A Fate Unseen: Swarm War

by An Origami Fish

Seven years after the end of the Yuuzhan Vong War, the galaxy has found itself in a downward spiral; the happy end of the war a thing of the past. Fractured and scarred, can the Jedi Order unite and overcome an enemy that cares not for its own fate and wants only chaos? Or will the galaxy finally crumble under the horror that is the Swarm War? Sequel to A Destiny Altered.

2. Ossus

Ossus

{-[I]-} {-[I]-}

The Jedi Praxeum on Ossus was truly an artistic wonder—its architectural style borrowing heavily from the curvy and wave-like influences seen in Mon Calamari structures, and the more utilitarian building-styles of pre-war Coruscant. The most interesting aspect of the Jedi Order's central academy was that the architecture was also influenced by Yuuzhan Vong building styles as well. The layout of the sprawling compound was very reminiscent of the spiral-galaxy arrangements utilized by the Yuuzhan Vong buildings and fleets, which oddly complimented the Mon Calamari architectural features. Glinting brightly as they caught the sunlight, beautiful white, electrum-edged panels curved upwards and outwards like sails sitting atop spiraling, undulating waves. Ridged archways rose up in an intricate pattern amidst these white waves, spanning between specific points in the galaxy-shaped structure; the archways symbolically tying together systems that had historical significance to the Jedi Order.

And all around this gleaming white palace dedicated to the Jedi was a vast array of forests, caves, and mountains, as well as ruins of ages past. A group of Yuuzhan Vong shapers been heavily involved in the academy's founding, even staying on to help the natural flora and fauna, still stunted even after several millennia, thrive. Their presence, coupled with the talents of Jacen, Jedi Master T'ra Saa, and the other nature-inclined Jedi, made the planet a far cry from the desolate wasteland it had once been and more similar to the paradise it had been in ages past. Like the Ossus of the bygone era of the Old Republic, the planet was once again playing an active role in the accumulation of knowledge and teaching of the next generation of galactic protectors.

"Let the Force flow through you," Mara instructed with a hint of a smile on her face. The wooden wind chimes just outside of the meditation room of the Ossus Jedi Academy clacked together as the cool mountain breeze passed through. "You can feel it in every living creature, in the atoms of the duracrete around you. No matter where you are in this galaxy, even if you can't feel it, the Force will be with you."

"Mommy," seven year old Janek Skywalker raised his hand.

"Yes, Jedi Initiate Skywalker?" Mara said, affecting an expression of mock sternness.

"What about when there is a ysalamir nearby? Jedi Knight Lowie said that they take away the Force."

"Not take away, just block it," Mara said. "Like when you hold your hands up to your ears to block out Ben's singing. It's still there, but it's quieter."

"Mom!" Came the immediate protest from the other Skywalker child.

Mara's eyes twinkled. "Even if a ysalamir is keeping you from feeling the Force, don't worry. The Force is still there, watching over you. If you stay calm and analyze your situation without fear, you'll be able to eventually feel the Force again."

"Daddy says that the Force can't always help all of the time. Sometimes you need luck too," Jesmin Sarkin-Tainer chimed in.

"Luck definitely helps," Mara agreed. "Now all of you close your eyes again and reach out with the Force. Become one with the room, with the creatures in the forest outside. Feel the beating of their hearts, the rustling of the branches."

The class of sixteen young Jedi, all no older than eleven, did as they were told. One of the upsides of the ending of the war, before everything had started to fall apart again, was a sudden growth in the galaxy's population. The Jedi definitely had their own contributions, as many of the Jedi Knights and Masters used the two years of relative stability to start families of their own.

There were also the Force-sensitive war-orphaned children who had been picked up by various Jedi over the years. They had ranged in age, with the youngest being only five, to the oldest in their late teenage years. The older ones were already on assignment, while the younger ones thrived in the family-like atmosphere of the Ossus Praxeum.

Mara glanced about her young audience with a broad grin. Even if her time on the galactic stage had passed, it would only be a matter of time before the next generation had their turn. Soon there would be another set of Solos, Skywalkers, and Durrons wreaking havoc and facing off against impossible odds.

She still couldn't believe that Kyp had finally managed to settle down and have three kids of his own. The oldest of the three, six year old Ryza Durron, was among the group of children seated in front of her; looking impossibly cute with a yellow stripe painted across the bridge of her nose and miniature Jedi robes that seemed one size too large for her wrapped around her tiny form. The others, a five year old and a three year old boy, were with their mother, Kadra Bres-Durron—who had taken up the ailing Garm Bel Iblis' position and commanded the Outer Rim Security Fleet.

As unlikely as Durron having children was, Mara thought with a silent laugh, even more unlikely was her, a former Hand of the Emperor, being an actual mother of two. Someone with the time to be a proper mother to her children—declaring bed time, washing their faces, kissing scrapes and bruises—instead of running around the galaxy looking for intrigue and mayhem.

Both she and Luke had retired from the realm of politicking shortly after the war, devoting their lives to their two children and the new Jedi academy set up on Ossus. In a way, all of the students, the orphaned ones in particular, were simply an addition to their family. Another dozen or so children without all the pain of labor and childbirth, Mara mentally amended with a grin as she focused on her biological children.

Both Janek and Ben were close to one and other; territory that came with sharing the last name of Skywalker and all the pressures and spotlights that came with it. Despite the increased scrutiny and expectations, however, they were either too young to feel it, or just didn't care. If the galaxy turned against them, they still had each other as support. Even at their young ages, apart from the standard sibling fights, they were fiercely supportive of one and other.

And that support didn't stop at each other either. They encouraged their friends and the other students with smiles and demonstrations, becoming leaders in their own right even if they didn't realize it. Of course, their patience and actual teaching skills were most likely inherited from their father.

Former Grandmaster of the Jedi Order, Luke Skywalker was passing the days doing what he did best; teaching the next generation of apprentices and knights, and giving them a firm foundation from which to build off of. His lessons had obviously worked for Kam, Cilghal, and the others, and Mara had little doubt that the next generation of knights would be able to benefit from those lessons as well. The lessons were also good for him, with years melting away, no longer burdening him with galaxy-shaking decisions and the ever tiresome politics that went with being a prominent Jedi in the order. On Ossus, he was just 'Master Luke,' one of the many other teachers.

Never in all her many years of experience could she have seen herself as a teacher and a mother. Yet, for some reason, the lifestyle suited her. She had had enough of running around the galaxy, of the blasters and starships. It was definitely time for Mara Jade Skywalker to settle down and enjoy the peace she had fought for for so long.

The door to the meditation room opened, and Tionne Solusar, escorted by R2-D2, entered the room.

"Tionne," Mara smiled at the silver-haired historian. "I've got them all calmed down just for you."

Tionne's light laugh never ceased to brighten the room. "And here I was half expecting to walk in on some sort of sparring practice."

