Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Thank You All for Your Support.
Newsreel:
Outer Rim under siege! One year after the collapse of his master's plans to create a Galactic Empire, Count Dooku and the exiled Separatist Council have launched a major offensive against Republic and rebelling Separatist worlds. Led by the evil droid General Grievous, Republic and Confederate forces are pushed to the brink. In response to this overwhelming attack, the Jedi Council has dispatched its Generals, sending them far from the Core Worlds to bolster the beleaguered clones and civilian forces. On the distant planet of Yerbana, we find Commander Cody of the 212th in desperate need of reinforcements...
The usually clear skies of Yerbana were a mess of anti-air flak and exploding ships, Separatist droid tri-fighters and artillery strafing several Z-95 Headhunters and LAAT gunships providing support for the ground troops below. Unfortunately, the pilots of the Headhunter escorts were having a difficult time protecting their gunships, the droid forces in the air picking them off one by one. At one point, the leader of the formation ordered his men to bank off and take out as many enemy craft as they could.
"Pick your targets!" he called over the com, only to let out a startled scream his fighter took a direct hit, his cockpit filling with flames as the fighter spiraled into the deep canyon on the planet's surface. And with the pilot gone, his gunship was an easy target as the droid fighters shot it down, it's sheared off swing causing it spiral and collide with the massive bridge that spanned the canyon, the explosion causing many men of the 212th to jump clear of the falling debris.
"TAKE COVER MEN, TAKE COVER!" the 212th's commander yelled, Cody urging his men to take cover as they advanced on a massive battalion of Separatist droids, their objective made even more difficult by the presence of dwarf spider droids, tri-droids, and NR-N99 enforcers. Unfortunately, many of Cody's men are mowed down by the enemy fire as they desperately seek whatever cover they can, be it upended pieces of bridge, or debris from gunships and fighters.
But, with the men seeking cover, Cody realized that the presence of several AATs may make the action a futile effort as they began raining hot plasma shells on top of them, the destructive ordinance blasting apart the makeshift barricades between themselves and the droids. And the moment another round fired, Cody felt his heart leap into his throat as he saw the deadly missile close in on his position. He was frozen, and only just tried to cover himself when the projectile was right on top fof him.
But, to his surprise, and utter confusion, the hit never came.
Looking up, Cody saw to his surprise, and utter relief, the smoking, azlure blade of a lightsaber, held by his general and best friend, who had jumped in at the last second and used his lightsaber to deflect the blast.
"GENERAL!" Cody called with relief and glee, only to quickly duck out of the way as several blaster bolts whizzed bast his head, some being deflected by Obi-wan, whose usually clean tunic was torn and dirty from all the fighting.
"CODY GET DOWN!" Obi-Wan yelled, frantically deflecting more bolts as he, Cody and several other men ducked behind some debris, the temporary shelter offering some relief as they tried to think of their next move.
"Well, I see things are going splendidly on this front!" Obi-Wan said sarcastically, his breathing heavy as he looked into his second's visor.
"It's no good," Cody responded in a defeated tone, "we can't locate the tactical droid; he's staying out of sight."
At this point, Obi-Wan finds himself running out of options. With what was left of his men pinned down and running low on ammo, his only hope of recue was the 501st, which were currently engaged in their own little bout with the droids at that moment.
"Anakin," he groaned, "where are you?"
"I'm right here."
Looking up the source of the new voice, Obi-Wan was astounded to see his former apprentice casually walking towards him, a smug smirk on his face as blaster bolts whizzed past him, the daring Jedi clearly un-phased by the battle currently going on.
"What are you doing down there?" the brash general asked, moving his head out the way of another bolt as he looked down at his former master.
"WE are taking cover, now get DOWN!" Obi-Wan angrily responded, his annoyance with Anakin growing by the second, especially when the younger man gave him an incredulous look as he gestured toward the enemy lines.
"You're not serious? There's a thousand droids over there, TOPS!"
At that point, Anakin had stepped onto the large chuck of bridge Obi-Wan and Cody were hiding behind, their confusion radiating through the force as looked at Anakin.
"What're you up to," Obi-Wan asked, before taking notice of the absence of a certain captain and ARC trooper, "where are Rex and Fives?"
