The Jedi Starfighter was alone and approached the beauteous planet slowly. The inconspicuous craft slipped through the straggling ships that orbited the planet. The driver, none other than Sola Valda, angled the craft lower as she prepared to head to the exact coordinates. Her loose curls were splayed in a frame around her face. She sat back, hearing her R6 unit beeping. She was back here and on her second war-mission. On top of that…

Again, she pulled up the message sent to her personal communicator.

TO: Commander Sola Valda

FROM: [CT-7567] Captain Rex

Hello Sola. Rex here. I heard that you had been positioned in the senate as a mediator between two factions on the proposition of more budgeting toward clone creation. I just wanted to share my enthusiasm for your career and regrets that you're not out in the field. I am honored for the commendations that you gave of me to the Council and the Senate. I hope our paths cross again.

Whether he was being polite or not, his hopes are going to be fulfilled, Sola thought to herself. She was still jittery but the fact that Rex was there was enough to make her feel more at ease.

Somehow, that fact was daunting to her. A soothing presence was hard to come by and the fact that it came from someone she barely knew made her a bit suspicious. She knew it was probably no doubt because of his obvious skill and care about the Republic and his duty but the same could be said for Master Skywalker—though he was reckless; or many members of the council. Yet fare few had Sola's immediate trust, even if they did have her devotion.

On top of it…there were others going to be there, others who had every right to have the eyes of judgment…thought probably would not be judgmental. Sola was due to land

"We're set," Anakin answered Obi-Wan, glancing around. "I've got some guys here that are anxious to get going." Rex indeed was anxious—more so than Anakin knew. The battle for Christophsis was going on far longer than it was supposed to have been.

"Glad to hear it," Obi-Wan responded before Anakin beeped him out. Mere minutes later, the droids could be seen advancing. And then blaster lights lit up the station opposite theirs.

"Sir…" Rex warned Anakin. Anakin signaled Obi-Wan.

"Obi-Wan, what's going on?" Anakin asked tensely.

"We're cut off," the static response came back.

"Gunship, come in," Anakin switched channels. "Hawk, we need an evac in the south tower."

"South tower?" Rex asked. "We're in the north."

"Not for long," Anakin said, igniting his blade and cutting through the glass. "Rex, fire your cables." Yet another of Anakin's brazen, dangerous stunts. But Rex was used to it by now…and had learned to trust it. They launched and glided by gun over to the south tower.

"This way is clear!" Anakin shouted over the sounds of repeating blaster fire.

"How did you get over here?" Obi-Wan asked in response.

"I improvised." Anakin answered.

Soon, they were all in full retreat, making it to the roof in moments. Rex got down and got firing as soon as the droids—who had been in close pursuit—arrived moments later. Just as the numbers began to swell, a dropship came swooping down, all of them escaping in time with a souvenir in their possession as well.

"Maybe this tactical droid will tell us how they knew our plan." Rex said darkly.

Anakin nodded and Obi-Wan merely stood, pondering.

"A moment Captain Rex," Obi-Wan requested as Rex was about to take the droid to the examination center. Rex turned to him.

"General?" He asked.

"Follow me please. And bring the droid too." Obi-Wan responded, walking toward the main supply areas of the facility.

"With…all due respect general, I think it's vital we examine the tactical droid as soon as possible." Rex tried to persuade Obi-Wan to let him return to duty.

"Oh, I know." Obi-Wan said as they approached the main hanger. "I just thought she'd like a look too."

"She?" Rex asked. His question was answered as Sola stood from the crates she sat upon before a newly docked starfighter. Rex felt surprised—very surprised. But pleasantly so.

"Obi-Wan," Sola said somewhat breathlessly, beaming at him.

"I saw your starfighter when we landed on the eastern hanger." Obi-Wan said to her. He turned to Rex. "I wasted no time briefing her in what we were dealing with. She just arrived."

"Captain Rex." Sola gave Rex a small smile.

"Commander Valda." Rex bowed his head slightly. "It's good to see you."

"Obi-Wan," Anakin called to Obi-Wan. Seeing Sola, he said, "Hi Sola."

"Excuse me," Obi-Wan said and Sola nodded to Anakin before turning back to Rex to pick up where they were talking.

"It's good to see you too," Sola said to him. "Back on Christophsis, then?"

"Back on Christophsis." Rex chuckled slightly. "How has your diplomacy been?"

"Stressful." Sola shrugged. "It's hard to enlighten one adult senator—let alone a good near hundred. I keep my R6 unit now—to make sure I don't forget any information."

"Tough job," Rex agreed. "It's a wonder you returned—since I didn't hear any lightening up."

"As Master Obi-Wan said and as you perceive, I do need more experience." Sola said to him. "Besides that, the vehemence has been cleared so it's more just babbling about it." She inhaled and then looked at him. "Honestly, when they switched me to mediate the senate about the budget…I never thought I'd be back on the field."

