The Frozen Force

by Sparks-Gavilan

(6 Seasons / Frozen meets Star Wars Crossover/ New chapters every Friday) Light rises to meet the darkness. The Empire and Rebel Alliance are locked in a struggle for the fate of the galaxy. Join Anna, Kristoff, Elsa and Tiana as they make their final stand. Adventure awaits in the thrilling conclusion to this epic longfic.

70. Chapter 70 - Here I Stand

Chapter: 70 Here I Stand

"Victory cannot be forged without sacrifice."

Eshan in peril! Jedi Knight Elsa Dellian and the 213th Search and Rescue Division have been sent to the warrior world. While aiding with relief efforts, Elsa and her team experienced a supernatural tornado. Further investigation revealed that superstorms were being generated by a Sanyassan war party. With tensions escalating, an meteorological disruption can mean only one thing for the Echani: INVASION...

---

A powerful breeze blew across the plains of Eshan. Silver clouds glided over the landscape as a distinct rumbling sounded over the horizon. To a distant town, such a peculiar sound could easily be mistaken for thunder. But two Echani scouts had been dispatched to prove otherwise. The tall grass shifted as a hooded scout emerged from cover. "Atrol," he whispered sharply. "Atrol! Hurry!"

A second, younger scout crawled out from behind him. "Sorry, Kaj," he mumbled. "My cloak was snagged on a-"

"Get down!" Atrol warned and shoved his fellow Echani to the ground. The pair lay flat against a loamy edge as Atrol held a finger to his mouth. Kaj's hood bobbed as he hurriedly nodded in acknowledgement. The duo cautiously poked their heads over the edge to behold a terrifying sight. The storm machine was just the beginning. Beneath them marched a massive army of Sanyassans. The cadence of their heavy and booted stomps was enough to strike fear into Atrol's heart. "Easy, rookie." Kaj assured. "Steady your spirit."

Atrol swallowed hard as they observed the Sanyassan army. "Th-there's got to be hundreds down there," he worried.

"Thousands," Kaj corrected while scanning with his electrobinoculars. "Mostly infantry. Heavily armed and armored."

Atrol withdrew his own electrobinoculars and zoomed across the army. The Sanyassans were like a scaly sea of brutes descending over the plains. "Where do you think they're going?" Atrol asked.

"Nowhere good," the elder scout grimaced. "If they continue on this route, they'll reach Sunhaven by dawn tomorrow."

"We've got to warn Echani Command," Atrol said while observing the army. "If they make it to our sanctuary, we'll-" The Echani froze and tightened the grip on his binoculars. While the rest of the Sanyassans marched onward, a pair of them stood idle. Their leathery, sunken faces seemed to be looking over at him. Atrol's eyes widened and gripped loosened when one of the Sanyassans pointed right at him. He gasped as the second took aim and sent a scorching laser darting for the hills.

Kaj kicked his protégé out of harm's way as the laser blasted through the soil. "Fall back!" he ordered the rookie. "Use the tall grass to-" As the Echani turned to flee, more Sanyassans emerged to flank them. While Atrol and Kaj were equipped for scouting, the Echani could make due with any weapon in their possession. "To arms!" Kaj ordered and unsheathed a vibrosword. Atrol did the same as the Sanyassans charged. Armed with durasteel axes, the brutes were an intimidating sight to behold.

There was an ear-splitting hum when Kaj's vibrosword struck an axe. He broke the first Sanyassan's defense by kicking out its knee. As his foe dropped with a grunt, Kaj sliced under its arm. Unfortunately for Atrol, the Sanyassans without melee weapons came for him. The rookie hurriedly rolled for cover as multiple enemies opened fire. Their lasers torched the soil as Kaj noticed Atrol in distress.

"Hold on!" Kaj shouted. He flung his vibrosword into a gunman's neck and jumped another with his bare hands. Utilizing brutal, yet precise martial arts...Kaj repeatedly bludgeoned a Sanyassan. He had his opponent pinned until another struck him with the butt of his axe.

"No!" Atrol screamed and dashed into the fray. Despite the valiant flourish of his blade, the Sanyassans easily disarmed him with a single swing. His blade fell to the dirt as the enemy kneed him into submission.

Battered and bruised, Atrol was thrown beside his mentor. He and Kaj were surrounded by multiple Sanyassans who were snarling off in their native tongue. Their guttural tones only deepened at the sight of the soldier Kaj had killed. While neither Echani could understand Sanyassan, it was easy to distinguish that they were debating on what to do with their prisoners.

Silence fell over the soldiers as a single, daunting roar sounded from below. It was enough to have them standing at attention while glancing towards the hillside. Atrol and Kaj watched as a massive silhouette rose with the blood red sunrise. Contrary to his long-haired underlings, this Sanyassan wore his greasy locks in a taut bun. A trimmed and greasy beard lined his pronounced, wrinkly chin. With the sun creeping behind him, his eyes were hardly visible. They were nothing more than sunken, black chasms leading into nothingness. Every step he took cast a darker shadow over Atrol and Kaj. His heavily armored breastplate was adorned with the sacred etchings of his people. A blend of skinned nexu hides formed his bulky cloak. The very teeth of said predators dangled from chains on his insidious necklace. There was no order to the teeth in size nor shape, much like the Sanyassan's code of reasoning. As he loomed over the captive Echani, the other Sanyassans knelt before their warlord.

"Gul Dordo," they saluted. "Gul Dordo!"

Their hailing chants went recognized as they bowed their heads. Dordo's slit-like nostrils flared as he snorted. He slowly took a knee and observed his captives. While Kaj looked Dordo directly into his hollow eyes, Atrol shivered and averted his gaze. "Courage, Atrol." Kaj whispered. "Steady your spirit."

Dordo glanced at the cowering youth and smirked. Kaj's brows furrowed as he realized the warlord could understand him. "He has no spirit to steady," Dordo growled. The fact that he spoke Galactic Basic was enough to startle Atrol into looking up. Dordo stood over them once more and flashed a crooked grin. "I was promised legendary warriors. Are the Echani not the finest combatants in the Inner Rim? I sought a challenge!" As he finished his tirade, he stomped before Kaj and roared the last word in his face. The elder scout didn't budge and continued to stare him down.

"The Echani owe you nothing," Kaj said. "There will be no challenge because a barbaric warlord is unworthy of such."

Dordo's glower deepened. "You have the arrogance of your Arkanian bloodkin," he said. "It's...admirable, but pointless. For all of the courage your people speak of, your actions prove otherwise. Like the cowards you are, you come upon us as scouts. I'm actually grateful for it." A pair of Sanyassans grabbed the Echani and dragged them to the hillside. Dordo walked beside them and gestured to his seemingly endless army as it continued to march on. "I want you to see this," he said. "For I do not fear any of you. Return to your leader and tell her I'm coming. Tell them what you've seen, for I want them to know who will bring about their demise." Dordo chuckled to himself. "Take a good long look, Echani. For this is the end of your planet as you know it. Your destruction of my storm machine was nothing more than an inconvenience at this point. It's already served its purpose."

"Wh-what do you mean?" Atrol worried.

Dordo smirked. "Its tornadoes have ravaged this region's towns, forcing your people to gather at your sanctuary. S-...Sunhaven, isn't it? For every one of us that you kill, we will slaughter a hundred." Atrol trembled at the warlord's words. "Tonight, I will purge this land of your inferior species and send a message to your kin across the stars." Kaj's eye twitched as Dordo looked upon them. "Speaking of messages," he snarled. "You'd best get going. Return to your speeder bike and tell the others of what's coming." His dark gaze fell to Atrol as he growled the word "Boy."

Atrol gulped and nervously looked up. "Y-y-yes?" he uttered.

"Do you still have strength in your hands?" the warlord asked. Perplexed by the question, Atrol pursed his lips and quivered fearfully. "I-...um...yes."

A sinister grin found its way across Dordo's grizzly maw. "Good," he murmured and pointed to Kaj. "You'll need it to carry this one's head."

"What?" Atrol gasped while Kaj accepted his fate.

"Look away, rookie." Kaj intoned.

"Kaj!" Atrol screeched.

"I said look away!" the elder scout shouted.

Dordo relished in their anguish and motioned for his men to restrain Atrol. They forced him to watch as Dordo stood before Kaj. The hulking Sanyassan raised a hand behind his head. His leathery, bulky bicep rippled as he withdrew an ominous glaive. The elongated weapon had a disturbing ring when he flourished it through the air. "Do you recognize this metal?" Dordo asked. Unlike his student, Kaj maintained his composure. His lips were sealed as the metallic rod was lowered before him. Kaj stared into his own reflection on the glaive's broad and bladed tip. "Pure beskar steel," Dordo boasted. "Taken from a Mandalorian rogue that I gutted myself." Kaj cared little for the warlord's gloating and it only frustrated him further.

"Kaj!" Atrol wailed and uselessly wriggled in the soldiers' grips.

Dordo raised his glaive above Kaj's head and said, "In these moments...I want you to think of your family and all of those you serve. Not so it will bring you comfort...but so you can imagine them burning alive when I reach Sunhaven. You can think about them dying, because you're not there to save them." Dordo grinned sadistically as Kaj's eyes started to redden. Only once his opponent was mentally broken did he bring his glaive swinging downward.

---

Although Atrol was breathing, he looked anything but alive. As he sat upright in an Echani recovery chamber, the scout couldn't remember blinking. He couldn't even recall when his speeder bike had arrived at Sunhaven. Atrol's mind was an empty husk, devoid of emotion and frozen in time. His mind remained in a state of stagnation, repeatedly replaying the events on the hillside. While echoes of the past plagued Atrol from within, he was barely responsive once the 'message' had been delivered. He just sat there...staring blankly with a pair of blood-stained hands.

Before him stood Elsa Dellian, Commander Frost, and a group of Echani. All looked upon the disturbing sight of Atrol and contemplated such a threat. Haldris paced across the room and looked to her superior. "War is upon us Siv," she said. "I saw the Sanyassans myself and they hailed Dordo."

