"So how exactly did you find out about the chips?"
Soph looked up from her datapad. She'd been reading a memo from Fox and hadn't noticed him approaching. "Hey, Wolffe. How'd you hear it was me?"
"General Koon told us," he explained. "He seemed… ah, irritated."
"I did something he doesn't approve of," Soph explained. Her brow furrowed. She was tired of people being protective of her- she just wanted to be trusted to do her job and do it well. "As for the chips, have you met Fives?"
"I don't believe so."
"Mm," she turned and scanned the crowd until she spotted the triangular pattern on Fives' armor. "Hey, Fives, can I borrow you?"
Fives turned from Droidbait and made his way over. "Something wrong?"
"Wolffe was asking me how I knew about the chips," she explained. "Fives, this is Wolffe. Wolffe, this is Fives, one of my best men. He found out about the chips through a classified incident and brought the information to me."
"Well, thank you, Fives," Wolffe nodded his head in respect. "You've done more for the GAR than anyone."
"I'm just doing my duty for my brothers, just as any brother would."
"I don't know about that," Soph muttered. Fives raised an eyebrow and she sighed. "Slick and Dogma. You're a good man, Fives. You took risks that not everyone would take, just to make sure your brothers were freed. At the end of this, you will be receiving a medal."
"You pick your men well, general," Wolffe told her. "It was one of your men that helped make these transmitters, too, wasn't it?"
"Three of them, actually," Soph waved toward the rest of Domino, who were glancing at them curiously. "Echo over there, with the handprint, took care of the biotech portion of it. Coric and Kix handled the rest."
"Well, we appreciate the fast delivery of these transmitters. Using your design, we can produce more and quicker than you can. You and your mens' help is invaluable- it's changing lives. Be proud of that."
"Oh, I'm very proud of them," Soph said. Fives gave a sideways grin at her words. "Our success wouldn't be possible without them."
"That's how we'll win this war," Wolffe smiled. "Jedi and clones, working together. We win together."
OoOoOoOoOoOo
"Shit," Soph cursed loudly. Cutup spun around, his hand reaching down for his pistol. He relaxed when he realized that she was staring at her datapad.
"What is it?"
"Something happened to Ahsoka," she explained. Cutup's brow furrowed in concern. "She… nearly froze to death? Apparently Master Unduli's men were infected with some sort of… Geonosian bug."
"You didn't know about it?" Cutup wondered. Soph shrugged.
"I was sent to Tatooine to deal with an issue with the Hutts. They'd asked Anakin to go, but he refused."
"He refused?"
Soph hesitated. "Tatooine… is not good for him. I don't blame him."
"And where is Commander Tano?"
"On Master Fisto's ship," she said. She turned and looked at a clone on the bridge. "Flash, change in plans. We're headed to Kit Fisto's ship to find Ahsoka. Let's make it fast."
"Yes, sir," he nodded sharply and moved to adjust their course.
Anakin assured her that Ahsoka was still sleeping, but she still tapped her foot anxiously as she waited in the Twilight with Domino. When they finally reached the Interceptor, they wasted no time to get on board.
A man named Drew led them through the ship until they reached the med bay. Inside, Ahsoka had just woken and sat with Anakin. She looked distinctly upset.
"'Soka," Soph said, rushing forward. She grabbed the padawan's hand and squeezed it. "I'm so glad you're okay."
"Hotshot isn't," Ahsoka said quietly. She looked incredibly guilty and grief weighed on her heavily. Soph felt a pang of sympathy.
"What happened?"
"They were being controlled by these… worms, and they attacked. Barriss… she was being attacked by Hotshot and she- she killed him. She… killed him. He's gone, Master."
"I'm so sorry," Soph said quietly. "Losing men is truly the worst part of war."
"I just can't believe she- she didn't have to kill him," Ahsoka shook her head. "It isn't right. He was my friend!"
"There is no death, there is only the Force," Anakin reminded her softly. "Hotshot is part of the Cosmic Force now. You didn't lose him - he's all around you, nudging you forward. Keep fighting for your fallen men, Ahsoka."
"The Cosmic Force," she whispered to herself. "He's just… different. Not gone, different."
Soph nodded and rubbed Ahsoka's back gently. She was mildly surprised by Anakin's comforting words. He was never great at comforting others. "Exactly. You've still got him, 'Soka."
"Is the rest of Epsilon here?" Cutup asked quietly. Ahsoka nodded.
"We'll give you some time and find them. They've lost a brother - they need support," Fives said.
"Go ahead," Soph nodded. Domino filed out of the med bay, leaving Ahsoka, Anakin, and Soph alone.
Anakin and Soph set into telling stories of their own experiences with losing men. It was a rough conversation, but one that Ahsoka needed to hear. By the end of it, she seemed more upset, and while Soph wished she could spare Ahsoka the pain of going through war and losing friends, she knew there was nothing she could do but support her and prepare her.
