Hey guys! I'd gush about the latest episode of Kenobi buuuut I haven't found the time to watch it yet. I've always found it hard to watch stuff by myself and all my Star Wars buddies are back home while I'm up at school. I'll manage it though.

I should probably forewarn you guys. My other editor is pregnant and will be giving birth near the end of June or beginning of August. Expect a hiatus around that time.

OneLittleSpark18: I'm glad it was satisfying after building it up for...35 chapters?

DaughterofHalt: I know the feeling! It was so hard having it written and not publishing it!

CraftClaw: You know what that's canon now.

Joker: For Cal Kestis, I'm working on perhaps including him later. I'm not too familiar with Starkiller, so I doubt I'll use him. As for Barriss, I mean, Luminara had similar ideas when she talked to Trace and Rafa after their parents died. Barriss took it few steps farther.

Freddy Krueger: Thank you! And give it a minute with Maul. I have PLANS for him. I'm not sure completely about most of the bounty hunters, but I do want Boba and Omega to interact. So we'll see. (I do like Embo and Cad Bane so I'll be trying to slip them in)

First chapter after the big event! Moving on with the building of the Rebellion. This chapter may feel a little disjointed, as the whole mission didn't have the best pausing point.

Mando'a translations at the end!

ABSOLVED: CHAPTER 8

Ahsoka stumbled into the side of the Havoc Marauder's bay and cursed. The sound of laser fire echoed through the ship.

"I told you to strap in, Commander!" Hunter barked from his own crash seat.

"I haven't had a chance yet!" Ahsoka shot back.

She tried to regain her footing but Tech performed another insane maneuver. It sent Ahsoka careening into the other side of the bay. This time a hand grabbed her by the arm. She had stumbled within grabbing distance of Fives.

"You warned her two seconds before Tech started flying like a cross-wired droid!" Fives said as he pulled Ahsoka down into the crash seat next to him.

Hunter grunted before turning to look above.

"How's it looking out there, Wrecker?" He shouted.

"Still got a couple on our tail!" Wrecker bellowed back from the gunner's turret.

"Hyperdrive's online!" Echo called from the cockpit.

In seconds Ahsoka felt the ship shift beneath them as it shot into hyperspace. The laserfire stopped and the ship's flight evened out. Fives pushed up his restraint, swearing.

"Why in the galaxy do you let him fly?" He asked Hunter.

Hunter shrugged his restraint free and stood up.

"He's the only thing keeping us alive." He replied. "If you don't like it, you don't have to come with us."

Fives only huffed and turned to Ahsoka. They all knew that the only reason Fives came on these missions, and the only reason the Batch tolerated Fives' presence, was because of Echo.

"You okay, Commander?" He asked.

"Might have a few bruises, but nothing we need bacta for." Ahsoka said. "We've had worse supply runs."

"Speak for yourself." Wrecker complained as he climbed down. "That guy shot me in the butt."

"Didn't pierce your armor." Hunter said.

"Still hurts." Wrecker mumbled.

"I'm just glad we didn't end up needing Crosshair." Hunter went on, ignoring Wrecker. "I don't like leaving someone behind every time."

"You're the one who refuses to bring her." Ahsoka said. "Do you honestly think we couldn't protect her?"

Hunter's face twisted into a stubborn expression.

"I don't want her hurt on some fool mission." He said.

Ahsoka rolled her eyes and sighed. Hunter kept acting as if the Rebellion was going to crash and burn at any moment.

"You keep coming on these fool missions." Fives said.

Hunter just shrugged before moving up to the cockpit.

"I can't figure that one out." Fives said. "If he thinks the Rebellion is so risky, why does he keep helping us?"
"I can guess, and so can you." Ahsoka said.

It was Echo and Omega that tethered the rest of the Bad Batch to the Rebellion. It turned out that Omega had inherited most clones' strong sense of honor and justice. She was just as eager as Echo to help with the efforts against the Empire.

Ahsoka went to the cockpit as well.

"Were we identified?" She asked.

"I told you that was impossible." Tech said tersely. "I have scrambled the Marauder's signature."

"I'm just making sure." Ahsoka said. "I don't want the Pykes looking for us on top of everything else."

She settled down on one of the chairs and watched Tech work.

