Hey everyone!

OneLittleSpark18: I'm always happy to help people's Mondays be better!

: Thank you so much! Grievous is actually dead in this universe. I'm sorry for not making that clear, but there was still some of the war to fight after Palpatine was discovered and killed. Grievous led a kamikaze attack on Coruscant and he died in that battle. (Also is your name a Stormlight Archive reference?)

ofchaos: Welcome to the fic then! And just you wait with Fives. Just you wait.

guest user: Uh. That's a valid point. My explanation is that the Kaminoans were like "Palpatine changed the chips with the Dark Side." and the Republic were like "Yeah sounds about right." I mean, I think Palps did change the chips somewhat in canon because why else would the clones under the chip be so dang loyal to specifically the empire AND the emperor? It's a little odd.

It's an Obi Wan chapter, but there is some stuff I'm excited about here. It's still not my greatest chapter, but there's a lot of events that happen that need to happen.

TW: non graphic nudity

Mando'a translations at the end!

Obi Wan watched the six remaining people of his squad, not including Ventress, slump in the transport chairs. Six. Six out of the two dozen he'd been sent with. At least five had died to their own stubbornness or that of their comrades.

Already the soft murmur of remembrances filled the small ship. It was odd hearing those words spoken by voices that weren't the clones'. Part of Obi Wan wished he had the clones to command instead of these Mandalorians. But of course, he would never wish the men to ever have to face war again.

Obi Wan approached one of the wounded, being supported by one of the other Mandalorians. She still had her helmet on, but Obi Wan could hear her ragged breathing.

"Are you all-"

"Leave her alone, jetii!" Another Mandalorian snapped from where he was leaning on the wall.. "We don't want your help!"

Obi Wan stiffened. Similar words had been shouted at him all day. He had to obey them. Otherwise the Mandalorians were likely to reject his leadership.

Though, they didn't act much like they were under his command in any case.

"Do you want her to die?" Ventress had come over, pale eyes flashing.

"I know she'd rather die than accept help from-"

"Ne'johaa, Aka!" The Mandalorian supporting the injured woman said. He wore armor painted in two tones of green, one dark, one light. "We've lost enough today!"

Aka spat on the ground. The Mando in green turned to Obi Wan.

"Are you able to help her?" He asked tightly.

"I can." Obi Wan said. "Will you let me?"

"Let me ask her." The Mandalorian said.

He gently turned the woman's head so that she was facing him. He tapped his helmet against hers.

"Mena, ner vod," He said quietly. "Do you want the jetii to help you?"

Mena's head tilted forward in a nod. The Mandalorian looked up to Obi Wan.

"Please." He said.

Obi Wan wasted no time in pressing his hand to the woman's blood soaked side. He hated slugthrowers. They were barbaric versions of an already uncivilized weapon. Obi Wan closed his eyes in concentration. The slugs hadn't hit any vital organs on their way through; otherwise Obi Wan wouldn't be able to help much. Luckily, her only danger was bleeding out, which was easily helped.

He guided the cells back together, creating a wall of skin to stem the bleeding. That was enough to exhaust him. He removed his hand from Mena's side.

"There." He said between heavy breaths. "It's not completely healed, but the bleeding has stopped. She just needs rest."

The Mandalorian nodded and helped Mena lie back.

"May I ask your name?" Obi Wan asked him.

"They call me Naak." The Mando said after a pause.

Naak shifted for a moment, before muttering something about getting Mena water and leaving.

Obi Wan stayed where he was, listening to Mena's now quiet breathing. Then, with a groan, he forced himself upright. Ventress almost immediately shoved him back down by the shoulder.

"Rest, fool." She said. "That wasn't a stubbed toe you healed. You'll kill yourself if you push yourself harder."

"But-"

"I can pilot a transport, and that's all that's needed now." Asajj said. "I don't want Skywalker hunting me down because you overworked yourself to death."

Obi Wan was reminded of Cody and his constant pleadings for Obi Wan to rest. The commander was never this forceful, though, except after Kadavo. Cody had told Obi Wan calmly that he was to go to the medbay immediately. It was like his normal requests, but this time Cody had had a firm hand on Obi Wan's shoulder and a dangerous glint in his eye.

Obi Wan smiled at the memory. Cody was a good man. Obi Wan hoped that he was doing well, even on Kamino.

