Double update today! 1 of 2.
A/N: There's some slight Voyager AU in this chapter. Instead of Icheb being found in season 6, I've set him being found sometime in season 4.
Kanan woke early, going straight into meditation. He was troubled. First Gemini uses the Dark Side, and now Ezra; he thought they were ready to become Jedi, but after everything that happened, he wasn't so sure.
He had to be sure.
——————
Gemini woke relatively early. She yawned, walking into the kitchen area. She pulled out some space waffles, popping them in the heater. She had just sat down when Sabine came in.
"Morning!" Sabine seemed overly happy this morning.
"Morning," she replied.
Sabine sat down, taking a breath. "So, you said something happened with the Inquisitor a few days ago. Um, while looking through Tseebo's info, I found something you might be interested in."
She took a bite, noting that Sabine looked nervous now. "Ok."
Sabine spoke slowly, trying to find the right words to say. "The Empire was experimenting with a way to 'program' its soldiers. I saw your file, and it said you were the prime subject for this experiment. According to the data, the experiment was successful."
She put down her waffles. "And you're wondering why it didn't work on me."
Sabine nodded. "I figured it had something to do with your, um, birth planet."
She sighed. "Well, you're on the right track at least. You know how I'm not from this Universe, right?"
"Yeah, you said that you were a Cadet at Starfleet Academy, which is basically the Imperial academy except way nicer."
"That's the simple version, yes. After I was invited to join Voyager's maiden voyage and got stranded in the Delta Quadrant, we spent over 3 years trying to get back home. Have I explained the Borg yet?"
Sabine shook her head. "Not really, no."
"Well, the Borg are cybernetic organisms linked in a hive mind. They steal the technology and knowledge of other species through something called 'assimilation.' They inject nano probes into someone's body that forcibly augment them with cybernetic components."
Sabine's face twisted with disgust. "Why would they do that?"
"They believe every new species brings them closer to perfection."
"They have a twisted definition of perfection, then."
"Yeah. Anyway, we were able to free a few drones from the collective and restore their individuality. One of their names is Icheb. He's around my age, and after being de-Borged, we became friends.
"I wasn't allowed to leave the ship a lot because of my Cadet status, and I was getting a little stir-crazy. Chakotay, our second-in-command, managed to convince the Captain to let me assist a routine away mission on a seemingly normal planet."
"Let me guess, the planet wasn't as normal as they thought."
"As it turns out, the plant life was very protective of their foliage. They stuck me with one of their thorns, which happened to contain a very potent poison. It started eating away at my brain, specifically the parts that control the higher brain functions."
"Voyager's medical staff couldn't stop it?"
"The Doctor did everything he could, but the poison was highly adaptive. Just as he was about to give up, Icheb suggested they reprogram some of his nano probes to both combat the virus and restore my higher brain functions. He succeeded, obviously, but also programmed an extra dose in case something bad were to happen and he couldn't help."
"So it was Icheb's extra dose of nano probes that fought the programming," sabine concluded. "It takes a pretty specific mind to design a program both broad enough and specific enough to combat pretty much anything."
She smiled. "The added benefit is since the nano probes learned to fight the programming, they essentially rendered it inert."
"Like antibodies after a sickness," Sabine noted. "I would love to meet Icheb someday."
"I think he'd like to meet you too," She said.
Sabine paused, gathering her thoughts. "Thank you for telling me," she said.
She smiled. "You're welcome."
The door slid open. "Gemini, can I talk to you in private?" Kanan asked.
"Sure." She stood, sending a little wave to Sabine as she left.
She took a seat on the floor of Kanan's room. He sat directly across from her.
"What did you want to talk about?"
Kanan exhaled. "Certain things are falling into place, especially after what you told us about your past. What happened on the asteroid alerted me to questions that need answering." He paused. "I had assumed your discipline was due to past training with the Empire, but now . . ."
She sat up straighter. "You want to know more about my past, right?"
Kanan nodded. "Who was he, your teacher?"
She sighed. "I had many teachers, but the one that made the most difference was Tuvok, Voyager's Chief of Security and the Captain's closest friend and confidant. He was a Vulcan, and his people are known for their emphasis on logic and emotional control. They were able to achieve a level of control many people often mistook for a lack of emotion."
