"Sir, we're receiving a transmission from General Grievous." Cody stepped into the makeshift meeting room. "Patch him through." Reetha was bitter about the recent turn of events but she tried to tone it down, for Obi-wan's sake. 

The sickly eyes of the Kaleesh appeared in the blue holo. Cody silently growled under his helmet. "What did you do to Master Kenobi?" Reetha's face hardened with growing anger. "Your master is alive, for now. He will be released to your good hands if you and your forces leave this planet." Reetha scoffed "This planet is neutral ground. We're not here to take occupy this system but to deliver supplies to the locals." General Grievous cackled from the other end of the transmission tauntingly "I am afraid you are in no position to arrange the terms of the deal." The room was deadly silent when Grievous revealed Obi-wan suspended in an electro field. 

"What have you done to the General?" Cody's voice was low and tense. "Your general is alive, for now. If you agree to the terms of the deal I will spare his life. Make the right choices little padawan. Your master's life depends on it. I will even spare the life of these villagers." He chortled. 

Anger rose in Reetha and seemed to seep of her. Cody noticed the underlying growl beneath her voice. "I won't allow that. Release my master and leave this planet." Her anger fueled the amusement of the droid general, "Foolish child." Electricity crackles through the comms. Obi-wan shouted in agony as electricity flowed through his veins. "STOP IT!" Reetha shouted. Obi-wan's pained screams flooded her senses. "Stop it stop it!" Thankfully the torture ceased. Reetha could hear the faint painful breaths of Obi-wan. "I will give you a day to decide padawan. Or your master will die." 

The transmission ended without any notice. Reetha began to breathe heavily, anger rising in her veins. She felt the force darkening within her, bringing her wolf-ish traits forward. Her eyes shifted to a dangerous golden colour as she pounded her fists on the table. Cody visibly flinched at her outburst. He noticed her claws slowly protruding out of her fingers, oozing blood as they tore through her skin. The commander gently reached for her hands. "Sir.." Reetha's claws scratched the table's surface. "Reetha, please." Taking a deep breath, Reetha willed herself to calm down, the pain from her claws finally registering in her mind.

"Sorry." She sighed defeatedly. "I'm just, worried. I could have helped Obi-wan. We wouldn't be in this mess." Cody lifted the helmet off his head, revealing his eyes to her. He took her by the shoulders and spoke calmly. "You did your part Reetha. You helped save this village and its people." Her golden wolf eyes flicked to meet Cody's warm brown ones. She quickly blinked the rising tears and Cody watched as the golden iris slowly changed to her usual black ones. The commander in orange smiled and patted her head comfortingly. "Let's get the general back." 

---

Jex, Scowl, Waxer, Boil and Cody stood behind Reetha, all facing the Jedi Council. After some planning, they decided to run straight to the Jedi for help, skipping the Senate because it was clear from past events that the Republic would not send help to a neutral planet or meddle with affairs that didn't have their backing in the first place. That was the sad reality of the Republic. 

The clones watched as Reetha explained their current predicament to the Council. "Hmm, greatly disturbing this is." It was clear that the Jedi Grandmaster wasn't too pleased with the situation. "I request a small force to distract General Grievous' forces, allowing me and a small force of my troops to infiltrate the ship and rescue Master Kenobi." 

The council members seemed to take the request into a quiet but nerve-racking discussion. "I'm sorry Padawan Khan, but as members of the Republic, this situation must be brought to the senate's attention." Disbelief made the padawan gawk at the council members. "With all due respect masters, the Republic will not allow any intervention when a neutral system is involved. That's why I brought the attention directly to the Jedi." 

Mace Windu seemed to have anticipated the padawan's idea, "Then it is clear that you are well aware that the Jedi cannot act on our own behalf." Reetha began to regret calling the Jedi in the first place. "I am afraid we cannot send you back up, Padawan Khan. We must not act out of haste. The Senate should be informed of this turn of events. Any decisions should be approved by the Chancellor." 

"Master Mundi, we only have a day to save Obi-wan. General Grievous will no adhere to his promises, we already know that." Reetha's voice rose a notch. Even if she noticed it, her respect for the council was slowly dwindling. " I'm sorry, but the council's decision is final. You are not to perform any acts against the Separatist forces. Leave the planet immediately, then we will discuss the rescue mission for Master Kenobi." The council was on her last nerve "You can't do this! If we leave Master Kenobi could get hurt and the villagers would die." She hissed. 

