Chapter 2 : Friend or Foe ?
Author : Happy New Year ! So sorry for the wait, I know it's been a whole month but I had to study and pass my finals, then it was already Christmas and everything. But I'm back, and I hope I'd be able to post more frequently from now.
As always, a huge thank you to all of my followers and reviewers : 2 chapters, 20 reviews, what can I ask more ? :)
Now, let's start with a nice, and rather long chapter !
From the inside, a Star Defender, the brand new cruiser of the Jedi Order, wasn't very different from a Republic Venator. It has the same maze of corridors, the same reactor room, the bridge was also quite similar with the crew below a path reaching for the small windows. But from the outside, the Venator and the Defender were at most cousin. The Defender's shape was like a very sharp arrow, red reactors covering the back of the cruiser. On the dorsal side, thousands of domes had been built to improve every abilities of the ship, from the shield to its communication sensors, creating a large cityscape running from the nose to the bridge, on the last extremity of the starcruiser. The Jedi, and the people of Ceresta, and all of those who had helped in the construction of the now seven Star Defenders of the Jedi Order, had learnt their mistakes from the Clone Wars, and the command center was no longer a small yet easily spotted place in the bridge but in a now reclusive area, in a trench that only a Force-sensitive could try to detect. Despite the obvious intent of hiding the command center, the view from inside was as clear as in a Venator, as the engineers had the ingenuity to design large windows, all around the center, and not only in the front : the commanding crew had a nearly totally circular view of space between them, minus the large durasteel walls of the trench protecting the center. The bridge in itself was a simple extremely large rectangular block of steel, as long as a frigate, designed almost exactly as one of the dual tower bridge of the old Republic Star Cruiser. Another difference with those old ships was that the hangars of the Defender hadn't been placed on the upper level, just below two large doors in the hull like in the Venator, but two large hangars were found on each side on the huge ship, and another one had been built below, in the same way than the Star Destroyer of the Republic as Ferus recalled his many reports about the navy of Organa's Republic.
He was in that last hangar, the larger one, filled with dozens of extremely modern and powerful starfighters that the Jedi had constructed, based on the schematics of their old Eta-2 Actis Interceptor. Now the Jedi starfighter was the Eta-5 Interceptor which possessed a pair of wing arrays similar to its predecessor, but had a ball shaped cockpit yet with that same segmented window in the front. It was powered by twin ion engines, giving it top-of-the-line speed and maneuverability, with a decent shield and, due to an amazing knowledge of the Cerestan, the ship was equipped with lightspeed. In one word, the Eta-5 Interceptor was the best starfighter in the galaxy, and when piloted by a Jedi, nothing could stop it.
And though Master Ferus Ollin appeared to stare at his light grey and green Interceptor, the little astromech droid R5-T7 knew by now that his master was meditating, seeing past the floor beneath his feet, past the hull of the Star Defender, reaching the Force for answers about the incoming and very near future, about his ability to train correctly his padawan and if he really deserved everything the Force had offered him.
"I still don't understand how much inspiring is your starfighter, Ferus," a male voice called behind him whose belong to one of the Jedi that had come with Obi-wan and Siri.
"Master Hcan," Ferus smiled warmly at his friend, "I thought you would be with Corran."
The human with brilliant blue eyes and black hair feigned to be hurt at the overly polite Jedi Knight in front of him. "Corran prefers the company of the other padawans right now, Knight Ollin."
But as soon as these last words escaped his mouth, he couldn't help but crack a laughter. Ferus was a very good friend since fourteen years, since his arrival on Ceresta with the Jedi Order. The former student of Siri Kenobi had been one of the few, if not the only one, to totally understand him as both of them had a darkness in their heart they tried to destroy. Though they had learnt to live with it, to almost accept it, the Knight and the member of the Jedi Council had always reassured each other, or asking things they couldn't say to Yoda or Obi-wan. Of course, every Jedi of the New Order respected them for their constant struggle to remain in the light, but only Ferus and Hcan could understand how dangerous they could be, though Anteres Kenobi seemed to be able to read perfectly their guilty hearts. But the boy was exceptional, so Hcan wasn't very surprised.
"I heard the padawans went to General Cody for tales about Coruscant," Ferus laughed too. "That man never rests."
"Well Cody is just like that," Hcan nodded, smiling. "He will always consider himself as a soldier doing his duty. He wouldn't stop working even if Master Obi-wan orders him." Seeing the smile fading on Ferus' lips, Hcan went on. "Do you think it's a trap?"
"Coruscant?" Ferus voiced, and as the Jedi Master nodded, he ran a hand on his dark hair, putting away his silver streak from his forehead. "I'm not certain, and the Force would not answer me. As Obi-wan recalled, we are traitors, forced into exile. We are not welcomed."
"Chancellor Skywalker was well known for her sympathy to the Jedi," Hcan sat on the Interceptor's wing, and laid his hands on his black robes. "At least she will be surprised."
Ferus grinned slowly, trying to remember the great and famous Senator Amidala who became one of the best Chancellors of the Republic. "During my many travels with Anteres, I learnt that Padmé is struggling to keep a certain order in the Senate. Our best chance is to talk to her alone."
"I didn't know you two knew that well each other," Hcan teased as he heard the beautiful name of the Chancellor. "Another thing you haven't told me, Ferus."
"Oh I'm sure she will be delight to recount my past life with you."
"Who is that she?" The voice of Shaak Ti echoed behind Ferus, and Hcan immediately rose to kiss his wife.
"Padmé Skywalker," Ferus replied with a gentle smile.
Shaak Ti's eyebrow rose as she stared at her husband and his friend, "A strong woman indeed. Her husband, on the contrary," she paused as she tried to read in Ferus' eyes, "might be a problem."
"That is why I will accompany the Prime Minister on Coruscant first," Ferus stated. "I've learnt to hide my Force presence perfectly, and though he will detect that I'm Force-sensitive, he will never recognize me."
"Another trick you developed with Obi-wan's son, I presume?" Shaak Ti smiled kindly. "It will be most helpful. I understand why Obi-wan sends you first."
That was the plan. Ferus will protect the Prime Minister Tessin's shuttle with his interceptor, then they will have to defend Mandalore's in the Senate. And only when Tessin will be granted an audience with the Chancellor, the other Jedi would join them.
"The question is," Shaak Ti laid a hand on Ferus' shoulder, seriousness immediately marking her still young face, "are you ready to face him alone?"
"If you don't take too long to land, Master Ti," Ferus teased, grinning with all his teeth, and entered his interceptor, waiting for his signal.
The Star Defender, the Parangon, which the Jedi took to travel from Ceresta to Coruscant, was obviously a large military starship, able to annilate any threat to the galaxy, but it could also be seen as the transport of the Jedi, with its dozens of training rooms for the younglings, and its many meditation room on each edge of the wide cruiser. Why did a battleship need such quarters? The answer had always been clear to Anteres Kenobi, as he passed the so many soldiers in the white armor, so similar to the Clonetrooper's Phase I in the first days of the Clone Wars. If the New Jedi Order had to leave Ceresta, just like they had run away from Coruscant, the Star Defenders had to provide everything a Jedi could require, including a place to think, to calm his mind and contemplate the galaxy through the Force. And today, more than ever, despite his only fifteen short years of life, Anteres understood the urge for her mother to ask the Force for guidance. Cody had told him how much difficult it would be for his family to return to that particular planet, considering that the clone, and former commander in the Republic Grand Army, was mentally preparing himself for the worst. The General hadn't voiced it, but 'worst' meant a battle between them, and Coruscant. Though Cody had assured everyone that the Star Defender had no match in the entire galaxy, Anteres had quickly figured that destroying the fleet over Coruscant would make them a threat to the Republic. It was something his father clearly didn't want, firstly for Mandalore, for Ceresta and also for the Republic. Their mission was to prevent war, not to create another one. The Forcesensitive beings of this galaxy had already done too much damage, it was time to repair them all.
