010. PLAN OF ACTION

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WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ARIMIYA, THE GROUP OF PADAWANS CLUSTERED AROUND THE DOOR IN AN EFFORT TO EAVESDROP ON THE ONGOING CONVERSATION IN THE COMMUNICATIONS ROOM. The Republic cruiser floated in empty space as the Jedi Masters tried to agree on a singular strategy once they arrived at the planet. Tensions had been high the entire trip though.

"Would you guys make some room?" Caleb tried to shove his way into the pack. "I can't hear anything."

"There's a door in the way, Dume," Matias rolled his eyes, "No one can hear anything."

"Shut up!"

"Don't tell me what to do!"

The door slid open with a hiss as if sensing that a fight was about to break out. The Jedi Knights stood around the holotable. Master Windu, who they'd been communicating with, turned to look over at Kenobi. "It seems as if there are other matters that need attended to, check back in once you've made it to the planet's surface." The holographic image shut off, leaving the room slightly darker than before.

Kenobi raised an eyebrow before directing his attention toward Anakin. "Perhaps you should escort the padawans to another room until we confirm our strategy."

"Why me?" Anakin asked incredulous.

"Because you haven't added any helpful input," Kenobi retorted before emphasizing that the decision was nonnegotiable, "I'd suggest that you take this as a teaching moment."

Anakin looked over toward the group of padawans with a frown; however, that didn't stop Zeraphina from smiling brightly and waving. Caleb quickly pulled her hand down and whispered, "Hey, we're trying to look mature."

Zeraphina nodded her head and immediately a more serious look flashed across her face. Anakin sighed and nodded his head, but Arimiya noticed his eyes roll as he motioned for the padawans to follow him from the room down the next hallway.

Zeraphina didn't hesitate to try and saddle up beside the Jedi Knight with about a thousand questions in mind. "So do you get to go on alot of intense missions or do you just sit around the temple and look pretty?"

Arimiya could see that Caleb was internally smacking himself in the face as they all overheard the question. Anakin stopped walking and looked at her with pure shock on his face. Ahsoka stifled a laugh and looked at her master amused.

Unsure whether the girl had innocently asked her question or intended to insult him, Anakin answered with hesitation, "As the general of the 501st, I'm out in the field quite often."

Zeraphina opened her mouth to ask another question, but before she could, Anakin gently shoved her into the closest room and then ushered the others to follow her inside. Arimiya swore the Jedi muttered something under his breath as she passed by, but she was unable to make out what had been said.

"Alright," Anakin clasped his hands together, "I need names."

"Zeraphina Quincur," she said with a smile and took a step forward, "Master Plo's padawan. It's my first mission out in the field, so I apologize in advance for my questions."

"Caleb Dume," the boy stepped up next, "Master Billaba's padawan. So... what's the current status of our assignment? And why did the council deem it necessary to send seven Jedi on a recon mission?"

Anakin seemed displeased with the observation, but Ahsoka interjected before he could answer, "Technically, there are thirteen."

"Not helping, Snips," Anakin said between grit teeth. "Who's next?"

"Matias Pellian," the boy nodded his head, "Master Cors's padawan... we met at the Citadel."

"So we did," Anakin nodded his head solemnly.

"Jacen Plutarch." Arimiya rolled her eyes as the boy's tone practically saluted the Jedi. "Padawan of Master Kyd."

Anakin's eyes drifted to Arimiya, but she remained silent with her arms crossed. She allowed her eyes to drift toward the ground as if making an attempt to distance herself from everyone in the room. Caleb took the opportunity to speak up for her.

"And that's Arimiya Delaway." Caleb took a step closer to Anakin as if trying to whisper. "She just lost her second master not that long ago, but I'm pretty sure she's supposed to be trained by Master Kenobi now."

"Is that so?" Anakin immediately looked amused as if the information had been unknown to him. However, the look only lasted a moment as Ahsoka elbowed him in the side. He took her hint and introduced himself. "Anakin Skywalker. And this is my padawan, Ahsoka Tano."

