jumped off the speeder that had taken Ahsoka and me to the city's main square, where our primary headquarters were located.
The assault on the city itself had taken almost four days, but we managed it with minimal losses. One hundred and forty-two clones were killed and four hundred and eighty-one were wounded—most of whom would be back in action within three days. I think that's an amazing result, considering that we destroyed almost fifty thousand droids and two thousand nationalists. Unfortunately, some civilians were injured and killed. Naturally, we were blamed for this—but who forced the militia to take up defensive positions in places where it was impossible to neutralize them quietly? So we had to use heavy equipment, and even with the level of technology available here, the accuracy was still not perfect. Yes, we helped civilians, operated on the wounded, and distributed food, but…
Two days had passed since then, but even now, as I walked past the windows, I felt the stares of the Jabiimian—and they were far from friendly. We were their enemies, and if they could, we would already be dead. Almost everyone was ready to take up arms, and only the sheer number of our troops, the impressive military hardware, and—to be honest—the fear of the Jedi seriously cooled the hotheads. Hutt, that's not what I'm supposed to be thinking about right now. I had been on the outskirts of the city, supervising the construction of the defensive perimeter, when I was pulled away by a call from Master Glaive.
Master, what do you think happened?
No idea, Ahsoka, but clearly nothing good.
"What's wrong, Jeb?"
"Miko, you're just in time." We shook hands. "We've received a message from Kenobi. In short, our situation is completely screwed. Compared to what's happening there, our problems are a piece of cake. The Master's troops and other knights are stuck in the enemy's defensive lines around the capital. They've broken through four of them, but scouts report six more. In addition, the supply line has already stretched to six hundred kilometers and is constantly being harassed by small enemy units. Not fatal, but unpleasant. The worst part is that we've lost contact with Jis-Ilova's headquarters. In addition, several Jedi have been killed—Railcema Bylissura and Nico Diath, in particular. His Padawan, Tae Diath, is now without a Master, so soon there will be another intelligent being in your 'Padawan Pack.' The fate of two other Jedi, Platt Fel and Kai Enneb, remains unknown."
I cursed silently. Shit.
"What are the orders for us?"
"My troops will remain in the city, while you, your men, and I must proceed as quickly as possible—first to Cobalt, and then to the capital."
"That will take… almost three days," I said, calculating the distance between the points on the map in my mind.
"I hope we make it in time."
***
Skywalker quickly reached the group of clones in the center of which stood his Master. His eyes immediately caught the bandage on Obi-Wan's palm.
"Nothing serious—just a scratch," Obi-Wan said, noticing his gaze and hastening to reassure his Padawan. "How are you doing?"
"Oh, Master, everything is just great."
"Except for the rain, I suppose?"
The clones chuckled—everyone already knew about Anakin's dislike of rain. Despite his training at the Temple and his travels to many planets, he, the native of a desert world, had never gotten used to such large amounts of water. However, he disliked sand even more.
"Okay, Anakin, look here." Obi-Wan showed him a small hologram. "Lead your squad to the left of this hill; I'll come in from the right flank" Kenobi pointed out the route on the map. "And be careful!"
"Yes, Master!"
"And, Anakin, take a few prisoners. Fresh intelligence won't hurt. Besides, if we shoot them all, it will only increase their hatred—and they'll fight even harder."
"Master, I've been wanting to ask you something. If you're the general, then who am I?"
"My Padawan. Now take the second battalion and proceed to point two—around the hill."
One of the clone commanders reported:
"General, we've taken the central fortification in this sector. I suggest transferring some of our forces to strike the enemy flank."
"We're already doing that, Zess."
"I'm on my way, Master!" Anakin replied cheerfully. Jumping into the saddle of his speeder bike, he sped off toward his squad. Braking sharply, he shouted:
"Deng, take the battalion and follow me! I'll clear the way!" Then he accelerated again, maneuvering between rocks and hugging the ground so low that the speeder almost scraped the planet's surface.
Leaping over the trenches and cutting off a couple of B-1 heads with his lightsaber, Anakin suddenly sensed something that made him jerk to the side. The spot where he should have been was pierced by a volley of blaster bolts, and an unfamiliar speeder crashed down from above. The pilot isn't bad, Anakin noted, trying to get behind they—but he failed. Suddenly, the realization struck him. The pilot is gifted!
The two speeders raced through the rain. Anakin fired again and again, but the mysterious pilot evaded his attacks time and time again. At one point, as he raced through the thick of battle, Skywalker spotted a familiar silhouette among the chaos.
His comlink beeped.
"Anakin, what's going on?" his Master's voice sounded through the headset—surprised and displeased.
"Everything's under control, Master!" Anakin replied, desperately maneuvering between walkers.
"You're supposed to be on the left flank, leading the attack of the third battalion!"
"Everything's under control!"
"Under control? I don't think so! Your place is with your troops, young man—not chasing after a single speeder!"
"Master, this pilot is gifted! I can feel it! And I can't let him get away!"
The chase continued. Finally, they reached the ruins of a small settlement. Spotting an empty speeder, Anakin jumped off his own, activating his blade.
Suddenly, a woman's laughter rang out. Opposite Anakin, in the passage between two buildings, a figure appeared—clutching two lightsabers in her hands. The red blades cast jagged shadows across the Sith's face. Anakin had no doubt what she was.
"Well, Jedi scum—you've fallen into my trap. Now you're going to die."
"Are you sure?" Anakin asked, leaping forward.