Ch. 3 Student and Master
Luminara's mood was bleak as she arrived at the detention center. After getting out of the shuttle Luminara was greeted on the landing platform by a warden and two clone guards.
"Master Unduli, I am Captain Lerron." Lerron said formally. "I am in charge of maximum security. Please, after you." He said before stepping aside to be courteous.
The captain and his men lead Luminara through the primary command center, neither of them spoke until the arrive at the main elevator and it began its descent.
"How did Barriss react to her cell?" Luminara asked the captain.
"Well, compared to most." Lerron answered with his hands behind his back. "She understands the rules and shows no sign of attempting escape. If she can keep it up for a year or so she could be considered for the good behavior list."
"That is...good to hear." Luminara lied. "Is she allowed time outside?"
"No." Lerron said bluntly. "It may seem cruel, but you must understand that this meant for only the worst kind of offenders. These prisoners have done horrifying things, usually for self gain or some twisted pleasure. Your padawan seems to think the anarchy she caused will do good, so I would have to classify her as delusional."
Lerron's remarks agitated Luminara, but she didn't show it.
"I see." Luminara said, it had become her usual response to depressing matters.
"You won't like hearing it, but the pride she has for her work makes her seem less like a Jedi and more like a criminal." Lerron stated with a deadpan expression.
He was right, though it pained Luminara to accept it. No matter how much she wanted to disagree with Lerron, Luminara knew she couldn't. Everything Barriss had said and done left her almost impossible to defend.
Nothing else was said during the descent. When they arrived, Lerron lead Luminara into the lower level's command center and introduced her to a pair of fellow Jedi.
"Jedi Knights Kovo Novuuna and Tyree Bulvare." Lerron said in an official sense, as if he was introducing a soldier.
"Greetings master Unduli." Tyree said with a small bow of his head. "You have a great reputation, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Thank you, the feeling is mutual." Luminara replied before looking at Kovo, who seemed familiar but she couldn't recall how. "Have we met before?"
"I have seen you in the temple now and again, but we have never had the chance to speak." Kovo said to clarify.
"These two are here for special cases, like your padawan." Lerron explained. "At the weeks they will be sent back to the temple and two more knights shall take their place."
"Would Lhod Udredd be another one of those cases?" Luminara asked, catching Lerron off guard.
"Did the council tell you about him?" The Captain asked with a raised brow. "I recall them saying Lhod was to be kept a secret."
"Then what about Tyree and Kovo?" Luminara asked.
"The council selects specific pairs of Jedi for this duty, this is not their first time here." Lerron explained.
"In fact it's our fifth." Kovo said.
"Now tell me, did the council also mention our first Jedi prisoner?" Lerron asked despite already predicting the answer.
"There's another?" Luminara said, as Lerron thought she would.
"Yes, a former master named Sevrik Komen." Lerron replied.
"Why is he here?" Luminara asked with a worried tone.
"Treason, sabotage, assassination..." Lerron said as if going down a list. "Let's just say he's done enough to be here for more then one life's sentence. Now please, follow us."
Tyree and Kovo joined the small group as it left the command center. As they walked past the prison cells Luminara kept her eyes forward and ignored the prisoners kept there. She had seen more then enough vile people in her lifetime. The things that could be seen in the lower levels did not bother her, but the sounds that could be heard did.
Prisoners screamed, but could not be heard because their cells were set to soundproof. There was humming, tapping, singing and anything else prisoners could think of to pass the time before they were reduced to rambling madly. This, combined with the constant sound of the guards boots hitting the floor in unison gave the lower level a very dire atmosphere.
Tyree and Kovo could sense their fellow Jedi's unease, but the two did not have the same reaction. Tyree believed Luminara cared more about her padawan then all those she killed while Kovo was more empathetic and could see the pain she was going through.
"I have heard great stories about you and Barriss. In fact, Master Yoda mentioned your names the last time we spoke." Kovo said as he walked beside Luminara.
"Really?" Luminara wondered. "What did he say?"
"He told me I was ready for a padawan of my own, and said with luck I could share a bond like that of Luminara Unduli and Barriss Offee." Kovo said happily, not just to comfort Luminara but also because he was truly glad to meet someone the grand master thought so highly of.
"Really?" Luminara asked, Kovo answered by nodding his head. "I'm honored he would say that." She said with a slight smile. "But from the way you talk I assume you didn't listen to him."
