Author's Note: Surprisingly enough, here's chapter ten. I toyed with finishing out this section with Merit and Thane's viewpoint of the last scene, but decided this was sufficient for now. I was laid off from my job last Thursday, so I may have more time to write. No guarantees, though, since I'm job-hunting now, and that will take up time and energy. However, I've made a good start. While I enjoy the free time, this has caused. . .complications. In any event, I hope you enjoy the new chapter!
Chapter Ten
Changes
Merit found her older brother in their shared quarters, looking just as exhausted as she felt. He offered her a weary smile as she waved good-bye to Bant, set the lock sequence, then padded over to join him. His arm slid around her shoulders and Merit leaned her head against his arm. In perfect unison, brother and sister sighed, and Thane murmured, "That must be the most stubborn man I've ever met." Merit snorted and giggled, and her brother continued, sounding more than a little aggrieved, "I'm serious, Merit!"
"I know. But when I think about all the stubborn men we've known. . ." Merit replied, allowing her voice to trail off. Thane groaned aloud as he obviously followed her train of thought. Merit continued after a moment, "In comparison, Chancellor Valorum was alarmingly reasonable. Oh, he wanted to laugh off what I told him, but every time he tried, his brain engaged and he actually thought things through." She paused, and then whispered, "I just wish we could protect him."
"You think Palpatine will go after him, regardless of what happens in the Senate?" Thane asked and Merit nodded somberly. Palpatine had been planning his Empire for far longer than the thirteen years he spent as the Chancellor. It would be foolish to think he would leave Finis Valorum alone after the current Chancellor put a glitch in his plans. Not for the first time, Merit felt dizzy with the knowledge of what they were doing. For every life they were saving in the past, another was being taken. And she was scared. Thane's arm tightened around her, and he said quietly, "You can't think like that, Merit. This was the will of the Force." At her startled look, he favored her with a half-smile and said, "It seems I passed my habit of broadcasting my thoughts along to you."
Merit blanched and started to apologize, but Thane pressed a gentle finger to her lips, adding, "No. Don't apologize, not for that and not for giggling. There's one thing I truly enjoy about arriving in a new place. . .you act your age, instead of behaving like an old woman in a young girl's body. It's times like these that I really understand what Uncle Luke meant." Merit frowned. What did he mean by that? Thane hesitated, then explained, "The first time you woke up from a nightmare about the day Mom, Grandpa and Grandma died, Uncle Luke said that more than anything else, he hated our father for what he did to us. Not for killing his twin sister, his best friend and his wife, but for what he did to his children. That was what Uncle Luke found unforgivable. I've come to understand what he meant."
Merit remembered the nightmare in question. It had been about three months after those deaths. Like the days and weeks immediately after their father's second Fall, she'd been largely catatonic. It wasn't until after she started emerging from her shock that the nightmares began. She remembered her awakening rather clearly. . .hearing a woman's voice trying to soothe her, even as she began to scream, and Ben's arms scooping her up from the bed. She could remember the sound of her cousin's heartbeat as her head rested against his chest, and his fingers moving through her hair. It was just the two of them in the room at the time. . .the only individuals breathing, at least.
She asked Ben about it years later, about the woman's voice she heard as she woke up and as she began to drift off to sleep again, still held securely in his arms, but he claimed not to know anything about it. She half-suspected it was either her Aunt Jaina, or Ben's mother, her great-aunt Mara. One of the two. It wouldn't have been her mother or her grandmother, as they had only been dead a few months. (On the other hand, Uncle Luke always told her that in the moments after Obi-Wan Kenobi released his hold on life aboard the original Death Star, he heard his mentor's voice inside his mind, urging him to run. So maybe it was her grandmother).
And maybe it really wasn't important, whose voice it was. She thought about what her brother said, and decided it made sense. Maybe they could avoid that this time. She asked, deciding to focus on their mission, "So, what's the next step? Bant told me that Master Jinn and the others should be back tomorrow, including both of our great-grandparents. Do you know what comes next?" She noticed how his face tightened when she mentioned Master Jinn, but knew better than to ask. Merit had asked about that earlier, and Thane flat-out refused to tell her. She supposed he had his reasons. She just wished he would share them with her.
