So, on AO3 this is posted as a separate story, but it's supposed to be the sequel/next chapter to this. And I thought I'd already posted it here. *shrugs*
TWs for clone abuse/dehumanization, discussion of the control chips, and general Palpatineness
An hour later, Fox and Thorn were summoned back to the Jedi Council. They reported promptly, saluting perfectly and waiting. They—especially Fox—knew the damage a Force-user could inflict.
"Commander Fox." General Windu said. "We need more information on these biochips." Fox tensed. They had been weirdly interested in the chips. He didn't know why, or what they wanted, but he could guess.
"Are you looking for something in particular, sir?" Fox asked.
"What are they for? Who can activate them—who has been activating them? Where are they located?" General Windu asked. Fox took a breath.
"The biochips are implanted in the brain of every clone unit." He said. "They are designed to enforce a list of contingency orders. The Jedi can activate most of them, but those who can activate them vary depending on the order. The Kaminoans can provide you with more information, or I can create a list and-and instructions if you prefer." He didn't want to say it. He was giving the Jedi tools to use them. But they would find out anyways. Fox was just making it quicker.
"Fives was right, then." Kenobi breathed. "Fox, could these chips make you kill a Jedi?"
"Yes sir." Fox said immediately. "Order 66. In the event of Jedi officers acting against the interests of the Republic, and after receiving specific orders verified as coming directly from the Supreme Commander, the Chancellor, GAR commanders will remove those officers by lethal force, and command of the GAR will revert to the Supreme Commander, the Chancellor, until a new command structure is established." The Jedi stirred.
"So when Tup 'snapped', something actually triggered that order." Kenobi mused.
"Most likely, sir." Fox replied. 'The Kaminoans would likely be able to help you find more information than what I have." He didn't know a lot; Palpatine didn't share information with clones. He just knew enough to help his brothers through blackout missions.
"You said Palpatine might be sending you back there." General Fisto said. Fox swallowed hard. Yes. If ARC-5555 woke up.
"Yes sir." Fox said thickly. "To perform maintenance on my chip, if possible."
"If possible." General Windu said, frowning. Fox recognized the prompt.
"Yes sir." He said, fighting the urge to shift positions. He couldn't risk moving. "If it is not possible I will be fitted with a new chip and reconditioned." If that didn't work, he would be decommissioned. But he'd already said that and they probably didn't care as long as the Guard functioned.
"There is no more reconditioning on Kamino." General Mundi said, frowning deeply. "We stopped that despicable practice." Fox hesitated.
"Yes sir, of course." He said, not daring to disagree. "I'm sure that the GAR follows regulations, but the Coruscant Guard is governed by different regulations. Reconditioning is a common practice."
"That is unacceptable." General Koon snapped. Fox flinched.
"We will do our best to improve, sir." He said. He wanted to say more; to assure the Jedi that the Guard didn't need to be replaced. That they were efficient, even though they were reconditioned often. Still, that might be saying too much. Talking out of turn would prove that he needed reconditioning.
"That is not a censure against your men." Kenobi said sharply.
"I will contact Master Ti and inform her." Fisto said. "We must stop all of this."
"You can't." Fox blurted. He froze. "I apologize, generals, that was inappropriate. I should not have contradicted you." He braced himself. Nothing happened.
"Explain." General Windu ordered, and Fox scrambled to find some excuse for his words.
"Th-the Jedi do not have authority to alter a punishment that the Chancellor has ordered." Fox said. "Additionally, if the Kaminoans determine that reconditioning is necessary for safety or efficiency, they have the ability to override Jedi requests." He bit his tongue, forcing himself not to apologize. Apologies did not seem to appease the Jedi.
"They can still recondition anyone?" Kenobi asked.
"Only in extreme circumstances." Fox said.
"Then does decommissioning still happen too?" Kenobi demanded.
"Yes sir." Fox said, and did not let himself add anything.
"When units are not functional, they are decommissioned." Thorn elaborated. "I do not know about the GAR, but it is common in the Coruscant Guard." Fox let out a sharp breath. Thorn shouldn't have spoken up. The Jedi were looking at Thorn now. They didn't seem angry, though. They didn't punish him.
