In Your Shoes: Ambush

The planet Reyl was an unforgiving place, where it's animals had adapted to become some of the toughest force-forsaken creatures on this side of the galaxy; and the 501st was lucky enough to be sent there to drive out the Separatists terrorizing its denizens.

It was mid summer; the sky a sun kissed blue that touched the ground with a velvet caress. The land a cracked, dry, desolate waste that stretched for miles with spots of blue and green which marked the only sources of water for miles. Surrounding them, scorched giant trees jutted out from the baked earth, showing a time past when the planet was rich with life.

Five gunships swooped in high above the dried up canyons and valleys that scratched themselves across the entire planet. The droid army had spread itself in heaps and mounds of ordered groups surrounding the capital city of Shyre; reportedly the last city to survive the initial invasion. The city itself lay encased in a large insulated and shield like dome, which protected its people from the harsh sun; allowing them to restore what plant life the planet once had, within its walls.

It was hard enough for Generals Anakin Skywalker and Obi-wan Kenobi to break through the Separatist blockade stationed in the planets orbit. But now, liberating the entrenched and starving people would be a different and much more challenging feat. 

The descent from the Jedi Cruisers had been a walk in the park for the gunships and remarkably still was. Whatever the reason, the droid army remained still and silent as the gunships approached. No Anti-airship cannon fire, no Vulture Droids; absolutely no opposing fire greeted Anakin and his clone soldiers. 

Inside the lead ship Anakin and his Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, held onto straps as the ship descended, bracing themselves against the bumps from turbulence and preparing themselves for the exploding shells that would not come. All were enveloped in a red lighted shroud.

"So Master. What's your brilliant plan of action this time?" Ahsoka said tilting her head towards Anakin and spreading a snarky smile over her young lips. 

Anakin smirked back and let out a short chuckle while pulling out his holo-projector. His young padawan just looked at him puzzled. 

"Might as well tell everyone Snips. Captain." A blue fizzled image of Clone Captain Rex sparked to life on the small circular device.

"Sir!" Rex responded.

"Transmit this message to everyone."

"Yes Sir."

"Listen up men... and Ahsoka." He shot a grin to his young padawan who just rolled her eyes at him. "We're here to liberate the Reyl's. Their planet is rich with a metal ore that the Separatists will stop at nothing to obtain for their battle droids. The Reyl's Have requested that we help them fight against our now common enemy. As you may have already seen, this planet is a barren wasteland, riddled with bloodthirsty monsters and pit traps waiting to ensnare you. On top of that, the droid army has positioned themselves around the Capital of Shyre; the main trading hub of the entire planet. They've managed to last this long against the throngs of droid forces, however, they've run out of munitions to fight them with and have had all of their supply routes cut off. Essentially they're being starved into submission. They've agreed to allow Republic bases to be built on their land and will allow us to mine their ore for our own weapons and ships, in exchange that we help them remove their 'pests.'" 

He pressed a button on the holo-projector and a 3D layout of the area fizzled into view. "Now the Separatist forces have the area pretty well guarded. The only break in their defenses is this dried up basin here." He pointed to the mouth of a canyon a few miles south of the city. 

"But master, I don't think they would have intentionally left this unguarded. Are you sure it isn't a trap?" Ahsoka said listening carefully to her master's next words.

Anakin smiled. "Oh it's definitely a trap." The men in the gunship looked at each other. 
 
"We're good at those." one of the men behind Anakin muttered.

"Then why are we walking into one?" Ahsoka said, head tilting at the trooper before placing a hand on her hip in frustration.

"Because Snips. We have no other choice but to fight our way in. The longer we deliberate on what to do, the closer the droid army will get to cracking that dome and slaughtering its people. We have no other choice." 

Ahsoka sighed and Anakin continued. "Now we'll more than likely be walking straight into an ambush. We'll have to cut a clear path through this canyon to this spot here, so that General Kenobi can come in with the munitions. The Reyl have given us this safe zone to regroup and enter the city via an underground passage." He pointed to a small open area half way between the drop zone and the city gate. "This wont be easy men, but the Reyl are counting on us. Innocent lives are at stake. We can't fail." 

"SIR ,YES, SIR!" The clone troopers exclaimed in unison. 

The holo-projector shimmered quiet and the general placed it back into a pocket on his belt.

"I don't like this master. I have a bad feeling." The padawan expressed worried eyes towards her master. 

Anakin grinned at his pupil. "Don't worry Ahsoka. Everything will be fine. Trust me."

Ahsoka wasn't convinced and averted her eyes towards the floor.

"Sir! Approaching the drop zone. ETA 1 minute." Said the pilot over the intercom. 

The ship started making sounds indicating that the landing sequence had been initiated. The wings adjusted for landing and a definite feeling of dropping gripped the stomachs of all onboard. 

Dust was swept up in small twisters that circled the landing zone in a panicked frenzy as the gunships touched down to drop off their load. A green light replaced the red and the doors on the side of the ship swished open with a mechanic hum. All clone troopers hopped from the platform and took their ready positions in preparation for the fabled ambush that awaited them. The gunships then lifted off to return to the Cruiser to carry down Obi-wan and the munitions when called for.

