"I can't leave you alone for one mission can I?" chuckled Ahsoka.
Kendra had just finished telling her what happened during her 'simple' diplomatic mission to Rodia with Senators Amidala and Binks. What should have been a boring information gathering mission turned into life or death as Nute Gunray arrived to kidnap Padme. Thanks to help from Binks as well as a giant slug monster, Kendra and Padme managed to capture Gunray.
Now Kendra was on a Republic transport en route to the Jedi Cruiser Tranquility along with fellow Padawan Ahsoka Tano and Master Luminari Unduli. They were to transport Nute Gunray back to Coruscant for trial.
"Next time I'm sent on a diplomatic mission, I'm going to request a battalion of clone troopers join me," sighed Kendra.
"Then it would hardly be a diplomatic mission," remarked Master Unduli.
"Yes master," conceded Kendra. However the Padawan felt, Master Unduli was a true Jedi Master and her wisdom must be respected.
"With all due respect Master Unduli, if the Seperatists don't respect diplomatic immunity then why should we?" protested Ahsoka. Kendra might not be willing to question the wisdom of a Jedi Master but her Togruta companion never hesitated to do so if she disagreed.
"Because it's just separates us from them," answered Luminara.
The Jedi Master glanced at the Gunray and added, "You, however, are no diplomat Viceroy and will be treated accordingly."
"In other words, you better learn to enjoy prison food," Ahsoka mocked their prisoner.
"My litigators will get me out of this," protested Nute Gunray.
"Except you won't be tried in a civilian court Viceroy. As an enemy combatant in a time of war, you will be tried in a military tribunal," said Luminara.
The blood from Nute's face drained as he nervously gulped. The Jedi Master allowed the Neimodian to digest that as she headed to the bridge.
"Captain have you made contact with the cruiser?" Luminara inquired.
"Yes General. We'll patch you through now," replied the pilot.
With a tap of a button, a video screen activated and revealed three men dressed in blue armor. They were from the Republic Senate Commandos, the special forces of the Republic Senate Guards. While most of their ranks guarded the Chancellor and Senators, on occasion they were sent on diplomatically sensitive missions.
"Jedi Cruiser Tranquility this is General Luminara Unduli. Requesting permission to land," spoke Luminara.
"You are cleared General. We await your prisoner's arrival" replied the senior commando.
"Thank you Captain Argyus," nodded Luminar. "I look forward to delivering him to you."
"I am a man of great wealth and I can be very generous to my allies," Gunray whispered to a nearby clone commander named Gree.
Ahsoka and Kendra both rolled their eyes. Did this idiot really think he was going to bribe a clone trooper? While it wasn't unheard of for clones to go awol, there was only 1 instance of a clone assisting the Seperatists. He'd have about as much luck bribing a Jedi.
"That is a very tempting offer Viceroy," smiled Gree. He pulled out a pair of cuffs and said, "In the meantime, I have a gift for you."
The viceroy fumed as he was shackled.
The Padawans along with Master Unduli, Commander Gree, and Gunray entered the cruiser via the airlock and were met by a squad of five Senate Commandos which included Captain Argyus.
"Greetings General. We have the brig all ready for this traitor," Argyus spoke.
"Very good Captain," nodded Luminara. She turned to to the clone commander and said, "Commander Gree let's get underway."
"Move it rankweed," Gree said as he shoved Gunray towards the commandos.
The Viceroy was escorted away while Unduli and the Padawans lagged behind. They'd let Gunray stew for a little while then visit him in the brig for interrogation.
"What are Senate Commandos doing here?" Ahsoka wondered out loud.
"They were sent under orders of the Supreme Chancellor. He doesn't want to take any chances that Gunray might escape," answered Luminara.
"How does a money grubbing worm like Gunray warrant such security?" asked Ahsoka. "He doesn't look that dangerous."
"He almost killed me along with Senators Amidala and Binks back on Rodia," Kendra reminded.
"Yeah but that was when he had a droid army. He's got nothing now," replied Ahsoka.
"Don't let your overconfidence give Gunray another advantage Ahsoka," warned Luminara. "Even now his allies may be conspiring against us."
Nute Gunray was sweating as Luminara, Ahsoka, and Kendra stared him down. The room temperature was normal yet you'd think the Neimodian was in a sauna.
"Your thoughts betray you Viceroy," remarked Luminara. "I can sense your concern. The fear that you will lose the wealth and the power that the war has given you."
