Yeah, I'm updating who cares
KENOBI BAD BATCH SEASON 2 FEATURING CODY AND REX AND SCORCH TALES OF THE JEDI FEATURING AHSOKA AND REX AND QUI GON AND DOOKU
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH
Ahem.
LittleSpark18: I am glad to deliver! (it's one of my favorite lines too)
IrishDrunk14: Obi Wan needs to be Mandalor. It's the best place to take his character besides... you know...canon... And of course Grogu is attached to Din. THE FORCE DECREES IT. And maybe things will be getting better.
PaladinStormwind: I'm glad you enjoyed! It's both really fun and really nerve wracking to include so many characters. On one hand, I get to play with different stories and interactions. On the other hand, I have to keep track of everyone and make sure they get the attention they need. But it seems to be working for you readers for now!
Guest: Thank you!
Okay, quick note. If you are reading the Republic Commando books, there are some major spoilers for it in these chapters involving what happens to certain characters. If that matters to you, jump to the line break where it's from Rex's point of view. I can add a quick spoiler free recap at the end.
Mando'a translations at the end!
The next morning, when Rex woke, was disappointing. When Ahsoka went to get him for breakfast, he was sitting on his bed, blank as he'd ever been. Ahsoka had expected some change after last night. She probed his mind. The chink was still there, still larger from before. She wasn't feeling anything from it.
Ahsoka resisted the urge to try and widen it. Bardan had told her to leave it alone for a day or two. They didn't know the effects of forcing his mind open constantly. She swallowed her bitter disappointment and moved to his side.
"Rex," She said. "It's time to eat. Come with me."
He stood. He was still wearing his dirt stained blacks. The civilian outfit Kal had provided still sat neatly folded on the side of the bed. It had been one of the things Rex resisted, claiming that 'good soldiers did not wear civilian clothing.' He couldn't keep wearing his filthy blacks, though. Ahsoka would ask Kal for help with that today.
Rex followed her obediently through the house. A wall of noise from the dining room hit them. It seemed to Ahsoka that Rex's step faltered at the clamor. It was only for a moment.
A good chunk of the Skirata clan were already around the table. Fi lit up when he saw Rex.
"Vod!" He called and got up to meet them.
"Go with Fi." Ahsoka whispered into Rex's ear as the former commando approached them.
She had to give the order, otherwise Rex would have resisted Fi as he took Rex by the arm and led him to the table. Fi chattered to Rex, though Rex made no indication that he heard. Ahsoka followed and sat next to Rex. Fi was already spooning nuna eggs onto Rex's plate.
Ahsoka was grateful for Fi. The others were kind, but Fi went out of his way to help. He was so eager to assist Rex. Ahsoka understood that Fi himself had suffered a traumatic injury that had needed Bardan to heal. Ahsoka didn't know much beyond that.
Bessany, Ordo's uncomfortably gorgeous wife, sat on Ahsoka's other side. She smiled at Ahsoka.
Ahsoka smiled back, though she was getting tired of the pity she saw in everyone's eyes here. Only Kal, Fi, Bardan, and Fi's wife Parja didn't seem to feel sorry for Ahsoka and Rex all the time.
At least no one stared at Rex here.
"You're eating something." Ahsoka commented to Bessany. "Your morning sickness is better?"
"Sort of." Bessany replied. "Mij came back last night and he had an herbal remedy that works so far. I'm still a little nauseated, but I can keep things down at least."
"Mij?" Ahsoka asked.
She glanced along the table and saw a Mandalorian she didn't know sitting next to Kal.
"He was part of the Cuy'val Dar." Bessany said. "He's also sort of like our family doctor. He's been in the capital dealing with the situation there."
"Oh." Ahsoka said.
Had this Mij seen Obi Wan perhaps?
"How did you and Rex sleep last night?" Bessany asked.
"Fine." Ahsoka lied. Rex had slept well. Ahsoka knew, because she had checked on him every half an hour. "Rex slept better than he has in a long time."
"A step in the right direction." Bessany said.
Ahsoka tried to smile again. Bessany offered another sympathetic look and, seeming to sense that Ahsoka was upset, turned to speak to her husband on her other side.
Without that distraction, Ahsoka realized that Rex was sitting completely still next to her.
"You have permission to eat." Ahsoka said hastily.
Rex immediately began to lift the food to his mouth. Ahsoka ate her own eggs in silence, listening to the cacophony of teasing, doting on Kad, and some serious conversations.
