Author's Note: Just in case someone was wondering, the title comes from the song, We Don't Need Another Hero by Tina Turner, from Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. Also I know, I said no more flashforwards, but there was one more I wanted to do (besides, this character has been very patient with me). So, this chapter does feature the last flashforward for a few chapters, and then after the resolution of The Phantom Menace storyline, there won't be any more flashforwards for a while. On the other hand, Obi-Wan, Anakin, Qui-Gon, and Padme will make their appearance in the next chapter. And it may take me a while longer to get that out, as I really do want to make some progress on my LOTR project and on Pieces of the Truth. That said, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter Nine
Truth. . .From A Certain Point of View
Master Solo warned them, as he sat beside his sister and took her hand, that what they would see during the memory scan would be unpleasant at best. He was wrong. 'Unpleasant' described the sounds coming from the 'fresher as Knight Solo retched and sobbed brokenly. What they had just seen in the young woman's memory was utterly horrifying. Even Mace Windu was badly shaken by what they had seen, and if he had any doubts even after the Force spoke to them directly, they were gone now.
Great stars, what a terrible time the Travelers had come from! He heard from Kit Fisto about the confrontation between Master Solo and the self-styled Dark Woman. While at the time he disapproved of the Dark Woman's manner with the visitor, he sympathized with her perspective. But after seeing what the pair endured together, even Mace Windu could not argue with Thane Solo's desire to protect his younger sister. He also had no illusion about the Knight's equal desire to protect her older brother.
A glance at his fellow Councilors told him that he was far from the only one who saw things in this manner. . .at least, those Councilors who were currently gathered here. His former padawan Depa had gone into the 'fresher a few minutes earlier to check on the siblings. And into this silence, Master Yoda said gravely, "Doubt, we no longer can. Spoken to us, the Force has. And allowed access to her memories, the Knight did. Doubt, we cannot. Doubt, we must not."
Ki-Adi Mundi stated numbly, "The Travelers were telling the truth. They do come from a future, where they are the only Jedi remaining, along with the descendants of Padawan Kenobi." Another silence fell over the gathered members as they recalled what they had seen in Knight Solo's memory of her conversation with Padawan Kenobi's grandson, the conversation explaining how the straight-laced padawan came to have a child, much less a grandson and a great-granddaughter.
Mace finally said, sounding (at least to his ears) just as numb as Knight Mundi did, "We have to make sure that never comes to pass. Any of it. We must not allow any of this to happen again." The others nodded, and Mace continued, "We are agreed, then, of what to do when Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi return with Queen Amidala and the boy Anakin Skywalker?"
"We are," Master Yaddle said firmly. There had been some discussion of this during the last two days, while the Travelers rested. . .rather spirited discussion at that. It surprised nearly all when gentle Master Yaddle fiercely argued that they must allow things to play out as the Force described for them, through Knight Solo. There had been dissent. They knew things now that they hadn't before, why should they not act on that information? Because, Master Yaddle had reminded them, they were following the will of the Force. And the Force, for its own purposes, wanted them to keep this part of the timeline the same. After that, there was no more discussion.
"I'm glad to hear that. I would hate to think that we went through all that for nothing," Master Solo said from the 'fresher entrance. His sister leaned against him heavily, while Depa kept a supportive hand under her elbow as they entered the common room. The two Masters eased the Knight to the seat she occupied during the course of the memory scan, and Mace eyed her. While her eyes were red and swollen with tears, her face was ashen, and she was shivering. Her brother wrapped one of the blankets around her shoulders as he sat down beside her.
"It was not for nothing," Depa assured her, "though I wish it wasn't found to be necessary." That won her a weak smile, though Mace noted that Master Solo still looked displeased. Under any other circumstances, he would have considered each to be the other's partisan. However, they were brother and sister, they were from the future. . .and they were bound by the Force to save the Jedi of the present. For the first time, Mace began to consider how the siblings would affect the Order. Not just in terms of the decisions made by the Council, but the way they interacted with each other.
"What do you need us to do?" Knight Solo asked hoarsely. Her brother cast an anxious look at her, but she said softly, wiping at her eyes, "We were sent back to change things. We've told the Jedi High Council what we know, Thane, but there has to be more to it than this." How she came to that conclusion, Mace didn't know. The girl looked back at them, adding, "I was told by our great-grandfather that it was my job to save the younglings and the babies in the crèche. Can I take a tour, and see how we could evacuate the children if things went bad again?"
