Landing at Christophis
Their gunship descended near the front lines. Commander Cody saluted as the two Jedi stepped down, blaster fire rattling in the distance.
"Good to see you, General Kenobi. The droids have dug in. General Skywalker's pushed ahead."
Jace let out a small sigh. "Shocking."
Cody gave him a brief grin. Obi-Wan cut a glance toward Jace but said nothing. He knew well enough when to let his Padawan's mouth run and when to check him. Now wasn't the time.
They moved quickly toward the skirmish line, boots crunching against the debris-littered ground. Jace kept pace beside Obi-Wan, cloak swaying with each stride, his lightsaber clipped neatly at his hip — but one hand resting near it, ready.
The battle ahead was in full swing. Anakin Skywalker, bold as ever, charged through a hail of blaster bolts, deflecting shots with the ease of someone who never truly believed he could be hit.
Jace watched him for a moment, then gave Obi-Wan a side glance. "Master… tell me again how I'm the reckless one?"
Obi-Wan smirked faintly. "You're reckless and sarcastic. That's what makes you special."
The wind shifted. Jace felt the tide of the fight tilt — the soldiers near them were holding, but their morale wavered under the relentless droid assault. Quietly, almost without thinking, Jace closed his eyes, focused, and reached through the Force once more.
Hold the line. Steady. You are not alone.
The ripple of his meditation was subtle but effective. Blasters steadied. Fear dulled. The clones took heart.
"Nice trick, kid," Cody murmured beside him.
Jace cracked one eye open. "I know."
The Front Lines – Christophis
Blaster fire screamed overhead as Jace and Obi-Wan advanced toward the command position, where Anakin was barking orders between parries. The Jedi Knight's blue saber flashed in sharp arcs, cutting down a trio of advancing B1 battle droids.
Obi-Wan's voice, calm as a still lake despite the chaos: "I see you've started without us."
Anakin deflected one last bolt, spun, and grinned as if they were meeting for tea instead of in the middle of a battlefield. "Couldn't let the droids get too comfortable."
Jace stood beside his Master, arms crossed, that same half-smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Comfortable is not the word I'd use, Skywalker. More like… incredibly confused."
Anakin raised an eyebrow at him but let the jab roll off. "Jace. I hope Obi-Wan's been keeping you out of trouble."
Jace unclipped his lightsaber and ignited the violet blade with a sharp snap-hiss. "You know me, General. Trouble finds me — I'm just polite enough to show it the door."
The moment of levity faded as the sound of Republic gunships approached overhead, sweeping low across the skyline. One peeled off and began descending toward their position, its engines whining.
Out stepped a small figure in Jedi robes, lekku swaying, eyes sharp and bright.
"General Kenobi?" the Togruta called out, moving briskly toward them.
Both Obi-Wan and Anakin straightened. Jace's brow arched as he thumbed off his saber and watched the newcomer approach.
"I'm Ahsoka Tano," she announced confidently. "I'm assigned by Master Yoda to be your Padawan."
There was a beat of silence. Jace turned his head slowly toward Anakin, watching for the reaction. The expression on Skywalker's face was worth the price of admission — a mix of surprise, confusion, and a little bit of panic.
"My… Padawan?" Anakin echoed.
Obi-Wan smiled faintly, folding his arms. "I believe that's what she said."
Jace's voice cut in, smooth as silk: "Well. Congratulations, Skywalker. Looks like the galaxy finally decided you needed a babysitter."
Ahsoka tilted her head, eyes narrowing as she looked Jace up and down. "And you are?"
"Jace Shan," he replied, giving her a half-bow, though the glint of amusement never left his violet eyes. "Padawan of Master Kenobi. Resident battle meditation specialist. Occasional nuisance."
Obi-Wan gave him a look.
Jace shrugged. "Self-awareness is a virtue, Master."
Ahsoka raised an eyebrow, smirking just a little. "Nice to meet you, Nuisance."
Jace grinned. "Oh, I like her."
Mission Briefing
As the last wave of droid resistance fell back, the four Jedi gathered near the command post, watching the tactical holomap flicker with updated positions. Cody briefed them on the droid reinforcements moving in from the south side.
Obi-Wan turned to Anakin. "We'll need to split their forces. If you and your new apprentice can create a diversion, I can take my battalion and flank them from the west."
Anakin crossed his arms. "We'll draw them out."
Jace leaned in, tapping the holo. "I can amplify the clones' morale from here — give them a bit more staying power until the droids fully commit to your distraction."
Obi-Wan nodded, approving. "Do what you can, Jace. But stay sharp."
Jace gave a two-finger salute. "Wouldn't dream of doing otherwise."
Ahsoka watched him, curiosity plain on her face. "Battle meditation, huh? Like Bastila Shan?"
Jace's jaw clenched, just for a second — the mention of his ancestor always hit a little different. But he recovered smoothly, offering a wry smile. "That's the rumor."
Preparing the Trap
Night began to fall as the Jedi and clone troopers set their plan into motion. Jace stood at the rear command post, fingers interlocked at the small of his back, eyes half-closed as he entered the calm focus of his meditation.
Steady. Hold the line. Fear has no claim here.
The ripple of his influence spread outward — faint, unseen, but present in the way the clones' hands steadied on their rifles, how their breath slowed. Across the field, the trap was ready.
Anakin and Ahsoka were already moving into position.
Jace's voice carried softly to Obi-Wan beside him. "Skywalker's not gonna wait for the droids to make the first move, is he?"
Obi-Wan smiled faintly. "He rarely does."
Jace gave a soft chuckle, hand resting on his saber hilt. "One of these days, he's going to learn patience."
Obi-Wan nodded thoughtfully. "I hope he doesn't learn it too well."
(Next: Jace witnesses Ahsoka and Anakin's teamwork — and gets his first taste of what kind of Padawan Ahsoka really is.)