Chapter 1 - On The Run
Plot: When Fives is on the run, Anakin is contacted by an investigator who believes Fives' allegations about Palpatine may be true. Anakin may not outright believe that, but he wants to look deeper, to know if there's more to the chips like Fives is saying. And he and Rex will do anything to keep Fives safe, even from the Republic.
Anakin knew from the start when things started going downhill on Ringo Vinda that everything was going to get much worse. It was a deep-running knowing sensation, and he could feel the dark shadow of the future in the Force steadily closing in. Tup mysteriously turning on the Jedi was only the beginning of something worse.
He just thinks he underestimated how much worse. He never imagined Fives would be dragged into the mess. Certainly never to this extent.
"I can't believe Fives would try to assassinate the Chancellor," Anakin says, studying the frozen hologram of Fives on the holotable in the center of the room. His expression is twisted with fury, as he tries to lunge for Palpatine.
It doesn't make sense.
Fives is his best friend. The only one of his boys who he's closer with is Rex, especially now with Ahsoka gone. Fives' passion and determination and goofiness had helped distract him from the constant ache of Ahsoka's loss.
Fives would never betray the Republic like this, much less attack the Chancellor. Anakin knows him well enough to know that.
"The Kaminoans feel a virus corrupted the clone's inhibitor chip, which has led to this behavior," Shaak Ti declares.
It sounds ludicrous, but the brain science part of it isn't something Anakin really understands anything about, and something's obviously wrong with Fives. He would never do this of his own.
"ARC Trooper Fives feels he is the victim of a plot, Separatist or otherwise," she goes on.
That's what Anakin first thought when Tup had shot the Jedi, but then with this whole thing about "inhibitor chips" that he doesn't really understand coming up, it doesn't seem like that could be entirely coincidental. Unless the Separatists found a way, using these chips, to turn the clones against them.
"All security and clone forces on Coruscant have been ordered to join the manhunt," Windu announces, "The Chancellor has been moved to his Senate quarters and the perimeter has been secured. However, Jedi involvement has been requested."
"That is unusual, isn't it?" Anakin objects.
Why would Palpatine not want one of the Jedi there, in a situation as dangerous as this? Usually whenever there's a threat to his security, he always personally asks Anakin to be involved.
Maybe he's not doing it this time because he knows how personally involved Anakin is in what's going on with Fives. Which... he's genuinely a little grateful for because if Fives came after Palpatine again, he could never hurt him. Never.
That doesn't really explain why he's not getting any other Jedi involved though, but it's not like that's their primary concern.
"Discover the truth, we must," Yoda murmurs.
"If there is a plot involving the clones, we must get to the bottom of it," Windu states firmly, "We will investigate quietly, undercover. We must make sure this clone is not killed."
Anakin's gut flips at the sheer casualness of the mention. They're talking about Fives' life here. His life is on the line and Anakin's admittedly terrified to know what's going to happen to him. He knows he can lose any of his boys anytime and it always hurts, but Fives is one of those he's always been closest with. He doesn't want to think about anything happening to him.
But they'll have to get these legal charges cleared up fast, or he's going to be executed for treason when he is found. So they need to know what it was that made him react like that. Somehow.
"I'll handle this investigation," Anakin interjects. There's no way he's staying out of this. "Fives was part of the 501st. If Rex and I find him, he'll trust us." And maybe they'll be able to get the details of what happened out of him before it's too late. He has to get to him before anyone else does.
This is reminding him of Ahsoka all over again. Force, that was only weeks ago. How is he already in another identical situation, watching as the Republic hunts down someone else he's so close with? And knowing all the while that if he doesn't find out what's really going on soon, they'll be executed.
"Be wary," Shaak Ti speaks up, turning to him, "Since he removed his inhibitor chip, Fives may no longer be the man you once knew."
Anakin nods, unease twisting inside of him.
She's not wrong, and he can't forget that even if he doesn't want to think about it. If something happened to Fives' brain, it... could be permanent.
