In Command (#1 Post-Order 66 Series)

In Command - Part 3

Imperial banners hung from the ceiling as the townsfolk intermingled. It seemed like everyone had turned out dressed in their finery with Imperial uniforms of different ranks sprinkled throughout. Service droids moved through the crowd, offering drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Rex felt her grip on his arm tighten. "Where do we start?" she whispered. Rex was pondering that as well when he heard Brak's loud laugh behind him.

"You two seem lost!"

Senna turned to him, her smile plastered back on her face. "We haven't met anyone here aside from you two. There's just so many people here! It's wonderful to see such a turnout."

Brak grinned back at her. "Indeed it is! Here, let us introduce you to some folks."

Zea appeared at his side. "Brak works at the Imperial resources center coordinating mining and farming operations on Lothal. He recently was promoted and works regularly with many of these officers."

"How wonderful! Congratulations!" Senna grinned. "We don't want to be an imposition though."

Rex couldn't help but smile as he watched Brak play directly into Senna's hands.

"Oh no, I insist!" Brak returned her smile.

The egos of men will always be their downfall. Rex had to stifle a smirk as Brak led them towards an officer in all black with medals gleaming on his chest. Brak wasn't doing this out of the goodness of his heart, he was doing it out of a desperation to be admired. He couldn't wait to show off how much he rubbed elbows with these officers with his new promotion. Proximity was important to him, and Rex was more than happy to allow him to indulge in this ego stroking if it meant they could gather valuable intel. He followed Brak and Zea, slipping his hand into Senna's outstretched palm. They exchanged sideways glances.

That was easy.

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"- and THAT was quite the battle, let me tell you, but we managed to crush the Separatists. A glorious day indeed!" The Imperial captain slapped Rex a little too roughly on his back, sloshing ale down his dress uniform. Rex did his best to hide his distaste. They'd been mingling for several hours and had gained some valuable insight into the Empire's dealings on Lothal, particularly as the cocktail glasses had continued to refill throughout the evening. Rex had taken great care to nurse the whiskey in his glass at a slow pace and watched as Senna charmed her way through the crowd. He was astounded that this was the same woman who he'd found covered in drool and grease the night before, but he was impressed. He quietly listened as she told and re-told their "epic love story", and as soon as she floated the line about their "reconnection", he'd get all sorts of knowing glances and wiggling eyebrows from the men around him. He hated it, but would smile back and occasionally wink as if he was in on the joke. As someone that had only been of use for how much punishment his body could take as a solider all of his existence, the thought of a lover or partner only being of use for one thing made his skin crawl, and he disliked even having their fictional marriage reduced to just that one thing.

She caught his eye as a particularly inebriated commander brushed against her rear, making little effort to make it seem unintentional. Rex quietly stepped across the current crowd that had gathered for the conversation to her side and slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her close enough to whisper in her ear. "Are you alright?"

She turned to look at him and nodded. "Just a little while longer, dear. My feet are starting to hurt from these blasted shoes."

Eyes on them again, he nodded and leaned down to kiss her cheek. She leaned into him and he could smell her again, the scent of her soap and perfume filling his nostrils. She smelled...nicer than he'd anticipated.