Chapter Thirteen

Plans of A Renewal

Obi-Wan entered the war room with a sense of in trepidation. He had a sinking feeling that Ventress and Gregor were onto him. Ahsoka didn't seem as aware as her compatriots. As of right now Gregor kept giving him odd looks as he joined the others. The Queen was standing at one end with Ahsoka on her left and the Boss on her right. In front of them was a holoprojector with the image of Theed rotating around.

"I'm glad that you could join us," Shikha said acknowledging their entrance. "What we're about to say is a rough idea of our attack plan on the ground."

"Wesa been told that the Ghost Fleet will take care of the sky but will need some back up," Vijay said pointing to small bits in the sky floating over Theed. "So wesa in charge of the ground deployments. Since sickness is working on thinning out theysa troops then wesa spreading out won't be an issue. Theysa too sick to combat it properly."

"Agreed. So the idea that we have for now is this, I'll take my task force and strike here," Tano gestured to the left handed side to the courtyard. "Once they concentrate on this area then Ventress and her crew can punch through and get to the hanger freeing up the ships and giving the Ghosts their back up. Once that's done we'll head up to the throne-room. Jedi Guardian can keep the Bonies under control and keep the warriors off of us. They hate Jedi so that won't be an issue."

Now didn't that sound familiar? He sworn the Force had a sense of humor here. It was rather like the attack that Queen Amidala launched with the Naboo before...Although given their idolization of the Queen it was probably intentional. A way of reminding the people of their former victory as well as a warning to those that would mess with them that they weren't a bunch of bumpkins.

"I also must say that I believe that we might have a solution to your issue of military matters, Jedi Guardian," Shikha said to Obi-Wan. "You will be the defender of the troops if you are willing. I understand that your role is defense not offense so you'll be under the command of Commander Ahsoka Tano," she looked over at the Togruta who merrily waved at him. "She will guide you in the defense of the troops."

"Then I willing submit to her guidance and insight," Obi-Wan bowed towards her. Beside her Ventress gave him a look before leaning over to Ahsoka and whispering something to her. She looked stunned but after a time she nodded and Ventress spoke up.

"If I may suggest something. I'd like to lead him," Ventress said looking at Obi-Wan significantly. It would seem she had suspicions about him in spite of his best efforts. "I know how he could be properly utilized meanwhile Ahsoka can better direct our troops into fray."

"Do you agree to this change Commander?"

"Certainly your Majesty," Ahsoka nodded. "I believe Ventress to be a capable and competent commander so she will have the best support and attack plan. I'll take the troops of the 212th."

"Wasn't that Kenobi's troop company name?" Obi-Wan asked.

"True but the 501st is still in circulation in the Empire and with all due respect," Rex spoke up sounded utterly disgusted. "None of us want to be associated with those murglaks. They're a betrayal of all we fought, bleed and died for. 212th isn't in circulation so it's that. Besides they were a good company and I'd be honored to carry their name on."

"Vod an." Both the other troopers nodded which evidentially was a salute to them since they straightened up. Odd that. But Obi-Wan wasn't going to argue about it.

"So you're under my command and well," she pointed to...well wasn't this an ironic twist of fate that they were heading in the same direction that he'd done all those years ago. Somewhere someone was laughing...or at least it felt like someone was giggling.

"What about Calliope? I was entrusted with her care," Obi-Wan spoke up.

"Shesa will be cared for here," Boss Vijay said. "Wesa will guard her."

"Thank you," Obi-Wan bowed happy that she'd be safe even if he was strolling into a war zone...times like this he really wished he had Anakin at his side. In Force once again as he felt many times before he felt a wave of affection wash over him like a hug. He really wished someone would explain why it seemed to happen to him more often then not.

"Very well I humbly submit to your lead and command." And I'll make doubly sure that I won't lead troops. I don't want or need to be a soldier. My goal and promise is to stay a Jedi. I never want to be a General.

