Chapter Fourteen: The Ties That Bind

Everyone looked at Kalinda. At some point, Milo had placed his hand on her other shoulder, as if he and Crest were holding her in place while Traxis stood at her back, arms folded across his chest. The image of the captain on his knees had made Milo grit his teeth, though he took a deep breath to calm himself while he waited for Kalinda to speak.

"Nothing's changed." Her voice was quiet, but steady as she looked at the other Jedi. "We have a plan; I see no reason to deviate from it."

General Unduli shook her head. "I don't like her goading us in this fashion, Kalinda." Milo noted that she said us and not you, though it was obvious that the message was for the dark-haired Jedi. "She wants you to come for him. It's obviously a set-up of some kind."

Kalinda shook her head. "I can't see that it's all that different from before. We both know that there was little chance of us sneaking up to them." She took a breath and Milo felt her shoulder sag.

"We're with you, Kalinda," he said in his most reassuring voice. "No matter what."

Crest nodded. "Can't you use that shield thing of yours? It was pretty handy, if I recall."

If the general found their behavior at all informal, she kept it to herself as she looked at Kalinda. "Ventress is aware of your technique, isn't she?"

"She is, to an extent," the dark-haired Jedi replied. "She's aware that I can protect myself from her saber, but not..." Her eyes lit up and she looked up at the clones. "She doesn't know that I can hide us. I never used that aspect of it with her."

"Hide?" General Unduli's brows furrowed.

But it was Milo who answered. "It's the most amazing thing, General. Kalinda used it on Japarran-"

"And Florrum," Crest interjected.

"She can use it to sneak us through the station," Milo continued, feeling excitement welling within him. "I mean...do you think you can?" He looked back down at Kalinda, whose expression he couldn't read.

She was quiet for a few moments before she nodded. "Yes, though it would take a lot of my focus and energy to keep all four of us under the radar, so to speak."

"What if we split up?" Crest asked. "One of us goes with you, the other two find another way...to add an element of surprise to the party?"

Milo shook his head. "I don't like it, Crest."

"Distraction is a good tactic," Traxis added. "But I don't like dividing our forces, either."

Crest gave a low chuckle. "I guess our distraction needs a distraction of its own."

"Guys," Kalinda said, raising her hand and casting a look to General Unduli, who had been listening to the exchange with interest. "I didn't say I couldn't do it; but it's not going to be easy."

Traxis let out a bark of laughter. "Well, we're planning on infiltrating a secret Separatist station to rescue our brothers from a mad Kaminoan and a bloodthirsty Force-witch. None of that says 'easy' to me. This is just icing on the uj-cake."

It was enough to elicit a chuckle, though the air was still tense. Kalinda and General Unduli exchanged looks, and Milo got the sense that they were communicating silently in typical Jedi fashion. Finally the Mirialan Jedi let out a deep breath. "I see that we do not have many options. However, I think I have a way to make your part of the mission a little easier." It was here that General Unduli gave Kalinda a knowing look.

"I'm all ears."

General Unduli studied her clasped hands before her for a moment before she replied. "Something that Gree was working on may prove to be most useful in this instance." Her eyes lifted and she explained the device; Kalinda drummed her fingers on the table while she took in the information.

It sounds risky, but it could work if we're careful. Milo glanced at Crest, who looked a bit lost.

Finally Kalinda nodded, giving the other woman a tight smile. "Sounds like we have a plan."

Traxis glanced at his chrono. "If we're going to pull this little stunt off, we should get the Wayfarer prepped. Only a few more hours 'til we reach Perdax."

General Unduli lifted a brow at Kalinda, who met her gaze with curiosity. "You have a valiant group of men in your command, Kalinda, if a bit unusual."

Despite everything, Milo felt a glow of pride at her words, though it intensified when Kalinda nodded and smiled up at them. "I know. Believe me, I know."

Of all the things that he had experienced in his short life, helplessness was by far the worst. As he watched Ventress toy with the clone captain while she recorded her transmission, Gree thought that there was nothing that he wanted quite so much as the ability to move his arms so that he could punch the twisted excuse for a humanoid in her pale, smirking face. He's odd and different, but he's my brother and he deserves better than this. Gree felt his muscles straining against the bonds that held him in place. It occurred to him that none of the droids had bothered to tranquilize the clones in many hours and he wondered if that was intentional or not.

When she finished her recording, Ventress laid her hands against Stonewall's face again and he let out a hiss of pain; Gree realized that it was bad enough for him to be unable to resist the medical droids that again secure his bonds along the wall, though he noted that the captain kept his muscles as flexed as he could while exhaling deeply. Smart. Keep the restraints as loose as you can. It wasn't much use, not really, but it was heartening nevertheless. Ventress paused only to skim her hand along Stonewall's chest before she meandered out of the room, the droids in her wake.

The door closed and Weave's voice spoke through the darkness, still disoriented and vague. "Captain? Are you okay?" There were faint lights on his implant that glowed blue in the darkness.

Stonewall let out a sharp exhale that could have almost been a laugh. "Yeah, Weave. I'm great. You?"

