Disclaimer: Calling all SW characters and planets, etc. You belong to George Lucas and Jude Watson. I know, I'm crying too, but I can't own any of you, except Nyree, Austral and Kaede. Sorry!
A/N: I'm here! I'm back! Sorry, just been busy with school, writing an essay for Shakespeare class and studying for midterms. And amongst all that, somehow I found the time to post up my new Teen Titans story and get to work on this next chapter. I hope you guys liked Nyree because she's going to in the remaining part of the story, hehehehe.
Ch. 12: A new addition to the family"ANAKIN!"
"I HATE YOU!"
"Traitor."
Obi-Wan staggered against the stucco wall, his breath panting. He now knew that the last word "Traitor" was Bant's voice. He had foreseen his best friend calling him that, but he had done nothing to prevent it. Glancing around, the teenager took in his surroundings. He had been down this street countless time as Austral, whenever he relived one of her memories. He had experienced her first training day at the Academy, the first time she could lift a book off the ground, learning the basics of the Saterin fighting style, everything.
Walking quietly over the cobbled stones, Obi-Wan took in a deep breath of the capital city Barva. The houses were made of stone on the outside to give the city a more old-style country look. But inside, the modern technology of the universe lined the walls and counters of every man, woman and child room. Strangely enough, in his past experiences of visiting Austral's memories, people and aliens of all shapes and sizes would be bustling about the streets. But not today, something was wrong. Feeling an urgent pull, Obi-Wan began to run. Occasionally he caught his reflection in the window of a young Austral, her light brown hair braided into pigtails. But this time, he caught himself looking a young teenage Austral on the cusp of womanhood, her freckles long gone and her brown hair braided into a single long braid that reached down to the middle of her back.
Running up the stone flights of stairs, Obi-Wan in Austral's body reached the main house of their family branch. With a Force push, the doors sprung open and Obi-Wan ran up the inner flights of stairs. Panting now, Obi-Wan skidded to a halt and opened the door that was his many times great grandfather's room. Peeking inside, Obi-Wan saw a woman in her early twenties lying on a bed, her black hair streaked in sweat and green eyes sparkling in joy.
"Come here Austral," whispered the woman in a lovingly voice. "Come and see your new cousin."
As Obi-Wan walked over to the bed, his eyes glanced out the widow. Where was Austral's brother, his great grandfather? Shouldn't he be here? But all was answered when Obi-Wan saw the scene unfolding above the city and the reason why no on was in the streets. Huge military transports were in the sky, carrying soldiers and weapons. The Jedi and the Republic had arrived.
Obi-Wan opened up his eyes slowly. It had been awhile since he dreamed about any of Austral's memories and the last time he had a vision was that night when he said good-bye to Qui-Gon.
"Oh well," muttered Obi-Wan as he stuffed his face back into his pillow to go back to sleep. But as soon as he was about to drift to sleep, his head rose up and he glared towards the front door. Someone was knocking. Probing slightly, Obi-Wan found out that the person at the door was not a Jedi or anyone that posed a threat. Walking tiredly at the door with only a shirt and shorts with his robe over it, Obi-Wan opened the door.
An eyebrow was raised slightly, Obi-Wan spoke in a dry voice, "What are you doing here?"
Nyree stood before the teenager in a black overcoat, holding a small traveling bag in front of her, "I…I came here to see if you needed someone to cook, clean, sew or catalog anything." A small smile appeared on her face, "You see, Roku found out about me aiding you and the Jedi were not pleased as well with me. So, now I am without a home and without a job and you were the first person I thought of because you kinda owe me a favor."
Obi-Wan ran a hand through his hair, "How did you find this place?"
The girl held out a piece of paper, "You wrote down your address just in case we found anything of importance for you and deliver it here. Don't worry, I grabbed the slip of paper before the Jedi or Roku thought about it."
He nodded and narrowed his eyes, "Were you followed?"
"No. I know when I'm being followed and I wasn't this time."
"The Jedi are known to follow extremely well."
"I've been tracked by a Jedi once, I would still know."
Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes. Why would a Jedi track this girl? Even though his curiosity was raised, the boy shook his head and grabbed the piece of paper, ripping it shreds, "Sorry, but I don't need any servant. I've got enough at home."
"Are you sure? I don't necessarily need to work in the kitchen or the household. I could work elsewhere. Besides," a small smile graced Nyree's face, "I've got something that you might want."
Obi-Wan frowned, his face darkening. "Ok, who are you truly, Nyree? Helping me out, acting differently, now bribing me." Folding his arms across his chest, the boy continued, "And being followed by a Jedi. You're more than just a servant, homeless girl. Now tell me the truth."
