Master of The Order Vol. 1: Knight of The Order/Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

“WOOKIE SLAVES”

23 BBY

CORUSCANT (SENATE BUILDING), CORUSCANT SYSTEM

'More planets leave the Republic! With the Separatist Crisis gaining more momentum, the Trade Federation decides to invade the planet of Kashyyyk. They plan to use the Wookies as slaves and set up droid factories for the upcoming war. Back in Coriscant, the Senate holds a meetong to decide ways to resolve the ongoing crisis…'

It was mid-day at Coruscant. The sunlight beamed on the Senate’s landing pad where Hal Jyvun stood. He awaited Senator Bail Organa’s arrival. The Jedi Council had sent Hal to attend the Senate’s meeting in order to obtain information about the senators’ point of view on the movement.

Bail Organa’s shuttle arrived and landed on the landing pad. Bail and a squad of Alderaanian security disembarked the shuttle. “Hal, it’s been so long!” the senator shouted.

“Too long,” Hal acknowledged, hugging Bail. “How are you?”

“I’m very good. I wish the circumstances of my arrival were better.”

“You’re not the only one.” Hal and Bail entered the building and discussed the Separatist Crisis as they made their way to the Senate chamber.

“The Senate has received confirmation that thousands of star systems have seceded from the Galactic Republic and pledged loyalty to Dooku and the Confederacy of Independent Systems,” Bail explained.

“That’s not good,” Hal said. “The Senate will want to act fast before more planets join him.”

“Yes, they will, but that’s why I’m here. We have been working tirelessly to try and solve this matter peacefully.”

“I need to ask you something,” Hal let out after some hesitation. “I need to know about my family.”

Bail sighed and looked around to see if anyone was coming. “I’m not supposed to tell you this. Your mother’s living here in Coruscant with your oldest brother. Her name is Elara Zih and your brother’s named Telio Jyvun.”

“Telio. I think I remember him. Why are they here?”

“We thought since Telio wants to become a senator, we would send him here with your mother so he could represent us in the Senate and keep us up to date with what they decide.”

“Then why are you here?”

“This reunion requires, a more experienced head. Telio is smart but he is still young.”

“How young?”

“Twenty-seven years old.”

“He’s not my only brother, is he? I remember another.”

“You have two sisters. Talanis and Keylara. Talanis is twenty-three years old and Keylara is sixteen years old. They still live in Alderaan and take care of things when I’m not on the planet.”

“And my father?”

“No one knows.”

“What do you mean?”

“Jerris disappeared two years after you were taken to the Jedi Temple.”

Hal hugged Bail. “Thanks for telling me. I know I shouldn’t ask these things, but I needed to know about them.”

“No worries. Let’s get moving or I’ll be late.”

They arrived at the Senate Chamber and met up with Senator Padmé Amidala and Senator Asha Nala. The senators were discussing their discourse to the Senate.

“Good day, Senators,” Bail greeted.

“How are you, Bail?” Padmé asked and hugged Bail.

“Nice to see you here, Hal,” Asha said.

“Nice to see you too,” Hal responded.

Asha introduced Hal to Senator Amidala. “Padmé, this is a good friend of mine, Jedi Knight Hal Jyvun.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Hal.”

“Likewise.”

After some conversation and discussions about the best way to resolve the crisis, Padmé and Bail left to set up the final parts of their discourse, leaving Asha and Hal alone. “So, how have you been after the last time we met?” Asha asked.

“I’ve been good,” Hal answered. “This ongoing crisis has left the Council wondering what would happen if a war was to erupt.”

“You seem awed.”

“I asked Bail about my family.”

“You’re not supposed to know those things, Hal.”

“I know, but it’s been sixteen years since I left Alderaan. I had to know how my family was doing. I keep sensing someone familiar and with a very strong connection to me at the temple, but I don’t know what it is.”

“Relax. In time, you’ll figure things out. You always do.”

Hal stared at Asha and smiled. His commlink began beeping rapidly. “Talk to me, Shalla,” Hal said.

“Master Plo needs you at the temple,” Shalla responded.

“I’m kinda in the middle of a Senate meeting.”

“I know. Master Windu’s on his way to the Senate Building.”

Hal sighed and rolled his eyes. “I’m on my way.”

“I should probably go find Senator Organa and Padmé,” Asha said. She smiled at Hal. “It was nice catching up with you.”

At the temple, Hal met with Plo Koon and Master Yoda. Plo Koon explained to Hal that he was to take care of Obi-Wan’s Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, while he attended a distress signal from Felucia that asked for him alone. Master Yoda informed Hal that he would have to take Anakin on a mission to help the Wookies on Kashyyyk fend off a Trade Federation invasion.

“You mean to tell me I’m supposed to take care of Obi-Wan’s Padawan, who I’ve heard is extremely arrogant, and I also have to take him on a mission to Kashyyyk?” Hal protested.

“Precisely,” Plo Koon answered.

“Aren’t I a bit too young to take care of a Padawan. I don’t think I’m your best option.”

“Faith in yourself, you lack,” Yoda said. “More than qualified to take care of Skywalker, you are.”

“If you long to become a Jedi Master, you must overcome every obstacle that you face,” Plo Koon said. “Part of being a Jedi Master is passing along what you know to others.”