"Next step is to get some sleep. Master Windu has promised to wake us when we're needed. We should be able to get ten to twelve hours of sleep. I figure we'll need that. It's going to be an interesting few days," Thane replied. He kissed the top of her head, adding softly, "This is going to be the most interesting mission of our lives, Miri. Maybe the most dangerous." Merit almost snorted. She knew that. The memory of Ral sliding down the wall was still fresh in her mind.
"Life is dangerous, big brother. Or, as Ben always used to tell us, 'no one gets out of life alive.' I always used to wonder if he got that from Uncle Luke," she replied. Merit thought about what Ben had told her about his father. . .what he had been like before her great-aunt Mara was murdered. She also thought about what Anakin told her about what Uncle Luke was like on the second Death Star. The difference between that young man and the tired, beaten old man she knew at the end of his life was breathtaking.
"I think Ben must have inherited his sense of humor from his mother, because that's not something Uncle Luke would say," Thane replied, drawing Merit's attention back to the present (past. Whatever). She was surprised to see a faint grin hovering at the corners of her brother's mouth as he added, "Or, he might have gotten it from Grandpa Han. That does sound like something he would say."
Merit couldn't help laughing out loud. Not just because her brother was right. . .but because it really had been too long since she saw her brother's smile, or heard him laugh. She had missed it. Thane's smile broadened and he leaned sideways until he could kiss the top of her head. Merit snuggled against him, perfectly content where she was. She would have to move, sooner or later, but for now, she was completely happy to remain here, tucked under her brother's arm, safe and protected.
SWSWSWSWSWSWSWSW
He sat alone in his quarters, after the boy left. Five hours they talked. Five hours of hearing horror after horror after horror. Thane Solo hadn't opened up his mind to him directly ("I'm not my sister, you know." Obviously not!), but he had answered all of Yan's questions. . .no matter how painful the answers were. By the end of the first hours, the elder Master knew about the last years of the New Jedi Order, which culminated in the departure of the four Jedi into the past. He knew about the capture of the siblings on Tatooine and the torture that nearly killed them both. He knew about the death of their friend Ral Treveri when their father, Darth Cadeus, attacked their compound. He knew about the death of the planet Naboo in the future, and most of all, he knew about the murders of Darth Cadeus/Jacen Solo's wife and parents at the hands of his troopers.
That was the first hour. In the second, he learned about the New Republic formed by Darth Cadeus' parents, aunt, and uncle; about Darth Cadeus' initial fall, and his presumed death at the hands of his twin sister, Jaina, but survived with amnesia; about his oldest daughter, Allana, who was raised by his parents under an assumed name. He learned how, even after Darth Cadeus was assumed to be out of the picture, things continued to deteriorate. . .and then, Jacen Solo regained his memories and Fell once again, setting in motion the events which led to the Second Jedi Purge (there was a first Jedi Purge?).
In the third hour, Thane related what he knew of the Empire, which, he admitted, wasn't much. Yan quickly learned there was a very good reason for that. By the time he and his sister were in the care of their granduncle Luke, who had helped to bring down the Empire, the man really didn't want to talk about the Empire. He had only been part of the Rebellion for three or four years, as opposed to his twin sister, who grew up in the Rebellion. . .the twin sister who died at the hands of her son. Luke hadn't wanted to talk about those years, and listening quietly, Yan couldn't blame him.
There was a quick break before Thane got started on the Clone Wars, which was when Yan himself entered the picture (or re-entered). . .as a Sith Lord (a Sith Lord? What in the name of the Force happened to him????) and headed up the Separatists (not their proper title, evidently), waging war against the Republic. . .and the Jedi.
By the beginning of the fifth hour, Yan was ready to do whatever the boy asked, just so the awful recitation would end. But he wanted to hear everything, and he would do just that. Besides, after what the boy had lived through, Yan could certainly endure hearing what led up to a hundred years of bloodshed, tyranny, and destruction. Perhaps that was true of the galaxy (indeed, the universe) itself, but it seemed to him that Thane Solo's family was caught up in the worst of it.
