Disclaimer: I own neither SW (property of Disney) nor Dai Bendu (created by aroaccejoot, ghostwriterofthemachine and loosingletters). This is the last arc before there's a time jump and I move onto the big changes.

Did I write this whole arc just for the sake of Leia and Luminara's talk at the end of this chapter? Yes, yes I did.

Also, I won't be doing 'Legacy of Terror' or 'Brain Invader', because the snake-worm-thing freaks me out, so this is the end of the Geonosis Arc. Just assume that Poggle gets caught and and the Temple of the Pogate is destroyed, the parasites with it.

Posted 20-11-2023

Read, enjoy and review!

Chapter Eighteen

To Sacrifice for the Greater Good

The 501st gathered around their General and Commander, who had a holomap displayed before them, as Ahsoka briefed the men.

"This bridge is our first way point," she informed the troopers. "Focus your fire on the gun emplacements, here and here, because it's only after we neutralize the guns that we can push for the factory. Everyone got it?"

"Got it, Commander!" They chorused. Ahsoka glanced discreetly at her Jaieh, who was watching on calmly. Geonosis was too hot for her cloak, and they had been so busy with the invasion that Jaieh Leia had abandoned her usual hairstyle of an infinity-styled braided bun, in favour of piling her long blonde curls into a bun on top of her head, dirt smudging one of her cheeks. Despite that, she still maintained her aura of serene dignity, which seemed to be an unspoken requirement for a Jehxah.

Ahsoka had doubts about ever reaching that state, even if her Jaieh insisted it just took time and experience.

Jaieh Leia nodded at Ahsoka, encouraging her to continue.

"Now, we can expect stiff resistance from the factory itself, so remember to have topped off your energy cells and rations before we go, because once we're on the move, there will be no chance for resupplying. Uh, is there anything I've forgotten, Master?"

"No, Ahsoka," Jaieh Leia replied with an approving smile and a nod. "You've done very well. Now men, go and prepare. We leave once we've rendezvoused with Master Unduli and the 41st Corps."

"Yes sir!" The men saluted and scattered to finish preparations.

"Ahsoka, do you have everything?" Jaieh Leia turned to her.

"Haj dai, Jaieh," Ahsoka replied.

"Have you double-checked?" Jaieh Leia pressed.

"Yes," Ahsoka nodded. She added with gentle exasperation, because she knew her Jaieh was just looking out for her. "I have done this before, you know?"

Jaieh Leia gave her usual gentle smile, the one that seemed to warm everyone touched by it. "I know, young one. But I am your Jaieh, and looking after you is my duty and privilege."

"I hope that one day I will be as good a Jaieh as you are," Ahsoka murmured.

Jaieh Leia, after seeking permission in the Force, laid a hand against Ahsoka's jaw. "You will, young one," she said firmly, but kindly, as she did everything. "You will be even better, in fact." She turned towards the sound of incoming gunships. "It looks like Jaieh Luminara and her Padawan have arrived," she announced. "We'll meet them half-way."

Ahsoka followed obediently at her Master's heels as they began making their way to their Mirialan rah'eni.

The four Jedi reached each other and bowed, the Padawans lower than their Masters, and Jaieh Leia lower than Jaieh Unduly, sending warm greetings in the Force.

"Jesara, Jaieh Luminara," Jaieh Leia said as she straightened. "You remember my Padawan, Ahsoka Tano?" She gestured to Ahsoka, who bowed again.

"Jesara, Jaieh Unduli," she said quickly.

"Pecha, Padawan Tano," Jaieh Luminara smiled back at her, similar to the gentle smile Jaieh Leia used but more subtle. She glanced at her Padawan, a green-skinned girl about seventeen. A Senior Padawan. "Well, Barriss, aren't you going to introduce yourself?" She asked. The green-skinned Padawan bowed.

"Jesara, Jaieh Skywalker," she said. "Agisti, Padawan Tano. Tumi mika'ah Padawan Barriss Offee. Please, call me Barriss."

