They came out of hyperspace in the middle of an asteroid field. Ahsoka held onto her seat as Vader wrenched the yoke around, spinning the Twilight out of the way of two colliding stones. The galaxy rolled around them, coming to a stop as the ship righted itself in the shadow of a warped and broken piece of metal.

The asteroid field was scattered with similar debris. This was definitely the right place. At least one Venator drifted shattered amongst the stones. Probably more.

"Can you see anything, Artooie?"

Artoo whistled a negative. "5C4NN3R5 J4MM3D. 3V3RY7H1N6'5 B1URRY."

Shavit. Ahsoka undid her flight straps and paced around the cockpit. Her bond with Vader tingled with reproach, even though the cyborg wasn't looking at her.

"Are you not worried about being thrown around? I may need to take evasive action."

"Artificial gravity's on. I'll be alright." Ahsoka smiled, although she could hardly bring herself to look at her mission partner. It was still too much, sometimes, even though he'd been with them for weeks now. Luke was easier; he looked like Anakin, but softer, clearly his own person. Vader, though... He was her master with everything pretty and warm burned away. The chin, the cheekbones, the eyes... It was somehow worse now that he was up and walking around.

"If you are certain..."

"Of course I'm certain. I've flown with you before."

"Kenobi would say that was more reason to worry."

Well, at least some things hadn't burned away. Despite the whole recovering Sith Lord thing, Vader could still snark like her master.

Shame and frustration washed through the Force. When Vader next spoke, his voice was softer. Ahsoka had only heard him use that tone with Luke before.

"I... am sorry. I know Master Koon is out here, but I cannot remember where."

"It's alright. We'll find him."

She sat back down as Vader steered them slowly through the wreckage. Bits of engines floated by, drifting in the endless void; melted wires tangled together like some bizarre form of spaceborne kelp. Smaller bits of debris bounced off the Twilight's shields.

The silence of it all was unnerving.

So was the company.

Ahsoka reached out with the Force. She'd never formed a proper bond with Master Plo, but she was sure she'd be able to feel him if they got close. Until Artoo figured out what was wrong with the sensors, it would be better than nothing.

. . .

Nothing. At least, not yet. She wasn't sure how close she'd have to be before sensing something.

"I'm sorry," Vader whispered, his voice echoing in both the silence and the Force. The red glow of Abregado lit his face in a harsh light. "I know you'd rather be doing this with your master."

He was right. Ahsoka didn't bother to hide that. She didn't want to hurt the cyborg or anything, but she also didn't want to lie. "You are my master, from a certain point of view."

"Spare me your Kenobi impressions," Vader huffed. "I get enough of them from my son."

"Sorry..."

Ahsoka closed her eyes and spun in her chair. She ended up dizzy rather quickly, but even as she swayed unsteadily, she found it helped her focus. Or maybe it just spun the nervousness out a bit.

. . .

She was so worried...

"What will we do if we don't find Master Plo in time?"

"We will." Vader's presence was steady and certain, even if his cold touch still burned. The cyborg wasn't even considering the possibility of failure.

"But what if we don't?"

"We will."

The lights flickered; Vader's words were stained with darkness. Ahsoka recoiled instinctively. Her heart sped up; the Force hummed a wavering, uncertain tune. Her hand went automatically to her lightsabre.

Vader sighed, frowning, and some of the tension slowly released. "My apologies. I did not mean to do... that. The darkness leaps too easily to me still. I... may not ever eliminate it completely. But I promise I will not harm you."

"I know." The Force sang with it. Not a pleasant song, but a certain one. Vader would never allow himself to hurt one of their family again.

The only question was exactly who he considered part of their family.

The cyborg huffed, macabre amusement tingling through their bond before twisting into apologetic guilt. "Last time, you were the one who was so certain we would be successful. Does... Does my mere presence really shatter your confidence that much?"

It took Ahsoka a long minute to respond, during which time Vader wove them through a particularly dense tangle of debris with practiced ease. There was part of a hyperdrive core... Half of a blasted-out escape pod... A bit of durasteel plate with a small asteroid embedded in it...

