Captain Rex had always thought of 79's as a sanctuary, a place where soldiers could unwind, commiserate, and momentarily forget the war raging across the galaxy. But today, the usual hustle and bustle of the bar seemed far away, the weight of recent losses heavy on his shoulders. He needed a drink, maybe even two… or three… to help dull the ever-present ache in his chest.

It wasn't the first time he'd lost men he was close to, not by a long shot. They were soldiers, built for battle, bred to die in it if needed. That was a possibility each and every clone was steeled for.

But this was different.

Fives and Tup didn't die in battle. They didn't die because of the Separatists, directly or indirectly. They died for, as far as Rex could tell, no reason at all.

"Parasite," he mumbled to himself as a robotic waitress set down another drink in front of him. "Parasite, virus, chip, what does it matter." He took a swig, slamming the cup back onto the table with a scowl.

It was unlike him to turn to alcohol for respite. Clones were genetically engineered against addictive tendencies other people would be susceptible to. If they weren't, 4 out of 5 clones would probably end up shell-cracked drunks unfit for battle. That didn't stop the burn of some Vinda whiskey feeling good, though.

Shaak Ti had spoken to him personally after it all went down. She was always gracious like that, full of integrity and wisdom. Usually, that was a comfort. Right now her level-headedness made his hands curl into fists.

"Tup died immediately after Fives removed his chip," she had told him. "We can't be sure the operation is what killed him, but we cannot rule out the likely possibility, either."

Tup died because of Fives. Fives died because of Fox. Brothers killing brothers, and for what?

She'd said more, offering her condolences and such, but Rex couldn't care less. Her even voice made him irritated enough to punch something, especially in the face of Skywalker's open grief and regret. Sometimes, it felt like his general was the only Jedi who was actually a person.

Rex brought the cup to his lips again but didn't drink. He looked around the bar, watching clones and civs mingle. Boisterous laughter rang out from corner to corner while music pumped from speakers across the neon floor. Everyone but Rex seemed to have a smile on their face (those who weren't passed out, at least). Rex sighed and set his cup down. This was a place for celebrating, not sulking.

"Captain?" A clone's voice called out.

Rex looked up to see Jesse and Kix walking toward him.

"There's probably a dozen captains in here," Rex tried to joke, but his voice came out hoarse.

Kix gave Jesse a look. "We, uh, we heard what happened," he said. "Didn't think we'd see you here, not after… all that."

Rex shook his head, looking away from them. "I needed a drink is all."

"A few of the 501st had the same thought," Jessie spoke up. "Why don't you come share one with us?"

Rex hesitated, glancing at the table where he'd been brooding alone. The thought of joining his brothers, of being surrounded by their familiar faces and camaraderie, was tempting even when he so desperately wanted to be alone.

"Yeah," Rex finally said, pushing himself up from the table. "Yeah, I think I could use some company."

Kix lead him to a table near the front. Appo, Boomer, and Kano looked up to greet the three. Rex forced a smile. He settled into the chair, his drink clutched in his hand. He took a moment to let the familiar sounds and sights of the bar wash over him. It was a small comfort, but one he needed right now.

"It's good to see you all," Rex said, his voice steadier now. "It's been a rough few days."

"You can say that again," Jesse muttered, taking a sip from his drink. "Fives and Tup, it just doesn't feel real."

"Yeah, it's…" Rex began, unsure of what he was going to say but sure he wanted to say something. He never got the chance; as soon as he opened his mouth, a crash and subsequent commotion rang from outside.

All of the 501st sprang to their feet. Rex and Kix were out the door before the screaming stopped. Clones and civilians were gathered on the deck in a circle, murmuring worriedly.

"Step aside," Rex ordered, pushing through. "I've got a medic with me, let us through."

When they made their way into the center, Rex couldn't hold back a gasp. Collapsed on the ground lay an unconscious human boy, no older than 12. His blond hair was matted with blood from a head wound, and his leg was almost certainly broken. Kix was at his side instantly.

"What happened?" Rex demanded, looking over the mob. All at once, people began babbling.

"He fell out of nowhere!" Someone cried.

At the same time, another person shouted, "He hit an airspeeder on the way down, and cut his face pretty bad."

"Oh, the poor thing."

"Something else fell over the edge!"

"Is he even alive?"

"Do you see how he's dressed? Must be a senator's kid."

Rex looked back at the kid and had to agree with the last statement. The kid was wearing silky, flowing, pastel yellows and purples with a chic hunter-green cloak over his left shoulder. Clearly, he came from money, somewhere that valued appearances, or both.

"Rex? Rex, what's going on?" Jesse's voice pierced through the racket of the growing crowd.

"Captain, I need these people gone," Kix yelled.

Rex nodded. He looked at the onlookers and barked, "You heard him, back up! Let the medic work."

A few of the more sober clones snapped to and began ushering everyone back, creating a wide perimeter for Kix to work in. A bartender ran through with a first aid kid, which Kix took without looking away from the boy.

Rex knelt on one knee beside them. "How bad is it?"

"His right leg is broken, and he's dislocated his shoulder. He's definitely got a concussion, maybe worse, but I can't be sure of any lasting brain damage with the supplies I have here. We need to get him to a medcenter, fast, but we can't move him like this."

Rex nodded, standing just as Jesse finally broke through the mob of gawking people.

"Stars and galaxies," Jesse exclaimed. "Is that a kriffing kid?"

"Jesse, call for aid. We're taking him to the nearest medcenter."

"Yes, sir!" Jesse replied, spinning to run toward the communications center outside 79's.

"You," Rex pointed to one of the clones that helped get them space. "Notify the Corries. This kid is probably important; he needs to be identified and taken care of."

"First responders are on their way," Jesse called, returning swiftly as a varactyl.

Rex let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. The situation was dire, but knowing help was on the way eased some of the tension that had wound through his body. He looked down at the boy, who seemed flush with life despite his injuries.

"Keep him stable, Kix. Help is almost here," Rex said, his voice steady. Kix nodded, focused entirely on the boy's wounds.

Rex moved his attention toward the sky, scanning for any sign of the first responders. The din of the crowd faded into a low hum as he fixated on the horizon, willing the medics to appear.

"Captain?" Kix spoke up. "You're gonna want to see this."

Rex slowly turned back around, bracing for the worst. Everything that had happened before this crisis came flooding into his mind. He wasn't sure he could handle watching a kid die, not today, not here.

Instead of seeing a now limp, gaunt body, he saw the boy's eyes flutter open. He also saw Kix unclipping a lightsaber from beneath the boy's cloak.

Everyone went silent. You could practically hear the whisper that went through everyone's mind: A Jedi.

"Kix… Kix, the kid's awake," Rex pointed out.

Kix dropped the lightsaber, focusing his attention back on the boy. "Don't try to sit up," he instructed, gently placing his hands on the boy's chest to prevent said action.

"Uncle…" the boy murmured, blinking hard. "Uncle Kix?"

"Kix, you know this kid?" Jesse asked in disbelief.

Kix shook his head, in answer or to clear his head, Rex couldn't tell. Maybe both.

"Yeah, my name's Kix," he said softly to the boy. "We can worry about how you know that later. Right now, can you tell me your name? You've been seriously hurt."

The boy wrinkled his brow. "I'm Luke. Luke Amidala-Skywalker."

Kix froze, turning to Rex and Jesse with eyes wide enough to be a mon calamari's. Rex imagined his face looked much the same. In the distance, the piercing wail of city medical transport sounded muffled by the shock.

Jesse leaned toward Rex. "Captain," he said, "you may want to call General Skywalker."