Hey everyone! Hope things are going well for you guys.
OneLittleSpark18: I'm always so glad to hear you're enjoying the fics!
Angyadika: ...you found me out. Listen, it sounds like a Star Wars name! And it's funny!
A longer chapter today, and giving us some much needed Rex content. Also, a small change to my normal style: there's a conversation entirely in Mando'a in this chapter. Instead of making you jump back and forth from the end notes to the convo, I've just translated it right there. I do this because I am obsessed with translating into Mando'a
Normal Mando'a translations at the end!
Today was a day that Rex had been dreading and the cadets had been anticipating.
The day they were introduced to blasters, every cadet's dream.
It was also the day a large number of cadets the same age would be decommissioned or reconditioned, every sane trainer's worst nightmare.
All five clones were vibrating with excitement as Rex exited his pod.
"Good morning, sir!" They chorused, a far cry from the chilly reception he'd received three weeks ago.
"Good morning, cadets." Rex said. "Let's move out."
They visited the showers. At least, that's what they called the communal sonic they were forced to use. Rex missed many things, but being able to bathe by himself, let alone bathe with water, was near the top of the list.
Rex and Boil watched, impressed, as the boys dressed faster than their trainers could get their blacks on.
"They're going to choke on their breakfast." Boil muttered to Rex.
Rex was surprised they didn't, at the rate the food disappeared into the boys' mouths.
"Slow down, vod'e." Rex chided.
They did, but marginally. Mere minutes later all five were staring at him, trays clean.
"Kilo ready for drills, sir!" Ruus, formerly known as '35, said.
"So you are." Rex said, sharing a glance with Boil. "Let's get going."
The five boys followed him eagerly. Rex was glad the littles were opening up to him, but he wished they wouldn't be so excited about this.
Rex stopped them as they reached the firing range.
"I want you to listen to me before we go in there." Rex said. He wanted to get this message across before they lost their heads at the sight of a blaster. "You are to be ori'ulyc. This is not a game. You could seriously injure yourself or your brothers."
Five pairs of brown eyes blinked up at him.
"Not only that," Rex went on. "The Kaminii'se will be watching you carefully. If you play too much around, or make them think you can't handle having a blaster, they will declare you unfit for duty."
That dampened their spirits. Chip, '44, looked defiantly at Rex.
"They won't do that!" He said. "We're too good of soldiers!"
Rex sighed.
"I know, Chip'ika. So show them that."
He gave them another hard stare.
"Do you promise you'll listen to me in there?" He asked.
Five heads nodded in unison.
"Good." Rex took a deep breath. "In we go."
He pressed the panel, the door slid open and he was met with the familiar cacophony of blaster fire. There were some older cadets here, probably nearing the end of their training.
Just as they entered, the group of older cadets put their blasters away and began to file out of the shooting range.
"Hey, Gulp, look!" One of them said. "Littles!"
Half of Kilo immediately snapped to attention. Not Chap, '45. The excited cadet bounced up and down.
"You were amazing!" Chap said. "You hit so many of the targets, even when they moved!"
Gulp and his friend laughed.
"Yeah, but you'll get that good one day too!" Gulp said. "This your first day of blaster training?"
"Yes, sir!" Chap said proudly.
"Have fun then!" Gulp's friend said with a friendly ruffle of Chap's hair. "Good luck, vod'ike!"
The two nodded to Rex and Boil, though Rex swore they both stared at his hair for half a second. Rex scowled. They let him shave his head, but he was conspicuous no matter what he did.
"Let's go get a good look at those blasters." Rex said.
The boys had been training for this far longer than Rex was their trainer. They had to pass several blaster safety tests as well as memorize the parts of a standard blaster before they were allowed to even hold a blaster. He was proud as Kilo carefully listened to his explanation of the standard DC-15S, even if '01 had to nudge Chap to refocus a few times. He and Boil were watching the squad assemble uncharged blasters when the shooting range door opened again.
