CHAPTER 6 : Love at war
Author Note : Thank you again for all of your support and the reviews ! I'm glad Galen is quite popular, because his role will be more important as the story goes : but he is a Kenobi, in this fiction, after all.
So here we go with this chapter, with a some of SIRIWAN ;). En-joy !
Away from the political struggles grangrening the other side of the universe, Jedi Padawan Satele Kenobi had watched with great concern the departure of the Cerestan fleet for Coruscant, bringing her mother Siri, Master Shaak Ti, Master Luminara and her padawan Shira Brie as Jedi reinforcement to prevent, as long as possible, the war that had been declared by both the Republic and the Neutral Confederacy. It was the second time she stared at a starship taking away her family while she stayed on Ceresta because she had been considered too young for an opened conflict. There was truth in those words, but Satele would regret many things if something happened to one of them, or any other Jedi. She also worried for Liam Kryze, the Mandalorian boy she had quickly befriended while he had trained with her father, Obi-wan, on the Jedi planet. Her tormented mind had led her to the only place where she could find peace and usually meditate with ease : the gardens of the Jedi city. According to the elder Jedi Knights, they were as big as the entire Senate District on Coruscant. The area was probably several kilometers wide, Satele had also forgotten to ask the Cerestan architects who had build the gardens. But the most impressive fact of this place wasn't its surface, but its colours as thousands of different plants and flowers were growing on a rich floor, surrounded by so many fountains which cooled the air : during the hot days of summer, hundreds of Jedi came to rest in the middle of this vegetation, protected from the burning sun. More importantly, Master Yoda was personally watching over this beautiful green world, being present every day, as he enjoyed the formidable presence of the Force smoothing over his aging body. So since she was a little girl, Satele Kenobi was known to meditate every day with the small Grand Master and discussed with him about subjects a normal girl of her age would have never understood. However, Satele was far from normal, her presence in the Force shining as bright as her father, with the intelligence of her mother, though her mind had always been mor inclined to philosophy rather than fighting, like her mother. It was known that Siri Tachi had never enjoyed the spiritual part of her teaching until she met her future husband, who, on the contrary had a great connection with the Jedi's philosophy.
As Master Yoda felt her presence coming closer to him, he smiled as he told himself that Satele was the perfect combination of both Siri and Obi-wan. Anteres Kenobi's mind was too much like Siri's, and so his overwhelming powers were more a burden than the Force. Yoda knew, as much as the entire Jedi Council that if Anteres hadn't been properly trained, and so learned to restrain his strength, the boy's body would have been destroyed. Satele, fortunately for her, had naturally developed an easiness to control and calm her powers. She was, despite her only 12 young years, already what a Jedi Knight needed to be. Something her other brother, Galen, shared with her with his more reserved personality. Yoda had always watched them growing with great pride, while Anteres, until he came to master his strength six years ago, had been the caused of many of his worries. Though eventually, the Grand Master came to trust the Force in the matter of the boy's life and destiny.
"Master Yoda," Satele disturbed his thoughts as she bowed before him, while he, sitting on the healthy grass, stared again at her. "How are you today?"
He grinned at her concern for him, though he knew she was hiding her feelings about her family fighting. "Sit, child. Conflicted I am, today."
"Conflicted?" Satele laid the bag she was caring on the floor, opened it, and grabbed two cups in which she served a warm purple tea. "About sending Jedi to Coruscant?" She gave one cup to the Grand Master.
"Not only to Coruscant, the Jedi must go," Yoda explained, recalling that Satele wasn't present at the last Council meeting. It felt odd, she was just a padawan, but the green alien had grown used to see her at the Council meeting, foreseeing her taking his own chair in the future. "Talk with both sides, we have to."
"That's why you sent Master Shaak Ti, Master Luminara and Shira," the girl said, knowing that Luminara Vos and the Togruta Master were the two political representatives of the Council to the Cerestan government. "But the Council must have realise diplomacy won't work. I don't know why we are even trying."
"Trying we are not," Yoda chuckled, almost hearing his famous 'Do or do not. There is no try'. "Buying time, the Master must."
"For what?"
"We hope your father and the team who went with him found something about the traitors," a gentle feminine voice came from behind Satele, as plants were gently brushing against long Jedi robes. "A serious enough lead, at least."
"Master Adi !" the daughter of Obi-wan and Satele beamed as she watched Adi Gallia, followed by her husband Mace Windu, sitting next to her, forming a circle on the grass. "Master Mace, I'm glad you came. I made your favorite tea," and with great enthusiasm, forgetting for one moment about the war her parents and brothers would fight, she served another two cups.
