I finally got time to write so here, have this.
Reviews and criticism are always welcome.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars.
37 BBY or 963 ARR
My lightsaber whizzed around me while I practiced my footwork. A training remote buzzed around my head just out of reach as it floated around the training room. The emerald blade spun in the wide yet simple arcs of Form I. As it went whenever I started practice, it was best to always start with the basics and work your way into the advanced stuff. It wasn't long before I switched to Forms III and V which I had fully mastered by now. Having put the finishing touches on in the Temple Guard. I then added Jar'Kai into the mix, igniting the blue blade. The two different colored blades complemented each other well. While I preferred one blade, implementing Jar'Kai was a new challenge at the time I constructed the second blade and I ended up loving it.
My thoughts shifted to the last two years as I fell into a moving meditation. Two years. Two long drawn out years of Temple Guard duty with the exception of Battle Mediation training. That is how long I had to serve for. I think the Council was trying to make a point. Something about not disobeying them I'd wager. Overall Temple Guard duty was boring. Boring was the wrong word. Monotonous feels a bit better description barring the intense practice. It was still a very involved position despite that. You'd be surprised how many solicitors the Jedi get at the temple entrance even at night.
You were also compelled to silence while in the Guard, even to your fellows, say for talking to younglings. Didn't want to scare off the poor kids with the silent mask routine, especially at night. Even as a kid I even got Micheal Meyers vibes if the Temple Guard masks were cast in certain shadows. One thing I noted was that I had the night shift the entire time. Only seeing the sun during my training with the Masters. I don't think that was the Council's doing, just the Battlemaster giving me comeuppance for all those times I was staying out late as a kid. I was a bit more rambunctious than the others in my class.
I got to practice quite a bit with a double bladed lightsaber. To be honest I wasn't impressed with the damn thing. It had more disadvantages than advantages. Could have been another old life personal bias. I don't know, it just didn't feel right. I was less than stellar with that technique. Okay I was down right bad at it. The saberstaff I was required to use didn't help. Too long a hilt, too short of blades, and it felt more ceremonial than functional. I shook my head, excuses, excuses. I'd figure it out one day.
Again that was part of the anonymity of being in the temple guard. If they gave you the weapons you were comfortable with then someone could pick out your styles and your cover could be blown. Also you had to stay in the Guard barracks for the entirety of the service. It was almost like a cloister within a cloister.
One of the perks was the near constant practice when not on duty. Now I guess the double-bladed training was a boon in a way. If I ever met a certain Nightbrother I could counter many of his moves fairly easily. If you knew where one end of a double bladed lighter was, you knew damn well where the other was after all. It still wouldn't be an easy fight but it was best to be prepared for a possible eventuality. .
Anyway, as far as tracking down wayward students goes, I knew most the tricks. So I was good at finding the curfew dodgers at least. I didn't expect the amount of students that I did find. I recalled sending a young Aayla Secura back to her room at one point, but not before lecturing her on her lack of footwork. Would have to tell Quinlan to watch out for that when he took her on later.
Apparently I was carrying on a long standing tradition going back when the Temple Guard was founded after the Russan Reformation. They might have been around before that, but the Jedi order liked to pretend that the Jedi Knights leading up to the Seventh Battle of Russan were a myth. I wasn't entirely sure with my research. The New Sith Wars were a mess and there was little that I gleaned from what was left regarding the Temple Guard other than they were the reformed Sentinel branch. I did learn some cool techniques regarding mixing a blaster into my form here and there if needed.
Speaking of footwork I stopped and called the remote over. I replayed the last section it had recorded. No issues in my form so far. It would be best to stop before I start making errors. Normally I would practice with any Knight in the practice halls. There was never a shortage of Knights or even Master's practicing their swordsmanship. Today I just wanted to be alone however.
"When in doubt, you'll find her in the training halls." A familiar voice called out from the entrance to the training room. I turned to see Komari standing there. I cursed myself for not sensing her approach. Would have to work on that. Felt a false sense of security in the temple.
"Komari, what can I do for you?" I asked.
