Full Synopsis: "Emotions, even for a Jedi, can be a challenge to control. Lumiya Kumari, Padawan to Master Jeela Saadasa, is sent to the distant planet Seboo, where unknown dangers lurk during what she considers to be her great Jedi Trial. With Captain Rex and a battalion of clone troopers at their side, she should feel safe, should be able to push her emotions aside and continue with the mission. However, disaster strikes and sends the lone survivors, Lumiya and Captain Rex, into hiding in the dense growth of the planet.
Emotions are bewildering, overwhelming, enticing. While her heart thrums in her chest as they run for their lives, perhaps it will grow to the beat of her companion as they traverse the perils of this strange, uncharted territory."
First I want to thank my best friend Artistic-Resonance for the countless times in which she helped me edit and revise this chapter, as well as supporting and encouraging me to finish it. Go check out her works if you're a fan of Levi in AoT. And of course, I hope you enjoy this first chapter as much as I did while writing it!
It was a beautiful day on Coruscant; the sun was shining, the temperature was mild, and there was even a light breeze sweeping across the ecumenopolis. Lumiya enjoyed being outside when the weather was like this, and did it often as a way of passing time. She was never a huge conversationalist and enjoyed the solitude, simply sitting by herself and pondering her thoughts and beliefs. It was therapeutic for the young woman, a way of meditating and feeling the Force that surrounded her and all living things. Her love for nature and the outdoors assisted her in feeling more attuned with the Force, and it made her appreciate the beauty of the galaxy and all of its living beings: sentient or non-sentient species, even the mere plants that most individuals would overlook.
Today was one of those tranquil days for Lumiya. She sat upon the stone steps leading down to the Great Tree, her legs crossed and her small hands placed palm down on her thighs. The girl stared in awe at the magnificent Uneti, wondering just how long it had lived at the Jedi Temple. It had to have been generations- many of them, she surmised. It was tremendous in size, its jagged branches sprawling every which way, and the golden hued leaves simply looked magnificent beneath the sun's mesmerizing glow.
Lumiya could sense the Force radiating from deep within the tree and she focused on it, disregarding any other useless thought that her mind possessed. It was as if she was in a trance, so attuned to the glorious creation before her that she didn't even hear the sound of someone quietly clearing their throat from behind.
"My Padawan, dear. Our presence is requested- we must go." The feminine voice was formal yet tender, and Lumiya immediately turned once she recognized who was standing behind her.
"Master Saadasa… I'm terribly sorry if I was hard to find, I simply wanted to meditate to pass time." She immediately apologized, standing up and readjusting her robes. The apprentice bowed slightly, further showcasing her apologies towards her Master. The woman swiped her hand away, a smile fixed upon her tanned face.
"No worries, my Padawan, but we must go at once to the situation room- they have requested our presence to discuss a mission." She placed a gentle hand along Lumiya's back, guiding her delicately up the stairs and towards the interior of the extravagant temple. The padawan peered over at her Master, a curious look painted across her features.
"Master, do you know what the mission entails? I was supposed to begin the trials soon- will this hinder that?"
The woman continued walking alongside the young lady, her face pointed forward. "I am not sure, my Padawan. We all know the Force works in mysterious ways- perhaps this could be your great Jedi trial, yes?"
Lumiya grew pensive, her brain racking through all of the possible situations and outcomes. Could this really be her great Jedi trial? She knew that what her Master said was nothing but the truth- plenty of Jedi have experienced situations similar- but was this her destiny?
The two women continued to stroll through the temple, their robes billowing behind them as they walked along the marbled flooring. Lumiya couldn't quell her thoughts regarding the ordeal, especially as the situation room began to loom ahead. She was growing more and more anxious by the second, and she feared that her Master would soon notice the tension rising within her.
Before the two walked into the room, Master Saadasa stopped in her tracks and placed a hand upon the girl's shoulder, signaling for her to do so as well.
"I sense the anxiety within you, Lumiya." She began, peering down at the girl with a raised brow. "But I promise that there is nothing to be afraid of. What I said is merely speculation, but if it does prove to be true, you must trust in the Force. Whatever happens on this mission is meant to happen- it is your destiny, my Padawan." Her words were stern, yet her vivid blue eyes held a softness in them that managed to suppress her worries- to an extent.
The girl looked away for a moment to recollect her thoughts before returning her Master's gaze once more, nodding her head in agreement. "Yes Master, I understand." She said simply before taking a hefty breath and trying her best to relax. Her Master cocked her head to the side though, not entirely convinced of her Padawan's statement.
"There is something else, my dear. What is it?"
Lumiya wanted to groan, roll her eyes, or do anything to express her frustration. It was beyond tiresome having someone that could essentially read your thoughts and sense how you were feeling all hours of the day. The girl let out a breath and looked away, worried about how her Master would react to what she was preparing to say.
"I will not lie to you, Master- I sometimes struggle with subduing my anxiety at times… o-or my worries. It's difficult for me and it is not something that I have quite grasped yet…" She muttered reluctantly, focusing her gaze on anything but the confident Jedi Master standing beside her. "When you told me that this mission could possibly be my great Jedi trial, I felt worried instantly- as if it was my destiny to mess it up… What if I'm not the Jedi that I believe myself to be? What if I fail, Master?"
A soft chuckle resonated deep from within the woman and she placed a reassuring hand on Lumiya's frigid and tense shoulder. "My dear, you are only a Padawan- you are expecting and asking far too much of yourself. We all have things that trouble us and yes, it does take time to master the art of not letting it affect our hearts and minds. Just remember that it is natural, that you are still learning, and that you are my Padawan who I have full faith and trust in. You will achieve great things, Lumiya. I know you will."
