Chapter 10
Preparations
They moved the ship deep below the temple, into a series of dimly lit catacombs supported by multiple thick pillars. They were now within the foundations of the Jedi Temple, a place few knew off existed and less knew where it was.
Yoda frowned as he surveyed the black hulled vessel, slowly encircling it while not allowing it to leave his sight. Standing by the lowered rampway were Masters Windu and Koon, talking quietly to each other while a half dozen Technicians and Librarians set to work within the craft. Leading them was Jedi Master Jocasta Nu, ancient archivist and protector of the vast library which was one of the prides of the Order.
"You feel it?"
Yoda turned his gaze back to Windu. "I do, yes."
The ship may no longer be in the presence of its owner but his presence lingered, permeating the air with a heavy miasma of malice and hatred. Yoda felt it the moment he was present to see it land in the hanger, but now that there was no distraction he felt it keenly.
"It feels... wrong." Windu muttered, scowling as he tried to explain what he was feeling through the Force. "It feels diseased, like a sickness lies upon it."
Yoda nodded, thoughtful as he hobbled to the hull and placed a gnarled hand on the smooth black surface, closing his eyes and concentrating. The Force pulsed, heavy and cumbersome, full of hatred, malice and a cruel vindictive pleasure at inflicting pain and suffering. He heard screams echoing through his mind, people captured and tortured to death within this vessel with no hope of escape.
"Masters."
The voice broke Yoda's concentration, forcing him to look into the ancient visage of Master Nu, the woman looked a little paler than usual, and he was certain she felt the same sense of wrongness they were feeling. She wasn't alone. Yoda had seen this in the face of the younger Knights who had accompanied her.
There were hushed, anxious whispers, from every Jedi who entered that ship. Two of them had just walked out shivering, whispering to each other that it felt like they were being watched but they didn't know from who or where.
"What is it, Master Nu?" Windu asked.
"I have asked for a protocol droid to be sent down here with every known language in the archives." She reported, clasping her hands behind her back to straighten her frame. "I believe I know what the language is, but I dare not speak until I have solid evidence."
"What is your hypothesis?" Mace asked, frowning.
"It's an impossible notion." Jocasta shook her head. "Just the thoughts of a senile old woman."
"No evidence I have seen, of senility in you." Yoda smiled softly.
"You are too kind, Master Yoda." The Librarian sighed, thoughtful for a moment before opening her mouth to speak. "Very well. I am not one hundred percent sure of this but I recognise several of the symbols and glyphs from the ancient ruins of Korriban and Ziost."
Windu scowled thoughtfully, recognition slowly dawning as he remembered those names. Those planets had a lot of history as being dominion worlds of multiple Sith Empires. Korriban was the original home world of the now extinct Sith species, and also the location of vast graveyards of ancient and terrible Sith Lords. Ziost was an adoptive home world and capital of the Sith, earning the moniker Gateway to the Empire well before the time of anyone still alive.
"See, sounds impossible doesn't it. I mean no one has spoken the language of the Sith in millennia. It is a dead language." Yoda and Windu exchanged a glance, one which the old Librarian picked up on immediately. She may not be a current member but Jocasta Nu had once sat on the Jedi High Council, only giving up her seat a few years prior. "Unless you know something that I don't, Masters."
"Correct, your hypothesis may be."
The old woman blinked.
It was then that Koon walked up to him, "Masters. I believe it would be best to place guards around the ship, do you agree?"
"Yes, I believe so." Mace nodded, Yoda humming in agreement. "Six guards in groups of two in eight hour shifts, will that be acceptable?"
Plo Koon nodded.
"You expect danger, here?" Nu asked, delicate brow rising nearly to her hairline.
"Chances, we cannot afford to take." Yoda responded grimly.
"I take it this ship contains documents of great importance but also considerable danger?" Nu asked, frowning.
"Hmm, indeed." Yoda nodded. "Your discretion, we ask."
"You have it. If we announce to the temple that we have just come into command of a starship like this we will have unnecessary alarm." The old Librarian agreed. "How important is the information here?"
"It could mean the survival of the Jedi Order." Koon answered.
She frowned, "Lofty then."
