Chapter 12 - When Everything's Lost

Author's Note: Aaaaand we're getting closer to uncovering What Is Happening. ;)

~ Amina Gila

It's only been a couple weeks since the run-in with Obi-Wan, and they haven't had time to stop and breathe. Between an intel retrieval and supply run, well, they've been busy.

Infiltrating Admiral Yularen's Star Destroyer to steal was a bit odd. Even odder was that Anakin knew the codes and all. It was weird. Convenient, though. Raiding his own Star Destroyer is something he and his Ahsoka would laugh about forever. He just wishes he were able to tell her about it.

And, predictably, before they even have a chance to say a "maybe we should go to Naboo while there's time to find the Amidalans", they get a call.

Anakin has to check it three times over, because he genuinely didn't think he'd hear from them again. Certainly not so soon, but yeah, it's them.

"Sir," Fives says, saluting over-dramatically as the hologram materializes.

"Fives. Hunter," Anakin nods to them, "What's wrong?"

"We got a message," Hunter replies – he's standing next to Tech's seat, Fives on his other side, "From one of the surviving 501st members."

"It's Hardcase," Fives says, and Anakin freezes up at the name. It's familiar. He – he knows him. Knew him. Anakin might not have been too close with him, but everyone remembers Hardcase's sacrifice. He died to save everyone on Umbara. Jesse and Fives were nearly executed for it. That's something Anakin could never forget. "I'm assuming you knew him?"

"I – yes," Anakin nods, "I knew him. Everyone knew him. What's wrong?"

"We're not sure," Hunter replies, "That's why we're asking you for help. He sent us a distress signal, and we don't know what we're walking into."

"I take it you don't know if this is... Imperial related?"

"No," Fives answers, "We would have no way of knowing." It's so strange to see him in the armor of Clone Force 99 – black and red, as opposed to blue and white. His helmet looks more like Hunter's than Echo's had in Anakin's time. Fives' is shaped slightly different, but it's similar. Echo's was all dark, too, and Fives' has the same red stripe across it they all do. He feels... a little calmer than Anakin remembers him from previously. Better, and it makes his heart ache, because he wants to be a part of Fives' life, but that's not a chance he's going to get.

Anakin looks back at the others. Asajj shrugs, kicking her feet up on the dashboard. Qui-Gon takes a few steps closer, arms crossed, expression considering. Padme nods to him, and Ahsoka steps forward, touching Anakin's arm. She's definitely in range of the hologram now. "We'll find him," she promises.

"We're going in together," Hunter replies, "We'll send the coordinates."

**w**

Daro is a forested, mountainous planet. Anakin would say it's beautiful if he didn't have such an unsettled feeling about it. Something's wrong here. It's – it's not a good place. He can feel it. It's predictable that Lost Familiar touches down behind schedule. They're pretty much always behind schedule, though they usually move fast enough that it doesn't matter.

"What's the status?" Anakin queries when they see each other.

"We located the beacon," Tech reports, "There appears to be a facility inside the mountain."

Clever. It's a convenient way of hiding it.

Omega freezes up when she sees Ahsoka, who sighs audibly. "Don't worry," Ahsoka grumbles, pausing. "I'm not going to try to cut your head off again. That wasn't the best moment I've ever had."

Fives scoffs. "We'll see."

"I'm responsible for her," Anakin interjects before anything can get too out of hand, "I trust her, though I understand your concerns. Ahsoka has been... staying with us."

Hunter is eyeing her warily, but he doesn't mention it. "Wrecker and Omega, wait on the ship," he orders.

"Wait, why can't we come, too?" Omega objects.

"We'll need someone at the ships for backup," Anakin replies, "Ahsoka, you're with us. Artoo, we'll need you here."

"I'll come," Padme offers.

Anakin wants to object, but he doesn't. She has to get to make this choice.

"Fiiine, I'll stay," Asajj sighs, flicking a hand, "Don't come crying to me when you fall into a sinkhole, and I'm not there to drag you out."

"When has that ever happened?" Ahsoka scoffs.

"I wasn't talking to you," she says sweetly.

Anakin laughs, patting her shoulder. "We'll be fine, Asajj."

Hunter goes in first, and the rest follow. There's enough of them to draw attention if they're not careful, but Anakin doesn't think that will be too much of a concern.

