Anakin filled everyone in on the way back to the Resolute. The Hutts, while a Crime-Empire, were a force to be reckoned with. They controlled most of the Outer-Rim, and held control of vital Hyperspace Lanes for the War effort, to have greater ease with resupplying and assisting the battles on other Outer-Rim Planets.

"Alright, so we need a plan." Vex sighs. Rex, Ahsoka and Anakin were around him. Half an hour ago, the Recon units returned with their intel, and a holo-map of the Monastery where they would be fighting, along with the surrounding area. "We could scale the wall, easily, but we would suffer heavy losses. They will have heavy weapons to counter our AT-TE's anyway." Vex explains, showing a simulation of a walker being blasted off the face of the wall, and the troopers it would bring down with it as it fell.

"Then what do you suggest?" Anakin asks.

"Well, I've been asking around about the extent of our weaponry, and... I'll say I'm impressed. The longest range we had for slug-throwers, as you would call them, was around two and a half klicks. You have a range of five klicks with a sniper rifle." Vex explains. "There are ridges all around the planet. Any within that five klick range would work, to set up snipers nests. The droids don't have any long range weaponry on them, only anti vehicle. We would be uncontested. We could drop in our troops, let them gun down the enemy, and then we could already have a force drop in with Gunships." His explanation leaves Anakin stunned, and Ahsoka wondering what I was talking about, with Rex nodding in approval.

"If we timed it right, to ensure they don't kill the Huttlet, we could even have it so the gunships dropping the snipers in, are only a little while ahead of our main force. We can use the Gunships to attack the main infantry, while the snipers take down their anti vehicle arsenal." Rex adds.

"Well, that sorts out the plan. We still have a few days before we arrive at Teth. Mind teaching me a few things, showing me around?" Vex asks Rex.

"Sure. Might have to bring the kid along though." Rex notes.

"I'm not a kid!" Ahsoka argues, a pout on her lips. Rex and Vex both look to her, deadpan expressions.

"I have enough experience to outrank everyone on this ship." Vex admits. Rex doubletakes at this, sending a questioning glance to Vex, who smirks. "Rex has fought since the beginning. You only have basic training. To us, you are a kid. Age has nothing to do with it."

"He's definitely got us all beat in the experience department." Anakin affirms with a sad sigh. "I suppose it would do good, for you three to hang out. Ahsoka could learn a few things from everyone on board too."

Ahsoka looks at him in accusation, glaring at him in frustration.

"Relax. He's not just dumping you on us so he isn't dealing with you. This is a learning experience." Vex assures, a hand on her shoulder. It feels weird to him, putting a hand on someone's shoulder, yet not having any real height difference. Ahsoka's shoulders drop slightly, and Anakin lets out an audible sigh.

"He's right, Ahsoka. I told you I would train you, and we will have the time to do so in the coming days before reaching Teth. But for now, it will do you good to learn the layout of the Resolute, learn the places you could go if you need time to yourself." Anakin assures gently, an encouraging smile on his face.

"Alright." She sighs in defeat, before looking to Vex and Rex. "Guess it's time for the tour."


The days in Hyperspace flew by. Vex asked around to learn the skills from numerous troopers across the Resolute, sometimes managing to find moments to learn from Rex. He also watches Anakin and Ahsoka as they train, from saber combat, to philosophy, as well as study up on the Hutts. When Vex went to the inbuilt range, he surprised almost everyone with his skill. His body, while not as strong, still had all the muscle memory from years of practice. Of all aboard the Resolute, only Rex managed to up him in a competition. Rex took him to the armoury, to see if anything would fit his small frame, but there was nothing, therefore, he would be staying with the snipers, to mitigate the possibility of his demise, at least until he rejoins the main force.

The ship shudders, returning to real-space. Vex boards the gunship, the sniper team, including Denal, already beside him. As the first team to drop in, they left an hour early, landing on an outcropping just over three klicks from the Monastery. The marksmen are swiftly set up, with spotters for each. It started with a single shot, which soon increased to a cacophony of shots, one after another, as the Spider Droids were targeted first, then the SBD's. By the time they moved onto the panicking B1's, the rest of the Republic forces landed, gunning them down with ease. The Gunship that dropped them off at the ridge picks them back up, taking them to the Monastery. Vex departs first, meeting Anakin and Ahsoka, who are smirking towards him.

