Star Wars: A Thing Of Beauty

Sandman

Two Umbaran men dressed in clone trooper gear finish burying the two troopers they just killed with the help of a little construction droid on treads, in the red Rutandan dirt. The Umbarans then put on special voice modifying clone trooper helmets, mount speederbikes and zoom off while the droid just moves on towards its home. The Umbarans disquised as clone troopers find a specific spot dictated to them a minute ago over commlinks, near a Republic spy outpost where that old city is on the horizon in the other direction. They report back false information to master Kenobi, telling him that the terrorists are just hiding in the city ruins and there are no civilians there at all, contrary to what the Jedi was suspecting. Kenobi was hesitant, but had no chance to make a decision when a young man on a speederbike appeared out of nowhere and killed the two imposters. Then, the Harrowers found the spies and killed all of the clones, only taking master Kenobi as a hostage back in the city. He had begun to escape almost immediately though, and called for help right before they discovered his escape attempt. However, Anakin, who, was hidden in Rutanda's orbital ring, was enraged by the brutal execution of the clones and thought to bring down the swift hammer of justice upon the terrorists. However, with the false information given to the Republic by the Umbarans, the Twi'lek and Pantoran humanitarian aid workers were the ones suffering the reckless Jedi knight's wrath. It is believed that Obi-Wan Kenobi killed Doctor Tanner Shae, after seeing him shoot a clone trooper during the fight, as the official Republic field report goes... The Jedi denied that accusation and has no clue why a clone trooper said he murdered Tanner, but that he eventually wiilingly took all of the heat anyway, before his former padawan, Anakin was even questioned about the incident by the council or anyone else. The master took full responsibility and fell into the hands of Ryloth willfully to face his punishment for supposedly killing an innocent man, orphaning his daughter and leading to the deaths of so many others. Anakin was understandably furious about this, but there was nothing anyone could do as Obi-Wan already admitted complete falt and governor Asenath and Ryloth applied immense pressure on the Republic and the Jedi order to do something right by the victims.

Ahsoka only hears about half of that story from the radio, from the mouths of biased reporters, sitting in the cockpit of her ship, the Twilight. The radio news anchor makes it seem like Obi-Wan and his troops just went in and started attacking indiscriminately, but Ahsoka does believe that. However, nobody has any clue that it was all just a set up, and to the young Togruta, it's a very scary and confusing situation because she knows Obi-Wan would never do anything like that for any reason. Jinang is sitting in the co-pilot seat, sleeping, and Ahsoka doesn't want to wake him. He usually wakes up looking panicked from nightmares, but this time he seems at peace in his slumber. But they've reached their destination and she nudges his shoulder gently.
"Wakey wakey, sleepy-head." She says, finding Jinang's grumpy, sleepy face somewhat adorable. "We'll be landing on Kashyyyk, soon."

Jinang yawns and stretches his arms out, making Ahsoka think of Lothcats as he awakens. He looks out of the window and sees the forested world of the Wookiees: It is the most beautiful place Jinang's ever seen and he has a rare, wide-eyed look of wonder on his face, looking at the many gargantuan, gnarled, twisting trees. The splendor of the forest is very well preserved by the Wookiees, who clearly have great respect for this place of sublime, natural beauty.
"Feeling nostalgic?" Ahsoka asked, noticing how impressed Jinang clearly is.

"Something like that." Jinang answered, his face returning to his normal, serious expression. "This is just... It's really pretty."

"It sure is." Ahsoka said, getting a closer look herself. "It sure is..."

