An impenetrable base!, hoping to finally gain control over the jungle planet Felucia the Jedi council order Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, along with his padawans Barriss Offee and Ahsoka Tano, to destroy a separatist base shrouded in mystery. But as our heroes are about to learn, the base houses a hidden secret, one that could prove to be too much for them to handle...alone.

Chapter 9: Unlikely Allies

Barriss stood at the bridge window of the Resolute with her hands folded behind her back, going through light speed the Jedi cruiser looked to the human eye to be flying through a large dark blue tunnel with no end in sight "sir we've reached the half way mark between us and Felucia".

A clone sitting at a large terminal almost directly under her spoke up, Barriss nodded to the clone "thank you" as much as she would like to admit to herself her mind was solely focused on the mission the fact couldn't have been further from the truth. No instead one thought, one person, was all that floated around inside her head 'Ahsoka' the name threatened to envelope every inch of her soul and Barriss had half a mind to let it.

As if on cue the soothing presence of her closest friend entered the bridge behind her, Barriss didn't need to turn around to know Ahsoka now stood directly behind her 'are you okay?'

'I'll be fine, he doesn't know about us'

Barriss felt a large knot finally untie in her stomach 'but he has his suspicions'

Ahsoka shrugged and moved aside her, taking a moment to look out the bridge window before turning 'maybe, but let him wonder, we both knew when this started it wasn't going to be easy'

'what's the fun in something that's easy?, but in all seriousness we will have to be a lot more secretive than in the past'

Ahsoka let a sly grin cross her face 'I like secretive'

Barriss couldn't help but smile 'leave it to you to find something attractive about all this'. "I see you got everything handled up here Raven" the familiar power of her master entered the bridge along with his words, Barriss turned and bowed slightly as Anakin approached "we're halfway to Felucia master".

"Good work, why don't you let me take things from here. It's been a long day, you two should get some rest".

It wasn't until her legs hit the bed that Barriss realized just how right her master had been, she got so caught up in the thrill of the mission to come she forgot just how much she had been through today. Beside the bed Ahsoka began to strip off her boots and toss them to the floor "I wish I could lay with you"

"I know Ahsoka, but I don't think Anakin would just shake that off like he did the footsie thing earlier"

Ahsoka's head turned immediately "he saw that?"

"sort of, I think he was too focused on flying the ship"

"well either way this still sucks, I can't wait till this mission is over"

"you make it sound like we already destroyed that base?" Barriss asked

"oh don't worry about that, Anakin will come up with some crazy plan that almost gets us killed but works out in the end. Just like always"

"I'm looking forward to it" with a light smile another thought entered Barriss' mind "hey can I ask you a question?"

Ahsoka nodded her head lightly as she carefully removed the padawan braid jewelery from the back of her head "ask me anything"

"when we first met on Geonosis, what did you think of me?"

"honestly?"

"of course"

"well to put it blunt I was jealous"

Barriss held back a small laugh "your kidding"

"no really, Barriss when I first saw you I finally saw what I wanted to be. I mean you were smarter than me, stronger than me, you memorized that tunnel system perfectly, but most of all I saw the relationship I wanted to have with my master"

"how so?"

"Luminara trusted you enough to put you in harms way without a second thought, that's something I don't think Anakin would ever do for me. Don't get me wrong he's a great master, he's as smart as master Yoda and as strong as master Windu but..."

"but sometimes he can be overprotective" Barriss had known her friend long enough to finish the sentence without hesitation

"exactly, like when we went to rescue master Piell from the Citadel I had to stow away just to go on the mission and Anakin still fought me every step of the way" Ahsoka finally unhooked the jewelery and floated it gently across the room to the small counter by the door "I mean what do I have to do to show him I'm not some helpless young-ling?".

Barriss crossed her arms behind her head "I'm afraid I don't have the answer to that question Ahsoka, but if it helps when you and Anakin are together I can always sense his respect for you". The words seemed to offer little comfort to her friend but Ahsoka did offer a small smile before she pulled herself up to the sleeping chamber above.

Barriss began to close her eyes when movement above her forced them to reopen. Ahsoka's bare hand dangled playfully inches away from her face, with a smile of her own Barriss grasped the hand and closed her eyes "goodnight"

"night".

