Something is Wrong with the Coruscant Guard

Chapter 1

It was set to stun. He set it to stun. He specifical told the guard with him that they were going after a vod and needed to set their guns to stun.

Sure, the Chancellor had been very specific with his orders. ARC-5555 had attempted to assassinate the Supreme Chancellor and should be terminated on site, but this was a vod.

This was Fives, Rex'ika's vod'ika. Rex loves his vod'ika, Fox couldn't harm him no matter what the Chancellor would do if he didn't follow through with the orders he was given. Rex loves his vod'ika and Fox loves his Rex'ika, he would never be able to do anything that would cause him pain.

So why was there a smoking hole in in ARC-5555's chest?

Fox watched in shock as Fives body hit the ground with a dull thud and Rex desperately tried to get him, though his access was blocked by the shield. His gun was still raised, still pointed at where Fives was standing mere seconds ago. His hand was shaking violently but he couldn't bring himself to move, couldn't bring himself to lower his arm. His chest tightened and it felt like his throat was closing up, making it harder to breathe. He vaguely noticed one of his men shooting the shield down, allowing Rex to finally run to his vod'ika. The vod'ika he just shot and killed.

It was on stun.

Rex dropped to his knees beside Fives and pulled him into a gentle embrace, laying him over his lap and talking to him softly. His voice sounded off and Fox noted in horror that Rex was getting choked up, Rex was crying. His vod'ika is crying and he's the reason why. He caused that.

There was static in his ears and his vision blurred slightly as a feeling of being dunked under water washed over him. His heart was pounding so loudly he could feel it beating in his ears as his breaths came out in short, sharp pants.

It was on stun, he set it to stun.

He was jolted back slightly into awareness as he felt a smaller hand cover his own that was still clutching his gun in a death tight grip. There was a light squeeze and then another, as if someone was trying to get his attention. His arm was still stiffly locked into place and he instinctively tightened his hand around the gun.

"Fox? Ori'vod? Ori'vod, let's go, you don't need to be here for this." Fox blinked slowly and turned his head to the side to see Thire, his youngest Commander standing beside him, his arm extended where it was still holding his hand. He couldn't see Thire's face as his helmet was still on but if he could, he knew he would probably have a face of disgust. He's a vod killer. A dar'vod, he deserves it. But that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.

"It was on stun," he whispered, his voice hoarse. Thire's head tilted slightly and his hand squeezed Fox's once again.

"I know. Come on, let's get you back to the barracks," Thire said gently. Fox blinked again and glanced back over to where Rex was still sitting on the floor with Fives held in his arms, only now Skywalker was standing behind him and the rest of the guard was surrounding them, their helmets off by their sides out of respect. Their helmets are off. They aren't allowed to be off.

"Th-Thire. The h-helmets," he stuttered out.

"They're safe right now ori'vod, they're safe. You've kept them safe. You can put the gun down now. G-Gedet'ye," Thire said softly. It was the slight shakiness in Thire's voice that snapped Fox back into focus more. He allowed Thire to gently push his arm down and tug the gun from his hand. Thire's hand enclosed around his wrist and slowly but firmly pulled him away from the scene, moving his hand to the small of his back to continue to guide him.

"It's okay, I've got you," Thire said quietly. It pained Fox to have Thire of all people, his little Commander, looking after him but he couldn't bring himself to say anything. The walk back to the guard barracks were a blur as he zoned out again, putting his complete trust in Thire to get him back safely.