"Tumi mika'ah Ahsoka," Ahsoka replied hurriedly. "It is an honour to meet you both."

"And you, Ahsoka," Jaieh Unduli answered.

"It's good to see you both again," Jaieh Leia said.

"So it is," Jaieh Unduli responded. "I only wish it was under more peaceful circumstances."

"The Force has a reason for everything," Jaieh Leia answered with conviction. "It may not be clear now, and it may never become clear, but there is a reason."

Jaieh Unduli smiled at her fondly. "You have always been so very devout, even as a padib," she noted. "And your conviction has only grown. Obi-Wan is very proud of you, you know."

"He taught me well," Jaieh Leia smiled.

"So he did," the older woman agreed, before she grew serious again. "Now, we ought to get to work. We have a factory to destroy."

"So we do," Jaieh Leia sighed. "Come along Ahsoka. Let's gather up the men."

The four Jedi surrounded the holomap.

"A frontal assault is risky," Jaieh Unduli noted, hand against her chin. "Our losses will be high."

"If you have a better idea, Jaieh, I would be delighted to hear it," Jaieh Leia grimaced. "I've tried to figure out another way, but I just can't see one. Then again, battle strategy like this has never been my strong point, and I freely admit that."

"There is, in fact, an alternative," Jaieh Unduli replied, waving her hand over the map. A series of what looked like roots appeared beneath the factory. "Every Geonosian building has a series of catacombs beneath it that run deep underground."

"Some of the tunnels are close enough to this cliff wall so that you could cut a hole and make an entry point," Barriss went on, pointing at the red-glowing area.

"Once inside we could find the main reactor, plant the explosives, and blow the factory from inside out," Jaieh Unduli finished.

"That could work," Jaieh Leia said thoughtfully. "A much preferable option. But it will be risky for the infiltrators. And if they fail, we'll have no choice but to try the frontal assault."

"We must try the safest option first," Jaieh Unduli insisted.

"I agree," Jaieh Leia said. "I'm just trying to point out, it will have to be a Jedi that goes. Perhaps two, to be on the safe side. Should it be the two of us? One of us and our Padawans, or the Padawans themselves?"

"I have faith that Barriss can complete the mission without me," Jaieh Unduli stated. "I had her memorize all 200 junctions in the labyrinth in preparation."

"And Ahsoka is very capable, especially when she allows the Force to guide her," Jaieh Leia agreed. She turned to Ahsoka, who was listening with wide eyes. "Ahsoka? Can you do it?"

"Haj dai, Jaieh," Ahsoka swore. "I can do it."

"It is settled, then," Jaieh Unduli declared. "The Padawans will infiltrate the factory and destroy it from the inside."

"But how will you keep the Geonosians occupied while Barriss and I infiltrate the building?" Ahsoka asked, spying a flaw in the plan. She and her companion would need the excess guards drawn away so they could get to the reactor.

"We'll create a diversion for you," Jaieh Leia promised, before looking at Jaieh Unduli.

"Precisely," the older woman confirmed. Absently, Ahsoka wondered if the Mirialan Jaieh was friends with Tonjaieh Obi-Wan. They looked about the same age, and Jaieh Leia clearly knew her well. "We will hold Poggle's attention at the bridge while you Padawans will plant the explosives."

"Remember to let the Force guide you, Ahsoka," Jaieh Leia reminded her firmly, turning to Ahsoka again. "This will be a dangerous mission, but it is vital to the war effort. Trust the Force, and you cannot fail."

Ahsoka nodded solemnly. She knew it was something she struggled with occasionally, letting her consciousness overwhelm her Force-senses. It was something that was improving, and that she was working hard to overcome, but it still popped up at the most inconvenient times. Jaieh Leia assured her it was natural, but it continued to frustrate Ahsoka, the way her Jaieh so easily surrendered herself to her instincts, while Ahsoka struggled to shut down her conscious mind.

