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Unnamed Moon, Wreckage Site of the Tribunal
Three Days After Order 66
Rex and Ahsoka collapsed near the portable heater retrieved from the Y-wing’s emergency supplies. The clone and togruta were exhausted – in body and spirit. The better part of their last three days had been spent recovering the remains of Rex’ brothers from the wreckage of the Tribunal.
That task was over now. Rex had made the call. They had gotten out all the bodies they could safely reach. Each fallen vod had been given as decent a burial as they could manage. Now they lay – row upon row of them – mere meters way. Each grave marked by the troopers mounted helmet.
Rex reached into his pack and pulled out two ration packs. He tossed one to Ahsoka. Their meager meal was a somber one. Each lost in their own thoughts and too soul weary to try to fill the void with unnecessary conversation.
Eventually Ahsoka broke the silence with words Rex dreaded to hear.
“We should probably split up, Rex. They’ll be looking for us. Apparently we created quite a reputation for ourselves during the war. Captain Rex and Ahsoka Tano of the 501st. I’m afraid we are just too recognizable together.”
Rex sat with elbows on knees. One hand folded over a fist with both thumbs thoughtfully rubbing the scar on his chin. He nodded sagely before replying.
“That's a good plan. A strategically sound plan.”
Then he lowered his hands, looked straight in those breathtaking ocean eyes of hers and told her what he really thought of the plan.
“It's also complete osik and we're going to scrap it right now.”
White togruta brow markings scrunched together. “Rex! Be reasonable!”
“I am not leaving you, Ahsoka. So unless you’re prepared to stun my shebs and take off in this bomber right now, you're stuck with me." Rex unholstered one DC-17, double checked to make sure it was set to stun, clicked off the safety and held the weapon out to the befuddled togruta. “Well, what’s it gonna be?”
Ahsoka stared at the proffered blaster then looked up at him with a mixture of confusion and annoyance. She turned away with an exasperated huff. “Kriffing stars Rex! Why do you have to be so dramatic? Fine!”
Ahsoka finished the prefight checks while Rex packed away a few final items. She had to admit, the better part of her was relieved that Rex had insisted on staying together. She had missed him these last several months more than she could put into words. She was glad she wouldn’t have to say good bye again so soon.
She slid down the side of ship and joined Rex. He was attempting to store away the fragmented bits of poor R-7. Ahsoka gave him a little force assist to lift the droid parts into the storage compartment of the Y-wing.
“Thanks, ‘Soka. That little beskar’ad is heavy.” Rex exhaled and leaned against the Y-wing. The togruta smiled. She wasn’t sure what warmed her heart more – hearing Rex call her “‘Soka” or knowing it had been Rex’ idea to salvage the droid.
“You know, Rex, if we’re going to be on the run we’ll need to go by new names.” She leaned next to him on the ship. “I kind of like ‘Ashla’ for myself.”
“A new name? Hmm . . .” Rex crossed his arms and looked thoughtfully out at the surrounding gray landscape. “I think I’ll go with ‘Raysh’. How does that sound, ‘Sok – I mean Ashla?”
“Raysh,” It sounded good, but there was something familiar about it. It seemed to remind her of some Mando’a word she had learned. Finally it came her and she gasped. Her voice was thick with emotion as she turned to Rex and said, “It’s perfect.”