Chapter Text
Kenobi grumbles about it, but he allows Mo and Ralph to pilot his ship while Rex and Kenobi take Dooku’s. The dead Sith is also on the ship, in a stasis pod that will keep him from decomposing on the flight.
They pursue Bane and Hardeen in hopes they’ll reach them before they can kidnap the Chancellor. Kenobi has Rex send an encrypted message to Fox, warning him to be on alert and to keep a squad of trusted vode with the Chancellor until the threat has passed.
Maybe, with the element of surprise, the backing of the Separatists, and larger numbers, a team of bounty hunters would have been able to kidnap the Chancellor. But only Hardeen and Bane, rushed because Rex and Kenobi are hot on their heels, against Fox and his best men? The bounty hunters don’t stand a fucking chance.
Kenobi doesn’t reach out to the Council with an update. Rex isn’t sure if it’s because he wants to wrap up the op before he reports in or if he’s truly gone rogue, but Rex doesn’t push the issue. Dooku is dead, and the Council will hear about it soon enough.
For now, Rex and Kenobi watch space pass them by.
And then Rex’s private comm beeps with a message from Kamino. Rex exchanges a look with Kenobi and then activates the holoprojector.
Fives waves once he flickers into view. Behind him, Alpha-17 is a big, imposing presence. Jesse is visibly nervous, wringing his hands, and shooting looks at the other two vode before he snaps to attention.
“Fuck,” Kenobi says, almost too quietly for Rex to pick up.
Rex doesn’t need Kenobi to say he has a bad feeling about this. Rex takes a deep breath and then greets his vode. “Is this a report?”
“We found something,” Fives says. “It didn’t make sense at first. The long necks talked about Dogma glitching, which—we aren’t droids. But.” Fives looks over his shoulder at Alpha-17.
“Tell them,” Alpha-17 says.
“There are chips in our heads,” Fives says.
“Chips?” Rex echoes.
“Command chips,” Fives answers. “Control chips. Whatever you want to call them, they’re a list of orders.”
“And Dogma’s glitched?” Rex doesn’t want to think about a list of orders in his head, doesn’t want to think about who might have put it there or who has the ability to activate it. It’s easier to focus on Dogma, on why he was sent to Kamino in the first place. He shot a Jedi, he shot Kenobi. Oh, gods, is Rex’s chip going to glitch too?
“It didn’t glitch,” Alpha-17 says. “It activated. And then Dogma did exactly what he was supposed to do.”
“Shoot our fucking Jedi?” Rex snaps.
Alpha-17 crosses his arms over his chest and looks at Rex in a way that never fails to make Rex feel like he’s a shiny again.
“Order 66,” Jesse says, almost too quietly to hear. “Eliminate the Jedi. They are traitors to the Republic.”
Rex turns to Kenobi, he can’t help it. They’re both helmetless which means he can see the way Kenobi’s face drains of color. Kenobi’s eyes dart to Rex and then he looks away, his eyes pinched as if he’s in pain. No, as if he’s imagining Rex turning his blaster on Kenobi, because Kenobi is a Jedi, and the Jedi are traitors to the Republic.
“This is what he meant,” Kenobi says. His voice shakes, and he presses a fist to his mouth as if steadying himself. “When Dooku said he wanted to see my face when I realized. Someone plans to activate those chips. They plan for the soldiers of the GAR to turn on their Jedi and kill them.”
“I—” Rex swallows back his promise. He would. If the control chip was activated, he wouldn’t have a choice. That is the whole damn point of the thing. There was a sliver of technology in Rex’s head with the power to overrule his consciousness. He takes a slow, deep breath. “How do we get them out?”
“Brain surgery,” Alpha-17 answers.
Rex snarls at him and wishes they were in the same place so he could punch Alpha-17 in the face. Instead, Rex can only pace. Does Dooku have a med-droid on board? Would it be sophisticated enough to do the surgery? Rex doesn’t want to be in the same room as Kenobi until the chip is out. He doesn’t want to be in his own body until it’s out.
