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prongsisabadger · 3 years

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The Wolf Pack Chapter 14

I took off the outer layer of my robes as fast as I could. The damned thing had caught fire after an explosion and had nearly burnt my shoulder off.

"You really should get some armour, kid." Said Rex beside me.

"Let's discuss my poor fashion choices later, Rex. We need to hold them off until the shield-"

My frustrated rant was cut short by the shield powering off. Finally. The enemy had almost got to the heavy cannons, and now, with their only protection gone, we had the high ground. Orders were yelled and the cannons loaded. And our fighting was renewed with double the strength now that the situation didn't seem as hopeless. Ahsoka and her master had made it, thank the Force.

Master Kenobi had captured General Loathsom and reinforcements were arriving. Just in time. I sighed in relief and patted Rex's shoulder.

"We did it, Captain."

While Rex set off to look for Skywalker, I went looking for my own master. He was speaking to Master Yoda while the troops marched off the cruiser and onto the surface. They were discussing the matter of Jabba's son being kidnapped, and how to go about the matter in the best way. It was a delicate situation. Sould Jabba decide to side with the Separatist alliance, the war would become that much harder. For the sake of safe passage through the outer rim, this mission needed to be successful.

"I apologize for interrupting, Masters, but maybe I could be of help in the negotiations with the Hutts." I said approaching them both.

"Ah, young Padawan. Did a good job today, I hear." Said Master Yoda, turning to me.

"I only did the best I could, Master."

"You are too humble, young one. We had very few losses today." He said before clearing his throat. "But regarding the negotiations with Jabba, I do believe it to be best if I go alone. Jabbas can be… touchy."

I smiled slightly, that was putting it lightly.

"I know, but I've been studying their culture and language for years now, master. I believe that if we show them we appreciate our relationship enough to learn them, it might give us an advantage."

Both masters looked at each other for a moment before coming to a silent agreement.

"Aware of this, I was not. Hmm." Said Master Yoda.

"Bridging cultural gaps was the main reason I joined the Jedi Order in the first place, Master."

"Then a companion in this journey you will have Master Kenobi, yes."

…

My new master and I took a fighter each. The logic behind it had been that once we were done in Tatooine, we would have to reinforce Master Skywalker and Ahsoka. Asd the best way to do that, was to fly something we could fight in. It was a strange feeling, coming back to Tatooine, that is. I would not be seeing the Tusken, not really, but to return to where it had all started brought a sense of nostalgia and peace.

"How does it feel to be back?" Asked master Kenobi over the comms.

"Like I never left, Master."

We flew over the Dune Sea and towards Jabba's palace. Outside the fortified place was an encampment of Jawas who had apparently come to trade, and I could feel all their eyes on our ships once we started the landing sequence. I told the droid I'd been assigned to keep an eye on them while we were gone, and then leapt off the ship. I had replaced my scorched robes before leaving Christophsis, so I got a few stares from the welcoming committee.

"Let us not keep the mighty and wise Jabba waiting." Said the protocol droid as both my master and I bowed.

I had expected many things from Jabba's palace, but not the stench. It smelled acidic, and like some sort of life form was being digested or decomposing somewhere in the palace. I did my best not to let it show, it would have been disrespectful, but it did cross my mind that they could have at the very least installed a ventilation system. Not only was the small rank, it was also stagnant, and fermenting with every second it spent inside the palace. Not even breathing through my mouth helped.

When we arrived at Jabba's quarters, the protocol droid introduced my master and I. At once, the great awful slug demanded to know why we had taken that long, and why were the Jedi not searching for his son.

"The Council has already managed to locate your son, oh mighty Jabba." I started in Huttese, which seemed to shock a few of the people there. "One of the best Jedi Masters has already been dispatched to rescue him. As we speak, he is on his way there."

The Hutt considered me for a moment.

"You speak my language, child," He said. "I value that, but I cannot be lenient when the life of my dear son is in danger."

"I Understand, mighty one. The bloodline of all Hutts is sacred and as such should be honored and protected. All we ask is safe passage through your territory for the Republic's troops."

Master Kenobi, seeing there was no indication of discontent or rage in the room allowed me to continue with the negotiations. But there was so much I could do as a Padawan. I could not speak in the name of the council, or represent the Order in any way. All I could do was get Master Kenobi to the negotiations table.

