The Mandalorian Jedi(Edit)

by SL17H3R R3X

Stolen from his homeworld of Mandalore Ken-Krayt Vizsla was inducted into the Jedi order. Follow his journey from the Prequel and into the final days off the Empire.

2. Chapter 2: The Movie

Chapter 2: The Movie

{Greetings from beyond the screen my fellow readers writers, DR4C0, SL17H3R and R3X here with a new chapter with a few things; .}

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Location: Christophisis.

Once a peaceful world, now ravaged by the torments of war. A major battle takes place the likes of which the planet has likely never seen before. An intense battle has sprung forth on the once peaceful planet between the Separatists and the Republic and its touch and go between the two warring armies with so far none of them gaining any foothold over their opponents.

The droid army is massive, numerous, and deadly with a veritable and nearly unstoppable force of droids mixed with heavy units ranging from tanks, droidekas, B2 battle droids and the giant Octuptarra combat tri-droid walkers that can lay down heavy blaster shots from their three rotating gun mounts. On top of the Separatists having a massive army of droids in the streets with the B1 battle droids, the Republic clone army seems to be having quite the trouble in fighting back.

The Republic clone soldiers on Christophisis have the standard clone troopers with them with experienced officers such as Commander Cody and Captain Rex to lead them, but they also have two legendary jedi's there to help turn the tide when things look rough. Jedi Generals Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are there to lead and help the troopers push back the droid army hounding them. That alone however would not be enough to hold back their enemies when it's their ace in the hole that's kept things at a veritable stalemate: The AV-7 Antivehicle artillery cannons. These giant machines are movable, only need one tank gunner to fire, and can take out both tanks and groups of infantry droids in one hit. Their long range capabilities also allow them to keep the enemy well out of their range of fire to hit them.

Because of this, the droid army commander Whorm Loathsom was forced to pull his troops back before he lost everything to their cannons and devise a new strategy.

With the respite now given to everyone, injuries were being tended to, wounded and the dead moved, barricades being setup, ammo and weapon counts were being accounted for at the opportunity. Both jedi having played a significant role in the recent attack against them take a moment to breathe in relief before a transport shuttle flies overhead.

"Looks like help has arrived," Obi-wan says to his former padawan with R2-D2 the astromech droid rolling up to them and beeping excitedly. "Our cruiser must be back."

"Which means we'll be able to get our reinforcements." Anakin says as both jedi walk towards the landing shuttle with several clone troopers following them and many more around continue to do their jobs.

"Well then, it looks like our problems are solved; fresh troops, new supplies, and perhaps they've brought my new padawan with them." Obi-wan hopes.

"Do you think it's a good idea to bring a padawan learner into all this?" Anakin counters, the idea of a padawan no less irking the headstrong Jedi Master.

"I spoke to Master Yoda about it. You should put in a request for one. You'd make a good teacher." Obi-wan compliments his former student.

"Hahaha," Unfortunately he still isn't budging on the Padawan. "No, thanks."

"Anakin, teaching is a privilege, and it's part of a Jedi's responsibility to help train the next generation." Obi-wan tries to sway him.

"A padawan would just slow me down." He finishes saying as they stop in front of the transport shuttle.

In front of them, a clone trooper gives the signal for the hatch to open. With slow movement, the main door of the craft opens up, revealing the occupant standing in front of the door, ready to disembark.

Padawan learner Ahsoka Tano, a togruta female, 14-years old calmly steps off the ramp towards the two Jedi Masters. "A youngling," Obi-wan comments on the age appearance of the person coming to them.

"And who are you supposed to be?" Anakin bluntly asks while R2 beeps excitedly at the new arrival

"I'm Ahsoka. Master Yoda sent me," She informs them while walking a little closer. "We were told to tell you both that you must get back to the Jedi Temple immediately. There's an emergency." She informs them.

Anakin looks annoyed at the emergency that doesn't seem to be acknowledged at their current predicament right now while Obi-wan looks around like he's looking for someone else.

"Well, I don't know if you've noticed but we're—"

"Hold on a second Anakin." Obi-wan stops him from talking with a hand gesture before setting his sights back on the youngling in front of him. "You said 'we.' What do you mean? I didn't see anyone else disembark with you." He told her.

The choice of words she spoke indicates that she and someone else came to tell the two of them about the emergency at the temple but she was the only one to get off. Not even the pilot got off either.

"What?! Didn't you see—" Ahsoka says in surprise and confusion before looking left then right before finally turning around. "Ughhh." She sulks for some reason before cupping her hands over her mouth. "Shan! Get your butt out here!" She yells back into the ship.

"Ah! Geez, hold on a second Ahsoka!" Another voice can be heard from inside along with a bit of rustling, "I'm coming, I'm coming!" The new person grumbles from inside the ship before he starts making his way out to meet his new master, "Seriously, give me a second Ahsoka, patience is a virtue of Jedi after all."

Ultimately Shan's first impression for the two Jedi who've been fighting for quite awhile now along with his friend happens to be him tripping and rolling down the ship's ramp.

"Oh Shit!" He finally stops right at the three Jedi's feet on his feet as if it was all planned.

All three of them stare at the crumpled mess in front of them, even a few clones working nearby heard the tumbling noise and stopped to watch the clumsy Jedi roll right at their feet.

"Ow," He groans one more time before beginning to dust himself off.

He adopts a firm and straight stance as dignified as he can make, despite the roll he had just done a minute ago. He wears a white loose shirt with a gray vest over it for the top of his attire, and a black pants that don't compromise the athletic and acrobatic capabilities most Jedi are known for. With his black short hair and blue eyes stare at the two Jedi Masters in front of him.

"Jedi Masters Skywalker and Kenobi, It is an honor to meet you both. I am Padawan learner Orion Pax at your service, please call me Shan," He says giving them a small bow once he is finished he stands to his full height and gives them the best smile he can muster.

No one says anything to that.

"Pht…" Ahsoka can't help but stifle a chuckle because of the first impression her friend just made.

"Damn that was smooth, how many of us do you think could do that?" Two random clones nearby converse.

"I… don't know."

Shan leans over to Ahsoka, "I didn't make a good first impression did I?" He whispers to her from the corner of his mouth, despite the two masters being able to hear him from right in front of him.

"What was your first clue?" She says to him still trying to keep her chuckling down even taking her hand away from her face.

Smack*

And hitting him upside the head.

(Time Skip)

"Out of all the times to do something stupid you do that right in front of them?!"

"We both know that it wasn't my intention to go on and trip like that, will you give me a break?"

"You realize who they are right? You couldn't have made a better first impression than that?!"

"I told you I didn't mean to! You were the one that was yelling at me to get going so I'm sorry I wasn't on YOUR page!"

While the two Padawans bicker back and forth, Anakin and Obi-wan glance back and forth between the two of them. After Shan unexpectedly tripped in front of everyone and salvaged his pride, Ahsoka couldn't help but get annoyed by the actions of her friend since they came together on the ship.

"Huh, I wasn't expecting this," Anakin said as the two continued to argue.

"Yes, same here." Obi-wan agrees before taking a step forward and getting the attention of the new arrivals, "Excuse me?"

"And I—"

"But you—"

The two of them stop mid sentence at the older Jedi's interruption. They disengage from each other and look at him and it's only then do they blush embarrassed at the scene they made in front of the two.

"I believe you two have a message to give us?" Obi-wan asks them.

"You're right!" Shan gets a look of realization on his face at the main reason they were sent here to the planet, "We don't have the message on us. You two need to go back to the Jedi Temple because something important has come up that requires you two." He explains to the two masters what they need to do.

Anakin looks skeptic at the info, "Yeah well, as I was saying before, I don't know if you've noticed, but we're in a bit of an emergency right here." He gestures to the ground.

'From the devastation from the trip down, they definitely look like they're in a tight spot,' Shan thought as he glanced at the destroyed buildings and wounded soldiers around.

"Our communications have been a bit unreliable, but we've been calling for help," Obi-wan continued explaining.

Ahsoka and Shan look at each other before looking back to the masters, "Master Yoda hadn't heard from you so he sent us to deliver the message." She gestures to him and her.

"Since comms were out, personally delivering the message was the only way," Shan adds.

"Huuuu… oh great!" Anakin sighs before speaking in an annoyed tone, "They don't even know we're in trouble." He complains about the situation they were in.

Before they were having trouble getting reinforcements after being cut off for so long but it's even worse since not everywhere do they know about the fighting they're in.

Ahsoka and Shan think for a second before Shan snaps his fingers at an idea, "The cruiser."

"You're right," She agrees before turning to the distraught Jedi Master. "Maybe you can relay a signal through the cruiser that dropped us off," She tells them their idea.

(Time Skip)

In the hopeless situation that they find themselves in in this stalemate of a battle, they find just a little bit of hope as they both smile.

Later after making their way to a nearby holoterminal, they begin to enact the idea that they came up with but unfortunately the situation still doesn't look good.

"We're under attack by Separatist warships," A clone bridge ensign pilot back on the cruiser tells the Jedi of the situation in orbit through the terminal. "But I'll try to make contact with the Jedi temple for you. Standby," He tells them as his form disappears, replaced with a beeping noise coming from the computer as it tries to make contact.

As the connection tries to be established, R2-D2 rolls up the computer too as all the Jedi look around uneasily and worried that this may not work after all.

As the hologram takes shape, everyone has a look of relief on their face as the form of Master Yoda becomes apparent, "Master Kenobi I'm glad Ahsoka and Shan found you." He greets him but Obi-wan has no time for pleasantries sadly, he even had to push down his shock about reunion with Shan.

"Master Yoda, we are trapped here and vastly outnumbered," He begins to explain the dire situation. "We are in no position to go anywhere or do anything. Our support ships have all been destroyed."

'I know things were bad but I didn't know they were this deep,' Shan thought at how bad things seem to be.

"Send reinforcements to you, we will. A—" The transmission begins to sputter and break apart.

"Master Yoda… Master Yoda!" Obi-wan tries to get him back but can't.

Shan steps closer to the computer and fiddles with the controls.

"C'mon c'mon," He grunts as he tries to clear the transmission but it's not coming from them.

The previous ensign clone from before appears back on screen, "We've lost the transmission, sir." He confirms Shan's suspicion.

Two more clones walk into the screen, one being the same rank and the other in full armor, "We have to leave orbit. More enemy ships have just arrived. We'll get back to you as soon as we can." And with that last sentence, the transmission is cut off entirely.

"I guess we'll have to hold out a little longer," Anakin points out the obvious to everyone.

"Great," Shan groans at how bad things seem.

"At least we got the message out. That's something," Ahsoka says in hopes of easing her troubled friend.

He does gain a smile knowing that they will get some backup hopefully soon, "Yeah, you're right."

"In any case, I'd like to apologize to you young ones," Obi-wan speaks, getting the two's attention. "It's about time for a proper introduction," He proposes and steps up closer to the two.

They both give their best smiles and stand straight.

"We're the new Padawan learners," Ahsoka answers. "I'm Ahsoka Tano," She introduces herself.

"And as I said before, I am Shan Vizsla."

"Two Padawans? But I thought you only put in a request for one?" Anakin asks his former master with a bit of surprise.

"I did," He confirms what he's asking.

"That would be me sir," Shan steps up as dignified as he can with a slight bow. "I was the one that was assigned to you, Master Kenobi."

"And I was assigned to Master Skywalker," Ahsoka says, pointing to the now very surprised and stunned Jedi Master.

"What?! Hehe No, no, no, no, no," Anakin repeats in disbelief. "There must be some mistake. He's the one that wanted the Padawan," He points an accusing finger to the other master.

"And he got one. Me," Shan gestures to himself

"Yes, Master Yoda was very specific. I'm assigned to Anakin Skywalker and he to Obi-wan Kenobi, and they are to supervise our Jedi training," Ahsoka spoke and explained very clearly to the confused master, even getting a nod from Shan.

Obi-wan for his part smirks at the uncomfortableness that befalls his former student.

"But that doesn't make any sense," Anakin proceeds to say before being cut off by Obi-wan.

"We'll have to sort this out later," He eases his complaints before focusing on the matter at hand. "It won't be long before those droids figure out a way around our cannons."

"I'll check on Rex in the lookout post," Anakin grumbles at the situation he's in before starting to walk away.

"You'd better take her with you," Before he gets far, Obi-wan proposes he do.

Anakin doesn't even turn around and he looks like he wants to reject the idea but doesn't say anything.

Shan taps Ahsoka's shoulder and smiles, "Good luck."

Smack*

Ahsoka tried to throw a friendly punch at his arm only for it to be caught.

"You're going to need to try harder than that, Ahsoka," Shan said

She returns the smile and goes off with her new, albeit reluctant, master.

"Don't worry. She'll be fine," Obi-wan reassures him as they watch the two walk off.

"Oh, of that I'm sure of that," Shan replies as he stretches his hand before giving his master a smile. "It's him I'm worried about."

Obi-wan shakes his head at the no doubt similarities the two will have for each other, "Anyway, why don't we go check up on the troops?" He proposes and walks off.

"Right behind you master," Shan says and walks with his new master.

Shan(POV)

At first when I was told I was going to be given my new master so soon, I was both ecstatic and just a little nervous at the rapid development. However after taking a little bit to digest the information I am now content with the idea of being the Padawan to a master ahead of others. However I'm a little nervous when I heard that Ahsoka was going to get masters that typically worked together a lot, allowing Ahsoka and I to hang out still, even when we're learning.

To be honest Ahsoka and I aren't the best of friends. When we both were taken to the temple to learn the ways of the Jedi, we only saw each other on occasion but never actively made the effort to get to know each other, her being a togruta and me a human so we came from pretty different places in our lives, we just simply focused on our studies and that's it. It was only in the last couple years did we get to know each other a little more and become good friends. Now I hope even more so do I expect us to become very close friends since we'll no doubt be seeing and fighting together in the future. Although to be honest I wasn't necessarily expecting us to get our masters in the middle of a war zone but the way this war is going things are definitely going to get complicated like this.

Right now Master Kenobi is giving me a bit of a tour of the makeshift base of operations the Republic has here, where the fighting is coming from and where to expect the droid army to come from while Ahsoka has gone off who knows where with her new reluctant master.

I wish both of them luck.

"You seem a little… young to be a Padawan." My master points out to me as we make our way through some troops' ranks and it's true.

Usually Padawans are a bit older than Ahsoka and I but because of our skills and the training we both made at the temple were we able to be formally given our new masters.

"Yes, while that is true sir, I can assure you that Ahsoka and I are not lacking in the skills necessary to be both of your Padawans," I try to make sure to him that my age on the matter won't compromise my skills in being his Padawan.

"Oh I don't doubt that. I just need to make sure you know that combat in real life is nothing like how it is back in the temple. You're going to be facing a lot of blaster fire soon I'm sure of it." He answers a bit grimly but I'm not deterred.

"I understand sir. I've learned everything I can when it comes to blaster combat and how to deal with the sheer number of blaster bolts that fly around in these types of battles. Even going as far as to learn a little about properly using some blasters too, just in case I happen to lose my lightsaber." I add and pat the handle on my belt.

For some reason I've always been a bit fascinated with the use of blasters but I haven't had a lot of time to extensively train myself in blaster combat with my studies to become a Jedi monopolizing most of my time.

"You expect to lose it?" He asks with a playful smile.

I shake my head, "No self-respecting Jedi expects to lose their lightsaber sir, but it can never hurt to be prepared should that happen." I explained.

"I suppose that's true. Hopefully that doesn't."

"Me too Master," We lull into a comfortable silence as we continue to pass some troops that are still gathering everything together.

Master then breaks the silence, "By the way I haven't seen a lightsaber of that construction."

"Oh," I reach down and offer it to my master and he takes it. "I unintentionally based the design off of my possible ancestor, Terra Vizsla, the first mandalorian inducted into our order," I say as my master hands me my lightsaber back.

Master Kenobi then becomes a bit awkward, "The thing is I have a bit of experience with Mandalorians."

"Really," I say in excitement.

Master Kenobi chuckles and says, "Yes, one by the name of Jango Fett and as a matter of fact our very own clone troopers are technically Mandalorian as well."

