Chapter IX

"Can we get to the Lightsaber before they close in on us?" asked Mawn as she passed a hand through her tousled auburn hair.

The Clone trooper was silent for a while, "Maybe General, if only we had ten more minutes and we only have three,"

Obi-Wan smiled grimly, "Isn't this nice, reminds you of the first days in the Clone Wars eh?"

"Clone against Clone this time," said Quinlan as he climbed into the Blaster Turret, "Obi-Wan and I will take the turrets, Mawn I want you to send this out in the escape pod," he handed her two small sacks, "just don't drop them,"

Mawn nodded and ran to the rear of the ship.

"Incoming!" shouted the clone trooper.

Obi-Wan aimed his blaster turret at the nearest Tie and it exploded as the blue bolts sizzled through it.

"Good shot Kenobi!" shouted Quinlan.

"Not bad yourself Quin!" he shouted as the Kiffar destroyed two other Tie fighters.

They saw the escape pod drifting toward the squadron and Quinlan smiled, "Aim for the escape pod and then shield your eyes, then trooper contact Lightsaber to pick us up before we are within tractor beam range!"

Obi-Wan's shot went straight through it and it exploded into a brilliant flash of light.

Quinlan was smiling as they were docking on Lightsaber, "you just witnessed a Plasma, Photon and Thermal charge all in one,"

"Where did you learn to do that?" inquired Obi-Wan.

"I used it to take out a small brigade of Seps on Kashyyyk before I had to escape from my betraying clones," was the reply.

Kenobi closed his eyes, "I hope nothing like what happened after happens again now,"

Obi-Wan Kenobi was overjoyed to meet his former companions on entering Lightsaber, the ship half the size of a Republic Carrier, it had small army of four thousand loyal clones who were more loyal to the Jedi than the Republic.

Jedi Masters Arthan D'Cord a Cerean who once held Ki-Adi Mundi in high regard as well as Jedi Knight Keroth Tyram a young human who was a Jedi Guardian on the planet Tabooth.

"It is good to see you alive Obi-Wan," said Arthan as he embraced his old friend, "I have not seen you since my last stand before the Council how many months ago,"

The five senior Jedi as well as a small group of Masterless padawans were in the small briefing room of the ship. Arthan D'Cord acting as the head of the mission was at the front of the table.

"Sidious has built a fortress for Vader on the planet Vjun and many other monuments, his key choosing is on planets that are steeped in the dark side of the Force," said Arthan as he swept his hands in front of him, "such venerable Masters, Ki-Adi Mundi, Mace Windu, Agen Kolar, Luminari Unduli, Plo Koon and Aayla Secura have all been murdered viciously by the Clones loyal to the Empire,"

Arthan rose, "Only few from the Jedi High Council remain, Master Kenobi, Master Yoda, Master Dagis," he activated a small holomap, "In the galaxy now numerous Jedi Knights are being hunted by the Dark Lord Vader and his invincible Jedi Hunters, even some of our own ranks have fallen to his lure, such as Haju Allian, and Qilin Wes,"

The map zoomed into the Hapes Cluster and a small green colored planet was seen, "In two days four other Jedi Masters, a small band of padawans, and a small group who are loyal to the Republic and the Jedi will be here on the ruins of Gadhab, hopefully we'll be able to lure Vader there and it will enable us to capture him," he sat back down, "I will be assigning you temporary apprentices in the time being, Master Vos, Anya Cyakus…" he went through the ranks and came to Obi-Wan, "Master Kenobi, er…Timoth Frejik,"

Obi-Wan turned to see the young man coming toward his with a bright outlook through the Force, the young man shook Obi-Wan's hand vigorously, "Ah, Master Kenobi, The Negotiator, I followed your entire time during the Clone Wars from the Battle of Geonosis to Cestus, even when you defeated General Grievous, you are one of the greatest Jedi Masters ever!"

Obi-Wan smiled lightly, "Thank you padawan, who was your former Master?"

Timoth turned a light red, "Well, I never really had a master, I was working in the Agricultural Centers,"

Obi-Wan was surprised but kept it hidden, "Well then, let's go review Master D'Cord's battle plans,"

"Alright Master,"