"Good because I'm planning on putting you through the paces," Ventress smiled at him with a predatory grin. "I hope you can handle what I have in store for you."

Oh dear. This would be interesting

"I will do my best," Obi-Wan said bowing once again. "So my role will be to guard the troops?"

"That's the idea," Ventress nodded. "In two days we'll move out and strike Theed."

"Wesa preparations are almost complete," Boss Vijay said.

"Then I shall train for it." He got a distinct impression he was forgetting...that's right.

"What about that..." he swallowed distastefully. "The cult I've started up? Those beings could help us out."

"The question would be would they be willing to help us?" Shikha asked. "I haven't seen these cultists personally."

"Yaotl of the clan of Qat has proven willing to cooperate and hasn't caused any issues since she's been imprisoned here," Obi-Wan said. "Allow me to speak wit her. Then I can maybe help cut the bloodshed down. I ask this as a favor please." He was not going to have people placed into danger for the sake of this battle. Soldiers were one thing but these were civilians. "Yaotl can speak to them and make them stand down."

"That would work for the workers and the Shamed Ones as they're known but not the warriors."

"Still that would be less people to fight and overcome," Obi-Wan argued. "Yaotl could show us ways to overcome them."

"Very well yousa shall speak to her," Vijay said.

"If we can prevent as much bloodshed as possible I'm all for it," Ahsoka agreed. "I don't like seeing blood shed either. So it works for me."

"As do I," Shikha said. "I don't want this liberation stained with innocent blood. If unnecessary blood can be spared that I'd like that."

"Then I will go to the prisons and speak with her. I believe that your sparring of me will have to wait madam," Obi-Wan apologized as he waited for Vijay to call someone to lead him the prisons.

"I can wait," Ventress said crossing her arms. "I await the fight with eagerness."

Obi-Wan nodded and bowed towards the assembled group.

"Follow mesa," a guard said coming forward. "Mesa will be leading yousa down dere."

"Thank you. Let us be on our way." With luck I can minimize the bloodshed. That alone would be a victory for me. I will do what I can to help out the Naboo but harm innocents.

Doza looked out into the cosmos. It was peaceful. Deceptively peaceful. Calm before the storm as it were. He could feel the dread building his chest but the needs must. They'd ignored the threat for far too long and now Coruscant had fallen due to folly and arrogance. If the Empire wasn't going to do it's kriffing job then he'd execute it with pleasure. He respected Palleon but in this case he wasn't going to wait for the Moffs to wake up and do something before the Yuuzhan Vong showed up at their doorstep as it were.

"Thinking about the fight?" Hera asked as she approached him.

"More of being frustrated with my former commanders and government," Doza sighed.

"Join the club," Hera snorted. "You'll find that no one is a fan of the New Republic either, especially Fey'lya."

"He was a fool," Doza agreed sighing loudly at the thought of the Bothan. "You would think that the Caamas issue would've mellowed him a little or helped him learn something."

"Well the galaxy does tend to quickly forget things it should have learned too long ago if you'll noticed," Hera sighed. "Unfortunately too often for my tastes."

"Agreed," Doza said turning away and now looking at Hera. "Do you have battle plans for the fleet."

"I do," she said handing a datapad. "I believe you'll find it's quite simple and to the point."

It was indeed, deceptively so. He placed the datapad in his other arm to read the further details for another time while he focused on Hera. "You do realize that if this works we'll have an edge on the Yuuzhan Vong or at the very least caught their attention. And that will mean severe retaliation."

"That's why we need to keep hitting them," Hera said. "They're used to either premature celebrations or retreating. This time we're going to keep up the offensive until they've got no choice but to fall back."

"What then? We don't have the resources to keep attacking them. We'll have to fall back to guerilla warfare then..."

"I think they've overextended themselves and will have to lick their wounds for a bit," Hera countered. "Besides this worked for the fight against the Empire."

