3rd Person

The clones were loyal to a fault. They were loyal to their generals, and loyal to their chancellor... but where did that loyalty come from?

The answer was simple... it came from design. The Kaminoans, having developed the galaxy's premier cloning technology, made several alterations to the DNA of their original cloning template.

These... benign modifications fostered good behavior in the troopers. While still having the independence to devise basic strategies on the battlefield, almost every clone ultimately deferred to their superiors.

Many Jedi expressed disgust at that fact, considering the tampering to be unethical. Some Jedi, such as Master Plo Koon treated their clones with great respect and compassion - no different than any other living being.

Others were not so kind.

Perhaps it wasn't a surprise then, that more than a few clones broke free of their programming... and deserted their posts.

Of course, when an army that just so happened to suit the republic's needs appeared out of nowhere, the Jedi became skeptical... as did the republic at large.

But with war on the horizon, with the confederacy's droids primed and ready to go, they had no choice but to use the clones.

Still... as the clone war raged on, the mystery lingered, hanging over the Jedi like a bad omen.

Who truly commissioned the clones... and for what purpose?

Adi

Hyperspace. A swirling spiral of astral blue engulfed my vision.

The passage of lightspeed was like a strong ocean current, but spacial.

How long had it been since we departed from Mooga? I'd been submerged in the depths of space-time for what felt like eons.

Then again, maybe that was simply an indicator of how trapped I'd felt since we left. After all, during that battle, I'd lost control of myself so easily.

...Even after decades of knighthood, my master's most basic teachings still hadn't sunk in.

Flashback

Master held the amethyst blade high above his head, a frigid grimace sculpted into his face.

"nnnnnnnnnnnn."

The hum was haunting, amplifying my anxiety tenfold. I shivered, my body tensed up, and the bright-blue lakes in my eyes trembled... as if already anticipating the boiling agony of plasma.

"nnnnNNNNNN!"

He chopped down fiercely, until the purple plasma was blindingly close to my forehead. Pure instinct took over, and I sidestepped the feint. Master Windu shook his head, sighing deeply.

"Padawan, allow me to reiterate, you cannot avoid... you must accept." he instructed, emotionless.

"I... apologize... Master." I expressed, breathing shakily.

"If you cannot accept your death, you will never master your fear." he stated, raising his sword once more.

I began suppressing my primal instincts again... and fresh fear flickered in my eyes.

End Flashback

I never mastered it. Not like him. My master was truly fearless, but I? Even now, the best I could do was pretend.

In any case, I now stood aboard the Star Destroyer's bridge, watching as the Absolute sailed through the galaxy's murky waters.

Apart from the bridge crew that manned the Venator, the few clones that survived Mooga were all that remained of my forces.

Trooper Raven, Trooper Owl, Commander Neyo...

And Lieutenant Burst.

With General Dartz in tow - isolated in a small containment unit down in the lower levels - I'd brought the Republic a great victory... supposedly.

As I stared into the void of space, losing myself in it, a horrific recollection flashed before my eyes: Moogan villagers, desperately dousing the flames of war I'd sent raining down upon them.

"Care to play, General? We could use a fifth." Trooper Raven asked suddenly, tearing me out of the fresh memory. "Just a friendly game of tzi tzu."

I slowly turned to face him, seeing that he held a deck of cards. When I gestured for him to pass them over, he obliged.

"This is a Sabacc deck." I noted, brushing my thumb over the four multicolored suits: flasks, sabers, staves, coins. "You don't play Sabacc?"

"That's for gamblers... like that guy." Trooper Raven smiled weakly, pointing to the lieutenant - he was sitting at a table in the back of the bridge with the others.

A moment of hesitation passed.

"I'll play, but you'll have to teach me. I don't think i've ever played... tzi tzu." I explained, only having heard of the game in passing.

I followed the trooper and joined the lieutenant at the table, as well as the other two survivors: Commander Neyo and Trooper Owl.

"It's a four player game, Raven." the commander grumbled coldly.

"Oh, that's right... that's my bad." the trooper mumbled.

"That's not a problem." Trooper Owl announced, standing up. "I'll sit this one out."

A knot formed in my stomach, quickly tightening.

