STAR WARS

The Clone Wars

The Loner Jedi

As the war tears through the galaxy, some systems join sides, some stay neutral and out of the war, and some offer aid to both sides. Some immigrant ranchers on the planet Ylesia are making an outstanding profit from selling crops and meats to the Republic to support the Clones. A vital source that Dooku plans to eliminate.

Asajj Ventress answered a call from Count Dooku. "Yes, Master?"

"The farmers on Ylesia destroyed the droids I sent to eliminate them," said Dooku. "I need someone to take care of them that they will not be able to defeat."

"I just rescued the Viceroy after fighting two Jedi, and I'm being sent to kill two farmers?" said Ventress.

"I need to make an example of them to make the colony submit to us," said Dooku. "So leave now, and make it quick. I have other assignments I need you to tend to."

"Yes, Master," said Ventress.

Sometime later, Ventress arrived at Ylesia. She took a private ship and one battalion of droids with her. She landed near the ranch, which was an enormous size and covered in red and violet vegetable crops, and next to those a pasture of reeks. She approached the house as the droids exited their ship. The Besalisk ranchers were on their way to do some work when they noticed her. One looked at the other and nodded, the other going back inside nonchalantly.

"Are you the owners of this establishment?" asked Ventress.

"Yes, and who might you be?" asked the rancher.

"A messenger for the Separatists, here to tell you that your ranch will no longer be serving the Republic." Ventress then activated one lightsaber and swung at the rancher, but she was surprised by a push from the Force.

When she looked, a human man walked around the house and stared at her. He was average height, with light brown hair, and a beard and mustache. "Is there a reason for you giving my friends a hard time?"

"A Jedi!?" said Ventress when she looked at him. "Impossible!"

The man took a lightsaber off his belt. "The name's Jim. Former Jedi Master," he said as he activated his lightsaber's green blade.

"Now let's see if you can even use it," she said as she pulled out her second lightsaber, activated it and charged at Jim.

Jim blocked a swing from above, then one from below, and then held his blade up to block both of Ventress' blades. They held for a moment, then he pushed her back and started walking towards her as they continued colliding blades. Ventress spun and swung under Jim who jumped overtop of her, landed, and raised his lightsaber to block swings from Ventress. They began colliding blades again, Ventress turning a couple circles before she faced Jim and brought both lighsabers down onto his, starting a lock.

"You're starting to look frustrated, my dear," said Jim.

"You won't be so prideful when my droids crush your rancher friends," said Ventress.

Jim pushed her back. "Yeah, about them…"

Ventress looked over the hill, noticing the top halves and heads of her droids flying. And then a teenage boy jumping over the hill and landing, running up to her and Jim, holding an orange-bladed lightsaber. "Well that wasn't quite as difficult as you said it'd be," he said to Jim.

"Eh, she's not that much more challenging," said Jim. Ventress became angry and charged at the boy, who rolled to the side, dodging a stab from Ventress. "Nice roll, Jack."

"Master and Apprentice, not a fight I haven't been in before," said Ventress.

"Maybe," said Jack. "But try going against father and son. Much harder."

Jim then charged at Ventress who blocked his swing, then one from Jack. She started backing up, but was forced to turn and block a few swings from Jack before turning back to block Jim's swings. Jack swung at her back and then at her stomach while Jim blocked two swings aimed at his sides. Ventress then turned a circle and blocked swings from both Jedi, backing up a few more feet before turning and running towards her ship.

Jim jumped in front of her and they exchanged some hits, Jack following and getting blocked as he tried to hit Ventress in the side. Ventress kicked Jack back and then Force Pushed Jim into the side of a barn. Jack got back to her right away and continued the fight. Jim stood up and glanced down, noticing a rope used by the ranchers. He used the Force to toss the end off it towards Ventress, wrapping it around her right hand as she tried to swing at Jack. Jack swung at her again, Ventress blocking with her left lightsaber before it too was caught with the other end of the rope. Jim started pulling Ventress back with the Force as she tried to resist, Jack taking to opportunity to Pull Ventress' lightsabers away. Jim then used the Force to wrap the rest of the rope around Ventress' torso and arms, then let go, causing her to fall to the ground immobilized.

