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Maura
Chapter Two:
Obi-wan Kenobi stood beside his padawan before the council in their chambers.
Obi-wan had requested that Jade and the others meet with the council the morning after he had interviewed them so that they could have a chance to discuss the events that had occurred one on one with the council. Obi-wan was sure that the council would help the group find their way home, but he was curious if they would do anything about the fact that they were all clearly force sensitive. He found it very interesting that they were from a distant galaxy and also are in tune with the Force; he wondered what their level of midichlorians were.
"Their future here, have a plan for it, do you?" Yoda posed the question to the Jedi Knight. Obi-wan nodded slowly. It wasn't a fool proof plan, but it was certainly a start.
"I was going to suggest to the council that we take them in, until they can find a way home." He told them what he had discussed with his padawan before they had arrived. Obi-wan was no fool he knew that Anakin was hardly pleased to do so, but Anakin was being amiable for his sake.
"Do you suppose that dangerous, this may be?" Yoda countered while he considered the suggestion. Obi-wan shook his head in disagreement.
"I believe that they are in no way a threat to the Order, or the Republic." He told them, "They are simply lost looking for a way back to their home."
Yoda and the rest of the council members had mixed emotions on the matter; each of them voicing a different opinion. Obi-wan listened to a few of them downright decline the offer with no actual reason.
"They are not members of the order," Master Ki-adi-mundi said out loud so that everyone could hear. The room fell silent to listen to what he had to say. "It has never been permitted before in the history of the Order."
Yoda nodded.
"True, that may be, but this situation, different it is." Yoda knew what Obi-wan had yet to inform them, and gave him a look that urged him to continue.
"They are all Force sensitive." He enlightened them, and the feeling in the room shifted. "I have not tested their blood for a midichlorian count, but I guarantee that they are far above average."
"What are you suggesting Master Kenobi?" Mace Windu questioned, his eyebrow raised.
"They are not very extensively trained, Master." Obi-wan said, "I believe that we should train them to hone their abilities so that they can better utilize the Force when they return to their home world."
A collective silence filled the room.
"They are far too old. How are we to teach them if they do not have the open mind of a child?" Another Master queried, but Obi-wan was prepared for this obvious reaction.
"They will not become members of the Order and so they do not need to be trained as abundantly as the Jedi; yet, they should be trained in the basic workings of the Force." Obi-wan claimed, hoping that they would see what he was trying to say clearly. "Not for our benefit, but for theirs. If nothing else, at least, let them make their own case before the council."
Obi-wan was quite satisfied with the debate he had set.
"A valid point you make, Obi-wan." Yoda said wistfully. "Deliberate on this matter, we must." He dismissed Obi-wan and his padawan with a nod of his head. Obi-wan obeyed and retreated from the council chambers with his head held high. He was sure that the Council would take the strangers in, even though it had never been allowed for a non member to be permitted into the Temple Obi-wan felt that this was the right thing to do. He met up with Jade and the others and told them what had transpired in the council chambers, and afterwards they all took a seat to wait.
Jade had been sitting beside Marcus and Briam for the better part of an hour waiting for the council to finish their debate over whether or not they would be welcome at the temple. Boredom had begun to itch at her, and she found that she couldn't sit still any longer. She stood and began to pace around the room, walking over to the tall windows and standing to watch the city with interested eyes. The tall steel buildings glinted in the sunlight and reached as far as her eye could see. There were so many transporter cars flying this way and that and it astonished her that so many people lived in such close quarters.
Eonia was mostly spacious green country sides with the usual forest here and there with bodies of water here and there. Eonia was certainly very beautiful, but this metal city was beautiful in a completely different way. She found that she preferred the alive bustling of the large city to the quiet solitude of the country side, and she had only been here for a few hours. She felt Briam come and stand by her side. She looked up at him and watched as he peered out at the city. For the first time she got a good look at him. He was quite tall, standing more than a foot above her. He had lovely dark brown hair. Each strand was set perfectly in place even after the trying events of the day. From the side the profile of his face was still quite charming, with a handsome nose and full lips.
She looked away suddenly her cheeks flaming with embarrassment. Had she been checking him out? She had to admit that he was extremely handsome, with high cheekbones and soft brown eyes. Oh, she was doing it again! She scolded herself internally.
