"That's the last of them."

A clone trooper who was a sharp shooter named Vash said as they watched the artillery they were assigned to destroy exploded. Onyx nodded. Relief washed over him as he didn't lose anyone in his team during the operation.

After reaching the rendezvous, Master Amersu immediately divided them into small teams to take out the artilleries. His master joined them on the ground when Onyx was about to take off to his target. However, his master didn't go with him. She and Master Amersu would distract the Separatists while Onyx and the clones destroyed their canons and bunkers.

"Yes," Onyx nodded, watching the pieces of it that survived falling down to the ground. "Let's regroup," and he turned to walk back to the rendezvous point without looking back. However, he didn't expect Vash to speak up.

"Commander Chatho,"

"Yes?" The Estemian stopped, turning back. His heart beat fast, afraid of what Vash might said. Was I good enough? Was he going to lecture him of how to lead people? Did I do something wrong?

"We are glad to have you with us Commander." The sharp shooter said. His words caught Onyx of guard. These troopers are glad to have me with them? Did I hear it right?

"Thank you." Onyx nodded, feeling warmness spreading from his heart to every part of his body. He suddenly felt a lot better. Maybe this was going to be better than what he had imaged.

However, Onyx was not allowed to savour the good moment after their small victory for long. When he regrouped with Master Amersu and his new master, bad news was waiting. Wahilk, the Separatist general who took control of the base right now had sent them a massage. He wanted both Master Amersu and Master Gyularen to surrender within an hour, or he was going to slaughter the native people of Szyet he hold hostage at the base one by one. And he was sure to send the video out for the whole galaxy to know what happen. To know that two Jedis had risked the life of innocents for their victories.

Onyx was disgusted at the hologram of Wahilk. He let it showed on his face but said nothing. Besides him, his master was already planning the plan to recapture the base and saved the hostage.

His master was looking at the hologram map, along with Commander Colt, General Amersu, and a hologram of Admiral Sangara.

"Colt. There is a tunnel deep into the mountain that would lead you and your team right under the base." Master Gyularen said as she pointed at the entry point which would lead the clones right to the underground prison. "Master Amersu and I will buy you time while you rescue all of the prisoners."

Onyx looked at the underground tunnels. He frowned. Szyet was notorious of vicious beasts who lived in the dark underground caves. These clones were going to die if they were not careful. They could not see in the dark, and some of the creature here could camouflage. Jedi might be able to sense those creature, but the clones might not. And not every clones had infrared glasses with them.

Wait, I can sense infrared light.

"Master, I will go with Commander Colt." Onyx immediately spoke up. "There were plenty of vicious animal in there. I can sense the infrared light. I can see them. I will lead the way." He knew what he could do. He knew there would be nearly any clones left if they went into the tunnel without the Jedi. The Separatist general had declared that he was going to kill all the native people if both Amersu and Gyularen didn't show up. However, Wahilk didn't know that there was a padawan learner in their group too.

"It's dangerous." His master frowned. "And you just arrived."

"Master, I can do this." Onyx said, giving his new master his best determine face. "Seeing in the dark is what Estemians are good at. I will be useless at the commanding centre anyway." His voice was bitter at the end. Onyx hoped that no one would notice.

"Alright," his master nodded. "Then go now. Master Amersu and I will try to buy you as much time as possible."

"Thank you master," Onyx replied before he turned toward Commander Colt. He had a feeling that the clone commander was watching – no, observing - him for an unknown reason. However, this was not the time to care about something like that. They had prisoners to rescue.

Colt ran besides Commander Chatho up the mountain. The jedi commander was quiet since they left the command centre. General Amersu and General Gyularen were on their way to the base while Commander Del, the clone commander under General Amersu, was in charge of their temporary camp.

"There it is." He said as they reached the entrance of the tunnel. Commander Chatho stepped in front of them, before pulling the brown fabric which were used to cover his horns off.

"Stay close. No flashlight; it will reveal us to the native carnivores down there." The jedi commander said without turning back to them. "I suspect that the droids might be patrolling in the tunnel near the underground prison. Don't attack until I say so."

