Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars, as might be gathered. I mean no disrespect, I just can't help frolicking in this amazing universe.
Author's Note: You may notice a few things are different; keep in mind this is an AU but I fully admit some things could be wrong. Please comment, any suggestions, impressions, etc. would be appreciated.
Ean Radec tried not to curse at the terminal but it was difficult. As the unofficial resident mechanic at the Jedi Temple, he was often consulted for such duties. There were hired mechanics available, but he enjoyed taking on some of the challenges himself. One of the few Jedi still stationed at the Temple on-hand for field work or Coruscant enforcement, he'd been reduced to looking at this terminal that refused to exhibit any information. He usually fixed these sorts of mundane problems, but this particular terminal wasn't accepting his code. He stood back for a second to clear his mind, ran a hand over his brown hair, then tried again. Still no luck. He sighed. Not the quick in-and-out job he was hoping for. He hiked up his robes and kneeled, examining the panel beneath the screen.
He was about to start prying it open when he felt a tap on his shoulder and a cheerful voice ask, "Can you help me?"
He bumped his head, biting his tongue against the string of curses that again threatened to fly out of his mouth, then backed out still kneeling. Rubbing the top of his head he looked up and saw a smiling young woman.
"I'm sorry, did I catch you at a bad time?" she asked, looking at the computer.
Ean shook his head. "No, actually, your timing is fine. It's the blasted terminal that has issues."
She laughed.
A grin spread across his face despite himself. "What can I do for you?"
"Well, I was hoping I could have my baby tested."
"Baby?" His eyes wandered then noticed she was pregnant.
She patted her belly fondly. "I wanted to know if it would be a candidate for the Jedi."
Ean paused, thinking. "Well, that's really not my area, but I'll see what I can do. How long can you wait?"
"I have a few hours but can come back later if necessary."
He stood. "I'll go find someone. If you go down that hallway and then a left at the statue you'll find a sitting room with refreshments."
"Thank you very much."
"My pleasure." He started to walk away then turned back. "I'm sorry, I never asked your name."
"Kauryn. Kauryn Brak." She said after a pause. Something tingled at the back of his mind, but it didn't seem pressing.
"Ean Radec," replied the Jedi. "I'll return shortly."
Ean walked across the central chamber of the Temple, making his way to find another Jedi. He had put in several years as a field agent, but with the peace of the past several years his talents had turned more towards mechanical problems than societal. He had no idea where the testing facility was.
He was about to turn down another ornate hallway when he bumped into a hoverseat carrying a small withered green creature.
"Master Yoda!" he said in surprise. The Jedi Master was a legend throughout the Republic. Ean remembered lessons from the elderly Jedi as a boy.
The green Jedi chuckled. "More careful cutting corners you should be, hmm?"
Ean chuckled with him, nervously. "Perhaps. Master, I have a young woman who wishes her unborn child to be tested. To whom should I send her?"
Yoda's eyebrows rose. "Requests this she does?" He seemed to dwell on this for several seconds. It was rare for people to volunteer so early. "To the medical lab take her. Level Seven. Find Seran you should."
"Thank you master." replied Ean. He bowed and turned to leave.
"Next time look around corners!" called Yoda.
Ean returned to the sitting room and found Kauryn in a sitting chair, a cup of tea on the table in front of her. He took a moment to observe her, gathering first impressions and instincts.
She was medium height with long black hair than hung down her back, loosely tied. She seemed to be smiling all the time no matter her mood. He noticed the brown pants with horizontal stripes going down both legs. Corellian bloodstripes. She was leaning forward, her pregnancy more pronounced. Her hands were clasped tightly to her lips and her brow was furrowed.
He approached her. When she noticed who it was, the worried look disappeared and she let her hands fall loosely into her lap. Apologizing, Ean led her down the hall. After taking the lift up several levels, they set off down another hallway that led to the science labs.
"So what do you do here besides curse at computer terminals?" she asked.
"I do leave the planet occasionally," Ean replied feigning indignation. "I enjoy fixing things but it's more of a hobby than anything else."
"Have you been called out during the War?"
"I see action occasionally, but no major battles since Geonosis. Some of us remain here at the Temple to see to any problems back home." He shrugged. "We're spread thin enough as it is, but I'm glad to do what I can."
