Chapter 5: Departures
***1***
It was Palis' last night staying in the Jedi Temple. She had officially resigned from the Order in the morning after she had been in and out of the Temple for a few days. According to her, she had been networking, applying for jobs, and interviewing on Coruscant.
Palis sent a couple of messages to him every day. Sometimes Obi-Wan gave very terse responses. He had been avoiding her because he did not know what to say. He told her that he was disappointed, which was true, but there were many more emotions which he did not know how to name.
He decided to say some final words and ask some questions. Maybe this was his last chance. He had not said anything to Satine when he left Mandalorian with Qui-Gon, following formal protocol. He had never contacted her again. Jedi didn't allow to have attachment after all.
He had chosen to reaffirm his commitment to the Order, which he didn't regret. But sometimes he could not help but imagine how things could have ended differently if only he had said something that day.
Palis was different. He didn't have romantic feelings toward her, but he didn't want to spend the rest of his life contemplating how he could have been a better mentor to her.
"What could I have done better, when I was your master?" he asked Palis as soon as she opened her door.
"Oh, no! You were a good master. Please don't feel that way." Palis motioned him to come in. She wore comfortable pink pajamas. "I have been thinking about leaving for ten years. It started before I met you. Now it was the time. Obi-Wan, don't look at me like that. Let's celebrate!"
"I thought after you were knighted, being granted more independence and personal space, you had already grown out of it." He looked into her green eyes.
"It is impossible for me to grow out of it." She smiled ruefully. "It is me. Call it an accident of birth. I never truly understood the meaning of 'releasing your emotions into the Force', or 'meditating to allow the Force to guide you'. I can see where the blaster bolt is coming from in a fire fight, for sure, and I'm a good fighter, but I've never had a vision. So many things that are as easy as breathing for others are impossible for me. It was surprising that I was even knighted." She shook her head. "Speaking of personal space, can you help me to pack and clean the room up together?"
"I'd be happy to," Obi-Wan said, trying to sound more cheerful than he felt. Palis wanted this to be a celebration, after all, not a sign of his failure as a mentor.
It was hard to believe the room belonged to a Jedi, or even a former one. There were boxes of various sizes scattered across the floor. Inside were wine glasses, picture frames, and decorative pillows. Obi-Wan shot her a disapproving look.
"I know it is not the Jedi way," Palis said with a shrug, "but they make me happy." She began emptying the contents of her wardrobe onto the bed. "If you can help me pack up the Jedi robes, bedding, and other stuff that I need to return to the Order, that would be great."
He did what she asked, sorting traditional Jedi tunics and cloaks issued by the Order's quartermaster from more civilian attire. Her tunics had been tailored, he noted, to fit her better. A few also had some embroidery along the hems stitched in a thread so near in color to the cloth as to be nearly invisible.
Silence fell between them. It was up to him to break it. "The decision to knight you was unanimous among the Council members. You are a rare case indeed. They meditated on it and agreed that the decision was the will of the Force. The Jedi pursue peace, serenity, harmony, and knowledge. You respected all of the principles and accomplished them well. As you said, you used other methods to compensate. How well you are connected to the Force is secondary."
Palis paused her packing, but still didn't face him. "Friends outside the Order have commented that I have a good temperament. They said I am funny and peaceful. I know other Jedi considered me aloof and arrogant. Not many Jedi like me."
"Arrogant? You have a tender soul. You care about everyone you know. Want to know what arrogance looks like? Look at the young invincibles from elite families." He put down the stuff he was packing.
"Speaking of young invincibles," Palis said, "I upset Anakin a few days ago. I told him and Padme about Dooku's claims about Darth Sidious." She turned to face him with a troubled look.
"Why did you tell them about that? We can't confirm Dooku's claims." Obi-Wan put a hand on his forehead. "Most likely he was lying to discredit the Republic leadership. You cannot take the word of a Sith!" He shook his head. "They do not need to know that. It only instills fear when they have no methods to process that information. Dealing with Sith is our job."
"I realized that and apologized. I still think they should be informed so they can be safe, especially when Dooku already targeted them," she argued.
"They will be safe. Anakin is a skilled fighter. You said he is impressive. Padme upgraded her security. Chancellor Palpatine has a squadron of guards who were skilled in combating Force users trained by the Jedi. Let's talk about something else. No more Sith. Where will you stay tomorrow? I hope you are not sleeping on the street."
"Okay," she allowed him to change the subject. "I'm already renting an apartment in a place very close to the Senate District. A few friends will help me move." She looked cheerful now.
"The Senate District is very expensive. How can you afford it?"