"Sir, yes, sir!"

They entered the tunnel slowly, and after a minute or two, all of them could barely see a thing down there. The night vision of their helmet didn't help much, but at least they could still see each other and the Jedi ahead. Colt knew this was hard for his men since most of them were taught to charge head on into the enemy, not to sneak into the enemy territory slowly like this. However, he had a feeling that Commander Chatho knew what to do. Also, he had a more serious little problem to worry about. As they weren't allowed to use flashlight meant they would have to stay very close to each other. He hoped the proximity would not have his brain decided to cook up some nonsense imagination. But Colt stayed close to the Jedi learner anyway, in case their new commander might need help.

"Stop," after a while the Jedi stopped walking. The rest of them stopped too, as the Jedi crotched down, with his hands on the ground.

"What is it commander?" One of the clone troopers asked what Colt also wanted to know. He didn't see anything except a dark tunnel ahead of them. But it seemed like the Jedi had sensed something.

"There is a giant carnivore mammal under the ground head of us." The Jedi commander replied, standing up. "Its ears and eyes are useless; it sense its prey by vibration. As soon as we're in range, it will snap up from the ground. I can get you all pass through the area it can sense. But stay still until I reach the other side."

"I will go first." Colt said on autopilot. He saw the commander nodded at him before the Estemian held both his hands up. Colt felt as if there was an invisible hands holding him, before he was floated across the flat ground. After that he was down on the ground again, and he could barely see his team.

The other clones joined him quickly, all safe from the beast hidden under the ground. Onyx then took a step back, before he sprinted and jumped across the hidden carnivores, and landed perfectly in front of them. Colt had to admit that he was impressed.

They moved on without crossing path with the native creatures much – thanked to the Estemian's special sensing ability. It was more than one time that the Jedi commander decided to carry them by the Force to get them to safety. Although Colt was a bit worried that it might make drained the Jedi's energy more than it should.

"Droids."

As the tunnel expanded into a large chamber, the Estemian stopped dead in his track. All of the clones stopped behind him and took cover by the large rocks around on autopilot even that they didn't hear the voice of the droids yet.

"The entrance to the prisons is at the other end." Colt whispered toward Onyx who was the only one standing in the open. He was about to ask how Colt knew there were droids when they heard and seen nothing. But then he remembered Onyx could sense infrared.

"I will take the droids out, can't risk them know we are here." The Jedi Commander replied, stepping forward. "Stay still until I get back."

And with that the Jedi leaner was gone. Colt mentally sighed. He felt like he and his men let their new comrades did all the work.

"Commander, I feel like we let the Jedi did all the work." One of his men, Trax, said. "I barely see anything."

"Quiet." Colt shut the trooper up even that he was feeling the same. He couldn't risk the droids sensing them. His men stayed still and silent after that. They then heard very faint sounds of lighsaber moving through the air - slicing through metals - several times. Then everything was silent.

Colt massaged the triggers of his blasters softly. The habit he picked up since he was still at Kamino. There was a faint sound of footstep, then came the Jedi Commander's voice.

"We are clear to go. You all can use your flashlight now."

Colt relaxed his posture before he stepped out from behind the rocks. The flashlights were activated and Colt felt a lot better to be able to see everything clearer. Commander Chatho was in front of them with no scratch at all.

"Let's go." The Jedi said and they all ran across the chamber. When they were half across, Colt saw broken droids which were sliced by lightsaber everywhere. From battle droids to commando droids.

This kid has been in a battlefield before.

Colt now was sure about his suspicion. However, he pushed it aside as they approached the entrance which was sealed close.

"The door needs a passcode to open, might take a few minutes." One of his men said as he examined the door. The other prepared for a chaos after they opened the door. However, Commander Chatho shook his head.

"There is no droid on the other side, only the prisoners." The Estemian said, activating his lightsaber. All the clone immediately stepped aside. They had heard about the Jedi liked to open the locked door with their lightsabers before, and some, liked Colt, had seen General Gyularen did it countless time.

The door was opened in less than thirty seconds and they all moved forward. Colt and the Jedi learner went first. They were now in a large chamber which was an underground prison. The native people were everywhere, behind the bars, forced inside small cages, and some were already dead.