"What are you grinning at?" Asajj asked testily.

Obi Wan shrugged. Ventress rolled her eyes before returning to the pilot's seat. Naak had returned with a canteen for his companion. Obi Wan watched out of the corner of his eye as the man helped his companion drink.

"Why did you let me help her?" Obi Wan asked.

Naak stiffened for a moment.

"My riduur died today." He said quietly. "He would have survived if we had listened to you."

Obi Wan's heart clenched for the man.

"All our lives we were told that the jetii were foolish and had no place in battle." Naak went on. "But you were right, in the battle. We should have followed your orders. I thought that you maybe had more to give than we give you credit for."

"I thought that my experience in leadership would convince you otherwise." Obi Wan said.

The green helmet turned to Obi Wan.

"There's a difference between giving orders to meat droids and leading warriors." Naak said.

Obi Wan flinched at the slur. More than one trooper had taken their own lives, believing that was all they were.

"Please do not call them that." Obi Wan said quietly. "You do not know them."

"I know they're nothing compared to us." Naak said. "I didn't think you would know what to do with warriors with our skills."

Obi Wan snorted with derision. Naak wouldn't have said that if he had seen Cody during the Final Battle of Coruscant. Obi Wan would have been dead if not for the Commander. Cody had dismantled three commando droids nearly bare handed.

Obi Wan decided not to push the issue; he knew exactly what Naak was going through right now. Instead he leaned back and closed his eyes. At least it had been a civil conversation. Those were rare with the soldiers he led.

"Kenobi!"

Obi Wan jerked awake at Ventress' call. He had not meant to drift off. He had fallen into his wartime habit of not sleeping much, and consequently he found himself napping in odd places.

"We're back. Kryze wants a meeting." Ventress said, arms folded.

Obi Wan nodded and got to his feet. Naak gave a surprising nod to Obi Wan as they passed. A promising sign.

Obi Wan followed Ventress into the abandoned compound the rebellion against Maul had taken as their base. It was made up of several low, sturdy buildings. It had belonged to a clan wiped out during the Civil War.

As usual the many Mandalorians, whether they be Nite Owl, Tribe, or some other faction, either turned their heads from Obi Wan or stared him down as they passed. Ventress somehow escaped the treatment, but she was mostly ignored.

They entered the long chamber that Bo Katan called the conference room, but Obi Wan suspected was a dining hall. She was already there, along with Mij Gilamar, Koa Tes, Boba Fett, a new Mandalorian in blue armor, and surprisingly Vos and Shaak Ti.

"Master Ti!" Obi Wan exclaimed as he and Ventress approached the group. "You're back earlier than we expected."

"The sewers plan was a dead end." Quinlan said. "Maul's forces have it too heavily guarded. We had to retreat."

Shaak Ti shook her head.

"Every day we cannot get into the capital those poor younglings are more likely to be corrupted by Maul." She said.

"You'd be better off staying here and helping us siege the capital." Bo Katan said. "I told you trying to sneak in is a waste of time. Maul is too much of a roach; he knows what other roaches will do."

Obi Wan wasn't sure if Bo Katan meant to insult Master Ti and Vos, but Quinlan narrowed his eyes at her regardless.

"Our mission wasn't much better." Asajj said. "We had to destroy the outpost instead of capturing it. And we lost three fourths of the soldiers we were sent with."

Ventress studied her fingernails as she directed her words directly to Bo Katan.

"You may want to speak to your soldiers about actually listening to orders once in a while." She said. "It would have gone much smoother if Kenobi and I could count on them to follow the command structure."

"They don't follow you because they don't respect you." Bo Katan said dismissively. "Prove yourselves and they'll do what you say."

"Then why ask us to lead in the first place?" Ventress said coldly. "They can't respect us if they're dead!"

"Be it as it may," Gilamar interrupted. "We've been experiencing losses on all fronts."

Obi Wan liked the man. He seemed more reasonable than most Mandalorians. He would talk to Obi Wan, though Obi Wan could tell he didn't have the highest regard for Jedi.

"If Skirata would give us more support-" Bo Katan started.

"This is your problem." Gilamar interrupted. "Our people will be fine regardless of who leads Mandalore. Kal just figured things would be easier if Maul was gone. You're lucky you get me."

