Chapter Text
The stillness of space was tense. No longer did the Resolute hum with the thrill of hyperspace.
He sighed, breath fogging the air around them both.
They were nearly out of fuel for the heating systems, so they had to be cut back due to the 501st’s delayed leave on Coruscant.
Usually, this would’ve been one of the most miserable times for him.
Laying on his thin cot, wrapped as tightly as he could get himself in that thin sheet that did little to stave off the chill.
The cold would creep up his legs and arms before eventually settling in his chest, pressing against his lungs, and stealing his breath.
But tonight, he understood why the clones could endure such a chill with the heating system on low.
The bunk wasn’t made for two—Rex was broad, his shoulders strong, and Anakin, while not as wide, was still tall and solid.
Yet they made it work, slotting their limbs together like puzzle pieces.
Pressed right against each other, Rex felt like a living furnace.
He closed his eyes, savoring the comforting warmth, nuzzling his nose into Rex’s fresh stubble, feeling the steady rise and fall of his Captain’s breath.
Anakin, back at that brief time at the beginning of the war when he was still a padawan, was skeptical of the Kaminiise medics who informed him of the clone’s unique regulatory system.
As the months slipped past and he was promoted to General of the 501st, he believed it.
He had to be covered in at least three, if not four layers, when they visited Pantora’s moon, while the rest of the men were okay with their snowsuits.
A smile flitted across Anakin’s face.
He still remembered when he had first informed Rex of the assignment and how he had hastily scrawled his jaig eyes on the new helmet–he still had that stain of blue paint in the corner of his quarters; Anakin had seen it earlier.
Laying here with Rex, feeling the warmth of his body, he couldn’t help but be a little bit grateful to the Kaminiise.
Rex was tucked right under his chin, limbs of fire wrapped around Anakin’s torso, while the only cold that snuck into their embrace came from their respective cybernetics, his hand, and Rex’s new leg.
A gentle reminder of how close this moment came to not happening at all.
Anakin remembered those nights beside the small fireplace in the slave quarters on Tatooine, wrapped in the tattered blanket that barely kept the desert’s chill at bay.
He could still feel the rough fabric against his skin, smell the acrid smoke that clung to his clothes, hear the crackling flames that seemed too fragile to keep the dark at bay.
His mom would be right there, soothing him with quiet stories and gentle hands, both of them stealing precious moments of warmth in a life so often cold.
He used to stare into that fire, wishing it could last forever, afraid of the dawn that would bring another day of servitude and uncertainty. But in those fleeting moments, he felt safe, cocooned in the light of a flame that, for all its smallness, promised something more.
That he would get out of there, that he was meant for something more.
Now, lying beside Rex, feeling his body heat like a furnace, that feeling of fleeting comfort returned.
Rex's warmth seeped through him, chasing away the coldness of the room, and for just a moment, Anakin could almost pretend he was back on Tatooine, back beside that flickering fire—a moment he wanted to hold onto but knew he couldn't.
Knowing that the warmth beside him now, like that little fire, was temporary.
With a war so heated, either of them could make small choices that would snuff out this flame in an instant.
How fragile this peace they shared was.
Rex's body heat, so real and immediate, was a blessing.
The Jedi Code forbade attachment and warned against the very feelings that coursed through him now.
He knew the dangers.
Anakin hugged Rex closer, feeling that familiar ache in his chest.
No.
They had been through so much.
They would both make it to the end.
He was certain.
Well, if it wasn’t for the Force ringing in the back of his mind akin to a hovering fly in front of his eyes.
Anakin groaned as it came to the forefront, breaking through his slow and pleasant memories.
This battle was going to be rough.
Absently, Anakin reached out from the haven of their bodies and snuck a hand below the bunk to grab his comm. Turning it on, the small hologram lit up brightly with blue light.
He shut his eyes at the light but peeked through his lashes to see the time.
Anakin’s eyebrows furrowed.