"In time, yes. But we should focus our attention on the present situation. If there is a way we can assist Naboo, I think that should be your course of action. This blockade was the beginning of the end, you say?" Depa asked. The siblings nodded, and Depa continued, "Then that is where we should begin as well. Yet, as Jedi, we must be careful. The Trade Federation has powerful friends in the Senate, and we must tread with caution. If they believe we are supporting Naboo, we run the risk of making things worse."
"Not if we're the ones doing the footwork," Master Solo replied. A glance passed between him and his sister, and a slight smile touched the corners of the Knight's mouth. Master Solo smiled back and turned his attention back to the Council, adding, "I have an appointment with Master Dooku in a half hour. Merit, why don't you rest, while the Council sets up an appointment with Chancellor Valorum?" Chancellor Valorum? The Master smiled slightly and added, "I have an idea."
"I think I'm worried," his sister teased, adding, "I'll be fine, Thane. Go ahead and make your meeting. I would ask you to give Master Dooku my greetings, but he doesn't know me yet." Her brother ruffled her hair as he rose to his feet, successfully fending off her hands trying to bat his away. He bowed to the Council and left the apartment with a quick, concerned look at his sister. The Knight waved reassuringly, but the smile disappeared once the door slid closed behind him.
She turned her full attention to the Council and said quietly, "Before I talk to Chancellor Valorum, I need information." Mace nodded, indicating her to continue, and she explained, "Like I said, my great-grandfather charged me with the protection of the younglings and the infants in the crèche. I cannot meet with Chancellor Valorum with at least some idea of how to do that part of my task. I cannot."
"Wait, your meeting with Chancellor can. Answer your questions, we will," Master Yaddle said. The Knight smiled at her gratefully, and Yaddle added, "But rest now. Need your strength, you do." The diminutive Councilor left her seat and made her way over to the Knight, patting her knee with a clawed hand. Yes, this traveler from the future would rest. . .and the Jedi High Council would begin to act to save the present.
SWSWSWSWSWSWSW
He was nervous. He was VERY nervous. But as Thane waited in front of Master Dooku's quarters, he did his best to focus his attention on what had to be done, rather than his fear and frustration that his sister subjected herself to that damn memory scan. They lived through it once. . .was it really necessary for them to live through it again? Evidently, the Jedi High Council thought so. His companion, Kit Fisto (again), put his hand on Thane's shoulder and the human Master forced a smile.
It was good timing, too. . .the door slid open, revealing a very tall, distinguished-looking man in his seventies. Master Yan Dooku, former Master to Qui-Gon Jinn, Grandmaster to Obi-Wan Kenobi. That was his current identity. He would become Darth Tyranus, leader of the Separatists. . .if something wasn't done. Kit said cheerfully, "Good afternoon, Master Dooku. . .this is Master Thane Solo, a newcomer to the Temple. He has a very interesting story to tell. Thane. . . comm me when you're ready to return to your quarters." He clapped Thane on the back, and then headed in the opposite direction.
Oh, thank you so much, Kit, Thane thought with more than a hint of sarcasm, you're as helpful as my sister was the one time I had a hangover. He valiantly ignored the aforementioned sister's merry laughter over their bond. Insufferable brat. She always got like this in a new place. He firmly told Merit to mind her feelings, while he got to work. Her reaction was quite predictable.
Thane inhaled slowly and looked back at the older man, who gestured him inside. Master Dooku said slowly, "I understand you wanted to meet with me, Master Solo. . .and I confess, I'm both intrigued by Master Fisto's introduction and somewhat at a loss what I can do to help you." Thane took another deep breath, wondering where exactly he should start. At the beginning, was his sister's saucy response over their bond. That wasn't exactly the best place to start, because he wasn't entirely sure where the beginning was. To this man, the beginning hadn't yet begun. Or. . .had it?
"I'm here, Master Dooku, because I know of your growing disillusion with the Jedi Order, and with the Republic. I know that day by day, your path becomes darker and you don't yet see it," Thane replied. The other man's eyes grew hard, but Thane continued, "I know this, because you told me. My name is Thane Luke Solo, and I come from approximately a hundred years in the future when the Jedi have been wiped out twice, as has the Republic. The first time, with the aid of my great-grandfather. . .the second time, by my father himself. A Sith."
