell it was real uj cake, not the dainty imitations Coruscant merchants tried to pass off as Mandalorian fare.
"I found a good provider." Ahsoka said. "Get eating."
Fives didn't need to be told twice. He stuffed about half the slice into his mouth and savored the nutty sweet flavor.
As he filled his stomach, he was finding that the questions were finally coming to him.
How had they gotten him back? Why him? What was the plan and what was his part in it?
"We're meeting everyone in an hour or so." Ahsoka said as he looked up at her.
She either had sensed his intent or read his face. Or both.
"Fine." Fives said.
The people waiting for them in Chancellor Amidala's office were not at all what Fives expected. Instead of a small group of politicians, he was met with a gaggle of Mandalorians, a couple of Jedi, and a larger bunch of politicians than he'd anticipated. Add in a couple of public officers, and that made up the team trying to bring the clones home.
Every eye turned to Ahsoka and Fives as they came in. Fives was immensely glad he hadn't brought his armor to Kamino. He didn't know how he'd face so many people without it.
"Fives!" General Skywalker came forward and clapped Fives on the shoulder. "Are you all right?"
"As well as can be expected, sir." Fives replied.
"It's good to have you back." Chancellor Amidala said as she approached. "I'm sure you have questions."
But Fives wasn't listening any more. The Mandalorians had removed their helmets. Five of them were clones.
"You told me I was the only one you brought back." Fives said, staring.
"The Kaminoans never took them." An older Mandalorian in golden armor said. "Not sure they wanted to, either. They never could control the Nulls."
Fives felt his eyes widen. The Nulls? The first, insane, deadly batch that every ARC trooper was taught about?
"Aren't there six of you?" Fives managed.
"Mereel is on Kamino." The man in gold, who must have been Kal Skirata, said. "He's our eyes and ears there."
"You have questions." Prompted Chancellor Amidala.
"Right." Fives tore his eyes away from the Nulls and back to the Chancellor. "What exactly is this plan of yours?"
"Like I said, I have the legislation written and ready to be voted on." Padme said. "Unfortunately, public opinion on clones is-"
"Most people see you as murder machines." Skirata said.
"We are, buir." One of the Nulls put in. "We're just murder machines with feelings."
"To put it bluntly, yes." Padme said. "Most senators would vote against the legislation for fear of losing support from their public."
"So we need to get public opinion up." Skirata said. Fives had the impression he had taken hold of much of the operation. "In my experience, when people see that you're actually people, their opinions change pretty quick."
"Not from what I've seen." Fives said. "We lived here for six months and people still treated us like osik."
Skirata sighed.
"From what I've heard, you boys kept to yourselves mostly." He said. "Not that I blame you, you've known nothing else. We need to really get you out there. And that's where you come in."
Fives got the picture. And he didn't like it.
"So you want to parade me around to suck up to people who hate me and spout Republic propaganda?" He asked. "Why can't one of them do it?"
He gestured to the Nulls. Skirata grimaced.
"The Nulls are too different. They have different genes and they were raised differently." He said. "Besides, they're not technically legal."
"Then how am I-" Fives started. Then a terrible thought hit him. "How did you get me?"
Chancellor Amidala looked away, as did many of the politicians. Even Skirata coughed uncomfortably.
"How did you get me?" Five repeated in a hiss.
"Fives-" It was Ahsoka who spoke. "We- we had to buy you."
Rage sank its talons into Fives' stomach, making him feel sick. The darkness that chased him seemed to grow blacker.
"So you're all just like the Kaminoans." He snarled. "We're just property-"
"Fives-" Chancellor Amidala said. "The Kaminoans gave us no choice and we need you-"
"How much was I?" Fives said. "How much is a sentient life worth to you? I thought the Republic banned slavery!"
"We're freeing you-" Padme started.
"You haven't yet?" Fives spat. "What the hell are you waiting for?"
Silence. It hit Fives.
"No." He said. "You are not using my freedom, what I have a right to, as a publicity stunt!"
"Do you want your brothers back or not?" Skirata said sharply. "Because this osik is the only way you're gonna get them without murdering every Kaminoan."
Fives grit his teeth and turned away. How dare they? Of course he wanted his brothers back, his brothers free.