"Seriously, yet despite that the battle hasn't been going well for anyone has it?" I can't help but to ask how a good number of troops look.

"No, it hasn't. We've been ambushed, betrayed and taken advantage of too many times to mount a proper defense but lately it's been more of a stalemate. Those cannons we have are basically the only thing we have that's been able to keep the droids and their tanks at bay but I worry they'll figure out some way soon to destroy them." My master explains in a tired but still grim tone.

'Betrayal? I'll have to inquire about that later,' I made a mental note for later.

The cannons he mentions gets my attention too and I hope to get a closer look at them. Not just blasters gain my interest, lots of different weapons peak my interest.

I look up to take note of what I think is a higher ranking clone giving orders to his men ahead of us, "Who's that?"

"Hm? Ah, that's Commander Cody. A good soldier with quite a knack for combat and commanding troops," My master comments as we walk closer to him.

Commander Cody's armor looks about the same as what most clone troopers wear but his is painted with yellow highlight stripes to signify his higher rank. On top of that he also has an improved helmet with the ability to see longer distances, no doubt to help command his troops better.

Once we get closer, Cody notices us and nods for his troop to carry out his orders, "Cody, how are the troops?" Master Kenobi asks.

"Their managing General. I'd have preferred to get some new men and troops soon but as long as the droids don't go throwing everything they got at us all at once I think we can manage," He gives his estimates to his superior before glancing towards me. "Who's this?"

"Ah, Cody I'd like you to meet Shan Vizsla, my new Padawan," It feels good for my master to say that. I stand up straighter at my introduction.

"Oh yeah. I remember you mentioning you requested one," He nods to my master before looking back at me. "Commander Cody. At your service General." He introduces and salutes me personally.

I can't help but smile at the instant rank I've already attained before returning my own salute to him, "Pleasure to meet you Commander." Once I put my arm down, I extend my hand to him. He looks down at it for a second before we shake hands firmly, "But please, just call me Shan."

"Hehe, you got it sir. And Cody if you wish for me." I nod at him and stand straight.

"Well, nice to see you two getting along so well," My master can't help but say from next to us. We share a laugh at that before he turns his head elsewhere, "Listen, I'm going to go inspect the outer defenses. Why don't you give Shan here a rundown of how we operate before the next wave hits?" He asks the clone commander.

"Can do sir," He salutes him, to which my master nods approvingly before looking at me.

"Now be good to him. We don't want a repeat of what happened before?"

"Ohhh," I groan at the memory of my blunder down the ramp.

"Take care, you two and be ready," He instructs us one last time before he goes to do what he sets out to do.

"Yes sir!"

"You got it Master," Once my master gets out of hearing distance, I turn to the commander with a smile on my face. "Where are those artillery cannons?"

I let out a long winded whistle as I stare up at the giant heavy pieces of ordinance in front of me. "Wow."

"Beauty's aren't they?" Cody next to me asks but I continue to stare. "These are—"

"AV-7 heavy artillery cannons. Powerful pieces of heavy ordinance with massive long range capability with the firepower and rate of fire to match."

Cody stares at me for a second before nodding, "That's right."

I get a little sheepish at my sudden interruption of him, "Sorry. Weapons are kind of my thing, both small like blasters to, well, these." I gesture to the giant cannons, "Saw these things from the ship on the way down and I just had to get a closer look at them."

"I'm glad I could oblige General- uh Shan," He corrects himself. "You know I don't know many Jedi that like to learn about these types of weapons," He points out.

I give him a sly smile and cross my arms as I look at him, "Not many Jedi are me." I boasted.

Some of the instructors found it a bit odd with my interest in this stuff but as long as it didn't interfere with my training, they let it slide.

"You two huh?" A new voice says.

Looking to our side, we see a new clone walk up to us without his helmet, showing us his shaved head, which he also bears the captain rank. His armor has blue markings and even an added black piece of armor on his shoulder. Who walks next to him though gets my attention as it's none other than Ahsoka.

"Hey Rex," Cody regards the new clones before gesturing to me. "Shan, this is Captain Rex. Rex, this is Shan, General Kenobi's new Padawan," He introduces us.

"Pleasure to meet you captain," I give him a slight bow and smile. "Hey Ahsoka."

"Hey Shan. Your master dropped you off too?" She asks, just a bit annoyed in the tone of her voice.

Confused, Cody and I look at each other before glancing back at the two.

Rex sighs and walks past us to walk further down the line of cannons, "C'mon, let's walk and talk at least." Shrugging we both follow after them.

"General Skywalker? But I thought he was very clear he wasn't going to take any Padawans?" Cody asks Rex, who nods.

"Yes, he was. And he was very willing to drop her off on me… no offense." He adds the last part directed to Ahsoka, who grumbles a little, "What about you? General Kenobi do the same?"

"Yes and no. He sort of asked if I could show him around and I was alright with it. You should have seen this kid earlier when he saw the cannons up close." Cody leans in and mutters the last part to Rex.

"I'm walking right next to you," Shan grumbles out loud from their side.

"He was ogling them wasn't he?" Ahsoka surmises, making him look at her with a cross look.

"I don't ogle!"

"You were ogling them a little," Shan looks at Cody like he was betrayed before looking forward with his arms crossed and pouts, drawing a laugh from his friend and a chuckle from the clones.

"He's always been kind of like that. Being at the temple all the time he doesn't have a lot of time to see some of the weapons he studies first hand so the first chance he gets, he'll be happy." She says with a playful smile at him.

"Definitely knows his stuff too," Cody compliments before patting his shoulder, drawing Shan out of his funk and getting him to smile. "Knew exactly what type of cannons they were just from looking at them."

"Can't wait to see them in action," Shan mutters as he glances at the machines.

"Hmhm," Ahsoka chuckles at the giddiness of her friend's attitude. She too glances at the cannons and takes note of an improvement they could make, "Have you thought about moving that line back, captain?" Ahsoka asks Rex as they continue to walk past the cannons, "They'd have better cover that way."

"Your right Ahsoka," Shan agrees with her, taking a slightly more serious tone as he stares at the giant guns. "On top of the guns having those buildings as cover, it'd also make the droids have to push further to try and get to them."

"Good suggestion," Cody says. "We've thought about doing that, but…" He glances to Rex.

"But General Skywalker thinks they're fine where they are," He tells them why they haven't done it in the first place.

"Soooo…" Ahsoka begins to bring up another topic with Rex, "If you're a captain and I'm a Jedi." Her steps slow for a second before picking up the pace, "Then, technically, I outrank you, right?"

"Same with you Cody?" Shan asks his escort too.

"That's the chain of command basically," He replies.

"Hm," Rex scoffs at the blunt basic answer before giving his own view on the matter. "In my book, experience outranks everything."

"Well, if experience outranks everything, then I guess we need to start getting some right Pax?" Ahsoka asks her friend, who gives a so-so type of nod.

"Eh, the clone army has been training for war for their entire lives while we have been training to be peacekeepers. Not to mention you can't have inexperienced people out on the battlefield now can we? That's how they get themselves killed." He said before answering his own question.

Ahsoka and Shan may be known to the simulations of war and not real life scenarios but they know it's for keeps if a fatal blaster bolt hits them.

"Yeah, that's definitely true," Ahsoka agrees with the notion before what sounds like some sort of energy build up and discharge makes them all look towards the sound. "What's that?"

The clones plus Shan all tense up as they spot the slowly expanding red dome barrier of a ray shield. "That's… a ray shield," Shan worriedly points out.

"Great, just what we need," Cody groans.

"It's going to make things damn near impossible," Rex said dauntingly as he stared at the energy field. "If you want experience, little ones, it looks like you're about to get plenty." He grimly tells them as they watch the shield continue to expand.

"We have to find our masters. Let's go," Shan proposes and runs off with the others following close behind.

Not long later, both clones and Padawans find Obi-wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker before they meet at a large holomap terminal of the battlefield in order to make their next plan.

"The shield generator is somewhere in this area," Obi-wan points to the center of bright energy expending on the holomap. "They're slowly increasing the diameter and keeping it just ahead of their troops."

"Heavy cannons are going to be useless against that," Rex says.

"Close range combat seems the only choice we have," Cody points out.

"As they get closer, I suppose we could try to draw them into the buildings. That might level the playing field a bit," Obi-wan proposes for their plan as he gestures to some of the larger taller buildings on the map.

"But it'd only be a temporary solution," Shan says. "Those tanks could still move forward and take out the cannons once the shield gets to them. After they do that, there's nothing stopping them from turning their guns on the buildings we occupy and reducing them to rubble, with us in them," He grimly says.

His master purses his lips in thought at what else they could do.

"If that shield's going to be such a problem, why don't we just take it out?" Ahsoka obviously proposes they do as if it'd be a cake walk.

"That would be the smarter thing to do, but…"

"That's easier said than done," Rex finishes Pax's sentence.

"Right."

"Well, I, for one…" Anakin begins speaking, getting all the attention as he clears his throat, "Agree with her." He finishes saying just a bit quieter, "Someone has to get to that shield generator and destroy it. That's the key." He backs his Padawans plans.

"Right, then. Maybe you two can tiptoe through the enemy lines and solve this particular problem together."

"Can do, Master Kenobi," Ahsoka replies.

"I'll decide what we do," Anakin immediately says right after.

"If Rex, and I can engage them here," Obi-wan points to a particular spot on the map. "You two might have a chance to get through their lines undetected here," He points to another spot further down and closer to the dome.

"They won't have much time. The droids far outnumber us, so our ability to street-fight is limited without the use of heavy cannons," Rex begins to explain and points to where the tanks are moving. "They'll march forward under the protection of their shield until they're right on top of our cannons and they will blow them away. Just like what he said earlier, after the cannons are gone, there'll be nothing stopping them from wiping us out. Buildings or no." Rex gestures to Shan, who nods at the statement.

In this next battle, the Republics heavy cannons and the Separatists shield generator are the key factors. Whichever side loses theirs first, loses the battle.

"We'll figure out a way. Come on master, let's go," Ahsoka optimistically says and walks with her slightly annoyed master following.

"If we survive this Snips, you and I are going to have a talk." He scolds her as they walk away.

"Sounds like they're getting along just fine," Shan sarcastically says as he watches his friend and her master go.

"They do make… quite a pair, don't they, sir?" Rex asks Obi-wan "You think they have a chance?"

"They'd better. If they can't turn off that shield generator before it reaches the heavy cannons, there'll be no escape for any of us." Obi-wan states the grim truth about their situation.

"Master, what about Cody and I?" Shan asks with a step forward and gestures to both him and the yellow striped clone. Since they haven't gotten any orders so far on the plan, Shan is curious on what the plan is for them.

"We can't afford to let a single droid get past the lines and wreak havoc on our base of operations. On top of them possibly damaging the cannons with even their small arms fires, I don't think any of us are privy to letting them get even close to our wounded." Everyone else nods easily at that statement. It'd be a slaughter for sure if any of the droids manage to get where the wounded clones are. "Therefore, Cody you'll be commanding the bulk of our forces on the main street path to slow the droids as much as you can while Ahsoka and Anakin focus on taking out the shield generator." Cody nods at the General's orders before Obi-wan looks to his Padawan. "After Rex and I provide the distraction necessary to get them to the generator, we'll be surrounded and in the thick of it with droids. Think you can help clear a path back to our troops?" He asks Shan with an encouraging smile.

Shan looks at his master in awe for a second before reaching down and pulling his lightsaber off his belt. After going through a quick check-up of his weapon and symbol of his status as a Jedi, he holds it firmly in his right hand before standing straight up and giving his Master a confident look. "I am Master. I won't let you down."

(Time Skip)

Shan(POV)

How am I kidding, I'm nervous as hell.

That's what I'm kind of feeling right now. I am standing in front and in the middle of the street where the fighting has been for the troops on this planet. Lots of debris and rubble has been placed all around in front to give the clones and I some form of cover when the shooting starts.

The droids may be willing to walk in giant columns in the open but our troops are not that suicidal.

After deciding to try to punch through the shield using the heavy cannons on their maximum power output, which ultimately failed, we're going ahead with the plan before on my master Obi-wan Kenobi and Captain Rex distracting the droids to focus attention on them rather than chance a look at my friend Ahsoka Tano and her master Anakin Skywalker while they go to take out the shield generator. Commander Cody has the job of commanding the troops on the main road while I get ready to go along a road to the side that leads into a building and out where the distraction team will be.

That's the path I need to clear in order to get them back to our line.

"You okay kid?" I was brought out of my thoughts from the voice next to me.

Turning around I see Cody eyeing me through his helmet.

All around the troops are doing some last minute checks on their weapons from behind all the cover we have.

"Yeah, yeah I'm alright," I reply and turn back to the front but I think the nervousness is evident in my voice.

"You don't look alright."

"It's just… this'll be my first engagement in real life combat. Not a training room or simulation but the chances of living and dying are here. Just… I'm a little nervous is all." I explain the best I can on how I feel.

While I am excited to finally going out and have the potential to make a difference in this war, I can't help but feel just a bit of my nerves creep up on me and that's good in a way. I need to keep in mind that this is no game.

"Never seen a Jedi nervous before," One of the clones nearby pipes up to some of his brothers.

"Padawan," I called out, making it known I heard him. "I'm technically not a Jedi yet," I pull out my lightsaber and clutch it in my right hand. "I'm no Jedi Knight by any means, but as long as I don't get cocky or do anything stupid, eventually I can make it."

"Well, guess this'll be your first test in the field then," Cody says and pats my shoulder, comforting me a little. "Just stick with us. You back us up and we'll back you up. Right men?!" He directs the last part to the others.

"Yeah!"

"We got this!"

At the multiple confident voices from around pumped and ready, my nerves take a hit and I can breathe just a bit easier. I sport a smile and prepare myself in time as the shield comes ever so closer to us. I turn back to them to go over the plan one last time.

"Alright men!" I yell loudly to get their attention, "The enemy will be coming in full force towards us down this road. My master, General Kenobi, Captain Rex and their squad will distract them and be in the thick of it down there!" I point towards the column of droids heading towards us, "I'll be heading along this side road here to get to them faster and hopefully bring them back a lot safer than going straight down the middle of the crossfire!" I turned back to the men, "Think you guys can give us some covering fire on the way back?!"

"Yes sir!" They respond firmly and ready to put the plan into action.

"That's what I like to hear!" I say smiling and turn back to the shield as it's only a dozen feet from us and rapidly closing, "We just have to hold out till General Skywalker and Ahsoka take down the shield!" Looking again it's almost on us, "It's almost here! Everyone get ready!" I order with my left arm raised into the air. They all hunker down into their respective cover positions and I step forward, making sure I'm in a good spot to deflect shots while not possibly getting hit from behind. "Ready…"

The shield is right on us.

"Aim…!" The rapport of the clone trooper blasters ready to fire off behind me.

It's then the shield passes right over us. I turn my lightsaber on, revealing its starless black blade for all to see as I hold it to my right.

"FIRE!" I bring my arm down.

A flurry and massive crossfire of blaster bolts both blue and red tear through the air around everyone. Quickly I pull up my saber and begin deflecting the shots pointed at or near me. It's a wonderful feeling as the points of energy that would otherwise kill someone are just as easily pushed in a completely different direction and possibly saving the lives of some random clones around me. I can hit and blast back a lot more shots around me with the amount of movement I go from left to right in my one spot and it works. Already the droids had pushed a considerable amount thanks to their damnable shield but now that were dwindling in numbers.

Unfortunately the heavy weapons they possess, their tanks and those tri-legged spider walkers start opening fire and hammering our position. The clones behind me are forced to take cover from the force of the blasts and I grunt a little from the debris landing on me but I hold firm and so do the troops. Past the droids, I can barely make out the distraction team moving in and fighting the droids in the back amidst the blaster crossfire I'm in but I see them nonetheless.

'Time to move!' I think to myself.

I deflect one more shot towards my head before I go behind cover opposite from Cody on the other side of the street.

"Cody! You're in command now! I'm going to get our people back! Give 'em hell!"

