Well, I think if more people had more applause, it would make them feel better. I often give my wife a round of applause. If the meal is very good, I give her a standing ovation.
~Tom Baker
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Captain Rex tended to the minor cut on Asher's palm. The Seps gave it a good try, but the Republic was still here. Worse for them, the Republic had taken Christophsis. Although, no one wanted to admit it out loud, jinxes and whatnot. The cost was high, however, and every Clone and Jedi was exhausted.
Hunting down the stragglers was not going to be easy. The number of brave, brave men that kept going was nothing compared to the ones that died. Their sacrifice should always be stressed, even if it hurts.
They all try so hard, every last one of them. The faces of all his brothers flash through Rex's mind. All of them.
The new young blood made it out alive. Strange as he's proven to be, Asher only took congratulations with a stiff nod. Those flowing, exaggerated movements from before now reduced to what Rex would describe as a mincing drunk. Kenobi and Skywalker had moved on to take care of something, so Rex decided to dress the boy's wound.
"What wound?" The Padawan asked Rex when he approached.
Zakriahs stared at the wound with unblinking eyes. Rex was sure they looked watery as he pulled the Padawan aside.
They sat together while Rex applied the bacta-patch, and Zakriahs continued to stare. Finally, Rex made to leave; the boy hadn't moved— he only stared at his hand.
Sure, he was a strange one— even by Jedi standards, apparently— but Rex knew something was wrong. So far, everything this kid did had a meaning behind it.
So, Rex sat opposite him to decipher this meaning.
"Never seen blood before?" Rex asked.
"Plenty of times," Zakriahs responded.
Rex didn't blink, though the quickness did surprise him.
"Last year," He continued, "I volunteered to help the wounded of Geonosis— to improve my healing abilities. To help where I could. A novice among artists, I think I was."
"It's your own blood you're not used to seein'?" Rex guessed.
Zakriahs didn't turn, "I've had to spit or swallow my own whenever I'd lose a sparring session. I have friends who give me a run for my money."
Rex arched a brow, "So, is this some Jedi technique to make the patch go away?"
Zakriahs finally looked up with a high chuckle, "I didn't think of that one. I'll steal it!"
Raising the young Padawan's spirit wasn't the only reason for this chat. If it were, Rex's brother would never forgive him. Taking a page out of this boy's book, Rex chose his questions carefully.
"You're a knowledgeable one, aren't you?"
Zakriahs tilted his head upward, "Well, I try to be."
"Any reason why?"
"Numerous reasons."
So, that's how it's going to be. "How much did you know before today?"
Zakriahs laid his back on the crate. "Not much."
Rex watched as his frame became stiff like a board, not letting his legs dangle off the crate. Zakriahs' face couldn't be seen, but Rex could guess that was the point. No matter.
"You don't ask many questions. At least, not all at once." Rex said.
"I have to trust that my questions can be answered with time. Even if that time is rather desperate."
Interestingly put. "Are the times that desperate?"
"You tell me." Zakriahs finally sat up with a face and tone that matched an ARC's attitude toward the war. It made Rex chuckle.
"Fair enough," Rex shook his head, "now, how about you?"
"How about me?" Zakriahs furrowed his brow.
"I mean, the times are desperate." Rex leaned forward, "Are you desperate?"
The Padawan's face was a combination of shock, annoyance, impressed, and tired all at once. A pity there's no bush intact to beat around.
Rex put this tactic in the back of his head. The ARC noted how Asher asked carefully chosen or disarming questions. They were few, but Rex learned they didn't have to be. And it seemed that Rex had asked the right questions.
"You know," Asher began after a moment, "I've put my faith in quite a few people. Especially that Walker of Skies— he's excellent at what he does, isn't he?"
Rex nodded at that. Skywalker was a soldier's soldier. Rex knew to depend on him.
"So, with faith like that, you can breathe easier. Because what can you do that he won't do better? Why put in the effort to— no!" He scratched his head, "That sounds callous."
Zakriahs fumbled his words for a few seconds before he took a breath.
"You noticed my questions. I knew before I asked that I would get looks. It's like asking, 'what are ration bars'? By the way, what are ration bars?"
"..."
