Chapter Text
Shaak walks past buildings that are burning and broken. Smoke curls in the air, grey and thick but lighter and thinner than it had been even thirty minutes ago.
The fighting is over. She releases the tension from her shoulders and exhales, expelling the conflict from her body and willing it to not commit to memory. The people who survived are being evacuated by others. The people who passed will be mourned by the former. Those who live here, either alive or dead, are not her concern anymore. She cannot dwell on the loss of lives here today and she knows the ones who still live will be taken care of. She came to their defense and saved who she could. That is all she can ask of herself. And now that the matter is over, she must move on.
Her task is something else now.
The structure to her left, what looks to have once been a store of some sort but is now little more than the blackened support skeleton, creaks loudly and then crumbles into itself. The ground shakes beneath her feet as dust joins the smoke.
Shaak offers a kind smile to the soot-covered people that walk past her and continues down the street to where the Force calls to her like a homing beacon.
She approaches a small house, eyes flickering over the man whose body lays across the threshold. The somewhat-local group that’s been handling the evacuation is next door, still making their way down the street in search for any survivors.
“Such senseless violence,” she murmurs low enough to not be overheard by any of them and enters the house.
Stepping over a piece of the partially collapsed roof, Shaak continues further into the home. A woman is slumped against the far wall, eyes glazed over in death. A streak of blood stains the wall. The glint of light catching metal draws Shaak’s gaze away from the dead woman. She ducks down, peering past another piece of the roof.
She sees a small face, wide eyes, tear tracks cutting through the layer of soot that covers her cheeks, and hands holding a knife.
“Hello, little one.”
The girl doesn’t answer.
“You’re safe now,” Shaak says softly, “The fighting is over.”
The girl shifts uneasily, hands tightening their grip, “Who are you?”
“I’m Shaak Ti. What’s your name?”
She doesn’t answer, instead asking, “Did you hurt my mom and dad?”
“No, young one. And those who did are gone now.”
Her hand flexs on the knife.
“Will you tell me your name?”
A long silence. And then, “(Y/N).”
“Hello, (Y/N). Do you want to come out from under there?”
(Y/N) looks away from Shaak for the first time, eyes flickering around at the broken wood and metal that looms over her.
“It’s dangerous to stay in a broken home,” Shaak adds.
The young girl swallows and nods. She moves slowly, carefully watching the debris around her. Her legs unfold and she twists to crawl out from under the roof. Shaak offers a hand, which the little girl takes, and helps her get free.
(Y/N) looks up at the sky that is visible due to the collapsed roof, “What happened to those men?”
“I took care of them,” Shaak indicates her lightsaber, “See this? It means that I’m a Jedi. It means I can be trusted and that you’ll be safe with me.”
(Y/N) peers at the saber, one hand still holding the knife she must have grabbed from the kitchen at some point during the fighting.
“Do you want to come with me?”
“Where?”
“The Jedi Temple,” Shaak answers, “on Coruscant. It isn’t safe for you to stay here.”
(Y/N) peers at her suspiciously, “You said those men were gone.”
“I did,” she nods, “I-”
“My parents are dead.” It isn’t a question.
Shaak nods again, “Yes, young one. I’m sorry.”
(Y/N) nods in return, “I’ll come with you…Will you stay with me?”
Shaak’s heart aches for her, “Yes. I promise.”
(Y/N) lifts her arms and Shaak immediately picks her up. The girl moves with her movements, easily tucking up against Shaak’s side and arranging her limbs in a way that is mindful of her head-tails.
Shaak leaves the crumbling house, twisting her body so (Y/N) doesn’t see her parents. She fears it’s an act of compassion that comes too late. She begins walking back to her ship. (Y/N) burrows into her, head turned to maintain a watchful eye on the area around them. Her one hand keeps a tight grip on the knife while the other buries into Shaak’s robes.
