Summary

Ashoka locates Anakin through the Force.

Rex tells the 501st they are going to rescue General Skywalker.

Ahsoka asks the 501st to join her.

Obi-Wan and Thea talk.

Ezra makes a sword.

Slick takes Jinn to Maul to decant him.

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44.

Ahsoka and her friends followed Jesse and Appo to a ship with a strategy table that displayed a hologram star chart. The room was dark, and the blue image of the star chart displayed the surrounding sector. Ahsoka stood in front of the table and raised her hand out towards the images the stars and closed her eyes. She reached out into the Force and focused on her bond with Anakin.

She didn't try finding a point in time like she did with Jinn when he went missing on Dathomir. Instead, she sought out her feelings for Anakin. She pictured him in her mind. He was her master. He was her former master. Yet, more than that, he was her brother. He was her friend.

Suddenly, Ahsoka saw an image of Anakin confronting Dooku on Geonosis. They were in a large chamber. She saw a cane. She saw Anakin on the ground and Dooku standing over him. She heard voices.

"What kind of assistance?"

"It's a simple task. I require Master Jinn to be present at a certain time and place. He holds the key to resurrecting your mother and my old friend."

"Unfortunately, you don't have a choice Skywalker and your ransom will be more persuasive than your word."

Ahsoka then saw an image of a world plagued by storm and covered in rocky deserts. It was a dark world with an even darker past. In a flash of lightning, she saw a pair of yellow eyes staring at her through the darkness. Ahsoka gasped and broke out of her trance.

Rex stepped closer to her and said, "Commander, are you alright?"

She raised her hand to stop him from getting closer and closed her eyes and shook her head to clear it. Padme placed her hand on her arm to steady her.

Ahsoka turned to her and said, "Dooku kidnapped Anakin. He took him somewhere in the Unknown Region."

Padme frowned and said, "What? Why would Dooku take Anakin there?"

Ahsoka turned to the controls on the strategy table and started displaying a star chart that boarded the Unknown Regions. She scanned the empty space with her eyes and pointed to a sector on the hologram.

"There. That's where Dooku took him."

Rex said to Jesse, "Right. You heard the Commander. If General Skywalker is there, then that's where we're going."

Ahsoka interrupted and said, "Wait, Rex. Let's stop by the Lothal sector. I've got a feeling we could use all the help we can get on this mission."

Rex knew exactly what Ahsoka was referring to. Atollon and the new Rebel Base were in the Lothal sector. With luck, they could pick up General Kenobi, Master Jinn, Ventress and Ezra as they pass through to the Unknown Regions. Rex was all for bring more Force-sensitives along on a mission. He also didn't like going in blind. He agreed with Ahsoka that they could use the help.

Rex said, "Jesse, plot a course that takes us near the Lothal sector. Appo, gather the men in the hanger. I want to address the situation to them personally."

Jesse obediently fell in line with Rex's command. He honestly missed the Captain. He didn't like filling his shoes. Writing reports and looking after the men was stressful. He wondered how Rex made it look so easy. However, Appo wasn't so willing to obey.

Appo turned to Jesse and said, "Rex isn't the captain. You are. Are you just going to listen to him?"

Rex glanced at Jesse and then raised his brow at Appo and said, "He can order you to listen to me, if that helps?"

Appo glared and said, "Fine, but if this plan falls apart it's on your head."

Rex replied, "Duly noted. You're dismissed, solider."

Appo fumed but didn't say another word. He turned around and marched out of the room. Jesse glanced at Rex and shrugged. He then placed his hand on Rex's shoulder and said, "I for one am glad that you're back. That you two are both back, Commander."

Ahsoka smiled and said, "Thanks, Jesse."

Jesse sheepishly nodded his head in acknowledgment and said, "Leave it to me, Commander."

Rex sight and said, "Alright, I better get going."

As Rex left the room with Ahsoka and Padme, he had to resist the urge to take her hand. It was a little thing, but he had gotten used to it while they were at the Rebel Base. It was the little things that normal couples did that he wished he could do in public. It was hard going back to pretending that there wasn't anything going on between them. Yet, clones gossiped faster than a house on fire. He knew the risk of them being punished for their relationship was trivial compared to treason, but he didn't want to add more to their growing list of problems.

Rex knew he owed it to the men to explain himself. He wasn't sure what was going to happen, but he needed to see them. He wanted them to at least know that he hadn't abandoned them.

With resolve, he entered the hanger.

XXX

When Rex entered the hanger, he wasn't sure what the reaction of the men would be. However, the men were already assembled in neat rows and at attention. Appo hadn't wasted any time, but Rex had a feeling that the men were driven more by curiosity than obedience.

