A/N: I decided to change the name Kira Luce (Leia's alias) to Lena Luce. Forgot to tell you sorry.
Chapter 6: Orders
STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS
Clone crisis!
After the mysterious death of his friend Tup, ARC trooper Fives and Leia Organa under embarked on an investigation, which led to the discovery of a hidden chip which is placed inside clone troopers when they are still embryos.
The Kaminoan scientist Nala Se claims the chip is harmless and is meant to restrain the clones from violent, unpredictable action. Fives and Leia claim otherwise and have convinced Jedi Master Shaak Ti to allow them to plead their case directly to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine on Coruscant.
Planet Coruscant. 19 BBY.
"Attention. Please be advised we have arrived at Coruscant and will be touching down at our destination shortly." The pilot reported. Leia left Shaak Ti on her own as she was about to return to Fives who was strapped to a bed. Once she turned, she immediately saw Nala Se, the Kaminoan chief-scientist, taking out a syringe, obviously for Fives. Leia immediately felt something was wrong and dashed towards the Kaminoan.
"What do you think you doing?" she sneered at Nala. "I'm watching over the clone." Nala simply answered as she was about to inject the syringe into the Fives. However, she was immediately restrained. Nala tried to resist, but she couldn't move as Leia held her with the Force.
"You better stay away with him." Leia threatened her. "Don't stay in my way, child." Nala hissed at the girl, only to see that Leia touched her lightsaber attached to the belt. Frowning at her, Nala backed away, but Leia stood there, keeping a close eye on her. Soon, the Nu-class shuttle arrived, and all the passengers descended down the gangplank. They were immediately greeted by Mas Amedda.
"Urrgh, who else could it be?" Leia grumbled to herself as she immediately saw the Vice Chancellor of the Republic. She meet him numerous times on Coruscant during her time as an Imperial senator, for the blue-skinned Chagrian was a member of the Imperial Ruling Council and acted as Palpatine's representative in the senate, though his position was irrelevant, with Grand Vizier Pestage being the Emperor's right-hand man and holding more power than Amedda.
"Greetings, Master Jedi." Amedda greeted as he stood between two clones of the Coruscant guard. "The Chancellor is waiting inside."
The party entered the Grand Republic Medical Facility. Soon, they arrived to a large medical chamber with Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine himself standing there. Leia immediately froze once she saw him. The girl panicked as the memories of her first encounter with Palpatine flooded her mind. It was one year before she was captured, before Alderaan was destroyed. Back then, Leia, as the 18-year-old princess of Alderaan, visited Coruscant along with her father. They attended the Imperial Palace where she met both Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader for the first time. Just like now, she froze up, as back then she felt pure evil radiating from the Emperor as he walked around in his pitch-black robes and his face disfigured. Leia was unable to do anything more than to mumble thanks to his complements as Darth Vader watched.
However, what made Leia tremble with fear even more is that right now she stood in front of Palpatine when he was chancellor. He looked different, he looked human, and Leia could not feel the pure darkness illuminating from him. Maybe that's how he managed to rise to power, Leia thought, that the Jedi could not sense the Dark Side from him.
"Master Shaak Ti, it is good to see you again." Chancellor Palpatine greeted them. "I trust you've kept this matter extremely confidential."
"Of course, Chancellor."
"Ah, good." Leia still stood there frozen as Palpatine turned towards her and Fives. "So, this is the clone who has caused so much alarm?" he asked. "Yes, sir" Fives nodded in affirmance. Palpatine then turned her attention to Leia, looking at the girl with curiosity.
"And who are you, young lady?" Palpatine asked. "I-I I am Lena Luce," Leia stammered.
"She is Master Skywalker's new padawan." Shaak Ti answered for Leia, who genuinely smiled at the Togrutan, only for Palpatine give her goosebumps. "Ah, I have heard about you, Young Luce. You have been quite some trouble back then on Geonosis." Palpatine recalled the report he received from Tarkin and Trachta. Thankfully, the Chancellor immediately ignored her as he turned his attention back to the ARC trooper.
"Guards, let him down, please." He ordered to the two clones of the Coruscant Guard. Without any emotions, the clones followed the order, releasing Fives. Leia saw that along with clone troopers, there were Palpatine's personal guards in red robes.
'Hmmm. I thought he had them after he became emperor,' Leia thought as she looked at the future Imperial guards that would follow the Emperor wherever he would be.
"Now, trooper, what brings you before me?" Palpatine asked the clone.
