After the Break

Scarlett awoke to the soft brightening of the lights in the Jedi Temple. Every morning, the lights would slowly brighten, mimicking the rising of the sun. It was a very peaceful way to wake up.

Scarlett sat up and rubbed her eyes. She thought for a second. Wasn't she forgetting something? She thought for another second. Then she remembered. Today, Scarlett and Master Kenobi would be traveling to a clone medical station on the Outer Rim. The Malevolence, a Separatist starship, was threatening the medical station with its deadly ion cannon. Master Skywalker and Ahsoka were already on their way to help the medical station. Scarlett just hope that they would make it in time.

Scarlett hopped out of bed and changed into her usual clothes, which were a black and dark blue sleeveless robe that reached her knees and combat boots. She threw her cloak on as well and raced to the hangar, where her Master would be waiting for her.

When Scarlett arrived, she was greeted by Master Kenobi, Commander Cody, and Lieutenant Watt . They were both preparing for their rescue mission to the medical center. Scarlett helped them pack supplies and weapons.

When the preparations were finished, Scarlett, her Master, and the clone troopers all boarded the Republic starship that they were taking to the medical center. A few minutes later, they were off.

Scarlett and her Master's starships arrived at the battle just in time to see Master Skywalker and his clones take out the Malevolence's ion cannon. Scarlett cheered with the clones as the Separatist's secret weapon was blown to bits.

But the battle wasn't over yet. The Malevolence's main weapon may have been destroyed, but the ship still possessed the guns and vulture droids of any Separatist starship.

Scarlett watched the battle out of the window of the bridge with Ahsoka, Master Skywalker, and Master Kenobi. The two sides were evenly matched. Just when the Republic seemed to gain the upper hand, when Watt spotted something odd

" Hey Letty a small ship just coming out of hyperspace, straight into the battle."

"Wait what!" Scarlett stated confusingly

Ahsoka looked at the scanner. "It seems to be... A Naboo ship?" She looked questioningly at Master Skywalker.

Master Skywalker turned to one of the clones. "Get me in contact with that ship," he ordered.

"Yes, sir," the clone replied. He pushed a few buttons. "We're in," he said.

"Naboo ship, this is a Republic starship," Ahsoka started, "Identify yourself."

A hologram of a young woman materialized. "This is Senator Amidala," she said.

"Padmé!" Master Skywalker exclaimed, "What are you doing in the middle of a battle?"

"I was sent these coordinates. They must have been given to me wrong," she answered. Suddenly, the hologram shook, and there was an odd clicking sound, followed by a rumble. Senator Amidala's hologram looked around.

"What's happening?" Master Skywalker demanded.

"I'm being pulled in by a tractor beam!" Senator Amidala replied, "The Separatists must be planning to use me as a bargaining chip. You must continue the attack!"

Senator Amidala's hologram began to flicker in and out then blacked out.

"They're jamming our transmissions," Ahsoka explained.

Master Skywalker and Master Kenobi looked troubled. Finally, Master Skywalker turned to a clone and said, "Call a cease fire."

Almost immediately, the Republic ships stopped their flow of lasers. The Malevolence was damaged, but still functional.

"We must go rescue the Senator," Master Obi-Wan said.

"I agree." Master Skywalker replied, "Somebody's got to save her skin."

As Master Kenobi and Master Skywalker began to walk away, Scarlett asked, "May I come with you, Master?"

Master Kenobi glanced at Master Skywalker. He nodded.

"Yes, you may," Master Kenobi replied, "But you must stay close to me at all times."

"Yes, Master!" Scarlett agreed, and followed her Master to board their ship. Scarlett stepped onto the Malevolence. She, Master Skywalker, Master Kenobi, Watt, and 5 clones had docked at the emergency airlock and had boarded the ship. They were ready to begin their mission: rescue Senator Amidala.

As they ran off Watt and a few clones stood guard at the docking airlock

Master Skywalker's intercom beeped with an incoming call. Ahsoka's voice came through.

"Master, we have located the Senator. I'm going to stream her to you."

"Anakin?" Senator Amidala asked.

"Padmé! Are you alright? Where are you?" Master Skywalker questioned.

"I'm on the run from the droids with another prisoner. we're fine, but I don't know for how long."

"Ahsoka," Master Skywalker started, "locate them and find a way for us to meet up."

"According to our scans of the ship, there is a large chamber directly between you and the Senator. You should be able to meet there," Ahsoka answered.

"We're on our way," Master Skywalker said. "Padmé, did you hear that?"

"Yes. I'll be there," she said.

"Good luck, Master," Ahsoka added, and the line went dead.

"Let's go," Master Skywalker said. He raced towards the meeting place, Scarlett and Master Kenobi at his heels.

Soon enough, Master Skywalker, Master Kenobi, and Scarlett made it to the large chamber. It was filled with trains transporting supplies to the various parts of the ship. The cavern was filled with the sound of clanking wheels and train whistles.