She smiled. "Tuvok always knew what was going on in each of my 'classes.' I had one class each day of the week, each taught by a different officer. Our Chief Engineer was always either in a good mood or a very bad one, and would assign projects based upon how she was feeling each day. Whenever I came in after a particularly bad session with B'elanna, Tuvok would take his session and lead me through various meditation techniques. He taught me how to focus through emotion on the present. I found myself using his techniques more and more as the days turned to months on Voyager."
Kanan nodded in understanding. "He sounds like a good man."
"He is," she responded with a smile.
Kanan rubbed his chin, gathering his thoughts. "I'm troubled, Gemini. I was surprised you called on the Dark Side a few months ago, but I pushed it aside in hopes I wouldn't have to deal with it again. What happened on the asteroid helped me realize that I need to be sure both of you are ready."
"For what?"
"A test that could determine whether you're meant to be a Jedi, or not."
She took a moment to think on this. "So it's not up to you to decide whether or not I become a Jedi?"
"No, it's not. It's up to you to decide if you want a second chance."
She answered confidently, sitting up straighter. "I'm ready." She focused on Kanan as he began speaking.
"When I was growing up in the Jedi Temple on Corusant, there were over 10,000 Jedi Knights protecting the galaxy. We had small temples hidden throughout the stars, used by Masters and their Padawans. The Empire found and destroyed a great many of them, but not all of them. Your task is to meditate and try to find one of these temples."
She nodded and took a deep breath. She closed her eyes, lowering herself into a light meditation. She focused on what Kanan had said, on finding a temple. She breathed for a few moments. The Force flared. An image appeared in her mind. "I can see a star at the end of a series of tunnels inside of a large stone of some sort." But where? The Force answered, showing her a very familiar planet. She opened her eyes in surprise. "Its here, on Lothal."
"Are you sure?"
She stood to her feet. "Positive. I can lead us there."
Kanan stood to his feet as well, nodding. "Then let's get ready to leave."
"Yes, Master."
——————
Kanan detached the Phantom, flying off in the direction Gemini had told him to. She easily guided him to the temple, rolling her eyes when she noticed the autopilot was on before they had reached it.
"If you already knew there was a temple here," she said suddenly, "why ask me at all?"
Kanan smirked and shook his head as a large stone entered their vision. "Why am I not surprised." He landed the Phantom, turning to face her. "I checked the Holocron back in my cabin just in case. I couldn't even sure this is where you were meant to be, though it makes sense." She followed him out of the Phantom as he continued. "The Force could have brought you to any planet in the known galaxy. It brought you to Lothal for a reason."
She took in the temple's exterior. "I'd like to know why," she said softly.
She was glad when Kanan didn't respond to that. "Figure out how to get inside," he said in his Master voice. "But don't take to long."
She nodded, walking eagerly towards the temple. She ran her fingers along the stone, taking in the various emotions and quiet whispers she felt and heard. She drew back her hand, taking a few steps back so she could see what Kanan was doing.
He was meditating peacefully a few paces away from the Phantom. She didn't want to disturb him unless she was absolutely stumped.
She sent out a quiet query into the Force. It's answer pointed back to where Kanan was meditating, to her surprise. She followed its direction, this time noting the lines and circles carved into the ground. She knelt, brushing her fingers along the edge of one of the circles. She saw Jedi, dozens of Master-Padawan pairs focusing on the temple together.
She stood to her feet. "I think I understand how to get in," she said so Kanan could hear. She continued when he opened his eyes. "I saw Jedi Masters and their Padawans focusing on the temple together."
Kanan raised an eyebrow. "Then why do I sense uncertainty from you?"
She shifted on her feet, messing with a loose thread on her shirt. "I'm not sure if I'm actually your padawan," she said timidly. Her eyes widened at the implication. "Not that I wouldn't want you, I mean you're great and all, but I just thought that-"
"Gemini." Kanan stood to his feet, crossed the distance between them and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You are just as much my padawan as Ezra is." He smiled nonchalantly. "It may be a little unconventional, but we are living in unconventional times." His smile turned a little more sincere. "You are my padawan, Gemini. Never doubt that."
She smiled gratefully, taking a breath. She stretched out her hand, closing her eyes and focusing on the temple. She felt its acceptance, heard it rumble. When the temple thudded to a stop she opened her eyes, setting them on the now-revealed entrance.
A fleeting thought about how Captain Janeway would have loved this crossed her mind. Instead of pushing that thought away, she pressed forward; she would carry the Captain with her into the temple.