"The chips, Chancellor."
"Chips?" Palpatine asked. Shaak Ti answered his question instead of Fives as she approached the Chancellor.
"These were removed from both clone troopers." The Togrutan Jedi master spoke as she drew out the two inhibitor chips, giving them to Palpatine. "Clone trooper Fives claims they are the cause of the problem."
"Those are inhibitor chips, which are placed in clones to make them less aggressive and more compliant to orders." Nala Se immediately interfered into the conversation. "I tried to explain to this clone that they are placed in them for his own good, but he removed his chip nonetheless."
"Our own good?" Fives asked, obviously angered. "This thing they put in us malfunctioned in clone trooper Tup." He then turned back to the Chancellor. "I removed his and analyzed it. There were signs of rapid decay."
"And we're positive this has nothing to do with a virus?"
"No, we still do not know for sure what caused trooper Tup to kill." Nala answered. "We only know that his chip failed, and now this clone has removed his own chip, which makes him a risk to himself and others."
"He is not at risk." Leia protested.
"Sir, they're covering something up. I know it. If it's not them, then it's a Separatist plot. They use this chip against us to make us more violent than less. That's why Tup kill General Tiplar!" Fives pleaded to the Supreme Chancellor.
"A Separatist plot from before the war even started?" Palpatine responded with surprise in his voice. "That seems unlikely. Don't you agree, Master Shaak Ti?"
"It does, Chancellor. It seems very unlikely." Shaak Ti answered thoughtfully. "It is absolutely impossible." Nala Se added. "What we have here is a single malfunction to one clone's inhibitor chip caused by a virus, Separatist plot or not."
"Perhaps it would be best if clone trooper Fives and I discussed this without your presence." Palpatine suggested, causing Leia to mentally scream 'no'. She looked at the Togrutan for hope and support in her idea.
"Chancellor, I must object." Shaak Ti objected, but the Chancellor remained stubborn.
"Please, Master Jedi. Trust me. I will not be alone. I have my security here." Palpatine raised his hand in objection. "I want this soldier to feel he is having a fair say in this matter."
Leia sighed in defeat as she had no choice but to leave. She looked at Fives one more time. The ARC trooper nodded to her in response, as if assuring her that he will be alright. Leia sweated and trembled as she left Fives with Palpatine, his guards and a batch of clones.
"Now... where were we?" Palpatine suddenly whispered to Fives with a smirk.
To Leia it seemed ages as she stood there with Shaak Ti, Nala Se, and Mas Amedda in the reception. Shaak Ti meditated, while the Kaminoan walked around the hall. The hall was filled with silence until they heard Palpatine's desperate voice coming from the medical chamber.
"No! Let me go! Guards!"
Leia and Ti immediately dashed towards the doors. Once they opened them, they saw Palpatine lying on the floor, while Fives was knocking out the last clone trooper.
"No! You!" Fives yelled as he aimed his captured DS-17C carbine at the Chancellor, only to be pushed away from him by Shaak Ti using the Force. The clone stood up and immediately escaped the chamber using the other exit.
"He tried to kill me." Palpatine explained as the Togrutan approached him. "It was so sudden. You were right, doctor. He must have gone mad without his chip."
Both Leia and Shaak Ti ran after the clone. Once they were gone, Palpatine took out the two chips he was given.
"You have done all you can, Doctor. I trust you will keep these safe?" he asked the Kaminoan. "Of course, Chancellor." Nala answered as she took the evidence, smiling.
"Fives, stop!" Leia desperately yelled as she saw the clone dashing down the stairs. "Fives!"
Cursing herself, Leia made a leap and jumped down to the ground floor. Using the Force, she landed safely without breaking anything. Shaak Ti also followed. Fives, meanwhile, entered the main reception hall of the Grand Republic Medical Facility. Desperate, he ran through, pushing and shoving medical personnel and patients on his way.
"Close the blast doors!" Shaak Ti yelled. One of the receptionists pressed the button and the doors began closing. Shaak Ti and Leia leaped through the hall to catch up with Fives. However, only Leia managed to jump through the closing gap after the clone just right before the doors closed.
Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
"I can't believe Fives would try to assassinate the Chancellor." Anakin Skywalker immediately stated once Shaak Ti showed the hologram of Fives attacking Palpatine with the guards knocked out. Aside from Anakin and the Togrutan, there were holograms of Yoda, Mace Windu and Plo Koon.
