"Well then it looks like our problems are solved," Obi-Wan said lightly as he and Anakin approached the cruiser that had landed, "Fresh troops, new supplies, and perhaps they've brought my new padawan with them."
"You really think it's a good idea to bring a padawan learner into all this?" Anakin asked skeptically.
"I spoke to master Yoda about it." Obi-Wan explained and then suggested, "You should put in a request for one. You'd make a good teacher."
"No thanks," Anakin chuckled, dismissing the idea.
"Anakin, teaching is a privilege." Obi-Wan said. "And it's part of a Jedi's responsibility to help train the next generation."
"A padawan would just slow me down." Anakin said bluntly.
The exit ramp of the ship lowered to reveal a young togruta female descending the stairs. The two Jedi stood confused.
"A youngling?" Obi-Wan commented, puzzled.
"And…who are you supposed to be?" Anakin asked her.
Before she could speak, another emerged from the ship. A young human woman, having a tanned/brown tone of skin, emerged. Cream robes over a white under-tunic and an emerald robe met their gaze. The brown updo that was her hair had occasional cascading curls falling in tendrils on either side of her face. She was human. She stepped behind the youngling.
"Master Kenobi. Master Skywalker," she bowed. "Forgive my being late. This is…" she nodded at the youngling.
"I'm Ahsoka." The togruta explained. "Master Yoda sent me. I was told to tell both of you that you must get back to the Jedi Temple immediately. There's an emergency."
"Well, I don't know if you've noticed," Anakin began harshly, "but we're in a bit of an emergency right here."
"Yes, our communications have been a bit unreliable," Obi-Wan confessed. "But we've been calling for help."
Ahsoka and the female Jedi looked at one another.
"Master Yoda hadn't heard from you so he sent me to deliver the message." Ahsoka said. Anakin sighed and turned his back to them.
"Oh great, they don't even know we're in trouble." He cried, frustrated.
"We might be able to get a transmission in," the woman said and looked back at Ahsoka.
"Maybe you can relay a signal through the cruiser that just dropped us off," Ahsoka volunteered. The two male Jedi eyed each other and followed the two females to the cruiser.
"And who are you?" Anakin asked as they awaited a response. His question as directed at the woman. She looked up, surprised. She looked at both of them.
"I'm Sola Valda, Master Skywalker," Sola replied. "We haven't had the acquaintance of meeting in person."
"I knew you looked familiar." Obi-Wan commented. "But I haven't seen you in many years, Sola. The last time, you were still Qu Rahn's padawan. But you're a Jedi now, I see." He looked proud.
"Yes." Sola smiled fondly at Obi-Wan. "I was recently knighted by Master Rahn. This is…my first mission—escort detail."
The hologram appeared onscreen.
"Kenobi, glad Ahsoka found you, I am." Yoda's image said.
"Master Yoda," Obi-Wan switched very serious, "We are trapped here and vastly outnumbered. We are in no position to go anywhere or do anything. Our support ships have all been destroyed."
"Send reinforcements to you, we will," Yoda's static image said, faltering and wavering. The image was dying.
"Master Yoda!" Obi-Wan tried twice but the signal was gone. The space detail explained their need to leave and return as soon as they could.
"My apologies young one." Obi-Wan said to Ahsoka. "It's time for a proper introduction."
"I'm the new padawan learner." Ahsoka said. "I'm Ahsoka Tano."
"I'm Obi-Wan Kenobi," Obi-Wan said, "your new master."
Sola traded glances with Ahsoka. They were both puzzled. Ahsoka spoke up.
"I'm at your service master Kenobi," Ahsoka said slowly, "but I'm afraid I've actually been assigned to Master Skywalker."
"What!?" Anakin cried. "No, no, no, no, no. There must be some mistake. He's the one who wanted the padawan."
"Ahsoka speaks the truth," Sola said.
"Yeah," Ahsoka piped up. "Master Yoda was very specific. I'm assigned to Anakin Skywalker and he is to supervise my Jedi Training."
The three Jedi adults all traded glances. Anakin was flabberghast.
"But that doesn't make any sense—" he began.
"We'll have to sort this out later," Obi-Wan said softly. "It won't be long before those droids figure out a way around our cannons."
"I'll check on Rex in the look-out post," Anakin said darkly, irritated.
"You'd better take her with you," Obi-Wan smirked. Anakin kept walking and Ahsoka began to follow. She looked expectantly at Sola, who was waiting. Sola turned to Kenobi.
"I will go with her there and check things out—for my own benefit. I'll be back right after to make myself of use, Master Kenobi," she said to Obi-Wan.
