"The mind of man is capable of anything-because everything is in it, all the past as well as all the future. What was there after all? Joy, fear, sorrow, devotion, valor, rage-who can tell?-but truth-truth stripped of its cloak of time."
― Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness
Dromund Kaas: 3643 BBY (10 ATC)"I thought it impossible, but perhaps there's a small chance you could pull it off," Baras said as they walked to his office, leaving the prisoner behind. Medria had waved Vette off, whispering a quiet order for her to wait outside. The Twi'Lek begrudgingly left, and Medria silently followed her master's lead into his abode. Medria flopped into one of his guest seats as her master moved around his desk. She hated, with a passion, his quarters. She could only think of the vile, perfidious acts he committed right within those walls.
"Well, I've continued to surprise. What are you thinking of?" Medria crossed her legs, eyeing her master as he rubbed his chin over the mask. He paused and stared at her with what she could assume was an unamused expression.
"Millennium past the Emperor claimed Dromund Kaas and made the Dark Temple the epicenter of dark force energy." He tapped on his desk console and brought up an image of the temple. "In the bowels of the temple, he conducted horrifying experiments that drained the knowledge and life essence from all the greatest Sith Lords of the time."
"Hmm… sounds like my kind of guy." Medria hummed as she sat forward, inspecting the image closely. Knowledge and life in one go; it was an ingenious way to gain power.
"I'm sure that he would be relieved to hear that you approved," he reprimanded her dully. She flashed him a grin and let him continue. "The emperor created a device called 'the Ravager' that ate his victims' minds and delivered to him their greatest secrets. No one could withstand the Ravager's intrusion, even the strongest Sith Lords of the Empire confessed whatever the Emperor craved."
"I'm sure the Emperor has the best toys."
"I wouldn't call the Ravager a toy, apprentice. It's not to be taken lightly. The Emperor keeps the Ravager hidden in the Dark Temple, which has, in his absence, become a death trap. There's a good chance the horrors that await you will be too severe. But it's worth your life to me. Legends describe a secret chamber in the depths of the Dark Temple where the Ravager was encased. You'll know the device by its inscription. Be swift, apprentice."
She stood, taking the dismissal easily, and left. She passed the prisoner and didn't pay him mind as he cursed at her. Medria paused, however, at the entrance to Baras' offices. The two guards that stood watch in front of his quarters were, as always, straightfaced and poised. Grabbing a credit chip for each guard, she handed it to them quietly.
"Thank you for your service," she whispered. The two hesitated, so she inserted "and for keeping an eye on my twi'lek." They nodded, and each took a chip, slipping it into their belts. Said Twi'Lek was lounging against a post fiddling with her com unit. For once, it seemed the girl was wise enough to at least stay out of the way and quiet.
"Vette, come along" Medria called out. The effect was imminent. The girl jumped, stuck the com back to her belt, and rushed after Medria. It was quite surprising that after two months on Dromund Kaas, they were still given dirty looks as they moved through the sith citadel. She almost wondered if they thought their stares alone would motivate them to leave, but what they didn't realize was she was at home on Dromund Kaas.
"So, where're we goin boss?" Vette asked, leaning forward to try to peer at Medria's face.
"First, back to the manor, we'll discuss more then."
"The manor? But that's all the way in the middle of nowhere?"
"Because we'll be passing it anyway. It would benefit us both to speak with Far'sha, and decide if you should even accompany me on this mission." Medria stated, staring hard at Vette from the corner of her eye. Vette's blue skin paled considerably, though Medria wasn't sure if it was because she hated Far'sha, or that for Medria to consider leaving her behind was a sign of how dangerous it was going to be.
"Well.. let's leave quickly, yeah?" Vette glanced at a passing guard who looked ready to shoot her for being in the citadel. Medria laughed, head thrown back. As much as she was sure everyone thought the Twi'Lek didn't belong in the citadel, she belonged to a sith apprentice, and Baras' apprentice to boot. They quietly boarded a taxi and medria gave the coordinates to the driver droid. Soon they were speeding through the jungle towards the Nathem manor.
…
Medria and Vette approached the manor and as usual, Far'sha was at the door before they even got to it. He stood there, in stoic silence, watching them.
