Shadows of the Force [Captain Rex x F!OC]

First Steps Into the Unknown

✧ Stella's POV ✧

Still dazed, I followed the man and his soldiers. Everything felt like a blur, my mind numb as I tried to process the horror of losing my home. As I boarded a shuttle bound for a larger ship, I glanced back one last time, heart heavy. This was goodbye to everything I had known.

I settled into a seat near Anakin, eyes fixed on the stars beyond the small shuttle window. Their distant glow was comforting, a reminder that some things remained unchanged, even when everything else was ripped away.

Soon, the shuttle docked inside a massive hangar bay. My stomach twisted as the reality of the situation set in. I was now inside a spaceship, surrounded by beings from an entirely different galaxy. Anakin gently guided me out of the shuttle and onto the cruiser, giving me a reassuring look as I stepped into a gleaming corridor filled with bustling soldiers.

The inside of the spaceship was unlike anything I could have imagined. Metallic walls hummed with energy, blinking lights and panels filled every surface, and as I passed windowed corridors, I saw distant stars stretching endlessly into the blackness beyond. It felt as if I had stepped into the pages of a science fiction novel, everything too strange to be real.

I trailed closely behind Anakin and the blue-pauldroned soldier, heart pounding as each sight and sound registered. It felt like any moment, I might wake up back in my bed, safe at home. But each metallic clang of footsteps, each murmur of the ship's machinery reminded me that this was no dream. Earth was gone, and I had nowhere else to go.

I passed groups of soldiers dressed in identical white armor. Their helmets, smooth and featureless, concealed any hint of humanity, but I noticed they moved with purpose, like they were pieces of a single, well-oiled machine. I felt myself shrinking under their curious gazes.

Anakin slowed his pace to walk beside me, sensing my disquiet. "Is this all a bit overwhelming?" he asked gently.

I laughed nervously, glancing around the spaceship. "A bit? I feel like I'm in a sci-fi movie. Like all of this can't be real"

He gave me a reassuring smile. "I understand. The first time I left my home planet, I felt the same way. But I promise you, we're here to help. You don't have to go through this alone"

I tried to respond, but my voice choked. The truth I'd been suppressing since I'd seen that first fiery wave destroying everything I knew began to sink in. Alone. I was truly alone. My entire world and all of my loved ones gone forever. I looked away, blinking back tears, feeling a weight press down on my chest.

Sensing my sorrow, Anakin placed a hand on my shoulder, offering silent support as we continued down the corridor.

We eventually reached a large hangar filled with more armored soldiers who glanced over, their faces masked but their attention clearly piqued.

Rex, who had been silent until now, turned and nodded toward a few of the troopers nearby. Removing his helmet to reveal a face lined with compassion, he gave me an encouraging nod.

"I'd like you to meet a few of the men" he said, gesturing for the others to join us. "They're good people. And don't worry—they don't bite"

Four soldiers approached, each removing their helmet as they reached me, revealing faces that, to my astonishment, were nearly identical to the man in the blue pauldron. I blinked in confusion, trying to process this strange reality.

Rex gestured to the troopers gathered around. "These are some of the troopers I work closely with—Echo, Fives, Jesse, and Kix" he said. Each one nodded in turn as he said their name. Despite their similar features, I noticed subtle differences that marked each of them as unique individuals.

Echo, who had a thoughtful expression, was the first to speak. "It's nice to meet you, Stella. Heard you're from somewhere... far"

Fives grinned. "Guess you're even farther from home than we are!"

"Yeah," I managed, trying to steady my voice. "A lot farther"

Kix, who had a softer demeanor, took a step closer. "I'm the medic around here, so if you ever need anything, just let me know." His kindness was evident, and I couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief at having someone who seemed to care.

"Jesse's the one with the tattoo on his head," Rex said with a half-smile, gesturing to Jesse, who sported a distinctive emblem tattooed above his left brow. "And Fives here doesn't mind telling you a hundred times why he's called Fives"

Fives gave a playful shrug. "Just keeping things simple"

I managed a small smile, despite the internal turmoil. Their camaraderie was a reminder of the friends I had on Earth. For a moment, the ache of my loss eased in the warmth of their welcome.

As we walked through the barracks, I heard murmurs and hushed laughter as other clones noticed me. "Look, it's the Earthling!" one called out, a mix of humor and curiosity in his tone.

Rex silenced them with a warning glance. "Hey, leave her alone. She's been through enough"

I tried to laugh it off, but it stung a little. "It's alright, really" I said, forcing a smile. I could't help but feel painfully out of place.

Anakin overheard and offered a comforting nod. "Don't worry, Stella. They mean well. You're just... new. They've never met an Earthling before"

I smiled wryly. "What's an Earthling like me doing in a galaxy like this anyway?"

Anakin shrugged, an amused sparkle in his eye. "The Force works in mysterious ways. Maybe you were meant to be here."

"The Force? What do you mean by that?" I asked, confused.

Anakin gave me a gentle, reassuring smile. "That," he said with a hint of mystery, "is a discussion for another day"

The thought lingered, leaving me both intrigued and slightly uneasy. I decided to let it go for now and allowed myself to believe that there was a reason I was here.