Hey everyone, I know it's been a while. Life has been... interesting to say the least and has had me busy. I wanted to pick up writing again as a way to enjoy some of the little free time I get so, here is a chapter I've been working on for a while. The second to last chapter for this part of my story. Everything will be wrapped up in a final chapter, before I plan to move on to the second part, that jumps us a few years into the future.

I hope you all enjoy! And, as always, may the Force be with you.


"Sirs, we're in position to advance on the Palace. The Mandalorians are probing our lines, but we're holding. The Liberation has deployed our reinforcements. We've got armor and LAAT's on deck." A trooper stated, handing off a datapad to Rex.

Rex nodded and dismissed the trooper, his attention on the holo table they were gathered around. General Kenobi and General Skywalker were both examining the latest field reports on enemy positions.

"We're getting reports that the free Mandalorians have gained control over much of the residential areas of the city. Our left flank is meeting resistance, but are still progressing into this industrial area here. So long as they hold, our flanks are secure for the main assault." General Skywalker stated.

"Agreed." General Kenobi started, shifting the holo map to focus on their assault path for the Palace. "Maul and his commanders aren't fools though. He knows that he's our main target. If he falls, Death Watch won't hold together. Bo-Katan's contacts are reporting hardpoints along the main road leading to the Palace; we'll have to get through these three positions before we can go for Maul. And I have no doubt Death Watch has laid several ambushes along the way as well."

Rex looked over everything they were mentioning and inserted himself into the conversation. "Generals, we just received the second wave of reinforcements from the Liberation. They're being spread out now." He took a moment to input the new data into the holotable. "We've got a platoon of five ATTEs in support, and the gunships are refueled and ready to provide fire support inside the city."

"Excellent, what about artillery?" General Skywalker asked him.

Rex shook his head. "Too many civilians in the area."

"Agreed." General Kenobi Said. "We aren't here to turn the city into rubble, and we don't them to resent us. We're already bringing a war to their front doors." He closed his eyes, stroking his chin for a moment in thought. "We shouldn't use anything beyond the mortars and the tank guns, limit our air support to absolute necessity."

Bo Katan spoke for the first time, "My people would appreciate it. The people of Sundari aren't traditional Mandalorians. They may not all be pacifists like my sister, but they are no warriors." She admitted. "However, if we meet hard resistance, and I think we will, we can't be afraid to use whatever we have to reach Maul. Mandalore has seen war before, another one won't break her."

Rex nodded in understanding as Cody spoke, "Alright, if we're all in agreement, then Rex and I will brief the troops." He said.

General Kenobi nodded, "Thank you. We start the assault in 15 minutes."

Fifteen minutes felt like five with how busy everything was. The tanks were spread out for the assault, all guns pointed forward as clone troopers spread out among them. Bo Katan's Night Owls took to the nearby rooftops, ready to provide air support.

Rex, along with the others, took position at the head of the assault forces. As General Kenobi put it, if there was a trap, then they were going to spring it ahead of the main column. General Skywalker was beside him, rolling his shoulders and neck, joints cracking "You ready for the fun to start Rex?" He asked, looking back with a grin.

Commander Tano shook her head, smiling at the General. "Really Skyguy, still always anticipating a battle huh?" She chuckled.

Rex couldn't help but smile inside his helmet, "That's the general for you, still as eager for a fight as always."

"Alright… is everyone ready?" General Kenobi asked. He was focused on the task at hand, his eyes focused on the distant palace. Rex knew that feeling. General Kenobi's thoughts were on the challenge ahead of him, on the Sith chakaaryc that made this whole fight necessary.

"We're ready, Obi-Wan." Anakin said. The other Jedi joined him. General Skywalker and Commanders Tano, Jax, and Sirrat were all by his side, as were he and Cody. Bo Katan announced her own troops were ready over the comms.

Cody nodded, "We're with you all the way General!"

Rex steeled himself, drawing his blasters as he looked around at his assault platoon. His mind thought of Fives for a moment, of Umbara, of Kamino, of that night on Coruscant that led them to here. Of a dozen other battles where they were the tip of the sphere. "We're free now brother." He breathed. "We chose this battle, chose this fight and these allies. You brought us here. We heard you." He murmured to himself before turning back. He gave the generals a nod. They were ready.