He gave Ahsoka a quick glance. She was standing beside Senator and gave him a reassuring nod. He knew Ahsoka out ranked him, but he felt it was important for the men to hear what was going on from him.

Rex folded his hands behind his back and said, "I'm sure you all heard the report that the Commander and I are accused of attempting to assassinate the Chancellor on Courscant. I want you to hear it from me. The report is true. The Commander and I confirmed that the Chancellor is a Sith and likely conspiring with the Separatists. However, we've got no proof and no authority exist outside the Chancellor's influence. The Commander and I are considered traitors to the Republic. As of now, officially we are in the 501st custody."

He then paused and smiled at the men and said, "But that isn't going to stop us from recusing the General."

There was a long pause. None of the men said anything until Echo stepped forward and said, "Captain, I think I can speak for everyone here that we'd follow you and the Commander anywhere."

Rex approached him and placed his hand on his shoulder and said, "Thanks, Echo. That means a lot."

Appo drew closer to Rex and said, "Yeah, but what happens to you after we rescue the General?"

Ashoka stepped forward and said, "First, there is something you should all know and that's the truth. I know about the Clone Network. I know you have all been working hard to find evidence that the Chancellor is working with the Separatists for months under Vaughn. I know this because Rex and I planned the Clone Network together. We discovered that each clone is programmed with an inhibitor chip that takes away your free will and makes them turn against the Jedi at the Chancellor's command. We've been working hard to remove them. But it wasn't enough. We had Master Jinn develop a cure for accelerated aging. It's why we had all of you undergo special treatment. All of you are cured of accelerated aging. All of you have had your inhibitor chips removed. We did all this because we believed what was happening was wrong. And I did it because when I see you, I don't just see a bunch of soldiers, I see men. My men. And if standing up for my men makes me a traitor then so be it. It's your choice. Are you with me?"

Rex's heart soared. He had never been so proud to have Ahsoka in his life. The silence in the hanger was broken when one clone started chanting and gradually all the men started joining in. Eventually, all the clones were chanting as one together.

The men shouted, "Tano! Tano! Tano!"

Appo approached Rex and said, "I was wrong, Captain. It's not just on your head. It's now on all our heads."

Rex raised his brow and said, "Is that a problem, solider?"

Appo smiled and replied, "No, sir."

XXX

Meanwhile on Lothal, Obi-Wan and his friends return to the city to meet up with Ventress, Barriss and Fives. He had been intrigued by how young Ezra and Jinn both used the Force to reseal the Jedi Temple back into the ground. He was impressed by their ability. It appeared that Ezra was progressing well under his mentorship. However, he was concerned about how close the two had grown. Jinn acted a lot more affectionate than a typical Jedi Master. He behaved more like an older brother than a teacher. In fact, he was probably a lot closer to Ezra than Anakin was to Ahsoka.

"A credit for your thoughts, gallant knight?"

Obi-Wan turned to face Thea and said, "Oh, it's nothing."

Thea followed Obi-Wan's gaze to Jinn and Ezra as they walked through to the docks and said, "I feel that you do not like what you see, but I don't understand why."

"I fear that Jinn is too attached to young Ezra."

"Is there something inappropriate about their relationship?"

Startled, Obi-Wan said, "No, that's not what I meant. It's just that Jedi are taught to remain unattached. Attachments can lead to negative emotions that could cause a Force-user to go down a dark path."

Thea narrowed her brow and said, "Yes, I've heard of Jedi from young Bridger. They're the believers that perished in that temple. Young Bridger claimed that my skills make me Jedi."

"Yes, those believers were Jedi. Jedi believe in the Light side of the Force. We are guardians of the galaxy that believe in peace, knowledge, serenity, and harmony. We obey the will of the Force. We dedicate our lives to our teachings."

"I don't understand. Why would your religion ask you not to bond with others? How do you pass your knowledge down to others?"

"It's like I said, attachments can lead to darker feelings like jealousy, anger and hatred. And younglings who show potential are brought to the Temple to be raised as Jedi."

Thea asked, "Does that mean you are celibate?"

The Jedi Master nearly tripped over his own feet. No one had ever asked him that before. Though, he wasn't strictly celibate, but it wasn't far from the truth. Obi-Wan wasn't the kind of man who had casual relationships. It wasn't like he even had time for that sort of thing to begin with.

"No, Jedi are not celibate. They just aren't allowed to form attachments. Why do you ask?"

She smiled and said, "I'm curious about Jedi. And I think you are a beautiful man."

Obi-Wan was stunned. He looked away with a blush and said, "Oh-uh, I'm flattered Thea but as I said, I can't form attachments. For the Jedi, attachments are forbidden."

