Relics of the Old Republic
The next day came and everyone was on edge, waiting for the Empire to show up. Sabine was outside of the tank, working on and checking the Phantom while everyone else was in the command room.
"The Probe hit us pretty badly. Repairs are gonna take a little while longer." Sabine informed, wearing her helmet.
"We don't have much time. There's no telling when the Empire will get here. We've got to get off the surface." Kanan told her through the comlink. She then peeked out to see what was behind them and used her helmet antennae to get a closer look at a sand storm rolling in.
"Well, the Empire's not our only problem. There's a storm coming up behind us." She updated.
"If the Empire gets here before we take off, the storm will be the least of our problems." He replied.
"Here they are, the coordinates of every Republic base, Separatist installation, pirate hideout and smuggler's den in the Outer Rim." Rex said, handing the list to Errol.
"Plus a few Mandalorian bases that even they've forgotten about." Wolffe added.
"Thanks, Rex. Are you really sure you won't come with us?" His godson asked him. They all decided to take Alaara with them since the Empire would be after her and being with the Rebellion can keep her safe and with her being a strategist from her time on her home planet, she'd be a big help.
"Yeah, you're not bad in a fight. *chuckles* I mean, for older gentlemen." Zeb said, and nudged shoulders with Gregor, seeing that they've formed a bond.
"Yeah. Like I said, our war's over, son. Don't much care to get mixed up in another. Say hello to your parents for me." Rex replied.
"But the Empire's on its way, and they will find you." Erza pointed out.
"Oh, we can take care of ourselves." The clone replied.
"Spectre-6 to Spectre-2." Errol said over the comlink.
Up in orbit, in the Ghost, Hera was still working on the ship with both Chopper and Slick and then she heard her boyfriend.
"Gonna be down here a while longer. You'd better have good news, darling. Has the Empire showed up yet?" He asked as she was trying to find it as she was under the control panel. She eventually found it.
"I'm a little busy finishing repairs on the Ghost, but Slick's been scanning. So far, nothing." She replied. But then said droid beeped and she looked out the windshield to see a Star Destroyer exiting Hyperspace.
"*sighs* Just had to say that." She said to herself and then activated comms.
"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. Good luck down there." She told them and then proceeded to shut down the systems on the ship.
"Sorry, guys. That means you too." She apologized, shutting the two astromechs down. Hera then watched four TIE Fighters flying towards the planet, ignoring her, which made her sigh with some relief.
"If they follow procedure, they'll fly search patterns based on our last confirmed position." Rex told everyone.
"Or they'll call. Incoming Imperial transmission. It's for you, Wolffe." Gregor suddenly said, looking pointedly at Wolffe, along with Alaara.
"They call back?" She asked the clone.
"They… they never call back." Wolffe confessed.
"*chuckles* This is why I don't trust clones." Kanan glared.
"And you're the reason why I hate hypocrites like you, Jarrus." Errol snapped at him, which made Kanan realise that he may be right since he told Ezra to not get stuck in the past yet he is. He really is a hypocrite.
"Just get rid of 'em, Wolffe." Ezra told him.
"Yeah, it was my mistake. And I'll fix it." He said as everyone moved out of the way so that they won't get noticed. The monitor behind him then showed Kallus.
"CC-3636. Commander Wolffe, is it?" Kallus asked.
"Yep, *snaps fingers* that's me. What can I do for you, sir?" He said.
"Please transmit your coordinates so I can investigate the Jedi sightings you reported." The Agent requested.
"What? Uh, Je-Jedi? Uh, no, no. No, th-there's no Jedi here. Here. My, my old, uh, cybernetic eye must be acting up again." Wolffe tried to act like he didn't know.
"Uh, sorry for wasting your time." Rex then said, standing next to his fellow clone.
"This image was taken by one of our Probe Droids." Kallus said, cutting to footage of the tank and then it zoomed in to the Phantom.