“Fine. I’ll take him on the mission to Kashyyk,” Hal reluctantly accepted. “Where is he?”

“They are arriving from a patrol through the Senate district,” Plo Koon said.

“Leave to meet them, we must,” Yoda added. He and Plo Koon left to meet Obi-Wan and Anakin. Hal stood where he was left and sighed. He had never taken care of a Padawan and now he was about to be sent on an important mission with one that was just three years younger than him.

“What’s troubling you?” Shalla asked. She was standing next to Hal as he tried to grasp the situation he was just thrown in. Hal explained to her. He told her that he worked better alone for now and that putting someone like Anakin Skywalker under his command would probably not end well.

“Well, I believe in you,” Shalla said. “You were one of the best Padawans the Order’s ever seen. That’s why you were granted Knighthood at such a young age. I’m sure you’ll be able to complete you mission and take care of the boy.”

“Thanks, Shalla,” Hal said. “It means a lot.”

A group of younglings walked past Hal and Shalla. Among them was Ahsoka, who separated from the group and ran towards Hal. “Hal, do you have time to practice later?”

“Unfortunately, not, little one,” Hal answered. “I’ve been sent on a very important mission to Kashyyyk.” One of the boys who was part of Ahsoka’s group came to her and told her that the group was waiting for her to continue.

“I’m on my way, Kal,” Ahsoka told the boy. She wished Hal luck on his mission and left with the boy to join the group.

“There’s that strong connection again,” Hal commented.

“What strong connection?” Shalla asked.

Hal scratched his head. “I’ve been feeling a peculiar connection with someone around the Temple the past couple of years. It’s an on and off thing but whenever I feel it it’s a very strong bond.”

“Have you told Master Plo about it?”

“Yes.”

“Maybe family? Anyway, I have to leave. Master Drallig is probably searching for me.”

“See you around.”

As Shalla left Hal to meet with her master, Plo Koon arrived with Anakin. The Padawan greeted Hal and introduced himself.

“I’ve heard great things about you, Master Hal.”

Hal cringed at the fact Anakin had called him “Master”, but he let it pass. “Same here. Obi-Wan speaks very highly of you.”

“You should prepare for the mission,” Plo Koon suggested. “The Council is counting on both of you to help the Wookies make a stand against the Trade Federation.”

Hal and Anakin acknowledged and left for the command center, where Hal was supposed to analyze their targets. “Don’t worry about calling me ‘Master’,” Hal said as they made their way to the command center. “You can call me Hal. I actually prefer it.” Anakin nodded in agreement and they continued through the Temple.

When they arrived at the communications center, Hal approached the holoprojector table and pulled up a map of Kashyyyk. He analyzed key points of the planet with Anakin. They discovered a droid factory to the west of the planet and another one under construction a hundred miles to the east. They concurred that if they were to help the Wookies take back their planet, the first step would be to take out the droid factories and clean up what remained of the droids after that. Hal also noticed that the droid factories were built right in the middle of Wookie homes “We know what to do,” Anakin said.

“Yeah, we do,” Hal agreed. “Let’s go.”

Kashyyyk's Atmosphere...

Hal and Anakin emerged out of hyperspace. There was no Trade Federation blockade. This did not bode with Hal. How could a planet with two droid factories have no ships protecting it? “Keep an eye out,” Hal told Anakin. “This could be a trap.”

“There’s nothing to worry about, no spaceships I sight,” Anakin replied as they entered the planet’s atmosphere.

Hal looked at the concentrated Padawan and rolled his eyes. He knew Jedi were supposed to be sure of their power, but there was something about being called the “Chosen One” that he felt gave Anakin an extreme level of cockiness and arrogance. Obi-Wan had once spoken to him that he felt his Padawan’s abilities had made him arrogant.

Hal’s thoughts were interrupted by Anakin’s announcement that they had arrived at the Wookies’ compound. Hal and Anakin exited the shuttle and met with the Wookie chieftain, Tarfful and his second in command, Chewbacca. “How are we going to understand them?” Anakin asked.

“I’m a bit rusty, but I remember learning some Shyriiwook back at the Temple,” Hal answered.

Tarfful welcomed the two Jedi to their base and introduced himself and Chewbacca. “It’s an honor to meet you Tarfful,” Hal responded. “I’m Hal Jyvun and this is Anakin Skywalker. I know things aren’t looking very bright right now, but we’re here to help you oust the Trade Federation presence from your planet.”

Tarfful thanked them for their support and asked them to follow him and and Chewbacca so they could devise a plan to help his people. As Hal followed the two Wookies through the base, he witnessed a very little amount of Wookie warriors. Most of them had been either captured or killed by the Trade Federation. The woman and children starved while the men were forced to fight to defend their planet. “This is horrible,” Anakin commented. “They don’t deserve this. We have to destroy those factories as soon as possible and give these Wookies their families and homes back.”

Hal stared at Anakin. “I appreciate your enthusiasm, Skywalker, but we need a plan. You can’t just march blindly to your death.”

