A clone with a lightsaber!
With the passing of Jedi Master Ima-Gun Di, Commander Raid now is in possession of his saber.
Though it would have been abandoned otherwise, the ARC Trooper question whether he should possess it,
and he is not the only one to have such thoughts...
If Raid could have a redo of the day, he would have just stayed in bed. It would be less painful.
Sitting on the edge of said bed inside of his room in the barracks, he turned the handle of his deceased General's lightsaber over in his hands. It was nearly noon, and he should have been out and about, but today he felt... thoughtful.
Here he was on Coruscant, an ARC Commander of his own Squad of troopers, preparing to join the war effort with the 501st Legion. It was a far leap from where he had been on Ryloth. Just a few months ago, he was an optimistic, battle-hungry shiny, ready and anxious to kick the Seppies in the krunk-nuts, but after weeks of gruelling fighting and near-death experiences, he had lost that excitement. It became about survival, day after day, strike after strike, watching more and more of his brothers die and lie in the baking Twi'lek sun to be devoured by carrion beasts. Then came the final defensive, in which he fully expected to perish in, yet by some twist of fate he didn't. The escape from Ryloth was pure luck in his opinion, built upon the sacrifices of those before him. Twitch, Slider, Diego, Scuff, Captain Keeli, Needler, Hangar, Trite, and many others had fallen, yet he lived. They were the true heroes, not him. Looking over at the ARC helmet that rested upon his nightstand, he felt undeserving. Of it, the armour, the rank, this private room, and the lightsaber in his grasp.
Ahsoka had said that General Di would be proud for Raid to wield it. She and Anakin had even given him several impromptu lessons on basic forms and defensive stances, though they could easily beat him as Jedi. He expected the most he'd ever be able to combat would be one of those new Commando Droids the Separatists were deploying.
"Female on the floor!" A voice yelled, snapping Raid back to reality. Sudden crashes, rumbles, shouts, and orders filled the barracks outside his room, and Raid thought it sounded like they were erecting hasty fortifications. Standing and stretching, he approached the door and opened it, allowing him to catch a glimpse of a few men packing away some magazines and someone putting on a shirt.
"You really don't have to do that whenever I come around, guys," a familiar young voice complained. "I want you to be yourselves around me."
"Well then, Hardcase would still be in his underwear," Vaughn snarked, earning a glare from the blue tattooed clone who was still tightening his belt. Hardcase's shirt was also backwards.
Ahsoka snorted, the white markings on her face mimicking what a human would call 'raising an eyebrow.' "Okay, that I don't want to see. Carry on, just with clothes this time."
Slowly, the clones began to power up their Dejarik, pull out their cards and dice, continue their holo-vids, and generally mess around. The Padawan made her way across the room, chuckling to herself. Her blue eyes, though, were on Raid as she crossed the large sleeping quarters, ducking once as Boomer the ARF Trooper threw a pillow at maximum cushy velocity, striking Leroy softly in the head, a pronounced whump sounding upon impact.
"Good morning, Commander," Raid greeted when she stopped in front of him, smiling radiantly.
"Hey Raid. You can go ahead and call me Ahsoka," she told him, eyes sparkling with an odd look of knowing.
Raid cleared his throat. "That wouldn't be proper, sir."
She crossed her arms over her chest, smirking playfully. "Then I order you to call me Ahsoka when we're not in combat, on a mission, or otherwise at work. Understand?"
He smiled ruefully, sighing. "Okay, Ahsoka. That's an abuse of power, y'know."
Ahsoka shook her head. "It's fine for something like this. Anyway, I wish it would work on Rex. He always cites some rule and regulation that I don't have the authority to override to keep calling me by rank."
"And what regulations would that be, sir?" Raid asked innocently.
The Togruta swatted his shoulder, having to reach up a little because of their height difference. "Why would I say? Then you could use them on me." Raid's heart was warmed by her friendliness towards the troopers, totally ignoring the fact that a chain of command entailed professionalism.
"So, what can I do for you?"
"I was bored."
Raid raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you supposed to be training?"
She huffed, standing akimbo. "Anakin is busy getting Master Kenobi to help with a horde or something like that. I don't really know, but I'm not complaining. It was spiritual training today and..." she faked a yawn, rolling her eyes. "And Rexter is doing paperwork and orders, so I thought I might hang out with you."
"Um, sure Commander? I wasn't really doing much, just thinking."
"Why do you have your saber out then?" She asked, pointing at his hand. Cursing silently, Raid realised he was still holding it.
"Well... it was part of my thinking."
She nodded absently, probably anxious to get to her proposal. "So, wanna spar?"
Looking around at the many other clones, all taking up the floor, beds, and tables in their rowdy activities, Raid didn't think it such a great idea. "Don't want to hurt someone. There's really no space in here. Besides, you'll beat me real quick. You already know I suck." Ahsoka scratched her orange chin, thinking for a bit. Suddenly, inspiration flashed across her features and mischief glinted in her eyes. 'Uh oh,' the ARC Trooper thought, not liking the look on her face.
"How about we do it in the Temple?" She suggested impishly.
Raid's eyes widened. The Jedi Temple? "Aren't clones not allowed inside?"
"Outsiders are usually permitted in the main hall and some of the adjoining halls, but there's no harm in taking you to one of the training rooms. That's the perfect place to get you better at swordsmanship."
Several men let out a battle cry as a pillow fight commenced, soldiers tumbling over one another to whack and bash with bedding items. Fives shouted when they knocked over the Dejarik table, grabbing the nearest pillow and swinging it at Wedge, knocking him flat while laughing hard.
Raid cleared his throat. "We might get in trouble. I don't think-"
"Come on, you don't have to worry!" Ahsoka reassured him, beginning towards the other entrance opposite of the bed-stuff warzone. "I'll be waiting for you on the Temple steps. Don't leave me waiting!" She set off at a sprint, and Raid heaved out a defeated sigh.
"Fine," he muttered, turning back to his room to get dressed.
Anakin Skywalker had quite a lengthy list of titles. Jedi Knight, Chosen One, Warrior, Master, Young Friend, Mr. Impulsive, so on and so forth. Now it was time to add another name to it: Ghost Buster.
"Are you sure of what it was?" His friend and mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi asked for the fifth time in his proper-sounding accent as they walked up the ramp that led into the docked Resolute, Anakin's flagship. The midday sun shone down on them, giving the older Jedi's blonde hair and beard an almost golden hue.
"Yes Obi-Wan, I'm positive that it's a ghost," Anakin repeated his answer, staring ahead as they entered the portside hangar. A long and spacious room, it was devoid of the Torrent fighters that usually were parked inside as they were under maintenance in the starship section of the Coruscant shipyards. "Rex told me earlier that all the troopers see it at least once. I wouldn't have gotten you unless I was sure."
"That I know; you're not one to scare easily," Obi-Wan said with a smirk.
"I wasn't scared," Anakin snorted.
"Nevertheless, I believe you did see something... out of the ordinary, though a clone ghost is unlikely." The two Jedi proceeded towards a blast door on the left side of the hangar.
Anakin scrunched his eyebrows. "How come?"
"Well, for one thing, clones don't really have a strong enough connection to the Force to manifest after death, as far as I know." Obi-Wan pressed the button to open the door leading into the hallway, stepping through. "Secondly, hauntings aren't a common thing, even amongst Force-sensitive beings. They usually are triggered by an event, usually the individual's death. Either a particularly gruesome or unjust one is the typical reason, though if they are an especially stubborn person, it can happen that they refuse to pass on until they have accomplished some purpose."
