Anakin let Artoo fly the fighter back into the hanger it had flown out of. The other fighters had already landed and a triangle shaped fighter landed in the middle not having a space to turn around and land in. He busied himself with shutting down different systems and Artoo beeping that he forgot this or that. Finally the ship settled and the canopy eased forward to a hanger full of cheers. Anakin bolts straight up and looks at all the suddenly quiet pilots.
"Am I going to be in trouble?"
"It is just a kid?" The disbelief was short lived as they cheered anyway.
"Don't matter to me. He is a hero!" The hanger breaks out in half cheers and laughter. The pilots rush his fighter and pull him out hoisting him up on their shoulders. Anakin is smiling and laughing himself as he can feel their joy at his success. It is not long before he had answered what felt like a million different questions until a man with a strange braid on his head looked down at him. His brown robe and his inner tan tunic and black belt was one clue, but the laser sword at his hip, the lightsaber said he was a Jedi.
"That was some impressive flying."
"It was nothing. Pod racing is a lot harder." This many more to laugh as he was finally put down.
"Really? I seem to remember a boy just won the Boonta Eve on Tatooine. He kind of looked just like you." Obi Wan smiled widely just to make sure Anakin knew he was picking on him, but he still fell for it.
"That is me. I won the Boonta Eve." He affirmed with anger as if he needed to fight. Several of the other pilots must have picked up on the connection and cheered again.
"That you did, Anakin Skywalker." Obi Wan agreed tempering the boy's defensiveness.
"Cheers to Anakin the Lucrehulk Liquidator!" The pilots cheered again before walking back to their fighters or droids or hugging their partners.
"Okay everyone over here." Ric Olie was proud. He was proud of his pilots and very proud of the young boy and even proud of the Jedi pilot who had suddenly joined them. The pilots and a few of the guards who had been in the hanger came up to Ric.
"We did good out there. We fought well and today was just the start of the battle. With the threat over I am not going to keep you with after action reviews or maintenance. Do the minimum with your fighters and leave the rest to your droids. Go find your families, help with the recovery, get some sleep when the sun goes down. Take care of yourself so you can take care of those who can not. See you all in two days for more orders." The pilots came up to Anakin shook his hand while thanking him again or ruffling his hair telling him he is a good kid. Ric Olie was the last to do so before walking away.
"What do I do now?" Anakin now feeling a bit lost as the others had gone back to their ships while others headed straight out of the hanger.
"I thought you lived on Tatooine?" Obi Wan noticed the sudden change in demeanor.
"I did master." The boy even being freed fell quickly to that protective mindset.
"I am not your master and if I am not mistaken are you not a freed boy, Anakin?"
"I am, Jenica freed me." His passiveness vanished as he was reminded about being free.
"Jenica said you freed us both." Shmi knelt down to wait for her son. His doubt vanished as he spotted his mother.
"Mom!" Anakin raced to hug his mom as Obi Wan suddenly realized that they were both armed. From the clothing he had seen from holo pictures he and his mother looked much better and someone had taken time to out fit them in good spacer gear. No freed slave would have the eye to utility clothing of that caliber. What struck him the most unusual was the twin blasters the two carried. The distinct bulpulp design and the other characteristics lead Obi Wan to guess that they were Cinnagar LP4x, but it had to be a replica as no one would use such an antique. They would have to be crazy to.
"Annie I am so glad you are okay."
"I'm great mom, but don't yell at me."
"What did you do?" She sounded more worried than angry and there was some confusion.
"He blew up the droid control ship. All by himself." Obi Wan sent the boy calm support.
"No, I didn't, the other pilots were there and you were too. Um, ah, what is your name?"
"I am Padawan Obi Wan Kenobi."
"Master Jedi, did my son really do that?"
"Yes he did." Shmi gave her son another hug as this scared her more than pod racing did.
"I stayed in the cockpit, but after I fired at those droids the ship took off."
"Annie it is fine you are safe." She hugged him even closer as a few tears rolled silently down her cheeks.
"Well, looks like you are in good hands, so I wonder if you have seen my Master, Qui Gon Jinn? Really tall Jedi?"
"Oh he and Jenica fought this other guy. I think he was a Zabrak. Though never saw one with both black and red skin."
"Where was this?" Obi Wan tensed but could not feel any current warning of danger.
"He came out of that door and fought in here." Anakin pointed over to the one door and Obi Wan ran over to the fallen cloaks. He picked up his master's cloak as Shmi picked up the other cloak. It shimmered and the similarity to the cloak on the woman's back was close.
