was crowded under the canopy. In addition to the clones, Ahsoka's keen eye spotted Masters Sirrus and Leska, two other Jedi, and Master Kenobi with his apprentice.
"It's very good that you arrived so quickly," Kenobi greeted them.
"We hurried," Master Glaive replied. "And we arrived as quickly as possible."
Ahsoka glanced around at those present; however, her gaze returned to Skywalker. Her Master also noticed the fresh scar on Anakin's face and asked before she could.
"Skywalker, I see this wound is from a lightsaber?"
"Yes, Knight Vikt. It was a Sith. I encountered her during the battle, and…"
"You fell into her trap," Master Kenobi finished for him.
"Well, he's alive," Vikt replied. "A small wound is clearly not a factor. Who was it?"
"I don't know. But she looks like the one you fought on Randon. Two red blades, used variations of Jar'Kai and Makashi. The hilts were curved," Skywalker revealed. "I almost got her! And then she just ran away!"
"Hmm. Two blades, you say? Then it's her. Asajj Ventress. The Dathomiri witch. She must have made a new one to replace the saber I took."
"Wait a minute." Leska raised her head. "You took one of the Sith blades?"
"Well, yes."
"And where is it?"
"In my cabin," the Master replied, puzzled.
Master, why are they so tense?
I have no idea.
"Why didn't you turn it in to the Jedi Council?"
"Was I there?" Vikt spread his arms. "I've been kind of busy lately, what with all the free time I have."
Master Sirrus rose from his chair.
"Knight Vikt, let me explain if you don't understand. Sith lightsabers—are very dangerous. Their crystals are imbued with the Dark side and pose a threat to the gifted, tempting them toward Darkness. Such an artifact should immediately be given to the Jedi Council for destruction. However, Sith blades are extremely rare. Even Master Kenobi was unable to obtain the blade of that Zabrak Sith back in his time."
Ahsoka noticed a shadow flicker across Obi-Wan's face.
"The Master was busy fighting," Anakin defended him. "And Qui-Gon Jinn… he died then. And what difference does it make? The Master killed that Sith anyway."
"Killed?" Vikt looked at the Master Obi-Wan strangely. "I wouldn't count on that."
"What do you mean?"
"The gifted are very resilient. With the right skills, they can endure incredible pain and survive injuries that would kill ordinary beings instantly. So there is always a chance that your opponent survived. Yes, it's incredibly small—but it shouldn't be ruled out."
"Hmm." Leska snorted. "If you're such an expert, maybe you can explain this to us?"
She pressed a button, projecting an image onto the tactical table. It was blurry and indistinct.
"A picture from the helmet camera of one of the clones," she explained. "One of our reconnaissance teams was completely wiped out, and we still don't know who did it. The only clear thing is that the clones were killed very brutally."
"That's some Toydarian shit," the teacher muttered—apparently in Huttese.
"Um, Knight Vikt, what did you say?" Master Kenobi asked.
"I'm saying that I have an idea of what it might be. More precisely—who."
"To me it's just a blurry smudge," Ahsoka said, staring intently at the image.
"Look." The teacher traced the hologram with his finger. "See? The helmet, the arms, the torso…"
"Miko, what the hell is this?" Glaive asked.
"If I'm not mistaken, it's a mercenary named Durge."
"A mercenary?"
"Yes."
"How do you know his name?" Skywalker asked.
"I read a report about a group of renegade Jedi who intervened in the Mandalorian–Ithullan war about 130 years ago—simply put, they opposed the massacre of the Ithullans carried out by the Mand'alor at the time."
"Why didn't the Jedi intervene?" Ahsoka asked in surprise.
"And what does this mercenary have to do with it?" Sirrus added, equally surprised.
"The Senate turned a blind eye to the conflict. I don't know why. And the Jedi Council approved that decision. I don't know why either. As for the mercenary… the Jedi hired him to eliminate Mand'alor. By the way, he succeeded. As a result, a schism formed among Mandalore's people, and that's when the current state of affairs and politics on Mandalore began to take shape."
"That's all very interesting, but what are we going to do?" Sirrus asked.
"Yes, exactly—let's get to the point," Obi-Wan Kenobi said, waving his hand. The image on the tactical table shifted to a map of the area. "Master Glaive, Knight Vikt—you will advance here and attack the city from the north. All units located in this sector are now under your command."
"Understood. We will advance immediately."
***
Alto slammed his fist on the table. The damned Republicans were tightening their grip on the capital, and even the vaunted CIS droids couldn't halt the advance. Yes, Count Dooku's mercenaries had stabilized the situation in the south—but losing the northern part of Handuin was a heavy blow…
Stratus was silently studying the map when one of the Nimbuses burst into the tent.
"Sir—important news!"
"What is it?"
"The Storm is coming!"
Just one word—but Stratus understood perfectly. His mouth curled into a smile. Rushing out of the tent, he ran to the central "street" of the tent city. There, he leapt onto a rock. Many militiamen turned their eyes to him.
"Brothers! The Storm is coming! Thunderstorm will blind their sensors—and the Republicans will be deaf and blind! We strike now! We won't get another chance! Attack—with the first clap of thunder!"
***
Odbull Stadlober wrapped her cloak more tightly around herself. The rain was growing heavier, lightning flashing more and more frequently in the sky.
"Everything seems calm."
"Yes, ma'am," one of the clones accompanying her replied.
Suddenly, a rocket struck one of the AT-ATs. The powerful explosion scattered the nearby clone squad. The Jedi barely managed to turn around before several blaster bolts punched through her chest. Dead clones collapsed beside her.
***
"Troops are under attack across the entire front! Squads need immediate support!"
Hutt—how untimely. Railcema Bylissura brushed her wet hair away from her face.
"Let's move out!" the girl commanded…
She stood at the edge of the cliff, watching the clones struggle to cross the lowlands, which had turned into a veritable river of mud.
"General, the rain is getting heavier! The mud is overflowing! Our equipment is getting stuck! We could really use some air support."
"Denied! The atmosphere is already unstable, and now it's downright dangerous! I'll try to pull the tanks out of the mud."
Railcema focused, closing her eyes.
Size doesn't matter… weight doesn't matter…
The Jedi extended her hand, reaching through the Force to lift one of the trapped AT-TEs.
Suddenly, she felt danger. In the very same heartbeat, a vibroblade slid between her ribs and pierced her chest. A voice spoke from behind her:
"A Jedi with her eyes closed… How simple it all is."