A new troop of cadets, looking to be around Kilo's age, crowded in, followed by a thin Mandalorian. Rex glanced at Boil, who shrugged.
"I shared the shooting range with another squad for my first lesson." Boil said.
The Mandalorian, who Rex assumed to be their trainer, glanced at them before leading the other squad to a nearby section. Rex vaguely recognized the armor from the mess hall. He was surprised to see a six man group. Most squads had lost at least one member at this point.
Rex focused back on his own squad as the Mandalorian started their own lesson. Rex's own cadets had quickly mastered assembling and disassembling the blasters.
Rex and Boil demonstrated the proper way to hold the blasters. Boil took his and went out to the shooting range. Rex ran the simulation at its third most difficult level.
"Watch carefully." Rex said.
Boil moved smoothly and efficiently as he blasted each target as it came into view. No movement was wasted as he fired again and again. Rex glanced back at his squad. Four of them were staring wide eyed at the display. Owl, '27, was a few steps back. He flinched at every bolt fired. Rex edged back to stand next to Owl.
"It's okay, vod'ika." He muttered so only Owl could hear. "You get used to the noise."
Boil finished the cycle with an impressive barrage of blasterfire. Chap started clapping until Chip elbowed him.
"Not my best score." Boil said as he removed his helmet. "But you get the idea."
Rex wished he had his pistols with him. He could give them a real show.
"You obviously won't be starting at that level." Rex told them. "You will begin with a stationary target."
Chip and Chap frowned in unison at the news. Owl looked relieved.
"Here are your ammo chips." Rex said, handing them each a small rectangle. "Do not load until you are on the range. Do not go past the firing line."
They all nodded and it was time for what Rex was dreading. He had to trust each one of these boys a working blaster rifle. None of them were Hardcase, but Chap was excitable, Chip cocky, and Owl nervous. None of those traits made Rex comfortable giving the boys firearms.
"Remember what you promised me." Rex told the five. "Aim only at the targets. Keep the safety on until you are in position. Boil and I will watch and correct you."
"Yes sir!" All five chorused.
Rex kept his eyes cemented to his trainees as they lifted their guns for the first time and fired. As to be expected, none hit their stationary target. Even still, they moved with a grace Rex rarely saw in nat-borns.
A few tips later and Chap was the first to hit his target. The little boy stared at the target and then whirled around.
"Sir!" He shouted. "Sir! Did you see? I got it!"
"I saw, vod'ika!" Rex called back. "Great work!"
Soon enough, with some correction, all five were hitting the target about half the time. Chap stayed at the front of the pack, rarely missing, while Owl struggled. Rex noticed the boy's hands were shaking.
"Cute, isn't it?"
Rex nearly jumped. The Mandalorian trainer had slipped up next to him, having sent their own squad to try their hand with the blasters. By the voice, they were a woman.
"They're starting a little younger than most Mandalorians would begin the training, but they seem up for it." The woman went on.
Her helmet turned towards Rex.
"I'm Vor." She said. "Leader of Rho squad."
"Captain Rex." Rex said. "That's Boil, my assistant. That's Kilo squad out there."
Vor nodded slowly.
"Edee!" She called to one of the cadets. "Keep your shoulders squared!"
She watched her cadet adjust before turning back to Rex.
"I've been watching your boys." She said. "You've done wonders with that troop. That clone before you was an absolute hut'uun. I've seen trainers like him before, but never a clone."
"You're telling us." Boil said. "Poor things were black and blue when we got here."
Vor was silent for a moment, then shocked Rex with a loud whoop.
"Oya, Dha!" She called. "Great shot!"
The cadet in question shot a broad grin in their direction. Rex found himself relaxing somewhat in the woman's presence. Her cadets were comfortable and she was chatting with Rex and Boil as if they were equals. Against all odds, she seemed all right.
