HAPPY EASTER! (TO ALL YOU CHRISTIANS! IF YOU'RE AN ATHEIST, THEN I HOPE YOU HAD A NICE DAY...)

But no need to press religion. Enjoy this quick update!

THANK YOU REVIEWERS!

Lux's POV

We walked back through the streets and just when we were about to go through the alleyway that leads to our secret hideout, we bumped into four figures: The two cloaked Generals Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, along with Clone Captain Rex and self-anointed leader Saw Gerrera.

"And where were you three going?" Saw crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. Ugh! Just because he made himself chief, doesn't mean he can be such a hypocrite!

And what would you say to answer him? 'Oh we were spying on a supposedly trusted spy. The young woman Cello. And another thing. She is actually another spy of ours who helped find our headquarters in the first place... And we know he is double-crossing someone other than us. So there is no reason to be on your toes.'

Yeah, that wouldn't quite go so well.

Steela spoke for everyone, being a natural leader as she is, "We were checking if there was anyone acting, uh..., suspicious around these parts..."

"Really," Saw gave a knowing smirk, "And?"

"Uh, it was nothing. False alarm."

Saw sighed, "Well come on you three. Everyone is waiting inside."

And so we all walked back. Me, Steela, and Saw followed with the four teachers from the Jedi Order following behind. Ahsoka put on her hood up again to hide her identity with her cloak, and we nodded to some of the staring passerby, who gave us curious looks. Some of them were Rebels, guarding the entrance from spies or intruders, including Hutch Donterra: Cello's man... I felt a little guilty for doubting her romantic interest because I thought she boasted treachery.

But all of that had to wait as we were all brought within the building. Steela, Saw, and me sitting on the right couch with Ahsoka, Anakin, and Obi-Wan sitting on the left (In order of who came in first).

All three of the Jedi unmasked themselves to reveal their faces..., and as you can predict I was staring at Ahsoka's face with a ludicrous awe. I was just thinking of what I first did that made her fully lose trust in me... But no matter what, I knew it was my own fault...

Silence. A proud silence. Everyone kept their eyes on their temporary leader, Skywalker... And after that moment, he gave way to announcement. "Your success will not go unnoticed!" Everyone cheered, almost like this was a house party, clinking their alcoholic beverages in celebration. Rather than being solemn as such a serious matter as this was.

Kenobi brought up that point, "I agree, but we need to be mindful of public perception." Like the perception Ahsoka has of me... Not very highly and obviously appalled with a nightmarish apprehension. "What was your assessment, Padawan?" Hard to see Ahsoka as still a learner, for how much she (just being in my life) has taught me.

"The people were fearful, Master." She, like my people, was afraid of me.

"Indeed. Judging from the reactions I saw today, I'm afraid they will mistake your intentions." He was turning to Saw and me...

Yes... Ahsoka too is mistaking my intentions from what I did today.

"We need to do more damage!" Saw punched his own palm to demonstrate his point, "A few dozen broken down droids will do little to free Onderon."

Steela pipped in, "The people need to believe we can succeed. Without their support, our efforts are meaningless."

I gave a quick look to Steela's direction, but my gaze quickly went back to Ahoska's, and understanding how much relevance this debate has with how I hurt her today. "If they're afraid, they won't support us. We need to assure them of our intentions."

Saw shook his head, "I don't understand. Why are they afraid?"

"They're afraid we're not strong enough to win. We need to earn their trust." Her voice cracked when she said 'trust'. I could tell that her failure to earn her people's trust as a child has demolished most of her optimism now.

But Skywalker was oblivious to the troubles of my comrades, "You'll have plenty of time to earn their trust. All of you are going to be very busy." And that was an order, not a suggestion.

"Today was only a taste." Rex came in, "You'll get your chance." There was silence. Will I get a chance to bring Ahsoka fully and trustworthily in my waking arms, dying for affection...? If she is leaving soon, than I may not see her for a long time... And that won't help much for me with the toils that will come.

"In the meantime, make the most of your victories. Welcome and learn from them." Obi-Wan pointed out.

I can be hopeful for adversity and learn from my failures of being me, but how can that change who I am...? Part of this briefing was too much for me to handle...

Or is it?

Not if I can prove to Ahsoka that I can be a warrior... Then I can earn some trust that I could succeed... But maybe this was a fool's errand. I am a public speaker, not a soldier... But I can be a soldier of a speaker... That's what all politicians have to face.

"We need to hit something big. Give a show of strength. They will overcome their fear and join us..." I stood and was in my position as a politician again... And when Ahsoka was staring at me with my (hopefully) inspiring talk, I felt all the more better at being a soldier. And all of my declarations were hopes... But they didn't need to be hoaxes.

"Do you have something in mind?" Ahsoka was speaking out now, almost distracting me there... She sounded skeptical. Maybe she believes that what we were discussing right now could be more of a social war than a political or violent one... But this was a war on two fronts, as I have admitted before... There is the dutiful side and the emotional side... One or the other had to be chosen. It was either that or death.

But still the question she gave irked me... I thought of what there could be to prove completely prove my feelings to her... Something big? Something that could prove and resonate my resolve to be with her...? And maybe the only way was to leave and stow away to Coruscant with her before anyone gets harmed from my distraction... But how could I follow through with that?

I gave her a smirk, "I know the perfect target."

"Really?" Ahsoka raised an eyemark. She's doubting me?!

My goal here in my home is to either go through with my feelings for the Jedi or finishing my mission as a Bonteri.

"Yes." I was assertive with my hypothesis.

"Well, we are going to be going back to Coruscant. Duty calls there." Obi-Wan announced.