"'Soka."
Ahsoka looked up to see Kal looking at her.
"Yeah?" She asked.
"Do you know an Obi Wan Kenobi?" He asked.
Ahsoka felt cold. Bessany had said that Mij had been at the capital. Obi Wan had been there too. Was Obi Wan all right?
"He's my grandmaster." Ahsoka said. "Why, is there something wrong?"
Kal snorted.
"He's become the Manda'lor."
"What?" Ahsoka asked.
The table fell silent; either from her exclamation or Kal's news.
"He's Manda'lor?" Prudii asked. "Ka'ra, Kote is going to be insufferable about that. He always boasted about how his Jedi was better than everyone."
"How did it happen?" Ahsoka demanded.
Gilamar gave a short explanation of the situation with Obi Wan. Ahsoka couldn't stop staring at him. This was the first news of Obi Wan they got in months?
Mij turned to Kal.
"Kal, Bob'ika was there." He said quietly.
Kal's eyes went wide.
"Boba?" He hissed.
Mij nodded.
"How is he?" Kal asked.
"He looked okay." Mij said. "He wouldn't let me get near him."
Ahsoka thought of the angry boy she and Plo had apprehended. She didn't really know what to think of him. He seemed so different from his brothers and seemed to not see them as such. Kal had known Jango Fett personally, which would explain his interest in Boba.
They continued speaking of Boba and Ahsoka turned back to her food. She finished quickly. Rex took a little more time.
Ahsoka approached Kal after she had cleaned up after Rex and herself.
"Kal," She said. "What can Rex do today?"
Kal frowned at him.
"He doesn't have to do anything, 'Soka." He said. "He's here to rest and recover. He doesn't have to work."
"I'd prefer if he did have something to do." Ahsoka said. "The idea of him just sitting here, doing nothing-"
She trailed off. She hated that Rex would stand and wait for orders. Kal nodded.
"I'll have the boys take him out with them." Kal said. "Darman! Rex is with you today."
Darman looked up from making faces at Kad.
"Yes, sir." He said before kissing his son and handing him to Etain.
"Listen to what Darman tells you." Ahsoka murmured to Rex. "I love you."
Rex made no sign of hearing her and followed Darman out of the room.
"Do you have something to keep you busy today?" Kal asked.
"Parja said I could work with her." Ahsoka said.
"Ah, mechanically minded, huh?" Kal said with a smile.
"I was Anakin Skywalker's apprentice." Ahsoka said. "He taught me mechanics before he taught me anything about the Force."
Kal laughed and gave her a solid pat on the shoulder.
"Ahsoka!" Parja called. "Let's go!"
Ahsoka nodded to Kal and followed the young woman out of the dining room.
"I'm glad I have your help today." Parja told Ahsoka. "With the capital finally open, business has picked up."
Parja's workshop was a few klicks away in the nearest town. The Skirata clan had a few speeder bikes that they'd use to get there. Ahsoka caught sight of Rex following a few of the commandos in the fields. Ahsoka watched him for a moment, straining to see any difference in his droid-like step. She saw none. But there had been a difference. He had slept. Ahsoka let the thought feed her hope.
Parja's workshop was filled with broken things and somehow that calmed Ahsoka. These things she knew how to fix.
"What do you need me to do?" Ahsoka asked.
Parja set her to work on an old Undicur-class jumpspeeder.
"You ever work on these before?" Parja asked as Ahsoka looked it over.
"What mechanic hasn't?" Ahsoka replied. "Besides, the Jedi like them."
Ahsoka started dismantling the thing as Parja went to a land speeder with a broken accelerator.
"So why'd you leave?" Parja asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Hm?" Ahsoka asked.
"The Jedi Order." Parja said. "Bardan and Etain left because of the clones. What about you?"
"Pretty much the same." Ahsoka said. "They made me serve on Kamino."
"The boys talk about how bad it was, but don't really give specifics." Parja said.
"The clones were treated as livestock." Ahsoka muttered. "They weren't very forgiving of defects."
Parja nodded.
"They were going to let Fi die." She said. "They took him off oxygen and didn't expect him to breathe on his own."
"Sounds like them." Ahsoka said. "What exactly happened to Fi?"
"He was caught in an explosion and it messed his head up. He was declared brain-dead twice. Even with Bardan, he's still recovering." Parja said matter-of-factly.
Ahsoka let the conversation lapse. She thought of the bright, enthusiastic clone Fi was.
