I deliberate. I plan. I find myself in the Archives more and more often, reading up on the Jedi Temples of old.
Countermeasures must be in place to preserve the future of the Order.
I even go to the trouble of summoning the Council.
I imagine it's quite the surprise for them. The 'Chosen One', demanding an audience, instead of it being the other way around.
We meet in the War Room. Being the first one to arrive, I wait for the members still on Coruscant to be seated.
The others tune in to the conference via hologram.
"What's this about, Skywalker?" Mace Windu looks much too sombre for a man whose afternoon meditation was interrupted. Then again, he always was a serious character, especially when dealing with Anakin.
"The future of the Jedi Order," I state grandly.
"And what exactly does that entail?" asks my younger counterpart.
I bring up a list of worlds on the holotable. "Not keeping all the Jedi in one temple." I flick through images of various planets. "Vrogas Vas, Ilum, Tython, Lothal. These are just a few of the locations that I believe would be more than suitable for sequestering the younglings."
Yoda questions, "Unsafe on Coruscant, you believe they are?"
I pin the Grandmaster with a look. "There've been break-ins before." Cad Bane springs to mind.
"And as a result of these intrusions, security has been strengthened," cuts in Mace.
I shake my head. "Who's to say it won't happen again? Someone will find another way to exploit the Temple's weaknesses."
Windu's eyes narrow, aiming a harsh glare at me. "The younglings are safe here." His tone is one of finality. "I believe you've taken up enough of the Council's time, Skywalker."
"At least consider it. Medidate on it," I try to sway them, to no avail.
Nobody listens. I leave the War Room in a huff. Stupid, arrogant Mace! His overconfidence will be the death of them all. I'm enveloped in a storm cloud of frustration and incense. I do not want to see younglings like - like lifeless dolls strewn about in the place they called home. Thinking about it sickens me.
Ahsoka's waiting for me outside, up and about again. "Hey, Skyguy. Council meeting go okay?"
She then frowns, picking up on my bad mood.
"Not really. But I don't wanna discuss it."
"We gonna go spar?" She sounds hopeful. She's still recovering though, so that's not exactly the best idea. Ahsoka, always eager for a fight, be it a real one or otherwise.
I stop in the corridor and pivot on my heel, assessing her. "Actually, when's the last time you meditated?"
It turns out it's been a while for the plucky Tano.
To my right she rests on her haunches, head canted slightly with her eyes shut. As for myself, I have settled into the lotus position.
There's one key topic I wish to broach with Ahsoka, and I feel it should be sooner than later. Now is about an opportune moment as any. We won't be bothered where we are.
I crack one eye open and glance at her. "Do you ever think about the Code? Its meaning? Its implications for us as Jedi?"
She raises a brow. "Philosophy, Master?"
"Yes, Ahsoka. Have you considered it?" She shifts in her seat, appearing uncomfortable.
"Kinda got a war going on, Master, so no."
"Always time for reflection, little one," I chide her gently. "The Code itself. Would you say it for me?"
She recites the mantra, and her brows knit together. "Why are we going over this, Master? We all know the Code."
"I guess I should just be more direct."
"It would certainly help."
My eyelid drops down and I imbue myself with the Force. The light takes me in. I relax. "My question is this: is the Code all there is to being a Jedi?"
A snort escapes Ahsoka's lips. "Of course not. We help the needy, we fight for the Republic, we keep the galaxy safe." She stumbles through a whole heap of reasons why obedience of the Code isn't the sole attribute of a Jedi.
"I find it difficult to adhere to the Code during wartime. It goes beyond testing you. It pushes you past the breaking point."
I give a mirthless smile. "Maybe you'll agree with me. It's kinda hard to look past all the chaos and death at this point."
I see the effects of war weighing on her. One so young shouldn't look so tired. Her piercing gaze bores into mine. "I think I feel the same way, Master."
Biting my lip, I nod. "What if the traditional way isn't the right way? Hypothetically speaking."
Ahsoka says slowly, "That sounds an awful lot like heresy, Master."
"We don't follow the rules anyway, so what's the big deal if we add another one to the list?"
Ahsoka's scandalised. "Disobeying the Code could get us expelled!"
"That depends on your point of view," I smirk at her.
"What?"
"I did some digging at the Archives recently, and I found the original version. It goes something like this: Emotion, yet peace. Ignorance, yet knowledge. Passion, yet serenity. Chaos, yet harmony. Death, yet the Force."
"I..." Ahsoka clutches her forehead. "That's..."
"Yes, Padawan?"