Climbing the mountain is a bit tricky, but it's far better than when they had to climb the wall at the Citadel. That was a nightmare – hanging hundreds of feet over a lava river and electromines. Here, there's no traps because the Empire was counting on never being found.

Shortsightness is always an advantage.

"This looks like some sort of military base," Hunter says when they finally reach the top, overlooking something... deep inside. And he's right – it definitely is. Anakin felt that from the start.

"Not one that I've ever heard of," Tech replies.

"The Empire's good at keeping secrets," Anakin points out. He looks at Hunter. "Do you want to go in?"

"We have to," Fives says fiercely, "If Hardcase is in there, if he needs my help, I am going to get him out."

Hunter sighs. "I don't like this," he admits, "But we'll come."

"We do not know for certain if he is even in there," Tech objects, "Or if he is still alive."

"Either way, this is something we must uncover," Qui-Gon replies.

"We'll be fine," Anakin assures, because he knows they will. He can feel it. Something... dark is ahead, but it's not now. They'll be fine. Whatever they uncover will be important, and Anakin has a bad feeling about what it might entail.

Getting inside, of course, is a different story, but they make it in safely without triggering any alarms. Artoo plugs into a port to tap into the central database. There's got to be prisoners here, and Anakin can... sense something amiss. He's just not sure what yet.

There are some clones here, but there are also... other people here, too – the ones dressed in different armor. That's what worries him most. He doesn't have a good feeling about it.

Artoo's dome swivels towards him, and he beeps, confused.

Anakin frowns, crouching in front of him. "TK troopers? I haven't heard that term." He looks at Tech because Tech usually knows those things. He can't shake the feeling they're in over their heads right now, though.

"I am not familiar with that designation," Tech frowns.

"Just try to find Hardcase," Anakin requests, "He's got to be here somewhere, unless they took him off-world."

"He's four levels down," Artoo beeps.

"Good job, buddy," Anakin says, patting his dome. "Let's get going."

Hardcase feels darker than Anakin remembers, but that's true about many people here. He's still him though, and Anakin senses the familiarity before they even make it to him.

Fives pulls his helmet off after they knock out the guards in front of the cell. "Hardcase," he greets, deactivating the ray shield.

"Hey, Fives," Hardcase says, standing. He has the same tattoos. He looks the same. He feels... different, far older than he ever was in Anakin's time, but he's here. The galaxy certainly may not be better, but he can't help darkly wondering if his family would be better off without him.

"We're here to get you out," Anakin says, trying not to let onto any of his tumultuous emotions too much. It doesn't matter what Anakin remembers of him. He isn't... the same. It doesn't matter if Anakin misses him because he's not the same person.

"Are there others down here?" Padme inquires, "Why are you being held here?"

Hardcase rolls his shoulders. "There are some. A few clones, mostly natborns."

Artoo beeps in fierce protest – something about the numbers, probably. Numbers always bother him very much.

"Then let's turn a prison break into an uprising," Anakin says gleefully.

**w**

Not much of an uprising when they only collect a few clones, but at least they saved them. The only one Anakin recognizes is Gregor, who apparently aided in Hardcase's escape.

Most of the clones here aren't... themselves, so there's nothing that can be done for them. What worries Anakin most is how the Empire is actively training other people to replace the clones. What is happening to the clones, then? What is the Empire doing with them? Aside from the complete inefficiency of it, Anakin suspects it has something to do with loyalty concerns – and for good reason.

If all the clones turned on the Empire, it wouldn't stand a chance against the Rebellion.

There's no way it could.

There's too much blaster fire to get back to the lifts – Tech accidentally triggered an alarm on the way out – so he directs them into a nearby control center, and from there, they go out the vents.

Wrecker, Omega, and Asajj fly their ships in, and they get out easily enough. There are many fighters on their tail, but they make a fast escape offworld and into hyperspace for Ord Mantell.

It'd be much easier to discuss this with everyone together in person, but considering the circumstances, that's not a luxury they have right now.

"I don't understand," Ahsoka grumbles, arms crossed. "I fought with the clones during the war. All of us did! Why would the Empire want to get rid of them?"

Anakin sighs. "I don't know, Snips." He freezes a moment after he says it, because this Ahsoka isn't his, and she doesn't remember the nickname. Her eyes dart to him, but she doesn't comment.

