Star Wars
The Supreme Commander
Chapter 12
0-0-0-0-0-0
The Jedi Council had reconvened at the much anticipated request of Anakin Skywalker, and now anxiously awaited the arrival of one of their most talented members. What all but Master Yoda and Master Kenobi had been surprised about was the appearance of his former Padawan, Ahsoka Tano. She was much more mature than she was when she had walked away from the Jedi Order. Sure she looked older, and many of the council members noticed how much she had grown, but what was unseen was her spirit, and the way she carried herself had changed.
"Skywalker, Tano, deja vu, you are giving me," chuckled Master Yoda as they approached the center of the room.
"Masters, we are ready to rejoin the Jedi Order," Anakin said, "we have seen the reforms and decided that we want to return to our true homes."
"We are pleased to have you both back," came the voice of Master Mundi with a genuine smile on his face. "As we discussed with you Skywalker, we have made you a Jedi Master, for seeing our flaws and preventing them from bringing our whole order down."
"And you compelled us to make changes that were long overdue," added Master Windu, "for these reasons, we are making you a Jedi Master. The youngest to be bestowed this honor, and additionally, we invite you to join the Jedi Council. Your view on how the Jedi need to be more involved in the galaxy will be a valuable voice for us all." It was a surprise to hear the traditionalist Mace Windu admit the flaws of the Jedi Order, and that made the pair all the more certain that they had made the right choice.
"Thank you Masters, it is an honor to be a part of this. I would also like to apologize for my ungratefulness of the past. I recognize the danger you saw in me, and I was too arrogant to see things from your views. I hope we can put that all behind us now," Anakin said. His maturity in the light of recent events was showing, and many on the council were impressed with this new attitude.
"You have nothing to apologize for Skywalker," reassured Master Plo Koon, "it was we who made wrongful assumptions, and we hope that by recognizing all that you have done, we have gone a little ways in writing our wrongs."
Anakin bowed and walked over to his seat on the council, soaking in how great it felt to finally have achieved the feat he had dreamed of ever since he had become a Jedi. He gave Ahsoka a reassuring look and through their bond she voiced a congratulations to him.
"Now, the greatest mistake our order made, the wrongful treatment of Ahsoka Tano, face it, we must," Master Yoda said as the council turned to look towards Ahsoka.
Master Plo Koon's voice was overflowed with sadness as he started to speak. "Ahsoka, we were blind to what was going on, and we truly betrayed you when we cast you out the way we did. It is with great joy we find you standing before us to accept our invitation back."
"It wasn't easy," Ahsoka said, "but Anakin told me about the reforms you made, and after the actions you have taken over the past few months, it showed me that you are no longer complacent. It showed me the Jedi may still go back to what they once were, beacons of hope. I want to contribute to that image."
"Padawan Tano, I foresee that you will one day sit upon this very council. If even half our Jedi have your courage, our future is in good hands," said Master Windu, smiling for the first time in Ahsoka's memory.
"Padawan Tano, kneel. Skywalker, do the honors, you may," said Master Yoda as everyone in the council rose to stand in respect for the new Jedi Knight.
Anakin stood and ignited his blade. Though she had no Padawan braid, he could still make it a ceremony to remember. "By the right of the council, by the will of the force. Ahsoka Tano, you may rise as a Knight of the Jedi Order."
The Jedi Council broke into applause and Ahsoka stood up and was quickly embraced by her former Master. "Looks like the only thing I can call you now is Skyguy," she teashed, "you did after all make it clear no Jedi was to call you Chancellor."
"I'm okay with that Snips," Anakin said as he rested his hand on her shoulder,, "you made me very proud."
"Proud, we all are. Now Skywalker, believe Master Kenobi has a request for you," Master Yoda said as he stepped out of the way for Obi-Wan to approach Anakin.
"Yes Obi-Wan?"
"Anakin, now that you are a Master, I believe we should begin looking into new Padawans," he turned to Ahsoka, "Ahsoka, if you wish to join us you are more than welcome to come along."
