A/N: Hey everyone it's good to be back! I hope you enjoy this next as we continue the beginning of Ron and Kim's adventure into the Clone Wars. Thank you all for subscribing, liking, and reviewing this story. I appreciate it! Give me a shout as I'm open to criticism as well.

Enjoy!

I.

Ron stepped onto the cascading floor of the command bridge on the Asura. On both sides were droids and volunteer citizens of Ord Canfre working at their posts of thin-green neon monitors. Unlike the OOM pilot droids who complemented every Confederate ship, the volunteers from Ord Canfre were something new to Ron. In his education of the Droid Army, he had learned it was rare to see posts filled by people.

On the surface, he had seen Humans and Nemoidians. But from a military standpoint, other than high-ranking officers, Ron had been under the assumption that the Confederate Army and Navy were composed of only battle droids. Yet here were Humans, Nemoidians, Duros, and a Quarren all manning the ship side by side with the droids. All of them had volunteered to serve on this ship.

"So who's the new dweezer?" Ron turned his attention to Aella who stood next to another younger woman. She had rough tan skin. Her short-cropped black tank top revealed her slim toned body. She wore cut black jumpsuit pants with two pistols strapped to her waist. The outfit reminded him of Kim's. Her amber eyes were battle-hardened and keen like a cat. Her rough charcoal hair tied up in a loose ponytail.

"Who are you calling dweezer!?" Ron retorted. He wasn't keen on being pushed back down a ladder he had just spent weeks climbing. "I'll have you know that I'm a Commander in the Confederate—"

"Can it! I don't want to hear about your useless rank," the woman interjected crossing her arms. Her eyes simmered with anger turning away. "Just another hotshot that thinks because they have rank and a few thousand battle droids that they can take on the galaxy."

"Ron, I know I haven't introduced you yet but this is Alex, she's a bounty hunter who happens to live on Ord Canfre. She's been hired by Beta to help us in the upcoming operation. So please give her some respect," Aella instructed Ron.

"Yes, I'll make sure to remember that master," Ron replied bowing his head.

"So who is the new dweezer! I didn't know that Beta dealt with arrogant hotshots like him," Alex glared at Aella.

Aella smirked, "He just finished training. Ron is our new apprentice, you'll have to put up with him in the long run."

Alex gritted her teeth in frustration. "Just make sure that idiot doesn't screw anything up when I'm around," she said turning her glowering eyes on Ron.

Ron rubbed the back of his neck confused by the girl's presence. Beta had never mentioned mercenaries before. Alex didn't look like a raggedy soldier as much as a thug. Her utility belt was hung over her shoulder and across her chest.

Her eyes took Ron aback the most. Those psychotic eyes looked like they yearned for blood and death. She glanced over her shoulder back at Ron. Her eyes were filled with blood-lust and angst.

"Ron! Put your battle helmet on! General Beta is contacting us!" Aella ordered. Ron quickly donned his battle helmet. General Beta had instructed Ron to be battle-ready at all times. You never knew when an attack would happen. The t-shaped visor changed Ron's field of vision to a greenish hue.

"Aella, Ron… Alex. I'm glad to see you all have acquainted yourselves," Ron watched Beta's hologram appear in front of them. The man who had initiated Ron's training was fully prepared for battle. His Mandalorian armor covered him from head to toe. His gloved hands looked ready to draw any weapon for any situation.

"I wouldn't call it 'acquainted'" Alex emphasized the word, sneering at Ron.

"Alex. I hired you to help Aella and Ron. I'm paying you a very generous amount for your troubles so please don't be disrespectful," Beta asked.

Alex shook her head, "Don't take this the wrong way, but I can't trust your apprentice over there to handle anything other than shoveling bantha fodder," Alex snorted.

"And you know this first hand, that he's incapable?" Beta questioned Alex's reasoning. Ron knew he was trying to make sense of it. Was it experience or personal? Either seemed ridiculous to Ron since they had just met.

"It's nothing personal. Just my gut instinct," Alex shrugged her shoulders. "My gut instinct goes a long way."

"I didn't hire you for your 'instinct' on my cadre, Alex. And since you've already received half your payment, you will listen to my officers," Beta ordered. Alex ground her teeth aggravated by Beta's order.

Ron shook his head. She didn't know what he had been through the past two months. The hell he had endured on Ord Canfre, his new home. Ron sighed and slumped his shoulders smiling only slightly. It was a new thought he had to get used to, Ord Canfre and its moons being his new home.

