The Maelstrom Jedi Chapter LXV: Conspiracy, a Naruto + Star Wars: The Clone Wars Crossover fanfic

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

A/N: As a tribute to James Earl Jones, here's a double update with Ch 65 and 66, read this Ch (65) first.

Sorry for the focus on canon for 65, one of those gotta use as it's important to the plot overall type thing. Also, We have reached the last episode/Episode III and would like your thoughts on 2 things.

One: Should we end it at that Ch or continue for the weeks/months that are after Order 66 (The time when Ahsoka drops her saber to when Vader picks it up from the snow.) Or end it at that Ch and start the sequel? (As we would do the rest of the SW story in a sequel since the rest takes place a year(s) after Clone Wars and need to do the other shows.

And Two: What would you like for the title of the story, Maelstrom Jedi Book II, and rename this story Maelstrom Jedi Book I like what they did when Empire came out as the first was just called A New Hope, and they added Episode IV because Empire was Episode V. Or just Maelstrom Jedi: (Sequel Title here.) Please let me know in a review or PM.

Beta: Chaos-PSD. Contributor: KuronoDono12.

Chapter LXV: Conspiracy.

The Wise Benefit From A Second Opinion.

A flaw in the plan! While in the middle of a heated battle, Clone Trooper Tup lost his senses and attacked a Jedi general. Seeming to have no awareness of his actions, Tup's health began to deteriorate rapidly. Fearing the illness was linked to a Separatist plot, Anakin Skywalker has dispatched Captain Rex and ARC Trooper 5555 to escort Tup back to the cloning facilities on Kamino for an intensive evaluation.

Kamino, Tipoca City.

"You will have to say goodbye to your friend now."

Nala Se said to Fives as they walked the halls. "Yes, Doctor."

Rex took off his helmet as Shaak Ti walked up to them. "General Shaak Ti."

"Captain Rex." She nodded as Nala continued walking with Tup and looked at Fives. "Fives. Am I correct?"

"Yes, General."

"You've served with Tup?" She asked as he nodded and they walked down the hall.

"Yes."

"You must come with me."

"With... With all due respect, General, I can't abandon him now." Fives said as she looked over.

"You must let the doctors do their work. Do not be afraid. Your friend is in quite capable hands. Dr. Nala Se is the Chief Medical Scientist at Kamino. She was one of the primary engineers of all the clones. Now, we must take care of you."

"Me? There's nothing wrong with me, General. I'm perfectly fine."

"We can't be sure of that until we've completed a full exam. If a virus was the cause of Tup's breakdown, you have more than likely been exposed to the contagion. You haven't entered the advanced stages yet, as Tup has, but any information we can gather from you could help to find a cure for Tup." Shaak Ti explained as they stopped at the room beside the one Tup went into.

"Alright, General, if it'll help Tup."

"Captain Rex, General Skywalker has ordered you back to the war zone. You are to leave immediately." Shaak Ti told Rex who nodded and looked at Fives.

"I'm sorry, Fives. I wish I could stay, but duty calls."

"It's fine, sir. Fighting a virus is a nice change of pace from all those clankers."

"Take care of yourself, and Tup." Rex put his helmet on and placed a hand on Fives' shoulder before leaving.

Shaak Ti walked into Tup's room who was out of his armor before looking at Nala. "Let's begin the tests. Administer the stimulant." Nala said to the medic droid who nodded. He then stuck a thick syringe into the clone's chest causing him to start to struggle. "Remove his mask."

They removed his mask as he took a gasp.

In the next room, Fives who was lying on a table also out of his armor heard the sound and got up.

"What are they doing to Tup?" He asked the floating droid who was looking him over.

"Remain calm."

"Out of my way!"

"Oh!" Fives got up and pushed the droid away as he went to the window, looked at Tup, and saw him struggle. "Please return to the examination table."

In Tup's room, Nala looked at the screen and looked at Tup. "His reactions are normal."

"What's going on? General!"

Shaak Ti looked at Fives who was muffled by the glass before she used the Force to turn the window shade on. "General!" Fives yelled as the window turned to black before hitting the button on his side. And had nothing changed before he banged the glass. "No, no, no!"

"Please return to the examination table." The droid spoke floating over.

"Come on!"

In Tup's room, Nala looked at Shaak Ti before speaking. "His reaction will subside. The patient must be awake for the next round of tests."

"I am not fond of these hyper tests."

"Yes, but they do give us all the information we need in a timely fashion," Nala said before looking at the results. "There does not seem to be any sign of infection in the blood. How curious. The subject has tested negative on all accounts. This clone seems to be in perfect health."

"We must be missing something."

"Why am I here?" Tup spoke as he woke and focused on Shaak Ti.

"Is he conscious?"

"Follow orders! Kill Jedi. Kill Jedi!"

"Are you finished with your tests?" Shaak Ti asked Nala who nodded.