"What was he like?" Ahsoka asked. "Right after?"
"Well, he was asleep for a while." Parja said. "And when he woke up, he couldn't really move or talk. He's still not quite at the level of his brothers. And he couldn't remember things well. He still has his moments."
They both fell silent.
"It was slow, Ahsoka." Parja said. "And Bardan was constantly healing him. Sometimes it was weeks before we could tell the difference. Rex will get better. Just give him time."
Ahsoka swallowed.
"He's different from Fi." She said, finally voicing her fears.
"Is he?" Parja asked. "Bardan put Fi's brain back together neuron by neuron. Rex's mind is just rewired. The same thing will work."
The woman didn't even look up from her work as she spoke. Ahsoka paused, considering. She supposed Parja was right and that was a bright thought. She continued her tinkering with an improved mood.
After a few hours, Ahsoka was surprised to feel one of the clones approaching the workshop, but not on a speeder.
"Fi's here." Ahsoka told Parja.
Parja frowned and stood just as the door opened. Fi stepped in with a disgruntled expression.
"Fi?" Parja asked. "Cyar'ika, what are you doing here?"
"Can't I visit my wife while she's working?" Fi said. He attempted a smile, but it faltered. "Besides, I need the exercise."
"You walked?" Parja said.
Fi nodded slowly.
"I- don't think I can drive a speeder today." He muttered.
Parja nodded with an understanding air.
"Well, while you're here, you can give us a hand." She said. "Can you grab the magnaspanner for me?"
Fi nodded and made as if to move. Then he paused and his face crumpled with consternation.
"Where-?" He asked.
"In the tool cabinet, ner kar'ta." Parja said, not looking up.
Fi still didn't move. His shoulders drooped.
"I don't remember where that is." He said so quietly that Ahsoka could barely hear him.
Ahsoka glanced at the large tool cabinet that sat conspicuously against the wall just next to Fi. Fi looked like he was going to cry.
"Give it a minute." Parja said.
After a minute, Fi moved hesitantly to the cabinet. He heaved a visible sigh of relief as he opened it and found tools.
It was another minute before Fi came to Parja with the requested tool.
"Vor'e." Parja said, kissing him on the cheek. "Now, what did they say?"
"It's what they're not saying." Fi said. "They won't give me osik for when I screw up. They're understanding and nice about it. But if anyone else makes a mistake, they give him hell about it. Even Corr and he had his karking arms blown off."
"Then give them twice as much hell." Parja said.
"I can't." Fi said.
"Yes, you can." Parja said firmly. "You know you're fine most of the time. Okay, you have days like today. But remember when you couldn't move, when you could barely talk? You're nearly whole, and we don't care about the parts that are missing."
"That's all I feel like they see." Fi replied.
He watched Parja for a moment.
"That's not a magnaspanner is it?" He asked.
"Nope." She replied.
To Ahsoka's surprise, Fi laughed.
"I'll go try again." He said cheerfully. "I can do it. Probably."
Fi turned out to be a pleasant companion for the rest of the day. His melancholy faded and he joked and laughed at his mistakes. But- it chilled Ahsoka. It had been months, almost two years since Fi had been injured. Bardan had treated him nearly everyday. And still it was obvious that something was wrong with him. The difference was great enough that Fi's brothers still treated him differently. Parja acted like the missing pieces were gone forever.
What parts would be missing from Rex when they had done all they could? Would Rex's brothers always treat him as fragile? Ahsoka knew that it would frustrate Rex as it frustrated Fi.
The idea of Rex getting almost better, being so close to what he had been before but never quite reaching it, and hating existing because of it, scared Ahsoka.
And what they had, if they had anything at all, would never be the same.
They headed back for the midday meal together. Ahsoka's unease increased when she saw Rex. She didn't think she'd ever get used to his hollow stare. When Ahsoka and the others returned, most of the clones had already finished eating and were playing a violent game of get'shuk. Rex was still eating steadily and slowly in the dining room. Darman must have already gotten Rex settled. Fi and Parja inhaled their own food as quickly as a clone after a hard battle in their eagerness to join the game. Ahsoka took her time. Under different circumstances, Ahsoka would have joined them. Right now she didn't want to face the Skirata clan's pity.
Ahsoka tried to eat, but the food just tasted like dust. She glanced at Rex. He had finished his food and was sitting quietly, waiting for orders. She had never appreciated the silences they had shared before. They had been comfortable and warm. Now the silence stretched between them, freezing Ahsoka.
