Recognising my surroundings to be the medical centre at the temple, I allowed myself a moment to assess my condition before sitting upright. My thoughts immediately turned to Seya, and I wanted nothing more than to be with her and hold her close. Instead, the only person in the room with me was Barriss, who quickly stood up once she realised that I was awake and alert. "Master Theca, how do you feel?"
"I am alright, tell me, what has happened? I cannot remember anything after I fell unconscious, tell me what happened at the Senate." I instructed her quickly, already beginning to draw back the blanket and place my feet on the floor.
"Please do not move just yet, master, and do not be alarmed. The Jedi are all unharmed, every clone is going through an operation to remove the microchip implants so that they will not be compelled to follow the order of the execution of the Jedi. The Kaminoans have been forced to confess everything and they have all been placed under arrest to face trial. The Sith Lord escaped, and has completely vanished, though he left with a message that soon we would all be under his authority once more, that the Sith Empire would return, but the Republic and Separatists refused to recognise him as Emperor. Peace talks are occurring at this moment to end the clone wars so that we can begin to rebuild and defend against the Sith. Your actions saved a great many lives, Master Theca." I exhaled deeply. It was not as I hoped, that the Sith would be captured and this would all be over, but still, it was better than the alternative. Utter devastation and destruction.
"So the first war is over, only to be replaced by another. I have failed in my mission." Barriss tried to tell me not to think in that way, that had the Sith not gone unchallenged, then none of us would have known any better. The full account of what his manipulations was coming to light, and he had been removed from office for someone else to replace him, though there is still a huge debate as to who it should be.
"You have been unconscious for many rotations, master. The Council have been asking for updates on your condition, and wish for you to present yourself before them as soon as you are able. Shall I contact them now or do you need more time to rest?"
"No, I shall go now. Thank you Barriss, have you been here this entire time?" She smiled to me and nodded her head, saying that she did not want me to be alone, though many had come to visit whilst I was unconscious, including members of the Council, most notably Master Plo and Kit, as well as Aayla, Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka. I was glad to know that she was back, and so I quickly got myself up and readied myself to go before the Council. The Healers gave me a final check up before I was allowed to leave. It was with a little relief that the injury to my torso made by Darth Sidious had unwittingly hidden the surgical scar from before, and I had to wonder if it was an act of providence, or even the will of the Force, though the Head Healer had noticed some odd discrepancies in my biometric scan, as my body showed signs of having been carrying a child, and the fact that I was lactating also indicated it to be so, but with no child in my womb, and no evidence of a miscarriage, she was left puzzled and I went away already planning on how I can maintain my secret, or even outwardly announced that I had a daughter and proclaim that I would raise her, inside or outside of the Jedi Order, and I did not care which it was to be.
Right now it did not matter, I had a great many things that I would have to deal with in the next coming days, but I wanted to get this meeting with the Council out of the way so that I could go to my daughter and reclaim her. She had been gone too long from me, and I wanted her back. The temple was rather quiet, very few people walking through the grand, sweeping halls as I made my way to the council chamber with Barriss at my side, though once I saw Ahsoka speaking with Anakin and Captain Rex, I felt myself light up serenely upon seeing her. She sensed my approach and turned, an expression of relief passing over her face before she was running towards me and hurrying to throw her arms about me. "Easy little 'Soka, I am still delicate." I joked, embracing her in return before we then drew back in order to see one another. "I am glad that you are safe. I trust the mission to Mandalore went well?"
"Maul has been captured, and he is being held here at the temple. It was agreed that only the Jedi had the means to keep him restrained, so for now, he is our prisoner." Ahsoka confirmed so I nodded my head, naturally raising my hand to brush at her cheek. "I heard about what you did, Master Theca. I'll admit I was surprised, I thought Anakin was the only reckless Jedi around here." She said with a smile, looking me over and sensing my injuries.
"There are one or two of us. Anakin." I greeted him warmly with a respectful nod which he returned before I then acknowledged Rex. I could not stay long, but I left Barriss with Ahsoka as the two had already seemed to have resolved their past conflict, allowing me to go before the Council alone, though I looked with surprise to Anakin. "Aren't you coming? Are you not on the Council, Anakin?"
"No, I decided to give up my seat. At least, until I've properly earned it." He told me, and I perceived a sense of growth within him so I smiled and invited him up all the same, as I felt that he needed to be part of the upcoming discussions. We went together, where he mentioned to me that Seya was fine, that Padmé and Sabe were still watching over her and I was grateful for the report before he then asked me if her father was anyone he knew. I said nothing but smiled, giving him a look as the door slid open to reveal the council chamber, with everyone gathered in their seats.
"Theca, good it is to see you. Concerned for you, we have been." Master Yoda greeted me first as Anakin and I both entered and bowed to the Jedi Masters around us. My gaze strayed to Kit, and I sensed an intense sadness from him briefly before he masterfully hid it away. Later, we would talk later.
