Chapter 7 - Flight From Onderon

Author's Note: Did anyone miss Ahsoka? :)

~ Amina Gila

Ahsoka Tano

Lux and I had talked before when we were on Onderon. We were close then, and now that we've been alone here together, our relationship has been... blossoming. It's nice to have something to focus on other than the crushing depression strangling me. Lux is that, and when I'm around him, I feel... better.

It's hard when I'm alone. That's when I always start brooding, and hiding here on Onderon is hard. It's hard to blend in, to pretend to be normal, to try to hide. It doesn't really work.

Alema is with her family, but I worry about her constantly, obsessively. Anakin, too. He's in pain, sometimes, I felt it a week ago, though I haven't since. I'm just worried about him – the Sith could be hurting him, or he could've been hurt when he was being a Sith. I shouldn't have left. I knew it could go downhill easily, but I still chose to leave him, and I can't stop feeling like, somehow, this is at least partly my fault.

Which really, it was.

And... I can't help thinking if we had succeeded in ending Sidious, the galaxy itself would be in a much better place.

And Rex and all the clones, I don't know what's happening to them.

Some of the clones, at least, are going rogue. I met briefly with the Gerreras again. Saw told me that a group of clones was sent there by the Empire, but they moved before they could be found. I'm not sure how long it's safe for me to stay here, though. Considering there are already active rebel groups here, the longer I stay, the more dangerous it will become for all of us. And I can't be responsible for it if innocents here are hurt.

It's been a year since I first came to Onderon. It's fall now, though it's a bit cooler than I remember from before. Onderon time, actually, it's been over a year. Before it was late summer, and now, it's early fall.

"It's been a year since you came here to help us," Lux says, smiling, "I thought I should come over."

"Has it really?" I ask. It doesn't feel like that long. It feels like longer. "That was a while ago."

"I wanted to thank you," Lux replies, "For everything you did for us."

"It's what we do." I wish I could have done more. "Thank you for coming by."

"Of course," he replies, reaching out and taking my hand, interlinking our fingers. He's free with affection, and I'm glad he doesn't have a problem pursuing it. I don't, either, but still, I'm not always comfortable with it. "I was thinking I could take some time off and we could spend time together. It's hard to be away so much."

"The more time you spend here, the more danger it puts you in," I have to point out.

"It doesn't matter," he assures, and I don't know if it's better or worse that I can tell he means it. "I want to be with you."

My heart swells with adoration and gratitude. "Thank you."

"Of course, Ahsoka."

"I'm just afraid of where it could take us," I reply, "Not that I... don't want it. No one suspects you yet."

"They'll be watching me closely, if they aren't already," Lux answers, "Everyone knows I worked with the Gerreras. It's not hard to figure out that I still am, even if I'm being quiet about it right now. If not for the Jedi, I might have supported them myself, you know. But because of you, I know what's really happening."

I nod, crossing my arms. I don't want to think about what it'd mean if he did side with the Empire. It would be hard to say the least. It's bad enough the twins already do, and that's something I badly need to address eventually. I'm not about to tell Lux, though. I'm not telling anyone. I can't. "You're right," I agree, "This could be a lot worse than it is." I can't much see how, but I know it's true.

I sense something wrong though, a prickle of warning that something is going to change, that something is wrong. It's not until after I'm on the way back that it happens. One of the food carts entering the city – similar to the one we had used to sneak inside back in the Clone Wars – hits a speeder. No one would've been in danger if not for the fact that someone was standing beside the cart in question.

It's instinctive, more than anything else, just like when I rescued Trace from the droids back in the Underworld, that I reach out, pushing the load aside. People are staring. Both at the mess, and... yes, there are some people looking at me. I drop my hand instantly, but not fast enough. Of course, it's not – and what did I expect? I might be well-respected by the people of Onderon, but not by everyone. I just used the Force in public. I'll need to leave.

It's predictable, really. I was just starting to think I can settle down.

I can feel the emotions of many, mostly fear. But the person I saved is looking at me in wide-eyed awe. I can sense that from a few, but others are in shock, and some... feel wariness. They don't trust me. And I would have to leave even if everyone did, but the chances of me being reported are too high. I can't risk that, Lux, and everyone nearby, no matter how much it hurts to leave him. I just got him back.

