A/N: Sections of text that are italicized indicate a flashback. Text contained in [BRACKETS] indicate the speaker(s) are speaking in a language other than Basic.


"Will I ever see you again?" He breathed, daring no more or he would shatter.

She, the pillar of endless strength, returned the smile she showed only him, "The gods will bring us together again. We are bound, riduur. Nothing can break that."

"What if I die before that happens?"

"Then when it is my time, you will call me home," she caressed his cheek. "And we will be together again…forever."


Rex was nervous. He was nervous in a way she had never seen before. Ahsoka angled an eyebrow in his direction as he adjusted the pauldron on his shoulders for the tenth time since they entered the drop ship. He was as fidgety as a shiny right before his first battle.

Using the Force, she gently brushed against his mind to see what was bothering him, but all she got was a jumble of anticipation, anxiety, and...longing? The last one in particular that was perplexing. It was a combination she had never felt from him before. She couldn't read his face behind his helmet, but she expected he preferred it that way. A habit she observed from the clone captain was to don his bucket whenever he was trying to hide something.

"Have you ever been to Sertha?" she finally asked, if for no other reason than to try to distract him.

He looked at her abruptly and took a moment to answer, "Uhh no, Commander."

Lying was not one of Rex's strong suits but she let the subject drop. They were nearing their landing zone. Master Skywalker warned her to be ready. The inhabitants of Sertha weren't fond of visitors and fiercely protected their isolation. Unfortunately, recent events prompted a visit to the densely forested planet, though the exact reasons hadn't been made fully clear to Ahsoka beyond looking for a Jedi. Anakin stepped toward the door as the ship settled near the ground.

"Set blasters to stun. If you see the locals, keep calm. We aren't here to fight. We're only here to deliver a message," he instructed.

Rex released a measured breath. He double checked that his deecees were set to stun and returned them to their holsters. The door opened and they jumped out into a clearing. On his right, Fives scanned the dense conifer forest while Anakin and Ahsoka reached out with the Force.

"I sense...something," Ahsoka said quietly. "But its mind is elusive."

"I sense it too. Stay on guard. She knows we're here," Anakin cautioned.

Animal calls echoed through the trees. A branch snapped behind them. The air fell still, yet thickly silent. They all instinctively gripped their weapons. Suddenly a masked figure landed in the middle of them from the trees. A Force wave knocked them to the ground.

Lightsabers ignited and Anakin engaged. Ahsoka jumped to her feet to aid him. More burst from the brush. Rex and Fives were overwhelmed and dragged to the ground. Once their hands were bound, the warriors encircled the Togruta, wielding gleaming metal spears and axes. She eyed them fiercely, keeping her blades at the ready, waiting for them to strike. Meanwhile, the figure was a blur of assault. Skywalker only blocked the flurry of advances.

"Sinda, stand down!" Anakin yelled. "We're only here to talk!"

"You have no business here, Jedi!" she snarled in reply.

He disengaged his saber and held up his hands. The figure immediately ceased.

"Master! What are you doing?" Ahsoka hissed.

"Remember why we're here, Snips." He calmly answered. "We only want to talk."

Reluctantly, Ahsoka sheathed her sabers and held her hands in surrender. The figure cocked their head curiously and approached her. It was only then that she realized the figure was a woman wearing a dappled black fur cloak. The mask obscured her face with a design modeled after a predatory bird. Up close, the intricate carving was beautiful.

She extended a hand to Ahsoka, requesting one of her sabers to inspect. "Sleek design. Simple but unassuming. I suspect, much like you, young one."

The woman spoke Basic, though with an accent. There was a stilling bite in her short consonants and an occasional soft rolling of the r's. Her alto voice had a subharmonic vibrato, which she felt faintly in her montrals. Defiantly, she stared through the mask, trying to reach her mind with the Force.

"You'll have to try harder than that to get into my mind, Padawan...Snips? A curious name."

"My name is Ahsoka Tano!" she snapped back.

"Ooh, there is fire in you," the woman taunted. "You must keep your master busy."

"Sinda, that's enough," Anakin called.

She returned the saber with a shrug and looked at Rex and Fives. With a gesture, they were pulled to their feet. Ahsoka felt a sudden wave of mixed emotions from Rex with almost overwhelming potency. Clearly, they had history. Only then did the woman push back the mask and hood of her fur cloak and reveal her face.

