Time line Au. Fox shoots Fives but misses, sending Fives into a coma. As punishment, Thorn is assigned to Scipio where he dies in canon. This takes place just before Thorn's mission.

TW: implied/referenced abuse, dehumanization,

"It's an easy mission." Thorn said as Fox hovered over his shoulder, radiating panic. "I'll be fine." He started to walk forward, intent on passing the Senate building and heading to the barracks. Fox grabbed his shoulder, halting him.

"You won't." He said. "It's an ambush. You will die there, and if you don't, I'll kill you when you get back." The words made Thorn freeze.

"Is this treason, Commander Fox? Or just murder?" A natborn asked from behind them. Fox and Thorn both whirled. The natborn—Jedi Master Mace Windu, of all people, was frowning at them. "I should have you arrested." He said. Two Senate Guards grabbed Fox, intent on following the Jedi's orders. Thorn stepped between Fox and the Jedi desperately.

"Sir, please, he wasn't threatening me." He said. Of all the times for a Jedi to care. Thorn had been threatened with death a hundred times. It wasn't murder when a Senator did it. He kept those thoughts far away, though. "It's just a misunderstanding, sir."

"A misunderstanding?" Windu arched an eyebrow. Thorn tensed, backtracking quickly.

"I didn't mean to offend you, sir. We don't always follow proper speech protocols. I apologize."

"Explain what you mean, Commander." Windu said. "Or I'm afraid I will have to take him in for questioning." Thorn nodded quickly.

"CC-1010 was updating me on unofficial mission objectives." He said, careful to use the proper words.

"You're going to need a more thorough explanation." Windu said. Thorn nodded again, shooting Fox a quick glance. Fox hadn't moved since the Guards grabbed him, standing statue-still and silent.

"I was assigned escort duty to Senator Amidala on her journey to Scipio." Thorn said. "As punishment for one of the commanders, the contingent is scheduled to be terminated while the Senator is at a safe distance. If I survive the ambush, CC-1010 will be ordered to terminate me upon my arrival on Coruscant."

"Punishment? Who is being punished this way?" Windu demanded. Thorn took a deep breath, forcing himself not to flinch.

"CC-1010, sir."

"And why?" Windu sounded angry. Thorn grimaced.

"I don't know, sir. If you permit CC-1010 to speak, he may be able to inform you." He hated putting the attention on Fox, but he was pretty sure Fox would rather risk that then a Jedi interrogation.

"Well then, Fox?" Windu asked. "What is this punishment for?"

"CC-5998 is to be terminated as a punishment for my failure to complete Order 43 and terminate ARC-5555." Fox reported.

"Ah, yes. You're the one who shot Fives." Windu said. Fox froze.

"I didn't kill him." He said, and Thorn couldn't tell if it was a protest or a rebuke.

"As CC-1010 was only repeating mission objectives, is there a need for him to be questioned?" Thorn dared to ask.

"I think both of you need to come speak with the Council." Windu said. "But you are correct. Commander Fox, I apologize for the misunderstanding. Will you come with me?"

"Do you require CC-5998 as well, or will I suffice, sir?" Fox asked.

"Both of you, please, Commander." Windu said. Fox gave a sharp nod.

"CC-5998, notify your patrol that you will be detained." He said. Thorn nodded, sending out the notification quickly. They followed Windu into the Jedi Temple and up to the tallest tower. Thorn had never been in the Jedi Temple before, but he resolutely kept his attention on Windu and Fox instead of staring at the building. Windu brought them to a room where the rest of the Jedi Council was gathered, either in person or on a hologram.

"That's not Ponds." Master Fisto remarked. "Is he all right?"

"Yes, Ponds is fine." Windu said. "This is Commander Fox and Commander Thorn of the Coruscant Guard. They have some…interesting things we need to speak of before we get into the agenda." He turned to Fox. "Tell us what you told me about Thorn." He said. Fox shifted incrementally.

"CC-5998 is to be terminated." He said. "If he is not terminated on his upcoming mission, I will terminate him when he returns." The Council looked disturbed.

"When you say terminate, you mean kill?" Kenobi asked, frowning. Fox hesitated, identifying it as a trick question.

"That would be an appropriate term if the action was done to a sentient, sir." Fox said carefully. The answer just made the Council more disturbed.

"And why would you do this?" Mundi demanded. Fox flinched, so slight only Thorn saw it.

"Tell us why you were ordered to kill Thorn." Windu said.

"Yes sir." Fox said, a note of defeat in his voice. "CC-5998 is to be terminated as a punishment for my failure to complete Order 43 and terminate ARC-5555." The Council reacted visibly at that, sitting up straight with shock on their faces.

"This is because Fives might survive?" Kenobi asked.

"Yes sir." Fox said.

"Not because you used excessive force on him, but because he might live?" Kenobi repeated. Fox hesitated again.

"Order 43 states that the target is to be killed on sight." He said. "The Chancellor did not believe it was excessive force. He found it insufficient. CC-5998 is to be terminated because I failed to satisfy him."

"What?" Kenobi demanded. Fox leaned back, just slightly.

"Order 43—"

"What is Order 43?" Fisto asked. Fox jerked to look at him.

"Order 43 is one of the one-hundred fifty contingency orders that activate our control chips." He said. "It states that the target specified by the order is to be killed on sight."

"Control chips." Kenobi's voice was deadly. Fox's sharp breath could be heard through the helmet.

"Yes sir. Biochips that enforce the contingency orders."

"When you say control chips, do you mean that they actually control you?" Kenobi asked.

"Yes sir." Fox said, a note of desperation in his voice. "It prevents us from disobeying. We carry out our orders perfectly."

"Except for Fives." Kenobi noted. Fox actually flinched.

"The Chancellor believes that repeated use may be wearing on the chip." He said carefully. "He is in contact with the Kaminoans to see if they can replace it or if I will have to be decommissioned." That made the Council furious. An uproar broke out, members talking over one another. Thorn took a covert step behind Fox, activating his internal com.

"You all right?" He asked.

"Do you…" Fox sounded slightly breathless. "Do you think they'll keep you? From the mission, I mean. Or call off the mission. They're very angry about it." Thorn winced internally at how distant Fox sounded. Fox needed to get out of here.

"General, do you still need us?" He asked, raising his voice slightly. Only Kenobi heard him. He looked at them for a few seconds and then softened.

"You may go, but stay in the Temple. We might need to speak with you again." He said.

"Understood, sir." Thorn said, and Fox followed him out. Thorn found a quiet spot and stopped. Fox sagged against the wall, resting his helmeted head in his hands.

"Thorn." He muttered. "Why did I tell you that?" He let out a shaky breath. "We're both gonna be decommed now. It's…I would've made it quick, but now who knows? It could take years before the Jedi are satisfied." He gave a short, slightly hysterical laugh. "I wanted to help." He scoffed. "I should've known better."

"You don't know what's going to happen." Thorn said. "It'll be okay, Fox. I'll be all right." He coaxed Fox into an embrace, holding his brother steady as Fox fought not to fall apart.