"No, trooper, you don't need to do that." I declined, shaking my head as the trooper gestured for me to occupy his now vacant seat.

Right after the words left my mouth, Lieutenant Burst shot a spiteful scowl my way, and only then did I notice how horrifically bloodshot his eyes were. A duros would have been jealous.

"I really don't mind, General." Trooper Owl persisted, unwilling to let me deny his generosity.

I clenched my fists, thereafter breathing deeply... until my lungs were ready to burst.

"Very well." I sighed, taking the trooper's chair.

After removing all the unsavory special cards (Balance, The Idiot, The Queen of Air and Darkness, The Star, etc.), Commander Neyo shuffled the remaining cards with a seasoned elegance, subsequently dealing each of us a hand of five.

I caught on to the nature of tzi tzu after we'd played a few rounds, realizing that it was quite similar to another game I'd played with Master Ti: sabers.

Trooper Raven was my partner; Lieutenant Burst and Commander Neyo were our opponents. A game of tzi tzu had five rounds, with each of us playing a single card every round. At each game's initiation, one of the four suits was chosen as tzi tzu, and therefore took precedence over the other three. And, at the beginning of each round, whoever lead forced the other players to follow with whatever suit had been lead, unless they did not possess it. If no tzi tzu was played in a round, the standard hierarchy applied.

A simple ruleset.

Another round commenced, and I lead with the nine of staves, the current tzi tzu. Therefore, each player who held tzi tzu cards would have to play one of them.

"You shouldn't throw away your tzi tzu like that, General." Trooper Raven advised, his tone still friendly.

"No..." the commander interjected, trailing off. "This is her strategy."

"I'm drawing out the stronger tzi tzu cards, trooper..." I explained plainly. "By offering up a weaker one."

"Sounds about right for you." Lieutenant Burst muttered, glaring at me again. "It's what you do on the battlefield."

I locked eyes with him, refusing to back down. Yet, as I fully took on the hatred emanating from his gaze... I sensed a growing weariness in his eyes.

"Cut it out, Burst." the commander warned loudly. "Don't make me discipline you."

The lieutenant reluctantly relented, obeying Commander Neyo.

Another game came and went, and as a new one started, the turn cycle fell to Lieutenant Burst. His eyes were glazed over.

Five seconds passed with the slowness of eons. Eventually, seconds turned into an everlasting minute.

"Your move, Burst." Trooper Raven prodded cautiously.

Another ten seconds trickled by.

The clone's eyes fluttered open and closed.

"Burst!" the commander emphasized loudly, ruffling the ARC-trooper's shoulder.

"Right... right..." the Lieutenant acknowledged finally, blinking repeatedly to relinquish the fatigue.

"Is this a normal occurance, commander?" I inquired, winning the hand after the lieutenant finally placed down his card.

"Yes, General, but it's even worse than usual." Commander Neyo stated grimly. "I don't think he's slept in four days."

3rd Person

Ambush!

Serenity, the space station located near republic-controlled planet Vurdon Ka, has been attacked!

Seeking to deprive the Galactic Republic of a critical refuelling station residing along the Perlemian Trade Route, General Grievous has shown his hand, assaulting the Serenity with numerous capital ships and swaths of small fighters.

Aboard a certain Venator-class cruiser, General Owain Lissen prepares for an imminent showdown.

"Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack."

The warped screeching of metal on metal. It heralded a shadow, steadily approaching through a white, misty veil.

A shiver crept up the Jedi's spine as he identified the shadow's skeletal frame... its hunched, contorted posture.

General Grievous.

"Owain Lissen... Jedi Knight." the Jedi killer stated through distorted laughter.

"General Grievous... legendary pushover." Owain retaliated.

"We shall see." Grievous snapped.

"Pssshew!"

"Undoubtedly." the Jedi agreed, drawing his lightsaber.

"You might as well give it to me now." Grievous snarled, eyeing the cyan blade's ornate, golden hilt. "Your lightsaber... I'll look after it for you."

"Psssshhew!" "Psssshhew!"

Grievous activated a green and blue saber, two prized trophies of his.

"I knew many of the Jedi you murdered..." Owain muttered sadly, staring at the poached possessions. "I struggle with mourning them even now, but their memory gives me strength! I won't dishonor them, and I won't die easily... you monster!"

