Kallus woke early and looked out of the window toward the city that he remembered as a boy. The early sunlight glittered off of the tall buildings that covered the planet's surface. Buildings built on top of one another. Growing up, he rarely saw a sunrise like this one. The sun's light had a difficult time penetrating the dark shadows of the lower levels where he'd grown up.
Out there, right now, his younger self was waking up to a dismal existence and didn't really have any hope of escaping it. He had such simple dreams back then. He just wanted a real home and a family. He'd finally found that on the Shadow Chaser with Kiara. His family also included the crew of the Ghost. They weren't here but Kiara and the ship were. He knew that his teenaged self wouldn't ever believe the life that he'd lived so far.
"Hey." Kiara walked up and found Alex looking particularly pensive. "Cabin fever already setting in?"
"That happened the moment that we were told that we couldn't leave, yesterday."
"Well, we could still go and explore the temple."
"So long as we take our shadows outside the door with us." Kallus shook his head. "I'm not really interested, anyway."
"You haven't been on Coruscant in a long time, have you?" Kiara slipped an arm around his waist and leaned her head on this shoulder. "Bringing up some memories?"
"Maybe. Some that should have been left in the past." He stared out the window and rested his cheek on top of Kiara's head. "But I was also thinking about us." Kiara moved her head just enough to look up at him so he continued. "Say what you want about the Empire but it did get both of us out of the lives we had before it. And it brought both of us together. Now that things are changing, will our younger selves find one another?"
Kiara shook her head as she leaned back into Alex. "I don't know. I'm still on Lothal in this time and if it wasn't for the Empire and the Inquisitors, I likely would have lived there for the rest of my life. Few really leave the planet. And while I would have loved studying archaeology still, my father wouldn't have sent me to school for it. He sent me on a dig but that was to get me away from Lothal for when the Inquisitors were sent for me."
Kallus tightened his arm around Kiara at the mentioning of the man and his decision to make it easier for the Emperor's dark acolytes to find her. "And even fewer escape the lower levels of Coruscant."
"But you'd be one of those few," Kiara said with confidence. "You aren't one to just be satisfied with what you are able to scrounge for."
Alex snickered. "And you are, I suppose?" He felt her shrug and wondered if there was a way to help their younger selves just as much as they were trying to help the galaxy at large.
Kiara left Alex in the suite that they'd been assigned to. No doubt it was designed for dignitaries. It was too large and opulent for her tastes. But then, much of the temple could fit that description. She took a lift along with her clone guard and asked if he had any suggestions of places where she could go to explore.
"I'm sorry, I don't. There are few places that non-Jedi are permitted. To be honest, I've not come this far into the temple before."
Kiara bit her lip and nodded. "Alright. Well, I suppose I'll just return to the gym. Perhaps Master Billaba and her padawan will be able to return to the planet's surface. But in the meantime, if the cause of my staying here is for my safety, then perhaps I should work on taking it more into my own hands."
"Very well, Ma'am." The clone started to lead the woman through the cavernous corridors toward where she may be able to meet up with the Jedi in question.
"Forgive me, but I don't think I caught your name," Kiara asked as she took the leisurely stroll toward the gym.
The clone eyed the stranger since few wanted to speak to clones, much less learn their names. "Trip, Ma'am."
"Trip?"
"Yes, Ma'am. My number is CT-9333."
"So, Trip stands for triple threes? I like it, Trip. And please, my name is Kiara. I don't stand much on ceremony."
"Yes, Ma'a- Kiara. May I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"You know that you and your friend are just about all that many can talk about." Kiara paused in her steps as she turned to the clone. Trip paused and turned toward her as well. "Is what they say about you true?"
Kiara chewed the inside of her cheek as she considered how she should best answer his question. "I suppose I wouldn't be garnering the attention that I have and placed in that suite here in the temple if it wasn't. But you are wondering more about what is being said regarding...?"
"That we have chips that can be used to control us?" Trip pressed since he was surprised to find the woman so willing to speak with him.
Kiara let out a breath. "You and your brothers have been given a terrible role to play in history. But, hopefully, we can change that role and how history will unfold."
Trip stared at the woman and looked for any sign of dishonesty but found none. He briskly nodded and turned to continue to lead her to where she hoped to find Master Billaba. He'd been taken in the night before to have his own inhibitor chip removed. He supposed that those who were stationed here at the temple were among the first who would have theirs removed. When he was asked to go to the medical bay he was told that there was an issue with the chips and there was a cause for concern that they may develop tumors around them. So the Jedi hadn't told them the truth about the chips or their need to have them removed.
