Star Wars : Arise In The Future

Within the Tribunal where Darth Maul was held prisoner, Ahsoka watched the seemingly endless route of the lightspeed as she pondered, until Rex came to the bridge and approached his silent commander.

"Something on your mind?"

"As a Jedi, we were trained to be keepers of the peace, not soldiers", she uttered. "But all I've been since I was a Padawan is a soldier"

Ever since Christophsis, Anakin thought, wondering if Ahsoka experienced any other mission that doesn't involve her being a soldier ever since taking her under his wing.

"Trailed off, we had...", Yoda spoke, referring to their role as peacekeepers and of their principles. The others took note of this, and remembered that it was their compliance to Palpatine and the Senate that led them to their roles as battlefield commanders, to which they weren't suppose to be.

Luminara sighed, recalling her former apprentice's words when she spoke to the Galactic Court.

"Well, I've known no other way. Gives us Clones all a mixed feeling about the war", Rex said in response. "Many people wish it never happened. But without it, we Clones wouldn't exist"

"That brings the question...what would be of the Clones once the war is over?", Kit Fisto spoke up, curious. "I cannot imagine the Republic needing large amount of soldiers in the upcoming years once hostilities have ended"

Luminara held her chin, bringing up her own suggestions. "They could either be the peacekeeping army to maintain order at former Separatist-held worlds, or retire to spend the rest of their lives in freedom"

"I do not think that the latter would be an option for them", Plo spoke up, to the exact anticipation of Obi-Wan, Anakin and Ahsoka as the three knew that Plo wanted the good life that his men that the average Republic citizen could afford. "Since they are not labeled as Republic citizens, and there hasn't a bill that could guarantee them a pension that could provide for their retirement"

"What are you suggesting, Master Plo?", Ahsoka asked.

The Kel'Dor master cleared his throat. "That the Clones are free to retire from their military service should they choose to and are given priviledges as veterans and Republic citizens once fighting has ended"

Other members of the Council liked the idea, though some are not so sure about it. "But wouldn't the Kaminoans protest about their property being taking away?", Mundi asked.

"Their opinion would not matter once this has been settled at Galactic court", Obi-Wan voiced out his support for Master Koon's suggestion. "They are not property made to be sold nor to fight. They may have the exact genes as the rest, but they are unique as individuals. They are not droids, they are human"

Anakin and Plo Koon gave Obi-Wan a thankful nod, while Yoda and a few others agreed with him before glancing at Senator Amidala, who was more than glad to help draft a bill for the Clones with the help of her fellow Senators.

As for Rex, he could not help but be elated at the support that the Jedi and the Senator had for him and his brothers once the war is over.

"Well, then perhaps some good has come from all of it", she told him in a more upbeat tone. "The Republic couldn't have asked for better soldiers, nor I a better friend"

Rex could only look at Anakin and Ahsoka, both smiling at him. They weren't just comrades, they weren't just friends. They were like family to him, and that's what all it mattered to him and his brothers. Plo Koon, Obi-Wan and Depa nodded in approval at Ahsoka's words, noting their friendships with their fellow Clone Commanders.

The Clone Commander smiled as he gave the Togruta a salute, a gesture that Ahsoka gladly returned. A moment later, a trooper from the 332nd approached the two with a report in hand. "Commander Rex, the latest briefing has come in"

"Want to have a look? It might have an update on General Kenobi's efforts"

"You go", Ahsoka replied. "I'm sure it's more good news"

...

It was chaos around Utapau's central city, Pau City, and bright flashes of crimson and sapphire filled the air as Republic and Separatist forces exchanged fire. Dropships were constantly landing in the background, providing covering fire for nearby clones and unloading reinforcements.

The massive Republic AT-TE walkers that had been brought in were unloading their main guns into the sides of the city's colossal sinkholes, where Separatist forces had barricaded themselves atop perches in the massive cliff. The ruble from these blasts was constantly crashing to the ground in huge chunks of rock and gravel, littering the battlefield below where Republic and Separatist ground forces were engaged.

