As Republic forces continued their advance toward Grievous's position, Kenobi wondered about the status of Rex's squad.
"How's your progress, Jesse?" Obi-Wan spoke into his wrist communicator.
"Almost at the rendezvous point, sir."
"Excellent. We'll meet you at the coordinates."
Meanwhile, at the Separatist escape pod, Grievous felt genuine relief at finally reaching his destination. He desperately wanted to escape this backwater planet and return to Separatist space.
Dismounting from the creature he'd been riding for hours, Grievous addressed one of his remaining B-1 battle droids. "Is the transmitter functional?"
"I don't know. I haven't tested it yet," the droid replied, promptly earning a sharp blow to the head that sent it tumbling. "Okay! I'll check it right away!"
"Useless battle droid," the General growled, then turned to the droid that had entered the pod earlier. "Send an emergency signal to the fleet."
"Roger, roger. But I must inform you, sir—multiple life forms are approaching our position."
This news immediately put the Separatist general on high alert. "Battle positions!" he commanded his remaining forces.
Republic AT-RTs, AT-TEs, and speeder bikes soon crested the ridge surrounding the crash site. They opened fire on Grievous's position with everything in their arsenal, determined to capture the cybernetic general. The battle droids responded swiftly, with one trooper deploying a rocket launcher and firing directly at the lead AT-TE.
Seeing the incoming projectile, Obi-Wan leaped from the walker, landed gracefully, and ignited his lightsaber. He charged forward alongside several clone troopers providing cover fire.
One soldier quickly dove for cover when he spotted another rocket heading his way. Though he barely avoided the blast, he was immediately called back to his AT-TE to man the defensive guns.
"Walker Two! Enemy rocket, port side!"
The main cannon rotated quickly as the gunner acquired his target. The clone fired a precise shot, destroying the projectile before it could reach them.
"Direct hit!"
Grievous could only bark orders as blaster fire filled the air around them. "Deploy those commando droids from the escape pod immediately!" Then he voiced the burning question on his mind: "Where is that pickup ship?!"
Back at the Lawquane household, the family patriarch and his guest were engaged in a strategic game.
"Impressive move. Very well played," Cut commented on Rex's latest tactical decision.
"Why did you do it?"
"What made me decide to leave the Grand Army?" Cut leaned back thoughtfully and began his story. "Shortly after the Battle of Geonosis, our transport got caught between two Separatist gunships. They hammered us with everything they had. We went down hard. Most of my squad was either killed outright or critically wounded. When they started executing the survivors..." Cut paused, the memory still painful. "I knew there was no hope. So I ran. It still haunts me."
"I'm sorry," Rex said quietly.
"That day, I felt like my life had no value whatsoever. Everyone I cared about—my brothers—was gone. I was just another expendable clone, waiting for my turn to die in a war that held no meaning for me. Can you understand that feeling, Rex?"
Rex simply sighed and regarded the deserter seriously. "I've fought in countless engagements and lost many brothers myself. They were my family."
Shaeeah approached her father quickly, with Jek close behind. "Dad, we finished our chores. Can we go outside and play?"
"Please?" Jek pleaded alongside his sister.
Cut smiled warmly. "Alright, but just for a little while."
Shaeeah beamed. "Thank you, Daddy! Come on, Jek!"
"You have wonderful children," Rex observed as he watched the Twi'lek youngsters run outside.
Cut noticed the expression in Rex's eyes and recognized it from earlier. "In case you're wondering, they're not biologically mine. I adopted them when I married their mother."
Rex chuckled with relief. "Yeah, I was trying to work out the timeline. Nearly gave me a headache."
Cut nodded and they resumed their game.
"So... what do you know about these Avengers?"
Rex blinked in surprise. "Excuse me?"
"You know exactly who I'm talking about. What's their story?"
"How do you even know about them?" Rex asked. "This is a remote agricultural world."
"Just because I'm no longer military doesn't mean I've stopped paying attention," Cut explained. "I make sure to stay informed about major galactic events. These Avengers have been all over the HoloNet feeds for months now."
Rex remained silent initially, prompting Cut to press further.
"So who are they, really?"