Her hair was jet black and shined with russet hue in the midday sun. A jagged white scar stood in stark contrast to her light brown skin. It ran diagonally across the length of her face, starting at her hairline, across her ridged nose and stopped by her mouth. Miraculously, she hadn't lost her left eye, but Ahsoka in particular was curious who gave her such an injury.

Her deep sapphire gaze met Rex's from under his bucket and did not deviate for a long moment. "So, you are a captain now. A kama and pauldron looks good on you, riduur."

The comment made Fives' head snap from her to Rex. "What did she call you?" he asked over their internal comm.

Rex didn't reply but just glanced at him and briskly shook his head once. She expressed her amusement with quickly raised eyebrows and a smirk before gesturing to have their binds cut.

"Come along. You will see the clan leader now."

With a sinuous stride, she silently disappeared into the undergrowth. Anakin quickly followed, with Ahsoka at his heels. Two of the warriors trailed behind them. Fives and Rex were next and the last three brought up the rear. As they walked, they saw the movement of a dozen more warriors, previously undetected, among the trees.

"The council actually gave you a padawan. Is Master Windu still alive? This could only happen over his dead body," she chuckled.

"Actually, Sinda the council felt I was most suited to teach Ahsoka here."

"Is that so?" an eyebrow arched and stopped. "Okay, Padawan Tano, what has been the most important thing your master has taught you, hm?"

Ahsoka cleared her throat and thought quickly, "Practice patience, trust the Force, and follow my instincts."

"Ah, yes, that's the answer I would give Master Unduili too," her arms crossed and hips shifted to one side, "but what's really the most important thing your master has taught you."

She suppressed a grin, "That sometimes doing what is right means defying the council."

Anakin audibly groaned.

"Now that sounds more like you, Ani," she turned to continue on.

"The Council sent me to talk to you. We can take care of this now and be on our way."

"You will speak to the leader first. This is our way," she calmly replied.

"That isn't necessary," he protested. "We're wasting time. In case you forgot, we're in the middle of a war."

"This is our way! You do not come to my home uninvited and decide which custom matters. If you do not like it, leave. You are not wanted here, Jedi," she punctuated her statement with an aggressive shove to his chest.

"Hey!" Ahsoka yelled. "You don't get to push us around."

"Snips, relax," Skywalker firmly instructed.

"What kind of Jedi is she anyway? She attacked us without cause, she isn't willing to listen or give us a chance!"

The coldness of her eyes warmed a degree and the harshness of her tone softened just slightly. "I was once like you, Padawan Tano. Vocal, outspoken. You are lucky to be paired with a master who understands you. One who supports your spirit. Not all of us knew such a privilege."

At the back of the group, Fives repeatedly glanced at Rex as they walked. The Captain had ignored it for as long as he could, but couldn't take much more.

"What?" he hissed quietly through their internal comm.

"Why did she call you riduur?"

"Let it go, Fives," he warned.

"Does that mean something else in her language?"

"Oy!" one of the warriors yelled, continuing in his native language and gesturing angrily at the two.

Sinda pushed through the group to the back and stood between them. After listening for a moment she leveled a scowl at the troopers.

"Buckets off. Mouths shut," she bit out the command. "I will have them shut for you if needed."

Both quickly complied. Rex opened his mouth to speak with familiarity, but held his tongue. The pain in her eyes was evident enough. Any added words would only make it worse.

They all walked in silence until they reached the edges of a village, which was built into the living trunks of old growth trees, slowly rising toward the sky. Platforms and decks were built around the dwellings, connecting the trees. Higher up the trunk older homes that had risen to unsafe heights were no longer occupied by people, but used for storage or returned to nature. With limited exception, the people of Sertha lived a life without advanced technology.

People went about their daily lives, working to ensure their communal survival. As the offworlders walked through the village, they drew attention. The sounds of hammer blows and sawing, chatting and scraping, the sounds of work and productivity trickled away. By the time they reached the middle of the village square, the only sounds were the squelch of their boots in the mud and the occasional lowing of livestock. Sinda led the group to a massive hollowed out tree at the end of the central clearing. A large platform, three meters off the ground, encircled the tree.

