Author's Note:

This is a strange series of ideas that came to me. Right now, it will be a series of short stories set in an alternate universe. It might get a little more plotty as the story goes along.

For the purposes of this fic, everyone is human. No montrals, headtails, antitox masks, etc. Skin/hair color and other markings may still be present. I have also messed with ages and timelines.

Chapter One

The Corusca Young Gentleman's School was the finest military school in the Core Worlds. Anakin Skywalker should have been excited to be invited to be a part of the prestigious center of learning. Instead he was depressed.

His mother had been killed two months when the Confederacy had decided that his little planet of Tatooine had become strategically important in the Clone Wars. His whole city had been decimated, and since he was only sixteen, he'd become a ward of the Republic while social services tried to find him a home. He'd never known his father.

With the new school year starting, the government officials in charge of the boys' home where Anakin was staying had decided to send him to the Corusca school. He tugged at the high collar of his grey school uniform. It was going to be a long year if he was expected to wear this every day.

"You're awfully quiet, Anakin," Obi-Wan said.

How would you know? Anakin thought sulkily. You've only known me for two months.

"I think you'll like it here," Obi-Wan continued. "There will be more young men your age, I think you'll like the range of available extracurricular activities, and you won't have to stay at the boy's home during the school year."

That sounded promising. Most of the boys at the home were just that, boys. There hadn't really been anyone for Anakin to talk to. Not that he'd really wanted to talk.

Obi-Wan cast a sidelong look at Anakin. "I'll be there too, if you ever want to discuss anything."

"Thanks," Anakin said.

Obi-Wan sighed and they lapsed into silence for the rest of the drive. The hover car slowed as they came to a private drive with a tall wrought-iron fence. Obi-Wan stopped at the guard house.

"Morning, Professor Kenobi," a clone trooper in red and white armor said.

"Good morning, Lieutenant Thire," Obi-Wan said. He pulled out his ident card and passed it over to the trooper.

Thire gave it a cursory look, then handed it back. He ducked down so he could see Anakin in the other seat. "Who's your guest?"

"This is Anakin Skywalker. He's joining us for the year."

"Good to meet you, Private Skywalker."

Anakin gave the clone a nod. He'd seen clones back on Tatooine, after the bombing. They all seemed pretty intimidating with their helmets on.

"Actually, he'll be joining us as a Corporal," Obi-Wan said.

"Sorry, sir. My mistake." Thire pressed a button on the control panel in his booth and the gate swung open. "Have a good day, sirs."

Obi-Wan took the hover car through the gate and down a long private drive lined with towering oaks.

"I didn't think there would be clones here," Anakin said.

Obi-Wan looked over at him. "Will it be a problem? I know the clones were on Tatooine."

"Why would it be? The Confederacy are the ones who bombed my home. The clones were just there to help us in the aftermath."

"Some people see the clones as an abomination."

Anakin shrugged. "They're people. Men. They may share the same face, but that's no reason to hate them."

Obi-Wan smiled. "I'm glad you feel that way. Some of our students are clones."

Anakin's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I thought they were all grown and trained on Kamino."

"Most of them are, but the Supreme Chancellor wanted to try something new. He wanted some of the clones to grow up and train with the men who will lead them in battle."

"Sounds like a good idea."

The hover broke out from under the shade of the oaks, and a huge gothic style building came into sight.

Anakin leaned forward in his seat to stare. "Whoa."

"Impressive, isn't it?"

"Very."

Obi-Wan guided the hover car around the back of the building and into a covered parking spot with his name stenciled on the wall. They grabbed their carryalls from the trunk and headed for the building. Another clone trooper was waiting at the door. This one had orange markings on his armor.

"Good morning, Waxer," Obi-Wan said, pulling out his ident card again.

"Good morning, Professor. Corporal Skywalker."

"How'd you know my name?" Anakin asked.

"Thire commed ahead from the front gate, sir."

Anakin felt his cheeks heat up. Of course.

"The headmaster wants to see you, Professor," Waxer said, handing Obi-Wan's card back.