Anakin followed just a step behind as they made their way towards the 501st barracks, turning corners and passing empty rooms. "The clones say Hoarder died on a mission that wiped out his whole Company. Details are sketchy and most likely exaggerated, but it sounds like it wasn't a pretty way to go." They reached the entrance to the barracks and entered. The bunks were neat, and everything was tidy and put away. Several banners hung on the walls, puffing out slightly with the breeze of the whooshing door.
"It would have to have been an excruciatingly painful and horrendous manner of demise," he observed, looking through the windows into the exercise and training room. The new equipment Fives, Echo, Hotshot, and Wedge had acquired awaited use inside, shiny and polished. "That means this will be a fun investigation."
Anakin looked around, reaching out with his senses to try and feel the ghost. The Force bounced around the halls, up and down elevator shafts, and into rooms. The return feedback was less-than-spectacular. He turned to his friend. "I don't sense anything."
Obi-Wan stroked his beard, eyes searching their surroundings. "I didn't expect it to be that easy. We must force it into the open."
"And how are we going to accomplish that?"
The other Jedi responded by sitting down cross-legged in the meditation position, hands resting on his knees. He closed his eyes. "With patience and focussing."
Anakin sighed, following suit. "I was afraid you'd say that."
Obi-Wan had a peaceful expression, and Anakin felt the Force radiating strongly from him. "Not everything is a headlong charge into Separatist guns, with explosions and laser bolts the only perceivable sound within miles."
"Only the fun stuff," Skywalker grumbled, closing his eyes and sending the Force out from his body. "I hope this ghost likes being bored as much as you."
Raid had thought a Venator was majestic, but it was put to shame at the sight of the Temple.
Walking up the steps from the taxi he had rode in, Raid stared dumbfoundedly up at the massive stone ziggurat, standing apart from the surrounding city buildings with its awesome magnitude of architecture. While he was no civil engineer, the Commander could appreciate the wonder that the Grand Jedi Temple was. Four towers rose from the top, evenly spaced and making the corners of an invisible square. In the centre of the towers was an even taller spire, topped by what appeared to be some sort of large room. Battlements lined the tops, and many windows and balconies were present at higher floors. The whole thing seemed more like a elegant fortress meant to repel any invader, not a temple or monastery for peace-loving monks.
Raid passed several people in brown and tan Jedi robes, feeling out of place as they observed his ARC Trooper armour with side glances. He was glad his helmet hid the look of nervousness that decorated his face. He was grossly out of place and felt certain that any moment somebody would tell him to leave. Or worse, they would arrest him for trespassing, lock him up, and then have him face the fury of an angry Jedi Counsel. Luckily, none of that happened as he made it to the top and before the great, pillared entrance. Statues of Jedi, male and female, lined the front wall in culverts between supports. A couple feet away stood Ahsoka Tano, hands on her hips as she smiled at him.
"Impressed?" She asked casually, and Raid wasn't sure how to answer.
"Um, it's... huge," he said, trying to think of a better adjective to describe it by. "I never thought it would be this majestic up close."
She nodded, grin broadening. "Come on, the inside is better."
"You sure this is a good idea? I wouldn't want you to get in trouble on my account."
She rolled her eyes, walking to the doors. "It's fine. I thought you were a brave clone?"
"Brave doesn't mean stupid," he told her, following nevertheless. As they passed through the large archway entrance, he nearly lost his breath.
Huge could not begin to describe the size of the main hall, roof hundreds of feet above the ground and supported by thick, carved stone pillars. The marble floors were patterned in symmetrical geometric shapes. Great balconies and stone bridges crossed the open air, held up by polished supports and buttresses. Ginormous bronze statues of ancient warriors and teachers occupied the floors, towering over the actual Jedi who traversed the cavernous hall. A diverse group, Raid watched as he and Ahsoka passed various species members of different age groups. Younglings followed older robed masters this way and that, young men and women moved swiftly on errands, and some just sat in the shadows of the statues, talking, meditating, or reading from data-pads. Many sideways glances were cast in his direction as Ahsoka led him into an off-shooting passage. They walked in silence, climbing stairways and turning corners. They passed a group of children who waited outside a room, who gawked up at the ARC Trooper. His helmet concealed his grin as he tilted his head towards them, and they hurriedly focused in other directions.
"This one should be good," Ahsoka said randomly, drawing Raid's attention to a roundish door. She waved her hand and it opened, allowing them to walk inside. The room was half open roof, allowing a view of the bustling city which somehow was muted from their position. Several potted plants were around the edges along with plush chairs. A few closets were positioned nearer to the entrance door which was opposite to the high railing of the balcony.
A young purple skinned Twi'lek woman stood in the centre, hands on her hips as she faced a group of six children sitting cross-legged on mats. They all looked curiously at the intruders.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Ahsoka began. "I thought this room was... Vonya?
The Twi'lek's face lit up as they both rushed each other and hugged. "Ahsoka! I haven't seen you since you left with Master Skywalker! How are you doing? Where have you been?"
Ahsoka laughed, pulling out of the embrace while holding Vonya's shoulders. "Good and everywhere. How about you? How's life treating you, sister?"
Vonya smirked, shrugging. "It's been fine, though I haven't been assigned as a Padawan yet. Still waiting for that day. Who's your friend?"
"Oh!" Ahoska turned and beckoned Raid forward. "This is Commander Raid. He joined our crew a month ago after we saved him from Ryloth."
"Ryloth?" Vonya looked at Raid intensely, and he froze. Something about her seemed familiar, but he couldn't place what. She wore traditional Jedi robes and a necklace made of bone and teeth. She looked around sixteen. "I heard the Garrison was wiped out. There were survivors?"
"Yes ma'am," he responded, removing his helmet and tucking it beneath one arm. "Me and a few of my vode managed to beat the odds, but at great cost."
"How bad were the conditions when you left, Commander?"
He frowned. "The locals were hanging in there, barely. The Republic managed to get supplies past the blockade, and from all reports the Resistance is still thriving."
She sighed, lekku twitching. "It makes me sad just how bad the war has gotten in such a short time. It makes me more anxious to go fight every day, if I can only hasten it to its ending." She smiled up at him. "I'm sorry, proper introductions are in order. My name is Vonya Allonda."
"Allonda?" Raid asked, suddenly aware to why the slender Twi'lek was recognisable. "On Ryloth I was saved by Orn and Sienna Allonda."
Vonya's eyes widened exponentially. "Those are my older cousins. You met them?"
"Them and their blurrg," he said. "They rescued me and a late comrade from a Separatist assault before going with the rest of their people."
She seemed excited now, stripes on her lekku lightening in shade somewhat. "Were they well? Were they safe?"
"They were blowing up clankers last I saw. I'm not sure after that."
Vonya wore a satisfied smile now. "Thank you, Commander. You bring me peace of mind. Enough of this, I would like you to meet my class." She gestured to the children who all stood and approached. Two of the younglings were human boys, one with brown hair and fair skin, and the other with shaggy hair and a copper-toned complexion. Beside them stood a slightly older Mirialan girl with greenish skin, black hair, and bright blue eyes. She looked at the clone warily, eyeing the twin blasters he had in holsters on his kama. After her was a female human with golden blonde curls and brown eyes, looking like the youngest of the group. A Gran boy with his species' distinct three eyes, protruding snout, and large ears stood, hands patting his legs as he smiled up at Raid. Finally, a Mirialan boy with deep green skin and brown hair was fixated on the ARC Trooper's helmet. "I am preparing to practise lightsaber techniques with them."
