Hey everyone! Yeah, this is a very quick update. Why? Because I'm trying all my might to finish the chapter before the New Year creeps too far on me. And gladly, I have to say, IT WAS A SUCCESS! My gift to start the New Year is this chapter. Happy 2014, EVERYONE!

AhsokaTano141516: Thank you, V.

DaynaJewel: Your welcome... I think I got a good portion of the next part of the story planned, I just need a break to get my mind on other vital characters.

TripleThreat123: I'm sending a hug back. :#)

Lux's POV

It was a rather quick process but when I saw Ahsoka walking quietly through the streets, I was sure this would be an easy rendezvous task... I mean, the scene was a rather inappropriate time to think of Ahsoka - with markets dotting the dusted grounds, selling bonga fruits, suede fabrics, and assorted planting items. Everything had a richness in growth and care, down to the footsteps Ahsoka took as she made here way into the middle of the public place to drop the holorecorder and move on.

In fact, with every step she clipped against the colored ferrocrete plates that lined the grounds, I knew this assignment was just a walk to the office for her. I had my Ruping silently perched atop one of the many pyramidal-shaped teal roofs that lined the perimeter of Iziz's plazas. Beyond the marketplaces, one could easily see (as I have mentioned many times before) the illustrious beauty of this third-world city. Rising marble domes to rising sandstone spires to the layout of opulent apartments were what made the city so miraculous.

With quick precision, I saw Ahsoka place the device, hidden from a bag, and guided it so that a trotting Dalgo carriage would hide her movement for a quick second, before walking away like nothing happened.

To my surprise, the droids showed some attentiveness and quickly came upon the holorecorder... I didn't know what was going on in a droid's servomotors (verses a person's mind), but they obviously were still hesitant to walk up to it, as if it was a homemade bomb.

"I'm picking up an electromagnetic field." One of the three droids remarked as it began to walk up to the mechanism.

"Roger, roger." The other confirmed.

"It's coming from over there." The third acknowledged to the one slowly stepping up to it.

I waited for the very last moment to turn the message on and to my amusement, the droid fired off when the six-story tall holorecording of Ramsis Dendup appeared to the bystanders. "Lorry!" I called into my comlink but before I could say anything, she finished for me.

"I hear you, Lux... We're sending radio signals to every city on Onderon now... Everyone will hear the message."

I could tell it was a very difficult to hack through the comm systems of every device on every city in the entire planet, but luckily, we found a way to contact supporters in all the cities to bounce the signal to every power generator and thus deliver the message... Right at this second, the whole planet was listen to Dendup's words.

"My fellow subjects, I appear not as your king but as a servant of Onderon..." The old man humbly introduced himself. I saw everyone looking out to the large figure, poking their heads through windows, and getting their children to watch from their father's shoulders, even hoisting each other on top of the outstretched gables... But despite the adhesive attention, there were many scoffing at him. Despite what happened earlier this morning, there were still a handful of men who believed that what Rash said (about Dendup supporting terrorist attacks to slink into power again) was true.

But despite what the audience thought at first, Dendup's inviting voice calmed many of them immediately. "We are in the midst of a great struggle. The Confederacy has used the recent attacks as an opportunity to tighten their hold on Onderon... They have accused me of leading these so-called terrorists. It is a lie! The droids are engineered to further restrict your independence!" The droids started to become fidgety seeing the people nod with what Dendup was saying... Looking directly below me, I could see Ahsoka clambering her way to the top where I stood before anyone could notice her.

Meanwhile, Dendup continued the planetwide speech. "The truth is, I have never met them before now... But until they chose to reveal themselves and save me earlier this morning, I have come to know them as the true sons of Onderon. Unlike many, they are unwilling to surrender our freedom to those who conspire to take it from us. Our destiny is tied to them and this planet... We must all rise together to protect it!"

By then, I picked up Ahsoka's hand and brought her to sit right behind me, with her holding my shoulders for balance. I found it funny, but for a quick second I thought I caught a lover's stare in her eyes as she looked directly into me. I shook my head, trying to glance over it. No, there was no romance with it. It's just my imagination.

With a nod, I gave the Ruping a nudge in order to start flying into the sky and guided her along to the Great East Road, to the Highland base.

I revealed no care for whether not the droids spotted the direction we were flying. In fact, we wanted them to spot us.