"We finished our battle, so we decided to come and help with yours."
At this point Obi-Wan was getting tired of Anakin's attempts at bold heroics.
"You're overdoing it…AGAIN."
Looking to Obi-Wan from his perch on the debris, Anakin fell to one knee as he sent the older Jedi a teasing smile.
"Master, I meant no disrespect. If you want, I can hide here with you and let the citizens of the city suffer longer."
Oh, how Obi-Wan hated Anakin right now.
"Now Anakin, you know I..."
"OR," Anakin quickly cut off, continually ignoring the battle going on around him, "we can do things my way, and help them now."
At this point, Obi-Wan knew from experience that it was better to stop Anakin from charging into the fray headfirst. And if he was being honest with himself, it just reminded him of how much the boy turned Jedi had grown on him.
"All right," he finally said while letting out a defeated sigh, "I know better than to stop you…what's your plan this time."
"Stay here," Anakin simply responded, leaving a confused Obi-Wan with Cody, the commander sending his general a lazy shrug, a clear sign that he had grown used to Skywalker's antics. As for Skywalker himself, he walked calmy through the smoke and fire of battle, lazily dodging out of the way of each blaster bolt that came his direction. And for the droids in the commander center near the city entrance, this proved to be very irksome.
"One target approaching," a B-1 droid reported to his commander, "we can't hit it."
"Identify target," the yellow-marked commander responded, raising his binocs to his visual receptors to get a clear look of the target, only for his circuitry to suffer a short the moment he saw the unmistakable robes of a…
"CEASE FIRE!" The commander yelled.
"ALL BATTERIES FOCUS ON THE JEDI!"
In a matter of seconds, all droid forces ceased firing on the clones, only to train their armaments on the clearly insane Jedi casually striding towards them.
"READY!" the commander called, each droid priming their blasters as a result.
"AIM!"
"HOLD YOUR FIRE! Hold your fire!"
Anakin's call came as a surprise. Just as every droid was about to unleash hell on the lone Jedi, they suddenly eased their metallic fingers on the trigger, their logic boards going into overdrive as they stared bewildered at the Jedi as he raised his arms. Even Obi-Wan and Cody peaked out from behind their cover to see what the clearly insane Anakin was doing. And what he said next really through them all off guard
"I have come to surrender!"
"SURRENDER?!" The droid commander repeated in surprise, "that's a relief."
Leaning toward his subordinate, the commander whispered another command.
"Notify the tactical droid."
As the subordinate clanker walked away, Anakin continued to speak, spouting out half-hearted congratulations towards the droid forces, his flattery distracting them from a small periscope peaking out from the side of the bridge. The owner of said periscope was Anakin's faithful astromech, R2-D2, who with his magnetized treads, rolled down the side of the bridge, only to be created by Captain Rex, the 501st second-in-command, jetpack on his back, hanging on to a pipe on the underside of the bridge, Arc trooper Fives by his side as the duo looked at the little droid.
"R2!" Rex urgently whispered, "how much longer are we stuck down here?"
In his binary chatter, R2 relays his answer, the message causing great relief to radiating through both Rex and Fives, the latter responded for the both of them.
"Great, I'll tell the boys," the ARC trooper said, turning his attention to the platoon of jet troopers on the underside of the bridge with them, each of them SO ready to get going.
"Alright boys, HANG IN THERE a little longer."
The tone in which Fives relayed the message conveyed a joking quality to it, causing all the men to groan at the elite trooper's joke. Even Five's fellow ARC trooper Jesse shook his head at his brother's terrible joke.
"Couldn't resist, could ya Fives?"
"Ya know me Jess."
Meanwhile, Anakin was getting quite tired of making up compliments to give to the droid forces, as evident by his bored smile and annoyed gaze. But luckily, he didn't have to wait for too much longer, for who was to step into the command center, but the super tactical droid commander.
"Why have you ceased fire?" the commander angrily demand in his stilted voice, quickly receiving a reply from the B-1 commander.
"Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker has surrendered to us Commander."
"There he is," Anakin whispered, a malicious grin on his lips as he glared at the stunned droid who quickly realized what was happening as he angrily turned to his subordinate.