"The Kaminoans feel a virus corrupted the clone's inhibitor chip, which has led to this behavior." Shaak Ti continued her report. "ARC trooper Fives feels he is the victim of a plot, Separatist or otherwise."
"All security and clone forces on Coruscant have been ordered to join the manhunt." Mace Windu interfered. "The Chancellor has been moved to his Senate quarters, and the perimeter has been secured. However, Jedi involvement has not been requested."
"That's a little odd, isn't it?" Anakin asked. "Also, there are no signs of Padawan Luce." Shaak Ti continued. Anakin cursed to himself. The last thing he needed now was his new padawan to be in trouble. Who knows what's happening with her now.
"Hmm. Discover the truth we must. Find the clone and young Luce we must." Yoda stated thoughtfully. "If there is a plot involving the clones, we must get to the bottom of it. We will investigate quietly, undercover. We must make sure this clone is not killed." Windu added.
"I'll handle this investigation." Anakin assured the two masters. "Fives was part of the 501st, If Rex and I find him, he'll trust us. We will also find Lena.
"Be wary. Since he removed his inhibitor chip, Fives may no longer be the man you once knew." Shaak Ti warned the young Jedi knight.
Streets of Coruscant
Leia ran through the crowded streets of the city, trying her best to not push anyone on her way, while also trying to not lose Fives out of her sight. Right now, she could easily distinguish him from the crowd; the clone with his head shaved and in his white armor was in front of her. Leia saw as Fives heard a voice nearby. He saw as a group of women leaving a cab, paying to the taxi driver, a male Nimbanel. The ARC trooper immediately approached him.
"Heya, pal. Where to?" the driver asked.
"Take me to 79's."
"The clone bar?" the Nimbanel asked and turned back. "Oh, you're a clone, huh?"
"Look, just shut up and drive!" an annoyed Fives told him. "Okay, you got it." The taxi driver complied, only to ask more questions. "So, heading out for a little fun on the town, eh? I didn't know clones could have fun. There's a lot you don't know about clones."
"No one knows."
"Ooh, very mysterious, eh?" the driver asked. "I like a good mystery."
"Yeah?" Fives asked in frustration. "You ever hear the one about the people engineered to kill, engineered to kill their best friends, their leaders, and they don't even know it?"
"I'm a cab driver, pal." The Nimbanel taxi driver simply answered. "I hear stories like that all the time."
As the air taxi left, Leia desperately looked around and smiled. She saw a speeder and the owner, some biker, standing nearby talking to a girl. Thankfully, she had some credits with her, given to her before the mission to Ringo Vinda. Running towards the biker, she took them out.
"That's for the speeder!" she yelled, throwing the golden credits to the biker. "Huh? Hey!" the biker, who didn't understand what was going straight way, yelled at her, but it was too late as she jumped on the speeder and flew after the taxi. Sometime later, the cab arrived to a bar, with clones standing outside, some of them being already drunk. Without a word, Fives got out of the vehicle, only to be stopped by the driver.
"Hey, you are paying for this ride or what?" he asked. "Ah, bill it to the Republic." Fives answered after some hesitation, attracting a group of drunk clone deck officers in their grey uniform.
"Bill it to the Republic. Good one, brother!"
"Lousy, cheap clones!" the Nimbanel cursed. "It's your credit, pal. You're paying for this." A clone officer told him, showing off his uniform as another one wrapped his arm around Fives, holding a half-empty bottle. The three drunk clones burst into laughter.
"Ah, your mother's a droid!" the driver told them and with that, he left as the clones threw bottles and glasses at the taxi.
"Get out of here! Droid lover!" they shouted before turning their attention to Fives. "Come on, brother. Let's go inside."
"Corporal, that's a nice hat you got there. Mind if I see it?" Fives spoke as she followed them to the bar. "Uh, sure, yeah. Sure, you got it." The corporal answered as he placed his cap on Fives shaved head. The bar was filled with clones. There were clone troopers in their armor, clone pilots and clone officers enjoying their time, partying. A group of clones surrounded a table with two clone officers playing arm wrestling. Some were dancing, others were concentrating their attention on the show girls, which were mostly humans and Twi'leks.
"To the Republic!"
"I think it's time for another round." The corporal, who gave his cap to Fives, stated before turning to the bartender. "Hey, bartender!"
While the deck officers directed towards the bartender for more drinks, Fives looked around until he saw two familiar people; Kix and Jesse. Taking a breath, the rogue ARC trooper followed Kix once he saw that the clone medic headed towards the bathroom.
