(Hello everyone, some of you may have noticed that I posted this chapter then deleted it. This was not done to just mess with you, it was because I was getting a weird feeling about the chapter and it was actually making me really anxious. Nothing with the chapter was wrong or anything like that it was just me having a weird feeling. I appreciate your patience and I ask for just a little more with this chapter. This chapter actually sets up one of the most important chapters in this story (the next one).
I also wanted to say thank you so much for your support, I never thought that this many people would have read or liked my story. Please consider leaving a review to let me know what you think and I will try to post the next chapter in a few day. Thank you again.)
Commander Tano and General Skywalker were already waiting in the briefing room for him when Rex arrived. The holotable had ship schematics pulled up on it.
"Isn't that the Mandalorian Duchess' ship sir?"
"Yes, the Coronet is a one of a kind ship. I have been on it a few times myself but I wanted Ahsoka and you to have a chance to take a look too," General Skywalker explained.
"So we're going to Mandalore?" Rex asked, he didn't even realize they would be having a mission so he had no idea what to expect with this one.
"Not this time. The Republic is holding a conference to discuss refugees that have been displaced in the course of the war and how they can help them. Many neutral worlds have been called in to moderate and provide outside views to the situation. Mandalore is one of those systems. However, since all of the Senators will be gathered on Naboo it is a great target for Seperatist attacks," Skywalker explained, "Since we are closest to Mandalore we have been assigned to join the Coronet and guard the Dutchess throughout the conference."
"Yes sir," Rex nodded along, "I can go get the boys ready now. When will we be leaving?"
"Not so fast Rex," Anakin halted him with a raised hand, "We aren't taking all of the 501st or even all of Torrent Company."
Rex's head tilted and the Jedi continued, "The Duchess has requested a small team, no more than eight."
"Why? Surely we would be able to mitigate more threats if we had larger numbers."
"That's just what the Duchess said, I was surprised she agreed to an escort at all. There will be details assigned to the other senators from different battalions. It is just a glorified body guard mission."
Rex straightened up, "Nothing we can't handle General Skywalker."
"I actually had some ideas about who we would be taking," Ahsoke piped up, holding up a data pad for inspection.
Rex scanned the names quickly, "Hardcase? No disrespect, but why him sir?"
"Well, I was looking at his training scores and he had great numbers for training course kills, I was thinking he would be good as a sharp shooter for the mission. A sniper who could watch from up high if we need it."
Rex tried to conceal his snicker, he really did, "If I may, sir, the reason Hardcase has numbers like that is because he uses his Z-6 rotary blaster. I think he would be a pretty poor sniper."
He paused for a moment to pull up a document on the data pad, "However these three were the top scoring in our last accuracy competition. Fives, Echo, and Dagger in that order."
"I already have Fives on the mission for a different job, what about Echo?" Ahsoka suggested.
"No," Skywalker interrupted, "We can't take both of Torrent's ARC troopers with us. Echo needs to stay here to lead the company in our absence. We can bring Dagger if he has been cleared by Kix."
"Yes sir, all my men have been medically cleared. Just to clarify, I get to come too right?"
Skywalker allowed a wide smile to spread across his face, Rex didn't necessarily like that look. It usually meant that the General was having too much fun with all of this, "Of course Rex. I wouldn't leave you behind."
"Well, I just sent you the list Captain, make sure you tell them to bring their dress uniforms. The schedule says that there is a fancy dinner or ball of some sort. We need to leave in the next hour if we are going to connect with the Coronet on time," Ahsoka said.
Rex snapped to attention and rendered a salute, "Yes sir."
After being dismissed, he made his way straight to the barracks. That is where everyone had been gathered earlier so they would hopefully all be there.
As he walked down the hallway he was intercepted by a call, "Captain Rex!"
He slowed down and turned, Dagger was walking quickly towards him, "What's up Dagger?"
"I hadn't realized that you were out of medbay yet, I wanted to talk to you."
