A/N: Really sorry for such a late update. Summer was train wrecked this year. A lot of work came in plus a shortage of manpower.

That said. I thank-you all and appreciate the faves and reviews. I know I didn't get a chance to respond last time, so I'll do so here. For CB73, I will be as indirect as possible, but you have the ball rolling with one of your mentions in your last review, and although I'm tempted to give it away, I won't do so. I refuse.

Now, let's see where everyone is from where we left off.

Enjoy. And for those who might ask, Take Me As I Am will be posted later tonight. Just and FYI.

Chapter 15

I.

Kim stood over a blackened, scorched valley on Malastare. The Separatists attacked in the night without warning. They knew exactly where the Jedi were located and Kim barely managed to escape. They gave no quarter.

For miles around, mangled Republic walkers and hover tanks smoldered from hyena bomber strikes. Vulture droids mowed down clone trooper barracks, most of which died in their sleep.

When the droid army landed, the Jedi and clones garnered their remaining force and hid wherever they could. When the battle droids marched out, they searched the grounds for survivors but found none. When the ambush came they were unsuspecting and found no forgiveness among the survivors.

The bloodshed lasted through the night until dawn. Now exhausted, Kim stared down upon the scorched land. The burnt and mangled bodies of clones and battle droids haunting the landscape. She stopped low-budget saboteurs, thieves, villains, and super-villains. This enemy, this army, tested her abilities at another level. Not controlled by one villain but many.

She breathed out sighing, exhaustion beginning to kick in. Relentless and untiring, the droids' sheer numbers made a terminator or diablo apocalypse look like child's play. Mind that these droids constituted a galactic army that possibly captured Ron.

She turned around upon the gentle hand placed on her shoulder. She found Yori with a solemn frown. Her face, dirty and scathed from the heat of the fires she fought in through the night.

"They have made contact with the Jedi council," Yori said dismally removing her hand from Kim's shoulder. "They want you back to give you an update."

"Is Wade okay?" Kim asked cringing. The thought of the Separatist fleet taking out Admiral Yularen's ship turned her stomach. Everything she loved, slowly being ripped away by the seams.

"Wade is fine Kim. Yularen's cruiser annihilated the Separatist fleet." Yori turned around starting her walk back to the base, "They need you back at the rallying point Possible-san."

"Can't they have it without me? I really… I really don't want to speak with any of them right now," Kim held her arms close to herself, staring aimlessly at the ashy soil.

Yori stopped, turning her head to get an eye's glance at Earth's renowned heroine. "Is something wrong Possible-san?"

Kim's face burned with heat. She couldn't see it, could she? The weakness growing inside of her. A weed choking out her strength and fervor. Since coming to this strange galaxy, her confidence and willpower eroded to the tides of war. Was Ron's foreign friend really someone to confide in? To reveal the tumorous weakness growing in the depths of her soul.

Back on her Earth, everyone sought her help, villains hiding at the farthest corners. Drakken's last plot tested her but thanks to Ron, she not only overcame it but began to figure out more about herself.

But in this galaxy, the sheer size of the war and its grievances overshadowed any heroism that she brought. Now instead of enemies hiding, she was fighting a foe so vast that it seemed hopeless to fight. Kim stood as a small footnote under the weight of Grievous and Dooku.

She didn't want Yori to know about her insecurities, but maybe she was the only person she could trust. She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by the sound of her holo-transceiver lighting upon her wrist.

Before she could answer, her new wrist kimmunicator chimed. She held her wrist in front of her, a prism of blue light appearing, Obi-wan in the center, "Kim..."

"Yes… Master," the words still didn't know how to roll off her tongue. Master never instituted itself into her vocabulary.

A precarious look fell over Obi-wan's face. "Kim… we're being called to the Meerian Sector in the New Territories

Kim sighed, "Alright master. Yori and I'll head back to base."

"There's no need Kim. I sent a gunship for you. Are you, alright?"

"Yea, everything is fine, Master. Just a lot on my mind."

"Clear your thoughts, Kim. Connect to the Force. Nothing here is your fault. We all feel the same way."

Kim did her best to follow Master Kenobi's advice. She inhaled a deep breath, holding it until it hurt, and then let it back out. The Force remained a greater mystery than Kim liked.

"Why the Meerian Sector?" Kim asked.

"We've received reports that the Separatists have launched a massive offensive in the New Territories, with their main target being Bandomeer. Apparently, this was all just a distraction to give them time."

"The New Territories?" Kim questioned.

"Yes, the slice of the galaxy where we were found," Yori explained.

"Yori is right, and our intelligence has strong evidence that General Grievous is leading the attack. Since he was at Ord Canfre where we found you. There's a strong possibility that he knows where Ron is or some clue who he is."

"Right. So what do we do?" A flicker of determination edging back into Kim's chest.

"Anakin and I will travel to Bandomeer to confront Grievous. Since their offensive is so massive, we'll be stretched thin as it is. Yori, Ahsoka, and yourself will travel to Cathar and blunt any reinforcements from reaching Grievous."

"Can't I go with you? Grievous might have the answers?"

