Get ready for a ride people, like I said before, Huntress has a lot of think about in the chapter, and I'm pretty proud with how I handled it. I would like to give a shoutout to the author sachariah and their story To Each His Own, the story helped me out with the writing process for this chapter a little.
Please send a review and criticism is welcomed. And if you are new here, please like and follow.
I own none of the content, and please enjoy.
The Deserter
One thing Tessa never got tired of was going to new planets. After being on Kamino for most of your life, even with the accelerated aging, you would want to explore, away from the constant rain, storms, and water, and hope the job you get allows you travel across galaxy, and not get stuck in one location. Rishi Moon was boring, barren, and it left Tessa with bad memories, but also good as well, due to being recruited in one of the best clone outfits in the GAR. Marudun was nice, sunny, slightly green, and the only issue was the local wildlife, and almost being disintegrated. Naboo was picturesque, and it would be a nice place for a vacation, even if almost dying from a virus would've put her off, but she still liked the planet. Coruscant was a city planet, and was the heart and birthplace of the Republic, so going there was nice. A tad noisy, but nice.
Ryloth was nice, and even though Tessa experienced a part of the war she never thought about, in regards to Numa and the plight of the Twi'lek's, it would be nice go back, when there wasn't a war going on. Malastare was alright, even if the Zillo Beast dampened it. Geonosis… was a place she would never want to go back too, it was inhospitable, one of the worst campaigns she had been in so far, not to mention losing Cutup. She wouldn't care if the Republic decided to bombard the planet until the Geonosian's were all dust. While Saleucami, which was the current planet she and the others were on, was looking nice so far, a mix of nice vegetation, with the slight humidness of Ryloth. The terrain was uneven so walking, driving a Speeder or take shelter in a tank was the way to get around and search for Grevious. The plan was to search for the main landing craft, instead of finding the numerous smaller ones. The data on the ship could lead them to where the smaller ones where, and any one of them could lead to the General.
"Well, I was hoping this search would be short. Wandering around a planet isn't something I expected." Attie said as they walked along.
"Well, we did land in the general area our sensors picked up the last signal of the main landing craft. And from what we can gather so far, we're heading in the right direction." Del said.
"Which is fine, but I'm still miffed that we all didn't get a speeder. Just because Fives is squad leader now, he got first pick." Attie complained.
"Well, like you said, I'm squad leader for now Attie. Besides, I was gracious enough to let everyone switch every once in a while." Fives joked as he hovered nearby. "And a couple of them have passenger seats or side-cars."
Attie snorted, and said," Yeah, but driving one is better. How's the passenger seat, sister?"
Tessa, who was in the passenger seat of Fives' speeder shrugged.
"Not the most ideal, but I'm not walking so that's a plus." She cheerfully said.
"My turn in a minute or two, Tess. Or else I'll throw you out." Echo joked.
"Ask Jesse, Hardcase or Kix to borrow theirs." Tessa said.
Before Echo could reply, Captain Rex approached them on his speeder, and said," The General found the landing craft. All troops on speeders are to scout ahead, and start searching."
"Copy sir, but, can you order Tessa to switch places with me? My feet are getting tired." Echo said, pretending to sound tired.
Rex's only response was to drive the speeder towards the land craft. He had heard snippets of their conversation when he was talking to the General. It was something that was below his rank, but he did admit riding a speeder was better than walking.
All Tessa could say is that if Grevious was at the crash site, he would be long gone by now. Or was killed in the crash, but so far they haven't found his body, so he was probably alive. From what they searched from the wreckage so far, were destroyed droids and equipment that were destroyed or damaged. But they needed a fully intact droid in order to figure out an idea on a possible rendezvous point the droids had set up, before they had crashed towards the surface.
Tessa was busy shifting through parts of wreckage when she heard her name called. She looked up, and saw Captain Rex approach her with Jesse.
"Huntress, General Kenobi has ordered Jesse, Hardcase, Kix and me to search the wetlands. I suggested you come along, due to you having a good eye. And don't worry, we have an extra speeder." Rex said.
"Yes sir, and thanks." Tessa said as she followed him.
Jesse hung back, and walked with Tessa, and said," Well sister, looks like we have a job with just us. Maybe one of us can convince you to switch to our squad, and leave the others."
"Tempting, but I prefer to stay with the di'kut's I have, not new ones, including you." Tessa joked.
Hardcase, who heard that chuckled, ands said to Kix," Well, that's a burn that even you wouldn't be able to heal."
That caused Kix to chuckle as well, while Jesse did as well.