She shrugged. "Just thought that you could use a sparring partner. Not often we get to hang out anymore. Closest we got was when I would walk past you guarding a door during off hours."
"Yeah, well, I was lucky I wasn't kicked out for defying the Council." I said with a snort. "I like your outfit by the way." Komari wore a more tight fitting brown jumpsuit, black knee high boots, with a small red jacket that went down to her midriff. It evoked images of Aria T'loak from Mass effect only with no revealing windows for skin, say for a bit of cleavage on the chest. Still can't believe I remember that game series after all these years. Then again the outfit was a good memory trigger. Still I wasn't going to complain. She pulled it off well.
"Oh, this, I volunteered to track down the last of the Bando Goro a year ago when their remnants popped up on Nar Shadda. Couldn't look like a Jedi on sight. I learned that from you actually. They might have killed me back on Kholma, if you'd gone in with a lightsaber drawn to prevent you from getting me out alive. I kept the style after they were dealt with. Speaking of the Banda Goro. You know I never got the chance to properly thank you before they shoved you off in the Temple Guard." I could sense that she was a little bit nervous. More so than her confident demeanor often portrayed.
"You would have done the same." I said dismissively, trying to relax her nerves somewhat. I noticed a look in her eye that spoke of guilt. She believed she might not have come for me were our positions reversed. I ignited both my blades, "Let's talk and fight."
It had the effect I wanted and Komari visibly relaxed. nodding. She ignited her own blue blades. We saluted and clashed, both using Makashi. It started off slow before our careful swings and parries reached a fast paced crescendo. Eventually we both forced a blade lock. Blade locks were a weakness of makashi which is why practitioners during duels would try to force them regardless, as a way to unbalance an opponent. Ironic.
"I was never allowed to learn what exactly happened on the mission to Baltizaar." I said idly while hopping back. I would have lost the blade lock if I hadn't. Komari had mastered Form II since we met. Luckily I had gotten a lot better as well. Master Poof was a helluva teacher. It was still very apparent that I was but an adept to the master that was Komari Vosa. Dooku had taught her well.
Komari sighed almost casually blocking my attacks as I tried an offensive series of blows, "That is a short tale. Knight Cysh was in charge of that op. He was one of the knights under Dooku at Galidraan."
I nodded. Remembering him. In the original timeline I was pretty sure that he was the Knight that Jango killed after Cysh cut Myles in half. The guy was kind of an asshole by Jedi standards.
"What did he do wrong?"
"I think it was a fault on all our parts. Cysh's mentality was no help. He rushed in and we followed." She said grimly.
"I am surprised you didn't interject." I said.
"I was just knighted and didn't want to impose on a more experienced knight's authority. That was on me. Still I should have. I had learned from a persuasive Padawan to look at all the angles before charging in after all." I blushed at that and nearly got a burn on my shoulder by a precise saber strike by the brief distraction.
"Well, I… So Cysh just charged in?" I said continuing to stay on track.
"He knew it was a trap but thought we could handle anything they threw at us. He failed to take into account that the Bando Goro were crafty bastards. I believe he thought they were like the Pikes or Black Sun." She sighed, "I should have said something. We should have divided into two squads and taken the warehouse from different angles. Alzarr might not have died, and Verras and I may not have been captured as well.
"They used stun blasts I assume?" I asked, ducking another strike and delivered a false cut. Komari didn't fall for it and blocked my backstroke with ease and forced me to dodge her riposte.
"Yes, lots and lots of stun blasts. Part of the reason I found you. You wouldn't mind helping me refine my Form III now that you are no longer in the temple guard?" She asked.
"No, I wouldn't mind at all." I had barely managed to answer before she caught me off guard and I tripped slightly as my boot brushed the wall. Komari pressed the advantage and locked our blades again and pinned me against the wall, our blades crackling as they were locked above our heads. She pressed forward until our bodies were nearly flush against each other.
"Good, I might be able to teach you some things as well, because your Makashi could use some work," My breath hitched as I looked up at her and watched as she took a hand off her left saber. It remained stationary due to the force, still locked with my own blade. Her hand came down and traced the scar on the right side of my face. She had a look in her eye. She looked like she was going to say something, but being the nervous wreck I was, I broke up whatever was going on.