And my biggest fear was realized! Ahsoka is leaving me now! Maybe forever!

There were many groans and grunts of displease... I could tell. It was hard to imagine going out without the Jedi's support.

"Fear not, my fellow friends. We will be strategizing in the Core. But the truth remains that we have numerous businesses to attend." Business. It is as black-and-white as this whole atrocious war! When can each side make friends with each other as I easily made friends with the Jedi, my true love, Ahsoka. There was nothing standing in the way of peace... EXCEPT DOOKU!

And so the three Jedi members stood up and were mellowing their way to the exit as the Rebels began their bickering chatter.

Ahsoka was leaving. This was my last chance.

I grabbed her wrist. "Don't go... Stay with me. I'll do everything I can to protect you as well as my home... Just please don't leave me with my life empty, 'Soka. Please!"

There was sympathy in her eyes (at least there was no annoyance) as she grabbed my shoulder armor. "Lux, I have to as much as you have to stay here." She stood on her toes to kiss my cheek. "But I can keep contact with you... I know your hologram frequency... We can keep in touch... This doesn't have to be goodbye..."

Then, she did something that surprised me greatly. She stood on her toes again and wrapped her bottom lip with my top, sucking on it lightly... She was kissing me!? I was too shell-shocked to enjoy it... And then it ended as soon as it began. Fortunately, no one saw that (except for Steela).

"For luck." And then she turned to leave. Before I could ask for a holopicture of her to frame with my others. Before I could have her (And you would laugh when I admit this, but it would mean so much to me.) but on lipstick to kiss my cheeks, drying their imprints there, and have me keep them forever as a reminder of my devotion... And now she could be forever gone from my empty life.

"Don't worry, Lux... I'm sure it won't be the last time you'll meet her... Fate always has a way of meeting again whether one wants it or not." It was Steela who was speaking, her voice hurting so badly.

I shook my head in grief, "This all my fault."

"How can you say that? You couldn't have known that she would leave now."

"It's not that." I sobbed. "It is what happened before. When I earned her trust, then betrayed her... How could I? I was bent on proving to be the perfect man for her..." A tears welled up in my red eyes, but were held. Almost like they were afraid to prove that I was no soldier.

Do soldiers cry? Their tough, right? But their human as well. Do they cry for just dutifully serving their government, even if it means throwing away the rest of their life? What is a youth?

Then Steela did something that she never did before. She kissed my cheek. Not in a romantic way, but in a friendly way. Just to calm my distress.

"Don't you ever doubt yourself. No one will put faith in you if you become a pessimist. Be strong... You see that door..." Steela pointed to the threshold of where she left. "She will return through there, sooner than you would think... And when she does, she'll jump into your arms. She'll kiss you till you fall off your feet from being under the disease of lovestruck, and she'll prove that there will be nothing that shall stand in your way... Because you are who you are... And guess what, Lux Bonteri: That is a strength any normal man would be jealous to possess... You are fortunate, you just don't see it right now... You of all people must know that you are fortunate for having her... because of you... And don't you ever believe that that is a mistake... It is probably the most self-evident truth that proves who you are."

Okalin's POV

I went into the throne room, hatching a plan that I knew would succeed with tremendous success.

"What is it, my advisor?" King Rash spoke, like he was under a hangover from all the Jogan Fruit he stuffed himself with.

"Sir, I have disturbing news that will put you at the edge of your seat." And Rash sat up, literally, on the edge of his seat to listen intently.

"Yes?"

"I think there should be some..., uh, privacy with the intelligence I found."

"Hmm," The stupid lord grunted, "Very well. Guards! Leave us!" And so the room was emptied, leaving the stupefied and the cunning... "What is the matter, Okalin?" Rash continued to press.

"My lord," I gave a mock bow that was long 'overdue'. "The terrorists are planning for a massive attack."

"Where!?" The foolish king was most intrigued.

"I don't know. But my spy network believes that they may go after the city's power generator."

Rash burst out in a guffaw. Oh, yes, laugh now! Eat your own words later!

"Most interesting, my most loyal advisor... But do you have any proof."

"Uh, no." I don't need any.

"So this is merely a blind hunch, then? Well, let me tell you something about leading, Advisor. A wise king, like myself, would know what the terrorists would attack. And they won't be so stupid as to attack something as heavily fortified as a power generator."

And what does he know about leading? Nothing!

"And that is what leads me to my next piece of intelligence... The terrorists are under the supervision of the Jedi and the Republic." I tried to throw that out quickly, before the king could immediately comprehend those facts.

"And your proof?" Sanjay tried his best to stay calm.

"None. Just rumors." But I knew that these weren't rumors.

"'Just... rumors'...? And why, dare I ask, would the Jedi support something as irrelevant and insignificant to their costly war as a terrorist movement? You must be listening too much with General Tandin. He does not know how to protect his city. The attacks that already have taken place is proof of that." No, it was only proof of how poorly you are as a leader! "Leave me, my servant... If you wish to spread lies to spur havoc within the walls of my palace, then you are no use to me... Get out!"

And I turned, without bowing, to do as the king ordered. More than happy to oblige, in fact. That went out much better than I expected... Rash will fall. Onderon will fall... And the Jedi will see a new face with their enemy! Especially for the naïve girl, Ahsoka Tano... She will soon learn the true burden of support...

He, like so many others, merely possessed naïvety to believe... Such a pity.

Happy Easter!

I thought it was interesting for Rash to ignore legitimate facts, like so many leaders in history have done before. So I thought it would not only prove him as a naïve one, but also have him practically create his own downfall (just like many leaders in history have done).

REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW and see if you can guess what Okalin's true intentions are to overthrow Rash...