A/N: "The Great Experiment…" here it goes. No copyright infringement on Disney, Lucasfilm Ltd., James Patterson, or anyone else involved with "Star Wars" and "Women's Murder Club" (novels and television)… simply having fun with established characters and universes!

Characters reference:

Lindsey Boxer= Lindeeal Baxtra, Jedi Knight

Claire Washburn= Claer Wassin, Jedi Healer/Knight

Cindy Thomas= Cindest Nirta, Jedi Padawan

Jill Bernhardt= Jalessa Banrest, Jedi Knight

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

Gentle chimes twinkled in harmony with the garden falls as Jedi Knight Lindeeal Baxtra gradually made her way around the pathway bordering the reflection lake. While her gait no longer had a limp, there were still near consistent twinges of pain in her right leg as it continued to heal. The Healers cautioned Baxtra that she would likely feel the pain for quite some time as the internal healing continued.

However, the physical pain held was no competition to the mental pain the Jedi had been experiencing for nearly half a year already. While some Healers specialized in the psychological traumas along with physical, some healing required time and patience. Patience… quite possibly Lindeeal's greatest shortcoming in all things, not just as a Jedi Knight. Her former master always cautioned patience to her when she was a Padawan Learner and even now, some of the Masters continued to express the same whenever Baxtra wanted to get things accomplished as quickly as possible. She believed continued deliberation only served to delay, even after the decision was already made.

Now, she wondered if more patience could have made a difference nearly 7 months ago, and if her Padawan Learner would still be alive. Lindeeal sighed as she graciously sat down on a nearby stone bench overlooking the gardens, with some of the waterfalls to her right. Some locks of her long hair fell into her face, nearly startling her until she finally sensed no living being within her immediate proximity. Sighing again, Lindeeal brushed the stray black hair behind her ear. Wonder if I should have my name changed, Baxtra thought as she pictured her former blonde hair within her memories. Lindeeal… "golden sunrise" which my parents must've thought when they saw the color of my hair before I left for the Temple.

But that "golden sunrise" had now permanently set, according to the Healers when they informed her of the genetic alterations that took place when she was injured… and the death of her Padawan. Lindeeal sighed once more as she recalled her Padawan's bright and eager face, his handsome Bothan features with maple fur, which especially shined in brilliance whenever he used a specific oil to cleanse his body. Memories began flashing to that fateful night of her young protégé's fierce face as he confronted their foe after she was struck down and trapped. His glowing emerald green lightsaber blade still shown in Baxtra's mind's eye as Nos Falen fought against the scientifically enhanced being and the monster's energy-charged vipro staff that leveled their weapons' playing field. Despite the surrounding laboratory of illegal experimentation, which Baxtra and her Padawan had been dispatched to shut down, Nos fought bravely as the chemicals spilled and mixed into toxic compounds that caused the changes within Lindeeal and also depleted Padawan Falen of his strength and endurance. In the end, Nos had outsmarted his foe and caused the mutated being to become electrocuted by kicking him into an overloaded power coupling, which was fueled by spilled chemicals. However Falen, too, was caught up in the electrocution. He likely lacked the strength to get clear of the power's reach, had the opportunity even been available.

Lindeeal Baxtra's eyes squeezed tighter shut as she recalled the feelings in the Force as Nos Falen died and her screams of anguish at the remains of the Bothan's body twitched from the remaining currents and collapsed within her line of sight. She had focused the remains of her energy and strength to Force lift him away from the flames and remaining arcing of the conduits. She laid him near her before losing consciousness completely. Padawan Falen's body was brought back to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant where, despite the protests of Healers, Lindeeal Baxtra attended his funeral cremation pyre in one of the open-air spire towers. She believed it was not just merely her duty as a Jedi Knight and Padawan Master, but also as a friend and one who's life was now a gift due to his action. A favor or debt she could never repay. Even though Padawan Falen would never want his master to feel in such things, Baxtra could not help it.