He heard her sigh behind him. "If only Geonosis had been the end to the insurrection. We keep hoping for news of negotiation or some kind of capitulation, but each day brings only disappointment."
"The Clone Wars started in blood and will end in blood. The Jedi aren't pleased but we'll do what we must to protect the Republic."
After walking in silence for several minutes, they passed a room walled in glass with medical-looking equipment and quite a few medical droids.
Ean grinned. "I think we're there."
The room was filled with tables, specialized chairs of an origin unknown to Ean, and medical droids. It looked rather like a hospital. Several windows looked out over Corusant. At the opposite side of the room was a faintly green Twi'lek woman at a computer terminal.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for Seran," Ean called to her.
"That's me," Seran replied, turning around with a smile.
Ean explained their situation with Kauryn standing quietly behind him, a hand held absently over her belly.
"Oh, of course. Timing is no problem. It won't take but a few minutes to do the procedure. Please, come in and get comfortable." She gestured at one of the chairs.
Kauryn sat down, maneuvering to get comfortable with the extra weight. She sat still for a second until Ean turned to leave. "Thank you, Master Radec. For your help."
Ean stopped. He could sense faint loneliness and a desire for a friend. The computer wasn't going anywhere and he didn't often have such pleasant company to talk to. "Well, I don't really have anything pressing, would you like some company?"
"That's very kind of you, and of course I would appreciate the company." She seemed genuinely glad to have him there.
His mind tingled again. Something was slightly amiss. Not wrong or malicious. Something she wasn't telling him. He filed it away in the back of his mind. He took a stool from a console workstation and sat on it.
"So, tell me more about yourself. Where are you from, what do you do, that sort of thing? I noticed your blood stripes."
She shrugged. "I'm not particularly interesting. I'm from Corellia, as you've figured out, came to Coruscant to make a living, then married."
"I've always liked Corellia. Whereabouts?" He leaned forward with childlike enthusiasm.
She laughed. "You like it? I was born in a little town but ended up spending a lot of time in Coronet before moving to Coruscant."
Ean sighed wistfully. "The Jedi don't believe in homes. I just always felt that Corellia would be a great place to settle down. A great combination of urbanization and underdeveloped natural landscapes."
She shook her head, still smiling. "You need to get out more."
He opened his mouth to protest but Seran's return prompted him to close it. She carried a long thin tubular object with lights on the side. First she scanned with a hand-held device, then pulled out the tube.
"Now you won't feel a thing. I need to get some genetic and cellular material from the baby for an accurate reading." She pressed it against Kauryn's stomach, holding it in place. "So why are you doing this? The Jedi usually seek out Force-sensitive children themselves. It's rather uncommon for someone to volunteer, especially when their baby's not even born yet."
Kauryn shrugged. "I wanted to know. To be honest, my husband wasn't too keen on this procedure."
"Ah." said Seran, apparently understanding. Ean didn't but said nothing. He was trying to pinpoint the twinge in his mind that had just gone off again, stronger this time.
"All done." said the doctor after a moment. Kauryn looked up expectantly.
"I'm afraid the data's going to take time to analyze. We have to figure out the midichlorian count and then make a projection to see if it will pass the Jedi codes. It's harder when the child is so young. I can send you the results in an hour or so."
Kauryn nodded. "That's fine. I have to go anyways."
She struggled to get up, gratefully accepting the hand that Ean offered. "I appreciate all your help."
"Think nothing of it."
Ean showed her to the entrance of the Temple.
She paused at the top of the stairs overlooking the shuttle departures. Her countenance was troubled. "Look, I want to thank you for being so kind. My husband's in the Navy and as I don't see much of him, I miss some companionship."
"I could come by later to tell you the results in person. That is, if your husband wouldn't mind a Jedi around."
She shook her head sadly. "He's gone on some military mission. I won't see him for a while. We could meet somewhere later this evening, perhaps dinner?"
"That sounds wonderful. I always love the chance to get out of the Temple for a while."
After they decided on a place that they both knew, he smiled at her. "Safe travels and congratulations on the baby. Regardless of what the results are. Even if your child does become a Jedi, hopefully it won't turn into a cursing Jedi who can't fix things."
Her laugh was cheerful. "Thanks, I think. I'll see you tonight."