"This is Jenica's." Anakin walked around a bit until he came to the one doorway they came in. Obi Wan rushed through the door to see two people some two hundred meters away walking towards them. Anakin suddenly attempted to run to them but Shmi was much faster holding him back by the scruff of his neck.
"Qui Gon!" Kenobi lightly jogs up to the two. He sees that they are not in any hurry and even debating some finer point as he got close enough to hear.
"Ah but that is not what I have read in the archives."
"These guides never would allow their holocrons to be locked away in some archive never to used again. Granted they did get trapped in a hold out shelter."
"Master Jinn are you alright?"
"I have fared better, but I do have to admit I would not have survived without this young Force Adept." Qui Gon calmly indicated Jenica at his side.
"Adept? Isn't she a Jedi Shadow?" Obi Wan looked confused as he felt something different about her and in how Qui Gon saw her. Not in a bad way, but one in that she was not exactly who she seemed.
"No I am not. I come from Dromund Kaas. Anakin why did I feel you leave the planet?" They both watched Jenica burst away from them to the mother and son nearly fifty meters back as if this revelation was common knowledge. They knew the boy could not have heard her from that distance.
"Dromund Kaas?"
"Yes the former capital of one of the Sith Empires. Seems it was not left without sentient life so many millennium ago."
"You can not be serious. She comes from the Sith. They are extinct."
"I doubt she has any Sith DNA as there are a dozen different near human sub species with her characteristics, but coming from Dromund Kaas possible. However, she is mostly light."
"Mostly light?" He scratched his head near his braid an=s he wondered about the girl.
"Come, her mystery will not be solved without her cooperation."
"Master, if she is a Sith then should we not take her to the Temple?"
"We just killed a Sith."
"A Sith?"
"I'll explain later." They had reached the three and then moved back into the Palace proper.
"...and then everything cooled down and Artoo got the shields back just as the droids were firing at me and I shot back then hit the other button and these missiles came out causing these huge explosions. Then I told Artoo we needed to get out of there and we did. It was really like pod racing once we were inside the huge ship." Both Obi Wan and Qui Gon looked at each other as the girl smiled as his mother looked as pale as a ghost.
"Annie that must have been terrifying."
"Well a bit at first as I didn't have control, but once I did it was easier than pod racing."
"I can't, I just can't." Shmi had a look of horror on her face at the mere thought of everything that could have gone bad.
"Shmi he is fine. The Force guided him. It was his part to play just as it was your part to kill Nute Gunray and Rune Haako."
"Nute Gunray is dead?" Qui Gon was honestly confused and he could think it was not a good thing.
"That is not terrible news, master." Obi Wan countered.
"It will definitely change the political situation on Coruscant."
"Master, it will also show what happens to business executives who turn into warmongers. I think that other corporations that plan to use their defensive measures offensively will realize that it is not profitable if you are dead."
"Perhaps Obi Wan. This could also cause the Trade Federation to think retaliation is needed."
"Master, after this and the assassinations at Eriadu the Trade Federation does not have anyone left on their board except Senator Lott Dod."
"Wait you have a corporation in the Senate? I mean I don't know that much of the modern Senate, but a corporation is not a government."
"It was not always this way but the Trade Federation owns many systems and is mostly the only government in these systems. It is not the most unusual government, but it is a governing body that due to its number of worlds has a earned a place in the Senate." Jenica did not like how an entity could be allowed to govern. All they were for was to make money. Anything she had ever read made it quite clear that it cared nothing for the beings that worked for them.
"What do you know?" Obi Wan showed honest interest coloring his expressions.
"That the Hutts have not really changed in 3500 years and the Sith Empire governmental structure was a waste of time to study. As well as the current Galactic Republic is no longer the same as the Old Republic. Though I am sure there must have been several changes over so much time."
"Several changes but none as drastic as the Ruusan Reformations. It changed not just the Republic but the Jedi Order as well." This weighed heavily in the Force and the Force nearly screamed at her. Before she could say more, several of the palace guards came in following Captain Panaka.
"Captain." Both Jedi bowed to him in greeting.
"Master Jedi, the Queen requests your presence."
"Then we shall see her at once." Obi Wan pushed his concern through his bond to Qui Gon and he merely looked at the girl before looking back at Obi Wan as he sent back a feeling of acceptance as her defense. It was not long before they made it to the throne room and Padme still in her battle dress was sitting on her throne.
"Kneel before the Queen of Naboo, Padme Amidala." Both Jedi bowed as was their custom, but Jenica, Shmi, and a stunned Anakin knelt before getting back up.
