Back From the Future: Episode VI The Clone Wars - Ariel_Sojourner

Proof of the Sith's Treachery is Confirmed and There is an Exodus of Clones

XLVI.

99 isn't sure what is going on when the 501st arrives at Kamino. Is there another invasion or attack? If there is, he will fight with his brothers to defend them and their home, even if he is injured like last time. He is a soldier!

But then one of the older cadets runs into the barracks and yells that the Jedi is arresting Master Ti and the Kaminoans! Brothers rush past 99 as he staggers along behind them as fast as he can go. He rounds a corner to try and catch up and he is nearly bowled over by armored troopers. 99 looks up and he sees Fives and Echo and there behind them, is that Flare? Didn't he just ship out to the 317th Battalion?

99 knows all of his brothers on sight, but he has never seen a brother dressed like Fives! He is wearing his ARC Trooper armor, but not all of it. He is wearing a blue sleeveless hooded cloak and at his waist is not just a blaster but a lightsaber!

"F-Fives!" 99 stammers, out of breath, "What's going on?"

"99, we were looking for you," Fives tells him with a smile.

"You were?" he answers incredulously.

"Yes, come and meet Luke. We told him all about you and he wants to be sure you were there to hear the news."

And so 99 follows them and when he meets Luke surrounded by a sea of troopers and cadets, he doesn't know what to say. Luke offers him a seat, (a seat!) up in front so he can hear and see clearly, then everyone quiets to listen as Luke explains why they are here and what they have discovered.

Upon hearing the news, 99's first concern is the others. He looks around anxiously at his brothers, who look shocked and angry and amazed in turns by what they are hearing, but they are not speaking. Then it dawns on him: they are all looking to him to speak to the Jedi because the Jedi asked for him to be there personally. "W-what about the Kaminoans and the Republic and the war?" he manages to say.

"The Kaminoans involved in the cloning have been arrested for breaking Republic laws. The war is over and each and every one of you belong to yourselves. You are not property of the Republic or the Kaminoans or the Order or anyone else. Those troopers that want to help with reconstruction, mopping up, and work with Jedi tracking down slavers and criminals as part of the GAR can do so if they choose to. Those that want to do other things, to have other jobs can do so. For those cadets and troopers that want to learn different skills, we will try to give them opportunities to learn what they want to learn just like any other citizen of the Republic. Those clones that are Force sensitive can choose to learn to use their gifts."

"Force sensitive?!" the shocked exclamation comes from the back, starting a round of noisy chatter from the cadets.

"Will you let me help you?" Luke asks 99, ignoring the rising clamor of voices.

99 rubs his hands against his maintenance uniform and nods. Luke reaches out and places a gentle hand against his chest, the other by his right temple. 99 stiffens.

"It doesn't hurt," Echo is quick to assure him.

He tries to relax as he feels an unfamiliar tingle go through him. The brothers go quiet around him as Luke uses the Force. When he takes his hands away, 99 looks down at his short legs. He looks the same; he hasn't been magically given a body to match his brothers, but inside he feels ... something. Something that previously felt twisted and knotted inside him has been smoothed away. He doesn't hurt. His body no longer aches. He feels . . . strong.

He presses his hands against his chest and looks up at the Jedi. "What is it? What did you do?" he wonders aloud. "It feels ... different, warm."