"My Master here with me," I said, turning to him and motioning him forward. "Will continue with negotiations in the name of the Jedi Order, should you -oh wise one- allow it."

He did.

Jabba gave us one planetary rotation to get his son back to him, alongside the scum who had kidnapped him. Master Kenobi and I stayed a few more hours to work out the details of the treaty with the great Hutt. It was a great learning experience, seeing Master Kenobi at work. Being lenient where he could allow it and firm every time he could not give something up. Both the protocol droid and I acted as translators, and soon our negotiations were over. All that was left to do was rescue Jabba's son. Which was no small feat mind you. If we failed, Jabba would grant the enemy passage through his territory and we would receive a huge blow for it. But we had a job to do, and defeat was not an option we could consider.

We rendezvous with the 212th battalion right outside the moon that held the temple. I was put in charge of gunner air support, and as a result, paired up with Commander Cody's men. When Master Kenobi gave the order, we set off. As we neared the temple where Skywalker's troops were, we started receiving heavy enemy fire. And the blast doors were closed. Outside, explosions echoed and shook the craft.

"We're nearly there, Commander." Said the pilot.

"Good. Squad, let's go save captain Rex's ass." I said as the doors opened and then jumped off.

I had come a long way since my time in Illum.

I landed on top of the fallen walker in the yard and turned my lightsaber on. I then jumped off to the ground, rolled and took point where the men of the 501st were.

"Reinforcements are here! Let them have it boys!" someone yelled behind me, and those who were left cheered.

Master Kenobi landed next and asked Rex for a report. The General was still inside as far as he knew.

"Kriari, you stay here and reinforce the troops. Get rid of these droids. I will go get Anakin." He ordered.

"Yes, Master."

I turned to the troops and smiled at them.

"You heard the General boys. It's time for target practice!"

…

"And that's how we saved Captain Rex's skin." I said as I finished the story.

Art, Boost and Wolffe had come to greet us at the hangar. I was finally returning to the Pack after what seemed like a very long time.

"You missed the part when you almost caught fire. Twice." Smirked Rex as we made our way to the elevator. "Our commander right here, thought wearing armour was a fashion choice."

They all started laughing because of course a Jedi wouldn't think of something as mundane as armour.

"Yeah, laugh it up. I don't know if you can tell, but I haven't been to Coruscant since I left and there aren't many places to shop for armour around here, boys." I said when the doors opened to the bridge.

"You could always modify some clone armour, we have a few guys that know how to do it." Said Art before putting his helmet on.

"Really? But , that armour is for you guys." I protested as we neared the control center.

"Don't worry Commander. Leave it to me, I'll get right on it." And with that, he and boost left.

Rex gave his report on both the battles we had been involved in, and I added a few things on my part when he was done. Commander Wolffe and Master Plo listened intently to our reports and then thanked Rex and dismissed him. Both General and Commander had tried to remain as professional as possible while dealing with inter battalion protocol, but once the elevator door closed behind Rex, all illusion of coldness was gone.

"Welcome back to the Pack, Commander." Said Wolffe with a smirk.

"It's good to be back, Wolffe." I said smiling broadly before turning to Master Plo. "Koh-to-ya, Master. It's been a while."

"Indeed, little one, indeed. I hope you are ready for a more tame assignment." he said before turning on a holo map. "We were tasked with finding General Grievous' mystery weapon. It has been tearing entire fleets apart and leaving no survivors."

I watched as he brought up footage of what had once been a Republic fleet. I gasped. There was nothing left, only scraps and dead bodies drifting in open space. It was a terrible sight.

"I don't think you and I have the same concept for a tame mission, Master." I commented.

"Our task is to find it, young one. Not to engage. Our intelligence has brought us some insight into the last known locations of this weapon and we believe there is a high chance of finding it near the Abregado system." Said my Master.

Wolffe briefed me into the plan. We would take three cruisers and depart in three days, if we managed to find it, we would not engage and wait for reinforcements. But everything was very vague at this point. We knew very little of this weapon and what it did. All we knew wat that it was very dangerous and we needed to stop it,

Wolffe and I left the bridge together. He needed to check on the supplies, and I was put off duty until we departed.

"You and Captain Rex seem to have become close fiends." He said casually as the doors to the elevator closed.

