Chapter 1

Rex lay in bed groaning as he heard his alarm going off.

Just another day on the republic cruiser… he thought as he slowly began to drag himself out of bed and trudge over to where he kept his armor and clothes. After strapping on his boots, tightening his chest plate, and sliding on his gloves, he dawned his helmet and opened his sliding door. He gradually made his way down to the mess hall to fetch himself a morning cup of coffee. Today, Rex needed coffee more than ever. He couldn't have gotten more than two hours of sleep the previous night all because of some conversation he'd overheard General Skywalker having with General Kenobi and Commander Cody. He didn't hear much of what they said but what he did hear was enough to keep him up all night. Supposedly, Rex was about to be sent on some "secret mission" to a planet known as Hoth to investigate what may or may not have been separatist activity; and from his understanding, the mission sounded very, very dangerous.

Rex knew what investigating a separatist controlled world involved, for he had done it before with a small squad. But at least that time he'd gone with a small group of men, but at least this time the planet had other sentient inhabitants aside from. This time however, Rex was almost certain he was being sent to Hoth alone, and as far as he understood, the closest thing to sentient beings on Hoth were Wampas.

"Morning Captian." A trooper passing Rex said, taking him away from his thoughts for a moment. But Rex said nothing in return. He just sort of waved awkwardly and kept on going about his business.

"That was a bit out of character for the captain." Rex overheard another passing trooper say to the first trooper. Rex knew they were right, and if he kept this odd behavior up his troops would start to worry. Unfortunately however that was the last of his concerns right now. The only thing he could think about was this "secret mission" Skywalker and Kenobi were talking about. He knew he was going to find out sooner or later what the deal was; after all, it was him they were sending.

The second Rex set foot in the mess hall; he made his way over to the coffee machine. He slipped out of his helmet as he did so. Just as he was filling up his coffee cup, he was startled by a voice coming from behind him.

"Hey Rex!" he heard someone say, nearly causing him to drop his coffee.

He turned around to see Commander Ahsoka standing right in front of him. Just great… he thought. Rex felt like such an idiot whenever she was around; mostly because he had this silly schoolboy crush on her. He wished he was still wearing his helmet, because he was pretty sure she knew he was blushing.

"Oh—um, hello Commander Ahsoka. How are you?" he managed to blurt out.

"I'm good, thanks." She responded. "And yourself?"

"Oh… I—I'm good sir—thank you for asking."

She smiled and then turned to face the coffee machine, Rex took this as an opportunity to leave before he made a fool of himself in front of her. he found a place at a table as far away from the coffee machine as he possibly could, interactions with Commander Ahsoka always made Rex feel strange and uneasy inside.

Though, her pretty face sure does brighten my day… he thought, letting his eyes drift over towards her. and she has such a beautiful smile… Rex shook his head. Come on now Rex, there's no chance a Jedi of all people would fall for a clone! He thought.

After finishing his coffee, Rex decided to report to the bridge to see if General Skywalker was awake. If so, perhaps he'd have the chance to ask him a question about Hoth, and why he was being sent there. So he dawned his helmet, and headed up to the bridge. He was pleased to find that Skywalker was there at the bridge when he arrived.

"Excuse me General, I was hoping I could talk to you for a second." He said, approaching Skywalker.

"Ah, Rex, what can I do for you?" Skywalker replied cheerfully.

"I hope I'm not overstepping any boundaries general, but I overheard you talking with Cody and General Kenobi last night about me being sent on some sort of mission to investigate a separatist occupied world, and—well, I guess I was hoping you could give me some more information."

"You've got some good ears on you Rex, I can't even say I would've caught that conversation had I been in your position. Not to worry though, there will be a briefing on it later this morning. I'm sure you'll get all the information you need there."

"Right—thanks general. I was hoping I could ask one small question about the mission though."

"Of course captain."

"I'm not going on the mission alone… Am I?"

Skywalker laughed.

"Of coarse not Rex, you really think I'd do that to you?"

Rex felt a wave of relief wash over him as he heard the general say that. At least I won't be walking around that overgrown snowball alone. He thought.

"Now is there anything else I can do for you captain?" Skywalker asked.