"I'll accompany you, but I can't promise I'll be taking a padawan," Ahsoka said as she turned to follow her Master and Grandmaster out of the council chamber. They journeyed across the temple until they came across the classroom where the newest batch of graduated initiates were training.
"Padawan Tano," cried out a female Tholothian as she ran to hug the Togrutan who had been her instructor during the mission they underwent to create their own lightsabers. Obi-Wan nodded apologetically to the instructor to whom they had just interrupted, and judging by the instructor's smile he knew she understood.
"Katooni, how are you?" Ahsoka asked as Katooni released her from the hug and looked up at her.
"I'm great Padawan Tano," she replied with a smile. The Tholothian had idolized ever since the gathering, and she was surprised to find her in the temple.
"Ahsoka is actually a Jedi Knight now Katooni," Obi-Wan explained with a smile. He remembered this Tholotian girl from when they had come aboard his warship after the pirate Hondo had 'saved' them. He looked over at Anakin who was studying the girl and he could sense that there was a connection between the two.
A second Padawan had approached them and Obi-Wan recognized this one as Petro. "Master Kenobi, you promised me we would have a duel someday soon," he said with a smile on his face.
"Patience Padawan, I wouldn't want to end up in the medical wing this soon into the post-war era," Obi-Wan chuckled. He could see a lot of similarities between Petro and Anakin, and he had enjoyed having Anakin as a Padawan, perhaps him and Petro were meant to be. He could feel the force speaking to him, and it encouraged this new relationship.
"Continue your exercises young ones," Ahsoka ordered with a smile, "it was nice seeing you all!"
As they made their way out of the training hall, they started to talk about what they had noticed in the force. "I sensed a connection between Anakin and Katooni," said Obi-Wan as they made their way over to a window overlooking the capital district.
"I did as well," Ahsoka said, "I believe Katooni lacks confidence, and I think a confident Jedi Master would be perfect for her."
"Not to mention that Katooni needs to be put out of her comfort zone. That is something Anakin excels at," Obi-Wan teased as Anakin made a face at him.
"I sensed the connection between us and I do admit, I think that Katooni would make a great Padawan," Anakin said, "what about you Obi-Wan, did you notice anyone?"
"The Padawan Petro and I shared a similar connection. I felt it when I encountered him on my Star Destroyer many months ago, and feeling it today leads me to believe that Petro is meant to be my next Padawan," Obi-Wan said.
"Shall we inform the council?" asked Anakin.
"I believe so. Ahsoka, did you notice anyone?"
"I did not Master, but I'm looking forward to some solo missions and maybe some group missions with the two of you and your new Padawans," Ahsoka said.
"Very well, I'll comm Master Yoda and we'll soon have our new Padawans," Obi-Wan said as they made their way towards the High Council chambers.
0-0-0-0-0-0
To say Petro and Katooni were nervous when they approached the High Council was an understatement. Sure they had interrupted the class to say hello to Ahsoka, and yeah maybe taunting Katooni during training wasn't a good idea, but he didn't think he'd be in trouble for it. Katooni for her part figured it was because they had used the force to start a food fight in the mess hall a week ago, but there was nobody around and she couldn't imagine how the council would know about it.
"I swear it's the food fight," said Katooni as her and Petro approached the council doors.
"But how would the-," Petro was saying before the doors swung open and they walked into the room.
"Know why you are here, younglings?" asked Master Yoda with a smile.
"No," they answered sheepishly.
"Are you sure?" asked Master Kenobi, stroking his beard.
"I only threw one meiloorun, the others threw more!" exclaimed Petro and the council members shared a look of confusion.
"Petro," hissed Katooni, "they aren't talking about that."
"Oh," Petro said, rubbing the back of his head and chuckling nervously, "I was just kidding, I didn't throw any."