"I've returned Far'sha," Medria said loudly as they approached. He shrugged with his grunt before turning in and walking into the main house. Medria couldn't help but roll her eyes. They stomped up the steps and through the wide wooden doors.
"Boots off in the house, who knows what we're trekking in with us," Medria ordered as she started pulling her boots off. It was a house rule, mostly because she didn't want to bring the wrath of Kaya down upon them. As sweet as Medria's maid Kaya was, she was terrifying when she had to clean up a mess someone else made.
Once their boots were off Medria handed Vette a towel to dry off a little before wrapping her in a thick blanket. Medria followed suit moving with familiar ease of the habit. Unsurprisingly when they were done Far'sha was in the drawing-room, as usual, in the plush chair he had made his home in. His eyes were nearly closed as he breathed deeply and calmly. At first glance, one would think he was asleep. That is if one was not force sensitive. Medria could feel the man, fully conscious, in the force. He was probably more aware of his surroundings than Vette was, perhaps even more so than Medria was herself. Medria approached cautiously, head tilted to one side, and touched his arm gently.
"Why have you not welcomed me home?" Medria asked the elder pureblood.
"Mistress!" Kaya's voice echoed through the manor. Vette's eyes rolled as she walked past to flop onto one of the loveseats in the room. Before the maid even reached sight Vette was sprawled across the plush loveseat looking ready for a nap like she hadn't just woken from one.
"Hello, Kaya" Medria greeted as Kaya tore around the corner and skidded to a stop. It took much strength to keep her eyebrows from raising at the out of breath, flushed maid looked like she was in disarray. "Is all alright?"
"I had no idea you'd be home yet. I haven't turned down your bedding, and the chimney hasn't been cleaned and… and" the maid fretted looking more and more distraught.
"Kaya, relax. I'm simply here to confer with Far'sha about a mission, and perhaps get some of your delicious food before heading out again." Medria said gently, and as soon as the food was mentioned the maid brightened.
"Of course, of course! I'll make all your favorites, and I should have time to make some snacks to pack." the maid quickly escaped to the kitchen. The entire manor was blanketed in an eerie silence only filled with the noises from the kitchen on the far side of the manor and the downpour of the rain.
"We have much to talk about Far'sha." Medria sat down in her favorite chair, legs crossed.
"We have nothing to say, your mission is between you and your master," Far'sha said softly, eyes not even opening.
"[Even when it involves our ultimate master]?"
The effect was immediate. The senior steward's eyes flared open and he sat upright. In the briefest of moments, he went from looking like a tired old man to someone who truly had an abundance of strength left.
"What do you mean?"
"I am to enter the dark temple, and take an artifact from the bowels back to Darth Baras. I've heard the rumors. I know there are dangers that will await me in the temple. Therefore, you need to prepare me for it. Baras is willing to sacrifice me for this, I know you won't."
The pureblood sat back in his seat and observed her quietly. His eyes were that of a man debating mentally, a man at war in his own mind. His golden eyes narrowed. Vette's response was the exact opposite. She bolted upright staring at Medria with wide eyes. She wasn't native to Dromund Kaas, but even in the short time she was there, she knew that anything that included 'dark' in the title, was never a good sign.
"What is it your master wishes to collect?" the old steward asked cautiously.
"A device called The Ravager."
Far'sha sat back, his clawed hand stroking one of his tendrils. Growing up with the man, she knew how to read certain body language from him. This was a particular one that she figured out to mean he was trying to decide how to word things, especially when it came to her. She always had the distinct feeling he was censuring himself and trying to still make sense to her.
"I will speak to you separately, that is, I assume the slave is going with you." Far'sha glanced at Vette from the corner of his eye.
"Her name is Vette, and she is in my employ, she is no slave. I will permit her to decide for herself if she wishes to accompany me or stay behind." Medria corrected but by the off-handed wave he gave she knew he didn't care either way.
"I will speak to each of you separately. There will be different challenges for each and knowledge that the other needs to know and not know."
"Very well," Medria rolled her eyes and turned to Vette. "Would you help Kaya decide what snacks to pack, and if you think you might stay have her show you the open rooms in the main house for you to choose."
