AN: I had no intention of posting yet another True fic in another Universe, but it appears the muses had another idea. I don't know much about Star Wars other than what I have seen in the movies but I absolutely love Qui-Gon Jinn so this is what flowed out, It is definitely AU because of True, but also because I know I do not have things correct in the Star Wars universe. This is merely entertainment so please do not read if you are looking for this to be even close to canon. This fic occurs early in Qui-Gon's Jedi career.
A word of warning to those that love True. She is not quite the same True you have seen in my other fics. This is her origin story reimagined.
Qui-Gon Jinn looked at the devastation around him. He came to this planet to negotiate peace and failed though not through any fault of his, which was little relief as he looked at the remains of one camp. The clan that lived here was one the Division wanted most to destroy and they did just that. He sighed and turned to head back to the city to catch the transport back to Coruscant when he felt…something. He closed his eyes to center himself and after a moment hurried over to a pile of debris. The feeling grew stronger so he carefully used the force to remove several large logs and containers. He peered down into the makeshift hole and was shocked to see a child. After a bit more digging he was able to free the girl and gently lifted her into his arms then placed her on the ground before climbing out.
He checked the girl and was relieved to find a pulse, weak but still there. She did not seem to have any major injuries, only some cuts and bruises which was a surprise considering what he removed to free her. He looked for the birth ring that would help to identify her but it was not there however he did find her marking so he knew she was Clan McCallan. The Division had come and collected all of the bodies to make sure the entire clan was dead and the few that they were missing were currently being hunted down, including one girl that matched this child's description. He was unnerved by the urgency and fear he felt when they spoke about the child. He took a quick look around to ensure they were still alone before turning his attention back to the girl. He could feel the force around her but knew that no one but another Jedi would know that so he did not think that was why she was so valuable.
Well, no matter. She was force sensitive and appeared to be young enough to be trained in the Jedi arts. He was not about to let the Division kill an innocent child so he scooped her up and hurried to find a more secure location. After a bit of walking he found a small cave that he knew had already been searched and placed her on the ground before replacing the branches exactly as they had been so as not to alert anyone it was now occupied. He had a small medical kit with him and started to clean and bandage the worst lacerations. As he was attending to her wounds a pendant on the necklace she was wearing slipped out from beneath her shirt. He flipped it over and froze when he saw the carving etched into the dark blue stone. The girl opening her eyes distracted him.
"Hello little one."
True slowly regained consciousness and sensed that someone was beside her. She reached out with her senses and knew this person was not a threat so she opened her eyes to see a very large man holding her necklace pendant in his hand.
"Hello little one."
As her eyes focused she took in his appearance and immediately knew he was a Jedi. She'd heard one had come to negotiate a treaty which obviously did not happen. She didn't blame him though, she knew how sneaky and conniving the Division were and had not expected a positive outcome. "Hello." She managed to say through parched lips. She watched warily as he pulled a flask from his belt and held it to her lips. Cool water flowed into her mouth and she drank greedily until he pulled it away.
"Not too much now, I do not want you to become sick." He placed the flask back onto his belt and sat back. "I am Qui-Gon Jinn."
"You're a Jedi."
"Yes. Do you have a name?"
"True." She looked around and saw they were in a cave. "How did you find me?" She knew she'd moved out enough dirt to make a good size hole to hide in before moving the logs and other debris over her. Several Division soldiers had walked by her while rounding up the rest of her clan and never found her.
"I could sense you. A good thing that I did or you may not have survived." He helped her sit up and was surprised when she slid back quickly. "I am not going to hurt you child."
True tried to make sense of the sensations and feelings that coursed through her when he touched her. She didn't know what it was about but it didn't scare her. "I know."
Qui-Gon noticed the look on her face but did not know what caused it. "Are you alright?"
"Who are you?"
"I told you, I am Qui-Gon Jinn."
"Yes, but there is more. I can feel it."
Qui-Gon stared at her for several moments before deciding that he would need to be honest with her if he wanted her to trust him enough to get her off the planet. "Where did you get that pendant?" He asked even though he was sure he already knew the answer.
The question surprised her but she answered. "It was my Mothers."
"You have her eyes."
"You knew my Mother?"
"Yes."
"I never met her. She died after I was born."
"Have you been told anything about her?"
"No. My father and brother rarely talked about her. I got the sense they were hiding something from me but I was never able to find out what it was. After Papa died I stopped asking about her."
Qui-Gon hesitated. It was obvious they did not want her to know her Mothers past, most likely in a misguided attempt to protect her. With everyone gone he saw no reason to keep it from her now. "Your Mother and I were age-mates and close friends at the Jedi Temple."
True didn't know what she expected him to say but that was definitely not it. "She was a Jedi?"
"Yes. I knew her well. In fact I gave her the pendant you are wearing."
"That's insane! My brother would have told me something as important as that!"
"Perhaps he intended to tell you when you were older." More likely, Qui-Gon thought, he suspected or knew she was force sensitive and planned to tell her when she was too old to be taken to the Temple and trained.
"Why would anyone choose to stop being a Jedi?" She asked incredulously.
Qui-Gon smiled. "Many years ago, before the Division came into power, the clans on this planet were fighting and we were asked to come to help mediate a peace agreement. Your Mother met your father, Keon, while she was here and they fell in love. She decided that her love for him was greater than her love for the Jedi and made the difficult decision to leave the order." He lifted the pendant. "I gave Maren this before I left."
"My brother told me it was her most prized possession and that she'd want me to have it."
"I am sure she would." He took a moment to listen to the force before speaking again, "You inherited more than your eyes from her."
True was an intelligent child and easily understood what he was alluding to. "That is how you found me."
"Yes." He leaned back against the cave wall. "What I have yet to understand is how you managed to be under that pile of debris and come out with superficial injuries." He had his suspicions now that he knew her lineage but wanted the girl to confirm it.
Instead of replying True waved her hand until a hole began to form in the dirt then pulled some rocks toward her and into the hole. "It's why the Division wants me so badly, they think they can turn me into a weapon. I can control the elements so I used my powers to hide myself. I figured that if they did happen to see me they would think it was too much work to dig me out."
Her skills were not unique for someone who was force sensitive, but neither were they all that common. "Your mother could do that as well."
"She could?"
"Yes. Do you have any other skills?"
"I can talk to and understand all animal life forms."
"I would like to see that. Perhaps you can give me a demonstration later."
"You're staying with me?"
"Yes. You are much too young to be on your own." And alone, Qui-Gon thought but did not say out loud.
She had been so concerned with surviving that she forgot why she was doing so in the first place. Qui-Gon's comment brought the memories rushing back. "Everyone is dead and I have nothing left. I should just turn myself into the Division." Tears slid down her cheeks as she hugged her knees to her chin. "I'm alone."
Qui-Gon's heart went out to the child. He approached her slowly and placed his large hand on her back, slowly rubbing circles and allowing her to release her emotions. When she cried herself out, he gently placed a finger beneath her chin and lifted her head so he could see her eyes. "Your clan fought to keep you safe and away from the Division, do not let their deaths be in vain. Yes, they are gone but you are not alone. I am here and would like to get you off of this planet to safety in Coruscant."
"What am I going to do there? Become a Jedi?"
"Would you like that?"
"I don't know." She answered honestly.
"Well we do not need to make any decisions now. Our first concern will be how to get you out without the Division seeing you. For now, you need to rest to regain your strength."
Ok all, Should I continue?