"You're right." Kovo admitted casually. "He think I am ready to pass on my knowledge, but I don't agree. I have always seeked knowledge. Even after becoming a knight I continued to read and research a variety of subjects because I knew there was still so much to learn. Not just about the force or the Jedi, but the galaxy itself."
"So you're a scholar?" Luminara asked with intrigue.
"I suppose, but I wouldn't call myself that. I simply have a thirst for knowledge." Explained Kovo. "I told Master Yoda that I may consider taking on a padawan when my curiosity is satisfied."
"Will it ever be?" Luminara asked, now amused by Kovo's mindset. "The galaxy is vast, do you think you can learn everything about it?"
"I doubt it." Kovo replied. "But who knows? I may be seeking knowledge until the end of my days."
"But how much good would just collecting knowledge do?" Luminara asked, expecting an answer back like a teacher would when asking a question to their student. "Without someone to pass on what you've learned it could all unnoticed once you are gone."
"That is what holo-journels are for." Kovo said jokingly. "But you could be right." Kovo said after a moments thought. "Perhaps I'll know for sure when I become a master as well."
"Perhaps you will." Luminara said with a full smile on her face.
For a few brief moments Luminara felt better, talking to Kovo and giving him advice gave her the same feeling of satisfaction she always felt when she taught Barriss.
"I plan to speak to the council when we're done here." Tyree said as he walked ahead of the two other Jedi. "We need to make sure our younglings are taught properly now more then ever."
The quick glance Tyree gave Luminara was enough to imply his meaning. She was insulted, but had no response to what Tyree said. Meanwhile, all Kovo could do was shake his head in disappointment.
"Please, forgive him." Kovo said despite knowing he would have to have another chat with Tyree later. "He has been agitated since the war began, the council thought it would be best to keep him off the front lines." Kovo said quietly so Tyree didn't notice.
"It's alright." Luminara lied. "We have all been affected by it." She said truthfully.
Kovo nodded in agreement, the group then arrived at Barriss's cell. Lerron gestured with his hand to tell Luminara to stop before he stepped in front of the cell and spoke to the prisoner inside.
"Ms. Offee, you visitor is here." Lerron said, he waited a for a response but was not given one. "Corporal, the door." Lerron said to one of the clone guards.
The guard Lerron addressed pulled out an access card to deactivate the cells rayshield, the other clone followed protocol and stood in front of the cell with his rifle at the ready. Tyree and Kovo stood beside him, their hands hovering over their lightsabers.
"Step inside." Lerron said to Luminara. "You have one hour."
Luminara took a deep breath, she had imagined this moment dozens of times. Whenever she did there was no way to guess how there conversation would play out and now was no different. Nervous was not nearly enough to describe what Luminara felt as she slowly stepped towards the cell.
Inside was Barriss, sitting on the cells bed and looking down at the floor. But when Luminara stepped into view she turned to look at her former master. Her eyes followed Luiminara as she walked into the cell to stand in front of her.
"Hello Barriss." Luminara said.
"Hello." Barriss replied in a callous monotone.
Forces senses were not needed to feel the tension in the air, both mirialans seemed unsure of what the other was going to do. Luminara was cautious and wanted to pick her words carefully while Barriss was ready to argue if she had to.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be here sooner." Luminara said truthfully. "I was delayed by..."
"Another mission?" Barriss said for Luminara. "That's no surprise." She asked flatly.
"Are you alright? The isolation can't be easy." Luminara replied, ignoring Barriss's cold response.
"It's not." Barriss replied sharply. "When I'm alone I can't use my hands and when I'm allowed to it's so I can eat with rifles pointed at me. There's a large transdosian in the cell across from me that often stares like he wants to make me his food or worse and the only chance I have to leave this place is to bear with it for who knows how long." Barriss said in a calm, but bitter rant. "Does that answer your question?"
Luminara had no response at first, she felt every bit of frustration and contempt building up inside Barriss. It made her fear that the conversation could go from uncomfortable to terrible. It was likely the most important meeting the master had ever had with her padawan and knowing that made Luminara realize she could not afford to be timid. The past shared with Barriss would have to be ignored in order to confront her properly.
"It does, now answer this..." Luminara said firmly. "Why did you kill those people?"
Barriss had been slouching since Luminara arrived, but her question made the former jedi sit up straight and give the older mirialan her full attention.
"Do you really need to ask?" Said Barriss. "I was hoping at least you could understand."
"How could I understand mass murder?" Luminara asked, baffled at her padawans assumption.
"I don't mean understand my motives, I mean you should have understood what drove me to them since you played a major role." Barriss said as she stood up.