"Lower your tone, Padawan Khan." Mace glared. Reetha's eyes gleamed dangerously, the clones shuffled nervously behind the angered shifter. "You're willing to leave Master Kenobi's fate to a deceitful droid just because you're so keen to please the Chancellor." That remark made the boys hiss uncomfortably under their helmets. 

"She definitely hit a sore spot." Waxer whispered to the boys, who nodded in agreement.

Master Yoda shook his head, "Unwilling we are, padawan. Respect the law we must. Involve ourselves in a fight over a neutral planet, Republic break laws we will." Reetha stared into the middle of the screen, not daring to meet the scrutinizing gaze of the council members. "The decision is final, we cannot send you back up. Leave the planet at once." Mace Windu's stern voice filled the room. Reetha buried the animalistic growl that rose in her throat. "Yes, Master." She begrudgingly obeyed. She rose her head to make a final scan through the council, hoping that someone, anyone would stand up and back her decision. Her eyes landed on Master Plo, sad orbs losing their hope. The holo call flickered off. 

The tension was still in the room. The boys weren't pleased with the council's decision either but neither showed it. "So, what now?" Boil asked, "We're not leaving the general behind right?" Reetha tried to avoid his anxious eyes. "We can't act on our own. If we do, it'll be treason." Cody sighed tiredly. 

Luckily, Reetha was in deep thought and a brilliant idea came to her mind. She just hoped the boys wouldn't mind, "Actually, we may still have a way to save Master Kenobi and save the villagers." Jex and Scowl exchanged some worried glances, "I don't think we're going to like where this is going." Jex looked a little frightened to find out the answer. Reetha giggled, childishly scratching the back of her head. "Well... we just don't get caught." Cody massaged the bridge of his nose, "It can't be sheer coincidence that both of the General's padawans are reckless and careless." 

"I know it sounds a little bad, but I'm not going to drag any of you into it. I'm not willing to risk any of you over my recklessness." Reetha told her boys truthfully. Cody rolled his eyes, "But we're going to help you anyway so don't get cocky cause we care too much for you." The commander could have sworn Reetha's eyes glowed in admiration after his bold confession so he made it a point not to look directly into the padawan's puppy-like stare otherwise he's melt even more for his vod. "What about you guys?" Cody asked the rest of the rebellious team. 

The four boys shared well-known grins. "Beats sitting around." 

Mid-noon just reached its peak. "Cody, Waxer, Boil. May the force be with you." Reetha saluted her brothers. Jex and Scowl waited in the fighter. It was a cramped fit but the Reetha and the boys managed to squeeze into the fighter and the mission was a go. Cody watched the ship take off. "I work with children." He mulled over the plan. "Sir, General Skywalker is hailing us." 

"Commander Cody, has Reetha left the planet yet?" 

Cody nodded, "Already on route to Greivous' ship sir." 

---

"Alright, we just exited hyperspace. I'll keep the Twilight's comm channel secure between us." Anakin cheerfully informed. "Affirmative General. No one else knows about the mission other than those involved. I'll inform Reetha that you're here." The transmission ended. "I'm so glad I found another padawan who is as reckless as I and you are." 

Ahsoka agreed, "The more the merrier." Rex grumbled from his co-pilot seat, "I still cannot believe you dragged me into this." Anakin lightly punched Rex's shoulder, "You're just as reckless as us." The captain sadly agreed with this idea, "Unfortunately. It's a blessing and a curse." 

"Don't act like your not excited for this Rex ol'boy." 

"Don't call me that, Five Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty-five." Rex glared at his brother and Fives raised his hands in mock surrender. "Why did we even bring this di'kut along?" 

"Because he's too stubborn like the rest of you, and I had to tag along as the only sane person on board, aside from Soka." Echo stated blankly, leaning on Ahsoka's chair. The proximity alarm went off. "I'm reading several approaching Seppy fighters," Ahsoka informed the crew. "The distraction works."

---

Three curious heads peeked out of the fighters window. Further ahead, the Twilight came into view. The droids launched their fighters almost immediately. "The cloaking device you built into the fighter's holding up pretty well." Scowl was impressed. 

