Hardcase knew that his time in Coruscant wasn't a vacation. He wasn't on leave. He was here to make sure his vod'ika was okay and well-taken care of. They probably should have returned to the 501st after just a few days, but they'd been able to be here for nearly two weeks. The GAR didn't listen to the guard about most things, but there were apparently a few very specific things that Fox could ask for that they just couldn't say no to.
Rex commed Fox, Jesse, or Hardcase at least once a day, asking what was going on, and if the 'emergency' had been taken care of. He didn't know what had happened to Dogma, and he definitely didn't know that they were sticking around to try to figure out things that had happened years ago. Hardcase didn't like to keep secrets from his commander and friend, but they didn't have proper answers about Dogma yet. Until they had something of substance to tell him, it was better to just say that they needed more time, and let Kix take care of everything else.
Getting answers from Dogma himself was like pulling teeth, but it didn't take them long to figure out that Hardcase was the best at getting something that resembled a direct answer from him. It was because he had his guard up around all of the others. Dogma tried so hard to be 'good enough' for Tup and Fox, so he subconsciously tried to tell them what he thought they wanted to hear. His relationship with Jesse was better than before, but still tense. Dogma was still defensive around Jesse, and that wasn't going to change anytime soon.
With Hardcase, Dogma relaxed. He wasn't as open with Hardcase about his emotions, not like he was with Tup or Fox, but Dogma let himself talk openly about what he learned on Kamino.
Dogma had tried to talk to the others about it. He really had tried. But now that he knew that there was pressure to figure out what was going on he was tense whenever anybody tried to talk about it. Dogma was scared of what they might learn, and he was scared of being told that he was overreacting or making things up.
Dogma still got so worked up. He still claimed that his lessons were normal and followed the regulations, even though he knew by now that they hadn't been. Hardcase was pretty sure that at least part of what had been ingrained in Dogma's head was how 'normal' what he was taught was. It got to the point that he looked like he was about to start either yelling or crying whenever anybody else mentioned or implied that they weren't taught something he'd been taught.
But that didn't happen with Hardcase.
Maybe Hardcase just didn't have a tell that let Dogma know the moment that he said something weird. Maybe Dogma thought that Hardcase was so unfocused that he had genuinely forgotten the specifics of his own lessons, so he could just pretend that anything he talked about was something that Hardcase had been taught and just forgotten about. Whatever the case, Dogma talked both openly and casually about Kamino with Hardcase. With Dogma's permission, Hardcase then shared anything potentially weird with the others.
They learned a fair amount this way. For one, Dogma's training hours on Kamino had been longer than was normal. Every day Dogma had precisely seven hours of lessons, reading, or observational training, and seven hours of physical training, drills, or simulations. Because the Kaminoans had been very strict about clones getting precisely seven hours of sleep to optimize efficiency, that left Dogma just three hours every single day to take care of everything else, including eating, showering, getting ready for the day and ready for bed, not to mention relaxing and socializing. It was no wonder Dogma had such a hard time connecting with clones. For whatever reason, he had grown up never having the time to.
Hardcase was pretty sure his days on Kamino had never been longer than twelve hours of training total. Even Jesse and Fox, who had trained more for their ARC and Commander training said their longest days were fourteen hours, but those were for their final tests and definitely not an everyday occurrence.
Hardcase hadn't made a big deal about it when he'd heard it. When he told the others Jesse had sworn up a storm and he went to do some drills with the guard to get over his frustration. Fox had sighed and said that at least now he understood why Dogma was so desperate to work. He didn't know anything else.
Tup had hugged Dogma tightly after he got the news, but he didn't talk about it. By that time they all knew that making a big deal about what they had learned.
Other discoveries were smaller, but still significant. Dogma had just as much training in firearms and explosives as Hardcase did. He knew battle strategies and codes that only commanders were privy to. After taking a chance and telling Dogma what kinds of training Jesse had gone through to become an ARC trooper Hardcase was able to figure out that he'd received all that training and much more. After everything he'd gone through, Dogma could easily outrank all of them if he tried.