"You got it General! Alright men!" He yells over the blaster sounds around us, "Let's show these tin-cans what happens when they mess with the Republic's finest!"

A roar of approval goes around as they all return fire in greater numbers.

'Now's my chance!' I think.

With the force, I take advantage of the cover fire and launch myself high into the air from behind my cover towards the entrance of the side street connected to the main road. I land on the ground with ease before straightening up and going forward, swinging my lightsaber all around me against the shots aimed in my direction. Plenty of droids already came forward and started infesting the side street, making it harder for the team to get back to the rest of the army.

"Not if I have anything to say about it," I mutter to myself and push forward before it starts slicing through the droids.

I cut one B1's head off with ease before stabbing a B2 and rolling around it and cutting through more of them. They continue to try to shoot me dead but ultimately they miss or I deflect their shots right back at them that ends them. One B2 super battle droid tries to knock me out with a swipe at my hand but I duck under it, chop off its arm before following up with cutting it in half at the waist.

It's rinse and repeat at this point since there are only a few stragglers along this way and not the bulk of their forces but if I don't help clear this way soon then the clones will get hit hard running back. I soon make it to the building that connects to the road and head through the main doors. The place is wrecked with tons of pieces of the building littering the area but that's the most I see as I focus on going forward and push past the doors leading to the other side.

I bring my blade up just in time to deflect a shot that nearly ended me. Taking a more accurate look shows Captain Rex and his squad moving and shooting backwards towards me. It looks like they took some casualties but not a whole lot. I move forward past some clones, deflecting more bolts as I go until I come to Rex who's shooting at every droid he can with his blaster pistols.

"Captain!" I get his attention as I move a little in front of him, "It's time to go! I'll cover for you!"

"Right General! Retreating to covering fire!" He orders his men and the clones of his squad start piling into the building before they take up position to cover us.

We both slowly move back with him crouching and firing around me while I focus on deflecting the shots away from us.

"Rex, where's General Kenobi?!" I ask him while still keeping my view forward.

"I don't know, sir! We got separated!" He informs me as we get much closer to the building's entrance.

I grunt a little worried as to where my master could be in all this ruckus but I distinctly hear the sounds of a lightsaber tearing through droids and it's not me since all I'm doing is deflecting. Unfortunately, I can't investigate where, not with all these droids around and me needing to cover their retreat.

"He'll be fine," He is a Jedi Master for a reason. "We need to get your men back to the barricades now before we're boxed in!"

"That's probably for the best," He agrees with me and after firing over my shoulder at a droid getting too close, he turns around and starts running once we fully make it into the building. "Fall back!" He orders his men and they do as they are told.

I turn around and start running too but a particular blaster bolt nearly hits another clone's leg, making him trip. I stop cold and quickly grab him before pulling him up to his feet.

"C'mon! Let's go!" I push him behind me and block some more shots before heading deeper into the building with everyone else.

One nice thing about droids is their pension for walking pretty slowly while firing at us. Soon the majority of the squad manages to get out of the building and back on the road towards the rest of our forces. To my elation, I spot my master safe with Rex's men taking position behind him in various covers.

"Master!" I call out and he turns to Rex and I start running up to him.

"Shan, great job clearing the way," He compliments me, gesturing to the droid parts around us.

I nod but before he can address Rex an explosion happens behind us, forcing us to take cover behind a ruined computer console while he addresses the captain.

"Rex, what's our status?" He asks him while the rest of the troops fire into the slowly building smoke towards the building.

"They're right behind us. Most of my unit was able to pull back but we couldn't hold the position long."

"The shield has almost reached the heavy cannons," My master tells us and it was true the shield is getting pretty far against our forces and it's only a matter of time before they take them out.

"We're not gonna be able to stop them, sir."

"He is right master, especially not from here," I add.

"Move your troops back to the heavy cannons. Do everything you can to protect them. Shan, go with him and back them up. I'll delay the droids," He tells us the plan, however I couldn't help but to look at him incredulously.

"What?!"

"But…"

"That is an order, you two!" He states firmly and given his order, Rex goes but to my surprise a B2 jumps over the console to shoot Rex but my master quickly stands up and stabs his lightsaber straight into the droids chest and throws it off. "Go!" He orders me one final time.

I'm hesitant to leave my new master here against all these droids, but he is the master and I am his Padawan. I have to listen to his judgment.

Doesn't mean I have to like it.

I grunt before standing up and moving back, "Be careful sir!" I tell him and he responds with an encouraging smile before igniting his saber and engaging the droids. I turn around and head back to Rex and his troops, "Let's go!" I order as I run past him, "We have to link up with the others!"

"You heard him boys! Move move move!"

What remains of Rex's troops fall in and we start heading towards where Cody and the others are. As we come to the entrance back to the main road, the droids are a lot closer now and have a much more concentrated fire against the clones.

"What do we do sir?" Rex asks me as we take cover behind some debris.

The entire road between us and the rest of our forces is an ascending killzone. We go out now and we're dead.

"Time for some cover," I mutter and ignite my blade. "Go!" I order with a wave to the main force and step out onto the street, using one hand to move the blade faster and block as many blaster bolts towards me, "COVERING FIRE!"

"Covering fire!" I hear Cody yell behind me and the number of blue bolts picks up just a bit, easing the pressure off me and giving Rex and his men the cover needed to go. I back up as I continue to deflect shots and before I know it, I jump back and land behind cover, exhausted but alive. "You alright General?" Cody asks me and I nod as I take deep breaths.

"Yeah. Just tired." I nod to him before I look at Rex, "Your men?"

"We made it sir. Thanks for that."

"No problem," I reply and glance towards the cannons and then approach the droids. "Alright Commander! Captain! Top priority is the protection of those heavy cannons. Cody, order your troops to fortify the perimeter around them and keep those droids off them!"

"Yes sir!" He acknowledges the command and goes to gather his men.

"Rex, we're going to be the first line against them! We have to give Cody and his men the time to make that perimeter before we join them. Ready?"

"Ready! Let's scrap 'em!" He shouts and we start fighting back, giving as much time for Cody to do his job.

Like usual for the clones and droids battles, it's a massive wall of blue and red blaster bolts that are exchanged between the two sides. The clones take cover and return fire while I stay out in the open and calmly deflect their shots back at the enemy. Thankfully we managed to go past the advancing shield and their heavy vehicles aren't firing on us but it's still a lot of droids that are hammering our position. This goes on for a little bit as we wait for the shield to come down but a clone runner comes up to Rex and I. We go back into cover to listen to what he has to say.

"Sirs, General Kenobi's been captured," My breath hitches at the news he gives.

'Capture?! But… no…'

"You're all that's left sir," He directs the last part to me.

"He's… captured?" I ask in disbelief, the clone gives me a nod and I look down in sadness but that soon turns to determination, "We have to get him back! We have to hold them back!" I state and ignite my blue saber again before stepping out of cover and deflecting all the red bolts that are sent my way, "That shield cannot reach the cannons!" I yell as I deflect some shots back.

"Keep fighting!" Rex says and they pour on the fire against our enemy.

Unfortunately though, even with all the firepower we put down range towards the advancing droids, they continue to make their way towards us at a slow, agonizing and deadly pace. Minutes pass but what feels like hours and soon they are coming dangerously close to overrunning us.

"There's too many of them!" I hear a clone yell, making me grunt in frustration at the ground they're gaining on us.

Just as one of the droids takes a step over the cover, I shut off my saber and pull both my arms back. "Hraaaa!" I shout while throwing them forward, sending a blast from a force push against their lines.

The cover we were using tears off the ground and goes flying back along with the first several lines of the droids. They all crash into each other and a nice pile of debris and droids form further away from us.

"Retreat! Fall back to the cannons!" I ordered.

"You heard him, man! Let's move it!" Rex adds the order and soon our troops move back as well.

I turn back to run with them but I don't take more than a few steps before I collapse onto my hands and knees.

"Ahhh," I groan at the tiredness I feel from the exertion I did against the droids, I buckle with how tired I am from the battle so far I'm pretty beat. "No… too tired."

"Hold on General. I got you," A clone comes up to me and quickly helps me to my feet, bringing my arm up and around his shoulder before he helps me walk to the rest of our forces. Some more clones come close and provide covering fire for us as I'm helped to Cody's perimeter line.

"General! Over here!" I spot Rex behind some cover as he waves for us to get to him. We pick up the pace and soon everyone is back in cover and safe, "You alright general?"

"Yeah, I am. Just tired. Give me a minute to rest," I reply in a tired tone. Through my breathing, I look to the clone who may as well have saved my life, "Thank you soldier."

"He, just returning the favor sir," He says and pats my back before picking up his rifle and going to the firing line with the rest of his brothers, leaving me with a confused expression.

"Return the…" I begin to say but now as I think about it I remember the clone I pulled to his feet earlier, "Oh, right." I nod with a smile and take a few more breaths before standing up and laying against the cover, "C'mon Ahsoka. We need you now." I can't help but hope as I glance out to the battlefield in front of us. The droids seem to have no end in sight and with the shield just covering their tanks, the sheer power and devastation they'll bring us is something I never want to see make true. "What's taking so long?" I moan, almost begging at this point.

It works.

Right before our eyes, the shimmering red of the shield drops away and completely reveals every single droid and their heavy vehicles to us. To say my heart is soaring would be an understatement, "Captain." I look over to Rex who stares back at me as I give him a wide grin, "Do it."

He nods and turns back to the cannons, "All cannons, fire on those tanks!"

Because of the closeness that the droids are along with their tanks, a small shift of their aim downwards so they were firing directly at them and it's a scrap heap for the droids. The massive booms of the cannons firing fly over us and start hitting the front of the droids line and slowly make their way back. I can hear the clones around me cheering as the main part of the droids army and heavy armaments are completely destroyed slowly but surely. Without enough room to retreat, their sitting ducks on the long stretch of roads leading very far back.

Their end is even more assured as several LA-AT transport gunships fly over us, some firing on the droids but the majority landing behind us in several flat clearings and offloading troops and supplies. Even the giant cruisers that land and start unloading the heavier equipment of the Republic army is a most welcome site indeed.

I let out a sigh of relief at the view before turning back to the droids and seeing some stragglers about, 'Now all that's left is to clean up.' I think with a smile and ignite my blade.

(Time Skip)

Shan(POV)

"Phew!" I breathed relieved as I sat in a crate and took in a large gulp of water.

After mopping up the last of the droids, now everyone can take the moment to relax after a long hard fought battle for this planet. None more so for the clones who've been fighting on the planet before Ahsoka and I got there.

Not far from me is my master as well as Jedi Master Yoda taking stock of the situation and awaiting the arrival of Anakin and Ahsoka from their mission to destroy the shield generator. The gunship carrying them comes in low and lands to drop off its passengers.

"Thanks for the ride Rex," I hear Anakin says to the captain before he and Ahsoka walk off.

"Anytime, sir."

"Master Obi-wan. Master Yoda," Anakin greets the two masters with a slight bow, including Ahsoka.

"Hey Shan," She called to me sitting nearby, I looked up and gave a small wave before drinking more water, "What happened to him?" She asks my master.

"From what he and Cody tell me, a lot of moving and fighting. Just tired is all," Obi-wan explains and glances at me, who gets greeted by some clones who are also taking a break.

"Hey guys how are y'all doing?" I ask as they take off their helmets.

The one on the left spoke up first, "Pretty good thanks to you."

The other then continued, "But that's not why we came for you."

"Really why then," I ask while tilting my head.

The first clone says, "We were cleaning up the droids you pulled back and we found that half of them were wrapped like they were exposed to intense heat and the other seemed to be exposed to extreme cold."

The other clone then speaks up again, "What we wanted to ask if you knew why?"

"No I'm afraid not," I say while shaking my head. "In any case I should get back to my master," I say to the two of them.

"In any case, job back there sir!"

"Yeah you really saved us."

I couldn't help but to smile sheepishly at the compliments as they pat me on my back and shoulders.

"I'd say he's doing very well," I hear my master say.

"Shan!" Ahsoka calls out.

The clones and I look to see her waving for me to come to their little Jedi gathering. After downing the last of my water, I jump off the crate and walk over.

"See you later guys. Good luck out there," I wave back to the clones I was leaving.

"You too sir," They waved back and went back to milling about.

"Did you miss me?" I asked Ahsoka with a cheeky smile.

"No," She replies bluntly but they know it's all in good fun.

"To the Teth system, you two will go," Yoda gives Anakin and Ahsoka their next assignment.

"Teth? That's wild space," Anakin says confused. "The droid army isn't even in that sector."

"What reason could there be to go there?" I asked aloud.

"Jabba the Hutt's son has been kidnapped," Yoda grimly clarifies.

"Oh… well that's a pretty big reason."

"You want me to rescue Jabba's son?" Anakin asks in disbelief.

"Anakin, we'll need the Hutt's allegiance to give us an advantage over Dooku," Obi-wan clarifies on why they need to.

"Mmm. Obi-Wan will negotiate the treaty with Jabba. Skywalker, your mission will be to find the renegades that hold Jabba's son," Yoda gives the assignments to the respective Jedi.

"Come on, Master. It doesn't sound that hard."

"Careful what you say Ahsoka," I mumbles but it was loud enough for her to hear, making her scowl at him before looking back at her master.

"I'll find Rex and get the troops organized," She finishes and goes off to find him.

"Don't worry, Anakin. Just teach her everything I taught you, and she'll turn out fine," Obi-wan advises his former pupil.

"You know, something makes me think this was your idea from the start," Anakin surmises from his former master before going off to his padawan.

"Well you better go with them Shan." Obi-wan said to me.

"Wait, really master? But shouldn't I go with you for the treaty?" I asked in confusion.

"As much as I'd love to take you and show you the proper way to negotiate against a powerful opponent, I think your skills in combat and commanding our troops may be of more use with them wherever they are keeping Jabba's son."

"You think so?"

"I do… unless Cody and the others have been lying?" He asked me with a smile.

"Uhh, no sir they haven't," I shook my head no. "I'll go with Master Skywalker and Ahsoka in finding the huttling."

"Very good. Besides, my ship only seats one," They look over to the dark red and white Delta-7 starfighter that the Jedi are known to drive.

"Right," I nodded at the inconvenience it would be for me to go with my master.

"Don't worry," Obi-wan places a hand on my shoulder. "We'll have plenty of time for me to give you some proper lessons, when we're not dealing with a turning point negotiation for the war."

"I look forward to it, Master," I told my master with a smile and saw a transport landing in front of Anakin and Ahsoka. "I better get going," I said and started to make my way to the others. "Hope the negotiations go well!" I yell out at him before running to master Skywalker and Ahsoka. "Hey wait up!" I call out just as Ahsoka and her master get on the transport, just as it was starting to lift off do I jump onto it right next to them, "Nice. Just in time."

"Shan, what are you doing here?" Ahsoka asks, confused, no doubt at my sudden appearance.

"Shouldn't you be with Obi-wan?" Master Skywalker asks as well.

I shake my head no at the question, "My Master thought I could be of more help to you all than him. You are going to be potentially attacking an installation that's housing our objective right?" They nod at that, "Well, my skills in the battle say I can be of better help here than negotiating."

"Oh, that's cool," Ahsoka says and puts a hand on her hip. "I can finally see how you fight now."

"And I can see what Master Skywalker means by 'rough around the edges'," I retort, giving me a chuckle.

"We'll see about that," She smirks.

"Great. Two of them," Her master said, slightly annoyed, making us snicker at his misfortune. "In any case, welcome aboard Shan," He formally introduced me to their assignment. "Try not to die. I'd hate to have to tell Obi-wan why I came back without his Padawan."

I smirk at him and nod, "Can do Master."

The Monastery

After the battle that was on Christophisis, I wasn't necessarily expecting to be immediately put on another assignment so soon but at least now I can do it together with my friend. I'm also curious to see just how her and her master get things done. From what I could piece together from their storming of the generator, it's probably going to be a bit hectic.

I think I can get down with that.

