Chapter Sixty-Eight

Anakin

Hot on the trail of General Grievous, Obi-Wan and I landed with our troops on Saleucami. The air was thick with tension as we prepared for the mission ahead. Rex approached, his expression focused and determined. He slapped my shoulder, a gesture of camaraderie. "Shall we look out further, General?" he asked, his voice steady.

I nodded, scanning the landscape ahead. "Yeah, but be careful. Grievous might not have his full army with him, but he's still formidable." The thought of the cyborg's ruthless tactics sent a chill down my spine. He had a knack for ambushing us when we least expected it.

Obi-Wan stepped forward, adjusting his lightsaber at his side. "We need to find him before he can regroup. Our intel suggests he's hiding somewhere in the nearby canyons."

Rex and I exchanged glances, our mutual understanding clear. "Let's move," I commanded, rallying our troops. "Stay alert and keep your eyes peeled. We can't underestimate him."

As we ventured deeper into the rocky terrain, the weight of the mission settled on my shoulders. I felt the familiar thrill of battle surging within me, but beneath that excitement lay a flicker of worry for Mira. I couldn't shake the feeling that her well-being was intertwined with my duty. With each step, I reminded myself that I had to focus on the task at hand. Grievous was out there, and I wouldn't let my guard down.

As we scoured the area, Rex approached me with an update. "General, the cruiser that brought us here has returned to orbit," he informed me, his expression serious. Just as I was processing that information, something in the distance caught my eye. The wreckage of Grievous' landing craft lay scattered across the rocky terrain, a twisted metal carcass amidst the debris.

"Over there!" I called out, gesturing toward the crash site. We moved cautiously, each step filled with anticipation and the potential for danger. The troopers fanned out, searching for any clues that could lead us to Grievous.

As we combed through the wreckage, it became apparent that the destruction was extensive. The remains of battle droids were strewn about, their parts too mangled to yield any useful intel. Frustration simmered beneath the surface as I knelt beside one particularly twisted droid, trying to glean anything from the chaos.

"Cody," I said, looking up, "what do you make of this?"

Cody inspected the wreckage, his brow furrowed. "The ship's power intakes are still warm," he replied, his voice laced with concern. "That means Grievous wasn't here long ago."

Rex approached us, shaking his head. "The landing compartment has been almost entirely destroyed. It's going to be tough to figure out where he went from here."

"Patience, Rex," I urged. "We'll find something. He can't just vanish."

After considering our options, I turned to Rex. "Take troopers Jesse, Hardcase, and Kix on patrol to search the nearby wetlands. We need to cover more ground."

"On it, General," Rex replied, his voice steady as he gathered his men.

As they moved out, Cody turned to me, a smirk on his face. "Rex is a smart man," he remarked, admiration evident in his tone.

I nodded in agreement. "He's always thinking on his feet. That's why he's one of the best."

With Rex and his squad heading off, I felt a surge of determination. Grievous was still out there, and we wouldn't rest until we found him. Cody, Crys, and I resumed our search, keeping our senses sharp and our minds focused on the mission. The hunt was far from over, and I wouldn't let my guard down until we had the elusive general in our sights.

-

Mira

In the peaceful confines of the palace, I found myself fiddling with the necklace Anakin had given me when we first met. The delicate metal glinted in the soft light, each bead a reminder of our shared moments. A smile tugged at my lips as I reminisced, feeling the warmth of those memories wrap around me like a comforting embrace.

Just then, Kyra approached with a tray, balancing a steaming cup of tea in her hands. "My lady," she said cheerfully, setting the tea down on the table beside me. "I thought you could use some warmth."

"Thank you, Kyra," I replied, my heart swelling with gratitude. The aroma of the tea filled the air, and I took a moment to inhale the soothing scent. "You always know what I need."

She smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. "It's my job to look after you, my lady. Besides, I can tell when something's on your mind."

I took a sip of the tea, letting the warmth seep into my being. The calming effect of the beverage was just what I needed to ease the lingering worries that had plagued me since my unsettling dream. "I was just thinking about Anakin," I admitted, my voice soft. "I hope he's safe out there."

Kyra nodded, her expression shifting to one of understanding. "He's a skilled warrior, and he has Obi-Wan with him. They'll be fine."

I appreciated her attempt to reassure me, but the knot of anxiety in my stomach remained. I couldn't shake the feeling that something dark was looming, a shadow over the path we were walking. "I know," I said, forcing a smile to mask my concerns. "I just can't help but worry."

"Worrying is part of being a leader, my lady," Kyra said gently. "But remember, you have your own strength. Anakin believes in you, and you should believe in yourself too."

Her words resonated with me, and I took another sip of tea, letting the warmth fill the space where doubt had crept in. "You're right," I said, my resolve slowly returning. "I just need to stay strong—for him and for our child."

Kyra beamed at me, and I could see the pride in her eyes. "Exactly. Now, let's focus on something else for a moment. We can't let the worries consume us."

As we chatted and shared laughter, I felt a flicker of hope ignite within me, reminding me that even in the face of uncertainty, I had the strength to carry on. And no matter where Anakin was, our connection remained unbreakable, a guiding light through the darkness.