Attack of the Clones

IV

"And the youngling?" Mace asked.

Yoda turned his attention to Taetumn, studying her shifting figure.

She was still embarrassed a bit from earlier. He could tell from her avoiding his eyesight. Yoda still wasn't sure why he'd brought her along. When he'd seen a blurry future through the force, she was fighting besides other Jedi in this very battle. She wore her same black skin-tight long sleeve and tights, worn under her sand brown initiate robes that didn't pass her knees or elbows, allowing for easy and swift movement.

He'd decided to bring the young girl when the force had impressed her importance to him. But for what, he knew not. 

"Later, we shall speak." He said to Mace, though he'd meant it for both. "More pressing matters at hand, we have." He'd felt the force once again, and with it came Obi-Wan's and Anakin's force signature. He could feel the tension rising between the two. "Dooku, we must locate."

"I last saw Obi-Wan and Anakin flying after him. I'm sure they'll have captured Dooku soon."

Yoda nodded, but he didn't seem convinced. He shuffled to the entrance of the command center, and Windu followed. "Protect the command center, you must."

Mace Windu nodded and Yoda left.

"Young one," Mace waited until Taetumn moved and stood in front of him. "Mind telling me what you're doing here?"

Taetumn stood at attention. "Master Yoda told me my training was over, and that I was to become a padawan."

"Before the Apprentice Tournament?"

The girl nodded. 

"Did he mention to whom?" 

She shook her head.

He straightened and folded his arms contemplating what to do. "I heard you helped rescue Jedi Master Agen Kolar, but in doing so, you disobeyed Master Yoda."

The young girl didn't reply. She'd bowed her head again, two of three lekku slipping forward to hide her conicol ears. 

Mace shook his head. "You heard Master Yoda. We have to defend the command center. I'll take it from the ground, you'll protect from the air."

"Yes, Master Windu."

"All you'll do is patrol from the air. You will not engage in any warfare unless you have no choice, or I allow you too," Mace lifted his wrist to his mouth and issued a series of commands, calling a gunship down. "Understood?" He turned his attention back to her.

The young padawan nodded her understanding. 

He was internally hoping Yoda wouldn't make her his padawan. He didn't want to deal firsthand with another Anakin.

The pair made their way outside and went their separate ways. Mace Windu meeting up with a Clone Commander and diving into the fray nearby, and Taetumn taking off in a gunship with a new squad.

The wind whipped Taetumn's robes around as the ship circled the command center, firing at the droids who attempted to infiltrate the center. She stood besides the crouched troopers, trying to deflect the blaster shots that threatened to take their lives. The ship swung hard to the right, and she stumbled backwards, colliding with CT-0104 when he'd stepped out to stop her and two others from falling out the gunship.

"Careful, Sir!" CT-0104—Crow—had to yell to be heard over the thunder of explosions and shots. He pushed her off him and helped her steady her stance. A shot whizzed by, scrapping his bicep armor and narrowly missing Taetumn's head.