"We cannot allow this to continue." General Koon snarled. "Mace, what we've heard—"
"I completely agree." General Windu said. "But Commander Fox is correct as well. The Jedi do not have authority in those areas. We will have to be careful."
"We should speak to Quinlan." Kenobi said. "As well as the commanders."
"You may call him in." Windu said. "Fox, Thorn…what problems do you foresee?"
"That depends on your objectives, sir." Thorn said, shooting Fox a quick glance. "Collateral damage may be significant."
"Hm." Windu frowned. "You implied that the Chancellor knows about these punishments."
"Yes sir." Fox said, frowning.
"Who else?" Windu asked. Fox hesitated.
"Everyone knows about it." He said. "The Clone Control Department usually oversees it, but sometimes the Senators prefer to oversee it themselves. Or the Chancellor." He hesitated. "It…it is completely legal, sir. The Senate can use Republic property however they wish."
"Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's right." Kenobi said. The door opened behind them and Vos walked in, Cody trailing behind. Cody's helmet was off. His helmet was off, but Fox couldn't see any bruises or cuts on his face.
"Hey Foxy. Council." Vos said, flopping down into an empty chair. The Jedi whose hologram had been placed there looked flustered, but didn't comment.
"Master Vos." General Windu said. "We wish to help the Coruscant Guard and would like your expertise on how to do so without disrupting too much." Vos snorted.
"Right. What's the problem?" He asked, a spark of real concern in his eyes.
"Reconditioning and decommissioning." Windu said. Cody inhaled sharply. No one even looked at him.
"Are there any other punishments we wouldn't condone?" Kenobi asked Fox. Fox hesitated. He wasn't supposed to talk about it; but he knew not to defy the Jedi. They would know he was lying.
"I am unaware of the Jedi's views on appropriate correction." Fox said carefully. "There are times the Guard's discipline exceeds standard regulation."
"What are they?" Koon asked.
"Extended time in solitary, past recommendation." Fox said. "Excessive physical punishment. Supply cuts." Kenobi scowled. "It's not common, sir." Fox added quickly. "The Clone Control Department does not allow us to be incapacitated without cause often. It is most common when reconditioning was not requested and other punishment is necessary."
"They are not necessary." Kenobi said. Fox flinched hard, the taste of iron filling his mouth.
"Of course sir. I apologize for my mistake." He said.
"He means that you shouldn't be hurt like that." Vos said, sitting up straighter. "Torture is illegal."
"Yes sir. On sentients." Fox replied. Vos frowned.
"You are sentient." He said. "Anyways. How would you go about getting the Guard out?" Fox locked his hands behind his back, hoping they weren't trembling.
"Legally, you would not be able to charge them except in instances where they at—acted against GAR troopers, as the GAR is currently exclusively under the authority of the Jedi."
"What else?" Vos asked.
"The discipline currently applied does not affect our efficiency enough for them to care. It does increase costs, but the Senate is willing to overlook it due to the results. There is no legal loophole I have seen applied. Clones are not classified as sentient or even animals, so there are no laws regarding them."
"And what about negotiation?" Kenobi asked. "Can we come to an agreement; do you think?"
"We have nothing to sway them with, sir." Fox said. "We have no power and nothing to bargain with."
"You don't." Vos said. Fox flinched.
"Yes sir. I know my place." He said. Vos recoiled.
"Stars, no, Fox! That's not what I meant. The Jedi have the power that you don't."
"We cannot threaten the Senate." Windu sighed.
"Whyever not?" Vos demanded. "They're corrupt. We've promised the clones that we'll protect them. We can't turn away from the Guard. They're children! How young are your youngest, Fox?"
"The Kaminoans determined that seven was an acceptable age for the Guard." Fox reported. The Jedi's faces morphed into varying shades of anger.
"That's fourteen." Kenobi breathed. Thorn drew back, and Fox shifted slightly to cover him.
"Yeah. I'm thinking blackmail." Vos said easily. "We could leave, fairly easily. The Senate knows that. If we threaten to go…I mean, we're leading their army. And it's plausible. Why would we leave our children here? This is the most visible target in the Republic."
"What do you think, Fox?" Kenobi asked. Fox hesitated.
"I believe the CCD would be forced to obey, sir." He said. It would only make things worse with everything else. Palpatine would be furious.
"And the Senators?" Vos asked. Fox hesitated.
