Title: A New Order
Author: Jedikma
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Chapter 2
The sound of Obi-Wan's boots echoed through the chamber as he walked across the Council floor. The room had been totally renovated after the war because much of the tower had been destroyed. Half the Temple had suffered some sort of destruction and there were still restorations going on, even after six years.
But it wasn't just the building structure that had suffered under the revenge of the Sith Lord, Sidious. Nearly three fourths of the Jedi populace was gone, too. So many of the Jedi in the front lines of the fighting didn't come back, but the younger generation in the Temple suffered, too. Before he was finally uncovered, Sidious unleashed a hideous attack on the Temple and the greatest loss was the very youngest who were trapped when raging fires swept through the floors of their residence. The older initiates were able to escape through tunnels before the fires reached their quarters.
But for the many that were lost, Obi-Wan knew it could have been far worse. It came down to one moment that decided the outcome between most of the Order being lost or all of it. It was a showdown between Sidious, Anakin and himself. They were the only three present and they were the only ones that knew what really happened. In the end, the outcome was all the mattered and Obi-Wan chose not to look back or ever speak of it. It bonded him to Anakin in a way nothing else ever could.
The Sith were gone once and for all and no longer would they be a danger to the Jedi Order.
But there were still threats.
Rebuilding became the primary focus after the war and with the rebuilding came changes. Planets all over the galaxy still needed peace intervention treaties and the overseeing of reconstruction. Jedi were needed everywhere for these endeavors and those that lived through the wars found themselves constantly busy.
Sometimes the Jedi were welcomed and sometimes they were scorned. That the Sith Lord Sidious had turned out to be Chancellor Palpatine, a member so high up in the government, caused so many to be wary of anyone with Force sensitivity. The Jedi way of life became open to interpretation and scrutiny. It helped that Chancellor Velorum regained his office. He was a friend to the Jedi and with other allies in the Senate such as Padme Amidala and Bail Organa, the Jedi were still asked to serve.
Then there were the changes brought about because of Anakin Skywalker. At the end of the war, Anakin appeared before the Council and confessed to having wed Padme Amidala in secret. At the time of this confession she was only weeks away from delivering the couple's first offspring. Obi-Wan, who was already a member of the Council, was prepared to stand up for and behind his former apprentice, but it turned out he didn't need to do so. With the death of so many knights, Anakin was needed and the Council wasn't about to dismiss him. And while the Council frowned upon Anakin's secrecy and methods they quickly saw the merit in his liaison with the senator. The union provided a bridge between the Jedi and the republic they served and helped ally fears of many outsiders.
Padme Amidala Skywalker proved to be a further asset when she headed a taskforce to train senate candidates for positions in peace negotiations. Those trained joined Jedi teams in an effort to resolve various planetary disputes. The added manpower most certainly helped relieve the already overtaxed Jedi and in some cases could be sent instead of the Jedi.
Then there were the children. Anakin's offspring were the first new Jedi younglings to be introduced to the Temple since the war began. The general populace, though in need of Jedi help, would not give their Force sensitive children to the Jedi to raise. Young were not being introduced into the Jedi culture and it became apparent that extinction of the Jedi might come about despite their victory over the Sith. Padme Skywalker's willingness to allow her children to spend much of their time in the care of the Temple helped with public relations, but the Jedi had to make compromises. Children were allowed to maintain a relationship with their parents. Certain days of the year were set aside to allow parents to visit in the Temple and they had the option of removing their child until the child turned ten, at which time the child was allowed to decide if he or she wanted to leave or continue with his or her Jedi training.
Anakin also paved the way for other knights to have attachments, although even after six years there were very few marriages. Knights were too few and too busy to get involved in committed relationships. The Council knew that would eventually change and needed to consider guidelines for those knights that might choose to get involved in personal relationships. It was Obi-Wan's understanding that this very morning they would begin to cover more of these issues. He also suspected the Council would bring up, for the first time, his own relationship with a certain blonde Jedi.
The meeting wasn't in the main Council chambers, but in a room off to one side. Only five members would be there this morning because many were off planet. It had been months since all twelve members had been in the Council room together. Just one more indication of how much the Jedi were needed throughout the galaxy.
