It had to be a desert planet. Vatou kept himself in the shade of the bunker and continued to swallow down his allocated water ration. Even if his master was a demanding man, he was at least sensible enough to requisition a Selkath padawan an ample amount of water.
He was sure that his master was busy conducting drills or reviewing the Republic’s strategic assets. At least he is letting me rest due to the weather. Their earlier bout had resulted in Vatou going down from a single swing from the training saber. “The heat,” he had said as an excuse, though the padawan was starting to believe he was simply not cut out for war.
His eyes turned to the horizon, one of the suns about to set. He enjoyed the sight of it, even if it was the main source of his anguish. It was a distant expanse, in that regard similar to the oceans. However, the sand sat still, unlike the constantly shifting waters. Only the haze of the heat showed any sign of motion.
That and the shapes shooting through the sky.
He blinked. “Imperials! Raise the alarm!” He rushed back to the Jedi Quarters, screaming at any passing allies. Not every trooper understood his words but his frantic gestures made the intent obvious. The sirens flared soon afterward and the base was on full alert.
It did not take long for Master Garrick Lorne to find him. “Apprentice,” his voice echoed through the halls. It had always been impossible for Vatou to gleam if he was pleased or disappointed in terms of tone. The giant man seized the Selkath and turned him around. “We require everyone to contribute in this battle, Vatou. Do not be afraid. There is no chaos, there is harmony.”
Lorne ignited his lightsaber and rushed forward. “Quickly!” HIs padawan, in tow, barely managed to keep up. Partway through, his lightsaber was lifted from his waist and into his hand through the Force. “You will be needing that,” he said, again his tone either being condescending or one of a gentle reminder.
The assault had already begun once they reached the entrance., His master reflected any blaster bolt he deemed necessary, allowing others to glance his armor, before eventually leaping forward into the fray. Vatou flailed into cover, his lightsaber only serving to signal him as a potential high value target.
It was only by some stroke of luck that he did not take any lasting damage. Soldiers around him took blaster fire and explosives, leaving them either writing or motionless on the ground. One bolt nearly seared his head, though he never discovered this. Instead, it reflected off of his saber and back into a charging Sith’s leg. The distracting pain left him open to continued fire, which soon left him little more than a husk on the ground. “Good job, Master Jedi!” the one closest to him shouted with a smile before continuing his barrage.
Vatou gulped and looked out for his master. I thought he was supposed to be teaching me in the field too, not leaving me behind. Eventually he caught sight of the Jedi Master along with a Sith Lord, the two comparing each other’s forms as the battle raged around each other.
Then, without any flair, Master Lorne leaped forward with an overhead strike. The Sith smirked and raised his saber, ready to parry such an easy blow. However, his guard was only enough to keep it from being a complete bisection. The Jedi’s lightsaber drove through his skull and down to his chest, obviously slaying him instantly.
The Selkath shut his eyes and dived back behind cover. He looked to his saber and shuddered before tossing it away.
There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no… there is no...
