Just so you all know the clones stop rapidly aging at physically 20 and age normally after.
Bly was busy looking over records of the supplies they were carrying to a planet in need of support after a separatist attack.
He checked and doubled checked to make sure everything was there. 'Did we remember to pack extra rations. The general always hates seeing anyone go hungry.'
Bly frowned at this, it always hurt to see the generals disappointed looked when she saw starving civilians. It was one of the few times he ever saw her look truly helpless. Even when she gave up her own rations to help those who needed them.
'I'm lucky to work with someone with such a big heart.' Bly had to smile. Everyone in the Star Corps respected her and the shinnies always had a small crush on her till they saw her fight.
'Though you never outgrew your own.' Bly shakes his head as he puts his datapad away. As he walked to get to the meeting room his mind wouldn't stop nagging him about that last thought.
'It doesn't matter anyway. You can't have attachments, and even if you could the General would never betray the Jedi code. So just drop it.' He felt his heart break at his own reprimand. But he had to move on. He was scheduled for a meeting with the general.
As soon as Bly walked in, he noticed his General taking with Generals Yoda, Windu, and Kenobi. General Secura turned at his entrance with a smile and said "Ah, Bly there you are. I'm glad you are here, we have some news."
Bly was surprised, the General seemed happy about this.
"What kind of news sir?" Bly walked up, curios about this.
General Windu then said "Congratulations Commander. You have bean chosen for an important mission to help a people on the brink of extinction."
Bly's eyes widened at the kind of mission he was being giving "Thank you sir, what is it we'll need to do to help the people."
"Not us Bly, just you." Sacura corrects.
"Sir?" Bly raises a brow.
"Commander Bly, you and two other of your brothers have been chosen to represent the republic in this crucial matter. To go to the planet Lubin, and court one of their women in hopes that we can help the people repopulate. Though this is up to you if you want to go…." Kenobi explains the details of the mission.
"Isn't it exciting Bly, you'll have a chance to have wife and family." Secura looks excited for her friend.
Bly looked on in shock. 'Marry, a stranger, orders. But…' Bly looked at Secura and her happy look.
'Does she really only see me as her Commander?' He wanted to frown, but didn't want to upset her and besides it was an order. Even if it was optional, he was made to fallow them.
With that Bly looked at the Generals and said "I'm honored to take this task." He nods.
With that the others nod as well before the holo images blip out.
"Shall we tell the men the good news Commander." Secura looks to him.
"Actually, I'd like to take some time to take this in General. It's a bit of a shock." Bly tries to smile.
"Of course, with the rules it's not the kind of mission you ever expected to receive." Secura smiles.
"No, I can't say it is." Bly replies before leaving to his room and 'not' cry for a few hours.
CLONE WARS
Wolffe was busy in the training room as he barked "Come on boys run faster, you'll never outrun a clanker like that!"
"Sir yes sir!" The shinnies called as they picked up the pace.
Wolffe glared to try and intimidate any straggles and it worked. They jumped and scurried off as fast as they could.
Sinker chuckled at this as he said "A little harsh on the shinnies today vod."
"They need to be ready for anything. This battalions gone through too much. If they're going to survive, they need to be stronger then normal troopers." Wolffe replied as he kept his eyes on the group.
Sinker sighed "True. Wolffe pack ain't known for it's survival record."
Wolffe frowned. He hated to admit it, but it was true. Ever since the maleficent incident the wolffe pack had somewhat been branded.
'I wonder when our next mission will come up. The General's been in the council room for a while.' Wolffe frowned.
Wolffe didn't doubt his General's ability to protect himself. But after all the lost he's witnessed, the last thing he needed is for the only person who treated them like sentient beings to get killed.
Boost suddenly came in and said "Hey guys, the General's on his way and he's looking happy about something."
"Wonder what that could be?" Wolffe raised a brow.
"Maybe they're letting him get a padawan. You know how the General loves kids." Sinker chuckles.
Wolffe groaned, he knew his General meant well but he didn't think he could handle a kid running around.