Saluting the last clone in the dark long corridor with blue lights on the ground, the dark blond boy turned at the third door at his left, and entered the wide circular room, with the same small blue neon lights on the ground, and stared for a moment at her mother's figure in front of the rectangular windows, her eyes probably gazing at the emptiness of space.
"Are you okay, Mom?" Anteres called, walking towards her.
She turned slowly with a tender smile, remembering an old vision she had in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant about that moment as she watched him stop in front of her. How much she loved his blue-grey eyes, his dark blond short hair and his smile that looked so alike with Obi-wan's. There was no name to describe how much she loved Anteres, and Galen and Satele too. But right now, only Anteres had come to her. Galen was already on the bridge with his father and Ahsoka, as she detected their bright presence in the Force.
"Mom?" Anteres asked again.
"Yes I'm sorry Anteres, I was just thinking," Siri smiled again, caressing his left cheek. It still amazed her how the Force worked around her : she recalled Anteres being much younger than today in her previous vision. "So … Are you ready to see Coruscant?" Again, in her vision, Anteres had appeared far more excited than today.
"I'm not sure," her son replied, putting his hands behind his back. "Something terribly wrong emanates from our destination."
"I suppose Coruscant is still tainted by Darth Sidious' presence," Siri nodded, knowing that Anteres could detect darkness much easier than anyone except Obi-wan. "But there is nothing to worry about. We are here to protect you."
"And who will protect you?" Anteres quickly added. When it came to protection of the ones he loved, Anteres was very much like his brother, Galen, yet less … overprotective. "And Ferus is probably the best in getting in trouble."
"That's probably something he learned from me," Siri winked as she laughed slightly.
"Still ..." Anteres' lips never formed a smile. "I've never seen any of you so tense. I feel like being compressed by powerful and large walls in the Force."
"The stakes are very high," Siri explained, "and if we do not act carefully, we might start another conflict like the Clone Wars. And returning to Coruscant brought us memories we all wanted to forget."
"Even the Jedi Temple?"
"Trust me," the mother smiled as she started to walk towards the corridor with her son, "Ceresta is far more beautiful, true heavens while Coruscant is only metal … cold and corrupted."
"Master Yoda told me I would meet someone very important for my future," Anteres confessed when they finally came inside one of the so many lifts of the Star Defender. "Is this about the Skywalker?"
"Did Yoda give you more details about this so-called important person?"
"Not important like Shira," her son replied, almost blushing, "but someday I will need his help as he will need mine."
"And what do you see about this?" This time, the member of the Council was talking, not the mother of Anteres Kenobi. "As a Jedi."
The dark blond boy closed his eyes for a moment, checking once again in the Force, and then stated : "All I can see is a blond young man, and a red haired young woman standing in front of me. The man is rather short, with bright blue eyes, but I cannot clearly look at the woman, though she is definitely not Shira."
"Perhaps is it an older version of Shira?" She asked as they exited the elevator and headed for the bridge where Obi-wan and Ahsoka were talking.
"No, Mom," Anteres shook his head in deny, "She doesn't feel like Shira. The woman is tainted by a powerful darkness, yet the man keeps her in the light. I think they are in love, but that darkness may destroy both of them."
"If the Force wants you to see this, it can only mean you have a role to play in the future you are seeing," Siri sighed sadly. She knew deep down that one day, Anteres would have to be the same hero than his father, but she had hoped the Force would wait much longer.
"Most of all," the boy added before they parted away, as Anteres had to wait with the other padawans, "I have the feeling I'll meet the blond man very soon."
Seeing her son leaving her for another part of the bridge, Siri frowned, gazing at him for a moment. She knew Anteres' powers were beyond Obi-wan's, and though it had always really worried her, she would forever trust her son, no matter what. But now would he be exposed to half of the galaxy, his powers would make him a perfect prey for the Sith, wherever they were hiding, or if any of them had survived. Worse than that, someone could want to corrupt her son, winning probably the most powerful weapon of this time. Both Anakin Skywalker and Anteres Kenobi were born, yet differently, from the Force, but her son had been trained since his birth, while Anakin was no longer training with Obi-wan. And with all the traveling Anteres did with his master, Ferus, Siri suspected her son had learned exceptional skills to survive or to complete a mission.
"Siri?" Ahsoka Tano repeated for the third time, grabbing one of her hands, worried. "Are you alright?"
The blonde Jedi Master hadn't realised the Togruta wasn't talking with Obi-wan anymore, and that she was standing in the middle of the bridge, motionlessly staring at the door that had hidden her son from her eyes.
"Yes," Siri answered, "I was just thinking about how strong Anteres was already. And his powers will keep improving until his death."
"Even Anakin had limits in the Force," Ahsoka recalled, "but not Anteres. He is in a strange way, a combination of Obi-wan, you and Anakin. I can easily sense your influence on his presence, on his mind and heart, while his Force signature is almost a copy of Obi-wan's. And yet, he seems to be directly guided by the Force itself, just like Anakin."
"What if Anteres falls like Anakin?"
"Anteres cannot fall," she smiled gently and honestly, "because he has his family to keep him in the light, to remind him how much destructive he can become. He perfectly understands that using the darkside would doom the galaxy and more. Galen is a bit like this too," she said about her padawan, Siri's other son. "He knows how much power he has, how dangerous he can be and that's why he always struggles to use all of his power."
"Both Anteres and Galen are aware of their destructive powers," Obi-wan stated, coming behind the two women. "They respected them without being afraid of them, as they know we are here for them."
"Ferus told me Anteres seems to have build barriers in the Force to prevent him to use all of his strength," Ahsoka announced, rubbing her chin. "Is such thing possible, Master?"
Obi-wan nodded, "I believe he learned it from me. When I came back in your present, I had to hide my full-power, to hide from Sidious. But because Anteres doesn't know the true extent of his power, perhaps he needs a restriction. If I can move cruisers with my power, I can assure you Anteres can tear a Star Defender in two if he wants to."
"Will Anakin see your son as a threat ?" Obi-wan's former padawan voiced, but then her eyes widened, everything becoming clear. "You sent Ferus first to stop Anakin if he had to!"
Both the Kenobi nodded gravely, but only Siri decided to speak. "Ferus knew both Anakin and Vader, and he has to confront him again. It's the test Master Yoda had talked about during the Council session."
"I suppose I'm here for the exact same reason," Knight Tano stared, almost betrayed, at her former master. "Obi-wan? You wanted me to face Anakin?"
"Would you have prefered staying on Ceresta, Ahsoka?" Obi-wan demanded gently. "Yes it is a test you must face, just like Ferus, and just like me. We must consider the possibility that Anakin may still act as our enemy."
"Act?" The female Togruta repeated, her large azure eyes widening again.
"When we left Coruscant, I came to visit one last time Darth Vader," the auburn Master of the Jedi Order started. "When I entered that room, I felt the suffocating darkness surrounding him, the demons ready to step out of the shadow and to destroy me. But there was still good in him, I was certain, so I only talked reason to me. I can assure that I left a broken Anakin, and not a hateful Sith."
