Crossing Battlefields Chapter Sixty-Four:The New War, a star wars: the clone wars fanfic

Disclaimer: Disney owns Star Wars, not me. All the characters and places (except for my OC Analise) belong to them. General trigger warning is in effect.

"aaaa"-talking out loud. "aaaa" (bold and italics)-talking through a holo or com. 'aaaaa'-inner thoughts. "aaaaa"-talking through a Bond or talking during a Force Vision. aaaa-Force Vision. "aaaa" (bold)-talking in another language. ("aaa") (bold, italics, and parenthesis)-talking through a holo or com in another language.

AN: I hope everyone who celebrated Thanksgiving had a great turkey day! Our bedbug problem appears to be at an end so now we are breathing much easier and can focus on more important things.

Like Christmas and The Rise of Skywalker!

Thank you to CJ/Oddball for the review (just a few more chapters until we see Satine again C;).

Quick note on The Neverending Battle...The episode it is based off of, Revival was actually episode thirteen of season five. However it was originally meant to be the premier episode. There continuity issues though that pushed it back to episode thirteen with War on Two Fronts becoming episode one when it was originally meant to be episode two. I decided to move Revival back to episode one as it was originally suppose to be. I hope no one got too confused:)

This time an old friend has reappeared. His life on the run is not far behind him as he calls the Jedi, pleading for help for his planet...

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~Fear is a malleable weapon~ A War on Two Fronts, Clone Wars Season Five

Chapter Sixty-Four: The New War

Home was not home anymore.

He could remember the good days. The time of peace. They were a little fuzzy, some he couldn't remember at all and only knew from looking at old holos and recordings.

Well what ones he had saved and hidden away on him after his mother's murder.

He had hoped that by returning to Onderon he could fade away, stay hidden until the war ended and maybe longer. King Ramsis Dendup had favored neither Republic nor Separatist. On the whole his home had seemed like the best place to escape the war.

And then it wasn't.

The Separatists came as they always did and Dendup was overthrown. In his place the Separatists chose a man named Sanjay Rash to rule. Rash was little more than a puppet king, content to do what he was told by the Separatists for the chance to be king and live a life of utter luxury. He had still been young then and thought little of Rash. He and his family had left for Rexus, his father had died in the war and he had been ready to blame...

But then his life had turned again a year after his father's death. He had met a Jedi, a Padawan just his age. She was brave and smart, was already fighting in battles while he spent the day studying and goofing around with friends. Suddenly he was questioning what he knew, and then his mother was dead, and then he was racing to prove it was Dooku who had her killed and then there was Death Watch. His friend, his crush had been there and he had left her because he was a coward and now...

Now he sat in a forest with others like him. Others who saw the Separatists for what they really were and wanted to fight them. To restore the true king to their home.

But they weren't trained. They were few. They needed help.

Lux Bonteri took a deep breath and stood.

There was only one place that might help them now.

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"I am sorry to say that the only way to truly free Onderon is through armed struggled. But we lack the arms and training to do so."

Ahsoka listened to the flickering blue holo of Lux. He looked different from the teen who had run foolishly to the Death Watch for help. He looked older, mature. He was dressed as if he were pretending to be a solider, wearing bits and pieces of armor. It was similar to what the darker skinned man their age wore who was standing next to Lux.

"Onderon is ruled by a king. When the Clone War first began, the king made the choice to align your planet with the Separatists and not the Republic."

"The true king of Onderon has been silenced and no longer speaks for us!" Lux's companion jumped in. His words were heated and he sliced a hand through the air. "The Separatist removed him and put a puppet on the throne. He's a traitor. That's who the Republic has recognized as the king. A liar and a coward!"

'But even liars and cowards can have support among the people,' Ahsoka thought to herself. It was one of the first lessons Padme had taught her. Puppet rulers may have someone pulling their strings, but they could still have some support among their citizens. Ahsoka wondered just how much support this king had among those who didn't know any better or actually supported the Separatists.

"That is why we have reached out to you. Only you can help us survive this war," the man's impassioned plea seemed to have some effect as some members of the Council were glancing at each other and nodding.

"Find a way we shall. Help you where we can we will."

Spoken Yoda has. Anakin snorted, turning his chuckle into a cough while Analise smirked and eyed her baby sister.

Spend too much time with Fives you have.

Now not everything is Fives' fault Analise.

No. Some of it I learned from you.

Little traitor!

There was a sharp tug. Two human heads and one Togruta head ducked to the floor, though the three shared smiles. Later there would be laughter, loud and long. After the lecture of course. There was always a lecture.

"Then we await your answer and look forward to hearing from you Master Jedi." Lux bowed slightly, glancing over at Ahsoka who smiled before the holo ended. She was proud of Lux. It had to have taken a lot for him to break down and call the Jedi Order. Things on Onderon had to be bad.

"Analise and I have been looking into the situation on Onderon already," Anakin spoke. "We've found that the vast majority of the population don't support the Separatists and the current king. "There are pockets of resistance fighters scattered all over the planet and lacking only guidance. If they are given training and tools, they would be able to go after soft targets while the Republic keeps the bigger chunk of Separatists engage on the battlefield."

"What you are suggesting sounds a lot like terrorism Anakin." Obi-Wan uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. His eyes drifted from Anakin to Analise who stood calmly, hands folded in front of her. "And you agree with him?"