Figures that slimo's only concern is his own personal gains. Kendra doubted he even cared about any of the regular soldiers who fight on the Confederacy's side. They were probably just as disposable as battle droids to him.
"I...have no idea what you're talking about," stuttered Gunray.
"You hide a great many things," continued Luminara. Her eyes were closed, concentrating. "The names of your secret allies. The locations of their bases."
Kendra doubted the Jedi Master could outright read the Viceroy's mind. She was only doing a passive scan for surface thoughts which probably wouldn't reveal too much but the Neimodian didn't know that. He was starting to squirm.
"I am an innocent pawn in all of this," pleaded Gunray.
Kendra scoffed.
"Merely a pawn?" mocked Luminara. "Then who are you protecting?"
"No one! I know nothing," protested Gunray. That definitely struck a nerve.
"Liar! I'm tired of your lies," shouted Ahsoka. Her outburst caught Kendra and Luminara completely by surprise.
The Togruta ignited her lightsaber and rushed forward, placing her blade inches away from Gunray's neck.
"Tell us what we want to know right now or I will gut you like a rokarrian dirt fight!" demanded Ahsoka. Gunray fell out of his chair, trying to get away.
Kendra quickly grabbed her friend's wrist and pulled her away.
"What are you doing Ahsoka?" demanded Kendra.
"Terror is not a weapon the Jedi use," Luminara chastised the Togruta though she kept her voice down.
"I wasn't serious," Ahoska whispered back. "But the only way he'll talk is if he's scared enough."
"That's no excuse," protested Kendra.
"Perhaps I was too hasty. Let us negotiate," Gunray nervously chuckled as he picked himself off the floor.
Ahsoka smiled triumphantly at Kendra and Luminari.
"You realize any confession coerced under threat of torture is inadmissible even in a military tribunal," Luminara said.
That statement wiped the smirk off Ahsoka's face.
Suddenly the room shook. Kendra glanced outside the cell to see Commander Gree on his comlink.
"Captain status report," demanded the clone commander.
"Droid fighters incoming. They've brought boarding ships," replied a voice from the com.
Gree tapped a button on his com, switching the frequency. "Green Company to boarding stations. Prepare to repel the enemy," he transmitted ship-wide.
Gree hit a button on the wall panel, lowering the ray shield of Gunray's cell. The three Jedi left the cell before reactivating the shield.
"Green Leader to Commander Gree. Super Battle Droids have breached our hull. They're headed for the detection level. We need reinf..." spoke a voice on the com before it was suddenly cut off.
"Commander I'll need your assistance," Luminara said as she headed towards the exit.
"Let's go," agreed Ahsoka.
Luminara stopped and turned to say, "Padawan Tano stay here and guard the prisoner. Padawan Zor you're with me."
"But..." Ahsoka started to protest. Luminara gave her a look that made it clear this wasn't up for debate.
"As you wish master," sighed Ahsoka.
Kendra gave her friend a sympathetic look then followed after Master Luminara.
"Super Battle Droids are everywhere! All security teams fall back and secure the bridge, engineering, and detention levels," ordered Commander Gree into his com as he, Kendra, and Luminara had their weapons ready.
The three waited for a group of Super Battle Droids to advanced past them down a connecting hallway. While the mechs were close enough, Luminara sprung the trap and lunged into the crowd of droids. Robotic limbs and fragments dropped like flies as the Jedi Master's lightsaber cut through the mass of metal like butter.
Kendra took a more defensive approach, using her Soresu style to deflect away any incoming blaster bolts from her or Gree. The Clone Commander took advantage of the Padawan's help to open fire without taking cover. He mowed down dozens of droids while not a single bolt hit him.
It didn't take long before the Seperatist ranks thinned out and the clone troopers began to turn the tide. Yet the droids continued just to just march into the kill zone and get massacred. You'd think the Seperatists would have programmed these things to have a little more self preservation if no other reason then not have to replace so many of them after each battle.
Commander Gree finished off the last one with a series of blaster bolts. The droid twitched then dropped to the floor letting loose a series of sparks.
"Looks like the last of them General," Gree sighed in relief.
"Yes Commander but I sense our troubles' are not over," replied Luminara.
"What do you mean?" asked a confused Kendra.
"This attack was sloppy even for droids," answered Luminara.
"We're under attack. Ventress is attempting to..." cried out a voice over the coms before he was cut off.