"Thar's actually why we're here," Ahsoka said. "I wanted to help Raid learn his lightsaber basics."
Vonya scrunched her brow, looking at Raid. "Lightsaber basics?"
Raid produced his lightsaber, holding it where everyone could see it. "I retrieved it after my General perished in combat. The Comman- er, Ahsoka wanted to help me become better at using it."
"Well, no better place to learn than the Temple," Vonya said, unhooking her own from her belt. "We can learn together with the younglings."
"Me in a class of... little Jedi?" Raid asked hesitantly, looking down at the kids.
The copper-toned boy snorted, putting his hands on his hips. "I'm no little Jedi. I bet I can take you in a blade fight."
"Calm yourself, Adon," Vonya chided. "The Commander meant no offense. Now, go get your training sabers from the closet." The kids all ran to a door and began chattering amongst themselves as they sorted through the numerous handles. "Don't worry, Commander. It won't be boring."
He smiled at the younglings' enthusiasm. "I believe it won't. One more thing: call me Raid."
Anakin was always the least disciplined Padawan when he was younger. He was the type to want to scream in the Jedi Archives just because it was so unbearably quiet. Somehow, though, Madame Jocasta Nu always was there to give him a cautionary stare, sending him back to the books grumbling. Now, here he was, meditating with Obi-Wan, on the floor of the clones' barracks, trying to find a ghost in the peace and quiet. Needless to say, he was antsy.
Cross-legged, Skywalker tried to feel out the ghost in the large warship, resisting the urge to scratch his neck that had been bugging him for the past hour or so. The only sound was Ob-Wan's slow and steady breathing, sounding loud as a siren in the silent Venator. His thoughts threatened to wander away to something else. Something much more fun, like how only a few days later they would be underway again, resupplied and with new orders. Combat was less scary than it was exciting to Anakin Skywalker, and he longed to be able to dash around, swinging his blade through droids in large, sweeping strikes. Then again, redeployment meant he would have to spend another long period of time away from Padmé. He had barely caught up with her on their lives in the past few months. He wished she could come with him, at least on his ship where she would be safe. She was a capable fighter, though. Anakin knew she would hate to stay in a large, safe warship while he battled on a planet below. Heck, she hated not being with him as he deployed. That was the drawback of a secret relationship. If only the Jedi Code wasn't so strict, then they wouldn't have to hide. Then, they could be Husband and Wife without-
"Anakin," Obi-Wan said suddenly, jerking the Jedi Knight from his roaming thoughts. "It doesn't feel like you're focussing."
"Sorry Master, I just got... distracted," Anakin replied, hoping the questions didn't follow.
"What were you thinking about?" Kenobi asked, dashing Skywalker's hopes to pieces.
"Erm, just the war, you know," he fibbed.
"I'm sure," Kenobi said in a knowing voice, and Anakin felt his cheeks heating slightly. He probably could never keep anything from that man, at least not for long. Luckily, he didn't know about his relationship, otherwise he'd be having a nice, not-so-friendly talk in Mace Windu's office. "You know, your restlessness is probably driving the spirit away."
Anakin stood, his legs tingling from sitting so long. "Then I think I'll take a walk to refocus. Let me know if..." He stopped, a cold feeling washing over him like someone had snuck up behind him and dumped a bucket of frigid water on his head. Looking towards Obi-Wan, he could see the Jedi was slowly rising, hands up and eyes staring past Anakin. Hesitantly, he turned around, seeing at the door to the room a pale and bloody clone in damaged armour and missing his right hand. "Found him."
"Yes, well, I can see that," Obi-Wan said dryly. He began addressing the ghost. "Hello there. We mean you no harm."
The clone's lips peeled back into what appeared a sneer and spoke in voice that chilled Anakin to the bone. "Need."
"If you could be more specific as to what you need maybe?" Anakin asked tentatively, right hand creeping towards the lightsaber which hung from his belt. The clone glared and pointed at the lightsaber, snarling. "What? Sorry pal, this isn't yours."
"Anakin," Obi-Wan warned, taking one step forward.
"I've got it," he replied before turning back towards the ghost. "Hey, you're creeping people out. How about you go find somewhere else to haunt? I know the 187th has a lack of spirits on board. You like purple, right?"
"Need!" The apparition hissed before backing out of the room and running.
"Hey! I'm not done with you!" Anakin yelled after it, charging out of the room.
"Anakin, wait!" Obi-Wan called, but the younger Knight ignored him, chasing the clone from the room. "Great job training him, Kenobi," he said to himself, beginning to dash after the two. "I have a bad feeling about this."
"First, second, third, fourth, fifth..." Vonya called off, pacing between the younglings and clone trooper who matched her calls with a position, lightsabers flashing. Raid, wielding his blue saber, felt silly; almost like a cadet learning basic wrestling manoeuvres or how to drive a speeder on the simulations. He felt out of place in his armour versus all the soft, flexible robes. It didn't help that all of the real children seemed much better at it than him.
"You're doing great, Raid," Ahsoka encouraged cheerily from her place in a chair, making him feel more embarrassed.
"Thanks," he mumbled as a few of the younglings giggled.
"Alright," Vonya said, and everyone stopped, turning their blades off. She walked over to a closet and produced two things: a helmet made of light material that probably wouldn't give much more protection than plastic with a visor that obscured the wearer's vision, and a weird round grey ball. She walked over with them, smiling.
"That looks like the most useless helmet ever created," Raid said bluntly. Laughter was the response he got from all of the Jedi in the room. "What?"
"It's a training helmet," the little blonde girl named Kira said, bouncing on her heels.
"I guess it must be. Can't see it being useful anywhere else," the clone retorted as Vonya set the ball on the floor. "What kind of training are we talking about?"
Vonya straightened, hands on her hips and an amused smile playing about her lips. "Would anyone like to enlighten the Commander?" The Mirialan girl raised her hand. "Tinora?"
"It's a focussing exercise based on your senses," Tinora said confidently. "The helmet obscures our vision so we must rely on the Force to block the strikes."
"Strikes?" Raid looked at the round ball, which seemed about as harmless as a well-trained purse-dog.
"Yeah!" The Gran boy exclaimed, gesturing with his hands. "The probe zaps you like POWZAP!"
Vonya chuckled. "Thank you, Keinar. They're right. I activate the probe," as she spoke, the ball shot up about six feet, hovering in place. In the centre of one side was a blue eye-like light. Right next to it protruded the tip of a blaster like piece. "Then you put the helmet on and feel with the Force. Would you like to give it a try?"
"Me?" The clone asked, and Vonya nodded. "Um, I'm not the most Force-adept person in the room."
"Go ahead, it'll be fun!" Adon prodded, looking eager to see a clone stumbling around blind. The other kids grinned, nodding in encouragement.
Sighing, Raid reached a hand for the helmet. Vonya gave it to him, and he placed it on his head, buckling the strap beneath his chin. It fit snug; a little tight, but not too much so. She must've selected the largest one. Raid could not see anything through the solid shield in front of his eyes. A hand was placed on Raid's shoulder as Vonya guided him, stumbling a bit. The younglings all sat on the ground, looking on excitedly. Even Ahsoka joined their group as Raid assumed a ready stance, blade igniting on the low-power training mode. Vonya stepped back as Raid nodded.
