Jedi Master Even Piell had been captured by the Separatist. Upon hearing of the briefing for the mission both Grim and Ahsoka ran to catch up with their masters. "Masters, sorry we're late, we just heard about the briefing," Ahsoka said. "We're going to rescue Master Piell right?"

Anakin and Obi-Wan both stopped and looked at their padawans. Plo almost smiled under his mask. Grim noticed and let out a quiet frustrated sigh. She already knew she wouldn't be allowed. Grim went over to Obi-Wan and they spoke at the opposite end of the hall of Anakin and Ahsoka.

"Grim, you already know what this mission entails, it's too dangerous for a Padawan," Obi-Wan told her.

Grim crossed her arms and looked up at him. "Master, me knowing what the mission entails is exactly why you should let me go. My information could be helpful, especially considering you'll be going based off of outdated information," she argued.

"If you feel that it would be helpful you could just let us know now, or help from here, you don't have to put yourself at risk in this mission," Obi-Wan argued.

"At some point you and Skywalker are going to split up, how am I supposed to warn Anakin of anything when he doesn't know how I actually know things about the future? I doubt my 'visions' excuse would work for this, besides I think I've worn out that lie on him," she replied. "I'll be more useful if you let me go with you, I can take care of myself, Master, besides I'll be with you won't I?"

"You make a good point, Padawan, however I still have to disagree. This mission is exceptionally dangerous, I'm sure you're aware of that."

"More so than you," she remarked. "Which is why I should go."

"That proves the opposite actually, if it's more dangerous than even Anakin and I know then you shouldn't be going along."

"I think it proves why I should go, I know the dangers so I know how to avoid them. I can keep safe as well as keep others safe."

"It's a dangerous mission, especially considering you're still only a Padawan."

"Have more trust in me, Master. I can change things for this mission and make it where there are less casualties, please allow me to go on this mission."

"I do trust you, Grim, however you are to stay here at the Temple, if you feel as you need to warn us of something during the mission you can inform the Council and they can inform either Anakin or I, this also solves the issue of Anakin not knowing about how you know the future."

Grim sighed. "Very well, Master."

Obi-Wan walked away, Anakin following not far behind leaving the two padawans in the hall. Ahsoka turned to Grim, "Anakin won't let me go with them, what did Master Kenobi say?"

"The same thing, unfortunately," sighed Grim. "So what's the plan?"

"What do you mean?" Ahsoka asked her.

"We're totally going to ignore them, right? I mean they're just being protective of us, we can handle this mission."

Ahsoka smiled. "You know me too well."

"I know everyone too well," joked Grim.

Ahsoka rolled her eyes, with a barely suppressed smile she replied, "Don't ruin it."

Grim laughed. "What can I say, I have a knack for knowing too much."

Ahsoka chuckled and shook her head. "We should probably catch up with our masters, then."

"I suppose we should," said Grim.

The two padawans went after their Masters. Ahsoka went to speak with Master Plo Koon while Grim already was planning how she would sneak herself along.

Grim and Ahsoka waited until the time was right before sneaking in to get carbon-frozen. Although Grim hesitated a moment before going along with the plan, she wasn't entirely sure if she wanted to end up like Han had, but she reminded herself this wasn't the same situation and it was a different era altogether. Besides, how else was she going to save Echo and Master Peill?

This was a chance to save lives, and as she had promised the Jedi Council, if there was even the slightest chance she couldn't pass it up.

She looked at Ahsoka, Ahsoka looked at her and gave her a smile, Grim smiled back and she was sure.

When she was unfrozen Grim stretched her arms. Being carbon-frozen was something she definitely didn't enjoy, even if she wasn't aware of anything while she was in the state.

"Hey, Snips and Tiny," Anakin said, still half asleep from being frozen.

"Hey Master," Ahsoka replied, also still half asleep.

Even Grim almost forgot about it when she replied, "hey Skywalker."

Anakin stopped and stared at the padawans.

"I must have carbon sickness because I could swear that those are our padawans," said Obi-Wan.

"Your eyes are fine, it's our padawans hearing that needs help," Anakin replied.

"We received orders to join the team. We thought you knew," Ahsoka replied. Covering for both herself and Grim.

"Orders? From who?" Anakin asked.

"We discussed it with Master Plo," she told him.

"He didn't inform us," Obi-Wan said.

"Well, y'all were already in carbonite," said Grim. "Kind of hard to do that," she shrugged.

"Well you were already told not to come," Anakin argued.

