Shattered Stars (TCW)

Chapter 1 -- Introductions

War! The Separatist Alliance has begun attacking the Galactic Republic, sparking a galaxy-wide conflict. In an attempt to keep the peace and protect the Republic, the Jedi Council has begun deploying their Knights and Masters to fight the droid army. Young Knight Taska Rokanh is waiting anxiously to receive her assignment.

The war had begun, and already Taska felt sick with it.

Was this right? Was any of this right?
All she knew was that as she was growing up, her primary allegiance was to the Order and the people of the galaxy--not the government that controlled them. Now, the lines were blurring. What choice did she have but to follow the direction of the council, who placed her under the direction of the Grand Army of the Republic?

“Understandably, we would like to start a knight as young as yourself off more slowly,” Master Mundi said, his hologram turning to face her. She rolled her ankles in the heavy armored boots she had been provided, standing up even straighter. "So, unlike Wurth, you will be travelling to Kamino to collect your division before being assigned to battle. However, do not doubt our faith in your abilities. We are sure your clearheadedness will lend you a strong advantage on the battlefield.”

She bowed her head gratefully. “Thank you, Master Mundi.”

“Admiral Terallo will meet you on the cruiser Noble later,” he informed her, allowing Windu to continue in the assignment of the others.

* * *

“Good morning, Admiral,” she said sweetly as she stepped onto the bridge, noting that there was already a clone crew manning the ship.

“Morning.”

Not a conversationalist, she joked inwardly, but she was glad. Never was she one for conversation with strangers, and even less so on a day such as today.

She hoped she would be a good leader. She hoped that the clones would not see her as some sort of enemy. How would she feel, had she been created just to fight someone’s war for them?

She tried to push the thoughts out of her mind. A Jedi had no doubts, and if the council knew what they were doing--of course they did--she should trust them. She absently rubbed a finger over the earring in her left ear, noting the sound the armor on her forearm made against her shoulder plate.

The hypnotizing light of hyperspace helped to calm her nerves, and she leaned comfortably over the now dormant plotting table. It was only then she remembered--she would be reunited with her Master! It had been only a few days, but in the months following her promotion, they had been separated much more often. Shaak Ti spent her time with the council and around the Temple, while Taska was sent around the galaxy to resolve minor conflicts for the first time on her own. For the most part, she met with rebelling people, or tribes who weren't happy with planetary rule, and persuaded them to make peace. While she was there to facilitate calm negotiations, her genuineness as she spoke of how much their people would need peace, and how much they would suffer without it, helped them come to a conclusion.

Oh, how she would have loved to keep doing just that. Unfortunately, others were more persuasive than her, and her combat skills were not to be ignored. She practiced constantly, and it showed. Sometimes, training proved to be more grounding than meditation.

* * *

“Welcome back to Kamino, young one,” Master Ti said affectionately. “I’m glad to see you again.”

“And you as well,” she smiled, touching the sleeve of the Togruta’s robe. “I feel a little behind; I heard that there’s already fighting on Caliban.”