Tahiri pushed the hyperspace controls forward and dropped her ship back into real space. Looking out the forward view port she could see the artificial glow of Denon as it grew in her sights. She felt slightly sick as she saw the planet reflect sunlight back and saw it was a city-planet like Coruscant had been. She wasn't quite sure which half was expressing itself as she looked at the planet. Old 'Tahiri Veila' had been raised in the deserts of Tatooine and the jungles of Yavin 4 surrounded by the pulse of life and the Force while 'Riina Kwaad' grew up on the World ship as it traveled to this galaxy. Neither one of them would like living on a world such as Coruscant or Denon. Living on the Double Trouble was one thing, it had never been a living-breathing thing, but to live on an abomination that Denon represented was something else. To her, it was a perverse joke to cover planets with so much metal that the natural life was no longer able to grow on its own. She could only hope that her new master would understand her desire to leave Denon as soon as possible.
Behind her, she heard the access hatch open.
"What is wrong?" Master Horn said from behind her.
"Nothing we just arrived."
"Something is wrong."
"Why do you say that?" She was in her Yuuzhan Vong mode; he shouldn't be able to feel her discomfort at the sight of Denon.
"I know you Tahiri, as soon as we dropped out of hyperspace you switched modes. Giving your history, I figured you were trying to hide your dislike of Denon from me." Tahiri could feel his stare burning into her soul.
"It is perverse Master Horn, nothing can grow down there naturally." She felt an echo of something from him, she let her normal Force awareness flow back in her. He was now blocking her from reading him.
"It is the way things are Tahiri."
Something in his tone was challenging and testing her again.
"I'm not a techno-hater, you know, Little Brother, Double Trouble and other things are ok. Little Brother is as natural as you or I, Master Horn. But to kill a living breathing planet and do that to it." She shook her head in disgust.
"In a way, Denon is still a living planet. There are people and animals who live there."
"Artificially Master Horn," she said turning to look up at him, "like Coruscant used to be. When I went there with Master Skywalker and the Wraiths I saw first hand what happens when a planet like that is cut off from the rest of the galaxy. Not only did the survivors have to deal with toxic air, fowl water and hunting parties of Yuuzhan Vong, but food was so scares that death by starvations was more common then any other kind of death. There were parties of cannibals that roamed the under city because they couldn't find anything else to eat." She turned back to her control board. "At least on real planets they would had the chance of finding some kind of food or at least wild animals to eat. On Coruscant …" She let her voice trail off.
Surprisingly Master Horn didn't say anything else after that; she felt that she won that round. When her communication board chirped at her, he was even nice enough to handle the duty of talking to Denon Control.
"They are sending us a course to follow, I uploading it to your navigation panel. We are to by-pass normal custom routine, immigrations formalities are already done and we have priority landing."
"Is that good or bad?" She said locking in the new course.
"Yes." When she turned to glare at him, she saw him give her a grin full of humor. "Don't worry most of the Jedi are able to by-pass customs on Denon. Other planets we are treated like regular citizens so don't get to use to this."
"Why do you supposed they break the rules for us here?"
"Luke could never get a straight answer on that and he is divided on how to handle this. While it is nice that the Jedi can move freely on and off Denon, it smacks of elitism. Luke want to make sure that the Jedi are treated as any other citizens, many of the problems we had during the Yuuzhan Vong war was contributed to how other see us. Many saw us as elites who thought they were too good to be around 'normal' folks. It didn't help many Jedi were acting in a very arrogant manner before the war."
"Master Skywalker always warned us that arrogance was of the dark side; I never thought about it but I can see how it could effected how others saw us."
"Yes, many already mistrust us because of what they think we are. Add a arrogant, know-it-all, self-righteous attitude on top of that and you can see why even the best people can look at us with suspicion."
"How do we fight that?" She asked truly wondering. If she can change people's attitude towards Jedi, she might find a way to get people to change their minds about Yuuzhan Vong. One day hopefully get people to see her without fear.
"You can show people by being the best Jedi you can be. By working with people, not talking down to them or assuming you know all. By remembering that you can only change someone's mind by showing them and educating them to what the truth is." He paused and put his hand on her right shoulder. "Once people learn that you want to work with them and not against them, they will start to trust you. But remember you are a Jedi, even if you are a human/Yuuzhan Vong, you are still a Jedi it won't be easy to change their mind. Don't let it get to you, just keep doing what you need to do."