Yan Dooku's expression changed rapidly, until he finally asked in a choked voice, "What do you know of the Sith?" Thane could have reminded him what he just said. . .however, he knew exactly what the man was asking. It wasn't just what he knew of the Sith, in terms of facts. He also wanted to know about Thane's encounters with the Sith who was their father, and his acolytes, disciples, whatever one wanted to call them. There was a wariness in the older man's eyes as well. Thane didn't blame him. Why in the galaxy should this man trust him, trust a word he said?
"My father Fell twice. The particulars don't matter, but the second time. . .the second time, he sent his troops to my grandparents' home. I was thirteen, my sister was six. Just before the troops arrived, my grandmother sent a Force-call to her twin brother. He and our cousin were able to get us out in time. . .but our mother and our grandparents were all killed. That was our first true glimpse of the evil of the Sith," Thane replied. He flinched as he remembered finding Allana dead in the arms of their nearly catatonic sister; the torture both he and Merit suffered on Tatooine; Lucina dying before his very eyes.
"Great stars," Dooku breathed. He seemed incapable of saying much of anything else at the moment, but Thane wanted to give him time to think this through. It didn't take all that long, either. After a moment, Master Dooku asked, "What other things do you know, young Master Solo? What other things have you learned in the future?" Not as much as he would have liked to know, certainly. However, what he did know about this time was important, and that was what Dooku needed to know as well.
"Like I said, I know you're growing disillusioned with the Republic and with the Order. Right now, I can't do much about the Republic, but the Order is already starting to change. I know that in a few days time, maybe as soon as tomorrow, your former padawan will be back from the Naboo negotiations, along with your grandpadawan, the young queen of Naboo, and a young former slave named 'Anakin Skywalker.' I know during the original timeline, your former padawan's death pushed you over the edge. And I know you made repeated efforts to recruit your grandpadawan," Thane replied.
"All beings die, youngling. . .it's the way of things," Dooku observed. But there was a strange light in the man's dark eyes. The elder Master continued after a moment, "But tell me about these changes that will be taking place in the Order. This fascinates me." Thane found himself wrong-footed by the entire conversation, as nothing was happening the way he anticipating. Maybe he should have allowed Merit this conversation, but she was still recovering from the memory scan.
"I suppose it really began a few days ago, during the Council meeting. The Force chose to speak through my sister. Told the Council that if they wanted the Order to survive, they would have to change. Somehow, my sister and I are involved in that. Though I think the Council will truly believe what the Force tells them if things play out the way they did the first time around," Thane answered. He preferred not to think about the Force's revelations in the Council Chambers . . .and hoped against hope that Dooku wouldn't ask about those revelations.
He did. . .but not in a way Thane was anticipating. Instead, the elder Master asked, "The Force spoke through your sister? Why? Aside from being the children of a Sith Lord, and Jedi yourselves, what makes the two of you so very special that the Force would choose your sister as an avatar?" Thane smiled without much humor. Special. Well, that was something of a misnomer. His grandmother sometimes thought the Skywalker-Solo family was cursed. There were times when he thought she was right.
"What you see as a blessing, has been a curse to my family for the last century. Merit and I are descendants of the fabled Chosen One," Thane replied. He smiled bitterly and continued, "That's why we were sent back. The Chosen One has been found on Tatooine and will be here before the end of the week. Your former padawan will bring him before the Council, and when it seems that the Council will refuse to have the boy trained, your former padawan will take him as his own padawan."
Master Dooku huffed a disbelieving laugh, responding, "Impossible. Masters are not permitted to have more than one padawan at a time! There are many things about the Jedi Order that I would change, but that is not among them." Thane's lips twisted, but he said nothing as Dooku continued, rising to his feet to pace around his apartment, "Why, the only way Qui-Gon would be able to take this boy as a padawan would be if he cast aside young Obi-Wan and Yoda would never permit him to do that, not after everything Yoda did to keep the child in the Order."
"Says who?" Thane asked hollowly. Dooku stopped pacing and stared at him in shock. Thane went on, "Oh, he'll pass it off as 'recommending' Obi-Wan for the trials, and Obi-Wan will pretend that everything's fine, but of course it isn't. It couldn't be, not when the man who has been your father in every way that mattered for the last krething decade. . .decides to throw you over for the Next Best Thing!" He was trembling as he spat the last three words out. The rage which began building ever since the Force made that revelation during the Council meeting finally had an outlet.
