Anakin Skywalker's Delta Fighter landed into the courtyard and R2-D2 popped out of the Astromech housing in the ship's wing. He swiveled his head to Rotta, beeping a concerned question.

  "Yeah, he's not well at all, R2," Anakin replied, peering into the backpack on Ahsoka's shoulders, "but at least we have him. Is General Kenobi on his way?" The faithful droid projected a hologram of Obi-Wan in midair.

  "I am," Kenobi answered, the transparent blue projection flickering. "With reinforcements, too. Did you locate Jabba's son?"

  "We have him, but it looks like the Separatists are behind his abduction. This smells like Count Dooku to me."

  "I think it's little Stinky you smell," Ahsoka muttered under her breath with a hint of disgust as she breathed in another whiff of the baby's powerful oder.

  "I'll bet Dooku is using us to get Jabba to join the Separatists," Kenobi theorized, stroking his beard to ease his stress. Anakin wondered why his former Master didn't have any white hairs yet with all this stress that is thrown on the older man's shoulders. That wasn't a joke.

  "He's also really ill. We need to get him to a specialist medic soon. Hutts just don't get sick, so this is serious."

  "You think Dooku poisoned him?"

  "No idea. But the timing circumstance makes me wonder. I still don't think dealing with the Hutts is such a good idea."

  "Anakin, you know they control shipping routes in the Outer Rim. Jabba's cooperation is crucial to the war effort. If you let anything happen to his son, our chances of a treaty with him will disappear."

  "Okay, Master," Anakin responded, feeling a great weight crushing down upon his shoulders. "Understood. We... oh, great..."

  "Down! Everybody down! Enemy fighters incoming!"

The next thing Anakin knew was Rex yelling to take cover and Ahsoka running towards the monastery for shelter.

  "Master, we're under attack. Got to go. And hurry up!"

  "Anakin?" Obi-Wan called worriedly, the transmission breaking up. "Anakin!" Then the hologram flickered and died.

The Jedi and his Astromech scrambled to the monastery. They could hear the whine of the fighters behind them, followed by an explosion. Probably Anakin's Delta Fighter. A shame. Vulture droids swooped and fired. They needed to retreat into the monastery.

  "Ahsoka! Are you okay?" He called. He couldn't see her in all the chaos and smoking debris. Panic welled up inside him as his blue eyes searched the area frantically for the missing Padawan. I promised to protect her. "Talk to me, Snips!"

  "I'm okay, Master Skywalker," a muffled voice mumbled behind him. She was kneeling on the ground, her back facing the explosions and her face buried into the backpack against her chest, shielding Rotta the hard way. "I've got Rotta. I think he's too sick to notice what's going on, poor kid." Anakin could hear the fear that Ahsoka was feeling from the sudden attack in her voice. She was attempting to hide it by focusing her attention on the Huttlet. Anakin was scared, too, but more for her than for himself.

  "It's okay. Keep your head down. And his," Anakin soothed, relief settling his stomach. Then he turned to his droid. "R2, get over there with her."

  "Sorry, Skyguy," Ahsoka apologized with guilt in her voice. The deafening explosions almost drowned her out. "I ran instead of sticking with you."

  "Rotta's got to stay alive. You did right, Snips," Anakin assured her. "Getting shot when you don't have to isn't heroic, it's dumb."

Rex skidded over to his general and pushed Anakin's raised head down harshly. Lasers peppered the wall above them.

  "Yes, sir, it is. Keep your kriffing head down." 

  "I can sense rounds coming, Rex."

  "Okay, then do it to humor me."

Anakin appreciated that. Rex was more than his captain, he was his comrade. The concern, protectiveness and trust they had for each other is what made Anakin feel that they could handle anything. He relished the bond they had.

  "Fall back and hold the monastery. Just concentrate on keeping that Hutt alive."

  "Got it, sir." Rex began shouting orders to his men. "Coric, Hez-covering fire. AT, get to that gate and block those tinnies. Everyone else-inside, now!"

  "That means you Ahsoka!" Anakin yelled. He glanced over his shoulder to find Ahsoka sprinting into the monastery, cloak flying behind her, and R2-D2 at her heels like a herding akk dog. Satisfied, he turned back to the fight. He protected the entrance by deflecting blaster fire while his men raced through the doors. "How many men still out there, Captain?"

  "The AT crew, Coric's squad and Hez's squad."

  "Okay, pull them out now."

  "The AT can't walk through the doors, sir. The crew will have to dismount."

  And they will be cut down the moment they open the hatches. Anakin struggled with that same sense of comradeship that had buoyed him up minutes before. No, I will not slam the doors on my men.

  "Then I'll cover them." Anakin didn't wait for Rex's response and sprinted toward the AT-TE. The vehicle took multiple hits as the Jedi ran. One shot from a Spider Droid hit the turret, causing an explosion that knocked Anakin flat. He struggled to his feet as the walker crashed onto its side. The belly hatch swung open and four men staggered clear. Two Clones were dragging another man out of harm's way. The turret gunner was vaporized. Flames now licked the hatch, making it dangerous to enter the AT if there was anyone else inside.

  "Sir..."

  "Run. I'll hold them. Anyone alive inside?" Stupid question, but I need to know.

  "Negative, sir."

  "Get going," Anakin ordered. The five remaining men sprinted to safety while their loyal general covered them with his lightsaber, blocking all the shots. Then he used the Force to push the damaged walker into the enemy lines. A loud screech and the sound of crunching metal rang out through the courtyard. The young man didn't wait to see what droids were still standing. He sprinted through the smoke to the doors. "Rex, get inside! Seal the door!"

Rex reluctantly obeyed, unsure if Anakin would make it. The Jedi Knight focused on the shrinking gap. That's all that existed. At the last possible second, Anakin slid under and the door shut behind him with a fatal boom.

For a moment, Anakin just sat there, panting for air. The Clones were also trying top catch their breath as they waited patiently for their general. Finally, Skywalker stood up and observed his men. He now had one-third left. Forty-two men remained.

  "Sir," one of the troopers piped up. "I think I left my lunch box outside. Want to go and collect it for me?" The remaining Torrent company burst out laughing, including Anakin. This was the best part to the 501st: they could always bring humor to a grim situation.

  "Captain, we'll stay here until General Kenobi arrives with reinforcements," Anakin instructed when the laughter died down.

  "What? Master Skywalker, do you honestly think we can hold them off?" Ahsoka asked after being silent all this time. Anakin glanced down at her. "We've got to find a way out of here."

  "Our mandate is to protect this Hutt, and that's what we're going to do, Ahsoka."

  "Our mandate was to get this Hutt back to Tatooine and time is running out."

  Anakin had forgotten all about their deadline. "I supposed you have a plan?"

  Ahsoka blue eyes widened when he put her on the spot. Thankfully, R2 had her back.

  "Yes, or I think so, R2 willing."

  "All right, Snips. I'll trust you on this one." Anakin relented. then he turned to Rex. "Captain, hold them here as long as you can."

  "Will do, sir. You heard the general! Get ready to turn those clankers into scrap metal!"

Anakin, Ahsoka and R2-D2 raced down the passage, both groups pushed aside the fact that this may be their final fight and the last time they see each other.

Author's Note: Rest in peace, Admiral Ackbar. *clears throat* "IT'S A TRAP!!!"

Update 12/11/19: I FOUND FANART FROM THAT SCENE IN THE BOOK!!! AHHH!!! IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL!!! Credit to the artist.