They immediately went to work. The clones jammed or broke the doors open while Commander Chatho worked on opening cages with his lightsaber. In less than five minutes, all of the native people were out, standing and fidgeting in front of them. Most of the local wanted to go, but they didn't know the way. And most of them were also afraid of the clones.

"Commander, they are all out." Trax said as he broke the last prison cells which contained three children and two elders. The children ran out to join their family as soon as the door was opened. "What's next?"

"We get them out of here." Colt replied, turning toward the native who seemed to be the leader. "Sir, we are here to help. Please follow us." He hoped the rest of the native would know the middle language of the galaxy, or they would have to wait for the leader to translate his words first.

Luckily, the rest of the locals understood his words. He could see it in their eyes; hope and joy. However, in the corner of his mind, Colt just realized shouldn't it Commander Chatho who should talk to the local first? This realization had Colt felt guiltiness and disappointment ran down his spine. Of course it was not the rule that the Jedi would be the one shouting orders - but it seemed to be a silent tradition that, even in the same rank, the Jedi would be the superior. He should have remembered that they had a Jedi Commander on board now. Instead, he just let himself did the talking on autopilot. Damn it, he hoped Onyx was not upset or angry.

Despite his concerns and his disappointment toward himself, Onyx didn't even seem to care about him doing the talking. The young Jedi was just finished making an exit with his lightsaber as Colt turned toward him.

"This passage is clear, for now." Onyx said. It took Colt several seconds to realize the boy was talking to him, not the leader of the locals. "Droid patrols are coming. We have to be quick."

"Alright, let's move." Colt said and nodded to the locals. They then ran toward, with the young Jedi running in front of them. The plan was to get all the locals to the dumpster behind the base. There was a gate there, which would lead them toward the forest. This mission was to get all the locals to the forest. When they were saved, the Jedi Generals would begin their attack. Colt hoped that they would be able to get across the dumpster without problems. And since the droids didn't think that the dumpster would be any used for them nor the Jedi, they left it unguarded.

However, they weren't as lucky as Colt had wished they would be. A droid patrols spotted them as the last clone who ran behind the local line got passed the exit of the building. The droid shouted for reinforcement before Colt blasted its head off and Onyx slid the door shut with his force. Colt knew it was too late. The droids knew now that their hostages had escaped.

"Get them to the forest, I will hold them off!" The Jedi learner shouted, rushing back from the front line of the locals. Colt thought he heard the buzzing and clanking sounds coming from the inside of the base.

"Trax, gets them out." Colt said before taking cover. Three clones stayed with them while the rest escorted the locals out of the dumpster. In the corner of his eyes, he saw Trax rushing the locals toward the exit of the wall not far away. After that was a forest. As soon as the locals kept running, they would be fine.

"You should go with them." Onyx said without looking at Colt. No, he said without looking at anyone – to be exact. "I will hold them off." He added, and Colt shook his head. This kid knew nothing about him and his men.

"With all due respect commander," he said, chuckling. His fingers massaged the trigger of his blasters. "You can't ask us to turn tail and run. Besides, we can't let you do all the work." Colt added, watching the Jedi's expression changed from serious and emotionless to the surprised and regretful. He could tell that Onyx was taken aback by his words. The Jedi commander, and this surprised Colt as well.

What makes Onyx suddenly feel guilty?

"No, I didn't… I didn't ask you to do that." Onyx stammered. There was a grimace look in the boy's eyes - also something that could be called as 'old scar'. Colt had a feeling that the young Jedi didn't stammer because he was trying to find an excuse, but Onyx was stammering because he thought he upset Colt and the rest of his men. And Colt knew the boy was feeling very guilty. "It just…" Onyx stammered again. "Our priority is to protect and escort the locals. Please, leave the droids to me. Only I is enough to buy them some time to escape."

"It's too late, sir." Colt replied as professional as he could, keeping his voice relaxed, but firm and neutral. The clone commander tried to pay more attention to the sounds the droids made. "Besides, it's an honour to fight alongside the Jedi." He added, not wanting the young Jedi to have an upset face for long.