"Nah you know the General would never want Wolffe's position taken. It's probably something else. Pluss he already has us to take care of." Boost chuckled.
Wolffe rolled his eyes at this. The whole pack had a joke about how General Koon treated the pack like his own kids. Wolffe tried to wave it off, but there were times the General really did act fatherly to him. And it was something he wasn't all sure he knew how to feel about.
'He's better than anything Jango could have bean.' Wolffe shoves that out of his head and gets back to yelling at the shinnies.
At last Plo arrives and if they could see behind his mask, he'd have a huge grin, well as well a beak can show a grin. Most of the pack jumped the first time they saw the General without his mask.
Plo sauntered in, arms behind his back, and humming…..
'Humming, I don't think I've ever heard the general hum.' Wolffe looked surprised.
As Plo came up, he said "Wolffe, I have great news. You have bean selected among two others to be part of a very important assignment for the republic."
The pack stopped what they were doing, excited to hear this as Wolffe stood at attention and said "Of course sir. What's the mission?"
"Your mission, to go to the planet Lubin. The people are on the verge of extinction after a separatist attack sadly." Plo frowns.
"Those scums!" Sinker yells as the other members of the pack agree.
"Whatever the mission sir, I'll gladly accept. How are we going to punish these seppie scum?" Wolffe growled.
Wolffe may not be much for civilian work, but he hated the thought of civilians being attacked.
The others cheer, giving their agreement.
Plo puts his hand up and says "There will be no fighting this time. You have a greater mission ahead."
Wolffe raised a brow as the brothers looked confused and curios, what could be more important than tracking down the scum that did this.
"Sir?" Wolffe asked.
"Wolffe, I have volunteered you to go to Lubin to find a wife and help repopulate the planet." Plo smiles again as if he was giving the best news in the world.
Suddenly a great crash was heard through the gym as the wolffe pack for the first and probably last time saw their Commander faint.
When Wolffe did come around he would be explained the details and that it was his choice to go or not. In the end Wolffe went, only because he saw how much it meant to his General. And as clone it was his duty to serve the republic.
CLONE WARS
Rex was at the range, having some target practice while having a friendly competition against Fives and Echo.
The two were desperate to try and best his high score, but then the alarm went off.
"That makes a total of 115 boys. I win." Rex smirks at the newly made ARCs.
"Aw come on not again!" Fives groans.
"Face it Fives we'll never beat him." Echo sighs.
Rex chuckles as he says "You know it. So, this means you boys are buying this time at 79's."
"Fine, but we will beat you one day." Fives crosses his arms.
"Let it go Fives." Echo shook his head.
"Never, I will win!" Fives says dramatically.
Echo groans, face palming.
Rex had to laugh out load. He loved hanging out with his vod'ika, it made him feel alive even with all that was going on around them.
As Rex looked at the two younger brothers arguing about something, he couldn't help but think 'Sorry Cut, but I could never leave them.' He smiled as he just watched the two.
That was till his com rang "Yes sir?"
"Hey Rex, Obi-Wan has a mission for us. Can you get to the communication room soon?"
"On my way General." Rex hangs up and says "Sorry boys, duty calls."
"We'll see you later Captain." Echo nods as Fives gives a mock salute.
Rex just shook his head as he headed off.
Once on his way he couldn't help but wonder what the mission was going to be about. 'I wonder how much I could bet it involves the General crashing a ship?'
Rex sighs. While he was used to it, the General's record for having the most crashed ships was getting old. 'How did he ever get his pilot license?'
As he walked through the halls he nodded and greeted other brothers walking by, at least till he reached the communications room.
Once he entered, he noticed something was wrong. And when he meant wrong, he meant that his General looked shocked, while Generals Yoda, Windu, and Kenobi looked severely pleased with themselves.
"Is something the matter Generals?" Rex asks as he walks in.
"Ah, Rex good to see you. We have a very important mission for you…" Kenobi starts.
"NO! No and no! I never agreed to this!" Anakin suddenly burst.
"Sir?" Rex looked on wide eyed.