"Have you ever seen anything so…" He paused searching for the right words, "Vivacious and full of life? I can practically feel its energy pulsing from all the way up here." Jade smiled and nodded in agreement before crossing her arms over her chest. Even his voice was beautiful.
"You have an enchanting way with words." Jade told him honestly, her eyes scanning the horizon once more. Beside her Briam smiled appreciatively at her praise.
"Are you worried for your friend?" Jade's smile turned to a grimace as she was reminded of Emmara's current condition. She had no idea where Emmara even was, and that made her heart squirm with fear. Ever since the crash the strong connection between the two friends had been dreadfully silent.
"I am terrified." She admitted, amazed at herself for allowing herself to sound so vulnerable. Especially to a man she had just met, but she had let the truth slip from her lips without a second thought. "Ever since the crash our connection has been eerily silent."
"I am sure she will be fine." He attempted to comfort her. "She has a very strong will." He added, and something about his words struck a chord in Jade. He hardly knew Emmara but he was so quick to admire her. Why did her chest feel so tight?
She was happy when Obi-wan came to retrieve them to face the council once more.
"It is time." He told them and she turned to hurry after him so that Briam wouldn't see the emotions she knew were written clearly on her face. That was one of her many flaws that Jade despised about herself. She could be read like an open book, and that made her feel vulnerable. So she practically ran into the council chambers to escape those feelings Briam had so easily provoked in her.
After a few moments they were granted access and the door swooshed open. Jade's jaw dropped to the floor when she entered the room. They were completely surrounded by ceiling to floor windows overlooking the vast city below. She also noticed the green look that came across Marcus' face at the sight and she tried not to smile.
They were taken to stand at the center of the circular room facing a circle of different people sitting in chairs towards them. At the head of the room sat a small green alien in beige robes with large ears. Jade continued to be intrigued by the vast amount of different species on this planet. She also took note that each and every person in this room was very familiar with the skill of Valor, even more intriguing.
"The circumstances which brought you to us, interesting they are." His words were backwards, and it took Jade a moment to understand. "Aware of why you have been called before us, you are?" Upon realizing Jade nodded.
"We were considered a threat, but we wish to let you know that it is not true. We mean no harm." She answered honestly because she was completely aware of their sensitivity to her actions. They were trained as she was to feel the world around her, as well as those in it.
She stood tall in front of the Jedi council waiting to hear what they wished of her.
"Jedi Knight Kenobi and Padawan Skywalker have informed us that you come from a different galaxy." A dark skinned man with no hair stated to them. His dark eyes found Jade's equally dark eyes, "Care to expand on this?" Jade nodded.
"We are from a planet called Enisaari, and a country named Eonia." She told them before adding, "From the galaxy Havicala."
They gave a collective nod, and most of them were rather enthralled.
"Remember how you came here, do you?" The little green alien asked. Jade looked to Marcus and Briam but they both encouraged her to answer the question.
"We were pursuing a group of rebel terrorists that had attacked our Queen, followed them through a black hole and ended up here." She continued to convey their full story carefully, making sure not to leave out the important parts. She told them about travelling through the black hole, crashing into the enemy ship, being pulled into the atmosphere; everything. Although she hesitated when it came to the point of the tale that she had murdered Stetson Verone, almost afraid of what they would think of her. Yoda recognized her trepidation, and gave her a reassuring look. Not a smile really, it was more conveyed through his large brown orbs.
"I am fully aware of my crime." Jade said calmly, "I am voluntarily at the mercy of your judgment, but please do not punish my friends for my transgression. They had no part in what happened."
Briam scoffed at her words.
"She was justified in what she did!" He cried, "Those men murdered a lot of people, and would probably try to do so again." Jade appreciated his support, but knew that even though his intentions were good he was wrong.
"You cannot justify the means if the end result is as extreme as the act committed against you in the beginning." Another man spoke wisely, "You cannot punish a murderer by committing the same travesty."
"If you hadn't have shot him, I would have!" He declared loudly, "He committed treason when he tried to murder the Queen. We were sent to find him-"
"Find him and bring him back to face the Queen's sentence." Jade argued, "I was never supposed to kill him."
"He wouldn't think twice about killing you." He shot back, and Jade's eyes involuntarily flooded with tears.