She stopped right before she entered the temple, reaching through the bond she had with Kanan. She felt him send waves of encouragement through it. She took a breath.
She could feel the history the temple's walls contained. She grinned in excitement, walking ahead of Kanan and missing his small smile. Both smiles faded when she saw the Masters.
They were sitting against the two front pillars in meditative positions. She could feel the Force Echo calling to her. She desperately wanted to touch one of the Masters' robes.
The temple rumbled slightly, dust raining down from the ceiling.
She turned to Kanan. "What exactly will I find here, again?"
"Many of those who enter the temple face their worst fears."
She shrugged. "I already faced mine when I told you who I really was. And I miss everyone on Voyager, sure, but I've accepted the fact that I'll most likely never see them again." She sighed forcefully. "What do you think I'm going to find?"
"Everything, and nothing," he said, sitting down between the Masters.
"That's not very helpful," she said, walking past the inner door. The door started to close.
Kanan chuckled. "I know." He sobered. "May the Force be with you."
The door closed with a dull thud.
——————
The tunnel in front of her led to a room with three paths to choose from. The three paths were identical. She felt the strange urge to pull out a tricorder.
Not that it would help, in this situation. The temple was one big test.
"You're seriously standing around?"
She turned to see- "Ezra? When did you get here?"
He shrugged. "A few moments ago. Kanan said you probably needed help, so I came to bail you out." He rolled his eyes. "Like I always do," he said coldly.
She crossed her arms. "I can do this on my own. It's my test." She pointed a finger at her chest.
"Sure it is." He walked into the right tunnel. "This way, Gemini."
She made a face. Since when did he start using her full name again? He had been calling her Gem the past few weeks. He was a lot saltier than he usually was, and was never this rude.
Whoever that was, wasn't Ezra.
She ignored his calls, walking into the center tunnel. The air grew colder and the tunnel widened. Her chest tightened. She raised her chin, keeping her focus ahead of her.
"Gemini, isn't it? How lovely you could join us!" The Inquisitor appeared out of nowhere in front of her, his lightsaber grasped tightly in his hand. "We've been expecting you."
She slid into a defensive stance, missing the weight of her blaster on her hip. "What do you want?"
"Straight to business, I see. I was hoping to re-introduce you to a friend of yours." He grinned evilly, gesturing for someone to come closer to him. "I understand you know my apprentice, Ezra."
She couldn't bring herself to move. Her eyes were fixed on the horror in front of her. A shell of her friend came to a stop obediently next to the Inquisitor. Ezra, or whoever it was because that was not Ezra, was dressed in an exact copy of the Inquisitor's outfit. She tried to reach out to his Force, but was only met with freezing cold darkness. That in itself was horrible, but what was worse were his eyes. Instead of blue-purple eyes that sparkled with wonder and mischief, she was met with unforgiving orange ones.
When she could finally bring herself to speak, her voice was barely loud enough to be heard. "What happened to you?"
Not-Ezra laughed humorlessly. "You have no right to act all innocent, Gemini." He spit out her name like it was a curse. "You know exactly what happened."
"I don't understand," she tried to say, but Not-Ezra wasn't having any of it.
"I trusted you once, but you lied to me." He pointed at her accusingly. "You said you trusted me, and you lied to me!"
Air came in quick, shallow breaths. "I didn't lie, Ezra. I told you everything I-"
"You won't lie to me anymore, Sarah." He ignited his saber and charged at her.
She turned and ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She could hear Not-Ezra gaining on her. She turned a corner, glancing behind her to see how far Ezra was, completely missing the large chasm in front of her. She looked in front of her, gasping and trying to stop, but it was no use. Not-Ezra used the opportunity to push her off the edge. She fell, her screams mixing with Not-Ezra's evil laughter above her.
——————
She hit solid ground, hard. Her body ached; she groaned. She opened her eyes, trying to focus them on the ceiling. She rolled over, standing to her feet and -
Her breath hitched.
She turned her back quickly. Those were Borg regeneration alcoves. Borg regeneration alcoves were in the cargo bay. The cargo bay was on Voyager. And she was most certainly not on Voyager.
"Warning: regeneration cycle incomplete."
She was startled by the Computer's voice. She heard the sound of someone disengaging from their alcove. She couldn't bring herself to see who; she was barely keeping it together as it is. This was a test. This was a test. This was a test.
"Sarah?"