"If there's one thing I've learned from you, Master, it's that following direct orders isn't always the best way to solve a problem," Ahsoka replied.

Obi-Wan smiled at Ahsoka's comment, but didn't say anything else to it. He couldn't really when his own Padawan had also ignored him. "Welcome aboard then, Padawans."

Grim and Ahsoka smiled. The two of them stayed close together, as they followed the team that had actually been assigned to go on the mission. Absent-mindedly Grim's hand found Ahsoka's and wrapped her fingers around hers. Ahsoka looked at Grim giving her a soft smile and returned the gesture, before returning her focus to the mission ahead.

Anakin put on a pair of binoculars and zoomed in, "I see the entry point," he informed everyone.

"You were right," Cody told Obi-Wan. "The wind conditions are too strong for jetpacks."

"Yes, we'll have to do it the old-fashioned way, with ascension cables and a steel grip," replied Kenobi.

"I don't think it's going to be that easy," Grim cut in. "Skywalker, can I-?" she gestured to his binoculars, she didn't know the correct word for it and didn't wish to embarrass herself in front of everyone else. Anakin nodded and handed them to her. "There are electro-mines, we won't be able to use a grappling hook at that height, and well, if we hit one of those it's game over, the Seps will know we're here." She handed them over to Obi-Wan so he could see for himself.

"I suppose that means we free-climb it," said Rex.

The team continued onwards. Reaching the rocky wall of the entry point. Grim looked up, pausing for a moment realizing just how high they would have to climb. Well, no turning back now. She thought as she began her climb.

It felt like hours as they climbed the rocky wall, the wind roaring against them. Grim was the furthest behind of everybody else, with Obi-Wan ahead of the team. Skywalker looked down, "you hanging in there kids?" He asked them.

"Couldn't be better," Ahsoka replied.

"Of course, take more than a wall and some wind to stop me," replied Grim.

Anakin smiled and the climb continued onwards.

"The entry point is only a few more meters," Obi-Wan informed everyone, at last.

He hurried up to the entry point to watch. As droids entered onto the platform he signaled for everyone to be quiet, with Anakin adding on to inform everyone to be still. Grim pressed herself uncomfortably close to the wall, to avoid being spotted by the droids. The droids left and Grim let out a breath of relief.

"They locked the door. It's ray-shielded," Obi-Wan called down.

"Ray-shielded?" Anakin echoed. "That wasn't the plan."

"Well it's in the plan now," Obi-Wan replied.

"There's an opening up there," Ahsoka noticed.

"We know the ventilation ducts, but they're far too small for us to gain access," Anakin replied.

"Too small for you perhaps," Grim replied.

"But I think either Grim or I could squeeze through," Ahsoka finished.

"Well we hadn't planned on our padawans being here," Obi-Wan said. "Perhaps they're right."

Anakin nodded. Ahsoka looked at Grim, "do you want to do the honors?"

"I wouldn't want to steal the show from you Ash, go ahead," she replied.

Ahsoka smiled and climbed up, sneaking through the vents and unlocking the door. Nearly everybody reached the platform when Charger took a misstep and fell into a mine. Grim had tried to grab him with the Force but it all happened so fast she wasn't able to react in time.

Alarms began to blare through the compound. "Well, they know we're here," said Obi-Wan.

"So much for stealth," said Grim.

The team entered the Citadel being as stealthy as they could to avoid any droid patrols that the alarms may have brought with them. "Clear," said Ahsoka as they turned another corner.

"Take out their surveillance," Anakin ordered his men. The clones shot out the cameras before suddenly blaster fire was coming from the ceiling and walls themselves. The clones began shooting at the devices the shots were fired from, Anakin deflected the blaster bolts back, while Grim, Ahsoka, and Obi-Wan sliced some of them up until the blaster fire ceased.

"The walls are electrified!" Longshot shouted. "Go! Go! Go!"

The team ran for cover in another hallway, Grim quickly turned around and used the Force grabbing Longshot and pulling him towards her and Obi-Wan. "Are you alright, Longshot?"

"Yes, thanks to you Commander," he replied.

She smiled at him. Then went back to her focus on the mission. "Come on, we have to continue."

At last they reached the cell where Master Piell was being held. The clones killed the droids that were interrogating him, and Anakin and Obi-Wan freed him.

"Master Piell, are you all right?" Obi-Wan asked him.

"Obi-Wan. What took you guys so long?" He asked.

"At least your sense of humor is still intact," said Anakin.

