I, Jedi: Guardian of the Republic

Antonius Roth Croft

Will be combining elements of both Legends and Canon for this story. Character based on a build from Jedi: Guardian of the Republic - Star Wars CYOA.

Throughout the Clone Wars many Jedi has stepped up and became military leaders overnight. Leading the charge, many of them became war heroes of their own right: "The Negotiator", "The Hero with No Fear" were just some to emerge as well-known personalities. However, on the sidelines fighting the good fight and the silent battles was a Jedi Knight, intent on saving people as the war progresses, "The Guardian of the Republic" he is fondly called by most who know his deeds. Follow his story as his deals from the threats from outside and within the Clone Wars.

Chapter 1 – The Horrors of War and End of an Era:

Geonosian Arena, Geonosis – 22 BBY:

As soon as my old mentor Master Ki-Adi-Mundi and the Master of the Order Master Mace Windu approached me about what were they going to do in Geonosis, I knew two things that will happen – either a bloodbath, or a massacre. I recalled the easygoing laughs my fellow Jedi shared as we board the shuttles on our way to where Skywalker, Master Kenobi and Senator Amidala were. I remembered the aura of confidence many of our Knights had before the first shot rang out. I remembered the easygoing nature of the Masters, seeing that a task force of 212 Jedi will be enough to intimidate the opposing leadership to reconsider…How wrong we all were.

If Master Yoda joined us here in the arena, I can already anticipate what he is about to say regarding this. Maybe along the lines of "How terrible, war is". Master Trebor went down in seconds, Knights and Masters suddenly caught off-guard by the sheer numbers of the newly-revealed battle droids. The native Geonosians, causing trouble and confusion among the place. Our element of surprise was ruined in just mere seconds.

Despite my accurate prediction, unfortunately for me, the Jedi Order, and the Republic, it is both a bloodbath and massacre. The sounds and clanking of battle droids rang throughout the arena with their monotonous marching and heavy footsteps that are truly deafening in the ears. The sight and smell of smoke and fallen bodies were difficult to look at. Many of my Jedi brothers and sisters lay unmoving in the ground, surrounded by similarly rigid bodies of the Geonosians or the destroyed battle droids that swarmed the area. Our numbers, from two hundred, down to a hundred, down to fifty, now not even half of it.

Thank the Force that I had extensively studied Soresu for more than a decade and I dare say, master it – to a degree that batting bolts away with minimal scratches was a routine for me. Moving a little closer to my aging Cerean mentor, I joked despite the serious environment. "Does this top off the most dangerous mission we took, Master Ki?" as we both deflect back the barrage of blaster fire in our way. Using Ataru's acrobatics to dodge the incoming blaster fire, I utilized Form IV's quick movements to leap and destroy the droids surrounding me. Master Ki, being second only to Yoda in terms of mastery of Ataru tutored me well in Form IV to become proficient with it.

"It does indeed my Padawan," he intones seriously. Quickly sobering up at his grim voice, I moved closer to the group of battle droids before easily dispatching them with the fluid movements of Shii-Cho. But even then, the battalions of these droids are quickly outpacing my tired defense before suddenly they stopped as a man dressed in silky and elegant attire spoke above with such command. Master Dooku, one of the Order's most celebrated masters, now one of its biggest stains, was a man of duality as I've observed – an enigma undecipherable to friends and foes alike. "Master Windu. You have fought gallantly. Worthy of recognition in the archives of the Jedi Order. Now it is finished. Surrender and your lives will be spared," the Count of Serenno stoically spoke.

Outgunned, outmaneuvered, surrounded in the mercy of Count Dooku, who was watching and gazing at us, both pityingly and with a smug air of confidence, Master Windu stonily declares that we will stand our ground and not to be bartered as hostages. The Count mutters an offhanded apology before ordering his forces to continue closing in on us…but I've felt a powerful presence in the Force before the droids could continue shooting at our remaining task force. In the nick of time, Grandmaster Yoda had arrived, and he was not alone. Reinforcing our depleted numbers were the men in white armor, moving cohesively as they laid down covering fire for us. I let out a sigh of relief as I continued using Soresu to catch the stray bolts. Covering fire rained from the allied gunships as one of the white-armored troopers looks at me inquisitively, "Orders, General?"

Baffled at his addressing of me as General, I complied nonetheless, "Pick off any droid stragglers, lay down covering fire while we evacuate." The troopers complied as Master Ki motioned me to come up to one of the ships. "These troopers are clones," my former mentor explained, "They are hailed or rather, produced in Kamino by the Kaminoan Cloners by a single DNA."