Onyx immediately turned away after Colt finished. The boy's shoulders were tenser than usual - as if Onyx was uncomfortable with all of this - uncomfortable with his words; as if Colt had pulled unpleasant memories out of where Chatho had tried to bury them.

Did I?

Colt mentally noted to ask Heneral Gyularen about Onyx's past after the mission ended. Well, if the General thought he could have that knowledge. General Gyularen was one of the most open person Colt had ever met – but the female Nautolan was also strict with what she had decided that she could, or could not, tell.

"Thanks." Commander Chatho replied quietly, nearly timidly, before the droids open the door with their blasters; they all snapped to professional modes.

Onyx jumped out from his cover and ran forward, in a speed Colt and his men could not follow, without calling any troopers to charge their enemy. Colt nearly shouted for the boy to get back; there was too many droids – he would get blasted. But then he understood what their Jedi commander's intention was. The boy intended to draw the droids' attention toward him, away from Colt's men. Droids were programmed to focus on an open target more than target behind covers. Onyx wanted to draw all the risk and danger toward him as much as he could.

Colt didn't like the boy's idea at all, but he didn't complain. He knew it was risky, but it was working well. Jedi are quicker and stronger than clones. They are able to dodge the attack and give back as much. Now the boy has given us an advantage, we must use it.

"Commander Chatho is distracting them, this is our chance. Rocket Launcher, now!"

He told his men through the com-link. One of the clone, Vax, shouted his response. Their goal was to block the droids from exiting the base, destroying the passage to the dumpster to prevent these clankers from sending reinforcement.

Vax positioned himself behind the cover, rocket launcher in his hand. Seconds later, the building behind the droids, where they were exiting, were blasted. The grey wall shattered before collapsing. Rock, shatters, and metals fell down – covered the exit and probably the droids in the building.

"Thank you Vax,"

Colt heard Onyx said as the boy ran forward as soon as he saw a chance. Colt blasted the battle droids in the head as he watched the Jedi Commander jumped from one droids to another, slaughtering them. He shouted for his men before they all charged forward. He was not going to let the Jedi commander fought alone.

Their battle finishes in less than five minutes. Everyone was alive with some scratches. Two troopers got blasted, but they could still walk.

"Is everyone alright?"

Onyx asked, looking around. The Estemian's voice showed that he was unsure and afraid of something. The boy intentionally avoided Colt's eyes, no, avoiding everyone's face.

Why does he not look at me, or any of us in the eyes, or at least out face? What is he afraid of? Even if we're angry he will not see. The helmet has covered it all.

This is very suspicious. What happened in his past?

"Everyone is good sir. Mitz and Nash got blasted at their legs and arms, but it's not fatal." Colt replied, intentionally stepping close to the young Jedi, silently forcing Onyx to look at him.

"That's good." Onyx nodded. Colt saw something in the boy eyes. It's an old scar – bad memories. The boy was sad and upset. Not upset with Colt or his troopers, but with himself.

Colt wished they weren't in the middle of the mission. He really wanted to know what's going on in the boy's head. What made him so upset? What had happened to him? However, they still had the locals to escort. So they were on their way after they made sure everyone was alright.

Six hours later, General Amersu and General Gyularen had successfully capturing the base back. The separatist leader was also captured and locked up. The two Jedi General had scratches here and there, but nothing serious. Their reinforcement arrived shortly after that. The Republic had also sent General Fisto to help finish what they started, so both Jedis and their men had some times to rest. So now they all were heading back to Coruscant.

Colt made sure his men had nice meals and long hours for resting ahead of them before he headed to his room. Being a commander gave him a luxurious of having his own bedroom - even that it was large enough to fit only a bed, a locker, and a working desk. However, the best thing about his own room was that he also had a private bathroom. Starting the day without having to race for shower was one of the best things in the universe.