"Anakin it's an order from the council, you can't just ignore it." Kenobi sighs.
"But I need Rex here, you can't just take him!" Anakin threw his arms up.
Rex eyes widened at this 'Take me, am I being reassigned?' Rex had to agree with his General, he did not want to be moved.
Yoda seemed to guess what Rex was thinking "Reassignment, is not in your future Captain." He chuckled.
Rex couldn't help but sigh. That was a relieve. "If it's not reassignment then my I ask what it is?"
"You don't need to ask because it's not happening." Anakin glared at the others.
"Skywalker please, you'll see him again in a month." Mace glared.
"Have you even considered about what Rex might want?" Anakin waved to Rex.
"He may know if he wants to do this if you would let us tell him Anakin. I don't see what the big problem is?" Kenobi raised a brow.
Anakin frowned. Usually he didn't have a problem with Rex going on other mission without him. But recently Rex had found out about his marriage and he'd bean helping him get in contact with Padme when he could. You could say he was being selfish.
"Sirs I don't understand, what's going on?" Rex raised a brow.
"A cry for help from the Lubin has reached us. Extinction is in their future if the Jedi do not help." Yoda looks on gravely.
Rex looks shocked, why wouldn't his General want him to help prevent the extinction of a people.
"Sirs I have no problem with helping anyone in need. Especially if it's to keep them from disappearing from the universe." Rex said determinedly.
"Just wait till you find out the mission details." Anakin frowns.
"The people of Lubin are under one thousand, and the separatist have attacked them by causing more than half of their male population to become infertile. The Chiefess of the planet has asked us to send three of our men to find wives and help in repopulating the planet." Kenobi explains.
"Wait, what?" Rex eyes bulge out at this.
"See what I mean." Anakin frowns as he glared at the masters, as if saying 'You're doing this to me on purpose.'
Let's just say their smug looks where a confirmation.
"Captain please understand, this is just a trail run. You don't have to find a wife this is just our way of seeing if it's possible." Windu explains.
"We've also set up rules, you can choose to stay on the planet or come back even if married. And your spouse can do the same. But if you do marry, you'll have to go there for your leave." Kenobi explains.
Rex was only half hearing this, he was still in shock. 'Married, a wife, repopulate. What are they asking?'
"See, now he's in shock." Anakin face palms. "I better get him to the medbay…" Anakin starts.
"Sir no, wait! I'm okay it was just a shock." Rex shakes his head.
"Yes, that's been the common trend so far." Kenobi smirks along with the other two, Anakin glaring at them.
Rex then said "Sirs I don't know what to say. It's a big step to take and I'm not sure if I'm qualified for such a task."
"We would not have chosen you Captain if we didn't think you couldn't do the job." Mace nods.
"Master Ti, the one to suggest you she was." Yoda smiles kindly.
Rex smiled, he had only known General Ti for a while but was grateful to her for helping give his brothers a better chance at surviving Kamino. Fives and Echo telling him of the improvements she made.
"I'm honored to hear that sirs. May I have some time to think on it?" Rex smiles.
"Of course, this is a big step. We expect your answer by tomorrow." Kenobi nods as he and the others sign off.
Once gone Anakin says "Rex you don't have to do this." Anakin wasn't just doing it for his Padme calls, he was doing it because he genuinely cared for Rex. He wasn't just his Captain, he was his friend.
"I understand General, but I was made to help people and in a sense this is a way for me to help. It's daunting, but I can't just say no without thinking on it first." Rex frowns.
"I respect that. You always do think of the greater good." Anakin smiles as he holds his friend's shoulder.
Rex smiled back saying "Thank you sir."
With that the two split off, having much to think about.
Anakin rushed to his room, once there he got his holo imager out and called Padme to explain what had just happened.
When he was done explaining Padme said "It seems to me likes it's a wonderful chance for Rex." She smiles.
"But Padme. Rex is a soldier. He's never been in a relationship before and now their throwing him into getting married. How is that okay?" Anakin frowns.