"I'm no monster, Jedi!" Grievous raged, coughing madly. "I hunt monsters... vile slime such as yourself. It was your lies of peace that brought my world to ruination!"

"Ha! A liar speaks of lies." Owain snorted, shifting his weight back and forth. "I have no reason to believe you. You're nothing but a plunderer, and a pretender."

"SSSSHHHHHHKKKKKKK!" "SSSHHHHHHHKKK!"

"Then search my feelings, and you'll know their certainty." Grievous challenged, scarring the floor tiles red-hot with his plunder.

Owain

"Ksshh!" "Ksssh!" "Ksssh!" "Ksssh!"

A brief exchange ensued, one that sent me on the back foot, ending with Grievous cleaving at me with his green blade in a wide, arcing slash.

"nnnnnNNNNNNN!"

I dropped hastily, and the plasma crackled past me as the general and I swapped positions.

"vvvvMMMM!"

I knocked Grievous back with a force push for good measure, much to his displeasure.

After we turned to face each other again, we entered an impasse, neither combatant making a move.

"All that enhanced strength, enhanced movement, but you can't hit your target." I mocked. "You're a disgrace to yourself... and all those you've killed."

"Jedi scum!" the cyborg roared, enraged. "Only you would fail to see the irony in that statement."

I peered into the cyborg's savage pupils for a moment longer... and then closed my eyes.

"nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn..."

The kyber crystals hummed, singing songs of encouragement as I focused, and meditated... waiting.

Waiting.

Suddenly, through my senses, I saw Grievous splitting his arms into four.

"For the ones you slaughtered... for the ones who fell!" I yelled, charging the cyborg with a chaotic movement pattern. "For Tarr... for T'chooka... for Neebo...!"

I targeted his chest, but the general moved to intercept. Even with my berserk approach, his reaction time was impeccable.

"KSSHHHHHH!"

Three blades violently collided with one another, but I quickly concluded that I had the stronger position this time. This was my chance, I...

"For Owain..." Grievous hissed, his extra arms suddenly emerging from behind his back.

Danger!!!

Blasters...!

One in each spare hand...!!

Pointed at me from two different angles...!!!

'I...!!!!' my mind blurted out.

"Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew!"

Grievous

"Thump!"

The fool's body dropped to the floor, smoldering cavities in his chest and forehead where the lasers had melted through.

My synthetic nostrils picked up a smell... that of burning flesh.

"A simple task..." I muttered merrily, kneeling over the corpse.

When I stood up again, another lightsaber was hooked to my torso.

As I backtracked to my ship, I made no attempt to step over the dead.

Adi

When Commander Neyo requested my presence at the quarters he and Lieutenant Burst shared, I knew the situation had spiraled out of control.

"Mmmmmmm..." the lieutenant hummed, digging through the trash.

Countless capsules and bags were scattered around the living space, as well as... ashes. Coupled with the foul odor that hung in the air, I put it together quite easily.

"I need... my stuff." the lieutenant groaned, his eyes flittering open and closed. "None of it's... ordered."

He paused, and then his pupils shrunk.

"Order..." he growled, looking my way. "Order..."

"Careful, General." Commander Neyo cautioned. "With the state he's in, he's dangerous. He's so sleep-deprived he's hallucinating... one look in his head and you'd fall straight into the chasm of whatever he's seeing right now."

"Not just sleep-deprived." I added, my concern growing as I picked up one of the bags on the floor. "He's going through the early stages of withdrawal."

It took the commander a second to grasp what I was implying.

"I didn't even think of that." he admitted.

"Help me..." Lieutenant mumbled, slurring his words as he stumbled up against the closet. "Help me..."

"Thump!" "Thump!" "Thump!"

He rocked back and forth, hitting the closet door with every cycle.

"Help me..." he repeated. "Help me, Slip."

He wasn't just a danger to us, he was a danger to himself. I needed to stop this.

I approached the lieutenant from behind, raising my hand and preparing a mind trick.

"You want to lay down and sle-" I started, intent on quelling the lieutenant's unrest.

Lieutenant Burst spun around, and then a blaster pistol was pressed against my forehead.

"Don't...!" he whispered.