Mara was a wildly popular teacher among the younger students, mainly due to her wildly un-Jedi-like lessons. Unfortunately, telling children to relax and clear one's mind after an adrenaline pumping sparring exercise, or mountain excursion, was nearly impossible. All of the Ossus instructors dreaded having any class that occurred after Mara's unique lessons, and often traded timeslots with each other like they were a highly valuable commodity.

"That's tomorrow," eight year old war-orphan from Chandrilla, Vekki Delin, said brightly. "After we levitate the water balloons over the instructor's quarters."

"We get to fly in the Jade Shadow later on this week to make up for it," nine year old Melodie, Cappricia, added with a smile.

Mara grimaced. Okay, so she wasn't exactly the best of teachers, but she loved teaching anyways.

Tionne just sighed, shaking her head resignedly and patting Mara on the shoulder. "Thanks for trying anyways, Master Skywalker."

"I really did try this time. I couldn't miss your wonderful lesson," Mara said, taking a seat next to her children. "Now what story do you have for us this time, Master Solusar?"

"A new one," Tionne said. "Those holocrons Jesmin's big brother sent back really had a lot of information dating back to the very old Republic era. Over three thousand years ago."

"Oooo," Mara rubbed her hands, allowing Janek to crawl into her lap.

Tionne took Mara's place at the front of the room. The doors in the back of the room slid open, and an older crowd entered. Tionne waved at them with a smile. "Hey, great timing!"

"How could we miss another one of your epic tales of daring and wonder?" Kyp said brightly, plopping down next to his daughter. "It makes our own adventures look drab and dull in comparison."

Luke Skywalker took a seat next to his wife and sons, a relaxed grin on his face. "You always were good at making your stories come to life, Tionne."

"Thank you, Master Skywalker," Tionne blushed slightly. As most of the parents and guardians settled down, Tionne made a brief gesture to draw the shades over the windows. A small orb floated out of the top of R2, and projected a dazzling array of stars on the darkened walls. "And thanks Artoo for helping out."

The astromech warbled happily, as it continued to project the vista of twinkling lights throughout the room.

Tionne smiled and folded her hands in front of her. "A long, long time ago, back before even Master Skywalker was born."

"That's really long then," Ben said with an impish grin, causing the others to giggle. He was one of the older children in the group, but didn't mind helping out with those around his brother's age. Though there were others at Ossus around his age, he often stuck with the younger ones during free time and when he had a choice of lessons. When Mara had one time asked why he didn't want to be with the kids his age, he had responded:

"It's not that I don't want to be with them, it's just, the younger ones are all around Janek's age, and some of them don't have any family. So, since we're all Jedi, they're all like my little brother or sister to me; and because of Janek, I kind of want to help all of them out too. Is that wrong?"

Mara hadn't quite known what to say at the time, other than that she couldn't have been prouder of him. She shook herself from her thoughts to refocus back on Tionne's story.

"A really long time ago," Tionne nodded. "In fact, the records from this time were so old and scattered, that I don't even have a name for this hero."

The stars whirled around and coalesced into a robed figure with its face hidden within the robe's hood. As the older Jedi and their children listened in, Tionne couldn't help but feel her heart warm at the sight. This was all she could ever want in life, could ever hope for. Families of Jedi, the feelings of love and compassion. It only made her all the more determined to share the story she had in store.

"This was a time when the Sith were very much real," Tionne said her melodic voice changing as a red-bladed figure made up of stars appeared to challenge the hero-figure. "A time when the galaxy was at the very brink of war. You see, the Sith specialize in discord and chaos, thrive and draw their strength from the sufferings of others. The Republic of that time didn't have the strength to beat them in a war, but were strong enough that the Sith couldn't beat them outright. Both had half the galaxy, and both wanted the other half but couldn't get it. It was a cold war."

"Is a cold war fought on Hoth, with wampas and tauntauns?" Jesmin whispered in confusion to her father.

There were smiles from the older Jedi as Kell bent down and explained the concept in a quiet voice so as to not interrupt the story.

In the meantime Tionne continued. "Now, when compared to the population of an entire galaxy, one man or woman might not seem like much. After all, there are so many stars in the sky, so many systems, it all seems so big, doesn't it?"

The projector displayed Ossus, then steadily zoomed out, revealing a swirling galaxy in all its magnificence. The children all nodded, wide-eyed.

"But thanks to the actions of an ancient Jedi, a Jedi Knight Carsen, the galaxy shaking actions of one very brave Jedi were recorded and preserved in a holocron. Masters, Knights, apprentices, initiates, I present to you now the story of the Hero of Tython..."

As she spoke, her words weaving a wondrous tale of far off places, daring sword-fights, and epic space battles, the sun began to set in the distance. She told of heroes and villains, of an era so long ago it was almost forgotten. Of tragic deaths and triumphant victories, of spies and brave soldiers. Of romances and betrayals. Colorful cities of a bygone era were projected all around the room, the sounds of exotic animals, of a busy market on some distant world filling air. The sounds of blaster fire, of lightsabers humming, of walkers, and starship engines, played from R2 to accentuate the story. Tionne continued to speak, her words like magic as it captivated the young minds of her audience, preserving the history of the Jedi with every soft-spoken note.

It was sometime later when the story was over. Night had set and the day's lessons were finally over. The families filed out of the room. Some of the children would be going to the evening meal, others to their dormitories, or with their parents back to their homes. The informal nature of the Jedi Praxeum on Ossus sometimes made it more of a Jedi daycare or boarding school than an actual academy.

Unlike Jedi Orders of old, attachment and families were most definitely welcomed. Friendships, crushes, and feelings other than peace and serenity, while not exactly encouraged, were not discouraged either. The younger children especially, were allowed to keep in contact with their families and to navigate the various social bonds and troubles that came with growing up.

"Wonderful story, Tionne," Leia Organa Solo said, standing in the back of the room with her husband.

"Thank you," Tionne inclined her head politely. She was packing away several ancient Jedi artifacts that had been included in the story. It wasn't every day one got to see a three thousand year old holocron or lightsaber. "I enjoyed telling it just as much as the children enjoy listening."

R2-D2 blerped in objection.

"You did a great job too, Artoo," Leia laughed, walking forward to pat the domed-head of the astromech. "You really made that story come to life."

R2 warbled, pacified, which caused the humans around it to grin.

"What brings the two of you to Ossus so early?" Mara asked, waving goodbye to her children as Luke took them off to the dining commons. "We weren't scheduled to go to Hapes for another few days."

"A favor, actually," Leia said, looking sheepish. "Han actually managed to talk me into not talking myself out of it."

"Oh?" Mara smiled at her sister-in-law.

"Can you teach me how to use the Force?" Leia said directly.

"Oh?" Mara's eyebrows rose.

"Yeah," Leia chuckled. "I know it's a little late for me, but if I have the abilities. I figured connecting with the Force will help me better connect with my children, with this galaxy, and help me make this galaxy a better place."