"I had a bank account opened by a trustworthy friend. I had some moonlight jobs when I was not on missions," she said proudly. "I got several job offers from the Coruscant news industry to report the ongoing war and politics. I have chosen The Republic Chronicle. I am all set."
"You really prepared for years. I'd heard some rumors. Is that true that you had a boyfriend and had a miscarriage?" Obi-wan asked with a frown.
She nodded. "We broke up. It is not scandalous by a non-Jedi standard."
"You put yourself at the verge of being expelled. You should have spent that time on strengthening your connection to the Force, not mingling with outsiders. Too many attachments." Obi-Wan sighed. "You cannot blame other Jedi for not liking you."
Palis raised an eyebrow, her way of telling Obi-Wan it was time to stop lecturing her. "I do not blame anyone, believe me. I do not blame the Order at all."
"How about we have a drink?" She pulled out a pair of glasses and a bottle of wine. "Let me have a peaceful departure. Let us talk about things that are more interesting. Anakin got a very interesting Loth-cat," Palis said as she poured. "She followed me into Padme' apartment. Immediately they hooked up. I think Anakin is Force-sensitive. He can connect to animals. He also has very good reflectives. Before he left Coruscant to study, we did some podracing together. He always won."
"Qui-Gon suggested the same thing when we were all trapped on Naboo during the Trade Federation invasion. My master was curious about everything. Sometimes I see him in you." Obi-Wan put down the glass. "Anakin was born in Outer Rim. When he became a citizen of Naboo, he had a blood test. I looked into the results. You and Qui-Gon weren't wrong. His midi-chlorian level was below our threshold for recruitment, but it was close. A large number of Force-sensitives are born in the Outer Rim systems. We have no way of testing them and, when we finally find them, it is usually too late. No matter how high their midi-chlorian count, they are always too old to be considered by the Order. Without the Jedi guidance, their talents are wasted." He sighed.
"This...attitude would not be well received from people outside the Order. I would not think that way." Palis shook her head. "Never mind," she muttered and took a sip of her wine.
The conversation was getting serious again, so Obi-Wan changed course. "Anakin got a strange cat, and won some illegal podraces. That was all. Anakin is not your concern. He will be my headache."
"You are right about that. He had a personal blog, Podracer. I saw an article he pinned on his page. It criticized Jedi recruitment and implied that Jedi lack freedom of choice. It invalided my entire existence. This is partly why I decided to be a reporter. Jedi deserve more accurate coverage as you fight for the Republic in this war."
Obi-wan swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. Maybe he was getting emotional or maybe it was the alcohol. She wasn't entirely abandoning them after all, but it was definitely time for him to leave.
"I have a parting gift for you." He put a lightsaber on the table. "Take it with you. I want you to be safe."
Palis closed her eyes, concentrating on the lightsaber. She used the Force to open the handle and pulled a green kyber crystal from the casing. She opened her eyes with a quick gesture and touch of the Force put it back together. With a flick of her fingers, the bright green beam burst to life.
Obi-wan had always been amazed by how sophisticatedly she manipulated Force. However, she was almost deaf to the Cosmic Force, as if it was blocked.
"The crystal is the heart of the blade.
The heart is the crystal of the Jedi.
The Jedi is the crystal of the Force.
The Force is the blade of the heart.
All are intertwined: The crystal,The blade,The Jedi.
You are one."
Palis recited the ancient text with reverence. Tears ran down her cheeks. "Tomorrow I will not be a Jedi anymore. I cannot take the blade with me. I will take the crystal. I will remember the Order and remember you."
"May the Force be with you, Red." Obi-wan struggled to finish the sentence.
"And also with you," Palis said quietly.
***2***
The battalion of clone soldiers and Navy service members stood ready to board the Star Destroyer Resolute.
A sizable crowd of family members gathered at the hanger to bid goodbye to their loved ones. Padme and Anakin held hands, waiting for a group of reporters to take pictures of the "First Family".
Padme thought it was inappropriate for her to be included in the picture. She and Anakin were in a relationship, but they had not engaged or married yet. What's more, as the leader of the opposition to the Military Creation Act, she didn't want to be associated with the military might. Chancellor Palpatine, though, insisted.
"It is the time for unity. We are fighting against a ruthless evil. I understand your reluctance, but we all have the duty to support the Republic in any way we can. To solidify the public support, we need to humanize the soldiers. The Republic citizens must remember their sacrifice, remember their loved ones are waiting for their return," Palpatine said softly. "My dear girl, I consider you my own daughter. You and Anakin are dating. We are a family now. We don't know how long it will take to win the campaign of Christophsis. We all need some good memories in the dark days."
