Here is Chapter 2 of the Mandalorian Maverick. Will's punishment for his outburst on the Malevolence is doing a routine outpost inspection with Cody and Rex. Little does he know it'll introduce him to three clones who will stick with him through the Clone Wars. After that, he takes a trip to Kamino where he meets likeminded warriors and expand his circle of friends and allies. Then their first mission. They head to Coruscant to take out Separatist activity that could undermine the Republic and hurt a lot of people. Enjoy!

The Mandalorian Maverick: The Rathtar Squad

22BBY: Rishi Outpost, Rishi System

Honestly, if Will could put two words to what it's been like with Cody and Rex doing this outpost inspection in the Outer Rim it would be…agonizingly boring. Those two words pretty much summed up what his experience has been like. There were over a hundred outpost stations set up on Outer Rim worlds or moons that acted as early alerts in case of Separatist sneak attacks or to let them know of important movements and relay them to command. He understood it was important, but it was just so boring.

Still, Will did his best to take it as seriously as he could. He spoke with the clone officers at each outpost to get some information on their jobs along with the schematics and designs of the outpost systems. He also conversed with Cody and Rex about military strategy, tactics, and their training. Hearing everything, they went through on Kamino made him interested in going. When he wasn't busy with that, he read over holo-books on battles of the Jedi and Sith during the old Republic and the Jedi-Mandalorian war. Granted, the information was sparse, and he couldn't access a lot of it but read the parts he could access. When he wasn't doing that, he spent time meditating to try and find his center. Master Kenobi said to use this time to reflect and grow stronger with the force. He would recite the Jedi code as he meditated to find peace…granted, he had some concerns with the code but that was for another day.

Now they were heading to the Rishi moon outpost in the Rishi system for their last outpost inspection. Rex and Cody were in a transport ship while Will was in his Jedi Interceptor with the hyperdrive ring attached. Cody opened a comm link channel between their ship, Will's and the outpost.

"Rishi outpost, this is Commander Cody come in. Rishi outpost come in." Cody sent out over the comm channel. "Rishi outpost, come in. Rishi outpost, come in!"

The comms was eventually answered, and a clone appeared on the holovid. "Um…sorry Commander. We're um experiencing difficulties."

"This is the inspection team." Cody called in.

"Inspection? Negative, negative. We, uh do not require an inspection. Everything is fine here. Thank you."

"We'll be the judge of that. Prepare for our arrival." Cody told him.

"Roger, roger." The clone then ended the comm link.

"Is it just me or was that kind of odd?" Will asked.

"No, you're right sir. Something's not right about this." Rex added.

"Well, good luck. I'm putting you in charge of this one." Cody told him.

"All right, preparing for moon entry." Will disengaged the hyperdrive ring as the two ships made their descent towards the moon outpost platform. He looked out his cockpit and noticed how dark it was. "BD-8, are you picking anything up?"

BD-8 shook his head no. Everything seemed to fine on the scanners and the outpost was still broadcasting the all clear signal. Will's interceptor and the transport ship landed on the platform and they could see no one was around to greet them like the other places.

"Something about this doesn't seem right. Call it a gut feeling…and my gut is never wrong." Will opened his cockpit and got out. He was dressed in his usual Padawan garb and his armored Beskar gauntlets. He secured his lightsaber on his belt as BD-8 got out of the droid slot and climbed onto his shoulder. He walked over to Cody and Rex as the three walked across the platform.

"This is not good. I don't see the deck officer anywhere." Cody said.

"These boys are sloppy. There should always be an officer on duty." Rex added.

"Something definitely doesn't feel right." Will told them as the doors to the outpost opened and a clone trooper walked out.

"Welcome to Rishi, Commander. As you can see the outpost is operating at peak efficiency. Thank you for visiting and have a safe trip back." He said as Rex, Cody, and Will shared looks of confusion.

"We need to inspect the base, just to be safe." Cody told him but the Clone trooper began to get defensive and didn't want them to enter.

"Uh…Everything is fine and fully operational."

"We're here to do an inspection. Take us to your sergeant." Will told him.

"Roger, roger." The trooper replied when a red signal flare shot up into the air from the nearby canyon.

"A droid attack flare?" Cody was now confused but Will quickly ignited his saber and sliced the trooper's head off.

"Sir, what the hell did you do?!" Cody was beyond shocked that Will would kill a clone trooper like that.

"Calm down, Cody." He picked up the helmet and a distinct looking battle droid head fell out. "I couldn't feel anything from the trooper and the only two reasons for that would be he's dead or wasn't alive to begin with."

"It looks like one of those new commando droids." Rex said, looking it over.

"That flare must have come from the survivors." Cody said when Will's hearing picked up movement behind them, so he quickly turned and began blocking blaster fire from the outpost as more Commando droids showed up. "Ambush!"

"Get to cover!" Will shouted, deflecting and blocking laser blasts while Cody and Rex fired back. They rushed over to some crates as Cody blasted a droid in the leg and chest. It fell down but quickly got back up and fired back.

"Those clankers have tough armor!" Cody shouted as he and Rex got behind cover. Will backflipped high into the air and threw his saber. It spun like a buzz saw and sliced two Commando droids in half before it returned to him.

Commando droids appeared from the supply crates near their ships and essentially boxed them in from both sides, cutting them off from their only escape. "We're cut off!" Cody shouted as Will deflected a laser back at a commando droid, but it shrugged off the impact and kept firing. Two droids rushed out of the outpost with rocket launchers and took aim at their ships.

"Off the platform!" Rex shouted as the droids fired and destroyed their ships. The smoke cloud settled as the droids looked around and didn't seen any bodies.

"No sign of them. They must have been pulverized. Resume defensive post." The Commando droid said to the others as they went back into the outpost, unaware that Rex, Cody, and Will survived and were hanging from the platform via ascension and grapple cables.

"Seriously?! After all that time fixing and modifying her she gets blown up! Those droids are so going to pay for this. Pay for this dearly!" Will whispered to himself. He was beyond pissed as the three descended to the canyon floor.

They landed on the canyon floor and saw the smoldering wreckage of their ships. BD-8 gave out a mournful beep seeing Rathtar in the flames, especially after all the work they've done.

"Well, this complicates things." Rex said.

"Not that much. Those clankers are scrap metal when I get my hands on them." Will said before taking a deep breath and calming himself down. "Anyway, we need to get back up there. The Separatists must be planning something big if they're taking this outpost over."

Cody and Rex nodded when they saw three shadows in the fire and aimed their guns. "Hands up! Step forward and take your sun bonnets off!" Rex shouted as the three figures appeared to show themselves as clone troopers.

"Uh, sir?"

"DO it now!" Rex shouted and the three troopers did as they were told, and they were in fact clones. Cody and Rex lowered their guns only for a Rishi moon eel to burrow out of the canyon wall behind them. It reared its jaw, ready to chomp them into pieces only for Rex to blast it in the eye, killing it instantly and its large body dropped to the ground.

Rex took off its helmet and inspected the animal, staining his left hand with its blue blood. "Nice shot." One of the clones remarked.

"My name is Rex, but you will address me as Captain or Sir." Rex said, facing them as they stood at attention.

"Sir, yes sir!"

"I'm Commander Cody, and this is Commander Vizsla. We're your new bosses." Cody introduced them, removing his helmet as well.

"My designation is Trooper 27-5555." The trooper replied.

"We call him Fives. I'm Hevy. This is Echo." Hevy introduced them.

"Where's your sergeant?" Will asked.

"Dead, sir. We're all that's left." Echo told him.

Rex walked over to inspect the new clones. "Looks like we've got ourselves a bunch of shinnies, commanders."

"Shinnies, sir?" Echo asked.

"That's right. Your armor, it's shiny and new…just like you." Rex placed his hand on Echo's armor, leaving a blue colored handprint.

"Sir, me and my batch are trained and ready. We'll take back our post, shiny or not." Hevy told him.

"There's hope for you yet, rookie." Rex commented.

"All right, the odds tip a little in our favor. Now, what do you say we take this outpost back?" Will asked and they all nodded.

"Any ideas, sir?" Cody asked as Will thought over it for a second when he saw their helmets.

"I think I have an idea." Will replied. "It if works then we can turn the tide of what happened here."

"But there are so many of them." Fives said.

"That's never stopped us yet and it won't now. This one is important. If this outpost is lost to us, then Kamino is at risk. We won't let that happened." Will said before explaining his plan.

Back up at the outpost, three Commando droids were stationed near the entrance on guard duty in case something happened. Now things seemed quiet until one of the droids noticed something closing in on the camera. It was a clone trooper wobbling towards the gate.

"What is that? Unit 2-6 is that you?" The Commando droid asked.

"Roger, roger." Rex replied, sounding as monotone as he could to sound like a droid.

"You sound strange. Is something wrong with your vocabulator?"

"Roger, roger." Rex messed with his collar to act like a droid attempting to fix its voice box.

"Take off your helmet. Let me see your faceplate."

"Roger, roger." Rex removed his helmet but stepped down to avoid the camera and raised the severed head of one of the commando droids Will sliced off. Cody, Echo, Hevy, Fives, and Will were perched up against the doors to the outpost, out of sight.

"This is never gonna work." Cody shook his head in disbelief only for the door to open and the droids to see Will standing there with his saber ignited.

"Jedi!"

"Hi there." Will sliced the head and torso off one of the droids while Rex and Cody blasted the other two. "Let's move."

They made their way through the passageway and stopped at the stairs. "Sir, permission to take point?" Hevy asked.

"Sorry, Hevy. Those droids took out my ship. I'm taking point." Will rushed up the stairs and saw the command center with half a dozen Commando droids stationed around. He threw his saber and it sliced through two droids before the rest opened fire, so he dove to the side. Rex, Cody, and the others climbed the stairs and fired their blasters at the droids as a small fire fight erupted.

The droids were agile and managed to avoid getting hit by direct blasts and one managed to nick Fives in the shoulder. Will jumped off a chair into a corkscrew spin as his saber spun back to his hand. He landed on the ground and kicked a droid into the wall before ducking under a blast from behind and slicing that droid in half and then into quarters. The droid Will kicked got up and drew a vibro-blade before lunging at him. Will blocked and parried the droid's attacks before slicing its hands off and cleaving it in two. Rex and Cody blasted two droids while Hevy and Echo double-teamed the last one.

"I got one!"

"Sorry, Echo. I junked that one."

"Like hell you did."

"Not so tough now are you sparky?" Hevy taunted the dead droid.

Cody walked up to the main console and saw something show up on the scanners. "Get to the window. It looks like we have more visitors."

They rushed over to the window and Echo used his electro-visor to get a clear look and it wasn't good. There were eight Separatist Munificent-class star frigates and two Lucrehulk-class Droid control ships. "It looks like a Separatist fleet."

"That's why they commandeered the outpost. They're mounting a full-scale invasion." Cody said.

"We have to warn command." Rex told them while Fives was at the main console to assess the damage.

"That's going to be hard, sir. Those clankers sabotaged our transmitter and they hard-wired the all-clear signal. It'll take time to repair." Fives told him,

"We don't have that kind of time." Will said.

"Look!" Cody pointed and they saw a droid carrier ship descend to the platform.

"Well buddy, you always said you wanted to be on the front lines." Echo said to Hevy.

"This just got complicated. Those droids are gonna come after us with everything they have while their fleet continues on. We need to stop them before they do that." Will said before looking at Rex and nodding. The two were on the same train of thought. "There's only one option we have."

