Zelina sighed, running a hand through her hair a few times to pull out the pesky knots, running through the rumors several times in her mind. Surprise attacks from the Separatists that left no survivors, indicating a new and deadly Separatist weapon. Master Plo Koon looking into the mysterious events...

From the transmission they had just received, Master Plo might have gotten himself into a situation that was more than he could handle.

"You heard Master Plo: he needs our support. We have to go help him," Ahsoka was telling Anakin at the moment.

They had just lost communications with Master Plo, and none of them were feeling too confident about what was going on. Zelina kept pace with her master, Aayla Secura, instead of matching Anakin's pace, listening intently to what was being said. By now, she had grown accustomed to the fact that everyone was keeping an eye on her, and she actually enjoyed the fact that it meant she somehow ended up on the same missions as Anakin. Though right now, Zelina and Aayla were on Anakin's ship, so Anakin was the one running all the operations.

"We have to see what the Council decides first," Anakin responded. "This is an important meeting Ahsoka; be mindful. And remember, speak only when spoken to."

Zelina smiled a little to herself. It was always amusing to hear Anakin giving her the exact lessons Obi-Wan would have to drill into Anakin's head daily. Especially when they were lessons he seemed to still be learning.

Master Secura noted the look on Zelina's face and smiled a little, having grown really good at reading her Padawan. She wasn't Master Du, but she still meant a lot to Zelina, and Zelina had grown to respect her.

The doors in front of them opened, and the four entered the other room. Immediately, Master Windu's voice drifted towards them.

"This mystery weapon has struck in a dozen systems and disappeared without a trace..."

"We cannot afford to lose any more ships my friends," came Chancellor Palpatine's voice. Zelina hid her scowl—something she had grown to execute rather expertly—as the four of them came to a stop just in front of the holographic image of Chancellor Palpatine, Yoda, Master Windu, and Obi-Wan in front of them. "Ah, Master Skywalker, Master Secura. Have you had any success in finding General Grievous' secret weapon?"

Of course he completely ignores the Padawans, Zelina thought bitterly to herself, though she shoved those darker emotions away into the Force—a technique she'd been working to perfect recently.

"Master Plo was here in the Abregado system when we lost contact," Anakin explained. "And we have had no further contact with General Plo Koon. The absence of distress beacons indicate that his fleet was..."

Anakin hesitated, glancing at Ahsoka. "That his fleet was destroyed like the others. But we are about to prepare a rescue mission."

"Hasn't incoming intelligence reported this weapon never leaves any survivors?" Palpatine asked. This time, Zelina openly scowled at his statement.

"The Separatists are being unusually tidy. They don't want any witnesses," Obi-Wan added.

"Tragic are these losses. But prevent more, we must," Yoda responded.

"All our battle groups should be reassigned to guard our supply convoys, including yours Skywalker. I'm afraid we can't risk any more ships with a rescue mission," Windu said. Zelina caught the look on Ahsoka's face, and knew she was about to do something foolish. However, she couldn't exactly stop her without doing something foolish or bringing attention to Ahsoka herself.

"Wait! Just because there haven't been any survivors before, doesn't mean there won't be any this time!" Ahsoka exclaimed. The Masters all exchanged glances.

"Boldly spoken for one so young," Palpatine remarked, interlocking his fingers.

"She is learning from Anakin," Obi-Wan quipped, earning a small smile from Zelina.

"Excuse my Padawan," Anakin said through clenched teeth. "We will deploy, as you have instructed Master."

With that, Anakin ended the transmission, though Ahsoka had already turned to leave, and was almost out the door when Anakin stopped her.

"Ahsoka!" Anakin snapped. Zelina and Aayla shared a look, both of them retreating a few steps to give the pair room as Ahsoka turned around.

"If anyone could survive, Master Plo could. I don't understand why—"

"What you don't understand is Jedi protocol. Or your place my young Padawan," Anakin responded coolly, arms folded over his chest as he fixed Ahsoka with a stern look. The doors opened and the Admiral entered, giving Zelina hope that the icy tension was about to dissipate. Sure enough, Anakin cleared his throat, shifting his focus away from Ahsoka. "Admiral. We'll split up our ships to maximize our defense area. We'll scout ahead for enemy activity." Anakin gestured to the four of them standing in the room at the last remark, specifying the 'we' that would be scouting.

"Isn't that risky with a mystery weapon out there?" the admiral asked.

"It might be. But I know you won't argue my orders," Anakin said pointedly. Ahsoka shot him another look. "C'mon Snips."

They all returned to the bridge. Zelina shuffled over to Aayla, the two falling behind. "I think Anakin's cooking something up," Zelina muttered. "He's got that air about him right now."

"You think so Padawan?" Aayla asked.