Just before the pyre's flames reached their zenith, a special group of Jedi Knights released snow white dove-like birds into the remaining sunlight, symbolizing that while one life ended, a new life began, as Nos Falen transversed into the netherworld of the Force. At the conclusion of the funeral, the Jedi Council Masters proclaimed that Nos Falen would forever be remembered as a Jedi Knight, posthumously awarding him the well-earned title. In fact, Lindeeal had been considering recommending her Padawan for the Jedi Trials to the Council after that ill-fated mission. She now could at least take comfort in the fact that the Masters in their wisdom recognized Falen's ability and courage to defend his master, and to see their mission to its completion according to the Jedi Code.

In her weakened state, the Healers had to assist Lindeeal back to the Bacta tanks after Nos' funeral. She had completely lost consciousness just before returning, and would awaken later to discover Nos Falen's Padawan braid and his lightsaber beneath her hand. Apparently those who were tasked to prepare Falen's body for cremation were informed of the Council's decision and severed his Padawan Learner's braid according to the ritualistic custom a Learner would when completing the Trials and being granted the rank of Knight.

It was not uncommon for a Padawan to give their severed braid to their Masters; however, Baxtra was not expecting it, nor his lightsaber. Due to her injured mental state, Lindeeal could not help the tears as she wept for the loss of her protégé and friend. The Healers assured her that it was natural as well as necessary for her complete healing and that there was no shame in weeping and encouraged Lindeeal to release the emotion whenever she felt it.

"Release of emotion is much better than trying to contain its energy. Containing its energy would likely lead to the Dark side. While the Code states of 'no emotion,' peace must be obtained AFTER releasing the energy emotion contains. While the Force can absorb energy, in your current injured state the strength required for such a task is not available."

Baxtra sighed as she allowed the emotional energy to dissipate from the memories. She no longer required tears to release the emotional energy now that most of her strength had returned; yet she still experienced the negative energies surrounding them. Healers stated an individual Jedi would have to deal with these issues for many years to come.

"It is how Knights become Masters…" one Healer had taught Lindeeal. "Eventually this point of time will be seen as a stepping stone in learning as some of your Padawan Learner experiences appeared astronomical at that point in time which now seem as stepping stone now that you are a Jedi and grown more in learning and experience.

"We do not mean to imply Jedi Nos Falen's death is minute or inconsequential… we all mourn and miss his presence both here and in the immediate presence of the Force. While he has now transformed into the Living Force, it could very well be possible you may one day experience his presence in the Force during your meditations."

Any current presence to remind Jedi Baxtra of Nos Falen now would only bring too much emotional energy. She currently could not afford to deal with that. The mental-injury Healers instructed her that this was also natural and part of the healing process to avoid seeing items and even persons that would serve as a reminder of those passed. Therefore, Nos Falen's fur braid and lightsaber were stored away, but in a special and esteemed place in a storage trunk in Baxtra's sparse living quarters. While Lindeeal seldom placed any sentimental significance to anything, she did hold these two particular items in high regard.

The near raven-haired Jedi's eyes squeezed shut again as the memory of her and Nos' journey to Ilum where Padawan Learners undergo the final ritual of completing their lightsaber. The caves of that frozen planet grew the perfect crystals the Jedi used in focusing the energy beams of their lightsabers. A small group of Jedi maintained a small temple on Ilum, which had once been a part of the actual temple of the Jedi thousands of years prior to the Jedi establishing the current temple on Coruscant. Padawans when reaching the appropriate stage in training, would travel to the caves with their master. The Padawan would enter while the Master waited at the entrance for their apprentice to emerge with a newly constructed lightsaber.

The apprentice would be required to enter a meditative state while harvesting the crystals and placing them along with the final key components together. Usually, the crystals were never physically touched, but rather were Force-levitated into place. Then the Padawan would physically grasp the outer casing where the crystals would be housed. However, the greatest challenge for the Learner while in a meditative state, in addition to building the lightsaber, were the visions that often took place whenever a being entered the caves. These visions would also serve as learning points for the Learner and even the Master, often reaching the deepest recesses of their individual soul and bringing them to the mind's surface for them to confront and overcome.