The clone commander put his helmet down on the bed and started writing the report. His mind still wandered back to Onyx Chatho. He was still curious of Onyx's actions. The boy looked as if he was trying to shield all the clones away from battle - trying to draw all of the enemy's attentions to himself. If there were other Jedis, Colt would have thought that they considered clone troopers to be useless in battle. However, from what he saw in Onyx. Colt was good at reading people through the reflections on their eyes and their postures. The boy didn't doubt in their abilities. He was trying to shield them because there was something in his past. Something that told Onyx to risk himself or he was going to be sorry again.

The clone commander finished the report quickly before he decided to take a shower. The clone commander didn't spend much time in the shower. After that he brought himself in front of a mirror, to make sure he had no stumbles on his face.

Colt was like his brothers; they were born with the same face. That's why most of them seek the way to stand out in the crowd. Something to make them different from their brothers. Some had tattoos on their face, while some got scars from the battlefield for distinguishes. At first Colt didn't have a mark on him or anything, until after one battle that made he finally got something to distinguish himself besides his shaved head. Two long narrow scars, starting from under his right eyes and went down to the angle of his right jaw.

Colt touched his scars and sighed. They were old and he did not concern about them. However, the new commander was. He had seen that Onyx had scars, and the boy seemed to not know how to deal with it. Colt decided that he had to discuss this with General Gyularen. Onyx probably was not going to tell his master about what had happened exactly. Also, this was not only about Colt's curiosity. It was also about Onyx's safety. He knew General Gyularen wasn't going to be please if she knew her new padawan had taken unnecessary risks.

After changing into his new armour, Colt stepped out of his room – a helmet in his hands. He was determine to go meet General Gyularen; then he saw that the Jedi learner he had been thinking about was in front of his room - fidgeting.

"Commander Chatho?" He called, raising his eyebrows. It he remembered it right, Onyx's room was probably in the upper floor. "How can I help you?"

"Commander, about..."

The boy started, but Colt had a feeling that he had forgotten something. And then he realized.

"Colt," He decide to interrupt. He remembered that he hadn't told Onyx his name yet.

"Pardon?" The younger one was clearly confused, so Colt continued.

"It's Colt. My name is Colt." He said, wanting to ask right away about the boy's past but deciding against it. If he asked; it was going to be a disaster. He hadn't yet gained the Jedi's trust, there was no way Onyx would tell him anything about his past.

"Colt," Onyx corrected himself. The boy's tone could still had Cold frowned as it didn't ring with happiness or satisfy of knowing their comrades better. He looked Onyx's in the eyes and saw that Onyx was delighted to know him, but there was also 'fear' in his eyes. However, Onyx continued before Colt had a time to process what he had seen.

"I want to apologize about ealier..." The boy started; his voice showed that he was slightly afraid of the outcome of this conversation. This made Colt ached his eyebrows.

"What..?"

"I didn't mean to upset you." The young Jedi quickly continued before Colt had a chance to ask. The pitch of his voice was high – indicated that he was excited, feared, or afraid. The pace of how he talked was quicker than in the battlefield hours ago. "I know you all want to fight. I'm sorry I upset you and the men. I didn't mean to..."

"Whoa, hold it there Commander." Colt put both of his hands up. He really needed to stop Onyx. It seemed like the boy had misunderstood them, clearly misunderstood them. "What did you do that upset us? We're not upset."

"When I told you to go." Onyx replied. "When I told you to go with the locals. I didn't mean that you and your men couldn't fight. I just wanted to make sure everyone would get out of there alive. I..." The Estemian bit his lips. It looked like he was about to say something he might regret saying it out loud. Colt guessed that it's about the boy's past.

"Commander Chatho, you have misunderstood." He said, thinking the Force that it's dining time, so there was no clones around. If they heard this conversation, there was going to be questions. Colt wasn't patient enough to have words with every men who might do something stupid after that. "We were not upset. None of us were. We know you did it to make sure we all get out of there alive, and we appreciated it." He continued quickly, didn't want the situation to get worse, but made sure his voice was firm, calm, and friendly. "It's me, who have to apologize."

"For what?" Now Onyx was obviously confused. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"For making you misunderstood." Colt replied, making sure his voice was even more calm and relaxed. He wanted the Jedi commander to relax more. Those small shoulders were too tensed for his liking. This was a delicate moment. "I will be more careful with my choices of word. Also, I have to apologize for crossing the line."

