Hey everyone!
Yes, I'm graduating today, but not for another 3.5 hours. I totally have the time for this.
Kuiil: HmmmMMMMmmmmmmm
4thwallbreak: One, yes. My poor Rex that I purposefully do terrible things to. Two, thank you! A bit more about Woor today!
TW: Suicide
Mando'a translations at the end!
"Did you ever get a chance to go to 79's?" Fives asked Leaf and Bits as they waited for their drinks.
Ahsoka was chatting with Pol and Pez while Woor sat silently and seemed to stare at Fives as she sat at the table with them. She still hadn't taken her helmet off.
The two clones shared a glance.
"Once, sir." Leaf said. "Before the war ended."
"Only once?" Fives asked. "When were you deployed?"
Again it was Leaf who spoke. Fives wasn't sure if he'd heard Bits say anything yet.
"A week before the Final Battle of Coruscant."
"Kriff, you were shiny." Fives said.
Ahsoka came back with their drinks and Pez.
"Do you drink anything else?" She asked as she handed Fives his Tauntaun.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Fives said. "Probably why they made millions of us."
Ahsoka looked at him, surprised, before laughing. Fives could see why. He hadn't joked without a dark undertone in a long time. But he felt a strong urge to make things normal, just so that Bits and Leaf felt a little more at home.
"Here's your tihaar." Ahsoka handed the drink to Woor.
Woor pulled the drink close to her with an apprehensive air. It took her a good minute to take a drink through her sipper. She didn't seem to enjoy the experience.
"Why order it if you don't like it?" Fives asked.
"Ba'buir says I'll get used to it." She said. "But it's so spicy."
"That's tihaar." Fives said. "How long have you been a Mandalorian, anyway?"
Woor shifted in her seat.
"Since the Last Battle of Coruscant." She said. "Ba'buir saved me from the droids. I was- not in a good place, so he decided to take care of me."
"You keep saying ba'buir, instead of buir." Fives said. "You know ba'buir is grandparent, right?"
Woor nodded.
"Ba'buir said he was too old to have a child my age." Woor said. She leaned forward, her tihaar forgotten on the table. "So he said he'd be my grandfather. He's really not that old, but he calls himself Ruug."
"Old age?" Fives said with a laugh. "That can't have been his name growing up."
Woor's shoulders dropped. It was remarkable how expressive she was even with her helmet.
"It wasn't." She said. "He won't tell me his original name. He took to calling himself that after his family was killed. He says he calls himself after the only thing left of him."
"Well, he has you now." Fives said.
Woor's shoulders straightened immediately.
"He does." She said. "I try my best to be a good Mandalorian for him, but it's so different from what I used to be."
"What did you do before he adopted you?" Fives asked after he took a pull of his drink.
Woor fell silent.
"I'm sorry, but I don't want to say." She said after a moment.
"Okay, okay." Fives said. He could sense that he'd managed to say the one thing that'd end the conversation. He turned to his brothers. "How're your drinks, vod'e?"
Leaf and Bits both jumped a little. Leaf had barely touched his drink while Bits' glass was empty.
"Good." Leaf said. "How much do we owe? We need to go home."
"Don't worry about it." Fives said, though he was disappointed that they were leaving. "I'll pick up the tab."
"Thank you," Leaf said. "But you don't have to."
"Nah, it's no problem." Fives said. He watched Leaf and Bits carefully. "A treat from your ori'vod."
They didn't seem to like that. Bits looked down as Fives said the word and Leaf's brow furrowed.
"Thank you." He finally mumbled.
"Hey, see you in a couple of nights!" Pez called as Leaf and Bits sidled away.
They didn't respond. Fives watched them go.
There was something up with those brothers and Fives felt that he needed to find out what.
"You didn't sense anything odd off those two, did you?" Fives asked as he and Ahsoka took their seats on the shuttle.
"Who, Bits and Leaf?" Ahsoka asked. "No. I was too busy trying to see if that Mando wanted you dead."
Fives snorted.
"I really don't think she did."
"No, that's what I decided too." Ahsoka said.
She had pulled out her copy of Corellian Nights and was running her fingers over the leather.
"It's possible those two want to be independent." Ahsoka went on. "I'm honestly surprised more clones haven't refused the Republic's help."
"We're too practical." Fives said.
"That's not the first word I'd use to describe you." Ahsoka said with a smile.
"Then what is?" Fives asked.
"Loyal, for one." Ahsoka said. "To a fault. And-"
She trailed off and Fives could see why. The shuttle was slowing and came to a stop. The next station was ten minutes away. Fives raised his eyebrows. Delays weren't uncommon, but usually the shuttle would just go into a detour.
"I'll go see what's holding us up." Ahsoka said.
Fives nodded and tried to peek out the windows as he waited for Ahsoka to come back. He thought he could see flashing lights. Great. It was probably an accident. Fives sighed and sat back. This could take a while.
