STAR WARS: CONFLICTED

CHAPTER XXI - LEARNING LESSONS

MONTHS LATER

Tommorow was Nathan's 18th birthday. The last ten months had not been kind to the Jedi Knight. The Maul mission had been taken care of, however with casualties. He was still running riot on Mandalore, with the Death Watch to support him.

Dooku and Grievous' forces were beginning to fade, however. With each passing day, the Republic made up ground. But with Maul on their radar, things would not be so straightforward.

Nathan watched as the clock ticked down to his 18th, laying on his bed. His eyes looked tired and his face looked more worn than young and youthful as it did not so long ago. He still had contact with Ahsoka Tano, however, this was more limited due to Nathan's missions.

Speaking of, Nathan now had quite a substancial amount of experience. General Skywalker offered to take him on missions with the 501st, which he accepted. Their relationship grew stronger with each passing mission, and it seemed Nathan was progressing well, for someone of his age.

Suddenly, Nathan's comlink buzzed. He got up to answer it, and when he saw it was Ahsoka, his smiled returned.

"Ahsoka." He said, with a bright look on his face, for the first time in months. The war had taken a lot out of him.
"Nathan." She said, quietly.
"Why so quiet? Are you okay?" Nathan was instantly worried.
"Yes, I'm okay. I wanted to be with you on your birthday."
There was a pause.
"I wish you were here, 'Soka." He mumbled, looking down at the floor.
"Sometimes, so do I. But I have my reasons for everything, Nathan."
"I know." He said glumly.
"You look tired." She said, with a concerned look on her face.
"You don't." He replied, looking up at her. She was 17 years old now, much more mature-looking and beautiful, and her lekku were now down to her torso in length.
Ahsoka smiled at the Jedi Knight through the holotransmission. He was so charming sometimes.

"Let me come with you, Ahsoka."
"What?"
"We can go off, out of here. Away from the Jedi, me and you."
"But you're a Jedi Knight now, Nathan. You shouldn't turn your back on the Jedi for me."
"I would do a lot more than that for you, Ahsoka."
A short silence fell, as both thought through the process. Nathan didn't have the money to leave, not properly. Neither did Ahsoka. Nathan's path as a Jedi was something he was willing to give up, but was it worth it? To him, it was.

"Nathan, it isn't possible. I can't come back even if I wanted to. Too much has changed. And besides, if any of the Council members found out about us, we would be expelled anyway." Ahsoka was right. There wasn't a chance they could make things work within the Jedi Order.

"Once this war is over, I'm going to sort this, Ahsoka. I promise."
"I love you, Nathan."
"You too." Nathan said coldly, the reality of his situation sinking in again. Their conversation had overlapped into Nathan's birthday, but he didn't mind. He loved talking to her. It was one of the only things that brought light to him.

* * *

The Battle of Yerbana, 19 BBY

The 212th Battalion were being pushed back, further and further along the bridge, as droid reinforcements arrived in their large numbers. Commander Cody was all out of ideas, as was the General, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Both took cover behind a large boulder, looking for anyway to stay out of the firing line.

"Well, things are going splendidly on this front!" Kenobi said sarcastically to his Commander, who frowned as he strained for ideas.

"Anakin, where are you?" The Jedi Master muttered to himself.
"Right here, Master." Came the voice of Skywalker, as he walked nonchalantly past the bodies of clones and droids alike, as if they were nothing.

"Anakin, what are you doing? Get down!" His Master shouted at him over the blaster fire. Anakin raised an eyebrow at him, swiftly shimmying to the side as another bolt flew towards him.
"Well, we finished the battle on our front, so we decided to come help with yours."
"What have you got planned this time, Anakin?" Obi-Wan rolled his eyes.
"You'll see." The Jedi Knight smirked, folding his arms, still out of cover.

Anakin opened his comlink, and the figure of Nathan Tynan appeared, seemingly taking cover behind a wall by the looks of it.
"You in position yet, Nathan?" Anakin asked, knowing the answer.
"Of course. Just a few tinheads to clear out first, and everything will be ready."
"Perfect. Give us the signal when you can." He flicked the comlink off, looking back at Obi-Wan.
"I have a bad feeling about this." The General said quietly.

* * *

Eight B1 droids lined the final passageway for Nathan to complete, before he was in position. His part of the plan was difficult, but that was the best part about it. How challenging it was.

"Hey, what's that?" The whiny voice of one of the droids said.
Suddenly, Nathan leapt into the passage, and drew his silver hilt. He sparked it into life, revealing that ever-familiar blue-green blade. He wondered if the droids would ever get bored of seeing the blade. They must have by now, the amount Nathan had taken care of.

"Fire!" The droid whined, and they opened fire on the Jedi, but he was far too quick. He had two droids gone in the space of a second, slashing between all of them with ease. This was ordinary now for the Jedi Knight.

With the last one, he pushed it into a wall with the Force, before crushing it with his hand. He wanted to try that trick for ages, and he was so glad it had worked perfectly. Remembering his task, he gave Anakin the signal he needed.

"There. Now!" Anakin yelled, and the 501st all took off with their jetpacks from under the bridge, all circling the battle droids in an instant, taking down each one with absolute precision. Nathan watched as the droids atop their ground took off to help, leaving their target alone.

The tactical droid.

Nathan took a step to be in line with the back of the droid, before thrusting with the Force through the back of it, sending it hurtling towards Anakin. In one swift motion, Anakin sliced it in half midair, letting it thud to the ground.

"General?" Cody asked Obi-Wan, as the 501st contiuned wiping out the remaining units.
"Yes, Cody, you may join the fun."
"Yes, Sir." He replied, with an eager look in his eye. "BLAST 'EM!"

The 212th began to advance as well, sprinting forward as fast as their clone legs could carry them, blasters at the ready.

Obi-Wan stood and watched on, as Anakin and Nathan made their way to meet him where he stood.
"Bravo, Anakin and Nathan. You've done it again."
"Well, we can't take all the credit. Your state of helplessness really helped with our ambush." Anakin chuckled, giving Nathan a proud look.
"You know, Nathan," Obi-Wan said, turning to face the boy, who was now almost a man. "You remind me much of how Anakin used to be, as a padawan. Your creativity certainly has served you."
"That is high praise." Nathan replied, looking at Anakin with a smile. He wished all missions were this simple.

Anakin's comlink went off once more, but this time it was Admiral Yularen.

"What is it?" Nathan asked, as he didn't hear the first part of their conversation as Anakin spoke.
"Apparently, there's someone asking to speak to all of us, back on the ship. Codename...Fulcrum?"
"Saw Gerrera?" Obi-Wan asked.
"No, Sir, it's not Gerrera." Yularen said quickly.
"I see. We had better check this out." Kenobi said, gesturing for Anakin and Nathan to follow him.