Prelude to Battle

This article, ', is a short prequel chapter in the Force Chronicles'' story-line that is set immediately prior to the events depicted in '. It features Vin Garth, his apprentice Elena, his former student Pix, and Pix's Jedi Master, as the main characters.

“Seventeen months.” Jedi Knight Vin Garth whispered.

That was the length of time the Clone Wars – a conflict between the Galactic Republic and the CIS – had been waging. The Jedi guardians of the Republic served as generals and commanders of an army of one man, and if you listened to the rallying cry of the clone troopers, the right man for the job. They were certainly a deadly force; there was no arguing that away. But Vin Garth knew better than to trust them.

His feelings had nothing to do with precognition. It didn’t even involve prejudice. It was simply a gut feeling and Vin always went with his gut.

“Are you moping again?”

Elena was a carefree lass though the war had done a good job of chiselling away that particular trait. She was altogether more alert and serious, which he found to be a better countenance for waging war. But at times – and Vin was loathe to admit it – he liked when his old padawan popped out to say hello. At times he thought she’d changed into a completely different person.

“Oh, can it.” Vin rebuked with a grin.

“Come on! If you wanna see Pix off you’ll have to hurry up or you’ll be late.” Elena skipped off.

“You make this sound like my idea.” Vin called after her but to no avail. She had already gone beyond ear-shot.

What could he do but follow? Elena had all but insisted that he do this. Apparently Pix still spoke of her “first real adventure” with excitement and enjoyment, though Vin recalled little of almost being blown to pieces by a terrorist bomb “fun”. It did break the monotony of the day he would admit but never to Pix or Elena. He’d never hear the end of it.

“Please be careful, all right?”

“I promise.”

“You can be so reckless though!”

Vin came upon his apprentice and Pix close to their transport. The two where so engrossed in their conversation that they paid him no more heed than he would a passing cloud. Instead of saying his piece to Pix he instead turned towards Master Tyr, Pix’s Weequay Jedi master. He was standing close by with his arms crossed against his chest.

“Master Garth,” he greeted. “Have you come to see us off?”

“Master Tyr, it’s good to see you.” Vin answered. He took his fellow master’s hand in friendly greeting. “Elena practically dragged me down here.”

“Is that so?” Tyr asked, smiling. “I’ll keep her safe.” Tyr said. “Sorry, but your thoughts betrayed you, my friend.”

Vin chuckled at that. It had been a long time since he last discussed anything with Master Tyr; long enough certainly that he’d forgotten how well honed his senses actually where. Instead of answering he instead gripped Tyr’s shoulder. For Tyr the action spoke a thousand words Vin couldn’t put voice too any other way. He turned towards Pix.

“Hey, I hope you didn’t think I’d let you go without saying goodbye, did you?”

“Is that you Master Garth!? But what are you doing out here? I heard you where on Aldeeran.”

Vin shrugged his shoulders which had the look of a practiced motion.

“I was, and now I’m back, but enough about me.” Vin replied. Vin was suddenly all seriousness. “Pix… Be careful. I’m sure Master Tyr and Elena have talked your ear off about being careful, but trust me. This is war. Fall back if you get out of your depth; your death serves no one.”

“… I know, master. And thank you.”

Vin, with his piece said, reached into an inside pocket and produced a bright blue crystal. The sight of it caught Pix’s eye, who immediately asked the question: “is that the same crystal?” Vin nodded.

“The very same,” he answered.

He had since attached the crystal to a chain and he set it into Pix’s right hand. “I’ve kept it since the bombing.” Vin whispered. “It’s yours now.”

The crystal had powered Vin’s first lightsaber. The bombing had destroyed one of his pairs, and he’d kept the crystal as a memento of sorts. He just didn’t have the heart to put it back into a lightsaber. The crystal was still completely functional, it just wouldn’t feel right, hence the chain.

“Pix, we must depart.” Master Tyr interjected.

“Look after yourself!” Vin called.

The Jedi preached that one should not form attachments; that it was against their Code. Vin thought it was the biggest crock he’d ever heard as well as hypocritical to boot. Masters inevitably bonded with their padawans, and sometimes their students. Pix had been one of Vin’s favourites. She was quick to learn but not so much so that she was boring to teach, and her skills had always been impressive. Seeing her now departing for war tugged at Vin’s heartstrings.

He hated this war.

“Hear me.” He whispered, invoking his power of telepathy. “You know how to find me if you get into trouble. It doesn’t matter if it’s soon or far into the future: call on me and I’ll be there, and you can be rest assured that I’ll be coming quick, fast and in a hurry.”

End.