"It clearly shows you harbouring known rebels. As well as the grandmother of one of them." He continued, moving towards Alaara talking with Errol. This shocked them, knowing that they're outed.
"Now surrender them or be destroyed." Kallus warned them.
"If it's a fight you want, I hope you brought a better class of soldier than those Stormtroopers." Rex mocked as Stormtroopers were just poor when compared to Clone Troopers.
"They serve the Empire well, and I have a great many of them." Kallus smugly replied.
"You're gonna need all of 'em." Rex threatened and then cut off communications.
"*chuckles* I like these guys." Zeb said and then the world around them rumbled. Sabine ran into the command room.
"They found us." She told them.
"Guess that search pattern paid off." Ezra commented.
"Battle stations." Rex said as Gregor pulled a crate out with a rifle on top of it. They then opened it to reveal some more blaster weapons from the Clone Wars.
Outside, a TIE fired and narrowly missed as everyone got out and watched, ready to fight.
"We're sitting mynocks on this thing!" Ezra shouted, worried.
"Think so? Wolffe, evasive maneuvers." Rex ordered.
"Copy that." He replied, controlling the tank to move, causing everyone to lose balance for a bit.
"Hurry, he's coming around for another pass." Sabine said, with her, Alaara and Zeb wielding two of the blasters the clone trio offered. And the Jedi trio ignited their sabers. Ezra seemed eager but Kanan had to stop him.
"Ezra, protect the Phantom." He told his Padawan.
"What about the walker?" He questioned.
"It can take a hit, I think." He replied.
The TIE then fired down at them and then Sabine, Zeb and Alaara fired back. Alaara though fired bursts and made the effort to aim first instead of just firing due to the clones training her.
"Try shortening your leads. You're wasting ammo." Rex advised them, climbing up the ladder with a rocket launcher.
"You're welcome to help." Zeb snapped at him.
"Eh, why spoil the fun? We haven't been shot at in years." Gregor told them right as the TIE got close and passed overhead.
"Yeah, well it happens to us every day." Sabine replied.
"Why doesn't someone man the big gun?" Ezra questioned.
"That's no good in this situation." Rex told him.
"Oh! Kinda like you guys." Kanan said in sarcasm.
"More like you, Kanan. You're hardly doing anything." Errol snapped at him, making the older Jedi glare as he climbed on top of the Phantom.
Errol himself, since he's fully in his armour, including his helmet, decided to do something. So he climbed on top of the shuttle and with perfect timing, he used the Force to shoot up into the air and crash right through the TIE into the pilot's stomach, knocking him out with his helmet. Errol then ignited his saber to wreck the interior as it crashed into the ground, causing a bit of an explosion. He then walked out, as though nothing happened and looked up to see everyone looking at him in pure shock.
"What?" He asked them, acting casual.
"That. Was. Awesome!" Ezra cheered
"Well, I guess there's another reason to call him Tank Boy." Zeb noted, and this caught Alaara's attention. This will be something to talk about.
After that, Errol told his grandma of his nickname and she is now more proud of him and then he helped Sabine with the Phantom until he took a break and hanged out with Ezra and Rex by the main gun.
"Uh, sorry. Um, I'm in your seat." Ezra apologized to the clone as he was sitting in the gunner seat.
"The traverse controls are over here on the left, and the elevation's on the right." He told the teen.
"Really?" He then used this and moved the gun around. Kanan had his back to the whole thing, looking out with his binoculars.
"So, um, what was it like to fight in the Clone Wars?" Ezra asked the Captain.
"I don't think the fighting ever got to Lothal. I tell ya, war was never dull. The generals I fought with were among the greatest of the Jedi. I trusted them with my life more times than I can count." Rex told the two teens.
"My dad and Anakin." Errol said, knowing well who he's talking about.
"Yes. It's such a shame that General Skywalker turned to the Dark Side and became a Sith Lord." Rex said sadly. He was the first to be told of Anakin's turn by his parents.
"Alright. With any luck, we can get outta here soon." Sabine informed everyone.
