[IC] Empire of two

[Markofkri]

All Rex had was the note and a fresh addition to his squad, "Bull", a specialist of sorts. He was a new line of solider, More of a survivor then front line guerrilla. He could analyze a given situation and set a choke point, ambush, or find a weakness in a trade federation patrol squad. His insight had saved the squad on more then one occasion. Bull was a welcome addition, He was quite and yet those eyes showed something more. Past the genetic enhancements there was something... more.

Rex thought the night before his squad was to move on a droid manufacturing plant. There was something on this planet that kept his focus off the mission. Something pulled his gaze to the east. He had his five man team with the "rookie" Bull. They were to infiltrate the complex and set a thermal detonator at the base of the power generator in the sub basement of the facility. Bull noticed the shield generator around the complex protecting it from aerial bombardment. The destroyer droids were set to kill anything alive approaching the plant. There was a vent that would take them into the facility one at a time and they would have to get past the sentries. The hard part would be getting out alive.

South east from the complex was the pipe disguised as a large stump. Only a ground unit could notice it for what it was. "Bull you take point." Rex pointed as he spoke. "Im going to stay and make sure the exit is clear. Lets set the time for two hours from now after that abort the mission."

"Sir I recommend you hold the detonator so the mission will still succeed" Bull was still thinking like a rookie.

"No, Your going to make it back or the mission will fail." Sometimes Rex had to get through to the new guys and the conditioning. The time with the Jedi taught Rex to value everything as an asset especially his team. Bull was even more of a trooper then the regulars. Most of the times his ideas to Rex were crazy but they did have a higher chance of success.

The team cut through the grate and the started to descend down the pipe. thanks to their armor the heat that would give most living things third degree burns by now and set fire to normal clothes, was just another inconvenience they would have to suffer through as they went closer to the source. The schematics showed they would have to descend almost twenty meters before they could cut though the pipe and start the hard part of not being detected by the automated defense system. Then make there way down to the reactor without tripping motion sensors or running across any destroyer droids. For this Bull remained on point.

Outside Rex was on alert and yet he would catch himself staring at the east. The sun to his back. The pull was strong. Rex hit his helmet a few times to keep his feet from moving against his will. Rex had to use the dirt to hide the white armor he wore that stood out far too munch for his liking no matter how well it kept him safe. Due to the un-shielded reactor communication with the team was no possible. The droids were immune to the radiation it was radiating. This was a design deterrent to keep out life forms. And why the reactor was buried so deep.

The complex was like the inside of an oven. No matter how hot it was inside the armor they knew not to take it off. Ten minutes of exposure would be a lethal dose of radiation. Bull could see the energy lines of sensor stations. A modified disruptor to generate a focused EMP beam would take care of that. It did leave the squad a gun down but given the mission parameters any discharge from a blaster rifle might be traced by a local destroyer droid.

They reached the core to find one destroyer droid stationed on sight. The radiation being they were so close to the reactor was causing a static like noise inside their helmets. Using hand signals bull couldn't get a shot with the modified rifle with the droids shielding. With the mission on the line and only forty minutes left to get back Bull set his rifle to over load the explosion would set off the sensors in the control station but the shrapnel would disrupt the shield while the EMP shock wave would fry the droid.

"Boom..." Bull then took his position. One trooper on point, two for the placement, and Bull started welding through the door hydraulics. Once it closed the stress of raising it again would cause it to fail. 'Hopefully on a droid' Bull smirked inside his helmet. Thirty seven minuets to climb out before the thermal detonators would go off. Any more time and the command droid would have a worker move it across the facility making the squads trip pointless.The door would give them a few more minutes Bull hoped.

"Set" Signaled the riggers with a rap on the metal rail followed by a hand signal. The squad left the room letting the heavy lead panel descend to its closing position. the hydraulic was too cut to hold it open after the stress of locking it in place. The team knew the droids were all trying to get to the reactor in the most direct route. So their path was clear. The climb up the pipe was the hard point the heat caused more exhaustion then they thought once they reached the surface it was only a matter of minutes before the whole place was a crater. The perimeter droids were deactivated due to a lack of command signal. They waited a few hours before calling for extraction. This mission was over but the pull to the east was still present in Rex on a first time visit to this particular planet.

[imacamoprincess]

I bit my lip, sighing softly, running my hand through my hair. This place was just a mess, it had been a disaster since the Separatists had attacked, killing almost everyone besides a few who either gave into them or was skilled enough to hide. I'd been skilled enough to hide thanks to the training I received from my mother before she was killed.