Trip supposed that it was only to be expected. He'd spoken with Billaba's commander, Commander Grey, when he was stationed at the temple the day before when the woman was here. He'd told Trip what he'd been told by the man whom he and his comrade, Gambit, were stationed to guard and escort around the temple about the chips' true purpose. He'd not believed it but then he and Gambit were brought in to have their inhibitor chips removed... Add that to the fact that recently there were rumors regarding the chips when another clone, one named Fives, tried to share what he'd learned with those who would listen. The few clones who had heard the man had assumed that he was delusional at the time. But now...
When the pair approached the workout area Kiara was surprised to be met with by Rex and his general. "Master Skywalker, to what do I owe this honor."
"I was hoping that I could speak with you in private. You know, without Master Windu around to cause both you and your friend to become more aggravated than needed." Anakin gave a smile as he chuckled. "Not that I can't say that I didn't enjoy the both of you putting him in his place yesterday."
"Why do I get the feeling that I did what you have wanted to do for years?" She couldn't help the snicker that escaped her.
"Perhaps because you are astute in your ability to read other people."
Kiara joined in the laughter. "If you only knew."
"I'll see to her," Anakin said to the clone escort to allow him to leave.
"As you wish, Sir." With that, Trip lowered his head briefly before he left.
"So, where shall we talk?"
"Actually, I was hoping that you'd show me around your ship. From what I've heard, you've made quite a few upgrades and I'd love to get a look at them."
"A bit of a gear-head, yourself?"
"Maybe. I used to work on all sorts of ships and droids when I was younger and I still enjoy getting a little grease under the nails from time to time."
"Mind if we have Alex tag along? He's already going out of his mind being stuck in the temple."
Anakin shrugged, "I'll have Gambit escort him to the ship."
"In that case, lead the way."
"Master Kallus! Mistress Kiara!" Tac floated down the ramp and greeted his humans enthusiastically. "I'm pleased to inform you that the ship's systems are fully functional once more."
"That's good to hear. Now if only we could put them to the test," Kallus eyed the clone escort as well as the Jedi.
"I'll show you the cockpit." Kiara said to Skywalker as she gave Alex a look which caused him roll his eyes.
Fine, he won't say anything else that might offend the other men. "I'll take this opportunity to change into a fresh set of clothes. We didn't exactly have any warning to pack a bag before we were moved into the temple."
Anakin indicated to the escort that he and Rex could take over his duties for now. In the cockpit he sat in the captain's chair and examined the clear indication that the ship has been modified for combat. He looked over the control panel and eyed a switch that didn't seem to have originally been a part of the panel. He filed its presence away for later before he began the conversation that he'd been wanting to have since the day before.
"Yesterday, you mentioned the balance of the force," Anakin started. "And mentioned that you studied another theology. Could you tell me more about it?"
"About the Kwa?" Anakin nodded so she tried to figure out a way to explain the Kwa to him. "They are an older Order than the Jedi. Even older than the Je'daii. Both, though, stressed balance in the force. I studied at an ancient temple that had long ago been forgotten."
"How did you find it?"
Kiara laughed. "Lots of research of ancient temples. And of course an awful lot of luck."
"Were is that temple at?"
"Why?"
Anakin shrugged. "I might be interested in going to take a look around."
"I'm not sure that would be a good idea. You have to be fairly balanced to be allowed inside the Gateway of Knowledge. If you try to go in and you aren't, then you will be killed."
He lowered his eyes before he spoke back up. "Have you ever heard of any of the Jedi prophecies? Especially the one about the Chosen One?"
"No," Kiara said slowly as she waited for the man to continue. "Should I have?"
"Probably not," he then added, "I sort of wish I hadn't."
That had her full attention. "So what is it? What does it say?"
"There is a prophecy that states that there will be one Jedi who will help to restore balance to the Jedi." Anakin paused before he continued, "The master who found me was convinced that I was destined to be that Jedi."
Kiara blinked at the statement. "And they told you that? Talk about being burdened with the expectation of greatness."
Anakin snickered. "It was his dying wish that I be trained to be a Jedi. I suppose I've been trying to live up to his faith in me ever since."
"One thing that I don't get, if the Jedi knew that they were unbalanced, and that prophecy clearly indicates that they do know that they are and have been for sometime, then why haven't they done anything to change things?"
Anakin eyed Kiara before shaking his head. "Huh. I guess I haven't really thought about that."
