Child of War

66

I ignited my sabers. "Hawk, what's going on? What orders?"

Scope, Tech, Grey, and Kickback joined their Commander in aiming their blasters at my chest.

I stared at their emotionless helmets. These were men I had fought side-by-side with. Men I trusted. Men I had risked my life for and who had risked their lives for me. What was happening?

"Hawk." I pleaded.

His hands shook as he held his blaster so tight it looked like he might break it.

I deactivated my weapons. "I won't fight you. If you must do it, do it." I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the blast to hit my chest. I flinched as a blaster fired three times, but I was uninjured. I opened my eyes slowly.

Hawk and Scope stood, blasters still raised, shaking.

I glanced over my shoulder.

Kickback, Grey, and Tech lay dead on the ground.

"Go, General." Hawk managed to say, his voice strained.

"But..."

"That's an order!" He snapped. He was shaking even harder now, fighting whatever had caused them to turn on me.

I didn't have a choice. I bolted into the trees. I heard two blasts go off, but they weren't directed at me. I hesitated before turning to look. I gasped. Hawk and Scope lay limply on the ground. They had shot each other. Fighting back tears, I raced into the trees.

Finally, I stopped, leaning heavily against a tree. I panted, trying to comprehend what had just happened.

A voice sounded in my head. "What have I done?" "I think Anakin is in trouble." Ahsoka spoke in my mind. "Rex?" A pain shot through my body, unbearable and unceasing. I felt betrayal, anger, grief, and pain... so much pain. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I sensed the Jedi fall, shot down by the soldiers that they had fought with for three years.

I slid down the tree trunk to the ground, breathing hard. I tried in vain to calm my racing heart. I heaved long breaths in and out. I had to get moving. Whatever was going on, I had to warn Master Billaba before it was too late. Finally, my heart slowed and my breathing steadied. The pain and anger faded.

I forced myself to my feet. Moving towards the base, I heard blasters firing. Please, say it was the clones firing at the droids and not Master Billaba and her padawan. I broke through the trees and found the base in flames. Clones stood among the rubble and fire. I didn't see Master Billaba or Caleb Dume anywhere, but maybe that was a good thing. Better than finding two dead bodies.

I heard blasters cocking behind me. Freezing, I turned slowly. Almost 20 clones stood, guns raised. My heart pounded out of my chest as I watched the soldiers ready to shoot me.

Out of the trees, a blue flash twirled through the air, cutting down several of the clones. Within moments, with flashing blue and sprays of sparks, the clones lay dead on the ground. My protector turned to face me.

I couldn't believe it. "Jarris?"