In any case, our new mission is to save none other than Jabba The Hutt's son. That honestly wasn't something I was expecting us to do, let alone the Republic but I guess with the way the wars have been going, we could use all the help we could get and I can't think of anyone better than THE Jabba The Hutt. The trip on the giant cruiser we are in has been pretty peaceful as a result but now as we are close to the end of our journey, Ahsoka has decided to… liven up our troops.

"That sounds like a lot, even for a Jedi," One of the clones mutters.

"I heard you were surrounded by droids. How did you get the shield down?" Another clone asks.

I'll admit, I'm curious too on how exactly they were able to shut off the shield.

"Okay. So there's a wall behind him with a hole in the middle," Ahsoka begins the tale with hand movements to emphasize. "So I pull the wall down on top of the droids, destroying them and saving the general," She finishes with a grin.

A round of laughs emanate from the clones at the idea of the legendary Anakin Skywalker getting saved in such a way I would imagine. A grin also spreads through my lips in the image.

"Is that true, sir?" Rex asks the master.

"Well, most of it," He reluctantly agrees with his student.

"Wow, that sounds like a fun sabotage mission," I can't help but mutter.

"Oh yeah, what did 'you' do while we were saving the day?" Ahsoka asks me to come.

"Well, not much to tell. Lots of moving, deflecting red blaster bolts…"

"Saving me and my men," Captain Rex adds with nods from his men from the fight.

"That, and just overall trying not to die."

"Which we all did pretty well thanks to him," Another clone compliments me on.

Master Skywalker smiles at that before taking a more professional stance forward, "All right men, we've still got a job to do." He addresses them to get ready.

"Yes, sir," Rex replies before turning to his men. "You heard the general. Move it!" With the order given, all our troops depart to get ready for the battle ahead.

"Would this be a good time to teach you that a Jedi is humble, my young Padawan?" Master Skywalker feels the need to firmly remind Ahsoka of that little tidbit as we made our way to the transport ship.

"Sorry. Just trying to keep the boy's inspired, that's all," She replies. "Although from what they've said, you did a pretty good job yourself Shan," She pointed it out to me.

"Thanks, Ahsoka. Between the two of us…" I glance at the Master Jedi staring at me, "Uhhh, three—"

"There you go."

"I think the boys will be plenty inspired."

"First off, let's get down there and find the huttling," Master Skywalker points out and walks ahead of us.

"Right behind you, Master," Ahsoka replies before waving me forward. "C'mon, Shan."

"You got it."

The standard troop transport gunships we are riding in definitely aren't the smoothest rides but they always fascinated me with their designs. The main guns up front, laser guns on the side, open blast shield doors on both sides and can carry over a dozen troops, not to mention they can be converted to carrying the giant walker tanks we are bringing with us for this engagement, I.E. The All Terrain Tactical Enforcer aka the AT-TE's.

"Shan, you're staring."

"Sorry," I apologize to my friend and step away from the slit hole in the door that gave me a good view of the tank in transport.

We're heading to the planet now where our scouts told us where our target is and from the report they gave, it's defended by a platoon of droids and heavy artillery.

A hologram of my master appears in the middle of our transport to give us a rundown of what needs to be done, "All right, Anakin, here's the story. Jabba has given us only one planetary rotation to get his son back home to Tatooine safe and sound."

"Won't take us that long, Master," Master Skywalker boasts but my master doesn't feel as confident.

"Well, take extreme care. We have no idea who's holding Jabba's son. When I finish negotiations with him, I will join you."

"Can do, Master."

My master nods before turning to me, "Take care. May the force be with you." I nod back and the transmission cuts out.

Disappointed I won't be directly fighting alongside my master in this battle but hopefully after we take this place I will be able to.

We delve into a bit of silence with only the sound of our flying ships being the noise we hear.

"Stay close to me, if you can," Master Skywalker instructs Ahsoka and I.

"It won't be a problem, Master," Ahsoka replies confidently.

"This isn't practice, Ahsoka," I warned her.

"I know. And I'll try not to get you killed," She tells me with a smug smile, in which I return with one of my own. "Same with you Shan."

"I feel so relieved," I sarcastically replied. Before anymore can be said, loud booms and rumblings can be heard outside of our craft, "Sounds like we're close."

"Sir, we're taking heavy fire." The pilot informs us.

"Close the blast shields, lieutenant. Get us under those guns." Master Skywalker orders our pilot.

"Yes, sir!" Order given, he flips the switch and the opening I used before to watch outside close shut, bathing us in darkness almost instantly.

"Here we go."

"Let's do this." Ahsoka and I begin to psyche ourselves up for the battle.

Soon a red light illuminates the darkness, signaling the clones themselves to begin getting ready, "Rex, your com's got static."

"Got it."

"Red light, stand by," The rapport of their DC-15A blaster rifles getting ready can be heard around amidst the artillery fire. I can feel the ship starting to descend so it must be time for us to start this show, "Welcome to paradise, rock jumpers."

With a thud, we hit the ground finally and the red light is replaced by a green one, "Green light." Rex signals and the doors open. The sound of artillery fire and laser blasts become even louder without anything between us now. "Go, go, go!" Rex orders and both he and Master Skywalker disembark.

Ahsoka and I do the same, our cloaks flying off as we start to push our way into an uphill battle. Clones move, shout and return fire around us as the battle begins. We stop at a small clearing in the tree line as we can finally see the monastery building where we need to attack.

"Mm!" I grunt as both Ahsoka and I shield ourselves with our arms from a blast in front of us.

Unperturbed, we nod at each other and ignite our lightsabers.

"Incoming," I mutter to us both and we easily deflect some shots away from us, some even hitting back despite the distance. "Let's go!" I shout and move forward.

"Right behind you!" We push forward as quickly as we can towards the cliff face, passing clones who return fire as well as the AT-TE's that lumber towards it.

"Follow me!" Master Skywalker orders everyone one us to do.

"Let's go!"

"Come on!" Shouts of acknowledgements can be heard as we run low along the ground where we need to go.

Thankfully we aren't hit as we all push ourselves, Jedi and clone alike, against the rock wall for cover and make ourselves as little a target as trouble.

We take a moment to ready ourselves and give the walkers time to make it to the cliff so we can all start scaling it.

"Ah! Oh, my…!" A B-1 battle droid's body falls and slams hard into the ground in front of us.

Before it could get up I think a binocular fell on it, 'Huh, it must have been shot off.'

"So this is where the fun begins," Ahsoka says.

"Race you to the top."

"I'll give you a head start."

"Your mistake."

I watched as the master and students began to scale up the rock formation.

"Attach the cables!" Despite the gravity of the situation, and it proves just how much of a perfect mate they are as teacher and student, they challenge each other as the clones shoot the ascension cables on their blaster rifles.

As we all run out from behind our cover, Master Skywalker instead opts to climb the vines growing in the side of the rock wall, "I'm right behind you, Master!" She announces to her master before looking at me with a smile. "Last one there…" She doesn't bother to finish as she jumps up and begins climbing as well.

I can't help but shake my head at their actions but the smile that forms on my own lips before opting out and deciding not to join in. I grabbed a hold of a similar vine and began to scale the rock.

I sigh to myself before looking towards Captain Rex, "Don't worry Captain I'll stay right here with you guys."

"It's appreciated sir but why?" Rex asks me as I deflect a laser.

I shrug before deflecting another blaster bolt, "Those two are focused on the end result instead of the quality."

"What do you mean?" The Captain asks.

"There's no doubt in my mind we'll succeed in this mission but if we lose even one trooper then the quality of success is still lowered," I explained as I blocked a bolt from the Rex's path.

'Yeah, this is the best option. To make sure everyone gets back safely,' I think as I continue to climb after them as best I can.

Already Master Skywalker had got a considerable lead on his apprentice as he climbs with one hand and deflects blaster bolts with his lightsaber.

"Show offs," I mutter to myself and without him actually being here, I can voice my own thoughts.

'He's definitely a… unique teacher to say the least and this'll be interesting.'

A sudden explosion goes off far to my right.

I looked tomy right to see one of our walkers beginning to fall it's going to take some of our troops with it, "That's… not good."

I swing over and help the troops out, in midair they grapple up to the building.

We were going to need those tanks to not only take this place and hold it as well but unfortunately we're down one. It's then something else catches my eye and I smirk as I see Ahsoka hitching a ride on one of them.

"Clever girl," I can't help but agree with her actions as I too swing myself over and latch onto another walker. "Thanks for advice!" I called her.

"Just don't go taking all of my ideas," She grimley replies as she continues to deflect the blaster bolts and we begin climbing up to the top.

However, much higher up I spot Master Skywalker still way ahead of us, and chop a falling B2 in half. We duck as the droid moans as it falls past us. Taking a quick look around, we've managed to keep all our troopers, it seems like they have used the AT-TE as makeshift cover. We got two left.

The droids seem to have climbing capable DSD1 dwarf spider droids on the rock wall itself and are able to shoot directly at us, I slid into the path and began to deflect the shots and keeping the troops safe. Their blaster cannons are much more powerful than the standard droids E-5 blaster rifles but can be deflected nonetheless by lightsabers.

With the battle picking up, Ahsoka and I share a glance, nod and we get ready to defend our rides. She launches herself up and lands on the pilot's window to defend it directly while I drop back and latch onto the gunners seat. Climbing in, I quickly familiarize myself with the controls.

"I knew reading up on this would come in handy," I comment to myself as I grab the controls and brings the cannon's aim to bear on any targets I can see.

Usually the clone gunner would link their helmet in with the cannons aim reticle and have a much easier time in aiming but since I have no helmet, I have to rely on manual aiming. Seeing the monasteries ledge high above us, I only have to aim a little before I fire.

The gun jerks hard with me along with it from the force of the blast but the explosion that goes off and the rain of a few droids leads me to think it was a success. I fire a few more shots as Ahsoka's green lightsaber flares up and begins deflecting shots away from us while I return fire on our enemies. The combination of heavy blaster fire from the four main guns on the walker, the accurate fire of my cannon, and Ahsoka's defense do we manage to wreak havoc on the droids and protect our own.

"Shan!" I hear Ahsoka call out and point to our left.

A small squad of four droids in STAP speeder bikes head straight for us. They strafe the cliff along towards us before they straighten out and prepare to more accurately fire at us. Shifting my controls, I feel a bit of vertigo as my whole body reorients along with the gun as I turn it to the left. Before they fire, I fire at the STAP legs.

The cannon shot sails through the air and nails one right in the center, the force of it taking out another as well, leaving only two. I can't get another shot off in time before they open fire on us. Thankfully most of their shots go wide and others are deflected by Ahsoka while only one grazes the side of the walker. They're blasters aren't powerful enough to tear through its armor and only jostle the thing.

"Whoa!" Unfortunately, that was all that was needed to throw me off my seat.

Since I was sideways, the shaking has slipped me off my seat and I find myself dangling off the edge of my gunner seat. As a reaction I find myself staring downwards to the ground and I immediately regret it.

"Ah shit!" I yell before pulling myself back onto the seat.

"Shan are you okay?" Ahsoka asked before going back to deflecting more blaster bolts.

Suddenly there's a familiar sound coming at us from behind. The droidon bikes came around straight for us.

"Hey watch out!" I yell before reflectively pull the nearest sidearm and begin to open fire.

However before my first shot hit the first blaster bolt could hit, Master Skywalker decided to help us out as he landed on top of the walker and kicked himself off towards the flying bikes. As he passes the first one, he slices the droid right off before landing on the last one. After chopping that one off, he decides instead to commandeer it and use it to fly upwards.

"Gotta keep up!"

"Hey! No fair!"

"Oh great! You two really are the perfect pair," I comment as I push myself back into my seat.

"Just keep us covered!" She replies annoyed and goes back to her spot up top.

I shake my head, place the sidearm back into its holster and I reorient the turret forward and fire at the spider droids.

'After this I gotta figure out where I even got that blaster,' I think to myself as I take out another spider droid. 'Come to think about it, wasn't that a DC-17?'

Using the STAP to get far ahead of everyone else and make it to the top, he surprises the droids as he hits the top and jumps off just as his ride gets hit. Using the force, he lands past the droids in a rolled crouched position.

"Surrender, Jedi." The captain droid demands of Anakin to do. Before they can fire, he lights his weapon up. "Ahhhhhh!" The captain yells as a force blast pushes him and several of his troops off the edge to their doom. Anakin next speeds and jumps around as he chops slices and cuts through the other droids with ease until he finds himself in front of the courtyard entrance to the monastery.

Once mine and Ahsoka's tanks round the corner we fire at the droids, once the last droid was destroyed. However, after a moment there was the haunting sound of a Droideka traveling puts us on edge. I aim the cannon and fire at the Destroyers.

"Blast it, Ahsoka. I told you to stay close to me." He comments out loud.

I walk as Master Skywalker turns around to see the AT-TE walkers rounding the corner, with Ahsoka standing right next to the gunner's barrel.

"I can't get much closer, Skyguy," She replies as she crosses her arms.

"I knew you'd get here, Snips, eventually."

"Always in time to save your life."

"Eh-hem," They both turn to me as I lean against the gunner's seat. "Uhhh, I believe I was the one that destroyed the droids, thank you very much," I pointed out as I pulled myself out.

"Yeah, you were. We can make a habit of saving Master Skywalker's life," Ahsoka proposes as they both jump down from the top.

"How about you don't," Anakin has reservations about that but they simply smile as everyone begins gathering around, including their clone troops once all the droids were destroyed.

"All clear, general," Rex gives the status of the area.

"Nice work, Rex. Have some men look after the wounded."

"Roger that, sir. The gunship is held at a safe distance. Once we get what we came for, they'll come in to extract us."

"Good. We'll need them for a speedy getaway," I comment as we make their way to some of the destroyed droids. "Lot of droids."

"You're right. Too many droids here for them to be renegades. I sense Count Dooku's hand in this. Let's find Jabba's son and get out of here."

"No problem. The hard part's over," Ahsoka confidently says.

"Please don't say that. Things never go right when people say that," I say in disdain.

"I gotta agree with him there," Anakin agrees with me before leading everyone forward.

Ahsoka looks miffed at that but nonetheless she, her master, myself, Rex and the clones' troops begin making their way inside the main courtyard towards the entrance.

"Eyes up. Watch out for snipers," I order as I glance around upwards.

"Roger that," Rex acknowledges and the soldiers keep their aims trained up.

"You think they'd try something like that?" Ahsoka asks.

"These pillars don't really offer much cover and protection so if there was any spot to put us in a crossfire, this would be it," I explained before glancing all around. "Besides, I keep getting the feeling we're being watched."

"You're just paranoid," She brushes off my suspicions but I disagree.

"Better to be paranoid and prepared than caught off-guard and unprepared," I reasoned as we make it to the main steel door of the facility. "Alright, we're here. I'll get the door," I walked over to the door controls on the side of the giant door and it opened easily.

With the sound of creaking metal, the door opens up easy enough. Already the inside is bathed in darkness, forcing Rex and his men to turn on the flashlights embedded in their helmets.

"I don't like this place. It gives me the creeps."

"I'm right with you there, Captain," I agreed as we continued to walk in regardless.

"This looks like one of those B'omar monk monasteries that I read about in my studies at the temple. Remember Shan?" Ahsoka explained and asked me.

"We both know that I wasn't much of a massive history buff, I prefer the current modern age equipment myself, but yeah I remember these. Weren't they "

"They were. Shame this place looks abandoned."

"Not all of them usually," Master Anakin says. "Smugglers take these monasteries over, turn them into their own personal retreats," He explains.

"And the monks just let them?" She asks, confused.

"Smugglers usually get what they want, one way or another," He grimly explains.

"And at times, the monks aren't around anymore to argue," I add.

When it comes to those of the lawless nature that are smugglers or pirates, they aren't usually the negotiating or compromising types.

"That's right," A crashing noise can be heard deeper suddenly.

The clones pull out their weapons and Anakin readies his sabers while Ahsoka and I tense up as they prepare for possible hostiles.

The clone's flashlights shine on a droid that makes its way towards us.

"Uh, good guy or bad guy, Master?" Ahsoka asks him unsure.

"Who are you?" Anakin demands strongly but I try to relax a bit.