"Perhaps to hide that they're being controlled," Padme suggests, "They wouldn't want that getting out."

"She's right," Qui-Gon agrees, "But I sense there is... more. Something far deeper than we are aware of."

"We better talk to the others," Anakin decides, "They might want to come a long, and I think we need answers about what's happening to the clones."

He puts the call through, and Tech picks up instantly. The others gather around behind him.

"We have to find out what's going on with the clones," Anakin tells them. "I only know of one place to do that. Kamino. If the Empire is up to something, planning something, the evidence will be there."

"I agree," Fives replies with every bit of the passion Anakin remembers so well. "If they're doing something, we need to find out."

"Going to Kamino would mean walking into a facility with probably the highest Imperial presence in the galaxy," Hunter objects, "I don't know if it's worth the risk."

"It's a risk I'm willing to take," Fives answers firmly.

"We're going," Anakin says, "I thought you might want to know. As clones, it might be easier for you to infiltrate."

"I want to come," Fives adds, "Even if I have to go alone, this is something I have to do." Hunter turns towards him, no doubt about to protest, but Fives reaches out to clasp his shoulder. "You don't have to come."

"You know what you could walk into."

"I know," Fives replies, "And it's something I'm willing to risk."

Anakin hates having to ask this of them, but he doesn't know how to.

"Why can't we go together?" Omega asks, sounding slightly hurt, "We're a squad, remember?"

Hunter crouches in front of her. He's so... gentle with her. "Omega, it's a big galaxy. We can't put ourselves on the line every time someone needs help."

"Why not?" she argues, "Isn't that what soldiers do? Besides, we're clones, too. This could affect all of us."

"Kid's got a point," Wrecker pipes up.

"No," Anakin interjects, uncomfortableness twisting inside him. "Hunter, I'm not going to ask you to come if you don't want to. Let us deal with this."

"I'll go, too," Fives replies, "This is something I have to do. I'll be back before you know it."

"But –" Omega starts arguing.

She's young. She doesn't understand, and Anakin hates himself for even asking this in the first place. "Omega," he says, and they pause, looking at him again. "It will be fine. I'll bring him back to you. I promise."

She nods slightly, but Anakin doesn't think she fully understands.

"I'm sorry I asked in the first place. Infiltrating Kamino will not be easy. I was there in my time. I know what it's like. With the numbers there..."

"I know a way on," Omega offers, "Nala Se has a private landing platform. It's underwater. There won't be anyone expecting you there."

Unless Nala Se is in her lab, but that that's a thing Anakin will worry about then. They have to find out. It's important. He can feel it. Kamino is... where they'll find the answers they need. He can feel that.

"Thank you," Anakin says gratefully, "We can use that to get inside."

"We'll, uh, see you on Ord Mantell," Hunter offers finally.

Anakin nods to him, and the transmission cuts.

He feels... empty. Guilty. Omega's right that they're supposed to be a squad, and Anakin asking for their help is tearing it – and them – apart. He didn't mean that to happen, but he meant what he said. He is going to bring Fives back to them, no matter what it takes.

He's not going to let his best friend die again.

**w**

Anakin doesn't think he ever realized quite how much Fives fit in with them until he sees their goodbye from afar. He and Hunter hug, which is odd, because Hunter has never been one for openly showing emotions. He's always calm. He has a brief exchange with Tech, and what can only be described as a cuddle pile with Wrecker and Omega before finally coming to join them.

Fives turns back to wave to them before boarding the ship and they take off.

Anakin already promised to bring him home, and he... means it. He will.

"You fit in with them better than I thought," Anakin admits, smiling faintly.

Fives shrugs, sitting across from him. "They're my squad."

"Didn't mean much with the Dominos."

Fives sighs. "No, but they're different."

Different, in every way they could be. Anakin always thought they'd get along well. It's still different to see. "They are," he agrees, "We all are."

"Hey, Skykid," Asajj calls, "Get up here and help with the flying, would you?"

"Is there a problem?" he calls back, pushing himself up with an apologetic look at Fives.

"You never said Kamino was by a black hole!"

What the –?

"I've been to Kamino!" Anakin argues, sprinting into the cockpit and swinging into the co-pilot seat. "What are you talking about?!"