An imposing figure in a dark, layered, rough spun linen tunic and leather trousers stood at the rail of the platforms. He scrutinized the four visitors with a displeased expression carved into his weathered face as though it was made from stone. His hair, save for the sides, which were kept shaved to his scalp to display numerous tattoos and jagged scars, was secured in a single thick braid, which was partially wrapped with leather. A pair of shining metal axes rested on his hips, threaded through loops in a belt. Between the broadness of his shoulders, straightness of his spine, and sharpness of his dark gaze, it was clear the leader of the clan was still strong.

The landing party stood at the base of the platform while the rest of the village gathered around behind them. Sinda climbed the stairs and spoke to him quietly. He listened patiently, nodded once and began to speak in his native language, which Sinda translated at his side.

"I am Orr'Brun'ak Perth, leader of this clan. You come to our home unannounced. Off Worlders are not welcomed here. Jedi are forbidden. When my daughter was returned to me I was promised no Jedi would set foot here again, what cause do you have breaking your word."

Anakin took a step forward and spoke slowly so Sinda could translate.

"We did not come to cause offense. I came at the Jedi High Council's request with news for Orr'Sinda."

Brun'ak looked sharply at Sinda, [They should not be here, child. The Jedi deserves death for his trespass. They have no right.]

[I don't like it either, Pába. But slaughtering them does not change the past. Skywalker is a good master. Those are good soldiers.]

He stared at Rex and gestured with his chin. [That one. That is him?]

[Yes, Pába.]

[They came to speak to you. The decision to hear them is yours.] He answered with a sigh.

Sinda turned back to Anakin and nodded.

"The Jedi Council bid me to deliver the news that, seven standard rotations ago, on the planet of Umbara, your former master, Pong Krell was killed."

Sinda translated without clearly processing the words until she finished the sentence. Her eyes snapped from her father to Anakin.

"What?" her heart raced.

"Master Krell is dead. He chose to align himself with Count Dooku and was executed for treason. Sinda, I'm sorry."

"I'm free," she whispered to her father in shock. [Pába, I'm finally free of him.]

A broad smile grew on his face as he addressed the tribe with outstretched arms. Anakin looked around confused as the chief spoke in their language and the crowd suddenly cheered. The people dispersed to a sudden flurry of activity.

"Master, what's happening?" Ahsoka whispered.

"I'm...I'm not sure," he admitted.

Brun'ak descended the platform and took Skywalker by the shoulders with approving nods as he spoke.

"You bring us good fortune with your news. The Gods smile on Clan Perth," Sinda translated. "We will hold a feast tomorrow night and make a sacrifice in your name."

"That really isn't necessary," he tried to counter.

"He isn't asking," she quietly clarified. "You don't have an option. Smile and nod, you're staying for at least two cycles."

Trusting her guidance, Anakin did as instructed. The leader grinned broadly and delivered instructions to his daughter. She replied with a statement, which caused the elder to stiffen. His reply was tense and parental but Sinda held her ground. After a moment of thick silence he released a huffing breath, nodded once briskly, and departed.

"Is everything okay?" Skywalker asked.

"Yes. All is fine" she reassured. "Come. You will stay tonight."

As they walked through the village, the people were bustling around, stacking logs for a fire and stoking cooking fires. The scowls they had received on arriving were replaced with approving nods. To the outsiders, it was a surreal shift. They walked along a path away from the village center. Eventually Sinda ascended a set of stairs to a vacant lodge.

Bedding was laid out, lanterns were lit, and a thermal heater warmed the room. Four single beds lined the wall. The floor was covered with woven mats, a fur rug immediately under each bedside. A low table in the middle of the room held a pitcher and four upturned bone cups. Cushioned pads were laid around the table. A young woman arrived with a tray of bread, smoked meat, and nuts.

"Please, be comfortable here," Sinda gestured them in and began filling the cups with ale, handing them around. "This is Orr'Frilla, my sister by marriage."

"If you are in need, please tell me," she said in broken Basic, then turned to Sinda. [Seer requested you.]

[Thank you, sister.]

[You were right. They are handsome. I can see why you fell in love with one. Maybe Erudin will let me play with the other one tonight.] She giggled and left.

Sinda signed in annoyance, "I apologize for her rudeness. Isolation has made us impolite around guests."