"Can you just get to the varping mission!" Alex crossed her arms frustrated, puffing on a death stick she had lit.

Beta shook his head. "Operation Durge's Lance will begin in seventy-three hours and twenty-two minutes. Our mission, dubbed Operation Windfall will commence in twenty-four hours in order to draw the Republic's attention away from General Grievous and his forces, so they can attack with little resistance," Beta explained.

"Before this, however, you will all be partaking in an assault on the Republic intelligence ship Urnin operating near Confederate Space six hours before Operation Windfall begins."

"Won't that alert them? I thought the whole purpose of this plan was to be a surprise?" Alex asked.

"You will board the ship after we jam its communications coming from the system. Your priority will be to seize the ship and capture Rear-admiral Walren," Beta explained ignoring Alex's question.

"Are there any Jedi?" Aella asked. Ron was puzzled by the question. Here it was again. Were the Jedi good or bad? If they were good, why were they on the wrong side of the war according to his master's? And if they were bad, why was Beta so cautious in revealing that they were also. To Ron, it didn't make any sense. He had been taught that in ancient times the Jedi were honorable warriors who fought for justice. Now, however, it seemed Beta had a different view on them.

"That factor is unknown and I can't make any deductions based on the intelligence we have now. What I do know is that Walren contains vital information on Republic troop and fleet movements within the Mid-Rim. This information could prove crucial in continuing our campaign in the Northern Slice of the Outer Rim."

"Alright, first off. Catching people alive isn't exactly my specialty. Is there any way we can just get the information from -" Beta cut Alex off.

"I strongly prefer him alive," Beta wouldn't accept Alex's habits for destruction.

Alex drew out a long huff from her death stick and sighed blowing out the smoke. "Fine, have it your way. I was just trying to make it easier."

"For who? You?" Aella smirked. Alex looked away trying to ignore her comment.

"Svana and our other apprentice Cecily will be joining you for this mission," Beta informed Aella.

Ron's ears perked up as Beta continued. "Aella. I want Cecily and Ron to be partners on this mission. Decide how they are utilized," Aella's eyes widened.

"Do you think they are ready to act on their own?" she asked out of concern for both Ron and Cecily.

"You will be with them on the mission. However, they need to develop their skills quickly and they will only do this if they begin to operate independently."

Aella nodded and let her Master continue. "Once you seize the ship and its occupants, Captain Shinone well arrive with your fleet for extraction. From there you will receive further instructions for Operation Windfall," Beta finished. Ron stared at Beta's hologram dazed, trying to retain all of the information that had been said. His brain felt like he was about to explode. When he was Kim's sidekick, all he usually knew was that they had to take out a secret lair where the doomsday weapon was. He wasn't keen on getting all the little details down.

"Did you get all that dweezer?" Alex sneered taking Ron aback.

"I got it! Worry about yourself why don't you?" Ron growled back.

"I'm just making sure. Because if I get so much as a scrape on my ass, I'll cook yours over the ship's reactor core," Alex pulled her sidearm out of its holster aiming it at Ron's nether regions.

"HEY!" Ron shouted in shock jumping back. He couldn't believe how reckless she was being. "Put that thing away! You're gonna get someone hurt!"

Aella laughed, "You have armor over your groin Ron. Besides, with all the training we've put you through you should be able to deflect her shot with ease."

Alex smirked, closing one eye exaggerating her aims precision. "I wouldn't be so sure…"

"That's enough!" Beta raised his voice. "Now, Professor Dementor will inform you of the specifics of some new droids you will be getting."

Ron watched Beta step away to be replaced by the short, stocky, and ever-annoying Dementor. The evil scientist who had opened up the portal to this universe.

"Ha! Look at him- his, his head… it's… it's…" Ron watched Alex's death stick drop to the floor from her uncontrollable fit of laughter. If it wasn't for the battle helmet he would have scratched his head. What exactly was she laughing at?

"What's so funny?" Ron stared at her bewildered. Even Aella and Captain Shinone stared at her awkwardly.

Alex calmed down, lit another death stick, and took another huff of its toxins. "You guys are no fun. Just get on with it crink-face." The others didn't understand Alex's cruder humor.

Dementor crossed his arms ignoring the mercenary's insults. "Yes, very vell. You vill be using five Droch-class boarding vessels for the assault vich means there is no escape until you complete ze mission. Accompanying you on zis mission well be my very own improved company of battle droids, ze B-1D, and zhe B-2D. Zey have improved battle tactical programming."