My hand tightened around the charm I wore around my neck - the one my father was said to have the other half of, as if I'd ever actually meet him since he was part of this war. There was no way for me to even know if he was even alive yet know who he was! There was a one in a million chance of finding him and being reunited with him, as far as I knew he didn't even know I existed.

I looked toward the west, into what was really an empty nothingness - besides the droid factory that was a few clicks away. It was always kind of fun to give the droids a bit of trouble - though I'd probably done enough for today. "There she is! Get her!" It was just a simple battle droids voice, though when I looked over there were hundreds of them.

"Um...no, I think you'll have to catch me first, sorry rust buckets." I muttered, quickly jumping into a speeder and taking off toward the west that was so strongly pulling on me - it was heading away from the direction I needed to go. But I really didn't have any other options as the droids began to fire at me, it was times like this that my mother would tell me I was like my father.

She said he was a good man, she never had a bad thing to say about him - only good. She said if it wasn't for their mistake, I never would have been born or maybe I would have if they'd been able to get away since it wasn't against jedi law to fall in love or have a romantic relationship. So children were definitely out of the question, she said she'd left him a letter explaining why she left and where he could find me.

Yet, I never expected to have my father looking for me. I was eighteen years old and I'd spent the last eight years struggling to survive on my own and keep myself out of the hands of the droids. My planet had wanted to stay out of the war - to stay peaceful but then the separatists attacked when I was merely ten years old, they claimed us as theirs.

Though rumors had it that the government had decided to ask the republic for assistance if they pleaded their allegiance to them, sure enough it was in the process of happening - but it wasn't soon enough. I pushed the speeder as hard as it would go, continuing to peek over my shoulder to see how close the droids were who had there own speeder like things.

As they began firing, I was more focused on where I was going instead of them - though I knew I'd left the droids who were on foot in the dust. It didn't take long for them to hit my speeder as I went over the hill, realizing the mistake I'd made almost instantly. I'd gone straight to the droid factory - I was screwed and bound to be arrested for sure now.

They continued to fire on me as I noticed movement, figuring they were more droids. But the fault in my focus screwed me over as I lost control going down the hill and flipped the damn thing, hitting the dirt rather hard and beginning to role down the hill. The speeder rolled down and erupted into flames and as I reached the bottle of the hill, I was so out of breath and covered in mud.

I noticed that what I'd thought were droids moving away from the base were actually republic soldiers. Maybe, maybe they would help me. I watched them carefully a moment before I looked over toward the top of the hill as the droids began to way down. I ran my hand through my hair once more, slowly pushing myself off the ground and backing away from them, patting at my sides.

But they weren't there, looking over my shoulder to see that my mothers light saber and my pistol were both about half way between the clones and myself. I had absolutely no way to defend myself, biting my lip. If those troops wouldn't help me, I was absolutely screwed and I would surely be arrested for not following the instructions of the separatists.

I rolled my ice blue eyes, brunette curly shoulder length hair blowing in the wind. I only stood five foot four inches and weighed about one hundred and twenty pounds, but I'd still do my best to defend myself. I did have a slender build that still held the perfect curves that drove men crazy so everyone usually underestimated me when I was in a fight.

I still stood no chance since I had no weapons, as the droids continued down the hill - I continued to bavk away. Though the pull was suddenly so much stronger and I realized the pull had been getting stronger the closer I'd gotten to the droid factory. I bit my lip and swallowed hard as the droids stopped, "Give us what is ours, girl." The commanding droid muttered.

I shook my head, "No! That doesn't belong to you! Nor will it ever belong to you! It was my mothers before me! And before her, it was her masters! You'll have to take it from my cold, dead hands before you think I'll ever hand over the last thing I have to remember her by! You'll regret all of this!" I muttered, watching them carefully as I continued backing away, hoping I was getting closer to my weapons.

I knew that also meant getting closer to the clones, yet the closer I got, the stronger the pull got. Almost like it was something that had been missing so long was suddenly back - it was so confusing, yet welcoming. For the first time in eight years I didn't feel alone, like I was loved and cared for, like I was safe - just like I felt when my mother was around.

[Markofkri]

Tired from the climb and the heat they still had three clicks to the pick up point. The crater was still on fire and the smoke would draw attention fast. "Glad the depth of the reactor forced the blast vertical. No way we would of survived." Rex nodded at Bull.