Rex sighed, even though he found it amusing, and said," Knock it off, let's saddle up and move out."
"Yes sir." The four of them said.
They all got on the speeders and took off.
The reconnaissance so far was uneventful in Huntress's opinion; so far they hadn't even seen anything, which can be both a good thing, and a bad thing. Looking back, Tessa may had a good eye but she wasn't perfect, even Nax had issues sometimes. She preferred to do her looking while walking or stationary. Driving a speeder was nice and all, but due to driving fast, you can only look around and see things as they pass by. The only way to see something coming was if you looked dead ahead.
This was what she found herself doing, but only had a brief moment to see something shining ahead of them, when the shot ran out. The blaster bolt hit the Captain, and he ended up flying off the speeder, and hit the ground hard.
Tessa was shocked for a moment, but once Jesse ordered her and Kix to protect the Captain, she stopped her speeder, did a hard turn, and raced off to where he was lying motionless on the ground. While Jesse and Hardcase continued on to take care of the snipers. Both she and Kix jumped off their speeders once they got close enough. Tessa's heart was beating a mile a minute, and she was cursing herself for not seeing the snipers sooner.
"Sithspit." She muttered.
Kix checked on Rex, took off his helmet, and felt his pulse on his neck. He felt relief when he felt it, even though it was faint.
"Is he okay?" Tessa asked.
"He's fine, but he needs medical attention, get me the first aid kit." Kix ordered.
Tessa nodded and sprinted to Kix's speeder to get the medical supplies.
Kix turned on his communicator." Jesse, you better get back here."
Once they took care of the droids, Jesse and Hardcase got back to Tessa and Kix.
"How bad is it?" Jesse asked worriedly.
"Pretty bad. I need to remove the armor to see the full extent of the damage."
"Bantha Poodoo, if only I saw those snipers earlier, and the Captain would've been fine." Tessa angrily said.
Jesse placed a hand on his sister shoulder, gave her reassuringly look, and said," Hey, don't beat yourself up. We didn't see them, and neither did Rex. It was something that couldn't be avoided.
"The Captain said he chose me because I had the best eyes, Jesse. What kind of sharpshooter am I if I didn't see it?" Tessa dejectedly said.
Jesse could see it was eating her up, and he felt for her. He knew comfort would do so much, and the current situation didn't help matters.
"Look, you can mope around, or we can put it aside, and start coming up with a plan. Those snipers might've called for backup, and we need to do something or else we'll get picked off." Hardcase said.
Before Jesse could comment, they heard a noise, and turned around to see some animals near them. They weren't frightened of them, they seemed more curious, or were just standing around.
Jesse figured out why, and said," I think those critters are domesticated."
"Sir?" Kix questioned, wondering where this was going.
"I think we're on farmland, and where there is a farm, there's a farmer." Jesse explained.
Tessa saw where he was going with this, and said," We can head over to where they live, and hopefully help Rex better."
"Right, set up the stretcher on the speeder, and move him carefully. Let's move." Jesse said.
Tessa nodded, and went to set up the stretcher, but Kix stopped her, and she looked up him.
"Don't beat yourself up, neither us nor the Captain blame you. There was nothing we couldn't do."
Tessa nodded, even though she still felt awful, she knew Rex wouldn't want that to hinder herself. Not when something critical was a priority right now.
The group found a trail or dirt road easily enough, and followed it until they got to a homestead. Which was a good thing, due to the sun setting, and the need to patch up Rex, and see the extent of his injuries.
Once they stopped, the front door opened and a female Twi'lek came out, holding a rifle.
"We want no trouble here." She said.
"Easy with the weapon, ma'am. We're here as friends." Jesse said as he took off his helmet to ease the tension.
Tessa took off her helmet as well and said," Sorry to come unexpectedly, ma'am. But our Captain has been hurt, and he needs to be looked at by our medic. We just need to tend to him. That's all, if that's okay?"
The woman still looked skeptical, and was about say something, but two children, who looked to be a mix of Twi'lek and human, came running out to see what was going on.
"Mommy, who's-"The girl attempted to ask.
"Get back inside, both of you." Their mother ordered.
The kids groaned, but did what they were told. Tessa had to put her fist over her mouth to keep herself from giggling at the sight.
The woman relented by saying, "Look, there are some benches out back in the barn. It's the best I can do."
"That'll be fine, ma'am. Thank you." Jesse thanked.