"Yeah. Yeah, it does." Her lekku twitched in agitation. "Every time I look at you, I see that black armoured monster you showed us in your memories, but I also see Skyguy. You're him, but you fell, even though you... Skyguy..." She didn't have the words for what she wanted to express, so she sent feelings instead. Confusion. Admiration. Disappointment. Love. Fear. Dread. Worry about larger implications she couldn't fully grasp. Hero-worship. Grief for things yet to occur.

Vader nodded slowly. His face was a mask of pain. "I understand. He... I... should have been one of the greatest of the Jedi. Instead, I became... this. I am sorry."

"You apologize a lot." Something Anakin rarely did, even when he'd been proven wrong.

"I have much to apologize for."

For the next few minutes, silence reigned. Asteroids and debris floated about them in a slow dance. Vader was working in a sort of grid pattern, weaving the Twilight back and forth across the asteroid field as they moved from one end to the other, leaving no stone unturned. In fact, there were times when that saying was taken literally, Vader using the wings of the Twilight to nudge small asteroids and bits of debris out of the way with a delicate touch. It was, Ahsoka had to concede, a very impressive maneuver.

"How did you form a bond with Luke?" Vader asked. Ahsoka started; she'd been focused on trying to sense Master Plo.

"What?"

"When Obi-Wan had us in that Force conference call, I could feel that you had a bond with my son. Every other combination I can understand, but to my knowledge, no version of yourself ever met him, so I do not understand how such a bond formed so quickly." The cyborg glanced at her, hairless eyebrows raised.

"Not sure." Ahsoka shrugged. "Ask your son." The bond had been Luke's doing, not hers. They'd just been sparring and he'd asked some questions about the Jedi and what it was like to be a padawan. She'd told him what she could about training bonds and he'd responded by trying to forge one. And it had worked.

Vader huffed, picking up on her thoughts. "I can't decide if it's better or worse that he was never raised in the Temple. Luke doesn't have a concept for what is possible or proper."

"Just like his father," Ahsoka shot back. Her words were met with a burst of guilt; Vader fixed his eyes on the void of space.

"No... Far better than me. Luke is what I should have been."

Something flickered on the edge of Ahsoka's awareness. Life. Pain. Fear. Someone was under attack. She closed her eyes and concentrated. Seven lights—six clones and Master Plo. They were divided into two groups. Separate escape pods, maybe? And they were in danger.

"That way!" She pointed, tugging urgently on her bond to make Vader pay attention. "I can sense them over there!"

Vader nodded, turning the ship. Artoo whistled despondently. "1 57111 C4N'7 533 4NY7H1N6..."

"Sorry Artooie. Force thing." Ahsoka patted the astromech's dome as they turned, the engines humming loudly.

The escape pods came into view as the Twilight rounded a particularly large asteroid. Ahsoka had been right—there were two, one with three lifeforms inside and one with four. The one containing three clones was currently in the grip of a Separatist pod hunter, the grasping ship swarming with droids. It was slowly crushing the escape pod; if they didn't get there in time, the clones inside would die.

And the pod with Wolffe, Sinker, Boost, and Master Plo would be next.

There should have been sound. She should have been able to hear shrieking metal from the crushing of the pod. But the void of space was, as always, eerily silent, as if trying to mute the horrors it contained.

Vader accelerated. His lips were pressed into a thin line, his Force presence radiating grim satisfaction. "We're early," he muttered. "Good."

Blue-green blaster bolts cut the red-tinged asteroid field. Vader was firing before they were even in range. If his intention was to get the droids' attention, it worked. The battle droids scrambled, releasing the escape pod they'd grabbed in order to bring their tiny ship around to fire on the Twilight. The pod was left severely dented, warning lights flashing inside, but it didn't look like it had been fully punctured, yet.

