The guards were pulled from duty. Not just escort and senate shifts, but all work. They were even told to put their paperwork on hold. The Senate weren't happy, but a handful of the senators spoke very loudly in their defense, and the Jedi took care of the rest.

The guard didn't want to be forbidden from working, but they were told it was a medical emergency, and nobody was going to fight the medics about it.

The commanders were some of the first to get the chips out of their heads. As the leaders of the guard it was their job to make sure that any procedure they demanded from their men was entirely safe, and what better way of demonstrating that than by volunteering to do it first?

Fox had thought that the Jedi would be reluctant to get these supposed inhibitor chips taken out. What if something went wrong and all the clones became violent? They didn't voice those concerns for long. Skywalker had taken out Fives' chip, and he had carefully gone through every bit of the programming found on it. He turned in a detailed report that covered every concerning order that the chips could force the clones to follow. The Jedi Council had unanimously agreed that it was too risky for the chips to remain, even if they did inhibit the clones' more violent tendencies.

Most clones hadn't yet been told about the details. Just knowing that the chips could take away their free will was enough to make them want to get rid of them. Only Fox, Rex, Kix, Gamma, and Tup had been told about what Skywalker had found about Order 66. The only reason Tup had been told is because his chip had started to malfunction and influence his mood and judgement. The Jedi hadn't wanted him to know, but Fox had thought that it was only fair that Tup knew how bad it could have gotten.

Besides, now Tup could tell the medics every little detail about how he'd been feeling so they could look for the signs in any other clone. They hadn't found other deteriorating chips yet, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

Fox rubbed at his forehead and paced around his office, trying to run away from the dark feeling that was sinking deeper and deeper into his chest. Something bad was about to happen, he just knew it.

This wasn't just anxiety about the chips or concern about his men. This was far more than the normal restlessness that he always felt when he couldn't do his work the way he was supposed to. This was a heavy and familiar dread, and he knew exactly what it meant.

He looked at his arms, devoid of their armor. It had been confiscated from him when the Chancellor had disciplined him for his disobedience, and he still hadn't gotten it back. That was the rule. Fox couldn't just be given his armor back when it was taken from him. He had to prove himself worthy and earn it.

That part usually wasn't so bad. It gave Fox a headache every time, and it felt like something twisted its way into his mind. Something that shouldn't be there. But the discomfort didn't usually last long. Fox just had to bear through it, report on what he had learned and how he would correct his behavior, and his armor would be returned. It would be dented, scuffed, and in some places scorched, but he didn't care because it was his.

He would normally only have to live without his armor for a few days, until he was well enough to return to work. There had only been one or two times where his recovery had taken nearly a week, but it had never been longer than that. The Chancellor didn't want the public to see one of the clone commanders so vulnerable. How would they trust the Coruscant Guard to protect them if their commander couldn't even protect himself?

It had been far longer than just a few days though. Fox didn't know exactly how long, because time blurred together when he wasn't busy working, but he knew it had to have been a few weeks at the very least. He knew the Chancellor would want to see him eventually, and every day that went by without being summoned by him made the dread grow. He had long-since healed from his punishment. The scars were gone, and his muscles hadn't spasmed in weeks. What was the Chancellor waiting for?

Whatever his motivation had been, Fox knew the wait was over. If the darkness in his chest wasn't a big enough indication, he felt the occasional burning shocks through his arms that made his muscles tighten painfully. He knew this was a reminder of his punishment, because the Chancellor didn't like to repeat his lessons. He expected Fox to have learned the first time around, and these little shocks certainly did the job of reminding him of what he would rather forget.

Fox wanted to get it over with, but he had made the mistake once of trying to anticipate the Chancellor's needs. Never again. No, he couldn't go until he was called in. Even if the Chancellor would probably scold him for 'being late', that was better than getting another punishment for presuming that he knew better than the Chancellor.

Palpatine thrived on power. Nothing made him happier than to have the opportunity to passive aggressively, or just aggressively, demonstrate how much better he was than everybody else. Fox got in trouble for his incompetence, but he knew it also made the Chancellor happy, and when he was happy he was sometimes more forgiving of Fox' mistakes. Not all the time, but sometimes.