"So Vader will not be the one down here," Ahsoka pointed the windows, allowing them to stare at the large ship still in lightspeed. "You are only questioning his allegiance."
"The Council is certain Anakin supports Padmé more than ever," the man nodded. "But Padmé is not a Chancellor like Palpatine, she will listen to the Senate. If they decided to arrest us, we will be forced to fight Anakin and the Republic."
"Anakin alone is no threat to us," Siri affirmed. "Ferus is more than capable to hold him, and Obi-wan has grown even more powerful than on Byss."
"And we have Galen and Anteres with us," Ahsoka grinned proudly, trying to think positively.
Of course Siri and Obi-wan decided to follow Ahsoka's good mood too : there was no point in trying to imagine every situation on Coruscant. Everything was settled, the Jedi were ready, now only the Force can help them.
"I better go with Galen now," Ahsoka added, always thinking about her responsibility as a master. "His presence at my side had always managed to calm my mind in that kind of situation," she laughed slightly as she looked at the parents of her padawan, "I can't imagine how hard it will be to let him become a Knight."
"He loves you like a sister, Ahsoka," Siri tilted her head as she smiled gently at the female Togruta, "and you are part of this family, Galen knows you will be here for him, even after his knighthood."
Tano nodded with another grin, and left the famous couple alone. Well almost alone, considering the number of the crew's members surrounding them, on the bridge.
"You think she will be fine?" Siri watched her husband returning in front of the windows. "Will you be fine?"
"I must be" Obi-wan's voice appeared amplified, once again, by the Force. "The stakes of our visit are to high to focus about our feelings concerning Anakin. We come to Coruscant as peacekeepers, not as soldiers."
"And yet," Siri came next to him, laying her head on his right shoulder, letting him smell her still perfectly blond hair, "you are bringing the greatest cruiser that had ever been built. We may appear … hostile."
"I thought you were the first to approve the construction of a powerful fleet to defend Ceresta," Obi-wan recalled, grabbing her waist with his right hand. "Having second thoughts my beautiful wife?"
"Absolutely not," the blonde Jedi Master grinned playfully, "we need to protect our homeland. And we need ships fast enough to scout the entire galaxy and find the weapon Dooku warned us about."
"But?"
"But we have disappeared for fourteen years, and our Order has never been so powerful," she added. "You alone could wipe the fleet above Coruscant, and according to Ferus and Anteres' many reports, your actions on Byss are now well known on that side of the galaxy."
"Only on that side?" Obi-wan teased, slowly turning her be in front of her.
"I am not very certain such tone should be used in front of the Chancellor," Siri raised an eyebrow, taking an assured step toward her husband, their faces so close yet so far. They simply stared at each other, just like a game when they were much younger. The goal was quite simple : who could hold the stare longer, the loser often ending up kissing the winner. Siri had always teased Obi-wan that way, and will forever continue. Especially when her husband couldn't resist more than five seconds. She smiled as she watched him rolled his eyes and brought his lips against her, with the same passion that was filling their hearts for nearly three decades.
Finally she opened her eyes again, and she found herself in front of a grinning Obi-wan, licking his lips. "Why do I have the impression that you prefer that game when we are not alone?" He said, his smile growing wider.
"Are you saying you married an exhibitionist?" She enjoyed seeing him blush way too much.
"No wonder why you gain a seat on the Council," Obi-wan took her gently in his arms as he heard the admiral of the cruiser telling they were nearly at Coruscant. "You have the answer to every question."
"I thought I am on the Council because you are in love with me!"
"Yes I am," Obi-wan nodded with one last tender smile before his eyes set on the cruiser's windows. It was the time : the Paragon had to make a stop before reaching Coruscant's space, to let Prime Minister Tessin and Ferus arrive first. Immediately, Obi-wan noticed the cerestan shuttle, followed by a Eta-5 Interceptor, flying away from the Star Defender and disappeared in a blink. "I will always be in love with you."
And as always, Siri beamed as she heard those precious words that Obi-wan Kenobi only expressed for her. "So will I, Obi-wan," she stole one last and quick kiss on his moist lips. "So will I."
The Senate was particularly wild today, such chaos nearly made Admiral Tarkin remember the day Jedi Master Obi-wan Kenobi decided to end Palpatine's rule, forcing him into a fight with lightsabers and all of their powers on the rooftop of the Rotunda, under a storm of thunders. Today, no Jedi were present in the famous symbol of democracy, well, no official Jedi : Tarkin was aware, like every other man in the Republic that Anakin Skywalker had been expelled of the Order, and exiled on Coruscant as a punishment. Though Tarkin never understood how could being away from the hypocrite and power-hungry Jedi Council a punishment, but he never said a word. Skywalker appeared quite reluctant to talk about these events, right after the Dark War on Byss, so Tarkin decided to let it go. Not because he wasn't curious, he wanted to know what really happened to Palpatine, but because he needed Skywalker's friendship to remain unsuspected : his master plan couldn't be interrupted by the actions of the Old Guard. Freedom, justice, security and peace in the entire galaxy were at stake. And today, here, as Tarkin waited patiently for the Chancellor to welcome their special guest, proudly standing in the middle of a grey pod flying right in front of him. That guest was indeed not a Jedi, but he was as dangerous as one, silently scanning his surrounding in a gold mandalorian armor with a white small cape on his left shoulder partially hiding his jetpack : Boba Fett, Manda'lore the Protector. The admiral of the Republic knew that name perfectly, not only through the use of the Jango Fett's body for the old clones, but through history. And seeing that Fett in a shinning golden armor with his helmet still on his head, Tarkin couldn't help but remember his lessons of the past about a certain Cassus Fett, also wearing a gold mandalorian armor. And the two other mandalorians at his side were quite curious too : the one on the left was Bo-Katan Kryze, as Tarkin mentally noted that such woman was as dangerous as Fett, and the other on the right was a young boy, probably the same age as Leia's Skywalker who was standing next to her mother on the Chancellor's podium. And something powerful also emanated from the young boy with bright green eyes and fair hair, wearing the white armor of the Protectors of Mandalore, like Bo-Katan.
"Welcome Manda'lore," Chancellor Skywalker started, bowing her head in respect, with a perfect pronunciation of the Fett's title. "We are most pleased and honored you have accepted to answer some of our questions."
"I may be young," Fett voiced what dozens of Senator had said behind his back, "but I will not be fooled. I know you have serious accusations against the Neutral Confederacy, and Mandalore itself."
"You understand our concerns about your neutrality then," Padmé smiled gravely and motioned Tarkin to start with a quick wave of hand. "The Republic will not start another war, but we will do everything to prevent it."
"You are as wise as they said, Chancellor," Fett bowed his head in respect. "You are well respected in the Confederacy, Ma'am, only your fellow political friends haven't earned our trust." Almost threatening, Boba pointed Tarkin with a finger. "You may proceed Admiral. I will answer to all of your concerns."
"You became the head of Mandalore's government three years ago," Tarkin started, joining his hands behind his back, adopting a proud stature. "Right after Duchess Satine Kryze died. Is it correct ?"
"Duchess Satine was murdered, Admiral," Fett corrected with anger, and Padmé noted the same emotion on the boy and Bo-Katan's faces. "The citizen supported in a large majority the Protectors, so my rule had never been questioned."