"No," Obi-wan shook his head. "And so can Dooku. But they're much too dangerous. If I need help, I'll contact you."

Kim sighed, "Yes Master."

"Kim, Yori." Obi-wan looked at both of them. "Be mindful of the Force. May the Force be with you." His image flickered away. The ash around them began to kick up as a Republic LAAT/i swooped in from over the burnt trees to their position.

"Possible-san? Are you sure that—"

"I'm fine Yori," Kim cut her off. Obi-wan had reignited some of her hope to find Ron. She made her way through the burnt fields to the gunship, ash blowing away in the wind with every step. Maybe, possibly, they would stop searching in vain.

II.

The swift invasion force along with the Separatist armada of Federation battleships took the planetary defense forces by surprise. With the Neimoidian politician Kushro overseeing the battle from the bridge, he watched as the cowardly Captain Gune persecuted the ruthless campaign.

It took but a half-planet rotation to secure Cathar and its inhabitants. The celebration of the quick victory would have lasted longer but General Aut-0's request for reinforcements called away most of their fleet. A token force of one Federation battleship and a handful of frigates remained to defend.

Just as Beta predicted, the Republic counterattacked at Cathar in force. Kushro watched six Republic cruisers lay waste to their escort frigates. Without the other battleships, the defensive line stood no chance. Now they closed the noose with blue turbo-lasers weathering down their shields.

"General Beta never said there was going to be a Republic counterattack of this size!" Captain Gune's fear filled the room.

"He told you the Republic would strike here! Did you not listen?" Kushro yelled back. "Now we have nowhere to go but fight."

"Sir. All Republic cruisers have stopped firing!" a droid sounded. Gune and Kushro looked out the windows to find that the alert was true. The ship stopped shaking and the Republic cruisers slowly drifted toward them through the wreckage of their frigates.

"I don't like this. I don't like this at all," Kushro thought aloud.

"What are you doing? Attack! Fire all cannons!" Gune shouted at the droids.

"Affirmative," the droid responded.

Panic was beginning to grip the bridge. He pointed out the windows toward the Republic ships slowly encroaching upon them. The batteries covering the ship opened up with a massive barrage.

Then the klaxon blared, red light filled the room.

"What is going on?" Gune's arms flailed around in a hysterical panic like the irrational Neimoidian's usually did when faced with situations dealing in defeat.

"Our shields are down!" a droid at its station sounded.

"Jedi have landed in the west hangar bay!" another rang.

"What?" Gune asked in disbelief. "How did they get on board?"

"You might get your answer sooner than you think," Kushro pointed at the large screen positioned above them. It played three young Jedi making their way through the halls cutting down any battle droid who dared oppose them followed by a squad of clone troopers.

"How did this happen? How did our shields go down?" Gune looked around the crew seeking answer's that the droids could not give.

"The Jedi are heading up the turbo lift. They're heading our way," A droid furthered the Neimoidian's hysteria. His orange-red eyes filled with fear.

"Close the blast doors! I want every available security droid on that door guarding it! Supers, droideka's. Those Jedi are not allowed through!" Gune watched battle droids form a perimeter outside, the doors closing behind them.

Turning to new noises behind him, Gune found Kushro using the communication terminal. "What are you doing?" Gune asked stunned that Kushro, a Neimoidian like himself, could be so calm.

"Our droids will only hold the Jedi at bay for so long. I'm contacting General Beta for instruction," Kushro replied.

"Yes. Yes! Yes! Yes! Let me speak with him now!" Gune pushed Kushro out of the way as General Beta's image replaced the Jedi on the screen. "General Beta! This is an outrage! You never told me that the Republic would retaliate with such ferocity! Now Jedi are on my ship! I demand that you send-"

"Captain Gune. When I had Grievous transfer you to my command so you would not succumb to his rage, he warned me of your incompetence. I didn't want to believe it, but it's hard to remain oblivious any longer." Beta tilted his masked face toward Kushro, "Kushro, take command of the ship, Gune is relieved of duties." Shocked, Gune walked away head hung in shame. "How close are the Jedi?"

"They are making their way to the bridge as we speak. How did you know?"

"Intuition. Delay the Jedi as long as possible. Delete all intelligence data banks on that ship if you haven't done so already. Do you have the data key I gave you?"

Kushro nodded.

"Ensure that the key is uploaded immediately and all files are formatted and modified. Do not let that chip fall into the enemy's hands," Beta warned with an ominous undertone.

Kushro gulped, "And what of my capture?"

"Not a word Kushro. Do not speak a word." Beta's image rippled away.

"They're jamming our transmission sir," A droid shouted from its station. Kushro paid no attention, understanding what Beta implied. He quickly began working on erasing everything from the ship's memory banks.

HSSSSSSS

"They're coming through!" Gune shouted terrified pointing toward the bridge doors.

Kushro glanced back to see the blast doors glowing red hot. A lightsaber pierced through the durasteel doors. "Activate the ray shields!" Kushro pointed at one of the droids before returning his attention to the data tower. He knew moments separated him from succeeding at his task and failure.

