Child of War

Blockade

I ran into the briefing room and took my place around the holotable. Several Masters circled the table both in person and in hologram.

The Chalactan Jedi, Master Depa Billaba, stood with her Padawan as a hologram opposite to me. She turned to Master Yoda. "We are struggling to hold Plateau City. We severely underestimated the Separatists' numbers on Kaller."

Yoda nodded. "Reinforcements, you will need."

"But we are already spread too thin, Master Yoda." Master Windu pointed out. "We have no Jedi to spare."

"I'll go." I stepped forward.

Everyone looked at me.

I met Master Yoda's gaze. "I'm one of the only Jedi Knights we can spare." I turned to Master Billaba. "Besides, I've been getting a little antsy for a fight."

"Very well." Master Yoda agreed.

"Thank you, Lianna." Master Billaba gave a slight bow.

"I'll be there within the day." I assured her.

She nodded and her hologram flashed away.
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"Hawk!" I called across the bustling airfield. The Commander approached me and saluted. "We're ready to depart, General."

I nodded. "Good. Let's not waste anymore time."
————
We dropped out of Hyperspace. Kaller was surrounded by a Separatist blockade. Republic forces battled desperately to reclaim the planets upper atmosphere.

I turned to Hawk. "Commander, get our ships out there. We can't lose our air support."

He nodded and dashed out of the bridge, barking orders.

I faced the other officers. "Admiral, be prepared to run the blockade."

He scoffed. "Are you sure?"

I gave him a stern gaze. "We have to get to the planet's surface."

He sighed and nodded. "Of course, General."

Hawk's men scattered, joining the onslaught.

Master Bilaba's ship reached out to us. "Master Lianna, you've arrived just in time."

"It's my job, admiral." I replied. "Just get me a hole so I can reach the surface."

He saluted. "Yes ma'am." He flashed away.

"What now, General?" An officer asked.

I took a deep breath and watch the battle unfold. "We wait for the opportune moment."

It didn't take long for our men to clear a path. I turned. "Admiral."

"I see it." He acknowledged. "Full speed ahead, men."

The thrusters burned and we sped forward towards the opening. As we drew near, canons from the enemy fraters collided with our deflector shields, jostling us violently.

"Almost there." I stared straight ahead.

"Incoming!" Hawk shouted. A fighter, shot from the sky, hurdled towards the bridge.

"Brace for impact!" I screamed over the clamor.

The shrapnel smashed into the bridge, shattering against the shields. The whole ship tilted, throwing officers from their positions and forcing troopers into the walls and to the floor. As the ship leveled off, we broke through the blockade to the other side.

I sighed in relief. "We made it." I scanned the room. "Is everyone alright?"

"No injuries, ma'am." A trooper reported.

"Good." I turned my gaze to Kaller. "Alert Master Billaba, we're almost there."