"What about Kryze's pacifism?" Tarkin smirked, knowing that this subject was a dangerous one to bring with a mandalorian.
"The Protectors were created by Satine Kryze," Boba took off his helmet and hit his chest with pride. "I am merely following her wishes."
"So Satine Kryze wanted you to rule Mandalore after her?" Even hundred meters below, Anakin Skywalker, searching for any threat inside the Senate, hiding in the shadow, heard the disgust in Tarkin's voice. Though Padmé had ordered him to respect Mandalore, the Admiral was too selfish to think about anything else but his show.
"She wanted me to protect it."
"How generous of her, thinking about her people on the verge of death, but," Tarkin took a significant pause, "did she tell you how to do it?"
"I wasn't present when Satine Kryze passed away," grief and regrets marked the still young face of Boba at this moment, and Padmé nearly wanted to order Tarkin to stop. But the Republic needed to know where Mandalore stood today. Were they behind the so-called rebellion that the Old Guard had still failed to discover? Or were they simply protecting themselves like Fett was claiming again.
"How convenient ..."
"Enough!" The boy yelled, hitting the senatorial pod with both hands. "We will not tolerate any offense to Duchess Satine who brought back the glory on Mandalore. She died because you feared us, and you still do. That's why we are here. You want to know if our fleet was built to attack you. Rest easy, Admiral, we are not your ennemies!"
"Liam ..." Bo-Katan whispered gently, trying to calm the boy. "Do not lose your focus."
"No," Fett stopped the red-haired woman, "your son is right. Satine was the best ruler Mandalore has ever seen. I will not hear more offenses on her memories, am I clear Admiral?"
"Is it a threat?" Tarkin leaned forward, full of overconfidence.
"Admiral, cease this immediately," Padmé had to make him remember his place. "We are not here to criticise their choices that we understand perfectly. We are to talk about their new fleet."
But before she could add something, Leia discretely grabbed her mother's sleeve and made her lean closer. "The boy is Force-sensitive, Mom. And trained. He is the one we should watch over," Leia announced. "I've already warned Dad. He wants to question him as well."
"I apologize, Chancellor," Tarkin bowed in a feign respect. "Our Intelligence Agency has spotted several movements of Mandalore's fleet outside the Neutral Confederacy's space. Though none of my reports speak of any attack. It seems your ships are scouting the galaxy."
Fett slowly nodded, swallowing his exasperation as he heard the Republic had spied them. "Indeed we are, Admiral."
"Are you looking for someone or something?" Chancellor Skywalker interrupted. "Perhaps can we work together, this time, peacefully."
"Chancellor you can't be serious!" Senator Pestage's pod came at Fett's level. He appeared torn between surprise and disgust. "We can't work with those warriors. They would betray us if they have the possibility and the Neutral Confederacy had never voiced any suggestions about an alliance."
"The Neutral Confederacy was built for a commercial matter, Senator," Fett affirmed. "We are not enemies of the Republic. If we do trade wealth, why can't we work for the same goal ?"
"Commercial matter?" Pestage repeated. "With a fleet nearly as wide as ours? You see, my fellow senators? This man is trying to fool us!" This time the Senate chose to stand with Pestage against the Mandalorian.
"Who's the one fooling the other?" Bo-Katan decided this joke had longed enough. "You know everything about our armies and defenses. You have purposely violated the Act of Peace between the Republic and the Confederacy by spying us. This alone should be enough to start a war." She stared hatefully at Padmé, "You claimed you are controlling the peace? Start controlling your own side, Chancellor."
"Enough!" A loud voice, somehow echoing without any voice's amplification of the Senate, came from below, shutting every one inside the Rotunda. Suddenly, a small silver platform appeared next to the Chancellor's podium, carrying the founder of the Old Guard, General Anakin Skywalker. "This meeting wasn't organized to deepen our differences," he announced, looking straight at Tarkin. "We are simply trying to understand why Mandalore sent thousands of ships traveling in the galaxy, and where they are selling their mandalorian steel."
"Your authority is not recognized here, Skywalker," Pestage recalled angrily. "You may be in charge of security, you will not step into the Senate's business."
"I can assure, Senator," Anakin crossed his arms, keeping his calm, "this is a security matter."
"They let their weapons outside, they are not dangerous," Pestage added mockingly. "Now return to your work and let us continue."
"Your eyes can deceive you," Skywalker extended a hand toward the son of Bo-Katan, "this one is trained in the Jedi arts." He then turned to his wife with a sorry face and asked : "I recommend to end this session immediately, the Senate lacks objectivity today. We are all very stressed, I believe you will be more able to deal this problem in your Office."
"We support Skywalker's demand," Fett stated. He had planned to talk with the Chancellor alone anyway, because there were things he could only tell her.
"Chancellor," another senator, the same age than Fett, advanced on his pod, "I also think, as one of the representative of the Delegation of the Two Thousands, that a more private meeting would be wiser."
"I also agree with General Skywalker's decision, Senator Bonteri," Padmé nodded at the influential senator of Onderon. Lux Bonteri was brave, honest and faithful, and he reminded her of her youth. Padmé knew one day, Lux could be elected Chancellor. "If the Senates is majority in favor, I will handle this case alone, though I will gladly accept help of others senator of course."
"Let put it into a vote then," Lux said, after checking behind him at Senator Mothma, Senator Organa and his daughter Winter.
After a few minutes, Padmé stared at her holopad on her desk, and sighed in relief. At least the Senate had understood how tense was the situation : the Republic couldn't face Mandalore. Such conflict had repeatedly happened in the past, Padmé would never allow it again. But nearly seventy-five percent had agreed to Anakin's demand. So the Chancellor would be able to speak more freely with Boba Fett and his two friends, giving Anakin an opportunity to approach the Force-sensitive boy.
For the first time since months, Admiral Tarkin wasn't present aboard his flagship the Havelon, the famous and one of the first Star Destroyer surrounded by the largest fleet of the Republic watching over the dozens of threats upon the Core and the Outer Rim. And the absence of such man did have effects : the men were more relaxed, but not lazy. Quite the contrary, because under the leadership of Commander Pallaeon, the efficiency of the crew had never be so high.
But that was until the Star Destroyer had arrived at Kuat, for a, officially, full check of the ship and a necessary improvement. Though all men and woman on the Havelon was aware such mission was simply an excuse to return to Kuat, none of them, including Pallaeon knew who or what was awaiting them. They had followed Tarkin's orders, as instructed by their mysterious allies, and they were to bring a weapon aboard.
Soontir Fel, standing next to the Commander on the bridge, and staring at the large industrial complex filled with Star Destroyer under construction above Kuat, was certain Pallaeon had many reticences. Firstly because the Old Guard could easily discover that the ship needed no repair. Secondly because the weapon would be missing at Kuat Drive Yards, and then, putting the two and two together, Skywalker wouldn't last to understand Tarkin had betrayed the Republic. However, Fel was far more worried with the shuttle on its way to the main hangar, transporting one of the so-called Prophets that Tarkin had warned him about. And after Pallaeon's explanations, those people were adept of the Force, but not like the Old Guard. They were sorcerers of death, pain, and fear. They were not fighting with lightsabers, though Pallaeon told him he didn't meet every Prophet, but with lightnings, invisible force able to grab your throat, or throw you meters away. In one word, Soontir Fel was about to meet one of the deadliest being in this galaxy.