"Whatever" Vette stood and slumped out of the room leaving Medria alone with the pureblood steward. However, Far'sha did not speak right away. Instead, he stood, moved to the fireplace across the room, and picked up the small decorative box that was kept there. Medria watched him carefully, observing his actions with a curious eye. When he returned with the box he did not return to the seat but instead knelt on the floor. He quietly summoned her to join him, which she did.
"Our master's temple is not to be taken lightly. He is the most powerful for a reason. Many souls were trapped in that temple for a reason, their spirits are restless and violent. Almost all were traitors to the empire, and fight each other to gain control over the temple."
"But they're only spirits."
"That is the problem. They possess the bodies of those who enter, driving them mad. They become either slaves to the spirit's will or, the host to the spirit itself. Most of them don't even realize time has passed. However, when they sense you, they will try to kill you. The amount of untapped power you have in you is like looking at a mirror of the emperor."
"That is blasphemy right there Far'sha."
"But I also speak the truth. Your dedication to the empire, your strength of mind, your power, and your strategy. They will see that like they see our emperor. Since he was the one to lock them in there, they will try to kill him or any like him." He opened the box and pulled out a medallion. "Wear this as you go forth to the dark temple. It will muddle their perceptions of you, and keep you safe from possessions."
His weathered hands reached forward to lay it around her neck. Medria bent forward and as the medallion slipped around her neck she felt a strange coolness slip over her and then a tremendous weight. Trapped. It was the only way to describe how her senses were muddied and held off. Despite herself, she shivered and reached to grab the medallion only to be stopped by Far'sha.
"This will be your greatest challenge yet." He whispered. "To do this you will have a limited reach to the force, but whatever you do, don't ever take it off. Return here before going to your master and I will remove it for you."
"But Far'sha how can I fight when I can't control the force."
"You can't control it, but you can feel it. Trust that." She nodded, head bowed, hand gripping the fabric of her trousers. Far'sha reached forward, pressing the palm of one hand to her forehead as the other gripped her shoulder. She could barely hear the prayer leaving his lips but she understood it. He was praying to the old gods, asking for blessings and safe passage. In many ways that was how she was taught to meditate. The feel of Far'sha's dry skin pressing on her forehead and the rhythmic mantra of prayer being whispered over her.
…
"Do you hear that?" Vette whispered quietly in the alcove they were tucked away in. It was a tiny space, more of a place that was probably used as droid storage than anything else. It was about one and a half meters deep and about one meter tall, which left them enough room to sit with their back to one wall and legs pressed against the opposite. Medria was on watch, sitting near the entrance, hand on her saber. However, it was silent, deadly silent. The only noise to be heard was their breathing and the sound of their own heartbeat. Slowly Medria turned to face her friend, who was unnaturally pale.
"Vette, there's no noise, here. I think we found the quietest spot in this place." Medria whispered back.
"There's someone here, whispering," she answered, and Medria felt a wave of unease pass as she noticed Vette's shaking hands.
"Vette, I need you to listen to me very carefully. There is no one else here. It's just the two of us. If there was someone else here, I'd run them through. So whatever you're hearing, whatever the voice is whispering, don't listen to it."
"But they're so persistent."
Medria clipped her lightsaber to her belt and shuffled closer to the Twi'lek. She took one of Vette's hands in one of her own and used the other to cup her face. The girl was pale, faded blue, and even her skin was cold and clammy. Everything about her screamed that the forces of this place were affecting her negatively.
"Then how about I get you out of here? Hmmm?" Medria hummed trying to look as soft as her scarred face would let her. "I'll get you to the exit, maybe even back to the nearest camp, you should be able to get back to the manor then." She offered, cursing herself for even letting the Twi'lek choose to come.
"No." Vette's voice was unwavering.
"Vette-"
"No, I'm not leaving you. I came in to cover your back, I'm not leaving now. I'm just tired, it's nothing. I'm karking staying with you." Vette tore herself from Medria. The anger coming from her was so jarring to Medria that she instinctively backed off. In fact, if someone asked Medria just hours earlier she would swear it was impossible for the former slave to even get angry, let alone yell.
"No, it's not nothing, You've been incredibly strong up to this point, you deserve to rest. I'm protected from these crazy spirits, you aren't."
"I'm. Not. Leaving." Vette spoke each word clearly.