"It takes more than they go to break me, young Skywalker," Piell replied.

"So you have the coordinates to the Nexus route?" Anakin asked.

"I got them, all right. Half of them anyway. My captain's got the other half. I erased the computers when we were boarded and had both of us memorize part of the intel. That way, if somehow I cracked the information would be useless to them without the other half," Piell explained.

"That's a smart plan," said Grim. "So I assume Captain Tarkin is being held with the other officers?"

Anakin looked confused on how Grim already knew who Piell's captain was, although Piell just gave the Padawan a knowing look and a nod. "That would be my guess, Padawan Kennet."

"We're going to need a new plan for getting out," said Anakin.

The team continued on to rescue Tarkin, and although Grim really would have much rather just save Master Piell and be done, she had to put the Republic first. She comforted herself that when she succeeded in stopping the Empire Tarkin would be much less of a problem. She was brought out of her thoughts when commando droids cut them off from both sides of the hall.

Grim stood by Obi-Wan's side as they defended against the droids. As they began to get closer Grim ran at them and sliced a droid in half, and then stabbed it through the head through good measure.

"We need to keep moving," Obi-Wan told everyone.

With Obi-Wan in the lead everyone else followed. Suddenly there was a high pitch buzzing, Grim covered her ears at the hurtful noise. Blasters and lightsabers flew to the ceiling, followed by Anakin with his metal hand.

Grim chuckled slightly at the sight of him getting stuck to the ceiling, which was received by several sharp looks from her fellow Jedi. Electricity crackled and hit Anakin, shocking him. "Heh, foreshadowing," Grim mumbled under her breath. This was followed by another set of sharp looks from Master Kenobi and Master Piell as well as a glare from Ahsoka. She realized what she was saying and where she was and cringed a little at her own comment.

"You fools!" came a voice from the overhead system. "I hope you enjoyed your reunion with your fellow Jedi, because you're going to be my guests for a very long time."

The group were soon surrounded by those commando droids. The Jedi Masters and the Padawans used the Force to push them but they would only bend not budge. "They're magnetized," said Obi-Wan.

"Alright then, fuck it," said Grim, stopping her use of the Force.

"Grim, what-" Obi-Wan started.

Before he could finish she ran at a droid and kicked it in the face. The droid grabbed her by the foot and threw her at Obi-Wan, knocking the two of them down. "Oof, or not," she groaned. She got up and helped Obi-Wan. "Sorry Master."

Anakin fell down from the ceiling with their weapons, Grim quickly grabbed her lightsaber and ignited the purple blade as it shined to life, with Obi-Wan igniting his right beside her. The Master-Padawan duo then defeated the droids. And continued onwards.

They reached the cell where the men were being held and quickly defeated the droid guards inside. "General," said Tarkin.

"Captain Tarkin," Piell replied.

"Never thought I'd see you again. And you brought friends."

"Tarkin, this is Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker," Piell introduced.

"Now that you've found us, how do you expect to get us out?" Tarkin asked. "If they've locked this fortress down there's at least ten squads on their way. It's going to be impossible to escape."

"Nothing is impossible," replied Grim. "Merely difficult."

"What if we split up?" Obi-Wan suggested. "My team will create a diversion, while Anakin leads the others away. That way if one of us is captured, the enemy will only have part of the information and not all of it."

"How did I know you were going to say that?" sighed Grim.

"General Kenobi, I think it's better if we stick together. A stronger force would have a better chance at protecting the information," argued Tarkin.

"Not in this situation," replied Obi-Wan.

"But surely we'd have more strength in numbers, rather than divide us."

"If strength in numbers was the sole key to victory we would've lost this war ages ago," replied Grim. "Master Kenobi is right, this information is too dangerous in enemy hands to take such a risk."

"I agree with Obi-Wan and his Padawan," said Master Piell. "I shall go with them. You go with Skywalker."

The team split up. Grim stayed with her master as they ran through the halls of the compound. The 212th placed bombs by the walls to create a distraction that would keep the droids away from Anakin's team. As the droids chased after them, and they were a safe enough distance away Obi-Wan set the charges destroying several battle droids.

They continued to head to the docking bay. Grim sticking close to the Jedi Masters. Feeling safer around them. They crawled through the vents of the compound, being careful to not give away their position. "This passage will get us near the landing pad," said Obi-Wan.

"But we must be careful, if these doors start closing we may be chopped in half, we need to act quickly and carefully to get through this passage alive," added Grim, warning the others.