Six lightsabers flashed to life in front of him. Rex pulled a smoke grenade from its pouch and pulled the pin and nodded to Cody, who gave him the affirmative. "First Platoon, on me! The rest of you, wait for the red smoke!" He barked, loud and clear into their helmet comms.

Rex threw the smoke grenade. And then, he charged.

A few seconds later, he felt the mortars firing off the first of their stonks, an opening barrage to force Death Watch to take cover. White smoke filled his vision from the smoke bomb.. Rex and the others pressed through it, blood pumping in his ears in time with his footfalls. There was movement ahead, at the enemy barricade. Then the mortars hit.

Nine rounds slammed down in and around the barricade. Debris scattered from the blasts, and Rex saw a few bodies, or parts of bodies, sent flying with it. Something inside the barricade detonated, causing a blast larger than the mortars.

A blaster bolt streaked past him a second later "Here comes the welcoming party!" General Skywalker shouted. Figures blasted into the sky from behind the barricade, more blaster bolts raining down from above. In front of him, lightsabers arced as the Jedi deflected the fire.

Rex fired on the barricade. Flashes of blue blaster bolts erupted around him, forcing the figures behind the barricade to seek cover. Commander Sirat force pushed an incoming rocket away. Commander Tano cut down the flying Mandolorian who had fired it. Another Death Watch soldier landed nearby and caught fire from Rex and several other clones. Around him, clone troopers fell from fire or were cut down in hand to hand combat.

They were putting up a good defense, and Rex knew they were at risk of losing momentum. Some men were starting to look at cover options. "Come on, move, move damn it! All we can do here is die! Push the barricade!" He grabbed a trooper who had found cover behind a crashed speeder and pushed him to get moving again, still firing with one blaster.

Cody was suddenly beside him as they charged, both of them pushing hard to catch back up to the Jedi. "Putting up a hell of a fight, aren't they?" Cody panted out over comms. "Wanna give them something to think about?"

Rex grunted in agreement. "Gun run?" Cody gave his own agreement, then fired on a Mandalorian that rushed them, three rounds punching through the chest-plate and helmet.

Rex marked the target with the designator on his helmet and then called in the run. CAS responded in moments, a Lartie screaming overhead, the sound of its chin guns roaring forced the sound dampers in Rex's helmet to kick in.

It gave them enough cover to get to the barricade. Rex slid into cover, firing on the recovering Mandalorians. "Clear them out!" He shouted to the troopers who had also made it. Fire rippled from their position. Cody's long blaster barked next to Rex.

Deathwatch reinforcements flew in, adding their firepower to drive the Liberation forces out. Rex caught a glimpse of General Skywalker grabbing two with the Force and slamming them together, knocking them out.

It wasn't long after that the rest of the assault force caught up with the advanced unit. "Alright boys, up and over!", Rex urged. He lept the barrier and fired as a Mandalorian turned to face him. Cody was by his side, blaster firing. More clones rushed over the barrier. Rex pushed to catch back up to the Jedi that were farther ahead.

They were stemming the tide at the far side of the barricade, and, as the first tank broke through the barricade, Rex saw Gant grab a missile fired from a Deathwatch rocket pack and send it right back at the group that had fired it. The tank guns belched as they found targets, ripping through the defenders and forcing them back.

Rex paused next to the two youngest Jedi, who were watching each other's backs, deflecting blaster shots. Both were breathing hard, even with their Jedi training they were wired with the adrenaline of combat. Rex paused, "Alright you two, you're doing just fine! We just have to keep moving, one more barricade before the Palace!" He reminded them.

They both nodded, calming themselves as much as they could, and with nods, rushed back into the fight.

"Rex!" Fordo's voice filled his comms. "My boys and I have slipped ahead! We're engaging light resistance, but we spotted Deathwatch armor at the next barricade, warn the tankers!" He told him quickly.

"Understood, stay safe out there Vod!" Rex rushed to the tanks, already swapping to their comms channel. "Rancor 2-1, this is Rex, we have reports of enemy armor at the next barricade! I repeat. Armor at the next barricade. Move to lead the advance and engage!"

The tanks stomped ahead, the ground shaking with each footfall. Rex spotted General Skywalker and the other Jedi climbing up one of them. Cody was up ahead, motioning men forward. The job was far from over today. Checking his blasters, Rex pushed on.


