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“Attachment is forbidden. Possession is forbidden. Compassion – which I would define as unconditional love – is central to a Jedi’s life. So you might say that we are encouraged to love.”
“Why did you ask Anakin of all people about the Jedi code?” Ok’sana closed her book on attack shuttles, turning to look at her friend.
“I wonder why I did as well,” she said dryly, “after all, Anakin Skywalker is the most detached Jedi in all of history.”
“Why did you ask him ?”
Ok’sana sat up a little, narrowing her eyes, “Why shouldn’t I?”
“Do you know something?”
“Do you know something?”
Neither of them spoke, and they both broke out in smirks before changing the subject. Both the girls knew of the supposed “secret” attachment, and at the same time knew to speak aloud of it would ruin the fun of it. And potentially get a few people in unimaginable trouble. Ok’sana settled back into her chair,
“So what did he say to you?”
“He asked me if you were okay. You never talk to him voluntarily.”
She had to laugh at that. It was true. Anakin Skywaker was an annoyance she could do without most days. Plo told her it was because they were very similar in many respects.
“Skywalker thinks with his heart too much at times, Little Sana. As do you.” The difference however was that while Skywalker was praised for his quick thinking on the battlefield when plans went awry, Ok’sana got admonished for it.
“Why didn’t you ask Master Plo?”
Sana didn’t answer that. She didn’t want to burden Plo or Ahsoka with her worries in her growing attachments for the friends gained recently. Jedi held themselves to a certain standard, and she knew she was very hard on herself- even as a Padawan. She woke up every morning committed to being the best Jedi she could be, to help make the galaxy a safe place. Ok’sana simply wanted to do her best by the Order, and set a solid example, especially now that she was a Knight and a General. There was no particular reason she’d inquired about the attachment rule-
Liar.
Asking Skywalker had been an impulse, but obviously not one she would make again- as the guy clearly loved to gossip. Her friend slid into the seat beside her, smelling vaguely of the sage scented soap stocked in every Jedi’s quarters.
Soka, Skywalker, and their men had been sent to reinforce an Outer Rim siege and had only just returned. They’d lost two men.
I hope Rex isn’t taking it too hard.
Ok’sana wasn’t close with him, but her brief crush had made her fond of Rex. He was a good man, a good soldier, and a great friend to Ahsoka.She couldn't imagine how Baz would take it when they inevitably lost their first Trooper.
It took a moment to realize Ahsoka had been speaking for the last minute and was waiting for a response.
“Right,“ she said blankly.
“I said : Skyguy and I were hoping to still be on the battlefield by the time this stupid ball came around, weren’t you?”
Both of them knew they had no desire for the lives lost during the Clone War. That the carnage and fear was something they’d not soon forget. The sound of screams and the smell of burning cities. Ok’sana knew what Soka meant though, and nodded outwardly. The Grand Army of the Republic ball was taking place tomorrow night, and Sana and her men hadn’t been sent back into the field yet. Baz was getting antsy, coming to check in with her four times in the last couple days. Apparently the higher ups were serious about trying to wrangle everyone possible to attend their frivolous event.
The Bad Batch had been shipped off the day before last, and while Ok’sana knew better than to message any of them on mission- she found her mind wandering to them a little more than usual.
“I will inform you when we arrive back.”
“Well I’m gonna go check in on the men,” Soka stretched her muscles as she stood.
“Tell Rex I say hello.”
The other girl didn’t stop walking, but waved to indicate she’d heard. Sana heaved open her book again just when she heard, “I hope you and Baz get assigned something exciting soon. You’re getting boring just sitting around!”
Ok’sana had to laugh, the weight on her chest easing,
“I hope so too!”
–
“Wrecker, move ahead and clear a path,” Tech called.
They were completely surrounded by droids piled waist high, torn apart in various ways. Crosshair was picking off tanks that got too close, while Tech, Hunter, and Echo fought their way across an abandoned town towards the Marauder. Once again, the Bad Batch had managed to maneuver their way through Separatists forces in a way no other squad could. Their mission had been successful, as usual, though it had originally only had 66.2% chance of being completed with no injury-
“Shit.”
Tech looked reflexively towards Echo, who nodded and stepped in front to cover him. Hunter had been the one to curse, and now he could see why. There were clankers on the roofs of the neighboring towers, camouflage had made them invisible to his brother, even from his sniper perch. Hunter had taken two shots to the same leg, but was still trudging on.