Reetha smirked. "Gotta thank Master Skywalker for that. He's a ship handyman. Also, you're welcome." Scowl resisted the urge to roll his eyes, "Don't get cocky ner ad'." 

The fighter magnetized to one of the droid ship's exterior entry points. Jex surveyed the hall. "Hall's empty, let's move." The three quietly crept through the halls, being careful to avoid surveillance and the droid that were already on high alert. 

"We need a droid head to locate Master Kenobi." Reetha pulled Jex and Scowl to duck from several passing droids. Jex narrowed his eyes to one particular droid. "Hey, wait for me!" Said the droid. Lips quirked upwards, Jex lunged forwards and quickly pulled the droid into a tight grip, quickly snapping its neck. Scowl was quick to access the droids memory banks. "Found it. The general's being held in holding cell 619, level 2." 

The trio continued creeping through the halls. Unfortunately, the Force loved to play around with its people at the wrong time. Reetha came face to face with a squad of commando droids. "Intruder's in the ship! Alert the General."  

"Kriff! Hope everyone else is having a better time than we are!" 

---

Meanwhile..."Uhm, sorry sirs. General Skywalker is on a.. an undercover mission.." 

"Undercover?" 

"Yes, generals. He and Commander Tano have taken the Twilight to... uhm. Be undercovered?" Jesse tensed under the Councils glare. 

Master Yoda narrowed his eyes, "Sense nervousness in you I do, trooper? Problem there is, hmm?" 

"N-No, sir. No problem, did I say there was a problem, there is no problem. There never was a problem there is no problem." Jesse cringed at his rambling and hoped the wise Jedi wouldn't sense anything amiss. "Just, tired from battle sir." He straightened out.

Master Yoda and the council eyed the trooper. "To your captain, may we speak?" Panic went through Jesse's eyes. He glanced to Kix, Hardcase, Tup and Dogma who huddled behind the holo call. He squinted his eyes weirdly as they pointed to cardboard  and mouthed 'Read this!'

"Trooper?" Jesse quickly recovered from his confusion, "Y-Yes sir uh, the Captain has joined Skywal-, I mean the uhm..general on the mission, sirs." He panicly grinned. "Hmm, this is highly uncalled for. Why?"

Jesse fiddled with his fingers behind his back." To stop the general and commander from doing something reckless." 

"Right. Who else joined them on this, undercover mission." 

"Arc troopers Fives and Echo sir." 

Mace leaned frontwards on his chair. "And they joined because?" 

Jesse flicked his eyes to his brothers, sighed "Echo joined to stop the captain from stopping the general and commander from doing something reckless." Mace raised an eyebrow. 

"..and Five's joined to stop Echo from stopping the captain from stopping the general and commander from doing something reckless." Jesse forced a smile on his face as he read the words of the cardboard.

Mace and the other Jedi Council members exchanged a quiet thought. "So they are not proving any sort of back up to Padawan Khan?" 

"Padawan Khan needs backup?" 

Mace held some silence before wearing a thin smile on his face. "No backup needed trooper. Thank you for your time." The holo call flickered of and Jesse's face went all red. 

"WHAT KIND OF DI'KUT ANSWER IS THAT!" He screamed at his brothers, all red in the face.

"We were under stress okay!" 

---

MeAnWhiLe, Cody was watching over the villagers. "Uhm, sir. The Jedi Council is contacting us. They want to speak with ner vod'ika." Waxer panted tiredly after having a mild panic run through the evacuation site to search for Cody. "Great! Just great. What are we going to tell them? That Reetha crammed her legs, fell down and concussed her head, now she's unconscious?!" Boil screamed out in tension. 

Cody gripped his chin thoughtfully. "Actually, that's not a bad idea." 

"So you're telling me that the padawan was chasing after a retaliating domestic bovine creature, cramped her legs and fell down and concussed her head." Mace glared at the commander. 

"Yes sir that is what happened." Boil backed him up. Waxer was quick to join, "Had she not, the bovine would have trampled on the poor shepherd boy." 

Mace was not buying it and almost demanded for Cody to prove Reetha's medical condition but thankfully Master Plo saved him. "The commander is telling the truth, Master Windu. Trooper Jex from the 212th informed me personally." 

Thankfully, he seemed to take the words of his fellow Jedi. "Thank you, commander, troopers. You're dismissed." 