"We destroy the outpost." Rex told them.

"But sir, our mission is to defend this facility at all costs." Fives said.

"We have to warn the Republic about the invasion. They'll take notice when the all-clear signal stops." Rex said.

"That's right. When they stop receiving our beacon, they'll get the message something's wrong." Echo concluded.

"We'll need every thermal detonator in the armory." Rex told them.

"I don't think that's going to be enough to take this place out." Will pointed out.

"We can use the LT. This moon freezes for over half the year. We use liquid tibanna as fuel to heat the base." Echo explained.

"Liquid Tibanna: highly explosive." Cody said.

"Nice. Bring the tanks here and prime the detonators. Let's give those droids a surprise they're not expecting. Those droids and the Separatists are in this sector for one reason: Kamino. Now, I have no authority to speak of it but as far as I'm concerned, anyone who threatens the home of my comrades and their brothers is going to have to go through me. Today you don't just fight for the Republic…you fight for your home." Will told them.

"Sir, yes sir!" Hevy, Echo, Fives, Cody, and Rex put on their helmets and got prepared for the assault. Fives, Echo, Cody, and Will went to the armory to gear up.

"I think we can even the odds a bit, commander. Especially since they don't know we're here." Hevy said before picking up a heavy rotary blaster. "This one's mine."

"A big gun doesn't make a big man." Cody told him before handing Fives two DC-15S blaster carbines while he took a DC-15A heavy blaster rifle. Rex and Echo moved the LT tanks over to the main room. They were going to set everything up while Will and the others gave them as much time as they could.

A squadron of battle droids arrived at the front door to the outpost and activated the intercom. "Reinforcements reporting. Open up."

The door opened to reveal Hevy with his rotary blaster. "Didn't say please." He opened fire and completely decimated the first squadron of battle droids but there were still more to come.

"Clones! Get 'em!" The rest of the droids in the troop transport pressed forward, firing back as Hevy laid down a heavy suppressive fire which mowed down a few more droids. Cody joined him in laying down fire as Echo threw a thermal detonator which blew some apart. He then fired his two DC-15S blasters as they were making quick work of the battle droids with easy. Unfortunately, more battle droids descended from the carrier along with super battle droids. They began making their way forward and laid down heavy suppressive fire that forced the clones to take cover. Several of the super battle droids had rocket launcher attachments and fired but either missed or hit the outpost walls.

"Sir, we're taking heavy fire!" Cody shouted into his comms.

"I'm on it!" Will shouted, jumping out of the window from the second floor and throwing down several thermal detonators. They rolled onto the platform and blew up several super battle droids. He landed and moved into a quick roll before ignited his saber and slicing several droids into pieces at the legs or torso before channeling the force to increase his speed. He raced across the platform and sliced down droids as he did while the clones opened fire when he was clear.

Will took cover behind a crate as several of the droids fired at him while the others kept focused on the clones. He tossed another thermal detonator from behind the crate which blew up in a large fireball before rushing out again. The saber sliced two battle droids in half in one swing before a super battle droid was sliced down the middle and force pushed into others. A super battle droid fired at him, but he side-stepped and evaded the blaster fire before rushing forwards. Once he got close, he vaulted off it like it was a platform, deflecting blaster fire as he fell to the ground and threw out another force push wave that sent several droids flying off the edge and into the canyon.

Despite Will taking down over forty droids in quick succession, more poured out from the carrier ship and blasted at him. Several destroyer droids unfolded and deployed their shields before firing at him putting Will on the defensive, quickly covering himself and deflecting any blaster fire he could while being pushed back to the door. Echo quickly tossed out a thermal detonator as Will rushed back into the door just as Cody closed it and smashed the control panel.

"Well we took out a solid chunk of them, but those droids are relentless." Will commented.

"Still nicely done sir." Echo said.

"Yeah, I've never heard a Jedi moving like you do." Hevy told him.

"That's because there's no Jedi like Commander Vizsla." Cody informed them.

"Jedi fight their own way…but Mandalorians fight another way." Will replied. "Let's hunker down a bit. Those droids will be through the doors soon. Echo, head back and get any more thermal detonators you can."

"Yes sir." Echo rushed back upstairs to the armory while Hevy, Cody, and Will took up defensive positions in the hallway to the entrance and waited for the droids to break through. The sound of clanking and blaster fire indicated they were close. The sound of thermal detonators priming could be heard before the door was blown open and the droids marched through laying down heavy fire.

Cody and Hevy were in cover, firing back while Will deflected and blocked blaster fire with his saber. Echo managed to rush back down and tossed a thermal detonator down the hallway, taking down some more droids but more kept coming and the blaster fire got more intense.

"Fall back to the op center!" Will shouted, covering the clones as they rushed back up-stairs.

"Rex, they're here." Cody told him over the comms.

"Almost ready." Rex replied as they made it up to the op center. Will smashed the control panel and the blast door shut. "The handset isn't linking up with the detonator. Hevy!"

"Yes, sir!"

"This detonator isn't working." Rex told him as Hevy took it.

"I'll take care of it. It'll be fixed in no time. You guys get out of here." Hevy told him.

"Just make it fast. Those droids are getting close." Rex told him as they began making their escape through the service tunnel.

Hevy began messing with it while Will stayed by the blast door, hearing them getting close. "Hevy, what's the hold up?"

"Something's wrong with this thing. It's not working."

"BD-8, see what you can do." Will said as BD-8 scurried down his back and rushed over to begin splicing the detonator and try to fix the problem. "Hevy, take up position on their flank and mow them down if they break through."

"Yes, sir!" Hevy grabbed his blaster and moved into some cover by the console that overlooked the door so he could flank the droids if they entered and had cover as well.

Will closed his eyes and concentrated, channeling as much focus and power as he could into his hands. He gestured like he was holding a ball and soon enough the air around it began to distort and the space in between trembled before he opened his eyes and released a concentrated force wave that blew half the door open. The force ripped the metal off its hinges and sent it crashing into several droids. The others kept moving and fired their blasters at him which he deflected and blocked.

Hevy opened fire and began mowing them down as they came through the doorway, having the perfect vantage point and good line of sight. Will flipped through the air and sliced a droid in two when BD-8 beeped and jumped onto the cannister to wave its leg at him, signaling the job was done.

"Hevy, let's go!" Will shouted.

Hevy jumped from his cover and rushed over to the service tunnel, grabbing the detonator as he did when he was hit in the leg by a stray laser. Will saw him go down and force pushed the droids back down the stairs before rushing over and helping him.

"Forget me, sir. Go ahead!" Hevy told him but Will pushed the rotary blaster away and put the clone's arm around his shoulder before carrying him over to the service tunnel.

"Forget it. We're all getting out of here." Will told him as they began making their way through. BD-8 followed, closing the tunnel behind him as they made their way out.

"Commander Vizsla, where are you?" Rex called in on the comms.

"We're almost there." Will told him as he carried Hevy through the tunnels and out to the canyon ledge where the others were waiting for them. He set him down against the canyon wall as BD-8 popped out a stem vial. "Hevy, blow it."

"With pleasure, sir." Hevy pressed the detonator which primed the explosives on the TB cannisters, and they began beeping at an accelerated pace.

"Uh, what's that?"

"I don't know. What do I look like? A protocol droid?"

"I have a bad feeling about this."

The droids had no idea how bad it was as the TB cannisters blew up which set off a chain reaction that destroyed the outpost and the landing platform as well. Will covered his eyes from the fireball while the clones watched the destruction.

"I always did hate that place." Hevy joked.

Echo checked his scope and saw the Separatists flee retreat to hyperspace. "We've got those tinnies on the run."

"Thanks to us. We did good work today, all of us." Will told them.

"Incoming gunship. We're getting off this crater boys." Rex said as two gunships descended to the outpost wreckage. Will ignited his saber so they could see the light and pick them up.

Line Break xxxxx

Once they were aboard the Negotiator Will, Rex, and Cody explained what happened to Anakin and Obi-wan. To say they weren't expecting that is an understatement, but they were proud of how they acted in the situation and that they managed to alert them in time before Grievous and the Separatists could mount an invasion of Kamino. To honor Hevy, Echo, and Fives for their valor and bravery against all odds there was a small ceremony in the flight bay.

"On behalf of the Republic, we thank you for your valiant service and the lives of your fellow comrades." Obi-wan said as he, Anakin, and Will pinned medals to their armor.

"The three of you showed remarkable courage today. I'm proud to fight beside you from this day forth." Will said as Obi-wan and Anakin stepped aside.

"Congratulations. You're not shinnies anymore." Rex told them.

"With all due respect, sir, we failed our mission. We don't deserve this honor." Echo said.

"No, if it weren't for you the Republic wouldn't have learned of the Separatists' invasion until it was too late." Cody said.

"And you alerted us to the commando droids waiting for us. Without you three its likely we would have fallen into a trap and gotten captured or killed." Will added.

"You should be receiving this medal today, too sir. You led us and saved us more than once." Hevy said, rubbing his leg which was still a little sore.

"No, this was your day. And I'm proud to have fought beside each and every one of you. I've been thinking of putting together my own personal squad and I'd be honored if you three would be the first members." Will said and they all smiled.

"Sir, it would be our honor." Fives said.

"Well then, Fives, Echo, Hevy…welcome to the Rathtar Squad." Will announced as they stood at attention and saluted.

"Sir, yes sir."

"Take this victory today. Get some rest and I'll let you know when we have our first mission." Will said, dismissing them before walking over to join his master.

"You did well today, my young Padawan." Obi-wan told him. "Had I known what would have transpired I wouldn't have sent you without any reinforcements."

"You couldn't have known what would have happened, Master. And I did have backup. Rex and Cody were there with me every step of the way." Will assured him. "Still…what happened today shows Grievous is more conniving than we originally thought. It's gonna take some serious outsmarting to take him and Count Dooku down."

"That it will. Cody and Rex informed me of how well you held yourself today in a leadership position. And of your desire to lead a squad of your own." Obi-wan said.

"Yes, Master. I know I still have a lot to learn but I also think I have a lot to contribute." Will explained.

"Please explain." Obi-wan was curious to his Padawan's train of thought.

"You and the rest of the Jedi have years of experience over me. I understand and I'm not questioning that at all. You are all wise and I value all your wisdom and input." Will assured him with the utmost respect.

"Why do I sense a but coming?" Obi-wan asked.

"But I also feel that I have knowledge in areas that most Jedi are completely inept at." Will told them. Anakin was nearby and having heard that was a little interested in what he just heard.

"How do you mean?" Anakin asked, joining the conversation.

"No offense meant, Master Skywalker. You and Master Kenobi are several of the exception to my previous point, but most Jedi aren't trained for war." Will told them. "The Jedi are peacekeepers, not exactly generals trained in military combat and strategy."

"And you believe you are?" Obi-wan asked.

"I'm trained more than most at the temple, for sure. I'm not an expert by any means, Master and I don't hold the disillusion that I'm wiser beyond my years, but I do have more training in specialized areas than any of the Padawans at the temple and most of the Jedi." Will said, trying to make his point without being rude. "The Jedi are trained to handle a situation as diplomatically and peacefully as can be before violence is necessary and I partially believe that as well. There is no need for senseless violence but that kind of mentality of defensive warfare doesn't exactly work well in a war or battle."

"I don't know about that. We've kind of done all right so far." Anakin pointed out.

"I think we might have different definitions of all right." Will replied. "The battle of Geonosis is a prime example of what I'm talking about, Master Skywalker."