To the Republic! To the 212th! Down the hatch, boys!" some clones shouted as they proposed a toast before drinking wine.
After finishing his affairs, Kix approached the sink and the mirror installed on the wall. He was observing the tattoos on his head until a voice disrupted the silence within the bathroom.
Ah! Fan out, and check IDs.
"So, I guess the 501st is back on Coruscant?"
"Oh, yeah, we just got back from Ringo Vinda." Kix answered not even turning to the clone addressing him. "The strangest thing happened out there."
"Yeah, I know." The response came. Curious, Kix turned and was shocked to see Fives standing in front of him.
"Fives?" the clone medic exclaimed. "Whoa. What's going on? They say you tried to assassinate the Chancellor and that you're infected with that virus that killed Tup."
"I don't have time to explain right now." Fives answered. "All I can tell you is... is that I'm being framed. All of us, even the Jedi, are in grave danger."
"But what can I do, Fives? How can I help?" Kix asked. "I need to talk to Rex, or... or General Skywalker." Fives told him.
"Well, they've been tasked with finding you and Luce. Just... just turn yourself in!"
"No! No, I'll never get to them." Fives objected. "You don't understand. What I'm mixed up in, it goes all the way to the top. The highest levels are involved in the conspiracy. I have to talk to General Skywalker and Rex directly, alone."
Kix sighed heavily.
"Look, I can contact Rex, but I can't guarantee he'll bring the General." He told the ARC trooper. "Good, good, good. Thanks, Kix. I appreciate it. Here. Here are the coordinates. Just make sure he meets me there." Fives told him as he pressed some buttons on the medic's forearm. "Right. Good luck, Fives." Kix told him as he was leaving the bathroom, only for Fives to hide among the clones as the Coruscant Guard entered the bar.
"Identification, please. Have you seen this clone?" one of them asked the partying clones, showing the image of Fives. "Uh, no, sir. I haven't seen him."
While the clone troopers with red markings were distracted, Fives sneaked through the drunk clone officers towards the exit. Thankfully, there was only one guard talking with two deck officers. Trying not to attract any attention, Fives took a speeder bike and flew towards the working district of the city.
'Where in the Force is he going?' Leia asked herself as she followed the rogue clone on her speeder. Little did the two knew that a probe droid was following them. The journey took a few hours as the sun began to rise once Fives arrived to a warehouse on one of the lower levels of Coruscant. Hiding his speeder bike among large crates at the landing bay, Fives was about to enter the warehouse, only to hear another speeder bike approaching the bay. Hiding, he watched as Leia landed her speeder right beside his. Using the opportunity, he attacked her from behind, wrapping his arm around her neck.
"What are you doing here?" he asked the girl. "I'm here to help. I know everything."
"You know nothing!" Fives snarled. "I do. I know that there is a plot against the Jedi and that Palpatine is involved!" Leia's words seemed to work on Fives as the clone released her. Though by the look on his face it was clear that this conversation was not over yet.
"How do you?" the fugitive ARC trooper asked her. "Let's just say I searched my feelings, thus knowing it to be true." Leia answered, as she tried to recall what Vader told Luke on Bespin after her brother told her a more detailed story of his confrontation with the Sith lord on Bespin sometime after the Battle of Endor. Fives sighed as he sat on the floor.
"You're right. There is a whole galaxy-wide conspiracy with the aim of wiping out the Jedi Order, and the Chancellor is involved in this." Fives began. "We, the clones, will play a role in it thanks to this," he pointed his head. "Organic chips, they have a program made especially for this. It makes us to do It."
"Do what?"
"Execute Order 66." Fives answered trembling. "Order 66?" Leia asked.
"Well, these are the coordinates Kix gave us." Anakin stated. "Let's hope Fives is inside."
"Eh, I hope he knows what he's doing." Rex added as the two entered the warehouse. "Fives?" Rex called out. "Fives, we're here. Come on out. We just want to talk to you."
"General Skywalker, thank you." Fives' voice was heard. "Thank you for trusting me. Now, have you come without troops?"
"We have."
"Put down your weapon, then." Fives asked. "I don't think so, Fives." Skywalker answered to that. "Please, sir! Please, I'm unarmed." Fives begged.
"All right. I'm putting my pistol down." Rex as he placed his two DC-17 blaster pistols on a crate nearby. "What are we here for, Fives?"
"I need your help."
"I know you do." Anakin responded. "We know you're not well. It's been rough for you these past couple days."