"Alright. I'll wait here." Obi-Wan smiled. "Congratulations Sola."
"Thank you." Sola smiled embarrassedly and followed Ahsoka.
Rex turned as General Skywalker approached him. He walked dutifully after receiving information from a lookout across the way.
"What's the status Rex?" Anakin asked him.
"Quiet for now, sir." Rex answered. "They're gearing up for another assault." His eyes scanned over the two newcomers. He eyeballed both. "Who are these two? And who's the youngling?"
"I'm Master Skywalker's padawan," Ahsoka piped up. "The name's Ahsoka Tano."
Rex looked bemused at her and then turned to Anakin abruptly.
"Sir, I thought you said you'd never have a padawan—" Rex began.
"There's been a mix-up," Anakin explained. "The youngling isn't with me."
"Stop calling me that!" Ahsoka huffed. "You're stuck with me Sky-Guy."
At the remark, Sola and Rex began to chuckle. Sola tried to muffle her laughs to no avail. Rex did not hide his.
"What did you just call me!?" Anakin demanded. "Don't get snippy with me little one. You know, I don't even think you're old enough to be a padawan."
"Well maybe I'm not," Ahsoka countered and grinned. "But Master Yoda thinks I am."
"Well, you're not with Master Yoda now." Anakin retorted. "So, if you're ready, you better start proving it. Captain Rex will show you how a little respect can go a long way."
"Uh…" Rex began then sighed. "Right. C'mon youngling."
As Ahsoka moved past him to his station, Rex turned back to the new Jedi.
"Sorry, I didn't catch your name." He said to her.
"I'm Sola Valda—the youngling's escort here and your current reinforcements." Sola said to Rex.
"Good to have you, sir." Rex nodded. "Always good to have Jedi around."
"I guess you'll be disappointed to learn that I just became a Jedi then," Sola said. "This is my first mission as a Jedi so I will be following mostly your, General Skywalker, and High General Kenobi's lead. My main objective was to see Skywalker's new padawan here safely."
"Oh," Rex said, hesitating. "Well… the Jedi in my teams have never let me down before, sir. I doubt you will be the first." Sola nodded at him.
"I will try to not disappoint then," she said warmly. "And more reinforcements will come."
"That's what I like to hear," Rex admitted. "We were all expecting more troops…and certainly not a youngling."
"I am acquainted with padawan Tano only loosely but I have no doubt that she will prove useful." Sola said. "She is adaptive."
"I hope you're right then." Rex said.
"I had best get back to Master Kenobi." Sola said to him. "But I will see you on the field Captain…"
"Rex." Rex completed her sentence for her.
"Rex." Sola nodded again and departed with a small smile of conclusion.
The three Jedi, youngling, and Captain Rex stood around the holo-readout of the situation. Things were looking dire.
"If that's shield's gonna be such a problem, why don't we just take it out?" Ahsoka inquired to the group.
"Easier said than done." Rex said and instantly looked up. Sola had spoken at the same time, the same exact phrase. Sola raised her eyebrows at Rex and then looked to Ahsoka.
"Well I…for one," Anakin cleared his throat, "agree with her. Someone has to get to that shield generator and destroy it. That's the key."
"Alright then," Obi-Wan said. "Maybe you two can tip-toe through the enemy lines and solve this particular problem together." He winked at Sola who tried to hide her grin.
"Can do, Master Kenobi." Ahsoka instantly volunteered.
"I'll decide what we do," Anakin replied sternly.
"If Rex, Sola, and I can engage them here," Obi-Wan pointed, "you two might have a chance to get through their lines undetected here."
"It will be cutting things close Master Kenobi." Sola warned.
"They won't have much time." Rex agreed. "The droids far outnumber us. Sir, your ability to street-right is limited without the use of heavy cannons." He gestured back to the diagram. "They will march forward under the protection of their shield until they are right on top of our cannons. Then they will blow them away."
"We'll figure out a way," Ahsoka said optimistically. "C'mon master. Let's go."
"If we survive this Snipps," Anakin said to her, "You and I are gonna have a talk."
"They make…quite a pair don't they sir?" Rex commented to Obi-Wan, amused by the sight. "You think they have a chance?"
"They better." Kenobi said. "If they can't turn off that shield generator before it reaches the heavy cannons…there'll be no escape for any of us."
"I think they will be able to." Sola offered her thoughts as she looked after the retreating backs. "The one thing that can be said for youngling Tano is that she is nothing if not…resourceful." She looks squarely at Rex. "Now, let's see if she can prove it."
"My thoughts exactly." Rex agreed.
