Chapter 3 - Ryloth

Author's Note: Yes, this will hurt. Enjoy the familiar faces. Pretty much everyone is suffering in some way now. :')

~ Amina Gila

Alema Syndulla

It's been a month since Order 66, since the Jedi fell, since I lost everything I knew. A month since I've been away from Ahsoka and the twins.

Since I've been back with the rest of my family on Ryloth, hiding out in our house. Jinx has been with me this entire time, but that's not nearly enough to soothe the emptiness in my heart.

Predictably, the Empire came here. The people know me, so I have to stay inside at all times to avoid being seen. It's exhausting, and frustrating, because I'm not used to hiding, but I'm still much better off than most people, so it's really not my place to complain about it. At least I'm here with my family, unlike Jinx, who is entirely alone. He doesn't even know what it's like to have a family, except the Order, and that's nothing but ashes.

All he has is me, and I wouldn't say we're that close, even if we're friends. Besides, the way I feel towards him isn't something Jedi do, but at least it's distracting me. That's the most I can ask for.

"I never asked you how you made it out," I say finally, one evening, because I can't stop thinking about it. And I never asked him before. It's not something we ever discussed, because it was too painful.

"I had help," he answers bluntly, "Clone Force 99 was there. They covered for me while I escaped."

"I thought all the clones were being controlled?"

"Not these. I don't know why, but they weren't, and they helped me. Or at least some of them did."

Strange, but I suppose it's not impossible to imagine that some of the clones weren't affected.

Their inhibitor chips could've been damaged in the war, or they might've not been fully functioning. It could be anything. The whys don't much matter, in the end. Only that it happened, and that Jinx is here.

Idly, I reach out to take his hand. Now that we're alone, I find myself thinking more and more about... him. Ahsoka is not with me constantly like she once was, so I can't focus my attention on her. I'm alone, except Jinx, and...

"The more time we spend here, the more it reminds me of Wasskah," he murmurs finally, and my heart clenches painfully at the mention. That's something Ahsoka and I never – rarely – discuss. Some things, I don't want to think about. There was nothing like the fear that I would never get home. It's the first and only time we've ever been in a situation like that. Did good come of it? Yeah, always, but that doesn't mean...

"Yeah," I murmur in agreement, "But we had each other then. We trusted each other, and that's how we got out."

He was already broken once, I remember. And it takes far more strength to get back up and put yourself together after than to stay together from the start. I... wish I could say the same about myself. I still feel a drowning regret when I think of Kalifa, even though we both know there's nothing we could have done to save her. People die. It happens, just like all the Jedi died. At least she never had to see what we do now.

"But this?" he asks, shaking his head, "This is different."

Yes, it is. I was furious when Aniya and Ahsoka were expelled. Everything felt... dark, wild, and cold to me then, and it's much worse now. It's the Dark Side, I know, but somehow, I never expected myself to be... tempted like this.

"I know," I murmur. At least back then, there was a way out. Now, there isn't. We can only survive the fallout, with the knowledge that nothing we know will be the same again.

Is Ahsoka okay out there? I should've sensed it if something happened to her, but I hate not knowing. This isn't war when I know Anakin, Rex, and all the boys will be watching over her. This is... us against the galaxy. The Empire. And we're all alone.

There's a point, I think, where pain and being hurt repeatedly bleeds over into rage, no matter how much I try to stop it. I haven't been able to 'let go' of many of the things Jedi tell me I should have. I just can't do it, and I don't understand why, but it's what it is.

Being here with my family and remembering Rafa's child sometimes makes me wish I could just settle down and live, even if I know that's not practical. It feels wrong anyway, to be nothing when the galaxy is like this, and the Jedi are dead. I can't just forget them all.

Still, sitting here alone with Jinx is making me wish for... something. I know what it is, and from how he is sometimes, I think he wants the same. I have no idea how to handle feelings like this either, but maybe I could mention it, or...

It's the strange inkling that something's wrong which has been nagging at me for a while now that catches my attention. The danger in the Force is increasing, and the door suddenly opens, Chopper zooming in beeping wildly, something about Hera and executions and –

"What?" I demand, jolting to my feet.

