AN: I'll appreciate feedback on how I handled the meeting up to this point.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Star Wars movies, TV series, books, comics or games. They all belong to their respective creators and/or copyright owners. I make no money from this story. It's not for sale or rent.

Chapter 3: Into the twilight

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Part 4

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High Council Chamber

Jedi Temple

Coruscant

Eleven Jedi Masters watched their ancient counterparts come to meet them like a love-struck couple out on an evening stroll. They had to know exactly what image they gave the Council and no one doubted it was a deliberate statement.

The reactions were predictably varied. Ki-Adi-Mundi merely nodded in appreciation, hiding a brief smile. Those two were another argument in favour that he wasn't wrong in loving his wives and children, something he had to defend a distressing amount of times with no end in sight. To his allies, the couple was a proof that the Jedi of the Old Republic might have held beliefs closer to their own than what the archives claimed. It was a good first impression.

Master Tiin saw something quite different. To him, this was a proof too, just for something else. Rash actions, going behind the Council's back as the records claimed the Veils did to start their little war, such acts always ended up in blood and tears. The attachment and love between those two, which was painfully obvious to everyone who glanced at them through the Force, was like a slap in the face. At least he couldn't detect any trace of the Dark Side in them, which was a plus, he guessed.

Others were merely curious or even hungry to her first hand accounts of an age long past, but first a short round of introductions was in order. Only then, Master Windu, as the Master of the Order, began the meeting in earnest. His face was blank of all expression and his tone was cool betraying nothing of how he felt.

"Masters Kira and Delkatar Veil, let me officially welcome you back into the Jedi Order."

The statement wasn't a simple formality, but both a welcome home and a request for the old Jedi Masters to acknowledge the Council's authority over the two of them.

"Master Windu, it's good to be back on Coruscant and see the Jedi standing proud even thousands of years later." The greying human deftly avoided accepting the Order's authority over him. A moment later, his wife did the same.

"That's true, dear. It warms my heart to see the Temple still acting as a shining beacon." The woman graced them with a dazzling smile.

Their piece said, both of the Old Republic Jedi simply waiting with accommodating smiles on their faces.

Windu simply nodded unperturbed. "While I'm sure many of us have questions about the past, duty demands that we debrief you about what happened on Naboo and during your trip back. I understand that you managed to escort Queen Amidala safely to Coruscant?"

"That we did, Master Windu." Kira answered. "When the Trade Federation blockaded Naboo, it was obvious that open resistance would be counter-productive. There was no meaningful system defence force to contests the orbitals and with the invaders acting in such a blatant breach of Republic law we were loath to provide them a target for orbital bombardment. When they destroyed a Republic ship in Orbit we believed to carry a Jedi delegation, that impression was naturally reinforced. For that reason we advised Queen Amidala to flee after ordering all local security forces to disperse in order to avoid destruction, unnecessary collateral damage and gather intelligence of the invaders activities and any further crimes."

Various Jedi Masters glanced at each other at that delivery. Put that way, it was a very sensible course of action. On the face of it, the Trade Federation's actions above Naboo were pure madness. Who in their right mind would bet the lives of countless innocents on the possibility that the madmen wouldn't descent even further in insanity and bombard any meaningful resistance from orbit? It was the call any Jedi worth the title should have made. Murmurs of either open approval or grudging respect could be heard coming from those who allowed themselves to show any reaction.

"Commendable. What happened next?" Mace Windu inquired.

"We boarded the Queen's Yacht and fled Naboo. Two squadrons of Royal Navy fighters took escort positions and it was only thanks to their sacrifice we managed to break through the blockade." Delkatar took up the tale. "Unfortunately none of them made it outside Naboo's gravity well. Further, the Zebulon, Queen Amidala's personal transport was damaged during our flight. We were forced to detour for repairs and the only destination within range with good odds of finding parts and evading Trade Federation attention was Tatooine." At mentioning that name, his smile drained off his face to be replaced by a severe mask.

"Such loss of life is always tragic." Master Trebor lowered his head at the senseless killing. That's why he always pushed for a diplomatic solution of any crisis! Spats between governments weren't worth the blood that could be spilled if things were left to go out of control or when diplomacy simply failed.