“I know. I’m just saying our main priority should be destroying the factories and giving the Wookies their home back.” They entered the command tent. Hal set a hologram on the floor and pulled up the planet’s schematics. He explained to Tarfful and Chewbacca that they were heavily outnumbered by the Trade Federation droids. He suggested that they first attack the concentration camp to the north and liberate the Wookie warriors, so they have more men to fight. Tarfful agreed with Hal’s strategy and told him that there were more Wookie warriors inside the droid factories. Anakin pointed out that the second droid factory seemed to have started construction recently, so there shouldn’t be much droid activity except for the ones that are building the factory. As Anakin finished his sentence, blaster fire could be heard coming from outside the tent. Blaster bolts tore up the tent and killed some of the Wookies inside.

“We’re being ambushed!” Anakin shouted.

“I can see that,” Hal replied. They exited the tent, lightsabers activated, and witnessed as hundreds of droids approached the compound. “We’re outnumbered,” Hal told Tarfful. “We need to retreat, or we’ll all be dead.” Tarfful ignored Hal’s words and assembled all of his men. He let out a massive growl and they charged at the droids. Anakin, first to react, ran to aid the Wookies. Hal tried to stop him, but the Padawan was too fast for him. As he rushed to join the battle, he noticed an Armored Assault Tank coming in from the side. Hal ran as quick as he could to try and stop Anakin from getting blasted by the tank, but before he could reach him, the tank fired at the Jedi and Wookies.

It took Hal some seconds to get back to his senses and he immediately looked for Anakin. He saw the Padawan lying on the floor unconscious, or so he hoped. Hal force pulled Anakin into his arms. As he checked for Anakin’s pulse, he heard a low growl. He turned his back and saw Chewbacca hiding at the end of the compound. He grabbed Anakin’s lightsaber from the ground and carried Anakin on his shoulder. He silently made his way to the end of the compound, dodging the view of the droids inspecting the compound and searching for survivors.

“We need to get out of here,” Hal told Chewbacca. The Wookie responded that he couldn’t just abandon his friends.

“We won’t abandon them, I promise, but if you go back in there, they’ll kill you or enslave you like the rest of your people.”

Chewbacca asked Hal what they would do then. What was left of their forces were killed or captured and they had no backup.

“We’ll figure something out, but right now we need to leave.”

Chewbacca then told Hal that he had stolen concentration camp schematics from one of the raids and that they were located on a hologram inside command center. He also asked Hal to get his bowcaster. He was going to need it if they were to free his people.

“Take care of Anakin. If I get caught, run deep into the forest and make sure he lives.” Hal sneaked through the tents, evading the various droids that patrolled the complex. Chewbacca watched from outside how Hal glided past the droids without being seen. He reached the front of the command center, but it was blockaded by three droids. Hal used the force to drop a crate on the other side of the tent, causing the droids to clear the entrance. Hal entered the tent and searched around the room for the schematics. He found the hologram, but as he went for it, a Neimoidian commander entered the room with two droids. Hal reacted quickly and hid inside a locker.

“Where’s the chieftain, commander?” the Neimoidian asked the droid.

“He’s inside the transport, General Viorti.”

The Neimoidian grabbed the hologram and examined it. “What about the Jedi?”

“There’s no sign of them.”

He set the hologram on the table and turned to the droids. “Time to head back to the factory.”

“Roger, roger.” The two droids left the room and with General Viorti having his back turned at the locker, Hal opened the locker and as he made his way out through the back of the tent, he pulled the hologram with the Force. General Viorti turned quickly to the locker, but it was the same as when he entered. He then looked at the table and noticed that the hologram was missing.

“Jedi,” he said. He rushed out of the tent. “There’s a Jedi inside this compound! Find him!”

“That’s my cue.” Hal quickly snuck through the compound as he heard the General order his troops to find him. He then remembered he had to grab Chewbacca’s bowcaster and for a second debated if it was worth the risk. He then saw some droids inside the armory examining the weapon. Hal rushed to the armory and before the droids could react, he sliced them and took the bowcaster. With the bowcaster and hologram in hand, Hal made his way out of the compound and reunited with Chewbacca and Anakin, who was starting to gain his consciousness. “Time to leave,” Hal told Chewbacca and Anakin, as droids searched the perimeter for them. Chewbacca carried Anakin, as they rushed past the trees and retreated deep into the forest, where the droids couldn’t find them. They were alone. No reinforcements, no communications, no heavy weaponry. Chewbacca set Anakin on the ground and Hal sat down next to him to check if he was ok. Chewbacca looked at the trees and as he came to the conclusion that they were probably going to die, let out a giant roar that echoed for miles.

“Shut up!” Hal chided. “You’re going to get us caught.”

Chewbacca sat down on a rock and apologized. He then asked what their next move was.

“We have the concentration camp schematics, so we continue with the plan. I overheard a droid say that they were taking Tarfful there.”

“We free Tarfful and the other Wookies and then we take the battle to them,” Anakin added while he sat up.

“Exactly.” Hal pulled up the concentration camp schematics and found some sewage pipes that would take them directly to the main cells. “That was easy,” he commented. “We’ll take the pipes to the main cells and free the Wookies, causing a riot and taking out the concentration camp.”

Chewbacca recalled that the concentration camp’s power system was damaged from the last raid and that a simple knock would probably leave the camp powerless.

“We’ll wait for darkness then. We knock out the camp’s power, free the Wookies without anyone realizing and take the concentration camp.”