He took a deep breath, his fingers lingering on Rex’s back for just a moment longer, wishing he could make time stretch that much further.
But with a fog-blooming sigh, Anakin began to untangle himself from Rex’s embrace.
He moved his limbs as quietly as he could, but as soon as he started to move away, Rex’s eyes fluttered open.
“Anakin?” his voice was somewhat rough from disuse.
“Didn’t mean to wake you,” Anakin’s voice was soft, “Go back to sleep.”
Rex shook his head and let go of him, stretching his arms above his head.
“Doesn’t take much to wake us, you know that,” he muttered with a tired smile, his eyes lingering on Anakin.
“Is it already that time?” he asked quietly.
Anakin nodded, rubbing the back of his neck.
“The day cycle boys have a few more hours of sleep yet, but I’ll be needed in the war room soon to strategize our rendezvous with Tiplar and Tiplee.” He chuckled, “Jesse isn’t going to be happy about the early wake-up.”
Rex snorted.
“Don’t think Jesse would’ve been so keen on working for a promotion if he knew all about the lack of sleep and endless strategy meetings that came with it.” he chuckled.
Anakin laughed lightly, almost bittersweet. The clones hardly got enough sleep as it was, knowing that Rex got even less…
“This is just a taste of command, nothing more. He’s not replacing you. Not now. Not ever.”
Rex sighed, his breath causing an even thicker cloud of fog in the cold, recycled air. Twisting in the sheets, Rex’s metal foot struck against Anakin’s leg with a dull thud.
Anakin winced ever so slightly, looking down at the hidden cybernetic.
“Sorry,” Rex muttered, looking away, bending his leg awkwardly and banging it against the wall.
He winced at the noise, a barely visible flush coloring his features.
Anakin shrugged the pain off and let out a short laugh.
“Don’t worry about it, that’ll happen a lot as you get used to it. I broke one of Obi-wan’s teacups on accident with mine.” he tried to tease.
Rex didn’t answer.
Anakin reached out and gently scritched through Rex’s stubble with his own cybernetic, the slight prickle coming through despite the slippery feeling.
Closing his eyes, Rex seemed to lean toward the light touch.
“How does it feel today?” Anakin asked as he gestured toward the metal leg under the twisted sheets.
“Better, you were right–for once,” Rex coughed. “It does help the phantom pain to sleep with it on.”
“Trust me Rex,” Anakin grinned, “I know a thing or two about adjusting to new hardware.”
He flexed his cybernetic as he spoke, withdrawing his touch so Rex could see. The metal fingers made a soft whirring noise.
Smiling at his Captain, he slipped out of the bunk in the wall and started to collect the pieces of his outer robes and armor that he had strewn about the quarters last night.
Rex eyed his metal hand as it moved with him.
“Did you actually try to install a blaster on that?” he asked abruptly, causing Anakin to pause, picking up his bracer.
“I–Where did you hear that?” he raised a brow and looked to his Captain, still cozily wrapped in the blanket on his cot.
He longed to return to that warmth.
“It’s a rumor,” Rex shrugged, “Now, is it true or not?”
He prodded with a raised brow and a tiny smile.
Anakin felt his cheeks flush but answered as he snapped the bracer.
“Yes,” he admitted, “I’ve always liked to modify things, and well, my hand wasn’t going to be an exception until Obi-wan convinced me otherwise.”
As he spoke, he looked at the matte black and shiny gold metal as he moved his fingers.
“Convinced you?” Rex tilted his head.
“Yeah… I was angry at first,” Anakin spoke quietly, his warm breath coloring the air, “I wanted to add all kinds of weapons to my hand, a blaster, a knife, anything to keep myself from being that weak again.”
By the end, some residual frustration had leaked into his voice.
He flexed the metal hand, and it creaked slightly under the stress. The anger and the humiliation that had coursed through him back then…
Dooku.
