22

The next few days were a test of patience.

News from Rex indicated that Howzer wasn't checking in. It was nothing to worry about, he'd assure Saedii when she'd ask, which really didn't help. Just came with the territory of scouting missions. But without that intel, Rex had no concrete plans to share with her. No updates.

The Batch kept themselves busy. After a meeting with AZI, Tech had received several rounds of bacta treatments and was nearly returned to full health. He'd fully immersed himself in the rebuilding efforts and was often seen with his holopad in hand, muttering over schematics. Hunter and Echo shuffled in and out of meetings with Rex and his advisors, offering their expertise on hot extractions.

Saedii was busy, too. With nothing else to do, she and her teachers were now doing four training sessions a day – three focused on dueling, and one (at Obi-Wan's insistance) centered around meditating.

It was grueling work, but worth it. This was what Saedii had been wanting for months – a permanent routine to focus on her training without interruptions. If only she could have had this without Wolffe's life being at risk.

"Well done, little one," Obi-Wan praised as they finished up the last round of dueling for the day. It was warm on Teth – so warm that the four of them had shed their outer robes. "You've been keeping up with your forms, haven't you?"

"Yes, Master." Sweat was dripping down Saedii's back and stomach, which had been left exposed to the sun. It dripped down her left shoulder, collecting along the lip of her prosthetic where metal met skin. Collecting around the faint lines of scars that branched out from beneath.

"I believe we will end it at that for today. You've been working hard these past six days." Obi-Wan grabbed a white towel from his pack and began to mop at the back of his neck.

Ahsoka sheathed her lightsabers. "Master Plo would have been proud to see your progress."

"Thank you." It was perhaps the best compliment that Saedii could have received.

"You remind me a lot of him, you know."

Saedii frowned. She was nothing like Plo. Plo had always been so confident and he never made mistakes. He certainly didn't lose an arm to an Inquisitor. Or lose his temper on his friends.

"You're quiet and thoughtful," Ahsoka continued, as if she sensed Saedii's disagreement. "And you care deeply for others. Traits that Plo embodied."

"I think Echo might disagree with you on the quiet part."

There was a laugh as Anakin said, "Echo put up with Ahsoka. I'm sure he thinks you're a breath of fresh air compared to her."

Saedii highly doubted that. Especially after the past few weeks.

"You're also becoming a very formiddable duelist," Obi-Wan added. "I always considered Plo one of the greatest duelists in the Order. He mastered all of Forms Four and Five. I even heard a rumor he bested Master Yoda in a sparring session once."

"That was just a rumor," Anakin quipped.

"Still, he was naturally gifted. As are you."

She doubted that, too. Not that Plo was gifted -- she had seen firsthand just how smart and cunning Plo could be. How natural a lighsaber looked in his hand. Saedii just doubted that she would ever be even half as good as he had been.

Anakin walked past to grab a water jug. Like the rest, he was also shirtless, though Saedii had been unable to keep her eyes off him. He had so many scars – the terrible one just above his elbow where he'd lost his arm along with dozens of others he'd incurred in the war. One – an angry bright red, right in the center of his chest – seemed fairly new.

She'd tried her best not to stare, of course. She always hated when anyone stared at her arm. But it was surprising to see the faint lines and burns along his back and stomach. The stories of Anakin in the Temple had made him out to be invincible, but judging by the map of lines in his skin, he was anything but.

"I know I'm pretty to look at, little one," Anakin said with a hint of humor, "but I sense you are curious."

Saedii smiled at his light teasing before tapping her own chest. "That one is different than the others. When did you get it?"

"When Obi-Wan and I were escaping Coruscant. It was a...parting gift from Sidious."

Darth Sidious. Emperor Palpatine. The man that had singlehandedly torn apart the galaxy.

Not for the first time, Saedii wondered how powerful Sidious must be. Anakin and Oni-Wan were incredible duelists, but they'd been defeated. Wounded.

"How?" she asked quietly.

"Force lightning."

"Force lightning?"

Obi-Wan placed his hands on his hips. "Tell us: what do you know of Sith lords?"

Saedii thought back to her hundreds of lessons with Master Jocasta and Master Yoda. They'd told stories, of course – of battles long-since passed between Jedi and Sith. But whenever Saedii and the other younglings had pressed for more details, their teachers had shied away.

"I know that they're powerful. More powerful than Jedi," Saedii said. "But not much else."

