I did not enjoy the thought of potentially being forced to enter the conflict of this war, but in the end, I may not have a choice. If it was myself only, I may have been prevailed to simply surrender myself peacefully, but with other lives on the line, I was not so inclined as to allow their lives to be placed at risk, especially not Master Yoda's, who was now admiring his surroundings. "Beautiful this moon is, hm? Amazing, the universe is." Lifting my head as I felt a shadow cast itself over us, I saw a huge battleship fly over our heads to land in the distance.
"There's got to be a full battalion in there, probably packing armour too." One of the clones noted as the other, who had a deeper tone to his voice, lifted up the heavy artillery gun and announced that we also had something for the droids. I shifted uncomfortably.
"Master, I did not expect to be drawn into conflict." I told him honestly as he started to shuffle forwards. "This was meant to be a peaceful, diplomatic mission."
"Unexpected turn, our mission has taken. Leave you may, and go to King Katuunko, wait for us there to join you." This did nothing to ease my mind, once more looking over to the droid ship that had just flown over and knowing that with only himself and three clones, the odds were not in Master Yoda's favour. I had no intention of being cowardly and leaving them to face the army alone, but I was adamant that I would only draw my weapon if absolutely necessary.
"I will stay, Master Yoda." Nodding his head and giving me what I could only suppose to be an encouraging smile, Master Yoda then turned to the clones in order to instruct them.
"Carry only what you need. Too much weight, slow you down, it will. Destroy Ventress, your weapons will not. Come, come lieutenant, hurry we must." Recognising that Master Yoda knew of the agent of the separatists, I intended to ask more about her once we were in a safer location as Master Yoda began to move forwards and I followed, though the lieutenant pointed out that the rendezvous point was in a different direction. "As is our enemy. To reach our goal, a straight path we will not follow." Though seemingly confused by the master's words, the clones followed us all the same as I lowered myself down and Master Yoda jumped onto my shoulder, allowing me to carry him as I started a lengthy jog in order to move quickly away from the escape pod before it could be tracked, the three clones following my pace.
Using my senses to quickly map out the layout of the immediate vicinity, I found us a place up on a rise behind a thick cluster of coral like trees that kept us well protected, coming to a halt and letting Master Yoda down as I once more cast out my senses, feeling the Force around me to monitor the approaching battalion of droids and their tanks which were coming towards us. "They know where we are." I announced, and sure enough they began to open fire not a moment later, causing the clones to all drop down and take up attack positions, though Master Yoda guided them to lower their weapons.
"At ease be, my friends. Within range we are not." Judging by the fact that it took a while for the droids to realise that they weren't actually striking their targets, I guessed that they weren't the brightest droids ever built. That's the problem with mass-produced droids, they were all so very basic. One of them even drove their tank right into a tree which caused it to rebound, unable to break through, something the lieutenant noticed as he observed them through his macro-binoculars.
"Those tanks are too big to follow."
"See, see? Size is not everything, hm? Smaller in number are we, but larger in mind." Chuckling lightly as if he were already thoroughly enjoying himself, Master Yoda moved away whilst the clones deliberated on what he could mean, supposedly unable to understand a Jedi Master which made me chuckle too. They were…amusing beings. I'd give them that. Definitely nothing like I had expected. We moved forwards once more, and I could feel the vibrations through the ground as we were followed by infantry droids who were now climbing the rise where we had been positioned a few moments before.
"Sir, there are two patrols coming in on foot." The lieutenant reported, drawing Master Yoda's attention.
"Now is the time to face the enemy, lieutenant. Ambush them, we will." The clones took the south side whilst Master Yoda took the north, and I remained in front of them in order to continue to draw the droids' attention. Hiding myself behind a tree, I waited and listened until they were close enough before then giving a sharp whistle, making them all come to a halt before I stepped out into the open, giving a whirl of my cloak before then launching myself up into the air.
"Who's that?"
"Don't know, should we blast them?"