"Relax, it looks like a protocol droid. No harm from it," I whisper to the two of them and while Ahsoka relaxes, Anakin is still wary.

The droid continues to make its way to them despite the slight threatening tone that was exhibited on it, "Merely the humble caretaker, oh mighty sir." He explains before continuing, "You have liberated me from those dreadful battle bots. I am most thankful." Without seeing any outwards hostilities from the new arrival, Skywalker turns off his weapon but still wants to get the mission underway quickly.

"Where is the Hutt?" He questions firmly.

"The battle bots kept their prisoners on the detention level. I must warn you, it is very dangerous down there, my friend. Not a place for a servant girl." The droid says, directing the last part to their only female member.

Sensing a conflict I step in front of Ahsoka and say, "My good droid, the good Army of the Republic would never draft a helpless servant girl, why in fact she is an upcoming Jedi Knight."

"Oh a thousand apologies, young one," The droid apologizes as Ahsoka walks forward with me coming up from behind her.

She glanced behind her to me and whispered, "Thanks."

I smiled at her, "It's no problem Ahsoka, sometimes a respectful word can be as effective as a lightsaber to the neck."

"Yeah that's something I still got to work on," She sighed before crossing her arms.

"C'mon you two, let's get going before you kill each other," Anakin comes up and passes us.

This breaks Ahsoka of her death stare at me, I in turn don't feel like laughing anymore so we walked to keep up with our Master. I noticed Ahsoka kept glancing at me, I was making sure I didn't make any more comments at her… confused position.

The three of us continued to go through the building with relative ease after being directed where they needed to go by the caretaker droid and it isn't long before they make it to the dungeons where hopefully our Hutt charge is being kept.

The place is kept in relative darkness and while Anakin is calm and cool about the place, weren't, "Master, you know you're walking us into a trap?" Ahsoka points out.

"I know," her master replied.

"You realize we passed several droids already?" Shan adds.

"I know."

"We just passed two more droids."

"I know."

"Well I don't like this. Can we just take care of them?" Ahsoka proposes that she and I could do it.

"Oh, well, if you two feel so strongly about it, go ahead," He finally gives the go ahead after the droids finally come out of their hiding place and trail them.

Glancing at each other, we nod and both ignite our lightsabers. Several blaster bolts try to hit us but we deflect the shots easy enough. Ahsoka moves closer and starts slashing apart the droids weapons, then the droids, while I stays close to Master Skywalker and deflects some shots back, destroying a few of the droids themselves. Just as soon as the droids were there, they were reduced to scrap in a matter of seconds. Once the last one is destroyed, we take a second to breathe but I continue to glance back and curl around the stoic Master and slashes a droid hiding behind the corner. After taking a quick look around, we both holster their weapons.

"Not bad. You remembered to destroy their weapons first," Anakin praised Ahsoka.

"I'm improving your technique," She replies.

He smiles and begins walking away, "Of course, you did miss one." He says as he pats my shoulder, "Nice job."

"Thank you, Master," I take the compliment.

"I knew he'd get that one," She states confidently but somehow, we weren't convinced.

Not long later, while all the cell doors seem to be open, they come across a door that's closed, "I sense our kidnapped Hutt is in here."

Anakin points out but the others have a different means of determining that.

I take a small breath but that alone makes me gag a little, "Oh wow, sounds about right."

"Ewww," Ahsoka groans as she tries to plug her nose. "Yeah, I can smell him too."

Bracing themselves, they open the door and look around for the Hutt that's supposed to be here. However as soon as they don't see him, this raises questions.

"Wait, where is h—?" I began to ask but a small wailing sound made us look down, on the ground crawling, the smallest Hutt they've ever seen crawling towards them, "Oh… huh."

"He's a lot younger than I thought he'd be," Anakin says and it's true considering his size.

While most Hutts are known for their relatively large sizes and stature, this one in front of them doesn't even make it to their knees.

"Ah, he's just a baby," Ahsoka coos at the little guy and I begin to feel the same way now that the surprise has passed. "This will make our job a lot easier," True to what she means, at least now they don't have to worry about going at Hutt's pace and can simply carry the little guy. "Oh, he's so cute."

"Just wait till you see what he'll grow into."

"Let's focus on the now, Master, rather than what he'll eventually be- Ah What The!" I got cut off when something landed on my head as I was crouching down, I managed to throw the thing off.

The tiny figure out itself between us and the Rotta. Master Skywalker ignites his lightsaber. I recognize the tiny droid as a BD unit, it has a mossy green and wider purple colorization.

I hold up my hand and yell out, "Hold on Master Skywalker, it's a BD unit!"

"A Buddy Droid," He says in relation before deactivating his lightsaber.

Ahsoka waves to the little droid and says, "Hey there little guy, we're here to get the little huttling out of here, are you his caretaker?"

The Droid begins to bounce and make a series of beeps and whistles: [I am BD-47 and I am programmed to be my charge's nanny cam and I will not allow any more harm to come to him.]

I then speak up and offer my hand, "That's alright we're trying to get the huttling back to Jabba, you can come with us."

BD whistles before climbing up my arm and standing on my shoulder: [Acceptable. Let us make haste.]

I chuckle to myself going to pick up the huttling, "Well Ahsoka you heard the droid." I crouched back down and started to pick up the huttling, "I'll take Rotta."

Ahsoka and I stood and we began to exit the cell.

"General Skywalker, the castle is secure," Anakin's comlink chimes up with Rex reporting in. "And it's nearly midday."

"Thanks, Rex. We've got Jabba's son. Any sign of General Kenobi yet?"

"No, sir," I perked up at the mention of my master but I couldn't help but to look down at the lack of info.

'Hope he gets here soon. I don't think we can take any chances now that we have this little guy with us,' I thought before looking at Ahsoka.

"Master, our Jedi training didn't prepare us for this," She says to her master and gesturing to the Huttlet. "What are we gonna do?"

BD beeps in acknowledgment: [Simple you protect us and he protects Rotta.]

"Unfortunately I have to agree with the droid, while Shan carries the little larvae we'll be protecting him," He states before walking out of the room.

BD excitedly squeaks: [Finally a sensible man.]

Finding Rotta was relatively easy at this point after taking the place for ourselves. Finding out he's not massively big that most Hutt's are known for made our jobs so much easier now that we can literally carry him along. Hopefully now as long as nothing else comes up we can simply get him on the cruiser, jump to Tatooine and drop him off without much of a fuss.

But why do I get the feeling it's not going to be that easy.

As we travel back to the main entrance I ask the BD until, "Hey BD how did you survive the Separatist droids?"

BD make a disappointed whines: [Those idiotic droids couldn't tell a popper from a rock.]

That gets a chuckle out of Anakin, "Yeah they couldn't."

BD bounces on his legs before stopping and continues: [In any case I hide in the shadows and ventilations until we got to this temple, I eventually made my way to him and then I found you four.]

Once in the courtyard the troops were able to get the two AT-TEs set up to defend us should we get attacked and it looks like that R2 droid was able to pilot Master Skywalker's ship here for us. Even though I offered to keep an eye on the little larva, Ahsoka kept pace with me to make sure everything was good while her master opted to continue just a bit ahead of us.

"How do you like your little buddy now?" Master Skywalker asks with I'm pretty sure a hint of smugness towards me, "Still cute?"

"No it's about the same but I think I'm starting to get used to the smell," I say with a bit of worry in my voice.

Ahsoka leans in, inspects Rotta and says, "Really why is that?"

I shrug my shoulders, "I have no clue."

We begin to walk towards the clones.

We both look back at our charge who continues to fuss a little, although that changes when he begins coughing, "Master, I think this little guy is sick." Ahsoka says.

I place my hand on his forehead gently and find it incredibly warm, "She's right. He's burning up like crazy. And from the conditions they had him in, I'm not surprised."

Master Skywalker comes over and does the same as me, "This isn't good. We've got to get him back to the ship immediately." He states with certainty, "Trooper, get me a backpack."

In no time at all, a trooper brings us a spare empty backpack for us to use. Crouching down I began to place Rotta inside the pack but he began wailing and crying at the man-handling.

"Will you just let me do it?" Ahsoka says after her master seems just a little too rough with our charge.

"I hate Hutts." He grumbles.

"We get it, Master. Just… let me. C'mere little guy," I grab him gently as I can and carefully slide him into the pack until he's comfortable. "There we go. Just hold on a little longer and we'll get you back to your father, alright?" I try to comfort him as best I can, BD even jumps onto my shoulder and begins to play a lullaby, this causes the little Rotta to smile at that and is no longer crying as much but he then coughs a little, "We really need to go." I say to Master Skywalker.

"Don't have to tell me," He says as he stands up.

I grab the bag and hoist it as well.

"Sir, General Kenobi made it here with the cruiser. He's requesting you up with the ship," A trooper comes by and directs Master Skywalker to the ship that's parked.

"Thank you, trooper. C'mon you two. Let's fill him in on the situation."

"Right behind you, Master," Ahsoka agrees and we follow him to the ship.

As soon as we get close enough, R2 connects the holocommunicator with us and my masters form appears.

"Greetings Master," Master Skywalker greets him immediately.

"Hello, Anakin. I take it, things are going well?" My master asks.

"As well as can be. We cleared the place out and have set ourselves up for the time being."

"That's good," My master takes note and looks at me. "Hello Shan. I'm glad to see you're unharmed."

I smile and return with a nod, "Good to see you again, Master. The assault was a success. It was rough at first but we were able to make do in the end."

"That's comforting," It's then he notices the Huttlet on my back and the droid on my shoulder. "I see you were able to not only locate Jabba's son but also managed to find a little friend," My master points out.

"We have him and the droid is apparently a nanny cam. But it looks like the Separatists are behind his abduction. This smells like Count Dooku to me," I suggest.

"I think it's Little Stinky you smell," Ahsoka proposes from her spot between us.

Now that she mentioned it, I haven't really been put off by the little guy's smell now, 'I guess I've gotten used to his smell.'

"I'll bet Dooku is using us to get Jabba to join the Separatists," My master surmises and that's a daunting thought to think about.

'We're already stretched thin as it is in this war. The Hutts joining the Separatists would no doubt end us completely,' I think to myself. "We can't let that happen," I mutter but the little Huttlets fidgeting brings up another problem. "Unfortunately, Master. We have another problem," I speak up as I turn my shoulder and bring the sickness into question.

"He's right. This Huttlet is very sick," She gestures to the huttling on my back.

"Not sure we can get him back to Tatooine alive, Master. This whole rescue may backfire on us. I still don't think dealing with the Hutts is a good idea," Master Skywalker grimly says and voices his displeasure of the Hutts again.

"Anakin, you know they control shipping routes in the Outer Rim. Jabba's cooperation is crucial to the war effort. If you let anything happen to his son, our chances of a treaty with him will disappear," My master explains the importance of this assignment is to us and everyone else in this war.

Before anymore can be said, the sound of ships flying overhead gets our attention. One that just dropped out of hyperspace, it made my stomach drop as two Separatist C-9979 landing craft are seen above and begin their descent.

"Master, we've got trouble," Ahsoka worriedly says as Vulture droid starfighters begin speeding towards us.

"Defensive positions!" Rex calls out to his troops.

"Anakin? Shan?"

"Droid landing craft incoming," I explained to my master quickly.

"I'll have to call you back, Master! We're under attack. We could use a little help here if you have the time," Master Skywalker requests of Master Kenobi.

"I'll get there as soon as I can. Protect the Hutt, Anakin. Be Careful Shan," My master gives one last sentence before the transmission cuts off.

We look back up to the sky and the vultures are very close now, escorting the landing craft as it too begins to drop the droid ground troops.

"Watch it!" Ahsoka warns as all of us both ignite our blades and we begin to deflect blaster bolts coming towards me.

We began to move back to the entryway as the blaster fire intensified with my fellow Jedi covering me all the way until we got to the AT-TE. The clones start to move in and engage the droids but that ship can carry ten times over the amount of troops we have here. Master Skywalker's ship was destroyed in the strafing fire from Vultures but thankfully R2 ejects out of it before he too is destroyed. Through the blaster fire all around us, I spot a black cloaked figure near where the droids are getting out from the ship but I can make them out.

"Get inside! Ahsoka, cover them!" Master Skywalker orders us what to do.

"Let's go, you two!" Ahsoka confirms the order and sticks with me.

Not wanting my charge to get killed so easily, I readjust Rotta to hold him in front of me as I make my way towards the monastery. I move past the slowly moving walker, using its massive size and legs to shield me, while also not getting stepped on in the process. Just as we make it out from under the walking tank, the machine explodes and is swiftly taken out by the sheer volley fire thrown against it. Thankfully we made it into the doorway without trouble. Taking cover behind a side wall, Ahsoka is just outside the door, covering the clones as they begin retreating inside.

The Huttling began to fuss and cry some more in my arms, I had to take him out of the backpack and sling it over my shoulders, "Shhhh shh shh shh it's okay it's okay." I lightly shush and rock him a little as the BD begins to play a slight different lullaby. "We're safe here. No one's going to hurt you," I comfort him as best I can given our spot.

That seems to settle him enough to calm him down, making me sigh in relief. Looking back out, everyone has made it in and the doors rapidly begin to close. I'm worried for a second as I see Master Skywalker still outside but at the last second he tucks and rolls right under the door inside. With blaster shots no longer being fired at us, I come out from my hiding spot and everyone else breathes a sigh of relief.

"Are you guys okay?" I ask my fellow Jedi.

"Yeah, we're good," Ahsoka answers tiredly but overall is alright.

Her master goes over to Captain Rex, "Captain, we'll stay here until General Kenobi arrives with reinforcements." He gives the captain his order but as he turns back to Ahsoka and I, he sees us giving him a look, "What?"

'Problem with that order, it's the fact that we can wait until my master saves us, the huttling in my arms however can't.'

"Master, do you honestly think we can hold them off?" She asks her master and that's another problem.

'It only a matter of time before they get that door open and when they do, it'll be a massacre. If we still had the tank we might have had a chance but that thing was torn apart pretty quick.'

"We've got to find a way out of here," She demands we do and I'm inclined to agree but her master isn't onboard.

"Our mandate is to protect this Hutt. That's what we're going to do, Ahsoka."

"With all due respect, Master," I chime in now. "Our mission above all else is to get this Hutt back to Tatooine alive, and with the fever he's running, we can't afford to wait," I remind him of the Huttling's condition.

He was burning up before but now simply holding him I can sort of feel how sick he is.

"Then I suppose you two have a plan," On that question he asks, I'm kind of stumped on it but R2 beeping gives Ahsoka an idea.

"Yes. Or I think so. R2 willing," Whatever plan she's got, hopefully it's a lot better than standing around here.

"All right, snips, I'll trust on this one," He gives the go ahead and I sigh in relief and she smiles. "Captain, hold them here as long as you can," He gives a final order to the troops before he begins walking away.

"Will do, sir."

"Give 'em hell, Rex," I say to the troops before following the others.

"Thank you, sir. You heard the general! Get ready to turn those clankers into scrap metal!" Rex orders his troops and they begin getting into cover.

I don't like the idea of leaving them alone to fend off the droids, but this Huttling takes top priority.

We push further into the building, thankfully with less ambushing droids this time and putting the Huttling back in his backpack, until after a long while of searching through different rooms, we finally manage to come across a control terminal that has a plug-in for the astromech droid.

"If there's a way out of here, Artooey will find it," Ahsoka places her confidence in the droid and hopefully he does find a way out.

Would really suck if the only way out was through the front. R2 moves forward and begins splicing into the terminal.

"Make it quick," Master Skywalker voices his impatience a little.

R2 beeps but I can't make out what he says. If I had to guess, it may be something along the lines of 'be patient'… or something not suited for someone as young as Jabba's son. Either way, he gets to work figuring out where we need to go.

BD begins to beep as well: "Smart move on using the astromech, I've never been here so I'm good to you here."

"Finally asleep, huh?"

"Hm?" I question what Master Skywalker means but the soft snoring behind me reminds me of who he's talking about, "Oh, yeah. Looks like it."