The few hours it took to get home dragged. Ahsoka was eager to see Rex. He was grounded most of the time. In Cody's absence, he was needed to keep the Rebellion running.

Her fingers ghosted over the blue paint of his vambrace and remembered when he had given it to her almost a month ago.

"Ahsoka."

Ahsoka glanced up at Rex. He was fully kitted up, except his right vambrace and gauntlet. He held the vambrace in his hand, looking a little bashful. He held it out to her.

"It's a Mandalorian tradition." He said. "To exchange a piece of armor. It's supposed to represent protecting one another, even when apart."

Ahsoka took the vambrace from him and stared at its chipped paint. She knew to both clones and Mandalorians, armor was part of who you were. It was as if Rex had handed her a piece of his soul.

"Of course, Rex." She said,

She undid her own vambrace and gave it to him. He took it with reverence, holding it as if it was pure beskar rather than plasteel.

"May I?" He asked.

He gestured to her bare arm. She nodded.

If she had thought he had held her armor with respect, it was nothing to the way he touched her arm. He paused before putting the vambrace on. His thumb ran across the tattoo of the jaig eyes on her forearm. Then he fastened the armor, tightening it so it fit snugly.

Ahsoka ran her fingers over the armor, the piece of Rex that was with her now. She reached out for his arm and he let her reproduce the act on him. He smiled at her, grasping her right arm with his.

"Ner beskar'gam cabuor gar, ner runi ti gar" He said quietly.

He leaned forward, cradling her face, and carefully kissed her cheek.

She savored the memories still fresh in her mind.

Finally they dropped out of hyperspace and Yavin IV with its single Venator class orbiting it came into view. Immediately the comm beeped and Tech opened the channel.

"Omicron attack shuttle, identify yourself." A clone's voice said.

"This is the Havoc Marauder." Tech replied. "Returning from supply run."

There was a moment's silence before-

"Go ahead and land, Havoc Marauder."

When they landed, Omega and Crosshair were waiting for them. Omega was chatting with a few grinning clones, who Crosshair was pointedly ignoring. To most of the Batch's dismay, Omega had quickly fallen into favor with most clones. They needn't have worried. Ahsoka could sense that while Omega was delighted with the flock of new brothers, the men who had saved her were first in her heart.

Ahsoka looked around. No Rex. Not completely surprising; he was often wrapped up in whatever work Obi Wan gave him. He did try to be there when she returned, which was made easier by their bond.

"Hey, 'Mega!" Wrecker boomed as he jogged down the ramp.

"Hi Wrecker!" Omega said as Wrecker caught her up in a hug.

"So you're back in one piece." Crosshair said. "I expected half of you to be dead, seeing as you failed to bring me along."

His aloof tone belied the relief Ahsoka could pick up from him. He gave a short nod to Ahsoka. Hunter just gave him a solid pat on the shoulder.

"Wrecker." Echo said from the top of the ramp, where he and Fives were hefting a rations crate together. "Come unload the ship."
Wrecker grumbled as he put Omega down and went back up into the ramp.

"Crosshair says I'm getting loads better at aiming!" Omega bubbled to Hunter.

"What I said was that she wasn't missing as abysmally as she used to." Crosshair said.

Hunter ruffled Omega's hair and raised an eyebrow at Crosshair.

"Same difference." He said. "Commander, we've got things here. Go ahead and report to a General."

Ahsoka nodded her thanks and left the Bad Batch and Fives to unload the Marauder.

Clones bustled in and out of the ancient temples. It'd been around a month since they'd come here and they were still in the process of moving in. To add to that, the men had to keep in shape as well as prepare for supply runs and raids. There was enough for most of the men to keep busy.

Ahsoka was disappointed to find that it was Windu in the command center instead of Obi Wan, Aayla, or Anakin.

"You've returned." Windu said. His voice was even, but still cold. "Was the mission a success?"

"Yes." Ahsoka said. She purposefully did not use Master or sir. "We retrieved enough rations to last us another month or so."

"I see." Windu said. "Anything else to report?"

"No." Ahsoka said.

She turned and left without his dismissal. He was technically a General and she only a Commander, but the ranks were no longer as important as they once were. He didn't trust her, so she didn't respect him.

Rex, Ahsoka called as soon as she was out of the command center. Where are you?

It was easier than just following his Force signature to where he was.

My quarters. He sent back.

