Chapter 10

Soon enough, the news we had all been expecting arrived. Several thousands of systems would be leaving the republic, and rumors about war started going around. Our sudden return to Coruscant made sense then, the Jedi Council would be needed by the Chancellor to advise on the Republic's next move. If we were going to war and all the Republic had was the Jedi, then we were all in serious trouble. Jedi masters were called back to the temple in an attempt to concentrate our forces. Padawan training intensified, and we were all told to catch up on our military history studies and strategic thinking. No one had said so, but we all knew it was only a matter of time before war broke out.

A few days before the vote in the senate for a Grand Army of the Republic, Senator Amidala was the target of an assassination attempt. While the council attempted to keep on top of the situation in Coruscant, Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan were assigned as the Senator's security. A general sense of dread crowded the Jedi Temple and with tensions rising, we all counted the days until one of the parties took the first step and pulled the trigger.

And then, Master Kenobi was taken prisoner in Geonosis.

Master Windu took every master he could find and set out to rescue him. I begged Master Plo to take me with him. I pleaded with him as much as I dared for him to let me come, to let me guard his back and help master Kenobi. He tried his best not to let his concern show, but he failed. I knew thighs were grave when he snapped.

"I have been patient with you until now because I consider you a precious friend, Kriari, but I will not allow you to come when we don't know for sure if support is coming. I will not endanger my Padawan unless I have no other choice!"

I stayed silent for a second, letting what he had told me sink in. He was not optimistic about their odds.

"If she wants to be of help, come with me to Kamino she can, Master Plo." Said Master Yoda behind me.

We had been quite loud apparently and he had heard every word of our argument.

"A daring Padawan you have, Master Plo. Courageous, hmmm, loyal, yes. Hard to find such people are." he continued.

Master Plo seemed to consider his options. He could let me come with him, outnumbered and outgunned; or he could allow me to go with Master Yoda to get reinforcements, where at least, I would have someone guarding my back. His options were limited because he knew deep down, I would not be staying in the Temple.

I looked back up at my master. Silently making my stand, looking him in the eyes with what I knew he had never seen before in me: defiance. I was daring him to say no, I was promising to disobey his orders should he leave me behind. I was making a statement: My loyalty is stronger than my obedience.

"Very well," he sighed. "But you will obey Master Yoda's every command. He will not be your master for long. Soon he will be your general, and those are orders you cannot disobey, Kriari."

"Yes, Master." I bowed low to show my gratitude. "We will arrive on Geonosis with reinforcements before you know it."

…

Kamino was beautiful in it's own watery, chaotic way. Tipoca city stood amongst the crashing waves of the never ending ocean, and it's lights were out only guide in the heavy rain that greeted us on our way to the surface. I had never seen so much water in my life. My amazement must have been clear because Master Yoda chuckled next to me.

"Far from the Dune Sea, we are." He commented.

"Very far indeed, Master."

We were greeted at the front gate and escorted to the Prime Minister's office. Lama Su assured us that the troops were ready to depart as soon as we needed them and all we had to do was say the word. And say the word Master Yoda did. We only took with us part of the Army, a number big enough to help the Jedi on Geonosis and take down the enemy. Several battalions were deployed, orders were given, and the course for Geonosis was set.

Master Yoda and I boarded the cruiser that led the fleet, and as the hundreds upon hundreds of clones climbed up the ramp, I couldn't help but wonder what was on their minds.

"Master, I have a question." I said before even realizing what I was about to do.

"Tell me, Child."

"Do you think this is the right decision?" I asked.

Buying life forms and having them fight a war for us didn't exactly sit right with me.

"The answer to that question, I don't know. But for now, It is the only one we can make. Yes"

And for a long time, I truly did believe that.

…

As we approached Geonosis, Master Yoda told me to board a different gunner, we would need as much support as we could, he said. So I did as instructed and headed to a ship that belonged to the 104th battalion.

I was greeted with salutes and calls of "Commander" before I even arrived. This I realized was a moment I would never forget. These men were about to head into a war for the first time, just like me. And we were all going to share the experience and whatever scars we were left with after.

"Who is in command of the 104th?" I asked.

"That would be me, Commander. I I am Clone Commander CT-3636." He said.

The man had his helmet off, his face was the same as all those around me: fresh, with no scars or signs of wear, no wrinkles.

"A pleasure, Commander. I was told to join your battalion for the coming fight on Geonosis." I said a little nervous. They were all looking at me. "My name is Kriari Foreas, I'm a Jedi Padawan, so technically I am not in command. I am at your service though."

He seemed a little uncomfortable with the Idea of having a Jedi under his command. He cleared his throat.

"I am sorry, ma'am, but Jedi outrank any clone trooper." he answered.

"Nonsense," I said, patting his shoulder. "This is our first battle. As far as I am concerned, experience outranks everything. Let's just say we are equals and be done with it."

He still didn't look very happy with the turn of events, but we were nearing the departure time, and there was no time to argue about the chain of command now.

When we boarded our gunners, we were briefed in the plan of attack master Yoda had established. Master Windu had sent out his coordinates before engaging, so we knew where we were headed. We would find the survivors, make a perimetre around them and get them out of the arena. After that, we would all engage the enemy on the battlefield and hopefully overwhelm their troops and capture Duku.

The ship was eerily silent as we made our way to the surface. There was only one thing on everyone's mind. A hope of survival.

"Gentlemen," I said. "We may have just met, and we may have no battle experience. But when those doors open I will fight beside you all as if I'd known you my entire life."

They were all silent and looking at me. Weighing my words, wondering how true they were.

"As a Jedi I do not believe in chance. I was assigned this battalion for a reason. I belong here as much as you do. And I will do my very best to earn my place. May the Force be with us all."

There was a moment of silence before the commander spoke.

"You may not be Commander in name, ma'am. But the 104th will stand by your side come hell or high water. Right boys?"

There was a choir of cheers and hoots and affirmation. And when we landed and the blast doors opened, the war began.