"If I know Anakin, he's got something up his sleeve," Zelina informed her. "I don't think his scouting mission is really a scouting mission. I think it's a front."

"For a search for survivors?" Aayla asked, obviously somewhat amused.

Zelina nodded. "I wouldn't be surprised. Anakin's not one to give up so easily, and we all know he'll disobey orders from the Council if he believes it's for the right reason."

Aayla smiled. "You may be right Zelina. I guess we'll find out soon, won't we?"

Zelina chuckled. "I guess we will."

*************************************

It wasn't long before the four of them departed in two separate ships. Aayla and Zelina in one, Anakin and Ahsoka in another, of course. Zelina piloted the ship she and Aayla was in, both of them waiting to see if they were correct in believing that Anakin had ulterior motives for this 'scouting' trip.

"He gave us new coordinates. Guess where they lead?" Aayla stated as Zelina put the ship into hyperspace.

"Where Master Plo's fleet was last?" Zelina guessed.

"It seems you were right my young Padawan."

Zelina chuckled. "I told you; I can read Anakin better than anyone."

"I'll tune the scanners for life forms. I bet that's what Skywalker is doing now," Aayla informed her.

"I agree," Zelina said, leaning forward and calling Anakin and Ahsoka. As soon as she connected she chuckled. "I knew you were being far too obedient. You had to be up to something, there was just no other explanation."

"Hey, I'm still following the Council's orders. I'm just...going about it differently," came Anakin's response.

"I've heard that one before. So I'm guessing we're going to split up and look for survivors?"

"If you feel comfortable splitting up with a mystery weapon on the loose."

"Sure, why not. I mean...if that's all right with Master Secura," Zelina added hesitantly.

"It's fine with me. We'll be able to find any survivors faster if we split up," Aayla added.

"It looks like we're splitting up," Zelina confirmed with a small smile.

"Hopefully this time it's different and we find survivors," Anakin replied.

"Hopefully."

*****************************

After some aimless floating, both of them received an incoming transmission. Obi-Wan's form appeared. "Anakin, where are you?"

"Oh, hello Master! We, uh, made a quick stop in the Abregado system," came Anakin's voice from the other ship.

"You had other orders," Obi-Wan chided.

"It was my idea Master Obi-Wan," Ahsoka said hastily.

"Oh I'm sure. And I'm guessing you dragged Master Secura and Zelina into your idea as well?" Obi-Wan responded.

"Nope. We came willingly to make sure they didn't do anything stupid," Zelina said cheerily, sharing a secretive smile with Aayla. She'd been lucky to be paired with a Jedi that shared her mischievousness; that way they could get into trouble occasionally together, like Anakin and Ahsoka.

"Well, have you found any survivors?" Obi-Wan asked.

"No. You were right," Anakin said softly. "The Separatists don't want any witnesses."

"All the more reason for you to rejoin the defensive escorts," Obi-Wan scolded him lightly. "We need you four. You're going to miss the rendezvous with the fleet if you don't hurry."

"I know Master...we're on our way," Anakin responded. With that, the transmission ended.

Zelina sighed, leaning back in her seat as she carefully navigated through the debris. "Master..." she asked softly. Aayla looked up at her.

"What is it Padawan?"

"I don't think we should leave yet," Zelina said hesitantly. "I don't think we should depend on the scanners to tell if there're any survivors. Call it a feeling, but..."

"You think there might be survivors anyway?" Aayla asked. Zelina nodded.

"I'm sure there are. I just know, and I believe that I know through the Force. I think Ahsoka might be experiencing the same feeling too," Zelina tried to explain.

Suddenly, Anakin contacted their ship. "R2 thinks he's found something; he's tracing it now."

"Tell us when you find it and we'll head there," Zelina said immediately.

"Your instincts serve you well Padawan," Aayla mused. "It seems you've grown even better at recognizing the influence of the Force, and your bond has somehow grown deeper with it."

"I'm always trying Master," Zelina responded somewhat reverently. Suddenly, Zelina gave a slight moan, resting her head in her hand as a bad feeling overwhelmed her momentarily. She tried to clear her vision, focusing on steering the ship through the wreckage. She could feel Anakin's concern for her as she came back to reality.

"Padawan?" Aayla asked, a hand on her shoulder. Anakin contacted the ship again.

"Are you all right over there Zee?" Anakin asked.

Zelina twiddled with her Padawan braid, staring into the wreckage ahead of her. "I have a bad feeling...I think we need to pick up the pace. We're running out of time."

Anakin sighed. "We're picking up a signal, but there's no sign of anyone. It makes no sense."

"I'm sure we'll figure it out eventually," Zelina responded.

"We're trying to see if we can get a response, trying to boost the signal," Anakin told her. Zelina could her Ahsoka's sounds of frustration in the background. Once more, Aayla and Zelina were left alone to their own conversation.