"You said that was only p-part of the reason." I stuttered. She gave an amused smirk, as she reached up and grabbed her saber while stepping back. I let out a breath that I didn't know I was still holding as our sabers deactivated.
"Oh, I almost forgot, seeing as your service in the Temple Guard was exemplary, The Council has granted you the right to learn Juyo." All that nervous tension in me faded away near instantly, replaced by excitement and surprise. I never thought they would let me learn it. I nearly jumped for joy. An excited squeal escaped my lips as I hugged Komari. Komari tensed up but relaxed and reciprocated. I broke the hug with another girlish squeal.
"I need to go see the Battlemaster." I practically dashed from the room. Before my communicator chirped right before I got to the door. Dammit, I forgot about my appointment. I stopped, my excitement drained as I remembered the prior obligation, "Ah, shab, I will have to hold off until tomorrow."
"What's wrong?" Komari asked as she walked over.
"I got to go down to the lower levels for a bit. There is a Mirialan tattooist I set up an appointment with months ago." Komari raised an eyebrow.
"You are getting more ink? I thought your people only got one set of tattoos and that was it?"
"I can add as many as I want. Though it is wise to keep some canvas bare out of modesty." I shrugged.
"What are you getting? Out of curiosity?"
"Well, under each of my eyes will be three diamonds in an arrowhead formation pointing down. Going from right to left, the first one will be filled in, the second left hollow, and the third filled in as well. Continuing under my left eye, the fourth will be hollow, the fifth filled in, and the sixth left hollow."
Komari took a moment to think about the design. "Ah, your saber forms. Ambitious. You'll have to get a seventh now."
"I guess you're right,'' I said with a shab eating grin. My communicator beeped a second time. "Looks like my past self telling me to get my shebs in gear. You don't ever want to make a Mirialan tattooist wait. Later."
"Yeah, see ya." Komari gave a quick wave as I dashed out the door. Though I did see her sigh and shake her head out of the corner of my eye as I left the training room.
…
"So I reviewed your portfolio and things are looking good. Better than good." Ganorn closed the profile. "Well, Bell, I dare say you are looking pretty well off. You wouldn't happen to be a Jedi would you?" He joked. I gave a small snort of false amusement. The facial expression made me want to scratch at my face where my new tattoos were, but the helmet was in the way. A mild irritation. Luckily I was a Jedi and such irritations could be ignored. Mostly.
I had used a mind trick on Ganorn a while back. Master Poof had given me some more pointers on mind tricks in battle meditation training over the years. So now if I showed up on the news due to Jedi-related shenanigans, he wouldn't find the link between his client and the Jedi. Had to find a new blaster range to be on the safe side as well. As it was, I never visited his office in my Jedi attire. It had been two years since I left the temple proper, but did I manage to keep in touch. To any who saw me enter and exit, I would look like a bounty hunter or merc under the name "Bellicose."
"Just tips my clients give me in exchange for various services," I said seriously playing off the persona. I had painted the armor entirely black for now. I wanted to look like a new hunter overplaying the cool and edgy factor.
Gan shrugged, noting the blaster strapped to my thigh. "I won't inquire any further."
"That media company I mentioned a while back. Were you able to get stock for it?" I asked. He scratched at his horns.
"Oh, that." He shook his head and rubbed his chin in thought. "I remember now. Strangest thing before I could even make an offer. Damask Holdings swooped in and bought it all up." I cursed internally. Of course Sith would do that. They had become masters of this type of thing in the last thousand years. Ganorn continued. "However, I recently did manage to get you a majority stake in a much smaller outlet. More of a local news outlet, but it has an infrastructure to build off of. Heck, if you build it up enough you could sell it to Damask Holdings at a profit. They gave much more than what other company's stock was worth last time after all."
I nodded again. It was something. "I will have to find someone to run it."
"That I can help with. I know a guy in the unemployment sector who could send talented people your way. Then all you really need is advertisers." I simply nodded the go ahead and remembered something else. The real reason I came.
