DESTINY - CHAPTER 26
Ahsoka deftly guided the YT-2400 up and out of the hanger bay and kicked in the sub-light engines, their raw power a soothing balm to the anxiety pulsing through her. The freighter boosted skyward and a few minutes later it pierced Cornu Copiae's atmosphere, escaping into the vacuum of space. After setting the autopilot to take them out of the solar system, Ahsoka turned to Rex in the co-pilot's seat.
"Forty-eight hours isn't a lot of time," she said. "How long will it take us to jump to Gehenna Prime?"
Rex transferred the navigation and communications station controls to the co-pilot's console. He keyed in Gehenna Prime's coordinates and a few seconds later the estimated flight time appeared on his monitor.
"About 20 hours," Rex replied.
Ahsoka nodded. "We need a plan to get in, find T'annon, and get out alive." She gave Rex a probing look. "I don't have a lot of experience in storming an enemy base, extracting hostages, fighting my way out and making a clean get-a-way," she said, her tone deadpan. "But as a former captain of the GAR, I bet you do."
Rex chuckled. "All in a day's work, Commander."
"So, any ideas?"
"I've been thinking about this since we saw Arbordahl's message."
"And …?"
"There are a couple of ways to go about it," Rex explained. "Frontal assault is always an option. But infiltration or subterfuge are possible strategies also. Still, no matter what, we're going to need help. I'm sure there will be dozens of pirates on their base at any one time. We can't take them all on by ourselves, no matter what strategy we use."
Ahsoka dropped her head, her spirits deflating as the enormity of their task began to sink in. "All of our allies are just common folk trying to survive. They're not fighters. And you can't ask the GAR for help, they'll detain you as soon as they see you."
"I have an idea, but you're not going to like it," Rex said.
"Right now, I'm open to anything."
"We need to ask the Jedi for help."
Ahsoka looked up in surprise. Then resentment reared its head. "The Jedi?" she scoffed. "They can't be bothered with inconveniences like murder, kidnapping and slavery."
"I wouldn't suggest it if there was another viable option," Rex said. "Just hear me out."
Ahsoka was quiet as she struggled with her anger, wishing she could stand fast in her resentment. But the stakes of the situation were too high. T'annon's life was infinitely more important than her self-indulgent grudge against the Jedi.
Maybe it was time for her to reconsider her long standing rage at the Order. Rex had helped her heal her anger at the clones, and her life was transforming in positive ways because of that. Maybe she could heal her anger at the Jedi as well, especially if Rex was around to help. She decided now was a good time to start. She trusted Rex and if he thought involving the Jedi was their best chance to get T'annon back safely, then she'd follow his lead.
"Alright, I'm listening," she said.
"If we can get a message to the Jedi Council, I think I know how to persuade them to help," Rex explained.
"That's impossible," Ahsoka said. "The Council's too insulated. There's no way to get a message through to them. Even if you did, they'd never listen to you. Instead of helping us, they'd demand that you return to the army."
"Actually …" Rex said, "I may have a way of getting a message through to the Council. And I agree with you, they wouldn't listen to me. But they would listen to a request for an emergency diplomatic meeting from the official representative of the unaligned world of Axalon. Especially if that representative used to be — from what I've been told — the most promising Jedi of a generation."
Ahsoka gawked at Rex in disbelief. "Your joking," she said.
Rex just shrugged.
Ahsoka blew out a breath and shook her head. Finally, she said, "Okay, I'll bite. Tell me how this will work."
Ahsoka listened as Rex outlined his plan to contact the Jedi and ask for their help. As he spoke, Ahsoka couldn't believe the strange tale that unfolded.
She was stunned to learn that Anakin Skywalker was secretly married to the Republic Senator from Naboo, Padmé Amidala. When Rex had been assigned as Skywalker's Captain and second in command of the 501st Legion, the Jedi general had tried, unsuccessfully, to keep his marriage hidden from Rex. Eventually, Skywalker had brought Rex into the small circle of confidants that knew of his clandestine marriage and Rex had become personal friends with the senator. So much so, that he knew her personal communications codes in case he ever needed to contact her if something happened to Skywalker.
So, Ahsoka and Rex had relocated to the ship's small galley where she recorded a hologram message to the senator. She'd introducing herself and explained that she was the official representative of the world of Axalon and that she needed to contact the Jedi Council to request their assistance with a diplomatic emergency having life and death consequences.
They'd decided not to mention Rex, for his own safety. Instead, Ahsoka had focused on her background to provide credibility to the message. She'd explained that she'd been a Jedi Padawan to Master Plo Koon and that even Skywalker knew her. She implored the senator to show the recording to Skywalker and ended the message with a plea directly to him.
"Master Skywalker," she'd said, "you were a great inspiration to me when I was a padawan. You always looked beyond the technical and political issues of a situation to make sure the needs of the people were also considered. My people are in desperate need of help and the Jedi are our only option. If you could arrange for me to present my request to members of the Jedi Council, I would be forever grateful. Please respond as quickly as you can. Time is critical and lives are at stake. Thank you and may the Force be with you."