From the other side, they could hear some chuckling and they turned to see Master Skywalker in his chair laughing. Master Skywalker was on the council now?
"The mysterious meiloorun incident, not important, it is. Master Kenobi, Master Skywalker, take your places, you must," Master Yoda said as the two Jedi Masters stood up and walked behind the Padawans, placing their hands on their shoulders.
Petro and Katooni looked at each other, realizing what was happening. "Master Kenobi, take Petro Cortes as your Padawan do you?"
"I do," said Master Kenobi, smiling down at the boy.
"Master Skywalker, take Katooni Allie as your Padawan, do you?" asked Master Yoda with a smile on his face. Stass Allie looked towards her niece with a smile. Though there was little contact between the Jedi and their former families, the late Adi Gallia, Stass Allie, and Katooni Allie were known to be related.
"I do," replied Anakin with a smile.
"Serve each other, you must. Learn from each other, you must. A great legacy, you Padawans will continue. Serving under some of the greatest Jedi Knights this order has seen, you are. Learn much, you will. Padawan Katooni, an expanded role, you will have. Learn about the political arena, you most likely will. Assist your Master in matters of state, you must."
"Yes Master Yoda," said Katooni with a bow.
"Congratulations Padawans," Master Windu said, "you are dismissed to get acquainted with your quarters. Padawan Katooni, if your Master permits it, you have the permission of the council to stay at Skywalker's apartment whenever necessary. But unless there is an agreement between you two, you will most likely be staying in your shared quarters within the Jedi Temple."
"Yes Master Windu, thank you," Katooni said with a bow and the group left the council chambers.
Outside, Ahsoka was waiting and she greeted the two newly made Padawan's with a smile. "Congratulations to you both. I will be in contact with each of you as to how to tease your new Masters."
The two Padawans looked up at their new Masters who were smiling down at them, "you two will find that we are less professional when we are among ourselves. That doesn't mean we fool around. We have high expectations for you both," Obi-Wan explained as Ahsoka stood up and started walking with the group.
"Master Skywalker, will I be alone in the Temple during the night?" asked Katooni.
"Katooni you are more than welcome to stay at my apartment with Vice-Chancellor Skywalker and I, but you are also permitted to stay at the Temple whenever you would like. This is a particularly abnormal situation we find ourselves in."
"Katooni, if you're okay with the idea, I would permit Petro to stay with you," offered Obi-Wan.
"That would be an acceptable arrangement Master, thank you," Katooni said as she looked at Petro. If Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka weren't paying attention they might have missed the sparks flying between them in the force. It was the kind of feeling that they sensed from Ahsoka when she was with Lux, and Anakin when he was with Padme.
"You two will be spending a lot of time together," Ahsoka said, "I encourage the two of you to get to know each other better than you already have."
"Yes Master Tano," said Petro with a smile. Ever since the cave, he had this feeling around Katooni that he couldn't quite place. He had never felt it around anyone else, and the force told him he needed to explore it more.
The first quarters they went to were Anakin's. Given Anakin leaving the Jedi Order was arranged, they had kept his room vacant, and many of the possessions he had were still in here. Ahsoka quickly packed up her things, and moved to the room next to Anakin's which had conveniently been assigned to her. The Jedi Order's Housing team did their best to keep Masters and former Apprentices close so that they could see each other and continue learning from each other well after they had been made Knights and moved on. It also served to encourage friendships between Jedi.
Katooni had less of a move in process than Ahsoka. She had virtually no possessions save her robes.
"You might need to get some things to make your room less dull Katooni," Anakin said as he looked around. The room was bare save a sleeping mat and some decorative candles.
"Actually Master, I was thinking that maybe I could collect souvenirs from the missions we go on together," Katooni said with a smile.
"Not a bad idea Katooni," Obi-Wan said, "Anakin certainly has his fair share of interesting missions and you're bound to come across some cool stuff. Now come everyone, let's help Petro get set up in my quarters."