"I hear that I have gained more heroes than just a couple of Jedi. Master Kit Fisto, I hear is being celebrated by the Gungans in their battle against the droids and here I have an Ace pilot I do not remember hiring. Was that you Anakin?"
"Padme, um Queen, ma'am, uh, ya."
"I am still the same girl you meet on Tatooine. I here you are free now." Padme smiled letting the boy know she was glad he helped her people.
"Yes I am." The boy stood even straighter at the same time he reached out for his mother's hand.
"This is your mother. Do you know she is a hero too."
"What?" The surprise was felt through the Force as well.
"No please, I should not have killed them. A mercy is one thing but..." Shmi looked very guilty, but she didn't know how to deflect this appreciation for something she felt was a mistake.
"Shmi Skywalker you did what you thought was right and you saw a threat in those two beings. They may not have been armed, but every Naboo resident who died because of this invasion was on their hands. They got what they deserved."
"Yes your highness." Shmi bowed as she could only accept.
Master Jinn I heard there was a good out come to your battle?"
"We defeated the Force user." Jinn calmly replied.
"Sith Assassin." I had to counter. Denying the truth never got anyone anywhere.
"We are not totally sure it was a Sith." I rolled my eyes before shaking my head.
"No matter who he was, he was a threat, was he not?" Padme questioned.
"Yes he was. Very well trained. I thank Jenica Lour here that she was willing to fight with me." I felt his honest thanks through the Force. The Force was also not going to be denied as it reminded me it had led us here.
"It was the will of the Force." I felt proud to say as a truth.
"I would send a team to collect his remains. Leave nothing behind and separate nothing from his body as the Jedi Council will want to examine him."
"It will be done as you say and Governor?" Padme turned to Sio Bibble.
"Yes your highness." he replied.
"I am sure this, Sith had a ship and have the Neimoidians questioned to see if they know his name." Sio Bibble bowed to her before answering.
"Yes, my Queen." The man bowed again and quickly left the throne room.
"You are a Jedi as well." Padme brought her attention to Obi Wan.
"Your highness, this is my Padawan, Obi Wan Kenobi." Her eyes never left Obi Wan as she studied him. She also did not like the older Jedi answering for him.
"I was speaking with him." She decided it was better to upset the older Jedi if he thought it was not his place to speak for himself.
"Yes your highness." Obi Wan answered.
"The pilots have also reported that you helped in the battle with the control ship."
"I did." Anakin stood as tall as he could. He felt even better then he did after winning the race.
"I thank you and I thank all of you. This could not have been ended without your efforts. You will be given quarters to freshen up and rest. When the kitchens have prepared a meal than we will inform you. You are our guests and can stay as long as you like."
"Thank you, your highness. May I ask if we can use your holocom?" Qui Gon asked not even concerned he was just slighted.
"Yes, I can see you would need to make a report. Any assistance after you have rested would be gladly accepted as the City of Theed recovers."
"We will help where we can." Jinn and Kenobi walk away as a handmaiden signaled them to follow. She waited until they left the room.
"Your Highness, we will need to recover our ship and then we can help with anything you need us for."
"I accept. You fought with the master Jedi?" I looked to the receding Jedi before answering. Wondering what exactly Qui Gon would tell his leaders.
"I did."
"Are you not also a Jedi?" She found herself shaking her head as she was unsure of what she was. She was not Jedi and not Sith either. Perhaps a Force Adept was the easiest to be labeled with. No it was better to just be a Captain of a ship.
"I am just as skilled as a Jedi in the martial arts. I am not a part of the Jedi Order. I am just a ship Captain who can use the Force."
"I think there is much more to you than a mere ship's captain, Jenica. I have never felt someone walk in, but you I felt."
"I think that was Anakin. He has a crush on you." Padme cheeks flushed as Anakin complained.
"Jenica!" Anakin turned several shades of red, but Padme showed she was just as embarrassed.
Palpatine placed his fingers together into a steeple as he watched the news. What was currently being talked about was not something he had ever predicted. The holonet news was showing multiple holovids that had been taken by the citizens of Naboo of various droids herding his planet's people. Some of them getting shot for not moving fast enough or being beaten. He knew some of the violence could have gotten out, but it then switched to Master Kit Fisto flying over the battlefield showing the insane abilities the Jedi have. He had a bit of respect for the Master on how well he was able to fight the droids as if he was cutting down weeds.