Which would mean –
No. He can't accept that whatever happened to Fives could mean he's gone forever. He can't be.
Anakin has to get to him as soon as possible. There has to still be something they can do. Maybe they can get him help and get the charges dropped, and – and then he can come back to the fronts and things can go back to as normal as they ever can be.
He has to cling to that hope, even if he has the sinking feeling way inside that it's not going to be that easy.
**w**
Constantly waiting for a report from anywhere about Fives being sighted is practically agonizing. It's hard to get himself to focus on anything else, either.
This is his best friend and there's so much they've done together. Drawn up battle plans together, teased each other, helped each other when so many of the boys were lost... Fives is also always ready to help twist the rules so they can do what they need to together, at times even Rex is reluctant. He can't be about to die now. It's bad enough that Echo's gone.
His thoughts are interrupted by his comm beeping, and he looks at it instantly.
Maybe there's finally something –
The number is labeled as someone from the Republic Investigation Division.
He perks up instantly, even if his fear instantly swells, too. This must be news of some kind, good or bad. "Hello?" he answers, picking up the call.
The hologram that materializes in front of him is of a human man who must be somewhere in his forties. His eyes are a piercing olive green, and he has dark brown hair with black streaks in it – so maybe he's actually Near-Human, not human. He's wearing a uniform that clearly marks him as a detective. "Is this General Skywalker?" he asks.
"Yes?"
"My name is Royak Salvo. I am investigating the case of Clone Trooper CT-5555 or Fives, as I have heard he's called, and I would like to speak with you about it, if you are available."
The fact that the man actually mentioned Fives' name instead of just his number earns him a few points, right off. People never do that. "I don't believe I will have much to tell you, but we can speak right now if you're available."
"Perhaps you can come to my office?" he requests.
Anakin doesn't want to be tied up with something in case someone contacts him about Fives, but this might help. They need to legally deal with what happened and if the fact that he's using "Fives" name is anything to go by, maybe this is someone who will be able to help. "I'll come over, but if I receive word about Fives' location, I will have to leave without delay."
"That will not be a problem," he assures, "I would like to personally find and question the trooper myself."
So it's settled then.
Anakin heads out of the room, going in search of Rex. He's not hard to find, especially with how strongly his stress and fear are radiating into the Force. Fives is one of Rex's only brothers who he works closely with that he hasn't lost. Anakin never forgot how hard he and Fives took Echo dying. But they still had each other, and now... "I'm going to speak with a Republic investigator. Let me know if anything comes up about Fives. You can try to find him personally if I'm not able to get there fast enough."
"Will do, General," Rex promises.
He wants it to be him or Rex who bring him in. He doesn't trust anyone else to bring him in alive.
It's just like it was with Ahsoka, except Fives doesn't have the Force and no one will care if he dies. Because from their perspective, he's just property. It never stops making him angry, but there's nothing he can do.
**w**
Royak Salvo is waiting when Anakin gets there, holotablet and other records spread across his table. There's something about him that immediately makes Anakin think he's far more invested in this case than he initially thought. There's just something about the focus he's radiating into the Force.
"I've already read up on all the official reports of the evidence gathered," he tells him, "But I have a few questions for you. How well do you know Fives?"
How does that matter? "We're friends," Anakin replies, "We've fought side by side for years."
"What is he like?"
Probably trying to determine how out of character this is for him. "He is... very passionate about what he believes in, and he is fiercely loyal." Just to his brothers most of all, but he doesn't know how much he should say about that. He doesn't want to somehow imply that Fives might be disloyal just because he saw himself and his brothers as people. But then again, that could also play in his favor.
"I do not know how much you know about the clones, but most of the clones see themselves as expendable, as they were always taught to. Fives... was not quite the same way, but that doesn't mean he was any less loyal to the Republic. He would never attempt to assassinate the Chancellor when he was in his right mind. Whatever happened with his inhibitor chip must be what led him to increased aggression, like the Kaminoans said." There's nothing else that makes sense.