"We won that battle." Anakin reminded him.

"But at what cost? It wasn't exactly the best start to the war and also helps to prove part of my point. Over 179 Jedi were killed that day along with thousands of clones not to mention nearly five thousand clone commandos." Will recounted. "Most of those deaths could have been avoided if the battle on Geonosis wasn't on such a flat surface and we didn't go straight at them."

"You seem to know a lot about that day." Anakin commented.

"He was there, Anakin." Obi-wan told him which surprised him.

"Master Kenobi is actually my second Master. I was Padawan to Master Ur-Sema Du and we were there on the planet to help rescue you." Will told him.

"I'm sorry. You have my condolences for your master." Anakin said as Will nodded.

"Thank you, Master Skywalker. After the arena battle, I was on the ground in the desert and I saw what happened. We set up our army literally across the desert from the droids on a flat even terrain which is a text-book bonehead move in a battle. It gave the droids a direct line of sight at our army and the result of that were numerous battalions and squads sent marching directly into the line of fire and completely wiped out. I saw Master Windu lead several groups of Commando clones into the line of fire with no cover and pretty much all of them were killed." Will explained.

"We did eventually win that battle, though." Anakin pointed out.

"Yeah, after extensive losses and with air support. And it wasn't the Separatists battle to win but ours to lose. They were evacuating off the planet and that droid army was just there to hold us off. The battle eventually ended with the help of special squads that went to take out the droid factories but even then, it was difficult. I should know. My master and I were sent through the Geonosian catacombs to reinforce a clone battalion making an attack at a factory but ran into a trap." Will explained and Obi-wan put the pieces together.

"That's where you met General Grievous for the first time."

"He was waiting there for us. We had no idea what he was and when we did it was too late." Will said, remembering that day vividly and how powerful Grievous was. He only wielded an electro-staff in that fight but was more than able to keep up with the both of them and he would have died that day if it weren't for the valiant sacrifice of his master and the arrival of backup forces. But Grievous escaped that day and took his master's saber as a trophy. After that day, more and more Jedi have died by his hands. "After that day, I've personally doubled my training and reading into military strategy and combat so something like that could be avoided in the future. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case."

"You're right about that." Obi-wan said, thinking over the course of the clone wars. While they won their fair share of battles, the losses they have accrued were also something to note and their military strategy hadn't exactly improved. The Battle of Hypori was a good example of this. The Republic cruisers were crippled and crashed onto the planet surface via orbital mines and the clones were soon decimated by the droid army and General Grievous. It was a harsh loss with Master Mundi, Shaak Ti, K'Kruhk and Aayla Secura managing to survive due to the quick response by the Alpha-Class Advanced Recon Commando squad troopers led by Captain Fordo. They managed to break through the massive droid army, keep Grievous at bay and rescue the Jedi before leaving.

Will made some valid points and while his responses and answers could be seen as egocentric given that he was essentially saying he had better training, it wasn't to make himself seem better than the others. Obi-wan could tell that wasn't the case. It was more to address a growing concern and want to help. "I'm just hoping for a chance, Master. I know I have a lot to learn but I also believe I can help as well." Will told him.

"And I believe that, my young Padawan, I do. You do have knowledge and training that could prove vital in the coming years but your eagerness to help and your willingness to put yourself in harm's way is a concern." Obi-wan addressed.

"I'd like to think of it more as a desire to uphold the mission of the Jedi order: to protect the galaxy. In this case, protecting the galaxy means helping fight the Separatists." Will pointed out.

"You're quite quick with the retorts, aren't you?" Obi-wan asked as Will smirked back.

"I've learned it from you, Master."

Obi-wan chuckled before making his decision. "Very well. You can start building a squad of clone troopers to follow you in battle. And as my padawan you will always have a voice in our battle plans but be mindful of your place among others. You're still a Padawan and while you may have something to say in a situation, that doesn't mean you should."

"Yes, Master." Will bowed his head. "When do I not have to worry about that so much?"

"When you're ready." Obi-wan assured him. "Now, get some rest. We're headed to Kamino to soon to drop off our wounded and pick up new recruits and equipment."

"Yes, Master." Will replied heading off to get some much needed rest.

Line Break xxxxx

Kamino

A planetary rotation cycle later and the Negotiator entered Kamino airspace to gather new troops and equipment. The star destroyer hovered down to the planet's surface where it landed on the large landing platform of the floating cities. The constant rain was a nice wash to the spaceship as the landing platform opened up. Once the ship was fully docked, transport droids began moving the injured safely off the ship and new supplies were loaded. Obi-wan was talking with Cody while Will was with Fives, Echo, and Hevy in their clone armor. Will had asked them to be his first recruits to the Rathtar squad and they accepted. Their chest armor had two symbols, one was a blue handprint on the right side in reference to Rex when they first met, and the left side had the Shriek-hawk claw mark of the Mandalorian clan Vizla indicating they worked with Will.

"So, this is where you guys grew up and trained?" Will asked.

"Yeah, never figured we'd be back here of all places so soon." Hevy said.

"Ah, Hevy's just a little home sick." Fives joked.

"Well, if this is where you guys came from then show me around." Will said as they began walking through the Kaminoan facility. They walked down a hallway that overlooked the birthing tubes and on the other side was the academy where the younger clones learned military strategy, history, and other basic skills. "So, this is where you guys grew up?"

"It is. Man, if feels just like yesterday we were heading over to target practice." Echo said.

"Yeah, good times." Fives said as he saw a group of young clone cadets being escorted to their next lesson.

"Time sure does fly." Hevy commented when he saw 99 carrying some training blasters. "Hey, 99!"

"Ha, Echo. Fives. Hevy." 99 was glad to see them alive.

"You actually remember us."

"Of course. I remember all my brothers." 99 said.

"It's good to see you 99." Hevy knelt and pat his brother on the shoulder.

"Oh, here I kept this safe for you." 99 held out the medal Hevy gave him before he shipped out. "You can have it back."

"Nah, you keep it. It's in good hands with you." Hevy told him with a smile.

"So, what brings you guys back to Kamino?"

"We're here resupplying and picking up new recruits before we ship out. We just thought we'd give the commander a quick tour." Hevy said, gesturing to Will.

"A Jedi." 99 quickly bowed his head in respect.

"You don't need to do that, 99. I'm a Padawan. I'm Will Vizsla but please call me Will. It's nice to meet you." Will said with a smile. "So, I imagine you must know your way around this place."

"I do, sir."

"Then would you mind giving me a private tour? I can tell I'd be in good hands with you." Will said.

"Sure thing. Let's start out with the training arenas." 99 led them into another building where the training arena were set up. Here the clone squads and units were trained in formations, attack patterns, or other specialized tasks. They walked out onto a platform and saw a bunch of cadets running the citadel challenge.

"Bring back any memories, guys?" Will asked.

"Sure does. The fact that we kept failing this course over and over is never gonna leave my brain anytime soon." Hevy joked as the others laughed.

"What's the objective?" Will asked.

"Take down the droids and take the citadel." Echo explained as they watched the recruits move from cover to cover and take down the droids. "It's a lot harder than it looks."

"Still, you guys passed your test and standing beside me is proof of that. Now that we're a team something tells me we'll run into similar situations like this and on the Rishi moon." Will told them. "But I know you guys will be ready."

"Are there any other training sessions set up?" Fives asked.

"Yeah, there's a special one. Follow me." 99 led them back into the hall and down the hallway where they met with Jedi Master Shaak Ti.

"Master Shaak Ti." Will bowed his head in respect.

"Padawan. Domino squad, good to see you again although you are short a few members." She noted.

"We lost our brothers on the Rishi moon." Hevy told her.

"I am sorry for your loss. Padawan, a moment of your time." She said.

"Yes, Master. You guys go ahead. I'll catch up." Will told them as 99 led them away while he stayed behind to talk to Master Shaak Ti. "Can I help you with something, Master?"

"I just got back from talking to Master Kenobi at the loading docks. He speaks quite highly of you and your skill in battle." She said as they walked down the hallway together.

"Thank you, Master Ti. Master Kenobi speaks highly of you as well." Will told her and she nodded.

"He says you are different than normal Padawans. I don't know many younglings with an affinity for military strategy and history as you do." She noted.

"Well, I'm not like other Padawans. I'm hoping my affinity in those areas can help against the Separatists. Hevy, Echo, and Fives are part of my team and hopefully we'll be able to help with the coming battles. My mother often said that strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory and tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat. So far the path to victory is a slow on." He commented.

"Indeed. The war has dragged on and seems to have no end in sight. The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our hands." She quoted and Will was a little taken back.

"That's a Mandalorian proverb. How do you know that?" Will asked as they walked onto a balcony overlooking a training area where Echo, Fives, Hevy, and 99 were standing.

"From a Mandalorian." She said as Will saw a squad of Clones going through a live training exercise with a male human overseeing their training. The squad of four clones were doing a live fire exercise against a droid battalion and a large spider droid. The clones moved from cover to cover in quick and expert manner, firing back at the droids with DC-17M Interchangeable Weapon System blasters. The unique weapons, the bulky backpacks, and their distinct looking armor and helmets indicated that they were Clone Commandos.

Will remembered seeing troopers like that on Geonosis during the battle and it was a squad of clone commandos that showed up in the catacombs and saved him from Grievous. He also remembered seeing Master Windu lead several squads into battle only for most of them to get wiped out. The commandos were supposed to be the elite special forces of the Grand Army of the Republic but not a lot was known about them.

"Clone Commandos." Will said and Shaak Ti nodded.

"Indeed. This is Omega Squad." She told him.

"Egh, so what? Commandos or not, they don't look any different than us." Hevy commented. "I don't see what the big hype is."

"I'm guessing things between all clones aren't exactly on the best of terms?" Will questioned.

"Make no mistake, sir. We're all brothers. There's no doubt about that…but we feel we do just as much work as they do yet they get all the hype." Echo pointed out.

"Ego and arrogance don't have place here, young Echo." Shaak Ti told him.

"She has a point, Echo. War and combat are not a place where ego should linger. Regular clone, Arc trooper or commando…it doesn't matter. You're all brothers and we watch each other's backs out there. Take that to heart." Will said before remembering something that helps illustrate his point. "Ba'ju, Beskar'gam. Ara'nov, Aliit. Mando'a bal Manda'alo—An Vencuyan Mhi."

Echo, Hevy, Fives, 99, and Master Shaak Ti looked at Will speaking an alien language that none of them understood. "What does that mean?" 99 asked.

"Growing up, my mother taught me the history of my people and various codes of honor that our people followed. That was a rhyme I learned as a child to help me remember. Education and armor, self-defense, our tribe, our language, our leader—all help us survive." Will told them. "The single relies on the whole and the whole relies on the single. Forget ego or special treatment."

"Yes sir." They replied.

"You've got a bit of a philosopher in you, don't you sir?" Fives asked making Will chuckle.

"Maybe when the war is over, I'll retire to a life of philosophy." He joked as they watched the training. "Master Shaak Ti where did you learn that Mandalorian proverb?"

"From the trainers down there. Several of the trainers are Mandalorian." She told him.

"Really? Well, this is something I need to see for myself." Will said making his way down there with the clones following him.

