I was pretty surprised at how much research had to be done for this chapter. I suppose not all of it was strictly necessary, but you know how it is. You start reading one Wikpedia (or Wookiepedia) article, and then you click on the next thing, and the next, and the next . . . :) Oops.

Boss stood at the back of the cockpit, watching as Advisor, his left shoulder heavily bandaged, flicked through screen after screen of data. Kit Fisto had pulled on a long brown robe over his battle gear, and now stood with folded arms and closed eyes, doing whatever it was Jedi did to prepare for battle.

The shuttle settled across from the Twilight with a soft bump. Fixer spoke over his shoulder. "We've landed, sir."

Scorch gestured out the viewport at the ground. "Are you sure, Forty? I mean, maybe we're still in the air."

Fixer locked the ship systems without answering and tested his vibroblade with a flick of his wrist, as he did before every mission.

General Fisto opened his eyes. "There is much excitement in the city."

"Not surprising." Advisor glanced up. "A lot of money's changing hands, and Tar Saresh has called several of Rattatak's most famous gladiatorial fighters into the city."

"Ah, that's good to know." The Jedi touched his lightsaber and headed for the cargo bay. "Ready, Sergeant?"

"Yes, sir. Sev, Scorch, get the landspeeder ready."

They filed out of the ship and trudged through the sand to reach the Twilight, which lowered its boarding ramp as they approached. Boss and Fixer entered the hold to see four other clones, all of whom jumped to attention when they caught sight of the Jedi.

"General Fisto! Sergeant Wooley reporting, sir."
"Sergeant Boomer reporting, sir."

The Jedi inclined his head in greeting. "At ease, troopers."

Boss considered the occupants of the Twilight thoughtfully. Four of Commander Cody's troopers, and one of Captain Rex's. Only the pilot was uninjured, a fact which General Fisto seemed to notice as well. "Your name, pilot?"

"Oddball, sir. Fighter pilot, Two-Twelfth."

"Do you have a co-pilot?"

"No, sir, but Switch here can handle a shuttle just fine."

"Very good. Sergeant Wooley, I suggest putting a pilot on each ship. It is likely that we'll need to get them off the ground fast."

"Good idea, sir." Wooley gestured to Oddball, who saluted and left at a run. "We can be in the city in under two minutes, if need be."

"Excellent. Have you discovered anything new since your last report?"
"No, sir, but Captain Rex located what we think is a record of Ventress' communications. Here's the scramble set we've been using, sir."

Fixer leaned over and glanced at the datapad. "Got it." He typed in a string of numbers. "Here's a new encryption code. Get all the comms over to this set."

"Right away, Corporal." Wooley turned to another clone. "Longshot, get this transmitted to Captain Rex, and tell him the general's on his way."

"We'll head into the city now. Keep the guns ready." General Fisto grinned brightly and hurried out.

The landspeeder was just outside, and Boss raised his eyebrows when he caught sight of Sev at the controls. "I don't think we'll get into the city that way," he said.

"Didn't think so, sir." Sev hopped down. "We'll have to hide under the seats in back and hope that Nautolans are more common around here than commandos."

"Nautolans are not common on desert planets," replied the Jedi, hopping into the driver's seat. "However, we shouldn't have too much trouble."

Scorch vaulted into the back. "Probably not. The city's filling up with outsiders."

The other commandos climbed up and ducked beneath the inward-curving sides of the open transport. Kit Fisto gunned the engine, and they zipped towards the city, leaving clouds of sand in their wake.

Not two minutes later, the speeder reached the edge of the city and slowed, veering into the main street. It came to a sudden stop, and Boss grabbed at the wall to keep from crashing into Scorch.

"Hold it right there!" a deep voice ordered.

Sev shifted position slightly, ready to jump up, and Boss signaled for him to wait.

"What do you want?" General Fisto demanded.

"What is your business here?"

Footsteps approached, and the Jedi laughed. "What is anyone's business here? I wish to attend the event at the Cauldron."

"Yeah? Who's your champion?"

There was a brief pause. "I'm putting my money on the Jedi."

"Ha! Word of advice, stranger. Best odds are on Viscus Gaan. Don't put all your chips on one man. All right, on your way."

The speeder moved on. A moment later, Advisor said, "Viscus Gaan. He's a Zabrak male. Cauldron champion. Killed eight combatants in the last to-the-death match."

Scorch huffed. "Only eight?"

"There were only eight," said Advisor. "They attacked him simultaneously."

"Oh."

General Fisto peered over his shoulder and stopped the speeder. "This building will provide cover while we climb the castle wall."

Boss glanced at the wall. "Four meters. We won't even need cables."

The Jedi tossed his robe in the speeder, jumped, and landed precisely on top of the wall. "No guards. And it would appear that the others put up quite a fight."

"We couldn't have gone through the gate, I suppose," said Scorch, bracing himself against the wall so Fixer could climb up.

