Part the Tide | Captain Rex (BOOK 2 of the CHANGING WAVES series)

05 | Settling In

22 BBY, Month 9

Joseta

When Rex left the barracks, Joseta felt a sudden shyness settle upon her. Before her were four complete strangers that looked just as handsome as the rest of the clones, and being around handsome men always made Joseta feel awkward. Well, more awkward than she already was.

A slightly shorter clone with shaggy hair cut above his brow stepped forward. "I'm Brody, but everyone calls me Brodes," he said, flipping his bangs out of his face. His features were more chiseled than the rest of his comrades, but there was a mischievous glint in his eyes that reminded Joseta already of Fives. Although she just met both Brody and Fives, she knew that they were trouble and her mother would kill her if she found herself involved in any mischievous schemes. Joseta had her fair share of antagonistic days and was about done with the repercussions of such.

Brody offered his hand which she shook firmly. "Hi, Brody," she replied, putting a firm smile on her lips. "I'm Sergeant Joseta Pro'oz. It's nice to meet you."

"You, too," he said, smirking.

A clone with slicked back hair nodded to Joseta, a smile in his eyes. "The name's Yorky. I'm the strategic intelligence of the Crest Squadron."

"I'm Wharf, the brutish of the bunch," said a shorter, but very muscular clone. He may have been an inch or two shorter than Joseta, but he was quite wide and thick. Built like a tree. He chewed gum as he watched her, eyes narrowed in interest. She wasn't sure whether to be afraid of him or feel protected in his presence.

The last of the Crest Squadron to introduce himself was a young, thinner-faced clone. Joseta offered her hand to shake. "What should I call you?"

"Kelpy, sir," he said, not making an attempt to shake her hand.

She awkwardly pulled her hand back, crossing her arms in an attempt to feel less awkward. "Nice to meet you all." Joseta glanced around the living quarters, spotting recreational games and sitting areas, though she did not see which room was hers. All the doors along the walls were shut and/or decorated with spray paint. "Er, where do I sleep?"

Brody popped right beside her, quickly walking down to a room on the upper right corner of the large recreational area. "Over here, Missy."

Joseta let out a genuine laugh as she followed the clone to where her room was. He clicked open the door for her which revealed a small room with a single bed with thin grey blankets and a single pillow. The blinding white lights flickered on, causing Joseta to blink. Her gut clenched in a surge of homesickness. She missed daylight already, even if it was on that hated planet, Coruscant. Why did she join the military again? Oh, yeah, to fight for the eternal freedom of Corellia and for the freedom of the galaxy.

Shrugging her jacket off, she slid it onto the chair at the desk/shelf that was built into the wall. "Thank you, Brodes."

The man nodded, waves of hair bouncing. "Of course," he said before leaving her to her solitude. And for once in her life, Joseta was okay to be alone. There was a lot to process.

【 '۷' 】

Rex

Rex let out a sigh, resting his head on the wall that he stood guard at. He wished that Anakin would not call his secret wife so often. It was hardly being kept as a secret at this rate. Almost every clone knew, and for once, the clone gossip train didn't leave the circle of brothers, refraining from the ears of officials. Not that the officials would believe the rumors. It seemed every Jedi or militant leader who heard the rumors either thought it too outlandish to be true or turned a blind eye to it. Rex didn't blame them. The thought of losing their best general for the reasons of forbidden love was rather stupid. If the General could commit war crimes without charge, he should be able to commit a crime against stupid laws without charge, too.

"I miss you, Ani," Rex heard Padme's sweet voice from the other side of the door.

"I miss you, too, Padme," the deep voice of the general replied. Rex felt guilty for listening, but couldn't help it. It wasn't like there was anything better for him to do. "How's work? I know the Eritean Accords were frustrating you."

"Much better," Padme said with a laugh. "With the Accords finished, I actually have no more duties to attend to until the beginning of next month."

"We are in the same ship here," Anakin stated, pausing for a moment. Rex could imagine the thoughts of his general. "We don't have to go to Maridun for another month. Aayla has been holding back fairly well on her own." Rex felt slightly disappointed that Anakin didn't take the bait. Padme was free—he was free—why don't they take a short leave to Coruscant? It wasn't like Anakin couldn't pull a few strings due to his friendship with the Chancellor. Rex almost laughed at himself. Even he—who had dedicated his life to this war—was ready to take a week to himself. All the stupid paperwork and transfers going on were really getting to him. If he had known there was so much work into being a captain, he might not have accepted... not that he would have had a choice.

"That's nice," Padme said thinly, as if thinking the exact same as Rex. Rex hoped Padme would ask about coming home. Fresh air and a nice coffee shop seemed just what Rex needed.

"I was thinking—" both Padme and Anakin said at the same time.

"You first," Anakin said and Rex could almost see his general gesture to his wife, a sparkle in his eye. Rex had known Anakin for almost a year and could almost have his every demeanor memorized. Well, that was Rex's specialty. He prided himself in his ability to read people—know their quirks and tells. That was why he got so good at Jakku Hold'Em. And that was why no one liked to play him, because Rex would always win.

"Could you come visit Coruscant?" Padme's hopeful response came. "After the rough negotiations, I am in need of a hug."

"You want me to travel halfway across the galaxy for a hug?" Anakin asked, his tone playful. "I was just there a week ago."

"Your hugs are the most comforting," Padme stated. "And you were there for only a day. Besides, I meant to stay for a week. We both need to relax. And who knows when your next break is."

There was silence. Please say yes, please say yes, Rex begged in his mind, wanting a vacation more than ever to relieve himself of stress. This new sergeant wasn't going to help his stress levels at all. In fact, they would indeed worsen whenever she would most likely flip out on the field. Rex sighed. He needed a break.

"I can arrange that," Anakin finally said. "I think I won't be the only one who needs a break."

Rex knew that Anakin probably used his creepy force ability to read his mind, but at this point he didn't care. He just wanted out of the ship and onto land. Well, onto the city would be more accurate for Coruscant. But who would correct him besides Anakin, but he was too busy bidding goodbye to his wife to do so.