Beginners Luck

Chapter 10

POV: Anakin

I wasn't sure about this strange clone. He felt dark, and cold. His presence seemed to swirl with the dark side and he had solid, unbreakable mental defenses. I'd tried to subtly get in but he simply threw me out. There was even a thought attached that I heard. Stay out of my head Jetii. It was strange. There was no actual voice attached. I couldn't tell anything from it.

So then naturally I was suspicious of said clone and proceeded to seek him out again. Some of the other troopers and Rex had shown me where he was. I was surprised to see him painting. I found it strange that he ran off. He was hard to read through the force, but I could tell he was afraid. But afraid of what?

Not long after, there was a strange disturbance in the force. There had been several, each at least a couple days apart. They seemed to happen at random intervals. Then a voice seemed to cry out in pain. I winced as a headache exploded through my head. I reached and touched my head. I noticed Obi-Wan doing the same. I wobbled on my feet and Rex caught me, his brown eyes filled with concern and confusion. "General, are you alright?"

"I think so." I said, gritting my teeth as the pain receded. I exchanged a glance with Obi-Wan who had somehow managed to stay standing. "Master, did you feel that?" He nodded. "Feel what?" Asked Rex, reminding both of us of the troops present. Badger had left, but Rex and four other clones were still here. "There was a strange disturbance in the force," Explained Obi-Wan, frowning. "Followed by a sort of voice. A great deal of pain came with it. They've been happening many times at random times. Most of the time a week apart." At this, one of the clones, Sprite I believed, furrowed his brow, deep in thought. Then he froze, his face going white as he blanched. He looked like he'd seen a ghost.

"Sprite?" Asked one of the clones, touching his shoulder. "Are you alright?" Now he looked downright panicked as his eyes darted from his brothers to me and Obi-Wan. "I- I have to go." Then he turned and, gripping his helmet, darted out the door and took off at a sprint. His brothers exchanged confused looks. "What was that about?" Asked Rex and I gave him a look. "You know him better. You tell me." I said crossing my arms. Could he know something about what just happened? As though he had read my mind Obi-Wan questioned them. "Do you think he could know something about what happened?"

"No! That's impossible." Protested the clone with a blue handprint on his armor. "Sprite would never do that. "Besides," Added his brother next to him. "Lucky would know then."

"Lucky?" I demanded. "Who's Lucky?" The four clones still here exchanged a confused look. "Lucky," Said Rex slowly. "Is the one who was signing in here earlier."

"What?!?" I exclaimed. "That was Lucky?" Obi-Wan shot me a look. "We need to find them. We can probably still trace the disturbance." Rex held up a hand. "Hold on, are you accusing two of my troops of being traitors?" Although he was speaking softly, I could hear the anger charged in every syllable. It was clear that he was very protective of them.

"We're not-" I started but Rex interrupted. "Are you sure? Because that's what it sounds like." The other three clones were standing behind him, their arms crossed. I knew he must be furious, because Rex NEVER lost his cool. He was always so levelheaded and respectful. Now, he was neither.

"We aren't accusing them of anything." He shot me a look that clearly said, you are tactless. "We think Lucky might have something to do with the disturbance, and Sprite might know something about it." Rex and one of them, Fives, exchanged looks. They seemed to argue silently. Finally, finally, Fives spoke to Obi-Wan. "You can go, but we're coming too."

He nodded, accepting this. We reached into the force and traced the disturbance throughout the ship into the barracks. Unlike most areas, these doors were not soundproof. "Your pushing yourself too hard." Said one voice, Sprite. "You haven't slept a wink for at least a week. Don't think I haven't noticed." My eyes widened in shock. A week?! How was he still standing? Then there was another voice, it sounded different from a clone, it had a strange, but pleasing accent that seemed silvery and mysterious. "You know I can go longer than a week without sleeping. You know they come, when I sleep. They try to change me." There was a pause. "And it was two weeks at least. I don't- I didn't sleep on Rishi. I haven't slept very well since- since-" The voice, who must be Lucky, broke off and he cleared his throat. "Usually they were able to help, but now they're gone." There was a solemn pause during which I wondered who he was talking about before Sprite spoke, this time in a whisper that I strained to hear. "It's her, isn't it. Nebula's forcing it on you." There was a long sigh.

"I think it might be her, yes. She's never done this before, but she's rather insistent. Says it might help." Sprite seemed to burst, anger in his tone. "How will it help? It's just happening more often, and your in pain! What if this happens during battle and you die?"

"It has actually happened in battle. It happened a couple times on Rishi. But they were only short ones!" He added quickly, as if he thought Sprite might explode. "I didn't even feel pain during those ones. I-" He stopped suddenly then sighed again. "Rex, Cutup, Fives, Echo, and-" There was a pause. "Wow! The Jetii too! What is this, a hot spot for eavesdroppers? Any ways, you guys can come in." Slowly, guiltily, Rex pushed the door open.

I caught sight of Sprite and Lucky sitting next to each other on a thin mattress. "I told you that we should've used sign language." Hissed Sprite. "Yeah, yeah. I'll keep it in mind next time." Rex crossed his arms, his face wavering between disapproval and worry. "Let's hope there isn't a next time. What were you talking about?" Lucky and Sprite exchanged glances. "That," Started Lucky, "depends on how much you heard. Even then, I will not be willing or able to tell much."

"Are- are you sure you want to tell them." Asked Sprite. "It's fine." Lucky said with a wave of his hand. "I won't tell them enough that they're in danger. I will expect them to have questions though. I knew they would find out sooner or later."

I raised an eyebrow. "You did?" I asked skeptically. He turned towards me. "Of course! It's the five-oh-first. Secrets are almost always revealed, in time. I actually would have been surprised and disappointed if nobody found out." He nudged Sprite fondly. "Little Sprite here was the only one who put all the pieces together. He knew it was a secret, and he respected, still respects that." Sprite rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Okay then." Said Lucky, his voice getting serious. "If I do tell you some of it, I'll have to tell a secret or some significant memory from everyone that is here. It could be anything from love," He seemed to be looking at me and Obi-Wan. "to secrets of protection and understanding." At this he looked at Rex. "I won't completely reveal it, just one or two words will be enough to get it through. Chances are though, it might not have happened yet." Before anyone could react, he held up a finger. "Don't question how I know. I just do. Some secrets are not meant to be revealed. Do you all agree to the terms? If you don't, I must ask you to leave."

Everyone nodded. "Alright then." Said Lucky as his voice drifted around us. "Let us begin."