However the droid's overused circuits could be detected on infrared scanners.
“Crosshair, the towers.”
He heard no verbal response, but saw several shapes fall from windows and roofs of the stone buildings. Tech was more than a little concerned about how much blood Hunter seemed to be losing, so he kept a close eye on his brother in case he collapsed before they’d reached the ship.
They could see it clearly now, Wrecker was throwing any and all explosives through the army in front of them to pave their way.
“Hunter, are you alright?”
“M’fine, keep moving,” Finally they reached the ship and they all sighed in relief. Tech was finding it a bit difficult to walk without tripping over fallen droid bodies. Crosshair had come down to help get their brother onboard. Wrecker had tried to haul Hunter over his shoulder but it jostled his leg a bit, resulting in quite a colorful array of curse words.
Tech tried to focus on administering antiseptic, offering to inject Hunter with a sedative to ease his pain.
“I’ve had worse, we all have. I’ll be fine, just- ouch, damn it Tech! Just do what you have to do.”
“It would be easier if you would sit still,” he grumbled. His eldest brother let out a pained laugh and tried to ruffle Techs’s curls, which were almost matted to his head with ash and sweat. It was an expected gesture though, and was easily evaded.
If Ok’sana were here, this would be easier. She could calm Hunter, keep Crosshair from sulking so damn much.
“ Ow!”
“Uhhm I don’t think you’re supposed to wrap it that tight.”
“Wrecker, I am quite capable of administering first aid,” Echo turned around in the pilot seat, chuckling at Tech’s irritation.
“Maybe you should use a bit of that brain storage to pick up more medical knowledge.”
The whole squad chuckled, Tech included, and he stood to take over piloting. Echo shifted, mumbling how upset he was that the mission had not dragged a bit. None of them wanted to attend the Grand Army of the Republic ball, but Hunter had said it had come from the top of the chain that they were required to attend if not on mission.
Tech started making calculations for their jump, agreeing that he too wished they didn't have to attend. Cross was cleaning his rifle, and don't even lift his head when he called out,
“Liar.”
“No one asked you.”
–
Once they landed on Coruscant, Tech hopped off the Marauder and ignored Hunter’s protests that he was fine. He was very much not fine, and his tattoo stood out against his pale skin. He’d lost a lot of blood, and Wrecker accompanied Hunter and the medical droid out of the hall. Echo helped get the ship checked in for maintenance.
Regs all around the barracks scowled and muttered insults as they walked in, but neither of them paid any mind. Usually they’d be in their actual barracks on Kamino in their short periods of downtime, but with the ball so close, all clones were expected to stay in the capital city
“Where’d Crosshair go?”
Tech glanced around, then darted his eyes back to the tablet. He really was taking Echo’s advice and reading a bit more on administering backta spray and patches, sewing up wounds and the like.
“I haven’t any idea,” he admitted, “Probably finding a Reg to pick a fight with.”
Crosshair walked in at that very moment, “Wouldn't be a very fair fight,” plopping down next to Tech on his bottom bunk, he nibbled on a ration bar. Pulling two more from his pocket, one was tossed to Echo on the top bed, and one hit Tech in the face. Echo had either fallen asleep or was done conversing for the night, as he gave no reaction.
“Regs were saying Sana got shipped out again, should be back just in time for a dance with you at the party, vod’ika,” Cross started to snicker, but stopped when the ration bar smacked into his forehead.
Hunter was not amused when he came back to see them scuffling on the floor, Echo just looking at them from his bunk.
–
The message came in from Master Fisto, and the Council had sent Ok’sana and the 602nd out immediately. It wasn't long after Tech and the Bad Batch had been called away. Kit and his men needed backup quickly, as a tactical droid has been snuck into their battle, and suddenly all of their plans were anticipated and counteracted. They simply needed more men to break through the enemy line.
She was almost relieved when she got the message. Jedi were keepers of the peace, but most of her time had been spent as a soldier, and therefore she found it difficult to sit still sometimes. Sana layered her robes and armor as she and Baz almost raced to the cruiser.
Master Plo had been in the hangar still with Wolffe, and she’d stopped over while the ship was readied.