"Do you see anything?" Zelina asked Aayla. "Because I don't."

"Maybe we should stop looking with our eyes," Aayla suggested.

Zelina wanted to smack herself on the forehead. "Gah, I can't believe I didn't think of that sooner! Thank you Master, I wouldn't have even thought of using to Force to search for survivors."

Aayla smiled slightly. "And that is why you are my Padawan."

Zelina returned the smile, stretching out her senses to try and see if she could find Master Plo. She eased into the flow of the Force, sinking into the depths of the light side as she searched for any signs of life.

Nothing...nothing...nothing...

"There!" Zelina suddenly gasped. "He's out there, just off to our left! Anakin's right!"

"We should contact Skywalker and tell him," Aayla counseled her as Zelina steered the ship in the direction she had sensed Master Plo in.

"Ahsoka's already felt him too. I know she has. They're on their way too."

"Are you sure?"

"I know. I can sense it."

Aayla smiled. "You truly are becoming a great Jedi Zelina."

Zelina blushed. "Thank you Master."

She navigated rapidly through the debris, feeling a sense of urgency in the air, in the Force itself. Finally, a floating pod came into view with several figures attached to the outside of it. Across from her, Anakin's ship appeared as well.

"It seems you were right about Ahsoka sensing Master Plo," Aayla observed.

Anakin came over their communications. "Ahsoka gave me a heart attack and suddenly grabbed the controls, deciding to command the ship for a while. How did you guys find them?" he asked, his voice a little on the sour edge.

"I looked with the Force instead of my eyes," Zelina responded smugly.

Anakin sighed. "Well, I'm bringing them in."

"We'll keep our eyes open for any remaining Separatists that want to give us a gift," Zelina told him. Aayla double checked that all the guns were online as she spoke, ready to act as her gunner.

"We're going to check on them, I'll be right back," Anakin said before he cut off the communications. Zelina sighed, occasionally glancing at his ship in worry.

Aayla put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure Master Plo and whoever else was with him will be all right."

"I know Master, I'm just...trying to figure out what happened...and wondering if there're any other survivors."

"I don't think there are any other survivors my young Padawan. But don't let that get to you. Be glad we were able to find the ones we did."

"Thank you Master."

"Why don't you get some rest Zelina? You look tired. I'll keep an eye open for threats while you sleep."

Zelina glanced at Aayla, unsure. "I don't know Master...if something happens...and I'm not that tired..."

Aayla chuckled. "So stubborn. Don't worry Zelina; get some sleep. I can handle this."

Zelina sighed, reclining in her seat. "All right Master, if you say so."

**************************************

Zelina frowned, glancing around the dark cave she found herself in with confusion. Where was she? She could hear a steady dripping, echoed around the rock walls around her.

Zelina spun around at the sound of someone fast approaching and the familiar sound of a lightsaber, expecting a fight. To her surprise, she saw someone she knew all too well running at her. Someone familiar...someone she knew to be dead...

"Master Du?" Zelina whispered, sounding like a six year old child Padawan all over again.

Ur-Sema seemed not to hear it, spinning around to face an enemy that Zelina could not make out. She could, however, tell that whoever she was facing wielded an electrostaff. She watched as Ur-Sema's green blade sparked, clashing with whatever wielded the electrostaff. Her opponent was no droid; that much was obvious. Her opponent did not lack creativity, and was quickly overpowering Ur-Sema.

Zelina couldn't help the scream that escaped her as the electrostaff made it past Ur-Sema's defenses, impaling her beloved master and pinning her to the ground, shocking her painfully until finally her body lay still.

Ur-Sema's killer yanked the electrostaff out, a clawed hand reaching out for her lightsaber. Zelina turned her raging focus on the murderer, trying to make out features to see who had killed Ur-Sema. She could see nothing, and the murderer began to laugh; a cold hearted, robotic sounding laugh that sent chills down her spine as it echoed around the cave that was rapidly disappearing around her.

***********************************

"Padawan, wake up."

Zelina woke with a start at her Master's command, rubbing her eyes as she sat up, fully alert. "I'm up. What is it? Are there Separatists?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if any showed up. Master Plo says that their weapon is an ion canon. It neutralizes all the power of a ship and leaves it defenseless—"

"Shut down the power systems, any power systems!" Master Plo's voice suddenly came over their communications. "They're coming back, we can't let them pick up any signal from us!"

Zelina and Aayla moved into a whir of action, doing exactly what Master Plo ordered. He was the one who had gone through the attack, he knew what they were up against. As Anakin's ship shut down, the communication was ended. Unwilling to be completely cut off from them, Zelina stretched out for Anakin through the Force, accepting the reassurance he sent back to her once he had identified Zelina as the presence reaching out to him. She latched onto his presence with a slight sigh of relief, eyes scanning the area around her to spot the approaching Separatists.