"IT'S A TRAP YOU FOOLS! OPEN FIRE!"
"NOW R2!" Anakin called to his droid, who quickly relayed the order to the clones under the bridge as the Jedi used the force to grab a hold of the startled droid, who only had enough time to order his forces to cease fire before being relieved of his head by Anakin's lightsaber.
And as soon as the droids head and body clatters to the ground in a mangled heap of newly made scrap, the platoon of jet troopers emerge from their hiding places beneath the bridge, rapidly making quick work of the Separatist forces, destroying them with thermal detonators and balster fire. Fives and Jesse even managed to plant a few grenades explosives on one of the Octuptarra tri-droids, one of the towering droids legs being blown off and causing it to crash onto the command center.
Meanwhile, back with Obi-Wan and Cody, the two men just watched the chaos ensue. That is until Cody started getting an itchy trigger finger.
"General?"
"Yes Cody," Obi-Wan responded with a laugh, patting his commander on the shoulder, "you may join the fun as well."
"Yes Sir," Cody responded, grinning like a maniac under his helmet as he gave the order to his troops.
"BLAST 'EM!"
With that, the 212th charged headfirst into the battle, each man now very relieved to have a break the constant bombardment they had been subjugated to just minutes before. But, in the midst of the charging and battle cries, Anakin stood calmly in place, a large smile on his face as he was joined by Obi-Wan, the bearded man smiling himself as he stood beside his former apprentice.
"Bravo, Anakin," he said with a laugh, "You've done it again."
"Oh I can't take all the credit," Anakin responded slyly, "your state of helplessness really sold them on my surrender talk."
"Always happy to help my friend," Obi-Wan responded, wrapping his arm around Anakin's shoulder, the younger man responded in kind as they watched their men break through the enemy lines, the charge soon being joined by gunships carrying reinforcements and AT-TE walkers offering more groundfire. Unfortunately, their revelry was cut short by the tell-tale chime of Anakin's comm. Breaking his embrace with Obi-Wan, Anakin brought his comm to his mouth.
"Skywalker here. What is it Admiral?"
"Sir," Admiral Yularen's voice sounded form the comm, "we've received a transmission from some using your sub-space frequency; Fulcrum."
This caught Anakin and Obi-Wan off guard, for the only person known to use that could was a freedom fighter they had helped in the past.
"Saw Gerrera," Anakin said, causing Obi-wan to stroke his beard in thought.
"Perhaps the siege at Onderon has taken turn for the worst," he theorized, only to be corrected by Yularen.
"No sir, it's not Gerrera…you had best take this transmission here on the ship."
Within minutes, a gunship carrying Anakin, Obi-Wan, their seconds and the two Arc troopers was en route back to Admiral Yularen's new flagship Venator, which had succeeded the fallen resolute immediately following the Battle of Sullust. Upon landing in the hanger bay, Anakin and Obi-Wan, the latter now donning a brown outer robe, left their men by the gunship as they made their way toward the bridge.
"Alright Admiral," Anakin said in mild annoyance as the blast doors to the communication room hissed open, "what's so important you drag all the way back here."
And as Anakin spoke, his voice began to falter as he laid eyes on the holographic form of a togruta he had not seen in a long time…almost a year to be exact when the young woman had disappeared for a "secret mission." And when the young woman turned to face him, Anakin was blown away by how much she had grown in that time. He was so surprised that he failed to notice another female standing beside Ahsoka…clad in Mandalorian armor.
"Hello Anakin…it's been a while."
Even as she spoke, Anakin stared at the young togruta, the female offering a kind smile to the man who had trained her as a Jedi, who she had seen as a big brother in her time at the temple. And as the two satred at each other, Obi-Wan exchanged a glance with Yularen, the two sending each other knowing grins as they looked at the exchange taking place before them.
"Ashoka," Anakin finally said, having found his voice again despite the shock, "it's been too long. How are you…WHERE are you…are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Ahsoka responded with a small laugh, "don't worry."
At that moment, Ahsoka's face soon turned serious, the same aura radiating through the hologram as she looked at Anakin and Obi-Wan.
"I wish we had more time to talk, but I have urgent information for both of you."
