Disclaimer: All characters, places and things belong to George Lucas, with the exception of Stely Niari, who belongs to me.
This story takes place a month after Revenge of the Sith.
Refugees and Outlaws
Chapter One: A New Reality
Stely Niari did not recognize her surroundings or the sterile white walls that held her. Confusion lingered over her for minutes, no identifying thought would come into fruition. She realized that she was wearing a white medical gown and was twisted in the covers of a small bed. Her hands went directly to left hip and she groaned. Her light saber was gone.
As she tumbled out of the bed, she realized she was hooked up to machines, wires protruding from her arms. Stely bit her lower lip and yanked them cleanly from her veins. She had to get out. Yet, before she could find her footing, she realized that she had been joined by a familiar form.
"I am glad to see you up and about, Jedi Niari." Senator Bail Organa nodded and gave her a sad smile.
"Senator Organa? Where am I?" Stely convulsed slightly, her long, golden-brown braid whipping behind her.
Senator Organa took her by the shoulders carefully and urged her to sit back on the bed. He had delicate news that he must deal to her.
"Sit, for you and I have much to discuss. You are on my blockade runner and I am currently on my way to Alderaan to tend to my family. Tell me, what is the last thing you remember?" Stely searched her memories and the trickle of her last waking night flashed into being.
"I was deep undercover at the Senate, I had been for months. Chancellor Palpatine accused the Jedi of plotting against him and the Republic. He called for a Galactic Empire," She flinched as the pain of the memory shot through her, "And that is when I felt it, the upset in the Force. Death, I felt death and fear and I made my way to the Temple."
Stely's hands touched her temples, attempting to ease the tension that had sneaked in. The Younglings. Clone Troopers. She was overwhelmed. By the time she had arrived, nearly everyone was dead. She felled and blocked the troops as she made her way through the Temple, looking for anyone to rescue, but there was none. Senator Organa watched as she searched her feelings and spoke solemnly.
"Days after the attack and before the Clone Troops were sent in to dispose of the bodies, I and a select few of others were allowed in to survey the damage. However, I already knew the truth of the evil deed. I went in not looking for answers, but for survivors. I saw your hand move beneath a pile of rubble. A wall had collapsed over you from blaster fire. You were barely alive. I made arrangements to get you out undetected. And now, you are here."
Stely searched his eyes, it pained him that he could not have saved more. She shook her head, still not completely understanding.
"How long have I been here?" Senator Organa sighed and turned away from her.
"Almost a month."
"Has there been any contact with the Council? Or any other Jedi who were on mission away from Coruscant?" The pitch of her voice raised and her emotions were on display. Senator Organa sighed once more and merely shook his head.
"To our knowledge, only you and two others. Otherwise, all others are thought to be dead. I myself believe there may be more that have gone into hiding that are still alive. I recommend that you do the same." Stely's face contorted in horror.
"Me? Go into hiding? Why?"
"Because all of the Jedi, if they live, are outlaws. The Empire and the Emperor will show no mercy to those they see as foes." Senator Organa cut himself off from revealing more.
"We will be on Alderaan soon. We will talk more over dinner. I shall make arrangements to help you, Stely."
Later that evening after they arrived on Senator Organa's home world, Stely was shown to her quarters and given a few hours of alone time to clean up and rest. As she looked in the mirror, she noticed the dark circles that wrapped themselves beneath her clear gray eyes and the faint, pink scar that now graced her cheek. She barely recognized herself.
Never in all of her 28 years had she felt such confusion, the Jedi Order had organized her life neatly and now it had passed chaos. Stely wove her long hair into a braid that touched her lower back and dressed in the simple, topaz-colored dress that was laid out for her.
As she made her way to dinner, Stely thought of the conversation that she and Master Yoda had just a week before the attack on the temple. She was to take on a Padawan, she was to become a Jedi Master. A frown pulled at the corners of her mouth.
That future was gone now. Now she was advised to go into hiding.
Stely barely ate because she was too busy asking questions to Senator Organa and his wife. She took a sip from her glass and did her best to hold her emotions in check. The Senator was very pleasant, but he did not relinquish his ideas on what Stely should do.
He told her of the Emperor's new apprentice, Darth Vader, of whom she may remember as one Anakin Skywalker. How could she not remember him? He was 6 years her junior, yet he had surpassed her in skill long ago. It was he who lead the death squad into the temple? It was him who murdered so many younglings?
The Senator also told her the dark secret that she, save himself, his and the two other known Jedi knew. Senator Amidala of Naboo had died bearing Skywalker's twins and he and his wife had taken the girl child, Leia, and adopted her as their own. The son, was sent away and one of the remaining Jedi, while in hiding, was silently keeping watch over him. Vader could never know that they lived and Stely was sworn to secrecy.
So much had transpired in so little time, though it felt as though a generation had passed.
"You never told me of the other two, Senator. Who are the known remaining Jedi?" Senator Organa set down his utensils and eyed her frankly.
"Masters Yoda and Kenobi are currently in hiding." Stely should've realized that it was two Jedi Masters and council members that had survived.
"I need to speak with Master Yoda." She stated firmly.
"I do not think that is a wise decision. He cannot be found, too much is at risk." Stely stood up from the table and laid her fork down.
"I thank you for your kindness, Senator. However, you cannot force me into hiding. I have trained to be a Jedi Knight my entire life, I can promise you I will act discreetly and with stealth. If you cannot divulge the whereabouts of Master Yoda, then allow me to speak with Master Kenobi. I need answers. I would rather die than give either of them away or lead this Vader to his children. You must believe me."
Senator Organa saw the impassioned look in Stely Niari's eyes and knew that she would go against his wishes if she must, he may as well aid her if he were to maintain any control on the situation.
"Very Well, I shall make the arrangements. You will have to alter your looks and disguise yourself as something other than a Jedi. This is against my better judgement, but I realize that it would be better if I would help rather than having you seek them out yourself."
Senator Organa had arranged for a ship formerly owned by a bounty hunter and four of his men to escort Stely to Master Kenobi's location. She dressed herself in black leggings and boots with a gray tunic and cloak. She twisted her braid into a tight knot and then met Senator Organa and his men at the hangar. The Senator held out his hand to her and gave her a small smile.
"This belongs to you."
He held out her light saber to her and she smiled in return, "I thought it was gone forever."
"Do not use it unless absolutely necessary. A blaster should be your primary weapon." Senator Organa turned and picked up the gun and then handed it to the Jedi. Stely took it from him and nodded.
"Thank you, Senator. For everything. I am indebted to you. If you should ever need anything, I will be among the first to help." Senator Organa nodded and watched as the young woman walked toward the ship.
"Oh and Stely..." She turned on her heel and looked at him. Senator Bail Organa nodded and smiled as he finished, "May the Force be with you."
She nodded and replied, "I am sure that we will cross paths again. Say farewell to your wife and daughter for me."
And with that, Stely Niari walked up the ramp to the ship and entered. Her new reality was before her and a new adventure with much peril was on the horizon.
A/N: In the next chapter, Obi-Wan reflects on recent events and adapting to his life as a recluse on Tatooine. Stely arrives on his doorstep, looking for answers.
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