Ahsoka frowned. He seemed strained. Had something happened while she was away?

She began navigating the ancient ruins to the temple designated as the barracks. Most of the men stayed in the large open space that consisted of most of the temple. The few private rooms had been added by the use of a few partitions. Rex's 'quarters' were one of these partitioned rooms. Ahsoka had been given one of the stone rooms for hers. She planned on eventually sharing her quarters with Rex, whenever he was comfortable with the idea.

Ahsoka knocked on the side of the partition that was Rex's. He only had a blanket draped over the entrance.

Come in.

Ahsoka frowned. She was right here, why was he using their bond?' She twitched aside the blanket and found Rex sitting at his makeshift desk, head bowed.

"Rex?" Ahsoka asked.

She crossed the small room in a few steps and placed her hands on his shoulders. Rex had a datapad clutched in his hands. He turned his head.

"What's wrong?" Ahsoka asked.

He didn't respond at first. He reached up to grab one of her hands and pressed it to his cheek.

"I got a transmission." He said. "I don't know how he found me, but-"

He tapped on the datapad with his free hand. A recording began to play.

"Rex. I hope my assumptions are correct and that you are both alive and under your own control."

The voice was a Kaminoan's. Ahsoka looked to Rex.

"Neya Ha?" She asked.

Rex's eyes were squeezed shut as he nodded.

"You are my last hope. Hackjob has fallen prey to the inhibitor chips. Forgive me for not telling you of them. I did not know their true purpose."

Ahsoka rubbed Rex's shoulder as the message continued.

"I ask for your help, my friend." Neya Ha went on. "The Empire has begun to weed out clones they find defective. They are more strict than the Kaminoans. I fear for Hackjob's life. We are still on the Kaliida Shoals Medical Station. We do not have much time. Do not reply to this message."

The recording shut off.

"I have to help them." Rex said. "I can't leave them both to be killed by the Empire."

"Neya Ha didn't seem-" Ahsoka started.

"Neya Ha will do something foolish to attempt to protect Hackjob." Rex said. "And he'll get himself killed. I have to go."

"Then go." Ahsoka said. "I'm sure Anakin will let you."

"Who will go with me?" Rex asked. "What clone would willingly go help a Kaminoan?"

He stood up, dislodging Ahsoka.

"I'll go with you." Ahsoka said. "I owe those two. They saved you."

Rex shook his head, agitated.

"That's too dangerous. If we get caught, the whole Rebellion could be exposed!"

"Rex-"

"General Skywalker and Kenobi rely on me. I can't risk myself." Rex began pacing. "But no one else would go. But I can't leave them."

He sank onto his cot and buried his face in his hands again. Ahsoka carefully eased herself onto one of his legs and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He leaned into her. He was still hesitant normally with affection, but in his current distress, he seemed more than willing to be comforted. She kissed his head.

"Rex," She said. "We'll go. We'll be careful. It'll be okay."

She took his face in one of her hands and made him look at her.

"Do you think Neya Ha would help us in the long run?" She asked.

The light of hope sparked into Rex's eyes.

"Yes, he could." He said. "He seems to have some knowledge of the chips and he's familiar with our biology. He could be an enormous asset."

"Then it's worth it to go after him." Ahsoka told him. "I missed you, by the way."

He closed his eyes and pressed against her hand.

"I missed you too." He mumbled.

She kissed his forehead.

"It'll be good to go on a mission together again." She said.

He nodded.

"I'll have your back." He said.

Ahsoka smiled.

"I know."

"You're going where?"

Rex winced at Fives' disbelieving tone. Jesse, Kix, and Tup stared at him with equal confusion.

"Neya Ha saved my life." Rex said firmly. "Both he and Hackjob deserve my help."

The four of them looked at each other.

"A long neck," Jesse said flatly. "Deserves our help."

"I'm not asking you to come with me. I'm just asking you to keep things in order while I'm gone." Rex said.

"So it'll be just you and the Commander raiding a probably highly defended medical station." Tup said. "Sounds like a great plan."

Rex sighed.

"I don't have much of a choice." He said. "I won't leave them to die."

"Oh for kriff's sake." Fives said, running his hand down his face. "Fine, we'll come."

Rex blinked at them.

"I didn't-"

"I don't understand it," Fives said. "But I trust you, Rex. And we can't let you and Ahsoka go on a suicide mission."