Salvo looks thoughtful. "He mentioned, from what I heard, that he is the victim of a plot, whether Separatist or something else."
"Something happened to Tup and I do not know if it was the Separatists or not, but they went to great lengths to capture him. But after the Kaminoans mentioned the inhibitor chips, I don't know. I don't know if it what happened to Tup and Fives is related or... not." It could be a conspiracy of some kind, but he can't quite imagine what.
Salvo nods, consideringly. "I think to get further into this case, we'll have to speak to Fives himself. I must say from what you've said, I don't believe he would have taken this kind of action without an explainable reason."
A small flicker of relief runs through him. Maybe Salvo will be able to help in getting the charges against Fives cleared up after he's found, if the evidence about the chips influencing his behavior isn't enough to do so.
**w**
As it turns out, Anakin doesn't have to wait much longer. He's been on his cruiser most of the day, mostly going over reports with Rex. It's late in the evening when Kix suddenly comms Rex.
"Sir?" his voice crackles through the line, "Can I speak with you privately somewhere?"
That's... the strangest request Anakin's heard in a long time.
Rex exchanges an equally confused glance with him. "I'm with the General right now. Can you come here?"
"Yes," Kix agrees, sounding almost relieved, "Yes. That's even better. It's important."
"We're in the General's quarters," Rex replies, before breaking the connection.
"That is... unusual," Anakin remarks. Something's up, but he can't imagine what. Unless...
"I doubt he's coming to tell us he forgot to stock up on medical supplies and now we can't get anymore," Rex says dryly, though it's hardly a joke. Medical supplies are becoming increasingly scarce, with the war and all. They often have to ration it, and he can't begin to count how many of his boys have ended up dead just because of that.
Kix shows up at the door only minutes later, looking breathless like he ran most of the way and radiating an obvious level of anxiety and uncertainty he's radiating.
"Kix? Did something happen?" Anakin inquires anxiously.
"I saw Fives," he explains, breathlessly.
What?
"Where?" Rex demands.
"Is he alright?" Anakin asks. Well, as alright as he can be if he has potentially permanent brain damage. He still doesn't want to think about that part yet.
"I don't know," Kix replies frowning, "But I ran into him at the clone bar. He was there to give me a message. He wants you two to meet him at these coordinates so he can explain what happened and he's requesting that you come alone." He shows them the coordinates – it's somewhere in Coruscant's underworld. Not a place Anakin's familiar with but he knows it's a good area to hide.
Why does this feel like an exact repeat of what happened with Ahsoka?
All he can do is desperately hope it's not going to have a similar ending. It's still hard to fathom that she's gone, the last moments of their conversation before she walked away replaying on repeat through his mind, even if he knows it's probably better for her if she is away. The war was always hard on her. But he doesn't even know where she is out there, or if she's down in the underworld right now struggling to survive. If she needs his help, he'll never know.
But he needs to think about Fives right now, much as Ahsoka's absence is a constant ache inside of all of them.
"We're going immediately," Anakin decides, standing.
Rex nods, heading for the door. "Why doesn't he turn himself in?"
"He said what he's involved in goes all the way to the top and what he has to say will never get to you if he doesn't talk to you directly," Kix replies.
Anxiety twists inside of him. That... He doesn't know what that means, if there's something to that or if he's just delusional.
Should he tell the investigator about this? Fives did ask them to come alone, though, and Anakin trusts there's a reason for that, even if he's cautious. There has to be something of Fives still in there. He's asking to explain. Anakin's not going to get other people involved until he can talk to him first.
**w**
"These are the coordinates Kix gave us. Let's hope Fives is inside," Anakin says, approaching the darkened building in front of them. There's barely even any streetlights nearby and they're plunged into darkness the moment they enter the building.
Rex sighs. "I hope he knows what he's doing."
Anakin can say the same.