"Gobbi took her to get weapons," he beeps waving his arms wildly. "She was arrested and sent for execution."

Saying that I want to scream would be a severe understatement. She's my little sister, and yes, I am fiercely protective of Ahsoka, but what I feel towards Hera is different. She's younger, and I have to protect her. But why now? I'll end up giving away that I'm a Jedi no doubt, because I can't let them hurt her, but that will only put our family as an even higher target than we probably already are.

Which is the last thing we need.

But then again, I'm already tired of sitting around when I can help people. (And maybe it's just that dark, wild, cold part of me is truly icing over, and now, it's cracking, shattering. Ice breaks easily, and what's left behind is cutting and sharp and dark. I'm scared. I don't want to Fall.)

"We have to help her," Jinx says even before I can, standing.

"We will," I promise fiercely, "Chopper, where are our parents?"

"Already on their way to find her," he answers.

"We're coming, too," I declare, and bolt for the door.

I'll do whatever it takes. There are not many things I make that promise about, but my sister is one of them. (What if that's why Anakin and Aniya joined the Sith? I don't want to think about it. Sometimes, not thinking is the easiest choice.)

I knew, when Echo and Fives found me, that I'd inevitably be dragged back into the fight. When I did, I just never thought I would be going into it alone.

**w**

It's dark, of course, and it's under the cover of darkness that we move in. I have never worked with my family like this before, and it makes me miss the clones – who I know are all currently mind-controlled – though it already feels natural to be here. Maybe that's all I've ever been – a fighter.

That fight flows in my veins, ingrained in my mind forever. It's who and what I am. That's why I was so restless when trying to sit still the first time. The second was different, driven much by shock and emptiness, which has finally been shattered. (I'm afraid of what it means for me.)

The transport is right up ahead, and we're closing fast, but we have to move before they reach the capital or get more reinforcements. I suspect it's a trap, but we have no choice.

There are several clone speeders alongside the transport, and I fire with my blaster – it's not like I can use a lightsaber – at the speeders themselves. They explode, throwing the clones to the ground, hopefully still alive. I don't want to kill them, knowing it's not their fault. Especially now when these are Howzer's men, and... in the time that he's been working closely with my father, I've met him a few times.

I don't know if he realizes I'm a Jedi. He seems to be almost too conveniently blind to that, and there's no way no one could've heard of my name, even if I was only a padawan throughout the war. It's not like I was unknown or anything – Ahsoka and I both had quite a reputation.

I instantly flip to stun, helping the other Twi'leks off in the trees stun them all, before running to join my parents as we approach the transport.

Cham goes in first, blaster raised.

"Mom!" I hear Hera cry, and I move forwards from my position off to the side. Hopefully, no more Imperials are about to arrive, but I need to check on my sister first.

"Hera," I breathe, sprinting to her side the moment she's out of the transport, and we tackle each other in a hug. I have no idea what she was thinking, but she's definitely more than figured that out on her own. She doesn't need to hear anyone mentioning it. Even if I know this is going to create a disaster, because...

"What is Father going to do?" Hera beats me to the question. "Taa will not let this go."

"Let us worry about that," my mother assures, as Chopper rides in on a speeder. "You two should go."

I exchange a glance with Jinx, before taking Hera's hand, pulling her over to the speeder. She's safe, and she's home, and that's all that matters. I can worry about how dangerous it was later, but I think she more than learned that lesson. We did need those weapons, though.

But we don't get far before pausing, because my father is considering just killing Taa, and I can't even blame him for that, even if I know it's wrong to just do it like that. I can't say I would mind if he did. I certainly wouldn't stop him. Especially now that I'm here, it's so much easier to see what he's done to our planet.

Instead, it's Eleni who steps forwards to stop him.

"Thank you for playing your part, Senator," the Imperial says the moment Cham lowers the blaster, and instantly, I have a very, very bad feeling about this.