"Imagine our stunned disbelief when we found out that slavery not only still exists, but the lives of slaves across Hutt space had got much, much worse." Now Kira's expression shifted too. She was still smiling, yet her expression was a chilling one that could make even a Jedi Master's heart move.

"The continued existence of slavery outside the Republic is something we all regret." Master Tiin spoke in a measured tone. "It is a terrible crime, there is no denying that fact and attempting to do so would be terrible. However, our mandate is to seek and train Force Sensitive children, keep knowledge of the mysteries of the Force alive and act as advisers, mediators and diplomats when the Senate requires it. While we do often act as investigators and even law enforcement agents, that authority begins and ends within the borders of the Galactic Republic. It is not our place to dictate policy on all the independent governments making up the Republic by taking actions outside of our mandate and that is as things should be."

Tiin's allies, Masters Nu, Koth and even Windu, who usually did his best to stand neutral due to his position, as well as Master Billaba indicated their agreement with quiet murmurs or nods. Their opposing faction was quick to show how they felt too, because this concerned one of their fundamental problems with the Order they knew and loved.

Yaddle and Yoda were the only two people in the room who remained impassive and refused to comment. That by itself held significance, because as the two oldest and wisest among the Jedi, their wisdom, when they deigned to dispense it, held tremendous amount of power... which is why they often left the Council decide a course of action by itself with barely any input.

"I see." No one missed how Kira gripped her husband's arm tightly before she spoke. "May I ask, how does the Chancellor and Senate usually answer when you advise them that they should do their best to eradicate slavery from the face of the galaxy, along with piracy, drug trade and all the other despicable pass-times of committed daily in Hutt Space in particular and the Outer Rim in general?" The woman asked in a voice that was pure honey, though no one could mistake how she really felt about the situation.

"I believe we got off topic, Master Kira. However, to answer your question, it is not our place to suggest policy to the Republic government, merely advise them when asked for our input. I believe its been a long time since the Senate concerned itself with issues outside the Republic that didn't directly impact it. Could we please continue with your debriefing?"

Many a Jedi later decided that if they weren't Jedi Masters and thus above such things, the sweet, practically innocent smile Kira Veil shone at them after Windu's explanation would have terrified them.

"Just one more question, for clarity's sake if I may?" Delkatar's voice rang in the unexpected stifling silence that had fallen upon the chamber. "Am I to understand at this moment what happens in Hutt Space and most of the Outer Rim is officially no business of the Galactic Republic and thus the Jedi Order?" His delivery was through a calm, voice, serene even.

For some reason, Yoda would have found it less upsetting if the man shouted his question in anger. To him and Yaddle at least, the direction of this supposedly friendly interview was heading straight into foreboding territory and at least some Jedi Masters in the room either didn't notice it or didn't care.

"That is correct, Master Veil." That was Windu's succinct answer.

At least two conflicting agendas, the varying expectations of thirteen different beings... Yoda's ears twitched. A clash was probably inevitable. While this perhaps wasn't the best time, they were all Jedi. Getting everything in the open so it wouldn't fester should be for the best, he decided and continued to silently observe.

"I understand." Delkatar spoke softly. "In that case, my part of the story is simple. When we got to Tatooine, we searched for a way to either fix the Zebulon or to gain transport off-world. In the process we did find a young slave boy who is exceptionally strong in the Force, freed him, his mother and as many of the slaves present at Mos Espa – the nearest settlement to our landing site. After that, I made my way to Mos Eisley and arranged transport to Coruscant for the Queen's party and another to Corellia for the freed slaves."

"Did you sent the boy to Corellia or did you bring him here?" Master Billaba asked.

"Anakin and his mother, Shmi Skywalker should be at the mess hall along with Jedi Knight Jinn, who volunteered to escort them there."

"Good. We would like to test him later. How old is he?" Master Plo Koon asked.

"Nine." Kira answered. Her disturbing smile was still and place and showed no sign of vanishing any time soon from whatever space she summoned it.

"Old he is. Perhaps too old to train." Yoda spoke for the first time since introducing himself earlier.

"Too old?" Veil, the husband parroted. "At nine?" He made a show of raising both eyebrows. "I was almost thirty when I began my training. Granted, being stuck with the younglings for the first couple of years was a bit humbling but I think I turned all right."