"For now. Sedate him." Nala told the droid who nodded and placed the mask on Tup again.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Orders. Follow orders. Follow orders. Follow orders."

"It appears this clone has orders to kill a Jedi." Shaak Ti mused hand on her chin. "Perhaps the Separatists found a way to brainwash him."

In the other room, Fives turned to the droid. "Look, is Tup going to be alright?" Have they found anything out?"

"Please, sit down." the droid said as Fives walked back to the table. "We are using hyper tests, so we should be getting the results very quickly. We need to complete more procedures for you. Sorry." The droid finished pulling a syringe out.

"Why-Ow!" Fives yelled as he was struck in the neck. "Hey!"

"The droid had a flashlight light up from his left eye as he went to the computer. "I said I was sorry. You must understand, organic beings are so much harder to analyze than droids." The droid said, putting the syringe in a device and turning it on.

After a moment, Fives looked over. "Well?"

"Everything seems normal."

"Oh, great! Well, that means they can let me out."

"I am afraid that is not possible. You must remain quarantined until we have pinpointed the exact cause of the other clone's breakdown. We cannot risk any further casualties." The droid explained looking over.

"Look, I am not a threat, and neither is Tup!" Fives yelled at the droid who floated over.

"Are you certain?"

"Eh, you're just a droid. You don't know about real duty, about what it's like to have a brother."

"I am sorry. I always wanted to have human feelings, But I do not. Goodbye." The droid flew out at that as Fives looked on as the door closed behind the droid.

In the other room, the droid flew in and hovered around the table Tup was on. "Maybe whatever is causing his aggression is psychological," Nala said as she was given a datapad. "It seems to be an isolated case. The other clone has yet to display any symptoms."

The machines started going red as alarms went off before Tup violently struggled against his restraints. "I need an answer now. This isn't just a physical manifestation of psychosis." Shaak To said to her. "You must have missed something."

"Might I suggest a second brain scan, an atomic-level brain scan?" The droid, AZI-3 said as he floated over.

"This is unnecessary. The Phase 1 and 2 scans we did are sufficient. He's too weak for a Phase 5 atomic-level scan." Nala replied that AZI stopped at her.

"I calculate the beneficial knowledge we could gain from a Phase 5 atomic scan is worth the risk."

"The only way to discover what has happened to this clone is to terminate him and do a full-scale autopsy on the molecular level."

"We must be cautious." Shaak Ti said, gaining their attention. "I do not believe this is a physical ailment, but a mental condition caused by possible Separatist brainwashing."

"I do not agree," Nala said looking at her pad. "This is a virus of some kind. I am in charge of this examination and I will decide what is best for my patient."

"Since the Republic and the Jedi commissioned the clones, it is our responsibility to oversee their care."

"Every clone and their genetic makeup is property of the Kaminoan government. Now, as a client of ours, I will respect your wishes, but as to the fate of this clone, I will speak to our Prime Minister, Lama Su." Nala explained as Shaak Ti nodded.

"And I will advise the Jedi Council on the atomic brain scan and see how they would like to proceed."

"Very well." AZI floated back to the other room and waved at Fives. "Hello."

"What's going on?"

"CT-5385's condition seems to be deteriorating."

"Tup. His name is Tup." Fives said to the droid who went to the computer once again.

"Tup? What is a Tup?"

"Tup is my friend. He's not a number."

"Yes, he is. We all have numbers." AZI replied not looking back. "My number is AZ-345211896246498721347. His number is CT-5385."

"Wrong. He has a name. No clone uses a number. Not anymore."

"But you are a number, CT-5555."

"No, I am Fives. Call me Fives." Fives replied, holding his hand up with all five fingers.

"But five is a number."

"No, not five. Fives."

"Oh… The difference is minimal."

"Not to me. And not to any clone." Fives said, turning as he sat on the table.

Nala Se.

"It appears there has been a preemptive execution of Clone Protocol 66."

Nala said to Lama who was seated in his chair. "How did this happen?"

"I do not know as of yet. However, I recommend we terminate the clone and do a full autopsy to discover how the inhibitor chip was activated." She explained as he looked up.

"And what of the Jedi?"

"The Jedi Shaak Ti is proposing an atomic-level brain scan. She has gone to the Jedi Council to seek their approval before proceeding."

"We must contact Lord Tyranus," Lama said, standing up and walking out of the room with her.

Going to another, they called Dooku as the room went dark and had him with his hood up appear via a large hologram.

"I've been expecting your transmission. I have heard of the malfunctioning clone. How widespread is the problem?"

"It seems to be an isolated incident. However, this is a delicate situation. We need to terminate the clone as soon as possible to extract and analyze the inhibitor chip that you provided to us." Lama explained having Dooku nod.

"Very good. Terminate the clone immediately. However, send the chip to me for analysis."

"And what if the Jedi ask for the chip and the results of the autopsy?"