So Fox paced in his room and just waited. He jumped terribly when he heard a knock on his door. He was far too jumpy, and he knew that the Chancellor would get at him for it. He looked at the door as it was opened by Dogma. He had permission to come into Fox' office whenever he pleased, but insisted on knocking first, even if he just let himself in immediately afterwards. Fox didn't know if that had been part of Dogma's training, and he was in no mood to try to figure it out right now.

"Ad'ika." Fox said. Just seeing Dogma soothed a small amount of the anxiety he had about his inevitable meeting with the Chancellor. "Is your surgery soon?" One look at Dogma's head made it clear that he hadn't gotten the chip out. Fox didn't know why. He had wanted Dogma to be one of the first guards to get the chip removed, as soon as they knew it was safe. Kix had agreed, because they had both thought that the chip might have at least something to do with Dogma's more concerning thoughts and behavior, and the sooner that was taken care of the better. Why had it been put off?

Dogma's fingers twitched slightly. If he hadn't been trained so well he would probably be fiddling with his fingers anxiously. "Gamma arranged for me to be at the back of the list." Dogma said. Fox raised an eyebrow at him.

"Are you scared?" Fox' tone was free of all judgment. They all knew the procedure was safe. Even Tup, with his slightly decayed chip, had his surgery go down without a hitch. But fear wasn't a logical thing. Just because somebody knew that they were safe didn't mean they were immune to fear.

But Dogma was always so practical and logical. All of his fears and concerns were carefully rationalized in his head. Why would he be afraid of such a short and safe surgery.

"I'm not nervous about the procedure." Dogma said stiffly. "I-" He trailed off, looking ashamed and more than just a little scared. This wasn't just a fear that was nudging at the back of his mind. He was truly afraid.

Dogma took a deep breath. "Kix said the chip might have something to do with why I'm the way I am. What if I'm someone new when it's gone?"

Fox hadn't considered that possibility, and now he found himself with the same fear. He wanted Dogma to get better, yes, but he didn't want to 'fix' or 'cure' him. Fox didn't think there was anything wrong with Dogma's more strict and 'by-the-book' behavior. There was nothing wrong with him struggling to express his emotions with his words, and deciding to show it through his actions instead.

Fox wanted to reassure him and tell him that everything was going to be okay. That Dogma was far more than the protocol and the procedures that had been drilled into him, and even if he changed he would still be Dogma. He would still be the loyal brother who wouldn't hesitate to make sacrifices in the name of bringing happiness to someone else. That wasn't the kind of thing that the chip or his training had taught him. That was just who Dogma was.

But he didn't know how to make any such promise. He didn't know how to find the words, and he was worried that if he said it wrong then he would just give Dogma false hope. He didn't want to unintentionally lie to him. But the longer Fox was silent, just staring at Dogma in horror at the very idea that he would become someone new, the more he practically confirmed the fear in Dogma's mind.

Fox was feeling overwhelmed. Should he comfort Dogma? Talk about him logically about this? Send him Kix' way and have the medics address these very real concerns? He didn't know what was best, and he had too many things on his mind to even think about how he should talk Dogma through his problems.

Fox was both saved and condemned when he heard his communicator go off. It was a cheap one that didn't relay messages. It just beeped. But the only person who had the frequency for this little communicator was the Chancellor. He had given it to Fox specifically so he could summon him when it was time for him to try to get his armor back.

Fox didn't have a second to spare. He gave Dogma an apologetic look. "I'm really sorry. I have to go. Talk to Tup. Take some deep breaths. You'll be fine." He hated how dismissive he sounded, but he couldn't afford to linger. Every moment he wasn't in the Chancellor's office after being summoned like this was a moment too long.

Tup would probably be better suited to help Dogma with these issues. He knew how to calm and comfort him. And Tup, of all the clones, knew how it felt to have his thoughts and feelings suddenly change with the chip's absence. His situation wasn't the same as Dogma's, but it was similar enough.