Shaak can feel the Force that surrounds the girl reaching out spastically, taking in the surroundings and getting a feel of her. She had felt this once before, when (Y/N) had been deciding whether to trust her or not. Its remarkable that someone so young already has such an influence over the Force. Shaak wonders how much of it is a conscious effort.
When Shaak is approached by someone whose name she can’t think of right now, (Y/N) has the presence of mind to hide the knife between their bodies while not cutting either of them.
Shaak boards her ship quickly, taking off for Coruscant. (Y/N) eventually falls asleep and Shaak holds the little girl close to her body as she flies between the stars.
***
The Jedi Council had been kind enough to let (Y/N) stay with Shaak for two weeks to recover from the loss she suffered. Losing both parents and her entire world being unturned in one afternoon is not the easiest thing to just move on from without allowing for an adjustment period. The young girl’s request for Shaak to stay with her…
If Shaak’s request hadn’t been granted, she thinks they might have lost the girl forever.
So, two weeks had been permitted.
Shaak would have liked to keep (Y/N) with her longer. A sweet girl with sad eyes constantly watching Shaak as if she expected her to up and disappear at any moment.
Shaak’s at war with herself, heart going one way and her brain another.
But the decision had been made and just earlier today, the Council had not so delicately told (Y/N) to move on from her parents’ deaths because the emotions paired with their passing would lead to the dark side. Shaak had been able to see in (Y/N)’s face that she didn’t fully grasp what they meant. And Shaak doesn’t blame her.
She tried to explain it later, in a very rudimentary way. But the young girl is only just becoming aware of the mere existence of the Force. The complexities of it are a tad over her head.
(Y/N) is young but not stupid. She had understood enough of the Council’s words that bitterness had burned in her eyes when she turned to leave the room, darkened eyes flickering up to Shaak.
Shaak is sad to leave (Y/N) with the other younglings, watching her little face fight back tears. But Shaak knows she will see the young girl again, and takes comfort in that.
***
“(Y/N), wait a moment.”
(Y/N) pauses at the doorway, spins on her heel, and turns back to return to Master Ti’s side. She doesn’t feel nervous, being held back. Shaak has led several training sessions over her time at the Jedi Temple, this is not the first time she has spoken with (Y/N) after. (Y/N) likes Master Ti very much, and hopes one day she’ll be chosen as her Padawan.
She waits for everyone else to leave before asking, “Yes, Master?”
“Is something bothering you?”
(Y/N) swallows thickly, now feeling nervous. She looks away. She doesn’t want to look into the other woman's eyes as she lies. “No, not that I’m aware of, Master.”
Master Ti is silent for a moment. (Y/N) can feel her gaze as she analyzes her. “I watched you with your training saber today. You seem...unsure of yourself.”
(Y/N) looks down at the floor now, ashamed to have been discovered.
“You can trust me, young one,” Master Ti says kindly.
(Y/N) continues to look at the floor even as she readily confesses, “Master Yoda and the others discourage emotion. I try to remain neutral and separate myself from any feelings, but I keep finding myself where I shouldn’t be. I,” she catches herself before saying ‘fear’, “...have concern I’ll be removed from the Order if anyone finds this conflict within me. It is not the Jedi way.”
Master Ti is quiet for a moment. She finally asks, “Why do you think you feel things?”
(Y/N) looks up at her with wide eyes, panicking, “It isn’t because of my parents. A part of me misses them,” and it’s strange to miss people whose faces and voices she is starting to forget and yet she does, “but I don’t want revenge for what happened to them. Revenge leads to the dark side, I know that. I want to be a Jedi. More than anything. And a good one, too. I want to maintain order in the galaxy and be one with the Force.”
Master Ti is quiet. (Y/N) can see thoughts and emotions flickering across her features, but she cannot identify them. They, as well as her presence in the Force, seem conflicted. She reaches out to touch (Y/N)’s hand. Her thumb brushes over her skin as she finally says, “To feel is to be alive. You cannot shut yourself off from a part of yourself like that. The Force flows through every part of us. Surely you have felt that?”