"They finally released you from their clutches," Rex concluded, half-joking.

"And it is back to us decapitating droids." Sola gave another small smile. Rex remembered.

"Yeah." He agreed. "I just remembered, I've been meaning to ask you: your lightsaber."

"My lightsaber?" Sola's head cocked at him. Rex was about to speak again when Obi-Wan returned.

"Sorry about that." He said. "I know this was supposed to be a short meeting so I will not keep you Captain but I would advise you go as well Sola—to get better
acquainted than what you know just from me."

"Yes Master." Sola bowed her head and she and Rex set off with more clones coming back in tow.

"You know Rex," she said, frowning slightly," I am happy to see you again but I wish it were on better terms than these." When Rex eyed her for an explanation, she continued, "Seems things are always going wrong when we meet on the battlefield."

"Things are looking fishy." Rex agreed. "The enemy knew our strategies today."

Sola's eyes widened and her head snapped around to him, her face grave with seriousness.

"They what?" She asked quietly.

"They knew." Rex agreed just as grave. "This tactical droid should tell us how they knew or at the very least how much."

"May I?" Sola asked and Rex relinquished it to her. She held it in her hands and pondered. "Well Rex…let's pick up the pace and get to the bottom of this."

"The republic army is in the north and south towers—level 46," The tactical droid spoke out from the head.

"It just doesn't make sense." Rex said, exasperated. He looked to Sola who gazed intently.

The transmitting area from the head began to flicker and soon died as the head internally fried.

"Blast!" the Commander Cody slammed a hand on the table.

"Well, at least we're not the only ones having a bad day," Anakin Skywalker's voice came in as he and Obi-Wan entered the room.

"Generals." Cody greeted them. "They had all our intel."

"That would explain the ambush." Anakin nodded. "How could we have left ourselves so vulnerable to a security breach?" Sola's voice rang out.

"A breach…isn't necessarily by accident." She said softly. All eyes turned to her. She looked to Obi-Wan for support. He nodded, turning around as he spoke.

"Her thoughts are reasonable…I don't think we did." Obi-Wan said.

"You think someone infiltrated our defenses?" Anakin asked.

"Possibly," Obi-Wan said, walking over to the holotable. "It would have to be someone cunning and resourceful enough to gain access to all our plans."

"But that still wouldn't explain how they got our intel." Anakin said.

"No…you're right." Obi-Wan pondered, walking over to view the droid head in a different light. He looked to Sola who's eyes showed she agreed with him wholeheartedly where his thoughts were straying. "They wouldn't act alone. They'd have someone working with them."

"A spy, sir!?" Cody exclaimed. "But…but who would want to betray our troops to the separatists?"

"Excellent question commander." Obi-Wan said.

"One that requires an immediate answer." Sola said. She looked at Obi-Wan and unfolded her crossed arms. "But there's more than that—we need to know what separatist is getting the information as well."

"Exactly right," Obi-Wan nodded to her. "Perhaps it's time we made a visit behind enemy lines. I think we'll find our answers there."

"We'll get right on it." Cody assured him.

"No captain." Obi-Wan pressed. "I need you here to find the security breach."

"You can count on us sir." Cody nodded to him.

"And Sola…" Anakin began.

"You could be of use in both circumstances," Obi-Wan said to her.

"I will…remain here." Sola said slowly. "I think…the great duo is more than a match for whatever separatist is awaiting you. And we don't know it's just one spy we're looking for."

"Wise," Obi-Wan said. He and Anakin turned and he stopped. "One more thing: this mission is extremely confidential. The spy could be anyone. Let no one know of our mission."

"Understood sir." Rex stepped up.

Nodding to them, Obi-Wan and Anakin exited the room. As they did, Sola turned to Rex and Cody. They all nodded to each other and Sola began to follow Rex out when they were stopped by Cody.

"Someone…left his comlink on," Cody said gravely. "Someone…has been listening to everything we said!" Rex turned to see a nearby clone darting.

"Hey! Stop!" Rex called but the clone continued his sprint. Sola took off immediately with Rex and Cody in close pursuit. Soon, there fugitive rounded a bend.

"I'll follow him." Rex said. "You take the west corridor."

"I'm on it." Cody responded.

Sola, beside Rex, ran in pursuit of the runner. Sola unclipped her saber from her belt and Rex was quick to do the same for his blaster. Panting, they both darted toe to toe until coming to a halt before Commander Cody.

"He must've gone in the mess hall." Rex said.

The trio opened the doors and walked through, scanning for signs of him but Sola could already tell he was long gone by now. She nearly felt dismayed but more cautious—apprehensive.

"We've got a big problem…" Cody said.

"Yeah." Rex started slowly. "The only people in here…are brothers."

"One of us!" Rex exclaimed as he and Cody entered the command center—Sola following as a silent shadow. "Great! But which one!?"