No sooner than he says it does a blaster bolt fly from somewhere in the mountainsides, somewhere I know that none of our troops were positioned, striking Senator Taa. It's probably not fatal, but he collapses instantly, and – that had to have been the Empire's doing, wasn't it? Considering that's the cue to gunships flying in, I think it's safe to assume it was.

"Get out of here!" Eleni calls to us, and I don't wait, scrambling into the piloting seat of the speeder. I could stay and fight, but instinctively, I already know we're outnumbered. Without pulling out my lightsaber or revealing I'm a Jedi – which would get everyone killed – there's nothing I can do.

But it also means I'm about to leave my parents and Jinx behind here. I can't leave Hera on her own, though. Chopper doesn't even give me time to finish considering it, firing up the engine himself and speeding away. Had I more time to think of it, I'd have jolted forwards to stop it, because they're my family, and I can't let them be hurt, but without revealing myself, I really have no other choice.

Our speeder races through the trees, wind whipping around us. We don't speak until we're safely away, leaving everyone behind to their fate. The Empire won't just kill them, will they? We'll have time to break them out. We have to. They can't be about to –

"What are we gonna do?" Hera asks, looking close to tears.

I want to promise her that we'll figure something out, that everything's going to be fine, but all I can remember is what happened to the Jedi. But no, I will not stand by and let anyone hurt my family ever again. "We'll break them out. Publicly exec – hurting them would cause an uprising."

"I just wanted to help. I didn't know this would happen," she says, miserably.

"We'll find a way to get them out, but I don't know if we can do that alone."

"I have an idea," Hera suggests, perking up, "Uncle Gobi took me to bring weapons on planet, and we met a group of... I don't know who they were, but there was one my age named Omega who promised I could call her squad for help if we needed it."

I purse my lips, considering. I don't know who these people are, but if they're smuggling weapons from the Empire, hopefully we can risk trusting them. They're criminals I'm sure, so I doubt we can trust them, but we need any help we can get. "It's worth asking," I decide, finally. "Come on. Let's get going."

Hera brightens, just a little, taking my hand as we prepare to make the call. Hopefully this will work.

**w**

The ship arrives the next day, surprisingly. Chopper is the first out to greet them, followed by Hera. I follow, a bit hesitantly, uncertain. I know Hera trusts these people, but I'm not sure I can, and if they reveal my identity... "Thank you for coming," Hera tells them immediately, "I wasn't sure you would."

"You said you were in trouble," a girl's voice replies – that must be Omega, the child Hera told me she met and predictably, already befriended.

I knew help was coming, but I didn't realize they would be people I know. Hera had said they were clones, but... the moment Echo and Fives see me, they come to the front of the five. Well, the other three certainly don't look like clones – though one looks like a female, much younger version of Rex – not that it matters.

"Commander," they chorus, echoing each other, surprise radiating into the Force.

"Fives, Echo." I could almost cry. At least I know they're alright. Most everyone I know is gone. "Do you know of anyone else? Rex? Appo?"

Fives shakes his head, a heavy look in his eyes. "We haven't heard from any of them."

But the heaviness they feel, I instantly realize, is nothing compared to what the other three do. They have the same sort of vacuous emptiness that I feel myself. They lost someone even closer to them, didn't they?

"You know each other?" one of the other clones asks, surprised.

"She was General Aniya Skywalker's padawan," explains Fives.

"We worked closely together throughout the Clone Wars," Echo adds.

"Who are you all?" I inquire.

"Hunter, Tech, and Omega," Fives answers, gesturing to each one in turn. "They're part of Clone Force 99."

"Care to tell us how the Empire ended up after you?" Hunter asks, moving forwards.

"Because our father is Cham Syndulla," Hera answers.

"Do they know who you are?" Fives asks me, and I shake my head in the negative.

"Our parents were arrested for treason. We have to break them out, but I can't do it alone," I add.

"Let's see what we're up against," Hunter decides, "But no guarantees." I can't say what it is about him and Tech that seems so... haunted. Who did they lose? These were the people who helped rescue Jinx, and I can't imagine there were only two of them. Maybe the other members of their squad were lost then. I know far too well what that must feel like.