Barriss breathed in deeply the second her boot hit the muddy ground of Felucia "it's been so long since I've been this close to nature, I love planets like this"

Anakin moved beside her from the bottom of the T-6 shuttles landing pad and pulled his rarely worn Jedi robe's hood over his head "are you crazy?, it's pouring".

It wasn't until her master strode out in front of her that Barriss realized just how right he was, all along the thick brush that surrounded them was giant puddles of rain and heavy clouds overhead gave no sign of the thick rainfall slowing down anytime soon "I like the rain, besides a little water never hurt anybody"

"true but a lot of water can, rainfall in Felucia is famous for it's flash floods" as Barriss made a mental note of the new fact yet another figure clad in a small brown Jedi robe moved past her.

Making more than an effort for their hands to brush together as she passed Ahsoka too pulled the robes hood over her head, the Togruta's montrals leaving two small bumps in the top of the hood "not sure I share your enthusiasm Barriss, rain just means there's one more thing to worry about in a fight".

Anakin turned to both his padawan "cut the chatter you two" the Jedi Knight brought his com-link to his face while using his free hand to cover the device from the rain "Rex you know the drill, two hour recon of the base before we met at the designated rendezvous".

Barriss couldn't hear the reply over the rain falling around them but Anakin quickly lowered his arm and started down the small dirt path in front of them, taking stride at the back of the three person group she glanced around as they walked. Everything from mushrooms the size of a speeder to bugs the size of her fist swayed and flew around them as all three struggled to walk through the mud, after a few minutes of walking Anakin stopped and pulled out a small pair of binoculars from his belt.

Thankful for the rest Barriss leaned back on a large blue rock and focused on the feeling of the heavy rain flattening her black hair against her scalp, by the time her master waved for them to keep moving her bangs had formed into a thick mess in front of her face.

Anakin looked back to check on his padawan and upon seeing Barriss couldn't hold back a dry laugh "might want to put your hood up Barriss, and Felucian snails don't like it when you lean on them"

Barriss quickly jumped back and looked more closely at what had been a rock just moments ago, the snails slimy head pocked out from it's shell long enough to look at her before it slowly began turning away and into the jungle "sorry buddy, thought you were a rock".

"Get down" Barriss hit the mud the second after the words left her masters mouth, her instincts ignoring the splash of dirt and rocks that hit her face. She laid there completely still, one hand on the lightsaber clipped to her waist, ready to fight on a moments notice. "It's clear, go, go" Once again Anakin's words made her instincts kick in, she rose to her feet and felt the adrenaline flow through her body as her master took off at a crouched run into the jungle.

A slight sting hit her face as she followed through the thick brush with Ahsoka close behind, soon enough her eyes caught the same movement her master had seen back on the path.

Two battle droids stumbled through a small dirt path ahead of them, each armed with a blaster and the familiar shine of grenades at their sides, looking ahead at her master crouched behind a thick bush a slight nod was the only confirmation she needed. Raising a hand in uniformity with her master Barriss brought the closest droid off his feet, before either droid could mutter a word they were meet with the blade of a blue lightsaber.

Barriss watched as her master ended the other droid and each laid the remains gently on the ground beside them, they were running again before she had to catch her breath. Barriss finally gave in to the urge to push her wet bangs out of her face as Anakin led them to the same path the droids had been taking, as quietly as they could she spoke up to her master several feet in front of her "master won't the enemy send a search team out for the droids?".

Anakin stopped next to the dirt path and glanced down it in both directions before standing to his full height "doesn't matter, they already know we're here. Those two recon droids have been following us for a good fifteen minutes now".

Barriss looked behind them and just caught a glimpse of two small floating orbs as they ducked behind a nearby tree "should we take care of them master?"

Anakin shook his head and began to lead the way down the path "not until I know why we've been allowed to go this far without a significant fight". Barriss looked back once more to make sure Ahsoka was keeping stride but her friends crystal clear

blue eyes were to busy scanning the area around them to notice, she focused her attention back in front of her just in time to see her master hold up a closed first.

