First battle

Year: 19 BBY

Location: Venator-class Star Destroyer

Three weeks have passed since the second attack on the Jedi Temple. Master Depa Billaba has chosen Caleb Dume to be her Padawan, despite what the Jedi Council said. Right now, they are en route to the planet Kardoa for Master Dillaba's first mission after her recovery and Caleb's second mission. They are set to rendezvous with Master Billaba's newly assigned battalion, the 227th, led by the survivors of the previous 227th legion. Commander Grey survived, and Captain Styles has too. 

"I talked with the other Initiates about you choosing me as a Padawan. Sammo showed fear, while Tai had envy. The only one who was happy for me was Gungi. But he is also sad since I won't be seeing him for a while. Not what I expected from an aspiring Jedi," Caleb says. 

"Yet even that, young Padawan, can be instructive. Providing further proof that none of us are perfect," Billaba says. 

"I agree, but it also says a lot about their characters. I would have been happy for them, even if I weren't picked to become a Padawan."

"I guess you would have experience with it," she smiles. 

Not being chosen as a Padawan was a problem for Caleb, since he was so much better than all Initiates and even Padawans. But he didn't grow jealous or angry. He used the time to train, to prepare more, and grow stronger. 

They land on the planet Kardoa and exit the Star Destroyer, not meeting up with the Commander or anyone else just yet. Billaba leads her Padawan out into the wild, where they will get to know one another more and train together. 

"We are completely surrounded... The Force is everywhere, in everything. It is in me and it is most certainly strong in you, Caleb Dume," Billaba says. 

She gets into position and ignites her lightsaber, prompting him to do the same. 

"We shall start with Form III, Soresu. Follow along, my Padawan."

"Yes, Master."

They go through each movement and immerse themselves in the Force. They do it together, and as they do that, they start to connect. Master Billaba is not lying; the Force is strong in Caleb, and it has been growing ever since he started to train. The more he trains and pushes himself to and beyond his limits, the stronger he becomes. 

They review Form III, then proceed to Form I and repeat the basics. Strengthening the basics is something that all Jedi Padawans must do to develop further, then either pick up their master's lightsaber form or choose their own. In Billaba's case, this is a bit special. She was taught by Master Windu and mastered Form VII, Vaapad. However, Mace Windu has forbidden anyone from learning it unless he has explicitly allowed it to happen. In Caleb's case, that is no longer necessary, since he knew it by observing it being used once. 

"I know that you have learned Vaapad, Caleb. And I am also very impressed that your condition doesn't falter at all when using it. I believe that the form doesn't belong to Master Windu, despite him being the one who created it. All forms were created by someone at some point, and millions of Jedi are still using them. However, I ask that you be cautious when using it. And be mindful of your feelings."

"I understand, Master. I believe that Vaapad is a useful form to use, especially against those who use their anger and hatred, but otherwise, I prefer the other forms."

"I know. Very well, that's enough for now. Let us go and finally meet those whom I shall lead into battle."

.

Caleb and Billaba find the clones at a small bonfire. 

"Good evening, gentlemen," Billaba greets the four men. 

"Attention!"

"Commander Grey. Captain Styles. Sergeant Soot. Corporal Big-Mouth. At ease," she says, greeting them all by name. "May I introduce to you, my Padawan, Caleb Dume."

"Greetings."

"Would you look at that, so you finally made it, Kid. You became a Padawan," Grey says.

"It's good to see you again, Grey."

"It's good to see you, too, Caleb. Glad to have you."

They sit down, and after a bit of small talk, Billaba gets down to business. 

"I'm ready for that briefing, Commander. Tell me about the men I'm now fortunate to command," she says. 

"Not a lot of familiar faces, I'm afraid... the four of us are the only troopers remaining from your last command," he says. 

Billaba looks down, feeling the weight of her failure. 

"You can't blame yourself for that, General," Grey says.

"I can, and I do. But move on."

"I scored us three old guns: Lieutenant Remo and Corporals Mixx and Kaylon, but the rest are greener than green. Some of them don't even have names yet. Frankly, these kids have no business being out here. But desperate times..." Grey says. 

"Pretty sure he's including you, kid," Big-Mouth teases. 

"Or you," Caleb retorts. 

"Heh, not bad. Here have a melon."

"Are we allowed to know the nature of this mission, General?"

"Simple recon to confirm or refute reports of a Separatist presence on Kardoa."

"Very well."

.

On the next morning, Caleb and Billaba get dressed in their Jedi robes, preparing for what is to come. It is as Billaba said, they are merely doing recon, but if Separatists are on Kardoa, then a fight will break out. 

"General Billaba!" 

"Yes, and you are...?"

"Trooper C.T. dash 1157, sir! I mean, Ma'am! I mean-"

"Make your report, trooper. But please, take off your helmet... I like to know the faces of the men under my command," Billaba says. 

"Yes, General. Commander Grey told me to tell you the battalion is, uh, 'ready to roll'."

"Then let's roll," she replies. 

The battalion is split into five squads led by Master Billaba, Grey, Styles, Remo, and Soot. The squads scan five canyons. Caleb is following Billaba, as she wishes to keep an eye on him for now. It is his first mission after all. They walk in a line, down the side of the mountain. 

"She's keeping you on a short leash?" CT-1157 asks. 

"In a way, yes. It is my first mission after all. What about you?" Caleb asks. 

"Heh, Big-Mouth has me on a leash so short, I can count his nostril hair. 'You green kids have no business being out here," he jokes. 