Down in the training area, the clone commandos of Omega squad moved from cover to cover as they pressed their attack to get to their objective. Several blocks and pillars were arranged to give the area a similar layout to a city or populated landscape that they would likely end up on missions. Two of the clones were firing at the droids with their DC-17M Interchangeable Weapon System blasters in blaster mode, laying down heavy suppressive fire which allowed the other two to move up on the left and right side. The commando on the left switched his DC-17M to its anti-armor setting and fired a grenade round that blew the large spider droid in half and took out the rest of the droids. With them out of commission, the fourth commando leapt out of cover and rushed forward to his target which was a podium signifying a Separatist terminal with important information. He used a data pad and began downloading all the information he could before quickly turning around and using his DC-15s side arm and blasted a commando droid in the face. A second droid came at him from the side, but the commando quickly kicked out its leg and stabbed it into the head with his knuckle plated vibro-blade.

The data pad beeped indicated the transfer was complete, so the commando retrieved it and walked back over to his team but not before giving the spider droid one last blaster bolt to the head to make sure it was dead. A siren was heard indicating the test was complete.

"Not bad, boys. Atin, remember to triple check your sectors before you move into an area like that." Their trainer told them. He was an older gentleman with flecks of grey in his hair but that didn't mean much as he was just as spry and capable as when he was in his prime. He was wearing sand/gold colored Mandalorian Beskar armor along with his gauntlets with a WESTAR-34 blaster pistol holstered around his leg. This was Kal Skirata, one of the Cuy'val Dar and trainer of Omega squad and adopted father or Kal'Buir to the clones. (1)

"Roger that." The clone replied when he saw someone enter the area. "Looks like we got a trespasser."

Kal turned and saw a young one enters the training area followed by three clones. Kal was about to usher him away when he noticed the unique shriek-hawk necklace and his familiar looking gauntlets.

"Sorry to interrupt but I saw the training and wanted to get a closer look." Will said before looking at Kal and noticing his Mandalorian Beskar and gauntlets. He was Mandalorian. "Pleasure to meet you in the flesh, al'verde." (Commander)

"You are Mandalorian." Kal said and Will nodded. "What clan are you from?"

"I am Will of Clan Vizsla. Son of Pio Vizsla, my mother." Will introduced himself.

"I am unfamiliar with the name." Kal told him. "Why are you here and how did you come to be with the Jedi of all people?"

"The civil war." Will told him and Kal understood. "My mother fought against the rising pacifist regime up until she gave birth to me."

"Ha, she sounds like a mighty warrior." Kal said.

"She was." Will replied with a fond smile. "When the war was closing to an end, the warrior clans were being exiled to Concordia to live on the mining moon. She didn't want that for me and fled for Coruscant. There she raised me as she was…as a warrior. I trained to fight since I could crawl and learned our history and language when I could talk."

"Yet how does a Mandalorian find himself in service to the Jedi of all people?" Kal questioned.

"After an act to protect those from men who had no honor." Will replied. "Criminals attacking those who couldn't defend themselves. I sought to help them, and I did but with the aid of Master Rahm Kota. He saw me and the potential I had and brought me to the temple."

"What did your mother think of this?" Kal asked.

"She passed away shortly before that happened." Will explained. "Despite being a Padawan I have not forgotten the ways of a Mandalorian…merely adjusted them."

"Then prove it." Kal told him. He was glad to meet another Mandalorian but was a little dubious as to if this young one could really be called one. He was in a similar state being a Cuy'val Dar to train the clones but a Mandalorian Jedi…he wasn't sure. "Run this course on your own and show me that you really are a Mandalorian."

"Fine by me. I could use the exercise." Will said with a smirk. Kal admired the young one's tenacity and confidence.

"Omega Squad, let's take a break." Kal led them out of the training area while Echo, Fives, and Hevy looked at Will.

"Sir, are you sure about this?" Echo asked.

"I am, Echo. Don't worry. Go with them. I can handle it. This is something that I need to prove." Will assured them and they did as they were told.

Kal Skirata, Omega squad and the other clones walked onto the observation platform with Master Shaak Ti. "Master Jedi." Kal nodded his head and she nodded back.

"Sergeant Skirata." She greeted back.

Kal pressed a few buttons on the command table. "Activate Precipice challenge." The training arena began to morph into the terrain of a droid factory. "The challenge of this test is simple, Young one. Get to the terminal at the other end of the area, download the data and get back. The test begins when you take your first steps."

"Roger that." Will gave him a mock salute and started making his way towards the other end.

"We'll see just how good your Jedi is now." One of the commandos said. "This is the hardest test there is."

"Doesn't seem that hard." Hevy commented.

"It is. This test is designed with failure in mind. It only gets harder and harder every step of the way. It's to test how well my commandos do when things don't work out as planned and have to adapt to the situation." Kal informed them.

"Then nothing to worry about. If anyone can adapt to a situation it's the commander." Fives added.

Will began making his way through the training area and saw the terminal only for a large wall to appear in his way and several platforms rise from the ground to reveal small groups of battle droids. They opened fire at him, so he dove behind cover.

"Not much of a Jedi to hide." Kal commented only to see Will throw his saber out from cover. It spun through the air like a buzz saw and sliced through droids with ease while he raced out from the other side. The droids fired at him, but he moved too quickly to get hit. He fired his grappled cable at the legs of one of the droids before flipping through the air and yanking hard. His harsh tug pulled the droid into the others, sending them clattering onto the ground in a helpless pile. His saber returned to his hand as he landed on the ground and slashed all the droids in the helpless pile into pieces. Once they were dealt with, he fired his cable up the wall and proceeded to climb.

"See, told you so." Fives said.

"That was only the first part." Kal told him, seeing the young Mandalorian climb over the wall only to stop when several laser grid traps on the ground were triggered. If any of the lasers were touched, then something bad would happen and to make matters worse floating platforms activated with small contingents of droids on them. He blocked and deflected blaster fire before running along the top of the wall and force jumping high in to the air. He force pushed the droids off one platform and they all fell onto the laser grid where they were electrocuted. He landed on the platform and was once again targeted by the droids but deflected their blasters with his saber.

"The kid's stuck." One of the commandos said only for Will throw his saber at the ceiling and slice a cable loose. The droids continued firing but Will activated his gauntlets shield projector to shield him. Once the time was right, he leapt forward and grabbed the cable, using it to swing forward. During his swing, he fired his wrist rocket and blew up the platform and the droids before flipping high into the air and firing his grapple line at the third and final platform. He swung through the air and landed by the terminal before firing his last rocket and blowing up the third platform.

"All right, not bad." Kal commented. Will retracted his cable and holstered his saber before making his over to the terminal and accessing it, mocking like he was downloading the data. As he was doing this, a stealth commando droid slowly and quietly made its way behind him with a vibro-blade. Will kept working at the terminal before quickly moving his head to the side to avoid the blade. He grabbed the droid's arm and brought it down on his shoulder, dislocating the joint before taking the blade and stabbing it into the weak point under the arm. That blade stab short-circuited the droid's central processor. Two more droids attacked him from both sides so Will threw the dead droid at one to focus on the other. It lunged forward so he quickly leaned back to avoid the droid's attack before spinning on his knees and slicing the droid's leg and then ripped its head off. The last droid aimed it blaster only for Will to throw the vibro-blade through its faceplate.

The last droid was dealt with as the terminal beeped, indicating the information had been downloaded. "Ha, told you the commander could do it." Hevy told him.

"Now comes the hard part." Kal said, pressing a few buttons on a command prompt.

An alarm sounded, indicating that the system picked up an intruder and all droids would be on alert. Platforms rose out of the ground with squads of droids, so he needed to move fast and smart and since he was going to be surrounded, he knew just what to do. He jumped high into the air, evading droid fire and landed right in the middle before unleashing a force repulse wave that rendered all the droids into scrap metal.

"Never seen a Jedi do that." A commando commented.

The way back to the starting point was now arranged to look like a narrow corridor with a whole battalion of droids in the way. Will took a deep breath and cracked his neck before holding his saber in front of him. "Shall we?"

The droids opened fire so he blocked and deflected as many as he could. He quickly backflipped behind the terminal for cover before closing his eyes and concentrated.

"Guess the young one met his match." Kal said only to see a super battle droid float above the others. They all looked and saw that Will was using the force to lift it into the air and move it in front of the droid column: partly as a shield and partly to whittle away at their numbers. The super battle droid's wrist mounted blaster managed to blast apart several battle droids before it was blasted and shut down so Will threw it into droid column before rushing out saber first. He blocked a few blasters and channeled the force into his body to increase his speed, agility, and reaction time. He slid forward, slicing the legs off several droids before moving into a gainer flip. He kicked and sliced droids in a myriad of precise movements and attacks that looked effortless. Will was in his element.

Kal watched with rapt attention as he saw the kid move with quick and deadly precision as he took down droid after droid. Having seen firsthand how the Jedi fight from his own experience and from Master Shaak Ti, Will was different. Even just by seeing him fight he could see that. His movement and attacks were a clear indicator of the tutelage by someone trained in their ways. He was also well versed in his gauntlets and how to use them well.

"Well would you look at that." A commando commented as he saw Will vault off a wall and sliced three droids in half before rolling and attacking their legs. The young Mandalorian used his flamethrower to distract some super battle droids so he could attack another group before activating his forearm blades and slicing through the weak joints in a droid's neck. "Looks like the kid might make it."

Will brought his saber into a windmill motion, slicing through several droids at once when he saw there were more coming. He levitated all the broken and destroyed droid parts before throwing them at the rest with accelerated speed, so they did more damage and smashed through them with ease. He followed that up with a concentrated force push wave that barreled through any remaining droids and crushed them like paper. With those droids out of the way, he holstered his saber and walked over to his starting position to end the exercise only for two super battle droids to rise from the ground and hold their blasters at him.

"Surrender, Jedi." The droid said as Will looked at the two droids, one on his left and one on his right. "It's over."

"Who am I to argue? I surrender." Will told them.

"Hand over your weapon." One of the droids ordered.

"Sure thing. Catch!" Will tossed it high into the air. The droids looked up which was their undoing as it gave Will the chance to act. He channeled the force into his right hand and punched straight through the droid to his left, going through its face plate and out the back. The other droid turned to aim only for Will's saber to activate and fall to the ground quickly, slicing the droid and landing in his hand. Will slashed it one more time to be sure before deactivating it and standing on the spot he started on, finishing the exercise.

"Ha, knew he could do it." Hevy said. "Never doubted him for a second."

"Yeah, right." Fives joked as the three rushed down to go see him.

"Very, very impressive." Shaak Ti commented before following them.

"What do you think, sir?" One of his clones asked Kal.

"I think that the kid is unlike any Mandalorian I've met. Tarre Vizsla come back to life. He could do great things with the right teachings…but where he stands on our warrior codes is another matter. I'm curious how peacekeepers have affected his thoughts on the Canons of Honor, Resol'nare, and the Supercommando Codex." Kal commented before he and his clones left.

Will took a few breaths and slumped a bit to recover from the intense training. Challenging…but not impossible. "Well done, sir." Hevy said as he, Echo, Fives, 99, and Master Shaak Ti walked over to him.

"Thanks, Hevy. That was definitely challenging." Will said, taking one more deep breath before he managed to stand up straight. "I wouldn't recommend doing that without some backup."

"Still, you performed very well for a Padawan, Young Vizsla. That is the hardest test among the special forces branch and you did it on your own. Your training has served you well." She complemented him. "Learn from Master Kenobi and never stray from the path…and a bright future is ahead of you. Perhaps you will be anointed a Jedi Knight in a few years."

"One can only hope." Will said when his comm link went off. "Yes, Master."