The boys stood frozen "Let's never do that, again" 

---

MEANWHILE, the council members watched as Master Plo exited the room. "If you would excuse me, I need to have a meeting with the Wolffe Pack." Leaving all the other Master's to ponder over the many weird events of the day. 

"Weird the force is." Master Yoda shook his head.

"Wolffe, get the 104th ready and contact Commander Cody. We are going to provide some much-needed backup." 

---

Commando droids began to fire back on Jex, Scowl and Reetha. "Scowl, droideka's behind you." Reetha took the frontal assault, leaving the boys to defend the flank. 

Grievous watched from the surveillance. "We have been distracted. Kill that flying pest" He gestured to the single Twilight that had not been shot out of the sky yet. "Out of the way. I will deal with this Jedi slime, myself!" 

"We're getting boxed in here!" Jex shouted over the crossfire. "We need to cover! There's too many of them." 

Reetha noticed Super Battle Droids and B1's coming their way. "Get down!" She pushed her brother's to the side of the wall. Reetha swung her lightsaber in circles, creating a shield of sorts but neither three could keep this up much longer. "That's it!" She growled "Hold my laser sword," she told Scowl. Reetha's black iris' turned to gold, legs morphed into powerful canine hind legs, powerful paws outstretched and black obsidian claws grew out of nowhere as snowy white fur covered the entirety of the newly morphed loth wolf. The force flew freely within her veins as she now walked the fine line between the dark and the light side of the Force. 

Growling animalistically, Reetha pounced onto the commando droids. Jex and Scowl watched in both horror and amazement and the loth wolf's claws sank into the droids metal chassis. The droideka's turned their attention to the white wolf, but the clones would not let their sister be shot at. "Make 'em eat heat!" Jex shouted and aggressively fired at the droideka's. Scowl began to fire at the Super Battle Droids and B1 that we're approaching from the front. 

After crunching the last commando unit's head under her paws, Reetha leapt backwards and began to knock the droideka's into the walls. Her massive tail swiping from under them and turning them upside down. Jex finished of the toppled droideka's. Satisfied with her work, Reetha howled. Jex punched his fist in celebration. "If you're done a little help would be nice!" Scowl shouted over the fire. Golden eyes scanned the situation. The boys were almost out of ammo and more droid reinforcements were on their way. The wolf picked up Jex and Scowl by the collars and tossed them on her back. 

"I run you shoot!" She shouted over the force to the boys. Howling loudly and combined with battle cries from the boys, Reetha charged into the droids. Jex and Scowl shooting at anything and everything around them at the same time. 

---

The Twilight was spinning out of control. "I said fly straight not spin!" The captain complained for the tenth time. "Spinning is a good trick!" Anakin fought back. Another blaster bolt made the metal walls of the Twilight groan. "Anymore hits like that and we're going to scatter in space!" Echo shouted from the gunner's post. Anakin brought the ship to a shape turn, nearly making Fives tumble from his gunner's post, "I'm trying to shoot here. Can't either of you fly properly!" Rex tried to maintain the Twilight's stability but the speed at which she was flying was severely depleting their fuel, "Sheild's are down!" He screamed. Anakin took theTwilight down for a triple spin, using the ship's longer wing to slam into some enemy fighters. 

"Master, we have vulture droids incoming!" Ahsoka shouted. Rex brought the Twilight to a full stop, then reversed the thrusters and slammed into some of the vulture droids, taking down three with that move. "I have five vultures and ten fighters on my scope." Fives, Echo and Ahsoka tried to shoot as many but the Twilight's gunners were heating up. "General!" Rex warned. "I know I know." He began to flip some switches. "Diverting all power to the shields. We need to race to the planet's surface." 

"Cody, incoming. We're losing fuel and we need to make an emergency landing on the planet's surface. Send me your coordinates." Rex commed the 212th commander. "We have coordinates in the Twilight." Anakin and Rex began to expertly fly the hunk of junk past the droid barrage. Just as they were about to reach the planet's surface, one of their main thrusters were hit. "Hang on to your seats!" Rex shouted. 