Jesse gave the signal, and four of them moved closer to the barn. They unhooked the gurney, with Tessa and Jesse carrying Rex. Once they got situated, Kix got to work removing Rex's armor until he was shirtless, and had his pants covering on. They were shocked to see the makings of a blaster mark on Rex's chest and back. The fact it was close to his heart and it didn't hit him there, was nothing short of a miracle. Kix started to assess the damage, and shooed the others away. Tessa would've found that part amusing, due to Coric being the same, but she was still thinking on what had happened earlier.
She felt a hand on her shoulder, and looked at Jesse, who gave her nod. And she nodded back
Kix placed a Bacta patch on Rex's chest. His assessment was that the sniper shot didn't hit or damaged anything vital, but it was a close call. All he could find was some nerve damage, tenderness, and Rex wouldn't be feeling so well at first, but a nights rest, and then a couple of hours in the Bacta Tank on the Resolute will heal him up. But they would have to leave him here for the night to rest. But they were all relieved that Rex was going to be okay.
By the time Kix finished putting on another Bacta Patch, Rex started to wake up.
"W- what happened?" He said with a wince.
"A Commando Droid took a potshot at you, that would've gone straight through you heart, had it been two inches to the left." Kix said.
"W-why can't I move my arm?"
"You have some nerve damage."
Tessa sighed regrettably, and said," It's my fault sir. If I would've looked more closely, I would've seen them in time."
Rex gave Tessa stern look, well the best he could when he was wincing in pain." Huntress, I don't blame you. It wasn't your fault. I didn't see those droids either, and I have the more advanced training. Pretty sure Alpha would kick my butt for not watching my surroundings better. So I order you to let guy of the guilt, and move on. Got it."
Tessa nodded, and said," Yes sir."
It did make her feel better that he didn't blame her, but she still felt guilty.
Rex tried to get up, but Kix both helped and stopped him.
"Right then, let's get a move on." Rex said.
"Sir, you're in no condition. It will heal, but it'll take time." Kix disagreed.
"We're getting under way, Kix. That's an order." Rex said.
"Sir, as the team medic, when it comes to the health of the men, including you, I outrank everyone. So I respectively order you, sir, to get some rest." Kix said as he delicately tried to put it without getting in trouble.
Tessa held a snort back, due to knowing Coric would say the same thing. And if the stern talk wouldn't work, then he would use his scary medic glare. She was fortunate enough to never receive that, but she had a fond memory of when he did it on a pair of shinies who thought they could get away with an injury, and tried to argue with the veteran medic.
She was pretty sure they almost wet their pants as well.
Before Rex to report, someone cleared their throat. They all turned around to see the female Twi'lek standing in the doorway, with a plate of food.
"Excuse me, if there's not enough-"
"Oh no, that's plenty. Thank you uh…" Jesse started.
"Suu." Suu introduced herself.
A floating ball came into the barn, and Tessa grabbed it, she looked at the doorway to see the young girl from earlier come in.
"Shaeeah I thought I told you to stay in the house." Suu scolded.
"I couldn't help it mom, it got away." Shaeeah said.
Tessa grinned as she got on her knee and held the ball out to Shaeeah.
"I believe this is yours?" She said.
Shaeeah smiled shyly, and said," Thank you. Is that a real flower on your face? It's pretty."
Tessa chuckled, and said," No it's a tattoo, and thank you."
Shaeeah then looked at her mother, and asked," Can I have one, mommy?"
Tessa eyes widened, and she pretended to not hear the slight snickers from the others. She looked at Suu, and she looked shocked as well.
"Uh no sweetie. Only adults are allowed to them." Suu managed to give a answer.
Shaeeah nodded, and she then looked up at Rex, and she gave him a curious look. And Tessa felt amusement at the lost look Rex had. It wasn't every day the professional officer looked like he didn't know how to handle the situation.
"You look like my daddy." Shaeeah said.
Tessa raised a brow at that, and glanced at the others, who had similar looks of confusion.
"Shaeeah, don't bother the soldier. Now go inside with your brother." Suu said.
"Yes mom." She said.
Shaeeah looked at the others one more time, and Tessa offered her a small smile, which Shaeeah gave one back, and left.
"My husband is away, he's out delivery our first harvest. Do you require anything else?" Suu asked.
"No. Thank you, Suu." Jesse thanked.
Suu nodded, and left the barn. Hardcase picked up one of Rex's pistols, and placed it next to him.
Rex looked at the others, and said," Resume the search without me. Jesse, you're in command. I'll be fine here."