"Begin."
The probe zipped silently to Raid's right, firing a yellow bolt which struck his shoulder. He turned, blocking where it had been, only for it to circle him and peg him in the small of the back. He spun, managing to block one with his blade before being struck out of balance by a second shot from the side, catching his hip.
"You rely too much on your eyes," Vonya said, sitting with the group. "Clear your mind and feel the drone."
"Easier said than done," Raid grunted as a bolt struck his thigh. He stepped backwards a bit, trying to get a sense of where it was. Two yellow lasers came in rapid succession, one being stopped by the humming blue blade, the other pegging him in the jaw. Ahsoka winced as he became reckless, swinging around wildly like he was facing hundreds of unseen enemies.
"Feel its movements in the air," Vonya tried, a frown beginning to show on her face. "Listen for it."
"You have to listen to the Force," Tinora offered, cringing when a bolt struck Raid on his crotch plate.
"Be the Force!" The Mirialan boy named Zondin encouraged.
A bolt landed on Raid's rear, eliciting a chortle from one of the younglings. Ahsoka's eyes widened as Raid stopped trying to block the shots, instead attempting to strike the flying probe itself. "Careful! You'll throw yourself off balance with those strikes!"
Raid did not heed her warning. Instead, he reached a hand to his left and managed to brush the drone. He swung mightily in that direction, missing and falling to one knee as it flew up and over him. As he stood, and an angled shot hit his hand, knocking the lightsaber from his grasp. He fumbled towards it only to be shot in the chest by a bolt. The younglings gasped as he growled, reaching quickly for his blasters in their places on his thighs. He rolled away from another shot, coming to a knee with both blasters upraised. Two shots fired in rapid succession.
Mace Windu, Jedi Master, High General, and Sitting Member of the Counsel, sat undisturbed on a mat in his room, meditating. That morning had been an especially tedious one filled with planning meetings, status reports, a few Council hearings, and even a transmission to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine about his cancelled trip to Hosnian Prime. Finally, he had found time to rest and interact with the Force. He was beginning to think he'd have a peaceful session, when the galaxy decided it was time to get up.
His eyes snapped open as the quick sound of blasters echoed through the Temple. In an instant, Windu was out the door and dashing down the halls with his lightsaber handle in hand. He halted when Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi rounded the corner, concern written across his features. The elder Cerean's face and body was nearly exactly human, from the hands to the feet to his wispy white beard. The main difference was his abnormally tall head which was topped by a lock of hair, making a braid that ran down to the base of his skull.
"Master Windu," Mundi acknowledged him. "I heard the blaster fire. What do you think it was?"
"I don't know, but I intend to find out," Windu said. "We should send out the masters to secure each area of the temple, and have the younglings accounted for. I'll contact Luminara to-"
"Calm yourself," an old, slightly pitched voice admonished. Grand Master Yoda shuffled towards them, brown knotted cane clicking on the floor as he walked. He was short, shorter than most children, and a decidedly dull green. Wrinkles abounded on his face, and two large ears protruded from the sides of his head. His wide mouth was set into a grin, and his teal-coloured eyes glinted in good humour. "No danger, there is. A cause for worry, there is not."
"Then what were those blaster shots?" Ki-Adi-Mundi asked.
Yoda closed his eyes, a look of concentration present as he stroked his chin with a three-digit hand. "I sense frustration, disappointment, sadness, but no anger. Sense death, I do not."
"It couldn't have been a member of the Order. No firearms are permitted within the Temple."
"Hmm, an outsider it is," Yoda remarked, looking at Mace Windu.
"Then we should find whoever it is," Windu replied. "I will begin searching."
"Accompany you, I will. Curious to see the visitor, I am."
"Anakin, wait!" Obi-Wan called from behind, but Anakin had almost caught up to the ghost. Hoarder moved at an unnatural pace, hanging corners and zipping down halls. Anakin was already winded at the constant full-speed run but refused to be outpaced by a dead clone. Hoarder turned through a large door into a supply room, Skywalker on his heels.
"Nowhere else to run- hey!" Anakin exclaimed as the ghost kept running, phasing through a shelf stacked high with helmets and the wall behind it as if it wasn't there. The pursuing Jedi tried too late to stop, crashing into the storage unit. He fell to the ground, clone gear tumbling about around him. Four helmets conked his head one after another. "Ow."
"Well, another fine mess you've created," Kenobi panted, coming to a rest nearby, leaning against a shelf. "And here I thought I was in great shape."
Anakin groaned, picking himself off the floor. "No, you're fine. For a dead guy, he sure is spry."
Obi-Wan chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, maybe you shouldn't chase random spirits? Where did he go, anyway?"
"He went through the wall here," he snorted, kicking a helmet aside. "He could be anywhere in the ship now." The door to the storage room swished closed, and the lights suddenly cut out. In an instant, two blue blades ignited, lighting up a small radius around the Jedi. "Coincidence?"
"I think not," the bearded man muttered, looking around defensively. "I wonder if he retains the ability to manipulate physical matter." The entire shelf that Obi-Wan stood beside toppled in his direction, crashing to the ground a moment after he dove out of the way, rolling to his feet a few metres from his spot.
"That answer anything?" Anakin asked sarcastically, backing away from his shelf. "Let's get out of here." The two crossed to the door. Skywalker tried the panel only to find it unresponsive. "Great. The controls are dead."
"That might not be the best word choice," Obi-Wan cautioned, pointing at the helmets that had fallen on the floor which now began levitating.
"Welp, time to cut and run!" Anakin plunged his lightsaber into the door, circling a wide area as it slowly burned through the metal. Obi-Wan inserted his at the opposite side from Skywalker's, following the same direction to connect the molten paths. They barely cut the huge circle out as helmets, chest plates, boots, and even a put together spare bunk flew through the air in their direction. Anakin used the Force to shove the metal circle away before diving out to the left, while Kenobi went right. Stuff clattered and clanged against the thick metal, and a few smaller projectiles found the hallway, bouncing about like loose cargo. Anakin stood, brushing off. "And now I need to pay for a new door. That ghost better have deep pockets."
"Do you... hear something?" They both turned, ready and waiting for what surely was a murderous attack rounding the bend, intent on ending their lives, only to see six MSE mouse droids wheeling around a corner, coming straight at them. Anakin stared in bewilderment as they began impacting his and Obi-Wan's legs, bouncing off harmlessly.
"That was less than spectacular," Anakin said snidely, kicking one on its side. It squeaked furiously, wheels rotating at maximum speed. "Beware the deadly mouse attack."
"They are persistent, but I think that's just the prelude," Obi-Wan responded, holding his lightsaber in ready position as a large number of protocol droids waddled around the same bend, each holding a carbine in hand. Blue bolts began firing at the Jedi, who deflected them back, disabling a few attackers. They weren't very threatening, but the sheer number of them produced enough suppression fire to pin the Jedi in place, blades whirling madly. "Should this count as clever or ridiculous?"
"Ow!" Anakin yelped as a mouse droid ran over his foot, smashing his toes and throwing him off balance. He barely ducked a laser that was on a course for his face.