"Excuse me?" Luminara asked, now just confused.
"I had these thoughts for some time, but it was that day on Shudeer when I me realize they had to be more then that." Barriss said, her brow furrowed in anger.
Luminara knew what Barriss was talking about, she was about to argue against it but had already tried and failed some time ago. It was an event that Luminara hoped would some day be forgotten, an accident that was seen as otherwise. After it happened, Luminara's relationship with Barriss was damaged. But she never would have guessed it could lead her padawan down such a dark path.
"We have been over this." Luminara said with a disheartend wisp in her voice. "It was never my intention to..."
"Oh don't even start!" Barriss said, her voiced raised briefly."You already tried this before. We both know what you did, so stop using me as an excuse." She said coldly.
Luminara took a step back from shock, not once in their time together had Barriss ever been so bitter towards her.
"What I said was the truth and if I had done nothing you would have died." Luminara replied. "Even now, I do not regret saving you."
"Really?" Barriss asked, not moved by her master words. "Even after what I've done?"
"What you did was horrible Barriss, there's no other way to describe it. You murdered dozens, including those you conspired with and were even willing to let your friend be punished for it. You are not the person I once knew. You've become something different, something dark." Luminara said.
"Then why bother with me?" Barriss asked smugly, thinking she could see through Luminara's facade.
"Because despite what you've become you are still my padawan. I came here to understand what made you change and do whatever I can to turn you back into the woman I once knew." Luminara replied.
Barriss's first reply was a scoff, which almost made Luminara get angry.
"It's obvious why you're here." Barriss said. "You're here to see if I'm deranged. You wanted to find me mad and rambling so you could play savior and "fix me"."
"I would never want to see you like that." Luminara said, holding back her frustration.
"Please, spare me the lies." Barriss replied after rolling her eyes.
"I have never lied to you!" Luminara said, her voice raised. "I am simply trying to help you see what you've become."
"Nothing is clouding my vision. In fact, I never saw things more clearly then I do now." Barriss stated confidently.
"Fine then, tell me what you see Barriss. Enlighten me." Luminara said with her arms crossed.
"Gladly." Barriss said, standing up before she spoke her mind. "Corucant is full of people who have only heard about the war, making them unaware of just how horrible it is. Countless people dead, planets left in ruin and jedi turned into blind soldiers that often join the casualties. All this beacuse the republic threw away it's values before the war even began." Barriss explained boldly.
"How?" Luminara asked while still finding Barriss's mindset difficult to believe. "The republic did not start the fighting, the conflict began with the separatists."
"Then what about the clones?" Barriss asked. "An endless supply of soldiers that were kept secret until needed, if it wasn't war that was being prepared for then perhaps it was conquest."
"You're being ridiculous." Luminara said after a sigh.
"No I am not!" Barriss yelled furiously.
She took a step towards Luminara as she yelled, making the guards put their fingers on theirs rifle trigger. Tyree quickly took hold of his lightsaber, Kovo almost did the same but decided it wasn't needed. Barriss noticed the precautions they took for her, but did not let them stop her from speaking.
"Everything I believed in has become corrupt. The republic, the jedi...and you." Barriss said coldly and without remorse. "All of us have turned away from the light, so I decided to help make people see that by any means necessary. I made plans, found allies who had the same ideals and dealt with them as I needed to when the time came. I did not enjoy it, but the lives I took will never be something I regret."
Luminara was speechless, her mouth was open but nothing would come out. The fellow mirialan standing in front of her was nothing like the Barriss she knew. She knew her as intelligent, caring and selfless to the point of facing any risk for the of others. She was a padawan that surpassed her masters expectations and had a bright future ahead, not a murderer who believed their action were justified.
"You don't get what you hoped for, Luminara." Barriss said, emphasizing the name to show she would no longer refer to Luminara as master. "I was sane then, and still am now. Maybe you can find a broken Jedi in one of the other cells." Barriss said as she leaned her head towards Lhod Udregg's cell.
Luminara turned around to see what Barriss gestured towards. Though not certain, she assumed Barriss didn't point out that cell for just an example. Master Urr'ek's former padawan, Lhod Udregg and Master Sevrik Komen were also being held in the lower level so it was possible to find one of them inside the cell.
"Go on, have a look." Barriss said, predicting Luminara's curiosity.
She was right, Luminara couldn't help but wonder if another imprisoned Jedi was just across the hall.
"Captain." Luminara said as looked at Lerron. "May I look at another prisoner?"
"You may look, but you are not authorized to go inside." Lerron replied.