"Ten minutes then we move out. Check weapons and drop your armor its irradiated junk now." Rex's brow furrowed at the thought of four unarmored troopers with him taking point and the only one in armor. Couldn't be helped. Tossing the armor down the crater would ensure no one wearing it. A few sips from the water reserves and Rex was giving the order to move out.

Moving north by north east the squad maintained silence as they moved. A hand rose from Rex and the squad froze in place. A set of signals directed the squad's attention right. Droids and a girl.... The squad took cover, except for Bull. Something took over, an instinct, more powerful then any mental conditioning. He ran to her.

Rex stood not believing what he was witnessing. And yet something in his gut told him Bull was right to do so. "Engage." Before he really had a thought about what he was doing his rifle was raised and Rex was shooting the droids. The squad followed the order.

Bull was in a full run and even though the droid closest to the girl manage to shoot him in the leg it was luckily the metal one. Bull dove for the ground sliding his body and a hand around the blaster from the this familiar stranger. As the robot acquired the target bull was already pulling the trigger sending a bast to the robots head. Bull was unable to get to his feet. On one knee he looked at the girl and asked, "Are you alright?" While red blaster fire was taking out the remaining droids.

Rex gave the cease fire signal, and the skirmish was over. "Ten droids sir." Rex wasn't sure who said that because he marched strait over and punched Bull to the ground. Then offered a hand to help him up. The feeling was so familiar there was no mistaking it. It took no conscious thought on his part. Rex watched his hand move to his belt and pull the note from the pouch. "You have your mothers eyes."

[imacamoprincess]

I watched the entire scene go down, still having backed away enough to at least get my mothers light saber since I didn't so much as have a picture of her unless she'd hidden it away somewhere. I studied the man carefully, who clearly seemed to be the commanding officer as he said I had my mothers eyes, it had my head spinning for a moment before I noticed the charm he wore. It was the other half of my own.

I bit my lip, watching him for a moment. Was this really happening? Had my mothers dying wish come true? I felt tears sting the back of my eyes though I had barely ever cried - the last time I'd cried was when my mother had passed away. And now, I was on the verge of tears because here was my father who hadn't been around my entire life until now.

I gave him a small smile though, looking down as I sighed. "This was her dying wish when they attacked, they were after me and she protected me with her life. And for us to somehow find each other was all she said she wanted." I whispered softly, though I knew I was loud enough for him to hear me, even hearing the tears in my voice.

"She wouldn't let me go get any help from anyone and that was eight years ago." I added softly and bit my lip, looking toward him once more. "She'd always tell me stories about you when I was younger, that was about the only way she'd get me to go to sleep. Other than her light saber, I have nothing of hers. The droids either took it or destroyed it." I whispered softly.

I watched him a moment, running my hand through my hair once more. I was still in shock to say the least - I had never expected to run into him and have to give him the news that the women he loved was dead. "She only told you about me in that note, didn't she? Never heard anything else from her, right?" I asked softly, meeting his eyes.

Not long after we'd come here, the separatists attacked and she did her best to hide that both she and I had jedi blood. It was easier for her to hide herself, but being a single parent, she struggled to hide my abilities.

[Markofkri]

Rex had tears in his eyes and realized he was still wearing the helmet he raised his hands to remove it. So many questions to ask. Was her mother alive? Where had she been all this time? Why did she need to leave? He could of protected them they could of talked about it. He was a man torn in two. Grateful to see his only child, a natural child, alive and safe once more.

"We're protecting you now." Bull stared at her while he spoke to the commander. "Sir that transport will not wait for us. We got to start moving." Bull was on his feet with help and a wire bypassing some of the damage Bull could limp but not run.

"Right, move out." His voice was steady as the helmet kept it that way, but inside, he heard the quiver in his voice. Turning to his daughter, "We got to reach the extraction point its a clearing northeast. We can make it. We will." As Rex helped his daughter to her feet e was speechless. she was all grown up. Rex missed so munch, and more thoughts ran through his head. Everything else faded from his mind, blocked out by his reunited daughter.

They picked up the pace. Bull couldn't help notice her more then any other face in his life so far. She stood out like a ray of sun through a cloudy sky. Something held his attention so munch he had a few narrow misses with some low branches. This got a few chuckles from the rest of the squad. The way was clear from then on out. As they reached the clearing the transport touched down.

"Time to go. Are you ready?" Rex held out his hand and waited at the ramp. It had to be her choice he thought. "I'm never going to leave you."