"Excellent advice," Jaieh Unduli said, before handing Ahsoka a pack full of explosives. She then held up four watches. "We'll monitor your progress on these chronometers. Synchronize on my mark. Three, two, one. Mark."

The four of them synchronized.

They were ready.

Ahsoka could see the two armies marching towards one another, the Republic tanks laying down cover, as she and Barriss climbed down the cliff. She automatically reached out to her Jaieh, who sent her warmth and assurance, and a wordless reminder to focus on her own mission, while she focused on hers.

The sounds of battle echoed overhead as Ahsoka and Barriss Force-jumped to the ground, skipping the last bit of the cliff, and began running across to the opposite wall. They reached it, and Barriss began feeling the wall, eyes closed in concentration while Ahsoka stood guard. Barriss abruptly pulled away, igniting her lightsabre and cutting a hole wide enough for them to walk through in the red stone, using the Force to pull the stone out.

"Nice work," Ahsoka whispered to her companion. She turned to the hole, beginning to duck inside. "Well, here goes nothin'." The hint of Outer Rim accent surprised Ahsoka. She must have picked it up from her Jaieh, the only person Ahsoka knew who had the accent that she was around consistently.

"Wait!" Barriss, grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back. "I should go in first," she whispered. "I know the way."

Ahsoka nodded in acceptance of the logic and stepped aside for her fellow Padawan to slip through the hole into the tunnel.

The catacombs were dark and a bit frightening, but Ahsoka was the Padawan of the Daisha, the Grandpadawan of the Sii'imkai'a. She refused to give into her fear. It was fine to have fear, her Jaieh always told her, but never to let it control you. Besides, she had faced far more dangerous things than a spooky series of tunnels. She wrapped herself in the Force's embrace, and followed after Barriss, who barely hesitated at the many junctions. The Force assured Ahsoka they were going the right way, but warned her to be ready. She kept a hand on her lightsabre, ready to ignite it with a second's warning.

Barriss held out a hand as the Force hissed a warning in Ahsoka's ear. There was a pair of Geonosians patrolling the junction up ahead. Quickly the two Jedi ducked behind some of the twisted vines making up the tunnel, waiting with bated breath for the two Geonosians to either discover them or continue on their way.

Thankfully, they continued, and the two Padawans waited a few moments before they crept out of their hiding places and continued their journey.

Unfortunately, they quickly arrived in what seemed like a dormitory or barracks for Geonosians. There must have been fifty of the bug-like beings, fast asleep in their cubbyholes.

"They're sleeping," Barriss whispered softly.

"We have to find another way," the Togruta hissed back, equally quiet.

"We don't have time," Barriss argued. "This direction is the fastest."

Ahsoka bit her lip. 'Trust the Force, Ahsoka,' her Jaieh whispered in her mind. What did the Force say? The Force agreed with Barriss. This was the fastest way, the 'safest' way. If this was the safest, Ahsoka didn't want to see the other options. She ducked her head in a reluctant nod of acceptance.

"Alright, but take care," Ahsoka murmured, wishing not for the first time that Jaieh Leia had gotten around to teaching her the sound muffler already.

They crept along soundlessly, pausing and tensing every time a Geonosian so much as twitched. At one point, near the end, Ahsoka ended up in the lead. It took her a moment to realize Barriss wasn't behind her, and another to hear the other whispering her name, softly but urgently.

"Ahsoka!"

Ahsoka turned and saw a Geonosian's hand against Barriss' forehead. She hurried back and grabbed it, holding it in place while Barriss ducked underneath the arm and darted away. Carefully, Ahsoka tucked the arm back beside the torso it belonged to, then rushed quietly after her companion.

They continued on their way, and Ahsoka felt a query from her Jaieh through their bond. She sent assurance back as Barriss paused and glanced around them with a furrowed brow.

"Left at the next junction," she stated decisively after a moment.

It was a, "Dead end," Barriss stated in confused dismay.