(Y/N) looks down at her chest, thinking of how she has felt the Force flowing through her like water in a stream. She nods, “Yes.”
“You would be interrupting that flow if you cut off your emotions.”
Like how a dam stops a river.
“If we remove emotion,” Master Ti says, “we remove the Force.”
(Y/N) frowns at Master Ti, because that is in direct contrast of what she has been taught.
“Master Yoda-”
“Master Yoda and the others,” Master Ti says carefully, “instruct to avoid emotions like fear and anger, and it is often inferred that they mean all emotions. But that is not the case. (Y/N), it is alright to feel things. You can feel happy when you see a friend or sad when someone dies. Do you remember Senator Lulaer?”
(Y/N) nods, easily recalling the story that had reached the Jedi Temple a few months ago of the Senator from Caamas who died in childbirth along with her baby. Just thinking about it makes tears prickle at the corners of her eyes.
“That was sad, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“It is not wrong to think that,” Master Ti assures her, “It’s a natural reaction. I felt sad when I heard as well. You can have emotions. You just need to control them instead of letting them control you and you must remember to not let your feelings grow into something larger than they should be.”
(Y/N) looks down again, mulling her words over. Perhaps Master Ti is correct. After all, (Y/N) has feelings that are known to the Order that aren’t discouraged. She has friends here like the other younglings in her classes. These friendships are known and she remains in the Order. And it had been known upon (Y/N)’s arrival to Coruscant that she was mourning the loss of her parents, and she had still been allowed to join the Order.
Perhaps there is a small pocket, between no emotion and the slippery slope of emotions leading to the dark side, where (Y/N) and the other Jedi are supposed to operate. Surely it couldn’t be true that all emotion was bad? It seems far more logical, and more possible to achieve, that a Jedi should be reserved with their feelings as opposed to completely void of them?
(Y/N) looks at Master Ti, a smile on her face, “Thank you, Master.”
***
(Y/N)’s eyes open, meditation interrupted and promptly forgotten as she senses a strong convergence of the Force. This is not a rare feeling, given the sheer amount of the Jedi in the Temple. Master Yoda, for example, has such a strong Force signature, (Y/N) can practically use it as a homing beacon from any place on the campus.
This convergence, though, is not one she has sensed before. Which makes (Y/N) curious. It would seem someone found a Force sensitive child, because it must be a child for how uncontrolled the Force around them feels, and brought them to the Temple.
(Y/N) rises from her place on the floor, exits the room, and starts walking. She isn’t sure where she will end up, simply trusting her senses to bring her to the unknown child wherever they may be.
As it turns out, she soon finds herself near the High Council Chamber. Which is a bit strange for this new Force sensitive child to be near. It is not typical procedure to bring a new Force user to the Council. Force sensitivity is not something that can be faked, if a Jedi brings a youngling to the Temple, it isn’t necessary to get the Council’s approval. (Y/N) hadn’t been brought before the Council upon her arrival, her first time before them had been when she was instructed to move on from her parents’ deaths two weeks after. And she doesn’t know of any of her friends being brought for an introduction or evaluation or whatever it is that this child is currently near the Chamber for.
However, this child does appear to have a very strong Force presence. One that could rival Yoda’s once they learn to control it. It is entirely possible that this unusual convergence around this one individual has caused enough question in the Jedi that found them to make them seek the Council’s input.
There’s also that old prophecy of a Jedi who will bring balance to the Force. (Y/N) rolls her eyes as she walks down the hallway. That prophecy has been around for years, and manages to be both a taboo and the only thing people can talk about at the same time. It sometimes feels like every time someone shows even a slightly higher than average Force presence, whispers of the prophecy fill the vast halls of the Jedi Temple.
(Y/N) rounds the corner and a small smile finds it way to her face, “Master Jinn, Obi-Wan.”
The two men turn to look at her, as well as a young boy.
(Y/N) approaches them, offering a small bow in greeting. They both return it, Obi-Wan’s signature brushing against her own in further greeting, while the boy looks at her with curious blue eyes.