At last, the exhausted young Master collapsed back against the cushions of the chair, leaving Yan to mull over what he had learned. He would turn to the Dark Side, if Qui-Gon died. And thinking it through, Yan could only conclude that would be the trigger. He was already frustrated with the Order and the Republic, bruised by his failure with Komari Vosa and the debacle that was Galidraan. Yan rubbed at his face, an uncharacteristic display of weakness, which he indulged only because Thane Solo wasn't paying attention. And he would release his emotions into the Force, if he could make sense of them. Right now, that wasn't a possibility.
But there was work to do, and he asked heavily, "What is it that you want from me, young Master Solo?" The young man seated opposite him opened his eyes wearily, and Yan continued, "You obviously told me for a reason, and not just keep me in the Light. What is it that you want from me?" Master Solo rubbed his hand over his eyes, looking more than a little exhausted, and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, and his face cupped in his hands.
"If I can prevent your former padawan's death on Naboo, will you do everything in your power to defeat the Sith?" he asked bluntly. Well, that was certainly to the point. On the other hand, Yan supposed the young man wanted there to be no misunderstanding or miscommunication between them. While it lacked elegance, he came from a time lacking in civilization, much less elegance. Besides, he thought with a slight quirk of his lips, Qui-Gon can be described as many things, but 'elegant' usually is not among them. And the young man was awaiting his response.
"If you can save my former padawan from this Sith, Master Solo, then I will end the Sith threat before it can destroy the galaxy," Yan replied. And because he was curious, he added, "Just what do you intend to do, to save Qui-Gon?" Another thought occurred to him, and he questioned, "Did you say that my grandpadawan killed the Sith in the original timeline? A padawan killed a Sith, when the Sith haven't been seen in thousands of years?" His voice rose ever so slightly at the end. How had the boy done it?
"In answer to your second question, yes, he did. It was the impetus for his knighting," Master Solo replied. Indeed, that was a most impressive feat! The young man continued, "As to your first question, I'm still working on that. I do want to warn you, Master Dooku. If it becomes a choice between your former padawan's life and the life of my sister, I will choose my sister." Yan started to protest but the young Master said fiercely, "You have no idea how far I would go to protect what's mine! Merit is all I have left, and between your former padawan and my sister, there is no choice to be made!"
Yan briefly considered pointing out to the young man that he had an attachment to his sister, but discarded that thought. Given the boy's reaction the first time he chastised him, Master Solo would probably react badly. Besides. In exchange for saving Qui-Gon, he was agreeing to bring down the Sith before they got too much of a foothold on the galaxy. That was an attachment, wasn't it? Yes, he rather thought it was. So, instead, he said softly, "Then I will ask the Force that you will not find it necessary to make that choice. My grandpadawan. . .what will become of him?"
"If you mean, will I allow him to die? The answer is a resounding 'no.' One of the reasons we were asked by our great-grandfather to come back was to save Obi-Wan Kenobi, and give him at least a few years of happiness as a solo Knight, before he found it necessary to become a Master. Something I believe I mentioned. Or are you speaking of something else, Master Dooku?" the young man inquired.
"I fear I asked you the incorrect question," Yan admitted, carefully hiding his chagrin at choosing the wrong words, "what I meant to ask you was, in the original timeline, why did I never reach out to my grandpadawan, to help him? As you say, he is only twenty-five standard years old. . .he had just lost his Master, whose dying words were for him to train the so-called Chosen One. Why did I never attempt to help him? He was all I had left of Qui-Gon, who, despite his dying words, loved him very much."
"I don't know the answer to that, Master Dooku. When you and others approached my sister and myself as Force-spirits, that wasn't mentioned. I don't know if you were too devastated to even ask to help him, if you asked and were denied, or if he simply wouldn't accept any help. I just don't know. I wish I did, it would make our mission a lot easier," Master Solo replied.
Somehow, Yan seriously doubted that his grandpadawan rejected offers of assistance. However, he supposed it truly wasn't important. Not now. Not any more. They talked little after that. Instead, Master Solo eventually left. . .to rest, he said, and await his sister's return. For reasons that he didn't fully understand himself, Yan didn't ask the other man where his sister had gone. It was quite possible that he didn't want to know the answer. It might make things more complicated than they needed to be.