"Crossing the line?" The young Jedi frowned, confused. "I don't remember."

"At the underground prison. It should be you who talk to the local, not me." Colt said, slightly bowing his head in an apologize manner. "It won't happen again."

"Oh…that… um…" Onyx gulped, shaking his head, and offered Colt a weak smile. It might be the only type of smile the boy didn't have to put much effort to create. "Honestly, I don't mind. And, actually… I'm more than okay if you do it again. I'm not good at doing the talking as well as you. Besides, I like to work in the background when there are a lots of people around."

Colt was surprised by Onyx again. Does this kid has social anxiety? No, not social anxiety. He had no problem with clone troopers around him. There must be something more.

"I should be on my way then." Onyx quickly continued before Colt had time to reply. "Thank you, Colt." Onyx said his name with a hint of hesitation, but at least he said it. After that the young Jedi was walking down the corridor, shoulders tensed, without giving Colt a chance to reply.

"Good day Commander." He managed to speak before the boy was out of ear shot. Onyx's shoulders relaxed slightly at his words, before the young Estemian rounded the corner and disappeared.

Colt made his way toward the bridge.

General Gyularen was there when Colt arrived. The Jedi was talking quietly to her fellow Jedis through a hologram. Colt recognized one of them to be Obi-Wan Kenobi, the famous Jedi Master. He waited patiently for the female Nautolan to finish before stepping toward her.

"Colt?" the Jedi turned his way, he knew she sensed that he had something to talk to her. "Something troubles you?"

"I have to speak with you in private, sir." He said flatly, eyeing the clones around them. The General understood, and together they walked out of the bridge. As this was dinner time meant that all clones without routine duties would be at the dining hall, so most of the corridors toward their bedrooms would be empty.

General Gyularen waited until they were alone on a large corridor before she started. Her voice was low and quiet, the tone she used when she wanted to know what troubled her comrades.

"So… what troubles you, Colt?"

"Commander Chatho," Colt replied. He could see General Gyularen titled her head but didn't say anything more. She was waiting for him to continue. "His performance during the mission. It concerns me - concern us." The word 'us' he meant his men. Not only Colt concerned about the young Estemian taking risk, Vax and Trax had also told him while they were travelling back to the ship that they didn't like seeing the young commander unnecessary risking himself for them.

Colt told the Jedi General about what had happened during the mission. He didn't forget to say twice that he and his men appreciated Commander Chatho's effort. Then he told the Generak about what he had spotted from the boy. He told her about sadness he saw in Onyx's eyes, and what Onyx had misunderstood. However, he decided to leave off the part about Onyx went to apologize him personally. He felt like keeping it secret between himself and the boy.

"…with all due respect, general." Colt said without diverting his eyes away from the General. "I want to know what had happened to him. He knew how to deal with the situation on the battle field. My consumption is that this was not the first time he was in the front line."

"You are right." General Gyularen sighed. "But you are not allowed to tell this to others, except that Onyx is okay with it; I doubt he will." The female Nautolan slowed down as she said. And Colt waited patiently for her to continue.

"Onyx had had a master before me." The General continued after several seconds. "He lost his master during the battle of Drittlyn. They were on their way to save to locals from the Separatist. Onyx got shot - not fatal. He retreated for the medic to look at his wound. When he could go out again, the Separatist had called their fighters out. Onyx rushed to help his master and the several clones which were still alive. He was too late, the droid fighters bombed them - nearly killed Onyx along the way. His master was dead, along with nearly every troopers around. He had to retreat, forced to abandon the mission and also the locals."

She paused a bit. Colt knew what she was going to say next was bitter, and he knew the General was disturbed about what she was going to say. "When the reinforcement got there, there was no local to save. Everyone was slaughtered. All men, women, and children. Onyx blamed everything on himself. His master's death, the loss of their legions, and the locals' death." The female Nautolan sighed.

"He stayed at the temple for a while." General Gyularen continued. "The healer and the Jedi council tried to help him with his mental state. In the end, they decided that the best way for him to recover is to send him back to the battlefield. Onyx has to face what he feared of most, or he isn't going to recover."