Obi-Wan tightened his grip on the railing of the gunner's basket as the ATTE beneath his feet charged forward. Blaster fire erupted from the second Mandalorian defensive line, picking off some of the leading clone troopers. His lightsaber hissed and whirred as Obi-Wan knocked away several blaster bolts

"General, incoming from above!" The gunner warned. Three Mandalorians raced overhead with their jetpacks. Three rockets streaked away from them, horrifying Obi-Wan as they slammed into one of the ATTEs. The explosion rocked the area, ripping the walker apart and taking several troopers with it.

Obi-Wan scanned the men around him who were recovering and spotted Cody. "Keep an eye out for more!" he shouted. As the order spread, more of the clones kept an eye skyward. They didn't wait as the next group attempted a similar run from another angle. Blue flashes filled the sky as one of the Deathwatch warriors fell. Another was downed by a few shots before the two survivors broke off their attack.

The force alerted Obi-Wan. He reached out, grasping a fast moving object and willing the force to stop it. The world around him seemed silent as his entire focus poured into the force. Obi-Wan looked up to see the bolt of a heavy laser cannon meters away from the tank, shuddering wildly with pent-up energy. With a heaving breath, Obi-Wan pushed the bolt with the force. At once, all of that energy reversed and streaked back toward the enemy defenses.

"All tanks, all tanks, enemy armor and anti-armor at the second barricade. I repeat, enemy armor at the second barricade!" Came the shout of the tank commander through comms. Sound flooded back to Obi-Wan as more blaster bolts streaked past.

"Gunner! Target, 10 o'clock!" The commander called out. The mass driver swiveled. The gunner fired. The ATTE bucked from the recoil, and an explosion tore through the enemy line as the round hit a distant hover tank.

The enemy tank fired, the shot streaking harmlessly past them. The ATTE lurched again as the mass driver fired. The hover tank collapsed to the ground, a gout of flame shooting skyward as it burned.

"Good effect on target! Keep it up!" The commander ordered. The ATTEs kept up the fire. Guns belched every few seconds. The concussion of blast after blast thumped in Obi-Wan's chest. One of the ATTEs took a hit, one of its legs buckled, and the walker slowed.

Death Watch couldn't match their level of firepower, and soon enough a second and third hovertank were destroyed. The last tank attempted to fall back, but took several rocket strikes as the Night Owls descended from above.

Obi-Wan launched himself at the barricade. He soared over the defensive wall, landing in the midst of the enemy. His lightsaber stopped a Mandalorian before he could take aim, a clean cut dropping the warrior. Another one was sent flying by a force push.

Obi-Wan raised his lightsaber just as a Mandalorian vibro-sword clashed down on it. The wielder launched into a series of strikes. Obi-Wan caught each one before he used the force and sent the swordsman flying into a nearby wall.

The clones poured over the wall, forcing the remaining Mandalorian holdouts to retreat or fall. The second barricade fell. They were at the base of the Palace now, the remaining defenders would be inside, as would Maul.

"Well, what're we waiting for? Let's move!" Anakin shouted off to his left, waving the troops forward. Just as they were about to rush ahead, both he and Anakin froze. A dark chill swept through the force.

"Master Windu." Anakin said, his eyes meeting Obi-Wan's.

Their comms went off mere moments later. "Generals, we have an Imperial force in orbit over the planet. It's led by one of the new Star Destroyers! It's outside our range for now, but we're detecting several shuttles headed for the city!" Captain Shaaq informed them.

"Understood, Captain, prepare to engage that ship, we'll need time to evacuate." Obi-Wan replied.

"Let's go Obi-Wan, we have to defeat Maul, now." Anakin ignited his lightsaber.

"No, Anakin. You all need to go and deal with the Empire." Obi-Wan suddenly said. "I can handle Maul, and we can't just let Master Windu begin running amock through our forces. Plus, they'll need you up there to deal with that monstrosity of a ship" His voice was firm, this was the only way.

"No way, Master. I'm not leaving you to face him alone." Anakin demanded. Kittani stepped forward as well, nodding in agreement.

Obi-Wan begrudged that his two padawans, former and current, could be so alike at times. "I will be okay." Obi-Wan said. "Anakin, you have to go. I promise I will meet you back on the ship." Obi-Wan reaffirmed to his friend. "Kittani, its best you go as well… I doubt Windu will have come alone."