Red blaster fire responded to the Twilight's blue-green. Vader spun the ship and dove, then wrenched it back upwards to come at the droid ship from below. Ahsoka held tight to her seat.

And then it was over. The pod hunter wasn't an actual fighter; it had no armour and no mobility. Five bolts struck dead center, destroying the machine and most of its battle droids. The last couple of droids smashed flat against the viewport of the Twilight as they soared up through the previously occupied space.

"Tractor beam," Vader said, putting his helmet on with an expression of distaste. "Pull the pods in one at a time and get the men out."

"I'm on it." Ahsoka dashed out of the cockpit and made her way to the rear bay. It was a small room; there was only room for one pod at a time. That was fine, though. Once the men were rescued, the pods themselves were worthless.

She caught the partially crushed pod first as the Twilight levelled out. The three men were weak and shaking, their pod low on oxygen from damaged life support. Even so, they found the strength to scramble free as soon as their vessel was brought inside. The trio lined up clumsily in front of Ahsoka as she jettisoned the empty pod and prepared to catch the second.

"Thank... Thank you for the save, Sir." The central clone saluted, followed by his brothers. "I'm Chess; these are Bones and Rusty. We're in your debt."

"Don't worry about it. It's a Jedi's duty to save as many lives as possible." There. The second pod was in the tractor beam. Ahsoka spotted Master Plo at the same moment that he saw her, the Kel Dor waving as the escape pod was pulled into the Twilight.

The instant the pod was inside and the bay doors were closed, Ahsoka bolted across the room and threw her arms around Master Plo; he returned her embrace with a quiet chuckle, patting her head.

"Excellent timing, Little 'Soka."

"I was so worried we wouldn't find you in time..."

"My men were beginning to fear the same."

Ahsoka pulled back, suddenly embarrassed. While Master Plo didn't seem to mind, she'd momentarily forgotten that not all Jedi were as fond of hugs as her master had recently proven to be. She sent a nervous apology through the Force; Master Plo responded with a wave of affection and amusement.

"It's alright, Little 'Soka. While I would recommend against hugging, for example, Master Windu or Master Mundi, I certainly do not mind."

"Thank you, Master."

She turned slightly, doing a quick examination of his men. Thankfully, no one seemed to be injured, although everyone was suffering from exhaustion and slight shortness of breath. Nothing that a nap in the passenger cabin wouldn't fix. Master Plo assessed his troopers as well; Ahsoka could feel him checking them for injuries in the Force, his presence a tightly controlled bundle of concern.

Boost elbowed Sinker in the ribs as the two joined Chess, Bones, and Rusty. "See? The general said someone would come find us."

"Yeah, yeah. Cut it a little close, though, didn't she?"

"Better a close call than not at all."

Ahsoka turned back to Master Plo. "Are there any more of your men out there?" There should have been; his ship couldn't have run with a crew of only seven.

He bowed his head, radiating carefully controlled grief in the Force. "I'm afraid not, Little 'Soka. That pod hunter had been active since the moment we were fired upon. We... saw the results of its work. This is all that is left of my Wolf Pack."

"I'm sorry..." Ahsoka sent out a wave of sympathy. Master Plo inclined his head gratefully.

"They are one with the Force now," he responded. Then he turned to his men.

"Wolffe, see to it that you and your brothers get some rest. It appears we're about to rendezvous with the 501st battalion; they may have need of us, if this weapon is to be stopped."

"Yes Sir!" Wolffe saluted enthusiastically and led the way to the passenger cabin, his brothers falling into step behind. Master Plo, meanwhile, followed Ahsoka to the cockpit.

Her lekku twitched nervously as they entered. What... What would Master Plo think of Vader? It was her job to make sure they didn't fight, but... How?

"Is that everyone, Commander Tano?" Vader asked as she returned to the cockpit, Master Plo on her heels. His voice was carefully modulated and his Force presence dimmed; he was clearly trying his best to appear as anything but a Dark Anakin Skywalker. There was still no chance of mistaking him for a clone, though, even with his face hidden by his helmet.