"What took you so long?" Anakin asks.

"Blame Denal." Vex retorts.

"Hey! Don't load this on me!" Denal argues, earning chuckles in response. Anakin then turns to his second in command.

"Rex, have the men set up defensive positions. Ahsoka and I will find the Hutt." Anakin informs him. Rex nods and moves off to check the troops. Vex walks up to their side, placing a hand on Anakin's back.

"I'll come with." He states, a carbine already in his hands, as he follows them into the depths of the monastery. The sound of clattering has Anakin and Ahsoka igniting their sabers towards the commotion, where a single humanoid droid walks towards them, the bug-like head somewhat creepy and unsettling.

"Who are you?" Anakin asks swiftly.

"Merely a humble caretaker, my go-" A barrage of blaster bolts cut the droid off, gunning it down. Vex lowers the rifle as Anakin and Ahsoka look to him.

"Pretty sure Separatists aren't the type to use caretakers for their prisoners, let alone leave any standing after taking such a place." He states with distaste, stepping over the metal corpse and continuing on, before Anakin passes him, taking the lead, while Ahsoka watches their back. With each intersection and doorway they pass, more and more droids take to following, until eventually, Ahsoka couldn't keep quiet any longer.

"Master, you know you're walking us into a trap?" Ahsoka asks him.

"I know." Anakin replies calmly, and a small smile plays across Vex's face. The droids weren't a threat to Anakin, thus he ignored them. He was also testing Ahsoka, seeing if she would take the initiative. Another doorway passes by.

"We just passed two more droids." She informs.

"We know." Vex answers this time.

"I don't like this. Can I just take care of them?" She asks in anticipation.

"Oh, well, if you feel so strongly about it, go ahead." He gives her permission, and less than a second after, she ignites her saber and slashes away at the droids. Anakin and Vex both stop and watch her first destroy the blasters, then finish them off, bisecting or beheading them. "Not bad. You remembered to deal with their weapons first." Anakin beams with approval.

"I'm improving your technique." She replies cheerfully. Anakin takes and ignites his lightsaber, twirling it around and impaling the droid behind him, while Vex fires a bolt into the droid's head, and torso. The droid collapses, no more than a heap of scrap. The two glance at each other, a small smile playing on their lips before they look to Ahsoka.

"You missed one." They say in unison, much to Ahsoka's chagrin.

"I… did that on purpose." She tries to defend herself with a small pout, before they continue to walk through the halls, arriving at the detention cells, where an obvious indicator revealed the Huttlet's location.

"Well, if what I have researched is accurate, then the Huttlet is definitely in there. The smell is a dead give-away." Vex notes, activating the door controls to reveal the tiny creature.

"He's a lot younger than I thought he'd be." Anakin admits, while Ahsoka immediately goes and picks up the little slug.

"Oh, he's just a baby. This will make our job a lot easier. He's so cute." Ahsoka gushes over him like a mother hen. I lean closer to Anakin.

"Well. At least she will be a great mother if this is any indication." Vex whispers to Anakin.

"Jedi Code forbids attachment." Anakin reveals, his voice solemn, and Vex looks to Anakin, concern in his expression, though the Jedi simply looks to Ahsoka. "Just wait until you see what he'll grow into." Anakin states, He leads them back to the main entrance, where Rex removes his helmet, walking up to them.

"General, the castle is secure." Rex informs.

"Good. Any sign of Obi-Wan?" Anakin asks.

"No, sir." He answers. Ahsoka then cuts in, concern on her face.

"Master, I think this little guy is sick. He's burning up with a fever." She warns. Anakin places a hand on the Huttlet's forehead, checking for himself.

"You're right. We need to get him back to the ship as soon as Obi-Wan arrives. Trooper, get me a backpack!" He orders the nearest soldier, who seemingly grabs one out of thin air and hands it to him. Anakin and Ahsoka then begin to put the Huttlet into the pack, giving them a better way to carry him, though not without difficulty, and arguing between the two. Their arguing, however, is muffled to Vex, who begins to glance around, years of experience flowing through his veins before a slight reflection of light captures his attention. He brings his carbine up and fires, hitting his target dead on. A probe droid falls to the ground, before bouncing and falling down the cliff, into the jungle below. All eyes are on him as he lowers his weapon.