"What a humiliating way to go," Obi-Wan joked, though taking heavy heat and dodging little rolling repair droids as well. "Imagine the headlines: Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knight, murdered by an army of protocol droids and their mousy accomplices."
"Yeah, you're a real comedian," Anakin grumbled, using the Force to lift an MSE up and hurled it across the hall, knocking a good five droids over onto their backs. The protocol droids that lay on the ground squirmed, unable to stand up on their own. With the reduced firepower, Anakin and Obi-Wan were able to charge forth, bowling droids over as they went, slicing only one or two. After all of their would-be assassins were incapacitated, they finished off the mouse droids, knocking them all onto their sides.
"Looks like you may be spending some good money on droids, too," Obi-Wan said, wearing a condescending smirk, glancing down at their fallen adversaries. "If I had a credit for every time a protocol droid tried to kill me, I'd have three. First time on Geonosis."
Anakin stowed his blade, crossing his arms grumpily. "This is becoming annoying, quick. You think we can use the Force to, well, force Hoarder out of the ship?"
Kenobi stroked his beard in a thoughtful manner. "I'm sure we could try, but why not figure out what the ghost wants?"
Anakin cast a sceptical glance towards his mentor. "Why reward bad behaviour?"
"He repeats the word 'need', and when you asked, he pointed."
Anakin rolled his eyes. "Yeah, at my lightsaber. You're crazy if you think I'd give it up."
Obi-Wan sighed. "No, no. Anakin, you're not thinking. What is the ghost missing?"
Anakin thought about the ghost and what the clones had told him. "Uh, he's missing a hand." Kenobi raised an eyebrow. "His right hand?"
"And which hand were you reaching for your weapon with?"
"Okay, I get it; the guy wants his hand back, but I don't see how that would help." Anakin spoke in exasperation, arms gesturing in frustration. "It's not like we have any spare hands around here."
Obi-Wan smiled smartly. "We don't, but you do."
"What...?" Realisation struck Anakin, and he looked down at his right hand. His robotic right hand. His detachable and replaceable robotic right hand. "Oh... kriff. That's your best idea?"
"It's either that or we keep tearing up your Legion's robotic crew." He gestured down at the protocol droids who spasmed wildly, beginning to find their feet. "Trust me, it'll be fine. Probably."
Anakin sighed as Obi-Wan began down a hall, glancing down at the droids before following. "Typical."
After shooting the probe dead in the eye, Raid had dumped the helmet and went to sit. The room was shocked, and most of the kids would repeatedly gawk at him in amazement, disbelief, or even fear. Eventually, Ahsoka and Vonya had gotten them up and practising again, deciding to do the drone-thing later. Now, they slowly practised against each other under the watchful eye of the Twi'lek and Togruta duo. Pointers were given, advice was shared, and congratulations dished out. All the while, Raid sulked in the chair, lost in his thoughts. He may have even fallen asleep there if his Commander hadn't walked over.
"Hey," she said softly, sitting in the adjacent chair. "Are you alright?"
Raid refused to look up, instead staring at his hands. "Yeah. I'm fine."
"You sure? You seem... stressed. Weighed down."
He was tempted to lie again, but something in her voice made him hesitate. It was something he was only used to hearing from his brothers. He looked up, seeing her blue eyes filled with concern, searching his face. Raid let a heavy sigh out. "I'm just frustrated."
"Don't worry, you'll get better at it," she affirmed.
"Not the lightsaber stuff. It's..." He gulped. "I don't feel up to the task. Being in charge of my own group."
Her brow furrowed. "How come?"
"My original squad... they all died. I'm all that's left, and I couldn't help them. Twitch and Slider were my vode, my brothers, along with Diego, Scuff, and all the other men of the Garrison. It is because of them that I am here. Without them, I would've died on Ryloth. Now I have a new Squad, new brothers. I've seen their looks of awe and aspiration when I walk by. Because of my armour, they think I'm something special, as if I'm a great warrior or something. The men of the 501st even seem to look at me, walking around in a shiny ARC helm and a kama, and treat me like a veteran war hero. I'm not. I am just like each one of them." Raid felt silly letting out what was bothering him, even though it felt good. It sounded like an ungrateful and whiny cadet's rant in his own ears. "The only heroes are the ones who died on the field. They deserve the honour I was given to be Commander. They should be the ones leading these bright young men into battle."
Ahsoka put a hand on his shoulder. "You are a hero. You fought bravely and hard to defend your brothers. Though they paid the ultimate price, that doesn't make you any less worthy. You didn't choose for them to die; it's just how Fate dealt the cards."
He shook his head, gripping the lightsaber from his belt. He stared at it, thinking back to General Di's selflessness and heroism. How would he ever be able to carry the weapon of such a great man?
Ahsoka seemed to know his thoughts. Being a Jedi, even just a Padawan, that probably wasn't impossible. "Master Di would be proud; I'm sure of it. If you doubt yourself, you might only make yourself fail. Do you think the General would want you to fail like that?"
"No," he replied slowly.
"I believe in you, Raid. You will be a great Commander and make your brothers... and your sister proud." She patted his shoulder, and he felt a sudden warmth inside, spreading from his chest and throughout his body. Her smile touched him, making him reciprocate.
Sister.
"Are you ready to try again?"
Raid smirked. "Nah, I hate that probe, though I bet I can finally tag you."
Ahsoka laughed, swatting him. "Oh yeah? Let's see about that." She stood and reached a hand down. Raid accepted it, getting pulled to his feet. Together, they walked over to a clear space and faced each other, the clone putting on his helmet. They both retrieved their blades and assumed similar stances before igniting the blades on training mode. They held that position for a moment, staring at each other unflinchingly.
Raid struck first, swinging it high. Ahsoka blocked it, then shifted back to defend one from the left. Raid tried for a lunge but was parried away. The Togruta swiped halfheartedly, drawing Raid's defense forward so a quick follow up could slap his shoulder. He hissed at the heat, but between the lowered power setting and his armour, Raid was unscathed. He nodded as they reset in the ready positions, adjusting his grip.
This time, Ahsoka attacked, her flurry of blows quickly overwhelming him and striking his chest plate, wearing a satisfied smirk. Instead of stopping like last time, Raid plowed forward, batting her blade away in the unexpected assault and almost tapping her shoulder, but the nimble Padawan spun away.
"Hey, we're supposed to reset after a touch," she complained good-naturedly, smiling still.
Raid shrugged. "I figured that if I can't beat you while playing by the rules, might as well break them."
"Like how you shot the drone?" Adon asked suddenly. Raid turned in surprise to the boy, who stood watching in fascination. The rest of the class had ceased their exercises to watch as well.
Raid was glad for the helmet which blocked his look of shame. "I'm sorry for that, young ones. I lost my temper and-"
"It was sooo cool!" Zondin blurted, bubbling over in excitement. "You totally pegged that thing with, like, no sight or Force!"
Keinar nodded, three eyes wide in awe. "I never liked that thing. It always zapped me too much, so it was a good thing you shot it." The other kids chuckled their satisfaction at the droid's demise.
"Uh... you're welcome?" Raid said in confusion. A furtive glance back showed Ahsoka holding a hand over her mouth.
"Would any of you little ones like to spar with the Commander?" Vonya asked.
Raid examined the group of kids, the youngest being ten and the oldest not possibly more than thirteen. "Um, maybe that's not a good-"
"Afraid to get beat, Commander?" Tinora asked innocently, a taunting undertone applied.