"Yes, but I don't think of it as terrorism Obi-Wan. Anakin and I both view it as an insurgency." Her husband nodded. Anakin and Analise had a unique way of looking at things and their personal history with slavery, however long or short, gave them a deeper respect for freedom and a keen desire to help those who did not have it get it. Helping a planet overthrow a puppet king and his masters would certainly qualify. "Besides, going in and offering them this sort of training would go a long way and help those planets that left return and align themselves once more with the Republic."

Mace nodded. "I see what you two have seen. Training those fighters would allow us two fronts upon which we could press the Separatists forces."

"Remember we must that a means to end fear cannot be. Stopping those who spread terror would a Jedi's duty it is."

"I agree," Obi-Wan sighed knowing that his brother and wife would be irritated with him. Sometimes he was too much the proper Jedi, too much the politician. "By training these fighters we could be opening up fragile spots within the Republic. We cannot allow ourselves to take part in the training of terrorists."

"They're aren't terrorists..."

"They're rebels!"

"That might be, however it is the way in which we conduct war that distinguishes and sets us apart from others," he pressed on. It was times like these, where he sat in his chair in the Council and poked holes in the good ideas his family had, that he hated. He knew it bothered them too sometimes. "By offering funding to some rebels to help them overthrow what is a recognized legitimate government would only put innocent lives at risk."

"Well there's no worry there." Ahsoka's head turned to face the twins. Anakin was smirking a little. "If we only use and train them in arms that mainly affect droids, that would minimize any sort of collateral damage."

"I can't believe I am saying this, but I agree with the twins." Ahsoka crossed her arms like Anakin to keep from laughing aloud at the look on Mace's face. "We should at least train the rebels in those arms that do damage solely to droids. We can use this chance to test this new tacit of training civilians to fight where we and the vod'e cannot."

Anakin chuckled and smiled. "See? Master Windu agrees. If this works, we could have a great new weapon!" Quick as a flash Analise jabbed him and shook her head. "I mean...umm..."

"Then train and observe we will," Yoda spoke quickly though he took some enjoyment in Anakin's fluster. "Send to the Onderon rebels teachers we will."

Anakin quickly collected himself and bowed slightly. "Then I will assemble the team at once Master."

"Which will include myself of course," Obi-Wan rose from his chair to join Ahsoka and the twins.

"Now I know you trust Analise with your life so that must mean you don't trust me."

"Oh I trust you Anakin. I trust far more than I should and that worries me sometimes."

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"This is Valkyrie 29-29 and we are coming up on the drop zone sirs."

The ramp lowered and Ahsoka peered out into the Onderon night. Even as high as they were she could still small the freshness of the vast jungle below them. It was cool, but she didn't doubt that sun would bring warmth and humidity.

"This is it sirs! Go! Go! Go!"

Her siblings and Obi-Wan went first, then Ahsoka followed jumping off the ramp and falling to the forest below. She could hear her Rex behind her, the sound of his jetpack almost too loud. But he had refused their offer of Force assistance, muttering something under his breath about Geonosis and a wall.

She still couldn't believe that he wasn't exactly over it.

Ahsoka used the Force to cushion her landing then scrambled up high into the trees with Obi-Wan at Anakin's nod. They would see better through the fog from the branches than the ground.

It already felt like someone was watching them.

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"Sir, they're here. I can see them right now."

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There was a crashing and Anakin stopped as a Dalgo with a female rider burst through the brush in front of him. She held a spear that she pointed at him when the beast came to rest all four legs on the ground. "I order you to halt and stay where you are!" she barked at them. More riders emerged from the darkness, quickly surrounding the four. "Now identify yourselves!"

As one he and Analise pushed back their hoods to reveal two of the most recognizable faces in the galaxy. "You don't have anything to fear from us. We come as friends."

"You're...you're the Jedi!" the woman said in shock then jumped as Obi-Wan and Ahsoka left the trees for the ground. Ahsoka's hood was already back. She never liked wearing hoods that didn't already have holes for her montrals.

"I am Commander Tano. The five of us are here to help you take back your planet Onderon." Anakin smiled proudly, knowing that it had been the right choice to give Ahsoka a bit more lead in this mission. Most of the would-be Rebels already seemed to be close to her in age. She could reach them better than he, Obi-Wan, Analise, or Rex.

"My name is Steela. Follow me and I'll take you back to our base. It's a bit of walk though," she warned.

Analise smiled. "We don't mind Steela. A walk would be nice. It can get so cramped and closed in riding about in shuttles. And dangerous if Anakin is flying..."

"Hey!"

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Only Steela and another fighter had stayed to escort them through the jungle. The others had melted back, their eyes still wide and their whispers fading as they melted back into the trees. Steela had joined them on foot while the other fighter rode his own dalgo with Steela's plodding along beside him.

No one spoke. The siblings and Obi-Wan instead bounced feelings back and forth, what they were sensing as light grew brighter. The threat of droids were still there. They were close to the capital and the seat of power.

The sun had risen when they made it to the base. Old and crumbling ruins that rose up out of clearing in the middle of the jungle. Ahsoka looked up and saw one of the rebels atop what she recognized as a ruping that had perched upon a stone archway. Narrowing her eyes, she realized it was the man that had been with Lux when he called.

Analise gently nudged her and she refocused her attention. The rebels were scattered, lounging around or doing basic chores. Some wore hats and helmets pulled low over their eyes or bandannas wrapped around the lower part of their faces.

There was something that seemed odd and she peered closely at the fighters...