"Really? Have you tested them?" Aella asked placing her hand over her chin in thought.

"Zhey have been tested through numerous simulations. Zhey had a kill-death ratio of four to one in a fair fight," Dementor explained.

"A fair fight? There's rarely ever a fair fight. They're gonna be just as clumsy as the other battle droids aren't they?" Alex moaned.

"After reviewing many holo-tapes of previous battles, by fair fight I mean zhe absence of any extraordinary variables. By extraordinary variables, I mean Jedi. Zhe Clone Army usually has zhe benefit of having at least one of zhese extraordinary people on zhe battlefield. Zis greatly improves zheir odds of victory especially since zhe battle droids rarely benefit from zhis factor," Dementor explained. "To subdue any doubts. I put zhe droids at a disadvantage. My new droids vere outnumbered five to one."

"I see your point. But without any variables involved in your tests, such as the Jedi, I am wary about your new battle droids being overestimated," Aella countered.

"Vell… vith you being extraordinary people and partaking in zhe battle you vill improve zhe units odds and success. According to my calculations, depending on your tactics, zheir ratio could be improved to ten to one."

"Anything else we didn't need to know. All you had to say was that they kicked butt," Alex claimed, waving her hand walking through the exit.

"Zhere iz vone more zhing… Ron."

Ron's ears perked up at Dementor calling him by his real name, even if it seemed forced.

"What is it?"

"General Beta asked me to gift a commando team partially based on OM-1 and his team. I've added advanced tactical programming and since they are modeled after zhe BX commando droids, zhe will make an excellent entourage and bodyguards for you."

"So I get my own set of droids. No less, droids just like OM-1?" Ron asked in disbelief. He couldn't believe that Beta would task Dementor with producing him his own droids.

"Yes Stoppable, zhe are very much like OM-1 and almost as capable. Zhey specialize in stealth, infiltration, sabotage, and an assortment of other tasks. Zhey are excellent marksmen and I have installed algorithms into zheir software to vhere zhey can anticipate a Jedi's swordsmanship," Dementor elaborated.

"So do you have any idea when I will be meeting these… battle droids?" Ron asked.

"Zhey are serialized S-1 through S-5. Zhere call sign is Sokol. Zhey vill be docking in your hangar vithin zhe next hour, along vith zhe rest of zhe new battle droids zhat are due for a test run," Dementor replied. "Sidekick, please don't get my new toys destroyed in your first battle."

Ron would have laughed if it wasn't for the fact that Dementor had been replaced by Beta again. "Commander Stoppable. Prepare your crew for battle. General Xzelas will supervise your inspections and make sure that you conduct them thoroughly."

Ron bowed his head, "Yes, Master."

"And make sure of one more thing. Be mindful, whatever enemy you encounter. Respect them, don't underestimate your opponent."

II.

The hard, cold rock pressed against his abdomen. The harsh wind blew grains of sand and leaves against his rough cheeks. Still, he laid there motionless, watching a beautiful red-haired maiden through the scope of his rifle. She sat outside of the Republic command center with two friends.

He couldn't comprehend how this red-headed, former cheerleader could be the bane of a villain's existence. During his time as an assassin, never was there a cheerleader trained to counter madmen, nonetheless common criminals. And here was one that did it in her spare time. To add injury to insult, she had become a Jedi.

During his last few years on Earth, he had heard rumors of such a heroine. The girl 'who could do anything' is what the tabloids had stated. He never imagined that the rumors were true. She indeed was a formidable opponent and as he watched her, he began to regret being ignorant of her existence.

Instead of waiting for the return of Monkey Fist or any Cold War tensions, he could have enjoyed toying with her. She would be the cat and at the end of an elaborate game of 'catch the bad guy', she would reveal not a mouse but a bloodthirsty wolf. That was all in the past now and there was nothing he could do to change it.

Although he was calm and collected, breathing steadily. His heartbeat with anticipation, even if its rhythm remained constant. He couldn't wait for his finger to clamp down on the trigger. The moment when the copper bullet would burst forth from its brass prison, exploding into the girl's head.

A middle-aged man with dirty-blonde hair exited the large tent. If he fired now, he would ultimately have a legion of Jedi after him all at once. It wasn't the way he preferred to be ended either. He had a mission to finish, and part of that was not to be killed. He slipped his finger away from the trigger of his rifle. He would wait another day.