"You must remember, the chip is a safeguard against betrayal from rogue Jedi. Master Sifo-Dyas was the only Jedi who knew of this. But with his passing, we alone know of this secret and you must keep it that way."

"Yes, Lord Tyranus." Lama and Nala bowed as they ended the transmission before he looked at Nala. "These Jedi are a curious cult."

"Too spiritual for my taste. I will terminate the clone immediately."

Shaak Ti.

"The Kaminoans have suggested that we terminate the clone and do a rigorous molecular autopsy to discover the virus. I believe this solution is ill-advised. My belief is that Tup has been brainwashed by the Separatists using some new process we do not yet understand."

Shaak Ti said to the other holograms around her as Mace put a hand on his chin before speaking. "Brainwashing? How could that be possible?"

"General Skywalker reported Tup missing on Ringo Vinda, but after five rotations he turned up again. That event preceded this episode. Perhaps he was compromised at that point." She explained as Mace looked at the others.

"We must find the truth behind this situation, or we could find many more clones turned against us."

"I would like to implement a Level 5 atomic brain scan, to see if his thought processes are still functioning normally." She said before Obi-Wan spoke.

"And what do the Kaminoans think of that?"

"They feel Tup is so weak, that the Level 5 atomic brain scan would damage his neural tissue and possibly kill him. Their approach would be to terminate him, thus leaving the brain fully intact for the autopsy."

"Bring Clone Trooper Tup back to the Jedi Temple," Obi-Wan spoke up as Yoda nodded.

"Yes. Examine him with the Force we shall, and unravel this mystery we will."

"Yes, Master. I'll bring him back immediately." She bowed before turning the transmission off.

Fives.

"No! There's too much procedure and protocol here! Tup is a soldier. He risks his life every day, and I know he would risk it now if it meant finding a cure for what's wrong with him."

Fives said to AZI who nodded before he spoke. "I recommended an atomic brain scan, but that request has thus far been denied."

"Then we have to get the results of that brain scan ourselves." Fives said standing up at that.

"But that is against protocol."

"Think about it. It's your duty to save the patient, right?" Fives asked the droid who nodded.

"That is correct."

"And you recommended this atomic brain scan as the best way to save the patient, right?"

"That is correct."

"So, by not performing this scan, you are letting the patient die, willingly." Fives argued as AZI shook his head.

"Impossible. That is against my programming."

"That's not the way it looks to me."

"I cannot perform the atomic brain scan without disobeying orders."

"Check your programming." Fives said walking to AZI. "I thought saving the patient at all costs was fundamentally your highest order."

"You are correct."

"Right. Then let's get to it!"

They both went out of the room and up to Tup's. "Quickly!"

Fives went in as AZI stood to guard against the gray-armored clones. As they left, Fives pulled the droid into the room. "Okay, let's get to work."

The droid then started the scan at that. Later, he was typing on the screen of the MRI device. "The scan is almost complete. Everything appears to be normal… Wait a second." He turned to go to the computer as the scanner started beeping.

"What? What is it?"

"It appears this clone has developed a tumor."

"Is that even possible?"

"I have never witnessed anything like this in your kind," AZI replied as he turned to look back before looking at the screen to the red dot.

"Well, then, what is it?"

"I cannot be sure without a biopsy."

"You're gonna take it out of him?" Fives asked as he turned and knocked a trey over. "Do you think anybody heard that?"

"The probability that somebody heard that is high, yes." AZI moved Tup back out of the device as Fives cleaned up and hid just as Nala walked back in. "Hello, Doctor."

"What do you think you're doing?"

"I was only following protocol. 'Save the patient.' Doctor, I have found something unusual in this scan. It appears to be a tumor. Perhaps you should take a look."

"You performed a second scan without my authorization?" She asked after getting her attention.

"As I stated, I was following my programming."

"Then you are like this clone, defective! You will be put on report for deactivation." Nala said typing on the console and having Tup and the equipment move around.

"But the tumor… This tumor seems to be blocking neuro-impulses from communicating within the brain. We should scan the rest of the clones to see if this is a problem with their base genetic model or a mutation with the current models."

"There is no tumor. Your scan is incorrect." She said having everything turned off.

"But-"

"This clone clearly has a virus that remains undetected, but I will find the cause once he's terminated. Now leave."

AZI left and met Fives outside. "I can't believe it. They're going to kill him.

"In a case like this, it is the logical course of action," AZI said as they got into the other room.

"No! No! We were not created to be disposed of this way!"

"Perhaps you were," AZI stated, having Fives slam his hands on the table at that. "CT-5385 will be terminated so that others like him can survive."

"There aren't others like him. Tup doesn't have to die. You found a tumor. I'm sure that's the cause of all this. It's the only thing that makes sense."

"But how can we proceed?"

"Do your biopsy. I'm sure what you find will prove Tup does not have to die." Fives said walking to the door.

