Hey everyone!
OneLittleSpark18: Thank you! And is clapping in Mando'a just normal clapping but with beskar gauntlets?
BellatrixTheStar: Well, I thought everyone deserved a bit more happiness after you know...what happened to Rex...but thank you!
Omahawar1940: Lololol thank you!
nw150: I'm so glad you enjoyed! I'll take a think on those chapter suggestions. Maybe not a full blown rage fest on Anakin's part, but it's definitely going to affect him. And don't worry, Palps will have his moment to go 'well crap.'
We're checking in on Rex this time!
TW: Just medical stuff and flashbacks. Rex is not in a great mental state.
Mando'a translations at the end!
"Next order of business." Commander Thorn said. "The Senatorial Gala tomorrow night. How are the preparations for that, Stone?"
Fox watched the newest Commander of the Coruscant Guard straighten. Stone was in charge of security for the Gala. It was his first major event. The kid was understandably nervous.
"Things are going well." Stone said. "All of the Senators have reported if they are bringing their own guards or need an escort provided. We've almost finished vetting the bodyguards."
"And the set up of the room?" Fox asked.
Stone opened a holo of the Senate Ballroom.
"We'll have the usual guard around the perimeter-"
Fox listened to Stone's explanation and nodded in satisfaction. They had made a good choice in Stone. A few more questions left Fox confident that the event was as safe as they could get it, excluding outliers.
"Anything else?" Fox asked.
"One more thing, though it's not official." Thire said. "There's been a rumor going around the ranks, sir."
Fox raised an eyebrow.
"There's been rumors since the Nulls could talk." He said. "You'll have to be more specific."
"It's a new one, sir. From the 501st." Thire said.
Fox was silent, waiting for Thire to continue. A range of rumors could come from the 501st. From anything from Umbara, which apparently was true, to the infamous Fives and a Rancor rumor.
"According to them, there's a chip the Kaminoans put in our head. Nearly killed a trooper and they had to remove it." Thire said. "They say it's to control our minds."
The four commanders looked at each other. Part of Fox's mind screamed that they needed to tell someone. This could be dangerous. If the Kaminoans had put it in them, if they put them in at all, there must have been a reason.
Another part whispered a different story as well as the words of a certain Togrutan commander.
Fox looked at the other three. They looked to him for direction.
"Sounds like nonsense to me." He said evenly. "No need to bother anyone, especially not the Chancellor."
"Yes sir!" They chorused.
"If that's all, dismissed." Fox said.
He waited until the other three were gone before pulling out his holo. He had a few questions for the 501st.
Rex tightened his grip on the large canvas bag holding his armor. He told himself he wasn't nervous, just as he'd told himself every day on this medical transport. It hadn't worked the previous three days either. Not only did the transport remind him too much of Kamino, but he was on his way to be back in the power of the longnecks. The medical station was staffed by brothers, yes, but it was overseen by the Kaminoans. Rex didn't trust the Kaminii'se to have his best interests. During the surgery to attach his permanent leg, it would be so easy to slip, cut an artery, and let the 501st know there was a terrible accident. He shook himself. They wouldn't, not after allowing him to live this long.
Rex unconsciously touched the residual limb. He still felt the occasional jolt of pain where the leg should have been. He was told it was normal.
Next to him leaned the crutches they had given him. They were practically useless. They allowed him to move, slowly at that, when he wanted to be able to run, to fight.
He was just as kriffing useless as those sticks of metal.
His men were out there, fighting and dying while he just sat here.
He missed them. He missed Ahsoka. Even on the run, he had her. Now, surrounded by brothers, he was alone.
Most of those brothers were too injured to be good company. A few had managed a few smiles or salutes to him, but many just stared in confusion at him. They wondered why he was there, why he was still alive. Why was he, with the injuries he had, allowed to live?
Most of all, these brothers were scared. Most just needed a dunk in a vat of bacta, but even the most trivially injured clone harbored a secret fear that they'd be determined too damaged to be worth saving.
The medics were a different matter. They treated him with friendliness and compassion, but they were busy. Too many troopers were actively injured. He was stable and didn't need the constant supervision they did. And it was difficult for Rex to talk to a man after the medic had had to help Rex use the fresher, brother or no.
Rex just wanted the kriffing trip to be over. Not to mention he was still deeply disturbed by whatever had happened to Ahsoka a few days ago. General Plo had come to reassure him that Ahsoka was fine, but Rex still didn't appreciate the time he had to dwell on it.