There was silence for a moment before Anakin reluctantly nodded. "Be safe, Master, you better come back." He said, managing a smile.

Kittani nodded, "If you don't, then we're gonna drag you back from the force as a force spirit." She grinned.

Obi-Wan managed a smile, "May the force be with you."


The Palace interior was in utter chaos. Obi-Wan carefully stepped over the bodies of fallen clones and Mandalorians, allies, enemies, and civilians alike. Cody saluted him, "Sir, this is the throne room. We believe Maul is inside."

Obi-Wan nodded, "Get ready, if Maul is waiting for us here, then he will attack. Let me deal with him, don't attack unless you have an opening." He said.

Cody got ready. With a nod, Obi-Wan unleashed the force, slamming the doors open.

The room was in half shadow, the lights dim. Occasionally, a flash from outside would bathe the interior in a fiery light from the windows, the battle raging outside still.

Maul stared him down from the steps of the dais. "Kenobi… come at last to take revenge for your dear Duchess? Or is there still some misguided sense of nobility in that near-dead dogma of yours?"

"I've come to liberate Mandalore from you, Maul. I won't see its people suffer under the wrath of a Sith." Obi-Wan steadied his breathing, letting the force flow through him. He couldn't allow his anger towards Maul to control him. He could sense it in the force as Cody and his clones spread out around the throne room. Soon they'd have Maul surrounded.

"Liberate Mandalore?" Maul shook his head, "All you and the remnants of your Order have achieved today is to replace me with my former Master as Mandalore's leader. You fools have done his work for him." He spat.

"Mandalore can resist the Empire, they've agreed to stand with us." Obi-Wan replied, watching as Maul paced back and forth on the steps. "Sidious won't succeed."

Maul chuckled, "Oh, you truly believe that. You Jedi with your optimism. You have no idea how long my Master has prepared for this to happen. You have no clue what he will do to succeed." Maul growled. "Tell me, where is your former padawan, Kenobi? Where is Skywalker?" He uttered slowly.

Obi-Wan tightened his grip on his lightsaber as Maul made his way down the steps. "He's handling our new arrivals." Obi-Wan said.

"You overconfident fool." Maul shook his head. "I planned to kill him, to deprive Sidious of his newest apprentice, and you've practically handed him over. And here you stand, thinking you can defeat me. I had thought our last meeting would reduce that arrogance of yours Kenobi, but I see one final lesson is required."

Obi-Wan's saber ignited at the same moment as Maul's, and a moment later both sputtered and hissed as the Zabraak slammed his blade against Obi-Wan's. Obi-Wan spun to the side, breaking the blade lock in time to deflect Maul's second blade before striking out with a force-enhanced punch into his opponent's ribs, creating a moment of space before Maul was upon him again.

Their blades hissed and screamed each time they clashed, Maul's brute force driving Obi-Wan back across the throne room. Obi-Wan felt the force flow through him, guiding his blade to block each strike. He grunted in pain as the Sith's metal leg suddenly swept his own, putting Obi-Wan on his back. Obi-Wan threw himself into a roll a second before Maul's blade slammed down into the floor where his chest had just been, Maul's voice echoing in the chamber as he screamed in rage.

Maul pulled his blade free as Obi-Wan got to his feet, his legs aching from the strike. He settled into his stance, "You let your anger control you." Obi-Wan said, panting some.

Maul glared at him, twirling his saber staff. "My anger fuels my power." He sneered.

"No, it blinds you to possibility. Maul, it doesn't have to be this way. I know still what you've been through. Surrender, and the Jedi order could help you." He said.

Maul shook his head, "You may know of my story, Kenobi, but you can never know what I've experienced!" He raged. "A broken man fighting for a broken order, attempting to offer me a mercy that I have no need of." He growled. Obi-Wan could sense the force around them, Maul's anger had risen quickly.

He made a decision then, as Maul stared him down. He swapped forms, lowering his usual Soresu stance to grip his lightsaber with both hands, using Ataru, the same form Qui-gon had used all those years ago.

He saw Maul catch the change and subtly shift his stance. "If you wish to bring me peace, Kenobi, then die!" He roared as he charged, spinning into a leap. Obi-Wan blocked the first two strikes, and, as Maul brought his lightsaber hilt up to strike Obi-Wan with it, Obi-Wan brought his blade down.