“I was determined. I already had schematics laid out to do this when Obi-wan confronted me.” he dropped his hand as he looked into Rex’s eyes.
“He,” Anakin took a deep breath, “He looked me dead in the eyes and asked: ‘Do you really want to make a piece of yourself into a weapon?’ I hated him for the question… but he wasn’t wrong.”
Swallowing, he pushed away the images that appeared in his mind.
“This hand,” he brought his metal cybernetic between them, moving the fingers, “is still me, even if it’s made of metal. He asked me if I really wanted to make myself into a weapon, a tool.”
Anakin released his breath, letting his hand rest on the cot.
He dropped to his knees before the bunk and looked up at Rex.
“The idea of it… of turning a part of myself into something that is only meant to harm. It bothered me in ways I still don’t quite understand.”
He traced the warm sheets with a fingertip before chuckling.
“Obi-wan has a way of making you rethink things, even if you don’t want to admit it at the time.”
Rex nodded in understanding, his eyes flickering to where the metal leg was still attached to him under the sheets. His jaw visibly clenched.
Anakin furrowed his brows.
“Rex?”
“I’ve,” Rex took a deep breath, the white air filling the dark cabin again, “I never thought of it like that… I’ve just been pushing through, doing what I can. Not letting myself think about… about what’s gone.”
His hands clenched the sheets, lips forming a thin line.
Anakin felt his facial muscles soften as he reached up with both his cybernetic and flesh hands and gently unfurled one of Rex’s hands, resting the back of that hand onto his cybernetic as his other hand traced random patterns on his Captain’s palm.
“I understand what that’s like, especially when we are reaching a peak in the war right now, but it’s ok to take a step back and process what’s happened to you.”
Rex visibly swallowed, and his hand twitched in Anakin’s hold.
“I don’t want to admit that it bothers me, that this is something I can’t just… get through.”
Anakin stopped tracing Rex’s palm and instead interlaced their fingers.
“Losing a part of yourself… it leaves scars, visible or not. But you’re still you Rex. The man who stands by my side, who leads the 501st like no one else could.” Anakin brings their locked hands forward and kisses the top of Rex’s hand.
“You’re still the same man, cybernetic leg or not.”
Rex exhaled, his breath hitching. The cold air still showing fog.
His golden eyes fixated on their interlaced hands where Anakin had returned them to the cot.
“I don’t know how to… get used to this.” his voice was hoarse, “I can’t just push through and get back out there, can I?”
Anakin shook his head gently.
“You need to heal Rex and not just physically.”
His Captain nodded.
“Give yourself time, Rex,” softening his voice as he squeezed his Captain’s hand, “Not every fight is won on the first strike. Sometimes… you pull back, regroup, and find another way.”
Rex gave him a small smile, that familiar spark of mischief in his eyes.
“Affirmative General. Pull back, regroup.” he echoed and added with a mock salute, “Wait for further orders.”
Anakin chuckled, shaking his head.
“Careful now, Captain,” he teased, “If you keep that up, I might just step down and put you in charge of the 501st.”
“You say that as if I’m not already co-general.” Rex snorted with a raised brow.
Well, he wasn’t wrong.
Anakin laughed with a wide grin, and the tension effectively dissipated.
A brief silence fell over them as Anakin rested on his arm, gazing up at Rex, and his thumb rubbed the back of his hand.
Rex’s other hand reached out and petted Anakin’s hair.
The gentle pulling on his curls felt nice. Anakin sighed, forming a fog cloud.
He needed to get going, lest Ahsoka barge in.
“Time to go?” Rex guessed.
Anakin nodded.
“Yes, best I get there before Ahsoka decides to start banging down the hallways looking for me, the boys would never forgive me.” he chuckled.
“Yeah, no, I’m not sure I’d forgive you.” Rex laughed.
Anakin reluctantly started to rise from his kneeling position, and was about to go and finish putting his armor on when Rex’s hand held him back.
