Author's Note:
First off - Thanks to all who followed this journey through the first book.
If you haven't read Star Wars: The Chosen One, please read that first as it is the first book of the trilogy. Star Wars: Ensuing Twilight is book 2.
Second: The rating of "M" is because I was reviewing the rating requirements and realized if I truly wanted any major option of romance I would have to change it.
Please note though that the rating will not be due to language or extreme violence (as in explicit gory details). Sexual content will also be kept fairly clean. This is just to allow a bit more themes. Movie-wise this would probably be a bit PG-13.
Lastly, you will find I will be including other major characters in the story. Who specifically, we'll... *spoilers* [yes, I said that in River's voice lol].
As always, I hope you enjoy!
Star Wars and its characters are copyright Lucasfilm, Ltd.
21 BBY (Before Battle of Yavin)
2nd Year of the Clone Wars
Felucia
From the Private Journals of Jacalyn Arden:
I don't think it ever set right with Jaycen, the loss at Felucia. You win some and you lose some but for Jaycen, losing is not an option. Not when there is so much at stake. One would think that he would realize that perhaps his passion to win, finish things, and bring justice is in some ways is as strong of an attachment as what he points out I have. Though I'm sure he would say it was not the same. That he wasn't attached but just doing his duty. Still, you have to wonder: what's the difference between attachment to duty and attachment to people? Either way, we have much to learn.
Felucia: This humid, colorful jungle world was located in a remote section of the Outer Rim. That alone would normally have regulated the planet to just another minor world with no significance, lost in the billions of planets throughout the Republic. However, the isolated world was far more than that. Located along the Perlemian Trade Route – a vital trade super-hyperroute that ran from Coruscant almost to the Wild Space – it was a key strategic location, a base to launch out throughout the Thanium Sector. Without the world, the Republic would have a difficulty engaging and defeating the Separatists in this sector. It was vital to hold and both the Republic and Separatists knew that. Thus, the fierce battle that currently had been going on for several weeks, rather poorly for the Republic.
What remained of the Republic defense fleet was nothing but rubble and debris. Though they had held for quite some time, the Separatists had launched as a second wave, far larger than the first that had quickly overrun it.
Planetside – the situation was not much better.
Jaycen led a group of clone troopers forward as they pushed through the dense forest to meet up with Master Kenobi and his Padawan Ahsoka Tano. What had once been a decent sized force and about a dozen All Terrain Tactical Enforcers (AT-TEs) that he had started with had been whittled down to three AT-TEs and perhaps a hundred, hundred-fifty clone troopers. And every kilometer they moved seemed to make things worse.
But the tactical retreat was necessary – not only to avoid being overrun but to consolidate the remaining forces in case the Republic relief support managed to break through to evacuate them. Jaycen knew that if they could all get in one place, the gunships to evacuate them would be able to quickly get in and out, thus increasing the risk of survival.
Deflecting blaster bolts back at the droids, Jaycen remained in the Force, moving forward, leading the remainder of his group onward. From an exterior view, he was an inspiration. He didn't show any doubts as he tirelessly pushed the convey forward, purposely placing himself in some of the heaviest areas of the fight. He did his best to be encouraging even as the others felt a bit of despair. For even if they did meet up with General Kenobi, the Republic support had not broken through. If those gunships didn't get through, it would be only a matter of time before they would be completely overrun and destroyed.
Not that Jaycen was going to let that happen. He wouldn't. This battle had cost them too much already and the very fact they were retreating weighed on him. He hated to lose. He was a Jedi. His job was to bring peace to the galaxy, to defend the Republic. How was one to do that when they were losing, giving up ground?
He knew that it would be foolish to remain. He wasn't stupid. They would all be wiped out if they remained. But that didn't mean that this was right. They were leaving the farmers of Fulucia – well the people of the whole region really – in Separatist hands. Sure, the Republic would mount a counter offense to retake the area but that didn't necessarily help these people in the meantime. It just wasn't right. But that was a feeling he was finding himself having more frequently. A lot had gone on in the past year of war and not everything for good: Christophsis – though a victory, paid with a high price; Aargonar – a loss for the Republic. Mimban. Falleen.
Jaycen was a Guardian, he preferred a fight over dealing with the squabbles of politics. He would much prefer to leave that with his sister – though, Jacalyn would adamantly argue against that proposal. Ironic considering it was she who knew several Senators and the Chancellor.
That thought made the Jedi knight wonder, briefly, where Jacalyn was at the moment. They hadn't spoken in nearly two months. Through the Force, he hadn't felt anything regarding her, either good or bad. But that wasn't surprising. It was becoming a bit more difficult to see things in the Force, the war clouding it in darkness. But Jaycen wasn't worried. He knew she was still alive and well. She was his twin. If something happened to her, he would know. Not that it would matter. He couldn't do anything nor was he going to let that worry him. Jacalyn's fate was in the Force just as he was. If she died, he would let her go. Something that was incoherently Jedi but he knew would not be as easy if the roles were reversed.
The Force gave him heads up, nudging him to the right as a blast from a Spider Droid flew past, obliterating the tall tree a few paces behind him. It brought his attention back to the present as another band of Separatist droids moved in. Dashing forward, Jaycen deflected blaster bolts before jumping in the air to land on the spider droid. The machine swiveled this way and that attempting to knock him off as other droids turned their fire on the two. Not really giving them much time to do so, Jaycen used his lightsaber to destroy the spider droid, even as the clone troopers took out some of its support.
Jumping down from the hulk, Jaycen inhaled as they finally got a moment of peace. It wouldn't be long. Already more of the enemy could be heard moving toward them but it was a reprieve nonetheless.