Rex knew that he didn't have time but he was curious about what Dagger was going to say. He nodded for the smaller man to follow him as he walked, "About what?"
"Well, I promised you something while we were in the medbay and I wanted to follow through on that promise," Dagger's hands trembled, but she hid it well. She was really nervous to tell Rex, but now seemed like as good a time as any.
The Captain stopped for a moment, he placed a hand on Dagger's pauldron, "Dagger I appreciate that. I really do. I will always be there to listen or to help, but right now we don't have time. We just got assigned a new mission and we need to get ready to go."
He saw Dagger's shoulders fall and he felt a twinge of regret. It wasn't like he wanted to stop the trooper from doing something that he wanted, but the mission always came first.
"You can tell me if we have time later tonight? If you still want to then," Rex said as a placating gesture.
She nodded, "Later tonight then."
She had waited this long. She could wait just a few hours more even if the anticipation felt like it was going to kill her. She needed to know how Rex was going to react and the longer she waited the more negative possibilities her mind creatively supplied.
Rex made it into the barracks and called the room's attention, "Alright listen up. Special detail for a new mission. Pack your things we are going on a trip. Cricket, Dagger, Fives, Jesse and Kix. Let's go, we have thirty minutes to be in the hangar with our gear, bring your dress blues. Echo please don't look at me like that, I didn't pick the group Commander Tano did. You know the deal with you ARCs, you are in charge while I'm gone."
Dagger looked over at Echo to see him pouting on his bunk. She quickly made her way over to her drawers and pulled out her duffel. She started packing her things and startled when a hand brushed against hers.
She looked up and saw Echo looking at her. He grabbed various items and handed them to her. She smiled at the help and nodded her thanks. Echo took a breath, "Be safe, ok? Like actually safe this time."
"I will. I promise," she responded before smiling behind her helmet, "I think Cobalt might kick my ass if I got sent back to the medbay so soon."
Echo rubbed the back of his neck, "Yeah, best not to get on his bad side. He packs a mean punch."
Dagger frowned and reached up to inspect Echo's chin again. He pulled back, catching her hand in his own and lowering them together, "Don't do that."
"Echo-" she said softly, but he cut her off.
"I'm fine, you know it was deserved," he almost laughed at the way her helmet tilted, he knew that she would be scowling under her helmet.
Rex kept his facial expressions decidedly neutral. He didn't intentionally eavesdrop on his men, never had, but Dagger had the bunk next to his. So he heard the pair's conversation.
He wondered how Echo knew that Cobalt had a strong punch. The way that Dagger reached for his bruised jaw made him think that the two things were connected. He would need to talk to Kix or Dagger later tonight to see what had happened. Maybe if he talked to each of them alone he would get answers about what happened.
Rex was just finishing packing his things when he was approached by the subject of his thoughts, Echo. He paused and gave the man his full attention.
Echo seemed comfortable enough to speak first, "Sir, last mission you told me to watch over Dagger and I really did try my best, but now you all are leaving without me. Would you keep him safe and out of trouble for me while you are gone?"
Rex nodded seriously, "Of course Echo. You know I will watch them all, but I'll take special care of Dagger, I promise."
Echo seemed satisfied with that response and returned to Dagger who was shaking her head at him, "You know I can take care of myself right?"
The Arc just laughed and looped an arm behind her head and pulled her down. He rapped his knuckles into his helmet playfully and Dagger squawked in objection. Rex just chuckled at the pair, they really did seem like good friends. It almost made him wonder if there was something more going on.
It didn't necessarily seem to be anything of that sort, but he had known a lot of vod in his own unit that kept things very subtle. Rex's eyes slid across the room to said pair and smiled. They were happy together, but had no clue that their Captain knew about their relationship.
Rex shook his head, Dagger and Echo were just friends. That was a good thing, everyone needed those, even Rex sometimes. He closed up his duffel and squared away all of his other belongings. It didn't feel right to leave things out when he didn't know quite how long they would be gone for.
