Disclaimer: Not mine

The original over on Kirallie is almost complete! And I am finally getting to watch the Clone Wars! Just finished disc 2 of s1. Bit of light-hearted fun. Anyone know where the movie can be found in Australia?

Chapter 7

Obi-Wan slipped away as the sun was beginning to rise, a note left on the dresser as he re-dressed and left the room. It wasn't how he wanted to leave but no one could see him there. It was amazing how history could repeat himself in such a different world. He was thankful for the memories of this Obi-Wan which told him that Jedi did not have to be celibate and in fact he had been with others, teenage fumbling mostly. he pulled his robe hood up as he slipped through the halls, remembering where surveillance was from previous visits. He made it back to their room and entered to find the room silent, he slipped into the bedroom and stripped off, going to enjoy an actual water shower since he knew he wouldn't have the luxury on board the ship. Once clean he pulled on his leggings and fell onto the bed to rest and meditate lightly, ensuring his shielding was still firm.

"Have a good night Padawan?" Qui-Gon asked an hour later from the doorway and Obi-Wan opened his eyes.

"Yes Master. I hope you slept well?"

"Very well. Be ready to go in an hour, have you eaten yet?"

"No Master." He got up and began pulling on a fresh tunic.

"I asked for food to be sent up." He slipped out of the room, puzzled. It had been several years since he'd felt something like that through the bond. He only hoped he had been discreet, they had an image as Jedi to preserve after all, he was curious over who it had been but he would not ask. He could feel nothing dangerous in Obi-Wan's emotions so there was no reason to speak to him over his activities. Some Jedi chose to be celibate but he hadn't and he had no problem with Obi-Wan following in his footsteps. Sometimes close human contact was needed, especially in times of stress. Not only had Obi-Wan destroyed the control ship but he had killed the Sith all in one day, if he turned to physical comfort after that it was very understandable.

They ate breakfast in silence, not needing to speak while they enjoyed a last meal of the local cuisine. It wasn't as good as normal but it was very good considering they'd just been invaded. Obi-Wan had memories of many meals on the planet form Senate vacations to trips with the twins to see family. After last night he was once again struggling over what to do, did he pursue a relationship with Padme again? Last time there had been one lie between them, his status as a Sith, and she had taken that well. But this time he had a lot more to hide. The physical age gap between them was enough, but now he was mentally so much older. Was it fair to her?

"Time to leave Padawan." Qui-Gon's voice broke him from his thoughts and Obi-Wan nodded, rising to get his bag and cloak. They left the room and headed for the hanger, meeting up with the other Jedi and eventually Chancellor Valorum. The Queen appeared with her handmaidens to say farewell. Obi-Wan was the picture of Jedi calm as he bowed to her and her makeup hid any reaction she may have had as she smiled to him and Qui-Gon. Then they were aboard and headed home to Coruscant. He spent most of the trip in meditation, preparing to spend time around his friends not to mention being on the same planet as that monster Sidious.

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Obi-Wan stepped into the Council chamber and froze, it was pitch black inside, the windows sealed. His next step was very cautious and then twelve blades of light appeared in a semi-circle in front of him.

"Come forward and kneel Padawan Kenobi." Mace Windu spoke firmly and Obi-Wan obeyed, heart in his throat. This was a Knighting ceremony! Something he had once wanted more than anything. He lowered his head, as the shortest blade came to rest above his shoulder.

"By the right of the Council, by the will of the Force, I dub thee Jedi, Knight of the Republic." Master Yoda recited as he moved his saber first to the other shoulder and then back again, severing his braid which Obi-Wan caught in his hand. The lights came up and he looked up at a smiling Master Yoda. "Rise Knight Kenobi."

Obi-Wan got up and saw Qui-Gon standing there with the biggest smile on his face. He came forward and embraced him. "Well down Padawan."

"Thank you Master." He whispered and then offered the severed braid to him. Qui-Gon took it reverently.

"You have been an excellent Padawan my friend and I know you will be a great Knight."

"Thank you. But I don't understand, I haven't undergone the trials."

"You not only flew against overwhelming numbers and managed to complete your mission but you then faced a Sith and defeated him, without touching the dark side. It was decided that there could be no greater trial." Mace answered as he joined them.

"Oh. His reaction made the two older men chuckle.

"You're dismissed Knight Kenobi; we should have your first mission ready in two days."

"Thank you Masters." He bowed and left the room.

"I know what you are going to ask old friend and the answer is no, the Force has spoken and the boy's Master has been chosen." Mace commented once Obi-Wan was gone.

"Who is to be his Master?"

"You will find out when the time comes, for now the boy is integrating with his age mates."

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Obi-Wan sighed as the ship entered hyperspace, despite what his friends may think he was very pleased a mission had come up so quickly. He needed space and time alone, something he hadn't had since being sent to this dimension. He sat back in the pilot's seat and watched the stars streak by. He got up after a while and made his way back to the small galley to prepare a meal. It would take a few days to reach the small planet that had asked for a Jedi negotiator. He didn't like leaving Anakin alone and vulnerable too close to the Senator but there was nothing he could do about it, yet. He wouldn't be able to take a Padawan for several years, Anakin's last year as an initiate at the earliest. But he trusted the Force to ensure what needed to happen would. The Force wouldn't give him to another Master when he had been sent to train the boy.