Instead, after the boy left, Yan sat here in his quarters alone. He had so much to consider. Even with the little which Thane Solo told him. . . Well, he wasn't entirely sure what to think about the notion of being a Sith Lord. On the face of it, it was ridiculous. He loathed everything about the Sith. There were a great many things about the Jedi which he wanted to change. . .but to wipe them all out, even the babies in the crèche? But how
could he dismiss what he was told, when he could still hear Thane Solo's voice in his mind. . .when the Force itself almost sang with the veracity of the younger Master's words? He couldn't. And less than an hour after Master Solo returned to his own quarters, the doors to Yan's slid open.
"Sensed your turmoil, I did," his former mentor said quietly, entering the quarters in his hoverchair. Yan wished he had the energy to coolly remind Master Yoda that there was such a thing as 'knocking' or even 'chiming,' but right now, he felt every one of his seventy years. Besides. . .this was Yoda. The Grandmaster sighed, "Fallen, you have not, young one. And fall, you will not. A Sith, you never will be now. See the traps, you can. . .and so, the traps, you will avoid."
"I fell to the Dark Side, because Qui-Gon was killed by a Sith," Yan answered numbly, "I raised my 'saber and injured my grandpadawan, after ordering the deaths of countless Jedi. I have differences with the Order, you know that. . .but to kill Jedi, my brothers and sisters? Did either of those children tell you about the sins I committed, Master? About the lives I took, about the wounds I inflicted? How does the death of one man, as cherished as he might be, validate that?"
Master Yoda's ears flatted against his tiny head as he grunted softly, but replied, "Happen this time, it will not. See that you were vulnerable last time, we did not. So blind this time, we are not. Fall, you will not." And he sounded so sure, Yan had to believe his former mentor. Yoda gave his odd little laugh and said, "Much to discuss, we have. Even more work to do. But save the Jedi Order, Qui-Gon, the Republic, and you, we will." And it seemed, that would be the last word on the subject. At least for now.
SWSWSWSWSWSWSWSW
While Mace Windu was initially concerned with how the rest of the Temple would take their unexpected guests, his fears turned out to have no basis in reality. Well, aside from the Dark Woman, who was not at all pleased with their arrival or that the Council was listening to what they were saying. However, as both Mace and Yoda told her on more than one occasion, they weren't listening to the siblings, so much, as listening to the Force. Even so, Mace had a bad feeling they would end up having a problem with her.
That wasn't to say that other Jedi weren't curious about the pair. They were, especially the initiates and younglings. There were some padawans who were curious, according to Padawan Eerin, who was cornered by a number of junior padawans when it was learned that she was there when the siblings arrived. According to Kit Fisto, the junior padawans became very curious indeed when they witnessed the master putting his arm around the knight's shoulders during one of the few times the Solos were out of their quarters.
And the Nautolan Master himself was the subject of quite a lot of questioning. Though his padawan was the source of the first contact, he spent nearly as much time with the newcomers, and he wasn't nearly as frightening as Mace. At least, that was what Kit told him, and while Mace wanted to object that he wasn't frightening, he couldn't bring himself to do that. Honesty was important, after all. Initiates had been known to burst into tears when he gave them a particular Look.
For their own part, the brother and sister spent most of their time within their quarters, sleeping and talking. They were either unwilling to venture outside or needed a great deal of rest, maybe both. Padawan Eerin had passed along Knight Solo's concerns about the evacuation routes, and Yoda spent an hour with the girl, reassuring her that there were other evacuation routes that weren't as well known. Apparently, the Knight took her responsibility to the younglings and the infants in the crèche quite seriously. And despite his lingering worries, Mace began to respect the young Knight because of that commitment. It was a credit not just to her, but to her brother and Master.
As for Master Solo, his focus was on taking care of his sister. While Mace was learning to respect the knight because of her commitment to protect the younglings (to say nothing of her successful meeting with Chancellor Valorum), he was learning to trust and respect the Master because of his accomplishments. During conversations with both siblings, he learned about the fate of Naboo, about the death of their sister Allana at the hands of their father, and how Thane Solo stayed true to his commitment to his younger sister and to what remained of the Jedi Order. Perhaps he saw them as one and the same, perhaps not.