"I've been better." The two men shared a chuckle before Stonewall met Gree's eyes.

"What did she do?" He didn't really want to know, but if it would affect the other officer he figured that he should find out.

Stonewall swallowed. "I'm not sure, but it was..." He shook his head. "I'm okay."

Gree nodded. "Have you noticed they haven't been drugging us? I wonder why?" The captain shook his head and they said nothing for several minutes as each man tried to fit the small victories together to form a plan. Finally, Gree looked at him. "Your...Jedi? Is she still coming?"

The captain did not hesitate. "No doubt in my mind." His voice was warm, and he let out another exhale. "Kali." The name was spoken to himself like an affirmation. He met Gree's eyes. "I'm too fatigued to try and call her again, but I know that she's on her way."

"How?" It was Blink, who had missed the earlier conversation about the Stonewall's Force ability being linked to the Jedi's feelings for him.

Gree didn't feel like catching him up. "General Halcyon is committed to her men," he said, feeling a pang even as he said the words. "She's coming. That's all you need to know." Would General Unduli come for me? Unexpectedly, Stonewall met his eyes and he was struck by the look they held. He really does love her. I never thought it could happen. He took a breath and nodded. "Well, I'm tired of just sitting around. There must be something we can do."

"I'd like to blast that aiwha-bait, kriffing, shabuir..." Tackle's voice was dark as he muttered.

"I think we can all agree on that, but right now we need a plan, not empty threats," Gree replied, glancing at Stonewall again. "I'm open to suggestions."

The other man shifted in his bonds and Gree could tell that they were not really loose enough to do anything. "I'm not sure I can work myself free...perhaps, if I had a few hours. In the meantime..." He took a deep breath and frowned.

Gree nodded, understanding. There's not much we can do but wait. His teeth gritted. No soldier likes waiting around. None of us like being helpless. But I don't know what else we can do. Despair welled within him, though he tried to tamp it down. It won't do any good to get all despondent now. But still. He glanced at the others. "Right. Well, we should conserve our strength if we can. Try and sleep." He made sure that his voice left no room for argument and was pleased when, a few moments later, Tackle and Blink's breathing grew quiet and steady.

Beside him, Stonewall stirred and Gree could tell that he was still trying to slip out of the bonds. "That's an order, Captain," he said, pitching his voice low. The other man took a breath as if he were about to object, but he nodded and indicated Weave instead. It was difficult to tell if the other clone was awake or asleep, but Gree spoke anyway. "And you too, Weave. We won't do anyone any good if we're exhausted."

The metallic scraping sound was disturbing, but it meant that Weave was nodding. After a few moments the room was filled with the quiet sounds of his brothers sleeping and Gree felt the tension in his body ease, just a little. He leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. I should try and take my own advice. Easier said than done.

"Are you sure you want to fly us in, Kalinda?" Milo's voice beside her at the co-pilot's seat was tentative, especially as he said her name but Kali couldn't bring herself to smile at him as she focused on the helm, guiding the Wayfarer away from the Tranquility and approaching the asteroid belt that clustered around the station.

She exhaled and shook her head. "I need to do something, Mi." He nodded but said nothing further so she glanced behind her at the others. "How's it coming?"

Traxis held up several blasters that he was preparing to strap to various holsters that he'd attached to his armor. "I'm going to be a walking armory. If any of our brothers can wield a weapon when we reach them, they'll have options."

She nodded. "Crest?"

"I've got every EMP and flash-bang that I can carry, Kalinda. The boys of the 41st were very obliging in that regard." He paused and hefted his pack. "Time for some thrilling heroics."

Kali took another breath as she searched for a suitable location to set down. It was unusual but not difficult to land a ship on an asteroid, and she was soon able to find an appropriate spot where they could wait for the next phase of the plan to take effect. The sound of booted feet approached her and she felt the presence of the guys at her back as everyone watched the ship descend. The ship settled down with ease and everyone gave a collective sigh. In the distance, beyond the scattered chunks of rock and ice, she could make out what appeared to be a Trade Federation ship and she knew that it was the lab they'd been searching for.

Closing her eyes, she tried to reach Stonewall through the Force again, but it was almost impossible. His energy was a dull flicker and he did not respond to her "calls." She swallowed. He's alive. That's what matters. Where there's life, there's hope. "Now we get to wait."

Traxis echoed her thoughts. "I kriffing hate waiting."

"Don't we all know it?" Crest replied.

"Well, there's not much else we can do now," Milo added with a look at Kalinda. "Let's just make sure we're ready when General Unduli gives the signal."

She glanced at him. He's come a long way from the 'shiny' that I met last year. They all have. It's astonishing, in a way, but also completely expected. That's what happens to people...they grow, they learn. They become 'more' than what they were before. Her mind reached back to the boy on Kamino and she took another deep breath, but it was not so much to calm herself as it was a reflection of her thought process. But they aren't any different than the others; all of the clones are capable of the same things, of the same growth and humanity. I wonder if the Republic has forgotten that. I wonder if anyone ever knew it in the first place.