"What did she say?" Ahsoka asked, bringing the cup to her lips before Anakin slipped it from her hand, which elicited a scowl from the padawan.

"Nothing of relevance," Sinda dismissed. "I have much to do. Feel free to explore the village or stay and rest."

"I should check in with Admiral Yalren and the Council to let him know we'll be here for a couple days."

"Master, can I look around?" Ahsoka asked.

"Sure. Just stay with Fives," he agreed and turned to the door. "Rex, you're with me."

As Rex reluctantly walked past Sinda, her fingertips grazed his gloved hand, making contact between the plastoid plates. The motion made a silent breath catch in his chest. A shiver traveled down his spine and fanned the smoldering ache he had been suppressing since boarding the drop ship on the Resolute. A careful glance over his shoulder was met by her burning gaze before he refocused to follow General Skywalker. Sinda gave a polite nod to Ahsoka and Fives before departing herself. Fives cocked an eyebrow at Ahsoka in question, but she only shrugged in return, clearly just as baffled.


"Yes, Master," Anakin repeated. "I understand that wasn't the plan, but if the Council wants her cooperation, we don't have much choice."

Master Windu and Kenobi stood side by side as holograms, projected from the console of the shuttle. Neither seemed particularly pleased at the idea of Anakin and his team participating in a ritual sacrifice, though they had few options.

"Do what you have to in order to secure her return to Coruscant," Windu relented. "The Council needs to speak with her as soon as possible."

"Understood, Master."

"May the Force be with you," Kenobi added as the holograms faded.

Anakin thanked the pilot and stood at the open door of the transport, quietly watching his Captain, a man he thought he knew inside and out. Rex had been anxious about their mission to Sertha, that much was obvious by his suddenly jumpy but disconnected state, seeming to drift off in thought for long periods for reasons previously unknown. He assumed the cause was due to the fallout of the campaign on Umbara, and the treatment he and the 501st had endured in his absence. It never crossed his mind that the source of tension in his unflappable second in command was something so personal. As much as he respected Rex's right to privacy, he was compelled to understand the situation, especially if they were going to be returning to Coruscant together.

"Sertha is quite beautiful," he began, stepping from the shuttle. "Certainly a far cry from Tatooine."

"There are deserts on the central parts of the continents, if you're feeling homesick," he lightly joked back.

"I think I'm all set," Anakin replied in kind and fell silent for a moment. "Rex…you and Sinda. How long?"

"We met at the beginning of the war," he chuckled quietly at the thought, though there was no humor in it. "I was just a shiny back then."

"That was a chaotic period," he recalled. "The Republic was suddenly at war and the Jedi took up the mantle of command. More than a few Jedi left The Order on the principle that we should have stayed out of the war. I assumed Sinda was among them."

Rex shook his head no almost imperceptibly, opened his mouth and closed it again.

"You can tell me, Rex."

His fingers drummed on the bucked under his arm for a moment as he deliberated, "Her decision to leave wasn't made on the principle of the war. It was…complicated. It isn't my place to say more."

Although Anakin understood and respected his motivation to protect the woman for whom he clearly had deep feelings, he felt a flare of frustration at his avoiding a straight answer. Rather than press the subject, he changed it, "When did you even meet her? We were sent to Christophsis within weeks of the war starting."

"We met on Geonosis, right after the first battle. The Council was still working out the command structure, but there was work to be done. She was the first Jedi I served under and…things didn't go well."


The cave was dark and silent, save for the energetic hum of her saber and the pale blue glow it created. Rex had never held a lightsaber before. It felt sacrilegious in a way, forbidden, taboo, but they were left with little choice. The bleeding wound on his scalp had finally clotted, but not before leaving a trail of red down the side of his face, though it was hidden behind his helmet. His head pounded with each beat of his heart, though ignoring the pain wasn't difficult. He had far more important tasks at hand.

Leaning against him, bleeding profusely from a trio of large gashes on her flank and thigh, was the Jedi General he and his squad had been assigned to for the mission. They were on the move, rather on the run, from whatever forsaken creature they had disturbed during their mission to clear out the tunnels where suspected Geonosian warriors were holding out. Instead, they came face to face with a predator that had evolved past the need for eyes with translucent skin, and a voracious appetite for flesh, as evident by its rows of razor sharp teeth and blade-like talons. He wasn't sure if their intel was bad or if they had just taken a wrong turn, and he decided it didn't matter either way. His squad of ten men were all dead and, if they didn't stop for him to render first aid, his general soon would be too. His first mission was not going as he hoped it would.