"I kid, of course. But I asked anyway because small things matter to me." He flicked dust off his shoulders, "And now— and I mean, right now— if those details aren't stored in my mind, I breathe as well as a fish does. And even then, a fish needs everything he can learn about himself to get by, or else...
"I guess what I'm trying to tell you is... I haven't kept up with the war effort. And I never thought to be out here with all of you."
"Never?" Rex repeated.
"It's just..." the Padawan strained, "I'm young and not as... experienced as everyone around you; it's best not to be a nuisance. I can't let myself feel hopeless about this situation, though, so I have faith. After all, our order has produced many heroes and legends before and in my short time!"
As he said this, Asher stood straighter with a bright smile. Then, it dropped, and his face twitched with a reluctant nod— as if someone reminded him about something he had no choice but to acknowledge.
"Then again, maybe," His face relaxed in resignation, and his head twitched, "maybe I'm afraid. Of everything here— it's nearly overwhelming..."
"I'm sorry for running my mouth. I'm ashamed to admit I'm afraid." Asher put his head down as if afraid of what Rex might see.
"Don't be. It's a mutual feeling." Rex said, causing Asher to lift his head back up slowly.
"I guess you could say Clones are better at hiding this than most, but," Rex slouched with a soft voice, "there isn't a single Clone here who doesn't feel fear."
Rex knew that most of the regulars would prioritize their orders over their fear— to the point where it was practically nonexistent— but Asher didn't need to hear that. Then again, Skywalker has a certain edge to him.
"Admitting you're afraid is nothing to be ashamed of," Rex continued, "And you're asking questions. What does that earn you?"
"Answers."
Good, no hesitation. "You're going to learn a lot out here, kid. I'll teach the SOPs right now if you want. But if you want to learn and keep going, you can't let your legs buckle now.
"The Seps will throw much more than tanks and droids in the future. I know this because they've done it before and won't give up. You're a part of a team now; understand how we operate. Don't get cold feet when I— or the Jedi— give you an order. Do this, and you won't just survive. You'll earn the right to be like them."
Zakriahs stared at Rex for a few seconds and then turned away. He moved his head like he wanted to look over his shoulder, but he nodded. The stone-faced soldier was something Rex wore effortlessly; his Beskar spirit, however, swelled at a job well done. Seeing a soldier down, Padawan, Clone, or otherwise, wasn't right.
And then, explosions erupted once more. Rex didn't so much hear the deafening detonations as he felt it in his very being. The ARC's heart picked up, and his muscles tensed— of course, the Seps don't go down peacefully!
Asher watched as the Clones raced to where they were needed. Rex nodded to the Padawan.
"There are enough men here to watch each other's backs, yeah?"
Zakriahs paused, "Well, they won't hold still. How can I count to make sure?"
Rex chuckled, "C'mon, kid!" and then slipped his helmet on. I don't need to turn; I know he's following after me.
----------------------------------------
"They're back!" Anakin Skywalker shouted over the explosions.
Master Kenobi took this live news with a frown, "I told you this was too easy. We should never have sent the ship back for supplies!"
"Who's the idiot that made that decision anyway?" I complained,
"Not me, obviously!" Groused Anakin.
We all had a right to be grumpy. Being so short-handed and short-weaponed(?) would do that to anybody.
My Master shook his head, then turned to the troops around us, "Alright, men, second wave incoming!"
Anakin ordered Rex and Appo to follow him, and Cody was called to form battle positions. Each Trooper charged bravely ahead of us.
My Master turned to me, "Stay by my side, Padawan! Keep your lessons in mind. We will take the droid's blaster fire and protect our Troopers. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master!" He and I ignited our lightsabers almost at the same time.
"Good. May the Force be with us." With that, we lead our troops to battle.
The battle from before had been fierce. Yet now, 'fierce' didn't even begin to describe it. The Droid Army moved in a direct path, silently and without hesitation. An endless amount of red bolts of light flew towards us. I dreaded those that met their mark.
