Alone

The Spark

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Commander Fox of the Coruscant Guard jerked to awareness at the sound of his comm chiming suddenly and violently. 

A quick glance down at the message was enough to make Fox shove his bucket onto his head before sprinting out of his office, causing his flimsiwork to fly off his desk.

There has been an assassination attempt of the Chancellor by Arc-Trooper CT-5555. An APB has been issued, and the Coruscant Guard have been tasked with the retrieval of the trooper

The message repeated in Fox's mind as he raced towards the Chancellor's office. Fox's mind raced, why did an Arc-Trooper attack the chancellor? Arcs were some of the most loyal and revered troopers. Besides, did the trooper think he could get away with an attack on the leader of the kriffing republic? Didn't he think about what would happen to him? Didn't he know what happened to clones who disobeyed, clones who were defective? And what the Arc-trooper had done was clearly treason, the trooper would obviously be ruled as defective and punished- most like reconditioned or sent to prison for the rest of his short life. So why had he done it?

When Fox reached the cold and imposing crimson doors that led to the Chancellor's office, he forced his traitorous heart to return to a more normal rhythm and his breathing to steady out. Fox knew that couldn't look anything less than collected and professional in the senate building, especially in front of the Chancellor. Fox couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something off with the Chancellor, he was far too grandfatherly in front of those he wanted to impress while he was cold and demeaning with the Guard. Also, there was the point that Fox had a number of missing memories that always started after meetings with the Chancellor.

Shaking his head, and expelling those kinds of thoughts, Fox exhaled slightly before knocking on the crimson doors as a chill slithered down his spine. After a moment, the door swooshed open, and Fox was admitted into the Chancellor's office by a younger member of the Guard.

Putting a hand on the kid's shoulder, Fox gestured for him to leave before swiftly striding towards to Chancellor, stopping in a perfect parade rest with his arms behind his back.

"Chancellor, I am relieved to hear that you are alright after the assassination attempt, and I have my Guards searching for CT-5555 as we speak," Fox addressed the Chancellor, spouting what he knew Palpatine wanted to hear.

When the Chancellor turned to face Fox, his face stoney and subdued, Fox's mind helpfully supplied, 'I have a bad feeling about this'. Ignoring the thought, Fox focused on Palpatine as his face began to twist.

"Commander, I am lucky to be alive after that deranged clone attacked me. When that thing attacked and took out my guards before turning on me, I thought I was done for. I'm afraid to say I feared having my life stripped of me by a clone, especially one whom I personally invited into my office to try and help. So I want to make it clear to you, Commander Fox, you are to personally subdue ARC-Trooper CT-5555 using lethal force only, the traitor must be eliminated, permanently," Chancellor Palpatine sneered. 

At these word, a cold presence starting spreading through Fox's mind. Fox fought the call of the cold and oily presence, throwing up the mental shielding that he had forced himself to learn after a stint with Quinlan Vos.

"Chancellor, I know that Arc-Trooper Fives is a criminal, but shouldn't he be subdued and brought to the Jedi for questioning? And, shouldn't we avoid lethal force at all costs for the safety of the people?" Fox pleaded, gritting his teeth at the sensation in his head and praying to the force that his pleas were met.

Fox realized as soon as the words were out of his mouth the he had made a mistake. The chancellor's face immediately darkened and twisted into an evil looking grin. "CC-1010, I thought you knew your place! You are to obey me at all times and question none of my orders. I think that you require a reminder about who is in power here," Palpatine snarled.