"Would you please tell him I'm seeing a student to the administration office? Then I'll join him."

Waxer nodded and Obi-Wan and Anakin headed inside.

"How do you tell them apart?" Anakin asked.

"They all have very different personalities," Obi-Wan said with a smile. "And many of them have customized their armor. If you're observant, you'll see the differences."

Anakin wondered if Obi-Wan was reprimanding him, but the professor didn't look upset. Obi-Wan led the way through the labyrinthian corridors toward the front of the school. As they drew closer, the sounds of many voices filled the air.

They came out into a large vestibule filled with young men. Some were in civilian clothes, and some were in their grey school uniforms, like Anakin. All of them seemed to be clones. Anakin was grateful Obi-Wan had warned him, or he might have been caught staring. As it was, he watched the clones from under hooded lids.

They were all the same height and body type, but that's where the similarities ended, much to Anakin's surprise. Their hair ranged from black, to red, to blond and some were even shaved bald. And then there were the tattoos. Large and small, brown to striking blue. One guy even had the Republic Seal tattooed across his face and head. Some even bore scars; a testament to the kinds of training they were subjected to on Kamino.

"This way, Anakin," Obi-Wan called.

Anakin hadn't realized he'd stopped. He hurried to catch up.

Obi-Wan chuckled. "An impressive sight, aren't they?"

"There's so many of them."

"The clones make up the bulk of our students this year. Several prestigious families removed their sons when they heard the clones would be students."

Anakin could hear the anger in Obi-Wan's voice. They came to a set of doors and Obi-Wan pushed through into the administration office. A clone sat behind the desk, and Anakin found himself staring again. The man had an intricately stylized V tattooed across the left side of his face.

"Dogma, I need the schedule and room assignment for Anakin Skywalker," the professor said, walking up to the desk.

The clone went to a filing cabinet and returned with a sheaf of papers. "There you are, sir. Also, the headmaster—"

"Wants to see me. I know. Thank you, Dogma."

"You're welcome, sir."

Obi-Wan thumbed through the papers, then handed them to Anakin. "It looks like you've been assigned to dorm 501. Dogma, can you call someone to show Anakin to his room?"

"Right away, sir," came the reply.

"Go get settled," Obi-Wan said. "I'll see you at dinner."

Anakin nodded and watched the professor leave.

A clone, maybe a year or two older than Anakin, walked into the office as Obi-Wan left. His face was unmarked by tattoos or scars, and his hair seemed to be the regulation cut and color.

"Commander Cody, this is Anakin Skywalker," Dogma said. "Please take him to the 501 dorm and show him around."

"Yes, sir," Cody said. He turned to Anakin. "Follow me, please."

The foyer where the young clones are gathered is a scene of chaos now, and Anakin wonders where the adults were. Several of the clones had overturned couches and chairs, and an impromptu battle was raging with pillows and cushions as ammo. Someone had affixed ascension cables to the second story railing, and two clones were seeing who could climb them the fastest.

Cody stuck two fingers in his mouth and let out a piercing whistle that carried over all the noise. All activity in the room ceased.

"Are you soldiers, or rioters?" Cody boomed in a voice that carried to the farthest reaches of the foyer. "Fives! Hardcase! If either of you climb one more inch on those cables, I'll give you 'fresher duty for a month. All of you, get this mess cleaned up and report to your dorms." Cody tapped his wrist comm. "Bacara, send some men to the main foyer to make sure the vode get it set to rights without any further shenanigans."

"Right away, Commander."

"Sorry about that," Cody said to Anakin. "They're usually a bit better behaved."

Anakin shrugged. "At least nothing got broken."

"That we know of," Cody sighed. "Come on."

They headed up a flight of stairs, took a hallway that led to another set of stairs. A group of clones in partial armor—vambraces, chestplates, and greaves—followed another clone in full armor, including helmet. They all tipped their heads and called, "Commander" as they ran past.

"That was Bacara and the Novas," Cody said. "Bacara is the head of the student body disciplinary committee. Basically, you don't want to get on his bad side."

Or apparently yours, Anakin thought, since Cody had sent Bacara to deal with the clones in the main foyer.

