1
There it was again, that faint yet unpleasant familiar buzzing. It penetrated the speaker's voice, and a white hand, almost surrounded by brown cloth, moved to a black, intricate handle and stroked it. You won't get away this time, Obi Wan thought to himself and smiled. I've been watching you closely, and I will get you, my clever friend. A sudden frantic movement in the buzzing caused Obi Wan's smile to broaden, but the smile suddenly turned into a frown as the buzzing stopped entirely. Oh no! Don't leave yet!
"Troubled you are, Obi Wan," a raspy voice said quietly from Obi Wan's side.
Obi Wan turned his head to gaze at Yoda for a moment. The little green alien was staring at him expectantly.
"Yes sir."
"Indeed. I heard it as well. Go Obi Wan, and find our unwelcome listener. You will not be missed," Yoda nodded.
"Thank you sir."
Obi Wan stood up and hastily left the Senate Assembly, Senator Amidala's voice following him as he entered one of the palace corridors and began to run.
"You there!" he called as a man in guard uniform approached him.
"Yes sir?"
"Where is the man who was just on duty?"
"He is reporting to our commander, sir."
"Thank you," Obi Wan said, and then continued running.
As Obi Wan moved to the guard headquarters, he thought carefully about the strange buzzing that he had heard several times over the past week. He had really felt it more than heard it, but the sensation was unpleasant and troublesome. The buzzing had followed him from Jedi councils, to Jedi training, to Galactic Senate meetings. He had tried to hunt down the person who had so skillfully been listening to the meetings. What made the situation so peculiar was that the clever eavesdropper could hear through sealed doors and walls. Not everyone could do that.
After entering the guard headquarters, Obi Wan went immediately to the commander.
"Commander Brask, I have somewhat of a question to ask you."
"Why, Master Kenobi! What brings you here?" The commander, a tall, pleasant-faced man, asked as he shook Obi Wan's hand, a large smile on his face.
"I need to know who was on guard at doorway 54 of the Great Assembly Room a few moments ago," Obi Wan smiled.
The commander's smile faded and he asked worriedly, "Has he done something wrong?"
"At the moment, I am not sure. Who is the man, and where is he please?"
Commander Brask straightened his shoulders and cleared his throat nervously.
"The young man was Lt. Nicholas, and I believe you will find him at the highest point of this building."
"The highest point?" Obi Wan asked with some confusion.
"Yes sir. Lt. Nicholas seems to have a peculiar fascination with roofs."
Obi Wan chuckled and shook his head.
"Thank you for your time, Commander Brask."
"You are very welcome. Please come any time that you need assistance."
"That I will. Good day Commander."
Obi Wan left the headquarters and went to an elevator shaft.
"He must be hiding up there," he whispered to himself as he entered the elevator, folding his cloak around him. "I shall have to keep a good watch on this one."
The door closed, and Obi Wan mentally prepared himself for whatever reaction the young man would have. He kept a hand on his lightsaber as the elevator continued to soar to the top floor of the building.
When the elevator stopped, Obi Wan stepped out carefully and glanced out the large glass windows that surrounded him. He could see all different sorts of aircraft below, speeding in and out of typical Coruscant night traffic. Before he went to the stairs that led to the roof, Obi Wan stretched out with the Force, searching for the man above him and trying to determine what attitude he would be met with. He did find the person he was searching for, and discovered that the person above had feelings of peace surrounding him. Those feelings comforted Obi Wan a bit, and he approached the stairs boldly.
The door to the roof slid open quietly, and Obi Wan stepped out, immediately looking for the one he had been searching for. He caught sight of someone sitting atop a large structure; his back turned towards the Jedi. Obi Wan began to walk towards him, and almost immediately, the feelings of peace changed to that of surprise, and the man suddenly spun around, his hand on his blaster and an expression of worry on his face.
"Peace, friend. I didn't mean to startle you," Obi Wan said pleasantly, studying the young man's features.
He was certainly young, but he wore a serious expression on his face that far surpassed his age. Obi Wan noted with some surprise that his young student, Anakin, came to mind. Anakin was no doubt an attractive-looking man, but this man beat him as far as looks were concerned. He had straight blonde hair and an amazing light in his dark green eyes. He was also tall and well built with great muscles beneath what appeared to be simple Tatooine garb.
"Master Obi Wan! I had not realized it was you!" The young man apologized and quickly took his hand off his blaster.
"You know my name," Obi Wan commented as he approached the man.
"Of course, sir. Not many in the Coruscant palace don't."
"You are Lt. Nicholas?"
"Yes sir."
"I find it most interesting, Lieutenant that you knew I was here before you either heard me or saw me."