The vast majority were close to her age or the twins! There were a few who seemed to be Obi-Wan's age, but the vast majority were young. Young and willing to fight for the changes they thought and knew their home world needed.

"Hmmm..." Obi-Wan's thoughtful hum caught her attention. Ahsoka wondered if they had noticed what she had noticed. That this rebellion was a young one. "They do look a bit rough around the edges as I thought they might. Don't you two agree?"

"Why do you think we dragged Rex?"

"I can't rightly say that they are shiny sir, since their not Clones or real soldiers after all. But no worries. I'll be able to work with them." Another screech filled the air and the group stopped as the ruping and rider Ahsoka had seen flew to the ground and landed a few feet away.

Steela walked up to him as he jumped from the creature's back and the pair shared a secret smile. Analise tilted her head as the pair faced them. They were so similar, their eyes the exact same shade of teal. The Force, it moved around them in nearly the same way. Only around the male it was more wild and chaotic.

"General Skywalker, sir."

"That's me and I'm at your service," Anakin gave a half bow before gesturing with his arm. "I have brought with me General Kenobi, Commander Analise, Commander Tano, and Captain Rex." The male smiled and pumped his fist a little in the air.

"It's nice to meet you. All of us here are more than ready and looking forward to taking the fight to those damn droids for a change."

"And you will," Obi-Wan said calmly. "But it will be in good time." The male shrugged and crossed his arms.

"Guess I should introduce myself, make it nice and all. I'm Saw Gerrera. But you can call me Saw, everyone dose." Steela snorted and punching his arm lightly.

"Saw here likes to fashion himself as our leader, but the truth is nobody elected him."

"Well until things can get settled, we're in charge." Anakin was blunt and quick. None of them were going to leave wiggle room for the rebels to question orders and come up with their own plans. That could wait. "You all have a lot to learn and not a lot of time in which to learn it I'm afraid."

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"Now the Separatists' strength lies in their numbers." His steady gaze took in the faces watching and listening. Steela and Saw had rounded up everyone they could. Now they stood at the camp's lone holo-terminal as the Jedi and Rex started to lay out their plans for their training. "So what we are going to do is show you the ways that you can target and destroy them."

"We must be clear with you," Obi-Wan smoothly cut in before Anakin could continue on. "While we are here to help you, we are in no way here to fight the war for you." That had been many a case in the past. Beings involved in armed conflicts thinking that Jedi aid meant they Jedi would fight their battles and do all the work. Obi-Wan wanted to nip that in the bud quick. "Instead we will do our best to show you how to fight it on your own in the most efficient and successful way possible."

If the rebels had thought the Jedi would be there to fight for them, it didn't show on their faces. Instead Saw nodded for them all.

"Captain Rex, Analise."

"Thank you General. I'm here to show you all how the 501st destroy clankers. But first thing's first. I need some of you as volunteers to help carry the supplies we brought with us. They're at our entry point a half-click west."

"And I need some of you to show me where your medical area is or where we can set up a medical area. The for those who wish, I will be be giving lessons in medical treatments. Mostly basic, but enough that it should help."

Saw shrugged. "That shouldn't be a problem. Any help is welcomed help and all that."

"Good," Rex replied gruffly before glancing darkly at Lux. As the meeting had started breaking down, the boy had been eyeing his Ahsoka and it rubbed him the wrong way. His girlfriend for that matter was slowly walking towards the kid. He growled, ignored Analise's giggle, and ducked his head down to go find those volunteers.

"So I get to finally say hi. Hi Lux." Ahsoka almost shyly approached the boy who at one point she might have wished for more with. But she had Rex now and Lux's path was not one she could join him on. She knew that and was more than ready to accept her place as his friend.

"Yeah...it's good to see you again Ahsoka. No matter the circumstances." The pair smirked at each other. It always seemed the war or ripple effects of it was what brought them together. Their first meeting on Rexus as Padme sought help to create peace. Their last meeting on Mandalore that ended in a bigger adventure than they planned because of Lux's need for revenge. Now they were together because she was a Jedi training rebels and he was a rebel.

"I'll admit that I had no idea that your ties to Onderon were this strong."

"That's because Onderon is my home. I was born and raised here until the war started. Mother represented it in the Senate and Confederacy." He shrugged a little before waving a hand towards the camp.

"I remember Senator Bonteri. Your voice is strong just as hers was," Steela slipped into the conversation. She wasn't exactly sure how she felt about one of the Jedi being their age, female, and apparently shared a past with Lux.

"So...have you thought about the possibility of Onderon joining the Republic Senate again?" Lux shook his head.

"No...even if we free Onderon, that won't change how I feel about everything Ahsoka. I am here to fight for my planet and not for the Republic."

"I can understand that I think," Ahsoka slowly nodded her head before she brightened. "But right now, as my sister says, the only thing that really matters in this moment is that we are here to help each other. Just like how we helped each other on Carlac." It worked as she had hoped. Steela watched as Lux snorted, his eyes glowing with mirth and fondness as he looked at Ahsoka.

"Carlac?" She stopped and the other two kept moving forward. "What happened to you on Carlac Lux?"

The pair turned and Lux smiled at Ahsoka. "You can think Ahsoka for my being here Steela. If it wasn't for her, I would have been a part of Death Watch instead."

"Really?" She narrowed her eyes and Ahsoka could feel jealousy, something rolling around Steela in the Force. "Are you serious?"

"What Lux really means Steela is that..."