"If we make a wrong turn, we may never get out of here," Ahsoka warned. She felt her Master's concern at her sudden worry, and hastily assured her that everything was under control. Jaieh Leia didn't need the distraction while in the middle of a battle. "You do remember the way, don't you?" Ahsoka asked, a bit of scepticism entering her voice. "Maybe we should be using the Force to guide us instead. 200 is a lot of turns to remember, and that map was almost as confusing as the actual catacombs are."

"Of course, I remember," Barriss replied defensively. She glanced around for a minute before realization dawned as she stared at the ceiling. "It's not left, it's up!"

Ahsoka followed her gaze, discovering a shaft in the ceiling, the perfect size for the Geonosians to fit through. "Huh," she said in surprise. "My apologies for doubting you."

"That's alright," Barriss replied. "Now come on. We have to hurry."

They Force-jumped, one after another, into the upper tunnel, and began climbing upwards, reinforcing their muscles with the Force to avoid falling to their untimely deaths.

They climbed out of the tunnel, and heard the sounds of metal clinking. Staring up through another tunnel, they could make out assembly lines full of battle droids, SBDs, droidekas and more, all ready for deployment to the battle lines.

"Whoa," Ahsoka said faintly. "That's a lot of droids."

Barriss nodded beside, looking up with wide eyes. Then she looked away and tugged at Ahsoka's arm in the Force. "Come on. The main control room is this way."

As they ran down the tunnel, Ahsoka felt a sense of danger in the Force. She took note and warned Barriss, but they both put it down to them being within a factory full of droids and guards, even if most of the forces had been deployed to battle their battalions.

They finally arrived at the main reactor room.

"This is it," Barriss announced as they pulled themselves from the tunnel. "The main reactor control room."

They hurried over to the reactor, and Ahsoka began pulling the bombs from her pack, attaching them to the reactor. Barriss was on the other side, attaching her own bombs and making her way around toward Ahsoka.

Ahsoka attached the last of the explosives, and swung the backpack back onto her shoulders as she touched the button on her chrono to activate them, turning to Barrissm who was also ready to escape. "And now, we make ourselves scarce," she whispered to her companion. They began to hurry back to the tunnel entrance, but Ahsoka paused when the Force screamed a warning at her.

Barriss was already igniting her lightsabre as the door slid open to reveal a group of about a dozen droids, ranging from regular battle droids to droideks, came marching in, with Poggle the Lesser and a tactical droid in the lead.

Ahsoka joined Barriss and ignited her own blade.

They launched into battle, Ahsoka falling into Ataru as she worked on hacking the droids to pieces. She could see Barriss in the corner of her eye, using what looked like Form III. They killed the wave of droids as Poggle watched. He pointed at them dismissively, made some clicks, then strode away as the tank, a new design it appeared, attacked the Jedi.

"You heard His Highness," the tactical droid said to the Geonosians. "Collect their pathetic little bombs. Then we will kill them." The Geonosians flew over to the reactor and began to remove the bombs, while the Padawans were distracted with the tank.

"See if your stupid tank can take this!" Ahsoka spat at the tactical droid, throwing a bomb at the wall beside him.

"Hahaha, fool," it replied in its flat voice. "The super tank is impervious to all weapons-" the bomb blew, taking the droid with it.

The tank, however, continued to glide forward.

Ahsoka switched to Shien, gritting her teeth as she sank into the Force and allowed It to guide her blade. However, the two girls' best efforts failed to keep the tank from pushing them back towards the wall. Out of the corner of her eye, Ahsoka watched in dismay as the explosives were removed from the reactor.

"The bombs!" She called to Barriss. They disengaged from their fight with the tank and ran over to the Geonosians, where they worked to deflect the energy bolts shot by the super tank at the Geonosians, seeing as the tank wasn't even being scratched by their best efforts.