The young padawan smiled genuinely and sincerely, something that she hadn't done in who knows how long. She had never heard anyone say anything as supportive as that before and her heart was leaping with joy, astonished that it was her very own Master that said it. She finally turned back to face the woman and looked at her in her endearing eyes, her smile not faltering once.
"Thank you, Master… for always believing in me when sometimes I don't even believe in myself… I'm proud to be learning under you and I'm proud to be your student." Lumiya said, her tone gentle and much more easy-going than before. The stress was still present- she could feel it- but it had lessened incredibly, and she felt much more at ease regarding the entire situation at hand.
Master Saadasa smiled, crows feet forming at the corner of her wise, blue eyes. "Let's go, my Padawan, or we shall be late."
Lumiya nodded, following after the robed woman into the situation room. Once inside, she took notice of the multitude of Jedi standing around the hologram table, eagerly awaiting the start of the brief. The two women sauntered in, Lumiya finding a spot amongst the crowd while Master Saadasa announced their arrival to Master Yoda who was quietly conversing with another Jedi in the corner of the room. He nodded his head, beckoning for the older woman to join him at the holotable, signaling that the meeting could finally begin.
"Pleased you have joined us, I am. Begin at once, we must. Urgent, it is." The tiny green figure announced, his words scrambled as usual. Everyone nodded their heads and gathered closer to the table, eager to hear of the news that was supposedly so important.
With the click of a button, a hologram appeared before the Jedi; it was of a forest planet, one that Lumiya had never seen before. Master Yoda clicked again until it zoomed into the dense surface, a temple of some sort standing tall in a clearing amongst a jungle of trees.
"A grave situation in the Seboo system, we have." He said, his voice soft yet filled with prevalent urgency. "In the outer rim, this planet is. Word that a Jedi artifact is in the hands of black market traders, we have. Let it get into Separatist hands, we mustn't."
Everyone gasped at the mention of a stray Jedi artifact and hurriedly nodded their heads in agreement, soft chatter beginning to fill the room. The Jedi surrounding the table all thought pensively of the grave situation, talking amongst themselves as they discussed the possibility of an artifact- potentially a holocron- falling into the hands of their worst enemies.
"Do we know any more details, Master Yoda? Is it a holocron? Or have the Separatists contacted the traders?" A Jedi whom Lumiya didn't know asked with worry, their hands gripping the edge of the holotable in worry. The green man shook his head, a frown growing on his wrinkled and aged face.
"We do not, unfortunately, but from a reliable source, the message is. Sent from a nearby Jedi, it has been, but lost contact with them, we have…"
Lumiya herself wasn't sure what to think of the entire situation, and wondered if it were even true. A Jedi artifact landing in the wrong hands could be detrimental to the entirety of the Jedi Order, especially if it contained any sensitive or pertinent information. However, it could also be a false lead, someone yanking their chains, or even a trap courtesy of the oh-so loving Separatist Alliance. Unfortunately, the risk of not going to check the situation out and it deeming to be true was far worse than simply going there and wasting several days of time. If Count Dooku and other Separatist leaders learned of this information- depending on the contents inside- then it could even change the tide of the war… for the worst.
"Master Saadasa, Padawan Kumari, go to the planet of Seboo, you must. Investigate the situation thoroughly, you two will."
Without hesitation the women bowed, signifying their respect for the Grand Master Jedi's orders.
"Yes, Master Yoda. My Padawan and I shall depart once we are ready." She said stoically, accepting the orders with the grace of a natural born leader. "Will we be receiving clone trooper assistance? Or shall this mission be done with just the two of us?"
"Clones you will receive, as dangerous this planet is."
Lumiya felt her stomach drop at those simple words. Dangerous? What made this system so dangerous? Despite her Master's previous reassurances, Lumiya could already feel the anxiety bubbling within her once again, her mind continuously growing nervous for the unknown future. Her senses had been clouded lately- as it was for the entirety of the Jedi Order- and she wasn't sure how to deal with the uncertainty of their assignment.
She took a deep breath, tuning out the chatter of the council members and stray Jedi as she pondered the past year in an attempt to locate the origin of her worries; if she were ever going to be rid of the anxiety within her, she had to go to the source. After thinking for several moments, Lumiya realized the Clone Wars had already been raging on for well over a year, but she hadn't fought in many battles nor gone on many dangerous missions. Sure, the padawan had fought droids before- practically every padawan who was a teenager and older has- but she had never been assigned such a task before. It was going to be Master Saadasa and her, along with a squad of clones, and that was simply it.
The older woman's words continued to ebb and flow through her mind as she struggled for the immediate reassurance she needed.
"You are my padawan who I have full faith and trust in…"
She had to continue being strong and reliable- for Master Saadasa. But most importantly and above all, for herself.
Her room was peaceful and silent, the tranquil atmosphere soothing the internal qualms that riddled her heart, mind, and soul. She sat down on her cot, sinking into the plush surface and leaning back in an effort to relax. The padawan gazed at the cream colored ceiling above her, taking deep, large breaths as she struggled to focus on the task at hand- getting ready for their mission to the planet Seboo.
One step at a time... Don't worry about anything else but getting ready…
Lumiya let out a grunt as she rose from her simplistic bed and proceeded to the cramped closet in the corner of the room, opening it with ease and pulling out her second pair of robes. She grasped the thick, white material in her hands, admiring it with a sense of pride and amazement. The robes had been in her family for generations, passed down from Jedi to Jedi, and now they were hers.
