[center][b]Aria Blair
Cathar[/b][/center]

The adoration and praise was addictive, and Aria felt a bubbling sensation of pride rising up when she heard the sense of awe that seemed to come from Xeviiy as she spoke about the famous moment in front of the council. Despite the feeling, Aria tried to suppress it. Arren Kae’s teachings of avoiding pride and ego remained with her, and the truth was as Aria saw it; she was no hero. Here she stood amongst Republic soldiers who have trained for battle most of their lives, even many of them who were veterans in the previous conflict. Major Athos was one of those heroes, and idol she meant to talk to more about his experiences. For now, for now it could wait.

Jedi and soldiers boarded their transports, and the transports proceeded onward to capital ships. Assault cruisers shot into hyperspace warp towards Cathar, lead by the capital ship The Harbinger.

Aria learned while she sat on the transport, that the long wait before plunging into battle was the worst. She had never felt more unease in her entire life, an unspeakable force tingling at the back of her mind. She took a deep breath and watched her fellow Jedi around her.

She looked at Xeviiy, studying her face, wondering if the padawan was feeling the same stir of emotions. With a glance, she looked over at Ken and then Leon. Of all of them, it seemed to her Arren Kae was the most calm. Even now, there was no way to read her master. How could the old woman seem so at peace when Aria wanted to throw up?

And she did.

Embarrassed, Aria looked around at the other Jedi. “Sorry.” Was all she could muster. Arren laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “It’s good to be nervous.” The Master could see concern etched on the faces of the Jedi around them, if the girl who gave the rousing speech was rattled they too would be rattled. “You’d be stupid if you weren’t.”

With the words of wisdom, signs of relief appeared on many Jedi’s faces. A soldier came down from the cockpit. “Five minutes to landing, get yourselves ready boys, we’re about kick some Mandalorian ass! For the Republic!” There were cheers amongst the soldiers, and Aria found herself voicing out her thrill along with them.

In the last moments before they touched down, Aria wanted to talk to Major Athos. Ask him a question. Learn something. But, the words didn’t come. She felt troubled by the lack of them, as if she always needed to be speaking or learning something. But, it was then she understood that there were times where quiet was the best. 

Peace. These final minutes were a time to reflect, and prepare. 

Boom! The ship shook. 

“Hold in tight, we’re taking heavy anti-air fire!” Came from the intercom. Aria braced herself, holding tight to the bars that hung against the walls.

“Xeviiy, Ken. Let’s stick together out there.” That was all she could say. The ship landed and the docking bay opened to a hailstorm of blaster fire. 

Republican soldiers were getting butchered running up a beachside hill trying to overtake a heavy gun placement. A few were already crossing blades as artillery blasts sent sand flying into the air. One came extremely close to their group and the blast sent Arren and Aria flying into the dirt.

She came up, and the sounds of battle were drowned out around her. Her ears rang as the chaos unfolded.