"I just had a feeling someone was behind me sir," Nicholas said with a sheepish smile.
"Is that the same type of feeling you have when you can hear things through the walls? Things that you are perhaps not meant to hear?"
Nicholas lowered his head.
"I do apologize for all that, sir. I am just so interested in what is being said, and I find that I can't stop from hearing."
"You do realize that it is impossible for most people to hear through barriers like that?" Obi Wan asked with interest.
"Is it?"
"Tell me, Lt. Nicholas, what type of training have you had before?"
"Guard training, sir. I am one of Senator Amidala's personal guards. I am also a pilot," Nicholas smiled.
"Is that the only training you have had?"
"No sir, but the other form of training I have had I have decided to keep completely confidential."
"Hmm…I see."
Obi Wan stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Have you ever heard about Jedi training?"
"Yes sir. I have always been interested in becoming a Jedi."
"How did you hear about the Jedi?"
"My parents," Nicholas said, and his voice noticeably lowered.
"Why do you come up here?" Obi Wan asked, changing the subject and sitting down on the roof.
"I enjoy the peace. It gives me time to think. I just wish that I could see the stars. On Tatooine I was always able to see them," Nicholas replied.
"You are from Tatooine then? I have never been to a drier, deader place," Obi Wan chuckled.
"It was home to me, though," Nicholas said.
Obi Wan pulled his lightsaber out of its holster and held it up to Nicholas.
"Have you ever seen one of these before?"
"No sir. What is it?"
"This is a lightsaber. It is a Jedi's weapon."
Obi Wan ignited the lightsaber, and the blue blade illuminated the dark roof.
"What does it do?" Nicholas asked, entranced.
"It cuts through things and deflects enemy fire," Obi Wan explained, twirling the weapon a bit. "Here. Hold it for a moment."
Nicholas licked his lips and then took the lightsaber handle in his hands.
"It's so light," he commented.
"You've held something like that before," Obi Wan said, watching as Nicholas moved the weapon a bit, never taking his shining eyes off the blade.
"Perhaps."
"I believe you have had some Jedi training of a sort before, Nicholas," Obi Wan said as Nicholas handed the blade back to him.
"Not that I know of."
"Your capability to hear through things and sense the presence of others is rare in someone your age who has not had Jedi training before. How old are you?"
"Nineteen, sir."
Obi Wan stroked his chin again, gazing ahead at the dark, foggy sky. Nicholas' capabilities were certainly peculiar and the young man definitely had respect. More respect than other Jedi that Obi Wan knew. Yoda, though, would be suspicious of Nicholas' talents, as would Mace Windu. The young man's past was also something to consider. He was unwilling to give all of his information to someone as powerful as a Jedi Master.
Nicholas studied Obi Wan carefully as the Jedi thought, and he was standing at attention when Obi Wan finally looked at him and smiled.
"I would like to bring you before the Jedi Council, Lt. Nicholas. I believe that you have great aspects of becoming a Jedi, if you truly wish to be one."
"Really?" Nicholas asked, shocked.
"Yes. You've skillfully avoided me for a full week and the capabilities you already have without training would become very powerful if you did train. Would you like to become a Jedi?"
"Very much sir!"
"Very well then. I will speak to the other members of the Council and will inform you when you are to come to our council room. You will not come any time before that."
"Thank you very much Master Obi Wan," Nicholas smiled, and then, with one graceful leap, he was on top of the structure again, and Obi Wan was left marveling.
There was another thing. He could jump up that easily and that high. The Jedi Council was definitely going to hear about this!
Obi Wan went back into the building and was deep in thought as he walked back to his room for the evening. Before going there, he planned to speak to Yoda about bringing Lt. Nicholas to a Council meeting. He had a strange confidence in the young man, a confidence that he had never felt about any other Jedi Padawan. He had certainly not felt that way about Anakin, and had it not been for Master Qui'Gon, he would have refused to take Anakin. Lt. Nicholas and Anakin would make good friends, Obi Wan determined. They were both young and Anakin was ready to take on his first student, under the supervision of Obi Wan, of course.
"Master Obi Wan."
A voice cut into Obi Wan's thoughts, and he turned his head to see Anakin standing there, his dark features nearly blending in with the shadows of the corridor.
"Anakin, my friend, what is it?"
"Master Yoda wishes to speak with you."
"Very well. You may return to your duties."
"Thank you. Good night master."
"Good night Anakin."
Obi Wan watched Anakin leave and he felt amused as he walked towards Yoda's room. Perhaps Lt. Nicholas and Anakin would get along, but they were definitely opposites. Anakin had come far in his training though, Obi Wan had to admit. He had learned to respect his authorities and remained loyal to them. The trick to all of it would be convincing the Jedi Council that Nicholas would be a great asset to the Jedi. That would be no easy task at all.