Tessa went over to the Captain and said," If you don't mind sir, I would like to stay here with you. It's not that I feel guilty; it's that you're injured, and someone needs to look after you. We also don't know where the Seppies are, so it would be best for someone to look after you, and the people here."
Rex nodded, and said," Fine. But as long as you don't hover around too much. I can take care of myself."
Tessa nodded, looked a the others, and said," Make sure to bust some clankers for me?"
Hardcase grinned, and said," Don't worry, we will sister."
Kix handed her the medical bag, and said," Make sure to replace the Bacta in a couple of hours. I hope the small lessons Coric gave you are sufficient."
"They are."
"Remember, we're just a comm, we'll be back in no time." Jesse said.
The three of them soon left. Tessa sighed and sat on one of the nearby chairs, and looked at the Captain.
"Sir, do you mind if I-"
"Go and tell your squad Huntress." Rex said in a knowing tone.
Tessa nodded, she got up, grabbed her Rifle, and walked out.
"So, your playing babysitter for the Captain is what we got." Five's voice said.
Tessa leaned against the barn, while also munching on piece of fruit, she swallowed, and said." Pretty much. It's not all bad. The family who allowed us to stay here are nice. And it's nice scenery out here. Remind me of the nights on Rishi where there was nothing but stars."
"Well, glad you and the others are okay, sister. Stay safe, and once again, something interesting happened when you went off on one of your missions." Echo joked.
Tessa rolled her eyes, and said," Uh-huh. I'm starting to think I'm cursed or something."
"Well, don't get your cursed energy or whatever on us once you get back." Attie chimed in jokingly.
"Shut up. Happy hunting you guys." Tessa said and ended the comm.
Tessa finished eating the fruit, and looked around, scanning the area. She then walked over to the main house, and knocked on the door.
Suu answered and Tessa said," If you don't mind, I'm going to be scanning the area. I know the fighting is far from here, but we can't be too careful. Consider it a thank you for allowing us to stay here."
"We appreciate that. But if you need anything, don't hesitate." Suu said, and closed the door.
Tessa put her helmet on, and started to walk around the farm, keeping her eye out for anything.
It would be close to an hour later when Tessa noticed something; she was on the outskirts on the north side when she saw movement coming from the main area. She saw someone going in the barn's direction, and also saw a vehicle and animal that wasn't there before. So she had to assume Suu's husband was back. It was nice thought at first, she was planning on thanking the man for his families hospitality. But she realized the man didn't know about Rex in the barn, and neither did Rex know when the man was coming back.
So she jogged, and saw the light turn on. She stopped when she heard talking. Rex sounded mad, while Suu's husband…
She walked into view, and her jaw went slack at the person she saw.
A clone.
A clone, who wore simple clothing, had his hair dyed red, and had it in a short ponytail.
Tessa took off her helmet, and the clone looked surprised.
"Huh, never thought there would a sister among us. Cut Lawquane, what name do you go by?" The clone or Cut causally said, as if the current situation wasn't important.
Tessa glared at him, looked at Rex, who nodded.
A deserter was someone that Tessa had heard and knows about. Clones that left the GAR, and abandoned everything, including their brothers. She had met a previous deserter before, a Trooper named Heater, who after being brought back, led a mission along with other deserters, became a part of the 501st. Heater had come to regret his decision after he left, and after he was arrested. When Tessa had asked him why he did it, he shrugged and explained that he wasn't sure, but he felt a sense of wanting to know what it was like making your own decisions.
It was something she couldn't fathom about willing leaving everything, just to be your own person, knowing you abandoned everything you were bred for, and your brothers.
"Yeah, I get that a lot. What are you doing? You swore an oath to the Republic. How can you give all of it up? Your duty is to defend and protect the Republic." Tessa said.
"Like I told him. I'm expressing my freedom to choose, sister. I mean, we are the same person, but we are also individuals, ones that can make their own decisions. Not just to fightin in the war. And I do have a duty. It's to defend and protect my family. Does that count, or the both of you plan to turn me in?"
"Do we have a choice?" Rex said with a glare.
Before they could say anything else. The rest of Cut's family soon came.
"Daddy! Your home!" Shaeeah said as she hugged Cut.
Tessa was surprised by how… normal this all looked. Cut was fatherly to both Shaeeah and the boy, Jek, gave him a drawing that he praised. She knew they weren't his kids, but he treated them like they were. She looked at Suu, who had a fond smile, but there was a hint of worry. This was to be expected, considering her husband was deserter. And she realized now that Suu could've forbidden them from using their home to help Rex. It made her wonder why she would do that, considering the circumstances.
