Adrina stepped out of the fresher with a sigh. She rolled her shoulders and flopped onto her bed. Obi-Wan and Anakin may have returned to Coruscant with Rex and select others, but that had not stopped the other troopers from picking up the mantle of combat instructor in their absence. Maelle had assured Adrina that Fox was a much more lenient instructor than Rex, though Adrina found that difficult to believe after the rigorous paces to which he subjected them.

A transmission from Anakin appeared on the holoprojector in the corner of her quarters. "Hey, Rina. You there?"

Adrina stepped into his field of view. "I just got through my first round of combat training with Fox. I haven't done that many push-ups or squats in ages."

Anakin snickered. "You'll have to tell me all about it later. Hey, I have a question for you. If you wanted to suspend life signs for a few hours, enough to pass through life-form scanners completely undetected, but also not cause permanent damage or death, what would you do?"

Adrina raised an eyebrow. "What species and for how many hours exactly?"

Anakin shrugged. "All human and, maybe, twelve hours? Maybe less."

"Well," Adrina tapped her chin. She considered the options. "There are a number of sedatives that are proven to fool a life-form scanner." She tutted. "But, of course, those are tricky."

"How so? They work, don't they?"

"They work, yes, but they're meant for short term use: no more than three, four hours at most. They require very precise dosages, otherwise it will either be ineffective or have some unsavory side effects?

"Unsavory?"

"Death." She shrugged. "I believe one is currently under review for spontaneous combustion."

Anakin cleared his throat. "That does seem pretty unsavory."

"Plus, some people metabolize them differently and require a second dosage."

"There are some safe for longer periods of time - that's what is used for long surgeries - but they require constant supervision and can take some time to be fully functioning afterwards."

"No, I don't want that." Anakin considered for a moment. "What about carbonite?"

Warning bells sounded in her mind. "Carbonite? Anakin, what is this about?"

"Would it be safe?" He pressed.

"Well, I suppose in theory it could be." Adrina sighed. "Carbon freezing is typically not done to sentient beings. Not whilst they're alive, anyway. There isn't a vast amount of data on its safety, short or long term."

"But it's possible."

"Anakin, what is this about? Please tell me this isn't about your mission to rescue Master Piell."

Anakin scratched the back of his head sheepishly."Okay, I won't tell you that."

Adrina threw up her hands. She should have suspected sooner.

"We need some way to get past the Separatist scanners. We'll be deep in Separatist space and only one shot at this."

"I know, Anakin, but carbon freezing?"

Anakin gave her a crooked grin. "C'mon. It's the last thing they'd expect."

Adrina pinched the bridge of her nose. Of all the hair-brained…

"So about the carbon freezing…"

"I'll look into it more," Adrina sighed. "But it could be possible."

"Excellent! I'll let the team know."

Her eyes widened. "No, Anakin, let me-"

Anakin saluted with a grin and ended the transmission.

Adrina fell back on the bed. She scrubbed her face with a groan. She should have known Anakin wouldn't call her in the middle of the night with an intriguing question, no context given, just for fun.

The news of Master Piell's capture arrived while Obi-Wan and Anakin debriefed on Coruscant following their failed attempt to stop Savage Opress. She'd not seen them since she left the Temple. And now the success of their mission rested on Anakin's hair-brained scheme she foolishly affirmed before gathering all the information.

Obi-Wan and Anakin's strike team, if she knew Anakin at all, would be leaving within a few hours. Although she was not privy to the particulars, whatever information Master Piell possessed must be of the utmost importance if the Council was sending a strike team to the Citadel deep in Separatist space. Not all would return.

Adrina exhaled slowly. She focused on her breath, calming her fraying nerves. Obi-Wan and Anakin completed many dangerous missions without harm, but this mission trumped them all. This mission was do or die.

And she hadn't even been able to say goodbye, to either of them.

Adrina stared at the holoprojector for a long while before taking a deep breath and beginning the recording. In the end, all she could say was, "Come back safely."

Two days later, when the Order came to rescue Obi-Wan's strike team, Adrina and Maelle lept into action, preparing for heavy casualties.

The news broke as the rescue ship docked in the Endurance: Master Piell perished on Lola Sayu before the Republic fleet arrived, along with Echo, Longshot, and Charger. But the mission was a success, nevertheless. The Endurance mourned the loss of their brothers.

