Chapter 35

Jaina swallowed hard, her grip tightening on the handrail as the gunship lurched into motion.

The once-lush jungles, visible through the open bay doors, had turned into a hellscape of flames and destruction. The trees that had stood for centuries reduced to smoldering stumps, their bioluminescent glow replaced by the fire that raged across the landscape.

Black plumes of smoke rose towards the sky, obscuring the planet's natural beauty and replacing it with a grim reminder of the devastation wrought by war.

She forced her expression to remain carefully neutral, despite the guilt, grief, and anger that gnawed at her insides.

The Jedi Master's gaze swept over the remaining troops, lingering for a moment on his little Padawan. Even through their Force bond, he could sense the turmoil roiling within her, threatening to break through her carefully constructed mask of calm.

"Steady now, my little Padawan," Obi-Wan's voice cut through her tumultuous thoughts, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. "Focus on the here and now. We're not out of danger yet."

As if to punctuate his words, a series of explosions rocked the ground below, sending shockwaves through the air that buffeted the gunship.

Jaina stumbled, her small frame nearly thrown off balance by the turbulence.

Through the bay doors, she could see more fires erupting across the Felucian landscape, each blast destroying another patch of the once-beautiful ecosystem. The distinctive shapes of Separatist AATs and MTTs appeared through gaps in the smoke, their relentless advance leaving nothing but destruction in their wake.

"The Felucians, their home…" Jaina's voice trailed off, thick with emotion as she took in the devastation below. "…Everything is ruined…"

Her blue eyes, wide with distress and anguish, darted around the scarred landscape. "If the Separatists reach the agricultural settlements…"

Obi-Wan's hand tightened on Jaina's shoulder. "I know, little one. If it's any comfort, the Commerce Guild would not dare risk damaging the Nysillin farms. Of that much, I am certain."

His voice was heavy with regret, but tinged with resolve. "The cost of war is…steep. But we must remember—our purpose is not to mourn the losses, but rather to minimize them. We will be protecting the Felucians in the long run."

The Jedi Master paused, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Look there," he said, pointing to a distant patch of green that had escaped the worst of the fires. "Life finds a way, dearest. And we will do everything in our power to ensure it has the chance to recover."

Jaina nodded, trying to take comfort in her Master's words. How many ecosystems had been wiped out in the span of a single battle?

How many species, perhaps ones not even discovered yet, had been lost?

The enormity of it threatened to overwhelm her. "How do we justify this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "We're supposed to be peacekeepers, but look at what our presence has brought to this world."

The question hung in the air, heavy and uncomfortable.

Obi-Wan's brow furrowed, knowing there was no easy answer. "We bear the burden of our choices, Jaina. But remember, it was not our choice to bring war here. We fight so that one day, there will be no need for fighting at all."

Jaina closed her eyes, trying to center herself in the Force as she'd been taught.

But instead of calm, she found only turmoil—the echoes of pain and loss from the battle below, the lingering fear and determination of the clones around her, and her own tumultuous emotions all swirling together.

Cody approached, his helmet tucked under his arm, his face etched with exhaustion and concern. "General, Commander," he nodded to each of them in turn. "I've confirmed that we managed to evacuate most of our forces, but we've taken heavy losses. They knew we were coming."

Jaina frowned. "But how? Our intel…it was supposed to be solid."

She looked up at her Master, searching his face for answers, for reassurance, for anything that might make sense of this disaster.

But Obi-Wan's expression was grim, his eyes distant as he stroked his beard thoughtfully. "It seems, my little Padawan, that we have a leak in our intelligence network. One that has cost us dearly today."

Jaina's eyes widened, all color draining from her face.

"What is it?" Obi-Wan asked, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Use your words."

"If the Separatists knew to ambush us there," Jaina muttered anxiously. "Then, Anakin and Ahsoka's assault was likely compromised as well—"

She left the thought unfinished, the potential consequences too horrible to voice aloud.

Obi-Wan's face hardened as he turned towards Cody. "Hail General Fisto, get me a status report on his battalion and have them implement their evacuation immediately."

Then tightened his grip on his little Padawan's shoulder. "Contact Ahsoka," he said urgently, bringing his wrist comlink to his face. "I'll raise Anakin."