She agreed that Palpatine had a point. To win the war, they need a united front. The Separatists' droid army was already wreaking havoc in the Outer Rim. They were more prepared for the war than the Republic was. There was no room for negotiation if Separatists kept winning. She worried about Anakin. Seeing him leaving was like poking a hole in her heart.
Anakin cupped her face, then kissed her forehead. She ran her fingers through his wavy blond hair. They looked at each other, trying to carve each other's image into their souls.
"Anakin, you must come back to me."
"I will. I promise you." He smiled confidently.
"You just graduated from the academy and it's so dangerous out there." She stroked his cheek.
"I've seen far worse, my love." He kissed her hair.
Bright lights flashed. There were the paparazzi then. Padme flushed, embarrassed. She usually preferred to look more dignified on the holonet news, but decided not to care today. She wanted a few more moments with her lover.
The interview, photo and video shooting started. Palpatine gave a short speech which Padme didn't pay much attention to. They were instructed to pose in front of the clones in their shiny, white armor. Padme wondered if she looked as stiff and awkward as she felt. Palpatine hugged his son with tears in his eyes. For a second, Anakin froze as if unsure how to react. After a moment, he pulled away and saluted.
Padme had prepared a number of personal items for Anakin: a holo display of the two of them playing with their cat Princess Imperius; a thick coat with a fur collar; and several blankets to keep him warm in the space. He always got cold in space.
"Anakin," Palis called, "I need you and Obi-Wan to have a picture together." She wore a light blue dress. Her hair was swept up in a crown of braids. A GAR press-pass cylinder was tied to her left wrist, indicating that she was authorized to interview military personnel. It was amazing she'd managed to establish herself so quickly.
Obi-Wan emerged from the Star Destroyer. He wore a set of white shoulder guards and a chest guard on top of his usual Jedi robes. He walked in front of the clone battalion, instructing them to board the ship.
Anakin reluctantly moved toward Obi-Wan.
"Closer! I want to show the Republic that Jedi, regular officers, and clone soldiers work as a team. Obi-Wan, you turn on your lightsaber. Hold it with two hands. Anakin, relax!" Palis ordered.
Anakin stood next to Obi-Wan with his hands behind his back. He looked into the distance with a serious expression.
Padme could not help but laughed. She moved next to Palis, and blew a kiss toward him. He softened with a small smile. Palis seized the moment.
"I hope they can get along." Palis rolled her eyes and motioned a hand to dismiss them.
The moment of departure came. The two women stood side by side, waving goodbye to their family.
"Ms. Athia, congratulations on your smooth career transition." Palpatine joined them. "Ladies, I need to speak with you two in private."
They moved away from the crowd with Palpatine's guards watching them from a distance.
"Anakin told me that Count Dooku claimed a Sith Lord had influence over hundreds of Republic Senators. This concerned me," Palpatine said with a tired smile.
"Your Excellency, Dooku could be lying. The Jedi council didn't confirm it. I was not very thoughtful when I told him and Padme about this," Palis said apologetically.
"My dear, you did the right thing. If his claim is true, our democracy and safety are in grave danger. More people need to know about it," Palpatine insisted.
"It is complicated. Except for the Jedi, almost nobody knows what the Sith are and what they are capable of doing. They disappeared a thousand years ago and only resurfaced recently. I don't think that a public announcement would be wise. People don't understand that Force stuff. The Senate committee and caucus leaders probably should take some caution," she patiently explained. "I advise you to talk to the Jedi Council. They are the experts in this area."
"Yet they didn't inform my office in the first place. I hope they can trust the Senate. We need more information to make decisions, not less," Palpatine said with sadness. "We need a free press to keep affected individuals informed. Democracy dies in darkness. What do you think, Padme?"
Padme was caught off guard. "It is a troubling issue. If not dealt well, It could cause chaos."
"You are right. As the Chancellor of the Republic, I shoulder all the responsibilities. We need to act carefully. I can't do it alone. Can I count on you two to help me with this?"
Padme nodded. She would like to do something. A Sith had invaded her home planet, another had almost killed her. However, she didn't know what to do.
"Your Excellency, I am honored, but I must consult the Jedi Council first." Palis bowed respectfully.
"I will assist you in whatever way I can." Palpatine smiled.
***3***
After work, Rackeli scanned through the news. Almost all the major media outlets featured a picture of a navy officer saluting a teared-up Chancellor Palpatine. In the background, clone soldiers boarded a Star Destroyer with an armored Jedi supervising. This reminded her of her own family. The war in Outer Rim waged on violently. Her family on Tethla worried that the war may come to their door. His younger brother had enlisted himself the planetary defense force.
