The Pulse of the Republic

Captain Rex

Parties are a security guard's worst nightmare. Often held in ridiculously large rooms with a guest list that's far too complicated to remember, and so much wine that even the most respectable individuals are running around with their robes over their heads by the end of the night, a good Senate party is enough to make any security officer want to swallow a capsule of cyanide.

As Captain Rex surveyed the party that he was currently attending, he could tell that it was going to get crazy later. There was an edge to every conversation and the smiles were too forced. These people spent every waking moment fighting with each other, so having to pretend to be friends was clearly a painful experience.

When Rex shared his observation with the only person that he actually knew,  Senator Amidala, during the dance she forced him to participate in, she just laughed and said quietly for his ears only, "They might be angry now, but wait until they get tipsy and start singing and dancing together. Even the bitterest of enemies can't resist a good tune. And tomorrow, when it's time to talk about a bill or make a speech, they will remember the fun they had and will look back on their companions of tonight as the friends of tomorrow. And as we both know, friends make the best allies. So you see, it's not merely an uncomfortable party; it's a breeding ground for alliances for the war."

Rex nodded in appreciation of Padme's plan, but as far as he was concerned, the war was going to be won on the battlefields. Not through friendships and alliances made after drinking one too many glasses of wine. His patience with small talk was wearing thin after only a half hour and he was seriously considering just going to wait outside until Obi-Wan and those space pirates arrived, when he felt a tap against his unarmored shoulder and flinched. He hated wearing this dress tunic. So little real protection. Rex turned and shook General Kenobi's outstretched hand formally, like they hasn't been escaping that landslide together on Geanosis just a week ago.

"Rex, you're looking well. How's the ankle holding up?" Obi-Wan said with a smile that Rex gladly returned.

"Very well sir. It would be even better if I didn't have to dance."

"Well, we must all pay our dues to the hostess." Said Obi-Wan lightly and turned to greet Padme while Rex took stock of the team standing behind the General. They looked awfully young, but then again he has seen Commander Tano do more damage than A.R.C. tank. Never underestimate the small.

With a soldier's precision, Rex assessed the people he would soon be working with. The leader of the group was standing next to Obi-Wan. He could tell that this girl was the leader because of the calculating way her dark brown eyes slid across the room. She was human, about a head shorter than he, and had an honest looking face; pretty, but simple. When his eyes caught hers she smiled. She was slightly built, but her slinky black gown had no sleeves and clearly displayed her muscled arms, which were encircled with gold bands at the biceps. Her stance was casual and relaxed, but his instincts told him that she was far less innocent than she pretended to be. Somewhere beneath that dress, she was armed and dangerous.

Her companians were also humans at first glance, but then Rex noticed Armada's fangs when she smiled flirtily at a young waitor, and Tabitha's long bangs couldn't hide all of the markings. Gill was clearly human, and a friendly one at that. After quickly shaking Rex's hand and stating his name, he sauntered off the get a drink and chat up the beautiful Elipian princess.

"I'm sorry about him." said the young woman Rex had picked out as the leader. She shook his hand firmly, "He goes a little crazy when he's off his leash. I'm Quinn by the way."

Quinn. She looked capable enough. Strong handshake. "Pleasure to meet you." He nodded politly and turned to ask Obi-Wan when they would be leaving, but the General and Padme were already halfway to the dance floor. Clearly Obi-Wan was trying to blend in at the party. Damn.