Turning quickly, the Jedi Master left the chambers, leaving a very confused and very disturbed Padawan. Kiana hurried out after him, turning the corner toward Qui-Gon's quarters. She didn't slow her pace until she was ringing his bell.
//Come in Padawan!// Qui-Gon called. Kiana nearly jumped out of her shoes. She had no idea that her and QUi-Gon already had established a training bond. //Yes, we have established the bond. It is unusually strong, I sense.//
Kiana palmed open the door to find her Master seated on the sofa. "Master? I must speak with you. I don't know what to make of this all." She settled down next to Qui-Gon, leaning into him when he placed an arm over her shoulder. Tucking her head up under his arm, she spoke.
"Master Yoda says that in the future I will lifebond with another Jedi. And that when this happens we will be more powerful than ever. And that under no circumstances can I allow myself to be killed, because we are the only chance of killing the Sith Master. Do you know what he is talking about?"
Qui-Gon's heart leapt into his throat. Yoda must have been quite certain about Kiana's fate. He had warned her numerous times and even disclosed important news to the young girl to emphasize his point. "Kiana, the Sith are, as you probably know, the greatest enemy of the Jedi. We thought they were extinct for a millenia, but we found out on Naboo that they weren't." He hesitated, but continued when Kiana shifted. "The Sith apprentice, we fought him on Naboo, Obi-Wan and I. He nearly killed Obi-Wan, it was sheer will of the Force and my stubbornness that kept him alive. It was touch and go for a while. If the Sith apprentice bested a Knight and nearly bested a Master, surely HIS Master is very powerful. I can see why Yoda is warning you. But I hate you having to bear this burden, Padawan. Don't fret. I will do everything in my power to protect you. As will Yoda and Obi-Wan I am sure. You are not alone in this, Padawan. Never alone again..."
Kiana smiled to herself. Sitting here, curled up beside her Master she felt safe. Nothing would hurt her as long as this man and his friends were protecting her. Sighing, Kiana moved up. "Ok. Maybe I should get my things from my old room."
Qui-Gon stood now. "Good idea, I will help you with that. Lead the way Padawan." She turned to walk away, but suddenly Qui-Gon grabbed her shoulder. "Wait! I've over looked something. Your braid."
She frowned. "Oh yeah. I had forgotten as well." Sitting back down, she waited for Qui-Gon to fetch the brush and tie. He stood behind her and gently seperated a portion of hair from behind her right ear. Braiding it quickly, soon the ritual was over.
"There. NOW we can go my Padawan." Kiana smiled lightly and nodded.
"Yes, Master. Now we can go." She turned and walked out the door again. Heading down the corridor toward the initiate hallway, both Master and Apprentice were silent. The air was tense with anxiety. Both of their thoughts dwelt on the visions Kiana had witnessed.
Rounding a corner, Kiana slowed. She sensed his presence before she saw him and knew they would have collided. "Obi-Wan? What a pleasant surprise. We were just going to bring Kiana's things to my quarters." Qui-Gon smiled, acknowledging his former apprentices bow.
Under normal circumstances, Obi-Wan would have smiled, maybe even cracked a joke. Instead he frowned. "Qui-Gon, I'm sorry I bring bad news. You, Kiana and myself are to leave at once on a very important, very dangerous mission. The Council wished me to come fetch you for a meeting. I tried your comlink, but you weren't answering."
Nodding seriously, Qui-Gon replied. "I had it turned off, Obi-Wan. Kiana and myself were engaged in a serious talk about something Master Yoda told her about." Turning to the girl, he continued. "Come. We mustn't keep the Council waiting long."
Kiana hesitated only a second, then fell into step with the Jedi Master and Knight. Tension filled the air as they walked through the corridors toward the turbolift. The Jedi Council chamber was located at the top of the highest spire of the Temple. It boasted a magnificient view of the Coruscant cityscape, the best in the Temple.
There was no doubt in Kiana's mind that this mission was what her vision had been warning her about. With any luck her Master could save her from the fate. There had to be some reason the Force paired the two together, if not this, then why else?