"No," replied Boss succinctly, doing the same for Sev.

As soon as Sev and Fixer were on top, they turned and reached down. Boss took a running start, kicking off the wall, and they grabbed his hands and swung him over. He landed and moved forward, scanning the courtyard for possible threats.

General Fisto hopped down beside him. "I believe we're being watched. . ." He tilted his head and then flashed a smile. "One of the clones."

Scorch stared at him, but before he could get distracted and start asking questions about the Jedi and their mysterious powers, Boss cut him off. "Captain Rex, we're approaching the castle."

"Yeah," Rex's voice drawled. "I'm watching you."

"We know," said Fixer a second later. "You're behind the fuel tanks."

Thirty-Eight smirked. He hadn't expected Fixer to cheat by getting a vector on Rex's transmission signature, but neither was he going to say anything about it.

Captain Rex didn't say anything, either. He ran over – from behind the fuel tanks – saluted General Fisto, and said, "We've got the castle secured, sir. I've got the other guys guarding the computer we found."

"Lead the way, Captain."

They ran into the castle, down a hall, and up a flight of stairs. As they passed a room that had been severely damaged by explosives, Rex said, "Fixer, I've got a job for you. You think you can get through advanced cryptographic protocols and reconstruct the contents of a holovid call without setting an alert off?"

"I'll need some time."

"We've got time." Rex headed up a fourth flight of stairs and into a plainly furnished room. "There's the computer."

Fixer pulled out his datapad and connected it. "All three calls?"

"Let's see if the most recent one gives us what we need."

"Got it."

As he set to work, Rex turned to General Fisto. "I've had the other men scouting the castle. We haven't seen Ventress, but odds are she knows we're here."

"And Dooku is here as well." Kit Fisto hummed. "Did either of the Jedi leave their lightsabers with you?"

"No, sir. We know Dooku has General Skywalker's. And there's been no sign of Grievous' fighter. He might have left the system."

Sev grunted, amused. "Yeah. About that. . ."

Fixer glanced up from the computer. "He must have traced Commander Cody's call to us."

"Yeah, he got on the Twilight," Rex said, taking off his helmet. "So, he followed you to Vassek III?"

"He knew we were there," the general said. "I kept him busy while the commandos blew up his ship and his fortress."

Rex looked at Thirty-Eight, impressed despite himself. "Hm. Cody wasn't kidding when he said you guys got results."

Boss tilted his head. "We gave Grievous a black eye, at least."

"Literally," Scorch added.

While Rex called his men back from their patrol, Boss located the Cauldron on the holomap. "Advisor, we need more intel about the Cauldron. I've got one main entrance marked here."

"Give me a minute to get the most recent data. . . Hm. It looks like this building isn't the original Cauldron. That one was a huge cave, not far from here, but it was destroyed in a bombing run several months ago."

"So the one we're looking at is relatively new." Which probably meant top security, defensive systems, the works.

"I'll compile a new map," Advisor replied. "There's got to be an entrance into the maintenance levels, at least."

Fixer turned to face them. "I've captured the transmission, sir."

"Excellent work," said General Fisto, moving closer. "Play it back."

Two figures appeared above Fixer's holoprojector, the outlines blurred and slightly overlapping each other. A human with a pointed beard and a lightsaber hanging from his belt spoke first. "Everything is ready, my apprentice."

"Dooku," muttered the Jedi.

The bald-headed woman – Ventress, judging by the look on Rex's face – narrowed her pale eyes. "Master Kenobi is difficult to predict."

"I am well aware." The Sith Lord frowned at the thought. "However, Saresh has assured me that they will not be moved from their cells until I give the word."

"My lord, have you considered that if the Jedi die here, the Republic might invade Rattatak?"

"I have considered it. But you needn't fear for your domain, Ventress."

She sneered. "My domain? If our cause did not greatly benefit from the drug cartels and crime lords, I'd let the war barons tear this filthy planet to shreds! But even those simple fools must know that the Jedi will destroy their way of life."

The count folded his hands behind his back. "Tonight, we will give the Rattatakians cause for even greater grievance against the Jedi."

"But they are pleased with your decision. . ."

"At the moment." Count Dooku smiled slightly. "There will be some civilian casualties tonight, but that will prevent the Republic from invading, especially when it was the Jedi who invaded the city."

"With twenty troopers?" Ventress snorted. "Even I know the Senate won't accept that as a reason for publicly executing two Jedi."

"Perhaps not, but the Rattatakians still have the right to deal with prisoners as they see fit. Besides, only one Jedi will die tonight. Young Skywalker is to be left alive, if not undamaged."

"I thought you said Kenobi was the bait." Ventress sounded confused.

Boss glanced over at General Fisto, who was frowning thoughtfully as he followed the conversation.

"Indeed." Count Dooku rested a hand on a curved lightsaber hilt. "Kenobi is the bait for Skywalker."