Meanwhile, Yoda was working with Yan Dooku about. . .something. It was unclear if Master Solo was involved in this situation as well, though it was entirely possible. Mace shook his head. He had a sense that he didn't really want to know what they were creating, aside from more havoc. Both Masters had a hand in Mace Windu becoming whom and what he was. Neither were his official Master, but they still helped to train him, they both taught him in their own ways. Which didn't lessen his worry at all. He reflected a bit ruefully that he had that in common with Padawan Kenobi.
However. . . Mace knew that Yan was growing disenchanted with the Order and with the Republic. He and Yoda had been disagreeing quite often during the last few years. So, for those two to be putting their heads together. . .oh, no. Mace had the sense that Thane Solo alone could cause mischief. . .add Yoda and Yan to that, and things could get. . .interesting. He resolutely told himself to focus on the current situation. . .any problems in the future would be dealt with at that time (but he had to at least think ahead).
The siblings were in their quarters when Qui-Gon Jinn and Padawan Kenobi arrived with the queen of Naboo and her entourage, and Anakin Skywalker. Mace was there to greet the group and he wondered if that was a change from the original timeline. A dangerous thought, Yoda would have told him, and he would have been right. But with what they knew, Mace believed it was a perfectly valid question. As soon as the two Jedi and the former slave child stepped off the ramp, one thing was apparent.
Thane and Merit Solo were not exaggerating young Anakin's strength in the Force. Even now, Mace could see why Qui-Gon was so sure this was the Chosen One. . .and why the Council was so reluctant to train the boy. Clouds swirled about him, but Mace found himself looking at Anakin Skywalker through the eyes of Master Thane Solo, who didn't see a dangerous and powerful unknown quantity, but a frightened little boy. Oh, he knew Thane saw Anakin Skywalker that way because of his own past, but he couldn't argue with the younger Master. Not about this.
In short order, the young queen and her entourage were entrusted into the care of Senator Palpatine (although he did notice that Anakin glanced anxiously up at one of the handmaidens, and she nodded with a reassuring smile). After the Naboo contingent departed, Mace turned his attention to the trio standing before him. He was particularly cautious to make sure he didn't look too long at the little boy standing between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. This child had been a slave, and supposedly staggeringly powerful. Definitely not the best of combinations. But they would try to alter the outcome.
He greeted the two Jedi, welcoming them back and fell into step beside them. This wasn't about receiving a report from two returning Jedi, but about Mace making sure his old friend and both boys were all right. They were both fine, though the Councilor noticed more than a hint of worry in Obi-Wan's eyes. He wished he could reassure the Senior Padawan that everything would be fine. . .instead, he pushed aside his own discomfort with both the situation and the gesture, reached over and squeezed Obi-Wan's shoulder reassuringly.
The gesture proved to be successful. . .and unsuccessful. The young man was obviously grateful for the attempt, but it also made him uneasy. Rather than brushing off his concerns, it told him that he was right to worry. The worst part was, he had every right to worry. Much to Mace's consternation, events over the next few days played out exactly as the siblings and the Force predicted they would. After the debriefing in the Council Chambers, Qui-Gon did, indeed, request the youngster to be tested, stating that he believed young Anakin was the Chosen One.
Mace kept his face impassive, but cringed at Obi-Wan's expression when he glanced toward the padawan. The young man didn't look hurt (yet, Mace thought darkly). . .just resigned. It was at that moment that Mace finally accepted, in his heart as well as his head, that it was the Force speaking through Merit Solo. However, he agreed with the other Masters that the child would be tested and Qui-Gon left the Council Chambers with the air of someone sure that he would get his way.
By the time Anakin was tested, Mace had decided that being surprised by the accuracy of the predictions was pure foolishness. It was, after all, the Force that told them that these things would happen. However, that was different from no longer being surprised. It was for that reason he was glad the Solo pair would be in Council Chambers when the 'results' of the test would be announced. Mace could understand the new Jedi's reluctance to get involved with what he considered a 'family' situation. . .but there were very specific reasons for their request.
