7 Chapter V: How to Deal with Attachments, Part 1
(Republic Venator-Class Star Destroyer Liberty, Quell, Quell System, Nuiri Sector, Outer Rim Territories)
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(Jedi Master Kellian Ordo POV)
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Kellian was in the Quell System for one reason only, because it gave him the ability to try and capture Lok Durd and gain access to the defoliator technology. It was worth noting that Kellian had no desire to use that technology on the likes of the Empire's Stormtroopers, rather he wished to know if it was possible to adapt the weapons technology into a Turbolaser to create something like the Firestorm Turbolasers created and used by the Sith Empire in the Battle of Corellia during the Great Galactic War, Only that these Turbolasers wouldn't be used on troops, they'd be used to carve up ships and walkers and tanks.
Capturing the fat Neimoidian would show the officers he'd gathered that he was serious, and also set the tone. He'd eventually break Durd out, before the Empire took over, taking him and other valuable prisoners away to create technology and weapons that would give the Rebellion an Edge in the coming Galactic Civil War.
He'd boarded the Ship of Aayla previously and was currently using Battle Meditation to try to turn the tide. But it was very difficult, because of the distractions and the fact he needed to be prepared to break the Battle Meditation at a moment's notice in order to escape alive. He was just trying to keep as much of Aayla's fleet intact and its personnel alive as possible.
''Our Shields are gone!'' He hears faintly, indicating it's time to step up his actions.
Reaching out through the Force, Kellian tries to link the minds of the pilots on an instinctual level, because the Clones lack Force-Sensitivity, he's unable to fully utilise the connection of Jedi Meld, but nonetheless there are ways around that.
''Hurry Skywalker! We're depending on you!'' He hears Aayla say.
Slowly though, he feels the pilots dying and he's forced to slowly cut the connection so that the trauma of death doesn't bleed into the remaining pilots.
''Commander! Get out there and stop those Droids!'' Aayla orders.
''On it!'' Bly responds.
''General! Skywalker's here!'' A Clone yells.
''And none too soon, we're entering the atmosphere.'' Aayla says and Kellian cuts his Meditation.
''I'm sorry Aayla, but there's not enough Pilots in the sky for it to be effective. Most I can do is support the bridge Crews but again there is not enough.'' Says Kellian.
''What do you suggest?'' Asks Aayla.
''Open a channel to the entire fleet's remaining vessels. Attention all vessels, this General Ordo of the Special Operations Brigade, I'm ordering all crews to the escape pods, and all pilots to try and make landfall on Quell. This battle is lost, no sense in good soldiers dying needlessly.'' Kellan says, before turning to look at Aayla. ''Sorry Aayla, but I meant what I said, this battle is lost, let's rendezvous with Skywalker in the bays and then head to the escape pods.'' Kellan advises her.
''So be it, you heard him, sound the evacuation alarm!'' Aayla concedes before quickly giving Orders as is her way. ''Let us hurry and meet with Skywalker we don't have a lot of time.'' Aayla says to him to which he nods.
''Led the way, I'll watch your back.'' Kellian tells the Twi'Lek before following her.
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(POV Shift: ???)
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How long had she been imprisoned here? Slumbered?
Was she even able to call herself a woman anymore?
Long ago she was a mother and a servant. A slave to the people who would become like her children and the man she would come to truly love.
Her family, like many races, would be destined to outlive a simple human like her.
Why was it wrong to try and seek out the means to maintain their bonds of family?
Her husband and children turned on her, and thus she found affection in the embrace of the mother.
The new ripple in the pond told of a being strong enough to become her husband, but of another who was more worthy. Which to choose? She needed two new Children as well. A new daughter and Son both of whom were perfect in their being to replace her two defective and treacherous offspring, but had the flaws that she could work on removing to deepen their bonds of family.
Like the voices in her head said, she would never be whole until she had either reunited her family with her, or she had wiped the slate clean and started anew with her new family.
…
…
…
Ah! How careless of her! She had chambers to build, a Castle to house her family and from which they could live and be together forever. She had work to do, important work!
Everything must be perfect.
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(POV Shift: Kellian Ordo)
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Kellian felt a bit fatigued after trying to simultaneously use Battle Meditation and an instinctual meld between the pilots. Because the technique was not only incomplete and imperfect but used in conjunction with Battle Meditation, he had a migraine, at least he wasn't getting a nosebleed like the last few times,
Cutting his path together with Aayla was difficult enough with a headache, a nosebleed was a distraction he simply didn't need.
''We're almost to Skywalker.'' He heard Aayla say.
''Kal, this is Kellian, make planetfall and rescue the survivors of Aayla's fleet. After that, I'm ordering a full retreat. Get the survivors wounded or otherwise to the nearest medical station.'' Kellian orders through his helmet comms.
''Understood, try not to die, General. You have a lot to live for.'' Kal says gruffly.