"Looks like a crash." Fives commented as Ahsoka returned. Then he noticed her pale face. "What's happened?"
She hesitated.
"I don't know if you need to hear it."
Fives scowled at her, stood up, and pushed past her.
"Fives!" She said.
He ignored her.
"Hey buddy, I dunno if you wanna deal with that mess." The shuttle driver said as Fives stepped off onto the sidewalk.
The cops swarmed the corner, a combination of the civilian and clone police forces. But even through the chaos, Fives could see the body, now covered with a blood soaked sheet. One of the Coruscant guard knelt by it. He could hear the mutters from the police.
"Jumped off a few levels above, apparently." One of the nearest said.
"Where is he?" A hysterical voice lanced the air.
Fives watched a clone in civvies try to push past the policemen guarding the body.
"Sir, we need you to stay back-"
The clone broke free and stumbled to the body. He fell to his knees and gathered it up in his arms.
"Vod'ika." The clone said, his voice nearing a croon. "Scope, come back, that's an order. Don't do this to me. Don't go marching. The war's over, remember? No more marching. No more marching."
Fives couldn't move as he watched the clone sob over his brother's corpse. Ahsoka's touch was a surprise but he let her draw him away.
Even after they got back onto the shuttle and it began to move along the detours, Fives could not stop seeing the scene. But it changed. The corpse wore 501st blue armor. It bore a five on its head. And it was Echo who clutched the body to his chest, begging him to return.
Commander Tano was distressed. She had been out and Captain Rex had felt every moment of her absence. She had returned with ARC trooper Fives and they had been silent and disturbed. Commando Tech and Senator Echo had drawn ARC trooper Fives away. They would comfort him.
Commander Tano had no one to comfort her. She only had him.
She sat on the couch next to him. She was holding something tightly to her chest. Captain Rex longed to hold her and tell her it was all right. As it was, he managed a simple phrase.
"What happened?"
She did not look at him.
"On the way back, we were delayed by- by a clone that had committed suicide."
Her words chimed a hollow chord inside him. The shock and sorrow of her words let him reach over and place his hand on her knee.
She looked up, surprised. In doing so she loosened her hold on the object in her arms. Captain Rex could see it now. A book.
Captain Rex moved his hand from her knee to the book. He saw the title. It was their book.
She was so upset. She wouldn't be able to read it to him. He eased the book from her arms and opened it. He was aware of her tears as he found their place.
He stared at the words, willing them to his lips.
"'Captain-'" His mouth was dry. He swallowed and tried again. "'Captain Enas stood, surveying the quarters his 'friend' had given him.'"
Ahsoka turned sharply, her tear filled eyes wide.
"'Earta leaned in the doorway, cocky as ever.'"
Captain Rex imagined himself handing each word to her as a gift to combat the pain. At first he was halting. Then the lines came quicker and easier to him.
He glanced up at her. Her eyes were closed, tears streaming down her cheeks. Captain Rex faltered for a moment and her eyes opened. She looked at him, smiled, and put a hand on his cheek.
"Thank you." She said.
Rex smiled, for her. He'd caused too many tears for her. It was good to inspire a smile instead.
He turned back to the book and began reading again, her hand resting on his shoulder.
"'What are you up to, you scoundrel?'"
Another piece of him came back together.
"Commander?"
Ahsoka looked up from where she was stroking Rex's hair. He'd been so tired, stumbling over words, that she'd subtly used a sleep suggestion on him. Now she held his head in her lap. She'd suggested he stop and go to bed several times during his narration, but each time he had shaken his head. Through their still healing bond, she felt his worry for her. He had wanted to comfort her.
Kix had come out of the kitchen. He looked down at Rex and then back to Ahsoka.
"You're still here?" Ahsoka asked. "I thought everyone had gone home."
"Well, Jesse and Rhys had to get back to Gia and General Kenobi called for Cody." Kix said. "I figured I could stay and help keep an eye on him until you got home."
"And then you stayed to raid our kitchen." Ahsoka said with a smile.
Kix flushed and lowered the jogan fruit he'd been eating.
"No." He said. "I wanted to talk to you and you and the Captain were having a moment. I didn't want to interrupt."
"You're not interrupting now." Ahsoka prompted.
"I think I've figured out a way to help the Captain a bit more." Kix said.
Ahsoka's heart fluttered. She'd felt so lost without Bardan's help on his mind, that she hadn't even attempted to resume the therapy.
"I'm sure you've already been doing it to an extent." Kix went on. "But I think we can take it further."
He glanced back down at Rex's sleeping form.
"The Kaminoans got him like this through reinforcement." He said. "Mostly negative, but some positive. They hurt him whenever he did something they didn't like and gave him painkillers when he did what they wanted."