"Very." Windu agreed, smiling apologetically. "I'm sorry we can't give you anymore to go on."
"I understand." Nu nodded."Leave it to me."
Obi-Wan smoothed his new robes, glad for the change of clothes and shower before he and his Master were sent on this new assignment. The turbolift thrummed all around him, glass walls showing a quickly elevating view of the Senatorial district. All around them were masses of high rise skyscrapers and streams of speeder traffic, all under the monolithic shadow of the Galactic Senate in the distance.
Qui-Gon eyed his fidgeting apprentice quietly and patiently, to which Obi-Wan was grateful. He would rather not be on the receiving end of a lecture at the moment, not with all of the worrying news coming to light. He was still getting used to the idea that the young Jedi he had met on Tatooine was a time traveller from a dark future. It was like something out of a futuristic dystopian science fiction novel except according to his friend and the most respected Jedi of the Order it was real.
"Calm yourself Obi-Wan." His Master placated. "Just let me do all the talking."
"Yes, Master." He managed.
The turbolift slowed and stopped, the doors opened revealing a long winding corridor which the two Jedi followed with sure steps. Qui-Gon took the lead, his apprentice following behind him as they followed the path towards the diplomatic apartments which housed the Naboo. They were called apartments, but in Obi-Wan's experience they were large complexes of three floors and many rooms.
Two members of Naboo security, dressed impeccably in their brown and pale blue uniforms greeted them and relayed their request for a meeting with the Queen. They were granted entrance immediately, walking through another corridor and out into an open space. Two more members of security were standing to attention, offering them nods of acknowledgement as they passed.
They ascended stairs, passing diplomatic staff, security personnel, handmaidens and aides along the way. Finally they reached the Queens personal chambers, doors opening with a mechanical whine as the two security guards bid them to enter.
The Queen sat on a small chair. The last touches of her personal regalia of elegant robes and face paint being applied. Four handmaidens flocked around her, applying the finishing touches before being shoed away. They bowed to the Jedi as they entered which they returned. Obi-Wan recognised Sabe, Eirtae and Rabe amongst the young robed women.
"Master Jedi," The Queen greeted cordially. "I admit I was surprised by your request for an audience."
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused, your highness." Qui-Gon allowed. "However we feel that at this time our guidance may serve you well."
"I see." She allowed, rising from her chair with a rustle of heavy robes. "What council do you bring."
"If we may speak in private." Jinn asked, inclining his head.
"Leave us." The Queen ordered and the handmaidens obeyed, bowing before the Jedi again before filing out of the room.
"I thank you for your trust, your highness."
The Queen eyed him carefully. "We have little time. I have a meeting with several of my diplomats later this evening."
"Off course," Qui-Gon placated before looking around. "I take it this room is secure from any unwanted ears?"
"It was swept for listening devices barely an hour ago." the Queen answered. "My Guard Captain was adamant in that regard."
"Smart man." Qui-Gon allowed.
"So, what is it you wish to discuss?"
"It is concerning the emergency session of the Senate." Jinn began, taking the offered seat. Obi-Wan remained standing, continuing to flank his Masters side.
"You are not the first to meet with me regarding this." The Queen replied, stoic, calm, face set in stone and almost impossible to read. "And I will repeat what I have stated to them. I will not ask for a postponement of this summit. If I do the chances are great that we will not be able to call for another one."
"I understand your highness." Jinn wrapped his robes around himself. "That is not why I am here. The Jedi are aware that you will not stand for any delay concerning the events on Naboo."
"Then why are you here?" She asked bluntly.
Qui-Gon offered a bemused smile. "Not much for formalities?"
"I have had to deal with formalities since I landed, Master Jedi." The Queen replied, before sighing heavily. "I apologise. It has been a very long day."
"I understand," Jinn allowed. "Rest assured your highness I am not here to try and dictate what you can and cannot do, nor am I here to be the purveyor of ill news. I have come with a message from the Grand Master of the Jedi Order, promising our support to you and the Naboo during this time."
That got her attention. There was the briefest crack in her emotionless mask. Her eyes widened slightly, glistening and her dark painted lips curled upwards in the briefest beginnings of a relieved smile. It was swiftly covered by the impassive mask of the Queen again, and not the terrified fourteen year old girl looking for help but finding no one on this vast world willing to give it.
