Chapter Sixty-Nine

Rex

On patrol, Rex and his squad sped through the wetlands on their speeder bikes, the landscape blurring by in a rush of green and brown. The air was thick with humidity, but our adrenaline kept us alert, ready for anything. I glanced at Jesse and Hardcase, their expressions focused as we navigated the twists and turns of the terrain.

Suddenly, a shot rang out, piercing the calm of the wetland. The impact hit me hard, a searing pain exploding in my chest as I was knocked off my bike. Time seemed to slow as I tumbled onto the muddy ground, the world spinning around me.

"Rex!" Jesse shouted, his voice echoing in my ears. I struggled to push myself up, but the pain was overwhelming. I could see him and Hardcase racing toward the sound of gunfire, determined to take out whoever had ambushed us.

"Get Kix!" I managed to grunt, feeling the warmth of blood seeping through my armor. I was aware of the dull thud of my heartbeat in my ears as I fought to stay conscious.

Kix, our medic, rushed over after Jesse called for him. "Stay still, Rex," he said, his voice calm but urgent as he knelt beside me. He carefully removed my helmet, exposing my face to the humid air. "You've been hit pretty bad. I need to take a look."

As Kix examined my wound, I could hear Jesse and Hardcase pursuing the commando droids, their blaster fire lighting up the area. The sounds of the battle were a distant echo in my mind, overshadowed by the pain and my growing concern for my squad.

"Jesse, be careful!" I called out, knowing he was charging into danger. "You have to—"

"Stay with me, Rex," Kix interrupted, focusing on patching me up. "I've got you." His hands moved with practiced efficiency, applying a compress to my injury and checking for any other damage.

"Get back to them," I insisted, my voice strained. "We need to take those droids down."

Kix hesitated for a moment, looking between me and the direction Jesse had gone. "You better get back soon, Jesse!" he commed, his tone urgent but filled with determination. "Rex needs us, but you can't take them lightly. Watch your back!"

With Kix tending to my injury, I fought to keep my focus. The commando droids were still out there, and I wouldn't let my squad down. "We can't let them escape," I urged, trying to push through the haze of pain.

"We won't," Kix assured me, his expression fierce. "Just hang tight."

As the sounds of the battle continued in the background, I held on to the thought of my brothers returning victorious. We were in this together, and I knew they wouldn't leave me behind.

-

MIra

I was talking to Senator Biggs when a sudden, sharp pain pierced through my heart, causing me to double over. "You're ghosting," he remarked, worry evident in his voice. I sighed, placing my hand on my belly, feeling the gentle kicks of the baby growing within me.

The connection I shared with Anakin made me acutely aware of his feelings, even from a distance. But this was different. I could sense a disturbance, a darkness creeping into our bond. It wasn't Anakin in danger; it was Rex. I could feel it in my bones, but I clung to the hope that he wasn't dead.

"I'm fine," I managed to say, straightening up and forcing a smile despite the turmoil inside me. "Just a bit of discomfort."

Senator Biggs looked skeptical but didn't push further. "You should rest, my lady. With everything going on, you need to take care of yourself and the child."

I nodded, trying to mask my unease. "Yes, I know."

As he continued to speak, my thoughts drifted back to Rex and the team. I could only hope they were safe. The bond I shared with Anakin felt like a tether, a lifeline connecting us across the stars. I concentrated, trying to reach out through that bond, but it was like grasping at smoke.

"Rex, please be okay," I whispered softly, feeling the weight of uncertainty settle in my chest. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, but I also knew I had to stay strong—for Anakin, for Rex, and for our child.

-

Rex

In the wetlands, Kix knelt beside me, his brow furrowed with concern as he assessed my injuries. "Rex, your injuries are severe," he said, his voice steady but laced with urgency. "I can't know more without removing your armor, but we need to act fast."

I winced as I shifted, trying to catch my breath. "Just do what you have to do, Kix," I replied, my tone firm despite the pain. I could hear Jesse pacing nearby, his mind working quickly as he contemplated our next move.

"What are we going to do?" Jesse muttered under his breath, scanning the area around us. His eyes suddenly brightened as he noticed some eopies grazing in the distance. "Hey, look!" he exclaimed. "Those are domesticated. There must be a farm nearby."

"A farm?" Kix asked, glancing up at him. "That could be our best shot at finding shelter for the night."

"Let's find it," Jesse decided, determination etched on his face. "We need a safe place to tend to Rex."

As they took off, I fought against the pain, focusing on the sounds of the wetlands. Meanwhile, in another part of the galaxy, General Grievous was becoming increasingly frustrated. One by one, his battle droid escorts were losing power and collapsing where they stood, leaving him feeling vulnerable and exposed.

"Useless scrap metal!" he growled, kicking a fallen droid in frustration. The loss of his forces was infuriating, and he knew he needed to regroup quickly.

Back at the farmhouse, Kix approached the door cautiously. Just as he was about to knock, it swung open, revealing a Twi'lek woman with a blaster rifle aimed directly at him. "Halt!" she commanded, her grip steady.

I raised my hands, signaling that I meant no harm. "Wait, please! I'm just a medic," I said, trying to diffuse the tension.

Moments later, Jesse arrived, breathless from running. "Ma'am, we don't want any trouble!" he interjected, stepping forward with a calming demeanor. "All we need is a place to tend to our injured captain for the night. We have a medic with us."

The woman's expression softened slightly as she took in our uniforms and the situation. "My husband is away," she said, glancing back at her two children who stood peering out from behind the door. "You can use the benches in the barn. I'll get you some supplies."

"Thank you, ma'am," Jesse said, relief washing over him. "We'll make sure Rex is taken care of."

As Kix and I followed Jesse into the barn, I felt a renewed sense of hope. We were safe for now, and with each passing moment, I focused on staying strong for my brothers and for the mission ahead.