"You're the Chancellor!" Fives accused. "Why can't you kriffing tell the others the kark off?"
"That's not how it works, Fives." Chancellor Amidala said quietly.
"It should be." Fives muttered.
He turned from them all, the kriffing hypocrites, to face the wall. He could hear their mutters. They chose the wrong clone. Fives thought bitterly. Hero of the Republic or not.
"Fives." Ahsoka had drawn closer. Her voice was lowered, her words just for him.
He found he didn't want to hear even her excuses.
"Don't even start." Fives said. "Because I know that you'd trade me for Rex in a second."
"You know that's not true." Ahsoka said. "I want all of you home."
"I didn't see you cuddling anything of mine last night." Fives said with venom.
He couldn't see her flinch but he imagined she had.
Ahsoka had the good sense to not say anything after that. Fives had a good few minutes to seethe. The initial anger began to fade, leaving resentment in its place.
A comm chirped somewhere in the room. The Chancellor answered it. Fives heard vague chatter and then-
"Send them up immediately." The Chancellor said eagerly.
Fives' curiosity was piqued. Who else would join this 'fight?'
His question was answered minutes later when two Twi'leks came striding into the Chancellor's office.
"Chancellor Syndulla." Chancellor Amidala said with relief. "It's good to finally see you again."
"You as well." The orange Twi'lek man said. "This is Lyn Minx, your new Ryloth representative."
A regal, towering purple Twi'lek woman stepped forward. Fives had never seen a Twi'lek like her. She was dressed in an elegant but completely covering gown. She was bigger than most Twi'lek women Fives had seen. She carried herself in a way that screamed confidence.
Quite the improvement over the Hutt look-alike contest winner Orn Fre Taa.
"It is a pleasure to meet you." Chancellor Amidala said, and made a few introductions.
"What has happened to Senator Taa, if you don't mind my asking?" Senator Organa asked.
Syndulla looked at him.
"Taa was discovered to have been selling our people to the Zygerrians." He said bluntly. "He has been executed for his crimes."
A silence fell over the room. Suddenly Skirata laughed, a harsh, barking noise.
"Serves the fat chakaar right!" He said.
"We have also come to pledge our support to freeing the clones." Senator Minx said in a rich voice. "We will provide whatever assistance we can."
Fives stared at her. She was on their side. An entire planet was on their side. The Twi'leks had no stake in freeing the clones and yet here they were.
"Those men freed Ryloth." Senator Minx continued. "It is only right we help free them as well."
"What is the plan?" Syndulla asked.
While Chancellor Amidala explained, Senator Minx approached Fives.
"I have a favor to ask." She said without preamble. "I'm looking for two clones."
"You realize there are millions of us." Fives grumbled. "And most of us are on Kamino."
"I understand." Senator Minx said. "I merely wish to know if they are well. Waxer and Boil."
Fives and Ahsoka froze. Fives knew Waxer's name far too well.
"Boil was fine the last time I saw him." Fives said slowly. "But Waxer was killed in action."
By his own brothers. Fives added mentally.
Senator Minx's expression fell.
"That is unfortunate." She said.
"How did you know them?" Ahsoka asked.
"I did not." Senator Minx said. "I am asking on behalf of a little girl they saved. She and her family desperately wish to see them again."
"I'm sorry that it's bad news." Ahsoka said.
"At least one still lives." Senator Minx said. "I hope we will be able to reunite them soon."
She looked at Fives.
"You are our clone representative?" She asked.
"They want me to be." Fives said.
"It is an important role." Senator Minx said.
Fives snorted.
"That's what they told us about the war." He said. "That dying in droves was imperative for the Republic's survival. A Republic filled with people who didn't give a damn that my brothers were dying for them."
Senator Minx looked at him curiously with blue-green eyes.
"This is different." She said simply. "This is for your brothers. You are in a unique position to help. They will suffer if you don't do anything."
Fives nearly flinched. Kriff, putting it like that-
He'd have to do it. He really didn't have a choice, at least not one he could live with.
Fives paced. He'd been pacing for an hour. Ahsoka watched him, concerned. They'd given him two days to prepare for his first Senate appearance. Still, anxiety wavered off of him like a speeder driven by a drunkard. His lips moved silently, probably practicing his speech.