The Jedi scanned the cavern.

"I don't see them, Anakin," Master Kenobi remarked. They looked for a few more seconds.

"There!" Master Skywalker exclaimed. Scarlett looked in the direction he was pointing, and saw Senator Amidala, a young girl no older than 6 yrs old maybe in padawan gear and she was gripping her side, and her droid, C3-PO, retreating from several battle droids.

Scarlett and the two Masters Force-jumped their way towards the Senator while Scarlett aimed and fired off one round. Two of the droids shot at Master Kenobi and Master Skywalker.

"No! Don't do that!" the other droid exclaimed, but it was too late. The two Jedi Masters deflected the lasers and sent them straight through the two battle droids.

"I knew that was a bad idea..." the third droid sighed. Then was hit with Scarlett's Blaster shot

Senator Amidala the young padawan and her droid were forced to retreat as the droids drew nearer. The Padawan pushed C3-PO onto a train, but he slid off with a cry of, "AHHHHH!" and fell to a train on a lower level. Senator Amidala quickly jumped onto the first train followed by the clone. She was safe, for now.

"Padmé!" Master Skywalker shouted. He jumped onto a train riding parallel to the Senator's.

"Anakin!" Senator Amidala replied.

A few droids stationed above the railway spotted her. "Fire!" the droid in command ordered. A nearby superdroid shot its cannon at the track ahead of the Senator. The laser left a smoking gap in the train's railway.

"Anakin! The bridge is out!" Senator Amidala called.

"Jump to me! I'll use the Force!" he answered. "You have to trust me."

Senator Amidala looked him in the eye. She slightly nodded. The Senator jumped, and Master Skywalker guided her towards himself with the Force. The Senator safely landed on his train. while the padawan grabbed it but then cried in pain and slipped and fell to the train below

Scarlett and her Master had been watching onboard a higher train.

"Nice catch!" Master Kenobi called to Master Skywalker. "I'll fetch the droid. Scarlett you get the padawan"

As Scarlett jumped to the train was on she was walking until she saw the padawan saw that the Padawan was shaking her head and looked up and then picked up her hood that fell off her head and pulled it on. Scarlett took out her blaster and the Padawan flitched Scarlett felt bad and then after a pause handed her blaster to the Padawan and said "we need to talk later here's a gun for you, ok?"

The Padawan just noded and took the blaster and fired at the droids above while Scarlett deflected the fire that was coming at them. After the two destroyed the droids Scarlett wrapped her arm around the Padawan , while the Padawan yelped almost dropping the blaster, and Scarlett force jumped to her masters train to where her head suddenly spun to look at Master Skywalker. Did she just glimpse Master Skywalker and Senator Amidala... kissing? She looked back then shrugged it off as seeing things. She turned around to see that she didn't let go of the Padawan and blushed heavily and let go, then to see Master Kenobi was already Force-lifting C3-PO towards them.

As Scarlett watched, she heard a rushing sound. Turning around, she spotted a train turn a corner and head straight for the droid.

"Master! Lookout!" Scarlett called, but it was too late. C3-PO was hit by the train in mid-air and carried away. His screams of "Stop me! Please!" quickly faded away.

"Blast! That's not good," Scarlett's Master said to himself. He turned on his com link. "Anakin," he said into it, "I got separated from your droid."

"3-PO!" Aliura heard Senator Amidala exclaim.

Master Skywalker sighed. "I'll take care of it," he said reluctantly. "We'll meet you back at the Twilight," he said to the Senator.

"No! We can't leave yet," she exclaimed. "I overheard Grievous. Their hyperdrive is almost repaired."

"We're already headed in that direction," Master Kenobi said, "So, we'll make certain that the hyperdrive stays offline."

Just as they were leaving to go to the hypercore room the Padawan whispered "my name is Ember ."

to were only Scarlett heard her and smiled at the Padawan and mouthed later, then looked at the blaster the Padawan was holding and stated factually sounding "That Blaster will not do let me find your lightsaber." Ember shook her head and said "I don't have one it was blown up when the droids captured me." Scarlett looked at her then bent down to hug her and said "I am sure that we will find you another one" then picked up a droid blaster and gave it to Ember.

Shortly afterwards, Scarlett, her Master and the Ember arrived at the control center. Inside the dark room were two battle droids tapping away on the control panel. At first, they didn't even notice the two Jedi and the clone.

Suddenly, the lights turned on, and a menacing voice said, "Hello there."

Scarlett, Master Kenobi and Ember spun around. General Grievous was perched above the doorway. As the lights came on, three rows of battle droids marched in. Three droidekas also rolled in, surrounding the Jedi and the clone.

"General Kenobi," General Grievous growled. "Did you really think that I would leave the hyperdrive unguarded?"

"Anything is possible. You haven't exactly impressed me today," Scarlett's Master coolly replied.

General Grievous evilly laughed. "Kill them," he snarled.

