The Separatist fleet exploded from hyperspace above the Quell system like a swarm of metal locusts, filling the void with fire and thunder. Kaelen's gunship banked hard as they descended toward the raging battle already underway.
Frigates traded turbolaser fire in bright arcs across the darkness. Burning hulls drifted through debris fields. The wounded flagship of Jedi Master Aayla Secura staggered under heavy assault.
Ahsoka leaned forward in the gunship's cabin, wide-eyed. "That's… a lot of droids."
Anakin smirked, though tension tightened the corners of his eyes. "Just another day at the office."
HK-47 clanked behind Kaelen.
"Observation: The enemy presence is impressive. Satisfying target density for optimal carnage."
Kaelen tightened his grip on the seat railing."HK… no excitement yet."
"Resigned Sigh: Understood."
The gunship jolted as they broke free of the atmospheric burn and joined the Republic fleet. Starfighters raced past them—V-19 Torrents banking and spinning to avoid vulture droid fire.
Anakin turned to Kaelen. "Think your new training will help?"
Kaelen inhaled deeply.
Bastila's voice whispered in his memory:"Do not lead their minds. Calm their hearts."
"I can try," Kaelen murmured.
He closed his eyes.
And reached.
A thread of the Force extended outward like a soft ripple across a pond. He didn't push, didn't command. He simply supported — nudging the frantic chaos of the Republic pilots into small pockets of clarity.
A squadron under heavy fire suddenly flew with tighter formation.Another regained control after drifting too close to crossfire.A wounded pilot steadied his breathing, focus returning.
Very subtle.Barely detectable.But real.
Ahsoka looked at Kaelen, brow raised. "Are you doing that?"
Kaelen opened his eyes, breath trembling. "Just helping them focus."
Anakin gave him a quick grin. "Not bad."
But the victory was short-lived.
A massive Separatist destroyer cut across their view, firing directly at Aayla Secura's cruiser—the Resolute. The shields overloaded in a burst of white light.
Admiral Yularen's voice crackled through comms:
"We're losing her! General Skywalker, we need support immediately!"
Anakin snapped to attention. "Strap in! We're going down there!"
The gunship dove toward the crippled vessel as escape pods shot out like sparks from a dying flame. Turbolasers chased them mercilessly.
Kaelen ignited his saber instinctively as the ship rattled.
The moment they landed in the Resolute's hangar, Ahsoka leapt out, followed by Anakin. Kaelen and HK rushed after them.
Smoke choked the air; sparks flew from ruptured conduits.
Aayla Secura met them mid-run—graceful even in crisis. "Skywalker! Good timing!"
Anakin grinned. "We try."
Kaelen bowed respectfully. "Master Secura."
She nodded, though her eyes were sharp from battle. "We need to evacuate the wounded immediately."
The floor shook violently.
Ahsoka glanced upward. "What was that?"
HK answered too calmly.
"Factual Report: The enemy has decided to accelerate our demise."
Anakin smirked. "He talks a lot like R2. Only taller."
Kaelen motioned them toward the med-bay. "Let's move!"
Collapse
They raced through the burning corridors, supporting wounded clones. Kaelen helped carry a trooper whose armor had melted along one side; Aayla lifted fallen beams with the Force; Anakin and Ahsoka cleared the path.
HK dutifully marched beside Kaelen, scanning for enemies with murderous anticipation.
Explosions hammered the ship as they neared the emergency hangar. Kaelen's heart pounded. The Force rippled with violent instability.
Ahsoka gasped. "The hull's giving out!"
Suddenly the floor ripped open, gravity lurching violently as half the corridor tore away into space. Troopers slid toward the breach.
Kaelen thrust his hand forward.
Force push — wide and steady.
The clones halted just inches from open vacuum.
Aayla grabbed his shoulder. "Good catch!"
But the ship groaned again—fatally.
Anakin shouted, "We need to abandon ship—now!"
They scrambled into an escape pod with seconds to spare. HK was last, shoving a trooper inside like a sack of tools.
"Command: Compress yourselves, meatbags! Move!"
The hatch sealed.
The pod blasted free just as the Resolute finally tore in half behind them, a blazing fireball lost in the void.
Ahsoka leaned against the wall, breath shaking. "We almost didn't make it."
Kaelen swallowed hard. "But we did."
Aayla looked at him, sensing something.
"You're unusually calm for someone your age."
Kaelen managed a faint smile. "Trying to be."
HK added proudly:
"Clarification: Master is especially skilled at not dying."
Ahsoka snorted.
Anakin chuckled. "You'll fit in perfectly."
Kaelen relaxed—just for a moment—
—and then the pod shook violently.
Ahsoka grabbed a handle. "What now?!"
The pod rattled again.
Kaelen looked out the viewport.
They were falling.
Toward a planet.Covered in storms.Spiraling clouds.Lightning.
Aayla grimaced. "Prepare for impact!"
Anakin shouted, "Brace yourselves!"
HK tilted his head.
"Polite Announcement: If we die, I request cremation."
Kaelen squeezed his eyes shut.
The pod fell through fire and thunder.
And the screen went white.