Obi-Wan and Ki-Adi stood on the bridge of the ship looking at the red planet of Geonosis below. Grim stood beside Obi-Wan. She twirled her Padawan braid around her finger absentmindedly as the two Jedi Masters spoke.

"I can not believe we are back here again," Obi-Wan told Ki-Adi.

"It is unfortunate," Ki-Adi replied. "But the resistance from the native geonosians was stronger than anticipated."

"The same can be said for their loyalty to Count Dooku."

"A fact that is often overlooked."

Grim didn't say anything as the two of them talked, nor was she fully listening to the conversation in the first place.

She instead watched the planet down below, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as a feeling of excitement caused her heart to flutter. She was like this every time she visited a planet she had yet to go.

Although Grim's excitement soon twisted into anxiety. She remembered what took place in this episode and the ones following, and wasn't exactly keen on experiencing those events firsthand.

She was so deep in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed when Anakin and Ahsoka joined the three Jedi.

"You're late," Obi-Wan told the two who had just come in.

Grim stopped fidgeting with her Padawan braid and turned around to see the two of them. Giving both the Master and Padawan a smile.

"Sorry Master," Anakin replied. "Ahsoka and I were busy rounding up the seppies near Dorin," he explained.

"My squadron alone had fifty five kills," Ahsoka chimed in proudly.

"Yeah, well mine had seventy six," Anakin told his Padawan.

Ahsoka only rolled her eyes, "show off."

Grim couldn't help but chuckle at their interaction. It always made her happy watching the two of them interact.

She found herself staring at Ahsoka for a moment longer than necessary and quickly cast her gaze back at the planet feeling her cheeks heat up. She hoped that they weren't as red as the planet was, for she felt as if they might be.

"Well, I am glad you two are enjoying yourselves," said Obi-Wan.

"Just a friendly little competition Master, nothing to worry about," said Anakin.

"What I'm worried about is how this war seems to be drawing out, with no end in sight," sighed Obi-Wan, putting a hand to his beard.

"It's not even that bad yet. This is only the beginning, just wait until we get to the worst parts. This war was made to drag on," Grim muttered under her breath.

Obi-Wan and Ki-Adi both looked at Grim. It was clear that they had heard what she said. She gave the two Masters a nervous smile, but had a feeling the two might want her to explain.

"It's why this mission is crucial," Ki-Adi said, as if he hadn't heard the concerning comment Grim had made.

"Agreed," said Anakin. He then turned to his Padawan. "Ahsoka, contact Outer Rim Command, we're ready for our briefing."

"They're already waiting for us," Ahsoka informed them.

At the briefing were the holographic figures of Masters Yoda and Windu. Along with the Jedi there was also the holographic figure of the Chancellor himself. In person were Ki-Adi, Obi-Wan, Anakin, Ahsoka, and Grim.

Upon seeing Palpatine's holographic image Grim felt herself tense up. Their eyes met for a mere moment and yet it was enough to send a shiver down the Padawan's spine.

Of everyone in the room they were the only two who knew the bigger picture beyond it all.

There was a moment's feeling of unease. However Grim shook the feeling away. Most likely it was just her anxiety and nothing else.

"Our ships are in position and we are ready to begin our campaign against the geonosians," Obi-Wan was now informing the others.

"What about Poggle? Any report on his location?" Windu asked.

"He seems to be holed up in the primary droid foundry here," replied Obi-Wan, pointing to the location on the holo-map.

"The factory is protected by a shield generator. Anakin, Ki-Adi and I, shall attempt a three pronged attack through their defense lines to a staging area just short of the shield. Once we've landed we shall knock out the shield. That is our primary target."

"Isn't it risky committing three generals to one area of the attack?" Palpatine asked. "If something were to happen, it could deal a serious blow."

Grim gave the chancellor a look at his comment, she knew he didn't care if something like that happened. If anything it could possibly help his plans, as long as it wasn't Anakin.

However she bit her tongue to stop herself from making any comments she might later regret. Especially anything that hinted at her knowledge of his true identity.

