"Kenobi," Sam's voice crackled over the comm system. "I think I found that escape pod."
"Any sign of Grievous?"
"Hold on." After descending from his aerial reconnaissance, Sam examined the crash site thoroughly. "Pod's empty, but I've got tracks heading west."
"Where do they lead?"
"Most likely toward the second escape pod. That's my best guess."
Kenobi nodded with understanding and activated his wrist communicator to contact Anakin's clone captain. "Captain Rex, come in."
Static filled the comm for several moments before a different voice responded.
"This is Jesse, sir. Rex has been wounded."
The news caused Kenobi to pause with surprise and concern. Cody glanced at him questioningly before the Jedi addressed Jesse directly.
"What's his condition?"
"He'll pull through, but we need to find him a secure location to recover overnight."
"Grievous is on the move," Obi-Wan informed the clone trooper. "We're heading west toward what we believe is the second crash site. Rendezvous with us there—we'll need every blaster we can get."
"Copy that, General. We're en route to your position."
Meanwhile, as Republic forces began their convergence, the cybernetic General found himself growing increasingly frustrated with his dwindling droid escort. Their constant mechanical complaints and failing power cells were testing his already limited patience.
"We should have reached our destination by now!" Grievous snarled, clearly fed up with their current predicament.
"Uh oh," stammered a B1 battle droid as its power cell finally gave out, along with several of its companions.
"You had better have calculated those coordinates correctly!" Grievous bellowed threateningly.
Before the B1 could respond, it deactivated completely and slumped into standby position. The nearest functioning droid quickly retrieved the datapad from its motionless hands.
"We're almost there, sir. Continue straight ahead," the replacement droid reported, only to shut down moments later as well.
As the mechanical soldiers lost power one by one, back at the farm a certain clone captain was experiencing his own difficulties with the local wildlife. A curious creature had wandered into the barn and was now hovering over the sleeping soldier, sniffing him with its trunk-like appendage.
The investigation culminated in the animal enthusiastically licking Rex's cheek multiple times, causing him to jolt awake.
"No, no, no—get off!" Rex protested, managing to push the creature away despite his face now being thoroughly coated in slobber.
He groaned in disgust, wiped the saliva from his face, and attempted to settle back into sleep. However, just as he began to relax, he detected something else—different sounds that didn't belong to farm animals.
Rex heard footsteps approaching, slow and deliberate. The intruder was being careful, methodical. He also caught the sound of something scraping against the barn door, as if someone was manipulating the lock mechanism.
As the presence drew nearer, Rex's hand slowly moved toward his blaster pistol. The moment the newcomer entered the barn, the clone captain drew his weapon. Before he could fire, however, it was knocked from his grip by a farming tool.
"Who are you?" demanded the man wielding the implement. When he got a clearer look at the clone captain, his expression shifted to one of shock. "What are you doing on my property?"
It took Rex several seconds to fully process who was standing before him, farming tool raised defensively. "You're a clone."
Following this revelation, the clone before Rex lowered his makeshift weapon slightly. "So... I suppose the war has finally reached this place. I imagine we'll be having droid visitors soon enough."
"What's your designation and rank?" Rex asked with military authority.
"My name is Cut," the clone replied with a slight smile. "Cut Lawquane. Beyond that identity, I'm simply a farmer."
"You're a deserter," Rex stated accusingly.
"I prefer to think of it as exercising my freedom of choice—choosing not to kill for a living," Cut replied calmly as he activated the barn's lighting system.
"That choice isn't yours to make," Rex countered firmly. "You swore an oath to the Republic. You have duties."
"I do have duties," Cut acknowledged. "But they're to my family now. Does that count for anything, or are you planning to turn me in?"
"Do I have a choice in the matter?"
The tense atmosphere was immediately broken when Shaeeah burst into the barn with unbridled excitement. "Daddy! You're home!"
Cut immediately crouched down and embraced his daughter warmly.
"Look what I drew for you, Dad!" Shaeeah's brother called out, rushing forward with a piece of artwork.
