Death's Choice
By Ammie Hawk
AN: So, this chapter fought me hard, until I decided to cut part of it into a side fic. So that's up and running if ya'll are interested in checking that out. Anyway, here we go, enjoy.
Chapter 14: Decisions
Obi-Wan looked up from the datapad he'd been reading as the door to the med bay hissed open. He hadn't had any visitors, aside from the medic who refused to give his name and the redhead absolutely refused to use a number, since Commander Cody had told him he was to be confined to quarters. That had been two days ago.
His only constant in that time had been Anakin. But he hadn't been very stimulating company as he was still unconscious. When he had asked why, the medic explained that they were keeping him in a medically induced coma. It was apparently both to prevent further injury and his own protection, though he didn't particularly understand the latter.
He expected the medic to enter, or even possibly the Commander, ready to pass down his judgement. He did not expect, however, to be greeted by the sight of Masters Yoda and Windu. The pair showed no hesitation as they made their way over to him, not that he expected anything less from them. They came to a stop beside his bed and Yoda used the Force to call over a chair for him to sit on.
"Master Yoda, Master Windu," he bowed his head respectfully. "Not that I'm not glad to see you both, but I was unaware I was allowed visitors at this time."
"Allowed, perhaps not," the venerable Master said as he settled into his seat. "Necessary, we feel, it is."
"What do you mean?" a frown marred the redhead's features.
"As I'm sure you know," Mace sighed heavily, "we lost many Jedi on Geonosis and because of that many adjustments to our ranks will have to be made. How this will effect you personally is that we would like to knight Skywalker, but only if you feel he is ready."
"He is young and headstrong," Obi-Wan closed his eyes, weighing his words and this decision carefully. "He is rash and impulsive, and easily swayed by his emotions, but I feel he has the makings of a strong and capable knight. However, if you do decide to follow through with this course of action, as it is rather unprecedented, I would recommend he continue to be monitored and assisted as he makes the transition."
"We will take your words into consideration," the bald Master nodded.
"Move on, now, we must," Yoda spoke up again. "Sensed we have, a vergence in the Force."
"A vergence?" the young knight's stomach sank as he had a feeling he knew where this was going.
"Join the clones on Geonosis, a youngling did," the old Master continued. "Strong in the Force, I sensed, he is."
"I sensed that as well," Obi-Wan agreed slowly.
"To the Temple, he must go," he nodded firmly. "Trained, he must be."
"I have feeling he already has some training, Master," the redhead took a steadying breath. "I don't know if things have changed since we boarded the ship, but while I was on Kamino I could not sense him unless he was actively using the Force. Even when he was unconscious aboard my ship, he did not register above a null. That indicates some rather impressive shielding. And while it could be instinctual, it is unlikely."
"We noticed," Mace interjected. "And that is all the more reason he should come to the Temple."
"I'm not saying I disagree," the younger male rubbed his eyes. "I think he would thrive with the proper guidance, but there is also the matter of his guardians. We have to get their permission before we even entertain the idea of taking him to the Temple. We do not steal younglings."
"Guardians need to worry about, we do not," the small green being waved his hand dismissively. "Have rights within the Republic, the clones do not. Take him to the Temple, protecting him we shall be."
"I don't think the clones will see it that way," Obi-Wan shook his head. "Especially the two that adopted him."
"Be that as it may," the dark-skinned male sighed, "Master Yoda is correct. I have not met the boy directly, but there is a large shatterpoint connected to him, and I fear if it breaks it could destroy the entire galaxy."
"That is… disconcerting," a frown marred the younger man's features. "But how can we know that by forcing this issue we will not be the cause of this point to break?"
"Always in motion, the future is," the diminutive Master said sagely. "Know this, we cannot."
"I do not believe this to be the case," Mace shook his head. "I sensed strong ties to both the Jedi and the Temple within the shatterpoint. Taking him with us will not break it. In fact, with the proper training it could be removed completely."
"I see," the redhead sighed heavily. "Though, I am not sure why you are bringing this matter to me. Your minds seem to be made up. I don't know what you want me to do about it."
"A connection with the boy, you have," Yoda's eyes locked with his own. "Speak to his guardians about this, you will."
"Master Yoda, I must protest," he shook his head. "If you expect a favorable outcome, I feel I am not the best choice for this."
"Speak to the clones, you will," Yoda's gimmer stick connected loudly with the edge of the bed. "Convince them, you must. Or out of their hands, it will be taken."
"Of course, Master," Obi-Wan bowed his head in defeat, knowing it was pointless to argue with the green troll once his mind was made up.
Though, perhaps it was better that he handle this. At least with him knowing and accepting the status quo, he was less likely to offend the clones by forcing things into an actual kidnapping. He just hoped Mace was right and this wouldn't push things to a breaking point.