"Because of you the plot of the Sith was revealed before it could be put into motion. We have since confirmed that Order Sixty-Six was a protocol which was implanted into the clones to force them to execute all Jedi. Had the order been given, a great many of us would have been killed by our own allies." Master Windu said to me with a studious and still rather intense expression. "Now we wish to hear of how you came to discover the truth from the very beginning. Take all the time you require. We are eager to hear the truth." At his behest, I retold the entirety of my findings from beginning to end, how my silent musings and suspicions which had occurred over the expanse of ten years had brought me to believe that there was something that linked them all together, and had thus begun my investigation.
The entire story took hours to tell, going into full detail of how I understood Darth Sidious had manipulated everything from the shadows, bringing us up until the moment of the present, where I asked to be informed of everything that had happened since I collapsed. Although Dark Sidious escaped, Obi-Wan had been able to destroy General Grievous, and also discovered where the rest of the Separatist council had been sent, to the Mustafar System. There they were captured and now the droid army had been shut down, the senators of the Separatist Confederacy now negotiating peace with the Republic, though with very little improvement thus far. Some were even calling for a complete reform of the system, as further investigations uncovered the truths of deception, fraud, crime and corruption.
Already half the day was gone by the time I had been told of everything that had happened, and for a long while, no one said anything until I had decided upon my first question. "What is being done to find Darth Sidious? We will not have balance until the Sith are destroyed."
"Rest assured, we have made finding Sidious our top priority. In any case, he will not remain hidden for long. In his escape, he left with a great military force of loyal admirals and followers, taking with him a number of battle cruisers. He will return for war." Master Windu said to me, though his eyes narrowed heavily at me as he spoke next. "We have further questions for you, Theca Rouyn. There was some confusion in your medical report, and it has been brought to our attention, it appears…"
"I was carrying a child. Yes. My daughter." Answering before the question could even be asked, I decided once and for all that I was finished with lying, and no longer wished to live my life hiding such a joyful presence which brought a whole new meaning to my existence, and I felt that there had been enough deception and corruption even within our own temple. "Before going to confront Darth Sidious, I had her delivered through a caesarean so that I could be certain of her safety. She is in the hands of trusted friends, and I have no intention of letting her go. I will raise her, for she is mine, and I love her with all of my being. I will not forsake this attachment, and will willingly leave the Jedi Order if I must." A general gasp and sense of shock rippled around the Council as Kit sat bolt upright, staring at me openly as I glanced at him.
"Theca, consider what it is that you are saying." Master Plo warned me softly, as astonished as the rest but recovering himself sooner. "This is…a decision that should not be rushed into."
"My mind is made." I announced before looking at Anakin beside me, considering him for a moment before I then spoke again. "The Council has made numerous mistakes over the years, most recently during this war. You have allowed yourselves to be clouded by fear, by suspicion, and because of this, many people suffered. We became warriors instead of peace keepers, and because of our foolishness we were manipulated effortlessly by the Sith directly into their plot, and were almost destroyed because of our short sightedness. One thing has been made clear to me. Our ways…our traditions…are flawed."
"Outrageous!" One of the elder masters was affronted by my claim but I ignored them and continued, addressing the Council as a whole as I looked at them each in turn.
"Our structure is too rigid and it has begun to break, our ways are no longer as effective as they were a millennia ago. This is an entirely new generation, a new galaxy, and if changes are not made, then we will surely see our end one way or another. If there is one thing I know, it is that in order to survive, one must adapt or be consumed." Some masters were now glancing to one another, thinking over my words. "You have been unable to listen, even when thousands of voices have cried out. You failed to listen to Barriss Offee, to Master Sifo-Dyas, to the many of the suffering people on our own planet, let alone those who have repeatedly cried out for help only to go unanswered. We have become politicians, playing to the rules of the Republic, our way is lost. Masters of the Council, even if these are my last moments within the Jedi Order, I intend to leave only after I have delivered this wisdom I possess, and that is to adapt. Adapt or die. It is the only way."
"Bold words, Theca Rouyn, I do not believe anyone has ever dared been so outspoken before the Council." Master Windu said quietly before glancing at Anakin. "Almost."
"I agree with Theca." Anakin announced, choosing to state his own views on the subject. "Because of the laws of the Order, I almost lost my way and fell onto a dark path. Because I have been forced to live in secrecy, my fears almost became a reality, and the secrecy has done nothing but add to the torment. Theca is not the only one who has broken Jedi law. I too, have an attachment to someone I have no intention of breaking. Like Theca, I am soon to have a child of my own, and more than what Theca has done, I have taken the person I love as my wife." Another start of astonishment went around the Council at Anakin's announcement, yet he smiled and I sensed a great deal of lightness flowing through him. "So if you decide to expel her, you will have to expel me too. Your so called Chosen One."