Ahsoka nodded. "Yeah, that's everyone. The rest of the 104th were killed in action." We have Master Plo. What... What do you want me to call you in front of him?

"Very good. I'll get us clear of the asteroid field and jump to Bith to rendezvous with the Resolute. General Skywalker should be there by the time we arrive." Buir. I have decided to take Buir as my clone identity... If he will buy it.

Master Plo radiated curiosity as Vader steered them free. He obviously sensed something. Thankfully, he was too polite to ask until they were in the relative safety of hyperspace. Ahsoka offered him her place in the copilot's seat; the Kel Dor master accepted with a graceful nod, settling into place. Instead of finding herself a seat, Ahsoka stood nervously by Artoo, unsure if she was going to have to leap into action.

They exited the asteroid field quickly; soon enough, the viewport was streaked with blue as the Twilight accelerated into hyperspace. Vader hummed quietly in satisfaction. Through their bond, Ahsoka could feel his pleasure at the shuttle's handling, as well as a sense of freedom and lightness that she was unaccustomed to from the cyborg.

For the first time, he felt like her master.

Master Plo folded his hands in his lap. "Thank you for coming to our aid, Little 'Soka. And... I'm sorry, I'm afraid I didn't catch your companion's name."

"You can call me Buir," Vader said, a little shortly. Even shielding as he was, his presence was full of poorly controlled grief and regret. Ahsoka flinched at his tone. Maybe having him on this rescue mission hadn't been the best idea after all.

Master Plo hummed. "I asked for your name, though, not what you wish people to call you."

"Is there a difference?" Impatience.

"It depends on your point of view. I would still prefer your actual name."

Frustration. Ahsoka prodded Vader with the Force as his irritation grew, trying to remind him to stay calm. She could sense him rolling his eyes, even as he responded to her with a touch of reassurance and gratitude.

"Buir is the name I am called among the troopers. Is that not enough?"

"It might be, if you were in truth the simple Shiny your armour professes." Master Plo leaned forwards, folding his hands together. "I sense that there is more to you than that, however. And... It is most unusual for a seemingly young, inexperienced trooper to take a name meaning parent. That is something I would expect from someone who earned their name later in service, perhaps due to their reputation as a protector or mentor."

Then Master Plo tilted his head in the direction of the lightsabre clipped to Vader's utility belt. "Also, if you want people to believe you are a simple trooper, you may wish to conceal that."

Vader froze. Then he sighed. "I... am not as good at stealth as I once was, I suppose. I shall have to ask my son for assistance; he is more experienced in this area than I."

Well, at least he wasn't reacting with hostility. Ahsoka relaxed, although she still found herself resting a hand on one of her lightsabres. Who might present a threat to whom, though, she had no idea.

Master Plo leaned back in the seat once more, nodding. "Your son? Interesting... Little 'Soka, were you aware that this man is not a trooper, and that he appears to be strong in the Force?"

"Yes, Master Plo." Ahsoka nodded, stroking the tip of one lek nervously. "I just... It's a complicated situation, and it's his story to tell. I don't want to overstep and share too much."

"I see..." Master Plo looked back to Vader. His presence grew heavy—not threatening, but concerned and protective. "Your name. Please. And whatever explanation you can give me for your presence."

His words were met with a heavy sigh. Without an immediate need for active piloting, Vader rotated his chair so as to meet Master Plo's masked gaze. "My son and I are non-Jedi Force-sensitives who joined the 501st and 212th battalions in the aftermath of the Battle of Teth. We aim to work with Generals Skywalker and Kenobi to save as many lives as possible."

For someone who complained about the half-truths and certain points of view used by the Jedi, Vader was fairly proficient in them himself. Ahsoka stifled a giggle, but let her amusement be felt clearly through their bond; Vader responded with a sense that he was rolling his eyes.

"And disguising yourself as a trooper?" Master Plo prompted. Vader shrugged and folded his arms.