Ahsoka switched off the holorecorder and turned to Rex. "What do you think?" she asked.
Rex stepped up to her and placed his hands on her shoulders, his warm amber eyes comforting, as always.
"You are remarkable," he said. "I am privileged to be a member of your Yau Leh'ka."
Ahsoka felt her face heat and knew her chevrons were blushing. Rex's praise and confidence in her had become important, more so than she'd ever imagined they could be.
"It's your plan," she said.
"It's our plan," he said. "We're doing this together."
"Yes, we are," she agreed. "Together."
Gratitude filled Ahsoka at Rex's affirmation of their partnership. She was about to undertake the most important thing she'd ever done in her life — rescuing a young, innocent girl that she loved with all her heart and bringing her back home. And Rex would be by her side, watching her back. For the first time in her life Ahsoka didn't have to face a cruel and brutal universe alone.
"So, what now?" she asked.
"We wait," Rex said.
"How long?"
"Hopefully, no more than a day. Cornu Copiae is a minor trade center for this sector, but the communication relays are robust between here and the Core Worlds. I'd guess the transmission should take about a half-day to reach Courscant. Knowing Padmé … I mean, Senator Amidala … when that com channel activates, she'll view the message right away. She'll make sure the general sees it immediately. My best guess is that it will take another half-day for a message to return to us.
"If we don't hear from the Council by then, we can assume we're on our own. We'll prep our gear and make the jump to Gehenna Prime."
"Won't the senator know it was you who gave me her com code frequency? Especially with me asking her to get the message to Master Skywalker instead of another Jedi," Ahsoka asked.
"The Skywalker connection is suspicious," Rex said. "But I'm not the only one who knows that com frequency. Besides, I've been missing in action for six months. Everyone on Courscant probably thinks I'm dead."
"Thank the Maker you're not," Ahsoka said. "I don't know if I could do this without you."
"I have you to thank for that," he said.
Ahsoka looked down at her feet as the shame of what she'd done to Rex rose inside her. "I don't deserve your thanks. I haven't done you any favors," she said.
Ahsoka felt a warm hand on her chin, guiding her face up so she had no choice but to look at Rex.
"I don't blame you for the decisions you made," he said.
"So you've told me," Ahsoka said with a sad smile. "But you should. I locked you up."
"No, Ahsoka. You didn't imprison me. You set me free."
Rex's face was so serious, his tone so earnest, she couldn't look away.
"Just like T'annon. Just like Waunado. I was a slave," Rex said. "Just as you saved them, you saved me. How does someone repay that kind of debt?"
"I don't want you to make decisions because you think you owe me a debt," she said. "You don't owe me anything."
"Every decision you've made, from locking me up to setting me free, was done out of your need to protect the ones you love. You sacrifice so much of yourself — your wants and needs and dreams — so everyone else is safe and happy."
Rex's hand drifted to her cheek and she pressed into its warmth.
"Who wouldn't care for you in return, just for who you are?" Rex continued. "Your people care about you. Dian'thy, Waunado, T'annon and the others, would do anything for you. Not because they owe you a debt. Because they believe in you and what you're doing."
Rex's other hand drifted up and caressed Ahsoka's face. "I feel the same way. But even more than that, you brought me into your Yau Leh'ka. Me … a clone. You accepted me and forgave me and trusted me enough to make me a part of your family when I'd lost mine."
A tremor rippled through Ahsoka's body as Rex spoke. She still couldn't fathom that this man whom she'd considered an enemy when she'd first laid eyes on him, had slowly become her confident, then her friend, and — if only for a short while — her lover.
If she thought about what made Rex the man that he was, the growth of her feelings for him made perfect sense. He hadn't hesitated to come for her when he'd felt she was in trouble. There was no question that he would fight beside her to free T'annon. She trusted him with her life.
He was her friend and she needed him. He was her family, in a special way only she understood. He'd captured her heart and Ahsoka suspected that maybe, for the first time in her life, she might have an idea of what love felt like.
What she felt for Rex wasn't like the love she had for T'annon or Dian'thy or her friends. It was powerful in a completely different way. She wanted him, and the desire ignited within her by their passion the night before hadn't calmed. It had only burned hotter, making it difficult to concentrate.
But more than that, everything Rex said and did grounded her, even in the presence of her worst fears. He understood her, accepted her without judgement and cared about her without reservation.
She thought about him constantly. Everyday day back on Axalon she'd waited anxiously until the next time they could play Sabaac on the rickety old table and talk aimlessly about nothing. Those days when she couldn't see him there'd been a pain from the hole in her heart that went unfilled by his absence. And when she'd watched him walk away from her, to board the transport ship that would take him away from her forever, that hole had gaped open into a dark abyss, threatening to swallow her.
