Revised: May 15, 2013

"Whatever Happened to Captain Rex?"

Chapter 36

Rex and Mako had just returned from checking on the two trapped pilots. The 501st Captain was by himself now, having ordered Mako to take a break and get something to eat.

The pilots remained trapped. Rex hoped they could get them out before the pirates came back. If they had to evacuate the ship, and the two pilots were still trapped in that compartment… Rex shook his head, thinking of all the crashes he'd been in where the pilots had been the first casualties. So many good men lost. No more. This has to stop. No more brothers lost.

Ando Legion. Brothers first. Brothers united.

Rex smiled to himself. Yes, that just sounded so right.

When had brothers ever been put first? From an early age, we were taught our lives were secondary to the Jedi. Throw down our lives for them. "How many times did we tell the Jedi we were 'dispensable' and then throw ourselves in harms way for them? Shielding them with our bodies? And, what did it get us? Rex looked down at his ruined leg. He looked around at all the clones around him missing limbs, and over at the clones who were fully paralyzed. And, we are the lucky ones. We are so vastly outnumbered by our dead brothers. What did their deaths accomplish, in the end? I want to think that this is all going to end well, and all of their sacrifices will turn out to be so worth it. But, somehow, if they could throw us away like trash, why do I get the feeling that this war is not going to end well?

Rex leaned back against a bulkhead overlooking the latest update of the crew manifest. Yes, OK, he was doing a lot of leaning and sitting. He had to admit he was tired. Very tired. But, there was a lot of work still yet to be done before he could sleep. The safety of his men always came first. So, he would only rest once he knew he'd done everything humanely possible to assure the safety of his men.

Because it would be a warm day in Hoth before he would call ANY man on this ship 'dispensable.'

Rex tore his thoughts away from the Jedi, and back to more pressing matters. He rubbed one hand against his eyes to clear away the grit, and focus his eyes more clearly.

As Rex scanned the names, he found what he was looking for, but it wasn't going to be easy. It never was.

Part of me doesn't want to see this di'kut again. But, I need to find him.

He's got to be here somewhere. He's on the crew manifest.

Rex scanned the sea of armor looking for one man in particular. He had to give the men credit, they were doing a good job of keeping busy. Even the ones he hadn't assigned specifics tasks to had found things to do.

The downed ship was being gutted. All the cabinets in the ship were being pulled open, useful items being pulled out. Rex kept getting updates of inventoried items found sent to his HUD. With just a flick of his eyes, he sent the data into a master spreadsheet. He already was working on calculations of how long they could hold out here, based upon the supplies found so far. Of course, that didn't take into another firefight with the space trash that had landed them here in the first place.

And, that is why I need to find the one person I'd rather not see again. And, I'm sure he'd rather not see me again.

He spotted the distinctive burgundy armor of the Marines back in the small Engineering section of the ship. Just as with Tek, this particular brother was working lying underneath a panel. He was fully engrossed in his work, with just his chest and feet visible. Rex watched him work for a moment. Well, I certainly can't fault him his dedication, Rex thought, as he watched him work to repair the ship. Rex hesitated for another long moment, then finally gave one of the booted feet a gentle whack with one of his crutches.

"This better be good," called the voice from underneath the panel, "or I'm breaking fingers."

Rex put his helmet back on, and set it to text everything he spoke: "Good to see you, too. I understand you're fully deaf now, but other than that, I'm sure you're the same di'kut I remember."

The distinctively colored helmet of the Galactic Marines emerged from under the panel. "Well, if it isn't the grand hero of the 501st. What do you want with me?"

"Pirates are regrouping. If we want to keep these men alive, we need to establish some command structure."

"And, I see you put yourself in charge," the Marine's voice was dripping with scorn.

"It's what I was trained to do, same as you. So, stow the attitude, Travis," Rex folded his arms across his broad chest, and studied the trooper in front of him.

"Why me? 'O Magnificent One?" Travis ground out, his irritation evident, "With this many brothers onboard, there must be other command clones onboard."

"I'm sure there are. But, I know you and what you're capable of. Even though you're a pain in the ass, you were top of the class."