"We can't just leave Rex, Wolffe and Gregor here." Ezra said. Errol didn't say anything as Rex was stubborn with his choices.
"Well, the Empire is here because of us. We'll deal with the consequences." Rex said.
After he finished, everyone heard a sound in the distance. It was in a rhythm, as though it was stomping.
"What is that?" Errol asked.
"Enemy contact point two-four." Wolffe said, pointing the direction and everyone turned to see in the distance three AT-ATs, which Zeb and the others saw more clearly with their binoculars.
"How many legs they got?" Wolffe asked.
"Looks like four." Gregor said as he handed his binoculars to Rex.
"Four? How are they not falling over?" Wolffe questioned the logic behind making a vehicle in such a way.
"Will you look at the size of those things?" Gregor said.
"Huh. Reinforced armour plating, heavy cannons and antipersonnel blasters. Mmm." Rex listed off.
"Rex, while you guys are excited, those giant death machines are on their way to blow us to bits!" Alaara reminded him as he joined up with them.
"Wolffe, set vector two-niner-zero." Rex ordered and the Commander saluted.
"Wait, you're just gonna turn and run? Just like that?" Kanan questioned as Rex manned the gun and Gregor ran past.
"Well, if you've got a better idea, sir, now's the time." Rex replied.
"I thought you clones loved to fight." Kanan questioned.
"I do love a battle, but on my terms. Gregor, drop the joopa. We gotta get moving." Rex then ordered and the joopa got detached and fell onto the salt flat.
"Wolffe, turn one-eight-zero."
The tank then turned around towards the sandstorm which crawled up behind them. The AT-ATs then started firing at them.
"Kanan, I'm not sure how far we'll get, but I think she'll fly." Sabine told the Jedi about the Phantom.
"Good enough for me. Zeb we're going now." He said, through the comlink.
"Too late. The Walkers are already on top of us." Rex told him.
"Meaning that unless we want to get shot down, we have to stay here." Errol added.
"How will going into that storm be any better?" Kanan questioned.
"The storm will scramble both our scanners and the Walkers. So we'll all be blind, except for Jedi.." Alaara pointed out, impressing Sabine with her knowledge.
"Alright, everybody inside." Kanan ordered after considering the advantage they have. Everyone then ran into the command room of the tank as they entered the sandstorm.
Up in orbit, the Destroyer was now hovering above the Ghost and Hera was a bit on edge. She just can't sit by any longer.
"That's it. I can't wait any longer." She said to herself and then activated both Chopper and Slick. Chopper was angry while Slick was understanding considering the circumstances.
"Quiet. Quiet. They're right above us. They must've finished their initial scan, but I don't want to take any chances. Keep your powers on low, and help me put this panel back together." She then told them, getting back to fixing. Chopper complained, while Slick nudged him and helped Hera.
"Really? Why can't you work as fast as Slick? At least he gets the job done." Hera told her droid and he got slightly jealous.
Back on Seelos, the tank made through the sandstorm, while being chased by the Walkers.
"We're not gonna be able to hide in this storm forever." Ezra reminded everyone.
"Those things are practically impervious to blasters, but they have one weak point in their armour, the neck." Sabine revealed.
"One well placed shot from the main gun should destroy it." Gregor added.
"That's all we might get, one shot." Rex noted.
Zeb looked at the scanner and tapped on the screen as it was static.
"I don't know how we're supposed to shoot something we can't see. I don't even know where the enemy is." Zeb grumbled.
"You don't always have to see something to know where it is. If you're willing to trust me, I can get us that shot." Kanan stated.
"I always trust my general." Rex said, which took Kanan aback but then he closed his eyes and held his hand out, sensing the outside.
"Prepare to stop. Now!" He called out and Wolffe stopped the tank. Kanan then sensed the Walkers around them. Everyone was silent as they heard the rhythmic thumps from the Walkers. Alaara even wrapped her arms around her grandson.
