The Second Padawan

Chapter Seventy-Three

We received a transmission from the Prime Minister. "I hoped you enjoyed your sparse victory."

"Oh trust me, we did." I replied to him. "We'll have many more."

"Let's see about that." He smirked.

The ground began to rumble, the shield was being attacked by all angles. 5 droid tanks fired at us.

"I hope you like our surprise. You Jedi made good slaves, it's a shame we aren't taking survivors."

The clones were arming themselves, most likely at the order of Obi-Wan or Rex. I then remembered Rex was running the bio scan, and Obi-Wan was right next to me.

"Commander Amaris has ordered the clones to arm themselves, I wanted to double check if it was truly at your command." Rex came up to me with the results of the scan.

I sighed, "Yes I gave the order." I might as well have gone along with it, me or Obi-Wan would have called it anyway. "What's the results?"

"Zygerrians all over the perimeter." He showed me the scans of life forms.

"Master." Anatoli was speaking to Obi-Wan, I presumed.

"Tell your men to continue manning the cannons," I told Rex.

"Master!?"

"Obi-Wan can you please answer him?" I looked towards him, he was speaking to Jesse.

"He's not speaking to me.."

"I'm speaking to you! Have you forgotten you're my Master?" Then it dawned on me, that was my new title. For now, of course. If we made it to Coruscant, I'd denounce him.

"What is it? Can't you see I'm trying to come up with a plan of action?"

"Isn't the shield a one way?" I nodded, it was.

"Why don't we bring the cannons inward and position them so their guns are out of the shield and fire on the enemy?"

I gave him a slight nod, at his quick thinking. Just because he wasn't going to be my Padawan for long doesn't mean I can't take notice of these things.

"You command the troops bringing the cannons down. Rex, I want you to take an aerial squad and take out those tanks trying to bring our shield down."

"I'm afraid we don't have time to use our drop ships to gather the tanks and place them closer to the shield. That's the only way to get them off the buildings." Obi-Wan said.

"Easy, the cannons are mobile we'll just make them.... jump off the roofs."

"Oh dear.."

Rex and Anatoli went their separate ways. The shield was still being bombarded with missiles and fire. I once again contacted the Council, while Obi-Wan mobilized troops and our tanks to push out of the shield and attack the enemy with the cover of our cannons.

"We've been cornered on all sides Masters." I told the council.

Anakin appeared on with the Chancellor. "What's going on there now?" He asked.

"The Zygerrians are using the droids as cover to attack our left, right, and rear flanks."

The Chancellor looked down towards me, "Do the people of Kiros not have a ray shield?"

"Yes, we're using the one installed for the invasion measures made after the first attack. The problem is the shield isn't strong enough and will fall eventually. We're spreading our forces incredibly thin to try to combat the sieges."

"We need to send a fleet!" My master said. "They aren't going to be able to fight off the entire army plus the Zygerrians."

"What do you think we shall do Masters?" The chancellor looked towards the council.

"We've sent another portion of the 501st." Mace Windu said. I nodded, trying to calculate if that would truly be enough forces. "They should be arriving within hours."

"The shields won't be able to last that long. Why didn't you send me as well?" Anakin asked.

"Actually, Master Skywalker..." The Chancellor turned to him, "I thought it best you remain on Coruscant since sending too many of our Generals to one point is both redundant and dangerous. Losing too many Generals can put us at a disadvantage."

"You make it sound like they'll lose."

"I'm just trying to.."

"He's right Master. An attack was predicted, but a full on siege was not." I interrupted the Chancellor. "My forces will be overran eventually, let that be before or after back up arrives. I'm going to send my Padawan back, no reason for him to suffer our fate as-well." I sighed. "I see great potential in his capabilities. They should be nurtured with the correct Master."

"We understand." Mace Windu said. "We have just received word that the 512th, has returned to Coruscant."

"Hold out longer, you must." Master Yoda looked towards me. "On the way, more troops are." He eluded to him sending Obi-Wan's battalion.

I informed Obi-Wan on what was happening. He assured me that even if our part fails, his incoming fleet would insure the people's survival. With that, he lead part of our forces out of the shield to combat the incoming battalions.

"Anatoli." I approached my Padawan as he spoke to Rex.

"I've already put all the tanks in position, the cannons are unfortunately not able to penetrate the tanks."

"I was just telling him about those Super Tanks we saw on Geonosis, so fighters wouldn't be the best choice."

I nodded, of course they sent Super Tanks after us. "Anatoli, I need to speak with you." I ushered him to walk with me.

"What is it? Is this some type of lesson?"

"It is, and it requires you going back to Coruscant. I'm dismissing you."

"What? You can't do that!"

"It's in my job description." I crossed my arms. "We're at a losing battle here, it's safer for you to return back to the Temple."

"Then I'm losing." He shot back. "I want to stay and fight. I refuse to to go back! I'm staying not matter what."

"Even if that means death?" I tested the waters, to see if he really did have the resolve he was displaying to me.

"I'm a Jedi, I don't fear death."

I could sense the determination in his voice, it reminded me of Ahsoka. That was probably the moment I gained respect for him, not his abilities but him, himself.

"Fine. I suppose you are useful." I joked, gaining an eye roll. "Order the men to pull back. I have a plan to handle the tanks. It requires you."

"What is it, Master?"

"Me and you, we'll take out all five tanks."