She tried to think of other things, worrying would get her no where. But for some reason, it seemed as though the Force was trying to talk to her, tell her something more about the future. Soon, the three of them were standing in the entrance to the Jedi High Council chamber.
Immediately, Kiana's gaze turned to Master Yoda. His face was unreadable however and she frowned slightly. "Now that you three have arrived, we can brief you on this new mission." Mace Windu sat up straight. "I'll not lie to you, this isn't going to be easy. The last team we sent on the mission was killed. Master Conso and Padawan Nisu were both slain at the hands of this age-old adversary." He took a deep breath before continuing. "The Sith, of millenia past, have returned. And they have already begun their destruction of our order. People believe them to be rogue Jedi, and they are starting to trust us less and less. We MUST defeat the Sith. And that defeat lies in YOUR hands."
Yoda looked pointedly at Kiana. "Dangerous for you this mission will be. Seen its outcome you and I have. But....changed the picture we have by sending with you Knight Kenobi and Master Jinn. Lucky I hope you will be. Adverse to sending a new Padawan I was, but inevitable it is."
Kiana couldn't shake the feeling of dread. She was afraid of death, despite the Jedi saying that "There is no death, there is only the Force." Sure, that might comfort a full Jedi Knight with many years under their belts, but it was of little consolation to a 12 year old girl at the beginning of her life.
Knowing she was meant to say something here, Kiana worked up her courage and spoke strongly. "I will be careful, Master." It was all she could say to them, because it was really all she could do.
Mace turned to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. "All the necessary information for your mission will be downloaded to the ships computers. The trip to Aleden will take you about a week, there should be plenty of time for you to study things."
The two Knights nodded and turned to leave. Kiana was about to follow suit when Master Yoda called to her. "Wait you will, Kiana." He called. "Something for you I have."
Kiana was confused, but she didn't show it. What could Master Yoda possibly have to give her? He reached into the folds of his cloak and withdrew a pendent on a long chain. Beckoning for the girl to come forward, Yoda knocked her in the knees with his gimer stick. "Lower you must get."
She smiled lightly and knelt down in front of him. He put a hand on her shoulder and spoke to her through the Force. //Guide and protect you this will. It comes from my land it does. Wear it always.// He placed the chain around her neck and then smacked her with the stick again. "Go you must."
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had watched this exchange with awe. Never before had they seen something like this in the Council chambers before. It was very unlike Yoda to display such affection and worry for any Jedi. Especially a new Padawan going on their first mission. But then again, rarely did the Council send Master/Padawan teams on dangerous missions such as this one for their first experience together.
"May the Force be with you all." The Council said together.
The three bowed and exited the Council chambers. Qui-Gon turned to Kiana once they had left. "For Yoda to bestow such a gift on you, means that he has strong visions regarding your future, Padawan. We must be extra cautious. " He looked to Obi-Wan. "We will meet you aboard ship."
The young Knight nodded and turned to go to his quarters. It would not take the three long to gather their equipment for the trip, Jedi traveled very lightly. They didn't need much on missions that they couldn't procure from the planets they visited. This time however, Qui-Gon planned on packing very well in case of a medical emergency. He wasn't going to take any chances.
"Master? Have you seen my datapad? I can't seem to find it."
He laughed. "We've only been living in these quarters for one day together and already we are losing things. Why don't you check on the counter in the kitchen." HE smiled, knowing full well that is where the girl had left the pad when she had gone to explore the quarters earlier.
She jumped back into the room. "Thank you Master. I never would have thought to look there."
He smiled. "What are you going to do with that on the trip? You are going to be very busy reading up on the mission parameters."
Kiana nodded. "Yes, Master. I know that, but I am going to download it all to this pad. I wrote a program that will fool the computer into allowing that much data to be in the datapad. I like having free run of the ship while I study!"
If the Master had been impressed with her fighting abilities, he was becoming more and more impressed with her mental abilites. "Where did you learn how to program, Padawan?" She looked up at him.
"I spent a lot of time in the library, I read about it in some of the old books. You know, actual paper
ones. I loved to read them, and I even own a few."
Qui-Gon nodded. "Obi-Wan also had an affinity for those old books. I never understood why he read the paper ones however."