“Glad to see you, Master. Your mission was a success?”
“It was. Commander Wolffe and our men were able to pull off another amazing feat. The Force was with us once again,” her eyes shifted to Wolffe.
He held his helmet in one hand, and while there was always hardness to his smile, the Commander’s eyes were full of admiration. All of the 104th held Plo in the highest esteem.
“Now where are you off to, Little Sana?”
“Baz and I are headed to reinforce Master Fisto in his efforts on Rishi. I should head to the bridge, actually.” Wolffe tried and failed to pat Sana’s head endearingly. He’d picked up the habit when she was a padawan, but she very well couldnt have any of the 602nd see it happen.
“Keep your head on out there, Rue.”
“May the Force be with you, dear,” her head bobbed and she smiled, backing towards the cruiser.
They landed far on the outskirts of the battle, but all the men could feel the ground shake with explosions. Their medics were a bit on edge, as they always were before a fight. Worried they hadn't packed enough supplies to save the wounded. But Kit got in contact very quickly and explained his plan. They were to head back to the ship and send in air strikes, sending men down in groups to slowly cut through the droids until he and Ok’sana could locate the tactical droid.
Baz briefed the men who would hit the battlefield while she spoke with the gunmen. They worked in perfect sync but also total chaos, as always. It was decided after their first sairstroke that twenty men would be sent, then their medics. They repeated the process, coordinating with the ground until the Separatist forces were almost all defeated. The men started grabbing their packs to jump down the rest of the way.
Prince approached her, “You ready to head down, sir?” she grinned cheekily. Skul had approached her separately and requested he and Prince be sent down together and last, but she’d already planned to do so. Sana had complete faith in all her men, but all of the 602nd had a soft spot for Prince. He was the least seasoned of them all, and one fo them always watched out for him in the field if they could.
“ I am.”
“Where’s your pack?” The ramp opened behind them both, and wind whipped across Sana’s eyes.
Baz sauntered in behind, knocking fists with Ok’sana as he put his helmet on. The dark mauve paint that decorated their squadron was almost unrecognizable under all the dirt and scuffs on his armor. Seeing those two next to each other was like seeing night and day side by side.
“The General doesnt need a pack, kid. She just needs a good push ,” and as Baz finished his sentence, he gave Ok'sana a little shove out the hangar door. Sometimes jumping head first out of a ship proved rather difficult. It wasn't that she doubted her ability to land safely, there was just a bit of a mental block there still.
Robes whipped in the wind, she brought in her arms to propel down as fast as possible. Clones flew all around her, taking down droid after droid. The army was almost completely destroyed,and she used the Force to direct her towards where Master Fisto was, lighting her saber and flipping forward to land. Ok’sana spun around and cut down anything in her path, and turned to Master Fisto to make some comment about saving his ass.
But then she heard Baz’s voice on her wrist comm, “Sir, I think we have a problem.”
Kit cursed under his breath. Destroyer droids, at least a dozen of them, were sneaking up through the forest on their left. The men could hear them, and shouts arose all around. This wasn't the clean up job they’d been dispatched for. Now the troops were panicking.
Ok’sana strained her voice to be heard, “Fall back, all of you pull back the line!” She clicked her comm, “Baz, tell the medics to get moving- anyone unable to be moved needs to be hidden amongst the trees with comms so we can come back for them.”
“Yes sir.”
Kit was barking to his men that they should circle around, that they needed to converge on the destroyers from all sides. The smoke was so thick she was choking on it. Though they’d cleared most of the enemy, there were still hundreds to go. He asked if they needed more reinforcements, and Sana tried to slow her breathing.
The clones formed into groups, trying to surround the droids as best they could. She tried to play everything out in her head. Stay three steps ahead of that damn tactical bot
What would Master Plo do?
“No, we can take them.”
Master Fisto turned to her, “I guess you have a plan?”
Ok’sana grinned, because of course she had a plan. This was where she came alive, in these impossible moments- with her lightsaber in hand and the 602nd all around her, waiting for her command.
Then came the woosh of ships entering the atmosphere, coming out of hyperspace. Both Seperatist and Republic forces alike. This was going to be one of those fights where she could dissolve into the chaos of it all and let her instincts take over. The ships above started firing and both Jedi ducked for cover, “Baz, do you copy?”
“Sir?’