III.

General Beta had made his way from the forward bridge on the Lucid Voice and back to the command spire that rose above the ship's superstructure. It was a long walk since the Lucid Voice was now a little over two kilometers in length. There was a rail car system that Admiral Norith had suggested installing on the ship, but in the end, he had ordered that addition to be left out.

The spire was originally designed to be a powerful communication and sensor pod. However, General Beta had it and all other Providence dreadnoughts and their smaller cousin destroyers built for the 2nd Fleet modified to allow for an observation deck. Along with the quarters at the base of the spire for all the organic officers of the ship, the general's quarters were moved into the rear of the pod. The electronic suite was instead moved to a shorter ventral tower directly beneath.

Once up the turbolifts, he entered the double doors that led to the observation deck. The doors opened up to the observation platform that overlooked the superstructure of the Lucid Voice. Below he could see the ground control bridge and farther on he could see the command bridge from where Admiral Norith commanded the fleet. To the right and left, the Lucid Voice was flanked by Separatist frigates and destroyers. Vulture and Tri-fighter droids zipped by patrolling the space around the fleet. The backdrop was the beautiful planet of Ord Canfre and all its serenity.

In the center of the room below the entrance was a large, round holo-table surrounded by OM-1 and the rest of the OM commando droids. They had received their new upgrades and were almost entirely remodeled into the BX series commando droids. The only thing they had retained was their personality. Next to OM-1 was the Super Tactical Droid, Aut-0, whom Beta referred to as Auto.

"Welcome my Lord. OM-1 and I were just discussing the battle strategy for conquering the Meerian Sector and our primary target of Bandomeer. Our spies have located all the defenses and garrisoned units planet-side," Auto greeted Beta.

Beta descended the stairs to the holo-table. "Good. And have we prepared our ground forces for the invasion?" Beta replied, hesitance at the edge of his voice. He had not yet come to trust the new Super Tactical Droids. Their earlier designed cousins, the tactical droids were inherently flawed and he had expelled them from his armies and fleets.

"I calculate that with Bandomeer's local forces and the garrison of four clone trooper regiments, we will need to land at least two divisions in order to secure the Republic base and one division to secure the capital. The Lucid Voice itself carries two armies, so theoretically our ship itself can sustain the invasion itself," General Aut-0 replied.

Beta watched the hologram of Bandomeer. "Unfortunately, Professor Dementor's improved battle droid variants have not gone into full production in Ord Canfre's droid factories and only one vanguard has been produced. Until they are combat tested, I won't commit them to full production. So your calculation is correct. We will need at least three divisions." Beta paused and thought. "However no ground forces will be committed by the Lucid Voice. The Lucre battleships Victory, Fringe, and Frunze will commit three full armies to the battle."

"But- my Lord. Three full armies would be enough to take the entire Meerian Sector! You want to devote three full armies to take Bandomeer?" Commander Aut-0 questioned.

"If we want to lure the best the Republic has to offer, we will need to stage an offensive that gets the attention of the Republic's best," OM-1 countered. "If we can't make the offensive believable, the Jedi will see through our ploy and won't divert most of their forces from the Southern Slice."

"And logistics?" Auto countered in his monotonic voice. "To land three armies would take upward of four cycles. By that time the Republic will have attacked and interrupted the landing of the remaining forces."

"We can use logistical support from our other ships in the fleet to support the landing operation. If we use the landing craft from other ships, we could complete the entire operation within a cycle," OM-1 suggested, annoyance verberating from his vocabulator.

Auto paused seemingly to think. Beta knew his processors were processing the outcomes of such a scenario. "By my calculations, our fleet would need to comprise of at least one-hundred ships of the frigate class or larger."

"Our fleet will be comprised of over two hundred warships. In addition, six supply vessels will also be in our ranks to support the landings. I have confidence that we can perform the occupation of Bandomeer in little under a cycle. When the Victory and her sister ships have completed their landing operations, they'll be put at the forefront of the blockade and act as the vanguard," Beta added.

"But sir, if they succumb to the Republic, how will we return our armies?" Auto raised his mechanical arm in protest.

"The 635th System-Army and all its weapons will be stationed on Bandomeer. Unfortunately, the 103rd Corp of the 64th Army will not be making it through the battle. They will bait the armies of the Republic into a valley beneath the most prosperous mines of Bandomeer. While they bait the clone legions, I will bait the Jedi into a trap within the mines," Beta explained waving his hand over the hologram as it changed from the valley to a tall mountain jutting out of the paralleling mountain range.

