Hey guys, I wanted to say sorry that this is such a short chapter. I started working and things got very very busy. Leaves me pretty tired when I do have the free time to write. I might take a bit of a break to slow down but be able to create better chapters and longer ones overall. At least until I pause my job to go back to college. Anyways, I hope you all do enjoy.

As always, may the Force be with you.


The calming blues and greens of Naboo filled Anakin's view as his ship left hyperspace. Off to his left was Padme's own ship, the sleek, almost silver hull reflecting the light from around them. "Padme, everything okay?" He asked her as he fell into formation.

There was a momentary pause, "Yes, we're fine. I'm contacting my parents now. We'll have to collect my sister and her family too." She said. "Chancellor Palpatine could use them as leverage." She said as they started the process of entering the planet's atmosphere. Instead of heading towards Theed, they were making for the mountains.

"Padme, where are we headed? I thought your parents lived in Theed?" Anakin asked as he kept an eye out for any unwanted guests.

"They did, but chose to move back here for the peace and quiet." She told him. "Sola and her family don't live here, but they can get here quickly from Theed." She said.

Anakin sighed some, "Okay... but... what do we do about your parents and... us?" He asked, a bit nervous on this subject.

THere was a moments pause before Padme spoke. "We can talk to them once we're all safe. We don't need to put too much on them." She said.

"Alright." He said, still feeling woried. "R2, prep us for landing."

They entered one of Naboo's mountain ranges and settled into a valley. This was a place Anakin had never been before, and was every bit as beautiful as the lake country and Theed. Before long, fields of wild grasses and forests gave way to farmers fields. It was then that Anakin felt and heard the two fighters drop in behind them. He glanced back as two N1 Royal Starfighters drop from the clouds. The two fighters settled into an escort pattern behind them, making no move to attack. One hailed them over comms.

"General Skywalker, Senator Amidala. Queen Apailana awaits. Please land at Platform's Two and There." The pilot announced.

Padme reacted before Anakin could, "Alright. Tell the Queen we will be there shortly." She said, before switching comms. "Don't worry Ani… I know Apailana. We'll be okay." She reassured him as they rounded a corner of the valley. Spread out below them was a large village surrounded by streams. The buildings were colored in the classic styles of the Naboo. They made their way over top of the village, nearing a small landing area for ships. Another Royal Palace ship akin to Padme's was already settled there, and many people were gathered around as well. Anakin carefully guided his ship to the ground next to Padme's.

The two N1 Starfighters regained altitude, going back to cover them from the skies for safety. Aside from the durasteel platforms they were on, the only thing that surrounded them were the green fields and nearby village buildings. A small contingent of Naboo guards surrounded an elegantly dressed woman who was clearly Queen Apailana. Padme's parent's stood nearby as well with their things packed. Anakin opened his cockpit, climbing out of it as he saw Padme stepping down the ramp of her personal ship. He stood there a bit awkwardly as Padme walked up and bowed to the Queen.

"Queen Apailana, it's an honor." She said with a smile. Anakin quickly dipped his head some, having never done this. The queen motioned for Padme to rise, smiling as well.

"Senator Amidala, it is good to see you are safe."

After a moment of this, the two girls smiled in a much more natural way and embraced. "Padme, what's going on. Why has the Supreme Chancellor asked for your arrest?" She asked.

Padme sighed, "He's a traitor. Chancellor Palpatine is the Sith… and he orchestrated the entire war. We tried to arrest him, but we failed, and now he's taken power and has most of the galaxy believe we're the ones in the wrong."

"What do you mean he's a Sith?" Her father Ruwee asked. "Palpatine was the senator of Naboo for years before becoming the Chancellor. He never showed any signs."

Anakin spoke at this, "As a Sith, it seems he learned to mask his presence extremely well, even Grand Master Yoda could not sense that he was a force user, much less a full Sith Master." He walked over to stand by his wife. "He orchestrated the entire war so he could eliminate the Jedi and gain control of the republic. He has pretty much succeeded in both." Anakin said.