He looked up as the medics began bustling around faster, speaking to patients and among themselves.
"We'll be landing in just a few minutes." A passing medic told him.
Rex hadn't learned his name, even after requiring his assistance a few times.
"Will you need help?" The medic asked kindly.
"I can manage." Rex said, reaching for his crutches. The medic watched, hands slightly raised as he watched Rex struggle to get up. Just as Rex found his balance with his bag slung over his back, the ship sighed beneath them as it docked.
"Just follow the rest of us, Captain." The medic said. "Give a shout if you need help."
He left to go guide a hoverbed away. Rex swung his crutches into action and hobbled behind the chaos of medics and patients crowding off the ship.
The docking bay was spacious and white. Rex looked about, apprehensive. The same medic from before appeared at his side.
"This way, Captain." He said. "The chief medic would like to speak with you."
Rex found himself tiring as he crutched after the medic. He was out of shape after the weeks in bacta and bedrest. He grimaced as the medic had to slow his pace to accommodate him.
The halls were very much like Kamino: windowless, white, and pristine.
Finally, they reached a bay overlooking the rows of bacta tanks filled with clone soldiers. Another medic was there, looking over a datapad.
"Here's Captain Rex, sir." The first medic announced.
The new medic looked up.
"Captain Rex." He greeted, proffering his hand. "I'm Sawbones, the head medic here."
Rex took his hand.
"You're a unique case, Captain." Sawbones said. "We've never had a clone here for the extensive physical therapy you'll need."
Sawbones glanced down at Rex's residual limb, where the blacks leg was pinned.
"You've been assigned not just a clone medic, but a Kaminoan doctor as well." Sawbones said, then, noticing Rex's expression, went on. "The medic will work with you the most. The Kaminoan doctor will mostly be supervising and guiding when needed."
Rex gave a short nod. The idea of a Kaminoan being involved with his recovery, even as a supervisor, did not sit well with him.
"Come with me, I'll introduce you to the medic you'll be working with." Sawbones said. "He'll fill you in on the process."
Rex adjusted his grip on his crutches. Under his arms were sore and his hands were beginning to ache despite his gloves.
Luckily Sawbones only led him a short way before opening a door. He ushered Rex into a medical examination room where another clone medic was waiting.
"You must be Captain Rex!" The new medic said. "I'm Hackjob. Don't worry about the name. I know my stuff."
The sides of his head were shaved, leaving a wild mass of hair on top.
"I'll leave you two to it." Sawbones said. "Keep me updated on his progress, okay, Hack?"
Hackjob nodded with a roll of his eyes. Sawbones nodded to Rex and left. Silence fell over the room. Rex felt his gaze fall to the floor and didn't attempt to raise it.
"You may want to put your bag down." Hackjob suggested.
The medic watched as Rex maneuvered his crutches and bag in order to sling the latter onto a waiting chair.
"Come take a seat." Hackjob invited with a pat on the examining table.
Rex obeyed, but he was getting nervous.
"We're not going to do a medical examination, are we?" He asked.
"Unfortunately, yes." Hackjob said. "But-"
"I had an examination right before I left Coruscant." Rex said. "Couldn't you use the results from that?"
He hated how he sounded, like a scared little making excuses. Hackjob appraised him with a sympathetic eye.
"A lot can change in three days." He said. "Your chart says there was still some residual infection and we need to make sure it's gone. And I want to get familiar with your injuries so I can help you better."
Rex resented the 'I'm-talking-to-a-scared-shiny' tone Hackjob was using.
"Go on, the sooner you're undressed, the quicker this'll be." Hackjob encouraged.
Rex slowly lifted his blacks top over his head. Panic was starting to boil inside his chest, freezing him. The last few examinations had not gone well. There had been no Ahsoka to soothe him and he'd barely been able to stand the touch of the healers.
Even when his clothes were neatly folded at the end of the table, Rex still sat on the edge.
"Gonna need you to lie down, vod." Hackjob said.
Rex tried. He tried to force his muscles down and found that he couldn't. Hackjob reached forward and put his hand on Rex's chest. Rex, mind blank with panic, lashed out to get the touch away. A firm hand grabbed his arm, guiding it away. The other pressed hard into Rex's chest. Rex found himself staring at the ceiling. Immediately the panic spiked. He was vulnerable, he couldn't see what was happening, he was defenseless. He immediately scrambled back, away from the hands reaching for him. He fell and crashed into the floor.