There was a slicing hiss, and Obi-Wan saw Maul's eyes widen as his arms fell to his side, his lightsaber falling silent. Obi-Wan caught the man as he fell, a clean slice down his chest. Maul stared up at him, the rage and anger fading.

"You truly believe… don't you? You believe he can defeat Sidious?" Maul asked.

Obi-Wan nodded, "He will, we prevented Anakin's fall."

Maul gasped, "Maybe he will… avenge us."

Obi-Wan let out a breath, closing the Zabraaks eyes as his presence in the force faded. He hoped that, in death, Maul might find the peace that escaped him in life.


Anakin grit his teeth as they hurried for the extraction point. He could feel the Imperial shuttles now, coming in fast. The presence of the dark side was heavy on them.

"Everyone, get into cover, we have to hold out until our extraction arrives." Anakin called out.

"Skywalker, focus on getting your people off planet. My Night Owls can hold the line now." Bo Katan told him.

"Understood. I wish we could stay to help, but, the longer we're here, the worse the Empire will come down on Mandalore. It's us they really want."

"Don't worry, they'll learn what it truly means to try and occupy Mandalore. We will survive."

"All Jedi and Resistance Forces, make your way to the Royal Plaza for extraction. Liberation, get those LAAT's down here, and keep out of range of that star destroyer."

There was a flurry of movement around him as clones and resistance forces alike took up positions. Master Kota and his men had joined them, leaving their sector to the Mandalorian clans as soon as the star destroyer had entered orbit.

The roof of the city exploded overhead, struck by a multitude of missiles. Several cables lowered through the newly opened holes, and through the dust descended several storm troopers. The clones were quick to open fire, hoping to stem the tide of attacking enemies.

Then, the flash of dozens of red lightsabers descended through the smoke. The Inquisitors fell in free fall, deflecting blaster bolts as they raced to the ground, catching themselves with the force. The area erupted into chaos as they charged the resistance forces. Some were cut down by overwhelming fire, the clones and rebels having prepared for this, but others lept through the air, cutting down Anakin's troops.

Anakin lept into the fray, lightsaber hissing to life as he caught an Inquisitors blade that was meant for a clone. Rapidly he forced the red blade up, breaking his oponents guard before plunging his blade into the dark force users chest. More charged him, and Anakin was quick to switch targets, blocking more attacks as three of them bore down on him. The other Jedi, including those who had been with Master Kota, were engaged in their own battles while resistance forces and imperial forces alike fired on each other and any force user that wasn't on their side.

Another Inquisitor fell to his blade, a smoulder slash glowing across the armor of their back. There were many of the inquisitors, but, they clearly did not have the level of experience as the battle hardened Jedi they faced. Anakin grunted as one landed a fist into his ribs, and pushed the attacker away with the force. The force screamed a warning to him and, on pure instinct, Anakin threw his saber with the force, sending it through an Inquisitor who was coming up behind Kittani and Gant, both locked in their own battles.

"Stay near me!' He ordered them, bringing his lightsaber back to his side as he fought his way to theirs. Both defeated their opponents and formed up back to back with Anakin. The force was in turmoil around him as inquisitors and Jedi alike fell. Dust covered the battlefield from the collapsed roof.

Anakin snapped his lightsaber up just as Darth Talionis brought his down, the two blades screaming from the force of the impact. Anakin could feel the rage radiating off of the man who had once been a great Jedi. He sprang into action, countering the rapid attacks of Master Windu's blade, the power of the dark side combined with Vapaad pushing Anakin towards his limit. He let the force guide him, blocking each of the Sith Lord's strikes and attempting to gain an advantage with counter attacks of his own. Finally, an opportunity presented itself and Anakin lept away, getting some distance between himself and Windu, but also getting their fight away from the Padawans.

"Master Windu, this isn't you, you're a Jedi!" Anakin shouted, gripping his blade as he settled into his stance.

Windu slashed his own blade against the ground, kicking up sparks as he stepped forward. "That's no longer my name!" He raged. "Skywalker, you took everything from me! You should've never been allowed in the order! You poisoned it! And now, I must destroy it!" He raged.

Anakin met Talionis's charge, their blades hissing between their chests. However, it was the Sith Lord's fist that caught him off guard. A force filled punch slammed into Anakin's gut, sending him flying back as Talionis lept forward. Anakin gasped for breath and barely managed to side step another attack. He launched into a fury of his own attacks, putting the once Jedi on the defense.