It was a bad night for everyone, but they got through it together.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
"There's a transmission from Master Koth's ship," Soph said. They were in the Jedi temple once more, gathered around the holo projector. Some members of the Council tuned in through their own holo projectors as well. Ahsoka was there with some younglings, talking to them about what it was like to be a padawan. The younglings were listening with rapt attention. "I'm putting it through now."
There was some static before the image of a clone and Eeth Koth together. The clone had cuffed Koth and held his pistol tightly in his hand against Koth's side. "Jedi, I have your Master Koth. You are not invincible. You are enemies of the true republic, and you will be destroyed."
"This isn't you talking," Obi Wan told the clone with concern lacing his voice.
"Trooper, release him," Master Windu said sharply. "Did we not get a transmitter to Koth?"
"He's been in the depths of the outer rim for half of a cycle," Soph answered. "We were trying to plan how to get one to him through the asteroid fields."
"We will find you, Master," Anakin promised. "Just hang on."
"No need," the clone said. They watched in horror as he pulled the trigger, shooting Koth directly in the side. Younglings screamed, and Ahsoka pulled them into her side, shaking madly as she did so.
Eeth Koth slumped before slamming into the ground lifelessly.
"This is a warning," the clone told them. His words were coming out in a sort of empty tone - he was clearly being controlled. "You are being tracked down. De-chip as many of us as you like, but there will always be more of us chipped than not, and we will find you and end you. This is only the beginning."
The transmission cut out abruptly, leaving them with loud static.
"I think I tracked them down," Soph told them softly. Horror and grief hung thickly in the air. The silence was stifling. She kept her voice low, afraid to interrupt the solemn mood. "The Saleucami system."
"It's a trap," Obi Wan said, frowning. "They know we'd come after them for this."
"Trap though it may be, we can't leave those men there," Anakin argued. "They need to be freed, not punished for something they couldn't control."
"I agree," Soph said. "Anakin and I can take a transmitter and free the men and… bring Master Koth back."
"I'll come too," Ahsoka said. Her voice shook, and Soph put a hand on her shoulder.
"No, 'Soka. You need to stay here for this."
"But-,"
"She's right, young one," Obi Wan told her gently. "Take a break. Your masters can handle this."
"We'll take Epsilon and Domino," Anakin said. "And Rex, of course."
"Take Cody as well," Obi Wan suggested. "We don't know how many men are being controlled. You may have an entire battalion against you."
"We just need to get on board and use the transmitter," Soph muttered thoughtfully. "We won't fight if we can help it."
"Get going, then," Windu said. "Keep us updated. And… bring him back, if you can."
"Of course, Master."
OoOoOoOoOoOo
"They just… killed him?" Cutup asked. He was pale as they walked together through the Twilight. "Force, I can't imagine."
"We need Wolffe to work faster," Soph said in frustration. "This has become our number one priority. It seems arresting Palpatine has somewhat backfired."
"Our brothers need to be freed," Echo said, tapping his hand anxiously against his leg. "I can't imagine if I'd been forced to… kill you."
"Don't imagine it," Soph suggested. "It isn't going to happen."
"We're almost there," Jinx called as they approached the cockpit. "Their shields are down - we're expected."
"Two ships," Anakin decided. "One team acts as a distraction while the other takes the transmitter on board and works through the men."
"I assume you want to be the distraction," Soph raised an eyebrow at her friend. He nodded, and she sighed. "Epsilon and Rex, stay with Anakin. Domino and Cody, with me."
They separated and made their way to the small ships. They weren't made for so many people to fit in them, but they managed it anyway.
Anakin's team split out first, flying well within sight of the star destroyer. As expected, they were immediately shot at. Soph and her men took the opening to fly under the star destroyer. They docked quickly and wasted no time running onto the ship.
"Here," Soph tossed Fives a transmitter. "Take Cutup and Droidbait and go toward the deck. We'll work on the lower levels."
"Soph, down!" Cody said sharply. Soph didn't have time to grab her lightsaber, so she ducked and let the shot fly over her head. Cody gave her an exasperated look.
She pulled out her lightsaber and deflected shots while her other hand snaked down to pull out the transmitter. She fumbled with it a little and cursed loudly before she finally gripped it and slammed her hand down on the button.
The soldiers that were shooting them stumbled a little before dropping their weapons. A Sargent caught sight of Soph and shot to attention. "Sir!"
"Relax, soldier," Soph waved them off. She turned off her lightsaber but didn't put it away. With Cody at her side and her men behind her, she walked forward to meet the men. "How many of you are under Tambor's control?"
"All of us," he said, horrified. "He said- he said 'execute order 47" and we just… did everything he said. I couldn't stop myself."
"We've deactivated the chip that allows him to control you," she told him gently. "You're free, soldier."
"Thank you."
"Let's keep moving. It sounds like we've got a lot of men to free."
