With Rex at his command, he led his squad of clone troopers through the marshlands of Saleucami. Their formation was a loose diamond pattern—Rex at point, Jesse and Hardcase following close behind, with Kix bringing up the rear alongside the medic droid.
"Think we're actually gonna find anything out here?" Jesse asked, his voice carrying a hint of skepticism through his helmet's comm.
"Hard to say," Rex replied, scanning the terrain ahead. "This place is pretty much a backwater world. Not exactly known for... well, anything really."
As the squad pressed forward through the swampy landscape, they remained unaware that two commando droids had positioned themselves behind a ridge approximately two hundred meters ahead. One droid steadied a sniper rifle while its companion served as a spotter, peering through a scope to track their movement.
The sniper droid locked onto Rex through its crosshairs, and the spotter droid transmitted a tactical assessment: Target acquired. Recommend immediate engagement.
The moment Rex entered optimal range...
BLAM
A sniper bolt struck Rex square in the chest, the impact launching him backward off his speeder bike. He hit the marshy ground hard, his armor smoking from the direct hit.
"Protect the Captain!" Jesse barked immediately, diving for cover while Kix rushed to Rex's side. Jesse and Hardcase sprinted toward the ridge where the muzzle flash had originated, their training kicking in as they pursued the attackers.
Despite their mechanical agility, the two commando droids couldn't outpace the determined clone troopers. Jesse and Hardcase caught up quickly, taking down both droids with precise blaster fire.
Standing over the fallen mechanical soldiers, Jesse examined their design with a grim expression.
"Commando droids," he reported over comms, recognizing the sleek, more advanced chassis.
"Think Grievous might be in the area?" Hardcase asked, glancing around nervously.
Before they could discuss the implications further, Kix's urgent voice crackled through their helmet comms.
"Jesse, you need to get back here," the medic said, his tone serious as he knelt beside their fallen captain. "Now."
Meanwhile, aboard the AT-TE walker, Obi-Wan stood behind Commander Cody and Waxer as they analyzed data recovered from a crashed battle droid. Sam had chosen to remain outside with the troops, occasionally taking to the air to scout ahead or simply to chat with some of the clone troopers.
"What have you discovered?" Obi-Wan inquired, leaning over to examine their findings.
"We've successfully cracked the access codes and activated the droid's navigation system," Waxer reported to the Jedi General.
"According to its flight logs, this droid fired emergency thrusters from its escape pod to avoid a mid-air collision," Cody added, holding up his datapad for Obi-Wan to review.
"What did it collide with?" Kenobi asked, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
"Another escape pod," Waxer explained.
"There wasn't enough time to correct for the steeper descent angle, which is why this particular pod crashed," Cody elaborated.
"Can you determine the landing coordinates for the other pod?"
"We can narrow the search parameters to approximately two to three kilometers, sir," Cody said with confidence.
A satisfied smile crossed Obi-Wan's features as he nodded approvingly.
"Alert the men—we've picked up the trail."
Back at the crash site, the three remaining members of Rex's squad had formed a protective perimeter around their fallen captain while Kix completed his medical assessment.
"How bad is it?" Jesse asked, genuine concern evident in his voice.
"It's serious. I need to remove his armor to properly assess the full extent of the damage," Kix replied, his medic training evident in his methodical approach.
"Those snipers might have called for backup," Hardcase observed, constantly scanning their surroundings. "We should probably find better cover before we become sitting ducks out here."
Jesse nodded, then noticed several four-legged creatures grazing nearby.
"They seem... comfortable around us," Kix pointed out, still working on Rex.
"Most wild animals would bolt at the first sign of trouble," Jesse observed, studying the creatures more closely. "Wait a minute... these animals are domesticated."
"What?" Hardcase asked skeptically.
"I think we're on farmland now—and where there's livestock, there's usually farmers," Jesse reasoned. "Let's go find their homestead."
"How'd you figure that out?" Hardcase wondered.
"Simple, brother," Jesse said with a slight smirk. "You're too busy thinking with your blaster. I make it a habit to notice things that might actually be useful to us."
"Oh right, that one time you read about agriculture and it actually came in handy," Hardcase shot back good-naturedly.