After several twists and turns, they ended up at a door, which Cody opened.

It led into a large communal room with couches, chairs, bookshelves stuffed with books, and a large flatscreen entertainment screen at one end. Spaced around each wall were doors, which Anakin guessed led to the bedrooms.

"This is dorm 501's common room," Cody said. "Each room has three bedrooms with two bunks each, a study space, and a 'fresher. Meals are held in the common dining room downstairs. Your paperwork should have your schedule for meals and classes. Which room are you assigned to?"

"Uh, 01, I think," Anakin flipped through his papers.

Cody flashed a knowing smile. "It's this one, over here. Just press your thumb to the pad next to the door. It should be pre-programmed."

Anakin touched the pad with his thumb and the door slid open. To his right was the study space with two desks. Straight back were the bedrooms, and down a short hallway on his left was the 'fresher.

"Do you need anything else?" Cody asked.

"I don't think so. Not right now anyway, but probably later. This place is a maze. Thank you, Cod . . . uh, Commander. Sir."

He stuck out his hand, and Cody gripped his forearm. A little surprised—he'd been expecting a handshake—Anakin gripped Cody's forearm in return.

"Please call me Cody. There's no need to be formal. I'll see you around, Anakin."

Cody let himself out, and Anakin started exploring. The first bedroom stood empty, as did the second one. In the third bedroom, Anakin found signs of occupation. Several sets of clothing were folded neatly on the bed, a couple of books sat on the nightstand, and a rack against one wall held a set of shiny white armor.

Anakin looked back at the two unoccupied rooms and decided to take the far one. He set his carryall on the bed and started unpacking. He didn't have much. Just his clothes and a couple of little droids he was tinkering with in hopes of getting them to work. He didn't have any pictures. They'd all been destroyed in the bombing.

The only thing he had left of his mother was a small bone pendant he'd been carving for her. She'd never gotten to see it. He usually wore it under his shirt, but for now, he'd leave it in his room for safe keeping.

He was putting the last of his clothes in the dresser when he heard voices out in the common room. He walked out into the study area and pressed the button to open the door. A flood of clones was filling the common room. Their banter and laughter filled the air and made Anakin smile. He was looking forward to getting to know these guys.

"Hey, Captain! Looks like you got a roomie after all," someone called.

The clones all turned toward Anakin. One of them came forward and stopped a few feet from Anakin. His blond hair, his only distinguishing feature, was buzzed short.

"So, you're Skywalker, huh?" the clone captain said.

Anakin stood a little straighter. He wouldn't be intimidated. "I am."

"Heard a little about you. Scuttlebutt says you're someone to watch out for."

"That's news to me," Anakin said, folding his arms over his chest. "I'm just a nobody from Tatooine."

That brought a smile to the blond clone's lips. "Modesty. I approve."

There were scattered snickers from the clones.

"Ne'johaa," the blond clone called over his shoulder with a grin.

He stepped closer to Anakin and held out a hand. Anakin gripped his forearm, and the clone seemed surprised.

"My name's Rex," the clone said. "I look forward to seeing what you're made of."

"Daaaaaaaaaad! I don't want to go to a new school," Ahsoka Tano groaned.

From the driver's seat of the hover car, Warthog—in his dress greys since he was playing chauffer today—met his general's eyes in the rearview mirror and smirked.

Ahsoka's adopted father, General Plo Koon, grinned sardonically back. He turned his gaze on his daughter, humor dancing in his hazel eyes. "You'll be fine, Little 'Soka. You make friends easily."

Ahsoka slumped in her seat. "It's not that. Why did you have to send me to an all-girls school. It's going to be soooooooooooooo boring. Girls never do anything exciting. It's always "How does my dress look" or "Let's play with dolls" or "That guy's so cute". And all the inane giggling. Ug!"

Warthog made a choking sound.

Plo snorted. "You've been hanging out with Wolffe and the Pack too much." He cast a disparaging look at Warthog. "You'll like it at St. Naberrie's. These are some of the finest young women in the Republic. I'm pretty sure dolls are prohibited on the school grounds."

