A Way Out (Clone Wars Fan Fic)

Chapter 4

Anakin decided to leave the forest and was now racing to Rex's position, sensing through the force that the Captain was in deeper trouble than he already was.

Anakin dodged bullets and explosions, struggling to make his way through the bloody battlefield. He saw his men on the ground and winced. This could've all been prevented. The deaths, the destruction. If only Anakin hadn't been so stupid. 

The Separatists had shown up a few days ago in the night, while Anakin and his men had been sleeping. Usually, there would be clones taking shifts at the camp watching to make sure no unwanted visitors arrived. But Anakin and the 501st had been sent on a special mission. Delivering medical supplies to Florum, a planet on the Outer Rim. The planet was similar to Geonosis, with hot temperatures and rocks everywhere. The council had promised Anakin that there would be no violence and that they wouldn't need to worry about Separatists attacking them on their trip. So, Anakin decided that he should let all his troopers get rest. That was his first mistake.

The beginning attack had come at midnight. Anakin was startled awake by the loud noise of clones marching. They were less than half a mile away. Anakin exited his tent, and he could see them. Hundreds of droids, and several tanks. They were screwed.

Somehow they managed to fight off the droids that night. But the Separatists launched a forward assault the next night and the night after that. The 501st survived, but barely. They had expected another nighttime attack but were taken aback when the droids attacked them in broad daylight. That was Anakin's second mistake. Not taking the necessary precautions and assuming when the Separatists would attack.

So, Anakin was now fighting through the aftermath of the Separatist's daytime attack.

The rest of the 501st battalion were already in the woods (besides Rex and a few of his men), waiting for him at the emergency camp. Anakin would have called for backup, but his cruiser, The Resolute, was also under attack and took serious damage. They had to make an emergency jump to hyperspace, leaving Anakin and his men stranded.

So much for no violence.

Anakin thought sarcastically to himself. He had every right to be mad. It had been weeks since Ahsoka went missing, and the council refused to let him or his men look for her. Force, if he could get his hands on the council he would strangle them until --

Focus, Anakin. You're trying to save Rex right now, not contemplating murdering the council.

Anakin sensed something again through the force, and suddenly he found himself swerving to the left. He sprinted faster, worried about what the force might be trying to tell him. He had to get to Rex, now. He could feel it.

"Rex!"

Anakin called out, hoping for the Captain to hear him. He got no response. Anakin was worried. First Ahsoka, now Rex. He couldn't bear to lose anyone else.
Anakin could feel Rex's force signature, so he knew that Rex was still alive. But he also felt pain too. Rex must have an injury... Giving Anakin yet another reason to find the Captain as soon as possible.

Anakin dodged more bullets and looked out at the battlefield once more. There were still many droids fighting, and luckily almost all of his men were able to retreat and find shelter in the woods. Almost all of his men.

Anakin heard a grunt coming from in front of him, and looked towards the center of the battlefield. There stood the Arc trooper Fives, with Captain Rex draped over his soldier.

A wave of relief washed over Anakin. He had found Rex. But the relief didn't last long, as Anakin realized that Fives was trapped. With droids shooting directly at him and quickly closing in, Fives had only a short amount of time before he would be gunned down.

Anakin shook his head. Fives is always the one to get into trouble.

Anakin thought about how to get Rex and Fives out of there. Using the force to lift them into the air wouldn't work, they'd be floating targets. So, he'd just have to go with the good old-fashioned way. Storm in there lightsaber a-blazin' and hope to survive. It was more Anakin's style, after all.

With his lightsaber gripped tightly, Anakin deflected bullets and soon arrived at Fives' location.

"Looks like you need a hand."

Anakin extended his robotic fingers out to Fives, offering to help him up from where he was bent over, trying to escape the bullets.

"Well, I suppose I could use a hand, but I don't know if that's classified as one."

Fives pointed at Anakin's metal "skin" and chuckled at his own joke. Anakin rolled his eyes. Even in the worst situations, Fives could always crack a joke.

"Is he alright?"

Anakin gestured to Rex, who was unconscious and sleeping soundly.

"I think so... his leg's pretty badly injured though. We have to get him to Kix immediately."

Anakin glanced at Rex's leg. It was bad. This was gonna slow them down. They could make it, but it might be a close call.

"So what's the plan, General?"

Anakin considered his options for a second.

Either run back, with a chance of being shot down or fight off the droids until they won.

There was only one realistic option. 

"We're gonna make a run for it."

Fives gave him a look of disbelief and laughed. Anakin stood there, his expression serious.

"Oh, you're not joking."

"When am I ever joking. You should be use to my crazy plans by now. Keep carrying Rex and make a beeline to the forest. I'll cover you."

Fives stood up and started sprinting towards the thick line of trees that lay 50 yards ahead of him, with Rex bumping up and down on top of Fives shoulder. They were around halfway there, and Anakin deflected all of the bullets that were shot at the three of them.

That is, until a bullet came speeding past Anakin's lightsaber and hit Fives right in the shoulder.

"General..."