"Master, why haven't we received any fire?" Ahsoka asked.

"I don't know. I guess we'll just have to go and ask now won't we?" Anakin said raising an eyebrow. 

The last of the gunships came in for a landing dropping off its load. Captain Rex jumped from the platform and ran over to his commanding officers taking his place by their sides. 

"Hey Rex, you ready for a party?" Anakin asked.

"Wouldn't miss it sir." Rex said cocking his guns.

"Glad to hear it. Now lets go see if the Separatists are home."

Anakin and Ahsoka ignited their lightsabers and bolted for the canyon; using its dried river beds as a trail leading them to their destination. The Captain and the rest of the clone's followed suit and fell in behind them, their armored feet casting up dust as they ran. 

-------------------

The journey was a slow going one. The hot sun berated everyone; heat stroke was a possibility as well as dehydration. but everyone kept on going, despite the fact that the river bed had become a treacherous dry clump of loose rock and dry sediment, that had settled there after years and years of water flowing over it before the planet's water evaporated. Every several feet clones were slipping and knocking down rocks on the heads of their brothers as they climbed short walls and descended others. Anakin and Ahsoka tried to help as much as they could, but after several hours they decided it would be best if they just provided cover while waiting for them to catch up.

The sun had started to set by the time they got half way between the drop off zone and the rendezvous point. They had reached a fork in the trail, one leading to their destination, the other not leading to their destination.

"Master we've been walking for hours in the hot sun. I swear this planet hates us. Can we take five minutes to catch our breath?" Ahsoka asked wearily.

Several clone's grunted in agreement, their chest plates rising and falling from their heavy breaths.

 
Anakin sighed. "Sure." 

Ahsoka sat down on a rock and took a sip of water from her canteen, and watched Anakin as he walked back and forth between the two path's. The clone's also sat down taking the opportunity to rest for a bit; all except for Rex. Rex walked up to Anakin's side and stood close by while the frustrated and tired Jedi paced. 

"Sir, you should take a break too." Stated Rex.

"I'll rest when we get to the rendezvous point." He stopped and looked up towards a ridge angrily.

"Are you sensing anything?" Rex cast a weary glance at the ridge, hands twitching towards his blasters.

"It's nothing, just frustrated is all. It's taking way too long to get to the rendezvous point and the droids not attacking us is fraying my nerves." He pinched the bridge of his nose.
 
"Why do they hang back?" He sighed and walked over to a large rock to sit down. "They have the tactical advantage why hang back?"

Rex followed and sat beside him, removing his helmet and taking a sip of water. "I don't know sir." Afterwards offering some to his general who took it without thanks. 

Suddenly a walloping concussion from a missile being fired reverberated off the canyon walls from above their heads. They both looked up as it struck the mound of rocks hanging on the precipice between Anakin and Rex, and Ahsoka and the rest of the troops. The force from the blast sent the rocks tumbling down in a thunderous earthquake, forcing Rex and Anakin to run and take shelter from the tons of rock crashing down and the dust cloud that rushed at them. The Rockslide had effectively cut off Anakin and Rex from Ahsoka and the Clone's. Both Anakin and Rex could hear Ahsoka's frantic scream's calling for her master.

"Master! Where are you! Answer me! Master!"

"We're-" Anakin's yell was cut off when a blaster bolt shot past his head and struck the rock wall searing it. Rex and Anakin both turned towards the direction of the fired shot. Waves of droids were walking methodically towards them, blasters raised and poised to fire. 

On the other side of the rockfall, Ahsoka and the rest of the troops began fighting their own droid wave. "master! where are you? we need you over here!" Ahsoka yelled.

"I'm in a bit of a spot here myself snips. I'll be there as soon as i can." He turned to Rex who was firing his twin blasters at their foes. "Rex, get climbing. we have to get to the rest of the group." Anakin began climbing the mound. Rex began backing up to the rocks to begin climbing. 

the rockfall was large and very high. Anakin was slowly making his way up while deflecting blaster bolts with his lightsaber. Rex was having a harder time climbing, for the droids were aiming at him specifically, and were pinning him down behind a large boulder. All the while Anakin is becoming more and more frustrated and worried for his padawan.

Anakin looked down at Rex. "Come on Rex! How slow are you going to go! Move it!" he said angrily.

Rex looked up at Anakin. "But Sir!"

"No Buts Rex! Get up here!"
 

Rex dashed for a ledge to start climbing, but as his hand reached out for a hold, the commando droid that fired the rocket shot his blaster and hit him in the arm and he fell to the ground. Rex landed with a thud and scrambled to get behind some cover, being hit in the leg next while doing so. he let out a sharp yelp of pain.
 
"General!" He called out before he took his good arm and grabbed a gun firing at the droids, that were nearly on top of him now. another shot was fired from the commando droid, that seared the back of rex's hand forcing him to drop his gun. he let out another scream of pain, this time louder. 