"Ventress?" gulped Kendra. Just saying the name alone sent shivers down her spine.
Kendra heard the stories of what the assassin could do and the many Jedi she's killed. Only Grievious had murdered more Jedi and that was only because he was often on battlefields looking for them. Ventress, on the other hand, only appeared sporadically. Instead of rampaging through a war zone, she'd slip through unseen. By the time you'd realize she was close, it was often too late.
"The attack was a diversion," realized Luminara. She quickly raced back to the detention area with Commander Gree and the remaining troopers still standing following her.
Kendra froze. The thought of fighting that killer bog witch terrified her. Plenty of Jedi more powerful and experienced then her fought Ventress and lost their lives as a result. What chance did Kendra have? She was just a Padawan.
Then Kendra remembered that Ahsoka was still with Gunray. Ventress wouldn't hesitate to kill her if she got in her way. Kendra couldn't stand around and let the only real friend she had be murdered.
With a deep breath, Kendra rushed after Luminara.
When Kendra arrived at the detention block, she could clearly see the carnage Ventress left in her wake. Several bodies of clone troopers and senate commandos were strung about on the floor with burns on their armor that resembled slash marks. The kind that could only be made by a lightsaber.
Kendra rushed down the cell block towards Gunray's cell. The clashing of lightsabers could be heard as the Padawan approached. She turned a corner to see the Sith Assassin attacking both Luminara and Ahsoka. The two Jedi were holding their own thankfully. Kendra's earlier hesitation hadn't cost anyone their lives.
Kendra activated her lightsaber and rushed into join the fray. On the opposite end of the hall, turbolift doors opened and Commander Gree and two clone troopers exited.
Ventress was surrounded and she knew it. Nearby, a freed Gunray gasped in horror as he realized how desperate their situation had become.
"Surrender," demanded Luminara.
The assassin deactivated her lightsabers and holstered them onto her belt. Kendra couldn't believe it. Ventress was surrendering. All that fear the Padawan of this assassin had been for nothing. Ventress wasn't some unstoppable killer, just a crafty bogwitch who pushed her luck too far.
Ventress raised her hands and then smiled. That's when Kendra noticed a red light blinking on the Assassin's forearm bracer. It's flashing increased in frequency.
Suddenly the whole room shook violently, knocking Kendra and Ahsoka off their her feet. Ventress used the chaos to Force Push off her feet then leaped into the air towards one of the turbolifts. Gree and his clone troopers tried to stop her but Ventress causally blocked their shots and slashed two of them to death as she passed by.
The Jedi got to their feet and quickly scrambled after the assassin. Several of the surviving Senate Commandos had regained consciousness and got to their feet, blasting at the Sith as she leaped over them.
Ventress used the Force to open the turbolift doors. She leaped inside the elevator shaft and stabbed her lightsabers into the walls, using them to safely slide down the tube.
The Jedi reached to open shaft and glanced down to see Ventress disappear into the darkness below.
"What are we waiting for?" smiled Ahsoka. She was about to jump inside when Luminara grabbed her and pulled her back. A second later, a elevator car dropped down the shaft. Had Ahsoka been inside when it passed by, she would have a been bloody stain on the wall right now.
"Thanks," Ahsoka breathed a sigh of relief.
Captain Argyus was looking over one of the command consoles and judging from his expression, whatever he was seeing wasn't good.
"Everything's running haywire. Doors, lifts, communications down, and propulsion's dead. She's crippled the entire ship," Argyus reported.
"If Ventress has called for reinforcements, we'll be sitting mynocks," realized Kendra.
"All the more reason for you all to stay here and guard Gunray in case more droids are on the way. I'll confront Ventress myself," ordered Luminara.
"Master...with all due respect...Ventress is too powerful for one Jedi to fight alone. Let us help you," protested Ahsoka.
"She's killed some of the best Jedi in the entire order Master Luminara," agreed Kendra.
"That could be her plan Padawans. Lure us all away from Gunray long enough so more droids can take the Viceroy by force. Besides I'm more then capable of handling a lone assassin armed with undisciplined fighting skills," replied Luminara.
"You call all of this undisciplined?" asked an incredulous Ahsoka, pointing at all the devastation Ventress had left.
"Stay here. Both of you," Luminara said in a tone that indicated her decision was final.
"Yes Master," said Kendra.