"What I don't understand," Obi Wan interjected. "Is how Maul has so many followers. How has he persuaded so many of the people to follow him?"

"He's technically the true leader of Mandalore." The Mandalorian in blue removed his helmet to reveal strawberry blonde hair and a stern face.

Obi Wan glanced at Bo Katan for an introduction.

"This is Fenn Rau." She said. "He represents a faction of the Protectors that oppose Maul."

"I would think the Protectors would support Maul." Obi Wan said with a raised eyebrow.

"Most of us do." Rau said. "Like I said, Maul defeated Pre Vizla in combat and won the Darksaber. He is our leader."

Ventress narrowed her eyes.

"Then why do you oppose him?" She asked.

"He may be our leader by combat, but he is not Mandalorian." Rau said. A glint of anger had come into his eyes. "He doesn't even pretend to be. He is using our culture and our people to further his own goals."

Koa Tes and Gilamar nodded in agreement.

"The people ignore it because of the Duchess' reign." Rau went on. "They were deprived of our heritage for so long that they have mistaken power for Mandokar."

Obi Wan resisted the urge to protest the blaming of Satine. As much as he had loved her, he had to admit her choices were controversial.

"Some of the younger Mando'ade never knew the old ways." Gilamar put in. "They don't know any other way."

"All this to say that we're outnumbered." Ventress said. "So what do we do about it?"

"The simplest solution is to beat Maul in combat." Bo Katan said. "But that's not happening. He knows he'd lose his following if by some chance he loses. He'll do anything to avoid the challenge."

"I'm surprised he hasn't come out to find me." Obi Wan said. "He's- well, obsessed."

"Maybe he doesn't know." Boba said.

"Impossible." Ventress said. "We haven't exactly been hiding Kenobi."

"Our only option is to take the city." Bo Katan said firmly. "We force him out or force him to face us."

"Again, the problem is numbers." Obi Wan said. "How many of the Protectors are willing to join us?"

"Not enough." Bo Katan cut across Rau before he could speak. "Numbers aren't an issue. I have a solution to that."

"And that is?" Gilamar asked.

"Aunt Bo!" Korkie, or Kor as Obi Wan had learned was his real name, came sprinting into the room. The group turned to the panting youth as he ran down the length of the room.

"Something has engaged the blockade!" He said between heavy breaths. "They're breaking through!"

Bo Katan smirked, and patted Kor on the shoulder.

"It sounds like my reinforcements are here." Bo Katan said.

Obi Wan had never thought he'd see such a sight again. He had hoped he would never see it again. Venators hung low in the sky. LAAT/i gunships were streaming down to their position. The first touched down, and figures in white armor began unloading.

Clones.

Obi Wan whirled onto Bo Katan. He was vaguely aware of three others doing the same.

"What have you done?" Obi Wan demanded.

Bo Katan lifted her chin and glared at Obi Wan.

"I've got us an army." She said. "I've levelled the playing field."

"You've bought an army of slaves." Gilamar hissed. "What the hell, Kryze! You know how most of the Cuy'val Dar feel about them!"

"I'm not the Cuy'val Dar." Bo Katan snapped. "They were available and I took advantage of it!"

"You have taken advantage of children." Shaak Ti said. Obi Wan could feel her quiet rage splitting the air.

"The people will not follow you." Koa Tes said. Her tone was neutral. "They see those creatures as an insult to our culture."

"Those boys are more Mandalorian than half of the people here!" Gilamar rounded on Koa Tes. "Don't you dare-"

"Those men have already fought their war." Obi Wan said. "You cannot ask them to fight another!"

"I'm not asking!" Bo Katan said. "And if they truly have anything Mandalorian in them, this fight is theirs!"

"The choice should be theirs!" Obi Wan retorted.

"You used them for your goals! What's wrong with me using them for mine?" Bo Katan asked.

"We were wrong to use them." Shaak Ti said. "They should not have to fight again."

"That's not up to you." Bo Katan said. "They're here to fight my war. The question is, will you lead them, Kenobi?"

"No!" Obi Wan said. "I cannot lead more of them to their deaths."

"Fine." Bo Katan said. "My warriors and I will lead them. I don't care how many die."