"It's confusing, is what it is. How can there be emotion and peace at the same time? Releasing our emotions gives us peace."
"Does it, though?" She looks lost. "Does it help you? Do you find yourself at peace when you do that?" I place my hands on my knees.
She rubs her chin, pondering the answer. "I think I do. But I still..."
"We all struggle to follow the tenets. It's natural."
"But what about 'chaos and harmony'? How can they co-exist? Or passion and serenity for that matter?"
"It's all down to your self-discipline, in the end. Your self-control."
Ahsoka frowns deeply. "And the last line?"
"To deny that there's no death, only the Force is foolish. One cannot exist without the other. They're forever linked."
"It's definitely more open-ended, Master."
"I like my Code to be more liberal. I think it works better. It strives to achieve wisdom and understanding while having your emotions, despite not knowing every scrap of knowledge. Even though one could experience a burst of passion every now and again."
"Isn't having emotions bad, though? That is what we're taught."
"Is it? We release our emotions to the Force, but sometimes we can't. And when one can't, that can lead to embarassment and frustration that just builds up in you until you don't know how to cope. What then?"
"I don't know."
"Ahsoka, it's okay if you don't get it. But I'm saying it's not possible to hide everything away and pretend it's not there. We're people too. And I'm not one for trying to hide my feelings." Anakin never was. He didn't make it a secret that he was against many of the Jedi teachings that he assumed were detrimental to what we were meant to be. My core trembles at the memory of this.
"You're not exactly subtle." She fidgets on the spot. "Why would they change it?"
"Probably so that new learners had an easier time understanding it. Considering our situation..."
"The current version doesn't seem like it's suited for it. Master, I need some time to reflect."
"What's meditation for?"
Padmé Amidala was many things to Anakin Skywalker. His wife, his confidante, his obsession.
She's none of these things to me.
A trusted friend, yes, but beyond that...
It will be most difficult to fool her. She's been harrassing me non-stop for the past few days with messages. She is aware I'm on Coruscant, and her lovesick attitude is starting to get on my nerves.
I want to avoid her like the Empire, but that's sadly not an option. I'll have to face her at some point.
Might as well get it over with.
I come at a bad time. It's during a meeting with a group of Senators, most of which she'd consider upstanding and decent. Bail Organa is there. It fills my heart with relief to see him alive and well.
What happened to Alderaan was a devastating tragedy. The horrific loss of life resulted in a cataclysmic shockwave that exploded through the Force, and left me at a loss for words. The Empire has - had no bounds. It stopped at nothing.
To think, I died and left Luke alone to fight against Vader, against the Emperor. Who'll be there to guide him?
No, I mustn't confuse myself. That was then and this is now. "Afternoon, Senators," I say smoothly. Some greet me in return while others remain quiet. All heads are turned in my direction.
Anakin's wife does not look pleased. Well you were the one who wanted to see me, Senator. Before things get any more awkward, I use a bit of Force persuasion to wrap the discussion up. Padmé knows what's happening, as does Bail, I'm sure. The Senators clear out in single file, and I watch them go.
With the last of her guests having departed, Padmé turns to me, expression twisting into a scowl. "Anakin, I was the middle of discussing a very important bill."
"It can wait." Truthfully, it doesn't matter what the Republic politicians do. What votes they cast. What bills they oppose. Palpatine's the puppeteer. He wins regardless.
"You look radiant as ever, Padmé." It's been a while since I've tried my hand at sweet-talking. Let's see how I fare.
"Ani, I've missed you." Her expression softens by a fraction.
I act sheepish, scratching the back of my neck. "I missed you too, angel." Did I seriously just say that? Why would I say that?
Then comes the embrace. It's over quickly, and I didn't squirm during it. Not at all. Squirming is not the Jedi way.
"I wanted to discuss something with you. Something important. It's about the Chancellor."
"What is it?"
"Your opinion on whether he deserves to get more and more emergency powers or not."
She cups her elbows, inclining her head. "He's the Chancellor. He is leading us through the Clone War." She's avoiding the question.
"Yes, but with him at the helm, you think we've got a chance of winning?"
"I want to say yes, because the Republic must prevail. Democracy must prevail."
"But can we trust him to not abuse these powers?"
"Ani, where's this coming from?" She glides closer to me. "You're a huge supporter of the Chancellor. You're always quick to defend him."
"Maybe I learned the error of my ways. Maybe I realised you can't have too much faith in one person. Especially one who demands more and more power. It's not important. With all the authority he's amassed, Palpatine's not gonna step down. Why would he? It's not in his favour. It's not in his interest."
