Chapter 86
Botajef Orbit, Botajef System
Belsmuth Sector
“Disable, not destroy,” Master Obi-Wan Kenobi commanded, “We’re not here as conquerors.”
If her Master’s words had any effect, Ahsoka Tano could not tell. The skies above Botajef were rife with thunder and fire, hundreds upon hundreds of warships exchanging death among the towering cables of Botajef’s skyhooks. Even the words of the highest Jedi Generals were drowned out by the jamming and chaos, and the only verbal confirmation the young Padawan could hear was those of the 2nd Airborne Company sharing the gunship with them.
Ahsoka closed her eyes tightly as the Bad Kitty swung around, narrowly dodging as a flurry of laserfire streaked past, close enough to make the starboard hatch glow with heat. Her hands were snapped onto the overhead handles, knuckles white as she fought to keep her balance as the LAAT gunship veered through the battlespace. The hatches were completely sealed, and the holding bay was a dimly lit locker filled with dozens of rocking bodies, bubbling with frantic anticipation.
“Check your seals, boys!” Clone Commander Cody barked, “Those ports open and you’re feeling a little chilly–you’re dead!”
Ahsoka has witnessed the ritual what felt like a million times before; the soft yet satisfying clicks and rustles of gear. Double-checking rifle charges, patting the extra ammunition and ordnance belts, calibrating jetpacks, stomping the deck with magboots, the murmur of chatter over cycling comm circuits. And most importantly of all, ensuring their vacsuits were sealed properly.
“You too, Ahsoka,” Master Obi-Wan instructed, not unkindly, putting on his own helmet, “We’re landing in a hotzone, and it’ll be a miracle if the skyhook’s atmospheric shields are functioning.”
Her Jedi Master was steady and composed as always, and she could count the number of times the Obi-Wan Kenobi seemed out of his depth on one hand. Even as their gunship weaved through the siege, Master Kenobi was relaxed, one hand braced against the hatch and the other casually resting on his lightsaber hilt. Compared to him, Ahsoka was a frenzied jumble of nerves. She had to admit it grated her no matter how many times she saw it–how could he be so calm when they were flying into this?