"The probe hit us pretty badly. Repairs are gonna take a little while longer," Sabine says over the comm.
"We don't have much time. There's no telling when the Empire will get here. We've got to get off the surface," the Knight replies urgently. The rest of the crew gathered around him, listening in.
"Well, the Empire's not our only problem. There's a storm coming up behind us."
"If the Empire gets here before we take off, the storm will be the least of our problems."
With Kanan clearly ending the conversation, Rex steps forward holding a data tape. "Here they are, the coordinates of every Republic base, Separatist installation, pirate hideout and smuggler's den in the Outer Rim."
"Plus a few Mandalorian bases that even they've forgotten about," Wolffe adds.
"Thank you, Captain. Sure you won't come with us?" Ezra questions.
"Yeah, you're not bad in a fight. I mean, for older gentlemen."
"Yeah. Like I said, our war's over, kid. Don't much care to get mixed up in another. Oh, and say hello to Commander Tano for me."
"We will, Rexy. Are you sure you want to stick around? Technically, our mission isn't complete unless you three tag along. The Empire's on its way, I'd rather you lot didn't die."
"We can take care of ourselves, General."
Kanan rolls his eyes, turning away once again. He tugs out his comm, "Spectre-1 to Spectre-2. Gonna be down here a while longer. Give me some good news. Has the Empire showed up?"
Hera's voice comes through the comm, "I'm a little busy finishing repairs on the Ghost, but Chopper's been scanning. So far, nothing." Silence resounds for a few seconds, when once again, the Twi'lek's voice comes, sounding agitated, "Just had to say that. Star Destroyer just came out of hyperspace. Gonna power down so they can't scan me. Once I finish my repairs, I'll come get you."
"If they follow procedure, they'll fly search patterns based on our last confirmed position," Rex says.
Behind his head, the screen lights up, the symbol of the Galactic Empire pulsing in the center, "Or they'll call," Gregor starts, "Incoming Imperial transmission. It's for you, Wolffe."
"They called back? They-they never call back."
"This is why I don't trust clones," the Knight glowers.
"Shut up. Just try to get rid of 'em, Wolffe," Keen responds.
"Yeah, it was my mistake. And I'll fix it." The rebels shuffle out of the view of the screen, as Wolffe answers the call.
Kallus' face appears on screen, staring menacingly through at the clone, "CC-3636. Commander," he takes a moment to check his notes, continuing, "Wolffe, is it?"
"Yep, that's me. What can I do for you, sir?"
"Please transmit your coordinates so I can investigate the Jedi sightings you reported."
"What? Uh, Je-Jedi? Uh, no, no. No, th-there's no Jedi. Here. My, my old, uh, cybernetic eye must be acting up again," the clone responds, pointing enthusiastically at the eye surrounded by the scar tissue.
Rex leans over, wrapping an arm around Wolffe's shoulders, smiling, as he says, "Sorry for wasting your time."
The ISB Agent taps a button, and on the screen a photo of the AT-TE, Big Bongo, and the Phantom appears, "This image was taken by one of our probe droids. It clearly shows you harboring known rebels. Now surrender them or be destroyed."
"If it's a fight you want, I hope you brought a better class of soldier than those stormtroopers," Rex snarls. Ar'iabel shakes her head, trying not to let a smile creep on her face. She can feel the heat of Kanan's glare on the back of her neck, but chooses to ignore it.
"They serve the Empire well, and I have a great many of them."
"You're gonna need all of 'em," Rex demands, slamming his hand down on the keypad to end the transmission.
Keen looks over at him, an eyebrow raised, "Seriously?"
"I like these guys," Zeb smiles.
No one has the chance to say anything, as Sabine bursts into the tank, shouting, "They found us."
"Guess that search pattern paid off," Ezra jokes.
"Battle stations," Rex commands. Gregor and Wolffe drag a crate of blaster over, each grabbing one. The Captain leaves the inner room, climbing out onto the platform, rocket launcher draped over his shoulder. The Ghost Crew immediately follow him, taking defensive positions around the AT-TE.
"We're sitting mynocks on this thing!"
"Think so?" the Clone asks the Padawan. "Wolffe, evasive maneuvers."
The tank turns quickly, almost knocking Ezra off his feet. Keen is sporting a smile on her face, as she leaps up on top of the room, extracting her lightsabers. She twists them around in front of her, standing in a defensive position, one blade flipped backwards, the other sitting forward. She stands on the balls of her feet, settling into a position perfect for Soresu.