Anakin agreed with the plan and so did Chewbacca. They waited for darkness and made their way to the concentration camp. After some walking, they reached the concentration camp and took cover behind some rocks and foliage. “There’s our entrance,” Hal said. “Past those four guards.” The sewer entrance was being guarded by four Neimoidian guards. They were taller than Anakin and Hal and wore Neimoidian warrior armor. They carried electrostaffs and a holsted pistol.

“Do we kill them?” Anakin asked.

Chewbacca emphasized that he had no problem on killing them. Hal looked at Chewbacca and smiled. “Of course, you don’t.”

“Chewbacca, cause a distraction and we’ll take them out from behind,” Anakin instructed. He and Hal jumped to the tree branches and waited for Chewbacca’s move. Chewbacca made himself visible to the Neimoidian guards and called them.

“There, a Wookie!” One of the guards said. They moved in on Chewbacca, but little did they know that there were two Jedi above them. Hal and Anakin ignited their lightsabers and jumped down on the Neimoidian guards. They landed on top of them and sliced them down before they could react. “We make a nice team,” Anakin told Hal.

“You can say that when we free this planet,” Hal responded. They approached the sewage pipe entrance and Hal cut a hole on it with his lightsaber. They entered the pipe system and Hal pulled up the camp’s schematics. “The entrance to the cell room is the fourth entrance on the third left. The power room is the fifth entrance ahead. You two head to the cell rom and as soon as the power is out, enter the room and start freeing Wookies.” They split up and Hal headed to the power room. He could not see anything on his way to the power room, so he ignited his lightsaber and stumbled upon three battle droids patrolling the sewer system.

“Jedi!” one of the droids shouted. Hal sliced through two of the droids and crushed the last one with the Force. He entered the power room and found the power system completely destabilized. He tried looking for a power switch but couldn’t find anything. After searching for some time, Hal realized the power system could only be switched of with a keycard. He then remembered what Chewbacca said about a single knock taking out the entire power system. Hal flicked the power plant, and, in an instant, the entire camp lost its power. Hal smiled. “I can’t believe that actually worked.” He heard footsteps heading towards the power room and made his exit before he was found.

“That’s our cue,” Anakin told Chewbacca. Chewbacca tried to tell Anakin that they didn’t have the keys to open the cells, but Anakin couldn’t understand him. “I can’t understand you, Chewbacca.” They entered the cell room and Anakin signaled the captured Wookies to stay silent. As he went to open the first cell, he realized he had no key to open the cells. “We have no keys, Chewbacca.” Chewbacca stared at Anakin and facepalmed. “No worries.” Anakin ignited his lightsaber and cut the cell’s lock, liberating the first group of Wookies. Hal entered the cell room and helped Anakin break out the rest of the Wookies.

After liberating all the Wookies, they barged out of the cell room and attacked the Neimoidians and droids on the concentration camp. Hal, Anakin and Chewbacca led the assault and decimated anyone that stood on their way. They reached the armory and the Wookies armed themselves to take the camp. The Wookies, with the aid of Hal and Anakin, blasted their way through to the yard. One of the younger Wookies came up to Hal and asked him to free his father, who was being interrogated. Hal agreed to rescue the Wookie’s father and made his way to the interrogation room. He killed the Neimoidian soldiers that stood in his way and sliced down the droids that attacked him. From inside the interrogation room, the Neimoidian interrogator and four droids could hear the sound of Hal’s lightsaber slicing through droids and the screams of the Neimoidian warriors that died trying to kill him.

“I need to get out of here,” the interrogator said, but before he could make his escape, Hal barged into the room. The door slammed into one of the droids and Hal made easy work of the remaining three droids.

“I would surrender, but that’s just me,” Hal told the interrogator as he pointed his green lightsaber at him. Anakin contacted Hal and informed him that the final enemy forces had been defeated, meaning the camp was theirs. The interrogator backed against the wall and saw as Hal cut the Wookie’s cuffs and released him. The Wookie grabbed the interrogator and furiously took him outside the room as the interrogator begged for help. “He’s all yours,” Hal smiled. He regrouped with Chewbacca, Tarfful and Anakin at the yard.

“I’m not sure there are enough Wookies here to defeat the Trade Federation,” Anakin pointed out. Tarfful and Chewbacca agreed with him and added that the droid presence on the planet had grown since the last time they raided the factory. One of the Wookies overheard their conversation and walked up to them. He told the group that he was from a clan that had hidden away in the mountains when the droids arrived. Tarfful asked the Wookie what clan he belonged to, and the Wookie answered that he belonged to Icuuk’s clan.

“That’s not good,” Hal said. Tarfful scowled at the Wookie and left the group to attend his son.

“What’s his problem?” Anakin asked.

“Tarfful’s clan and Icuuk’s clan have had a rivalry for over a hundred years.”

“How do you even know this information?”

“Before the Separatist Crisis there really wasn’t much to do, so I just took the time to learn about other civilizations and read a lot of archives.”