"What is it Ahsoka," Obi-Wan asked, his interest now greatly peaked. And as Ahsoka answered, she gestured to the Mandalorian female by her said, a female Obi-Wan knew too well.
"Lady Bo-Katan and I have tracked down the renegade Sith Lord Maul, and if we move quickly, we think we can capture him."
Later in the hangar, Anakin and Obi-Wan walked along the main deck, followed closely by Fives, Cody and R2, with Rex off elsewhere to oversee a "special project." As they walked, Fives and Cody had there helmets tucked beneath their arms. While Cody's overall appearance hadn't changed, save for a few more lines in his face and grey hairs, Fives had changed considerably, his longer hair slicked back, and a full, but short beard covering his face, which now possessed three claw marks over his left eye, courtesy of an angry tooka on Ryloth.
But, according to his lovely wife Shaak Ti, this made him look very rugged and handsome.
And luckily, he got to keep his eye.
"It's amazing how the force works, isn't it Obi-Wan?" Anakin asked, causing Obi-Wan to raise an amused eyebrow at his giddy friend.
"How so?" he inquired with a laugh.
"Think of how Ahsoka came to be in this position," Anakin began to explain, "if she hadn't have left the order, she wouldn't have been where she needed to be."
"I suppose that's one way of looking at it," Obi-Wan answered with another short laugh, the guffaw returned by Anakin as he nudged the older Jedi.
"Come on, it's the only way to look at it…we're going to capture Maul."
And it was at that moment, Anakin noticed something about Obi-Wan's attitude. He seemed, strangely calmer than he expected.
"I thought you'd be more excited about this, after everything that he's done."
Upon hearing this, Obi-Wan's step faltered some, his smile falling as well as he cast his gaze to the cold durasteel floor. And it was only after a hard five-seconds that he finally spoke his mind.
"I am excited at the idea Anakin…but at the same time I must be cautiously optimistic. I don't want to get my hopes up only to have them dashed."
Another silent moment passes, the only sound being the activity in the hanger. But the silence was broken again, this time by the rugged ARC trooper behind the two Jedi.
"I was the same way General," Fives said, "and look how it turned out for me."
Glancing over his shoulder, Obi-Wan sent Fives a soft smile.
"I suppose you're right Fives."
"Add it to the list," Fives joked back, causing the four men to laugh as they reached the middle of the hanger. And it was only when they stopped that a craft passed through the ray shield of the hanger, it's distinct design and markings making it no mystery that it was Mandalorian in origin. And the moment it touched down, a rear ramp extended to the floor, making way for it's inhabitants, which included Ahsoka, Bo-Katan, and two other Mandalorian warriors. And when R2 saw his togruta friend, he was ecstatic, quickly making his way to greet her, the female force-user happily returning the greeting by patting his dome.
"It's good to see you too buddy," Ahsoka laughed over R2's beeping. Even Bo-Katan smiled as she never saw such excitement from a droid before. But it was only when she saw the four men the droid was with approaching that she let her smile drop back into a serious frown. But, she still received a warm feeling in her chest when she saw her colleague greet each man with a warm embrace, the girl spending more time with ARC trooper as he playfully lifted her up and twirled her around.
But, there was business to discuss.
"While I hate to break up this happy reunion," she began in a firm voice, "things are moving quickly. Every second we waste here, gives Maul the advantage."
It was at that moment every other member of the group turned gravely serious, with obi-Wan being the first to vocally acknowledge this.
"We understand…please follow me."
Within minutes, the group, minus Fives and Cody, was in the war room of the main bridge, the main projection table displaying several planets that Bo-Katan had linked to Maul's travels. And as the projected plaents roated around the hair before them, Ashoka explained everything that had lead them to this point.
"Bo-Katan had been tracking Maul's movements for several months," she explained. "I was able to obtain some transmission codes from the pykes on Oba Diah, which helped her pinpoint some his previous locations."
"What were you doing on Oba Diah?" Anakin asked, that one particular detail sticking out to him more than the information on Maul. And while Ahsoka wished she could tell Anakin about the mission she undertook with Lux and Fox, she knew it was more important to focus on the task at hand.