"Why does the Prophet come from the Drive Yards, Commander?" Fel asked respectfully.
"Kuat is also supporting our cause. He wants to bring the Empire again," Pallaeon voiced with irony, knowing that Palpatine's empire had last only hours before Obi-wan Kenobi came to arrest him. Nobody hold that Jedi responsible for the decline of the Republic. It was their job to stop Palpatine, a Sith Lord. But today was different, the galaxy needed a controlling political system, to prevent war, and end the misery. Deep down, Fel had hoped Kenobi would have decided to rule as an Emperor fourteen years ago. He had been very young, when the Jedi had acted against the Sith, so he understood now how much the Jedi had to be kept away from politics.
"I can understand that," Soontir nodded. "The Chancellor's decision to end the production of clones means a slowing production of starships, and as a finality, the end of Kuat's wealth."
"And then, with an Empire, the need of a powerful fleet is far greater, as the Emperor and his lineage should be protected," Pallaeon continued. "But meeting the Prophet here is far too dangerous. I don't understand. Why can't we have done that in Hutt space like usual?"
"Commander Pallaeon!" A young woman with black and white hair, dressed in the red uniform of Republic Intelligence Agency ran at the two officers on the bridge. "Admiral Tarkin has just informed us that the Senate's session has failed. Fett managed to obtain a private reunion with the Chancellor in her Office."
Pallaeon cursed. "Padmé Skywalker is way too soft. She won't stop the war with kind words and cups of tea."
"Thank you Captain Isard," Fel smiled gently as the woman left them.
The Commander sighed again, running a shaking hand on his now grey hairs. "Let's hope the Prophet doesn't kill us for that ..."
And after nodding at the captain at his right, they left the command center, taking the many corridors and elevators to reach the main hangar where the Lambda-class shuttle had landed, flanked by dozens of stormtroopers ready to kill the dangerous threat if it had to be done. As Pallaeon had predicted, when they reached the hangar, the ramp of the shuttle hadn't still gone down with the Prophet taking a significant time showing he was to be respected as their superior. That was something both Pallaeon and Tarkin would never accept, but for the time being, they needed them to bring back the Empire. Checking that his blaster was still at his belt, Pallaeon straightened his uniform and approached the shuttle with Lieutenant Fel behind him.
Finally, the usual hiss was heard as the ramp slowly came down, white hydrolic gaz escaping the thermal exhaust port on the ship, causing every member of the Havelon's crew to straighten. The first thing Soontir managed to distinguish was a black small form, probably wrapped in robes, slowly walking towards them, flanked with two droids that Soontir would have never thought seeing again : claw-like feet, with sleem legs and arms yet very agile and obviously very accurate. But the most disturbing trait of these droids were their head. There was no other word to describe it : they were wearing the mask of the death.
Here, fourteen years after the defeat of the Separatist on Utapau, Soontir Fel was standing right in front of two darker General Grievous-like droids ! The resemblance was perfect, with those yellow eyes yet there wasn't any trace a biological organs. Grievous had been a cyborg, these two were real droids.
"Greetings Supreme Prophet Kadann," Pallaeon welcomed with a bow the diminutive being protected by the two tall droids.
The one called Kadann was in fact a human dwarf, with a thick grey beard, modestly dressed with a black star-covered robe, as Soontir watched him stop in front of him, forcing the lieutenant to mimic the commander in a fake bow.
"So you are the hero of the Republic," Kadann mocked with a sly grin, "the pilot who manages to best most of the Old Guard's members in space."
"I never asked for recognition, Sir," Fel replied, holding the gaze of the dwarf.
"Good!" The Prophet said in a dark yet gentle voice, "Modesty is a rare quality today. I'm very pleased to have you on our side, Lieutenant Fel."
"Thank you Sir."
"So," the dwarf was still gazing at Soontir, "what does my weapon inspire you?" He pointed one of Grievous' copy behind him.
"They are terrific," Fel honestly confessed, "though I never thought we would need such weapon. Our fleet is the largest of the Republic, and our men are the best and most loyalist." He paused, taking a long breath, "unless those droids were merely built for your protection."
The short man in robes nodded slowly, a satisfied smile forming on his lips, "Exactely Lieutenant. I do agree your stormtroopers are the elite of this Republic army, but how long can they survive against a member of the Old Guard?" Kadann shook his head before Soontir could reply. "They cannot. A guardian is well trained, dodging and deflecting lasers are as easy as breathing. We need something to hold them. These droids had been filled with all the data of Grievous' computer, and built secretly here at Kuat."
"How many are already built, my Lord?" Pallaeon asked, walking around the droids to examine them.
"Only ten for the moment, Commander," the dwarf informed, "but they are as deadly as Grievous."
"This is more than enough," Soontir couldn't believe the Prophets build such destructive droids, and what if they couldn't control them? "The Republic will fall in a day."
"There is a detail you are forgotten, my young friend," Kadann closed his eyes, and the lieutenant braced himself for a punishment, but the Prophet simply smiled. A kind and courteous grin that reminded the one of Palpaltine. "The Old Guard isn't a real threat to our cause, though Anakin Skywalker and his children are extremely powerful, I can deal with them. Are you aware of the Force, Lieutenant ?"
"I believe in the Force, though I cannot understand it."
"Then you must know that we can distinguish two sides in the Force, one called the light and the other the dark. The Old Guard are fighting for the light while we, the Prophets, are serving the darkside. In that way, there is a certain balance between each side because one cannot exist without the other," Kadann explained. "But the Old Guard is much weaker than us, so there is another group we must add in this war. An entire army of formidable and wise warriors who left this galaxy."
"The Jedi are exiled," Pallaeon recalled, "they will not come back."
"Are they really?" Kadann grinned. "You were present that day, Commander. Remember who force the Jedi to flee away."
"Bail Organa," Soontir replied, recalling the history he learnt at the Academy.
"A well known friend of Obi-wan Kenobi," Kadann opened his hands to state the truth. "The Jedi were not forced, they decided to leave us. But they were always watching us. Right now, at this moment, they are about to land on Coruscant ..."
It was the first time, Boba Fett now Manda'lore the Protector was officially invited in the Office of the Chancellor of the Republic, and surprise would have marked his face if he hadn't been trained by his father to control his emotions. He had been told that before Organa, the Office was made of grey steel and rich red carpets on the ground, creating a dark atmosphere in the room that was the theater of Palpatine's evil plans for the galaxy. When Organa took the seat of Palpatine, this famous room had been decorated with a warm alderann blue, the carpets were replaced by a white marble but once again, the new Chancellor had transformed this office into her own. Though Fett noted the evident influence of Naboo arts with the statues and the paintings on the wall, he had the impression to stare at a perfect copy of the Jedi Council's chamber, as far as he could remember the old holos, with the orange seats, a breathtaking mosaic on the ground and a warm sandy colored walls all around. One thing had remind was the large black desk in front of Chancellor Skywalker, carefully studying the Mandalorian, next to her large white seat.
And to be honest, Fett felt almost welcomed in that Office, despite the obvious presence of security around him : General Skywalker and his son were present, at each side of the desk, Leia Skywalker had decided to stand against the wall holding the transparisteel window, and four Red Guards were behind them, protecting the two exits of this room. There were also others influential senators still present, Bail Organa and his daughter, Mon Mothma and Lux Bonteri, those known as the Chancellor's most trusted friends and advisors.