They did as she instructed and moved throughout the large ship together. They were on high alert, and she pressed the button so many times she lost count. They couldn't stop and tell everyone what happened, so they told a couple people and had them come with to explain.
They were making a good path toward the command deck when there was a large jolt. Soph stumbled a little and grabbed onto the wall to stay upright. She knew immediately what had happened and felt a rush of panic - they'd jumped into hyperspace, and she wasn't sure where to.
"Shit," Soph cursed loudly. "We need to move."
They started running toward the command deck, and Soph ordered men along as she freed them. By the time they got up there, she had a total of 22 men with her. When they ran through the doors, they were immediately shot at.
"Blasters on stun only!" she yelled. She jumped in front to deflect the shots coming at them and winced when one hit a clone in the arm. She was grateful it hadn't hit anything serious. It was difficult to aim the shots away from the men because of the controls all around them. One poorly placed hit could take out necessary systems and they'd all be dead.
The ARCs were what really saved them in the end. While Master Koth's freed men laid down cover fire, Domino ran through the room, quietly and carefully stunning the men. When they'd taken care of most of them, Soph managed to reach down and press the transmitter once more. Blaster fire cautiously and abruptly ended, and she made her way up to the captain and put her hand on his shoulder. "You okay, Captain?"
He was shaking. His eyes were on his hands, and he dropped his blaster to the ground. "I… I killed him. I killed him, sir."
"I know," she nodded and led him to sit down. She was afraid he was going to pass out. Grief shone in his eyes. "It's okay. It wasn't your fault."
"But I-,"
"What's your name?"
"Wave, sir."
"Wave, there's a chip in your head," she told him gently. "Tambor used it to make you kill him. We're here to help. Where is Master Koth?"
"He's in that conference room," Wave pointed to the left. He looked traumatized and she didn't blame him. She couldn't imagine if she killed Obi Wan.
"Okay," she nodded. "And where did you take us?"
"Jakku," he answered. "It's in the western inner rim."
"I know the place," she hummed. "Why Jakku?"
"We were to meet with Tambor. He knows you're here - he's coming for you."
Soph's eyes drifted anxiously to Echo. He stood eerily still. "Echo, take one of the shuttles back to the Resolute. I don't want you here for this."
"Soph, I'm fine, I can-,"
"That's an order, Echo. Get out of here."
Echo grimaced.
"Update Anakin on what's going on and have him meet us here with Obi Wan, please."
"Yes, sir," he said reluctantly. She knew he was irritated with her just because he'd called her 'sir', but she didn't care. It was dangerous for him to be near Tambor. She had no idea how he'd react to the man, and she didn't want to find out - for her sake and his.
"Prepare to be boarded," she turned to Wave. "Get as many men as possible to every entrance. Tambor is nasty. We need to be ready."
Wave nodded. He turned to leave, but hesitated. "Who are you?"
She blinked in surprise, but she held out her hand and shook his. "General Soph-Katarina Sizre. Call me Soph."
"We'll make this right," he promised her. "Or… as right as it can be."
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Echo glared down at the controls. He wasn't the best pilot, but he knew his way around a ship. He flipped on the shuttle and wasted no time getting out of there.
He knew why he was being sent away, and so did the rest of Domino, but he didn't like it. He wanted to help, to make sure his brothers and his general would be okay. Being away from Domino was always difficult - they'd spent their entire lives together, and they certainly had co-dependency issues that Soph was kind enough to not bring up.
And while he was upset that he'd been sent away, he was also grateful. He wasn't sure how he'd react to Tambor, but considering the constant nightmares he had of the man and what he'd done to him, he didn't want to find out. It was a good way to get himself killed.
So, he took the shuttle and left. He prayed to the Force that his brothers would be okay without him. He trusted them and was confident in their abilities, but he trusted no one but himself to keep them safe. He knew they felt the same way.
He wasn't too far from the star destroyer when a ship came out of hyperspace. It was a separatist ship, and his breath caught in his chest. He scrambled to the controls and tried to get himself out of the way, but he had no time to. His shuttle was pulled in by the ship ahead of him.
Echo took in a steadying breath and pulled for his pistol. It shook within his hands. He closed his eyes and focused to calm himself - his ARC training had taught him how to push down and move on from trauma, but he found it difficult to do in practice.
The door to the ship hissed as it opened. He pointed the pistol ahead of him and wasted no time shooting. Immediately, he took out three droids. When he turned to shoot another, something hit him.
He groaned at the pain in his side - he'd only been grazed, but it was too close to comfort. He continued shooting, shaking worse now, until a stunner hit him and he dropped to the ground.
When his eyes opened once again, he found himself in a much too familiar cell with a much too familiar man standing at his side with a datapad in his hands.
"Ah, there you are," Tambor said, a slow grin twisting on his lips. "Now comes the real fun."
OoOoOoOoOoOo