Adrina wrapped Anakin in a hug when he limped off the ship. "So, carbon freezing?"

He grinned. "Carbon freezing."

Over his shoulder, she smiled at Obi-Wan. They lived to fight another day.

Then came Umbara.

0

"No." All color drained from Maelle's face. She stared at the datapad.

"What is it?"

"General Krell. He's here, too."

Adrina's blood ran cold. That certainly helped explain the unusually high number of casualties. The RMSUs had worked around the clock for the last forty-eight hours to handle the sheer volume of injured. She closed her eyes. She shuddered to think what the after action reports would contain. "I know I should not speak ill of a fellow Jedi, but-"

"He's a monster."

Adrina almost smiled at Maelle's blunt appraisal - a marked change from a few months prior. Adrina wished she could disagree, but with an average of seventy-five percent mortality rate for every engagement he participated in, defending General Krell was impossible. "I don't know how the Council still allows him to lead troops." Adrina tugged off her surgical cover and threw it in the receptacle. "I believe we finished for now; the droids can finish up. You should rest while you can."

Maelle nodded. "Think Rex will still have our morning session?"

Adrina looked out across the RMSU. "With the hell we all just went through? No, and if he decides to protest, I'm pulling rank. Everyone that can rest, will rest, even if I have to sedate them myself."

Maelle snickered. "I'll turn in, then. You should, too. Leave the reports for later. Take your own advice for once." She waved limply and trudged down the corridor to her quarters.

Adrina sighed. She rubbed her face and dragged her weary feet to her office, tugging off her sapphire surgical cap. Tendrils of hair matted to her sweat-slicked forehead. Her eyelids grew increasingly heavy, but she sank into her chair and began the tedious paperwork that always followed battle.

Adrina propped her chin up on her hand and yawned.

She closed her eyes for a moment.

She awoke with a gasp hours later with a numb arm and a familiar dark brown cloak wrapped around her shoulders.

Adrina shrugged the cloak off, burying her nose in the coarse cloth and inhaling that smoky, tangy scent that could only belong to Obi-Wan. She laughed under her breath, remembering that night over ten years ago on the Queen's ship when he had draped his cloak around her shivering shoulders. She'd been suspicious of anyone doing a good deed, saying they expected nothing in return. But if that wasn't just the epitome of Obi-Wan?

"Adina, are you in here?"

Adrina's head snapped up. Her brother stood in the doorway, Obi-Wan just behind. "Anakin!"

"Is that…" Anakin glanced between the cloak and Obi-Wan. Adrina dropped it as if it burned her, face flaming with embarrassment. There was no need for embarrassment, she knew. After all, Obi-Wan only did what he would do for any friend. Anakin coughed into his hand and cleared his throat.

"What can I do for you?" Adrina stood, making a futile attempt to smooth the wrinkles from her robes.

"We are visiting our men." Anakin's face darkened. "I am personally apologizing to each of them. I'm never leaving them again."

Adrina frowned. They routinely visited their injured men, but to apologize? She glanced at her dead data pad. She fumbled to put it on the charger. "What happened?"

"You didn't hear?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I know nothing beyond that we recaptured Umbara with alarmingly high casualties. Far higher than expected, which I attributed to General Krell's abominable strategies and leadership."

"Well, we won't have to worry about that anymore," Anakin muttered. "Dogma made sure of that."

Adrina's mouth fell open.

"Perhaps you should sit," Obi-Wan suggested. "You still look dead on your feet and this is quite the tale." Anakin clenched his jaw. Obi-Wan placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's done, my friend. We cannot change the past." Some of the tension slowly left Anakin with his friend's soft entreaty.

"We had just landed and begun our forward push," Anakin said. "When General Krell arrived and told me the Chancellor recalled me to Coruscant." Adrina bit her tongue. "So Krell led my troops in my place. Only, he led them to their deaths."

Adrina grimaced. "Yes, he does tend to-"

"No." Anakin slashed the air with his hand. "He intentionally sabotaged them. He was a traitor, intent to inflict as much carnage on the Republic as possible."

"According to the reports submitted, Krell foresaw the fall of the Republic and hoped that by preventing the recapture of Umbara Count Dooku would take him as his apprentice. Rex and his men captured Krell. Dogma executed him."