"To ensure that rise again, Geonosis does not capture Poggle, we must," said Yoda.

"Of course," Palpatine replied. "As always I shall leave the strategy to you, Master Jedi."

Grim began to taste blood in her mouth as she realized she bit her tongue even harder. She badly wanted to make a comment on what Palpatine had said, but saying anything would reveal her secrets so she kept her mouth shut.

"Our thanks chancellor," Obi-Wan replied.

Once more Grim had to restrain herself from saying anything that she would regret.

"May the force be with you," Windu finished as the briefing ended.

Just as the hologram vanished Cody and Rex walked up. "Ah good, Cody. These are the coordinates for our rendezvous," Obi-Wan said.

"Yes, sir," Cody replied. "When we hit the ground we'll create a perimeter there. Getting past their defenses here will be the trick," he went on, pointing to the holo-map as he spoke. "General Mundi will come across the defensive lines from the north, we will make our assault through the middle, General Skywalker will make his attack through the defensive lines on the south, and we will meet at the rendezvous at 0700 exactly."

"If we meet heavy resistance and are forced down away from the landing zone, hold out until we've joined our forces before attacking the shield generator," Ki-Adi said.

"Their front lines are heavily fortified," Ahsoka pointed out. "Look at that giant wall with all those gun emplacements. That won't be easy getting past."

"Don't worry, we won't be going anywhere near that," Anakin told her.

"I dunno," said Grim. She knew better than Anakin, and that those two would end up near that. "Ahsoka makes a good point there. Perhaps just in case you should make plans, it never hurts to be safe or have a plan B."

"What happened to all that enthusiasm I saw earlier?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Don't worry about us," said Anakin. "You just worry about getting yourselves to that landing zone in one piece."

"Yes, we shall be waiting for you when you finally arrive," Obi-Wan retorted.

Grim chuckled a bit at the exchange.

"Gentlemen if you are quite finished, we have a battle to begin," interrupted Luminara's hologram.

"Quite right," Obi-Wan agreed. "Cody, prep the gunships, Grim and I will meet you in the hangar."

"Yes, sir."

As the two headed to the hanger Grim stayed a pace behind Obi-Wan. She wasn't sure if she was ready to face what this battle had in store. Obi-Wan could tell Grim was nervous. "It'll be okay, Padawan," he told her.

She smiled at him and nodded. Then awkwardly she asked, "can, can I hold your hand?"

Obi-Wan gave her a gentle smile. "If you want to."

Grim grabbed Obi-Wan's hand and walked beside him. As they entered the hanger they found Cody waiting for them.

"General, Commander," he greeted the two. "I have prepared the gunships, and they're ready for battle."

"Thank you, Cody," said Grim with a smile.

Cody gave Grim a nod, and the three of them began walking towards the gunships.

"Cody, were you involved in the first battle of Geonosis?" Obi-Wan asked him.

"No sir, I wasn't involved in the first assault on Geonosis," Cody replied.

"Well you didn't miss much," Obi-Wan informed him, as he and Grim got onto their gunship. "Last time I was chained to a pole and attacked by several humongous monsters."

"That sounds.... entertaining," replied Cody.

"It was ...for the geonosians," said Obi-Wan.

The doors to the gunship closed and Grim turned to look at Obi-Wan. "What was that?" she asked him.

"What was what?"

"That, that conversation you just had with Cody. That- it almost sounded as if the two of you were flirting-"

"Clearly you are misreading things Padawan, we were doing no such thing."

"Uh huh," said Grim, totally unconvinced. "Whatever you say, Master."

As they flew through the planet's sky, blaster fire rocked the air around the gunship. Grim, who already struggled to hold onto the bar to keep her steady, lost her grip and she ended up letting go of it. Instinctively, Grim grabbed onto Obi-Wan to catch her balance again.

Obi-Wan wrapped his free arm around her to help keep her steady. "I've got you, Grim," he told her.

