Envision yourself, from this miserable perspective: breathing in a cruel world where the only thing that kept you remotely sane are the one's dearest to you; making the gruelling world bearable.

Imagine those very close you vanish, taken away or killed. Anything you try, even with everything in your power there is nothing you can do that could possibly bring them back and nothing to stop them from evaporating away from the painful world.

This is the pandemonium of the secluded ones. They've lost everything and anything. Eventually, all will end. The happiness, the dread, the misperception, the wrath, the misery… everything will finally meet its culmination.

This is the absolute gift and curse, a universal law that ties all sentient life together and will be burdened with, even you.


"A Sith Lord... any information about him?"

Rex sighed miserably, "nothing more than his appointed arrival Commander."

Ahsoka joyfully patted Rex on the shoulder, "be cheerful, you did a great job."

Rotating his head slightly, Rex's eyes gradually focused on the passageway from which he appeared from; it was the departure segment hooked on the hanger. Fellow individuals onboard the deck clouded his initial proposal about bringing Ahsoka here and doubted that everyone onboard would follow the proposition he would offer.

Exhaling with uncertainty, Rex faces Ahsoka once more; an expression of doubt surfaced.

"Yeah well… I wish I could say the same for everyone else on this deck."

Examining Rex's altered expression, uncertainty was clearly visible, especially for someone like Ahsoka; it didn't require the Force to realize something was erroneous.

Following his statement, she suspected something about Rex's fellow crew-members, do they find the presence of a Retired-Jedi a little unsettling?

Surely not, but it isn't impossible. However, the other conclusion would be the Sith Lord himself. The proclamation of the Sith Lord's arrival is unquestionably going to shake the entire Rebellion, shattering any initial hope established, eventually only leaving a trail of darkness and defeat.

"Are you going to introduce me to them?" Ahsoka replied, challenging his doubtful statement.

Rex took a moment to inspect her, that statement was backed up with such unrivalled confidence. He smiled, surely reminded him of the same Commander that fought alongside him during the Clone Wars. Confident and brave: this was undoubtedly the same Ahsoka Tano.

But little did she know, after her unwanted parting, the corrupt-fragmented society formulated stories suitable enough to elucidate her disappearance.

"Of course, but I was hoping to reveal you later. You see Commander, they've heard stories of you. And of course, these were the rumors created by the masses, 'Ahsoka Tano killing civilians and escaping from the Jedi's grasp.' The Jedi temple got quite the hitting too from that accusation."

To Rex's surprise, Ahsoka didn't appear to be shocked or enthused by his declaration; it's as if she had expected it to happen. To further broaden his surprise, Ahsoka leaves a spirited smirk which conveyed well to her already combust-confidence. He knew it, she wasn't accepting the prolonged postponement of her appearance.

"You don't mean they'll start jumping on me?"

"Hopefully not, for their sake of course. I tried debunking it, telling them it was a blank tittle-tattle. But to no surprise, words aren't enough to move something that's been coursing through their mind for years." Rex strongly replied, the reassurance wasn't necessary, but it continually has its benefits.

"However, actions speak louder than words. I'll aid the Rebellion with everything in my power, hopefully, it will break the alleged rumors circulating in their thoughts." Ahsoka assured him completely.

"So, have you made any contact with the General? We couldn't contact him at all after the- "

"No."

Interrupting him, Ahsoka put up a blank expression. Even though her tone spoke no emotions, Rex realized that this was a soft subject for her.

He could see it, behind those blue eyes, she was broken.

He understood completely.

During the times of war, the two of them were close.

Even if no one else on the battlefield realized, Rex did.

She was talkative, backtalked a lot. When Rex first saw her, he was astonished. Someone this young participating in the war? And to back it up, she was the General's Padawan. The General was impetuous, but the greatest.

He kept a high sense of security over us, especially her.

The unbelievable bond they shared during the war only strengthened. She would comfort him when times are bad, and sometimes the General would push it away to not show weakness. This affection is something Rex realized the General always appreciated even if he doesn't show it up-front.

They would argue whenever possible, but this personal conflict is what tied them closer.

He noted the countless times the two of them were joyful, and it always happened to be when they are with one another.

When Ahsoka was falsely accused, the General couldn't sleep. He continually made diplomacies, spending his entire day and night.

All he wanted was her assured safety.

After her choice to leave the Order, Rex immediately noticed a change in the General. On the outside he looked: vigorous, healthy, joyful, but inside he was ruined, wrecked, near-absent.

Rex wondered, was this how Ahsoka felt?

Currently, on the outside, she appears to be the same as how the General was: robust, healthy, joyful. But after asking about him, everything was clear.

Leaving him must have been painful.

"I see." Rex finally said, not wanting to choke on his words.

"Introduce me to your crew, it is important to establish something first and foremost. I'll go under another alias: Fulcrum." The upended Togruta settled with a decisive tone.

Without a room to argue, Rex nodded his head in response to her decision.

"Affirmative."


Cold, darkness, and terror.

The Imperial soldiers stood head-strong, aligned down the ramp. However, they couldn't help but shiver at his absolute terrifying presence. How can something like that possibly exist? Secreting fear right down your veins by nothing but his presence alone.

Motorized breathing, heavy footsteps, unbearable atmosphere, who else could it be? Nobody in the entire Universe is capable of such a feat than the Sith Lord himself.

One of the higher privileged Imperial members walked towards Lord Vader, he appeared to be confident, but the fear was evident; it reeked of it inside of him.

"Lord Vader... we have assembled your ship. It is currently ready in the highest quality possible. We'll wait for your return." He spoke with strained self-confidence.

Vader walked past him, not even acknowledging his existence.

There was nothing in his mind, just the cold, darkness, and terror.