“Who would do this?” Rex asks.
“And why would Dooku know?” Kenobi adds. “Why would a Separatist general know that the Republic’s army was poised to turn against itself? No. Wrong question.”
“The army isn’t poised to turn against itself,” Jesse says. “The clones are primed to turn against the Jedi.”
Kenobi nods. “And a Separatist general wouldn’t have that kind of knowledge, but a Sith would.” Kenobi covers his mouth with his hand as if he doesn’t want to voice his next thought. “The Sith were behind the creation of the vode. Oh, that bastard!” Kenobi springs out of the pilot’s chair. He stalks over toward the door which leads to the rest of the ship. He pounds on it twice.
“Did you know that General Jinn tailed Jango Fett to Geonosis?” Kenobi asks. “He was kidnapped by Dooku. I read the report afterward. Dooku tried to tempt Jinn to his side. Jinn had been his padawan, and Dooku told him that together they could defeat the Sith. He also told him that the Republic was under the control of the Sith lord. That the Senate was. The Council dismissed it, but what if he was telling the truth?”
“The Sith is a politician?” Fives asks. “Wouldn’t someone have noticed?”
“Not if he didn’t want them to,” Kenobi answers. “What are the rest of the orders? We might be able to figure it out. The entire Republic is in graver danger than we thought. And we can’t warn anyone. Because if the Sith knows we’re on to him…” Kenobi glances at Rex.
“He’ll activate the chips,” Rex finishes. He thinks he’s going to be sick.
“There’s an order to self-destruct,” Jesse says. “There’s another to take the nearest senator into custody. There’s—”
“Jesse?” Rex prompts when his vod falls silent.
“There’s a whole series dedicated to the protection of the Chancellor of the Republic.”
There’s a moment of silence as they all take that in. And then Kenobi slams his fist into the door again. Rex wishes he could summon that kind of fury, but he’s too shocked even to move. The Chancellor. The fucking Chancellor is the Sith lord. Rex was created by a Sith. He was created to die. No, worse, he was created to betray and kill the Jedi he was told he was created for. He—
“Rex. Rex!” Kenobi’s hands clasp Rex’s face. His grip is tight enough to be painful, but the pain helps clear Rex’s head. “Are you with me?”
“We weren’t made for war,” Rex says. “We were made to kill our Jedi. Did the Prime know? Was this his idea of a joke?”
“It was his idea of revenge,” Kenobi says. And then he meets Rex’s gaze and holds it. “You were created, yes, but we are going to destroy these chips, and we are going to destroy the Sith lord, and then it won’t matter that you were created. It will only matter that you live. You and all your vode will have choices.”
“You’re talking about taking on a Sith lord,” Fives says.
“Who happens to be the Chancellor of the Republic,” Jesse adds, as if they’ve somehow forgotten this important piece of information.
“I assume you’re dechipping the vode on Kamino?” Kenobi asks, brushing by Fives and Jesse’s concerns.
“We’ve almost finished,” Alpha-17 answers. “Should we get word out?”
“Can you do it safely?” Kenobi asks.
Alpha-17 shrugs.
“Encrypted channels to any commander who has one,” Kenobi says. “Tell them to go silent after. They only take communication from you until they’re told otherwise. If the Sith catches on to what we’re doing, I don’t want him to activate any of the orders.”
“Fox,” Rex says, and he feels sick again. Sooner or later, his body is going to rebel, and he’s going to puke everywhere. “We told Fox to guard him.”
Kenobi presses his lips together, but it’s clear he’s thinking so Rex doesn’t demand a solution. He waits, semi-patiently, and then Kenobi claps his hands together. “Reach out to Elekta. Tell him it’s an emergency recall and to pass the news on to Fox. We have a man on the inside with the bounty hunters, and we need to lull them into a false sense of security. We’re going to let them kidnap the Chancellor.”
“Will that work?” Fives asks.