"I'm sorry you had to hear Senator Pestage's speech, Manda'lore," Padmé sighed, sitting on her seat, exhausted yet relief to have left the Senate.
"A brilliant speech nonetheless, Chancellor," Boba nodded gravely, "and he has voiced ideas that many senators share with him, I'm afraid."
"So the Neutral Confederacy is well aware of the Senate's tendency to create another conflict," Padmé held Fett's gaze for a moment. "The Republic is getting poorer and poorer as we are paying our debts to the devastated worlds from the Clone Wars. Some senators see a way to restore the Republic's wealth with a war."
"That idea is also shared with many of my allies, Chancellor", the son of Jango informed, slightly watching Anakin Skywalker's reaction. "I may still be the leader of the Confederacy, I won't be able to hold them off forever. And neither will you. Your leadership is more and more criticized, many senators stand against you."
"I will not let this galaxy start another war," Padmé assured. "The Clone Wars, in a way, started because of my family. I will not let it happen again."
Boba grinned, "It seems you and I agree more than with our own allies."
Padmé smiled when she understood the Mandalorian was offering his help, "But I alone can't do anything. The Senate is more and more behind senators like Sate Pestage, I don't how long I will remain in this Office."
"My hands are tied," Fett stated. "If I offer you ships, the Senate will see it as a coup's tentative, and the Neutral Confederacy might see it as betrayal."
"I thought your scouting expeditions in the galaxy was ordered by Mandalore only," Bail Organa stepped into the conversation, a worried look marking his now aging face. "Can't you help us with those ships?"
"I cannot for the reasons I said," Fett shook his head, "but if you told me why you requested my help, I can perhaps try to convince the Confederacy's council."
"I'm certain you already know, Fett," Bonteri raised a curious eyebrow. "There is a group of rebels within the Republic."
"This is only rumors, Senator," Bo-Katan added. "We still haven't any proof about this group, nor we have any ideas of what they want. But as Manda'lore explained, we cannot help you, otherwise, it will be war."
"What do you see, Anakin?" Padmé turned to her silent husband at her left.
The leader of the Old Guard inhaled slowly as he stared at every person present in the room, with saddened eyes. "I cannot see anything. The future is clouded, an opac fog prevents me from helping you. The Force is mysteriously secret, I'm sorry."
"What does that mean?" Bail came closer, always preoccupied by the Force, and the visions it could offer them. During his whole leadership as the Chancellor, he had many times asked the Force's guidance by keeping Anakin at his side.
"That someone or something keeps me in the dark," Anakin informed, laying his eyes on Bo-Katan's son. "What do you see, my young friend?"
The blond boy's eyes closed for a moment, immersing his mind in the Force, and losing the so simple notion of time, then, his bright green eyes opened wide instantly. "There is someone!"
Immediately, on Padmé's desk, a small blue holorepresentation of Sabé, her former handmaiden, appeared, "Chancellor, there is a man here requesting an audience with you. I told him to wait but-" and before she could finish her sentence, the Office's large doors let a tall yet slim man entered.
He was dressed with yellow large robes, with solid shoulders' plate as protection, and a brilliant collar made of white jewels, that he also had on his fingers. He had a pale face, with smart green eyes and a warm smile, showing all of his perfect teeth. Padmé understood immediately that the man was powerful and influential.
"But I was too excited to meet you, Chancellor Skywalker," the man simply finished for Sabé. "Coruscant is simply fabulous!"
In a swift move, the four Red Guards jumped at him, their electropikes ignited and held at the man in yellow's throat, forbidding him to go further.
"I don't know who you are," Anakin walked toward him, threatening and ready to grab his lightsaber, but the guardian decided to give the man a chance. "But you will stop right here. How did you pass security?" He tried to hide his fears, as he was aware the man had managed to fool two guardians posted outside, or perhaps kill them.
"Security?" The tall man repeated with a laugh. "That's right," he laughed again, but turned to talk behind him, "how did we pass security, my friend?"
One second later, a man wrapped in tight black and brown robes, with a hood covering all of face but his thin mouth and his chin, came out of the shadow, holding the unconscious bodies of the two guardians on his shoulders, only to slowly and carefully put them on the ground. The Red Guards didn't hesitate a moment, they charged the mysterious threat all together, but much to Anakin's surprise, they all fell in an instant : the man had overcome four guards with his barehands ! And though Skywalker detected a slight touch of the Force in this man, he was certain he couldn't be strong enough in the Force to accomplish such act.
"I guess just like that," the man in yellow set his eyes on Anakin again, with the same joyful smile on his lips.
A blue blade came out of life from Anakin's right hand to the man's throat, "Who are you?"
"That's very rude of you, Skywalker," he replied. "Or should I call you … Lord Vader?"
Anakin in instinct jumped away from the two dangerous man, and came to protect Padmé, his children, the Mandalorian and the other senators, while he didn't take his eyes off of the man in black. "I don't how you came to obtain such information but you can't win. There are legions of stormtroopers that will soon enter this room."
"Chancellor," a stormtrooper with blue stripes appeared on the desk of the Office, "A massive ship has just come out of hyperspace. They are not responding to any communications, and there is a high risk the ship alone can wipe out our fleet. Shall we attack first?"
"If you want to win, Skywalker," the man in yellow was no longer friendly, "I suggest strongly to let me speak freely. I am not the Republic's ally, but I am certainly not your enemy."
"Your acts tend to prove the other," Padmé voiced loudly, coming next to her husband, refusing to be threatened by a stranger. "Who are you?"
"He is Prime Minister Tessin of Ceresta," Boba replied for him, walking between the two groups. "He is the one who saved Mandalore from the Kiliks three years ago."
"It's good to see you again, Boba," Tessin bowed with a fatherly smile. "I am here to offer the help Mandalore cannot provide. I am aware of the rebellion, and I have the strong intent to stop them, whatever their plan is."
Anakin deactivated his blade, sensing the truth in Tessin's words : he was indeed not their friends, and he could destroy Coruscant's navy with the ship he was seeing in holo on the desk. But at least, he was honest, and Padmé would have to treat carefully with him.
"I suppose you are counting on the ship on orbit?"
Tessin laughed again, returning a lightened mood, "Oh no General. I can assure the ship is nothing compare to my friend." He pointed the man in black, still standing immobile in the middle of the red guards. "I'm curious you haven't recognized him yet."
The man in black nodded and advanced toward Padmé, stopping next to Anakin and drew his hood back on his shoulders, "It's a pleasure seeing you again, Padmé."
"Ferus?" Both the Skywalker exclaimed, staring at his grey hair, his scares racing on his face. But Ferus Ollin appeared younger than them. He looked almost like he was before disappearing from Coruscant.
"Hello Anakin," Ferus grinned, putting a firm on the man's shoulder. "I'm sorry for the Guards, but I had too. They could have recognized me, and we wouldn't have been able to come here."
"Ferus," Padmé rushed toward him, grabbing his free hand, relieved to see her friend, and former protector, alive and apparently stronger than ever. "Where have you been?"
"Ceresta of course" Ollin laughed with Tessin. "Though we cannot tell you the location of our home."
"Why?" Anakin asked, suspicions no longer present in his heart. He knew he was in front of a friend. "There is nothing to fear about here."
"Indeed, Anakin, indeed," Ferus nodded. "And you don't know how relieved I am to stand in front of Anakin Skywalker. I nearly lost my disguise when I saw you jump away in defense instead of attack the Prime Minister. You have changed... a lot."
