Chapter Thirty-Five

32 BBY

~ Qui-Gon Jinn ~
The second I saw my Padawan and Kya, I knew at once that something drastic had taken place. Something had altered their relationship beyond recognition. Something had changed the dynamics of, oh, well – everything, really.

The constant awareness of surroundings, the shifting posture, the defensive thoughts – all were present in Obi-Wan. No less obvious was the caring yet stern glance in his eyes – an emotion I had never seen him convey before. And it was directed at Kya.

As for Kya – the relaxed posture, the calm voice that possessed none of the stress of last time, the steadiness in her gaze; those told me all I needed to know.

They have sorted out what befell between them, I realized sadly. And whatever they have done puts them – and their bond – beyond the reach or judgment of the Jedi Order.

There was no denying it, not anymore. The Force had played a great role in bringing these two together, and it apparently intended for them to be together. I knew that as certainly as I knew and treasured the existence of the Force itself.

Whatever had transpired, I wished them luck. Things had not turned out so well between Tahl and me, and I hoped with all my heart that Obi-Wan would never suffer the same wrenching pain that I had upon Tahl's death.

" – it's all right, Master Jinn?" Kya was asking.

I yanked my attention back to the present immediately and offered the holder of my Padawan's love a gentle, apologetic smile. "Sorry, I got distracted. What did you say?"

"I . . . I think it's time for the Jedi to understand where I come from, how I came to be," Kya said slowly. "You need to know, and I'm running out of time to delay telling you. Do you think . . . Do you think it's a wise decision? That it'll be all right?"

Despite her confidence and relaxed posture, I could see that she was still nervous. She had shifted ever so slightly closer to Obi-Wan, and I felt the bond between them pulse rapidly as emotions flowed between the two apprentices faster and smoother than ever before.

I noted the slightly sour look on Obi-Wan's face and hid a smile. Apparently he wasn't as pleased with Kya's decision to let Masters go digging in her head and fishing through her memories.

Good. He takes no chances, but is still able to sort out what is right and wrong. He is not blinded by his love for her. He trusts her judgment. Excellent.

I cleared my throat. "I think it'll be a wonderful decision, Kya. However, as you have sought my presence and not the Masters, I'm assuming there is something you wish to ask of me beforehand. And it would be?"

Kya hesitated. "I have a strong self-defense mechanism. You know already; you felt it."

I nodded shortly. And I have no desire to repeat that experience.

"And so, well, I realized that allowing twelve unknown Masters into my head probably won't be the wisest decision. But I know . . . I'm already familiar with your reactions, and with Obi-Wan's, so I was wondering if you could – "

"Ah. I understand," I murmured, cutting her off. She was telling me that she was worried that allowing all of the Council Masters to go running around in her head would trigger her unique abilities, which would make everyone annoyed and get nothing done. But she already knew me; had utilized her gift against me; had seen my reaction. And she knew Obi-Wan even better, through the powerful bond they shared.

If she conveyed the message through us, the reception would be poor quality when it got to the Council's eyes, but at least she wouldn't accidentally end up knocking us all unconscious.

Kya looked relieved, and she bowed. "Then I am in your debt, Master Jinn." Then she strode off, presumably to search for Mace and Yoda.

I watched as my Padawan turned to follow her gracefully, his hand on her shoulder and the bond between them shimmering with complex emotions.

Actually, it is I who am in your debt, Kya Ranor, I thought. You taught my apprentice what it means to love.

~ Kya Ranor ~
To my surprise, when I walked into the room where the Council was currently meeting in, there was another Jedi Padawan there. Standing with her back to us, the Padawan was tall and slender. But despite her delicate figure, I knew she was much more. Slim muscles and a sturdy build attested to her abilities in self-defense and hand-to-hand and lightsaber combat. Her confident voice told me that she was probably reporting back from a solo mission, signifying that she was a senior Padawan.

Beside me, Obi-Wan suddenly stiffened. I glanced at him, worried. Was this Padawan a rival of his or something?

But no. Amazement and distant memories flavored our bond now. No, this was no rival. She was an old friend, I sensed. One whose friendship he treasured, even though they had been apart many years.

Despite my best efforts, a tiny bit of jealously seeped into my thoughts. This Padawan was very beautiful, and I sensed that her abilities would partner with Obi-Wan's just as perfectly as mine did. And to top it off, they were old classmates.

But there was something about this Padawan . . . something familiar. Had I known her – her future self, that is – before?

The Padawan finished talking and bowed out. As she turned around, I got a full glimpse of her face – and it was my turn to gasp and stiffen. Blonde hair flowed around her shoulders, elegantly cut into a short hairstyle that didn't get in the way. Sharp and lively blue eyes shone with intelligence and keen wit.

Making eye contact with those vivid blue eyes was like a punch in the gut. Suddenly, I knew exactly who she was. Siri Tachi. Memories about her flooded my brain, because I had trained under Jedi Tachi and had known her apprentice, Ferus Olin. I remembered her lively jokes and useful advice – and I also remembered her death. Jedi Tachi had died at the Battle of Azure, trying to protect Senator Amidala, my Master, and Talesan Fry.

Siri paused at the sight of us, and a slow smile crept across her face. "Obi-Wan Kenobi," she said. Her voice was just as I remembered – vivacious, wonderful, and mystical – just like her eyes, except that her eyes were younger and happier now, not burdened by war and death.