Seeing as this was an extremely important assignment- one that was going to make or break her position in the Order- she wanted to wear her family's prized heirloom. Whether it was for the pride she felt when wearing them, or even the luck that she believed they could possibly bring, she just knew that this is what she had to do… to honor all of her family member's who came before her and achieved the greatness and tranquility that she so desired.
The padawan stripped herself of her casual, brown robe and hung it up in the closet, quickly slipping her arms through the new one and fastening the clip on her chest to keep it secured. She smoothed out the length of the robe, glancing down at her feet to see if it was a proper length.
Perfect.
She hurriedly adjusted the sleeves, straightening out the neckline and clasp until it was centered on her sternum before she was finally content with her appearance. The girl grabbed her lightsaber from the small table beside her cot and clipped it onto her belt, satisfied and prepared to depart.
Lumiya took one last glance at her humble room before walking out, both eager and anxious to meet with Master Saadasa and the team of clones that would be tagging along for the trip. She was quick to arrive at the hangar and took immediate notice that her Master had not yet arrived. The small squad of clones were present however, gathered around their captain as they awaited orders to move out. The padawan immediately recognized the masked man and her eyebrow raised in curiosity.
What is Captain Rex doing here? Shouldn't he be with Master Skywalker?
"Padawan Kumari, are we ready to depart?" His words were short and to the point, the helmet he wore faintly masking his voice. Lumiya walked closer and shook her head, glancing back towards the entrance of the hangar and hoping to see her Master walking through, though there was no such luck.
"Unfortunately no, Captain Rex. I'm unsure of when Master Saadasa will arrive- she must have gotten held up doing something." She replied, returning her gaze back to the much taller clone. He nodded his head before diverting his focus back to his men, telling them that it shouldn't be much longer before they left.
"Captain, why are you coming along on this mission? You're usually with Master Skywalker- is everything alright with him?" Lumiya asked out of mere nosiness, the unknown, quite trivial question bothering her to her core. The clone quickly turned back around as soon as she addressed him, patiently waiting for her to finish speaking before responding.
"General Skywalker is alright, just away on a different mission at the moment. We were told to accompany you and General Saadasa to Seboo since our intel shows that it's quite the planet." He said, emphasizing 'quite' in a tone that Lumiya didn't particularly like.
"W-What does the intel say about Seboo?" She nervously asked, crossing her arms in a way to make it seem as if she was more confident than she truly was. The clone took a moment to respond, a muffled chuckle emitting from beneath his helmet.
"Disregarding the scum that live there, and the possible clankers if it's a trap, there's also something else… Ever heard of zelorians, Padawan Kumari?"
The girl shook her head, baffled by the question. She was well versed in the vastly different ecosystems of planets around the galaxy, but she had never heard of anything referred to as 'zelorians' before. Whatever it was it had to be significant enough for someone like Captain Rex to even mention it, and that's what made her anxious.
"No? Well they're an invasive species to Seboo- lizards of some sort, I believe. They're dangerous creatures, and venomous too. They're fast, travel in packs, and spit acid. So watch your back out there, alright Padawan?"
Lumiya nodded slowly and in an attempt to smile she could only manage a frightened grimace at the masked clone standing before her. "W-Will do, Captain- and you watch your back as well…"
"I always am- it's what I was born to do, Padawan."
The sudden seriousness of the clone captain's comment struck a nerve in her, reminding her of the horrors of the war that they were currently engaged in. Hundreds of thousands of humans, possibly several million, all bred for the purpose of one thing; to fight and die in battle. Being a member of the Jedi Order, Lumiya always felt conflicted when facing this fact for two reasons: the first being that the Jedi were supposed to be protectors, guardians of peace and justice in the Galactic Republic- not generals leading and waging wars in a multitude of star systems. The second reason was simply the clones; the young padawan valued the life of all living beings, and the fact that the Republic routinely sent out hundreds of thousands of men to their ultimate demise was horrid.
Lumiya wanted peace throughout the galaxy more than anything, and she knew that the Separatists were evil, but wasn't there another way? One involving diplomacy? She supposed she'd never know. The relationship between the Jedi Order and the senate had already diminished significantly, bad enough to the point that they'd never listen to the Jedi now.
What 'peacekeepers' we are…
The girl's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of her Master entering the hangar, the soft patter of her boots clicking against the tiled surface. Her eyes and ears perked in the direction of the woman, waiting for the signal of what to do next.
"Captain Rex, are we ready to leave for Seboo?" The woman asked, strolling until she stood before the clone and her apprentice. He nodded, pointing to the ship and beckoning for his men to begin boarding.
"Yes General Saadasa, we are prepared to depart."
"Good, get everyone on board. Once we make the jump into hyperspace we will discuss the plans for once we arrive on Seboo, and what our mission entails."
"Understood, ma'am."
The woman turned to her apprentice and offered a kind smile. "Are you ready to go, my dear Padawan?"
"Yes, Master. I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
"That's good to hear, young one. I can sense that your mind has cleared considerably; I'm proud of you for staying calm and focused. I also see that you're wearing the Kumari robes… Do you feel more confident with them? Proud of your lineage?"
Lumiya thought for several moments, pondering her beliefs regarding the robe she currently wore. She looked down, admiring the yellow stitch work along the stark white material before grabbing hold of the golden, emerald-jeweled clasp that pinned her robe together. She peered up at the woman, a small smile on her youthful face.