The battle droids immediately began firing. Master Kenobi sent a droideka rolling down one of the columns of droids, and Scarlett did the same on her side and deflected the blaster fire from her and Ember . Master Kenobi tried to do the same to General Grievous. The General caught the mid-spin and flung it to the side. However, Ember , Scarlett, and her Master were already out the door. Master Kenobi threw a sarcastic two finger salute over his shoulder to General Grievous.

As they retreated, Scarlett heard one of the battle droids remark, "That was impressive."

General Grievous's shout of outrage could be heard throughout that whole level of the ship.

Scarlett and Master Kenobi were running through the ship, with General Grievous hot on their heels. Master Kenobi had tried to contact Master Skywalker, but the droids were jamming their transmissions. All Scarlett and her Master could do was make it back to the ship and hope that Master Skywalker and Senator Amidala were coming.

Master Kenobi Force jumped onto a train, and Scarlett quickly wrapped her arm around Ember then followed. She could hear General Grievous' metal feet clanking on the hard floor not far behind her.

General Grievous jumped onto Scarlett, Master Kenobi, and Ember 's train. He started sprinting towards them, slashing through anything that got in his way with his stolen lightsabers.

General Grievous slashed and parried by the Jedi, but Scarlett, her Master and Ember were able to jump down to a lower train as Ember let out a pained hiss because she took a round to the thigh and collapsed to her hands and knees, Scarlett picked Ember up and held her bridal style.

They barely made it in time. Obi-Wan was deflecting lasers back at the droids while Scarlett carried Ember.
Once safely inside, the four Jedi, two droids, the Senator, and six clones all traveled towards the Republic's strong fleet.

When the droids aboard the Malevolence tried to go into hyperspace, the ship crashed into the moon and exploded. deflecting lasers had a strong suspicion that Master Skywalker had something to do with that.

After the Twilight docked with the the Star Destroyer clone medics attempted to take Ember to the med bay to check her but she suddenly pushed them back and crawled behind Scarlett grabbing her thigh, who watched the entire thing along with the occupants of the Twilight. Scarlett's face changed to puzzled when Ember hid behind her Scarlett asked " Ember what's wrong?" Ember whispered "N-no k-keep them-m b-back. c-can you t-take me tto w-where you are g-going pp-please." Scarlett looked at Ember then to her master who wore a confused look, but then realizing when he heard Ember's voice he knew why. "Scarlett take Ember to your quarter's and look at her."

"yes Master" Scarlett replied then grabbed a medic bag from a clone that offered her his and strapped it to her back then grabbed Ember and carried her to her quarters

Scarlett's Quarters

Scarlett closed the door behind them and then set Ember on her bed. Scarlett asked Ember to remove her cloths on her pained areas so she can treat her while Ember was doing that Scarlett went to put down her weapons and look for cloths for Ember. When Scarlett returned she went into mother bird mode, the cloths for Ember she set them down on the bed. Taking off the med pack and opening it she looked up to see what she needed to treat Ember s wounds she grabbed a few patches of Baca and then applied them to the blaster wound Ember after cleaning them on her thigh and then grabbed gauze and applied it to the series of stab wounds on her abdomen. Shaking her head wondering who would do this to her as Scarlett looked at all the old wounds. Trying to start a conversation with Ember while she was bandaging her up asked "where are you from, how old are you?"

"I was captured and my Master killed on a recon mission to a planet?" Ember whispered

"Oh, I see sorry about your Master?" Scarlett startled by Ember s previous answer

"It's fine." Ember whispered holding back tears remembering her Master being cut down defending her from the Droids.

Scarlett saw the pain in Ember's eyes and and on her face, she reacted the only way she knew how and hugged her and whispered in Ember's ear that it was ok to cry that she was here for her. Ember after hearing that broke down and sobbed clinging to Scarlett. Scarlett rubbed Ember's back saying "shh shh it's ok I am here for you I won't leave you shh shh." then Scarlett started to sing a calm and soft song to Ember who finally let go before she fell asleep Scarlett had her put on different cloths.

When Scarlett started to walk out the door like she had sensed her leaving Ember started to cry and thrashing, quickly closing the door and running to Ember side and hugging her and humming lullaby , Ember ook woke up and cryingly said "don't *hic* lea *hic* ve me. *hic* Ple *hic* ase"

"Shh shh shh. I won't leave to go back to sleep" Scarlett hummed to Ember

After a few minutes Ember reluctantly let go and laid down drifting off to sleep Scarlett left a her spare comlink on the bedside table grabbing her lightsabers and attached them to her belt again but left her saber staff on her dress. She walked up to the side of the bed Ember was on and quickly finished checking her out for internal or external wounds then kissed her forehead and Ember sleeply opened her eyes Scarlett whispered "I will be back I need to go to the bridge stay here there is a comlink on the bedside table for you to contact me if you need me. Okay?" Ember noded and went to sleep again as Scarlett grabbed the medical bag and left for the med bay to refill the bag and head to the bridge.