Heya ya'll! This one is kinda short because I didn't want to cramp everything together.

Oakenshield3 and OakyTheOaktree: I'm glad you liked brining them in! =D However, they'll be mostly on the side lines. I'll mention them here and there, but for the most part, they won't have much of a role in the story, sorry.

Same old same old...
Read, review and enjoy ^^

Chapter 36

"Sir, we've lost the left flank!" an explosion went off not too far as the sound of blaster fire filled the air, along with the clanking of metal and plastoid.

"Get the men out of there and reinforce this side! We can't let them get past here!" the men relied and prepared for the next attack, taking down the enemy.

"Captain, the General's attack is almost complete, but we don't know how long we can last!" there were men being brought in closer while more died on the field.

"Get the heavy guns here and hold them! Medics - check the wounded and see what you can do! The rest, hold the line!" six medics rushed around the battlefield, doing what they do best.

"Stand back!" soldiers using heavy cannons walked up to the blockade and opened fire, tearing down the waves of droids.

"There, I can see it!" there was a large explosion as the factory went up in flame and gunships flew away and towards the troops on the ground.

"The General did it!" the robots were distort – their leader was in the factory when it went up so they had no one giving command.

"Let's take care of these guy and head home boys!" what was left of the droids was easy picking and everyone was relied – this battle had a minimum amount of casualties.

"Captain, how's it going?" the comm. link in his helmet beeped to life.

"A lot better now, sir," he answered, seeing the soldiers check for any last droids.

"Good, because I'm sending someone to pick you up. Meet me at the hanger for the report."

"Copy that sir; I'll be there as soon as I can. Rex out."

"Captain, what are your orders?" Appo stepped up, looking around the battlefield.

"Check for survivors and get them treated. If any droids are still around, take care of them. No civilians should have been around, but do a sweep for them anyway – you can never be too sure," he answered curtly as the gunship descended down.

"Understood sir," the Sergeant gave a salute as the Captain boarded and was taken back to the Resolute where the General was waiting for him

"Adding another one to your collection, sir?" Jesse asked as he saw Rex take a piece of metal and scratch a line into the armor shielding his forearm.

"We wouldn't want to lose count how many battles we've done would we?" the Captain said back. In the dim light of the gunship, it was hard to see, but there were already a couple of marks on his armor. And he wasn't the only one. A few other clones had it themselves.

"Rex, good you're here," Skywalker walked over to the gunship as it landed, waiting for the second-in-command to step off.

"Sir," the Captain gave a nod in a greeting. He could finally be fully seen in the new light of the hanger. His armor was ruffed, scratched, dirty and used while the paint on it was starting to wear off. His forearm and wrist armor had some of the counting marks. The helmet he had on was also showing its battle-worn-time with dirt around the edges of the visor and the antenna sticking upwards from it was covered in dirt.

"The remaining droids are being taken care of and there were few casualties. The South and West side of the canyon are still holding, but our North side was breached – it's probably where any droids retreated. The East side is the most likely place for any civilians to have remained since it's their town, but I have men sweeping the area," the Captain explained in short.

"Good to hear. For a change, our plan went off without a hitch," the General nodded in approval, glad to finally be done here.

"And with an explosion I should add," Rex had to say something about it – it wasn't what they had initially planned but it was a 'Skywalker plan'.

"I improvised when I saw we wouldn't be able to take it," Anakin explained, even if he was smiling.

"Some would argue an improvised plan isn't really a plan."

"But you wouldn't," the Jedi crossed his arms.

"I've been here long enough to know how you work sir. Blowing up is usually involved and so is falling. If the plan works, I don't see a problem," the blonde said back and finally took off his helmet, letting out a sigh.

"You look tired. Get some rest. There's a bit of time before we're at our next location," Skywalker set a hand on the clone's shoulder.

"I'm fine sir, just need something else than a ration bar for food."

"I still don't get how you can eat those…"

"We got injured here! Move it people!" Rex heard the yells and calls as he turned around to check on his men. The field medics have been having a rough week – since that's about as long as they've been trying to take down the factory here.