"That renders me as guilty as he was, Briam." His eyes fell as he understood the truth in her words. "I know better, but I took the law into my own hands. Emmara would never have killed them." She laughed sadly before adding, "Maybe beat him to a bloody pulp, but she would never murder them." Briam smiled sadly at her words. He never could understand how the Guardians were so calm in these kinds of situations.
"Truly repentant, you are." The green alien said and Jade nodded slowly. "A learning experience for you, this must be." He noticed her astounded expression, as well as the astonishment of the entire council at his words, and so he explained. "Let anger control your actions, you must not. Briefly trained in the ways of the Force, you have been." Jade did not follow.
"The Force?" she questioned, "I am not familiar with the meaning."
"By another name call it, you do." He admonished closing his eyes to touch her mind, "Identify it as Valor, you do." Jade furrowed her brow. She hadn't been surprised when he had reached out to feel her through the art of Valor. She had sensed it when she first arrived in front of the council. Now she was learning that here they were also very well trained in this ability, and called it the Force. Very interesting, indeed.
"She is not a member of the Academy, and so she must be disciplined accordingly." A new voice stated and the green alien, whom Jade was beginning to assume was the one in charge, put his hand up. Silence fell.
"From a different galaxy, she hails." He reminded them, "Bound by our law, she is not. Simply a way home, they seek."
Jade nodded,
"Yes." She answered, "I would also like to learn more." She admitted, "It is not often that Guardians are able to travel off planet, let alone to a different galaxy and I would love to learn more of the force and the Jedi." She stated, secretly hoping that they would allow her to stay and study alongside them until they could find a way back to Enisaari. "I believe it would greatly improve the Guardians ability to protect Eonia."
Most of the council agreed, but there were still a few who repudiated the idea.
"Your situation, unique it is." The little man spoke again, "Something to learn from the code of the Jedi, I'm sure you will find." He looked to the other members of the council, "Discuss your future here, we shall."
Obi-wan, whom had been standing in the corner of the council room with Anakin, stepped forward to lead them from the council room. Jade bowed respectfully to leave them so they could deliberate whether or not they would be allowed to stay as guests in the temple until they were able to find a way home. Jade felt a tidal wave of peace wash over her. Something about this temple gave her a sense of tranquility.
…
Obi-wan waited outside of the council chambers, standing beside his padawan as they looked out over the city. He was anxious to hear what the council had decided. He truly believed that the honorable thing for the council to do was to take the group of foreigners in, and help them. He was unsure as to the reason beside his ardent belief regarding the strangers, but he was positive that they should be trained in the temple. He imagined that this was how Qui-gon felt in regards to the young Anakin Skywalker he had brought to be evaluated before the council. He would never forget Qui-gon's conviction. He knew that there was a reason, yet he was in the dark as to what it was.
"Why are you so fixed on getting the Council to take them in?" Anakin questioned his master, looking straight into his eyes. Obi-wan thought it over,
"If it was I who stood in their place I would certainly hope someone would be kind enough to take me in." He replied, voicing only about a half of his reasoning. He just couldn't explain why he felt so strongly about the situation, and he was certain that the Force was telling him something. Perhaps they would play a vital role in this galaxy, if only for a little while.
Anakin listened to his Master's words, and although he felt empathetic to his words something in his mind was working against it. He was trying to fight away the negative thoughts that flittered through his mind, but they kept nagging at him. He knew he was being selfish and unkind, but he felt uneasy in their presence.
"I know that you have your qualms with this and I do appreciate your support Anakin." Obi-wan told him with a genuine smile, which had become a rare thing coming from him the past months. Anakin returned the smile.
"Of course, Master." He answered, "I trust you."
They were summoned back into the chambers, and Obi-wan watched as Jade stood tall with her chin squared.
"Permission to remain as a guest at the Temple, we permit you." Master Yoda told them. Jade couldn't help the wide smile that broke out on her face. Mace Windu, the dark skinned Jedi spoke next.
"There are limits to the extent of your stay." He forewarned her, "You are not permitted to enter into certain sections of the Temple, unless given direct permission from a Jedi Master."
Jade nodded in understanding. They were not members of the Jedi Order and so that was to be expected.
"Also, if you wish, we can allow you to attend a few of the learning sessions with the padawan learners." He informed them before turning his eyes to Master Yoda again.