"He looks just like you daddy! And so does she! Are they brother and sister?" Shaeeah asked.
"Ah, yeah I see the resemblance. I was just making our guests, um. What are your numbers?"
"Huntress." Tessa simply said, still feeling slightly lost, and she also had a weird feeling of some sort.
"It's Rex. Huntress and I have names, believe it or not."
"He was injured, and his men brought him here. I told them he could stay just for the night. Huntress here has been looking around and guarding the house, just in case anything happened." Suu explained.
"Well then, I thank you Huntress. And if you believe this is a way to say thanks, it won't be needed. We never turn away those in need, do we?" Cut said the last part to his kids.
"No, we always help anyone we can." Jek said.
"Right." Cut said with a nod, and looked at Tessa and Rex." You both look hungry."
"I ate earlier." Tessa said, feeling out of place.
"No I'm fine." Rex said.
"No, you have to eat with us. Please" Jek pleaded, and Shaeeah followed along.
Cut chuckled." They're never going to stop till you say yes."
Rex looked at Tessa, who nodded, and Rex said," All right. We'll join you."
The kids cheered, and Tessa grinned a little at that. She looked at Rex, silently asking him what they were going to do. He responded by giving her a firm look, which meant he would handle it.
Later the small group was starting to eat dinner. And in no time, Rex got back to talking to Cut about his choice to desert, while Cut explained his reasoning.
"Yes, well, you, Huntress, and I may be clones but we're still individuals. You and Huntress both have a name, instead of a number. Why is that?"
"Perhaps our leaders feel it's a more efficient way of distinguishing us."
"More efficient than a number? Hmm. I doubt the Kaminoans think that way. Still, a name has to make you feel unique, especially in an army where everyone looks like you and talks like you. Well, except for Huntress for obvious reasons, no offense."
Tessa shrugged, and said," It's fine. It's something I thought about before. I knew the moment I woke up that I was unique, and wondered where my place was amongst everyone. I soon realized that I my uniqueness wasn't an issue at all, and I learned to live with it."
It was something that used to plague her when she was a young cadet. The Kaminoans made sure to make her remember that, even though they treated her like any other clone. While her batch mates and other clones didn't treat her differently all. Not including their slight over protectiveness of her, due to her being the youngest of the group, and their only sister. She also had Master Ti to thank her for overcoming the thoughts of her being left out. She remembered she told her that just because she was unique, doesn't mean she was different. She was living being like her brothers, and her brothers never thought she was odd. Master Ti told her to embrace it, and be proud of it.
Thinking about it now, and with Cut, the uniqueness of Cut was that he was a clone who chose to get out of the army, and soon found his place in the galaxy, which was taking care of his family.
"That's what I felt as well. Wondering if I where I belong was with the Army. Or something else. But as soon as I did, I realized being here was something I wanted, not something that our creators or superiors wanted. You never thought about that?" Cut asked Rex.
Rex should've answered immediately, but he had to think about it for a moment.
"It's something I never thought about." Was his response.
"Oh yes, you have." Cut knowingly said.
"And how would you know?" Rex said with a raised brow.
"Because I'm as close as you as any life-form can be."
Tessa had to agree with him on that, when it came knowing who you are, clones knew one another, even if they had some small differences, or big differences like 99. Sure they all couldn't read other's thoughts, but they could understand stuff about them that others couldn't.
"I've seen the way you and Huntress like at my family, at our home. Come on you two, admit it. you both thought of what your lives would be like if you were to leave the army, choose the life you want." Cut said.
Tessa glanced at Suu and kids, the kids smiled at her and Rex. Tessa felt the feeling she felt earlier, and realized that Cut was right. Sure her life revolved around the military, but she was free to have her own thoughts. She never once thought about deserting, not even when she talked to Heater. It seemed impossible, something unachievable.
But, recently, she had thoughts of what to do with her life, if she survived long enough to see the end of the war. Cutup and Hevy's last words to her echoed her mind.
"Huntress, your life is more worth it. You need to survive."
"Promise me you'll continue to fight, Tess. And once this war is over… you make your own life."
What would her life be? She had a hard time imagining it, but after seeing the type of life Cut had, maybe this was what she could have?
Kids, and a significant other, she knew she didn't have feelings for women, so a man. And they have a home. Maybe something else, but once she thought about it, something like the life Cut currently had was something she was considering.
"What if I am choosing the life I want? What if I'm staying in the army because it's meaningful to me? Huntress, what do you think?"
