"We are decrypting the audio, sir", a clone said to Anakin. Ashara stood next to him, watching a fuzzy blue image of General Grievous. A familiar voice crackled through, and it wasn't Grievous'. It was Ventress.

"The home planet of Kamino will be a dangerous target", she said. Ashara gritted her teeth. She hadn't seen Ventress since they fought on Teth at the monastery.

"Just make sure you hold up your half of the mission", Grievous said sharply. "We must stop the production of new clones if we are to win this war."

The hologram fizzled out, and Anakin unfolded his arms. "Kamino", he said as he looked at Obi-wan.

"They're going to attack our home planet", Rex said. Ashara glanced over at him, and noticed him looking over at the three Jedi.

"The separatists are taking quite the chance even considering this", Obi-wan said.

"With all due respect, General, if someone comes to our home, they better be carrying a big blaster."

Commander Cody spoke up. "I concur with Captain Rex, sir. This is personal for us clones."

"We'll make sure Kamino is secure", Anakin said. "Tell your troopers in the 501st they're going home."

"Yes, sir!" Rex said, and he and Cody walked away. Ashara watched Rex until he disappeared around the corner, before she looked at her two fellow Jedi.

"I'm going to go find Tchachke and Meeva and prepare them for battle. They've been itching for a fight."

The two Jedi nodded, and Ashara quickly left the room, leaving the two by themselves. Anakin and Obi-wan shared a look.

"How long do you think it'll be before they finally admit how they feel about each other?" Anakin asked. Obi-wan shrugged.

"It's fairly obvious they have feelings for each other, but I think they're both avoiding it right now because they know the restrictions and the rules that we have in place. Besides... it'll be better if we all just ignore it. They're okay right now, so there's not much we need to worry about right now in that area of business."

"Just as long as the rest of the council doesn't find out", Anakin muttered. "Ashara would be released from the Order for sure, and Rex... Rex would possibly be exterminated for it."

"And I know you're attached to both of them", Obi-wan said. "So I won't tell the rest of the council, as long as they don't make it too obvious if they do admit how they feel about each other."

Anakin chuckled. "I think they're more careful than that."

~~~~~~

Ashara found her squad with two clones from the 501st. She recognized them as Fives and Echo. She chuckled softly. "Hey, Fives, Echo. Rex is looking for you."

The two nodded and left their sister clones alone. Ashara approached what was left of her squad. "Are you girls ready to go home?"

"We're going back to Kamino?" Meeva asked. Ashara nodded.

"What for?" Tchachke tilted her head as she spoke, radiating curiosity. The togruta sighed, her eyes closing briefly.

"Nothing good, I'm afraid", she admitted. "We believe Grievous is planning an attack there, so we need to return to protect your homeworld."

The sisters nodded, and stood. "We're ready to protect Kamino, and every clone there."

Ashara smiled. "Then let's get to the hangar."

The two clones followed her as she made her way to the hangar where they found Rex preparing his men in the 501st. Cody was nearby in another hangar preparing his men in 212th. Ashara approached Rex. 

"We're ready whenever you and the other Jedi are, sir", Rex said once she was in earshot. Ashara nodded, ignoring her feelings of sadness around him. 

"That's good to hear, Captain", she told him. "Mind watching these two for me for now?"

He nodded, and Ashara left Tchachke and Meeva under the watch of her favorite clone captain, though he didn't know that, and turned to see Anakin and Obi-wan approaching.

"We're approaching Tipoca City", Obi-wan said. "Soon we'll be under way, and preparing for the attack here on Kamino."

Ashara nodded, and walked with the two of them toward the ramp that led off the ship onto the watery planet of Kamino. Cody and Rex followed close behind them, and they were greeted by Shaak Ti and Lama Su.

"Masters Kenobi, Skywalker, and Ki, welcome to Kamino", Shaak Ti greeted. 

"Greetings, generals", Lama Su said to them.

"I wish our arrival wasn't under such circumstances", Obi-wan said regretfully. Ashara wished the same, but there was nothing that could be done. "We believe Grievous is planning a Separatist attack on Kamino."

"But the Republic blockade is far too strong", Lamu Su said, a hint of surprise in his voice. "They would not dare."

Ashara followed her old master to the command center where they were soon alerted to the battle that was taking place above. Anakin immediately darted out, and Ashara knew he was going to his fighter. He always preferred to be up in the air rather than down on the ground. He was a Skywalker after all.

Ashara watched as debris from the attack fell into the ocean. Something felt off, and she knew Obi-wan felt it too. That was proven when Anakin said he was going to press the attack.

"No, Anakin, wait", Obi-wan said. "It's too easy. Not even Grievous would attack so recklessly."

"Master, the battle is up here in space, not down there."

"The debris from the destroyed Separatist ships is the key", Obi-wan argued.

"What are you thinking?" Master Shaak Ti asked. Obi-wan glanced at her. 

"I think I'd like to go for a swim", he said, a small smile on his face. Ashara chuckled, but stayed put next to her old master as they continued to monitor things from the command center.

A few moments later, Obi-wan's voice came over the comm-link. "Nothing as of yet."

"Only you could be worried about the ships I already shot down", Anakin said snarkily. "Right, Ash?"

"I'm actually with Obi-wan on this one, Anakin. Something doesn't feel right." Anakin groaned.

"Wait a minute", Obi-wan said. Ashara perked up. "Aqua droids. It looks as if they're assembling assault craft."

The two togruta shared a look inside the command center. Ashara looked away toward Rex and Cody. "Go warn your men that there's an attack imminent."

They nodded, and hurried out of the command center. Obi-wan's voice started to crackle through the comm-link before it disappeared. Ashara was instantly working on it, trying to get the communication system to work. It was to no avail however, and the togruta let out a heavy sigh. 

"They must be jamming our comms", she told her old master. The red togruta hummed, but didn't say anything.

"I'm going to go find my squad, make sure that they're ready for a ground assault", Ashara said. Shaak Ti nodded, and the younger togruta hurried out of the room to find her squad. She didn't get very far before the wall crashed in beside her and she was sent tumbling backward. She regained her balance quickly and discovered a platoon of B1 droids in front of her. Her eyes narrowed.

"Surrender, Jedi", one of them spoke. "We have you outnumbered."

Ashara scoffed, and grabbed both of her lightsabers.