"Training, you shall receive. Benefit greatly from the Jedi Code, you will." From the look on some of the council members faces Jade knew that some of them were against the idea. She was an outsider, brash and strong willed. It was dangerous and they could all sense it.
"What of my friend Emmara? What has happened to her?" Jade wondered aloud, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"In the Med Center, she is. Visit her after you are settled, you may." Jade bowed graciously to the council in gratitude. She had expected them to throw her in prison for her actions. Instead they had welcomed her into their home to learn more about their ways. The gesture was entirely unexpected, but at the same time extremely appreciated.
"Tomorrow we expect you to give us a full briefing on the circumstances that brought you here, and we would like to learn more of your planet and its culture." Master Windu added, "We must also begin to explore the possibilities of your situation."
Jade nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course." She turned to Briam and Marcus and they all shared a smile. Before they turned to leave the council asked to speak with Obi-wan and Anakin alone, and so Jade and the others drifted out while Obi-wan stayed behind.
He came to the center of the room so that he could better face the council.
"We appreciate the effort you and your padawan have put into this assignment, Jedi Knight Kenobi." Mace Windu informed him, and they both bowed accordingly.
"Over, your calling, is not." Yoda notified them with a smirk, "Just beginning, it is."
"You brought to light a valid point, Master Kenobi." Master Ki-adi-mundi added, "Being from a foreign galaxy, learning to utilize their gifts could most assuredly assist them to bring peace to their own galaxy." Obi-wan nodded, remembering his own words.
"Help them achieve this, you must." Yoda told him, "Teach them the art of meditation, you must. In great need of tranquility and peace, they will need, so far away from home. More proficient your training will be. Anakin," Yoda turned to the young man standing with his arms behind his back.
Anakin acknowledged the Jedi Master with a slight bow,
"Able to teach them a thing or two with a lightsaber, you may be." Yoda saw the beaming arrogant smirk on the young man's face and reprimanded, "Supervised of course, you must be, by your Master Kenobi." His face fell, and Yoda turned back to Obi-wan.
Obi-wan could barely hide his skepticism. He wanted them to train at the temple, but he would have never thought he would be the one training them. He couldn't possibly have more to offer them than Yoda would, surely.
"I am hardly qualified…" He started, "I already have Anakin to train…" He was surprised that they were even considering letting him take on a second ward, let alone a third or fourth. They had been fairly concerned of his ability to train Anakin as it was, now they were adding more to the plate.
"Sit in on your lessons with your padawan, they will." Yoda informed him, "Doubts, you have?"
"Only of my capacity to teach them properly." He responded,
"You will not be the only one aiding them in their efforts here; many of us are contributing our knowledge." Master Windu assured him to relieve some of the pressure Obi-wan was beginning to feel.
"Deny this assignment, do you?" Obi-wan shook his head,
"Of course not, Master." He said, "I apologize for my hesitation. We accept the assignment gratefully." Obi-wan felt the doubt spreading through his thoughts, but he pushed them away.
"Assigned them apartments, we already have. As to guide them, would you be so kind?" Yoda asked and Obi-wan nodded dutifully before bowing and retreating from before the council.
Once they were safely out of the chambers Anakin spoke.
"Now how do you feel about them training at the temple?" He baited his master with a smirk and was met with a dark glare.
"No need to patronize, my young padawan." He responded calmly, and his padawan laughed while Obi-wan shook his head.
Once Obi-wan had obtained the apartment numbers that the Council had assigned to the group he began the journey to their living quarters. They were on the same floor as himself and Anakin, which made it far easier to find.
As they walked through the wide hallways and under the tall archways he noticed immediately the stares of awestruck in each member of the group's faces. He could certainly understand what they were feeling. He had yet to see a building that was as majestically magnificent as the Temple. He tried to never allow himself to take for granted the beauty of the Temple. Growing up amongst it, it was easy to become accustomed to its splendor.
"How do you not get lost?" Jade asked as her wide brown eyes searched the wide similar hallways that branched out around them. Anakin chuckled at the question, and Obi-wan was even amused.
"I have been here for almost eight years and sometimes I still use the guidance of the force to find my way." Anakin told them in a sudden mood of cordiality. It was Jade's turn to share a laugh.
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Maura