Baxtra personally considered the journey to Ilum as the first step of Padawan and Master beginning to go their separate ways, even if there would be many years before the actual event of the Padawan becoming a Jedi. The journey would also deepen the bonds of friendship between Master and Apprentice…

Jedi Baxtra felt her Padawan's presence grow closer within her meditations near the cave's entrance. She smiled internally as she felt his increased confidence, tempered with the necessary control to prevent the transformation of arrogance. Lindeeal too had felt a sense of maturity after completing her own lightsaber on this very planet some years prior; however, she sensed a far greater maturity in her Bothan apprentice than she possessed at this stage of Jedi training. She opened her eyes, maintaining a Force-mental state to assist in the warming against the bitter cold, despite her heavier fabric cloak and insulated tunic robes. While Nos wore a cloak, his was of a lighter material due to his fur providing most of his required body warmth when overall; the Padawan seldom wore a cloak. One of his pawish hands pushed the hood back to reveal his entire face as his opposite reached out, displaying the newly constructed lightsaber and he Force levitated it towards his Master.

Lindeeal Baxtra's bare hands emerged from her robes and held them palms up as the lightsaber was gently levitated into her hands. Her fingers thumbed on the activation switch and the snap hiss and steady hum of the energy blade echoed loudly off the cave walls. The emerald green with soft golden undertones also illuminated their immediate surroundings as the Jedi's studious eyes examined their student's achievement.

While the hilt felt heavier than normal to the Human's hands, to a Bothan's anatomical features, it would be necessary. After all, a lightsaber's construction was not only fitted to the user's physiology and needs, but also reflected their personality as well. Baxtra smiled as she noticed what appeared to be an ivory inlay within the hilt. Apparently Nos Falen had kept his fang like incisor teeth that had been lost during an incident not long after the young Bothan was assigned to Baxtra as her apprentice. "A hard learned lesson of patience," she had instructed him after the Jedi had resolved the overall issue.

Lindeeal Baxtra closed down the lightsaber and handed it to Nos who accepted it in a near reverential manner with a bowing nod and kneeling down completely before his master continuing to hold out the lightsaber on display. The Jedi recited the appropriate ritual words regarding the Jedi and their lightsaber and added her own addendum. "It's a beautiful weapon, Nos. May it serve you well throughout your path as a Jedi."

Padawan Falen arose and bowed. "Thank-you, Master. You are most kind." As he placed his new weapon on his belt, his hand removed an item from a pouch on his belt. Nos held out his hand towards Lindeeal and his clawed fingers opened to reveal a deep colored gem.

"A gift, Master." His gruff voice softly spake. "This gem was among those obtained to be used in my weapon's construction. However, there was not available space for it in my lightsaber."

Baxtra's fingers gently accepted the stone and she held it up into the light to see its color. "A beautiful crystal," the Jedi bowed towards the Bothan. "Thank-you, Nos. I will treasure it."

The Jedi sighed in exhalation, keeping her eyes closed and continuing her in search for a meditative state. While she had yet to regain her strength sufficiently to fully resume her practice and training in lightsaber fighting techniques, Lindeeal did manage to tinker with her own weapon. Although technicians thoroughly examined both hers and Nos' lightsabers when the rescue party brought them back to the Temple, to ensure all contaminates were removed or eradicated, the Jedi herself also disassembled her lightsaber when she was able. Lindeeal had Force-removed one of the focusing crystals and levitated the gem Nos Falen had given her on Ilum into the empty space.

Baxtra had yet to train with her own saber. Healers strongly encouraged her to train with a training lightsaber instead of her own to prevent any mishap occur due to her still fragile strength state. She believed they were being too overly cautious, yet she heeded their advice but was longing to train with her own weapon.

While all felt complete and in order after reassembly, the blade's overall color had changed to an orange, with a soft gold undertone, surprising the Jedi Knight. To Baxtra's knowledge, she had never heard of a lightsaber blade color such as this one let alone seen one. Later, after the evening meals, Lindeeal planned to visit the Temple Archives to see if any of their Order's history recorded a lightsaber blade color such as hers.

Although the Jedi Order had no specific rules regarding lightsaber blade colors, there were several very common colors. Emerald green such as Nos Falen's, silver blue as Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker. Master Mace Windu and several of the Healers had a purple blade and several other Council Masters had silver blades. While red lightsaber blades were heard and known of, they were always associated with the Sith and Dark Jedi. Lindeeal had heard stories of some Padawan Learners fearing constructing a red bladed lightsaber- as if it were an omen they would be destined to fall to the Dark Side.

But my blade isn't red though, Baxtra's thoughts protested. It's almost like the reflected colors when the sun sets over the Temple… nowhere near that spectrum of a red blade...