"That doesn't make sense with your own records sir. If my search is correct, of all the battles your forces have participated in, you've never sacrificed your forces to the enemy. What is your reasoning for a change in tactics?" Auto asked.

"His reasoning isn't of your concern Auto. When the battle is over, you can review in your memory drives," OM-1 interjected walking around the table toward Auto.

"Last time I checked Unit OM-1, you were the rank of captain, which is far below my rank of general," Auto stepped forward to face OM-1.

"Enough!" Beta ordered, impatience lingering in his words. "I'm trying to draw the best of what the Republic has to offer to my offensive, commander. Only Garqi which will use an underwhelming force of a regiment and one company of Dementor's new battle droids." Beta replied.

"Garqi?" General Aut-0 questioned. "Garqi has the 102nd Legion stationed there. The clones will outnumber our forces two to one. I calculate the chance of success under five percent."

"Exactly what I want General. I want whoever is leading the 102nd Legion to think they can reinforce Bandomeer. Besides, the battle of Garqi serves as a test for a special task force that doesn't concern you, General," Beta replied.

"Sir!" OM-4 interrupted the conversation. "General Xzelas and Naltos are hailing us from the Asura."

"General Auto, go prepare your forces. You'll be commanding the 3rd section and occupy Botajef. As for all of you, leave and guard the doors. I want the transmissions encrypted OM-4. See that you do."

Beta's commando droids and General Aut-0 exited the observation deck. Once the doors closed and he was sure he was alone he accepted the transmission. "What is it?"

"I didn't say anything before because I didn't want to usurp your command on an official military channel nor did I want young Stoppable to see. But I fully disagree with your decision to deploy our pupils in this war." Aella was protesting Beta's decision to have Ron and Svana's disciple, Cecily, to participate in the war.

"And why is that?" Beta questioned curiously.

"Ron is not adequately trained to participate in battle, nonetheless lead. His skills need improvement and so do his leadership skills. Not to mention he has yet to learn any naval warfare skills other than knowing the class of ships he'll lead. Nor has he trained in any tactical or strategical skills. He's just not ready to participate in the war," Aella answered.

Beta nodded. To him the answer she gave was inadequate. He looked to Svana, "And what are your thoughts on this Svana? Do you have the same reservations as Aella? Last time we spoke you had reservations about even training Stoppable."

Svana sighed. "I hate to disagree with you, but yes, yes I do. I believe my pupil Cecily is not yet proficient enough to participate in the war."

Beta turned away from his two followers. He sighed lowering his head. "And when do you think your students will be ready for battle?"

"I don't know when they'll be ready for battle. But I can already feel the strife in young Stoppable's mind. He's conflicted about what he's being thrust into," Aella replied. He could tell that she was concerned for Stoppable's mind. He might have grown in strength physically. His prowess might have also grown as well as his confidence. But the fragility of his mind? Being influenced by events he wasn't mature enough yet to understand, was another factor they didn't want to overlook.

"And what of Cecily. How has she performed in her training and skill tests?" Beta asked curiously.

"She is strong in the Force. Yet, I'm afraid of what the war will do to corrupt her. She hasn't yet learned the full balance of the Force yet. If you had her go out with me exclusively, then I wouldn't worry. However, pairing her with young Stoppable is a dangerous proposition, to say the least. The boy needs more training all around," Svana reinforced Aella's belief that more time was needed.

"We can't coddle them forever. If we just hide them, we'll be hindering their progress and training," Beta shot back. If there wasn't a war raging and this was three years earlier, he would have trained Ron differently.

"Yes, but young Stoppable isn't ready for a war. He isn't ready for the strong emotions that come with battle. I've sensed this from the very beginning. If he doesn't get himself in trouble, he'll get his comrades or troops in trouble with this sentiment. I mean stars-forbid he kills a clone! He might breakdown," Aella protested.

"If young Stoppable is not able to strike down an opponent, then he is clearly not ready to participate in the war. He will only endanger us by being thrown into the fires of war," Svana added, backing Aella's point.

