HAHA I DID IT I GOT IT UPDATED IN TIME KIND OF. Depending on your time zone.

Anyway, it's midnight where I am, I'm half asleep, but I'm getting this up. Sorry if my ANs are a little muddled.

Also, no, I haven't finished the Acolyte, I've just been super busy.

ZabuzasGirl: Thank you!

SWNerd4Life: And I am once again reminded how I've practically erased Jar Jar from my fics' canon. Omega knows exactly how to stop a Crosshair lecture. Also, Happy Birthday!

bsmith1138: I think it's going to be Fives' special nickname for the kid

Lothcat99: All I can imagine is that one meme of the guy with the corkboard and the strings as you trying to explain the insanity that is my fic. I'm glad you're still enjoying! And yes! Star Wars is awesome!

Okay, let's get this thing rolling!

Mando'a translations at the end!

RESTITUTION: Chapter 6

It was cold. Why was the Force cold now? SC-04's bond with his brothers was always so warm. Now, as he followed the instructions his Master had sent, the Force flooded him with icy fire.

It burned, but it was like fire in other ways, SC-04 thought as he meditated. Except instead of radiating light and warmth, as his studies told him it did, this glowed with darkness.

He hated it. But he couldn't get enough.

He gave it his anger and fear. They fed the fire, but they didn't burn away. They got bigger. They ate him up instead, filling him until he felt he would burst.

So when he felt the faint echo of someone touching his physical body, they erupted.

Don't touch me!

SC-04 reached out and grabbed the offender. He didn't know if it was physically or in the Force. The person's fear exploded into frantic flames.

Good. 07 had been afraid when he died.

That thought made 04 squeeze, tighter, tighter, tighter-

"04!"

That was Sergeant's shout. 04 blinked his eyes open to see Sergeant grabbing his shoulder. He couldn't really feel it. Sergeant jerked away. 04 saw a flash of- concern on his hazy face.

"Don't-" Sergeant cut himself off. "Never mind. As you were."

04 blinked at Sergeant. The intense feelings had faded. He was exhausted and he didn't think he could get back into that state. His brothers, all tinged with that dark fire, peppered him with questions.

I'm okay. He told them. I- I think I hurt someone in the Outside.

Good. 00 said. Make them pay.

Yes, he had the power to make them hurt for what they did, what they were doing.

It felt good.

It felt awful, too.

"That was enlightening." Tech said, watching the med droid and a frazzled ARC trooper Tup guide Commander Tano's hover stretcher away.

"That's not the word I'd use." Hunter mumbled.

He was ashen and Tech rather thought that he looked like he was going to vomit.

"There are few documented instances of a human-Togruta hybrid birth." Tech said. "There is much to be learned from this experience."

"Please tell me you did not record that." Hunter said.

Tech cocked his head.

"Should I not have?"

"Kriff- no, Tech!" Hunter said. He dragged his hand over his face. "That was disgusting, not to mention a breach of Commander Tano's privacy!"

"It was perfectly natural." Tech said. "It may seem foreign to us, as we were all decanted rather than born-"

"That's really how nat borns are born?" Wrecker interrupted. "With the-"

Crosshair, who had been staring blankly and saying nothing, shuddered.

"Stop talking about it!" He hissed. "It's bad enough that I had to hear it!"

"Delete it, Tech." Hunter said.

Tech frowned. He hadn't really meant to start recording, but his points were still valid.

"Now, Tech." Hunter said. "Omega, how are you holding up?"

Tech scowled, but obeyed.

"I'm okay." Omega said. "I think I want a rest. But- can we go visit the baby later?"

Hunter sighed.

"Maybe. Go eat, and try and sleep."

"You did well, Omega." Tech said as he watched the data be purged.

Omega had been calm and helpful throughout the process. Tech himself had spouted information and was- of less assistance. He had been rattled, if he had to admit it.

Omega beamed at him. And Tech was struck with how- mature she looked.

It ached, for some reason.

"Rex, do you need to go back?" Echo asked.

"I'm fine." Rex said in a voice that he knew shook too much to be fine. He took a deep breath. "Let's get this mission done."

"Is Ahsoka okay?" Fives asked. He lunged out to fire a few rounds before jerking back. "And Commander Jr.?"

"They're fine." Rex said. 'At least- I think."

The flash from Ahsoka had been so brief. But she hadn't been afraid or anxious.

"Well, we won't be needing a plan anymore." Fives said. "Here comes the General."