Medria sighed and raised her hands in mock surrender. She grabbed the small pack she had and rifled through it before taking out a small wrapped pouch. When they first got there she had dozens of the small pouches, now there was only a few left.
"Here, at least eat, you need your strength." Medria offered the pouch to Vette. She took it readily, opened it, and was munching on the dried fruit and meat.
"What about you?" Vette asked, pausing in her eating.
"I'm not hungry, anyways the force can maintain me. Get some rest when you're done." Medria slid back to the opening to keep watch.
They'd been there for two weeks already and weren't any closer to accomplishing their mission. The place where the Ravager was being kept was… ransacked, for the lack of a better term. Once Medria realized it would take more than a get in and get out, she stopped eating. She still had to find the key to get the device and after slaughtering close to a hundred possessed beings she quickly realized that it was going to be harder than she originally thought. But for now, it was quiet. The medallion was still heavy, still suffocating, but at least there was no pressing threat. She sighed, laid her head on her knees, and waited, her only prayer was that Baras wouldn't be too upset she was taking so long.
Unnamed transport ship: 28 BBY (3625 ATC)The pressure started to build the moment they were within reach of the Holocron. She sucked in a breath and pushed through it as they battled. As soon as the fight was over the ache grew and she quickly muted the bond with her apprentice to save him from that pain and keep him from the knowledge around that pain. The child gave her a passing concerned look, and she could feel him brush against her walls, but he never said a thing, even when they did finally get to the ship. The siren call of the dark was so strong, pleading for her to act, to pull off the guise of light she blanketed herself in, but she couldn't afford to, not yet.
They got back to their ship with little fanfare, and the Holocron nestled safely in the folds of her robe. When the ramp folded shut and the ship was secured she sighed and leaned against the hull of their ship, taking a moment to close her eyes and rub her temples.
"Anakin, go set our course for home" she ordered quietly.
"What?" his head cocked to the side, the braid marking him as hers brushing over his shoulder. One eye cracked open, as her eyebrows rose. The child seemed intent on making it his mission to fly any ship they stepped foot in, meaning it was her job to prevent that from happening. Though she was sure he was capable enough with podracers she had more than a bit of hesitance in allowing him to man a full ship. But with the dark imbued headache and the dying professor on their ship, she was willing to put that hesitance to the side.
"That is unless you don't want to fly our ship back to the temple?"
He jumped to his feet and darted to the cockpit before Obi-Wan even had time to laugh. She stood slowly, on shaky legs, and made her way next to the graying Quermian. She could feel through the force, death clung to him like the blanket over him, hovering just a breath away from him.
"Would you like to see it?" She asked softly. With a passing moment to fully block out her apprentice, she knelt next to the professor's deathbed. His eyes widened slightly and he nodded, looking hesitant at her offer. To her goodwill, she reached into the folds of her robe and pulled out the glowing red Holocron.
"This is the works of Sith'ari Adas, he was the first king of the Sith race." She held it out to him. For a moment she thought he hadn't heard her, but then his eyes were locked on her as his hand was wrapped around the Holocron. The cold, heavy, weight released from her hand, dropping into his own. The dark screamed at her, and she caressed it in silence.
"This, says nothing about that." He breathed.
"It says it was made by King Adas." She answered calmly, leaning against his deathbed. Her head tilted as she watched him enraptured with the Holocron that he had been spending his life looking for. He was a passionate man, in fact, if he had been sith, she was sure his teaching would be thoroughly enjoyed by any acolytes.
"I went to some of your lectures, you know. When I was younger." She said with a smile. The Quermian blinked at the sudden change in topics.
"I… don't remember."
"I'm not surprised, I always made sure I was out of sight. I dressed like a civilian to avoid unwanted attention. Your lectures were…" she paused trying to find an appropriate word.
"Heresy? Treacherous?" The professor offered, his fingers wrapping around the Holocron like it was a lifeline. He made no reservations about expressing his dislike for the Jedi, and at times could almost be called offensive, that is if Obi-Wan didn't find it so humorous. Her lips twisted into the smile that she never let Anakin see. A smile like a nexu, twisted and filled with far too much teeth.
"I was going to say something along the lines of refreshing, perhaps even reminiscent."
"I was not under the impression that the Jedi allowed such studies."