"That's a long story," Ahsoka said hesitantly, her gaze soon hardening as she continued to speak, "and not really relevant right now."
"What is relevant," Bo-Katan added, "is we know that Maul is on Mandalore in the city of Sundari."
Upon finishing her statement, Bo-Katan pressed a button on the console, pulling up a projection of Mandlore's capitol, the domed surface bringing back painful memories for Obi-Wan, his anguish felt by the two other force-users int eh room who quickly sent him reassuring vibes. Luckily, Obi-Wan was able to recover quickly as he looked to the red-headed Mandalorian.
"You're certain of this?" he asked in as steady a voice as he could.
"He arrived two days ago," Bo-Katan replied curtly. But, while Obi-Wan was reassured by Bo-Katan's information, he knew that Mandalorians did not ask for outside interference…unless there was something in it for them.
"So why not take him yourself?" he asked in a tone that seemed somewhat accusatory.
"Or more specifically…what do you need from the Republic?"
It was at that moment that Bo-Katan cast a hesitant glance to Ahsoka, who gave the proud warrior an encouraging smile and nod. And, with great reluctance, Bo-Katan swallowed that pride as she stared bashfully at the hologram.
"I don't have the numbers needed for a siege…without a complete lock-down of the city Maul will escape again."
To emphasize her point, Bo-Katan brought up a hologram of the city itself.
"That is why I am proposing a joint operation. If we are successful, you will have Maul…and I'll have Mandalore."
Upon hearing the proposal, Obi-Wan and Anakin cast each other doubtful glances, their uncertainty being felt by Ahsoka, whose anxiety rose at the idea that they may very well refuse. And what Obi-Wan said next made her realize the certainty of it.
"If Republic forces were to aid you in your assault, it will break treaties that are a hundred years old…we will effectively be brought into yet another war."
"What's one more?"
Bo-Katan's response did not sit well with either Jedi, Anakin quickly countering with one of his own.
"Well, we're not fished with our first one yet."
At this point, Bo-Katan was losing her patience, said patience reaching the tipping point with Obi-Wan's next statement.
"I will advise the Jedi council of this development."
But just as Obi-Wan turned his back to leave the room, Bo-Katan played a card that should not be played against Obi-Wan, who felt her anguish through the force.
"THERE'S NO TIME!" she all but shouted, causing Obi-Wan to pausing in his stride as he looked back at Bo-Katan, the female warrior staring daggers at the Jedi before her.
"Maul's influence on Mandalore is destroying my people. He murdered their ruler, my sister…
"I thought she meant something to you."
That was what did it for Obi-Wan.
"And who was it that brought Maul to Mandalore?"
This was said with such calmness, yet such venom, that everyone in the room, even the two silent warriors standing guard, were taken aback. Even Anakin and Ahsoka were unnerved by this uncharacteristic hostility from Obi-Wan. But, then again, Bo-Katan attempted to use the love he held for her sister against him. And as Bo-Katan looked at Obi-Wan with green eyes now filling with regret, the Jedi sought fit to put the woman in her place.
"He may have killed Satine," Obi-Wan continued, now through clenched teeth, "but Death Watch put him in the position to do so."
Taken aback by this, Bo-Katan attempted to bring the situation back into her favor.
"I may have disagreed with my sister, but I never wanted her dead."
"Either way," Obi-Wan quickly countered, "the state of Mandalore is more on you, than it is on Maul."
For several minutes the room was silent, no one, not even Anakin daring to break the stiff silence of the situation. Even Ahsoka felt it better to stay out of this conformation as Obi-Wan glared at Bo-Katan, the woman, for the first time in her life feeling like a small child being scolded, clenching her eyes shut. And it was only after several moments had passed that the silence was broken…
By a sob.
"You're right," Bo-Katan softly whimpered, big salty tears streaming down her cheeks as she used the table to steady herself.
"Satine's death was my fault…Mandalore's pain is my fault."
As she spoke, Bo-Katan brought her tear-filled eyes up to meet Obi-Wan's, the Jedi actually feeling his heart break some as he looked upon the now broken warrior, her pain hitting him full force. It was almost staggering. But, at this point, Obi-Wan knew he could not break his stance, as he finally saw something he had been wanting to see from Bo-Katan, or any Mandalorian for some time…
Humility.