"Okay, we had to get out of there as soon as possible..." I sighed, trying to look back to see how the people there were reacting to the message but all could upod see were buildings and walls. "I couldn't stay back and give the droids a chance to shot me down. Perhaps if I stayed for more than a minute the same thing would have-"

"It's okay, Bonteri, er, Lux... See if you can contact our spies there."

I raised my comlink and spoke to whoever could pick up the call. They may be on the streets, in an alleyway - anywhere in Iziz. But I still needed to find out the people's reaction within Iziz, just so I didn't return empty-handed. "This is Lux Bonteri to any available rebel spies in Iziz. Password: 'Respect the foundries which you were born in before you respect yourself.' Is anyone out there?"

At first, I heard mild static, but then an unknown (but friendly) voice came in. "Yes, I can tell you the crowd's reaction. They are immediately attacking the patrols..." I heard him chuckled. "Tossing fruit at the droid's heads... Of course, they can't shoot- Oh wait! They're shooting! Ah, missed... Ha! Hit a fambaa's rear-end and now he's knocking the droids around with his tail."

I tried to suppress a smile, but it immediately broke out. Yes, Cello was right. The people are reacting more to a political figure's voice than anyone else. "Good work. See if you can convince some of them to deactivate the patrolling tanks. As you can guess, there's always a bigger fish."

"Right away, sir."

"Remember!" I quickly broke in before he can cut the line. "Use EMP only. No grenades."

He scoffed. "Either way, those machinations will go up in smoke. But I'll do exactly as you suggest."

After a couple of minutes, everyone reached the Eastern Highlands to prepare for the assault that will undoubtedly come from the droids stationed in barracks of the city; out from the West.

I could see the Nest come into view as Ahsoka came lightly to my ear. "There are many things you don't know, Lux... I may not be able to fight in this battle because I've been assigned as an observer... I can't do much more... But I know that this war won't be an easy task... I'm not talking about the whole intergalactic war, but the war here on this planet." To my surprise, I felt a sincere kiss hit my cheeks, which almost caused me to swerve my mount to the side.

"Uh-huh...?"

"All I have to say is this: Mission Accomplished."

"Uh-huh...?" I stuttered again.

"'Mission Accomplished' because you got me really attached to this place, this planet... I think I made a few friends than I would have had otherwise if you haven't been here..."

I was barely listening, but instead I had one hand raise up to feel the spot she kissed me. "You can come back whenever you want." I said without thought... Yeah, I was a klutz when it came to listening to her after a kiss or a stare.

Once the creature flapped down to perch onto the railing that situated the catwalks of Ruping's Nest, I recalled something rather..., rememberable for some strange reason... This was where my adventure on Onderon truly started with Ahsoka, ever since she came to my homeworld.

Pah, enough with the thoughts, Lux! Focus on what is important!

After helping Ahsoka climb down, I turned to face Saw, Steela, Tandin, and Dendup, waiting for the outcome of the gargantuous holographic message. "The People are turning against the droids." I informed. "There's rioting in the streets!"

Silent cheers came on their faces and I unusually found Saw patting me on my left (undamaged) shoulder. "That's a beautiful thing." He congratulated. Indeed, I actually witnessed some pride in Saw's eyes; like I was finally welcomed into his level of understanding.

"We need to keep the battle to the outskirts of the city." Steela hinted and I knew where she was coming from... The battle had to be as peaceful as it can be in accordance to outward society.

"Less structures and people." I concurred.

However, Saw didn't fully agree to the lack of strategy in our plan. "But less clankers. Their main force is in Iziz. We should join the fight down there" He pointed to the hazy silhouette of Iziz, off in the distance, "and take it straight to King Rash."

I, too, wanted to keep the fight strategical, but not reckless... Well, less reckless as I can make it.

"We all want victory," Steela, once again, denounced her brother's mindset, "but not at the cost of innocent lives... If we fight door to door, no one is safe."

Saw was already piddled to a boiling point. "This is war, Steela!" He argued... I could tell that he was planning on having the battle to be in Iziz for a long time and wasn't at all hindered by this humanitarian way of warfare.

"She's right." Dendup reminded Saw. I turned around to see that he was showing great interest with Steela's plan-of-action

"I agree." Ahsoka stepped forward with her arms crossed. "The more you draw the droids from the City to the Highlands, the safer the people will be."

