Disclaimer: All rights belong to Disney, George Lucas, and all the men and women that created the Star Wars movies, books, and comics. I take no credit, and I do not mean to break any copyright rules. This is simply a work of fiction made for enjoyment. No money is being made. The cover art image belongs to peanutbutterroastedchestnuts. tumblr .com (remove the spaces)

Rating: T for violence, disturbing imagery, and dark themes

Chapter 24

Core Worlds Region, Coruscant Subsector, Corusca Sector, Unknown System, 39 BBY

The next day, when I return to Jedi temple, Qui-Gon has returned. We exchange quick but meaningful greetings. There isn't much to tell him, since he had heard the story from other Jedi already, and there isn't much to say to Obi-Wan, who is standing by his side, for all that might be said has been spoken or told through actions. We've been through so much that there isn't a point to unnecessary talking. And when it comes to the Jedi Padawan, there is nothing I can say. What happened between us last night is in the past, and nothing more will come of it. Nothing more can. We had our moment to fulfill our dreams, but now we're back in reality. Maybe we might want more, but it's simply not possible. And I think we've both accepted that.

"Are you up for some adventure?" Qui-Gon asks, breaking through the silence of my thoughts. "There's a trade mishap in a planet in the Outer Rim, and we'd appreciate your help."

Although he doesn't say it outright, I know he's inviting me back into their group again. And this time, I really can be a part of it without worrying about getting them in trouble. I'm an ally to the Jedi now, not an enemy. And I have a new reputation to create.

"I suppose I have nothing better to do," I reply casually, looking down at KZ. "What do you think?"

He beeps back, swiveling his head between the Jedi and me. I pat the top of his dome affectionately. "He says yes. Let's go."

Outer Rim Territories, Unknown Region, Felucia System, 39 BBY

Felucia looms in the distance as we jump out of hyperdrive and start coming in towards the planet. Its eight moons orbit around the forest-covered sphere, and Trade Federation ships loom about, ever watchful.

"The Trade Federation and the peoples of Felucia are in a cold war currently," Qui-Gon explains as Obi-Wan maneuvers us closer. "Viceroy Gunray wants to increase the export and import taxes. As you can imagine, the Felucians are not being cooperative. Tensions have been thick lately, and a recent report from the Senator of Felucia claims that droids have been employed on the planet to spy on the government."

"We have to track down some rogue droids? Sounds too easy a mission for a Jedi of your rank," I reply, leaning forward between the two pilot seats to get a better look through the windshield of Qui-Gon's ship.

"The Council believes there to be a driving force behind the Viceroy. The Trade Federation has never been so aggressive before. If we can, we are supposed to uncover who is aiding them." Qui-Gon swivels his chair around, turning to Obi-Wan and pointing out a spot in the approaching jungle. "Land over there, Obi-Wan."

"Why are the Felucians so concerned over a few droids?" I question as we enter the atmosphere, preparing to set down. "Don't they have some sort of military or army to handle the situation themselves?"

"You've never been to Felucia, have you?" Qui-Gon asks, an amused smile on his face.

"They are farmers," Obi-Wan continues. "They don't fight. A few droids could easily do irreparable damage."

"Wonderful," I mutter under my breath before speaking up. In my opinion, sentients should always have some way to protect themselves, no matter where they are in the galaxy or however technologically advanced they are as a species. "Okay. So we're going in, taking out the droids, and trying to figure out who is behind the attacks?"

The two Jedi nod in confirmation as we bump down on a field. A farmhouse is in the distance, and I feel a little bad for whoever owns this property. We didn't smoosh too much, but if farming is their life then they might be a little salty. Hopefully our protection makes up for it.

Dressed in our dark and heavy robes, we jump out of the ship and whisper away, KZ scanning the area for droids. As we approach the capital, a pretty small city with what the Felucians consider a flurry of activity (but is in reality nothing compared to Coruscant or even Gorse), it's not hard for us to blend in with our surroundings.

In appearance, the Felucians remind me of the old rag dolls I played with as a little girl. They have flat, oval-shaped faces with pink or orange skin and red eyes. Their bodies are shaped similar to ours, only they all have round bellies and extra long legs. They walk around slowly, not a single one of them in a hurry. Farmers, indeed.

The technology here is not advanced at all, and even the palace at the center of the city is made of clay bricks. It's round with glass windows sticking out at odd places to let light shine through. From what I can see, there is no energy or machines or electricity. Everything is done by hand. Instead of vehicles, some of the natives ride Gelagrubs, which are basically large, tame insects. They saunter around, bumping into things as they go and making the riders sway back and forth as if on a ship during a storm.

All the tools I see are old and obscure in most places. Coming here is like being transported in the past. No wonder droids seem like monsters to these people. I think about how the Jedi must appear in their eyes. Are they guardians empowered with amazing tools and powers or are they terrifying but helpful gods?