"Shouldn't you and Han be enjoying your second honeymoon?" Tionne asked lightly.

"What she said," Mara added with a nod. "Force knows you two deserve one."

"Kind of hard to do," Han interjected. "We have two Wookies who insist on carrying out a life-debt in the place of Chewie. Two Noghri who insist on being our bodyguards no matter where we go. And Threepio, who seems to annoy everyone we leave him with, causing more headaches than he's worth."

"Anyway," Leia said. "Han and I got to talking. With the galaxy in the state it's in now, the last thing it needs is another politician. And being a politician is all I really know. If you have the time, or know someone else who does, I'd like to start embracing the Jedi-part of my heritage. Maybe I can make a difference as a Jedi."

"Whether I'd be a good master for you actually depends on what type of Jedi you want to be," Mara said, sitting down on the smooth granite floor. "If you want to be assigned to a single planet, like the Mareks or Horns, I might be able to help you there. If you want to be one of those adventuring types like your children, however, the best way you can learn is through experience out in the stars. I probably won't be the best teacher for you, then. Luke and I have settled down, and we're quite happy here."

"Do you have another Jedi in mind?" Leia asked, not at all disappointed.

"If you've really thought long and hard about this, go to Master Sebatyne on Yavin Four," Mara supplied. "Where Ossus is focused more on an instructional, research angle, Yavin Four handles many of our older students and more adventurous galactic assignments. Master Sebatyne, Master Kel, and Master Ramis are the main instructors there, and they alternate going on assignments with their students. You should be able to find a teacher there."

"Thank you."

"It's what family's for," Mara shrugged. "Are you and Han staying for dinner? Lando's going to drop by later and put on some type of lightshow for the families here, so we're eating outside."

"We might as well," Leia nodded, as Han also tilted his head in agreement. "How have you and my brother been doing?"

"Busy," Mara laughed. "Who knew that taking care of two Force sensitive boys would be more challenging than some of the assignment the Emperor gave me?"

Leia chuckled. "I could have told you as much, Mara."

"Between our children and the classes we teach, we have our hands full. It's a busy life, but we're happy, content."

"I'm glad," Leia gently brushed her hand against Mara's arm.

"Yeah, me too. Your brother's much more fun, more of that Farmboy from Tatooine, when the only thing he has to worry about is whether he packed the kids' lunch or whether he has to do the dishes or pick up the kids from class. You and Han?"

"Busy," Han answered. "But at least it's the sort of good busy."

"We've been trying to help several of the reconstruction and restoration efforts," Leia elaborated. "Apparently the 'Solo' name helps gets a few wheels greased and stalled applications and allotments un-stalled."

"Like Tionne said, you guys really need to take that second honeymoon," Mara said wryly. "There's more to life than saving the galaxy you know."

"This coming from you?"

"I became wiser with age," Mara mock huffed. "What's your excuse?"

"We're Solos," Leia shrugged, as if that explained everything.

"Right," Mara rolled her eyes and stood again. Brushing herself off, she gestured towards the doors. "Come on, hopefully Luke's saved two extra places for us at the table. Four, if Cakhmaim and Meewalh are joining us?

"It's alright. They said they'd eat on the Falcon."

"I guess with an entire building full of Jedi, they decided that we were safe enough," Han added. "And they're probably right. Who in their right mind would try to make trouble at a Jedi Praxeum?"

{-[II]-} {-[II]-}

"Look, the Mandalorians!" Excited cries from the younger Jedi broke through the evening meal chatter. Everyone temporarily stopped what they were doing to see a squad of heavily armored individuals emerge from the direction of the praxeum's landing pads. Helmets held in their arms, their matching blue or gold painted armor accented stern-looking faces.

The night air was warm and comfortable, and the dazzling array of stars above was unmarred by any sort of light pollution. Only the faint glow of bio-engineered bioluminescent Yuuzhan Vong reeds illuminated the paths to and from the courtyard. But with the Force as their guides, the occupants seated along the long benches didn't need light to see the new arrivals.

"Big brother!" Jesmin Sarkin-Tainer exclaimed brightly. The seven-year old swung her legs over the side of the bench and took off in a flash.

Laughing, Jedi Knight Doran Sarkin-Tainer bent down and caught her as she flung herself at him in an affectionate flying leap. "Hey there, Jesmin. Miss me?"

"Uh huh," the young girl beamed, looking absolutely tiny against her older brother's much larger body. "Guess what! I levitated three rocks today, at the same time!"

"Really? That's great!" Doran shifted so he could continue to support his younger sister and walk at the same time. "You'll definitely be a Jedi Knight in no time."

"Glad you could make it," Kell Tainer said with a youthful smile.

"Thanks dad. Sorry we're a little late, but we had to pick up a few extras."

"Your guests?"

"Right," Doran set Jesmin back down on the ground and gestured to the Mandalorians behind him and his apprentice. "This is the new Mand'alor, Belok Rhal."

"Mandalore," Mara Jade Skywalker greeted politely.

"Jedi," Belok said coolly.

"Mand'alor , Kyrelle, and I were discussing using the newly built Mandalorian fleets to help safeguard areas currently being protected by the Jedi," Doran explained. "They take over and free up more Jedi for the rest of the galaxy."

"For a sizable fee, of course," Belok added. "Mandalorians are not charity workers after all."

"As mercenary as ever," Mara quipped. "Whatever happened to the previous Mandalore?"

"Boba Fett stepped down after the Vong War ended," Kyrelle explained. "Dinua's dad, Beviin, took over for a little bit, but he also stepped down last year, after that Tion Hegemony mess. Belok's been leading the Mandalorians ever since."

"The negotiations were running a bit over so I invited him and some of his clan to dinner," Doran finished with a sheepish shrug.

"You're more than welcome, Mandalore," Tionne said gracefully.

"Appreciated."

Despite the initial eagerness, however, a majority of the younger Jedi seemed a bit cowed by the armored and tough auras the Mandalorian party was exuding. The conversation died down as the young ones appeared anxious to know where these imposing men and women would sit. The potential situation was alleviated only moments later when a young, blond-haired girl around ten years old fearlessly came up to the heavily armored Mandalorians with a platter of appetizers.

"Here. Try some, they're good."

Raising an eyebrow, Belok did as he was bid, the other five with him following his lead. After taking a few bites, he nodded once. "They are acceptable."

"There's more than enough for seconds. You know you just can't take one."

Belok smiled faintly. "You've got spirit, girl. What's your name?"

"Jedi Initiate Kani Asari," the golden-haired girl bent her knees in a half-curtsy. "Come have a seat at our table, we have room."

"One of our braver initiates," Doran deadpanned. "Don't worry, the young ones aren't all like her."

Belok shrugged. "A pity. It would seem your Order is poorer for it. Jedi Initiate Asari, lead the way."

"Yes, Mandalore, sir!" Kani grinned, taking his hand and tugging him towards the table she had stood from.