"The Senators may do as they like with Republic property, sir." He repeated.
"So how can we stop it all?" Vos mused. He froze. "Wait…" He frowned. "I'm assuming the Chancellor is in on this."
"Yes." Kenobi said.
"He's got access to the whole Guard." Vos said. "And he's sadistic, if what I heard about Thorn is true." Fox tensed. Vos winced.
"I was talking to Thire." He said. "Anyways. Thire said it's because Fives wasn't killed…well, why does Palpatine care? You all know there's a suspicious amount of bad intel and leaked intel. If we want to believe Dooku, he says Sidious is in the Senate."
"You think it's Palpatine?" Windu asked. Fox froze. He watched, half-hoping and half-dreading. The emotions choked him, rising into his throat from the anxiety in his stomach.
"Yeah." Vos said. "He's blocked my psychometry, whoever it is. Fox, is Palpatine the Sith lord?"
"S-sir, the Coruscant Guard is under strict orders to inform the Jedi that there is no Sith in the Senate. We would have to report it if we had." Fox said. His orders pounded in his head. You wouldn't tell, would you, little Fox? He let out a slow breath. His hands were definitely shaking now. He kept them firmly behind him, where the Jedi wouldn't see.
"Fox." Vos said softly. "Please." Fox swallowed hard, glancing at Thorn and Cody. Thorn, who would die if Fox didn't do this right. Cody, who was walking around without a helmet and looked completely unharmed.
"I cannot say whether the Chancellor is a Sith or not, but he…has contacted the Separatists and displayed certain abilities that have only been reported from dark-side users." Fox said.
"Thank you." Vos said, and stood up. Fox stilled, but Vos just frowned at the other Jedi.
"Stopping Palpatine will help." He said. "But it won't fix everything. I will start to help the Guard. You guys take care of Palpatine." He glanced at Cody. "You, Thorn, and Fox come with me. We're going to the medbay." Vos was annoyingly perceptive; Fox knew that even though the Jedi had only been hanging around for a few months.
"You're dismissed." Windu said. Fox followed Vos out. Thorn was just behind him, and Cody hung back for a moment before following.
"Vos, what are you doing?" Cody asked. Vos smirked.
"I am going to go find Thire, since Fox is gonna worry himself into a panic attack if no one checks up on his baby commander. You are gonna take these two to the medbay. They're always somewhat injured. Might as well take advantage of the Jedi's supply of medical stuff." Vos patted Fox on the shoulder. "Don't worry about Thire." He said. "I'll take care of him. We won't let Palpatine near any of you again." He skipped off. Cody shook his head.
"Okay. Do you guys need the medbay?" He asked.
"No." Fox said.
"Yes." Thorn said firmly. "If they have enough, Fox…"
"We shouldn't waste their things." Fox hissed.
"We've got more than enough, Fox." Cody said. Thorn glanced at Fox and shrugged.
"You…you don't have an allowance?" Fox asked. "Our medical supplies are strictly rationed."
"We have plenty." Cody said. "Now. Why are you guys here? First Fives, now this? You're acting off." Fox tensed.
"I-I'm sorry." Fox breathed. "I didn't mean to come here, to bother you. Fives was…the control chips. The biochips. The Chancellor activated Order 43. This…the Jedi took exception to my punishment. I don't know why they want Thorn." His gaze flashed up to Cody's. Cody looked at him with confusion.
"Thorn?"
"I'm supposed to kill him." Fox whispered. "When he comes back from his mission." Cody still looked confused. Fox forced himself to explain. "As a punishment for failing to complete Order 43 and kill ARC-5555, Thorn dies." He let out a harsh breath. "The Jedi overheard. They didn't like it, I-I don't know why. They brought us here and we aren't allowed to leave."
"But you shot Fives."
"I missed." Fox said sharply. "I failed. And he knows that I learn better when others are punished. I-I tried to persuade him not to, but I failed at that too." Fox shifted. "Sorry." He whispered. Cody stared at him with wide eyes.
"Fox'ika." He breathed. Fox dropped his gaze.
"We should go." He said. "Orders were to report to the medbay." They couldn't disobey; Fox couldn't get Cody hurt too. Cody stared at him for another moment, then turned away.