"Never mess with a father-and-son team, Sith," said Jim as he and his son bumped fists.

Obi-Wan Kenobi was aboard a Jedi cruiser when he got a call from the Jedi Council. "You requested me, Master?" he said.

"Yes," said Yoda. "Gotten word, we have, from Jim Tetevor. Captured Ventress, he has."

"Jim?" said Obi-Wan, surprised. "I haven't heard from him since a year after Qui-Gon's death."

"He said he has some terms for releasing Ventress to our custody," said Master Windu. "We would like you to go to Ylesia to find out these terms, and hopefully bring Ventress back to the capitol."

"Yes, Master," said Obi-Wan. "I will report back when I have word of the terms."

"Thank you, Master Kenobi," said Yoda. The transmission was then disconnected.

Anakin walked in at the same moment with his Padawan, Ahsoka. "Did I hear that right? Ventress has been captured?" he asked.

"Seems so," said Obi-Wan. "I've been sent to negotiate the terms for turning her over to the Jedi."

"Well who has her?" asked Ahsoka.

"A former Jedi that moved to Ylesia soon after his expulsion," said Obi-Wan.

"Expulsion? What for?" asked Ahsoka.

"It's… kind of complicated," said Obi-Wan. "He was experimenting with control of the Force and in doing so broke the Jedi Code."

"What kind of experiments?" asked Ahsoka.

"Yeah, I'm kind of interested too," said Anakin.

"Well I don't have much time now, but I'll explain it to both of you when I return," said Obi-Wan.

"Wait, Master," said Anakin. "Shouldn't you take backup? This is Ventress we're talking about."

"I would, but you were summoned back to Coruscant, remember?" said Obi-Wan.

"Oh, right," said Anakin.

Ahsoka volunteered, "I'll go."

"I don't know, Snips," said Anakin. "She nearly beat you and Master Luminara when she broke out Gunray."

"You heard Master Unduli," said Ahsoka with a smirk. "I saved her from Ventress, and I may need to save Master Kenobi if she gets loose."

"I wouldn't mind the company either, I'm ok with her coming," said Obi-Wan.

"Is that wise, Master?" Anakin asked Obi-Wan.

"I think it is," said Obi-Wan. "I'll take it as a chance to correct any mistakes you've made in her training."

"Very funny," said Anakin. And with that, Ahsoka and Obi-Wan took two small ships and set for Ylesia.

Jim and Jack kept Ventress in a barn stall that she couldn't break out of. Jack stood in the doorway to keep guard. "Do I not even get some food or water? You wouldn't want me to starve to death before the Jedi get here!"

"Calm down, they'll be here soon," said Jack. "Besides, I don't think you'd have much fun telling everyone how you were spoon-fed by a teen that whooped you at a lightsaber duel. Especially since it'd be harder to convince others of my skill when I'm not an official Jedi.

"If you're not an official Jedi, then where'd you get the lightsaber? And an orange-bladed one at that."

"Let's just say my dad was in the process of creating a second one before he left the Order. As far as the orange blade, that's a story I only tell those I think deserve to know."

"And why wouldn't I deserve to know?"

Jack walked into the barn and looked at Ventress. "Because you serve the side of murderers and tyrants. You don't ask, you demand, and if someone has the courage to tell you 'no,' you run to your Separatist friends, take an army of their droids and kill everyone associated with the one that said 'no.'"

"Well why should I let someone weaker than me tell me yes or no?"

"Killing those who oppose you doesn't make you stronger than them, it makes you much weaker. All it shows is that you have to be in control, or your life is meaningless." Ventress glared at Jack with a seething rage that he could see in her eyes. "Case and point." He then moved back to the door to keep watch.

Obi-Wan and Ahsoka came out of hyperspace, detached their ships from the hyperspace rings, then descended onto Ylesia. They flew over the ranch and landed in a large pasture close to Ventress' ship.

Obi-Wan got out of his ship, followed by Ahsoka and R2, and they walked to meet Jim as he walked out of the ranch house. "Hey, Obi-Wan! What the hell is on your face?" said Jim.

