Okay, everybody. Here's the next chapter and I hope you like it. Enjoy.


Chapter 4—The Student

Being handed a "spare" lightsaber from Obi-Wan Kenobi was awkward. Somewhere in the back of his mind, it registered that he was doing what other clones had been prohibited from doing—touching a Jedi's lightsaber. The cylindrical hilt was lighter than he thought it'd be, especially considered that it didn't have a real blade, but it was lighter than the blasters he had been trained with on Kamino.

Although, admittedly, he did not see the point of the lightsaber. Why would anyone want to risk close-quarters combat when they could pick off enemies from a distance with a blaster? It seemed foolish and flew in the face of every strategy that they'd been taught on Kamino... but still...

"Wow," Kasey mumbled, impressed. He peered down the hilt, looking into the opening.

"I wouldn't do that, Kasey," Kenobi warned.

"Why?" Kasey asked, but he didn't need an answer. The lightsaber ignited and Kasey had barely moved out of the way. The blue energy blade scraped by the side of Kasey's face and he hissed in pain. He reached up to touch the tenderly exposed flesh and winced.

"I warned you," Kenobi stated. "But, for now, that is your lightsaber and your life. Protect it and keep it close. Later, you'll construct your own saber."

"Thank you, General," Kasey stated, "but I think I'd prefer to have my own blaster rather than a lightsaber."

"Jedi don't use blasters," Kenobi stated, "and you'll find that it's easy enough to use a lightsaber. I actually find it much more... usable than a blaster. I'm sure, given time, you will too."

"Yes, sir," Kasey said.

"And I told you that Padawans call their teachers 'Master'."

"Sorry, s—Master."

"Come with me," Kenobi said. "There are quite a few people you'll need to know for while we're in space."

"We're going into space again, sir? I mean, Master," he added when he saw Kenobi's disapproving look. "So soon, I mean. I thought we'd be training here on Coruscant."

"No. I'm an important general for our troops on the frontier," Kenobi answered. "I must get back to the front soon. Although, there is the matter of your hair."

"It's regulation length for cadets on Kamino."

"Have you ever heard of a Padawan braid? And you'll need some new clothes..."


Knowing that he'd have to have his hair either completely or partially extended for a "Padawan braid" was weird to him. He'd always considered having it cut short after graduating from basic training on Kamino, but that world, that dream, seemed intangible now that he was considered a Padawan.

And it wasn't just the braid. The looseness of the Jedi clothing struck Kasey as weird, simply because they felt too big, almost like they'd fall off at any moment. After the form-fitting clothes, the looseness just felt awkward, unnatural.

He followed Kenobi to a dock where a relatively small ship was stationed. Already waiting for him was Commander Cody, along with Kasey's old squadron. They approached quietly, and Kasey could hear Barker talking as he paced nervously.

"...our squad. What if he doesn't come back? I mean, we honestly can't..."

"Barker," Goth started.

"...forget him. He's practically our leader. And..."

"Barker!" Murk tried.

"...he'll never leave us, right? He's our best soldier and—

"BARKER!" Fury shouted. "Shut up! He's here!"

Barker turned to look at Kasey. He cocked his eyebrow in interest as the brown clothes he was wearing, but quickly smiled.

"Well, don't you look official now, Kasey?"

"I guess," Kasey replied, "although I'm going to miss the regular clothes we wear."

"So, what happens now?" Murk questioned. "Are you coming back with us or are you staying here?"

"Actually, we're about to head to the front, I think," Kasey said, looking back to Kenobi for confirmation. Kenobi nodded. "So, I think I'm about to go straight to war."

"What does that mean for us?" Murk asked.

"You are going back to Kamino. We can make the stop on our way," Kenobi announced. "I know that you're close to Kasey, but, unfortunately, the rules cannot be bent because of personal feelings. You must complete your training on Kamino."

"You are going to see us graduate, aren't you?" Barker asked nervously.

"Wish I could say so, but I don't know," Kasey admitted, "but I know you'll do just fine without me. I have confidence in you guys."

"General," Commander Cody said. He motioned to Kenobi to get his attention and Kenobi walked over. They turned away from the Beta Squad, whispering.

"So, how's it feel to be a Jedi?" Goth asked.

"I don't feel like a Jedi. I feel like an idiot, dressed like this," Kasey joked. "It feels weird. I always thought I'd be an ARC trooper, not a Jedi Padawan."

"Well, it's pretty amazing, to think that our leader is a Padawan," Barker stated.

"It should've been me," Fury scoffed. "I'm twice the soldier you are."

"Like we really had a choice over who got the power," Kasey stated sarcastically. "I woke up one day and decided that I wanted to be a Jedi." He chortled uneasily. "I'm still kind of upset that I can't be an ARC."

"You're a Jedi! It's twice as good as an ARC trooper," Goth insisted.

"So, that's it, isn't it?" Murk said suddenly. "You're really going through with this, Kasey?"

Kasey hesitated for a moment. He opened his mouth to answer, but Kenobi spoke from behind him, a kind of urgency in his voice. Kasey felt his own heartbreak increase slightly when Kenobi spoke.

"Change of plans," Kenobi stated. "We need to leave now."

"What's going on, Master?" Kasey asked, making a mental note that he was getting better at using the appropriate title.

"My former Padawan has requested reinforcements and we're going to meet his flagship."

"When?"

"Now. Unfortunately, that means we don't have time to stop by Kamino right now. After I'm sure everything's fine on Anakin's side, we'll arrange transport to Kamino," Kenobi explained. "However, should we find ourselves in a firefight, you four"—he indicated Murk, Goth, Fury, and Barker—"are forbidden from drawing your weapons. Stay safe. Wait until you graduate from your training to put your lives at risk."

"Yes, sir," Murk said, saluting.

"On board now. Time's of the essence. And, Kasey, you'll get some rare, on-the-job experience at being a Jedi."


Okay, guys, here's the next chapter. Just to get my readers opinions, where do you think they should go to? As you've noticed, I've left the story open for any particular time during the Clone Wars. Let me know and I'll have it up soon.