"I don't care if I get Mandalore," Bo-Katan continued, shocking everyone in the room, "I just want Maul to pay for what he has done. Which is why if you help us…Maul will not be the only one to face justice."
"Bo?" Ahsoka inquired, great concern in her voice as she could sense what her colleague was about to say, placing a hand on the older woman's armored shoulder. And it was only after reaching over and taking Ahsoka's hand in her own, offering a sad smile as she did, that Bo-Katan confirmed what she was implying.
"If you help us, I will surrender myself to face punishment for my actions in the stead of my warriors. I only ask that you help me free Mandalore in return."
For several more minutes the room was in silence, no daring to move or even breath as Obi-Wan stared at Bo-Katan, her tear-filled eyes and stained cheeks definitely having some affect on him. But as the minutes dragged on, Bo-Katan felt her nerves being shot to pieces as Obi-Wan's neutral blue gaze bore into her very own. And it was only when he finally spoke that Bo-Katan released a breath she did not realize she had been holding.
"The last time I went against the Council, it cost Satine her life. And not a day goes by where I don't look up at the stars and ask for her forgiveness."
After saying this, Obi-Wan cast his gaze down at the now empty table. It was during that time that Anakin and Ahsoka could feel the internal war raging in his head. But soon, the conflict subsided, quickly being replaced by a steadfast aura as Obi-Wan raised a now determined gaze to Bo-Katan.
"But I refuse to let her death go unpunished any longer."
With that, Obi-Wan pressed a button on the council, the image of Cody being pulled up almost instantly as the commander answered his comm.
"Yes General?" Cody inquired.
"Cody," Obi-Wan began in a strong and determined tone in his voice, "prepare the 212th…we leave for Mandalore within the hour."
Every eye in the room was wide in surprise before Obi-Wan could finish his order. Anakin from shock, Ahsoka from tearful glee, and Bo-Katan from gracious relief. And it was only after Cody confirmed the order and signed off that Bo-Katan finally found the strength to speak.
"Thank you," she rasped out, receiving a gracious nod and smile from Obi-Wan before leaving with her two guards to organize her own forces. And it was only when the three force-users were alone that Obi-Wan had the air knocked out of him by Ahsoka, the young woman through her arms around him in a tight embrace, tears of joy staining his tunic as he slowly returned the embrace.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"No thanks needed, Soka," Obi-Wan whispered back, only to become very confused when he felt another pair of arms encircle himself and the togruta in his embrace.
"Anakin?" he inquired, only to receive a laugh from said Jedi in response.
"Shut up old man."
And for the next several seconds, the trio stood together in silence, each holding a smile on their lips as they enjoyed the peace and tranquility this one moment gave. But, time was of the essence, as evident when Obi-Wan pulled away.
"Well," he said with a chuckle, "I still need to inform the council, and Luminara, of what is about to happen."
It was at that moment Ahsoka allowed a teasing grin to from on her lips.
"So, how is the new lady love doing?"
Obi-Wan, not at all phased by Ahsoka's teasing, sent a teasing smirk back to her.
"Quite well. In fact…we're getting married soon."
With that, Obi-Wan left Anakin and Ahsoka alone, the togruta staring wide-eyed in the direction the older Jedi had gone, causing Anakin to chuckle at her reaction. But it was only when Anakin nudged her that she realized he was beginning to lead her out off of the bridge.
"Come on," he said with a laugh, "I want to show you something."
Before long, Anakin and Ahsoka were walking back to the main hanger, passing by several members of the 212th as they did, some evn saluting Ahsoka as they passed.
"Commander!" One said.
"SIR!" Another sounded.
And as they continued to walk, Ahsoka felt more and more uneasy as more and more troopers saluted her, the action being one she felt she didn't deserve as she was no longer part of the military.
"They shouldn't salute me anymore," she finally voiced out loud, "not since I left the order."
"It doesn't matter to them. It's a sign of respect" Anakin quickly countered as they neared the hanger.
"They know what you went through for them, day after day, battle after battle…"
Anakin paused as they reached the door.
"Loyalty means everything to the clones."