“I’m so pleased to see you both,” she continues, choosing to ignore the boy for just a brief moment, “When we didn’t hear from you at the scheduled check-in, I was worried something might have happened.”
“Oh, trust me, a lot happened,” Obi-Wan replies with a displeased twist in his mouth.
“Whatever it was, you still have your health,” (Y/N) teases lightly, hands resting on her hips, “And I see you’ve found someone on your adventures,” she looks down at the boy, “Hello.”
“Hi,” he greets, “I’m Anakin.”
“I’m (Y/N).”
“Are you a Jedi?”
“I am,” she pats her lightsaber where it rests on her hip.
“Well,” Anakin says with a smile, “it’s nice to meet you,” and he offers a little bow to her. Cute kid.
(Y/N) smiles back at him, “It’s a pleasure,” and then looks back to Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon, “What’s going on?”
“The Trade Federation’s blockade has developed into a full scale invasion,” Qui-Gon supplies.
Her eyebrow rises, “Really? That’s bold of them.”
“Yes, quite. We managed to escape with the queen and a few others, she is here on Coruscant. Queen Amidala will be speaking at the Senate meeting to ask for aid,” Qui-Gon glances at the door to the High Council Chamber, “And I must speak to the Council about the...various developments.”
(Y/N) nods, glancing at Obi-Wan and noting that he still seems displeased about something.
“Am I going in with you?” Anakin looks up at Qui-Gon.
“Momentarily,” he replies with a strained smile.
“I could stay with Anakin,” (Y/N) offers, prodding Obi-Wan’s signature, “so you both can speak to the Council.”
“That is thoughtful of you,” Qui-Gon says and then looks to his Padawan, “Obi-Wan.”
The two men turn towards the door, Obi-Wan’s eyes silently sending his thanks.
(Y/N) smiles at her friend and then returns her attention to Anakin, who seems a bit distressed to have been left behind.
“Why do they want to meet me?”
(Y/N)’s never been one to shirk from the truth, so she answers honestly, “You have a very strong Force presence for someone your age and with no training. Something like that is always intriguing to the Council.”
Anakin frowns and asks tentatively, “Will they...not want me?”
“No, the interest is from curiosity, not reservation or suspicion. You’ll be allowed into the Order, I imagine you’ll be taken as a Padawan quickly.”
“Padawan?”
“It’s the name of a Jedi’s apprentice. Most Force users are brought to the Temple at a younger age than you. Younglings are too young to enter an apprenticeship. They stay at the Temple, and focus on general education and the basics of Jedi practices. Then, you’re taken as a Padawan. A Jedi Knight or Master will train you to use the Force and you’ll go out on missions. You’re old enough to already have a standard education, and you clearly have a strong grasp on the Force, so you’ll be taken as an apprentice soon.”
Anakin’s head tilts like a bird as he thinks about what she said. He eventually asks, “Do I get to make my own laser sword?”
(Y/N) smiles at the phrasing and corrects gently, “Lightsaber. And, yes.”
“Wizard! I’m a mechanic,” Anakin boasts, “I should be able to make a good one.”
“You don’t construct your lightsaber like an engine, you use the Force.”
He frowns, “What do you mean?”
“You use the Force,” (Y/N) plucks her saber from her belt, using the Force to turn it slowly in the air, “to put the pieces together. You don’t use tools. First, though, you need to get your kyber crystal.”
“Kyber crystal?”
(Y/N) peers at him for a moment and then says lightly, “I’m not sure I should tell you.”
“What?! Why?”
“You aren’t a member of the Order yet, I shouldn’t be telling you all of our secrets.”
Anakin crosses his arms, glaring at her playfully, “Come on, you said so yourself that I’ll join the Order no problem.”
(Y/N) looks at him with a teasing look of suspicion.
“I promise I won’t tell anyone that you told me before it was made official,” he assures her, showing his fingers in what she assumes is a symbol of trustworthiness on his homeworld.