"My son's idea and General Kenobi's, not mine. Kenobi didn't want to advertise our presence until he'd had a chance to introduce us to the Jedi Council in person." Then, almost as an afterthought... "It is nice not to have people staring at me."

"Is that often a problem, people staring?"

Vader responded by removing his helmet. Ahsoka barely prevented herself from flinching at the sight. Though healed, the twisting mass of scars still looked painful, and Vader's ice-pale eyes would forever be an unnerving sight. He looked like some dead thing, raised from the grave by shadow and frost. "When you look like me, people either refuse to look at you or can't stop themselves staring."

"Ah. Yes, I can see how that might be an issue." Master Plo nodded. "I can sense, however, that there is more to the story. You are not telling me everything."

"And I won't tell you everything. Not until my son and I have met the Council, and perhaps not even then. My business is my own; all that you Jedi need to know is that we are on the same side and I will do whatever is necessary in order to protect my family."

"Mmmmmmm... I suppose with an attitude like that, it's no wonder I sense darkness in you," Master Plo mused. "Such strong attachments can lead you down a bitter path, friend."

"They can also bring you back," Vader hissed. His face twisted into a dangerous snarl; Ahsoka unclipped her lightsabre on reflex. "The only reason you sense as much light from me as you do is because of my son. So kindly take your insufferable Code and shove it where even the twin suns of Tatooine cannot reach."

There was a brief surge of frustration-annoyance-contempt-resentment-anger in the Force as Vader struggled to contain himself. Master Plo raised his hands in a pacifying gesture. "I do not mean to antagonize you, friend. I have attachments myself. None so strong or bitter as yours, but I am not condemning you. But you must understand—we are at war. We must remain somewhat cynical, especially of such... unusual allies as yourself."

Ahsoka's eyes widened. Master Plo was admitting to having attachments? Sure, he was always kind with her and the other younglings, but… Was he saying he loved them? Or that he loved his men? Or maybe it was his niece—she was a Jedi too, wasn't she? His words rang true in the Force, yet Ahsoka found she didn't fully understand them.

Still glowering, Vader accepted the implied apology with a tilt of his head. "I am not the one you need to fear, General Koon, despite my aura and appearance. There are others far more deserving of your suspicion."

The anger in the air slowly lessened; Ahsoka relaxed her grip on her sabre with a quiet sigh of relief. She had no idea what she would have done—could have done—if things had come to blows. Master Plo was a master, and Vader, despite still being in a weakened state and adjusting to new limbs, was Skyguy. Both of them were much more experienced duelists than she was.

They came out of hyperspace at that moment, closer to their target than was really advisable. Up ahead, the Resolute and the Defender were clearly visible, drifting around Bith like a pair of great whales lazing at the surface of the sea. The supply ships they'd been escorting were gone, already headed down to the surface to deliver their precious cargo.

"1NC0M1N6 C411!" Artoo beeped from his station. "R3501U73 H4111N6!"

Ahsoka patted the astromech's dome. "Patch them through, Artooie."

A tiny holo of her master materialized in the middle of the dash. Anakin appeared momentarily taken aback by the fact that Vader wasn't wearing his helmet, mouth opening and closing like a fish. It took him a bit to finally find his words.

"Ah- Ahsoka! Va- uh, Buir. I see you found Master Koon. Were there any other survivors?"

"Six of my men were rescued as well," Master Plo answered. "They are currently resting in the passenger cabin."

"It's good to hear that." Anakin frowned thoughtfully; Ahsoka could feel him prodding her over their bond. He saw Vader's face? What did you guys tell him?

Just that Vader and Luke are non-Jedi Force-sensitives who've attached themselves to the 501st and 212th. Ahsoka winced. He... could sense that Vader wasn't a clone.

Yeah... I forgot that might be an issue around members of the Order. We'll think of something, though. Anakin cleared his throat and focused on Vader. "Buir, you're good to make your landing approach; the hangar doors are already open for you. I'll meet you guys there so we can talk about... stuff."