The Twilight entered the atmosphere and Cody watched the remaining droid fighters enter, "Rex you have 15 on your tail". "Copy that Cody!" Anakin angled the ship's guns towards the sky. "All power on the guns! Take em down!" Ahsoka, Fives and Echo began to open fire the moment the Twilight made a 180. The troops on the ground watched at the droid fighters were picked of one by one till the last remained. "One more in the sky." Rex diverted all power to the cannon, temporary putting the ship in free fall. "Almost there,..." Ahsoka waited for the right moment, then fired her shot. The last vulture droid exploded mid-air, its parts exploding into beautiful fiery pieces. Fives hollered, Rex and Anakin quickly restored power to the entire ship. "You're coming in too hot!" Cody warned. "Clear the area!" He shouted to the ground troops. Smoke trailed behind the Twilight as it screamed towards land. "Engaging reverse thrusters... now!" Both pilots yanked hard on the lever and pulled the Twilight upwards just enough for the metal bird to hover just inches above the ground. With a final groan, the Twilight collapsed on its rickety landing gear.

The crew inside have dangling of their seats. "Never do that, again," Ahsoka grumbled.

---

 "Veer left!" Jex commanded as he led them through the halls. 

Reetha sped up on the feet, claws digging onto the metal floors giving her more traction. "Now right!" Pouncing heavily on the wall she pushed herself down the right hall. She collided headfirst into a group of B1's, their metal bodies creating sparks as they were dragged along the floor and their mechanical screams filled the air. Reetha expanded her senses through the force and picked up more droids coming from behind "Scowl, Droikeka's from the flank". The trooper began to fire down heavily on the droids. "One more right turn and we're at the holding cell." 

Reetha turned the last right, the holding cell was up ahead guarded by two Magna droids. Baring her teeth, she mercilessly chomped down on the first Magna's head and ripped it off its shoulders then back kicked the other into the wall, claws digging into its primary circuits. The boys shuffled of the back and Reetha de-transformed with enough Force to send the remaining droids hurdling away from them and smashing into the wall. Reetha collapsed from the tiredness that coursed through her veins. Scowl ran to hoist her up "You're alright?" Reetha winced but nodded silently. Jex managed to open the holding cell doors and the three ran in. 

"Hello there." Grievous coughed gravely. 

"General Grievous." 

---

Obi-wan's limp body hung in the suspended ray. His beige robes slightly singed from the electrocution. "Your even shorter than I expected." Reetha whipped out her lightsaber. Obi-wan groaned as he gained some consciousness, "Reetha?" 

"Don't worry Master. I'm here to get you out." She reached for her lightsaber.

Grievous laughed. "You think you can save your, master." The droid general pulled out his own sabre challengingly and hung in just inches from the Jedi master's neck. "I will kill him before you even try." 

The boys were quick to aim their blasters on the cyborg. "Tell your clones to stand down." Reetha calculated her plan, before hesitantly telling her boys to lower their weapons. "Put your sabre down too." She decided to play around for time. The Kaleesh robot squinted his rusty eyes, "Are you planning to surrender, Jedi slime?" Reetha needed some time to recover to execute the next part of the plan so she played along. "Yes. Yes, I am. Let the general go. I'll take his place and we will discuss the term of my surrender, and the chance for you to deliver me straight to your Count Dooku." 

Jex shuffled on his feet, "What do you think you're doing?" 

"Trust me." She whispered. Watching them with steely eyes, Grevious surprisingly released Obi-wan from the cell. Scowl hurried over and pulled the injured Jedi to their side. "What are you doing? He'll kill you Reetha." Obi-wan pleaded through this scratchy voice. 

"Count Dooku would be very pleased." The droid laughed. "But unfortunately, I cannot let them escape." He whipped out two lightsabers and pointed them at the three behind her. Reetha silently huffed and pulled out her own lightsaber. 'Still need a little more time' she informed quietly to the three through the Force.

Grievous pulled a striking position and brought his sabers down, Reetha parried his block and pushed his off. "Wait!" She shouted. "You don't want to do that." Grievous was not waiting to listen to the two were locked in a serious duel. Reetha kept parrying his advances but not actually fighting him. "I am disappointed. I thought Kenobi's padawan would be a fight." 

"I'm not here to impress you" She huffed and forced pushed the droid general on the holding cell wall, making him cough violently. "I am here to negotiate." Grievous' laughter roared in the room. "I don't negotiate with scum!" He lunged at the clones and Obi-wan. Reetha stretched out her hand and caught him by the Force. She activated her saber and pulled him towards it. The general used his extended hand to pull out two more sabers and rotated his wrist at full speed. Reetha threw herself to the side. Jex and Scowl began to fire with their last bit of ammo. 