"Commander Wolffe, circle left, double time." Kanan then ordered and Wolffe turned the tank left and it made it past one of the Walkers.
"Full stop!" The Jedi then shouted and they are now surrounded.
"If what I'm sensing is right, we're surrounded." He told everyone.
"What?" His Padawan asked in surprise.
"You put us right in the middle of 'em to get us a shot. It's crazy, but it's probably our best chance." Rex realised.
"Once we fire, we'll reveal our location. If we miss, it's all over." Sabine pointed out.
"I'll take the shot." Gregor volunteered.
"No, I will. A Jedi is better suited for this due to the storm." Errol volunteered himself.
"Wait, why not Ezra?" Kanan asked.
"Because we need a Jedi that can be able to do this without messing up. Ezra's still training." Errol reasoned and Kanan understood.
"And besides, we need one Jedi to man the cannon and another Jedi down here to lead us out of this mess. And as Errol said, Jedi are the only ones who can see in this storm." Rex explained.
"Sabine, spot him." Rex then said as Errol walked past his godfather.
The two then put their helmets on. Errol was about to walk out when Alaara grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Do your parents proud." She told him and he nodded and walked out. Sabine was struggling through the sand, while Errol didn't since he's fully decked out in Mandalorian armour.
They eventually made it to the main cannon and Errol sat in it.
"Don't miss." She told him.
"Unlike Ezra, I don't miss." Errol joked, which managed to make her laugh. Back inside the tank, Kanan used the Force to sense where the Walkers are.
"Errol, there's a Walker somewhere around point five." Kanan informed through his helmet comms.
"Somewhere around point five. How broad." Errol remarked as he turned the gun to the right. Then underneath the helmet, he closed his eyes to tune in to the Force and he was able to see the Walker, clear as day and as he focused on the neck, he fired the shot and the Walker was instantly taken down.
"Got 'em." He told everyone.
"Wolffe, there's your opening! Go for it!" Kanan barked and the clone got the tank moving as the other Walkers fired at where they last were.
Up in orbit, Hera saw the Star Destroyer moving. Chopper was chattering.
"Hang on, hang on. Something's happening." She told him. She saw the Destroyer turn around and then enter Hyperspace. She didn't know what to think of that.
"This is either really good or really bad." She commented. Chopper beeped, as well as Slick.
"Chop, you always think dark. Can't you be optimistic like Slick?" She told him.
"Have you finished the last of the repairs?" She asked them, preventing Chopper from answering her last question. Chopper said no.
"Well, get on it." She told him and then they all went back to repairing the ship.
Down on the planet, the sandstorm rolled over and they were out in the clear.
Everyone joined Errol and Sabine outside.
"Great shot, kid. Now get yourself moving. This is your only chance." Rex told his godson.
"But we can't just leave you here to die." He argued, not wanting to lose a member of his family.
"We have to get the information they gave us back to the Rebellion." Kanan reminded him as the Ghost crew and Alaara entered the Phantom.
"In case you forgot, Jarrus, the other part of the mission is to bring Rex back with us. I am not abandoning my family." Errol spat at the older Jedi.
"You're not abandoning anyone. We're covering your escape. Now, move." Rex told Errol and even though he hated this, he had no choice. He hugged his godfather, shedding some tears underneath his helmet and Rex hugged back, knowing how hard this must be for him.
"I love you, Rex." Errol said.
"I love you, too, Errol. Now go." Rex replied as he manned the gun.
"We're soldiers, Errol. This is what we were born to do." He told him and then Errol entered the shuttle as Kanan took off.
Errol sat down next to his grandma and she knew he was upset so she wrapped her arms around him and he rested against her, crying. The whole crew were sad to see this, as Errol was family to them and by that extent, leaving Rex behind is like leaving their own.
"Kanan, you know better than anyone. They won't give up. This fight is gonna be their last." Ezra told his Master.
After a short while, he contacted Hera and informed their situation.
"It's too bad about Captain Rex, but at least you got the intel. I'll rendezvous with you shortly." She told Kanan.