It did her a great deal of respect when she spoke again, voice under control. "Continue, please."
Qui-Gon nodded. "We would ask that you postpone while we begin our own investigation, but are aware of the gravity of the situation and know that it is just not possible. Myself and my Padawan will accompany you when you attend the emergency session, with your permission off course."
"Forgive me, but why would the Jedi break their neutrality now?" The Queen asked.
"We feel that this business between the Naboo and the Trade Federation is being manipulated in the shadows by another organisation. One looking to use the crisis for their own ends, and those ends will be harmful to the Republic as a whole." Jinn explained. "Therefore the Jedi will stand with the Naboo, and we will bring our own grievances concerning the situation forward."
"Your own grievances?"
"You are aware that myself and my apprentice were sent as ambassadors." He asked, and she nodded. "Soon after we arrived the Federation destroyed our Judiciary transport, killing the crew, and then tried to kill us with poison gas. The droids they sent later were not meant to see to our safety."
She just managed to resist the urge to gulp. "I see."
"Our Orders investigation will continue apace, but we will need time. You are aware that the chances of you gaining support from the Senate to end the invasion are remote. I am guessing that your Senator has brokered the idea of declaring a vote of no confidence against the Chancellor."
"He has, but I will not use it unless I feel it is absolutely necessary." The Queen allowed.
"There is another way."
"Such as?"
"Request aide from the member worlds of the Republic directly through the Senate." Qui-Gon watched as the young girl blinked. "If your attempt to gain support from the Senate fails request aide from individual members."
"I am not interested in starting a galactic war, Master Jedi."
"That is not our intention."
"Then please share with me your intention."
"The Jedi will declare that they are willing to send a new diplomatic effort to Naboo, but because of what happened on our last attempt we worry for the safety of our ambassadors. You then request independent member worlds to volunteer ships as an escort for yourself and us upon your return." Qui-Gon explained. "Our contingent will land on Naboo directly instead of the Trade Federations flagship under the protection of the independent fleet and see to it that the Federation end its occupation. We are currently looking through the original constitution of the Republic and are sure we can bring it into force."
The Queen had been thoughtful throughout, listening raptly and once again, for the briefest of moments her mask of stone cracked before being ruthlessly replaced. "It sounds... possible, Masters."
"One condition, your highness." Qui-Gon continued. "Our knowledge of this organisation is not complete, so we ask that you not ask for guidance amongst your current diplomatic staff here on Coruscant. Our initial reports lead us to believe that several high ranking officials within the Senate are, at the very least, under suspicion. For this plan to succeed depends on as few people knowing of it as possible."
She was hesitant. "You cannot mean my own Senator, surely?"
Qui-Gon's response was grim. "Until we know otherwise everyone involved in this crisis is under suspicion."
"This groups influence has reached that far?"
"That is our fear."Qui-Gon replied honestly. "We feel that this incident may be the key needed to flush them out, bring them into the open. They are expecting this crisis to engulf the entire Republic and will use the chaos that will follow. At this point the Jedi are looking to reduce the damage as much as we can, while also bringing your own crisis to a peaceful conclusion."
The young woman hesitated for a brief moment, then nodded. "Very well. I will consider your proposal."
That was as good as they were going to get, it would seem. Qui-Gon could feel her hope as well as her indecision in the Force, and knew that pressing her would only make her more suspicious. The Jedi had helped her get this far, and she was grateful, but she was still young and in many ways well over her head.
"One last appeal before we depart, your highness." Qui-Gon said suddenly. "We request that young Anakin Skywalker return to the temple with us, so his assessment can begin."
She was hesitant for a long moment. "Yes, of course. Would it be possible if we say goodbye to him. My Handmaidens have become quite fond of him."
Qui-Gon nodded. "Of course, your highness."
"I was right." Nu muttered to herself, eyes wide in disbelief as she scanned the throngs of flashing data. "But it is impossible."
She was not alone in the ships cockpit. The protocol droid was standing beside the pilots chair she was sitting in, plugged into the main computer system and translating the information within. Crowded around the high backed chair were Jedi Masters Plo Koon, Mace Windu and the diminutive form of Grand Master Yoda, watching and waiting.