'Almost there'

She pulled herself up to her feet and attacked the droid general amidst the blaster fire. Grievous kept spinning two sabers to protect his back and had the other two to force Reetha to the ground. Struggling with her balance, she force jumped and kicked Grievous' chin and knocked one sabre off his hand. Grievous' kicked her in the stomach and her saber fell. "Reetha!" The boys shouted frantically. She couldn't answer them, Grievous roared and kicked her to the wall and used his free hand to choke her and slam her into the wall again. 

The droids hand was slowly curling on her windpipe. "She will die if you keep on shooting!" 'Play along' they heard her voice. The boys cowered at his threat. Grievous laughed manically, "I will kill you by my own hands." 

Reetha winced and choked as he lifted her off the floor. "You..can't...D-Dooku will...K-kill you! Y-you...worthless...lapdog!" In the moment of Grievous' hurt ego, Reetha smirked and gripped on Grievous' neck. "Hello there!" She shouted and force pushed him off her, changing into her loth wolf form. Grievous fell backwards with the loth wolf's paws crushing into his chest cavity. The cyborg, feeling threatened reach for one of his lightsabers but Reetha caught his arm with her shard teeth and then flung his entire body off the ground. Grievous tried to run for the door but Reetha bit his torso and shook her head violently, teeth sinking deeper into the metal. Grievous shouted and tried to pry the wolf's mouth open. She caught his hands again and slammed him into the ground three times. The boys and Obi-wan, now conscious watched with wide eyes. Grievous groaned, his mechanical arms and legs sparking and jammed by the whole made by the wolf. 

Collecting the boys and Jedi on her back, Reetha marched out the holding cell doors and came face to face with a horde of droids. They trained their guns and were prepared to fire, but using Grievous as a live shield worked wonders. "Don't shoot! Hold fire!"  He ordered them. The droids were hesitant but Reetha growled and her teeth sank deeper into Grievous. "DON'T FIRE!" 

The droids relented. Reetha guarded them until they reached their fighter, Jex and Scowl training their blasters on all the droids that dared to flinch a circuit board. They guided Obi-wan in first. Swinging her head, she sent Grievous crashing into the droids and de-transformed. "Shoot them! Kill them all!" The Kaleesh cyborg roared and the garage began. "Quickly go!" Reetha clamoured into the fighter. "This is your special plan of escape?" Obi-wan asked as the fighter disengaged from the Separatist ship. "It's a tight squeeze master but it works right?" Obi-wan shook his head but a tired smile found its way to his face. 

"The Twilight's been grounded!" Jex read the latest transmission to the fighter. "That was our only distraction. We're gonna get out without being blasted off the sky?" Scowl demanded. Obi-wan shrugged his shoulders and jokingly said "This is going splendidly." The fighter careened towards the planet's surface. The monitor and proximity alarm went off. "Jex, We have enemy fighters incoming," Reetha shouted. "We also have another ship coming out of hyperspace right in front of us." He bit back.

The Separatist ship began to open fire on the tiny fighter. "Fighter 2709, swing hard right!" A familiar red coloured Venator-classed Jedi cruiser exited hyperspace directly in the fighter's part. Jex yanked hard on the controls and sharply turned the fighter. "That's the Triumphant. What's Master Plo doing here?" Obi-wan turned to look at Reetha who was equally staring in awe at the interesting turnabout. "Don't look at me. For once, I have nothing to do with it." 

The Triumphant fire squadron launched an immediate attack on the Separatist ship and they didn't stand a chance. "Exit the system immediately!" Grievous commanded his fleet to flee. 

"Fighter 2709, make clear to land on the Triumphant." 

---

Four members of the 212th stared at the fighter that was falling apart the moment they landed. 

"How did we even survive?" Scowl stared at the smoking fighter. Obi-wan shrugged, "I would say the Force, but I'm open to every other suggestion." 

"Well, I'm glad you returned in one piece Obi-wan." Anakin walked down to the four and greeted them with an amused smile. "Almost thought you'd shatter there." "Yes, I'm glad to see you too." The latter winced after being clapped in the back. "Feeling better Master Kenobi?" The Jedi nodded, "Considering the whole trouble I've been through, definitely yes." 