Adrina sat back in her chair. "A traitor," she whispered. How was such a thing possible? She well understood discontent with the war and faltering faith in the Republic. But to actively work against the men he was sworn to aid? "What will happen to Dogma?"

"The case will go before the Council, of course, but the evidence against Krell is overwhelming," Obi-Wan said.

Adrina tilted her head at her brother. "Why did Palpatine want you on Coruscant?"

Anakin scowled. "There was an attempt on his life. He said I was the only one who could track down the assassin."

Adrina raised an eyebrow. "Such a shame his personal guard and boundless resources failed him."

Anakin emitted a mirthless laugh. "If I had been here…." He swallowed curses with clenched fists. "I should have been here. He had no right to-" Anakin cut himself off.

Curious. For the past decade, Anakin defended Palpatine at every turn, even in the face of what Adrina considered reasonable cause for concern. She met Obi-Wan's eyes. He noticed it, too - Anakin's faltering idealistic view of his friend. If only she could be sorry for it….

Adrina pushed to her feet, gripping the desk for support. Her stiff muscles and sore feet protested. "I'll come with you on rounds. It's time for them, anyway."

Obi-Wan eyed her. She waved his concern away. Obi-Wan's fingers brushed hers as she passed him his cloak, shooting tingles all over her body. Obi-Wan's gentle smile sent her heart fluttering. She murmured her thanks.

Adrina led them from her office and, bed to bed, they spoke to each trooper. Adrina wiped each tear and held each hand. Obi-Wan and Anakin joked and teased with their own unique brand of self-deprecation and charm. The mood in the RMSU lifted noticeably by the time they concluded and left.

0

Maelle bit her lower lip, nudging the flavorless meat with her fork. She looked around the Mess - haunted faces, all of them. Their usual jovial smiles and ribbings were conspicuously absent. Not that she blamed them. She had read the after-action report Rex had submitted. Krell had always treated the troopers as if they were simply disposable pawns to achieve his goals. Now she supposed they knew why. Anger coursed through her. She stabbed the meat before closing her eyes and exhaling slowly.

Her anger would not raise her men from the dead. It would not ease the pain of those left to grapple with their brothers' deaths or their own survival. Her anger would achieve nothing.

Rex… Maelle frowned. She twisted around. Where was Rex?

"We need to talk to you." Fives and Tupp dropped into the seats across from her.

Maelle laid her fork down immediately. "Of course; what is it?"

"One of our brothers needs help," Fives said.

"Only, they don't think they do. They refuse help," Tupp added. "They're stubborn."

"And proud."

"Maybe a little bit tetched." Tupp taped his temple.

Maelle frowned. The stubbornness of these men would kill them all. "If they're injured-"

"No, no," Tupp interjected quickly. "It's not… They're not injured."

"Physically," Fives clarified.

"I see," Maelle chewed her lip. "Why come to me? Why not Healer Adrina? She is vastly more qualified for counseling."

Fives and Tupp exchanged a glance. "We don't think he'll be honest with her. Authority and all that."

Tupp nodded. "But you," Tupp gestured to her with a smile. "You're almost a...a peer!"

"That's true, I suppose," Maelle agreed cautiously. Many troopers found her more approachable because of her lower rank. She eyed them. Something struck her as suspicious. But if someone needed help…. "Who is it?"

Fives leaned closer. "Rex."

Maelle blinked. "I had wondered where he was," she admitted.

Tupp grinned. "Did you now?" Fives elbowed him.

"Well, yes," Maelle shrugged. "He's my friend."

"Anyway," Fives persisted. "Last I knew Rex was in the armory. You should start there."

"I suspected as much," Maelle murmured. She bit the inside of her cheek. "I'll see what I can do, but I don't know how much help I can be. I'm just awful with words."

Fives waved her concern away. "You don't even have to say anything. Your mere presence will help."

Maelle doubted that. She huffed out a breath and stood. "I'll just...go, then." She gestured vaguely to the door.

"Maelle," Tupp called when she had taken a few steps. She looked back. All traces of mirth vanished from their faces. "Thank you. This business with Krell…. It has shaken him badly. Shaken all of us."

Maelle swallowed her guilt. She should have known. "I'll do what I can for my friend."