Anakin hadn't told him about that, for reasons known only to his great-grandfather. Yan Dooku walked toward him and Thane whispered, "See, my sister and I, we know all about being cast aside. Our father chose to destroy everything and everyone who once mattered to him, because he had a vision of our sister Allana dying. And the greatest irony? It was our father who killed Allana, because she was protecting Merit. She was doing the job that our father should have been doing."
"Were you my former padawan, I would have to chastise you for allowing your emotions to rule you," Dooku said quietly, "but. . .I am sorry that your father hurt you and your sister so terribly, youngling." Thane closed his eyes. His patience was being sorely tested. He anticipated not being believed, but this was something else. First, that woman chastised him for his protectiveness of his sister and now someone was telling him he shouldn't be bitter toward his father.
"I'm not your padawan, I'm not your former padawan, and I come from a time entirely different from this one, so spare me the disappointed master routine. You haven't the right, any more than that high-and-mighty woman had the right to chastise me because I take care of my sister. Merit is all I have left in the world, and if you and yours don't like it, then you can just burn for all I care," Thane growled, rising to his feet.
"Please. . .sit," Dooku stated. It was phrased as a request, but there was no question in Thane's mind that it was an order. He didn't sit down, but he also didn't move. It seemed this was a reasonable compromise, for the elder Master continued, "You must understand. . .you came here with this rather wild story, and you simply expect me to believe that my former padawan would simply throw away thirteen years of work in favor of a slave child, simply because he may be the Chosen One?"
"No. I don't expect anything from you. I didn't come here because of expectations, I came here because I thought I might be able to keep you in the Light by ensuring that your former padawan doesn't die on Naboo," Thane fired back. Dooku frowned, and Thane continued, "See, Anakin. . .my great-grandfather. . . gave me a very specific mission. He wanted me to make sure that he didn't break Obi-Wan Kenobi's heart a second time. More than that, he wanted the man who was his Master in the original timeline to have time to be a Knight, to be happy."
"Then sit, youngling, and we will discuss this matter of yours," Dooku replied. Thane sighed and nearly collapsed into a chair, running his hand over his hair. The sleep he had gotten wasn't nearly enough, as exhaustion threatened to overwhelm him. But he had a job to do, and he intended to carry that job out, to the best of his ability.
SWSWSWSWSWSW
And so, Thane Solo told Yan Dooku what the future held. Perhaps sensing that in order to believe him, he would need to know the whole story. . .and that was what Thane gave him. Master Dooku learned everything that Thane knew or was told. The initial interview, which Thane anticipated taking perhaps an hour, ran for nearly five hours. As Thane was being escorted back to the quarters he shared with his sister, another meeting was being arranged by the Jedi High Council and the staff of a highly-placed politician. The individual at 500 Republica was aware only that someone would be arriving from the Jedi Temple with information he needed to hear. . .he was told nothing else. Still, it was rare that Master Yoda asked something of him personally, and when he did. . .
Thus, Chancellor Finis Valorum wasn't quite certain what to make of the slight, dark-haired young woman who was led into his office. Even so, years in politics permitted him to make a number of observations, without the girl saying a word. First. . .she was still very young, perhaps twenty-four or twenty-five standard years of age. That led to his second observation. While she was very young in terms of the years since her birth, her eyes told another story: very old and very tired, as if she had seen entirely too much in her short life, an observation which made the Chancellor's heart ache with compassion for her. And finally: she was a Jedi. He smiled at her and observed, "Welcome, young Jedi. Might I have the honor of your name?"
She smiled back, a little reluctantly, but responded, "I am Knight Merit Solo, your Grace. I come to you as a friend...and someone who doesn't wish to see the young queen Amidala make a mistake that will likely end in sorrow for us all." Valorum raised his eyebrows. No doubt, this had to do with the Naboo situation. Although, what he had to do with a mistake that Queen Amidala would make, when he requested the Jedi dispatch negotiators on behalf of the beleaguered planet. . .well, he would have to listen to what this girl had to say.
He gestured for Knight Solo to continue. She did so, explaining, "Please do not ask me how I know this, for I doubt you will like the answer. But this I can tell you. Queen Amidala will arrive on Coruscant within the week with her handmaidens and the Jedi you dispatched to Naboo as negotiators. She will approach the Senate for help. When she does, the representative of the Trade Federation will protest that their blockade and invasion of Naboo is perfectly legal. They will then suggest a commission to investigate the matter, tying up the Senate and causing still more misery to the people of Naboo."
