Unexpected

chapter forty-two: malfunction

A few days later, the 501st arrives back on Coruscant to get some much needed rest. Elara accompanies Senator Amidala to the GAR facility, where she will be meeting Anakin to discuss the apparent change in their personal lives.

As the Senator and General talk, Elara spots Rex speaking to Kix and quickly makes her way over to them. Her heart races as she looks around, soon spotting Jesse as well.

"Ellie, I was just coming to-"

"Where's Fives?" She cuts the Captain off as worry fills her.

"Fives is alright, he and Tup are on Kamino." Rex sighs, dismissing the other two soldiers before explaining everything to her.

Elara furrows her eyebrows as she listens to how Tup apparently murdered a Jedi. Rex explains Kix's suggestion of a toxin being inhaled somehow but she doesn't seem to buy it.

"If Tup was exposed to a toxin, you'd all be having the same symptoms." She points.

"Well that's why they're on Kamino. The General is hoping that they'll be able to find some answers there." Rex points.

Before Elara can say anything else, Padmé calls her name. The girl sighs and gives Rex a quick hug before following the Senator onto the speeder and back to the Senate building.

"Is everything alright with General Skywalker, m'lady?" Elara asks as they walk the elegant halls of the Senate building.

"Hmm? Yes, everything is fine." Padmé says, seemingly a bit distracted.

Elara's eyebrows furrow slightly at the Senator's strange behavior. "Senator, are you sure that-?"

"Elara." Padmé abruptly cuts the girl off.

She understands to drop the subject and follows silently as they make their way back to the Senator's quarters.

*

A hissing causes Fives's head to lift as the door to his examination room slides open to reveal General Shaak Ti and Nala Se. Nala Se is Kamino's leading doctor; her reasoning behind Tup lashing out and executing a Jedi is that said tumor affected his brain function. Unfortunately, Tup did not survive the the removal procedure despite Kamino's advanced technology. The nurse and resident Jedi have just returned from informing the Chancellor of the trooper's death and the recovery of the tumor found in his head.

"Supreme Chancellor Palpatine wants the tumor and all of the intel gathered sent to the Grand Republic Medical Facility on Coruscant." Shaak Ti informs the soldier.

Fives's face lights up at the news. "So then I'll be going to Coruscant as well?" He asks, wanting nothing more than to hold Elara in his arms after these emotional and confusing few days.

"You were not part of the Chancellor's request." Nala Se points. Fives glares at the Kaminoan, knowing that she can't be trusted.

"I'm sorry Fives, but this is a matter best left to the medical professionals." Shaak Ti explains. "There is still so much we do not know."

The Jedi carefully packs the tumor into a case and hands it to AZ. "I want this specimen and all the data prepared for transit to the Jedi Temple."

"The Chancellor said the tumor and data was to be sent directly to the medical facility on Coruscant, not the Jedi Temple." Nala Se states.

"And it will get there, after the Jedi have run an analysis on it first." Shaak Ti says before turning to Fives. "You have one more physical to pass. If you're cleared, you will be sent back to the 501st." She informs him.

Fives nods and makes his way to the door. He glances back to catch Nala Se swapping cases behind the General's back and clenches his jaw but goes on his way as normal.