Vader nodded and began the landing approach. "We'll be there momentarily, Skywalker."

Master Plo turned to look at Ahsoka as the Twilight sank towards the Resolute's main hangar. He didn't say a word, but he radiated questions all the same. Ahsoka just shrugged. She had no idea what to tell him about the relationship between Vader and Anakin—or anything else about this situation, for that matter.

They entered the hangar and set down with a gentle thump. Vader put his helmet back on, radiating distaste. Master Plo looked at him as they turned to leave.

"I notice that you have yet to answer my question regarding your name."

"Because it's complicated and I don't want to."

Master Plo puffed. "Very well. If Buir is the title you desire, then Buir I will call you. It may become confusing, though, if my men and I spend much time with the 501st; Wolffe tends to call me Buir."

"I'll deal with it."

Vader led the way out of the Twilight, Ahsoka trotting to keep up. Master Plo waited to emerge until his men had joined them, Wolffe standing on alert at his side despite the exhaustion he and his brothers still radiated.

Anakin met them at the foot of the ramp. "How'd it go?"

"We found Master Plo and six of his men," Ahsoka supplied. "The rest were… lost. The droids used pod hunters to try and eliminate survivors."

Her master rested a hand on her shoulder. His metal hand; it wasn't as warm as the rest of him. "You did well, Snips. Every life saved matters."

Behind her, Master Plo hummed with approval as his men made flustered noises. Ahsoka smiled, a glowing ball of pride rising in her chest. "How are things here?"

"Well, I managed to get Kix to believe Buir was updating some schedules for me, so we're safe on that front. For now, anyways." Anakin made a face and turned to Vader. "I don't suppose you actually can do that, can you?"

Ahsoka wasn't privy to Vader's response, although she could feel him communicating with her master in the Force. Anakin paled. "Okay, yeah, that's a good idea. Hopefully you'll be properly cleared by then."

"Speak a little louder, Skywalker; I don't think they've heard you on Coruscant yet." Vader folded his arms. "I believe the point of a disguise is to conceal my identity from Republic officers; responding to Force communications out loud is detrimental to that purpose."

"Not as detrimental as you showing Master Koon your face."

"Master Koon is not a Republic officer and he can sense me. We need to come up with a contingency to conceal my presence from Force-sensitives before we head back to Coruscant for our next rotation there."

"Ask Luke! He's the one who managed to hide his presence from me on my own ship!"

Master Plo looked askance at Ahsoka, his presence puzzled. "Are they always like this?"

She shrugged. "Honestly, they're usually worse. Va- Buir hasn't traumatized anybody yet today." What had her life become that that was an improvement?

"And this Luke is… his son?"

"Yep."

"I see…" Master Plo folded his hands and inclined his head. "Luke is a stealth specialist?"

Ahsoka made a face. "Sort of, but at the same time, not really? It's complicated. Luke's currently with Master Kenobi performing an inspection of medical stations in this region."

Master Plo nodded thoughtfully.

Anakin ran a hand through his hair. His tension was palpable in the Force, to the point that even some clones were looking askance at him as they walked past. "We need to report to Obi-Wan," he decided. "We've gotta figure out where this thing's gonna strike next so we can stop it. You didn't get any idea where it was going, did you, Master Koon?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Mmmmmmm… I wish you did, but I guess it was a bit of a long shot…"

Ahsoka felt her master tug on their bond, twisting it together with Vader's to create a three-way conversation. Ahsoka? Vader? Either of you guys know anything?

Sorry Skyguy. I've got nothing.

Grievous will attack another convoy or two—I cannot remember where—then target the Kaliida Shoals Medical Facility.

Great, just great…

They headed for the bridge. As usual, Ahsoka found herself trotting to keep up; Master Plo was as tall as Skyguy, and neither the Kel Dor nor either version of her master was inclined to slow down for those with shorter legs.

. . .

How had Luke ended up so small when his father was the tallest human Ahsoka had ever met? Yes, Padme was small, but surely Anakin's genes counted for something?