"But you haven't," Padmé declared. "You are exactly the same. You even look happier."
"You can thank Aayla for that," the Jedi's lips formed a wide and proud smile.
"Is she here, too?" Anakin couldn't believe he was speaking with a Jedi Knight, after fourteen years.
"She stayed on Ceresta with the others," Ferus informed, "with the New Jedi Order."
"Wait ..." Bonteri's surprise was easily detected, "so you have all survived and grown stronger?"
"I think that something you can ask to Ahsoka Tano," Tessin informed, taking three steps on the left to clear the view from the opening doors behind him.
"Ahsoka?" Anakin and Lux backed away. Have they heard correctly ?
Soon, nine , forms, dressed with long robes with different colours hiding their bodies and faces, entered the Chancellor's Office, in an almost ceremonial way. And even a non-Force-sensitive could detect the power emanating from all of them, even the smaller ones that were probably children, leading the way. Only of one them, with a sleeveless robe, seemed to be slower and more distant than the others.
"Welcome back , my Jedi friends," Tessin announced, knowing the effect of the planet on all of their hearts.
On the otherside, Anakin's mouth was left opened, unable to determine if he was simply dreaming, as he distinguished two female Togrutas in the group : their tall lekkus creating a different shadow than the others, probably humans.
"You overdid it, Master," one of the children voiced, revealing his face with dark blond hair, and grey-blue eyes that Anakin couldn't mistake as he knew them way too much. How could he forget them? How could he not remember the disappointment and the slight anger in those eyes when he had stared at them for the last time, fourteen years ago?
All of the Jedi, except the one with the sleeveless robes, followed the boy, pulling off their hood and came closer to the senators. Every person on the Republic's side couldn't mistake the Jedi for anyone else, as they looked exactely the same, though one of them, with brilliant blue eyes and mid long black hair was still a stranger for all of them. But how could they not recognize Master Shaak Ti, Siri Tachi, and Ahsoka Tano? For a long moment, all of they could only stare at them, studying their delicate new clothes that was so different from their usual tunic when they were on Coruscant. Shaak Ti was still wearing a long battle dress but grey now, and she had stunning silver decorcations on her sleeves. Siri had now chosen an Alderian-like white robe, showing her shoulders and part of her ribs, making her look even more tanned than she was already, and Anakin noticed the curved hilt hat belonged to Count Dooku hanging at her belt.
Ahsoka had kept her dark red outfit, yet it had been improved with black protection on her wrists, and from her belt felt two long pieces of white rich silk, giving the impression that she, too, was wearing a long dress over her legs.
"Master Tachi is that you?" Bail rushed at her, examining her face that had remained so young, while he had aged so much over these fourteen years.
"It's Master Kenobi, now, Bail," Siri winked as she shook Bail's hand. "I've watched your years as Chancellor with great interest and proud."
"And where is your husband then?" Bail pressed on, coming closer again, hoping to meet with his old and extermely powerful man. "We need our must trusted, powerful and wisest leader in such time."
"Trusted is not the term I would use, Senator," the one with the sleeveless robes said, his gentle voice surprisingly echoed inside the Office, and Anakin didn't last to figure who was the man speaking.
Every other Jedi stepped away, offering a way toward Padmé and Anakin, allowing that man to walk slowly forward, gently touching Siri's shoulders as he passed next to her and laid a hand on the face of the boy who had spoken. He stopped when he came at their level, a kind smile forming on his lips surrounded by an auburn well trimmed beard, and then, Obi-wan Kenobi revealed himself.
"Master!" Anakin's surprise had defintely reached its climax.
"Hello Anakin," the auburn Jedi beamed in front of the Skywalker's couple. "You look terrible."
"You look even younger than when you left us," Padmé stated, shock also marking her delicate face. "How is this possible?"
"Our new world works in mysterious way," Ahsoka informed, her eyes still locked on Anakin.
"You all felt stronger in the Force too," the Chosen One added. "It's amazing."
"You seemed to have grown stronger too, Skywalker" Shaak Ti pointed out. "You shine brighter, and purer. I guess Master Obi-wan's decision to let you live was the right one."
"Thank you, Shaak Ti" Obi-wan replied dryly, turning back to the Togruta Jedi Master. "But she's right. Your children have in a way exorcised the darkness around you."
"Master," the man with blue eyes and black hair interrupted. "I'm sorry but we came here for specific reasons. I'm sure you can discuss about the past later."
"Anakin," Obi-wan extended a hand toward the bold man, "meet my former student Master Hcan Ti, member of the New Jedi Council and, as you probably understood, husband of Master Shaak Ti. We found him on Byss, and he joined us. He has clear lacks of diplomacy, but he is strong and honest. And most of all, he is almost always right."
"Why are you here then, Obi-wan?" Padmé asked, knowing that the Jedi were the allied of the Prime Minister dressed in yellow.
"To help you find the rebellion," the Jedi Master said. "The Jedi Order is not only the Republic ally, we will do everything to prevent another war to tear appart this galaxy. And we are also hear to assure you Mandalore is not a threat to you. The mandalorian steel was forged for our ships, like the one you are currently seeing on your desk. They are not building an army, at least not for the Neutral Confederacy."
"What about the recent adhesion of Rothana Engineering to the Confederacy?" Lux Bonteri recalled. "They have lost the monopole for the Republic's army. They might see profits in joining Mandalore and their allies."
"Father," one of the boy with very short black hair and brown eyes came next to Obi-wan, "the Senator is right. We should investigate about this."
"You are Obi-wan and Siri's son?" Padmé tilted her head in amazement. He didn't look at all like his parents.
"I'm Galen Kenobi," he nodded. "And Anteres came too."
Both the Skywalker watched the grey-blue eyed boy, a perfect mix of Siri and Obi-wan, advanced toward them. They had known the boy as an infant, now he was a trained padawan, obviously more powerful than Luke and Leia combined.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Anteres", Padmé greeted warmly. "I'm not certain you remembered us, but we have met years ago."
"I do remember," Anteres informed, looking straight in Anakin's eyes, almost wary. "I remember your touch in the Force."
The leader of the Old Guard raised an eyebrow, curiosity rising as he allowed himself to contemplate the boy through the Force : he found himself standing above a calm endless ocean with maelstroms and storm far away from him. He never felt like this, even Obi-wan or himself hadn't such connexion with the Force. Anakin was more an endless, dry and unpredictable desert. The boy was in perfect control, with powerful streams keeping the storms away from its inner core. And the Chosen One asked himself, just for a moment, if Anteres wasn't the new Chosen-One, as the first one had failed to bring the balance in the Force.
"No he's not a Chosen One," Ferus had detected the worries in Anakin's mind. "My padawan is, to put in simple, a nexus of the Force. He has no destiny such as yours, making him even more dangerous than you, Anakin."
"I wanted him to meet you," Obi-wan stated. "Because only you two can completely understand each other. I may have stupendous powers," he recalled before Anakin did. "My birth does not involve the Force so much."
"You can go with Anakin, oh Master of the Order," Siri teased. "We will fulfil the details of our intervention with the senators and Padmé."
"We will talk later, Master," Ahsoka reassured Anakin with a gentle nod as she walked toward Lux Bonteri.