At one point, Ahsoka leaped and grabbed hold of two Geonosians' legs, clinging to them for dear life as they swooped through the air. "Ahhoo!" She cried, fighting to release her instinctive alarm. They banged her into the top of the reactor, and she fell, landing in a heap on the ground as everything went black.

When she woke up, all the Geonosians were gone. Barriss was leaping on top of the tank, lightsabre lit. She jumped inside, and Ahsoka assumed she took control of the tank. She opened the hatch, allowing Ahsoka time to jump inside.

"The bugs took the bombs," Barriss said urgently to Ahsoka, as they took their seats.

"What do we do now?" Ahsoka worried. 'Listen to the Force, Ahsoka,' she thought, closing her eyes to focus on the Force's urging.

"I don't know what to do without the bombs," Barriss said helplessly, as the Force told Ahsoka what she had to do.

"Well, this tank could destroy the power generator," Ahsoka said slowly, reopening her eyes. "But it'll probably destroy us along with it. Are you prepared for that?"

Ahsoka thought she was. Her Jaieh had never been shy about teaching her the importance of self-sacrifice for the good of the many, though she also firmly believed that it should be a last resort scenario. This was one of those scenarios.

Barriss lowered her head. "I guess that's our only choice," she said solemnly.

Ahsoka nodded solemnly. She raised her comm to her mouth. "Jaieh, can you hear me? Jaieh?"

By the sounds of it, her Jaieh was still fighting.

"Ahsoka, you need to set off the bombs now!" Jaieh Leia urged her. "We're surrounded!"

Ahsoka replied gravely. "I'm sorry Jaieh. We can't make it out."

"Oh, Ahsoka," her Jaieh, her teacher, her guardian and her mother in almost every way but blood, said, tears in her voice. "Are you sure there's no other way?"

"Positive," Ahsoka answered heavily. "The Force tells me this is our only option."

"I am sorry I didn't go in your place, my brave one," Jaieh Leia responded. "I am so, so, very proud of you. You are a great Jedi. Komlah foh keelak, Padawan."

"Komlah foh keelak, Jaieh," Ahsoka replied shakily. "Jesara."

"Pecha, Padawanir," Jaieh Leia replied. "I will stay on the line."

"Thank you, Jaieh," Ahsoka said shakily. She glanced at Barriss. "Fire." She pressed the controls, and the reactor went up in flames, the factory with it.

Everything was black. The two Padawans lit their lightsabres so they could at least see each other.

"How deep do you think we're buried?" Barriss asked.

"It's probably best not to think about it," Ahsoka said uneasily. So this was how she would die, suffocating in a cold, dark tank with no company save a fellow Padawan she'd known for a few hours. Would they even find their bodies, or would Jaieh Leia have to content herself with burning Ahsoka's favourite cloak, the one Jaieh Leia had woven for her herself for Ahsoka's recent Life Day, imbued with her Master's love, pride and affection?

She could sense Jaieh Leia reaching for her in the Force, and her determination when she realized Ahsoka was still alive, but Ahsoka had little hope of rescue. The tank cockpit wasn't airtight, after all. Droids didn't need it, and it made production cheaper.

What was she doing? Ahsoka suddenly wondered. Just lying there, waiting to die? Jaieh Leia may have taught her not to fear death, and to accept it when it was time, but she also taught her to never give in unless there really were no other options.

She looked around for ideas, reaching for the Force for help. She spotted a power cell, and hope leapt into her heart. "Hand me that power cell, would you?" She asked Barriss hastily.

"Here," the Mirialan passed it over. Ahsoka exchanged it for her lightsabre.

"Hold the light, please," she requested.

Barriss accepted the blade and cocked it to give Ahsoka some light. "Whatever you're doing, I hope it works," she commented. "Because I'd sure rather have died fighting up there than starve to death down here."

"Don't worry," Ahsoka said ruefully, as she pulled the panel off her comm. "We'll run out of air long before we starve."

"That's a comforting thought," Barriss muttered. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," Ahsoka replied. "Jaieh Leia has taught me a trick or two. I think I can get this comm working. Then they'd be able to pinpoint our location."