"You should know of my story too." Kira's voice was sickeningly sweet. "I was trained as a Sith in my youth, one of the Emperor's children no less. When I managed to escape Korriban, I spent eight long years on Nar Shaddaa before my first Master found and saved me from a life of darkness."

Master Koth winced at that reminder of his own childhood. Granted, he was only four when hew was found and rescued, but still. This boy, Anakin perhaps deserved the same chance to be trained he received. Yet, there was a reason why the Jedi took children young enough not to remember any life outside the Order. Perhaps these two Jedi Masters could prove to them all that that policy was wrong, or at least that sometimes there were good reasons to make exceptions. Time would tell.

"At any rate we won't make any decisions about the boy before meeting him so Let us shelve that topic for the moment." Master Trebor brought them all back on track.

"I'm glad to hear that." For the barest of moments, Kira's smile shifted into something soft and genuine, before that terrible expression was back in force. "To answer your question, Master Windu... While my husband was looking after the safety of the Skywalkers, I went to ask all slave owners in Mos Espa to release their slaves. They did." She cast down her gaze. "Unfortunately not all were in attendance and we learned that if we left any slaves behind they would be likely made an example of. I attempted to remove he slave chips from those whose owners weren't at Mos Espa, however out of forty-one only three survived."

"I'm saddened to hear that." Master Yaddle spoke softly and most unusually in perfectly normal Basic instead of the strange version she and Yoda were so fond of.

"Me too, but that's a cold comfort for those who died." Kira continued. The Veils didn't fail to notice that none of the Jedi were really surprised of their tale about the lot of the slaves on Tatooine. Some were sad at the loss of life, others showed what might have been remorse for not doing something themselves, but most just had grim and stoic expressions on their faces. "Just before we left for Mos Espa with the freed slaves, we were confronted by a darksider."

Well, that did get everyone's attention.

"A Dark Jedi on Tatooine!?" Tiin surged to his feet unable to contain his sheer shock. "The last one we knew off was dispatched a few years ago!"

"He was after the Queen." Kira forged on, paying no attention to the concerned murmuring of the Council.

"Then a hunter hired by the Trade Federation?" Master Koon wondered aloud.

"So it seems. He did claim to be a Sith of all things." Again, Kira's smile cracked, this time becoming an amused one.

"You can't possibly believe that!" Master Nu scoffed. "The Sith are gone. Our predecessors saw to that almost a thousand years ago."

"I know Sith. I've been trained by some in my youth, I had to fight many after becoming a Jedi. I can assure you, that boy, Maul, I met on Tatooine was no Sith. He was merely a disturbed young man who left himself be consumed by the Dark Side. I did bring anything of intelligence value I found on his person. It is currently waiting in a cargo container in the hangar where we arrived."

None of the Jedi Masters felt even a hint of deception. At least they didn't have to deal with a real Sith. As Master Veil just pointed out, the both ancients came from an era when fighting the Sith was a common occurrence. They would know the difference between one and a mere Dark Jedi. What had the Masters concerned was the confirmation that the Veils' became members of the Order in an unconventional way and some feared what that might imply.

"We will certainly go over those items. May I be the first of us to congratulate you over riding us of such a beast?" Tiin smiled pleasantly. While the thought of Dark Jedi running around was a terrible one to behold, at least that one was dealt with. Master Tiin gave a deep bow of respect to Kira, then sat back in his chair and did his best to suppress the surge of anger and revulsion at the very thought of Dark Jedi being active. That the Council was none the wiser only made everything worse.

He was torn. At one had, the confirmation that he Veils were odd Jedi for even the terrible war-torn era they came from was unsettling. Their earlier questions implied that their views might clash with his vision of what the Order should be and how it must move forward. Yet, he had to acknowledge their service so far. Keeping a level head on Naboo and ensuring their actions wouldn't cause unnecessary destruction and suffering did them credit. After all, Tiin knew of some hot-heads in this very building who would have attempted to fight the invasion with likely terrible consequences.

"Those are all the important facts, I recon." Delkatar finished their brief report. Later, the Council would ask for more details but this was good enough for the time being.

"Thank you for your service, Masters." Windu gave them a sharp approving nod.

"What do you intent to do now that you are back where you belong?" Master Billaba inquired.

"Come to grips with what happened to us. Follow through on our promise to aid Queen Amidala and her people. After that?" Delkatar shrugged.