Finis grimaced. Unfortunately, that sounded entirely too likely, especially given what he knew of the Trade Federation. He could see it playing out in his mind. As if sensing this, the young Jedi continued, "When this suggestion is agreed to, the darkness will begin to truly descend. Alone, desperate, and frightened, the young queen will take an action that will have lasting repercussions. She will call for a vote of no-confidence in your leadership, and Senator Palpatine of Naboo will take your place." She seemed on the point of saying more, but for reasons of her own, held her tongue.
And it was just as well. Once she finished her story, Finis wanted to tell the girl she was wrong. It was foolish! Yet, there was no emotion when she spoke. She was relating what she knew, and despite her warning earlier, he had to know more. He asked quietly, "And how do you know this, Knight Merit Solo? I am not Force-sensitive, but I know you speak the truth. How do you know this will happen?" There was a flash of anguish in the eyes of his visitor, and it was that which convinced him. He stepped forward, and asked again, "How do you know? I heard your warning, child, but I must know more."
She sighed deeply, rubbing the back of her neck. Finis felt. . .uncomfortable. . .with this obvious vulnerability from a Jedi, but he stood firm. At last, the girl replied, "As I told you, my name is Merit Solo. What didn't tell you was that. . .oh, stars, how do I tell you this? I'm from the future, Chancellor Valorum. . .about a hundred years into the future, when the Jedi have been all but wiped out, and the Republic has fallen twice. I don't know if what we discuss here today will change that, but I have to try. If only to protect a fourteen year old girl from making a mistake that may end up killing her."
From the future. Finis wanted to laugh at her, wanted to dismiss what he had just been told. He wanted to, but he didn't. He couldn't. Instead, he asked quietly, "And why do you care so much about protecting that particular child?" He had the sense the answer to this question would be important, indeed. Again, she sighed, and to the chancellor's horror, she looked even more tired. The Republic was failing. He knew that. How could he not know that? Instead of pressing the girl for an answer, Finis chose another tack, saying in a gentle voice, "It really matters little. Do you think the Trade Federation would hesitate to call for a vote of no-confidence?"
"They probably will, your Grace, especially since it's a point of law. But I'm really not interested in protecting them. They're bullies, and cowards. Sir, no matter what you do, more than likely, your political career will end with this crisis. I can't tell you otherwise. The question becomes, how will you choose to end it? By pandering to bullies and cowards, or by trying to protect a planet incapable of protecting itself?" Knight Solo asked in an equally soft voice. The words were, no doubt, carefully chosen. But they still found a place in his heart. Finis Valorum looked away from the dark-haired girl. She asked him a question. . .a question that deserved an answer.
How would he end his career? To answer that question, he had to ask another. Why had he gone into politics? Not why did he stay in, but why did he choose this path? At the very beginning, when he was idealistic, it was to serve others. Like many of his colleagues in politics, he wanted to serve others. . . but came dangerously close to crossing the line to serving himself. She was right. As she spoke, he could see the end result of pandering to the Trade Federation. By the same token, he could easily see the end result of opposing the same. The girl was right. His political career was over. And with that knowledge, with that understanding, Finis Valorum was free. He smiled at Merit Solo, saying, "Well, then, my dear. I may not be a Jedi. . .but I can choose to fight. Let the battle be joined. . .and let the guilt of this choice pass from a fourteen year old queen fighting to save her people to those who engineered this entire crisis."
The tension eased from the girl's body and she smiled back, saying, "I can't make you any promises, sir. I know my brother is trying to find a way to keep a particular Jedi Master in the light. But I will do anything I can to keep you safe, sir. Even if this is the end of your political career, that might not be enough for the Enemy." Now that, Finis could not permit. He shook his head and dared to put his hands on the slim shoulders. This would be one burden she would not carry.
"You have others to protect, my dear. One thing I've learned during my years in politics, if someone is determined enough, nothing can stop them. Not my bodyguards, not even a Jedi. I do promise to take every precaution available to me. However, if you will do one thing for me. . ." Finis began. Merit Solo raised her own eyebrows questioningly, and Finis asked, "Why are you so determined to protect Queen Amidala? I doubt very much if it's simply a desire to protect an innocent girl trying to save her people. I sense there is far more to it than that."