"Get these men to the infirmary, now!" the same medic called, pointing at the soldier who was being set on a gurney.

"And all of you wounded – stop moving around! Don't think you can leave just like that! If you don't go and get yourself checked I will personally pump you full of narcosis!" the few who tried to sneak their way away stopped and gulped, fearing the wrath of the medical crew.

"I see missing sleep hasn't changed how you work," Rex grinned as he spoke; getting the attention of the medic he wanted.

"Captain!" the long haired clone smiled back and instructed a few more things before walking over to the second-in-command.

"You okay? Not injured are you?" Pion asked, looking the blonde for any wounds.

"I'm fine, Pion. Had worse as well," the Captain sighed and rubbed his face. He really did feel exhausted after such a long battle…

"You mean the time you got shrapnel in your left arm?"

"Yeah, that… It was luck no mayor battle happened during that time."

"Rex, please, we can handle ourselves. I doubt we'd die off if you were gone for a day," the medic rolled his eyes. And just when the blond was about to say something back, the both of them felt a hand slap their backs, knocking them forward a bit from the force.

"We finally see each other again!" the bald clone was grinning as he set his hands on their shoulders.

"Where do you get all that energy from," the 'pawn' sighed but smiled none the less.

"Turm, we were on the front lines together. Doesn't that count?" the 'king' shook his head.

"Well, yes, we were, but Pion wasn't. He was too busy saving lives and all," the 'rook' shrugged.

"Finally, someone who actually admits it!" the medic grinned at his brother.

"Pion, brother, we all know you save our shebs but no one's brave enough to say you. You guys are scary," the Captain admitted, earning a confused look from the long-haired trooper.

"We're scary? What gave you that idea?" the other two, blinked and sighed. Naturally, to the medics it looked like they were doing their jobs, but to everyone else it looked like they were going mad with power. No one would dare say anything though.

"Just… forget I said anything," Rex mumbled, rubbing his eyes again. "What are the casualties?" he added, changing the subject.

"Fifteen in total today. Over all? I'd say about sixty, but I'm not sure," Pion ran a hand over his mouth and let out a deep breath.

"It feels like we've been here for years," the 'rook' grumbled, cracking his neck.

"I feel you brother," the other two nodded in agreement. It's only been months but to them it naturally felt like years – they did age at an accelerated rate.

When Rex got back to his room to finally get some rest – he was just about ready to fall down – the holo communicator beeped. He needed a second before he found it, on the table and turned it on.

"Rex, finally. I've been trying to call you all day," a familiar face in orange and white armor grinned.

"Sorry, was busy. You know, leading the men, fighting clankers, avoiding death and having to improvise on a whim," the clone in blue and white shrugged back, but smiled as well.

"It's been a while, Cody. Or do I need to call you Captain now?" he added with a hint of amusement.

"We're the same rank for now Rex, so no, Cody is fine," the 212th Captain chuckled.

"So, how far are you planning to climb the chain of command?"

"Honestly, it's not up to me. General Kenobi is very… enthusiastic about giving me promotions – like he has a competition going on or something."

"Probably with General Skywalker… He's been going on one mission after the other. Honestly, can't the Jedi find better ways to compete?" the two laughed at that, enjoying their few minutes.

"Careful what you wish for Rex. You never know what they'll do next," Cody grinned as he saw the blonde's face pale. Anakin had a habit of doing some crazy stuff…

"Captain, we're preparing the hyper drive. The General wants to see you," came from the older clones' side.

"Thank you Lieutenant," Cody nodded to the trooper before turning back to the 'king'. "Looks like I need to leave. We're heading for another system, so we won't be able to talk again."

"I'll see if I'm near there. Be safe and don't die."

"Same to you."

Cut! As I said short and doesn't tell much, but I wanted to move forward more quickly, so... yeah. This a few months after the last chapter, just to clear it up.
And, as I'm sure most of you have noticed, I'm running late - again. It's cause I'm a total mess and so unorganized, it'll be the death of me.

Anyway... I hope you enjoyed and if you did, review? I love to hear what you all have to say! ^^
Till next time~