"Yes, Master. I do feel more confident, but I also feel proud- proud of the Jedi who came before me who also wore these robes. I'm proud of who they were, what they did, and the Order that they so diligently served. I'm proud to honor the Kumari name by wearing these robes and I can only hope that one day I can become a Jedi Knight half as great as any of them were."
Her Master nodded her head, smiling sweetly as she placed a gentle hand upon her shoulder. "Let us go then, Padawan Kumari, and make your family proud of the Jedi that you have become."
"We'll be landing at this location here, General." Captain Rex stated, pointing to a spot on the map that was displayed via hologram. "We'll disembark and begin the trek to this abandoned temple where I'll send scouts ahead to scope it out. It's where the Jedi said the artifact is being held, so we don't want to be rushin' in guns a-blazin'- in case it's a trap." He glanced at his men for a moment as if talking solely to them regarding the latter. The clones all muttered a "Yes, Sir" before returning to their usual, quiet demeanor, focused on nothing but their Captain and General giving orders.
"I understand, Captain; it sounds like a plan. One more question though, have you spoken to my dear Padawan yet regarding those dreadful zelorians, as well as your men?" Master Saadasa asked, nodding her head towards the young woman standing obediently by her side.
Rex snickered beneath his helmet as he bobbed his head. "Yes ma'am, I already discussed it with my men earlier, and I believe I briefly mentioned it to her back in the hangar; she didn't seem too excited though." His words were light hearted, poking innocent fun at the young padawan. Lumiya didn't laugh however, and had to hold back a frown, her thoughts dwelling on the infamous lizards that Captain Rex spoke so casually and jokingly of.
"Good. Then my Padawan knows that this planet is serious business, and it shall be treated as such." She said, peering down at the young apprentice whose breath was currently hitched in her throat, the purpose of the mission and the grim details of Seboo continuing to make her nervous. Once she arrived on the planet she knew that everything would work out- one way or another- but the anticipation of the unknown is what always frightened her.
"When we arrive, let us all make sure to keep our eyes and ears open. This is unknown territory we are diving into and we are unsure of what awaits us on Seboo, whether it be pirates, black market traders, natives, dangerous creatures- as Captain Rex was kind enough to tell us about- or even droids. We have to keep in mind that this may be a trap, but we also must remember that it very well could be the truth just as easily." She spoke with an inherent charm, her words stoic and filled with valour. Master Saadasa was an incredible woman, a natural born leader, and a phenomenal Jedi; she was someone that Lumiya looked up to immensely, and hoped to be like someday. The young padawan stared at her Master with awe as she continued to speak of their mission, explaining all of the nitty-gritty aspects in considerable detail.
Before she could finish her speech however, several loud beeps suddenly reverberated through the ship. A light blinked rapidly above everyone's heads, painting the interior in an eerie red glow. A clone's voice came over the intercom, their words short and to the point. "We're about to come out of hyperspace- everyone get seated."
The clones and Jedi immediately did as told, hurriedly moving to their respective places and strapping into their seats, patiently awaiting the exit from hyperspace. Once secured into her spot, Lumiya took long, deep breaths, focusing her mind on the goal of the mission and nothing else; not the bumpy ride to Seboo, not the 'zelorians' that Captain Rex so kindly warned her about, and not even the fact that this could make or break her becoming a Jedi Knight. There simply couldn't be any room for failure on an assignment as precarious as this.
It wasn't long until they exited hyperspace, the entire ship lurching forward as their speed slowed down considerably. The group of men and women unlatched their straps and stood up slowly, beginning to get their gear ready as they made their descent into the thick atmosphere of the jungle planet.
The rest of the flight was filled with jerky and rapid movements- which sorely upset Lumiya's stomach- before finally landing in a clearing amongst the tall and vast trees. The ramp to depart the ship was immediately lowered and everyone began to move out without the need for a command. The two women exited first, their lightsabers in hand as the clones followed quickly behind, led by Captain Rex.
Lumiya squinted her eyes as she stepped off the ship, the brightness of the sun nearly blinding her. When she finally reopened them, she noticed the abundance of trees surrounding them, and was shocked at how dense and thick the jungle actually was.
This definitely looked a lot different on the hologram…
The young padawan sighed softly, acknowledging just how hot and humid the planet was. Her thick robes and tunics felt heavy against her small frame, and she knew that by the end of this mission she'd be completely miserable and coated in sweat.
Oh, the joy of being a Jedi…
"Iron and Scope, follow the river that leads to the ridge. Check out the temple and report back at once. We'll move slowly in that direction, so we won't be too far behind by the time you run into us again- and be on the lookout, got it? Use your comlink if you see anything." Captain Rex promptly commanded, pointing to two clones and signaling towards the direction of the temple.
"Yes, Sir." They spoke in unison, running off into the jungle with their blasters gripped tightly in their hands. The rest of the group began the trek slowly and quietly, keeping their eyes and ears open for anything that might come out of the sprawling and mysterious forest.
Lumiya continued to walk at the front with Master Saadasa beside her, both of the women wielding their lightsabers and glancing around often at every sound they heard. The young padawan could sense many lifeforms surrounding them; whether it was the jungle's docile wildlife, the hellish lizards, or other inhabitants of the planet, she wasn't sure. All she knew was that she needed to stay focused on the mission at hand, and to keep her senses attuned. Not only were both Master Saadasa and her lives at stake, but the lives of every clone walking behind them; she owed it to them that they'd get off this rock safe and sound.
