Revelation: A Star Wars Fanfic

Chapter 11

"But that will be a long time from now, and soon now we shall go out of the house and go into the conclusion of the world, out of history into history and the awful responsibility of Time."
—Robert Penn Warren, All the King's Men

My very first battle took place on Cato Neimoidia, a developed planet full of cities. Relatively small in size, its population had remained only in the millions for centuries. The surface was full of what I called pocket-cities. Anakin called them bubble-towns. There were hundreds all over the world. Each had an independent government, but the capital still controlled much of the commerce and regulations.

We took six transports to the surface, Anakin, Master Kenobi, and I. Separatists had seized control of the city, and it was our job to drive them out as quickly as possible.

The first tactic was to try diplomacy, which is what Master Kenobi was for.

"My dear Ventress," he greeted the Sith acolyte sarcastically. "We meet again, though this time perhaps we can peaceably negotiate."

Asaaj Ventress smiled a delightedly wicked sort of smile, the kind that meant her violent nature might be sated. "That depends, Master Kenobi," I always admired her attitude, especially when it came to her quick wit. She was the only adversary of my brother and Kenobi that could keep pace with them in terms of sarcasm and dry humour. "Are you here to offer us a peace treaty?"

Master Kenobi stroked his beard like he was considering it. At the time, I did not understand how the two bantered. I didn't know that their passive aggressiveness and relentless teasing was just part of their normal interactions. "Well, that depends: are you talking about a treaty between the Republic and the Separatists or between the Cato Neimoidians?"

A course laugh ripped through the air. "You believe my master cares for such an insignificant planet?"

"Yes," Master Kenobi responded. "I believe he does. As do we. That's why I'm here."

Next to me, Anakin shifted his stance. I remembered him telling me that "Obi-Wan's hairless harpy" had been the one responsible for the scar above his eye. Jedi took their scars seriously. I never found the time to name every one of my scars, the ones I had obtained on Nequek. After all, Nysa had gone through a period where she believed sweeping her lightsaber under people's legs was a good way to catch them off guard without doing serious damage. She ended up slicing one of my arteries.

Ventress hummed with thought. "I'm afraid I can't turn the planet over to you, Master Kenobi." She sounded anything but apologetic.

"Too bad," he agreed. "I was looking forward to having tea with you again."

Four lightsabers ignited at once: Kenobi's, Anakin's and Ventresses' two. I was embarrassingly behind. I unclipped one from my belt, joining them in their stances.

"And who's this?" Asaaj gazed at me intensely, like I was interrupting them. "It's not a fair fight if I'm against three Jedi."

I snarled. "I'm no Jedi." Grasping only weakly at the Dark Side, I felt my eyes flicker golden yellow as my irises were overtaken by that Dark excitement.

"Dark Jedi!" She looked only more intrigued, now. "And where would good old Master Kenobi find filth like you?"

It was always a good day when both Jedi and Sith despises you for who you were. I was about ready to attack the bitch.