Sometime after the two padawans had been found new masters and had since moved on in their training, I was assigned to a diplomatic mission to the planet of Mon Cala, where a dispute in succession threatened to spark civil war on the water world. Alongside Anakin Skywalker, it was our duty to protect Senator Amidala of Naboo, as well as oversee the negotiations for the ascension of Prince Lee-Char to the throne after the death of his father. We went with the hope that all things would settle with a little diplomacy, however upon arrival I sensed that the Quarren, who contended Lee-Char's suitability to lead both his people and theirs, would not be open to negotiation. There was a great deal of tension on this planet, with many bidding for power for themselves.
Diving from the ship, I plunged first into the deep ocean waters and began to swim down below, Anakin and Senator Amidala following suit as we were met by a Mon Calamari envoy, including Captain Ackbar where we exchanged polite greetings and all introduced ourselves before we were brought to the conference hall where the Mon Calamari and Quarren had gathered in heated debate. The Quarren wished for a ruler from their own people, feeling that they had lived too long under the rule of their neighbours and as I observed, I noted that the presence of the Separatists had also been requested to side with the Quarren.
"I sense this mission will not go smoothly." I murmured as I sat beside Senator Amidala with Anakin on her other side as we all shared a concerned look whilst Prince Lee-Char rose to speak and defend his claim to the throne, seeking to earn the trust and respect of both his people and the Quarren to qualify as their leader.
"I am dedicated to serving the Quarren as well as my own people the Mon Calamari."
"Silence!" The Separatist representative, a Karkarodon by the name of Riff Tamson, swam to the prince in a rather intimidating manner, looking down upon him before all his subjects which was not only a blatant show of disrespect but undermined Prince Lee-Char's authority before his people. "You haven't earned the right to speak at this gathering."
"You have no say in the matter, Ambassador!" Captain Ackbar protested on his prince's behalf and I rose slightly, sensing the tension beginning to escalate throughout the conference hall as the two sides bristled at one another threateningly. "You are only here as an observer for the Separatists."
"Do not forget I am here at the request of the Quarren because you, Captain, demanded the presence of the Republic."
"From one observer to another, I suggest that you show some respect to your hosts." I announced, rising as I floated in the water and turning my sharp golden eye upon the shark-like being who clearly was here for no other purpose than his own. "As Prince Lee-Char is royalty, and it is for his claim that we are gathered here, he reserves the right to speak for himself. More right than you do, Tamson, since you are an outsider in this debate." The prince nodded to me gratefully for my support as the Separatist growled and swam off with a sharp motion, throwing Captain Ackbar back through the water which only riled him up further.
"Such a disgrace! I'll give you a lesson in manners." Anakin wisely held him back from instigating violence at a meeting meant to bring peace.
"Prince Lee-Char will bring the planet to ruin. The boy has neither the experience nor the knowledge to lead." The Quarren spokesman proclaimed as Senator Amidala also joined the court in order to speak her mind.
"Please, you're here to find a compromise. What can the Republic do to help keep the peace?"
"This is a matter between the Quarren and the Mon Cala." The Quarren all retaliated in agreement, wanting no part of the Republic and began to cry out for the Republic's downfall as I moved closer to Senator Amidala and wisely drew her further back from the Quarren. My unease did not subside. "We refuse to support the coronation of another Mon Cala king. I'm sorry." Turning to the Separatist Ambassador, the court was adjourned with no compromise or resolve, the Quarren leaving with their anger and feelings of conflict which I had a feeling were only encouraged by their ambassador. We were left with no choice but to return to the ship in order to contact Master Yoda and Master Windu to deliver the news of the proceedings, which caused Master Yoda to hum thoughtfully.
"This civil war, is it inevitable?"
"Sadly so, Master Yoda."
"The Separatist ambassador came here to stir up the Quarren, and that's exactly what he did." Anakin also reported with no attempt to hide his disdain for the Separatist in his tone, thoughts or feelings. I could feel them roll off him in strong waves.
"It's only a matter of time before the Quarren withdraw from the Republic." Senator Amidala calculated, to which Master Yoda believed that Count Dooku was the one pulling the strings from behind the scenes in order to secure the planet Mon Calamari for himself.
"The Mon Calamari system is still part of the Republic. This planet must not fall into Separatist hands. I'll dispatch Master Fisto and your Padawan Tano, Skywalker, along with a company of clones. They'll be at your side by day's end. In the meantime, Captain, assemble the Mon Cala troops, and prepare for a Quarren assault." Master Windu directed before then turning to me. "Rouyn, I sense a civil war will not correlate to your beliefs of non-participation in the war. What are your thoughts on the matter?" Surprised that Master Windu would ask me rather than simply give me an order as he had done in the past, I inclined my head to the side slightly to regard him as I spoke.
