Venators and Separatist Dreadnaughts fought in orbit over the city planet of Coruscant as two Jedi Stafighters flew into the mix, followed by ARC-170s, the elite Clone starfighters.

Obi-Wan turned his coms on.  "Oddball, line up your squadron behind me," the Jedi said.

Oddball, Obi-Wan's best pilot, nodded.  "Copy that General Kenobi.  All fighters, set X-Foils to attack positions.  Follow the Jedi," he said as his squadron rolled into position behind the Jedi.  A black and green ARC-170 flew up behind the Jedi.

"Jedi Generals, this is Wraith Leader.  Wraith Squadron is here for support.  Focusing fire on the lead cruiser," Bastun said as he passed through several dozen Vulture Droid fighters.

After a few, minutes, Anakin and Obi-Wan made it aboard General Grievous' flagship, The Invisible Hand.  As they ventured through the ship, they found their way to the observation deck at the highest point on the ship.  There they found Chancellor Palpatine bound to a chair.

As Obi-Wan and Anakin were making their way to cut him loose, Palpatine nodded behind him.  "Count Dooku."  When they turned, they saw the count standing before them.  Clearly, this was a trap.

"Your swords, please.  We wouldn't want to make a mess in front of the Chancellor," Dooku said as his hand rested on the elegant hilt of his lightsaber.

Obi-Wan leaned towards Anakin and reminded him of his fight with Dooku on Geonosis, where Dooku severed Anakin's arm.  "This time we'll do it together."

"I was about to say that," Anakin replied as the Jedi dropped their cloaks.

"I've been looking forward to this.  Ready for another lesson," Dooku said.

"My powers have doubled since last we met, Count," Anakin said as he ignited his lightsaber.

"Good.  Twice the pride, double the fall," Dooku said as he held his weapon in his skillful grip.  As the three clashes blades, one Jedi on either side, Dooku pushed Anakin away and Force Choked Obi-Wan, throwing him away from the fight and dropping a walkway on his unconscious body.  Dooku focused on solely on Anakin.  Due to his dueling skills, Anakin clearly wasn't overstating his abilities.  Anakin sensed a moment when Dooku's guard was down.  He punched the older man in the chest and Force Choked him.  Palpatine , who's expression was either happiness or shock, watched as Anakin caught Dooku's lightsaber and held the weapons at the Count's throat.

"Good, Anakin, good.  Kill him.  Kill him now," Palpatine said as Dooku looked at him with shock.

Anakin deactivated the weapons and bashed the Count over the head with a hilt.  "No.  We'll take him alive," Anakin said as Obi-Wan sat up, head aching.

"Anakin, you beat Dooku?  And he's alive?  Well, you've gotten better," Obi-Wan said as he threw Dooku over his shoulder.  "I wonder how Bastun's handling the battle on the surface."

On the surface, Bastun and Commander Vis met up with ARC-77, or Captain Fordo.  The three positioned themselves to be able to defend a street that was still evacuating civilians.  Fordo raised his wrist to speak in his comlink.  "Sector 4 is being overrun.  We are losing ground.  We need reinforcements.  Repeat we need..." Fordo stopped as he saw a Super Battle Droid appear at the top of his trench.  Fordo shot it, then shot a volley at the oncoming group of droids.  He then threw his gun at a battle droid, knocking its head off.  Firing off several lethal shots from his pistol, Fordo reached down and grabbed a discarded rifle from a fallen clone and duel wielded the weapons.

Bastun threw a grenade at a small bridge, destroying it and cutting off a potential way for the enemy to advance.  A explosion was heard and Bastun looked up to see the Invisible Hand falling out of orbit.  "What are they doing up there?" Bastun asked himself.

As the cruiser fell to the surface, the back half tore off.  Anakin looked at his copilot, Obi-Wan.  "We've lost something," Anakin said as Obi-Wan flipped a few switches.

"Not to worry, we're still flying half a ship," Obi-Wan said as Anakin aimed the wreckage towards a clear landing strip.  R2-D2 activated the flaps on the ship to slow the wreck's descent.  Firefighting ships flew by, dowsing the burning ship.  As the ship crashed and skidded to a halt, everyone breathed as they began to un-buckle their seat harnesses.  Obi-Wan ran his hand through his hair as he smiled.  "Another happy landing."

