-Obi-Wan-

According to every known piece of information about the Omega sector, this place is barren. Void of anything and everything- especially life. But as we neared one small system, third from the star that warmed it, it become more and more obvious that every single one of those documents had been wrong. Somewhat embarrassingly so.

For example, the air checked to be perfect for life to sustain itself, as well as the amount of water, plant life, and temperature.

Plus, as soon as we came out of hyperspace (we being Anakin, Ahsoka, Commander Cody and myself), we were nearly hit with what was, I had first assumed, to be a floating remnant of Anakin's battle frigate that had been lost here. But as I watched, it shot around the planet, with the light reflecting off of it, and I realized it was, in fact, a very ancient-looking, very crude satellite.

"Commander," I said slowly, narrowing my eyes at the blue and green system. "Get a life-count check on this planet."

"Right away, General."

I looked at the system again before noticing several more of the satellites. Anakin and Ahsoka stepped up next to me, and Ahsoka said, "Master? It looks like Naboo." She sounded slightly surprised.

I nodded and said, "I have the feeling someone doesn't want the Republic knowing about this system."

Commander Cody cut in quickly, "General, life-count is in. Records indicate at least one billion human life forms alone." He turned back to the machine and started to navigate our way to where the clones' signals were the strongest.

Anakin smiled slightly and said, "Yeah, I got that feeling, too."

As we neared the surface, more and more evidence become visible. Structures to house the population, some sort of strange transportation vehicles that rode on the ground, not in the air. This was most defiantly not an inhospitable planet.

In fact, compared to the majority of systems, it looked like one of the most hospitable. No one spoke as we neared our destination; it was simply too much to take it. I had seen many different worlds, and would probably see many more before I die, but none struck me as much as this one.

Plus the fact that such a technologically behind society could escape the Republic's notice, much less the Jedi Council's notice, is incredible. Something or someone was indeed protecting this little pocket of life.

We managed to track the clones' signals to what appeared to be a farm, where the scar marks from where the escape pod had crashed onto the land were still visible. I frowned and said, "Look. Battle droid parts- a serious battle happened here. And not to long ago."

Anakin agreed, but said, "If so, then where are the bodies?" We looked grimly at each other as the ship gently touched down on this new world.

We walked out of the ship, the four of us, and the first thing I noticed was two escape pods leaning up against a building made out of metal. I pointed these out to Anakin, and he nodded. "Frigate Alpha 112- it's them all right."

The building they were leaning on seemed to be a barn of some sorts. Inside, I could hear something snorting. I walked around to the front and saw two pure white quadruped animals, with hair growing from the base of the thick neck right up in between the two pointed ears. What are these? I've never even heard of something like this.

Whoever thought that the Omega sector was barren really needs a thorough medical examination.

We had already seen hundreds of different life forms, and we had only been here for five standard minutes. It was strange; how could this not have gone unnoticed for as long as it did?

Anakin, meanwhile, was walking up the incline where a white building was resting. The lights were on, and through the open windows, we could hear a voice was issuing from the window.

And, to my complete surprise, it was the voice of Count Dooku.

"… This is the beginning of a great new time for Earth- imagine it for a moment, friends, when the rest of the galaxy discovers you here, as we have been fortunate to. Earth shall be known as the new center of capitalistic trade and commerce, what with all of the abundance of materials and resources you have here. A new era shall arise, the Age of the Separatists, and you shall all go down in history.

"Therefore I urge you all, if the Republic scum dares to set foot on this beautiful system of yours, turn them away with guns and swords! The clones are worthless, they are not humans! They have been bred to destroy and will do just that to what you have created here- what they call 'justified' for their dirty schemes. The Jedi who lead them are no better! They care not for your cultures or history- they only crave power! They will steal, plunder, destroy, and enslave you if you do not push them away!

"These are dangerous times, but can and will be prosperous for all if you choose the wise path to follow the Separatists!"

As the rest of the speech was drowned in cheers, we ran closer so as to get a better look. The noise covered ours, and we crouched next to a bush. Ahsoka slowly stood, and peeked over the edge. Her face was cut in half by the harsh light. She dropped down and said quickly, "It's them, alright. There are only ten clones. Captain Rex is still alive," she said, answering Anakin's look. "Plus, there are three Human girls with them. No one is talking; they're all listening to something."

A clicking noise told us that whatever they were listening to was shut off. A second later, a clone spat out furiously, "Damnit."

Using the resulting tide of curses and arguments as a cover, we scanned the perimeter, looking for an opening we could enter the building by. Commander Cody noticed a porch and we quickly crouched again and discussed a plan.

"How do we get the men out here while those girls are with them?" Anakin asked, looking at me.

"I don't think those girls were keeping the clones here against their will," I said doubtfully.

"But, Master, did you hear what Count Dooku was saying? And what the reaction of the crowd was? They could be keeping them here for execution!"

I looked at Ahsoka and said, "You are worrying too much, Padawan. They are all fine."

She nodded and glanced down. Commander Cody cut in, "So, sir, what's the plan?"

I smiled and said, "They don't look dangerous. How's knocking on the door? Or," I asked, looking at Anakin, "is that too easy?"

He shrugged. Ahsoka grinned and stood, "Well, what are we waiting for?" She stepped onto the wooden porch and walked to the door. As she reached for the handle, it banged open and a blur of blue and white flew out, along with a loud stream of warnings.

She reached for her lightsaber, but luckily she recognized the man who had put his gun against her head before she could do serious damage. "Rex!" She said, almost joyfully, beaming.

He pulled back and said, in a very surprised tone, "Sirs?"

A few bangs echoed from inside the house as the rest of the men flew out. Looking a little worse for wear, with a few injuries, they otherwise looked ecstatic. The young Humans were no where to be seen. Commander Cody ordered them all at attention, and as they lined up, a small movement brought my attention to behind the clones.

I looked around the men. One of the girls was standing in the doorway. She had pale skin, and dark hair. Her two friends were standing behind her, watching us with guarded eyes and expressions. One had dark skin, like Master Windu, and hair; the other one had pale skin and bright hair, like me.

Nott noticed them and said to me, "Sir, the situation here is too dangerous to leave them without any protection. We need to keep in contact."

"I quite agree. Cody?" I looked at the Commander. He understood at once and pulled a small but efficient holoprojector out of his belt. He handed it to the first girl and quickly explained how it worked, saying that it was only to keep him updated on what the Count was doing here, and for dire emergencies. She turned it over and over in here hand, fascinated, as he talked. While they were conversing, Rex quickly filled us in while the men prepared to leave.

The dark one glanced at something on her wrist. Her eyes widened and she showed the other girl, who proceeded to shriek at the top of her lungs. I raised my eyebrows and looked at Anakin, who had the same look of puzzlement on his face. She turned and sprinted up the stairs as the dark girl clutched the first's one's arm and said, "Caitlin! Her gymnastics meet!" She then followed the bright-haired girl, who was keeping up a low stream of curses as she ran.

'Caitlin' turned to us and said, in a speed I didn't think was possible, "I'm so sorry, but we have to leave- guns are with the helmets in that barn where they always are again I'm really sorry!" Then she ran upstairs as well.

Ahsoka giggled suddenly. When Anakin looked at her, she stopped at once, but I noticed she was still smiling as we reboarded the ship. As we left the ground, we saw the girls running out to a vehicle, carrying all sorts of bags and throwing them in. When we left the atmosphere, a collective breath of relief went out as the men fell back into their normal routine, glad to finally be back.