(Y/N) smiles, “Alright, you’ve convinced me. I better not catch any flak for this or coming after you,” she threatens with a wave of her finger, “A kyber crystal is what powers the saber, it creates the colored blade.”
“Oh. Well...where do I get one? At the store?” Anakin shakes his head, looking worried, “Cause I don’t have any money.”
“It’s not something you buy,” she laughs lightly, “You’ll travel to Illum, a planet sacred to the Jedi, and enter the cave there. You’ll find your crystal inside.”
Anakin frowns, “Why doesn’t someone just gather the crystals and bring them here? It seems like a more efficient way to do it instead of making each person travel to Illum.”
She shakes her head, “It isn’t as simple as walking into the cave and grabbing the first crystal you find. There’s a specific crystal meant for you, no one else will be able to sense which one it is and just bring it to you. You’ll have to get it yourself.”
“A crystal meant just for me?” Anakin’s brow furrows with concern, “What if I lose it?”
“That’s greatly discouraged, but it’s not the end of the world if you do. You just have to go back and find another.”
“Have you ever lost one?”
“No,” (Y/N) replies, adding conspiratorially, “but I’ve heard from multiple people that Master Qui-Jon lost two during his years as a Padawan.”
Anakin laughs, “Really?”
“It’s what I hear,” she shrugs, “but don’t tell him that I told you.”
“I won’t,” he promises, “I’m really good at keeping secrets.”
(Y/N) looks over at the door to the High Council Chamber.
“What is it?” Anakin asks, looking over as well.
“Obi-Wan’s about to come retrieve you.”
“Are you going to come?”
(Y/N) glances at the nearby window, trying to do the math on what time it is, “Yes, I can come.”
The door opens and Obi-Wan’s head pokes out.
Anakin puffs out his small chest, trying to appear brave even though (Y/N) can sense his nerves, and starts walking.
You’re coming? Obi-Wan’s voice fills her head.
He asked, (Y/N) shrugs minutely, And I have some time before I leave.
The three of them step into the chamber and Anakin approaches Qui-Gon where he stands in the center of the room.
(Y/N) barely gives the conversation that starts any attention, focusing on Obi-Wan instead, Where did you find him?
Tatooine.
She offers a small frown.
Hutt Space, Obi-Wan says dismissively, desert planet with almost no civilization. Unremarkable. Forgettable.
You sound like you had fun there.
Please, he scoffs, I didn’t even leave the ship. I was left behind to try and repair the hyperdrive.
Master Windu seems irritated, (Y/N) observes as Qui-Gon walks over towards them. Anakin remains in the center of the room. Alone.
A familiar image.
Qui-Gon pushed for Anakin to be tested. Master Windu doesn’t like others forcing things onto the Council. None of them do.
(Y/N) doesn’t have a reply.
I have tried to tell him this, Obi-Wan continues, He could have been made a member years ago if he would just play by the rules. He’s wise enough and experienced enough, it’s his defiance of the Council that prevents him from sitting with them.
Is it not good to have some independence from the Council? (Y/N) asks, Despite what some think, the sun does not rise and set on their say-so.
You sound like him.
(Y/N) smirks, That’s a compliment, Obi-Wan, given how you just called him wise enough to be a member of the Council.
Obi-Wan glares at her. He chooses to move on, offering, I will concede that Anakin is strong with the Force. He won a podrace, something that’s supposed to be impossible for humans.
And we do impossible things everyday.
Exactly. And his midi-chlorian count is over twenty thousand.
(Y/N)’s head snaps over to him, eyes widening, Really?
He nods minutely, glancing around the room.
(Y/N) clamps down on her surprise and subtly checks to see if anyone sensed her strong emotion.
Yaddle’s clever eyes watch her for a moment before returning to Anakin.
That’s higher than Master Yoda’s, Obi-Wan adds.
That’s...very strange. (Y/N) doesn’t know Master Yoda’s count by heart like Obi-Wan apparently does, but she knows it’s incredibly significant that Anakin outnumbers him.