Those reasons would be apparent at the time of the results. . .both the false and true results. Mace would not speak further of that, not until the time was right. . .no matter how much he was pestered. . .by other Masters on the Council, not the Solos. Which brought his attention right back to the siblings and their information. Things kept circling back to that, and the Force taking over the Knight to provide that information. Mace had no idea what would come during the meeting to discuss Anakin Skywalker's future, but he had a few ideas about what would serve the child. . .and the Jedi Order. . .best.
SWSWSWSWSWSWSWSW
Nine-year-old Anakin Skywalker was cold, and scared, and he missed his mother. At first, it seemed like a wonderful adventure. . .he was no longer a slave, he was going into space to see at least some of the stars (but he still wanted to see all of them), and he would become a Jedi. When he was big enough and strong enough, he would go back to Tatooine and free them all. But space was cold, the Jedi didn't seem to want him, and he was growing more and more worried about his mother.
The testing was easy, even if the Jedi Masters scared him. Especially the really big one with dark skin and eyes that made it seem as if he was looking straight through Anakin. But even scarier was the little green. . .whatever he was, who asked in that really weird way of talking, how he felt. And when Anakin admitted that he was cold, afraid, and worried for his mother, that he missed her, demanding to know what his fear for his mother had to do with anything. . .
That was when he began to understand that he might not become a Jedi, no matter what Master Qui-Gon said. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to death. . .and the Dark Side. But the Council would decide Anakin's fate, and Master Qui-Gon seemed sure that they would choose to make him a Jedi. After all, hadn't Master Qui-Gon said he was awfully strong in this Force-thingy and had a lot of those midi-whatevers? Why wouldn't they train him? How could he be too old to train when he was only nine?
And yet. . .he was. The little boy stood staring at the Council members in shock, feeling Master Qui-Gon's hands on his shoulders as he argued with them on Anakin's behalf. Then, Master Qui-Gon said something that made several members of the Council gasp with shock and. . .outrage? "I take Anakin Skywalker as my padawan learner." The reason for their shock was explained a moment later, when the scary dark Master reminded Master Qui-Gon that he already had a padawan, the quiet young man whom Anakin first met on the ship, and he couldn't have two at a time. Master Qui-Gon simply said Obi-Wan was ready for the trials, and he had nothing left to teach him. The young man said he was ready. . .but Anakin sensed he wasn't being entirely truthful.
It was then that things became really, really weird. A look passed around the members of the Council, and the little green Master (Yoda, now Anakin remembered his name) said in a strangely gentle voice, "Doubt you, we do not, youngling." Anakin wasn't sure if he meant Anakin himself or Obi-Wan. . .or maybe both. He continued, looking past them all to one of the few areas where the sunlight didn't penetrate, "Come out now, you may."
Anakin blinked in amazement as two figures emerged from the shadows. One was a man, almost as tall as Master Qui-Gon, and the other was a girl. They were both Jedi, with the lightsabers hanging at their respective hips. They stood side by side, and Anakin had the sense that they were a single unit, a team. Master Yoda said, "New Jedi, these are. Master Thane Solo and his sister, Knight Merit Solo. Arrived, they have, after a long journey."
The pair stopped right beside Anakin, Master Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan, so that the four Jedi formed a semi-circle. Miss Merit, Anakin decided, was pretty. Not like Padme. . .no one was like Padme, but she was still really pretty. One moment, she reminded him of Padme with her dark hair and kind dark eyes. . .and in the next, she reminded him of Mom. He saw the same sadness in Miss Merit's eyes that he sometimes saw in his mother's. Master Thane said, "We're a special envoy sent to warn the Jedi of the return of the Sith. They've taken over our galaxy and have set their sights on yours."
Miss Merit muttered under her breath, "Talk about truth from a certain point of view!" Anakin frowned. What did that mean? She smiled at him sheepishly and said, still in that very soft voice, "I apologize. It's just something my uncle used to say when I was a little girl when I accused him of lying about this, that, or the other thing. It just means that you might not see it as true, but the person in question believes it." That sounded confusing, and he told the girl as much, who laughed softly, "I said that at the time as well, but it makes more sense the older you get."
