The Kyber Queen

by AsAmyAsAlways

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... Thalia, Princess of Troska, the planet home to the galaxy's only source of Kyber Crystal, closed the caves to both Sith and Jedi, hoping to end the violence fuelled by their destructive power. But when the Separatists retaliate against her pacifist ways, a young Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Master Qui-Gonn are sent to keep her safe.

1. A long time ago

OBI-WAN

"I have a bad feeling about this." Obi-Wan muttered, stroking his beard with his thumb and forefinger as he looked out the front window of the Republic shuttle. Beside him stood his fellow Jedi and apprentice Anakin Skywalker.

Ahead of them was the planet he never thought he'd see again, but had longed for, for so long. Last time Obi-Wan had been on Troska, he'd made the decision to leave the Jedi Order for the woman he'd fallen in love with. But that was fifteen years ago, he'd still been a Padawan under the guidance of his master Qui-Gonn and she was a Princess; the ruler of Troska and leader of the council of Neutral Systems. Now, he was a General in the Army of the Grand Republic, he'd mentored his own padawan and now his padawan had an apprentice of his own. She was now Queen and was in charge of over three thousand neutral systems.

"I sense some anxiety from you about the Queen." Anakin said beside him, eyeing his Master suspiciously.

"It's nothing." Obi-Wan replied quickly.

"Have you ever met her? I hear she's quite…determined." Anakin wondered.

"She is, indeed." He nodded with a chuckle, knowing the Queen's stubbornness all to well. At Anakin's raised eyebrow, Obi-Wan shrugged and folded his arms over his chest. "I knew her, a long time ago."

"Really?" The Jedi asked curiously.

"An extended mission on Troska when I was younger. Master Qui-Gonn and I spent over a year protecting her from Bounty Hunters and Sith that didn't share her neutral point of view." Obi-Wan explained.

"Hmm, and closing off access to the only source of Kyber Crystals in the galaxy probably doesn't help matters." Anakin nodded.

"No, she suffered a great deal and once the war was declared, Troska and most of the other neutral systems were flattened by the Separatists. She's spent the last fifteen years rebuilding her planet and helping others do the same." Obi-Wan nodded, the regret sounding clear even to him.

"You didn't stay to help?" Anakin asked, surprised. He knew Obi-Wan would never ignore a call for help, especially from someone he knew, and it sounded like he knew the Queen quite well.

"That would have been problematic. My duty as a Jedi demanded I be elsewhere, though I do regret it." He replied, choosing his words carefully.

"Well, in that case, don't worry. She couldn't be in safer hands." Anakin concluded and Obi-Wan nodded in agreement, but the uneasy feeling only grew stronger.

What was to meet him on Troska after fifteen years?