Luminara showed her compliance with a nod of her head. She turned to Barriss to say she would be right back but once again, the words couldn't form.
As she left Barriss's cell, Lerron ordered his men to stay in their positions. Luminara did not know what should find, but the answer became clear the moment she saw the prisoner.
The severed leg of Lhod Udregg immediately gave away his identity. He was in the midst of doing sit-ups when Luminara saw him.
It did not take long for Lhod to notice he was being watched. He turned his head towards Luminara, at first unsure of what to make of her. But when he eyed the lightsaber on her side his anger showed immediately. His nostrils flared, his tense muscles made the veins in his neck visible and the look he gave Luminara made it seem like he would tear her limb from limb if there wasn't a rayshield between them.
The rage Luminara felt from the young man was like nothing she had ever sensed, it was like a wild animal reacting to someone treading on it's territory. It was hard for her to believe the young man was once a member of her order.
After staring angrily for a few moments Lhod went back to doing sit-ups, but this time at a faster pace.
Luminara had seen enough, she turned away from his cell and was going back to Barriss but stopped to see something peculiar in the cell across from Lhod's. It was the the body of a tall, humanoid slender male that sat cross legged while and facing the cells back wall. Long white hair hung straight down the center of his back and ended at the floor. The hair also covered the mans ears and neck, making it impossible to identify his species. Luminara tried to moving to see from another angle but the prisoner moved his head to block her view again.
"Ms. Unduli." Captain Lerron said to take Luminara's attention off the prisoner. "Trust me when I say it's best to ignore Sevrik's mind games."
The prisoners identity did not surprise her, Luminara guessed Sevrik would be close by after she realized Barriss and Lhod's cell were in the same sector. It also made sense because despite her best efforts, Luminara could not sense anything about him. Hiding true intentions from a Jedi master required training and expert mental fortitude.
After watching him for a few more moments, Luminara took her eyes off Sevrik and returned to Barriss's cell.
"Did you find what you're looking for?" Barriss asked jokingly. "I'm sure both of them would love talking to you."
The obvious disrespect had become to much, Luminara approached her former padawan without any of her frustration held back.
"Do you think this a game Barriss?!" Luminara asked, her stance and speech completely rigid. "You could remain in this cell for the rest of your life. " She said as she stepped closer to Barriss. "If you continue to have no remorse the republic will see no reason to release you, you will be remembered as a terrorist and a murderer. Is that really what you want?"
"All I want is to open everyone eyes so they can see what we've become." Barriss replied.
"Is that why you had to frame Ashoka?" Luminara asked boldly. "Were her eyes more blind then the rest of us?"
For the first time in the conversation Barriss was the one left quiet, she knew anything she said would be met by Luminara's attempts to "help" her. This visit was not going as she expected, if it did there would have been more arguing. But with Luminara anger subdued, Barriss was unable to maneuver the conversation away from the uncomfortable subject being brought. So instead of avoiding the question, Barriss decided to face it.
"She was my friend." Barriss said in contempt. "That is why it had to be her, I needed to know I could do what was necessary no matter the cost."
"So you did it to assure yourself." Luminara stated.
"I had to sever of the bonds restraining me. Not just the Jedi or the Republic, but also those closest to me." Barriss said while looking Luminara in the eyes. "Ashoka was the right person, at the right place; at the right time. But if you were you the one on Corucsant that day, I would have been just as willing to frame you."
Those words struck Luminara like a blaster bolt shot through her chest. She turned her head away from Barriss to hide her pinched lips.
"When you meet with council, feel free to tell them that." Barriss said bitterly. "I think we're done talking."
"Barriss, Please..." Luminara said before being interrupted.
"What else is there?" Barriss asked. "You offered help, I refused. You asked for my reasons, I answered. I'm sure you have enough for a neat little report, so go turn it in to the council."
"I am not here for them." Luminara replied sternly. "I am here for you."
"Really?" Barriss asked, not convinced. "Does that mean you can forgive my so called crimes?"
"No, and I can't ignore them either. All I can do is help you see the wrong that you've done so you can go back to being the person I cared about." Luminara admitted.
"Then you will never get what you want!" Barriss said loudly, taking a step towards Luminara that aggitated the men guarding her. "I will not have filled with anymore lies, from you or the Jedi!" She yelled in Luminara's face. "You're not the only one who sees a different person, my image of you died along with the same day that Shudeeren did." She stated before walking back to her bed.
Luminara tried to stop Barriss from turning away by putting a hand on her shoulder but this was met by Barriss swatting away the hand with her cuffs and staring at Luminara furiously.