"That stopped them! Now, where are those droidekas!"

Kushro ignored Gune, fumbling with the memory stick that held Beta's secrets. In all the chaos, the stick slipped through his fingers. He dropped to the floor trying to chase it but instead retreated as sparks rained down upon the spot the stick landed.

"Impossible!" Gune shrieked.

Kushro shielded his face from the sparks and finding the impossible above him. A green lightsaber piercing through a ventilation shaft, cutting a hole too small for any Jedi to fit through, at least as far as Kushro knew.

The metal grate fell from the ceiling red hot. The lights flickered off and the red emergency lights cast their glow throughout the room.

"What is going on?" Gune looked at Kushro. Something small dropped from the shaft. Kushro squinted to get a better look. A bomb? No… it's moving..? The red light flashed over what looked to be a rodent on the floor.

"A rat?" Kushro said in shock. Never would he suspect a rodent capable of such a feat.

"Blast it!" Gune jumped back.

The unknown creature ignited its green lightsaber cutting down the battle droids. It cut through the controls and terminals that oversaw the functions of the ship, including the ray shields and blast doors. Light from the halls flooded in illuminating the room.

Three Jedi, one a young Tortuga female, and the two others young human females stepped through the entrance. One with short black hair and a fearless expression, The other, more fearsome looking, fair, redhead pointed her green lightsaber at Gune's throat. Kushro's eyes raced to the floor, seeking the memory stick only to find the rodent raising its small green saber to him.

"It's over," she spoke harshly at the two.

III.

Kim stood over Wade as he worked his way into the central computer. Her arms were crossed as she tapped her foot trying to be as patient as she could be. The black, leather-like robes and gi she wore didn't help with the heat in the ship.

Rufus surprisingly left the bridge largely intact. Only droids that intervened met any end. The two organic officers of the ship, the Neimoidians were now prisoners being escorted back to Kim's ship.

"So, how long is this going to take, Wade?" Kim asked as patiently as she could. Standing around and doing nothing while Ron might be in a nearby star system caused the palpitating angst she didn't want to feel.

"Well, it seems that one of the Neimoidians was trying to erase all the ship's databanks. They obviously didn't want us to find what was in there," Wade replied focusing on the screen.

"So did they manage to erase it all?" Kim asked.

"No. By luck Rufus managed to sever one of the connectors. So it stopped deleting whatever it was they were trying to hide. The problem is it damaged all the code, so it'll take me a while to piece it all together. I'm still getting used to all this new tech still."

"So not anytime soon then," Kim deadpanned.

"I'll need a few hours to piece it all back together so I can look it over. At least there's still a lot of information left," Wade replied. "Who knows what I'll find. Maybe I'll find tactics and strategies."

"Wade, they're droids. All they know how to do is march and kill. They don't really have tactics or strategies. They're mindless killing machines."

"Never know Kim. Never doubt your enemy. We've been wrong before," Wade reminded.

"Yeah yeah."

Ahsoka stepped into the conversation, "Well, maybe we should get back to our own ship and prepare for a Separatist counter-attack," Ahsoka shrugged her shoulders, impatient just like Kim.

"With such a big Separatist offensive, I'm surprised they haven't counterattacked already," Yori included herself in the circle.

"Well, I'm just glad that Rex says he should be able to take the planet back without any help," Ahsoka thumbed back to Cathar which was behind the Separatist ship.

"They've already landed?" Kim raised a brow surprised.

"Yes. I just checked in with Rex. He said they would need another few hours before they would regain control on the surface, but they didn't need our help. Seems like the tinnies down there are all deactivated," Ahsoka replied.

"Your welcome," Wade replied without looking up from his work. "I already sent a command to all droid units in the system to shut down. That way Rex and the other clones only have to deal with the cleanup."

"I'm sure Rex will be super excited to be on clean-up duty with the locals," Ahsoka grinned.

"You rock as always Wade," Kim said.

"Hey, it's what I do."

"Hey!"

Kim looked down to find Rufus tugging at her khaki pants. "What is it, Rufus?"

Rufus could no longer be called the 'Naked' Mole Rat. Miniature Jedi robes donned his pink, stubby body. Clipped just above his hind leg, the smallest lightsaber that one might ever know or see. The same lightsaber that cut through the grate in the ceiling above. Rufus now fought alongside Kim and Yori as a Jedi padawan.

In his small paws, Rufus held a strange, hexagonal, metallic stick no bigger than the length of his arm. Rufus took the object and scampered up atop Kim's shoulder. She carefully took it from his paws and examined it.

The device teased her curiosity. It screamed at her that its importance was second to none but Kim couldn't figure it out. Its metallic sheen barbed at her insecurities, telling her that it knew something she didn't. The Force tugged at her to find the answers. It vexed her.

"What you got there?" Ahsoka leaned over eying the strange device.

"I don't know…" Kim twiddled the stick through her fingers, trying to crack its enigma before yielding to its gibing, stepping over to Wade. "Hey, Wade?" Wade looked up from his duties at the console tower. "You have any idea what this might be?" Kim handed him the tiny device.