"General Perth," he grunted through the vocoder of his helmet, "are you still with me."

"I'm here," she muttered in a daze from blood loss.

"You have to let me dress those wounds."

"Keep going, we'll be out soon," she weakly replied as she staggered along with him. "You're a natural with a lightsaber. Maybe we'll make a Jedi out of you."

Although he gave a dry chuckle, he felt all the more nervous about the weapon in his hand. She had thrust it upon him to use as their light source after they escaped the creature, repeatedly stating he wasn't breaking a regulation by accepting it. He had to admit, it was lighter than he thought it would be and surprisingly balanced in his hand, despite the blade consisting of nothing more than focused energy. Under different circumstances, he would have liked to study the design, take it apart if he could, to understand how it worked. Getting to hold one seemed an honor enough, he just hoped he wouldn't have to actually use it in combat.

As they rounded the bend in the tunnel, it opened to a wide antechamber, however they were met with a dead end. A cave-in had collapsed the passage to little more than an airhole near the top of a heap of rocks and dirt. Easing her onto the ground, he examined the pile to see if there was any getting through. Unfortunately, there wasn't. She hissed and gasped as she tried to shift to examine herself, leery to touch the gaping flesh for fear of contaminating them more than they already were. Rex returned and disengaged the saber to tend her injuries, attaching a light to the side of his helmet.

"You should use it to break through. It'll cut through the rocks like air."

"It's too risky," he answered, helping her roll to her side. "The roof of the tunnel could collapse as well. Best to sit tight and wait for help."

The echoing roar of the creature captured their attention. Both looked back into the inky darkness with trepidation.

"We may not be left with much of a choice," she pointed out.

"That's a battle we'll face if we have to. Right now, I'm dressing these wounds."

He set about his work, gentle hands cutting away her tattered leggings then carefully cleaning the wounds with saline and bacta. Wrapping them was a challenge given their limited supply of sterile bandages. He made do by using the shredded side of her leggings to hold the bacta patches in place and provide some compression to stop the blood loss. Once it was done, he gathered the wrappers and stuffed them back into the pouch from which they came and dug into his ration supply.

"You need to eat to recover your strength."

"I'm too tired," she answered, her head rolling to the side, wishing she could lay out on the ground. "Let me sleep."

"No, you need to stay awake. Eating will help," he firmly replied, holding one side of her face in his bare hand to keep her gaze focused. "Stay with me."


Seer's lodge sat high in the oldest tree in the village, well away from the rest of the village. As the clan's spiritual leader, she often had to communicate with the spirits and gods, so residing in seclusion was essential to maintaining the connection. Sinda walked the path worn, well maintained path carrying a wide, shallow basket of bread, meat, and nuts with a corked pouch of ale. Upon reaching the sacred tree, she reached into the basket, removed a portion of the bread, meat, and nuts, and placed them at the base of the tree where a marking was carved into the bark. Resting her hand on the carving, she closed her eyes and quietly spoke a prayer to the gods.

When she was finished, she gathered the basket again and climbed several sets of stairs which led partway up the tree. At the top, she found a square platform, suspended by a rope, which was attached to a pulley, the end of which was at the entrance to Seer's dwelling. She placed the basket on the platform and began pulling the rope. The basket steadily rose, requiring minimal exertion to accomplish the task. Once it reached the top, she watched as a pair of hands removed the basket and replaced it with another.

The platform, heavier than it had previously been, descended with her guidance. A ceramic vessel sat in the middle of the platform. She knew better than to disturb the lid, knowing full well what it contained, and dutifully picked up the large pot to dispose of its contents in the woods and wash the pot before returning it. Unpleasant as the task of emptying Seer's waste pot was, it was a necessity as the woman never left her private dwellings, custom dictating that setting foot on the ground once chosen by the gods to ascend would sever her connection to them. As a result, her daily needs were tended to by the village, a small price to pay for her guidance and wisdom when facing the unknown.

