Chapter 6 – Preparations

I now have a total of 75 reviews for my stories. I really wasn't expecting this much when I began writing this just for the fun of it. Thanks a bunch to all who reviewed, favorited and followed my stories. I hope you continue to enjoy the stories as they progress.

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Luminara Unduli and Aayla Secura were in the strategy room of Aayla's flagship. Using all of the map data from previous skirmishes, they had formulated a powerful plan of attack. "If we keep our forces along these ridges, the droids will have to come to us and will be out in the open. At the same time our troops will have plenty of cover." Aayla explained. Luminara nodded. "I agree. And while we fight in this area, with all of the natural fungi surrounding it, Barriss and her troops will have plenty of time to sneak around and infiltrate the base." She replied. Aayla nodded back. "Yes, hopefully it'll give her enough time to rescue all of the hostages." Luminara smiled. "Don't worry, Barriss will succeed. I'm sure of that." She said with confidence. "Our time on Ryloth has done Barriss very well. She's made a great deal of progress in resisting the Dark Side. I'm very proud of her." Aayla smiled. "I've sensed that in her as well." The Twi'Lek Jedi replied. "She has indeed done well."

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Barriss sat in the mess hall with a few clone troopers. She had established a good squad of twelve troopers. They were all experienced troopers, half from her master's battalion and half from Aayla Secura's. She had eight strong combat troopers with varying weapons and equipment, two medics and, just in case, two demolition experts. "You sure this mission is going to work Commander?" one of the troopers asked. Barriss smiled. "Yes Boomer. I'm confident in all of you and our Generals to provide the necessary distraction. On top of that, we have a complete map of their base." She looked up in thought. "And, somehow… I have this feeling we'll be getting some kind of assistance." She said. Boomer, one of the demolition troopers looked confused at his brother Blaster, the other demolition trooper. "What do you mean with 'assistance' Commander?" he asked confused. Barriss sighed. "I'm not sure Boomer, but I'll guess we'll find out eventually." Both troopers laughed for a moment at her remark. "We won't need any help!" another trooper, Longshot, said excited. "Those dumb droids don't stand a chance against us!" A small round of laughter was heard. "You're right about that brother! Ha!" came a reply from Shrap. Barriss smiled. The troopers she had gathered for the mission were not only well trained, but also excited about the mission. Longshot had earned his name with his blasterskills, he was an expert marksman. Shrap's name was a bit ironic. A shrapnel grenade had detonated right next to him, blasting a large dose of metal scarps in his body. He had miraculously survived and earned his name.

The troopers were all telling each other about their personal experiences in assignments. They were telling jokes and just enjoying themselves a bit before the battle. Barriss quietly laughed along with the troopers. However, her smile quickly faded as she thought of something. "Sir, is something wrong?" Longshot asked as he noticed her worried expression. Barriss looked at the soldiers sitting at the table. "Are you…" she began hesitantly. "Are you…alright with following my orders?" she asked the troopers. They looked a bit confused at each other. "Begging your pardon sir, but, what do you mean?" Boomer replied confused. Barriss sighed. "I mean what happened on Coruscant, what I did there… Are you alright with following my orders, knowing what I did?" she asked again. Barriss looked at the troopers. They were staring at each other in slight confusion. "With all due respect, sir," Shrap said. "It wasn't you that was responsible for that." Longshot nodded. "Shrap's right, you were being controlled by some evil maniac. You're not to blame for what happened." Barriss smiled. "Thank you." She replied softly. "Anytime sir." The troopers replied. "Alright then," Barriss said as she stood up, "I'm going to inform the Generals that we're ready for the mission." The troopers gave a short salute and Barriss left the mess hall.

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Barriss entered the strategy room where her Master and Master Secura were currently finalizing their battle plan. "Ah Barriss, good timing. Have you assembled your team?" Luminara asked as she looked up. Barriss smiled as she walked up to the two Masters. "Yes Master. I've gathered a reliable team of soldiers to help me infiltrate the base." She replied. "Good, we'll fill you in on our battle plan and then you can prepare your team." Barriss nodded and joined the Masters by the holoprojecter.