''I'm aware, but the survivors are your priority, not me. We'll need every Clone left if we've any true hope of ending this war decisively, so no unnecessary casualties and NO ONE left behind.'' He orders, before cutting the comms as he pushes past Aayla, using the Force to push forward rapidly, before sliding past the B2's legs and cutting their legs out from under them and rolling out of his slide and pushing out with the Force on the remaining droids.
''Very nice work, Kel.'' He heard as Skywalker came running towards him.
''Nice of you to join us, Skywalker. Now how do you plan to get us out of here?'' Aayla says before Kellian can respond.
''Well, I have a ship docking in the lower hanger as we speak.'' Skywalker says as they round a corner.
''Uhh, hold it?!'' A B1 Battle Droid says, clearly unsure what else to say, before the doors behind it open and more B1's and B2's arrive. ''Aha!'' It says more confident now as it and the others open fire, forcing them to take another route to the ship.
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Arriving at the docking tube quickly, Ahsoka moves to open it.
''We made it.'' She says in relief, as the doors open.
A loud cacophony of explosions reaches his hearing and he turns just as Anakin starts speaking.
''It's too late.'' Anakin says Force pushing them into the ship and sealing the door behind them.
''That son of Hutt!'' Kellian swears as he uses the Force to rip a hole in the doors, and then uses Telekinesis to lift Anakin back towards them. Rushing aboard and taking to the Medbay quickly. He feels Ahsoka following behind him even as Aayla and some of the Clones head to the bridge.
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(POV Shift: Ahsoka Tano)
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Ahsoka felt so helpless, she watched as Kellian tried to use a Force healing technique to heal Anakin. She didn't know what to do, she watched the sweat drip from Kellian's brow as he tried to use the Force to stabilise Anakin.
''I need you on the Bridge with Commander Bly right now!'' Master Secura says coming into the medical bay.
''I should stay! Commander Bly doesn't need my help, Anakin does.'' She says, trying - and failing - to remain civil.
''You can help Anakin by getting this ship to safety.'' Master Secura counters.
''Quiet both of you! I can't concentrate with the voices and the rising emotions.'' Kellian snaps at both of them.
''General Secura, General Ordo? We have a problem.'' Bly says. ''In our haste to escape the Navicomputer's coordinates were inputted incorrectly, and we're headed right for a star.'' Bly tells them.
''Go! Everyone out, I'll stabilise Anakin, you all make sure this isn't for nothing.'' Kellian orders them out.
Ahsoka gives Anakin's injured form one last lingering look before departing after Master Secura and Commander Bly.
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(POV Shift Kellian Ordo)
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Kellian popped his shoulder back into place after it was dislocated in the crash. The crash that nobody bothered to tell him was happening meaning although he knew it was coming, but since he was unable to know it was even coming as quickly as it did until he was violently thrown off of his feet and slammed into the nearest wall which dislocated his shoulder.
Of course, by not telling him they were crashing, the sudden impact disrupted the attempt to use Revitalise and damaged Anakin a little. His healing time, though now shortened, was effectively paused because he was unable to finish. It was like a cooldown effect. If he tried to use Revitalise again without a break it could hurt Anakin's healing process. No, now it was absolutely critical that his body was given time to heal. Because Kellian couldn't risk trying to use Revitalise again. There was no point, not when Anakim's physical health was still at serious risk.
''Time to go Anakin.'' Kellian says hoisting up on a Fireman's carry and running out of the med bay.
''Come on Kellian, we have to get him out of here before the ship blows up.'' Aayla urges him as she and Ahsoka greet him halfway between the docking port and the medbay.
''What does it look like I'm doing?!'' Kellian asks sarcastically as he and the Master and Padawan leap clear of the Ship seconds before it explodes.
''Well, we made it. And Master Skywalker is still alive.'' Aayla says.
''I'm just glad he wasn't awake to see that landing.'' Ahsoka says.
''He would've been proud.'' Aayla reassures Ahsoka.
''I've certainly perfected the art of demolishing ships and almost getting my Master killed.'' Ahsoka says, and Kellian chooses not to complain about not warning him to brace.
''I think a lot of Padawan's are like that Ahsoka, most are eager to prove themselves to their Master and are unlikely to think about anything else.'' He says, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. ''We should make camp, it's not safe to move Anakin just yet.'' He says to Aayla.
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A fire was going and they'd salvaged some of the beds from the Ship among other things, they had managed to use materials from the ship to provide some cover from the Sun, while Kellian - using Alter Environment and Consitor Sato - was able to erect a shelter from the ground for them and Anakin and make it appear more natural.
While some of the clones tended to the fire or guarded their camp, he was busy trying to keep Anakin stable.
''Anakin doesn't have much time. We have to find help tonight.'' Aayla says.
''Okay, you and Bly go south, Rex, Kellian and I will stay here with Anakin.'' Ahsoka says.
''No Ahsoka, in order to get help quickly we must work together.'' Aayla tells her.
''I can't leave him! Master, I know that if I was hurt, he'd never leave me behind.'' Ahsoka protests.