888888
Rex headed to the med bay, Kote at his side, to pick up their son, who was currently visiting Jesse. Why Jesse was in the med bay, he wasn't sure, as he wasn't injured. But Kix had his own rules, and no one was willing to argue with the medic's decision. And it was good for him to see Harry, reassure him that the kid was safe.
In fact, most of the brothers on board wanted to spend time with Harry. And after the first day, they had allowed it, since they couldn't logically or physically for that matter keep him confined within their quarters. Besides, it gave the others a chance to get to know their nephew, some of them for the first time. It also had the added benefit of keeping Harry surrounded by clones, and away from the Jedi.
As the pair entered the med bay, Kix intercepted them. The medic seemed agitated about something, though neither of them were sure why.
"Kote, Rex, I'm glad you're here," a scowl marred the other's features. "I was just about to comm you."
"What's going on, Kix?" Kote asked.
"Your Jedi had some visitors," the medic sighed.
"Who?" the blond frowned.
"Two other Jedi," he shook his head. "Yoda and another. I haven't been out of the med bay and I didn't treat him, so I don't know his name."
"Who was on guard duty?" the Commander's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Jex and Rys."
"I see," the other brunet let out a slow breath.
"What are we going to do?" Rex asked, trying hard to keep his temper.
"There's nothing we can do," Kote shrugged. "I have no control over the Jedi, and I didn't exactly make it an order that Kenobi couldn't have visitors."
"I don't like it," the blond muttered petulantly.
"We've been over this, Rex," brown eyes rolled in exasperation as the Commander turned his attention back to the medic. "Harry's still with Jesse, right?"
"Of course," Kix nodded. "I wasn't about to let him leave with the Jedi poking around."
"Good," Kote nodded. "Keep him there for now. I think it's time we talk to Kenobi. Come on, Rex."
The blond's scowl deepened, choreographing his displeasure, but made no verbal protests. He really wanted nothing to do with the Jedi, but he would trust Kote in this. With that thought, he followed the brunet across the room. Kote silently dismissed the two troopers who were standing guard, and they made their way into the private room.
The Jedi, Kenobi, was seated cross legged on the far bed, eyes closed and hands resting lightly, palms up, on his knees. As they approached, blue grey eyes blinked slowly open and zeroed in on the pair.
"Commander," the redhead nodded in greeting, uncurling from his current position so his legs dangled over the edge of the bed. "I take it you are both here to pass down your judgement."
"You were only doing what you thought was right, with the information you had," Kote replied evenly. "It may not have been the best course of action, but no one can fault you for what you did."
Rex couldn't help the scoff that escaped him. He might not verbally disagree with the other's words, but he disagreed. He fully and wholeheartedly held Kenobi at fault for his actions.
"I don't think your partner feels the same way," a wry smile crossed the Jedi's lips.
"He'll get over it," the brunet continued. "Harry likes you, and fortunately for you, that bears a lot of weight. But that's not why we're here. We heard you had visitors."
"Ah, yes," Kenobi reached up and rubbed at his temples. "I actually need to speak with both of you about that."
"Well, we're here," the blond crossed his arms over his chest. "Talk."
"You might want to have a seat," the Jedi sighed. "This is going to be a rather difficult conversation."
Kote studied him for a moment, before moving across the room and grabbing a chair. Rex, just to be contrary, decided to prop his shoulder against the nearest wall, his eyes never leaving Kenobi.
"Right," the redhead sighed. "My visitors, as you called them, were Master Yoda and Master Windu, the current head of the Jedi order. They came to talk to me about Harry."
"Why?" the blond practically growled.
"They want to take him to the Temple and train him to be a Jedi," Kenobi shook his head. "While I don't necessarily disagree with them; Harry is very strong in the Force and would only benefit from proper training, I do not agree with their methods."
"And those would be?" a dark brow rose curiously.
"I am not going to lie to you," blue grey eyes darted between the pair. "They plan to take him, one way or another. They have tasked me with trying to convince you to give him up willingly, but they do not feel it necessary."
"You are going to steal our son?" the blond said through clenched teeth. "Again."
"I understand your anger, Rex, I do," Kenobi sighed heavily. "I do not agree with this. The Jedi do not steal younglings."
"Then what do you call this?" Rex snarled.
He pushed off the wall and took a menacing step toward the man on the bed. Like hell would he allow his son to be taken from him again.
"Rex," Kote admonished, catching his arm as he drew level with the other.
"It's out of our hands," a hand raked through the red locks. "Masters Yoda and Windu have decided. They are in charge of the Council, and their decision is final. They will take Harry to the Temple, with or without your permission. And they do not consider it stealing. While their logic may be flawed, it is not exactly wrong."
"How so?" the brunet frowned.