"Typical of the Jedi Council. Pretend that the Siths don't exist," Anakin muttered.

"They are certainly powerful," Obi-Wan agreed. "Perhaps even more powerful than us, but they have been defeated in the past. They are not invincible."

Ahsoka continued, "Their connection to the dark side imbues them with incredible power and abilities that many Jedi will never have. Force lightning is one – a pure manifestation of power that is converted into a lightning strike."

Anakin nodded along. One hand reached up and rubbed at his chest unconsciously.

"Draining is another." Obi-Wan placed his hand along the bark of a nearby tree. "Some Siths can pull the very life out of living things around them."

A shiver worked its way down Saedii's arms. She rubbed at them unconsciously.

"Their minds tricks are also arguably superior to ours," Obi-Wan finished quietly, attention shifting to Anakin ever so slightly.

Any trace of good humor vanished from Anakin's face. "Far superior, in my opinion."

Saedii looked between all of her mentors. Looked at three of the greatest Jedi of their generation. And not for the first time, she wondered if they were fighting a losing battle.

The Empire had two Sith Lords – Darth Sidious and Darth Vader. They had millions of soldiers. A near-unlimited supply of money and resources.

And all the Rebellion had was the four of them – the four last remaining Jedi – and a thousand Clones.

They were embarrassingly outmatched.

A gentle hand rested on Saedii's shoulder. When she looked up, Ahsoka was smiling at her. "I know this can all feel very overwhelming, but the Jedi have overcome odds far worse in the past. We will prevail again."

"That's right." Anakin gestured to the four of them. "No matter what the Empire throws at us, we'll face it together."

"As well as we can while remaining a secret," Obi-Wan said tartly.

"And you have the gall to call me impatient." A very smug smile flashed across Anakin's face. "Have patience, Master. I trust that Rex has a plan."

"Patience seems to be all I have these days."

Obi-Wan and Anakin both shrugged on their robes. Around them, the forest had grown dark. Orange and red light gilded over the canopy above them while the setting sun and the low buzz of bugs vibrated the air.

It had to be close to dinner time. Saedii wondered what the guys were up to. If they'd eaten yet.

She pulled her robes on, not caring that she was sweaty and gross. Then, gesturing up towards the mountain and the monastery, she said, "I'm going to grab some food with the guys, if we're finished."

Obi-Wan smiled at that. "Enjoy yourself, little one. We will see you early tomorrow morning."

The path back up to the monastery was only just visible in the dying light. By the time she made it to the top, total darkness had taken over the mountain.

Night had blanketed the empty planet. From the top of the mountain, the view down below was one of pure inky blackness. With no more civilizations here on Teth, there was nothing to fight the reach of the dark. No lights of villagers or cities. The rolling hills and forests were plunged into total darkness.

After the past few weeks, after Serenno and Talthera, the quiet felt nice. Saedii took a moment to enjoy it, listening to the soft calls of wildlife hidden in the darkness below. Mapping the constellations of stars above her.

When she'd had her fill of silence, she turned for the monastery.

There were a few Clones on perimeter duty, but at this time of night, most of them would be headed for the cafeteria. As soon as she stepped inside, she could hear the faint hum coming from that direction – hundreds of voices talking over their meals.

But Saedii paused as she noticed two Clones waiting in the hall.

Hunter and Crosshair were talking in low tones. From the expression on Crosshair's face, they were talking about something important. He was nodding along seriously, murmuring an affirmation every now and then. Hunter, too, looked focused.

As Saedii approached, Hunter suddenly fell quiet and turned in her direction. Saedii didn't miss the flare of guilt that echoed through the Force as he looked at her.

"Hey, kid." He offered her a nonchalant smile. "How was training?"

"Fine." Saedii appraised the two of them. Noted the way they looked almost reluctant to see her. Like she'd interrupted their conversation. She frowned. "Is everything ok?"

"Everything's fine."

"You guys looked like you were talking about something important."

Crosshair gave a derisive snort. "Hardly. Rex wants more recommendations for his rescue mission. Apparently, our earlier suggestions weren't enough."

Hunter looked uncomfortable at Crosshair's statement. His eyes went straight to the ground and a nervous hand rubbed at the back of his neck.

Saedii was instantly alert. "Does he have news? Did Howzer check in?"

"Not yet," Hunter was quick to assure her. "Rex is just being proactive."

