- CASTLES CRUMBLING (A.S.) -

- 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 -

they fade to nothing when i look at him

"THE FOUND a parasite in Fives. It impeded with his cognition, or something," Anakin explained. He was sitting on the floor at Regina's feet, leaning his head back onto her leg.

"Palpatine said that, you mean," clarified Regina. Skywalker shot her a look over his shoulder.

"No, I mean doctors. Nala Se herself," he said, trying to keep the tension from his tone. And failing.

Regina sucked in a deep breath. For the past two days, Fives's death had been quite the sore spot for Regina and Anakin. Whenever this was discussed, Skywalker wanted to give the Chancellor the benefit of the doubt where Regina... She had never trusted the man and this gave her all the more reason to be even more cautious. Regina had never asked Anakin to do anything against his mentor, but he didn't see it that way. Skywalker saw any criticism Regina had against Palpatine as a personal assault.

Not a good situation.

"It is possible that they're in on it. Nala Se, the Kaminoans," Regina said slowly. Anakin turned his head to get a good look at her. "Or Palpatine could have fabricated results."

"I can't believe you're saying this," he answered sourly, standing to his feet slowly and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Anakin, think clearly," Regina said smoothly, keeping her tone calm. "We don't know anything for sure, we don't have all the answers. We need to be considering all of the options."

"And one of those includes the possibility that the Chancellor is completely innocent," snapped Skywalker. Regina rose to her feet, meeting him dead in the eyes. His gaze was hard and solid, blue icicles. 

"That might be," admitted Regina, honestly trying to consider every option, "but Fives also could have been telling the truth. Think about it, Ani. This is the second time we've heard something like this. Dooku has a master. This is probably a Sith's handiwork."

"But we have no reason to believe this 'Sith Lord' is the Chancellor," Anakin responded firmly. He slowly met his wife's eyes. "But Fives also might be right. We should be cautious."

Regina smiled slightly. "Now you're seeing reason."

He took his hands. "I still don't like distrusting the Chancellor. He's a good man."

"We're not distrusting him. We're just looking out for ourselves."

Anakin studied her face.

"I hope you're not right, Genie. For all of our sakes."

✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ 

A couple weeks passed and soon both Anakin and Regina were reassigned. This time, though, they were put together along with Obi-Wan. The group was located in the Outer Rim, doing much of the same that they had been for the entirety of the war.

After about a month, Regina was reassigned again–as was Anakin. Both were still stationed in the Outer Rim, though, unfortunately, not together. However, that did mean some fortunate measures on their parts.

The planet Regina was located on, Salizer, was a small planet, hardly bigger than a moon. The place was home to a tropical climate, boasting massive palm tree forests and deep oceans as far as the eye could see. Unfortunately, it was not the paradise it seemed to be. The Separatists were fighting more aggressively than ever, it seemed, and Regina and her men found it difficult to gain any ground against the droids. At times, Regina suspected that the leaders anticipated her plans and countered them–like they knew what she was planning before she even thought of it. She didn't doubt any of her men, but still. There was more to this than met the eye.