The morning passed slowly for Rex. He kept on expecting something terrible to happen. It never did. Both Kilo and Rho squads were perfectly careful.
"Well done, vod'ike." Rex told them as he called them to him.
"You were worried for nothing, Rex." Chip scoffed. "You can trust us!"
"Chip, I know for a fact you were going to mess with the settings if Ruus didn't stop you." Boil said.
"It was getting boring!" Chip protested as Rex and Boil helped them put the blasters away.
"If you aren't hitting them every time when they're still, you're not ready for the next level." Rex said.
"Now move your shebs." Boil said. "Or you'll have to go to flash training hungry."
Rex was aware of Vor's group following them to the mess hall and through the food lines, but he was surprised to have her sit down next to him at their normal table. Her cadets followed suit, mingling with Kilo. It was clear that Rex's cadets didn't know what to do as Rho squad began chatting with them.
Vor removed her helmet, revealing short dark hair, pale green skin, and geometric tattoos across her face. She smirked as he stared.
"Got a problem?" She asked.
"I'm sorry." Rex apologized. "I assumed you were human."
"Not your fault. I've never met another Miralin Mandalorian." She said airily. "How are your littles adjusting to you as a trainer?"
Small talk. This was not Rex's forte.
"Well enough." He said.
"Have they got names yet?" Vor asked.
"All except '01." Rex said.
"I had mine named within a week of getting them." Vor said with a grin. "Though they made it easy. Especially when one of them has a biting problem."
One of the cadets near them squirmed down in his seat at her words.
"How long have you been training them?" Rex asked.
"They brought me in about a year ago." Vor said. "They're CCs, so they wanted me to start with them young."
"Seems late for CCs to be working with firearms." Rex said.
"I pushed for them to start later." Vor said. "Two and a half is too young."
"They'll be behind the rest of the CC squads." Rex said, frowning.
Vor hesitated.
"Ni copaanir bah hibiir ner adi'ke ori'be'chaaj teh ibic haran."(I want to take my little ones and take them far away from this hell) She said in a low voice, too quiet for the littles to hear.
Rex's stomach lurched. She wanted to take her squad away? He did too, but-
"Gar kelir cuyir oya'karir darsuum." (You would be hunted forever)Rex muttered back.
The Kaminoans would never let such a valuable asset as six command clones go.
Vor laughed as if Rex had said something very amusing. Her eyes were hard.
"I would, wouldn't I?" She said. "A tion'meh bic cuyir an be gar?"(but what if it was all of you?)
Rex's blood turned to ice. Was she suggesting what he thought she was? Having Boil consider a revolt was bad enough, but to have a trainer, one who assumedly had far more influence than a single clone, suggest revolution?
"Nayc." He said urgently.
Vor stared at him.
"Gar copaanir gar vod'ike bah drashaar bah ash'amur par hu'tuun'e?" (you want your little brothers to grow to die violently in battle for cowards?)
Rex shook his head. Of course he didn't want his brothers to stay here and be raised for slaughter.
"Gar ne'narir kar'tarlir Alor Amidala. Kaysh kelir mav mhi." He said. (You don't know Chancellor Amidala. She will free us)
Did no one understand? Chancellor Amidala would keep her promise. They just had to be patient.
"I don't trust politicians." Vor said with a frown.
Rex stiffened. For other politicians, perhaps it was true, but Chancellor Amidala was one of the best people he had ever known.
Vor seemed to sense his anger.
"Maybe your Chancellor is all right, but the other senators and representatives don't give a senaar'sheb about your brothers." She said. "Vi linibar nari." (we need to act)
Rex had to struggle to keep his anger and fear from showing and frightening his little brothers.
"Gar ne'kelir jare ner vod'e o'r dikutl'a dajun!" Rex hissed. (You will not risk my brothers in your idiotic scheme)
Did none of them see the risk of any attempt of revolution? Hundreds, if not thousands of brothers would die. Rex knew this was exactly what the Kaminoans had planned when putting him and other command clones in charge of vod'ike.