[imacamoprincess]

I continued watching them a moment, sensing my fathers mind racing, sensing a few questions of his own. My mother had never explained why she'd left, why she hadn't just given a chance to have a family. Maybe then, she wouldn't be dead. Maybe then, none of this would have happened. It wasn't too hard to keep up with them, since I'd been outrunning the separatists for years on my own.

But now, for the first time I felt like I could relax and not have to constantly be on edge - constantly looking over my shoulder. I sighed softly, though I did notice one of my fathers men seemed rather interested in me - though I'd never had the chance to ever get into a romantic relationship since most of my time was spent trying to survive.

Even if the trip was practically silent besides the few laughs from the men when the one would almost walk into a tree branch. I just enjoyed the silent company, even though I'd look over my shoulder a few times. I was leaving the only thing I knew as home, leaving my mothers grave - everyone and everything I knew. But maybe it was worth it to see exactly what I'd missed out on without having my father in my life.

Though as their ship touched down and my father reached out for me, I felt my mind pause. Was I really ready to leave the last place I could visit my mother? The only place I'd ever called home? I pushed the thoughts away as he said he wouldn't leave me, like that's all I needed to hear. Even if this was the first time I'd met my father, I trusted him with my life.

I slowly took his hand, biting my lip. I now realized exactly why my life had felt so empty, I'd seen children walking down the street holding their parents hand - their mother on one side and their father on the other. And I'd never had that, this was the first time I'd ever touched my father besides to have him help me up.

This was the start of my new life, slowly stepping up onto the ramp. This was my chance to prove my motjer didn't die for nothing.

[Markofkri]

As the ramp closed with the reunited family, the blue faded quickly from the windows and revealed the night sky. Rex finally removed his helmet and stood next to his new found daughter. "I ... I dont know your name." The ship broke orbit and went into light speed. Soon the stars were swirling around them and Rex felt so distant. Ever since getting the note he had the luxury to dream about this day. Now that it was the day he felt further from her then ever. Like someone looking up at stars. She was right there, a torrent of questions came to his mind but, was it too soon to ask them? Which one would be the first? Would she be mad at him for not trying to find her. Would she understand? So lost in his thought he failed to notice bull.

"Hi I'm Seven. Sorry for staring just never knew a clone could have a kids. It's not something we were suppose to know I guess." He saw The girls eye were looking out into space. The feeling came over him that maybe it was the wrong time for pleasantries. "I.. I'll let you be. Excuse me." Seven went over to the seating and sat next to on of the squad.

Rex took the time to study his daughter so munch of the woman who left him was standing there and the emotions came flooding to his eyes. He wanted to hold her and never let go. He had found a person from a letter written so long ago. She was alive and standing right there. No words. His throat felt like someone was choking him while at the same time letting him breath. He just place his hand over hers and looked out the window.

"We're heading to a core republic planet. Should be there in a few hours. Can I get you anything Miss?" The protocol droid was silver with a dull finish.

[imacamoprincess]

"My mother named me Alison Marie Geoffrey, though I go by Ali - she'd just use my full name when I was in trouble, which honestly was a lot. She always said I looked like her but I had your personality. I got that lecture everytime I got into trouble - even if it was me defending myself." I whispered softly, looking over at him a moment before looking back toward the window, sighing softly.

I was still in a bit of shock, though I'd grown used to things constantly changing since the separatists had taken over my home world. "Why'd she leave? Why couldn't she just have stayed?" I asked softly, having asked her multiple times why she hadn't stayed and let him be there for me, maybe then she'd still be alive. I bit my lip, noticing the scar on my forearm starting at my wrist and running up to the nook of my elbow.

I was so alone, so distraught at the loss of my mother and the absence of my father that I just wanted out. I didn't want to be alone, I'd been so terrified. I'd been so close to bleeding out since the cut had been placed so close to my artery but somehow someone had found me and bandaged me up, saying that wasn't what my mother would have wanted.

And I knew so badly they were right and now more than ever I regretted making that cut, trying to end all the pain and suffering. Now the scar just served as a reminder of how low I'd once been and maybe, just maybe my life had a purpose. And I was hoping it to be true, hoping maybe this new start with my father was all I needed.

I looked down, feeling his hand over my own - it was comforting. "Every night, she'd say one day you'd find us, she said she could feel it in the force. And I never felt anything until this morning, there was just something telling me to go west." I whispered softly, looking over at my father a moment before glancing to the window. I was getting a fresh start I knee my mother always wanted me to have.