Rex paused as if surprised by his action.
“I-” he took a deep breath, “be careful out there.”
“I will, I promise.” Anakin breathed easily.
As Rex let him go, he finished putting on his gear, disappointed by how cold it was even with all the extra layers.
Moving towards the door, he couldn’t help but look back at Rex, sitting on the cot, the flimsy blanket over his shoulder, and the small pillow in his lap.
He felt his chest bubble with warmth and his heart squeezing strangely as he stared at the scene.
Rex was staring back at him.
Liquid gold gently probing Anakin’s hesitance.
This was all his captain had ever known, this cold room and the bare minimum the GAR provided all its soldiers.
“I’ll be back,” he promised, reverence oozing into the air.
“I’ll be here.” Rex breathed out.
Then Anakin forced himself out the door, before he did something stupid–like vow to end this war so that Rex may finally see what life looks like outside of battlefields, starships, and loss.
Standing outside Rex’s quarters, he leaned against the freezing metal door and sighed, the air continuing to fog.
He squeezed his eyes shut as his chest ached.
Get a grip
Anakin wasn’t unfamiliar with the emotion.
He was disturbed by just how similar this situation felt to the times when he had to leave Padme in the middle of the night.
He hated it then.
He hated it even more now.
Part of him demanded that he go back and curl up right where he– where he belonged.
But did he really belong there?
He once thought he belonged by Padme’s side with the same fierce, all-consuming devotion he felt blossoming for Rex inside him.
With Padmé, the secrecy had been both a thrill and a burden—a constant dance on the edge of exposure.
He’d justified it then by telling himself that his love for her was worth the risk, that their bond made him stronger, more whole.
But this… this was different.
Rex was not just his lover but his Captain, his confidant, his brother-in-arms.
How many rules could he break before they all came crashing down?
What if…
Anakin quickly shook his head.
He didn’t want to think about that.
About her.
Not here, not now.
She was his past.
Right now, he had men to lead and a battle to win.
He would return to Rex, just not as soon as he’d like.
Steeling his resolve, he pushed himself away from the steel door, and started to walk down the hallway.
It was still the early morning of the sleep cycle for most of the 501st, which meant dim lights and practically empty hallways.
A background of beeping, mechanical whirs, and the occasional passing trooper filled the space around him.
As Anakin made his way to the war room, his boots squeaked and echoed.
Turning a corner, he was about halfway there–
His personal comm went off—the shrill alarm was shatteringly loud in the silence.
“ Osik .” he spat out as he grabbed the comm.
His numb fingers protested as he forced them to move in a hurried motion.
“Anakin Skywalker,” he answered his comm offhandedly, expecting Obi-wan with more advice on the upcoming battle, but mostly relieved that the ringing had stopped.
“Anakin, my boy,” came the familiar, reassuring voice of Chancellor Palpatine's voice echoing in the hallway.
Wearing his customary senatorial robes, Palpatine’s hologram looked thoughtfully over his armor.
“I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Not at all, Chancellor,” he replied automatically, “What can I do for you?”
Did something happ–
“I simply wished to hear your thoughts on the most recent manner in the senate.”
…what?
Anakin tilted his head questioningly.
“Which is?”
The Chancellor’s eyes widened.
“Why I thought you would’ve heard right away since Senator Amidala is heading the bill… She is pushing for a bill of rights for the clones.”
He felt himself pale while, at the same time, a broad smile spread across his face.
Padme.
But rights for the clones…
“Thats… That's fantastic!” he enthused, “They have given everything to the Republic. At the very least, they deserve rights.”
There was a heavy pause. Anakin was beginning to wonder if his comm had lost connection or was muted when Palpatine’s voice came again.
“I find your passion admirable, Anakin. You are right; the clones have given much to the Republic.”
After the Chancellor spoke, it felt like a firey hot needle was being driven through his skull, and he winced.
