Shattered Stars (TCW)

Chapter 34 -- A Friend in Need (Salvation and Doom pt. II)

"Taska? Taska Rokanh," he called out in the darkness, far away from any civilization on this planet. "This is former clone captain Rex of the 501st," he identified himself. Hopefully she remembered him. "I told you about Saleucami."

"Rex?" a hopeful voice responded, and she came out of hiding, far enough away from him that she could run away if needed.

"Yes, it's me. It's alright," he said soothingly, noticing her nervous hand near her lightsaber. He held his hands out in front of him. "I know who's hunting you, and I know what's wrong. But I won't hurt you."

She relaxed. "So you know that they left with me?"

"Of course," he replied. Really, it had only been a suspicion before then, but he knew such experienced and decorated soldiers wouldn't have died in such a simple, albeit still dangerous, battle. "Word spreads quickly in the GAR. But I fear their decision has put all of you in danger."

"What's wrong with them?" she asked, the dark circles under her eyes making her look so much older than she was.

He sighed and shook his head. "We were made for war. They implanted us with chips that made us compliant with any order given to us, including the order to kill our Jedi, and anyone who stood in our way. I'm sure if they had a choice, they would never have even tried to harm you." Bo-Katan's words rang in his head, even if they had not been intended for him. I wish I was good at something other than war.

She closed her eyes and nodded. "How do we fix it?"

"I have a way, but it's not going to be fun."

* * *

"I think I just saw the signal," Chrome said, and A'den's drooping head shot up, Lark sleeping on the couch.

"How many flashes were there?"

"Three."

"So she's got company," he said wearily. "I'm gonna go out and meet them. Make sure Ace doesn't join us."

"Taska?" he whispered, blaster in hand.

"A'den, I think I found help," she said, stepping into the light with Rex right behind her.

"Captain," A'den said, startled, and almost saluted without thinking. The other clone nodded back.

"From what I understand, it's your commander who's been acting strange?"

"Yes, sir."

"Makes sense," he mumbled, fingers brushing over the bandage still on his head. "Has he ordered you to do anything, told you anything strange?"

"No, he's just really," A'den cleared his throat. "Acting like he wants Taska dead. Which if you knew him, you'd know that's nothing like him. You couldn't force him to lay a finger on her," he defended.

"I believe you, brother, really I do. I know what's wrong. The same thing happened to me. We need to find a way to get your commander where we need to go. Is it necessary to restrain him?"

"We told him Taska was dead," he said, looking at the former Jedi, whose eyes were glossy with tears. "It was to keep her safe. He seems pretty out of it now, but I don't think it would be a bad idea to stun him, especially if we're going to be on a ship together."

Rex nodded again. "We need to do this as quietly as possible. I'm assuming you're going to come, too?" He looked to A'den.

"I'm going," Taska said, her voice unnaturally even as she kept herself from crying.

"I don't—" Rex started. He knew what could happen. He didn't want to take that chance.

"We'll be there, too," A'den cut him off, gesturing to himself and the two clones in the house..