We set out for the capital immediately. We're atop a cliff overlooking the city below. One of the Imperials, predictably, is giving a fancy speech about how Cham tried to assassinate Orn Free Taa, as if someone present would even care about that. Everyone hates him. I'm not exaggerating. I'm surprised no one here has outright tried killing him before. I am, however, admittedly very sad when I hear he's still alive. That's un-Jedi-like, but I don't even care. Some creatures are just that awful.

Of all of us, Hera is the only one bothered by hearing it. Not that I blame her. She's too young to understand how these things can get.

I don't see anything unusual in the crowd, but I still have the feeling something is... wrong as I study the area down below, on Hera's other side.

Especially when I sense a flicker of fear and despair from Omega. It's so wrong to feel those emotions in a child so young. "Hunter," she says, lowering her macrobinoculars. "Crosshair and Wrecker are here."

Hunter's emotions flicker into the Force, hot, sharp, and burning, with enough grief and loss I instantly think it's no wonder he was being so sharp earlier, and he takes another look before motioning for us to get back.

"The plasma bridge into the city's been deactivated," Tech says, poking at the datapad he's carrying around. There's a sudden tightness to his stance – maybe it's always been there, and I just hadn't noticed earlier.

I glance at them before stepping over to Fives, because I need to know what's going on here. "Who are those?" I ask quietly.

He throws a glance at the others before pulling me a few feet away. "They were part of the squad before Order 66. They lost Crosshair then, and Echo and I met up with them shortly after. We lost Wrecker a couple weeks ago. His... chip activated late."

"You couldn't remove them?"

"We had nowhere to go."

I swallow. Hard. I can't even imagine how that must be for them. Really, it hurt when Ahsoka was mind-controlled on Mortis, and that was nothing like this. For the clones, it's everyone. And worse, it's something they grew up with. They've never known anything else. I can't even begin to imagine the helplessness of this.

"I don't like the look of this. The troop presence here is similar to that of Raxus. This is a military occupation," Tech continues. Raxus? What in the galaxy were they doing there? Not as if it's my business.

"Ryloth's not a Separatist planet," Echo points out.

"Exactly my point."

"They've been occupying it as though it is, forcing everyone to give up their weapons," I interject. I knew nothing good would come from it, but I also knew why all my father wanted was to let the people settle down. So much for that.

And... something's not right, though I can't pinpoint what.

Hunter suddenly stiffens the same time I feel a flicker of warning in the Force. I instantly start reaching for my lightsaber. It's in my boot, the one with my prosthetic, hidden safely against the mechanism. Fives' hand shoots out to catch my arm, and he mutely shakes his head, but I get the point. Don't act, or they'll know I'm a Jedi. Clones are one thing. Jedi are another. "Wait here," Hunter orders, disappearing around the corner.

I can only wait, heart pounding, as I hear the distant beeping of a probe droid, keeping my head down so they don't get a look at who I am, before Hunter jumps the droid himself, stabbing a vibroblade into its eye. The droid falls to the ground, and he pulls the knife out.

"Oh, good. A probe droid," Tech grumbles as we stand around it, "The Empire will know we're here."

Hunter sighs. "Come on, let's move," he orders, and we take off instantly, Omega pulling Hera along behind.

We barely make it back to the ship before Tech picks up that we're all over Imperial comm channels. "They've increased patrols within the city," he adds.

"Crosshair will expect an attack. The element of surprise is gone," Hunter replies, shaking his head, "There's nothing we can do."

What –

"Wait, you can't leave!" Hera cries.

"We can't," Fives agrees, frowning, "We have to help them."

"All the odds are against us," Hunter replies, "We can't help at all if we're all dead."

It's a fair point, but I can't believe there's no hope of doing anything to save them. I can't let them all be killed. And if they find out Jinx is a Jedi, it's over for everyone. Probably even Howzer.

"I'll be there, too," I remind, "And I have to help them out. One of them is – is a Jedi who's hiding with me. I think we have better odds than we realize."