The Clones were every bit tenacious as I imagined. They went where they had to, each shouting orders at one another or insults to the cold, lifeless pieces of soon-to-be scrap. They took cover behind pieces of rubble that used to be the buildings and unleashed their own barrage of fire. Our four-legged tanks had been destroyed, so some Clones settled for the smaller two-legged ones. They were killed as quickly as they charged in. They tried so hard— and they had to— for most of our heavy weaponry had been destroyed...
My Master and I stood in front of one line of Clones. I was busy utilizing what I knew of Shien, the lightsaber form which redirects blaster bolts to the attacker. I looked to my left and saw my Master raise his hand before dropping it. My Master took the two-legged walkers' destruction as his incentive. The Droids had gotten close enough, the Clones had their signal to open fire, and my Master turned back to the battlefield.
The noise of large cannons blasting away seemed endless to my ears, and I heard an explosion each time they did and felt the ground shake a little more. It only became worse when I looked ahead, behind the droids. Massive, metallic mechanisms made their way to our position. These octopus droids trudged behind their grey brothers(?)attacking from afar. Their strategy consists of keeping the heaviest, most valuable weapons from being the first ones to be destroyed. Allow the swarm that is their army to overwhelm and keep at bay.
Our soldiers are alive, though. Eventually, Master Kenobi joined in the defense, and I imagined that we would hear at least ten fewer screams that could add to the cacophony around us with every swing of our lightsabers. The blaster fire became more intense, and I moved swiftly to dodge them. The shouting continued to echo all around us, and the Droids only strode closer and closer. The fear of our defense breaking came to me as I felt our fire might be dwindling.
Cody shouted, "Skywalker should have made his attack by now!"
"Don't worry; he knows the plan!" Master Kenobi shouted after him.
I nearly stopped blocking in my confusion, "PLAN?! WHAT PLAN?! I DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT A PLAN!"
Master Kenobi regarded me, "Look up ahead!"
And so I did. At first, I had no idea where exactly to look. The skinnies? The beefies? The 'tri-topus' droids that continued to advance upon us? Maybe I was supposed to focus on the figure that descended from above one of the buildings.
And it hit me! Not the blaster bolts, thankfully, but realization!
The figure was Anakin Skywalker, who landed on top of the tri-topus' head. As the one behind him tried to kill him, Clone Troopers dropped from the building on jet packs and attacked. At the time, my main focus was staying alive and trying to see the commotion ahead. As I understood, tri-topus 3 couldn't alternate between firing on the Clones and the Jedi Knight, and it focused on him, while tri-topus 2 was virtually powerless to do anything. Except continue firing on its targets.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
"Come on, then!" shouted Kenobi, and I did a double-take.
Before I knew it, the white soldiers charged towards the battle droids, my Master leading them, and I the follower. Clones and droids seemed to drop left and right as the distance between us closed. By some miracle, however, the Master and the learner did not.
Learning from my past mistake, I stayed at his side. We were using our forms of defense to get in close and take the 'skinnies' apart. Perhaps I should think of this as fun, but I'll concentrate on surviving for now. Shii-Cho, as I recall, was exceptional regarding multiple opponents. I incorporated this form against the droids, and it worked splendidly. I felt myself become...at ease. The shouts of soldiers continued to fill my ears but slicing up droids became a catharsis. Their heads, their waists, their legs– none escaped our lightsabers.
Then I reminded myself that Padawans like myself have died from less. No smiles until the shooting stops.
But for the moment, I decided to look at Anakin's activities. At first, I thought that with Anakin distracting tri-topus 2 and 3, we would extend our energy to destroy 1. However, I caught sight of the Chosen One standing on top of its blaster. Amazingly, he redirected the bolts from 3 and aimed at a mark he created on its chassis. But he didn't stop there. He used 2's explosion to his advantage, running up its gigantic leg – in midfall!– and jumping towards 1.
I wonder if I'll be able to do that soon, I thought.
Five droids encircled me, and each time they fired, I dodged and batted one bolt after the other: one dodge, two, three, and a bat. One bat, one dodge, followed a bat, then a dodge, and a slice. I was rather proud of myself for that. The skinnies surrounding me were no more; they would be replaced by another wave closing in, but any respite was always welcome—still, no smiling.