She stopped in her tracks as Anakin brought up his Jedi binoculars "we're close but this path leads right to the seppies front door, up for some more hiking you two?" it was more of a statement than a question and Barriss knew any attempt at an alternative would be shot down "whatever you say master".

More than a slight grin crossed her masters mud splattered face as he led the way off the path and into the thick jungle landscape, the rainfall only seemed to increase as Barriss' tired feet ran behind her masters trail.

'if the base is this far out the separatists must be working on something they really want kept secret' Ahsoka's words sounded clear as day in her head and Barriss suddenly realized how much she missed her friends voice just in the past few minutes of silence.

Pushing the feeling to the back of her mind she was snapped back into the present when Anakin snapped his lightsaber to life and hacked away at a few large branches in their way "still love nature Raven?"

"of course master".

Barriss dropped to her stomach in between Anakin and Ahsoka and pulled out her own pair of Jedi binoculars but the sight of the base in front of her kept her from using them. Gigantic metal walls blocked any view of what was housed inside the base but it was the building that jetted from the bases interior that caught her attention.

The jet black tower was over ten stories tall and covered completely in crystal clear windows on the side facing them, inside she could just make out the sight of several large creatures all being held by electric chains "what are those things in the tower?"

Anakin brought his binoculars up towards the position she pointed "rancors, a lot of them. Looks like the seppies are trying to make some new pets".

Ahsoka squinted in the towers direction "more like slaves, I doubt those rancors are there voluntarily"

Barriss once again brought her binoculars up, this time concentrating on the walls "no way we're making it over those walls quickly enough to launch a full scale attack"

Anakin nodded slowly "and those gun emplacements on the front wall won't help either, well I think we know enough to come up with...hello what's this?" Barriss followed her masters gaze to the bases front gate just in time to watch the two heavily armored main doors slowly open, as she brought her binoculars up two tanks hovered out the large dirt path towards the jungle.

Looking closer she noticed something odd about the first tank, a blue skinned Duros sporting a rather large brown cowboy hat stood on the vehicles side "there's someone on the first tank master".

Anakin didn't bother looking closer "Cad Bane"

"who?" Barriss asked

Ahsoka answered for her master "the bounty hunter who stole the Jedi holocron from the temple a few months back, that sleaze balls been off the radar ever since he escaped master Obi-Wan. Guess now we know why"

Barriss took a minute to remember the full report on the bounty hunter she had read after the holocron heist "wonder what he's doing here?". Anakin stood to his feet and waved for them to follow, once the base was out of sight he stretched out a single arm, Barriss fought back the urge to jump as two recon droids were pulled out from the Jungle and squished by an invisible force.

The small droids hit the ground with a series of loud beeps as Anakin started moving again "if Cad Banes here then we know why those droids didn't send out an alert to the base, Bane wants us to find him. But that doesn't change the fact that that base needs to go up in smoke, it just means we have a chance to capture a bounty hunter in the process".

By the time they met up with Rex and the rest of clones they had the camp already set up, a circle of tents surrounded a makeshift fire that provided their only source of light in the quickly darkening landscape. Barriss walked up to the fire and immediately put her hands up to the warming flame, her still wet skin quickly began to dry. Ahsoka walked up beside her "at least the rain finally stopped, by the way you didn't happen to bring a brush along did you?".

Barriss shook her head "no, why?"

Ahsoka's vision glanced upward towards her friends hair but quickly turned away "no reason" Barriss ran a nervous hand through her still wet hair and just started to look around for something reflective when her masters voice caught her attention "Snips, Raven over here".

Thankful for something else to focus on Barriss pulled her hood over her head before joining Anakin and Ahsoka, Anakin held up a small holopad in front of her as she approached. She recognized the images of masters Obi-Wan and Windu as they appeared, Windu's hologram looked up at Anakin "Skywalker, do you have an update on the mission?".

Anakin bowed as much as he could while keeping the holopad between all three of them "yes master, we've confirmed the bases location and found out the separatists have several rancor held captive inside"

Obi-Wan rubbed his beard thoughtfully "they must be trying to find a way to use the rancor as a controlled weapon".

Barriss tried to hold her tongue but something inside forced her to speak "masters shouldn't we try and free those creatures?, it doesn't seem right to destroy a base with so many innocent beings inside".