The others nodded. Rex was astonished. Clones hated the Kaminoans. Neya Ha was an unfathomable anomaly to them. Yet they would go with Rex to save him.

"Vor entye." He said quietly.

"Do you think the Bad Batch would-" Jesse started, but Fives shook his head.

"They want to stay as far away from Kaminoans as possible." He said. "They- had it worse in a lot of ways."

Rex nodded. Echo had confided in Rex the Batch's absolute loathing of the Kaminoans. He wouldn't ask them. He hadn't planned on asking these four either. He wasn't sure if he was comfortable leading them on a mission they weren't one hundred percent on board with.

"We trust you, Captain." Tup said, placing a hand on Rex's shoulder. "We'll get it done. The Republic didn't always give us the luxury of understanding our missions."

Tup's face was hard with a determination refined by his ARC training. He wasn't the shiny who had clutched to the LAAT/i handholds with both hands anymore.

Rex was proud to have him, have them all on this mission.

"When do we leave?" Jesse asked.

"Right away." Rex replied. "We're meeting Commander Tano and General Skywalker to talk strategy."

Fives rolled his eyes.

"Oh, Commander Tano, whose armor you're wearing?" He asked. "Just call her Ahsoka, vod. We don't care."

Rex glared at him.

"I care." He said. "And it is not your business what I call my-"

He cut off, suddenly very aware of the way all four of them were grinning at him.

"Your what, Captain?" Jesse said. "Surely not riduur, yet. You've not moved in with her."

"I dunno," Fives said. "They could have gotten married, and then Rex could have gotten cold feet with the whole bah'dalab thing."

Rex fixed him with his coldest glare. Fives was coming too close to the truth. Rex was going to say ven'riduur, which would have been embarrassing enough. They were taking it too far.

"You will not speak of Commander Tano and I's relationship in such a way." He growled. "You will respect her as your Commander."

Jesse had the tact to look somewhat ashamed, but Fives gave Rex a brazen wink. Rex sighed. What was he going to do with that trooper?

"Gear up and let's go." Rex ordered them.

At least they all saluted before they hustled out of Rex's quarters. Rex was getting the uncomfortable feeling that he was losing some of his authority with them. They would follow him out of respect and loyalty, but there were no longer the same consequences to disobedience.

General Skywalker was speaking with a holo of General Aayla when Rex, Ahsoka, and the others came into the briefing room.

"May the Force be with you on the way back." General Skywalker said before shutting the holo off.

"Did she find Master Bilaba?" Ahsoka asked.

General Skywalker shook his head.

"They were too late for her." He said. "But they found her apprentice, Caleb Dume. The captain and a few other clones had their chips removed and were able to save him."

"Grey, right?" Rex asked.

"I think so." General Skywalker said. "In any case, Master Aayla and Bly are bringing them back now."

He turned to face them fully and straightened.

"All right." He said. "Do you have a plan?"

"Not as of yet." Rex said. "I need to find a way to get a message to Neya Ha, first off."

"I can take one." Kix said. "I look the most standard issue, and I'm a medic. I'll stick out the least."

"How can we get you on?" Tup asked.

"Bluff our way in?" Fives suggested.

"Not with you." Jesse said immediately. "I might be able to pull it off."

"You'll have to sound like a chipped clone." Rex said quietly. "I-I might be the best choice."

"I can." Tup said immediately. "No offense, Captain, but you're not our most reliable liar. I had lessons from Hardcase before he died."

"He taught you how to lie?" Rex asked.

Tup nodded.

"I was sick of Dogma catching me every time I bent the rules."

The others gave that sad, aay'han smile that came with remembering their fallen brothers. Rex cleared his throat.

"Luckily we have the chain code for this shuttle. Tech figured it out soon after we got it." He said.

"Won't it be reported stolen?" Tup asked.

"Let me finish." Rex said. "He figured out the chain code, and then changed it to match a shuttle that isn't stolen. The biggest risk we run is the shuttle being at different places at the same time, but it's likely for that to be considered a glitch in the system if we don't abuse it."

The others were nodding.

"Then we need an excuse to be there." Jesse said.

"We have injured." Kix said. "That's all we need to say."

"But where did we come from?" Tup asked. "What battles are being fought? Why were we near the station?"