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Padme smiled as she watched her sister putter about the house. Sola was newly married and it suited her. She had been happy that she had been able to sneak away to attend, Sabè taking her place for the day, just as she was doing now.

"And when will you find someone Padme?"

"Sola I am rather busy."

"That's no excuse, surely you can meet someone while being Queen."

"Someone who sees past the makeup and Palace?" she shook her head, the only one so far had been Obi-Wan and she knew there could never be a relationship there, as long as he was a Jedi. She still had the note he had left her and it was cherished as a reminder of happiness.

"Okay, what's with that look? Who is he?"

Padme fought down a blush, wishing for her makeup. "There's no one."

"Padme."

"It's impossible Sola, more than that, it's forbidden."

"Forbidden?" Sola's eyes went wide. "Not one of the Jedi? Oh Padme."

"They aren't celibate and it's not illegal for the Queen to have a lover." She pointed out defensively.

"True, the Queen can even marry, but the Jedi can't."

"It was one night of comfort Sola, nothing more."

"Alright." Sola finished unpacking the box for the kitchen and the two went about setting things up.

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Obi-Wan landed cautiously and sighed, pulling his hood up as he dashed from the ship and over to the doors. They opened at his approach and he was relieved to get out of the rain, did it ever stop raining?

"Welcome to Tipoca City, Master Jedi. We were not expecting an inspection so early." Taun We greeted and he bowed slightly to her.

"We were hoping for a progress report."

"Of course, I will take you to the Prime Minister." They walked through silent corridors and into an office. "May I present Lama Su, Prime Minister of Kamino... and this is Master Jedi...

"Charoni." He supplied, bowing to the Prime Minister.

"Please..." Lama Su indicated a chair that moved down from the ceiling and Obi-Wan settled himself within it.

"I trust you are going to enjoy your stay. We are most happy you have arrived at the best part of the season."

"You make me feel most welcome." He smiled, best part? The weather actually got worse? It made him glad he had never come here in his own timeline.

"And now to business. You will be delighted to hear we are on schedule. Two hundred thousand units will be ready within eight years, with another million well on the way."

"That is good news."

"Please tell your Master Sifo-Dyas that we have every confidence his order will be met on time and in full. He is well, I hope?"

"Unfortunately he died several months back. Lord Sidious sent me to ensure everything is going to plan." That was a gamble but they had studied things closely after Sidious' death and it seemed the cloners had always known who was paying them.

"I see." He rose to his feet. "You must be anxious to inspect the units for yourself."

"That's why I'm here." He agreed, also standing to follow the much taller beings out of the room, hands folded within the sleeves of his robe. They walked into a room filled with rows of identical young children, the oldest of the clones so far.

"We modified their genetic structure to make them less independent than the original host. As a result, they are totally obedient, taking any order without question." He explained and Obi-Wan felt a pang of sympathy for the clones. He knew some Jedi had been very close to their troops, he'd never spent much time with any of them.

"Who was the original host?"

"A bounty hunter called Jango Fett. We felt a Jedi would be the perfect choice, but Sifo-Dyas hand-picked Jango Fett himself."

"Where is this bounty hunter now?"

"Oh, we keep him here. After a few hundred thousand clones, the genetic pattern starts to fade, so we take a fresh supply. He lives here, but he's free to come and go as he pleases. Apart from his pay, which is considerable, Fett demanded only one thing - an unaltered clone for himself. Curious isn't it?"

"Unaltered?" He vaguely remembered seeing the child on Geonosis all those years ago.

"Pure genetic replication. No tampering with the structure to make it more docile... and no growth acceleration..."

"Interesting. He sounds a good choice as template. You mentioned growth acceleration..." they walked into another large room, this one full of small beds with tiny children within, sleeping. They were so small and innocent, it was hard to imagine they would grow into hardened soldiers.

"Oh yes, it's essential. Otherwise, a mature clone would take a lifetime to grow. Now, we can do it in half the time. Those items you saw in the classroom were started two years ago, when Sifo-dyas first placed the order, and they're the equivalent of a human seven-year-old child.

"And these?"

"They were only removed from the growth chambers two days ago." They entered a space filled with great racks of glass spheres, which were filled with fluid in which embryos were suspended. "They're immensely superior to droids, capable of independent thought and action."

"Very impressive." He praised.

"I'd hoped you would be pleased."

"Very much so. I would like to review what they are being taught, as well as the Contingency Orders to ensure all is in order."

"Of course Master Charon, I will have it all sent to the computer in your room. I hope you sleep well." He bowed his head and left Obi-Wan with Taun We who led him to a well-equipped guest room. He removed his clothes and showered, wanting to remove the salt from the sea air he had been exposed to. He redressed and went to the computer, beginning to read the information. He hadn't really cared when Order 66 had been activated, other than pity for the innocent children caught up in the massacre but now he had personal memories of so many Jedi and he found he wanted to stop as many deaths as possible. He didn't have much time either, he had to return to Coruscant within the time allotted for his last mission or else questions may be raised, something he did not want.

TBC…