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Chapter Text

Rex groaned his head felt heavy and his vision was hazy. It felt like he had a hangover of all hangovers. He felt a hand tap his cheek some and heard a distant muffled voice. There was another voice sounding concerned. Then another tap-tap-tap at his cheek.

Rex blinked again as he shocked his head trying to shake out this feeling. He did a few more blinks and his vision cleared a bit more as Kix came into view.

“Oh, thank force you are awake.” Kix breathed in relief.

“Yeah. What happened? Who is-” Rex began to ask before Five’s head popped into view.

“Everything went wrong!” Fives said.

“Yeah. I can see that.” He said. “Where are we?”

“Some cell.” Fives answered. “The others are here too but are still waking up.”

Rex nodded and rubbed his face. His head was still heavy with a thick fog and he felt just exhausted. He figured it was still the drugs in his system. Slowly, the others began to start waking up too. They talked it over and slowly pieced together what happened.

Whoever grabbed them must have gotten the drop on them and whoever-whatever was used was skilled. Yet, Anakin and Ahsoka must be right behind them or catching up to them soon. So, they just had to wait and stay alive.

“I really hope it was assassin droids that captured us. Or bounty hunters.” Hardcase said. “The others would never let us live it down if it was classic battle droids.” 

“He’s right you know,” Fives said. Rex shook his head at this and just settled back. Time passed slowly and while at first, the conversation was very much where they were, it slowly developed into an argument on which drink was best at 79’s. 

How did this conversation get there? Rex would never know, he chose to zone out after the debate on if the rations that were left at the campsite would still be there by the time they escaped. Or would animals have eaten them? However, they did agree that the animals would be smart enough not to eat them. So they would most likely still be there. 

Eventually, Hardcase groaned loudly and flopped forward. “They are taking forever! HEY! IF YOU ARE WATCHING US! WE AREN’T GETTING ANY YOUNGER DOWN HERE!” He screamed.

“Uh. Hardcase. I don’t think you can yell at your enemies to make them go faster.” Echo said. 

“I can if I want to!” He grumbled rolling on his back and folding his arms.

“They won’t listen,” Echo replied with a sigh.

“You don’t know that. They may,” He replied. Echo opened his mouth only to close it and shake his head.

“Hurry up! It is boring down here!” Hardcase shouted again.

“Jesse, can you deal with him?” Echo asked. Jesse got up and dragged Hardcase away.

“Come on you.” He sighed. “Enough with the yelling.”

“I can yell if I want.” Hardcase protested. 

“Hardcase. Please.” Jesse said with a groan. “I will knock you out if you do not hush.”

Hardcase pouted and folded his arms on his new spot on the floor. Jesse just shook his head and sat down beside him. Things were mostly quiet from then. There was some questioning as to what was taking whoever grabbed them so long to come and see them. Make demands or anything. That conversation eventually ended too. 

Time there passed slowly but it must have been a day or two at most. They all were sitting or laying in the cell. Everyone was rather out of it from being thirsty and hungry. 

However, the door opening got their attention. They got to their feet and got ready. A man walked in, flanked by guards. All had their weapons out and ready.

“About time,” Hardcase said as he folded his arms. The man ignored the comment and looked at the group. 

“Follow me. If you make trouble you will find yourself with quite a lot of pain.” The man said. 

The group looked to Rex and he gave a small nod. “Fine,” Rex said.

They led them out of the cell and down the hallway. Guards flanked the clones who walked with their hands behind their heads as ordered. The man was in front of some others and all of them were ready if anyone tried anything. 

The group was led out of the ship and then through a hallway or two and then got to a room where they had to line up. Other guards were there but their armor was different. It was darker and they seemed colder. However, they were ushered towards a woman who typed into a datapad.

“Take this and change and move over there.” She ordered as she handed Jesse a pile of new clothes with a pair of simple shoes on top. 

She did the same to the others in the line. Yet, when she got to Hardcase she gave him a different pile of clothes and gestured to him to the other guards. The same for Dogma, Fives, and Redeye. All the others were waved to the other side of the room.

Once changed the man came over to Rex and the others. “Follow me.” He said.

“Where are you taking them?” Rex asked as he looked to Fives and the others than to this man.

“That is not your concern right now.” He replied. 

“Answer me,” Rex said.

“Your question is I’ll be answered. Yet, I highly recommend we do not start off with you behaving like this.” He replied. 

“We’ll be fine,” Fives called over.

Rex sighed but fell back. They had to get answers so they’ll have to play along. For now. Rex and the others were then led out another door and down a few more hallways. Into an elevator that went up some. Then finally they were brought to a room. The man opened the door with a code and they were led inside.

The room was a rather large barracks. There where a few rows of bunk beds. Three beds to a bunk actually and Rex did spot a door at the end of the room which he assumed led to a washroom. Yet, what really caught his eye was the other clones either laying or sitting around the room. 

“Lanith.” One of the clones said getting to his feet. 

“As the norm, you can get them settled and explain to them what’s going on,” Lanith said. “In the morning they’ll be put to work with the rest of you.”

“As always.” The clone replied. He sounded tired but calm. He wore the same gray simple clothes as they had on. Lanith just turned away and snapped his fingers, the guards followed out behind him. The door shut behind him, once it was shut the clone sighed and rubbed his face some before turning to face them.

“Who are you?” Rex asked.

“Kess,” He replied. “I’ll explain everything but I’d suggest you will want to get settled first. Or at least sit down before I explain everything. Take any open bunk- wait. Got any medics with you?”

“Yeah, I am one and so is Corric.” Kix said.

“You are gonna want those. We save those for any medics.” He said. He gestured to the bunks closest to the door to the restroom. “Hall,” 

A clone sat up from one of those bunks and got to his feet. He gestured to two of the bunks and said, “These two are open.”

“Right. Why do medics get these ones?” Corric asked.

“They are a bit better,” He replied.

“Medics get the better ones as…well they do have to deal with a bit more,” Kess said.

“What do you mean?” Rex asked turning to him.

Kess sighed and said, “I guess I better just explain everything then.”

“Well let me start off and explain that they will call this a prisoner of war camp. That is mostly a lie. They use this place as a lab. Experimental, science, medical lab. Whatever you want to call it. They are not technically Separatists but they do work with them and sell them quite a bit of information.” Kess explained. 

“Wait. Experiments…does that mean the others that were with us that were brought else where…are..” Echo’s voice faltered and trailed off.

Kess gave him a kind but sad look. “Sorry.” He said gently. 

“How do we stop them? Get them to change…or something?” Echo asked.

“I am sorry but there is not much that can be done about that,” Kess replied. “However, they do use the other group, us, as help. They give us random tasks to keep us working. Some of it mindless labor but at times they make us clean those areas and normally as a punishment they have us clean up after…so there are chances you may be able to see them.”

“Also they use the medics as assistance so they can often check up on them or pass them any messages,” Hall said from the spot he was.

“What do you mean?” Kix asked.

“I mean what I said. They make us help in their experiments.” Hall said. 

“There must be some way to escape though,” Jesse said.

“There isn’t. The best way to survive here is just to follow what they say.” Kess said. “You just need to survive here. You don’t want to suffer through their punishments.”

“There has to be a way to escape,” Rex said.

“In a body bag maybe.” Another clone there muttered.

“Ebony,” Kess sighed.

“I am not wrong,” Ebony said with a shrug.

“Not the best way to start off this explanation.” Kess sighed shaking his head. Ebony shrugged a bit and settled back in his spot. “While Ebony’s explanation is not wrong…escape is impossible. We have been here for a while and no one was able to escape. The have been a few that have gotten close but they are either gone or were moved to the experimental side. My best advice is just to keep your head down and do what they say. It is the best way to survive until tomorrow.” 

Chapter Text

Elsewhere Fives sat with folded arms glaring at what he was guessing was a two-way mirror. The door finally opened and two men walked on. The site of one of them caused Fives to stiffen. He wasn’t sure what race he was exactly as the off mix of cybernetics made that hard. 

Half his face had cybernetics as well as a full arm. He also had two extra cybernetics arms added. Fives was pretty sure considering how he looked that he had some more hidden cybernetics. Unconsciously Fives moved away a bit as he stared at this man. It took a moment to turn his gaze to the other man in the room. Fives was greatful that at least he looked normal at least.

“Sorry, I promised Rex that even under the pain of torture I wouldn’t talk.” Fives said. “I also promised Echo that and Kix. They’ll scold me if I did and I do not want to sit under another Rex-Echo-Kix lecture.”

“Torture? Now what gave you that impression?” The cyborg asked. 

“Kinda a given.” Fives said. “You torture me for information. I do not talk and end up annoying you with my avoidance and you toss me back into a cell with the others. Isn’t that how this normally goes?” 

“We are going to ask you questions. But no torture.” The normal man said. He eyed the Cyborg and added, “Well. Not quite yet.”

“Well. Either way, I am not talking.” Fives said folding his arms again as the Cyborg approached him and grabbed Five’s face and turned it from side to side. Fives made a face and did try to pull his head away. Yet, his head was held in a rather tight grip.

“They he said no torture till later.” Fives managed.

“Oh. You are going to be quite fun,” The cyborg laughed. He let Fives go and stepped back. His head tilted a bit and he grinned. “Now. You have two options. One tell us what we want and your examination and first session will not be painful. If not and you cause us trouble…well, I am sure you can figure it out.” 

“What do you mean examination?” Fives asked.

“You will see. Now, what is your choice?” He asked.

“I already told you I will never talk.” Fives said.

The other man sighed and said, “One more chance, or else Dr. Veklen will take you now.”

Fives’s eyes drifted to this Dr. Veklen and he just closed his mouth; clenching his jaw tightly.

“Well that answers that Kovani,” Dr. Veklen said.

“I guess it does. Take him and contact me when he is ready to talk.” Kovani replied as he got to his feet. As he left two guards came into the room and grabbed Fives’s arms.

Fives was dragged out of the room and then down to another room. Once he was dragged into this room Fives felt his insides go cold. Inside the room was a large metal bed that had straps on it. The room was filled with a mix of cybernetics and medical equipment. He saw that in the room was this odd type of droid. It had a completely clear face and an odd body that had an apron over it. The face was completely blank and they had four pairs of arms. Just seeing this droid and this room he knew that he was in trouble and this time it wasn’t his fault. 

“Remove his clothes so we can get started.” Dr. Veklen said as he walked in behind them.

“Hey. No!” He tried to pull his arms away from the guards. They held him tightly though and forced him out of his shirt and pants. He then was dragged to the table and pushed him down on it. They forced the straps over him. It did take the guards some work to get him strapped to the table.

“At least buy me dinner first.” Fives grumbled as they tightened the straps.

“You are amusing,” Dr. Veklen said with a small chuckle. “This will be fun. This first session is for basic tests and prep.”

“Prep? What the kriff are you doing?” He demanded shifting in the binds and pulling at the bindings.

Dr. Veklen ignored him and held his arm stiff so he was able to get a few blood samples. Fives watched as Veklen handed off the samples to the droid and he turned back back to Fives. He inspected his arms closely and then his legs.

“Freak.” Fives muttered as he kept being poked and prodded by Veklen. 

“Hmm. Nothing internal…external will be best.” Veklen said. His arm was poked again then the bottom of his foot.

“Freak!” Fives shouted again and tried to move his foot away.

“Oh, hush. This is the easy part.” Veklen said scoldingly shoving his foot down. Fives gave a grunt of pain.

“You are going to be a squirmy one.” Veklen sighed. He waved the droid over. The droid injected the needle into his neck and Fives winced. After a few minutes, Fives felt tingly. He felt numb and he was a bit drowsy.

He cursed as he felt himself be slowed and his eyes fluttered. His body relaxed and he cursed softly. “That’s cheating.” He murmured.

With the drug in his system, he stopped struggling and just lay there. He grimaced as he got picked, poked, and prodded. So he suffered through the tests and scans while being trapped to a cold table. Fives grumbled to himself as he was dragged through this. He watched Dr. Veklen through narrowed eyes making sure to glare or tried to give him the finger a few times.

Dr. Veklen ignored him though and eventually grabbed an odd band. He fit it around Five’s arm and then around one of his ankles. “There,” He said finally.

Veklen turned and called in the two guards. “Bring him to his appointed cell. I doubt he’ll talk today.”

The two guards nodded and undid the binds hoisting him off the bed. Soon he was in the simple clothes he was given again and being dragged down the hall. Fives tried to focus on where he was being dragged this time but it was hard to get the right amount of focus. He knows he was brought into a lift but what floor he had no idea.

Eventually, he was dragged down on hallway that was a bit cold. He saw two guards outside two double doors. A camera nearby moved a bit to watch them as they were buzzed in before he was brought past these doors. He passed a few different cells but instead of a ray shield, they had glass walls. He was brought to one of the cells.

Fives hit the cold ground with a grunt and slowly sat up rubbing his head. After a few moments when the sounds of the guard's boots vanished a voice said, “How you holding up?”

Fives looked up to one of the vents. Based on the voice and what he saw in those cells he knew it was another clone. “Well, my brain feels like fuzz.” Fives said.

“No pain though?” They asked.

“No.” Fives said. “Not yet I guess.”

The clone gave a dry laugh and said, “Yeah…not yet.”

“I’m Fives. You?” He asked.

“Midnight,” Came the reply.

“Can you give me some answers about what this place is and why it's creepier than most Sepies things I have seen combined?” Fives asked.

“They capture clones. They normally separate them one side is used for experiments and the other for all kinds of labor.” Midnight sighed.

“So I go the jackpot,” Fives groaned leaning back against the wall. “Okay. There was this creepy guy with cybernetics? What’s his deal?” 

“That is Veklen. Scarecrow would give you better answers on him than me.” Midnight said. “Scarecrow is in the cell across from yours. He’ll….he can answer your questions in the morning.”

Fives frowned a bit at that as he looked through the glass focusing on the cell across from his. He made out a clone who was curled up in the corner. He was able to just a small bit of a cybernetic arm. “The others that were captured with me. I got pulled away with a few others. I take it we are the experiment ones?” Fives asked swallowing some.

“Yes,” Midnight replied simply.

“These aren’t Separatists are they,” Fives said softly.

“Not fully. No. They do send the separatists information,” He answered. “They do integrate all the officers briefly but besides that, their main focus is the experiments. You may want to get some rest while you can,”

“Naw. I’ll be fine. What else can you tell me?” Fives asked leaning back against the glass. Midnight from his spot in his cell shifted some and sighed. 