"If that warlord is leading them-" Thovan added. "-and everything our scout says is true, we must prepare a counterattack."

Elsa and Frost silently awaited the Echani leader's response. Juxtaposed against the stout Haldris, Siv Makari was a tall and lean leader. The ornate crest of Eshan lay stitched across her shoulder cape. Her shining, silver hair was bunched into a single braid over her shoulder. While jet black robes were fitted across her, a violet sash was wrapped around her waist. There was a deep sympathy in her eyes as she stepped towards Atrol. They narrowed as if trying see through his mind and experience his pain. Siv wished she could cleanse her fellow Echani of such suffering. Despite her benevolent appearance, a deadly dagger could be seen sheathed behind her back.

"My liege?" Haldris inquired again. "Thousands of Sanyassans will be here by nightfall. My brother and I can lead a counterattack. We'll set up an ambush and-"

"No," Siv intoned with a swiftly raised hand. "We know what the Sanyassans are capable of and mustn't divide our numbers any further. Unity will be our greatest ally. Send word throughout Sunhaven to bolster defenses to this sanctuary. Every able-bodied warrior shall stand to protect our region. The elderly and any child unable to bear arms shall be moved to the grand chamber."

"It will be done, my liege." Thovan answered as he and Haldris bowed.

Siv turned to Elsa and said, "Young Jedi...I know your mission was to aid in a relief effort, but our situation is far more dire. My people would be most grateful to receive Republic military support." Elsa and Frost looked to one another as Siv continued. "How many troopers does your battalion possess?"

"There are a little more than five-hundred of us," Frost assured.

"That should be more than enough for us to gain the upper hand," Siv considered.

"Respectfully," Elsa began. "The 213th is not an attack battalion. It is a search and rescue division."

Siv raised a brow and glanced at Frost's rifle. "And yet your troops carry firearms," she muttered.

"Perhaps a war doesn't have to ignite," Elsa proposed. "Let us find this 'Dordo' and open up negotiations with him."

"That animal can't be reasoned with!" Thovan snapped and gestured to Atrol. "Look what he's done to this poor boy let alone the towns of our plains!"

"My brother's right," Haldris spoke in a much calmer tone. "Dordo will not bend to any conversation. He cannot be negotiated with because his incentive is clear."

Elsa's worried gaze listed towards the Echani superior as she spoke up. "The Sanyassans have ignited wars throughout the galaxy," Siv said. "They've paved a trail of ceaseless destruction in the name of bloodlust. None have been more gruesome than Dordo, who's made it his personal goal to challenge other warrior races. We just never imagined that he'd dare to attack Eshan. War with his kind is inevitable, Master Jedi. Surely whatever morals you have will permit you to stand with us against the Sanyassans."

Elsa bit her lip and glanced at Frost. "I will not abandon the Echani people to be slaughtered," she said. "But I cannot in good conscience take another being's life."

"Even if that being is a savage?" Thovan inquired and once again pointed at the traumatized scout. "If we don't take a stand, this boy's suffering will only be the beginning."

"I'm sorry," Elsa sighed. "I just...need a moment with my commander." Thovan rolled his eyes while the other Echani watched them depart.

"I will speak with the rest of the council-" Siv said. "-I'll see if anyone can spare warriors."

"This is...dicey," Frost admitted while they traversed a corridor. He observed Elsa as she anxiously rubbed her temples. "How are you holding up?"

"Not well," Elsa confessed and shut her eyes. "I'm trying to reach out," she said while delving into her subconscious. Evara, she thought. While these Sanyassans do not serve the Sith, they seek to destroy the Echani. I want to advocate for the Light Side and stand against them, but I cannot bring myself to kill. Every passing, silent second had Elsa sulking deeper. Despair gripped her as she realized...Evara was still nowhere to be found.

"Elsa?" Frost worried.

As she opened her eyes and looked to her companion, she couldn't help but feel frustrated. Elsa blamed both of them for giving in to the moment, and believed Evara had abandoned her because of it. "I'm sorry," she confessed. "I don't know what to do."

"I'll stand wth you no matter what," Frost assured. "But it sounds like the Echani could use all the help they can get. Even if you don't fight, the boys will."

"I can't abandon the Echani in their hour of need, but if you won't kill either...who will lead the 213th?" As Elsa concluded her question, she and Frost peered over a metallic balcony. Countless Echani of various ages were scurrying about and rallying to defend Sunhaven. Regardless of what Elsa chose to do, she realized that the fate of Siv's people rested in her hands. As her mind wandered to worst case scenarios, tears filled her eyes.

---

Still in the process of returning from Mandalore, the Legacy had stopped to refuel and restock at a Republic outpost. While Shang oversaw provision intake from the bridge, Anna Dellian took some time to herself in the crew quarters. She reclined in one of the Hammerhead's refurbished beds and sighed. As her eyes listed across the vacant quarters, she found herself unable to escape her last encounter with Elsa. The passage of time had made her ban from Mandalore appear so small compared to the ties she'd strained with Elsa. While Anna still possessed the confidence to think she would've managed alone, she considered how quickly Elsa had come to her aid. As she sank into her pillow, she tried to reminisce on the times where she and Elsa worked side by side. She recounted how they'd braved the shark-infested waters of Manaan or how they'd faced off against General Grievous on Life Day. Anna huffed as she considered how many times they'd saved each other. While she thought she was always saving Elsa's skin in a duel, it was her sister who had helped rescue her from slavers. She'd even guided Anna to use the Force on Bespin. And after all of this time, Elsa was still willing to show up...and try.

Anna sighed heavily as she came to terms with her failure. If she was willing to cover for Elsa against Watcher, perhaps there was still hope. Maybe she could still salvage something between her and her sister. While Anna knew neither of them was perfect, she understood a fundamental truth: They needed each other.

Taking a deep breath, Anna dared to activate the comms on her vambrace. She dialed her big sister and patiently waited. As the youngest Dellian impatiently shut her eyes, Elsa suddenly answered. "Anna?" she inquired.

A gentle smile found its way to Anna's lips. "Hey sis," she uttered as a dreadful silence ensued. Realizing she had to speak up after how things ended, Anna cleared her throat. "Listen...about before-" She knitted her brows upon hearing Elsa sniffle. "Sis?"

"I'm fine," Elsa insisted while a series of clangs rang out from behind her.

"No you're not," Anna asserted. "Has anyone in the history of the universe ever actually meant it when they said those words? If you can't count on your sister, who can you count on?"

"Hey, those were-"

"Your words," Anna quipped. "Which should give you even more of a reason to believe them. So what's going on? And what the hell is that racket around you?"

"I'm afraid things are rather hectic here on Eshan," Elsa said. "I thought we were embarking on a relief mission, but we're about to have a full-scale war on our hands. The Echani are calling for me to aid them against a Sanyassan warlord's army. I can't let them suffer without aid, but I-"

Anna frowned as she understood Elsa's predicament. "-but you won't kill," she interjected.

Elsa sighed. "I don't know what to do. Knighthood is further showing me just how much of an impact the presence of a Jedi has on people. The Echani and the 213th are all counting on me to make the right decision."

"Look, I'm just going to tell it to you like it is," Anna explained. "In a battle of the scale you're describing, you can't stun or Force-push your way out. It's war. You might take some prisoners, but only after bloodshed." Anna groaned amidst Elsa's silence. "I know that you have a code you wish to follow, but I'm just being transparent with you."

"I appreciate it," Elsa said. "It's just that I took a relief mission so I could avoid conflicts like this. The Jedi are supposed to be symbols of hope, not devastation."

"The galaxy's at war, sis." Anna replied. "And that goes beyond Separatists battling the Republic. Your perception is far too critical, because real devastation is gonna happen if that warlord wins. The Echani don't need a negotiator as I did on Mandalore. They need-" Anna paused as an idea sparked within.

"What?" Elsa queried.

"A Jedi General," Anna declared.

"Wait," Elsa responded. "Anna, what are you-"

"Just sit tight," Anna insisted. "Help is on the way."

"Anna...wait!" Elsa exclaimed. "Hold on a-"

Anna hung up the call and exited the crew quarters. The Deathchasers were on their way back when Anna bumped into them in the corridor. "General!" Sergeant Blazer greeted. "We just finished restocking and refueling the-"

"Excellent," Anna interrupted. "On me, brothers." Blazer, Sparx, and Speedy all exchanged shrugs before following her. Anna practically barged into the bridge and the clamor of her boots had Shang raising his brows. "Admiral!" she called. "How soon could we reach Eshan?"

Although he was perplexed, Shang examined a nearby holomap. "Approximately an hour," he said. "Why?"

"Because Elsa and the 213th need our help," Anna said. "War is coming to the Echani...whatever those are...and they need Jedi leadership."

Shang appeared hesitant. "But we're still awaiting orders from Watcher," he murmured. "If she finds out we just joined a campaign to-"

"So what?" Anna blurted. "Elsa can have you do illegal stuff but I can't?"

"That's not it," Shang retorted. "I just want to know what exactly we're getting involved in."

"A Sanyassan army...whatever that is...is threatening to destroy the Echani," Anna explained. "They need backup to stop them."

Shang took a deep breath as he considered what such an enemy presence meant. "If they're contending with Sanyassans-" the admiral started. "-they're going to need all the help they can get. I studied a portion of their history back at the naval academy. Everything they've achieved has been gathered through the spoils of conquest. Even space travel has been stolen from others who settled on their planet."

"Well it's time to show these conquerors just who they're messing with," Anna remarked. "Right boys?" she looked to the Deathchasers and each ARF trooper nodded. She returned her focus to Shang and said, "Come on, admiral. Do the next right thing here. You've seen my sister. While she's a wonderful negotiator, she's not gonna raise a lightsaber to those brutes and the Echani will suffer."

"Perhaps you're not giving Elsa enough credit," Speedy considered.

Anna huffed. "I appreciate your input, brother, but please trust me on this one. You'd be more likely to get a group of Ewoks to fight these Sanyassans before getting Elsa to."