Nodding and waving at the troopers she passed, Maelle quickly found herself staring at the armory door. She wiped her moist palms on her tunic before knocking on the door.

She supposed she shouldn't have been surprised when the door remained bolted. As an Assistant, she had a pass code to enter, although it was for emergencies. She massaged her thumb while she deliberated. "I'm going to get in trouble," Maelle muttered. She punched in the code and stepped through.

The dark greeted Maelle. She sensed Rex, though. She followed the Force through the maze of carefully inventoried rifles and munitions to the back. Rex sat with his back to her, cleaning a rifle in the dark.

"Go away, Fives."

"What if….I'm not Fives?"

Rex stilled. The work lamp at the table flickered to life. "How did you get in here?"

"You didn't report for your physical," Maelle recited the excuse she had concocted on the way. "I was rationally concerned you perhaps suffered a medical emergency and….used the emergency access code."

"Fives put you up to it."

Maelle raised her chin. "You're my friend, I would like to think. I came of my own volition."

Rex paused briefly. He still didn't lift his face from his work. "I'm fine"

Maelle had long since stopped being deterred by trooper's gruff tones, especially Rex's. "Alright." She pulled up a crate of rations and sat down beside Rex. "I've always been amazed by how quickly you can break down and reassemble rifles," she admitted.

Rex glanced at her sidelong, dubious. She continued to watch his nimble fingers fly, mesmerized. After two more rifles, Rex hesitantly asked, "Would you like to learn how?"

Maelle bit her lip. "I won't hurt it?"

Rex chuckled and dumped a blaster in her hands. "Not a chance."

Maelle scooted her seat closer, blushing when her shoulder bumped his arm. Softly, so softly, Rex walked Maelle through the process of disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling the blasters.

She beamed, holding the gleaming blaster higher. "I did it!"

Rex laughed quietly. "Yeah, you did. You did good."

"Can I help you do the rest?" Maelle leaned forward eagerly.

"Sure." Rex shrugged. "Why not?"

They worked in silence, except Rex's occasional pointer. Rex serviced five for every one Maelle completed, but Rex didn't seem to mind her slow pace.

Together, they finished the pile of riles. At the end, Rex stared sightlessly into the distance. Maelle sensed his turmoil. Biting her lip, Maelle decided to trust her instincts. "I read your report." She read every terrible thing Krell said and did on Umbara, and then in stunned disbelief she had read it again until her anger and despair threatened to boil over.

"I couldn't do it," Rex admitted, voice thick. "I knew he was a traitor. I knew he was an extremely dangerous threat to the Republic. But I couldn't do it. I couldn't execute General Krell."

"There's no shame in that, Rex," she said softly.

"But it was my duty as captain. And I failed to do my duty." Rex sighed. He scrubbed his face. "We trusted him. And he…" Rex's voice broke and he clenched his jaw.

"You are a loyal man, Rex." She laid her hand ever so gently on his arm. "Man, regardless of the circumstances of your birth. Those don't matter. It is an honor to be your friend. Perhaps you should have been the one to execute General Krell, but that matter is concluded." She paused, considering. "Whatever Krell may have seen was only one possible outcome. Your brothers' sacrifices - your sacrifice - will not be in vain. Of that I am certain."

"I thought the Jedi didn't deal in absolutes," Rex said with a half smile.

Maelle grinned. "But isn't that an absolute?"

Rex chuckled. "Fair enough, I suppose."

Maelle bit her lip and stared down at her hands. "If I'm ever free when you're cleaning some more blasters, I'd be happy to lend my mediocre services."

"You're not half bad at it," Rex quickly assured her. Maelle raised an eyebrow, shaking her head at his kindness.

She straightened. "You should come to the hangar bay tomorrow night," Maelle said suddenly. "Master Anakin is going to spar with Adrina. We all know he'll win, but I hear there are bets going on who will get knocked down first."

"My bet is she'll ditch the lightsaber and go rogue."

"Mine, too," Maelle sighed. "But Master Anakin already said that losing their lightsaber is an automatic loss."

Rex tutted. "His duel, his rules, I suppose."