Luminara leaped down into the elevator shaft in pursuit of Ventress. Everyone else escorted Gunray back to his cell and waited.
Ahsoka paced back and forth impatiently, clearing wanting to go after Master Luminara and help her. Kendra understood the impulse but they had been given a direct order by a Jedi Master. They had to obey.
"Luminara Unduli may be a Jedi Master but she has no idea what that bog witch is capable of," spoke Ahsoka.
"Ahsoka we have orders," protested Kendra.
"But we can't just let her face that lowlife alone," argued Ahsoka.
"You underestimate Master Unduli's abilities," replied Kendra.
"I'm not. I just saying she'd have a better chance with our help," stated Ahsoka.
"Sometimes being a good soldier means doing what you think is right. That's why we're superior to droids," chimed in Argyus.
"We're just Padawans. We can't just disobey an order from a Master," argued Kendra.
"Well my master does it all the time," shrugged Ahsoka.
"Yeah...but...he's not a Padawan. We are," Kendra said, trying to think of things to say to keep Ahsoka from running off. She could get into trouble or worse, get herself killed.
"Well I wouldn't disobey orders," remarked Gree.
"Don't worry. We've got this under control Master Jedi. Your friend won't be going anywhere," Argyus assured them.
"All I know is I'd never risk my own skin if I don't have to," commented Gunray.
"No one asked you," grumbled Kendra.
"Watch him closely," Ahsoka told Arygus then rushed towards the turbo lift.
"Ahsoka! You can't just leave. We're under orders," Kendra called out to the other Padawan.
"I know but I have to do this. You coming?" shouted back Ahsoka as she hit the call button for the elevator.
Kendra groaned. She wasn't like her friend who questioned her Masters and their teachings. Kendra always did as she was told and followed her instructions to the letter. They were practically opposites when they back at the Temple yet they struck up a friendship. Ahsoka would constantly get herself in trouble and yet Kendra would always still tag along regardless.
History repeated itself as Kendra took off running after her friend. She reached the turbolift as the elevator doors opened.
"Nice to know we'll both be in trouble," chuckled Ahsoka.
"You're going to be the death of me," sighed Kendra as the two of them stepped inside the elevator.
Kendra and Ahsoka used the Force to sense the conflict between Luminara and Ventress. It led them to the engine room or rather what was left of it. Ventress's explosives has practically destroyed the primary reactor. The ship was now on emergency power only.
"There!" shouted Ahsoka. She was pointing to a pile of large metallic exhaust pipes that had fallen from the ceiling. Luminara was lying on the floor with one of her feet crushed underneath one of the pipes.
Ventress was nearby, slowing approaching the helpless Jedi. The assassin leaped into the air for a downslash that could end Luminara's life. Ahsoka and Kendra quickly rushed into action and both used the Force to send a telekinetic blast as the Sith. Ventress was knocked right out of the air and sent flying into the opposite direction, screaming as she disappeared through a cloud of smoke.
The Padawans quickly rushed to Luminara's aide. Ahsoka used her lightsaber to cut an opening in the pipe to allow the Jedi Master to free her leg.
"Are you okay Master?" asked Kendra.
"Yes," Luminara nodded as she struggled to get to her feet. She nearly collapsed but Kendra and Ahsoka quickly caught her and helped her to sit down.
"I'm afraid my ankle is broken," sighed Luminara.
"We'll get a medic," Kendra told her.
"I'm afraid we have bigger problems," Luminara replied. She pointed past the Padawans who turned to see Ventress was back on her feet and she did not look happy.
"Jedi runts," hissed Ventress.
"Go. Leave me. She's too much for you," warned Luminara.
"Not a chance," Ahsoka said as she lifted up her lightsaber, ready to fight. Kendra nodded and did the same.
Ventress burst into laughter at the sight. "Your Masters couldn't defeat me together. What hope do you two have?" she scoffed.
Kendra didn't want to show her fear but deep down she know the assassin was right. They didn't stand a chance against her.
Ventress charged with her lightsabers. Kendra and Ahsoka braced themselves when suddenly a piece of metallic shot past them right towards the assassin. Ventress managed to swat it away with her lightsabers but then another came at her and another.
Ventress was forced stop and defend herself from the constant barage of debris. Kendra turned around to see Master Luminara was concentrating, immersing herself in the Force as she was using telekinesis to harass the Sith. It couldn't stop Ventress but it was a big distraction. One Ahsoka and Kendra took advantage of.