He then began to explain all he could to catch Fives up on what this place was. While he spoke Fives just hoped that they could find some way to escape this. There had to be some way right? Even if they had to wait for Anakin and Ahsoka to find them and bust them out. Right? There had to be. Right? Right…

Chapter Text

Hardcase sighed as he was waiting in a medium-sized room. He was strapped to a chair so he couldn’t move. He was able to sort of tap his foot which he did too. It had been a while since he was separated from Fives, Dogma, and Redeye. So far he was left alone and he was getting antsy. 

“Finally!” Hardcase groaned dramatically when the door opened and a man walked in followed by an odd-looking droid. 

“Well, then I am sorry to keep you waiting but I was seeing to one of your brothers.” He replied calmly.

“What did you do?” Hardcase asked his eyes narrowing.

“I do not think you want to know.” He replied seemingly rather amused.

“Tell. Me.” Hardcase demanded.

“If you insist. I was seeing how your brother Redeye reacts to having a blindfold over his eyes and having his hearing blocked off.” He replied.

“What…” Hardcase asked his eyes widening.

“We are quite good at picking out what our subject weaknesses are.” He replied as he walked out of Hardcase’s view. He came back with something and he began to attack thin small wires to his hands, neck, feet, and chest.

“You may want to open your mouth. I do not think you want to bite off your tongue.” He warned holding some cloth in his hand.

Not thinking Hardcase clenched his jaw and declared, “Never!” 

Yet, in that moment they grabbed Hardcase’s chin and kept his mouth open shoving the cloth in and made sure there was more cloth to be tied around his head. Hardcase glared darkly and struggled in his bounds. “Now. In a bit one of your brothers will be brought here and questioned. We would have used Fives for it but Veklen is a bit impatient and wanted to get started.” He said rather conversationally. 

Hardcase glared more and said a curse despite having the gag in his mouth. He then moved out of sight again doing something at one of the counters in the room. Shortly the door opens and a female Fallen comes into the room.

Hardcase met a Fallen once before they were a slightly reptilian race that had an odd smell thing to them. Or at least that’s what Echo tried to explain to him once when he asked. Krifff. Should have listened to what he was saying. Hardcase thought to himself as he watched the woman move past him.

“Veir already getting started with him? You are quite busy today,” She said.

“Well Warden Varn did ask to get information out of the Captain so I thought he’d join me.” He explained simply.

“In that case, this may help. It’s a new batch but untested.” She said handing him a small case she had with her. “This one may be the most helpful if they are stubborner than we think.”

“Very good. Thank you Lastir,” He replied.

“Of course. For this one though do not use to much of it unless you do want to kill one of them.” She warned. 

“Alright. I will keep that in mind.” Veir replied.

Hardcase couldn’t exactly see what she was pointing to but he kept his eyes on this. In all truth, he was panicked but did his best to ignore it. He can handle pain and Rex is strong. He won’t break.

The door opening drew his attention up though and Rex was brought in by two guards. When Rex saw Hardcase, his eyes widened.

“Hardcase!” Rex called pulling on the guard’s hold.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you captain,” Veir warned. “Now this is how it's gonna work. You are going to answer my question and if you don’t or are uncooperative I will make you watch him being tortured.”

Rex was shoved to the floor in front of Veir and where Hardcase was. Rex clenched his jaw shut and glared darkly at them. 

“As much as I do love to watch you work I do have things to take care of,” Lastir said walking towards the door. When the door closed Veir turned to get a few more things set up. Finally, he turned to face Rex.

“Let's start with something simple.” He said. “How about you share some military plans first?”

Rex's eyes darted to Hardcase who gave him a small nod and Rex clenched his jaw tightly glaring daggers at Veir.

“Nothing. Very well.” Veir said with a sigh. He pulled on gloves and took a needle out and filled it from one of the bottles that was given to him. He tapped the syringe a bit to get the air out. He injected it into Hardcase’s neck.

“What did you just give him?!” Rex demanded.

“Do not worry about it. Just sit there and watch if you are not up to conversation.” Veir said as he just focused on adjusting a few of the wires attached to Hardcase. He then reached behind where the wires were leading. Once he did that Hardcase let out a short muffled scream before he bit into the cloth to keep himself from screaming.

Hardcase felt this weird almost electric feeling go through him but it felt different. He had no idea what it was but it hurt and made his brain feel like melting. Whatever he was drugged with also didn’t help he felt even stranger. He couldn’t place the words to the pain but he felt like he was on fire and melting.

“Let's turn this up a bit and see how long it takes watching your brother be tortured,” Veir said to Rex. He put a bit of emphasis on the word ‘brother’. 

Rex clenched his jaw tighter his eyes darting to Hardcase who managed to shake his head again. Rex let out a breath and lowered his head some. His eyes trained on Veir though. Veir just gave an amused chuckle and ignored him. He reached behind Hardcase and did something and stepped away.

“There. Now it will increase slowly. Let's see who breaks first,” He said looking from Rex to Hardcase. With that, he stepped back and began to write on a datapad watching Hardcase.

One hour passed. Hardcase gave a few muffled gasping screams but held on and did give Rex a nod every now and then.

Hour two was worse. Yet both of them still held on.

Hour three. Hardcase was breathing harshly barely able to scream. He had his eyes closed his head tilted back. At some point, they injected him with something else which made him screech behind the gag. He screeched until he couldn’t.

Rex had bitten his lip pretty hard at that point and that was bleeding. Yet, seeing Hardcase like that and seeing how it got worse and worse. Rex opened his mouth but Hardcase managed a soft noise and met his eye. Hardcase shook his head. Rex swallowed and closed his mouth again. 

It was halfway into the fourth hour when Hardcase’s just slumped back his breathing ragged and no longer making the soft screams. Veir came over and checked his pulse and said, “Well he’s still alive. He made it this long without saying anything.”

Veir turned to look down at Rex who was glaring darkly at him. “Alright let's move them both and see how long they can hold out. Bring him to the observation room.” He then instructed.

The guards pulled Rex back and dragged him away. They brought him to some sort of room that had some monitors set up. A droid that was in the room began to turn it on seeing them come into the room. The guards forced Rex into a chair and secured his arms behind him and his legs to the legs of the chair. Rex turned his gaze to the monitor as he soon saw Hardcase tossed into what seemed like a small room. He was in a heap on the floor but he was breathing so Rex did relax his shoulders a bit.

The door opened again and Veir came into the room and went to the monitors. He turned when he was done and faced Rex. “Well lets see how long you can hold out. Right now your brother is going to be isolated for a bit. From what I understand about you clones you do not take well to that. So enjoy the show. I will be back in a few hours to see if you are ready to talk.” He said.

“If I talk what will you do to Hardcase? Will you leave him alone?” Rex asked.

“No. I have my work to do. I may work something out with you where my tests will be…kinder.” He replied.

Rex replied with a darker glare. Veir sighed and said, “And here I hoped you suddenly became reasonable. Well, I will be back then.”

The door closed behind Veir as he left the room and Rex had to relax his shoulders as he began to feel pain with how tense he had been. Being restrained did not help that. However, the dull ache did not compare for his worry for Hardcase. Yet, if this is how they were treating him how about the others? Fives, Redeye, and Dogma. What about them? How were they?

Chapter Text

While Rex and some others were brought for questioning. The others were brought start to get their work done. Kix and the other medic Hall were brought to a room that seemed to have medical supplies. “Explain to him what needs to be done. You are going to work on the lower floors.” The guard ordered.

Hall just gestured Kix to follow him while the guard stood by the door with folded arms. “They are probably gonna bring you to one of your legion they worked with. They often do that early to break down morale. Listen to what they tell and do what you can.” Hall explained as he gathered some stuff.

“So they will make me patch up what they did?” Kix asked.

“Yeah. Just do what you can for them.” Hall said.

“So this is what they have medics do?” Kix asked.

“More or less. It depends.” He replied closing the bag he had. He took a deep breath before walking out. After another few moments, Kix and Hall were brought out and brought into a lift. They descend a few floors before they were brought off. A strange-looking medical droid came over with another guard and led Hall away. Kix was brought another way with the original guard. He just looked from the bag to the guard. He was finally brought to a door where the guard grabbed his arm.

“Your orders are just to make sure he is stable. Do not remove the blindfold.” The guard ordered.

Kix glared and pulled his arm away.

“These are your orders. Do this or you will regret it.” the guard said grabbing his arm again and shoving him into the room. Kix gave a soft curse under his breath before looking around the dimly lite room. The first thing he noticed besides for the lack of light was the cold. He shivered a bit and looked around very quickly spotting Redeye who was curled up in a corner. 

“Redeye!” He said his eyes going wide. He hurried over to Redeye’s side and knelt down. “Redeye?”

“Kix?” Redeye asked softly. Redeye shifted some and Kix saw that Redeye’s arms were bound behind him. He also had this metal blindfold over his eyes. Kix did see that his wrists were red from rubbing against the bindings on his wrists. His face was bruised some and he looked pale and freezing.

“It's alright,” Kix said putting a hand to Redeye’s shoulder. “It's alright.”

Kix opened the bag and began to gently began work on the bruises and scratches he had. “Mixer is alright,” Kix said hoping to distract Redeye. 

Redeye managed a nod and said, “Good…Kix?”

“What?” He asked.

“Please…don’t tell him about this,” Redeye begged. “Please.”

“Alright. I won’t.” Kix promised as he continued to work. There were a few bruises that were pretty bad and Redeye kept struggling which caused his bindings to be cut further into his wrists. “Redeye. You need to calm down. You are opening the cuts further.”

“I can’t…” He replied breathlessly shaking his head. “I can’t.”

Kix frowned and sat back looking at Redeye. He knew that Redeye did have a fear of the dark. However, it was never like this. Most of the time they were able to joke with him and it wasn’t bad. Yet, most of the time he was not being shoved into a cold room with a heavy blindfold over his eyes. He also was pretty sure there was other things done that he didn’t know.

Redeye’s breathing was harsh and fast. Kix clenched his hands as he looked down at Redeye. He remembered the warning but he couldn’t handle seeing Redeye just shaking on the floor with his breathing sounding horrible. He glanced up and looked around the walls trying to spot some sort of camera. Perhaps he could just remove the blindfold for a bit so he could get Redeye to calm down.

He cursed to himself softly and helped Redeye sit up. “I am going to remove the blindfold for a bit but I will have to put it back on.” He told him. Redeye nodded vigorously hearing this and letting Kix reach around him to remove the blindfold. He placed it on the ground and rubbed his shoulder. “It’s gonna be okay.” 

“Yeah,” Redeye said his voice shaking a bit.

“Did they give you anything?” He asked.

Redeye nodded and said, “Yeah…I don’t know what but it's making me…making me feel…feel weird.”

“Alright. Just focus on breathing.” Kix said to him. Redeye gave a small nod and tried to take deep breaths. Kix rubbed his back some more before he moved to finish cleaning the injuries. As he worked there was noise by the door. He looked up at the door and frowned as Redeye moved away from the door his eyes going wide.

The door opened and three guards came in. They grabbed both Kix and Redeye pulling them out of the room. They were eventually dragged into a room and Kix was shoved to the floor. He looked up and he felt his blood run cold. Medical lab. His eyes darted quickly to Redeye who was dragged to the main operating table in the center of the room.

“No! Please!” Kix said as he started to move only to have the guards that were holding him pull him back. “No! Let him go!”

“That is not an option here,” Lastir said as she walked into the room. There were two odd medical droids behind her. “And you should have listened to all the warnings you got from the others.”

“Please. Just let him go. I’ll do what you want. Just let him-” Kix could not finish that sentence though as Lastir cut him off. “No. You will learn to listen to orders.”

She waved her hand and the two droids began to move around the room preparing things. She gave the guards a nod and Redeye’s shirt was practically ripped off as it was removed. He was pushed to the table and strapped down.

“Please. Just let him go…please!” Kix begged.

“No, but do not take it personally this would have happened later on. Yet, you need to learn to do as we say and not cross any lines.” Lastir said as she walked past him. “Oh and don't worry about your little friend. We do not kill our patients.” 

Kix swallowed heavily. Obviously what she said did not help. He watched her with wide eyes as she walked to one of the cabinets.

“As you are a medic you should learn a few other things while here. As you are going to be helping us soon,” She said. “First I am an expert when it comes to chemicals, plants, biochemistry, disease, and all the fun stuff in between.”

Kix clenched his jaw tighter and glared darkly at her. She just chuckled and turned back and walked over to Redeye. “Give him the usual to keep him calm and still.” She said to the droids.

She looked down at Redeye and said, “Now. Let's see if we can’t change your eyes to match your names.”

“WHAT?!” He screamed as the droids moved about. One of the droids put a mask over Redeye’s mouth.

Lastir looked up at him and said, “Oh don’t worry. I am just chemically changing his eye color.”

“What the kriff is wrong with you?!” Kix screamed.

She just ignored him and told the droids something Kix did not catch. He watched in pure horror as Redeye’s eyes were held open. Whatever they gave him early did still his body and from what Kix could tell he was still half awake.

“So let's start,” She said picking up a syringe and filling it with a bright liquid from a small bottle she brought over. “Oh keep him quiet over there.” 

One of the guards shoved some cloth into his mouth and forced him back. All he could do was watch with wide horror-stricken eyes.

She injected the needle into Redeye’s eye and injected it. Kix felt sick as he watched her do her ‘work’ he couldn’t fully see what she was doing but he saw Redeye twitch and heard soft noises. 

This went on for a while but finally, it stopped. Lastir stood back pulling off the gloves she had on. “Alright bring him to a cell and send him back to their barracks. The next job for him though will be dealing with the special cases. S3-M.” She said.

The two guards nodded and dragged Kix to his feet and dragged him away to the barracks. Once he was shoved inside he fell to the floor gasping. He was going to be sick.

A hand on his shoulder caused him to jerk up and he saw another clone kneeling in front of him. “Deep breaths.” He said.

Kix swallowed and tried to breathe deeply but failed. He tried again and got one in. He sat there hunched for a while trying to breathe deeply. Finally, his breathing steadied a bit and he felt his shoulders relax.

“Medic. Right?” The other clone asked.

“Yeah,” Kix said swallowing hard.

“I’d like to tell you it gets easier but- but you just try to survive and do what you can to get those around you to survive.” He replied.

“You’re a medic too?” Kix asked as he sat back leaning against the wall. He did not see the clone in the room before.

