Nanbaka: Rare, Second Chances Are

Chapter 1

Fox Pov

I scanned the room, a bitter taste of regret lingering in my mouth. This betrayal was my fault; I should have seen the signs, anticipated the impending disaster. The Chancellor, the very figure we once trusted, had turned my brothers against the allies we fought alongside for years. Blood, sweat, and tears had paved our journey, and now it all crumbled in the face of deception. The camaraderie we believed in, the sacrifices we made, all revealed as a facade.

Now, I found myself on the run, evading the very brothers I had fought beside, once united in a common cause. My duty involved cleaning the streets, protecting the innocent, and navigating the treacherous political landscape. Yet, all these responsibilities led me to this moment—fleeing for my life because, unlike my brethren, I hadn't succumbed to the mindless servitude that now possessed them. The options were stark: stop and get shot, or keep running, hoping to survive another day while devising a plan for the future.

In a desperate attempt to evade my pursuers, I maneuvered ahead, seeking refuge in a room. Concealed and silent, I prayed they wouldn't discover me. The room offered a brief respite, allowing me to regulate my breathing as their footsteps drew nearer. Absent were Hound and his companion; perhaps they would be deployed for a second patrol if I remained elusive. Holding my breath, I listened intently as they passed the door without suspicion. Relief washed over me, but the fear lingered, a constant companion in this new reality.

Taking stock of my surroundings, I realized I was in a desolate cell block—a space reserved for brothers who had deviated from the path, challenged authority, or found themselves misunderstood. The empty cells told stories of rebellion and defiance, a stark reminder of the fractured loyalty among my kin. They were permitted interaction with other inmates during designated activities but were segregated from the rest. As the Chancellor's orders unfolded, most had faced execution, a somber duty I bore with a heavy heart. Despite appearances, I harbored deep-seated emotions, haunted by the ghosts of my decisions.

A distant voice shattered my contemplation. "Hey! What's going on out there!? Is there anyone out there!?" The cry emanated from a nearby cell, jolting me from my thoughts. Responding to the plea, I navigated the corridors, eventually reaching the source.

"Hey, are you okay?" I inquired, studying the figures within the cell. A V-shaped tattoo adorned the face of one, his hair defying the standard military cut, while the other exhibited signs of aging, grey streaks accentuating his seasoned appearance. Their orange body suits marked them as clones, fellow brothers in this twisted fate.

"E-Everything i-is g-gone to hell," I stammered, unable to conceal the turmoil within.

"W-what do you mean? Does it have to do with the others being gone and not coming back?" The elder clone questioned.

Nodding, my emotions overwhelmed, I struggled to articulate the reality. "Did the Jedi turn against us?" The younger clone interjected, grasping at straws for an explanation.

"No. There is something in our heads that made us do terrible things. Clone trooper Fives was babbling about us having chips in our heads before I shot him. He was trying to warn us this entire time, and we all just shrugged it off. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't regret what I did." My admission hung in the air, the weight of guilt etched into my very being. Their numbers tattooed on my body bore witness to the sacrifices made.

"Once the Chancellor gave the order, everyone around me started acting like mindless droids. The reason why I'm not following the order is that my chip short-circuited, not able to take the order. Now here I am running from the brothers I've known these past three years. I was right beside that bastard, and I didn't even know. To tell you the truth, I barely remember the mission he sends me on. How did I miss this?" Sobbing, I covered my eyes, the helmet serving as an inadequate shield against the torrent of emotions.

"What's going to happen to us since we didn't receive the order?" Fear etched the younger clone's voice.

Sniffing back tears, I sought to glean information about these two fellow inmates. "W-What are your CT numbers or names." Attempting to regain composure.

"I'm Dogma," introduced the younger one.

"I'm Slick," added the elder.

Recollections flooded my mind as I automatically connected their identities to their histories. Dogma, a loyal soldier of the 501st, entangled in the betrayal orchestrated by Jedi General Pong Krell. His unwavering loyalty led to a confrontation, resulting in the demise of the Jedi and Dogma's subsequent incarceration. Slick, a seeker of freedom for his brothers, succumbed to misguided actions, selling secrets to the Separatists for personal gain.

"You both were scheduled to be executed tomorrow night," I disclosed, acknowledging the impending doom that loomed over them.

"But why?" Dogma's anger reverberated against the cell shield.

"The Chancellor didn't want anyone interfering with his plans that include clone inmates," I explained, unraveling the machinations behind their imminent demise.

"That includes you too. If your chip short-circuited, that means you're not following orders. Which also makes you a target. The way I see it, we're in this together." My declaration hung in the air, surprising even myself. Slick, usually a lone wolf, seemed taken aback, and even Dogma exhibited a flicker of surprise.

"What are saying?" I questioned, managing to stand up and meet Slick face-to-face. Despite the lingering shock, I remained resolute. "I'm saying we should get out of here and get as far away as we can from this disaster. And maybe, just maybe, we can live to see the end of our lives."

Considering the proposition for a few moments, uncertain of when they'd deploy Hound in search of me, I finally uttered, "Alright, first let's get those chips out. After that, we find a ship and start all over together."

Both inmates nodded in agreement, a spark of excitement igniting in their eyes. Finally, the prospect of freedom from both prison and the oppressive regime beckoned. A teasing remark about betrayal and trust drew a friendly chuckle from the newfound comrades, marking the beginning of an unlikely alliance forged in the crucible of shared adversity.