Dagger gave Echo a quick hug before grabbing her duffel and following Rex to the hangar. The other four finished with their packing and said quick goodbyes before following as well.
~B~
The flight had been uneventful so far. Commander Tano had briefed everyone again on the overall mission, once she was satisfied that they knew what was going on she left the rest to Rex and returned to the cockpit to fly the shuttle with Anakin.
"Alright specifics, Kix you are here for medical support in case of an emergency. Be sure you have what you need at all times. Everything from bandages to anti-poison medications, you never know what is going to happen at these things."
Kix nodded, he knew all too well how often people got poisoned at these kinds of events.
"Jesse, Cricket, and Fives, you are building and ship security. It is your job to make sure that the premises are secure and everyone is identified. You will assist the guards so you won't be working alone. Don't cause any trouble or try and take over any of their operations, be sure to give me frequent updates. "
The trio all seemed to understand, or at least didn't have any questions pressing enough to ask immediately. That left Rex with just one more trooper to give an assignment to.
"Dagger, you and I will be supplementing the Duchess' personal guards. Also, if needed, even though I doubt it will be necessary, you will be our sniper to cover any large open spaces. During the trip, we will be with the Duchess most of the day, and during the conference we will be with her at all times."
Once he had finished, he asked if anyone had questions. There were multiple about the details of the event, such as schedules and schematics. Everyone wanted to be prepared and they were making mental notes of possible targets and weak spots that would need to be corrected.
The conversation faded from question into small talk and Rex took this as his cue to get answers to his questions from earlier. As subtle as he could in the small ship he cornered Kix away from the others.
The medic was checking and rechecking the medkits he had brought, supplies spread out over the holotable. Rex may or may not have pulled the scary Captain card and corralled him in the corner.
Kix had backed up to give him space until his back hit the bulkhead. Even though they were the same height it still seemed like he was looking up at the Captain, "Y-yes sir? Is there something you needed?"
Rex let a stern look spread across his face, "Yes, I need you to tell me what happened between Echo and Cobalt. I know that something happened and I need to know what. I will not tolerate my troopers fighting each other."
The medic swallowed hard, eyes flickering behind Rex for a moment before looking back up at him. There was a certain air of guilt in his eyes that made Rex's eyes narrow and for him to lean in, "Kix."
Kix held up his hands quickly and he talked even quicker, "Look Captain. It wasn't supposed to happen, honestly. They weren't fighting. We just had a bit of a miscommunication."
"Miscommunication?" Rex growled, "Echo's face is half covered in bruises. I think that is a little bit more than a miscommunication."
"Look Captain," Kix was trying to reassure Rex but also not make the situation worse, "I was going with Cobalt to talk to Echo about something. I thought it was understood that we were just going to talk, but before I could even say anything Cobalt had already clocked him a few times. I shut him down and we all figured it out from there."
"So Cobalt had an issue with Echo?" Rex asked, still not happy but at least he was getting responses now.
"Yes."
"What did Echo do to him? Something had to have happened for that kind of response."
"Echo didn't do anything to Cobalt," Kix said.
Rex wanted to growl in frustration, "Stop twisting words Kix, just spit it out. Why did Cobalt fight Echo?"
"There was no fight sir, Echo let himself get hit. He never once lifted a finger to fight back."
"Kix that doesn't make any sense. What ha-"
"Echo broke the taboo," Kix interrupted quickly. He said it so fast Rex almost asked him to repeat it. Echo had broken a taboo? Which one?
"Which taboo Kix?"
Kix shook his head and tried to push through Rex to escape. The Captain wasn't finished and shoved him back into the wall with a strong hand on his chest plate. The resulting bang of armor on durasteel called the attention of the other troopers, they looked over warily but carried on when they saw that Kix wasn't in any real danger. Everyone knew that the way to get Kix to talk fast was to intimidate him. Rex was scary sometimes but he would never hurt one of his own without extraordinary cause.