"BURST!!" the commander roared, aiming his rifle at the lieutenant. "PUT THE BLASTER DOWN!"

I stayed completely still, so as not to provoke the disturbed lieutenant. As I honed in on his glassy eyes, I saw that Lieutenant Burst wasn't there.

Someone else had taken control.

"Order..." the crazed clone hissed, pressing the blaster harder deeper into my skin.

"BURST!!!" Commander Neyo shouted again.

This wasn't good, I needed to diffuse the situation, but...

Without warning, the Absolute jolted violently, meaning we'd reached our destination.

"Slam!"

Taking advantage of the opportunity, I swiped the lieutenant's blaster pistol away from my face, throwing him onto the floor.

"RRRRGGGGGHHHH!" the frenzied soldier growled, and I barely held him down long enough for the commander to assist me.

"BOOOOOOOOM!" "BOOOOOOOOM!" "BOOOOOOOOM!" "BOOOOOOOOM!" "BOOOOOOOOM!"

The cries of destruction surrounded us. We'd arrived at the Serenity, but evidently, not at a good time.

Eventually, Lieutenant Burst surrendered to us, and his pupils dilated once more.

Leaving the commander to care for him, I stepped outside to investigate... and found the worst.

"BoooOOOoom!" "BOOM!" "Boom...!"

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!" "BoOOOooOoom!" "BOOM!"

"BoooOOOoom!" "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!"

The flashes of turbolaser fire enveloped the station.

We'd barged in on a massive space battle.

Seven Republic Venator-class Star Destroyers, now including the Absolute.

Four Separatist Recusant-class light destroyers, and two colossal Providence-class dreadnoughts.

Grievous

After I returned to my capital ship, a new element entered the fray... another Venator, interestingly.

I hadn't anticipated the arrival of the extra Star Destroyer, but that was hardly an issue. It was which Venator that arrived that intrigued me.

The Absolute - General Gallia's flagship - had it come as reinforcements?

No. The sudden jolt the cruiser experienced after exiting hyperspace said otherwise. They were unprepared.

While observing the mighty vessel, I was suddenly reminded of the Mumuu, a fearsome beast native to my homeworld.

A Mumuu's hide was tough, almost as tough as Mandalorian iron. A Mumuu posessed two hearts, granting it immense strength and speed. A Mumuu had tusks that could puncture even durasteel.

But a Mumuu could still be hunted. With time, patience, and proper strategy, it would tire out.

The Absolute was likely already at that point.

Even the youngest, most inexperienced Kaleesh warrior could have seen it for what it was: easy prey. If I still had my mouth, I might've smiled.

"Move to intercept that ship." I coughed, ordering one of the two battle droids manning the bridge.

"But sir..." the B1 commander began. "We're already going to..."

"Smash!"

Swinging my fist in a wide, sweeping motion, I executed the commander.

"Clunk!"

His head crashed to the floor, silencing the droid next to him. After taking in the cosmic beyond one last time, I turned to exit the bridge.

The Jedi aboard that Venator had escaped me too many times.

"The story of Adi Gallia... ends here!" I declared, preparing to board.

Adi

With limited manpower and resources, the Absolute didn't stand a chance... against any of the ships, really. We were helpless.

"RUMBLE!"

It wasn't long before one of the Providence-class dreadnoughts docked with us, connecting to the right side of the Absolute.

Due to the ship's erratic behavior, I had my suspicions about the identity of its commander.

I quickly evacuated the bridge officers, sending them off to the escape pods on the left side.

After fetching Oison Dartz from his containtment cell, I rendezvoused with the remainder of my forces in the Venator's center.

With Lieutenant Burst's condition, it took both Commander Neyo and Trooper Owl to keep him from toppling over.

"Hahaha! It looks like it's over for you, republic dogs!" General Dartz guffawed, his arms cuffed.

"Trooper Raven, see to it that this wretched nerf herder doesn't escape." I ordered.

"Yes, General!" the trooper saluted.

"Commander Neyo, Trooper Owl... take care of Lieutenant Burst." I ordered.

"Yes, General!" Commander Neyo saluted.

"What... you're not coming, General?" Trooper Owl questioned, confused.