"I hope you're right," Barriss sighed. "It's our only chance."

"I know," Ahsoka whispered.

"What happens to us now doesn't matter," Barriss said suddenly after a while of silence. Ahsoka suspected she was trying to comfort herself in the face of death. "By destroying this factory, we've saved countless lives elsewhere."

"Well I'm about to save two more," Ahsoka smiled, pressing a button on the comm. It lit up.

The air was getting thinner. Black dots clouded Ahsoka's vision.

"Jaieh," she whispered under her breath, reaching out to her guardian through the Force. "I know you're there, and I know you're looking for me. Find us. Please."

Barriss offered her hand. Ahsoka accepted it, and they held onto each other.

Then came that wonderful, hope-bringing sound. "Someone's digging!" Ahsoka exclaimed, her grip on Barriss' hand tightening.

Light appeared, and Ahsoka gasped for air.

Soon, she was in her Master's loving arms, Jaieh Leia peppering her face with kisses and whispering words of praise and love. "You did so well, you were so brave. I'm so proud of you, my precious, strong, girl," Jaieh Leia whispered. "You're safe now, and you did it. Komlah foh keelak."

"Komlah foh keelak, Jaieh," Ahsoka muttered, letting her mind drift off into the warmth of the Force, as her physical self was cradled safely in her Master's embrace.

Leia stood outside the makeshift medtent, half-meditating. This invasion was exhausting. It already been two tendays since the landing at Point Rain. They had made much progress with the invasion, but it wasn't over yet. Poggle had got away. Only once he was their prisoner could they call the campaign a success.

Jaieh Luminara came up to her, and Leia turned to her, bowing respectfully. "Master Luminara," she murmured.

"How are the girls?" Luminara asked.

"They're receiving a course of oxygen treatment, but Kix says he'll be willing to release them the day after tomorrow. He wants a day of observation up in the ship to ensure there's nothing the medics missed in their scans."

"Good," Jaieh Luminara murmured. Leia could feel her studying her. "Something is troubling you," she noted. "More than the girls' close call." Luminara had always been perceptive. "Do you wish to speak of it?"

Leia hesitated, then turned to her Master's former enishee. "I worry about the Padawans who are in this war," she admitted. "I fear what the effects of constant death and destruction will do for them. Already, I have had to give Ahsoka several scoldings for using prejudiced language to refer to the Geonosians, and we've had several meditations on why she shouldn't resent the Separatists in general for the war, but I am concerned. Have you noticed anything with Barriss?"

Jaieh Luminara frowned. "I've noticed that Barriss has been using the word 'bugs' for the Geonosians, but I just assumed that it was due to the men calling them that," she stated contemplatively. "Now you mention it, there have been some other signs that she is struggling...Thank you for mentioning this to me, Leia. I will have to keep a closer eye on my apprentice."

"Perhaps arrangements could be made for them to be given leave for a time to speak with Mind Healers, though of course if they're on Coruscant..." Leia trailed off, frowning.

Luminara pursed her lips. "Yes, you're right. Perhaps holocalls with the Mind Healers at the Anohrah will help," she said. "I will mention it to the Council in my after-action report."

Leia was not like Jaieh Windu. She could not see Shatterpoints. But she sensed that something in the future had just changed with that conversation. Something major.

Dai Bendu:

Jaieh: Master (Teacher)

Jehxah: Knight

Rah'eni: Sibling(s)

Jesara: Hello/goodbye to a superior

Pecha: Hello/goodbye to someone of equal or lesser rank

Tumi mika'ah: My name is...

Tonjaieh: Grandmaster (formal)

Daisha: The Chosen One (lit. Force-born)

Sii'imkai'a: This is a combination of Sith and killer, to create Obi-Wan's 'Sith-Slayer' title

Komlah foh keelak: I love you

Padawanir: My Padawan

Enishee: Crechemate(s)