An hour later, two robed figure were still slowly and peacefully walking on the red carpets on the Executive's buildings floor next to its so many decks. Though they were merely exchanging experiences, thoughts and feelings about the last fourteen years they had passed away from each other, anyone could understand that the two men were simply enjoying the company of the other. But only the eldest would detect the change in their behaviour : they had been teacher and student, friends even brothers, then enemies. Today, the scars of the past were still present, yet so much easier to forget, or so it seemed.
"Master, I'm sorry," Anakin said for the fourth time in this conversation.
"I'm not your Master anymore Anakin, you have the right to call me by my name," and Obi-wan gently reminded again.
"You are the Master of the Order now," Skywalker recalled, "and you will forever be my master. I have always needed your guidance, and with you away, I tried to honour your memory when I trained the others."
"I'm very impressed," the auburn man started, "the Old Guard is extraordinary, and they seemed to respect you very much. You have grown patient, and wise, and nothing couldn't satisfy more."
"I had to. I'm a father now," Anakin grinned. "I can't rush into dangers anymore."
"Careful Anakin," Obi-wan's eyes sparked in amusement, "I will believe you learnt Soresu."
"I did, Master," the other immediately replied, his smile widened. "The Old Guard represents the protectors of the Senate. We do not lead armies to war."
"I know. Ferus and Anteres made several reports about your group," the Master of Order nodded. "You are following the way of the Force, and your destiny. Your place is here, on Coruscant with Padmé."
"What about Luke and Leia? Shouldn't they receive a proper training with real Jedi?"
"They have you, and this is more than enough."
"I was reluctant to train them," Anakin confessed. "I was afraid I would taint their innocence with my own darkness. And training with their dad won't help them with the rule of attachment. They would disobey direct orders to save me or Padmé."
"They remind me of someone," Obi-wan elbowed his former padawan. "You worry too much. They will become great persons, I promise you."
"What about your sons?"
"Siri and I also have a daughter, Satele," Kenobi smiled proudly. "She's just like Siri, a little more distant than her brothers, but she has the purest heart. Galen is overly protective, but he would never put his family before his duty. Ahsoka trains him very well."
Anakin was glad to hear her apprentice was now a master, "You finished her training, didn't you?"
"She asked me too," the Jedi nodded. "Though there wasn't much she could learn from me, we knew each other well enough to work together. She is one of our best Jedi Knight, you can be proud of her."
"I am," the other assured. "I only wish she can forgive me."
"Can you forgive yourself first?"
Anakin turned his face away from his friend and become for a moment before he went on. "No, I can't. I still see the faces of the ones I killed, their screams, the war on Byss, the duel with Ferus and your powers against mine. I still feel guilty."
"The guilt will never leave you, I'm afraid," Obi-wan laid a comforting on Anakin's shoulder. "But you have learnt from your mistake. If you don't forgive yourself, then you will doom your soul into darkness."
"That's why you brought Anteres, right?" Anakin asked. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have exposed your greatest Jedi today. You would have kept him safe on Ceresta. But you know he can help me."
"Anteres knows how much destructive he can be, Obi-wan explained. "Only you can understand such feeling. I was always in control of my strength, but both you don't. At least you are now, but Anteres is still learning. You can help him, and he can show you the path of your own forgiveness."
"His presence in the Force is mesmerizing," Anakin confessed. "I remember feeling like this on Mortis, with the embodiments of the Force. Can Anteres be a Force-wielder?"
"You mean like the Son and the Daughter?" Obi-wan never thought about that. How could he have? Anteres was his son, a still young human who barely understand his future role in the galaxy. Accepting the fact that Anteres could be an embodiment of the Force was the thought of a fool. And yet, wasn't Obi-wan the champion of the Force, the hero brought back with powers beyond imagination to destroy the darkness? What would be the child of the Knight of the Force and a Jedi Master?
"I mean like the Father," Anakin corrected. "He is above the limitation of the two sides of the Force. Surely you have felt the unbreakable walls keeping away the chaos in his soul. Your son simply cannot fall."
"Yoda agrees with you, but Anteres doesn't have to fall to destroy the galaxy."
"Anteres is nothing like me, Obi-wan. He is the paragon of the Force, the guiding light that the Jedi were waiting for. The galaxy doesn't need the Chosen One, it needs someone like you, someone like your son."
On the other side of the building where hundreds of ships were landing at every hours of the day on Coruscant, Senator Lux Bonteri had followed Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano for a walk, where he, honestly on purpose, couldn't have gazed at anything but the Togruta next to him. How many times had he wondered where had she disappeared? How many times had he dreamt about her?
He had dedicated his life to his work, to honour her memory in bringing peace and ending the so many conflicts inside the Republic. He had done all of it for her, because he had been ashamed to have let her leave without him. If he had known everything, Lux would have follow her to this Ceresta. Was it too late now?
"You are thinking loudly Lux," Ahsoka stopped, facing him as she grinned. Was she making fun of him ?
"I never thought Jedi would deliberatly read people's mind."
"I only heard your last question," the Togruta informed. "And to answer it, I am the one being late today."
"What do you mean?" the Senator stepped away, quite confused by her words.
"I should have told you where I was going," Ahsoka said. "Though you knew the Jedi Order was forced to exile, I should have come personally to you. To make you forget me."
"Why would you do such thing?"
"You refused many proposal Lux," she said. "You didn't see me, but I have always kept an eye on you. You feel guilty because you believed you are responsible for our exile. This is wrong. Master Obi-wan and the Council had already decided to leave Coruscant for a safer place. We only used you. So I am the one being sorry, because I knew it all along."
"If you had stayed, the Senate would have condemned the Order," Lux informed gravely. "You were too powerful and so very feared by many senators."
"This hasn't changed, has it?"
"In majority, the Senate had realised the importance of the Jedi Order for the Republic. That's why we agreed on the creation of Skywalker's Old Guard. I believe if you find and arrest the rebel group, you will be more than welcome to come back here."
"We won't come back Lux," Ahsoka looked away, "Ceresta is too perfect. There we can provide the safest world for our padawans, and the Force flows so strongly that Coruscant seems a dead planet to me."
"I felt the same until today," the senator agreed, yet his right hand came to gently grab her chin, forcing her to stare at him. "I can finally see you again, talk to you and touch you. I've missed you Ahsoka. And it saddens me to know you will soon return to your secret world."
"We don't have to be separate anymore," Ahsoka came closer, slipping her fingers into his.
"How would I be allowed to go to Ceresta? Why me?"
"Because," the Togruta's face was now inches away from Lux's, "Jedi are allowed to love now. They can marry and have their own family."
He didn't want any longer, his free hand grabbed the back of her head and pulled her lips against his, sealing the gap between them and preventing them to breathe. But he didn't care anymore, because, in his own reality, he was breathing for the first time since very long years.
"Is that a proposal, Knight Tano?" He teased when their lips parted away, both of them gasping for air, their senses totally twisted by their desires.
"Haven't you wait fourteen years for this, Senator?" She replied, her tongue licking his lips.
"I have waited fourteen years to love you."
"I love you too, Lux," she said blushing, "I love you too."
Author : I wanted to do this romance for such a looooong time, I'm finally happy to bring Ahsoka and Lux together.
I know this chapter is a lot of talks, I had the intention to describe this reunion in a whole chapter because of its importance. And of course, I wanted to give you a preview of what the Republic is going to face haha. Don't worry, I still have two big surprises for you.
Next chapter : We will learn more about the son of Bo-Katan, then the Jedi would start investigating in the galaxy, starting with the Rothana Engineering.
I will post it as soon as possible, until then, may the Force be with you :)