"I will try to remember Master. I'm wonder if I can change people's minds about Jedi if I could also change people's minds about the Yuuzhan Vong?"
"Maybe," he answered in a thoughtful tone, "back when I was flying with the Rogue Squadron and you came up to me and told me that one day we would not only have peace with the Empire but work closely with them. Well if I didn't have you arrested as a traitor on the spot I would have at least had you investigated. Some times the only way to change people's perceptions about an old enemy is time. Tell me did all the Yuuzhan Vong on Zonama Sekot like us now?"
"No, some think if I hadn't," she paused and restarted hoping Master Horn would miss that pause, "if they hadn't followed Shirrma corrupt rule they would had the gods blessing and won the war."
"I see." She gave a silent sigh, she should known he wouldn't miss anything but he didn't pursued that line of thought. "Again Tahiri, it maybe only after time can all sides see each other in a new light. But that is for the future, lets keep our minds on the here and now. I will send Little Brother up here to help you, I think Valin has gotten beat enough playing Sabacc against him."
"Thanks Master Horn." Tahiri answered with a smile and a short laugh.
Tahiri touched down in her assigned spot at the Jedi hanger at the Main Government Landing Field. Looking out her view port she could see Master Horn's, Master Durron's, Master Skywalker's and Jaina Solo's X-wings sitting off to the sides. All four X-wings were clean and repainted waiting for their owners to return to them. None of the X-wings had their R2 units with them. Also in the hanger was Master Jade-Skywalker's frieghter, the Jade Shadow. She didn't see the Millennium Falcon nor did she see Master Horn's wife's ship, Pulsar Skate. She did, however, see Master Skywalker standing by himself near the hatchway waiting for them to disembark from the Double Trouble. She was kind of surprised to see him by himself; she figured her new master would be standing next to him. As soon as she began shutting down the repulses he walked over to the ship.
"Master Horn? Master Skywalker is coming in, could you open the hatch for him while I finish shutting down?" She called over the intercom.
"Will do."
IS THIS A GOOD SIGN? Little Brother asked from his co-pilot position.
"Maybe, I was expecting him and my new master to meet us here. Maybe I have to fly to Ossus to meet him or her. Still there aren't that many Masters?" She knew that she would not get luck enough for one to one training with Master Skywalker or Jade-Skywalker. With Ben, their duties to the Senate, the Jedi Council and other little jobs, both of them were way to busy to also train her. Then again maybe the Council had decided that she was not in need of more training. After all Master Skywalker had told them both that he would let them know after they got back, he never said for sure that she would get follow up training. "Come on lets go see what they are going to do with us."
When Tahiri and Little Brother walked back in to the lounge, she saw that Valin had already left the ship. She was sadden by the way Valin reacted to her on the way here, it was like he was afraid of saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing and making her mad. She wished he could understand that she had changed in many ways but she was still was able to take a joke. After all he, too, had change a lot since they were both students on Yavin 4. She wonders quietly to herself if Sannah would also react to her in the same way if they spent a week together in hyperspace.
Master Skywalker was smiling at her but seemed to be uneasy about something, while Master Horn was making no effort to hide his feeling about something. He was pacing back and forth in her lounge, shaking his head.
"Welcome back Tahiri." Master Skywalker said with a smile on his face.
"Thank you, Master Skywalker." She said crossing her arms and bowing to him. "Little Brother and I are happy to see you again."
"Little Brother?" Master Skywalker asked, "Why did you chose that name?"
"In many ways his actions during and after our mission reminded me of Anakin," she looked down at Little Brother with a wary grin, "especially when he wouldn't leave me alone until I was healed. So to honor Anakin Solo and him, I thought that Anakin's old call sign would be a good choice."
"You're right, it is a good choice. Hello Little Brother."
HELLO MASTER SKYWALKER, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO TAHIRI?
"He says hello." Tahiri said, translating most of his statements. Little Brother asked her why she did that; she gave him a hand signal telling him she would explain later.
"How did you understand him?"
"One of the shapers gave her some special worms before she left Zonama Sekot, along with special weapons. Unfortunately she lost the weapons when the pod was damaged." Master Horn said from his position. Tahiri could tell without the Force he was upset about something.