Crest's voice was quiet as he spoke to her. "Don't worry, Kalinda. We'll get him and Weave back...and we can go right back to giving our dear Captain hell about his ridiculous hair."

At his words, Kali felt her eyes prick but she kept her emotions incheck, instead watching Perdax rotate almost lazily in the distance. It was both a warning and an invitation, and she closed her eyes and focused on her breathing again to gather her strength. I'll need it, she thought as she felt the Force flowing through her veins. Every bit.

Luminara studied Perdax with a critical eye as the Tranquility approached the station. The enormous, broken-circle shape of the Lucrehulk-class battleship was not known for being particularly impenetrable, but she was unwilling to risk anything where Asajj Ventress was concerned. Overconfidence in my own skills was nearly my downfall at our last meeting and I refuse to underestimate her abilities again. She thought over their plan and frowned. It was not the most certain thing, but then, they rarely were. The war had turned caution into a luxury that no one could afford, while overwhelming risk had become a constant necessity.

She glanced at the clone who was stationed at the helm. "Open a channel." Moments later, a battle droid appeared on the viewscreen before her, its head twitching almost nervously as it took in the Jedi Master before it. Luminara did not give the machine a moment to speak. "This is Luminara Unduli of the Jedi Council. I wish to speak with Asajj Ventress at once."

The droid's head swiveled but it said nothing to her as it entered a command into the console at which it was seated. Luminara folded her hands and waited. When she was younger, she may have fidgeted with the device in her palm, but now she did not have a need for such trivialities. She took a few calming breaths. It will work because it must work, she thought as the metallic object warmed beneath the press of her skin. It must. Unbidden, an image of Gree came to her mind; patiently bent over the tiny device while he worked and she smiled despite herself.

At last, Ventress appeared, her face a mask of calm arrogance. "General Unduli," she purred. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Luminara waited a heartbeat before responding, allowing her voice to remain calm and cool. "You are in custody of the Kaminoan scientist Creon Dai. I have come to retrieve him and arrest you."

The darksider's laugh was sibilant. "Is that so? You and what army? Not those pathetic cloned men that you Jedi are so fond of, I hope? They are not so resilient, it seems."

"I don't need an army to defeat you, Ventress," Luminara replied. "Your own overconfidence will be your downfall."

Ventress chuckled again, though her eyes narrowed as she seemed to search the area around Luminara, who gave a tiny nod to the clone at the communications array, though she kept her expression neutral. "Where is Kalinda Halcyon? I assumed she'd be nearby to come rescue her pet clone."

"She is not here. You have only myself to worry about." She watched in satisfaction as the screen began to flicker, though she continued speaking. "You will surrender now, Ventress, while you are still able. I can offer you a fair trial if you come without resistance." She could hear the darksider muttering to the droids around her, as the transmission's audio was uncorrupted even as the vid feed flickered further and further. Finally, the pale-skinned woman looked back at Luminara, who could see the frustration in her eyes. She allowed herself a very small smirk. "Is there a problem with your communication system, child? I can't see your lovely face any longer."

"Your Republic technology is failing you, Jedi," Ventress replied, though the signal was now relegated to voice-only at this point.

Luminara remained in place for a few moments more before she began to move, speaking into her comlink as she slid Gree's device into her pocket. "Let us not quibble over the minutiae, Ventress. We were discussing your imminent surrender..."

Stonewall was exhausted, but sleep eluded him. His attention was strung in too many directions and he felt as though he was being pulled apart at the seams; it had been an arduous task to relax the others enough so that they could sleep, with Gree and Weave being the most resistant to his efforts. He still couldn't reach Kali, especially not after Ventress had...he shuddered at the memory. The touch of her mind to his was noxious and disgusting and he realized again how much he missed Kali's bright presence. Kalinda. His eyes closed. Maybe if I try one more time.

Nothing.

His brain was full, overloaded with a strain that he thought no amount of rest would be able to lift. The marks that the darksider had left on his face ached dully, as did his entire body from being kept in such an uncomfortable fashion for so long and his head was throbbing. But the quiet, steady breathing of his brothers was a comfort in the darkness while he tried to relax his muscles, even though he didn't think he could let down his mental guards.

I can't tell if that...creature did something to me, or if I'm just tired. He couldn't think of Ventress as a woman, couldn't quantify her in the same category that he considered Kali.

Stone frowned. Thinking of Ventress was not helpful, so he let his thoughts drift back to Kalinda. He could still feel her lips against his, her soft skin beneath his hands and hear the quiet murmur of her voice in his ears. I love you, Stonewall. The knowledge filled him with strength and he found that it was easier to breathe.

I can't reach her through the Force, but I know she's there. I know she's coming for us. I just wish I could do something besides wait. Gradually, his muscles relaxed, the sinew of his arms and legs loosened just enough for a little more of the tension to ease and he felt calm trickle in his mind again. I can do this. He looked at his brothers, his gaze falling on Weave last. I can do this. I must.

A/N: Anyone catch the "Firefly" reference? :P