Jaina nodded, triple-clicking her comm and inputting the familiar frequency. "Ahsoka. Ahsoka, come in."

"Anakin—do you copy?" Obi-Wan called urgently.

Silence.

"Anakin?" He tried again, his voice growing tight and tense.

"I'm here, Obi-Wan!" Anakin's voice eventually rang out, choppy with the weak signal. "Separatist—ambush—lost contact—Ahsoka—jungle patrol—my comms are down—"

Jaina's blood ran cold. She clicked her comm once more. "Ahsoka, are you there?" She called out anxiously. "Ahsoka, pick up!"

The silence that followed her plea was deafening, broken only by the persistent hum of the gunship's engines, the murmurs of the weary troopers, and the occasional crackle of static from the comm.

Jaina's blue eyes darted anxiously between her Master and the other occupants of the gunship.

Obi-Wan placed a comforting hand on his little one's shoulder, his own expression a mask of concern. "Keep trying, Padawan. The jungle's interference might be affecting communications."

Jaina nodded, taking another deep breath. "Ahsoka, please respond. What is your location?"

The seconds ticked by agonizingly slowly, each moment of silence amplifying the young Padawan's anxiety. She closed her eyes, reaching out through the Force, trying to sense her friend's presence amidst the chaos of battle.

After what felt like an eternity, but was likely only a few minutes, a crackling sound emanated from Jaina's comm.

"Jaina? Is that you? I'm here!" Ahsoka's voice, though distorted by static, was unmistakable.

Relief washed over Jaina's features, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly. "Ahsoka! Thank the Force! Are you okay? What's your status?"

"I'm fine, J," Ahsoka's voice crackled. "Don't worry about me. We're actually pushing the clankers back! You should see the scrap pile we've made, it's—"

"—Ahsoka," Jaina interrupted urgently. "What is your location?"

"About six clicks east from Master Skywalker's staging area," Ahsoka responded quickly. "I've engaged the enemy, and I've got them on the run."

The smugness and the confidence—the pride—in her voice was both heartening…and terrifying. Ahsoka truly was Anakin Skywalker's Padawan.

"The gunships will be there to extract you shortly," Obi-Wan interrupted curtly, moving to speak into Jaina's wrist comm. "We're leaving."

"What?!" Ahsoka exclaimed. "We can't retreat now, Master Kenobi! I've broken through, the droids are retreating!"

Jaina stiffened, her eyes widening in alarm. "Ahsoka, you must—"

Obi-Wan cut her off with a sharp gesture. "We're outnumbered, you must evacuate! That is an order!"

"But Master Skywalker taught me to never let up when the tinnies are on the run!"

Obi-Wan scowled. "They are 'running' back to regroup with the main force—which is thrice our initial intel, at least!" He snapped. "You are putting your troops' lives in danger, young one, you will get in the gunship when we arrive."

Jaina glanced anxiously between her Master and the comm, her mind racing with conflicting emotions—concern for her best friend's safety, fear for the consequences of her disobedience, and a gnawing dread about the larger implications of their overall compromised campaign.

Cody approached once more, his helmet tucked under his arm, his face etched with concern. "General, we've got a problem. Long-range scanners are picking up a massive Separatist fleet entering the system. They'll be on us in less than an hour."

Obi-Wan's brow furrowed. "We must accelerate our evacuation," he said decisively. "Contact Yularen and Block, have them move The Resolute and The Negotiator into position to cover our retreat. We'll need every second we can get."

As the gunship banked sharply, heading towards Anakin's last known position, Jaina steeled herself.

Through the doors, she could see the chaos unfolding below—501st troopers in mud-splattered armor sprinting towards the extraction point, occasional flashes of blaster fire illuminating the hazy air.

"Brace yourselves," Obi-Wan called out, his voice steady despite the tension evident in his posture.

The gunship shuddered as it touched down, kicking up a cloud of dust. Immediately, men from the 501st began pouring in, their armor scorched and tainted.

Jaina shuffled to the side, making as much room as possible for the retreating soldiers. She could feel their exhaustion and fear rippling through the Force.

