20 BBY
A being of small stature stands at the center of observation deck aboard the Republic Naval shuttle, his old eyes examining the chaos that unfolded in the skies in front of him. Seperatist vulture droids engaged with clone starfighters, small explosions flickering and then fading off in the cold depths of space. Blasts of blue energy raining down upon the ship they were based in. The small but elderly being did not care for the heat of war, but in these days it was sadly needed for the continued survival of the republic.
"I'm scared Master Yoda." Admitted the younger man standing above him.
"Fear not Padawan Tonack." The master reassured, his old voice full of kindness and wisdom, "Far enough from us, the battle is. And far enough away these confederate ships are. Cause us any damage they most likely will not."
"You may want to reconsider that statement general." Noted another soldier, coming up to the jedi with a holopad.
Unlike the other men in this part of the ship, this soldier was uniformed in a battered, beaten, scratched, and painted suit of blaster resistant armor. It and it's wearer has seen enough conflict to know when to stand ground and when to turn tail. And the stance of the man who wore did not say the former was the best current option.
"A status report, do you have Commander Divad?" Yoda inquired taking the holopad to read the information he'd been provided.
"Yeah, unfortunately we got clankers running up their way here. We're holding 'em off okay, but we figured you two could be of some more use than us.
"Heard anything, we have not?" The master replied, curious as to how the battle droids had escaped their notice.
"That's cuz the clankers snuck in through the front door. An operative carrying sensitive information was tortured into talking and revealed the codes for entering our ships." Explained the clone trooper.
"Change our codes then, we should." Yoda noted, "Padawan Tonack, with me, you are." The master instructed.
Semaj followed the Grand Master down the halls as he'd ordered, it amazed the young man how fast such a small and elderly being could move so quickly. He was having trouble keeping up. He paused with the master as they came to one last corner, the sound of blaster fire was louder than the traffic of Courascant on even i'ts worst night. Semaj nodded at the older being as they ignited their lightsabers and joined the chaotic fight. Master Yoda carried a small lightsaber who's emerald color matched the skin of it's owner and with a handle about the size of Semaj's fist, something practical for a man his size. Semaj himself carried a blue blade, with a slightly curved handle, for some reason when he was youngling he'd always liked the shape of Master Dooku's handle. It seemed good for fighting an opponent in one to one combat, while still being able to fight off blaster wielding foes. Also practical for someone who grew up in the lower levels of Courascant, with crime becoming even more rampant as the war raged on.
Semaj and The Grandmaster emerged from the corner both of them walking toward the chaos and deflecting the blaster bolts sent their way. Master Yoda using his immense agility brought on by the force to evade and decapitate robotic foes, while Semaj simply used his blade to direct the bolts back to the machines that had fired at him. Semaj remembered his own master's teachings; "Be mindful of your surroundings young one."
Master Nahgem always told him to be aware of where he placed his feet. Check. No debris for me to step on. And make sure your eyes perceived every possible threat to his existence. No droids coming up from behind, and I'm not in the line of the clones fire. And above all do not allow for your environment to surprise you.
As soon as that thought crossed his mind, Semaj heard an explosion from behind him, he glanced behind him long enough to perceive what Grandmaster Yoda already knew through the force, they were now cut off from the command and observation deck.
"Farkle!" Semaj murmured to himself, his movements becoming a little too quick, almost missing some of the droids' shots.
"Padawan!" Cried Yoda, "Concentrate, you must."
Semaj nodded slightly in acknowledgement, taking a quick breath as he let himself sink into the force, letting it guide his actions. Now he was deflecting twice as many blaster bolts as before, steadily advancing toward the enemy until he was close enough to do some damage.
"OH GOD! PLEASE DON'T!" Screamed the high pitched voice of a battle droid.
"Sorry!" Semaj whispered, slicing off the heads of it and about nine droids, before slowly but surely advancing towards the hangar.
He felt the power of the force coursing through him as he brought up the rear behind Master Yoda. The feeling of confidence he had was so powerful, he felt it was starting to emanate from the clones.
"C'MON BOYS! WE GOT THOSE CLANKERS ON THE RUN!" Shouted Commander Divad, raising his blaster into the air and shaking the fist that carried it with pride.
"The force is definitely with us today gentlemen!" Semaj noted, decapitating another five- six- seven- eight battle droids, kicking one down and stabbing his blade of ocean colored plasma through the chest of one, pulling one toward the lightsaber and cutting it in half, and making three slashes toward another; one across the legs, one through the chest, and one at the neck; before sending the severed segments back at the marching armies.
"This is gonna be easier than we thought!" Chimed a lower ranking trooper, his grin so heavy that it was audible.
"Why did you say that?" The padawan groaned, his voice immediately being drown out by another explosion immediately in front of them.