"Haven't you heard? A General goes down with her ship." I joked lightly. "But really, someone needs to hold off the separatist forces. There's no need for it to be any of you."

Trooper Owl was unconvinced, but Commander Neyo left no time for questions, and they were off for the Venator's left side before long.

The droids would approach from the right.

We'd already sent out a distress signal, but I couldn't imagine a scenario in which every other republic ship hadn't already done the same. Plus, the nearest Jedi were all mostly likely busy with battles of their own.

Master Tiin was leading a campaign on Arkania.

Jedi Knight Cere Junda was conducting a diplomatic mission on Corellia.

And Master Kenobi and Skywalker had important business on Alderaan.

Reinforcements were unlikely, and help from the already wounded forces that were already here seemed even more so.

I focused on the holographic map in front of me; it gave me unrestricted access to every single blast door aboard the Venator.

I struggled to survey the map. Its myriad of corridors and contorted passageways were akin to a complex intestinal system, but with our enemy approaching from the right, I needed to assess every potential route across the ship.

I had to seal every one they could use. Well, all but one.

The steel labyrinth subtly reminded me of Trooper Slipstream, and his useful navigational skills.

'I could really use his help right-' I began, and then held my tongue, disgusted with myself.

Owl

Our pace was slow with the commander and I supporting Burst. After a while, we decided he was good enough to stand on his own, so we began running.

"Ow! Lay off, you genetic blight!" General Dartz squealed as Raven kicked him to get him to move faster.

"Is General Gallia seriously going to fight all those clankers by herself?" I asked frantically, still questioning myself.

"Seems like it." Neyo replied.

"That's stupid, it... it doesn't make any sense!" I argued.

"That's not for you to decide." Neyo stated firmly.

As I was about to respond, I quickly glanced behind me.

Burst had vanished.

I'd only taken my eyes off of him for a second...!

"Where's Burst?!" I called up ahead, frantic.

Neyo briefly glanced at the rear, and then looked forward again.

"Sorry Owl, we don't have time to look for him." he affirmed, his tone melancholy.

Adi

"Pssshhew!"

I stayed back at the crossroads of the dull-gray corridors, solo... prepared to meet my foe.

The singular blast door in front of me was the only one I'd left open. Well, more like cracked open.

The dreary metal barriers surrounding me wanted nothing more than to swallow me like a space-slug... I wanted nothing more than to curl up into a ball, to slip out of reality for a moment... but that wasn't an option.

...I shivered momentarily, and then regained control.

'I should have never given that speech.' I thought to myself.

On Mooga, I'd broken one of my sacred rules. I'd spoken to my men, not like a general, or a Jedi. No, I'd spoken to them like a friend, someone with their best interests at heart... when the truth was anything but that.

I was no longer merely a talking head that barked orders at them; by my own hand, I'd become another friendly face. I could stomach being insensitive, heartless even, but I drew the line at manipulation.

The clones were deliberately engineered to be loyal, no... subservient. A clone could never be free, because their freedom had already been ripped out of them, strand by strand of genetic material... all before they were even born.

Beyond leading my troopers into battle, I'd done my best to avoid exploiting their naivete, but now...

I had to go it alone.

"Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack."

It started as a faint rumble that echoed through the labyrinth, as if it were a network of pipes.

Soon, the droids flooded around the corner, and I waited at my barricade.

"Pew! Pew! Pew!"

A few blasters bolts pinged the outer edges of the blast doors. Squinting at the horde from my cover, I ascertained that a few B2s were leading the pack.

The droid general's strategy was as painfully predictable as always, and yet it was flawless nonetheless.

"Clank! Clank! Clank! Clank! Clank! Clank!"

When their front lines arrived at my funneling point, the super battle droids found it difficult to squeeze their crude framework through the blast doors; just as I'd planned.

"Shhhhkk!" "Shhhk!" "Shk!" "KSSSHhhhhk!" "Shhk!" Ksshhk!"

I demolished them with a few mild exertions.

"Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew!"

I backed up against the wall, and more laser fire flew at the blast doors, with some shots making it through this time.

The amount of blasters bolts had already increased by four times at least, and this was only the beginning.

Grievous would wear me down with his seemingly endless legions of droids. He'd soften me up, and then arrive to deliver the killing blow. Needless to say, I had no means to counterattack.