With a clenched fist but dutiful heart, Shang made his decision. "Set course for Eshan," he announced. "Prepare to jump to lightspeed."

"Let's get some!" Blazer cheered and playfully punched Anna in the arm.

"Damn right," she said. "But I'm not going to call them Sanyassans. They'd kill me by the time I reached the third syllable."

Anna and the Deathchasers braced themselves as Shang commanded the bridge. Their bold Hammerhead's engines geared up before the Legacy launched into hyperspace.

---

As lightspeed's blue vortex swirled outside the Legacy's viewport, Shang received the transmission he'd been dreading. Watcher's stern visage emerged on his holotable as she asserted herself. "Admiral Shang," she said. "I've received word from Adora Outpost that your ship set a trajectory for the deep Inner Rim. Why are you not returning to Coruscant?"

"I can answer that," Anna spoke up and approached the holotable. "The 213th Battalion needs assistance on Eshan."

"Your sister's unit?" Watcher inquired. "I didn't clear you to reinforce them. You are needed on Coruscant in the event that we track down Morzetti."

"I understand what's at risk," Anna replied. "Really I do. But more will die if we don't aid the Echani. And that's a current threat. If the Sayanians-"

"Sanyassans," Shang corrected.

"Whatever," she murmured. "If they succeed, who knows what other Inner Rim, Republic worlds they'll target. You said it was our job to prevent threats and protect the galaxy. Well this sounds like a pretty big threat."

Watcher huffed. "But you're only taking the Legacy," she remarked. "How much of a reinforcement can one cruiser and a squad of four be?"

Anna feigned shock and answered, "You underestimate us." A thought dawned upon her and she nervously chuckled. "Although...if you could spare any reinforcements, that would be greatly appreciated."

It looked like Watcher was peering around her bridge. She slowly shook her head and said, "While I accept your reasoning to stop this threat, don't make a habit out of acting under my nose."

"I'll add it to my to-do list," Anna quipped. "So how about those reinforcements..."

Watcher shook her head once more. "Campaigns are igniting across the galaxy as we try to beat back the Separatist tide. I can't spare any backup at this time."

"I understand," Anna sighed. "Well if anything opens up, please send them our way."

Watcher nodded. "Take care of yourselves down there," she instructed. "Despite what your squad name implies, I would hate to lose the Deathchasers."

As Watcher's transmission concluded, an officer called to Shang. "Admiral!" he beckoned. "We're about to come out of hyperspace."

All eyes faced forward as the Legacy rocketed towards Eshan. Once in the giant planet's orbit, Anna activated her comlink and called Elsa. "Sis, we're here," she said. "Send me your coordinates."

---

The Echani of Sunhaven watched from their sanctuary's walls as the Legacy descended. Elsa and Frost advanced towards the ship as it landed on a grated platform. As Anna disembarked with her clones, Thovan scoffed and looked to Haldris. "When the Jedi said help was on the way-" he snarked. "-I thought they'd be sending more than four people."

While their faces were obscured by helmets, Frost and Blazer stared each other down. The commander's narrow slit met the ARF trooper's wide visor. "Sergeant," Frost greeted him formally.

"Commander," Blazer grumbled.

Elsa was cautious to approach as Anna stepped to her level. "Hey sis," the youngest Dellian said. "We got here as soon as we could."

"You didn't have to do this," Elsa coldly replied.

"Oh come on," Anna jeered. "We need each other and you need all the help you can get right now. Plus, it looks like your men could use a Jedi General."

Elsa's eyes widened. "This is why I wanted you to hold on," she placated. "The 213th have me leading them."

"Well the way I see it-" Anna added. "-you took command of my people. So it's only fair that I take command of yours. Temporarily of course."

"Anna," Elsa intoned. "No. Just because I vented my situation to you didn't mean you had to come and fix it."

The corner of Anna's lip twitched as she fought every urge to yell at Elsa. "Then can you guarantee their safety?" Anna asked and pointed to members of the 213th. As she raised her voice, more turquoise-armored clones came over to listen.

"Can you?" Elsa countered.

"I'm just being honest," Anna clarified. "But I'll give them a better shot than you can." Anna kept raising her voice as Elsa averted her gaze. "A battle is coming and your men need a Jedi on the frontlines. If you're not willing to fight alongside them, how can they trust you?"

Elsa glanced over at her troops. While Frost remained fervently loyal to her, she could see several clones discussing Anna's words. "Can we please continue this conversation in private?" the eldest Dellian asked.

Anna respected her wish this time and they stepped into a vacant chamber. Any weapons within had been taken and all furniture had been moved to form barricades. "Look," Anna said. "It doesn't have to be any more complicated than this. Are you going to fight against these Sans?"

"Sans?" Elsa mumbled.

"I'm not saying that whole name," Anna scoffed. "So San is fine. It'll be bad enough calling out battle commands against them. San is just easy and efficient." Anna sighed. "Imagine if someone was writing a story about these creatures. They'd have to abbreviate it because only a complete lunatic would write 'Sanassa' five-hundred times."

"Sanyassan," Elsa corrected and Anna glared at her. Her big sister frowned and deliberated her solemn confession. "No matter what we're up against, I cannot take a life. I'm still struggling to get over Udo Klee." Elsa glanced down at her palms. "I still cannot cleanse myself of his spilled blood." With a heavy heart, Elsa looked to her sister. "If I placed the 213th under your temporary command, would you swear to prioritize them?"

"Cross my heart," Anna affirmed. "I know our beliefs vary from time to time, but I also see value in clones. Blazer, Sparx, and Speedy are my brothers. There's nothing I wouldn't do for them and I'll show your unit that same care."

Elsa took a deep breath. "Okay," she said and nervously placed a hand on Anna's shoulder. "Come with me." Anna and Elsa returned to the landing platform and the latter made an announcement. Frost and his nearby troops looked over as she said, "Commander, I need your help to brief the entire unit. I am temporarily passing command to my sister, General Anna Dellian. If there is to be a battle-" Elsa glanced at Anna and faintly smiled. "She's our best shot at leading the troops."

While the Deathchasers lauded over Anna's new position, Frost was just concerned about Elsa. "What about you?" the commander asked.

"There may be a battle," Elsa said. "But that doesn't mean I can't help in other ways. I'm going to speak with Echani Command."

"You do that," her sister quipped. "Who here knows the lay of the land?" she hollered.

Haldris motioned for her younger brother to raise his hand. "I do," he answered. "The name's Thovan."

"Well Thovan," Anna replied while looking him over. "Let's take a walk and figure out our best course of action."

As Sunhaven prepared for battle, Elsa traversed the sanctuary's inner chambers. "Our uprising can be fended off," a voice crackled through a holocomm. Elsa peeked through an entryway to see Siv speaking with an Echani hologram. "I'll gather my elite guard," the woman insisted. "We'll make for Eshan and-"

"No," Siv asserted. "Your people need you as mine need me, Valté. Besides, the Republic is with us."

"They are?" Valté stammer. "I admire their willingness to stay and fight alongside you. It grants me of sliver of peace to know that you're there with some kind of assistance. Please be safe, beloved. Just...stay alive."

"History tells us that our people have outlasted worse than these savages," Siv testified. "Still, I will not underestimate my enemy. I love you, Valté, and will see you very soon."

"And I love you," Valté said before stretching out a holographic hand. Siv reached for it and watched her fingers phase through the projection. As the transmission ended, she pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed deeply.

Sensing Siv's stress, Elsa tried stepping out of the room to try again later. "Please come in," Siv insisted, having heard Elsa's boots shuffle on the tiles.

"Are you alright?" the Jedi asked.

Siv slowly nodded. "That was my wife," she sighed. "You see, our people are spread across various worlds in the Inner Rim. Each planet is governed by a member of Echani Command. Make no mistake, Valté and I knew the risks before eloping. In these trying times, we spend most of it worrying about the other's safety. But no matter what happens in this grand, grand galaxy...we must never betray our hearts. Whatever pain...whatever risk...our love is worth the price." Siv tittered to herself. "Forgive me, mostly said that to encourage myself. It isn't every day that thousands of Sanyassans descend upon your world while your people look to you for guidance."

Elsa smiled reassuringly. "How can I help?" she asked. "My sister will be leading the Republic defense, so allow me to aid your people."

Siv simpered. "Even in wartime, the path of peace still exists hm?" she remarked. "Can you oversee those resting within the inner sanctuary and recovery chambers? Those rooms may be vacant now, but tonight..." Siv's worrisome grimace was enough of an answer.

Elsa bid her farewell and delved into the inner sanctuary. The wails of infants echoed throughout the narrow halls until she reached an expansive chamber. Haldris stood among the Echani civilians, some of which Elsa recognized from the towns of Kitawi and Sanak. "By order of Echani Command," Haldris began. "Every able-bodied warrior has been called to defend Sunhaven."

While the elderly were left to gather in the sanctuary, parents and even children rose to join the fight. Elsa watched as a mother cradled her infant close. She kissed its pale forehead and caressed its fidgeting hands. As she took one final look into her child's eyes, the mother handed her baby to an elder for protection. She then bowed respectfully and joined countless other Echani to take up arms. Elsa's heart sank at the sight of young teenagers joining ranks with the older Echani warriors. While she felt that the Force had abandoned her, she still willed for it to look after the Echani.

Haldris approached Elsa and offered a nod. "So I hear your sister is leading your battalion," she said.

"That's right," she said. "I'll be watching over those in here and helping to tend to the wounded."

"Master Jedi," Haldris inquired. "If I may be so bold. While I understand your morals, are there no exceptions to this killing rule?"

"Life is life," Elsa defended. "No matter how heinous."

"Even if the lives you're referring to are trying to kill you?" Elsa bit her lip at Haldris' question. The Echani hummed in thought and withdrew an extra hilt. "My culture believes that to know someone fully, you must fight them." Haldris tossed Elsa the hilt and she realized it was an extendable quarterstaff much like hers. Haldris stepped into one of the vacant recovery rooms and extended her staff. "Show me who you are," she said.