Ahsoka couldn't help but remember Rex's cries of pain as the Kaminoans shocked him for trying to sleep. Rex stirred and a soft moan escaped his lips.
"Shh." Ahsoka said, quickly dismissing the memories. "You're safe. You're okay. You haven't done anything wrong."
"And that's what I need you to do." Kix said.
Ahsoka looked up.
"Do what?" She asked.
"Positive reinforcement." Kix said. "Just- every time he acts for himself, or does something the Kaminoans wanted him to stop, tell him that it's good. That he's good."
Ahsoka nodded. She got the gist. In order to overturn what the Kaminoans had done, they'd have to do what they had done in reverse.
She imagined Rex deciding what to eat and her praising him as if he were a youngling using the Force for the first time.
"It feels like treating him like a child." She said.
"Commander, the Kaminoans broke down almost everything about him." Kix said. "He is like a child in some ways."
"I know." Ahsoka said.
She hated how fragile Rex had become. But he had also come so far.
"You're the best one to do it." Kix said. "You can tell him in his mind. Go straight to the source."
Ahsoka hesitated.
"I won't be around as much." She said softly. "You know I'm going back to help Padme."
"I know." Kix said. "And we'll have whoever's with him to reinforce him. But when you are together, you know what to do now."
"Right. Thank you, Kix." Ahsoka said.
"It's no problem. I'm still working on something to help Fives." He said. "I've got to go- training starts early."
Ahsoka smiled at the brightness in his tone.
"It's called class, Kix." She said.
"Not much of a difference from what I've seen." Kix said. "Anyway, good night, Commander."
"Be safe on your way home." Ahsoka told him as he slipped out the door.
She turned her attention back to Rex. His heartbeat was still quick, still disturbed by the memories of his hardship.
It's okay. Ahsoka found herself telling him. It's good that you're sleeping. I'm proud of you. I love you.
Rex's heart slowed to its usual steady rhythm.
Cody kept glancing at the young man now sitting at his kitchen table. He certainly looked like General Kenobi. Cody couldn't help but wonder why Duchess Kryze didn't mention the kid earlier. He also wondered why General Kenobi didn't give him more of a heads-up before dropping his kid here.
Cody cleared his throat. Kor jumped a little in his seat before looking at Cody.
"I've made some caf." Cody said. "You want some?"
Kor shifted uncomfortably.
"How long do you think he'll be?" He asked.
Cody shrugged.
"You can never tell with the Jedi Council." He said. "Hopefully it won't take all night."
Kor considered this as Cody poured himself a mug of caf.
"Do you have any tea?" He asked. "If it's not too much trouble."
"Yeah. I've got a few packs of the General's favorites for when he visits." Cody said.
He walked back across the kitchen and rummaged in his cupboard until he found the slightly dusty box of Cassius tea. He also found the small orange teapot and kettle that had been a housewarming gift from the General. They needed rinsing. Cody could feel the kid's eyes on him as he washed out the grimy layer of disuse from the pot.
"Cassius tea okay?" Cody asked.
Kor paused.
"Yes." He finally said. "An old favorite of my mother's, actually."
Of course it was. Cody filled the kettle and placed it on the stove. He leaned against the counter, hands resting on the cool surface.
Kor was looking around the apartment now. Cody was glad he'd made Trapper and Wooley clean up their messes earlier.
"You seem to be partial to orange." Kor commented.
"It's the color of the 212th." Cody said.
"Oh." Kor said. "But do you like it?"
Cody stared at the kid. What was he talking about?
"It's our color." Cody said slowly.
The color of a legion went beyond whether you liked it or not, though Cody did like the golden orange General Kenobi had chosen. It was so much more than just the color. It was a matter of pride, of who you were.
Cody supposed a nat born wouldn't get it, at least not a nat born who hadn't served in the war with them.
"Did you pick it or did-" Kor trailed off.
"Your buir picked it." Cody said.
"Ah." Kor said.
The kettle was whistling by now and Cody poured the hot water into the teapot.
"You need any sugar for that?" Cody asked as he passed the teapot and bag of teabags over.
"No, I prefer it straight." Kor said.
Cody nodded. Just like the General.
He sipped his now more temperate caf. He watched Kor stir half heartedly at the tea. Cody was about to ask if something was wrong with it when the kid looked up.
"What is my father like?" Kor asked.
Cody blinked.
"Didn't you spend a good couple of months fighting a war with him?" He asked.
"Well, yes." Kor said. "But he still feels like a stranger."
Cody thought of the cold, intimidating figure Jango had been in his life. He'd been trained by Jango, but the man had been distant and aloof.
"I didn't really know my buir either." Cody said. "Yours is a good one, let me tell you that."
"Then tell me more about him." Kor begged, his tea forgotten.
Cody said the first thing that came to his mind.
"He loses his lightsaber. A lot."
