Ezra and Caleb stood their ground on Pantora. Senator Riyo Chuchi had sent out a distress signal informing the Republic of an invasion of the Dark Forces before they had suddenly lost contact with her. That was three days ago and although the Jedi and their Clones as well as a handful of Pantorans had made some headway, they knew that time was running short for the Senator. Depa Billaba had joined them with her newest Padawan, Petna Broxi, just that morning though and so they had been hopeful about breaching the Dark Forces lines that afternoon.
Now, however, even with the addition of two more Jedi and a whole legion of Clones, it felt like the enemy had added an equivalent amount of soldiers to keep their pace the same. "This isn't working." Depa shouted to Caleb "We need to fall back." Caleb sliced his opponent in half and replied "You're right. Ezra, Petna, let's go." The two younger Jedi were reluctant to give up, but they obeyed their Masters, helping to protect the Clones as they retreated.
XXX
Later, as they gathered around the same plans to the city they had stared at yesterday, Depa said "I've got it. If we can get Riyo out of the city, they have lost not only their biggest leverage over us, but their biggest reason to stay here as well." "We knew that already Master." Caleb said, not seeing where his old Master was going with this. "Look, there is a sewer system that empties out close to where we are stationed here. Granted you, nor I nor the Clones could fit in there, but Ezra and Petna could and I remember the Senator, she is about their size, she will fit if that is necessary."
Caleb looked at Ezra, not sure if his Padawan was ready for such a big mission where he would be virtually alone. Yes Petna would be there, but she had even less experience then Ezra did, this being her first battle and all. Depa seemed to sense the reason behind her old Padawan's hesitation, for she said "They can handle this Caleb, you just have to trust them." Caleb sighed, knowing she was right. Ezra eyed his Master eagerly, hoping that he would listen to his former Master.
Caleb sighed once more and said "Alright, they can go, but we need to draw as much of the attention and, hopefully, fire power as far away from them as we can." "Agreed." Depa replied, "Come Petna, Ezra, we will take you to your starting point but then you're on your own. Ezra will be in charge simply since he has been a Padawan longer, so listen to him Petna." Petna didn't seem too pleased with this arrangement, but she didn't question her Master as they headed in the direction of the sewer pipes.
XXX
They had only gotten around the first bend and already Ezra wasn't sure if we was ever going to be able to smell anything but the noxious smells that filled the air around him. At least the good thing about the fumes was that they kept him from having to argue with Petna about his decisions. Not that he was sure he would have to anyways, but he knew she wasn't happy following his orders. He looked back over his shoulder at the brown haired human. Her eyes were so dark that they could almost have been called black, but there was still enough hints of brown to tell their true color.
The next bend they had to take completely engulfed them in darkness. He hesitated for a second before igniting his green lightsaber, not really sure if it wouldn't ignite the fumes, but his need to see where he was going won out. Thankfully it didn't and Petna quickly followed his example, igniting her green lightsaber. Ezra had memorized the directions on his way to the sewer entrance and it was a good thing he did, for it left his other hand free to cover his face and mouth in a desperate attempt to keep the smells at bay.
Finally after many more twist and turns they reached the destination their Masters had chosen for their exit. It was only as the fresh air reached them that the Padawans realized that their eyes were watering. They were both thankful their sense of smell wasn't as strong as some of the galaxy's species. After taking a minute to just breathe, Petna asked "Which way do we go from here?" Ezra pulled up a mini map of the city on the holo pad he had clipped to his belt.
"That is a good question since we don't know where they are holding her." He replied, "We need a way to travel around where we won't be seen or at least noticed, but definitely not the sewers." The last part he said quickly as he saw a horrified look cross Petna's face. They looked around and saw no way other than sneaking carefully to get anywhere however so Ezra said "You keep an eye out behind us and I'll scope out a way in front of us. She is probably being held in the most secure looking building around so once we find that we will figure out from there how to break her out."
"We're going to have to go into the sewers again aren't we?" asked Petna, wrinkling her nose at the thought of the smells. "Not necessarily, but it is highly probable." Petna sighed and said "Well let's get this over with so we don't have to smell the inside of one again for a long time." Ezra nodded and started making his way through the streets, being mindful of where the Dark Forces were at all times.
XXX
After many false steps, a few of which almost led to their discovery, Ezra and Petna arrived at the place they were pretty sure held Senator Chuchi. They had gotten their information by listening into Dark Force troops and commanders that passed them, unaware that two Jedi were within their reach. The door was well guarded which besides making that entrance not possible for them, seemed to confirm that the Senator was within those walls. Looking around, Ezra found a ventilator shaft opening and, after giving Petna a leg up, Force jumped into it himself.
Since Petna was in front and it was too small for them to switch positions, Petna led the way through the building. Anytime they heard someone they would stop to listen to the conversation to see if they could learn anything useful from it. Most times it was just soldiers swapping stories, or someone giving some random cleaning order. But finally they heard something that was useful for them, the location of the Senator.
After a few false turns which ended up putting Ezra in the lead, they finally found the room where they were keeping the Senator locked up in. They carefully took in all the details they could see from the grate both within and outside of the room. There was a window, but it would be too small even for them, so the only way they would be getting her out of there would be the way they were, for there were not only two guards right outside her door, but some several doors away in what could only be described as a hastily designated mess hall.
Heading a few turns away, they hastily decided on a plan to get her out of there, before returning to the grate above her room. Petna then went "psst" to get the Senator's attention, which she was successful in doing so. Once they saw that Chuchi had seen them and wouldn't be startled and therefore make any sound to give them away, Ezra dropped down into the room. After motioning her over, he used the Force to first help her up into the shaft and then bring himself back up into it.
