"What were you thinking?" Anakin questioned as they travelled to Jabba's Palace. As they crossed the dunes, sand flung up from their boots, leaving a clear trail. The hot suns beat down on them, only making the journey more uncomfortable for poor Rex; Anakin and the baby bantha, however, were used to the humid weather.
Rex wiped the sweat from his forehead. "It wasn't my intent, General."
Anakin kicked the sand from his boots as he continued, "Where did you even find a bantha?"
"It's...a long story," Rex paused, contemplating how to begin, "It was one of my men, General. I was on my way to get it back to its planet when you called me in."
"One of your men snuck a bantha on board?" Skywalker shook his head. "That's a new one."
"It's my fault, General. I am responsible for my men."
Anakin shrugged. "Relax, Rex, I'm not interrogating you."
"There it is," Anakin commented as they approached Jabba's Palace. Two green hulking creatures stood watch at the towering gate - Jabba's guards. Rex had heard tale of this place, but he had never been here before. A gatekeeper droid popped out of a slot in the gate. Its mechanical eye turned to the approaching Jedi and clone.
"We're here to see Jabba," Anakin stated firmly.
Jabba's guards tightened their grip on their axes, growling at Anakin and Rex. "Uh, General, are you sure this is a good idea? These guys don't look like friendlies."
"Relax, I'm sure Jabba is expecting us," General Skywalker replied swiftly.
The gatekeeper droid slide back inside the hatch as the doors began to creak open. Chains rattled as the gate began to lift. The guards moved to the side, making way for Anakin and the captain. Another guard came from inside the building, motioning for them to follow him.
The cool shade of the indoors was a relief for Rex, although the foul smell did not appease him. Perimeter droids scampered across the ground, their metallic limbs tapping furiously against the sandy floor. Corridors led off in different directions left and right, but the guard kept going straight with Rex and the general not far behind. Faded music soon came into focus - like that of singing and drums.
They soon reached their destination and the guard escorted them inside. Twi'lek dancers sit near Jabba the Hutt - a blubberous creature lying at the right side of the room. The music paused as Rex and Anakin entered the room; the eyes of patrons scattered around the area all turned to the new guests.
"Jee huujah speak bu jeedai," Jabba grumbled in Huttanese.
His translator droid then translated for the Jedi, "The mighty Jabba wishes to speak with you, Master Jedi."
"That's why I'm here," Anakin retorted confidently.
"Jee ochoh sa uba an uta-sha oom-public aftah uba oestroyed soocha waaz."
"The great Jabba is unhappy with the Republic after your last visit to Tatooine."
Anakin scratched the back of his head. "Last I checked, we took out the separatist invasion which is a good thing for your business."
"Jee buu-happee oom-public oamage an need compensation."
After Jabba spoke, the translator droid continued, "Jabba is unhappy with the collateral damage caused by the Republic and their troops. He will require more compensation."
"Compensation?" Anakin snapped, "the Senate already paid you a good amount of credits!"
Anakin's raised voice startled the little bantha in Rex's pack. The small creature shuffled nervously. A deep groan sounded from the captain's backpack as it feebly attempted to escape.
"Rex, calm that thing down," Anakin commanded.
Rex reluctantly swung the pack around and opened the flap. Captain Rex furrowed his brow, unsure what to do with the baby bantha. He reached his fumbling hands into the backpack in an attempt to calm the creature.
"Uh-" Rex stared down, clueless as to what to do. The bantha whined again and nipped at his hands.
Anakin, sensing his confusion, turned to Rex. "Just-pick it up or something."
Captain Rex haphazardly wrapped his hands around the furry animal, pulling it out of the pack. He propped it against himself, trying to hold it steady. Immediately, the baby bantha went silent - contented to be held by the clone. Its googly eyes gazed up at Rex. He lightly tapped its head, still unsure of what exactly he was supposed to do. "Good...bantha."
Anakin went to continue his 'negotiations,' but was soon interrupted by Jabba, "Stang bu cloow norward."
"The great Jabba asks that your clone comes forward."
"What?" Rex and the general both asked in unison.
"Step forward, clone," the translator droid repeats.
Rex begrudgingly complied, approaching the Hutt. Jabba's eyes widened and he pointed towards the bantha in the captain's arms. "Jee huujah bu booee banthah!"
The droid continued, "The mighty Jabba asks that you give him the baby bantha."
"What does Jabba need with a bantha?" Anakin replied in confusion.
"Jee doo not seen beet creature andoba-doba years an wish doo lo wata mah bunko."
The droid nodded before addressing Skywalker, "The mightly Jabba has not seen a bantha in many years and wishes to keep it at the palace."
Anakin wagged his finger. "Not so fast, Jabba. Why don't you take this as your 'compensation,' and I'll be on my way?"
Jabba grumbled in annoyance. After a short moment, he continued, "Jee widd agree beet an half mah credits."
"Mighty Jabba agrees and will half his compensation."
"Then I guess we have a deal," Skywalker responded, "Hand him over, Rex."
Rex's eyes drift down to the baby, then back up to Jabba. A male Twi'lek approached, reaching out his arms for the bantha.
"Anytime, Rex," Anakin commented.
Captain Rex stepped forwards, handing the little furball to the Twi'lek. "Goodbye, little guy," he muttered to the bantha as the Twi'lek took it to Jabba.
"Shulu gone, jeedai."
"Let's get out of here," Anakin stated.
"Yes, sir!"
Rex and Anakin left the planet uneventfully. The Jedi counsel was more than happy to have the situation resolved, and Anakin, although confused by the situation, was glad that the negotiations were over. Captain Rex returned to his quarters, ready to enjoy the trip back through hyperspace. As he entered his room, the mess from the bantha caused a small smirk to inch its way onto his face. He tidied up the fur and dirt on the floor. As he lay back to sleep, a part of him wondered what would happen to the little creature - the bantha that boarded a starcruiser!