I turned to Saw to see what his reaction was, but he managed to edge away for a short while... So I decided to look back to Dendup and Ahsoka.

"My men await your command, My Lord." Tandin was avoiding making eye-contact with me as he bowed his head in royal respect to Dendup.

However, in his mind, Dendup has already made a decision that may sound rash but fitting at the same time. "I believe there's a new contender..." At first, I didn't know what he meant, but when he turned again to Steela, it dawned on me... Dendup was choosing to lead the battle! "You." There's was no hint of sarcasm in his voice. No, he was absolutely unfeigned. "You will lead our forces, including the Royal Army. Steela is now the commanding general." Tandin was shocked by the outcome, but quickly found a way to hide it. For me and Saw, we were confident that Steela had the tenacity for victory. I knew she came a long way from the faithless second-in-command the Rebel Alliance started out as.

"A great choice." Ahsoka commented...

"As you wish, My Lord." Tandin accepted.

Dendup was giving a moment for the sudden choice to sink in, before pressing on with him giving the reigns for the new General. "You and your rebels renewed my faith in myself. Now, I'm putting my faith in you." He stepped forward and patted her shoulder.

"Thank you..., Y-your Majesty." She stuttered. Out of everyone, Steela was having the most difficult time in letting her promotion sink in, but quickly came to accept the situation, as well as whatever little time that existed. "Let's ride." Everyone was now hopping on Dalgos or Rupings, manning gun turrets stationed on giant Fambaa's, all in preparation for the war coming to us.

I gave a shrill whistle for my Ruping to fly down and pick us up with the rest. Ahsoka didn't need much help climbing aboard anymore and that caused me to smile. I missed hoisting her up, but it seems now that she has finally grown used to the mounts that I have ridden since the age of five.

After a quick pet, I clambored aboard; but not before I heard Steela shout, "Lux, Saw! We're going to regroup closer to the city, at the outskirts of the Highlands! Our army is forming there!"

"As well as volunteers!" Saw acknowledged, getting ready to launch into the air. "Half the city is joining our army to fight the droids...!"

"Yes, yes!" Steela puffed, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders, "We have finally earned the people's trust!"

In many ways, I wanted to support Steela or give a root on forward, but I was still split... It dawned on me, after a long time of idling around, that my mind was torn into many pieces. I wanted to show more and more that I love her, yet I couldn't..., because now I really have a job to do. I had to ignore all romantic incenses until the war is over, and then find the life I want with her...

However, she's hard to ignore. I have never known someone to be so special until she came into my life. I love the places I've called home. All of them... And yet, every waxing moment I think of that home being good and pure, the more it is fragranced with the gnawing truth that I'm fighting in a war..., which may not be what I'm cut out for... Ahsoka's the real warrior, not me.

I was getting hesitant to move on for I felt Ahsoka's arms wrap around my chest, waiting a minute to follow all the dreamers into the sunset... But eventually, it was a battle I couldn't win. I had to fly right up with everyone else.

Third Person's POV

Smoke rised from every corner of Iziz, with tanks falling in disrepair, droid patrols forced to retreat in all directions, and the Eastern Gate laid wide open since citizens began to attack the droids stationed there, with the help of the rebel spies. Many men and women found whatever fighting materials they can lay their hands on and ran out to build the Onderonian Army of rebels, militiamen, and beast riders.

The War was imminent.

Durge was waiting in the shadows, witnessing the destruction coming down below. But he wasn't alone. Rash was irked by his sudden loss of control, all because of the meddlers that took Dendup whom was now an icon for their rebellion.

"General Durge," Kalani stepped up to the motionless Gen'Dai. "the gunships are now fully developed and have arrived from the Agamar factories... I suggest we test their effectiveness on the unknowing terrorists."

Rash has rotated his throne to face the balcony, stood up, and started to walk into the sunlight. "I know my droids would be at a disadvantage if the enemy have the Beast Riders."

"That is why an aerial arsenal is..., vital." Kalani calculated.

He nodded with a sneer. "Then this battle will soon be won... But first we must have all the droids attack any perpetrators within this city or else-"

"Now's the time to attack whatever army is forming not too far away, regardless of the resistance here inside Iziz. Our enemy is cowering through the rustles of the forests." Durge broke in. "And they are at an advantage..., for now." Durge stamped as close as he could to the balcony, but in no way did he wish to step out there... Not now.

