Shadows of Tomorrow

Chapter 4 - Duel at Dusk

Distant shots from the battle reach Theseus' ears as he, Ahsoka, and Anakin finally step out of the building onto the landing platform. Anakin dials a frequency into his comm. "Skywalker to Obi-Wan. Mark my position. I need a medical ship immediately. Do you copy?"

The only thing that comes across the line is static. "They're jamming our transmissions," Anakin grumbles, "I can't get ahold of Obi-Wan. I'll see if I can find Captain Rex." He pushes a button on his comm. "Come in, Rex. Do you copy? Rex?"

Blaster shots and droids' voices echo over the comm in the background. "Do you copy?" Anakin asks again, "Captain Rex, respond."

"I read you, General," the Captain finally answers. Blaster shots can be heard in the background. "We're pinned down in the courtyard."

"Do you need help?" Anakin asks. The only response is an explosion. "I'll take that as a yes, Captain. Stand by, we're on our way. Skywalker out."

"Master, Stinky is really sick," Ahsoka says worriedly, "He's turning every shade of green except the one he's supposed to be. Our mission was to get him back to Tatooine alive."

"Well, we need to find a ship before we can do anything," Theseus points out.

"Obi-Wan will get here eventually. For now, Rex will have to help us find one," Anakin agrees.

Two destroyer droids roll into view from inside the building. "Great, rolling death balls!" Ahsoka exclaims. They immediately whip out their lightsaber, deflecting the bolts as the droids start shooting. From behind them, a dark figure emerges, who Theseus recognizes immediately. Ventress.

"Artoo, the door!" Anakin calls. The astromech rolls over to a port, plugging itself in and closing it, as she steps up to the opening. "I think now's a good time to retreat," Anakin states grimly as he turns towards the padawans.

"That's a first," Theseus remarks.

"Retreat?" repeats Ahsoka, "That's a new word for you."

"Maybe into the jungle," Anakin continues, ignoring their comments as two ruby blades plunge through the door in front of them. Glancing around he hurries over to the edge of the platform and looks down.

"Wait, I remember the jungle was a bad place," Ahsoka objects.

"I hope you're not planning to jump," Theseus quips, coming over to stand next to them. He looks over the edge just as two spider droids fire up at them. The platform shakes violently from the force of the blasts. A group of bug-like creatures take off from the bottom of the platform.

"So much for going that way," Ahsoka mumbles.

The three of them turn around and raise their lightsabers, watching as the two ruby blades continue carving their way through the door.

"Looks like we're out of options," the Knight states grimly. The Huttlet wails.

"No, not now, Stinky," Ahsoka sighs.

It shrieks again anyway, waving a tiny hand. "A landing platform!" Theseus realizes, pointing.

"With a ship on it," Anakin adds.

"Nice work, Stinky," praises Ahsoka.

"Can you believe it? We owe our lives to a baby," Theseus smirks.

"Well, we wouldn't have died without him," Anakin huffs.

"Don't be too sure."

"Don't give him all the credit until we actually get away, because there are probably a million and a half ways we could die before escaping," Anakin shoots back, stepping back over to the edge of the platform and looking down.