Qui-Gon believes he may have been conceived by the midi-chlorians.
So he...
Yes, Qui-Gon has become convinced that the boy is the Chosen One.
You aren’t?
I don’t have a strong enough feeling either way to give an opinion.
(Y/N)’s eyebrow quirks, You sound upset. She wants to say ‘jealous’, but doesn’t want to hurt her friend's feelings.
He doesn’t answer. Which confirms it, though she doesn’t think he realizes that.
He changes the subject again, Where are you going?
(Y/N) keeps the smile from her face, I’m going to face the trials.
What?!
(Y/N) glances at Obi-Wan, letting her amusement reflect in her eyes.
He glares at her, I wish you wouldn’t do that.
But it’s just so much fun.
Not to me, Obi-Wan says grumpily, I’m roughly a decade your senior and I’m nowhere near the trials.
Maybe it’s because you still pout like a youngling.
If we weren’t before the Council…
(Y/N) smiles smugly and decides to give the actual answer to his question, I’m going on a mission with Shaak. Nothing too exciting...then again, your mission to Naboo was labeled that.
How long?
A week, maybe, and then she adds conspiratorially, And I wouldn’t go around internalizing the idea that you’re nowhere near the trials.
Obi-Wan looks at her, What have you heard?
Not too much, so don’t get excited.
Tell me. It’s more than I’ve heard, he complains.
Shaak said in passing that Qui-Gon has been speaking very highly of you. He always does, by the way, but she said it seems like he’s going to push for you to face the trials.
Really? Obi-Wan asks, pleased.
Yes. So maybe his defiance of the Council is sometimes a good thing, (Y/N) points out, since the Council is supposed to decide that stuff on their own. Shaak thinks he’ll advocate for it more strongly than other Masters do.
I hope he does, I feel that I’m ready.
Don’t let Master Yoda hear that, (Y/N) teases, You know how much he hates boldness.
Obi-Wan glances at her. He says carefully, You know that my...I do think you’ll face the trials soon.
(Y/N)’s eyebrows rise, I know.
Alright. Just wanted to be sure.
She offers him a small smile, I tease you, but I agree that you’re ready. I think you’ll be a great Jedi Knight.
Obi-Wan’s eyes flicker away, Our conversation has not gone unnoticed, Master Qui-Gon just told me to pay attention.
(Y/N) lets the smile slip from her face and focuses on Anakin.
What’s happening, have you been listening?
No, not at all.
Aren’t we a pair.
“Afraid are you?” Yoda asks Anakin.
Goodness, he looks so small standing there in the center of the room all alone.
“No, sir.”
“See through you we can. Be mindful of your feelings.”
(Y/N) looks at Master Yoda, recalling how intimidating the small Jedi had appeared when she had been presented to the Council.
“Your thoughts dwell on your mother,” Master Mundi voices what they can all sense.
“I miss her,” Anakin says the words like everyone else is stupid for not understanding. (Y/N) feels a small pang of sympathy for the boy, recalling how quickly she had been expected to move on from her parents’ deaths.
“Mmm. Afraid to lose her, I think, hmm?”
“What has that got to do with anything?”
“Everything,” Yoda answers, “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
(Y/N) glances around the room at the other Masters.
Yoda speaks again, telling Anakin, “I sense much fear in you.”
***
(Y/N) triplechecks the lightsabers on her belt, feeling a bit silly having two at her hips with one already in her hand.
“Be patient, young one,” Shaak says.
“I know, Master,” (Y/N) replies, doing a very poor job at hiding her displeasure.
“Master Windu is going to speak to them,” Shaak continues, “and see if we can settle this without violence.”
“There already is violence,” (Y/N) remarks impatiently. She feels Luminara glance over at her at that reponse. (Y/N) meets her gaze easily, “What?”
“There’s a difference between this,” she indicates the arena, “and a war.”
“This,” (Y/N) also points at the arena, “is war.”