I looked over at the droid, shaking my head. "No, but thank you." I said softly, holding an almost sweet tone in my voice. I wasn't prepared to let everyone think I could defend myself - at least not yet. I bit my lip and sighed softly, still just having the urge to hug my father - I'd had the urge since he said I'd had my mothers eyes.

It'd just been something I wanted to do since I was a child, to hold onto him and not let go - afraid he would leave like my mother had.

[Markofkri]

Rex was still looking at the passing stars. "Ali, a fine name. I've missed you both so and it saddens me not have the answers to those questions. Maybe we can find those answers out there." Rex patted her hand. Clearing his throat," well you must be tired why don't you get some sleep? I'll be here. I've still got a mission to report in and debrief the squad."

She was different. Seven couldn't figure out why he jumped to her rescue or couldn't get the image of her face out of his mind. It was a pretty face, very pretty. Protocol stated any mental interference required the clone to report for mental reconditioning. For the first time in his life he did't follow protocol.

The squad was ready for some rest before reassignment. They dd all the prechecks with the medical droid and reequipped with the ships armory. Soon they all looked like storm troopers again. The ship was on course and running smoothly.

Rex knew nothing of being a father but he would learn. Getting answers and keeping her safe would require more then just him. The question was would the team follow or report him. He had to chance it she was his daughter and he would not let her down. There was a lot to prep for and they had only a few hours to do it before they landed.

The door to the troop ramp was where Rex found them. "Alright troopers heads up. I still don't know how but I found my daughter on that planet. I'm going to conduct my own mission but I need a volunteer to watch over her and keep her safe. This would mean your going rouge. We all know a trooper off the grid has penalties a little on the stiff side. You will have to turn in your gear and live on the street. I'll try to give what aid I can when able. This is no more dangerous then I have asked of you in the past."

"Sir we would follow you to the end without question but this isn't a mission." Ft-41265-02 Hanson

"The penalty for desertion is death sir, I don't want to fight against my own troopers." UT-00324-08 Bond (saw it in a movie)

The others just looked away and the bay was silent for a moment that seemed like hours. "Sir I'll volunteer. I'll do it." Seven was standing and taking off his gear.

"You? Why you?" Rex honestly had no idea.

"Because its what we do. We protect the citizens of the republic." It wasn't a lie, there was just another reason Seven kept to himself.

Rex just stood there stunned like the first time he saw a Jedi use the force. Glad he wasn't a betting man Rex walked over to Seven. "There is no coming back from this but I'll mark you as dead in the report. It will give you some cover. You'll need to burn off your number and cut out the tracker in your arm Ill have the doc patch you up." Only an hour left before the landing. He hoped she would understand.

[imacamoprincess]

I bit my lip and sighed softly, so my mother hadn't given him much of an answer either, looking over at him as he patted me hand. "Just promise you won't leave again." I whispered softly, feeling tears sting the back of my eyes once more as I pushed them down, studying him a moment. He had already been gone out of my life so long and now I didn't have my mother and I honestly didn't want to loose my father.

"I already lost my mom, I really don't want to loose my father, too. I've been alone for eight years without either of my parents." I whispered softly, studying him a moment, biting my lip as he asked if I was tired and telling me that I should rest. I mean I was tired, don't me wrong - it was hard to sleep when you were alone and had to defend yourself.

I sighed softly and gave him a small smile, giving him a small hug. "I'm just happy you came and found me." I whispered softly, I mean if they hadn't been there who knows what would have happened to me. The droids may have arrested me or killed me, though I didn't really want to think about what they could or would have done.

I slowly ran my hand through my hair, "My mother always said she loved and missed you every night before she went to sleep. And that she couldn't wait for you to come looking for us, she was just scared that if she sent you a letter that the separatists would find us or that they'd use us against you." I whispered softly, looking toward him once more.

"I love you, night dad." I whispered softly, giving him a small smile before I walked away. I'd been so jealous of everyone who'd been able to say that and finally I'd been able to and it seemed to right. I sighed softly, finding the room I was supposed to be using for the trip. I shut the door and moved toward the bed, laying down and wrapping my arms around myself. It took merely seconds for me to fall asleep.

[Markofkri]

The soft blue glow appeared on multiple monitors throughout the ship to inform passengers the destination was reached and to prepare to exit light speed. Rex was going to stay with his daughter however, managing the balance between missions and family without be labeled a deserter was going to be the real trick. Seven would come in handy as a intermediary he could trust when it was time for trooper missions and still get the family part done while keeping his daughter safe.