"Are you sensing it, my dear Padawan? Everything around us?" The woman asked in a hushed voice, her face pointed forward. Lumiya's grip on the hilt of her lightsaber instinctively tightened.
"Yes, Master."
"This is quite the lively planet, though I'm unsure if what surrounds us has good or ill intentions; keep your thoughts clear, and your senses calm, my Padawan- focus."
The young apprentice muttered another "Yes, Master" as they continued to tread lightly through the dense jungle, stepping over the winding roots of trees, and carefully maneuvering across the muddy and uneven ground. It was a hell of a trek, that was for sure, and Lumiya knew that at the end of this mission she'd be downright exhausted- dirty, too. She just hoped that her white robes would manage to survive the expedition.
The young woman tried her best at keeping a clear mind, disregarding the upset stomach that she had developed from the rough flight in, the sweltering heat that felt as if it were suffocating her, and the cleanliness of her clothes. All of that was trivial; what mattered was the success of the assignment, and making it back home alive with the clones. She returned her focus to the sounds of the jungle, tuning in on each one she heard, nothing seeming to be out of the ordinary. Not yet, at least, but she remained on guard nonetheless.
It felt as if hours had gone by, the group of clones and Jedi still marching towards their destination as worries began to settle in. Iron and Scope should have met back with them by now, and neither of them had contacted Captain Rex nor anyone else yet on their comlinks.
"Captain Rex, still no word from your clones?" Master Saadasa inquired, glancing back at the masked man. He shook his head.
"No, General. Iron and Scope have not yet made contact."
Lumiya immediately sensed worry within her Master, and peered to the side to catch a glimpse of her. The woman's dark brows were furrowed, and she seemed to be in deep contemplation. Her head suddenly turned, her worried eyes meeting with the padawan's own.
"I sense that something has happened to the clones, my dear Padawan. Keep your guard up."
"Yes, Master." She responded, wiping away at the beads of sweat along her forehead before returning her gaze to the front. Worry had started to settle in her too, fearing that the worst had happened to the two scouting clones. If this entire mission was a trap from the beginning, how the hell were they going to make it out?
To put it in the simplest of terms, their intel was minimal. They knew that a Jedi claimed there was an artifact being held here, and that there were deadly lizards roaming the planet, but other than that they knew nothing else of the situation or of Seboo.
Nobody in the Jedi Order had visited this system, nor have any of the clones. Everything they were encountering and dealing with was uncharted territory, and the odds were very much against them from the beginning. They may be Jedi, and they may have a squad of some of the best clone troopers in the galaxy, but at the end of the day their numbers were minimal. If they were to be put up against an enemy several times their size, they could all consider themselves dead.
"Captain!"
The two Jedi and the rest of the clones turned to the voice. A clone trooper stood off to the side of the formation, pointing to something mangled amidst the dense and overgrown vegetation. The women walked closer with Captain Rex by their sides, and took notice of the scene before them. Lumiya held in a gasp, shocked at the sight in which she laid eyes on.
Iron and Scope were finally with the group again, only this time they were both dead. The clone's helmets were ripped from their heads, cracked and nearly destroyed lying beside them. Their near identical faces were bloodied, scrapes and contusions covering their tanned skin. Looking down, Lumiya noticed the blood seeping from the joints of their armor, pooling into a grotesque puddle beneath their limp bodies.
"Whatever- or whoever- did this, didn't use a blaster… That's for damn sure." Captain Rex muttered, his voice as cold as ice, a stark contrast amongst the scorching planet. Master Saadasa knelt down beside the bodies, brushing a delicate hand along both of their battered faces and gently closing their pained eyes.
"They are one with the Force now; let us have faith that their passing will give us the strength to continue with our mission…" Her words were short yet meaningful, and the tone of her voice held a softness that was most sincere. Lumiya felt disheartened at the site, but prayed that her Master was right- that the men who gave their lives and became one with the Force would give them the strength to carry on. The Jedi lowered their heads, as did Captain Rex and the rest of the troops, in an effort to honor the fallen clones, if only for a moment before continuing on.
The trek to the ridge was a long and silent journey, neither the Jedi nor the clones muttering a single word. Lumiya typically enjoyed the silence, reveling in it as she would mediate back home on Coruscant, but not when it was like this; it was too tragic, and much too heartbreaking. The death of the two clones struck a nerve deep in her heart, and her thoughts focused on the sight of their limp and grotesque bodies. She wondered what had killed them- as did everyone else- to cause such a disturbing scene, and she was frightened that the other clones, and even Master Saadasa and herself, would fall victim to the same creatures- or people.
The sun had begun setting shortly after the group departed from the scene of the dead clones, and it was nearly pitch-black now, the sounds of insects and creatures beginning to fill the dark and thick jungle. The padawan's grip on her lightsaber never faltered and if anything, she was only holding it tighter, prepared to fight at any given moment. She didn't have to though, not yet at least, because they had finally reached the ridge overlooking the abandoned temple that was supposedly housing the mysterious Jedi artifact. The group knelt down, staying far back enough from the ledge as not to be seen.
"Crusher, get down over there and scope out the temple- tell me what you see." Captain Rex ordered, pointing his hand in the direction of the ridge. The clone immediately creeped to the ledge without hesitation, assuming a prone position and pulling out his electrobinoculars. Lumiya and the rest of the group remained crouched and hidden, backed away from the edge of the jagged hilltop.
"See anything?" The clone captain questioned, his voice hushed amongst the night. Crusher turned around and shook his head.
"No, sir. I'm not seeing anything down there. It looks clear to me."