The sound of children's laughter reached Baxtra's ears, causing her eyes to open from her meditations. Noticing the daylight's change in position, Lindeeal deeply exhaled. This was the time of day the younglings were given several hours to do what they wished before the evening meal. It was a common sight for many children to play in the gardens- often leading into a form of a hiding game in which they would practice their skills and abilities with the Force to sense the presence of another.

Lindeeal found herself smiling as she glimpsed one youngling duck into a nearby shrub to hide. Master Yoda had often remarked at how wonderful a child's mind was. Baxtra found that piece of wisdom to become truer each time she returned to the Temple from a mission. Their innocence, their wonder… just several of the aspects Lindeeal found missing within herself more and more of late.

The Jedi Knight sighed as she graciously arose from the bench, only to be tripped by a grey blur rushing by. Lindeeal quickly reached out with the Force to cushion her body's impact, since it was beyond the laws of physics to keep from falling. Who would do such a thing? Baxtra wondered in frustration. One shouldn't have to be on guard at the Temple! Especially in the gardens and other places of reflection and meditation!

"Oh!" An overly eager and energetic youthful voice gasped out. Lindeeal felt hands anxiously and gently brush at her tunic. "A galaxy of apologies! I was…"

"Obviously not being mindful of your present surroundings," Jedi Baxtra briskly shoved the other's hands away and finally looking up. "Or… the Force."

The younger face kept her gaze downward in a respectful pose until her eyes tentatively glanced upwards and recognized the elder Jedi. "Oh, you're Jedi Lindeeal Baxtra! I have heard so much about you!"

Lindeeal could only take in a deep breath as the younger one prattled on. Certainly older than a youngling, this girl, but she was not old enough to be a full Jedi Knight. The remaining sunlight caught the dark red braid lightly swinging out from in between the fabric flaps of the ornate headdress.

So, she is a Padawan Learner. Baxtra realized, thinking of searching out for this particular Apprentice's Master, instead of trying to correct her herself. Who would permit their apprentice to behave in such a manner? Could she have become another "too old exception" as Kenobi's Padawan Learner, Anakin Skywalker?

While Lindeeal Baxtra herself personally had not visited the world of Naboo, this young girl's headdress resembled some of the style and fashion from that world. But the Jedi Order cared not for such frills and décor…

"…Do you think I may speak with you of Jedi Nos Falen?"

"Please!" Lindeeal's firm, hard voice completely silenced the younger. "Who is your Master?"

The younger woman became crestfallen, which softened Baxtra's hardened feelings along with sensing the other's sorrowful ones.

Suddenly, another presence approached along the pathway behind the apprentice with a soft and steady tapping. "Ah, Young Padawan Cindest Nirta!" A gentle, rough, yet subtly cheerful voice spoke up. "Needed you are in the Archives. Master Jocasta Nu has requested your presence."

Lindeeal noticed a small emblematic cloth stitched to the Padawan's outer tunic surcoat. The emblems were similar to the outer robes worn by the Archives Master, signifying knowledge. The young apprentice glanced furtively back at Baxtra, surprising the Jedi, before bowing to the Jedi Master and taking off into a run… not really surprising either of the two remaining.

So she's assigned to the Archives, Lindeeal realized. I'll have to speak with Master Nu then…

"Lindeeal Baxtra, walk with me?" Master Yoda gently inquired, gesturing towards the pathway.

Lindeeal bowed. "Of course, Master."

The small statured Jedi gradually made his way forward, bracing upon his staff as Lindeeal slowly matched his pace a half step behind. She had been sitting for too long. The younger Jedi channeled enough of the Force through her limbs to ease the pain and stiffness as they walked along the pathway. Most of the time, when conversing with Jedi upon a walk, Yoda would sit in an anti-grav chair in order to maintain the same distance of an average human or bi-pedal humanoid stride. Usually, whenever the Jedi Master was seen actually walking with a group, it was with a group of Younglings.

However, Baxtra did not mind the gradual pace. In fact, she actually welcomed it as she felt her muscles and overall stiffness loosen in their walk. Plus, the silence helped calm her mind and settle her thoughts from the events of earlier.