"We'll have to wait for his next move." Cody decided. He looked back at Sola. "Keep this to ourselves."

"Better contact the Jedi." Rex said lowly.

"I'm on it," Cody said, making his way to the communications station. Sola moved to Rex's side, eyeing him calmly.

"Do you have any ideas?" She asked lightly.

"Not one." Rex replied with more passion and aggression. "It was one of us—and that in itself is too big a surprise. We're brothers!"

"Is there one who doesn't consider himself to be a brother?" Sola questioned. Rex eyed her.

"We would never betray each other…" Rex said forcefully.

"Yet someone has." Sola reminded him softly.

"And we're talking in circles." Rex sighed.

"I know this is hard…" Sola said—her voice much softer than before. Rex looked up at her to see sorrow touching her features of cool analysis. She leaned beside him. "If a Jedi were to do as much…well…I can't even imagine."

"It's hard to think of 'why' now that it has happened…" Rex said, now his eyes level with hers.

"Well…whoever has done it is better equipped to avoid capture than a Jedi might be." Sola said, now thinking. "You are more than brothers. You share the very same DNA…"

"Clones." Rex remarked.

"More like twins…" Sola said. Rex almost started. She continued. "You are clones but your development is more like that of twins…share genetic structure…yet are all different." She gave a half smile. "Not exact carbon copies."

"We can't reach general Kenobi," Cody said from the communications. Sola's head snapped up. Cody continued as the two walked over to him. "Whoever it is has blocked our communications. We're gonna have to find this guy ourselves."

"R2," Rex motioned to the droid. "Come over here and plug in."

"What are you doing?" Cody asked.

"Tracking." Sola realized, sounding impressed.

"The guy got his messages out there somehow," Rex explained. "Just gotta find 'em."

"What do you think—he just sat down and wrote a note?" Cody asked incredulously.

"You have to start somewhere." Rex said.

"Do you think this will work?" Sola asked Rex.

"There's no way to find out but to try." He answered.

"Seldom are truer words spoken." Sola suppressed a smile. Rex flashed half a grin her way.

"If you had any better ideas—"

"Your plan is sound." Sola shook her head. "And it's all we've got because my head is empty."

"Wish we could contact General Kenobi and Skywalker." Rex said.

"So do I…" Sola said lowly, looking away.

"You knew Kenobi before?" Rex asked. Sola turned to him slowly. Rex was beginning to form assumptions but decided to simply ask.

"Yes. He and my master worked together often. His master…Master Qui-Gon…was revered—as much as he was scolded by the council." Sola explained. She leaned back against the projector. "I was still a padawan when I met Obi-Wan…and he had only been a Jedi for a while I'm told. He was so young…." Her tone becomes one of tenderness—as if retelling a cherished memory. "I remember…when my master was off on missions…Master Obi-Wan would occasionally have me join him in his endeavors if his own padawan were occupied with temple teaching. I remember he…used to speak to my master on my behalf—in matters I can't quite remember." Sola's eyes are clouded and she turns to Rex. "He called me a young protégé." She smiled small but slightly sad. "I didn't see much of him after he almost died on Zonoma Sekot…and almost never after what happened with Master C'Baoth and Outbound Flight. He and Master Skywalker were too busy…saving the galaxy." She paused. "They seem the perfect duo."

Rex could find no words to say until out came the statement, "You'd consider the Jedi to be like brothers then?" That made Sola smile.

"Sure…like brothers." She said.

"Guess Jedi do form attachments." Rex half-joked. Sola sighed.

"It almost seems unavoidable." She said, her tone low but friendly. "But it is against the code of course and always cautioned against—for a master, fellow padawan, or anything of the sort. Yet all Jedi…would consider her fellow Jedi brothers…and sisters in some form."

R2 gave a low whistle and a beep came from the device he was hooked to. Before talking any more, they bent over the contraption—Cody coming near.

"R2's found something," Rex said.

"What is it?" Cody asked, anxiously. "Is it the traitor?"

"I'm…not sure," Rex said slowly. "Maybe…"

"What is he looking for?" Cody asked.

"A wavelength interference." Rex pointed out. "Weak frequencies, spotty, irregular." He brought the device upward. "See how it shows up every few days—then disappears? Day to day, you wouldn't notice it." Sola looked at him, eyes bright.

"It seems we found it…" She realized.

"What?" Cody asked.

"It's the pattern." Rex said, also realizing. "The band's only coming off one terminal in the whole base. Check it out." He hands it back—into Sola's hands. She shares with Cody.

"Huh…" Cody saw. "Slick's barracks. Only Slick's men would have access to that terminal."

"Yeah…" Rex said then looked dismayed. "Slick's not gonna like that."

"No he's not." Cody said. "But if one of his men is giving away our intel, we have to find him and sort this out."