It was supposed to be a simple assignment. But she should've known better than to let her guard down. Let alone complain about how boring it would be. Afterall, since when did missions ever turn out to be simple and easy?
Ahsoka felt like a fool.
Breath crystallizing in the freezing air, she leaned against her knees as she struggled to catch her breath. The taste of bile and blood lingered in the back of her mouth, her teeth smarting with each brisk, freezing intake of air. Snow drifted down, swirling up in the howling wind and ripping at her parka, cooling her flushed face.
Distantly, she could hear the blaster fire up ahead amidst the sea of shouts and cries of fallen soldiers. The toneless droids' mechanical whirring and clanking echoed in her mind as they jumped them in the ambush, sending her heart sinking like a stone to her toes.
She was too late. She hadn't made it in time.
But this was her mistake, and—she ignited her green lightsaber—she'd make it right.
It was what she was trained to do. Even if she was all alone, with no back-up or hope of escape. She'd die for the clones, the Republic, if she had to. It was what was expected of every Jedi. To put the needs of others before themselves. Afterall, this had been her assignment, her responsibility. And she'd treated it so recklessly, figuring that a mere supply run to the outpost would've been a walk in the park, disregarding any sense of care.
Now she faced a full battalion of B1 battle droids and her dying men who were sacrificing themselves valiantly for her to carry out the plan. An invisible deep, gaping hole bore in her chest. She bit her lip as her mind—her tormentor—took her back to that first space battle. Master Anakin had trusted her to follow through, she disobeyed orders, so certain she could defeat the Separatists, and she had lost so many. She had felt each light of life in the Force snuffing away then, she could feel it now. And it hurt.
She had to reach the communication station. She had to. For all their sakes.
Taking a deep, shaky breath, she closed her eyes, soaking in the powerful hum of her lightsaber.
I am one with the Force, and the Force is with me.
She started to run, her feet slipping slightly in the icy sheets of snow. It covered the frozen earth like a blanket, burying all the history, the sacrifices, everything in its cold, merciless embrace.
I am one with the Force, and the Force is with me.
Eyes fixed on a battle droid, she sped up, determination settling on her brow. She jumped for it and brought the weapon in an overarching blow.
I am one with the Force, and the Force is with me.