Vor looked at him curiously.
"You honestly think it's a bad idea." She said.
"Yes." Rex said through gritted teeth.
Vor seemed contemplative.
"I've heard of you, you know." She said. "Captain Rex of the 501st. They say you're fearless."
"You would also hear that I don't like excessive casualties." Rex retorted.
"Didn't you serve under Skywalker?" Vor asked.
"His plans were crazy, but they worked." Rex said. "I trusted him."
"Rex?"
Rex felt a little hand on his arm. He looked down to see '01. The little that had comforted Rex that first night still hadn't found a name. He looked between Rex and Vor.
"Is everything okay?" He asked.
"Yes, vod'ika." Rex said. "I just disagreed with some of her teaching suggestions."
"Oh." '01 said, looking unconvinced.
"What do you need?" Rex asked.
"It's time for flash training." '01 said. "And Ruus got distracted."
Rex glanced at Kilo's little leader, who was in an arm wrestling contest with one of Rho Squad.
"Thanks, vod'ika." Rex said. "Kilo! We need to move out!"
Rex noticed '01's pained expression as his brothers scrambled into formation.
"What's wrong?" He asked the little.
"I-" '01 swallowed. "I don't feel good."
Rex frowned.
"Where?" He asked. "Do you need to go to the med bay?"
"No." '01 said quickly. "My stomach hurts, that's all."
"All right." Rex said. "Let me know if it gets too bad."
'01 nodded solemnly and joined his brothers in formation. Rex watched him go. Of all his little brothers, something about '01 worried him the most.
Rex and Boil were in their training hall when the lights went red and the doors slammed shut.
"What the-" Boil said. "A lockdown drill? They would have told us, right?"
Rex watched the other clones in the room look around with confusion. Even a Kaminoan scientist who had been observing them looked as puzzled as a Kaminoan could.
"I don't think this is a drill." Rex muttered.
He remained tense, wishing desperately he could find the source of the disturbance. It could be anything from a training malfunction to invasion.
He didn't like the look on the Kaminoan's face. Normally the long necks were the picture of placidness. This one actually looked concerned.
Rex edged his way towards the Kaminoan, hoping for a hint of what was going on. He was rewarded.
"You have caught the perpetrators?" The Kaminoan whispered into a comm. "How many casualties?"
Rex thought he heard an affirmation from the device and an indistinct number.
"The explosives will have to be locked down." The Kaminoan said. "We will have to halt all ordnance training."
Rex's stomach lurched. It seemed someone, likely clones, had set off an explosion.
"Trooper! What are you doing?"
The Kaminoan had caught sight of him.
"Nothing, ma'am." Rex said quickly and retreated.
Boil gave him a look and Rex jerked his head to the side. Boil followed him to an equipment closet.
"What's-"
Rex seized Boil by the front of the armor and slammed him against the wall.
"Were you involved?" He hissed.
"What?" Boil asked, eyes wide. "What do you-"
"Were you involved?" Rex repeated.
There was only a slim chance of Boil being part of the explosion; Rex was rarely without him. But if Boil had clung to the thoughts he had shared with Rex a month ago, if he still wanted to revolt-
"Involved in what?" Boil seemed genuinely confused. "Rex, what's going on?"
He released Boil and took a step back.
"There was an explosion. People were killed." Rex said. "I think clones were involved."
The shocked look on Boil's face convinced Rex.
"I wasn't!" Boil pledged.
Rex nodded and looked back to the concerned Kaminoan.
"But Rex," Boil said quietly. "If there are others thinking like me and acting on it, there could be enough of us-"
"No." Rex said. "How can you even consider it? We can't do anything, Boil! We just have to be patient!"
Boil stared at Rex with an ugly look contorting his face.
"Was that your excuse on Umbara?" He asked. "Why you let Krell send you to kill Waxer?"
