❝ i am no jedi, not anymore. ❞

―

CARINA HAD HER ARMS CROSSED over her chest as she watched the holographic map whilst Obi-Wan spoke, "The shield generator is somewhere in this area. They're slowly increasing the diameter, and keeping it just ahead of their troops. Heavy cannons are gonna be useless against that."

Anakin stole a glance at Carina who looked deep in thought before speaking up, "As they get closer, perhaps we could try to draw them into the buildings."

Obi-Wan and Rex nodded in agreement, "That might level the playing field a bit." Ahsoka pursed her lips as her brows knitted together, "If that shield's gonna be such a problem, why don't we just take it out?"

"Easier said then done." Rex gazed at the young padawan learner as Carina hummed in thought, "Perhaps..." the brunette diverted her attention over to her husband who reluctantly spoke, "Well, I, for one, agree with her. Someone has to get to that shield generator and destroy it. That's the key."

Obi-Wan glanced between the new Master and Padawan, "Right, then. Maybe you two can tiptoe through the lines and solve this together." Ahsoka's eyes visibly brightened up as she chirped, "Can do, Master Kenobi."

Anakin narrowed his gaze at the young girl, "Hey, I decide what we do." Carina pursed her lips, "Now that, is worrying."

Ahsoka let out a laugh whilst Anakin gave his wife a look to which she merely grinned. Obi-Wan's eyes roamed over the virtual map before he spoke, "If Carina, Rex and I engage them here." the Master Jedi pointed to a coordinate, "You two might have a chance to get through their lines undetected, here."

Rex furrowed his brows together as he studied the map, "They won't have much time. The droids far outnumber us so our ability to street fight is limited without the use of heavy cannons." A visual demonstration appeared on the map, "They will march forward under the protection of their shield, until they are right on top of our cannons, then they'll blow them away."

Ahsoka smiled widely, "We'll figure out a way." the padawan turned on her heel as she began walking, "Come on, Master."

Carina sent Anakin a hidden smile as the blonde held an irritated glint in his eye, but at the sight of his wife's smile he couldn't help but smile back before turning to follow after Ahsoka.

The Algora Jedi shook her head in amusement as she heard Anakin speak to the padawan, "If we survive this, Snips, you and I are gonna have a talk."

Rex blinked at the disappearing figures, "They make quite a pair, don't they, sir? You think they have a chance?" Carina pursed her lips as she held her head high, "Oh they will. You can count on that."

―

Carina narrowed her eyes as heavy shots from the canons were fired at the shield generator surrounding the droid army. The Jedi Knight grit her teeth as she watched each fire barely show any progress.

"Anakin and Ahsoka need to hurry." the brunette muttered under her breath as Obi-Wan peered ahead with his binoculars, "That shield is certainly putting a crimp in my day."

Kenobi turned to gaze up at the twenty-two year old Jedi, "Well don't you look cheery." Carina had her lips pressed firmly together with her brows furrowed closely together as she wore a pique expression, "I haven't slept in four days, don't even with me, Obi-Wan."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Rex turned his attention over to the two Jedi, "It's no use. Even at full power the cannon doesn't affect it." Carina clicked her tongue before sighing out, "All right, Rex. Tell our men to pull back."

Carina adjusted her utility belt before clenching her jaw as she watched the shield generator pass over them, placing them inside. The brunette slipped her saber into her grasp, igniting the deadly weapon as she planted her feet firmly on the concrete ground before leaping into the air as she landed on the ground below.

Her saber immediately began slicing and burning through attacking droids. The Jedi Knight struck her weapon straight through two before extending out her hand to crush three using the Force.

Carina flinched slightly as another explosion went off dangerously near her, the girl gazed up at the shield and muttered under her breath, "Come on, Ani."

The Jedi Knight placed her attention back on the ongoing battle and continued to spin her lightsaber, bouncing any shots fired at her right back at them. Carina backed up into a wide corner as Obi-Wan leaped into her side, having just destroyed two robots.

Rex and his men came up behind the two Jedi as they continued using their blasters to take down any battle droid in sight. Rex fired away as he spoke up rather loudly, "They're right behind us. They wiped out most of my unit. We had to pull out of there."

Carina gazed up at the sky whilst gritting her teeth, "It won't be long before the shield reaches the heavy canons."

"We're not gonna be able to stop them, General."

Carina watched Obi-Wan deflect shots aimed at them, "We will head back to the heavy canons." General Kenobi stepped back into their side as he nodded in agreement, "Do everything you can to protect them. I'll delay the droids."

Carina glanced up at her dearest friend and pursed her lips, "Try not to kill yourself." Obi-Wan slightly chuckled, "Says the one who always seeks the most dangerous plans."

A smile finally tugged at her lips as she shook her head, during battles it was a rare sight to see Carina as her usual self. She became distant, determined, and focused whilst fighting, not allowing anything to distract her. She had Master Windu to thank for that, but even then, only two people could still bring a smile out of her.

Her lover and friend. Two people she treasured and loved most in the galaxy, two people she knew she could not survive without.