She turned slowly, almost reluctantly. Standing there, just as shocked as she was, was - "Icheb?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
He walked towards her in shock until they were mere inches apart. She could feel the warmth of his breath, see the slight green in the blue of his eyes. He was so real.
He reached out slowly, gently brushing his hand on her cheek as if to be sure that she was actually there. She laughed softly in relief when he didn't disappear like she thought he would. He smiled back.
The hugged each other, suddenly and simultaneously and tightly. They stayed that way for a while, content to just be for a moment.
Still hugging, Icheb spoke first. "How is this possible?"
"I'm still not quite sure myself," she said, pulling away but keeping hold of his hands. "All of this most likely some sort of hallucination."
Icheb's smile turned into a smirk. "I was going to say the same thing." He stepped back slightly, taking her in. He tilted his head, speaking after a moment. "You are different, somehow. And this place" - he looked at the cargo bay - "isn't quite real." He looked back at her. "Where have you been?" He asked seriously.
She sighed, taking her time to tell him a condensed version of what happened. She told him about the Force, and how she was being taught to manipulate it.
Icheb looked unconvinced. "I believe Commander Chakotay would be better suited to understand this Force of yours," he said dryly.
She laughed lightly. "It's a strange combination of Commander Chakotay's beliefs and Tuvok's meditations."
Icheb nodded, becoming more serious. "Where are you now?"
"I'm in a Jedi Temple on a planet called Lothal," she told him. "I'm supposed to be looking for something."
"What would that be?"
She rolled her eyes. "'Everything and nothing,'" She quoted.
"Ah. Very helpful." He paused, cocking his head. "If you are on another planet in another galaxy, then how are we talking?"
She shrugged. "It's best not to question it."
He nodded slowly, unsure. "Is there anything else I should know about?"
She grimaced slightly. "Um, I'm pretty sure at one point I was brainwashed."
Icheb raised an eyebrow, looking very much like Tuvock. "Brainwashed?"
"Or conditioned, or whatever. The point I'm trying to make is that it didn't work, and I believe it was because of you."
"Me?"
"The nanoprobes you programmed, they must have overridden the conditioning. I wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for you, so thank you."
He smiled at her. "I am glad that I was able to protect you, even if I did not know it."
She and Icheb sat on the floor. Nothing was said for a while.
She had fallen into a meditation, she realized after what felt like a few minutes. She opened her eyes. Icheb was standing at the diagnostic panel near Seven's alcove. "How long has it been?"
Icheb paused whatever he was doing. "Approximately 20 minutes."
She shook her head, admonishing herself. "What are you doing?" She asked.
"I am attempting to find out how accurate this illusion is." He pressed a few more buttons. "The computer appears to be mostly intact, and the Borg programming for the alcoves is correct." He furrowed his eyebrows. "I cannot access the main computer or any other vital system, including life support."
She stood, narrowing her eyes. "How can the computer be intact, but not the main computer?"
"My thoughts exactly," he replied. He huffed softly, turning to face her. "The purpose of this room cannot be discovered by trying to access the computer."
She thought for a moment. "Is there anything missing that should be here, or something extra that shouldn't be?"
Icheb paused thoughtfully. "I'm not sure," he responded. "I shall endeavor to find out."
It took him another few minutes, but he made his way quickly around the open spaces in the cargo bay. He didn't have any luck until he noticed an extra box in one of the cargo containers.
He opened the box, his eyes widening in surprise.
She walked over. "What is it?"
"It appears to be assorted scraps." He picked up a metal piece, turning it over. "I do not recognize any of these pieces, but they could be leftovers from one of Lt. Paris' projects."
He put the piece back, handing the box to her. Inside were cylindrical pieces of metal, as well as strips of leather and lightly painted purple buttons. Everything in the box looked familiar, she realized.
"You recognize them," Icheb stated.
She looked at him. "What makes you say that?"
Icheb raised an eyebrow again.
She sighed. "I'm making a face again, aren't I?"
"You would be correct," Icheb confirmed.
She nodded. "It looks like the pieces fit together into a lightsaber." She used the Force to hang the pieces in the air to count them, lining them up as she went.
Icheb stared at the floating objects, sorely tempted to poke one of them.
Gemini - or Sarah, Force, she was getting a headache - lined up about a dozen tiny screws in their places to finish the lightsaber. "It technically isn't finished," she said, setting the empty box on one of the shelves. "I have one piece back on the Ghost, but I'm missing a power source."