Ahsoka's stomach began to churn at the thought of Rex going away after they rescued T'annon and brought her home. The relief she'd felt a few moments before disappeared and anxiety tensed her neck and shoulders. She knew she couldn't live through the pain of Rex leaving her a second time. He needed to know how she really felt.
So, she made a decision.
"We need to talk," she said.
Rex's hands left Ahsoka's face and drifted slowly down to his sides. "Alright," he said.
He watched with apprehension as Ahsoka's entire body began to tense. Her smile faded, replaced by a grave expression. He could feel her distress through the Force, a nervous fear that began to increase his own anxiety.
He had a pretty good idea of what she wanted to say — that she couldn't be the reason that he stayed on Axalon, that she couldn't control his life anymore, even indirectly. He wasn't happy about it.
Once again, he'd opened up and shared that he cared about her. And once again Ahsoka had cloaked her fear of intimacy with her self-deprecating guilt about holding him captive. Rex was getting tired of them running circles around each other's feelings and not cutting through the osik and getting to the real issues.
Well, he wasn't going down that road this time. Before he'd allow her to sabotage any chance for them to see if they could be more together, he was going to tell it to her straight. This time she'd know the whole truth about how he felt. After that, if she still didn't want to be with him, he'd carry on with a heavy heart, but he wouldn't give up.
Ahsoka opened her mouth to speak but Rex cut her off. "Before you say anything, I have something to say to you," he said, curtly. He realized he was more intense than he'd intended, but he didn't apologize.
Ahsoka's eyes opened wide in surprise and she stuttered, "O… Okay."
"Sit," Rex said, gesturing to one of the galley benches. "Please," he added, in an attempt to soften his tone just a little.
Ahsoka sank down to the bench, folded her hands in her lap and looked up at him expectantly.
Rex regarded Ahsoka for a long moment — her deep blue eyes, her long supple lekku, her rich sienna skin. She was strikingly beautiful and if he kept staring at her he'd never be able to say the words that needed saying.
Rex cast his eyes downward, shook his head and blew out a long, frustrated breath. He wasn't sure where to start, but he would not bury his feelings behind a wall of silence. Not any longer.
"You have permission to speak freely, Captain," came Ahsoka's soft voice.
Rex looked up in surprise. Then he felt his lips quirk upwards, just a fraction. Ahsoka really did know him, almost better than he knew himself. He accepted her invitation.
"I made a huge mistake by leaving," he said. "No … wait. That's not right. What I mean is, leaving you was a huge mistake.
"I know you don't want to deal with the complications of a relationship with me. I know you're afraid. Afraid it would interfere with your work to help others and with your responsibility to your clan. Afraid of the emotional pain if we didn't work out."
As his anxiety swelled Rex began to pace back and forth in the confined space.
"I'm afraid of those things too," he said. "But I'm willing to take those risks, because I'm more afraid of starting a new life without you in it."
Rex stopped his pacing in front of Ahsoka and gazed down on her.
"When this is over, I won't go away … I won't give up," he said. "I'm a soldier and I know how to fight. And I'm going to fight for you — for us." Rex squared his stance and folded his arms across his chest in defiance. "So, you'll just have deal with me, whether you like it or not."
He watched as Ahsoka's lips inched up into an almost smile.
"Alright," she said.
Rex blinked. Had he heard her correctly?
"Did you just … agree with me?" he asked, incredulously.
"I did," she replied.
"No argument?"
"None, whatsoever."
"I … don't know what to say," he stammered.
"I think you knew exactly what to say," Ahsoka said as a smile finally broke through. She held out her hand. "Come here."
Rex took Ahsoka's hand and she pulled him onto the bench beside her. Sliding up next to him, Ahsoka's other hand wrapped around his neck and coaxed his head down until her warm lips met his. Rex's eyes closed as he sank into a kiss that was soft and slow.
After a few heart beats Ahsoka pulled back. "Thank you," she whispered as her eyes caught his. "I was going to tell you the same thing. But you said it so much better than I ever could."
"Really?" he said.
Ahsoka chuckled. "Really."
"You want me to stay? Not just for the clan. But for you?"
"Yes. For me," Ahsoka said, pulling Rex back to her.
As the kiss deepened Rex wrapped one arm around her waist and the other around her back lek, pulling her against him. Ahsoka kissed him back, her passion matching his.
Eventually, they pulled apart. After they'd both caught their breath Ahsoka took one of Rex's hands and stood. "Come with me," she said and tugged him off the bench.
"Where are we going?" Rex asked.
"My cabin," Ahsoka said with a shy smile. "We have a long wait. I have an idea of how to pass the time."
Ahsoka's words and the look on her face made parts of Rex's body wake up and take notice.
"I could really get used to this," Rex said, as she pulled him down the gangway.
Ahsoka glanced back at him with a grin. "I'm counting on it."