"But Nala Se does not believe-"

"We're not going to Nala Se with whatever you find. We'll go to the General, to Shaak Ti. She helped me once, as a cadet. I know she values the life of a clone… Too bad General Uzumaki isn't here… Even with what happened…" Fives trailed off as AZI floated over.

"But we will be disobeying direct orders."

"Yep, for the second time today. Can you hack into the medical center's mainframe?"

"I do possess that ability, yes." AZI nodded.

"Alright. Well, here's what you need to do."

In the other room, Lama walked in as Nala looked up. "It will be a painless death. Soon all our questions will be answered."

"You may proceed."

Suddenly an alarm went off. "Intruder alert! Intruder alert! All non-essential personnel report to a safe room for lockdown."

AWWOOO!

Outside, Lama called Shaak Ti up on his communicator. "Master Jedi, status report?"

"Scanners have picked up an intruder in section C-6, but we have no visual confirmation."

"It could be the enemy looking for our patient," Nala said as she caught up.

"I'm on my way. Please report to a secure room."

In the room, Fives pumped his fist. "Hah! Good work, AZI. You better get started before they figure out it's a false alarm."

"Right away." AZI cuts through the window and floats in to see Tup. "You might want to turn away for this part." He finished bringing a spinning blade out and went to Tup's head.

Down with Shaak Ti, she looked at one clone on a computer. "I want a report."

"It appears to be a false alarm, triggered from the medical bay."

"Medical bay?" She asked before turning. "It's Fives! Come on!"

Up ahead, AZI picked up a biochip that looked organic and placed it in a slide. "Is it done?"

"It is now."

The door opened to show Nala walking in. "What have you done?"

"We've saved my friend's life. This tumor is the cause of his illness."

Nala grabbed it as Fives picked up the syringe in his other hand. "Give me that."

"You can't be trusted."

"Stand down, Trooper." Shaak Ti ran in and stopped them with the Force.

"General. I have evidence, it's right here!"

"I'm free. The mission... Free…"

"Tup." Fives let go and turned to Tup at that.

"The mission... Free. The mission…"

"What is he saying?" Shaak Ti asked as Fives looked down

"Brother, what mission?"

"You... You know the one. The mission, the one in our dreams, never ends. The one in our dreams… Oh, Brother, this is the end. Forget the mission." Oh, the nightmare… I'm free."

Tup lay down as his monitor flatlined. "No. No. I thought I saved him."

Later, Shaak To was talking to Palpatine with Nala. "Sir, the clone CT-5385 has died.

"Such a tragedy."

"I recommend we do further tests on this tumor at the Jedi Temple, to see if it is the cause of the problem."

"Or even better, have the tumor sent to the Grand Republic Medical Facility here on Coruscant," Palpatine said to her as he sat in his chair.

"The Jedi Council requested the clone-"

"I think the Chancellor is correct," Nala spoke, interrupting her. "The Grand Medical Facility is state-of-the-art. If we are to find an answer to this puzzle, we will find it there."

"We are in agreement then?" He asked as Shaak Ti sighed.

"Yes, sir."

Cause of death unknown! Kaminoan Doctor Nala Se was unable to find the cause of an illness in Clone Trooper Tup. In a desperate attempt to save his friend's life, Fives located and removed a tumor from Tup's brain with the help of the medical droid AZI-3. Immediately following the procedure, Tup died, and Fives was placed under arrest. Now, the tumor is the only hope of finding answers to Tup's mysterious illness….

Kamino.

"General, what did the Chancellor say?"

Fives asked Shaak Ti who was walking in the room holding the tumor with Nala. "Supreme Chancellor Palpatine wants the tumor and all of the intel gathered sent to the Grand Republic Medical Facility on Coruscant."

"So, then I'll be going to Coruscant as well?" Fives asked before Nala spoke.

"You were not a part of the Chancellor's request."

"I'm sorry, Fives, but this is a matter best left to the medical professionals. There is still so much we do not know." Shaak Ti explained putting the tumor in a case and locking it.

"Perhaps we would know more if this clone had not taken matters into his own hands."

"Listen! I was trying to save my friend!" Fives pointed at Nala as he glared.

"And yet perhaps by removing this tumor, it was you who killed him."

"What do you care? You were going to kill him anyway and dissect him, too. He's a soldier. He deserves better!"

"Stand down, Fives! Doctor, there is no proof of your claim." Shaak Ti said to Nala before continuing. "I want this specimen and all the data prepared for transit to the Jedi Temple."

"The Chancellor said the tumor and data were to be sent directly to the Medical Facility on Coruscant, not the Jedi Temple."

"And it will get there, but after the Jedi have run an analysis on it first." Shaak Ti nodded at Nala and handed the case to a droid.

"I protest. I must personally deliver the tumor to the Chancellor as ordered."

"You can protest all you want. My word is final." Shaak Ti said before looking at Fives as another doctor walked in. "You have one more physical to pass. If you are cleared, you will be sent back to the 501st."