"And look how well that turned out for some of those fighters," Doza sighed shaking his head. "But this is getting far too ahead of ourselves. Let's focus on the main attack. We'll keep the rest of the issues in mind as we move forward and deal with them as we see fight given our resources and time. Best not to look a gift eopie in the mouth before a big battle."

"Very well but this will come up again."

"Oh that I have no doubt," Doza agreed with her. "That I have no doubt at all."

They'd just finished another lesson on the balance when the Kryze had entered into the cell. Her heart leapt with excitement. She'd learned so much from Master Jinn that she could barely contain her joy at the revelations. It was so wonderful to learn of this new way. This was far different then Kukuklan's teaches but it still felt right to her. She breathed awaiting for the Kryze would ask of her. At first she'd listened so that information would aid her in her mission but now? Now she wanted to continue her journey of discover with him. Luminous beings they were. Not this crude matter. She wanted to learn more.

"Greetings, Yaotl of the Qat," the Kryze said with a traditional bow of his people. "I do apologize for the lack of accommodations."

"My comfort isn't of any consequence," she brushed off his apologies. He wasn't to blame or the others. They were ensuring the safety of those in their care. She couldn't fault him for that.

"I was wondering...May I sit down?"

"Ah, yes, of course," Yaotl slight stammered out. Menvra spoke truly when saying the Kryze was generous and polite. No one would say this to a prisoner of war of the Yuuzhan Vong. "Please, be seated and be welcomed."

"Thank you," the Kryze said with smile and a nod as he sat in a seiza position. "I wish to speak with you about this...cult that seems to sprouted out by accident."

"It was no accident," Yaotl assured him. "It was the will of the Force."

"The Force?" The Kryze raised his eyebrows. "I was under the impression that you worshiped the Yun'o."

"I...Did," she admitted. "But I wish to further my understanding of the ways of the Force which means I must leave behind my past and break through the illusions."

"I...see," the Kryze said his forehead furrowed. "I must admit that I'm not accustomed to leading someone of your age into the ways of the Force. Usually we train those that wish to learn at a very young age."

"I am of sixteen rotations," she said somewhat proudly. "I am willing and able to learn."

"Would you?" the Kryze asked not unreasonably. "I ask you to cast aside your ties to this world and to it's people. You go upon this path of your own choosing and are free to leave so you wish."

"I understand that your order doesn't take those older," Yaotl said placidly. "But I wish to learn it's tenets and it's faith. I have seen the Light and it is the Force. I wish to learn more. The other seek redemption of our people, but I wish to see and learn more. I ask humbly to become a student."

"...Perhaps we could speak of this...at another time."

She breathed in sharply trying to hold her disappointment. She wasn't expecting a yes but...She shook her head. Of course he wouldn't accept her. There were things that needed to be done. Foolish of her in her fervor to learn that she forgot this.

"As my Master would say, concentrate on the moment, but rest assured...I shall give that declaration the proper amount of thought and care. Of this you have my promise," the Kryze assured her.

Concentrate on the moment, yes that was what Master Jinn said as well. Very well I shall wait. "What do you desire to know?"

"Everything," the Kryze said. "I wish to learn about your cult and people. Please I wish to help you."

"To help the Naboo?"

"Yes because I believe that you both can help out each other," the Kryze said. "I will admit that somewhat selfishly I came to see if you would assist in their struggles to free their planet."

"If they wish it and it is your will I shall do so, I believe that the others shall assist as well. As I have said we seek the enlightenment our species. The Invasion was a grave offense. We shall atone."

"You are not responsible for the actions of your leaders," the Kryze argued.

"Perhaps but we benefited."

"But-" he cut himself off shaking his head. "I can see this won't be beneficial to anyone because we'd be arguing in circles so let's agree to disagree at this the present. Now then what can you tell me about the cult and your people?"

"I shall tell you what I've learned before and after the Baptism."

"Bap- I'm sorry please do go on."

"Very well," she said as she settled in. She would tell an condensed history of her people. It was a start and help him understand the significance of his coming to the people.