"Watch your six! We've got clankers on our tail!" One of the blue-striped troops shouted as he scrambled aboard.

Through the throng of incoming troops, she caught sight of a familiar face—Anakin, his dark robes billowing as he provided cover for the last of his retreating men.

"Obi-Wan! We need to move, now!" he called out, leaping into the gunship just as it began to hover. "Where's Ahsoka?"

"Following your teachings," Obi-Wan shot back dryly, reaching out to grab his former Padawan's arm.

Anakin's lips curled into a smirk, despite the dire situation. "Is she winning?"

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "For now."

Jaina stumbled slightly as the gunship lurched, its trajectory set towards Ahsoka's extraction point. The young Padawan's small frame swayed, her hands gripping the overhead rail tightly to maintain her balance while the ship swerved through the flak.

As the gunship drew nearer to Ahsoka's coordinates, the noise of intense blasterfire grew louder.

Jaina peered out, her eyes widening as she took in the scene below.

The Togruta Padawan was a blur of motion, her green lightsaber flashing as she continued to deflect blasts while standing atop her lone Juggernaut.

More troopers of the 501st fought alongside her, their blue-striped armor easily distinguishable amidst the chaos.

"Master, she's still pushing forward!" Jaina exclaimed, her voice tinged with a mix of both awe and concern.

Obi-Wan leaned forward, his brow furrowing. "Anakin, your Padawan seems to have inherited your penchant for recklessness," he remarked dryly to the Jedi Knight beside him. "She's not stopping!"

"She's doing what I taught her—press the advantage when you have it," Anakin replied, equally as dry. He turned towards Oddball in the cockpit. "Land in front of them!"

As the gunship landed in front of Ahsoka's tank—positioning itself in between her forces and the droids—the Togruta Padawan glared at them in frustration. "What are you doing?!" She exclaimed at Anakin. "Can't you see they're retreating?!"

Jaina blinked rapidly, her eyes wide in shock at Ahsoka's outburst.

The young Padawan stood rooted to the spot, utterly stunned that her dear friend would have the guts to dare speak to her Master in such a manner.

She glanced nervously between Ahsoka and Anakin.

Anakin's face darkened, his eyes narrowing as he fixed Ahsoka with a stern glare. "They're about to overrun you, Ahsoka, you just can't see it!" The Jedi Knight's prosthetic hand clenched into a fist at his side, his frustration and disappointment palpable. "Now follow orders and get in the ship!"

For a moment, Ahsoka's expression flashed with defiance and frustrating, a spark of pride and of courage—of pure Anakin—in her eyes.

The Togruta Padawan hesitated for a moment longer before nodding reluctantly and boarding the gunship, while the rest of her men evacuated into the perpendicular LAATs.

As Ahsoka boarded, Jaina's eyes darted around the cramped interior, taking in the grim scene before her.

Medics continued to move swiftly between injured troopers, applying bacta patches and administering pain relievers.

Her gaze lingered on a former shiny, his helmet removed to reveal a face barely out of Kamino, now marred by a deep gash across his cheek.

She sighed softly. All these lives lost…all those lives destroyed…for a withdrawal.

One that left both the Republic and the innocent Felucians worse off than when this ground invasion had begun.

…What had it all been for?

Through the bay doors, she gazed at the devastated landscape rushing by below.

Lush jungles reduced to smoldering ruins. Swathes of vibrant trees, now nothing more than ash and cinders.

The next morning, the air inside the Jedi Temple Council Chambers was thick with tension, as Jaina and Ahsoka flanked Anakin, standing before the assembled Jedi Masters.

The Togruta Padawan's shoulders were tense, her usually bright expression subdued and quiet, her gaze glued to the marble floor.

On Anakin's other side, Jaina stood stiffly as usual, her moist palms tightly clutched behind her back, her lips pressed tightly together as they always were at these meetings.

Her Master sat in his usual chair, his expression completely unreadable, his ankle resting casually over his knee.

The spacious room, bathed in the warm glow of the morning Coruscant sun, seemed to amplify the gravity of the situation; the recent losses on Felucia weighing heavily on all present.

Master Yoda's ears drooped slightly as he addressed the rest of the Council, his eyes filled with concern. "Troubling, this news is. A great loss, we have suffered."