"It is my duty as a Jedi to maintain peace, and should this fail, to advocate diplomacy and understanding. I will stay with Master Skywalker and Senator Amidala as a guardian, as the prince will also require protection when the assault comes. I do not doubt either that the Quarren will attack without Count Dooku supplying them with Separatist forces, so I will engage if I am left with no other alternative. If this is acceptable to you, masters." Bowing to them, Master Yoda agreed that it would be best for me to remain present in order to oversee the progress of the situation, and Master Windu accepted that I may choose whether or not to participate in the actual fighting, though he cautioned me to be mindful of my surroundings and contemplate the consequences of my actions, whether they be neutral or active.
We each acknowledged out missions and began to prepare for our return to the underwater world, though as we moved from the bridge of the ship, Padmé Amidala spoke to me. "I think it admirable that you choose to take a stance of non-violence in the war, Theca. To hold onto your beliefs yet still find a way to contribute, it must be difficult for you at times."
"Occasionally, yes. If all wars could only begin and end with talking, with no need for violence in between, I would consider the galaxy to be peaceful and there would be no need for Jedi to watch over it." I said to her, though this of course made Anakin protest, insisting that without the Jedi, half the galaxy would be in complete chaos and the other half would have been obliterated through constant wars. "I do not disagree, Anakin. I acknowledge that the presence of the Jedi is essential in maintaining peace, however I believe that it is not our purpose to be military leaders. If we had taken the time to travel the stars and teach the ways of understanding, compromise, and balance to those who would otherwise wage war, there would be a great deal less conflict than there is today. Our ways are being lost in this war, for we have begun pre-emptively striking out against the enemy, when it is not the Jedi way to attack first. Only defend, and to strike the final blow if there is absolutely no other option, as all others have been exhausted."
"So even if civil war does break on this planet, you won't join the fight?" Anakin demanded a little hotly, and I sensed that he strongly disagreed with me on my views. In my mind I could still see Anakin as that young boy who would follow me around the temple whenever his master was away, and I felt a nostalgic swell of sadness that that little boy was now gone, and in his place stood a full grown man who had become used to war, battle and conflict.
"I will protect my charges, as that is my mission. However, this war will not end in victory if one race destroys the other. In the end, a compromise must be found, otherwise I cannot hope that this greater war will end in any other way than one side completely annihilating the other, and such loss of life is…unthinkable." Reaching the hatch I inclined my head to Padmé before diving once more back into the ocean with Captain Ackbar, Senator Amidala and Anakin following after us as we made our way back to the city of Mon Calamari where the troops had gathered to hear their leader speak.
"In this time of crisis, our king has something to say." Captain Ackbar addressed, calling the people of Mon Calamari to attention.
"I know many of you agree with the Quarren, that I am too young to rule, but I assure you I will use all my strength and all my abilities to lead us through this challenge. We are a great people, and I will do all I can to negotiate peace without bloodshed. I do not believe the Quarren will attack!" The prince declared as I observed him. He truly was young, barely anything more than a boy by Mon Cala reckoning, though I did sense a great deal of promise in him. He clearly loved his people, and had a fair, just disposition. With a little guidance, I felt assured that he would indeed make a good king for both the Mon Calamari and the Quarren.
A flicker in my senses caused me to lift my head sharply, an instinctive warning that danger was fast approaching so I flicked my feet in order to rise upwards, turning towards where I sensed the danger. "Captain Ackbar, I suggest you rally your troops." I said before pointing. "The Quarren are coming, and they are not alone." My warning provided time to organise the warriors of Mon Cala into defensive lines as I swam over to Padmé and the prince in order to ensure their safety as entire squadrons of Quarren as well as aquatic droids came swiftly upon the city. Soon enough the water was alive with blaster fire, red and blue luminous streaks flying across the water as the two sides engaged.
After the initial bombardment had passed over, it was safe to move outside where the captain led us to one of the frontal assaults so that we could see how the battle was faring, though the Mon Calamari troops rallied their spirits at the sight of their prince joining them, though he seemed afraid of the prospect of being in danger, but did his best to hide it as he answered Captain Ackbar's request for orders. "Stay where you are and hold the line."
"If I may suggest, Captain, we should take the prince to a safer place until the Republic reinforcements arrive." Anakin suggested, but the captain informed us all that this was a decision that only Prince Lee-Char could make since, as leader of the Mon Calamari, he was also their military leader. "Your Highness, this is not a wise decision, and you know it. Forget your tradition, this is war." Although strategically, Anakin's suggestion made sense to protect the prince first and foremost, it would mean the loss of morale among the warriors of the Mon Cala, and the prince seemed to understand this as he announced that he intended to stay with his people, and ordered the captain to press the attack.