"I'm not crazy!" Fives yelled in anger.
"Please. Please, just... Just hear what we have to say." Fives begged and he dropped down to the ground, next to the ray shields control panel. "We're here to help you, Fives. Just come with us. Let us take you back to the Temple." Anakin said.
"No!" the clone yelled and clicked a button, activating the ray shields and trapping both Rex and Fives. "I just need you to listen to me. Please." Fives said, and he stepped out from his hiding place. "I'm not really sure we have any other choice." Rex said.
"I was framed because I know the truth. The truth about a plot, a massive deception." Fives began explaining, with Leia standing nearby, listening. "By whom?" Anakin asked.
"Well, there's a sinister plot in the works against the Jedi. I have proof of it. I can prove that everything that I know is true beyond a shadow of a doubt!" Fives yelled.
"Show me the evidence."
"The evidence is in his head. It's in all of the clones." The clone answered to Skywalker's demands. "What is it?" Rex asked.
"Organic chips, built into our genetic code to make us do whatever someone wants, even kill the Jedi." Fives explained, pointing at his shaved head. Leia froze with shock at the recent discovery. She tried her best to accept the information she has just received. Inhibitor chips used to brainwash and reprogramme the clones. Is that possible? She thought. Using the Force, she twitched in horror as she was assured that Fives was telling the truth.
"Let's just get you some help first, then we can review everything. It'll be okay, Fives. We'll sort this out." Anakin said and Fives backed away from them.
"You don't believe me, do you?" the clone asked.
"Fives, we are listening to you. We only want to help." Rex said. "How do I know you're not tricking me? How do I know it won't be a trap? The Chancellor will try to kill me! I promise you that!" Fives yelled. "The Chancellor?" Anakin asked. "He's in on it! I don't know to what extent. But I know he orchestrated much of this. He told me in the medical bay."
"He told you? When you tried to assassinate him? Anakin asked. "You have gone too far, Fives. The Chancellor is incapable of what you claim."
"He is! I swear to you, General. You have no idea..." Fives was about to continue only to hear voices as the shock troopers of the Coruscant Guard appeared led by Commander Fox.
"Stand down, soldier! Stand down! Get on your knees!" the clones ordered the rogue clone. "No! No! No! Stay back!" Fives yelled in protest, reaching for one of Rex's guns.
"Don't do it! Don't do it, soldier!" Fox yelled. "Get away from me!" Fives yelled back.
"Fives, no!" Leia yelled and reached forward and using the Force she guided the commander's blaster bolt away from Fives and towards the ray shield generator, lowering the shield. The shock troopers froze and pointed the DC-17S carbines at her after their clone commander aimed at her as Leia stood between them and Fives.
"Don't shoot!" Anakin desperately yelled, much to Leia's shock. "Fox, I order you to stand down. Tell your men to put their weapons down." He barked at Fox, who hesitated.
"Do it, or you will be dealing with me," Anakin threatened. "I am sure the Chancellor will also not be pleased with this."
Despite the others not seeing this due to him wearing his helmet, Fox gulped as he lowered his pistols. "Stand down, men." He told his clones. Leia then desperately turned to Anakin.
"He's not crazy! He's not lying! I know he is." Leia said. "How do you know?" Anakin asked.
"I- I- I- I just know! Okay?" Leia answered. "Master, please believe me. Don't give Fives away to the Chancellor. If something will happen, I will be responsible for it." Leia begged. Anakin held the urge to scoff when the girl said responsible, due to the past actions on Geonosis and possibly on Kamino. He sighed heavily as he made his decision.
"Alright, Lena." He told her. "You have my word. But if something happens, you will be responsible."
"Thank you, master." Leia nodded as Fox looked shocked.
"With respect, sir. I have orders from the Supreme Chancellor himself." The clone commander began to object. "I will talk with the Chancellor about this." Anakin assured Fox. Soon, they left the warehouse on two Republic police gunships, with Fives and Leia holding hands as they tried to comfort each other.
Office of the Supreme Chancellor on Coruscant.
"A tragic situation, indeed." Palpatine spoke. "About the clones' breakdowns, have we discovered any new evidence?" Yoda asked as he sat in a couch along with Windu and a few Jedi masters, with Leia and Anakin standing behind the furniture.
"I've had my own personal doctors examine both bodies. It appears Nala Se did miss something in her examination."
"Another cause your doctors found?" Yoda asked.