With that, the door to the hanger hissed open, and to Ahsoka's surprise, their stood Rex, Fives by his side, a huge smile on their faces, their backs to four rows of men from the 501st. And within an instant, Rex's smile changed to a serious expression as he called to the men in formation.
"COMPANY! ATTENTION!"
With military precision, each man in formation make's a ninety-degree heel-turn. Looking uncertainly to Anakin, Ahsoka was met with an encouraging smile as he nodded in the direction of his men.
"Go ahead," he said softly, "they've been waiting to see you."
With newfound confidence, Ahsoka stepped into the hanger, making her way toward the formation of men, her gaze dancing over the boys in blue she had fought with for so many years, greeting her as if she was the chancellor. But as she continued to inspect the men, she noticed that their helmets differed from the blue markings of their helmets, each bucket painted orange on the faceplate and dome, with white markings that resembled…
Ahsoka chocked back a sob as she realized the men painted their helmets in homage to her.
Looking back to Anakin and Rex, she could see the two smiling at her.
"As soon as Rex and the boys heard you were back," Anakin said, "they got to work.
Making her way back to the two men, Ahsoka looked to Rex, the veteran trooper smiling cheekily at her as he presented a standard phase-II helmet in the same pint scheme as he had seen on the men.
"The paint job's a bit crude," he began with a laugh, "but we think it gets the idea across."
Bringing a shaking hand up to caress the helmet, Ahsoka brought her misty gaze up to meet Rex's eyes.
"Glad to have you back Commander."
Rex soon found himself letting out a grunt as Ahsoka through herself into him, her arms wrapping around his middle as she held on tightly. It was only after taking a few seconds to recover from the shock that Rex finally returned the gesture with a warm smile, thought it was a bit awkward for him with helmet in one hand, and a wooden box in the other.
"Rex," Ahsoka sniffed as she broke the embrace, wiping away her tears as she laughed, "thank you…but you don't have to call me 'commander' anymore."
"Sure thing," Rex began in a teasing tone, "Commander."
Ahsoka couldn't help but roll her eyes at her old Captain's sense of humor, only for her gaze to fall on the box in his hand, said object being handed to Anakin, who presented it to Ahsoka.
"That reminds me…I have something for you."
Looking at the box, Ahsoka could feel a familiar aura radiating from, an aura that had been a part of her in her time as a Jedi. An aura that gave her feeling of power, yet at the same time grace and civility. And it was with these feelings in mind that she carefully brought a hand to the box, ready to open the lid as excitement radiated through her. But just as she was about to open the box…
Troopers began running to and frow as the ship's klaxons sounded, the blaring alarm temporarily deafening the four people without any hearing protection. But when the ringing in their ears wore off, their attention was quickly brought to the door hissing open, making way for Obi-Wan to charge in, clear alarm on his face as he skidded to a stop by Anakin.
"ANAKIN! REX! PREPARE YOUR FORCES, THE FLEET IS JUMPING INTO HYPERSPACE IMMEDIATELY!"
"RIGHT!" Rex responded without question, quickly turning his attention to the men in formation.
"MEN, WITH ME!"
"So we are heading to Mandalore?" Anakin asked, a curious Fives and Ahsoka listening intently.
"No," Obi wan quickly responded, "YOU are heading to Corusaunt. Grievous and Dooku have attacked the capitol!"
This shocked the group, especially Fives.
"What about Chancellor Mothma?" Anakin asked, quickly being joined in his concern by Fives.
"And Ti and Ashla?"
"Ti and Ashla are safe, don't worry Fives. But as for the Chancellor, Luminara says Master Tinn has been sent to protect her, but Master Yoda has lost contact with him. But luckily, the fleet can be there within the hour."
"Wait," Ahsoka interrupted, the three men looking to her with confusion, only to see a heartbroken expression on her face, "you're going to abandon Bo-Katan and her people?"
"No Ahsoka," Obi-Wan quickly added, a reassuring smile being sent to Ahsoka.
"With several systems, both Republic and Confederate, being seized from the droid army, reinforcements are plentiful. Anakin is to rendezvous with Master Plo's fleet from Cato Neimodia so they can rescue the Chancellor…while I and the 212th join you on Mandalore."