''I know this is hard Ahsoka, but Anakin has to stay behind and we have to go now!'' Aayla says strongly.
''Enough! As the ranking Jedi Master here, I'll make this very simple. Aayla, Bly, Ahsoka and the rest of the Clones will search for help, while Rex, and myself will stay here.'' Kellian says. ''I'm the only one here well-versed enough in Force Healing to be of any aid should Anakin take a turn.'' Says Kellian, to which Ahsoka walks away somewhat dejected.
''Teach her well Aayla, you are more best suited than I to teach her how to deal with Attachments.'' Kellian tells Secura.
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(POV Shift: Aayla Secura)
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Walking with Ahsoka and the Clones, Aayla can sense the turmoil in Ahsoka at leaving Anakin's side.
''I can still sense your worry for Anakin. Your Attachment to him.'' Aayla says to Ahsoka.
''It's just…I get so confused sometimes. It's forbidden for Jedi to form attachments, yet we're supposed to be compassionate.'' Ahsoka says, and that is something Aayla understands all too well.
''It is nothing to be ashamed of Ahsoka. I went through the same process when I was your age with my own Master.'' Aayla tells her gently.
''Really? You?'' Ahsoka asks in surprise and Aayla suppresses the wave of emotions at the flood of memories rushing through her Lekku.
''He was like a father to me, but I realised that for the greater good I must let him go. Don't lose a thousand lives just to save one.'' Aayla tells her.
''Maybe…but that doesn't mean that I can't try to save his life.'' Ahsoka says.
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(POV Shift: Kellian Ordo)
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Kellian and Rex were sitting at the Fire pit, enjoying some food that was salvaged from the ship. Rex was cleaning his weapon in between bites and sips while Kellian - who had already eaten and drank - was disassembling and reassembling his Lightsaber as practice as well as a means of refreshing his memory in how it was constructed.
The fact it helped him focus as well didn't exactly hurt.
But the ripples through the Force warn him of the predators lurking in the shadows. To which Kellian decides to finish his exercise early and reassemble his Lightsaber and go through the various forms of Lightsaber Combat in preparation for the coming fight, he'd set his lightsaber to stun so as not to cause permanent damage to the coming Mastiffs.
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It was now pitch black except for the fire. And Kellian had finished his exercises, and was meditating while Rex surveyed the perimeter that Kellian had used Alter Environment, Force burst, and Force Shockwave to create. A Large trench now surrounded the crash site and Camp, and it was such a sharp dip that the only way in was through the front entrance Kellian had created.
Kellian paused in his meditation when he sensed and heard Anakin rise and quickly fall down.
''Rex…behind you!'' Anakin rasped.
''What the!? Thank you General.'' Rex yelled before Kellian sent the beast flying with a Force Push.
''More will come, stand in front of Anakin and Cover him. I will handle the coming beasts.
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It was now morning, and Kellian and Rex hadn't gotten any sleep at all.
The two of them were on guard.
''General, you must rest.'' He heard Rex say.
''I can't rest Rex. Rex, they're coming, I can hear them, we must fight.'' Anakin breathes uneasily, igniting his lightsaber as the Mastiffs arrive in force.
Kellian draws his Lightsaber and pulls out his Shoto. He didn't use it often, but this wasn't a fight he could afford not to. Reaching out through the force with his fingers, he pulls one of the Mastiffs to him and pins it to the ground, levelling his Lightsaber at its neck, on lowest power so that it only burns rather than cuts.
''Easy girl, We are not your meal or your enemy.'' He tells it, burning it slightly, before wrangling it with the Force before sending it flying with the Force.
He watches the Lurmen bind it, but Kellian just uses the Force to send it flying.
''Sorry, not really interested in taking the time to bind them. Blasted things won't respond to the Force Bond trying to form.'' Kellian says to the Lurmen.
''Good to see you Snips.'' Anakin says weakly as she and the others approach his side.
''Master, this is Wag Too, he's a healer, he can make you well again.'' Ahsoka says.
''Don't you worry, I can fix you right up.'' Wag Too says, and it's clear Anakin is sceptical.
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As they approached Lurmen Village, Kellian smiled weakly. This had been more challenging than he expected. But he chose to be here.
He was glad it had thus far turned out alright.
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(POV Shift: Ahsoka Tano)
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''You were right all along Master Secura.'' Ahsoka says to the Twi'lek.
''About what?'' She asked her.
''If I'd have stayed with Anakin, we probably never would have found this village in time to save him. At least this whole ordeal is over now.'' Ahsoka says standing up and watching the sunset.
''We still have to find a way off this planet.'' Master Secura reminds her.
''Well, I'm sure Admiral Yularen and the Republic Fleet are looking for us. It shouldn't take them too long to get here.'' Ahsoka replies.
So far this adventure had been a good one.
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(Author's Note:)
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Chose to end here because I simply didn't have the time to do the rest in time. Plus I was down to the wire so I really didn't have a choice.
Sorry, looks like another chapter before the First Landmark Chapter.
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