"So much like my daughter," Belok murmured under his breath.

Kani's sharp ears picked it up and she looked up to the Mandalorian leader. "Oh, what's her name?"

"She was called Bralir," Belok said stiffly.

"'Was'?" Kani's expression fell.

"She and her mother were killed when the Vongese razed Manda'yaim."

"Oh…I'm…Sorry never does seem to be enough, does it?"

"No. You've experienced loss too. I can see it in your eyes, child."

"My parents. They're…gone. Also the war."

"Nu kyr'adyc, shi taab'echaaj'la."

"Huh?"

"A benediction to those we care for who have had the misfortune to fall before us," Belok answered stiffly. He placed a hand on Kani's shoulder. "But enough of these thoughts. Now is the time for eating."

"Right," Kani forced a brave smile and gestured to the other Mandalorians. "I hope you're hungry. Master Solusar makes a mean Adumari roasted waterfowl."

With the Mandalorians seated, Jesmin led her brother and Kyrelle over to another table, and started chatting away about her latest achievements. The other conversations and good cheer started up again, the meal resuming as if nothing had happened.

A little while later, Lando Calrissian announced his arrival with a garish firework display that was met with great applause. The entrepreneur and showman flashed his pearly whites and laughter filled the air, regaling them all with his exaggerated tales of greatness and daring. It was a peaceful night, a happy night, one filled with family and friends. In short, it was just another night at the Jedi Praxeum on Ossus.

{-[III]-} {-[III]-}

As the morning light once again washed over the flowing white arches of the Ossus Praxeum, a small group of students were already deeply immersed in their studies.

"That's it," Jedi Master Tallisibeth Enwandung-Esterhazy, or Scout to her students, coached. Now entering the seventieth year of her life, Scout had remained with the Jedi Order despite having a home back on Mandalore. She, like many other Jedi of the previous Order, wanted to dedicate the last of her years teaching the next generation what she knew, sharing with them the secrets of the old order so that they wouldn't be lost forever. "Focus not on what your partner is already doing, but on what they will do."

Ben Skywalker, with the 'older' students, focused his sharp blue eyes on the ten-year old girl across from him. Kani Asari, his best friend and greatest source of distress. They tended to work well together on many assignments. That is, unless they were getting on each other's nerves and angering the other to no end; which seemed to happen just as often as them getting along. Whenever their instructors paired them together, they could only hold their breaths and pray for the best.

Unfortunately, Scout happened to not be as lucky. Kani had been angry with him since last night's meal, and he was still trying to figure out why.

"Ouch!" Ben yelped, shaking his arm off as Kani backed away from her lightning-fast kick.

"Concentrate, Skywalker," Kani said, her voice just a note away from mocking.

Ben shook himself from his thoughts and narrowed his eyes. Recalling the instructions Scout had taught them, he called on the Force and focused on his currently not-so-best-friend. The Force allowed him to sense the air around her, the slight tightening of her muscles as she coiled them for a strike. All at once he could see possible movements, hundreds of ways she could attack him next. He breathed in, released his breath, and tried to determine which of those possibilities was about to occur. Suddenly, one of the images he was seeing darkened.

At the last moment, Ben blocked another spinning kick and tried to dump Kani to the ground. The blond girl, however, used her moment to gracefully launch herself into a series of flips. She landed on her feet, tilted her chin up at him and flipped her hair, before dropping back into her combat stance.

"What'd you do this time, Ben?" Fourteen year old Azil Rhees, a Gran student said lightly.

"I have no idea," Ben muttered back. Being a Skywalker meant he had friends in all age groups, and Azil was among them.

Using a Gran's innate ability to read emotions, Azil tilted his head. "Whatever it is, you both angered and hurt her. You should probably apologize."

"For what?" Ben said in exasperation.

"I don't know, but I've always heard that apologizing solves a lot of problems. I have to get back to the exercise, now. Master Esterhazy is glaring at me."

"Some help you are!" Ben groaned. He glanced back to Kani, who was awaiting him with a challenging lift of her eyebrow.

Doing his best to conceal his intentions, he began his approach. Her own purple eyes seemed to follow his every step like a hawk, glimmering with anticipation. As a war orphan and someone who had been traumatized by all the deaths she had felt during the Yuuzhan Vong War, Kani normally shunned violence and usage of the Force. But she never seemed to have any problem using it to kick his butt. They had become friends two years earlier, bonding over the fact that they had both been too scared to use the Force in any significant manner for fear of feeling more death. They had somehow both helped each other work through their mental hang-ups, and since then would almost always call on the other if they needed help.

If only he could call on their bond and figure out what he did wrong, Ben mentally sighed. He threw out a series of rapid punches, using the hand-to-hand combat techniques also taught by Scout. She dodged the first few and then lashed out with her foot once more.

Ben had never been more grateful for the protection provided by the protective sparring equipment than he had been at that moment.

"Sorry," he managed, quickly pedaling backwards and out of range.

The amethyst fire he saw in her eyes died down slightly as she sent him a pouting glare. "You should be."

He wracked through his mind, trying to find out what about last night's conversation had upset her. Evidently she wasn't as patient and her purple eyes seemed to glow a bit brighter in the morning sunlight. Suddenly Ben found himself watching the previous night's dinner—in the very same courtyard they were now sparring in—in ghostly form.

He wasn't surprised. She had done this several times before; pulled them into the past. The first time it had happened, it had stunned him, but he has since grown used to it. His cousin Jacen had told him that the ability was a form of Flow-Walking, and that Kani seemed to be able to do it intuitively.

She had just explained that it was something she had always been able to do. As a young orphan girl, frightened by the terrors of war, she had wanted her mommy and daddy and had instinctively used the Force to try and be with them. Since then, under Jacen's guidance via comm-calls, she had gained some amount of control over it. But apart from moments with her parents, she could only use her abilities to go back, at most, a few days at a time. She had also only recently gained the ability to take Ben with her when she did.

And now the two of them were almost ghostly in appearance as they watched the dinner from the previous night. It was before the Mandalorians had arrived, while everyone was waiting for the serving droids to finish bringing out the food from the kitchens.

"So, I'm going to be going with my mom, and dad, and Janek, along with my aunt and uncle to see the birth of my cousin's baby. Isn't that cool?"

"Yeah," last-night's Kani said with forced enthusiasm. Unlike the previous night, Ben could clearly feel her emotions this time. Bitterness and jealousy mingled with sadness and hurt as her last-night's self kept up a brave front.

"Not sure when we'll be back. But I'll have my entire family there so it won't really matter. I mean, I get to see my mom and dad practically every day, but it's nice to just be with them without having to share them with the dozens of other students. And I almost never see Jacen or Jaina. It's been ages since we've had a family outing."

"Have fun."