Rex went cold.
"No." He said hoarsely. "That was different-"
"How?" Boil said. "You had a chance to do something then and now, but you're too much of a hu'tuun to do anything."
Rex tightened his fists, but didn't give Boil the satisfaction of a response. Just like with Krell. A voice whispered in his head. You don't act. You didn't act then, you don't act now. You couldn't even act with Ahsoka. You are a coward.
Rex shoved the voice down, like all the times it had plagued him. After Umbara, the Citadel, Kadavo. Any defeat or huge loss of men summoned it. He did not need it now.
The voice refused to stay down. It spit its vitriol in circles around his head over and over again. Rex felt numb as the lights returned to normal and they were given the go ahead to return to their schedules. He tried to register his squad's excited chatter as he and Boil picked them up.
"Rex, Rex!" Chap said, bouncing up and down as they walked down the halls. "We learned about numbers today!"
"Did you now?" Rex said absently.
"Yeah and there's a special type of number called prime numbers!" Chap went on as if Rex was enraptured. "And guess what?"
"Hmm?" Rex responded.
"7001 is a prime number!" Chap said. "'01's number! It could be his name!"
That helped Rex focus. A clone's name was of the utmost importance. The whole squad turned to '01, who ducked his head shyly.
"Prime. That's a good name." Rex said to '01. "What do you think, vod'ika?"
"I like it." '01, Prime said with a little smile.
"That's five for five, then!" Boil said.
Rex was impressed with how well Boil was keeping his anger under wraps.
"Come on, then, Prime." Rex said. "Lead us to dinner."
Rex's storm of thoughts returned during the meal. He let Boil lead the nightly Mando'a lesson. They all went to bed, and Rex found himself alone with his thoughts.
Was Boil right? Was he just a coward for not fighting? Or was he correct in wanting to wait?
Rex stared at the top of his pod. Kriff, he wasn't going to get any sleep tonight, was he?
He ejected the pod, intent on finding somewhere to work this off. He stopped on the ladder. Was that sniffling coming from Prime's pod?
Rex opened the pod and found his vod'ika curled up with his arms clamped around his stomach and eyes shimmering.
"Prime?" Rex whispered.
But Prime was already hastily wiping at his eyes and straightening.
"I'm fine." He said quickly.
"Prime, what's going on?" Rex asked. "Is it your-"
Rex trailed off as he saw Prime's reaction to his own name: a subtle flinch.
"Is there something wrong with your name?" He asked.
Prime shook his head.
"No, it's a good name." He said. "I just- shouldn't have a name."
Rex stared at his brother. Shouldn't?
"What do you mean?" Rex asked.
Prime looked down.
"It will be easier if I don't have a name when they take me away." He whispered.
Rex's stomach dropped.
"Why do you think they'll take you?" Rex asked.
He hated that he couldn't reassure Prime that he wouldn't be taken.
Prime merely shook his head. Rex understood. It wasn't safe to talk in most places in Tipoca City, especially the barracks. It was possible, if they spoke quietly, they wouldn't be overheard, but the risk was too great.
Rex, however, knew exactly where they could speak.
"Come with me." Rex said. "There's something I want to show you."
Prime, looking confused, swung off his bunk and padded after Rex. Rex peeked out of their room and beckoned when he saw no one around. Silently Rex led Prime a little way down the hall until they reached a door to an outside deck. As usual, it was storming. Rex opened the door and stepped outside. The rain stung as it pelted his face and within moments his blacks were drenched. The wind threatened to bowl Prime over as the younger clone tried to follow Rex.
Rex stepped back and picked up his little brother. No audio recording device could pick up anything in this weather. In fact, video recordings were unreliable as well. The perfect environment to have a secret conversation.
Rex lifted Prime so his mouth was right next to the little's ear.
"We're safe out here." He said. "What's wrong?"
Prime's arms tightened around Rex.