He ignites his lightsaber, trying to use the minimal light it provides to see something. The blue glow doesn't give much, though. He can't tell what this facility is supposed to be used for, but it's huge and there's many places someone could conceal themselves. "Fives? Fives, we're here," he calls as he moves deeper into the building, with Rex right beside him, "Come on out, we just want to talk to you."
It feels wrong to have to brace for an attack from Fives of all people, but he can't forget the moment Tup shot down that Jedi Master for no apparent reason, and he knows he needs to be on edge.
"General Skywalker?" a familiar voice finally asks. It hurts to hear him again, after everything that's been happening. "Thank you for trusting me. Have you come without troops?"
It makes him even more grateful that he listened to Fives' request, even if he's still wary. "We have."
"Put down your weapons, then."
That's what makes him tense up a little. It's maybe understandable regardless that he'd be wary, but if he was in his right mind, he would know that Anakin and Rex would never hurt him. "I don't think so," he objects.
He can't tell where Fives' voice is coming from. It keeps shifting, moving. He's trying to stay out of their sight. "Please, sir. I'm unarmed." He sounds desperate, and it hurts to hear him like that. He's never heard Fives sound like that before.
...Fine.
Anakin deactivates his lightsaber, slowly setting it down, nodding for Rex to do the same with his blasters.
"What are we here for, Fives?" Anakin asks, trying to follow where he's pretty sure Fives is.
"I need your help." He's moving again, trying to stay out of sight.
"I know you do. We know you are not well. It's been a rough couple of days for you."
"I'm not crazy!" he yells, "Please just... hear what I have to say." He's breathing hard and something's definitely wrong with him. Anakin can feel his panic but beyond that, his mind feels muddled. It wasn't like that before, even if he can't say what's wrong with it.
"We're here to help you, Fives," Anakin says, following where he can sense him, "Just come with us. Let us take you back to the Temple – "
"No!" Fives yells.
He senses the slightest flux of something a second too late, right before a ray shield drops around him and Rex.
Anakin jerks back, instinctively looking for a way out, but there's nothing. There's no way out except for Fives letting them out.
This is... not good, especially not when his mental state is far from stable. And he's more than a little annoyed that Fives intentionally lured them right here just to trap them because there's no way it wasn't intentional, even if he's mostly just worried.
Fives finally steps out from behind a pile of crates. His hair is gone, and his expression is wild, full of fear and a myriad of other things. "I just need you to listen to me. Please."
"We don't have much other choice," Anakin points out, bluntly.
"I was framed because I know the truth. Truth about a plot, a massive deception!" Fives says, gesturing wildly with his hands. He's obviously scared but he's not acting like himself, either.
"By whom?"
"There's a sinister plot in the works against the Jedi. I have proof of it. I can prove that everything I know is true beyond a shadow of a doubt!"
A plot against the Jedi?
It's not impossible but Anakin doesn't know who'd be behind it or it could be tied into something involving the clones' creation. That doesn't make sense.
"Show me the evidence," he demands.
Fives looks like he's about to go on another frantic ramble when he suddenly goes still, spinning in the direction of the doorway.
Someone's coming.
Anakin didn't realize it until right now, but he can sense a Force presence closing in rapidly.
"You brought someone here?" Fives asks, head swiveling between them and the doorway. He sounds scared, angry and hurt at once.
"No, we didn't," Rex argues.
"I don't know who's coming but we did not call them," Anakin tries to assure him, but he doesn't think Fives is listening to that, if the wild look in his eyes is anything to go by.
A lone figure suddenly steps within view.
It only takes Anakin a split second to recognize him. It's... Salvo? What's he doing here? How did he even know where to come?
Fives dives for Rex's blaster.
"Fives, no!" Rex yells.
This stupid ray shield.
"I didn't come here to detain you," Salvo interjects, holding up his hands before Fives can shoot.
Fives hands are tight around the blaster and he doesn't lower it, but he's not firing either. Not yet.