At this point, Ahsoka was overjoyed to hear that Obi-Wan would not be going back on his deal, but soon felt concern as she saw a deep frown replace his smile.
"Unfortunately," he continued, "I fear my forces won't be enough to bolster the Mandalorians. After all the fighting on Yerbana, my forces are severely depleted."
"I'll divide up the 501st."
This sudden proposal from Anakin caused Ahsoka, Obi-Wan and Fives to look at the young Jedi in surprise, a confident smile gracing his features.
"Create a new division under Ahsoka's command so she can support you."
Now, while Obi-Wan liked the idea, there was one major oversight Anakin was overlooking.
"You forget Anakin that Ahsoka is no longer part of the Grand Army of the Republic."
Poodoo, Anakin thought to himself as he realized Obi-Wan was right. Almost immediately, he began going over ways in which his plan might work. Then finally, a stroke of genius hit him.
"I'll promote Rex to commander, and Ahsoka can go with him as an advisor."
Obi-Wan needed no further convincing.
"Well done my friend."
And upon returning Obi-Wan's smile, Anakin suddenly remembered the box in his hands.
"OH! If you're going to face Maul…you'll need these."
Once more presenting the box to Ahsoka, the young woman looked at the wood container with a smile. And this time with only a moment of hesitance, she opened the box, revealing the gleaming, silver hilt s of her lightsaber and shoto, looking the same as when she last saw them. At that moment, Ahsoka fought the urge to cry as she picked them up, the two weapons feeling just as light as they did when she last held them.
"I took care of them," Anakin added.
"They're good as new."
At that moment, Ahsoka activated the blades, only to be met with an azure hue than the green glow she had been used too.
"Maybe a little better."
Ahsoka rolled her eyes at Anakin's comment, a teasing smile on her lips as she tested out her form, finding she still hadn't lost her touch with the deadly blades. And as she swung the blades around, being careful of the others around her, Anakin proceeded to give her and Obi-Wan a pep-talk.
"You two capture Maul, I take care of Grievous, with any luck, this'll all be over soon."
"Obi-Wan always said there's no such thing as luck," Ahsoka said while extinguishing her blade, sending a teasing smirk toward Obi-Wan who merely rolled his eyes with what Anakin added.
"Good thing I taught you otherwise."
With a smile, Anakin turned to Fives.
"Come on…COMMANDER."
At first shocked by his sudden promotion, Fives let a massive smile spread on his lips as he turned to join Anakin in another one of his daring rescues. But, just before Anakin and Fives left, Ahsoka called to her former master.
"Anakin."
Anakin paused, turning back to face his former padawan and old master.
"May the Force Be with You."
"Always," Obi-Wan added, earning a smile from Anakin who once again turned to leave, followed by Fives who sent the two a sly wink before joining Anakin, leaving Obi-Wan and Ahsoka to rejoin their newly formed invasion team, who at this point were gathering around gunships and walkers in preparation for their very daring mission. And along the way, Ahsoka decided t catch up with Obi-Wan on recent events, the older man revealing that Fives and Shaak Ti had married and had a daughter named Ashla, that Padme was pregnant with twins, and that Barriss had been inducted back into the order after he and Luminara had helped to pull her back to the light. The latter most news was given just as they had reached a small assembly of 501st and 212th troops, Rex in the middle along with two troopers Ahsoka instantly recognized.
"JESSE, KIX!" she called, causing both men to look at her, huge smiles gracing their features as they were pulled into a group hug by their favorite girl.
"HEY!" Jesse called, "LOOK WHO'S BACK!"
"Been a long time Soka," Kix added as Ahsoka pulled away from him, shooting both men another happy smile before turning to Rex.
"Ready…COMMANDER?" Ahsoka teasingly asked Rex, the newly promoted trooper letting out a soft chuckle as he rolled his eyes, only for his entire frame to stiffen when he caught a glint of red hair in his vision, the owner turning out to be the one and only Bo-Katan, said woman herself doing a double take when she noticed Rex. Now, Bo-Katan had encountered many clones before, and up until that point they all were the same to her. But Rex seemed…different.
But, that was not important.
What was important…
She had a planet to take back.