"I'm different." The cadet whispered. "Too different."
"Different how?" Rex asked. "I don't see-"
He stopped. Prime was different. He had known to trust Rex and Boil from the beginning. He had seen Rex's inner turmoil. Then his odd stomach ache before the explosion. Like he had sensed it.
"Prime." Rex said. "Did you know that the explosion was going to happen?"
Prime nodded into Rex's shoulder.
Both excitement and fear boiled in Rex's stomach.
"Can you see into other people's minds?" Rex asked.
Prime nodded again. Rex's heart skipped.
Prime was Force-sensitive.
Kriff.
Prime had every reason to believe he'd be taken away. Brothers with odd abilities, barring the Bad Batch, never lasted long. Rex was hit with a surge of hatred for the Kaminoans. On any other planet Prime would have been revered, celebrated! Here he had to fear for his life for something far beyond his control. Rex was angry at the Jedi too. How could they not know? How could they not sense Prime or any other brother with the misfortune to be born with this 'gift'?
Prime was clinging desperately to Rex now, shaking with both fear or cold.
"Udesii, vod'ika." Rex said. "I won't let them take you."
"You can't." Prime said, his voice breaking. "You can't stop them."
"They won't ever find out." Rex said firmly. "They don't know yet, and we won't let them. And it's only for a little while. Chancellor Amidala will free us-"
"You don't believe that." Prime said.
Rex's heart fell. There was no point in lying to a mind reader. Rex had repeated over and over to his brothers that Chancellor Amidala would free them without truly believing the words. He believed she would try her hardest, but he saw no way for the Kaminoans to ever be convinced to give them up.
"I try to." He said truthfully.
It was better than admitting he'd never see Ahsoka again.
"We can hide this." Rex finally said. "You just have to be careful. Do any of your squadmates know?"
"Ruus." Prime said. "Kotep knew too."
"Ruus will help us." Rex said. "And maybe, even if we're not freed, I can contact the Jedi. They will come for you."
Prime stiffened in his arms.
"Is that what I am?" He asked with wonder. "A Jedi?"
Rex realized Prime would have no idea what his powers were.
"You could be." Rex said. "I know plenty of Jedi would want to train you."
Prime was silent for a moment.
"Thank you, Rex." He whispered.
"I told you all I'd take care of you." Rex replied.
He carried Prime back through the rain into the halls of Tipoca City. Prime still shivered in his arms.
"It's cold out there." Prime muttered through chattering teeth. "Are all outsides like that?"
"You know they aren't." Rex said with a small smile. "That's just Kamino. Some planets are even colder."
"I don't want to go to them." Prime said. "I like it when it's warm instead."
Rex helped Prime out of his sopping clothes and into dry ones as soon as they returned to their barracks. The little waited for Rex to finish changing before reattaching himself to Rex's legs. Rex picked him up again and Prime hugged Rex tightly. Rex didn't care that the Kaminoans were probably watching him right now. His brother needed him.
"Are you okay to go to bed?" Rex asked him.
Prime nodded and hugged Rex again. Rex put him down and Prime scurried up to his pod. Rex heaved a huge sigh and returned to his own bunk.
A Force sensitive brother. It was new, but Rex wasn't any less determined to protect him than before.
The mess hall was awash with mutterings and whispers the next day. Rex would have hung around to listen, but his cadets were eager to get back into the shooting range. They again wolfed down their breakfast faster than Rex could finish half of his. They all stared at him and Boil as the two tried to finish their meal. Even Prime was drumming the table impatiently.
Rex gave a regretful look at the gossiping trainers, but led the way for his squad.
"The blasters aren't toys." Rex told them as they walked.
"We know!" Ruus said. "We just wanna be good soldiers!"
Rex repressed a shiver, remembering Tup's strange mantra near the end of his life. He wished he could better impress on his boys that there was more to life than being a good soldier.