Fox left his office and quickly started walking down the halls of the barracks. His chest tightened when he heard Dogma come after him and start walking at his side. He couldn't deal with this right now.

"Where are you going?" Dogma asked. He didn't sound as nervous anymore. He sounded determined and concerned. Fox knew he was probably more worried about him than he was about himself. It was probably a great distraction for Dogma, but it was such bad timing for Fox.

"I have a meeting with the Chancellor." Fox said stiffly.

"General Skywalker said you wouldn't need to talk to the Chancellor anymore." Dogma said.

"General Skywalker isn't here." Fox said. "And I can't just wait for him."

Dogma grabbed his arm and made him stop in his tracks. Fox's chest tightened, and he didn't know if it was from anxiety or if it was an echoing reminder of what was waiting for him should he take too long. Getting shocked with electricity would be the least of his worries.

"Let me go." Fox said.

"No." Dogma said boldly. "You don't have to do what the Chancellor says." Did he even hear himself? That was bordering on treasonous, but what was most shocking of all was that it was coming from Dogma of all people.

"I have my orders." Fox said. "And good soldiers follow orders." It was odd how foreign the familiar phrase felt on his tongue. The phrase felt like second nature to say, and Fox had said it before without a second thought, but now it felt unnatural.

"But you're not a soldier with the Chancellor." Dogma said. "Skywalker said you act like a slave."

"What's the difference?" Fox asked, only half kidding. Dogma's grip on his arm tightened and Fox remembered who he was talking to. "Sorry."

"You've all been trying to help me to stop acting like a slave to the Jedi." Dogma said. Fox didn't like the way he phrased that. It made it sound like Dogma's behavior was his fault when he was just a victim in this. They had been trying to help him overcome the indoctrination though, so he wasn't wrong about that.

"I just want to help you do the same." Dogma said quietly. He was a sweet kid. Fox' heart ached with pride and appreciation for him, but it wasn't strong enough to hide the growing darkness in his chest. He needed to leave. Now.

"The Jedi are cooperative." Fox said. Perhaps they were more than a bit willfully ignorant, but they meant well, and Fox had seen that they genuinely tried to not give direct orders to Dogma or any other clone that wasn't working directly under them. "The Chancellor isn't. And he has a lot more power than the Jedi do."

"Then I'll go with you." Dogma said. Fox felt a spike of anxiety so sharp that it actually felt like his heart had stopped. He couldn't breathe. He would swear that his heart was being squeezed. He felt like he was going to die, and there was just a single thing that kept him going.

"Absolutely not!" Fox ripped his arm out of Dogma's grip, glaring harshly at him. "You are to do no such thing."

"You're not going alone." Dogma protested. "That's one of your rules. No clones alone on Coruscant."

Dogma was so loyal. So kind. So determined. He was truly one of the best men that Fox had ever had the pleasure of meeting. He couldn't allow him to be exposed to the Chancellor's cruelties, and that was exactly what would happen if Dogma came with him. It would be the situation with Krell all over again, except that Palpatine wouldn't be anywhere near as merciful as the demagolka had been.

He didn't know what the Chancellor would do, but he refused to find out. No matter what he couldn't let Dogma get hurt again. Not because of him. He wouldn't be able to take it.

"You're not coming." Fox' voice was cold and commanding. He hated to speak like the commander that he was, especially to his own men when they didn't have to play any parts for civilians or senators, but he didn't have a choice. Dogma was too concerned about Fox to listen to him. But no matter how worried Dogma was, he was also obedient to those in authority over him. Fox had never once abused that power, and he loathed to do so now, but he wouldn't hesitate to do so if it meant that Dogma was safe.

"You are to stay within the barracks until my return." Fox commanded. Dogma opened his mouth to argue, and Fox pulled out his trump card. "That's an order, soldier."

Dogma's mouth snapped close and he became really stiff. His eyes became closed off. Fox knew he had won the little argument, but that was hardly something to be proud of. He knew he would hate himself forever for this, but he didn't know what else to do. He didn't have time to think of another way to convince Dogma to stay.