"Yes. I was," Travis ground out, "and, yet you still got the 501st." The bitterness was clear in the Marine's voice.

"Can the pity party, Travis. That's all in the past," Rex was clearly losing his patience, "we've got work to do."

"For you, maybe," Travis stood up in one swift motion. He threw his helmet down, and suddenly his face was inches from Rex's helmet. Rex immediately took his helmet off, and tossed it down. The two stared each other down, eye-to-eye. "I AM working, you stupid, stuck-up, kama-wearing, chuff-sucking Mynock!" said Travis, "this ship wouldn't have power if it wasn't for me and Tek!"

Rex's eyes widened the slightest bit when Travis called him a 'chuff-sucking Mynock.' But, his eyes were locked with Travis,' staring him with an icy, cool gaze.

"You are still every bit as annoying as Kamino!" Travis said, through gritted teeth, "Speaking of which, I still owe you something!" Travis drew back his fist.

Rex looked at the fist, and shook his head, whether with amusement or annoyance, it was hard to tell. Rex went to speak into his wrist comlink.

"Don't bother texting, you odious Bishwag," Travis said, with an irritated sigh, "I can read lips just fine. Even the annoying scud coming out of yours."

Rex shrugged, "OK, back to you hitting me then."

"You think I won't do it?" Travis said, sizing Rex up.

"Go ahead," Rex said, with a shrug, "if it will make you feel better. But, it won't change the fact that I got the posting you thought you deserved."

"You were always a suck-up and a cheater!" Travis' eyes flashed with anger.

"A cheater?" Rex snorted, "How could one cheat in command school? We both have Jango's genes, Travis."

"The 501st should have been mine!" Travis said, tension radiating off him in waves. "I should be Captain!"

"You were assigned to the Marines, Travis," Rex reasoned, "just accept that-"

Travis let loose a solid punch that connected with Rex's face, knocking him backwards. Rex would have fallen, except Travis caught him, holding him on his feet. Rex nodded once he had his balance again.

"Fek," Rex grumbled. "Do you feel better now, or do you need to hit me again?"

"I was just trying to get you to shut up," Travis murmured. "But, hitting you always did make me feel better."

Rex scowled and rubbed at his sore chin, "We have a lot to get done, Trav. You can hit me again if it help you get your head in the game, but we're short on time. We need to talk defensive strategy."

Travis scowled at him, "You're such an ass." He shook his head, "This doesn't change anything, Rex, but, we can finish this when you aren't such a mess." He gazed down at Rex's injured leg. Throwing the punch seemed to have put Travis in a better mood. His tone was at least conciliatory now.

"It's been a long few weeks," admitted Rex, "come with me. I need to finish assessing the damage to the ship. We need to figure out what we're going to do if those pirates come around again."

He paused, "Are you finished here?" Rex looked back down at the panel Travis had been working on.

Travis looked at Rex, shocked, "Now, that is a change from the old Rex. You actually thought beyond your own little sphere."

Rex shot Travis an annoyed look, "Just answer the question. Spare me the commentary."

"I was just about done. Tek can finish up the rest. Lead the way, 'o great Captain of the 501st," Travis made a grand sweeping gesture indicating that Rex should go first.

Rex shot Travis one last annoyed look, and then replaced his helmet so they could walk and 'talk' more easily. Reading lips was definitely harder to do when you were walking side-by-side. Travis replaced his helmet as well, so he could easily read text messages in his HUD as they walked.

Travis looked at Rex's injured leg, encased in the metallic knee brace, "So, what happened to you anyway?"

Rex hesitated a moment, then answered: "Clone-shredder ammo."

"Clone-shredder?" repeated Travis, "well, you are full of surprises. I hadn't realized the Seps' were using that yet."

"They're not. I was on a covert mission, and despite everything that has happened, it's all still classified H.C."

"If it's highly-classified, then why are you telling me? I don't have the same rank or clearance as you."

They had just emerged from the ship, and stepped outside the hatch. Rex stopped, and faced Travis: "Because I trust you, Travis, and at one point on Kamino we were friends. Good friends. And, you trusted me."

Rex turned around, and started walking again, struggling through the snow. Travis just stood there a moment, speechless, before following him.

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