"I feared that he would try to hunt my family down and use them against me… that's why I came here. I couldn't risk him hurting anyone." Padme said. She looked to her mother, "Mom, is Sola on the way with her family?" She asked.

"Don't worry dear, she should be here shortly. Your father and I are packed and ready to go." She said, revealing a cart with a good deal of luggage on it.

Anakin could see the look of worry that flashed across Padme's eyes. "Ah… Mom, Dad. We won't be going somewhere with many amenities in all likelihood." She said and was about to continue before being interrupted.

"Don't worry Padme. You forget that your mother and built this village. We've prepared the necessities." He said with a smile before unzipping one of the bags. Anakin's eyes widened at what was inside. Instead of the well-designed robes and clothing that he would normally expect, the bag was filled with a large number of credits, various items of jewelry and other items that seemed valuable, and a blaster pistol.

"In addition to assisting your parents in their preparations. I won't abandon my friends Padme, especially not one who supported me." The younger girl said. "If there is any way I can help, contact me." She explained.

Padme nodded, "We will, thank you. The Jedi are still out there, as are those of us still loyal to the idea of democracy." She smiled. "We will stop the Emperor."

The Queen nodded, "I would expect no less from you Padme. Now… we shouldn't delay here any longer. Who knows when the Supreme Chancellor might come looking. Get your ships refueled, and get you and your family to safety." She said.


Obi-Wan practically collapsed onto a bench in the cargo area of the Sundered Heart. All around him were Jedi and clones, and so, so few of each. Out of the two units, his and Anakin's, they'd counted maybe a company-sized element of clones. Many were wounded from the fighting, all were exhausted and heartbroken at the great amount of loss and betrayal they'd felt today. Obi-Wan could feel the great emptiness in the force where so many Jedi had once been, and mourned, as did many others around him. He took a moment to cradle his head in his hands, blinking away the tears as he tried to maintain control over his emotions. So many were gone, struck down in a moment. They'd barely had time to set the beacon warning others to stay away from the Jedi temple, there was no time to warn anyone who'd already been on the battlefield.

Obi-Wan looked up as he heard footsteps running towards him as Kittani practically tackled him with a hug. Obi-Wan was surprised at the sudden surge of emotion from his Padawan. She normally tried to keep her emotions in check as he'd shown her. Instead of chastising her though, as he would have years ago with Anakin, he wrapped his arms around her. "It's okay little one… it's okay." He said, taking comfort that his Padawan was safe

"I'm glad you're okay Master." She said after a moment, releasing the hug but staying near him. Obi-Wan could see that she was tired from both the fight and her fear.

"I'm glad you are too, Kittani." He said. "Get some rest, young one. You've been through a lot today." 'We all have.' He added inside his own head. Kittani nodded some but looked to him still.

"Master… what are we going to do?" She asked.

"I… don't know yet Kittani. For now, we can only gather ourselves and try to plan for the future… we shall see." He said.

She nodded some, and he watched as she lay down on the bench, curling up some to rest. Obi-Wan wasn't going to leave her alone for now. The troopers and Jedi around them were all being directed by the ship's crew into barracks areas, or into converting cargo stores into barracks. The clones had all removed their helmets, using the ability to see each other's faces as a way to maintain some form of trust. Many had also holstered their weapons or stowed them away, those who hadn't had set up a form of guard duty.

Obi-Wan watched as Cody made his way through the crowded area, coming over to him. The clone came to attention once he stood before him. "General." He said.

"Cody. How are you feeling?" He asked.

"I… don't really know Sir. Tired… even more tired than after Point Rain. Hurt too… knowing that my brothers… my own brothers. Would do that." He said. "Not from the chip… but by their own choice." He said, shaking his head.

Obi-Wan nodded. "I understand Cody… if we'd only known." He said with a sigh.