"I will," last-night's Ben nodded eagerly. He continued to go on about he looked forward to seeing Jacen again, how he couldn't wait for his uncle to let him fly the Falcon, unaware of the pain growing in last-night's Kani's chest.

"I'm sure it will be great," this time last-night's Kani was forced to look away to keep him from seeing a tear form.

All at once, Ben found himself back in the Ossus courtyard. The two suns continued to shine above them, and the students around them continued to train, but they seemed to fade away as he became keenly aware of just how much he had hurt her. Her eyes were shining again, both accusatory, but also full of hurt. And he suddenly felt like the lowest of the lowest scum. Here he had been, going on about his family, about spending time and enjoying the break away from the others, when she really had no family of her own. When she didn't have that luxury to be zipped away for the birth of a cousin's baby, or have that uncle who spoiled her rotten.

Forgetting the exercises, Ben quickly walked to her and hugged her. She stiffened at first, but then began to sniffle. "Come back fast, please, Ben?"

"I promise," Ben muttered, using their Force bond to communicate just how sorry he was for unintentionally hurting her. "The moment we leave Hapes, I'll have Uncle Han take me and Janek and mom and dad back here."

Then, as if a switched was flipped, they both froze. Shyly, and with heat rushing to their cheeks, they quickly stepped apart and tried to look anywhere but at each other.

"Time to change partners!" Scout called out conveniently, her amusement-filled gaze lingering on two of her younger students.

"We'll go to our spot after this?" Ben asked.

Kani nodded, wringing her hands. "Yeah. I meant it though, have fun with your family."

"Want a souvenir from Hapes? I mean, Cousin Jacen is the dad of the Queen Mother's baby."

Kani nodded again. "I'll tell you later."

And just like that, the two were an unbeatable team again, even if they had just changed partners.

{-[IV]-} {-[IV]-}

"Like this," Cappricia said, brushing off a dirt-covered crystal with the soft brush in her hand. The Melodie then handed the brush and another dirt-covered crystal over to one of her younger partners. "Here, Janek, you try."

The seven-year old carefully took the crystal and brush and mimicked the Melodie's actions. "Like this?"

"Uh huh." Cappricia handed brushes and more dirt-covered objects to the others in her group. "Now, Master Sitra said that these are part of the records of the old library here. We're all helping the Jedi Order by recovering these bits of information. Right Master Sitra?"

The Melodie looked up to the purple-skinned Twi'lek Jedi, Jedi Master Rachi Sitra, who was supervising the excavations at the Great Jedi Library. "Correct, Initiate. For example, the shard you just cleaned." Cappricia handed over the crystal, and Rachi plugged it into a specially modified holoprojector.

An image immediately formed, and for a couple of seconds, a Jedi from millennia past could be seen demonstrating several lightsaber moves. The image was grainy, and there was little explanation, but it was just a miracle as it was to see the ancient information it contained. The scene ended though, and the crystal appeared to blacken.

"It's gone," one of the younger students said in surprise.

"Don't worry," Rachi said, gesturing to the device. "The information, no matter how small or corrupted, has been stored in this for later analysis. Many of the crystals and datacards you're finding are very, very old."

"Like from the time of the Hero of Tython," Janek said, making the connection.

"Right, around that time," Rachi agreed.

The young Jedi all looked awed at the collection laid out before them. It was one thing to hear a story and see a few trinkets of the past, but it was another entirely to be a part of its uncovering. They diligently went to work cleaning the crystals and datachips in front of them as Mara, Han, and Rachi looked on.

"You still want to trust them with those things?" Mara said in a low voice. She and Han were on the 'fieldtrip' as chaperones for the dozen-plus budding Jedi. "I mean, they are kids."

"Don't worry, much of the information has already been codified by the older students," Rachi replied back just as softly. "It was getting the data crystals and chips dirty again without damaging them that was the hard part."

"Is there anything we don't already have?"

"A couple," Rachi murmured. "Some were too risky to scan more than once. Others can handle being dropped by less deft hands. Strangely enough, Master Skywalker, I do know what I'm doing. Archaeology has always been a hobby of mine."

"I know," Mara chuckled. "Just never thought I'd actually see a Jedi archaeologist in action."

"With the way the galaxy was going, neither did I," Rachi retorted with a grin.

"Still don't see the point in this," Han scratched the back of his head. "I mean, isn't this a whole new Jedi Order, with your own way of doing things? What's the point of digging up all these old Jedi relics and datachips that probably have data several thousand years out of date? Digging through my past certainly won't tell you anything about the life I'm living today."

Rachi glanced mildly at the former smuggler. "I do not expect a person like you, Mr. Solo, to appreciate the finer points of archaeology. There is no doubt that unless you are running from people wanting to kill you and avoiding well-planned death traps, you would not find it interesting. The Jedi Order is built upon the successes and failures of Orders past. We would not be aware of those successes and failures if we do not spend the time and effort to preserve it for future generations to learn from."

"All right, all right," Han held up his hands in surrender. "Sorry, your great Jediness. Didn't mean to step on your toes. It all just seems, well….boring. I mean, cleaning rocks and datapads? Leave it to a droid. My kids would have run away if told to clean something up, especially if it was their rooms. So there has to be something wrong with these Jedi kids you're raising."

Mara smirked at her brother-in-law. "Master Sitra might be right Han. Why don't you go venture into the Jedi Library and see if you can't find us some Jedi cultists to fight. That will probably make things more like your kind of archaeology."

"I would, but your boy beat me to it already," Han said alluding to one of Ben's earlier adventures.

"Master, someone's coming," Cappricia interrupted, straightening and point towards the mountain pass.

Rachi motioned for the children to line up, and they did so obediently. Mara silently stood in line next to Rachi, her green eyes sparkling with warmth.

Han, however, just rolled his eyes and leaned against a large boulder. "Speak of the Hutt."

"Hail, Ysanna," Rachi called out.

"Hail, Jedi," a voice echoed in response. Several large creatures lumbered into view, each with a group of individuals on their backs. They reached the perimeter of the ancient library and dismounted.

A group of dark-skinned individuals wielding slug-throwers and wearing masks based off of ancient Sith designs, all gathered around a single elderly figure. They were the Ysanna, Ossus' only indigenous population. Descendants of Jedi of ancient times, for the Ysanna it was more unheard of for someone to not be Force-sensitive, than for someone to have the abilities. For the longest time though, they had had very little training, and considered the ability to use the Force more akin to magic than anything else. That was until a Jedi fleeing Palpatine's Purge landed on the war-torn planet and took over the local tribes as their ruler.

The Ysanna and their ruler had watched from the shadows as the Jedi Praxeum was built up, staying out of the way of the Jedi in both fear and doubt. Eventually, though, contact was made.

A year earlier, Ben and some of his friends had been exploring the Great Jedi Library and had encountered several Ysanna children doing the same. Ben and the others were taken back to the primary Ysanna village and to the leader. There they had discovered that the Purge-era Jedi had fallen to the dark-side and believed himself to be the only 'true' Jedi remaining. A short series of adventures, and a couple of white hairs for Mara and Luke later, and Ben and his friends had managed to not only help redeem the fallen Jedi, but establish a strong friendship with the Ysanna people.

