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"These are the Pathfinders who'll be with us on Endor," Leia introduced, waving a hand towards them and smiling. All the Rebels straightened up as Luke, Han, Chewie, and the others leading the mission stepped it, then the ceremony immediately collapsed as everyone fell into knots and swirls, greeting each other. Fist bumps, handshakes, even hugs. Luke was reminded with a peculiar sting that while everyone on this mission seemed to know each other, were fond of each other, not all of them would be coming back.
That was always the case. But a second Death Star, and the catastrophic death toll of the first, threw it sharply into perspective.
"Luke," Leia cut him from his reverie like she knew exactly what dark thoughts he'd been entertaining, "this is someone in particular you'd like to meet."
He humoured her, turning to the Pathfinder she'd singled out and drawn into the corner of the room with them. He was getting on in years, with creased brown skin. Older than most Rebels Luke had seen, but his face was familiar…
"I'm a clone," the Pathfinder said, recognising the puzzled look on his face. "Served the Jedi in the Clone Wars." He inclined his head. There was a jolly feel to him, but it was tempered by a solemnity Luke saw everywhere in the Rebellion. "I served your father."
Luke blinked. "What?"
Leia said, "His name's Captain Rex. He used to lead the 501st, when it was still a Republic battalion."
"Of course. I didn't introduce myself." He stuck out his hand, already gloved and gauntleted, and Luke shook it. "I've been wanting to meet you for a while now, General— Commander Skywalker. The moment I heard you were with us, I knew we would win."
"You fought in the Clone Wars?" Luke was still shaking his hand, a little starstruck. Not as much as he had been when he'd demanded the same question of Ben, years ago, but it still dazzled in his voice. Leia smiled, excused herself, and went to find Chewie.
"I'm one of the first batch," Rex said proudly.
Luke looked over him with a new appreciation. Now he knew it, he could notice how his armour was repurposed clonetrooper armour painted with the Alliance's symbol beside the Republic's. It looked a lot like stormtrooper armour, but somehow entirely different.
Stormtroopers.
Empire.
Vader.
"You knew my father?" he followed up, and now the dazzling awe in his voice was gone. He was more tentative. Slightly afraid.
"A great man. Won us many a battle."
"A good man?"
Rex paused to stare at Luke, as if he hadn't anticipated the question. After a moment, he said, "You know what happened to him, then?"
Luke nodded slowly.
Rex let out a breath. "Then I'm sorry. A friend of mine told me about it—she's in Wild Space, or else I know she'd be here with us right now, helping fight the Empire. But yes. He used to be a good man. Always remembered our names, always respected us, always tried to save as many lives as possible. He was unorthodox, never followed a plan, and was completely unpredictable. But he saved many lives."
"And then he took many lives," Luke said.
Rex nodded. "Yeah."
"He's gonna be at the Death Star," Luke said. "I've got a plan to deal with him."
"Oh yeah?" A hint of humour entered Rex's voice. "Anything insane like his?"
"I'm going to talk to him and convince him to join our cause."
Rex's humour vanished. He just stared.
"Oh," he said. "Even worse."
Luke wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry, but Rex's tiny smile encouraged him. He laughed. "Do you wanna help?"
Rex raised his eyebrows. "So long as you don't throw me off a bridge? I'm in."
Luke wondered what that story was about.
He asked. Rex answered. And for a few chatty hours, he let himself truly hope that his mad scheme might come to successful fruition.