The two Padawans charged in. Ahsoka attacked high while Kendra attacked low. The Togruta attacked from behind while Kendra attacked from the front. Ventress managed to deflect their blows but couldn't retaliate. With the attacks of Kendra, Ahsoka, and Master Luminara still throwing debris at her, Ventress could do nothing but stay on the defensive.
Finally Ventress had enough and leaped away onto the second floor balcony to escape. Ahsoka was about chase after her when Ventress tossed three grenades at the Jedi. Lumunira and the Padawans used the Force to divert the explosives away from them but they still detonated close enough for the resulting shock wave to knock them all off their feet.
By the time Kendra regained her senses, the assassin was long gone.
"We have to go after her," said a determined Ahsoka as she climbed to her feet.
"Ahsoka no! We have to get Master Luminara to the infirmary," protested Kendra.
"Let her go Ahsoka. Splitting up is probably what she wants you to do," Luminara pointed out.
Ahsoka was fuming but didn't argue. The two Padawans helped Luminara to her feet and aided her as she limped towards the exit.
"This assassin. I've never faced an adversary like her. I should have faced her alone," commented Luminara.
"Consider yourself fortunate Master. Not every Jedi who's faced her has survived the ordeal," pointed out Kendra.
"Which is why the two of you holding your own against is very impressive," said Luminara.
"Well it was a team effort," shrugged Ahsoka.
"Not to mention you helped as well Master," Kendra added.
"Don't sell yourself short Padawans. You showed tremendous skill. Your Masters should be proud," stated Luminara.
Kendra and Ahsoka smiled at the compliment as their coms began to beep.
"General Unduli. We've been betrayed," Gree's frantic voice could be heard from the com. "Argyus has freed Gunray."
"That slimy son of a Hutt. He played us for fools," snapped Ahsoka.
"He played us all," sighed Luminara.
"This was all a diversion. You were right Master earlier. Ventress was trying to lure us away," said Kendra.
"We can't let Gunray escape. Ventress needs a way off this ship and the only way is the cruiser that's docked," Luminara replied.
"We'll get you to the infirmary then..." Ahsoka started to say.
"No!" interrupted Luminara. "You need to get hangar bay with whatever troops you can muster and stop them."
Kendra and Ahsoka didn't like it but knew they couldn't just let Gunray get away. They were Jedi and duty always had to come first before personal feelings.
"I'll be fine. Just go and be careful," Luminara urged them.
It wasn't hard to find Ventress, they only needed to follow the trail of bodies. Commander Gree had been injured so Captain Thane took command of Green Company. He was directing troops to the hangar bay but so far, no one had reported any sighting of Argyus or Gunray. The two were probably laying low while Ventress cut a path of destruction through the ship to draw everyone off their path.
"Ventress is heading towards the outer sections of the ship, not the hangar bay," Kendra surmised.
"She's drawing us away from Gunray," agreed Ahsoka.
"But she can't just fight her way back to the ship. With all the troopers we have onboard, that would be reckless even for her. She has to have an exit strategy," Kendra wondered.
Instantly she realized why and Ahsoka's eyes widened, probably figuring it out too.
"Escape pods," Ahsoka and Kendra both said at once.
"Captain Thane we believe Ventress is heading to an escape pod. We need reinforcements at Level 7 Section 12," Ahsoka transmitted.
"Understood Commander. I'm got two squads nearby. They'll be there in a few minutes," replied Thane.
The Padawans rushed down to the nearest emergency station that contained escaped pods. Ventress was tapping on a console for one of the escape pods. She glanced over her shoulder and saw her pursuers.
"Should have known you'd be running away," mocked Ahsoka.
"I still have enough time to kill the both of you before my ride gets here," replied Ventress. She turned around and ignited her lightsabers.
"Remember. We just need keep her busy until help gets here," Kendra whispered as she and Ahsoka activated their lightsabers.
Ventress leaped through the air and brought her blades on the Padawans. Kendra blocked one blade but Ahsoka deflected the other away from her, moving to get around the Sith's side.
The Padawans resumed their previous strategy of surrounding the Sith and attack from two different sides. Kendra utilized her Soresu to hold off Ventress's attacks and draw her attention while Ahsoka used her Shien to launch a strike the moment she saw the opportunity.
