STAR WARS: CONFLICTED

CHAPTER VII - A CHANCE ON THE FRONT

Nathan's comlink went off extremely early the next morning. He was barely even conscious when he answered it, dropping his hand onto the answer button very lazily. The image of his master flashed up onto the screen.

"Nathan, you are required to come before the Jedi Council immediately." came the voice of Shaak Ti.

Nathan's eyes shot open. The Council? He had never been summoned on his own to stand in front of all of his masters. Was he in trouble? He hoped not, but he feared the worst. He wondered if they found out about the sparring last night. There wasn't much wrong with it, not in Nathan's opinion. Throwing on his robes and attaching his hilt to his belt, he set off down the corridors, towards the chamber where they usually met to discuss certain topics. He was praying this was good news, rather than bad.

When he arrived at the chamber, he could make out the figures of the chairs within, with most of the masters sat upon them. As he opened the door, he saw both Anakin and Ahsoka stood, facing Master Yoda in the corner. Nathan took a deep breath, and entered.

"Padawan Tynan, expecting you, we have been." The green Jedi Master spoke first, bowing his head slightly at Nathan. He bowed too, a little more stiffly, before standing alongside Ahsoka.

"As you may know, Felucia has come under attack from Dooku and the Seperatists." Master Windu stated, glaring at each of the three stood in front of him. "Myself and some of the other masters upon this council have come to the conclusion, that your...interesting methods whilst training can serve us well there." As he said these words, he locked eyes with Anakin, who firmly held his gaze.

"Masters Shaak Ti and Ki Adi Mundi will also accompany you and the 501st. Skywalker, you will lead from the front, with the Masters bringing up the rear. Padawans Tynan and Tano, I'd like you both to sneak into the facilities they have set up there, and disable anything you can, with minimal civilian casualties along the way. Is that understood?" Master Windu finished, not allowing his everlasting frown to leave his face.

Nathan was still shocked he was needed, but he was more than eager to join them. This would be his first mission, and he was fully focused on the task ahead.

"Understood, Masters." Anakin bowed, and Ahsoka bowed alongside him.

"You will leave in three hours. Do not be late. Any more time that falls into Seperatist hands could prove fatal for the plant of Felucia." Master Kenobi explained.

All three nodded their heads at the Jedi Master, turning to leave. Nathan looked over to his master, who smiled encouragingly at her padawan. He took a deep breath, bowed, and exited the chamber.

Ahsoka yawned, clearly tired from being woken up so early.
"Come on, Snips, you have to be sharper, at any time of the day." Anakin said.
"You aren't tired?" Nathan defended her fatigued state.
"Well, yeah, but there are more important things than sleep." Anakin replied. "I'm going to get ready properly. I expect to see you both up ready and waiting in an hour. Got it?"
"Yes, Master." Ahsoka said, nodding to Nathan, who smiled at her, before turning to leave for her quarters.

* * *

Ahsoka's belt had been broken during her spar with Nathan the night before, and she hadn't noticed it until she tried to put it on whilst getting ready. She sighed loudly in exasperation.

Nathan was ready as soon as he could be. He wasted no time throwing on everything he needed, clipping his hilt to his belt, and sitting on his bed, meditating before the journey to Felucia. This would be the first time he left Coruscant since he came here as a youngling, and he was beyond excited. He sat there meditating, focusing on what he would need to remember on the trip. This would be his first time on the front lines. Well, kind of. This was a stealth mission, not a warfront for him. He would get to take part in his first mission with Ahsoka, which he was happy about.

Although, as soon as his thoughts trailed to her, he couldn't pull them away. He couldn't prevent his thoughts about her, as much as he tried. He frowned at his own obsessiveness. This was an important mission. He couldn't screw it up by being distracted.

He heard a quick knock on the door, before a voice came from the other side.

"Nathan?" Ahsoka asked quietly. It was still early, she didn't want to wake anyone up.
"Yeah?" He replied, sorting his hair the best he could, before he opened the door.

"I need a belt, I think you broke mine when we sparred last night."
"I couldn't have, I only caught your shin." He defended himself.
"Not what this belt tells me." She said sarcastically, dangling the belt in front of Nathan. "Do you have any spares?"

Nathan looked confused at Ahsoka, before responding.
"Ahsoka, how are any belts of mine going to fit you? You're tiny." He replied, chuckling.
"Still big enough to beat you." Ahsoka fired back, smirking at him. She knew he had no response to that, and he didn't.
He rolled his eyes, before letting her in to find a belt. All of the belts in his room were far too big, apart from one, a belt Nathan wore when he was thirteen.
"How about this one?" Ahsoka asked, holding the belt up. "It might fit me."
"Let me see." Nathan said, wrapping the belt around Ahsoka's waist, before standing in front of her, and clipping it up. It was loose, but it did the job.
"There." Nathan finished, using the force to grab hold of Ahsoka's sabers, before placing them into her belt. "That okay?"
"It's perfect." She beamed, smiling at Nathan. "Can I keep this one?"
Nathan chuckled. "Yes, Ahsoka, you can keep it."
There was a short silence as they both smiled at each other, both green and blue eyes locked. Ahsoka was first to break eye contact, stammering as she tried to speak, to try avoid any awkwardness.
"Well, um, I'm going to grab some breakfast before we leave. You coming?"
"Yeah, I'll be right behind you." Nathan replied, looking anywhere but at the Togruta.
"Cool. See you in a minute." Ahsoka said cheerily, closing the door behind her as she left with her new belt.

Nathan sighed out of annoyance at himself. He kept tripping himself up. He had to forget about this new thing he had developed for Ahsoka. It was getting in the way of his thoughts, not letting him focus.

* * *

Nathan joined Ahsoka at the table, eyeing up the food being served. Almost as soon as he arrived, as did Anakin, and Shaak Ti, who took a seat beside Nathan, and Anakin beside Ahsoka. Both masters and apprentices would be leaving in just over an hour.

"Ready, Snips?" Anakin asked, tucking into his soup as he did.
"Always." Ahsoka replied, trying to go over everything her master had taught him about Felucia. Being such a nature filled environment, there was no doubt they would need to try harder to blend in to their surroundings. That's why Ahsoka had opted for a darker change of clothes and boots, almost matching Nathan's and Anakin's.

"And remember Nathan, feel, don't think. Use your instincts." Shaak Ti said to her padawan, who was tapping his foot nervously.
"Yes, Master."
"You'll be fine, trust me." Anakin added from across the table. "Droids aren't half as good as our men. I'm sure the 501st will have them rounded up before we know it."
"I understand." Nathan replied shortly. Nothing could settle his nerves right now.

But soon, he would be leaving. And he had to focus.