Ventress hesitated for a long moment, her gaze glancing back and forth as though reading invisible text. "I apologize, Master, but I do not understand."

"Lord Sidious has not explained his reasons," replied the Count, his eyebrows lowering. "He has merely given us orders, my apprentice. Your mission is to guard the prison levels. Let no one in apart from the guards."

"Yes, Master."

"And have the clone commander brought to me. Kenobi will not attack without some motivation." He looked almost fondly at his apprentice. "After all, we must keep the city rabble content."

Ventress bowed, her hood almost obscuring her smile. "It will be done, my lord."

The hologram flickered and disappeared.

General Fisto stared intently at it, his large eyes narrowed in thought. "I cannot understand what is behind this plan. . . Something dark is at work."

"Yeah, it's Dooku," Rex said, replacing his helmet.

"This Lord Sidious . . ." The Jedi Master shook his head slightly and turned, casting his gaze over the clones. "We must locate Dooku."

"The transmission was sent from beneath the Cauldron," Fixer said, unplugging his datapad.

"We'll have to break in," Boss said, resting his rifle against one shoulder. "Advisor, what do you have for intel?"

"I'm sending you an updated map now. It's going to be almost impossible to get the prisoners out before the games start."
"Why?" Rex said. His men had gathered in a line against the wall behind him. "Is the main entrance the only one?"

"Negative. There is another, but it opens from a private residence adjacent to the Cauldron – probably Saresh's place. The building is full of guards."

"We can take 'em," declared a 501st trooper with the Republic Roundel painted over one side of his helmet.

"Come on," said one of Cody's men. "That's hardly the point."

"I agree," said Rex slowly. "The citizens will be a real problem if they hear a rescue is being staged."

"Exactly," said Advisor. "I'm compiling all the relevant data I can for the moment, but getting in unnoticed is going to be a problem. It might even be impossible."

"Then we don't get in unnoticed," Rex said decisively.

Scorch sighed. "Why don't we just blow up the main entrance? Oh. Same problem, right. . ."

"We'll enter after the games have started," General Fisto said, flipping his holoprojector over to reveal the map. "If we move quickly, we should be able to get through Saresh's house –" He pointed at the red-marked square – "and into the Cauldron before any of the prisoners are released into the arena itself. All those who attend the games will have entered ahead of us."

"That makes sense," Sev said.

"It's the best chance we've got," said Advisor after a moment. "I've located an unoccupied building two streets from the Cauldron. Recommend you take position there while waiting."

"I'll scout ahead," the general said. Putting one hand on the windowsill, he vaulted through and vanished.

None of the regular troopers seemed to even notice his departure, and Thirty-Eight wondered what kind of crazy stunts their Jedi must pull on a regular basis to immunize them to such things.

"Let's head out," Rex ordered.

"Try to keep up, commandos," joked the one with the roundel on his helmet as he hurried down the stairs.

"That's funny, I was about to say the same thing to you, reg," said Scorch.

"Jesse. The name's Jesse."

"I'm Scorch. You guys killed any droids yet?"

"Hey!"

Boss reached the hallway. Ahead of him, the medic elbowed Jesse. "They only have a high kill count because they blew up a droid factory."

Sev interjected. "We don't count nonfunctional droids. Well – most of us don't."

Before Scorch could retort, Captain Rex signaled for everyone to hold position while he checked the room ahead. "All clear. Jesse, Kix, take point."

His troopers moved forward and the others fell in behind, running silently until they reached the courtyard. General Fisto was waiting for them, once again wearing his Jedi robes. "We'll go in the speeder," he said, and jumped to the wall.

Boss dropped to one knee against the wall and motioned to the younger of Cody's troopers. "Up and over."

The rookie obeyed, and the medic followed. The others seemed to be cooperating well enough, even if there were a couple of triumphant helmet-tilts when the regular clones got over faster than the commandos. They managed to get into the landspeeder without any physical confrontation, however, and maintained silence while the general drove to their destination.

Rex hopped out and scanned their surroundings for a long moment. "All right, troopers, move it!"

One after the other, they entered the warehouse, then sealed the door behind them.

After double-checking the building for occupants, General Fisto seated himself on an empty crate and checked his chronometer. "One hour until we move in."

There was a lot of planning to get through in this one, but I'm updating as fast as I can! :)

If any of you wants to read a really good Clone Wars 'fix-it' story, I highly recommend you check out 'Vode An', by epsiloneridani. It's in my favorites, and the plot threads are woven together flawlessly. Not to give spoilers or anything, but there are some excellent moments in there, particularly with the members of Bad Batch, Fox, Obi-Wan, Cody, Rex, Anakin, Echo, Fives, Ventress, Kix - Okay, fine, literally all the characters.

Seriously, I wish I'd thought of the plot line.

The author is also on AO3, if you guys prefer that format.