DESTINY - CHAPTER 23
Dawn was still an hour away as Rex helped load cargo equipment onto the YT-2400 and VCX-100 freighters. Most of it consisted of empty crates, straps, grav lockdowns and other gear designed to secure the year's worth of supplies that would fill the cargo holds of both ships.
He paused and looked up through the cloudless sky to the stars above. This was his last hour on Axalon. A place he'd hated when he'd first arrived. Now he wished he didn't have to leave. Especially after his night with Ahsoka.
Their passion had burned and ebbed and then burned again. Eventually exhausted, they'd slept in each other's arms as the night toward dawn. Rex had woken first. He'd kissed Ahsoka on her cheek which had roused her from her slumber. When he'd leaned down to kiss her cheek a second time she'd turned her head so his lips had met hers, sparking the fire between them all over again. They'd made love once more, then held each other for a time after that.
As they'd lain together he'd sensed her sadness, which mirrored his own.
Too soon it was time for him to rise and go help load the freighters. She'd agreed to meet him at the landing field before he left.
Rex blew out a breath that fogged in the frigid pre-dawn air. He trudged across the bare, frozen ground to garb another stack of straps and ropes from the pile staged along the edge of the landing field. Hefting them over his shoulder he climbed up the loading ramp of the YT-2400 and secured them in the cargo hold.
Rex turned to exit and get another load when Bandrix approached him. Rex stopped, his body tense. Though the Togruta had gone out of his way to avoid Rex — which Rex had appreciated — it was obvious that Bandrix still harbored ill will toward Rex.
Bandrix stopped a few feet away, looking down at a data pad in his hand. "You will ride in this ship, along with Michael and me," he announced. "Jin will pilot the VCX-100 with Kip and Trax as his crew."
"Understood," Rex said.
Bandrix looked up from the data pad. "I expect that you-"
His sentence cut off abruptly, his expression shocked. Then his eyes narrowed and the shock was replaced by anger, bordering on rage. Bandrix spun on his heel and marched down the loading ramp.
Rex knew what had set Bandrix off. There was no doubt that he'd recognized Rex's facial tattoos for what they represented. Given Bandrix's hatred of clones, it must have felt like a stab in the back to find that this particular clone was now an official member of a Togruta tribe. Especially because it was Ahsoka's tribe.
Rex waited a minute to give Bandrix time to clear the area, then he walked down the ramp to get another load. Although not surprised, he was pleased to see Ahsoka standing at the edge of the field talking to Manami. She gestured for him to come over.
Rex stopped in front of the Togruta and the Twi'lek. "Good morning," he said, nodding his head toward Manami.
"Good morning, Rex," Manami said.
He turned to Ahsoka. "Ahsoka," he said, fighting to keep his face neutral and prevent the feelings of affection and sorrow from bleeding through.
"Rex," Ahsoka replied, her expression just as guarded. She pointed to a large backpack sitting on the frozen ground. "Manami's assembled a kit for you."
"It's a basic travel kit," Manami said. "I've included new ID, credits, and some extra clothes. Also, you'll find some tactical gear — heavy cloth reinforced trousers and tunics, bracers, a reinforced jacket." She reached behind the pack and pulled out a helmet. "And this." She handed it him.
Rex examined the helmet, turning it over in his hands. It was similar to a Mandalorian style but was obviously not Beskar. The material was a dark plastic polymer, like his own helmet. The opaque visor was a simple straight horizontal cut across the eyeline. He slipped it on and found it fit well. There were no electronic augmentations. But it would provide good protection and he found he could easily see out of it, and it didn't restrict his movement. He pulled it off his head.
"It should help hide your identity," Manami said. "Not that there are many clones out this far. And with your long hair, beard, and a new set of tattoos that I see you've acquired very recently," she shot a quick glance to Ahsoka, "I doubt you'll be easily recognized. But, just in case …"
"It's perfect," Rex said. "Thank you, Manami. For everything."
Manami smiled. "Good luck, Rex." She stretched up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek, then pivoted and walked toward the camp.
Rex turned to Ahsoka. Through the Force he could feel the tight leash she was keeping on her emotions. But she wasn't trying to hide them from him, and for that he was grateful. It testified to the trust that had grown between them. Still, he could feel her turmoil.