"We can make the jump, if we're careful," she replies, "But we're cutting it awfully close to that black hole. The scanners are going crazy."

Anakin stares at the dashboard, unease twisting inside him. "Obi-Wan never said anything abut complications in going to Kamino. I fought in the battle during the Clone Wars. I've been there and all around in space – there isn't a black hole there!"

Asajj shrugs, gesturing to the dashboard. "Talk to my scanners, Skykid."

Something's not right. Very, very not right, and all of Anakin's instincts are screaming on high alert, but they have to go. That doesn't change how he knows something's wrong. According to the scanners, the hyperspace lanes on either side of Kamino are cut off, unknown or... impeded somehow.

He has a very, very bad feeling about it.

"Stars are disappearing," Asajj had said she overheard on Tatooine, and a shiver snakes down his spine. All this time, Anakin has hardly thought about it. Now, though? He never realized exactly how... prominent it might be. What this could mean.

Kamino is on the outer edges of the galaxy, but by the width, it's in the center. It's still on the outermost edge. They need to focus on the clones right now, but this is the first time Anakin actually saw something... wrong with the galaxy, and he can't help wondering how bad it really is.

The scanner has it as a black hole, but it looks... far more massive than he heard.

"What's wrong?" Qui-Gon inquires, entering the cockpit.

"I don't know," Anakin answers, "I can't make sense of this." Stars. He's a pilot. How can he not know these things? "It's like... there's a massive black hole system around Kamino. We can pull through, but it's still cutting it close."

"That is unusual," Qui-Gon admits, "Isn't it?"

"Very," Anakin replies, "I've never seen anything like this before, and I don't like it." What is happening to this galaxy? Everything is... dim here, and he's forgotten how it used to look. He could swear light was supposed to be brighter. That there weren't moments Asajj's light blue eyes look so dim they seem gray. He never looked at them before though, so he wouldn't know.

Even if he looks at a sun, everything is too dim. Something is – is very, very wrong, and Anakin can't figure out what it is.

"You have a theory?" Qui-Gon asks – it's almost impressive how he can already read Anakin so well, but he's always been so good with people.

"I don't know," Anakin answers, except he does, only saying it will make it seem more real. "I – I think the galaxy is dying."

Asajj freezes, turning towards him. "What does that mean?"

"I do not know. I wish that I did. But if I am right, there may be far greater threats to the galaxy than the Empire."

Qui-Gon straightens, expression troubled. "Dooku feared this," he admits, "The unravelling of the galaxy as we knew it. I didn't understand what he meant at the time."

"So, what's the deal?" Asajj queries, "We still going to Kamino?"

"Don't have a choice right now," Anakin replies, "We have to find out what's going on. Once we're done there, maybe... I'm afraid of how far this might extend. Of what it could mean."

Sometimes, being the leader is hard. It means having to choose the missions they go on, to give the orders, and Anakin might be accustomed to those things, but he has always had someone above him. He's always had Obi-Wan with him, people he... at least somewhat trusted to tell him what to do.

He wishes he could go to Obi-Wan about all this now.

"We must focus on the here and now," Qui-Gon says, "Continue for Kamino. If all goes well, perhaps we can investigate further."

"Assuming this doesn't turn out to be far longer than I suspect it might," Anakin replies – knowing how their missions go, and if something is happening to the clones, that will end up taking precedence over everything else. He will always put them first. (Unless something is truly happening to the galaxy, and it really is falling apart. That could be far, far more important than anything that's happening here, but he doesn't want to think about that right now. It would explain the death, though. The darkness.)

"The Force will guide us," Qui-Gon promises, touching his shoulder.

Anakin nods to him, gratefully, trying to expel his worries, but everything about this mission is maybe the most stressful they've ever been on.

**w**

Omega's information proves valuable. Anakin figures out his way in the underwater tunnels well enough, even if it takes a little while. Omega told them how to get to Nala Se's lab, and that's where they need to start.

Getting past the Star Destroyer was a bit tricky, and they end up in a shoot-out with a handful of fighters, but Anakin flies them under scanner range, and the remaining two fighters abort when they incorrectly assume Anakin is insane enough to fly into the ocean. It was definitely a convenient place for a landing platform, that's for sure.