“Yeah. Weaver.” He said.

“Kix.”

“Take it easy. If you want a bit of privacy the bathroom is the best spot.” Weaver said.

“I am used to bad injuries but that…” Kix said not even realizing he started to talk. 

“Yeah. I know.” Weaver said and just patted his shoulder some.

Kix swallowed and leaned his head on his knees breathing deeply.

“Take the time you need. If you need anything I am over there.” Weaver said. Kix did not even manage a nod just curled in on himself. 

Kix had no idea how he or any of them were going to get through this. This wasn’t like the other things he has seen or dealt with. He had no idea how to deal with this. He couldn’t even start to think about how to deal with it. He just sat there breathing deeply just trying to think clearly.

Chapter Text

Rex had no idea how much time had passed. It must have been a while. His whole body ached and his arms had gone numb at this point. He watched the screen which showed Hardcase just curled up.

Rex saw Hardcase’s breathing was slow and he seemed to be just asleep. Rex cursed softly and shook his head. He heard the door open and he looked up.

Veir walked in with two guards. “Are you ready to talk?” He asked.

Rex looked away clenching his jaw. Veir sighed and said, “Really?” 

“Perhaps seeing someone else would help,” a voice commented from behind him.

“Who do you recommend Lastir?” Veir asked.

“My newest experiment. Pretty sure that may start to crack his armor.” She said. “It did a number on that medic,”

Rex looked up and snarled, “What did you do!?” 

They both ignored him and Veir said, “Perhaps. I think that may be a good idea.” 

He turned and ordered, “Guards get him up.” 

The guards came over and pulled him out of the chair. They dragged him out and down the hall. They pulled him down a few different hallways and then down one particular one that sent a chill through him. A set of double doors stood at the end with two guards outside them. The guards buzzed them in and Rex was dragged in. 

He was pulled past several cells and a voice called out, “Rex?” 

Rex turned and saw Fives. He looked alright just worn out and tied.

“Fives? Are you alright?” Rex asked quickly. The guards did stop still holding Rex’s arms tightly.

“Yeah. I’m fine. Ah, Kriff they aren’t having you be here too?” Fives asked.

“No. He’s just visiting someone,” Veir said walking up behind them with Lastir. “Come on. Let's continue.” 

“I had him brought to this cell instead,” Lastir said as she waved for them to follow. The guards pulled him along and shoved him down in front of a cell. Rex saw Redeye curled up, a blood-stained bandage around his eyes. His chest slowly rose and fell.

“What the kriff did you do to him!” He swore as he turned to look at Lastir and Veir.

“An experiment. I was planning to do it later, however, your medic didn’t listen to his orders. I had to move it up and we will move other things up if you do not behave.” She explained calmly. Rex tried to break free and move at her. The guards though grabbed him tighter and shoved him totally to the floor.

“Look. If you give up now and tell us the information we want you can save them a lot of pain. We can make things easier for them even with our experiments.” Veir said.

Rex was silent his jaw clenched but he was wavering. He was torn on what to do. He wanted to give them some comfort and make it easier for them. Yet, what about the Republic? How could he betray them and his training by breaking?

“My he’s a stubborn one.” She said looking down at Rex.

“A few more pushes may do the trick to break him. However, the question is what to do.” Veir said.

“True. We do have a few options.” Lastir replied a wicked smile came over her mouth. “Also, why don’t we take away the deal of treating his brothers with a bit more kindness? After all, it doesn’t seem like he wants to take it.”  

Rex’s fear rose higher for his brothers here. Who knew what they were planning? Kess’s warning echoed in his head. He had to hold on though. His eyes moved and looked at Redeye who was curled up in the cell. He could think of things that were not as vital, he could give them that information. Maybe that’ll satisfy them enough to give his brothers some comfort. 

“Wait!” He called.

They both looked down to Rex and Lastir grinned again as Veir asked, “Yes?"

“Look. Keep the deal…give them a bit more comfort and I’ll talk.” Rex said.

“I don’t know…should we trust this?” Lastir asked.

“I don’t see why not, if they do try something we can always change things.” He replied. He stepped over to the panel outside Redeye’s cell. He tapped a few buttons and walked over to Rex.

“What did you do!” Rex demanded.

“Relax. He just made the cell a bit warmer.” Lastir said before she looked to the guards. “Bring him to K'avel Lanith. I am sure he’ll be grateful for his information.”

The guards nodded and dragged Rex out of the hall. He just gave Fives a small nod as he was dragged away. He hoped that Fives would be able to pick up the assurance. He just now hoped this would give him, Redeye, Hardcase, and wherever Dogma was a bit of comfort.

Chapter Text

Elsewhere, Anakin stood staring at the table of evidence. The bloodied and destroyed armor and bones. It didn’t feel right but all scans and everything pointed to one thing. The 501st was attacked by some group of animals and killed.

“This can not be right! It makes no sense,” Ahsoka said as she shook her head.

“I know,” Anakin agreed. It didn’t make sense or feel right. His gut, perhaps even the force, told him there was more to this. The door opened and Sergeant Appo walked in and stood at attention.

“Sir,” He said.

“Please tell me you have good news,” Anakin said turning to him.

“We found nothing, sir, no traces of survivors,” Appo said as he shook his head. Anakin felt a surge of anger but shoved it away. He swallowed hard and gave Appo a nod.

“Alright…keep your eyes open for anything, Appo.” He replied. Appo saluted and exited the room leaving Ahsoka and Anakin alone again.

The two were silent for a long time before Ahsoka said, “They aren’t dead…they are too good to be killed like this.”

“I know…there has to be something more to this,” Anakin said. He looked R2-D2 and said, “Run….run another scan. Just anything strange.”

R2 beeped and rolled over plugging into the compute. The droid beeped again and Anakin nodded, “I know R2 but just run it.” 

A long moment of silence passed before Ahsoka said, “I know they are alive.” 

“They are,” He agreed. “We’ll find them. We’ll find proof and bring them back.”

They had to bring proof. The Jedi council would never agree to let them search without proof. With the war raging they needed something to go find them.

And they will.

Chapter Text

Rex lay in his bunk, staring at the ceiling. He had been thrown back into the main area with everyone else. He was exhausted but couldn’t fall asleep.

“Can’t sleep, huh?” a soft voice from above said. He looked up to see Kess peering down at him. Rex nodded, and Kess climbed down the ladder. He sat beside Rex's bed in silence.

“Yeah. When I first got here, I didn’t sleep for days. Eventually, I passed out from sheer exhaustion,” Kess said softly, keeping his voice low so as not to wake the others.

“How long have you been here?” Rex asked, his voice equally quiet.

“A year and a half,” Kess replied. “Whoever you’re worried about over there—ask one of the medics or whoever is on cleaning duty. They can usually find out something.”

“How do you even know who’s doing what?” Rex asked.

“We don’t find out until they send us to our jobs,” Kess explained. Their hushed conversation was interrupted by the sound of the barracks door opening. A guard shoved a clone into the room.

“There. Freak,” the guard muttered.

“Hmph. That’s an insult to freaks. If you’re going to insult me, at least be creative,” the clone said with a tsk.

It was clear the guard was glaring despite the helmet obscuring their face. They barked, “Spade. Mage. Kitchen duty.”

Two clones groaned and rolled out of their bunks, heading off to their assignment. The new clone stood there with folded arms, watching the guard leave.

“Really? No creative insult? Disappointing,” the clone said dryly.

“Blair, you are a twit-witted lunatic with as much brains as a bowl of goop,” another clone, Ebony, said as he stood up, glaring.

“See? That’s creative. Thanks, Ebony,” Blair replied, satisfied.

“Who... what is that?” Jesse asked, rubbing his eyes as he woke up. By now, most of the clones in the room were awake.

“That is Blair. We don’t know exactly what he is. We have theories,” a clone named Riddle explained. “Best guesses? One, he’s the Republic’s secret weapon that escaped captivity. Two, he’s some creature from the depths of space. Three, he’s a being from the Force sent to punish us for our sins. There’s a betting pool on whoever figures it out.”

Blair shrugged and flopped into an open bunk. “Looks like I missed the new arrivals,” he said.

“Where was he earlier? He wasn’t here,” Jesse asked.

“Extended duties,” Kess answered. “Sometimes they assign that to the most—” He trailed off, glancing at Blair.

“Blairish?” Blair offered as Hall shuffled over to check on him.

“Yeah,” Kess admitted with a sigh.

“What’s ‘Blairish’?” Tup asked.

“Being annoying or causing too much trouble,” Blair said proudly. “I earned it by stealing cookies from a guard. His family sent him a batch, and they were good.”

Tup snorted and laughed, nearly falling off his bunk. His laughter lightened the tense mood. Rex glanced at Kess, who smiled faintly, shaking his head.

“Wait. How’d you even manage that?” Mixer asked curiously.

“Well, sometimes they make you sort their shipments. The cookies came through in one of those,” Blair explained.

“Wait... if you can swipe cookies, can’t you grab something useful? Something to help us escape?” Rex asked.

“Don’t you think we’ve tried?” Ebony said darkly, standing. “We’ve been here for almost two kriffing years. It’s not worth it.”

“Yet, if someone could get their hands on—”

“You can’t!” Ebony snapped, cutting Rex off. “The guards don’t care if we swipe cards or dice. But when we’ve tried for something important...” Ebony’s voice faltered, and he looked away. Rex saw the broken look in his eyes, his shoulders slumping. The room grew silent.

“So... you can swipe a deck of cards?” Tup asked, changing the subject.

“Swiping or bargaining with some guards,” Blair said casually.

“What? Kess, you didn’t tell us this,” Tup said, incredulous.

Blair snorted. “Of course, he didn’t. He never shares the fun stuff—just the stuff to keep you out of trouble. Me? I’ll tell you the good stuff.”

“That was actually good,” Echo said, surprised, as they left the mess hall.

“Yeah. It’s great when Spade and Mage are on kitchen duty. They’re good cooks,” a clone named Firefly replied. The group of clones got in line to receive their duties for the day.

“Echo, Corric, Rex. Follow me,” one of the guards ordered. Echo and the others silently followed the guard. They were handed supplies and taken to the experiment wing, where all the experiments were conducted. Another guard escorted Rex away, and the remaining two were shoved into a separate room.

The room looked like a cross between a mechanic’s workshop and a surgery room. Echo’s eyes landed on a figure working at a long bench. He hesitated to even call it a man. The being’s four arms moved in unison, tinkering with something on the table.

A shiver ran down Echo’s spine. He shook his head, trying to suppress the creeping unease. Even the sight of General Grievous hadn’t unsettled him like this. He glanced at the rest of the room, wondering what would be expected of him. Corric stood nearby, blankly staring into the distance. Right, Echo thought grimly, they’d have to help with whatever horror awaited.

“You can get to work cleaning that up,” someone finally said, gesturing toward the table and the surrounding area.

Echo sighed and began cleaning. The sight of rust-colored stains on the white floor made his stomach churn, but he forced himself to push through. After finishing that section, he moved to clean the rest of the room.

The door opened, and Echo instinctively looked up to see who would be dragged into this nightmare next. His stomach dropped when he saw Fives being brought in.

“You don’t have to hold me like that! It’s not like I can—” Fives began, but his words faltered when he saw Echo.

“Fives!” Echo called, rushing toward him. A guard grabbed Echo’s arm and yanked him back.

“Let go!” Echo snarled, struggling to break free.

Without even looking over, the figure at the workbench said, “Do not cause trouble. I have much to do today, and this process tends to get messy even with the drains, cauterizations, and—”

Before he could finish, Echo tore free and punched him as hard as he could in the face. The figure staggered back, but another guard quickly tackled Echo to the ground.

“Huh. It’s been a while since one of you punched me,” the figure said, straightening up and wiping a trickle of blood from his lip. “Guards.”

“Don’t you dare touch him!” Fives shouted, struggling against the guard holding him. He jerked his head back, striking the guard and attempting to break free.

The guard staggered, but reinforcements quickly entered the room. One of them raised an electric baton and rammed it into Fives’s side. He cried out in pain and collapsed to the floor. The guard hit him again before pinning him down.

Another guard grabbed Corric, while yet another restrained Echo.

“Well, well. This is quite the mess,” the figure said, his mechanical eye scanning the group.

“Sir, what should we do with them?” one guard asked.

“Oh, that’s simple,” he replied. “Take that medic elsewhere. He can assist Lastir with whatever she’s working on.”

“What about them? Are you going to—” Corric began, but his question was cut off by a baton to his side. He grunted and sagged against the guard holding him.

“Don’t concern yourself with them. I’ll be continuing my work on him, perhaps with a few modifications,” the figure said, nodding toward Fives. His gaze shifted to Echo. “As for you, you’ll be my assistant for the time being.”

He turned back to the workbench. “In the meantime, get him on the table.”

The guards nodded, bowed slightly, and began their work. Echo’s arms were restrained behind him, and Fives was strapped tightly to the table. Four guards remained in the room—two by Echo and two near the door.

The figure approached Fives. “Well then. While my plans have changed a bit, not by much. This will just be... more painful.”

One of his mechanical hands retracted, replaced by a large needle. Without hesitation, he jabbed it deep into Fives’s leg, eliciting a scream of agony.

As the procedure continued, Echo could do nothing but watch, his eyes wide with horror.

Chapter Text

Rex was led away from Corric and Echo. Eventually, he was led to a long hallway with individual cells with a glass panel instead of a standard ray shield. In each cell where clones and Rex clenched his fists tightly. He grabbed the mop he had and began to clean the floor.

“You are from the new batch brought in?” A voice asked to the side.

Rex turned to the clone who sat on the floor of his cell. He was close to the glass door, leaning against it slightly. His hair had not been cut in a while so it was long. It was matted and stark white. Not as if it had been dyed but more as if someone drained the color from it. His eyes were pale and he looked weak. Underfed and his eyes had an empty look to them.

“Yeah. Rex,” He replied. Midnight seemed the only to be either wake or up for talking.

“Midnight,” The clone said. “How are you holding up? Officers normally get a rough time at first here until they are broken down.”

“I’ll be fine. Should- should we be talking? I don’t want to cause you any trouble.” Rex said.

Midnight just shook his head with a small humorless chuckle. “As long as you continue your work it should be fine.”

Rex nodded and continued to mop the floor. Redeye’s voice though came from ahead and called, “Captain?”

