The faint scent of dye still lingered in the air as you ran your fingers through the freshly-tipped ends of your hair, now a striking shade that shimmered in the dim light. Draped in your ceremonial burgundy cloak, its weight a steadying presence on your shoulders, you turned to face the service droid that whirred quietly into the room. Its mechanical voice broke the stillness:

"Are you prepared to depart, Excellency?"

You nodded with calm assurance. "Yes, I am. Is the ship ready?"

The droid gave a slight bow of acknowledgment before rolling off to fulfill its duties. Alone again, you glanced at yourself in the mirror, studying your reflection. There was a certain gravity to this day, one you couldn't ignore. You adjusted the cloak one last time and smoothed your hair, a fleeting moment of preparation before heading out.

Today, you had agreed to accompany Captain Rex and Commander Cody on an important inspection, and your resolve was steady. Yet as you stepped into the hangar, you were greeted not only by the towering forms of the two clone officers but also by another presence—a presence you could feel before you saw him.

Anakin.

He stood to the side, his piercing gaze drinking in every detail of you as you approached. There was something in his eyes, something vulnerable beneath the layers of confidence he wore like armor. Before you could say a word, he closed the distance between you, wrapping his arms around you and burying his face into the curve of your neck.

"You'll be careful out there, won't you?" he murmured, his voice low, almost a plea.

You leaned back just enough to meet his gaze, your hands gently cupping his face, thumbs brushing over the sharp lines of his cheekbones. "I'll be fine, Ani," you said softly, a reassuring smile touching your lips. His eyes searched yours for a moment longer before he let out a quiet sigh, stepping back reluctantly.

Turning to Rex and Cody, you offered them a respectful nod. They returned it with military precision, their expressions disciplined but not without a trace of respect. With that, you made your way up the shuttle's ramp, the air in the hangar humming with the sounds of preparation. As the shuttle doors sealed shut and the engines roared to life, you couldn't help but glance out the viewport one last time.

Anakin stood where you had left him, watching, his form stoic yet shadowed by worry. You smiled faintly, letting the sight bolster your resolve.

The ship lifted off, the journey ahead uncertain yet inevitable. You were ready.

SCENEBREAK

The journey to the remote Rishi Moon was a quiet one, the low hum of the ship's engines providing a steady rhythm to your thoughts. Through the viewport, the swirling blues and whites of hyperspace streaked endlessly, a mesmerizing blur that seemed to stretch time itself.

Rex turned to you, breaking the silence with his steady, pragmatic tone. "When we get there, it's probably best if you don't reveal yourself as the Chancellor. The new recruits are... still green. It might make them nervous, and that won't help their performance."

You frowned at his words, your brows knitting together in thought. "Strange logic," you said, tilting your head slightly as you studied the captain. "But I trust you, Rex."

To your surprise, a faint blush crept up his cheeks, barely noticeable against his sharp features. Cody, ever the disciplined commander, let out a quiet, exasperated huff. It was a sound that spoke volumes—an unspoken reprimand to Rex for letting his emotions slip, though it wasn't unkind.

With a small, knowing smile, you reached up to pull the hood of your burgundy cloak over your head. The rich fabric fell softly around your face, the shadow it cast plunging your features into obscurity. Concealed within its folds, you felt the weight of anonymity settle over you like a second skin—familiar, but no less strange for it.

The moment hung in the air as the shuttle continued its approach. The distant glow of the Rishi Moon loomed ahead, its surface cold and stark, dotted with the faint lights of outposts and bases. This was where the Republic's finest were forged, where young clones tested their mettle against the galaxy's harsh realities.

For now, you would be a shadow, watching from the edges as their potential was unveiled. It wasn't the role you were accustomed to, but there was wisdom in Rex's caution. You trusted him—and you hoped his instincts would prove right.

The ship shuddered as it exited hyperspace, the familiar feel of sublight engines kicking in beneath your feet. Rishi Moon awaited, and with it, whatever challenges lay ahead.

You landed with a soft thud on the platform, the metallic hum of the ship's engines fading into an eerie silence. Instantly, you felt it—the weight of something wrong in the air, a heaviness that prickled your skin like the prelude to a storm. The familiar smell of ozone was missing, replaced by a cold, sterile chill that made your fingers twitch towards your blaster. You tugged your cloak tighter around you, trying to shake the unease that had settled deep in your bones.