At first, Rash was confused of why Durge suddenly broke out speaking, but then chose to forget about it as he put his weight on the rails of the balcony, looking out like a weary hawk from above. "We are losing the public." He grunted, understanding that either defeat or victory was going to happen soon. "If they turn against us," He made an extremely evident shudder, "I fear the outcome."

"Fear, YES, yes... Fear will bring them back."

For Rash, he had but one motive in mind. "We must eliminate Dendup, General Tandin, and the terrorists..., before the people commit to their efforts."

Durge nearly scoffed. "General Tandin..., is weak. His army will not withstand the power of the Confederacy. Neither will the terrorists... I expect an immense turn-of-events down in the jungles. I have sent the commando scouts from south of the city to the east... Curiously, I thought saw smoke on the horizon out there, two nights past... I thought someone was foolish enough to disobey regulations, so I sent the scouts towards that direction."

Rash got irked very easily from anyone keeping information from him, but now that his reign is being questioned by most of the people of Onderon, he was furious. "Why didn't you fly there and stop them?" Rash hissed, trying hard to control his anger to the walking tank.

"I assure you, the time wasn't ripe for me... You, as any dictator should know, that there is more to controlling the will of this planet..., than by controlling just the will of the people; whether they are an actual citizen or fraud." But as much as Durge wished to continue speaking, he saw a commando droid marching up to give the reconnaissance report he had just mentioned. "And speak of the devil, our lookouts have found raw meat."

With a silent attention, Durge listened to what the droid had to say. "General, our scouts have located the main rebel forces in the mountains to the east. They don't have much of an army, just a hundred or so... But I overheard one of them say that thousands more will arrive in a few rotations."

Rash rounded back to his throne (Surely, he felt like it was something he's going to lose soon; so he held it like it was soon to be a lost prize). He scoffed at his own losing predicament. "With rioting in the city, how can we spare our troops to attack the rebels in the mountains?"

Durge shook his head, and intimidated Rash by stepping forward, shadowing his throne with ever-longing. "Do not underestimate our means... If the rebel army falls, the citizens will lose their courage..., and order will be restored."

Rash gulped, looking up to see if he could see any farther within his brazened, crimson eye, but saw nothing more than blinding. "But I saw our infantry. We have but droids who can only go on foot. As you said, they are at a disadvantage against a militia army with unorthodox fighting techniques. I need you or at least something else to stop them before they take over my planet."

After a fixated stare, the massive warlord gave a guttural laugh. At first, no one would tell it as a laugh, with it being far too robotic, but that was just the way Durge was. "You will have both, my friend..." Rash wanted to see what was under his mask, see if any deceit was taking place after a long time of doing nothing. "You want to see the power I possess, no need for any more begging. I am an army inside myself. I've brought millions of star systems to their knees from only the fear of me... I will watch this world boil, burn, then fall into a crisp for there need not be a better leader to sustain order other than me..." But then Durge took a few steps back after his boast. "But I digress."

Kidd Kareen glided into the room, now mastering the flying techniques with his gloved device. "The rebels are gone." He announced. "I checked every building in the city, but they don't exist here anymore... I also know that Ahsoka is with-"

"And I presume you expect me to spare her?" Durge interrupted him.

With a bit of tears in his eyes, Kidd nodded. "Yes, General. Just not now, I want to see her, um, her pain only when she's in my presence."

Durge barely made any acknowledgement nor did he point out his hesitancy. All he did was give an abrupt nod. "Very well, child... Perhaps you can learn pain by seeing it in her eyes... I relish that."

At last, Durge couldn't take it anymore and broke out into the balcony in preparation for one final thing before he sends the droid army. "And about extra aide, or aerial aide to be more fitting..., I will show you a very new form of warfare... Today, we are revolutionizing not just a class of aerial barrage, but a method of fear that can truly control the people of this world, and soon, for thousands more..."

Durge paused for a second and began pacing around the balcony with a mocking sense of conformity. "Imagine..., close your eyes and imagine a kind of drone, with not just sneaky spy network or a mere blaster, but as a full-on aircraft tank... I kind of drone that is operated like a droid, but is designed to intimidate more than it needs to act. It is specially capable of resisting whatever firepower the rebels have... And it withe fear it can conjure will be far too overwhelming that...- that the only life anyone will wish to live is the afterlife."