Master Windu took a moment to consider her words "your padawans right Skywalker, leaving those beasts caged is not the Jedi way" much to her surprise Anakin nodded his head "I figured you would say that master, thankfully I've come up with a plan that will satisfy everyone. But before we get to that there is one more thing you should know, Cad Bane seems to be in charge of the base".

Obi-Wan's face remained unreadable "interesting that they would trust a bounty hunter to run their entire base but I guess I can't argue with Banes track record. So what about your plan?" The image on the holopad quickly changed to a rough image of the separatists base and the surrounding area.

Before Anakin started to talk several blue dots appeared in front of the bases front gate "me, Rex and the rest of the clones will draw out Bane and the bulk of his forces and get them as far away from the base as possible". As Anakin continued the blue dots went a ways down the map followed by a group of red dots as two new yellow dots appeared by the bases side wall "with Bane and forces distracted Ahsoka and Barriss can sneak inside the base, plant the explosives, free the rancors, and blow the place sky high".

The bases image disappeared and was quickly replaced by Windu and Obi-Wan, master Windu nodded approvingly but cast at worried glance at Barriss and Ahsoka "are you sure your padawans are ready for such a dangerous assignment?".

Anakin's answer didn't miss a beat "they can handle themselves, can't you girls" despite herself Barriss couldn't help the pride filled smile that spread across her face as her and Ahsoka answered at the exact same time "it will be done master".

Anakin looked back to the holopad with a rather large grin "we'll contact you when the base is destroyed" Windu and Obi-Wan both bowed as their images disappeared.

Barriss watched as captain Rex approached her master, after a military salute the clone began looking through a data pad in his hand "fire's built, stealth shields will take care of any animals that try to wander into camp, and the tents are up, everything's accounted for sir".

Anakin moved a single finger around the camp as he silently counted the tents "we seem to be short one tent"

Rex counted the tents himself before looking back to his data pad "looks like no one informed the crew about your extra padawan sir".

Anakin shrugged the problem away "it's fine, Ahsoka and Barriss can share a tent" Barriss wiped the smile off her face as Anakin turned to her "that's okay with you two right?".

Barriss watched from inside her tent as the flame outside was put out and the small lights inside every tent in the camp slowly went dark, Ahsoka shifted beside her long enough to turn off the light in their tent before pressing her body against the other girls.

As her eyes adjusted to the darkness Barriss was just able to make out her friends outline, a chill went through her body as she nuzzled closer and began to feel Ahsoka's breath on her neck "it feels like forever since we've been able to do this".

The breath on her neck was quickly replaced by the warm press of lips as Ahsoka lightly kissed her neck, every pore on her body stood on end. "Ahsoka" the name barely escaped her lips but was more than enough to catch her friends attention "you okay?".

Barriss looked into the crystal clear blue eyes in front of her "your Lekku is shining again" along with the words she began to gently stroke the girls back Lekku.

Ahsoka couldn't hide the grin from her face as she attempted a sexy accent "whats the matter?, afraid someone will see". Even though the accent was meant to be a joke it succeeded in sending another chill through Barriss' body, using her hand to pull Ahsoka's lips against her own happened almost by instinct. The ripple of pleasure she had first experienced on the senate buildings roof came back ten fold as she moved her lips in perfect unison with Ahsoka's, then something happened that she knew right away she'd remember to the day she died and beyond.

When she started to pull back from the kiss Ahsoka wrapped a single arm around the back of her head and pulled her in again, a slight wave of confusion was quickly replaced by endless ecstasy as Ahsoka's soft tongue entered her mouth.

Barriss let out a passionate moan as the tongue explored every inch of her mouth, it wasn't until her mind finally caught up

with what was happening that she regained enough control of her body to return the gesture. It was then when time came to a complete halt, she lost all track of anything and everything and it didn't bother her in the slightest, they could have been together for hours or seconds but either way the moment was one of the best in her life thus far.

She was sure her heart would explode when Ahsoka finally pulled back to catch her breath, Barriss kept her mouth agape as she struggled to contain herself "I love you". Her own words made her heart stop but they came out so easily and so passionately there was no going back now, if Ahsoka was shocked she sure knew how to hide it.