Reaching a hand up, he massaged his temple.
“However, I fear this bill will face significant opposition in the senate… Many believe that the time is not right for such… concerns. It’s truly saddening how many see the clones as nothing but tools…” Palpatine continued, seeming oblivious to Anakin’s pained expression.
Anakin narrowed his eyes as he felt a rush of heat through his chest.
“That’s exactly why it should happen now. Every day, they risk their lives. At the very least, they deserve to be seen and treated as individuals they are.” Anakin argued, forcing himself to speak amicably.
Palpatine’s voice hummed with concern.
“You’ve always had a strong sense of justice, my boy. It’s one of your greatest strengths. But I must caution you, Anakin… The Senate is a dangerous place. Idealism is often met with harsh reality.”
Anakin’s jaw clenched.
“It doesn’t make it right. They’re people, not machines.”
“Indeed,” Palpatine agreed softly. “Speaking of the clones, how is Captain Rex? I heard about the incident on Maridun.”
Anakin’s eyes popped open slightly. He hadn’t expected the Chancellor to know about the cave-in.
He swallowed, forcing his voice to stay steady.
“He… He’s recovering. Lost his leg, but he’s strong. Doing well with the new cybernetic. He’ll pull through.”
He couldn’t help a small smile as he thought of his Captain.
“Ah, I see.” Palpatine’s tone was light, “You sound quite fond of him, Anakin.”
Anakin hesitated, caught off guard by the observation.
“Rex is one of the best men I’ve ever known. He’s more than just a soldier. He’s… he’s a friend.”
That didn’t even cover a quarter of it.
There was a brief silence, then Palpatine’s voice returned, calm and measured.
“It’s good to care for those who serve under you, Anakin. It shows your compassion and your strength. The Jedi might say attachments cloud judgment, but I’ve always believed they make us more… human. More capable of truly understanding what we fight for.”
Anakin felt a surge of warmth at Palpatine’s words, a sense of understanding he rarely felt from people regarding his status as a Jedi.
They always spoke of detachment, of setting aside emotions for the greater good.
Though…
Anakin’s brow furrowed slightly. “I never thought of it that way, Chancellor,” he admitted, his tone cautious.
“The Jedi always say that emotions can lead to darkness, to… mistakes.”
Palpatine smiled gently, his hologram flickering with a soft blue light.
“Ah, but Anakin, emotions are a part of who we are. To deny them is to deny our very nature. I have seen you care deeply for those around you… Senator Amidala, your fellow Jedi… Captain Rex.” He paused, watching Anakin’s reaction closely.
“And I have seen how it gives you strength, how it drives you to achieve the impossible.”
Anakin smiled slightly but couldn’t help the gnawing feeling in his chest despite the praise.
He shook his head, feeling a little confused.
“But… attachments can still be dangerous. They can lead to suffering?”
“Perhaps,” Palpatine conceded, “but is suffering not a part of life? Can it not also teach us? Shape us into who we are meant to be? Think of your mother, Anakin. Did you not grow stronger because of what you endured?”
Anakin flinched at the mention of his mother. The memory was still raw, but he forced himself to stay composed.
“I… I suppose so,” he murmured.
Palpatine nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving Anakin’s.
“You see, my boy, your love, your care… it is what makes you different. What makes you truly exceptional. It is why the people admire you. Why the clones look up to you.”
Anakin felt a surge of pride at those words, yet his mind felt sluggish.
“I just… want to do what’s right,” he said softly.
“And you will, Anakin,” Palpatine replied warmly. “As long as you remain true to yourself and those you care for, you will always find the right path. But remember, the galaxy is a complex place, full of shadows and light. Not everything is as it seems.”
Anakin felt the sharp pain in his head flare up again, his vision blurring momentarily.
“I… understand, Chancellor. Thank you for your guidance.”