"Same thing you've had on yours the entire time I've known you," said Obi-Wan.

"Haha, come here you!" said Jim as he clutched Obi-Wan in a tight hug and attempted to lift him. "Wow, you've certainly grown up after all these years," said Jim after he released Obi-Wan. "How's that apprentice of yours?"

"He's a Knight now," said Obi-Wan.

"Wow, guess you didn't screw him up after all," said Jim jokingly. "This your new Padawan?" he asked, gesturing to Ahsoka.

"Actually, this is Ahsoka, Anakin's Padawan," said Obi-Wan.

"Pleased to meet you, Master Jedi," said Ahsoka as she shook hands with Jim.

"The name's Jim. Haven't been a Master for almost ten years now."

"Oh, my apologies."

"Don't sweat it. So, shall we go see our catch of the day?" said Jim.

They walked to the barn, Jack first noticing Ahsoka, unintentionally staring for a second. "Jack, this is Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, and…"

"Ahsoka Tano," said Ahsoka. "Nice to meet you…"

"Jack," said Jack nervously. "Jack Tetevor."

They all four walked inside to where Ventress was sitting. "Oh great, now I'm a public display," said Ventress.

"Oh, just wait till the entire Republic sees you on trial for all the crimes you've committed," said Ahsoka.

"Ahsoka, call the cruiser and ask them to come pick us up," said Obi-Wan.

"Right away, Master," said Ahsoka.

"Mind if I walk with you?" asked Jack.

"Sure, why not," said Ahsoka.

The two walked to Ahsoka's ship, R2 flying back into his spot to send the transmission. "Admiral Yalaran," said Ahsoka when the Admiral appeared, "we've confirmed Ventress is here, so go ahead and proceed to Ylesia for pick-up."

"We'll set course immediately, Commander Tano," said the Admiral before the transmission ended.

"Commander," commented Jack. "So you're not just a Padawan."

"It's because of the war," said Ahsoka. "It's given me an early chance to be a leader."

"Must be scary, holding the entire fate of a battle in your hands."

"I'll admit it gets nerve-racking sometimes, but I'm getting better at it."

"So you're Anakin Skywalker's apprentice?"

"Yep. He's a pretty good master. I'm learning a lot from him. What about you? Your father's a former Jedi, so shouldn't you be in the Jedi Temple?"

"I would like to, but ever since I was little I wanted to be trained by my dad. I was five when he got expelled."

"If you don't mind me asking, what was he expelled for?"

"Promise you won't freak out like the other Jedi did?"

"I promise."

"He taught himself how to use Dark Side abilities."

When Ahsoka heard this, she froze for a few moments.

"Have you heard back from Ventress?" asked Dooku.

"No sir," said one of the droids. "I can't get ahold of her droids either."

"Set course for Ylesia," ordered Dooku. "Something's going on down there, I know two farmers would never be able to resist my droids, much less my apprentice."

"Yes sir," said a droid.

Dooku then took his seat and activated a transmitter. General Grievous appeared after a few moments. "What is it, Count?" he asked.

"Ventress was sent to Ylesia and hasn't yet returned, and her droids haven't contacted us either," said Dooku. "I'm en route to Ylesia right now, and I need you to meet me there for backup. There might be something down there that was too much for her to handle, possibly some Jedi."

"I'll meet you there, and show the hairless wench how to kill a Jedi," said Grievous before he ended the transmission.

"Wait, Dark Side powers, like those used by the Sith!?" said Ahsoka as she walked through the fields with Jack.

"Yes," said Jack. "But your reaction is like the others just because you heard 'Dark Side.'"

"Probably because the Dark Side is what Jedi are supposed to resist," said Ahsoka. "It's not something they should…"

"Use?" interrupted Jack. "You need to think about the powers of the Force as tools and not define them by bad or good. Think about lightsabers. The Jedi and the Sith both use them, correct?"

"Correct."

"What makes the Sith lightsaber bad?"

"Well the first thing that comes to mind is the red blade."