Obi Wan felt a horrifying jolt at her words. He glanced at Shaak Ti, who gave him a helpless look.

"I will lead them." He said quickly. "But you will not interfere with my tactics!"

"As long as we take the city." Bo Katan said. "I don't care."

Obi Wan made Bo Katan come with him to meet the Commander of the legion. She apparently just wanted to shunt the entire responsibility of the clones to him. Obi Wan wasn't going to let her.

Obi Wan was shocked to see the approaching clone wearing completely white armor. There were no decorations. Obi Wan gently probed the man's mind, but recoiled quickly. He didn't recognize the trooper, but there was something odd about him. It was like there was a mask over who the clone was.

"Sirs!"

The clone snapped a salute and stood at attention. Obi Wan frowned. The clone's voice seemed youthful for a commander.

"At ease." Obi Wan said.

The trooper barely relaxed.

"I am CC-7435, Commander of the 104th." The trooper said briskly. "To whom am I reporting to?"

The 104th? That was Master Plo's legion. Wolffe should have been here as the Commander.

"That would be me. What is your name, Commander?" Obi Wan asked.

There was a strange pulse in the Force.

"I am CC-7435." 7435 said pointedly.

Obi Wan frowned.

"I know the Kaminoans discourage names, but I prefer to use the names my men have chosen for themselves." He said.

7435's helmet remained fixed forward.

The pulse happened again in the Force, stronger this time.

"I-" the trooper stammered. "My name is Eon."

Then he shook his head.

"No. I am CC-7435."

"I'll be calling you Commander Eon." Obi Wan said.

"As you wish, sir." Eon's voice was odd, strangely flat.

"I am General Kenobi." Obi Wan said. "This is Bo Katan Kryze. She is the one who hired you."

Eon didn't respond, but Obi Wan saw him twitch.

"I would like to oversee you make camp." Obi Wan said. "And get to know your men."

"Yes, sir." Eon said.

"This is a waste of time." Bo Katan said under her breath. "Kenobi, you can waste your time playing with your pets, but I have better things to do."

Obi Wan watched as she turned around and stalked off.

"This way, sir." Eon promoted.

"Commander Eon, did you serve as a commander during the Clone Wars?" Obi Wan asked as Eon led him towards the mass of troopers.

"No, sir. This is my first assignment."

"First assignment as commander?" Obi Wan asked.

"No, sir."

Obi Wan blinked.

"Commander, how old are you?"

"Eight and a half, sir." Eon said blankly.

"Eight and a half?" Obi Wan repeated, aghast. "Troopers aren't supposed to be deployed until ten!"

"That was when the Republic was our client." Eon said. "Those restrictions have been removed."

For just a moment, Obi Wan suddenly got a burst of anxiety and fear from the young clone. It was quickly smothered by something else.

Obi Wan cast his mind to the group of troopers ahead of him. There were minds he recognized in the mix. Meaning that Eon was younger than many of his men. There were also a fair amount of troopers that felt like Eon: restrained and subdued.

Obi Wan looked carefully at the troopers working to set up camp. Only a few had their helmets off. To Obi Wan's surprise they all looked identical: same hair and same armor.

Some of the troopers caught sight of Obi Wan. They began nudging other troopers and pointing Obi Wan out. Obi Wan could hear mutters as they drew closer.

"Is that- "

"What's a Jedi doing here?"

"That's General Kenobi!"

Obi Wan extended his senses, trying to identify familiar minds.

The first he recognized was Kix, the 501st medic. Then Ridge, one of the 501st's veterans. Was that Sinker from the Wolf Pack? There were definitely some troopers from the 327th.

"General!"

A trooper broke away from the group and began jogging up to Obi Wan and Eon. Eon stiffened and stepped forward.

"You are out of line, CT-"

"It's quite all right, Commander." Obi Wan interrupted.

Wooley came to stop a few feet away from Obi Wan.

"General, what are you doing here?" Wooley asked.

There was an odd fear in his voice.

"That doesn't matter." Obi Wan said. "Wooley, are you all right?"

Wooley shook his head.

"Sir, why are you here?" He asked again. "Were- were you the one that-"

Wooley didn't seem able to finish the sentence, but Obi Wan knew what he was asking.

"No, Wooley, I was not the one who- brought you here." Obi Wan said.