The Wookie told Hal that even though they had a rivalry, if they arrived at the clan’s hideout with some of its members and explained the severity of the situation, they could persuade the chieftain to join forces with Tarfful’s clan and defeat the Trade Federation forces. Hal took inti consideration the Wookie’s words and approached Tarfful to speak with him. “Tarfful, I know your clan’s rivalry with Icuuk’s clan has gone on for more than a hundred years, but you need to realize this is the only way to save your planet,” Hal began. “Your planet and your people’s wellbeing should be more important than your rivalry with Icuuk.” After some retaliation, Tarfful gave in to the idea but warned Hal that Icuuk would be more stubborn than him and convincing him to help would not be easy. “I can reason with him. And it’ll be easier if we bring him people from his clan. Show him that we are willing to make peace and fight together for the planet.” Tarfful agreed to the plan.

“How’d it go?” Anakin asked.

“He agreed,” Hal answered. “Take us to your people,” he told the Wookie. The Wookie nodded and asked them to follow him. Tarfful gathered his people and the ones from Iccuk’s clan and they left for the mountains.

An hour later...

The haze blocked Hal’s view as he followed the Wookie through the mountain’s trail. They were so high up that Hal could not see the planet’s surface. He wondered if the Trade Federation’s actions were part of the Separatist movement. What was the point of invading a planet and building new droid factories? War was near. Anakin walked next to Hal, wishing his master had not attended the distress call to Felucia. This was his first mission without Obi-Wan. He had found it hard to find people to trust inside the Jedi Order. He only trusted his master, and even though this was the first time he met Hal, Anakin already trusted him more than any Jedi he had met. There was something about Hal, maybe the fact they thought the same way, that made Anakin feel comfortable. He felt a connection to the Jedi Knight and believed that they could become good friends. The Wookie stopped in his tracks and asked the rest of the Wookie survivors to wait for him here. “What’s happening?” Anakin asked Hal.

“I don’t know,” Hal answered. “I think we arrived.”

After a moment, the Wookie returned and told everyone to enter the haven. Hal, Anakin and the other Wookies entered. There were countless Wookies taking refuge inside. Hundreds of women and children scared of what was happening. A giant Wookie emerged from the main building and, along with two Wookie warriors, approached Hal, Anakin and Tarfful. He asked menacingly what Tarfful was doing inside his refuge.

“That did not sound good,” Anakin commented, as he placed his hand on his lightsaber.

“Wait,” Hal told Anakin. He slowly pulled Anakin’s hand from the lightsaber. “Let’s see what happens.”

Tarfful told Icuuk that the Trade Federation took his people’s homes and he had nowhere to go. Iccuk told Tarfful that not once, in over one hundred years, did Tarfful come to talk with him and, now that he has nowhere to go, he comes asking for help. Icuuk chuckled and told Tarfful to leave his haven immediately.

“That can’t be good,” Anakin commented.

“It isn’t,” Hal said. “We might not get the help we need.” Tarfful growled and then pleaded Icuuk to at least let his people stay in the refuge, but Icuuk denied his request.

“Wait,” Hal told Icuuk. The Wookie turned around, approached Hal and asked him what he wanted. “Don’t make this mistake,” Hal began. “You think the Trade Federation won’t find you up here? They will and when they do you will all be submitted into forced labor. Your men, combined with Tarfful’s men, are enough to oust the Trade Federation presence from your planet.”

Icuuk interrupted Hal and told him that he did not need Tarfful’s help in anything.

“Yes, you do. In these moments you all need each other’s help. Think about your planet. The Trade Federation will destroy it searching for every last Wookie they can enslave. Fight back! Forget about rivalries and take advantage of the two skilled Jedi at your disposal and take the fight to them! We can destroy the factories and defeat the Trade Federation, but only if we work together.”

Icuuk pondered on Hal’s speech for a moment and, after looking around at some of the women and children who were suffering because of the invasion, he gave in. He approached Tarfful and told him that he would set aside their rivalry for the time being, so they could do what was best for their people. Tarfful also agreed to set aside the rivalry. “That was impressive,” Anakin told Hal.

“Thanks, it was completely improvised,” Hal replied.

Icuuk invited Hal, Anakin and Tarfful into his tenement. They entered and Icuuk asked what the plan was. Hal explained that the Trade Federation knew about their presence, which meant that more troops were assigned to the factories. Hal’s plan was to commit all the Wookies to the factory under construction. This would outnumber the droids and have them call for backup from the other factory. It would cause a distraction and allow a small squad to infiltrate the main factory and destroy it from the inside. The rest would be taking out the droid forces at the facility under construction and liberating the planet. Icuuk liked the plan. He asked who would go to the main factory and how he plans to blow up the factory.

“You’ll lead the main assault. Your men need your leadership and courage on the battlefield. Anakin, Tarfful, Chewbacca and I will head to the main factory. We’ll plant charges on the fuel cells and blow the factory sky-high.” They all agreed on the plan and walked outside to brief the Wookies and prepare for the mission. Hal and Anakin looked for Chewbacca and briefed him on the plan.

Tarfful finished briefing some of his warriors on the mission and as he left to join the Jedi, a young Wookie came up to talk to him. It was his son, Trink, who was asking to them on the mission. Tarfful explained to Trink that the mission was too dangerous and that the risk was too high. Trink retaliated and told his father that he did not want to stand around and wanted to help destroy the droid factory that took so many of his friends’ life. He asked his father to let him do it for his friends and family who died at the hands of the Trade Federation. Tarfful reluctantly agreed and told his son to come with him to the Jedi.