"What does he fear most, general?" Colt asked, even that he thought he already had an answer. He just wanted to make sure he got it right.

"Losing his comrades." General Gyularen replied, confirming Colt's suspicion.

Onyx sighed as he let the water ran down his body. He cleaned himself slowly, starting with his hair. He had several hours to himself while they travelled back to Coruscant. Onyx had already finished his report. He tried to write it as brief as he could. He always hated writing something like this. It reminds him of the last time he had to write a mission report…

The image of his old master being blasted to oblivion returned to him. Onyx grunted before he slammed his fist against the wall nearby. Maybe he should meditate. He had to control his breathing, he had to focus on the present.

'Onyx'

"Yes, master?"

Master Gyularen called him, and Onyx immediately replied, anything to distract him from the past.

'Meet me at the bridge.'

"Yes, master." He replied and the communication was cut. Onyx had a bad feeling about this. He hadn't talked to Master Gyularen much. However, he was able to tell from her tone that this wasn't good.

He arrived at the bridge shortly after being called. His Master was talking to one of the famous Jedi Master via hologram; Obi-Wan Kenobi. The Jedi Master Onyx was even more than familiar with.

Well, he was the one who rescue you…

He shook his thought away quickly. This was not the time to think about the past. His master called him here because they had to discuss something. It's surely important. He couldn't preoccupied right now.

Luckily, his master finished talking with Master Kenobi before Onyx was besides her. He didn't feel like talking to Master Kenobi, not yet.

"You are here." His master smiled, turning toward him. "How are you Onyx?"

"Better, thank you master." He said, offered her his best smile. Well, it still looked faked and weak. He had to try harder. He wanted to be able to smile again.

"Good, follow me." His Master smiled, walking forward. "Commander Colt spoke highly of your performance in the battlefield."

"He was probably exaggerating." Onyx replied, keeping a neutral expression. It would be a lie if Onyx said that the clone commander didn't interest him. Colt had something inside his eyes, something that Onyx wished to know what it was. It that was so bright and warm, and it made Onyx afraid of what might happen if he got too close.

"Polite and humble - just like Master Kenobi described about you." The female Nautolan chuckled. "Don't worry Onyx. Trust in yourself and the Force. I know you will do the right thing."

"Thank you master." Onyx nodded. They continued walking for a while, mostly the female Nautolan telling Onyx about how she and Master Amersu captured the Separatis General. Right now he was on Master Amersu's ship, heading back to Coruscant. After that she told him about the Jedis of the Sith Wars - the legendary warriors – and histories of each one of them.

Onyx didn't notice where they were going as he listened to Master Gyularen. Then, his master stopped.

"…we are here." She said, and Onyx looked around. They were in front of the door to the training area.

Onyx didn't ask his master why they were here as they got inside. It was not the time the clones would come to train yet. They would have several hours to themselves. He guessed his new mentor wanted to see how well he fought.

"I haven't seen you in action yet." Master Gyularen said, stepping in front of him. Onyx nodded, pulling his lightsabre to his hand by the force. His master did the same.

Onyx's lightsabre was blue, while his master's was green. At first no one made any move, then his mentor jumped at him. Onyx rolled away from her sword and put his sword up to block her second blow. He blocked and retreated around the room, trying to push back when there were chances to do so. His new mentor in combat was very much aggressive than his last. She strike as soon as she saw a gap in his defence, fast and sharp, using every parts of her that could be used as weapons. Knees, feet, elbows; her blows showed that she clearly not intended to pull her punches. Onyx tried to catch up to her as much as he could. He knew he could not match her skills. He did not want her to be disappointed with him.

They stopped after several minutes later. His new mentor deactivated her lightsabre and put it back on her belt. Onyx did the same. His breath was a bit labour, why hers was still the same as before. Onyx knew he would not be surprised if her heart rate hadn't gone up during their practice.

"You are good." Master Gyularen smiled. "I think Colt wasn't exaggerating, right Colt?" She then turned to ask the wall far behind them. The wall with black glasses where the generals and commanders use to observe clone troopers' practices. The clones could not see them, but the people inside could see what happened in the chamber.