"A parasite. Native to Ringo Vinda." Palpatine answered. Leia looked at him with pure hatred. "Probably in the canteen of water they both shared. It did cause the inhibitors to decay once the parasite had taken hold. It is very rare. However, just to be cautious, we have prepared an inoculation for every clone trooper in our army."
"So, I guess it's over, then?" Windu asked the Chancellor. "Yes. We can finally put this whole wretched situation behind us. We must direct our attention back to the war at hand. Each day we grow closer and closer... to victory." Palpatine said, as he smiled looking into the landscape of Coruscant. As the Jedi were leaving, Leia was the last to leave, as she continued to look at the Supreme Chancellor, before being called by Anakin Skywalker. As they walked through the corridors, they were stopped by Mas Amedda, who tells Skywalker that the Chancellor wants to talk with him. Leia stood as Anakin told her to wait.
"Anakin, my friend," Palpatine welcomed young Skywalker as the knight approached him. "Supreme Chancellor." Anakin nodded. "From what I've heard it appears you have a new padawan?" the Chancellor asked him.
"Yes, Chancellor." Anakin nodded. From his voice it was obvious that this topic frustrated him.
"Strange, I have thought that the Jedi would give you more time to deal with Tano's departure. I would have never suspected they would find a replacement for her after what they did to her." Chancellor Palpatine's face displayed shock and sadness.
"They said that I am too attached to Ahsoka." Skywalker began explaining. "The Jedi believe that I must let go of the past."
"Yes, I understand that sometimes we must let the past go to continue living on, especially now when we are at war," Palpatine continued the conversation. "But what they did to Ahsoka Tano, and then easily replace her with a new padawan, is low even for them. Not to mention that they didn't admit their mistakes nor apologized to Tano, or to you."
"Chancellor, it was Ahsoka's choice to leave the Jedi Order." Anakin protested. "Yes, it was her choice. But it was the Jedi Council that caused her to make that choice. They betrayed her, turned her backs on her. You were the only one, who stood for her, as a true friend."
Anakin nodded as he silently agreed with Palpatine. He clenched his fist as he felt anger and rage at the Jedi Council once again. He still couldn't believe how could they do this to Ahsoka, to him. First, they expelled Ahsoka, after all the deeds she did for the Order and the Republic, and now they gave her a girl who is a brat, constantly being angry at him for some unknown reason.
"Not to mention that they could do the exact same thing to you, Anakin." Palpatine continued. "One day, they could betray you. Not to mention they have been using you, keeping secrets from you. This is not how the Jedi are supposed to be. No offense, my friend, but the way they are treating you is unacceptable."
"I'm doing fine Chancellor."
"Glad to hear that. What about this new padawan of yours, Lena Luce. How is she?" Palpatine asked. Anakin sighed, he knew that sooner and later the Chancellor will ask. "To be honest, Supreme Chancellor, it is hard. More harder than training Ahsoka. Lena is rash, stubborn. She does not listen to me at all, and not just me. Lena also ignores the orders of the clone chain of command within the 501st. Not to mention her mind is clouded, troubled. I constantly sense anger in her, directed at me. What's worse is that I don't know. I tried to make her tell me, but she doesn't tell me anything, lashing out at me."
"Oh, I see you have some problems with her," Palpatine told him as he looked at the young man with sympathy. "But I am confident that you will deal with her. I believe in you, my boy."
"Thank you, Chancellor." Anakin smiled at the Chancellor, who place a hand on his shoulder as the two stood at the window. "As I already said, Anakin, you can always ask me for help if needed. Especially with that girl of yours. I may never have children of my own, but you are like a son to you me, Anakin. You will always be."
"Thank you, Chancellor." Anakin genuinely said. Smiling, both Anakin and Palpatine watched the sun setting on Coruscant.
Anakin Skywalker's flagship on Coruscant.
Leia sat in her cabin, trying to meditate as she thought about the whole story with the chip, from the murder of Tiplar on Ringo Vinda to the adventures on Coruscant. She tried to calm down, but she can't. Tears were flowing down as she wept. Suddenly, she heard the door opening and saw Anakin Skywalker at the doorway. Leia didn't even notice as the Jedi knight wrapped his arms around him.
"It's okay, Lena." He whispered to her. "It's okay now. You're both safe."
"Get off me!" Leia yelled, pulling away from her master while trying to use the Force to push him away. Anakin was quite shocked by this.
"Lena, I…"
"Just leave me alone!" Leia cried. "Go!"
Anakin tried to comfort her as he sensed anger within her. Part of it was still directed at him. However, he decided not to disturb the 14-year-old.