For a few seconds of silence Barriss could hear nothing but her own ferocious heart beat as Ahsoka's face remained unreadable, with all the strength and passion of someone twice her age Ahsoka let a crooked grin cross her face "I know".

Barriss woke up as a beam of sunlight came through the small crack in the tents door and shined directly in her eyes, the silhouette of several people walking around outside could easily be seen through the tents thin fabric. As she moved to get up a strange weight kept her down, looking down she saw Ahsoka's head and chest laying across her waist 'girl really moves around in her sleep'.

With a small wave of her hand Ahsoka's body lifted upwards and floated through the air before being set down softly beside her, Ahsoka moaned lightly but didn't wake up. After grabbing her duffel bag she had used for an improvised pillow she crawled out of the tent as quietly as she could, Felucia's warm air filled her lungs as she stood to her full height.

Most of the clones in Rex's squadron sat around the pit of ashes that used to be a blazing fire, seeing her walk up Rex took of his helmet and stood at attention "Skywalker already headed out to scout the area sir"

"at ease Rex, any idea if the streams nearby are okay to wash up in?" Barriss asked, still trying to hide her hair from eyesight.

"figured you'd want to get cleaned up sir, we set up a purifier at the nearby stream so it should be safe enough" Rex pointed a dirt path that snaked its way through the forest "just follow that path, if you like I can have someone escort you?".

Barriss pulled her lightsaber from her bag before shaking her head "that's okay Rex I can handle it, if Ahsoka wakes up can you tell her where I am?"

"of course sir"

Of course Ahsoka was still asleep by the time she got back but a clean head of hair and the smell of Felucia's water still emanating from her pores would give the girl something a bit more pleasant to wake up too, Barriss stepped inside the tent long enough to kiss her friend gently on the neck "better get up now if want to get cleaned up before Anakin gets back".

Ahsoka opened her eyes "already did"

She opened her mouth to question the statement but after a closer look it was clear her friend was telling the truth "when did you do that?"

Ahsoka sat up and stretched before answering "last night after you fell asleep, I couldn't sleep so I decided to go for a walk"

"a walk on Felucia isn't a good idea Ahsoka, do you have any idea how many animals and plants on this planet can kill you?"

"201 and 364 respectively, I know how to take of my myself"

Barriss could hear the defensive tone in Ahsoka's words all to well but perhaps she did come off a bit to strong "that's not what I meant Ahsoka, I just don't want anything to happen to you".

Ahsoka smiled and planted a light kiss on her check before walking past her and out the tent "I'm not going anywhere Barriss" following her friend out the tent both girls ran head first into the chest of their master.

Anakin smiled down at his padawans "that's not true Snips, your gonna go free some blood thirsty killing machines"

Barriss opened her mouth before Ahsoka could come up with a witty remark of her own "master I'm not second guessing your plan but I do see one problem, after we release the rancor won't they try and...yeah know kill us".

Her master led them to the middle of camp and handed both of them a backpack before finally answering the question "that's one of the reasons you two are dealing with the base instead of me, rancors might be known for their nasty temper but there long arms make any attempt to strike rather slow. You two have the evasiveness necessary to dodge their blows while leading them out of the base"

Ahsoka crossed her arms "wow master a compliment, that's rare"

"hey I try Snips" the look on Ahsoka's face forced Barriss to step in between the two Jedi "perhaps we should get moving, no time like the present ya know".

Anakin raced his speeder bike down the large dirt path as fast as it would allow without exploding 'wish I would have had some time to work on this piece of junk' the separatists base loomed overhead casting most of the surrounding area in darkness. Adrenaline flowed through every inch of his body as he pulled the speeder to a skidding stop in front of the bases main gate "Cad Bane!".

Igniting his lightsaber for dramatic effect alone he watched as the bounty hunters familiar figure appeared on top the bases front wall "Skywalker!, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"by order of the grand army of the republic I place you under arrest!"

Banes pure blood red eyes squinted in his direction "you think I'm a fool Skywalker!, a Jedi would never waltz up and single handily try to arrest me!. What's your game?".