"Thank you, General." Fives said standing and leaving.

"It will be good to put this entire incident behind you, Trooper."

"I agree," Nala said as Fives glanced back.

And saw the droid pick up a different suitcase while leaving the other on a table. He walked with the clone guards and saw AZI. "AZI-3!"

"Hello, ARC Trooper Fives. I regret that we were unable to heal your friend."

"Yeah, me, too."

"Are you going to be reprogrammed as well?" The droid asked the clone.

"No, AZI, I'm going back to the front."

"That is not what I heard. I heard your mind was going to be wiped and that you would be reassigned here and placed on sanitation detail. We can still be friends, assuming we both remember each other after our memories have been erased.

"Let's go, CT-5555." The doctor said before Fives attacked him and the guards.

He punched one away before grabbing the gun of another and knocked him out before throwing the weapon at another. He dashed over to grab the rifle from the third guard and knocked him out as well. "Look what you did! I cannot believe what you did!" AZI said as Fives panted.

"I am not getting my mind erased, and neither are you."

AWOO!

"Get out of here!"

"Are we escaping? Why are we here?" AZI asked as they ran back to the room. Fives opened the case and saw the tumor.

"I knew it! Nala Se switched the cases. She's trying to hide something."

"Oh, the tumor? So we are going to continue our research?" AZI asked before they ran out.

"Yeah, the research, that's it. Now come on!"

Later, Fives went to the hangar and saluted a clone walking out of one. "I'm sorry, sir. All ships are locked down during the emergency."

"Oh? What about that one?" Fives asked pointed then knocked the clone out.

He pulled him to a box and ran to the ship with AZI as Shaak Ti and clones ran in. "Hey! There they are!"

The ship then flew out as they ran over. "I want him brought in alive! Have that ship tracked."

"Yes, ma'am."

Up ahead, Fives looked at AZI. "Can you float?"

"I am buoyant and have several survival modes."

"Ah! Survival, eh?" He asked, putting the ship into autopilot and opening the doors.

"Autopilot engaged. Navigation and orbit set."

"Wait! What are you doing? I thought we were escaping?" AZI asked as they got to the doors.

"Nope, this is a diversion. I need them to chase this pod while we go back and investigate the cause of Tup's death. Any more questions, Doctor?"

"Actually, yes, now that you mention it-AAHH!" AZI screamed as Fives tossed the bot out and jumped in the water.

"AZI! AZI!" Fives screamed over the waves as he surfaced with the bot.

"Now what?"

"We're going back to figure out why Tup died." Fives replied swimming back.

"I can get us there much faster," AZI said as he changed into a speeder design.

"Oh! You're just full of surprises, aren't you?" Fives asked, getting on and leaving.

"This is one of my various survival modes."

Nala Se.

"Lord Tyranus, you summoned me?"

Nala asked in a room as Dooku was on via hologram. "Prime Minister Lama Su tells me there has been a complication. What has happened to the inhibitor chip?"

"It was stolen by a renegade clone."

"What does this clone know?" Dooku asked Nala.

"Nothing as of yet. He is just a soldier, after all. However, he was a friend to the clone which malfunctioned."

"This behavior is unsettling. First the malfunctioning clone and now a renegade. Are you certain these soldiers will live up to your design in the end?"

Nala nodded at that. "I am certain. The malfunction to the inhibitor chip is an aberration."

"And how do you explain the renegade?"

"I'm afraid the Jedi have inspired creative thinking in some of the clones. That is the cause of this type of divergent behavior."

"Will this interfere with Protocol 66?" Dooku asked again, narrowing his eyes.

"No, I am certain of that."

"Find the renegade clone immediately and make sure you recover the chip. The true nature of the inhibitor chip must not be discovered by the Jedi."

"Yes, Lord Tyranus." She replied bowing as he ended the transmission.

Outside, Fives came under the station to a ladder and started climbing as AZI went back to normal. "Once we're inside, I need you to get me a change of clothes, AZI."

Inside, AZI went to one of the guards. "Trooper, I think I saw the renegade clone head into the storage room."

"Alright, let's check it out."

AZI led him into the room and they looked around. "I think he was over there."

Fives attacked the clone and knocked him out. "We need to get the tumor analyzed." He said putting the armor on.

"Follow me."

AZI took them to the record room before looking at Fives. "This is the Genetic Records Hall. It contains data on the original DNA of every being we have ever cloned. We will compare the tumor's DNA versus that of Jango Fett, the original donor. If any tumor like this has been noted before, we will find it. The tumor, please?" AZI asked, bringing up Jango's DNA. Fives gave him the tumor and AZI typed on the computer. "Nothing." He said after a moment as Fives turned to look at him.

"What?"

"The sample doesn't match anything found in the Jango Fett genotype. Furthermore, it is not even completely organic. It is foreign to the body. Someone implanted it there."