Mace Windu leaned forward in his seat, his fingers steepled before him. "What's more concerning is the implication of a leak in our intelligence. This could have far-reaching consequences for the war effort, even beyond this setback on Felucia, and the Commerce Guild's continued chokehold on Nysillin exports."

Obi-Wan stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Indeed, Master Windu. The ambush was well-coordinated and executed with precision. It's clear the Separatists had advanced knowledge of our plans."

He paused, glancing over at his little Padawan, who stood rigidly on Anakin's other flank. "However, thanks to the quick thinking and bravery of all our troops, we were able to minimize our losses and extract most of our forces."

Master Yoda nodded solemnly. "Investigate this matter thoroughly, we will."

"And now, onto other matters from the campaign," Master Windu said, leaning forward in his seat to address Ahsoka, his fingers steepled before him. "Padawan Tano. Do you feel Master Kenobi's description of the incident is accurate?"

Ahsoka took in a deep breath, her expression grim. "…Yes, my Masters," she said quietly.

Master Yoda tilted his head. "More to add, have you?"

"I know I was wrong…I just got so caught up in my own successes that I didn't look at the battle as a whole. I—I wasn't being disobedient, I just—" Ahsoka paused, cutting herself off mid-ramble. "…forgot."

Jaina glanced sideways towards her dear friend for a moment, sighing silently and lowering her own gaze to the floor.

Anakin stepped forward, his shoulders squaring as he addressed the Council. "Masters, this incident is my responsibility," he said firmly. "Because of Ahsoka's advanced abilities, I forgot how young she is. I gave her more freedom than I should have."

Master Windu leaned forward once more, his stern gaze turning towards Anakin. "That may be, but it doesn't excuse what happened on Felucia." His words hung heavy in the air. "I think she needs some time away from the battlefield."

"Agreed, we are," Master Yoda nodded slowly. "On Archive security, reflect on your actions you can, Padawan."

"Guard duty?!" Ahsoka exclaimed, barely managing to steel her sharp grimace in time. "…For how long?"

"Longer, now," Windu drawled.

As the Council meeting adjourned, Jaina gazed at Anakin and Ahsoka, walking silently ahead down the corridor.

"Master…" She began quietly, turning to gaze up at her own mentor as they walked. "May I…be excused for the night?" She stopped for a moment. "I think Ahsoka might need some company."

Obi-Wan looked at his little Padawan, his expression softening. "Of course, my little one. That's very thoughtful of you. I'm sure Ahsoka could use a friend right now." He gave a small nod. "Go on."

"Thank you, Master," Jaina smiled softly and lowered her head in deference, before beginning to scurry down the hallway to catch up with Ahsoka. "Good night!"

"Jaina, wait a moment."

"Hmmm?" Jaina murmured, skidding to a stop.

Obi-Wan's face was kind but serious as he looked at his small apprentice. "Always remember—be mindful." He paused, stroking his beard. "We must respect the Council's decision. Offer her comfort, but do not encourage her defiance."

Jaina tilted her head, her brows furrowing. "Yes, Master."

"Good," Obi-Wan smiled warmly. "Go on. Help her out tonight."

As the young Jedi turned to leave once more, the Jedi Master called out softly, "and Jaina?"

The little Padawan turned back once more, her face questioning—the slightest hint of rare impatience in her eyes.

Obi-Wan's expression softened, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he gazed at his little girl.

She was growing up.

"Be back before lights-out, please," the Jedi Master finished, his tone now lighter, more playful. "I expect you in bed before curfew."

"Yes, Master, I will!" Jaina called back impatiently, turning once more and beginning to run.

She'd always be his little girl, no matter what. Regardless of what war they fought, and no matter how many obstacles they faced, he'd always be there for her.

"…And no boys, little one!"

Jaina spun around, her face a bright crimson. She slapped a hand to her forehead. "Master!" She sputtered. "Stop embarrassing me!"

Obi-Wan let out a small laugh, his eyes twinkling. "Oh come now, dear one. I am merely doing my job as your Master," he retorted with a smirk. "And don't forget—I have eyes everywhere." He winked. "Now off you go. And remember what I said about being mindful."