"Oh, for the Force's sake." Boil said as they entered the shooting range. "Cadets these days!"
Whoever had used the range last hadn't put their blasters away. Several DCs were scattered in the prepping area and some still in the shooting boxes.
"If my squad had left the range like this when I was a cadet, my trainer would have had my shebs." Boil muttered.
"Mine too." Rex said. "Kilo, let's get this place cleaned up before we start."
For once his squad didn't leap into action at his word.
"Isn't that the custodial clones' job?" Chap piped up.
"They have to clean the entirety of Tipoca City." Rex said. "We can make their jobs a little easier."
Most of the custodial clones were crippled in some way, like 99. Rex knew they were all grateful to have a purpose, but he often felt guilty that the least physically capable of the clones were forced to clean up after everyone. Some clones, especially younger ones, seemed to delight in making messes and making their less fortunate brothers clean it up.
"Go on." Boil said. "See how fast you can do it."
That got the squad moving. Rex often wondered if it was something the Kaminoans gave them, or if Jango also couldn't say no to a challenge. The blasters were picked up in record time, though Rex had to intervene when Chip tried to wrestle a possibly loaded blaster from Chap. Chip had claimed that Chap wasn't disassembling it right. Just as Owl was putting the last blaster back, the maintenance door opened. A clone in a custodian uniform timidly slipped out. He looked around the room.
"Isn't this Range 12-K?" He asked.
"Yup." Boil said.
"I was told there was a clean-up in here." The custodial clone said with a frown.
"We cleaned it up!" Chap announced.
"Oh- thank you." The clone stammered in surprise. "I guess I'm not-"
"Wait." Rex said.
The custodial clone froze.
"Do you need something, sir?" He said.
Rex approached the clone, his heart pounding. He reached out and turned the clone around by the shoulder. He was standard issue, which was the norm now. He had no physical deformity and his widened eyes were the normal shade of brown.
A maroon V was tattooed across his face.
"Dogma?" Rex whispered.
The clone tried to slip out of Rex's grip, but Rex held on.
"I-I don't know any Dogma." He stammered. "I'm CT-4157. I don't have a name."
Rex stared at the clone. That was Dogma's number, this had to be Dogma! Rex had agonized for hours over the fate of the younger clone. Had they reconditioned him?
"Dogma, do you remember me?" Rex said. "It's me, Rex. We served together in the 501st."
"I don't- I'm sorry, you must be mistaking me for someone else." Dogma said. He pulled again, but Rex wouldn't let him go. "Sir, please. I've been a custodial clone as long as I can remember."
That was the key word, remember. Rex knew of several clones in other legions that had been clearly reconditioned. They had no recollection beyond a few months back, even when some of the troopers were on the older side. Why hadn't Dogma been reassigned like those other clones?
"Dogma, you've been reconditioned." Rex said quietly.
Dogma went stiff in his grip.
"We aren't supposed to talk about that." He said.
"Rex, you know him?" Boil called.
"Boil, get the squad ready to shoot." Rex said. He kept his eyes locked on Dogma, who was all but cowering under his gaze.
"Rex-"
"Now, Boil." Rex said firmly.
Rex waited until he could hear his squad chatter and the sound of DCs being put together.
"Dogma-"
"I'm not Dogma!" Dogma sounded nearly hysterical now.
"'57, then. We served together. On Umbara." Rex said.
Dogma flinched.
"No, no, please, I don't know you. I don't know you!" Dogma pleaded.
"You have a scar on your right forearm." Rex said. "Hardcase accidentally gave it to you during his knife throwing phase."
Dogma clutched at his right arm.
"I'm not supposed to know you." He said. "Please, I have other duties."
Rex didn't let go. Dogma had taken the fall for him on Umbara. He'd done what Rex couldn't. Rex was not about to let his brother go again.
"Please." Rex said.
Dogma slowly looked into Rex's eyes, and then jerked his gaze back down, as if burned.