Saedii tried hard to keep the disappointment from her face. She'd been hoping they'd have something new for her. "Do you guys want my help?"

"That's alright. You go on ahead and grab something to eat," Hunter urged.

"Are you guys coming?"

"We'll catch up."

There was something off about them. Saedii couldn't put her finger on it, but they definitely seemed to be hiding something. For a moment, she debated staying. Debated insisting they tell her what's going on.

But she trusted them. Whatever it was they were talking about, if it was important, they would tell her. The Batch never kept secrets amongst themselves for long.

In the cafeteria, Wrecker, Omega, and Tech had a whole table to themselves. Wrecker waved enthusiastically when he saw Saedii and patted the seat next to him.

As Saedii slid into the seat beside him, Wrecker happily reported, "Cody just freed twenty more Clones from Alderaan! They got here an hour ago!"

"Alderaan?" Saedii broke off a piece of bread from her tray, stuffing it into her mouth. "What were they doing on Alderaan?"

"It appears that the senator there is assisting Senator Amidala, and has been giving refuge to Clones that defect," Tech said.

Bail Organa wasn't someone that Saedii knew well. She'd met him a few times, though had never spoken more than a few words to him. From what she knew, he had a reputation of being just and honorable. It would make sense that he was in league with Padme.

Omega was watching the three of them, soaking in everything. At Tech's report, she gave a little nod, as if she had known this as well.

"Senator Organa also passed along some troubling news. Rex and his advisors have been discussing it all afternoon."

"What kind of news?"

"Apparently, the Empire has a new super weapon. The Emperor has been building it in secret for years, and it is nearing completion."

Saedii thought to all of the incredible technology that they'd used during the war. Thought of the Venators and plasma canons. Rex had seen all of it first hand, so if he was worried about this new weapon, it had to be something bad.

"What kind of weapon?" Saedii pressed.

Tech was terrifyingly calm as he reported, "That is unclear. Reports have indicated it is capable of catastrophic consequences, but the senator's spies have been unable to glean more information. The project is being highly guarded."

"Were you able to find anything?"

His lips pressed together. "Despite my best efforts, I have been unsuccessful. All I have uncovered is the name. Project Stardust."

Project Stardust. It didn't sound inherently dangerous. Maybe the reports had been exaggerated and it wasn't anything to worry about.

But then again, Rex wouldn't be taking it seriously if it wasn't a threat. Whatever this Project Stardust was, it could prove to be another obstacle for the Rebellion in its quest to overthrow the Empire.

Saedii stirred her stew. "Is that why Hunter and Crosshair seemed so out of sorts? I caught them in the hallway and they were stressed about something."

"Perhaps." Tech readjusted his glasses. "Echo has been in meetings all day with Rex, but Hunter and Crosshair have been assisting. They are likely aware of this new threat."

That would make sense then. Hunter probably didn't want to worry her, especially if this super weapon wasn't complete yet. Even though Saedii recognized he was only trying to protect her, she couldn't help but feel annoyed. She could handle news about a new super weapon. He didn't need to keep it from her.

"Are we in danger?" Omega asked, though she didn't sound too afraid.

"Unlikely. The weapon is not yet complete."

"What about when it's done?"

"That is uncertain. I would have to understand the weapon's full capabilities to provide an assessment of risk."

Wrecker laughed. "Whatever it is, I'll just blow it up! Problem solved!"

Tech's eyes flashed towards the ceiling. "You cannot just blow up everything."

"Sure I can!"

"You don't even know how large the weapon is. To accurately calculate explosive output, you would need to know the exact weight and mass –"

"I don't need to know that! I'm good at blowing things up!"

Annoyance skimmed across Tech's face, but he didn't try to argue. Instead, he turned back to his holopad. Back to his research.

Omega was playing with her necklace, sliding the torrinite chunk along the leather throng. "What will we do if this weapon is a threat?"

"We'll take care of it," Saedii said confidently. She gave Omega a reassuring smile. "Like we always do."

Saedii's confidence seemed to assure her. With a satisfied little nod, Omega turned back to her dinner. Safe in the knowledge that whatever threat the Empire was cooking up, Saedii and the rest would keep her safe.

Saedii, too, was unconcerned. Whatever Project Stardust was, they would deal with it. It couldn't be any more dangerous than the Inquisitors and Vader, after all.