The clash known as the Battle of Arantara unfolded in 22 BBY on the celestial body of Arantara. This conflict occurred during the widespread Clone Wars, a galactic struggle between the Confederacy of Independent Systems and the Galactic Republic. Notable figures such as Jedi General Anakin Skywalker and Clone Captain Rex were key participants, with Rex sustaining injuries in the heat of battle before being rescued by Skywalker.
The fight for the astronomical object of Arantara took place in 22 BBY, marking one of the initial engagements of the galaxy-spanning Clone Wars between the Confederacy of Independent Systems and the Galactic Republic. Members of the renowned 501st Legion, including Clone Captain Rex and his newly appointed Jedi General, Anakin Skywalker, were involved in this particular conflict.
During the intense combat, Rex's abilities were severely tested. Leading from the forefront, he demonstrated exceptional skill and courageously guided his fellow clone troopers independently of Skywalker, but he suffered wounds and lost consciousness. Rex's armor also sustained damage during the battle, with even his helmet faceplate shattering. Skywalker intervened to rescue Rex, saving the life of his captain. The clone regained consciousness while sheltered behind cover in a rocky area, finding Skywalker standing over him. The Jedi apologized for not leading his soldiers into battle; Skywalker emphasized to Rex that a true leader always leads from the front, reinforcing principles Rex already held and establishing a foundation of trust and a developing friendship between the captain and the Jedi.
The Battle of Arantara, in addition to being one of the engagements following the First Battle of Geonosis that showcased Rex's true capabilities, became one of the many battles where Rex displayed his excellence in combat. Skywalker and Rex maintained their partnership as leaders of the 501st, eventually developing a mutual respect and even a friendship, despite their contrasting personalities: Rex adhered strictly to regulations, while Skywalker was known for his impulsiveness. Over time, Rex became less rigid and began to admire and adopt some of Skywalker's behaviors.
During a battle on the Expansion Region planet of Mimban, Rex recalled Skywalker's lesson on leading from the front, using this principle to fight battle droids alone while his clone troopers were evacuating. After being rescued from B1-series units by Junior Representative Jar Jar Binks, Rex explained his philosophy, mentioning that a friend had imparted this lesson to him.
The Battle of Arantara made its debut in "501 Plus One," a comic story featured in Age of Republic Special 1, released by Marvel Comics on January 16, 2019. "501 Plus One" was penned by Marc Guggenheim and illustrated by Caspar Wijngaard. The capitalization of the battle's name was later validated in The Star Wars Book, a 2020 reference work authored by Pablo Hidalgo, Cole Horton, and Dan Zehr.