"Naturally not. However, there were a number of things that you spoke of that I felt the need to correct. I wasn't able to do so then, may I do so now?" She didn't wait for him to respond and instead, she stood, her hands clasping behind her back as she started to pace. The ship shook momentarily as she felt it take off, but her stride never changed. "There was quite a large amount of time you spent on the time leading up to and after the treaty of Coruscant."
"Yes, that was an important time."
"Oh yes, however some of your facts were… not quite facts. Allow me the chance to correct you. At the time the Sith Emperor was Vitiate, who had been ruling for centuries. He had been a strong supporter and initiator of the treaty that the republic would sign, however, he was a silent emperor, only the sith council was ever in contact with him. However, the treaty was broken by the republic after 12 years. It wasn't actually the republic that broke the treaty though. A young sith lord was sent out to assassinate the war trust that had been convening on Taris. That was the tipping point. That same sith was responsible for the destruction of republic mining on Quesh, the release and eventual death of the dread masters, the turning point on Corellia that turned in the favor of the empire with the death of the green Jedi. That sith also lead the raid on Tython, the Jedi homeworld, the recovery of Korriban, and the raid on Rakata Prime. That single sith was the cornerstone of nearly every imperial victory in the year leading up to the great war and the four years that followed."
"Why? Why was this sith never recorded?"
"Because the sith was betrayed. She became the emperor's wrath, and eventually hunted down vitiate to put an end to his reign with another member of the dark council. This lead them to Zakuul, an empire lead by Valkorion, who was the entity of Vitiate. He was struck down by his own son and she was framed and imprisoned in carbonite for years before she was freed and overthrew the new emperor. When the throne was finally hers to claim,she begun to help the galaxy to rebuild after years under siege, she was attacked by a united sith and republic. Attacked, but never truly defeated." She grinned widely. The Quermian swallowed thickly, his neck bobbing with the force it took, causing her grin to sharpen more.
"How… How do you know all this."
"Because I was there. I was that sith lord. That was my work. My actions. My history."
"But you're a Jedi." His eyes bulged.
"Only because they were the unfortunate ones to be given my custody after my freeing. Republic archeologists saw a warrior with lightsabers imprisoned in carbonite and assumed it was a Jedi, and when I came out younger than the imprint, they gave me to the leading tribe of force users."
"Why are you telling me all this?" he asked hesitantly, drawing back slightly from the pacing fake Jedi. She paused and her arms crossed over her chest. She looked at him like he was a pitiful child who just dropped his candy. Slowly she approached him and knelt down next to him.
"Because, you have not one ounce of ability in the force, and dead men tell no tales. Do you feel that, the weight in your chest? The heavy leaden feeling in your bones, each struggle it is to take a breath. That is death. I'd say you have moments, my Jedi apprentice is in the cockpit none the wiser of this conversation, and there aren't any droids here. We are the only two sentient beings here."
His eyes widened, and his breathing became even more of a struggle. His vision darkened as she smiled.
"Goodbye Professor Lundi."
She stood when his chest stilled and sighed. The headache was gone, finally. She plucked the Holocron from the Quermian's limp hands and tucked it once more in her robes before heading to the cockpit to inform her apprentice of the professor's passing.
Jedi Temple, Coruscant: 27BBY (3626 ATC)It had been 5 years. Her hair had grown out once more, hanging down to her upper back, while also sporting several sprouts of gray hairs courtesy of her wayward Jedi apprentice. Though she wished her apprentice was more submissive and willing to learn like Jaesa had been, she wouldn't ask him to change just to make her life easier.
But, by stars, he drove her insane.
She was surely surprised when she didn't die of blood loss when returning to the temple that the stress wasn't killing her. A mission lasting more than two weeks would always follow a string of missed com messages from instructors and masters regarding her apprentice's grades and behaviors.
If she didn't go insane by the time she was finished training Anakin, she was going to kill him. Those were the only options.
There was a lot that Obi-Wan turned a blind eye to when it came to her apprentice, more than a proper jedi should. Truthfully Anakin was a brilliant child, and if given the proper treatment and a hand that was well rounded, he would flourish. He would flourish under an equal viewpoint force training. Under an advisor like Seya.
