The ice world loomed ahead, pale and unforgiving.
Orto Plutonia spun slowly beneath the Republic cruiser, its surface a patchwork of frozen tundra and jagged ice formations. Kaelen stood beside Anakin on the bridge, arms folded, watching the planet with a quiet sense of unease. The Force here felt… muted. Heavy. As if the world itself resisted intrusion.
"Remind me again why we're here?" Anakin muttered.
Ahsoka leaned against a console. "Because Master Windu doesn't like border disputes."
Anakin snorted. "Since when is that our problem?"
Kaelen didn't answer immediately. He felt something beneath the cold—a tension not unlike Maridun, but sharper. Territorial. Proud.
Obi-Wan's voice crackled over the holocomm from Coruscant.
"Anakin, Kaelen—remember, this is a diplomatic mission. Observe. Do not escalate."
Anakin rolled his eyes. "Yes, Master."
Kaelen inclined his head slightly. "Understood."
HK-47, standing a few steps behind them, tilted his head as his sensors scanned the planet.
"Preliminary Assessment: Hostile climate, low hospitality probability, high likelihood of territorial violence. Delightful."
Kaelen sighed. "HK, this is diplomacy."
"Clarification: Then I will restrict my enjoyment to internal processors."
Ahsoka smirked. "Good luck with that."
The gunship touched down on the ice fields near the Pantoran base. The cold hit immediately—sharp, biting, seeping through armor and robes alike.
Chairman Chi Cho of Pantora greeted them stiffly, flanked by guards.
"General Skywalker," Chi Cho said curtly. "You're here to resolve this matter quickly, I hope."
Anakin smiled diplomatically—bad sign. "We'll do our best."
Kaelen bowed politely. "We're here to assess the situation and prevent unnecessary conflict."
Chi Cho barely acknowledged him. His gaze lingered on Ahsoka, then on HK with visible discomfort.
"What… is that?"
HK straightened.
"Designation: HK-47. Diplomatic support unit."
Kaelen winced. "That's… generous phrasing."
The group moved toward the nearby settlement, where heat lamps barely fought off the cold. As they walked, Chi Cho gestured toward the horizon.
"This world belongs to Pantora," he said sharply. "These natives—Talz—are trespassers. Savages."
Kaelen's jaw tightened.
Ahsoka frowned. "You've confirmed that claim?"
Chi Cho scoffed. "There was no sentient life registered here when Pantora claimed the planet."
Kaelen felt the Force ripple faintly—discomfort, denial, anger.
"Registered by whom?" he asked quietly.
Chi Cho shot him an annoyed glance. "By the Republic."
HK leaned closer to Kaelen.
"Observation: Organic arrogance detected. High correlation with future regret."
"HK," Kaelen murmured. "Quiet."
They encountered the Talz soon after—massive, fur-covered beings moving across the ice with heavy grace. Their leader stepped forward, towering over the Jedi, eyes wary but intelligent.
Anakin raised a hand cautiously. "We're here to talk."
The Talz leader spoke in a deep, rumbling tongue, gestures sharp and defensive.
Ahsoka frowned. "I don't think they're happy."
Kaelen closed his eyes briefly, reaching with the Force—not to influence, only to listen. He felt pride. Fear. A fierce attachment to land and survival.
"They believe this is their home," Kaelen said softly. "And that we're invaders."
Chi Cho scoffed. "They're animals."
The Force around Kaelen flared—just for a heartbeat.
Anakin turned sharply. "Watch it."
The Talz leader roared, striking the ground with a massive staff.
HK immediately raised his blaster.
"Excited Query: May I begin de-escalation through superior firepower?"
"No!" Kaelen snapped.
HK froze.
"Disappointed Compliance: Standing down."
The Talz withdrew, but the message was clear.
This was far from over.
Despite Jedi warnings, Chi Cho ordered Pantoran guards to advance toward Talz territory.
Anakin argued heatedly. "This isn't your call!"
Chi Cho's face flushed. "This is Pantoran land! We will not be intimidated by primitives."
Kaelen stepped between them. "Chairman, if you move troops in, they will defend themselves."
"That is not our concern," Chi Cho replied coldly.
Ahsoka looked to Kaelen. "This feels wrong."
Kaelen nodded. "It is."
HK added helpfully:
"Statistical Projection: Military incursion will result in high casualties, political embarrassment, and probable death of loud Pantoran leader."
Chi Cho glared. "I don't take orders from droids."
Kaelen met Chi Cho's gaze steadily. "Then listen to reason."
But reason had already frozen over.
Battle on the Ice
The first blaster shot cracked across the tundra.
Everything happened at once.
Talz warriors charged from the ice, roaring, weapons raised. Pantoran guards panicked, firing wildly.
Anakin ignited his saber. "Protect the civilians!"
Ahsoka followed instantly.
Kaelen moved without thinking, purple blade flashing as he deflected a bolt that would have struck a Talz child. He felt the familiar pull—battle, chaos, fear pressing in from all sides.
Not control, he reminded himself. Stability.
He let a thin thread of Battle Meditation slip outward—barely more than a whisper. Panic dulled. Movements sharpened. The Jedi fought cleaner, more precisely, without rage.
HK-47, unleashed at last, provided suppressive fire with alarming enthusiasm.
"Combat Update: This conflict was avoidable. That makes it emotionally satisfying."
"HK—focus on defense!" Kaelen called.
"Acknowledged: Defensive extermination engaged."
Anakin disarmed a Pantoran officer and shoved him behind cover. "Fall back!"
Ahsoka ducked beside Kaelen. "You feel that too, right?"
Kaelen nodded. "This never should've happened."
The Talz pushed forward with brute strength but clear restraint—they weren't hunting; they were protecting.
Kaelen locked blades with a charging Talz warrior—not striking, only redirecting, forcing distance. Their eyes met.
Understanding passed between them.
The battle ended as abruptly as it began.
Pantoran forces lay scattered, stunned, disarmed. The Talz stood victorious—but did not pursue.
Silence settled over the ice.
Chi Cho stared at the devastation, pale. "This… this wasn't supposed to happen."
Anakin turned on him. "This is what happens when you refuse to listen."
The Talz leader approached Kaelen slowly. Towering. Imposing.
Kaelen extinguished his saber and bowed his head.
The Talz leader rumbled softly, then struck the ground once—firm, final.
Ahsoka exhaled. "I think… they're letting us leave."
HK lowered his blaster.
"Observation: Mercy displayed. Unexpected. Slightly unsettling."
Reflection
Later, as the cruiser lifted off, Kaelen stood alone near the viewport.
Anakin joined him. "You did good down there."
Kaelen shook his head. "We still failed. People were hurt."
Anakin shrugged. "Welcome to the war."
Ahsoka stepped closer. "You tried to stop it. That matters."
HK chimed in from behind.
"Encouraging Statement: Your performance prevented catastrophic annihilation. I rate this mission 'acceptable.'"
Kaelen smiled faintly. "High praise."
Anakin folded his arms. "You're changing, Kaelen."
"Yeah," Kaelen said quietly. "I think I am."
Not stronger.Not perfect.
Just… more aware.
And the Force, cold and vast beyond the stars, seemed to watch in silence.