"You. . .yes. Yes, there is. Padme Amidala. . .she. She's my great-grandmother," she answered quietly. Valorum rocked back on his heels, releasing her and staring at her in shock. But at the same time, it wasn't so shocking. Now that he knew, there was a definite resemblance between young Amidala and his companion. She had similar coloring, though her features were different. Evidently, that was courtesy of her great-grandfather. . .whoever that was.
"Well," he finally managed to say faintly, "that would explain a great deal." That earned him a wry smile, and Valorum noticed again the weariness in her eyes. He wanted to ask her about that, but was none of his concern. He wanted to ask about the future, but chose not to do so. Instead, he once again put his hands on her shoulders and said softly, "Then, young Merit Solo, you have successfully protected your great-grandmother. Now, you look quite weary. Go back to the Jedi Temple. I have work of my own to do." She nodded with a weary smile, and was escorted from the room. As he said, he had a great deal of work to do.
SWSWSWSWSWSW
It was done. Merit rubbed at her forehead as she returned to the speeder where Bant Eerin waited. When she woke up, three hours earlier, she found the padawan waiting in the common room with a tray of food. Merit paused just long enough to greet Bant and thank her before tearing into the food. It had been three days since she had a proper meal, and she was starving. Something she explained to her amused companion, along with an apology for her lack of decorum. But Bant merely waved her off, and talked while Merit ate.
But she didn't just talk. . .no, she provided Merit with information on her mission. She told Merit what she needed to know about the evacuation routes out of the Temple. Merit listened intently, her mind sifting through the information provided to date. There was a good chance that these were routes all padawans and younglings were taught. . .and that wasn't good enough. If Anakin Fell again, and they would do their best to make sure that didn't happen, but if he did. . .they would need to have a secondary evacuation plan in place. One that Masters or select Knights knew about.
The next order of business, once Bant finished briefing her and once Merit was finished with eating, was to speak with the Chancellor. When she woke up the first time, after the Force decided to use her as an avatar in the Council Chambers, her conversation with Thane informed her about what would happen over the next few days. Apparently, that was when he came up with the idea of warning the Chancellor about the plans of the Trade Federation. Which was fine. She just wished he said something about it sooner, so she had more time to plan. On the other hand, they really didn't have much time between the time she woke up and the time he left for his interview with Master Dooku.
Well, now the Chancellor was warned. Merit had the uneasy sense that he wouldn't survive long past this week. She had offered her protection, but he turned her down, stating that there were others who needed her more. Which was true enough, but she still worried for him. He certainly seemed to be a nice man, and that most rare of creatures, an honest politician. Maybe the two were mutually exclusive. . .Thane certainly thought so. He called politicians 'blood-sucking parasites.' Not that Merit was inclined to argue.
Bant smiled as she approached and said, "Ready to go back?" Merit nodded emphatically, wincing as the pain in her temples increased. Fortunately, Bant was driving (or flying, or whatever you wanted to call it), so she could just rest. It seemed Bant noticed her pallor for she helped Merit into the speeder without a word and took her place at the steering column. Merit closed her eyes and leaned her head back. Bant said softly, "Just rest. . .I'll take care of everything." Merit opened her eyes long enough to smile at Bant gratefully, then relaxed back against the seat.
All right. So, she had the beginnings of, if not a plan, then some ideas of how to save the younglings. She had warned the Chancellor of the imminent collapse. Hopefully, by the time she returned to the Temple, Thane would be finished with Master Dooku, and they could figure out what came next. As if hearing what Merit was thinking, Bant said softly, "I was told before we left that Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi will be arriving tomorrow. It will be good to see Obi again."
Tomorrow. Merit's heart skipped a beat. Tomorrow, she would see her great-grandfather and great-grandmother. And then she realized how her companion spoke of Aidan's grandfather. She asked curiously, "You know Padawan Kenobi well?" Bant favored her with a wide smile, and Merit just smiled back. Bant's reaction was response enough. . .not only did she know him, it seemed likely that they were great friends. She thought of the boy she saw in her initial Vision, weeping over his late Master's cooling body. Well, at least she would know him by sight. More or less.
"He's been one of my best friends since we were in the crèche together. I don't know how I would have gotten through Master Tahl's death if it wasn't for him, and Master Kit," Bant replied. Some of this sounded familiar, but Merit was still sorting through all of the information she learned since their arrival. For the second time, it seemed as if Bant heard what she was thinking, for she added gently, "You've been through much since you arrived, Knight Solo. No one expects you to remember everything."