Admiral Yularen was waiting for them when they arrived. The admiral snapped a salute as Anakin and Master Plo swept into the room, nodding politely to Ahsoka. He ignored Vader completely—at least the clone disguise worked on someone.

"Glad to see you with us, General Koon," Admiral Yularen began. His voice was shaky, his face a little paler than usual. He was good at keeping it together—for someone who wasn't a Jedi, at least—but still obviously shaken. "I'm afraid we've had some disturbing news. Another attack, this time on a medical convoy in the Ryndellia System. Initial investigations found no survivors."

That was… Not good. It had only been a few hours since Master Plo was attacked; the Malevolence was moving quickly. Ahsoka glanced at Vader, but his face was unreadable under his helmet, and his Force signature wasn't much more helpful. Stress. Resignation. Regret. While he'd mentioned another attack, she couldn't tell if he remembered it coming so soon.

Anakin commed Obi-Wan, calling up a holomap in the same movement. He radiated frustration; Ahsoka winced, sharing his thoughts. It would be a lot easier if they could just act on Vader's knowledge rather than having to put on a show for the admiral.

Obi-Wan's voice crackled from his hologram. "Yes, Anakin? What is it?"

"Our scout ship was able to rescue Master Koon and a small handful of his troopers. We just got them back when Admiral Yularen told me about another attack in the Ryndellia System. Have you heard about that one?"

"Yes, I'm afraid I just got the news." The Force twisted around as Ahsoka's grand-master opened up their communication web. It felt so weird to have the lineage all connected… But at the same time, somehow right.

Anakin was poking at the holomap, marking nearby star systems. It took Ahsoka a minute to realize that they were the locations of known attacks by the Malevolence. "There has to be some sort of pattern…" Vader says there's an attack on the Kaliida Shoals Medical Facility coming up, but how do we explain how we know that to intercept it?

Obi-Wan stroked his beard thoughtfully. Before he could say anything, though, Master Plo spoke up.

"Knight Skywalker, a moment."

"Yes?" Anakin paused, glancing up. Master Plo traced a line from one glowing dot to the next, puffing thoughtfully.

"There's a path here. Almost all of the attacks have been following this route, and even the outliers haven't deviated more than a couple of parsecs off course. I believe that if we can find an important site along this route, we can find the location of an upcoming attack. Perhaps there we can finally catch this latest menace."

Obi-Wan glanced over the route, frowning even as he radiated relief. "There's a medical facility… there." He pointed at the Kaliida Nebula, which was indeed directly in line with the path Master Plo had traced. "Sixty thousand wounded clones are currently in residence, undergoing treatment." You present a good point, Anakin. Thankfully, Master Koon has saved us from needing an explanation this time, but we will have to come up with something. We… have not planned this very well.

Ahsoka inclined her head towards her grand-master's hologram. Ah, we would've thought of something. You and Skyguy always come up with your best ideas on the fly.

Luke giggled in the Force; it made it hard to maintain a straight face.

"How long do you think we have before Grievous gets there?" Anakin asked. His eyes flicked towards Vader, but the former Sith was silent in the Force. He wasn't sure.

"Probably not as long as we'd like," Obi-Wan responded, scowling at the holomap. "The route he's taking is more direct than the ones we could take to reach the area; we may not be able to get there before Grievous does. These gravity wells here and here could prove problematic." He gestured towards a couple of star systems; Ahsoka wasn't sure what their names were.

"For a Star Destroyer, yeah." Anakin's section of the web thrummed in anticipation—specifically, the kind of anticipation that made Obi-Wan look very, very worried. "But if I took a squadron of small fighter-bombers through the Balmorra Run…" And it would have to be me this time. Vader needs to hang out somewhere visible for a little while so Kix doesn't get suspicious and chain him to the bed.

Vader growled in the Force, but said nothing. Obi-Wan frowned.

"You may be right, but that route's rather risky, isn't it?"

Anakin nodded. "Yeah, but it's a risk that's worth sixty thousand lives if we succeed." Unless anyone has a better idea?