Rex watched the General sprint towards them, now the target of the enemy squad.

"They're distracted!" Rex barked. "Move!"

Echo and Fives followed his lead as he dove from behind the boulder. Rex fired as he ran. He wondered how many times he had barrelled towards the enemy like this. It likely wouldn't be the last.

They had felled one trooper before their enemy realized how bad an idea it was to ignore three ARC troopers. Rex expertly dodged the incoming blaster bolts. Kriff, their aim was bad. Rex could spare the energy to consider that fact instead of having to use every ounce of concentration on survival. Still, having several people shooting at him wasn't exactly comfortable.

To his surprise, as soon as General Skywalker drew within a few meters, blue saber flashing, the remaining five troopers threw their hands up and dropped their blasters in succession.

"We surrender!" One shouted.

Rex skidded to a halt, glanced at Fives and Echo, and switched his blasters to stun. It felt- good to stun their prisoners. Mercy hadn't been needed against battle droids.

"Neat." Fives said as he collected the blasters. "It's been nice having the enemy do this now."

"Rex!" General Skywalker practically bounded over. "Congratulations!"

Rex blinked as the General gave him a brief hug.

"Er- thank you, sir." He said. "But that squad will be missed. We need to move."

"Are you saying it's not time to celebrate?" General Skywalker said. He was grinning, which looked a little odd with half his face withered. "But you're right. We need to get this mission done so we can send you home. Get these five in cuffs; we'll send someone for them."

Rex nodded, feeling a little embarrassed for whatever reason. Maybe it was the special treatment. Fives had his own partner on Ossus, but he wasn't being sent home at the earliest convenience.

After putting binders on the prisoners, they moved as a group across the barren landscape towards the crashed Venator. They were in the skid marks from the crash, it seemed. The ship looked mostly intact, just out of commission.

"Wonder why they didn't send some help." Fives said. "It can't just be that Commander and the littles, right?"

"Probably keeping the cadets in line." Echo said. "Especially the older-"

He paused and stared. Rex followed his gaze to a rocky outcropping few meters ahead.

"I swear I just saw-"

He was cut off by a clone's voice shouting.

"Shoe, no!"

A blaster bolt shot towards them. General Skywalker batted it away. His bewildered expression matched how Rex felt.

"Good soldiers follow orders!" Another voice yelled.

Rex froze. That was a cadet's voice, tinged with the edge of the chip.

"I know, so follow mine!" The older clone's voice snapped. "Stand down!"

"We are to terminate all Jedi-"

"The Jedi is our prisoner!" Rex shouted.

Everything went silent. Rex met General Skywalker's eyes and held his hand out. General Skywalker raised an eyebrow, but dropped his saber into Rex's grasp.

A trooper in grey and white commander's armor and a cadet looking to be physically ten or eleven climbed down. Echo and Fives were pointing their blasters at General Skywalker now, who had his hands behind his head. The grown trooper looked exhausted.

"Go back to the ship." He told the cadet. "Now."

The cadet gave him an odd look before trotting back towards the Venator.

"Kriff." The commander swore as soon as the cadet was out of hearing range. "Should have known you'd bring a Jedi. No- don't put your hands down. They'll be watching."

"You must be CC-3425." Rex said. "And you failed to mention that your cadets were still chipped."

"What did you expect me to do?" 3425 snapped. "That procedure in the system is for adult clones, and it can't adjust for different sizes!"

"Calm down, vod." Rex said. "Sorry. We're here to help. What's your name?"

"I'm Reaper." The commander said. He grimaced and ran a hand through his curly, white streaked hair. "You realize I've got a Venator's worth of half brainwashed littles? How're we getting them out?"

"We've got our own Venator." Echo said. "How'd you keep them under control all this time?"

Reaper gave a half hysterical laugh.

"I've had to tell them that we're on a long term mission for the Empire." He said. "It's been a challenge, keeping things up. We've had to only get supplies from shady places, stay more in the outer rim."

"Well, we'll get you and your boys somewhere safe." General Skywalker said.

"We're running out of time." Echo said. "We need to prep those cadets for extraction before the Empire comes looking for that squad."

"Their chips-" Reaper started.

"We've got the clone who helped develop the procedure." Echo said. "He'll be able to help."

"How many are under their own control?" Fives asked.

Reaper shook his head.

"Not many. I've got eleven full grown troopers with no chips, and a few older cadets that the procedure worked on. But all the rest are influenced in some way." He said. "Their chips seem- stronger the younger they are. I think it's putting out as strong a signal as it would for an adult."