My thoughts are interrupted by KZ-4 beeping softly to us. His display shows several red dots where his scanners have picked up droid signals.

"There looks to be about two dozen," Obi-Wan says after glancing at the image. "That's nothing for us."

"We'll just have to watch for the natives," Qui-Gon warns. "They can't get caught in the crossfire, and witnesses should be kept to a minimum. We don't want them to eventually rebel against the Republic or even secede because of a misinterpretation. Most of these natives probably have never heard of droids. They will be terrified if they even catch a glimpse of one."

Nodding, we head off to engage the droids, each of us approaching from a different direction. Lucky for us, the droids are in a relatively unoccupied corner of the city, so the problem of getting civilians caught up in our business shouldn't be too big. Still, I'm careful to keep tight to the shadows as I approach.

The attack happens quickly. We all reached the alley at the same time and Qui-Gon charged first, his green lightsaber waving back and forth wildly in his hands as he runs forward to intercept the machines. Obi-Wan isn't far behind, his blue lightsaber held in a more controlled manner as he calmly deflects blaster bolts from the droids' guns. I realize too late that I no longer have a weapon. My master had taken my lightsaber when he had killed me on Moraband, and I hadn't gotten around to replace it. Too late for that now, I guess.

Using the Force, I shove a pair of the tan machines into the side of a brick building so hard they clatter and fall apart. Another one I rip apart, using the tension from inside of its hollow form to explode out. Scavenging his discarded blaster, I turn it to fire red shots at the remaining droids.

What none of us had accounted for were droidekas. Regular battle droids are easily destroyed, made for victory by sheer numbers, not strength, but destroyer droids, or droidekas, are the ultimate fighting force. They have two guns, one on either side, and they themselves are protected by an impenetrable shield that surrounds them. They can roll up in a ball for pursuit or to chase down targets. These make even the Jedi nervous.

And right now there are three of them, each with their guns pointed towards us and their shields up and running. The element of surprise is out, but we can still defeat them with tactics. This isn't the way I'm going to go out, especially not after I've just returned from the dead, and I'm not going to let either of my allies die.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan deactivate their lightsabers and tuck them back into their belts, knowing full well that nothing will get through those shields. I, however, happen to come up with a good idea (well, at least I think it's good. It could also end up with all of us dead). Moving lightning fast, I shove my hands forward, sending a Force push out towards the destroyer droid with its guns on me. The entire thing, shield and guns and all, bounce backward like a super-sized ball, toppling right into his comrades. All three of them bounce off of each other and hit the walls of the buildings surrounding us, ricocheting off. The Jedi and I take this as our leave and we sprint out of the alley.

Knowing we still have to destroy them, I Force-jump onto a nearby building and hide behind a chimney, keeping a watchful eye on the street below. Not too long later I see one of the droidekas hesitantly scuttling past, its sensors searching for me. His shields are down, and I sprint across the roof, launching myself off and onto the droid, my feet landing with lots of momentum behind them. It leaves a good sized-dent in the droid, and I use its confusion to reach forward and bend one of its guns towards itself before firing. It blows up even as I turn my face away and leap off. Heat rushes up, scorching my arms and neck, but my heavy robes do a good job protecting my skin.

One down, two to go. I head back to where I had seen the two Jedi disappear to, and I can hear the sounds of the blaster guns from the destroyer droids not too far away. Following the noise, I find Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon fighting back-to-back, each facing off a droid of their own. Obi-Wan's droid has no shield, and from the smoking panel I can tell the Jedi has managed to destroy the shield generator, but the droid is wise enough to stay far enough away to not get sliced in half by his lightsaber. Qui-Gon's droid is missing one of the guns, but it still has a functioning shield.

Jumping into the fray, I step behind Obi-Wan's droid and lift up my hand. Obi-Wan sees me and tosses me his lightsaber, and I grab it from the air and swipe across, halving the droid. Passing the Jedi back his weapon, we both circle around Qui-Gon's droid. He catches it off guard when it turns to us and its shields go down for a second just as he strikes. It falls to the ground as scrap metal.

"Good work," Qui-Gon compliments as he retracts his lightsaber and tucks it away. "Let's find out where these droids are from." He leans down and sifts through the remains of the destroyer droid until he finds the control panel cover. A serial number in inked on it. "KZ can identify this for us."

We head back to the starship where the Jedi Master presents my droid with the metal piece. KZ-4 takes his job seriously as he enters the number into his scanners. Whatever he gets as an answer must not be pleasing, but he scans it again. Finally he beeps at me. I lean in closer, and he tells me the information only I can know.