"Fives, you'll be fine." Padme said. "There's a holo-prompter in the pod."
She, Fives, and Ahsoka were together in a small Senate chamber, waiting for the session to begin. Per Fives' request, they hadn't freed him publicly, but it was time for him to start the process of humanizing the clones.
"Holo-prompter won't be any good if I freeze up." Fives muttered.
"You won't freeze up." Ahsoka said. "If you could face a Sith Lord without freezing up-"
Fives flinched and Ahsoka regretted mentioning it.
"That's in battle. This is talking. In front of hundreds of people." Fives said. "Thousands, actually. Millions. Most of which don't think I'm sentient."
"Then change their minds." Padme said. "This is a huge opportunity for you, Fives, for all your brothers."
"I know, I know." Fives said. "I just- I know what you have to deal with, Chancellor, and that's different from what I was raised to deal with."
The holo chimed and Fives sucked in a breath.
"Let's go." Ahsoka said.
She started soothing Fives' nerves as they walked through the Senate halls. She frowned. It was difficult getting to his emotions, like something was forcing her back.
"Stop that!" Fives suddenly said. "I'm fine!"
"Sorry." Ahsoka said, stung. "I was just-"
"I know." Fives said in a gentler tone. "I need to be able to do this by myself."
Ahsoka hoped Fives wasn't noticing the odd and sometimes hostile looks he was receiving in the halls.
"Remember, I will start the session, introduce Senator Minx, she'll give an opening speech, and then it will be your turn." Padme said as they entered their pod.
Fives nodded. Ahsoka saw his clenched jaw and tightened fists, as if he was steeling for a fight.
The Senate chamber buzzed with activity. Padme had planned this, introducing Ryloth's new senator at the same time as Fives. It was important enough that most senators would be present and almost forcing them to hear Fives.
The crowd quieted as Padme's pod soared to the middle of the chamber. Padme welcomed the senators.
"I am pleased to introduce the new Ryloth representative, Lyn Minx!" Padme said.
The chamber filled with noise as the Ryloth pod moved to the center. Lyn stood there in an outfit to rival Padme's. She was joined by Chancellor Syndulla and his daughter, Hera, who had been introduced as Lyn's assistant.
"It is a pleasure to serve with you all." Lyn said. "I look forward to the good we will be able to do."
Ahsoka thought that would be it, but Lyn continued.
"My goal as representative of Ryloth is the opposite of my corrupt predecessor: to stop all slavery in the Republic." Lyn said. "The Zygerrian Empire is attempting to rise again. The slave trade is at the highest it has been in two hundred years."
Lyn paused and then went on.
"The Kaminoans are renting out millions of slaves." She said. "The Republic has done nothing to stop any of this."
A gasp rolled across the Senators. Ahsoka was impressed at Lyn's boldness. She was probably breaking a record of enemies made during an introductory speech. But Ryloth seemed determined to support the clones regardless of the political suicide.
"I hold many of you responsible." Lyn said. "Perhaps you did not buy slaves or support slavers like my predecessor, but you were complacent. No more."
Lyn's blue green eyes were flashing.
"If the Republic wishes to become what it claims to be, a haven for all species, it must root out this darkness from its breast." She said. "Like all difficult things, it must start somewhere. That somewhere for the Republic is to free the enslaved clones of Kamino. I thank you all for your consideration."
With that abrupt ending, she bowed and sat down.
The room was silent. Even Padme was staring at the Ryloth pod in shock. Ahsoka caught a glimpse of a sneering Senator Burtoni.
"At least we know for sure they're on our side." Ahsoka said.
"Thank you, Senator Minx." Padme finally said. "On that note, I would like to introduce another new representative. One of a new faction."
Fives stood as Padme beckoned to him.
"ARC Trooper Fives, the Hero of the Republic." Padme said. "He represents all clones."
Fives was not welcomed with noise as Lyn had been. He stood before the wall of silence proud and unyielding, despite the fear Ahsoka could feel from him.
"My name is Fives." Fives said. "My birth number is CT-5555. I was born to fight for the Republic."
His voice shook ever so slightly. His words were stilted and robotic.