"Ahsoka saved me from making what could have been the biggest mistake of my life." Lux's stared at Steela pointedly before nodding to both of them and walking away. She watched as the Togruta crossed her arms and smiled at Lux's back.

"So from where I stand," Steela placed her hands on her hips, "it seems that Lux things rather highly of you."

"Yeah, sure I guess." Her body tensed as Steela looked her up and down, leaning forward to study her face.

"Well then I just have to hope that Lux is right to place so much faith and trust in you." Ahsoka frowned as Steela walked away, the jealousy thick in the air.

'I don't understand...'

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Droid tanks were first. They were easy to take out with cannons or other heavy guns. Not so easy for a band of rebels using whatever weapons they could scrounge up. Mostly old blasters.

"The pilot controls the tank and is in the front hatch. He also controls the shells and the short-range blasters." Anakin watched with thinly hidden pride as Ahsoka paced back and forth in front of her students. "The turrets and main cannon are controlled by the commander who sits in the top hatch. If you don't take out both chambers the tank will remain operational and your chances to take it out lessen." She turned to Rex, gave him a smile and nodded.

The Clone leapt up and onto the tank, a pair of EMP grenades in his hands. Rex forced opened the front hatch and tossed one in and shut it. He jumped again, grabbing hold of the main cannon and swinging around to land on it. He carefully, but quickly made his way along it to the top hatch. With a grunt Rex shoved the hatch door up, tossed his other grenade in, and let the door drop back down. There was a faint whine from the grenades and Rex flipped off the tank just as they went off and shocked the tank.

"Alright then!" Anakin shouted as the rebels stared in awe at what they had just seen. "I want all of you for form groups of two. Then each group will practice running an assault on both tank hatches."

The rebels were fast, forming two lines with Saw and Lux at the head of both. Lux turned and smiled at Saw. "I'll take the top if you take the front..."

"Whatever Bonteri," Saw snorted and jammed his elbow into Lux's arm, lightly shoving it off his hip. "Just keep quiet and show us just what you're made of." Like some smooth-skinned politician's kid was going to be able to fight.

Rex lightly tossed them each an EMP grenade. As soon as Saw had his in his hands, he was off and shoving past Lux. The teen grunted and dashed forward to catch up with Saw who had already managed to get the front open. Lux tried to copy Rex by jumping up onto the tank and then again, grabbing onto the main cannon.

He pulled himself up, wrapping his arms and legs around to pull himself toward the hatch. But it was a lot harder and slipper than it looked. Lux shifted a hand and suddenly he had no grip. Then he was falling and crashing into Saw! The pair tumbled to the dusty ground as some of the rebels chuckled. Lux shifted himself to standing and held out a hand. "Sorry about that Saw. Guess I need..."

"A lot of work!" Saw blurted out and slapped the offered hand away. He shoved himself to his feet and glared at Lux. "Looks like I was right. You don't have what it takes to be a solider boy!"

It seems that these rebels are more interested in fighting with each other than actually fighting against the droids.

Don't worry Obi-Wan, they'll learn. It will take take some train to get them trained properly.

The Master slowly nodded as the pair turned to watch as the other Rebels took their turn against the tank. Rex barking orders at them to move faster. We'll have to keep an eye on those that are quick learners. You and I both know they'll be our best chance since we don't have a lot of time.

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Three probe droids chattered to each other as they left Iziz and reported to a battle droid commander. "We detected an unscheduled ship entering the atmosphere in sector S-11. It did not register. Because of that there is cause to think that the rebels may be operating in that area. You three go and check it out." The probe droids began their chatter again and raced towards the jungle.

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Come on! I want to see you moving like a solider! A real solider!"

Ahsoka smiled her eyes watched her Captain more than the would-be fighters. Rex was in his element. He was an amazing Captain, a fair tactician, and a wise leader for his men. But it was in the training of others that she saw Rex truly shined. He made a good teacher. Better than some of what she had at the Temple. He was fair, just, and just blunt enough to make sure that the point got across. Rex wanted them to learn how to fight and how to make it out alive and hopefully in one piece.

Plus he was just so handsome and Ahsoka was quickly forming a plan of her own. Maybe Analise would help...

"Get it moving Donald! You too Hutch! I know the pair of you can do better than that."

Her eyes darted sharply over to Saw. He and Steela were probably the most experienced of the rebels though she didn't know where that experience came from. They and Lux were for sure the ones the others went to and Saw was used to being in charge. He stood on her left, arms behind his back as he egged the others on, copying Rex's volume and tone.

"Hustle! I said hustle! Alright, that's what I'm talking about. Good work. Now again. Go, go, go, go!"

Ahsoka's gaze returned to watching Rex, but Saw was no longer interested in the training. Instead he turned and walked a few feet away. Steela was there with Lux. The boy was seating on a rock while Steela wiped off his face with a damp cloth.

It made him so angry. Lux was just sitting there, being pampered while the rest were working their backsides off. Saw glared and marched up to Lux. "Are you sure that you're up for this pretty boy?"

"Saw..."

"Look, it was an accident Saw..."

"Yeah? Well your accident could have gotten us both killed Bonteri!" Saw snapped and clenched his fists. This wasn't a game to him, to any of them. But it sure seemed like Bonteri didn't get that message.

Lux rose to his feet. Other than Carlac, he really hadn't been in fights before and his hand-to-hand was lacking. But he was more than willing to take Saw on if it would finally get the older male to take him seriously.