"An implant? Do you mean this isn't an accident? Someone did this to Tup?" Fives asked, taking his helmet off.

"Precisely."

In the control room, a clone looked at Shaak Ti. "There have been no unauthorized ships leaving Kamino, General."

"I sense we are looking in the wrong place." She said turning as a group of three clones walked in.

"We have a report from the Genetic Records Hall."

"Explain."

"Someone is accessing the Jango Fett genotype."

"It's them." Nala Se said to Shaak Ti who turned to another clone.

"Evacuate that room quietly."

In the room, Fives noticed the others leaving. "Is there another way out of here besides the door we came in?"

"Yes, there are emergency access hatches in every major room in case of flooding," AZI replied pointing.

"Good, let's get moving." Fives nodded and put his helmet on.

And AZI put the tumor in a slot on his back.

Shaak Ti, Nala, and the clones walked in and saw them on the other side of the room. "There."

They shot with stun blasts as Fives followed suit aiming back every now and then. They then got to a ladder and started climbing up. They got through the hatch before Fives locked it and AZI welded it shut. "It's no good. They've sealed it from the inside." The clone that climbed said before sliding down.

"Station your men at every access point back into the main hallway system!" Nala ordered the clones who nodded.

"Yes, ma'am."

In the ducks, Fives looked at AZI as he climbed a ladder. "Did you get all the information you needed?"

"Mostly. We know that the tumor is a foreign material and was implanted for an unknown reason. However, there is still so much we do not know about it. For example, at what stage was it introduced to Clone Tup? And why?" AZI mused a hand on his chin.

"What is this thing? Why would someone put it in Tup?" Fives asked as AZI looked at the tumor.

"I believe this is an organic chip built out of cells."

"What's it for?"

"I do not know."

"Ah, thanks. I need to find out if what was in Tup's head is in mine." Fives said as he got to a higher level and started walking.

"We have already done a scan and-"

"But it was missed in Tup, and it could have been missed in me, too!" Fives interrupted the droid. "You have to take it out."

"We cannot be 100% sure if the chip is even there."

"I know it's there."

"It is a dangerous surgery…" AZI trailed as Fives turned to face him.

"Look, you got it out of Tup, you can get it out of me."

"He died after I removed the chip. Maybe it is connected. You may die, too."

"It's a chance I have to take. I trust you." Fives looked down as they got to a hatch.

"Alright, I will do it. Let us go to a sterile facility."

They dropped down and went to another room. "Hold still. This will not hurt a bit." AZI explained before sticking the clone in the neck with a syringe.

"Ahhh! You sure you know what you're doing, right?"

"Why, yes. I have been programmed to perform over 100-"

"Alright, alright. (Sigh) Let's do this." Fives laid down as AZI started the operation.

"You will only be unconscious for a few minutes."

In the control room, Nala Se says they must have left Kamino by now, but Shaak Ti thinks they are investigating, not escaping. Fives awakens from his surgery, and AZI-3 confirms that he also had a chip, genetically identical to Tup's chip which had malfunctioned. Determined to establish if every clone was implanted with a chip, they head to the embryo room.

One of the Kaminoans in the training room they pass through reports them to Nala Se, who leaves the room, watched by Shaak Ti. AZI-3's scans discover that the chips are implanted into every clone embryo at Stage 3 of their development. Suddenly, Nala Se enters the room, and Fives aims at her. "Don't move."

"Why are you doing this?"

"I know what you've done!"

"What is it that you think I have done?" Nala asked, walking up hands in the air before Fives grabbed her and pulled her to the screen.

"How do you explain this?"

"That is a structural inhibitor chip, which is supposed to prevent you from being aggressive, like your source, Jango Fett. Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas instructed us to implant them during your growth cycle."

"The Jedi?" Fives asked, eyes widening. "The Jedi had this done to us?"

"It is not uncommon to have inhibitors placed in a clone."

"I have analyzed this one, and apparently it has failed," AZI said, holding the chip up.

"Up until this point, there has never been a problem."

"Well, you have got a big problem now." Fives said before Shaak Ti walked in with clones.

"Don't move!"

"Drop your weapon." Shaak Ti said holding her saber as Fives held Nala in front of him at that.

"Master Jedi, I know what's going on. I have the evidence. The Jedi instructed that inhibitor chips be implanted in us at birth, but Tup's malfunctioned. That's what made him lose control."

"Where is the evidence?"

"I have it right here. As you can see, the chip taken from Clone Trooper Tup is black and rotting, indicating a malfunction of some sort." AZI explained floating over as Shaak Ti looked at Fives.

"What caused the malfunction?"

"It doesn't matter. The fact is Tup's chip malfunctioned and it drove him insane. These chips have to be removed, otherwise, the entire Republic Army could be compromised."

"There's no proof of that! This is an isolated incident." Nala said from her spot. "Besides, when you removed Trooper Tup's chip, he died."

"Well, that's not going to happen to the rest of us."

