OK! Ill be honest, I've had a lot of stuff going on in my life. I won't promise anything new, but I will at least have a new Arc started by Christmas, if not finished. I'm Sorry for the delays, and I hope I can get the next chapter done on time. I'm posting new stories, one a skyrim thingy and another a Star-wars standalone about an imperial officer. Enjoy -Cloaked Writer
The Republic Star Destroyers slipped from hyperspace with a triumphant air of a victorious army, creating their own center of gravity from the amount of awards and praise that was planted firmly on their shoulders. However, it was the regular gleam of the star ships as they entered the airspace and docked in the Industrial Sector, and the Clone troopers were all ready to rampage towards 79's.
However, General Shard was not interested in the pleasures of women or the intoxication of cheap drinks.
He had a long overdue meeting he needed to attend.
As he sat down in the transport, and paying the Rodian the fee to travel to his destination, he activated his datapad and began looking into documents detailing his upcoming engagement. It would be taxing, strenuous even, but his honor and pride demanded it.
Master Kenobi, wanted it.
There was little documentation or holo-records of the Jedi fighting styles made public, and even his status as both a Clone military official and a General did little to push his search. There was nothing to be found. Not a single scrap of information on the Jedi fighting style whatsoever.
"Um, Mr. Clone? We're here." The Alien said, turning nervously to look at him. After thanking the being, and stepping from the transport, Shard looked up towards the imposing building in front of him.
The Jedi Temple.
Words could hardly describe just how big this place was. And even for a regular person, like Shard, you could feel the electricity in the air as something was clearly going on within the walls.
As he reached the top of the ancient stone steps, two Temple Guards wordlessly stepped from the shadows, their flat masks a wall against the outside world.
But then again, so was Shard's helmet.
"Please remove your Helmet, and state your name and business." One of the guards said in a commanding tone.
Shard was puzzled by this confrontation, but he complied. If given thought, it made perfect sense. No one in their right mind would let just anyone into the Jedi Temple after all, and there had to be confirmation that it was a Clone and not an imposer, or an assassin under that armor.
"I am General Shard, and am here to meet with Jedi Master Kenobi." Shard said calmly, squinting in the brightness of the noonday sun.
The two Temple Guards looked at one another for a long moment. He could not begin to fathom what was going on in that glance; confusion? Doubt?
Contempt?
"You are granted entry, however please come with us, you must be removed of your weapons before you enter the temple.
Shard cursed under his breath, tucking at the neckline of his tunic and trying to walk straight in the awkward boots. Those damn guards, deemed his suit as 'a weapon' due to it's spiked knee-plates, and requested him change into this... Jedi Robe!
It was surprisingly rough, despite it's appearance. However, with all of his issues with his current outfit he was glad he was not issued one of the brown coats; he would have tripped after taking three steps.
As Shard stumbled around the grand passageways, he couldn't help but marvel at the craftsmanship that went into this simple space intended to be rushed through as the Jedi went to and fro, doing... whatever Jedi do when they weren't in combat... 'Meditating'.
As he turned a corner, he passed a class of younglings, all being led by an elderly grey Jedi leaning on a thin black cane. The master narrowed his yellow eyes at the Clone, yet the younglings all seemed curious, and somewhat confused. The group passed Shard and exited through a small door, leading to a seemingly tranquil courtyard of flowers and green leafed trees.
As he turned back to continue his walk-around-the-temple-until-he-found-Kenobi Walk, he felt something small smack into his right hip. Due to his size, and his lack of balance in the damn boots, Shard went down like a wroshyr tree.
The object that caused his sudden acquaintance to the rich carpet of the Temple's hallway, was a youngling.
She was a young creature, of the Verpine species, hardly older then a hatchling. Her chiten was of an acid green hue, while her insectoid eyes were the color of pitch.
"I am sorry, Master! I did not see you there!" She said in an insectoid chatter, her mandibles shuddering as she slowly tried to stand up, but repeatidly failed due to her awkwardly proportioned abdomen.
"Oh, it's quite alright. What's your name?" Shard asked, standing and helping the child up.
"I am Aria." She said warmly. She cocked her head, her antenna quivering.
"I do not recognize you, are you a new Jedi?" She gasped, holding her hands to cover her mandables.
"Are you from another order of force users? I knew Huyang was hinting at something when he told us-"
"Actually young one... I am not a Jedi, or a force user."
She stopped celebrating and cocked her head to the side again.
"Then... Who are you, sir?"
"I am a Clone Trooper, one of the soldiers who fight in the war." Shard explained. There was something about this child, her questions were simple and slightly tedious, but there was a fine edge of humor to all of his answers.