It didn't take long to spot them. It was a massive ship, going right over them.

The tension was flying past both Zelina and Anakin at a rapid pace, and she knew both of them were staring at the ship that was going over them. Would they get caught? Would they be found? Was all the power off?

It was almost past them, almost gone, almost out of range...

Suddenly, raw panic flashed across the bond between Zelina and Anakin, and Zelina gave Aayla a fearful look. "Something's wrong."

"They're turning around," Aayla said, sitting up from her seat and watching the ship intently as it slowly made its way back around.

Zelina felt a surge of urgency come from Anakin, and her hands moved almost of their own occord, probably coaxed alone by Anakin himself as she suddenly slammed on all of the power. "We have to get out of here."

She knew it because Anakin knew it. If they didn't move now, they would all be dead.

Aayla didn't question Zelina. Instead, she helped to get the power back on, their hands a blur of motion as they slammed on their power. As Aayla finished turning everything on, Zelina was already flipping on the communications and steering the ship.

"Where too Ani?" Zelina asked immediately, right on his tail.

"The rendezvous point with the fleet, obviously," Anakin responded. Aayla immediately entered the coordinates as Zelina maneuvered around the debris.

"We're not going to make it," Aayla muttered to herself.

"Yes we are Master, have a little faith," Zelina responded.

Suddenly, a web of purple electric energy erupted from the giant ship, and a cold pit of dread filled her. "They've fired!"

"I know Zee, you're not helping!" Anakin responded, his voice strained. Zelina clamped her mouth shut, eyes riveted to the space in front of her as she pushed the ship to its limits, coming even with Anakin in the race to escape the web of energy. Anakin and Zelina traded spots it seemed, each of them in the lead at some point or another, back and forth, weaving between the debris.

"Get ready to make the jump," Zelina forced out, her heart in her throat. Aayla put her hand on the lever, ready to jump as soon as they were clear.

The alarms were going off, the ion energy right behind them, nipping at their heels. Zelina could sense the pure focus from Anakin as he focused his entire being with getting his ship clear and those onboard to safety. Also, she could sense the fear for Zelina at the same time; fear that she might not make it. Despite her own fear, Zelina reached out to assure him that she would make it.

For you Anakin, of course, Zelina thought to herself as they finally cleared the debris.

"We're clear!" Came Ahsoka's reply.

"Now!" Zelina cried out, holding the ship steady of Aayla punched them into hyperspace.

Zelina sighed, slipping down low in her chair, feeling sick. "That was close..." she mumbled, her voice weak and trembling.

Aayla put a hand on her shoulder. "But we are alive, the survivors are safe, and we know the secret weapon the Separatists have. That is what matters."

*****************************

Anakin was planning on getting some rest after the tense escape and the report to the Council, but to his slight surprise, he sensed another presence in his quarters. Frowning, he cautiously entered the room, though he could sense no ill intent from the presence inside.

Zelina was sitting on his bed.

"Zee...what are you doing in here?" he asked, genuinely surprised.

Zelina sighed, a sign that she had a good reason, but was still trying to figure out if she truly wanted to say it. Anakin sat on the bed next to her as she fiddled with her Padawan braid, waiting patiently for her to find the words.

"I didn't really expect to find myself here, truthfully. I guess the Force is telling me to talk," she said with a wry smile and small laugh.

"Oh? Do tell, what are you supposed to talk about?" Anakin asked. He caught a flicker of some indiscernible yet strangely familiar emotion dance through her eyes for a moment before it disappeared, the emotion shoved deep down before Anakin could identify it. Zelina had been getting steadily better at hiding her emotions, though it was rare for her to hide any emotion from him.

Except this one emotion he couldn't place.

"I had a vision while we were out there," Zelina told him quietly, staring at her hands clasped in her lap.

"About?" Anakin asked. With how long it was taking for her to get to the point, he could tell it was not a light topic, that it was a serious topic that was hard for her to talk about.

That narrowed the field quite a bit, and Anakin was sure he could guess what the vision was about.

"I saw Master Du's death...but I couldn't see her killer," Zelina said quietly. "He stayed in the shadow."

Anakin took in a sharp breath, watching her closely for a moment. "I'm...I'm sorry you had to see that," he said quietly.

Zelina shook her head. "I have an idea now but...I just...I don't trust myself if I come across him..." she said quietly.

Anakin knew what she was implying. She was worried she might make a vengeance kill, that she might draw on the dark side. His gaze softened, and he put an arm around Zelina's shoulders.

"Don't worry Zelina, I promise you won't be alone. I'll be there to make sure you don't...do anything rash," he told her softly.

"Thank you Anakin...because I'm sure I will need you."