"Tell me. Right now."
"No," in any other situation Rex would have been impressed with the resolve he saw in Kix's eyes, "I don't agree with what Cobalt did, but Echo sure as hell got what he deserved. That kid doesn't have as much sense as he should and Cobalt was probably trying to knock it into him. Everything is handled and done now. So, if you will excuse me, I have to complete my inventory for the mission."
This time when Kix pushed away Rex let him. He made his way back to the holotable and Rex made his way to the cockpit to check up on things. Just before he entered he heard Fives shout over to Kix, "Did Captain find your X-Magazines?"
"FIVES!" The medic squawked. Rex suppressed a chuckle, he could give Kix a hard time about that later but he had already pulled the intimidation card once this trip and that was enough.
~B~
Soon everything between the clones had evened out and the ship was docking in the bay of the Coronet. They secured their helmets on their heads and grabbed their duffels to swing over their shoulders.
General Skywalker led them inside and greeted a blond woman that Dagger didn't recognize. She listened closely as they exchanged words, "Duchess Satine, thank you for having us."
"Thank you for coming General Skywalker. Just because I am against violence does not mean that others will feel the same way. I am certain that there will be those who do not want this conference to happen," she said.
Ah, so that was the Duchess they would be protecting. She certainly looked like the ruler of a world, all important and everything like that.
Dagger definitely zoned out as they were led somewhere in the big ship because all of a sudden the six troopers were in front of doors and the Duchess and General were nowhere to be found. She forced herself to focus on what Rex was saying.
"Three rooms for all of us, none of you are allowed in the fourth room at the end because that is where Commander Tano is staying. Two to a room and no complaining. We are here to protect the Duchess, but we are still guests and these are the only rooms that could be spared. I'm staying here, so you all figure out who is sleeping where I don't care."
He went into his claimed room closing the door lightly behind him. Jesse was the first to speak as he loudly exclaimed, "I call Kix!"
The tattooed clone then proceeded to drag the medic into their room and Dagger looked quickly to Fives. The man smirked and said, "Let's go Cricket you're with me."
The man fist pumped in success and made his way into the room he would be sharing with Fives. She looked at her friend in panic. He just made it so she had to stay with Captain Rex, "Fives!"
He smiled as he sauntered up to her and whispered in her ear, "Don't think I don't know about your crush. You ain't gotta do anything, but he is your roommate for now. Scram kid, you'll thank me later."
Her cheeks were bright red, did everyone know? She had never said anything about that to anyone? Was that even allowed? She pushed through her questions and opened the door. Rex was perched on the foot of the bed reading his datapad.
The bed. She frantically scanned the room, the bed. The only bed in the room. Oh no. This was starting to feel like a cheesy holonovel.
"Thank the stars it's you. If I had to stay in this room with Fives I'm pretty sure we would be going back with five instead of six," he said.
She laughed, trying to calm her nerves, "He's not that annoying."
"Fair enough. But anyways I was going over the itinerary of the Duchess tonight. Want to go take a look with me," he asked, patting the bed softly beside him for her to sit.
She sat down and immediately sunk into the mattress. She pressed her hand into it experimentally, "Captain, have you ever felt a bed this soft?"
"Not that I can remember," he trailed off at the end of his sentence as he also pressed his hand into the mattress, "Kriff, that is soft."
He flopped backwards and groaned in appreciation. She laughed at him and he lifted his head and smiled at her, "Lay down, we aren't in a hurry."
Her cheeks flamed at the thought of laying down next to him, "It's ok, I'll feel it tonight when I lay down to go to sleep."
Rex frowned at her playfully and grabbed her arm and pulled her suddenly so she fell back next to him. She let out a yelp of surprise before she sank into the plush bed, "Ooohhh."
"I know right?"
They both laughed together for a moment then lapsed into comfortable silence simply staring up at the ceiling.
"Thank you for letting me come on this mission Captain."
