Rise of the Warrior
Chapter 9
"What the Sith is going on?"
Startled, Obi-Wan withdrew his hand from Thrice's and abruptly rose from his seat. He anxiously began collected himself and turned to leave. He cleared his throat and said, "Ah, well it's good to see you're recovered, Jinn. I was just on my way out."
However, before he could move, the warrior grinned and said, "Oh, I see. You fancy her, don't you? Well, she is available if you want to court her."
"Jinn!" scolded Thrice. "You sound like a pimp."
In response, he gave her a wink and in exasperation Thrice shook her head and sighed. Instead, she extended her hand and wiggled her index finger to get him to come near. Obedient, Jinn came to her and she patted the chair next to her for him to sit.
"There, now be a good boy and be silent."
Jinn smiled. "Mums, the word, Master. But Obi-Wan would make a fine catch."
Obi-Wan cleared his throat again and said, "Uh, well I'll leave you two alone then. I'm sure you have much to discuss."
Then, in all speed the Jedi Master left the Clan-ship and Thrice and her disciple were finally alone. Thrice gave Jinn a deadly glare that she actually flashed her ruby-eyes at him and he inwardly flinched.
"Master?"
Irked, she said, "I could rip out your tongue, Jinn Kenobi."
Jinn in surprise exclaimed, "What! Why?"
"You know perfectly well what you just did."
He smiled and tilted his head. "I think you really like him. Great fires of hell, I think you fancy him as much as he fancies you."
Thrice turned her gaze away and replied, "He…he is pleasing, but stubborn. I think you inherited it. And he is also a gentleman, you should not tease him."
Then, solemnly Jinn placed his hand over hers like Obi-Wan had done a moment before and gently said, "I know how he is, Thrice. I'm glad you like him too. I didn't mean to offend you, but I've never seen you treat anyone like that before. You could have injured him a lot more during our duel, yet I see you two instead holding hands."
"Jinn…"
"Just keep in mind that Jedi are forbidden to fall in love. They think it will make them weak and cause them to fall into dark feelings and corrupt their souls. I don't want you to get hurt if he withdraws from you, Milady."
"That's sweet of you Jinn, but please, you don't have to worry about my feelings. And I'm surprised to hear that the Jedi do not accept love. I believe love maybe the most important force in the galaxy. Hmm, I thought they were wise."
"Perhaps, but I wouldn't argue ideology with them if I were you. Some of the Jedi are hypocrites, but Obi-Wan is no black sheep."
The woman-warrior then turned in her chair and folded Jinn's hand into her lap and said, "Let's forget this things for now, Jinn. Let us talk instead about your final test."
The amber-eyed warrior lowered his head and his feelings about the match were visible in his shoulders as they sank. He silently gave her a nod and felt her lift his chin. She stared at him and drank in his features. He looked like a young man in his prime, about 20 with rust color hair and deep golden eyes that reflected the light like a lion. She smiled when she noticed the start of a beard growing on his cleft chin. If he grew it out then he'd really look like Obi-Wan's twin.
Gently, she said, "Jinn, I can't teach you anything else. You didn't fail the test. There are no winners in war. The reason we dueled was not to teach you to be heartless, it was to teach you that challenges must be faced, even the ones we do not wish to meet. You have to fight for what you really want. You must not be afraid. You must not run away. If it's important to you than it doesn't even matter if you're loved ones disagree. I only wish for your happiness."
Jinn was touched by his Master's words. He rose from his seat and then bent down to kiss her hand.
"Thank you, Master."
She then shook her head and lifted his arm so he would stand and said, "No, Jinn. From now on I'm no longer your Master. You are now filled with the Clan's teachings. You now bear the Clan's word and with it I know you can do anything."
Teary eyed, Jinn smiled proudly and watched as she rose to fold him into her embrace. Inwardly, he wished he had never broken his promise to her and run away, but things were right now and he knew he would never betray his word again. He was happy she came looking for him.
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Location: Padme's apartment
Meanwhile, across Coruscant in the Senator's quarters, Padme was worried about Anakin. He had been having nightmares lately and had trouble sleeping. She had to beg him to tell her what was wrong and he told her it was because he had a dream that she's die during childbirth. Though, she tried to reassure him that nothing bad was going to happen he kept on insisting that it may. It was driving crazy because he was becoming very edgy and angry all the time that she wasn't sure what to do. She couldn't expose her secret and she didn't want to endanger Ani's career, then suddenly she remembered that there was someone on Coruscant that knew—someone who also happened to know about Jedi too. She would call Jinn.
Padme went to her communicator and activated the screen. She composed herself and waited until a receiver from the Temple picked up her call. She then sent a short message that she wanted to speak with Captain Jinn Kenobi from the Republic Army immediately.
