Love In Coruscant

A Fatal Mistake

Kix sat alone in the cafeteria, usually sociable and humorous, he now sought solitude, brushing off any attempts at friendliness or conversation.

Kix looked around silently. He could see his companions, brothers, casting him looks. Some were concerned, others confused or curious. Kix ignored them all.

The ones that were most concerned were his hatch-mates Guts, Miak and Zigzag, but Kix didn't care for their concern. Sure, he appreciated it, but it was wasted on him, who was but a clone. A clone, no identity, no wish for life, no wish or want of camaraderie.

Kix looked down at his food, which was untouched as was the usual lately, and pushed it away. Like many times before, he was not hungry. Without Rex or Aayla, he had no appeal for life.

He got up and absently made his way out of the cafeteria toward a briefing.

Kix sat absently, detached from the present world to reside in his mental, allowing his body to rock with the movements of an LAAT/i gunship.

They were on their way to Felucia in order to hold and set a line against a large CIS push that would break their small defences if there weren't any reinforcements.

Kix shook his head and glared at Guts and Zigzag, both of whom had made a point to be next to him, and now to ignore his heated gaze.

Kix finally looked away, down at his feet, and, still standing, he slowly fell asleep.

*Dream*

Kix ran through a battlefield, screams and shouts ringing through his helmet comm, and he tried hard to ignore them.

Kix jumped a clone body that had been shot in half, then over a mass of droids and clones, all mutilated and broken, when his foot caught on something and he fell atop another clone.

Kix felt cold horror creep up his throat from his stomach. It was himself! Kix cried out and threw himself off, the Kix on the ground calling for help as he scrambled away from the horrifying sight, over bodies with one that just so happened to be Bly's, to escape.

Once a good distance away, Kix got back to his feet and ran, only to find himself on the ground, wounded and presumably dying. He was lying there, resigned to his fate, when a form blocked out the sun. It was hazy, but Kix knew who it was when he heard it's voice speak... Aayla Secura.

*Dream Ends*

Kix was shaken by the shoulder, causing him to cry out as he struck at his offender. Opening his eyes, he looked at Guts and Zigzag, then behind them to General Skywalker, who was holding his nose.

Horror crept up Kix's spine as Zigzag and Guts helped the Jedi General up. Did I just hit General Skywalker? He gasped inwardly, attempting to stutter out an apology.

"You just collapsed, Kix." Zigzag was saying. "It took General Skywalker to grab you before you fell out of the ship!"

Kix swallowed and staggered backward. "I'm truly sorry, General..." His voice was weak sounding, and he found that he was trembling. "I really didn't mean to strike you, I..."

"Are you feeling OK, Kix?" Anakin asked, more concerned for the clone than he was about his nose.

"Yes, sir, perfec..."

"No, he's not!" Guts snapped. "Sir, Kix has refused to eat or sleep since Rex died!"

Kix glared at Guts before continuing. "I feel fine, General." He lied. If he was going to meet up with Bly, he didn't want to get shot by the clone for telling his secret.

Anakin eyed Kix carefully for a moment. "Kix, I would like to see you later." He ordered.

"But, sir!" Kix began, aiming a frustrated look at Guts.

"That's an order, Kix!" Anakin responded.

Kix held his general's eyes for a moment before breaking away. "Sir."