Chains

Location: Orbit Above Tatooine – Aboard Eternal Alliance Cruiser Liberator

Date: 22 BBY – Liberation Campaign, Day One

The Liberator hung in orbit over Tatooine, her shadow casting long over the desert world's scorched atmosphere.

Within the grand military assembly hall, hundreds of troopers—standard Alliance clones, hybrid Paladin forces, and volunteer freedom fighters—stood at perfect attention, the symbol of the Eternal Galactic Alliance displayed large above the platform.

Captain Rex stood tall at the podium his voice cut through the tension like a vibroblade.

"501st Battalion—listen up! You are the finest soldiers of this generation. Tomorrow, you hit dirt and you liberate this planet from slavers and tyrants who think power is their birthright. Prove them wrong."

He stepped back sharply and saluted toward the side entrance.

The door hissed open.

Lieutenant Anakin Skywalker stepped into view, battle robe folded back to reveal sleek Paladin armor At his side stood a smaller figure: Second Lieutenant Ahsoka Tano, her eyes steady and sharp in a matching suit of modified scout armor designed for speed and precision.

Anakin approached the platform slowly, every trooper's eyes locked on him. He stopped in front of the assembled forces and looked across them with an intensity only a battlefield leader could summon.

He took a breath—and spoke.

"My name is Lieutenant Anakin Skywalker," he began. His voice echoed through the cavernous hall. "This is my Second Lieutenant, Ahsoka Tano. From now on, when you think of us, think of one thing: we fight together. We bleed together. We win together."

He paced slowly before them.

"I will never ask you to do something I wouldn't do myself. I will lead from the front. I will bleed first if that's what it takes to bring you home."

He stopped in the center of the stage, locking eyes with his men and women.

"I wasn't born on a battlefield. I wasn't raised with honor. I was born a slave."

A ripple of emotion moved through the ranks.

"I lived under chains on Tatooine. I know what it's like to be powerless. To be forgotten."

He drew a slow, shaking breath.

"That ends today."

His hand gestured toward the star map of Tatooine behind him.

"This is the first spark. The fire that will burn every chain across the galaxy. And you—the 501st—you are the torch."

He slammed his fist against his chestplate in salute.

"For the oppressed. For the forgotten. For the ones who have no voice!"

The hall erupted—helmets were struck against armor, cheers filling the chamber.

Anakin raised his hand and smiled. "Dismissed."

Captain Rex repeated it loudly.

"501ST! DISMISSED!"

The troopers filed out, energy thrumming in the air like lightning before a storm.

Anakin stood alone, breathing out slowly against the polished glass viewport.

"Sir?"

He turned.

Sarah, approached in full Spartan gear, her blue eyes sharp and steady.

"Lieutenant Skywalker," she said crisply. "Requested conversation per the pre-assault check-in."

Anakin tried to smile but failed. "At ease, Sarah."

She stepped forward, relaxing slightly.

They stood in silence for a moment.

Anakin cleared his throat. "You… you know where you came from."

"Yes, sir. You and Mand'alor Bo-Katan Kryze. I was engineered to maximize tactical aptitude and combat efficiency, fused with Force adaptability."

Anakin rubbed the back of his neck. "Do you… feel… like…"

Sarah's mouth tilted slightly. "Feel what, sir?"

Anakin struggled to find the words. "Like we—me—forced this life onto you."

Sarah's face softened slightly, but her voice remained firm.

"I'm honored to exist, sir. But if you didn't want that… you shouldn't have donated DNA, knowing what it was for."

Anakin flinched slightly.

Sarah's tone gentled.

"Bo-Katan visited. Taught me honor. Pride. Satine Kryze spoke of justice. Even Master Obi-Wan shared wisdom about temperance."

She looked up at him, serious now.

"I chose this path. You didn't chain me to it."

Anakin met her gaze, guilt and pride warring inside him.

Sarah stepped back and snapped a salute.

"I will do my duty, Lieutenant Skywalker. I will break every chain I find. In your name, and in my own."

Without waiting for permission, she turned smartly and marched down the hallway.

Anakin watched her go.

His hands clenched at his sides.

"Rough meeting?"

Ahsoka leaned against the bulkhead, arms folded casually.

Anakin shook his head. "She's strong. Too strong for someone her age."

Ahsoka smiled knowingly. "Wonder where she gets that from?"

Anakin glared at her.

Ahsoka snorted. "You're not the first to realize kids grow up faster than you want them to. Even if they're grown before you even know them."

He sighed and leaned his forehead against the cool glass.

"She deserves better than to be a weapon."

"She's not a weapon," Ahsoka said, voice suddenly serious.

"She's a light."

Anakin closed his eyes.

"Yeah," he whispered. "Maybe she is."

The fleet was in full movement.

Dropships lined the hangar decks, engines glowing. Paladins loaded weapons and supplies. Clone troopers checked armor seals and adjusted blaster calibrations.

Anakin stood at the head of it all—Sarah at his right, Ahsoka just behind him.

And tomorrow, they would bring the fire of freedom to the sands.

The first link in the chain would be broken.