I turned to look at my Master and followed his gaze. Anakin was still blocking and distracting tri-topus 3. Eventually, the Clones' constant firepower brought down 3, which led to a fantastic sight: Anakin jumped off 1's head and sliced off its leg, crashing to the ground. Then he jumped back into the air to slice a skinny for good measure.
Stars, that was awesome!
However, there was no time for anything else except the battle, and we Jedi stood side by side. Yes, we took down a few droids, but that still left the rest of the horde. The stupid rhythmic chunk sounds hadn't wavered; because these things didn't fear, not like people do.
A living army would see the might of the Chosen One and tremble. Here stands a warrior who can make you rethink your life's choices! Here stands a Jedi who rewards us our chances with spectacle! Here stands Anakin Skywalker with a troubled look on his face...
"Are you okay, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked, clearly seeing what I saw.
Anakin stood there momentarily as if he hadn't heard his friend. He took a long, steadying breath before he responded, "Yes, Master." I said nothing until the fire resumed.
"Do we need reinforcements?" I asked, blocking another bolt.
"Definitely, yes." Drawled the... Walker of Skies.
"I still can't get through to the Admiral!" Said Kenobi, his steely eyes glancing at the skies every now and then.
"Bad reception?" I asked, and I must've imagined hearing the faintest beat me to it from somewhere. It didn't sound like Obi-Wan's Coruscanti accent.
But the joke was forgotten too quickly, as my face matched theirs. I don't want this to continue. Our only heavy weapons are the cannons; tired and injured troops are on our side, tireless and endless droids on the other side, but at least we have three Jedi. I don't want this to continue! Then again, I was a Padawan, and there's only so much these two can do. If only there were more I could do! Then again, I might not have a chance to try more! I don't want this to continue!
And then, everything stopped.
We stopped blocking; I nearly put down my blade but stopped when the other two didn't. Be vigilant! The Clones' fire began to lessen when every ear and audio receptor picked up on the same thing. A cruiser was flying overhead! And it's one of ours!
Then, the droids turned around, and I could hear them yelling, 'Retreat! Retreat!' and, 'Roger, Roger.'
With that, cheers began to ring out amongst the ranks. Now, I can share my smile.
Our lightsabers disappeared, and the Knight and Master's faces were no longer dour. R2-D2 reached us and spun his head with a whistle. Maybe I didn't know better, but I decided to let myself fall to the ground.
"...There's a rock in my back. Ooowwww..."
----------------------------------------
"All I'm saying is that if you two dragged me on the way there—"
"We are not dragging you."
"I wouldn't mind!
"That's not the point!"
Oh, Master Kenobi, I will get you. We all stood, awaiting the gunship's ramp to come down. When it did, the small orange Togruta walked down the ramp to greet us— wait, what?
"A Youngling?" My Master asked. There were no fresh troops or new supplies, just a short, slim Togruta with stunted montrals adorned with a golden headdress and round lekku. Her fingerless gauntlets shared the same maroon color as her tube top, skirt, and boots, with white leggings and a silver lightsaber on her belt. So she's a young but formidable Padawan learner who might have been sent here with a message.
I'm pretty sure I've seen her at least once.
"...And you are?"
R2 gave what sounded like a curious series of beeps.
"Your guess is as good as mine. Though," I bent down, "it must be nice not to be the shortest one here anymore."
The blue and white astromech spun his head and beeped and booped something that sounded offended. The truth hurts, but I won't apologize for that, I thought.
"Yeah, I can't understand you," I said before Anakin's exclamation brought me back to the situation.
"Oh, great! They don't even know we're in trouble!" Anakin's frustrated frown returned in full swing.
"Maybe you can transmit a message through the cruiser I came from," said the tiny Togruta girl, catching our attention.
A few things occurred to me: I'd missed part of the conversation, our new companion's name was lost on me, we'd fallen on more challenging times, and I was right. She was just a messenger. But thankfully, she's clever— if Anakin and Obi-Wan's shared expressions say anything.
Soon enough, we surrounded a holo-table to await Master Yoda, apparently. A Clone greeted us, notifying us that in but a moment, he'd connect us to the Jedi Temple. A moment that stretched for nearly a minute. Four Jedi were looking at each other awkwardly, not knowing what to say, and one of us whistled a tune. That was me. But no one looks twice at a whistling man on such a mellow day. No, wait, this day is anything but 'mellow.'