"And how do you know that?" Nala asked as Fives were aimed at her.

"Because I removed mine!"

"Here is Clone Trooper Fives' chip. As you can see, there is no sign of malfunction in either him or the chip." AZI said, holding another up.

"By removing your chip, you are a threat. Master Jedi, we must terminate this trooper immediately."

"I am not a piece of hardware! I'm a living being."

"You were created in our laboratories. You are Kaminoan property!" Nala said as Shaak Ti turned her weapon off.

"Correction, technically, he is property of the Republic."

"That does not change the fact that he is a danger and must be terminated."

"I believe that's for me to decide." Shaak Ti said to Nala before looking at Fives. "Fives, you are coming with me to Coruscant. I think it's time you told your story to the Chancellor."

"Master Jedi! I beg you to reconsider!"

"The Chancellor wanted all the data on Tup to be sent to Coruscant." Shaak Ti explained to Nala. "We're sending the data, the tumor, and Fives along with it."

"Then I am going with you."

"As you wish, Doctor." Shaak Ti said as a gurney came up to Fives.

"Thank you for believing in me, General."

"It is not a matter of belief, Fives, it is simply the right thing to do." She replied as Fives lay on the gurney.

"It looks like you got what you wanted," AZI said to the clone who looked up.

"Thanks to you. I'll see you on the other side."

"The other side of what?"

"Ha-Ha-Ha! Ah, droids." Fives laughed as the clones pulled the gurney.

Clone crisis! After the mysterious death of his friend Tup, ARC Trooper Fives embarked on an investigation, which led to the discovery of a hidden chip that 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 claims otherwise, and has convinced Jedi Master Shaak Ti to allow him to plead his case directly to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine on Coruscant.

Coruscant.

The shuttle-bearing clone trooper Fives, Jedi Master Shaak Ti, and Kaminoan scientist Nala Se arrive at Coruscant. While Shaak Ti is not watching, Nala Se injects the sedated Fives with an unknown drug. The shuttle lands at the Grand Republic Medical Facility, where they are met by Mas Amedda and escorted to meet the Chancellor.

Fives pleads his case that the chips are part of a Separatist conspiracy to cause aggression in the clones, rather than inhibit it as Nala Se claims. Palpatine suggests that he discuss the matter with Fives alone, and Shaak Ti objects. He assures her he will be safe with his security guard. As they wait outside, Palpatine calls for help, and Shaak Ti rushes in to see Fives overpowering Palpatine's guard and taking his rifle which he points at the Chancellor.

She throws Fives aside with the Force and he flees from the room with Shaak Ti in pursuit. Palpatine rises calmly and hands the chips to Nala Se. Fives races through the center's reception hall, and barely manages to leap through the blast doors as Shaak Ti orders them to be closed.

At the Jedi Temple, Shaak Ti tells the Jedi Council what has happened in a conference with Yoda, Anakin Skywalker, Mace Windu, and Plo Koon. Skywalker cannot believe that Fives would try to assassinate the Chancellor and finds it odd that the Jedi have not been asked to assist in the search for the rogue trooper. Windu suggests they investigate discreetly, and Skywalker volunteers to lead the investigation, as Fives will trust him and Captain Rex as his commanding officers in the 501st Legion.

Fives, Lower Levels.

"Here you go."

"Thank you, ladies."

Fives who were leaning over a railing turned to see two Twi'lek dancers get out of a cab in front of Oola's bar. "Have a good time on Coruscant, now."

"Thank you." One said to the driver before Fives walked over and got in.

"Hey, pal, where to?"

"Take me to 79's."

"The clone bar?" The alien driver asked before looking back. "Oh! You're a clone, eh?"

"Look, just shut up and drive."

"Okay, you got it." The driver shrugged and flew towards the bar. "So, heading out for a little fun in the town, eh? I didn't know clones could have fun.:

"There's a lot you don't know about clones. No one knows." Fives replied looking out the window.

"Ooh, very mysterious, eh? I like a good mystery."

"Yeah? 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. I hear stories like that all the time." The driver replied before chuckling as he stopped at the bar with various clones outside before Fives got out. "Hey. Are you paying for this ride or what?"

"Ah, bill it to the Republic."

"'Bill it to the Republic.' Good one, brother." One drunk clone Officer said as he put a hand around Fives' shoulder

"Lousy cheap clones!"

"It's your credit, pal. You're paying for this." Another yelled as the man left while the clones tossed bottles at the cab.

"Ah, your mother's a droid."

"Come on, brother, let's go inside."

"Corporal, that's a nice hat you got there. Mind if I see it?" Fives asked as they walked inside.

"Oh, sure. Yeah. Sure, you got it."

Fives put it on once getting inside and saw more clones with other aliens mingling. He then recognizes fellow 501st troopers Kix and Jesse. As a squad of shock troopers from the Coruscant Guard arrive and begin to check IDs, Fives approaches Kix in the refresher and gives him coordinates to arrange a meeting with Anakin Skywalker and Captain Rex.