He tilted his head up to look at her "How many times do I have to ask you to just call me Rex when we aren't out in the field?"
"I mean technically we are out in the field, but I get what you mean. I'm sorry Rex."
He smiled and she laid her head back down, "I already told you all, I didn't pick who came and who didn't. It was all General Skywalker."
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Dagger nod. Rex figured this might be a good time to ask Dagger if he knew what had happened between Echo and Cobalt. Perhaps what he had been asking Kix to keep secret had been something else.
They were good friends so surely he knew what had happened. He knew he should probably let it go, but it really wasn't in his nature. He took a deep breath of preparation, "Hey did something happen between Echo an-"
"No," she interrupted forcefully, "Nothing happened between Echo and I."
He blinked, he sat up on his elbows and looked down at Dagger, "I was going to say Cobalt, but it seems from your reaction something did happen between you and Echo."
Dagger sat up fully, looking away from Rex. He mirrored her, "Is something going on with you and Echo?"
A trickle of worry fell down his spine. Had he misjudged them, had he misjudged Dagger. Had he been flirting with someone who did not want his advances? He had never heard any attempts to stop him or get him to back off, but he was suddenly unsure of himself.
"No," she said quickly.
"Dagger," Rex started, "If something is going on you just have to tell me and I can back off. I didn't mean to make anyone uncomfortable. I was just wondering why Echo had bruises all over his face."
"Oh, that's what you are asking," she said, "I'm not in a relationship with Echo."
Rex frowned at the harsh way Dagger said the words. There seemed to be a bit of bad blood that he hadn't realized before, "Good. Well- uhh, I mean that's ok. But something definitely happened. Do you want to talk about it? Are you ok?"
Dagger let out a humorless laugh, if she was being honest with herself she was still hurt about the whole thing. She hadn't wanted to kiss Echo, she wanted her first kiss to be given to someone else, not taken without permission. She still felt violated by the whole situation.
She shook her head as it fell forward, "No, not really."
Rex's brow furrowed in concern. He moved a bit closer and placed his hand on his thigh, face up in an offer to be held if Dagger wanted, "What happened?"
"Cobalt hit Echo because he kissed me," she admitted softly.
Her words were quiet but she might as well have just dropped a bomb on Rex. He felt the hot boil of anger flare in his belly. He would never admit it but there was also a twang of jealousy in the mix.
"But you just said you weren't in a relationship with him," Rex hoped this wasn't going where he thought it was.
"We aren't," she tried to contain her emotion, but she spat the words out, "He didn't ask, he just did it."
She clenched her fists together, her arms trembled with anger, "He took my first kiss without even asking. I- I want to hate him so bad even if I can't. I hate what he did, I hate how it happened. I thought that I would actually be able to choose for once and like everything else in my life there was no choice."
Rex saw red. A million emotions swirled through him at once. Top three had to be anger, sickness, and a need for vengeance. His fingers dug into his thighs, his knuckles going white with the pressure. His breathing came in quick pants.
How could Echo do that? To Dagger! He had betrayed him, betrayed all of them. How could Kix have protected him like that? Echo himself should have told him so Rex could have pummeled him into a paste.
Court Martial be damned, he might have killed Echo if he had been there right now. He would certainly get the beating of a lifetime when Rex got back. Echo had no right to take that from Dagger. To steal a choice from a brother. The thought made Rex sick.
He realized that Dagger was shaking him and he snapped his head over to look at him, "Hey! Rex! Can you hear me?"
His voice was tight and his body trembled much like Dagger's had just moments ago, "I hear you. I- I can't believe he did that. Dagger I promise you he will pay for what he did. He will not get away with stealing that choice from you.
"No!" he was startled by the adamant response, "No, that's not what I want. I don't want everyone to go around beating Echo up. He already is doing that enough."
"I sincerely doubt that but continue," he couldn't help his interruption.
"Rex, can I tell you something?"
He nodded, "Echo, he told me that he loved me."