"A brave choice, Prince Lee-Char." I said to him as I floated between him and the senator. "You do your people proud." The advance of the Separatist and Quarren attack continued to push towards us, though the Mon Calamari held firm in their defensive line.
"I need to get some troops behind those Separatist droids. Come on, I know a shortcut." Having no choice but to follow him as he was under our protection, we each of us swam after the prince. He signalled a few of his troops and had them join us as we moved towards one of the long tubes which ran all through the city, carrying stronger currents as a means to travel faster through the water. We could see the battle clearly from within the tube, and I was dismayed to see that the enemy forces greatly outnumbered ours. "We'll come out right behind them." Prince Lee-Char informed us all as we continued to swim, Anakin saying that it was a good plan before suddenly, I sensed danger from above.
"Look out!" Anakin shouted just as I pulled myself up to halt, a massive chunk of the city's outer wall falling from where it had degraded in stability after the bombardment and as it dropped, I surged forwards with my arms out wide in order to push Padmé and Anakin ahead, catching the prince as well in order to force us all out of the way as the debris smashed through the tube and created a vacuum as the current escaped and pulled the warriors who had been following us down into the abyss below.
"What do we do now?"
"Well, we got to come up with another plan." Anakin responded dryly as the enemy started to advance beyond the defensive line. "Any ideas?"
"Our only choice now is to wait for the Jedi reinforcements." The prince responded as I swam forwards and pulled at his arm.
"We cannot wait here, in any case, it is too exposed. We should move before we are spotted." Moving quickly, we found a defendable position to hold where Anakin and I protected both the prince and Senator Amidala, deflecting blaster bolts as they came from almost every direction until the reinforcements we had been promised finally arrived. I sensed Ahsoka and even Master Fisto the moment they entered the ocean from above and upon lifting my head witnessed a deployment of clone troopers with them, evening the battlefield.
"Anakin, I'm going to look for Senator Tills. Hopefully she's still alive." Already on the move in order to carry out her intentions, Padmé did not give Anakin a chance to argue as she swam away so I sheathed my weapon and made to follow her.
"Stay with the prince, Anakin. You may leave the senators to me." I assured him, sensing his rather overwhelming concern for the young senator as she swam away. With a few quick flicks of my feet to carry me forward, I touched Padmé on her shoulder in order to pull her up, deflecting a few blaster bolts before pointing downwards. "We need to get below the line of fire, it'll be safer to search that way." Nodding her head, we both dove down, searching for the Mon Calamari senator. "There!" Pointing upon spotting her, we both swam in her direction to find her wounded with only two guards to defend her and a great deal of Quarren and Separatist droids aiming for her.
Padmé quickly drew her blaster as I swam forwards directly into the droid midst, cutting them to pieces before then Force pushing the Quarren away through the water, holding my lightsaber up in preparation. "It is not my wish to harm you. Leave now and return to your homes in peace." Waving my hand through the water I compelled the Force into their minds, prompting them to come under its influence and after a moment, they all let go of their weapons and swam away from us, though more droids were rapidly incoming.
"Anakin, we need your help down here. Its Senator Tills, I need help getting her to safety, we're at the base of the palace, and hurry!" Padmé sensibly called for support as we were becoming overwhelmed, even with me taking on dozens upon dozens of droids. Using the Force, I turned one of the aqua-droids around to fire upon its own, taking down those that were on the approach before then launching it against a Quarren underwater speeder to make them both explode as the Quarren quickly let go.
"We must move! We'll be dead in no time if we stay out in the open!" I called to the others, swimming down in order to see Senator Tills. "Can you swim, senator?"
"Yes, I think so." Nodding my head, I signalled for Padmé and the two guards to get going whilst I covered their escape, defending them as we all began to move to a safer place, though I was grateful for when Anakin arrived in order to help. Together, we were able to hold off both the Quarren and the aqua-droids until both senators were safe and I could go searching for the prince and Ahsoka, who had been left in charge of his protection. They were easy to locate as Ahsoka and I still maintained a strong connection through the Force, so upon calling out to her, we were able to move towards each other quickly.
"Little 'Soka, you have done well." I said to her as we met upon the lower regions of the city, well below the fighting which was beginning to subside. "Prince Lee-Char, I trust you are unharmed?"
"I'm alive thanks to this Jedi here. I owe her my life." He informed me, making me give Ahsoka a proud look before we had to move to rendezvous with the others. Grabbing a speeder each, we followed the coordinates to where Master Fisto was observing the retreat of the aqua-droids who were beginning to return to the surface. Anakin and Padmé were there also, Senator Tills resting in order to recover as the prince swam down to see her. "Senator Tills, I'm glad to see you're safe."