Ahsoka perked up a bit.

"And the Corusca Young Gentleman's School is close by. The two schools have several activities together during the year; a cultural festival, field trips, dances."

Ahsoka rolled her eyes. "Why can't I just ship out with you and the guys like before? There are tutors on the Triumphant."

Plo sighed. "I'm afraid I've done you a disservice by keeping you with me through so many tours of duty. I want you to make friends your age and frankly, I'd like it if you talked about dresses, makeup, and boys. I'm worried you're missing out on your childhood, 'Soka."

"I'm fifteen, dad. I not a child anymore, so I can't exactly miss my childhood."

"Just humor your poor old father, alright?"

Ahsoka leaned across the seat and rested her head on Plo's shoulder. "I hate that you're going away."

Here was the crux of the matter. Plo put a hand on her head, patting her blue striped white hair. "It's just a quick jaunt to the Abregado system. It shouldn't take more than a week. Two at most."

"Then why can't I come with you?"

"Don't worry, Ahsoka," Warthog said. "Me and the Pack'll watch out for the General."

"I know you will," she sighed. But it's not the same as me being there to watch out for all of you, she thought.

Ahsoka sank into a glum silence. Everything would be fine. Her father always came back, and that wasn't going to change now, Force willing. She just hated the waiting.

Warthog stopped at the security station and talked to someone named Slick. Ahsoka didn't pay much attention to the exchange. The gate opened, and a minute later, they pulled to a stop in front of the school. A woman in white robes with short red hair was waiting for them.

Warthog jumped out of the hover car and opened the door for his general. Ahsoka slid out behind her father.

"Ahsoka, this is Mon Mothma. She's the headmistress here," Plo said as he and Ahsoka stopped in front of the woman.

"I'm so pleased you'll be joining us for the school year," Mon Mothma said. "Welcome to St. Naberrie's School for Young Ladies."

Ahsoka gave the woman a bow. "I'm looking forward to learning all I can."

Plo smiled. His daughter could be diplomatic, when she wanted to. Warthog handed Ahsoka's carryall to her.

"I'm off to the spaceport now, 'Soka," Plo said. "I'll come see you when I get back from the mission."

Ahsoka nodded. She maintained her composure for all of three seconds, then dropped her carryall and threw her arms around her father.

"May the Force be with you," she whispered into his chest.

"May the Force be with you," he replied, hugging her fiercely.

They released each other and Ahsoka turned to Warthog, holding out her hand. "You'd better all come back in one piece."

The clone gripped her forearm. "You got it, Commander."

Ahsoka watched as Warthog and her father got back in the hover car and drove away. She clenched her fists. She would not cry. She picked up her carryall and turned to face the headmistress.

Mon Mothma had a sympathetic smile on her face. "Come inside and we'll get you settled."

The headmistress led the way into the school. Despite herself, Ahsoka was impressed. The building had a light, airy feel to it. Perhaps with was all the windows, and the natural light they let in.

"I couldn't help but overhear your goodbyes," Mon Mothma said. "The clone called you 'commander'."

"It's a joke between the guys and me. Dad's the General, so I'm the Commander."

Mon Mothma smiled. "You seem very fond of your father's clones."

"They're pretty great," Ahsoka said reflexively.

She knew most people thought of the clones as just another cog in the Great Army of the Republic, not real living beings with hopes and dreams. But Ahsoka had grown up around the Pack. They all had their own rooms in the Koon mansion, and Ahsoka thought of them as older brothers. She'd seen them celebrate their victories and mourn the loss of their brother clones. They seemed more human to her than some "real" people she'd met.

"I don't mean to pry further, but do you believe in that antiquated fairytale?" Mon Mothma asked. "About the Force?"

Ahsoka had to bite her tongue against her instinctual reply. It wasn't a fairytale, for all that it was archaic. She'd seen her father use the Force to levitate objects and deflect blaster bolts. She'd felt the Force swirling around her and through her. And her father was teaching her how to use it. But he'd warned her that others didn't believe. But the blessing they'd used in parting was so familiar, she hadn't even thought before saying it.