First things first. Rex walked to a internal comm terminal. "Up and at'em. We're in orbit and will begin our descent soon." As Rex turned off The screen he sighed at the noticeably lack of nurturing. "This could be the hardest thing I've ever done. I must do everything I can for her." Rex made his way to the bridge.

The view was brighter this time, The colors more intense Rex was always ready to die for the republic. Now everything had changed, now Rex must live for his daughter's future. They dropped Seven off at a spaceport before continuing on. The transport landed at a military base. As the ramp lowered to allow them to disembark Rex turned to Ali, putting a hand on her shoulder. "I have to report in and the loss of Seven. No civilians. I'll be right back."

Seven watched as they left him. No armor, no food, or barracks. All he had was a spray painted pack, a utility belt, and his military grade rifle. "Time to get moving trooper." Rex was going to leave more gear Seven needed to be more effective. Seven needed to be at the drop off point at the back of the complex under the east tower.

[imacamoprincess]

I groaned softly, that hadn't exactly how I expected my father to wake me up - my mother had never woken me up that way, besides when I got her mad. But she barely ever stayed mad at anyone over night, especially me. I sighed softly, slowly getting up and running my hand through my hair. It was going to take a bit of getting used to, having my father in my life - who hadn't been there my entire life until now. I bit my lip, "Its definitely gonna take some getting used to." I whispered softly.

Still, it felt like a void had been filled, yet another opened. My father was in my life but everything I'd seen girls my age do with their fathers - I felt it wouldn't happen. It didn't take long for me to unbraid my hair and find my way to where my father was as we landed. I thought we were at the base we were going to, yet we weren't. We were at a random spaceport.

I was confused why we'd stopped here and even more confused when one of my fathers men was left there in civilian clothing. It was the same man who had saved me and who had been staring at me the entire way to the ship. But I didn't say anything, I didn't question it - even if the curiosity was killing me. It didn't make any sense why they just had dropped him off like that.

Yet when we landed and I exited the ship with my father and he explained that he needed to report in and report the loss of one ofhis men, that I wasn't allowed. I merely nodded, "Okay, I understand." I whispered softly as he said he'd be right back. I somewhat understood how the army worked with my very few encounters with them. And by very few, I meant about two or three times, this time being maybe the third or fourth.

It seemed to me that the Chancellor was on top and controlled the senate and the jedi and the jedi controlled the clones. It didn't seem much fair that they were created and born just to fight and die. And it'd be clear enough now that they had normal feelings - that they wanted freedom, love, and a family. But that began to make my mind begin to work as I watched my father walk away.

How would he explain who I was? Who my mother was? Wouldn't he get in trouble for that? If he did get in trouble, what would they do to him? I bit my lip, running my hand through my hair.

[Markofkri]

Rex didn't look back as he walked toward the main building. The camera inside the helmet took the scan to verify he was a clone. The door opened and shut automatically behind him. Usually he felt safe but not today. An uneasiness followed him in. To late for a plan "B" he would have to make do.

"Sir reporting in." Rex left his helmet on to guise his voice and facial expression. He wanted all the help he could get.

generals were often jedi and this one was different. "You have some new to report, something significant happened I sense."

"Sir one fatality to report and one civilian rescued from the planet. A female who was involved with the retreat from the planet."

"I understand. Good work. Report to the armory and resupply by 0700 tomorrow. We received new Intel on a possible assault on our supply lines."

"Yes Sir." Rex turned and left without notice. As he walked back the helmet respirator felt a little slow. He needed more air. Walking into a side corridor he took it off and drew in a deep breath. This was not what he was conditioned for. He needed her insight on what to do next.

He emerged from the building without wearing his helmet. Walking up to his daughter. "We need to talk but not here. Pleases follow me." Taking the lead he walked to a maintenance building housing some machinery and some of the droids. It was loud and he had to stand close to talk. "In here we can talk. I had planned on you meeting up with Seven and maybe finding a teacher or even possibly getting your hands on a freighter and I could feed you Intel as I get it concerning your mother to investigate why she left. It felt like she thought me being a trooper wasn't safe and she would be right but I'm not liking this. I feel like I can do more good staying a trooper for now. I want to know your thoughts. What should our next move be?"

[imacamoprincess]

I sighed softly, watching the doors close behind him. Now that I was alone, my mind just began to wonder through the past - going through my life with my mother. I remembered asking her why she left, why she hadn't stayed and let us be a family. She never liked talking about it and she hated when I brought it up, yet I was just looking for answers.