The captain seemed to contemplate the situation for a moment, debating on what their next move would be. He made his way over to the women until he was closest to Master Saadasa, leaning in before speaking quietly. "What's the move, General?"
"If your clone says it's clear, then we go in. Quietly." The woman whispered, focusing her gaze on the captain and her young apprentice. "We'll split into two groups. I will lead one half of the clones and Padawan Kumari will lead the other half, you included. I shall head for the front of the temple while you and my Padawan will flank the rear. Understood?"
A "Yes, General" and "Yes, Master" were muttered in unison, the clone captain and padawan each glancing at one another briefly. She was nervous to lead the troops by herself but knowing that Captain Rex was accompanying her helped relieve some of her concerns.
Before the two groups began to move out, the woman reached a hand towards Lumiya, resting it on her shoulder and giving a reassuring squeeze. "Be strong, be smart, and be brave; may the Force be with you, my dear Padawan."
The young apprentice smiled, reaching her own hand out and placing it on her teacher's shoulder, repeating the kind and encouraging gesture that she had done for her over the years. "May the Force be with you as well, Master."
The group was finally split; Lumiya, Captain Rex, and half of the clones began to make their way down the hillside and to the rear of the temple, hidden amongst the overgrown jungle, while Master Saadasa and her men proceeded to the front. Their footsteps were quiet and carefully placed, not a single soul speaking a word as they moved stealthily through the soaring trees, hidden under the shroud of darkness.
Thoughts coursed through the young padawan's mind, and she wondered if she could accomplish a feat such as this. She had never led troops before- whether into battle or on a mission- but then again, there would always have to be a first for everything. She just hoped it worked out as her Master had assumed for it to.
Captain Rex and the padawan led the group side by side, walking closely next to one another and glancing often to their sides to keep on the lookout. The two eventually caught one another's gaze, staring for a moment before advancing forward. Lumiya knew that Rex was an accomplished and decorated clone, and he sure as hell was more of a leader than she was at this point in time. Maybe one day she could be as capable and competent of a leader as he was, as long as she was able to get off this damn rock alive given their current situation.
"Are you nervous?"
His voice was sudden, startling Lumiya momentarily. She looked over and saw the clone staring at her, though his eyes were hidden by the dark T-shaped visor of his roughed-up helmet. The padawan was unsure of what to say, desperately not wanting to reveal the truth to someone who she was supposed to be leading first and foremost. Not wanting the man to see through her lie however, she decided to confess the truth with much reluctance.
"I… I don't know. This is my first time leading clones on a mission, a-and I just don't want anyone to get hurt because of me…" She woefully admitted, directing her gaze to the forest floor as she walked. Captain Rex remained silent for several minutes and the girl couldn't help but fear that she lost his trust as a commander and leader.
"It's normal to be nervous, you know." He said suddenly, trailing alongside the young padawan with his blasters in hand. "You may be ranked higher than me, but I have more experience, and in my book, experience outranks everything. With time though, you will gain it, just as I did- and just like everyone else. Until then you can only learn from your mistakes, use your best judgement, and trust in yourself."
The man's words were encouraging to hear, especially as they loomed closely to the rear of the abandoned temple. She nodded her head, smiling to herself in the darkness of the night.
"I will keep that in mind, Captain... Thank you…"
"Anytime." He was short with his response, but Lumiya could hear the sincere kindness in his voice, furthering her smile. The heart-felt moment was interrupted by the temple entering their view, visible through the overgrowth of the tropical forest. Captain Rex holstered a blaster before raising his fist, signaling for the clones behind them to stop in their tracks.
"We're here. Contact General Saadasa with your comlink." He mumbled, glancing over at the young padawan. She nodded her head, raising her wrist and clicking a button before speaking quietly into the device.
"Master, we've arrived at the rear of the temple; it's in our view."
The woman's voice arrived seconds later, hushed and firm in its command. "Go now."
Lumiya lowered her wrist, gripping the hilt of her lightsaber with ferocity as she stood up, beckoning for the clones to follow her lead. Rex and his men stood up, following behind the young woman with their blasters raised and prepared to fight, just in case anything decided to surprise them.
As the group made its way into the clearing, the back of the temple was finally in full view. It was made of stone, much of which had been eroding for some time. Ivy was growing in great lengths, crawling from the jungle and onto the structure, inching its way up to the top of the spire. Judging by its state it looked as if it hadn't been used in generations, and there wasn't a sign of another living being just as the clone Crusher had said earlier. Still, the aura surrounding the temple gave Lumiya a bad feeling. Why? She wasn't sure. All she knew was that something felt off, that something wasn't right.
Lumiya suddenly felt frozen in time and stopped in her tracks, standing still as Rex and his clones continued to walk by her, edging closer to the base of the structure. Once the captain noticed that she wasn't walking beside him anymore, he turned around, beckoning her with the wave of his hand.
"Let's move, Kumari."
Yet she didn't move from her position- not one bit. She glanced around, her eyes darting back and forth from the temple, to the clones, and to the jungle. The disturbance was growing stronger and she sensed that something was amiss, but couldn't pinpoint what it was or where it was originating from.
"Rex- I have a bad feeling about this…" She muttered, gripping her lightsaber hilt with such force that she felt as if it was going to break under the pressure. His ears perked at her muffled voice but he stood his ground, staring at the abnormally mannered padawan while his troops continued to proceed forward. He waited a moment, hoping that the girl would snap out of her trance. When she didn't however, he began stomping towards her, brows furrowed beneath his helmet.
"Do you have a bolt loose in that head of yours? What's going on?" He snapped, the tone of his voice growing more confused and frustrated by the second.