“I don’t care,” Kenobi answers. “But I don’t want any more of your brothers to die because of this Sith. Alpha-17, I’m sending Mo and Ralph your way. Keep them safe.” Kenobi glances at Rex who glares at him.
“Don’t fucking think about it,” Rex says. “I’m in this. You’re taking this chip out of my head, and then we’re going to kill ourselves a second Sith in as many days.”
“It’ll be my third,” Kenobi says. “Do you think I’ll develop a reputation?”
I think we’ll be lucky if they don’t execute us on sight afterward, Rex thinks.
“Are we in agreement on the plan?” Kenobi asks.
“I haven’t missed your plans,” Alpha-17 says. “We’ll hold up our end. You make sure you hold up yours.”
Kenobi grins and it’s on the wrong side of reckless. “I would hate to disappoint you.”
Kenobi reaches for the projector, but he pauses when Alpha-17 clears his throat. “May the Force be with you, di’kut.”
“And also with you,” Kenobi murmurs. His expression ripples, his brave façade faltering, and Rex turns off the projector before any of the vode on Kamino can see. Kenobi breathes out slowly. He looks over at Rex. “This is fucked, even for Torrent.”
Rex laughs. He can’t help it. “You did promise me missions no one else could do.”
“You can go with them,” Kenobi says. He’s already inputting the code for his ship. “I wouldn’t think less of you.”
“I’m in this with you,” Rex says. “Try and shove me off again, and I will think less of you.”
Kenobi nods and then he calls Mo and Ralph. It’s audio only, and Mo answers almost immediately.
“There’s been a change of plans,” Kenobi says, and his voice is even and measured, as if they hadn’t received life-altering news only moments ago. “You and Ralph will proceed directly to Kamino. Do not accept communication from anyone but Alpha-17. Upon arriving on Kamino, you are to report directly to Alpha-17. Accept nothing else.”
“Uh, Kenobi?” Ralph asks. And then, even more hesitantly. “Captain Rex?”
“Understood,” Mo says, because he’s a sergeant, and he’s sharp enough to know when not to question odd orders. “You and Rex will complete the mission on your own?”
“We will,” Rex answers with a hard look at Kenobi. Rex is staying here, at Kenobi’s side. Either they’ll see this through, or they’ll die trying. Or, maybe, they’ll see it through and then die.
“There are several explosives on Bane’s ship,” Mo says. “While you were making nice with the bounty hunters, Ralph and I were sabotaging their ships in case something like this happened. Once you’re in range, you can set off the explosives, and it’ll take out the whole ship.”
Rex and Kenobi exchange a look.
“Thank you,” Kenobi says, recovering first. “Your assistance is invaluable.”
“Will you follow us to Kamino once you’re done?” Ralph asks, as if he thinks Kenobi is sending them there to hide them from Jedi justice for running a rogue mission.
“If we don’t follow you, we’ll wait for you,” Rex says. Mo’s harsh inhale means he hears what Rex isn’t saying. We’ll wait for you before marching on. How many times has he heard a vod say that to another before a battle? Or, at the end of one, when they’re tending to the wounded.
“We’ll see you, then,” Ralph says, his voice steady and sure. “Torrent has a reputation to uphold.”
“Ib'tuur jatne tuur ash'ad kyr'amur,” Rex says. Today is a good day for someone else to die.
They end their call shortly after. Kenobi checks their nav console, makes an adjustment, and then he ushers Rex back to the small med-bay. Rex stretches out on the bed. Brain surgery. He closes his eyes and trusts that when he opens them again, he’ll be a free man.
#
When Rex awakens in the med-bay, it’s only him and the droid. He allows it to fuss long enough to proclaim him healthy and then he heads for the cockpit. Kenobi is there, sitting in the pilot’s chair with one knee pulled up to his chest.
“I commed Elekta while you were out,” Kenobi says. “He’s doing his part.”
