As Ahsoka followed her Master toward the hangar, her curiosity churned within her like a restless star beast, making her fidget with anticipation.
"I can't believe Master actually knows Master Shaak Ti and can talk to her so casually!" Ahsoka had only glimpsed Master Shaak Ti once, from afar, when she was just a Youngling scurrying through the Temple corridors.
The Little Togruta had dreamed countless times of becoming a Jedi as great as Shaak Ti. But reality had proven full of obstacles. She couldn't even find a Jedi Knight willing to take her as an apprentice!
*This is so unfair!*
Now, trailing behind her tall, armored Master, Ahsoka finally couldn't contain herself. She asked softly, "Um, Master, can I ask a question?"
"Go ahead," Solo nodded, his pace never faltering. The metallic armor clinked softly as they walked through the corridor.
"About... the Battle of Geonosis. What really happened there?" The Younglings had been buzzing with rumors, and this was her chance to hear it from someone who had actually been there. "I heard you almost lost?"
The words had barely left Ahsoka's mouth before she realized the doubt in her tone.
She was torn between belief and skepticism. Rumors among the Younglings spread like wildfire, often with "slight" exaggerations. But what if the rumors were true? How devastating must that battle have been?
"It was scorching hot, and dust was everywhere," Solo said, his voice carrying a philosophical detachment. "There were so many robots—more than grains of sand in the desert."
"But they're just... tin cans!" Ahsoka couldn't help but retort. "You're Jedi! How could you almost lose?"
"Underestimating your opponent is the first step toward defeat," Solo gently pointed out, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. That look made Ahsoka feel as if her Master could see right through her thoughts.
"But..."
"Even the most skilled Jedi Master would struggle to escape unscathed when facing hundreds of combat robots in an open field. Besides, no one had ever taught us how to fight an entire army alone."
Solo paused, unconsciously scratching the armor on his chest, as if the battle's scars still lingered there. "And no one can guarantee they won't make mistakes. Sometimes, a single misstep is all it takes for some rusty droid to land a shot on you."
He stopped walking and looked earnestly into Ahsoka's eyes. "Remember this: don't take unnecessary risks."
Ahsoka nodded vigorously, trying to look like she was paying close attention and would never disappoint her Master.
Still, she subtly changed the subject. The conversation had become heavier than she'd expected. "Master, why are you wearing armor? The Jedi are Peacekeepers, not warriors."
"Ha! Yet it's these 'Peacekeepers' who take the most blaster fire," Solo chuckled, continuing down the corridor. "First, a robot shot me in the arena. Then their comrades chased me for hours with lasers, sonic weapons, and rockets. Not to mention the falling debris and burning wreckage..."
He suddenly stopped, his tone turning serious. "You know, I've realized something. There's no shame in learning from our ancestors' experiences, even for us 'noble Jedi.' After all, they knew what they were doing... Do you think I'm being too hasty?"
Solo turned, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Ahsoka shook her head vehemently, though inwardly she was thrilled by her Master's descriptions of the "totally awesome" battle details.
She struggled to suppress the silly grin tugging at the corners of her mouth, her blue eyes, brimming with admiration, practically devouring her Master's figure. "No... this is incredibly... inspiring!"
"Moreover," Solo's tone suddenly turned serious, "'Peacekeepers' is a title the Warrior Order bestowed upon themselves. The Jedi joined the Republic based on very specific conditions. Why do you think the Jedi enjoy so many privileges? It's simple: long before the Republic was even formed—when it was just an alliance of nations in the Core Worlds—its leaders reached an agreement with the Warrior Order. The Republic would provide support, and the Jedi would be obligated to defend the Republic... especially during military conflicts.
Back then, the galaxy was in turmoil, with wars erupting frequently. The Jedi's combat prowess was a crucial safeguard for the Republic.
Though the Jedi have occasionally disregarded these obligations throughout history, they always eventually returned to the proper path.
As for the term 'Peaceful Religious Warrior Order,' that emerged much later. The history behind it is complex; I'll tell you about it gradually when the time is right."