"Haldris," Elsa replied. "I don't think now is the time for sparring."

"Sparring will help warm me up for tonight," she insisted. "Now activate."

Elsa huffed and searched the hilt for its extension switch. Upon pressing it, she gasped when both ends zipped outward. "I've never used one of these before," Elsa confessed.

"Well, know's the time to learn." Haldris quipped as she realized Elsa was clueless. "We'll start slow. Hands shoulder width apart. I'll swing down just as you come up." Haldris followed through with her attack just as Elsa countered. The Jedi tried to incorporate her Form VI style, but Niman was more suitable for a lightsaber. "Not bad," the Echani remarked as their staffs clacked together. "A little faster now." Elsa remained on her toes as they quickened their maneuver. "Have you ever been in a battle?" Haldris asked.

"I've been in a few," Elsa admitted. "Although, it was never my goal to defeat anyone in them. I was typically running through the battle and trying to find safety. Trying to survive."

"Did you ever consider that one might have to kill in order to survive?" Haldris questioned as they sparred.

"I like to believe there are alternatives to fighting," she responded. "Negotiating, for example."

"Until your enemy can't be reasoned with," Haldris murmured while swinging her staff. "What do you do at such an impasse?"

"I find a way," Elsa answered, but Haldris could see her rising frustration.

"Such as?" the Echani jeered. She dodged Elsa's staff and jabbed the Jedi with hers. "Thousands of invaders won't just sit around waiting for you to find a way. People will die tonight. It's kill or be killed but where will you stand?"

"I choose not to!" Elsa snapped and poorly flailed her staff. She reconsidered her words when Haldris raised a brow. "I'm sorry. That sounds really bad. The truth is, I never imagined I'd be in a situation like this. I even thought I had taken the steps to avoid it." A deeply-rooted sorrow pried at Elsa from within and she murmured, "Again."

"You've killed before," Haldris realized and Elsa nervously nodded.

"Once," the Jedi responded. "And not a day goes by that I don't see his face. That his words don't claw their way deeper into my mind. My fellow Jedi will say it was self defense, but it doesn't change what happened. It doesn't erase the fact that I eliminated a man from existence. He might have been corrupt, but he'll never get a chance at redemption because of me. I told myself I'd never cross such a cruel line, and still I did. Never again."

Haldris lowered her staff and retracted it. "Now I see who you are," she defined. "And while I respect your beliefs, I fear they'll do little for us during the attack. Saving what we love will only get us so far if we don't fight against what we hate. At least I know our elders and infants will be safe in your hands," Haldris added. "That is...if you'll permit yourself to protect them."

As Haldris set off, Elsa was left to think over her words. "Hey," the Jedi called and raised the spare quarterstaff. "You forgot this."

Haldris glanced back at her and said, "Keep it." As the Echani emerged from the inner chambers, she was approached by Anna and Thovan. "How goes it?" she asked.

"Weapon distribution is nearly complete," Thovan responded.

"And I have a plan for tonight," Anna declared and followed the siblings to their leader. Siv watched with curious eyes as Anna proposed her strategy. "After scouting the fields with Thovan, we discovered a jagged ridge just ahead of Sunhaven. It has decent cover from its apex and the incline leading up to it would drastically slow any invading infantry. I suggest positioning the 213th and as many Echani as you can spare on this ridge. The Deathchasers and I will hold things there. If we can keep the fighting on that ridge, we'll avoid being boxed in at Sunhaven."

"So you're proposing we take the fight to them?" Siv queried.

"Kinda sorta," Anna replied. "Only they won't see us coming. From what I've gathered from Thovan, it doesn't seem like the Sans know there's a Republic presence yet. They won't be expecting resistance on the ridge and that's where we'll get the drop on them."

"Sans?" Siv asked.

"The enemy," Anna grumbled. "I'm not saying their full name! Having taken command of Elsa's unit, I've been able to gather more weaponry from her Venator. We should have it distributed and in place well before nightfall. If all goes according to plan, these invaders shouldn't even reach Sunhaven."

"Thank you for your efforts, Master Jedi." Siv said. "Although I must ask...Will the Republic be sending additional troops?"

Anna paused but kept any uncertainty to herself. "I'm not sure," she confessed.

Throughout the afternoon, gunships ferried supplies from the Deliverance down to Sunhaven. Ammo clips, blaster turrets, and even mortars were compiled to aid in the defense. In a vacant recovery room, Anna sat before a hologram. "I'm sorry, General Dellian," Watcher's projection said. "Reinforcements still cannot be spared."

"Well, it was worth a shot," Anna concluded and ended the transmission. Before stepping out of the room, Anna bottled up any personal doubt. She shrouded any sliver of fear behind a bold and stern visage. Once she was mentally prepared, she entered Sunhaven's grand chamber. It was as if Elsa had sensed her presence just as she walked in. The eldest Dellian finished tending to a child and rose to meet Anna. "So," her little sister said. "This is where you'll be, hm?"

"Yes," Elsa affirmed.

Anna pursed her lips, fighting to resist saying anything harsh. "Okay," she forced herself to murmur. "Then as you'd say...May the Force be with you."

Regardless of her expression, Elsa could sense her sister's angst. "And with you," she replied while watching Anna depart. As they looked to each other once more, they hoped it wouldn't be the last time.

Commander Frost entered the chamber as Anna departed. "Elsa," he beckoned. "I implore you. Let me stay and help you." Elsa shook her head until Frost leaned closer. "I don't want to leave you alone here. Please." Elsa sighed but ultimately obliged.

Meanwhile Haldris and Siv stood atop Sunhaven's noble walls. "Open the gates!" the latter announced as a group of Echani obliged. A colossal pair of chromium doors were pulled open and led those inside to the frontier beyond.

Anna was the first to step out of the sanctuary. She stared out into the fiery fields as the sun began to set. "We're with you to the end, General." Lieutenant Sparx assured her. Anna looked to her sides and nodded at the Deathchasers. Behind her stood the bulk of the 213th battalion and a detachment of Echani warriors under Thovan's command.

Anna glanced up at Siv, who offered her a noble bow. "Forward!" the Jedi yelled. "March!" Haldris, Siv, and those stationed at Sunhaven watched as Anna's brave company dared to step outside. Their swift stomps formed a valiant cadence which echoed across the plains. Once they reached the steep ridge, the units fanned out and set up defensive positions.

An eerie stillness filled the air. The occasional clack of weaponry sounded across the ridge as clones and Echani alike got into position. As the setting sun painted Anna's face in a blood red hue, she stood before the troops. "We're it," she said amidst the rising winds. "Being the first line of defense can seem...well...terrifying. But every single one of you is meant to be here. Tonight, we hold this line by all and any means. We do not retreat. We do notsurrender. Innocent lives...families are counting on us. I want you to look to your left and right. Observe the warrior beside you and remember that we're in this together. Feel that energy and ride it. No matter what happens, you are the strongest people I know and I am honored to be your general tonight."

Clones and Echani alike nodded to her as Anna dropped back behind the ridge. "Not bad, sister." Blazer remarked. "Did you rehearse that?"

Anna shook her head and replied, "But I can't take all of the credit for it. My old master has such a way with words." As she reminisced about Mattias, she hoped she'd get to see him again. While she regretted not calling him before getting in position, she knew it would just make him worry. Anna glanced over at the Deathchasers and spoke to them personally. "Brothers," she said. "We may have run plenty of operations, but we've never really been in an all out battle before. I want you watching each other's backs." She jabbed a finger at Blazer and growled. "No heroics."

"That's really something coming from you," Blazer quipped.

"I just want you boys to be safe, okay?" Anna intoned.

Thovan dropped beside Anna and cracked his neck. "I've always wanted to fight alongside a Jedi," he said.

Anna turned to the Echani and jested, "Think you can keep up?" He smirked and winked before ducking into position.

Discomfort soon plagued their prone positions. The setting sun heralded a chilling night as darkness blanketed the plains. And betwixt such shadow came an ominous sound. The distant echo of stomping Sanyassans had those on the ridge bracing themselves. A clone from the 213th crawled up to Anna's position. Even under the cover of night, his turquoise armor vividly contrasted against the Deathchaser's scarlet plastoid. "General," he called to Anna. "Movement on the western plains," he reported and passed her a pair of macrobinoculars.

Anna zoomed in and observed a vast mass of Sanyassan troops. "They're headed straight for us," she murmured. "No one fires until my signal." She handed the binoculars back and said, "Thank you-...um."

"They call me Sparrow," the clone said.

Anna could tell he was a shiny given his youthful voice. She'd spent enough time growing alongside the Deathchasers to recognize a rookie clone when she saw one. "Well keep your head down, Sparrow," she told him. He saluted her and rushed back to his position. "I remember when you were and Sparx were shinies," Anna joked with Blazer.

"For as boring as Kamino could be-" the sergeant murmured. "-I wouldn't mind being home on Big Stormy right about now."

They quieted down as the Sanyassan army closed in. Thousands of leathery-faced, heavily-armored brutes toted a hodgepodge of crude weaponry. Far...far behind their ranks, an captain bowed before Dordo and spoke in Sanyassan. Seated atop a hovering command post, the warlord responded by directing them towards the ridge.

Anna's heart sank as the first wave of Sans began their ascension. She could hear their profuse grunts and clinking armor as they scaled the ridge. A rifle shook in a clone trooper's hands. Anna patted his forearm and whispered, "Easy...hold."

"Steady your spirits," Thovan told his fellow Echani.

"Hold," Anna reiterated, even as Sans neared the apex. Blazer clenched the Onasi pistol while Sparx and Speedy readied their rifles. "Hold..."

"They're gonna be right on top of us," Blazer warned.

