- CASTLES CRUMBLING (A.S.) -

- 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐘-𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 -

i look around as my heart is collapsing

"YOU'RE BACK!" Clipper exclaimed excitedly as Regina hopped out of the cockpit of her starfighter. She spared him a tired smile before nodding. The clones of the 555th had gathered around as Regina had made her descent and now they cheered. Quite frankly, she hadn't expected such a welcome back. Maybe things here hadn't been as good as she had hoped.

It had taken Regina a little while to find the Wookiee and clone camp. They had relocated their position in the time that Regina had been off Kashyyyk. Regina had known they wouldn't have been able to hold forever, but she was disappointed at how quickly they'd lost ground. It couldn't be helped, but she still felt like it was partly her fault.

Currently their stronghold was a small village–the young, injured, and weak having relocated to the central Wookiee cities, if they could be called that. Regina turned her attention to Blue and Quillow who were making their way through the crowd of clones.

"We were worried you'd forgotten about us, Regina," smiled Quillow as he came to a stop in front of his former Padawan.

"I was gone much longer than I had initially expected," admitted Regina, grabbing her supply bag from the ship and slinging it over her shoulder.

"Is everything alright?" Blue inquired, glancing at Regina as they began trudging back to the village. Regina exhaled.

"Ahsoka left the Order," she said simply, not really wanting to go into the details. She sensed Blue's surprise but he didn't say anything more. Quillow didn't comment either, much to Regina's relief.

At the command post, Quillow and Blue went over the details with Regina: what had happened in her absence, their current plan, and future tactics that could be potentially useful. Though exhausted from the flight, Regina focused on the briefing, storing all vital information in her brain.

Eventually Quillow noticed her fatigue and sent her to her quarters. Blue walked with her, serving as an escort of sorts.

"The men were beginning to miss you, General." Blue's voice lacked emotion as usual, but Regina had a feeling that "the men" also included Blue himself.

"I'm glad I'm back with you all, Blue," Regina admonished, smiling slightly at the commander. "Any problems while I was gone?"

Blue hesitated. "The usual. But... General, there is one thing."

Coming to a stop outside of her quarters, Regina gave him a questioning look. "What is it?"

Blue shook his head. "It's probably nothing. However, I should mention that the clones have been antsy of late."

"How so?"

Blue shook his head. "Not willing to follow orders, causing fights. They're tired of it here, General. It's as if the planet is getting to them."

Regina nodded. They had been experiencing a lot of repetition. That could be a good or bad thing. On this occasion, it seemed bad.

"I'll keep it in mind, Blue," Regina assured him. It did interest her. Clones would follow orders obediently, but she had to wonder how much freedom they really had.

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Regina was on Kashyyyk with Quillow and the Wookiees for another two months. They eventually pulled back in retreat, joining other Wookiee clans in Rwookrrorro, the capital city. This was all part of the plan. And it was working effectively.

But Regina and Blue kept a close eye on the troopers. The clones were restless, but with Regina's presence, they seemed to be on their best behavior. Regina knew they respected Blue so she had to wonder what had set them off when she was gone.

Meanwhile, the fighting was dying down for the time being and the combined forces of the Wookiee chiefs had become a successful route on the Separatists.

One day, Regina stood observing a battle through a hologram, monitoring it while sitting in the command post. She had been in that battle for a while, but she and the clones had pulled back to allow the Wookiees to do their handiwork.

"The Council wants you on Coruscant, Regina." Quillow's low voice made Regina look up. The Jedi Knight snapped her eyes up to look up at her former master, a small frown on her face.

"I was just there. I'm needed here."

Quillow gave her a flat look and Regina schooled herself so she wouldn't flush with embarrassment. That look reminded her of when she was a Padawan being lectured by her master.

"We both know that isn't true, Regina." Quillow sighed. "We're doing well here. If we need help from the Republic again, we'll send word. But as of right now, we have matters in control."

"Quillow," Regina began, standing to her feet and shutting off the hologram, "You need me here. The clones are valuable assets. As am I. You need us."

Quillow shook his massive head. "Not right now, Regina." He walked over to Regina, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You did your job, young one. You brought the clans together. Now let us finish it."

Regina took a deep breath, giving in. She knew he was right. But she just didn't want to leave her master again.

Because, for some reason, she had a strong feeling that this would be the last time she would see Quillow.

"The Force is sending you on a different path, Regina," Quillow added. "Follow it."

"Yes, Master," Regina said softly. She stuffed her emotions down and focused on the facts. "Did the Council want to speak to me?"

Quillow shook his head. "They want you on Coruscant as reinforcements. They're taking you out of commission. They're under the belief that you've been in the field too long."

Regina raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Since when does the Council give rest to Jedi?"

Quillow shrugged. "I don't think it was the Council directly. They said something about the Chancellor giving rest to clones who had been in action for extended periods of time, especially in areas where matters were in an ideal place."

"Oh." Of course it was the Chancellor. "So they don't need me. They just want my troops to rest."

"That's what I gathered."

Regina sucked in a deep breath.

"I guess I should round the men up," Regina said, giving Quillow a wistful look "May the Force be with you, Master."

Quillow smiled much like he had when they'd parted ways on Coruscant.

"And may the Force be with you, Regina Sitara," Quillow said, putting his hand on her shoulder again and squeezing it. "Always." 

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author's note:

we are reaching the end of the clone wars. 

& trust me when I say that you are not prepared for what is coming. 

in a very ambiguous way,

-addy<3