Meet You at the Dark Side

Chapter 9 - Calling of Light

"You know, I don't even know how Dooku thinks you're old enough to be an assassin," Anakin remarks. Her lightsabers cross to meet his, momentarily catching in a saberlock.

"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Ahsoka shoots back, clearly insulted by the comment. She struggles to push him back, suddenly kicking him backwards. She jumps over him gracefully and darts down the hall.

"Over here! Open this door, and I'll buy you a planet!" Anakin hears Gunray screaming. Oh yes. Very likely. He probably could, but he'd never 'waste' his money on something like that. It's obvious that none of the Separatists respect Ahsoka even an ounce. They only want to use her.

Grabbing his lightsaber, Anakin scrambles to his feet and lunge after her as she hits the off button for the yellow-orange ray shield Gunray is locked behind. She spins around to block the blow. As the duel continues, Gunray rushes out of the cell. Their blades clash over and over as she attacks him, but he quickly manages to put her on the defensive again. She may have improved in the past couple months, but really, she's still little better than a padawan in terms of skill, and certainly not a match for Anakin. He's a Knight, and already one of the best duelists.

He knows her style well from the times they've fought. Even so, he needs to watch her carefully. Since Ahsoka doesn't have the benefit of having strength physically, she seems to rely more on the Force and her agility and speed. Togrutas have a natural ability as fighters simply because of their species, and that's something Ahsoka shares more than most despite her young age. She's constantly moving, backing up or spinning and jumping around him. It's a very Togrutan style of fighting, using their natural physical abilities to tire their opponent.

In the background, Arguys finally runs up, pushing the protesting Gunray back into his cell. The yellow-orange ray-shield appears back in place, and Anakin lets out a sigh of relief. At least he's contained again, though there's no way to know how long that will be lasting.

As he swings at Ahsoka again, his comm link suddenly beeps. Really? Now is hardly the time for this. "Anakin, what's the status?" Obi-Wan inquires.

"I'm fighting Ahsoka here," he replies, "Only Captain Arguys is still here. You may want to send reinforcements in case the droids get in here."

"I'll be there shortly," Obi-Wan replies before the connection breaks.

Ahsoka's eyes widen the slightest amount at the conversation she obviously overheard. He can sense her fear, but danger suddenly ripples through the Force. Anakin doesn't have a chance to react before a huge explosion shakes the ship, nearly throwing everyone to the floor. Anakin barely manages to regain his balance without face planting, and when he looks up, he sees Ahsoka sprinting off down the hallway back the way she came. He bolts after her.

She runs into the control room and jumps over the Senate guard's heads, Force-ripping the turbolift door open and leaping down. Her red lightsabers stab into the wall, slowly cutting through it as she descends from sight. The two guards in the room try to fire at her, but every shot misses. She's too small and fast for them to get a proper aim. Maybe that's why she was sent. A Togruta is ideal on a stealth mission – even despite her young age and lack of experience – due to their enhanced senses.

She's fourteen. It's completely unfair for her to be forced to learn on the battlefield like this. Anakin wants to be angry at Dooku for it – he is to a point – but the Jedi are no batter in that regard. Obi-Wan only just dropped the whole idea of Anakin taking a padawan – which Anakin is still slightly surprised about. He was getting very persistent, but in a war, he needs to focus, and he doesn't have time for his attention to be split with the reality around him and watching over a child. And the clones are only ten.