Wade carefully retrieved it from his friend's fingers, glancing over the compact device. Being the tech genius that Wade was, it took him only a nano-second to figure out the gadget. Its riddle couldn't fool Kim Possible's tech genius.

Before he could reply, the holo-transmitter on Kim's wrist beeped. She looked down and a small cone of transparent light popped up over her wrist. Obi-wan appeared in its center. "Kim! Kim! Can you hear me?" he shouted. Kim could see his lightsaber activated, defending himself from blaster fire.

"What is it, master?" Kim asked with the others gathering around her.

"Grievous's offensive here was much larger than we"— A combat droid entered the hologram only to be cut down by Obi-wan's sword— "anticipated. We're going to need your help in the matter. We've already sustained heavy losses. We need your—" the transmission cut out.

The war might have taken a toll on Kim's mind. It's lashing fronts and disastrous battles wearing down her self-esteem. Yet, one thing it hadn't taken was her determination. That flame still burned underneath her ribs.

Kim looked over at her tech genius, "Wade! I'm leaving you here to do what you need to do. I'll leave two cruisers here and the clones inside should be enough to guard you. If anything happens, call me."

"Don't worry Kim. Sounds like old times." Kim gave Wade a worried stare. "I'll be fine," Wade replied turning his attention back to the device.

"They're probably jamming his communications. What's your plan Possible-san?" Yori asked.

Kim pounded her fist into her other hand, a smirk crossing her face. Someone needed her and not just anyone, Obi-wan did. Like in the old days, Kim was on her way to help and that motivated her. However, it was Grievous that truly pushed her hopes up. She was hoping for a rematch. She felt ready to face off against the alien cyborg once more. This time, she would defeat him and hopefully get to the bottom of where Ron was.

After all, he was on Ord Canfre when Ron would have been. If anyone in the Separatist Droid Army knew where Ron was, it would be Grievous. Kim could only hope that Grievous hadn't seen Ron as someone to hunt like he saw Yori and herself. For once, Kim hoped that Ron's clumsiness and fear would help him seem insignificant to the monstrous General Grievous.

"We're going to help Obi-wan," she replied marching out the door with Yori and Ahsoka at her side.

"This is going to be fun," Ahsoka replied with a grin.

Kim nodded in response. She was on the offensive now. They would bring the fight to Grievous. But deep down inside she knew the real reason she was so anxious. She felt like she was close to finding Ron. She just didn't know how close and it scared her. What would she say when she finally found him? What would they talk about when they were together again? What would happen to them once she found him. She didn't know just how close she was.

IV.

Admiral Norith gazed out from her usual spot on the bridge of the formidable Lucid Voice. The Confederate dreadnought, flanked by its escorting frigates and destroyers, navigated its way through the planet-spanning battle above Bandomeer. The battle intensified as more Republic star destroyers slowly trickled in from hyperspace reinforcing the current enemy fleet.

The hodgepodge of Republic and Confederate ships. Each side duking it out at extreme quarters instead of two fleets facing off across the vastness of space. No order, just chaos just as Admiral Norith intended. To the Republic, the blockade seemed broken and many Venator's had already dispatched clones to the surface.

With an escort of frigates and destroyers defending her flagship, she deceived her enemies into thinking she was selfish and cowardly, sheltering herself from the disorder around her. Indeed, the pocket protected her from most of the action as Norith pushed out of the battle and into the emptiness of space. To the Republic, it would seem like she was trying to flee.

This is exactly what she wanted. The Lucid Voice was a fortress especially with Beta and Dementor surplusing the current reactors with an experimental one. It powered the ship and its shields producing enough protection to face off against more than a dozen venators. She yet had to activate it.

In reality, the battle, the broken blockade above the planet, and the invasion was all a ruse to lure the Republic in. To Admiral Norith's fortunes, they were taking the bait and pouring resources into the battle just as she and General Beta intended.

Letting the Jedi transmission through was the second phase of the plan. By letting the Jedi let out a plea for help, the Republic would pour more scarce resources into a battle that in the end merely stood as a distraction.

Now, whoever the Republic sent would end up entangled in her deadly web, caught between gravity well mines and battle. They would have no choice but to engage her fleet in combat, in a battle she had no intention of losing.

The ship shook as a Republic star destroyer approached from the front, some of its weapons fire piercing through her guard. "Concentrate all fire on that enemy cruiser!" Just because she had a ruse to maintain didn't mean she would let up on the Republic. She needed to put on and the Venator in front of them would be one of the first casualties of the enemy signifying the turning tide.

V.

The tropical evergreen forests of Garqi towered over the young soldiers as they cut their way through ferns and vines. The air-cooled against their warm skin, mist hanging over the muddy forest floor. Quiet and calm, not a creature stirred in the morning rays.

The leaves on the floor trembled with the heavy footfalls of combat droids marching through on a road that wound itself parallel to the Vlassy River. The Vlassy Nature Preserve sat over 800 kilometers southeast of the droid army's target, Pesktda. These were the orders for the company of droids led by Ron Stoppable, a token force compared to the Republic defense force stationed here.