"Woah there vod!" Hackjob said, kneeling down next to him.
"I'm sorry." Rex muttered. "I should have warned you-"
"I read your file. I should have expected this." Hackjob said. "We'll have to do this a bit differently."
He helped Rex back onto the table.
"Now," Hackjob continued. "Where do you feel the most comfortable with me touching, and we'll start there."
"My- my hands." Rex said.
"Okay." Hackjob said.
He carefully lifted Rex's hand. Rex swallowed. Even this touch made his face blaze with anxiety.
"I'm going to look under your bandages and assess the healing process." Hackjob explained. "And I'll tell you about the medics here."
At first Rex was confused why Hackjob was talking about the medics. Then he found himself focusing on the medic's words as Hackjob went over his injuries. It was tolerable at least.
"And Sawbones acts like he's the most responsible brother out there, but get one shot of tihaar in him- Udesii, brother." Hackjob interrupted himself.
Rex was breathing heavily now, as Hackjob moved down to his residual limb. The room shifted before him from pristine white to dull grey. The prodding fingers became sharp teeth. Clawed hands pressed down on his chest and Rex struggled to breathe.
"No." He choked out. "No-"
"It's okay, vod." Hackjob's voice said. "You're with me on the Kaliida Shoals Medical Station. We're just doing an examination. You're okay."
Rex was confused. He was on the prison transport, the Karkarodan was mauling him. But the voice, the voice of a brother, kept speaking. It reassured him over and over that he was safe until finally Rex blinked and found the voice was telling the truth.
"And that's done." Hackjob said. "You can sit up now."
Rex struggled up. He was drenched in sweat, he realized, and his head ached.
"Things are looking okay." Hackjob said. "Most of the infection is gone, your ribs are healed, and the lacerations on your face and chest are almost there. Just a few more treatments of bacta, and we'll be able to get you ready for your cybernetic leg."
Hackjob went over his datapad again.
"Here's your timeline- if everything goes to plan, we work on strengthening exercises for a few weeks. Once you're up to standard, we'll have the surgery for the base of your cybernetic leg. After that it shouldn't be too long before you're fighting fit again."
Rex just nodded and Hackjob helped him dress again.
"That'll be enough for today." The medic said. "We don't have many rooms, most people here stay in bacta and then leave. So you'll have a roommate."
Rex didn't respond as Hackjob helped him onto his crutches and grabbed his bag.
"It's me. I'm your roommate." Hackjob said with a chuckle.
Rex didn't believe that they had a shortage of rooms. Likely they wanted to keep an eye on him. He resented it. He was captain of the 501st, not some shiny after a hard battle.
Hackjob mercifully did not offer to help him as he struggled painfully along. Rex's pride had been bruised enough today.
The room was small. The two bunks, crammed against opposite walls, were mere feet from each other. Surprisingly, there was a door leading to a tiny 'fresher.
"Perks of being a medic on this station." Hackjob said with a wink. "Personal fresher. Well, not so personal now."
Rex waited for Hackjob to sit on his bunk before sinking down on his own.
"Are you hungry?" Hackjob asked. "Do you need anything?"
Rex stared at the floor before giving a tiny shake of his head.
"I've got a few things to do before I can turn in." Hackjob said. "I won't be back for a while. No drinks or anything?"
Rex swallowed. He desperately wanted a shower. But that was far beyond his capabilities. So he shook his head again and made to lie down.
"Brother." Hackjob said. "I'm here to help you. But I can't do that if you don't let me."
Rex looked at his concerned brother. He remembered his promise to Ahsoka.
"I need your help." Rex said.
Later, Hackjob helped a clean and humiliated Rex back into bed.
"Thank you." Rex muttered.
"You'll get there, brother." Hackjob said with a smile.
Rex nodded. Logically he knew he'd recover. He hadn't been decommissioned. But the last few days had been an eternity. Every step was a struggle. Every movement was a chore. For a clone made to be physically outstanding, it was torture to be so limited
"So what we've been doing while we wait to perform the socket surgery is just simple joint rotations and massages for pain." Hackjob said to the Kaminoan doctor. "A few strengthening exercises, but his hands and residual limb still need time."
Neya Ha nodded slowly as Hackjob demonstrated the massaging technique on Rex's residual limb. They were in the small exercise room Hackjob had commandeered for Rex's physical therapy.