"Are you alright?" he said.
Ahsoka's smile was soft, a mixture of contentment, shadowed with grief.
"Honestly, I don't ever remember being this happy … and this sad. All at the same time. But … yes. I'm alright. How about you?"
"I think you summed up my feelings, exactly," he said.
He struggled to keep from reaching out to her. He wanted to take her hand in his, to pull her body to him, to smell her scent and feel one of her montrals brush against his cheek. But that time had come, and it had been glorious, and now it was past.
"I have a confession to make," Ahsoka said. "I hope you won't be too angry with me. But I think you'll be happy in the end."
Rex gave her a confused look.
She chuckled and reached down to a large, ornate wooden box sitting next to the backpack. She picked it up and held it in front of her.
"Open it," she said, her tone and expression excited.
Rex hesitated for a moment, then lifted the lid.
Inside sat a pair of DC17 blasters. His blasters.
He lifted them out and inspected them, wanting to be completely sure that he wasn't dreaming. But they were definitely his blasters and they fit his hands like they'd been custom made for him, because they had been.
Rex brought his eyes back to Ahsoka. "I can't believe it."
"The boys found them on you when they rescued you off the Quarlian moon." She shrugged. "You were a prisoner. I wasn't going to let you keep them."
"And you've had them all this time?" he said.
"Yes. I hope you're not too upset."
"Upset? How could I be upset? You saved them. You kept them. You returned them. I could kiss you for that."
Ahsoka grinned. "I think you've more than returned the favor."
Rex couldn't help but grin back at her.
He looked down at the blasters and his eyes strayed to the open box still in Ahsoka's hands. The last light of the setting moon glinted off something shiny in the box. Rex leaned closer and looked inside. Surprise sparked through him at what he saw.
He had no doubt about what lay in the box and had kept his DC17s company. As a soldier he'd seen many over the years, in a multitude of configurations and styles. And they had saved his life countless times in the hands of a skilled Jedi.
Nestled in the box was a pair of light sabers. One shorter than the other. Both shining with the promise of power and brilliance.
"Your light sabers?" Rex asked.
Ahsoka gave them an affectionate look. "Yes," she said.
"How did you convince the Jedi to let you keep them when you left the Order?"
"I never asked for permission," she said. "I figured it would be easier to ask for forgiveness."
"You keep them hidden?"
"I have to. If I used them it would be like turning on a beacon, announcing across the Outer Rim who I am and where I was. And you know why I must stay hidden."
"I understand," Rex said. "It's a shame, because they're beautiful."
Ahsoka nodded. "Yes, they are."
"Commander." Bandrix's angry voice called out and Rex turned to find the Togruta and the rest of the two freighter crews approaching them.
Ahsoka closed the box and tucked it under her arm.
The crew stopped a few feet away and Bandrix approached Ahsoka. "May I have a word, Commander," he said, his tone almost seething as he shot an angry glance toward Rex.
Ahsoka pushed out a sigh. "Not now, Bandrix."
"I … insist," he said.
Rex felt the hair on the back of his neck bristle at Bandrix's aggressive demeanor toward Ahsoka. He figured that now might be the time to finally have 'the talk' with Bandrix that he'd wanted to on his first day of captivity. He prepared to step in front of Bandrix when Ahsoka caught his eyes and gave a slight shake of her head. He got the message and stayed where he was.
Ahsoka took a step toward Bandrix and pinned him with a hard stare. "You can insist all you want," she said. "But that's not your job right now. Your responsibility is to get these ships loaded and prepared for liftoff.
"But, Commander-" Bandrix growled, his fists clenched at his sides.
Ahsoka cut him off. "I will talk with you, Bandrix. But it will be later. Now, what's your status?"
Bandrix blew out an angry breath, but Rex could see he was forcing himself to stay calm. "We're ready to go," Bandrix said. "We'll communicate when we arrive on Cornu Copiae and when we depart. It should take less than a day to get there, a day to load and secure the supplies and a day to return."
"Actually," Ahsoka said, "there's been a change in plans."
Bandrix raised one brow in question.
"I'm coming with you," she said.
Rex felt his pulse jump. With Ahsoka on the trip, he'd get to spend another day with her. Even though there would be no opportunity for any type of intimacy, just being in her presence was enough to put a smile on his face.