"Fine," he said. "I'll leave you alone."
Leia didn't care, she sat there as the door closed. She was feeling horrible as she was thinking about the recent discoveries about the future stormtroopers. Since her childhood, the clones were seen as heroes that have fought the Separatists and have prevented the Jedi coup. Leia always thought the clones' portrayal as heroes was nothing more than Imperial propaganda, but due to the recent events, she was terribly wrong.
'How come I was so blind?' she thought. 'They were… are just normal people. Humans. Not a living stock to commit horrifying crimes in the name of the Emperor. It was all Palpatine… and Vader. They came and began controlling the clones with these chips of theirs. The clones are also victims. They were used. They are actually war heroes, true war heroes. Like Luke, Han, or Wedge. I was so wrong!'
She wrapped her arms around her knees and cried herself to sleep, feeling guilty for the causing the death of the clones on Geonosis. She knew what she had to do, she must warn the clones of the chips inside them, before the Sith activate them. With that, she came out of her cabin. As she walked through the corridors of the Venator-class star-destroyer, she finally found the person she was looking for. Fives was walking down the corridor, once again wearing his ARC-trooper armor. The only change in his appearance was his head shaved.
"Fives, I've been looking for you." Leia said as she approached him. "Same, Lena. I wanted to thank you for everything you did for me and Tup both on Kamino and on Coruscant." Fives replied, smiling. However, his smile faded once he saw that Leia was crying.
"Is everything alright, kid?" the ARC-trooper asked the girl with concern in his voice.
"Fives… I'm sorry." Leia whimpered. "For what?" Fives asked her in surprise. "For Geonosis. I caused the clones on that mission to die, and I caused it to fail. But mostly, I am sorry for my initial views on you guys. Well, you know, back then we had a conversation with Rex on the way to Kamino. But… But now I see, you are normal people like every person. Maybe Nala Se, Lama Su and the Chancellor see you as tools, but you're not."
To Leia's shock, Fives pulled the girl into a hug, rocking her. "It's okay, Lena. It's okay." He whispered to her. "I forgive you because I know that you are a caring and kind person. I am also proud that you admit your mistakes and feel remorse for them." Fives thought for a moment before talking again.
"Remember on our way to Kamino Rex said that a Jedi had similar views and it didn't end well for him?" Fives asked, and Leia nodded. "Well, he was talking about General Pong Krell. It was when the Republic led an invasion on the planet Umbara," Fives took a deep breath as the memories of fighting on that hell of a planet flooded his mind, "which has just joined the Separatists. Since the moment we landed, it was hell. First, it was so dark because the rays of the local sun never completely reached its surface. Secondly, instead of regular forces of droids, we encountered the determined and well-equipped local militia. Despite being led by General Skywalker, we have already began losing men on the battlefield. It became worse when General Skywalker was temporarily replaced by General Krell. We disliked him immediately. He led us on suicidal assaults, while he himself remained in the rear, ignoring our pleas for backup, as if we are nothing but cannon fodder."
"We would have perished if not for Rex. This went on and on until he made us to commit friendly fire on our brothers from the 212th. He told both sides that the Umbarans have taken our armor. This was the last straw, so we decided to arrest him. After a chase through the local jungle, we captured him. The truth is, Lena, Krell was a traitor. He believed that the Republic would fall and decided to join the apparent winning side by sabotaging our retake of the planet."
"What happened to him?" Leia asked as she listened to that story with great interest. "He was killed, by Dogma."
"Then why was Dogma in prison?" Leia asked another question. "You see," Fives began explaining. "Of all the clones, Dogma was the one most eager to follow Krell's orders. He was a loyal soldier who did not question or disobey orders, especially from Krell, despite the fact that the strategies were incompetent. It resulted in him not listening to us when we tried to convince him of the true nature of Krell's strategies. He even tried to stop us from arresting Krell, until we encouraged him otherwise. Even Appo was far more reasonable as while he initially obeyed Krell's command, he participated in the capture of the traitor."
"In the end, Dogma realized he was just used by Krell when we interrogated the Jedi. Sometime later, we received news that General Kenobi captured the capital, but a large group of Umbarans have escaped and were heading towards the airbase that we captured and where we held Krell prisoner. We understood that we had to execute Krell, but Rex wasn't able to pull the trigger, so Dogma killed him, using my gun. Despite this, Dogma was arrested as an associate of Krell, even if he was just a pawn."