All I could do was stall him out, for my troopers... and hope to survive. I needed to direct the flow... maneuver Grievous's forces and force a one-on-one fight with every droid. Otherwise, I'd be overwhelmed.

Suddenly, a commando droid flew through the slit, dive-rolling toward me afterward.

"vvvvvvvVVVVVVV!"

Unsheathing a vibrosword, It hacked at my ankles...

But I was already airborne.

"Bam!"

I pummeled the droid's lower back with a jumping back kick, pushed off the wall, and then twisted around as I flipped my grip...

Lightsaber Form V, Shien: Backlash.

"SSHHRRRRKK!"

Splitting the commando's spine in two.

I landed, huffing twice to catch my breath as exposed circuitry sparked at my feet.

This was an endurance test, but one far beyond even the respiratory torture of my padawan's most grueling run.

To my dismay, three more commandos promptly penetrated the barrier.

"Pew!" "Pew!" "Pew!"

Lightsaber Form III, Soresu: Looking Glass.

"Ksh!" "Ksh!" "Ksh!"

They fired well-placed shots, but I parried them with a delicate flourish.

I then thrust my palm outward.

After seizing two of the commandos with the force, I grouped them into a cluster.

"nnnnnNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE"!

My lightsaber shrieked a horrible melody, shredding through the air.

Lightsaber Form V, Djem So: Krayt Dragon's Maw

"KSSSSSSSSSSSRRRHHK!"

With a single slice, I beheaded the trio.

"Huff... huff...!" I gasped.

This was an endurance test, but one far beyond even the respiratory torture of my padawan's most grueling run.

"Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! "Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! "Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew!Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew!"

The flow rate of blasters bolts through the blast doors continued to increase, as did the number of droids pouring through the slit.

Before I knew it, no less than twenty B1s were hobbling toward me.

"Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! "Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! "Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew!Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew!"

"Ksh! Ksh! Ksh! Ksh!"

I parried the shots that threatened me, but when laser fire struck the light panels, the hallway was plunged into darkness.

As dark as the blackest abyss etched into the sea floor.

Lightsaber Form V, Djem So: Ocean's End

I rushed them, flipping through the air, slicing through the B1s whilst upside down.

I arrived back at the blast doors, but not without acquiring two blaster wounds.

Both blastpoints were on my right leg, where my guard was weakest.

My nimble footwork was now an unsteady hobble.

One of my limbs was failing me, similarly to the operation on Jedha. However, this time, it was my leg.

I couldn't just forgo a leg.

As I steadied myself, a B2 at the front of the pack suddenly equipped a laser cutting tool.

So... Grievous... no, the droids' commander realized.

I chopped my hand to the side, wrangling the super battle droid beyond repair with the force. As the mangled circuitry hit the floor, it burst into flame.

Again I recalled the Moogans trying to save their burning harvest.

But such casualties of war were unavoidable... right?

A twinge of doubt manifested within my chest. The more I pondered it, the deeper the doubts burrowed into my chest.

'For the Republic...' I mouthed.

How many times had I told myself that? How many times had I invoked that phrase to justify my decisions?

Using the clones... entering the war... how much thought had I really put into those decisions?

'When did I let myself make all these CONCESSIONS?' I mourned.

...!

While being distracted by the disorder in my mind, I'd carelessly let four B2s infiltrate the barricade.

'FOCUS!!' I silently screamed at myself, adopting the one-handed stance of the second form.

Lightsaber Form II, Makashi: Thousand Shards of Kyber

"Shk! Shk! Shk! Shk!"

My blade moved so quickly, it transcended into a series of shimmering blue flickers... until the droids were no more.

...

Abruptly, the rumbling stopped...

The droids had stopped pouring through dark hallway...?

"Clack. Clack. Clack."

A single set of screeching footsteps.

A hunched figure became visible through the darkness.

"nnnnNNNNNNNNNN!"

Without hesitation, I wound back and threw my lightsaber with every ounce of strength I could call on.

"Pssshhew!"

"Kssshhhh!"

"A welcome gift...!" General Grievous coughed jovially, repelling my spinning blue saber with one of his own. The droid general reached out to grab my saber by the hilt, but I pulled the blade back towards me before he could do so.