The Twilight maneuvers past the trees and branches, having a bit of trouble reaching the forest floor due to the ship's clunky shape. But Ahsoka could make it through just fine because of her training from the Republic's best pilot. Down underneath trees that are all over a thousand feet high and a hundred feet wide, there is a tightly cramped, temporary Harrowers camp with a cloaking shield around it. But Ahsoka was able to find it because she was given a special beacon to follow. Jinang and Ahsoka exit the Twilight and find Bender and his vice president, Gyara, leaning over a holomap table. Jinang still doesn't feel quite comfortable around her... The camp is lively, mercenaries are all moving around and getting ready for a mission, Onyudo is standing out of the way, as still as a statue, and Marssi is packing up her Xantha. Maul isn't here today, but instead he is with Urowen and some associates of his in a crime syndicate called the Crimson Dawn, discussing a plot in which they would take Kessel from the Pyke syndicates. Which is related to what is going on in Kashyyyk today: Fighting on this planet for the Separatist alliance is a Veknoid man, general Skas Baund, who is a secret liason for the Pyke syndicates and the Confederacy of independent systems. Particularly in matters of Kessel business. The Harrowers are going to capture this general and extract information from him with which they will destroy the Pykes' business on Kessel so that the Izanami corporation can secure power over the rich coaxium mines and give Ryloth more power. Capturing general Baund is much easier said than done, however, because the Harrowers don't want to fight the Separatist battle droids, Republic soldiers and Jedi, all at once. What's worse, is Gyara Stalmic ran some reconnaissance and figured out that grand master Yoda is on Kashyyyk, as well as master Ki-Adi-Mundi... Two Jedi from the council is worrisome enough, but for Jinang, he doesn't feel quite ready to meet anyone he personally knew from his life as a Jedi. It has now been four years since his accident on Felucia, since all of his drastic changes. And he's been training in the dark arts with Zorsia for over a year now, making him a completely different person.
Because of the presence of very powerful Jedi, Jinang, Ahsoka and Zorsia will all be in the extraction team to capture general Baund, as well as many others. Bender is going to stand by with a heavy assault team which includes Onyudo and Marssi in case things go particularly sour. It's clear to Jinang that whoever Bender is, he's very important because he's learned that Mr. Izanami has again requested that Bender stay behind and only go out into combat if absolutely necessary. It is important that, as the president of the club, Bender not be too reckless, but he seems to be a capable fighter and wishes he could jump right into the front lines. Koga had warrior blood that ran very deep, even when replaced with synthetic blood, so Jinang understands Bender's anguish of being held back from battle.

There is a very heated battle going on between the Republic and the Separatists a few hundred miles away from the temporary Harrowers camp. Conscripts and clone troopers are working together, both wearing the same camouflaged gear as each other, making them indistinguishable from one another. The fight is taking place on the forest floor, and the clashing forces of men and droids find it difficult to traverse the twisted land made uneven by layers of gigantic roots from the monumental trees. The B2s are having a particularly hard time here because they are not nearly as mobile as people, but their sheer numbers are making up for their lack of mobility. The Harrowers extraction team is sneaking through the forest very carefully around the battlefield, trying to go unnoticed as they make their way to general Baund. Zorsia is leading a team of 20 tough fighters, and she is dressed much more practically for this sort of operation. Form-fitting black tactical clothes with her hair in a ponytail. She looks much different than her usually elegant self. Jinang is following closely behind the Chiss, and Ahsoka is behind him. And while they move they stay in communications with the boss Bender. The mercenaries are far enough from the battle so that the noises of explosions, blaster fire and flying ships are just echoes. But the way the sounds echo throughout the trees is somewhat haunting... But soon they will have reached general Baund and capture him. Ahsoka is really hoping that this mission goes smoothly. That she won't have to fight Yoda. Not only would he be extremely difficult for the entire extraction team to beat, but she doesn't want to see her old friend hurt... But if they make too much of a scene capturing Baund, then the Republic will seize the opportunity to advance and try to ambush the Harrowers to capture the general for themselves. Based on Zorsia's information she was able to get from the Republic during mission prep, the Harrowers know that the Republic knows that Baund has some substantial connections to hyperfuel trade and they'd like to take over his business for their own cause. It is a tense situation, and Ahsoka is very nervous. But she keeps telling herself that this is for a greater cause. She can actually start to see what Maul was saying for herself as well, because if Takemura Izanami is going to start taking over hyperfuel trade, who knows what will come next... However, it is a bizarre tactic to try and stop Mr. Izanami by helping him, but the idea behind it is to gather so much proof of his evil deeds that he'll be buried by his sins, and more importantly, his company will collapse and lose all of its power. Ahsoka just hopes she can stop him before too many people are hurt...