The Countess ━ OBI-WAN KENOBI

Chapter Eighteen

Infiltrating the capital city proved to be harder than they anticipated. The initial clash at the entrance stirred up a hornet's nest, and now even the farthest edges of the city echoed with alarms. Gunfire rang out like thunder, amplifying through the towering sandstone structures of Jedha's Holy City. The droid army wasted no time mobilising a strong perimeter around the central sectors. As the oppressive wail of sirens blared overhead, Leilani and Obi-Wan exchanged a glance, both recognising the need for a quick improvisation.

"We'll have to split up," Leilani shouted over the cacophony of marching droids and whirring tanks closing in behind them. "We'll cover more ground and keep them off balance. I'll take Blaze and the left flank toward the city's inner walls; you and Cody take the right toward the Temple's outer quarters."

"Agreed," Obi-Wan replied, already signalling to Cody, who nodded and motioned for his squad to form up. "Stay in contact. Every exit from the Temple will be guarded, but if we can reach the inner sanctuary, we'll find leverage."

"May the Force be with you," Leilani said, nodding before signalling Blaze and her team of clones to follow her through the narrow, shadowed passageway to the left. She sensed the tension humming beneath her troops' disciplined expressions, yet Blaze led with grim focus, his blaster at the ready, his eyes sharp and alert. They moved in silence, the faint crunch of sand beneath their boots the only sound betraying their position as they ventured deeper into the city's heart.

Meanwhile, Obi-Wan's team navigated the narrow streets of the marketplace. Towering buildings loomed overhead, casting long shadows that shrouded them in anonymity as they hurried through the labyrinthine alleys. Obi-Wan felt the intensity of the city's ambient Force presence, raw and unyielding as if the stones themselves remembered the ancient conflicts fought within these walls.

"Stay alert, Cody," he whispered, his voice low. "We're close to the Temple. If I'm correct, we may encounter resistance stronger than droids alone."

Cody nodded, signalling his men to take defensive positions as they moved forward. The passage opened up ahead, revealing the faint glow of torch lights flickering in the temple courtyard.

On the far side of the city, Leilani and Blaze's squad sprinted down a side street, the echo of droid footfalls bouncing off the walls as their pursuers closed in. Blaze muttered something under his breath, a rare touch of strain in his voice.

"We can't outrun them for long," he grumbled, his tone sharper than usual. "Too many of 'em."

"Cap, you sound a little tense," Blitz said, glancing over with a smirk. "Something wrong? Droid got your tongue?"

Blaze's only response was a low growl, clearly unimpressed with Blitz's cheek.

Leilani threw Blaze a look of pure determination, her gaze locking on a narrow alley that led to an overlook. "Blaze, get your men up there. Use the elevation for a line of sight on the droids and cover us while we head for the Temple."

Blaze nodded, already rallying his squad and pointing them toward the stone ledges of the overlook. The clone captain's face was as stoic as ever, but a visible line of tension marked his movements. Prophet couldn't resist nudging Blitz with a sly grin.

"Is it just me, or is Cap, like, extra serious today?" Prophet whispered, squinting at Blaze as he took up his position. "He almost sounded stressed back there."

"Maybe his favourite blaster's in the shop," Blitz muttered. "Or his helmet comm link's giving him static. He's a perfectionist like that."

Blaze, overhearing, gave them both a side-eye that could have melted durasteel. "Keep chatter to a minimum, troopers, or I'll give you something to worry about."