"Put him down," I go ahead as he said and gently put the little guy down in front of me so he doesn't wake up. "Get some rest yourselves you two. It's been a long day for you little ones," Not really annoyed at the little one comment but I do decide to sit down.

"I'm fine, Master. I'm not tired," Ahsoka stubbornly states as she remains standing.

Apparently she wasn't as cool with the comment as I was.

"Okay, suit yourself. I don't see why you just won't listen to me," He mutters at her actions.

"I do listen to you, Master. I just don't like being treated like a youngling," She reasons for her stubbornness.

"You must have patience. What are you trying to prove anyway?" He asks her.

"That I'm not too young to be your Padawan," She reveals why.

I could understand where she's going with this. Before we were offered this chance to become padawans, some others weren't really on board with the idea and that led to the two of us being pushed back in getting our masters for a bit. She was not fond of that whatsoever while I simply took the extra time to study up on whatever weapons and equipment I may use in the future. Because of the severity of the war that was taking place, we were finally cleared to be given our new masters but others still see us as being too young to be proper padawans. I don't care what others basically think on that, my actions will speak for themselves in time, or have already. Ahsoka still prefers to prove them wrong sooner rather than later.

"Ahsoka," Master Skywalker gets up and places a hand on the shoulder of my sad friend. "A very wise Jedi once said, 'Nothing happens by accident.' It's the will of the Force that you're at my side. Just wanna keep you there in one piece," He finishes saying, finally able to get her to relax. "Both of you," He added as he turned to me, I smiled at the inclusion and nodded to him, Ahsoka finally sat down and began to relax, "What about you Shan? You have something to prove like her?" He asks me but I shake my head no.

"Not really. I am happy to be here and finally doing what I can to make a difference in this war, but I'll let my actions and achievements contradict anyone who says I'm too young or shouldn't be a Padawan," I gave him my explanation.

"That's good. And if what you did back in that first battle is anything to go by, you'll prove a lot of people wrong," Master Skywalker supports it.

"Thank you, Master."

However, before we can speak anymore, an explosion shakes the entire building, putting us all on edge and on our feet immediately, "That sounded bad." Master Skywalker pointed out the obvious.

R2 chirps something but before we can inquire what's got him so excited, he pulls out a hologram of the monastery and highlights one particular spot in red.

"A backdoor landing platform," Ahsoka identifies immediately.

"Perfect," I breathe in relief. 'Good thing we won't have to go out the front. Although from that explosion, I'm now worried about our men,' I think worriedly.

"We'll call for a gunship when we get there. Lead the way, R2," Complying, the little droid disconnects himself and heads to the door.

"Alright let's get out of here," I crouch down to grab the backpack carrying Jabba's son, the little Huttling is still asleep. "Good," I whisper to myself as BD climbs onto my shoulder.

"Anakin, come in," we suddenly hear from Anakin's communicator.

"Anakin?" Master Skywalker questions.

"What?" Ahsoka and I are confused at the first name basis that Rex seems to put Master Skywalker in over the comms.

"We've held the droids, sir," Rex continued but I have a bad feeling about it.

"That's not like Rex," Master Skywalker surmises and from the brief time I spent with him, it does not sound like him to do.

"What is your location?"

"Ventress," The way he spoke the name sends shivers down my spine.

"Who?" I asked in confusion.

"Dooku's assassin?" Ahsoka asks a clearer question.

"She's here to kill the Hutt. Come on," Master Skywalker explains before he begins walking away.

"Wait, Master, what about Captain Rex?" I ask in concern. "If you're right about this Ventress, then he's in trouble. Can't we do something to help?"

"I'm afraid we can't. If they are in trouble, and if Ventress is there, then she'll do everything she can to kill Stinky here," He pats the little guy on the head, who fusses a little and waves his arms but calms down soon after. "Going back with him is out of the question. That landing platform is the only other option we have," He explains the reason as to why we can't go.

'At least, the Huttlet can't go,' I think for a second as he begins walking out with the others. "Wait!" I run out and catch him in the halls, "What if I just go?" I propose instead, he and Ahsoka look at me incredulously at my idea, "Just hear me out." I interrupt any form of argument they may have, "If the only two entrances in this entire place that can support gunship transport is the front door, and that backdoor landing pad, then if Ventress is as smart as you think she is…"

"She is," He confirms.

"Then chances are she might have left something to defend that platform. If we get cut off there, then we'll need backup in getting out the front until my Master arrives with help and Rex and his men are the only other help we got," I explained my reasoning.

I don't like the idea of leaving men like that to cover our retreat and if I can do something to help them, I will.

I manage to give Master Skywalker pause as he seems to think of it, "He does have a point Master." Thankfully Ahsoka speaks up, "If we get stuck on that platform without a way out, then Stinky's as good as gone. Besides, from what he and the clones said he did back on Christophisis, the least he can do is confirm what's going on with Captain Rex." She supports, although a little differently, my plan.

Master Skywalker looks between the two of us, conflicted on what to do but the reasoning we give him wins out as he sighs finally before conceding, "Alright. You can go." I smile, "But only to scout out the entrance!" He adds real quickly, "See if you can figure out what's going on over there and once you do, you contact us and tell us what's going on, got it?" He tells me my condition for me to leave.

"I got it, Master," I agreed with a nod, before I handed Ahsoka the backpack with Rotta in it as well and turned to head back.

"Hey," Someone grabs my hand, forcing me to stop, turning back, I see it's Ahsoka, she's giving me a worried expression. "Be careful, alright. If something happens to you, Emira won't forgive me," She says.

With a smile, I pat her hand as she lets me go, "Don't worry, I have no intention of dying today. I'll be cautious." I begin making my way back down the way we originally came by, "See you when we're done." I call back one final time before I start sprinting my way towards the entrance, 'I got this… I got this… You got this Shan.' If Ventress was able to force Rex into trying to make Master Skywalker give up our location, then she's a force user. A Sith. This'll be the first time I face another force user and I'll be severely outclassed if I meet her, 'Be silent, Shan.'

"Ahsoka, you've known Shan the longest. You think he's got this?" Anakin asks his padawan as they continue to make their way through the building towards where the landing platform is, following R2 all the way.

Ahsoka looks at her master before looking forward again, this time in thought. Out of all the things that Shan prided himself in when he was training, it was always his skill with a lightsaber and his knowledge of weapons. From blaster bolt deflection to going toe to toe with another lightsaber user was his main focus. If anyone could take on those droids along with possibly surviving Ventress, then he can.

"Yes I do, Master."

Anakin's nods at this, "Also who's Emira?"

Ahsoka sighs and says, "She's Shan's best friend." This causes Anakin to raise an eyebrow, "If you think we're in sync then you haven't seen anything yet, they don't even have to look at each."

It isn't hard for me to backtrack my way back to the main entrance. I was able to remember fairly well the jist of it when we were looking for that terminal and now I'm making good time as the familiar surroundings get me closer and closer to where I need to go.

I hear a beeping coming from behind me: "Wait up!"

I look back to see BD running towards me before climbing up to my shoulder, "BD, what are you doing here?"

BD beeps some more: "I have determined that my charge is safe with the two Jedi, thus my mission is complete."

I smile at him, "Thanks I appreciate it."

The sound of a door opening pulls our attention and we see a cloaked figure.

"My my, what do we have here?" A voice can be heard but the way it speaks sends the same shiver down my spine when Master Skywalker called the name of—

"Ventress," I say just loud enough for her to hear.

"Oh what's this, the Jedi knows of me?" I watch as she reaches behind her and pulls a pair of lightsabers, "No, a Padawan which is going to be the one of the lucky few to be slain by me."

She ignites her lightsabers, the red blades and it illuminates her curved hilt lightsabers.

'Okay she's a Jar'Kai specialist and with Dooku's training she must use Makashi as the base.'

I ignite my lightsaber revealing its blade shape making Ventress' eyebrow raise at the very soft humming sound. She quickly tries to rush me, only to plant herself and tries to stab me with both of her blades. I move my saber in a circular motion to swat her sabers to the side. Her eyes widened in shock before glaring at me and putting her strength into her now slices. I duck under the dual swing and head towards the wall. Ventress follows and as she swings I scale up the wall and jump over her.

While in midair I pull the DV-17 out from its holster and begin to fire at Ventress who in turns blocks it.

I honestly don't remember putting this thing on but if I have it then I'll use it.

I land on the other side of Ventress and say, "Surprise!"

This seems to enrage her even more. "A Jedi using a blaster, what are you a coward," she questions.

I recognized what she's doing immediately, Dun Möch. Let's see how she likes it.

"Says the woman using two lightsabers," I say quickly and with as much disdain that she did.

"Rah," Ventress rushes me with some more form 2 jabs and slices.

However because of her anger and frustration her attacks may be powerful but they were also predictable. The attacks I could block I did while the ones I couldn't I dodged. Her form 2 is unrefined compared to the archive files of former Jedi Master Count Dooku, amateurish compared to the Jedi Battle Battle Cin Drallig, and sloppy compared to me if I'm being honest with myself.

However during the battle Ventress manages to cut my blaster, I look at it and yell, "Fuck." Before throwing it away.

"Ha what do you expect to do without your precious blaster?" She mocks.

Out of pure indignation I push my hand out with the intent to push Ventress back however instead of an invisible force a stream of fire emits from my hand.

"Oh shit!" I yell in realization before closing my hand.

When I look up towards Ventress I see she's missing and the sound of the closing door caughts BD and I attention.

"Fuck," I then look towards BD. "BD, what are the chances that I could catch up to her?"

"Not likely," BD deeps.

I nod, "Yeah you're right I think the troopers could use our help."

I begin to head towards the monastery's entrance.

3rd(POV)

The clones stood with their hands behind their heads waiting for their execution; however it was their mumbling that got the droid's attention.

"Hey quiet! No talking prisoners!" One of the droids said, one would assume the captain.

"Come in, Rex. Do you copy? Rex?" Fortunately that comes in the form of Master Skywalker contacted his captain over the commlink.

"Did you hear that?"

"It came from the prisoners." Two droids mutter as they hear him over the communication device.

"Let me show you how it works, clanker" Amazingly, the droid is stupid enough to lean in, giving Rex the perfect opportunity to bash its head around and grab its gun.

A barrage of red blaster bolts try to hit Rex as the rest of them duck for cover but he uses the droid's body as a makeshift shield before returning fire. Other clones begin following his example and start disarming the droids before turning their own weapons against them. Not all of them though were able to grab a blaster so they had to retreat to the destroyed walker for cover. As soon as they moved behind one of the legs and duck for cover, they popped back out and threw whatever grenades they had.

"Get to cover!" One of the clones quickly orders for the clones to do.

They didn't really have to seeing as it'd be suicide to stay out in the open so there were already running towards us. Rex quickly moves next to me in the same cover.

"Quick thinking Captain!" Another clone complimented for the quick work he did to give them this opportunity.

"Thanks Soldier!"

"Captain Rex, respond," Master Skywalker speaks over the comm and now that they're somewhat free, Rex can answer.

"I read you, General. We're pinned down in the courtyard," He tells his general of the situation, a shot nearly hitting the both of them.

"Don't worry, Rex. Shan should be there soon to back you up."

We both stare at the commlink on his arm even amidst the blaster fire flying all around them.

"That sounds great General, in fact I think I could see him now," Rex says.

Shan(POV)

"Rah," I grunted as I cut a droid's head before pushing its body into two other droids. "Sorry I'm late Captain, I had a run in with Ventress."

Rex nods and says, "Good to have you sir, I also have Master Skywalker on coms."

"Shan, what happened?" Master Skywalker asks me.

"Ventress and I engaged in a Form II fight before I pulled my blaster," I explain before deflecting a few blaster bolts.

"Wait, where did you get the blaster," Ahsoka asked in confusion.

"I legitimately don't know, I got while coming up the rock, only for Ventress to cut it," I say, sending a force wave, knocking a few droids into a group of other droids. "After that I tried to push her back but I accidentally sent a stream of fire," I say before deflecting another few bolts before cutting through another.

"You used Force Fire?" Master Skywalker asked in surprise.

"Yes but I don't think I should use it again until I get more training from Master Kenobi," I finished explaining.

"That's probably for the best," Master Skywalker says. "Do you need help?" Before we can answer, another set of blasters nearly hits us, forcing Rex to pop out and return fire, "I'll take that as a yes. Stand by, we're on our way. Skywalker, out."

Not one to turn down the help, he turns off his comm and we focus back on our situation.

"Well, at least we'll have some help soon," Rex says with slight hope since we were just told we're getting backup from two more Jedi, one of which was far more experienced than the other two.

"Hopefully. But I'm kind of skeptical since they haven't been intercepted by Ventress yet. She's going to keep them from backing us up." I tell him what's really going to happen, or at least most likely.

"So we shouldn't expect his help?"

"Basically."

"Just what we need," I share Rex's mood at the promise of backup but not actually getting it.

Another blaster shot nearly hits me before Rex returns the favor in kind, "Ah! Crap!"

I growl at nearly getting killed. I look around and notice another clone nearby who wasn't able to grab a weapon before looking down at the one in Rex's hands. After I glance out and see several B1 droids moving in close, I grab Rex's arm to keep him from firing.

"Hold fire for a second," Before he can think to protest on why he should in this bad situation we are in, I throw my arm out and instead of pushing I pull the droids towards us, they let out cries of surprise as they come in right up to us and past some of our covers.

"Hey! What happene—"

I don't give the droids the chance to finish that question because I sliced their heads off. The rest of the unarmed clones took the weapons, arming themselves. Some clones who are already armed even took out the droids before tossing the extra gun towards their pinned down brothers.

"Nice one, sir!"

"You got it! Let's take these clankers down!" I accentuate that by deflecting some more blaster bolts back at the droids.

The rest of my men yell out in agreement as they open fire as well. A ton of battle droids began to fall to the ground as our shots took them down easy enough.

While growing up in the temple and learning how to fight as a Jedi I was never able to actually use a blaster or as extensively as I would have liked. I'd prefer to still have the DC-17 that the clones normally used. I bet the clones didn't like the idea of using the droid's E-5 but they really couldn't be picky. The weapon is somewhat inaccurate but considering the length of this courtyard and how close the enemy is, they're able to compensate enough to start dropping droids.

While several legs of the destroyed walker are able to keep the machine above us and somewhat standing with only its front laying on the ground, the rapid fire of blaster bolts impact against the legs we are using for cover, making the giant machine completely fall on its stomach with its legs broken off around it. This gives us some low cover options to use against the waves of droids sent after us. At one point Rex and I exhaust a fair number of droids on the side we are on so we need to relocate to back up more of his brothers. We need to get to better positioning against the enemy so I follow Rex's lead as he climbs the destroyed walker, giving us a small height advantage as we fire down at the enemy before joining another clone who was close to getting overrun.

"We can't hold out much longer, sir! Where's General Skywalker?" The clone asks us once we land next to him and he wasn't wrong.

We are currently outmanned, outgunned and completely surrounded on all sides and the situation is looking that much grimmer with each passing second. While we take out the droids in the courtyard in large scores, it feels like an endless wave of them keeps appearing from the dropships still docked at the end platform from when we first got here.

"He'll be here," Rex says and returns fire as I continue to deflect blaster bolts.

I'm still not confident in his quick response to getting to us but I guess a little hope from the men couldn't hurt. A couple B2's open fire on us but I quickly deflect the shots back into their legs, making them fall to the ground where a couple well-placed shots take them down.

Eventually, the fight starts to become even more intense as several vulture droids land and begin opening fire on us as well. Most of us are forced back into cover from the onslaught but one of the clones isn't as deterred as he pops back out and shoots a flurry of shots right at one of the spaceship droids. His shots ring true as the droid falls over dead, taking several more droids along with it right on them.

"Nice takedown!" I praise the clone for his takedown of the walking spaceship.

"This is it! Scrap them!" Rex shouts and our morale skyrockets.

He, I and the other clone vault over our cover and use the dead vulture droid as more cover against the enemy. There of course is a reason why the Republic developed their own weapons because as we continue to fire, the other clone with us has his weapon short out of ammo and we don't have any spare power cells to reload it. These weapons may be powerful but they're inaccurate. I'm forced back into cover as one particular B2 battle droid suppresses me back in.