The anger flared up just as strong as before and Rex leapt to his feet. His voice was nearly shouting, "He has no right to do that! That doesn't excuse his actions! Did he think that telling you that would just make everything ok? To clarify, it doesn't! He didn't ask for consent! Even if it was just a kiss it was your first and that is special! There is nothing in this universe that could have been so important that could justify stealing that from you! It's not right! How dare he even ask to protect you when he had pulled that level of shit. He had no regard for you and yet he still asked- He shouldn't have- he couldn't have…"
His voice trailed off as he ran out of air and was left panting, emotions flooding through him. He couldn't keep track of the swirling thoughts in his head.
Dagger stood and reached up for his face. Rex pouted slightly at the tenderness. Dagger let out a huff and he allowed him to proceed. His gloved thumbs swiped across Rex's cheeks and brushed away the angry tears that he hadn't realized he had shed.
Rex caught Dagger's hands as they started to lower. He looked into the blank vizor apologetically, "I'm sorry, I should be comforting you instead of letting my emotions get the better of me."
"I'm ok Rex, really. In all honesty, I didn't think that I would survive long enough to get a first kiss anyway. This war has a funny way of taking things without mercy."
That thought made Rex sad, "Can I give you a hug, Dagger?"
The helmet nodded and Dagger opened her arms. Rex stepped forward quickly and wrapped the smaller soldier in his arms. She laughed and rubbed his back slightly, "You don't have to ask to hug me you know. It's just the kissing that you have to ask about."
His words slipped out before he could stop them, "Would I be allowed to ask that?"
Dagger froze. That hadn't been what she was expecting when she tried to reassure Rex that everything would be ok. She hadn't even meant to imply that she wanted him to kiss her. If he asked she would surely agree in a nanosecond. Could she tell him that? How would that make her look?
"Not right now."
"Wait, no!" Rex balked, he finally realized what he had said, "That's not what I meant. I don't wa- I mean I- I was just trying to- I just-"
Kriff! Could he just sort out his words for once in his sorry life. He just cut himself off and just held Dagger closer, "I'm sorry. I won't ask again."
Dagger opened her mouth to say something but closed it again to reconsider. If she told him she could accidentally push him into doing something just to make her feel better. Certainly he wouldn't like her when he found out what she was. She didn't want to get both of their hopes up. That would just make it harder for the both of them when it didn't work out.
Rex hugged Dagger tightly. He knew that asking that question was a bad idea. He didn't want to push him, especially not after something like that had happened. He tried to calm himself down from his angry high.
He decided then and there that he wouldn't push Dagger. He wouldn't go any further than what he had already done. He figured he could still show subtle interest with his admittedly awful flirting, but he wouldn't ask for anything more. It wouldn't be fair to Dagger to ask for more.
Anything that the man wanted Rex was sure that he would give in an instant, all he had to do was ask. Rex was not going to be the one to ask, he would let everything, if anything, happen and progress on Dagger's terms.
They stood like that for a long time. Rex felt his heart rate dropping back to a comfortable level. Dagger felt herself relaxing more than she had in the past few days. In a weird way it was nice to see Rex so protective of her.
He cared, at least enough to get angry about what Echo did. She hadn't wanted to tell him, but now that it was out she was glad she didn't have to hide it anymore.
"We should go check in with General Skywalker and meet the guards we will be working with," he said, as he pulled away. She nodded and he placed his helmet on his head.
As they started to walk out the door she almost smacked herself in the head. She had gotten so caught up that she missed an opportunity to show Rex. Kriff it all to hell. At this rate the war would be over before she got a chance to tell him. She let out a sigh and dutifully followed her Captain.
They approached a door that two guards were standing outside of . They were wearing blue and silver uniforms and carried long staffs. Their helmets were wide and only allowed the eyes of the guards to be seen.
"Good afternoon, I am Captain Rex of the five hundred and first battalion. You should have been informed that we were coming."
"Identification please."