She laughed and said, "I'm not propositioning you, gallant knight. I'm merely paying you a compliment. Though, I know what it's like to live the life of a celibate. The clan I once served was a sisterhood. However, I left that life behind me."

Puzzled, Obi-Wan asked, "What made you leave your old life behind, if you don't mind me asking?"

She lowered her gaze and said, "I had a teacher. He was my friend. He died. After his passing, I realized he was the only one saw me as something other than a warrior. I realized then that I have no attachments. It was then that I decided to leave my old life behind. It was on that day that I let my old self die."

Obi-Wan couldn't help thinking about what she said. Thea had led a life without attachments. Her teacher was dead. Her old life died with him. Obi-Wan heard his own voice in her words. He recognized the loss and emptiness she felt because he felt it himself. He was reminded of Master Qui-Gon and his death. Obi-Wan could easily see himself following Thea's path if things turned out differently. Obi-Wan realized that Thea was more than a fellow Force-user, she was a kindred spirit.

"I lost my former master as well. My life changed irrevocably afterwards. I found myself a newly knighted Jedi with a young apprentice that many believed I shouldn't have taken on. If I hadn't kept my promise to train Anakin, then I don't know what my life might have been like. However, there's no use dwelling on the past. Master Qui-Gon used to tell me that I should be mindful of the present."

"The past shapes us, Obi-Wan. I believe your former master would be very proud of you. Now, it looks like this is where we part ways."

Obi-Wan saw that they had reached the ship docks. Jinn and Ezra were greeted by Fives, Ventress and Barriss. They had already sold the slave queen's ship when they landed and gave the profits to the slaves that were on board the ship. They were taking Fives and Ezra's ship back to Atollon to meet up with Slick on the new Rebel base.

"It's been a pleasure, Lady Thea."

He turned to leave, but Thea said, "Gallant knight, I don't want to sound too forward, but may I write you? I'd like to learn more about Jedi if that's alright?"

Obi-Wan was a bit apprehensive but figured there was no harm in exchanging a few letters. He was also curious about her culture as well. He had never met another Force-user who didn't know anything about Jedi or Sith.

He raised his wrist comm and said, "Of course."

XXX

The journey to Atollon was thankfully uneventful. Obi-Wan passed the time by watching Jinn give Ezra Force lessons. Jinn had Barriss and Ventress sit in and watch him as he instructed Ezra on how to manipulate the beskar ingot with the Force. The two were standing and facing one another. The ingot floated between them with the Force.

"Now, remember the lessons I taught you on how to control Force-energy?"

"Yeah, you taught me how to create fire with the Force and make sparks."

Barriss was shocked and exclaimed, "Make fire with the Force?"

Jinn kept his eyes on Ezra but addressed her and said, "Yes, but no questions for now, Miss Offee. I need to concentrate."

Barriss bashfully said, "Yes, of course. I'm sorry, Master Jinn."

Jinn smiled and said, "No need to apologize, my dear. Now, Bridger. I want you to heat the beskar, but keep it suspended in the air with the Force."

Ezra took a deep breath and raised his hands towards the ingot and said, "Okay, here goes."

The teen focused on the floating ingot and started to gather energy around it. He redirected the flow of the Force. He felt it pass through him and around him. He used himself as a lens and channeled it towards the ingot. The energy was slow at first, but gradually it started moving faster and faster. Eventually, the ingot began to heat up. The metal started to heat the air around it and created steam. Then, the ingot started to glow. It started out as a muted red that began to glow brighter and brighter till it began to glow a fiery yellow. It was no longer solid. The ingot had melted into liquid steel. It floated in the air like a droplet of fire.

"Give it a form, Ezra. Make it your own."

Ezra closed his eyes and extended his hands to draw the hot molten ingot out into the shape of a sword. He kept his eyes shut as he began to twist and bend the beskar into a form. Sweat started to collect on Ezra's brow. It was hard work trying to maintain his focus to keep the beskar floating, heat it and bend it all at the same time. It was no wonder Jinn said making a sword was a warrior trial. It was as complicated as building a lightsaber.

When at last it was done, Ezra opened his eyes with a gasp and collapsed onto his knees. He nearly fell over. He was shaking and using his hands to keep himself steady. His control over the sword was gone, but it hadn't hit the ground. Ezra looked up and saw that Jinn was keeping it suspended in midair.

Steam was rolling off the newly crafted sword in waves. The heat was dissipating. The fiery yellow glow was gone, and cold steel took its place. The sword Ezra crafted was a short straight saber with a guard. It wasn't elaborate or ornate. Outwardly it looked ordinary, but at the guard it bared the mark of the Rebel Alliance.

Jinn offered Ezra his hand and helped him to his feet.

"Thanks, Jinn."

"I wasn't sure what design you would settle on."

"What do you think?"