"Hraaaaa!" Without a weapon to use, the clone jumps over and charges the B2.

I look and watch as he goes right up to the droid and hits its shooting arm away from him but as he tries to hit it again, the droid grabs him and begins to hoist him up. I couldn't have helped him so I opted instead to use the force to pull them both closer to us. The droid misses its point blank shot and comes flying over to us. While Rex puts down the droid, I grab the clone and pull him back into cover.

"Arhh. Thanks, general. Sorry about that," He apologizes for the head on attack he made against the enemy that failed.

"It's alright. You tried," I stand up and fire at some more droids before ducking back down. "Hey, listen. Next time you run out of ammo," I stood up, pulled the B1's blasters out of their hands and dried them over behind our lines. "Just ask," I finish with a smile as the clone picks up the gun.

"Heh, I'll do that sir," He nods before we go back opening fire on these soon to be scrap heaps of metal.

The fighting continues to heat up as more droids just continue to push themselves against us while at the same time even more of our men continue to fall. Already I can see several more clones losing their weapons as they run out of ammo and are forced to hunker down. Things begin to look grim as finally we hold fire as the droids completely surround us, forcing us up on the destroyed vulture droid and keep our weapons trained on the enemy but don't fire. If we do, they can just easily wipe us out.

"Surrender, Republic dogs!" One droid calls out to us and demands we do.

"We've got you outnumbered!" Rex replies and as I look up at the cruiser that had joined our airspace, he's technically not wrong.

"Outnumbered? Wait. One, two, three…"

"Wait, is he serious?" I can't help but ask my men around me at the droid actually COUNTING!

They simply shrug at the absurdity right before a strafe of green blaster shots destroy the droids. Up above we see my masters starship fly by close to the ground, shooting the enemy right before he jumps out at the last second and joins the fight. He rolls and begins cutting down droids left and right, giving us a much-needed reprieve. The rest of our reinforcements roll in with several gunships opening fire on the droid's carrier ships and blowing them to kingdom come. Next our ground reinforcements come in as Cody and the rest of his men start descending via ropes from more gunships that stopped nearby. They open fire and take out a ton of droids on one side of us before joining up with us in all our makeshift cover as more gunships strafe the enemy.

"Hey Cody! Nice to see you again!" I call out to him as I continue to block the enemy fire some more, giving them some cover as they make their way to us.

"Likewise, sir!" He replies and he and his men give spare blaster rifles to Rex and the rest of the survivors.

"Where's Skywalker?" My master asks Rex once he makes it to us.

"Best guess is he's still in the castle, sir," He replies.

"He was going to make it help us but I'm pretty sure Ventress intercepted him!" I shout over the blaster fire.

"Keep the droids occupied. I'll go find him!" My master turns to me, "Stay here and help them keep this area clear!" He orders me.

I nod, "Yes Master!"

With that assurance in mind, I relax a bit more before he takes off to go deal with Ventress.

"All right men, let's keep it up and earn a much needed break," That caused a roar of approval from the troops and increased their morale.

With pleasantries out the way, the men continue to take down droids one by one, I glance to the main doorway into the monastery as I spot colors of both blue and red. My master stands several feet into the building with Ventress being guarded by two B2 droids. They seem to be having a conversation before my master gets ready to fight her. Ventress responds by commanding the droids to open fire while she retreats deeper into the building. My master easily dispatches the droids before following the assassin deeper in. After the cheap shot that she did on me, I didn't want my master to have to deal with anything similar that could leave him in a shape a whole lot worse than me. I didn't know what she thought of me but if she thought my master was weak… then she would be in for a surprise.

My focus turns back to fight at hand as their numbers begin dwindling. The enemy starts to become routed after our onslaught so the need for cover isn't prioritized anymore. I and the rest of them clones slowly walk out as we continue to open fire on all the straggler droids all over.

"Captain Rex, this is General Skywalker." Master Skywalker's voice comes over the comm, I made my way over and began to cover Rex while he answered.

"Yes, General."

"We're not going to be able to help you." Master Skywalker replies in a somewhat depressed tone.

"Don't worry about us, General. We'll be alright. The mission always comes first, sir," He replies as we watch the freighter that he's no doubt using fly above us.

"Don't worry Master! We got them on the ropes! It's clean up at this point! Just focus on the Huttling!" I add to the commlink before they are cut out.

"Take care Shan!"

"You too!" Ahsoka and I wish each other well before we go back to focusing on our situations, I with the troops and the droids and her saving a very important Huttling.

As soon as he shuts off the comm, a small explosion from a blaster bolt happens near us, taking out one of the clones easily as his body goes flying. Turning to the source we watch as a dwarf spider droid begins opening fire on us, forcing many of us to duck and try to open fire on it but it's pretty well armored.

"Cover me!" Rex shouts and runs straight at the droid as we suppress the thing.

I'm a bit confused about what he's doing with the grenade but I find out why as he rolls under the droid, plants the grenade and rolls right out before running. I launch a small force push as the droid aims its gun right at the fleeing captain, making it miss just before it explodes. As the pieces rain down, I jog over to the captain.

"Wow. Nice thinking Rex."

"Comes with the training, sir," Rex replies and scans the area for more hostiles.

While he does that, I look back to the entrance of the monastery and get worried "Hey, Rex." I get the clone's attention, "You got this area, right? I need to go back up my master against Ventress."

I tell him my plan. While I know my master can take care of himself, his survival and even the capture of the enemy general back in our first battle we were in is tantamount to that, I still can't shake my worry of just one little slip up or a trick and he's gone.

My master… 'One-on-one, it's on equal terms… but she doesn't play equal. She plays dirty. With me there, that can tip the balance back in our favor.'

"We got this sir. Jedi are your thing so go ahead and back up General Kenobi," Rex nods at their confidence in taking out the droids.

"We'll make sure you don't get any uninvited guests," Cody speaks up and accentuates it by taking down a couple droids with a quick burst of fire.

"Thank you two. Take them down for me!" I shout back as I begin running towards the entrance, dodging blaster fire as I go and pulling a blast to my hand with the force.

"Cover the General and make sure none of them get through that door!" I hear Captain Rex gives the order as I make it into the building.

A quick look back shows that any droid that was firing on me is easily dispatched by well placed shots to their backs before the rest refocus their efforts on the clones and forget about me. With a clear path, I head off in the direction I saw my master go down.

The sounds of fighting outside begin to grow duller and duller in volume until it becomes an echo. Not wanting to be taken by surprise again, my blaster rifle is up and aimed in front of me at all times as I slowly make my way through the hallways of this place, checking every corner I come across until I manage to come to where they went. My quiet movement as I spot my master in the center of a very large open room. My senses also tell me that Ventress is in the room as well, no doubt hiding and waiting for a moment to strike.

"Ventress, I know you're here. You can't hide. I feel your frustration. Let me guess, you're after Jabba's young son, too," While my master speaks all around him, I quietly slip in and hug the wall before coming up on a column and barely peeking out to watch the scene.

Just after he finishes speaking, Ventress jumps down from above and tries to hit him from behind. I don't even get the chance to stop her before my master blocks her attack. She jumps back from the attack and for some reason turns off her lightsabers before she begins taking off a piece of her clothing. The long skirt she wears comes off and she throws it towards my master. It's another cheap move as she tries to attack him while his view is slightly blocked from the clothing. My master cuts it in two before blocking her attempted sneak attack.

"You'll have to do better than that, my darling," I smile at my master's quick thinking as they exchange a couple strikes against each other.

For a second my worry seems unfounded until Ventress gets the upper hand once she disarms him, sending his lightsaber several feet away from him, "Well, now I'm impressed."

Even now, my master still tries to make light of the situation even though he's now defenseless against her. My hands tighten on my blaster as I take aim and watch her come close several times to cut down my master. He continues to move and dodge back repeatedly away from her strikes but my breath hitches as he suddenly finds no more room to move when his back hits a stone column. She raises her red lightsaber right up to his chest.

"Now you die," She says as she gets ready to cut him down.

My hands tighten on my blaster as I steady myself to open fire as I think to myself, 'I WILL not lose my first master.'

I put her in my crosshairs, and fired. Several blue blaster bolts fly out of my weapon and Ventress barely has time to block my first attack with one of her blades but the second shot grazes her shoulder, making her cry out in pain and anger and focus her attention on me rather than my weaponless master.

"Get away from my master!"

"Shan no!"

"You insolent little- Raaaah!" Ventress completely forgets about her original opponent before she kicks my master away and uses the force to jump high into the air and come down on me with both her lightsabers ready to strike me.

I break her readiness as I open fire on her while she's in mid-air. Her blades flow in front of her as she blocks and deflects my shots away or right back at me. I in turn use my own blade to block the shots back at her, I also able to maneuver myself around and dodge the shots. She lands right in front of me and tries to slash me down but misses as I dodge and block her strikes. I try to shoot her in close proximity but she's just as crafty in her movements. She brings both her blades up and tries to hit me with both in one swipe but I manage to duck under her attack before I block her next strike by switching my saber into the backhand position. This also presents me with the perfect opportunity to throw my shoulder right into her stomach. She grunts as she's thrown back from the hit but I quickly follow up with meleeing her with the pommel of my saber. I take a few steps back to put some distance and try to shoot her but she recovers quicker than I can fire. She blocks the shots again and moves in close but instead of going for a full on slash at me, she feints and slams her foot into my stomach.

"Gaah!" I grunt as I'm pushed back and I keep with the motion to land onto my feet in a crouch.

I barely have enough time to look up as she brings her lightsabers down onto me, I brought my lightsaber up just in time for it to block her attack on me. I grunt in effort to push her away however it isn't far because I spot Ventress pointing one of her lightsabers at my neck.

"I should have finished you off the first time," She threatened.

My eyes glance down to the point of the glowing blade before back up at her and smirk, "Yeah, you probably should have."

She growls at my words and brings her blade up and ready to slash my head off.

I tuck and round of the way and we begin to engage in battle once again. We enter a blade lock before we push ourselves back.I lean to the side as it passes me and aim back at her. Our pause continued to stare at each other as I steady my breath. Having to dodge all those cuts and slashes kind of left me winded, along with getting hit… again.

"I'd say that was interesting as well," My master says as he comes up from behind me with a quick use of the force and he brings his lightsaber back into his grip. "Thank you, Shan. Even as a Padawan, that was still impressive," He pats me on the shoulder, making me relax and become less tense.

"Thank you master, I did what I could," I reply and while I keep my focus on her, my posture has relaxed a bit more now that my more experienced Jedi Master is armed and ready to fight again.

"Now, shall we continue?" He says to Ventress and readies himself again to fight her.

She gets a sadistic grin before she twirls her lightsabers around a few times and gets into her own stance, "My pleasure."

I straighten up and take my own stance but my master places his hand on my shoulder, making me look at him, "Don't worry. She just surprised me before."

"The feeling is mutual master," I reply, implying her tendency to surprise the both of us.

"Be that as it may, stay back and only strike when you are sure you have a clear line or if she tries another trick," He orders what I should do and I nod.

"Don't worry. I'll be sure not to hit you. Pretty sure it wouldn't look well with the other Jedi if you hit you," I sarcastically say with a grin.

"Yes, I imagine it would," He replies in the same tone before he starts walking forward to engage our common enemy.

Ventress moves to attack him as well but I move to the side and to strike on her, making her focus on blocking my strike rather than attacking my master. Once he got close enough to her, I pushed away and let the two of them engage in lightsaber combat. Most of the lightsaber duels I've been a part of were always training sessions with droids and practice swords with other students or instructors so they were never anything to bat an eye at. To see two experienced and powerful force users engage in death defying lightsaber combat is nothing short of exhilarating. When she's not pulling out tricks to gain an upper hand, the flow of how they fight is nothing short of breathtaking as one wrong move could mean the end of one of their lives. While most likely that is true for my master, I feel as though he might be able to take her down by actually killing her. The sound of the energies of their weapons hitting each other is amazing and almost makes me forget they can be just as deadly.

Ventress eventually kicks my master away and makes him slam into a column. Before she can attack him, I take the opportunity to engage her again. Of course she's able to block my strikes but it's enough for her to focus on me for just a few seconds. She's also pretty angry at my interference as she sends out a force push towards me. I take the hit and roll as far as I feel the energy is pushing. Once the energy begins to die down I transition into a crouching slide with my lightsaber out to my side. With me out of the way Ventress focuses back into a lightsaber duel with my master and I have to wait for another opportune moment for me. Their fighting doesn't last long until Ventress tries for a leg strike and my master decides to go for a more heightened location in their fighting. He bounces off the columns until he makes it to some narrow walkways high above the room. Ventress follows soon after with a single force imbued jump straight towards him.

"Aw man," I groan at the new effort needed in order to be a part of the fight.

All the fighting today has me a little winded so it takes me some movements to get on the same level as them but hidden away. I'm further away from them as they prepare to square off yet again.

"We know of Dooku's plot to turn the Hutts against us. It will not succeed," My master says to her.

"I will when the truth dies with you," She threatens him harshly before attacking.

The fighting becomes complicated for my master as the lack of area movement means her onslaught is that much deadlier. After a tense stalemate between the two where my master pushes her off him, she connects her two lightsabers to take on a sort of mismatched but still deadly double-bladed lightsaber stance. For a second, my master and I lock eyes before he quickly jerks his head to his left. He then jumps up and out one of the carved circular windows in the room. Ventress watches him go before she turns around and looks at me. I use the force to throw several things at her before I quickly follow my master out a window as well.

"You can't run," I manage to hear Ventress say just before I make it out.

I land with a grunt before I spot my master far off on the same walkway we landed on. Not long after Ventress lands an equal distance between us, making the both of us ready our weapons at her.

A sudden drop in feeling of the force catches all of us by surprise, none more so than Ventress.

"I sense it, too. Anakin is gone. You've failed, Ventress," My master says to her, pointing out the lack of energy presence we feel from Master Skywalker and in turn Ahsoka.

This angers her as she engages him yet again. Her anger is making her reckless as my master easily blocks her attacks, even going as far as to break the connection of both her lightsabers. They attack each other again until my master catches her lightsabers with his and holds them to the side.

"Your master will not be pleased," He mentions one final time before with a quick swipe he sends one of her lightsabers careening off the side.

I get a small smug satisfaction at seeing her lose her weapon for a change.

"Jedi scum!" She attacks him again but fails with only one lightsaber as he easily blocks her hits and pushes her back.

Just before she can attack him again in blind rage, I use the force to trip her, still in turn making her jump as she almost forgot me in this instance.

"The Hutt is safe. You're surrounded. There's no point in fighting any longer. We've won. Lay down your weapon," My master proposes to her.

"Just do the smart thing for once, " I add in.

She growls in frustration as she glances down at it before looking at the both of us. While it's a tempting offer in this situation, someone like her won't take it. That's even more true as a vulture droid comes sweeping in and she jumps for it. I lean over and open fire on them as she flies off into the sky but it's too fast. Before long she's already out of my range of fire and gone. My master walks up to me as we can only watch as she disappears into the sky. No doubt to get back to their cruiser engaging ours high in the sky. I let out a long sigh as I deactivated my saber and I ran my other hand through my hair.

"I really shouldn't have been surprised she wouldn't surrender so easily right Master?" I ask him.

"When it comes to her, no not really."

I let out a long sigh of disappointment, "We'll get her next time."

Master Kenobi pats me on the shoulder and says, "It's good to be optimistic but don't get your hopes up."

"Yeah probably for the best," I deadpanned, however a small explosion can be heard back where our men are fighting. "Probably best we get back to our men. Without her here, all we need to do is clear out the droids."

"Agreed. Let's move," We begin making our way back inside and backtrack our way to the fighting.

We entered the building, then jogged our way back to the troops. Master Kenobi also said that owning BD could do me some good. We continue to make our way back to the main fighting area of the courtyard and while the majority of the droids have been destroyed, there's still a sizable number here we need to take out before we can properly secure the area. We immediately spot Captain Rex behind some cover as we make our way to him and immediately start to deflect blaster shots.