The past few weeks had just been Hackjob slowly getting Rex used to his touch. It had worked. Rex was able to handle the necessary massages and handling of his residual limb, and hands. Only Hackjob could treat him. Somehow any other clone's touch was beyond what he could endure.
It was only now that the Kaminoans had bothered to send his doctor. A newer doctor, Neya Ha had insisted on seeing everything about Rex's treatment. His standing over Rex made some of the anxiety return.
"I would like to attempt this." Neya Ha said, reaching for Rex's residual limb.
Rex flinched hard and scooted back. Neya Ha drew back, confused. Hackjob stepped forward quickly.
"Sir, Rex does not respond well to anyone helping him except for me." He said quickly.
Hackjob was both a blessing and a curse. He was gentle, understanding, and endlessly patient. More times than Rex had cared to count he had woken from a nightmare to Hackjob talking him through it. He never complained about Rex's needs, even when Rex needed help in the refresher or getting dressed. He met Rex's sullenness with good cheer.
And it all made Rex feel like a child who couldn't take care of himself. Which he couldn't.
"From your reports, he did not respond well to your early treatment." Neya Ha said. "It seems that all he requires is time to adjust."
This was odd. All of Rex's life the Kaminoans had used someone else for the dirty work: droids, trainers, clones themselves. He had to have been assigned the one Kaminoan who wanted to get hands on.
And Rex adjusted because it was a brother! Not a long neck who would decommission him given the chance.
Hackjob sent Rex a helpless look before moving towards Rex's head. He patted Rex's shoulder, as if to remind him that he would be there. Rex nodded, though the icy claws of panic were gripping his chest.
Neya Ha took hold of Rex's limb.
Rex didn't remember much of what happened next: only the cold, clammy fingers on his leg. Rex shouted and lashed out. The touch was gone as quickly as it had come and Rex focused again on the room. Neya Ha had stepped back, studying Rex.
"His reaction was far more violent than with you." Neya Ha said. "Odd."
"Sir, I tried to warn you. I kept Rex's mind off of what I was doing when we started." Hackjob said fretfully. "I don't know if you'll be able to get the same results."
Neya Ha was quiet. Then-
"Once he is calm, I would like an interview with him. Alone."
"Sir?" Hackjob sounded apprehensive.
"Part of his recovery is his mental state. I wish to gauge this." Neya Ha said. "It will be more effective if we are alone."
"Sir, I wouldn't recommend-"
"I am prepared for any reaction he may have." Neya Ha said. "It will further my insight on his mental state. Send him to my office when he is ready."
And the Kaminoan left. Rex groaned and let his head fall back. As if he'd be able to calm down with that to look forward to.
Hackjob helped Rex sit up and handed him his blacks. Rex found it easier to do his therapy in his grey undershorts.
"I'm sorry, vod." Hackjob said. "I honestly thought the doctor they'd send wouldn't care."
Rex looked away. He wanted to assure Hackjob that it wasn't his fault, but the words stuck in his throat like they usually did.
It was twenty minutes and quite a few breathing exercises before Hackjob determined him to be calm enough for the meeting. Rex insisted on crutching to the office and his hands were aching by the time they reached their destination.
"Come in." The placid voice invited when they knocked.
Hackjob patted Rex solidly on the shoulder before stepping back. Rex went in alone.
Neya Ha appraised Rex from across a desk. His yellow eyes were unreadable. Rex stood silently until Neya Ha gestured to a seat opposite himself. Rex took it.
"To begin with-'' Neya Ha said. "You have no reason to fear. We have received orders that you are under no circumstances to be decommissioned."
Rex was taken aback. That was unheard of. And the odd way Neya Ha had said it, almost like it was a reassurance. Kaminoans did not care how their property felt during processes like these.
"I have several questions concerning your mental state." Neya Ha said. "You clearly have trauma from the-"
Neya Ha paused, as if choosing his words carefully.
"Event." He finished. "Let us begin with a basic description of how you are feeling."
Rex stared at the Kaminoan. Neya Ha stared back.
"I require a verbal response." Neya Ha said.
Rex swallowed his instinctual fear of the long necks.
"I don't want to talk to you." He rasped.
Neya Ha merely blinked.
"We have been instructed to- repair you." He said. "I will need your cooperation in order to do so."
Rex stubbornly kept his mouth shut. There were two people privy to his emotions: Cody and Ahsoka. Neya Ha was in no way their equal.