"Siri Tachi," Obi-Wan returned with a similar smile. "I hadn't realized you had returned from assignment yet."

"Yes. And imagine my surprise when I was told that the whole Jedi Council was stationed on Naboo, and that I had to come here to report."

"Go and rest, Padawan," Master Gallia called, coming up behind her. "We'll finish this and evaluate everything later."

Siri inclined her head to her Master and strode off with an easy pace. Master Gallia turned her attention to me. "Did you want to speak to the Council, Padawan Ranor?" she asked gently.

I shook off my surprise at seeing Siri Tachi as a Padawan and turned my attention back to the topic at hand. "Yes," I answered, coming into the chambers. Master Gallia resumed her seat with a politely curious expression, one that was mirrored by almost all of the Masters. All, that is, except Yoda, whose expression was impassive as he watched me approach.

I paused for a moment to gather my thoughts before speaking. It wouldn't do to sound panicked or guilty. "I apologize for disturbing you on such short notice, Masters, but I had no choice. I received a message last night, and I've come to realize that I have precious little time to finish what I came here to do." I paused again. Let's see how they react to this last bit. "It's time I told you how the Clone Wars came about and how it ended – and what role the Sith Master played in it."

Startled surprise echoed in the Force at my words. Obviously, they hadn't expected me to tell them everything. That, or they just hadn't expected me to crack so soon and tell them.

Why can't you think positively? Obi-Wan complained as he caught wind of my second thought. They probably just froze when they heard "Sith Master"; it has nothing to do with anything else.

Think so? Look at Master Windu and Yoda.

A slow, knowing smile had appeared on Master Yoda's face and he nodded. Master Windu glanced at him briefly before returning his attention to me. He leaned forward. "What kind of message? I thought you said that you were out of contact with your . . . Master."

"I didn't get this message from my Master."

"Then who?"

I hesitated. Should I tell them the crazy truth or the believable lie? The second option was rather tempting, I had to admit. I would never have gotten away with it at home, but this wasn't home. And while Lady Elizabeth hadn't told me I couldn't reveal her to anyone, seeing as I didn't know her true identity, talking about her might make the Masters think I was just one mentally unsound Jedi.

I felt a sharp rebuke from Obi-Wan and winced. Stop it, Kya. Honestly, stop being pessimistic and just answer the question!

Since when are you the optimistic one?

Since now.

That's just so helpful.

I finally choose to answer the diplomatic way. "The Force has given me warnings, just it has done in the past. Besides, if I do not choose to act, the Sith will act instead, and we will be on the defensive . . . again."

"What's wrong with being on the defensive?" Master Gallia asked. "We are not bloodthirsty warriors who will go on the offensive without considering the consequences. May I respectively remind you, apprentice, that Jedi are keepers of the peace – not soldiers."

My lips tightened, and a sour taste entered my mouth. Stubborn and old and unable to see past the future to the present. No wonder Sidious never really considered our resistance a major issue. "I don't mean any disrespect, Masters, but that attitude of waiting for others to act – merely reacting to things, instead of acting – is exactly why the Sith were able to destroy the Jedi Temple and murder every single Jedi on Coruscant."

Shock rippled through the Council at my words. I seized the moment and continued talking. I needed their shock; it would help them understand why I was so anxious to help them. "The Force sent me here to try and prevent it from happening again. If you order me not to help change the way things are going right now, I can say with absolute certainty that in exactly thirteen years, every single Jedi in this room – save two – will be dead on the order of the Sith Lord."

I let my words sink in, and felt Obi-Wan send soothing feelings across the bond. He had felt the pain and anguish that was welling up within me as I recalled those dreadful memories, and he was trying his best to help.

Now I gentled my tone. I didn't want to put the Masters on the defensive. "You need to know how things in my world got to that point. You need to know how to prevent it from happening again. Otherwise . . . Otherwise, you won't need to worry about being on the defensive or on the offensive. The Empire will make sure that everyone remembers the Jedi Order as horrible monsters that stole children and betrayed the Republic."

~ Obi-Wan Kenobi ~
A sour taste rose in my mouth at Kya's bitter and resigned words. She was describing her home – the home the Force wanted her to return to.

How can I let her go home to that sort of place? She was describing the kind of place that was my worst nightmare for her. That kind of place would have no qualms about taking her soul and ripping it into a thousand shreds and blasting her consciousness into oblivion. That kind of place was the kind that shadows who lurked in the background wouldn't hesitate to seize her and hurt her.

But I knew, in my heart of hearts, that I loved her far too much to even try and hold her here against her will – even if it was the one place she could be safe.

"What Empire?" Master Ki-Adi-Mundi was asking slowly.

Kya swallowed against the hurt I could sense rising in her. "When the Sith took over the Republic, they changed it into an empire," she said. Her tone was flat, but I could sense the raging river of sadness underneath. "They only left the Jedi Temple intact because Sidious wanted to make sure he'd gotten all of the Sith Holocrons."

Her words seemed to drive her plea home to the Masters. I sensed the strong mutual feelings in the Force rising from them, as if they were conducting a vote right now via the Force. I prayed that they would agree with Kya.

Finally: "Very well, apprentice. What do you want us to do?"

Happy Holidays, everyone! Well, think of this early update as an early Christmas present. Unfortunately, I don't plan to write too much over vacation, so updates will be kinda sluggish. Sorry!