"Oh—no general. Thank you." Rex responded. And with that he turned around at let Skywalker return to his business. Rex walked down the hallway as briskly as he could back to the mess hall. Now that he knew there was going to be a briefing on the mission, he thought it would be best for him to get some breakfast in him prior to it. Just as he entered the mess hall, the first thing he noticed was that Ahsoka was still in the room. he saw her sitting with two troopers and laughing with them. just seconds after he noticed her sitting there, she turned her head in his direction.

"Rex! You're back! Come join us!" she said, smiling.

Rex slowly made his way over to where Ahsoka was sitting and sat down next to her.

"Morning captain." One of the troopers sitting at the table said.

"Morning trooper." Rex responded, nodding. He exchanged nods with the other trooper as well.

"Rex, we were just talking about how funny AT-TEs would look if they could run." Ahsoka said, trying to contain her laughter.

"They'd be like giant metal banthas... except… fast." Rex said

Ahsoka and the two troopers at the table instantly burst out laughing as Rex said that, bringing a smile to his face from beneath his helmet. He watched Ahsoka as she laughed as if he were taking a mental photo of her.

"Was it really that funny?" he asked.

Ahsoka and the troopers laughed again.

"Of coarse it was Rex! What? Did you think we were trying to make fun of you or something?"

Rex blushed beneath his helmet and felt the urge to blurt out an "I'm sorry commander," but he refrained.

"Why don't you take off that helmet Rex? Stay awhile." Ahsoka said.

"Oh—okay…" said Rex as he began to slip his head out of his helmet.

"I don't understand how you troopers can wear those things all the time. Don't you get too hot?"

"Well, I guess you could say I've gotten used to wearing it by now."

"Really? Even if you wore it all the time I'd think it'd be uncomfortable."

Rex shrugged.

"Quite frankly I like wearing my helmet during briefings so general Skywalker can't see my facial expressions when he gives me my assignments."

Ahsoka laughed.

"I can only imagine the look on your face when he sent you to blow up that droid bunker with such a small squad." She said

Rex laughed this time.

"Well I can't say I was too excited. There were a lot of clankers in that bunker." Rex replied

"I have no doubt!" said Ahsoka

Rex glanced over for a brief moment and noticed the two troopers that had been sitting with them were now gone. Well at least I won't have to make a fool of myself in front of my brothers now. He thought.

"So, do you have any idea what our next assignments are Rex? I saw you head off to the bridge earlier this morning."

You did? Rex thought, surprised. How could you possibly have noticed that?

"Well—um general Skywalker is sending me on some kind of scouting mission to Hoth. He thinks there's a droid base there and wants me to scope it out I suppose."

"Uh-huh… Cool! Maybe you'll make friends with a wampa!" Ahsoka joked.

Rex smiled.

"Maybe he'll loan me some fur to keep warm with." He said, immediately regretting it afterwards. Come on Rex… that was stupid… he thought.

"Well I have to go, Skyguy needs me up on the bridge, great talking to you!" Ahsoka said before she got up from the table.

"Oh—uh yes, you too commander!" Rex responded.

Ahsoka smiled at him one more time before she walked off and turned the corner out of the mess hall. Rex watched her as she walked away. It was only after she left the room that he was able to come back down to earth. He realized he hadn't had anything to eat yet and that he probably should before general Skywalker called him up to the bridge. Just as he was about to pick up a tray, he felt his com-link buzz.

Ahh… just my luck… he thought.

Rex slowly made his way up to the bridge, trying to ignore the grumbling in his stomach. He passed large groups of clones and droids as he made his way up. he sighed as he pushed his way through the crowds. Rex hated crowds, especially when he was trapped in them. Eventually though, he made it to the bridge.

"General Skywalker." Rex said as he walked through the door. "You wanted to see me."

"Ah Rex!" The General said. "You're just in time, Ahsoka and I were just going over the mission to Hoth."

Ahsoka!? Wait what!? What is she doing here? Rex wondered.

"Hey Rex!" Ahsoka said, giving him a wave.

"Hello Commander." Rex replied.

"Anyways," General Skywalker began "Like you overheard me talking about last night Rex, You'll be taking a squad to Hoth to investigate and see if there's any separatist activity on the planet like we think there is. I've decided to put Ahsoka here in charge of the mission."

I have a bad feeling about this… Rex thought.