"We can't take them straight back then." General Skywalker said. They all began moving towards the crashed Venator. "We'll take them to a midway point and then call Tech."

Rex nodded. He wished they could use Tech's current device, but it still was deadly in many circumstances, though less so than when they'd originally used it. They didn't employ it much anymore anyway. Most clones that they found in large enough groups to warrant its use had had the effects of the chips fade enough that they could be reasoned with. In any case, Rex wouldn't risk any of the cadets using it.

"Sir!" They were greeted by a gaggle of tiny clones all bearing training rifles. "CC-8702 reported that we have a Jedi prisoner!"

"Yes." Reaper said. He reached out as if to place his hand on one of the cadets' heads, but the cadet stepped back. "Leave him to us."

"Sir, Jedi are extremely dangerous." The lead cadet said. "Protocol-"

"I know, Tad." Reaper said. "But you are still cadets. You are in no position to help fight a Jedi."

Tad's eyes narrowed, but the squad parted to allow them through. Rex felt like he was being scrutinized by older, watchful trainers instead of the four year olds here.

"I try and use their names as much as possible, if they have them." Reaper muttered to them. "They don't use them themselves anymore."

Rex could see that Reaper desperately needed a break. The brother was clearly at his limit. Rex put a hand on his shoulder. Reaper just about jumped at the touch.

The Venator was dim, lit only by emergency lights. Everything was at a slight tilt, making Rex feel unbalanced. They kept passing stony faced cadets, all glaring at the General. It made Rex shiver. A terrifying thought hit him. What if the chip somehow permanently affected his genes? Was his baby going to feel any effects from the evil things?

"Tell us how many you have." Rex said, both for the needed intel and to distract himself. "And what exactly happened, vod?"

"We've got about ten thousand cadets." Reaper said. "Most of the older ones were conscripted. I had my chip removed a day before the Order."

Rex saw him shudder.

"Better timing than me." He said.

Reaper gave him a bewildered look.

"I- couldn't save our Jedi on Kamino." He finally went on. "And I just had to lay low for a while. And then they started evacuating Kamino and they put me in charge of transporting the littles. But it sounded like a research facility instead of a military base. So I stunned my crew, got their chips out, and we ran."

"Good man." Rex said. He thought of Omega's reports of Tantiss and wondered if they were connected to what the cadets had been destined for. "You likely saved them from something worse than the chips."

Reaper frowned.

"Can't imagine worse than them."

"There is." Echo said. "And watching the aftermath on your vod'ika- that's just as bad."

Reaper shook his head.

"I don't know." He said. "The chips can't activate until they're three, and the older cadets make sure they get triggered. You watch your baby brothers turn from excited littles to soulless droids."

"How young do you have here?" General Skywalker asked.

"We had a couple thousand tubies starting out." Reaper said. "But they're a couple years old now."

They finally reached the bridge. A few adult clones were there, along with a round-faced cadet who seemed just shy of the deployment age. To Rex's relief, they seemed only surprised to see the General and not about to shoot.

"Reaper." One said. "That Imperial squad wasn't alone. The scanners have picked up three more heading our way."

Reaper swore sharply.

"Kriff, kriff, kriff!"

"Rex, General, we're not going to be able to avoid a fight." Echo said. "I don't think we want these kids to get near the Empire."

"We need to call in the troops." Fives added. "We need time, and we can't get these cadets organized and ready to go before we're discovered."

General Skywalker gave a sharp nod.

"Contact Jesse." He told Echo. "Have him send down two companies and as many transports as he can. Tell him to prep for a space battle. Reaper, give me the names of your officers."

"This is Kol, Grim, Raze, and Pry." Reaper said. "Tax, Fall, Kyr, and Tet are off with the cadets."

General Skywalker nodded to Rex. Rex was a better organizer than his General.

"Get the cadets organized by age." He said. "All the littles unaffected by the chip need to be one group."

"What will we tell the older cadets?" One of the others, Raze, asked.

Rex grimaced. They'd have to avoid the cadets even seeing the Empire's cog. They'd begin to suspect something wasn't right.

"We could- kriff, we could do what Krell did." Fives said darkly. "Tell them that the enemy stole Imperial armor and equipment."

"That's a risk." Reaper said. "My CC cadets are particularly sharp and I think they're starting to suspect something."