"Captain, I understand General Skywalker escaped," My master says to Rex as he continues to deflect shots away from us.

"Yes, sir. On some beat-up old space freighter," A blaster shot nearly takes our heads off as it impacts the hull of the destroyed walker right next to us, I retaliate by pulling a droid into the line of fire. "I'll be surprised if he even makes it to Tatooine in that junker," Rex comments his opinion on the reliability of their makeshift ship.

The quick glance I saw of the ship wasn't much, neither was the ship, but we can't be picky on how they get to the planet if they had trouble getting to our cruiser.

"If anybody can fly a bucket of bolts through hyperspace, he can," We'll have to take my master's word for it as theirs, no way we can possibly catch up to them now.

"Let's hope so. It's all on them now," I add my own opinion on it before we all focus on the mop up.

Before we can do anymore, my master's Holotransmitter starts beeping.

"Obi-wan, come in. Do you copy?" A transmission comes in from Master Skywalker.

He moves behind the destroyed walker while I go with him before my master wastes no time in answering.

"Kenobi here. Have you reached Tatooine yet?" He quickly asks for a sort of update on their mission's progress.

"Almost, but we ran into a small—"

"Anakin, did you get shot down again?"

"Wait, this isn't the first time?!" I can't help but ask loudly at the idea before I quickly block a couple of shots before going back to the conversation.

"Yes," Ahsoka speaks up.

"This ship is too slow. I haven't had time to modify it yet," Master Skywalker complains and I can't really blame him, really anyone would when being shot down.

"We're still cleaning up your other mess. But we'll get there."

"Take care, you two," I call out to them, momentarily putting myself in transmission as well.

"Back at you Master," Ahsoka says before the transmission gets cut off.

It's then I notice a spare blaster so I quickly pull it to me with the force. I also take note that the last of the droids we are fighting against are huddled against one of the walls and stone columns with several of their dwarf and vulture droids laying around them, being used as a makeshift cover. I begin to think up a plan.

"Master, is it alright if we take out the last of the droids?" I ask permission for him as I nod my head to the last droids.

He glances at me before taking note of how many droids there are too and nods.

"Be my guest. Just… be careful," He quickly adds the last part as a precaution.

"I will Master," I blocked a few more shots before addressing Rex. "Hey Rex, cover me," I ordered him.

"Roger!"

I dash forward with a hail of blue blaster bolts soaring past me but not hitting the droids, it seemed like the troopers wanted me to have my own moment.

"Republic dog incoming blast him," one of the B-1 Battle Droids yells fearfully before the rest of them begin to open fire at me.

I bobbed and weaved through the blaster fire, occasionally deflecting a blaster bolt away from me. The droids continue to fire at me and I'm forced to deflect the bolts back into the droids. I then see an opening, strafe onto one of the down AT-TA walkers and use it as a platform. Once in midair I switch my lightsaber into my left hand in the reverse grip and slice downward. As the blade begins to slice through the droids I grab my lightsaber with my hand, as I complete a half circle I release it with my left hand. I then complete the circle leaving only a B-2 battle droid, it points its arm blasters at me only for me to pull the arms up over its head with the force. I then throw my lightsaber into the droid's head. I remotely turn off my lightsaber and pull it back with the force.

Captain Rex walks over to me and says, "That was incredible sir, it looks like you took care of all of them. I don't see any more hostiles?"

"Thank you Captain, let's get back to Master Kenobi," I say to Rex.

"Yes sir," Rex says as we walk over to the group.

As Rex and I walk up to the two of them Rex goes off to his division when I ask, "How was that Master?"

"Very well done Shan, your skills in Shien and Soresu are quite advanced for your age," Master Kenobi says with a smile.

I let out a relieved sigh and smiled at the praise, "Thank you master. Now that the battle is over are we going to go and help Master Skywalker and Ahsoka?"

"Yes I had Commander Cody to call in an LA-AT to bring us up to the cruiser," He says before turning to Commander Cody. "Commander, what's your status?"

"All good, General. That's the last of the droids. I'll leave some men here to help secure the place."

"Excellent," Master nods as Cody walks off to his squad. "We need to get to Skywalker as quickly as we can to help him with the Huttling."

"Yes, General," He salutes my master before radioing for gunship transport to come pick us up.

"You think we'll make it in time?" I ask my master.

Master Skywalker and Ahsoka already had a big lead on us while we were bogged down on dealing with the enemy and it's going to take some time before we can make it to them in time.

"I hope so, Shan. I hope so too." My master hopes as I do when a LA-AT gunship flies low and lands in front of us.

After being picked up we wasted no time in getting back to the cruiser and ordering for the jump to hyperspace to get underway. We stand on the bridge of the ship as the swirl of hyperspace passes us while we can only wait for us to get to our destination. As a precaution and to give a report on our mission, my master decides to call back to Coruscant.

"Anakin has reached Tatooine with the Huttling master, but he's still in grave danger. Separatist troops are desperate to intercept him. I think this whole plot was engineered by Dooku to convince Jabba we kidnapped his son." My master explains to Master Yoda and the Chancellor in his office.

I'm not a part of the conversation so I stand off to the side while they talk.

"If we believe this, the Hutts do, ended will our chance of a treaty with them be. Join Dooku and the Separatists, Jabba will, yes." Master Yoda surmises what might happen and it's not an option we can afford to let happen.

The war was already being tipped in the Separatists favor and if the Hutts joined them, that's basically it.

"That would be a disaster. We must have this alliance with the Hutts if we are to win the war in the Outer Rim," The Chancellor too doesn't like what this may entail and is on point on the seriousness this mission is for us.

"In Skywalker is the Republic's only hope. Return Jabba's son, he must."

"Anakin's experience with the Hutts should help. He'll come through," My master tries to put some measure of hope in the situation before cutting the connection.

Once it's shut down, I notice him let out a small sigh of frustration as he cups his chin.

"Something the matter, Master?" I ask as I walk up to him.

He continues to stare forward as he speaks, "I wasn't lying when I said he'll come through. It's just… I can't help but think something may go wrong."

I shrug, "Honestly Master, I can't imagine anyone can be prepared for what Master Skywalker would have to deal with." I voice my opinion on the matter, as a way to try to ease my master of his worries.

I think it works somewhat as he chuckles.

"That's true. Still, we better not delay in getting to him and his Padawan as quickly as we can."

On that, we can agree wholeheartedly.

We made it to Tatooine as quickly as we could. Along the way we were able to pick up Master Yoda as we crossed paths, I also gave BD a new paint job and a partial memo wipe, when we made it we made our way to the Hutt palace on the desert planet. My Master, Master Yoda and I along with our group of clones are on the first gunship down to the planet's surface. None of us say anything as we anxiously wait to see how everything went and hopefully it went well. While I know returning Jabba's son is the top priority, I can't help but keep repeating in my head that Master Skywalker and Ahsoka are alright. She's my friend and already this is our second mission.

'Please be alright.'

It only takes a couple minutes but we eventually make it to the ground. As soon as the doors slide open, I can't help but smile as I see everyone alright. Ahsoka, although she looks like she's seen better days, and her master awaits us with even Jabba the Hutt waiting for us. They are all alright with Jabba even holding his son in one of his arms.

The mission was a success.

The two of them enter the ship and we eventually go up to the cruiser and I eventually go to my quarters and relax after the hectic amount of days we spent on our first assignments with our masters. I guess if there was ever a time to prove our skills, this was as good as we can do without actually dying. Now I'm doing a scan of BD, I'm trying to analyze different ways I could modify to be even more useful.

Suddenly the door opens and in walks my master who looks… troubled by something.

He perks up slightly as he sees me, "Ah, Shan. There you are. I'm sorry Ahsoka but I must ask you to leave. I have something I need to discuss privately with my Padawan." He asks when he sees me talking with Ahsoka.

We look at each other confused before she nods and gets up, "Alright Master. I'll leave you two to it. We'll talk later, Shan. See ya." She directs the last couple of sentences to me when she makes it to the door.

Once she passes through it and the doors close shut, I actually shut off BD sensing that this was something that he wasn't supposed to hear, my master gets a firm look on his expression as he looks at me.

"Master, what's wrong?" I ask.

"I wanted to speak to you about it more like… a warning than anything else."

"A warning?" I am confused.

"Shan, I feel I need to tell you to be very careful when it comes to taking part in battles."

"What do you mean Master?" I ask to clarify.

"After everything was said and done, Anakin informed me that you told him that you used Force Fire against Ventress," he says calmly.

"…Oh," I said slowly as I remembered what happened.

Master Kenobi quickly states, "I actually hoped you would explain the circumstance."

I cleared my throat slightly, "During the way up to the ministry I took it upon myself to keep the troops safe, it came to the point where the droids began to use their own all-terrain tank. Seeing this I got into the main cannon seat and began to lay down covering fire. However after taking out a majority of the droid tanks I sensed multiple droids on hover bikes, without thinking I pulled a blaster and began to fire at the droids."

"Wait," Master Kenobi interrupts. "Where did you get the blaster?"

I shrug my shoulders, "I legitimately don't know I pulled it out of our seemingly nowhere. Anyways after separating from Master Skywalker and Ahsoka, I engaged Ventress with a single lightsaber however when I felt like I was being overwhelmed I again pulled the blaster and fired at her." Master Kenobi nodded for me to continue, "I continued to do this for several minutes until Ventress sliced it in half, she mocked me and I pushed out in an attempt to push her away only for a stream of fire to erupt out."

Master Kenobi began to stroke his beard before responding, "I see you should be mindful of your abilities and be sure that you don't accidentally cross those lines. In which case we may have to train extensively so you're more aware of those lines."

I nod my head respectfully, "I look forward to it, Master."

Master Kenobi smiles before saying, "There's one other thing, I need you to acknowledge that in war, there will be death and sacrifices no matter what. You have to be careful with the bonds you unknowingly make or else losing them can be just as much fuel for the dark side as any other. Do you understand?" My master calmly and carefully instructs me on what to do.

For Jedi, we have to be careful with our emotions or else if we aren't careful then we can very much fall to the dark side. Bonds we make with people we care about or fight alongside can have serious repercussions to us should the person we care about… perish.

I nod directly at my master in understanding, "I understand, Master. I'll be careful in the future."

"I'm glad to hear that," He smiles at me and pats me on the shoulder. "We still have a long way to go before this war is over and I look forward to being your teacher through the whole way. You've shown to be quite a battle strategy and have shown that even when things look bleak, you still manage to make the best of the situation. I welcome being your Master," He bows the top half of his body slightly at me.

I return my master's smile and give him a slight bow, "And I look forward and am honored to be your Padawan through our future endeavors as well."

"Likewise," Seeing as how we are happy with the two of us being paired in our Master and Padawan relationship, it's safe to say things will work out fine for us. "I'm going to head back up to the bridge now. I need to speak with Master Yoda."

"Very well, Master. In the meantime, I'll go down to the hanger to brush up on my strategic skills. Maybe Rex and some of the other clones can give me some tips," I mutter the last part to myself.

Utilizing the force was one thing, but the real thing was a whole situation. That was proved to me during this mission and I wasn't as ready as I thought. It's also clear that I could possibly brush up on my blaster skills and these balster skills would help keep me alive. After all, during the fight with Ventress my master did momentarily lose his lightsaber so it couldn't hurt.

"I'm sure they will. Well, I'll leave you be. Rest up, Shan. You deserve it." He says and turns around before heading out the door.

"Thank you, Master. Take care," I call out to him before he's gone.

For a few more seconds I sit on my bed and take a moment to rest before reactivating BD. He bounces on his feet for several seconds before I get up and head over to Ahsoka's room. When I open the door, I see her laying on her bed, right leg crossed over the other with it idly bobbing in a somewhat bored fashion. As soon as she hears the door open does she notice me and smirk.

"Hey Shan, what did Master Kenobi need?" She asks, no doubt curious.

I wave her off as I sit down in a chair, "Just telling me to be careful mostly. I'm here before we were interrupted. You were telling me what happened on your end?" I ask, still curious myself on what she had to deal with.

"Oh right!" She perks up and swings herself into a sitting position as she begins to recount what she had to deal with.

Alright, so apparently the stuff Ahsoka had to deal with revolved around having ride a wild animal to an abandoned freighter, destroy the fake caretaker we first met at the monastery, survive a crash landing because of her masters 'genius' ideas, bear the desert planets heat before having to take on three IG-100 MagnaGuard droids. Those droids are no slouches compared to the rest of the droid army and I've heard stories they can even take on and kill experienced Jedi. Not to mention their electrostaffs can block lightsaber attacks so that's pretty big in of itself. So we both had to deal with death defying situations with very low odds on our sides. Ahsoka had to deal with droids that can basically go toe to toe with a Master Jedi, and I had to fight without my lightsaber against an almost limitless amount of droids. Hard to say who had it rougher but I'm glad we both still made it out alright. That being said, I really do need to brush up on my blaster skills until it comes time for me to get a lightsaber back in my hands again. 'I think I remember there being a shooting range somewhere on the ship.' I think as I walk down the various hallways looking for said range. After spending long amount of times on these giant ships, just waiting for an assignment to come forth and give the clones the chance to get back out there and fight, the men sometimes will get a bit stir crazy and to make sure none of them get rusty, and to preoccupy them, small shooting ranges are set up on some ships to help.

After taking longer than I care to admit, I finally find the shooting range I was looking for. I passed by several clones as I was walking and it feels kind of weird for them to salute me when I pass them but I guess that's how it is then. Pretty much all Jedi automatically obtain the General rank in the Republic Grand army. While I may have just been given the rank right off the bat, I'm going to make sure I earn the rank for the troops. 'Like Rex had said, experience outranks everything.' I don't remain in my thoughts long as I almost pass by the door leading to the range. The door slides open and I am met with the sound of continuous blaster fire from the various rifles and weapons. Stepping through the door, I take a look around and look around the entire room at the various clones here. Many of them are standing around and talking to one another but I mostly take note of the clones making use of the dozen firing ranges taking up most of the room. Almost all of them are being used with the men using different weapons used in our army. I see most of the clones firing and practicing with the DC-15A blaster rifles and DC-15s carbines to great effect with a couple using the DC-17 blaster pistols. One clone however gets my attention as he makes use of the Z-6 Rotary cannon against his targets down range. Hearing the rapid fire of the guns discharge and the flow of blue blaster bolts is a beautiful sight for me to behold as I finally get to see one in action.

I spend almost a minute staring at the weapons used in awe until he stops. Whether to reload or is done firing, I don't know as I shake my head and look around for me to get my own rifle. I spot a steel grated section over a counter that's indicative of the quartermaster. I walk up to the counter and look in to see him with his back to me as he rearranges some of his inventory. I knocked on the counter a couple times to get his attention.

"Yeah yeah. Give me a second. What weapon?" The clone impatiently mutters and asks without looking back at me.

"Huh?"

"Weapon. You're here to shoot right? What weapon and I'll see if we can spare one," He states.

Not really deterred, especially by his attitude, I shrug and state my request, "I'd like to experiment on some of the more damaged DC-15A."

"Ha! Plenty of those," He laughs before reaching down and pulling out a box of clearly damaged blasters. "We were going to send them back to the manufacturer but if you can find a use for them then by all means Commander," He says with a shrug.

I pick up the box and say, "Thanks." I then walk off.

Immediately BD begins to scan and document the blaster as I walk over to a workbench. I begin to lay out each blaster before taking them apart.

BD continues to scan them before I utilize a new function of his that recently installed, a keyboard. Basically I can input variables for BD to highlight and save so he can later point out to me.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" I hear Rex' voice from behind, looking back I see he's not wearing his helmet off. "General? What are you doing down here?" He asks me after spotting me

He then walks up.

I chuckle to myself before gesturing to the disassembled blaster and saying, "I figured I could repurpose these damaged blasters into something useful."

He grins before stepping forward and asking, "You want some help?"

I smile back at him, "Yes I would actually."

'This is going to be an interesting adventure.'

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{And that's the chapter let me know what you think and remember to Like, Follow and Favorite.}