Obi-wan opened the door to the smaller room only to find, to his surprise, he was the last member to arrive.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think I was late this morning." He bowed to the others in the room before sitting down in a chair.
"Late, you are not. Early we are." Master Yoda assured him.
Mace Windu, Adi Gallia and Ki-Adi-Mundi were also present. Obi-Wan knew immediately they had all arrived early to discuss him and how they would possibly approach the subject of Siri Tachi with him.
"Correct you are in your suspicions, Obi-Wan. But worry you should not," the diminutive Master said. "To address your personal situation, the time has come."
For the first time in many years, Obi-Wan felt like squirming in front of the Council.
"Obi-Wan, Master Yoda is right this shouldn't be a huge issue." Master Gallia leaned forward in her chair as she spoke. "It is simply that a few problems need to be rectified."
"Problems?" Obi-Wan questioned warily.
"You and Siri Tachi clearly have been involved with each other for almost five years now. She is about to give birth to your third child, but the two of you have not made a formal union." Mace Windu pointed out. "Perhaps the time has come for the two of you to consider this union."
Obi-Wan sat in momentary silence as his personal life was pointed out to him. Ironic that attachments for Jedi were at one time forbidden and yet today he was asked to make his relationship with Siri 'official'.
Adi Gallia gave Obi-Wan a curious look. "Surely this isn't going to be a problem for you, Obi-Wan? It appears to me that you and Siri are as close as two people can be. The only thing missing is the formality of the union and shared quarters."
Obi-Wan shifted slightly and cleared his throat. "Can I ask why, after five years, you are now asking us to make this commitment? Why have you not brought it up before?"
"An issue it was not, before," Yoda answered.
"As you may remember, Obi-Wan, when the code on attachment was rescinded, there were not any specific rules to follow for what a committed relationship meant. You and Siri became involved and in all honesty, we all thought you would come before the Council in no time to request to make the relationship official." Adi paused briefly before continuing. "It was clear to us that there was some element of bonding simply because the two of you moved your quarters where you could live next to one another and you continued to have children together. Your relationship is a quiet one and has never interfered with your commitments as Jedi. In fact, your relationship could very well be used as an example for what it means to be a Jedi and in an attached relationship."
For the first time Ki-Adi-Mundi spoke. "And, of course, there are the children."
"Need them, we do."
Obi-Wan briefly raised his eyebrows at the thought that Ki-Adi-Mundi had brought up this point, after all, he had several wives all for the express purpose to propagate his species. Obi-Wan suddenly felt that maybe that was what they considered he and Siri were doing, propagating the Jedi.
"It has become an issue now because it has come to the attention of the public that there is a Jedi Council member having children in what appears to be nothing more than a casual relationship and it is causing a stir among wealthy constituents that support the Jedi." Mace Windu spoke matter of factly, but the tone in his voice indicated that the issue would be resolved and as soon as possible. "Public relations require that we resolve this issue. We cannot afford to lose monetary support, nor can we risk parents not giving their Force sensitive children to the Jedi."
"An Order of Skywalkers and Kenobis alone, we cannot build."
Adi leaned back, concern etched on her features. "We know you and Siri both well enough to know that what the public sees is not what is true, but sometimes we must bend to their views. Perhaps your hesitation is due to the fact that you're comfortable with the way things are, however I'm sure you will be able to adjust."
"I'm just curious, but what if we choose not to cave into public demand?"
Adi shot a glance to the others. "We would ask you to end the relationship."
"And if we didn't choose that option? Surely you wouldn't consider expelling us from the Order. Not only would you lose two knights, but you might lose the much needed children, too."
Mace cleared his throat. "No, Obi-Wan. None of this has to get that drastic. However, we would have to ask you to step down from the Council."
"I see," Obi-Wan replied thoughtfully. "At this moment it would not be right for me to speak for Siri. We need to talk about this and consider what you have said. How soon do you need an answer?"
"Once this baby is born we need to know what you intend to do. If you choose to make a formal commitment to each other then we will work with you on plans to see it through." Mace looked at him earnestly. "Obi-Wan we hope that this situation can be resolved in a way that is beneficial to all of us and I think everyone here would agree that it would mean that you would continue to remain on the Council."