Kor blinked, clearly not expecting Cody's statement.
"He has little self preservation," Cody went on. "Wouldn't stop flirting with the enemy. I would have to threaten him to get him to the med bay half the time."
Kor stared at Cody. Cody looked down at his caf.
"Still one of the best men I've known."
Kor didn't say anything. Cody sipped at his caf.
"Did he truly love my mother?" The boy asked.
Cody nearly choked on his mouthful of caf. How the hell was he supposed to know that? But Kor was looking at him so earnestly. Cody had to give it a stab.
"I don't know for sure." He said. "I didn't get to see him around her much. But- he dropped everything to try and save her. And when she died-"
Cody remembered that dark day, when his General had stumbled from the ramshackle ship Skywalker had loaned him. Cody had known the look in his eye. Boil had had that look when Waxer had died. The pain of losing someone so close to you that their absence changes your soul never truly went away. Cody still saw it in Boil and countless other brothers. He still saw it in General Kenobi. And himself.
"I'd say he did." Cody finished.
Another silence fell between them. This time, however, it was interrupted by a knock at the door.
Cody strode across the room to let General Kenobi in.
"Hello, Cody." General Kenobi said. Then his eyes shifted to the boy sitting stock still at the table. "Hello Kor."
"Hello." Kor said.
Cody was getting tired of the long silences.
"So, what did the Council say?" He prompted the General.
General Kenobi seemed to jolt out a trance.
"Ah, yes." He said. "They were accepting that I have a son."
Cody blinked.
"That's- surprising sir." He said.
"Not entirely." Obi Wan said. "Master Mundi has been given permission to have children due to his species' nature. And I would be surprised if Quinlan or others do not have progeny across the galaxy."
"Then, they didn't kick you out?" Cody asked.
"No, I left the Order." Obi Wan said.
If Cody didn't know the General, he'd have thought that he didn't care. But Cody could see the stiffness in General Kenobi's shoulders and the tightness around his eyes. The General was probably reeling from his own actions.
Cody got up and quietly got another mug to get the General a cup of tea.
"They were accepting of your existence, Kor." Obi Wan said. "But they were not of my continued relationship with you."
Cody put the mug of tea on the table. He went to the General, and without the General really noticing, Cody guided him to the table. The General sat down and automatically took up the tea.
Kor was still staring at General Kenobi. To Cody's surprise, he could see anger in the kid's eyes.
"Why leave for me if you wouldn't leave for my mother?" Kor asked, stabbing the question at General Kenobi.
Cody bristled.
"The General just told you that he left the Order he's dedicated his entire life to for you and you're asking why he didn't do it sooner?" He snapped.
"Cody-" General Kenobi said. "Please, allow me to handle this."
Cody shut his mouth, though he could think of a few more things to hurl at the ungrateful brat.
"I wasn't ready to leave while your mother was alive." General Kenobi said. "I did not see how the Order had been misguided. But I do now. And I will not let them keep me from my son."
Kor looked down with shame.
"Now what?" He asked.
"Now I join Anakin's order." General Kenobi said. "And I get to know you."
Kor looked at General Kenobi and Cody thought he saw tears in the kid's eyes as he looked away.
Obi Wan paused, looking down at his tea.
"Oh." He said. "Thank you for the tea, Cody."
"You're welcome." Cody said.
Mando'a:
tihaar: alcoholic drink - strong clear spirit made from fruit, like eau de vie (I'm pretty sure it's spicy. I like to think it is)
Ba'buir: grandparent
Ruug: old age
vod'e: brothers
ori'vod: big brother
vod'ika: little brother
buir: parent
From the top!
A little more from Woor, Leaf, and Bits! I love the idea of an older person being adopted into a Mandalorian family and needing to adjust. Woor is doing her best, which is why her Ba'buir took her in. And uh oh, definitely something up with Leaf and Bits.
And we're coming back to the horrific reality that clones are killing themselves. The older clone talking about marching is a reference to the Mandalorian euphemismfor death 'they're marching far away.' My sister/editor cried when we read that part. I think it turned out really well.
Rex takes another step! And the news of the suicide is going to have an effect on him. But for now, he's going to take care of Ahsoka as much as he can.
Some of you have made a Katniss Peeta connection with Rex and Ahsoka here. I'm going to take a page from that book and work with Rex using the same method as the Kaminoans but opposite! (like they used tracker venom on Peeta to torture him and they tried to use morphling to calm him down later) So we have an actual method to keep helping Rex. I probably should have done it earlier.
I really like the scene with Cody, Kor, and Obi Wan. I think it's a great blend of awkward and sincere. And Cody now has to deal with two Kenobis.
That should be it for now! I plan on posting next week, but with the holidays coming, it might not be a guarantee. I'll keep you guys updated.
Okay, stay safe, remember to review, and have a great week!