Neither Master questioned what she said, Grim having already informed Obi-Wan of seeing these events and Piell already piecing together that this mission was one she had seen in her universe.

"You heard Commander Kennet, we will have to move swiftly, but be cautious as to not alert the enemy of our location," Obi-Wan told the men.

The climb began. Grim stayed close to Obi-Wan as the team quickly climbed through the vents.

"A probe!" Cody shouted.

Master Piell began leaping from the walls to catch the droid, slicing it in half before it could escape.

"Did you get it?" Obi-Wan asked.

The doors began to close. "EVERYONE MOVE NOW!" cried out Grim recognizing what was happening.

She was midway up another section when the doors began closing and had to quickly drop down a section to avoid being chopped in half. Grim let out a sigh of relief. "Holy shit, I almost became Maul," she gasped quietly. Obi-Wan gave her a look, and she realized he heard.

Piell cut through the door and poked his head through. "We lost one," he informed them.

Grim frowned. She had hoped to save him by warning ahead of time. Guess it wasn't enough.

"Looks like we've got some cutting to do," Piell said, igniting his lightsaber.

"So it does," agreed Grim, igniting her own lightsaber.

Obi-Wan also ignited his lightsaber and the three Jedi began cutting through the doors as they climbed. Once they reached the level they needed to be on the team continued to crawl onwards until they finally reached the rear landing platform.

"The shuttle's there, but there's no sign of Artoo," said Cody.

"Something might have happened," said Obi-Wan. "We'll have to make our way around to the other side and get a different view. This could be a trap."

"I believe it is," replied Grim, with full knowledge that it was. "Would it be possible to out wait the Seps, so they don't try and ambush us when we reach our ship?"

"Unfortunately we're on a schedule, and we have no idea how long the Separatist will be willing to wait us out," Obi-Wan replied.

"So what, we're just going to 'spring the trap'?" asked Grim sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.

Obi-Wan smiled.

"No," she said. "No. Please no, Master, no, please no."

They around the other side, Obi-Wan knocking the vent cover all the way down far below into the lava. Slowly and carefully the team began lowering themselves to another level of the fortress. Obi-Wan helped everyone down onto the platform before jumping down himself.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan said to his comm.

Only Anakin was not the one who replied. "I must commend you on your escape tactics, but in the end it was easy to predict your every move."

They were surrounded. Obi-Wan just crossed his arms looking annoyed. "I FUCKING TOLD YOU NOT TO SPRING THE GODDAMN TRAP!" shouted Grim. "NOW LOOK WHAT HAPPENED!"

"There's no point in being upset about that now," Obi-Wan told her.

Grim huffed angrily, crossing her arms.

Droids led them to the commander of the facility, as they walked in single file line hands behind their heads, Grim in between Obi-Wan and Piell.

"Welcome back," Sobeck greeted them as he walked over to his group of prisoners.

"I must say, you're not at all what I pictured for someone with such a soft voice," commented Obi-Wan.

"Master, can you not try to make him angry right now?" Grim asked. "I'd prefer it if we all made it out of this alive."

"Oh you'll be alive alright,little Jedi" Sobeck told her. "I still have a need for that information."

"Oh I know," she replied, looking up at him. "That's why I said all, you're definitely not the type above killing to prove a point."

He glared at her in response and turned his attention to Master Piell. "I want your half of the information, give it to me now, or as the child so kindly suggested, I'll start executing your men."

"I didn't suggest shit, you're the bitch who already had the idea, I only pointed it out before you said anything," commented Grim.

"Perhaps you'd like a closer look," he threatened. A droid shoved Grim forward, and the leader grabbed her, keeping her close to him as he took a blaster from a droid and aimed it at a clone. Before he could fire it however Grim kicked backwards hitting him in the crotch. He let out a strangled yelp and dropped the blaster. He fell to the ground.

Another droid pointed his blaster at her, and Grim realized what she did. "Oh fuck, run!" She ran out of the room and the others followed her, droids chasing after them.

"Try not to make him angry?" Obi-Wan commented, as he ran beside Grim.

"Yeah, yeah, shut up," she replied.

"You did not have to do that Grim," Master Piell told her. "It was very reckless."

"Can we save the lectures for when we're not in the goddamn Citadel?!"

The group kept running until they ran into three battle droids with blue paint on them and "Artoo!" cried Grim relieved.