“Redeye!” Rex said and hurried over to the cell. He looked inside and saw Redeye was sitting up in his cell. A bandage wrapped around his eyes and Rex felt sick.

“What did they-” Rex began but stopped and shook his head. “Are you alright?”

“Not really,” Redeye replied softly. “Are you- did they bring you in here too?”

“No. No. They are having me clean,” Rex said. “I am alright. Don’t worry.”

Redeye nodded numbly. He had his knees to his chest with his arms wrapped around them. He put his head back and let out a soft breath. “Is…is Mixer alright?” He asked.

“Yeah. He’s alright,” Rex said. Redeye nodded and relaxed a bit hearing that. Rex looked at him with concern, he wished he could do something to help him.

“The best thing you can do is continue moving.” Midnight said. “Let him rest.”

“Right,” Rex said and moved away from the glass. He picked up his mom and gripped it until his knuckles where white. He had to force himself to get back to work. He looked to Midnight and asked, “Is this where clones who are being experimented on are put?”

“Some yes.” Midnight answered.

“Some?” He asked.

“Yeah. They have a few different places where they put us. This is the main one though, you’ll rarely be in the others unless you do something drastic.” Midnight explained. Rex nodded and looked back at Redeye, still curled up in his cell. 

“How would I be able to check on the rest of my men? I don’t see all of them here,” Rex asked. 

“The medics normally could tell you. Yet, I can tell you if I have seen them,” Midnight offered.

“Hardcase, Fives, and Dogma.” Rex said.

“I have seen Fives and Hardcase. They were both taken out earlier today but they are alive.” Midnight replied.

“What about Dogma?” He asked.

“I am sorry I have not heard anything,” Midnight said. The clone in one of the cells beside him looked up and moved to the front of the cell.

“Did you say Dogma?” he asked.

“You heard something? What?” Rex asked as he moved closer to the other clone. He knelt and looked at the ragged clone.

“I overheard that name mentioned. He was brought deeper in. There is another doctor here…or something we don’t know. It’s not like the others. Whoever ends up under there isn’t right after, they are normally just tossed in a random cell.” He answered.

“Are you sure Etch?” Midnight asked.

“Yeah, I am sure,” Etch replied.

“What?” Rex asked looking between both clones. Midnight sighed and leaned his head back.

“We don’t know much about it—none of us do—but we know there is something here.” Midnight said. “There is something dark here…something that is worse than these doctors. Yeah, they will hack us apart and treat us like pincushions. Yet, whatever is being done to these clones either leave empty shells or they are just lunatics. I am sorry.”

Rex cursed softly. He hoped Dogma’s stubbornness would help him but if clones who are tortured by mad scientists daily say it's bad. What does that mean for him? Kriff just what was happening to him?

Elsewhere Dogma woke up to darkness and he felt just cold. He wasn’t sure how long it had been the last thing he remembered was being led away from the others. Then just distorted voices, pain, and nightmares.

“Huh. You are awake. This is a good sign,” a distorted voice said. Dogma tried to talk but no words came. Fear sparked through him and he swallowed.

“Not being in control of your body has been recorded before. So that is normal,” The voice said. “It does seem though you haven’t lost your mind though. So that is a good sign for you.”

Dogma tried to steel himself, whatever was being done with him he wouldn’t break. Whatever they had planned he wouldn’t give in. He wouldn’t show them that he was afraid.

The voice in the shadows laughed, “Oh. Don’t worry fear is quite normal. Now let's continue shall we.” 

Whatever happened next Dogma could not even explain. Pure pain surged through him and he wasn’t sure if he screamed. It wasn’t long before his consciousness faded away again. He drifted back into another nightmare.

Chapter Text

Kix was concerned when Kovani came to escort him with two of the guards. He had learned that there are three people that took care of the daily affairs and runnings of this base. They normally would let the guards handle simple things such as moving prisoners to assignments. They wouldn’t step in unless it was something serious. Kriff…just what was he getting into? 

They went into another part of the base that Kix had not seen yet. It felt far colder in this area then any of the others. As they passed cells he could swear he heard screaming or slamming coming from some of them.

“He will be stunned for you to sedate him properly. Work quickly as you do not want him to wake up while you are still treating him.” Kovani said as they came to one cell bringing Kix out of his thoughts. Kix looked at him and frowned. He pushed away his fear and entered the room with the others.

At the other end of the room was a clone with shoulder-length hair that was matted hanging in front of his face. He had a straightjacket on and Kix did see a chain that was connected to the floor. The clone had his head down with his eyes closed. Once they approached though his eyes snapped open and he shot forward. The chain went taut and kept him from keeping him from getting at them. A gag on his mouth kept him from saying anything. His eyes narrowed though and looked dark as he gazed at them. Kix could swear they were more golden-yellow than brown-hazel like most clones.

“Stun him,” Kovani ordered. A guard raised his blaster and stunned him. The clone crumpled and hit the floor. Kix flinched as he fell but he was allowed to approach. He took out the syringe and carefully injected it into his neck.

“Why have me sedate him and stun him? He wouldn’t be able to do anything to start with.” Kix asked as he started to take off the straight jacket. To Kix’s surprise, Kovani answered, “He’s rather dangerous, and last time he killed a guard and destroyed the med-droid we sent in.”

Kovani left once he was sure that the experimental clone was down. The two guards stayed there and remained on alert. Kix just focused on what he was brought there to do. He located one of the wounds that was on his side. As he pulled the shirt up to treat it he paused seeing the other scars and what he could only explain as odd tattoos along his skin. Just what was done to him?

Kix pushed forward and treated the wound at his side. The other was to his shoulder and leg. He even did what he could for some of the other wounds that overall healed but still looked painful. Kix finished and looked down at the unconscious clone. He frowned wishing there was more he could do to help him. He’d find a way. He just had to think about it for a bit. 

“There.” Kix said to the guards as he finished cleaning the equipment up and putting the clone's restraints back on. 

“Good. You’ll come check his wounds in a few days. Now there is someone else for you to treat.” One guard said.

“Alright,” Kix said with a sigh. He stood and followed the guard out. He was grateful to be away from those dimly lit and cold cells. He was returned to the main area right to one of the exam rooms. Inside laying on the floor of the room was Hardcase.

Kix hurried over and Hardcase looked up at him. His eyes were glazed over and unfocused. He stared blankly at him for a few moments before he blinked. 

“Oh. Hey,” Hardcase said slurring. It took a few moments for his eyes to focus on him.

“Kriff. What did they do?” Kix said as he began to check him over. He wished he had something to go on. He had no notes about what happened, what they were trying to do, or how Hardcase was affected. He wished he had something to go on. 

“I dunno,” Hardcase said. “They injected me with something and then put me in a room. It was hard to breathe after a while.” 

Kix looked at him with concern and just began to do what he could. He checked his vitals and asked, “Are you in pain?”

“No, not really,” Hardcase replied. “Just feel a little funny. Tingly.”

“Tingily?” Kix asked.

“Yeah,” Hardcase said as he nodded. Kix just nodded and looked through what medication he had. He gave him something to help him relax. He then just knelt by him and held his hand as he lay there. 

“Just try to focus on breathing,” Kix said to him. Hardcase just nodded and closed his eyes. Kix continued to work just making sure everything was stable.

Eventually, Hardcase opened his eyes again and looked to Kix. “How’s everyone?” 

“They’re managing,” Kix assured him. Hardcase nodded and just closed his eyes again. Within a few moments, he fell to sleep. Kix just sat there by him and watched over him. Whatever they did to him must have worn him out. He never saw Hardcase just fall asleep like that. He sighed softly and got to his feet as the door opened and he was brought to his next jobs.

Later that day, Kix returned and went to the bathroom in their barracks. He sat down and leaned his head against the wall. He definitely understood why the medics had the beds by the room here. He just closed his eyes and stayed there. He was alone for some time before he heard a knock on the door.

“Hey,” Weaver said as he walked over. He sat down beside him and looked to Kix with a gentle smile.

“Hey,” Kix said tiredly. 

“Long day?” He asked.

“Yeah. How do you manage it?” Kix asked eventually. “How? I never know where to start. I can’t even tell what happened to them! I can’t even help them properly.” 

Weaver nodded sympathetically and said, “Yeah…we just do the best we can. Sometimes they will tell us what happened so it won’t always be like this every time.”

Before Kix could reply the door swung open and Blair swaggered in. “Sup,”

“Blair,” Weaver said giving him a look.

“What? I don’t know what you are doing with your face. I can’t read expressions or I can but I ignore them. Not sure which.” Blair replied. That did cause Kix to snort and just shake his head.

“It's fine Weaver. Just frustrated,” Kix said as he settled back against the wall.

“What happened?” Blair asked. “Medic stuff? Crazy scientist people have walnuts for brains?”

“Both,” Kix said. “I just wish I knew how to help…I barely know what the scientists are doing to them. How can I help when I don’t have a clue what’s going on.”

“Uh…why don’t you just talk to the guys who are sent to sort all the paperwork? They sometimes get reports and notes about what's going on. A lot is redacted but you maybe able to piece things together…or splice into it to get it removed.” Blair said with a shrug.

Both Weaver and Kix just stared at him. Blair looked over at them and asked, “What?”

“Blair…that’s brilliant. Dangerous. But brilliant.” Weaver said. 

“Just because I am crazier than a womp rat on spice doesn’t mean I can’t have smart ideas,” Blair said.

“If we do this and they find out…what could happen?” Kix asked.

“I have no idea but this may work. Medics do get some leniency as they still want our help. This maybe a way that we can actually help our brothers.” Weaver said after a moment. “This might be able to work but we’ll need to find a way to get the information.”

“I can just do it. They ignore me anyway if I am waltzing around the halls. I can read what it says and let you know.” Blair said.

“Kess will disagree with this. This for now stays between Blair, us, and the other medics.” Weaver said. Kix nodded in agreement and Blair moved his fingers across his lips like he zipped them shut. This could work or backfire massively. Yet, this was a hope that they can help their brothers. 

Chapter Text

Cody walked down the hall with General Kenobi. They were heading to where General Skywalker and Commander Tano were still working. They had been at it for a few weeks at this point and so far they found nothing. The only thing weird was odd scans of some of the bones found. Yet, it could easily explained by being damaged by the environment. 

He was silent as they walked into the room to General Skywalker pacing, no more like prowling back and forth. Commander Tano was seated by R2 with her face buried in new scans and data readings they had. He stayed back by the door as General Kenobi went to talk with Anakin.

“We hit another dead end, but we are having R2 run another test.” Anakin began but paused when he saw Obi-wan’s face. “What?”

“Anakin. The council has ordered us to move on,” He replied carefully.

“What? No. We can’t leave them! They are alive, Rex and the others couldn’t have been taken out by some wild animal like this!” Anakin snapped. Cody didn’t hear anything else after that as he tuned it out. He felt this pit in his stomach since General Kenobi told him what the council had ordered. He felt General Skywalker’s frustration and rage. He agreed with him in all truth. He had known Rex since they were cadets.  Rex was stubborn; there was no way he wouldn’t have gone down fighting. All members of the 501st were stubborn and skilled soldiers. Random wild animals couldn’t have gotten the drop on them as the evidence claimed. 

An idea tugged at the back of his mind as Anakin and Obi-Wan continued to argue with Ahsoka joining in. He clenched his fists tightly and took a breath. Before he could realize what he was doing he had taken a step forward and said, “Generals?” 

“Yes, Cody?” Obi-wan asked, a bit surprised at Cody’s normally calm tone. He had said it far louder and more forceful than he intended.

“Sorry, Generals.” He said quickly. “I agree with General Skywalker. Rex and the others half to be alive. I have known Rex for a long time, and there was not enough of a struggle. At times, I think he’ll be too stubborn to die.”

“See! Even Cody agrees. We need to continue searching! You can have my legion and Ahsoka and I will stay here to search.” Anakin said. 

“I have tried to hold off the Council, but we have new orders. They said we can not spare any Jedi.” Obi-wan said.

“Generals,” Cody said again. “I- may have an idea. It will require taking a page out of General Skywalker’s playbook though.”

“What is it?” Anakin asked.

“There is an experimental unit of clones known as Clone Force 99. They all have unique mutations, they may be able to see something here that we missed. They are rather unconventional though.” He said. “I would like to join them in the search and I can keep you updated. Rex and the 501st are my brothers. I can  not leave them until we are sure.” 

“Do you think they can find something?” Anakin asked.

“I am sir,” He replied. Anakin turned to Obi-Wan and said, “That could work. If the Jedi Council says we can’t spare any Jedi they did not say we couldn’t spare a squad of clones.”

Obi-Wan sighed and said, “Alright. Cody keep us updated.” 

“Yes, sir,” He replied with a salute. As Cody got prepared to leave to contact the Bad Batch. Anakin stopped him.

“Thank you, Cody. Bring them home.” He said.

“I will sir,” Cody promised.

Chapter Text

Fives sat in his cell leaning against the wall with his eyes closed. If he was honest he was tired and worn. All the tests, poking, and prodding were draining.

“Credit for your thoughts?” Scarecrow asked from the cell across from his.

“I’d rather a beer or at least something similar instead,” He replied. Scarecrow did chuckle at that and gave a small smile.

“If I had one to offer I would,” Scarecrow said. 

“When we get out of here I’ll hold you to that,” Fives said as he sat forward. He saw their face fall and they turned away.

“You are still new. There is no getting out of here,” Another voice said from one of the other cells.

“Grid, you guys told me that there were attempts and someone did get close. So if they can do it there has to be some way.” Fives said.

“And they got caught and moved. One is now kept in some sort of stasis pod until they continue on him. The other is most likely dead.” Grid replied.

“I haven’t given up yet,” Fives said. “Besides, I know our General and he should be looking for us.” 

“If you were smart you’d let it go. It hurts less that way,” Grid said softly.

“Hey I never said I was smart,” He replied. That did get a snort from him and a few others who were listening. 

“I do admire your determination,” Scarecrow said. “You will need that.”

“Well I am stubborn and have a lot of it,” He said. He was going to ask something else but stopped hearing the door down the hall open. Footsteps echoed it and two guards came to his door.

“Get up,” One ordered as they opened the door. Fives looked between the two both had hands on electric batons. 

“Alright. Alright.” Fives said moving to his feet. “You guys don’t have to be so pushy.”