"And how much time do you want me to give Ron?" Beta asked, anger beginning to seep from deep within. Before Aella could answer, he continued. "He'll have to face this war at some point! This discussion is over, our enemies aren't going to wait. Ron will participate in the operation and all future operations. Consider the war all of Ron's trials to knighthood. He will face them all in the upcoming battles." Beta was silent and stared aimlessly at his two colleagues. Aella had reported that Ron had received unsatisfactory results all throughout training. He had received far more reprimands than any recognition. He ignored them and wrote them off. If Ron was to be set straight, he needed to see what he was getting into first hand.

Aella and Svana both looked at each other in shock. Now they realized Beta wasn't going to change his mind. Ron would be trained and Beta had figured the Clone Wars his training ground. It would test his skill, courage, spirit, flesh, and insight. Beta was still silent staring at them both.

"And what of young Cecily Rammel. Does she house the same doubts and conflictions that Ron does?" Beta asked Svana. "Because if she doesn't, I feel that she can be his anchor in this conflict.

"Cecily is strong and resilient. Her will is unbreakable as she is selfless. She knows her duty and is ready to serve and what she must do to uphold those responsibilities. That being said, I do not find her to be a suitable anchor for Aella's student," Svana replied.

Ron wasn't ready for war or trials? And Cecily still wasn't strong enough in the Force to become a true Ostari? He wasn't thrilled with his subordinate's answer. He was hoping that Cecily would enhance and compliment Ron's own abilities. That would propel him through the first few missions. In Beta's mind, even become a viable partner for Ron in the field. Beta's thoughts were that once she became established in the young man's life, her influence would rein in Ron's more tempered spirit.

"I'd like to ask another question, however. What will the Sith and Jedi do when they discover her or anyone of us?" Svana voiced, concern riddled through her voice. "Do you think the Sith… Count Dooku will sit idly by once he discovers that you have a whole cadre of warriors completely devoted to you and to his deposition."

"Count Dooku is neither privy to my machinations or a threat to anyone at this point. Do you not believe I can make an ample enough lie to distract the Count? Even if he were to find every one of you was a Force-wielding prodigy, I could deceive him away from our own truth," Beta was aggravated by Svana's lack of trust in him.

"Are you certain?" Svana shot back. "I'm making certain because I do care for my student. She isn't just some soldier that can be thrown onto the battlefield at your leisure-"

"Then maybe you should take your leave Colonel-General Naltos. As I recall I did not force you to join the ranks of the Confederacy. Nor did I force you to take up and accept your gift with the Force. That was all you…" Beta's voice lowered.

Svana looked as if she was about to say something, but held her tongue. "I'm sorry master. I just wish to make clear that I am heard. I care for Cecily and I have reservations about young Stoppable. That is all."

Beta took in a deep breath. He looked down at his feet, feeling the full weight of the Force upon his shoulders. Though he didn't want to admit it himself, he too was worried about the young apprentice he had taken into their fold. He too sensed that Ron wasn't ready for war either, and his two most trusted and talented comrades could feel it too. He had instructed them well in the ways of the Force.

What Beta knew and they didn't, was that the war was coming to a tipping point. The industrial gears of the Republic were beginning to churn and if the war wasn't changed in the Confederacy's favor soon, they would be on the retreat. In Beta's eyes, Operation Durge's Lance was the last chance to change the tide of war against an enemy that was quickly transforming into a militaristic empire. At least buy them more time.

"There is no need for you to apologize or excuse yourself," Beta subdued the frustration within him letting the Force comfort his inner being. He knew that they knew that time was of the essence, he hadn't made them privy to his timetable. "I should apologize for withholding information that is crucial for the training of your students."

"Can you answer me one thing at least?" Aella asked precariously. It was rather strange of her to act this way. She was usually bold and charismatic. "Just how sure are you that young Ron Stoppable is the one we're waiting for? Is he really… really the one?" Uncertainty was written all over Aella's face.

Beta looked down, though they couldn't see his face. He was certain that Ron was the one that he had been sent ahead of, one that would one day be more powerful than he could ever be. He had felt it when he had first met the lad. The Force flowed through him like a conduit, as if it were speaking to Beta. He had felt it. He was sure that he had felt it. Was he?

"Master…?" Aella asked, lowering her tone to that of concern.

"I am certain of it. I know you both can feel it too, the way the Force flows through him like a conduit. He is the one that will bring true equilibrium to life. To the 'New-verse'. I would bet my life on it," Beta said passionately.

Aella and Svana looked at each other, nodded as if in agreement, and then turned their eyes back to Beta. "If you believe it to be so, then we will follow you, master," Aella replied bowing her head.

