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"...organic chips."
"Yup"
"...implanted in our heads."
"Mhm."
"...to control us?"
"Precisely."
Fox rubbed his temple, already feeling the headache forming. "And the Chancellor is responsible??"
Fives nodded, his arms crossed. "He told me himself because he's gonna try to have me killed."
Fox locked eyes with Fives, trying to search his expression for a hint of a lie. He found none. He knew Fives had a habit of pranks and jokes but the ARCs face remained deadly serious. "Surprisingly," Fox shrugged, placing his hands on his hips, "I believe you."
Fives mouth fell open, his arms dropping to his sides in disbelief. "Wait, YOU DO?!"
Fox threw his hands up in defeat. "It'd explain a lot. The random memories missing, the bad osik I apparently do and then don't even know about til Thire mentions it." He turned, running his hand down his face. "...I hate that this makes sense but I do enjoy the extra excuse to hate the Chancellor."
Fives cocked his head, a look of confusion on his face. "Wait. You already hated the Chancellor?"
Fox had to laugh, shaking his head. "With every fiber of my being. Don't even get me started."
Fives put his hands up in surrender, not questioning it further. He dropped his hands, watching the Commander as he slowly paced the small room. Fox was racking his brain. They couldn't exactly just march up and declare that Palpatine was orchestrating both sides of the war to the senate or even the jedi council without some sort of proof. The most they could prove was the chip's existence and he was sure the Kaminoins would come up with some Banta osik to explain it. The Commander refused to ignore it though, knowing his brothers lives and entire galaxy were at risk. He knew what the Chancellor had planned to do with being able to control every clone in existence.
"...Fox?"
Fox turned to Fives who was looking more anxious by the minute. The ARC was practically shaking in his boots. Most of the Coruscant Guard were searching for him. There were orders to capture him but Fox knew the moment anyone found him, he'd be dead not long after. That was Fox's first glaringly red flag. Why would the Chancellor order the entire Guard to search for one clone? The only explanation to Fives' supposed rampage was he attacked the Chancellor which Fox had to force himself not to laugh at. He'd dreamed of doing the same thing and knowing one of his brothers beat him to it was honestly kind of hilarious.
"We can't just march up to the senate and declare the Chancellor is responsible for the entire war. We'd probably both be shot on site. We need proof."
"The only physical proof we have is the chips themselves and we both know the Kaminoins are going to cover their shebs." Fives explained, pointing to the scar that now decorated the side of his head.
Fox sighed deeply. "The only thing I can think of that'd stop this is killing the Chancellor and that's not exactly an option."
"Why not?"
Fox took a step back in shock, staring at the ARC. "Why n- Fives! He's the kriffin Chancellor! What'd you think would happen if we marched up to his office and but a blaster bolt between his eyes?!"
"...we'd solve the problem?"
Fox turned away, letting his face fall into his hands with a groan.
"Okay, maybe not just march up there but if he's the head of this plot, killing him would stop it!"
Fox couldn't get himself to turn around to face the ARC. Opting to stare at the wall, trying to keep down the angry bubbling in his chest. They needed proof. Or killing the Chancellor would just open another can or worms that neither of them could expect.
"Fives. You said he admitted this to you, correct?" He turned back around, finally locking eyes with Fives.
Fives nodded. "Yeah, he admitted it straight to my face."
"Did the room you were in happen to have security cams by chance?"
Fives froze, his eyes lighting up. "I think there just might have been."
A grin wormed its way onto Fox's face. "If there were cameras, his confession would give us everything we need."
Fives mirrored his smirk. "See, this is why they made you a commander.'
Fox got ahold of a set of Coruscant armor which Fives had quickly donned, placing the bucket over his head. From there, it was almost too easy to make it past the patrols that had begun to swarm the cool streets of the city. Getting into the security center was even easier, not a soul thinking to stop the Commander.
Fives was on the console in a heartbeat, searching swiftly through the camera feeds. "There!" He pulled up one of the feeds, turning the volume up.
Fox watched, anger radiating off of him as he watched the Chancellor admit to orchestrating the war. Admit to the plan against the jedi. It was all there. He started to download the recordings before the tape had finished, stuffing it in his belt pouches the moment it finished.
"Now can we go kill the son of a bitch?"
Fox smirked under his helmet. "I get the first shot."
They marched their way towards his office, determination in every step. The walk there felt like hours, but both clones held their heads high. Fox didn't hesitate for a second when they arrived, the door opening with a hiss. The Chancellor had barely turned around in his chair when the first shot rang out, hitting him dead set in the middle of his chest. Fox removed his helmet, letting the man who made his life a living hell look him in the eye as he died.
Fives had his blaster trained, finger iching at the trigger. "This is for my brothers, motherkriffer."
Fox couldn't even keep track of how many times Fives pulled that trigger, decorating the Chancellor's chest in so many blaster burn, it looked as if it was on fire. He didn't stop firing til Fox gently laid his hand on his vod's shoulder.
Fives lowered the blaster, taking a shaky breath. He had done it. He'd killed the man that was responsible for this whole war. Responsible for sending all his brothers to die in a battle with no true winner.
They were free.