"For your information, I've always been interested in farming," Jesse retorted, wagging a finger at his squad mate. "Seems like honest work for after this war's over."
They deployed a collapsible stretcher, carefully loaded Rex onto it, and secured it to Kix's speeder bike before heading in the direction the livestock had appeared to come from.
Sure enough, a modest dwelling and barn sat nestled among cultivated fields in the distance.
The moment their small convoy came to a stop, the front door of the homestead burst open, revealing a pink-skinned Twi'lek woman brandishing a hunting rifle directly at them.
"We don't want any trouble here," the farmer declared firmly.
"Easy with that weapon," Jesse said, raising his hands peacefully. "We're friendly."
The farmer's eyes remained fixed on Jesse as the clone trooper removed his helmet, revealing his human features. "State your business," she demanded, keeping the rifle trained on him.
"Our captain's been wounded. We need—"
"I'm not a medic, so there's nothing—"
"We have our own medic," Jesse said in a soothing tone. "We just need somewhere safe to treat him for the night."
Before the Twi'lek woman could respond, a young voice called out from inside.
"Mom, who are—"
"Both of you, back inside," she called to the two young children who had appeared in the doorway.
"Aw, Mom," the children protested halfheartedly before reluctantly retreating into the house.
After a moment's hesitation, she gestured toward the barn with her rifle.
"There are some work benches in the barn. It's the best I can offer."
"That's perfect. Thank you," Jesse said, flashing a grateful smile.
They quickly transported their captain into the barn and began carefully removing his damaged armor. Positioning him on one of the work benches, Kix immediately began applying medical patches to Rex's back and the areas where he'd taken the most damage.
As Kix applied a bacta patch to one of the wounds, Rex's eyes fluttered open.
"What... what happened?" Rex asked groggily, trying to focus.
"Commando droid got you with a sniper shot. If it had been just two centimeters to the left, it would've gone straight through your heart," Hardcase explained while Kix placed a restraining hand on Rex's shoulder to keep him lying down.
"I... I can't feel my arm," Rex said with growing concern.
"You've sustained some nerve damage," Kix diagnosed professionally.
"Got it," Rex groaned, attempting to roll onto his side. "Now let's get moving."
"Sir, you're in no condition to continue. The damage will heal, but it's going to take time," Kix said in a firm, no-nonsense tone.
"We're in the middle of a mission, Kix. That's an order," Rex insisted, his captain's authority evident despite his weakened state.
"Sir, as this squad's medic, I have final authority over all medical decisions—including yours," Kix replied calmly but with unmistakable resolve. "So I'm respectfully ordering you, sir, to get some rest."
The sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted their discussion as the Twi'lek woman appeared in the barn doorway, carrying a plate laden with fresh fruit.
"I'm sorry if this isn't much..." she offered hesitantly.
"It's more than enough. Thank you, uh..." Jesse responded politely.
"Suu," she replied. At that moment, a hover ball zipped into the barn followed by her young daughter. "Shaeeah, I told you to stay in the house."
"I couldn't help it, Mom. It got away from me," the young girl explained, then stopped short when she noticed the injured clone captain.
Shaeeah stared at Rex with obvious curiosity, causing the captain to regard her with equal interest.
"Something wrong?" Rex asked, slightly uncomfortable under her intense gaze.
"You look just like my daddy," the Twi'lek girl said with innocent delight.
"Shaeeah, don't bother the soldiers," Suu scolded gently. "Now go back inside with your brother."
"Yes, Mom," Shaeeah said somewhat reluctantly as she left the barn.
"My husband is out delivering our first harvest of the season. Is there anything else you need?" Suu asked, her tone considerably warmer than her initial hostile reception.
"No, thank you, Suu," Jesse replied with an appreciative nod.
As Jesse set the bowl of fruit near Rex and distributed portions to himself, Kix, and Hardcase, the squad's medic made sure one of Rex's blaster pistols was within easy reach of the injured captain.
"Don't worry about me—just continue the mission," Rex ordered with what strength he could muster. "Jesse, you're in command. I'll be fine here."
The others nodded their understanding and prepared to leave Suu's farm, while Rex settled into what he hoped would be restorative sleep.