. . "This article, Prelude to Battle, is a short prequel chapter in the Force Chronicles story-line that is set immediately prior to the events depicted in Jedi: Yoda. It features Vin Garth, his apprentice Elena, his former student Pix, and Pix's Jedi Master, Tyr as the main characters. \u201CSeventeen months.\u201D Jedi Knight Vin Garth whispered. His feelings had nothing to do with precognition. It didn\u2019t even involve prejudice. It was simply a gut feeling and Vin always went with his gut. \u201CAre you moping again?\u201D \u201COh, can it.\u201D Vin rebuked with a grin. \u201CPlease be careful, all right?\u201D \u201CI promise.\u201D End."@en . "This article, Prelude to Battle, is a short prequel chapter in the Force Chronicles story-line that is set immediately prior to the events depicted in Jedi: Yoda. It features Vin Garth, his apprentice Elena, his former student Pix, and Pix's Jedi Master, Tyr as the main characters. \u201CSeventeen months.\u201D Jedi Knight Vin Garth whispered. That was the length of time the Clone Wars \u2013 a conflict between the Galactic Republic and the CIS \u2013 had been waging. The Jedi guardians of the Republic served as generals and commanders of an army of one man, and if you listened to the rallying cry of the clone troopers, the right man for the job. They were certainly a deadly force; there was no arguing that away. But Vin Garth knew better than to trust them. His feelings had nothing to do with precognition. It didn\u2019t even involve prejudice. It was simply a gut feeling and Vin always went with his gut. \u201CAre you moping again?\u201D Elena was a carefree lass though the war had done a good job of chiselling away that particular trait. She was altogether more alert and serious, which he found to be a better countenance for waging war. But at times \u2013 and Vin was loathe to admit it \u2013 he liked when his old padawan popped out to say hello. At times he thought she\u2019d changed into a completely different person. \u201COh, can it.\u201D Vin rebuked with a grin. \u201CCome on! If you wanna see Pix off you\u2019ll have to hurry up or you\u2019ll be late.\u201D Elena skipped off. \u201CYou make this sound like my idea.\u201D Vin called after her but to no avail. She had already gone beyond ear-shot. What could he do but follow? Elena had all but insisted that he do this. Apparently Pix still spoke of her \u201Cfirst real adventure\u201D with excitement and enjoyment, though Vin recalled little of almost being blown to pieces by a terrorist bomb \u201Cfun\u201D. It did break the monotony of the day he would admit but never to Pix or Elena. He\u2019d never hear the end of it. \u201CPlease be careful, all right?\u201D \u201CI promise.\u201D \u201CYou can be so reckless though!\u201D Vin came upon his apprentice and Pix close to their transport. The two where so engrossed in their conversation that they paid him no more heed than he would a passing cloud. Instead of saying his piece to Pix he instead turned towards Master Tyr, Pix\u2019s Weequay Jedi master. He was standing close by with his arms crossed against his chest. \u201CMaster Garth,\u201D he greeted. \u201CHave you come to see us off?\u201D \u201CMaster Tyr, it\u2019s good to see you.\u201D Vin answered. He took his fellow master\u2019s hand in friendly greeting. \u201CElena practically dragged me down here.\u201D \u201CIs that so?\u201D Tyr asked, smiling. \u201CI\u2019ll keep her safe.\u201D Tyr said. \u201CSorry, but your thoughts betrayed you, my friend.\u201D Vin chuckled at that. It had been a long time since he last discussed anything with Master Tyr; long enough certainly that he\u2019d forgotten how well honed his senses actually where. Instead of answering he instead gripped Tyr\u2019s shoulder. For Tyr the action spoke a thousand words Vin couldn\u2019t put voice too any other way. He turned towards Pix. \u201CHey, I hope you didn\u2019t think I\u2019d let you go without saying goodbye, did you?\u201D \u201CIs that you Master Garth!? But what are you doing out here? I heard you where on Aldeeran.\u201D Vin shrugged his shoulders which had the look of a practiced motion. \u201CI was, and now I\u2019m back, but enough about me.\u201D Vin replied. Vin was suddenly all seriousness. \u201CPix\u2026 Be careful. I\u2019m sure Master Tyr and Elena have talked your ear off about being careful, but trust me. This is war. Fall back if you get out of your depth; your death serves no one.\u201D \u201C\u2026 I know, master. And thank you.\u201D Vin, with his piece said, reached into an inside pocket and produced a bright blue crystal. The sight of it caught Pix\u2019s eye, who immediately asked the question: \u201Cis that the same crystal?\u201D Vin nodded. \u201CThe very same,\u201D he answered. He had since attached the crystal to a chain and he set it into Pix\u2019s right hand. \u201CI\u2019ve kept it since the bombing.\u201D Vin whispered. \u201CIt\u2019s yours now.\u201D The crystal had powered Vin\u2019s first lightsaber. The bombing had destroyed one of his pairs, and he\u2019d kept the crystal as a memento of sorts. He just didn\u2019t have the heart to put it back into a lightsaber. The crystal was still completely functional, it just wouldn\u2019t feel right, hence the chain. \u201CPix, we must depart.\u201D Master Tyr interjected. \u201CLook after yourself!\u201D Vin called. The Jedi preached that one should not form attachments; that it was against their Code. Vin thought it was the biggest crock he\u2019d ever heard as well as hypocritical to boot. Masters inevitably bonded with their padawans, and sometimes their students. Pix had been one of Vin\u2019s favourites. She was quick to learn but not so much so that she was boring to teach, and her skills had always been impressive. Seeing her now departing for war tugged at Vin\u2019s heartstrings. He hated this war. \u201CHear me.\u201D He whispered, invoking his power of telepathy. \u201CYou know how to find me if you get into trouble. It doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s soon or far into the future: call on me and I\u2019ll be there, and you can be rest assured that I\u2019ll be coming quick, fast and in a hurry.\u201D End."@en . . "Prelude to Battle"@en . .