"How are you doing, Satele?" Mace gave her the same smile, something Yoda only witnessed with the presence of the girl next to the Korun Master. There was a protective love inside the dark eyes of the very serious Jedi Master, not the same love she shared with his wife Adi, but as powerful as the first one. Windu had many times confessed to him that he saw Satele as her grand-daughter, though he refused being called "grand father", arguing that he wasn't old enough.
"Fine, now that we are in family," she winked at the two dark-skinned Jedi. "I guess Mom told you to watch over me?"
"Yes child," Adi replied with her gentle voice, her blue eyes shining out of love for her. "But we thought you might feel lonely."
"I could have gone with them, you know," Satele took a sip of her tea.
"Know this, we all do," Yoda stated, "but your time, this is not yet."
"Then what are you conflicted about, Master Yoda?"
"Sending Jedi to the war, saddens my old heart," he said, his ears going low with sorrow.
"We don't have a choice," Mace repeated his words during the Council meeting. "If we do not interfere, they will destroy each other, and the Empire will rise and be free to track us down, again."
"Yes, yes. Wise, but dangerous, Master Windu."
"But we all trust Obi-wan and his friends," Adi Gallia was certain the Jedi would end this conflict before it would go too far. "We must keep faith in them, and in the Force."
"Fight with them, we can no longer go," Yoda smiled weakly. "Too old I am to battle, proven that, Obi-wan did with his former life." Satele didn't say a word, as she still struggled to accept her father had been brought back into the past by the Force. She had understood his tremendous power, Anteres' and her own, were a consequence to that time travel, but knowledge was still lacking.
"We had our time," Windu nodded, he had noticed since a couple of years that the three of them were the oldest member of the Council. "When I gave Obi-wan the title of Master of the Order, I knew I would no longer have an active part in the fight. We must let the younger go."
"Hey, we are not that old," Adi tried to lighten the mood. "We are still the most experienced Generals, we have fought more battles than they do."
"So we must council them," Mace added with a grin. "We are the old wise masters now." He knew she would understand the joke, as she, when she had been a young Knight, refered to the Council in such terms.
"Yet still here, I am," Yoda did figure it out.
"That's very low, Mace," she looked at him with a fake anger.
"But truth, he speaks." The Grand Master closed his eyes, "only a watcher I am now. Lead the Order, from a distance you two will. But time for the next generation it is."
"That's better," Satele suddenly said, hearing the certain pain in their voices. "I can spent more time with you then !"
And with one simple sentence, the girl had been able to warm up their aging heart, casting away any depressing thoughts as their lips formed into a kind smile, grateful to be so highly considered by the kind and powerful Satele Kenobi. She too, was part of the future they had to entrust their friends. And one day, she would have to do the same than they were doing : stepping back from the theater of war and politics to only live listening to the Force until their last breath. Though all of them, in a somehow selfish way, begged the Force to let them watch her grow into the formidable woman she was destined to be. Seeing her lead the Jedi as one of the greatest Jedi Master would be their ultimate gift, before joining their friends into the currents of the Force.
As established in the emergency message sent by the Master of the Order, the fleet of the Jedi Order, composed with three formidable Star Defenders, emerged from the hyperspace in Coruscant's orbit and joined the large Republic Navy protecting the capital world. But curiously, one of these Star Destroyers had kept a greater distance from the others, standing as the first cruiser to defend Coruscant, though its position clearly indicated the contrary. From the bridge of the Privilege, the Star Defender carrying Master Luminara Vos and her padawan, the members of the crew easily understood that this particular Star Destroyer had been above Coruscant only recently, confirming the message of Obi-wan Kenobi stating that Master Hcan Ti had borrowed a Republic's starship to come back.
General Rex, a clone of the late Jango Fett, and former commander of the Republic army, ordered to fly at this Star Destroyer's position, protecting it in case of a potential attack : he had been told by the Jedi Council that traitors were on both sides. Flying carelessly in front of such navy would be foolish, so they had to cover Master Hcan Ti. As Rex had presumed, one Star Defender could easily hold against three Star Destroyers, so he and his allies were quite safe, but the Jedi Master and husband of Shaak Ti hadn't such starship.
"Have we received words from Obi-wan?" Luminara entered the bridge, followed quickly by her redhead padawan Shira Brie.
"He is waiting in the Chancellor's Office, Ma'am" Rex replied seriously. "Your shuttle is ready to take off. Master Kenobi asked the Privilege to stay on orbit as additional defenses."
"Is he certain we can trust these commanders?" She pointed the Republic ships in front of them.
"He believes the traitors are gathering strength in secret. Coruscant isn't discreet enough. But if even these men are imperials, they would risk an open attack so soon."
"Do you agree with this theory?" Luminara asked, as she wanted to hear from his experience. Since the exile of the Jedi Order, Rex had noticed the clones' opinion were requested more frequently. During the Clone Wars, they were just following orders, like good soldiers. But now, their expertises were often welcomed.