But what was on the news was only a part of what made him want to scream and destroy everything in his office and kill anyone he came across as on his desk was the initial report from the office of the Governor of Naboo that not only had the Trade Federation been defeated but Nute Gunray and Rune Haako were dead. What infuriated him even more was that his apprentice was dead as well. Jinn was not capable of killing Lord Maul he had let himself grow weak. His padawan might have had the skill in a team fight, but not Jinn. Also this was going to take a bit more work to get Dooku fully on his side as Jinn remained alive to be a further thorn in his side. He had removed Sifo Dyas and Tyvokka who were not hindered as much by the dark side. Both could have sensed him. Qui Gon was just extremely lucky in the Force.
This ruined his victory on becoming Chancellor and killing his master. Without his master it was going to be much more difficult to coordinate his various plans, but he needed to know what exactly went on for it to go so unpredictably wrong. He took in a breath letting his anger seethe under his ironclad shields. Then his comlink beeped before he opened the message and his eyebrow rose as he started to watch the security footage. It followed Darth Maul until he met up with Master Jinn. Then this girl was caught by the camera just as she ignited a saberstaff. One red blade, one blue highlighted her face. A face with very distinct Sith Tattoos.
"A Sith of old. Maybe I should have explored the ancient worlds a bit more. She will make an excellent apprentice." He felt his victory returning as several contingency plans could be put into place, but first he needed to test this girl.
Qui Gon was able to get a hold of Kit Fisto and was able to wait until he arrived so he could give his report to the High Council. Jenica and crew came in the room as the council came into view.
"Master Jinn, Master Fisto successful you were."
"Yes we were. I was able to support the Gungan Army as they faced the droid army of the Trade Federation."
"That went out side of the mandate to protect the Queen of Naboo."
"It was the will of the Force and being as Boss Nass accepted me as one of the water born I was guided by the Force that this was the best way for me to defend the Queen." Kit Fisto felt proud in the Force. He felt what he did was the right thing to do.
"Hopefully no one will notice this and bring up the possible issues, but knowing Lott Dod he will find this."
"Matters not what happened with the droids it does. Qui Gon protect the queen you did?"
"She was safe and guarded by me up until the point Lord Maul stopped us in the palace hanger. From there I engaged the Sith in combat as the Queen and her guards proceeded to the throne room."
"A Sith, impossible. They have been extinct for a thousand years." Jenica stepped out from behind Qui Gon to stand in between him and Obi Wan.
"Oy anas tsis meo nenx guduma nu zudijas jis."
"Who are you and what did you say?" Jenica saw a very dark skinned man. She could feel his arrogance in his words and that he did not like surprises. She would later find he was Master Windu.
"Oh that Sith was not dead until I kill him. That is what I said in my language. My name is Captain Jenica Lour." I even bowed in a very formal Jedi way.
"She is much more than that. She is a Adept of the Force with extraordinary Force skills. I would not have survived if she had not fought with me against the Sith."
"There is no evidence that this darksider you fought is a Sith." Master Ki Adi Mundi argued.
"Master?" I stared at the one who had just spoken his tall head out of place on an otherwise human like body.
"Mundi."
"Maybe I was not clear. Lord Maul spoke to me using Kittât or ancient Sith." Several of the masters shifted and one even pulled out a datapad.
"And how would you know this?" Several of them were quiet focused on the young girl.
"Master Mundi as much as you would like to deflect the purpose of this report, I will not let you. Jenica saved my life and her crew helped the queen free her planet. From the Young Skywalker destroying the control ship to his mother taking out Nute Gunray and Rune Haako. They have earned my trust and I feel nothing but the light side from this girl. Darth Sidious was named as his master and that his master was Darth Plagueis and revealed as Hego Damask."
"Always two there are. No more no less. Three you have named."
"Hego Damask was found dead last night." Eath Koth added. "If he was a Sith Lord then this other Sith Lord must have killed him."
"Troubling this is, great influence Hego Damask had in the Senate as the leader of the IBC."
"What is the real name of this Darth Sidious?" Master Billaba shifted in her seat as she waited for an answer.
"His assassin did not know, but once we find his ship I am sure we might be able to find out. We will need Quinlan Vos to join the investigation." She nodded feeling the truth in his words. Though several others looked disappointed.
"Not far from you, Master Vos is. Undercover he is. Difficult to contact he will be."
"We can bring the ship to Coruscant once it is found."
"Find the darksider's ship and return both his body and the ship to Coruscant. Bring Captain Lour with you."
"Why?" I blurted out before Qui Gon could speak again. I could feel their combined focus on me as they brushed my shields. The many layers Revan had taught me would leak only what I would allow. The master named, Evan Piell gagged as I send him a brief memory of butchering a Sleen.