Recognizing humans in uniform was challenging, but she could recognize Anakin Skywalker easily. They'd had a brief comm call the day before his departure. In the past few days, things developed quickly.
First, a staff member from the Sentient Being Rights Committee had called her. The staff member had said that the way the Jedi Order recruited and raised younglings was legal, something she'd never had any doubts about. Whether the Jedi allowed biological parents to visit their children was entirely up to the Order to decide. The staff member reassured her that Jedi would never abuse children.
It was like hitting an invisible wall. The case went nowhere. The Sha family grew more concerned after seeing images of a young Twi'lek Jedi student wielding a lightsaber on the battlefront. It hit too close to home for all of them.
The Shas acted fast. They found a few more families who shared similar concerns about their Force-sensitive children. Some of the children were not much younger than the Jedi students in these images. The parents were terrified by the possibility that one day they might find their own Jedi child had been reported dead.
They planned to hire a lawyer to sue the Jedi Order so that they could take their children back. They asked for her opinion.
Unfortunately, they had little legal ground to sue, and most likely they would lose. The Jedi younglings had fought by their teachers' side for thousands of years. It did not change then. It would not change now. She messaged the recent development to Skywalker.
"Make it illegal," Skywalker had replied.
Her own thoughts were on this line, but she was still surprised by this blatant statement.
The parents wanted to save their own children from war. As a student of law, amending the law to serve the unmet needs was the ideal. However, the idea of attacking the Jedi Order, which she respected, was frightening.
But someone had to do it. She decided to be that person. Probably given enough pressure, the Order would return these children and a legislative battle would be avoided.
She had requested a comm call with Skywalker before his departure. To her surprise, he had agreed.
Her roommate thought she was crazy. "You made a request to the Chancellor's son. Who do you think you are?"
"He was from the Outer Rim. He came to prestige because of adoption. I am nobody, but I made my own way here," she argued back.
Rackeli did some readings to prepare for the call, then put on her finest suit. A blue figure came to life on her comm.
Skywalker wore a sharp black uniform. He sat at a dining table with a spacious kitchen in the background. About her age, there was a strange intensity to him and a sharp edge in his voice.
"You know how legislation works, right? " He went directly to the topic. "You can call me Anakin."
She responded that she had worked as an intern in her Representative's home planet office.
"Then you know everything, things like organizing, protesting, and all the other stuff behind closed doors. You are more an expert than me." He studied her then shook his head. "You do not have connections on Coruscant, though. I will help you with that."
"Why do you want to help the parents? You don't know them. Why take on the Jedi Order? What is your motivation?" She asked bluntly.
His eyes narrowed. He answered after a few moments. "The Jedi are holding these children without their parents consent. How can a tax-funded organization justify that?" He pressed his lips in a thin line. "Their mothers had every right to be united with their children, at any time, if they wish. The Jedi way contradicts my belief about freedom. It is a personal issue for me."
She felt that there was more left unsaid, but decided not to press at this time.
"I will file a lawsuit. I need media coverage," she said cautiously.
Anakin laughed. "I knew a person, Palis Athia. She goes under the name Red. She was a Jedi but left the Order to be a journalist. You have to contact her yourself. I cannot help you with this."
"She left the Order. She has a grievance against her former employer?"
"No. She is very much a Jedi except wearing fancier clothes." He tried to return to his serious expression but was unsuccessful. "I have to go now. I do not know when I will return to Coruscant. Good luck with your case." Then he hung up.
Since her holocall with Anakin, Rackeli spent much time researching Palis. The former Jedi's most recent work was a photo, featuring Anakin and a Jedi, titled "Comrade in arms". She found a fine print below "Jedi General Master Obi-wan Kenobi and his deputy, Lieutenant Commander Anakin Skywalker."
On this particular event, this picture was the only one that featured a Jedi as a central figure. She looked into more pictures that Palis had taken. One photo showed Padme Amidala and Anakin kissing, titled "Across the Stars." This photo had the most hits. A bunch of reviewers commented that the couple were gorgeous together, calling them "Prince and Princess of the Republic." Some said they wanted to marry Anakin, which amused her. She never had any romantic or sexual interests in any man or woman. People could be so different.
She contemplated how to contact Palis. Out of nowhere, the separatist leader Count Dooku's holoimage took control of her Holonet browser.
"Republic Citizens, your attention please."
She tried to shut the video down but failed.
"The democracy you believed is dead. I have grave news, a Sith Lord Darth Sidious, an ancient force of evil, had a stronghold on your Senate. Ask the Jedi High Council, they know it is true. The Confederacy of Independent Systems will deliver you from evil." Dooku's image flickered and disappeared.