"Come on you two!" Steela wormed her way in between the males and shoved them apart. "Break it up!" She was getting tired of the pair fighting. Lux didn't need to prove anything and Saw needed to stop being so dang protective.

"Just take a seat again pretty boy. This here isn't the Senate and fancy words isn't going to win this war."

"You think? Look it's going to a whole lot more than just some big muscle to defeat the Separatists and set Onderon free again!"

"You talking politics?" Saw snorted and turned his back on Lux. "You're dreaming Bonteri. This is where politics have gotten us. They failed and now we've got no choice."

"We always have a choice Saw." Lux wanted Saw to understand. Yes, they needed blasters and combat training, but they needed words too. Once the battle was over and Onderon was free, they would need leaders and a system to make sure that they stayed that way.

"Then how about you make yours?" Saw snarled and turned to get back up into Lux's face.

"That's enough!" Steela snapped at the pair. "If we're going to succeed in setting Onderon free again, then we need to be exceptional in both words and actions. There will be a time for both in the days ahead."

Saw snorted again and walked away.

Ahsoka's eyes were watching the trio and her mind was turning.

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Analise wiped her hands off on a rag as she left what passed for the rebels' medical area for some fresh air. The combat students were gathered in front of three old destroyers that they had hauled with them.

Nasty droids, destroyers.

The female Knight cut around the students and slipped to stand in between Ahsoka and Obi-Wan. Her sister smiled while Obi-Wan wrapped an arm around her waist and sneakily kissed her cheek.

"Destroyers are no fun to face. Speaking from my own experience." Anakin paused for the chuckles before pressing on. "They are quick. They have twin blasters and their own built-in shield generators. Which is the main reason whey they can be so nasty. You need a cannon or more to pierce that shield. Blasters aren't going to cut it. But destroyers do have two weaknesses that you can use if you plan for them and work together as you do when you take on the tanks."

She leaned lightly into Obi-Wan as Rex entered a few commands into his com. The front destroyer woke-up, uncurling into attack mode, and shield flickering around it. The Clone took his baster and let off a few shots which hit the shield and vanished.

"As you can see the shields stop any high velocity attacks," Anakin pointed out as the droid turned to face Rex who backed up a couple feet. "However the shields can't stop are slow or even stationary objects. Instead the shields are designed to absorb, let them through so that the droid's movements are not hindered." He nodded to Ahsoka.

The Padawan triggered the EMP gernade in her hand and very carefully rolled it along the ground. It had taken her a while to master the right to toss it so that moved as slow as possible and still reach the droid. Both Rex and Anakin had been clear that she had to be able to do it without the Force.

The grenade passed through the shield, coming to a stop before going off. There was quick, cracking burst of electricity which shut down the droid who curled back up into a near ball.

"As you just saw, destroyers are blind from behind. They can't see anything or anyone coming up behind them. If you want a kill, then combine a distraction with a rear assault. That will be a quick end to them. The trick you need to master here is getting just the right speed on the droid popper. Fast enough to reach the droid, slow enough to pass through the shield."

For a moment Rex let himself smile at Ahsoka as he woke all three droids back up for practice. His ka'rta was truly amazing. Maybe later...now he needed to focus. Rex held up a grenade. "Right now these are disarmed. We want you to just practice rolling and getting them past the shields." He tossed one and Saw caught it.

The rebel rolled his shoulders, lightly stretching out his arms. He tossed the popper into the air and smirked. "Watch and learn Bonteri. I'll show you how it's done." He bent down and rolled the popper. It was good, he knew it...

And then it bounce right off the shield.

Lux chuckled. "Well done. I must say that was quite brilliant Saw." He looked over to Ahsoka who tossed him a popper. Lux bounced it a couple times, then copied Ahsoka's form as best he could before gently rolling it towards the destroyer. It slowed down, nearly stopping as it rolled right through the shield.

"That was a nice touch Lux."

"Thanks Ahsoka."

Rex grunted, but said nothing when Analise snapped her head to stare at him with a smirk. He kept forgetting her like special Jetii sensor or something when it came to emotions. If she told Fives that he just looked like he was jealous of some pup, he would never hear the end of it.

Steela thumped Lux on the shoulder. Sure he had said they were friends, but he sure acted like there was more and she didn't like that. "Not bad Lux." She held up a hand and Ahsoka tossed a popper to her. Steela crouched down, almost kneeling as she rolled it hard...

"Dang," she moaned as her popper rolled right back.

"Don't let frustration get to you Steela," Analise spoke making some of the rebels jump since they hadn't noticed her joining them. "You'll only get held back by it."

"She's right," Lux came up. He rested one hand on Steela's shoulder and the other he wrapped around her wrist. Then he began to gently swing her arm back and forth. "Just use your shoulder and let your arm swing while you keep your eyes on the target." Lux hoped it was only a little flirty. He could see Ahsoka rolling her eyes at him.

"Back to work! I want everyone to pair up. We'll practice in groups just like with the tanks."

Lux and Steela smiled at each other. Ahsoka wished him well and pulled a popper from her pouch. She didn't need to practice and was hoping that this could be her cover for alone time with Rex...

"So hey there Commander..." And every thought of sneaking some time in with Rex vanished in an instant. "Want to help me, well you know, practice?"

She eyed Rex and sighed softly. It did seem kind of silly. Hoping to get some alone time with her boyfriend in the middle of training rebels.

"Sure Saw. I'm game."