It's empty when they get there, and Anakin can't help feeling nervous. Something's wrong. It's too quiet.

They came with the few clones they rescued from Daro, all of whom wanted answers just as much as Anakin did. This is personal for them. Of course, they're willing to do anything to find the truth.

"I've never seen anything like this," Padme remarks, scanning the room. "Their technology is so... advanced. So different than the rest of the galaxy."

"Well, cloning isn't really something the rest of the galaxy understands," Ahsoka points out, stepping up to her. "It might look fascinating, but believe me, it's not."

"You've been here before?" Padme asks.

Ahsoka turns away, scoffing. "Oh, yeah. When the Rebellion tried to level this place. Nearly turned it to ash. You should've seen the casualty counts."

Anakin's gut flips. "I fought on Kamino in my time. It was bad. We lost a lot of men there. There were... many caught in the crossfire."

"All in the name of the glorious rebellion," Ahsoka mutters, pacing across the room.

"That's why I don't ally with them," Fives replies, "We might want the Empire gone, but I will never put myself on the line for their own gain."

There's a thump from behind them, and Anakin freezes, whirling around, hand on his blaster – he misses his lightsaber so badly sometimes. It's so strange to be in action without it.

"Do not shoot!" a droid's voice yelps as he floats out of hiding. "I am AZI-345211 –"

"A med droid?" Fives asks, lowering his blaster. "What are you doing here?"

"I am in hiding," he says, still hovering by the corner. "Soldiers were deactivating droids and forcing key Kaminoan medical personnel onto transports. Those who resisted were eliminated."

It's worse than he thought. Much worse. The Empire is – why are they doing this? What are they planning? They wouldn't have a reason to stop cloning, so it's something more... sinister.

"Clones did that?" Fives inquires dubiously.

"No, these were other soldiers," AZI replies, "All clone troopers were reassigned and transferred off-world."

"They're shutting the facilities down?!" Ahsoka asks, jerking forward. "Why?!"

"I am not certain," AZI answers, "But it is not safe here."

"You can come with us," Anakin offers, "We're here to find out what the Empire's doing to the clones. We didn't expect to hear the facilities were... evacuated." That's what worries him most. They wouldn't do this, unless... it must be for something, and nothing good.

"I don't like the sound of this," Padme says worried, approaching him, "We need to leave."

"We have to find what we came for, first," Anakin replies, turning to Artoo. "Got anything yet, Artoo?"

His dome swivels around and he beeps in the negative. "The system is empty."

"They've deleted everything?" Anakin asks urgently. Everything about this is so much worse than he thought, and the longer they're here, the stronger he feels the... darkness. They need to leave, and it's been an itching knowledge, clawing at the back of his mind ever since they left hyperspace.

He doesn't think it has to do with whatever the Empire is doing here, or he wouldn't have felt it in space. Maybe he's wrong, though.

Either way, Anakin doesn't have time to think about that before the facility shudders with distant explosions, and Ahsoka yelps, stumbling.

"What's that?" Padme asks worriedly.

"We must leave," Qui-Gon says, "Whatever plan the Empire has, it's in action now." The Force flares with danger and warning, with urgency – he's right, and they need to leave. Now.

The facility shudders again. "AZI, come on," Anakin calls to him as he darts to the entrance of the transport system. The panel lights up instantly, and the others crowd in. Anakin sends them back through the landing platform.

The rain is still pouring when they finally make it outside again, soaking through his clothes again. He can hear blasterfire in the distance still, and when they turn around...

The Star Destroyers overhead are firing down at the Kaminoan facilities. He hears all the clones inhale deeply almost simultaneously at the sight. Their home is being destroyed, and there's nothing anyone can do to stop it. Some of the laser shots are falling closer towards them, but Anakin doesn't think they've been spotted. Probably, the Empire thought they crashed into the water.

Ahsoka's hand is on his arm, practically clinging to him as they watch.

"Should I get the ship running, or just stand here until they blow us into the ocean?" Asajj asks.

"Wait," Anakin objects, "You have to wait. I don't know if they've spotted us. They could scan us if we power the ship un."

The firing doesn't last much longer, and he feels sick and numb at once as the facilities crash into the ocean, leaving nothing of the clones' home planet left in its wake but a trail of lingering smoke.

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