I bit my lip, looking over my shoulder as I heard my fathers voice. As my eyes landed on him, he told me we needed to talk - yet we couldn't talk here. I sighed softly, slowly nodding that I understood. I was curious, wanting to know what he wanted to talk about that couldn't be talked about now.

I easily followed after him, keeping up with him without any real issue. I could sense that something was up, like he was arguing with himself. I just wish I knew right now what he wanted to talk about. But I guess I would find out when we got to wherever he was taking us.

I followed him to the building, having to stay rather close to him so I could hear him. I sighed softly, slowly looking down as he spoke. "Do you ever think maybe thats why my mother never asked you to come? That maybe that's why she left and never told you about me besides in that letter?" I asked softly.

I remembered my mother saying that the army was very important to my father and that she felt he wouldn't leave. "I remember her saying that's why she never told you, because of how you felt about the army - that you probably wouldn't leave to raise me." I added softly, slowly looking up at him.

"When I was younger, every night before bed I'd sit by the window for hours and wait - hoping that one day...you'd come over the hill and I'd actually have an actual family like all my friends did. But it never happened, it was always just me and her. She said the army was more important to you than anything else." I muttered.

I slowly met his eyes, sighing softly as I felt tears stinging the back of my eyes. "I guess maybe she was right, maybe the army is important to you - more than your family. For once in my life, I thought I was actually going to have a relationship with someone I haven't had in my entire life." I whispered softly.

"The choice is yours, not mine. I mean, you made your choice nineteen years ago. Now its just me and not my mother - I mean honestly, you hurt her when you didn't try to find her." I whispered softly, studying him a moment. Was I important enough to him to leave the army?

[Markofkri]

Rex looked down at the floor like a scolded dog the words from his daughter hurt him deeply. "Please try to understand. I didn't know about the pregnancy. Your mom never discussed it, and All clones are taught the ability to reproduce was removed at the genetic level for quality control. When the note told me of the pregnancy I was shocked to my core. She had no right to make that choice on her own I would of gone with her. Your mother made that choice. If I had gone after you the military would of tracked me down endangering the both of you had I found you. Every time I returned to a core world I checked the terminal's for your mothers face in the transport roster. I never found her."

He rubbed his head still looking at the ground. "I'm still looking for answers and If I run then I become a wanted man they will shoot at me and anyone I am found with. I cant put you in harms way no matter how munch it pains me to have you at arms length. This is the closest I might ever be to you but I'd take this over not having you in my life at all. Wondering where in the galaxy you were, if you were even alive." Rex's voice trailed off as his eyes became covered in his hands.

After a moment. Rex cleared his throat and looked into your eyes. "I'm here and I will always be there for you. I sent Seven off the transport to help you find answers and to go places a guy in storm trooper armor wouldn't be welcome. He volunteered. If I left, yes I could be with you but what if a moment came where it would be beneficial to have a father in storm trooper gear. Outside these walls I'm just an man but inside, I can do munch more to help you then a single person ever could. Right now we need to find out why your mom did this. Who did she feel she had to hide you from and why?"

[imacamoprincess]

I bit my lip, pressing my back against the wall as I ran my hand through my hair. Now I understood everything my mom every spoke about, now I understood thats why she did it. Maybe she was trying to protect me from being hurt like I was now, maybe she knew thats what his answer would have been if she'd asked him to go with her.

I kept my eyes low as I slid down to the floor, not looking toward my father. "Maybe thats why she told me you didn't want to be found. Maybe she was trying to stop me from being hurt because I'd told her multiple times I was tired of lying about where my father was." I whispered softly.

"She ran and hid because she knew the jedi would take me away from her, niether you or her would ever see me again if they took me away. She always said she thought the army was more important to you than anything else - I never wanted to believe her." I explained, feeling tears rolling down my cheeks.

I hated to say it but maybe my mother had been right, maybe the army was more important to him than his family. "Sure, you haven't been in my life for eighteen years. So lets just do more damage than whats already been done - thats perfect. I don't have my mother and you want to stay distant." I bit my lip, pausing a moment.

"You want to stay distant when this is the first time you've been in my life. So don't worry about me, you want to be distant and not step up to the plate of having a family...just like my mom came to the conclusion, you hurt her - she stayed up every night waiting, always made an extra plate at dinner for you."