"I am a free man." He said. "My brothers, every single clone, are- are not. They were made- I mean born for the same purpose, fought just as hard, and many died for the Republic."
Ahsoka winced as Fives stumbled over the words. There was a long pause, long enough for Ahsoka to catch the murmuring from the crowd. Then Fives spoke again. His voice changed from neutral to a tone that Ahsoka had heard from him often. His voice wasn't quite raised, but anger ran as a fierce undercurrent in every word.
"I'm under no delusions. I'm only free because of what I did in bringing down Palpatine." Fives said. "If I deserve freedom because of that, then every single one of my brothers deserve the same. Every single one would have done what I did."
Fives' posture changed, some of the fight leaving him.
"We were asked to die for the Republic. All we want now is the chance to live in it." He said with an air of finality.
The murmuring surged. Fives turned without warning and sat back next to Ahsoka. She placed an arm over his shoulders. He stared straight ahead.
A pod hovered out from its place.
"Chancellor Amidala, what was the purpose of that display?" A human male asked.
Ahsoka recognized him. Tiig Bitti, the representative for Suolriep sector and an outspoken opponent of freeing the clones.
"Senator Fives has joined us as the representative for the clones." Padme said coolly.
"We already have a Kaminoan representative." Senator Bitti said.
"Yes, and Senator Fives represents the clones as a people."
"Seeing as a majority of the clones are currently and rightly the property of the Kaminoans, it seems superfluous to elect a representative for a population under the jurisdiction of an existing government." Bitti said.
Ahsoka clenched her fists. Fives twitched under her arm.
"If you wish to speak to me regarding Senator Fives' appointment, I will meet with you privately." Padme said. "Or better yet, you may speak to him. This is a Senate meeting to introduce new representatives, not to decide their validity."
"Good job." Ahsoka told Fives as Padme closed the meeting.
"ARC training didn't prepare me for that." Fives muttered again. "I don't want to ever do that again."
"Padme says you get used to it." Ahsoka told him.
"I don't want to get used to it." Fives muttered. "I just- I'm tired, Commander. So kriffing tired."
Ahsoka frowned and squeezed his shoulder. The heaviness with which he spoke was matched in the Force. Fives was exhausted. Ahsoka wondered if he was up to the task they were asking of him.
Mando'a:
Jetii: Jedi
shebs'e: backsides
dar'manda: no longer Mandalorian, traitor to Mandalorian values. A status feared by many traditional Mandalorians.
Manda'lor: leader of Mandalore
aruetti: traitor or outsider, used in this context as outsider
hu'tuun: Coward, worst possible insult
Mando'ade: Children of Mandalore; Mandalorians
uj cake: a sweet nut cake
Cuy'val Dar: 'Those who no longer exist' A group of Mandalorians and other beings recruited by Jango Fett to train the clones and clone commandos. In this instance I'm using it to refer to the group aligned with Kal Skirata
narudar: temporary ally- enemy of my enemy is my friend sort of thing
ne'veman Kyr'tsad: fake Death Watch
buir: Parent, in this case specifically Papa
osik: crap
chakaar: criminal
A lot to unload in this one. Boggs Rosan is totally made up. I thought there would be some hard traditionalists worse than Mundi that the Council are suddenly willing to listen to. I also thought that some Jedi would hit hard on the pacifist front.
I like Bo Katan a lot as a character, but she's really flawed. Showed a bit more here.
Yes, Korkie is totally Obi Wan's son. The Force is trying very hard to tell him. Another thing is that I have decided that Korkie's name is dumb, and that his real name is Kor.
And here's Fives! There was no way the Kaminoans were going to let him live. He was almost a guaranteed insurgent. So good thing the Republic got him!
Right?
Ryloth over here with their priorities straight. Would anyone be really surprised if it came out that Orn Fre Taa was selling his people into slavery? Also I just wanted him dead. Lyn Minx is a character I'm excited for. She has a great respect for clones and a great hatred for slavery. And I wanted a plus sized Twi'lek woman. Her personality is based a bit off of Okoye from Black Panther. Stoic, strong, and awesome.
I'll be throwing out some made up Senators and such. Just for building the world. Tiig Bitti will come into play eventually.
Anyway, wear your masks, remember to review, and have a great few weeks!