And if the Kaminoans hadn't worked him so hard that he was turned into a nervous wreck.
So they were able to figure out that Dogma's training had definitely been different than normal. Hardcase didn't think he'd received any of the normal training at all, but he wouldn't ever say as much to Dogma, because the kid already felt like he was one bad day away from being the worst soldier produced by Kamino. He didn't need to have additional doubts caused by the knowledge that he might be lacking in the most basic of training.
Because Hardcase wouldn't put it past the Kaminoans to jump right over the basics to start the advanced training.
What they couldn't figure out was why Dogma's training had been different. And what about those that Dogma had been trained with? Because Dogma regularly talked about clones that he took classes with, and only some of them had been with Tup. Half the time Dogma said names, the other half the time he just said 'this clone', or 'a brother', and when Hardcase asked what their name was he would look confused and blank before he said that he didn't remember.
Clones didn't just forget each other's names. Even the most insensitive brother remembered names that were given to them, because it was all they had. Hardcase wondered if Dogma didn't know the names of those clones not because he couldn't be bothered to remember, but because he'd never been told it. Because maybe they'd been in a stricter class where the Kaminoans had forbidden that kind of thing.
So there were other clones out there who were just like Dogma, and they didn't know who or where they were. Maybe they were still on Kamino, because Dogma and Tup had been sent out early, but that didn't mean everybody had. Maybe they'd been shipped out as well and were serving in other battalions and legions.
Maybe they felt underappreciated and unwanted among their brothers as well, and nobody bothered to notice or care because, like Dogma, they were dismissed as being strange.
They needed to figure out why this had happened to Dogma, or else they'd never be able to figure out how to help both him and everybody else like him.
Hardcase wanted to help him, but he knew that Dogma had far too much work and focus in his life. He needed to figure out how to relax. Getting answers was important, but Dogma was more than just a science project or test results. He was a brother. A vod. Even if he was just a clone, he was still a person, and he needed to treat himself with the proper respect.
Fox had insisted that Dogma be put on half shifts, and he wasn't hearing an argument about it from anybody. He wouldn't let Dogma say that he could do more, and he wouldn't let Tup, Hardcase, or Jesse argue that he shouldn't be working at all yet. Fox just sternly said that he was the commander here, and he knew what was best for his men. They couldn't argue with his authority.
When Dogma and Fox were working Hardcase and Tup would hit the town. Everywhere that Hardcase had thought of taking Dogma, he took Tup instead. He still wanted to take Dogma there, but he knew he wouldn't go easily. Dogma didn't let himself relax, but he liked to hear about Tup having fun. So Hardcase hoped that Dogma could find some second-hand enjoyment from Tup telling him about his day, and maybe he would be able to be persuaded to join them when he had a day off.
Jesse joined them sometimes, but he spent most of his days with the guard. He was getting to know them, learning about the way they worked. He didn't understand the guard, but he was trying more than anybody else in the GAR had. Jesse had also taken to reading from Dogma's datapad, which he had apparently loaned to Fox and forgotten about. Neither Dogma nor Fox knew that Jesse was reading from the datapad, and he had sworn Hardcase to secrecy. If he didn't know that Jesse was just trying to help Dogma in the only way he knew how right now, Hardcase would tell on him without a second thought.
Dogma didn't trust Jesse, but Hardcase did.
Jesse kept Kix up to date on what they were doing and what they learned about Dogma. Kix may not be Dogma's medic anymore, but he was the key to them staying here. Kix didn't have to give Rex the specifics, but he needed to say with confidence that they were still needed in Coruscant. And Jesse thought that Kix could use the information about Dogma to recognize the signs in other potential troopers. For all they knew, Dogma wasn't the only one in the 501st who had been given additional training. The very thought made Hardcase feel slightly ill.
While Dogma worked most days, he had a fair amount of off time. He never left the barracks, but he was slowly making himself relax, just as long as Hardcase or Tup was there to make sure it happened. They would sit on the floor of the sleeping quarters, Dogma leaning against Hardcase, with Tup's head on his lap as Dogma brushed his hair. If Dogma was in a good mood Jesse would join them, as he was doing today.