"There is a reason they re- they made me forget." He said. "There was something wrong with me. I wasn't a good soldier."
"I don't care." Rex said. "You're my brother."
Dogma still didn't look at Rex, but his shoulders slowly stopped heaving.
"Please." Rex said again. "We're assigned this range at the same time every other day. If I call for a custodian, will you come? I just want to talk."
Dogma was still for a long time before giving the tiniest nod. Rex let go.
"I won't keep you any longer." He said. "I'll see you soon, brother."
Dogma scurried away back to the maintenance door. He gave Rex a final glance before disappearing.
Rex stared after him before slowly turning back to his squad.
Vor had arrived with Rho squad. All the cadets had mingled as they prepped their weapons.
"Captain." Vor said with a nod.
She was subdued, her voice low and shoulders slightly forward.
"Sergeant." Rex replied.
He stepped back to watch his cadets practice. Vor shifted besides him.
"You noticed the explosion yesterday." Vor said.
Rex nodded.
"Six Kaminoan scientists were killed, along with two clone assistants." Vor said. "They caught the three clones who did it."
Rex swallowed.
"They were decommissioned." Rex said.
"Almost immediately." Vor said. She stared at the cadets firing, the blue bolts reflected in her visor. "That's not all."
"What else could they do?" Rex asked.
"They found any surviving batchmates of the three that did it." Vor said. "They were decommissioned too."
Rex went cold.
"What?" He hissed.
"They figured there was something wrong with the ones that did it." Vor said. "They didn't want to risk the same behaviors manifesting in their batchmates."
"Kriff." Rex muttered. "Oh, kriff."
He looked to Boil, who was guiding Owl's hands. If the Kaminoans would decommission a batch for one's insurrection, what would happen to the cadets trained by a rebel?
Mando'a
vod'e: brothers
Ruus: Rock
ori'ulyc: very careful
Kaminii'se: Kaminoans
Chip'ika: little Chip
vod'ike/vod'ika: little brothers/ little brother
Edee: tooth
hut'uun: coward. Extreme insult
Oya!: Positive and triumphant cheer
Dha: Dark
Shebs'e: backsides
Nayc: no
senaar'sheb: bird's backside
Udesii: Calm down! Take it easy! Used in this context as more of 'be still.'
Hello, Dogma! I often wondered what happened to him, and I like the idea he was reconditioned and as part of his punishment, he was never reassigned. Plus he may or may not never be able to hold a blaster again due to what he did on Umbara. I'm mostly neutral on Dogma. He's not a horrible person, nor has he never done anything wrong in his entire life. He just made mistakes. Rex is really attached to him here because 1. he has had no contact with any other 501st member in weeks and 2. Dogma took the fall for him and Rex has had trouble reconciling that.
Names of my cadets and their reasonings
Ruus: Mando'a for rock, because he's solid and trustworthy
Chap: Boil called him 'a good little chap' after he was excited about something and it stuck
Chip: Chap's twin, so you know it works, but he has a chip on his shoulder
Owl: Him have big eyes that stare into your soul
Prime: Explained in the chapter
Clones are starting to not be so happy on Kamino after all. But the Kaminoans know exactly how to control them. Why risk anything if it would get your innocent brother killed?
I like not human Mandos and I wanted both a non clone who supported uprising and a sympathetic ear for Rex, as Boil has some uh...leftover trauma from Waxer. So Vor was born.
And as many of you guessed, Prime is a Force-sensitive! I think if the Kaminoans set out to create a Force sensitive clone and it worked, they'd be fine, but Prime is an unknown variable. They don't like those. And yes, Rex is losing hope. I have him specifically not thinking about Ahsoka because he knows it hurts him. But he misses her a lot.
I think that's everything! Let me tell you though, I have had a rough time going through the timeline of this fic. It is a nightmare.
Wear your masks, remember to review, and have a great few weeks!