"Whose?" I asked

"One of the men from earlier, beside Count Dooku and his array of politicians – a Mandalorian named Jango Fett."

"Are you certain about this, Master?"

"Yes, Antonius. Knight Kenobi has said so, this is precisely why we knew where the clones are located, and where Kenobi was captured."

Our conversation was hastily dropped as we were deployed in the midst of battle once again, Master Ki hastily broke off as he led a group of troopers up front with vigor, I hopped down the shuttle before noticing a battalion of troopers behind, seemingly awaiting orders as they all look towards me.

"Alright," I raised my voice amidst the chaos going around, "Who among you is in-charge of this detachment?"

"That would be me, sir!," said a voice with yellow stripes stepped forward among the other troopers, "Commander CC-5246, General."

"Alright Commander, I assume that you're trained for this?," upon seeing his nod I continued, "Well then, I am not much of a soldier as you, but if you're willing to trust me, I might be able to come up with a plan to push us forward." The commander instantly affirmed his agreement, so I continued "Alright, keep your head down, stay away from those transports and let's go!" I leapt from the piece of rock I was covering and deflected the incoming bolts coming towards us.

"Get someone to tell artillery and blow those places up to the moon! Enemy leaders might be cooping up there" I ordered again before batting away a swath of blaster fire as we continued another push forward. Seeing another batch of core ships leaving, I ordered a group of the troopers carrying launchers to open fire on those aircrafts, blowing at least three of them in the process. Overhearing the chattercoms was that Dooku himself was making an escape and a squad of troopers led by Kenobi and Skywalker are in hot pursuit.

"Come let's go, let's go!," I barked, "Stay scattered! It will make you harder targets!" Looking over to my left and right, I saw Aayla and Master Fisto both leading troops as another batch of troopers and armored transport came to the ground. Republic ships continued to bombard both ground and air forces of the enemy – helping us continue our advance.

After quite some time we managed to cut through the droid defense with our aerial superiority and me and the Clone Commander coordinated the men to blast ground forces of the Separatist. After the deadly and long battle, I approached my Master as we contemplated what had transpired and ended just a few minutes ago.

"Are these troopers a fixture going forward?," I inquired once the battle was over.

Master Mundi responded at once, "They will be, my old Padawan. War has now begun and will be inevitable – this is perhaps the only course of action both the Jedi and the Republic will have."

"We are keepers of peace, Master," I tried to protest to my mentor – whom, after Masters Yoda and Windu, the third-most senior among the High Council, "We are excellent as individual warriors but look what happened to our fallen brethren hours ago in the arena, this might spell our doom."

"I know that, Antonius, but who else will take charge? Mind you that before today, we have no legitimate standing military, only mere planetary forces and local defense fleets. This will change it," the Cerean insists as he looked at me before speaking again. "You will be requested to lead an army, Antonius, and even as a Padawan, Master Rancisis has praised your excellent and innate talents in tactics, even above normal standards. You have displayed it once again today – considering that the battalion you have commanded lost minimal casualties."

"As loathe I am to agree, Master, but you are right – we have no choice," I said grimly as we surveyed the terrifying visage of the battlefield.

"Ah, General!," Commander CC-5246 saluted as I approached them following my talk with my master. All the other men tried to stand up and salute but I gestured my hands off-handedly as if to say that not to bother.

"Commander," I intoned, sitting down with the troopers. "Call me Antonius or Roth, please. Any word on communications so far?"

"Yes sir, it seems that Count Dooku has escaped, along with most of the Separatist leadership," the commander prompts.

"Most?"

"Yes sir, word just got out that President Shu Mai of the Commerce Guild and her aides were killed in one of the Core Ships you have ordered to be dispatched. Two other senators, Po Nudo and Tikkes are also listed among the KIA, sir."

I nodded in response to the quick report "Has this been relayed to the Jedi High Council?"

"Yes sir, Masters Yoda and Windu are already briefed by the other Commanders."

"Good," I say, "How're you boys there?" I asked the collective troopers within my range. Rouses of "Fine, General" and "Alright, General" were voiced out by the individuals I fought beside moments earlier.

"Are all clones called by numbers, Commander?," I asked him meaningfully after I noticed they all call each other by numbers and letters.

"Well, they are our clone designations, sir, but some have already…named themselves based on their reputation or their own personality."