“Just like that?” Rex asks. He sits next to Kenobi. His scalp itches, but he doesn’t touch the bandage that covers his incision site. Part of him wants to pick at the wound until it scars so he has proof that the chip is out, that his mind is and always will be his from now on.
“We’ve been listed as AWOL,” Kenobi says. “Republic military law changes AWOL status to desertion after thirty days. But the old Jedi regs from the last time they fought in a war determines desertion based on intent not to return, intent to shirk one’s duty, or intent to take a conflicting position.”
“At least there aren’t wanted posters out for us.”
“That’s because they don’t know what we plan to do.” Kenobi returns to staring at the passing of the stars. “We’re really about to murder the Chancellor.”
“The Sith,” Rex reminds him.
“The Sith,” Kenobi repeats. “I’ve met him, you know. After Naboo, he shook my hand and thanked me personally for defending his planet against a threat. I killed his apprentice, and he thanked me for it. Anakin’s going to be upset. The Chancellor’s been a friend to him. Or—” Kenobi’s breath stutters. “Or, a Sith lord has been grooming him to be his next apprentice. We can’t kill the Sith soon enough.” Kenobi fiddles with the nav. “The Sith’s a dick.”
Rex snorts. “Astute observation.”
Kenobi huffs and rolls his eyes. “Only a few more hours, now. How long do you think it’ll take Bane and Hardeen to kidnap the Chancellor?”
“Since the Chancellor’s complicit in his own kidnapping? No time at all.”
#
When Rex and Kenobi come out of hyperspace, Bane’s craft is in orbit over Coruscant. Kenobi reaches out with the Force. He makes a face, and then he enters the code Mo gave them. And then Kenobi holds his hand out.
Rex clasps it in his and squeezes as they watch Bane’s ship explode. Rex has seen plenty of explosions in his life. He isn’t sure he’s seen one as pretty as this one. He feels a wave of something strong, almost suffocating, and then it’s gone.
He glances over at Kenobi. Kenobi’s eyes are pinched at the corners, and there’s pain in the tightness of his mouth. Maybe Sith deaths are different from normal deaths?
“Are you ready for this?” Kenobi asks.
Rex squeezes Kenobi’s hand again. “Land us at the Temple hangar.”
Kenobi holds Rex’s hand for the entire descent. He holds it as they move into the hold. He only lets go as he kneels by the landing ramp so he can lace his hands behind his head.
“Let me do the talking,” Kenobi says.
“Okay,” Rex says. He mirrors Kenobi’s position. He isn’t sure if they’ll be shot on sight or if they’ll be arrested. Will they be tortured? He almost wishes he and Kenobi had jumped to Kamino after exploding Bane’s ship. Or to Mandalore. Surely, the Mand’alor would give him asylum.
Kenobi prompts the landing ramp to lower.
Rex raises his gaze and then bites back his curse as Cody strides up the ramp, his blaster raised and flanked by a full squad of Ghost Company’s best. Cody’s wearing his bucket, and he’s a professional, but Rex can still feel his disappointment. And he knows Cody is pissed, because he isn’t gentle as he cuffs Rex’s hands.
At Cody’s nod, the squad of troopers split, still on guard, but so General Windu can approach. Kenobi is cuffed with special Force inhibiting cuffs.
“Count Dooku’s body is in a stasis pod in the med-bay,” Kenobi says.
“That was not your assignment,” General Windu says.
Kenobi, restrained by the cuffs around his wrists, on his knees in front of a full squad of troopers and a Jedi general and councilor, isn’t cowed. “Good soldiers follow orders, but good men do the right thing. I weighed my conscience, and I made my choice.”
Cody flinches at Kenobi’s words, hard enough to attract Kenobi and Windu’s attention. Kenobi’s eyes soften, as if he regrets causing Cody pain.
“Good soldiers follow orders,” Cody says. He stumbles back a step. His hand goes to his helmet. He slaps at the plastoid and then scrambles to get his helmet off. Rex tries to go to him, but Waxer and Boil step forward to keep Rex on the ground.