Although he was rather enjoying screwing with the bounty hunters head a flash on his com-link told him it was time for phase two, after hitting his com-link as way of confirmation for the plan to set in motion two giant red proton torpedoes rose from the jungle behind him arched perfectly towards the base "I never show up single handed bounty hunter!".

Anakin tried to put as much emotion into his words as possible before he hopped back on his speeder and took off, the bases usually invisible shield shone bright blue as the torpedoes hit their mark. As he drove off without so much as a look back he could hear Cad Banes rage filled voice following him down the dirt path "gets those tanks moving you fools!, don't let Skywalker get away!".

Barriss watched her master led the bounty hunter away just like he had planned "I can't believe that worked"

Ahsoka ran past her and pushed her body against the bases side wall "this is too easy, keep you eyes open once we're in there Bane isn't as stupid as he looks. He has to have a plan of his own" joining Ahsoka by the wall Barriss cupped her fingers together and nodded up the large wall "you ready for this?".

Her words were answered as Ahsoka ran straight towards her and placed one foot in her cupped hands, with the combined power of both padawans Ahsoka rose straight through the air and landed gently on the bases top wall.

For a few of the scariest moments in her life Barriss watched her friend disappear from sight, her heart beat hit relentlessly against her chest 'come on, come on'.

She almost let out a joy filled laugh when Ahsoka's hand appeared dangling from the top of the wall 'a little impatient aren't we?' using as much power as she could gather she tensed her muscles and jumped with aid from the force. Her hand just grasp that of Ahsoka's at the peak of her jump, her friend let out a small grunt as she was pulled over the wall.

With a silent nod shared between them Barriss jumped down the walls opposite end and into the base, Ahsoka hit the ground beside her as she glanced around the bases interior. Her masters plan had obviously worked as not even a single battle droid remained in the large open area in front of her, in fact the only thing that remained in the base besides the tower was the two gun emplacements by the main door and a few scattered tanks that looked to be in pretty bad condition.

Following Ahsoka's lead Barriss ran across the large metal floor of the base towards the tower, as they neared the door a loud roar stopped both Jedi in their tracks. Ahsoka was the first to pull herself back together "those are the things we're here to save?, you just had to speak up in front of the council didn't you"

Barriss looked up at the large glass windows above her and fought the knot in her stomach "these creatures are innocent Ahsoka, you know as well as I do it's our duty to save them". Rather than wait for a reply Barriss opened the door into the base and stepped inside, the first floor of the base housed nothing beside a couple rows of computer terminals and a handful of empty chairs "we have to do this quick, it looks like the bounty hunter took every droid in the base with him".

"Anakin and Rex brought more than enough fire power do deal with that sleaze ball, but you're right the sooner we get done here the sooner we can go help them" Ahsoka started towards the elevator on the opposite side of the room.

Barriss took a moment to check outside before turning from the door and following her friend "right behind you".

The deafening blast of rocket fire killed Anakin's eardrums as he directed the lasers speeding by him back to their source, more separatist tanks than he could count slowly hovered in their direction and the dense jungle wasn't going to hold them back forever.

Ducking back behind his speeder for cover he glanced over to Rex who blind fired one of his two pistols towards the platoon of battle droids several feet away, Anakin stood to his feet long enough to pull two of the droids off their feet and throw them backwards into their comrades "we have to pull back to the field!, it will take Bane some time to get those tanks through the jungle!".

Rex turned to his brothers taking cover at the various trees behind him "you heard the general!, pull back!".

Nothing Barriss had ever seen before gave her such mixed emotions as the row of chained rancor in front of her, each creatures long arms and stubby legs were held in place by electric chains that fed a painful amount of electricity into any of the large creatures that tried to move. But the sympathy she had for these creatures was quickly replaced by fear as she got closer to them, each rancor was the size of an average ship and razor sharp claws jetting from their hands and feet only added to their magnitude.

As she walked across the room the snarls of each rancor brought a chill through her spine but she fought the feeling long enough to make her way to the control panel at the edge of the cages "looks pretty simple, just press the button and our big friends here are free".

Ahsoka walked to the rooms opposite side and glanced out the window "we should probably have the bombs set up before anything else, throw me your pack and I'll take of it" Barriss did what was asked of her and threw her pack to Ahsoka, leaning against the back wall she watched as her friend shattered the window with a wave of her hand and leaped down three stories to the ground below.