"We would like to talk to you more privately in person."
"Ah Meetra warned me about the Jedi Council. Ya not going to happen. Nice try."
"Meetra? She does mean the Exile, doesn't she?" Master Yaddle asked.
"Yes I did and Revan, he was even more negative about the council. Though they did try to mind wipe him of all his memories. Then there is Lord Scourge. He only would say you were always a bunch of arrogant fools no matter who was on the High Council."
"How dare you!" Jenica had to smile as she had definitely hit a nerve they all carried. Though the two green ones seemed unfazed.
"Calm yourself Master Mundi." Plo Koon warned.
"Know this Jenica you do. How?"
"It is how I learned the Force. They are my guides. I have their Holocrons to teach me." This brought more scowls from these masters and a look of curious surprise from Adi Gallia and Oppo Rancisis.
"I can barely look at this girl or the boy behind her." Mace confessed causing visible shock to show on a couple of the masters.
"Anakin is strong in the Force." Qui Gon stated.
"I have felt it too." Obi Wan was quick agree.
"No matter he is too old. He looks to be ten." Master Tiin stated.
"Too old for what?"
"To become a Jedi."
"I started learning about the Force when I was ten. I am sixteen now. Meetra and Revan never said I was too old to learn." Again the scornful looks of disapproval.
"Over three thousand years many things have changed. We take in the abandoned, the orphaned, or gifted into the order no older then three. The demands to be a Jedi are harsh." Master Plo Koon explained.
"Come to Naboo we will. Talk with me you will."
"Qui Gon have the girl and the boy tested and send it with your report. I am sure you can also give us your insight with her not present. Jenica I would like to talk to you privately as well."
"Yes Master Windu."
"When I get there."
"Is there anything else, masters?" They all seemed to frown just before the connection was cut. Qui Gon visibly flinched.
"That was very rude." Jinn looked at his padawan not pleased with his remark.
"Obi Wan?" His name will suffice for a warning.
"He is right. That was rude." Jinn had to then frown at the girl. Now this needed an explanation.
"Unusual to be sure. Rude I am not so certain, as there was something else."
"So what did they mean by tested?"
"It is a simple blood test. Tells us how strong your potential in the Force is. Standard procedure the Seekers use to find a Jedi candidate."
"No thank you."
"I will have to insist."
"Anakin does not need to be tested. He is strong in the Force. Can you not see how he glows with potential. The Force sings around him or shimmers as Master Bindo used to say."
"It is what is required to become a Jedi."
"Master Jinn I may not claim to be a Jedi, but Anakin does not need some test to be a Jedi, to use the Force, or even feel it. All he needs is focus, control, and imagination."
"If I can not convince you the council will."
"The council has no authority over me, Anakin, or his mother as we are not Republic Citizens."
"Of course you are."
"Shmi is Tatooine part of the Republic."
"Jenica I do not know. What I do know is that the Hutts rule."
"There you have it. Shmi and Anakin are members of the Hutt Kajidic of Worlds, so am I." This got Jinn to back down. He could not force the issue.
"Hutt Kajidic of Worlds? I have never heard that before." Master Fisto finally broke his silence. I pulled out my data pad and keyed the ID button. He came close enough to read it. "Jenica Lour, Captain of the Ebon Hawke registered pilot and transporter. Member of the Hutt Kajidic of Worlds. System of origin Dromund Kaas."
"Does it really say that?" Obi Wan quickly got up and hurried over to see for himself. "I have studied the Hutt Cartel I do not remember seeing such document titles."
"It is what the BoSS gave me on Denogra. Though if I had not mentally manipulated him I would have been stuck there. So many stupid regulations even with the ship being four thousand years old." The doors suddenly opened and Padme with several of her handmaidens strolled in.
"Legally they are not a part of the Republic and so only Naboo's law will affect them." Everyone nodded or bowed to the Queen. She continued once she was close.
"And they are my guests, master Jedi, and will be treated as such."
"Your highness even you were tested for Force sensitivity when you were younger were you not?"
"I was tested when I joined the Apprentice Legislature. A waste of time as I was too old to have been given to the Jedi Order."
"A shame as I think you would have been an excellent consular."
"I am not Force Sensitive, Jenica."
"That is what you believe, or what you have been told?"
"It is a mute argument Captain. Now the dining room is set up in a buffet. It is a meager offering. Come and eat your fill. I will need all of you well rested as I hope you will help with the recovery from the occupation."
"Gladly." I stated and the others were quick to agree as well.