A large brown cloud engulfed the horizon of the barren desert in front of her. The contrast with the green vistas of Naboo was incomparable.

Why couldn't they of waited one more day to start the offensive?

Anakin walked up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder." Enjoying the view?"

Her fingers reached in to grab him but stopped." I wasn't able to enjoy it until a second ago." A quick glance scanned the area as she looked for anyone who might of saw her mistake.

A warm smile from Anakin made her realize she was in the clear. Its warmth a loving reminder of what keep her going the past five days of conflict.

She hadn't been expecting the council to call off their leave a day early and send them to this desert. The only silver lining was that she had a true command given to her. It was comprised of a small clone Special Forces team assembled from candidates in the 501st.

Having Rex Work with him again and also pick the men for Ahsoka's unit gave Anakin peace of mind in the situation.

"You must be used to scenes like this."

A small crack of a smile beset his face." It seems impossible to say but it needs more desert."

Her eye markings rose as she stared back. "What do you mean, it's almost barren just like you explained Tatooine."

His hand stretched out as he pointed to a brown field outside the fortifications." You see all the grasses around us. On Tatooine it would all be sand dunes."

"Do you ever miss it?"

"Only some friends but mainly my mother and until recently I thought a lot about it. Then something changed and now I have better thoughts on my mind."

Ahsoka nodded trying to show she accepted his compliment without compromising their feelings.

Sand camouflaged officers walked past them to the command tent. They followed and walked through the netting to find Obi Wan awaiting them.

"Anakin Ahsoka get over here we have a lot to go over." His break from his normal calm attitude showed the stress of the mission was getting to him.

Everyone crowded around a large holo-map as Obi Wan began describing the operation.

"I'm sure most of you are still confused as to why we're outside what seems like a strategically unimportant city. I can assure you that you haven't fought in vain to get this far."

Enlarging the image he focused on several reinforced structures near a skyscraper.

"This is it; in these buildings are the communication arrays for separatist fleets. If we can capture them intact I don't need to explain the damage we can do."

Obi Wan looked to the clone next to him to continue the briefing as he signaled Anakin and Ahsoka over.

"So when are we leaving?" Anakin showed off his usual passion to get the job done.

"You're not going Ahsoka is."

"Wa-"

"Anakin she showed her abilities when she went above and beyond to recover that information. I need her to use those talents again."

"What are you going to make her do now? You still haven't even told me about what was on that data-pad."

"Anakin I need you for the main assault and don't think I haven't gone over the risk. You're letting fear cloud your judgment."

It was that dammed Jedi double speak that sounded so convincing you had to go along with it.

He looked over at Ahsoka and smiled." Your right I know Ahsoka can complete her mission successfully."

Obi Wan walked Ahsoka out to the edge of the staging area.

"Now Ahsoka I have some things I need to go over with you."

He pulled out the picture of an older Twi'lek man. "This man is an informant and I need you to smuggle him out of the city before the attack."

Her fingers grasped the piece of paper as she imprinted the image to her mind. "Where is he in the city?"

"That's what I'm here for." A tall Twi'lek woman walked over. She reminded Ahsoka of Master Secura but the sun and dust had aged her more. Still she radiated strength to a point it almost intimidated her.

"This would be your guide Aadila; she'll lead you to him and your other objective. It's the central control station for the city's anti-air and ground weapons."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Aadila I'm Ahsoka."

"The feelings mutual I look forward to seeing a Jedi in action."

Obi Wan walked off and Ahsoka gathered her team and headed out. Looking back she wished there was time to say goodbye to Anakin.

Trudging through the plains Ahsoka tried to get a feel for the woman guiding them. She had a large rifle slung over her shoulder and walked with a purpose. Each step felt as if marking the way to some epic conclusion.

A few hours before night fall the Twi'lek finally said something. She stopped and looked square at her." This is where we'll make camp for a few hours."

Puzzled the clones looked at each other and quickly moved to evaluate their surroundings.

"How far are we to the city?" Ahsoka pulled herself from her ponderings and returned to task.

"Maybe five hours."

"Then were continuing the mission comes over rest."

"No, staying here till nightfall is the only safe way to sneak in."

Pulling her to the side their red skinned commander asserted her command. "The next time you have a suggestion make a comment not an order. I lead these men."

"Fine"

"Thank you."

They didn't speak until near dusk when the men pulled out their provisions. Giving the food a try Aadila immediately signaled Ahsoka over to a nearby hill.

"We're not eating that crap."

"Deal with it you'll be gone tomorrow."

Aadila grinned." Well then commander if you'd like I know of a way to get fresh meat and gain you some respect with your men."

"Fine what is it?"

Unhooking the large rifle she handed it Ahsoka. "You're going to kill us dinner."

Grasping the heavy weapon she didn't even know if she could handle the weight of it much less shoot something. "Why don't you do the hunting?"

She laughed and walked behind Ahsoka moving her hands into the proper positions. "You need to feel the weapon."

They laid down and began practice shots with it. After each shot she became more in tune with the weapon and soon it seemed as if the force was showing her where the round would hit. Then Aadila pointed to a boar in the distance. "Kill it don't worry about the range the scope will auto correct."

"Feel for it ju-"

Ahsoka had pulled the trigger as she was talking. The first round missed and the boar had run in front of the setting sun. It didn't stop her as she felt the force guiding her into the perfect spot.