They were just relaxing when Kix called Jesse one day to get their daily update and let them know that he might not have the chance to talk to them for a while.
"A new campaign about to start?" Jesse asked. "Are we needed back?"
"Probably." Kix said. He already sounded stressed. "But I'm glad you're not going to be here. I can tell it's going to be a killer." They all grimaced. They knew that Kix wasn't exaggerating or using a turn of phrase. The campaign was going to be brutal.
Dogma sat up, frowning. It was already clear what he was about to say. "If they need more firepower, maybe you guys should go back. They need you more than me."
"I'm not sure how much of a difference three men will make." Kix said. "They'll probably be able to help you more than they'll help us." Kix sighed and lowered his voice. "Honestly, I'm worried that the biggest problem isn't our enemies."
"What do you mean?" Tup asked. They were starting to get attention from the other clones, but the guard were polite enough to pretend otherwise.
"General Skywalker has been called away to Coruscant." Kix said. His voice showed his displeasure. This wasn't the first time that Skywalker had been treated like more of an errand boy for those on Coruscant than a General. But Hardcase thought it might be the first time that he'd been pulled from a campaign.
"So Rex is in charge?" Jesse asked. Kix scoffed.
"I wish." Kix said. "Another Jedi General is going to be leading us in General Skywalker's absence." He sounded nervous, and it wasn't easy to unease Kix. Hardcase was starting to feel pretty nervous himself.
"Who?" Jesse asked. That was what Hardcase was wondering. How bad was the General that he could scare Kix like this?
"Pong Krell." Kix said. Jesse jolted and Dogma paled so quickly that he looked like he was going to faint. Hardcase didn't understand why at first. The name sounded familiar, but he was having a hard time placing it.
Dogma seized the communicator from Jesse with shaking hands. "General Skywalker. Is he on Coruscant by now?"
Kix frowned. "He should be." Dogma didn't wait for him to say more. He dropped the communicator. He ran out of the room without a word of explanation. Jesse sent a conflicted look at the communicator before he ran after him. Hardcase and Tup were still sitting on the floor, equally confused.
"What's going on?" Tup asked. His voice was shaking. "What's wrong?"
Hardcase thought carefully, doing his best to spark his memory. Pong Krell. He knew that name, he had to. A Jedi General that could scare Dogma like this. Hardcase suddenly realized what was going on, and he was furious. He was a little frustrated with himself that he had forgotten a detail that was so important, but he was mostly mad at the monster who dared to call himself a Jedi.
Hardcase picked up the communicator. "Kix, listen to me. That Jedi's dangerous. He doesn't care about clones. He…he made Dogma shoot one of the guard's commanders, just to prove a point."
Tup looked like he was going to be sick. Hardcase forgot that he hadn't heard the specifics.
"What?!" Kix sounded just as horrified.
"Don't trust him." Hardcase said sternly. He looked towards the door. He wondered where Dogma had gone. At least Jesse was keeping an eye on him. Dogma would be fine. But Hardcase had an obligation to the rest of the 501st, and right now they were in danger. They were being led by someone who shouldn't be a general at all.
"Hang on." Kix sounded like he was on the move. "Whatever you have to say, Captain Rex should hear it." That would probably be for the best. This wasn't how Hardcase thought Rex should find out what had been going on with Dogma, but if it would keep the 501st out of the hands of Pong Krell then it was necessary.
Really, Rex should have known a long time ago. Because this wasn't just about a brother who felt like he didn't belong. So much was going on here, and if those in charge didn't know about it, then nothing would ever change.
Still, Hardcase looked at Tup for approval. If he didn't want to bring Dogma's issues into this, then they'd warn Rex without mentioning the details. Tup looked shaken and he was clenching his fists so tightly that Hardcase thought he might start bleeding. Tup swallowed thickly and looked from the door to the communicator before he looked back to Hardcase and nodded. He understood what needed to be done.
That so-called Jedi wasn't going to be hurting any more of Hardcase's brothers. Not if there was anything he could do about it.