"Will, we're nearly finished loading up the ship. Please return to the loading dock." Obi-wan told him.

"Roger that. We're on our way." Will replied. "Guess the tour's over. Let's head back."

"I shall accompany you." Master Shaak Ti told them.

"It was nice to meet you, 99. Hopefully we'll meet again." Will shook his hand and the clone smiled.

"Take care, brother." Hevy bid him farewell as they made their way back to the loading docks.

Obi-wan was talking with Cody as the last of the supplies and new troops were being loaded onto the Negotiator. Repaired walker tanks made their way up the ramp and into the hangar part of the ship while troopers helped with ammunition, weapons, and other supplies like food and medicine. Will and his squad walked into the cargo area and helped the rest of the troops move the remaining supplies onto the ship. Will and Shaak Ti used the force to lift some large crates from the cargo area.

"So, I hope your little trip on Kamino was fun?" Obi-wan asked, walking up to his Padawan.

"It was. Both informative and I got a workout as well." Will replied. "I ran into the Mandalorian training the Special forces."

"Really? Another of your people is here training them?" Obi-wan was not expecting to hear that. Will being a Mandalorian was a little difference since he was a Jedi Padawan but first Jango Fett and now another one. He had to wonder if something else going on with Kamino.

"Yes, but don't worry about anything, Master Kenobi." Shaak Ti assured him. "I've learned from the prime minister that as part of their contract, they have renounced all ties to their home world and affiliation in any political or military matter. They work for the Republic and are known as the Cuy'val Dar."

"What does that mean?" Obi-wan was unfamiliar with the word.

"Cuy'val Dar is Mando'a. It means those who no longer exist. I'm guessing they're named that to signify that who they were before isn't who they are now." Will suggested.

"Rest assured, Master Kenobi all the Cuy'val Dar are prioritized with is training the clones." Master Shaak Ti said. "The former Mandalorians have trained our finest Arc troopers and commandos."

"Yeah. I saw Omega squad in action. They're good." Will added.

"Well, the way the war is going something tells me we'll work with them eventually. Will, help get the last of the supplies on board." Obi-wan said.

"Yes, Master." Will led Fives, Echo, and Hevy to finish the task.

"Your Padawan is very well trained. His skills in combat are something I've only seen with experienced Jedi knights." Shaak Ti told him. "He has tremendous potential…yet there is still a lot unknown about his future."

"I agree. Master Yoda says his future is clouded but I will do my best to guide him as best as I can." Obi-wan replied.

"Master Jedi…a moment." They heard as Kal Skirata walked up to them, decked out in his sand-colored Mandalorian armor. With him was another Mandalorian dressed in black-colored armor. This was Walon Vau, another of the Cuy'val Dar and trainer of the Delta Squad commandos. With them were Delta and Omega squad along with two Null-class Arc troopers Ordo and Mereel.

"Is there something we can help you with?" Obi-wan asked.

"You're heading back to Coruscant and we'd like to hitch a ride with you." Kal told him as Obi-wan and Shaak Ti shared a look.

Will walked down the ramp and over to his master. "We've finished loading up the last of the supplies." He said when he saw Kal and the others. "What's going on?"

"What's going on is we're not done yet, kid." Kal told him.

Line Break xxxxx

Obi-wan allowed Kal and his group onto the star destroyer for the trip back to Coruscant. Kal told him that they had a mission on the planet and since they were heading there anyways, he wanted to catch a ride. The Jedi master figured there was more to this and he was right…Kal did have an ulterior motive. He wanted to know more about Will.

Speaking of Will, he was walking through the ship until he found Kal and his group hanging around in the flight bay. He and his clones were talking and hanging out while preparing their gear for whatever mission they had. Kal joked with his commandos when he saw Will. "There's the young one. Glad you found me. I was hoping to talk to you."

"Really? Because I kind of got the feeling before that you wanted nothing to do with me." Will said.

"You'll have to forgive me on that. Seeing another Mandalorian but with the Jedi was a little disconcerting." Kal replied, gesturing Will to sit down across from him. "Despite that, I can tell you were trained as a real Mandalorian. Your mother was a proud warrior and she taught you well."

"Thank you, Kal. And if the stories about the Commandos are any indicator than you're the one who deserves the praise." Will commented. "How did you come to train clones?"

"We were paid to. Walon and I, among others were drafted by Jango Fett to train the clone army. He had us forsake the people we were to train them in secrecy hence our title." Kal informed him.

"The Cuy'val Dar…those who no longer exist." Will said and Kal nodded. "If you've been on Kamino all this time I have to ask if you know what's going on with Mandalore."

"You mean that the planet is now ruled by someone who values peace and neutrality?" Kal asked, disgusted by the very thought. "I have my own thoughts on her. But what do you think?"

"Growing up the way I did…I understand both sides of the argument." Will said, intriguing Kal a little bit. "As a Jedi, we're taught to protect, and that peace is the better alternative so leading your people into a future where you don't have to worry about them getting drafted into a war or needless violence is understandable. But I'm Mandalorian and know that peace and neutrality and just words that most can toss out at a moment's notice. If she actually thinks she'll be able to survive the war with peace and neutrality…I have my doubts. Time will tell."

"And interesting philosophy and opinion." Kal commented.

"I'm young. Who knows how I'll think in a few years?" Will joked and Kal chuckled.

"You are unlike any Jedi I have met, and I mean that as a compliment in the best of ways." Kal said shaking his hand and pulling him to his feet. "Let me introduce you to the others. You already know Omega team."

"Sir!" They all stood up at attention.

"At ease, men. You can relax. I've never been one for formality unless necessary and considering I heard you call Kal Kal'buir, you're Mandalorian by creed. This is the way." Will said as Kal, Omega and the others stood up and bowed their heads.

"This is the way." They repeated.

"So, who am I really meeting?" Will asked as the commandos and Arc troopers took their helmets off.

"I'm Niner, leader of Omega Squad. This is Darman our demo expert, Atin our tech guy and Fi our medic and sniper." Niner introduced him and his men who were wearing specialized black-colored Night Ops armor.

Delta squad stood up to reveal their unique and personalized suits of armor that he remembered seeing before. Boss, the leader wore white and orange armor and four circles on his chest plate, indicating his rank as leader while the others had two circles. Fixer was the second in command and tech expert, wearing white and green armor. Sev was the sniper of the group and wore white and red armor with a red handprint on his helmet. Scorch was the last member and explosive technician, wearing grey and orange armor.

"Delta squad, it's good to see you again." Will bowed his head and they did the same. Kal raised an eyebrow so he explained. "Delta squad came to my rescue in the Geonosian catacombs after Grievous ambushed me and my master. They managed to find me in time before he killed me as he did her."

"We're still sorry we never got a shot at the clanker Grievous." Boss said.

"Yeah. One shot at him with my gun and he'd be a pile of scrap by now." Scorch joked.

"Hopefully you'll get your chance." Will replied as two Arc troopers stood at attention. One was wearing red armor while the other was wearing blue armor. "Captain Fordo, Captain Mereel, good you see you two. Your reputations proceed you."

"Sir!" They saluted him.

"So, what business brings you and the special forces to Coruscant?" Will asked.

"Let me show you." Kal said as he, Niner, Fordo, and Boss moved to the main strategy room where Obi-wan was going to meet them to hear what was going on. "Over the past few months Omega team has been working on the trail of suspected Confederate terrorist activity. Their last mission involved work in the Corellian-Perlemian hyperspace intersection."

"That's the major hyperspace boarder to the systems. Pretty much every single freighter or ship comes through that area and Republic intelligence suspects that the Separatists have been using that area to move supplies under the radar on civilian ships. Those ships travel throughout the core systems." Will explained, drawing looks of shock by everyone who were curious how he knew that. He noticed the odd look his master was giving him. "I have to do something when we're not training or I'm tinkering. I pass the time reading republic reports."

"Hmm, a worthy use your time it seems." Obi-wan commented.

"The kid's right. Omega team was dispatched there to take care of some Separatists operatives and bombers." Kal said.

"Yeah, after we rescued their asses." Boss joked only for Niner to glare at him.

"Stow it, Boss. Anyway, the freighter that exploded originated from the same area but was double scanned before it left so it wasn't rigged near the intersection. The reports say that the freighter captain kept the Coruscant security force away when it landed because they had their own private security team on the planet meet them. They were busy for hours before the cargo was removed, and then the ship blew up. Coruscant Security Force took over the investigation, but those boys couldn't investigate themselves out of a paper bag. This is connected so we're taking it over. I already have a contact there who is going to help. A Hutt named Qibbu."

"I sure hope that favor is a good one. Qibbu isn't exactly known for being the most loyal associate." Will told him.

"How do you know that?" Boss asked.

"I grew up on Coruscant and my mom and I weren't well-off enough to live in the best area. I remember seeing him every now and then when my mom needed credits. She'd do odd jobs for him that no one else could do. She was his best mercenary, but he made my skin crawl." Will explained.

"Hutts tend to have that effect on people. But Qibbu has amassed enough money and influence to be just on the edge of legitimate that even Senators deal with him. He's gone his version of legitimate but still maintains ties to the criminal underworld for our mission. And his past dealing with the Trade Federation doesn't make him a fan of them or the Separatists. He'll help us." Kal explained before looking at Will. "You want to come along, kid?"

"Me?" Will asked as he and Obi-wan gave Kal some looks.

"You've proven you can handle yourself in combat and your familiarity with Coruscant could help. Besides, having a Jedi…even a Padawan could help if something goes wrong." Kal pointed out.

"I'm up for it. Master?" Will asked as Obi-wan thought it over.

"I'm not sure about this." Obi-wan said.

"Then come along. Two is better than one." Kal suggested. Obi-wan thought it over and while part of him would rather stay on the ship, this could prove to be a serious matter. If there was a Separatist cell working on Coruscant then it needed to be found. Obi-wan nodded, giving his response. "All right but find some different clothes. We'll stick out like sore thumbs even if you wear your robes."

"Fine by me." Will replied.

They eventually landed on planet and the Negotiator parked itself into the holding area for all Republic star destroyers. Obi-wan spoke with Cody and had the men on standby in case something happened or if they were needed off world. He had dressed in regular clothes and looked like a refuge, similar to Anakin when he and Senator Amidala left for Naboo before the start of the war. Will on the other hand was wearing regular pants, a black shirt and blue jacket with his saber tucked inside for safe keeping. His padawan braid was tucked into his shirt and jacket so it didn't dangle, and he still had his gauntlets on, but they were covered up by the sleeves of his jacket. BD-8 was still perched up on his back. Will and his Master left with Kal and the clone squadron who were all wearing civilian clothes with their armor and weapons in bags and crates. Will also brought along Hevy, Fives, and Echo since they were part of his squad now and would be good experience for them to learn from the special forces.

They took a speeder and drove through the city before heading to the Uscru Entertainment district where Qibbu was located. Will felt a sense of nostalgia and happiness flood him as he witnessed his old home and all the memories. Old Mister Kaku who sold fruit on the corner or the trouble he and his friends would get in…those were good times. Kal parked the speeder in an alley near a six-story building. By the raucous sounds of laughter and clattering of drinks it was a cantina and the sign in the front read Qibbu's Hut. It was the Cantina and Hotel on the edge of the district near the Coruscant underworld. This must have worked for Qibbu's operations to be near the legitimate areas but close enough to the illegal ones. Kal got out and put a jacket on to cover up his armor.