"Of course we should, idiot!" The droids all argued together before shooting me whilst I was in the air. I turned my shoulder and soon landed, easily evading their blaster bolts with various evasive moves, allowing the others to ambush their flanks. When Master Yoda made himself seen, he used his smaller form to draw their focus as I too disappeared once more, hiding myself away as the squadron leader ordered for the droids to all split up and spread out by squad, thinning their reserves. One squadron went in the direction of the clones and another after Master Yoda. I took a moment to decide before going after the clones, leaping up high into the trees to see them take out the initial patrol until another design of droid appeared, these ones being stronger and sturdier than the flimsy looking battle-droid. They were forced to retreat and I held out my hand to pull one of the tree branches down with the Force, drawing it taught before then letting go so that it smacked the droids away and caused them to crumble in a heap, no longer functional. They appeared to be cheaply made.
"Neat trick, though it wouldn't hurt to see some fancy laser sword at work, you know." The cheekiest of the three clones said to me as I dropped down, remaining calm and reserved.
"I draw my weapon as a final option only. Come. We should find Master Yoda." I sensed them share a look and shake their heads behind me, and I could understand their feelings. As clones, they were born and bred for battle. It was in their programming, so it would be difficult for them to understand a pacifist. I would respond defensively if necessary, but if I could avoid violence, then I would. More blaster fire suddenly came at us so I hurried the clones to move, having then run to avoid being caught in a crossfire and tried to locate a better position to either escape or hold our ground.
Seeing no such options around, I ordered the clones to continue running ahead as I broke off from them, diving into the trees and swiftly disappearing. I could hear them yelling and exchanging fire as I circled around, getting behind the battle-droids though I sensed the lieutenant become injured as they raced for cover. Now behind them, I held out my hand in order to pull back one of the droids, lifting it up through the Force and made the blaster hit the other droids as Master Yoda did the same with one in front, and once they droids were scattered and confused, I sped forwards and slid across the ground, lowering my stance so that I glided across the loose surface before then thrusting out my hands and Force pushed the remaining few droids to crash against the strong trees that lined the path, hearing their circuits and metal hides crumble and spark as they all became ineffective.
Sighing softly I leaped forwards to join the others as Master Yoda was saying that no one would be left behind, but already I could feel the approach of more enemies. "Rollies inbound!" Turning my head, I saw rounded droids rolling towards us and when they stood up, were able to produce deflector shields around themselves, something I had not expected.
"Retreat! Cover you I will!" Master Yoda ordered, already drawing his lightsaber to deflect the blaster bolts of the three new droids as they fired at us. I did not move until the three clones had begun to run first, my hand hovering over my lightsaber as Master Yoda then jumped upon my back as I ran, deflecting the blaster bolts with one final one hitting a tall, towering tree which caused it to collapse and fall upon the droids, blocking their access to the path as we hastened our retreat.
"This way." I directed calmly, pointing to a securer location with a higher vantage point. Able to see the benefit of the high ground, the clones immediately followed my direction without question or complaint. We took a moment to catch our breath, though I was yet to lose mine. It amused me that I was fitter in body than these soldiers who were meant to be the peak of physical fitness for the sake of their purpose, though I supposed I was not carrying around heavy weapons and armour. When our transponder notified us of a transmission coming through, I allowed the channel to open in order to reveal King Katuunko.
"Master Yoda, I hear you're having trouble with the droid army."
"Trouble? I know nothing of this trouble. Look forward to our meeting soon, I do." Before the king could answer, the transmission was abruptly cut off and the channel went dead.
"Master Yoda, I sense the longer King Katuunko is left with the agent Ventress, the more danger he faces." I said to the little master who remained perched on my shoulder as he hummed in agreement. "We should keep moving. This place will not be safe for long." Taking a moment to raise my hand in order to feel the area around me, I came into contact with a network of caves not too far away. "I know where we can rest safely for a while. May I lead the way, master?"
"Of course, young Theca. Lead the way, you should." Carrying Master Yoda on my back, I led us all to the caves over the next rise which would provide cover and safety for the time being, though I noted that the lieutenant was struggling with his injured leg. One of his brothers was helping him to walk, but he was limping severely as we enclosed upon the caves.
"Are you sure we should go in there, general? There's no way out."
"Now rest, we must." With no further word on the matter, we all entered one of the caves after I had ensured myself that I received no ominous feeling from them, leading the way inside where I then let Master Yoda down and one of the clones activated a power generator for light and heat as we all settled down. I made the lieutenant sit and take off his boot and greave on his left leg so that I could treat his injury, having some medical supplies in my utility belt though he seemed surprised that I would care and even personally tend to him.