"Haha" "Haha"

They laugh, but are silenced when their superiors look at them. 

"Granted, we are green in terms of active battle. However, at one stage we have to gain experience, don't we?" 

"Exactly! And I wish everyone would stop calling me kid!"

"Truly? They call you a kid as well? I thought it was because of my stature," Caleb says. 

"Nah, it's an experience thing."

"Your name's CT-1157, right?" 

"Yes, sir!"

"Call me Caleb. I think-"

Caleb suddenly stops talking. His senses warn him of incoming danger, and he shouts. 

"TAKE COVER!"

With his fastest speed yet, he grabs several stones and lifts them into the air, blocking the incoming blaster fire from hitting some of the clones. They are ambushed by several B1-series battle droids, who use the bothersome position, along the canyon, as a way to attack them. The stones manage to block some attacks, but there are too many battle droids and not all clones can be saved. 

*BOOOM*

Their path is cut off behind them, blocking their escape. 

"Trail's gone. There's no retreat," Big-Mouth says. 

"Contact the other squads and call in air support," Billaba orders. 

"Roger that."

"Padawan?!" Billaba calls out to Caleb worriedly. 

"I'm all right, Master!"

But Caleb is doing more than all right. A normal Padawan might be scared or overwhelmed, but not Caleb. He's exhilarated to be part of the war, finally on the battlefield, as he feels that's his purpose - that's what he's truly good at. He is a warrior. 

He charges towards the B1 battle droids and slashes his lightsaber through the air, cutting off their heads and reflecting blaster fire. He uses the Force to push and pull the droids into the line of fire, using their remains as projectiles to target the others. Caleb is like a storm given form, swinging his lightsaber through the droids and using the Force in tandem. He dodges several blaster shots and jumps into the air, making the droids focus on him. But he isn't helpless in the air. 

He uses a move he has devised. As he descends, he uses the Force to create a wave of power that spreads outward and pushes the droids away. He uses the speed and aggression of Ataru combined with his favoured Form VI, Niman and zigzags through the droids, cutting them apart as he goes. Caleb has found out that he can incorporate different forms and use more than one at the same time. He has started to use the various forms and adds them to his use of Niman. 

"The kid's not doing half bad," Big-Mouth says. 

"He is reckless. But perhaps, reckless is exactly what we need right now," Billaba says. 

In truth, she thinks something else. Seeing Caleb zoom across the battlefield and use Form IV, Ataru, reminds her of the Grandmaster Yoda himself. Although Yoda is even smaller, she can't help but see similarities. She can't fathom what Caleb will achieve, should he make it through the war and grow to reach his full potential. 

"Our signal's being jammed. No support is imminent or likely," Big-Mouth says. 

"Then, Corporal, you and the Padawan must keep them occupied here. Fully engaged. Understood?" Billaba asks. 

"Understood, general."

Billaba signals for two clones to follow her and makes her way, moving around the droids furtively. Her goal is to find the one controlling them or giving the orders. But for that, she needs Caleb and the others to have the attention on them. And Caleb is more than ready to do just that. 

The Clone troopers take cover behind a small wall of stones and fire at the droids.

"Corporal, target the flanks. I'll deal with the middle!" Caleb shouts as he reflects the blaster shots and keeps his position. 

"Yes, sir!" the Corporal says, not bothering about rank or age.

Caleb doesn't move an inch and takes out one droid after another, keeping their fire pinned on him and giving the clones behind him time to reduce their numbers from the flanks, then moving towards the middle. The tactic seems to be working, as the droids unwillingly take a V-formation and increase their efforts as they move forward. The load increases, and finally, two blaster shots are not reflected by Caleb and hit him in the stomach and chest. 

"Commander!" Big-Mouth shouts. 

But Caleb doesn't answer. He knew the attacks were coming and also that they would hit him, but he didn't care. He could have dodged, but stopped his body from doing so. He would rather take the shots and defend the soldiers behind him; that's the path to get through this, as he has seen it. Naturally, he is not stagnant. He doesn't scream or cry out, despite the pain he's feeling. He is a warrior and pushes on until there is nothing left. 

As he swings his lightsaber through the air, Caleb starts to use the Force as well. He reaches out, forcefully dividing his attention multiple times and lifts up the bodies of the destroyed B1 battle droids, which mar the ground. They slowly rise into the air. 3... 7... 19... 24... 39... Almost 50 battledroids are lifted into the air, above Caleb's head. 

He clenches his jaw in concentration. The droids come together and are compressed into a large ball of metal and electronics. With a yell, he sends the large ball forward, causing it to crash through the approaching droids and destroy them. 

"They're retreating," Big-Mouth says, seeing the remaining droids walk back. 

He walks towards Caleb and looks at him. 

"Are you alright? You got hit, didn't you?"

"Everything is fine. Come, let's find Master Billaba," Caleb says, breathing hard.

The first battle for Caleb was a huge success, and the Separatists suffered a defeat. In the tent, Master Billaba is reporting to the Council what happened. 

[Well done, Billaba. But I'm afraid you won't get much time to relax.]

"Our next assignment is already approaching?" she asks. 

[To Mygeeto, you will go, hmm. Send you more troops, we will.]

"More troops, Master Yoda?"

[Yes, the Chancellor has heard of your success and has personally ordered more troops under your command. It seems your Battalion will grow again.]

"The Chancellor? Why would he do that?" Billaba asks. 

[We don't know. But he seems to appreciate you and your Padawan's success.]