Aadila looked on as the wild creature ran until a large mist formed over its head and it fell. She looked back at the rifle as heat steamed off the barrel.

"Impressive" she said the only word that came to her mind.

"Just like Anakin says I'm a good learner."

"I can most certainly see." She ran off the fetch dinner as Ahsoka went back to the men to get a fire started and brag.

Darkness soon fell over the group as they began feasting on the boar.

"So who's Anakin?"

Ahsoka sat for a second surprised by her sudden question." He is my master."

Aadila walked over to Ahsoka and looked back at the clones. "Why don't you boys find somewhere else to eat." They looked to Ahsoka and she nodded in approval. After they left she continued her conversation.

"Are you too close?"

"We are as close as the code allows." She immediately regretted her phrasing

"So are you too in a relationship." Calm and relaxing is the only ways to describe her domineer.

She panicked inside and it showed in her tone. "N-No things like that are forbidden. And why are you asking me these questions?"

Aadila grinned in satisfaction. "So how long has it been going on. And you don't need to freak out I won't tell anyone. We girls have to stick together."

Ahsoka almost budged longing to go over her feelings with another woman but stopped herself. Aadila seemed slick so there had to be a reason behind her kindness. "What do you want? And drop the we're friends act you wouldn't be this nice without a reason."

Surprisingly Aadila blushed. "You remind me of my daughter is all. Respectful yet brash when need be."

Ahsoka felt she had been rude and calmed herself. "I wouldn't think you had a daughter, how old is she?"

"She would of been nineteen tomorrow."

Ahsoka knew this wasn't the time to pry. "I'm sorry."

Picking herself up Aadila looked back. "Don't worry about it."

Keeping to themselves they began removing traces of their presence and gathered the clones to continue.

In the pitch black they stalked through the tall grass surrounding the city on a river. On one side sky scrapers build by the masses that lived in slums on the other.

Thunder flashed in the distance as Aadila stopped and prayed for rain.

Later inside a large drainage pipe everyone packed in around Ahsoka as she set up their plan of attack. She sent the clone squad to the cities power plant with the entire explosives pack. Against Aadila's recommendation she would go with her to get the informant. They split up and set an area to rendezvous.

Entering the city rain began to pour as if to answer Aadilas earlier prayer. Ahsoka noticed as people bent down and gave thanks in the middle of the street. Watering being that important to people never crossed her mind. Her Twi'lek companion noticed her interest.

"We believe the gods bring us water and this river is a gift from them. My daughter wanted to be a priest in the temple here when she was younger." Nostalgia filled Aadila as she felt the energy of place enter her. It brought back memories of him.

"Were you religious as a child?"

"No, I was a solider and a pupil just like you."

"Oh" before Ahsoka could question more she had already continued deeper into the slums. Each steep took her farther into a different world. Neon lights mixed with the sounds of sex and vice.

"How do you know him the informant?"

She laughed "His name is Gnat and I trained under him like you do Anakin."

Ahsoka blushed." So you were in a relationship."

Aadila looked back and laughed." His was the father of my daughter." She had a sour expression after saying those words. It left a bad taste in her mouth.

She stopped outside a cantina "Here". The large sniper rifle was again thrust into her arms. "I know Gant and he won't come out for you. So don't argue and go cover the back door."

Ahsoka's lip rose poised to spout back an order but the Twi'lek headed to the door and she ran to the back instead.

Set up overlooking the back door she waited for her to return. Instead a man ran and tripped on himself. When she looked closer she recognized it was the informant.

Shit

Before getting off her perch Aadila walked out pointing a gun at him.

"GANT YOU PIECE OF SHIT HOW COULD YOU."

He scurried back against a wall. "How can you say that if you would have told me it never would have happened?"

Then two men came out behind them.

Ahsoka saw the danger and shot at the first one. Flying through the night past the lights it slightly missed its mark and took off his jaw. Screaming trying to find what was left of his mouth Ahsoka finished him off with a single shot to the head.

Quickly changing target she focused on the second one and fired aiming center mass. Moments later he lay on the ground dead.

Aadila walked up to Gant and put the gun to his face." HOW COULD YOU SLEEP WITH OUR DAUGHTER YOU SICK FUCK.

He looked back in defiance." I NEVER KNEW I HAD A DAUGHTER. If only you would have told me I would have known.

Tears streamed down her face. "You didn't deserve to know her. The only thing you every wanted was to fight your war. THE SAME FUCKING ONE YOU TRAINED ME IN."

The man raised himself and deployed the charm that had taken her heart and gotten him through so many situations before." I understand you're angry but we can't dwell on this. Just put the gun down and we can work through it. I still love you and I know you feel the same."

Somehow his words struck a chord with her and she seemed as if to give in. "No, NEVER no forgiveness. SHE KILLED HERSELF IN SHAME BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU DID." With the last gasp of passion she shoved the gun down his throat. A second later smoke exited the back of his head.

Aadila grabbed onto the man as she screamed as loud as her voice would let her. No matter how much she hated him the love they shard those years ago never went away. Lost in agony she pulled the blaster to the side of her head.

"Now we can be a family." She smiled knowing it was the end.

Ahsoka stared through the scope as she looked right back at her. Her smile killed with every nanosecond it existed until it evaporated as her body fell over. She looked out from the scope as the barrel wept in heat like it did.

Killing her was the only thing I could do. Wasn't it?