Tionne had considered the alliance more than poetic—three different lineages of the Orders of past times coming together for a rebirth of a new kind of Jedi, on a planet likewise being resurrected. All three were also benefiting from the alliance, with both cultural lessons and Force-based lessons being exchanged on many levels.

"Lord Travgen," Rachi addressed the ruler of the local people with a polite tilt of her head.

"Jedi Sirta. I hear today is a day for lessons with the younglings," the elderly man chuckled.

"You've heard correctly," the Twi'lek master said.

"Good, I brought some Ysanna who would benefit from learning of the past," He gestured and a group of children around the same age as the young Jedi of Janek and Cappricia's group, all quested forward. "They will help you reclaim what the Jedi have lost."

"Thank you, Lord Travgen."

"Indeed. When you are finished here, send them back. They know the way."

"Come on," Janek called out eagerly to several of the Ysanna children. Neither group of children were strangers to the other. As they became older, they would even share in each other's lesson on Force techniques. "We're cleaning data crystals today."

And just like that, the two groups of children meshed seamlessly. Hands grabbed cleaning brushes or soft cloths, while others passed around the findings pulled out of the ancient repository. Excited chatter filled the air, and Mara, Han, Rachi, and two of the older Ysanna warriors moved from one group of children to the next with their special holoreaders.

Life had returned to the Great Jedi Library, and soon its knowledge would once again be able to be shared by the Jedi Order.

{-[V]-} {-[V]-}

While the sounds of various training exercises wafted up through the wide open windows of the archway known to the occupants of the Ossus Praxeum as Coruscant-to-Yavin, several older Jedi Knights were gathered around the upper-most room's holoprojector. Jedi Master Jaden Korr's image shimmered as he addressed the gathered crowd.

"Thank you all for coming. I'm sure by now you're aware of a critical problem facing this Order."

"The missing initiates," Jedi Knight Si'ada said knowingly.

"Yes. In the past seven years, nearly sixty-three potential Jedi were taken from their homes before our own teams could reach them. In each case, the families were under the impression that the ones that came before our people were representatives of the Jedi Order. Of those sixty-three, twenty-eight of them are from this year alone. And all this is in addition to the sudden absence of a majority of the Nightsister clans on Dathomir.

This creates a problem on three levels.

One, with at least sixty-three potential Jedi missing, the younger population of our own praxeums have been declining.

Two, sixty-three potential Jedi missing means that someone has been collecting them for means that cannot possibly have any good bearing on this galaxy.

And three, even after our seven years of investigation we are no closer to uncovering the culprit then we were when investigations first began.

Though in the past we have only sent out teams of four or six to look into this matter, in light of the current state of the galaxy, the High Council has decided that the issue has gone on long enough, has become too serious. We're drawing the Ossus Praxeum's reserves and tasking all of you with finding out where exactly these sixty-three potential students have gone. We know they are still alive, as some of the families they come from are Force sensitive and can still feel them. We also know that the same group of individuals is responsible for taking each student, and is almost certainly dispatched after Ossus receives word of a possible initiate."

"So…all of us are being sent out?" Jedi Knight Bazel Warv asked.

"Yes. The sixteen of you currently present. Most of you will be dispatched in teams of two to locations that might or might not contain leads. While helping out the people of your assigned area will be your main goal, your secondary objective is to learn whatever you can about the missing initiates. Some of you, Jedi Knight Warv, Jedi Knight Hellin, Jedi Apprentice Rivai, and Jedi Apprentice Twool, will be assigned pick-up duty for several more potential Jedi recruits. We will be delaying the official transmissions in hopes that you can arrive before the mysterious kidnappers do, or at least in time to challenge them. Due to the risky danger of the mission, you'll be assisted by the Jedi Death Knights of Yavin Four. "

Si'ada grimaced, while the others quickly sobered. The Death Knights had changed in both purpose and image in the years following the war. And though the change had been for the better for the Death Knights, she still objected to their philosophies and practices. She knew she wasn't the only one.

The Death Knights may have become a far cry from the grief-stricken and rage-filled pilots that had been the Death Knight's original incarnation, but the thirteen Death Knights were no-more welcomed by a majority of the Order than their predecessors had been. Too many saw them as 'dark Jedi pretending to be light,' and their philosophies as perversions of the ancient Jedi teachings. The Tion Hegemony incident didn't help any either. Yet Waxarn Kel, Octa Ramis, and Saba Sebatyne weathered the storm of criticisms without complaint, and continued to vouch for their crack team of Jedi warriors.

"I know your feelings about working with Master Kel's people, Si'ada, and I apologize."

"We're desperate for answers, I understand," Si'ada said with a brave grimace, trying not to think about her former master and the first generation of Death Knights. "Don't worry, I won't let my personal feelings get in the way."

"Thank you." Jaden turned his gaze back to the rest of the crowd. "I am transmitting your orders now. A word of advice, if you will notice, most of you are receiving coordinates to areas high in refugees and low in governmental control. Do your best to bring the light to these darkened corners first, and maybe the people there will be more willing to assist you. Contact the council if you find anything. Denon, out."

{-[VI]-} {-[VI]-}

At the apex of another archway, Tython-to-Ossus, a much more serious meeting of politicians was taking place. Master Cilghal, backed by Master Kam Solusar, were both in range of a holo-camera as they attended the High Council meeting on Denon.

"That's out of the question," Kam said coolly. "Unlike in the Yuuzhan Vong War, our students are just that, students."

"I concur. There is no guarantee the crime levels will decrease even if we let the apprentices and younger Jedi join the older ones already in the field," Cilghal said calmly, though there was a hint of steel in her voice.

"It may not be an official war, but we are at war, Jedi Master. The crime rate has continued to skyrocket despite all our best efforts. Several smaller governments have already collapsed from it and descended into anarchy. We need the Jedi out in the field, and urgently, regardless of how young they are." The hologram of Director of Allied Intelligence, Belindi Kalenda argued.

"What Jedi we can spare are already working with the refugees and transient populations," Cilghal said. "Those we still have at Ossus are present for both security purposes and to teach the younger generation. If the nearly hundred and fifty Jedi already in the field can't make a difference, what little we can spare will hardly help. I will not allow another generation of Jedi to lose their childhoods."

"The same goes with Yavin Four," Octa Ramis' own hologram agreed. "Our own part of that one hundred and fifty is tied up with taking down organized crime and slaving rings. We're every bit as stretched as they are."

"Dathomir has likewise contributed to the Galactic Alliance fleets and Intelligence units," Kirana Ti voiced. "We have forty-eight of our people already out and can spare no more."