Knowing that his death would not really help her, Jaycen pushed thoughts of his sister aside so he could better pay attention to what was going on around him.
"Contact Master Kenobi," he told one of the troopers. "Tell him we are almost near the rendezvous point."
Hooking his lightsaber to his belt he dashed toward one of the large, almost tulip-like trees. Normally, most people would have found it difficult to climb, what consisted of branches a bit higher than people could reach. But it didn't bother Jaycen. With a Force jump, he landed on one of the branches and then moved a bit higher. He looked around them, shaking his head.
Droids were moving in, encircling them from three directions. The main forces were still a bit further out, which was good. A glance ahead spotted Kenobi's forces currently fighting another band of droids.
Judging the distance, Jaycen knew he would meet up with Master Kenobi before the droids behind them caught up. But it would be close.
He dropped to the ground.
"Double time. We have a lot of company on our tail."
"Yes, Sir."
The clone commander waved the others forward, picking up the pace.
Jaycen kept his lightsaber in his hand, ready for action. He led the way through the thick grove of trees. Ahead he could hear the blaster fire from the Separatist and Republic forces. Breaking through into the small clearing, he met up with Kenobi.
"There you are, was wondering when you'd arrive." Master Kenobi remarked dryly as he effortlessly reflected bolt after bolt back at the oncoming droids.
"Well, you know me," Jaycen grinned. "Had to get sidetracked and all."
"Yes, I've noticed. You're setting a fairly poor example for my padawan."
"Me?" Jaycen shook his head, fighting side by side with Kenobi.
The two had been on and off together the last year fighting various battles. Though occasionally split up, there had been enough time together to develop a bit of a friendship.
The additional support of Jaycen's men and AT-TEs temporarily pushed the droids back for a second, giving the Republic forces a bit to advance.
"Speaking of Ahsoka, where is she?" Jaycen glanced around.
The young padawan of Kenobi's should have been right there with them bantering even as she passionately cut down droids.
"She's out on patrol with the Juggernaut. She's supposed to be meeting up with us. Perhaps she got…sidetracked as well." There was a bit of a sigh in Kenobi's words.
Whereas Obi-Wan Kenobi was very solid, calm, reserved in a way, and extremely obedient to the orders passed down, Ahsoka Tano was a bit of the opposite. Reckless. One to rush in without always thinking and even a bit mouthy at times. Still, she was loyal, bright, and had a good heart. That said, it was referenced that she was going to make Master Kenobi gray far before his years; despite his ability to fall into the Force and seeming long patience.
Ironically, she would have probably been better as Jaycen's padawan but that hadn't been the case.
"How far out is she?" Jaycen asked.
"I'm not sure. But she should be on her way back." Obi-Wan activated his communicator. "Ahsoka, where are you?"
There was a brief pause in which he deflected a few more blaster bolts before a reply came back.
"Currently engaging the enemy, Master." The young voice was full of enthusiasm and energy. "We have them on the run. We're in pursuit."
"Negative," Kenobi said. "Don't follow, return back to the main group. We should be together when the Republic gunships breakthrough."
"But I have them on the run, Master."
"Ahsoka," Obi-Wan's voice held a bit of firmness. "Return. That is a direct order." He ended the transmission before she could reply.
"Not the best in following orders, is she?" Jaycen asked skillfully reflected the shots coming his way, almost as if he was in a practice room instead of on a battlefield.
"No, she is not. I'll need to have another talk with her."
"She's young. She'll come around," Jaycen said.
Obi-Wan gave the younger Jedi knight a look. "Like you have?"
Jaycen grinned. "Well, I still have a way to go before I'm old and boring."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Obi-Wan retorted.
Jaycen didn't reply but instead darted forward, attacking another spider droid as several moved out of the forest into the line of fire.
The air around them was filled with bolts. The snap and crackle of trees exploding. Several concentrated droid weapons fire blew up another AT-TE before they succumbed to return fire themselves.
The Republic ships had to break through the blockade and quickly. The two combined forces now only had about five AT-TEs and the Juggernaut – presuming Ahsoka cared to show up and join them.
In a way, the young padawan did remind Jaycen a bit of himself. He had been very enthusiastic as a padawan and had to be reprimanded a few times. That's why he probably interacted so well with the young Togruta female. Granted, she had much more to go and a lot to learn about patience but she had the spunk and fire in her that he understood.
That was why he was slightly concerned about the current fight. Would she obey Master Kenobi and return or would she continue to move forward on her own, thinking she knew what she was doing?
From his experience, he had a feeling she would do the latter. If it wasn't for the fact there was no way he could get to her, he would head out to ensure she complied. But what with the number of droids in the forest around them, he would have to leave her fate up to the Force.
Which, honestly, was where it should be left.
Jaycen had no issues leaving something like that to the will of the Force. He understood that attachments were not the Jedi way. That there were times one couldn't do anything. You just had to trust the Force. This was one of those times.
Granted, it had taken him some time to get to this stage. But every Jedi, at one point or other, came to that point. Some longer than others.
Falling back beside Obi-Wan, Jaycen continued to deflect as the column moved forward. There was a defensive position twenty klicks ahead. If they could reach there, the rock facings would provide better coverage while they waited for relief to come. Of course, if relief didn't come, it would be a death trap. No way out, pinned in on all sides. Not the best way to go.
But again, he wasn't worried. What will be, will be. But they weren't going to lose. He would get them off this planet back to safety. He had to. It was who he was. They would retreat – as much as he hated that idea – but they would be back. They would the Separatists and push the light of the Republic back against the darkness.
No. He was not going to die here on Felucia. Besides, his sister would NOT be pleased and would undoubtedly kill him again if she had the chance.
Now there was a Jedi who needed to learn to trust the Force just a little more…