Oh, not again, I thought before Master Yoda's tinier form appeared in a hologram. Obi-Wan informed the Grandmaster of our situation, and Yoda started to say help was on the way before his image fizzled away. Maybe this is punishment for that 'bad reception' jest from earlier.
That reminds me, I stepped to the Togruta girl.
"Excuse me," I bent my head, "but I don't think I caught your name."
She stood straighter, smirking slightly, "I'm Ahsoka Tano, the new Padawan learner."
That name struck a faint chord with me, "Oh, I thought you looked familiar. It's Clawmouse, right?"
"Yeah!" She exclaimed, bright and shrill, "What about you?"
"I'm from Clan Heliost," I smiled what would have been a pearly white. At least, I think it was pearly.
Ahsoka smiled, "Neat! And your name is?"
I held my head high, "Asher Zakriahs, am I."
"I think your impression of Master Yoda needs work." Her brow arched with her smirk.
"That's not at all what I was trying to do," I sank my head without a pout.
"Excuse me, young one," Master Obi-Wan cut in, "but where is your Master?"
She blinked, remembering something no doubt, "Actually, that's the other thing: Master Yoda has assigned me to be his Padawan." She extended a finger to...oh.
I bent forward to where she pointed, "Where?"
She jabbed her finger again.
I blinked, "Behind Skywalker?"
Her brow furrowed in slight annoyance, "I'm pointing at him!"
Of course, she was... There was a certain giddiness being pummeled away with Jedi discipline. It's trying to rear its head from her blue eyes and voice. How do I know this? Because I've seen it from almost everyone I know. Fair enough, I suppose, if it's not Master Yoda, Mace Windu, or Obi-Wan Kenobi, it's the Chosen One.
Said Chosen One's face slowly morphed into a Neimoidian— pale and wide-eyed.
"No," He started to shake his head, "no, he wanted a Padawan! This must be a mistake!" Anakin pointed at my Master.
"No!" She crossed her arms, "Master Yoda was quite clear: he assigned me to Anakin Skywalker, and he is to supervise my training." The confidence in this one was...annoyingly familiar. With browlines raised and chin held high, Ahsoka and I may be acquainting today, but it seems I already know more about her than she does herself.
My Master turned to Anakin with a smile that said 'well, that ends that argument.' That's when I pitched in.
"Anakin Skywalker." I tasted the name at my leisure, "Obi-Wan Kenobi." I paused, knowing they were looking at my face staring up in thought, "Well, Anakin doesn't rhyme with Obi-Wan, so there's no way they could have made that mistake. If it makes you feel better."
Anakin stared for a moment and inhaled a loud breath.
"It doesn't."
I stared and shut my eyes to hide their rolling.
"Well, it makes me feel better." I held out my arms, "And isn't that what matters?"
"Please, Zakriahs," My Master sighed, "Anyway, we'll sort this out later. Those droids won't take long to figure a way past our cannons."
"I'll be with Rex; see how things are going." Anakin began to walk away.
"Best to take her with you." My Master grinned as he nudged Ahsoka forward, earning a smile from the teeny one. This scene really resembled a father telling his son to take his little sister with him. Anakin said nothing. He simply paused in his stride, and then lumbered off.
As they left, I told my Master, "You don't realize how tall someone is until a puny Togruta falls out of the sky to skip after him."
He shook his head with a hearty chuckle, "Let's go."
This was nice— not what we expected or wanted— but it was a nice break from that tense air.
----------------------------------------
That tense air returned with a vengeance. And so have the Seppers.
The news of their slowly approaching shield reached us at our new base of operations. I'm pretty sure where we are used to be a lobby to a hotel— the people here lounging around, hoping that a particular business meeting is postponed, unaware that it would be the worst of his worries. Why him? Nothing has ever gone right before, but an invasion was downright cruel! With hope, fear would be the fuel he needs to...run and...
Then, I gripped my forehead. This again? ...Typical.
"Zakriahs, are you okay?" My Master's hand shook me slightly.