"We're low on ammo, sir. Only two grenades and one rocket for the launcher." The weapons carrier informed us as everyone went through their inventory. I focused on the injury of the lieutenant's leg, checking for any breakages before I used a numbing agent to take away the pain then bandaged it up securely, apologising that I could do no more as the other clone scoffed at our lack of resources against an entire battalion of droids.
"Forget it, we've lost."
"So certain of defeat, are you? Hm?" Master Yoda questioned, taking his lightsaber and cutting through one of the blasters to shorten the barrel.
"With respect, general, maybe you and Jedi Rouyn should go on. Let us slow them down." The lieutenant suggested, putting his armour back on and testing his leg by standing up and finding he was able to put a little weight on it, though I made him sit back down in order to properly rest.
"All around us is that which we need to prevail." Master Yoda told the three of them before sitting himself down and facing them. "Come, sit. Your helmets, remove them. Your faces I wish to see." Also taking a seat against the wall, I watched as the clones each took off their helmets and sat down so that we were then all in a circle.
"Not much to look at here, sir. We all share the same face." The lieutenant said simply as I took in their features. I understood the sentiment, they were of course identical in features to one another, however through the Force I could sense just how different they were now that I had taken the time to pay attention, and also seen their personalities in play. Master Yoda being of the same opinion.
"Deceive you, eyes can. In the Force, very different each of you are." Getting up, Yoda began to walk around in order to identify them one by one. "Rys, always focused on the enemy are you. For inspiration, look to yourself and those beside you." I couldn't help but smile to myself. Even now, Master Yoda was first and foremost a teacher. It was nice to know that he had not changed at all even in wartime. "Jek. Concerned about weapons you are. Weapons do not win battles. Your mind, powerful it is. Outthink the droids, you can. Thire, rush not into fights. Long is the war, only by surviving it will you prevail." Having addressed all three of them, Master Yoda now returned back to his original spot in order to face them all. "Clones, you may be, but the Force resides in all life forms. Use it you can, to quiet your mind."
It was a peaceful moment, and I wanted to enjoy it but no sooner had Master Yoda spoken, the ground rumbled and I exhaled deeply. "They are coming this way." We had no choice but to move out of the caves and take the higher ground as to remain out of sight from the droids as they began to move through the pass below as we observed from above.
"Tanks. Is that the best they can throw at us?" Rys announced sarcastically, earning a chuckle from me as I stayed back, knowing that my blue skin stood out in this landscape and would be more easily spotted than the clones.
"Yeah, but I've only got one shot left." Jek noted as Master Yoda moved forwards.
"Greet them, I will."
"General, you don't plan to take that whole column by yourself?" Lieutenant Thire questioned, though Master Yoda merely chuckled and said that he had the four of us, therefore we outnumbered the droids easily. Trust Master Yoda to think like that. He really hadn't changed at all.
"Know the time to help me, you will." Springing down from the ridge, Master Yoda went down to face the column head on, though first of all he took a seat, allowing the Separatist forces to close in on him. The lieutenant was alarmed by this, wanting to go to the general's rescue so I laid a peaceful hand upon his shoulder.
"Master Yoda knows what he is doing. Just watch. He has always enjoyed playing games such as this. Ever since I was a youngling, he's been rather…unpredictable." As the droids open fired, Master Yoda sprang high into the air then descended upon them, easily cutting his way through and generally causing havoc and mayhem for the droids as he cut his way into one of the tanks and destroyed all of the droids from the inside out, launching their remains high into the air over our heads.
"Doesn't look like the general needs help to me." I glowed with amusement. It was rather impressive seeing Master Yoda at work, proving himself to be just as agile and capable as any Jedi in his prime. I had to wonder why he bothered shuffling about the rest of the time, he was clearly no elderly and frail being. The clones also appreciated the show, watching Master Yoda utterly destroy the tanks one by one along with the accompanying troops until Rys announced that there were more droids inbound.
"The general's too busy with that tank, he won't see them coming." Thire noted as I took a look and could indeed see the droids rolling in from behind the column.