Talionis lashed out with the force, trying to push Anakin away, but Anakin met him with his own force push. The pressure built between them as both fought for dominance, the dark side swirled out from Talionis, and Anakin let the light flow through him.

Anakin grunted as he and Talionis both went flying. He felt something crack, and a sharp pain lanced through his body from his arm as he landed hard on the concrete. His right arm hung limply at his side when he came back up, waves of pain radiating out, and his head throbbed from the impact. He forced himself to focus on his breathing, to keep calm in the force. It hurt, badly, but, he knew he had to keep going as his vision cleared again.

Anakin forced himself to his feet, holding his saber in his left hand, and stared down Darth Talionis. Around them, the battle waged on. He could see Ahsoka locked in combat with Barriss Offee, and Gant and Kittani had formed up with Rex and some of the clones to fight off the remaining Inquisitors.

His head hurt from the landing, and one of his eyes stung as some blood dribbled into it from a gash on his forehead.

"The Jedi Order was fine as it was before you arrived!" Master Windu raged. "We should never have trained you, Skywalker."

Anakin spat, "That wasn't your choice, and you know this is wrong." He grit, steadying himself. "You were a great Jedi Master Windu… you don't have to be Sidious's slave."

Anakin could sense the sneer from Windu, even behind the mask that covered the lower half of his face. "I won't be his slave. He wants you… and I know he will kill me if he gets you! So, I'm going to make sure you die today, and then, I'll make sure Sidious dies. I will rebuild my own order, and I'll make sure no one dares to start a war again!" He spat. "But first, you should know pain!" Talionis roared.

Anakin watched as Talionis lashed out with the force, grabbing Gant and dragging him towards him. "I'll kill your Padawans first… then I'll kill you and make sure to track down your family! Maybe one of your children will become my apprentice!"

Anakin couldn't control the spike of sudden anger that flashed through him as he drew on the force. It didn't matter what part of the force, light, or dark, he just drew from it and charged the once Jedi Master. His blade intercepted Windu's and managed to bat it way before he scored a deep slice across the Sith's ribs. Pure rage kept his opponent up though as the Sith launched out with both his blade and his body, a series of force enhanced strikes coming at Anakin.

Anakin blocked most, and bore the brunt of the rest, the force blocking out pain as he snarled. "You won't touch any of them!" He screamed before launching into a spinning attack. His lightsaber caught Talionis's before he slammed a kick into the sith's wounded side.

Anakin launched Talionis into the wall of a building, then lept at him as he tried to recover. Anakin drove his lightsaber forward suddenly as Talionis's flashed upwards. There was a sharp pain from his arm again, a searing agony, but Anakin watched as his own saber sank into Talionis's chest.

They stood there, Talionis wide eyed in shock at the humming blue lightsaber that had pierced him. The SIth's lightsaber clattered to the floor, extinguishing as it did so. In his last moments, Anakin saw the yellow fade from his eyes. The brown eyes of Master Windu stared back at Anakin in shock and in pain. He shuddered, his life force fading. "Thank you, Skywalker, I'm finally free." He rasped, a look of almost relief in his eyes just before the life faded from him.

Anakin extinguished his own saber, letting Master Windu's body fall. As the force faded from him, his whole body throbbed in pain from the duel. He looked down at his arm. It was gone, but not at the elbow this time. Master Windu had cut his arm off at the shoulder. Anakin feld his vision fade, and as he collapsed, he faintly heard someone shout his name.


Ahsoka grit her teeth as Bariss's blades clashed against her own. She launched into a flury of attacks against the girl she had once considered a friend. "Still fighting for the losing side, Ahsoka?" Barriss taunted, a mad gleam in her eyes. "You will die here." She spat.

"I'm fighting for the light. For what we both once believed in!" She shot back, launching into another flurry of attacks and counters against Barriss. In her peripheral, she watched as Anakin went against Talionis, Master Windu. The two were a flurry of strikes. She rolled away from another of Barriss's attacks.

Barriss charged her again, screaming in fury as her blades sought an opening through Ahsoka's guard. They had been fighting like this for much of the battle, each whittling the other down, but, Ahsoka noticed that Barriss was getting tired. She seemed sickly. She'd caught glimpses of the mechno-hands that the woman had now, of the half healed wounds across her body.