"How is it okay that he's not even allowed to have attachments." Padme frowns, implying to their own situation.
Anakin flinched, she had a point.
"Anakin. Rex is a good man, he's been there by your side for every crazy stunt and plan you've ever devised. Shouldn't you be doing the same for whatever decision he makes. Especially if it's a chance for him to learn the same happiness that we know." Padme smiles once more, putting a hand out.
Anakin looks up smiling this time as he puts his hand out as if to touch here, even miles away. "You're right, I'll let him know I support what ever he chooses. He's more then my Captain, he's my friend. I should treat him as such."
"I'm glad to hear that." Padme looks lovingly at him.
Meanwhile…
Rex was in his barracks, sitting on his bunk as he thought about what he just heard.
'They're orders, and yet they're orders I can choose to fallow. I'm not sure if I should though. I chose to stay here for my brothers. That's what I told Cut.'
At that, memories of his farmer brother came up and his family.
'He seemed so happy. I hate to admit it but a part of me did want to stay, or at least to somehow know what he felt. He cares for them so much they give him a strength I've only seen in a handful of troopers.'
Rex had to smile sadly as he thought of Hevy, 99, and even Fives and Echo.
'Their love for their brothers give them that strength. It gives me strength, but does having more to care about give you more strength? I can still be with my brothers and have something similar to Cut? Can I really throw a chance like this away?'
That feeling of what if and wanting to know more than just a soldier's life came back. They all at some point felt it. Sometimes he thinks about it when helping the General with his calls to the Senator.
'I wonder if that's what gives the General his strength as well. When it's her life on the line he fights to his last. Does loving someone make you a better soldier?'
Rex wasn't sure if that could be true. Maybe having more to fight for, or having more people you care to fight for made you stronger. But he didn't want to get married just for that. He was genuinely curios. And he trusted the generals with their decision to choose him.
'The people also need help. I can't just sit back and do nothing. In a sense it's an order. One I can choose, but still an order. Yet….The General doesn't seem too pleased about it.'
Rex frowned. He was curious about all this, but if his General didn't agree he wouldn't leave him. He cared too much on what he thought to do something that would upset him.
With that Rex decided he go find Anakin, but instead he heard a knock at the door. He looked confused. Most just walked in, so it could only be the General or Commander.
"Come in." He called and he was surprised to find it was the General.
"Sir?" he asked surprised.
Anakin smiled as he walked over and sat next to Rex.
"I came to say I'm sorry."
Rex jumped "Sir, you don't have to…."
"Yes, I do Rex. I went overboard and was being selfish. I also didn't think things through." Anakin sighs.
"What do you mean?" Rex raises a brow.
"Well, for starters I didn't want you leaving because of you helping me keep in contact with Padme. That's being selfish, and second…..I thought I was protecting you. You and the other don't exactly have much experience with relationships, and I thought it wasn't faire to rush you into anything. But Padme talked to me." Anakin smirked.
Rex had to smirks back, the Senator was always good at helping the General think straight. That's why he never apposed the idea. She was good for him.
"She told me that I needed to trust you just like you've always trusted me, and that letting you have a choice is the right thing to do. I support any decision you make Rex. Not as your General, but as your friend." Anakin smiles putting a hand to Rex's shoulder.
Rex was shocked as he looked at his General's sincerity, it was a rare sight. Also the thought of his General seeing him as a friend….It made his heart swell. He smiled back and said "Thank you General. That's means a lot to me."
"So, tomorrow whatever you chose, know I'm on your side okay." Anakin smirks.
Rex smirks and says "Actually, I think I've made my decision."
With that Rex tells him he wants to try this. Anakin smiles, a little sad, but happy for his friend. The two planning on how things will get done without him for a month, but they'd manage.
In this chapter I wanted to show how the troopers crave the approval of their generals. Either because of love, family, or friendship.
Since they were the only one's kind enough to show them this, it would make a lot of sense. So, it be hard for them to say no to something they ask of them even if it was their choice. Or say yes without their approval.
I hope you all enjoyed this and review.