Neya Ha continued to stare at him.
"I did not wish to do this." Neya Ha said. "I order you to tell me."
"I don't know if I can." Rex said truthfully.
Neya Ha nodded slowly, as if this made sense.
"I will ask you yes or no questions." He said. "You merely need to nod or shake your head."
Rex frowned. Neya Ha seemed determined to- to accommodate him. He had never seen anything like it before. Had they given him orders to do so?
"Are you suicidal?" Neya Ha said.
Rex raised his eyebrows. They weren't pulling punches. He shook his head.
"Good. Are you frustrated?"
Rex nodded.
It went like that for nearly an hour: Neya Ha asking questions about his mental state and Rex giving nonverbal answers. He was mostly truthful; it was easier for someone else to say the words and him simply agreeing with them.
"Thank you." Neya Ha said. "I believe I understand your situation now. You may return to your medic, Rex."
Rex felt a spike of surprise. His name. Neya Ha had used his name. He hadn't even bothered telling the long neck his name when they were introduced.
"Why are you different?" Rex asked.
Neya Ha looked at him.
"You are lucky." The Kaminoan finally said. "Though you cannot hide it, the scientists are far more forgiving of defects in clones than they are of their own kind."
Was that bitterness in his voice? Neya Ha stood up and opened the door.
"We will meet weekly to update your mental status. I will also be involved in your physical therapy. Please send in your medic."
He gestured out the door and Rex crutched out, more confused than ever.
Hackjob didn't ask about the meeting until they were preparing for bed. Rex tried to avoid the conversation by immediately getting into bed and turning his back on the medic.
"No, you don't." Hackjob said. "Hands."
"Not tonight." Rex said.
"You skipped last night and I know they're aching." Hackjob said. "Sit up."
Rex sighed and heaved himself up. He sat on the edge of his bed and held his hands out. Hackjob took them and began massaging the joints. Rex hated this. His hands felt better afterwards, true, but it was uncomfortable. It was awkward if Hackjob talked, and it was even more so if he didn't.
"What did he say to you?" Hackjob asked.
Rex ticked his head to the side.
"Asked me questions." He said. "About my mental state."
"Sounds fun." Hackjob said dryly. "Did he ask anything too bad?"
Rex shook his head.
"He wants to meet with me every week." He said. "And wants to help with my therapy."
Hackjob grimaced.
"Typical Kaminoan. Sticking their flat noses where we don't want them." He said. "Hopefully he'll get tired of you having a panic attack every time he touches you and back off."
Rex grunted in reply. He wanted to bring up how odd the Kaminoan was, but his tongue had become leaden. Talking even this much exhausted him and the meeting with Neya Ha made him feel even more so.
"I've talked about your hands with the longneck." Hackjob said after a moment. "The Kaminoans aren't keen on paying for full cybernetic replacements for your fingers."
Rex frowned. How was he supposed to function as a full trooper then?
"He suggested robotic prosthetic gauntlets." Hackjob went on. "Less expensive and they allow for most movements with the fingers."
Rex nodded.
"You'll have to get used to them, of course, but we can get an order for them out tomorrow." Hackjob said.
He released Rex's hands, which were aching significantly less.
"Honestly, Rex. I think your biggest problem is gonna be in here."
He leaned forward and tapped his own forehead.
"You've gotta be more involved with people, vod," Hackjob said quietly. "If you're going to lead again."
Rex looked away. He knew the medic was right. But talking had suddenly become a chore for him. People had become a chore for him. He longed for the simple communication between Ahsoka and himself.
But he'd promised Ahsoka he'd try, so he looked Hackjob in the eye.
"Goodnight, brother." He said.
Hackjob grinned at him.
"Goodnight, Rex."
One step at a time. Rex thought grimly.
Mando'a:
Kaminii'se: Kaminoans
vod: brother
tihaar: spicy Mandalorian alcohol
Udesii: calm down, be still
Two more OCs! Hackjob and Neya Ha. I really love both of these guys and they both play an important role in these Rex recovery chapters. Plus, that little snippet into Fox's head. Things are going a little differently for him this time.
Rex is going to struggle with his recovery. PTSD and all that, but I think clones struggle with being patient with themselves if they're not performing perfectly, especially Rex. But he's going to try, for Ahsoka and for his men.
That's all for now, so wear your masks, remember to review, and have a great few weeks! The next time I post Guilty, I'll be back in school!