"You have to understand that I do not personally agree with this," blue grey eyes closed in resignation, "but on paper the clones were commissioned by the Jedi to serve as an army for the Republic. Technically, the clones belong to the Jedi and by extension the Republic. One cannot steal what already belongs to them, and that is how Yoda, and therefore the Council, sees it."
"We are not property," the blond snapped. "Harry least of all. He is not a clone."
"I know this, Rex!" Kenobi shot back. "But that does not change the fact that others refuse to see it that way. All we can do now is prepare for the inevitable. With that said, I'm hoping that the two of you, as his parents, will at least pretend to be supportive of this decision. Make the transition easier on him."
"No," Kote said firmly.
Oh, thank god. Kote was the more reasonable of the two of them, and if he disagreed with this madness then there was nothing the Jedi could do about it. The brunet had promised to rip apart the galaxy for their son after all.
"Cody, you don't understand," the Jedi persisted. "You and your husband don't have a choice in the matter. Neither do I."
"You're right," the Commander cut in, "we may not have a choice in this. But there is one person who does. And I'll be damned if that choice is taken away from him. And if he says no, there is nothing you nor the rest of the Jedi can do about it. There is no power in the universe that will make Harry do something he doesn't want to."
Okay, so maybe Rex could conceded that Kote had a point. He may not like it, but Harry deserved to have the right to choose. It may be sooner than the blond wanted, his son was too young to be taken from them, but he could never deny the boy anything he wanted. And he would respect the decision, even if it wasn't one he liked.
"I can live with that," he finally allowed the tension to leave his frame.
"As can I," Kenobi nodded. "The others may need some convincing, but I will handle that."
"Alright," the brunet released Rex and grabbed his comm. "Kix, bring Harry in."
There was no verbal acknowledgement to the order, but a few minutes later the door hissed open and their son ran into the room. The little raven made a beeline for the blond, who turned and caught him as he launched himself into his arms. Rex pulled him to his chest and nuzzled his head before settling him on his hip.
"Hi, Mr. Kenobi," Harry grinned as his gaze settled on the redhead.
"Hello, Harry," a soft smile graced the Jedi's features. "It's good to see you again."
"Uh-huh," the boy nodded. "I'm glad you're not dead."
"I have to say, I am as well," Kenobi chuckled slightly. "It was a bit touch and go there for a moment, but I somehow managed."
"I helped," the raven said proudly. "That monster was really mean."
"It was," the redhead agreed slowly. "But we cannot blame a creature for how it was treated and trained."
"I guess," Harry shrugged.
"Harry," Kote cut in before the conversation could devolve further. "We can arrange a time for you to talk to Kenobi later. Right now, we have something important to discuss with you."
"What's that, dad?"
"Right," Kenobi cleared his throat, taking the cue and coming back to the matter at hand. "Harry, the Jedi would like to extend an invitation for you to come to the Temple, and receive training in the Force."
"You never told me what a Jedi was, like you promised," the boy's face scrunched up in confusion. "And what's the Force?"
"Your magic," the blond interjected helpfully.
"They want to teach you how to use it," the CC added.
"Oh," Harry nodded. "Ba'buir was helping me with it. But I'm not supposed to talk about that."
"Of course, he was," Rex scoffed.
"Harry," the redhead shook his head, "I'm sure your Ba'buir did the best he could. However, as a nonforce-sensitive he is not able to help you as much as you need. The Jedi is comprised of force-sensitive who can train you in your abilities and help you reach your full potential."
"Will I get a light sword?" he asked curiously.
"A lightsaber?" the Jedi couldn't stop the incredulous chuckle he let out. "Yes, eventually. All Jedi get one. But that will not be for many years yet."
"But what if I don't want to go?" Harry frowned. "What if I want to be just Harry?"
"The choice is yours, Harry," Kote answered. "And we will respect whatever decision you make."
"You want me to go?" wide green eyes turned to the brunet.
"Never," the blond answered honestly. "But Kote's right, this is up to you. If you want to go, that's fine. If you don't, that's fine too. But no matter what you choose, it won't change how Kote and I feel about you. You are our son, and we love you. Nothing will ever change that."
"Promise?"
"Promise," he leaned his head down and rested it against his son's, effectively hiding the tears filling his eyes.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the redhead shift on the bed until his back was to the trio, giving them some semblance of privacy. Rex may not like the Jedi, but Kenobi was turning out to be not as bad as he originally though, and that, for now, would have to be good enough.
"I want to go," the little raven said quietly, but it carried clearly in the silence of the room. "I want to learn."
"Okay," Rex said hoarsely.
Without a word, the brunet got to his feet and wrapped his arms around the pair. Rex shifted slightly so the other could also have access to their son. He knew this decision was just as hard on Kote, but there was nothing they could or would do about it. Harry had made his choice, and all they could do was support him, just like they had promised.
Ammie: So there it is, Harry will be going to the Temple when they reach Coruscant, much to Rex's dismay. Anyway, please let me know what you think.