Finally Yoda spoke, breaking the tense silence. "A breakthrough, you have made?"
"Y-yes, Master." The old librarian replied, shaking herself out of her shocked silence. "But I am unsure if you would believe me."
"Go on." The tiny creature implored.
"It... it is remarkable." Jocasta managed after another long moment of stunned silence. "But the data CT-16 has translated thus far confirms my original prognosis. This encoding is indeed a language, Sith language. I am unsure which dialect it is but from the runes and glyphs I have had translated so far it is either a slightly altered form of Massassi or Ziostian."
Silence reigned, only broken when Mace turned with a sigh, hand massaging his temple. "So she was right. They have returned."
Koon cupped his breather mask thoughtfully. "It would certainly appear so."
"But this is impossible." Nu continued, sagging into the chair and watching as the script continued to be translated. "The Sith language is a dead language. It has not been spoken let alone written since the True Sith Sects were defeated. It has been a dead language for over two millennia. Not even the Brotherhood of Darkness's New Sith Empire of a millennia ago spoke it so how can is just reappear now?"
"Because the Sith have returned, Master Nu." Mace Windu intoned, barely believing it himself. "We have recently received a warning that the Sith may not have been as extinct as we had originally believed."
"But that cannot be. The Sith have been extinct for nearly a thousand years." Nu whispered. "It is simply impossible that they remained in the shadows, unfound, for a millennia."
"Sadly they seem to have done just that." Koon added. "And it gets worse. According to our sources they have infiltrated quite thoroughly into the very political infrastructure of the Republic, and our evidence may very well be within these databanks."
She seemed to be frozen in place, unmoving for several heartbeats, and then when her fellow Master feared that the news may have been too much for her she took a deep breath and raised her head, glaring at the still flashing computer screens. "I understand. It will be done, Masters. I will translate this data and send it to you the moment I am certain, I promise."
"Aware of this, we are." Yoda assured softly, smiling at the elderly human fondly. "Trust in you, we do."
Rey awoke suddenly, sitting up and immediately regretting it as a wave of dizziness and nausea slammed into her. She groaned, hands reaching up to rub her face before settling herself into a brief healing trance to dispel the vertigo. When she opened her eyes again the room had at least stopped spinning.
The room was dark, the shutters closed. It took her eyes a few moments to adjust, seeing a sparsely decorated space whose furniture included the simple bed she was lying in, a desk and chair, mechanical doors which could only be a wardrobe and drawers lined the far wall. On the chair was a small pile of neatly folded clothes. Her lightsaber, blaster and utility belt were on the otherwise clean desk and leaning against the side was her backpack and quarterstaff.
She could hear voices beyond the door, familiar voices.
She swivelled around and placed her bare feet on cool tile, taking a moment to get used to the cold before rising to stand. Another wave of vertigo struck her, which she managed to dispel with the aid of the Force, taking a few tentative steps after to make sure it did not return.
Rey moved to the table, taking her utility belt and latching it around her waist before holstering her blaster and clipping her lightsaber hilt into place. Feeling not so naked anymore she walked to the door, which opened for her with a soft hiss. Bright light blinded her for a moment, making her squint and raise her hand to shield her eyes.
Relief flooded her when she saw who was in the main room. Poe and Finn rose from their chairs, conversation from before suddenly forgotten. BB-8 rolled forward, beeping excitedly. Rey found that she couldn't speak, even when they closed the distance and enveloped her in a series of embraces, first was Poe as he was closer, and then Finn nearly crushed her and finally B who nudged against her leg looking to be petted.
She did not disappoint him.
"The young lady is awake at last." Master Vos was rising to his feet, clean shaven and wearing clean clothes. A young, attractive Twi'lek woman rose with him, also dressed in temple robes. "It is a relief to see that you have recovered, Knight Skywalker."
"Master Vos," she greeted, returning his bow. "No one is more relieved than me."
"That is up for debate." He quipped, flashing a slightly dishevelled look at her friends before turning to the fourth sentient in the room. "This is my Padawan, Aayla Secura."