From what his scanners tell me, the droids are from the Baktoid Combat Automata Company, and more specifically, from the planet Geonosis. I remember my old master often went to Geonosis when he left Coruscant, and he often talked about his ventures there. Though he never told me exactly what he had invested in, this information, combined with my knowledge of his want to take over the galaxy, makes it seem pretty clear that he is behind all of this unrest.

And I can't tell the Jedi that. If I do, they'll track him down and discover who he is. I'm not defending him - I mean, he did try to kill me (and succeeded) - but I will not betray him. Besides, I've seen the galaxy and all the unrest in it, and I know that my old master has to succeed in his attempts to take over in order to one day unite the galaxy against a common enemy once more. Before something new can be created, the old must be destroyed. And it has been two thousand years since the galaxy started over with a clean plate. Even if I don't agree with the methods, I have to support the result.

It's not just that, though. Looking over my shoulder at my two Jedi friends, I can't help but feel a pain of regret for what I'm going to allow to happen. The Jedi Order has been slipping lately, their confidence and pride turning them blind and arrogant. It will only get worse in the following years. I've seen it all in my visions. Some of them, like Quinlan Vos, will turn to the dark side. Others will simply leave the Order. But even worse, most will remain misguided. The idea behind the Jedi is good, but two thousand years is a long time, and important things are forgotten with time. When my master succeeds, most of the Jedi will fall. Those who survive will be only the purest and wisest of them all, and they will pass on only good to the next generation.

In a way, though, if I don't tell them what I know I will be betraying them. It's a fine line I walk, and the burden of knowing the future only makes my choices cloudier. I'm not as wise as I wish I was.

I stand up from my crouched position and face my friends. "The scan was inconclusive," I lie, but I say it confidently enough that neither of them question me. "All we know is that they were created by the same company that creates all the other droids."

"We still don't know who was behind the Trade Federation, though," Qui-Gon muses. "They must be very powerful. Perhaps even a Force user."

Qui-Gon is smarter than I had given him credit for, but before I can try to convince him he's wrong, Obi-Wan speaks up. "There are plenty of Force users around, and just as many dark Jedi. It could be anyone. Our best option is to just wait for them to make an appearance again. Someone with this much power won't be able to resist the call for long."

"He's right," I agree, relieved to avoid their suspicions. I hate lying to them, but I have to think of the bigger picture. Why else would I see the future if not to protect it?

"I guess our business here is done, then," Qui-Gon says, his voice disappointed. He's really worried about this, I can tell. The sooner we can leave this behind us the better.

The ride back to Coruscant is quiet, and even I make no attempt to talk. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon go over things, mostly Jedi business I care not about, but when we're in hyperdrive Obi-Wan comes back to see me.

"You're awfully quiet," he observes, stating the obvious quite well. "What are you thinking about?"

"I need a new weapon," I admit, only half-lying. "My old master took mine after he defeated me. I'm just not sure what I want."

"Are you considering something other than a lightsaber?" he asks. "Or are you thinking of rebuilding one that is slightly different than your old one?"

I sigh in defeat. "I'm not sure. I really liked my old lightsaber, and the design was created specifically for me and my fighting capabilities. I'd like one like it, but I'm stumped on the crystal. What color would I use? Red is in the past, and I'm not a Jedi, so green and blue and purple are not a choice…"

An image of that yellow lightsaber I had found on Moraband months ago comes to mind. Had that wielder been like me, unsure and unique where they stand in the world and in the Force?

"I'm thinking about yellow, but some of the Jedi have yellow lightsabers already, and - no offense - I don't really want to be associated with the Jedi Order. Plus yellow is a color to ward away Sith, and I was a Sith, so I'm not sure that would work."

All the other colors just seem...not right. Pink is out of question, and orange seems too Sith-like. White is a sort of pure color, and I'm not pure in the least. Silver seems too neutral. Brown is just gross, plus what sort of lightsaber crystals come in the color of brown? (Besides the Heart of the Guardian, that is).

"You still consider yourself as a dark person, do you not?" Obi-Wan questions. I nod slowly, unsure of where he's going with this, and he continues. "What if you had a black lightsaber? Crystals don't come in that color, I know, but you could make them."

"It's not a bad idea, but isn't black kind of evil? I feel like people would get the wrong idea," I reply, but even as a speak an idea comes to mind. I can use what he had said, along with some other things…

Obi-Wan shrugs. "It's totally up to you. Just make sure it means something important."

"That's a little ironic, coming from you," I point out teasingly. "You're great with words, and you manage to talk your way out of a lot of things, yet you don't carry the green lightsaber of a Jedi Consular. Instead you favor the blue of someone who tends to prefer...aggressive negotiations."

He grins a little at that. "There's a long story behind my lightsaber decision. But that's for another time."

"I'm counting on it," I say as we both stand up and head over to the pilots seats. It's time to get out of hyperdrive and continue to Coruscant.

For me, it's time to make some important decisions.