"That's all the same to me, I'm fine with receiving it as we part... hehehe!" Grievous chuckled, amused.

"Pssshhew!"

To my horror, Grievous ignited the second blade as he made his way to the blast doors...

"Shhhhhhhhhhkkkkkkkkk!" "Shhhhhhhhkkkkkkkkk!"

And cut them wide open.

In my wounded state, I was powerless to do anything... out of fear for my life.

"Why don't you deal with me yourself?" I objected, glaring at the skeletal cyborg.

"Shhhhheww!" "Shhhhhewww!"

After deactivating his laser swords, the droid general walked back down to his side of the hallway.

"Oh, don't be so impatient, Jedi! That can wait." Grievous chuckled, his hands behind his back.

For whatever reason, Grievous was playing it safe this time. Perhaps he remembered our encounter during the mission to rescue Master Koth.

"Clack. Clack. Clack.Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack.Clack.Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack."

The next wave of super battle droids appeared from the shadowy veil, marching past their general.

"Kill her." Grievous ordered, disappearing into the darkness.

"Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew!"

"Ksh! Ksh! Ksh! Ksh! Ksh! Ksh!"

I barely fended them off, and as I split open the last one, my leg gave out.

"RRRrrrrRRRrrr!" "RRRrrrrRRRrrr!" "RRRrrrrRRRrrr!"

Destroyer droids, rolling down the corridor.

Once I was within range, they unfolded their bronze-plated skeletons. Then, they deployed their twin blaster cannons.

I tried to stand, but my wounded leg refused my orders. I held my stance regardless, but things were looking bleak.

Heh... I'd always thought that a droideka's blaster cannons sounded like a bleating gill-goat.

"PEW-PEW!" "PEW-PEW!" "PEW-PEW!"

'They still do...' I thought wistfully, moving my saber to intercept the bolts of energy.

...Without warning, translucent blue entered my vision.

"Thunk-thunk!" "Thunk-thunk!" "Thunk-thunk!"

Before they could hit me, the laser blasts hit something else... a blue bubble of an energy shield.

Burst

I arrived just in time.

"Thunk-thunk!" "Thunk-thunk!" "Thunk-thunk!"

The sound of my shield sponging the blasts was loud, but strangely hypnotic.

Even as I deployed the vibrochainsaw from where it was slotted next to my forearms, my eyelids threatened to seal shut like a clam.

The nightmare beckoned me, urged me to join it, but I couldn't.

As always, there was work to do.

"PEW-PEW!" "PEW-PEW!" "PEW-PEW!"

"Thunk-thunk!" "Thunk-thunk!" "Thunk-thunk!"

The rollies fired another volley, and I shuffled forward sluggishly.

My finger settled on the saw's activation mechanism, but fatigue had already spread throughout my body... like a lethal toxin. The exhaustion clung to me... hindering every step I took.

'The mission...'

That voice, and the accompanying fog in my mind... they wouldn't go away.

'Complete the mission...'

The nightmares... the mission... they dragged me toward slumber.

'Execute...'

My eyelids fell shut.

'Order...'

"brum-brum-brum-brum-brrrrRRRR!"

The vibrosaw howled, and my eyes snapped open.

"PEW-PEW!" "PEW-PEW!" "PEW-PEW!"

"Thunk-thunk!" "Thunk-thunk!" "Thunk-thunk!"

I stumbled toward the closest droideka while tanking another round of laser fire, until our force fields merged together, colliding like two planets.

"BrrrrrrrRRRRSHHHHhhhk!"

Breaking through the back of the droideka's shield - its weak point - I thrust the vibrosaw clean through its midsection.

When it keeled over, I had already... lunged for the next one.

"PEW-PEW!" "PEW-PEW!" "PEW-PEW!"

"Thunk-thunk!" "Thunk-thunk!" "Thunk-thunk!"

Pure instinct fueled my... staggered frenzy... willing my saw-arm to move.

"BrrrrrrrRRRRSSHHHHHK!"

Another mangled rolly... torn... to... pieces.

"PEW-PEW!" "PEW-PEW!" "PEW-PEW!"

"Thunk-thunk!" "Thunk-thunk!" "Thunk-thunk!"