"Why aren't you wearing your armor?"
"The Temple Guards thought it would be best if I changed into a tunic, due to all of the weapons built into the armor."
"Weapons? Are you a Commander? Are you here to meet your General?"
Shard died inside, but kept a light smile on his face.
"Something like that. I'm here to spar with Gen- Master Kenobi."
"Ahh, I see. Sparring is- Wait. Sparring! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh! I am late for sparring practice with Master Sinube! Do you know where he went?"
Shard frowned and scratched his head.
"There was a Jedi who walked through here with a group of younglings before we bumped into each other."
"What did he look like?"
"Old guy, walks with a cane?" He offered. Aria's facial expression didn't change. Lots of old guys here with canes apparently.
"Ah... Grey.. old guy, with a cane?" He offered sheepishly.
"Yes! That's him! Cmon." Aria said, seizing Shard's hand in her three fingered claw and pulling him along with her with surprising force down the hallway.
It took three doors, but she eventually found the courtyard, and Shard got a chance to catch his breath.
The younglings were all in pairs, and dueling with sticks to practice their lightsaber techniques, while the old Jedi Master Sinube watched over them. His tired grey eyes turned towards Aria with relief when she approached.
"There you are! I was getting worried. Where were you? And who is... this?" Sinube asked, his eyes widening slightly in recognition.
"This is Commander Shard! He is here to meet with Master Kenobi in a sparring match. I thought maybe you could give him some tips!" She chirped brightly, and rapidly blinking her eyes towards the teacher.
The elderly alien smiled.
"I'd be happy to show him what I know." He said, guiding Shard a few paces back from the others in the class.
"Thank you for watching Aria. I'd say her disconnection from her hive is the reason of her short attention span, but that would simply not be accurate. Now, Let me show you the best way to execute Vaapad."
Obi-Wan Kenobi sat in the Lightsaber Training Dojo, meditating. He knew Shard was a little late, but he would be patient. As Master Qui-Gon always said; Patience Obi-Wan.
The door to the Dojo slid open with a hiss, and Obi-Wan opened his eyes to find a peculiar sight.
General Shard, dressed in a Jedi Tunic and boots, with a confident smile on his face.
"Sorry I'm late, it's easy to get turned around in here." He apologized sheepishly.
"It's quite alright. Are you ready to begin?"
Shard stepped towards the large rack of training instruments, and grabbed one of the wooden staves.
"Ready when you are."
Shard hefted the staff in both hands in a defensive position. Obi-Wan responded by seizing a staff of his own and pointing it towards Shard, holding out his hand with both his middle finger and index finger extended.
Kenobi struck first, swiping in a downward ark towards Shard's shoulder blade. Shard dodged, responding by swinging the staff with incredible force towards Kenobi's weapon, the force and sock of the weapon knocking the weapon from Kenobi's hand and into the air. Shard caught it and directed both weapon's at Kenobi, a sheepish smile on his face. Kenobi, unfazed, used the force to seize a third staff from the wall to continue his attack; his force enhanced strength splintering the wooden staves and knocking Shard to the ground. He offered the Clone his hand,
"Where on earth did you learn that?" Obi-Wan asked, surprised.
"I helped a youngling get to her class, and her master taught me a thing or two when he heard I was challenging you. Named Sinube."
"Ah, I thought I recognized that quick and powerful attack pattern. Well done."
They made their way from the room and into the hallway.
"I noticed you cleaned up that mess on Geonosis, how did the bugs treat you?" Shard asked, walking alongside the Jedi. Kenobi snickered.
"Terribly. We were forced to remove their entire hierarchy, and their queen was killed."
"The Bugs have a queen?"
"I thought it was a rumor, but she was real all right. Not to mention she had a disgusting mind control template to... reanimate her dead drones and warrors. It was like something out of a nightmare."
Shard laughed, but upon seeing the man's serious expression, he stopped immediately.
"Wait, you're serious?"
"Ask Clicker, he was most disappointed in their lack of a general pain reflex."
"That sounds like him."
Kenobi's comlink chimed, and he frowned.
"Temple summons, that's odd. Come on, if it's something this important a fellow General should be in attendance."
Shard and Kenobi picked up their pace, hurrying to the communications center.
Shard expected a simple meeting on a new route into Separatist space. He instead found a hologram that would change his life forever.
This was a while in the making, and I am sorry again for the delays, I've had a ton of stuff going on in my personal life and grades falling behind, so I need to try to get my stuff together (mostly done but ehhh) and I'll try to post more by the end of this weekend, and I'll DEFIANTLY 100% post a crap ton around Christmas, I get lots of down time to write and edit during that time. Until then, Cloaked Writer out. :)