“We have not declared war,” Luminara states.
“The Jedi cannot declare war,” Shaak corrects.
“I’m not talking about the Jedi,” (Y/N) explains, “I’m talking about the Republic. It won’t stand for the two assassination attempts and the attempted execution of a sitting Senator. And I think they’ll also take offense to the attempted executions of two Jedi.”
“It is true that the Republic will respond to this, regardless of how it ends,” Shaak says, “but there are alternatives to war.”
“Peaceful negotiation,” Luminara adds, “will always be preferred to war.”
(Y/N) shakes her head, “The Republic has already attempted peaceful negotiation. Through the Separatist Movement’s inception, more systems joining, and the whispers of an army being built, the Republic has applied negotiating and appeasing strategies. Now, the Separatists have openly attacked members of the Republic. Peace is preferred, but it is no longer an option. Not when efforts toward it have been met with this.”
Luminara looks at her silently.
(Y/N) doesn’t return the look this time, keeping her eyes on the scene before them. This debacle has improved since their initial arrival, considering Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Padmé are no longer bound to the columns. But that’s about it when it comes to bettering the odds. The heavy hitters are still in play, she glances up at where she can just barely see the blade of Mace’s purple lightsaber, and there’s an entire army of droids probably waiting in the wings given the droidekas that have surrounded her friends.
Shaak steps forward and (Y/N) follows at her side, triggering her lightsaber. The green blade emerges as Shaak’s and Luminara’s blades do, as well as the countless greens and blues that pop up all around the arena.
The Geonosians take to the sky, fleeing the impending fight.
“Look.”
(Y/N) looks away from her friends at Shaak’s prompting to see Mace falling from the balcony. The man lands easily on the ground and quickly removes his robe as troops of battle droids start charging into the arena.
(Y/N) springs into action, lightsaber cutting through the air as red blaster fire comes from all sides. She takes off running towards the one creature that her friends are using as a mount, extra lightsabers lightly smacking against her legs as she moves. She reaches the horned beast with relative ease, distantly flanked by other Jedi that fight off the countless droids, smiling up at the slightly dumbstruck looks that Obi-Wan and Anakin still wear. It seems the shock from the sudden arrival of the Jedi is still wearing off.
“Here you go, boys,” she calls, tossing up the lightsabers one by one. She offers a joking salute and turns to face the droids.
***
“Wait,” (Y/N) blinks, “The what?”
“Jedi Generals,” Shaak repeats easily.
(Y/N) blinks at her again, “I don’t understand, they want us leading the troops?”
“Yes, some of them. The Kaminoans have educated certain clones to a level that they can handle the upper chains of command. But the Jedi will be assigned legions and lead them in the fighting.”
“But we are not meant to go to war.”
“We have gone to war many times in our past, young one.”
“Yes,” (Y/N) concedes, “against the Sith and in our own interest. But this isn’t like that. This is a galactic war, and we’d be fighting on behalf of the Republic.”
Shaak folds her hands together, “We are a part of the Republic.”
“Are we not meant to be separate? Is neutrality not a part of our Order?”
“Neutrality in politics, not when it comes to the Republic. We are it’s protectors.”
(Y/N) frowns, looking down the hallway at the door she’s expected to go through soon, “How are we qualified to lead entire legions? Yes, we know how to use a saber and have an understanding of battle strategy. But...”
“The Republic is very knowledgeable,” Shaak explains, “We have fought in battles, they have seen that we can lead. And the clones who fought alongside us on Geonosis have given reports on our performances.”
“They have?” (Y/N) shifts her weight, a bit uncomfortable with the idea that she had been monitored by people who are supposed to be her allies. And, thanks to the small part of her vanity that lingers despite it having no place in her life, a bit concerned about where her performance ranks compared to the other Jedi.
“Yes, young one. The Republic is not foolish, this scenario was anticipated. They are not going to enter a war blind. If you have not proven yourself capable of managing troops, they will not be assigned to your command.”