"Mmm," Yoda's trademark mumble, near growl finally sounded. "Your thoughts continue to dwell upon Padawan Nirta… your former apprentice as well."

Lindeeal sighed as she briefly focused upon a freighter on the horizon, soaring towards the outer atmosphere for space.

"As one former Padawan Master," the aged Jedi Master continued, "Padawan Nirta faces also great difficulty. Unique to her, it is, as is the will of the Force which chose her into this life's existence."

The younger Jedi released another discreet; as much as one hoped to be as discreet around Master Yoda, sigh. "I was simply reminding myself to speak with Master Nu when I have another matter to attend in the Archives."

Yoda paused in his walk with a light "ah" and simply looked up, gently regarding the tall-limbed female. "Speak to Archives Master of Padawan Nirta, you need not. Temporary assignment for that one… former Master, terrible."

The taller Jedi felt a shift within Master Yoda as he briefly closed his eyes, tamping down the intense feelings and Lindeeal felt a brief surge of intense personal and even darker feeling before they vanished completely.

"So, Master Nu is not her primary Master?" Baxtra found herself asking even though she already knew the answer.

Yoda simply gave the barest of shakes of his head before resuming his walk on the pathway. "Dark and unpleasant, the subject is. Best not spoken of."

Lindeeal could only convey her acknowledgement through the Force as she proceeded alongside the Jedi Master. They continued in silence for a short while before Lindeeal spoke. "She surprises me… Padawan Cindest. Certainly not fearful to speak whatever is in her mind. Practically, if not already, to the point of impertinence."

"Mmm!" Yoda hummed with an emphatic surge in the Force and a nod. "Yes, quite a unique mind that young one has. Unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Adept in resolving complex issues."

"Issues… such as riddles and languages?"

"Mmm, among others." Yoda made a unique sound equivalent to clearing one's throat while simultaneously saying "ah." "Again, unusual and unique mind that young one has. Council believe Padawan Nirta's time best filled in the Archives under Master Nu's supervision till another Jedi can take on an apprentice… mmm, great care the Council takes."

The taller Jedi nodded, sensing the Master's extreme caution. Lindeeal Force-conveyed her agreement to Yoda's feelings and detected him taking comfort in it.

The two paused as three laughing younglings came running in their direction. They stopped abruptly when sensing them and conveyed the appropriate courtesies. Yoda chuckled and Baxtra smiled broadly. They continued their running after the Jedi Master gestured for them to pass.

Both Jedi felt a wake of their Force energy as they proceeded. Lindeeal felt it refreshing and allowed the vitality of it to absorb into her body, reducing her having to draw upon the Force to channel it herself.

Yoda detected her action. "Mmm," he nodded approvingly. "Such energy younglings have."

"Yes," Lindeeal agreed, "innocence too. They aren't concerned with matters Jedi Knights and Masters must face."

The older hummed in agreement as they reached a section of the pathway that overlooked a portion of the massive, planet wide city. The remaining sunlight reflected upon the buildings casting an overall, blanket of golden, orange color.

Very similar to my lightsaber… Baxtra briefly thought.

"To worry with such feelings, you do not."

Lindeeal turned to regard the elder Jedi in near surprise. Was he speaking of her former remark or of her internal wonderings?

"All Jedi experience such feelings," Yoda continued as his eyes steadfastly held Lindeeal's. "Some species regard feelings differently than others. Extreme injury and unfortunate transformations require time to heal… as does the mind.

"Patience, young one." Yoda hummed at Lindeeal's internal response to her personal shortcoming. "Another obstacle every Jedi experiences."

The Jedi Master gestured with his 3-fingered, claw-like hand towards a fork in the pathway as the natural daylight faded and the gardens' glow panels slowly increased in brightness. They proceeded on the shorter pathway route for the Temple. "Patience and rest, Young Baxtra," Yoda gently admonished. "Patience and rest."

A/N: One of the common things I heard regarding the Jedi characters of the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy is their lack of character development to the fans' satisfaction. Having read the novelizations of each Prequel Episode, there is more character development (to me)… and during the movies, I felt disappointed that there wasn't more in depth Jedi and the Temple. The Jedi have always intrigued me and if they seem more emotional than the Code… well, it's fan fiction.

But in all seriousness… hope it's worth continuing. Reviews welcome!