Svana nodded in agreement, "Have you told the others?"

Beta nodded his head. "The others know of Ron. His significance and what we know, I have not brought that to their attention."

"You'll need to inform them soon, so we can adjust our strategy," Svana voiced. Beta only nodded in response.

"What about the Jedi and the Sith? What will you do about them?" Aella pointed back to another important matter.

"I have plans for both factions. They start with this military operation. In time we will reveal ourselves to both parties of the war. We will first reveal ourselves to the Jedi, as I believe the Old Sith Order already knows of our existence. The New Sith of Two will learn of us, but only after our deception is too late," Beta explained

"How long do you think we can survive in the shadows of the Force. Eventually, our enemies will find us out and we'll be forced to fight or die. This is even more true for our students," Svana countered her master.

"What about Dooku?" Aella raised her tone with Beta. Even though Beta had already answered, she was worried her master hadn't calculated every scenario. Beta, Svana, and herself all knew that Count Dooku was no saint or even the former Jedi he once was. He wasn't a Gray Jedi like they were. He was a Sith Lord. "If we're forced to reveal ourselves. If we're forced to utilize our lightsabers and not just blasters, then what? What do you think Dooku will do? He won't just sit their idly and try to determine if we're Jedi or not, he'll turn the Droid Army… the Confederacy on us without a second thought!"

"Since Aella has broached the topic, I will input my thoughts on the matter," Svana interluded. "What are your plans for Dooku. I know that he has taught you and mentored you. But we have all agreed he is a lost cause, and without knowing who exactly his master is, it would be dangerous, if not catastrophic to expose ourselves this early in the war."

"I understand the risks to our order if we are exposed, however as I have stated before, it is necessary at this point in the war if we truly are to stand a chance. Which is why I believe it is imperative to train our students faster," Beta answered.

"What if Dooku already knows of your treachery?" Aella shot back.

"If Dooku and his master knew about us we would be dead already and you know it," Svana rebutted.

"I don't think we would be dead, however, I will say that everything we have been planning will have been for naught. We'll be chased into exile beyond the Outer Rim into Wild Space," Aella smirked at her confidence.

"Being pushed into exile and failing at our objectives, we might as well be dead for failing to keep the balance in the Force," Svana crossed her arms glowering at Aella.

Beta shook his head frustrated with the two and himself. "Three months ago Jedah Trite was killed in battle because we have kept a rigid line of thinking of only using conventional means of warfare. Only in secret have we ever trained with our lightsabers. Blasters, rockets, missiles, and hand to hand combat is our method for currently dealing with our enemies. He was killed because he couldn't defend himself!" Beta shot back at both of them.

"And so what if we reveal ourselves?" Svana posed the question. "Do you think the Jedi will recognize their own arrogance and lack of action as an evil unto itself? Do you think either Sith Order will submit because we reveal ourselves? No. We'll face three threats simultaneously. The Jedi will attempt to purify us, and either Sith Order will seek our eradication."

Beta turned away from them both. Still, they didn't comprehend the situation at large they were in. He was taking steps to mitigate the enemy's advantage but he needed their full, willing support. Yet here he was being forced to make a decision because events were spiraling out of his control. "Perhaps I haven't been transparent enough. Jedah wasn't killed by blaster fire."

Aella and Svana both had expressions of shock and confusion. They looked at each other and then back at their Leader. "In your official records to the Confederate Army, Jedah was killed in combat on Aargonar in the Republic retreat. Are you saying you falsified his own death record," Aella pointed at him.

"Yes." It was Beta's simple answer. "He wasn't killed on Aargonar. He was killed in the Esstran Sector. To be more specific he met his fate on Ziost, an ancient Sith world."

"What was he doing there? Better yet, why did you send him there. I'm confident that this wasn't a mission sanctioned by the Confederacy. He was embedded as a captain in Grievous' First Fleet. So how?" Svana questioned.

Beta sighed. "I sent him. I had another vision about a nemesis I had faced in the past. So I sent him where I thought the Force was guiding me. The information he relayed to me was invaluable. He, however, was caught, and to my knowledge was killed at the hands of a member of the Old Sith Order."

"So we haven't been exposed," Aella sighed with relief. "Still, what did Jedah learn?"

"The Old Sith Order has temporarily aligned with the current Sith Order. He never was able to learn of their intentions or why an alliance between them was beneficial. What he did learn was that an experiment was to be conducted in the Prefsbelt Sector near Comra," Beta answered dismally.