Finally, Bariss made a mistake. She attempted a leaping attack at Ahsoka. The force guided Ahsoka. Her first blade blocked Barriss's as her shoto sliced across her midriff. Barriss landed and rolled, staring up in shock and pain.

"I'm sorry, Barriss." Ahoska said as she approached her. "It didn't have to end this way." She said.

"I just… I just wanted an end to the war." Barriss whimpered. "I…it hurts… it hurts so much." She said.

Ahsoka knelt down, and squeezed Barriss's hand, easing her pain through the force. She shifted her to cradle her head. "Rest now… it's over." She breathed.

Barriss Offee died as Ahsoka held her, and Ahsoka wished that she found peace.

Ahsoka was pulled away from the loss when the force screamed out at her. She glanced up to see both Anakin and Mace fall. She shouted out his name and ran to her Master's side. He was bad, his arm was gone. The fight was waning now. With Master Windu dead, many of the Inquisitors had been stunned. Ahsoka faintly heard it over the radio as help arrived. Several LAAT's screamed overhead, adding their fire to the clones and working to drive the imperial forces back. She could sense Master Obi-Wan drawing near. She did the one thing she could, and shouted for a medic as she poured her own force ability into her Master, worried for his life.


Obi-Wan was overwhelmed with worry as the wounded were loaded onto the LAAT's. He and the other Jedi climbed aboard the transport that held Anakin as Kix and the medical droid worked to stabilize his wounds. He watched as Bo and her forces kept the Empire at bay, the skilled Mandalorians driving off the few remaining Inquisitors for the moment.

"Get out of here, you need to go, now!" Bo said.

"Are you sure!?" Obi-Wan replied.

"Yes, we will live on, even under occupation. They won't find peace so long as they're here!" She shouted. "Now go, prepare to fight another day Jedi." She said before hurrying back into the fight.

The door to the LAAT sealed shut, and Obi-Wan held on as they lifted off. The LAAT's rushed through the hole made by the Empire, and Obi-Wan caught his first sight of the massive ship that had arrived. It was larger than even the Venator, easily seen from orbit as it moved ever closer. The Liberation was turned away from it, their fleet gaining distance as their forces escaped, but the Star Destroyer was gaining ground, and was nearly in firing distance.

"Ground forces, that star destroyer is launching fighters. A mix of V-Wings and those new TIEs. We're preparing to engage, looks like we might be in for a bit of a fight!" Captain Shaaq warned them.

"Understood Captain, launch your fighters. We'll be ready to join in combat once we're on board." Obi-Wan breathed. He wasn't sure how much use they would actually be though. All of them were battered, and Anakin was fading in and out of consciousness. He watched as the Liberation entered a slow turn, heading for an opening for hyperspace as its hangar doors opened and its guns turned to engage. Squadrons of snub fighters poured from the warship.

"It's coming into range! Fighters, target that thing's shields! We've got to wound it if we want to escape." The captain called over their channel.

Then, the Imperial Star Destroyer fired.

Obi-Wan was shocked at the amount of cannon fire that poured from one ship, green turbolaser shots streaking forward to slam against the shields of the Liberation.

"We won't hold out against this for long!" Captain Shaaq warned, even as the rebel fleet returned fire, the heavy turbolasers on the Venator and the dreadnaughts opening up on the Imperial ship and hammering it in return.

Their LAAT's streaked into this madness, slipping into the Liberation through the cover of the ship's underside that was hidden from the Imperial warship. He was the first off the transport. "Hurry, we have to get to our fighters!" He shouted as the ship shuddered.

"This is the Huntress!" The Captain of one of the Muunificents called out over comms. "Our shields are down, we're taking heavy damage! I'm ordering an evacu-" The message was suddenly silenced, and Obi-Wan felt an explosion shake the Liberation from outside.

Then, the Liberation herself shuddered. "Shields are almost depleted!" The Captain warned.

"Let's get out there!" Ahsoka shouted as they hurried for the fighters. As Obi-Wan stepped forward, a hand grasped his.

It was Anakin, still laying on his stretcher, his arm heavily bandaged. He was clearly in pain, but was now at least awake. "No, wait, I have an idea." He grunted, managing to push himself up some. "We all need to get to the bridge, now." He forced out.

"Anakin, you need to be in a bacta tank, immediately!" Obi-Wan said. "We can handle this!"