It's taking way too long, though, I think, heart racing as I walk down the streets. I gather whatever belongings I can, shoving them in a backpack along with my lightsaber. I dropped my shoto back on Coruscant, and I really wish I had it here with me, but we were fighting Sidious and all I could do was run. My injuries had taken a while to fade as it was.

I'd call Lux, except I can't, so I have to go there instead. I can't contact him and let the transmission be traced by the Empire. It's too risky, and I can't endanger him. So, instead, I have to shadow into his residence and climb through the window. I can't leave without seeing him again, though – that would be wrong.

"I have to go," I tell him, "Someone saw me using the Force."

"I thought you said you'd be careful." It's not accusatory, more like worried.

"I was, but there was an accident, and it was instinctive. I saved someone, but... I don't know. People saw me. The risk of someone reporting me is too high." I hate this. I hate having to leave him – Lux lost both his parents, and they were close. The Gerreras are off fighting the Empire, as are most of his friends – the cost of trying to blend in. I'm all he has left, and I hate having to hurt him like this. Then again, he might be with them if I wasn't here, and if Lux wasn't trying to protect me. Either way, the gnawing emptiness in my heart is back full force. I didn't even realize how much it was dimmed.

I can see the pain in his eyes as much as feel it. "It's alright. We need people like you in the fight."

"You don't really mean that," I reply quietly, because I know he doesn't. He wants me to stay here. I want to stay here. It's unfair that the Empire is taking us apart again. Idly, I wonder if Alema is still on Ryloth, or if she's had to leave like I did. Considering some of the rumors I've heard, she's probably already gone, which means I have no idea where to go.

Lux sighs. "No. I'll miss you, Ahsoka."

My heart twists painfully again. I don't want to go. Really, I should have seen it coming long ago. I'm well-known on Onderon. I could never hide here for long. "I'll miss you too," I admit, "I love you."

Lux steps closer, pulling me into a tight embrace. We kiss briefly before I leave. It's the second time I'm leaving him, and I want to say more, but I can only hope desperately to all the mercies of the Force that this won't be the last time we see each other.

Danger is humming in the Force as I make my way through the streets. I can see a few clone troopers here and there moving around, which doesn't mean they're here for me, but something about the way they're looking around gives me the feeling I'm not that fortunate.

I can only move so fast without drawing attention, but I need to get out of the city and into the woods. Once I'm there, I should be able to find Saw and Steela. They can help me get off-world and figure out where to go. Maybe... I'll even stay with them for a short while.

I can feel people watching me. It's been a couple hours now –the sun has set, and the sky is darkening. I have the cover of darkness, but most people are already at home. The very fact that I'm out here is... unusual. And the city gates will close, soon. I can jump over fine, but I'm afraid of what I might encounter before then.

I'd have gone through, except... why are there clone troopers there? They're everywhere. They must have already been alerted. Greeaaaat. I turn away, trying to take a back route to avoid being spotted, but it's too late.

"You there!" one of them shouts.

I freeze, sensing their blasters aimed at me. I'm wearing a hood over my clothes, the same ones I wore to Mandalore – I need to be prepared for a fight right now, after all. They're going to fire if I move.

They're approaching me now. Why didn't I see this coming? "Turn around."

Slowly, I do, still keeping my head down. But they're going to figure out who I am momentarily, and I lash out before they can, sending a Force-shove their direction. Whirling around, I bolt into the darkness, winding my way down the city streets. I need to get somewhere else, and fast. They're shooting at me now, and I have to avoid letting anyone get hurt.

I already planned a place where I can hide out if I need to – an old, abandoned attic, which I head towards through a roundabout way, involving a bit of climbing across roofs. I'm good at that. Saw and Steela used to do it all the time.

I pull out my lightsaber there, alone in the darkness. No one lives here anymore, and I can only hope it'll be a temporary holdout. Except now they're going to start searching the entire city, and I have no idea what extent they'll go to for that either.

They're going to send probe droids out after me eventually. Maybe they already have, I don't know. For now, I can only sit here in silence.

**w**

I don't know how long it's been, but it's been a while. I can sense the chaos outside, and I ache to go out there and end it. But the clones aren't responsible for this. I sense nearing danger in the Force, which is my cue to leave.

