I stood in the hangar of a Republic Acclimator alongside twenty or so clones. I saw two Jedi walk in front of us and face us. I recognized General Anakin Skywalker, but not the Togruta next to him. I then felt her eyes on my helmet and I glanced away quickly. I was glad I still had it on, because I couldn't count on my face being Gap's. That was the downside of being half-and-half; I couldn't hold my shape indefinitely. General Skywalker began talking, a briefing, I listened hard. He said that they would be landing on Yavin 4 to knock out a Separatist invasion. I felt excitement and fear in my gut, and waited in the hangar as we came out of hyperspace above the moon. I boarded one of the six LAATs and held the DC-15 blaster rifle I had gotten from the armory. The blast doors closed and they took off. I saw the Togruta was in the LAAT across from me.
"All right men, when we get to the surface be prepared for heavy fire. Form ranks and follow me." She said. There was a loud explosion and shouts, and the blast doors opened. "Fire on those droids!" she shouted, and grabbed the handlebars on the top as five clones, me included, took aim. The rifle felt natural in my arms, and I pulled shot after shot, hitting most of the droids on the ruins. "Jump off!" she shouted, and leapt off the LAAT when it was close to the ground. The clones followed her, and I took up the rear. Gap had told me Republic battle strategies and formations, so I knew where to go when they pulled a line. I helped to take down the first wave of super battle droids, and then followed her as she charged the next wave. She pulled out two green lightsabers and attacked the droids with deadly accuracy. I turned slightly and saw droidekas rolling towards us.
"Destroyers!" I shouted, turned and shot them, sending the ones behind into firing position. I shot some more and so did several other clones. The droids fell, and the Togruta turned to General Skywalker as her ran up with his squad.
"Good job, Ahsoka. You didn't have as many casualties in your squad this time around. Now come on, we've got to rendezvous with Obi-Wan and Rex at the fountains." He said. She nodded and followed him when he ran off, motioning for us to follow. When we reached the fountains I saw several Republic walkers and tanks in position.
"All right men, we've got to get inside enemy lines as quickly and quietly as possible. For that I'll need five of the best soldiers, and Sergeant Tano will lead you in. Is that understood?" he nodded to the general noises of consent, then looked at General Skywalker. "Well, Anakin, who's your best?"
"Well, Chip and Flat here were good shots, and they were good at holding defense lines. Ahsoka?" he said.
"Well, Master, there was one who stood out. The one in the green striped armor, he was the main reason why we were able to take down the droids so quickly. He also heard the droidekas before anyone else, and shot them down before they could do any damage." She said. Skywalker nodded.
"And Brik and Ves were best in mine." Obi-Wan said. "So that's it, then. Go north into the ruins and get inside the mountain. When you do that, blow up their transports and any heavy artillery, then come back here, but take out as many droids as you can along the way." I saluted with the rest of the clones and walked over with the four others to the Sergeant.
"Let's go, men." She said, and then looked at me. "I haven't heard your name." she looked at me expectantly, while I racked my brain frantically. Then one popped into my head.
"Brigand, sir." I replied.
"Why'd you get that one?" she asked.
"I, uh, had a slight problem with following general regulations, sir." I replied. It was probably true; I doubt they would let a changeling into the Republic. Sergeant Tano smiled.
"As long as you follow orders, you'll be all right." She replied. "Come on, men, let's go!"