Obi Wan knocked quietly on Yoda's door and entered after being called.
"You found our listener, Obi Wan," Yoda said, gesturing for Obi Wan to be seated.
"Yes master."
"Was he angry?"
"No sir. Quite the contrary, actually. I found him to be very strong in the force, and he has never had any training."
Yoda frowned, his ears drooping a bit. "You want him to become a Jedi."
"Yes sir. He would be a great addition. He is so skilled already."
"Possible, is it, that he has had training and has not told you?"
Obi Wan shook his head, but it was only half-heartedly. "He told me that he has had some training before, but he was unwilling to tell me what kind, or where he received it."
"Frightened, was he?"
"No sir."
"We will have a Council meeting in the morning without this young person, Obi Wan, and then we shall discuss it there. We have no trainers to spare, and you are busy with your own Padawan, Obi Wan. This situation we must look at carefully."
"Yes."
"You may leave now."
"Good night."
"Good night Obi Wan."
Morning came, and Obi Wan sat comfortably in his chair gazing at the other Jedi masters who were seated in a circular formation in the Council room. Mace Windu sat down last and watched Yoda as he spoke.
"Master Obi Wan Kenobi believes that he has found another pupil to train to be a Jedi. He knows very little about him. Obi Wan, please explain."
Obi Wan cleared his throat and then spoke.
"The young man's name is Nicholas. He is a lieutenant in Senator Amidala's guard. He told me that he is a pilot and is nineteen years old. His skills are exceptional. He is able to hear through doors and walls and was also able to sense when I was approaching him."
"Have you heard anything from his commander about him?" Mace Windu asked.
"No sir. He seemed to have a good respect for the lieutenant, however."
"I have asked the commander to join us," Yoda said. "Let him in, you will."
A tiny use of the force caused the door to slide open, and Commander Brask walked quickly into the room.
"You summoned me?" he asked, looking at Yoda.
"Yes, Commander Brask. Thank you for coming," Mace Windu said as the commander stepped into the center of the circle of chairs.
"How may I help you?"
"Commander, what can you tell us about Lt. Nicholas?" Yoda asked.
"There is much to tell," the commander smiled. "Lt. Nicholas has been with us for almost two years now. He was an excellent fighter and pilot when we received him. He is one of the strongest men in the guard and the fastest. His flying is superb, as well as his shooting. He also has a very eager, alert spirit, and loves best to please his superiors."
Obi Wan smiled to himself as the commander glowed about Nicholas, and then, when he had finished speaking, he asked, "Commander, does Lt. Nicholas have any skills that you find extraordinary?"
"Yes," the commander nodded. "He always seems to know if something is about to go wrong. Two of our pilots have been saved by his quick thinking."
All of the Jedi in the room were deep in thought, and finally, Yoda spoke. "Thank you for coming Commander. Would you please send Lt. Nicholas to us?"
"Yes sir," the commander bowed and then left the room.
"Very strange and remarkable, these things we hear," Yoda said quietly. "We must test this man. Obi Wan, send for Anakin."
Anakin came quickly to the Council room, and after being given some instructions, he left. A few seconds after he left, Nicholas was called into the Council room and was told to stand in the middle of the Jedi.
Nicholas was nervous as he walked into the center of the room, but he hid it well. He had been trained to keep his emotions hidden within him, and it was with a straight back and squared shoulders that he gazed at the Jedi who were all staring at him.
"He is very strong," Mace Windu commented, his eyes on Nicholas'. "And well taught. What was your training on Tatooine, Lieutenant?"
"I was trained to be a guard and pilot by a very substantial leader," Nicholas said, his voice strong and without a quiver.
"Where are your parents?"
"They are both dead, sir. They were killed by enemy soldiers of some sort."
"Who were your parents?" Mace Windu asked.
"I do not know their first names, sir, but I was told always to remember my name."
"And what is your full name?"
"I am Nicholas Xon Jade," Nicholas said a bit proudly, and the Jedi began to whisper amongst them.
Obi Wan's pleasant expression, Nicholas noticed immediately, had rapidly faded.
"Do you know who the Jades were?" Yoda finally asked, silencing the whispers.
"My family sir," Nicholas said.
"Not only were they your family, Nicholas, but they were the most ill-reputed Jedi of their time," Mace Windu said with a frown.
To everyone's surprise, the young guard's face suddenly twisted into an expression of complete shock.
"What?" he gasped.
