The Order, Chapter 1: A Potentially Stupid Choice

When he first heard the order through the communicator in his helmet, Rex could barely register the meaning over his initial shock. Certainly his clone brothers had often discussed what they would do if it if ever came up: Would they do it? How would they do it? Was there anyone they'd actually like to take a crack at? Was there anyone they hoped they wouldn't have to fight? But the general consensus was that a coup d'états just wasn't the Jedi style so Order 66 was a bit of a moot point. Obviously they were wrong. Rex was often asked what he thought about it, but he usually just shrugged it off. Orders were orders.

They had been on Kali for two days, tramping through the swamps making a slow and quiet pace towards a hidden arms factory. It was a small operation, Rex, four other troopers that go by the names 21 Guns, Crash, C-4 and Kilobytes, and General Tano. It was to be the young Jedi's first mission as a knight. He didn't have to be force sensitive to feel the excitement that radiated off of her. Asoka had always been enthusiastic, but the entire time even in the heat and stink and toil of the journey she had beamed and laughed the whole way. Maybe that was why he couldn't do it. For whatever the reason, when the others had stopped to aim their rifles at the Togruta girl, Rex found himself diving at her to avoid the shots.

They recovered quickly and rolled behind a large tree. Asoka had reflexively activated her lightsaber and begun to deflect the friendly fire. "What's going on?" she cried out in shock and surprise.

"No time!" he barked back. A twinge of guilt and conflict rolled into his stomach as he hit Kilobytes with a well aimed blast to the gut. "Run!"

Asoka didn't need to be told twice. Covering her back with her lightsaber, she took off like a shot through the muck and mud. Rex covered her for a moment before making his own retreat, the remaining three troopers hot on his heels. The strain of running through the sticking, sloshing mud made his legs ache and burn, but Rex managed to duck and dodge between trees and keep from being a clear target. The ebbing fatigue built up over the past two days was starting to make itself known and he knew he wouldn't be able to keep this up for long. He had to make for high ground. He dove behind a fallen tree trunk to return fire and try to look about for a good spot to make a real stand.

"REX!" As if on cue, Asoka called out to him from the top of a small outcrop that stood in a clearing. "This way!"

Stupid girl, he thought, why would she grab their attention like that with no cover, but he still made a mad dash after her while she drew the fire.

Rex had personally picked the men that came on this mission, and every one he chose were great soldiers. They did everything right. They spread out, stayed close enough to keep the heat on their targets, but far enough to stay out of range of the deadly lightsaber. However, as he got closer to the young Jedi, so too did the other troopers. And as they got closer and more bunched together, Rex noticed Asoka beginning to stand lower and lower. Having worked with Asoka numerous times, he knew what this meant and suddenly the lack of cover made perfect sense. Had it been him attacking, he would have taken it as a sign to fall back to the trees. These men had clearly not worked with her before.

Once the advancing clones were in just the right spot, she confirmed Rex's suspicions by executing one of her favorite moves: she leaped. And stang, can that girl leap. She landed right on Crash's shoulders, knocking him out instantly. Before the others had a chance to react she rebounded and landed on C-4. Using her momentum, she bounded towards 21 Guns. He fired at her, but she simply dodged like she knew exactly where the shots would land. The trooper dropped his blaster and tried to get into position so he could grapple the charging Jedi, but she was too fast. Before he had any chance to defend himself, she grabbed him by the mask, kneed him in the gut and pivoted so she could slam him in the back of the head with both her fists. The clone crumpled and fell face first into the mire.

The young Jedi let out a calming breath and turned to face Rex. "Now do you mind telling me what that was about?"

Now that Rex had a moment to truly think about the situation, he realized that he could have just made a very big mistake. He kept his rifle up, not in a threatening manner, but ready for potential action, none the less. "Actually, I could ask you the same thing."

"What?" She seemed genuinely confused, which was a good thing.

"We received a transmission to carry out Order 66."

"Which is?"

Rex considered his position for a moment before answering. If things were going to get ugly, it would be right now. "It's a precaution to execute all Jedi in case they attempted a coup on Coruscant."

Asoka looked outraged. "That's ridiculous! The Jedi wouldn't attempt a coup!"

Rex was a firm believer that one should only be held accountable for their own actions and Asoka's shock confirmed that even if the Jedi did rise up, she had no part of it, but he still couldn't help but feel tense. She could decide to support her masters. "Well something's going on. I don't think the Republic would lightly condemn the greatest advantage they have in this war."

Asoka looked pensive for a moment. "The Seppies must've set us up. It's pretty easy for Sith to pose as Jedi."

Rex had a feeling that wasn't quite the case, but now was not the time to discuss it. By this time Rex had made his way over to the Jedi and poor cataleptic Guns. "Well we can have this conversation on our way back to the ship." Hesitantly, he aimed his rifle at the dazed trooper.

"No." Asoka gently pushed the barrel of the gun away from its target. "They're incapacitated, that's enough."

He wasn't sure if that was smart, but he was glad, none-the-less. "We better get a move on, then."

Author's Note: Ok! Came up with this idea a while ago, so come what may in the series, I guess this is an AU. Pardon my horrible action sequences, but that is actually the reason I'm writing this thing. Just to get better. ^^ Chapter 2 is half done, but I do update rather slowly. I hope you like, but please, please, PLEASE give constructive criticism! I want to know what I'm doing wrong! Thank you!

Next Chaper: Fluffy