"Come on." Cody said. "The Jedi will help. But first, let's go to the medbay." Fox followed Cody. Thorn stuck close to his side.
The medbay was odd. It wasn't slate grey and sterile white. The walls were soft pastel colors, and the light was calm and not bright. And—strangely—both clones and nat-borns were inside. Jedi, even.
"Is this the clone medbay?" Thorn asked.
"The Jedi use this for clones and nat-borns." He said. "Odd, huh? Spirit's over here; he'll check both of you."
"Fox first." Thorn said. "He just got back from the Chancellor." Cody frowned, but nodded.
"That bed." Cody said. "Put your armor beside it." Fox sat down. The bed was soft. He squished the mattress carefully.
"You look terrible." Cody's medic commented. Thorn snorted.
"Yes." Fox agreed. He knew he did.
"What happened to you?" Spirit asked, folding his arms.
"Just a correction." Fox said. "It's fine. Nothing's broken." Spirit raised an eyebrow.
"You're not fine." He said. "You're shaking." Fox forced himself still.
"Sorry." He said automatically. "I'll be better."
"Why are you shaking?" Spirit asked. "Have you eaten?"
"Yes." Fox said. "Everyone is required to eat at least once a day unless ordered otherwise. The shaking just happens sometimes."
"Fox…" Cody breathed.
"Hmm." Spirit said. "You look like you got beat up." Fox frowned, brushing his fingers over his face. His gloves came back slightly reddened.
"You're bleeding." Spirit said, nodding. "Let me get you some bacta." Spirit came back in moments. "Any additional injuries?"
"Um…no." Fox said. "Nothing important." Spirit nodded.
"Lay down on your back. I don't want you to move too much." Fox could have stayed still through a lot, he was very good at freezing when things hurt, but he obeyed. It made his heart race when Spirit leaned over him, pulling back his hair, but he forced himself to try to relax. His back burned. He'd forgotten what Palpatine had done to it.
"You're uncomfortable." Spirit said quietly. "Would you like this done in private or is it me that's worrying you?"
"No. No." Fox said. "It's not that."
"Ah." Spirit said. "You're injured, you just tried to lie about it." Fox flinched at the accusation, even though clone medics never really hurt him.
"I forgot. Sorry." He said, not daring to look away.
"Let me see." Spirit ordered. Fox froze. He was vulnerable. He didn't want to turn his back on Spirit. But he'd been given an order and Fox knew not to disobey orders. He sat up and turned, letting Spirit see the damage.
"This will need bacta." Spirit said. Cody appeared in Fox's line of sight.
"Who did that to you, Fox?" He demanded. Fox shrugged, tensing as the bacta touched his back, cold and stinging.
"Just the Chancellor. It's not bad." He said. "We've all had worse, right? I'm sure the Jedi do the same." He offered a smile. Cody scowled.
"No! They're not like that. Obi-wan's never even threatened that, Fox." Cody said.
"Then why was your helmet off?" Fox challenged. Cody blinked.
"Because…I prefer it that way?" He said.
"That's against regs. The only times helmets are off are in the barracks or at a nat-born's request." Fox argued.
"…no, Fox." Cody said. "It's not like that. It's not like Kamino."
"I know!" Fox snarled. "It's not like Kamino; it's worse!" Spirit slipped, pressing too hard, and Fox let out a sharp breath.
"Sorry." The medic said. "Continue arguing with each other." Cody drew back.
"He's wrong." He said.
"And he's not going to believe you; so arguing about it won't help." Spirit said. "You can put your armor back on, Commander, let me see your face." Fox put his armor back on and laid down, waiting warily as the medic inspected his face. After more bacta—a waste, it would have stopped bleeding soon and could have been used for someone who was actually hurt—Fox was declared functional. He stood up and stepped aside. Thorn was sent to the medic next. Fox glanced behind him, startling hard when he saw Rex glaring at him.
"Why are you here?" Rex asked, standing and folding his arms. Fox drew back.
"Hey, Rex." He said quietly, looking down. He didn't want to get into a fight.
"You come back to finish what you started?" Rex demanded. Fox froze, the world going silent. Fives. The ARC was right there. Fox could—Fox should kill him. He was supposed to. Palpatine would find out, and Fox would be hurt worse for failing a second time. He would definitely be reconditioned again. But…but it wouldn't matter. He didn't know if he could. It would just make Rex and Cody hate him more. And Fox was probably going to Kamino anyways. It didn't matter.