“You remember our mission on Yerbana? Same plan,” he barked out a laugh, and her and Kit threw debris out of their way to the center of the fight. They’d have to take out the destroyers themselves to get to the tactical droid.
She wiped sweat from her eyes and prepared for one of the fiercest battles of her life.
The fiercest battle of her life lasted about an hour. And though Ok’sana couldn’t feel her arms, they had succeeded in pushing back Separatist forces and forcing them to flee the planet. They stood on the bridge, looking down on the battlefield where medics ran frantically back and forth, trying to save as many of their brothers as they could.
Kit had lost six men, and many were gravely injured. The 602nd lost two, Haze and Vat- who had died honorably, trying to help the last of the civilians flee the nearby towns. Baz was taking it hard, and the men who were injured were being loaded into smaller transports and sent to Kamino. She would not forget them, and would make sure to speak to the whole battalion once they returned.
Losing people was an obvious byproduct of a long war, but that didn't make it any easier. Part of her mind was telling her to be glad they had to attend that damned Republic Ball, just to give the men a night to drink and relax. Remember and celebrate their fallen brothers.
Kit was excited though, Sana could sense it. He’d made several jokes about how so many people would swoon over his formal wear, and Ok’sana had to laugh. That was what she liked about missions with Fisto. No matter how bleak it turned out, he could always get a laugh out of her.
Baz stepped up beside her, “We’re ready to jump to lightspeed, Generals.”
“Take us home, Commander.”
–
Crosshair was still nibbling on a ration bar, though Tech wasn't sure if it was his own anymore. He’d confirmed that Ok’sana and the 602nd had indeed been shipped out not long after the Bad Batch to assist General Kit Fisto and his men on a mission.
Tech was not worried for her safety, though he wasn't quite at ease at the idea of Ok'sana being off world without the Batch to have her back. He knew Commander Baz by reputation though, and knew all her men were exactly like her.
Stubborn, strong, quick-witted.
His brother was sitting silently next to him, both of them staring at the floor. Hunter, Wrecker, and Echo were asleep. Their brief little fight had ended when Hunter came in, reminding them there were Regs everywhere and they needed to be on their best behavior. Cross had rolled his eyes, but gotten up nonetheless, tossing Tech back his goggles. Live reports had been coming in, updating the Jedi Councilmembers on Coruscant every step of the way. Ok’sana and Master Fisto had lost a handful of men, and many were injured. Apparently Separatists forces had been hiding away in bunkers within a nearby forest, catching both battalions and their Generals unawares. Tech was mildly irritated; neither of them had called for more reinforcements.
“Better fighter than most of the regs” Crosshair murmurs. Tech nods as if this random piece of information wasn’t just for him. “Get some rest. You’ll want to look your best tomorrow.”
He couldn't find it in himself to argue anymore, so he just shucked off his gloves and climbed into the narrow bunk under Cross’s. The barracks were minimalist to the nth degree and smelled of cleaner and smoke. Most clones lumbered around playing sabbac and chatting, and while Tech had learned to sleep through Wrecker’s snores, he was restless.
Master Kit Fisto and Jedi Knight Ok’sana Rue are en route to the capital with their men. The mission was overall a success.
Reaching one hand out to click off the tablet, he sent a ping to Ok’sana’s comm like he’d promised, and then let sleep overtake him.
–
Her wrist buzzed just as they touched down in the hangar on Coruscant, but she was busy watching the men carry the helmets of their fallen brothers to the barracks. The bodies of clones were to be taken to Kamino to be disposed of, but Karma had taken their helmets to Baz so they could all say a proper goodbye.
Sana wanted to go with them, to tell them all she was so sorry. Hold Prince’s hand as he let the tears stream down his face now that they were out of harm's way. But she didn't. This was something that belonged to the clones only, and they knew her heart went with them. Her pad beeped, and a sad smile flitted across her face. This was the first time she’d lost men, and nothing could really shake that from her mind completely.
Nodding to passing soldiers, she made her way to her quarters- sending a message to the Council that she’d debrief the men in the morning, that they needed the night to rest. Ok’sana hesitated when she passed the barracks, but sighed and kept walking.
I’ll see them tomorrow night, she thought. And if anyone tells me to smile and I'll ask Kit to Force throw me off the balcony.
END PART 4