They both held out their left wrists and the guard scanned them and brought up their identification tabs with their CT numbers and names. The guard nodded, "Welcome, go on in."
"Thank you sir."
The pair entered into what turned out to be a conference room. The Duchess sat at the head of the table and was talking with her advisors. General Skywalker was standing off to the side with one of the guards and motioned for them to come over.
"Rex, Dagger, everything good to go with the rooms?"
"Yes sir, the rest of the team is all settled in. We came to check in with you," Rex reported.
"Good, this is Keb Renkoa, Captain of the Duchess' personal guard," he said.
The man in question stepped forward and shook each of their hands, "Pleasure to meet you both. We appreciate you boys being here. Our number one priority is the safety of the Duchess."
"Understood Captain," the troopers said in unison.
Rex carried on, "Anything we can do to help just let us know. We don't want to get in your way."
"Good," he said with a smile, "Then we won't be having any problems. Tonight the Duchess will finish her meetings with her council and then have dinner. You will be relieved of duty at night time when the Duchess retires to her quarters. Until then you will stay by her side and keep a weather eye out. We have had attacks aboard the Coronet before, we will not be unprepared should it happen again."
"Captain, what if there is an attack when the Duchess is asleep," Dagger asked.
"Then we will call you," Keb answered, "The guard will be watching over while she sleeps."
Dagger nodded and the guard Captain dismissed them. She leaned in to Rex to whisper quietly, "So we got two Captains now huh?"
He laughed and nudged her gently with his shoulder to push her back out of his personal space. They took up a position along the wall where they could watch the exits and every one in the room. After switching to their internal comm system they were able to talk within their helmets without disturbing anyone else in the room.
As time passed the council started to leave one by one to get ready for dinner. Soon enough it was only the Duchess with them. She had a short conversation with Captain Keb and then he introduced them.
"Captain Rex it is good to see you again, and Dagger it is an honor to meet you," she greeted warmly.
"The honor is mine ma'am," Dagger said, dipping her head slightly.
"I trust that you will do your best to not start any unnecessary violence."
"Not if we can help it, however we are here to keep you safe so we can make no promises," Rex said.
"Good," she started to leave but something caught her eye and she paused, "What is that soldier?"
"My blaster?" Dagger asked as the Duchess gestured to her waist.
"No on your thigh, may I look at it?"
Dagger looked to Rex and he nodded, she unfastened the closing on the holster of her dagger and removed it. She held it out for the Duchess to look at. One hand rested on the hilt, the other under the blade which was pointed towards Dagger and away from the Duchess to ensure that she was non threatening. Dagger felt like she was being scrutinized for her dagger and she didn't like it.
Satine gasped at the sight of it and moved forward with her hand extended as if to take the dagger. Dagger pulled it closer to her body protectively, afraid that it would be taken. The Duchess looked at her, "Where did you get this?"
"Coruscant, it was given to me by a man there," Dagger answered.
"What did he look like? Do you know his name?" her questions almost seemed frantic.
"His name was Old Man Bean, he was a shopkeeper in a weapons store. He was short with grey hair," Dagger said, she was extremely confused as to why she was being questioned so much.
Captain Keb cleared his throat to get Satine's attention and she seemed to calm down, or at least pretend to, "Meet me in my quarters after dinner, both of you."
"Yes, Duchess," they answered and then watched as her and her personal guard left. They were left alone, Dagger put her blade away and saw Rex looking at her.
"Captain, I didn't do anything," she said quickly.
"I didn't say you did anything," he replied defensively, "What was that about?"
"I don't know, she can't take my dagger away can she?"
"No, it belongs to you. Technically, since clones are Republic property everything we own is also Republic property that is allocated to individuals for care. Everything we own is protected and to take it is in fact a crime."
She let out a sigh of relief at the statement, she spoke softly as if talking to herself, "It's the only thing in this world that I can call my own."
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "Hey, don't worry little'un. She won't take it, no one will. I mean it's in your name. Dagger has gotta have a dagger."