Solo fell silent.
Ahsoka's jaw dropped in astonishment, her eyes blinking rapidly.
No one had ever shared these "secret histories" of the Warrior Order with her before. She vowed to remember every word!
"So... how long ago was this?"
"About twenty-five thousand years ago. Check the official date of the Galactic Constitution's signing. The two events happened almost simultaneously, with at most a few decades between them." Solo paused, then abruptly changed the subject. "Once things calm down, I'll get you a set of armor too. But you're so small, the robots might not even be able to hit you."
"I'm not small! I'm already grown up! And I'm growing fast!" Ahsoka immediately puffed out her cheeks, completely forgetting about the "ancient history" she had been so curious about moments earlier.
She had never been particularly interested in history anyway. What mattered most now was that she was no longer a child!
"Yes, yes, yes..." Solo replied wearily, quickening his pace. The hangar's massive metal doors were now visible ahead.
Master Shaak Ti was waiting beside a gunship for Solo Victor.
The war had only just begun, but reports of Separatist Alliance attacks were already pouring in from across the galaxy.
No one had anticipated the Separatists possessing such overwhelming military strength: millions of battle droids and tens of thousands of warships.
Although the Grand Republic Army was mobilizing swiftly, it was already severely outnumbered.
The Jedi Council had already decided to send Solo to Kamino to oversee the training of the new batch of Clone Troopers. Kuat Shipyards, Rotana Factory, and Rendaria Factory had also received emergency orders to ramp up production of warships and military equipment.
The conflict continued to escalate, and this war was destined to be exceptionally arduous.
Sorrow and suffering awaited countless inhabitants of the galaxy.
Yet as if this weren't enough, the Jedi Council faced a new dilemma: internal divisions had emerged within the Jedi Order over the question of whether to participate in the war.
In just a few days, numerous Jedi publicly called for the Warrior Order to refrain from intervening in this political conflict. Some even solemnly declared that if the Masters refused to change their decision, they would leave the Warrior Order.
While the number of Jedi holding such views remained small for now, the fact that these voices had emerged so quickly already signaled a dangerous trend.
Shaak Ti could understand their perspective. She understood their reluctance to fight and shed blood, and she understood the jarring transition from mediators and diplomats to soldiers bringing death and destruction to the battlefield.
What she couldn't accept was that, in the aftermath of the Battle of Geonosis, when every Jedi life was precious, they would abandon the Warrior Order and their comrades.
Master Yoda, weary from recent events, said gravely, "We cannot impose our will on everyone... This path leads to the dark side."
Shaak Ti shook her head, trying to clear her mind. The Master was right, but understanding didn't ease the ache in her heart.
Learning that friends and brothers were preparing to abandon you in times of hardship—even if you empathized with their motives—was enough to suffocate the spirit.
Just then, the elevator doors at the far end of the hangar *slid* open, revealing Solo's figure.
Shaak Ti's thoughts snapped back to reality. She watched the Jedi Knight approach, clad in blue-green armor, and mused, *Hmm, he certainly hasn't wasted any time.*
The armor looked vaguely familiar, but she couldn't quite place where she'd seen it before.
Her attention soon shifted to the second figure emerging from the elevator. Trailing behind Solo was a young girl of her own species, struggling to keep up with his long strides, her eyes darting around in excitement.
Judging by her height and the still-developing Montrals on her head, the girl was very young, likely no older than fourteen.
"What's this? He's taken an apprentice so soon? Or did he already have one?" Shaak Ti asked, surprised.
"Master," Solo said, approaching and bowing respectfully.
"Master," the young girl behind him echoed, her voice tinged with shyness.
"It's good to see you safe and sound, Solo Victor," Shaak Ti replied politely.
"We have a saying where I come from: 'May you never live to see the day I meet my end,'" Solo said with a smile, his tone light.
"An interesting sentiment," Shaak Ti said, understanding the hidden meaning in his words. She couldn't help but smile back. "But let's get down to business. We don't have much time."
"Of course."