Tessa looked up and blinked, lost in her thoughts.
"I… yeah, I mean what kind of life would we have? We have a duty to serve in the army. And it's meaningful to us." Tessa said, hoping she sounded like she meant it.
She knew it was complete Bantha Poodoo, after what was happing so far, she couldn't help question it all. She had her sense of duty, to fight for the army and the entire Republic sure. The latter reason, more specifically fighting for the safety of its inhabitants, and to put to the Separatists threat. Her time on Ryloth, with seeing how the war affected the civilians and Numa, was what made her conviction to fight more palpable. She didn't want to see the heartbreaking sadness she saw Numa had again.
Rex seemed to not see the hesitation from Tessa and agreed with her." What if we are? What I am choosing? What if staying in the army is meaningful to us?"
"And how is it meaningful?" Cut skeptically asked.
Rex locked eyes with Cut. "Because we are a part of the most pivotal moment in the history of the Republic. If we fail then our children, and their children, could be forced to live under an evil I can't well imagine."
Tessa had to agree, looking at Shaeeah and Jek, they looked at the conversation with wonder. They were just kids, kids who were innocent and had no true idea of what was going on in the galaxy. Tessa hoped it would stay that way for them, even if there was a fight going on in space, and a manhunt going on that could lead to conflict on a different part of the planet.
A greater evil could take over the galaxy if they didn't fight. So fighting for a better future was the right thing to do.
"If you were to have children. But, that would be against the rules, wouldn't it?" Cut probed. "Isn't that just what somebody programmed you to believe?"
But what Rex said, 'our children', she never once thought about having kids. Even if she and her brothers were mainly given a military education, they did get an education on other things as well. Sex and the ability to have children was one of them.
She remembered being horrified about what females went through, more specifically humanoid ones. But it was a part of life.
She frowned a little had what Cut said though. There were no rules about having a kid, from what the regulation manuals said. She would know, she heard Echo's talk about them enough. Heck, there weren't any rules about not having sex. She had heard plenty of her brother's stories about their experiences with women. She had never done it with a man yet, and she wasn't sure she would. But she and others weren't programmed to follow everything to a T. They were trained to follow orders that it, they all had free will, and the right to choose.
"No it's something that we believe." Rex said.
"It may be to you, but Huntress hasn't said what she thinks. What do you think?" Cut asked her.
Tessa mused over it, and simply said," Just because we were bred for the same thing. We aren't like droids with programming. We're living life forms with the ability to choose. And I choose to fight for what's right, for the Republic. To help and protect those who can't fight for themselves. For a better future."
She meant that, she did, she wanted to add something more, something akin to what Cut had been saying, but she didn't trust herself enough to say it out loud.
Rex was surprised by what she said, even though he frowned upon what Cut did, he would be lying if he said he didn't think about what Cut was trying to say, and make them see.
If what Cut had, was possible for him.
Cut nodded at what the both of them said." Good then, To each his own. That's what I always say."
"What does that mean daddy?" Shaeeah asked.
"It means that you can do anything with your life that you want to." Cut explained.
Tessa nodded a little at that as she ate.
Was it possible for her?
After dinner was done, Tessa found herself watching Rex and Cut play a game of Dejarik. The conversion from dinner was still on her mind, as she observed them, and Cut's family. It gave her a lot to think about, and she found herself respecting Cut more. It still left a bad feeling in her about Cut being a deserter, but she could tell he found something more.
She got out of her musings when Rex asked the faithful question.
"So, what was it?"
Cut knew what he was referring to, and said," What made me decide to leave the corps?" Cut sighed as he remembered what happened. Tessa could see the pain in his eyes.
"Shortly after the Battle of Geonosis our troop transport got caught between two Separatist gunships. They fired at us with everything they had. We crashed. Most of us were either dead or severely injured. So when they started working their way through the wounded, killing us off. I knew there was no hope. I ran. It still haunts me."
Tessa's heart went out to him, and she could see the pain in his eyes. Just like Cut, she knew what it was like losing her brothers, especially her batch mates. Droidbait, Hevy, and Cutup's death's were always on her mind, and haunted her.
"I'm sorry." Rex sincerely said.
"It's the day I felt my life didn't have any meaning. Everyone I cared about, my team, was gone. Was just another expendable clone waiting for my turn to be slaughtered in a war that made no sense to me. Can either of you understand that?" Cut asked.
"With all the battles we've been in combined. With the brothers, our family that we lost, yeah." Tessa simply said, as she looked at her helmet, which was on the table.
