Meet You at the Dark Side

Chapter 25 - The Investigation Begins

Ahsoka turns to the other Jedi as soon as they leave the room. "As I mentioned before, Sidious has plans to destroy the Jedi. I'm beginning to wonder if this doesn't have something to do with it."

Anakin frowns. "How is that possible? Echo is the only one who has ever acted like this." How could Sidious have control of the clones, anyway? They're only loyal to the Republic.

"I don't know," Ahsoka admits, "But it seems possible. He was acting like – like there's something else controlling him. I'm just wondering if whatever that was is in all clones, but for him, it happened early."

"Whatever is going on, this must be investigated by the Council itself," decides Obi-Wan, before adding as an afterthought, "And it would be better if the news of it didn't reach anyone else, but it's probably a little late for that."

"Which means the Sith Lord will be hearing about it," Ahsoka mutters, expression concerned. Yes, the Sith Lord she still stubbornly refuses to tell Anakin a single word about. Anakin hastily forces away his sudden surge of resentment. It will do no good dwelling on right now.

"Perhaps we should try having someone other than a Jedi talk to Echo?" Obi-Wan suggests.

"That would be a good idea," Ahsoka agrees, looking thoughtful. "Actually, I have an idea. It should be one of the other clones. We should be there too but stay out of sight."

Anakin nods in agreement. At least that might show if whatever is wrong with him has anything to do with the Jedi. "Fives, probably," he decides. "He's the one who knew him best."

Within a few minutes, they're with Fives in the room where Echo is being restrained. He looks around, seeming confused. "What's happening to me?" he queries, concern and confusion slipping into his voice as he tugs on the straps trapping him to the bed. Clearly, he doesn't remember what happened.

"You don't remember?" demands Fives as he steps forwards.

His brother shakes his head. "No."

"You murdered General Piell, then attacked Commander Tano," Fives explains.

"What?" he cries. "That's not possible! I would never! I could never do that! I don't understand how this could happen!" Anakin is really beginning to think Ahsoka might have been right. It's obvious that something is wrong. It's like something inside him snapped for whatever reason, and it, at least temporarily, fixed itself when he lost consciousness. His mind is functioning a little more normally, but something is definitely wrong. They need to get to the bottom of this, sooner rather than later.

"Echo, it's gonna be fine. I promise. They'll fix you up really good. We'll be having a drink together in no time," Fives attempts to reassure him.

Something in Echo's expression starts changing again, maybe as he remembers what happened. "Good soldiers follow orders..." he mumbles. What is he talking about?

"You are a good soldier, Echo," Fives assures him, "What orders are you talking about?"

"The mission," he murmurs, "The mission...."

"Brother, what mission?"

"You – you know the one. The mission, the one in our dreams that never ends," he continues, voice fairly quiet. What?

"What is he talking about?" Obi-Wan asks finally, voicing Anakin's thoughts.

"We... often have nightmares about killing people, but being unable to stop it," Fives explains hesitantly. "All the clones do." They do? He's never heard about that before. Although he supposes it isn't really something someone would want to talk about.