"Then let's start with the most important matter," Shaak Ti said, her tone turning serious. "As a member of the Jedi Council, I must formally inform you that the Council has decided to appoint you as a General in the Grand Republic Army. The primary reason for this appointment is your participation in the Geonosis campaign, which has given you the combat experience the Republic urgently needs. Do you accept this appointment?"
She glanced at Solo's armor, already knowing the answer in her heart. But protocol demanded she follow procedure, especially after the unpleasant precedent of a previous "refusal of appointment."
"Of course I accept," Solo nodded, completely unfazed by his apprentice's reaction.
Ahsoka's gaze darted excitedly between him and Shaak Ti, her emotions radiating through the Force like a vibrant, pulsating aura—a chaotic mix of elation, shock, disbelief, and bashfulness.
"Excellent," Shaak Ti said, choosing not to acknowledge the girl's emotional turmoil, though she wasn't entirely sure if this "ignorance" was appropriate. She gestured to a clone trooper standing nearby. "Commander Cage, report the mission to the General."
The clone trooper immediately nodded and stepped forward, holding a small projector.
Within seconds, a holographic map of a region of the galaxy materialized before them. Blue dots marked Republic strongholds, while red areas indicated Separatist Alliance activity.
"First, the overall situation," Commander Cage began, his voice steady and authoritative. "High Command has divided the galaxy into twenty operational sectors, each to be assigned at least 150,000 clone troopers in the near future. All twenty sector armies have now been fully formed. You will be assigned to the Twelfth Sector Army, responsible for securing the core segment of the Perlemian Trade Route."
He paused, then continued, "The Republic's main forces are departing from Kamino, deploying according to command's plans. The units stationed on Coruscant are currently the closest to the Perlemian Trade Route. Even so, your fleet will require approximately one standard day to reach the mission area, and the situation is already critical."
The Clone Trooper pressed a button on the projector, instantly zooming in on a holographic map to focus on a specific star system: "You will proceed to Donovia in the Inaru System, located near the Perlemian Trade Route. Intelligence indicates that the Separatist Alliance is attacking planets along the entire trade route, attempting to sever our supply lines. Donovia hosts a Trade Federation outpost, and a gas giant in the same system houses an automated refinery that produces fuel for starships... The Separatists likely intend to use this outpost to ambush passing vessels along the trade route."
"Your mission is to seize the outpost and refinery, establish a Republic stronghold there, and prepare for subsequent advances along the Perlemian Trade Route," Commander Cage said, his tone turning grave. "I must remind you that you cannot expect significant reinforcements. The Separatist Alliance is launching offensives across the galaxy, and our combat-ready forces are severely stretched."
"Your task force will consist of one Hailfire-class landing ship, two Consular-class cruisers, and forty-seven V-19 Torrent fighters. However, these fighters were acquired by reducing the number of gunships—we've retained only forty. Without fighter cover, success is impossible; Trade Federation warships carry approximately fifteen hundred Vulture Droid fighters." The Clone Trooper removed an information crystal from the projector's slot and handed it to Solo. "Here are the complete operational details for your task force, sir."
Shaak Ti nodded and waved Commander Cage away.
After the Clone Trooper left, Shaak Ti continued speaking to Solo, "Once your troops are fully loaded, have boarded their ships, and the equipment needed to establish a planetary base has arrived, depart immediately. This gunship will take you to your flagship."
She pointed to a transport shuttle in the hangar, its engines already humming, ready for takeoff.
"Understood," Solo nodded. Suddenly, a crucial question struck him. "One question: are there any native inhabitants on Donovia? And how loyal are they to the Republic?"
"We lack precise intelligence on that," Shaak Ti replied. "According to the latest data, there are no large settlements there. Even if there are residents, their numbers are likely small and insufficient to influence the situation."
"Thank you." Solo turned to the Little Togruta beside him, his voice gentle yet firm. "Let's go, Ahsoka. Get on the ship."
"Yes, Master!"
A minute later, Shaak Ti stood in the hangar, watching the gunship roar into the sky and disappear through the hangar exit.
*May the Force be with you...* she murmured inwardly.