“I see we have company,” Hal told Tarfful. “We should get moving and find a good position to infiltrate the factory once the main assault begins.” The squad left the haven and began their travel to the factory.

They reached the surface and entered the forest that stood between them and the factory. As they traversed through the woods, Anakin’s thoughts began troubling him. Images of his mother began popping into his mind. For a long time, he wondered if being a Jedi was the life he wanted. A life that was basically imposed on him. Anakin then, for a moment, thought about talking to Hal about his problems. He had never done such thing with any other Jedi that wasn’t his master, and even then, he did not tell Obi-Wan everything that troubled him. Something inside Anakin told him that talking with Hal was the right move, even if this was his first time meeting him. They were almost the same age, so maybe Hal would understand Anakin better.

“Hal, can we talk?” Anakin asked.

“What’s wrong?” Hal replied. “You seem troubled.”

Anakin then began explaining to Hal his troubles. He explained to Hal that he joined the Jedi Order at a later age and had to reluctantly leave his mother, who was a slave, behind. He told Hal that adapting to the Jedi Temple was harder than he imagined and that he had trouble trusting other Jedi apart from his master. He also told Hal that he was conflicted and did not know if the Jedi Order was the life he wanted, as it had been imposed to him basically.

“I know how you feel,” Hal began. “When I was fourteen years old, I began having visions about my family. Things that I shouldn’t have been able to remember, I remembered them like it happened the day before. I then began to question why I was taken away from my family. Nowadays I can’t even remember my mother’s face. I know at times it seems pointless to live this life knowing there might be something better out there, but I know this is what my mother wants for me. It’s probably what your mother wants for you too and that’s why she let you go.”

Anakin paid close attention to every word Hal said and, slowly but surely, he began feeling better.

“I believe life placed us in this path to protect the ones we love. Nothing happens by accident, Anakin. I accept this life because I know that as a peacekeeper, I protect my family and countless other lives around the galaxy. To be honest, I don’t agree with everything in the Jedi Code. There are some flaws and I tend to follow my own way sometimes.” By the end of Hal’s speech, Anakin’s troubles had mostly disappeared for the time being. “Thanks for the guidance, Hal. It really helps.”

“Anytime you need help, I’m here.”

They arrived at the droid factory’s perimeter and Tarfful signaled the team to halt. He pointed at several Neimoidian soldiers patrolling the area. Hal suggested that they climb the trees to get a better view of the area. They all climbed the trees and stood on one of the large branches. On the branch, Anakin noticed droid snipers positioned on other trees. “Hal, multiple droid snipers are positioned along this tree line.”

“We need to take them out before we can infiltrate the factory,” Hal said. “Tarfful, Chewbacca and…”

Trink introduced himself to Hal and Anakin and explained that he was Tarfful’s son.

“Ok, then. Tarfful, Chewbacca and Trink, find a way inside the factory while Anakin and I take out the droid snipers.” Hal and Anakin jumped from branch to branch, slicing down the droids without alerting the others. As Anakin jumped from one of the branches to the other, the branch snapped. Hal reacted quickly and used the Force to hold the branch. He then placed it on the ground, far away from droid presence, and continued taking out the droids. Once all the droid snipers were dealt with, they regrouped with the Wookies. Tarfful informed to Hal and Anakin that the most efficient way to infiltrate the factory was through the pipeline.

Hal approved. “We’ll travel through the pipelines and hopefully once we’ve reached the generator room, Icuuk’s forces have already begun their assault.” On the factory’s roof, Hal used his lightsaber to cut a hole on the pipeline, allowing them access. The team entered the pipeline and traversed through it until they reached the generator room. Hal opened the pipeline’s hatch and saw inside the generator room. There were five droids guarding the generator. To draw the droids closer, Hal dropped his lightsaber on the ground and the noise caused the droids to move in to investigate. Hal then summoned his lightsaber and before the droids could even process what had happened, he sliced them down. Chewbacca remarked that there were other Wookies being held captive inside the factory that must be saved before they detonate the charges.

“Anakin, stay here with Tarfful and Trink and set the charges,” Hal instructed. “I’ll go free the other Wookies with Chewbacca.” Hal decided that it would be easier if they traveled through the vents, but Chewbacca reminded him that he did not fit through the vents.

They left the generator room and skulked through the factory. Icuuk’s assault appeared to have worked, as they encountered very little droids on their way. They reached the machinery control room. Hal entered the vents on top of them and infiltrated the room. Inside, dozens of Wookies were forced to control the machinery and produce the droids that took their planet. Hal counted seven Neimoidian guards in the room. He lifted the ventilation hatch and quietly dropped into the room. One of the Wookies saw him and Hal signaled him to keep quiet. Hal managed to free three of the Wookies without being seen and instructed them to attack the guards at his signal. He ignited his lightsaber and stabbed one of the guards from behind and sliced another one on the chest. As the other guards closed in on Hal to attack him, the freed Wookies surprised them and attacked them. Chewbacca then stormed into the room and aided the other Wookies defeat the Neimoidian guards. Once all the enemies were dealt with, Hal and Chewbacca freed the remaining Wookies and directed them to the generator room, where they could escape through the pipeline.