His commander nodded, "But we didn't… Appo was one of Rex's most trusted men. He'd been with the Five-Oh-First since Christophsis. No one could've expected him to turn traitor General."

Obi-Wan chuckled a bit, but there was little humor. "Technically Cody, we're the ones branded as traitors to the Republic." He stayed in silence for a moment. "How many men do we have on the ship?" He asked.

"Sir, we currently have a hundred and forty-seven troopers. Of those, nineteen are wounded, including Captain Rex who is in critical condition. Fordo has some of his boys guarding the med bay. Kix just updated me he's gone into a bacta tank. The wound was almost the same kind of wound he suffered on Saleucami. Kix thinks he'll make a full recovery though."

"Such a shame… Rex is an excellent commander. We'll need him, the same as we will need you Cody." Obi-Wan said. "However… every man here is his own… I don't want you or your men to continue fighting just because they feel they must. After all… it will be other clones we may have to fight against."

Cody nodded, "We know General… each and every man here made his choice at the temple. Those who betrayed the republic by siding with Palpatine aren't my brothers… and those who are still under the control of the chips… well… I'll admit I'd like to save as many as I can sir. But… no war is bloodless." He said.

Obi-Wan nodded, even if he still didn't like the idea. He looked up to notice Master Yoda making his way over to them. Obi-Wan stood, bowing some.

"Be at ease, you should, Master Kenobi. Tired, we all are… and much, we have lost today. For now, get to safety we must. Then, mourn our lost brothers and sisters, we may." He said, maintaining his same strength in the force and calm manner which had led the Jedi for hundreds of years. Obi-Wan could sense the pain that resonated from the Grand Master, however, the pain at having lost so many whom he had mentored and in a way raised.

"I understand Master. If I may ask, where is it that we are going to?" He asked.

The Grandmaster rested on his cane some. "First, to Alderaan, we will go. Implicated as a traitor, Senator Organa was not. Appeared as a hostage, he has." He said. "Discussed a plan with Senator Organa, I have." He said.

Obi-Wan was intrigued by this, "What Plan?"

Yoda chuckled, "Hmm, see it soon, you shall. Negotiated the Senators release, we have." The grand master said. It wasn't long after that Obi Wan noticed as the ships crew was marched, weaponless, into the hangar bay. He also felt the shift as the ship left hyperspace. Multiple clones had formed up around them, and he could feel the force grow stronger as they settled into a planet's atmosphere and began to land.

Boil kept his weapon at the ready but set to stun, as the Sundered Heart touched down at a civilian spaceport on Alderaan. The landing bay opened, and after a moment where his visor adjusted, he could see multiple Alderaan soldiers set up in defensive positions. He moved out slowly, marching the prisoners down the ramp. General Ki-Adi-Mundi led the column down, lightsaber at the ready.

"Do you have the supplies?" The General asked. There was a moment's silence from the barricades as multiple holonet news cameras flew about.

"Yes. Do you have Senator Organa?" A voice replied. The General made a sweeping motion, and two clones brought the Senator forward, his hands in binders.

"Bring the supplies forward!" General Mundi called out. After a moment, several loaders were brought forward past the barricade. Two more Jedi who Boil didn't recognize hurried forward. "We will release the ships crew now! Senator Organa will be released after." The General said. With a wave of his hands, the crew was motioned forward by the clones, hurriedly making for the barricade as the two Jedi quickly levitated the supplies onto the ship. Boil kept his weapon leveled at the barricade, as did his fellow clones. They had to make this convincing.

It didn't take long for the Jedi to load the supplies. They were ordered to start falling back, and slowly began to do so. The ships engines throttled up, ready for a fast takeoff, and it wasn't until the last of them were on the ramp that the two clones threw Senator Organa towards the barricade. The Ramp was quickly raised, the ship taking off before it was even fully up. Boil let out a breath of relief, fully relaxing as they entered hyperspace again. He was ready to get to whatever rock General Yoda had for them to land on, and sleep for a week.