"He's a good man. And a great soldier. No wonder General Skywalker likes him so much, they are both a little reckless." I said.

"Is that why you like them?" he teased.

"I like Rex. Skywalker is still on thin ice."

On our way we caught up with each other. What we'd been up to, people we'd met, battles we'd fought. But for some reason I found myself being more honest with him than I'd been with anyone since Ahsoka. I told him how unprepared I'd felt on the battlefield. How I had underestimated the weight of the losses we had suffered and how I didn't imagine how heavy they were to carry. I told him how, once the fight started, all common sense left me and everything I had left was instinct and the need to survive and help the troops survive.

"Well, I never really thought about it. We were programmed for this, created to fight and be efficient, and follow orders. Don't get me wrong we are just as terrified in that battlefield as you are. But we were trained to get through regardless. I don't know if Jedi have that." He answered.

"We don't. We are told not to let our emotions dictate our actions. To follow the force ant its will, but when you are surrounded by chaos, and death, and the possibility of losing everyone around you…" I rambled. "I'm sorry, Commander. I should not burden you with my problems. I'm sure you have your own."

We had stopped right in front of my quarters.

"It's no problem, really. You give it all out there to keep us safe, Commander. The least I could do is help you deal with the consequences our safety brings."

"Preventing losses does not bring consequences, Wolffe. Being the cause of those losses would."

…

The next day I spoke about it to Master Plo. The war was just beginning, and I didn't want to allow my emotions to consume me, but I also wanted to be able to deal with them in a healthy way. Talking to people and seeking counsel had always been something that brought me peace. But I also couldn't rely on everyone around me to keep me sane and grounded. When I told these thighs to Master Plo, he said something I did not expect.

"You are still a Padawan, Kriari. You don't need to know the answer to all of this right now. Master Kenobi and I can and will help you through this. It will be a collective effort for all of us, no one will be spared and as Jedi we need to stick together in these dark times." he explained. "Seeking comfort from others is normal and natural, you just have to make sure you don't depend on that comfort. Peace, true peace, comes from within."

But it was not easy. It never had been and even less so during war time. We were just getting started, and we would lose so many people before the war ended. We would mourn and cry and even resent the enemy for each one of the lives we lost. But we would need to keep going. Keep our head held high, keep our chests forward and our regrets behind us. We would need to trust each other, to cherish each other, but never avenge each other. If we fought, we would fight with honor and strength and in the memory of those we lost, but never to satisfy our own grief.

On my second day of leave, I was in the mess hall when Art and Boost found me. I was having my morning coffee and waiting for Master Plo to have a few lightsaber lessons. The aura around these two caught me off guard. They were excited, very excited, and were holding a case behind their backs. Before I could say anything another trooper ran towards us and shot a nasty look at the other two.

"You said you would wait for me, you pair of nasty womp rats." He accused.

I chuckled under my breath and raised my eyebrows when the third trooper apologized for his language.

"No worries, trooper. I'm off duty, besides, I have a foul mouth as well. You're good."I smiled.. "Do you have a name?"

"Sinker, Ma'am. Sergeant." He said saluting me before taking a seat beside the other two.

"So, what brings you lot to my table this fine morning?" I asked, sipping my coffee.

They all light up like Coruscant on festival week. They put the case on the table, carefully setting aside my tray, and opened it. Inside, there was a set of upper body trooper armour. It had been modified to fit me and Art had decided to try his hand at design as well apparently. The armour on the left arm had been left alone except for the Jedi Order logo painted on the shoulder pad in bright red paint. The rest of the armour, though, had been painted dark gray. The entire right arm, though, had been painted so that the symbol of the Wolf Pack was white and so were the patterns that run down the arm and onto the armoured gloves.

I sat there staring at every single piece, carefully molded to fit me, expertly painted and designed. This was not just a piece of armour. This was the Pack saying "This is our Jedi, This is our Commander."

I started tearing up, and sniffing a little. Apparently this gave the impression that I didn't like it, so it took a lot of laughter, tears and assurance to convince the three that, yes these were happy tears, and no, I didn't hate it and would be honored to wear it.

"Now the entire army will know which battalion you belong with."

#TWP #clone wars fan fiction #star wars the clone wars #plo koon #commander wolffe #captain rex #ahsoka tano #obi-wan kenobi #padawan!oc

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