Grim smiled shyly. "Thanks," she mumbled, embarrassed about her clumsiness.

They continued to make their way to the landing zone as the ship rocked back and forth, Grim was fearful but having Obi-Wan by her side helped calm her nerves.

Just then Obi-Wan's comlink beeped and Cody's voice came in, "don't land. The landing zone is hot!"

"But there's nowhere else to go!" Grim and Obi-Wan said in sync.

Just then an explosion rocked the ship, "we're hit!" Obi-Wan exclaimed. "We're going down!"

The ship began to crash towards the ground and Grim held onto Obi-Wan tightly. "Brace yourselves!" He ordered.

As the ship fell closer to the ground Grim ended up losing her grip on Obi-Wan. So when the ship crashed against the ground everyone fell back and landed hard on the walls and floor of the ship.

When Grim hit the wall behind her it was mostly her left shoulder that took the blow. She bit back a scream of pain as her eyes watered.

The ship stopped moving as it wedged itself against the ground.

As the movement stopped Grim moved her right hand and grabbed her left shoulder. She grunted with pain.

"Grim?" groaned Obi-Wan from next to her.

"I'm here, Master," Grim told him. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness, however when they did she saw that he was bleeding badly. "Master, you're bleeding!"

Obi-Wan groaned, "it's alright Grim. I'll make it."

"I know that, but it doesn't make me any less worried," replied Grim. "You need to get bandaged up!" With her good arm she ripped her tank-top and began to wrap up Obi-Wan's wound.

"What about yourself, Grim?" Obi-Wan asked her.

"I'm fine, the worse I got is a dislocated shoulder," she told him. "Of course it's my left shoulder, so I don't know how well I'll be able to fight when we get rescued. Also I can just get a new tank top when we get back home."

"Grim..." Obi-Wan started.

"You're more injured than I am, worry about yourself, not me," she replied stubborn as ever.

Obi-Wan sighed. "Padawan, listen. You should be more worried about yourself than me. I'm not your responsibility."

Grim sighed, and sat next to Obi-Wan, laying her head on one of his shoulders. "You're right. Besides, the men will rescue us eventually."

Obi-Wan smiled and wrapped one arm around her. "Yes, they will. We must have trust in them."

Her smile fell for a slight moment. She did trust the clones. However it was hard to trust men she knew would betray everyone. It was not their choice and she knew this too. It was why she was always so conflicted around them.

She allowed her eyes to close. When she opened them again it was to light , filling the crashed ship. Waxer and Boil stood outside. Grim gave them a grin, "Waxer! Boil! Boy am I glad to see you," she told them.

"Grim and I are the only ones still alive," Obi-Wan informed the two of them. Waxer assisted Obi-Wan with standing up as Boil helped Grim up.

"Good to see you, sirs," Waxer told them. "Commander Cody's established the square just beyond this position. The bugs are on the move and trying to surround them as we speak."

Waxer and Boil supported the two Jedi as they made their way to the square. As explosions blasted around them and debris and dust went into the air, Grim found herself almost wanting to be back in the wreckage.

"Are you injured, General Kenobi, Commander Kennet?" Cody asked the two.

"I'm fine, Cody, nothing too serious," Obi-Wan told him.

"Liar," said Grim, squinting her eyes at her Master. "He was bleeding pretty badly. I had to tear my shirt to help bandage him," she explained to Cody. "As for me, I think I may have dislocated a shoulder, but I should still be able to fight."

Waxer and Boil set Obi-Wan and Grim down behind some boxes for cover. Obi-Wan looked at Cody and asked, "what's the situation here?"

"Ah. We've got no air cover, two generals on the ground beyond our position, and a mess of bugs surrounding us," Cody explained. "The enemy was more than prepared for our attack, sir. They knew our every move."

Palpabitch. Grim thought.

He was at the briefing! Of course the enemy knows their every move! They told the enemy!

She clenched her hands into fists. How could she have been so blind to that? It didn't matter, it wasn't like she could've done anything.