However, he was stuck with her as a master. It was a disappointment. Most of his questions she had to answer with a polished "because we are jedi," or "that is not the jedi way". It was infuriating, but after 5 years of training her apprentice, the scrutiny of the council hadn't let up, nor did the monthly agoge she had to fight in to keep him with her.
Hells, she would do anything for that boy. So when he snuck out at night, she'd lay in bed silently waiting to hear him return in the morning. She let him have his freedom so long as he didn't get caught. But, much like the streaking incident, he was bound to get caught. He always got caught. Once or twice Obi-Wan would chalk it up to bad luck. But as they say, three times is a pattern. Her apprentice, out of everyone, would always be caught. If there was trouble, the masters looked for Anakin.
It was for that reason she gave the boy some leeway with the complaints she received.
After returning from a month-long mission, wishing for nothing more than a hot fresher and her bed or the couch to collapse on, Obi-Wan checked the com unit to see what the list of complaints were this time. The list of complaints ended a week prior, only because there was no room left for a voice message. A number of Anakin's teachers called expressing concern for either his behavior in class or his less than stellar grades. After hearing that a quick check found that less than stellar was a kind way of telling her, her apprentice was failing every class that did not involve physical action. But that wasn't the end of it.
There were a few messages from Garen and Bant, giving her an update on her padawan. Reports of skipping classes, not eating a nutritional meal, getting caught sneaking out, getting caught drunk (which was reluctantly reported by Garen only because Master Fisto caught him trying to sneak back into the temple). She sucked in a deep breath, trying to calm her heart rate. She punched in Garen's com number and waited for him to answer. It took a minute before the door to their quarters rang. She hung up the com and opened the door to reveal a sheepish Garen. The better part of the next hour was spent with Garen explaining the majority of her apprentice's missteps and excursions in her month-long absence.
"Garen" she interrupted him after the twenty-second incident report. They were both seated on the sofa and her head was tilted all the way back, eyes closed.
"Yeah Obi?"
"I'm going to kill him"
"No, you're not."
"I seriously might this time" Obi-Wan peeked an eye open and stared at him without flinching. Garen nodded with a small smile on his face. He had known her for too long.
"Take a nap before making any life-ending decisions."
She sighed again before closing her eyes and drifting off for a much-needed nap.
She didn't give it much thought when she received a message from Master Yoda asking to meet with her in one of the meditation rooms. He was always preferential towards his legacy. Even when she was just a padawan to Qui-Gon, they both met often with the troll for meditation, tea, or even just to catch up on what happened. Though she thought the troll was annoying, she did enjoy the time she got to spend with her Jedi equivalent of a great-grandfather. Knowing that Anakin would be in his classes for the rest of the day she grabbed two oranges as well as a new box of tea she had procured for the grandmaster in her recent travels and made her way to the meditation room. However, she knew the second the door to the room opened that something was wrong. Sitting next to the little green troll was Mace, looking far too calm and relaxed than he had any right to be.
"Ah, my apologies Master Windu, I was not aware you would be here." She strained to sound light-hearted. Walking up to Yoda she presented him with the fruit and tea. "I thought you would enjoy this, Master, I wasn't expecting this to be a more formal meeting."
"Hmmm, thank you I do. Enjoy this tea, I will, because given to me, it was, by my favorite grand-padawan."
"Careful Master Yoda, you shouldn't have favorites, especially with Master Windu sitting here." Obi-Wan smiled brightly as she teased the small grandmaster.
She smiled brightly despite herself.
"Careful Master, you shouldn't be having favorites, especially with Master Windu sitting here." Obi-Wan teased before taking a seat across from both masters. She steadied herself and sealed her walls up tight before sighing. "So, what did my padawan do this time?"
Much to Obi-Wan's relief, Mace started to laugh. Any tension that had been in the room broke instantaneously.
"Don't worry, Kenobi, Skywalker hasn't done anything yet that we need to speak about," Mace reassured her. Obi-Wan sighed heavily and visibly relaxed her muscles that had been tense since she walked into the room. If it was not because of her young apprentice, then there had been another reason that the two masters would ask to see her, outside of the council chambers. Whatever the case was, it did not bode well. If they wanted to meditate together, Yoda would not make it seem like he wanted to reminisce.