Cody tosses his helmet to the ground, and Rex gasps in relief when he sees the neat line of stitches on Cody’s brow. Alpha-17 got through to him. Cody is safe. Rex sags between Waxer and Boil’s hold.
“Commander Cody?” General Windu asks.
“You know?” Cody asks Rex. He ignores Windu. And when Rex doesn’t answer, he looks to Kenobi. “How long?”
“Yesterday,” Kenobi answers. He looks to Windu. “I assume the Council wants a full report. I would like to request Commander Cody be allowed to witness as some of my testimony is relevant to him and his vode.”
“A report?” Windu looks pained, the same way Cody felt when he cuffed Rex. “Knight Kenobi, you are not debriefing after a mission. You are defending yourself against serious accusations of desertion and treason.”
Kenobi swallows thickly. There’s none of the recklessness or bravado that Rex has gotten used to seeing. He nods solemnly. And then his gaze seeks out Cody again. “Torrent? The 501st?”
“They’re all recovering,” Cody answers. And then his expression closes off and he turns to Windu. “Are we escorting them to the Council Chambers?”
Windu nods and then he gestures for another two of Cody’s men to step forward and haul Kenobi to his feet. When they disembark, Rex notes that Commander Ponds and a squad of his men are waiting for them. Two commanders, two squads of troopers, and a Jedi general. It seems like overkill, but Rex isn’t so sure. He and Kenobi might have a chance if they chose to fight.
They don’t fight, of course.
Windu follows behind them with Dooku’s stasis pod. Rex keeps his head high as they’re marched through the hangar and then the Temple. There are curious Jedi who come to watch their procession. There are even more vode, who crowd the hallways so they can watch. Rex looks at as many as he can. He checks their foreheads, and he’s relieved with each bandage or cut that he sees.
When they arrive at the Council Chambers, Commander Elekta is there. His relief at the sight of them is only matched by his immediate concern. Rex tries to communicate that he doesn’t need to worry. Rex has saved his vode. He may have even saved the galaxy. Whatever happens now, it doesn’t matter.
The Council seats are filled, either in person or with blue holoprojections. Rex notes that all the commanders on Coruscant are here. So are several Jedi who aren’t Council members. Jinn and Skywalker are both here. Because of their connection to Kenobi? Because of their connection to the Chancellor?
Kenobi goes to the center of the chamber. He gently shakes off his guards, and then he kneels, his hands still above his head.
Yoda’s ears droop. “Stand, you may.”
“I am cuffed, I was escorted by two squads of troopers, and I have been told to prepare a defense on mine and Rex’s behalf,” Kenobi responds.
Yoda’s ears droop even further. “Troubled, we are, by your recent actions.”
Rex kneels next to Kenobi. He isn’t nearly as graceful, but he doesn’t faceplant so that’s something at least.
“Where would you like me to begin?” Kenobi asks.
“An assignment, the Council gave you,” Yoda says.
“And I said no.” Kenobi tips his chin up, proud, unbowed despite being on his knees, on trial. “I was asked to do something I believed to be wrong.”
“You were given an assignment,” Oppo Rancisis says.
“Am I not permitted to refuse an assignment?” Kenobi asks. “I took a vow when I became a knight, but it wasn’t a vow of obedience.”
“You didn’t only refuse, you spoke to others of confidential information, and then you sabotaged the mission,” Windu says.
“That charge, I will accept,” Kenobi says. “For what it’s worth, I thought that was what you wanted.”
A vein in Windu’s forehead throbs. “You thought we wanted you to defy orders and drag your men into it?”
“Yes,” Kenobi answers, and Rex knows he’s telling the truth, because every Jedi in the room looks as though they just swallowed a lemon. “You wanted me to fake my death, allow Torrent to mourn me as if I was dead, all for a chance at stymying a kidnapping attempt. There was a better solution.”
“You killed the Chancellor!” Jinn steps forward, furious, as if he can’t believe the Council is letting Kenobi speak freely.