Once she was alone Barriss focused her attention back on the rancors, guessing the biggest one was the mother she walked up to the middle cage and looked in the creatures eyes "don't worry big girl, we're here to help you and your friends get out of these cages and back into the wild".

If it wasn't for the thousands of stories in the Jedi archives that told her rancor were ruthless savages Barriss would of swore she saw the rancors eyes light up. Quickly realizing it was the stupidest thing in the universe she extended a hand into the cage and gently patted the rancors large arm, the creatures eyes widened at the contact but it remained motionless "there there girl, just a while longer".

A loud mechanical noise behind her caused her hand to pull back and her head to turn, she had to blink several times before her mind would accept the view outside. Around nearly every inch of the bases interior large circles had opened in the metal floor, a squadron of super battle droids appeared from half while separatist tanks appeared from the other. Barriss' mind lurched as Ahsoka looked around desperately from below and activated her two lightsabers 'a little help honey'.

Barriss was about to take the leap down when a thought crossed her mind, without really thinking it through she ran back across the room and hit the button to release the rancors.

Anakin was the last one to retreat from the safety of the jungle, the suns harsh rays beat down upon his already battle drained body as he ran across the field towards the circle of speeders and AT-TE's where the clones had taken refuge. Only after leaping over his speeder and crouching behind Rex did he take the time to catch his breath "we can't hold out here for long!, if those tanks make it into the clearing we're done!"

Rex ordered the rest of the clones to take up defensive positions "my men are ready to fight to their last breath sir!"

"I appreciate that Rex!, but if Ahsoka and Barriss pull through with their part of the plan it'll give us the distraction necessary to get the hell out of here!. We just have to buy them some more time!" As the last of the words left his mouth the sounds of blaster fire from both sides came to a sudden and rather creepy stop.

Anakin stood to his full height just in time to see Cad Bane walk out of the jungle with a entire platoon of droids at his back "we'll it seems your plan worked beautifully Skywalker!, you lured me away from my base long enough to get two young girls killed!, bravo Jedi!".

Anakin's fury reached it's breaking point "if anything happens to them!..." before he was able to finish the first of the separatist tanks pushed it's way into the clearing. Cad Bane laughed maniacally as he jumped onto the tanks top and climbed inside, Anakin ignited his lightsaber as the tanks main gun slowly swiveled in his direction.

To her surprise the rancor didn't immediately burst from their cages, instead each giant head turned too the middle cage where the largest rancor slowly stepped from it's former prison. Barriss felt her heart beat against her chest as the mother rancor looked directly at her, 'remember my young padawan, the force emanates inside every living thing' master Luminara's words echoed through her mind as her now rubber legs walked in front of the large beast.

While trying to ignore the trails of saliva dripping from the rancors mouth Barriss extended a hand forward, putting all her will into the force she half spoke, half thought towards the large beast "I liberated your family, please help me save my friends'.

A loud roar from each rancor was the only response she received "please I beg of you, they're my family, I love them' as she opened her eyes the mother rancor took a few steps closer. Barriss looked straight up at the monsters several rows of sharp teeth as she was sure they were about to be formally introduced but instead of another roar the mother rancor ran directly past her and stopped at the window before lowering her back. Barriss didn't waist time in climbing onto the rancors back, after finding a good grip with her legs one large force push busted every window in front of her.

With a blood curdling roar the mother rancor jumped from the building followed closely by it's only slightly smaller family, the shock wave of the creatures hitting the metal floor knocked more than a few tanks off balance and almost kicked Barriss off the mothers back.

As she regained her composure long enough to stand the blue blade of her lightsaber appeared in front of her just in time to block a laser blast "focus on the tanks!". Not waiting to see if the rancors understood her command she jumped off the rancors back and ran straight through a barrage of laser fire towards Ahsoka, her friend was pinned down by a platoon of super battle droids.

Barriss leaped past the droids and gracefully landed beside Ahsoka while taking a few droids out for good measure "need some help?"

Ahsoka let a grin cross her face as she slashed at the droid in front of her, the droids metal body hit the ground in two pieces cut down the middle "would be nice". Raising her lightsaber Barriss began to charge into the group of droids but before she could make one swing the mother rancor barreled through the entire group on her way towards the tank that had already aimed in their direction.

