Snips, are you feeling better?"
"Yes, Master!" the Togruta replied cheerfully, though she grimaced slightly. The skin under the bandage was healing and itching wildly.
She remained unconscious for another day, but after that she ate and recovered at a rapid pace. The Master had given her an infocrystal containing a description of healing techniques, and now, whenever she had a free moment, she meditated, focusing on restoring her body. It was similar to the body-strengthening exercises they had been taught at the Temple.
"Then get ready. In… yes, half an hour, we'll arrive at the base."
"Did the Republic send reinforcements?"
"Yes. We managed to briefly contact the ships in orbit. Plus, a lot of Jedi arrived. I don't know who, but it's tolerable."
"Then I'll go meditate a little, and I need to change clothes. Thank the Force I have a spare cloak."
"What about the armor suit?"
"I've already replaced the damaged part."
The Togruta frowned for a moment, remembering how she had examined that piece of fabric armor that had essentially saved her life. Yes, it hadn't stopped the shrapnel, but it had slowed it down. Otherwise, the injury would have been much more serious.
"Then… you may go." The Jedi turned to Blam, asking him something.
Ahsoka slipped out of the room. Entering her cabin, she sank down onto the couch. Ever sinceshe had awakened, she had been tormented by thoughts about the visions she had seen. She had plenty of time to think, and in the end she decided that none of it mattered. After all, that previous vision had not turned out to be prophetic at all. So why should these come true in exactly the sameway? And they had been warned in the Temple about such things. It seems it had been evenGrand Master Yoda: "On the present, focus you must."
So she decided to keep quiet. Her Master alreadyhad too many problems. She could sense his fatigue. Hmm… being a Jedi Knight doesn't seem to be such an easy task.
***
Zule looked closely at the new arrivals. Jedi Knight Mikore Vikt looked exactly as he had in the hologram. Imposing armor covered the youngman's body. His companion, however, was a very young Togruta. She must have become a Padawanvery recently, Xiss concluded. Two clones stood nearby: an unfamiliar marshal commander, and the other, Puck. And also… Hmm, it's a droid!
Meanwhile, huge wheeled vehicles were rolling past the headquarters. Without exception, they all bore the marks of battle. Some of them carried stretched flags with red emblems and incomprehensible symbols.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi," the Jedi nodded. "Ladies and gentlemen. I'm glad to see you here. I don't think I need to introduce myself. And these are my companions: Ahsoka Tano, my Padawan; Marshal Commander Blam; and Alpha-class ARC clone Puck."
Master Glaive stepped toward him, extending his hand in greeting. Falleeni sighed—this gesture was common in Glaive's homeland, and few others used it, but Vikt surprised her again by shaking the master's hand. Zule noticed that the gesture was not unusual for the Jedi at all.
"Nice to meet you, Vikt. My name is Jeb Glaive. Wethought you were done for."
"Well, at one point I thought we were, but we managed to get out of it—though we lost too many troopers in the process."
"I see you've been through a lot," the Masterreplied, clearly referring to the losses the squadron had suffered. "I think you need a few days to rest and replenish your numbers."
"That won't hurt us," the Jedi agreed. "MasterKenobi, could you enlighten us? We still don't know the fate of one of our ships…"
"It seems your flagship was shot down in orbit around the planet. The other two ships—the Acclamator and the corvette—went to Lantilles," Norcuna replied instead of Kenobi.
"I see." Zule caught a flicker of sadness in Vikt's voice.
Then the Jedi turned his head to the side. After a quick glance, Vikt pointed toward the far end of the camp, visible through a gap between the buildings.
Turning around, everyone saw the reason for his interest. Vikt was pointing toward an AT-AT walker.
"I see you brought those freaks here after all."
"Well, we managed to find five hundred wheeled armored vehicles, but the vast majority of the equipment is walkers. This equipment is quite good," Kenobi replied.
"Knight Vikt," Leska said, drawing attention to herself. "I would like to discuss the behavior of your clone. He—"
"He was following my orders. And I am used to orders being followed, not debated."
"But… don't you think such measures are too… cruel?"
"Come on. We're at war here. These nationalists aren't exactly eager to be taken prisoner by us." The Jedi's voice was dry. "We're just optimizing our expenses."
Orliss Gillmunn stepped closer.
"Pleased to meet you, General. We are impressedby your actions. The Republic can count on our help," he said, extending his hand.
Earlier, the Jedi had been unreadable, but now Falleeni caught it—a brief, sharp wave of irritation radiating from him.
"I can't return the favor," Vikt replied dryly, completely ignoring the Jabiimi. "Your help wouldhave been useful two weeks ago. But now I can manage somehow without a handful of rags."
Jeb hastened to change the subject.
"Vikt. There's something here for you. Master Ti asked you to look after these Padawans." He pointed to the five young beings standing in the far corner.
Zule looked at them. They're out of luck. She believed that losing a Master was the worst thing that could happen.
The Jedi moved closer, studying the Padawans.
***
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