One just grabbed his arm and dragged him away. Fives did stumble for a moment but caught himself and followed along. The one thing that he did agree with the others about was they had to follow along despite what happened. They wouldn’t be able to escape if they were more injured or marked as troublemakers. He was already marked as one with a mouth and sass so often guards were cautious with him. 

He was brought back to one of the experiment rooms and he saw Dr. Veklen going about preparing things. He then made eye contact with Echo.

“Hey, Echo what’s up?” Fives asked with a grin. Echo just gave him a look that he knew too well.

“Quiet!” Barked one guard as they jerked him forward.

“Hey! Easy Dac,” Fives snapped back as his arm was painfully jerked. The guard paused and just stared at him. He could feel his confusion.

“What?” The guard asked.

“I said easy Dac. I don’t know your name so I made one up,” He replied. Echo had to turn away to hide his chuckle. Fives grinned at the guard who just moved Fives towards the table.

“You are quite the amusing one,” Veklen commented as he now came over. “Remove his clothes.”

“Whoa!” Fives said slapping the guard’s hand away. “I can do that myself.” 

“Fine,” Vekel said. Fives undressed down to his shorts. The guards grabbed him moved him down to the table and strapped him down.

“There. Go there, I am sure he’ll act up and try to stop this.” Dr. Vekel said as rolled his cart over. He removed the cover and Fives only saw some of the tools. He looked overhead and took a breath. He should have talked to Scarecrow about what Vekel does more. 

A few medical droids came over and strapped Fives’s head down. He felt the bed rise and his eyes moved towards Vekel. “What are you planning?” He asked.

“You’ll see but don’t worry. You won’t feel a thing this time,” Vekel replied. He brought a mask and put it over his face. Fives did struggle but he soon felt sluggish and tired.

“Ah, Kriff.” Fives muttered before he slipped off to sleep.

When Fives opened his eyes he felt fuzzy. His mind was still in a thick haze and still felt very drugged. He had been moved to some kind of bed that they used in Medbays. A steady beeping to his side let him know that there were some monitors attached to him.

“Hey. Easy.” A voice to his side said. Fives shifted his gaze over and looked at the clone there. “How are you?”

“I feel like someone stuffed cotton in my head,” Fives said. His voice was thick and heavy.

“Yeah. They use some pretty heavy anesthesia,” The clone said with a nod.

“What’s your name?” Fives asked as the other clone began to check his vitals and a few other things. 

“Weaver,” He replied. Fives nodded and lifted a hand to his face to rub it, but he froze as he stared at it, not his hand. Yet, rather a cybernetic one. 

“Easy. Easy,” Weaver said softly as he placed a hand on his shoulder. Fives just shut his eyes tightly and stayed silent. The only sound was the heart monitor beating faster. 

In the back of his mind, he knew what Vekel had been planning for him. Yet, actually seeing it was- well Fives didn’t have the words.

“You have to relax,” Weaver told him softly. “Just try to breathe.”

Fives closed his eyes and took deep breaths. Eventually, the heart monitor steadied and he relaxed his shoulders. 

“Where is Echo?” Fives asked.

“He’s alright. He was sent back to the barracks after finishing Velken’s ‘rounds’.” He replied. Fives just nodded and lifted his cybernetic arm again. He closed his hands and moved his fingers a bit.

“Be careful. You need to let your arm rest,” Weaver said. 

“I don’t feel any pain,” Fives said.

“Well yes since the drugs are still in your system,” Weaver replied and moved Fives’s arm to lay beside him. “You need to rest and don’t worry. They will give you painkillers when these drugs wear off.” 

“Alright.” Fives said. “When you see Echo can you tell him I am alright,” 

“Of course,” Weaver promised. He put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I do have to go now. You should really focus on resting.”

“Alright.” Fives said. He was too tired to do much else. He closed his eyes and listened to Weaver leave the room. He quickly fell asleep though once he closed his eyes. 

Chapter Text

Echo heaved again into the toilet in the bathroom. Rex sat beside him looking worried, he had a hand on his back. Echo coughed and whipped his mouth with the back of his hand. He sat back and took a deep breath. 

They took Fives’s arm…They took his arm…They took his arm. The phrase repeated over and over again in his head. Echo shut his eyes tightly trying to banish the memory from his mind. He felt so sick just so sick.

“Fives is tough, he’ll be alright,” Rex said his voice tight with emotion himself. 

“These people…they are monsters,” He whispered shaking his head. Echo rubbed his face and sat back looking up at the ceiling. A knock on the door sounded and Weaver stepped.

“Fives says he’s alright. He-” Was all Weaver managed to get out before Echo and Rex were on their feet.

“What? You saw him? How is he? Is he alright? Was he in pain?” Echo asked in a rush.

“He is fine. They had me check him over and look at his vitals.” Weaver explained. “He was still a bit drugged from the anesthesia but when I left he was alive. Just sleeping off the medication.” 

“Right,” Echo said as he let out a breath. “Thank you.” 

“You should try to rest too,” Weaver suggested. 

“He’s right,” Rex said. 

“I know. I know,” Echo said and walked back into the main room. He dragged himself back to the bunk and flopped down. He felt this empty pit in his stomach. 

“You look like someone put you through a spaghetti grater,” Blair said walking over to him. 

“Go away,” He replied as he hid his face into his pillow. “I want space.”

“Space is that way,” Blair said, pointing upward. Echo looked up and gave him a flat look. 

“Just saying,” He replied with a shrug as he walked away leaving Echo alone. Echo shut his eyes and curled up on the bed. He knew he should at least try to go to sleep but he also knew he wouldn’t be able to. 

When morning came Echo was sent to work for Velker again. He followed behind them glaring at him silently. The pain and worry he had melted away to just anger. They walked to another exam room and already there was someone on the exam table. 

“Redeye,” Echo whispered before he was sent off to the side. 

“Ah. He’s all ready, Lastir.” Velker said as he walked over to the woman who stood beside the table. 

“Of course,” She replied. “I do think this will work quite well. They have already taken well to my experiment.” 

“Very good. If this works we can improve and add to Project Nexus.” He replied. 

“Yes. It has been annoying with our last few failures,” Lastir said.

“True but we did learn a bit from them,” Velker said.

“I guess but disappointing nonetheless. Now, if you do not mind, I want to get started.” She said. Velker walked over and checked his eyes. He had Echo stand away off to the side, he could barely see what they were doing. They were working by Redeye’s eyes. 

Echo just stood there clenching his fists tightly. He turned his head away and saw laying on the table some used medical equipment. His eyes landed on a scalpel and he just lowered his head closing his eyes. 

The guards ignored him as he took a step backward. They were used to the other clones looking away from the experiments. They did not notice that he slipped the scalpel into his sleeve. 

Echo looked ahead when he heard Velker call his name. 

“-bring that tray over here.” The cyborg doctor gestured with one of his extra arms towards the counter.

Echo walked over and carried it to the rolling cart that sat beside the table. He saw Redeye laying on the table. He could only tell they were doing something to his eyes. Within two motions he dropped the tray sending tools flying across the floor. He slid out the scalpel and stabbed deep into some glass looking parts of Velker.

They screamed in pain as they staggered back grabbing their arm. “GET HIM!” 

The guards rushed towards Echo but one tripped and fell from one of the supplies. Echo ducked low from the other one that made it to him. Grabbed a screwdriver from the floor and drove it as deep as he could into the back of their knee. One of the few places that were unprotected by their armor.

That guard fell to the floor screaming in pain. Echo took his chance and grabbed the electric baton that they all carried and bolted out the door. He had no idea where he was running. He ran down the hall as fast as he could. He went to a doorway he remembered that lead to a stairwell. He flew down a few flights of stairs and into another hallway as a siren sounded. He opened a door and made it in to a room before the lights went out. 

There was only slight light coming from nearby screens and a large pod. Wires were attached to it and it had monitors showing the vitals of the clone inside. He approached the pod and felt his heart stopped. His planning and mind froze. All the anger he felt and his adrenalin was gone. He just stared at the clone in the pod. 

This wasn’t possible. He died. 

“Cutup,” Echo whispered.

Chapter Text

The sound of the door opening caused Echo to turn as he clutched the baton tightly. Yet, only one man walked inside. He was dressed in intricate dark robes and had his hands placed behind him. He raised a hand and the lights came on.

“Echo. If you will come with me,” He said in a calm steady voice.

“Go to kriffing hell,” Echo spat. He gripped the baton tightly. He rolled to his feet and raised the baton. He froze though as he felt an unseen hand grip his throat. Echo gasped and the baton slipped through his fingers. His hands went to his throat as he tried to breathe.

Echo fell to the floor gasping for air when the man lowered his hand. He walked forward so he stood in front of him. “Are you quite done with that?” He asked.

“You’re a Sith,” Echo managed between gasps.

“That is correct. I am Darth Thalor,” he replied. He knelt down to be at eye level with Echo. “Now. If you will follow me, I do wish to talk with you. I can easily force you to comply but I’ll give you a chance to come on your own accord.” 

Echo swallowed his fear and got to his feet. “Fine,” he growled.

“Wise decision,” Darth Thalor replied. As they left the room, Echo took one last look at Cutup and followed him silently. 

He couldn’t take on a sith. It was weird though, where was his lightsaber? Didn’t all Sith and Jedi have them? Echo pushed that question away though. He took a deep breath and tried to prepare himself for whatever was about to happen.

Darth Thalor eventually brought him to a room that looked far more like a study of some sorts. The Sith walked to sit behind the desk. He gestured to the chair across from him, “Sit. Let’s talk.”

Echo frowned but sat down across from him with folded arms. This wasn’t what he was expecting. “What do you want?” He asked.

“To talk. It is rather hard to impress me or pique my interest,” He replied. “You have done both.”

“I wasn’t doing it to impress you and I won’t be answering anything,” Echo said glaring.

“I think you will. How does this sound? I’ll let you ask any ten questions you wish. I’ll answer them and in return you will answer my questions.” He replied.

“I have no idea what game you're playing but I’ll not betray the republic or listen to any lies you have.” Echo said firmly.

Darth Thalor sighed and said, “I do not care about your war or your Republic. Wars happen all the time across the galaxy. Galactic wars have happened before and they’ll happen again. I’m interested in something far different.” 

“What then?” He asked.

“I’m interested in knowledge and learning all I can. Especially in matters of the force.” The Sith replied.

“Wha-what? How the kriff could I answer anything like that? I’m not a Jedi.” He sputtered, staring at the Sith now like he was insane.

“Yes. You aren’t a Jedi but that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t be able to answer questions.” Darth Thalor said. “Besides, you have a lot of questions yourself. Such as that brother of yours Cutup.” 

Echo felt himself go rigid and stared at him. He stared at him, he knew this had to be some kind of trap. Yet, he had to know. Seeing Cutup there threw him and any plan he had to escape was gone.  He took a sharp breath and said. “Fine. How is he alive?”

“While Rishi Eels are known for eating their pray whole. They also bring food back for their young. The one that grabbed him was a mother hunting for her young. He was brought back to their nest.” He explained.

Echo’s stomach dropped before he managed to swallow and asked, “How did you know he was alive?” 

“When the GAR isn’t able to search for survivors, assume everyone is dead, or just miss one. They make quick and easy targets.” Darth Thalor replied as he used the force to two glasses over along with a wine bottle. 

“How-how could you even do that! You went after my brothers who were wounded and defenseless!” Echo spat getting to his feet and knocking his chair over.

“Why would we pass up on potential subjects?” Darth Thalor asked as he poured wine into the other glass and offered it to Echo.

“You- you- you’re insane!” Echo said not even able to process him being offered wine by the Sith.

“Quite possible but not really important to the topic at hand. Don’t be so surprised though. The Separatists and the Republic aren’t so different.” He replied casually taking a sip of wine. 

“The Republic would never do anything like that!” He spat.

Darth Thalor laughed in amusement. “Please. It’s a government that is using clone slaves as soldiers.”

“We are not slaves!” Echo yelled.

“Oh? Do you know the best way to imprison people? Never let them know they are in prison.” Darth Thalor said, placing down his glass. 

“We aren’t prisoners or slaves! Only prisoners to you!” He yelled.

“You very much are. You are trained from birth to be in the army. You have no choice but to fight. You are not paid like the Republic’s Armies used to be. You are bought from Kaminoans, a people who treat any clone they make like a product instead of a sentient being.” He listed off. “Do you even know how you are viewed by the Republic, not the Jedi, but the Republic? You aren’t viewed as citizens, you are viewed as property.”

“Shut up!” Echo yelled and moved at him. The Sith raised a hand sending Echo tumbling backwards over his chair. He landed on the ground with a grunt. Darth Thalor got up and walked around his desk.

“Nothing I said is false. If it was, I would not have hit a nerve.” Darth Thalor replied. He folded his arms and leaned against the front of his desk, staring down at him.

“Go to kriffing hell,” Echo grunted. 

“You have already said that. Are you done or do you want to ask something more?” He asked. Echo did want to know more but he couldn’t think clearly. He just turned his head away and clenched his jaw tightly.

“Well. If that is all.” Darth Thalor said. “The discussion of what should be done with you is still going on. We will decide by the end of the week. Until then you will be placed in solitary.”

Echo said nothing but glared at him as the Sith called in guards. The guards came over and grabbed him by his shoulders and pulled him to his feet. He was led out of the room and down the hall. Echo’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. He couldn’t begin to start sorting them all out.

It seemed though that he’d have some time to think about it.

Chapter Text

Elsewhere, Kix was checking over some of Scarecrow's injuries. There was a small infection where the metal of his cybernetic leg met the skin. He was treating the wound when the lights went out. He felt his stomach drop as he bolted to his feet.

“It’s someone trying to escape,” Scarecrow said into the darkness. “The one escaping can’t do much if they can’t see.” 

“Kriff,” Kix cursed as he rubbed his face. “What happens now?” 

“We wait. Once they catch whoever tried, they’ll deal with them. We’ll eventually be moved back to our cells.” He replied.

“What do you mean deal with them?” Kix asked. 

“It depends on who tried,” Scarecrow replied. “There were some who were just killed. Others were just put back in a new cell and are just kept locked up.”

“Who did try?” Kix said. “Kess didn’t tell us much about it.” 

“Kess did try with Ebony, Favar, and Rerri,” Scarecrow replied. “They were able to get a few of the guard’s weapons and made it all to the cells holding us. Yet, the guards caught them before they were able to free any of us.” 

“What happened after?” He asked.