"We don't know enough of this new age to say for sure. Recover our mental balance and learn about how the galaxy changed over the past three thousand years." Kira added.

"We will help you acclimatize as best as we could." Master Billaba offered. "You are Jedi and will always have a place in the Temple."

"Thank you for this gracious offer, Master Billaba." Kira gave the woman a respectful bow.

"I'm not sure what was the policy back in your day, but some will view your marriage as an issue." Master Nu warned quietly. While she personally disapproved, she wasn't going to let that alienate them from her and prevent her from getting a first hand account of everything they experienced and knew of the past! Still, this was a topic that had to be discussed and better now than later.

"A lot of Jedi disapproved." Delkatar shrugged again.

"We didn't let that stop us." Kira's smile softened and she very pointedly leaned into her husband's side. "We won't let any such sentiments separate us."

"Even if it is against the Council's policy and the rules of today's Jedi Order?" Master Windu asked, while still keeping his inscrutable expression in place. In the Force he felt like an unshakable pillar that let no hint of emotion slip through.

"Even then." The husband and wife answered as one.

It soon became clear who was supportive of their situation, who found it distasteful at best and who was either ambivalent or had too good self-control to reveal their real feelings. The four Jedi Masters to the left obviously had no problem with the married couple. Their respective opposites were a mixed bag. Tiin and Koth were obviously bothered by the marriage. Master Billaba didn't seem to care, though it wasn't clear if it was because they hadn't broken a Council law when they did marry in the past or because she was fine with Jedi marrying in general.

Masters Yoda, Yaddle and Windu didn't show any hint of an emotion and Jocosta Nu looked like she didn't like it but wasn't bothered enough to do anything about it either.

When all was said and done, that was a better reception than any of the Veils expected. At least as far as their marriage was concerned. While there were deeper and more important issues they wanted to confront, the Old Republic Jedi already decided not to until they had made their peace with the situation and learned more about the future. However...

"May we inquire what the Jedi Order will do about the invasion of Naboo?" Delkatar asked.

"We're still debating the issue." Master Windu answered. "We haven't reached a satisfactory decision yet."

"Master Veil and Master Veil," Master Poof smiled at the little play of words. "You were there when the invasion began. As Jedi from the Old Republic, you do have a fresh, or at least different perspective. What would you do about this situation?"

"Join the Republic fleet that should be ready to depart soon and liberate Naboo." Delkatar replied without even thinking.

"What he said." Kira asked.

"Well, that at least is clear and to the point." Plo Koon allowed in a pleased tone.

"That won't be possible I'm afraid." Master Trebor explained. "The Senate is set to find diplomatic resolution. Chancellor Valorum faced a Vote of No Confidence and lost it. The Republic won't take an overt action before a new Chancellor is voted in and then it might take time for them to formulate a proper response. Hopefully before then the situation will be peacefully resolved. The Trade Federation Senator did state that the actions above Naboo were those of a rogue element of their fleet and it will be resolved with all haste..."

"The Trade Federation Senator?" Kira asked. The thought that a corporation could have an actual Senator was stunning.

"Who in their right mind allowed a Corporation to have a Senator!?" Delkatar wasn't far behind.

"That's been possible for a long, long time now." The Chief Librarian pointed out.

The husband and wife exchanged confused glances. It was painfully obvious that they would have a lot to learn before they could allow themselves to act overtly, no matter what problem they chose to tackle first.

A comm beeped, halting the discussion. Mace Windu fished out a communicator from his robes and answered.

"There has been some unsettling accusation levelled against our newest or should I say oldest members." Pern's voice sounded in the suddenly silent chamber. "Queen Amidala accuses Master Veil of torturing and murder of at least one Tatooine local. One of her handmaidens witnessed the incident and is currently giving a proper statement."

"I understand. Please send it to me the moment it is completed. I will look into it now." Mace Windu spoke in a frosty tone. He pocketed the communicator and levelled a cold glare at the Jedi standing in the centre of the chamber. "I believe you left some important details out of your debriefing, Master Veil."

"Did I? You did make clear that anything happening outside of the Republic's borders is of no consequence as far as the Republic or the Jedi Order are concerned?" Delkatar shot back.

The stunned silence was joined by a terrible sense of foreboding.