"Oh, I wanted to ask about the charity." I mentioned. I had founded a small charity in the lower levels specifically around 1313 and 1312. I had more money than I needed due to knowing which companies whose stock would only be increasing over the years. Ganorn never questioned why a young hunter would go through the trouble. Again another mind trick. I hated having to do that.
"They are doing quite well. It looks like you might not be the sole donor anymore. As mentioned, even some other clients of mine have donated a little as well, when I mentioned the charity off hand." Ganorn replied. The Unseen is what it was called. Basic stuff. It mostly gave out alms and food via soup kitchen. Though I was hoping to build an orphanage at some point. Look at me, the big softy. I just hoped the charity wouldn't become a money laundering pit like most did. Part of the reason I kept association with the Jedi out of the charity's marketing. Didn't want it to become a target.
"That is good to hear. Hopefully it grows well. None of the gangs have run any protection extortion rackets have they?" I asked.
Ganorn frowned, "Not as of yet. So far they have stayed away. They will make an attempt at some point though."
I nodded, "Let me know if they do. I will deal with it."
Ganorn looked at my blaster again and nodded, getting my meaning.
"There was another thing," I mentioned. "I wanted to invest in an obscure subsidiary of Kuat. Uhm, what was the name? Rothana Heavy Industries. That was it."
"More tips from your employers?" He grinned.
"Something like that." I said coyly. I lightly slapped my chair's armrest and stood. "Well, I better be off. It was nice to finally get back planetside." I lied. Ganorn thought I was out and about in the cosmos working various jobs. Which depending on the mission was true barring the Temple Guard duty.
We said our goodbyes and I left the office, getting on my speeder bike. I made my way to an apartment I owned on one of the upper levels of the massive city in the lower 4000's. It wasn't much not far from Ganorn's office which resided in the upper 3000's. It was a nice enough place to look like someone gave a damn, but not too expensive to give off a rich feel. Fairly average one might say. I turned on the news while I changed back into my Jedi robes.
"-cent news, The Clan wars in Mandalorian space have come to a close with the last of the Deathwatch Factions being wiped out. Clans Saxxon and Wren put up stiff resistance, but the True Mandalorians bolstered by both Deathwatch and New Mandalorian Defectors were able to put down the last Deathwatch holdouts sparing only younglings and non-combats. The remaining New Mandolorians under the former Duke of House, now Clan Kryze surrendered upon hearing the news. Jango Fett, leader of the united Mandalorians released a statement. The Screen panned to a recording of Jango casually sitting at the bar in the Oyu'baat bar in Keldabe. "Don't worry, we'll play nice." He said in the usual deadpan. There were chuckles heard around the bar not far off from where the Mandalorian leader sat. The screen returned the anchor. Many in the Senate have voiced concern over the outcome of war, many stating more should have been done to support the New Mandalor-"
I shut the screen off with a wave of my hand as I adjusted my veil in the mirror, ensuring not a single strand of my dark gray hair had gone rogue. Didn't want the other Mirialans giving me the stink eye. Satisfied I checked my chrono before reaching up and peeling the tattoo covers off. They looked well done as expected. Any who understood the tattoos meaning would know I was dedicated to mastering an art or craft.
I nodded in satisfaction. I looked at the seventh in the center of my brow added last minute per Komari's recent observation. It was currently hollow but I was saving that one for once I learned Juyo. Speaking of Juyo, I remembered that I had to get back to the temple. As I went to lock up my apartment I sensed a bit too late a presence in the force. I heard a voice that made me start and turn around. Osik not again.
"So this is where you go when you aren't at the temple?" Komari had her hands on her hips appraising the hallway and the overall look of the apartment exterior. "Not bad. Not overly fancy nor shabby enough to look like you are hiding something or from someone." I didn't sense any disappointment or a desire to report me so I asked.
"How long have you suspected?" I asked a bit cautiously.
"No more than the Council or anyone else in the Order. They know you go to the civilian blaster ranges. They allow it because the Grey Paladins are annoying. Yes, that is the right word for them. However, they don't know about stockbroker though. What exactly are you doing?"