Icheb stepped forward then, observing the shape and placement of the pieces. He walked to the farthest alcove and opened a panel on the backing. He rummaged inside for a few moments, then pulled out a small Borg device. He walked back over, handing her the tiny cylindrical device.
"Why are you giving me this?" she asked. "I can always find another power source when I get back."
"I have no need of it," he said matter-of-factly. "And besides, I am gifting this to you, and it would be rude of you to refuse a gift from a friend."
She smiled, placing the pieces back in their box. "Thank you for your thoughtful gift, Icheb."
She took the part from his hand, and the cargo bay doors opened to reveal the stone pathways of the temple.
She turned to Icheb, her eyes watery again. "I guess that's my cue," she said softly.
"It would appear so," he confirmed. He turned to her as well. "I am privileged to have spoken with you again, Sarah Hadwin," he said formally.
"I am glad to have seen you again as well, Icheb," she responded, bowing slightly.
She hugged him hard after a moment, trying not to cry. "Tell them I'm okay, alright?"
"I will." He pulled away, taking a deep breath. He walked back to his alcove, entering it to continue his regeneration cycle. He offered her a smile before it resumed, knocking him asleep.
With that, she placed the Borg part in the box, closing it tightly. She regained her composure, walking through the cargo bay doors.
——————
The door to the entrance hall of slid open. Kanan stood to his feet, looking relieved. "I thought the worst there for a second." He smiled. "Find what you were looking for?"
She held up the box, making sure it was securely closed and giving it a small shake. The pieces of her saber rattled inside. "Yep."
"Where'd you get that?"
She started for the entrance. "Voyager," she said as she passed Kanan.
His eyes widened comically. "Where?!" He followed after her quickly.
Her laughter died down when the temple rumbled behind them. It lowered itself into the ground.
Kanan had been observing Gemini ever since she exited the temple. "You seem different, somehow."
She smiled. "I feel different. Lighter."
His eyes softened in understanding, noting the way she held the box from Voyager. She needed closure, and the temple gave it to her.
After they returned to the Ghost, Gemini ran off to her room while he returned to his to prepare for Ezra's test. He ended up being late, of course, not that Kanan was surprised.
——————
Weeks later, Ezra was almost finished with his lightsaber. She impatiently shifted from foot to foot, bouncing the box from hand to hand. She had modified the Borg device she had received from Icheb so it would adequately distribute energy from the crystal to the top of the saber. She was eager to finally find out if it worked.
Ezra slid down the ladder to the Phantom holding what appeared to be his lightsaber. He held it out to Kanan. "I thought I'd let you check it out first."
Kanan turned it over in his hands a couple of times. "Well, it's different, but that seems about right for you."
Ezra turned to her, suddenly eager to see her own saber.
She couldn't help but grin back at him as she sat on the floor and opened the box. Using the Force, she lifted the pieces into the air and let them slide and lock into place. The leather strips were placed last, held in place by a few more invisible screws. She opened her eyes, grabbing it out of the air.
She held it out to Kanan, who grabbed it gently. He ran his fingers over the metal. "I've never felt anything like this."
Sabine stared at it eagerly. "What's powering it?"
"Need to know," she responded, to Sabine's chagrin.
Kanan nodded in approval and handed it back.
"You ready?" Ezra asked.
Kanan smiled. "Go for it."
She and Ezra ignited their lightsabers. Ezra stared proudly at his bright blue one, and she looked happily at her own, which glowed Borg green.
——————
Voyager's Bridge was currently filled with chatter. Tom Paris and Harry Kim were in discussion about their latest holodeck adventure, while B'Elanna Torres looked on from her station in amusement. Commander Chakotay rolled his eyes, turning back to his PADD with a smirk.
Captain Janeway entered the Bridge, coffee mug in one hand and a PADD in the other. She was in a good mood, the senior officers could tell.
"Did you see this report about that nebula we passed yesterday?" Janeway asked excitedly, the science officer in her rising to the surface.
Chakotay grinned, and opened his mouth to respond.
The turbo lift doors slid open. "I hope I am not interrupting, Captain," Icheb said, drawing the attention of the bridge officers.
Captain Janeway smiled kindly, setting down her PADD and standing to her feet. "Not at all, Icheb. What brings you to the Bridge?"
"I have news regarding Cadet Sarah Hadwin."
Captain Janeway's mug was suddenly a lot emptier than it had been.