Obi Wan nearly had to bite his tongue to stop himself from saying 'bought.'

Wooley visibly relaxed. He reached up and removed his helmet. His distinctive mop of hair that had earned him his name was tamed back into the standard haircut.

"Helmets will remain on while on duty!" Eon suddenly snapped.

Wooley gave him a nervous glance before going to pull his helmet back on.

"That isn't necessary, Wooley." Obi Wan said gently. "Commander Eon, why don't you oversee the men. I have a few questions for Wooley here."

Eon gave a sharp nod before moving closer to the working clones.

"What's going on, Wooley?" Obi Wan asked once Eon was out of earshot. "There's something wrong with many of these troopers."

"It's the chips, sir." Wooley said. "A lot of these troopers were still on Kamino when the war ended. They didn't get a chance to get their chips destroyed. The Kaminoans have activated the chips, but it's just made them like droids."

Obi Wan glanced at Eon. The trooper was ramrod straight as he watched the other clones work.

"Where's Commander Wolffe?" Obi Wan asked.

"All of the Command clones have been replaced." Wooley said.

A spike of fear rose in Obi Wan's chest. Replaced was a very dangerous word when it came to the Kaminoans. Rex and Cody could have been quietly done away with.

"They're not dead." Wooley said quickly. "They've been delegated to train cadets. But they've all been replaced with kids like the Commander there. I think- I think it's to make sure that we don't revolt."

Obi Wan glanced at Wooley. The trooper looked back at Obi Wan with a hopeful expression.

"Sir," He said, looking very much like the shiny Obi Wan had met a few years before. "Do you think you would be able to help us?"

Obi Wan's heart clenched.

"I don't know." He said quietly. "Bo Katan is my ally for now, but I doubt she would remain that way if I smuggled away her army. And if we did manage it, you would be fugitives."

Wooley looked down.

"I'm sorry." Obi Wan said.

"I understand, sir." Wooley said. Then he straightened his shoulders and the mask of a good soldier fell over his face. "I guess we'll just have to do our duty like we always have."

Wooley probably did not realize he was projecting his despair into the Force.

Obi Wan left the clones to their work; he knew that they didn't need a nanny droid to do their job. He returned to the Nite Owls' base to the sound of arguing from the briefing room. It sounded like Gilamar and Koa Tes were still upset about the whole affair and Bo Katan was responding to their aggression in kind.

Obi Wan sat and listened to the three way feud for a moment. Gilamar wanted to free the clones. Koa Tes just wanted them gone. Bo Katan was firm in her resolve to keep and use them.

"How are they?"

Shaak Ti's melodic voice would have shocked Obi Wan if he had not felt her approach.

"Some of them are under the control of the chips." Obi Wan told her. "From what I can tell, the others are putting on a brave front, but they are struggling."

"I know some of them." Shaak Ti said, her voice grieving. "I can feel them. But many are different from before. They barely feel like themselves."

She placed a hand on her head.

"But some of them should not be here." She went on. "They are too young!"

"They are sending out younger troopers." Obi Wan confessed. "The Commander is eight and a half."

Shaak Ti stared at Obi Wan, her eyes wide.

"I should never have left them." She said. "I should never have left them on Kamino."

"You didn't have much of a choice." Obi Wan said heavily. "Can I count on your help with them?"

"I am conflicted." Shaak Ti said. "The younglings are of the utmost importance. But I cannot reach them yet. And the clones are here."

"I do believe Bo Katan is correct." Obi Wan said. "The only way into the city is to take it."

He desperately needed another sympathetic ally in leading the clones.

Shaak Ti gave a nod.

"I will help."

Obi Wan met with Gilamar next, who promised that he could recreate the agent that destroyed the clones' chips. Apparently he had been working with Kal Skirata and had a lot of experience in clone biology. He would be gone for a few days, but then would return to help lead the clones. Then Obi Wan made his way to Ventress' quarters. As much as he hated to admit it, there was a very good chance Vos was there as well. Obi Wan knocked. It was only a few seconds before Ventress answered, completely naked.

Obi Wan kept his eyes firmly on hers as she smirked.

"What do you want, Kenobi?" She asked in a pleasant tone.

"I need to speak to you about the clones." Obi Wan replied.