"That sounds like a bit of a far stretch."
"It's not a coincidence. Look at the past few months and tell me it's not a coincidence."
"Many believe he's the best hope the Republic's got."
"Do you believe that?" She doesn't reply. "Padmé, you know you can be honest with me," I promise her.
"If he doesn't step down when the war's over, then he is a power-hungry man. He'd be dealt with appropriately." Legally, you mean. And I don't recall that working before.
"The time to act is now."
"What you're suggesting is treason."
"It's not treason if we're saving the Republic."
"What would you have me do? He has so many supporters backing him."
"Then find ones that will back you."
Duelling yourself is... it's mesmerising. Hypnotic.
I try not to get distracted as I absorb his attacks and wait for an opening to return the favour.
And uncanny. Did I mention uncanny? I once was him. The great duelist of the Order. The master of Soresu. But what's defined Obi-Wan Kenobi, that is me, is behind me.
The notion of calling the younger Kenobi a seperate person has crossed my mind. He's not me. He hasn't gone through what I've been through. That said, we do share the same memories of the Clone War, and of all before that.
I don't feel any guilt for giving him the cold shoulder. After that Council meeting, I have had no desire to speak with him.
The Negotiator is nothing if not persistent. He cornered me during kata practice, where I was working on one of the exercises I'd developed under the twin suns. Designed with dunes and sandstorms in mind. I roil and whip around and lunge my way through the katas when most of the Temple is quieter than a snoozing bantha.
I learned to deflect. That led to searing results. I failed to reflect a bolt and my shoulder protested sharply. I switched to a reverse grip and fared much better, riding out the pain.
A Jedi can't let one blaster bolt slow them down.
I challenge anyone around in the afternoons to a duel. Variation and lack of predictability are essential ingredients to my improving.
Obi-Wan was the one to challenge me and so here we are. I get my opening. He weaves in and out, elegantly defending himself against each strike, as I push him towards the wall.
Then I cease my assault, and await his comeback. "You'd think, that when it comes to our own," I gripe, "the Council would consider it one of their top priorities to keep the future generations safe."
"You didn't wait for the vote."
There was a vote? "Windu dismissed me."
"So we could discuss it in private." That makes no sense. Waiting for a vote, yet being dismissed before the vote. The Council displayed its wisdom in full.
"It was my idea. You should have told me to stay back if you actually wanted to plan for it."
"It was a surprising proposal, Anakin. I was surprised that you showed such care about the younglings' well-being."
"The Order's my home. Of course I care."
He blinks, stunned into silence. Then, "Anakin..."
"Nothing's changed, though. Lemme guess, Council thought they can't diverge enough resources?" I snidely ask.
He stays composed. I spot a glimmer in his eyes. "Oh. So that is it. You disagreed, then?"
"I debated at length."
"And it resulted in nothing. Actions are louder than talk, Obi-Wan."
I'm fueled to win the round and in the end he quietly admits, "Solah," with my sabre pointed at his throat.
Thrust out on the front again. Some mission on some planet in some system.
I don't lead the troops into battle with a bold battlecry and a valiant heart.
I know the truth. We're fighting a false war to sow chaos across the galaxy.
I still feel uneasy around the clones. I study them before the fight. The troopers wouldn't have voluntarily turned, would they?
Many legions aren't treated as well by the Jedi as the 212th are. In the case of the 501st, there were reasons for distrust and doubt.
I will change that. The best candidate to mindprobe is the Captain. Rex is constantly by Anakin's side. I can check for nuances, see if his attitude changes.
I poke too hard at his mind with the Force, and he jerks his head, unsteady on his feet.
"You alright, Rex?" Ahsoka stares, concern in her eyes.
"I'm good, Commander."
We're dropped into the field and fight through waves of droids.
I didn't actually expect to trigger a deep-rooted implement of some sort in the Captain's brain. It happens after we're separated from the rest of the ranks.
It's the Captain and I versus swarms of skeleton-thin battle droids. I sense hostile thoughts from the one person in the nearby vicinity. And then the words come. "Good soldiers follow orders."
Senses on high-alert, I twist and spin over the clone and he turns, levels his pistols at me. He opens fire. I deflect the bolts with relative ease.
I sweep in towards him, slice through the blasters. Plasma stabs through his shoulder pauldron and he screams. He's forced down by a shove of my hand.
He doesn't stop. His arms go for my neck. I notice one of his hands are missing.
A Force suggestion is implanted in his thoughts, and Captain Rex slumps under me.