"All right, Boss stay here and keep an eye out. The Jedi and I will talk to the Hutt. It shouldn't take too long." Kal said, making sure his WESTAR-34 blaster pistol was secured and ready for quick draw if necessary. "Don't draw attention to yourselves and if anything happens don't use your swords. We don't need the word spreading out you're around."

"Roger that." Will replied as Kal led him and Obi-wan into the cantina. It was deceptively larger on the inside then how the outside portrayed it to be. A large bar stretched the far wall where several droids made drinks and served customers under the watchful eye of a Rodian. Monitors were set up with various sporting events on display and that combined with various game tables made it a haven for gambling. "Well this place is…lively."

"Places like these attract plenty of people of the less than favorable variety." Obi-wan told him. "It's best to not linger in places like this unless you're looking for someone."

"And we are. Places like this are great for picking up intel. People always talk when they have a little Embrian ale in their system." Kal said, leading Will and Obi-wan over to the bar to speak to the Rodian. "Hey, I need to speak to Qibbu."

"Yeah, so would a lot of people. He's busy this time of night. He's got a lot of customers to help. Come back another time." The Rodian told him. Will saw Kal move his hand towards his blaster and decided to prevent a little scuffle.

"You will take us to see Qibbu." Will waved his hand and used the Jedi mind trick on the Rodian who stood up straight and adopted a blank expression.

"I will take you to see Qibbu."

Kal looked back at Will and smirked. "Guess being a Jedi has its perks, huh?"

"That it does." Obi-wan said as the Rodian led them across the bar over to the elevator that would take them up the floors of the Qibbu's Hut hotel to the top floor where the wealthy, fancy, and important guests stayed. They were led from the elevator down the hallways until they came to a door. They entered the room to see it was lavishly decorated and furnished like you would expect to find in a senator's personal quarters, not one belonging to a Hutt. They saw several guards of various species and even special assassin droids around with weapons guarding the blue and green skinned Hutt.

"Eno, who have you brought here when you know I'm relaxing." Qibbu said.

"Qibbu, it's me." Kal stepped forward as the guards put their hands on their guns in case something happened. "I'm here to call in a favor."

"Ah, Kal Skirata my favorite Mandalorian. You are always welcome. Please, come in." Qibbu said before signaling his men to leave. "So, how can I help you and the Republic?"

"I need your help. My group and I are after some Separatists operating here on Coruscant. We think they're behind the recent bombing at the ports." Kal told him.

"Ah, of course. Those nasty Separatists. And I'm always happy to help the Republic." Qibbu replied. "What will you need my friend?"

"Just a staging area and your influence in the underworld to make us look more appealing to them. Help us with that and I'll consider the debt to me paid in full." Kal offered.

"Who am I to refuse such a generous offer and whatever I can do to help the Republic I will do…especially if it helps pay off my debt. I'll have my second come and assist you. She'll take care of everything you need for your mission" Qibbu pressed a button on his intercom which signaled his second.

"She?" Obi-wan asked.

"Oh yes. Valkyrie is the best operative I've ever had. A lot of my business opportunities are thanks to her cunning mind. She will be able to help you with anything you need." Qibbu said.

"Sounds impressive." Will commented as the door opened and in walked a 16-year old girl. She was wearing black boots, a black and white stylized long skirt, a red long sleeve shirt with a black fold over the heart, a fur-lined black flight jacket and her hair was done in a bob style. She had two black bracelets on one wrist with a communicator band on the other. (2)

"She is." The girl replied as they turned, and Will was a bit shell-shocked to see who it was. She smiled at Will and it honestly felt like he had time traveled to his past. "It's good to see you, Will."

"Qi'ra?" Will honestly couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Line Break xxxxx

Qibbu gave Kal and his group the top suite in his hotel for their operation house to stow all their gear and from where they could operate out of. Kal and Obi-wan made sure everything was in place with their gear and already set out two-man teams to scan the sky lanes for anything suspicious while Qibbu had some associates dig up any dirt from the club that could help. That left Will to catch up with his old childhood friend who had somehow become the number 2 to a Hutt's illegal and legal business dealings.

Once they were clear of any prying eyes, he brought her into a tight hug. Qi'ra chuckled and hugged him back with equal affection. They looked at one another and couldn't believe they were there. "I cannot believe we meet again like this. This was not how I was expecting us to meet up again."

"Oh, so you have thought of me?" She asked, chuckling a little bit as the two walked through the top floor of building.

"Of course. Just because I was training at the temple doesn't mean I'd forget my oldest friend." He told her.

"Well then it's a good thing I haven't forgotten you." Qi'ra gave him a look to see the young boy she grew up with as a Jedi Padawan. "You look good. Although I'm not too sure about the braid."

"Yeah, I'm not feeling it as well but what can I do. You look like you're doing great as well." He replied. "How did you come to work for Qibbu? Weren't you the one who said he stank like a sarlac pit?"

"I did and the point still stands but a girl has to make her way in the world. Not all of us were picked up by the Jedi." She said.

"Fair enough." Will looked her over and she looked good. Not just aesthetically but she had this aura of confidence and intelligence beyond her years. Clearly a lot has changed since they were kids. "So, how did you end up working for Qibbu?"

"I had some skills and knowledge that he found useful. Skills your mother taught me as we grew up together." Qi'ra said, remembering the fond memories of their childhood. Her parents died when she was a baby leaving her orphaned only for Will and his mother to look out for her after that. She looked out for Qi'ra, taught her and Will to fight and things were good until she passed away when they were 8. After that, it was just Will and Qi'ra for almost a year. They survived on their own with their wits and street smarts until some gang members tried to hurt Mr. Kaku, the friendly storeowner who looked out for them. That was the day Will used his force abilities and Master Kota found them. He took Will to the temple while dropping Qi'ra off at an orphanage. "I miss her."

"So, do I. But I think she'd be proud if she could see us right now." Will said.

"Are you sure? You, probably but I'm working for someone who isn't looked that favorably by many." Qi'ra pointed out.

"Well, I'm a Mandalorian who joined the order his ancestors fought against for years. The future has a way of circumventing our expectations, but I think if she saw us now, she'd be proud of the people we've turned into. She taught us to be strong and never let whatever opportunity pass us by. The strong part was the Mandalorian in her, but the other part was her being a mother." Will smiled and she smiled as well. "I believe she would be happy to see us."

"You always do know what to say." Qi'ra replied.

"It's a gift." Will joked. "So, how did you rise up the ranks in Qibbu's group so quickly?"

"Well, knowing to fight was a plus. I'm not someone who needs protecting. And growing up on the streets provided me with unique insights into the less than polite parts of the community. Qibbu valued my information. Plus, I'm the last person you would expect to swipe information." Qi'ra told him. "I rose up through the ranks rather quickly soon after. And helped Qibbu move some of his dealings into the more…legitimate areas."

"Interesting. Guess both our lives have gone in interesting directions. Never did I think we'd end up meeting like this." Will said.

"Never did I expect to see you leading a Republic Special Forces squad. Aren't the Jedi supposed to be diplomats and keepers of the peace?" Qi'ra questioned.

"We are but we've been warriors and generals in the past. The Jedi established the Army of Light during the old Republic to fight against the New Sith Empire centuries ago. Granted that was disbanded after the Ruusan Reformations and had its downsides but we were warriors and generals back then. That's just a part of history most people don't remember." Will replied. "Unfortunately, you're right. Peacekeepers and diplomats don't exactly make the best generals and soldiers in a war but I'm not a Jedi yet, I'm a Padawan."

"Will." They heard and Boss had stepped out to get them. "They're ready for us."

"Right." The two make their way back to the suite which had easily been converted into an ops center for their mission with weapons and holo-tables ready for their use.

"Glad you could join us, kid." Skirata said.

"Well, you looked like you had it handled and I didn't want to get in the way." Will replied. "Old friends had some catching up to do anyway. So, what's next?"

"I've already got a team out there scanning the skylanes for any potential bogies or suspected Separatists sympathizers. While they do that, we need to draw out the terrorists and that's where Qi'ra and Qibbu come in. With their help, we'll be more convincing as gunrunners who are looking to offload some explosives. A lot of explosives." Skirata informed them.

"Something that this Separatist faction would be looking to buy for their plans. Clever." Obi-wan commented.

"And we'll be even more appealing since Omega team's last mission took out the main suppliers of explosives in the Corellian sector. If this group is looking to do more damage, then we'll be able to supply them with the explosives they need. Once they take the bait, we tag them with tracking dust and go from there." Skirata told them. "Kid, take your squad and go help the recon teams. Your Jedi tricks might be able to help them find our targets and you'll learn a few things but stay stealthy. Master Jedi, you're gonna be with us posing as the arm smugglers in case something goes wrong."

"Roger that. Fives, Echo, Hevy, let's go." Will led them out to join the recon team, quickly getting into the role he was tasked with. Obi-wan watched his apprentice leave and was a tad bit concerned how easily his Padawan was adapting to the military aspect of all of this.

"Let's go, Master Jedi. Time to be the bad guys to catch the bad guys." Kal led him and the others through the plan.

Will, Hevy, Echo, and Fives met one of the recon teams on the roof of Qibbu's establishment. It was Sev of Delta Squad and Fi of Omega squad. They were manning their sniper rifles to watch over the skylanes all around them and checking their sensors for anything.

"Fi, Sev, anything yet?" Will wondered.

"Nothing yet. Sensors picked up a slight uptick in radiation but it was a faulty engine in a speeder." Sev explained.

"Echo, get on the scanner and help them out." Will told him.

"Roger that." Echo got on the scanner and watched over the data of all nearby speeders to pick up for any kind of radiation signature that indicated exposure to explosives.

Will's communicator beeped so he answered it. "Hello?"

"Will, it's me. We're about to head out but I've got a piece of useful intel. I have an associate with the GAR logistics, and he says he noted that a small shipment of explosives was misplaced when he reviewed the requisition documents. He even gave me a name for worker who handed in the paperwork. Vinna Jes. She works in the requisition office and could make things disappear if she's careful enough. She just didn't plan on the review. She lives in the Collective Commerce District. Sounds like someone who could be working for the Separatists if not at least have valuable information." Qi'ra informed him.

"Thanks, Qi'ra. And keep an eye out for my master." He told her.

"I will." She replied before ending the transmission.

"Fi, Sev, what do you think? Sounds like a good lead." Will suggested.

"Yeah. All right, I'll let Scorch know we're going to check it out." Sev told him as they packed up their gear and left. They got a speeder and made their way over to the commerce district. Luckily Fi, Sev, Hevy, Echo, and Fives blended in as a lot of other clones were on leave so they didn't draw a lot of attention. With Qi'ra's intel, they found Vinna Jes's apartment so Fi and Sev were on nearby rooftops to provide sniper cover and recon while Will and the others were stationed on the ground. Echo's scanner did pick up high radiation levels common with Baradium bombs which meant they were on the right track.

Echo, Fives, and Hevy were huddled together at a restaurant like they were hanging out on leave while Will sat at a table eating some food. Fi managed to spot Vinna in her apartment and it seemed like she was ready to leave somewhere so the second she left he would follow. Fi noticed a male Falleen walk over to the apartment and stop outside before pulling out a communicator.

"Commander, I think we got something. Check out the Falleen by the building entrance." Fi said, noticing that when he pulled out his communicator Vinna walked out of her apartment. "I think this is it."