“And I’ll be left here?”
“Perhaps,” Shaak replies, “but you are still a fighter, even if you aren’t a leader. It’s most likely that you’ll be assigned to work alongside a Jedi who was given troops.”
(Y/N) purses her lips, not exactly pleased with being conscripted into this war. But, there’s a chance she’ll be able to fight alongside Shaak again. Which is nice.
“What is it?”
(Y/N) swallows her sigh. She can’t say what she’s thinking. But she can bring up something else bothering her, “Are we not meant to be keepers of the peace?”
“Yes.”
“How is going to war...peaceful?”
“It is our job to protect the Republic.”
“It is not our job to plunge the galaxy into war while doing so.”
“The Separatists are the ones responsible for that,” Shaak counters, “We cannot stand by and do nothing as the Republic is torn apart and the galaxy set ablaze.”
(Y/N) bites the inside of her cheek, not at all happy with that answer. It barely sounds like Shaak. She can’t just let this go. “We aren’t meant to be soldiers in their army. We’re meant to be peacekeepers.”
“We are declaring war in the name of peace.”
(Y/N) focuses all of her energy into not letting her emotions reflect on her face or become loud enough that Shaak can sense them.
Declaring war in the name of peace. That makes no sense whatsoever.
“I understand, Master. Thank you.”
“The Republic and Council agree this is the best route, young one,” Shaak says, possibly hearing something in her voice. Or maybe it’s evident in how (Y/N) immediately gives up the fight that she isn’t happy.
She nods, not trusting herself enough to speak at this moment.
Her gaze lowers to the floor. Perhaps she’s wrong. After all, the Republic and Council agree. Who is (Y/N) to disagree with them? She isn’t anywhere near as experienced or as wise as any single member of the Council, let alone the entire group of Masters.
Perhaps she’s just looking at things the wrong way.
***
“General (L/N).”
(Y/N) blinks a few times, her mind taking a moment to realize that’s her. She looks over at the voice, “Yes?”
A clone is looking at her expectantly. He wears the standard armor that all the troops wear, except it has a light green accent coloring. His face is clean shaven. Again this is what seems to be the typical look for a clone, although she has occasionally spotted some well-maintained facial hair. His hair is pulled back into a neat, simple topknot.
“I’m CC-4835,” the clone offers promptly, “I’m the Commander of the 378th Legion. I’m to be your second in command.”
“Yes,” (Y/N) says, scrambling to think of something somewhat intelligent to follow that up with, “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you,” she approaches him, lifting her hand.
CC-4835 takes it, applying a nice, firm grip, “The pleasure is mine, General. Kicks told me about your role on Geonosis.”
(Y/N) had, apparently, thoroughly impressed whatever troopers had reported to the Republic on the fighting on Geonosis. And she had been rewarded with one of the more sizable Jedi-led legions as a result. She still isn’t sure how she feels about the whole monitoring business.
The weight of that role and position, and the lives that she is now responsible for, is still settling onto her shoulders. As is the new armor she is expected to wear. White, similar to what the clones wear, with a red stamp of the Jedi Order on her arm. She isn’t sure how she feels about that symbol being placed on battle armor either.
Still uncomfortable with all the praise that had been heaped on her, which CC-4835 is currently adding to, (Y/N) instead asks, “Kicks?”
“Oh, sorry, sir, CT-7822. Us clones don’t really use our identifying codes when we talk amongst ourselves.”
“I understand,” (Y/N) says genuinely, because she would hate to address people by sets of numbers and be addressed in that manner in return. The clones might not be considered people to some, which is disgusting to even think, but they are to each other, “What do you go by?”
CC-4835 smiles, “Taps, sir. I like to use dadita, which can be done by tapping.”
(Y/N) nods, “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Taps. Do you know when I’ll be able to meet the rest of my troops?”
“They arrived earlier today, General,” Taps supplies, “We should be getting our first assignment soon. If you want to meet them, we should probably go now.”
“Of course, lead the way.”