"Damn! I hate crashing. Why is it that we always end up crashing when I work for you guys?" Alex groaned rubbing the back of her neck.

Ron and the others walked ahead of her in the thick underbrush. "Calm down. It wasn't your fault—"

"No, but my escort should have seen the stray ARC that made it through," Alex replied dryly.

Ron chose to ignore Alex instead, trying to attune his senses to the Force. The silence throughout put him on edge reminding him of his trips to Camp Wannaweep years back. A forest should be lively… unless something foreboding was afoot.

His hairs stood on end, eyes darting back and forth seeking the perceived threat. Somewhere, someone watched Ron with keen interest, he just couldn't locate their exact position. "Psss! Cecily!" Ron whispered loudly.

Cecily turned around letting the commando droids walk ahead. "What is it?" she asked pulling Ron down and crouching below the brush.

"Do you get the feeling we're being watched?" Ron asked still looking around through the forest. All he could see were trees in any direction. Startling them, Alex crept up from behind crouching down with them.

"Were being watched guys," Alex said cocking her blaster pistols. "Have your blasters ready."

"We were just talking about that! But how do you know?" Ron and Cecily looked at her incredulously.

Alex checked the charge on her blasters. "This isn't my first rodeo kid. I've been through a lot over the years," she blew the smoke from her lungs, a fresh cigarette in between her lips. "The good thing is they haven't attacked yet. They think we're unaware so keep exactly how you are." She inhaled another lungful of smoke, then breathed out.

"Ron, you should have the commandos flank around and take them out. They should be able to spot them even if they have camouflage," she gritted with the cigarette snuggled between her white teeth.

Thanks to the Mandalorian's… and Dementor's ingenuity, Ron didn't have to say a word to communicate with his droids. The battle helmet relayed his commands directly to S-1 and the others telepathically through a neural link. All Ron needed to do was tap the temple of his battle helmet and the rest would fall into place.

"So what now?" Ron asked Alex, Cecily too followed with her eyes.

"That's funny? I thought you two were the superior officers here. I should be asking you the same question. I'm here to grade you—" An explosion went off at the site Alex's shuttle crashed. Ron couldn't see it but he heard blasters go off in the distance. Even with his short experience in the war, he could tell the difference between the two sides' weapons. First, the droids blasters fired, then a mix of the two.

"With the commando droids distracting what I presume to be scout troopers, the other clone troopers will be drawn to our crash site from the bombs I just set off," Alex grinned. "They'll find a nice surprise for them there."

"So we can continue our assault on the outpost. All we need to do is take it and then the rest of our vanguard can land," Cecily reminded Ron. He nodded back agreeing.

"Ah ah. There'll still be a sizable defense force at the compound," Alex tried to force Cecily to rethink her strategy, but the young female was adamant.

She gripped her lightsaber hilt in her hand, "Ron and I can take on anything."

Alex shook her head blowing out another puff of toxic smoke between her teeth. She put her hand over Cecily's elegant and overly noble weapon. "I'm sure we alone could all take the base, but if we really want to give them a surprise…" Alex hinted looking over to Ron.

"We should take out the air-defense systems guarding it," Ron replied. Alex smiled through gritted teeth and a nearly finished cigarette. Part of her mission was to test the Ostari students' discipline and skill.

Ron on the other hand, Alex didn't know what to make of him. Skill wasn't an issue, watching holo-videos of his training with Aella taught Alex that much. There were area's he needed improvement but for the most part, he grew at an acceptable rate.

But when it came time to roll in the dunes, he either switched off and went off the grid, or came on with the potential he had. Being a wild card in battle wasn't acceptable, as best as she could describe to herself. She didn't like it.

She took out her cigarette and smashed the remainder of the smoldering ashes into the ground. This is one of the reasons Beta was paying her extra. Help in the missions of course. Primarily though, to ensure that Cecily and Ron Stoppable were smart, decisive, tactful, and most importantly… unstoppable. But Ron… he might turn out to be just as his name suggested. Stoppable.

VI.

Count Dooku looked out the large yellow window panes of his mansion on Serrano. It overlooked the city of Counts and the orchards that interlaced through the small city of elitists. The Clone Wars he had conceived with his master was unfolding according to plan.

Blundering offensives on both sides crippled the Jedi's response to the threat of the Sith. The Confederacy's purpose to throw off the Jedi and Republic was working, with the Republic futilely trying to chase down the Separatist Council… and now the Cyborg, Jedi killer… General Grievous.

He smirked at his success, and sighed at his age, closing his eyes. Time wasn't helping aid is ailing age. It was taking its toll. The Force remedies that his master taught him to mitigate the process were helping, but still, he could feel it. He spent the majority of his days meditating, helping Darth Sidious mold the future for his future and immortal governance.

But thoughts of betraying Darth Sidious and succeeding him as the ruler of two crossed his mind. He put forth the most effort in making the Clone Wars possible. He had found the template, Jango Fett, for the Grand Army of the Republic. He had gathered the corporate moguls and transformed them into the largest droid army the galaxy had ever seen.