Kenobi glances at Jinn and then looks back at Windu. “Should I continue?”
Windu pinches the bridge of his nose. “You interpreted your assignment differently than we intended. Then what?”
“I recruited Captain Rex to assist me,” Kenobi says. “Sergeant Mo and ARC Trooper Ralph joined us as well. From the Council’s intel, I knew Count Dooku was hosting a bounty hunter competition. What better entrants than four Mandalorians?”
“Where are Sergeant Mo and Trooper Ralph?” General Billaba asks.
“They are with me,” General Ti answers. Her hologram flickers. “Well, they are with Alpha-17. They’re recovering from a medical procedure.”
Windu’s gaze goes to Cody’s forehead and then Rex’s. His frown deepens. “Continue, Kenobi.”
“We arrived on planet,” Kenobi says. “Our plan was to disrupt the bounty hunter team so they couldn’t kidnap the Chancellor. We also planned for what to do if we had the opportunity to take on Count Dooku. When he made his appearance, Captain Rex and I fought him while Sergeant Mo and ARC Trooper Ralph distracted the bounty hunters. Captain Rex and my combined efforts were enough to kill Dooku.”
Kenobi looks over at the stasis pod and then he looks at Jinn. When the man scowls at him, Kenobi looks back at Windu. “Dooku accused me of being more Mandalorian than Jedi. He told me he regretted that he would be dead before I learned I wasn’t one of them. He also told us the identity of the Sith lord.”
Rex is glad for his training, because he doesn’t so much as twitch at Kenobi’s words. They aren’t, technically, a lie. But are they truth enough to pass the Council’s scrutiny?
Kenobi took a deep breath. “Sergeant Mo and ARC Trooper Ralph piloted my craft off the planet. Captain Rex and I took Count Dooku’s personal ship. We left in pursuit of the bounty hunters who had escaped. En route, we communicated with Alpha-17 regarding something he was investigating.”
Kenobi looks to General Ti, now. “Dogma was sent to Kamino after he shot me.”
General Ti nods. Rex can feel the sudden attention of every Jedi in the room. It feels as if every one of them is staring at his forehead.
Kenobi’s fingers flex against the back of his head. “In my pocket is a microchip. It was extracted from Captain Rex’s head by the med-droid on Count Dooku’s ship. The droid can verify the surgery if you doubt my word. On the chip, you will find a list of orders. Order 66, when it was activated, would have seen the troops turn on the Jedi.”
Windu isn’t the only one who looks uncomfortable, but he approaches Kenobi and reaches into his pocket. He pulls the chip out and carries it over to Yoda.
“Order 69 was to protect the Chancellor at all costs,” Kenobi says. “The chips, combined with the information Dooku had was the confirmation we needed. Captain Rex and I discussed the next steps we would take. Once we were decided, I sent Sergeant Mo and ARC Trooper Ralph to Kamino so Alpha-17 could remove their chips. And to keep them out of danger. They didn’t know what Captain Rex and I planned to do.”
“What you did do,” Jinn says. “Are you confessing to murdering the Chancellor the Republic?”
“I killed the Sith master,” Kenobi says evenly. “The day before, I killed a Sith apprentice. And we all know that years ago I killed my first Sith apprentice.” Kenobi meets Jinn’s gaze and doesn’t flinch. “It appears to be my legacy. Or perhaps my curse.”
“You do not deny your actions?” Windu asks.
“I do not,” Kenobi answers. “When I became a knight, I vowed to follow the will of the Force and to protect those who needed my protection. And that is what I did when I triggered the explosion which killed the Sith master.”
“The Chancellor couldn’t have been—” Jinn begins.
“The Republic was under the control of a Sith,” Kenobi interrupts. “He worked with his apprentice, who controlled the Separatists. The Sith created this war, inflaming both sides, providing a convenient army to each of them. He planned to bring the galaxy to the edge of ruin and then step in and rule it. I do not regret my actions. I only ask that you do not hold Captain Rex responsible for my choices.”