No, that is exactly what I did last time. We suffered no casualties during the shortcut itself… Well, aside from Contrail's astromech.

Both Anakin and Obi-Wan visibly relaxed at Vader's words. Ahsoka glanced at Admiral Yularen to see if he'd noticed anything, but there was no sign that he had. Master Plo, though, was observing each of them with interest.

Riiiight… Even if he couldn't tell who was speaking or what they were saying, he could probably sense that there was some sort of additional communication going on in the Force. Especially since he knew Vader wasn't a clone.

"I'll take Shadow Squadron on ahead," Anakin decided. "The Redeemer and the Defender will take the long way around and meet us there."

"I'll bring the Negotiator in as quickly as I can as well." Obi-Wan folded his arms. "I can probably get there faster than your ships, fast enough to begin an evacuation if needed."

Anakin winced. "Good idea."

Then Luke spoke up. I'll grab a fighter and come on ahead too. I can see a path from where we are.

Obi-Wan stiffened. You will do no such thing, padawan-mine! That route is far too narrow and precarious.

It's bigger than the trenches on the Death Star. I can do it.

You really are your father's son, aren't you?

Is that a yes?

Fine! But be careful.

I always am.

Ahsoka watched Vader out of the corner of her eye during the exchange. The cyborg was growing gradually more tense, hands clenching into fists. She could hear the faint whirring of servos from the excessive tightness of his grip. You most certainly are not!

I'm at least as careful as you are, Father.

Anakin snickered over the web. He's got you there.

Vader slowly relaxed, radiating concern and irritation. Very well…

Admiral Yularen cleared his throat, glancing from one Jedi to the next. Right… They'd been silent for the last part of the exchange, not covering up their mental conversation with an audible one. Woops. "Generals, Commander, is everything alright? Or do we have more to discuss?"

"Ah. No, Admiral, that's everything." Anakin shook his head and gestured for Ahsoka to follow him. "Come on, Snips. Let's go get Shadow Squadron together. Buir, go rest so Kix doesn't kick both our asses."

"Yes, Sir." Vader saluted and stalked off. Ahsoka wondered briefly what exactly he was going to do for rest, then decided she probably didn't want to know.

Master Plo followed Ahsoka and her master as they left the bridge. "Knight Skywalker?"

"Yeah?"

"I would like to offer my services in this mission, if you have an extra ship I could borrow."

Anakin raised his eyebrows, radiating surprise. "You sure you don't want to rest with your men? You've already been through a lot today."

"I have indeed. But I doubt I will be able to get much rest knowing that so many of Wolffe's brothers are at risk." The Kel Dor folded his hands. "I would like to be of assistance."

"Well then, the more the merrier." Anakin smiled. "I'm sure we can scrounge up an extra Aethersprite for you to use."

"My thanks."

Ahsoka bit back snickers as her master commed the members of Shadow Squadron to meet them in the hangar. When he was done, Anakin prodded her in the Force, presence curious and almost pouting.

What's so funny, Snips?

I just realized—between you, Mini-Skyguy, and Tall-Dark-and-Skyguy, there's almost enough of you to have an entire squadron of Skyguys.

There was a sudden… sputtering in the Force, as if the sound of someone spitting out their tea had been turned into an emotion. Ahsoka realized with a jolt of alarm that Obi-Wan had yet to unwind the lineage web as his voice rang out in her mind. Don't give them ideas!

Too late! Anakin and Luke's presences responded with almost identical levels of surprise-interest-eagerness-competitiveness-curiosity-family bonding.

Vader, meanwhile, rumbled with barely concealed amusement. His voice in the Force sounded so much like the mechanical monstrosity still. Fear not, Kenobi. If such a thing comes to pass, I will be there to supervise.

That actually makes me worry more! Obi-Wan untangled the connection before anyone got the chance to respond, although Ahsoka could still sense a deep, rumbling chuckle through her bond with Vader as she got ready to fly.