Ahsoka needed that silence to end.
"I love you." She said.
She wouldn't let him forget it. Saying it out loud wasn't enough, though. She needed him to hear her. Ahsoka shifted in her chair to lean her forehead against his shoulder. She pressed against his mind with hers, though it was painful.
I love you.
Ahsoka froze as she swore she felt something in response. A blip of affection. A softening of the barbs of his mind. A sign that some part of him, however buried deep, still loved her.
7567- Rex- whoever he was, sat on the edge of the cot Former Sergeant Kal Skirata had assigned him.
He had eaten the evening meal. Former Commander Ahsoka Tano had not been there. She was always there.
They had removed his clothes. 7567 had panicked. The other clones had held him down. He had believed that they were going to return him to the room. They had not. They had given him clean blacks. That had been good. Good soldiers kept their gear clean. He had forgotten that.
Former General Bardan Jusik had ordered 7567 to his quarters. 7567 followed the order. He was a good soldier.
His heart hurt. He was aware of the pain at all times. It was unbearable now. It did not bring him panic.
He wanted her. Former Commander Ahsoka Tano.
Former Commander. It was her title. It felt wrong. He could not force himself to address her as anything else.
Being near her was not enough. He was near her at mealtimes. He was near her when they worked together. It was not enough.
It was not enough.
He looked at his memories. So long ago. Memories he did not understand. He remembered the times they had spent together before.
Perhaps- perhaps he could recreate a scenario. Perhaps it would ease the ache in his chest.
They had gone to battle together. That was not a choice. A good soldier waited until ordered to go into battle. No one here would give him the order.
They had spoken together. 7567's tongue was heavy now. He could not say the words. He could not form the words in his mind. They could not speak now.
They had spent time with other clones. The clones here were not familiar. 7567 had not spent the war with these clones. It would not work here.
7567's hands clenched. He squeezed his eyes shut. He opened them again. There was a shelf in the room. There were three flimsi books on it.
They were familiar.
7567 did not understand. Soldiers did not use flimsi books. They did not read them. Why did it feel familiar?/
Then- a soft memory. One that he must have treasured. A book. Corellian Nights. The words on his lips. Words he gave to her. Had- had he seen the book in her arms when they had come here? Did she have it now?
Perhaps if she ordered 7567 to read the book, he would be able to. Good soldiers followed orders.
He stood. He was surprised he stood. He had not been ordered to. There was no mission-
No. There was a mission. His mission was to retrieve the book. It would help. He knew it would help.
The time was 22:00. Former Commander Ahsoka Tano would be in her quarters. 7567 exited his own quarters. He walked to her door. He stood in front of it. He could not knock. He stared at the door. He wanted it to open. It did not.
Clone Commando CC-1309 approached.
"Rex?" He asked. "What're you doing?"
7567 did not have an answer.
"You've been standing here for a while." 1309 continued to speak.
7567 did not have the words to reply. 1309 looked at him. 1309 knocked at the door. Former Commander Ahsoka Tano opened it. 7567 could not look at her. It was painful to look at her. He yearned for that pain.
"Sorry to bother you." 1309 said. "But he's been standing here for ten minutes."
Former Commander Ahsoka Tano looked at 7567.
"Thank you, Niner." She said. "Rex? Do you need something?"
A question from a former superior officer. It was enough to allow 7567 to nod.
"Do you want to come inside?" She asked.
Another question that 7567 was able to answer. No more than that. He nodded.
1309 left. Former Commander Ahsoka Tano stepped aside.
"You may come in, Rex." She said.
7567 walked forward. He did not move. He looked around the room. The book was sitting on a night stand. The book would help him. It would help him with the things he could not name. The words he could not say.
Former Commander Ahsoka Tano looked where he looked. She stepped forward and picked up the book.
"Do- do you remember this book?" She asked. "When we read it together?"
He nodded. He remembered.
"Do you want it?" She asked.
He nodded again. Former Commander Ahsoka Tano handed him the book. He took it. He stared at the cover. He tried to move. To open the book. To read it. He did not read.
He did not have a voice. She did.
He held the book out to her. She took it. She looked at him.
"Do you want me to read it?" She asked. "Like we used to?"
7567 sat on the edge of her cot. They had sat next to each other when they had read.
Former Commander Ahsoka Tano next to him. She opened the book. She did not read.