So Ahsoka pretended nonchalance. "It's just a saying dad picked up somewhere. It feels like a good luck charm, so we use it when we're not going to see each other for a while."

"Ah. I see," the headmistress said. "It might be wise to keep that phrase to yourself. Some . . . less enlightened people might take offense."

Ahsoka narrowed her eyes and dipped into the Force, trying to sense the woman's intent. The headmistress's emotions were a blank wall. "Would you be one of those people?"

Mon Mothma smiled serenely. "No, my dear."

They entered a foyer filled with young women. A few looked at Ahsoka as they passed, but most of them seemed to be on their way somewhere and didn't linger.

A group of girls who looked remarkably similar walked past.

Are they making female clones now? Ahsoka wondered.

"Padmé," Mon Mothma called.

The whole group of girls stopped, but only one stepped forward; a girl with intricately braided brown hair. "Yes, headmistress?"

"This is Ahsoka Tano. She's joining us for the year. Will you please take her to the dorm in the east wing? I believe she's rooming with Barriss."

"Of course, headmistress." Padmé turned to the girls she'd been walking with. "I'll see you all later."

The girls all bobbed curtsies, then walked away.

"Welcome to St. Naberrie's," Padmé said. "I hope you'll enjoy your time here."

"Me too," Ahsoka said, slinging her carryall over her shoulder and following Padmé as she started walking toward a lift.

"You're from Shili, right?"

"Yeah. How did you know?" Ahsoka's hand flew to her head. "It's the hair, isn't it?"

Padmé smiled. They stepped inside the lift and she pressed the third-floor button. "And your facial markings. There are a few other girls form Shili here, and you're all very striking."

Ahsoka smiled. "And let me guess, you're from Corellia."

Padmé grimaced, and Ahsoka laughed. "Just kidding. Alderaan?"

"Naboo, actually."

"Oh, I'd love to go to Naboo some day! I've heard lovely things about the lake country."

"You're in luck," Padmé said. "One of our field trips this year is to Naboo."

Ahsoka punched the air. "Yes!"

"We'll be going with the boys from the Corusca School." They stepped out of the lift and Padmé led the way to a bank of floor to ceiling windows. "You can see the towers of their school through the trees there."
Ahsoka looked and saw three tall spires rising above the sea of trees that surrounded the two schools. "I didn't think they'd be that close."

"They're a couple of miles away. Too far, if you ask some of the girls."

"What do you think?" Are you boy crazy? Ahsoka thought.

Padmé shrugged. "I'm here to learn, not drool over boys."

Ahsoka liked this girl, and decided they'd get along well. Padmé led Ahsoka to a long corridor lined with doors.

"This is Moonlight Hall." Padmé said. "Your room is 332."

She knocked on the door, and it opened to reveal a girl with light blue skin, gold eyes, lavender hair, and gold markings on her cheeks.

Padmé blinked in surprise. "Riyo? I thought Barriss was in this room."

Riyo nodded. "She was. But she'd requested a single room, so when she found out she was going to have a roommate, she . . . uh . . . got a little . . . distressed. You know how she likes her privacy. I happened to be in the office when she was explaining her situation to Ponds and since I did have a single room, I told Barriss I'd trade her. We just got finished moving our stuff." Riyo stood back and opened the door wide. "Come in, please."

Padmé and Ahsoka stepped into the room. Ahsoka looked around and whistled. They were in a little parlor with plush chairs, couch, and caf table. A bedroom lay offset from the main room and a little hallway off to one side probably led to a refresher.

"Riyo, I'd like to introduce Ahsoka Tano of Shili. She'll be your roommate. Ahsoka, this is Riyo Chuchi, of Pantora."

Riyo curtsied. "Pleased to meet you, Ahsoka."

Feeling a little awkward, Ahsoka bowed back. She'd never learned to curtsy. "Good to meet you too, roomie."

I hope you liked chapter one. Thank you for reading.

See you in chapter two.

Mando'a:

Vode - Brothers

Ne'johaa - Shut up