"Not yet," Anna countered. She slowly peered up as a pair of boots made their way to her. But by the time the Sanyassan saw Anna and her army, it was far too late. "Now!" she yelled and sparked up her lightsaber. Bright green plasma hissed from her Doonium hilt as she drove it through the San's chest. Astonishment and horror gripped him while the rest of the invaders were caught off guard. As Anna kicked her kill off of the ridge, she screamed "ATTACK!" at the top of her lungs.

"Attack!" Blazer reiterated and emerged from cover.

"For Eshan!" Thovan proudly roared and drew his tonfas.

Chaos erupted atop the ridge as blue lasers rained across it. The bodies of hapless, charred Sanyassans plummeted down the steep incline from whence they came. Enraged by this surprise attack, Dordo commanded his units to immediately push forward.

"Here they come!" Sparx warned while firing at invaders.

Prepared for such a maneuver, Anna finished cutting down a foe and pointed behind her. "Mortars!" she shouted. "Now!" At her command, artillery troopers launched mortars from behind the ridge. The explosive projectiles glided over the battle and tore fiery holes in the incoming waves. Screams filled the air as Anna gave more orders. "Keep up the fire!" she shouted. "Hold the line!" A Sanyassan lunged at her with a durasteel axe. She ducked under his swing and mercilessly bisected him at the torso. As his upper half fell over, Anna immediately engaged another foe.

"Come on!" Blazer taunted his foes. The Onasi blaster's bold, bright beams scorched Sanyassan flesh from afar. Sparx shot at ascending foes while one of them tackled Speedy. He tried to gain the upper hand, but a kick from the clone's cybernetic legs sent him tumbling back. Staying true to Anna's orders, Sparrow kept his head down and engaged the enemy where he could. The rookie clone blasted one invader until an enemy laser volley bombarded their position. The clone beside him took a shot to the chest and Sparrow cradled him close.

"Redsy?" he beckoned. "Redsy!" Sparrow hung his head as his fellow shiny lay dead in his arms. The sound of incoming Sanyassans had him rushing to retrieve his blaster. Sparrow would've met his end had Thovan not intervened. Accompanied by his fellow Echani, Thovan pounced into the fray. The fearsome slamming of his tonfas against Sanyassan heads rang out across the ridge.

As Anna cut down another foe, she observed the vast amount of Sans still waiting to climb. Twenty down, she told herself. Only thousands more to go. An ear-splitting ticking had her eyes widening as several Sans tossed thermal detonators from below. "Grenades!" she hollered.

"They're trying to break our formation!" Blazer added.

Thinking quickly, Anna threw her hands forward and Force-pushed back what detonators she could. The ensuing explosions sent Sanyassan bodies flying high into the ashy air. "General!" a 213th clone warned as a missed grenade rolled near her feet. "Look out!" he shouted and dove for it.

Anna watched in shock as the clone threw himself on top of the detonator and embraced its destructive brunt. While she was so horrified by the sight, an incoming Sanyassan punched her across the face. Furious, she hurriedly recovered by slicing at his leg. As the San fell before her, Anna ruthlessly decapitated him. Her bright lightsaber was as much a target as it was a symbol for many amidst the darkness of the night. "Kill the Jedi," Dordo commanded in his language. "Then the rest shall fall."

Back at Sunhaven, Siv and Haldris watched the battle from the wall. They could see every explosion and laser setting the ridge aflame. And as such a battle raged on, the wounded were already being ushered back. "Open the gates!" Siv commanded. Ailing clones and writhing Echani were hurried inside. "Haldris," Siv ordered. "Go."

Haldris journeyed to the recovery rooms and saw to the wounded. Elsa and Frost were distributing medical supplies as more bodies kept arriving. "Hang in there, soldier." Frost assured while holding a clone's hand. "You're gonna be alright."

Half of his body was charred from a thermal detonator as Elsa administered a bacta supplement. "Wh-...wh-" he uttered.

"Try not to talk," Elsa insisted. "Just rest."

"Where-" the clone continued. His fluttering gaze listed to Elsa as he croaked, "Where were...you?" Her blood ran cold as the clone's eyes rolled back.

"Trooper?" Elsa worried. "Trooper!"

"Elsa," Frost lamented. "He's gone. But there are others who need our help." As Frost rushed to help another injured soldier, Elsa remained in a state of shock. She stared down at the deceased, burnt clone as his final words continued to replay in her head.

A member of the 213th screamed in agony atop the ridge. He listed aimlessly across the battlefield, staring at his lost forearm until a Sanyassan impaled him with a lance. Other clones had been set ablaze by enemy incendiary grenades and were rolling to their deaths. As Anna Force-pushed an enemy back, she observed the sectioned massacre of her forces. "Blazer!" she shouted. Her sergeant finished headbutting a Sanyassan and then looked to her. "Take the boys and plug that gap over there! Don't let'em get through!"

Blazer nodded and rallied the other Deathchasers to him. They charged into the approaching Sans, blasting away with the utmost intensity. Speedy used his cybernetics to propel himself high into the air and then fired from above. Sparx went back to back with Blazer as they gunned incoming invaders. Meanwhile, Anna wrestled with another axe-wielding Sanyassan. She dead-legged him and then drove his own weapon into his neck. As she did so, his inky blood splattered across her armor. "Hold the line!" Anna yelled to rally her troops. "Hold!"

An Echani writhed in a Sanyassan's grip as the invader raised him over his head. In a single motion, he smashed the Echani's spine on his knee and proceeded onward. Angered by the sight, Thovan leapt to the aid of his people. He bashed the foe's face in with his tonfas and rolled to evade laserfire. "Anna!" he shouted while bludgeoning another enemy. Anna deflected a laser and sent it into the shooter's face. She faced Thovan as he continued. "Right side is faltering!"

"Kriffing hell," Anna murmured. "Don't you quit on me! Hold the line!" Despite her best efforts to remain confident, exhaustion was creeping up on her. She'd lost track of how many Sanyassans she'd killed. But despite how many San bodies piled up on the ridge, it was utterly demoralizing to see how many invaders were still coming. As Anna deflected more laserfire, she activated her comlink. "Admiral Taka, do you read?"

"Loud and clear, General Dellian." Taka reported from the Deliverance.

"Commence orbital bombardment," the Jedi asserted.

Taka nodded and addressed her Venator's command bridge. "Take us down and prime the turbolasers!" she ordered. The Deliverance glided into Eshan's lower atmosphere and became a triangular silhouette in the moonlight.

"Admiral," a clone officer reported. "Turbolasers ready to fire."

"Commence primary ignition," Taka said. "Bring the rain."

While many fresh Sanyassans were eager to climb the ridge, those in the back waves glanced up at a peculiar sound. As the invaders faintly made out the shape of a star destroyer, they quickly endured its explosive wrath. No amount of roaring could save the Sanyassans from Taka's orbital bombardment. The Deliverance's turbolaser cannons blasted through enemy lines and left craters in their wake. The airstrike caused the ground to quake and sent vibrations rippling all the way to Sunhaven. Torched bodies went flailing through the air under a storm of heavy lasers. While some Sanyassans sought to break ranks and scatter, Dordo commanded them to reform.

"Yes!" Sparrow cheered from the ridge while watching the bombardment.

"Maybe start with that next time," Blazer jested while going shoulder to shoulder with Anna.

"Direct hits," the clone officer reported to Taka.

"Excellent," she said. "Proceed as-" The admiral paused as something loomed over the planet's horizon. "-planned?"

"Admiral!" the officer warned. "I count three enemy warships closing in fast!"

"Bad news, General Dellian." Taka called Anna. "The Sanyassans were planning a bombardment of their own. We just beat them to it. I'm going to have to halt to engage."

"Copy that," Anna grieved.

"Admiral," the officer worried. "Respectfully, we can't take on three warships. We should pull out."

"And leave those on the surface to suffer?" Taka scolded. "If they're staying to fight, so are we. Transfer all power to shields and the forward cannons. The Deliverance will stand as long as it can."

"Not alone it won't," another voice came through on comms. Admiral Taka watched as a small, Hammerhead frigate glided alongside her Venator. "Admiral Shang of the Legacy reporting in. Let's get down to business."

Taka smirked. "Like father, like son." Her humor faded as she and Shang prepared to take on the Sanyassan warships.

"There goes our air support," Anna remarked. "How are we looking?"

"We're holding with what we have," Blazer confirmed. "But it's only a matter of time before the Sans reform and hit us again."

Anna raised a suspicious brow. "Wait," she murmured. "What happened to the mortarfire?" She left Blazer to hold their position while she slid behind the ridge.

"General!" a member of the 213th hollered. "We're on our last round of mortar charges!"

"Then make 'em count!" Anna ordered as the troops loaded up. She returned to the fight and activated her comlink. "Where's the rest of my air support?"

"This is LAAT-5," Donz called in as a formation of gunships soared across the plains. "We're coming over you now. Hanging in there, shiny?"

Toto flashed a thumbs up from the upper cockpit. "All set and in range!" he called back over comms.

"All LAATs," Donz commanded. "Release rockets and prepare bubble turrets." The gunships followed suit as explosive projectiles rained upon the Sanyassans. Once the rockets had cleared a path, the gunships hovered around the enemy and activated their bubble turrets. Pulsing green beams swayed down to the invading populace and vaporized them on contact. It wasn't long before the Sans caught on and raised rocket launchers of their own.

Toto noticed the incoming missiles and called it out over comms. "Rockets away!"

"All gunships-" Donz began. "Deploy countermeasures and take evasive action!" The gunships broke formation and scattered throughout the skies. Donz banked leftward while Toto deployed their flares. Explosions thundered throughout the clouds. "LAAT-3," Donz warned. "You've got a missile on your tail. Deploy flares!"

LAAT-3's co-pilot panicked. "They're jammed!" His screams were cut short as the rocket collided with his craft. LAAT-2 evaded the rockets and found itself facing the Sanyassans below. An incoming laser volley pierced the cockpit and killed both pilots. The gunship spiraled out of control and crashed into a mass of enemy forces.

"LAATs 2 and 3 are down!" Donz reported while weaving past missiles. "We're taking too much heat without fighter support."