Obi-wan looked around the area, the entire 104th was here with the 212th helping the villagers back to their homes. They also brought more supplies for the people. "I'm guessing this whole reckless idea was your plan, Anakin?" Obi winced as he held his sides. Anakin and Ahsoka exchanged confused looks. "What's with those faces?" 

"You mean you don't know?" Anakin gently touched his master's shoulder. "Don't know what?" 

"Master Kenobi, this was all Reetha's plan," Ahsoka explained gently. "She..she made the rescue plan? The council allowed it?" 

"The council did not back this plan, my friend." A deep voice rumbled from behind the three. "Plo. You're in this too. Reetha brought you here?" The Kel Dor pressed his fingers together. "It was a silent agreement between the young one and myself. I couldn't let a friend suffer either." Obi-wan seemed perplexed, speechless. "Where is Reetha?" 

The Kel Dor told him that she retreated to the lake. Obi-wan thanked them and set out to find the padawan. "What are you all looking at?" Obi-wan found Cody, Waxer, Boil, Jex and Scowl staring off at the lake. "Good to see you on your feet general. We're just watching our white wolf." At this distance, a lone loth wolf sitting at the lake waters edge, white fur glistening under the moonlight. "What is she doing? I sense nothing from her. Is she alright?" 

"Well, she did just commit treason against the Jedi Council in an attempt to rescue you, sir. She was ordered to leave the planet but refused to leave you behind with Grievous." Jex mentioned sadly. "Sir, is she going to be... kicked out of the Order?" Scowl asked quietly. It was the question that loomed in all their minds. "Poor kid has been hiding out here since you got back," Cody told him.

---

Reetha stared at her reflection in the lake's water. She found herself drowning in her own golden eyes. Fur bristled as the cold winds blew by. Her heart felt heavy. The council had been keeping her under strict supervision ever since the Ventress incident, now she's blown it all away with this small feat of rebellion. 

The wolf huffed as she lowered her body down to lay on the grass, her heavy head rested on the ground. Maybe when the council kicks her out she could go to Lothal and blend in with the native Loth wolves, if they still existed. Soft pattering on the ground made the wolf flick her ears. Obi-wan walked over and sat beside her. 

The loth canine laid in silence. Ears flicking occasionally to the sound of the crickets and bugs that hovered by the lake's edge. "I heard about today." Obi-wan started quietly. Reetha made no effort to talk, she was mentally tired and just not feeling good to face tomorrow. 'I went against the council'. She spoke through the Force. 'They told me to leave you but I couldn't. So I guess I played my own game.'

Obi-wan chuckled weakly, "Master Plo seemed to be a fan of your work. He came all the way here with your brothers to help you." 

The wolf's body shook a little, a laugh of sorts. Obi-wan watched the wolf turn her head to look at him. It mesmerized the Jedi Master to see that even in her wolf form, she could express so much emotion that a mere human could not. "You are worried about the council's reaction, aren't you." Reetha let out a whine, fur twitching on her face as if to say 'Can't do much about it.'

She finally tired herself out, and a small human form took its place beside the Master Jedi. "I went against direct orders, master. I don't think the council members will be happy to find out about it." Obi-wan felt sadness bloom in his chest and a slight betrayal that the council had not asked for his rescue. Looking at the curled up padawan beside him, he saw the reality of her life. A scared and lonely girl who was trying to find her place in the galaxy. Free from control and conflict. She didn't deserve to be treated like a weapon. 

Obi-wan might have been in the council, but he didn't necessarily agree with them. Like he didn't agree with any decision that would involve Reetha's removal from the council just because she did what was right. A Jedi is selfless, it's what they were thought to do. To do the right thing, to save those who needed saving. He recounted the numerous times he and Anakin disobeyed orders for the better of a situation, the numerous time Anakin and Ahsoka disobeyed orders for the better of the situation. The council wouldn't bat an eyelash, maybe just a hit on the wrist, a small warning and then let them go. Poor Reetha. 

"If Dante were still alive, he'd be proud of you." Reetha sniffled, "Why do you say that?" 

"Because your master always stood for what's right. Even if it was against the council's wishes. You remind me of him, my friend." Obi-wan chuckled. "In fact, you remind me of my Master, Qui-Gon." 

