I really liked the idea of the Clone Wars, but most of what is shown in a lot of media is around the 'main characters' of the war, if that makes sense. Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, Mace Windu, etc. I wanted to explore the experiences of other Jedi, who had less involvement with the grand, main story of the setting. What about the more average Jedi? The good, but not great?
In pursuit of peace, the Jedi had allowed themselves to become involved in a galactic civil war. Given commands, autonomy, and troops, thousands of Jedi waged war across the cosmos, from darkest space to brightest star.
That's an awful lot of trust, don't you think?
The galaxy is a big place, and if one Jedi stationed on a planet far from the reaches of the Council decided to disobey orders, to go rogue, and managed to bring his clones onto side…what is the Council to do, but send two Jedi Knights and their Padawans to resolve the situation?
Knights Hitta Carra and Diry Dabaal, both fairly average as far as Jedi Knights went, had been assigned to the task. The Council had hoped to send a Master, but the war required them elsewhere. One planet of minor importance was not worth a Master's attention.
Both boarded Vrook, a frigate named after an ancient Jedi Master. Diry and her Padawan, Chro Kavon, walked silently through the frigate towards the bridge. Chro stood far taller than his master, but always remained slightly behind her, keeping her in front and in a position of superiority. The two arrived to see Hitta and her Miraluka padawan, Ipira Qildra, lounging around the bridge. Although Hitta quickly stood up to appear respectable upon Diry and Chro's arrival, Ipira only did so when given a quiet but angry rebuke from Hitta.
Ipira quickly moved in front of her master, leaning against a console that probably did something when pressed wrong. Chro, meanwhile, slowly walked in behind his Master, and sat in the chair closest to Diry and Hitta.
Once both students were ready, a presentation on the mission began. This was mostly Diry's idea, as Hitta often just gave brief mission plans ten minutes before deployment to her Padawan and troops.
"Alrighty, this is a little different from the usual missions you two have done so keep your heads on and listen when we tell you something. Hitta and I will find Kapsig, slap some sense into him, and get our backs thoroughly patted by the Council". Hitta began. The Twi'lek was slightly disorderly, slightly impatient, but well-accomplished and known for her skill. She was unlikely to be given the title of 'Master' at any point soon, though she cared little for this. She liked solid, reliable work. She had little desire to eventually sit on the Council and spend long days debating.
"Master Kenobi said the surface of the planet may lack stable communications, but to contact him once Master Kapsig had been removed from control". Diry said, focusing more on her map of the planet than her audience.
Diry was an archetypal Jedi, and was often more restrained than she needed to be. A product of her environment, she learned to be controlled and orderly in almost all things. Although she was perfectly behaved, she was not notably skilled, or accomplished. She had seen battle and performed acceptably. Though she dreamed to become a Master, it was unlikely to ever happen.
"We'll land here, five miles South of the city. We don't have the troops for an assault, so an ambush will have to do". Hitta spoke, slightly disappointed. ground-based work, helping people where she could and deflecting blaster shots whenever possible.
"Any questions?" Diry turned her eyes briefly from her map, to face the two Padawans watching the short presentation. To her left was Ipi, a tanned woman with white hair was clearly paying half-attention at best. The cloth wrapped around her head covering what would have been her eyes, had she not been a Miraluka, obviously failed to show her lack of interest in the pre-mission meeting. She shook her head, and tilted it towards her fellow Padawan.
To Diry's right, Chro was making notes on a small device attached to his wrist. He spoke almost as soon as the Miraluka gestured to him.
"Master, what are we to do while you and Master Carra engage Master Kapsig?" He spoke slowly and softly, every word measured and chosen carefully.
"Maybe say 'Master' more and you'll find out". The first Padawan spoke, curtly.
"Ipi! Just be silent while we get through this, please? I had to convince Master Kenobi to even allow me to bring you". Hitta had far less patience for her apprentice's comments than usual. Although she hid it, she was not confident in this mission. A Jedi Master would likely prove a significant challenge for both Hitta and Diry, not to mention the hostile clones and defences within the jungle and city.