"Copy that." He replied.
"My parents will be devastated. Rex was like a brother to them. Even if he was a clone." Errol then said. This caused Kanan to realise that he was right. Especially how Ahsoka and Dash trust Rex with their lives.
"*sighs* I hate it when you're right. I've got my problems with clones, but I don't want those men to die." Kanan said, looking at everyone, which earned smiles, even from Errol.
Kanan flew back to the tank, which was being totalled by one of the Walkers and fired at it. And then both Errol and Zeb jumped out over the other Walker and Errol lined himself up to the hatch and he was able to smash through with ease, due to the Beskar of his armour and Zeb jumped in and knocked out the two pilots before shoving them off the seat for him and Errol to sit and pilot the Walker.
They fired at the Walker and did some damage and then Rex fired at the neck, which took the Walker down.
"YES!" Errol cried, high fiving Zeb as they saw the Imperials from the Walker on speeder bikes, speeding away.
The two then got up on top of the Walker and looked down at the clones, who saluted. Errol smirked and saluted back. They then saw the Ghost hover behind them and saw Hera smile with Chopper waving.
After convincing Rex to join them, they all boarded the ship and entered Hyperspace to join the fleet. As they did, Hera was led by Errol to their quarters as he wanted to introduce Alaara to Hera.
"So, who is this person you want me to meet?" She asked her boyfriend.
"You'll see." He simply said as he opened the door to their quarters and there was Alaara, standing there with a smile. Hera was definitely surprised upon seeing her.
"Hera, this is my grandma, Alaara Tano. Grandma, this is Hera, my girlfriend." He introduced the two to each other. Hera now blushed, feeling nervous.
"I've heard plenty about you from my grandson." Alaara said, taking advantage of her nervous state.
"All good, I hope." Hera said. Alaara giggled in amusement.
"I can see how you stole his heart. You really are perfect for him." She replied, placing a hand on Hera's shoulder.
Hera sighed in relief, knowing she had his grandma's blessing.
"Well, I can't wait to know you better." Hera said.
"Same here. I'll even tell you some baby stories of Errol." Alaara whispered but Errol heard her.
"GRANDMA!" He cringed in embarrassment.
"Hey, it's a grandma's job to embarrass their grandchild." Alaara shrugged as Hera laughed.
They all eventually joined the fleet and attached to the Liberator.
The whole crew turned around a corridor and met with Ahsoka and Dash, who turned and faced them. The crew then parted, revealing Rex who clasped his hands behind his back.
"Commander, General." He greeted them as though no time had passed.
They smiled and walked up to him.
"You both got old." Rex joked. Dash laughed.
"*chuckles* Had to happen sometime, Rex." Ahsoka remarked and then hugged him, like a sister.
"I'm glad you're still alive." Rex told his old friend.
"You too." She replied as they parted. He then turned to Dash and they faced each other smiling.
"I'm glad to have you back, brother." He told Rex and they shared a hug as well.
"Well, I wouldn't be if it weren't for these guys. Especially your son." Rex said, looking back at the crew.
"Thank you for trusting our friend." Ahsoka said to the crew.
"*chuckles* It wasn't easy. It's still not." Kanan commented.
"Nothing worth doing ever is." Dash told him.
"And we didn't just bring Rex back." Errol noted and stepped aside for his grandma to step forward and both Ahsoka and Dash grinned upon seeing her. Alaara herself shed tears upon seeing her daughter.
"Little Soka." She said, calling Ahsoka by her nickname for her as they hugged.
"Mother. I'm so glad you're still okay." She told her mother.
"Of course I am. Being with Rex helped." Alaara noted as they parted. She then looked to Dash.
"I hope you took good care of my daughter." She said.
"You know I make her as well as my son my priority." He told her as they too hugged.
Errol held Hera's hand and they smiled at the sweet family reunion.
I had to add more reasons for Errol to be called Tank Boy. Thank you, PsychicTitan.