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When Jinn arrived he was still in high spirits after speaking with his Ma—Thrice. She wasn't his Master anymore. He felt light as a feather, like he could take on the world. He learned that Thrice would be sticking around to take in more of the city and go sightseeing. It was odd to think of her as a tourist, but he remembered she that liked to keep her downtime to herself.
Meanwhile, he had no idea what Padme wanted. Their last conversation didn't exactly end well, but she was still a friend. He knocked on the door and a droid answered it and showed him in. He saw that Padme was waiting for him at her balcony and gazing out towards the city. She looked worried, but instant smiled when he approached her.
"Jinn, it's good to see you again."
The warrior beamed and bowed to give her hand a kiss. "Likewise, Padme. Now, what did you want to see me about?"
Padme began to fidget with her hands and bit her bottom lip before saying, "Jinn, you're my friend. You gave me your word that you wouldn't tell anymore about me and Anakin."
He nodded and replied, "Yes, and I'm guessing that this visit is about your Jedi?"
"Yes, but what I'm about to tell you I want you to promise me not to speak of it to another soul."
Jinn rubbed his hands and muttered, "Hellfire." He then looked at her and said, "Fine, Padme. Consider me as sacred as hollow ground. Tell me, what's on your mind. You have my word I won't tell."
Tentatively, Padme thought about were to begin. "Well, it's Ani. He's been having terrible nightmares lately. He said he thinks something will happen to me and he believes his dreams are a vision of the future. He said the Force is telling him something and that he needs to save me. He said he needs to get stronger to prevent my death from happening."
Intrigued, Jinn rubbed his chin and said, "A vision? What sort of vision, Padme?"
She shyly bowed her head and grinned. "Well, Ani and I are going to have a baby."
Jinn was shocked. "But Padme, you can't keep your marriage a secret forever. Anakin will have to eventually have to resign from the Order if he wants to be a father. He must, the child is his responsibility. He has to help support the baby."
"Actually, it's two babies. I'm having twins. And again, I can't ask Ani to give up his dream."
He then sat down beside her and said, "But darling, this isn't about Anakin's dream anymore. This is about your children. Look, Padme this is merely my opinion. I never told you, but since we're sharing I think maybe you should know."
"Know what?"
"Obi-Wan isn't my cousin. He's my father and I was created in a lab."
"What! Does Obi-Wan know?"
"Yes, but I didn't have a childhood, Padme. I was a lab test. I was fully formed and I had a lot of information already put inside my head, but my point is the one thing I always wanted more than anything was to grow up with two loving parents. And if you want that then you should talk to Anakin about your dreams in the long term."
Padme narrowed her eyes as the warrior like he was a specimen and said, "Oh my, it just occurred to me, but you look just like Obi-Wan did when we first met on Naboo. If you were dressed like him then you'd be like a page right out from his past."
Jinn looked down at his Republic uniform and raised his brow. He self-consciously shifted away from her and crossed his leg and cleared his throat and said, "Uh, yes well speaking of Obi-Wan, I think Anakin should speak to him about his vision if it's troubling him."
"But Obi-Wan doesn't know about our marriage, Jinn. Ani knows that Obi-Wan would be obligated to report him to the High Council."
"Then, I'm not sure how I can be of any help."
"I thought maybe you could speak to Ani."
Flabbergasted, the warrior stared at her like she was crazy. "What! No, your husband hates me."
Padme smiled in disbelieve and retorted, "No, he doesn't. You're overreacting."
"No, I am not. He knocked me over the first time we met and tried to thrash me and told me I wasn't good enough to be in your company."
The brown-eyed beauty frowned and said, "What? No, Ani would never do such a thing. And why didn't you ever say anything?"
"The issue was between he and I, Milady. Though, do not be troubled. It's in the past, but it is an experience I do not wish to repeat."
Padme then got up from her seat and it was then that Jinn noticed how big she really was under her robes. It was well hidden, but it was clear she was pregnant and it looked like she was due very soon. She poured herself a glass of water and took a sip and then quietly gazed out towards the zooming transports and busy streets.
She said, "Even if Ani was hard on you, would you still go speak with him for my task? He thinks I'm going to die during childbirth no matter how much I assure him that I won't. He believes it to be true so much that it's become an obsession with him. He worries me. And I know you've spent a lot of time with Obi-Wan. Maybe you can tell him something about the Force that will ease him."
Jinn rubbed his brow and answered, "For you're sack I will."
"Thank you, Jinn."
He then got up to leave, but stopped by the door and smiled at her and said, "Padme, in exchange you have to promise not to die. Then, you can tell your husband that you're stronger than the Force any day."
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Location: Senate building
Jinn tracked down Anakin at the Senate. He thought maybe he was working and he might have to wait for him. Though, he didn't want to put off speaking with him. Jinn knew that if he put of talking to Anakin then he might ever get his chance. He knew that the Army might send him out on a mission again and then they'd never cross paths for weeks or months.