The Council all looked at one another frequently, completely uncertain of how to take this until Master Yoda stepped in. He called for a break in discussions in order to meditate and think upon everything that had been said, warning Anakin and I that our fates were yet to be decided which we accepted before being allowed to leave. "Well, that went well." Anakin announced after we'd stepped into the elevator together. I looked at him with a frown, not understanding how he could still be so sarcastic even now. All the same, I eventually smiled and released a long exhale. I did not regret my choice, and after stepping out of the elevator to where Ahsoka, Barriss and Rex were waiting for us, we shared our news with them, seeing as word would spread soon enough. Ahsoka was shocked to learn that the both of us were now parents with children, mine already here and Anakin's on the way. Barriss was unable to speak for a long time, whilst Rex simply offered his most heartfelt congratulations.
Our conversation was short, as soon after we had left the council chamber, Kit appeared behind us and I immediately turned. "Excuse me." Nodding to everyone else, Ahsoka arched an eyebrow as I moved towards Kit. His emotions were now tearing through him, struggling to keep them in check until with a heavy sigh, he took my face in his hands and drew me close, bringing his forehead to rest upon mine. He did not care that we were being watched, and I knew then that no matter what happened, he was going to stay by my side. "I'm sorry." I whispered to him, truly feeling remorseful for everything I had put him through, including the torment of being unable to come to me, or to discuss these events.
"Come." He was still angry, but I could still feel his love for me as he let go only to take my hand in order to lead me away, keeping me anchored to his side. He tried to lead me away somewhere private so that we could speak, but I had no intention of remaining in this temple a second longer whilst my child was elsewhere and brought him along with me, making him follow as we began to talk quietly. He admonished me for going to face Sidious alone, insisting that I should have at least told him so that he could have gone with me, but I reasoned that Darth Sidious would not have been as open had there been more than just myself there. He did not see me as a threat, as someone who could have been easily killed and swept away never to be seen or cared about again, which made him drop his guard. His fatal error.
Still Kit was incensed, and made me promise not to act so irrationally ever again, which made me chuckle and inform him that I could make no such promise on account that I had become used to acting irrationally. "After all, loving and being with you was illogical, as I knew it was against our law, but I did so anyway. Do you regret such irresponsibility?" Settling a little, Kit admitted that he was glad that we had both indulged in our feelings for one another. Once his anger had subsided, we then talked of what we were going to do, insisting that he was going to inform the Council that he was my lover, and that he had no intention of leaving me or his child, but I told him to save such thoughts for another day, as we were approaching the residence of Padmé and her handmaiden's home was close by.
I brought him inside, and when he first beheld Seya, he immediately fell silent and brought himself over to her, kneeling down before the incubation pod in order to gaze wistfully at her form. "She looks like us." He murmured, pressing his hand against the glass as I stood back to admire them both. "She is perfect." Upon sensing his presence, Seya stirred a little and reached out her tiny hand, touching the glass on the other side in order to feel her father more closely, and after I had run a diagnostic to determine that it was safe to pull her out, I opened the pod and lifted her into my arms. She flinched at the drop in temperature before nestling close against my robes, seeking warmth and I wrapped her up in my cloak to hold her, sitting upon Kit's lap so that his arms encircled the both of us as we sat on the floor.
"I cannot let her go, Kit. I will not let her go. She is our daughter, and I want her to know us both, not be raised in the temple without ever knowing."
"She will not have to. It is as I said. Where you are, so shall I be. Unless we can persuade the Council to change our laws, I shall be a father to Seya always, first and foremost." Kit murmured, kissing into my neck before I then shifted and placed her in his arms so that he could cradle her. Her eyes flickered, opening slightly to look at him before she made a noise of contentedness and fell asleep once more. We remained on that floor for hours, holding our daughter and keeping her close to our hearts as we enjoyed her presence and marvelled at her beauty and strength with the Force. In the end we decided to take her back to the temple, carrying her proudly and ignored the whispers around us, and stayed together as a family.
That night as I lay beside Kit with my hand reached through to rest over the incubation pod beside our bed, I gazed at my precious daughter and as she stirred, her hand reached out and pressed against the glass to meet my hand. I saw flashes of the future come to life before my eyes, watching her grow beautifully, training as a Jedi, our family at the temple, her friends the Skywalker twins, the establishment of order and prosperity under the new chancellor Bail Organa, the fall of the Sith at Anakin's hands, and the many thousands of years of peace which would then follow as the Jedi Order had adapted with the tide of change, lessening restrictions, and in some ways, becoming greater than ever. There was less fear, less anger and hatred, and as the images continued to appear in my mind, Seya was my key focus.
Our lives together would be long, happy and prosperous. After so much war and conflict, I was gratified to know that peace would soon be upon us, and I would live as a teacher to many generations of younglings yet to come, and that one day, the Jedi would be led by mine and Anakin's children, who would become the masters that we needed to guide us, and their influences and ideals would echo throughout the ages, carrying on the legacy that began with us.