Twenty Eight
Vail's face prickled when he saw the memo come through on the secure parliamentary channel. Without thought he placed his bucket on and smacked his departure code into the station console.
"I'm heading out for a minute OK Eight three."
Eight three looked up and nodded.
He never did get another name, and was still as earnest as the day he was assigned to the Guard.
"Copy that lieutenant."
Vail walked quickly, knowing that every minute in this case, counted.
Commander Fox was in the main barracks building.
Another court martial.
First, he made sure the men were transported with respect.
Unlike the way they were brought in.
Then, during proceedings he would account for their behaviour during incarceration, always putting a positive and regretful spin on each and every one, hoping that it would help with the final judgement.
Deep down, he knew it wouldn't.
Most cases took less than thirty standard to adjudicate and no man was given a second chance.
It was a farce.
Good men were sent back to Kamino for the obligatory reconditioning.
And they all knew what that meant.
Fox would then stand as the judgement was handed down.
Some would yell and scream, swearing in Mandalorian, mostly at the new regime.
Some would hurtle abuse directly at him.
One even went so far as to spit in his general direction, screaming at the top of his lungs that Fox was no better than the Awa bait that produced them.
He would stand straight and take it on the chin. It was his burden to receive, his disappointment to take on as well.
Then there were the ones that would simply stand silent, a couple broke down and cried.
But come what may, Commander Fox of the Coruscant Guard had been there for each and every one of the soldiers convicted of desertion by the new regime.
Who else was there for these men?
Vail opened the door and entered silently, walking quickly down to where his commander sat, he leaned forward and relayed the intel.
The commander's head swung around and he stared his lieutenant down.
"When?"
"Just now sir. I logged on and it flashed up first."
Fox stood and Vail stepped back to avoid a collision.
"With all due respect sirs, an issue has arisen that requires my immediate attention back in the Senate building. I ask for your permission to be dismissed."
"Permission granted commander," the general waved his hand as of no consequence. Fox stood still for a second, knowing then that none of this mattered to any of the ubiquitous grey uniformed military hierarchy sitting in front of him.
These men weren't like them.
They weren't blood.
Fox couldn't do any more, especially now; he suddenly had a bigger agenda.
.
The commander didn't waste time on formalities.
Knowing the code he entered it and waited for the instant swish of the automatic door.
"Olphina?" His voice was unnervingly loud.
Anxious.
The apartments inhabitants were startled by the crude intrusion.
"Olphina, where are you?"
"I'm here Fox," she said quietly and stepped forward. "It's alright," she turned to the woman frantically packing her belongings, "if you could give us a just few minutes please?"
The two hand maidens moved aside and left, glaring at the clone in full uniform.
Fox stepped forward then stopped.
He was confused.
This isn't me?
Suddenly everything around him was falling apart. He may have appeared to be in control, but in reality he was floundering.
And now the playing field had been changed yet again.
He had been through enough.
But nothing could have prepared him for the attack on the one person who least deserved it.
His relationship with Olphina, whilst stronger than ever had taken a curve in the road. There was now a new level of intimacy, one he never thought possible.
"When were you going to tell me?"
"I was only told myself an hour ago."
"What's happened?"
"I don't know? I received a communiqué from Oriis recalling me back. They're appointing another member into the Senate. My term is suddenly, over. I am no longer required here on Coruscant."
"That doesn't make sense," he was running his fingers through his hair, "there are protocols to adhere to, it just doesn't happen like that."
Olphina could see that he was struggling as she had done when she was told to return to her home world.
Then, came the clarity.
She was finally free.
Olphina put her hand on his arm and smiled but Fox was still mentally processing the order.
Panic rose in him, "tell me you weren't just going to leave? Without saying anything?"
"No, no," she soothed as she cradled his face in her hand. "Come with me Fox. Now."
Plain and simple.
Fox was in internal hell.
What should he do?
Stay.
Or go?
With her.
.
"So, what do you all think?"
Coric looked at the men sitting on the bunk. It was the only contingency he had come up with to leave Ground Zero. Chopper looked at Whisk and Didge and knew they were overwhelmed with the prospect of deserting, the snipers hands red raw from his ever increasing anxiety levels.
He looked over at Boil who was quietly nodding his head. "This could actually work," he said smiling, "this could actually work."
CT-6851 was a changed man.
Ever since Umbara.
He had been one of the many that suffered in silence, keeping to himself since the death of his lover.
There was no one person to blame, but the establishment was a good start.
The first things to go was his hair and beard, shaving them off as a mark of respect to Waxer. But if he thought that he could deflect his thoughts, he was wrong. Everywhere he looked, there were the same eyes staring back at him. So he shut down; spending every spare minute in the gym, thumping glimmick through his ear piece and chiselling every muscle on his body with anger. He marked his inner forearm with Waxers designation. He looked menacing and even Chopper steered clear, hoping that eventually he might open up.
And that time had come, of sorts, one afternoon in the gymnasium.
The new recruits were going through their training when Boil looked up to see Chopper laughing at their inability to move quickly.
"They'll last five minutes at that rate."
Boil didn't smile and kept his face bland as he too watched the men. Chopper knew that this was an opportunity.
"Wanna show them how it's done?" Boil's eyes flicked up under his brow. There was a hint of something there still and Chopper had seen it briefly flash over his face. A small amount of interest.
"Nah," he replied shaking his head, "let them buy it." That's when Chopper knew that Boil wasn't like the rest. He had answered the question he was too scared to ask. Chopper sought him out in the privacy of his room and went through what Coric had told him.
"So brother, are you in?" Chopper knew Boil was a ticking time bomb and thought he had blown it, risking everything telling him of the plan to leave with the 501st men.
Telling him that Rex had survived.
But he needn't have doubted himself, or Boil.
"OK, so we are all good right? First of the month, when the new supplies come in, we make a break for it."
Didge couldn't help but laugh nervously.
"Well?" Coric stared them all down. He could rely on the men assembled.
Whisk, Chopper, Didge and Boil.
As long as it went to plan. But if it didn't, he also had a contingency.
They wouldn't be taken hostage and be recommissioned back on Kamino.
They would save the Empire the trouble.
They trusted each other enough to make sure that never happened.
Didge cleared his throat and found the courage to ask the question that was perpetually on his mind, "what about Sats?"
What about Sats?
It had been asked several times.
When they were deployed from Kamino.
When Rex gave them the opportunity to decide on taking the inoculation from HQ.
Now, when they were planning to go AWOL.
Always the same question but still no answer.
But this time it wasn't Coric they were all staring at but the scarred trooper with the menacing glare.
Chopper knew the answer.
It's just the others didn't want to hear it.
.
"Master, you requested my presence?"
"Yes, Darth Vader, come in, come in." The Emperor turned and smiled at his greatest achievement. "There' s a diplomatic craft that is leaving Coruscant for Oriis. Make sure it doesn't hit hyperspace."
"Your will is my command."
.