"It is a pleasure to meet you in person." Aayla bowed.
Rey once again returned the bow. "Likewise. It is good to see that you are safe and well. My friends weren't too much trouble I hope."
"They were no trouble at all." The Padawan replied, flashing a nervous smile. "A little overprotective."
"Join the club."
"The Jedi High Council is scheduled to meet in the next few hours." Quinlan explained as she took a chair, waving away the boys who hovered over her worriedly. "The three of you will be making an appearance, alongside myself, Aayla, Master Jinn, Padawan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker."
"How long was I out for?" Rey asked.
"About four hours, give or take." Poe answered as he took a seat, Finn falling onto a sofa while Aayla sat beside him with considerably more dignity. They weren't wearing their usual attire, Rey noticed. Both were wearing a white tunic, tan pants and knee high black boots with no noticeable weapons. The pilots garb and Mandalorian battle armour was nowhere to be seen.
"You recovered faster than most," Quinlan assured, being the last to sit. "How are you feeling. Any side effects?"
Rey shrugged, "Nausea, dizziness... nothing a little meditation trance couldn't handle."
Quinlan nodded. "We have moved the starship your friends came in to the lower levels, and it is currently being examined by the seekers. Your friends and my apprentice appear to have stolen the ship of the very being who attacked us on Tatooine."
"Yeah, that wouldn't be the first time they managed to pull that off." Rey managed dryly. "Trouble seems to follow them like the plague."
"I resent that," Finn grumbled. "It's not like we actively go looking for trouble."
"More like trouble goes actively looking for us." Poe retorted, grinning at his friends glare.
Vos shook his head. "I don't doubt it. Hopefully there will be something on that ship we can use against the Sith, and a plan is forming to try and head off Palpatines plans for the emergency summit tomorrow. It is a long shot but hopefully it will buy us time."
Rey nodded, flashing a worried look Aayla's direction. The Padawan simply smiled. "I am fully aware of what is going on Knight Skywalker, please do not worry."
"Aayla figured out who we were during our little marathon around Mos Espa." Poe explained, hesitating for a moment. "Also, just to let you know... we might have killed Jabba the Hutt during our escape."
"Not might. Did. Not even a Hutt can survive a Thermal Imploder." Finn added.
"Not helping." Poe muttered.
Rey blinked at them, then sighed. "I'm guessing he was about to do something terrible?"
"Force our new friend here into slavery."
"Question answered." Rey leaned back into her chair, considering before turning to Vos. "Is that going to be a problem."
The Knight shrugged, "In the short term, no. In the long term, we're not sure. It will depend on how large and influential his criminal organisation was. We're guessing that his lieutenants will soon descend into infighting over the spoils, then other criminal enterprises will try and move in and claim a share for themselves. At the least a rise in crime rates in several sectors."
"I see."
"Don't worry about that right now." Quinlan raised his hand before she could say anything else. "Worrying about what may happen is pointless. I am grateful for what you and your friends have done to rescue my apprentice and return her to us safely. There are plenty of Jedi who will feel the same. If anything happens as a result of what happened on Tatooine you will have the aid of me and Aayla."
Rey smiled. "Thank you."
Quinlan returned her smile, as did Aayla. "You will need to get yourself cleaned up before going before the council. The bathroom is through there, and a fresh change of clothes was left in the room. I suggest you use the time."
Rey blinked, looked at her clothes, stained with dirt and sweat then sniffed under her arm to the amusement of those around her and grimaced. "Good idea."
"She's been around us for too long." Poe muttered as she disappeared into the bedroom.
"To be fair she did live as a scavenger on a desert planet before running into me." Finn reminded as she came out, arms laden with the new clothes. Rey gave them a dirty look before disappearing into the bathroom, door closing audibly behind her. "She's no stranger to living in the same pair of clothes for weeks."
"How old was she when she began her training?" Aayla asked.
"Nineteen." Finn replied.
Master and Apprentice exchanged glances, eyes widening slightly. Poe frowned at them. "I take it that isn't common place?"
Quinlan nodded. "Most Jedi begin training young, many from the moment they learn to walk. It is unheard of in our time for someone to begin Jedi training from scratch that old."