I climb out carefully onto the roof, scanning the area below. I see clones down there and duck down against the roof to avoid being seen. They have night-vision capabilities on their helmets, which makes it complicated. Even so, I know how to sneak around.

At least I thought I did. Clearly, I didn't, since I jump aside hardly in time to avoid getting shot. I didn't even see an angle that shot could've come from, but it gave away my position. All I can do is take off running, just like I did back on Coruscant. Just like... when Aniya and I were being chased and right before I left the Order.

Why did I leave them?

The most I can do is keep moving, but it's... difficult. I think they're trying to direct me somewhere, and I have to pull out my lightsaber somewhere along the way. What I could really use right now is a speeder. Except then, I'd need someone to fly it. Maybe I should've stayed with Alema, after all.

I nearly get blown up a few times – some absolute genius decides throwing bombs around in a populated city is perfectly okay if they can kill another Jedi – but I do, finally, make it over the wall and into the woods, though I'm still being pursued. I don't think I'm only being chased by clones, which is weird, but I don't give it thought. There are more important things to do.

That's when two speeders finally arrive, stun bolts striking the clones chasing me and their weapons being hit by live fire. I don't think I've been more relieved to see familiar faces in a long time – Saw, Steela, and... Rex? What's Rex doing here?

"Glad to have you back, Commander," Rex says almost dryly as I scramble onto the speeder behind him.

"You're the Commander, Rex," I reply, panting heavily. I extinguish my lightsaber once I'm certain we're safely lost in the woods. How did he even get here? "Thank you for coming for me," I tell them.

"Of course," Saw replies, jumping off his speeder, "Lux called. He thought you might need our help."

"Turns out you did," Steela adds, "Come on. We'll show you to camp."

"I'm not sure I should stay on-planet," I object, glancing at Rex.

"We'll get you off somewhere, then," Saw replies, "We'll need time though. The Empire sent a group of clones after us right after its formation. They didn't carry through, but the Empire sent more in after and took out one of our main groups."

"In short, they're going after us hard," Steela replies, "It's not safe for any of us here."

"How did you find me?" I inquire, looking at Rex.

He pulls off his helmet. "I saw what was happening, and I left," Rex replies, "I went to find you and Alema."

My heart skips a beat. "Do you... know where to find her?"

"Not yet," he answers, "But I know where to start looking."

**w**

Alema Syndulla

I've been with Clone Force 99 long enough to fit in a little more. Having a Jedi with them is helpful anyway.

"Cid should owe us double for that," Fives says flatly, as we make our back to the Marauder. We're finishing up another bounty hunting mission, which is... quite a life, but we have to get money somehow.

"She would never agree," Echo points out.

"It was fun," Omega offers, clutching Lula in one arm.

"She left out key information again, something that has happened repeatedly," Tech objects. "Our odds would have been low if we did not have a Jedi to assist."

I'm about to reply, when I suddenly sense something... not right. Reaching for my blaster, I scan our surroundings. Someone's watching us.

"What is it?" Hunter asks, warily.

"Someone's –"

There's a sudden movement, and a masked figure leaps down right near Omega, leveling her blasters at us.

I blink, eyes widening in surprise when I realize who it is.

Hunter and Tech already have their blasters out, pointing it at the figure. "Step away from her," Hunter warns, and the way they're handling it makes me wonder if this isn't the first time a bounty hunter has been after them.

"Ventress?" I ask, incredulously.

"Alema?" she echoes back, disbelievingly, "What are you doing out here?"

"I could ask you the same thing." I never thought I'd run into her again by accident. It's good to know that she's... alright, though.

"There's a bounty on her, in case you haven't heard," Ventress replies, "Didn't realize you were friends."

"You know her?" Hunter asks.

"I do," I assure, moving closer cautiously, "Does the fact that I know them mean you'll leave?" I might know her, but that doesn't mean I can fully trust her intentions.

She lowers her blasters, reaching up to flip open her visor. "Now why would you think otherwise?" she drawls.

I don't know why I missed how annoying she could be. "Because you're a bounty hunter," I reply, flatly.

Ventress rolls her eyes. "I suppose I'll be seeing you around then. But you better keep your head down. You're one of the top Jedi they're looking for."

I'm not surprised, but it still sends a prickle of unease through me. "I'll be careful," I assure, eyeing her, "How's business been for you?"

