The sand. The screams. The blade of light. Crashing into the ugly beasts.
The memory haunts him still. The fear he felt. The anger. Was it right? Was it the Jedi way?
No. Focus.
Focus on our mission.
The sounds from the battle grow as the troop transport nears. It is one of several on their way to provide backup for the The 187th Legion. They were surprise attacked by the Separatist Droid Army. Contact was lost soon after their commander Jedi Master Mace Widu send a distress message.
Anakin Skywalker has seen his share of war. He has seen how easily a battalion of clone troopers could be overwhelmed. It was difficult for Anakin to shake the thought that they may be too late.
Although Anakin and Mace had bucked heads in the past, he knew Mace was a fierce warrior. He may not be a friend, but he was a comrade in the war.
Anakin knew his mission. But on the sandy remote planet of Jakku, he was reminded of his home. He was reminded of the last time he visited.
He thought of his mother. The promise he made her and how he failed her.
A clone trooper turned to Anakin. "General Skywalker, we are approaching our target."
"Very good. Be ready for deployment." He lifted the transmitter up to speak into. "Pilots, get us as close as we can. And pick up the pace."
The side doors on the troop transport lifted, displaying the clone troops inside. About a dozen or so in each. All wearing the same white armor. They are the 501st Legion.
With the doors open, Anakin could see the approaching lights from the blasters. The red and blue blasters combined to created a purple hue above the battle. The suns are set. The only light for miles around are from the battle infront of them.
"Keep us low. We don't want them to see us coming." Anakin orders into the transmitter.
As the transporters lower closer to the planet floor, the wind from the crafts spray sand everywhere. It's corse and rough. Just how Anakin will always remember.
But he is no child now. He has been trained by the Jedi Order. He has faced Sith Lords. He has been to war.
Anakin begins to get a clear view of the battle.
The 187th Legion is pinned down in a small settlers town. Surrounded by hundreds of battle droids.
Why are there so many? How did they get here so fast? The space around the planet was clear of cruisers.
Those questions will have to be answered later.
Anakin has think of a plan. Quick.
Luckily, that's his specialty.
"Pilots, 'V' formation behind me. Gunners be ready. We're going to pierce through till we get to Mace."
Anakin takes a closer look at the battle field through a telescope.
It's difficult to make anything out through the blaster fire. Then Anakin finds what he's looking for. A deep purple line of light slashes through a group of droids and reflects several blasters blames hitting another row of droids.
"There!" Anakin points. "We found him."
The transport ships reorient themselves in the direction of his order.
The transport gunners begin firing on the unsuspecting droids. Just as Anakin hoped, they didn't notice them approaching.
The transports blast their way through rows of battle droids. Fire rains down on them, clearing a path through the surrounding army.
They land their ships in the center of the settlement town where the battalion is holding its ground. The troopers deploy from the ship blasting the enemy to reinforce the defenses of their brothers-in-arms.
Anakin is right next to them. Using his lightsaber to deflect blasts, both protecting and attacking.
Anakin spots Mace on the front line and makes his way towards him.
Mace slices through droid after droid, but there are just too many of them. The droids in front of him distract him from the super battle droid approaching from behind.
It raises its arm towards Mace. Two canons emerge from its metallic wrist.
Mace feels it's threat. He knows he won't be able to take out the super battle droid before he's fired upon. His mastery of the Force has empowered Mace to make physical feats that few can. But even the Force has its limits.
A red line appears diagonally across the supper battle droid. Its glowing red eyes flicker off before it slides apart along the red line.
Between to two fallen chucks of droid stands Anakin with his lightsaber drawn.
"Master Kenobi said that you may be in some trouble."