They walked out of the room and down two doors to where Obi-Wan's quarters were. Obi-Wan's was a lot blander than Anakin's, but he did have an assortment of plants to lighten up the room.
"Petro, your quarters are in there. You can either take Katooni's idea of souvenirs or you can buy some things."
Petro smiled, "I think I'll buy some things first and maybe if I see something I like I'll bring it back."
"Right. You two are free the rest of the day. Why don't you two go get lunch or find something to do. Anakin, Ahsoka, and I have some things to attend to."
Katooni smiled, "Come Petro, let's get some food!"
0-0-0-0-0-0
After they had eaten their food, Petro and Katooni had come back to Anakin's quarters where they sat on a couch and watched the Holonet. A movie had come on about a love story on Ryloth between a Clone pilot and a local twi'lek during the Clone Wars.
Petro and Katooni left a space between them and Petro kept looking over at Katooni. Katooni had noticed this, but didn't know why. Shouldn't Petro be watching the move? A shiver ran down her spine. "It's cold in here," she said as she moved closer to her fellow Padawan.
"Yeah they have the air conditioning running pretty hard," commented Petro rather awkwardly as Katooni closed the gap between them. They sat in silence and watched the movie and slowly, Katooni fell asleep, her head landing on Petro's shoulders. His arm was pinned in an awkward way, so he wiggled it out from its spot and wrapped it around Katooni. He hadn't noticed that Katooni had woken up, and she was smiling now certain of what she suspected.
"Hey Petro," she began and Petro quickly brought his hand away from her and back to where it was. Katooni frowned, "I was going to say it'd be more comfortable if it was under my arm so that my back had some kind of support."
"Oh, uh right. I figured you didn't want my arm around you," Petro said with a slight laugh as he wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Petro I think we both know what's going on here," Katooni said, "I don't really know how this works, but I feel it too."
"Really?" asked Petro, turning his head toward Katooni who looked up at him. He hadn't expected her to be as up front about it, but he had heard that her species were known to be very up front.
"I felt it ever since the cave, and I think you did too," Katooni said with a smile. She had felt this tingly feeling between them ever since he broke her out of the ice, and she finally understood what it was.
"I do," Petro answered as he stared at her. He really started to study Katooni's face. Her skin was smooth and her blue eyes shone brightly against her dark skin. She was beautiful, and he could no longer contain his feelings towards her.
An energy was moving them towards each other. It wasn't the force, but rather some natural instinct to get as close as possible and Petro soon found his lips meeting Katooni's. He felt like he never wanted to part from this kiss, and Katooni certainly wasn't breaking away. They were so wrapped up in these new feelings that they neglected to hear the door open until they heard some chuckling. The two Padawans quickly separated and looked rather embarrassed as Master Skywalker and Master Kenobi walked into the room.
"We can come back later if we're interrupting something," teased Obi-Wan.
"Sorry Master Kenobi, it won't happen again," they both said in unison.
"On the contrary, Anakin and I encourage these feelings between you two. Be mindful of your feelings, but don't suppress them. They serve you well."
"So we're not in trouble Master Kenobi?" asked Petro, looking towards Katooni with an excited smile. He knew for sure now that he liked Katooni a lot, and he wouldn't want that to be taken away from him.
"No Padawan," Obi-Wan said with a smile, "since the rules have changed, attachments are not frowned on. Use your attachments to fuel you, just as Master Skywalker did during the Clone Wars."
Anakin chimed in, "my advice Padawans is to not fear what you may lose. Instead, focus on the present, and let the others light lead you down the right path."
"Yes master," the two Padawans said.
"Now come Petro," Obi-Wan said, "we are going back to our chambers. Anakin and Katooni are going to Anakin's apartment."
0-0-0-0-0-0
To say Katooni was nervous to meet her Master's family was an understatement. Sure, her Master was kind, and she had heard great things about Vice-Chancellor Skywalker, but she couldn't shake the nervousness she felt. What she was excited about was meeting her Master's children.