That's when she finally felt it, instinctively leaping forward and tackling the clone captain roughly to the ground. "Get down!" She screamed, landing on top of his body just as a metal spear whooshed past them, piercing the wall of the stone temple with a sickening thud. The clones were already facing towards the rear, wearily watching the jungle with their blasters raised and eyes down the sights. Lumiya quickly crawled off of the clone, leaping up and gripping his gloved hand, pulling him to stand once again.
She ignited her lightsaber and he raised his blasters, the squad of clones standing behind them with their backs against the temple. Lumiya raised her wrist and pressed the comlink, hurriedly speaking into the device to warn Master Saadasa of the surprise attack.
"Master, we have a-"
A barrage of blaster shots were fired, interrupting the padawan from finishing her message to the Jedi Master. Lumiya instinctively raised her lightsaber, the blue light of the blade gleaming brilliantly in the vast darkness. Blaster bolts were being fired from every direction, the padawan angling her blade back and forth, deflecting the shots as much as she could in an effort to allow the clones to regroup and get to safety.
"Get back! Regroup with Master Saadasa and her clones!" She screamed, deflecting a red bolt that nearly hit an unsuspecting soldier beside her. The men shouted "Yes, ma'am!" in response, firing their weapons into the dark jungle as they backed up, slowly inching their way towards the front of the temple.
Captain Rex stayed by her side, firing his blasters into the tree line whenever he saw a shot light up the jungle. He may have been pointlessly shooting, but at this moment in time he didn't care; he simply hoped to hit at least one of the bastards that were both firing at them and throwing spears. Lumiya dodged several shots, jumping out of the way just in time to deflect another that was heading straight for her.
"Master! Where do we go?!" Her voice was loud and bellowing with fury from the unexpected ambush. How did she not sense this soon enough? How did she not sense the people in the jungle?! They were right behind them this entire time, creeping through the trees undetected, and once they were out in the open- where they were completely vulnerable- were they fired upon. She was disappointed in herself; she should have felt their presence long before this happened.
"Master! Answer me! Where do we go?!" Her voice was thunderous as she yelled for her teacher, desperate for an answer as they began nearing the second group. Captain Rex turned around, his eyes darting side to side until he found the Jedi Master deflecting blaster bolts as well, but from the jungle in front of the temple.
They were surrounded, plain and simple, and everyone was unsure on what to do or where to go. Retreating into the temple for cover meant impending death as they'd be shut in with no way out, surrounded by enemies from all sides, and with the current state that the temple was in anyways, Lumiya wasn't even sure that it wouldn't just collapse upon their heads once inside. They were running out of options. Fast.
"Lumiya! Captain!" The voice of Master Saadasa finally reached the girl's ears, and her head snapped to the direction of the voice, as did Captain Rex's. The padawan was busy deflecting a blaster fire when Master Saadasa neared them, wielding her own green blade and striking away at the red bolts of energy.
"We have to try and make it to the jungle! We have no other option, do you two understand?!" The woman barked, maneuvering her lightsaber with the utmost precision as she stared at the two standing before her. They nodded their heads and Lumiya moved to the back of the group with Captain Rex, urging the clones to get behind them and head towards the forest. Master Saadasa led the retreat, evading blaster shots with her agile movement and deflecting them with ease as they inched closer to the tree line.
The clones were firing their weapons almost helplessly into the dark jungle, their night vision of no use due to the brightness of the blaster bolts whizzing past their heads and bodies. Lumiya and Rex continued to command the rear, working in unison with several other clones to protect the group from behind. It all felt so hopeless, but Lumiya wasn't going to give up without a fight- she would never surrender her life that easily, nor the lives of the clones that she was designated to lead and protect.
Before the group could make their way any closer to the jungle, flocks of men began to rush into the clearing, closing in on them from all sides and leaving them with nowhere to go. The padawan's eyes were wide with shock, bewildered at the scene before her. They were humans- not droids- and dressed in dark attire, most wearing helmets sheathing their identities. The men all wielded different types of weapons; some had blasters, others had knives or spears. This was a mess. A complete and undeniable mess.
"We have to stay here and fight, General! We have no choice!" Rex screamed, shooting down a man that had quickly appeared at the rear. The clones followed suit, shooting at the mass of enemies that were suddenly upon them. Rex kneeled in front, clones standing behind him as they engaged with their opponents. Lumiya continued to deflect blaster bolts from the back- as Master Saadasa did from the front- simply waiting for the combatants to get closer so they could attack with their lightsabers.
A scream erupted from beside Lumiya and she glanced over, spotting a clone clutching a hole in his chest as he fell to the ground and stopped moving. He was dead, just as they were all going to be if they couldn't defend this position.
A man suddenly appeared in the padawan's peripheral vision, attempting to strike one of the clones on the outside of the circle with a spear. She leapt forward, swiping her blade and cutting the weapon clean in half. The man grunted in anger, reaching for his belt and taking hold of a dagger, immediately charging at her with the fury of a madman. She dodged the strike, stepping to the side and bringing her lightsaber down on his back in one fluid motion. With a painful cry the man fell to the muddy ground, his body twitching for a mere moment before it ceased all movement.
Killing another human felt very much different than chopping up battle droids, but she simply couldn't bear those types of thoughts at a critical moment like this. Lives were at stake and she needed to remain focused. Without a care in the world, the girl continued to strike at men who rushed towards the group of clones, not hesitating to kill any who dared step foot in her path.