"I had hoped I had seen the last of creepy fucking surveillance droids." He mutters in frustration. His words referencing UAV's and small drones with bombs attached, used to kill in large numbers, without the use of a suicidal person blowing himself up, along with others. "That thing was watching us." He warns loud enough for the others to hear. Anakin finishes placing the Hutt in the pack and guides Ahsoka to where a small starfighter had landed, an Astromech having brought it down.

"Artoo, contact Obi-Wan." He softly orders the droid. Within moments, Obi-Wan's holo-image stands before them.

"Anakin, did you locate the Hutt?" Obi-Wan asks immediately.

"We have him, but it looks like the Separatists are behind his abduction." Anakin reports. "This smells like Count Dooku to me."

"I'll bet Dooku is using us to get Jabba to join the Separatists." Obi-Wan guesses.

"Master Kenobi, we have another problem. This Huttlet is very sick." Ahsoka advises, concern evident.

"I'm not sure we can get him back to Tatooine alive, Master. This whole rescue may backfire on us. And I still don't think dealing with the Hutts is a good idea." Anakin adds.

"Anakin, you know they control shipping routes and hyperspace lanes in the Outer Rim. Jabba's cooperation is crucial to the war effort. If you let anything happen to his son, our chances of a treaty with him will disappear." The last part of what Obi-Wan says falls on deaf ears, as just behind his form, a full invasion force begins to descend.

"Master? We've got trouble!" Ahsoka warns the obvious.

"Defensive positions!" Rex orders, as he and his men rush in an orderly fashion to prepare for a fight.

"Anakin?" Obi-Wan asks, concern hidden in his voice, yet his face only showing askance.

"I'll have to call you back, Master. We're under attack. We could use a little help here if you have the time." Anakin informs with haste.

"I'll get there as soon as I can. Protect the Hutt, Anakin." Obi-Wan's hologram fizzles out as the connection is cut. The trio rush away from the fighter, Artoo following behind, as a droid fighter vaporizes the ship. Anakin and Ahsoka ignite their sabers and immediately work on deflecting the oncoming blaster fire. Vex was beside Rex, the two of them continuously firing upon the onslaught of droids, as they are all pushed back.

"We've got spiders inbound!" Rex warns, his eye catching the heavy weapons droids, before they manage to take down the walkers, the armoured corpses giving a small amount of cover.

"Get inside!" Anakin orders.

"Fall back! Fall back!" Rex repeats loudly, as the troopers fell back inside the Monastery, with Anakin rolling back moments before the door closes, blocking them off from the Separatist droids.

"Rex, we'll stay here until General Kenobi arrives with reinforcements." Anakin informs him. Ahsoka simply stares at him over his order. "What?" He asks incredulously.

"Master, do you honestly think we can hold them off? We've got to find a way out of here." Ahsoka argues.

"Our mandate is to protect this Hutt. And that is what we're going to do, Ahsoka." Anakin explains.

"Our mandate was to get this Hutt back to Tatooine alive, and time is running out." She retorts.

"I suppose you have a plan." Anakin bites back.

"Yes, or I think so, Artoo willing." Ahsoka confirms.

"Alright, Snips, I'll trust you on this one. Rex, hold them here as long as you can." Anakin relents with a sigh.

"Will do, sir. You heard the General! Get ready to turn those clankers into scrap metal!" Rex orders, the surviving troopers moving into a defensive position.

"I'm not gonna be much help to you. I'll stay with Rex and the others. Once they break through the door, we'll stall as long as we can. Just do what you can to get that Huttlet to safety." Vex assures.

"Are you sure? I don't know how long Obi-Wan will take. By the time he arrives, you could all be dead." Anakin warns softly, concern in his voice.

"I know. But I would rather stand and fight. You have your own mission. I'll do mine." Vex assures, grasping his hand. "If I don't make it, know that it was an honour."

"Likewise." Anakin relents. He guides Ahsoka deeper into the Monastery. Once they are out of sight, Vex takes a look at the weaponry everyone holds.

"Rex. Do we have anything that can cause an Electromagnetic Pulse?" He asks.

"Well, we have it in weaponry. We call them Droid Poppers. But we don't have any on us. The Walkers were meant to be enough."