"Ahh … that's …," Bandrix stuttered, obviously surprised. "Thank you, Commander, but that's not necessary. We have this covered."
"I know you do, and I have complete confidence in all of you. But I've got the itch to fly," Ahsoka said. "I'll pilot the VCX." She looked at Jin. "That is, if it's okay with you, Jin."
Jin's face broke into a wide grin. "I'll gladly take the right-hand seat, Commander."
"You're a pilot?" Rex said, surprised.
Before she could respond, Jin let out a full-throated laugh. "I'm the best pilot in the clan," he said, "and the commander can fly circles around me."
Ahsoka gave Rex a smug shrug.
"Oh, and I'm reassigning Trax to the YT and Rex to the VCX," Ahsoka said. She grinned at Rex. "Hold onto your seat, soldier."
"But Commander," Bandrix protested. "That's hardly necessary. You have more important matters to address here on Axalon."
"Not really," Ahsoka said. "And I need to get off-planet doing something that isn't dangerous for a change. You know, relax a little."
Bandrix rubbed his hands together. "I … understand, Commander." He shuffled his feet on the frozen ground. "But I'd advise against reassigning crew at this last minute. We're ready to liftoff."
"Trax knows the YT, probably better than the VCX. And I doubt Rex knows either," Ahsoka said and gave Rex a glance.
He shook his head in confirmation.
"So, switching Rex and Trax shouldn't be a problem," she finished.
"Ahh … of course," Bandrix said. He hesitated a moment, then gave her a short bow. "If you'll excuse me, I need to go to the communications hut. I forgot to printout the cargo manifest sent by our contractor."
As Bandrix began to step away, Michael spoke up. "I've got the cargo manifest, Bandrix. We're good."
Bandrix turned and stared wide-eyed at Michael. After a moment he gave a sharp nod. "Very well," he said and took off, heading toward the YT-2400.
"Give me a minute to get my gear out of the VCX," Trax said, then turned and jogged toward the loading ramp of the small freighter.
With her box under one arm, Ahsoka stepped a few feet to the side and picked up a small backpack. She nodded toward Rex's backpack. "Get your kit and follow me," she said.
"Anytime, anywhere, Commander," Rex replied.
The trip to Cornu Copiae took nine hours through hyperspace, but it was over much too soon for Rex's liking. There wasn't much piloting for Ahsoka to do while they were traveling faster than light. So, they'd talked about nothing substantial, avoiding the uncomfortable subject of their relationship - or more precisely, their lack of one. They even played Sabacc with Jin and Kip.
But Rex had been mesmerized as he witnessed Ahsoka take off and land the light freighter. Like all Jedi, she seemed to be immune to the laws physics. She commanded gravity, inertia, and momentum, bending them to her will as she deftly maneuvered the ship.
She'd dropped the VCX-100 smoothly into their assigned landing bay. The contractor had separated the cargo between the two bays and their portion had been stacked along the side walls, ready for loading. Unfortunately, the only other bay available at the same time for the YT-2400 was across the space port, about a kilometer away. Ahsoka told Jin to contact the contractor and have her send her workers to the bay to start loading the ship.
After Rex said farewell to Jin and Kip, he and Ahsoka had set out to walk the kilometer to the commercial passenger terminal where Rex would board a transport to … somewhere.
They walked quietly, side by side under a blue sky through the open-air lanes that served as the connecting matrix between the various sections of the space port. Rex was dressed in a dark tunic and trousers. His cloak covered the blasters holstered on his hips, his backpack was slung over one shoulder and his helmet was tucked under one arm.
Ahsoka wore the gray and blue jumpsuit that Rex liked because, despite its utilitarian design, it hugged her curves and left no doubt that she was unusually attractive. But right now, those attributes were hidden under a gray cloak that she'd pulled up over her head and montrals.
As they squeezed through a congestion of travelers crowded around several food vendors, they were forced closer together, their legs bumping into each other. A moment later Rex felt her hand slip into his, their fingers intertwining automatically.
His chest roiled with conflicting emotions. Appreciation at her show of affection. Sadness that they would soon be parted, never to see each other again. But he said nothing as they walked along quietly, hand in hand.
After a long silence Rex glanced at Ahsoka to find questioning eyes looking up at him from under her hood.