There was always that night.

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It hovered at the edge of the ruins. The biologicals there had not seen it and there appeared to be no sensors with which to alert them that they were being watched. They showed all signs of preparing for a battle. The probe droid immediately began transmitting all the information it had.

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"Roger roger, you have reached Command...Copy that. I'll send a squad out immediately to the coordinates." The droid commander ended the com and turned to look up at the second battle droid atop the tank. "The rebels have been located in sector S-29. Proceed there at once. Our order are shoot to kill." He thumped the side of the tank and they moved out.

If they made good time they would be there within an hour or so. Maybe less.

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"Damn!" Saw swore softly as yet another popper bounced off the destroyer's shield. He looked at Ahsoka. He felt at a lost about just what he was doing wrong and he didn't like it. "I just can't seem to get the speed or distance right."

"You can't give up on this Saw. By learning this skill you could one day save your life, not to mention the lives of others." He narrowed his eyes as she tossed him another popper. "Add a little backspin. That should help."

"Just relax Steela. Take it easy and don't get frustrated." Lux's voice drifted over to her and Ahsoka turned her head slightly. Like Saw, Steela was having trouble getting the popper through the shield. Lux still stood behind her, hands on her shoulder and arm to help guide her throw.

Steela threw another popper and again it bounced off the shield.

But from Ahsoka's group came cheers. She turned back around to see that Saw's popper had rolled perfectly through the shield and stopped under the droid. "Great job Saw. You got it past the shield."

Saw smiled a little sheepishly. "Well I had good teacher after all. Thank you Commander." He laughed as one of the others thumped good naturedly on the shoulder.

"Just forget it! Forget this whole thing!" Her head snapped back around to where Steela had shoved Lux off of her. Those in Ahsoka's group were watching with her. "There is no where I'm ever going to learn this!" The young woman stomped away, pausing just long enough to grab a battered rifle and stalk into the forest.

"You guys should keep practicing. I'll go check on her."

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Steela didn't go far. Just to the very edge of the forest. She was far enough away that it felt like she was alone, but still close enough to see the camp.

Well not exactly alone.

The Togruta, Ahsoka she had said her name was, had followed her. She could read the concern written all over her face. Steela ran her fingers over her rifle, barely looking up at the Padawan who had stopped in front of her. "You made that look so easy," Steela admitted.

"It wasn't easy when I was learning how to do it myself."

Steela snorted softly. "Right. Cause you've got the Force. Is that your big secret?" She knew she was bring kind of rude to a person who only wanted to help, but there was a part of her that just didn't want to stop or let her guard down. This Jedi had known Lux before her, had shared something, maybe a special something. She felt like she couldn't compete with her even though neither Lux nor Ahsoka had actually shown any affection for each other besides friendship.

"Actually no. I learned how to use poppers like that without the Force. My secret is perseverance. I never gave up even when it seemed impossible. You'll get the hang of it too so long as you don't let it get you down."

"Oh, I'm not down Jedi." Steela smirked as she held her rifle and peered through the sight, lining up an invisible target. "I just happen to know what I am good at."

Ahsoka smiled. "Let's head back. Maybe I can get some targets set up and shooting will be next."

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The scans were over. It had gathered what information was needed. Their numbers while respectable would hardly stack up against droid forces. What little defenses there was were poor. The rebels seemed more focus on training than defense at the moment.

Without a single soul seeing it, the probe droid left to rejoin the main force.

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There was a ping as the blaster bolt hit one of the droid heads that they had balanced on the wall. Steela hadn't just been blowing hot air. She really was that good with her rifle.

"Impressive Steela," Anakin praised her lightly. "That was most impressive."

"But fixed targets are one thing. It will be pretty hard to find a clanker in the middle of battle just standing around. So...let's try this..." Ahsoka reached out with the Force and lifted the head that Steela had just hit high into the air. She made it weave back and forth, trying to keep its movements random.

Steela quickly started firing off shots. One hit, the next few didn't, but another shot hit the droid head dead on and it broke free of Ahsoka's hold to fall on the ground. The Padawan nodded and crossed her arms. "Nice job Steela."

"Yes. It's clear to all of us that you mastered your ability to focus." Steela let herself preen under Kenobi's praise and the praise of her fellow Rebels. She even managed to shoot the smallest smug look at Ahsoka. Surely Lux wouldn't think that Ahsoka was that much better than her now.

Speaking of focus Snips...are you loosing yours?

No! No I'm not Anakin. It's just that I want them to win and Steela seems slightly jealous of me and...

And none of that should be allowing you to loose focus Ahsoka.

"They only decisive way to disable a droid, take it out is a head shot. That should be your goal every time. You can take out their arms, legs, or even their bodies; but they'll still be able to pass their information along to Central Command so long as the head is still going. Got it?" There were nodding heads and murmured yes. "Good. Now then, shoot at will."

Egar to prove herself again, Steela lifted her rifle and peered through the sight...and paused.

There was movement. Movement at the tree line that shouldn't be there. "Hang on...what is out there? What's that?" She peered through the sight, adjusting it for a clearer view and felt her heart drop than speed up. Before she could even say anything, Saw's arm shot out, finger pointing at...

"Droids!"

They marched out of the forest, blasters at the ready. A B2-HA super battle droid lowered its rocket launcher. Rex barely had time to yell "Take cover!" before it fired. The rebels scattered. Anakin and Obi-Wan stood their ground, gold and blue lightsabers ablaze in their hands as they waved them back and forth, bouncing bolts back at the droids to give the Rebels more time.