"Seems to be unfair to put all that pressure on you without anyone else willing to put in the work to change the balance of the Order."
"You know, I have to agree with you." Anakin stared out of the cockpit up toward the sky. "So, do you think that you can share more of what the teachings of the Kwa are?"
"Wouldn't that be sacrilegious or something here at the Jedi Temple?"
"I suppose it would be." Anakin let out a breath. His eyes drifted back over to the switch that he'd spotted earlier. "What's that for?"
Kiara followed where the man indicated. "Oh, um," she swallowed hard before she answered, "That's the switch that operates the cloaking device."
Anakin's eyes went wide. "This ship has a cloaking device?"
Kiara nodded. "It wasn't easy to save up for, that's for sure."
"No doubt." Anakin was then struck by inspiration. "You and your friend aren't happy with remaining on Coruscant, right?"
"Right," she answered a bit suspiciously. "Why?"
"And this ship has a force suppression bubble around it so as long as you are in or near it then no one can sense you. Which is one of the reasons why the council wanted you to remain at the temple, correct?"
"Uh huh," Kiara suspected she knew where this conversation was going but that was ridiculous, right?
"Then what do you say to leaving the temple and then we can discuss more about the Kwa."
Kiara laughed. "And you could get a demonstration of the cloak while we are at it?"
"Exactly!" The Jedi's smile was so wide that it was infectious.
"And you won't get into trouble?"
"No more than usual," Anakin said it so matter-of-fact that it was clear to Kiara that he was used to pushing the limits. "So, what do you say?"
Kiara thought for a few seconds before she nodded. "I say let's go for it." She pressed a button to let both Kallus and Rex as well as Tac to be prepared for take-off. "Hey, you two, strap in. We're going to give Master Skywalker a test flight of the ship."
"General Skywalker, is that wise?" Rex asked since he had been present when the man had informed the pair that the two would be guests of the Jedi temple for the foreseeable future.
"Of course." Anakin was halfway through the take off procedures and noticed that as he did so that the ship's owner was working on activating the cloak at the same time. "And don't worry, you won't be blamed for my actions."
"Oh no? I'll be sure to tell Master Kenobi that you made that promise."
"You just leave him to me."
"Don't I always?"
Anakin steered the ship upward away from the busy traffic patterns and made for the upper atmosphere as Kiara activated the Cloak and digital scrambler just as the comm indicated that the planetary traffic control was contacting them regarding the fact that they didn't seek permission to take off. Once the ship went invisible though Kiara switched the comm off.
"No point in listening to them panic over the fact that they can't find us on their scans any longer. Though I'm sure that there will be a lot of activity down there trying to determine if we are a threat, now."
"In a way, I kind of wish I could watch." The Jedi chuckled at the mental image of what he suspected was going on at flight traffic control.
"Well, should we set the ship in an orbit? Or what were you planning for this little excursion?"
"Actually, I still was hoping that we could go to that temple that you were talking about. And you could tell me more about the Kwa." Anakin spun in the chair to look at the woman beside him. "I really do want to know more. And if I was more in balance with the force, would that mean that I'd be better able to protect those that I care about?"
Kiara eyed him. "I thought that in this time it was looked down on for Jedi to have people that they care about... Like that, at least."
"It is. But just because it is forbidden doesn't mean you can just cut yourself off from people, you know?"
"Oh, I know. And trust me, my brother in the future has a family and it hasn't made him any less able to be a great Jedi."
"Really?"
Kiara nodded. "He's been able to draw on his feelings for the people he loves to become stronger while still maintaining his devotion to the force. I never could see why teaching how to do that wasn't part of the Jedi teachings. The belief that a person can't have both is a relatively new teaching on the grand scale of things. Have others been steered toward the dark side thanks to an unhealthy relationship? I'm sure that they have. But that would be all the more reason to teach how to balance a relationship, instead, right?"
"I tend to agree. So?" Anakin waited patiently while he waited for the woman to put the coordinates into the nav-computer. When she did he typed in the sequence to send the ship into hyperspace. When the ship made the jump he heard the footfalls of the other men joining them in the cockpit.
"General Skywalker, I thought we were only going to go up into orbit. Where are we going?"
"You know, I'm not sure?" Anakin turned to Kiara? "What planet are we going to?"
"Dathomir."
"The same planet that Asajj Ventress is from?" Anakin questioned.
"Perhaps. I don't know who that is. We'll be going to a continent that is uninhabited, though."
"And what reason are we going there?" Kallus wanted to know.
"We are going to help Master Skywalker find his balance."