The little blue and white droid whistled a greeting. Despite not knowing his exact words Grim still smiled. He beeped some more, and although Grim didn't know what he said at the same time she did, he was saying they had to get back to the shuttle. "I couldn't agree more, little buddy."

"I thought you didn't understand binary?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I don't," she replied. "I just know things, for example this time I know what he's saying and happen to agree."

Obi-Wan shook his head and smiled. The droids handed the team their weapons back and Obi-Wan broke everybody's handcuffs with his lightsaber. Grim rubbed her wrists, and the team made their way to the shuttle once again.

"What about General Skywalker, sir?" Cody asked Obi-Wan.

"Not to worry, he'll switch to plan B."

The reprogrammed battle droids led the group out onto the platform with their ship. No other droid stopped them as they were fooled by the disguise. It was only when they approached the ship that one of the B1s guarding it stopped them. "Hold it. Where are you going with these prisoners?"

"We're transferring them aboard the shuttle from Citadel to Point Tarron," replied the reprogrammed one.

"Point Tarron? There's no outpost there."

The three Jedi shared a look, all knowing their attempt at escape was about to catch on.

"Uhhh, it's new," the reprogrammed droid told the other. Artoo beeped, saying something to the droid. "We have orders. We're coming aboard."

The guards began to let them pass, but then one stopped Obi-Wan. "Wait..."

"The prisoners are escaping with reprogrammed battle droids," the first guard was informed. "Let no one on board that shuttle."

Obi-Wan smirked, and then cut the droid in half. A clone shot at the other guard. The guns on the tops of the walls of the platform began shooting at the escaped prisoners.

They quickly sought cover behind crates as they were shot at from above. More droids rushed to stop them from making their escape. Grim held onto her lightsaber tightly as she crouched next to Obi-Wan.

Anakin, Ahsoka, and the group from the 501st arrived with Tarkin and ran over to the others.

Anakin and Ahsoka running to Obi-Wan and Grim. "Sorry I'm late," said Anakin.

"How nice of you to join us," replied Obi-Wan.

Grim rolled her eyes at the two of them.

"The ship is surrounded," said Ahsoka.

"We need to launch a full forward assault and take that vessel," Tarkin said.

"We may have a bigger problem," said Obi-Wan. "Those turrets. If we don't take them out, they will use them to destroy the shuttle and prevent our escape."

"Which is precisely why we should get aboard that shuttle, and use the weapon systems to decimate those droids," argued Tarkin.

"Whatever we're gonna to do, we better do it fast," said Anakin as he and Ahsoka stood up. He pointed to a trio of droids who were flying towards them on hover scooter bikes.

The droids shot at the group and they dodged the attack, standing up again. The five Jedi ignited their lightsabers as they waited for them to come back. As the droids did, they deflected several shots back, and Master Piell cut a droid off its bike. Anakin knocked another one off and took the bike for himself.

Grim was reminded of what happened in the chaos of this escape, and even if she wasn't sure she could stop the ship from its destruction she could still save Echo. Using the hectic battle as cover Grim ran over to fight beside him and Fives.

"Mind if I help you two?" Grim asked them.

"Not at all, Commander," replied Echo.

Grim smiled and ignited her lightsaber as she blocked the incoming shots of the droids. Fives shot back at the droids while Echo threw bombs stopping their advance.

More droids joined the battle, commandos with shields. Echo threw a bomb at them, and one of the droids was knocked back. Instead of reaching for its shield and weapon it climbed to an unmanned turret.

"General Skywalker, a droid is manning one of those turrets. They're going to blow up the shuttle, sir," Echo informed Anakin. Skywalker flew from the turret but he and Master Piell were shot down by the droid. "This is our only chance. We've got to stop him," said Echo.

He ran forward, picking up a shield from one of the fallen droids. Grim and Fives followed him, as Fives shot down droids and Grim deflected shots back at them. She knew what was happening, and as she heard Fives shout, "Echo, look out!" and saw Echo in front of the ship she deactivated her lightsaber, clipped it to her belt and reached into the Force.

Grim grabbed hold of Echo through the Force and lifted him up before pulling him towards her and Fives. Just then the ship exploded as the blast from the turret hit it. As Echo was saved from the blast Grim let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, sir," Echo told her, letting out a sigh of relief himself.

"Not a problem, Echo."

"We have to go, now!" called Obi-Wan.

The team fled the platform, Grim staying close to the other four Jedi now. Obi-Wan contacted the Council.

"Master Kenobi, what has happened?" Plo Koon asked.