Zeraphina's eyes lit up as the Jedi's name was well-known throughout the temple. "It's a pleasure to meet you both."

Matias slowly crossed his arms. "Are you actually going to lecture us? Or could we discuss our recon strategy?"

"I'd love to discuss our strategy, but I wasn't given those details," Anakin shook his head, "As for the lecture, let's not and say I did."

Caleb appeared startled at the suggestion. "But what if one of the masters find out?"

"If everyone keeps quiet, it shouldn't be an issue," Anakin dismissed the question.

"That could be an issue for Caleb," Arimiya scoffed, speaking up for the first time, "he's known for asking questions."

"Not true!" Caleb protested. "I just like to know how things work."

"Well, shut up this time," she retorted.

Caleb frowned before looking over toward Jacen. "Don't you have a problem with this?"

Arimiya raised an eyebrow and looked over toward Jacen as well. If anyone was to rat them out it was most certainly going to be the rule-abiding padawan. Much to her surprise, he said nothing. Instead, Jacen shrugged and made a gesture as if throwing a key away.

Matias chuckled. "Alright, Plutarch, way to rebel."

"Back to the communications room then," Anakin said and directed the padawans back in the direction that they'd come from.

As they entered the room, Kenobi had just pulled up a map on the holoboard. He looked over in confusion. "I take it must have been a quick conversation."

"You know me, Master," Anakin shrugged, "never one to waste words."

Silara Cors took a step forward and cleared her throat to call attention to herself. "As most of you have realized, our group is quite large. The council determined that such numbers would be necessary as they'd gotten word that the Separatists were in the midst of creating a device that could turn the war in their favor; however, the specific location of said device was unable to be pinpointed exactly, creating the necessity of multiple reconnaissance groups."

Depa Billaba nodded her head in agreement before taking over. "Once we have landed on the surface of the planet, we will divide into four groups. Master Cors and myself will search the north side of the planet. Paladin Squadron will accompany us as well. Master Kyd and Phoenix Squadron will take the west. Masters Kelrune and Plo Koon will be joined by the Gamma Squadron toward the south. Finally, Masters Kenobi and Skywalker, along with their troops, will search the east side of the planet."

Arimiya frowned as she noticed that one group had been left out. "And what of the Shadow Squadron?"

Master Billaba raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't aware that the Shadow Squadron had been assigned to join us."

Kenobi looked toward Arimiya with disapproval. "That is because they were not."

Before the tension in the room could rise any further, Master Cors spoke up again, "We should prepare to head down to the planet's surface. We'll have to divide into our groups and take a few smaller ships down as the cruiser would draw unwanted attention."

Each individual made their way from the room until it was just Arimiya and Kenobi that remained. Their eye contact with one another had not broken. The girl added to her stubbornness by crossing her arms.

"Who authorized the addition of Shadow Squadron on this vessel."

"I did," Arimiya replied as if that made it alright, "They're my troops."

Kenobi shook his head. "You do not have the ability to do as you please, young one—"

"My name is Arimiya," she interrupted. "Wherever I go, the Shadow Squadron goes."

"Then I suppose that you will remain here with the Shadow Squadron."

Arimiya's eyes widened. "What?! That's not fair!"

"The decision is not yours to make," Kenobi retorted, "You'll quickly learn that many things aren't fair, but that does not mean they are wrong."

"I'm pretty sure Master Windu said I had to join you on this mission," Arimiya protested.

Kenobi shook his head and corrected her, "No, Master Windu said that you must travel with us. He never said that I had to take you down to the planet's surface with me. Besides, the smaller our party is the better. Not to mention I have to deal with Anakin's recklessness. I don't need yours added on top of his."

"But—"

"This isn't up for negotiation," Kenobi interrupted, "You'll return to your quarters and meditate until I return. From what I've heard, you're out of practice."

Arimiya glowered, but remained silent. She stormed out of the room too frustrated to add anything else to the conversation. One way or another, she was getting down to the planet's surface.