"Could always use the good old 'it's a problem on your end, not ours.'" Jesse suggested.

"We can do better." Rex said. "We're four ARCs and a senior medic. We should be able to be more creative than that."

Jesse shrugged.

"It doesn't need to be creative if it works." He said.

"Regardless, it'll be safer if there are more details." Rex said.

"I can help with that." General Skywalker said.

"Please, General." Rex said.

"Kaliida Shoals is near Naboo." General Skywalker said. He hesitated, and then looked down. "Naboo is in a state of rebellion."

"What?" Rex said. "When?"

"It started a few rotations ago." General Skywalker said. "I didn't want the news to get out."

Rex glanced at Ahsoka.

Did you know? He asked.

Yes. She replied. Anakin made me promise not to tell anyone.

"Is Senator Amidala all right?" Tup burst out, echoing Rex's thoughts.

His eyes were wide with worry. The others had similar expressions, but not to the same degree.

"She's still on Coruscant." General Skywalker said. "From what we can tell, she's asking the leaders of their rebellion to stop. At least publicly."

"You don't think she's supporting them behind the scenes, do you?" Rex asked, both aghast and a little bit proud of the Senator.

"We don't know." General Skywalker said. "I don't know if I want her to be or not. She'd be in more danger."

"Sir, she'd be right to do so!" Fives said.

The others nodded.

"Sir, you should have told us." Tup paused, and then continued in a rush. "We- we care about her too. She's kind and brave and she always stood up for us."

General Skywalker looked at Tup for a long time. Tup shrank under the General's gaze. Then General Skywalker's gaze softened.

"You're right, Tup." He said. "I forget I'm not the only one who cares."

General Skywalker straightened himself, pulling his facade of professionalism up.

"The point is that there is fighting on Naboo. It's not a reach to say that you were sent to Kaliida Shoals."

The others were nodding in agreement, though they all were still concerned. The General's worry was still etched on his face. Ahsoka was anxious, too. Rex had the urge to hold her. Instead of that embarrassing prospect, he pressed his mind against hers in a comforting manner. He understood them both. It would be a blow to the galaxy if Senator Amidala were killed.

Rex spent the first few hours of their flight explaining the layout of the medical station. He knew it intimately, after wandering it during his depressive state. He began thinking of the other clone medics there. Had they returned? Was Sawbones still there? He wanted to be able to save as many brothers as possible.

"Kix, how many sedatives did you bring?" He asked.

"Enough to knock out a gundark in heat." Kix said confidently.

Rex raised his eyebrow at his medic.

"In terms of clones, Kix."

"Enough to keep around a dozen troopers out for the trip home." Kix amended.

Good. Kix had had the same thought he had.

"Time to get ourselves injured." Fives said. "Where'd you put the shiny armor, Tup?"

As Tup and Fives retrieved the blank armor, Rex started shedding his own as did all the Jesse and Kix.

"Commander, eyes to yourself." Jesse suddenly said.

Rex froze. He had forgotten for a moment that Ahsoka was there.

"I wasn't looking anywhere near you, Jesse!" Ahsoka replied hotly.

Rex couldn't tell if he was more embarrassed or if she was.

"Oh, I know that." Jesse said. "Just because you're snogging Rex doesn't mean that you can ogle him in front of the rest of us."

Rex was about to either snap at Jesse or hurl his helmet at him when Tup interrupted as he and Fives returned..

"For kriff's sake, leave them alone!" Tup said. "They're either going to kill you or die of embarrassment."

It was silent for a moment. Rex met Tup's eye and nodded his thanks.

"If she was ogling anything, it was your malformed shebs, Jesse." Kix piped up. "And don't try to deny it, I've seen everyone's shebs."

Rex relaxed as their talk turned to jokes about each others' bodies. Fives pulled out his blaster and shot a chest plate. The bolt was mostly absorbed, but a nasty black scorch mark was left behind. Rex nodded in approval and he got out his own blasters.

Fives and the others laughed their way through shooting the armor. Rex had to admit that it was a little fun to do so. It was a good distraction for what was coming.
Once they were finished and they are kitted up in the damaged armor, there was nothing to distract Rex from the mission. He settled down on one of the uncomfortable seats and tried not to dwell on the worries seeping into his head. After a minute, he felt Ahsoka's mental touch help stave off the anxieties.