"Except that if we're seen working with a Jedi, it will make us a higher target," Hunter points out.

"We won't do it openly," I reply, "But we can help if we have to. We just need a plan to get into the capital. I'm going to need more than just myself, Hera, and Chopper."

"We need a plan, then," Fives declares, and I nod. For a fleeting moment, in my mind's eye, I can already see the twins leaning over a holomap, the dim blue light from it reflecting across the room, casting a familiar glow across their faces and Ahsoka's small form hovering across from me, next to Anakin. I can already see Rex and Appo there, too. It's like a knife to my heart, and for a moment, I can hardly breathe.

It's so real, that fast and fleeting image, but it's just a dream, something I gave up long ago.

I chose to leave. I didn't have to.

But I did. I walked away, and I didn't have much choice, but they're still gone. And in the end, it's just the reinforcement of one undeniable truth, the one thing I have never wanted to accept – that I will never be able to choose what stays, and what fades away. Not anymore than they could choose what happened to their brothers.

I turn away, blinking, so no one can see the tears suddenly burning my eyes. I'm a Commander, and I should be able to hold myself together better than this. Except, I'm not a commander anymore. I'm not... anyone. I watched as everything I once was a part of burned to the ground. At my age, most children would be at a university, or whatever, but those things are an unreal fantasy to me. Not that it matters.

"Anybody have any very creative ideas?" I ask instead.

"This is your home," Omega suggests, "You know it better than any of us."

"I know," Hera suddenly perks up, "I've been watching the Imperial refinery. I know their routine."

"So that's what you've been doing!" I exclaim. "I was wondering what the ruckus was all about. I never did get a clear answer."

"Well, it was supposed to be a secret," she replies sheepishly.

"We'll need to split their forces," I declare, remembering that from the Clone Wars, "If we make them think we're attacking the refinery, they'll divert forces there, while the rest of us can infiltrate the capital and free our parents."

"Any heavy defenses at the refinery?" Hunter inquires.

"Chopper, get us a hologram," I request, "I've never been there. I need to see what it looks like."

He beeps affirmatively, displaying the image in question.

"Five perimeter cannons, but they are unmanned," Hera answers.

"Auto cannons are extremely vulnerable," Tech interjects. "Where is the control console?"

"Right inside the main gate. It is heavily guarded, but Chopper can slip inside with the other droids and disable the cannons." Sometimes, I almost forget she grew up in a war. It's so much about who she is. It's defined her, shaped her, forged her. I think of how much fire I have in myself and wonder how much is from war or from my parents. It's in our family, I think.

"Alright," Hunter decides, "Hera and Omega can go with Chopper as backup, but at a distance." Instantly, I know what he's trying to do – involve them but keep them out of danger. It's a good strategy.

"Really?" they chorus excitedly.

"But stay out of danger," I request them. I want to go in to find my parents. I want to cut my way in myself and free them, but... I know, for everyone's sake, it's best if I don't. Besides, I need to stay near Hera. "I better be at the refinery. Jinx is in the capital, and he'll help when you get him."

For some reason, Hunter and Tech freeze and look at each other.

"What?" I ask, frowning.

"That was the name of the Jedi padawan we rescued on Cato Neimoidia when Order 66 was given out," Tech explains.

... oh. Right. Clone Force 99, Jinx had told me. I don't remember hearing about them during my time as a Jedi, but I guess that's who they are.

"Anyway," I reply, "I had best be at the refinery. I have the feeling that's where the most danger will be. If we infiltrate the capital, it'll best be done stealthily. You can blend in better than I can."

"Echo and Fives, scale the Capital wall and rescue Hera's parents," Hunter orders, "Tech and I will wait until those cannons are down and move in."

I wish I could say I had a good feeling about this.

**w**

I know, somewhere deep inside me, that something is wrong as Hunter, Tech, and I wait. Now that we're alone, I can feel them clearer. Echo, Fives, and Omega are distracting them, filling the vacant emptiness. I can't even imagine that. Then again, that's how I feel whenever I think about Ahsoka.