He had created all the insidious machinations of Darth Sidious's ultimate plan to bring about the fall of the Jedi. And the reward for him in the end? As of the present, an unknown future as his apprentice. Count Dooku, also known as the wise Darth Tyranus was starting to fear the end of his own path. His own future with Darth Sidious was clouded by delusions of grandeur.

His answer? To secretly train two apprentices on the onset of the Clone Wars. One, Assaj Ventress, a decoy, meant to distract Darth Sidious away from his true disciple… Darth Atrocious. He kept him, his identity, and his very being inexistent to his master. Many names narrated his disciple so Darth Sidious remained aloof.

BEEP

His eyes snapped opened. The holo-communicator signaled his master's calling. He cleared his mind of all deceit and turned around to answer the call.

"Master," Count Dooku bowed his head in respect of his overlord.

"Darth Tyranus. I have heard some disturbing rumors. One of your generals has gone rogue…" Darth Sidious started in disapproval.

"But how could this have happened?" Count Dooku inquisitively replied.

"Certain agents insist that one of your general's recruited rogue Jedi to destroy an important intelligence outpost crucial to our plans," Sidious explained. "I feel that there is more to this act than what it seems. It perturbs me that he recruited, Jedi," the dark lord spat.

Dooku already prepared his response. Darth Atrocious predicted this response and so knew the appropriate response. "I ordered General Beta to use Jedi in the operation. It was entirely intentional my master," the Count answered.

"Why?"

"So that further distrust may be sown between the Republic and the Jedi. Seeing Jedi involving themselves on the side of the Separatists will further your own design."

"And why is this necessary?"

"Two-fold, my master. When the Jedi form a rogue element and appear as the villain, it will help tear the Republic's trust from the Jedi. The second, it will send the Jedi on a wild chase to hold their own to justice, distracting them from us."

"Yes. Yes, I see. This shall forward our progress to the end of the war. See to it, Darth Tyranus," Darth Sidious disappeared ending the transmission.

Count Dooku turned back to the window. His stoic face satisfied that his deceit remained undiscovered by the Lord of the Sith. Darth Atrocious succeeded with his first actions alone. Perhaps letting his apprentice continue would surpass his own need of Darth Sidious.

VII.

Ron looked to the skies above as a Confederate landing craft descended from the skies above a ruined Republic outpost. After Ron and Cecily placed explosives onto key air-defense weapons and sensor arrays, Alex detonated them. In an instant, the outpost was left defenseless to preying vulture droids and hyena bombers.

The clone troopers were so stunned they didn't notice Ron and Cecily running for their lives as the bombers screamed down from the skies. Plasma rockets and guided bombs falling from their wings, decimating the outpost leaving only a remnant of clone troopers alive.

By the time the clones regained their composure, droid gunships made their way overhead dropping super battle droids onto the battlefield and providing a deadly cover of air support. They stood no chance and now they used the remnants of the Republic outpost to stage their vanguard.

A sickening yet satisfying lurch agitated Ron's stomach. He never fired a single shot nor cut down a single clone trooper, albeit he wouldn't hesitate in his or Cecily's defense. Setting the explosives and running his sole mission. Bittersweet feelings filled his heart as he looked at his hands. Truthfully, he could blame the droids for all the bloodshed. Couldn't he?

Being impressed with himself held understated thoughts. Many months ago he wouldn't have been capable let alone confident of holding explosives in his hands, let alone placing them. He usually would panic at the sight of them, especially within their death radius.

Kim usually dealt with such deadly instruments of war and terror. Her nimble and acrobatic prowess enabled her to eliminate the threats with ease. Thoughts of his best friend, former best friend… certainly she found a better place with him not causing drag in her life. The thought of her finding solace without him made him queasy.

Images of red and green, lucid daydreams painting vivid memories in his mind. Ron scrunched his eyes shut trying to purge the pictures and memories to the recesses of his thoughts where nothing ever came back from.

Cecily must have sensed his discontent as she turned her attention away from a command battle droid toward him. Ron didn't want to have to explain himself to his peer, especially after what happened on the spire of the Asura.

"What's wrong, Ron?" She used his first name. His real name. In the short time knowing her, witnessing her softer yet more protective side. Never did he expect her to use his real name now that he had a cover.

"Really? My name is Kyp now."

Cecily rolled her eyes, "Come on. No one's gonna know. Besides, your own master has used it after the fact it was changed." Her smile melted the little discipline he had in using his name.

"Whatever you say. I better not get in trouble for using it."

Cecily walked behind him through a thicket of spongy vegetation. "Whatever you say. I still know something's wrong."

"Nothing's wrong." He lied. He didn't want his past leaking out to the others, especially Alex who so far paid no mind to them, smoking a cigarette in the distance watching the battle droids mass in formation.

"You don't have to lie Ron. Don't worry, if you don't want the others to know, I won't tell," she put a finger to her chin in thought, "Unless it's something really bad… then I might," Cecily smiled slyly before teeheeing and disappearing into the thicket.

Ron stood up. He took one last glance at Alex to ensure she still focused on the preamble of battle droids. Certain that Alex's interest solely remained on the automaton legion, Ron turned into the thicket his partner disappeared into.