“Anytime, my boy,” Palpatine said, his voice smooth as silk. “I am always here for you… as a friend, as an advisor. Remember that. Take care of yourself… and of Captain Rex.”
The line went dead, leaving Anakin alone in the dimly lit corridor. He stood there for a moment, the cold creeping back in around him, the dull throb in his head fading but not gone.
He leaned against a nearby wall as he breathed, feeling out of sorts.
"Master?"
Anakin smiled a little.
"Snips?" he spoke, turning around to regard his Padawan.
She looked tired, her shoulders slightly slumped.
"Hey, Skyguy," she greeted with a light tilt to her voice, but concern crept into her expression as her eyes scanned his face.
"What's going on?"
Anakin shook his head.
"A lot, but we have a battle to prepare for."
He pushed himself away from the wall and continued down the hallway. Ahsoka quickly fell in beside him, matching his pace.
"Is it about…?" she trailed off.
"Yeah," Anakin agreed. "This battle still feels off to me. You?"
"Yes, unfortunately," Ahsoka replied with a sigh. "Something just doesn't sit right."
They both sighed, the weight of their shared concern heavy between them.
"How's Rex?" she asked offhandedly, flipping one of her sabers absentmindedly in her hand.
Anakin felt his chest tighten at the mention of Rex. He kept his pace steady, consciously relaxing his demeanor.
"What do you mean?"
Ahsoka tilted her head, a knowing smile tugging at her lips.
"You checked in with him last night, didn't you?"
Anakin hesitated, then nodded, his expression softening.
"Yeah, I did."
Ahsoka's smile grew wider.
"Good. You seem… lighter, somehow."
Anakin felt a flicker of warmth.
"He's doing okay, considering everything. He’s tough."
Ahsoka's gaze softened, a glint of understanding in her eyes.
"I know he is. But it must be hard… for both of you."
Anakin paused, then nodded again.
"...It is. But he's strong, and he’ll pull through. We both will."
Ahsoka gave a small nod.
"Just… take care of him."
Anakin chuckled, his tension easing a bit.
“Is that even a question? I will,” he vowed.
Ahsoka arched one brow bone and hummed at that but otherwise didn’t comment.
But taking one last turn, they made it to the war room.
Anakin punched in his clearance code, and the door swished open.
“After you.” he smiled back at her.
***
Spinning his blue blade, he reflected three blaster bolts.
They made a sizzling sound as they hit the metal sides, two more were redirected by spinning green blades beside him.
Anakin allowed himself an annoyed sound as he reflected another bolt.
The entire bridge smelled of oils and gas.
Not that his nose picked up on it anymore.
There seemed to be no end to these battle droids.
Jesse was on his left. He shot one droid down as Ahsoka lunged forward and struck twice. Two droids fell apart with a green flash from where she had split them.
They had been trying to take the orbital docks for several rotations now.
Running forward, he stabbed a commando in the chest before splitting them upwards and reflecting yet another bolt.
Seeing three more commando droids come running towards them, Anakin grunted in exasperation before throwing his lightsaber at them. His blue blade sliced through all of their thin mechanical necks, and heads dropped to the floor.
Is there no end to these droids!?
“Push forward!” he called out to his men behind him as he dashed towards the next onslaught of droids.
Ahsoka gave him a sympathetic look, but darted into combat right beside him.
This entire battle had been nothing but grueling combat, even if Tiplar and Tiplee were great to fight alongside.
Anakin had been through worse, but it was true.
But that itching along his mind, the Force blaring warning bells, still hadn’t let up.
The longer this battle lasted, the more he was ready to snap.
Masters Tiplar and Tiplee entered the room from the other door, engaging the droids from the flank.
Perhaps he should have meditated. But that would have meant less time with Rex.
Finally, he slashed through the last droid in this sector.
With a sigh, he disengaged his lightsaber.
Fives took off his helmet beside him.