"I keep my lightsabers hidden or they think I'm a Jedi of all things," she replies, with a shrug, "Remember what I said about revenge."

"How could I forget?" I ask, dryly. She wanted to be called in someday, if we ever go after Sidious. Or more like when.

"I'll be waiting for your call," she says, turning to leave.

"Who's that?" Omega asks, scampering back to the ramp of the Marauder, the moment Ventress starts moving away.

"She appears to be a former Separatist assassin," Tech replies, "You are acquainted with her?"

"It wasn't the most ideal circumstances, but we worked together once," I reply, a sharp pang running through me as I think about Ahsoka. I miss her so much. Hera, too. "And... there was a bounty on Omega?"

"The Kaminoans wanted her back," Hunter explains, "She has... unmodified DNA."

"We believe that they intended to –"

Tech's ramble is interrupted by Fives calling from the top of the ramp that we have an incoming transmission.

That's... odd.

We all hurry into the cockpit, answering the incoming call from... Howzer. "Any chance you could help with a mission?" he asks. He left with a group of other clones, and I know they're working on starting an undercover movement – the less I know the details, the better, really.

"What do you need?" Echo asks.

"I received a distress signal from a clone trooper, but I don't have time or resources to go in myself right now," Howzer replies. "Could you be of assistance?"

I exchange a glance with Hunter, and he sighs. "What's the situation?"

"He's in a – I have to go, but I'm sending you his signal now." Howzer glances around, pushing a button on his comm before the transmission goes dark.

CC-5576. That's the number. My brow furrows as I try to remember where I heard that number before, because it's somehow important and –

"I know him," I realize. "I've heard of him. Gregor – that's his name. He used to work with Rex and Appo, and... he's part of the 212th."

"We have to go," Fives says, firmly.

"We have even less information of what we are walking into than on Cid's missions," Tech objects.

"At least we should check it out and see," I reply, "We can leave Omega somewhere safe if we need to."

"What?" she objects, annoyed, "I'm part of the squad, too!"

"We could be walking into an Imperial base for all we know," I point out, "The last thing we need is to risk getting captured by the Empire. I can't imagine they're any better than the Separatists to captives."

"We'll take a look," Hunter finally concedes, "But if it's too risky, we're not engaging." Given he's already lost two of his brothers, I can't blame him for being so worried. Tech is the only one left who he grew up with, and he's obviously adopted Omega.

"If it's any comfort," I say, reaching into the Force, trying to see what I can sense, "I think we'll... all make it out." I don't sense what feels like death, even if I don't have a good feeling about the immediate future. At the same time, it also feels like it might lead to something... better. I don't really understand it, and frankly, the Force is too clouded with death to sense much beyond that. "I think this is meant to happen, though I don't know why."

Hunter only gives me a look that seems to mean 'you think?'

**w**

It takes no time to realize that yes, the clone is in an Imperial facility here. We leave Omega and Fives behind on the ship in case we have to make a quick escape, which I know already is pretty much guaranteed to happen. The rest of us get to work climbing the mountain. It's a long way up, and I'm struggling not to start thinking about the rest of my family – I haven't done much of this since the Clone Wars, when I still had them all.

Hunter is – understandably – wary about going, but Echo and I aren't about to back down, so we hitch a ride atop the lift. Sneaking inside is easy, but Tech has to override everything manually, which is a very big hassle. I wish we had Arthree with us. He'd be very, very helpful right about now. Instead, the rest of us stand guard, and I spend a while mind-tricking people away from us.

Gregor is being held in a cell for trying to escape. And apparently, he's... been tasked with training non-clones for the new Imperial army? I don't know why they're decommissioning the clones, but if he's intentionally messing up the training of the new recruits, it's not like I have any objections to that.

Stormtroopers are everywhere as we run through the halls, and using only stun bolts against them is becoming increasingly difficult. And dangerous. They, obviously, have no regard for us using not using live fire on them. I can shield us, but I can only do it so much, and they already heard a report of a Jedi on the loose, and from the numbers, I think they're expecting that.

But it's either that, or someone gets killed.

I finally draw my lightsaber, spinning it to deflect the shots away as we back down the hall to the closest exit. It's our only way out, and we'll have to wait until the Marauder shows up to pick us up.