Anakin shook his head, "No, please, just trust me Master." He grit out, forcing himself to stay awake. Obi-Wan could feel the force flowing through his closest friend, urging him to go. He shook his head. "Alright, everyone, to the bridge!" He ordered. "But then you're going into bacta if we get out of this."

His Padawan had the gall to smile at him.

The bridge was awash with activity as the battle unfolded before them. The Liberation's shields were down, and there were fires down on her hull from battle damage, but at max range her armor was holding.

"We can't take much more of this!" Captain Shaaq said. "I hope you Jedi have a plan!"

Anakin managed to nod, "I do, can your fighters get the shields down?" He asked.

"They already are, but that damn thing is so heavily armored that we've not been able to do much damage to it." The Captain replied. "Our only advantage is it seems to have very little in the way of point defense, and it can only carry a few of those TIE fighters." He added as the ship shuddered again and another explosion ripped through part of the hull.

"Alright… everyone, I need you to join with me. Lend me your strength in the force." Anakin said as he forced himself to sit up. "We've got to grab that ship and move it." He said.

"Can we do that!?" Gant asked in shock.

"We're Jedi, size means nothing, there is only the force!" Master Kota said.

Obi-Wan nodded, and placed his hand on Anakin's shoulder. The others joined them. Obi-Wan acted with Anakin, reaching out into the force, feeling it wash over him like cool water. They could feel the Star Destroyer's mass, the life force of the entire crew, and the presence of more inquisitors on board.

"That's it… just grab it and turn it with me." Anakin breathed, pain and exertion clear. Obi-Wan could visualize the force wrapping around the ship, and slowly, he began to nudge it along with the others. There was resistance, their will power battling through the force to make their intent known even as the star destroyer fought back with its engines. Slowly, it began to turn. Obi-Wan opened his eyes, watching as it slowly spun to the side, it's basters going wildly off target. Anakin had them rotate it, so that its underside faced them, a large bulge in the armor present there.

"That's your target, Captain. That's its reactor!" He gritted out. Obi-Wan could see the strain his brother was under, and tried to aid him.

"Bring us about and charge the beam cannon!" The captain ordered. "All ships, prepare to fire on that reactor bulge."

The Liberation came about as fast as it could, but Obi-Wan could sense his own fatigue, and the others were tiring as well. "We can't hold this for much longer!" He warned.

"Just a few more moments!" The Captain ordered. "Beam ready, all ships, fire!" He shouted.

A wave of turbloasers and missiles flew towards the Imperial Star Destroyer, lead by the beam cannon that lanced away from the ships underside. There was a bright flash as the beam slammed into the armor of the enemy ship, causing an explosion, soon after, the turbolaser fire and missiles slammed home as well.

"Detecting a power surge from the Imperial ship!" A crewman shouted out. "It's the reactor!"

"Brace!" Obi-Wan shouted.

The Imperial ship detonated, it's reactor going critical from the punishment and exploding in a large blast. The shockwave ripped through space, battering the already damaged Liberation. But they held on, and, as the shockwave passed, Obi-Wan saw the Imperial ship breaking apart.

Anakin shuddered next to him, his skin pale as he collapsed back onto the cot. "Get him to a med bay, and get us out of here, now!" Obi-Wan ordered. Moments later, the blue of hyperspace surrounded them.


Darth Sidious stared down at the inquisitor that kneeled before him, the highest ranking one left after they had failed him on Mandalore.

"Tell me, First Brother… one of our newest ships was entirely destroyed, my apprentice is dead, as is much of your order. Yet you claim to have salvaged something of value from this farce of a failure?" He seethed quietly, moments away from killing the insolent fool that cowered before him.

The weak being before him was smart to not argue against him, at least, but instead brought forward a cryogenic box, opening it with a his. "Sir, we recovered this next to the body of Darth Talionis… it matches Skywalkers." He said.

Sidious stared down at what was in the box and, after a moment, he managed to smile. Oh, this was something of interest. In the box was the remains of Skywalkers arm, near perfectly preserved so that the cells were still viable.

"You have earned your life today, First Brother, but know that this does not redeem the failure of your order. Deliver this to the scientists on Weyland and tell them to see what they can achieve." He sneered. "Leave my sight."

The Inquisitor was quick to leave, and Palpatine sneered. One way or another, Skywalker would be his.