“Fuck that,” Rex snaps and he doesn’t care that the Jedi are flustered or that Cody’s eyebrow twitches like he wants to yell at him. “They can hold me responsible for my choices. I didn’t follow orders. I followed my conscience. And I don’t regret my actions either.”
Unlike Kenobi, Rex doesn’t address the Council. He addresses Kenobi, who is still trying to shelter Rex, even though this isn’t something Rex can be sheltered from. They disobeyed orders. They went AWOL. They ruined a planned mission and then they assassinated the Chancellor of the Republic.
“Knight Kenobi and Captain Rex are correct about the chips,” General Ti says in the ensuing silence. “Alpha-17 and his team have given me their full report. It is thorough and it is sickening. The clone troopers were implanted with a control chip which could override their free will.”
“We were told that we were made for the Jedi,” Rex says, addressing the Council now. “But the truth is, we were made to destroy the Jedi. Now, we can’t be used that way.”
“A thorough investigation, we must do,” Yoda says. “Confined to Knight Kenobi’s quarters, you will be, until our conclusions we have drawn.”
Windu holds a hand up before Jinn can protest. “There will be Temple guards posted outside Knight Kenobi’s quarters. Captain Rex’s restraints will be removed, but Knight Kenobi’s Force inhibitors will remain.”
Kenobi inclines his head, accepting the ruling.
It’s Cody who undoes Rex’s cuffs, and his touch is gentle. His hands linger a moment longer than they need to. It’s a close to an apology as Rex will get until they’re allowed to speak freely.
#
After the Council declares Rex and Kenobi clear of any charges, they’re allowed visitors. Cody punches Rex’s shoulder hard enough to bruise and then pulls him into an equally bruising hug.
“I thought I was going to lose you,” Cody whispers, angry and relieved and emotional and then even angrier at Rex for making him emotional.
“It wasn’t going to happen,” Rex whispers back. “I’m Torrent’s captain, and we’ve never lost a man.”
Cody takes another swing at Rex. This time, he aims for Rex’s face. Rex stumbles back and curses out his brother as he clutches his nose. It’s definitely broken and he’s definitely bleeding.
“Fuck you,” Rex snaps. Why are all of his vode so fucking violent?
“You can handle two Sith but not a vod?” Cody demands.
Oh, that is fucking it. Rex rolls up his sleeves. “Try it when I’ll fight back.”
“This is very uncivilized,” Kenobi comments.
“You’re next,” Cody tells him and then he charges Rex and tackles him to the ground.
#
Rex is sporting a black eye, and Kenobi is wearing a sling when their next visitors show up.
“I told you that Cody would be pissed,” Elekta says.
“I thought he’d be pissed at you,” Rex grumbles, but it’s all for show.
“Come on,” Firebird says. “We promised we’d bring you to Torrent, because they won’t all fit in this room.”
Rex and Kenobi follow them to the training salles that Torrent has taken over. A cheer goes up when Rex and Kenobi enter. They’re immediately swarmed, and Rex loses sight of Kenobi. He feels a kick of panic, because he hasn’t been separated from Kenobi since…well, he can’t remember since when.
His frantic search is aided once his vode realize he’s panicked. They part until he can see Kenobi, until he can close the distance between them in three long strides. He grabs a fistful of Kenobi’s blacks and then hauls him in for a kiss. Because they’re alive, and Torrent is alive, and the war is over, which means they’re going to keep living.
Another cheer goes up. Rex breaks his kiss with Kenobi to kiss his nearest vod. From there, it’s a free-for-all. They’re all touching and kissing, sharing their joy. Rex doesn’t even need Kenobi to do his Jedi-feeling thing. He knows what his vode feel, because he feels the same.
They’re alive.
And they’re free.
Rex blindly reaches a hand out. A strong hand grips it, and squeezes it tightly. He knows it’s Kenobi without having to look.
His Jedi.