Scarecrow was quiet in the darkness before he said, “All I know is that Favar was tortured to death, they were made to watch. Not only that but Kess and Ebony can not see Midnight again. No one knows what happened to Rerri. What Midnight told me was that Ebony, Kess, and Rerri were all batch mates. Favar was their commander.”

“How-when were they captured?” Kix asked after another long moment of silence.

“On Geonosis.” He replied.

“Geonosis,” Kix repeated. “Wait…if they were here for around a year and a half then that means they were taken during the first time Geonosis was captured.”

“It was taken a second time?” Scarecrow asked. 

“Right. I guess you wouldn’t have known that.” Kix said. “When were you grabbed?”

“Shortly after Geonosis,” He replied.

“How has no one ever noticed clones going missing like this?” Kix asked shaking his head. 

“I wouldn’t be able to guess. I have wondered that myself a lot.”  He replied.

“Were there any other attempts that you know of?” Kix asked him.

“Yeah. Cutup was the one who got farthest. He was hidden for almost two hours before they found him. They keep him in some sort of stasis.” Scarecrow said.

“Wait. Did you say ‘Cutup’?” He asked.

“Yeah. Did you know him?” Scarecrow asked.

“No,” Kix said. “But that’s Fives and Echo’s batchmate. They said he was dead.”

“I guess he survived whatever happened. The last I heard he’s still alive.” Scarecrow said.

“How did he manage to keep hidden for that long?” Kix asked, sitting forward now listening intently. 

“No one knows,” He replied. “From what I could guess he never revealed where he was or how he was able to hide for that long.”

“Alright. Can you at least pass that he’s alive on to Fives? I think he’d be glad to hear that.” Kix said as the lights came back on.

“Let's see if I can finish before the guards come to bring us back to our cells,” Kix said. He moved and worked as quickly as possible to clean and treat Scarecrow’s wounds. He was able to finish up and bandage it up by the time guards came. 

“Thanks. Kix,” Scarecrow said to him as guards came over and two grabbed him to bring him back to his cell. Another grabbed Kix’s arm and he was escorted back to their barracks.

When he was tossed back into their room, he looked around and frowned. He planned to tell Echo about Cutup. He didn’t see him even after others were brought to the room. He walked to Corric who stood over with Rex. Both were talking and checking over the others who were brought back. Making sure that everyone was alright.

“Have either of you seen Echo?” He asked.

“No. We were just talking about that,” Corric said.

“We were going to ask Kess but-” Rex began but he trailed off looking to the bathroom. Kess had gone in there with Hall to try and help calm Ebony down. The clone had been hyperventilating and near hysterics. From what Scarecrow told him it wasn’t hard to see why.

Kix sighed softly and rubbed his face. He paused and frowned as a thought came into his head. He was silent for a moment sorting the spinning thoughts out. “I think I know what happened.”

“What?” Rex asked.

“I was treating Scarecrow when the lights went out. I talked to him for a bit and he explained to me that clones who tried to escape are bought elsewhere. If Echo isn’t here that would mean it must have been him trying to escape.”

Rex cursed and rubbed his face. He knew Echo wasn’t doing great after what happened with Fives. He understood, Kess talked to him for a while to try to calm him down so he wouldn’t try anything. He didn’t think out of all of them Echo would be the one to do something. Not at least talking to anyone else first.

“Did he say anything about what happened to clones who try to escape?” Corric asked.

“A bit. It seems different depending on each case.” Kix replied.

“We’ll just have to wait to see what happens then,” Rex sighed deeply. You learned to wait to be a soldier but lately the waiting was torture.

Chapter Text

Darth Thalor sat in his study and poured two glasses of wine as the door opened. “Warden Varn. I thought we had our meeting later today.” He said sliding one of the glasses across the desk.

“That was the plan. Yet, I had to stop and come to you now as I have gotten complaints about Veklen. He has harassed the guards who are by the isolation cells.” He replied not bothering to hide his annoyance.

The Sith sighed as he leaned back in his chair. “He knows how to behave. He’ll throw tantrums but he knows not to try anything. I’ll talk to him if you wish.” 

“Yes. I have to deal with complaints from the guards when he acts like a lunatic. At least the other two know how to act.” Warden Varn as he sat down. “Now related to this, why did you go after that clone? I thought we agreed to send the elite guards to deal with them.”

“I was curious. He was part of Domino Squad. The same as the other one, Cutup. Along with Fives. All of them have a spirit that I have not seen in quite a while. It would have been quite interesting to see what they would have been able to do had all of them survived. Either way, it is not of any use to my studies at the moment.” He replied.

“That curiosity of yours will be the death of you one day. Never mind that right now though, we have to do something with him. He injured guards and while they recover the others have to pull longer shifts. You will also have to add compensation to their pay due to their injuries.” Warden Varn said as he picked up his glass and took a sip. “The other guards are upset too and want him to pay. I have been putting those on other shifts to keep them from complaining or trying anything.”

“Do not worry about the money. I can take care of that easily.” Darth Thalor replied waving off the comment. “As for his punishment I have been thinking about that. Would you mind losing a bit of labor?”

“Explain,” He said. “You aren’t one to go randomly killing subjects or extra hands.” 

“We will have Rex and Kess pick three of the clones to become experiments. It can’t be themselves, any others who are officers or the medics. This will prevent any future escape attempts.” The Sith explained. “That would also solve your Veklen problem. He’ll have something more to keep him busy.” 

Varn sat back in thought about this and nodded, “That could work. Other work details would have to be adjusted but that’ll be fine. What about Echo? Will he get anything or just a timeout?” 

“I’ll let you decide that,” He replied. “Was there anything else?”

“Actually, yes. The guards reported that there has been a change with that pet project of yours. S3-M.” Varn replied.

Darth Thalor raised an eye and asked, “Oh?” 

“Yeah. You should check it out; he has just started to sit there against a wall in his cell.” He replied. “He has seemed to stop trying to attack anything that approaches him.” 

“Is that so? I have to look in on him again.” Darth Thalor replied. “Now. I hate to cut our conversations short, but I need to check on another pet project of mine.”

“Of course,” Warden Varn said as he finished his drink. “Also, next time let the guards handle any escape attempts. You can talk to them as much as you want after.” 

“Very well,” He replied as he walked him to the door. The Warden gave him a nod before he left heading back to his office. Meanwhile, Darth Thalor went to the lower levels of the facility. He walked down the halls and finally stopped at one door. Stepping inside he looked to the corner where Dogma was curled up. Dogma had his knees pressed close to his chest and his arms wrapped around them. His head buried and tucked in against him. 

“Still alive?” He asked as he walked in and knelt down in front of him.

“P-plesae,” Dogma begged softly his voice shaking. “Stop. Please just stop.”

“No.” Darth Thalor said. “You should know though that this is far further I have gotten when I tried this on others. Most of them died very quickly.”

Darth Thalor waited to see if Dogma would reply. He didn’t, he curled further away or tired too at least. “Well. Either way, let's continue shall we?”

Elsewhere, Rex gave a small glance to Kess who just continued to look straight ahead. This did not look good, both of them were pulled from their assigned jobs. Not only that but Lanith was one of the ones who grabbed them. Shortly, they were brought inside an office and Lanith walked forward to the man at the desk.

“I brought them Warden Varn,” Lanith said. 

“Good,” The Warden said. He put down the datapad he held and looked between the two clones. Rex saw how Kess just went frigid and his eyes widened. Yes, this was not good.

“As I am sure you two are now aware of the escape attempt that was made. I have discussed with the benefactor what should be done in response. Considering it has been some time since anyone has tried anything.” The Warden said. “We both agree that these escape attempts need to stop fully.” 

Both clones remained silent but out of the corner of Rex’s eyes he saw Kess’s hands start to shake. The Warden continued, “Considering how you two have taken the role of leading the clones here you both will make this decision. You will pick three clones to be moved too the experimental wing.” 

“You can’t do that!” Rex said his eyes going wide and his stomach dropping. The guards grabbed him as he shouted at the Warden. Who just looked at him with a raised brow.

“We can and are. Unless you all want to become experiments and laborers I suggest you follow orders.” He said. “As I was saying you have to pick three clones and it can’t be any medics or either of you. You can return them to their work now. That’ll be all.” 

“Yes, sir,” Lanith said and gestured for the guards to grab the clones. One had to pull Kess off the floor when he heard the punishment his legs gave out. 

Rex and Kess where returned to the laundry room where they were originally working. Kess sat down once they where tossed back in the room. He leaned back against the wall and shut his eyes.

“Kess?” Rex asked as he looked at the other clone.

“I was never an officer,” Kess said as he swallowed. “I was just a trooper. Never a Commander or Captain. I stepped when they killed Favar, I had to…Ebony was a mess. Someone had to. I- I don’t think I can anymore.” 

Rex was quiet before he moved to sit next to Kess who had tears coming down his cheeks. “To be fair…they never trained any officer how to make these kinds of choices,”

Kess was just quiet with his head back and his eyes closed. Rex sighed and continued, “You have done a good job for someone with no training. You can keep standing up and are able to give everyone a chance at some quiet moments in this hell. We can figure something out,” 

“What? We are picking brothers to have a fate worse than death,” Kess said. He slammed his hand onto the floor cursing. 

Rex sat back and looked at Kess. He never saw him this…broken before. He hides it well from the others. He put a hand on his shoulder and said, “We’ll figure something out vod . We will figure something out.”

Chapter Text

The loud screech and the voice coming over the loudspeaker to clear the landing platform had let Cody know that the Bad Batch had arrived. He sat back and rubbed his face before he got to his feet to greet them. He hated waiting almost a week and a half for the bad batch to get there. He was a bit worried about Rex and the others, but he kept reminding himself that they were tough and stubborn. They’d be able to hold out.

“Hello, Commander,” Hunter said as he approached Cody. “What’s going on? You said it was urgent,”

“Yes. This hopefully would be a two-part mission,” Cody began as he gestured for them to follow.

“Two parts?” Tech questioned as he and the others followed.

“Yeah. It would be easier for me to show you,” Cody said as he brought them into the office he was using. The armor and bones they had were spread on the table. He explained to them everything they knew and what they thought. “I figured if anyone can make anything of this it's you.”

“Are you sure they weren’t just mauled?” Crosshair asked folding his arms.

“Yes. I know Rex, he wouldn’t let himself be caught off guard like that.” Cody said as Tech began to look over the tests they had already run.

“It would take me some time to review all of this,” Tech said. He sat down and got to work.

“It has been a while but while he does this do you think you can pick anything up?” Cody asked Hunter. The other clone was quiet and thought for a moment.

“I could try to pick up something but I can not guarantee anything. It has been a while since they were taken.” Hunter replied.

“Good. Take Crosshair with you,” Cody said. Hunter nodded and Crosshair just scoffed softly and followed Hunter out.

“What am I gonna do?” Wrecker complained. He was hoping this mission was gonna have something he could crush or blow up. He couldn’t crush or blow up the research.

“I am going into the town nearby. I planned to ask around there for- well anything.” Cody said.

“Arg. Alright,” Wrecker groaned a bit but quieted up as Cody gave him a bit of a look. The two headed off to a small transport ship to bring them to the nearby town. 

Elsewhere in the town inside a cafe, a woman sat using a datapad. She ignored most of the other customers, they were of zero concern. While the job paid very well, she hated the waiting and watching. The money though did make up for the boredom. 

With a sip of her drink, she sat back and set her datapad down. Just another few weeks and back to the hunt. She glanced out the window and narrowed her eyes as she tracked two clones walking down the street. They had left a local shop and the one with the orange paint looked frustrated. She raised a finger and tapped her earpiece focusing in on their conversation.

“-you sure they just didn’t get eaten?” The large one asked. 

“Yes. I’ve told you I know Rex. He wouldn’t have gotten overtaken by an animal.” The clone in orange replied. The other clone didn’t have a reply but just made a grunt of noise. Yet, after a moment he asked, “Next time can I threaten them?”

“Wrecker! We aren’t going to threaten anyone.” He scolded.

“But if they are hiding something wouldn’t they-” That was when they got too far for her to hear their conversation. 

Huh. Maybe their paranoia isn’t misplaced, She thought to herself quietly. She sent out a message on her datapad. She stood up, placed a tip on the table, and left. She looked down the road in the direction they walked. She walked past them just following the flow of people on the street. 

As she stopped by a stand she sent another message out to her team. If they started to dig up anything she had plans prepared. 

“Pays to be paranoid,” She said. The woman next to her looked up at her, she just smiled and said, “Sorry. Just talking to myself.” 

“Right,” The woman replied and went back to her browsing. 

“Ornil,” A voice in her earpieces said. “We have eyes on them.” 

Ornil turned and continued down the street, “Good. Keep that up, I’ll be there soon.” 

“Yes. Ma’am.” They replied. As she quickly headed to her apartment, she sent one of her men to check over the base. She then focused on preparing herself to keep her eyes on the men.

Cody walked down the street and let out a long breath. He tried to relax his shoulders. So far they had zero leads, a few people did say that there had been a few cases of wild animals attacks. Yet, nothing else was of any note.

“Are you sure we can’t threaten the next person?” Wrecker asked.

“No. We aren’t going to threaten anyone.” Cody said shaking his head. He sighed and rubbed his face. “Let's just head back to base. Hopefully, the others have found something.” 

When they were halfway to their transport Cody’s comm went off. “Commander?” 

“Go ahead, Hunter,” Cody said into his comm.

“You are right. Something is weird here. You should meet us down here,” Hunter replied. 

“We’ll be right there,” Cody said. He and Wrecker picked up their pace towards the transport. Unfortunately, it did take some time to get there. Cody couldn’t explain it but there was a feeling in his stomach of something not being right. He pushed it away hoping it was just nerves.

Chapter Text

It was just past sunset, when Cody and Wrecker left the transport to meet Hunter and Crosshair. By then Tech had joined them and the three were talking.

“What did all of you find?” Cody asked them. He really hoped they found something and with Tech also here he hoped for good news. 

“We searched around to try to find the creature’s nest, we did find something but it was old. Nothing has been in that nest for the past few months.” Hunter said. “Crosshair and I both checked this area twice and we know this is going to sound strange. We think this was all staged.”

“Staged? What do you mean?” Cody asked. 

“The tracks are gone but those blast marks are still there. If this was a random attack the blast marks should be more spread out. It feels too….perfect.” Hunter said. “Too precise,” 

“We just need proof of that for the Generals. Tech please tell us you found something,” Cody said turning to him.