"Yes," I nodded and dropped the burned piece of flimsi in my hand. The droid's new plan was rather ingenious: to use a large dome shield that our cannons, our only heavy weapons, couldn't penetrate to enclose us and destroy us once and for all. Their movements, as shown on the holochart, were slow. What else was new? Thankfully, this gave us ample time to put our heads together. And if there was time, win Christophsis back.
"So," I said, "how shall we defeat this...oval overlord? Don't anyone look at me; that was the best I could do."
My Master took my question but ignored my joke.
"The shield is here," He pointed to the complexity that was the image of light, "in this zone. They're gradually increasing the diameter to protect their troops."
"Our cannons won't be much use against that," Rex grimaced, "but what if we hid in the building?" Throughout this, Ahsoka, the Togruta girl, circled the holochart silently, literally looking at this situation from all angles. Why did I say 'circled?' Squared is more accurate.
"I was thinking the same," My Master nodded with Anakin. The Chosen One's frown returned; I'm sad to confirm this face came most naturally to him.
"That's good!" said I, "Turn their defense into their downfall. We can pick off as many as possible to buy time for someone to destroy the shield. I'd say you'd have to be braindead to fire cannons inside of a dome shield, but these are droids."
"Who said anything about destroying the shield?" Asked the bearded one, and my side-eye caught his slight bemusement.
I searched for the perpetrator, who dared to speak his mind on such an idea, but it was all for naught, "Who knows? He seems to have blown off with the wind."
Ahsoka, the Togruta girl, found amusement in my joke. She hid it well, however, and instead turned to Rex.
"It's not that simple, is it?" Said she, to which Rex shook his head.
"Well, if I'm honest," Anakin coughed into his hand, the kind of cough that said 'they're going to tease me for this but', "I agree. Someone needs to get in there and destroy that shield. That's our solution."
"I could do it," Ahsoka said, then turned to Anakin, "I mean, we could do it." She nodded in deference; her stance was suddenly not as cheeky as before. Her bright blue eyes actually looking up to Master Skywalker's sky-blue ones instead of looking down.
When did brash leave to be replaced with meek? Rex, ARC Trooper, do you have something to do with it? I saw your approving eyes once, this time coupled with an almost invisible nod— I think I know how to spot them now.
"Well," the Jedi Master stroked his not-brown-but-not-red beard, "perhaps you two can tiptoe through enemy lines."
"Don't you have to take off your shoes— er, boots to tiptoe?" said I, the spoiler. Ahsoka was the only one who outright chuckled, her form no doubt loosening finally. I kept my eyes on Master Obi-Wan and his exasperated eyes being shut by his eyelids.
"Anyways," Obi-Wan tilted his head, "Anakin will take Ahsoka and infiltrate their shield. The rest of us will remain to deter the droids' movements."
Everyone nodded and proceeded with this plan. Anakin talked with Rex, Obi-Wan talked with Cody, who finally showed up, and I didn't speak with Ahsoka; she truly did stand out amongst the blue ruins and white soldiers. I scratched my head, scoffing when I found more dust to mingle with my dirty white tunic. I'm going to have to change these clothes at some point.
Anyway, I walked over to my fellow Padawan. Evidently, we're going to be working together, so I better know her better.
"How," I cleared my throat, "is Christophsis, dare I ask?" She turned as if forgetting I was there.
"It looks like it's seen better days." She crossed her arms.
"I couldn't agree more," I said softly, my voice still slightly rasping, "And what about Anakin Skywalker? That tall one over there, how is he?"
Her eyes twitched slightly, and her expression stumbled before she tried to smile. "He's okay," was clearly all she wanted to say about this. Fair enough. "How about Master Kenobi?"
"My Master?" I say, a hand on my chest, "Oh, he has a beard!"
She blinks, "And?"
"Nevermind that," I shrug, "how are you doing?"
"I... wha—" She stuttered before dismissing that in her best nonchalant shrug, "...I'm okay, I guess."
"Are you hungry?" I asked.
She slowly looked up, "What?"
"I ask because if we're lucky, Obi-Wan will treat us to lunch after this. You ever been to Dex's Diner?"
"...No." She replied cautiously.