Upon returning to the tree, Sinda climbed aboard the platform, cradling the pot in her crossed legs, and began hoisting herself up the tree. Even with the aid of pulleys, a sweat broke out on her brow and she was winded by the time she reached the top. She secured the platform to the small deck just outside the door, which was partly covered by a large panel of leather. The scent of smoldering incense wafted around her as she crawled to the creaky deck. Even though the dwelling hadn't broken through the canopy, the great tree swayed in the gentle breeze, a sensation which was hardly noticeable until she felt off balance all at once, grabbing the rope to stabilize herself.

"You'd better get in here before you lose my piss pot!" Seer called in her wavering, but steely voice.

Sinda immediately ducked inside, placing the pot in the vacant place by the low sleeping platform, "Thank you for accepting me, Seer."

The small woman hunched over a table, the sound of a stone mortar and pestle grinding and tapping was the only sound for a long time. Sinda knew better than to speak again and kneeled quietly out of the way. Seer turned her head slightly, seeming to take in the behavior of her guest, before resuming her task. Emptying the contents of the pestle onto a dried leaf, she carefully picked it up and carried it to the small fire pot in the middle of the room. She dropped the leaf and herbs into the fire and the room immediately filled with the aroma of piney herbs.

"Your mother loved this blend," she began, seating herself and placing the basket of food in her lap. "Sit, child. I've been expecting you today."

"Then you know why I'm here."

A smile curled on her weathered face, revealing several missing teeth as she chuckled sharply, "I do, but the question is…do you know why you're here, Orr'Sinda Perth?"

"I wish to enter Reimhel."

Seer paused at the request, "Entering Reimhel alone is dangerous. None have gone alone and returned."

"I will not be alone."

A sly chuckle nearly purred from the aged woman, "So it is true. You bonded before returning home."

"The gods spoke to me when we met. Told me he was my match, my Ruma and I his Frer."

At that declaration, Seer paused, her milky pupils watching her in thick silence for a sign of lying, "It is seldom the gods speak to one in such a way."

Sinda lowered her head, staring at her feet, "I know, Seer."

"A unique child you are, Sinda. I felt it the day you were born. Your first cries echoed all the way to Druka in the God Tree. You called the Jedi from worlds away with your voice alone. Indeed the gods chose you for some great purpose, but being chosen by the gods comes with a price. Druka claimed your mother in exchange for your life. Are you prepared for what the gods may demand of you in return?"

"There is no price that can be demanded that I have not already paid."

"Be careful with such words, child. The gods do not take lightly to being tempted with a challenge," she cautioned before sucking the last traces of the meat and nuts from her gnarled fingers and taking a deep drink of ale, "This man, this…"

"Rex."

"This Rex…does he know of this vision from the gods?"

"Yes."

"It has been some time since you returned to us. Does he still feel the same as you do?"

"He does, Seer."

"If that be so, go to the srika tree by the warm springs. There you will find what you need. Custom demands he join you, both to collect the mushrooms if he is to be your Ruma'r."

"I understand, Seer."

She picked up a long, thin pipe and tapped the burned ash into the fire pot before packing it with new leaves from a pouch. "It has been some time since you have seen him. I suggest you strengthen your connection before the ritual. A strong bond of both Ter'ras and Sarrath are vital to withstand the trial of Reimhel."

"Yes, Seer," Sinda couldn't help the grin that pulled at the corners of her mouth as her stomach fluttered.

"Once you collect the mushrooms, he must bring them to me for preparation," with a cackle, Seer tossed a leather pouch in her lap and waved her away. "Be off with you. The day will not linger for you or your lover."


The blood in Rex's veins froze as the screeching roar drew closer. He had been trying to keep his general awake for several hours, encouraging her to take fluids and eat what she could though his efforts seemed to be failing. A sheen of sweat covered her face as she stared off in a delirious trance with glassy eyes, speaking in a language he didn't recognize to people he couldn't see. Rising to his feet, he carefully dragged Sinda to the corner of the cage, where she could be as protected as possible.

"Druka…is he," she murmured. "Ruma. My…my Ruma."

"You're going to alright, General," he reassured quickly, the faint waver of his voice betraying the anxiety at his inexperience.

"Ruma," she panted between labored breaths , pushing her saber into his hand. "Use it. I…I can't."