Not without exposing herself, and she couldn't reveal her cards yet.

"Well I'm sure General Skywalker and General Mundi will make it to our position," Obi-Wan told them. "We've just got to make sure we're still here when they arrive."

A clone medic walked over to Grim. He knelt down in front of her, "Commander, my name is Blanket. I'm here to help you with your shoulder."

Grim nodded, "alright, Blanket."

"This may hurt," he warned her.

"That's alright," replied Grim. "I can take it, if it helps me."

Under his helmet Blanket smiled. "Do you want me to count down?"

"Just get it over with," said Grim.

The clone nodded and reset her shoulder. Grim bit back a scream. "There. Now it should be in a sling for a while," he told her. He took out a sling from the backpack he carried and carefully put it on Grim, setting her arm into place in it.

"Thank you, Blanket."

"Just doing my job, sir." Blanket stood up and left to go help any others.

Grim watched as the battle unfolded around her. She wanted to help with the fight but was too injured, as was Obi-Wan.

She hated this, just watching when she could be helping people. Although she had watched before this was different, before it was on the screen.

Now she was in the center of it.

Grim didn't know why it took her so long to see it. This wasn't fictional, she knew that. She had known that, and yet the reality hadn't settled in yet.

Seeing the destruction now, she realized reality, and it was a reality that hurt.

The men began to fall back as the bugs got closer to their position. Both Obi-Wan and Grim stood up and ignited their lightsabers ready to help. Grim holding her lightsaber in a reverse grip in her right hand, due to her injuries.

"Reinforcements! The reinforcements have arrived!" Someone shouted. There was loud cheering from the clones and Grim couldn't help but to smile too. She had been worried for a moment, despite knowing everything would be okay.

The two Jedi deactivated their lightsabers and sat back down. Ahsoka, Anakin, and Ki-Adi went over to the two of them. "Grim, Master Kenobi," Ahsoka said, kneeling beside them.

"Hey Ash," replied Grim with a small smile.

"Well, what happened to you?" Anakin asked them.

"I might ask you the same question," Obi-Wan replied.

Everyone gathered around to go over the next stage of the battle. A holomap was projected in the center of everyone while Obi-Wan explained the plan. "Our combined forces should be enough to destroy the shield generator. Anakin, you'll need to take a small squad through the shield, as close as you can get to those gun emplacements. From there you'll be able to temporarily jam their scanners, so they're unable to target the incoming tanks. Once the tanks knock out the shields, Master Mundi can bring in the rest of the troops in with the gunships."

"Consider it done, Master," Anakin replied.

When the battle was over Anakin helped walk Obi-Wan to a gunship as Ahsoka assisted Grim. "So Master, what was your total?" Ahsoka asked Anakin.

"Not now, Ahsoka."

"Why? Afraid you lost this time?"

"Fine. Fifty-five that's my count. And you?"

Ahsoka smirked. "Sixty. Looks like I won."

"Yeah, but I called in the air strike. Tie."

Ahsoka rolled her eyes as she helped Grim into the gunship. "You're impossible."

"I'll never understand how you can simplify these battles into some kind of game," said Obi-Wan.

"I dunno, they sound kind of fun," said Grim. "Gets the mind off everything other awful things going on."

Anakin helped Obi-Wan into the ship and then stepped out. "Well, I expect to see the three of you back here by the time I destroy the main factory," Anakin told them.

"We shall do our best," Obi-Wan replied.

"Sixty-five, Skywalker," said Ki-Adi.

"I'm sorry?" Anakin asked, confused.

"My total. Sixty-five. So what do I win?"

"My everlasting respect, Master Mundi," replied Anakin.

"Oh," said Ki-Adi, sounding rather disappointed.

"That is a gift Anakin rarely bestows, I assure you," Obi-Wan told Ki-Adi.

Grim smiled as the gunship began to fly back to the cruiser where the three Jedi would recover. Everything would be alright.

They won the battle, and they would win the next.

It was the question if they would yet to win the war.