Captain Rex stood from his position and moved closer to Lumiya, yelling at her over his shoulder as he continued to shoot at the charging combatants. "Stay focused on the close ones! We'll deal with the ones in the back!"
She grunted in response, too focused on the enemies before her to mutter a single word. Lumiya pierced her blade through the stomach of a man, pulling it out with ease and directing it towards another, slicing him swiftly across the chest; they both fell to the ground, their bodies limp and motionless. As the enemies continued to stream into the opening surrounding the temple, the group began to get split up, unable to stay centered together in their original, defensive stance.
The padawan glanced behind her as she deflected a shot, catching a glimpse of Master Saadasa's fluid fighting, her green-hued blade glowing against the darkness of the night and striking at a multitude of men; she was simply mesmerizing to watch. The woman quickly subdued the group that was charging at her, taking a second to breathe as she turned around and caught the gaze of her curious padawan. Lumiya tipped her head forward, acknowledging her Master amongst the battle for a split second. She was ultimately confused however, as the woman's calm and focused demeanor suddenly broke, her mouth growing agape and her eyes widening with fear. Lumiya froze in confusion, cocking her head to the side.
"LUMIYA! BEHIND YOU!"
The padawan hadn't sensed it until her master screamed those words. She turned on her heel, falling low to the ground and swiping her blade through the legs of a man who had been charging at her with a large and very much deadly blade. She then thrusted her saber into his chest before gasping harshly, her bottled up breath finally able to be released after the near death moment. She stood up, turning back around to thank her Master with a generous smile.
The woman returned the expression, a friendly grin growing on her tanned face. The ever familiar crows feet formed at the corners of her squinting eyes, delighted and pleased that her Padawan was growing to become a successful and competent Jedi.
The several seconds of joy amidst the battle was only temporary, as everything that happened next was unfathomable. One second Master Saadasa was smiling, and the next her face began to contort into one of incomprehensible pain. Lumiya's eyes looked down and saw the sight of blood soaking into her Master's tan robes, the ugly color of red painting the front of her chest in a horrid manner.
A knife had been plunged straight through her heart, the killer twisting and turning the blade before yanking it out. Master Saadasa's grip on her lightsaber faltered, and the weapon was extinguished as it began to fall to the ground. Everything was silent, so quiet that one could hear the sound of a pin drop. Lumiya watched as her master's one true ally hit the jungle floor, slowly rolling away from her still standing, quivering body.
The woman's hands reached to her chest, clutching at her heart as blood began to coat her hands. With the swift kick of a boot to the back, Master Saadasa was knocked forward, falling limp against the ground as blood pooled around her.
Lumiya didn't know what to do; her senses were instantly debilitated, clouded. It was as if a piece of her was suddenly missing, the disturbance in the Force growing ten-fold. She couldn't move nor speak, and simply stood in the center of the fighting as clones fell all around her, succumbing to the wounds of blaster bolts.
This is it… It's over…
Her hand grew numb, her own lightsaber slipping from her grip and tumbling to the ground. She felt her knees grow weak and she slumped forward, barely managing to catch herself from falling face first into the dirt. A single tear slipped from her hazel eyes, cascading down her reddened, sweat-coated cheeks. The padawan's breaths were ragged as she began to hyperventilate, forgetting every single aspect of training she had ever received.
She was a failure and in no way deserved the rank of Jedi Knight, and at this rate, she didn't even qualify to belong in the Jedi Order anymore. The padawan felt as if she failed her Master, failed her clones, failed her family's legacy, and failed the entirety of the Order in one quick instance. All it took was one distraction and her Master was now lying lifeless on the ground, her blood staining the surface of a barely known, scummy planet. Her teacher deserved better; she didn't deserve to die due to the childish interruption of her student, but there she was, face down in the mud where she'd remain until her body was disposed of.
The padawan was so caught up in her self pity that she didn't even notice Captain Rex pick up her lightsaber, clipping it onto his belt in one swift motion. He gripped the young woman by her hand, roughly yanking her up and pulling her arm across the back of his broad shoulders. Bursting into a sprint, he began dragging her off towards the edge of the jungle, hoping to escape the bloodbath that surrounded the temple. The clone continued fighting the enemies single handedly, firing his blaster at anyone that stepped in his path or attacked from behind. He reached the tree line, hauling the padawan's half-conscious body into the darkness.
Rex continued to run through the night- running as far away from the temple as he could. He didn't stop for a second, not even when his breath was heavy and heaving through his helmet, nor when his legs were throbbing in pain. Lumiya had eventually passed out and the toll of carrying dead weight for klicks was beginning to wear him down, but he still didn't stop- he refused to until they were both safe and sound. As much as he didn't want to admit it, his hope in the situation was already diminished, because with no way to contact the Jedi Order or Republic Fleet for assistance, the two of them were very much on their own, and on the run.
Well there it is! I hope yall enjoyed the first chapter to my new story "On the Run''! I have so many things planned for this fic and I cannot wait to get to all of them! I will admit, this story may be a bit of a slow burn? I haven't decided yet- it just depends on how I see their relationship growing over the next several chapters. I absolutely love Captain Rex and I just had to write a fanfic with him and an OC, haha. I imagine they're going to be stuck on this planet for a while but don't worry, they're going to have many challenges to deal with while they're stuck there :-) Let me know what yall think about everything, and thanks again for reading!
Also, if anyone is reading this and notices that I have another fic titled "The Changing Sun of Coruscant", I WILL be reuploading it as a new story (same name and premise) as I have rewritten it completely! Be on the lookout for that as well!