"The Prefsbelt Sector? Comra? That system is in the dead zone, it's neither contested nor owned," Aella replied.

"The perfect place to experiment. Where no one is watching. Do you have any idea what kind of experiment they'll be conducting?" Svana asked, curious about what such an experiment entailed.

"No. However, I know at the very least it involves the Republic. I have two informants on Comra. They're embedded in Drixo the Hutt's gang. A little over half a cycle ago, they reported an unmarked Republic Acclamator-class assault ship had entered the outer fringes of the system. So it is very plausible that Jedi are involved," Beta answered. "I suspect that if I am right, we are about to witness… on a small scale of what is to come."

"Ah. So this is where the Urnin is located. And thus why you want us to seize it and apprehend Rear-Admiral Walren. I'm willing to bet that he doesn't even have information about Republic movements in the Mid-Rim, does he?" Svana crossed her arms.

"No, he does not," Beta answered simply.

"I'm going out on a limb and guessing you want us to scope out what is truly going on in the Comra System," Aella crossed her arms scowling Beta.

"You both will take your pupils to the Comra System and find out what is transpiring there. You will take Commander Stoppable's new flagship the Asura and exit hyperspace a light-year outside of the system. From there you will use Droch-class landing ships to board the enemy ship. Report to me once you have gained control of the ship. Any questions?" Beta asked clasping his hands behind his back.

Aella and Svana glanced at each other and then back at the General. "In the end, we don't get a choice in this matter do we?"

"Your council will be taken into consideration. I will mull it over while you investigate the matter at hand," Beta replied turning off the transmission

IV.

Count Dooku walked through the dusky passages of his home on the serene planet of Serenno. The eve of General Grievous's new offensive would deal a devastating blow to the Republic. Grievous was to wreak havoc on key Republic worlds and make sure loyalists paid for not joining the Confederacy. More importantly, however, it would grant his master, Lord Sidious more power over the galaxy.

He passed through the dusky passages of his old home. He had inherited the massive estate when he had resigned from the Jedi Order. Over a decade ago, after his rift with the Jedi Order, he had reclaimed his title as Count of the house of Serrano. After reclaiming his heritage and title, he laid claim to his family's estate and inheritance.

Outside were the boreal forested hills of Serrano's northern continent. The planet's star had begun to set behind the hills. It cast an eerie scarlet light through the trees. The rays that pierced through and into the arched glass windows danced on the floor, the wind outside disturbing the quiet forest.

Dooku entered his office that was guarded by Magna-guards. Their electro-staffs held across over their chests as they stood guard at the tall, manual double doors. Inside, his office was much less so and more of a chamber. Tall trapezoidal arcs of durasteel embedded into the walls held up the ancient dark marble walls. Two raised platforms paralleled the chamber floor, with commando droids standing guard.

Ahead was his desk, placed on an elevated stepped floor. Behind it, light from outside filtered in through the yellow stained windows that were shaped the way Serranoan's had viewed their sun long ago. Dooku ambled up the steps and to his desk where he stood facing out toward the entrance. The doors had since closed as he stood seemingly waiting.

A transmitter control on his desk beeped, the hologram of Darth Sidious appearing before him. "My Master," Dooku greeted humbly taking a knew before the dark lord of the Sith.

"Darth Tyrannus. Has Grievous received his instructions to attack?" the dark lord asked, using Count Dooku's Sith alias.

"Yes, my Master. General Grievous will begin the attack from two separate fronts. I assure you this should be more than adequate to cripple the Republic front lines and sow doubt in the Jedis leadership," Dooku assured Darth Sidious.

"Inform the General he is to be brutal in his methods. Ensure that no world he steps foot on not feel his wrath. If we are to have the Republic and its denizens truly fear our might, we must propagate fear, destruction, and death across every sector he touches," Lord Sidious instructed the Count.

"As you wish, my master," Count Dooku bowing his head.

"I have an important matter to discuss with you," the cloaked dark lord spat. "A collaborator I am close to has had an unfortunate problem insert itself into our war. Albeit not his original intention, he believes it could work in our best interests," Darth Sidious explained.

"And the subject, Master?" Count Dooku rarely, if ever questioned his master's intentions or methods. He was a loyal apprentice, never trying to introduce doubt to his master. But his master confused him. Who could be so important to have gained his master's notice? The dark lord uttered one name.

"Ronald Stoppable."