Jack held out his arm and concentrated. Ahsoka watched, and was slightly disgusted, when one of Ventress' lightsabers fell out of Jack's arm.

"Ok, first off, how did Ventress' lightsaber get into your arm?"

"Oh," chuckled Jack. "I guess this is the first time you've seen that, since only ma and my dad can perform that trick. Our ancestry isn't all human. One of my ancestors was part of a species that's now extinct. That species had very small molecules that made up their body, so they were able to bend them through any seemingly solid object if they had really good concentration. But unless we concentrate just right we're as solid as everyone else."

Ahsoka hesitated for a second. "I don't know if that's awesome or disgusting," she said. "N-no offense."

"None take, it makes sense. Not everyone sees a person store a lightsaber inside their arm. Speaking of which, hold this," said Jack as he handed Ahsoka the lightsaber. She held the weapon and looked it over, but Jack could tell by her expression that she still regarded it as a tool used to kill. "You still think of it as a murder weapon."

"That's kind of what that bog witch uses it for," she said.

"Turn it on," he said. Ahsoka activated the lightsaber. "It feels just like your lightsaber, minus the difference in your hilts. It's the same weight, you can wield it the same, it's just colored red because of a red crystal in the hilt, just as yours is…"

"Green."

"Ok, green. Same tool, different color. You could easily use this lightsaber to replace your own, right?"

"Yeah, I guess I could," said Ahsoka as she deactivated the lightsaber.

"It's the same with Dark Side powers. It's the person that wields the power, not the power itself."

"Well, that sort of makes sense. I once fought General Grievous, and he uses lightsabers stolen from Jedi he's murdered."

"Exactly, those weapons aren't bad, they're used by a bad person."

"Eh, I'd consider Grievous more of a droid."

"Why's that?"

"He's mostly metal limbs and body. But he's still dangerous."

"And you fought him?"

"Well, sort of. I didn't hold up too well, I'll admit."

"Well you're still a Padawan, you'll get your experience."

"Hey, you're not that much older than me, plus I've been trained at the Jedi Temple, and on the battlefield," said Ahsoka with a prideful smirk.

"Oh well then, let's make you a Master already," said Jack, sarcastically with a smile.

"Don't challenge me," said Ahsoka, jokingly.

"Maybe I will sometime," said Jack. They then smiled playfully at each other.

Jim and Obi-Wan sat in Jim's kitchen. They'd talked about all Obi-Wan has gone through since Qui-Gon's death and taking Anakin on as an apprentice. Jim had also told Obi-Wan about how he was able to train Jack and put his training to use with gangs of pirates trying to steal crops and reeks from the ranchers, who had given Jim and Jack the extra home on the ranch soon after Jim's wife had passed away.

"... As long as we keep the pirates away and do a little work, they said we can keep this house at no charge," said Jim as he took Obi-Wan some juice. "This is from the red kist roots, it's really good."

Obi-Wan sipped some of the drink. "You're right, it is," he said. "So how does Jack take to your 'unique' style of using the Force?"

"He uses it and believes in it the same as I do," said Jim. "He is kind of reckless, as most Padawans are, but he'd never misuse his power."

"That's good to hear," said Obi-Wan. "So I do have to ask, you had terms for giving Ventress to us, what were they?"

"I was getting to that, actually," said Jim. "Although Jack's come really far as a Jedi, I still believe he needs the guidance of someone that's a member of the Jedi Order. He needs more experience than just protecting a few ranchers from pirates, and I believe this war could give him that."

"The war isn't something we would call a training course, Jim," said Obi-Wan. "It's actually causing more than its share of issues within the Order."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that the way it sounded," said Jim. "To put my terms simply, I would just like to have Jack become a part of the Order, and hopefully become apprenticed. I've taught him almost all I know, and I know there's much more knowledge out there for him."

"Well, I'll see what I can do. He helped with subduing Ventress, so he does have some points working for him."

Jim raised his cup. "Well then, to the Jedi Order."

"To the Order," said Obi-Wan. They tapped their glasses and drank their refreshments.

"I will take the first ship to the planet," said Count Dooku to Grievous as they walked to the hangar. "Follow me with a battalion of droids, but do not engage anyone or anything until I give you the order."