"I guess that's good," Reetha mumbled. "It's more than good Reetha. It is wonderful." Obi-wan offered her a smile and stood up before offering a hand. Reetha grasped it and Obi-wan pulled her up. "You are a wonderful padawan and an even greater Jedi. Dante will be so proud of you, young one."  Then Obi-wan did what Reetha least expected, he pulled her into a hug. It was warm and fatherly, something she longed for since Master Dante's passing. Tears pricked her eyes but she willed herself not to cry. Slowly she wrapped her hands around Obi-wan. "Thank you." She mumbled. "Thank you so much." 

---

The next morning, the 212th and 104th prepared to leave. Fives and Echo tackled her into a hug the moment they saw her. "Got your message vod'ika. We missed you loads." Echo ruffled her hair teasingly. "No hugs for me? I see where I stand." Rex faked pouted. "REX!" Reetha squealed and launched herself on the captain, hugging him tight and he hugged back. "Good to see you too ad'ika." She squeezed him a little longer before letting go to meet her Togruta friend. The girls hugged each other. "You're absolutely reckless ya know. Glad to see you're taking after us." Reetha grinned and punched Ahsoka's shoulder. 

The next to greet her was none other than the 104th and Master Plo with them. "Hey there Pup!" Wolffe howled. A traditional greeting would not suffice so she greeted them in her wolf form. Comet, Sinker, Boost and Wolffe welcomed the furry pup, patting her head and scratching under her ears and petting her nose. Reetha nuzzled into them, happy to be reunited with her pack. "I'm glad to see you well young Reetha." Upon hearing his voice, she de-transformed and hugged the Kel Dor. "I missed you. Thanks for the backup." She squeezed him, and he rested his head on hers. "I missed you too young one, and your more than welcome." 

Finally, the 212th boys, Anakin and Obi-wan joined the reunion. "Pupster!" Anakin raced ahead to his two padawans and tackled Reetha in a playful headlock. "Haven't seen you in a while. Hope you haven't been giving my poor master a hard time." 

Obi-wan chuckled dryly, "Yes, very funny. She was certainly less trouble than you." Anakin still smirked "Still, she was troubled right? Just less." Obi-wan rolled his eyes. 

"We should head back to Coruscant. The supplies have been delivered to the village." Plo advised. Reetha walked to stand by Master Kenobi's side waiting to leave with him. Obi-wan chuckled at her enthusiasm, she was definitely less trouble than Anakin or Ahsoka, but trouble no less. "As much as I enjoyed my with you, dear Reetha it's time you returned with your true master." He pointed to Anakin, who waited patiently for the girl. Wide eyes turned to Obi-wan, almost tearful. "Oh, I-I just thought, I mean it's a month, right? Won't the council disapprove?" 

Obi-wan smirked. "Don't worry about the council. After all, Master Plo and I can put in a word for you." A massive sweet grin shone on Reetha's face, "Thank you." Turning to the men in orange, she tackled them into a teary-eyed hug. "I'll miss you soo much." She turned to join Anakin but quickly ran back to Obi-wan. "Yes, my dear?" "Uhm a request, master. If you don't mind." She gestured for Cody to bring Jex and Scowl. She pulled them by their arms till they were at her side. "I recommend these two as Arc troopers, master. They did go against direct orders too. Their brave and loyal soldiers, my brothers." The two troopers were baffled, Scowl, much like Boil, almost cried. Obi-wan smiled then turned to Jex and Scowl. "Men, your officially Arc Troopers of the 212th. Courtesy of the Jedi council and by special request of your sister." The boys smiled ever so sweetly. "You truly are out vod'ika." Jex kneeled and pulled her into a hug. Scowl hugged her closely next, "Stay safe ad'. We love you." 

 She approached Anakin and Ahsoka, with Rex, Fives and Echo waiting by their side. "Ready to come back home?" Anakin asked hopefully. Reetha smiled, "Let's go home." The six boarded the Twilight, heading back to Coruscant. 

Three months, Reetha had been galivanting the galaxy with three different battalions, three months she'd been growing and learning about her Force ability. Three months away from the comforts of home and even longer to heal from the passing of a master, a friend, a parent. She finally found the people to fill the void in her heart and felt whole again. 

The Twilight's lever punched down and they launched into hyperspace. Reetha's real journey had just begun.