"There was always at least one of your family members in the Jedi Council, Nicholas, until your parents came," Mace Windu said. "They were disgusted with the way we do things, and so they left the Council. Every Jade that has ever been part of the Council has either been forced to leave or has left of their own accord. Do you know what the Force is?"
"No sir," Nicholas said, a trickle of sweat rolling down his forehead.
"The Force is where we get much of our power from, Nicholas. There is a good Force, and a bad Force. Your family has always been part of the bad Force. I'm sorry, but we cannot take you," Mace Windu said, shaking his head.
"Wait a moment!" Obi Wan interjected, and all eyes turned to him. "You allowed Anakin to become a student when he was too young and strong-minded. Why not give Nicholas a chance?"
"Because Nicholas is a Jade," one of the other Jedi spoke up, and the others nodded their heads in agreement.
"Please give him a chance. If Nicholas starts to go to the dark side, then I will stop his training," Obi Wan pleaded. "Give the lad a chance."
"Qui Gon is dead, Obi Wan," Mace Windu sighed.
"This is not for him. This is for me. I have always done as I have been asked. Please give me a chance with this lad. There is something very special about him, just as there was with Anakin," Obi Wan said gently.
Mace Windu and Yoda exchanged concerned glances, but then Yoda turned his eyes to Nicholas.
"Test him we will," he said quietly, and then, slowly, he pressed a button on the armrest of his chair.
Nicholas' eyes scanned the room, trying to understand what his test was. Three seconds later, he understood. A strange pressure suddenly flowed through him, and he turned swiftly to face the door.
Half a second later, the door slid open and Anakin charged in, his lightsaber held high above him. Nicholas knew that this was a test of skill and discernment, due to the fact that he had been instructed to leave his blaster outside of the room. He watched as Anakin charged towards him, years of combat training flowing through his mind. He braced himself as Anakin drew nearer, and then suddenly, instead of letting the Jedi get close to him, Nicholas charged towards Anakin. He could feel surprise floating through the room as he leaped off the ground and with one leg outstretched, flew towards Anakin. Anakin had been instructed not to use his lightsaber on the young man, so he immediately closed the weapon, and with an outstretched hand, sent Nicholas flying backwards away from him.
The strength that Anakin used surprised Nicholas, but it did not stop him. He moved towards Anakin again, and this time, as the Jedi opened his hand to send another force push towards him, Nicholas flipped backwards, away from Anakin, and then wildly spun around the Jedi, managing somehow to land a firm kick on Anakin's back. Nicholas landed in a crouching position on the ground, and he watched Anakin carefully. Anakin spun around, this time not giving Nicholas a chance to charge him, and leaped into the air. He flung himself towards Nicholas, and using the Force, managed to land a kick at the young guard's head. Nicholas fell back, landing hard on the floor. He was stunned momentarily, but quickly leaped off the ground in time to miss another blow from Anakin.
Five minutes of furious fighting passed before Yoda finally held his hand up and Anakin moved away from Nicholas.
"The boy has skills. There is no doubt about that," Mace Windu said as Anakin stepped next to Yoda. "Very well then, young Nicholas. You will begin Jedi training under the tutelage of Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. You will obey everything that they tell you and will not be permitted to go anywhere without their knowing. As a Jedi, you are forbidden to have any attachment to anyone. Attachment hinders you in your missions and interferes with your strength."
"Yes sir. Thank you," Nicholas smiled.
"You are no longer Lt. Nicholas. You have given up that rank to become a Jedi. Obi Wan will be known as master to you, and Anakin will simply remain Anakin."
Nicholas noted the frown that quickly passed across Anakin's face, but the man wisely remained silent.
"Are our orders understood?" Mace Windu asked.
"Yes sir."
"Very well then. Obi Wan, you will train him and will be held responsible for any misdemeanors that this young man may cause. Anakin, you will do as Obi Wan instructs you concerning Nicholas. You are dismissed."
Obi Wan could feel an astounding amount of energy flowing from Nicholas as he followed Obi Wan out of the Council room. He passed Commander Brask along the way, and Obi Wan explained Nicholas' new assignment to him. The commander was a bit disheartened to see his best guard leave, but everyone could tell that he was very proud of Nicholas and it did him great honor to see one of his own guards becoming a Jedi student.
Nicholas glanced back at Commander Brask as he moved farther and farther away from him. He was excited about the future, but a bit nervous. There were several things that the Jedi did not know about him, that they never could know about him, and he could only hope that he would make them proud. The rules all sounded easy enough to him, but what he failed to realize was that by the time a year had passed, the rules about forbidden attachment would become nearly a stench to him, and the most difficult tests he would ever have would be caused by those rules.