"I'm afraid we have a bit of a situation with the shuttle," Obi-Wan informed him.

"By 'situation' he means 'big explosion'," Anakin cut in. "We're going to need a rescue."

"It will be done. I'm sending our cruisers now," Plo replied.

After their failed escape the group of Jedi, Clones, and Tarkin, hid out in the tunnels of the caves of the rocky world. "We'll need to hold out until the Council sends a ship," Obi-Wan was saying.

"Not a problem. We beat them once, we'll beat them again," replied Piell.

"This landscape is almost impossible to cross. How are we going to get to the rendezvous point?" Fives asked.

"That is the trap of the Citadel. It was designed so it would be almost impossible for fugitives to get off the surface, even if they escaped the tower."

"Keyword there being almost, and the limits of impossibility keeps being tested," replied Grim.

"Yes, and how lucky are we that we're not just any fugitives," agreed Anakin.

"I hope you're right," said Master Piell.

And with that the group carried on.

The darkness of the tunnels was illuminated by the yellow lava that separated the rocks to careful paths they had to navigate. Grim stayed focused on the moment while also thinking ahead.

She had managed to save Longshot and Echo, along with another man from the 212th during the treacherous mission, but her own altered version wasn't complete yet. Master Piell was still in danger of facing the same fate that she knew could be. It was for this reason that despite having stayed close to her Master throughout the duration of the mission Grim stayed near Master Piell now.

The team stopped in a wider area so there was more space for everyone. "What's our next move?" asked Ahsoka.

"We're going to have to fight our way off this rock," Anakin replied.

"Contact the Council. See when they plan to rescue us," said Obi-Wan.

"I'll handle it," replied Piell.

He faced Artoo and the droid projected a hologram of Master Windu. "Master Piell, it's good to see you alive, my friend."

"Likewise, Master Windu. Our escape route has been compromised, and there are several squads of droids closing in on us."

"When can we expect your arrival?" asked Anakin.

"Master Plo is already en route," replied Windu.

"Gunships will arrive to evacuate you and your men, but do not delay," Yoda informed them. "Only a small window of opportunity shall we have." The hologram switched to a map as Yoda continued to speak. "Your rendezvous point will be this island." The hologram zoomed in and red arrows pointed to the location that Yoda mentioned.

"Understood," replied Piell.

"May the Force be with you," said Windu as the call concluded.

Suddenly blaster fire filled the air as droids reached their location. Cody shot a few of them and warned the others, "incoming!"

The five Jedi ignited their lightsabers, but they did not need to fight as Fives threw a bomb at the droids stopping them. The Jedi deactivated their weapons. "No doubt there's more on the way," Obi-Wan told them. With that the group continued to the rendezvous where they could escape from the Citadel.

The team continued to a cliff where they were attacked by droids upon reaching the edge. A spider droid climbed some rocks to the left of them and the usual B1 units came from behind. Rex shot at the spider droid, and Piell ignited his lightsaber to battle the B1s. "They're boxing us in!" realized Ahsoka.

"Lock in your cables!" said Anakin as he and Obi-Wan shot grappling hooks into the floor. He looked to his droid, "Artoo, we need your droids to hold off the enemy as long as possible." Artoo beeped in response, and Grim really wished she understood what the little droid was saying, but whatever it was he must've told Anakin that he would do just that because Skywalker replied, "good. Everybody follow me!"

"This is sheer madness!" Tarkin exclaimed as he got on Anakin's back and the Jedi carried him to the ground below the cliff.

Grim rolled her eyes and resisted the idea of pushing him. As much as she hated him, and knew what he would do in a future where she failed, Tarkin was part of the Republic now, and carrying vital information for its victory.

The others quickly followed Skywalker and Kenobi as they scaled the cliff side to the ground below. As some clones began to fall, having the cable shot by the droids above, Grim tried to reach for them with the Force but didn't have enough of a reaction time to save them. Once they reached the ground the droids on the cliff continued to shoot at them.

"Keep moving! Keep moving!" Anakin called, as he activated his lightsaber and defended them from the droids above.

The team jumped into a hole leading them to another cave system of tunnels. They went onwards carefully to avoid being spotted by the enemy. Once again Grim kept close to Master Piell rather than her own Master or even Ahsoka. As they walked on a narrow path, too close to lava, Tarkin asked, "what if your Jedi friends aren't there when we arrive?"

"Keep moving and you won't have to worry about that, Tarkin," replied Piell.