"Don't touch me." Barriss said in a very aggressive tone.
It was then that Luminara saw something that sent a chill down her spine, as Barriss told her to stay away the young mirialans briefly changed color. For a few seconds her usually blue eyes became a faint yellow. As a padawan, Luminara was taught that eyes changing in such a way was a sign of someone becoming lost in the dark side of the force. She saw the same eyes on Lhod Udregg, but his seemed permanently changed and were bright enough to almost be considered glowing. Just the thought of Barriss becoming so mad was enough to leave her horrified.
"I...I" Luminara's grief made her stutter. "I think you're right, we've talked enough." She said while trying to look certain.
"Glad you agree." Barriss replied sarcastically as she sat down on her bed.
Luminara turned to exit the cell, but looked at Barriss again to say one more thing.
"I will come back for you. I am not sure when, but I will."
Barriss had no response, she just kept looking at Luminara and waited for her to leave. With nothing more to say, Luminara left the cell. One look towards Lerron was all that she needed to let the captain know it was time to go. As one of the guards reactivated the cells rayshield Luminara looked one at her padawan one more time, but Barriss had already returned her gaze to the floor.
With the cell closed, the guards lowered their rifle and the two Jedi no longer needed to stand ready. Despite this, Tyree kept his eyes on Barriss as if he was expecting her to try something while Kovo looked at Luminara and wondered how she handled the conversation.
"It will be some time before another visit can be authorized." Captain Lerron said to Luminara. "But if you wish, you may contact me for updates on her behavior."
"Thank you Captain." She replied, still looking at Barriss.
"We should be going." Captain Lerron remarked.
After taking a few more seconds, Luminara looked at Lerron and nodded her head in agreement. Barriss watched the small group leave from the corner of her eye.
Nothing was said at first. But it was not long before Kovo felt the need to approach Luminara and speak with her.
"Are you alright?" Kovo asked.
"No." Luminara replied in a hushed tone. "She has fallen, and cannot even realize it."
"Not now, but I believe you will get through to her." Kovo said.
"I hope you're right." Luminara said as she looked at Kovo. "For now, all I can do is keep vouching for her and think about what I'll have to say next time. "
Kovo agreed with a nod of his head. The group then returned Luminara to the landing platform where she boarded the shuttle that had been waiting for her.
As she left, Luminara thought of nothing but Barriss. While at the same time, Barriss did her best to ignore her.
Whether they were true or not, Barriss refused to let Luminara's sentiments win her over. Not after everything she came to realize and all the effort she put into making her plan a reality. Though she lost her freedom, it all still seemed worth it. To Barriss, no amount of time in a cell would compare to even a second of being an ignorant pawn again.
Her cell was quiet for some time and Barriss hardly moved while being deep in thought. She had no doubt in her decisions, but it did not stop her former masters words from echoing in her mind.
But Barriss's thoughts were cut short when a familiar voice entered her mind. It didn't surprise her as much as the first time, she was able to keep looking at the floor without any sign of being startled.
"So, how did it go?" The voice of Servrik Komen asked.
"I'm sure you could hear some of it." Barriss thought in reply.
"Some, but not all. I spent most it feeling the interesting mix of emotions." Sevrik said. "But that's not why I'm speaking with you again."
"I can guess why, and I don't need to hear any more about it." Barriss stated.
"Does that mean you have a better escape plan?" Sevrik asked sarcastically.
"No." Barriss admitted. "But I still think yours would fail."
"It could, any plan has the chance to go awry. But you are the final piece needed, you could be the one who ensures our escape." Servirks voice said convincingly. "Unless of course, you'd rather wait for your master to come back."
"I don't need her." Barriss replied angrily. "or you."
"You're half right, you've outgrown the need to be cared for. But when it comes to possibly seeing the light of day again, my help will be a necessity." Sevrik's voice said. "But there is one thing I'll make clear."
"What's first?" Barriss asked.
"If you agree, we wil begin tomorrow night." Sevrik replied.
"That soon?" Barriss wondered.
"Yes, so I'll ask you one more time. Do you want to stay in that cell?" Sevrik asked seriously.
An answer wasn't given right away. She raised her head to look around the cell, once again seeing nothing that could be used to escape. Her time in prison was short, but was already unpleasant and Barriss couldn't help but wonder how long it would take for her confinement to become unbearable.
After a minute of silent contemplation, Barriss was able to decide what was best for her.
"Alright." She thought. "I'll help."