"I know." Maelle grinned. "Adrina already protested on grounds of that being not how real combat works." Rex nodded his approval. Maelle glanced at her chrono. Her mouth fell open. Where had the time gone? She bolted up. "I'm late for my shift; I'll save you a seat tomorrow!" Maelle called over her shoulder and darted out the door.

0

Adrina's eyes swept over their corner of the hangar, cleared specifically for Anakin's first session with Adrina. Troopers surrounded her with blasters at the ready for the first of many promised drills - a warm up before Anakin stepped in. Observing from the sidelines, Maelle offered an encouraging smile. Rex stood beside her, sharp eyes never missing a movement. Adrina exhaled and settled into position.

If Anakin, leaning against the wall, gave a signal to begin, Adrina missed it. Adrina deflected the first few bolts with ease, but Anakin barked from the sidelines, "Move your feet!"

Adrina suppressed an eyeroll and ignored him. Why would she change what had proven effective on numerous missions?

"Move your feet!"

"I can't move the wounded!" She snapped.

The troopers increased their fire; Adrina's brow furrowed. Her muscles began to burn as she struggled to keep pace. The laser bolt struck Adrina squarely in the back, tipping her off balance. Another bolt found the back of her knee and she stumbled to the ground. Her chest heaved for breath.

Anakin stepped into the ring.

"You're all enjoying this entirely too much," Adrina grumbled under her breath amid the muffled chuckles from the troopers surrounding her. She pushed to her feet.

Anakin pretended he didn't hear. "You have to move," he said. "You're a sitting wombat. Moving targets are harder to hit."

"But-"

Anakin pointed a finger at her. "Move. Just trust me, okay?"

Adrina brushed a sweat-matted strand of hair off her forehead. "Fine," she sighed. "I'll pretend I'm on one of your missions, not mine."

"Just…" Anakin paused on his way out of the circle and raised an eyebrow expectantly.

"Move," Adrina finished. Fresh energy coursed through her veins. She raised her lightsaber with a shoulder roll.

The troopers didn't wait for a signal. Adrina ducked and bobbed the first few shots. Instinctively, Adrina closed her eyes. Bolt after bolt, Adrina swiveled and spun, forcing her feet to dance around the area, parrying each shot until the world blurred into the cool haze of the Force.

Like a beacon in the dead of night, a familiar warm light approached. Obi-Wan. The momentary distraction was all it took for one trooper to land a solid shot. Adrina opened her eyes, gaze immediately landing on Obi-Wan, who whispered something into Anakin's ear. Anakin smirked in response.

"Alright. That's enough." Anakin pushed off from the wall, twirling his lightsaber easily in his hand. The troopers shouldered their blasters and dispersed to allow more room. Anakin grinned. "My turn."

Adrina wiped the sweat from her brow. Her chest heaved. She studiously avoided looking at Obi-Wan.

"When was the last time you sparred with someone?"

Adrina grimaced. Anakin's teenaged face flashed through her mind. "Whenever we last did."

Anakin's mouth dropped. "That was years ago!"

Adrina hitched a shoulder. "When was the last time you operated on someone?" Master Che had taught her the basics of lightsaber combat and had encouraged her to grow those skills, and she had sparred with Anakin on occasion until it was clear that his skills had far surpassed her own and they each focused on their own specialities. Lightsaber combat slipped to the bottom of her priorities.

Anakin frowned. "Still…" He shook himself. "Come on then. Let's see what you remember."

Adrina huffed a breath. She was about to be humiliated, but there was no helping that.

Anakin launched himself at his sister. An undignified squeak escaped her lips as she stumbled backwards, barely keeping her footing, and brought her blade up to block his attack. Anakin continued to press the advantage. Round and round the circle, Adrina evaded and blocked his attacks, entirely on the defensive.

And in one swift move, Adrina's lightsaber flew out of her hand. She held her hands in the air.

"Better than I expected," Anakin said honestly.

Adrina raised an eyebrow, but pride held her tongue from questioning.

"Let's go through some exercises and stances." He grinned. "And then it's just a matter of practice."

Adrina suppressed a grimace, but nodded. After a few sessions with Rex, brief though they had been, she had developed a clear preference for physical combat over Anakin's preferred aggressive negotiations - a preference sure to scandalize Obi-Wan if he found out. The corners of her lips tipped upwards, imagining Obi-Wan's aghast expression.

"Let's go."