She glanced up when both kids were allowed to go outside and play. Silently hoping they would be safe.
"You have wonderful children." She heard Rex tell Cut.
"I know you and Huntress think I'm a coward, Rex. But believe me… I'll fight to my last breath to keep them safe." Cut said with conviction.
And Tessa believed him. She swore the same thing to her brothers, to her batch mates and squad. She knew she couldn't keep them all safe, but she will damn well try her hardest.
She wondered if, and it was a big if, that she would do the same if she ever had a family of her own.
After Rex and Cut's game was done, it was her turn to play. She was right in the middle of planning a move, when she heard terrified screaming outside. Her blood ran cold when she realized it was the kids.
Tessa jumped out of her seat, and got her Rifle. Cut was already at the door, and was looking frantically outside along with Suu.
They all looked out to see the kids running and screaming, Tessa could hear something about monsters. Both parents held their kids as soon as they got near.
Tessa looked out, and could see something moving along the crops.
"They hatched from the big egg in the field!" Shaeeah exclaimed.
Cut got Macrobinoculars and looked out into the field.
"This is not good. I count 20." Cut grimly said.
"Cut, what's out there?" Suu asked.
"Commando Droids."
Tessa's breath hitched, and went back to the table, and placed her helmet on. She checked the cell in her Rifle, and was relieved to see she had full charge.
Cut had already gotten Suu and the others upstairs, and he was starting to lock the house down.
"What's the plan?" She asked.
"I need both you and Rex to protect Suu and kids. I'll hold them off down here. You be the last line of defense. Well catch them in a crossfire."
"No, I'm staying down here.
"Right I'll-" Rex started to say.
"No Captain, with all due respect, you're not in charge here. You're injured." Cut said.
"I can still fight." Rex said.
"Rex, I need you to be the last line of defense for my family."
Rex nodded, and said," I'll take care of them. Huntress, you stay down here."
Tessa nodded, and looked at Cut, she took off her helmet for a second. She looked at Cut firmly in the eye
"I promise you I'll do everything I can stop them. You have my word."
"Alright, I take it with your name you're a good shot?"
"One of the best in my squad. Also, I go by Tessa." Tessa said.
Cut nodded, he would be pleased that Tessa was warming up to him. He was earlier during dinner when he had noticed she was deep in thought most of the time, and her look of questioning and confliction. Just like how Rex was as well. But now wasn't the time, he had to protect his family.
As Cut locked down the house, and turned off the lights, Tessa checked her Vibro-Blade, holstered it, and picked a good spot for a defensive position.
"I sure hope Fives and the others are having a better time than we are." She muttered to herself.
"GET DOWN!" Fives yelled.
Him and the others ducked or got out of the way as a rocket came flying past them, and impacted against one of the walkers, taking it out of commission. The search party had found the remaining escape pod, and Grevious. The idea the General would go peacefully was a pipe dream, no sooner did they get in range, they immediately started to get into battle positions once the droids started to fire at them.
Fives got back up, and barked orders to form defensive positions and to move up along with General Kenobi.
"Attie, you and Sterling help Coric get that tank driver out. Echo, Del, you're with me; we need to provide flanking positions so General Kenobi can get to Grevious! Move!"
They all did their jobs, and both he and Echo shot their blasters as they walked closer to the droids and the escape pod.
"I sure hope Tess and the Captain are having a better time than we are." Echo mused aloud.
"Yeah, just relaxing on someone's farm land, and just spending the night conformably. What I wouldn't give to be in her position." Fives agreed.
Back at the farm, Tessa stood behind a corner, and looked where Cut was stationed near the doorway. She looked at the various windows, and saw the shadows of the droids moving, along with the creaking coming from outside. It was like one of those damn Horror-Holo's, except instead of watching them, they were a part of it.
Tessa aimed her Rifle as the door in front of her busted open, and she fired a couple of quick shots. Two Commando Droids went down, and Cut took out the third.
3 down 17 to go.
It was quiet for moment, but it was soon broken when a droid busted a window, and tried to grab Cut, but he pushed it off of him, and destroyed it through the window. Tess felt movement behind, and turned around, and ducked when a droid tried to get her. She dropped her Rifle, grabbed her blade, and jammed it where the neck and body met. The droid went down, and she pulled it out, and tossed it at another droid, which it imbedded itself into its head.
