The Padawans stood around the tactical table in the base's command module. Before them hovered a hologram of the Loyalist leader of Jabiim, Orliss Gillmunn.
"...Right now, there is utter chaos throughout all Handuin. The clone troops are putting up desperate resistance, but the droids have thenumerical advantage. We have also taken serious damage. At this moment, my surviving fighters are retreating to the mountains south of you. I have no contact with the other Jedi, and the fact that I managed to reach you at all is already a blessing."
"What is the situation with the Shelter base? We saw CIS transports flying in that direction."
"The base is defending itself, but the hope is slim. Unfortunately, Stratus is not standing still. Only his squad currently numbers at least ten thousand fighters, and the number of combat droids has exceeded seventy thousand. And he is now moving toward the Shelter."
"Are you aware that Jedi Knight Mikore Vikt is still in command?"
"I have no information on that. But I fear he—like the other Jedi—is dead."
"What shall we do?"
"I'm sending you a file with the approximate route of Stratus's squad. You can… no, you must try to intercept him. By killing Stratus, you will end this war. I'm... sh–sh…"
"The connection has been lost," reported Aqualish.
"It seems the Shelter base is doomed," Aubrie Win said sadly. "There are too many enemies…"
"But Aubrie, there's a large hospital there. And that base is an evacuation point. We can't lose it—especially since it's still ours, someone is defending it!" the Zabrak girl interrupted indignantly. "And there may still be Jedi there, even if only Padawans. I think it's Zule Xiss and Ahsoka… Tano, yes. Are we really going to abandon them?"
"I agree. We have to stop Stratus! If he reaches the base, he'll simply raze it to the ground!" Elora nodded in agreement.
"Unless we slow down his advance…" Tae said uncertainly.
"Mak, Tae is right. Face the facts. We are the mission's last hope. On the other hand, our chances are slim."
"I'm not going to pretend to be the commander and give you orders… Let everyone speak their mind," Aubrie said, folding her arms across her chest.
"And what about you?" Mak Lotor asked.
Aubrie shuddered.
"I… don't want to die. I shouldn't even be here. If my… Master and I hadn't been pulled from that mission, I was supposed to train with Master Windu on Coruscant upon our return. My Master said I was destined to join the Council."
"Then… Aubrie, you and Kass should go… to the mountains, to Gillmunn. There you can—"
"No."
Aubrie stepped back decisively.
"No. Since childhood, someone has always made decisions for me. Today, I have to make my first real decision. I will fight. This war… it is spreading and growing, and that equipment and troops we save will be needed by the Republic far more than I am."
Aqualish stepped to her side.
"I'm staying too, and I will follow Aubrie. My Master would approve of this. All our Masterswould."
Tae covered his eyes.
"I sense everyone is thinking the same thing… Except you, perhaps, Vaabesh?"
"No. I'm staying. Perhaps this way I will die as I choose, and not as the Council predicted for me…"
Kass Tod bared her teeth.
"Then it's decided! We're going on the attack!"
Aubrie gripped the hilt of her sword.
"I promise we'll bury Stratus before we bury each other."
***
The secret base in the Monsoon Mountains was bustling with activity. The Jabiimi were preparingdefensive positions and recommissioned combat installations. The main building, where the headquarters were located, remained silent. Nolan looked questioningly at his father. Finally, he asked:
"Father, why did you… lie to them? There are far more nationalists and droids there, aren't there?"
"You see, Nolan… the Jedi must destroy Stratus. The Republic must help us. It is their duty—and our only hope."
"But, Father… they'll die!"
"They'll die regardless. Someday you'll understand that for the good of Jabiim, I must make difficult decisions…"
Nolan said nothing, silently leaving theheadquarters...
Half an hour later, the speeder disappeared behind the wall of rain. Watching it drive away, Nolan knew he was doing the right thing.
***
The Padawans silently prepared for battle, replenishing their supplies.
"Take everything you can carry; nothing will be superfluous," Aubrie said, trying to attach a holster with a blaster pistol to her belt. She finally managed it. Then she fastened a strap with two individual first aid kits to her chest.
Tae Diath turned to Kass. He held a grenade in his hand.
"I wasn't taught how to use this."
"Look. Here's the lever, here's the button. Squeeze the lever, press the button. Throw it."
"How did you learn that?"
"Oh, we were 'taught'…"
"By whom?"
"One of the clones. Back when we were under Knight Vikt's command."
Mak Lotor slung a blaster rifle over his shoulder.
"Let's thank him for that. Even if we didn't like him, he did everything he could to help us survive," the young man said, stuffing spare blaster cartridges into his pouches.
"Is everyone ready?" Aubrie asked.
"Yes!" the Padawans replied in unison.
"Then to the machines! And may the Force be with us!"
"No fear. No pain. No death…" the Gand chanted.
Aqualish replied:
"There is only the Force…"
***
Alto stood on the bank of a turbulent stream. Jagged, bizarre rocks formed an unforgettable landscape. Jabiim. His homeland.
"Sir."
He turned around. One of the Nimbuscommanders stood behind him.
"We've spotted a large enemy column moving toward the Shelter base."
"Are there any Jedi among them?"
"Several. They look very young. And they're heading straight into a trap."
"How so?"
"There's a minefield in their path. Mazzi set it up to cover his rear in case of unexpected attacks from Cobalt. There's only one direction from which an assault is possible."
Stratus turned toward the river.
"Excellent. Get everyone ready! We're taking only high-speed vehicles! Load as many droids as possible onto the transports, and the rest, pick up the pace. Prepare the Nimbus! I will personally lead the troops into battle!"
"What about Cobalt? "
"Are our troops there?"
"Yes, sir."
"Let them begin the attack."