"What about the Corellian Praxeum?" Senator Ta'laam Ranth, Minister of Justice, asked. "Aren't they a part of the Order? Corellia and her allies are relative stable so they should be available."

"The Corellian Praxeum was founded only two years ago. They are still forming an identity, building up their numbers. They have eight full-time Jedi available for missions, and all are being used," Jacen Solo replied professionally. "No matter how much you want us to pull more Jedi out of thin air, that just isn't possible, senators."

"Rather than attack the symptoms, would it not be better if we looked for the cause?" Cilghal recommended. "What is causing these spikes in crime?"

"We've been looking for the answer the past five years," Belindi said with a tired shake of her head. "And we're no closer to discovering the cause than we were at that time. The moment we take down one crime syndicate another seems to pop up overnight. And now, now things are slowly slipping from our control. It's only a matter of time before something catastrophic slips through our net. The Jedi are the only ones capable of seeking out these unconventional threats."

"If I may, I might have a solution," Commerce Minister, Pal'iva Konat said. "Detach the Jedi from the Galactic Alliance groups and have them work independently. They can go where a very noticeable military fleet can't, have contacts even our intelligence people don't have."

"We're counting on the Jedi in several key sectors to hold back the pirate groups," Supreme Commander Gilad Pellaeon commented. "We'll have to move some of our ships around to compensate."

"[No choice,]" Senator Triebakk, Minister of Defense, said. "[If we want to get to the bottom of this and not get bled to death by the increasing crime, we have to do it.]"

"Master Cilghal, would you be willing to re-assign, say sixty-percent of Ossus' Jedi to this issue?" Belindi asked.

"At most, ten percent," Cilghal said in a tone that brooked no argument. "The students from Ossus are better suited aiding the refugees and displaced people than combating pirates. Also, if you take away aid from these refugees, in all likelihood, we'll be facing those refugees as pirates later on."

"Even if we reassign people, at most you'll be able to get half our Jedi in the field," Octa echoed. "Many of our people are embedded in criminal syndicates or cannot otherwise be withdrawn without grave consequences."

"Apart from Supreme Commander Pellaeon's objections, those of Dathomir would be the only ones in position to distance themselves from their current operations," Kirana spoke. "But again, our people know little of this galaxy and more of battle. It would not be the most efficient use of our Knights if we have them investigate the cause for all this crime."

"Then we're at an impasse, then," Cal Omas said resignedly. "I know you Jedi aren't meant to be the galaxy's police, but at the moment, no one else is capable of stepping up for the job. I have half a dozen systems threatening to secede, four dozen aid projects bogged down with politics and various setbacks, and a military ill-equipped to handle this new threat. Please, Jedi, please reconsider your stance about sending the younger ones out. I recall that we had Jedi as young as twelve fighting in the war, and as distasteful as it is to ruin the childhood of another generation, we might not have a choice. If we don't act soon, those children might not have much of an adulthood to grow up into. They don't have to be on the frontlines. We can have the younger ones take over some of the duties of the older ones, free the older Jedi up for more dangerous missions."

Cilghal, Kirana, and Octa all pursed their lips as they considered the Chief of State's plea.

"It appears we really do have little choice," Tresina Lobi said reluctantly. "This is not just the Galactic Alliance we would be saving, but the stabilization of the galaxy as a whole."

"We'd be ending a whole lot of suffering if we finally uncovered why everyone seems to have turned to illicit activities," new Jedi Council member, Barratk'l, said, seemingly leaning towards agreeing with Cal Omas.

"I'm hardly the most impartial here," Jacen said, looking solemn. "But like the Jedi of the Shelter during the war, it's better if the kids get some hands-on-experience than founder around and be helpless if they're ever cut off from the rest of us. This is a new type of galaxy, and the only way they'll learn how to help it is by being out there, seeing what it's like."

Seconds passed in silence as the Jedi members silently conferred with one and other. The dislike for the plan was evident in the scowls of their faces, but they could also see the necessity of it.

"Thirteen, then, but no younger," Cilghal finally said, releasing a breath. "That'll enable Ossus to put another thirty-four Jedi in the field and free up some of the older ones."

"We'll follow Ossus' lead," Octa said, though she seemed likewise uneasy with the decision. "Another thirty will join the efforts to clamp down on this crime wave."

"Dathomir will add our forty youth in hopes of aiding the galaxy."

Cal Omas bowed his head gratefully. "Thank you, Jedi. I swear that if I am ever able to make it up to your Order, I will."

"It will still require a month or two of coordinating these new Jedi and maneuvering others to new assignments," Kyle Katarn said, his forehead scrunched in thought. "And that's if things don't change drastically in that time."

"Any coordination on Ossus' part will be handled by Master Solusar," Cilghal said, motioning to the Jedi at her side. "As you all know, I will be stepping down from the High Council at the end of the month. I have decided, and he has agreed, that Master Solusar will take my place as the representative from the Ossus Praxeum."

"We'll look forward to working with you, Kam," Kyle voiced.

"Likewise, Kyle."

"Now that that matter of business is finished. Let's move on to the next topic in the agenda…"

{-[VII]-} {-[VII]-}

The High Council's decision had resounding affects across the Jedi Order, and not just tactically, but emotionally as well. At Ossus specifically, a hive of activity was stirred up as instructors and older students were prepared to go out into the greater galaxy. Only a day had passed since the decision, but shuttles were constantly arriving and departing, from the early morning hours into late at night. The smiles and warmth of the praxeum had vanished as a somber atmosphere took over. Things had just gotten serious, and the nervous anticipation of the young apprentices and knights being sent out permeated the Force no matter where one walked.

With the addition of Barv and the older instructors leaving for a mission of their own, and the classes of older students being emptied to support the Jedi in the field, Ossus was fast becoming an empty shell.

"I've never seen the praxeum this busy," Kani whispered in a low voice, her amethyst eyes tracking a group of older students. All of them carried travel-bags and were forming up to board a recently arrived shuttle.

From their vantage point on a branch of towering Yuuzhan Vong-grown tree, Ben nodded. "I know. It's like a military academy or something, and it's hurting my mom and dad."

"Think the masters will have missions for us?"

"We're only ten."

"Azil is only fourteen and he's leaving tomorrow."

Ben fell silent at that. His mother had always told him that he would have his time, that despite the rot being printed in the various holo-mags, the galaxy didn't need another Skywalker just yet. But at times like this, he wondered just when that time would be. Would the galaxy wait until he was a full grown adult to have need of another Skywalker, or would he be just like his cousins and be forced into action at fourteen or fifteen years old?

Already he had been forced to deal with a couple of overeager HoloNet reporters who wanted the 'inside-scoop' on the next leader of the Jedi Order. A game of tag had turned into 'an ability to show great leadership,' in the holomags. When Kani had been missing her parents and he hugged her, an intrepid reporter caught the act on camera and declared Kani the 'next Mrs. Skywalker,' much to both of their embarrassment and humiliation. They weren't able to face each other for an entire month after that article had come out. Of course his parents had been furious at the reporters, especially when they tried to interview a then six year old Janek.