Anakin heard his cry this time around and turned in time to see droids taking aim at Rex in his defenseless state. Anakin jumped down from the ridge he was on and deflected the bolts and sliced up the droids. another bolt from the commando droid was aimed at rex this time a direct shot to the head, except anakin deflected it. He reached out in the force and grabbed hold of the droid and crushed it. 

Rex was very badly wounded and was in no condition to make the climb over the rocks. Anakin would have to leave him there or lift him over with the force; where they would be greeted with another battle which rex would be defenseless and incapable of fighting in. Anakin bent down to check the seriousness of Rex's wounds. 

"Sir, leave me here and go help Ahsoka. I'll be fine." he grunted.

Anakin stood and nodded his head. a strange sound came rolling towards them. he looked up and groups more of battle droids were approaching on the horizon, this time with droideka's in the arsenal. Rex also looked over to the sound. without looking from them he told Anakin. "Go Sir. I'll be fine." anakin could sense his deception. 

Anakin sighed angrily and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Damn droids." he then pulled rex up making him yelp and started dragging him. 

"Sir? what are you doing? the mission is more important, leave me here."

Anakin didn't answer. "try to find some shelter." He looked around and saw a small opening on the wall opposite them. "there we go." he raced towards it and ran inside before the droids could get to them, all their fire missing them. once inside he tossed rex to the ground and sealed the cave with a large rock. 

Anakin cracked a glow rod and set it down by Rex, who had propped himself against a wall, and was starting to tend to his wounds. Anakin sat down next to him with an angry huff.
 
"You should have gone on sir.." Rex muttered, touching the burn mark on his leg plate.
 
Anakin didn't answer, eyebrows furrowed in thought.

Voices echoed quietly off the walls, almost inaudibly.

"lets hope that keeps them out. How are your wounds?" Anakin said a little distracted.

"Not too bad sir."

Anakin raised an eyebrow. "I'm a jedi you know. I can tell when you're lying."

Rex sighed. "Okay..It's bad. i need to get these plates off to apply some bacta, and i need to use some stims, sir."

"Alright just tell what you'd like me to do." Anakin began helping rex with his armor and helping him tend to his wounds.


-------------- cut to ahsoka and the other troops.

Ahsoka stood by the rock wall calling to her master, while deflecting blaster bolts. A sergeant came up to her.

"Sir! what are your orders?" the trooper asked.

ahsoka looked at him and then at the situation. "we can't leave my master."

"but sir!, we have to get to the rendezvous point."

Ahsoka looked down, the people of Reyl were counting on them to free them, and Obi-wan would be touching down soon with the munitions. 

"alright lets move. Come on boys! follow me!" Ahsoka ran forward hacking through the droids she passed. and the clone's followed her. shooting down the droids. 


-------------------- cut back to anakin and rex

The sun was now set although the two of them could not tell in the dark of the cave. Rex was sitting with his back against the wall with his chest plate and several others removed. Strips of ripped cloth from anakin's jedi robe's were wrapped around his wounds like bandages. his arm was in a sling and he was using his removed fatigues as a blanket. anakin was next to him staring at the rock that blocked the entrance to the cave in silence. 

The voices were still distant but had become louder and louder the longer the two of them had been there. Anakin believed at first that the voices were the clone soldiers that were fighting with Ahsoka,  but now as they grew louder he realized that they were voices of the force. he looked over to rex who appeared to be asleep. Rex could not hear the voices like anakin could. 

"What is it Sir?" Rex said opening his eyes wearily and looking toward anakin.

"Nothing i think. just hearing things." he sighed.
 
"Your should rest, sir.." Rex offered once again.
 
Anakin sighed "Well alright.. we should get some rest and wait for ahsoka to come and get us. eventually she'll send a search party for us." 'that is if she makes it to the rendezvous point alive.' thought anakin.

"alright sir." rex closed his eyes again and fell asleep quickly. Anakin got comfortable and also drifted off to an uncomfortable sleep. 

------ the next morning. 

a droplet of water struck Rex on the face, waking him. he stretched groggily and yawned. he looked around in the dark, nothing but the eerie green glow from the glow stick casting strange shadows on the wall. a certain shape startled him. it cast its long figure like shadow on the wall. he grabbed a gun and spoke. 

"who's there?!" wide eyed he grabbed his throat. something wasn't right. the figure blended back into the darkness, but what concerned rex was what happened to him. he spoke again. "hello?" his eyes got even wider. this voice wasn't his. he looked down at his hands. these are not his hands. he rubbed his head and his fingers went through hair. surprised he grabbed a lock and tugged. "Ow.. yeah i definitely have hair." he looked at the rest of his body. his injuries were gone, and to his surprise he was wearing jedi robes. He spun his neck around toward wear anakin was supposed to be and he wasn't there. bewildered he spun to where HE was supposed to be. and to his surprise there he was, sleeping against the wall. Rex got up and walked slowly over to his sleeping body.
 
 he was used to seeing brothers who all looked like him, but he wasn't used to looking at himself. he tapped him on the shoulder.

"uh... general Skywalker? Sir?" rex said shakily. 

Anakin woke up slowly, wincing from the injuries and groaning in Rex's low voice, "owwwww!" 

He stared at rex in horror. "I better still be asleep."