I did my best to not give off any nervousness. I was dangerously close to losing everything I had been working toward. I sighed. "I haven't locked up yet, I'll show you around at least since the loth cat is out of the bag."
"Please do," Komari nodded her head at the door.
I shrugged, and opened it back up. Komari took her time looking at every angle and room. She didn't look all that impressed.
"You haven't done much with this place." She said as she stopped in the kitchen area and walked back into the living room.
"Huh?" I said.
Komari let out an annoyed sigh, "You're hopeless. Your furniture is basic and not to mention set in the most improper places. This place could use some work." She sat on the couch and patted the seat next to her as she crossed her legs. "Now tell me what has been going on."
Well I couldn't say no. She knew it. I knew It. So I sat and explained everything I had done with the stocks. She didn't ask too many pointed questions. I didn't go into great detail about what I was investing in, but she seemed to cock her head at the charity.
"Any reason you didn't want to involve the Jedi in the… Unseen, was it?" She frowned at the name.
"I wanted it to look underground, off the books. Open Jedi and/or especially Senate support would drive people away. We have not been seen kindly by the lower levels in recent years. If it looks like a more grassroots organization it could gain trust naturally. Heck, it might even gain a sort of trust among the gangs, and the militias that formed against them if I can somehow make it neutral ground…" I sighed, "It is still just an experiment at this stage."
Komari sat in thought for a moment and leaned back. She mulled it over for a bit.
She chuckled. "It makes sense. I mean I never really saw the lower rungs of society under Dooku. His background let him slide into the upper classes with ease. It is where I got my fashion sense. After all, we can't all make barbarian chic work like you after all."
I blushed. "So you aren't going to tell the council then?" I asked.
"Nah, besides this place is rather cool. I will have to work on the interior though. Provided you have the funds." She smirked.
I sighed, "Fine," and dug a credit chit out of one of the pouches on my belt. "Just make sure not to go overboard."
"Please, I am the definition of subtle." She said with mock offense. She leaned close and wrapped an arm around me. I felt my body stiffen at the touch. "Besides, I feel I owe you for the whole rescue." She looked a bit dejected. "I am not sure the council would have gotten there in time if they did their usual sit and debate." They would have never come, I thought to myself. "You on the other hand, you didn't wait. Why?"
Preparing a lie is a lot easier than telling one. Something I learned a long time ago and only gotten mildly better at.
"The council always sits around for ages to make a decision. It would be fine if they took more time to consider missions from the senate, but when are very own are possibly captured and held for torture, there is no time for any of that. I mean they debated whether or not to send a follow up investigation after all. I also knew some old contacts that owed Master Tal'or a favor, and they pointed me toward Kholma." The way she looked at me told me, she didn't believe me. Should I reveal my "vision" of how her not being tortured and driven mad was crucial to helping the fight against the Sith? To risk everything by divulging it to another was something that always gnawed at me and forced me to keep some manner of distance from others. I looked down a bit embarrassed, unsure if I was convincing.
Then I felt her finger under my chin as she lifted my head up. Our eyes met.
"I don't entirely believe that." She said with an amused grin. Then she leaned in and our lips met. I was confused, as my eyes widened in visible surprise, but I let myself relax leaning into the kiss. It lasted I don't know how long before Komari eventually broke the kiss.
"I…" I tried to speak, but Komari put a finger on my lips.
"Don't worry, take all the time you need. Now I better get going." Komari stood up and sauntered toward the door. I couldn't help but stare transfixed as she walked away. It opened and she stopped in the doorway and turned back. "By the way, the new ink looks great." She winked and smiled as the door shut behind her.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. That did not go as expected. Don't know how long I sat there pondering what in the Nine Coreallian Hells just happened. That was a kiss. I… what was going on? I was confused, but it wasn't a bad kiss. Shab. Just what I needed right now. I couldn't think about anything other than that moment for I don't know how long.
I wasn't sure how long it was before I remembered I should go schedule my Juyo training. I had to wrestle with my emotions a bit to make it look like nothing was amiss before I got back. I thought about that moment as I locked down my apartment and took a transport back to the temple. I had much to think about, especially on whether or not I had just substituted one lie for another.