Bumbling through the branches and vines, Ron responded to Cecily's insistence as soon as he caught a glimpse of her. "Really Cecily"— Ron pushed a brunch of branches out of his way— "nothing's wrong. I'm just thinking about what orders we're going to receive next," Ron tried reassuring her, or himself. He became unsure.

"Yeah, didn't I tell you? You're an open book. I don't even need the Force to read the atmosphere around you," Cecily said pointedly.

"What? You… that's not true. I'm not an open book," Ron blushed dumbfounded. Even with the Mandalorian battle helmet hiding his facial expressions, she could see through it like paper.

Cecily rolled her eyes, "Come on Ron. Did you not soak up anything Master Beta or Xzelas taught you about the Force. I told you, sensing troubling feelings in practically Force one-o-one."

Ron laughed nervously rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah… I'm not particularly an expert at the whole brain-soaking knowledge thing."

"And that's the first time I've heard you use a five-syllable word," Cecily dead-panned. "So I guess you have a point there… but don't try to change the subject. Seriously, what's wrong?" She exited the thicket, stopping on the embankment of the river.

Ron sighed at her persistence. He tried not to let it get to him, but in some ways, she seriously reminded him of Kim. The kiss she bestowed upon his lips wasn't helping either. "I was thinking of an old friend," Ron finally caved in to the pressure from her.

"An old friend?" she asked quirking an eyebrow. "What kind of old friend?"

Ron groaned inside his head growing aggravated. This is what he hoped exactly to avoid. Why can't girls ever leave it alone? He knew she wouldn't accept of one-sentence answer. She wanted to keep digging.

"An old childhood friend that I've known since pre-k... we were separated after I chose to chase down Dementor to this new world…worlds… galaxy… whatever you call it," Ron's depression resounded in his voice. Even the battle helmet's vodifier couldn't conceal the emotion. It was something he had been bottling up for months, festering inside his soul.

"Hmm..? Sounds to me like she was more than just a childhood friend…" Cecily replied surprisingly not seemingly upset at her own opinion.

"She? How'd you figure that? I didn't even mention her name or reference like that…" Ron shot back.

"You admitted there," Cecily pointed Ron out with a sly smile. She lowered her toyful attitude, her cheeks turning a slight shade of red. "When we first met aboard the penetrator craft… our first mission together. I knew you were staring at me. When Alex referred to you as a pervert, I knew she was wrong. The way you were looking at me, it's like you had seen a ghost. I knew I must have reminded you of someone." Cecily sighed. "I just didn't think it was the right time to bring it up."

Ron was relieved that she didn't think of him as a pervert as Alex had suggested two days earlier. Yet new remorse dawned upon him. He wanted to break down, but he forbid himself from doing it in front of Cecily… nonetheless Alex who might spring up at any moment.

"Yeah… right on the money there…" Ron replied faking a laugh, trying to hide his true feelings in his heart.

Cecily frowned, "I'm sorry to hear that you two were separated so abruptly. It must have been hard." Cecily blushed a bright red as she hesitated. "Were you two… lovers?" the question played on her lips.

Ron froze where he stood. He had never revealed his feelings to anyone but Kim. They were something he kept close to his heart and safeguarded. Lovers though? Did she actually mean it the way it sounded? He never thought about those thoughts in-depth and he tried to shake them from his head.

Cecily could immediately tell by Ron stiffening up like a staff that he was uncomfortable with the question. "I'm sorry if I was too forward. I was just trying to understand where you'r-"

Ron raised his hand to stop her from continuing, "It's okay." Ron drew in a deep breath, soothing the rising emotions coming up his esophagus. He held it. He breathed out. "Unfortunately, we were only best friends. I hoped we could be something… but she was into another guy…" Ron trailed off at thought of Kim and Eric. Blissful torture knowing Kim was happy with someone else.

Cecily rubbed her arm feeling embarrassed. She felt ashamed for not taking her peer's feelings into account and for digging just a little too deep. "I'm really sorry that I was so persistent."

Old feelings bubbled up. But that didn't stop the overflow of feelings that had welled up inside, suppressed since beginning this journey. Tears that he imprisoned in his chocolate eyes escaped from their master's will, rolling down his cheeks.

"Cheer up though. It's not like it's the end of everything," Ron turned to her voice finding Cecily removing the restraints to her beauty. Her shoulder armor and leather vest falling away over her back. With her corset untied, her pent-up beauty bounded out from her chest. The tight black shirt conforming perfectly to her curves all the way down.`

Even with the protection of the battle helmet, Ron wasn't sure that it hid his gawking. Indeed, Ron's jaw dropped to the floor at her stunning beauty and now his thoughts sailed into a maelstrom. Two storms, Cecily and Kim battling over who would gain control of Ron's ocean of love and fidelity. But one was losing steam as it drifted away finding another island to batter while the other made a full-frontal assault on his island's senses.

"You know, that helmet is a real drag. But I understand its purpose. It's not to keep me away but to protect your identity from the Count and other big bads."