"Ohhh," the other kids went.
Raid had been a cadet before, so he knew where this would go. Sizing the girl up in skepticism, he decided that she was easily the most experienced of the group and definitely was the age roof. "Sure, fine. If you want it so bad."
Both combatants soon found themselves in the centre of the room, facing each other with blades buzzing. Vonya held her green blade in between Raid and Tinora, looking from one to the other. The clone had removed his helmet and given it to Zondin the Mirialan, who held it with great reverence, examining every inch of the thing.
"Are you ready?" Vonya asked.
"Don't go easy on me, Commander," Tinora said smugly, holding her blue training lightsaber upright.
Raid grinned, liking her spirit. "Don't count on mercy."
"Go!" Vonya proclaimed, stepping back as the two fighters' swords clashed with energetic swings.
Raid's eyes widened as he swung relentlessly. The young Mirialan was very skilled, especially for one of her age. She deflected, parried, sidestepped, and dodge fluidly, getting within his guard several times to strike, forcing the trooper to back off and reevaluate his attack. The height difference was an inconvenience as well, making it easier for her to slip past his defenses being of a smaller build.
"Tina! Tina! Tina!" Kira and Adon chanted, pumping their fists enthusiastically.
"Go Commander!" Zondin, Keinar, and the last Human boy, Tiernan, all rooted for Raid.
The sabers clashed over and over as Tinora went on the offensive, pushing the clone back. He almost got a touch by dodging instead of blocking then following up with an overhead slash, only to be blocked crosswise. The girl whirled around Raid, much more graceful on her feet as she circled, striking at his blind spot. He turned to block, managing one before her second and third strikes hit him rapidly, sending sharp stings through the clone's body. They both stepped back, breathing hard as the two sides of chanters broke out in cheers and jeers.
"Good work Tinora," Raid praised, saluting with his blade. "You are a very skilled young Jedi."
She glowed at the compliment, smiling. "Thank you, Commander."
"Go ahead and call me Raid. It's what my friends call me."
"Okay Raid," she said, putting her lightsaber away. "You can call me Tina. It's what my friends call me. Great job too. That was hard."
Raid shrugged. "I'm no Jedi, just a clone with a glowstick."
"Well, you fight just fine like a clone anyway," Tiernan observed, pointing to the clone's blasters. "You shouldn't worry about your Jedi skills."
"Yeah, you're wizard with those little blasters! I wish I could shoot," Zondin said wistfully, admiring the helmet again.
Raid scrunched his brow. "It's simple. Have you never used a blaster before?" The kids all shook their heads, so he looked to the two Jedi.
Ahsoka wrinkled her nose. "We don't get taught how to shoot. I mean, I know how to use a blaster. I've just..."
"Never actually used one," Vonya finished, her lekku crossing behind her head.
Raid shook his head in disbelief. "That should be something everyone knows how to do: clone, Jedi, or civilian."
"Maybe you could teach us?" Keinar asked hopefully, smiling widely.
"Not right now, maybe some other time," Raid said with a chuckle. Some of the kids looked at the ground disappointedly, and suddenly Raid felt like a mean person. "Er, I mean, I can still play around with you guys, right? With the sabers?"
Kira turned to the Twi'lek, eyes pleading. "Can we play with Mr. Commander Raid? Pretty please?"
Vonya cringed at the begging stare. "Weeell... alright, fine. The class has gone on long enough. A quick break won't hurt anyone." The children cheered, the younger ones running to Raid in an instant to ask him a million questions at once, while the older ones were only a bit more restrained. Vonya laughed, ambling towards Ahsoka. "I think your friend is popular."
Ahsoka smiled, watching as Raid placed his helmet on Zondin's head and explaining how the communications worked. It was ridiculously large on the kid, but he didn't seem to care one bit, standing straight with his fists on his waist. "Raid is a good one."
After crossing half the Temple, Windu, Mundi, and Yoda were unable to locate the blaster firer. Classrooms were secured, hallways were checked, and even a few of the bathrooms were inspected in case a naughty youngling had smuggled the weapon into a lavatory. They now traversed the East wing, stopping at room after room to ask questions.
"Another room with no blasters and no answers," Ki-Adi-Mundi declared as he shut door which led into a meditation room occupied by Jedi Master Luminara Unduli, Barriss Offee, and several other Padawans. "I wonder if the person has left already."
Yoda grunted his curious grunt. "Still here, the person we seek is. Looking wrong we are."
"How should we look then, Master?"
"Hmm. Feel them out, we must. Seek guidance from the Force."
Mace Windu closed his eyes, reaching out through the energy that connected all living beings in the galaxy. Much was happening in the vicinity; many Force-users actively connecting and using it, but he was looking for something out of place. Something that wasn't like all of the meditating Jedi, peaceful classes, or learning younglings. Something like-
"There," Windu said, pointing in a direction that he felt a different presence. One unattuned to the Living Force which surrounded him. "He's that way."
Windu set off at a brisk pace, Mundi falling in with him. Yoda, despite his elderly appearance, was quite able to keep pace, staying only a step behind the two. They rounded corners and climbed a flight of stairs, marching down a few corridors. The presence was clearer the closer they neared, and Windu was able to pick out other details. Joy and sadness, hurt and comfort, laughter and tears, all contained into one area. One room. Maybe even one man.
They stopped outside one of the lightsaber practise rooms with the balconies. The sounds of children's laughter, squeals, and other playful noises reached the attentive ears of the Jedi Masters. In a swift move, Windu waved his hand and the door opened. The trio stopped short at the doorway.
Younglings chased each other, yelling back and forth in raucous excitement. One Mirialan boy wore an ARC Trooper helmet with oddly familiar brown markings on it, chasing the Gran and shouting: "Here come the clones! Watch out, Seppie sleemo!" They both had their fingers as guns as they traded imaginary fire. A little blonde girl sat in front of an older Mirialan girl, almost Padawan aged, who smoothed, braided, and plaited her curls. Ahsoka Tano and Vonya Allonda talked and laughed together by the railing, pointing out at the cityscape of Coruscant. In the very middle, two human boys were thudding a prone clone in full armour who lay on the ground with training lightsabers, built to sting but not hurt, while declaring "Die! Die!" and "Lightsaber SLICE!" The ARC Trooper laughed, cringing at the blows and wincing, but still in good humour.
Yoda chuckled at the sight, while the other two masters were less amused.
"BOOM! AHH!" The Gran boy, Keinar, yelled, tumbling over like he had blown up.
The boy with the clone helmet ran up to the men in the doorway and pointed his finger gun straight at Windu, aim deadly and true, imaginary bolt striking the Jedi Master in the heart. "BAM! You're dead, Separatist scumbag!"
The room fell silent as the rest of the occupants looked over in absolute, unrestrained horror.
"What is going on here?"
Anakin had almost fallen asleep by the time Hoarder showed up again.
He and Obi-Wan sat on the floor in the bridge of the Resolute, meditating once more. The quiet, stillness was unnerving as they waited for the ghost to come. Every little creak of the hull sent alerted tingles down Skywalker's spine. He didn't like just waiting for it to show up, almost like bait or prey, and he was even less keen on what his part of the plan entailed, but there was little he could do about it.
The first warning that the ghost was approaching was a sudden drop in the room's temperature, as if the thermostat had been cranked to its lowest setting. A presence was, well, present in the room, disturbing the Force around the pair of Jedi.