"Please. . .call me 'Merit.' The only people who have ever called me 'Knight Solo' are my erstwhile father and his lapdog apprentice," Merit requested with a shudder. And Aidan, when we first met him, she added silently, unwilling to think about Darth Heinous. Andriu. But Darth Heinous was a good name for him. While she didn't remember much about her captivity on Tatooine, aside from pain, pain and still more pain, just thinking about the Sith apprentice was enough to make her feel dirty.
"Then 'Merit' it is. Is it a family name?" Bant asked curiously. Merit shrugged. She honestly didn't know. Ben used to say that naming her 'Merit' was Jacen Solo's attempt to redeem himself for murdering Ben's mother, Mara. And she had to admit, the two names were similar. . .but that assumed that Jacen remembered killing Mara Skywalker and regretted it. It was also possible it was something Ben told himself to deal with the burden of caring for his former Master's children. Bant added, "I only ask because you know your brother, so perhaps you know the rest of your family."
"I'm really not sure. I do know that my second name, 'Leia,' was my grandmother's name," Merit admitted. As the conversation, she began to relax, and the pain in her forehead began to dissipate. The trip back to the Temple was a relatively short one, but during the ride, Merit told Bant what she could remember of her family. As a very little girl, she had adored her grandparents. . .Grandpa Han for making her feel safe and teaching her to fight and Grandma Leia...well, just because she was Grandma Leia.
"If I remember correctly, that's a name that is used on several planets. . .and has different meanings. My favorite meaning has always been 'loyal,' though," Bant admitted. Merit grinned at her new friend. Yes, 'loyal' described her grandmother. Although, according to her grandfather, so did 'stubborn' and 'bossy.' Among other words, as Uncle Luke always used tell them. However, Bant was right, 'loyal' was one meaning for 'Leia.' Her grandmother used to tell her that 'Merit' meant 'worthy,' and that Merit lived up to her name every day of her life. The Jedi wished she could be so sure of that.
However, she said none of this to Bant, instead observing, "That was always the meaning my grandmother preferred. She grew up on Alderaan. . ." For the first time, it occurred to her. Alderaan still existed, and would continue to exists for another thirty-five years, give or take. Was it possible. . .would it be possible for her and Thane to visit the planet? The idea had a great deal of appeal. And maybe, just maybe, they could prevent it from being destroyed this time? Don't get ahead of yourself, she warned herself, worry about the events of the next few days. Instead, she told Bant, "My grandmother grew up on Alderaan, and my grandfather was from Corellia."
"Well, that certainly fits," Bant replied as she eased the speeder onto the Temple landing pad. Merit frowned, and Bant explained, "Corellian Jedi don't exactly follow the same rules as we do here on Coruscant. They're more. . .flexible, I suppose you could say." Which was something Merit never heard before, but Uncle Luke gave her and Thane more or less the same training he received from Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda before their respective deaths. Ben filled in the blanks where he could, but since the deaths of their cousin and great-uncle, Thane and Merit learned about being a Jedi by trial and error. At least until they met Aidan Kenobi. Aidan. She hoped he and Ami were all right. As Bant led her back into the complex, Merit forced thoughts of her missing friends out of her mind. She had to focus on the present, and trust them to do what had to be done wherever they were. . .whenever they were.
SWSWSWSWSWSW
They're just fine, little duchess, General Han Solo told his granddaughter, keeping one eye on Merit and Thane on Coruscant, and the other eye on Aidan and Amidala Kenobi on Rattarak. He smiled faintly. . .while Aidan and Ky Narec fixed the latter's starfighter, Ami and the young Asajj were sparring. Except at this point, they weren't even sparring any more, but playing, giggling like girls their age were supposed to do. At this moment in time, the Kenobi father-daughter team had been on the planet for close to six months, and during that time, they hadn't just helped Narec to fix his starfighter, but helped their new friends train the inhabitants to fight on their own. Once Narec and Asajj left the planet to rejoin their Jedi brethren, the current inhabitants would be able to defend themselves. And once that happened. . .well, the Narec who was in the Force with them said that Aidan and Ami simply disappeared. Evidently, they had other work elsewhere.