"Master, will Vice-Chancellor Skywalker like me?" she asked almost too quiet to be heard over the buzzing of speeders next to them.
Anakin laughed, "she will adore you Katooni. You are a lot like Ahsoka, and Padme loved Ahsoka."
It did little to reassure Katooni and as they stopped outside the heavily guarded residence, Katooni nervously gulped and hopped out of the speeder. There was a heavy Senate Guard presence on the balcony of the residence, and she noticed that an almost clear force field surrounded the outside of the balcony. She followed her Master towards the door and just before entry a Senate Guard stepped forward and held out his hand. Anakin took out an ID chip and the Guard scanned it.
"Master, I don't have my identification chip," Katooni said as the guard held out his hand to her.
"It's okay," Anakin said before turning towards the Senate Guard, "she's with me. She's my new Padawan."
"Very well Chancellor. Enjoy your night," the guard said and the two Jedi walked in.
"Master, you're the Chancellor. Why do they need your ID?" Katooni asked.
"Just a security measure," Anakin said, "we're set to move into the Senate building tomorrow."
Katooni looked around at the elegant apartment, and noticed that along with Senate Guards, the Royal Naboo Protection detail also had a strong presence. A man with a black eye patch stepped forward. "Master Skywalker, it's great to see you again," he turned to her with a smile, "and who might you be?"
"I'm Katooni Allie, Master Skywalker's new Padawan," she answered, bowing her head slightly.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Captain Typho, head of the Vice-Chancellor's Security Detail," Captain Typho said. He turned to Anakin, "the Vice-Chancellor is in the nursery."
"Thanks Captain," Anakin said, "come Katooni, let's check on the kids."
They made their way to the nursery where they found Padme, holding both Luke and Leia in her arms. Anakin walked over to Padme and kissed her on the forehead. "Good evening angel," he said with a smile.
"Ani, I'm glad you could make it back," Padme said with a smile. Her eyes fell on Katooni, "what's your name dear?"
"I'm Katooni Allie, Master Skywalker's new Padawan," she said with a bow, "it's a pleasure to meet you Vice-Chancellor."
Padme smiled, "it's a pleasure to meet you Katooni. But you don't have to call me Vice-Chancellor. If you're Anakin's Padawan you're part of our family. You can just call me Padme. Do you want to hold one of the twins?"
"I don't know, I might drop them on accide-," Katooni began but Padme had already stood up and started to walk towards Katooni. Katooni picked up Leia and was shocked by how light she was. "Wow, she's lighter than I expected."
"They won't be like that for long," Padme said as she cradled Luke in her arms. Katooni looked down at Leia and smiled, the amount of force energy in her signature was incredible.
"These children are strong with the force, they're presence is almost as strong as Master Skywalker's," Katooni said as she cradled Leia in her arms.
Anakin smiled, "they will be great Jedi someday. Much like yourself Katooni." Katooni smiled at the compliment, though she wasn't sure if that was true. If she was half as good as her late aunt and her other aunt, she would do great things.
Padme set Luke back down in the crib and walked over to Katooni who handed Leia back over to her. "I believe dinner will be ready soon," Padme said, "Katooni, we have a couple spare rooms in here. Want to pick one out?"
"I don't want to intrude on your family time-," Katooni began but Padme cut her off.
"Nonsense Katooni," Padme said, "why don't you make yourself at home in the room down the hall on the right. It's got a great view of the Jedi Temple and it's own Holonet."
"Katooni can check it out after dinner," Anakin cut in, "I think threepio will have a fit if we're late to eat." From where they were standing, they could hear C-3PO fussing about their whereabouts and that the dinner would get cold. Artoo was behind him beeping all sorts of expletives at the golden droid. Anakin sighed, "welcome to my family Katooni."
0-0-0-0-0-0
A/N: I know I said the referendum would be this chapter but I lied. It will definitely be in the next chapter though so no worries. Thanks for reading!