"How about you, Commander? Do you have one?"

"Truthfully, General, well I haven't thought about that yet."

I chuckled lightly before pausing for a moment to come up with a name for the Commander, "How about Rook?"

The clone commander was perplexed, "Rook, sir?"

"It fits you," I explained. "Rooks in chess for that matter, an armored figure, a fortress if you will. You, my friend are now one of the Republic's protectors given your role in this battle. In chess, after the Queen, it is the Rook that is one of the most sought after pieces in the board."

CC-5246 became thoughtful before nodding, "I like it General, thank you sir."

"Anytime, Commander."

After conversing with some more clones and then sensing that I was needed elsewhere, I bid farewell to the men. "Rest, well, Commander Rook, I feel that you and I will be hearing more from each other in the succeeding days. May the Force be with you and great work, Commander. Troopers."

"Thank you, General, a pleasure to serve under you sir."

Military Operations Centre, Coruscant – 22 BBY (Between a week to a month after the Battle of Geonosis):

A mass funeral pyre was held in honor of those died. A few Padawans, a handful of Masters but more so was the large number were Jedi Knights who died in line of duty. Being friends with several of the Knights there and knowing some of the Masters, including Master Trebor, was particularly hard for me. As someone who chafes under the rule of no attachments, I mourned those deaths, yet as the masters would say – take comfort on the knowledge they did their duty until the very end.

Geonosis…was hard, we lost many good beings because of the Separatist's and their quest of greed. The Chancellor and the Senate have been in uproar, military laws and bills suddenly being passed left and right and the Chancellor himself has been given emergency powers, for all that good it has; not to mention how Republic propaganda embellished and romanticized Geonosis, absolutely butchering the sacrifices the troops and the Jedi did. It made me felt disgusted, to use the dead for that.

It turns out that the Clones were indeed correct to call us "Generals", as we were quickly commissioned to the Grand Army of the Republic – with members of the High Council as Jedi High Generals, Knights as well as Masters as Jedi Generals and Padawans as Jedi Commanders. I myself was assigned to the 141st Clone Legion, under the command of none other than CC-5246, but I have yet to meet the men, nor my Fleet Commander at that regard – a certain Captain Jan Dodonna. Looking the man up was a veteran of the Stark-Hyperspace War and an expert in space tactics and strategy. Making it a point of studying military tactics and strategy as a Padawan, I only hope to contribute meaningfully in the larger operations this war will inevitably have. Issuing a quick message in our newly founded legion's channel, I requested the Clone's staff officers as well as Captain Dodonna to meet me on our flagship's command center.

Going to the assigned post to meet the officers, I marveled at the interior of the flagship assigned to our unit when both Commander CC-5246, a few other staff officers and Captain Dodonna met up with me as we came face-to-face for the first time.

"Commander Rook, Captain Dodonna, troopers," I greeted the assembled group of military men.

"General Croft," Captain Dodonna greeted, shaking hands with me as the clones saluted.

"At ease, gentlemen," I say, "I just wanted to meet those who I will be serving with. Captain Dodonna, I have read and am impressed of your track record during and after the Stark-Hyperspace War, it is an honor to have you commanding the fleet," I said with a smile on my face.

The man quirked an eyebrow in surprise but accepts the praise nonetheless, "Thank you, General. I have also acquainted myself with your exploits with the Republic Judicials," he said. "You are a well-known figure in law-enforcement, your fight against the criminals of the Underworld have given you quite a reputation."

"Is that so?" I asked in genuine curiosity. While I did indeed have my fair share of incursions with some of the galaxy's darkest scum, I never thought it would amount a personal interest from others; I also faintly noticed that the clones were also displaying interest on our topic.

"Yes indeed sir, The Bane of Rouges is quite nice of a name for someone who spent his years assisting the Judicials," he said smiling.

I turned to the clone commander and his troopers, whom share similar faces except for their hairs, which they personalized for their likings, "Commander Rook, my thanks for you and the men in Geonosis."

"Thank you sir," Rook says gratefully, "Just only doing our duty."

After some introductions, I also pointed out during the meeting and emphasized that there will be no…discriminations between the clones and the Republic Officers, most if not all of which are humans. Being Morellian myself, I did not want some prejudices coloring the perception of the men who basically saved the Jedi's lives in Geonosis. Seeing as Captain Dodonna reassuring us that he will not tolerate any of those discriminations himself made me more comfortable around the navy commander. As we talk and discuss the unit's activities, something unexpected happened.