The TIE Fighter spins back around, once again approaching the Walker. The Lasat fires rapidly at it, the Imperial ship returning fire. The Jedi deflects the bolts coming toward her. She senses one bolt heading down for the Commander in the control booth. Immediately she flips off the roof, dropping in front of the booth, blocking the bolt before it has a chance to penetrate the thin layer of transparisteel protecting Wolffe from danger.
She jumps down one more layer, landing softly beside the Mandalorian and Lasat.
"Try shortening your leads," Rex tells Zeb, "You're wasting ammo."
"You're welcome to help."
"Eh, why spoil the fun?" Gregor shrugs, ascending the ladder to the platform. "We haven't been shot at in years."
"Yeah?" Sabine asks, "Well, it happens to us every day."
"Why doesn't someone man the big gun?" Ezra asks the Captain, while deflecting the blaster-fire with his lightsaber.
"That's no good in this situation."
"Oh," Kanan says, "Kinda like you guys."
"Kanan," Keen says, utilizing Shien/Djem So, sending a blaster bolt careening back at the TIE, bouncing off the shield, "Play nice!"
Rex chuckles, shaking his head. He shuts the Bazooka off his shoulder, "You want the shot?" he asks Gregor.
"Love to," the Commander responds, taking the outstretched firearm. He mounts the gun on his shoulder, aiming just slightly left of the TIE. Ar'iabel watches the clone, keeping her blades up. He pulls back the trigger, releasing the rocket from the chamber. The explosive careens through the air, the TIE Fighter whacking right into the flying rocket.
Keen smiles at him, disigniting her blades. "Gregor, mate, you've still got it."
He glows from the praise, pounding a hand to his chest, he declares, "It's in my blood."
"You know," Ezra states, jumping from the platform with the Phantom resting atop it, meeting Rex's eyes, "we'd make a good team if we all fought together."
"Yeah, tried that once," Kanan grumbles, joining Ezra on the lower platform, "Didn't work out so well. Now if that storm gets any closer, it'll ground us. Sabine, we need the Phantom to fly."
"I'm on it," she responds, racing up for the ship.
As soon as she leaves, Keen slumbs down, sitting on the platform of the tank. She shoves her blades back into her bag, as her eyes drift over the three clones. Rex must feel the lingering gaze, because he turns, meeting her eyes. He sets the blaster he was inspecting down, walking over to her. He sits down next to her, facing her, "Wanna tell me what's bothering you."
Keen sighs, looking into the eyes of Jango Fett. "It's just...looking at your face, it makes me think of the happier times. When the Jedi were there. We might have been in war, so much death, and destruction all around us, but honestly Rexy," she looks up to meet his eyes, "I'd give anything to be back there."
The Clone drapes an arm around her shoulder, "I get it, General. But we can't dwell on the past. We've gotta look towards the future, hope for a brighter tomorrow."
The Jedi knocks her shoulder against the Clones, as he unwraps his arm. "We could hope for a brighter tomorrow a whole lot easier if we had one of the best warriors ever on our side."
"You rebels don't give up do you? General, I've served my use, I'm just an old man now, something most of my brothers never got to see."
Ar'iabel smiles sadly at him, "I'm sorry, Captain. You've made your choice, I should respect it. And about Raven, and the boys…I-I should've waited...found another way, instead-instead…" the Jedi looks down forlornly, not meeting the Clone's eyes.
"General, you did what you had to do, not one of us blame you. As I'm sure the others told you."
Keen's head snaps up, confusion and suspicion masking over her face, "What others?"
The old captain chuckles, shaking his head, "Don't act like we're the only Clones you've seen since the War."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Even after I defected, I kept up with the Old Republic Clone chats. There was a big disturbance a few days after the Empire came into existence. Something about five defected Clones deserting the Army, along with a Jedi. Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about."
She sighs, shaking her head, "Alright, you caught me, Rexy. I figured, the best place to hide from Clones was with Clones... specifically the Bad Batch."
"Don't I know it, General."
"They're a real crazy bunch, aren't they."
The Captain stares, a reminiscent smile spreading across her face, "They most definitely were." He glances over at her, "I heard rumours that they died, didn't they?"
The Jedi glances at him, climbing to her feet, reaching a hand out to help him up. "Are they?" she asks, an eyebrow raised.
Rex smiles, shaking his head, grabbing onto her proffered hand.