Rex and Cody were already on edge, their hands inching towards their pistols, the tension thick between you all.

"There's something off here," you muttered, voice low and alert. Your hand found the familiar grip of your own blaster, the cold metal a small comfort.

Rex's brow furrowed, scanning the surroundings. "No guard posted outside. There always should be."

Before he could finish his thought, a sharp crack split the air—blam! Rex's blaster was sent flying from his grip, the force of the shot ripping it from his hand like a toddler swiping a toy. You cursed under your breath.

Without thinking, you spun, grabbing Rex's shoulder and yanking him behind a clump of thick bushes. "Droids," you snarled, the words barely leaving your throat before you took aim.

The droid loomed in the distance, its cold, metallic frame glinting in the dim light. You fired three quick shots, the sound of each blast echoing off the metal walls. But the droid didn't budge. The shots only left scorch marks across its chest, as if it were shrugging off your fire.

"Ugh!" You groaned in frustration, eyeing the droid's reinforced plating. "Tougher armor... just great."

Cody cursed beside you, his eyes narrowed. "Looks like we've got a fight on our hands."

You grinned darkly, the familiar rush of adrenaline starting to take over. "Bring it on."

SCENEBREAK

It took some time—fierce, focused time—but with Rex and Cody at your side, you managed to drive the droids back, each shot and maneuver slowly forcing them to retreat. The battlefield felt like it was alive, breathing with every calculated move you made. After a while, the silence returned, a bittersweet calm that only reminded you of the chaos that had just passed.

Then, as if emerging from the shadows themselves, you found them: a group of rookies huddled together, tucked away in the cliffs and bushes that dotted the valley below. They looked like frightened animals, young faces pale, eyes wide, their breathing heavy as they tried to make themselves invisible.

You couldn't help the deep, quiet sigh that left you. These kids—hell, they weren't even kids anymore, but they were still too damn young to be caught in this kind of hell. They needed more than blasters and combat training; they needed some peace. But peace was as foreign as a desert on a rainy day.

"So," you said, your voice low but steady, "you were attacked by commando droids?" Your eyes scanned their faces, reading the fear in them, the nervous glances between each other.

One of the rookies—a skinny kid with nervous eyes and a shaky breath—stepped forward, still holding his blaster as if it might be the only thing keeping him standing. "Y-yes, Chancellor," he stammered, his voice cracking as he saluted you.

You raised an eyebrow at the title. "Chancellor? You've got to be kidding me," you muttered, but there was a fondness in your voice. You weren't used to it anymore, that title—it had long been left behind in the dust. But seeing these fresh-faced clones, it was hard to ignore.

You ruffled your hand through your hair, trying to ease the tension. "Echo, huh?" You smiled slightly, your fingers tracing the small, faded emblem of blue blood—Rex's little tradition—on his chest. "I like it. Suits you."

The young clone blushed, a flicker of surprise in his eyes before he quickly looked down, probably unsure if he should smile or salute again. You gave him a soft, approving nod. You were more than just their leader, but hell, if they weren't going to look to you, who else would they have left? Rex, Cody, and the rest were your family, but these rookies... these kids needed you to be something more.

A protector. A reminder of who they were, and what they could become.

You nodded to Rex and Cody, your voice steady but urgent. "We'd better take this outpost back. We can't let these droids have it—if they manage to hold it, they'll have access to Kamino, and that's not good."

Rex gave you a sharp, understanding look, already preparing for the next move. He didn't need to hear more; the urgency was in your tone, and he knew exactly what had to be done.

"Right," Rex replied, his voice steady as always, "We'll get 'em off this planet, don't you worry." He lifted his blaster, a determined glint in his eye. "We'll make sure they don't get another step."

Cody stood beside him, his posture ready for action, too. "Just say the word, and we'll be on it."

You could feel the weight of the mission pressing in on you, but having Rex and Cody by your side always made the burden a little easier to carry. You gave them both a quick nod, eyes narrowing as you watched the distance where the outpost lay. This wasn't over—not by a long shot.