Will glanced over and saw the male Falleen in smuggler clothes. The Falleen were a reptomammalian species with green skin from the planet Falleen. Will closed his eyes and concentrated and could detect hints of anxiety nervousness. Vinna Jiss then walked out of the building and met with the Falleen and the two discuss something and based on their body language it seemed to be something important. Will focused again and could pick up new feelings of anxiety, secrecy, and urgency.

"Echo, are you picking up anything?" Will asked, tapping his ear comm.

"Yeah, the scanner's picking up a stronger source of Baradium radiation when she stepped out. It's her." Echo replied, subtly glancing down at the scanner in his hands.

"Ok, what's the plan?" Hevy asked.

"If she has the explosives then he's likely here to pick them up. We follow them, get the explosives, and subdue them. Fi, Sev, switch to stun mode. We need intel." Will told them.

"Roger that." They replied.

"Hevy, Echo, Fives, flank around and maneuver from the side. I'll follow them directly." Will ordered as Vinna Jiss and the Falleen began moving. He got up and followed them discretely.

Every now and then, Vinna or the Falleen would turn around to make sure they weren't being followed and Will expertly hid from sight. After about five minutes of lengthy walking through some alleyways they arrived at an old storage garage where the Falleen contacted someone on his communicator. Soon enough a small speeder arrived with another Falleen in the driver seat, probably his associate.

"Here you go. A hundred pounds of Baradium explosives with a detonator." Vinna told him.

"Nicely done." The Falleen said, looking over the explosive as his associate began loading them into the speeder. He then handed Vinna a large bag of credits. "Your payment.

"So that's the price of supplying Separatists with explosive…a handful of credits." They heard as Will stepped into view. "Not exactly a good reason for that."

"You stepped into the wrong alley, friend." The Falleen drew a blaster at him only for a blaster bolt to hit the Falleen in the chest and stun him to the ground. Hevy came up from behind and took out the other Falleen while another stun bolt hit Vinna.

"Nicely done, fellows." Will said over the comm. "Let's get these guys back to base."

They contacted Coruscant Security Force and several officers arrived to secure the stolen explosives while they took Vinna and the two Falleens back to Qibbu for interrogation. The two Falleen were in separate rooms and being interrogated by Walon Vau. It would have been Kal, but he and the others left for their part of the mission. Will sat across from Vinna who was tied to a chair with Hevy, Echo, Fives, Fi, Sev, and Captain Ordo.

"Hard to believe we'd have a traitor in the GAR logistics. There's one thing I can't stand and that's traitors." Captain Ordo said in disgust only for Vinna to keep her mouth shut. "Who were you supplying the explosives too?"

Vinna was tight lipped and didn't say anything. "Our brother asked you a question." Sev told her.

"I'm not talking to clones. Nothing you can do will make me say anything." Vinna told them.

"Is that how you really want to do this? You're willing to die to protect the Separatists?" Fi asked only for her to keep her mouth shut. "Fine by me. Let's make her talk."

Fi pulled out his DC-15s blaster pistol but Will stopped him from pulling the trigger. "That won't be necessary, Fi. She'll talk."

"Go to hell." She told him only for Will to close his eyes and hold his hand towards her head. Vinna was confused when she began to feel a pull in her head like something was probing for information.

"You will tell me what I want to know." He told her, using the Jedi mind trick and she soon adopted a blank face.

"I will tell you what you want to know." She replied.

"That feels a little like cheating." Fi joked only for Will to give him a look.

"So, you don't want to know what she knows?" Will questioned.

The clones shared a look before they shrugged their shoulders and Vinna spilled intel.

With Qibbu and Qi'ra's help, subtle word had already begun to spread out among the criminal underworld that there was some new product that the Hutts smuggled onto Coruscant. Guns, explosives and things of that nature. They just needed for someone to take the bait and Qibbu got several requests for a meet but they were the regular criminals or associates. Luckily with the information Will got Vinna to spill they learned that the Falleen separatists were working for a larger group on the planet. They didn't know much except for the leaders' name, Perrive. That along with Vinna wasn't the only one supplying weapons to the group but she didn't know who. They had some moles in the GAR so Captain Ordo went undercover into the logistics department to see what he could dig up. Soon enough a Perrive requested a meeting about buying some explosives so Qibbu set up a meet between him and Kal who would go to the meet with a team.

They met at a nearby warehouse that Qibbu owned which was acting as a middle ground for the transaction. It was Kal and Obi-wan dressed up as gunrunners along with Boss and Niner who were wearing mercenary armor and helmets to cover up they were clones. Qi'ra was there to do her job as a liaison between Qibbu and the gunrunners. Soon enough six people arrived for the meeting. They were a mixed group of three humans, a Rodian, and two Trandoshans, all armed. The trigger happy Trandoshans were a little antsy but the lead human signaled them to stand down.

"Valkyrie?" The lead human asked as Qi'ra stepped forward. "I'm Perrive. I'm here about what you have to offer."

"Very good." Qi'ra turned to Kal who nodded. Perrive was the one they were looking for. "May I introduce Galard, member of the Pyke Syndicate. He has provided Qibbu with his more…powerful armaments."

"Anything you fellows need that goes boom we can provide." Kal signaled Boss and Niner who brought over a container that held everything from blaster pistols to heavy rotary blasters and rocket launchers. Of course, they were the weapons that Kal brought but they didn't need to know that.

"Nice selection. We're actually looking for something that goes more…boom." Perrive told him.

"Explosives. That we can do." Obi-wan said, bringing over another container and opening it to reveal small various bomb charges in rows. A tasting menu of explosives if you will. "Anything that goes boom we can provide."

"It's a small taste. My personal favorites are the thermix charges and the alpha charges." Kal suggested, acting like a salesman.

"Do you have anything in a…larger quantity?" Perrive asked.

"We can arrange that, but it'll take some time to procure it." Obi-wan told him.

"How long?" The Rodian asked.

"Depends on how much you need." Kal pointed out as Perrive handed him a piece of paper with the amount they needed. "This much? To get it past all the clones and security customs…two days at least. I hope you're ready to pay because it's not going to be cheap."

"Money isn't an issue." Perrive informed him.

"All right. Once Galard and his associates get the explosives, I'll contact you and we'll set up a time and place for the exchange." Qi'ra informed him and Perrive nodded. "Till then, gentlemen."

Perrive and his men soon left the warehouse, so Boss tapped his ear comm. "Scorch, they're coming out now."

"Roger that." Scorch was waiting for them with a Verpine sniper rife loaded with a special micro-sensor tagging nicknamed Dust. Scorch fired a collection above the door so when Perrive and his men left the warehouse they walked right through it. He checked his scanner and the Dust particles were tagged onto Perrive and his men. "I got them. Dust is giving a clear signal."

"Nicely done, Scorch. Let's see where they lead us." Kal said as they cleaned up and headed back to Qibbu's.

They returned to their base where Will and the others were digging up some new information. "How did it go?" Will asked.

"Your intel paid off. It was Perrive. So, we've got the leader of the Separatist ring in the city and give of his associates. They're tagged so everywhere they go we'll know. Once we get enough information, we take them down." Kal told them all. "Not bad today, Master Jedi. You played your part."

"Well, I've always wanted to go undercover as a gunrunner." Obi-wan joked.

"Keep the cover. It could come in handy in the future." Will replied.

"So, what did you find on your end?" Kal asked.

"With what we got from Vinna, we're going over all her records to figure out who else she's been in contact with besides the two Falleen Separatists and Perrive. We're also trying to figure out who is helping her. That's where Captain Ordo went. He's gone undercover in the GAR logistics department to see what else he can figure out." Will told him.

"Nice work, kid." Kal pat him on the shoulder and let him get back to work which he did. He, Echo, Fives, and Hevy were going over data to find anything useful. Obi-wan looked at his padawan in concern…this was far from a Jedi mission.

Line Break xxxxx

Captain Ordo learned a lot when he went under cover with the GAR logistics division. He not only managed to recover all Vinna's files and call logs, but it turns out she was being investigated by one of the supervisors of the logistics division. Turns out Vinna Jiss wasn't exactly the best employee and was being investigated before termination would be decided. Guess they didn't need to worry about that. Ordo managed to find the other moles in the logistics division that were helping Vinna with the Separatists. Ordo led a team that killed one of the moles while Boss and Niner led another mission to capture the other. Despite the Separatists moles being taken out, Perrive didn't seem to think anything was out of order. Kal Skirata talked to the leader and set up a date for the explosives exchange and once that was done, they would follow them back to their hideout and take them all out together.

Obi-wan kept in contact with the council and informed them of their progress, as was his job as a high-ranking member of the Jedi Order. But he kept his personal reservations to himself at the moment. Those reservations were about his Padawan. They had been on mission for the past three days and he was honestly a little concerned about how well Will acclimated to Skirata's command and his role in this operation. He was starting to act less like a padawan and more like a soldier. How quickly he got acclimated to all of this was a concern. Now it could just be his overprotective side showing and be nothing but…it was honestly like looking into his past when he was training Anakin. As great as Anakin has become…there have been times when his skill or his attitude was of great concern.

Obi-wan decided to talk to his Padawan about his growing concerns and found him with Fives, Echo, Hevy, and Qi'ra in one of the spare rooms. He seemed to be doing something.

"General." Fives, Echo, Hevy, and Will stood up.

"At ease, men." Obi-wan said as they all sat down so they could continue working on their project which had something to do with the clones' armor. "What are you doing?"

"Making some improvements. BD-8 scanned the clone commandoes' armor and after what happened on the Rishi outpost, I got hit with an idea about some improvements. Qi'ra knows some people at the Republic recycling plant and they set aside ten commando droids they were going to scrap." Will said, pointing to one of the droid's heads that was put in a pile in a corner. "I saw these things in action and they're a lot better than the typical battle droids. Fast, maneuverable, smart, and their armor is a lot tougher."

"That's for sure. Took at least eight blasts for one of these things to go down." Hevy commented, kicking one of the disabled droids.

"It's because of their unique armor. Whatever it is, it's a lot more durable than a regular battle droid but a third the weight which allows them to move like we saw. I figured we could analyze the metal, melt it down, and add it in as an extra lining into the clone's armor to give them better protection. If I have the right tools, it shouldn't be that hard." Will explained. "Feels like a shame to get rid of good tech like this."

"Impressive deduction. Would you mind if my Padawan and I talked in private for a moment?" Obi-wan asked them.

"Yes, sir." The clones replied as they got up and left.

"I'll let you two talk and get some food. I'll set some aside for the two of you." Qi'ra said as she left as well. Will put his tools down and stood up.

"Is there something wrong, Master?" Will wondered.

"I just wanted a moment to talk to you in private. With everything going on I don't believe I've done a lot as your master." Obi-wan commented.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that. Our training sessions are always enjoyable. I've gotten considerably better in form three Soresu since I've become your padawan." Will replied. "And I think we've had our fair share of success so far."

"It's nice to see that your personality hasn't changed that much." Obi-wan said with a chuckle. "With everything that has gone on, I was a tad bit concerned on how it would affect you."

"Oh, well I think I've done well considering the circumstances. I'm young but I've gotten the hang of everything pretty quickly." Will told him.

"That's what concerns me. I see how you are with the others on this mission and it wouldn't baffle me to say that you act almost like a soldier." Obi-wan told him.

"Or a Mandalorian?" Will corrected him. "I suppose it has been pretty easy for me to acclimate to all of this. I guess since I was raised differently and joined the order at a different age that it makes it easier for me to act less like a Jedi when the situation calls for it. And that concerns you?"