"I don't want you to go back to the GAR." she said. "I'm afraid what will happen to you."
"I've thought a lot about that," Rex said. "Before I met you, I didn't know anything else. But now, that part of my life is finished. I'm not going back."
"Good," she said, pushing out a heavy breath. "Have you thought about what you want to do next?"
He had — he'd thought about it a lot. But what he wanted obviously wasn't what Ahsoka wanted. Though it was clear that she cared about him, it was equally clear that her priorities were the protection of the clan and the continuation of its work to relieve the suffering caused by the war. He couldn't fault her for that. On the contrary, her compassion and self-sacrifice were two of the characteristics that he loved the most about her. They were some of the reasons he wanted to commit himself to be with her. But she wasn't in a position to compromise those priorities by committing to him in return.
Rex turned his gaze forward again as they walked along, still holding hands. "I'm not sure," he said in response to her question. "I think I'll head further into the Outer Rim. Get away from the GAR and the war. I'll eventually figure something out. Maybe I'll become a professional gambler."
Ahsoka barked a laugh. "Not with your Sabacc face."
Rex flashed her a grin and squeezed her hand. She squeezed his in return and they continued walking the rest of the way in silence.
A few minutes later they arrived at the large commercial transport center. A throng of beings of all races and species swirled noisily around them — saying goodbye to loved ones, rushing to terminal gates, pushing carts of luggage. All in a frenzied hurry.
After waiting in line for a few minutes Rex finally stepped up to one of the departure ticket kiosks with Ahsoka by his side. He activated the screen and a mechanical voice asked, "What is your preferred destination?"
Rex paused for a moment, realizing he didn't have an answer. He glanced at Ahsoka who just gave him a shrug.
Turning back to the screen Rex said, "What's the furthest point in the Outer Rim I can get to from here?"
"The mining colony on Latinius Nadar Prime," the computer replied.
"Travel time?" Rex asked.
"Three standard weeks."
"Stop-overs?"
"Seventeen. Four are overnight to provide for fueling and maintenance."
"That will do," he said.
"How many tickets?" the computer asked.
Rex looked at Ahsoka, wishing he could say two.
"One," he said.
Rex dropped the requisite credits through a small port in the computer terminal and it spit out a small, preprogrammed travel chit that served as his ticket.
"The transport is boarding now at gate 36," the computer said. "Boarding gate closes in ten minutes. Liftoff in thirty minutes."
"Show me a map to gate 36," Rex said.
The terminal screen flashed and then a map with directional arrows appeared.
"Haar'chak!" Rex growled. Quickly slinging his pack onto his back, Rex grabbed his helmet with one hand and Ahsoka's hand with his other. "We've got to move if I'm going to make the flight," he said, and started jogging, towing Ahsoka along with him.
A few minutes later they ran up to Gate 36, breathing heavily. The last of the passengers were passing through the gate, walking out onto the tarmac toward the large transport ship.
Rex stopped and turned to Ahsoka. He only had a few moments before he'd need to be on the transport. He'd wanted more time to say a proper goodbye. To tell her how she'd changed his life and how he'd never forget her. But the words wouldn't come. His stomach churned and for the first time in a long time he began to panic.
"Last call for passenger boarding," the gate attendant shouted.
Rex stepped up and handed his chit to the gate attendant to scan.
He looked back to Ahsoka. There was so much he wanted to say. But he'd run out of time. How could the universe be this cruel?
Ahsoka closed the distance between them and raised her hand, cupping his cheek. He met her impossibly blue eyes and struggled not to drown in them.
"Take care of yourself, Rex," Ahsoka said.
Rex felt his entire body vibrating. He needed to say something, anything to let her know how much she meant to him. Then the words came to him. Short and to the point. A warrior's oath that he knew she would understand.
"I meant what I said, Ahsoka. If you ever find yourself marching into hell, let me know. I'll be right behind you. Anytime, anywhere."
"Hey, Blondie," the gate attendant said, "are you going or staying?"
"Go," Ahsoka whispered. "May the Force be with you."
Rex leaned down and brushed his lips gently against hers. Then he turned and passed through the gate, jogging out onto the tarmac toward the ship. As he climbed to the top of the boarding ramp he looked back toward the gate, hoping to catch one last glimpse of her.
But Ahsoka was gone.