Rex considered the question carefully, thinking about this group of individuals who had, frankly, revolutionized the lives of so many people in such a short timeframe.
"They are... unique, to put it mildly," Rex began. "Actually, calling them unique is a massive understatement. These people are some of the most extraordinary—and possibly most powerful—individuals I've ever encountered."
"Really?" Cut leaned forward with obvious interest. "How powerful are we talking?"
"Powerful enough to hold their own against any Jedi. They fight for what they believe is right," Rex said, causing Cut to lean back in amazement.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I've witnessed them accomplish things I've never seen even the Jedi manage," Rex explained. "Feats I can barely comprehend."
"Have you... actually met them personally?" Cut asked, causing Rex to grin.
"More than that. I've been fighting alongside them for months now," Rex revealed, leaving Cut stunned.
"What are they like as people?" the former clone trooper asked. "I've been hearing some incredible rumors about their capabilities."
"What kind of rumors?"
"Some supposedly have advanced armor technology that's far beyond anything the Republic issues to clones. Another one wears blue and fights with some kind of shield."
"That would be Colonel Rhodes and Captain Rogers," Rex confirmed. "Each of them is worth an entire battalion. Most Jedi are impressed by what I've seen them accomplish."
Rex proceeded to tell Cut about the remarkable abilities he'd witnessed over recent months.
Steve Rogers' combat expertise and natural leadership, wielding his shield with almost supernatural skill.
Sam Wilson with his flight suit, quick wit, and innovative aerial combat techniques.
Colonel James Rhodes in his advanced armor with devastating firepower capabilities.
Natasha Romanoff's fluid, deadly assassin-based fighting style.
Then came abilities that defied conventional understanding.
Pietro's superhuman speed, Scott and Hope's size-manipulation technology, Peter's incredible agility and web-based combat, and Matt Murdock whose blindness didn't hinder his fighting ability whatsoever. In fact, his enhanced senses were so acute they allowed him to perceive his environment with uncanny precision.
"From what they've told me recently, there are three more of them somewhere in the galaxy."
"Incredible," Cut murmured. "Where in the galaxy did they come from?"
"They said their homeworld is called Earth."
At this, Cut couldn't help but snort with amusement. "They're from a planet called 'Dirt'?"
Rex laughed. "They had a similar reaction when they learned what we call it here. Captain Rogers told us there are many more like them on their world. Some are well-known heroes, others are just waiting for their moment."
"That sounds impossible."
"It is impossible," Rex agreed. "You should hear some of the stories they've shared about their world."
"You seem genuinely close to them," Cut observed, causing Rex to reflect.
Was he close to them?
He supposed he was, considering everything they'd endured together over the past year. They certainly treated him with genuine respect and friendship. Clone casualties had dropped significantly since the Avengers became directly involved in the war effort.
While losses remained heavy in major battles like Geonosis, having the Avengers working alongside the Jedi and clone forces meant more soldiers survived to fight another day.
They had personally saved clone lives countless times.
"I think... even though they're not officially part of the Republic, I do consider them... friends."
"Really?"
Rex took a moment before nodding. "Yes. We're friends. We're brothers-in-arms."
Cut pondered this revelation. "And... what do you think they would make of someone like me?"
Now that was certainly not a question Rex had anticipated.
What would the Avengers think of Cut Lawquane?
A clone trooper who chose to abandon a life of warfare for one of peace and family.
"I... honestly can't say for certain," Rex admitted.
He thought about individuals like Steve, Natasha, Sam, and Peter. They, like the rest of the Avengers, generally got along well with all the clones.
They were respectful and genuinely friendly.
They'd been sharing entertainment, cuisine, and cultural elements from their world, always emphasizing that what they'd shared so far was merely scratching the surface.
"I think..." Rex said after a lengthy pause, "they would ultimately respect your choice."
"Really?" Cut seemed genuinely surprised by this assessment.
Rex nodded confidently. "Yes. I believe there might be one or two who would struggle with you abandoning your original duty, but finding a new purpose... they'd accept that."
Cut leaned back in his chair, carefully considering Rex's words.
If he was being honest with himself, he very much wanted to meet these Avengers.