"I'm here to warn you," Salvo goes on, "The Coruscant guard caught wind of your location. I've been trying to track you down because I would like to hear your side of the story, but we won't be able to speak here."
"No, no," Fives says desperately, gaze jumping past Salvo, obviously expecting the Coruscant guard to show up any second. And then he turns and bolts away into the darkness.
Great.
"Get this ray shield off!" Anakin calls. They have to catch up with him now before this situation gets even worse. He could be about to die. If this erupts into a fight, it's not going to end well, and –
Salvo draws a blaster of his own, firing at the mechanism above them. It sparks and goes off, the ray shield disappearing.
Anakin can sense rapidly approaching Force presences near the entrance and now that he's listening, he's certain he hears the clones coming too. They're running out of time. Anakin scrambles to collect his lightsaber and goes in chase of Fives, Rex and Salvo close behind.
Fives hasn't made it far when they catch up with him. He took off out a back entrance of the building and he's sprinting down the nearby street, trying to stay in the shadows. But there's no way probe droids – and then security – aren't going to be on top of him in moments.
"Fives!" Anakin calls, picking up the pace. "Stop!"
"I can't! They're after me. They're going to – to try to kill me. This goes all the way to the top."
It's just like with Ahsoka, except at least he was certain she was in her right mind.
"Then you need to explain to us what's happening," Rex insists.
Trying to talk about this while they're running is not working.
"We can take you somewhere the Coruscant guard won't find you," interjects the investigator, "You're never going to escape this way, Fives."
He skids around another building, pausing momentarily though he's looking around wildly, like he's trying to find the next place to run too.
Anakin takes a few steps towards him cautiously. "Fives, come with us. Whatever happens, I'm going to keep you safe. It will be alright. You can come up with us to the cruiser to talk, if that helps. No one else will be able to reach you there."
He can hear distant yelling, the Coruscant guard combing through the area to find him.
"How do I know you're not trying to trick me? How do I know it won't be a trap?" Fives demands.
That he trusts them this little hurts but... Anakin doesn't know what happened to him, or what is or isn't him. "You're my best friend, Fives," Anakin replies, not bothering to keep the desperation out of his own voice, "I only want to understand what happened. I want to speak to you about it before the Republic gets to you."
"We need to hurry," Rex urges. "Or none of us will get that chance."
He looks around skittishly again, before he finally seems to deflate. "You have to believe me," he says, taking a very reluctant step towards them, "They're going to try to get to me. I can't – "
"You'll be safe," Anakin promises him again, desperately hoping it's a promise he'll be able to keep.
"I would never let anyone hurt you, Ahsoka. Never. But you need to come back and make your case to the Council."
"You will be turned over to Republic courts to await your trail and whatever punishment they will set for you. Henceforth, you are barred from the Jedi Order."
Yes.
He definitely hopes this is a promise he won't fail to keep in the worst way possible.
They manage to make it back to Anakin's ship without anyone spotting them, but they will have to report something to Republic authorities.
"How did you find us?" Anakin inquires, turning to Salvo.
"I've been watching for any reports myself," he replies.
But how could he get here before the clones? It's a little weird, unless he somehow had access to all the probe droid reports they do – which isn't impossible but he would have thought it would go through the Coruscant guard first.
Maybe Salvo is just very persistent in the case. It's not like Anakin would have any complaints about that.
He just hopes that this is something they'll be able to fix.
Final Notes: Reviews are always appreciated! ^-^
Come hang out on Discord (delete spaces), discord . gg / nqSxuz2 or find us on tumblr at fanfictasia (our more serious blog which does have controversial posts on it; I won't be offended if you choose to block it, promise), and disastertriowriting (which is our fun blog with crack posts or incorrect SW quotes)
We've got a YT channel for tributes! (delete the spaces) youtube channel / UC_g1M5rSCxJUzQCRS29B6pA
ALSO: We have SW gift request forms for General, Anakin-Clones-centric, and Bad Batch fics. :D (delete spaces) bit . ly / CourtesyTrefflinFicRequests