Ventress rolled her eyes, but turned back into her room and beckoned. Obi Wan followed apprehensively. Vos was sprawled on the disheveled bed, looking very relaxed and had just as many clothes on as Ventress did.

"'Lo, Kenobi." He said.

"Well, now I feel out of place." Obi Wan said.

"You're welcome to join us." Vos said.

"What would you have done if it were Boba knocking?" Obi Wan asked, ignoring Vos.

"We could sense it was you." Asajj said.

She had picked up Quinlan's Jedi robe and wrapped it loosely around herself.

"I'm glad that our relationship is such that you are willing to answer the door naked if it's me." Obi Wan said. "But we have more serious matters to discuss."

"I don't know what you're doing getting involved with the clones again." Vos said.

"If I had a choice, they wouldn't be here." Obi Wan said. "But I must work with what I am given. And I have an opportunity to help protect them."

"Is that why you're here?" Ventress asked. "To ask us to protect them?"

"Asking isn't the word I would use." Obi Wan said. "Perhaps threaten is better."

Vos looked shocked while Ventress laughed.

"Oh, go on Kenobi." She said. "Threaten us."

"I'm not asking you to do as Master Ti and I do." Obi Wan said. "All I ask is that you do not wantonly waste their lives if you work with them."

"That doesn't sound like a threat to me." Ventress said.

Obi Wan held up a finger.

"I'm not finished." He said. "The Council is currently rather undecided on how to deal with you, Asajj. It would be very easy to convince them one way on another."

Vos' eyes narrowed at Obi Wan. Ventress just laughed again.

"Empty threat, Kenobi." She said. "You're too much of a Jedi to do that."

Obi Wan grit his teeth. It was a bluff, yes, but he hadn't expected Ventress to see through him so quickly.

"I'll do what you ask." Ventress said. "While you wouldn't hurt us, I wouldn't put it past Gilamar or his friends to hunt us down. Though I don't know if the clones will work with me in the first place."

"Thank you." Obi Wan said. "Vos?"

Vos was frowning.

"I never 'wantonly wasted' their lives during the war, Kenobi." He said.

"I was making sure." Obi Wan. "I know you don't hold them in high regard."

Vos shrugged.

"I'm no Krell. Hopefully I won't be working with them regardless."

"Thank you." Obi Wan said again. "A word of advice. Be careful. I doubt the council will be as blind as they have been in the past to relationships. Especially considering your past, Asajj."

"We're not celibate, Kenobi." Vos said. "You won't find any attachments here."

"Clearly." Obi Wan said, watching Ventress play with Vos's hair.

He left them, his thoughts now completely focused on the men outside. He would do everything in his power to protect them.

Mando'a:

jetii: Jedi

Ne'johaa: Shut up

ner vod: my brother/sister

riduur: spouse

Mandokar: the epitome of Mando virtue: a blend of aggression, tenacity, loyalty, and a lust for life. NOT just power

Mando'ade: Mandalorians, sons/daughters of Mandalore

Cuy'val Dar: those who no longer exist. Elite group of one hundred people summoned by Jango to train the clones, mostly the Commandos. Reference here to the group that remained with Kal Skirata who care deeply for the clones

So I realized halfway through development that the Obi Wan storyline had NO connection to the main clone story line! Well, I figured that one, the Kaminoans are renting the clones out, two, Bo Katan is DESPERATE to get Mandalore back, and three, that's a fun conflict, so this was the result. The Kaminoans are very distrustful of the old generation of command clones, so they're just using the chip controlled next generation of CCs, which are 17 physically. I hope it's clear that Eon is struggling against his chip. And yes, I added Fenn Rau. He's cool. As you have learned, this is a fic of a quarter fan service, half angst, an eighth fluff, and an eighth actual plot. Apologies for the nudity, but it just seemed like SUCH a Ventress and Obi Wan and Quinlan thing to do. It just felt right, which is weird to say. I hope the addition of the clones make Obi Wan's chapters a bit more interesting to you guys. Originally this chapter had more Boba and Kor (BECAUSE KORKIE IS A STUPID NAME), but it just felt off. Their scenes will be added at a different time.

Next week I'll be back up in school, but hopefully it won't affect my publishing schedule. Didn't last semester, shouldn't now.

Anyway, wear your masks, remember to review, and have a great few weeks!