Colt has been watching us all along?

Onyx thought as the door slid open. Colt walked in with several men behind him. Onyx remembered Vash and Trax. But the other two were new, to him. The one on the left had a scar on his left cheek, and the other one had a bird tattoo on his left jaw.

"Of course general, I was not exaggerating." Colt replied with a smile on his face. "The commander is very skilled."

"Indeed," Master Gyularen smiled and eyes Onyx as to dare him to disagree. Onyx gulped and decided to say nothing. He was having a hard time trying to look at Colt without showing his uncomfortableness. Of course he didn't think that Colt was a threat, he was unsure of himself – about what should he feel toward the clone commander. And he was so deep in thoughts that he nearly missed his master's words.

"I will let you take it from here Colt. If you need me, I will be in that room." The female Nautolan said and pointed at the wall with black glasses, walking away before Onyx had a chance to ask her what's going on.

"Commander Chatho," Colt turned toward him. "General Gyularen wished to see how we work in battles."

So she wants me to train with the clones. Alright. I can do this. Just another training. Turn on your 'professional mode' and get going.

"I will do my best." He replied to the clone commander. Colt gave a friendly back, something that made his heart skipped beat, before introducing the two clones Onyx didn't know to him. Quest the medic, and ARC Trooper Chuck.

"Colt, in your opinion, how was Onyx today?"

"He still unnecessary put himself between us and those clankers." Colt replied as he and General Gyularen walked back to the bridge. After their special training session end, General Gyularen had sent her padawan to get some rest, while she and Colt went back to the bridge.

"I see," The Nautolan General nodded, "and I agree. I will talk to him, just…"

'General! We have an emergency call. Please come to the bridge immediately.'

"I'm on my way." General Gyularen quickly replied, before she ran forward. Colt followed closely behind, and he had a bad feeling about this emergency call.

Well, emergency call has never brought good news anyway.

"Are you all alright?"

"Yes, sir."

Voices replies as clone troopers pulled themselves up from the ground. Some were helping their comrades out of the shatters.

Obi-Wan used the Force to pull a large pieces which was once a part of the ship off, and threw it meters away. He watched the clone trooper medic rushed to scene and turned away to scan the horizon. The planet they crashed on was not so bad, as if wasn't too hot nor too cold. As long as the Separtist didn't find them, he thought they would be okay for a while.

He could feel commander Cody walked toward him. The clone must had finish checking all the survivals.

"We lost five troopers, fifteen injured." The clone commander said, walking to stand beside him. "What are we going to go next, sir?"

"We wait." He replied, turning back to speak to all of his men when he heard a familiar sound of ship engines. The Jedi master snapped back and saw a Separatist Landing Ship.

"Looks like we cannot wait, sir." Cody said, looking at the ship that flew passed them to the South.

"Agree, let's get moving." Obi-Was said, sighing. He hoped the rescue team would come in time, before there was no one left to rescue.

"We will try our best, masters."

"May the Force be with you."

Onyx slightly bowed his head as master Yoda finished. The communication was cut and Onyx turned to his master.

"Emda's moon." He said, frowning. "There is nothing but forest and wildlife. Also a lot of swamps. I beg the droids will have a hard time searching for the survivals."

"They also made it difficult for us to track Master Obi-Wan." His master sighed, before turning toward Commander Colt. "Colt, I want three small squads that can perfectly operate in these kind of environment. Don't forget to bring stun gun and slings shot. We are going to use them a lot."

"Yes, sir." Colt nodded and walked out of the bridge. Master Gyularen then turned back to the table where Onyx had already pulled the hologram map of the moon of planet Emda's up.

They had just received the emergency call from Coruscant. Master Kenobi's fleet had been overwhelmed by the Separatist at Emda's moon. They had to flee; but Obi-Wan's frigate – the one he was on – had been shot and crashed onto Emda's moon. Obi-Wan was able to contact Coruscant before the crash. As Gyularen's fleet was the only available fleet near Emda – now they were on a rescue mission.