"Alright." Vex sighs, turning to face the troopers, before turning back to Rex. "Next time, we bring those Droid Poppers. Ordered to or not."

"Presuming we survive this." Rex corrects. The two veterans, alongside Denal, grab what scarce amount of furniture they can, and bring it up to form shielding. They barely finish setting up a heavy, stone table, when the door begins to creak, and groan it's way open. "They've cut the lock!" Rex warns.

"Get to your positions!" Vex adds, taking cover, bringing his carbine to bear. The light from outside briefly blinds him, as he takes a moment to adjust. That moment is enough time for the troopers to have begun firing. He opens fire himself, once he can see the droids before him. The front lines hold dozens of B1's, behind them are the SBD's. While the first lines are easy to break through, with no casualties, the SBD's cause an issue. Their heavy repeating cannons tear through the first line of defense, the three well positioned troopers going down in a hail of blaster fire. The second line, consisting of five troopers is blown apart by a rocket fired from a backline SBD. The majority of the troopers, along with Rex and Vex, are holed up in the third line. By the time the droids had eliminated the first two defenses, they were ordered to stop, though the troopers continued to fire, Vex stayed his hand, watching.

The droids parted to reveal a feminine figure, dressed in somewhat revealing clothes. Her head is bald, but her eyes, they stare into your being. Several troopers were shaking as she stared them down. She moves her hands to her hips, grasping two curved objects, bringing them out and igniting them, bathing the darker area of the Monastery in a bloody glow. a flick of her wrists is all it takes for the blaster fire to be reflected back, two troopers killed immediately. Vex begins to fire upon her, seeing two men taken out. He doesn't think, he simply shoots, trying to break through her defenses, and failing, alongside everyone else. The being seems to get bored, spinning around and disengaging her weapons, she holds out her hand, and the table they took cover behind shoves them back alongside her telekinetic push, throwing everyone away like ragdolls, sending them into walls. Vex's vision blurs, before darkening into a familiar void


Vex begins to hear voices, high and low in pitch, as he returns from the void. He tries to stand, but fails, his body battered, likely broken in several places. He groans and simply stays down, listening to the voices outside.

"Surrender, Republic dogs." The familiar, high pitched voice of a droid orders.

"We've got you outnumbered!" Rex's voice retorts in haste. Vex looks up, glaring toward the open doorway, but his vision blurs, and he closes his eyes.

"Outnumbered? Wait. One, two, thr-" The droid doesn't get to finish, as green bolts of energy destroy it, along with the others in the immediate area, a lone Delta-7 Starfighter passing overhead, Obi-Wan leaping down into the fray. He moves to enter the Monastery when he notices Vex and grimaces.

"You look like someone bashed you against a wall." He notes, placing a hand over his chest, sending an energy into his body.

"Some... witch, I suppose. A force user. Red lightsabers. Bald head." Vex describes, batting his hand away.

"Ventress." Obi-Wan informs. "You're lucky to be alive. Your body is severely damaged. It should have already shut down."

"I've been through enough near death situations. My body knows to fight." Vex retorts, a chuckle turning into a hacking cough. "You need to find Ventress and keep her busy. Anakin needs the time to get out of here." Obi-Wan stands, a solemn expression written across his face.

"What about you?" He asks.

"I'll live for another half hour at least, before my body finally shuts down. Should be enough time to get some medical attention, even if only basic." Vex assures, his voice slurring. "My body is already trying to put me to sleep, to preserve itself. Just... be... quick..." Vex passes out. Obi-Wan sighs, before turning to the troopers still fighting for their lives, though with a few more helping hands, as Gunships land and the 212th jump out. Obi-Wan begins to run, making his way down the corridors of the Monastery, as he activates his comlink.

"Cody, get a medical team to the front gate of the Monastery. There are numerous wounded troopers, and one in critical condition." He orders, turning his head to glance back towards the entrance, before he returns his focus to what is before him.


Vex awakens again, lying on a medical cot, the stark white room of the medbay somewhat harrowing. He sits up with a pained hiss, alarms blaring at his movement, as a medic walks in and forces him to lie back down.

"You're awake." The medic states obviously.

"Painfully so." Vex responds with a grunt. "How bad was it?