“Don’t get too comfortable. I have a feeling this battle has yet to show us just how bad it will get,” he warned him, placing a hand on the man’s shoulder.
Fives acknowledged him with a slight nod.
Jesse was already having Artoo project their schematics of the area and studying the map.
Jesse was a good man. No doubt. He picked up the captain's duties with great dedication and precision.
But he just wasn’t Rex.
Leaning down and looking at the holo map with Jesse and Ahsoka beside him, he told the other Jedi his plan.
They were going to split up their forces, Tiplar on one side, Tiplee on the other, forcing the droids into a chokehold in the middle, where…
“…And then Ahsoka and I will charge right up the middle.”
Anakin paused, hearing Tup mumbling.
Glancing up at him, Tup held his temple. Eyes crinkled as if in pain. Fives beside him was already inquiring.
Anakin couldn’t help but feel a twinge of unease as the scene felt a little too similar to how he or Ahsoka would do similar.
“Is there something wrong, soldier?” he interrupted the conversation as Jesse split their forces.
Tup shook his head, as Fives came to attention.
“Nothing, sir. Just a headache.”
Anakin nodded.
Tup had saved Fives from a few blaster bolts earlier and hit his head in the process.
A headache.
That , he could understand.
The Force continued to scream like that twisted play Padme had once dragged him to.
“Well, don’t fall behind Tup.”
He patted his painted pauldron lightly, turning away.
“I’ll make sure he won’t, sir,” Fives assured him.
Anakin smiled, recognizing the old protectiveness Fives had held for Echo.
“You do that Fives.”
He spoke with a quick smile before racing off again.
Joining up with Ahsoka, they both spoke of their plan of attack, before heading off.
The strategy was working.
Just a little further, and then they could take Admiral Trench. They just had to keep going, keep up their speed.
Tiplar and Tiplee took down droids on his left and right, the smell of oil and burning metal permeated the air.
He cut down two more droids alongside Ahsoka.
Everything slowed down.
All the fine hairs on his back rose in an instant.
The chorus of bells in his mind reached an even higher crescendo. He read one clear intention in the Force:
Execution.
Everything screaming at him to–
He sidestepped.
A blaster bolt hit the metal pillar where the shadow of his head had been.
As quick as only a Jedi could be, Anakin whipped around.
Tup stood there with his blaster raised.
He looked confused for a moment before he furrowed his brow and aimed for him once again.
Anakin felt his heart speed up, blood thumping rapidly in his veins.
This wasn’t a droid.
This was Tup–
Instead of dodging this time, Anakin reflected the bolt with a flick of his wrist.
“Tup, what the hell are you doing?” he yelled over the chaos of the battlefield.
Tup gritted his teeth, staring at him, hands shaking as he pulled the trigger again.
Anakin blocked Tup’s shot again, only to miss a shot from a droid.
He grunted as the bolt burned through his robes and burned the side of his ribs as he moved forward, only fast enough to save his lungs from damage.
He couldn’t fight the droids and Tup.
Anakin prepared to tackle the trooper.
Only Fives did so first.
“Tup! Stand down!” he hissed, locking Tup’s arms behind his back.
The soldier thrashed in his arms.
Anakin wasn’t given a moment’s break as another shot was fired at him from the droids. He forced his attention back there, pressing forward and cutting the droid down.
“Stun him!” Ahsoka shouted from behind him.
Whipping back around, he witnessed Tup take a stun charge and collapse.
Anakin sighed, his chest aching from the blaster shot.
The droids would be upon them any second now, this incident had taken him, Ahsoka, and an ARC away from the battle.
“We’ve lost our momentum. Fall back!” he called out, as he entirely focused on reflecting bolts.
Turning slightly, he spoke to Fives, splitting that attention.
“Fives, take him back. I don’t know what’s going on, but you’re responsible for Tup now,” he ordered, tensely reflecting a barrage of shots.
“Get him back to base. I want answers,” he stated darkly.