Cut chuckled appreciatively when he saw his son's drawing and ruffled the boy's hair affectionately. "That's excellent work, Jek."
"I see you two have been introduced," Suu observed from the barn's entrance.
"He looks exactly like you, Daddy. I told him so," Shaeeah said with obvious delight.
"Did you now?" Cut smiled at his daughter before addressing Rex. "I was just getting acquainted with our guest. Captain... what did you say your designation was?"
"Rex. I have a name, believe it or not," the clone captain replied, drawing a genuine laugh from Cut.
"He was injured during a mission. His men brought him here seeking shelter. I told them he could stay the night," Suu explained.
"Of course he can stay. We never turn away anyone who needs help, do we?" Shaeeah declared firmly.
"No, we always help whoever we can," Jek agreed, nodding alongside his sister.
"Exactly right." Cut turned his attention back to Rex. "You look hungry, Captain."
"I'm fine where I am, thanks."
Before Rex could protest further, Jek grabbed his uninjured arm while sharing a hopeful expression with his sister. "No! You have to eat dinner with us. Please?"
"Please?" Shaeeah added, deploying the classic wide-eyed, pouty-lipped expression that had proven effective against countless adults.
Cut laughed knowingly. "They won't give up until you agree."
Rex sighed, recognizing he had no viable escape route. "Alright, I'll join you."
"Yes!" both children cheered triumphantly.
Inside the Lawquane household, the children busily set the dinner table while their parents prepared the evening meal. Throughout the process, Rex sat somewhat awkwardly, occasionally catching curious stares from both kids.
As time passed, Rex found himself studying the Twi'lek children more closely. They possessed the basic physiological characteristics of their species, but with additional features that clearly marked them as hybrids.
This observation led Rex to wonder about Cut's relationship to the family. The clone appeared to genuinely be their father, but something about their ages seemed inconsistent with the timeline of the war.
His contemplation was interrupted when Cut approached the table carrying a roasted fowl of some kind. The former clone trooper used proper utensils to carve the bird into portions for the family.
"Now, to continue our earlier conversation," Cut said while placing food on Rex's plate. "You and I may be clones, but we're still individuals. You chose a name instead of keeping your designation number, Captain. Why is that?"
"Perhaps command felt it was a more efficient method for differentiation," Rex replied carefully.
"More efficient than numbers? I doubt the Kaminoans would agree with that assessment," Cut said with knowing insight. "Tell me, has any Jedi ever addressed you by your number?"
Rex was prepared to argue the point, but honestly, he couldn't recall a single instance where any Jedi had referred to him by anything other than his rank and chosen name.
Dinner continued while Rex grappled with this internal realization. "Still, having a name must make you feel distinctive, especially in an army where everyone shares your face and voice."
"I've never really considered it," Rex deflected.
"No, you haven't," Cut agreed, waving dismissively.
"How could you possibly know that?"
"Because I'm as genetically identical to you as any living being can be," Cut explained, leaning closer to the clone captain. "I've seen how you observe my family, our home." Rex's gaze unconsciously drifted toward the children again. "Come on, Rex. You've wondered what your life might be like if you left military service—if you chose the life you actually wanted to live."
"What if the life I want is the one I already have?" Rex said with renewed conviction. "What if I remain in the military because it has meaning for me?"
"What kind of meaning?" Cut challenged.
"Because I'm participating in the most crucial period in the Republic's history. If we fail, then our children—and countless others—might be forced to live under tyranny I can't even imagine." Rex stood firm in his beliefs.
"That's assuming you'd ever be allowed to have children. Isn't that against regulations?" Cut pointed out. "Captain, isn't that what you've been conditioned to believe?"
"No, Cut. That's what I choose to believe—whether they're my children or someone else's. Does that meet with your approval?" Rex replied with slight irritation.
"Fair enough. To each their own, as I always say," Cut responded with a grin, clearly enjoying the captain's minor frustration.
"What does that mean, Daddy?" Shaeeah asked curiously.
"It means you can choose whatever path you want for your life," Cut explained gently, maintaining eye contact with the clone captain, who looked away after a moment of consideration.