"Your legs were nearly shatter, several vertebrae were fractured, shoulders were dislocated as well as fractured, neck was cracked, and so was your skull. To top it all off, you got a concussion. Gave General Skywalker quite the scare. The kid too." The medic lists off. "You had been operated on, to get all the bone fragments back into place, a few bits of metal to replace a few spots that were beyond repair, then soaked in Bacta. You've been out for about three weeks, but... surprisingly, your body has adapted at an alarming rate. It doesn't look like anything more than a week of rest before you are fit for duty."

"Shouldn't you be saying that I need at least six months?" Vex asks, confused.

"Normally, maybe even more... but, as I said, it's like your body sped up it's healing factor. I've only seen something similar with the Jedi." The medic admits with a sigh. "Besides, if you're with General Skywalker, I doubt you like staying out of a fight for long." Vex simply nods. "Speaking of, the General is outside. He's been there day after day, unless sent on missions, waiting for you to wake."

"I suppose it would be best to let him in." Vex chuckles softly. The medic nods, and moves to the door, opening it, and gesturing for Anakin to enter. The Jedi does, and the medic takes his leave.

"You're lucky to be alive." Anakin states.

"I heard that from Obi-Wan, when he first found me. Then the medic, now you." Vex admits. "What did I miss?"

"We won. Ahsoka and I got out. Made it to Tatooine. Returned Rotta to Jabba." Anakin answers simply. A few moments of silence passes, before Anakin speaks again. "Back on Christophsis, when you saw us fighting, you took up arms, joined us, but you knew nothing about us. We could have been fighting the droids, fighting for a great evil, but instead of staying back to see which side is right, you chose us..." Anakin trails off.

"It was the right thing to do." Vex answers softly.

"Is that it?" Anakin asks.

"It's the best I can give. I don't know how to explain what I saw, what I felt." Vex explains with a sigh. Anakin nods, and turns to leave.

"I'll let you get back to resting. Ahsoka would like to see you sooner or later." Anakin states.

"I'll talk to her when I'm out of here. I don't want her to see me like this." Vex notes.

"She already has." Anakin smirks.

"Anymore than she already has, then." Vex retorts.


The week passes by quickly. Vex was back to walking around the Resolute, exploring, getting his legs back to work, the muscles aching and sore from lack of use. He passes by a corridor towards the barracks, when he hears faint sobbing. He stops, and listens, pinpointing where it originated. He notices a loose ventilation duct, and crawls in, following the sound through the vents, until he finds Ahsoka, curled up and crying, her body clammy. He moves to her side, gently placing an arm around her form. He feels as her body heaves, almost like retching, but stops itself. He knows the signs of a panic attack, and brings her in close, letting her cry in his presence, as he stays quiet, simply letting her know that he is there for her.

It takes an hour for her to calm down, her body relaxing slightly. She looks up to him, her faces covered in partially dried tears.

"I could feel it all." She admits. "I felt as each trooper died. I felt as their life was taken. Their pain."

"I don't think I'm the best to talk to about this." Vex notes gently. Her head pops up, as she stares into his eyes.

"But you've been in war before!" She exclaims. "You know what it's like to lose people, lose friends."

"And it never gets easier." Vex warns softly. "The only thing that happens, is you get better at hiding the pain, better at coping. You can't just stop feeling the pain of loss."

"Then what am I supposed to do?" Ahsoka asks.

"Talking about it helps lessen the burden." Vex answers. "I've lost many people close to me, I've felt responsible for the deaths of people. At first, I cried, had panic attacks, was sick for days on end. After a while, your body becomes numb. You still feel the pain, you still feel each loss, but it's like watching a character die in a show. It's like a screen or hologram is separating you from the reality. Sometimes, that screen shatters, and you just break down. Sometimes, people take their own lives, because they can't cope with the pain." Vex explains further. "To be able to tell others, to explain how you feel, I don't fully understand how, but it makes you feel less alone. It makes you feel like, there is someone who can understand." They stay in silence after that, before Ahsoka finally speaks.

"Thank you." She states softly, her montrals darkening slightly, as she removes herself from the embrace.

"You should talk to Anakin. How much you say is up to you, but I can see in his eyes, that he needs someone he can relate with, as much as you need it. I'll always be here, but I think it would be better for him, if it came from you." Vex notes.

"I'll try." She answers, as she makes her way through the vents. Vex sighs, before he does the same, making his way back to his small room.