"Welcome back," Anakin said, opening his eyes to see Hoarder standing at the door, a blaster in his left hand and supported awkwardly by his right forearm, levelled at Anakin's heart. "I wouldn't try that if I were you."
Hoarder snarled, glaring with his dull eyes. Obi-Wan stood, and the apparition turned the blaster on him.
"No need for violence, my friend. We are merely here to help you," Kenobi reasoned.
"Need," the clone hissed angrily.
Obi-Wan nodded, spreading his hands where the ghost could see them. "I will not hurt, even if I thought I could. What is it that you need?"
Hoarder slowly lifted his right arm which ended at the wrist. A clean-cut section of gore was visible within the appendage.
Anakin stood, sighing. "If we gave you a new hand, would you stop haunting the men?" Hoarder nodded slowly, blaster lowering as he took a hesitant step forward. Anakin, with another sigh, held up his own gloved right hand. "I lost my hand too, see?" Using the Force, Anakin disconnected his robotic hand from the rest of the apparatus which formed his replacement forearm. He lifted the disconnected limb in his left hand, showing the ghost. "Would you care to have it?"
Gradually, Hoarder approached, unsureness written across his face as he reached for the hand. Grabbing hold of it, he took it, fingers brushing Anakin's. He resisted the urge to squirm at the freezing cold touch and the lifelessness of the contact, shivers running throughout his body. The ghost held the prosthetic to where its place was, and the thing slowly grafted on. A look of wonder decorated his face as he lifted the hand up, stretching and closing it in fascination.
"There. Are you happy now?" Anakin asked, probably more testily than he meant to sound.
Hoarder looked at the Jedi, a single tear drifting down his cheek. He uttered a single word. "Hlandus." Gradually, the trooper faded away, becoming transparent and disappearing. Silence reigned, both men blinking in confusion.
"Well... is that it? Are we done here?"
Obi-Wan walked over cautiously, examining the spot the ghost had stood at. "I believe he's gone. I sense peace. Though what was that word. Hlandus? Does it mean something to you?"
Anakin shrugged. "Rex mentioned the name. I think it's the planet Hoarder died at." He paused, recognising the look on Kenobi's face. "Oh no, don't tell me you're thinking of-"
Obi-Wan smiled, holding his hands behind his back. "I will look into it, but for now we have more important things to attend to than this."
"Good," Anakin grunted, folding his arms awkwardly without his right hand. "Now, thanks to you and the ghost, I need to go to the medical bay and order a new prosthetic."
"Maybe this one could be useful," Obi-Wan joked, walking towards the door. "A lock picking set integrated within perhaps? Or maybe a buzzsaw?"
Anakin pointed at the bearded man, a faux look of annoyance on his features. "You, sir, are crazy."
"What is going on here?"
Raid's heart skipped several beats at once at the sight of General Windu, General Mundi, and General Yoda standing in the doorway, looking out on the rowdy youngling class. The former two had faces of incredulous shock and outrage, while the latter smiled in amusement.
"Generals!" Raid said quickly, hopping to his feet and saluting. Zondin, still wearing his helmet, saluted as well, just with the wrong hand. The other children all ceased their activity and stood, bowing slightly in respect. Ahsoka and Vonya did the same, smiles masking their looks of mortified alarm.
"Commander Raid," Windu acknowledged gruffly, eyes roving over the group. "We meet again, though not where I expected. What are you doing here?"
Raid gulped. "I, uh-"
"It's my fault!" Ahsoka interrupted hastily, stepping forward. "I brought him here."
"What possessed you to do such a thing, Padawan Tano?" Ki-Adi-Mundi questioned; brow raised. "Do you not know that outsiders aren't allowed within the inner halls without expressed permission, especially armed ones?"
Her eyes dropped to the floor, and she shuffled a foot. "Yes, Master. I'm sorry, it won't happen again."
"I should hope so," Mundi said stoically, stepping aside as Ahsoka began to guide Raid towards the door. "Are you forgetting your helmet?"
"Oh, thanks General," Raid mumbled, walking towards Zondin. The boy had removed it, looking saddened.
"What is that on your belt?" Windu asked, gesturing towards the lightsaber that Raid carried.
The clone froze, glancing at the weapon. "It was General Di's, sir. I retained possession of it after the events on Ryloth." Windu frowned as Raid continued. "That's the reason I'm here. We thought I'd best learn how to use it in the Temple."
"What makes you assume you can wield it?"
"Um, I'm not too bad at it."
"No," Windu said coolly, hard stare focussed on Raid. "What makes you think you are entitled to carry such a weapon?"
Ahsoka's brow creased, looking at the man with concerned bemusement. "He recovered it from the battlefield. He has already shown that-"
"Where or when he got it is not of my concern," he interrupted. "That saber belongs with the Jedi Order, and I'd like to request that you return it."
The younglings gasped collectively, and Raid was left stunned. The thought of leaving it, despite his feelings of unworthiness, was unbearable. It was the last remnant they had of their General who had fought so bravely beside them.
"Masters! You can't be serious!" Vonya exclaimed, stepping forward. "What harm does it do for the Commander to carry it into battle? Surely, he will use it for good!"
Mundi shook his head. "Master Windu is right. These are dangerous tools in the hands of one who is unskilled and lacking in Jedi discipline, and it goes against tradition set by our progenitors to allow a non-Jedi to carry it without having earned it."
"We can teach him how to use it!" Ahsoka protested but was silenced by Mundi raising a hand. She huffed, folding her arms.
"With all due respect, Generals, how do you know I'm incapable without having seen me use it?" Raid questioned tentatively.
"Correct you are," Yoda observed, clacking his cane on the floor. "Earned, it must be. A test, I propose. See his skill we will."
Windu scratched his chin. "Perhaps you are right. Maybe a test is in order." Raid gulped, seeing his question had a different effect than intended.
"Three tries you have," Yoda remarked cheerfully, moving to sit in one of the comfy chairs. "With your blade, touch Master Windu to succeed."
"What? Against a Master?!" Vonya blurted in outrage. "That's hardly fair!"
Mace Windu ignited his purple blade which hummed with power, ignoring the protestations of the Twi'lek. Raid stepped back as he approached, taking position in the centre of the room. Turning the dial on the side, the bald man reduced the energy to minimum. The other occupants of the room quickly cleared to the sides, sitting or standing by the wall.
'How did I get into this mess?' Raid thought as he produced his own saber, igniting the blue blade. Windu looked at him with an unnerving, calm, stern stare. Raid assumed the position Ahsoka had taught him for Form 5, standing in a defensive stance. He wished he knew what fighting style Windu used, but it probably didn't matter. Even Raid knew the General was a legendary swordsman, and if he couldn't even beat Ahsoka the Padawan learner, then he was doomed against a Master.
"Begin," Yoda announced.
Windu began to circle slowly, and Raid matched him, not removing his gaze from the purple blade. They had nearly traded starting positions when Windu struck with an overhead. Raid blocked it easily and held ready, the Jedi still circling. A slow thrust came his way, and the clone swatted it to the side. Windu continued testing his reflexes, tapping in and withdrawing quickly.
"You are sloppy, and your technique is weak," Windu informed him, irking the clone. Raid swung a good side strike which was turned away easily. Mace followed up with three consecutive attacks from multiple angles. Raid managed to stop all three with desperate defensive swings, the power of which made the clone stumble backwards. "You also are reckless."