"If I remember her father started his training at about the same age." Finn added thoughtfully before turning to Aayla. "How old were you when you started?"
"I was brought to the temple when I was three, basic training started when I was four." She answered truthfully. "It is unheard of in our time for someone of nineteen years old to be accepted for Jedi training. They are considered too old, too attached to their former lives to be able to give it all up and join our ranks, so we don't recruit them above a certain age."
"To become a Jedi is to become a guardian and a protector to both the Republic and what it stands for." Quinlan continued for his apprentice, hands clasped together thoughtfully. "All are taught this from a young age."
"How things changed, huh?" Finn muttered under his breath before he spoke. "I suppose her father and her were accepted because the Jedi were in such dire straits. You need to understand how bad the situation was between your time and ours. The Empires purges were terrifyingly effective. There were no Jedi left other than Yoda when her father began his training and believe me the Jedi would have been desperately welcomed amongst the Rebellion."
"What happened to us?" Aayla asked hesitantly, as if she wasn't sure if she wanted to know the answer or not.
Poe looked at her piercingly. "Do you really want to know?"
She gulped, but nodded. "Yes."
He eyed her for another moment, secretly hoping she would change her mind if he glared for long enough, but when she didn't relent he sighed. "Alright."
"Are you sure?" Finn warned. "It might be a bad idea."
"They deserve to be warned, Finn." Poe answered calmly.
"I suppose."
"Aayla, you were considered something of a hero in the war to come. You and your troops liberated many planets and saved countless lives, even in the face of Imperial propaganda you were remembered well on the planets you helped. You died thirteen years from now, when the Emperor decried Order 66. You were killed by your own troops on Felucia."
Aayla blinked, surprise and horror written all over her face. "Why?"
"The Republic created an army of Clones to combat the Separatists and their armies of droids. Darth Sidious made sure each Clone was implanted with a microchip which held orders they would be unable to decline. One was known as Order 66, an executive order declaring all Jedi enemies of the Republic, to be shot on sight." Poe explained. "Your name was cleared when the Empire was defeated. The New Republic launched a full investigation into Order 66 and all purges that followed and found the Jedi innocent. Aayla was accused of poisoning Felucia's water supply and you, Quinlan, were accused of sabotaging Republic war efforts on Kashyyyk. You managed to survive for a decade before you were found and killed on Kuat."
Vos took a deep breath, lowering his head as he thought. "Do you know what happened to my Master, his name is Tholme, and another named T'ra Saa?"
"I am sorry, we don't." Poe shook his head apologetically. "They're names may be somewhere on Rey's datapad."
"I see." Quinlan replied softly.
"Those futures may not happen." Finn spoke, tapping Aayla on the shoulder, making her smile. "Our coming here has already messed up the timeline, and so long as you are warned ahead I doubt the same thing will happen again."
"I suppose." Quinlan allowed.
"Besides if we succeed then these things will never happen. The Clone armies will never be created. The war itself would never even begin and the Sith would be defeated long before then." The former Stormtrooper said. "The future is not decided, and if we have any say it won't follow the path which brought us here, so chin up."
"I envy your optimism." Vos admitted.
"A lot of people say that." Poe chided. "Don't worry it's not your fault. He's just an eternal optimist."
"It's worked so far, hasn't it?" Finn shot back, grinning.
The doors opened, Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi stepping past the threshold and offering slight bows to those within. "How is she?"
Quinlan looked up at the Jedi Master. "Awake and making herself presentable."
Qui-Gon nodded. "Good."
It took a few moments before they realised there was another person in the room, hands clutching onto the robes of the Jedi Master. Anakin Skywalker looked at the room full of people with a mixture of curiosity and nervousness. "Um, hi."
All within the room greeted him in return. Aayla and Finn moved to let him sit in the middle seat of the sofa. Obi-Wan disappeared into the en-suite kitchen and returned a few moments later with a cup of orange juice, which Anakin took gratefully and started sipping as he watched the adults all around him.
"Is Rey here?" He asked.
"She'll be out in a moment, young one." Aayla answered with a smile, making Anakin blush and become very interested in his juice.
"You seem to have that effect on people." Finn chided.
