Rex walked down the ramp to be greeted by General Skywalker and General Kenobi storming purposefully through the hanger. Commanders Cody and Ahsoka were walking a respectable distance behind, obviously aware of the two General's anger at the decision to blow the network before the Mandolorian's arrived.
Fives had already warned him on the gun ship ride back that the Jedi were furious and Rex braced himself for the impending backlash.
"What the in Force were you thinking?" Skywalker boomed at his Captain.
Rex stopped mid stride and stared momentarily at his General.
"Anakin, please," Obi-Wan interjected, taking in what remained of Rex's blood soaked clothing.
"Are you injured Captain?"
"No sir."
He glanced quickly over at the frantic activity across from them involving the medical team.
"Is that the young Representative, will she survive?"
"She is critically injured sir."
Anakin was walking around in circles, head down and shoulders hunched.
He looked menacing.
Rex had seen this kind of behaviour from his General in the past.
He waited patiently, there would be the inevitable show of displeasure to come.
"I mean, we had them. An entire ship of Death Watch and you blew it." He seethed into Rex's face.
"I should have known better than to trust a cl -"
He stopped mid sentence, all the time staring at Rex, who stood perfectly straight, bare chest in a pair of foreign trousers.
He felt under prepared for this onslaught of rage from his General.
He wasn't in his armour and he felt vulnerable.
Rex moved forward a fraction.
"Anakin that's quite enough! Yes, it is disappointing, but let's just see what the Captain has to say for himself."
"Thank you sir," Rex bowed his head slightly and unlocked the two light sabres from his belt.
"Maul and Opress are dead," he said simply as he handed the ancient weapons to Obi-Wan.
Both Kenobi and Skywalker stared in amazement at the swords.
Rex had a fleeting feeling of satisfaction in seeing the reaction on their faces.
"With your permission Sirs, may I be dismissed?" Rex anxiously looked over to the medical team rushing the wounded woman to the med bay.
Kenobi was the first to speak.
"Of course Captain, we'll expect a full report to the Jedi High Council on return to Coruscant.
"Sir," he nodded his response.
Rex walked on slowly, passed Commander Cody and barely acknowledging Ahsoka.
He wasn't in any mood after his dressing down from the Generals for her inane banter and myriad of questions.
Not now.
"Fives," he yelled out to the ARC who had been patiently and silently watching the group, "wait up will you?" and together they left the hanger bay and headed towards their quarters on board the Resolute.
###
He let the water in the 'fresher run over him, leaning his head forward enjoying the pulsing feeling against the back of his neck.