"He's a nice Besalisk guy, makes some great lunch. You won't regret it." I winked. She stared at me for a moment, no doubt wondering what had just happened.
"Not everyone here is a stiff board whose only purpose is to whack the enemy." I said, flicking my chin up high, "Some of us have standards." I tried cleaning the dust from my clothes, but really, what was the point?
"I'm sorry," She said at last, "I feel like you're trying to tell me something."
"There's been so much despair around here, and it almost makes me drowsy." I frowned, "Or...maybe that's the lingering side-effects of bacta and stims mixed— it's a long story— but the point is we need color in our lives. And I think Anakin could use something like that."
Ahsoka nodded slowly, trying to understand what I'd told her.
"I dunno..." She mumbled slightly, "He seems to be bothered by me."
I looked to that Walking Man, speaking in hushed tones not too far away. From my perspective, at least. But this short Togruta girl was nervous about never reaching him. Fair enough, I suppose; she is from Clawmouse.
I waved her off, "Many things bother him: droids that shoot him, people that shoot him, tanks that shoot him, and ships that shoot him."
"That sounds like it would bother anybody." She snorted, "More than 'bother' actually."
I chuckled, "Now do you know what he likes? Destroying those droids, beating those people, slicing those tanks, and out-flying those ships!"
Ahsoka's face became that face you make when you think you're thinking something you probably shouldn't be thinking about when she said, "That sounds...fun." 'Fun' of course, sounding like it should be followed up with 'is that the right word?'
"Does it?" At her nod, I leaned forward with my hands on my hips, "Then prepare to embark on a fun mission with Anakin Skywalker!"
And then her hands went to her hips, her head and brow cocked in a 'really?' manner. In response, I gave her a shrug that said, 'well, that's all I got. Either take it or leave it.'
"Well, that's all I got. Either take it or leave it." No, wait, that's what I said to her. "No, wait, forget I said that."
Now, two Padawans were snickering with each other. It felt like being back at the Temple, only fewer Jedi to look disapproving. And nothing else.
"Look," Ahsoka reigned in her laughter, seriousness slowly returning, "I appreciate this, but I was just told a few minutes ago that things are serious out here."
I blinked and nodded over to Rex, "By that one, I take it?" The ARC was catching Appo up on what he missed, no doubt.
Ahsoka blinked, "How did— ?"
"The direction you headed was the same direction I noticed Rex had run off to," I said automatically.
"But—"
"And it couldn't have been any other troop because, as I've learned today, ARC Troopers are more independent and creative compared to these other ones." I pointed to the white soldiers bustling around.
"...Huh."
"Also," I continued, "your behavior changed slightly. And I'm pretty sure the talk you had," I shrugged, "was the same one I had with him."
The Togruta girl's face became slightly relieved, "Oh, really?" Then the cheekiness returned. "So, what did you do?"
I took a slow breath and crossed my arms, "More like what I didn't do," her face was asking, but I said, "Let's just say the Walker of Skies I am not."
"Walker of..." Ahsoka lightly slapped her forehead with an even lighter smile, "I'm just calling him Skyguy."
"...Oh. Oh, that is just—"
"Ahem."
We turned to see Anakin Skywalker, arms crossed, face straight, and clearly standing in that spot longer than he was willing to share. For her part, Ahsoka managed to look a little sheepish, while I saw no need. Not because I was failing, mind you.
"If you two are done..." He said slowly before I interrupted him.
"We aren't, but we can pick this up later." I smiled, "It's time for you to tiptoe. So, c'mon!" I clapped, "Hop to it! Oh, but do it quietly!" I whispered the last word, hunched back and finger to my lips.
The Walking Man stared and stared and dragged out a hard exhale through nostrils that flared slightly. After that, he gave me a parting nod, then turned to Ahsoka— who was breathing rapidly with a tight smile.
"Let's go, Snips." He ground out, resulting in her baffled face.
"Snips?!" Hers and his voices were still loud enough to hear.
"If I'm Skyguy, then you're going to be Snips. Get it?" He said with a sarcastic smile, "Cause you're snippy!"
Isn't 'snip' the sound you make when cutting a flimsi?" I called out to their retreating forms.
"ZAKRIAHS, GO FIND OBI-WAN!"