Chapter I - Storm over Kuat

Ahsoka Tano, a young Togruta padawan, was running to the bridge of the Resolute, the star destroyer she and her master Anakin Skywalker were currently on. In her head she was repeating the orders her master had given her. Her mission was to take her squadron of clones and Y-wing starfighters and attack an armada of separatists ships, which were destroying a republic base just outside of Kuat, the planet where most of the republic gunships were made. It was an important base and the republic couldn't afford to lose it.

Ahsoka was slightly out of breath as she stormed in the control room where commander Rex and Anakin where leaning over a hologram, discussing strategies.

"I'm here Master." Ashoka said panting and stood next to Rex. "My group's ready to take on those separatist-asses!"

Anakin considered his padawan with a glance "Good. Tell them to fire at the guns, it would take too long to destroy the whole ships."

"Alright Master, we will do our best." Ashoka said, already on her way back out of the control room.

Anakin smiled after his young and energetic padawan."I know Snips, now go and get your soldiers."

A couple of minutes later, the togruta and her men stood in the hangar, ready and waiting for their signal.

"Ahsoka," came Anakins voice out of the comlink on her wrist, "we cleared the air around the base as far as possible. Go now!"

"Okay Master." Ahsoka replied into the comlink and turned to her awaiting team.

" You heard him guys, so who's in for some damage on the separatist fleet?"

Ahsoka was nervous when her formation flew into battle. She had lots of battle experience, much more anyone in her age should have, but this was one of the few missions where she had the command over the clones. They were counting on her, she couldn't let them down!

"Okay, Master Anakin said that we have to aim for their guns. Coric, you and your men fly left, Strike, you and your team come with me. We'll take the right side of the fleet and meet in the middle."

" Yes Sir. " Coric and Strike replied at once before they parted.

" I hope we can do this R4. " Ahsoka murmured to her astro-droid which beeped encouraging.

The minutes flew past as Ahsoka and the clones fired at the seperatist ships, everything went quite well Ahsoka thought. Yeah, it was difficult but it always was, this mission was comparatively easy.

"I have two Vulture Droids on my tail!" Strike suddenly yelled.

"Try to shake them off." Ashoka answered while she turned her Y-wing around, scanning for Strike, then her heart stopped abruptly. Five more separatist gunships were now surrounding her squadron. It only took her a few seconds before she had her control back. Right when Anakins loud and urgent voice came out of her comlink.

"Ahsoka get out of there NOW! It was a trap, you have to withdrawal now!"

" But Master, we didn't destroy all of the guns! The base will be lost if we withdrawal now!"

" No 'buts' Ahsoka! You can't destroy all of the ships, especially not now!" he sounded angry, "You're going to get yourself and your team killed before you get the chance to save the base!"

" But Master.. "

" No Ahsoka, you come back here immediately! That's an order!"

" Yes Master." Ahsoka replied in a low voice. "Coric, Strike, we are retreating!" she turned to the others, "Get your men out of here as fast as possible! Back to the Resolute!"

They flew back to the star destroyer, trying to avoid any more conflicts with Vulture Droids and the new gunships, which wasn't that easy. When they reached the Resolute and landed in the hangar, only four out of ten Y-wings were left.

Ashoka was stunned with grief over the losses, her heart aching with pain and sorrow. If she'd only listened to her master. They wouldn't have lost so much time and could've gone back quicker. More would be alive.

Anakin entered the hangar and saw his young apprentice standing by her fighter, head hanging down. He could guess how much the loss affected her, she had such a big heart. The jedi weren't allowed attachment, but Anakin didn't believe in that rule and he was sure Ahsoka did neither.

"Are you alright?" Anakin asked and put a hand on his padawans shoulder.

"Am I alright? More than half of my squadron is dead Master and you ask if I am alright?! And we didn't even nearly save the base.." she sounded angry but Anakin saw the pain in her big, blue eyes. He was going to tell her that she couldn't just question or ignore his orders, but he figured that it wasn't the best time for that. Instead he lifted her chin with a finger.

"Look Ahsoka, it wasn't your fault! It was a trap, no one could've known that more gunships were coming."

" I know Master but.. you said before that my team is counting on me. I was responsible for them and I couldn't protect them."

" This is war Ahsoka, people are dying. Just think of how many lives you have already saved!"

" Yes ... Master." She started walking away towards the exit, " I will see you later."

Ashoka knew that people were dying in the war, that people had to die to save others but she felt as if she had lost more than those men. It was her mission and she had failed it. She would do anything to make sure that never happened again!