"I see."
"Luke that doesn't mean anything," Master Horn said walking over to him, "and you know it. You have to change those orders."
"I can't Corran, I was out voted 9 to 3. Most of the Council figure it is a good idea."
"Just because they all agree doesn't mean that they are right."
"I know Corran but when I set up this new council I gave up unilateral control. I have to follow their dictates as well as anyone else. If it makes you feel better Kyp agrees with you and me."
"If Kyp and I agree on anything that alone should tell you something."
"That is the same thing he said," Master Skywalker said with a smile, "but we have to deal with the way things are no how we wish they were."
"Excuse me." Tahiri said bring their attention back to her. "This is all interesting and imagine just how much more interesting it would be if I knew what you were talking about."
"The Jedi Council had reviewed your actions with the Imperials along with Corran's and your request for additional training. They agree with more specialized training the mission would have gone smoother."
"Jedi training Luke not this."
"So I'm not going to get training?" Tahiri said feeling worried about the answer, the vision that Anakin had told her about her future before her shaping flashed through her mind.
"You will receive training, Tahiri, just not Jedi training." He turned to look at Master Horn. "It is not her Jedi training that is the problem, Corran. That is something that she knows, it is her anger control that is the problem. She will have to learn to deal with her dual heritage, which is something that we can't really teach but we can be there to help her in any way we can. In that way the Council and I are agreement, even if we disagree on other matters. Corran before you were a Jedi, you flew in the military and were a law enforcement officer. Do you not agree that those two jobs helped you be a better Jedi?"
"Yes but I grew up in Corsec and learning many values that unfortunately Tahiri didn't have. She is a hell of a Jedi, what she has gone through and what she has overcome is nothing short of amazing, Luke. But if you let these orders stand she could run into problems that we won't be able to help her with."
"We just have to trust her Corran." Master Skywalker said, Corran looked like he might argue some more but in the end just nodded his head. Master Skywalker turned back to Tahiri with a strange look on his face. "Tahiri, the council has two choices for you. The first one is to allow you to return to Zonama Sekot and to stay there with Danni to help with the Yuuzhan Vong. I know how much you don't want to do that, I had them modified that choice to keeping the Double Trouble so you can explore the Unknown Region. The second choice is to join the military and get training on Borleias."
"As what a fighter pilot?" Tahiri asked, so far neither choice had that much appeal to her.
"As a Wraith."
Tahiri couldn't have been more surprised if Luke told he was going to sell her off as a slave. To let her join the Wraiths? The most proficient spies and commando unit in GA? Would she want to do that? HELLS YEA!
"Your joking right?" When Master Skywalker shook his head she felt as if she was flying.
"Tahiri, calm down. I can feel you leaking." Corran said drawing her back down. "I want you to calm down and think long and hard about this."
"He is right Tahiri." Luke said motioning her to sit down, after all three were sitting did he go on. "There will be some conditions if you do this."
"Which would be?"
"One you will be under military control, you will be part of the military. You will have to serve at least 4 years, once you are in you can't just leave. Not even I can interfere with their orders, if something comes up you can't desert to help any other Jedi. Do you understand?"
"So I'll basically be like any other recruit?"
"Yes, in more ways then you know. The second condition is you will not reveal to anyone else in training that you are a Jedi. Commander Loran is restructuring the Wraiths to deal with the problems of pirates groups and remaining Peace Brigade and Yuuzhan Vong rogues. He is going to take 24 of the best spies; slices and pilots he can find and set them lose on the galaxy. This program is top secret, most of the higher officials in the GA don't know the details including me." Master Skywalker paused to let that sink in, once he was satisfied that she understood he continued. "I don't want any wash outs knowing that a Jedi is in the training program. Once the training is complete you may reveal to your new squad mates that you are a Jedi. Whether or not you wish to let them know you are a Yuuzhan Vong/Human is up to you. Neither Loran nor I will force you to tell them that fact. Also you have to make some changes to hid the fact who you are."
When he didn't say anything else she thought about what he could be talking about. How else could anyone know who she was? Then it hit her, she brought her hand up to feel her scars.
"I have to remove my Domain Markings?"
"I'm afraid so Tahiri." Master Skywalker said gently.