"Sorry." Rex said, startling Fox. "That was cruel." Fox stared at him.
"I-I won't hurt him." He said. "I promise. I didn't mean to-to interrupt you. Sorry." Rex frowned. Fox's com chimed. He glanced at it and tensed.
"I have to take this." He said to Cody. Cody nodded. Fox ducked into a more secluded alcove where he could still keep an eye on Thorn, and answered his com.
"CC-1010." The Chancellor said. "I am quite disappointed in you."
"My apologies, Chancellor." Fox said.
"Where is CC-5998 and why has its shuttle not departed?" Palpatine demanded. "If this is one of your tricks, I will be forced to take more severe action."
"No, sir, I apologize for the delay." Fox said, mouth dry. "CC-5998 was delayed by a request from the Jedi Council. I am sure the shuttle will depart as quickly as it is able."
"The Jedi?" Palpatine murmured. "Fox…if the Jedi find out, you will have forced my hand too many times."
"The Jedi have no interest in us, sir, beyond what they can use us for." Fox said.
"Good." Palpatine said. "You are prepared to obey your orders?" Fox hesitated.
"Yes sir." He said.
"CC-5998 will be terminated…and you earned this." Palpatine said.
"Yes sir."
"I assume CC-4477 will be taking over your report." Palpatine said, and Fox forgot to breathe for a moment. Of course. Stone was off world, so it would have to be Thire. But Vos had promised that he would check up on Thire, so maybe he would be okay.
"Of-of course, sir."
"If you succeed," Palpatine mused. "If CC-5998 dies and the Jedi are uninterested…I might reward you. What would you prefer, pet; rations for your men or for yourself? If you eat, your men don't, for as long as they last…if your men eat, they get full rations until you collapse."
"My men. Sir." Fox said. "It would be better to have the Guard functioning. They don't need me."
"Mm…practical. But how long will you last?" Palpatine asked. "A few days? A week?" Fox swallowed hard.
"According to the Kaminoan tests, command units can last up to five days without food before they are completely non-functional." He said.
"Interesting. I suppose we'll have to test that. I don't want you eating anything, CC-1010. When you drag yourself back where you belong, I'll reconsider."
"Yes sir. Understood." Palpatine turned off the com and Fox let out a shuddering breath. He turned to go back to the Jedi, but froze when he saw who was watching him.
"Rex?" He asked warily. Rex was frowning, but he didn't look as angry as he had earlier.
"What was that, Fox?" Rex asked.
"It was nothing." Fox said quickly. Rex scowled.
"It was not nothing. He threatened you."
"Yes?" Fox frowned. "He-he wishes to ensure my obedience. It is not unusual…"
"Yeah, it is." Rex snapped. Fox flinched back.
"Leave him alone." Thorn growled from where he sat on the bed. Rex frowned.
"But he—Thorn, didn't you hear what he said?"
"Yeah. I know." Thorn said. "We all heard it. That was…generous, for what we got into."
"What did you get into? Why are you here?" Rex asked.
"Apparently, Palpatine was angry with Fox, so he sentenced Thorn to death." Cody said.
"That demagolka." Rex snarled.
"Oh, aren't you happy?" Thorn challenged. "A life for a life? Fox tried to kill your trooper, so he loses me. Isn't that fair enough for you?"
"It's not fair." Rex said. "You don't deserve to die."
"But Fox does?" Thorn snapped.
"No!" Rex protested. "But he did try to kill someone."
"That was not—"
"Thorn." Fox said. Thorn stopped and turned to him.
"No, Fox." He said. "You already told the Jedi about the chips."
"It's not an excuse." Fox said. "That was—they requested the information and I know better than to refuse a Force-user. But it's not an excuse. I should have been stronger."
"Stronger?" Thorn scoffed. "None of us can resist the control chips. And if you had, Fox? Would you have still shot him?" Fox froze.
"I-I wouldn't have missed." He said. "I know better than to fail."
"Coercion." Thorn said firmly. "And mind-control. Those are excuses." Fox wanted to protest, but he just sighed.
"Cody?"