Despite his mom and dad's best efforts, Ben could definitely feel the pressure, the feeling that the galaxy was looking at he and Janek and hoping for something great. He tried not to think about it, but it was moments like this when he was reminded that he was no ordinary ten year old Jedi. That someday, he'd be leading the Order against the galaxy's latest crisis.

And when it all came too much, he and Kani would retreat to their special spot just outside the praxeum grounds. The tree they were in was part of a small grove of plants that he and Kani had designated as 'their spot,' a place to just hang out and talk. Where they could just be kids climbing trees or swimming in the nearby lake.

One of the reasons why he didn't hang out with the older students too much was because many of them treated him as 'Jedi Skywalker,' and not just Ben. He wanted friends, not followers. Wanted to be around people because they saw him for who he wanted to be seen as, not because he was famous and going to be the next Grandmaster. At least Janek's friends and those around his age weren't yet indoctrinated by the media or preconceived beliefs about the greatness that was the Skywalker name.

It was also why he was such great friends with Kani. She couldn't care less about his last name, and the adventures they had had together had definitely created a very real bond, a friendship that couldn't be faked.

He couldn't help but admire how smart and brave she was. Though she was almost as powerful as him in the Force, she preferred to use her mind to work problems out rather than 'cheat' by using the Force. And when a HoloNet reporter managed to corner her for an interview, she gave one; just full of outrageous things that sounded like facts but were so completely off the mark it was utterly hilarious. The two of them, as well as the entire praxeum, had had a good laugh over the resulting 'inside exclusive' that was later published and republished. As far as the galaxy knew, he liked Gamorean cuisine, dancing and singing from the top of the praxeum arch-ways, and ordering the Jedi Masters of the praxeum about to set slavish schedules for the young students.

"You're leaving tomorrow too, right? For your cousin's baby." Kani's voice shook him from his thoughts.

"Yeah," Ben said softly.

"The academy is going to be so much emptier," Kani bowed her head and gripped one of her forearms, once again trying to be strong. "I already hate the way the hallways echo."

"You'll have Cappricia to keep you company. Besides, you hate my guts, remember?"

"Yeah," Kani replied with no energy, staring at her feet as she absently kicked them back and forth.

Ben closed his eyes, turning to the Force for guidance. If there was one thing he hated in his friendship with her, it was feeling Kani distressed in any way. Like most war orphans, she had been through enough, and he couldn't help but feel a small amount of protectiveness towards her. An idea suddenly came to him. "Hey, if you want, you can come with me and my family to Hapes."

Apparently the Force was kind to him because her head immediately jerked up, a flare of life returning to her gaze as she looked at him with a hopeful smile. "Really?"

"I'll ask mom, but she'll probably let you," Ben nodded.

Kani's entire face brightened, her smile radiant. She quickly scooted over to him and hugged him tightly. "Thanks!"

"Yeah," Ben felt his face flush, awkwardly returning the hug. Maybe the Force was playing tricks on him after all.

"I'll get my bag packed," Kani said promptly. "See you later!"

She pushed herself off the branch, using the Force to soften her landing. With another happy wave towards him, she took off running towards the academy.

Ben, completely bemused, scratched his head in confusion. How could a simple invitation make someone so happy? He didn't think he'd ever understand girls.

Maybe his dad could help.

Following Kani's example, he leaped out of the tree and landed in the soft dirt below. His dad would normally be teaching the older initiates about different lightsaber forms at the moment. Normally, until the call-to-arms had gone up and the Galactic Alliance repurposed most of those students to serve a greater need. If he concentrated, he could feel his dad's disquiet at having such an empty classroom.

Deciding that his dad's spirits needed lifting, and that he could solve his girl troubles at the same time, Ben took the short walk over to the praxeum and the training rooms used by the instructors.

"Dad," Ben said brightly.

"Ben." He could see his dad's face break out into a genuine smile. Ben inwardly cheered, half his goal was complete.

"Sorry for interrupting your class," Ben gestured to the two students—out of the normal fifteen that would have filled the room—seated before his dad.

"Not a problem. You know Yantahar and Vaala, right?"

Grinning at the Bothan and Arcona apprentices, Ben took a seat next to them. "Yup, I've seen them around."

"We've met," Yantahar agreed with a similar smile.

The two apprentices, normally partnered up, were older than Ben by seven years and ran in wholly different circles. Both were combat-orientated and fiercely loyal to the Jedi Order, and to Luke in particular, who had saved their lives when they had been younger. They were the alien big brother and sister Ben never had though, so they did exchange the odd conversation or so.

"Whatcha still doing on Ossus?" Ben asked. "I thought all the older Jedi were being deployed."

"Food poisoning," Vaala said dryly, rubbing her stomach.

"Terrible headache," Yantahar added, equally deadpan but taking on an ever-suffering expression.

Ben blinked, sensing no distress from either of them. He shot a glance to his father, who was doing his best to smother a proud grin.

"They wanted to make sure no one was going to take advantage of Ossus with most of the teachers and Knights spread out in the galaxy," Luke explained. "Cilghal couldn't sense anything wrong, but we didn't want to take any chances."

"Oh," Ben blinked. "So even big kids can still fake being sick?"

"Don't follow our examples, we're terrible Jedi," Vaala said quickly.

"Yes," Yantahar nodded, and in a stage whisper added. "I'm sure that once your wise father realizes we're not actually sick, he'll punish us by assigning us guard duty while the rest of our peers get to gallivant through the galaxy."

"He's incredibly cruel like that. I feel sorry that you and your brother have him as a father," Vaala finished.

"So, Ben, did you want something?" Luke chuckled tiredly.

"Uh huh," Ben said. "I'm not sure you can help me though."

"He used to be the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order," Yantahar interjected. "There's very little he can't do."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Luke said. "Like they said, I can probably help. Is it Force related?"

"Kind of, I guess?"

"'Kind of?'"

Ben took a deep breath as he marshaled his courage. It helped that the two apprentices seemed to realize that this was a 'family moment' and cleared out. Finally, the young ten year old met his dad's eyes and asked one of the questions most fathers both feared but anticipated. Even the former Grandmaster of the Jedi Order was no exception to this. Indeed, Luke could hear Mara laugh in the back of his mind as he froze in terror at the question.

"Dad, what do you know about girls?"

Such was the greatest plight of the Hero of the Rebellion, Savoir of the Jedi Order, and former Jedi Grandmaster. And for some reason, he mused—between his wife's mental laughter, his own panic, and Ben's confusion—he was more than okay with it.

{-[Chapter End]-}

A\N: Hope you all enjoyed a snap-shot of Ossus. Ben and Kani get larger roles in the second part of the trilogy, when they'll be around fifteen years old. Next chapter, Jaina. Leave a review if you so desire.