I'm sixteen. Hunter couldn't be much older than that. Seventeen? Eighteen? I'm certain he's under nineteen. He still has the wild, immaturity to him that all teens do. His presence is soft, but now there's a darkness and despair that I suspect is the first time he's dealt with it. Tech has a sharpness to him, and I can't imagine him ever being one to... just be, not without that datapad he's obsessed with, but now it's more like... I don't know. Like avoidance, that he's trying his hardest to distract himself. They feel guilty. They feel empty, like they lost a part of themselves just as much as I have. They... shouldn't. After this mission, I'll talk to them. Right now, we need to focus.

Or maybe, I just need to focus on something other than how this is the first time I've fought without my family. The first time I've truly been on my own. And I'm not even as alone as Ahsoka.

"Omega, has Chopper deactivated the perimeter cannons?" Tech asks into the comm. Hunter and I are hovering right now, just waiting to get on the guns ourselves, but I have the feeling it might come to more than that.

There's a moment before her voice crackles over. "No, but Hera and I are working on it. Just don't shoot down our shuttle."

"Wait," Tech says before I can demand answers myself, "What shuttle?"

I sigh as I hear the distant sound of an engine on the other end. Okay, I shouldn't be so surprised. Really. Of course, they didn't stay out of trouble. Now, I feel bad for Aniya. I can't imagine how she must've felt the many times I was recklessly disobedient. Fear is strangling me, but really, I need to focus.

But with everyone I've lost, I'm just terrified of who will be next.

"Omega, I am registering multiple explosions near the refinery," Tech adds a few moments later, warily.

"That was us," she reports cheerfully, "Cannons are down."

Tech takes us down towards the refinery, and I get on the guns to add to the chaos. It'd be more satisfying to use their own, though. Outside the viewport, I see Hera flying her shuttle all over, and I have to try not to watch, because it's somehow as amusing as it is terrifying. It's the first time she's flown by herself, and it's showing, though it's also helpful, because no one can anticipate her moves.

Not even me.

"We're getting the hang of this," Hera calls, her gleeful voice echoing over the comm system.

"Yes, your dangerous and uncontrolled maneuvering is as confusing to them as it is to us," Tech replies flatly.

"I think it looks great!" I yell over the sound to make sure I'm heard.

I'm just thinking that her flying is good enough to be almost literally untouchable when a blaster shot whizzes through the air, striking the engine of the shuttle.

And predictably? It explodes.

The shuttle jolts violently, the side of it bursting into flames, and it starts crashing downwards. My heart skips a beat, and a raw, blinding panic flares inside me when I realize that it's heading straight for one of the walls. Whoever shot that – I'm impressed by the aim, really – was not messing around, and they were going for the kill.

I've been trying not to use the Force all this time. Now, I don't even think.

If anyone else was piloting, if Anakin was there, or Aniya, they'd be able to land perfectly anyway. Most experienced pilots would be able to get a good landing, but this is Hera, and it's her first time in the air when she's the only one there to fly. And she's my sister, and I cannot let her be hurt.

I reach out, wrapping the Force around it, jerking it to the ground. It's moving fast enough that it's hard to get a hold of and make it stop, but in the end, it lands much less sharply than it should've, and it skids to a slow stop, leaving a trail of fire in its wake.

Final Notes: If you want to join our Discord to receive updates or just hang out, here's the invite link, and please delete the spaces! :) discord . gg / nqSxuz2

You can find us on tumblr at fanfictasia (which is our more serious blog which does have controversial posts on it; I won't be offended if you choose to block it, promise), and disastertriowriting (which is our fun blog with crack posts or incorrect SW quotes; we also advertise our SW gift exchanges on there)

And! We have a YT channel for tributes! Please delete the spaces in the link. :D youtube channel / UC_g1M5rSCxJUzQCRS29B6pA

Finally, if you're interested, you can submit a SW gift fic request via the following form (delete the spaces): forms . gle / rmXWtRomMMaULuPa6

NEW: We've just opened a SW Anakin-clones fic request form as well. :) (delete the spaces): forms . gle / SC5gBdwhXpTNJidr7