Diry answered her student, ignoring the outburst. "That will be decided as the situation develops. Most likely you will find Master Kapsig's clone commander, and regain control over the troops in the city".
"I find it concerning that so many clones were willing to turn against the Republic. Can we trust our own troops?"
"Do not question the loyalty of your men, Chro. The clones are loyal. Those under Master Kapsig have been…compromised in some way. That can be the only explanation".
Chro bowed his head, acknowledging his teacher's wisdom. Ipi groaned at such egregious ass-kissing.
"Okay, well that'll be all, so you two should probably get ready. We'll land in 8 hours. Sleep, eat, meditate. Whatever you need to do. Because this will be serious, and Diry and I need you both at your best". Hitta said, before clapping loudly and smiling.
"Class dismissed!"
Chro quietly stood, and turned without hesitation towards the door. He walked away with a strange staff of some kind. It looked like a lightsaber, but exceedingly long. Ipi watched him leave, slightly offended that he never even introduced himself. But she knew who he was. There was a duelling club at the Jedi Temple, founded by Master Dooku during his time with the Jedi. Chro was the current Padawan champion, possibly because he practically lived there. Many of her friends at the Temple talked about him, even those not in the club had heard he was a duelling prodigy. But she never knew anyone to call him 'friend'. And his skills with the Force were known to be far poorer than his skills with a lightsaber, almost subpar. Ipi shook her head and laughed to herself as she watched him leave.
'What a pretentious kiss-ass'.
'What a strange person' Chro thought to himself as he walked out of the room. He had heard the name 'Ipira' before. He had seen her around the Temple, briefly. But he had never spoken, not interacted with, the unorthodox Padawan. So why had she been so rude to him?! Their Masters were friends, he had been only polite to her. Chro wanted only to complete the mission and then return to his beloved duelling club. It was the only place in the world that he felt truly happy, it was what he was made for. No one ever spoke to him for long, and he was always the first to enter and last to leave. But it was his. Ipira may have a sharp tongue and pretty hair, but just like every other person who dismissed or insulted him, she would be forgotten as soon as he had a sparring partner and a lightsaber in-hand. Chro left the bridge, departing for a quiet room away from the crew, his Master, and Ipira.
Some hours later Ipi walked the halls of the ship, having just finished meeting every clone aboard the small vessel. She liked to get to know the clones, and to entertain them with tricks and jokes. This made her beloved by her unit, who were more loyal to her than a fish to water. She paused as she passed the ship's storage room, hearing strange sounds of…fighting? She quickly opened the door, her hand gripping her lightsaber hilt in case of a problem.
As the door slid open, she saw Chro through the Force. What her absent eyes did not see, the Force did. His face was dripping with sweat, and he was staring at her with a confused look. Opposite him, a droid with a training saber also stared back at Ipi. As Ipi took in the strange sight, she noticed that Chro's lightsaber was abnormal, and very very long. Its 'hilt', if it could still be called that, was around four feet, and with the blade added, even though it was shorter than normal, the entire weapon was as tall as Chro.
"Gawk at me another time. I want to practice". Chro said, dismissively.
"What is that? Looks impractical". Ipi began to walk over, making Chro roll his eyes.
"I didn't ask what you thought. It works for me, that's all that matters. Now, as I said, please leave me in what limited peace there is here".
"How did you get a training droid here? Did you pack it in a little bag or does it follow you around like a metal shadow?"
Chro ignored Ipira's jabs and comments. He turned from her, and began practicing kata. Strikes, stabs, blocks. Anything to distance his mind from her annoying voice. The training droid, sensing the awkward energy between the two, slowly walked away, trying to find anything else to do.
"I've heard about you, you know. And not just from Hitta. Other Padawans talk about you". Ipi began, slowly reaching for her lightsaber hilt, and turning it to its training mode.
"And I want to know…" Her lightsaber suddenly deployed, its green flash reflecting against Ipi's black dress.
"If you're as good as I've heard!"