Thank you. He sent to her.

Just try to calm down. She replied. You need to be at your best.

The hours passed slowly. The men spent some of it joking around, but eventually everyone fell silent. The sound of the hyperdrive was soothing. Ahsoka's presence was calming. Rex closed his eyes.

Mando'a:

Ner beskar'gam cabuor gar, ner runi ti gar: My armor protects you, my soul is with you. Phrase that I made up for the little tradition that I also made up.

Vor entye: Thank you

vod: brother

riduur: spouse

bah'dalab: 'to sheathe.' Slang I made up for sex

ven'riduur: another term I made up. Literally 'before spouse,' as Mando'a doesn't have an official word for a relationship previous to marriage.

aay'han: bittersweet perfect moment of mourning and joy - *remembering and celebrating*

shebs: butt

Hunter once again being bullied into doing the right thing by Omega. But since he has a relatively 'safe' base, and more of his squad who he trusts, he's more willing to leave her behind. And instead of whichever member he leaves behind, he gets Fives! Who does not like the Bad Batch. (not because of their differences, Fives simply does not vibe with them) Ahsoka generally goes for Force backup.

Since Cody's not around, Rex is stuck with administrative stuff with Bly. Which means he gets to stay home and worry while Ahsoka is off on missions.

I think I read a fic where Rex gives Ahsoka a piece of armor and Cody freaks out because it's like super meaningful. I really liked that, especially as a Mandalorian tradition, and so I made my own version. I also love the idea that the Mandalorians just have vows that they can spout out and have things be official (i.e. the marriage vows and adoption vows) So it's the same here. I like to imagine this can be romantic or platonic, but it's obviously romantic here. (no, they still haven't slept together. They were just kitting up together)

Interesting thing about that flashback scene. I originally wrote the scene for when they got together earlier in the fic. And then I kinda wrote a shortened, recollection version where Ahsoka just kind of remembers parts of it. And then my editor was like "WHY DIDN'T YOU WRITE THIS OUT" and I was like "I did" and then she demanded we put the original in through italics memory. And I am pleased with this.

Omega is very pleased to have more brothers. The Bad Batch, mostly Crosshair, are not. But both parties are polite to each other for Omega's sake. And Omega is always going to choose the Batch. (I just love the idea of the clones being like LITTLE SISTER and Crosshair specifically being like NO SHE'S OURS)

Windu continues to be a bit of a jerk, but a functional jerk.

THE RETURN OF NEYA HA! I love him so much and he'd want so badly to save clones, so he found a way. Luckily, having a Kaminoan on their side could be EXTREMELY useful in figuring out more ways to disable the chips. Also maybe the aging?

Jesse, Fives, Tup, and Kix trust Rex, so even if they hate Kaminoans, they'll go with him to the ends of the earth. Or galaxy. (I keep on using 'what on earth' and then being like ...there is no earth) I imagine that the Bad Batch had a far more horrific time than most with the long necks. I can imagine them being 'oh wow this one has super senses. LET'S TEST HOW MUCH PAIN HE CAN TOLERATE AS OPPOSED TO THE BIG ONE.' Just...not great things.

Fives will never not tease Rex about Ahsoka. Never. He's kind of right about Rex getting cold feet about sex. The man ain't ready yet.

Caleb Dume cameo! I wanted to save Depa Bilaba (cause she awesome) but I can't save every Jedi that I like. The idea is that a number of their clones got the chips out and Depa and a few other clones stayed behind in order for Grey to get out with Caleb and a few more clones. I like the idea that Caleb still has a distrust of clones except the ones that saved him.

Padme may or may not actually be encouraging the rebellion on Naboo behind the scenes. She would. I bet if she had lived in the OG timeline, Naboo would have gone the same way. Tup accidentally showing his crush a bit and then expecting Anakin to be like WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT MY WIFE. But then Anakin has chilled and does not scream at baby.

Quick headcanon about the clones. They make jokes constantly about the 'differences' of their bodies, blowing them up to massive proportions when in reality it's so tiny most people wouldn't be able to pick it out. Jesse's butt is only slightly asymmetrical.

And then a bit of an anticlimactic ending. Sorry, there just wasn't a really good spot to split the whole chapter in two.

Anyway, stay safe, remember to review, and see you next week!