Cecily's statement shook Ron from his goggling. "The Count?"

"Yes. Count Dooku. I told you, he's the leader of the Confederacy. Or did I?"

"Aella— I mean Master Xzelas told me about him briefly," Ron remembered Aella's account of the man who was their leader. "I was told he's cold and ruthless."

"Don't forget crafty and guileful. The Count of Serrano is a master of treachery. If you're not careful or strong, he'll have you believe you're his lap dog."

"He's that good at the bad guy shtick?"

"Yea," — Cecily pressed her back against a tree— "He is. He convinced my home-world they were the former seat of some forgotten empire and glory would come through the salvation of the Confederacy."

"Then why do you fight for them?" Ron asked.

"Why do you fight for them?" Cecily turned the question back on them.

Why did he fight for them? Power? No, Ron didn't care about the power that came with learning how to fight. Skill? The skills to fighting? Ron had those in some capacity, he just didn't choose to utilize them the same way others did. What did he join again for? To better himself? Was he even sure of that goal anymore?

Cecily giggled. "I didn't mean to put you in prose. I hated the droids. I hated the Confederacy. I hated the Republic too. I hated anything and everything that came My master, saved me from my own convictions, and now I fight for the Confederacy even though it's evil. Is that what you're waiting for me to say?"

"No. Not necessarily."

"Ron…"

"Kyp. My name is Kyp," Ron eyed the bushes waiting for Alex to bust out and scold them. He wasn't sure how much she knew.

"Fine… Kyp. You can't keep asking everyone about their opinion about who you fight for. It isn't going to help you. Trust me on that. You want my advice. The only guidance you should seek is from your teacher and Beta."

"And what if I don't trust him. He's always vague and doesn't explain himself."

"Do you think we would be following him at all if we thought he had ulterior motives?"

"Uh, shaw. Aren't the best villains the ones you think are the good guys?"

Cecily shook her head, frustrated, "Argh! You're hopeless. You have a response for everything don't you?"

"When I have a gut feeling, I trust it. I'm telling you, something is telling me that Beta is bad road. Nothing but bad road Cecily!"

"You're not going to let this go, are you?"

Ron hung his head, "I just don't know what to think. At first, when I met Beta, he told me that I'd become stronger. But what if that's not what I want anymore."

"Have you talked to Master Xzelas? About Beta?"

"It'll have to wait until after this mission is over. She skimmed over the details," Ron answered.

A silence fell upon the two. Cecily was unsure of how to answer or help Ron any further, much because of her uninterest. Ron, unable to shake the feeling that he needed to second guess everything.

Ron stared down at his tactical, armor-plated boots. Everything swarmed his senses, overriding everything he ever knew. What to think? What to feel? What to do? How to cope? All he knew was failing him in this war. Even Aella, his teacher recalling events of the past and her understanding of his anxieties couldn't save him from his plight. The blood on his hands. Understanding wasn't forgiveness.

But in a moment of clarity, the light entering through his darkened visor brightened. Before he could lift his eyes, he felt something gently grab his helmet, slowly parting it from his head. His sight transferred from the darkness of his helmet to the golden light of Garqi's sun and the vibrant lush life of the forest.

In front of him, a pair of not brown but feverish rubescent eyes gazing into him. His own fever rose to the front of his head, sweltering under the heat from her eyes as she set his battle helmet to the side. The battle helmet that protected him from her advances. She could see everything now as his lip quivered.

No longer away from him, she slowly knelt beside him cupping his face in her hands. The war. The bloodshed. The training. The stress. Kim. All melted away under her eyes assault. Her crimson hair no longer shared any trace with Kim but was her own. Her own cheeks flushed red as Ron's heated up, the friction growing between their two faces as she grew closer to his.

Her target clear, gentle lips descending upon his as they brushed against his lips, hesitant as if waiting for him to make his move. Ron hesitated. Was this right? Was this what he needed? What about— What about— What about her?

All of the questions swirling in his mind melted away as Cecily pressed her lips just a little more firmly against his, trying to egg a response from him. Ron lost himself in the moment as gave into her passion, pushing his lips against hers.

Her hands slipped behind his neck, while he pulled her closer to him so their bodies formed against each other. In their moment of affection, before their kiss could deepen further, the warm rays of Garqi's yellow star petted their cheeks.

Cecily slowly broke away, her gleaming eyes still connected to his. The brightening rays of the sun caught their attention as the star lowered below the branches, across the mighty Vlassy River, setting below the shadowy granite cliffs. The kiss, the sunlight, and the beauty of nature burned away all of Ron's insecurities.

"You know," Ron slighted to his eyes toward Cecily, who was focused on the sunset and a passing air-sail, "I'm no master. But if there's any advice I can offer you… live in the moment, Ron. Live the moment through what you see, what you feel, what the Force tells you, and enjoy every moment. You never know when the Force… when life will decide it's your last."

Ron's eyes were drawn back into the beauty before him. Beauty that stood here long before he was ever born. Maybe Cecily was right. Maybe the advice she offered was what he needed to live by. Maybe… Maybe Cecily was right for him.