Reluctantly, he accepted the weapon and placed it in a holster, still hoping he would need to use it. The sound of hissing and talons scraping along the stone of the tunnel sent a shiver down his spine. Every hair on his body stood on end against his sweat soaked compression suit. There was no escape, no avoiding the fight. His only choice was to stand against the monster before him, so he donned his helmet and stood fast against what was coming.

Rex learned that day the only thing more haunting that the cries of his dying brothers was the silence that came before an attack. He never knew silence, the absence of noise, could have a sound but in the cave, he learned it did. It was thick and inky. Like the saliva that coated his mouth when he was run to exhaustion as a cadet. The silence coated the inside of his ears through his helmet as he watched and waited for the Crawler to appear.

Despite the creature's massive size, it was quick and tread lightly. He knew better than to dismiss the predator as just a bloodthirsty beast. No, he knew from their brief if horrifying encounter that it was cunning and intelligent. Any form of life that could not only exist, but grow to the enormous size it was had to be capable of planning, problem solving, and strategy.

The torch on his helmet was the only source of light, a white spot that beamed down the tunnel as he swept his gaze back and forth, trying to get a visual. As the light would fade on a given spot, he would hear the faint shuffle of loose dirt or a single huffing breath. Try as he might to hold his nerve, blood thundered in his ears with each passing moment. He knew the longer it took to find it, the more advantage the creature had. Pressing his luck, he took several steps forward, raising his blaster to be ready.

It was near. He could feel it.

At the junction between the vestibule of the cave and the tunnel, he paused. Forcing his breaths deep and slow, he listened and looked. He could hear the creature's rapid breaths, he could smell the rancid blood and decay wafting from its body, but it wasn't until he stilled his sweeping gaze and focused on one place did he realize the wall of the cave was rippling.

In the span of his sharp inhale, the Crawler turned its eyeless gaze upon him and lunged.

Rex opened fire as he leaped back, but the creature was too fast, dodging the bolts as quickly as he pulled the trigger. They circled one another several times in the span of seconds. After a false charge, it pounced, knocking him onto his back, sending his blaster flying. With both hands he fought back the gnashing teeth and swiping claws that screeched against his armor. Despite his strength, bolstered by adrenaline, he couldn't push back the gaping jaws as it descended toward his face. Fear cinched in his gut as he was confronted with death in the space of a few seconds. Just as his strength was failing him, just as he was forced to accept he was about to die, the air around him changed.

The Crawler's focus shifted, the iridescent frills at the base of its neck standing on end and fluttering. It hisses sharply, snarling its yellowed fangs but backing away nonetheless. Rex scrambled back before realizing that Sinda was controlling it with the Force. She was on her feet, hobbled but standing with a hand outstretched and eyes concentrating on the creature. With each reluctant step it took back, Sinda advanced, guiding it back down the tunnel, both slowly disappearing into the darkness until an angry shriek echoed down the tunnel away from them.

One slow step at a time, she reappeared, limping on her injured leg until her stride faltered and she fell. Rex dashed to her side pulling her against his steady form. The exertion had been more than she could handle and she leaned limply against him. She roused weakly as he repeated her name and shook her gently, but she remained incoherent. If she didn't get help soon, she was going to die.

Just when it seemed all hope was lost, he heard voices calling from the other side of the debris, familiar voices. His brothers, they had arrived.

They were saved.


Rex took a deep breath, looking up at the canopy for a moment to gather his thoughts. They were sitting on a fallen log, under the shade of the trees. The afternoon was sunny but the air was still comfortably cool, thanks to a light breeze. Recalling the memories had taken a bigger toll that he anticipated, and was grateful for the calm setting.

"It took a few hours, but they eventually got us out," he explained while Anakin listened quietly.

"I didn't know it at the time, and we weren't formally introduced, but General Krell was leading the recovery operation. From the command post, of course," he rolled his eyes. "I hadn't witnessed the nature of the relationship between master and padawan before then, so I didn't know what to expect, but I knew right away something wasn't right."

"I don't understand. What did you see?" When Rex met his gaze, the pain in his eyes sent a cold chill down his spine.

"Fear, instinctive fear. The second she met his eyes…she was terrified."

"Of what?"

"Of him."