To her credit, being outnumbered didn't seem to be an issue for Ventress. Any attack on her was easily blocked or parried with ease. Kendra knew they couldn't beat her by themselves but clone troopers were on the way and even the most powerful Sith or Jedi can be overwhelmed with sheer numbers.
Ahsoke struck high then low but Ventress always seemed one step ahead of her. Kendra was just barely keeping up with the Sith's attacks, blocking and parrying strikes at the last fraction of a second. A Soresu Master could immerse themselves in the Force completely, essentially meditating while in combat. Unfortunately for Kendra, she wasn't a Master. She couldn't relax or rest her mind with the amount of strikes and blows the Sith was unleashing on her.
Ventress feigned a downward strike then suddenly lunged forward with a jab. It happened so fast that Kendra barely lowered her blade in time. She deflected the blow enough to not get hit in the chest but not enough to avoid it completely. Ventress's lightsaber grazed across the side of Kendra's shoulder.
The Falleen Padawan screamed in pain as she staggered back, clenching her burnt shoulder. Ventress then thrust both her hands at Ahsoka, sending a telekinetic wave at her. The Togruta tried to defend herself with a Force Bubble but it wasn't strong enough. Ahsoka was sent flying across the room and crashed violently into a wall.
Ventress smiled triumphantly as she turned her attention to Kendra. She took a step forward, ready to finish the Falleen off when footsteps could be heard echoing down the hallway.
"Target sighted! Open fire!" shouted a clone. Blaster bolts shot down the hallway at Ventress. The Sith was forced to defend herself.
"We'll finish this later," mocked Ventress. She backed up to an escape pod and hit a button, opening the hatch. She deflected more blaster bolts before leaping inside the pod and closing the hatch behind her.
Kendra could heard the explosive bolts launching the pod off the ship. She raced over to a nearby window to see Ventress's pod heading towards the Republic Frigate the Jedi used to bring Gunray onboard. Argyus and Gunray must have stolen it while Ventress was going on a rampage and drawing away everyone's attention.
Ahsoka moaned back to her feet. She approached Kendra and checked her shoulder. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"We weren't ready for her," sighed Kendra.
"We'll get her next time," Ahsoka said, trying to cheer her up. "C'mon let's get you to the infirmary."
Master Luminara made her report from the infirmary. Her ankle would need several more bacta treatments to heal completely but the doctor assured her it would recover completely.
"I'm afraid Ventress and Argyus managed to escape with Gunray," Luminara said, sitting on a medical bed while holding her holocommunicator. A holographic representation of Master Yoda and Anakin listened intently.
Ahsoka and Kendra stood nearby. The Falleen had her shoulder bandaged and kolto packs applied but would be ok within a few days. Ahsoka had a few bumps and bruises but would be okay. Still, For Kendra it was concerning how close they came to death.
"I'm sorry Master. We tried to stop them..." Ahsoka explained.
"It's okay Snips. I know you did your best," Anakin assured her.
"Troubling is the treachery of the Senate Guard," mused Yosa. "Captain Argyus. Revealed all around us, our enemies are."
"I thought Senate Guards were carefully vetted, even more so for Senate Commandos," commented Kendra.
"Clearly the screening process isn't fool proof," remarked Anakin.
"I'm not sure all is lost," spoke Luminara. "Gunray and his accomplices stole a Republic ship to make their getaway."
Anakin's eyes lite up. "It can tracked," he stated.
"Ventress probably knows that," said Kendra.
"Which means we'll need to move quickly," Luminara agreed. "Master Fisto's fleet is the closet to Gunray's position. I've already contacted him to follow the signal."
"Ahsoka, Kendra, I'll meet you two at the rendezvous point. Get some rest," Anakin spoke.
"Yes Master," both Padawans said.
The transmission cut as the holographic figures disappeared. Luminara put away her com unit and laid back down.
"Both of you did well today. Your Masters should be proud," the Master complimented.
"But...we failed Master. Ventress and Gunray," sighed Kendra.
"You're too hard on yourself. Not many Padawans could have gone up against Ventress and survived," Luminara explained.
"We'll just have to be ready for her the next time," Ahsoka said firmly.
"I have horrible feeling that might be sooner then we think," Kendra remarked.
(Originally I wasn't going to have Ventress take on Kendra and Ahsoka by themselves as I didn't feel the two of them could have taken her on at this point in time but I felt it worked at it showed the two had a long way to go. Plus it helped feed into Kendra's fear of Ventress.)