As more and more Jedi returned to their ancient home, Ashoka Tano felt less and less at home. She had never truly stopped thinking of the Temple as her home, not even when she was lost on Shili with no credits of any kind and a helpful man with a familiar face found her somewhere to live. She still believed in the force and still meditated to relieve pressure and stress from her mind but now she was lost within her home and shunned by the people she called her 'family'.
The day started as normally as any other had, it was cold but the sunlight warmed her as it streamed from the little cracks and small window-like formations that remained in the main entrance of the temple, the floor looked almost like it once had when she was a child learning how to be a Jedi for the first time and looking up to the Chosen One. She sorely missed those days how she would return from the war and rest within the comforting embrace of the Jedi Temple. Back then in the 2old days she wasn't the outcast in fact there was no outcasts, they were one unit, one body and one soul split into several beings of peace not contempt.
As Ahsoka walked she saw the only Zabrak Jedi Knight that lived in the temple: Maris Brood talking to another Jedi. She walked or more precisely waddled over to Maris on sore and tired feet, she soon began to recognise the other Jedi as the humanoid Noirah Na, a woman who Ahsoka had met when they both were teenagers. A smile spread across Ahsoka's face, she finally realised why hope had remained in her heart after she learnt of the almost total annihilation of the order. The force had not died and so the Jedi who survived would return and feel at home again. Finally reaching the pair Ahsoka stretched.
"Ahsoka Tano? Little Ahsoka?" Noirah asked in a very feminine voice.
"Yes, Noriah Na isn't it?"
"Yes, ye-" Na stopped once she noticed the bump and her jaw dropped much to Maris' embarrassment.
"Noriah?" Ahsoka asked confusedly until she realised the human's deep brown eyes were staring at her baby bump.
Tension polluted the once joyful air and threatened in a low whisper to cause Ahsoka more heartache. Maris not knowing what to do twiddled her thumbs, when in her head a debate was in full swing and it was her fear of being shunned as well against her sense of duty to Ahsoka. Noirah shifted from foot to foot unsure of how the Ahsoka Tano she knew could be pregnant especially with the dedication Ahsoka once showed the Jedi.
"Is there a problem with my appearance Noriah?" Tano asked irritated.
"No, no I'm sorry I still think of you as that youngling I once knew and of course, I did not once think you of all people would go on to start a family." Noirah said smiling.
"It's just me and the baby. It's Father is... unsuitable for parenthood. I must warn you of something Noirah," The youngest woman said.
"Oh? Well don't be shy 'Soka, I've known you for years."
"The... Other Jedi shun me as they do not know how to handle a pregnant apprentice who hasn't got a master because there is a shortage of knights to teach the apprentices. Many of those who have arrived have come with apprentices or injured by the Empire and are unable to teach so I bounce from tutor to tutor but recently... No-one will teach me because of my baby. I understand combat but the history of the Jedi? How can a pregnancy interrupt that!" Ahsoka said to her old friend.
"Ah I see, well 'Soka I won't shun you and I won't even try to act like I know how to behave around you so I'll just be me and you can just be you."
"Thank you Noirah."
"Don't worry about it, so far the others have re-accepted me even though I don't have my weapon and haven't practised what I know in the several years since the purge."
"Ah well you've got it easy." Ahsoka joked before Maris ushered Ahsoka and her knew ally further into their home.
A ship bound to rendezvous with an unlikely friend dropped out of hyperspace and began it's twenty minute voyage to the rendezvous location; just before the daunting grey sphere that circled Naboo. It was not an impressive ship, it was a donation from the BlackNinety group to the Jedi after one of Syen's heroic afternoons on the capitol planet. The ship held three people that had been asked/ ordered to return to Naboo to aid in the rescue of the planet's beloved Admiral G. Marek. The passengers where Sub-General Syen and Kayl Sericius and Jedi Master Rahm Kota who were all off doing their own tasks aboard the small vessel. Syen was in the center of the largest of the three rooms; the smallest of which being the cockpit and the middle room being the bunk room. He was working tirelessly on his proposal plan for the rescue operation, the blue and white light from the holo he was using reflected in his brown eyes and gave his face shadows in unattractive places. He looked at it, shook his head: not good enough. He tweaked a few bits then smiled before grunting and rubbing his eyes. Syen Sericius was certainly tired after two days without sleep or rest of any kind.
"Knock it off already boy! I'm tryina' sleep over here!" Kota roared at him.
"Go and sleep in the bunk room then if not STOP COMPLAINING!" Syen barked back, he wasn't usually the type to shout or use threatening language; normally he was a polite, loveable and handsome man but without sleep and little food he was his own evil twin and Kota didn't let him forget it.
"For the sake of the galaxy, get some sleep hardshot." Kota growled.
"We will be at the rendezvous with The Demolisher in fifteen minutes, that isn't long enough and you know it Kota."
"Rest your eyes then! You're going to need your strength to kiss the Emperor's ass."
"His my brother; I don't have to but in that case you should go rest, you know how much ass-kissing your going to need to do today."
"Argh." Kota said before shooting a dirty look at the victor of the argument. "You win, wake me when we rendezvous. I don't want that ginger bastard aboard without me knowing."
"Mhm."
Syen busied himself once more, he had to finish his proposal, Juno was counting on a strong plan to get her through the dark patch she was certainly in. Syen could imagine how she would be when he arrived - A distraught mess. He hated to think of her like that but it was the truth he knew how deeply Juno loved Galen. He loved Leia the same way but he knew he had to let go; Kayl needed him more and his first commitment was and always has been Kayl.