Raid got back into ready position, blade held high, before hacking back at the Jedi, being foiled at every swing. "It seemed to work fine on Ryloth," he retorted, breathing hard as his blade was parried and shoved back.
"Those were droids. You face a Jedi now," Windu said, smacking the blue sword to the side and lightly stabbing the clone. The sting was stronger than any that the younglings had given Raid before, making him double over in pain. "Round two." The Padawans and younglings watched nervously, a few biting their lips or glaring angrily.
Raid coughed, returning to his place near the Jedi. Raid tried to stab him in the chest, but his opponent spun away, coming back with ferocious swings. The ARC Trooper backed up, blocking several but mostly retreating as Mace Windu stepped up his attack. Flashes of purple filled the air as Raid's blue blade was repeatedly smacked away. An uppercut strike across the chest plate with a follow up slash to the waist threw the clone off balance, and the Jedi finished him with a slash to the chest. Raid collapsed from the blows; breath knocked clear out of his lungs. He stared at the roof and fought back a curse that rose in his throat.
General Windu stowed his blade, stepping back towards the other Masters. "You aren't making a very good showing of your abilities." Yoda looked on with something that appeared a mix of pity and sadness. Ki-Adi-Mundi seemed just fine, a hand in his chin as he spectated.
"Give me a moment to prepare," he wheezed, rolling to his feet and stumbling to the rails of the balcony. He took a deep breath of the outside air, closing his eyes as a cool breeze blew across his sweaty face.
"You almost had him," Keinar encouraged weakly, coming up beside Raid, Ahsoka and Vonya right behind him. The Gran's companions all gravitated towards the clone as Yoda and the Masters conversed quietly.
"This isn't fair," Ahsoka seethed, clenching the rail. "They know you can't beat him at swordplay."
Tinora sighed heavily, leaning against the decorative barrier. Her hair blew about her a little, getting into her face before she brushed it back with a hand. "I think that's the point. Master Windu wants him to lose so he'd give the lightsaber to the Temple."
"I can't beat him," Raid mumbled, closing his eyes to focus on the breeze. "I'm gonna lose the blade."
"I wish this were a blaster fight," Zondin grumbled, helmet still in his possession. "You'd peg him easy."
Raid turned to the boy, something tugging at his mind. "Wait... what was it that you said earlier?"
Zondin frowned. "I say a lot of things, which one?" Tinora snorted a laugh, and Vonya covered her mouth.
Raid smiled, an idea forming in his mind. "You said I fight just fine like a clone, and that I shouldn't worry about Jedi skills. I think you were right."
"Of course I'm right," the Mirialan boy said proudly, looking smug at his companion who rolled their eyes. Raid checked his blasters, switching some elements on the sides.
"Are you going to shoot Master Windu?" Tiernan asked, eyes wide. Raid just winked at him, grabbing his helmet from the other boy and placing it on his head. He turned and strutted to the middle of the room.
"General! I'm ready for another go," he declared, igniting his blue saber and pointing it at the Jedi. Mace Windu nodded, strutting over slowly.
"You must understand this is not a personal matter," the Jedi said, producing his purple blade. "These are the rules of my people, as you have rules amongst yours in the army."
"Then don't get mad when I beat you," Raid rejoined in a snarky tone, lunging with a stab. Windu deflected it, shoving Raid with his off hand. The clone whipped around, blaster in his left hand, and shot a stun ring at Windu, who, with a brief look of surprise, blocked.
"Have you given up your blade for your blasters?"
Raid fired several more, each being blocked. "No, I'm just using all of the tools at my disposal." He charged again, firing while swinging. Windu blocked each ring and the strike but had to step back with the unexpected combination of weapons. Raid fell back, circling the Jedi while firing off his blaster. Each shot was blocked as Windu suddenly charged. Raid dove away, hearing the swooshing of the blade behind him. Coming to a kneel, he shot another ring before getting thrown back by a shock wave of energy from the Jedi's outstretched hand. He tumbled, losing his helmet on the ground as he neared the wall.
"Booooo!" Zondin and Adon jeered in unison, raising their fists. "Go Raid! Go Raid!"
"You can do it Commander!" Kira called helpfully.
Raid staggered to rise, helmet lying on the floor a couple feet in front of him as Windu approached mercilessly. As the Jedi neared, Raid began praying silently as he did the first thing that came to mind. He charged, firing his blaster and raising his blade to strike. While he rushed the Jedi, Raid pulled his leg back before swinging it forward, curling his foot slightly as he hooked the helmet off the floor and through the air. Windu, busy blocking stun rings and moving to intercept Raid's blade, tried to twist his body before the projectile hit, not reacting fast enough.
Thonk!
"Oooooh!" the younglings in the room cringed as the helmet impacted between Mace Windu's legs, making the Jedi Master double down in pain. Ahsoka and Vonya both had eyes the size of dinner plates. Ki-Adi-Mundi rocked forward in his chair, astonishment all over his face, while Yoda sat there flicking his wrist, squinting in sympathy. No one noticed, but several other Jedi watched from the hall, including Aayla Secura the blue Twi'lek, Adi Gallia the Tholothian, and Plo Koon, a Kel Dor, who all stood in the doorway cringing, groaning, and chuckling respectively at the solid and underhanded blow to the krunk nuts.
Taking his chance, Raid dove at Windu, who was dazed but had recovered enough to raise his blade to block the blue one, but Raid didn't stop with the laser sword, crashing his full body weight into the man as they tumbled over the floor. Having lost his blaster, Raid rolled over, swinging with a yell, but Mace Windu dodged by rocking onto his feet atop one of the youngling's meditation mats. Raid gripped it in a fist and ripped it out from under the Jedi, sending him to the floor with a crash, head hitting the ground with a sickening conk and saber falling from his grasp. Leaping upon the man with a savage growl, Raid managed to nip his forearm with the blue lightsaber before being repelled across the room with the Force, tumbling and rolling into an unoccupied chair, coming to rest in a heap. Everyone fell quiet as the two combatants picked themselves up, both groaning and wincing at their injuries.
Suddenly, the children began clapping, cheering out for Raid, who blinked like he was just waking up. Had he actually touched Mace Windu with his blade? Even if it was a nip, he could think of no other, especially not a clone, who could claim that.
Windu leaned on the wall, a single tear on his eye from the lowly hit. His voice was only slightly higher. "You have won this match, Commander. I think I have learned not to underestimate a clone's tenacity... or willingness to fight dirty, especially against a General." Raid winced at the reminder that he had just assaulted his commanding officer. "I trust you will make good use of that blade?"
"Yes sir!" Raid stood straight, saluting.
Windu nodded, waving him towards the door. "You can keep it, though I don't want to see you in this Temple without permissions. Understood?"
"Y-Yes sir," he replied awkwardly, feeling a little heat to his face.
"Padawan Tano, please escort your friend outside. Also, continue to teach the Commander how to use his blade. He could do great good with it someday."
"Yes, Master," Ahsoka said quickly, bowing before hugging Vonya.
"Let's hang out sometime again, both of you. Just... not in the Temple again," the Twi'lek said with a light laugh.
"Deal," Ahsoka chuckled. Together, the two Commanders exited the room, going past the Jedi who nodded respectfully.
Just before they got out of earshot, Raid overheard Zondin speak. "Miss Vonya, can I be a clone trooper when I'm older?"