"I think it's our best option." Rex said, though he was loath to use a tactic related to Krell.

Especially that tactic.

"We should also make an effort to keep the extraction points as far from the battle as possible." Echo said. "Keep the Venator from being surrounded and take the cadets out the back way."

"Good plan." Rex said. "I'll have Jesse's men collect the prisoners. We don't need the cadets getting the wrong idea."

"We should intercept the closest squad." Fives said once they investigated the scanners. "They'll find us before Jesse can get us troops."

Rex nodded.

"General-"

"It might be best for the General to stay as our 'prisoner.'" Echo interrupted. "Don't want to distress the cadets."

General Skywalker wilted.

"Sorry, sir." Echo said.

"No, you're right." General Skywalker said. "We don't want a mutiny, no matter how small the mutineers."

Reaper laughed, the sound once again teetering on the edge of stability.

"Right then." Rex said. "Fives, Echo, with me. Reaper-"

"I'll come too." The Commander said. "I'm an ARC. You won't be able to take down a squad with just three."

"Watch us." Fives said flatly. "Won't we need you to wrangle the cadets?"

"I'll give my initial order." Reaper said. He seemed- desperate. "And they obey any grown trooper."

Rex shared a glance with Fives.

"Fine." He said. "Let's move out."

They had a few speeders, throwing Rex back to the mission on Saleucami. He once more hoped that Cut and his family were safe. They hadn't heard from them, which made Rex worry that they were stuck on an Imperial or syndicate controlled planet. He refused to consider anything else.

Xagobah was a far cry from Saleucami, which was filled with life. This planet was rocky and bare, made up of long canyons.

That made it easy to locate their target. The dozen or so white forms didn't quite blend in with the dirty yellow rock.

Rex and the others came down on them like mother gundarks protecting their brood. They were, in a way.

Reaper especially gunned down the Imps with a fury Rex had not expected from the frazzled Commander. Once again, their opponents did not last long.

"You'd think they'd be running out of troopers by now." Fives commented when they dismounted to make sure the enemy was neutralized. "Kriff, with these speeders, this was a one clone job."

"I know." Reaper admitted. He nudged a downed stormtrooper with his foot. "But in all honesty, I'm the one the cadets rebel against the most. It's probably going much better without me there."

Rex furrowed his brow.

"You've been their CO for months." He said.

"Isn't that the point?" Reaper asked. "Tell me that your troopers became more obedient over time."

Fives coughed as Rex and Echo turned to look at him.

"Fair enough." Rex said.

"Should we move to the next squad?" Fives asked.

"Negative." Rex said. "This will be the furthest we'll go from the Venator. I don't want to be overextended when the time comes to get out. We'll move in a circle, keeping the same radius, and meet the incoming enemy until we're relieved by Jesse's troopers."

The other three nodded.

"Move out!"

They were halfway to the next interception point when Rex caught sight of a large mass blink into existence far above them. Minutes later, fighters screamed above them, heading straight to intercept the Venator now in orbit. Rex tightened his grip on the speeder handles. The battle to get their little brothers out had truly begun.

Ahsoka stared at her baby curled up on her chest. She couldn't get enough of him: his tiny fingers and toes, his scrunched up little face, his soft, tender skin. He had ears, which surprised her, but they weren't quite human ears. They were elongated, the tips fading into sky blue and hollow like a montral.

Ahsoka leaned down and kissed him on the white smudge on his face, the beginning of his markings. She inhaled slowly, taking in his unique, warm scent.

It was quiet and dark in the private room in the medcenter. Part of her was glad to be alone for the last few hours, just her and her baby. But it also meant that she felt Rex's absence more than ever. He couldn't be here, even in the Force. She would not risk him by distracting him during a mission.

Ad'ika was listening for Rex. Ahsoka felt his mind searching for the voice his mother loved so much and that he had come to love too.

"Soon, Ad'ika." Ahsoka murmured against his soft fuzzy head. The hair had been a surprise too. "He loves you, but he has so many brothers to help and protect."

A knock came at the door and the med droid floated in.

"Senator Amidala has arrived, as well as Master Kenobi and Master Koon." It reported. "Are you ready for visitors?"

Ahsoka pulled a blanket over herself and settled Ad'ika on top.

"They can come in." She said. "Tell Tup he can come in too."

Padme swept in first, followed hesitantly by Plo, Obi Wan, and Tup.

"Ahsoka!" Padme breathed, hurrying to her side. "Oh, he's beautiful! How are you doing?"