"Well, small miracles then" she smiled, acting as if she weren't bothered. "Was there a reason you both wanted to meet with me or is this truly just to meditate together?"
Then the two older masters shared a look.
"Have questions, we do. Answer them, we think you can." Yoda said cryptically.
"If I can I will, but I'm afraid I'm in the dark with what this could be about."
"A few years ago, on Naboo…" Mace started.
"I don't want to talk about Master Qui-Gon" Obi-Wan interrupted, eyes staring at her hands.
"We know, but something happened that day we wanted to speak with you about." Mace insisted. She raked her mind, what had happened?
"Why now?"
"Because we feel it's time." Mace shifted, sitting to face her fully and leaning forward. He could feel his presence in the force brush against her walls. "there was some time when you weren't completely lucid, and you said some strange things. We wanted to know if there was anything about your past that you remember."
She did her best to remain calm. To not react. She wasn't all there when she woke up after her Jedi master's death. She could have said just about anything, it was obviously enough to keep the masters questioning for years, but not bad enough to keep her from training Anakin.
"My past? I'm afraid I don't quite understand."
"Remember, what do you, of being found by the Jedi"
"Can you be direct, Master, I grew up here?" Obi-Wan feigned confusion. Once again the two masters shared a look and Yoda nodded.
"Tell her, we must." Yoda conceded, causing Mace to sigh.
"You were not found in the typical manner, Kenobi. A group of republic archaeologists found you on Stewjon in carbon freeze. By the will of the force, during the thawing process, you reverted from an adult to a child. There was another life you lived before now. Is there anything you remember?"
Obi-Wan stared at them. And slowly nodded. "I think so, maybe? I have weird dreams sometimes, ones that don't make sense. I also know things that I don't remember learning. But nothing concrete, I thought they were just a strange sort of force vision."
"Remember, what do you, of those dreams?" Yoda asked leaning forward on the meditation mat.
"Strange things, there was fighting, a war maybe? It's just flashes, really. Mostly I just see faces, people. They joke around with me, or we were just sitting around. It was peaceful. That's all, however."
"We would like to show you something." Mace stood and gestured for the door. Minutes later found the three traveling down to some of the more restricted areas of the temple until they reached a doorway. Mace was the one to wave his hand in front of the door scanner, his force signature passing over the lock. The door slid open slowly, to a brightly lit room, similar to the halls of healing, sterile and white.
A few steps inside she was able to blink away the light and could see it all. Large holo images projected by the wall of a person in carbon freeze, arm raised as if to block away the sun, a saber hilt in hand, looking up. The shock alone took her a moment to realize that the figure she saw was none other than herself. It was her. She could even make out the scarring on the side of her face through the carbonite. She forced her eyes to leave that image, trailing across the room until she saw it. She slammed her shield reinforcements up and struggled to keep from showing her fury.
Her armor, placed on a display stand like some relic, rested to the side on what looked to be a mannequin to fill out the shape of what they assumed she looked like. It was well preserved, the ancient writings embroidered onto the armorweave. It was her armor. It still had some of the patches made to reinforce where there were once scorch marks from blasters and lightsabers. That armor had been with her since she left the academy, a gift her father had left for her when she was old enough. The last thing she received from him after his supposed untimely death. Then attop it, the faceless helmet she wore in her later years, the mask that inspired fear in the enemies of the empire, and later that identified her as the commander in chief of the eternal alliance. Lastly she saw it. Mounted on the wall like a holy relic. Her lightsabers.
She turned to Mace with a blank look.
"What is this?" she asked.
"These were the things you were found with. Do you recognize them? Do you see anything when you look at them?"
She clamped down on her hatred, swallowed her pride, and looked at him in the eyes.
"No, there is nothing. I'm sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear." Both masters nodded slowly.
"Fine, it is. Understand, we do. For your time, we thank you, Obi-Wan." Yoda said calmly.
Obi-Wan walked forward and let her fingers graze the armorweave.
"It is beautiful, though."She whispered. She sighed and turned away, following the two masters from the room, and listened to the door shut and lock behind them. The masters thanked her for her time again and went their own directions, leaving her alone in an empty hallway, with her anger as her only companion.
She stepped alone into the lift and as the doors closed, her eyes burned crimson and yellow.