Though, when he asked a secretary where he was he was surprised that he was with Chancellor Palpatine. He was told to wait for him in his waiting room and discovered that it was very handsome lounge for a gentleman. It had fine painting on the wall, leather chairs, several tables and a fancy beverage selection of off-world alcohol. Thrice would have liked this space. She lived more like a bachelor than he did.
Suddenly, door opened and in walked the Chancellor in mid discussion with Anakin.
"—and that my boy is why you can rely on me, oh! Captain, what a pleasant surprise this is indeed. Here, allow me to introduce you to Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker. Anakin, this is Captain Jinn Kenobi."
The warrior rose and bowed his head. "Yes, we've met, Chancellor. In fact, I am here for Anakin."
Palpatine raised his brow. "Oh? Well, what a coincidence. It saves me from the hassle of finding subjects of conversation. Won't you two stay for a while and have a drink?"
"If you wish it, sir."
Palpatine smiled at Jinn's phrasing. It was just the sort of reply a good servant should make. And seeing him here so soon made him think that perhaps he could try and convince him to take his offer again, but suddenly he felt the hate vibrate off of Anakin in waves. He then remembered Anakin telling him that he didn't like Jinn because he was paying too much attention to his lovely wife, Padme. The young Captain appeared to like to give her bouquets.
However, before he could pour the first glass Anakin interrupted him and said, "Perhaps some other time, Chancellor. If Jinn is here on business than it wouldn't do well to be drinking on the job."
"Oh, yes your quite right my boy, silly me. But Captain, do come by next time to see me. We never did finish our last conversation."
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Once they left Palpatine's office and they were out in hall, Anakin immediately turned to face Jinn and gave him a seething look. It seemed the beast had finally showed itself. It was a very impressive glare, but Jinn had to retrain himself from rolling his eyes. He wasn't here to pick a fight. He was here to be a friend. Though, oddly Jinn knew he could probably pull off a better glare because he had reflective lens in the back of his eyes thanks to his mother's side.
Exasperated, he placed his hands onto his hips and drew in a deep breath and said, "Look, I'm not here to make trouble."
"Then, what do you want? What do you want from me?"
"Only to talk and maybe somewhere private."
Anakin frowned, but gave him a curt nod and began to lead Jinn to an empty conference room that was undergoing some cleaning. It was empty at the moment, but the disinfectant and cleaning supplies were still there on trays and maintenance-bots. Anakin sat onto of a desk and crossed his arms over his chest in defensiveness.
"Ok, talk."
Jinn subconsciously gripped the handle on his blade. It was a bad habit he inherited from his mentor. It was a tell on how on edge he felt, but he gave his word and he would stand by it. Resolute, he decided it was best to be plain.
He said, "Alright, I'm here because I was asked to speak with you by Padme. She's worried and she told me what's been going on. She's concerned about your dreams."
Jinn's response was not what Anakin was expecting. He thought Jinn was here to tell him something about the Temple or the Army, not come here to speak to him on behalf of his wife. And what exactly did Padme say? He couldn't believe she'd tell this Kenobi-duplicate anything. Didn't she know that Jinn was just some trash trying to steal her away from him? His opinion didn't mean a thing. He was a nobody. A useless freak that appeared out of nowhere and was trying to use Obi-Wan and become a Jedi when he didn't have the means. He was only lucky to be a Captain just because Obi-Wan pitied him and gave him the position.
"No, I don't believe you. Padme would never tell you anything. You're lying."
"Well…whatever, the point is that she did. She said that you think she is going to die during childbirth and that you've become troubled. She said you think it's a vision of the future."
"How do you know about my vision?"
Jinn narrowed his brow. "I just told you. Look, you can confirm with Padme if you like, but I'd like to help if I can."
Anakin suspiciously glared at him. "Help? Why do you want to help me? What makes you think you can?"
"I honestly don't know, but I gave my word to Padme that I would be her friend and helping her means helping you. And oddly, I think I understand now why my old Master refused to promise me anything."
"Well, you can't do anything. You aren't a Jedi. You don't know anything about visions and unless you know how to cheat death than go away. I know you're real reason for you being here is so you can look good to Padme, but you can't have her. She belongs to me."
Irked, Jinn shouted, "I am not a homewrecker! Stop saying such slander about me. I came here to offer my help, not take your insults. And if I really wanted to break you up than I would have already done so. You already provided the means, Jedi!"
Anakin fearfully rose and approached Jinn and said, "Are you going to tell the Council about Padme and me? Are you threatening me?"
Insulted, the warrior scuffed. "Spirits, no. I came to you in good faith. Though, I think your situation will get more complicated once your baby arrives. You're better off finding a new occupation. You can't keep a child hidden away forever."
Then, sadly Anakin shook his head and said, "No, Jinn. You don't understand. There may not even be a baby if Padme dies. I have to find a way to save her. I have to figure out how she can cheat death. I can't lose her…not my angel."
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TBC
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