“Hal, the charges are set,” Anakin informed through the commlink, but before he could finish what he was saying, a squad of droids and Neimoidian warriors stormed into the generator room and forced them to surrender. The droids began deactivating and removing the charges from the generator and one of the Neimoidian warriors informed Anakin that General Chahn was expecting them on the command center.

As Hal and Chewbacca prepared to head back to the generator room and try to liberate Anakin, Tarfful and Trink, Icuuk contacted Chewbacca and informed him that the second facility had been destroyed. A squad of Neimoidian warriors stormed into the room, but Hal was first to react and hid inside the vents, leaving Chewbacca to be caught. Chewbacca, however, left his transmission on, letting Icuuk know that he had been captured. Hal watched as the Neimoidians searched the rest of the room and left with Chewbacca. With no other options left, Hal decided to head to the command center. He traversed through the factory’s ventilation system until he was on top of the command center. He looked through the ventilation hatch and saw Anakin, Tarfful, Trink and Chewbacca being held prisoners by General Viorti.

“Where is your master?” Viorti asked Anakin.

“Right now, I think he’s on Felucia,” Anakin answered.

“Lies! I know there’s another Jedi with you. You’re just a Padawan.”

“That’s degrading.”

As Hal evaluated his options, he was contacted by Icuuk, who informed him that he and his men were on their way to the factory. Hal then decided the best option was to drop into the command center and try to buy some time until Icuuk and his men arrived. Hal dropped into the command center and surprised everyone on the room.

“Finally, the missing Jedi,” Viorti said. He pointed his blaster at Anakin’s head. “Surrender or the Padawan dies.”

“Pretty straightforward.” Hal asked. “I was thinking about surrendering anyway. I’m way outnumbered in this room.”

“Shut up!” Chahn barked. “Bring me his lightsaber.”

“You’re rude.” As one of the droids approached him to take his lightsaber, Hal felt the presence of Icuuk and his men. He pushed the droid aside and looked at Viorti. “Actually, why don’t I propose something?”

“What could you possibly propose?” Viorti asked.

“I propose you surrender and the Wookies might have some sort of mercy on you. After all, you did take their homes. Did you know they lived here?”

Viorti began laughing. “You just pointed out you’re outnumbered. You and what army will make me surrender?” As Viorti finished his question a giant rumble erupted, and fighting could be heard inside the factory.

“That army,” Hal said and winked at Viorti. He ignited his lightsaber and sliced two droids that had weapons pointed at him. Viorti pulled the trigger, but Hal used the Force to shake the Neimoidian’s hand and he missed Anakin’s head. Amid the confusion, Anakin summoned his lightsaber and cut his cuffs. He then killed the Neimoidian guards and engaged the droids inside the room. Viorti pulled out a vibrosword and attacked Hal. As Hal engaged Viorti in a fierce duel, Anakin defeated the remaining droids and freed Chewbacca, Tarfful and Trink. He told the Wookies to find a way to destroy the factory while he helped Hal defeat Chahn. As the Wookies left the room through the left door, four Neimoidian warriors entered the room and attacked Anakin.

Viorti furiously attacked Hal, repeatedly dealing blows that Hal deflected at an impressive rate. The Jedi had no room to make an attack of his own and resorted to a defensive approach to the duel, deflecting Viorti’s strikes until he found an opening to counterattack. Hal’s approach to the duel gave Viorti a sense of superiority, believing he was winning.

Anakin, on the other hand, attacked the warriors, who carried electrostaffs, head on. He lunged at one of the warriors and dealt as many strikes as possible. Another warrior tried to attack him from behind, but Anakin Force pushed him through the window and to his death, leaving three warriors remaining. Anakin held nothing back, attacking the warriors and leaving them no room to breathe, similar to what Viorti was doing to Hal. He kicked one of the warriors against the wall and stabbed him in the chest. The remaining warrior decided to rush Anakin, but as the Padawan turned, he sliced the final warrior in half before he could react. Anakin turned his attention to Hal and Viorti and noticed that Hal was beginning to struggle. As he rushed to help his friend, two more warriors entered the room and engaged him.

Hal’s tactic was beginning to falter. He counted on Viorti to start tiring, but the Neimoidian did not lose stamina. He continued attacking Hal with the same energy as the beginning of the duel. Hal, on the other hand, was beginning to tire. Viorti disarmed Hal, promting the Jedi to dodge Viorti’s strikes. The Neimoidian, however, managed to grab Hal by the neck and slam him against the ground. “Out of all the warriors I’ve killed, a Jedi will be the most satisfying,” Viorti said as he raised his vibrosword. However, before he could land the finishing strike, he began chocking and levitating. He stared at Anakin, frightened and trying to gasp for air. Before he could realize, he was flung outside the room and dropped to his death.

Anakin rushed to Hal and helped him up. “Are you ok?”

“Could be better,” Hal responded. “Thanks for that.” Hal summoned his lightsaber and they both left the command room. As Hal and Anakin traversed through the factory, Trink contacted the former, informing him that the only way to destroy the factory was by overheating the reactor core. “The reactor core can only be overheated manually, Trink. You’ll die,” Hal stated. Trink did not care and responded by telling Hal to evacuate the factory. Hal and Anakin rushed out of the facility and joined the Wookie forces on the battlefield.

