While Blam was preparing the troops for the advance, I managed to snatch some time to talk to Ahsoka.
"Listen, Ahsoka. Remember when you were in the infirmary, and we talked?"
"So it wasn't delirium?"
"No."
"Master, but how is that possible?"
"Hmm, good question. The Force… damn it, it's capable of much more than that. Although I've read about it, I've never encountered such a… um, technique before. It's called Force Bond. What I'm getting at is this: if we can continue talking like this—"
"Oh, I get it! It's much better than comlinks, it can work where there's interference, and it's just cool! And you can joke around with others and—oops."
Ahsoka, who had been speaking faster and faster, suddenly stopped, clearly realizing she had gone off on a tangent.
I smiled. That's Ahsoka for you.
"You've got the gist of it. Although I meant that this technique would help me in your training. Now, try to focus."
We sat down on the cabin floor. Sliding into a meditative state, I began calling the Togruta through the Force, and soon she responded.
Master?
Well, who else?
Oh, you're right.
Now try calling me.
After a moment, I heard the girl's voice. It was faint, like an echo, but I heard her nonetheless. Though honestly, the whole situation was strange — all these voices in my head felt uncomfortablyclose to schizophrenia. Or whatever that disorder is actually called.
Master!
Yes?
I barely got through. It was difficult.
Is it hard to concentrate?
Yes. You know meditation isn't really my thing.
That's why now, while you have free time, you'll focus on them.
"Master!"
"Yes, I know I'm a Master! That's why I teach! Have I ever given you bad advice?"
"No," Ahsoka admitted. "Okay, I'll do meditation! And conversation practice!"
I sighed in resignation. It seems voices in my head are now guaranteed.
***
So, one solved problem ends up creating two unsolved ones — It's been like this since… hutt, it seems likeI've always remembered it. Oh well.
Standing before me were five intelligent beings who had been entrusted to me "for upbringing." No, five "almost Jedi" are a seriousforce, but what a lot of trouble they are… Okay, Ahsoka — she's still a child, albeit an unusual one, but she's at least easier to deal with. And with these five, I really didn't know what to do. Although no — that's a lie. I had a bit of an idea.
Meanwhile, Puck approached us, accompanied by two clones carrying a box. Dropping it onto the ground, they saluted and left.
I chuckled, drawing the Padawans' attention.
"I won't beat around the bush. I'm not particularly thrilled that you've been assigned to me, but now your problem is my problem, and I intend to solve it. I have no desire to report your deaths to Master Shaak Ti, so listen carefully — I won't repeat myself. If you want to survive, you will follow the rules. Ahsoka, what is the first rule?"
Ahsoka, play along with me.
With pleasure, Master!
Putting on a serious face and raising a finger for emphasis, the Togruta said:
"Always listen to your Master."
"Exactly. If I say stand, you stand; if I say run, you run. And Force forbid you start arguing with me during combat. Now, you will undergo a brief training session under the guidance of our valiant Alpha-class ARC clone, Puck."
How nice it is to have subordinates you can dump the things on that you really don't want to do. Especially since you deserve it, you half-baked Punisher.
"Yes, General," he replied without much enthusiasm. Stepping over to the box, the clone opened it and pulled out a blaster rifle.
"All right, listen up. You all have these lightsabers. Well, forget about them. Now your weapon is this beauty." Puck held up the DC-15 rifle. "It weighs five kilograms and has a range of four hundred meters. One shot is usually enough to destroy a B-1 droid, and if you're lucky, a B-2 — though usually it takes two or three shots. Those clankers are pretty tough. You'll be operating in the second wave, about a hundred meters from the front line. Your task is to destroy as many droids as possible, with enemy saboteurs as priority targets."
"Clone, we weren't taught—" A zabrak girl spoke up — Kass Tod, I thought.
"You should have been. I thought Jedi were a little cooler. Or… are you too weak?"
Puck stepped close and looked the girl over with a mockingly raised brow.
She snatched the rifle from his hands.
"You talk too much, clone."
"All right. Now take your weapons and ammunition and follow me. We'll see how good you are — and whether it's even worth bothering with you at all."
Master, do you think it's worth being so… harsh with them? They recently lost their Masters.
That's exactly how it should be. Trust me.
"Well, Puck, can you handle it?" I asked the ARC trooper as he approached us.
"Yes, sir. I'll bring Lucky along — he's our sniper, so he can assess… their level of training."
The clone saluted and waved his hand, signaling the Padawans to follow him.
***
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