You two get your shebs back here now! Master and Knight smirked at each other as Analise's voice made it clear that she wasn't going to take any excuses about why they opted to stay out there in the open. They could see her with Ahsoka behind some cover, standing at the moment with their sabers dancing through the air.

As one the flipped back to take cover behind some old containers. Steela was there, firing her blaster. "I guess that means that training is over," Obi-Wan joked, almost shouting to be heard over the firing blasters and stamping metal feet. Anakin grunted and stood back up, Obi-Wan at his side, beginning to deflect blaster bolts again as the droids marched closer and closer.

If you take the left flank then I'll go ahead and take the right flank...

No! Obi-Wan reached over and pulled Obi-Wan back down. You know that we have our limits. We are only able to protect them. We cannot step in and fight this war for them. Anakin nearly snarled. Obi-Wan shook his head sadly. He knew that it wasn't fair. That they should be able to fight for those they were teaching until they could better fight for themselves. "Steela!" he shouted as he turned toward the young woman. "There are far too many droids. You need to take your people and fall back. Anakin, Ahsoka, Analise, and I will stay here and hold them back so that you can retreat!"

She couldn't believe it. The Jedi who were know for fighting until they literally could fight no more were now telling her to run. "No!" Steela told him sharply. "You didn't come all the way here only to tell us to turn and run." She ignored Obi-Wan as he opened his mouth to protest and lifted her wrist com up close to her mouth. "Saw it's Steela. I want you to take out those droids with your distrupters!"

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"You got it Steela!" Saw turned to the other rebels that were near him. "Disrupters!" he shouted as loud as he could and pulled a cobbled together grenade. Several other rebels lowered their guns, grabbing their own homemade distrupters. He held up hand, waited..."Now!"

Saw and the rebels lobbed their distrupters up and over. They thumped and bounced as they hit the ground, landing in the center of droid groupings. The confused battle droids stopped their firing and marching to bend over as best they could and stare at what had just landed near them. "Hey! What is that?"

"I think it looks like an explosive..."

"How can you tell it's an explosive?"

Saw's disrupter exploded quickly followed by the other distrupters. Each one taking out handfuls of battle droids. The rebels cheered before taking up their arms again.

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Steela checked the pack on her rifle and switched it out as Anakin leaned forward a little. Smoke drifted towards them from the small fires still burning. He took in the destruction then turned to Obi-Wan and smirked.

"Well that wasn't bad."

"Yes, but that was only the first wave," Obi-Wan pointed out. The wind blew through the jungle and base, clearing the smoke from the battlefield. Steela's eyes grew big and she clenched her teeth to keep her jar from dropping.

There, carefully making its way through the archway of the ruins was a large droid tank. A battle droid commander's head and upper chest was sticking out from the open top hatch as the cannon moved to level itself out.

It fired.

With each shot chunks of dirt and rock were spewed up into the air, sending unlucky rebels flying with them. Those that stayed on the ground covered their heads and faces from the debris.

"Stay down Steela. We'll take care of this."

She shook off her earlier fear, eyes quickly locking on the beast enclosure. "No you won't Jedi. I'll take care of it. Now...duck!"

Obi-Wan and Anakin dove out of the way as Steela aimed at the ties holding a enclosure's gate closed and fired. The panicked animals bellowed as the gate swung open and quickly took advantage of their new freedom by running. She fired again and again. Each shot hitting the enclosure gate that then swung open.

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The animals were mad.

They charged into the battle droids, all swinging heads and crushing feet. They acted as though any shots that hit them barely stung, just added more onto their rage. The battle droids were no match for the angry animals. It became easier for the Jedi and rebels to take out the droids, but the tank was still trouble.

Saw reached into his pouch and ran his hands over a grenade. "You ready to try this again Bonteri?" Lux eyed him mildly in shock, but nodded and pulled out his own grenade.

"Hey!" Ahsoka turned her head, still moving fast to block and bounce bolts back at the droids. "What do you di'kuts think you're doing?"

Lux chuckled as he and Saw ran alongside the freed animals. "We're only doing what you taught us!" he shouted back towards his old friend.

They ran up the tank. Saw yanked the front hatch open and lobed his grenade inside. Lux clambered to the top of the tank where the commander was and tossed his grenade which the droid caught.

"Halt rebel!" The droid didn't seem that fazed at what he was holding in his hands. "Surrender and answer for your crimes against the Separatist Alliance..."

Ahsoka sprang up onto the tank next to Lux. He eyed her, but she rolled her eyes and used the Force to shove the droid down into the tank and shut the hatch. The droid continued to ramble as the trio jumped off and away from the tank.

There was a roar as the tank turned into a fireball. Ahsoka giggled as both Lux and Saw fell flat on their faces from the force of the explosion while she was able to stay on her feet, crouching down into a ball to protect herself.

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The only sound was the crackling of flames as Steela ran towards the Padawan and boys. Ahsoka was helping Saw up so he went to Lux instead. He took her offered hand, his face slightly red. "Looks like we'll need...need to get you cleaned up." Steela secretly thought he looked rugged and handsome with dirt on his hands and face.

"Why clean him up? I like it," Saw snorted at the pair. "With all that dirt he looks more like a soldier than a politician."

"He can be both. After all I think a good politician should get himself dirty now and then." Lux's eyes got big and then narrowed. Ahsoka could see the wheels in his head turning.