“I don’t think Tarfful’s gonna like his son’s plan,” Anakin said, deflecting blaster fire from the droids.

“I agree, but it seems he made his choice already,” Hal concurred.

Tarfful and Chewbacca regrouped with the two Jedi. Tarfful asked where his son was, and Hal explained that Trink was overheating the core as it was the only way to destroy the factory. Tarfful was enraged. He did not want to lose the only son he had. The Wookie chieftain ordered Chewbacca and Icuuk to move their soldiers far from the factory while he and the Jedi entered the factory and searched for his son. Tarfful led the way as they entered the factory and rushed to the generator room. They reached the reactor room as quick as they could, but Trink had sealed the door shut and there was no way in. Furious, Tarfful commanded his son to open the door, but Trink disobeyed and continued the process of overheating the reactor core. Refusing to give up, Tarfull began smashing the door, in an attempt to barge in and rescue his son. As he began making progress, a platoon of droids closed in on them and began firing. “He’s already made up his mind,” Hal told Tarfful. “We need to get out of here, there’s too many droids and that reactor core will overheat at any moment.”

Realizing that his son had already made up his mind and that there would be no way to get him out, Tarfful was forced to leave his son behind and evacuate the factory. He, Hal and Anakin rushed to the factory’s exit, but the facility began collapsing and blocked their only way out.

“Quick, through the pipe lines!” Hal shouted. He cut a hole and they entered the pipe line. They took a different route than the first time and reached a different pipe line exit that was sealed shut. As Anakin cut a hole through the exit, the reactor core exploded and, in a matter of seconds, the pipe lines engulfed in flames. They would have all died if it were not for Hal, who used the Force to hold the blast. Anakin cut the hole through the exit and Hal Force pushed him and Tarfful out of the pipe line and away from the factory’s blast radius. He tried to get out of the pipe line, but the blast was too strong for him to hold. The blast flung Hal against a tree as the factory crumbled to the ground.

“Hal!” Anakin yelled. He ran to his friend, who was unconscious on the ground and, fearing the worst, contacted Chewbacca and asked for a transport as soon as possible. “Hal, stay with me.”

Tarfful, still on the ground, sat up and let out the biggest growl he could. He couldn’t believe his son was gone and not even the fact that his sacrifice saved his people could better the pain. A Wookie shuttle arrived at their location and landed. Icuuk and another Wookie got out of the shuttle. Icuuk, realizing what had happened, approached Tarfful and comforted him while the other Wookie carried Hal into the shuttle. They all boarded the shuttle and returned to Icuuk’s haven.

The next day...

Hal slowly but surely opened his eyes. The last thing he remembered was trying to exit the pipe lines and being blasted into a tree. He carefully stood up from the stretcher he was in and made his way outside the tent. He saw Anakin sat down on a log and Chewbacca conversing with Icuuk. He approached Anakin. “Watcha doing?”

Anakin was startled. “You’re ok!” He let out with a big smile.

“Of course, I am. It’s gonna take more than a collapsing factory to take me down.”

“Thanks for putting your life on the line for me. It really means a lot.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Master Plo and my master are on their way to pick us up.”

“What about the Trade Federation presence”

“With the factory destroyed, the final droid forces were defeated and the Neimoidians that were left decided to surrender.”

Chewbacca arrived and expressed his happiness at seeing that Hal was okay. He informed the Jedi that Trink’s funeral was about to begin. They made their way to the large crowd of Wookies and stood next to them. Tarfful began by saying that he could not be prouder of his son, who gave his life for his people and his planet. He recounted stories of when Trink was younger and confessed that he hadn’t been a good father, saying that he never really demonstrated to his son how much he loved him. After giving a speech on his son, he watched as they lowered him into his grave.

After the funeral, Hal and Anakin approached Tarfful to speak with him. “Your son is a hero,” Hal said. “Even though his sacrifice is painful and a price no father should pay, he saved your people and your planet. They’ll remember him for years to come.”

A Republic shuttle entered the planet’s atmosphere and landed on the haven’s open area. Out of the shuttle came Obi-Wan Kenobi and Plo Koon. They walked over to Hal and Anakin and greeted them.

“I hope Anakin wasn’t much trouble,” Obi-Wan said.

“Liberating the Wookies wouldn’t have been possible without him,” Hal responded. “And I wouldn’t be alive.”

“Good job liberating the planet and giving the Wookies their homes back.” Plo Koon said. “They will be forever grateful.”

“Indeed, but we must return to Coruscant,” Obi-Wan stated. “The Council needs us.”

While Anakin recounted the events to his master and Plo Koon, Hal approached Tarfful and Chewbacca and wished them luck rebuilding their homes. Tarfful thanked Hal for his help and admitted that he would forever be grateful and if they needed anything, to come talk to them. Hal promised to keep that in mind and returned to Obi-Wan, Plo Koon and Anakin.

“You seem to have formed a very good understanding with Skywalker,” Plo Koon mentioned to Hal before they boarded the shuttle.

“He’s just a little lost on what his purpose is,” Hal answered. “Life’s treated him pretty rough so far, but he needs to realize he can’t do everything on his own.”

“You’d make a really good master, Hal.”

“Maybe some day.”