"I'm impressed. Go on, get a feel for it."

He hesitated for a minute before reaching out and taking the handle of the saber. With Jinn no longer keeping it in midair, it felt heavy in Ezra's hand. The saber was still warm and somehow felt alive. Ezra stared at the reflective surface and saw his face mirrored in the steel.

"It feels different somehow."

"That's because you forged it with the Force. The saber has a small trace of your Force-presence imbued into the steel. If you concentrate on it then you will be able to summon it and locate it from anywhere in the galaxy."

XXX

When Obi-Wan and his friends finally arrived on Atollon, he saw that the Jedi members of the peace movement were working with the Slick and his men to setup their equipment for the medic team. It looked like they were nearly finished. Obi-Wan wasn't surprised. Jedi younglings were well trained and made moving large machine easy with the use of the Force.

Slick greeted them when they entered the caves.

"General Kenobi. Master Jinn. Good of you to finally make it back alive."

Jinn sarcastically replied, "Yes, your welcome is heartening, Slick. Now, where did you put Maul? He should be ready for decanting."

Slick didn't like the clone term to describe the modified space suit that the rogue Jedi stashed the Sith in. Though, he didn't think the Sith was Jinn's top priority. Nevertheless, he obliged his request.

"Sure, I'll take you to him. Follow me."

Ezra said, "Jinn, I'm going with Barriss to talk to her Jedi friends."

The amber Jedi nodded his head and replied, "Very good, Bridger. Take Fives along with you as well."

Obi-Wan and Jinn followed Slick through the large coral forest to a cave nestled under the base of a coral. However, before they reached their destination, Jinn stopped. He turned to face Obi-Wan and eyed him with concern.

"I think you better wait here. Maul might forget our agreement if he sees you."

"If you insist."

Obi-Wan didn't like it, but Jinn had a point. He made sure his Force presence was well hidden and waited. He figured he could get close enough to watch their interaction and not be seen.

Beneath the large coral was a cave that was made into a medic area. Maul saw laying down on an examination table. He was still inside the modified space suit and meditating. He opened his yellow eyes when he sensed Jinn and Slick approaching. Mute, the clone medic, was checking his readings. He got up and saluted Jinn before moving to stand next to Slick.

"Master Jinn. So, you've finally arrived. I was beginning to worry."

Jinn stood beside him and said, "Well, we can't have you pickling, Master Maul. You should be ready to remove the suit now."

Maul turned away and in exasperation said, "Finally."

Jinn got up and took a few steps back. He used the Force to lift Maul to an upright position. Jinn then raised his hands and used the Force to unlock the suit at all it's points at the same time. With a hiss, the suit was opened, and a rush of greenish colored liquid poured out onto the ground. The different segments of the suit began to float away from Maul's body until he was completely bare. Slowly, Jinn lowered Maul to the ground.

Once Maul's feet touched the ground and his weight returned to him. He stumbled but Jinn caught his arm to keep him steady. Maul was shocked that his lower body had been restored. He wriggled his toes and placed his hand over one of his new legs. He could believe it. There was no difference between his original legs and his new legs. The only sign he had been severed in half was a scar that ran across his midsection.

He was overwhelmed. He turned to Jinn and said, "This is more than I expected."

"Good. Now, let's get you cleaned up, feed and something to wear."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"Helping me."

Jinn stepped back and took off his brown outer robe and draped it over Maul's shoulders. The Sith was stunned. He dug his fingers into the rough fabric of the robe as he closed it around his body. He lowered his gaze. He couldn't remember the last time someone treated him with kindness. The two of them should be enemies. Jinn may not be a Jedi, but he served the Light. Jinn should despise him. Yet instead, he restored him and treated him with dignity.

"Why wouldn't I? We have an agreement."

"Yes, but what compelled you to make it in the first place?"

"I suppose I could give you a practical reason, but ultimately it was a gamble."

Maul frowned with annoyance and said, "A gamble? Is that what this is?"

Jinn smiled mischievously and said, "Yes. It's not a secret, Maul. Everyone keeps telling me helping you is a bad idea, but I'm putting them at risk for you. I'm trusting you."

Maul looked away from him and said, "You're a fool."

"Perhaps, but I don't expect you to change. The only thing I require from you, Master Maul is that you keep your word. Now, I'll leave you to freshen up."

Jinn turned to leave. Maul watched him leave with the clone. He hated the feelings Jinn stirred up inside him. He didn't need his help. He didn't need his trust. He didn't need anyone. Yet, Maul knew his best chance of defeating Darth Sidious lay with siding with the dark Jedi. It seemed Master Jinn knew him well. He was a man of his word. He would keep his promise.

XXX

TBC

XXX

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Thank you for reading.

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