I'm back! Sorry it took a while, got a little busy. Since the school year's almost over, everything is hectic and schedules and tests. Bleh. But whatever.
Sometimes, Rex could swear the universe hated him. This was one of those times. General Skywalker wanted to train the troopers to dodge lightsaber blows. Admittedly, it was a good idea; they came up against Separatists who wielded lightsabers often enough that being able to dodge would save a lot of men. But the general's timing couldn't be worse. They'd just gotten back from Umbara a few standard days ago; the last thing the survivors needed was another lightsaber in their face. Rex planned on telling the general this, alone, but couldn't seem to find a minute to approach the Jedi, as much of his time was spent trying to replenish the depleted ranks of the 501st.
But (somewhat) fortunately, the general wanted to try the new training with just a few troopers first, rather than the whole company. Him, Fives, and Jesse. Anakin would determine if he would implement this new idea based on their performance.
Fives was up first. He was supposed to dodge the general's blade to the best of his ability. It was going well, until the general got too close to Fives' neck. Rex watched as Fives' eyes went blank, the ARC trooper forgetting he was training with Anakin, not being threatened by Krell. Next thing, the general hurtled through the sir, and slammed into the wall, lightsaber deactivating and clattering to the ground. After a quick check to make sure the general was okay (he was dazed), Rex was instantly at Fives' side.
"Easy, brother, you're okay." Forcing the ARC trooper to focus on him, Fives slowly calmed and his eyes refocused, his mind returning from the horror that had been Umbara, and coming back to the ship. Rex glanced over to where Jesse was helping Anakin up, before looking back at Fives.
"You okay brother?"
"I'm fine. Sorry, sir." It was clear that he wasn't.
"It's fine, Fives. Good throw." Anakin half-joked, trying to ease the tension. It didn't work. "That's probably enough for today anyway." He nodded to the three of them, and they saluted back. Fives and Jesse left, Fives almost running out, Rex staying at a look from Anakin.
Once it was just the captain and general, Anakin approached Rex, concern evident on his face.
"I'm…almost afraid to ask Rex, but what was that about? Fives…he's not-?"
"It's…not your fault, sir." Rex interjected, mentally wincing when he realized he'd interrupted the general. "It's just, so soon after Krell-"
"Krell? What are you talking about?" Rex looked at Anakin, confused.
"Umbara, sir."
"What about it?"
"What about-oh." Realization hit him. "You-you don't know."
"Don't know what?" Anakin was clearly getting frustrated with the conversation.
Rex hesitated. "It's a long story, sir. General Kenobi knows it."
"I'll ask him then." He could tell the subject was painful for the trooper.
Rex saluted, then walked out, leaving Anakin to wonder what exactly had happened on Umbara.
Obi-Wan turned the corner to his quarters, only to find Anakin leaning against the door, waiting for him.
"Anakin." He greeted his former student, wondering why he was waiting for him.
"Obi-Wan."
"What brings you over here?"
The younger Jedi shrugged. "Oh you know..wanted to make sure everything was okay. Make sure there wasn't anything you forgot to tell me." The edge to his voice make Obi-Wan wince.
"You want to know about Umbara, don't you?" That was the only reason Obi-Wan could think of for Anakin being here.
"I want to know what happened to my troopers, why my men are now nervous around me, especially when my lightsaber's out, and why, when I asked; Rex only said something about Krell." Obi-Wan grimaced at that. He gestured for Anakin to enter his quarters. Once they were both inside, he sighed.
"It's a long tale, Anakin. One I didn't know about until after everything had already transpired.
And so Obi-Wan launched into the tale of Umbara, repeating every horror Rex had told him to his former padawan.