She would think it was too easy, but from what Cut had managed to tell her, he saw that they were sparking and moving weirdly. This meant that they were all damaged when their pod crashed. It was a blessing though, cause if they were fully operational, she wasn't sure how long they would last. She sheathed her blade, and grabbed her Rifle, and looked around as she aimed. She didn't see anything, but she did hear something, like a creaking below her.
Cut knew what it was, and motioned her to follow him. She aimed her Rifle behind him; and he went over the basement hatch. As soon as he opened it, Commando Droids came pouring out, she managed to take out two, but one managed to grab her Rifle, and she ended up playing a game of tug of war with it. She tried to fire at it, but it hit around her, along with blaster shots from both Cut and the other droids. One of the shots hit a beam, and it and parts of the ceiling came crashing down. Some of it landed on Cut, and it pinned him. While it was enough of a distraction for Tessa to the droid she was fighting with, and blast it. She gasped when she felt a droid jump on her, and tried to choke her. She tried to grab her blade, but they ended up slamming into the ground, and Tessa dropped it. She would've grabbed it, but the droid was too busy holding her to grab it.
"Rex, they're coming for you!" Cut called.
Tessa felt her strength came back in full force, and slammed her head back at the droid as hard as she could. Its processors seemed to malfunction for a second, and that gave her enough time to grab her blade. She slammed it into the droids head, and it offlined. By that time Cut had enough strength to get the debris off of him, and he managed to take out a droid with it. They both heard blaster fire upstairs, but they didn't have time to dwell on it. She and Cut resorted to hand-to-hand combat, plus with a blade.
She kicked the droid she was fighting, and tackled it to the ground, and basically stabbed it wherever she could. Once the droid died, she had to duck as more debris came down, and Rex came along with it. A droid grabbed him by the throat, and she was just about to lunge at it, but Cut blasted its head off.
They all looked around to see if any more droids came, but after a moment, nothing.
All of them relaxed, and felt the adrenaline wear off. Tessa took off her helmet, and dropped down as she panted, sweating pouring down her face, and she wiped it off.
She heard Jek call out to them, and Cut answered back, telling them they were alright.
And here she thought everything was going to be fine.
By morning, nothing else happened. They all cleared up the mess and droids. She and Cut took shifts to see if there was any more trouble, but there wasn't. Rex was well enough to put on his armor, and the journey to head back to the others started. Tessa had finished strapping some supplies to her speeder, along with Rex doing the same thing from an Eopie Cut lent them by fixing the harness.
"All right, that should do it." Rex said.
"Captain Rex, are you and Huntress going to turn in my husband?" Suu asked worriedly.
Both Rex and Tessa looked at each, and then looked at them.
"I'm sorry Suu. It's my duty. But in my condition, I probably won't remember any of this."
Tessa shrugged, and said," I think I hit my head last night during the fight. So everything is a little fuzzy."
Suu looked relieved." Thank you." She said and laid her head on Cut's shoulder. Cut himself nodded at them, and gave them a grateful look.
"You still a deserter, Cut. But you're certainly not a coward." Rex said.
"I believe so as well. In some way, your like the poster person for what life can be like for clones once this war is over." Tessa said.
Cut nodded, and said," Glad I can help."
Rex's comlink turned on, and Obi-Wan's voice came through. "Captain Rex, are you and Huntress still with us?"
"Yes, General Kenobi. We're still here, and I'm doing just fine, sir."
"That's great news. We certainly missed you at the party."
"Sorry sir, I- we had to attend to one of our own."
"Can't wait to hear about it. We're standing by." Obi-Wan and ended the comm.
"You and Tessa are welcomed to stay, Rex." Cut offered.
"Thank you, but, I have a family of my own waiting." Tessa thanked.
"This is your home, Cut. My family is elsewhere. Like Tessa said." Rex said.
They all said their goodbyes, and both Tessa and Rex were off. Both having a new perspective on their lives.
Tessa was still figuring out everything, but due to the talk and seeing what Cut had, maybe she can find a life of her own somehow. She didn't know how, but she will figure it.
So, what do you all think? Please let me know.
Now about one thing in the chapter, was in regards to Huntress's sexuality's. Now I have massive respect and support the LGBTQ+ community. And I didn't plan for this chapter, nor about Huntress's preference in people during Pride Month. I already had a basic idea for a future storyline for Huntress in regards to relationships beforehand. And I had already answered someone else's question about Huntress's relationship with Ahsoka, it's sisterly, and they won't date. So please don't hate me or anything.
I know I might be overreacting, but I don't want to hurt anyone, or put a damper on Pride Month for anyone.
Thank you all for understanding.
Till next time.