"Yes, Count," said Grievous with a cough. "Get the troops ready," he yelled at a droid.

"Yes sir," said the droid.

Dooku took his solar sailor to the planet below. While inside Jim's house, Obi-Wan saw a scanner of Jim's pick up an incoming ship.

"Jim, there's a ship incoming," said Obi-Wan.

Outside, Jack and Ahsoka saw the ship land, however they were too far away to be spotted by it. "That's Dooku's ship!" said Ahsoka.

"Oh, I've heard of him," Jack said excitedly. "He trained my dad's cousin, Qui-Gon Jinn."

"He's a Sith Lord now," said Ahsoka. "He leads the Separatists, and he's now Ventress' master."

"Wait, Master Dooku?" said Jack surprised.

"Yes, Master Dooku has turned, I'm afraid," said Obi-Wan, who was coincidentally having the same conversation with Jim as Ahsoka was having with Jack.

"What should I do?" asked Jim as he noticed Dooku approaching the house.

"I'll hide," said Obi-Wan as he snuck into another room. "If he engages you, I'll step in, but odds are he doesn't know you're here, and he may try to turn you to his cause as he attempted on me once. If he does that, chit chat with him as a distraction and maybe we can deliver him AND Ventress to the Republic."

"I'll see what I can do," said Jim. There was a knock on the door from Dooku that Jim went to answer. "Oh," he said, acting surprised. "Master Dooku! Hot damn, I haven't seen you since just after Qui-Gon's death."

"Yes, yes, Master Tetevor, it has been far too long," said Dooku. He was surprised to discover that Jim was there, unaware that Obi-Wan was also. "May I ask to come in?"

"Yes, yes, certainly," said Jim. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"No thank you," said Dooku. "I have some business in which you maybe able to help me."

"What might that be?" asked Jim.

"An associate of mine has gone missing on a recent mission to this area of the planet. Have you happened to see her?"

"Her? What does she look like?"

"She's a young Dathomirian female, and she carries two lightsabers."

"Oh, so you took on a new Padawan?"

"Not exactly, I have left the Jedi Order."

"So what exactly are you training her in?"

"I guess you could say I'm doing the same thing you are with your son. She's an informal apprentice."

"Ah. Well I haven't seen her." Jim glanced back as Obi-Wan started making small movements towards Dooku.

Dooku sensed something was up and that Jim was deceiving him, however he decided he would continue to play along. "I think you know of my true nature, Jim. I actually think you might make a good ally if you were to join me."

"Why is that?"

"You've seen how naive the Jedi are. They didn't accept your use of the Force, and they expelled you once you came forward with your relationship to your late wife."

"Yes, I know. But I still believe in the Order. I prepared myself for expulsion, I was just hoping that the Council would change the Code after they heard what I had discovered."

"I have come to realize that the Jedi will not change. They're stuck in their current state of mind, and they will not change their ways, even when a skilled Jedi, such as yourself, provides evidence that the rules CAN change."

"Regardless of what the Council did to me, I remain loyal to them. I will help them when they need me too, and if one day they allow me to return to the Order, I won't hesitate to do so."

"Haha, and why would they call on an expelled member for help?"

"Possibly for catching Sith Lords, such as you and your apprentice, who is actually tied up in the rancher's barn."

Dooku grew angry at this information, although he had known that Jim was hiding something. "I knew you were deceiving me from the beginning," he said. "And I know you're attempting to take me hostage also, Master Kenobi!" Dooku then turned around and Force Pushed Obi-Wan against the wall.

Jim immediately activated his lightsaber and pointed it at Dooku. "Hold it, Dooku," he said. Obi-Wan activated his lightsaber and the two Jedi stood ready to take on the Sith Lord. "You were the one Jedi besides my own Master that I looked up to. Why would you betray the Order?"

"I have my reasons, as you have yours," said Dooku. He then took out his lightsaber, aimed it upwards, and activated the blade. He looked back and forth between the two Jedi to see who would lunge first.

End of Part 1, watch for Part 2: Ventress' Rescue