As the four arrived back at the Senate building, Senators and Jedi awaited their arrival.

Bastun, armor charred and cracked in some places from the battle, sat on a dwarf Spider Droid.  He slapped Anakin on the back.  "I see Dooku is captured alive.  I'll take him to a high level security prison, made specifically for Force users," Bastun said as sixteen Galaxitronian Shock Troopers escorted Dooku to a prison ship.  Bastun nodded to the back of the senators.  "Anakin, I believe you wife has something to tell your," Bastun said as Palpatine looked surprised.

"Wife?  Young Skywalker has a wife?  I thought it was forbidden for Jedi to marry," The Chancellor said.

Obi-Wan turned from his conversation with Mace Windu.  "Yes, but the Council granted Anakin some freedom.  If he is the Chosen One, they figured he needed to know both sides of the Force," Obi-Wan said as he left with the other Jedi.  Palpatine turned to see Bastun watching him.  Palpatine left for inside the building as Anakin and Padme approached.

"Bastun, did Padme tell you?  She's pregnant." Anakin was the happiest Bastun had seen him.  Since he had been teaching the young man, Bastun noted Anakin was more carefree and at peace.  But when it came to wrongdoers, his wrath was terrible and was swift with his retribution.

"That's wonderful.  Congratulations to you both.  Perhaps tonight we could do dinner.  On me at the consulate," Bastun said as the couple agreed.

The next day, Bastun sat at his place in the Council Chambers and the Council were discussing what the next step in the war was.

Ki-Adi Mundi was leading the Galactic Marines on Mygeeto, so his holographic image sat in his seat.  "General Grievous escaped?  Such a pity.  We must address other matters, such as young Skywalker."

Mace Windu leaned forward.  "I agree.  His victory over Count Dooku was impressive.  Especially since only seven years ago he was easily defeated.  I don't believe he should be granted the rank of Master as of yet, but that falls to Bastun's wisdom," the Jedi Master said.

Bastun reclined in his seat.  "I have fought Anakin on a few occasions.  His skill with a lightsaber is surpassed by few of the Council here.  But I believe his training is still incomplete.  Enough that I would consider him a dangerous opponent and centered Jedi, but not enough for him to be a Master.  I'm working on a final test to determine the answer to this question," Bastun said as he nodded at Anakin, who crouched next to Bastun's seat.

"The hunt for Grievous continues.  Another question to answer, we have," Yoda said.  "The Clone Inhibitor Chips.  Bastun, learned what have you?"

"The chips were implanted in the clones.  For the most part, the Kaminoans know that the orders on the chips were marshal orders.  What most of the orders are I have no idea.  But, I've taken precautions and had the chips of all the men of the 181st removed.  As it turns out, they still know the orders, so I believe the chips are a means of...mind control or something like it," Bastun said.

Discussion began on many subjects till they were talking about battlefronts.  To this, Ki-Adi brought up another front.  "What about the droid attack on the Wookies?" He asked.

Mace Windu nodded.  "It is critical we send an attack group there immediately."

Obi-Wan agreed.  "He's right.  It's a system we cannot afford to lose."

Yoda raised his hand.  "Go, I will.  Good relations with the Wookies I have."

Bastun added, "I've got the 181st still on Coruscant.  Plus, Anakin will come too.  Rex and Torrent Company are ready and mobilized from the recent battle.  I believe Commander Gree and the 41st are on their way to Kamino for armor and weapon repairs.  I'll send the word for jungle camouflage armor for the troops after this," Bastun said as he made notes on a tablet.  Yoda called the Council to adjournment and he climbed out of his chair and hobbled out, followed by Bastun and Anakin.  Obi-Wan caught up and pulled Anakin aside.

"Anakin, when you go to Kashyyyk, watch what you do.  I want to see you achieve and do well.  Master Yoda and Bastun will be watching.  Nothing would please me more than to have you at my side as a fellow Master.  That is why I gave the right of teacher to Bastun, after all," Obi-Wan said.

"I know.  Just check in on Padme every once in a while for me, please," Anakin said.

"I will.  Goodbye, old friend.  And may the Force be with you," Obi-Wan said as the two went on their own ways.