Ahsoka rolled her eyes. "Why did Master Piell have to share half the Intel with that guy? It's like he's not even grateful we rescued him," she complained to Anakin and Grim.

"Captain Tarkin feels the Jedi should be...relieved from the burden of leading the war effort," Anakin replied.

"That's ridiculous," replied Ahsoka.

"Maybe, but we aren't soldiers. We're peacekeepers," said Anakin. "The Jedi Code often prevents us from going far enough to achieve victory."

"You were so close there, Skywalker," said Grim with a long sigh. His views on the Jedi would be the death of her one day, she just hoped not literally. "You're correct about us not being soldiers but peacekeepers, however you're wrong about us not going far enough to achieve victory. Our Code does not hold us back or prevent us, it gives us strength and a moral compass that war often takes away. If we go for victory in a way that causes us to lose who we are, then can we call that a victory? If the victory leaves the victor a shell, is it truly a victory? We should achieve victory while being true to our principles."

Anakin looked at Grim, quiet for a moment as he considered her words. "Either way, he is a good captain," he said instead, changing the topic.

"Perhaps a good captain in some regards, but he lacks morals," mumbled Grim.

To avoid speaking with Anakin further, Grim walked closer to Master Kenobi and Master Piell. The two Jedi Masters made her feel more comfortable than Skywalker did. Their relationship was still strained from what had taken place on Mortis and their argument where she had said far too much. She doubted that would be repaired any time soon, if ever.

There was a quiet and soft noise. "Did you hear that?" Ahsoka asked.

"Yes," said Piell. "We're going to have company."

They continued onwards, yet to encounter more confrontation from the enemy. As Grim stayed closer to the Jedi Masters on the mission she managed to overhear the conversation between Anakin and Tarkin.

"You know it's not wise to argue with Master Piell. It's certainly not a good career move," Anakin told him.

"General Skywalker, I stand by my principles, no matter what. Besides, I needn't worry about my career. I've fallen into favor with the Chancellor. He shall support me."

"Oh? I happen to know the Chancellor quite well, myself."

"Oh, really?"

"Really."

Scattered worried thoughts about a future she promised to stop fluttered into her mind, as a spike of anxiety went through the Padawan. Really most mentions of the Chancellor did that to her, but to hear the way Anakin and Tarkin discussed him brought upon worse thoughts for if she failed. With all her future focus being on preventing Order 66 and the resulting Jedi Purge, she had forgotten about the Death Star.

Tarkin had brought up those worries that she had not even considered. Her future worries had been more so for the Jedi and the Clones, but now she realized that unknown to anyone else, the entire galaxy depended on her.

"Let's keep moving," said Obi-Wan, who was a welcome interruption from Grim's worries. "If we're not at the rendezvous at the exact time, we'll miss our window."

"Those creatures are gaining," Fives said.

"If they caught our scent they'll lead the droids back to us," said Piell.

"We're going to have to deal with them," said Anakin.

"What about using this cave to surprise them?" suggested Ahsoka.

"If we can get them to pass by we can attack them from behind," agreed Piell. "But we need a distraction."

"Leave that to me," said Anakin. Obi-Wan faked a cough behind him. "And Obi-Wan of course," he quickly remedied.

"Okay, the rest of you, follow me," Piell said.

Grim stayed incredibly close to Piell as they entered the cave. All her attention and focus was on the Jedi Master and she blocked out any distractions. As they ran through the cave spider droids attacked. Before they could kill anyone Grim had her lightsaber activated and they were destroyed. The entire time Grim had her hand hovering over the curved hilt of her lightsaber, ready to bring it to life at any moment to save another's.

Even more droids arrived to defeat the escaping prisoners. "Keep going, Grim and I will take care of the droids!" said Master Piell as he ignited his own lightsaber.

Grim stayed close to Piell as they battled the droids together. "Is there a reason you wanted me and not Ahsoka to help you with the droids?" the padawan asked as she cut off the limbs of one of the spider droids.

"You know something is about to happen and are trying to change it," he responded as he stabbed the droid through the eye. "Even if I had told you not to, you would have still stayed."

"How did you know I'm changing something?" Grim asked as she blocked the attacks of a droid.

"You began to focus more, and became extra protective when the creatures started to pursue us," he replied, as he leapt on a droid.

"Was it obvious?" Grim asked as she noticed movement behind him.

"Only to Master Kenobi and I," he replied, as he defeated the droid.

