Star Wars: Imperial Crusade

Reunion

Ahsoka Tano's Residence, Kiros

Ahsoka was monitoring the rebel activities across the outer rim and learned of the defeat on Tatooine. Knowing that Vader and Taloh led the attack, she gestured to the holoprojector on her desk.

"Damir," Ahsoka said. "Your brother has struck once again and has taken Captain Rex prisoner."

"Has he returned to Nam Chorios?" Damir asked. "For I cannot make it since I am trying to help Alliance leaders manufacture a new capital ship that will rival the Paelleon-class Star Destroyers and create new fighters to use against the Chiss Clawcraft and TIE Predators."

"Understood," Ahsoka said. "I will prepare to depart and have a team to prepare to extract us once I have him."

"Very well," Damir said. "And more thing. If you encounter Taloh, I trust that you will bring him home. We really need him, and I know how close he was to you."

"I will do what I can Damir," Ahsoka replied.

"May the force be with you Ahsoka," Damir said. "Always."

As Ahsoka nodded and deactivated her holoprojector, she gazed at Taloh's lightsaber and picked it up reminiscing about when they first met during the Battle of Agamar and the adventures throughout the war until leaving the Jedi Order. As she placed Taloh's lightsaber back on her desk, she grabbed her comlink and activated it.

"Have an extraction transport on standby and send a few Mandalorian fang fighters and Gauntlets to reinforce our assault on Nam Chorios," Ahsoka said. "We are going to free Captain Rex from Taloh himself."

"Yes, commander Tano," A rebel fleet officer said. "Do you know where Taloh is keeping the captain?"

"I sense he is aboard his flagship The Knight," Ahsoka said. "But we must also be careful, for I sense that Vader and the Emperor are on Nam Chorios in Taloh's fortress The Dragon's Flame."

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The Knight, Nam Chorios,

As Rex sat in his cell, he was trying to analyze whether or not Taloh survived the duel on Cato Neimoidia since the name of the Star Destroyer that he is on board is the same name of Taloh's former vessel. As the cell door opened, Coven placed Rex in binders and gestured for him to stand up.

"Move it," Coven said as she nudged him with her blaster towards Sereta. "Lord Matarrin would like to speak to you in his office."

Rex then gave a shocked expression given that he believed Taloh to have perished years ago following the duel. As they arrived at Taloh's office, Rex saw several artifacts one being a sith Chalice, the armor he wore as a knight of Zakuul, and two helmets with one from Kashyyyk and a Mandalorian helmet gifted to him from Sarr Quell in the hallway and passed the training room and his personal quarters. As the door for his office slid open, Taloh was seated at his desk and deactivated the holoprojector of a map of the rebel fleet across the galaxy.

"I wondered when you would return to us Captain Rex," Taloh said. "Sereta, Coven, get those binders off and clear the office. I will speak to the captain myself."

As Sereta and Coven left Taloh's office and the door slid shut,  Taloh stood up and removed his helmet revealing the long-forgotten face of his old friend during the clone wars. His eyes filled with tears for his old friend has returned to him believed to be presumed killed in action following Order 66.

"I can't believe that you are still alive," Taloh said as a tear ran down his shadowy eyes and past the faded slash he received from his duel with General Grevious. "The Empire could use an excellent military strategist like you if we are to defeat the traitorous Rebel Alliance. Wait until Lord Vader hears that you are alive, he would be so happy to hear from his top commander and a close friend. It will be just like Agamar once again. Now, could you please tell me where I can find Ahsoka?"

"General Matarrin," Rex said sadly. "Please, with all due respect sir, but why are you fighting for a regime that not only phased out cloning, but treated them horribly after the war ended?"

Taloh lowered his head and picked up a 332nd clone helmet on the right of his desk and sighed, "Rex you should know that I do not always agree with certain orders. For I was in favor of resuming cloning, and you have not seen how infuriated I was following the Kamino Incident, the Imperial Defense Recruitment Bill, and the operations at Mount Tantiss. Now, I will ask you one more time Rex, not as an enforcer of the Empire but as your friend and for the well-being of Ahsoka, where is she?"

"I'm sorry General," Rex said sadly. "I don't actually know where she is, but please sir come home. I know how much she meant to you and she really wants you to come home."

"You don't understand," Taloh said placing a hand of his shoulder. "I will have Lord Vader arrive and together we can find Ahsoka, and it will be just like the Clone Wars once again. A time where we were together as not only friends but family."

"Taloh please remember what happened to our brothers," Rex said as Taloh put his helmet back on and Sereta and Coven stood behind Rex. "Are you fighting for what is right or what is best for the Emperor?"

"I know that with your help we can shape the galaxy for the better," Taloh said. "Escort our guest back to his cell and make sure that no harm will come to him for Lord Vader's arrival."

As Rex was escorted back to his cell Taloh gazed at the 332nd clone helmet and hoped that he could bring Ahsoka home and end the conflict with the hated Rebellion.