"I think I know how to deal with them." Jek told the rest of us as I took a seat and meditated at the edge of the ridge, observing everything around me. The lieutenant took the final rocket and as the roller-droids came up upon Master Yoda who had just finished off the final tank, blasted an overhanging rock and caused it to shatter, the falling debris crushing all remaining droids. The clones all celebrated in victory, all droids not scrapped and laid to waste, however I remained uneasy still as I meditated. We had to hurry. I had a feeling that King Katuunko would not remain safe for long, so once joined again with Master Yoda, I urged everyone to move as swiftly as possible to our original rendezvous point in order to greet our potential allies.
As I suspected, the patience of the shadowy agent Ventress had run out, and upon hearing the order from Count Dooku to kill King Katuunko, it was in that moment I went for my lightsaber. I refused to enter conflict, but I would not hesitate to protect someone innocent. I leaped forwards with the Force adding to my power, and upon landing I wielded my double bladed lightsaber with a magnificent twirl and blocked the two red blades Ventress held, matching my strength against hers to keep her weapons from touching the Toydarian king before then thrusting out my hand, Force pushing her away from him as the clones behind me shot the two droids that accompanied her. Drawing myself up as the Toydarian looked at me in surprise, I shot a look at Ventress before sheathing my weapon and bowing my head respectfully. "Jedi Knight Theca Rouyn at your service, Your Majesty."
"Ah, so you have finally come." King Katuunko mused, utterly calm now that he had recovered from his surprise at being attacked, looking as I stepped back to reveal Master Yoda. "Jedi Master Yoda, I am very pleased to meet you at last."
"Share the feeling I do, King Katuunko." Turning around to face the hologram of Count Dooku, Yoda started to calmly shuffle forwards. "Failed you, Ventress has, count."
"I don't fear you, Jedi." She informed us both, already getting up and holding her lightsabers at the ready in order to strike, which I perceived to be a very foolish choice. She could no hope of defeating Master Yoda, and with me there also, she was not only outnumbered, but outmatched. Although I was uncertain of her skills in comparison to mine, she would surely soon be overwhelmed by both myself and Master Yoda fighting together.
"Strong you are with the Dark Side, young one, but not that strong." It took everything I had to remain expressionless at Master Yoda's clear taunting as he then held out his hand in order to summon both her lightsaber blades to him, sheathing them as he inspected them curiously. "Still much to learn, you have. Surrender, you should." Returning the weapons, Ventress clicked them upon her belt before suddenly grasping a detonator and activating it, blowing the mountainside above us where an avalanche of rocks came rushing down upon us.
Master Yoda and I both sprang forwards and pushed out our hands, using the Force to keep them from descending upon all our heads, though our distraction allowed Ventress time to board her shuttle and escape before we could succeed in capturing her. The rocks were heavy, but with the two of us, Master Yoda and I were able to wait until the last of them had fallen into our grasp before moving them aside and allowing them to drop safely elsewhere, Ventress now flying away from us. "In the end, cowards are those who follow the Dark Side."
"It's a pity I wasn't there in person, my old master." Count Dooku said bitterly to Master Yoda, still active on the holo-caster.
"A pity indeed, my fallen apprentice." Looking incensed and having nothing further to say, Count Dooku ended the transmission and disappeared from sight, allowing us to begin our negotiations as I approached the other two Toydarians who had been knocked out by Ventress, helping them to sit up and seeing that they were alright as Yoda faced the king. "Perhaps now, begin our negotiations we can."
"That is not necessary, my friend. Toydaria would be honoured to host a Republic base. My people are at your service." Drawing his sword in order to salute Master Yoda, King Katuunko then sheathed it and presented it as an offering to him as the master bowed his head.
"Your Majesty, fail you we will not." Accepting the sword, it was then that our Republic battle-cruiser appeared in the sky, with three transport ships flying down towards the surface in order to collect us all, one to transport, and two to flank us.
"I think it prudent for us all to leave this moon. There are far too many droid remains for my liking." I announced warmly, bowing to the king with a hand over my heart as we all then boarded to continue our discussions aboard the cruiser. I was glad that the conflict was over and once the negotiations were at an end with each party satisfied with the outcome, I was eager to return to the temple, back to the quiet calm away from war and violence, to my younglings and their lessons where I felt where I belonged, and there was nowhere else in this galaxy that I would rather be.