"Our marching orders have not yet been relayed," I said, "And our legion is still in its final formation, I would like a demonstration of-," the words I was about to say were quickly cut-off when the ship's doors opened and someone walked towards the command center. Looking at the figure was a kid, one of the Temple's younglings or perhaps a Padawan just lost.

"May I help you, young one?," I asked the boy.

The said youngling nodded his head, "Is this the flagship of Knight Antonius Croft, Master?"

"Indeed it is," I replied. "Something in the matter-?"

He shook his head, "Padawan Roel Jettz, master. I was sent here by Master Yoda to let you know that I will be assigned to you as your Padawan," he said, grinning lightly.

Confusion marred on our faces as Captain Dodonna looked towards Commander Rook who looked towards me. "Perhaps you are mistaken, my friend," I say placatingly, "I have not submitted any request to take a Padawan learner."

It was now the youngling's time to be confused, "Masters Yoda and Mundi said to look for you, Master Croft. And to tell you that I have been assigned to you as your Padawan learner."

Sighing and not wanting to crush the young kid's hopes, I replied in return, "Alright then, you may stay. Afterwards we'll go to the Temple."

Finishing and bidding farewell to the other officers, and en route to the Jedi Temple, I asked the young Jedi as we board a Republic shuttle, "Did Master Yoda really assigned you to me?"

Nodding his head at once, Roel, if I remember his name correctly, replied, "Yes, I was to learn under Antonius Croft as a Jedi Padawan."

Reluctantly accepting the answer despite my own…concerns and doubts as a teacher, I intoned, "Did you learn anything from the meeting with the Clone officers and Captain Dodonna?"

The Padawan agreed, "I did, it was informative, Master. To say the least."

"Indeed it was," I concurred, "But perhaps this is my own opinion coloring the matter but – we as Jedi should not have been part of the GAR."

"Why not?" he asks as we land at the Temple Hangar Bay.

"We are not trained as soldiers, my young friend, we have not been ever since the Ruusan Reformation. To be suddenly conscripted of military service is disconcertening," I say as he listens quietly.

Jedi High Council Chambers, Coruscant:

While I sense that the Padawan has not yet fully comprehended my reasoning, I let the matter go as we head towards the Council Chambers. Approaching the Chamber's doors, I motioned Roel to present himself properly as we entered the room and saw Master Yoda meditating alone, possibly contemplating by himself at his council seat.

"Master Croft, Padawan Jettz. Returned, you both have."

"Indeed Master Yoda, care to enlighten me of this?," I said lightly gesturing my hand on my companion.

Master Yoda only chuckles to himself, as if amused on his own joke, "Nothing to explain, I have, young Holt. Your new Padawan, Roel Jettz is. Yeesssssss."

"With all due respect, Master but I have not requested to take one. I am not ready yet, and with the war going on, it's hardly the time and place," stepping forward as my apprentice took a step back.

"For us to know whether it is the time or place, it is not. Nor ready or not should you be," Yoda lectured, "Provides answers, the Force does, heed its will, we must."

I suddenly closed on him and whispered, "I am afraid to fail, master. I am afraid to fail others depending on me," before retreating back to my original place.

Yoda narrowed his eyes before speaking again, this time with no hint of humor and delivered in a stoical tone "Not your fault, the mission at Rokis V was, saved many lives you still did," tapping his gimer stick for emphasis, "The greatest teacher, failure is," Yoda declares.

Blowing another sigh, I merely accepted the Force, or the Grandmaster's decision in this matter, "Yes of course, Master Yoda."

"A privilege, teaching is. Qualities of a good teacher, you possess," he added before closing his eyes once again and meditated.

Nodding mutely, me and Roel excused ourselves and exited the Council Chambers. But my internal struggle had not yet dissipated. Realizing that I need to talk to my Padawan, I said, "You heard that I am reluctant to take a Padawan, being young myself."

"Yes master, but Master Yoda said you'll be up for the task."

"I think that the Grandmaster's faith in my abilities might be coloring his judgement, after all I did spend a lot of time with Master Yoda in my youth."

"All the more reason to trust you then, Master Holt," Roel states clearly. While Jedi do their best to school their emotions, I was perhaps moved by my new Padawan's show of faith, I quietly resolved to do what I can to help him grow as well.

"If you are sure then," I challenged, "Let me test your abilities in our training hall. I want to test your abilities," much to Roel's agreement.