I bit my lip, looking over at him a moment before looking away again. "Every night, even for my birthdays - she would give me at least one present saying it was from you. And as a little girl - I hated my birthdays because every year I wished for you to come home." I whispered softly, running my hand through my hair.

I sighed softly, "You already choose the army over my mother and I once. And if you hadn't then...maybe she'd still be alive. And now your choosing it over me when she's gone. So you don't have to worry about me - you know I'm alive. You know where I live. Honestly if you can't find me - I'll either be in jail or dead because I was seen with Republic soldiers." I muttered, slowly wiping a tear off my cheek.

Honestly, I guess I just thought he'd care enough to leave the army. I guess try to make up for the eighteen years he hadn't been there. "I know why my mother left and honestly, the same thing you did to the women you loved - your doing to you daughter eighteen years later." I whispered softly, wrapping my arms around myself as I looked over at him.

I knew the pain was clear in my eyes, along with betrayal. I couldn't believe it. Every year I'd wished for him to come home to us and he never did. My mother and I struggled, she'd wanted to reach out to him. But she was scared of this happening.

[Markofkri]

Rex flexed his jaw. The damage was done. Her words bit into him with more force then anything else in the galaxy. Had he chosen the easy way out and covered his tracks with excuses? No. They would of been running even harder had he deserted. Hunted by both the jedi and the republic. at least his way they had a chance for eighteen years. Rex made his choice and she made her's. "Judging those actions now almost twenty years later might be easy, at the time that was the hardest choice I've ever made and no amount of wishing will change it. Seven is waiting for you at the corner of tower 3." Rex hated leaving again but she was alive and he was convinced being there would only make things worse. Regaining his military posture Rex left the mechanical room and headed to the armory of the transport.

Knowing military procedure as well as he did the loss of equipment on transport was a common occurrence. He took a gps, hand blaster, encrypted comms, a multi spectrum visor, second med pack with extra rations, and a confiscated republic cred stick. That would have to be enough to last them until they could get on their feet. Rex placed the contents in a sack and went to the tower.

The door recognized the security access code and Rex walked in to find not a trooper but instead the Jedi commander. The Jedi stood there silent and with that mask his intention was hard to read. "These sensor relays seem to be malfunctioning. I will leave it to you." Master Plo walked past the confused trooper and outside where a squad awaited his signal.

Master Plo-koon

"Yes Sir." Only when the door shut did Rex exhale and initial inspection revealed the sensors for this tower were off line. Rex stepped out onto the gang plank and tapped on the rail before dropping the satchel. When the figure grabbed the gear and disappeared into the alley Rex went back inside to reinitialize the sensors. It was up to Seven now.

[imacamoprincess]

I bit my lip, keeping my eyes low. "She said she thought you would follow her - try to find her, thats why she didn't say anything. She thought you'd know that wasn't like her - that you'd track her down and want to know why. She did it so I wouldn't be forced to do what she was." I whispered softly, running my hand through my hair.

"She didn't want me to be taken away and not know my family like she was - she wanted me to be with my family. But...that never happened either." I whispered softly, slowly looking toward him. I bit my lip, slowly standing up as my father seemed to get more serious and stood in a military pose.

I sighed softly, feeling my fingers brush against the back of his hand - watching him as he walked away. The first time, I wasn't even born. But now, if this was anything like what my mom felt when she left - knowing she was leaving my father behind. All I honestly really wanted was to have my father in my life.

I sighed softly, my mother must have been heartbroken when she'd left. But she had left to keep me from being taken from them. Not only that but so they wouldn't get in trouble for not following orders. And now, honestly I knew at least a fraction of how much she'd been hurt.

I watched my father as he walked away - I had absolutely no idea where I was or where I was going. But I guess I'd have to figure it out since I couldn't exactly ask my father. I guess this would be one of those times my mother spoke of needing the force to help me with my journey.

I had to concentrate, slowly closing my eyes and forcing myself to relax. It took a matter of minutes before I knew where I was going. I slowly opened my eyes and slipped out of the building, heading down a random path that I knew would take me where I needed to go.

Soon I found myself covered in shadows, something I was so used to back home. Yet here, it made me uneasy - like it wasn't safe, almost like someone was going to grab me. I kept watch over my shoulder more than to watch where I was going, suddenly bumping into someone.

I quickly reached for my mothers light saber, ready to defend myself. But as I slowly looked up, noticing a familiar face from one of my fathers men - it made me relax, releasing the light saber. I remembered his name, it was Seven.