Afterglow II | The Clone Wars

22 | Piece by Piece

"General," Rex approached the base of the ETA shuttle. Dakota was making her way down the open ramp, having just initiated the preparations for launch. Tufts of husky air tinged with the scent of gasoline wafted along the platform at their feet. They both met at the bottom of the hatch, the docking platform buzzed around them with arriving ships and coordinating trades. Transport vessels whizzed by overhead, ascending into the milky, cloudy atmosphere. The Captain held the holopad in his hands, and he removed his helmet when he stepped in front of her. She looked between his familiar eyes, appreciating every inch of his skin and shaven blonde hair. 

"We've traced the signature to the Carlac System in the Outer Rim, grid K-5." he enlightened without a moment to spare, and she took the tablet from him, her eyes scanning the information presented to her on the screen. 

"There's nothing out there but the one planet," she said out-loud, shaking her head. "How in the blazes would she end up all the way out there? Something must have gone wrong."

"I would assume so," Rex concured. "It's not like Commander Tano to willingly disconnect her communications."

"Hmm," Dakota hummed, tapping the pad to send the coordinates to her shuttle's system and then handed it back to him. "I'm willing to bet that little boy she helped out has something to do with it. She's always been a bit too trusting." she thought, looking to Rex. "I'm going to leave you here with Padmé, just in case another incident occurs. Can't risk anything."

"Understood." he nodded, tucking his helmet between his arm and hip. "I'm assuming you're taking Commander Dume?"

"Unless you'd rather babysit." She said back, placing her hands to her waist as her eyes shimmered somewhat playfully. 

"I think I'd rather be a tibidon carver," Rex quipped back. 

She scoffed, crossing her arms over her torso. She made sure to dart her eyes around in search of the Padawan just in case he was within earshot. "I don't blame you," she ran her hand along her jaw. "Perhaps this mission will bond us, maybe."

Satine had come to the landing platforms, and waited at the ramp near her transport. She intended to see the Jedi's off. She remained a ways away with her guards, witnessing the Jedi and the 501st Captain interact. Their discussion was inaudible from where the Duchess stood, but the metaphorical glow of their faces told the royal all she needed to know. The Captain uttered something that sent a smile creeping up on her sisters face, and Satine couldn't recall the last time she'd seen Dakota that loose, brimming with warm. 

Despite the relationship between them being reduced to an unspoken secret, one riddled with  stolen stares and illicit meetings behind closed doors, they remained professional on the surface at every turn. An outsider would assume that the Jedi and Clone simply get along well, and match on strategy and leadership style. Satine knows better, and it made her heart flutter to see it. To see the sister she loves living with a glint in her eye, one not easily snuffed out when he was around. She smiled softly to herself. 

Dakota noticed Satine watching them almost instantly, she glanced over the armored shoulder of her Captain. The Duchess raised a cheeky eyebrow in her direction when they locked gazes. Dakota narrowed her eyes slightly, hiding the amusement. "Alright, well," she sighed, taking a step away. "Contact me if you need anything Rex, or... if you just want to" she added with a smile. 

"Will do." he returned. She lingered in front of him momentarily, wishing that their departure could be more climactic, just as how other lovers could be, however that wasn't possible. She took that step away. Her lips didn't dare say it, but her eyes did. A whisper on the wind, a satellite holding fast to its center of gravity. Colors and paint strokes that they only knew the names of.