Tech adjusted his goggles and said, “I am still reviewing the test and running a few new ones. They should be done in a few hours.”

“You were working on em’ all day. How are you not done yet?” Wrecker asked. Tech was quiet a moment before he said, “These tests take time. I am still reviewing them and would wait to say anything until I am sure I have an answer.” 

“Huh. You’re weirder than normal,” Crosshair said giving Tech a look. Tech just glared in reply but said nothing. Hunter frowned at the reaction and at the statement. 

“Enough. Was there anything else you found we could use as proof?” Cody asked. 

“Nothing that would hold up as solid evidence,” Hunter said. Cody sighed deeply and rubbed his face. He wished they had something more to go on. If they wanted to get the Jedi Council to approve a proper search party to look into this they’d need something more. 

Cody was about to speak when he saw Hunter look over his shoulders into the shadows of the forest. Crosshair too moved from his sport against a tree and slid his helmet on. Cody knew them well enough to pull his helmet on and grab his blaster.

“What?” Cody asked.

“We are being watched,” Hunter said sliding out his own blaster. 

“My. My. Aren’t you an observant one. Rare our presence is given away so easily and quickly,” A voice said before they stepped into the of the transport. They were fully armored and their face were hidden by a full helmet. Even their voice was muffled and changed by said helmet. 

“Who are you!” Cody demanded as all of them held their blasters up at them. 

“If I were you I’d put the guns down, we do have you outnumbered.” They said calmly. “Surrender now and we will arrange for you to see your lost brothers.”

Cody stiffened at that and lowered his blaster some. “What?” He asked darkly. 

“If you surrendered we will tell you what happened to your lost brothers. We can even take you to them,” They said. “Put down your blasters and toss them and any other weapons to me.” 

“How do we know you won’t kill us once we do?” Cody asked. He tried to keep them occupied while he gave Tech a small nod to start recording this.

“You do not,” They said. “Besides we can kill you now if we want. You are well surrounded and outnumbered.”

They raised a hand and twelve armored figures came out of the shadows now. Cody frowned and glanced at the group around them. They all seemed human or humanoid. None of them droids and none of them wearing anything resembling Separatists’s armor. 

“Come on,” Wrecker loudly whispered. “We can take them!” 

They laughed and said, “Oh. I highly doubt that. Now surrender and I promise you’ll be united with your lost brothers. Including the one you left at the base.” 

“The base-” Cody said his voice trailing off before looking to Tech. 

Tech reached up and removed his helmet and shifted to a Clawdite, a changeling. They instantly got punched by Wrecker and flew a good foot.

“WHAT DID YOU DO TO TECH!” Wrecker demanded. 

“Well you pack quite the punch,” The changeling said rubbing his now bruised jaw. 

“Relax he’s alive for now. If you want to see him again you will surrender. Try another move and you’ll die here and now.” The leader of the group said. 

“Stand down,” Cody ordered after a moment. He looked up and said, “Alright. You win.”

“Good. Now toss your weap-” They began to say before they gasped and reached up to their throat as if trying to remove something. Within a second they were pulled into the darkness only to be impaled on a sudden flash of red. The body dropped to the ground only being illuminated by the red lightsaber. 

Cody barely had a chance to process what happened before the mysterious figure moved quickly at their next target. They moved quickly dodging blasterfire from those surrounding them. They beheaded their next target and sent their blade like a spear into the chest of the next one. The lightsaber flew back to their hand as they dodged the next attack. Cody shook off the shock before he raised his blaster and began to fire at the others who were now distracted. The rest of the bad batch jumped to attack the rest as well. 

Hunter, went straight for the Clawdite who ducked and rolled away before they fired a few shots at him. Wrecker was right behind Hunter though and was able to grab the shapeshifter slamming them into a tree. “Keep hold of him,” Hunter ordered.

“Right,” Wrecker replied holding onto the Clawdite tightly. 

With, well this Sith, figbting alongside Cody, Crosshair, and Hunter the fight was short lived. None of them stood a chance. When the fighting stopped Cody turned to the armored Sith still holding his blaster.

“Who are you?” Cody asked.

“No one. You should find your friend they took and leave. The others are lost by now,” A female voice replied. The clawdite cursed hearing their voice and said, “Of all the luck…you are alive.”

“I am.” The sith said before she turned and looked back at Cody. “If they are still operating the same your friend is on their ship. The rest- I am sorry but I assume they are dead or worse.”

“What do you mean or worse? Who are you? You are Sith but you saved us. You clearly know them and what is going on.” Cody said. 

The Sith sighed and said, “Just go get your friend. Trust me this is something you don’t want to be involved in.” 

“We do not even know what this is,” Cody replied. “They took our brothers and you know something clearly.”

“I do. I left years ago once I had the chance.” She replied. She then sighed deeply and said, “I’ll answer your questions if you let me go and swear not to tell the Jedi of my existence. I am not part of your war and liked the quiet life I did lead.”

Cody frowned at that. This was a Sith but she did save their lives. She also clearly knew what was going on here. This maybe the only way they’d get answers. He knew General Kenobi and Skywalker would not be pleased. Yet, this was the only chance to get answers. Going against all his training to not trust this Sith he sighed and nodded. 

“Fine. I promise,” Cody said.

Chapter Text

The air was tense as Cody waited to see the Sith’s response. She was silent, thinking, but then nodded, “Alright. I’ll answer your questions. We can talk at my home.”

“Wait! He’s got our brother!” Wrecker said. The changeling was silent, staring at the Sith, their expression unreadable.

“Assuming they haven’t changed how they do things, he’d be on their ship.” She said and looked at the Clawdite. “Well, Rid?” 

“Yeah. He’s there. I’ll take you to my ship if you let me go.” Rid replied. “It’s just in a clearing nearby.”

“No. We’ll be turning you in. You can answer more questions and have some proof for us.” Cody said.

Rid sighed and said, “If that’s the case…”

He shifted himself to look like Wrecker and knocked his head against real-Wrecker’s head. It caused him to stagger back and let go.

Rid turned quickly and grabbed the extra blaster at his side. He was too slow. As the blaster slipped through his fingers, he reached up to his neck, gasping. A twist of the Sith’s hand, a sickening snap was heard, and he fell to the ground.

“Some advice I will give you here. No one from them deserves any measure of mercy. Don’t try to hope to get information either. They'd rather die than give you anyone.” She said. 

“Just who are these people? Some special ops group for the Separatists?” Cody asked.

“I’ll answer once we get to my home,” she replied.

“Rather paranoid,” Crosshair commented as the Sith grabbed a card from the Clawdite's belt.

“It’s kept me alive for this long,” she replied, tossing the card to Cody. “That should get you on his ship.”

Cody caught it and looked at her, “How do we know you won’t run once we head to the ship?” 

She sighed and stood up. She detached her lightsaber from her belt and tossed it at his feet. Cody blinked and looked down at the weapon, then at her.

“I said I’ll answer your questions. You gave your word that you’ll keep my secret. You can hold onto that for assurance if you're that afraid of me.” She said simply. Cody stared at her, his brain having to catch up to what had happened. She just tossed her lightsaber to him like it was nothing. He knew from Obi-Wan that a lightsaber was a Jedi’s life, or at least that’s what he told Anakin a thousand times. He wondered if it was the same for Sith. He shook his head, though, and shoved his questions away for now. 

He picked up the lightsaber and said, “Alright. Let’s get Tech.” 

They began to head to the only clearing that was nearby. As they walked, Wrecker looked at her and asked curiously, “So…what do we call you? Or is that something else you don’t answer?” 

“It’s Karrid,” She replied after a moment of silence. That was the only thing she said for the rest of the walk to the ship.

The card she tossed them gave them the code to the ship. The ramp came down, and Wrecker did shove his way forward and looked around.

“Where is he?” He asked. The ship was medium-sized, but it didn’t seem to have any holding cells.

“I take it that you have an idea where he is,” Hunter said, looking at Karrid.

“He’s gotten a new ship but it’s still a smuggler’s ship. There should be a false panel somewhere.” She said. Hunter nodded and started tapping the walls. He tapped one and heard a hollow knock.

“Wrecker,” Hunter said as he stood up and looked away. Wrecker came over, and it took a few moments, but he ripped the panel away from the wall. Inside Tech was passed out against the wall. His arms were cuffed behind him.

“Tech!” Wrecker shouted. Hunter hurried over to him and checked him over.

“He’ll be fine. Just unconscious, he’ll need to sleep it off.” Kerrid said. Hunter looked over his shoulder and back at Tech. She did seem to be right.

“Wrecker. Get the cuffs off and carry him.” Hunter said as he stood up. 

“Right!” Wrecker said as he pulled the cuffs off Tech. He then put him over his shoulder and stood up. Cody then turned to Kerrid.

“Alright. Would you bring us to where we can talk?” Cody asked her.

“I can. Follow me,” She said with a wave of her hand. Cody tensed, but very quickly realized that she was just gesturing for them to follow. He let out a breath and began to follow her. Every bit of training he had was calling him an idiot for trusting her. Yet, his gut told him that he could trust her for now. She has done nothing so far to show she was lying or being untrustworthy. 

She led them through the forest, but not towards the village. She instead led them through the forest and to where it met the foot of a cliff. She walked towards a large boulder and raised her hand, moved it away, revealing what looked to be a trap door.

“It would be weird leading you right to my home through the front door. I can take you through the back,” She explained as Cody looked at her. She used the force again to remove the trap door and jumped down. Cody turned on the flashlight attached to his helmet and jumped after her. The others followed right behind him, and when they were all in. She raised her hands and moved the door and the boulder back into place. 

Cody and the others followed her down the tunnel. They walked for some time before she finally came to a small set of stairs. She waved her hand, the wall moved to the side, and she led them into the basement of her home.

“This way,” She said and walked up the stairs. They followed her, and when she opened the door to the top of the stairs. A man came around the corner, drying his hands with a towel.

“Kerrid you-” The man paused and looked at her, then the group of clones behind her.  “You brought guests. I will put up some caf then,” 

“Thank you,” She said.

“Who is he?” Cody asked, looking at him, then her. 

“Right. This is Dasro, my husband.” Kerrid said. 

“Oh,” Was all Cody managed. He was not expecting that to be her answer. He knew it was forbidden for Jedi to form relationships, but he never wondered if it was the same for Sith.

“I did say I liked my quiet life,” She replied, removing her helmet. Cody did not recognize what species she was, he’d have to ask Tech when he woke up. She had crimson skin with sharp, golden-yellow eyes. She had some sort of tendrils on the upper part of her cheeks. She had some old burn scars along her chin and jaw. 

They followed her into the living room, and she sat down in a chair. “Alright. Ask your questions,” She said.

“Right,” Cody said, and found a spot to sit down. “Who is this group? I asked you if they were a Separatist black ops group.”  

“They are not. They are far worse.” Kerrid said. “The man who is behind this group is Darth Thalor, and he has been at this for a long time.”

“What do you mean? Cody only said one group went missing,” Hunter asked. 

“I assume he would have grabbed more of your men than you think. You fit what he went after now that I think about it.” She said. 

“You are going to have to explain that,” He said.

“This didn’t start with clones. This has nothing to do with your war. Darth Thalor is very dangerous since his only goal has ever been knowledge. As long as I've known him, he’s never cared for power. His focus is to learn all he can, whether or not it even has to do with the Force.” She explained. “He hired brilliant scientists or doctors. Ones who share his goal of knowledge and they’ll do anything to get it like him.”

Kerrid stopped and rubbed her face some before she continued on, “I said before, he’s been at this for a long time. He did go after people who were not going to be missed. Or, if they vanished, a simple explanation would conveniently surface—just enough to quiet any questions.”

“He’s been capturing civilians.” Cody said. “How did no one see that people were going missing?” 

“Do you know how many people in the galaxy go missing yearly? It’s a big galaxy, and if it weren’t someone important, most wouldn’t care.” She replied. She looked up as Dasro came in with a tray of coffee and some food. 

“Help yourself,” Dasro said as he put it down and handed Kerrid a cup. He also pulled out a vial from his pocket. “I also grabbed this. It should help wake your friend. Just open it and place it under his nose.” 

Hunter took it and looked it over before he said, “Alright. Thank you.” 

“They should still see if clones have gone missing,” Cody said.

“They should,” She agreed. “But your government doesn’t care. It barely cares about its own people.”

Cody wanted to say something, but it seemed the vial they gave Hunter worked. Tech began to stir and he groaned as he sat up.

“Wha-what happened?” Tech asked as he looked around. He frowned as he looked around the room.

“It’s a bit of a long story,” Hunter said. 

“I can see that,” Tech said as he saw Kerrid sitting across from them. “Interesting. You’re a Sith.” 

“How did you know that?” Wrecker asked with a frown. He looked at Kerrid, then at Tech.

Tech sighed and sat up more. “She’s a ‘Sith’ as in the species. They were known as Sith Purebloods. They were thought to be extinct.”

“You know your history,” Kerrid said.

“Obviously,” Tech said. Cody frowned. More questions began to form in his mind. He looked at Kerrid, who just took a drink calmly. Cody had to stop and think to gather his thoughts. During this moment of silence, Hunter caught Tech up to what had happened until then. Tech listened carefully and at the end said, “Interesting. That does make sense from what I learned.” 

“What do you mean?” Hunter said.

“These people are very good, took some time, but I was able to figure out that the bones that were found are fake. They are some sort of organic material that was infused with markers to look like they were from a clone.” Tech explained.

“So what we know so far is that they are brilliant and being led by a Sith,” Cody said. He looked back to Kerrid and asked, “Do you know where the hideout is?”

“I do. I doubt they moved, but-” She started and trailed off before she sighed. “They’ll know you are coming before you even land. It’ll be a blood bath, and the only way you even have a chance against Darth Thalor is if you have a few Jedi Masters with you. Even then, I doubt you’ll recover anyone alive.  Once they detect you coming, they’ll just kill all the prisoners they have and either destroy or hide the information they gained.” 

“Is there any way we can get in and save them?” Cody asked. 

“I can think of one way, but I do not think you’ll like it.” She replied. 

“What?” He asked.

She was quiet as she set down her cup. She leaned forward and said, “Me. I hate him for what he did to me. I was orphaned when I was young, and he found me living on the streets. While he did take me in and trained me. He-he turned me into a monster. The things he had me do, the things I saw there. Look. I am tired of the nightmares and the power he has over me. He’d never expect me to come back for revenge. He’ll just assume I’ll live out the rest of my days hiding from him and the Republic. But he’ll never expect me helping you.” 