Half an hour later they were prepared for battle and continued their journey to Felucia.

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Lux Bonteri sighed in frustration. "How things can get out of hand…" he thought. "One moment you're on your way to a meeting with multiple Senators and the next you're all prisoners of the Separatists." Their ship had suffered from a malfunction of the hyperdrive and they had to leave hyperspace. After that they had been attacked, boarded and kidnapped. His hands shook with anger. One of the so called "guards" had sold them out to the Separatists. He had sabotaged the hyperdrive and handed them over to the Separatists. "At least he got what he deserved." Lux thought. When he went to collect his payment the Separatist commander had shot him.

Lux looked around the room. They were in a prison compartment of a Separatist base. It was a large hallway with multiple cells. Ray shields blocked the doors and there were no vents so they had no way of getting out. The individual cells were quite large though, capable of holding about twenty people each. He was in a cell with one of his assistants, Senator Organa and a few of his staff were in the cell as well. He sighed again. Senator Organa had offered to bring everyone along on his own ship. There was more than enough room for multiple Senators and their staff. This way, they could already discuss a few things for the meeting and just enjoy each other's company. He didn't blame the Senator however, Bail Organa couldn't have known this would happen. He just wanted everyone to be able to relax and socialize for a bit, some peace and quiet for once in this war.

A few hours after they had been brought in the cell in a Togrutan female was brought in as well. She was about Ahsoka's age and had a similar orange shade of skin. "I wonder how Ahsoka is doing right now." Lux wondered. He looked at the Togruta. She was sitting against the wall and had pulled her legs up to her chest, hiding her face. Lux moved a little closer. "Hey, are you alright?" he asked softly. She was startled at first, but relaxed a bit. "N-Not r-really…" she replied softly. She looked at Lux, it was obvious that she had been crying. "I'm Lux Bonteri, the Senator of Onderon. Who are you?" Lux said kindly, hoping to comfort her a bit. "M-my name is Zaa Vashee… I'm the princess of Shili…" she replied softly. "I-I don't know w-why they… Shili is neutral…" Lux sighed. "That doesn't matter to certain Separatists. They will try to force other planets to join their cause and they will even commit heinous acts like this." He said. "They killed so many of my servants, including my oldest friend who looked after me since I was little…" Zaa said softly as a tear rolled down her cheek. "I know how you feel." Lux replied. "Dooku murdered my mother." He looked at the Shilian princess. "But don't worry, the Republic will come to rescue all of us." She looked back at him. "A-are you sure?" she asked softly. Lux nodded. "Yes, I'm sure." He replied smiling.

Before they could say anything else the ray shield in front of the door deactivated. Two droids appeared and tossed someone in the cell and left. The ray shield activated again. Everyone in the cell looked in shock and horror at the mangled body of the Twi'lek that had just been thrown in. She had bruises all over her lekku, her robes were tattered and she was bleeding from multiple cuts. Her back was covered with burn marks. Senator Organa made his way to the side of the girl. "Get a pillow or something! Try and make her a bit comfortable." He said to no one in particular. A few others in the room grabbed some things from the bunks and went to her side as well.

"Who is she?" Zaa asked Lux softly, horror in her eyes. Lux was looking at the scene with anger. "Nyla Sonter, the Jedi padawan that was with us." He said in an angry tone. "They killed her master and captured her." He shook his head. "They tortured her. Those cold-blooded bastards."

About an hour later a group of droids entered the cell again. They grabbed the Shilian princess. "Hey! Let me go!" she yelled and struggled, but she wasn't any match against the droids. They dragged her out of the cell and the ray shield on the door activated behind them.

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I know, this is just a small chapter. This is just to prepare for the upcoming battle.

And yes, the scene in the prison cell is the same in both stories. I did this to make sure that people who only read one of the stories don't miss certain parts. Otherwise some things wouldn't make sense.

In the next chapter Ahsoka and Barriss will meet. Then, in the next chapter, the battle will begin.

Until next time.