"So what you're saying is we should call off the invasion because there are some Big Black Beasties from who-knows-where that are potentially dangerous?" Cody asked, a hand slapped over his forehead in exasperation.

He was stood in the command room of Resolute, alongside the three generals, all who looked extremely stressed, facing the holo-transmittion from Admiral Kruss.

Rex rolled his eyes from round the back of the table at Cody, and Wolffe snorted.

"Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying! This is a serious situation, Commander, and I suggest you leave it to us to sort out!" the admiral snarled.

Obi-Wan frowned. "We need all the help we can get, Admiral, and since you will not be taking an active role in the invasion, your point is not as important as those who will be in danger of losing their lives,"

Thank you, General.

Admiral Kruss had been ranting on for at least half an hour, complaining and demanding that something was done before the planetary landings. The Padawan stood beside him in the holograph looked equally uncomfortable as the six men.

Cody rolled his eyes at Rex, who shook his head calmly.

"Admiral, I think this matter is sorted. We will invade tomorrow, and that is the final word on this matter," Skywalker growled. The admiral looked taken back, and the two masters tried to hide their amused looks.

"But if you run into trouble, what will happen?"

Anakin smirked. "We'll improvise,"

Rex grimaced and Cody turned to smirk sarcastically. The older Commander between them gave them a quick glare, and then turned his attention to the holo-table.

"What he means is we will call for backup, and I'm sure Barriss or Ahsoka will come in to help," Obi-Wan smiled kindly. The Mirialan blushed slightly and nodded.

The admiral waffled on for a while longer, until Anakin decided that the bridge probably wanted some help in planning the route, for which they would conveniently need the holo's.

They signed off with a salute and Anakin sat down. His former Master raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

"I thought you wanted to check the maps?"

Rex coughed into his hand, and Cody pretended not to notice. It was fairly obvious what he had done, as Cody himself often used the same technique.

"Oh, no, he was getting on my nerves. No offence at all, Master," was the reply.

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, and signalled for them to follow him out.

Anakin made to get up, but a glare was sent his way and he sat back down.

"Commanders, what do you think of the situation?" Koon asked as they reached the bridge.

Wolffe was the first to reply, and he tapped coordinates into his wrist comm.

"From what he said, the danger points are here, here and here-" he pointed at blinking red areas, and zoomed in on one to show a dark shadow moving across the jungle floor.

"-and we will be on the other side of the planet. It's definitely a risk, but we can handle them," he said, and pressed the button again. It flashed off with a beep, and Plo Koon nodded.

"I shall confirm with Master Yoda to make sure he is aware of thins, and we will start the attack as planned, regardless of what the admiral thinks," he said in his slow voice, and Obi-Wan agreed quietly.

The Captain and commanders looked at each other briefly, and then focused their attention on the purple moon in front of the ship.

It would be under the Republic's control in a matter of weeks.

"Prepare to pull out of hyperspace!" the admiral cried, waving his hands at the men manning the controls.

They saluted, and carried on what they were doing in the first place.

From her place besides the holo, Barriss sighed. The admiral was apparently incapable of leaving the men alone to do their jobs, even though he had watched them for almost two years.

Ahsoka prodded her arm gently, and Barriss flinched.

"What's wrong?" she asked gently, and Barriss shook her head.

"It's nothing, don't worry about it, 'Soka," she muttered back, and pushed a hand across her left temple. It was throbbing, and hurt more than she was prepared to admit, and there was no hope of escaping anywhere anytime soon.

Ahsoka believed her easily, and turned to look at the stars, which slowly came back into focus as the ship slowed.

The planet in front of them was big. Bigger than Coruscant, bigger than Geonosis and covered in glossy swirls of cloud that balled together in whirls that would be causing storms below. Every so often, one would flash with lightening, a stark white against the deep green and black. The togrutan bit her lip, and walked over to the window.

Barriss did not follow her, but turned back to the table, and pressed her wrist comm.

It flashed blue for a moment, and then the Republic seal shone up.

"Barriss?" muttered a voice, in a rushed whisper.

"Hello, Master," the Padawan smiled, relieved to hear Luminara's voice.

She glanced around quickly at the admiral, who was talking to the Generals on the other side of the planet, before slipping into the shadowy space between the holotable and wall.

"I have successfully landed on Taros – the locals have not suspected a thing and because of this, I don't have very long to chat," Luminara said, and Barriss bit her lip in relief. Getting in was the hardest part of her masters private mission, and the Council had warned Barriss of the dangers. Like the fact that if it went wrong, she might not have a Master anymore.

"Good. We are out of hyperspace now, and Master Kenobi is near the moon. We're due to start tomorrow,"

"How are you getting on?"

Barriss sighed. How predictable of Luminara to ask.

"The admiral is driving me insane. He barks orders, questions everything and has tried to insist that we hold off the invasion because of some animal on surface," she replied. Her Master chuckled.

"I never liked the man myself, but he manages to get the job done,"

"Eventually,"

Footsteps echoed past, and the door to the elevator hissed open and closed.

Probably the admiral, going to speak with the troops.

"Have you heard from the 41st?" Barriss asked nervously. Her legion had been assigned to the Senate building whilst the Jedi were away, alongside Commander Fox and his squad. It was strange being without them, but the 212th were doing their best. Their best was incredibly good.

"No I haven't, but I'm sure they are getting on perfectly fine. If anything happens, they're more than capable of handling it."

Barriss sighed quietly, tension that she had not known was there vanishing from her shoulders.

A voice shouted from overhead.

"Master, I'm sorry – I have to go, Ahsoka wants me for something,"

She could hear the nod in her master's voice when Luminara replied, "Of course, Barriss. Good luck on your mission,"

"And you too. May the force be with you,"

"May the force be with you,"

The wrist comm. flashed for a second, and then the light vanished, cutting of the transmittion. Barriss looked longingly at it for a moment, before heading to the stairs to find out what the Togruta wanted.

"Sir, Commander Offee and Tano's fleet is in position," Taper called from his seat at the navi-computer.

Obi-Wan nodded, and turned to face his former Padawan. Anakin smirked and tossed his lightsaber in the air, catching it skilfully before doing it again.

"Brilliant. We'll begin at sundown," he said, turning to face the window looking over the dark planet.

AN: I apologise for the shortness and mysterious lack of updates. A certain thing called 'Life' and 'Homework' has finally caught up to me, but next chapter will be up soon. Next weekish (soon, I hope).

~Wolffe