Steela wasn't wrong. Ahsoka knew that. Maybe Lux was starting to realize that.

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When the smoke cleared and the dust settled, rebels and Jedi and Clone gathered in a central area. Ahsoka smiled as Rex came up beside her and wrapped an arm around her waist. Analise looked at them and smiled as Obi-Wan did the same thing.

Our brave protectors. Ahsoka giggled at her sister's mental comment before refocusing her attention on Obi-Wan.

"I want you all to take confidence from this victory," he told the rebels. "However that does not mean that you cant rest for long. Now that they know you are here, there are more droids coming."

"But that doesn't matter now." Anakin raised a hand and formed a fist before lowering it. "This fight proves you are ready. Now it is time for us to take the fight to the droids. There's no need for you to stay hidden in the jungle anymore."

"Those droids were really dim. I didn't think they were going to be that dumb."

"But they make up for that dimness in their numbers Saw," Ahsoka pointed out from her place within Rex's hold. Battle droids are designed to overwhelm their foes..."

"But their desgin can't deal with our approach."

"Then we'll hit them when they least expect it!" Lux called out. "Then before they even have a chance to realize what is happening..."

"We fade away and just become more faceless members of the population," Steela finished. Her face glowed with excitement.

"Exactly!"

"But first things first. We need to come up with plan that will let us get inside the city." Lux thought for a moment.

"I just got an idea that will get us in."

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Trappers and gatherers. That was Lux's idea. The jungles of Onderon were home to many of those who made a living from the land and taking their harvest into the cities to trade. They could be out there for days or weeks or maybe even months depending on what time of year it was and how big of a haul they wanted to bring in.

The animals were rounded up. Wagons were built from cords, old repulsor units, and wood. The most important parts of the camp, what they needed to get the rebellion going were taken and packed, disguised as camping equipment. Over this was placed meat, fruits, vegetables, flowers, animal hides, hand-carved wood, little homemade trinkets and baubles. Leather and rough clothes were done by some. The Jedi wore their cloaks with hoods pulled low to cover their face.

The main gates into Iziz were busy with droids stopping and checking all who wanted to come in.

"Halt! Tell me just what you were doing outside the city gates."

"We've been out hunting. Trekking for days really," Lux answered quickly.

"Hunting huh? Did you make sure to register before you left on your excursion?" The shield's power went up and a second droid began to walk along the wagons, looking over the contents.

"No, but we never do. See most our time is spent out in the bush looking over our traps and collecting anything we've caught. We don't spend a lot of time in the city. We really only come here to sell our goods" he shrugged and held up a sealed packet of meat. "I mean you can't exactly find prime thrip larvae like this in Iziz. You need to get it from the biggest trees way on the other of Onderon."

"Hey, listen!" Steela broke in. "I know you got a job to do and all, but we need to get in there and get this haul delivered in time for supper."

"Hmmm...Are you scanning anything?"

"Can't say. All this organic matter is making it hard..."

"Oh come on already!" a woman yelled from Anakin's wagon. "We've got merchants waiting for this inside! Hurry it up!"

The command droid seemed to decide they posed no threat and their orders were to let daily life continue so that the citizens didn't get unhappy enough to rebel. "Go ahead. Let them pass."

"Roger, roger." The ray shield fell and the caravan moved through the gate.

As they entered into the bustling city where the citizens rushed to and fro, Ahsoka peered around the edge of her hood to Lux and smiled. "That was a good plan."

He shrugged again. "Well Saw did say that the droids dumber than we thought they would be. So I just used that.

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"That's a bad start, getting in here," Anakin said as he pulled his wagon up next to Lux's. Obi-Wan on dewback with Analise riding behind him lumbered to stand in between the wagons. "But the hard work to get this rebellion really going is just starting."

"You have to start finding recruits to bring into the fold. You'll also need to go over possible targets and choose which ones to go after wisely." Steela frowned.

"They'll be looking for us."

"Then we split up," Lux said as he stood and dropped the reins of his dalgo. "We'll wait for nightfall and regroup then."

"Agreed. I'll go alert our brothers that stayed in the city while we took to the jungle. They can help get the word out." Saw and Lux jumped off their wagon. Other rebels did the same, already blending in with the crowd.

"We will see to it that you get supplies."

"That will be mine and Rex's job." Lux smiled and nodded at his friend and Jedi.

"Just as long as he keeps an eye on you," he joked before nodding his head. "I know some of you don't believe in it, but good luck."

As one Steela and Ahsoka responded with "You too" which made the pair giggle quietly. Ahsoka took the reins and clucked to the dalgo. They moved deeper into the square.

Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Analise watched them go, becoming just more faceless beings with very simple and boring jobs to do.

How do you think our little band of rebels will do Ben?

Obi-Wan looked back and forth between the twins and smiled. I believe that they will pleasantly surprise us.

Ha! Anakin crowed over the Bonds. So then you admit that the new strategy that Analise and I came up with will work after all.

I am saying Anakin that like Moonbeam I am hopeful. Always hopeful. Obi-Wan turned his dewback to take him down a side street while Anakin pulled off in another direction.

Anakin knew that Obi-Wan was right. So he too decided to be hopeful.

At least for now.

Translations

di'kut: fool, idiot, useless individual; context-dependent; can mean jerk, moron,e ct.

ka'rta: heart or soul

shebs: backside, rear, butt

vod'e: brothers, sisters, comrades