"You must prepare to dictate terms for a Quarren surrender." Hearing the senator instruct the prince I tuned out their conversation in favour of focusing on the retreating enemy as I swam lightly towards the others who had gathered and Master Fisto even smiled to me. My instincts told me that this was not over, and the worst was still yet to come.
"Theca, what a pleasant surprise to see you here."
"Did you expect me to sit somewhere safe and merely observe my surroundings, Master Fisto?" I answered lightly as he offered me his vision scope, allowing me to observe the retreat of the droids to the surface more clearly, as well as the Quarren and a number of droids below the coral reef. There movements were coordinated and smooth, which made me suspect that they were planned with the intent to either reform their ranks or to begin the next stage of their assault, and neither possibilities were particularly comforting.
"Not at all, your presence is merely unexpected. I did not think you would elect to remain here after a mission of diplomacy had become a battlefield of civil war." Unable to help myself, I turned a somewhat amused look to Master Fisto, enjoying the light hearted company he afforded as a comfortable ease seemed to settle between us. "It is good that you remained. I sense we will need all the help we can find if we are to win this fight."
"I agree, Master Fisto, unfortunate as it is." Returning the vision scope to him, I swam a little higher as I noticed that something was beginning to glow from below. A soft yellowish light rising from the depths of the dark waters, drawing everyone's attention as we received the first sight of the newest threat. Giant mechanical creatures with huge domed heads with a broad, flat underbelly and long tendrils which crackled with energy. A daunting feeling started to rise in my stomach, causing a chilled shiver to touch me until I felt Master Fisto's hand upon my shoulder, easing it away.
"We have no defence against those!" The prince gaped in fearful shock as the rest of us continued to watch the creatures rise, spellbound by their presence. Master Fisto recovered first, ordering all troops to their battle stations and I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to try and fight these creatures in order to protect the senators and the prince. Drawing my lightsaber I gripped the hilt and both blades appeared with a thrum of sound, water bubbling around them from the heat and light of the bright turquoise hue.
"Do not fire until the prince gives the command!" Captain Ackbar conveyed to the Mon Calamari who were with us, everyone taking up a defensive line as we awaited those creatures to move into range. We waited, watching the creatures rise higher and higher until their underbellies were exposed, along with the rippling, electrified tendrils. "Now your highness." Giving the order, the prince called his men to attack and the clones also engaged with the assault. Sensing more enemies below us, I signalled to Anakin, Master Fisto and Ahsoka to be ready as the first wave came at us from the front, and the second from behind.
I swam around in order to defend the rear, ending up back to back with Master Fisto who was able to breathe underwater without a mask and oxygen tank, making him far more agile in the water than myself, as my diving gear weighed me down. Still, it was easier to focus on one direction with the knowledge that someone was behind you, protecting your undefended side. Crippling the rear attack, we could now focus on what lay before us as I swiftly detached my lightsaber to wield it as two separate weapons, trying to cut through one of the electrified tendrils as everyone began to retreat in order to find safety. "Anakin, go! I'll hold them off."
"As will I." I added, slicing through an entire aqua-droid to cleave it in two whilst my other blade deflected blaster bolts, returning them back so that they shot through the droids themselves. Looking up, I saw Master Fisto send his water speeder up into the underbelly of one of the mechanical creatures, a bright explosion following as it crashed before he then swam down to me just as I dispatched the last of the droids. "You look to be enjoying yourself, Master Fisto." I mused as I sheathed my weapon, moving out of the path of one of the tendrils as I noted Master Fisto's smile. Smiling suited him. He was altogether a very warm and good looking person, something that I now took note of.
"It is important to take enjoyment in the little things, Theca. Come, we should go." Agreeing that it would be unwise to linger, I swam down as Master Fisto took off, able to swim much quicker than me as we made to follow the others as they began to disappear from sight into the darker depths of the ocean. He paused, however, turning back to see me falling behind and returned. Flashing me his smile, Master Fisto placed an arm around my waist to pull me close before then diving downwards with me, the two of us swimming together making for a swifter retreat. I felt a slight sense of awkwardness at being pressed so close to Master Fisto as I had never really been so physically close to anyone in this manner before other than my master, so it was a strange new experience.
We released one another upon reaching the underwater caverns and I timidly thanked him for his help before swimming along inside to join everyone else. Very few of us remained, which was a little disheartening, but all of our primary charges were still present and accounted for, which was something at least. From here we regrouped, gathering together in order to decide our next move. I turned my gaze upwards, sensing a disturbance in the Force. Darkness had taken grip of this world, and I feared we may be too late to release it if we did not strengthen our resolve and find a means to swiftly put an end to this conflict. With all my beliefs now held I question, I could not help but wonder if this would be the day I would have to cast them aside in order to defend these people from becoming victims of another pointless war.