"A little. The path of the Jedi is one of a particular nature and straying from it can lead to temptation to the dark side. In times like these, that's more prevalent then ever. Your Mandalorian nature and background is something that has been helpful so far but is also an attachment outside the order. If the time comes that you wish to ascend in the order, then those attachments cannot linger." Obi-wan pointed out.

"You mean that if I want to eventually become a knight then I'll have to forsake a part of who I am?" Will questioned and Obi-wan gave a reluctant nod.

"I understand how this must sound but it is a decision that you will need to face. I'll do my best to guide you on the path but it's ultimately one you will need to carve for yourself." Obi-wan said. "I only wished to discuss this with you."

"I understand, master…but I honestly can't give you an answer to that." Will answered and Obi-wan nodded.

"I understand but it is something you must think about." Obi-wan said.

"Yes, Master." Will replied when Hevy came back.

"General, Commander, Captain Skirata wants everyone in the meeting room."

They went to the main room where everyone was gathered and waiting for Qi'ra who entered. "Things might have gotten complicated. I've just been informed that the Coruscant Security Force arrested one of Perrive's men." She told them.

"Well that complicates things. With one of their men arrested by the CSF they rest will panic for sure." Kal said.

"So, what does that mean for our plans?" Obi-wan asked.

"Two things. A) they'll either all scatter and go underground which means we'll be hunting them down one by one in stead of a group. B) they'll speed up their time table for their next plan." Kal suggested when his commlink went off so he signaled them all to be quiet. "Hello?"

"Galard, it's Perrive." Once they heard his name, they all kept quiet and let the conversation play out.

"Hey, Perrive. I've got the explosives you need, and we're all set up for the exchange later this week." Kal told him.

"That's good but something's come up. I'm actually gonna need you to make the delivery tomorrow. Same spot and location but it needs to be tomorrow." Perrive told him.

"Tomorrow?" Kal questioned and they all shared a knowing looking. Guess they're panicking and are accelerating their time table. "Sure, thing but it's gonna cost you a hundred extra."

That was a bit of a risk as it could have had Perrive call it quits but it also helped Kal to sound more like a criminal. "Fine, a hundred extra but the delivery needs to be tomorrow. My associates will be there tomorrow to oversee the delivery."

"Your associates but not you?" Kal asked.

"No, I won't be there tomorrow so my associates will oversee the delivery for me. Don't worry, your payment will be waiting there for you. I got to go." Perrive said.

"Ok." Kal said as the call ended. "Looks like they're speeding up their timetable."

"But Perrive won't be there to oversee the delivery." Will pointed out.

"He's probably bugging out, but we'll handle it. Get your gear ready because the mission is a go." Kal said.

24 hours later…

The next night, Kal, Obi-wan, Boss, and Niner were dressed up in their mercenary attire to act as the Pyke syndicate gunrunners while the others were standing by at a safe distance in full gear. Omega Squad, Delta Squad, and the Rathtar squad were decked out in their armor and weapons and Will dressed in his padawan robes and beskar gauntlets. Walon Vau wasn't there with them because Kal assigned him to find Perrive and kill him.

Will was stationed on a nearby roof with Fives, Echo, Hevy, and Fi. Fi had his sniper rifle trained on the delivery cargo bay. Hevy had his rotary blaster standing ready with a PLX-1 portable missile launcher slung on his back. Echo had a DC-15A Blaster carbine while Fives was using a DC-15A blaster rifle.

"Ok, everyone get ready. We're coming up on the cargo bay. The second I give the signal then go ahead." Kal radioed over comms as he, Obi-wan, Boss, and Niner arrived on a speeder with several crates of the explosives for their deal but in actuality they were empty.

"All right, get ready. Hevy, the second you get the signal you fire a rocket at the nearby lights." Will told him.

"Roger that." Hevy replied, loading the launcher.

"Echo, how many down there?" Will asked as Echo checked his scanner.

"At least thirty targets."

"Good, plenty for all of us." Fi said, lining up a shot on a Separatist with a sniper rifle.

"All right, get ready and watch your shots." Will moved to the edge of the roof, ready to jump down and help when ready.

Everyone saw the exchange go down. Words were exchanged and the dummy box with the actual explosives was shown to lure them in and not raise a flag. One the money was handed over, Niner and Boss moved one of the crates over so the Separatists could take it when Kal tapped his communicator five times giving the signal.

"That's the signal. Hevy, Scorch, take out the lights." Will said over the comms as both clones used their PLX-1 launchers and fired rockets at the main light posts, taking out the main source of visibility in the area.

Once the lights were out, Kal pulled out his blaster pistol and killed three of the terrorists before vaulting over the speeder for cover. Boss and Niner pulled out their DC-17M blasters and opened fire before moving to cover while Obi-wan activated his saber and deflected blaster bolts. Omega Squad and Delta squad moved in from nearby alleys to provide cover while Rathtar squad and Fi provide fire support from the roof. Fi took out the sniper before he could shoot Boss and Hevy's rotary blaster flurry of fire made man of them take cover.

Obi-wan blocked and deflected more blaster bolts which killed one of the terrorists when he saw Will rush over and shield Omega squad while they took down a few more terrorists. They killed about fifteen of the terrorists when the remaining 20 rushed away as fast as they could to a nearby warehouse while one just ran.

"Kal, the targets are bugging out to a nearby warehouse and one left!" Fi told him.

"Roger that. Fi go the one who left and have the others go around the warehouse and make sure they don't escape!" Kal told him.

"Roger that. You heard him. Move!" Fi said as he chased after the fleeing rabbit while Hevy, Echo, and Fives moved to the warehouse.

Kal, Obi-wan, Will, Omega Squad, and Delta squad gathered up at the warehouse by the loading door. Darman fired a sonic dart at the wall and it fed his scanner a layout of the warehouse along with the positions of the 20 twenty terrorists inside.

"What's it look like, Darman?" Kal asked.

"All twenty are still inside." He whispered.

"Ok! Everyone inside the warehouse! This is Jedi Master Obi-wan Kenobi! You're surrounded! There's no need for this to escalate any further! Please surrender and no harm will come to any of you!" Obi-wan shouted.

They heard some talking and Darman noted some movement before they all seemed to stop. "Ok! We're surrender! We're coming out!"

The commandos kept their guns trained on the cargo door as it opened. The lights inside the warehouse weren't turned on so they couldn't see anything when a small flame appeared in the dark. Only it wasn't a torch or candle, but a flamethrower and they could see a Separatist wielding it.

"Eat this!" He shot out a stream of fire that made everyone duck for cover. Darman was a second slow and wouldn't have been engulfed it Will hadn't tackled him out of the way. Will landed on the ground and force pushed the terrorist back into the warehouse and into a pile of crates. He got back up and started spewing more fire only for Kal to shoot the tank. The explosion killed the flamethrower wielder and five nearby terrorists. The terrorists resumed fire as the clones and Kal took cover while Obi-wan and Will used their sabers to deflect blaster fire.

"Echo, where are you guys?" Will shouted.

"We're on the east side of the warehouse. We're breaching now!" Echo told him as a small explosion was heard in the warehouse. Fives, Echo, and Hevy entered and opened fire at the Separatists, attacking them from behind. The commandos switched their HUDs to night vision before entering the warehouse in tactical formation and returned fire. Will and Obi-wan moved in, working back to back and deflecting blaster fire as the Separatists were whittled down one after another. Kal finished off the last Separatists with a headshot and they were all taken care of.

"Is that all of them?" Obi-wan asked, deactivating his saber.

"Not yet. Fi, report in." Kal said over the commlink.

"I'm all right. I tracked down the Separatist to an apartment. He put up a fight, but he's taken care of." Fi reported in.

"So, we did it?" Will asked.

"That we did, kid. You handled yourself very well." Kal commented.

"And you saved my life. Thank you, sir." Darman said.

"Don't mention it." Will replied as he looked at Obi-wan. "This was a victory, Master."

"It was." Obi-wan replied.

The people of Coruscant were unaware that this mission saved them from a Separatist bombing that would have targeted the power center and killed countless people. It was good work and Will meet new friends that will turn into future allies. One battle was won but the war is not over.

End of chapter 2

This is the end of Chapter 2. Hoped you guys liked it. I'm still doing ok in light of everything going on and I hope all of you are taking care of yourselves. Kal Skirita and the clone commandos will show up again in later chapters. I thought it was a cool part of the legends canon that Disney scrapped so I'm glad to be introducing them. Along with those characters, Will is going to be undertaking missions other than the ones for the clone wars tv shows so look forward to that. And Qi'ra is an old friend who will be able to help Will in the future with information and tech. I thought she was a cool character, but the move Solo needed better writing.

Next chapter, Will's time on Coruscant isn't over as he works with the Coruscant Security Force to round up any remaining terrorists in the Separatist cell. In doing so he finds an old reminder of his mom and his past that will become a big help in the future. Then while Obi-wan remains at the temple for a short period he accompanies Senator Padme Amidala on a mission. Until next time.

1). Imagine Ed Harris in appearance for Kal Skirata

2). Qi'ra from Solo: A Star Wars movie. Her birthdate according to the Wiki is actually close to the one I made for Will, so I decided to change things up a bit to have her here. She's a savvy businesswomen and broker with criminals who knows how to play people. Her appearance is the same as the beginning of the movie on Corellia and her appearance is the same, played by Emilia Clarke.

Will Vizsla, Son of Pio Vizsla, nephew of Pre Vizsla and Mandalorian by birth. Padawan Jedi.

· Birthdate: 38BY-Age 16

· Padawan Apprentice to Obi-wan Kenobi, Former Padawan of Ur-Sema Du, Son of Pio Vizsla. Nephew of Pre Vizsla.

· Appearance: Dylan O'Brien from Maze Runner: The Death Cure. With Padawan braid.

o Clothing:

§ Dark blue Padawan robes and combat boots. Combat belt with Cyan Blue lightsaber.

§ Ancestral Mandalorian Beskar armored combat gloves and forearm guards with weapons. Necklace with symbol of Clan Vizsla.

§ A black shirt, black jacket and blue pants (Casual/Undercover)

· Personality: Kind, caring, quick-witted and smart. Able to adapt to situations very easily. Prone to quips to distract or enrage his enemies. Can be a bit of a smartass yet humble and works well with others. Extremely proficient in tinkering and building with electronics. Excellent pilot and mechanic. Knowledge in warfare and weapons from extensive self-tutelage at the Jedi Temple and Mandalorian training by Pio Vizsla. When triggered, can be aggressive and unhinged to a point.

· Skills and Powers

o Force Powers:

§ Force speed, Force sight, Force empathy, Force Jump, Force Stasis, Force Pull/Push, Force Throw, Force Barrier, Force Repulse, Force Precognition, Animal Bond, Mind Trick, Levitation, Lightsaber throw.

o Combat Skills:

§ Specialized in Form 2 Makashi-Lightsaber-to-Lightsaber combat, Form 3 Soresu-Blaster counter/Defense, Form four Ataru-combines speed, strength, agility, powers, and the force for to aid in movement and combat.

§ Adept at hand-to-hand combat.

§ Mandalorian gauntlets with repulsor, grappling line, wrist rockets, flamethrower, laser splicer, retractable wrist/forearm blades, shield projector, and built-in communicator and holovid.

· BD-8 companion droid

· Rathtar Squad: Echo, Hevy, Fives,

· Allies: Qi'ra, Kal Skirata, Delta Squad Commandos,

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars or any associated or mentions properties above. All rights belong to Disney or respective companies, I'm just a big fan.