Chapter 276 - No Clone Is A Traitor (1/2)

”Commander Dageer, we need you to betray the Republic.”

In an instant, Dageer was shocked beyond describing. General Windu and General Yoda, the most powerful members of the Jedi Order, and important figures in the entire galaxy, just asked him to betray the Republic. The same Republic he had been created to fight and die for.

After a few dumbstruck seconds, he did the most logical thing, and aimed his blaster at the two Jedis.

”Generals, if you move, I will open fire.”

The Jedis exchanged glances, surprised. They hadn't expected this outcome. However, what did they think it would happen when they asked a clone to betray the Republic?

”Calm down, you must, commander. Explain what we mean, I will.”

General Yoda's voice brought a wave of calmness to Dageer, and he almost lowered his weapon. However, he quickly understood that the Jedi was using the Force to control him, which only made him more suspicious.

”What you ask is treason against the Republic, General Yoda. That is punishable by death. Don't move. ”

He knew he had no chances of winning against those two Jedis. He wouldn't even be able to contact reinforcements to arrest the two, so all he could do was aim his blaster at them, and wait.

”There is a spy, who has been reporting all our movements and battle plans to the Separatist. We can't discover who. What we need from you, commander, is that you go undercover, fake a betrayal, and find out who that person is.”

Frowning, Dageer analyzed General Windu's face, trying to discover if he was telling the truth. He wasn't stupid, so it didn't take long for him to realize that even if the Jedis planned on betraying the Republic, they wouldn't ask him to do the same. Clones were extremely loyal, and not afraid of dying for the Republic. Money and status didn't have any meaning for them. All they cared about was protecting their brothers and their home, the Republic.

Slowly, he lowered his blaster. Although it still was aiming at the Jedis, it wasn't as threatening as before. Not that they had looked worried at any moment. They knew Dageer was powerless against them.

”Explain it, general.”

He was being extremely rude and disrespectful towards the Jedis, but, considering the situation, he couldn't let his guard down.

”As I said, there is a spy giving the Separatist important intel in our operations. We need you to discover who it is, and the best way is by looking like you betrayed the Republic.”

”Why not a Jedi? I am a clone. No one will ever believe I betrayed the Republic. I was born to fight for it!”

General Yoda and General Windu exchanged worried glances, as if they knew Dageer wouldn't like what they were about to say.

”You might be a clone, but you have all the reasons to become a traitor - and I don't mean that, commander, otherwise I wouldn't be talking to you. However, one of the biggest reasons for betrayal isn't money, but anger. You lost your legion, including your general and commander. You have been captured, tortured, and the Republic couldn't help you. The resentment alone is reason enough. On top of that, you have disobeyed orders before, which means you can do it again.”

Dageer tensed up. He didn't like the fact that General Windu made it seem normal, and likely, that he would betray the Republic. Worse, the didn't like the fact that all his dead brothers were being used as a reason for that.

”More importantly, commander, the traitor is a clone.”

Those words were like lightning striking Dageer. His first reaction was to raise his blaster again, and shake his head.

”That is impossible. No clone would ever betray the Republic! Never!”

He was panicking. Even when he faced certain death, he was always calm and cold-blooded. But now, he couldn't think straight.