Chapter Text

The night air was cool as Cody sat on the small balcony with his head against the wall. Of all the things he had imagined happening in his life, he had never imagined he would be here. On the balcony of a Sith while his other brothers ate dinner that the Sith’s husband had made. He couldn’t figure out what this Sith was working towards. She said she didn’t want the Republic or Jedi ot know of her existence, but then offered to help rescue them. She is seemingly one of the last or the last of her race. She was also married. He just couldn’t figure her out. 

He heard the door behind him open, and he looked over and saw Kerrid. “You have more questions for me,” She said. Not as a question, more as a statement.

Cody gave her a suspicious look and asked, “How did you know?”

“Well, you are radiating frustrations and emotions like a super nova about to burst. It was getting hard to tune out. For another, you have been brooding out here for the past hour.” She replied.

“I can’t figure you out. You are dead set on staying out of the view of the Republic, but you offer to help at the end.” Cody said.

Kerrid was silent before she walked over and leaned against the railing beside him. “In the end, I offered my help since I am tired of my nightmares. I keep living what he did, what I saw him do, what I was made to do, I saw it over again in my dreams. I am tired of it. You are right, though I would do anything to continue living my quiet life. Yet. Stopping him is important.” 

“What does he do? You keep saying how horrible he is and how he captures people. What does that have to do with gaining knowledge?” Cody asked.  “Are you sure you want to know?” She asked. “It will be something that stays in your head.”

Cody frowned and said, “Tell me.” 

“Very well,” Karrid said and sat down in the other chair. “Darth Thalor is a master of Sith Alchemy. It’s the ability to permanently alter an item or a living being. One of the things I know he’s tried is to change the Midi-Chlorians in someone. He wondered if he could make someone a bit more aware of the Force with it. He tried it on many different people over the years I was there, he was never able to tell if it properly worked. Everyone went insane from it or died instantly.”

She looked over to Cody who just sat there silently. She continued on, “That isn’t even touching the surface of what he does. There is a this scientist who has worked with him for a long while. A Dr. Zyrias Veir who would make your Kaminoan doctors look like a bunch of 4th graders at a science fair. He worked with Darth Thalor closely. When I left, they were working together on altering DNA both with the force and science.

Then there was Dr. Veklen he came on a few months before I ran. He is a genius with cybernetics, if he didn’t have a few screws loose he could have changed the way the galaxy worked without question. The last thing I saw him working on was this old experiment that a Sith from long ago did. Were they uploaded a person’s mind into a droid’s body and were able to control it. Darth Thalor had it and was curious if it could be repeated. Veklen was more than happy to see if he could replicate it.”

Cody swallowed his mouth dry, and it took time to find his voice again. His hands shook as he asked, “Is-is this what my brothers are going through?” 

“Yes,” She replied. Cody swore and buried his face in his hands. He felt like he was going to be sick. 

“I have to contact the Generals. We need people on this,” Cody said.

“You have no solid proof. When it comes to governments, you need proof or else you are going to sound like a mad conspiracy theorist.” Kerrid replied.

“You offered your help. You can explain to them what is going on,” He urged her. 

“Your Jedi would never believe me. I am not only a Sith, I am a Sith Pureblood.” She said. “My people were practically wiped out from the galaxy by the Republic and Jedi of old. They’d never listen to a word I have to say.”

“I know one who would he’s- he’s unique and it’s his men who are missing. He would do anything to save them. Please.” Cody urged again. Kerrid studied his face silently before she tilted her head back to think. She gave a long look at her husband inside before she turned to face him once more. 

“There is only one way we can win this. It would require, though, patience, sacrifices, and trust.” She said finally. “He knows how I hate the Jedi and the Republic. He knows how the Jedi hate the Sith. To him, it would be impossible for us to work together. To play by another set of rules than the ones that have been used for the past thousands of years.”

“You have a plan?” He asked.

“Yes. You will have to trust me, though, and you will not be able to tell them until later.” She said as she gestured to the Bad Batch inside. “It will have to look real.”

Cody frowned and looked back at her as she leaned forward. “The Jedi you mentioned. Will he be willing to break rules to save them?”

“Yes,” Cody replied without hesitation. She studied his face and then asked, “Would you swear on your brother’s lives to trust me in this?”

“In what?” Cody asked.

“In what I am about to tell you.” She said. “I need to know before I continue any further.” 

Cody hesitated and felt his shoulders drop, and he said, “Yes.”

“Good. Now listen,” 

Chapter Text

The barracks were filled with quiet noises of the others chatting. Kess was seated on his bunk with Rex. The two had a while to talk before they were brought back, and they came to a decision. 

Kess sighed softly and stood up. He took a breath and gave a short whistle to get everyone’s attention. Everyone quieted down and looked over.

“What’s going on?” Ebony asked as he came a bit closer. He didn’t hear anything from Kess and didn’t know what was going on.

“Rex and I have an announcement,” Kess replied. “Earlier today we were taken to see The Warden. There was an escape attempt and-” His voice broke, and he shook his head. Rex took over and continued on.

“They are punishing all of us for it. They told us that we have to choose three of you to be moved to the experimental area. It can’t be Kess or I. Or any of the medics.”  Rex finished.

“We can’t do it…” Kess said his voice was tight. He just shook his head and said, “We are bringing this choice to all of you.” 

A heavy silence fell over the room after Kess and Rex finished. No one talked said a word for a few minutes, they needed to let the information settle in. After a few moments of silence passed one clone named Firefly stood up and broke the silence.

“This is a kriffing mess, but I’ll do it,” Firefly said. 

Kess opened his mouth, but no words came. He just ended up nodding. Another voice broke the silence. Spade threw his head back and cursed, “Kriff it all up to hell!” 

He got to his feet and said, “I’m in too.” 

Kess just nodded numbly and held his head in his hands. Silence filled the room again, no one could say a word. Everyone knew what was being asked of them. Some looked around, others just stared at the floor.

A third voice broke the silence.

“I’ll be the third,” Mixer said.

“Mixer. No. You-“ Jesse began turning to him.

“I am. I have made up my mind besides…Redeye is over there. I owe him that.” Mixer said.

Jesse wanted to argue, but Mixer had already walked to stand with the other two. Spade looked around at the group and looked towards Rex and Kess.

“So, when are we going to be moved?” He asked.

Rex paused before he answered. He cursed and shook his head. “They didn’t even tell us.” 

Firefly let out a humorless laugh and ran a hand through his hair. “Figures. Just figures.”

“The three of you should rest while you can,” Weaver said, walking over.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to.” Spade sighed as he sat back down on his bunk. 

“Just try. The same for everyone else.” The medic replied.

No one really said anything after that. After awhile slight conversation started, but it was in hushed whispers. 

It was later, though, when Rex went to check on Kess. He was curled on his bunk. He sat at the end of the bunk and was just quiet.

“They shouldn’t have to pay for this,” Kess said after a long time.

“They all know that,” Rex answered.

“I don’t know if I can watch them be taken.”

Rex’s voice was quiet. “Then don’t. I can be there.” 

Kess nodded, his throat too tight to speak. He put a hand over his head and finally found his words. “Thank you, Vod.”  

Chapter Text

When Echo was pulled out of solitary confinement, he was not in the best of states. He was very disoriented and worn. He barely processed the guards dragging him through the halls.

He was tossed in a room, and he staggered and hit the floor. Echo let out a breath and dragged himself to a wall to lean against. 

“Echo?” A voice asked. Echo blinked and looked up. It took a few moments for him to realize Blair was kneeling in front of him.

“Blair?” He asked, his voice sounding rough.

“Yeah. How many mes do you see?” Blair asked. 

“Just one,” Echo said and rubbed his face. He took some deep breaths, and Blair just moved to sit cross-legged next to him. After a few minutes, he opens his eyes and looks around the room. It looked more like a storage room than anything. Boxes were stacked everywhere, and he saw datapads covering the floor.

“Where did they bring me?” Echo asked. 

“No idea what they call it,” Blair replied. “I don’t think they gave the room any specific name. I call it Fitz-Fitz.” 

Echo turned and stared at him before remembering this was Blair he was talking to. “What did I miss? I tried to escape…it didn’t go well.”

Blair gave him a look that Echo could not read. Eventually, he said, “Well. Apparently, they have a bet going to see if they can one-up being messed up in the head.”

“What?” 

“They weren’t really happy with your escape. The warden of this place pulled Kess and Rex in to talk. Basically, told them that they had to pick three brothers to toss over to the experimental wing. They couldn’t pick themselves, though, or the medics.” 

Echo cursed and slammed a hand against the floor. He cursed again and just took shaky breaths. “What then?” He asked. 

“They couldn’t pick anyone. Refused. So brothers volunteered. Firefly. Spade. Mixer.” Blair said.  “I-I didn’t mean for anything like that to happen,” Echo said, his voice breaking. Blair reached over and patted his head.

“Don’t take it hard. Lots have tried to escape.” Blair said. Clearly not comforted, Echo just moved his hand away. He pulled his knees to his chest and put his head against them. 

Blair sighed and asked, “wanna know something?” 

“Not right now,” Echo said. 

“Suit yourself,” Blair said, and got to his feet and walked away. Echo did look up and finally noticed that Blair had made himself what he could only describe as a box fort. He used storage boxes in the room to build it. Echo frowned, though, as in front of Blair, looked to be a mouse droid that was in a few pieces.  “Blair? What are you doing?” Echo asked.

“Taking apart a mouse droid,” He answered simply. 

“Why?” Echo asked.

“Oh. Trying to smuggle a datapad into the barracks. Can’t really hide on my body. So mouse droid.” Blair said simply as if it were an obvious solution. 

“Datapad? What datapad?” He asked. Blair just handed over a datapad, and Echo took it. He turned it on, and his eyes widened as he scanned the screen. 

-----
Lead Operator : Dr. Zyrias Veir
Date/Time : [Standard Galactic Date]

SUBJECT PROFILE:
Designation : CT-9415
Known Alias / Nickname : Hardcase
Trial 1# - The Subject was given a preliminary dose of Chylteide. It was a new compound from (name) which did start to test the comparability for the alterations.

Post-Injection he was placed in an environmentally-controlled chamber where he had positive reaction to the changing oxygen levels.

————

Echo had to stop reading there. He turned to Blair, staring at him before staring back at the screen. “Blair…Blair, this is..” Echo began but then just trailed off and shook his head.

It had almost everyone in it. What they were doing to them…how their brothers were doing. 

“Explain,” Echo said, moving in front of Blair. 

“Well, the medics wanted to know what they were doing to them. That way, they can help them better. I told them I can try to get information for them.” Blair said. “Now I just need to get it into the barracks.” 

“How. How did you get this, though?” Echo asked. 

“You’ll be surprised how many people ignore you when you are crazy.” Blair said with a shrug. “And no! I see your face, I am not faking, and I am a bit insulted that you’ll think that.” 

Echo just stared at him and blinked. He was a bit speechless. He took a deep breath eventually and rubbed his face. He groaned and said, “Blair…please can you give me more context? I was in isolation for- I am not sure how long. I just want you to explain as clearly as you can.”

“What do you want to know?” Blair asked, turning over to face him. 

“How did you get this?” Echo asked.

“People ignore you when you are crazy,” Blair replied with a shrug. “I get sent to clean this place and that place. I can grab a few things. I wander the halls chasing a bug I saw; they drag me back to the barracks or to isolation. You can’t fight crazy.” 

Echo stared at him and blinked. “So…you…you wander around the halls?” 

“Yeps…kinda. The times I get caught, they drag me off to wherever for punishment. Sometimes they really don’t care and just drag me to the barracks.” Blair said. “Look. I am sane enough to know how to use my insanity for this and that.”

“Blair…are you saying that if you go around they’ll just. What? Ignore you?” Echo asked.

“Of course not. I was beaten a few times. In solitary confinement, but sometimes they’d just drag me back to the barracks. I said you can’t fight crazy.” Blair said with a simple shrug. “What’s important is that I got this for the medics.” 

Echo frowned but nodded. He looked around the room, and Blair said, “Don’t worry about listening devices. They stopped listening to me ages ago. Turns out when you make up a sing with all the buzz words it kinda drives them nuts.”

Blair was quiet for a moment before he finally added, “And pointing out that Hutts are technically nudists and-” 

Echo covered his mouth at that and said, “Alright! You don’t have to continue. I get it.”

Blair just shrugged and went back to his work with the Mouse Droid. Echo sat back and leaned his head back, closing his eyes. He thought deeply before he sat forward and asked, “Blair? Just what have you been doing while no one is paying attention?” 

“Lots of stuff,” Blair replied simply. “There is a lot of stuff happening here. Layered on top of each other…like a giant evil cake. I am trying to gather what I can.” 

“But-Blair. I am still confused. Why are you doing this? Aren’t you worried about further punishment now, with what happened? And- just how are you able to do this? You said you are insane, and they ignore that, but why?” Echo asked. 

“Well, either one day we will get out of here. Or this place will be discovered. Figured what is happening should be documented.” Blair said.

“You still think there is a chance of escape?” Echo asked.

“Course,” Blair replied easily. He took the datapad and placed it inside the Mouse Droid before he began to put it back together. 

“You should know something…there is a Sith in charge of this place. I don’t think we are getting out.” Echo said with a shake of his head. 

“A sith. Ah…that makes sense. Alright,” Blair said. 

“You- you don’t seem affected by what I told you,” Echo said. 

“Yep.” He replied just as easily. Echo stared at him and blinked. “Blair? Just what are you?” 

Blair got a grin on his face and said, “I’ll tell you as long as you promise not to tell the others.” 

“Why not?” He asked. 

“Makes them laugh. Honestly, I like the ‘a creature sent by the force itself to punish humanity for its sins’ best.” Blair snorted a laugh at that. “To be honest, though, Kamino should have taken one look at me and gone nope! And just yeeted me over the edge of the city.” He said the last part, doing a gesture of a throw. 

“Alright. Promise,” Echo said.

Blair leaned over and whispered in Echo’s ear. When he sat back, Echo stared at him and was speechless. 

“What? You know…I think some of the other ideas they had were more believable.” He finally was able to manage. 

“Yeah,” He agreed as he finished with the Mouse Droid and got to his feet. 

“So, how do you plan on smuggling that in? A Mouse Droid is much larger than a datapad?” Echo asked.

“You’ll see,” Blair grinned.