The final assault ship in the bay sealed its ramp with a resonant metallic thud.
Engines flared to life in controlled sequence, glowing blue-white beneath armored housings as the massive vessel lifted from the platform with deliberate power. Rain battered against its hull as it rose into the storm, ascending through sheets of lightning and cloud until it vanished into the bruised sky above Kamino.
The bay grew momentarily quieter.
Not silent — the march of other divisions continued along adjacent corridors, and the distant rumble of additional ships preparing for launch echoed through the structure — but quieter in the space immediately before them.
Yoda turned from the railing.
"Time to depart," he said evenly. "Speak more, we will, Prime Minister, after this battle is over."
Lama Su inclined his elongated head with calm acceptance.
"Kamino will await your return."
There was no doubt in his voice that they would.
Kael watched another column of clones pivot and advance toward a neighboring ramp before stepping away from the observation line. Water from the storm outside continued to streak across the outer transparisteel walls, lightning flashing intermittently across the chamber in harsh bursts of white.
He lifted his left wrist and pressed a concealed control along his vambrace.
The comm-link activated with a faint pulse.
"R2," he said evenly, voice routed through an encrypted channel. "Bring the shuttle to the staging area adjacent to this vessel. Dock and secure. We'll meet you aboard."
A quick series of affirmative beeps crackled back through the comm.
Kael lowered his arm.
Yoda had already begun walking toward a secondary ramp leading down to the main boarding platform of the nearest Acclamator. The white corridor ahead curved gently, pristine and clinical despite the war machinery moving through it.
Kael fell into step beside him.
For several paces, they walked in silence.
The thunder of boots continued somewhere below and behind them — endless ranks moving toward their assigned transports. The hum of engines vibrated faintly through the structure as more assault ships ignited.
Rain streaked down the outer walls in distorted patterns.
"Is this what we are now?" Kael asked quietly.
The question did not sound accusatory.
It sounded unsettled.
Yoda did not answer immediately.
Kael's helmet turned slightly toward the smaller figure walking beside him.
"War generals," he continued. "Commanding armies. Sending men to die."
He exhaled slowly.
"I've never agreed with everything the Order stands for," he admitted. "But this… this isn't what the Jedi are."
The corridor opened onto the external boarding ramp.
Beyond it, the Acclamator's immense hull loomed close, rain cascading down its angled plating in shimmering sheets. Clones continued boarding in disciplined waves, their white armor reflecting lightning in stark flashes.
Yoda walked forward steadily, cane tapping softly against the metal surface.
For several long steps, he said nothing.
The storm roared around them.
"Peacekeepers, we are," Yoda said at last, voice calm beneath the thunder. "But peace, sometimes defended must be."
Kael's gaze followed a line of clone troopers as they ascended the ramp without hesitation.
"Defended," he repeated quietly. "Or imposed?"
Yoda slowed slightly, turning his head just enough to meet the edge of Kael's visor.
"The Force guides us," he said. "Not toward comfort. Toward balance."
Lightning split the sky above them, illuminating the endless ocean below in violent brilliance.
"War, we do not choose lightly," Yoda continued. "But if war has come… turn away, we cannot."
They resumed walking.
Kael's boots struck the metal ramp with a steady rhythm, rain striking his armor in relentless percussion.
"And if balance means becoming something we never intended?" he asked.
Yoda's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Then remember," he said softly, "who we are meant to be."
The words carried no simple answer.
Only responsibility.
Ahead, the entrance to the assault ship yawned open — a cavernous interior bathed in industrial light. Rows of clones stood in formation within, silent and waiting for deployment orders.
Kael stepped beneath the shadow of the ship's hull and paused briefly at the threshold.
He looked back once at the storm-lashed skyline of Tipoca City.
Then forward again — into the hold of a warship filled with soldiers who had never known a choice.
"Balance," he murmured under his breath.
And together, Jedi and army crossed fully into the vessel that would carry them to the first open battle of the Clone Wars.