Satisfied that the four had things under control, Han returned his attention to his grandchildren in the mortal world. Thane was returning to their quarters, looking exhausted after his interview with Yan Dooku. Han couldn't blame him. Five hours was a long time, and Thane was still recovering from the last few days. Unfortunately, Han knew things weren't about to slow down. As Bant Eerin had told his granddaughter, the queen's entourage would arrive the following day, and things would really pick up then.
The queen. Han frowned, allowing his focus on his grandchildren to lapse and instead glanced at his mother-in-law. It was hard for him to wrap his mind around the truth of her death. Heh, he thought, if it's hard for me to accept, how much harder much it be for Leia and Luke? Han was convinced that was at least one reason why Leia argued so much with her birth mother. That, and the fact that although his wife looked like her mother, she was more her father's daughter. What was especially weird for Han was that he was completely okay with that. Or maybe not so weird. He loved Leia, regardless of whom her father was.
Strangely enough, despite the teasing, taunting, and mockery on both sides, Han had become friends with Anakin Skywalker. True, Anakin still threatened him with carbonite (which would have been a neat trick), but that was usually after Han had been pestering Anakin's former Master. And speaking of neat tricks. . .when he and Leia first arrived, along with their daughter-in-law, Han saw Obi-Wan Kenobi as the old fossil whom he and Chewie met on Tatooine. But as the years passed, his perception changed. . .and now, Han saw him as his former padawan saw him, as Han's mother-in-law saw him.
Much to the chagrin of his brother-in-law (among others), Han often treated Obi-Wan as a younger brother as a result of that perception. However, it amused the Jedi Master in question. . .along with most of the Jedi. Except that jackass, Qui-Gon Jinn. Han scowled. Yeah, yeah, yeah, he'd been real cooperative lately, especially after he found out that Jacen lied to him about no one else helping him (surprise, surprise). But he was still a jackass. Probably always would be.
Funny thing was, Anakin told him that during their mortal life, Mace Windu (whom Han liked very much) was a jackass, and Qui-Gon Jinn was more like Mace was now. Obi-Wan added that with the cares and responsibilities of mortal life removed from him, Mace was able to be himself again. And that meant a mischievous streak a mile wide. Han often happily took part in the pranks that Mace and Yan Dooku played. . .with no small assistance from Chewie. Han could remember one particularly enjoyable prank, in which Chewie literally picked up Obi-Wan, threw him over his shoulder, and carried him away so Han, Mace, and Yan could plot in peace. Anakin laughed for days over that.
On the other hand, no one in the Force-afterlife was laughing a few mortal days earlier, when the Force spoke through Han's grandbaby, alerting them what was to come. Han cringed a little, remember the looks on the faces of his wife, her twin, his mother-in-law, and his sister-in-law when the Force revealed what would happen when it seemed the Council would refuse to train Anakin. The former queen went so far as to punch her former husband's shoulder, scolding, Ani! Why didn't you tell me about that?
Most likely, because he didn't realize it was important, Obi-Wan had tried to soothe her, but Padme Amidala rounded on him, her eyes flashing with fury. She probably would have chewed him out as well, but Mara decided to throw her two cents in. Han almost winced. . .most of the time, the former Emperor's Hand steered clear of their shared mother-in-law, and when the two were in the same vicinity, Mara tended to pat Padme on the head and talk down to her, as if Padme was a not-particularly bright toddler.
He was nine years old, so of course he wouldn't realize its importance. You shouldn't be angry with him, your Worshipfulness, Mara had said, and Han glared at her for adopting his affectionate nickname for Leia for a less than affectionate dig at her birth mother. However, Mara being Mara, she ignored that and continued, Besides, it does no good to be angry, because it's no longer our fight. It's up to the children, and I refuse to entertain the possibility that they won't succeed. They'll succeed, and make sure Sidious never has the chance to turn any innocent children, whether it's Anakin Skywalker or the younglings who became his Hands.
That was Han's hope. It was everyone's hope, really. Although, he really wished that his little duchess allowed herself more time to rest, bringing him full circle. In the days ahead (because things in the past were very quickly coming to a head), neither Thane nor Merit would have much time to rest at all. That worried him, because you made the most dangerous mistakes when you were exhausted. And as much as he had missed both Thane and Merit since he and Leia became one with the Force, he had no desire to be reunited with either of them just yet.
But as his father-in-law was so fond of telling him, one way or another, the Force's will would be done. Maybe not in the easiest way, but it would be done. And if it was the will of the Force that it was time for Thane or Merit to come home. . .well, Han Solo would be right there to welcome them home.