The girl paused in her packing. "I guess its just cool to imagine who used to own all those old books Master. Sometimes you can feel their presense in the books."
//Come in Padawan!// Qui-Gon called. Kiana nearly jumped out of her shoes. She had no idea that her and QUi-Gon already had established a training bond. //Yes, we have established the bond. It is unusually strong, I sense.//
Kiana palmed open the door to find her Master seated on the sofa. "Master? I must speak with you. I don't know what to make of this all." She settled down next to Qui-Gon, leaning into him when he placed an arm over her shoulder. Tucking her head up under his arm, she spoke.
"Master Yoda says that in the future I will lifebond with another Jedi. And that when this happens we will be more powerful than ever. And that under no circumstances can I allow myself to be killed, because we are the only chance of killing the Sith Master. Do you know what he is talking about?"
Qui-Gon's heart leapt into his throat. Yoda must have been quite certain about Kiana's fate. He had warned her numerous times and even disclosed important news to the young girl to emphasize his point. "Kiana, the Sith are, as you probably know, the greatest enemy of the Jedi. We thought they were extinct for a millenia, but we found out on Naboo that they weren't." He hesitated, but continued when Kiana shifted. "The Sith apprentice, we fought him on Naboo, Obi-Wan and I. He nearly killed Obi-Wan, it was sheer will of the Force and my stubbornness that kept him alive. It was touch and go for a while. If the Sith apprentice bested a Knight and nearly bested a Master, surely HIS Master is very powerful. I can see why Yoda is warning you. But I hate you having to bear this burden, Padawan. Don't fret. I will do everything in my power to protect you. As will Yoda and Obi-Wan I am sure. You are not alone in this, Padawan. Never alone again..."
Kiana smiled to herself. Sitting here, curled up beside her Master she felt safe. Nothing would hurt her as long as this man and his friends were protecting her. Sighing, Kiana moved up. "Ok. Maybe I should get my things from my old room."
Qui-Gon stood now. "Good idea, I will help you with that. Lead the way Padawan." She turned to walk away, but suddenly Qui-Gon grabbed her shoulder. "Wait! I've over looked something. Your braid."
She frowned. "Oh yeah. I had forgotten as well." Sitting back down, she waited for Qui-Gon to fetch the brush and tie. He stood behind her and gently seperated a portion of hair from behind her right ear. Braiding it quickly, soon the ritual was over.
"There. NOW we can go my Padawan." Kiana smiled lightly and nodded.
"Yes, Master. Now we can go." She turned and walked out the door again. Heading down the corridor toward the initiate hallway, both Master and Apprentice were silent. The air was tense with anxiety. Both of their thoughts dwelt on the visions Kiana had witnessed.
Rounding a corner, Kiana slowed. She sensed his presence before she saw him and knew they would have collided. "Obi-Wan? What a pleasant surprise. We were just going to bring Kiana's things to my quarters." Qui-Gon smiled, acknowledging his former apprentices bow.
Under normal circumstances, Obi-Wan would have smiled, maybe even cracked a joke. Instead he frowned. "Qui-Gon, I'm sorry I bring bad news. You, Kiana and myself are to leave at once on a very important, very dangerous mission. The Council wished me to come fetch you for a meeting. I tried your comlink, but you weren't answering."
Nodding seriously, Qui-Gon replied. "I had it turned off, Obi-Wan. Kiana and myself were engaged in a serious talk about something Master Yoda told her about." Turning to the girl, he continued. "Come. We mustn't keep the Council waiting long."
Kiana hesitated only a second, then fell into step with the Jedi Master and Knight. Tension filled the air as they walked through the corridors toward the turbolift. The Jedi Council chamber was located at the top of the highest spire of the Temple. It boasted a magnificient view of the Coruscant cityscape, the best in the Temple.
There was no doubt in Kiana's mind that this mission was what her vision had been warning her about. With any luck her Master could save her from the fate. There had to be some reason the Force paired the two together, if not this, then why else?
She tried to think of other things, worrying would get her no where. But for some reason, it seemed as though the Force was trying to talk to her, tell her something more about the future. Soon, the three of them were standing in the entrance to the Jedi High Council chamber.