With... each bolt of energy... my shield absorbed... the generator on my belt... grew a little hotter.

"brum-brum-brum-brum-brrrrRRRRSSSHHHhhhhk!"

Another... one.

...

'Where am I?' I thought suddenly, my vision blurry. Everything was warm... so fuzzy and ethereal.

That soothing sensation... I was floating in some sort of heated liquid. It was heavy, and when I moved, it fought to contain me.

'The chambers...' I concluded, squinting to try and stabilize my vision. Where were the Kaminoans? What did I do this time?

Peering through the bacta, I spotted several tall, spindly silhouettes as they turned the corner. There they were, the cloners... my captors. Was it time for me to be let out?

"pew! pew! pew! pew! pew! pew!"

Someone was tapping on the glass...

...

"PEW! PEW! PEW! PEW! PEW! PEW!"

"Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thu...nk! Thu..."

B1 battle droids pelted me with laser fire until the force field overheated, dissolving with the illusion.

I ripped an ion grenade from my belt, pitching it at the center of the swarm.

"ZZZZZZZZTTTTT!"

The shockwave cleared the current wave, frying every clanker in the blast radius.

"Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack."

And yet, more approached.

My vision darkened, my eyelids drooping once more.

"Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew!"

Crimson streaks of lights flew past my head.

A searing pain erupted in my abdomen, and in my shoulder shortly after.

'Sleep...' the voice ordered.

'No!' I resisted, forcing my eyes open.

'SLEEP...' it barked again.

"NO!!!" I audibly roared, drawing my twin blaster pistols.

"Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew!"

I charged the droid army, unleashing an unrelenting stream of laser fire.

Two blaster bolts struck me in the chest, slowing my movement momentarily.

As I closed in on the machines, my weary, bloodshot eyes struggled to visualize them.

From behind the mask, they looked more like shadowy figures than droids.

Shadowy figures wearing cloaks, robes... like Jedi...

"ZZZZZTTTTT!"

'They're clankers!!' I reaffirmed, seizing a B1 by the throat and pouring lethal amounts of electricity into it with my shock glove.

"Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew!"

Using the droid's fried body as cover, I provided myself with covering fire whilst I prepared the magentized kaminoan explododarts.

I continued fighting on autopilot for several more minutes, remembering none of it, and accruing several more blaster wounds.

"pew! pew! pew! pew! pew! pew! pew! pew! pew! pew! pew! pew! pew! pew! pew! pew! pew!"

"ksh! ksh! ksh! ksh! ksh! ksh! ksh! ksh! ksh! ksh! ksh! ksh! ksh! ksh! ksh! ksh! ksh! ksh! ksh! ksh!"

The sounds of war were distant now. Maybe... maybe now I could finally rest.

...!

It was fuzzy, but I could make out a hand waving in front of my face.

Suddenly, my vision cleared up, and I could focus again.

"Welcome back." General Gallia greeted, preparing to deflect incoming laser fire.

"Pew! Pew! Pew!"

"Ksh! Ksh! Ksh!"

"That's enough... let's get going!!" I urged, firing a grappling hook from my wrist to swing down the hallway.

"No, we need to hold them off for a bit more...!" General Gallia shouted back, holding her ground.

"What are you, suicidal?!" I sputtered, begrudgingly backtracking.

"Shhhhhkk!"

"A Jedi is always prepared to face the end." she stated, impaling a super battle droid through the torso.

"Pew! Pew! Pew!"

"And leave your student behind?" I accused, blasting a B2 of my own in the face.

"...He'll manage." she retorted, unconvincingly.

"Just to be clear, I only did it for him." I grunted.

"...Regardless, you have my thanks." she muttered back.

Adi

While Burst and I continued painstakingly fighting our way to the left side of the Venator, another miserable element was thrown into the mix.

"RUMBLE!"

A deep bellow reverberated through the belly of the Absolute, an echo that dampened my spirits further.

Unless I was mistaken, such a sound indicated that another capital ship had docked with the Absolute, this time presumably on its left side.

At worst, we were doomed. At best, things were about to get interesting.

'It's a good thing I didn't bring my starfighter.' I remarked internally, steeling myself for the potential gauntlet ahead.