501 Plus One

"501 Plus One" is a comic story starring Captain Rex and Jar Jar Binks that was published in Age of Republic Special 1 on January 16, 2019.
==Plot summary==
The story opens with an event known as the Battle of Arantara, Clone Captain Rex awakening with Jedi General Anakin Skywalker in front of him on Arantara. Rex is relieved that Skywalker came for him. Skywalker replies that he should have been the one to have gone in the first place instead of Rex and remarks "that a leader always leads from the front."
Later, during the Battle of Mimban, Captain Rex leads the 501st and orders the Mud Jumpers to support Jedi General Laan Tik. The General replies that he can take care of himself. Rex tells Hardcase to get the Senator out of the combat zone. Hardcase replies that we would love to because the Senator shouldn't even be there in the first place. Rex replies that they needed a "swamp native" to interface with the Mimbanese. Jar Jar Binks soon appears, revealing himself as the Senator. He exclaims that "mesa no wanna die bombad" and adds that he should have stayed home.
Hardcase remarks that Binks is doing a "heck of a job" but Rex says they need to get him to safety. General Laan Tik is struck down by blaster fire from battle droids. Another clone warns they are taking heavy fire. With the death of the General, Rex explains that the chain of command falls to the Senator. Binks kneels beside the fallen Jedi General, saying "theesa muy muy bombad." Rex orders Hardcase to fall back and to use suppressing fire to cover their retreat. Jesse is tasked with evacuating Senator Binks.
After regrouping, Rex meets with the other clone troopers. One clone reports that the deflector shield generator is three klicks away. Hardcase says that they are still outnumbered. Denal agrees with Hardcase that attacking the heavily guarded shield generator is a suicide mission. Rex tells the clones to contact the Republic Military command to arrange an "exfil" shuttle. Rex confirms that he is ordering his men to pull out.
Later, Rex embarks on a solo mission to take out the shield generator but Denal insists on following him. Rex is not willing to risk more lives and tells the trooper to evacuate the battalion. He says they can make a push if he brings the shields down. He reminds the clone of his orders to keep the senator safe. The trooper quips if he means out of trouble but Rex reiterates his orders. Binks is watching from behind a cluster of leaves.
Several hours later, Rex is battling several B1-series battle droids and a B2-series super battle droid. Rex is hit in the shoulder pauldron by a blaster bolt and drops his gun. Several battle droids surround him and one shoots him on his right shoulder. A droid orders his fellow droids to "waste him" but the droids are sliced in half by a blue lightsaber that belonged to Tik. Rex asks if it is General Laan Tik but discovers that it is Binks.
Binks accidentally drops the lightsaber while saying he took it to avoid letting it fall into the wrong hands. Rex jokingly responds that would be like yourself. Rex orders Binks to give him the lightsaber or he will get himself killed. Binks responds that "mesa almost did five times." When Rex asks what he is doing here, Binks replies that he had come to save Rex and asks Rex what he was doing here.
Rex tells Binks that he is trying to reach the Separatist shield generator. When Binks asks if he went all alone, Rex tells him that he did not want to risk more of his men's lives. Binks replies that Rex was "muy muy brave." but claims that the Clone Captain is not so smart. Rex counters that a true leader leads from the front. Binks asks who told him that and Rex replies that it was a friend.
Just then, there is an explosion in front of them and several B1 battle droids, B2 super battle droids, droidekas and at least one STAP charge. Rex asks if Binks is "muy muy brave" to come out here alone. He asks the senator to help him finish the attack. Binks replies that he is proud to fight alongside the Captain. Rex tells Binks to take his blaster, prompting Binks to ask the Clone Captain what he is going to use.
Rex sports two smaller hand-held DC-17 blaster pistols and tells Binks not to worry about him before asking if he is ready. Binks replies he is ready and Rex tells him let's do this. The comic ends with Binks asking Rex if he can wield the lightsaber but Rex declines. Binks replies "mesa didna think so." The two charge at the battle droids with Rex taking out a super battle droid and a STAP.
==Appearances==
==Collections==
*Star Wars: Age of Republic — Heroes
*Star Wars: Age of Republic HC
==Notes and references==
Category:Age of Republic Special stories