"Yes?"
"The Jedi do not seem to have a use for CC—for Thorn right now. Is there somewhere…?"
"The barracks?" Cody asked. Fox flinched.
"It's fine, sir." Thorn said. "We can just wait."
"Not the barracks." Rex said. "The men don't like Corries." He frowned. "Officers' quarters are pretty clear, though. I can take you there."
"Com me if you need anything." Cody said. He nudged Fox's shoulder. "You're still shaking, vod." Fox froze. He could be reconditioned for that.
"Go with them." Cody said again. "I'll come by later." Fox reluctantly followed Rex, Thorn walking beside him.
"They're saying it wasn't your fault." Rex said carefully. "Thorn said that."
"It wasn't his fault." Thorn said, voice cool. Fox sighed.
"Thorn, that doesn't matter." He said. "I still did it." Rex frowned.
"No. No, it does." He said. "I'm still furious. Obviously." He scowled. "Fives shouldn't be…he didn't deserve that. But." He paused. "If you really didn't have a choice…"
"He didn't." Thorn said.
"I didn't." Fox agreed, quietly. "But you can still be angry. Hate me. I…he would be dead if it hadn't been for the chip. It…it can't make you stop shaking." He didn't need to look to see that Thorn was staring at him, looking for the signs that Fox was fracturing.
"Yeah, but…would you have shot him then?" Rex asked. Fox gave a bitter laugh.
"Yes." He said. "You don't disobey the Chancellor. I would have shot him and he would be dead and Thorn wouldn't—" Was it…was it bad that he wished he'd killed Fives? If Fox had just been better, shot truer, Thorn wouldn't be headed to his death.
"I'm here." Thorn said. "I'm not dead yet, Fox."
"I know." Fox said. "The Jedi don't want you dead." He didn't know if they could actually do it—probably not. "But." He said. "They haven't cared much before…and I know it's not a regulation punishment, but they can't overrule the Chancellor, and he's too powerful. Thorn, he could just com me and tell me to do it now."
"He doesn't want you dead." Thorn said easily. "That would be far too kind. Two murders would have the Jedi on you—and Rex is right here. He'd shoot you first. It would be too quick, Fox. He's not going to have you executed for murder, or he would have done that when it was first demanded by the Jedi."
"They what?" Rex hissed. Fox paused, glancing at Thorn.
"The Jedi requested a court martial." Fox said carefully. "The Chancellor didn't let it get far."
"That's beside the point." Thorn said. "The point was that if Fox was supposed to get killed by the Jedi, the Chancellor would have let it happen then."
"Right." Fox said. "That would defeat the purpose of…you." He said.
"You aren't making sense!" Rex snapped. "Why would the Chancellor kill Thorn? Why would he be so upset over Fives?" Fox froze.
"That's classified." Thorn said quickly.
"No, it's not." Rex growled.
"I missed and I need to be punished." Fox said. "I endangered the Chancellor's plans. It's…a severe punishment. But I earned it."
"Fox…" Rex said. "This doesn't make sense."
"Fives has information." Thorn said carefully. "Sensitive information, that the Jedi weren't supposed to know. They know now, because we obeyed their orders, but…the Chancellor doesn't know that. And if he finds out…he'll kill us."
"The Jedi are taking care of that now." Quinlan Vos said, walking up to them. "What do you want to do with the Guard?"
"What?" The word slipped out of Fox's mouth before he could stop it. Vos frowned.
"Well, I'm assuming you don't want to risk him calling the Guard in for backup, especially 'cause of the chips. Do you want to activate lockdown protocol, or do you and Thorn wanna get there first?"
"We can't leave." Fox said. "It's not allowed." Vos made a face.
"Look, Fox—"
"We can't disobey." Fox said sharply. Vos hesitated, and nodded.
"Okay. Do you want me there or no?"
"Yes." Fox said quietly. Maybe, if Vos was there, he could help. If the Jedi won—and they might, because even Palpatine couldn't take down a dozen Jedi—Vos would protect the Guard. And without Palpatine, Thorn would stay safe.
"Okay." Vos said. "I'll do that. I'll let you know when it's over."
"Thank you." Fox said honestly. Vos flashed a grin and turned to Rex.
"Take care of my Guard, Rexy." He said.