"Take the surviving gunships and return to Sunhaven," Anna commanded from the ridge. "Fall back, pilot!"

"Copy," Donz grunted while sharply turning his gunship. Only a few others were able to recover as the Sanyassans shot another gunship down.

Thovan and his Echani formed ranks among the clones. They frontflipped over the ascending Sans and charged them at close range. As Thovan beat down another foe, a sharpshooter's laser struck his hip. The Echani's agonizing howl reached Anna's ears as she turned and yelled, "Thovan!" Even with a sizzling laser wound, the warrior battled on.

"We'll hold!" Sparx assured Anna while standing with his brothers. "Go!"

Anna dashed to Thovan's defense, cutting down any Sanyassan in her way. "Hold on!" she urged as the Echani's people were slaughtered around him. The San sharpshooter fired again, this time piercing Thovan's lower back. As he nearly dropped to his knees, the warrior gritted his teeth and dared his foes to attack. Before the sharpshooter could line up another shot, Anna cut him down and rushed to Thovan's aid. Despite the Echani's valiant efforts, he was feeling the effects of two heavy blaster wounds. As he blocked an incoming axe with his tonfas, his defense faltered. As a result, his assailant's axe sliced across his forearm. Scarlet blood spewed from the gash as Thovan refused to yield. He twirled his tonfas and beat the axe-wielder into submission. As he did so, another Sanyassan was already charging in.

Anna was nearly to Thovan when her own assailant pulled her into a headlock. "No!" she growled and savagely elbowed him. Meanwhile, Thovan couldn't react in time to fully block the charging Sanyassan. As he dropped the axe-wielder, Thovan suddenly took a durasteel lance to the gut. "Thovan!" Anna screeched and furiously broke free. She killed her attacker and ran to the Echani.

The Sanyassan lancer grinned sadistically while skewering Thovan. Even as he neared his end, Thovan summoned what strength he still had to actually pull the spear deeper into him. By doing so, he brought his foe close enough jam one of his metallic tonfas into his neck. The lancer fell dead just as Anna arrived. "Thovan," she uttered as the Echani's head fell forward. He remained on his knees, propped up by the very lance which had ended him. As Anna held Thovan, his scarlet blood stained her plastoid armor.

Anna peered up from his corpse and observed the destruction around them. Her muscles were already aching, corpses lay piled over the ridge...and Sanyassans were still coming. Despite the speech she'd given her troops, Anna knew they couldn't hold it. She'd barely known Thovan and his death was wrenching her heart. The fact that Haldris would have to learn of her brother's demise sickened her amid such madness. As the Sanyassans reformed and ascended again, Anna gave her orders. "Re-retreat," she stuttered. She stood up, bruised and bloodied over the bodies of clones and Echani. "RETREAT!" she yelled until her throat ran raw. The survivors looked to her as she guided them down the opposite end. "Pop smoke and fall back!"

The Deathchasers flung every smoke grenade in their possession while several other clones did the same. As prominent clouds screened their movements, Anna used her lightsaber as a beacon to gather her routed forces.

"They've taken the ridge," Haldris said after seeing Anna's blade in the distance. "Open the gates and prepare to get the survivors inside!" The shimmering entrance opened as shaken clones and Echani hobbled in. The recovery chambers became flooded with wounded while Siv had the gates resealed.

"Is that everyone?" Haldris asked as the gates shut. Anna could hardly speak until an Echani handed her a canteen. She took a swig while Haldris observed her ashy and bruised face. Her brows furrowed when Anna nodded to her question. "But where's Thovan?" Anna hung her head as Haldris' gaze intensified. "General Dellian...where's my brother?" Anna glanced down at her blood-stained armor pieces, looked back up at Haldris, and merely shook her head. Haldris pursed her lips as the realization hit her. Her nostrils flared as she stormed off and repeatedly punched a nearby crate.

"I'm sorry but...save your strength for the Sans," Anna huffed. "There are plenty more on the way."

Haldris raised her head and hurriedly scrubbed the tears from her cheeks. Lasers were already zipping overhead as the Sanyassans approached the gate. "Take them down!" Siv commanded from the wall. "Don't let them plant charges!" Echani archers wielding powerful lightbows opened fire from atop the gate.

Reserves from the 213th positioned themselves behind the gate and took aim. "Awaiting your command, General Dellian." Doubles said.

"Just...gimme a second," Anna panted and caught her breath. She dropped the canteen and stood alongside the troops. "Lock and load, boys," she said. "When that gate drops, you pick your target and fire at will. Don't you dare give them a kriffing chance!" Anna reactivated her lightsaber and aimed it towards the doors. The Deathchasers formed up beside her and also took aim.

The sounds of death echoed from beyond the gate. Despite the Echanis' skilled shooting, several Sanyassans had snuck through and planted explosive charges. "Clear the gate!" Siv warned as the archers fell back. "Brace yourselves!"

Anna wiped the blood from her cut lip and sniffled. "Here we go again," she mumbled while staring the gates down.

"Doubles," Rip proposed while prepping his flamethrower. "Help me out, brother. When they come through, I need to say something cool before I burn them. How about...'Hello there.' Or...'You've all been fired!' What do you think?" Doubles just glared at him. "What? I need to say something cool."

"You've got a flamethrower," Doubles griped. "Say something hot."

Rip gasped as the idea dawned upon him. "Doubles, you're a genius." In that instant, the gates were blasted open and Rip immediately broke formation. "SOMETHING HOT!" the flametrooper yelled and unleashed his weapon on the first Sanyassans to enter. Tremendous flames spread through the blasted hole, incinerating invaders while Rip cackled like a madman. "Let's do this!"

"Did he just run in?" Speedy remarked.

"Damn it, Rip." Doubles groaned and rushed to pull him back. As he retrieved the maniacal flametrooper, Anna commanded the rest of the unit.

"Fire at will!" she yelled while the Sanyassans rushed the gate. It wasn't long before more close quarters combat erupted and Anna took point. Siv and Haldris leapt in from the sides, downing foes with their personal weapons. While Haldris cleared space with her quarterstaff, Siv drew her dagger and sliced away.

Back in the recovery chambers, Elsa and Frost hurried alongside Echani apothecaries. They tended to everything from broken limbs to lacerations and scorched blaster wounds. "They've broken through to Sunhaven!" an Echani yelled and caused a panic.

Frost and Elsa looked to each other betwixt the news. "Go," Elsa said.

"I'm not leaving you," Frost said.

"They need you, commander!" Elsa asserted. "I'll look after these people. Do not choose me over the mission. Now go!"

Frost reluctantly obliged and rushed out of the chambers. He was horrified to see how close the conflict had become. Forces had scattered past the gate and individual skirmishes had erupted throughout the sanctuary. Before engaging, Frost thought of Elsa and set his blaster to stun. He noticed Sergeant Blazer being overwhelmed and fired several blasts.

The ARF trooper was initially perplexed when the blue-ringed stun blasts ended his foes. He turned to Frost and snarked, "Nice of you to join us, Blue."

"You're welcome for the save, Red." Frost muttered back. He advanced throughout the battle, stunning and saving anyone he could. Frost noticed Siv dueling a pair of Sanyassans. While one took her head on, the other sized her up to search for an opening. Frost aimed his blaster, but didn't have a clear shot with Siv in the center. Instead, he charged over and tackled her sneaky assailant. Siv was initially surprised to see the commander fighting alongside her. Without having to worry about her second opponent, she went on the offensive with her first. Siv rolled beneath the Sanyassans' blades and slashed across his throat with her dagger. Frost and the other Sanyassan were trading punches until the creature slammed him to the ground with a clang. As he raised his weapon to smash Frost, Siv flung her dagger into his chest.

As Frost recovered, Siv retrieved her blade and helped him up. "Consider us even, commander." Siv said before returning to the battle.

On the adjacent side of Sunhaven, Haldris was smashing her quarterstaff against foes. She poured her grief and fury into each powerful swing. As she found herself being overwhelmed, a mighty sledgehammer struck several of her enemies. Haldris looked to see Voro, the bandit of Kitawi, standing at her side. He nodded to her before joining the other bandits and aiding in the defense.

Exhaustion tormented Anna as she impaled another Sanyassan. She'd seen the same, distorted grimace on so many of her victim's grotesque faces. As the battle raged on, she'd lost track of the hours and continued to fight. As she killed another enemy, Anna thought back to Thovan's demise. With more invading forces pouring in to Sunhaven, Anna limped towards the recovery chambers.

---

Watcher stood aboard the Guardian's command bridge. "Ma'am," her chief officer beckoned. "I have the reports from the Eshan System as you requested. The region is overrun and even the 213th's Venator is engaged in combat alongside the Legacy. The Echani...and the Republic, will keep sustaining heavy casualties at this rate."

Watcher sighed heavily and looked him in the eye. "I really wish young Dellian hadn't put me in this position," she said. "But there's no turning back from this now. Let's get them some backup."

"But ma'am," the clone murmured. "You said there were no reinforcements to spare."

"None on record," Watcher replied. "No armies. No brigades."

"I don't follow."

"Patch me in to the Kaminoan Ruling Council," Watcher asserted and the officer went to work.

In time, a long-necked Kaminoan was projected atop her holotable. "The famous Watcher," the Kaminoan spoke in a monotonous voice. "Or is it...infamous?"

"Let's dispense with the pleasantries, Lama Su," Watcher insisted. "You know what I need. It's the only reason I ever call you directly."

"You may not enjoy Kaminoan hospitality-" Lama Su began. "-but we must follow protocol. Do you have the clearance number for what you're requesting?"

Watcher took a deep breath and answered, "99."

---

Sanyassan warships bombarded the Deliverance. Comprised of stolen components from other worlds, each craft possessed a unique set of deadly weaponry. The Venator's command bridge shook as Admiral Taka kept her balance. "Launch fighters!" she commanded. "Buy us as much time as you can to recharge the shields!" An officer saluted her as she established comms. "Admiral Shang, can you lead my fighters to form a miniature blockade?"

