CHAPTER 3
The rehabilitation chamber echoed with the rhythmic sound of machines and the quiet hum of
servo motors as Cannon worked his cybernetic arm through a series of exercises. It had been weeks
since the medics fitted him with the replacement, and every day he pushed himself harder, trying
to regain the coordination and strength that felt so alien to him now. His new arm was powerful
but lifeless, a far cry from the fluidity and instinctive movement of flesh and bone.
Cannon gritted his teeth as he gripped the weight, his metallic fingers clenching around the handle
with too much force at first, causing the weights to jolt. He cursed under his breath, adjusting the
grip more carefully this time. The other clones in the room, each in various stages of recovery,
glanced his way, but none said a word. They understood the struggle. They all did.
"Easy now," came a familiar gravelly voice from beside him. "Don't force it, lad."
Cannon looked up to see Clone 99 shuffling toward him, his hunched form moving slowly but
with purpose. 99, the custodian of the cloning facilities, had taken it upon himself to look after the
recovering soldiers, helping them with small tasks, offering advice when needed. His face,
weathered with age and deformity, carried a kindness that most clones didn't openly show.
"I'm trying," Cannon muttered, frustration creeping into his voice as he dropped the weights back
onto the rack with a clatter. "It's just… different."
"Different, aye," 99 agreed, his eyes full of quiet understanding. "But not impossible. You've got
the strength, Cannon. I've seen it. This new arm—it's a tool, same as your rifle. You'll get the
hang of it."
Cannon flexed the cybernetic hand, watching the fingers open and close with a cold, mechanical
precision. "Doesn't feel like mine."
"Maybe not now," 99 said, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "but it will. Just takes time."
Cannon nodded, though the frustration lingered. He wasn't used to feeling so out of control, so…
fragile. Every day felt like a fight against his own body, a constant reminder of what he had lost.
But if 99, with all he had endured, could find a way to keep going, then so could he.
"Thanks, 99," Cannon said, managing a faint smile. "I appreciate it."
99 gave a small nod, his eyes crinkling with warmth. "You're doing fine, Cannon. Just keep at it."
As 99 shuffled off to help another clone struggling with his crutch, the door to the rehab chamber
slid open, and a familiar figure strode in with easy confidence. Captain Rex, his helmet tucked
under one arm, scanned the room until his eyes landed on Cannon.
"Thought I'd find you here," Rex said with a grin as he approached, holding a tray of food in his
free hand. "Brought you something from the mess hall. Figured you could use a break."
Cannon smirked and took the tray, eyeing the grayish food cubes and protein paste that passed for
a meal in the GAR. "Not exactly gourmet, but I'll take it."
Rex chuckled, dropping down onto the bench beside him. "Better than nothing, right?"
The two ate in comfortable silence for a few moments, Rex occasionally glancing over at the
exercises Cannon had been working through. "How's it going?" he finally asked, gesturing to
Cannon's arm.
Cannon shrugged, swallowing a mouthful of food. "Could be better. Could be worse."
Rex nodded, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. "I heard. You're tougher than most, though.
You'll be back to full strength in no time."
Cannon let out a low grunt, unsure whether he believed that yet. "Yeah, we'll see."
As they ate, the door to the chamber opened again, and Cannon's heart did a little stutter in his
chest as Ashara entered. She moved with the same quiet grace he had come to associate with her,
her brown Jedi robes flowing lightly as she approached. She smiled when she saw Cannon, a small,
genuine curve of her lips that made something in him stir—something he wasn't entirely
comfortable with but couldn't ignore.
"How are you doing today, Cannon?" she asked, stopping just a few feet away from him and Rex.
"I'm getting there," Cannon replied, trying to keep his voice steady as he set the tray down. He
wasn't sure why he suddenly felt nervous with Rex sitting beside him, but the sensation gnawed
at him nonetheless.
Ashara's eyes flicked toward Rex, offering him a polite nod. "Captain," she said respectfully.
"Jedi," Rex responded with a slight tilt of his head, his tone respectful but also just a touch amused.
"I just wanted to check in," Ashara continued, glancing back at Cannon. "Make sure you weren't
pushing yourself too hard."
"Not too hard," Cannon said with a faint smile. "Just hard enough."
Ashara smiled back, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink to just the two of them. But
then she noticed Rex watching, and she cleared her throat. "Well, I'll leave you to your training.
We can talk more later."
She turned to go, her robes trailing behind her as she moved toward the exit. Cannon watched her
leave, feeling a strange mix of relief and disappointment.
Rex, however, was watching him with a smirk that was impossible to ignore. As soon as the door
slid shut behind Ashara, Rex leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest with a bemused
expression.
"So…" Rex drawled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "What's that about?"
Cannon furrowed his brow, pretending not to understand. "What's what about?"
Rex tilted his head, his smirk widening. "You and the Jedi. You've got the hots for her, don't you?"
Cannon felt heat rise to his face, and he quickly looked away, focusing intently on the tray of half-
eaten food. "It's not like that, Rex."
"Uh-huh," Rex said, clearly unconvinced. "Come on, Cannon. I've seen the way she looks at you,
and the way you look at her. You can't tell me there's nothing there."
Cannon shook his head, trying to suppress the rising embarrassment. "She's a Jedi. She's just
being… kind. That's all."
Rex raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. "Right. Sure. And you just happen to get all
flustered every time she's around because…?"
"I'm not flustered," Cannon shot back, though his voice lacked the conviction he was aiming for.
He could feel Rex's eyes boring into him, and despite his best efforts to brush it off, he knew his
friend wasn't going to let this go.
Rex chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Look, I'm not saying it's a bad thing. But you have to
admit, it's… unusual. Clones don't usually get that kind of attention from Jedi."
Cannon sighed, finally meeting Rex's gaze. "It's not like that," he repeated, though this time his
voice was quieter, more uncertain. "She's different. We talk, that's all."
Rex regarded him for a moment, his expression softening just slightly. "I get it," he said, his tone
more serious now. "But you know the rules, Cannon. Jedi don't form attachments. Even if she
feels the same… it's complicated. More than you might want to deal with."
Cannon nodded, the weight of Rex's words settling heavily on his shoulders. He knew the rules,
the boundaries. Jedi were forbidden from forming romantic attachments. It was part of their code,
the same code that bound them to their endless fight for peace in the galaxy.
But still… every time he saw Ashara, every time they spoke, that connection grew stronger. And
despite his best efforts, he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like—if things were different,
if there were no rules or codes. If they could be something more than just a Jedi and a clone soldier.
"I know," Cannon said finally, his voice low. "But it's hard to ignore, Rex. She's… different."
Rex nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "I get it, brother. Just… be careful, alright? Don't
let it mess with your head."
Cannon gave a weak smile. "You know me. I'm always careful."
Rex chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder. "Sure you are." He stood, stretching his arms before
grabbing his helmet. "I'll leave you to it, then. But remember—training's one thing. You don't
need to be winning any battles in here."
Cannon grinned, appreciating the familiar banter. "I'll keep that in mind."
As Rex headed for the door, he cast one last look over his shoulder, that same teasing smirk
lingering on his face. "And Cannon? If you ever do need to talk… I'm here. Just don't expect me
to play matchmaker for you and the Jedi."
Cannon snorted, shaking his head as Rex left the room. But as the door slid shut, the brief humor
faded, leaving him alone with his thoughts once again.