"Quiet." She shot back, grumbling.
Rey chose that moment to exit the bathroom. Cleaned and dressed in a new tunic, tan pants and knee high black boots that both Finn and Poe were wearing. Quinlan rose to his feet, grabbing a mass of brown fabric with his free hand and presenting it to her. Rey blinked at the offered garment for a long moment, soon realising it was a robe.
Vos smirked. "Might as well look the part, eh?"
Rey smiled, took the article of clothing so iconic to the Jedi and put it on. Soon she looked no different from the other Jedi in the room. Qui-Gon and Quinlan checked her over, nodding to themselves in satisfaction before the Master of the two turned to those assembled. "Okay, now all we can do is wait."
Qui-Gon looked at the assembled crowd. "Alright everyone, gather around. This is what you can expect when you enter the chamber of the Council, and this is what we need to do."
"Nervous?"
He had hoped, with every fibre of his being, that no one would notice the trembling in his hands or the shaking in his entire being. One of the last people he had wanted to see him like this was the woman who had noticed. He looked up at Rey, who smiled down at him in understanding.
She had been one of the last people he had wanted to see him like this. "No, I'm just cold."
Her smiled didn't falter, but it did sadden as she once again ruffled his hair. He usually hated it when people ruffled his blonde hair, but from her he didn't mind. "You're lying."
It was a chide. There was no malice behind it, and yet Anakin flinched at the words. Rey seemed to notice this, for her ministrations stopped and instead she knelt beside him, so that their eyes met. She looked at him, examined him, straightened his clothes and tidied his hair. No one but his mother had ever done that for him before, and he felt the same sense of peace around Rey as he did her.
"Do you want a little advice?" She asked as she continued to straighten his clothes.
He nodded, not trusting himself to say anything else he was so nervous.
"Don't lie to them." She started matter-of-factly. "They are twelve of the strongest Jedi in the whole Order, so do not lie to them. If they ask you a question answer it honestly. When it comes to the Jedi lying to them is usually not a good thing, but if you are honest with them, if you answer their questions honestly then it will help you and them."
"If," He started, but stopped as his mouth felt so very dry. Rey looked up at him, just finishing straightening out his clothes and under her smile he found his voice again. She was so much like his mother. "If I answer them honestly then will I be a Jedi?"
"I can't say that Anakin, but it couldn't hurt, right?" She replied "Just don't lie to them. Answer their questions truthfully and don't hold anything back no matter how embarrassing, okay?"
He hesitated, and then nodded.
"Good boy." She smiled, hand reaching up to cup his cheek. "I will be right there with you, so don't worry."
the pretty Twi'lek lady placed a hand on Rey's shoulder, winking at Anakin before speaking. "It's time."
Rey pated her hand before rising to her feet, offering Anakin a hand which he accepted. Together the group began to file out of the chamber with Master Qui-Gon in the lead.
He had never felt so nervous in his life.
The Jedi High Council Awaits.
Not a lot happened during this chapter. It's just sort of like a filler chapter to get things rolling. The Jedi High Council meeting and its aftermath will be added into the next chapter. The chapter is pretty much one hundred percent done, but I may add a little tweak or two before I upload it next week.
Thanks to cj1of4 for pointing out a little tidbit about the Naboo Crisis. I forgot that the Viceroy mentioned this in the movie. While the Blockade itself wasn't illegal the invasion was, which was why they were so adamant that the Queen sign a treaty legalizing it.
Answering TheBlackCatSwordsman's questions concerning when Rey will tell Anakin that she is his granddaughter? I don't have any plans in place for that yet. And the whole altering time question about how their actions may cause them to no longer exist. It has been touched upon in Rey's fears at least when Yoda scanned her mind, but otherwise I'm going to leave that unanswered as well, so as not to put major spoilers on the story. I'm sorry I know I'm not being helpful.
Alith Anor's question about Rey becoming the Barsen'Thor of the Jedi Order. I'll just say no on that one. Rey is good, don't get me wrong, but I think there'd be Jedi who would be better duellists than she. Mace Windu and Plo Koon come to mind straight away. I don't have any plans for it and I'm not really going to touch on it.
Peace!