Nyree's shoulders sagged and she sighed, "Fine. I guess it is hard fooling Xanatos' dog-"
Obi-Wan grabbed Nyree and yanked her into his apartment. Locking the door, he pushed the girl into the door, pinning her before him. "I am not Xanatos' dog." He made sure to keep his dirty missions for Xanatos separate from his regular lifestyle of being Xanatos good intern.
A mocking glint entered Nyree's eyes, "Are you sure about that? Cause from what I've studied, you are like his dog."
Obi-Wan scoffed, "Stop avoiding the questions."
"Fine but may I at least eat."
Obi-Wan locked eyes with Nyree and backed up slowly. He didn't really trust her, but the Force was telling him to listen to her. "This way."
Entering the kitchen, Obi-Wan watched from the corner of his eyes. Nyree sitting down on the small wooden table, as he grabbed some bread and cheese. "Sorry, but I'm leaving in a couple weeks."
"You mean tomorrow. You asked for a job aboard The Ventrica in order to avoid the Jedi and get off planet before you are due back at Telos. Usually after jobs, you spend two or three days afterwards on the planet, before leaving."
Obi-Wan's eyes grew wide and his mouth dropped open as he stood in the middle of the kitchen the bread and cheese still in his hands. "You've…you've been following me?"
"No, just researched and deduced the facts. But I did follow you to The Ventrica," smiled Nyree as she took the food out of Obi-Wan's hands and sat back down at the table, making herself a sandwich.
Obi-Wan sat down next to the girl and watched her cut the bread. "So…"
"I am Nyree Decartza. I worked since I was child for the Morgs Industrial Company who partake in dealing out the necessary equipment for mining facilities both legally and illegal," began Nyree.
Obi-Wan nodded, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed the information. He read some reports and Xanatos discussing with him how dealing with the Morgs was a pain, because they had such a shady background. For a while, Xanatos was trying to find out information to destroy the company or at least for him to gain enough investments to control it. But so far, nothing had come up.
"Until now. Maybe it won't be bad bringing her along. But, what if she's a spy for the Morgs?" though Obi-Wan, but aloud he asked, "How did you end up here?"
Nyree placed the knife down, "A monster came. He had horns and red lightsaber. He killed every office member. I was able to run away in time and back home. Jedi were sent to investigate the matter, but from what I saw of their reactions to how the people were killed, I fled in fear."
Obi-Wan frowned. Xanatos and him had rumors that something bad had happened to Morgs Company and why all equipment trades were done with its' minor branches. His dream concerning a horned monster flashed in his minds, "How did you know everything about me?"
Nyree smiled, grateful for the change of subject, "I was a record keeper for the Morgs. When I was bored, I tended to read the files. Reading your file or articles concerning Xanatos, Offworld and a young intern was one of my favorite past times. You've experienced some interesting missions."
Obi-Wan laughed, sensing no lies from Nyree. "Interesting missions? I don't think I would call them that. More like life or death situations which I don't get paid enough for."
Nyree nodded. Obi-Wan looked upon the girl and sighed, "Alright. I guess we can find a place for you somewhere on Telos."
Happiness shone in Nyree's eyes, "Oh, thank you, Obi-Wan sir!"
Obi-Wan grinned, "No problem."
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"What?"
"She'll be good servant. We'll just have her working out in the garden. Yewi is always complaining about needing an extra pair of hands when tilling the ground."
"She worked for Morgs. How do you know she is telling the truth? You're relying solely on instincts and the Force alone. She might be the reason why Morgs was eliminated and after she's through doing research on us, she'll wipe us out as well."
Xanatos was leaning into his leather chair, hard blue eyes fixed on the pacing figure of Obi-Wan. The boy had returned not less than an hour ago and already the two were fighting, over a girl nonetheless.
"About time," mused Xanatos. He was a little worried about Obi-Wan and the boy's relationship with the opposite sex. At all the balls and banquets, he would push the boy to dance and try to date the attractive, rich girls of his age. But each time, Obi-Wan would use his charm to allow for one dance, whisper magical words and the brief relationship would be over. Xanatos figured that Obi-Wan was either once again focused too much on his goal of understanding the Saterin knowledge and work as an intern at Offworld. Or the boy had not broken free of the Jedi rule that one must not form attachments. Which ever was the reason, this girl seemed to break through Obi-Wan's defenses and that was enough for Xanatos to hire the girl. He just argued with Obi-Wan for the fun of watching the boy conjure ways to outsmart the older man.