He wanted to apologize. He wanted to tell Dogma that he didn't mean it, but he was just doing the best that he could, even though he knew it wasn't good enough. He wanted to give empty promises that he would be just fine and that Dogma didn't need to worry about him. But he had given Dogma his orders as his Commander, and being soft on him would make it all be for nothing.

So Fox, the coward that he was, didn't say anything. He turned away from Dogma and marched away. He was relieved and heartbroken when he didn't hear Dogma follow him. Fox was able to leave the barracks uninterrupted, and then he started going through the motions. He didn't really think or make conscious decisions, but somehow he was able to get from the barracks, find a transport, and get to the senate building without any problem.

He didn't want to be here. Fox felt like he should be running the other way, but his feet kept moving forward as he approached the Chancellor's office. It felt like moving through a dream. You're not really aware of how you get from point A to point B, but somehow it just happens. All too soon he was standing in front of the office doors.

The red guards were standing in front of the door. They were expecting him, because they opened the door and let him in without a word. Fox didn't falter at all in his steps as he entered. He saw the Chancellor standing in front of the windows, looking out over the city. He didn't turn or acknowledge Fox' presence at all, but he didn't need to. Fox already knew what was expected of him.

He stepped into the middle of the room and knelt on the ground, his shoulders hunched and his head lowered. He could only imagine how lowly he looked. If only people knew that this was what the great Commander Fox had been reduced to. None of his men would respect him. The Jedi would probably doubt the strength of all of the clones serving under them.

The part that broke Fox the most was how he knew his vode would respond. They had always thought that he was too proud. They mocked him for being 'high and mighty'. They'd probably get a kick out of knowing how far he had fallen. They would laugh at him. Mock him.

Or maybe some of them would be like Rex and they would pity him, and that would be even worse.

"Fox." Palpatine's voice was deceivingly calm, but Fox wasn't fooled for a second. The Chancellor wasn't even calling him by his title. Fox hadn't earned that right. "How gracious of you to honor me with your presence. I hope I'm not interrupting your busy schedule."

Fox swallowed thickly. He kept his head lowered. He didn't dare look up at the Chancellor. He didn't deserve that privilege. "Of course not, Sir." He said. There was nothing else he could say.

"I should hope not." He flinched when he heard the swishing of fabric. He could vividly imagine the Chancellor turning towards him. Who would have thought that an old man turning around could be enough to strike fear into someone's heart? Or maybe Fox was just that pathetic.

"After all," He heard the Chancellor walk closer, his voice far too casual. "We have a lot to discuss, don't we?" The way he said it made Fox feel like he should know what to expect, but he never did. Fox knew that the Chancellor would ask him to repeat the lesson he had learned all those weeks ago when he had let Dogma interrupt his meeting with Skywalker. Palpatine would probably want him to confess to wasting the Jedi's time, even though the guard had been repeatedly told to not bother them unless commanded otherwise.

But there had to be more than that. There was always more.

Fox' breath got caught in his throat when he saw the Chancellor's feet in front of him. He must be standing very close if Fox could see him even with his head lowered as it was. He didn't feel comfortable or safe at all, but since when did his feelings matter?

"So," Fox shuddered and felt his chest tighten when the Chancellor put a hand on his shoulder. The touch itself was gentle, but he knew it wouldn't last. "Shall we begin?"

He didn't want to. Fox would rather do anything else. He would rather be at the Jedi Temple, being interrogated, only to not be believed. That humiliation and pain was worlds better than this. But he didn't have a choice. He never did, and he never would.

The other clones deserved autonomy. They deserved to be treated as the sentient beings that they were, free to make their own choices. Fox wasn't. The Chancellor had made that perfectly clear. The only freedom Fox had was the choice to either accept it, or fight fruitlessly and make things worse for himself.

He knew he should fight, but he was too much of a coward. So instead Fox closed his eyes and said what was expected of him.

"Of course, Sir."