Anakin smiled up at her and took her hand without really thinking about why. It was just. . .he really missed Mom, and Miss Merit made it hurt a little less. She squeezed his hand, as Master Qui-Gon demanded to know what they knew of the Sith. Master Thane answered this time, sounding bitter and angry and sad, "More than either of us want to. Our father was taken by the Sith." Anakin had a feeling there was more to the situation than that. A lot more. Anakin wondered if he could ask the two Jedi if all Sith were like the one that attacked them as they were leaving Tatooine.
"About them, this was not. Conducted, two tests were today. . .one for the boy," Master Yoda said. Anakin bristled. He wasn't 'the boy,' he had a name! But Miss Merit put a gentle hand on his shoulder, and Anakin calmed down. Master Yoda continued, "For you, Qui-Gon Jinn, the second test was. Failed it, you did." Anakin frowned. Master Qui-Gon was being tested, too? It wasn't just Anakin? But how did Master Qui-Gon fail the test? He didn't understand. However, his confusion would soon be relieved.
"Less than a week ago, we were informed that you and Padawan Kenobi would return from Naboo with Anakin Skywalker, whom you would announce to be the Chosen One," the dark, scary Master stated. Anakin's awe grew. They knew about him before he came? Wizard! The Master continued, "We were also informed that when we announced our 'decision' not to train the youngling, you would take Anakin as your own padawan learner, stating that there was nothing more you could teach Padawan Kenobi. We were also informed that Kenobi, wishing not to show his shock and hurt, agreed that he was ready to take the Trials for Knighthood."
Anakin's jaw dropped, as his mind went over the events of the last few minutes. All of that happened! And it also explained why he felt that Obi-Wan wasn't being very truthful when he agreed that he was ready. He looked at both Master Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, and both were as pale as. . .were very pale. Anakin shuddered, and Miss Merit put both arms around him, as if to warm him up. . .or protect him. At last, Master Qui-Gon managed to say, "So you. . .had already made your decision. You wished to see if I would truly. . . Who told you these things?"
"The Force itself," stated one of the other Masters. There was a long silence after that. The Master who had spoken went on after a moment, "We decided after speaking with our guests that it would be in the best interests of the Jedi Order and the Republic as a whole to train Anakin Skywalker. However, with your willingness to cast off your current padawan, you have proven you should not be the boy's mentor. Instead, if he is willing, despite his unusual circumstances, we would like Master Thane Solo to teach this youngling." For the third time in the last few minutes, Anakin was stunned.
"You would ask a Master you don't even know. . .you would trust the training of the Chosen One to a Jedi you don't even know? The boy said it himself. . .his father is a Sith! And you would trust him with the training of the Chosen One?" Master Qui-Gon demanded. Anakin frowned, staring up at the man he thought was his savior. He kept referring to Anakin as the Chosen One, and Anakin wasn't sure he liked it.
"We would trust a Master who trained a padawan without support of any kind as a war raged. We would trust a Master who focused his entire attention on the training and safety of that child, regardless of the distractions. We would trust a Master who remains devoted to that former padawan, even after she was knighted, over a Master who discards one padawan for another, and who didn't think of the possible consequences of removing that child from his mother!" retorted the dark, scary Master. Anakin winced. The man took a deep breath, saying, "For that reason, Anakin Skywalker will accompany you to Naboo, along with Master and Knight Solo."
"Don't say it, Merit," Anakin heard the master named 'Thane' say, "I know you were ready to charge out of our hiding place when Jinn put aside Kenobi in favor of Anakin, but now is not the time. I know you were angry, little sister, but it wasn't time then, and it isn't now." Unexpectedly, the dark Master smiled. . .and even winked! Maybe he wasn't so scary after all, even though the wink wasn't meant for Anakin!
"Indeed. You should prepare for your mission. . .and may the Force be with you all," one of the other Masters said. Even Anakin recognized that as the dismissal it was, and he bowed the way the others did. As they shuffled from the chamber, he heard Miss Merit tell her brother, "Well, that's a surprise!" And while Anakin had hoped to have Master Qui-Gon as his teacher, maybe it wouldn't be so bad, having Master Thane instead. After all, his sister was nice. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.
