Oz stood at the bridge of the Star Destroyer and looked down at the planet below. Smoke blocked the remains of the few cities that once stood proudly. He and Master Katra had reported a victory over the Separatist forces that had overrun the planet. It was always like this. Oz was no longer naive enough to believe in the possibility of victory without such destruction. By now, he knew that the Separatists would never stop fighting. Like the dark lords of the long forgotten Sith Empire, Dooku would stop at nothing until the entire galaxy was firmly in his grasp, and the Jedi crushed under his boot.
"You'd think with all the time we spent down there you'd be tired of seeing the planet." Captain Kitt joked.
Oz had to stop himself from jumping at the clone's sudden appearance beside him. By the grin on Captain Kitt's face, he failed. Ever since he had been assigned to serve under Oz and Master Katra, Captain Kitt had made a habit of popping up unexpectedly. Usually when Oz was brooding.
"I'll never understand how you and the rest of the men are always so nonchalant about everything." Oz said as he nodded his head.
"It's in our blood. Besides, at some point you have to find a way to keep the war from getting to you. The boys are fond of cracking jokes while under heavy fire. Maybe you should try it, seeing as how the droids are usually aiming at you." Captain Kitt said. Oz chuckled while Captain Kitt continued. "Before I forget, General Katra wants to see you. She said it was urgent."
Oz's smile faded just as quickly as it came. Already? He was hoping they would have more time to rest before being sent on another assignment. Oz walked into the small command center at the back of the bridge, behind the blast doors, and found his master speaking with Admiral Liren. They had a hologram of the planet set up and seemed to be discussing the matter of leaving an occupation force. Whatever it was, the Admiral left after seeing that Oz had entered the room. Admiral Liren nodded to the younger man on his way out.
Jedi Master Alma Katra shut off the hologram. "Hello Osiyaim. How are you feeling?" She asked.
Oz knew that his master using his full name meant whatever it was she wanted to tell him had to be serious. "Same as always. I can't say I'm thrilled about how things turned out so far. May I ask what our next assignment is?" He asked.
Master Katra pursed her lips. She could feel her Padawan's distress radiating off of him, but she knew better than to pry. Contrary to many of her fellow Masters, she didn't expect her Padawan to handle warfare without any issue. He, like many others, was thrust into a situation he was too young to be in.
"We have been called back to Coruscant." Master Katra stated.
"Oh? Is there something wrong?" Oz asked.
Master Katra moved to stand in front of Oz. "Nothing that cannot be fixed by long Senate meetings that lead nowhere. No, I wanted to be the first to tell you that the Council has decided that you will be knighted. I know you hate surprises."
Oz was shocked. A Knight at only 19 years old? "I don't know what to say. Are you sure they're making the right decision?"
Master Katra's face betrayed no emotion. "I have no doubt in your abilities. Ever since I took you as my Padawan you have shown me that you have the heart of a Jedi. Your strength and bravery are greater than you think. I would be proud to call you my brother in the Force. What makes me… uneasy is the Council's intentions for knighting you." Master Katra explained.
"Do you think I'm too young?" Oz was hurt that his Master would say this to him, but he had his own suspicions about the Council. They preached peace, but all he saw was war.
Master Katra shook her head. "I find it suspicious that the Council has been knighting Padawans at such young ages, but that's not it. I am worried that the Council wants to knight you in order to have another General in the Grand Army, rather than due to your abilities as a Jedi. It seems that they wish for us to become the warriors we once were, during the time of the Old Republic."
Oz knew what she was getting at. The Knights of the Old Republic fought the Sith and the Mandalorians on a large scale for many years. Eventually, the Old Republic fell. The Jedi had lost their way and brought about their own destruction. It was arrogant of them to believe it could not happen again.
"Master, what if I refuse to become a knight? Will I be allowed to continue my training under you?" Oz asked.
"That, I do not know, my Padawan. Were we at peace, perhaps the Council would allow it. Now, they may force you out of the Order, or into the Agri-Corps. These are trying times." Master Katra said. She squeezed his shoulder. He'd come quite far since she had met him. That didn't mean she never saw glimpses of the scared little boy he once was. "You will make a fine Jedi Knight. This I know. Trust in the Force to guide you."
Oz bowed his head down to avoid her gaze. "Thank you, Master. I'll do my best to make you proud." Oz said. Master Katra dismissed him.
Admiral Liren entered the room after Oz had left. He and Master Katra went back to troop placement, but even without the Force Liren could tell that something was bothering her. He had a feeling he knew what it was, too.
"You mother him too much, Alma." Admiral Liren said, as he marked possible locations for more permanent bases.
"I do not. He is my pupil. I guide him." Master Katra responded without taking her eyes off of the hologram.
"I meant no offense. You obviously care a great deal for each other." Admiral Liren said. "But it is the manner in which you treat each other. I do not claim to understand your ways, yet of the Jedi I have met, few treat each other as warmly as you two."
"Why is it you feel the need to tell me this, Admiral?" Master Katra asked. "Are you among those who still believe us to be baby snatchers? Does my warmth surprise you?"
The Admiral was silent, and he had a look on his face as though what he wanted to say was cutting into him.
"My mother and I served in the Security Force for our planet. Many of us served with our parents, actually. You treat Oz like she treated me." Admiral Liren took a deep breath before continuing. "We never faced a real war. Certainly nothing like this. I want you to know that I would never want any of my children to serve with me, much less under me. No need to make them go through more pain. I would especially hate to be the cause of it."
Master Katra sighed and turned off the hologram. She knew they wouldn't be able to get anything done at this rate. Best to leave it to the clones.
"What choice do I have? Even if Oz left the Jedi he would still be far from safe. He is fortunate that he has at least been able to grow into a man. There are far too many children already affected by this war to force more to fight in it." Master Katra said.
"All we can hope for is that we end the war and bring peace." Admiral Liren said.
"Strange how peace is our reason for war." Master Katra mused. "I suppose peace is easy to attain amongst ashes."
Oz stood on the bridge once more. He looked into the blackness of space and the light of distant stars. His future was on his mind as the stars and blackness melded into one. Soon they would be on Coruscant and he would be a Jedi Knight.