"A few years ago I would have never believed you to have such humanity within you to notice emotion or even try to brighten my day by manipulating my thought patterns. I'd have never thought you'd have a child either being so young."
"Times have changed, I have adapted and I feel for our small community. It is like my family."
Cye remembered Juno's first kind words to him; an expression of gratitude after he pushed her too hard. He found himself missing the days he spent within the Naberrie Estate, where he was with his kind - Syen and Kayl - and people he cared for deeply, people he had even stated to be like family. He wondered how things had changed so drastically so quickly, he had always known that one day he would have to leave but he didn't realise how soon it would be. He knew he couldn't keep the attachments he had so foolishly created but it didn't stop him wanting to, he knew that he was created to be a lone assassin but what he didn't know was that he would want his attachments more than his Empire at times.
Cye looked through the viewport at the stars, he always knew that stars meant so much more than just something to look at when he was a child and now he was stood on his ship admiring them from afar, it seemed to him that all he would ever be able to do was admire from afar. He snapped from his self pity after seeing a black and blue ship appear in his view, he knew that to be Temple One which he knew contained his brother; who he hadn't seen since the argument they had. His nephew and the reformed Jedi Master known to most as Kota. Cye turned and headed out, he was going to keep this attachment even if it did make him vulnerable.
The ship had just docked when Cye joined the two most senior officers at the airlock and complimented them on their timing before folding his arms behind him and reapplying the mask he so famously wore.
Kayl was the first to exit the ship, he bounded at Cye's upper thigh and hugged him, much to Cye's distaste. In private the gesture would have been welcomed but in a public venue it was far from acceptable.
"You have gotten big Kayl." He commented before the strong frame of Syen Sericius appeared with Kota not far behind any closer and they would have jammed the airlock with the combined mass of their frames.
"Emperor." Syen greeted coldly.
"Mr. Sericius." Cye replied with a brief smile.
"Emperor." Kota grumbled as Cye dismissed his officers and gestured for them to walk with him.
"My name is Cye. Please do not refer to me by title when there is no need." Cye said looking Syen straight in the eye as he did so.
The other two men nodded there approval whilst Kayl held his Father's hand as they walked on.
"I don't mean to be rude, Em-Cye but I believe we're taking Temple One down to Naboo?"
"Yes, indeed we are but first I wish to show you something if the schedule will allow it?" Cye said looking at Kota with an amused look.
"Ah but of course why shouldn't we indulge."
"I would hardly call details of the... Mission indulgence." Cye replied curtly as the Jedi nodded in submission to him.
The men walked for five more minutes before entering a large command bridge that was infested with Imperial officers and a few Storm Troopers, all work ceased every set of boots stomped in unison and then after a brief salute, one of the senior officer's that Cye had just dismissed came forward.
"M'lord, there is a transmission from Z. The priority is low b-" He began before Cye decided to interrupt him.
"Send it to my Holo transmitter. I am here for other reasons."
"Aye M'lord."
It was just as the Officer replied that Syen noticed the other Officers staring at him with wide eyes and confusion. He looked from corner to corner and saw the same expression everywhere he looked he then cleared his throat to attract Cye's attention.
"Yes Syen?"
"Could I speak to you for a minute.. In private."
"Yes. Master Kota can you watch my nephew?"
"Uh me?"
"Yes, you are Master Kota after all." He said repressing a smirk at the Jedi's expense, Kota nodded and picked Kayl up before an officer of lower rank directed him to an used corner to the far left, he nodded and made his way as he watched the two clones enter an office like room.
The room was as boring and drab as the rest of the ship's grey corridors, a table with a projector sat comfortably in the centre with plenty room for manoeuvre left over, the clones separated; Cye to the left. Syen to the right. They both took the same pose with there hands on the corners of the table as they leaned forward, neither was bothered by this they knew they had similarities.
"Well what is it? I thought this was strictly business not a brotherly reunion." Cye took the first pot-shot.
"Aha, aren't you funny iceman. Your officers. They were staring at me." Syen replied taking pleasure in insulting his brother.
"Well Syen, you do look a hell of a lot like me, except I keep my face clean shaven and I am well kept compared to yourself."
"God how informal of you! That is a new feature, how many more have they installed?"
"You are my brother I do not have to be formal around you."
"Wow! You've finally realised that formalities aren't everything."
"Grow up. You are the one who disconnected himself. I would not have said another word but you are blinded by hostility!"
They regarded each other with caution, a fight would have caused a delay and made the men wonder if their Lord was as powerful as others had said, Syen's hand griped his lightsaber tightly as he knew how good a swordsman his brother was. His tempted fingers fondled the activation stud yet his brother had only stood back and folded his arms behind his back taking his dark cloak with it and revealing and lightsaber-less belt. Cye raised his eye brows at his younger brother which made the man think about what he would be doing, he removed his lightsaber from it's clip and threw it onto the table.
"Don't you ever tell me to grow up unlike you I'm actually raising my son."
"You think that hurt me? Remember Syen I am the 'iceman' I do not get hurt."
"Everyone is hurt at some point. That did hurt you Cye, even though you act indifference so well I know it hurt you. I'm supposed to be the better model yet that would have hurt me so tell me am I inferior to you?"
"Syen we have a duty to complete and we are now twenty minutes behind schedule. We shall pick this up when Galen is free."
"Count on it." Syen said slapping the table and exiting the room.
Cye hung back, it did hurt but he would train himself not to feel it. He could not allow himself to hurt, he had to be indifferent in all things, with the Sith and Jedi, with his family and with his Empire; he wouldn't allow failure not when he still had so much to know and learn.