"On it," Shang replied and ordered the Legacy into position. As the space battle raged on, Taka could only hope that those on the surface were holding.

Anna's tired feet slowly shuffled into the grand chamber. It was as if her sisterly connection was solidified through the Force as Elsa found her amidst the wounded. "Anna?" the eldest Dellian worried. Her eyes widened at the sight of her sister's bruised complexion.

Anna could hardly walk in a straight line as she rummaged against a medical counter. Her strained, bloodshot eyes were as red as the stains on her armor. Anna's disheveled locks swayed in a mess of knots and frizzy waves. Scrapes lined her armor while tears stretched across her gloves. She donned the blood of her friends and foes as she stumbled about.

Elsa approached to help her sister. At most, she only possessed a sweaty forehead. Her pristine, navy blue robes swayed towards her exhausted sister as she held her close. "Just...need some bacta," Anna mumbled. "A stimulant. Anything."

"You can't go back out there," Elsa urged. "Not in this condition."

"Someone...has to," Anna whispered. Her words stung far worse than the supplement Elsa administered.

"Anna," Elsa began. "I'm-"

"No," Anna snapped. Her voice was as strained as it was breathy. "You don't get it. Morals or no morals. I'm...we're fighting your battle for you. Your troops are dying while you play nurse!"

"I didn't ask you to come here!" Elsa regretfully fired back.

"Well you'd certainly all be dead if I didn't," Anna choked. "Just like...Thovan." Elsa's brows relaxed when she noticed that Anna was on the verge of a breakdown. "He was out there fighting just as his sister is now. Fighting for you and everyone in here." A single tear fled Anna's dirt-stained cheek. "I came to Eshan to protect you, and yet I somehow convinced myself that we'd be protecting each other. But I was wrong."

"Anna," Elsa worried.

"Or am I right?" Anna inquired. "Will you take a stand and put this code of yours aside in wartime?" Her tone deepened when Elsa didn't answer. "Will you?" Anna bit her chapped lip as Elsa stayed silent. "I see," she uttered. "Then should I fall in battle, just remember what I did for you. I hope it's part of the 'better Anna' you believed in." As Anna stumbled back to the corridor, she added, "I suppose there's no such thing as a 'better Elsa' is there?" Anna hung her head and disappeared to rejoin the fight, leaving Elsa to be haunted by her words. As she stood amid the dead and dying, Elsa thought back to the fallen clone. She reimagined his lifeless eyes and winced at the sight. While she wouldn't break her code again, she couldn't stay inside. Elsa looked to the quarterstaff Haldris had given her and unclipped it.

"Fire!" Haldris commanded as a group of clones and Echani formed up. Their combined blasts decimated a line of Sanyassans entering through the gate. Sparrow took aim amidst the group and fired at an armored foe. He gasped when his shot was suddenly blocked...by a beskar glaive. Haldris' eyes widened as Dordo himself stomped into battle. "Bring him down!" Haldris yelled.

Doubles unleashed the wrath of his Z-6 rotary cannon. As he did so, Dordo rapidly spun his glaive to block each blast. His units advanced under his cover, forcing the others to engage. Once Doubles' cannon overheated, Dordo pressed his attack. The warlord charged clones and Echani alike, hacking them down with his massive glaive. Sanyassan forces were moving up and surging through the lower gateway. As the survivors prepared to make their final stand, a powerful Force push sent their enemies flying back.

Heads swiveled as Elsa Dellian joined the battle. With a clipped lightsaber and extended quarterstaff, she focused on keeping the enemy back. Elsa leapt to a stack of crates and Force-pushed the Sanyassans back again, giving her companions time to recover. It wasn't long before several Sans found her position and targeted her. Thinking on Haldris' teachings, Elsa swung her quarterstaff. She swatted the first Sanyassan and completely missed the second. As she went on the defensive, she at least felt more secure than she would've with a lightsaber. The Sans snarled at her while battering her staff. Mimicking Haldris' maneuver, she swept her foes' legs and Force-pushed them away.

A stun blast zipped over her shoulder and struck an advancing San. "Good to see you!" Frost hollered before joining her.

"We need to beat them back as much as we can," Elsa told him. Calling upon the Force, she brought part of the destroyed gate crashing down. This obstruction would slow the flow of incoming Sans.

"Well if it isn't Dordo the Warlordo," Rip jeered to catch Dordo's attention. "Come and get some, ugly!" He yelled and aimed his flamethrower. Dordo gladly accepted the challenge and ran at Rip. The flametrooper spewed fire, but Dordo dashed past his sway pattern. With a grizzly swipe of his glaive, he sent the clone tumbling back. Before he could finish Rip off, Anna jumped between them.

"Get clear, trooper!" she ordered while flourishing her lightsaber.

"The Jedi," Dordo snarled and steadied his glaive. "I'll claim your pretty head for a trophy."

Dark circles rounded Anna's eyes. She was too tired to offer a quip and instead took Dordo head on. Plasma met beskar in a flickering spectacle. Sparks sputtered from his glaive as neither opponent went on the defensive. Anna met each of his mighty sweeps with rapid, Ataru strikes. As their duel carried on across the rubble, Anna noticed her Deathchasers getting into position. All she had to do was stall long enough for them to get a clear shot. Once Dordo jabbed his glaive from above, Anna found her opening. She ducked and rolled beneath the warlord's attack. Once she was behind him, she slashed across his midsection. Anna's heart sank when her lightsaber didn't breach his armor. Instead, her green blade screeched across it and sent more sparks flaring. Only then did she realize his glaive wasn't the only piece of beskar in his possession.

"Weapons free!" Blazer yelled as the Deathchasers opened fire. Their lasers clamored against Dordo's armor as he remained unscathed. While Anna was distracted by her failure, Dordo kicked her into a pile of rubble. "General!" Blazer worried and slid down to her aid. Sparx and Speedy rushed to provide covering fire as Dordo persisted his attack. While Anna recovered from the strike, the Deathchasers formed a wall between her and Dordo. Their lasers tinged and even ricocheted off his armor as they tried to breach it. With a furious dash, Dordo got within striking range of the clones.

The warlord swung his glaive downward and pierced one of Speedy's cybernetic legs. As the clone flailed in his entrapment, Dordo used Speedy as a weapon to smash against Sparx. The two clones went crashing aside together while Blazer tried to get a headshot. If I can just hit beneath his helmet, Blazer thought. Then I can-

Dordo's next swing was quicker than anticipated. Anna's heart nearly stopped as the glaive smashed across Blazer's helmet. Pieces of white plastoid crunched and fragmented across the ground. The ARF sergeant's visor shattered on impact as his body collapsed beside Anna. As Blazer lay motionless, Anna could see his exposed face through the broken helmet. A chilling, bloody gash ran just below one of his eyes.

"No!" Anna roared, instantly succumbing to a pull she'd seldom called upon as of late. Fear festered within. Anger became her ally. Hatred urged her to rise. Suffering, was her essence. She never thought she could return to such a sensation after what she'd experienced in Dooku's captivity. But after witnessing so much pain...after seeing Blazer's motionless body...Anna couldn't stop herself. Dordo squinted when Anna eyes briefly flickered yellow. By the time they reverted, she was already rushing him. Anna screeched like a madwoman, summoning her remainder of strength to end her foe. While Anna's attacks were profuse, her bodily limits were catching up with her. Her legs trembled with each lunge while her forearms throbbed. She was tiring out...and Dordo knew it.

He awaited an opening just as Elsa leapt into the fray. She struck his breastplate with her staff, at least distracting him while Anna jabbed away. The young Dellian's lightsaber haplessly scraped against Dordo's beskar. "Use the Force!" Anna urged. "Get his armor off!"

Elsa raised a hand to do so just as Dordo took a swing at her. Anna went on the defensive, trying to protect her sister. Although it was blocked, Dordo's glaive strike sent both sisters crashing into a duracrete wall. Anna's armor cracked and fragmented on impact. Pieces of it clattered alongside her lightsaber while she tumbled downward. As if Anna's aching and throbbing body wasn't enough, Dordo kicked her in the stomach before throwing her at the wall again. While she collapsed, writhing and wheezing, Anna wondered why Dordo hadn't dealt a killing blow. As she looked up and heard her sister's wails, she understood. Dordo dug his brutish, armored hand into Elsa's bun while she was down and dazed. He painfully pulled her up by her locks, savoring screams. He dragged Elsa across the ground until she was facing Anna.

"No," Anna murmured, barely able to move in her bodily agony. "No!" She hopelessly reached out as Dordo forced Elsa up to her knees and smirked. He took his time, waiting for the feeling of Anna's fallen companions to truly take hold. As the strength even faded from her hand, Anna's eyes swelled with tears. Satisfied with her reaction and feeling like he'd mentally broken the Jedi, Dordo brought his glaive down to Elsa's neck. The eldest Dellian fought to break free of his hulking grasp, but resistance was futile. Elsa glimpsed her struggling reflection in his blade as he held it to her throat.

As Anna watched her sister near a gruesome end, time seemed to slow. She noticed something gliding far beyond Dordo's shoulder and dropping from the night sky. An attack shuttle of some kind precisely angled itself above Sunhaven. As its ventral hatch dropped, the distant muzzle flash of a sniper rifle was as surreal as the ensuing laser. A steaming, blue projectile made its way from this ship and all the way down to Dordo's head. While it didn't kill him on account of his beskar helm, the strike was powerful enough to throw Dordo off and buy time for others to attack. As Haldris and Siv leapt to battle Dordo, Elsa dropped to the floor. She clasped her unscathed neck and crawled to Anna. Heavily wounded and shaken, the sisters held each other close in the rubble.

"I've got you," Elsa barely uttered.

As Anna rested in Elsa's embrace, she kept replaying how close of a call that was. Her only distracting thought was wondering what kind of sniper could make a headshot like that from midair.

The attack shuttle circled for another pass as a dark-armored clone knelt on its extended ramp. He was about to aim again when his rather hefty squadmate asked, "Did you get'em?"