And soon enough, four drones hovered into view of the balcony by their repulsorlift technology. All of them had easy maneuverability through their round shape, with a nose fitted with targeting scary crimson-red photoreceptors (a lot like Durge's one glowing eye through his armored helmet), a giant laser turret in the middle, as well as two medium ball-jointed laser cannons on each side of the nose. The modular underside allowed the drone to carry electromagnetic pulse missiles. Seven missile launchers were located on either side of the gunship's main body, below the large aft-mounted disc housing the reactor core and hovering system.

Durge continued to speak on behalf of the buzzing gunships. "These are HMP Predators, a droid that can recycle it's energy so that it's in no need of recharge..., and is already monitoring every city in Onderon; patrolling from above to infest the consciences with fear... And as for it's assassination runs..., well, I can only say that they come out of nowhere... When you see them coming at you..., it would already be too late." He hopped onto the nearest gunship, magnetized his feet, and got into a fighting squat before giving orders to the four ships. "Your target lies in the mountains to the east. The army will follow... Leave no survivors. Go!"

"By your command." The drone warbled as the four of them spun around and flew across Yolahn Square, between the street to the Eastern Entrance, then over the surrounding walls to the city as Armored Assault Tanks, Multi-Troop Transports, and thousands of B1 and B2 battle droids marched to meet their target.

The War has begun.

Meanwhile, on the flying mounts of the Rupings, the company of rebel leaders continued to fly into the west. They were all resting with the wind whipping through their hair and their blasters firmly in their hands. They all knew what was coming, but that didn't stop them from gazing to the distance, at the glowing Iziz shrouded with smoke. Nonetheless, it was still just a dot far away.

Steela remembered - all of them remembered - a time when Onderon flourished without a care in the galaxy, before being pulled into the intergalactic war... In some ways, rebelling against the Separatist control was like seeking revenge over a stolen treasure. They didn't care of any oily profit beneath the ground when so much happiness had been cherished above it... Yes, it was a revenge... But one that was not provoked by them... Greed was motive always found in every man, woman, and child.

"It's just how they fight greed, that life can find a start..." Steela finished the thought in her head, looking down on the tropical paradise. The trees bursting in colors and smells, the heat annoying at first, but always welcomed... Even the sounds of the creatures below may sound threatening, but for Steela, it was all a melody of life...

It makes sense because life is threatening all the time.

"When will we learn? If only we are able to show any care..." Steela continued to mutter to herself, low enough that nobody flying nearby could hear her. "If only all the people could chose to accept one another, but that doesn't happen anymore... Even the best of people find a difficult effort to accept... We may believe we accept everyone in this beautiful galaxy, but isn't that why wars start... Politics in every system cannot accept the opposing beliefs. Even in a monarchy, the will to do what is right almost always turn into greed... It's only by communicating with acts of benevolence and integrity - something that always find a way to wear thin - that defines good from evil... That is what is natural... In itself, carelessness of oneself is carefulness of all life... Nature can give such a reward..."

"I know children, adults who wish to be children, elders who wish to start over as children...; they have suffered the most and hardly ever get anything out of this greed-based society... When will we learn that motivation to be good doesn't last for just a day. Inspiration is something that should last a lifetime..."

"It cannot be done if we are afraid of life today, fear of sleeping at night due to everything we have failed to do, until exhaustion takes over the mind...

I wonder if anything can change from the polar point-of-views, the illusion that only 'I can be right', or the weight of a few people crushing many others... I dream a coexistence with society and nature, with a natural view in society and a social circumference in nature... We have everything but don't know anything"

Steela took in sanguine gust of wind, then sighed...

"Even I don't know if that'll happen or if that is the right course to take...- or if it will ever happen. But I hold it true to me, even if it would mean I'll stand for we've alone... I don't care what others think before I get there or how many more tears I see shed, I will see this galaxy get there..."

"And then..., maybe then..., we will learn..."

To Be Continued

ItsATrap101

This is the end for the first half of my story, so everyone, please REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW cause I'm a little too teary-eyed to say much to cap this off...

Well, I'll just end this off by copy-and-pasting John Lennon's beautiful song, Imagine:

Imagine there is no heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today

Who-Hoo-Hoo-Hoo

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion, too

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace

Who-Hoo-Hoo-Hoo

You, you may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you will join us

And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world

Who-Hoo-Hoo-Hoo

You, you may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you will join us

And the world will live as one