Immediately, Kiana's gaze turned to Master Yoda. His face was unreadable however and she frowned slightly. "Now that you three have arrived, we can brief you on this new mission." Mace Windu sat up straight. "I'll not lie to you, this isn't going to be easy. The last team we sent on the mission was killed. Master Conso and Padawan Nisu were both slain at the hands of this age-old adversary." He took a deep breath before continuing. "The Sith, of millenia past, have returned. And they have already begun their destruction of our order. People believe them to be rogue Jedi, and they are starting to trust us less and less. We MUST defeat the Sith. And that defeat lies in YOUR hands."
Yoda looked pointedly at Kiana. "Dangerous for you this mission will be. Seen its outcome you and I have. But....changed the picture we have by sending with you Knight Kenobi and Master Jinn. Lucky I hope you will be. Adverse to sending a new Padawan I was, but inevitable it is."
Kiana couldn't shake the feeling of dread. She was afraid of death, despite the Jedi saying that "There is no death, there is only the Force." Sure, that might comfort a full Jedi Knight with many years under their belts, but it was of little consolation to a 12 year old girl at the beginning of her life.
Knowing she was meant to say something here, Kiana worked up her courage and spoke strongly. "I will be careful, Master." It was all she could say to them, because it was really all she could do.
Mace turned to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. "All the necessary information for your mission will be downloaded to the ships computers. The trip to Aleden will take you about a week, there should be plenty of time for you to study things."
The two Knights nodded and turned to leave. Kiana was about to follow suit when Master Yoda called to her. "Wait you will, Kiana." He called. "Something for you I have."
Kiana was confused, but she didn't show it. What could Master Yoda possibly have to give her? He reached into the folds of his cloak and withdrew a pendent on a long chain. Beckoning for the girl to come forward, Yoda knocked her in the knees with his gimer stick. "Lower you must get."
She smiled lightly and knelt down in front of him. He put a hand on her shoulder and spoke to her through the Force. //Guide and protect you this will. It comes from my land it does. Wear it always.// He placed the chain around her neck and then smacked her with the stick again. "Go you must."
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had watched this exchange with awe. Never before had they seen something like this in the Council chambers before. It was very unlike Yoda to display such affection and worry for any Jedi. Especially a new Padawan going on their first mission. But then again, rarely did the Council send Master/Padawan teams on dangerous missions such as this one for their first experience together.
"May the Force be with you all." The Council said together.
The three bowed and exited the Council chambers. Qui-Gon turned to Kiana once they had left. "For Yoda to bestow such a gift on you, means that he has strong visions regarding your future, Padawan. We must be extra cautious. " He looked to Obi-Wan. "We will meet you aboard ship."
The young Knight nodded and turned to go to his quarters. It would not take the three long to gather their equipment for the trip, Jedi traveled very lightly. They didn't need much on missions that they couldn't procure from the planets they visited. This time however, Qui-Gon planned on packing very well in case of a medical emergency. He wasn't going to take any chances.
"Master? Have you seen my datapad? I can't seem to find it."
He laughed. "We've only been living in these quarters for one day together and already we are losing things. Why don't you check on the counter in the kitchen." HE smiled, knowing full well that is where the girl had left the pad when she had gone to explore the quarters earlier.
She jumped back into the room. "Thank you Master. I never would have thought to look there."
He smiled. "What are you going to do with that on the trip? You are going to be very busy reading up on the mission parameters."
Kiana nodded. "Yes, Master. I know that, but I am going to download it all to this pad. I wrote a program that will fool the computer into allowing that much data to be in the datapad. I like having free run of the ship while I study!"
If the Master had been impressed with her fighting abilities, he was becoming more and more impressed with her mental abilites. "Where did you learn how to program, Padawan?" She looked up at him.
"I spent a lot of time in the library, I read about it in some of the old books. You know, actual paper
ones. I loved to read them, and I even own a few."
Qui-Gon nodded. "Obi-Wan also had an affinity for those old books. I never understood why he read the paper ones however."
The girl paused in her packing. "I guess its just cool to imagine who used to own all those old books Master. Sometimes you can feel their presense in the books."