The storm-laden skies of Teth stretched endlessly above, gray clouds torn by streaks of lightning. The Republic gunships descended through the chaos, engines screaming against the winds. Rain hammered against durasteel plating, blurring the viewports, but the shape of their target came into focus: a monastery carved into the side of a towering cliff, its spires clawing toward the heavens like the fingers of some ancient giant.
Inside the lead gunship, the Jedi gathered near the open ramp. Clones checked their gear, DC-15 rifles clattering against armor as they braced for impact. The smell of ozone and damp earth filled the cabin.
Anakin's eyes gleamed as he leaned forward, studying the cliffside. "That's it. Rotta's prison."
Ahsoka crouched beside him, her voice eager. "How do we get up there? Those walls are sheer. There's no way through the front."
Anakin smirked. "Then we don't go through the front."
Kaelen stood a pace behind Obi-Wan, his purple saber clipped at his belt, gaze locked on the jagged climb. "You mean to scale it?" he asked, his voice steady but skeptical.
Obi-Wan's brow furrowed. "That would be… bold."
"Bold works," Anakin countered.
"Bold gets men killed," Obi-Wan replied evenly. His eyes flicked toward Kaelen, silently reminding him of their earlier talk about restraint.
But Kaelen's pulse quickened. The sheer cliff wasn't a barrier to him—it was a challenge. His father's voice whispered in memory: A warrior climbs, no matter how high the wall.
Before he could speak, the gunship jolted as it landed in the jungle below. Mud splashed up around the landing struts, and clones poured out, blasters raised. The air was thick with humidity, heavy enough to choke. Massive trees loomed overhead, their roots twisting like snakes across the ground.
Anakin jumped out first, boots sinking into the muck. "We climb. Grappling guns, cables—up the wall. Jedi take point. Clones follow."
Ahsoka grinned. "Finally, something fun."
Kaelen followed Obi-Wan down the ramp, rain plastering his dark hair to his forehead. He looked up at the impossible height of the cliff and allowed himself a faint smile. "I'll take the lead, Master."
Obi-Wan arched a brow. "Confident, are we?"
"Focused," Kaelen said, repeating the word he'd thrown at Ahsoka days before. But beneath his calm tone, the fire burned—he wanted to prove himself.
Obi-Wan gave a small, resigned sigh. "Very well. But remember: the goal is not speed, it's survival."
The ascent began.
Grappling hooks fired, embedding into cracks in the stone. Clones clipped onto cables and began the grueling climb, boots slipping against wet rock, hands straining against the weight of gear and armor. The cliff seemed endless, stretching so high it disappeared into mist.
The Jedi moved swiftly, their agility and the Force carrying them upward. Anakin scaled the wall like a predator, Ahsoka scrambling just below him, her laughter ringing through the storm. Obi-Wan advanced with measured control, his saber clipped but hand never far from it.
Kaelen climbed just above him, every movement deliberate but fast. The rain stung his eyes, the wind whipped at his tunic, but he pressed on. His fingers found holds before his eyes did, guided by precognition. He moved as though the wall itself whispered where to grasp.
But the climb was far from safe. Halfway up, blaster fire rained down from above. Droids had spotted them, pouring fire from the monastery's balconies. Bolts seared the air, striking cables, shattering stone. Clones cried out as they slipped, some falling to their deaths below.
"Droids!" Rex shouted, firing upward with his rifle even as he dangled from a cable.
Anakin snarled. "Figures they'd be ready for us." He ignited his saber, batting away bolts. "Ahsoka! With me!"
"Right behind you, Master!" she called, scrambling higher, her green blade flashing to life.
Below, Obi-Wan ignited his own saber, deflecting shots that threatened his men. "Kaelen!" he barked.
The boy didn't hesitate. His saber flared purple, humming through the storm. He blocked a bolt, then another, his blade moving faster than sight. His mind lit with precognition, every shot traced before it came. He shouted down to the clones, "Hold your line! Keep climbing—I'll cover you!"
One clone slipped, his cable fraying. Kaelen lunged sideways, catching the line with one hand and yanking the trooper back into place, saber flashing in his other hand to block another volley. His muscles burned, rain slicking his grip, but he refused to let go.
Obi-Wan caught the moment, his lips tightening. Reckless—but brave. Just like…
"Padawan!" he called. "Do not overextend!"
Kaelen gritted his teeth. "If I don't, they'll die!"
For a moment, Obi-Wan saw Anakin in those words. And Qui-Gon before him. He held his tongue, choosing instead to match Kaelen's defense, their blades a wall of blue and purple light against the storm.
Above, Anakin and Ahsoka reached the balcony first. Anakin vaulted over, cutting down droids in a storm of blue light. Ahsoka followed, spinning with exuberant strikes.
"Clear!" she shouted down.
Kaelen scrambled the last few meters, leaping onto the balcony beside them. His saber slashed in a wide arc, dropping two droids before they could fire. He landed in a crouch, chest heaving, eyes bright with adrenaline.
Ahsoka glanced at him, a grin tugging at her lips despite herself. "Not bad, bow-boy."
"Better than 'Snips,'" Kaelen shot back, finally allowing himself a grin.
Anakin rolled his eyes. "If you two are done flirting with death, we still have a Huttlet to rescue."
Obi-Wan joined them a moment later, his robes soaked, his expression dry as ever. "Agreed. Let's not keep Jabba waiting."
The monastery loomed before them, dark stone wet with rain, balconies lined with smoking droid remains. The clones rallied behind the Jedi, their numbers thinned but unbroken. Rex clapped Kaelen's shoulder as he passed. "Nice work, kid. Remind me never to fall near you again."
Kaelen managed a nod, but his eyes were fixed on the looming doors. His first true mission as a Padawan had begun in earnest. He had shown flashes of fire, of the reckless Anakin-like spirit beneath his calm exterior. Now the real test awaited.
Somewhere inside that monastery, Jabba's son waited. And so did the Separatists.
Kaelen's grip tightened on his saber. Whatever shadows lay ahead, he would face them.