"I'm fine." Ahsoka said. "The med droids say it went just as it was supposed to. I'm just tired. Where are the twins?"

"Sabe has them." Padme said. "His ears are just darling. Are you still going to let him choose his own name?"

"The right way, if you don't mind my saying." Tup said. He stayed back a little, as if nervous. "He's so- small. Tubies were bigger than that."

"You had more time to grow." Ahsoka said. "Ad'ika, this is your ba'buir Plo, your uncles Obi Wan and Tup, and Auntie Padme."

Obi Wan smiled.

"He'll have to be introduced to many, many uncles." He said.

"Plo, would you like to hold him first?" Ahsoka asked.

Plo looked at her and she could see dampness around his goggles. He nodded. A part of Ahsoka protested sharply as she eased her Ad'ika from her chest and held him out to the man who had been a father to her. Plo took him and bundled the baby in his arms.

"Oh, 'Soka." He whispered. "Oh, my little 'Soka. He is so bright."

"Obi Wan?" Ahsoka asked after a minute. "Would you-"

"This may not be the best time." Obi Wan said. "My arm- well, I'd rather he be safe."

Ahsoka frowned, but Obi Wan did step to Plo and softly touch her baby's head.

Padme held and cooed over Ad'ika for a while and Ahsoka was itching to take her baby back by the time she was done. But Ahsoka wanted one more thing.

"Tup, do you want to hold him?" She asked.

Tup blinked.

"Of course, sir." He said. "But kriff, are you sure?"

It pained Ahsoka that Tup thought he was somehow unworthy to hold her baby.

"Go on." She said.

"I can show you, Tup." Padme said.

She stepped over and settled Ad'ika into Tup's arms. Tup was stiff as Padme adjusted his grip. He looked down and a slow smile spread across his face.

Ahsoka put a hand to her mouth, holding back tears. This was as close as her son would get to being held by his father for a while yet. The look on Tup's face gave her a sliver of an idea of what Rex's expression would be when he held his son.

"Uh, what's he-" Tup said. "Oh, that's just a big yawn, huh? How're you tired? You've just been born!"

Ad'ika began to cry, his little wails piercing Ahsoka.

"Oh, kriff." Tup said. "What did I do? What should I do?"

Ahsoka held her arms out. Tup looked over and seemed a little disappointed as he returned her baby, even as Ad'ika took a deep breath to squall again.

"Don't worry, Tup." Padme said. "It's a miracle she let us hold him for so long. She'll stop being so clingy soon."

Ahsoka shot Padme a glare as she rocked Ad'ika. She wasn't being clingy. She just wanted her baby.

"He's great, Commander." Tup said. "You'll have the boys brawling to hold him. Our first nephew and all."

Ahsoka thought back to what seemed like an eternity ago.

Do all the clones want a family?

Such a simple thing for so many of the men to long for and yet be denied for so long. Even now, it was slow going for clones seeking relationships and family.

A nephew was going to be galaxy shattering. Ad'ika had no idea how much he would mean to so many people.

Mando'a:

vod: brother

vod'ika: little sibling

Ad'ika: little one, Ahsoka and Rex's nickname for their baby

ba'buir: grandparent

From the top!

Palpatine is now succeeding in creating angry little gremlins who can use the Dark Side! Yaaaaaay?

A quick reaction from the Batch about witnessing Ahsoka giving birth. Omega was the only helpful one.

Oh look actual plot. Who would have guessed? I've decided that Commander Jr. is Uncle Fives' special nickname. Also, I bet it would be weird to suddenly have enemies that will actually surrender.

I came up with one of the coolest possible names for a clone, Reaper, and I proceeded to give it to a stressed out Commander who has to wrangle brainwashed seven year olds.

I was trying to figure out how many cadets there should be. I referenced the Clone Wars episode where they order 3 million more clones. That is too many. So I just went with how many could fit in a Venator. It's fine.

I came up with the name Grim COMPLETELY SEPERATELY from the name Reaper. It was just meant to be.

Reaper just needs some time away from his kids. And I reference the all too real mommy behavior, where the kids will act like 20 times worse for their mom than for other adults. I have witnessed this.

AND THEN FLUFF. JUST FLUFF.

Ugh, writing about little tiny baby makes me more excited for my incoming niblings. Baby yawns are the BEST.

Anyway, that's all my brain is letting me do.

Stay safe, remember to review, and I'll probably see you in like two weeks or something!