The Senator started to thank them, but Petna quickly put up a finger to her lip to keep her from speaking. Then the three of them, led by Ezra, started making their way back the same direction that the two young Jedi had come, this time managing to only make a wrong turn once. By the time they were once again free from the air ventilation system, the Senator's presence still hadn't been missed.
They cautiously made their way to a place where they could talk, though in whispers. "Senator, do you know of a way out of here?" asked Ezra. Riyo shook her head and said "Not that isn't well guarded by now I am sure." Petna sighed and said "We're going to have to go back in, aren't we?" Riyo gave a confused look as Ezra nodded grimly before saying "Forgive us Senator, but we will have to take you out the way we got in, through the sewers."
"That's alright, better than being their prisoner after all." Chuchi responded, though she did grimace a bit at the thought of the smells that awaited them. Ezra looked around before motioning them to follow him. He didn't dare take the Senator out in the open as much as he and Petna had been when searching for her, but he didn't want to get into the sewers too soon either.
Soon they had gone as far as he dared push it. Using the Force, he lifted the grate so that first Petna, then the Senator and finally himself could jump down into it. Just as the grate settled back into place, they heard several troopers rushing by overhead. "How could the Senator have gotten out of her room?" They heard one ask, though they didn't hear the reply. Petna and Ezra shared a look. They were out of time, they must get the Senator out of there while they still could.
Hastily they made their way through the unfamiliar part of the sewers, aided by the map that Ezra had. Both Jedi were surprised at the lack of complaints from the Senator. Most officials either of them had ever seen seemed to be a bit pompous, but Riyo Chuchi seemed ready to take on anything. If Ezra had to guess her age he would put her around his own Master's and Ahsoka's age, meaning she had been around during the Clone Wars, which probably explained it.
Soon they found the literal light at the end of the tunnel, and after once again taking several deep breaths to get the sewer out of their noses, they started leading her towards the nearest base they had set up. Suddenly something in the Force screamed at both of them and they pulled out their lightsabers, both deflecting bullets aimed at the Senator.
Looking in the direction the shots came from, they both saw what looked to be a small scouting group of the enemy. They could also see one of them talking into a com, which meant that it wouldn't stay a small group for long. "Run!" Petna shouted, mainly at the Senator, who obeyed the order without hesitation while Ezra grabbed his own com and said "Master, we have the Senator, but a scout caught sight of us and fired. We are fine, but we won't be for long if the com we saw has anything to say about it."
"We'll be right there Ezra." Caleb responded. Both Padawan hoped that was sooner rather than later, as they rushed in the direction of the base, deflecting shots whenever necessary. For once, the base was deserted, all troops having been called out to help keep the enemy distracted. "Do you have a spare gun?" Chuchi asked. "You know how to shoot?" asked Petna. "Of course, I did live through the Clone Wars after all. Besides, I believe one should know how to protect oneself. Now do you?" Ezra found one and handed it to her, watching as she expertly aimed and fired, taking out one of their pursuers.
"Petna, stay with the Senator." Ezra shouted as he rushed at the enemy. Petna obeyed, keeping busy blocking shots that were fired in their general direction. Ezra deflected shots aimed at him until he reached the group; then, being careful not to turn his back on them, he started swinging his blade, aiming more to injure then to kill. Just when it looked like things were going their way, Ezra saw their enemies reinforcements coming to their aid and still there was no sign of his or Petna's Master.
Taking down the last one in the group closest to him, Ezra started retreating, walking backwards towards Petna and Senator Chuchi. The enemy seemed to sense that they alone were at the base, for they started circling them, trying to cut off any possible means of escape. Just when the three thought that they were going to be successful, shots came from behind them. Turning, they saw their Masters and the Clones attacking the enemies closest to them. At the sight of the Jedi and Clones, the ones that could started running away, heading back towards the town they had seized.
Others of their enemies weren't so lucky and meant their end at the blade of one of the Jedi or the shot of one of the Clones. Once the last of the enemy had been dealt with, Ezra walked up to his Master and said with a grin "Cutting it a little close there, weren't you Master." Caleb smirked and said "Well I have to spice up your life somehow, my young Padawan." Depa and Petna had a similar exchange, before the sounds of ships taking off drew their attention.
Just as Depa had predicted, once the Dark Forces had lost the Senator they fled the planet. The Senator explained why she hadn't been taken off world yet. They were hoping that seeing her taken and held captive would break her people's spirit and they would be more docile, allowing the Dark Forces to take what they wanted without any trouble. "What was it they wanted?" asked Petna. "I don't know, probably some of my people to press into their services, maybe our hyperspace lanes, I never did learn what exactly they wanted."
After arranging to leave a battalion of Clones behind to help protect Pantora, the Jedi and the Clones left the planet, each heading off towards their next destination. For Depa and Petna, another planet in need of help. For Caleb and Ezra, the Jedi Temple for a brief rest from the fighting. As he looked out the window, waiting for the jump to hyperspace aboard the Ghost, since Hera had been in the area, Ezra wondered if he would ever see Petna again.
He knew that a few Jedi had already died, though thankfully none he knew very well, so he hated the thought that Petna might end up like one of them. But he knew that she could handle herself pretty well. Switching gears, he also wondered how his friends Leia and Luke were doing and if he would be lucky enough to see one or even both of them on this trip to the temple. Only time would tell he guessed as the stars started streaking just before the jump into hyperspace that would take them to the only place he had ever called home.
Some of you probably remember my OC Petna from two of my other stories (I Will Surrender and After the War is Won, for the curious). I have missed her, granted it has only been a few months since I have used her, and thought, why not bring her into this one, it would be easy to make her fit.
This time, her fate lies in your hands. Should she survive to possibly see Ezra or one of the other characters again, or should she die at the hand of the Dark Forces? Let me know in the comments :D