"I don't remember what happened." She said. Her voice sounded odd. "Let's- let's just start from the beginning."
She began to read.
"Captain Nah Enas stared down the Rodian on the other side of the table-"
The words were familiar. He remembered reading these words. It was soothing. It did not erase the pain. The words let him remember more clearly. He remembered when he was whole.
He remembered Kamino. He remembered how he felt when he thought of her. He could not put it into words. He needed to put it into words. The Kaminoans had taken the words from him.
"'Captain, it's been a long time.'" Former Commando Ahsoka Tano continued to read. "'I missed you.'"
Those words-
"I missed you." 7567 repeated.
Former Commander Ahsoka Tano had said something before.
We missed you. I hope you missed us too.
That was what he had felt. He had missed her.
"I missed you." He said again.
He wished for her to know.
She was staring at him now. 7567 could not look at her.
"I missed you too." She said.
She waited. 7567 could not say more.
He wanted her to continue. It was not only because of the story. She continued.
She read.
He felt- tired. He was going to sleep. He was not afraid. It had been safe when they had read this before. It was safe now. He stood. She looked at him.
"Thank you." 7567 managed.
Those words had been in the book.
"You're- welcome." Former Commander Ahsoka Tano said.
He left her. He returned to his own quarters. He lay down on the bed. It was safe. She made it safe.
Recap: Rex doesn't seem any different when Ahsoka wakes up. Mij Gilamar has returned and informs Ahsoka what's going on with Obi Wan. Ahsoka is bothered by the pity the Skirata clan has for her and Rex. Ahsoka spends the day with Parja, a family mechanic. Parja reassures Ahsoka that Bardan can help Rex. Ahsoka is still unsettled after seeing the negative effects another injured family member experiences after getting treatment for months. Ahsoka tells Rex she loves him in his mind, and he manages a little response of affection back.
Mando'a:
Vod: brother
Cuy'val Dar: those who no longer exist. Elite group of one hundred people summoned by Jango to train the clones, mostly the Commandos. Reference here to the group that remained with Kal Skirata who care deeply for the clones.
Ka'ra: stars/ancient council of ruling kings.
Bob'ika: little Boba, affectionate
cyar'ika: Sweetheart
ner kar'ta: my heart
vor'e: thanks
osik: crap
get'shuk: similar to boloball, where the goals are on either end of the field, but the players can handle the ball. Similar to rugby, brutal, fast, and painful.
NOTES FOR SPOILER SECTION
So in the books, Fi gets blown up, is pronounced brain dead, and only survives because he randomly started breathing on his own. Bardan has to put his brain back together neuron by neuron, like I mention. He has to go through a lot of therapy and healing to get where he is now. So he understands Rex's position and wants to help him as best as he can.
Yes, in the books, Bessany is described as being so beautiful that it makes people uncomfortable. I love it. (she's also rad, she saves Fi when they want to kick him out of the civilian hospital) Her pregnancy is my own creation.
Prudii is referring to Cody when he says Kote. I love that theory that Cody is a bastardization of Kote. And yes, Cody bragged about Obi Wan to everyone.
Kal and Mij would have known Boba. In the books, it references that they didn't know what happened to Boba after Jango's death, otherwise they would have helped him. Thanks Aurra Singh. But I think Kal would have a lot of guilt over what happened to Boba.
I like to think that Rex would prefer to be set to work rather than just sitting and doing nothing while he recovers.
Parja gets through to Ahsoka here, but then Fi shows up and even though he's better in a lot of ways, he's still damaged. That definitely scares Ahsoka. Not because she wouldn't love Rex anymore, but because Rex might hate being alive if he's not like he used to be.
END OF SPOILER NOTES
Rex is still 7567, but I tried to expand his thoughts in this section because theyhave made a breakthrough. He can recognize his feelings better. So I think Rex has a fear of being naked now, thanks Kaminoans, and that was a bit of a problem when the others tried to get him into clean clothes.
Originally this scene was from Ahsoka's point of view and just didn't work as well. Thank you, editors. Then we came up with the idea that Rex at first can only communicate with what the Kaminoans drilled into his head. And then through the book, he picks up on phrases and words that he starts echoing to communicate. This actually really syncs up well with a scene I've been planning for a long time.
The poor man just loves Ahsoka so much and he just literally can't express it. Or any of his emotions. It's rough, but he gets a bit out there this chapter.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Stay safe, remember to review, and enjoy Kenobi this week!