"Well you're correct," responded Grim as she used the Force to push Piell out of the way just as an anooba leapt into the air. She ran at it and stabbed it straight through its center. She deactivated her lightsaber and the purple blade disappeared back into the hilt. "Are you alright, Master Piell?"

"Thanks to you, I am," he replied. "Although perhaps just warning ahead of time would have worked just as well," he pointed out.

"Probably," shurgged Grim. "But I didn't want to take any risks, and I struggle with telling people about the future."

"It is alright, child. You did well."

Grim smiled at him. "Thank you, Master Piell."

"Now, let us get back to the others. We don't want to be late for our escape."

"Of course, Master."

Grim and Master Piell caught up with the others, and the team continued on to reach the rendezvous point.

Grim felt more hopeful now, she had managed to change two outcomes of this mission. She had stopped Echo's capture by the Separatist where the Techno Union would've tortured and experimented on him, and she had managed to save Master Piell from his death at the fangs of an anooba. As she walked with the others she was optimistic from her successes, although she knew the mission wasn't yet over.

"There's the extraction point," said Obi-Wan, pointing to the island in front of them.

Anakin and Cody shot cables to create bridges between themselves and their destination. Rex and Tarkin were the first to cross, crawling across the wire careful not to fall in the lava. Other pairs soon followed them. As they reached the island Rex turned around to help Tarkin and then noticed something. "Incoming!" he shouted. Everyone turned around and noticed the droids led by the same separatist from before.

Cody and Ahsoka had already started crossing the wires when they were spotted. Leaving only Anakin and Obi-Wan off the island when the conflict began. The clones started shooting at the droids, while Grim and Master Piell deflected blaster fire back at the enemy. Ahsoka and Cody got onto the island and joined the conflict. Anakin and Obi-Wan stole the droid's transportation and flew over to the island as Sobeck dropped down.

Tarkin shot at Sobeck which caused him to charge at him. Sobeck grabbed Tarkin and threw him to the ground before lifting him up by the shoulders and walking towards the lava.

"Captain!" Ahsoka cried, running towards them.

"If I can't have the information, it will die with you!" Sobeck proclaimed ready to throw Tarkin into the lava. However he didn't get the chance as Ahsoka stabbed him through the chest and Tarkin remained safe.

"My thanks, Padawan Tano," Tarkin told her. "I see you've trained her well," he told Anakin.

"The rescue ship should be here by now," said Obi-Wan.

"So should the rest of the Separatist army," Anakin added.

Grim rolled her eyes at him. Just then a Republic gunship arrived, opening to reveal Master Koon. "I believe we've worn out your welcome," he said, offering a hand to them.

As spider droids began to crawl onto the island, the team escaped onto the gunship making it to safety. Grim let out a sigh of relief the moment the doors closed. The mission had been a success, and she had managed to make it even more so.

As they flew offworld, Plo Koon called on his comm, "Admiral Coburn, we have the survivors. Recall all fighters."

"Yes, General."

They entered the hangar of the cruiser and as the entrance closed Plo said, "we're all ready, Admiral."

When they reached the Temple, they were met with Masters Fisto, Windu, and Yoda. "Captain Tarkin and I have each memorized half of the coordinates," Master Piell told the other Jedi.

"Debrief you both, we must," Yoda said.

"With all due respect, Master Jedi, I was instructed by Chancellor Palpatine to bring the intel directly to him for debriefing," Tarkin said.

"Hmm. Personally meet with the Chancellor, I will. Decide what is best to do, we shall," said Yoda.

It was then Grim realized it didn't matter who had the coordinates, Republic or Separatists. Sidious still had them. Sidious still won. She wanted to say something, but found nothing to say. Besides, Yoda had already walked away to speak with Chancellor Palpatine. She just walked with Ahsoka to head inside the Temple.

"Master Plo, there's something we want to ask you," Anakin said, stopping him. "Did you assign Grim and Ahsoka to the mission?"

Plo Koon looked at the two padawans, who looked away guiltily. "It appears I did," he said.

Grim and Ahsoka looked surprised and then relieved. The two smiled at each other. Plo and Ahsoka walked inside the Temple with the others, and Grim followed behind them.

The Padawan frowned as she had realized the true dark and brilliant beauty of Sidious's plan and the war he had engineered. It never mattered which side won or lost, every victory was his own.

Despite all she knew of his plans. Despite creating her own. Despite changing things and going against the story he created. Despite everything, Grim was still trapped in his game. In his narrative. She had trapped herself.

Although she still had hope for escape.