"But …" she knew she sounded like a child but her markings told the world that she was, whom she belongs to.
"It is a safety issue Tahiri," Master Horn said leaning forward, "even after you get done with training you have to be aware of anything that could put you and your team at risk. Those three scars make you one of the most recognized Jedi in the galaxy. Even if most people don't know what they are many of the Peace Brigade and Yuuzhan Vong will spot them in a second. A spy must be unrecognizable; she must remove any scars or tattoos, because if they know who you are they will be able to identify not only you but also the rest of your team and contacts. You could get others killed if you keep them."
"I …" she paused and gather her thoughts again, "I will have to think about that one."
"Like Corran said we want you to think long and hard about this decision." Master Skywalker said nodding. "While I have the highest respect for the Wraiths, they do, at times, things that I would not approve of. Their first mission is to provide security to the GA, to find and eliminate any potential problems that could destroy the security of the GA. They will fight dirty against an opponent; do things that a Jedi should have no part of. They don't like to fight but if they do they fight to win first. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"You're saying that some actions that I will have to perform as a Wraith will bring me close to the Dark Side?"
"Possibly."
"Look Tahiri, I know Face. All three of us had worked with him and some of the other Wraiths in the past. Face would never set out to make you abuse your powers but his first concern is with his team. If a situation dictates him to ask you to do something that you feel is wrong it is to save his team's lives. I want to you to be aware of that fact while you make your decision."
"That is a good point, he will be in effect your new master as it was. Only if you disobey one of us we will understand most of the time. If you disobey a direct order you could be brought up on charges, spend time in the brig and or be dismissed from the military. And if you get thrown out of the military the Council could very likely ship you off to Zonama Sekot without your consent."
"I will also keep that in mind Masters." Tahiri said.
"Also, while Commander Loran is willing to take you on as a Wraith your position is something you have to earn on your own. If you wash out at any time they will most likely move you into an analysis position with regular GA military or into a fighter squadron. Just because you wash out will not release you from your obligations to the military."
"Understood, will Little Brother be allowed to travel with me?"
"Yes," Master Skywalker said with a grin, "you two make a good team. However if you go with the Wraiths you will have to, at least temporary, give up the Double Trouble. Although for how long I don't know, Face asked me to keep in storage until you need it again. I'm not sure but I think it will have something to do with your missions after you complete training."
"Well as long as Little Brother can go with me I can live with the rest. I'll be able to hide my light saber in him until I complete training. If I go with the Wraiths how will I get there? Do I have to start from scratch?"
"You will be given a fake id and history, with complete training records. You will go in as a new recruit fresh from academy. We did this since the only thing we can't change is your age. We will assign you a X-wing and you will fly out to Borleias on your own. Once there Major Tainer will give you a quick and dirty lessons on proper military edict." Corran said with a wary look. "There is one more thing you need to understand Tahiri. The Wraiths, historically, have been made up of retreads. They are mostly people who have screwed up one too many times in the regular military, for many this is their last hope of staying in. They will not be like most people you have dealt with in the past; they will try everything and anything to get under your skin and everyone else skin. They will push the limits of their orders, they will be far more combative then normal, and many will probable have unstable mental problems. While Face and Kell will do a good job weeding them out you still need to be aware of this, understand?"
"I think so," she said nodding slowly, "in a way it will mean I'll have ample opportunity to learn better self control."
"Well that is one way to look at it certainly." Master Skywalker said, "I need your answer within 3 days. If you have any more questions contact Corran or me, we will do our best to answer them."
"I have one question, why are you two so against this?"
"A Jedi shouldn't, as a normal course of duty, spread disinformation and practices deceit. That is the way of the Sith not the Jedi. However since you will be using your talents to help the GA, the information you provide could help millions live safer lives; we will try this." Suddenly it seemed very cold in the lounge and Master Skywalker's normally bright and open eyes seem to grow distant and dark. "Also know we will be watching you and your actions very closely. If other and I feel that you are slipping into the Dark Side we will take steps to stop that slide, regardless of your promises and the military views. Do you understand that?"
"Yes." Suddenly as it happened everything returned to normal. She made a mental note to check with Little Brother later to see if he noticed anything.
"Very well," Both Masters got up and bowed to her. "We expect an answer in three days then."