Carina stood up from her crouched position as Rex stood by her side, the brunette gave Kenobi a look, "Wonder who I got it from."

The Jedi Knight shielded what troopers lingered behind her as they made their way back to the heavy cannons. Carina twirled her weapon in her grasp, demolishing any droids in her way as more and more started to overwhelm the troops.

The brunette jutted the metal handle of her weapon into a robot before kicking them backwards a few feet. Carina caught sight of multiple battle droids encircling Rex and his men and the girl quickly shot her hand out, knitting her brows together in concentration as she began to rip each of their mechanical parts off until they were left in pieces.

Her distraction allowed for a strong droid to aim their fire at her, successfully piercing her upper arm. Carina grit her teeth harshly together in pain before spinning as she cut through the droid, letting out a heavy sigh when she felt an acidic and burning sensation course throughout her entire right arm.

Carina ignored the throbbing feeling pulsing in her arm as she continued defending the troops, destroying every droid that met her blade and line of sight.

A sudden noise caught the Jedi's attention as she peered up at the sky, relief filling her eyes as she watched the shield generator begin to disappear. The brunette smiled, "Thank you Anakin and Ahsoka."

The Algora girl turned to face the clones, "Fire away, boys." All the cannons repositioned their aim as shots began to hit the enemy tanks and droids.

Carina took notice of more cruisers soaring through the air, a relieved sigh escaping her parted lips as she set her arms at her sides.

The Jedi Knight shuffled on her feet as she moved to join Master Yoda and Obi-Wan whilst Anakin and Ahsoka stepped off of a cruiser that had dropped them off.

The Jedi Knight smiled at the padawan and Master before glancing over at Master Yoda, "Your timing was just right, Master Yoda."

Yoda gave the girl a nod before turning towards Anakin and Ahsoka, "Trouble, you have, with your new Padawan, I hear."

Carina's arm tensed slightly as she went to move it so, for the moment, she kept it still at her side.

Obi-Wan gazed at his former padawan, "I was explaining the situation to Master Yoda."

Anakin raised a brow at Kenobi, "Really?"

"If not ready for a Padawan, you are, then perhaps, Obi-Wan, we can—" Master Yoda had begun but did not continue as Anakin quickly spoke, "No, wait a minute. I admit Ahsoka is a little rough around the edges. But with a great deal of training, and patience she might amount to something."

Ahsoka held a small grateful smile as Yoda hummed, "Then go with you and Carina, she will, to the Teth system."

Confusion crossed Carina's features as she questioned, "Teth? That's wild space, the droid army isn't even stationed in that sector."

"Kidnapped, Jabba the Hutt's son has been."

Anakin hadn't been aired if he had heard the Jedi Master correctly, "You want us to rescue Jabba's son?"

Obi-Wan nodded as he chimed in, "We'll need the Hutts' allegiance to give us an advantage over Dooku."

"Negotiate the treaty with Jabba, Obi-Wan will." Yoda glanced between Carina and Anakin, "Find the renegades that hold Jabba's son, your mission will be."

"Come on, then." Ahsoka enthusiastically spoke to wedded couple before turning as they went back to the cruiser, "I'll find Rex and get the troops organized." Anakin thought out loud.

"Don't worry, Anakin. Just teach her everything I taught you and she'll turn out fine." Obi-Wan called after the blonde who chuckled slightly, "You know, something makes me think this was your idea from the start."

Carina let out a laugh as she moved her arm but immediately regretted it as her features twitched in pain, a movement that did not go unnoticed by Anakin.

Furrowing his brows together in concern, the Jedi Knight gazed intently at the brunette before his eyes wandered down to her wounded arm, "You were hit."

Upon those words, Ahsoka abruptly stopped as she turned to gaze at Carina and her Master.

Anakin was quick to gently take ahold of her arm as he examined her injury, "You need to go to the infirmary."

Carina took back her arm as she nodded, "Yeah, I was planning on doing that."

Anakin narrowed his eyes at his lover, very clearly knowing her better than that, "You we're going to patch yourself up, weren't you?"

Carina parted her lips to speak but fell silent as she slightly frowned, "Maybe."

Anakin let out a heavy sigh, wishing they were alone so he could hold her but clearly, they had an audience, "When we get onboard make sure to go straight to the infirmary, no pit stops on the way."

Carina rolled her eyes as she playfully saluted her husband, "Sir, yes sir."

Anakin smiled down at her as she gazed into her eyes, Carina knew Ahsoka was watching them so she cleared her throat, "I get it, I will see the infirmary. Didn't know you cared about me that much, Skywalker."

Carina knew very well how much she meant to Anakin, yet when in public she still liked to mess with him.

Anakin turned back around as the two continued walking as they stepped beside Ahsoka. The Skywalker Jedi bit back an amused smile, "One should go into a mission in health."

Carina hummed, "Sure."

Ahsoka blinked as she gazed between the two, her eyes lingering on Carina's scar that went across her brow bone to the side of her cheek.

Wondering just how she got such a deep wound.

—

AUTHORS NOTE, what do you guys think of the story so far? i absolutely love going through ur comments so pls let me know and thank for reading xx