He evades the shocktroopers and steals a Flitknot Speeder Bike to escape from the bar, but is followed by a probe droid to a warehouse on Level 1325 of an underworld portal.

Later, Anakin and Rex without his helmet walked into the warehouse. Anakin turned his saber on as Rex pulled his pistols out. "Fives? Fives, we're here. Come on out, we just want to talk to you.

"General Skywalker, thank you. Thank you for trusting me." Fives said from the darkness. : Have you come without troops?"

"We have."

"Put down your weapons, then."

"I don't think so, Fives," Anakin replied, looking around.

"Please, sir. Please, I'm unarmed." Fives said before Anakin sighed and turned him off before Rex followed suit.

"Alright, I'm putting my pistols down."

"What are we here for, Fives?" Anakin asked.

"I need your help."

"I know you do. We know you're not well. It's been rough for you these past couple of days."

"I'm not crazy!" Fives yelled out at that. Please. Please, just… Just hear what I have to say."

"We're here to help you, Fives. Just come with us. Let us take you back to the Temple." Anakin said, walking towards Fives' voice with Rex.

And was trapped in a Ray shield. "No! I just need you to listen to me. Please."

"I'm not really sure we have any other choice," Anakin said as Fives walked up to them.

"I was framed because I know the truth. The truth about a plot, a massive deception!"

"By whom?" Rex asked, walking over.

"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!"

"Show me the evidence," Anakin ordered as Fives pointed to his head.

"The evidence is in here. It's here. It's in all of us, every clone!"

"What is it?"

"Organic chips, built into our genetic code to make us do whatever someone wants, even kill the Jedi. It's all in here!"

"Let's just get you some help first, then we can review everything," Anakin said after crossing his arms. "It'll be okay, Fives. We'll sort this out."

"You don't believe me!"

"Fives, we are listening to you. We only want to help." Rex said as Fives turned towards him.

"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!"

"The Chancellor?" Anakin asked, raising his eyebrow.

"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 as Fives walked around. "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-"

"Stand down, soldier! Stand down! Get on your knees!"

Fives turned to see Fox running up to him with his squad.

"No! No! No! Stay back!" Fives yelled picking up Rex's pistol.

"Don't do it! Don't do it, soldier!"

"Get away from me!"

"Fives, no!" Rex yelled before Fives was shot by Fox in the chest and fell over. "Fives!"

"Get this ray shield off!" Anakin ordered, having Fox shoot the top and had Rex go to Fives.

"Fives! Brother! Call for help! We need a medic!"

"(Gasp!) Rex..."

"Fives."

"This... It's bigger than any of us…" Fives struggled to speak as he raised his hand. Than anything I could have imagined. I never meant to… I only wanted to do my duty. Brother..."

"Fives, stay with me, Fives! Fives!"

"The mission… The nightmares… They're finally over." Fives then went limp at that as Rex started to shake him.

"Fives? No, Fives... Come on, Fives. Don't go! Stay with me. Stay with me. Fives! Fives! Don't go. No Oh, no."

Later, Palpatine's Office.

"A tragic situation, indeed."

Palpatine said to Mae, Yoda, Shaak Ti, and Anakin who were sitting on the couch.

"About the clone's breakdowns, have we discovered any new evidence?" Mace asked Palpatine

"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 Palpatine who nodded and paced.

"A parasite, native to Ringo Vinda. Probably in a 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?" Mace asked, looking at him.

"Yes, we can finally put this whole wretched situation behind us," Palpatine said as he turned to the window. We must direct our attention back to the war at hand. Each day we grow closer and closer to victory." He smiled at that as the Jedi stood, missing it.

Dooku.

Dooku shut off Nala's transmission as he held both chips in hand before calling Sidious and knelt.

"Our plan has gone undiscovered, Master. The clone in question is now dead and the Jedi still suspect nothing."

"Good. Destroy all evidence. When the time comes, no one will be able to stop our plan to execute Order 66."

Coruscant, Naruto's Quarters.

Smack!

Riyo wearing only white panties jumped as Naruto smacked her on her ass while walking to the bathroom before BD beeped. Walking over, Naruto patted his head as Tsunade came up via hologram. "Yeah, granny?"

Tsunade gained a tick mark at that before speaking. "I need you to come back… I found something with that tumor we found in 99's head."

"OK." Naruto stood and ended the transmission and put on his pants as Oola groaned from the bed.

To Be Continued.

A/N: Thanks for reading and let me know of any mistakes

Beta: Chaos-PSD. Contributor: KuronoDono12.

As a tribute to James Earl Jones, here's a double update with Chs 65 and 66, read Ch (65) first.

Next to be updated will be Maelstrom Huntsman.

Nothing else to say.

Talk To You Later,

Lone Wolf Out.🐺