The clones – or are they stormtroopers now? – keep coming, shots coming far too close to hitting everyone repeatedly, until I finally see the ship swoop into view. Tech and Gregor jump onto the ramp first. Imperial fighters are shooting at the ship, and they have to pull away before they can get hit, leaving Hunter, Echo, and I to continue holding off the attackers.

But really, there's just so many, and we need to hurry. Behind me, I hear the ship coming back around, but I have to focus on covering for Hunter and Echo. I sense... something, but I'm not sure what it was, and I don't have time to guess before I hear Omega screaming Hunter's name. I deflect another shot, sprinting out onto the small area overhanging the edge of the mountain. The Marauder is pulling away again from the many advancing ships, and... it's not hard to figure out what must've happened. The ramp was too far for him to make properly.

I jump onto the ramp, forcing myself not to think about what that must mean. Most people could never survive that fall, though considering how enhanced he is, I can only hope between that – whatever it entails – and his armor, he'll survive. I'm used to people I'm supposed to care for dying. It just... hasn't happened in a long time.

"Get the ship out of here. I'll find another way back," Hunter's voice crackles over the ship's comm.

At least he's alive. But I don't know for how long. We may have saved Gregor, but we can't lose Hunter in the process –

"Negative," Tech argues, and I can sense his desperation, "The odds of escape are not in your favor."

"We can't leave you behind," Fives agrees, except then another barrage of shots shake the ship.

"Go, Tech! That's an order."

"We have to," I tell him quietly, hating myself for doing it, but it's the truth, "Or we'll all die. We'll come back. He'll be fine. I sense it." And I do. I'll see him again. I know I will.

Tech hesitates for a long moment, before hitting a lever, and we streak up into the sky. Our shields are already failing; we don't have a choice. But – we're still leaving him behind, and we have no idea what will happen.

"No!" Omega protests, on the verge of tears, "Hunter, tell them to come back! Order them to come back."

"We don't have a choice, Omega," I tell her, heart clenching.

"We can't leave him!" she cries.

"I'm sorry, kid," is the last we hear from Hunter, before the line goes dead.

I can feel her and Tech's devastation as we finally reach the atmosphere, making the jump to hyperspace.

I hate myself for having to ask this of them. "As soon as the ship is repaired, we'll go back," I promise. But even if we do, I don't know where he'll be. Realistically, I have no idea how we're going to get him out, but we have to do something. It's partly because of my own insistence that he's lost, too, now. "We'll find a way to get him back," I assure, "All of them. It's time we stop running."

"What would you suggest we do?" Tech inquires. Everyone's looking at me, actually. Great.

I don't fully know why. If Tech's angry at me, which I think he might be – just a bit – I can't blame him. I'd be more shocked if he wasn't. This happened because of me.

"See if we can track the comm," I say, "But first, we need to fix the ship." Omega retreats to the corner, sinking onto the floor. I can feel the mix of icy numbness both in her and Tech, something Echo and Fives very much mirror, though they've gotten accustomed to losing their brothers. That's not true for the other two. "Look," I promise, desperately hoping it doesn't sound nearly as futile as I'm afraid it is, "I got you into this mess. I'm gonna get you out. All of you."

"This was hardly your fault, Commander," Echo objects.

"It's just Alema now. We're all at the same rank here. We're not part of an army, an... anything." If we were, we'd go in there and... Anakin and Aniya would've gone in there. They would risk it, to save even one of their clones from falling into Separatist hands.

We turn our attention back to fixing the ship, and we're just finishing up repairs when Hunter's comm suddenly activates. "It's on Kamino," Tech reports.

Kamino? Why would they be trying to draw us there? What are they planning? "It's obviously a trap," I state, "But we have to go. If we're going to Kamino, I... best get a few things first, just in case we have to go for a swim." I better come prepared, and I know my mecho leg will not be happy with water contact. I haven't had time to take care of it in quite a while. Aniya used to work on it for me, but I'm not about to let anyone else touch it. I don't know any of the clones here that well.

"This is a trap," Tech warns, "The Empire wants to go there. I cannot say why."

"We have to go," Omega repeats, stubbornly.

"Of course," I assure her. Hopefully, they aren't doing this to try drawing me in, but then, I definitely have to go, to get them all out alive. "My master had a policy on springing traps. That's what we're going to do now. And the Empire won't know what's hit them."

Or so I can hope.

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