Obi-Wan gave up pacing and stood looking out the window, watching the people hustle through the busy streets of the capital city. "It is just…she's a hard worker and she will be of use to us if we want to gain ownership over Morgs rights."
"What is your true reason, boy?"
Obi-Wan turned his head slightly, allowing Xanatos to see a flicker of sadness wash over the boy's face. "She lived through an attack by that monster, Xan. A monster that I thought was a figment of my imagination, but now turns out to be real. What if…what if that dream was a vision? What if everything that I saw will come to pass?"
Xanatos rose from his chair and joined Obi-Wan by the window, "You can't control the future, Obi-Wan. No matter what we see, what we do, some things are meant to happen."
Obi-Wan sighed, turned his back to the window and leaned against the glass, his arms crossed, "That's what I'm beginning to think. That maybe sure the Jedi were part of the downfall of our species, but from what I've studied from the chips and experience in Austral's memories, it seemed that the Saterin had enough warning signals in their visions. They just chose to ignore them or didn't understand the vision's true meaning. Do you think that's what is happening to me? That I am doing the same exact mistakes?"
Xanatos shifted to lock his eyes with Obi-Wan, "It's hard to say Obi-Wan. But you can keep the girl. She's your responsible and your property."
Obi-Wan's smile quickly turned to a frown, "She's a human being, not property, Xan." Stuffing his hands into his pockets, Obi-Wan walked towards the door, "See you at home, Xan."
After Obi-Wan left the room, Xanatos allowed a chuckle to escape his mouth and watched through the window as a girl in a black dress dropped her luggage and hugged Obi-Wan. Quickly, Obi-Wan pushed the girl away and the two walked towards the speeder and left the city.
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Nyree took in the large mansion before her eyes. The huge house was made up of both wood and stone with large windows decorating the front. She could spot a vast garden that spread for acres behind the mansion. The speeder veered around the corner and pulled up into a garage that was as like an average size house. Inside, other speeders were parked along with swoop bikes and even a small fighter ship.
Hopping out of the driver's seat, Obi-Wan beckoned with his hand, "Come on."
The girl nodded, grabbed her small bag and followed after Obi-Wan. She stopped dead in her tracks when the pair entered into the lobby.
"Aw, Master Obi-Wan. It is good to see that you have returned safely home," spoke Kaede, walking up to join the pair in the lobby.
"Kaede, it's so good to see you again," Obi-Wan shook hands with the elderly man and then embraced him in a hug.
Kaede laughed and pulled back, regarding Nyree, "I see we have a guest."
Obi-Wan grinned, "Actually, Nyree just started working here. Can you show her around, while I get unpacked?"
"Of course," bowed Kaede. The older man motioned for Nyree to follow him to the servant quarters.
Nyree bowed quickly at Obi-Wan and hurried to join Kaede. Obi-Wan's smile disappeared as Nyree and Kaede round the corner. His whole happy attitude vaporized into the air and was replaced by a dark look over his features. Walking up the stairs towards his room, Obi-Wan opened his mind to the Force and his bond with Xanatos. He felt the Dark Side flood his mind, but it did not drown the boy. Instead, Obi-Wan allowed himself to float upon the dark waves trying to feel the source of the problem.
"Xanatos?"
"Get out of my mind, Obi-Wan."
"But something is bothering you? What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Please, Xan, don't push me away."
"Don't start going Jedi on me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. I'll tell you later on tonight."
With that said, Xanatos closed his end of their bond, leaving Obi-Wan wading in the shallow pool of dark energy. Slamming shut his bedroom, Obi-Wan burned away the dark energy by opening up fully to Saterin Force level. The Dark Side vaporized, leaving pure white anger in its' place. Turning the shower on full blast, Obi-Wan watched the steam begin to cloud the mirror. When the mirror was completely covered, Obi-Wan closed his eyes, stretched out his hand and let the Force guide his finger. Sensing his finger stop, Obi-Wan looked to see at the word that was written on the mirror. The bright anger dimmed to a dull glow and the numbing cold of depression sank onto Obi-Wan's shoulders. Written on the mirror was the word of the single planet that he wished he never had to return to, "Badamoor."
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A/N: Once again, sorry this took forever to write. Stupid midterms. But next week, I'm on SPRING BREAK VACATION, oh yes! I'll be visiting some relatives, so I don't know when I'll be able to pop in a chapter. I will try and update though. I don't want to leaves you guys on a cliffy. Well, take care until then and please be patient. It will get really good soon, hehehe, I had a nice, juicy idea hit me when I finished this chapter.