"No," the sniper hissed.

"But I thought you don't ever miss, Crosshair."

"I don't," Crosshair asserted. "He was wearing a helmet. Beskar by the look of it."

"Cut the chatter," the squad's sergeant ordered. "There's a quite a mess to clean up down there."

"That would be putting it mildly," the shuttle's pilot jested.

"Get us in close to drop, Tech," the sergeant commanded. "Crosshair, keep'em scattered. Wrecker-" The lumbering, armored clone eagerly looked to his superior. "You know what to do."

Wrecker chuckled to himself and cracked his knuckles. "Ohoho yeah!" he cheered as the shuttle descended. "I'm on it, Hunter! The cavalry is here!" Wrecker bellowed and threw himself down to Sunhaven's walls. The enhanced clone came in like a wrecking ball and barreled his way through the unsuspecting Sanyassans, laughing while he did so.

Hunter sighed at Wrecker's display and jumped after him. He rolled onto a rooftop, drew his blaster pistol, and opened fire. Sanyassan soldiers plummeted by the scores as Crosshair landed one headshot after another. Rip and Doubles were trying to hold a position when Wrecker landed beside them. "Hang on, regs!" he blurted. "I'll save you!"

"Who are you calling a reg?" Rip snapped.

"Yeah," Doubles added. "You're looking at future ARC troopers here."

"Say," Rip considered. "How strong are you, big guy? Cause I've got a crazy idea."

Wrecker smirked beneath his helmet and said, "You had me at strong. Go on."

Within moments, those in Sunhaven witnessed a dumbfounding and chaotic sight. Wrecker was charging into battle while carrying Rip and Doubles on his shoulders. As Doubles fired his cannon from one side, Rip shot his flamethrower from the other. "Get some!" Rip screamed while Wrecker cheered maniacally. "Get some!"

A trio of Sanyassans tried to ambush Hunter, but the clone's heightened senses aided his counterattack. He blasted the first two and then flung is vibro-knife into the third's neck. Commander Frost observed the spectacle and asked, "Who are you?"

"Clone Force 99," was all Hunter said before returning to battle.

Dordo's glaive clamored against Haldris' staff. She tried dead-legging him while Siv moved in with her dagger. Their weapons scraped against his beskar as he kept up his attack. Even as his soldiers were decimated, Dordo refused to yield. "You think your reinforcements mean anything?" he growled. "All shall witness the beginning of your end!" He kicked Haldris back and nicked Siv's shoulder with his glaive. "With your death-" he told her. "-the collapse of Echani Command shall begin!" Taking his words as a threat to her wife, Siv sprung to Dordo's shoulders. She managed to slash beneath his armored mesh and tried to pry his helmet off. Seeking to avenge her brother, Haldris dashed in from below and bludgeoned his knees. Her staff could hardly breach his armor as he spun his glaive upward. The prominent maneuver sent Haldris rolling back. As Dordo ripped Siv off of his shoulders, she managed to take his helmet with her. She slammed against the floor as he flourished his glaive.

Dordo brandished a sadistic and gruesome grin. His visage shifted entirely as a scorching laser struck him in the temple. The warlord staggered and gurgled. His glaive clanged to the floor beside Siv, who was just as surprised as he was. She and Haldris traced the shot's trajectory to a smoking lightbow. Its wielder's trembling hands were still stained with blood as he lowered the weapon. Once the lightbow dropped, Siv and Haldris glimpsed the youthful face of their scout, Atrol.

Atrol approached the dying warlord, whose irreparable cranium was slowly burning to a crisp. "In these moments," Atrol finally spoke again. "I want you to think of your soldiers and all of those who served you. Not so it will grant you comfort...but so you can imagine them failing just as you have. You can think about them dying, because you're not there to lead them. Your life was meaningless." Dordo's eyes briefly widened before he succumbed to his cranial wound. As Atrol stood over his body, he uttered "That's for Kaj."

---

Dordo's demise and the arrival of Clone Force 99 caused the surviving Sanyassans to disperse. Routed and broken, the army's scarce remnants fled Sunhaven. They barely escaped to their warships, which had to break off their attack on the Deliverance and Legacy. As the remaining Sanyassans fled the Eshan system, an eerie silence filled their absence. Flames crackled above the sanctuary's destruction. Heaps of various bodies formed a trail from Sunhaven all the way out to the ravaged ridge. While some corpses lay sprawled with multiple blaster wounds, others remained skewered by Sanyassan pikes. But as the sun rose after such a harrowing night, the tattered Echani banner was still there. It waved above Sunhaven's walls as its people exerted victory in the form of cheers.

Elsa, Frost, and Clone Force 99 stood before Echani Command. Siv looked out across the quiet horizon and turned to her companions. "I cannot thank the Republic enough for coming to our defense," she said. "Tell your Supreme Chancellor that the Echani will forever honor the sacrifices of his fighters, just as we do ours." She glanced at Haldris, who was remorsefully clenching her brother's recovered tonfas. "Eshan will rebuild," Siv declared. "We will respect, mourn, and live on for those we've lost." Siv unclipped her weapon belt and looked to Frost. "Commander," she said. "You demonstrated great strength in aiding my people and I in battle. Will you honor me by accepting my dagger?" Frost paused, unsure what to say or do. "In Echani custom, there is no greater honor than to bestow one's weapon to an ally."

Frost graciously accepted the dagger and said, "I accept your gift and will do my best to honor its former wielder."

Elsa and Frost bowed respectfully before regrouping with the others. Although she was present to accept their gratitude, Elsa felt like she'd hardly assisted during the battle. She approached the leader of their rescuing squad and said, "I must admit. Your actions were quite impressive, Clone Force 99."

"You can call us the Bad Batch," Hunter replied. "We got here as soon as we could."

"Let us know if you've ever got another one of these battlefests!" Wrecker cackled. "That was fun!"

"Wrecker," Tech quietly scolded. "Perhaps you should try being a little tactful."

"It's your job to be thetactical one," Wrecker mumbled and Tech facepalmed.

"If I may ask-" Elsa added. "-who sent for you?"

"That'd be Watcher," Hunter answered. "But we were to link up with a squad called the Deathchasers. What happened to them?"

There was a long and eerie pause as Elsa sucked her teeth. "They're..." she began. "-they're recovering."

Elsa bid the Bad Batch farewell and departed to the landed Legacy with Frost. On their way to the ship, Elsa's senses endured a harsh bombardment. While their helmets were on, Elsa's could feel the distrustful glares of her clones. The men of the 213th were exhausted, wounded, and questioning all which she stood for. Once aboard, she and Frost were escorted by Shang to the ship's medbay. Four bacta tanks fizzed and bubbled as the Deathchasers floated within. While Sparx and Speedy's injuries were less severe, Anna and Blazer remained in critical healing hibernation. Elsa pressed a hand to her sister's tank and observed her closed eyes. She could only hope Anna was as free of pain as she looked.

"This was all so...so horrible," Elsa sighed.

"It was," Frost affirmed. "But everyone did the best they could with what they had. And I'm including you when I say that."

Elsa shook her head while Shang raised a brow. "I should've done more," she said. "Perhaps the enemy could've been reasoned with. I could've stopped this!"

"Elsa," Frost asserted. "You couldn't have."

She pressed her forehead against Anna's tank. "So many are dead because of my inaction," Elsa murmured. "I-...I can't do this."

"What do you mean?" the commander asked.

"I can't lead the 213th," Elsa said. "Even if what you said is true about everyone doing their best, I wasn't enough for the clones. I wasn't there when they needed me most."

"They'll come around," Frost insisted. "They'll understand."

Elsa huffed. "I know you mean well, but being commander doesn't mean you can always speak for them. They aren't programmed to think a certain way. Those men were counting on me and I let them down. They don't trust me and they rightfully shouldn't."

Frost swallowed hard and removed his helmet. He looked at Elsa with worried, yet solemn eyes. "So you're just walking away? After everything?"

"Frost, please don't make me sound like that."

"But that's what you're doing!" As Frost raised his voice, Shang took it as his cue to leave. "With all due respect, if you quit on the 213th...then you'll really be abandoning us."

"You'll be better off without me," Elsa replied. "You need a real Jedi General. One who will define him or herself as a general just like Anna did. I wish this was a perfect galaxy where I could guarantee we'd have simple relief missions. But with this war, nothing makes sense. And as long as death follows such conflict, I cannot in good conscience take part in it. I'm going to return to the Jedi Temple."

"Elsa," Frost beckoned. She shut her eyes tightly as his voice cracked. He offered her his hand and said, "Please."

"I'm sorry, Frost." Elsa confirmed. "But this is goodbye. Perhaps the Force will bring us together again when all of this is over."

"What if you're wrong?" Frost asserted. "About another general. What if they cause worse problems than you ever thought you did? You may not want to be called such, but you are a real Jedi General and I-" Frost bit back his final confession. He rearranged the words and instead said, "I need you. We all do whether the others see it or not."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you then," Elsa said. "Because I am not what you say I am. Wake up, Commander Frost. You said I deserved to be happy. Well now it's my turn to say that you deserve better." Frost felt breathless as Elsa exited the chamber. He hung his head and observed the Deathchasers in their tanks. Without Elsa at his side, he feared that he and his surviving soldiers could suffer a far worse fate.

---

Author's Note:Thanks so much for reading this week's installment! And so concludes the "Let it Go Trilogy!" Chapter: 70 was a blast to write and it was fun delivering the season's first real, full-scale battle. I can only hope you all enjoyed! As of today, we're now ten chapters in to Season:3! I've got so much more planned as "A War on All Fronts" keeps taking us to new territories. I want to take a moment to shout you all out again. Thank you so much for the love because this story is really booming weekly! We set another record last week as now over 300 people tuned in for the chapter premiere. It is my honor and pleasure to entertain you all each week and I have so many more stories to tell.

I'll see you next Friday for (Chapter: 71 - Atonement)

Long Live Imagination and May the Force be with You!

Michael