"Um, Fives?" Leia asked once he finished. "After what happened on Geonosis, you were all looking at me with disdain. Did I reminded you of that Krell?"
"Well, kind of." Fives answered reluctantly. "But Lena," the ARC-trooper pulled her face towards his direction. "You are nothing like him. Yes, what you did was wrong, and a lot of clones have died. But you didn't mean this to happen, you admitted your mistakes and regret making them. Pong Krell slaughtered my brothers on purpose, and he felt no remorse for his actions."
Leia smiled genuinely at the clone, making Fives to grin. They stood like this in silence for a couple of minutes.
"We must do something, Fives." Leia spoke again. "We have to get those chips out of the other clones."
"I agree, but how?" Fives asked. "Do you have any idea how many clones are serving the Republic, not to add the cadets and embryos on Kamino."
"I know, but we have to try." Leia interjected. "We can start with the 501st, extract the chips from as much clones as we can using the medical chambers on our cruisers, and decode the program within one of the chips to use it as an evidence."
"Sounds like an idea, good thinking kid." Fives told her. "Great, with who do you think we shall start?" Leia asked.
"With Rex." Fives answered. "Once we will show him the evidence, he will definitely aid us."
Count Dooku's Palace, Planet Serenno.
"Lord Tyranus, have you received the inhibitor chip that you requested?" the hologram of Nala Se asked the hooded Sith. "I have, indeed. You have done well, doctor."
Once he finished talking with the Kaminoan, Dooku took off his hood and contacted his master. Once the hologram of Darth Sidious, Tyranus immediately kneeled before it.
"Our plan has gone undiscovered, master." Dooku reported. "The clone in question is delt, and the Jedi still suspect nothing."
"Good. Destroy all evidence." Darth Sidious ordered, and then added. "When the time comes, no one will be able to stop our plan to execute Order 66."
With that the hologram of the Sith lord roared with malevolent laughter.
Legends Trivia Notes
First Impressions
In this chapter, Leia recalls her first meeting with Emperor Palpatine in the Imperial Palace on Coruscant in 1 BBY. This was told in the short story "First Impressions" of the 1999 comic book series Star Wars Tales, in issue #15 released on March 12, 2003.
Spoilers ahead!
As he was preparing to hand his Senate seat to Leia Organa, Bail brings her to Coruscant for the first time. When they arrive, he allows Leia, who is infatuated with the city, to go off with two guards. At first entranced by Coruscant, the 18-year-old princess witnesses a Caamasi being arrested by two stormtroopers for simply trying to buy a drink at a café. When she tries to intervene on his behalf, the stormtroopers nearly arrest her as well.
Back at the apartment, Leia fumed to Bail, and says that she'll bring it up to Palpatine when she meets him at a reception being held at the Imperial Palace that night. Bail tries to dissuade her, saying that doing so now would jeopardize Alderaan when, once she is a senator, she will have the ability and power to try to make changes. Leia refuses to be deterred.
At the Palace, Leia is appalled at how deferential and pandering everyone is to the Emperor, which only hardens her resolve to bring up the issue to him. When they finally meet face to face, however, Leia is struck by the pure evil radiating from him, and is unable to do anything more than mumble thanks to his compliments as Darth Vader watches.
Following the reception, Bail assures Leia that it is nothing to be ashamed of, as that is a common reaction to seeing Palpatine, especially for the first time, and that to make changes, one must be subtle. He tells her how proud he is of her, and relates a piece of good news - he has arranged for the Caamasi she saw arrested to be released. Happy, Leia goes to meet him.
Mas Amedda after the Clone Wars
From what I heard, in Disney Canon, Mas Amedda is the Grand Vizier of the Galactic Empire. In Legends, the Grand Vizier is Sate Pestage, whom Palpatine trusted more as Pestage served the Sith Lord when Sidious was still the apprentice of Darth Plagueis. Just like Pestage, Mas Amedda knew that Palpatine was the mysterious Sith lord Darth Sidious.
When the Republic became the Galactic Empire, former Vice Chancellor Amedda became one of the first members of the Imperial Ruling Council, which was led by Sate Pestage, the Grand Vizier. Mas Amedda retained a position of power, acting as Palpatine's representative in the Senate. Unknown to Leia, when his position soon became largely irrelevant, Amedda was soon relegated to reclaiming lost Sith artifacts from worlds previously quarantined by the Jedi Order. Despite the apparent demotion, he enjoyed his ability to pursue his thirst for the knowledge of Sith history.