The large creature wrapped two clawed hands around the tanks barrel partly crushing it on impact, Barriss leaped out of the way just in time to watch the rancor lift the tank as though it were made of plastic and throw it across the base resulting in an explosion that ripped apart the bases main gate.

Ahsoka leaped back with her lightsabers crossed in front of her face "holy shit you let them loose!"

Barriss had to hold back a laugh as the mother rancor stopped in front of her and bowed once again "it's okay, they're on our side...I think". After climbing on the rancors back she reached out an arm towards Ahsoka "just trust me, I know your dying to try this"

Ahsoka reluctantly walked up the rancors tail and grabbed her hand "dying is precisely what I'm afraid of". Looking around Barriss couldn't help but be a little proud of herself as the rancors completely decimated the droid army, the regular troops being no problem for the large creatures and the tanks only taking a few of the smaller rancors to defeat. Two rancor ripped apart a tank only a few feet away with their large claws while the others either plowed through the small troops or threw the tanks around like rag dolls.

Ahsoka's voice brought her back to reality "we should go help Skyguy" Barriss put a hand on the mother rancors large head 'tell your family to get as far away from this base as possible, we have to go help our friends'. Barriss tightened her grip on Ahsoka's hand as the mother rancor let out another ear piercing battle cry, the girls had just enough time to find a handhold on the creatures back before it charged forward and plowed through what remained of the front gate.

Riding on the mother rancors back Barriss was amazed how fast they ran through the dense jungle, any trees big enough to block their way were either sliced in half from one of Ahsoka's lightsabers or simply pushed aside by the rancors giant arms.

Pockets of sunlight hit Barriss' eyes as she struggled to look ahead "for someone against cute nicknames I couldn't help but notice you called me honey back there" she tried to hide the smirk on her face as she looked back at Ahsoka.

To her credit Ahsoka simply smiled at the thought "I was surrounded by tinnies at the time, obviously I wasn't thinking clearly"

"whatever you say...honey" Barriss did her best to draw out the last word longer than necessary.

Once again Ahsoka's smile widened "now you're pushing it". The sound of nearby laser fire got both girls attention, as soon as they turned their heads the mother rancor crashed through the last batch of trees and ran straight into a large field.

In the middle of the field Barriss could easily spot her masters blue lightsaber among the midst of clone troopers, the large barrel of a separatist tank slowly turned in his direction "go for the tank girl!". All laser fire came to a screeching halt as the mother rancor charged across the field and directly into the tank, the torpedo from the tank fired uselessly through the air as the rancor picked up the tanks bottom and lifted it above it's large head with another battle cry.

Cad Banes blue form appeared from the top of the tank with his hover boots already activated, before anyone could react he shot off away from the battle and into the jungle. As their commander fled the battle each droid looked

around helplessly as the mother rancor threw the tank like a bowling ball taking out every single droid the the few remaining tanks.

Howling cheers from the clones could be heard as Barriss helped Ahsoka down off the rancors back before jumping down herself, Anakin pushed his speeder out of the way and took a few reluctant steps towards them "great job you two, worthy of recognition in the Jedi archives, but how did you?..." their master ended his words with a casual wave towards the mother rancor.

Barriss simply shrugged "I'm not really sure master" turning back to the panting rancor she extended a hand towards the creature "I can never repay you for what you've done today, now please, go be with your family".

Yet another battle cry was the rancors only response as it turned back to the jungle and took off at a run, each step from the powerful creature shook the ground under her feet. Once the creature disappeared from view she turned back to Anakin.

Her master looked at the path of destruction the rancor had left in amazement "the council will definitely want to hear about this, but aren't you two forgetting one last thing?" her mind a blank Barriss turned to Ahsoka.

Ahsoka thought for a moment before pulling a small detonator from her pocket "oh yeah, sorry master" all heads in the field, Jedi and clone alike, turned to the tower still visible in the distance as Ahsoka pressed down on the detonator. Barriss felt a wave of accomplishment wash over her as the separatist base rocked the very planet with one of the biggest explosions she had ever seen.