"It wouldn't be too long for the Republic to deal with the remaining Separatist forces in Utapau, now that Grievous is dead", Windu observed.

Cody raised his specialized binoculars and looked out across the battlefield, focusing in on the frontlines of clone troopers that were slowly but steadily battling their way forward. Despite the Separatists having had the time to barricade themselves within the city, the clones were more highly trained, and they were making quick work of any enemy defenses they met.

A nearby explosion that rained small pebbles onto the Clone Commander prompted Cody to lower his binoculars, and he turned around as a deep, resonating thunder approached him from behind.

Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi was gallivanting towards him on one of the massive varactyl dragonmounts, looking for all the universe as some kind of hero in a holodrama that was ready to save the Republic.

Cody suppressed a smirk as he strolled up next to the massive dragonmount. The lizard sprayed up a cloud of dust as it halted beside him, and as the dust settled Cody began taking off his helmet.

"Commander," Obi-Wan shouted through the drone of background noise. "Did you relay the message to Coruscant about Grievous's death?"

Cody snapped to attention and saluted. "As ordered, sir."

Kenobi nodded and turned around to survey the battle behind him for a second. He then turned back to Cody and said, "Good. Now, contact your troops and tell them to head up to the higher levels."

"Very good, sir," Cody responded. And then, as the Jedi General turned away from him, he remembered the cylindrical metal object that he had found earlier and was now attached to his belt.

"Oh, and by the way?" Cody said, bringing the general's attention back to him as he unclipped the lightsaber from his belt. "I think you might be needing this…"

"That good man, Cody", Obi-Wan mused with a chuckle for his Clone Commander.

Kenobi made a face that looked something like a mix between embarrassment and elation, and then he took his lightsaber from Cody's hand and said awkwardly, "Um… Thank you… And let's keep this between you and me, shall we…? Now," his face returned to composure, "let's get a move on; we've got a battle to win here."

With that, the Jedi General reeled up on his mount and took off, heading up one of the many ledges that lined the edge of the great sinkhole.

Cody watched him go for a second, placing his helmet back on his head, and then felt a silent buzzing from a concealed compartment within his armor. And it revealed to be the hologram of Darth Sidious.

Obi-Wan and the Jedi were wide-eyed immediately sensing what was wrong between the two, especially when Cody did not question who was speaking to.

And again, Rex's expression became obedient and unresponsive as Ahsoka tried to get him back to reality.

"Commander Cody...the time has come...", Darth Sidious began in a raspy voice.

"Execute ... Order 66"

A chill ran through their spines: And it took four words from the Sith Lord to make it happen.

The audience heard Rex grunting in pain as he held his forehead upon hearing the words of Darth Sidious, Ahsoka went over to help the Clone Commander regain his senses, but she heard a few words that she never thought she would hear from him.

"Good ... soldiers ... folllow ... orders ...", Rex incoherently uttered while clutching his head.

Cody was silent for a moment, stunned other than a subtle movement within him before he replied. "Yes, my Lord"

"Cody...", Obi-Wan uttered in a lightly disbelieving tone. "What are you talking about?"

The Clone Commander's reply brought shockwaves to everyone giving them one speculation: are they in league with Darth Sidious?

Cutting off the link, Cody looked up to the Jedi before he ordered one of the AT-TEs near him. "BLAST HIM!"

"WHAT?!", shouted most of the audience inside the Chamber.

The AT-TE took aim at Obi-Wan, firing a shot that imbalanced him and Boga, before the two promptly fell into the depths in Pau City.

"NO!", Anakin cried out, with the rest trying to contain their shock and outrage at Cody's sudden betrayal to Obi-Wan.

"What has he done?!", Master Mundi tried to register what just happened to Master Kenobi's men turning against him.

The Jedi were confused, shocked, and outraged by their sudden turn against the Jedi Master whom he had trusted for so long as the war had progressed.

"More importantly, what did Sidious mean by Order 66?", Plo Koon urgently called out, just as baffled as the rest of them.

...

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