"I think Master Kenobi is perfectly right," Rex nodded. "The enemy will first test our forces. We must be very careful about where the two other Defenders are going."
"The Paragon and the Liberator have already won many space battles," the female Jedi recalled. "And I have faith in their generals."
"We had fought against pirates, or mercenaries," the clone precised. "It'd be different."
"Have faith in the Force then, Rex," Shira said with a smile, knowing that the general had often prayed the mystical power in desperate situations, when all his hopes were lost until a Jedi came to rescue him.
"Be careful down there Kiddo," he said with the same smile. "Coruscant is not as pretty as Ceresta."
"Don't worry, Master Luminara is with me," the redhead girl grinned, "and our greatest warriors are down there. I'll be fine."
And Luminara grinned at the clone too while hearing Shira's confidence. It another time, several years ago, she would have corrected her padawan about always being cautious, to be ready for whatever the Force had planned for them. But all the years of happiness with Quinlan on Ceresta had softened her mind, and the last three years as Shira's padawan had made her forget about Barriss Offee, her first apprentice she had considered like her daughter. Of course she still remembered her, but in time, she had gone to forgive her fall to the dark side, knowing that in the end, she stood to fight against the Dark Lord of the Sith and gave her life to protect another being. Ferus Ollin had told her how much brave Barriss had been during her last hours, and would have made Luminara proud.
And proud she was indeed, but the Miraluka woman had recognised her faults as a teacher too : her too emotionally detached behaviour had been a cause of Offee's fall, so she had promised. She had promised Shira she would never abandon her. She had promised Barriss she would not make that mistake again, for her sake, and for the human girl's.
"Let's go Master, we'll be late," Brie stated for the second time, as her master seemed lost in her thoughts.
"We are never late, padawan," Luminara smile went wider, "you're just too impatient to see Anteres, isn't it?"
And Shira laughed with her light and clear voice, as she started to run into the corridors toward the hangar, covering her hears not to listen to Luminara's teasing. It was the truth, but the padawan prefered the official reason.
Fifteen minutes later, the two female Jedi were exiting the golden Cerestan shuttle, landed next to two others, on the Executive Building's bay, where red carpets on the ground lead to the so many levels and offices of the complex. As Luminara Vos followed the very excited Shira Brie, who couldn't help but stare at everything and asked billions of questions, the master tried to hide the disturbance such place caused with a motherly smile. Last time she had laid a foot on this ground, Palpatine was still in power, pulling strings of his dark plans over this world. He had nearly been successful, until he confronted Obi-wan and died but the presence of the Sith Lord hadn't disappeared yet. Shira couldn't notice it in the Force, as she, thankfully, never knew the monster, but Luminara couldn't forget such touch. Such twisting powers poisoning the air in their lungs … She wondered how long would it take to completely vanished, but as she entered deeper into the building, the atmosphere became much more pleasant : with every step, she could feel the presence of the Jedi at the end of the corridor increasing until the Force only echoed their powers alone. Before the doors of Chancellor Padmé Skywlker, there was no darkness but only light for her : five bright Force signatures in the Office were forming one brilliant sun, casting away the shadows of Coruscan for a brief moment.
"Master Luminara," Obi-wan greeted as she passed the doors. She was struck as she saw five Jedi standing in a white cream colored room, the complete opposite of the once red and grey office of Palpatine. The room was so bright and full of life, it was something she hadn't been prepared to. "I see you still know the way to this place."
"Yet the first question coming to my mind is : are we really in the Chancellor Office?" She stared all around her, hearing the agreement of the other Jedi Master also pleasantly surprised. Then she focused at the Master of the Order again, watching him leaning of the beautiful white desk, but there was no sign of Skywalker. "And where is she?"
"Padmé is given us a moment before our report," Kenobi explained, "and we are waiting for the admirals."
"I need fresh air," Ferus suddenly said, running a hand in his black and silver hand.
"I'll go with you," Master Luminara offered her arm, as she had sensed something wrong with Ferus when she was still on Ceresta. She wanted to hear details from him, and he wouldn't give them during a report with the Republic anyway. And as he gratefully nodded, the two of them exited the Office.
"It does feel odd for all of us," Shaak Ti stared at the large closing doors, then called her husband : "Would you like a tour, dear?"
Hcan frowned, obviously not understanding that she wanted to be alone for a moment, but came along with her, and let the Kenobi family alone, with Shira.
Siri grinned as the couple disappeared from her sight, then joined Obi-wan, with a seducing smile. "So were is Ahsoka?"
"Enjoying Senator Bontheri's company, I suppose," he replied, chuckling a little as she took his hands.
"And where are my children?"
"Shira," the auburn man's head turned slighty to the padawan's direction, not taking his eyes away from his stunning wife, "Anteres, Galen and Corran are with the Skywalkers. Take the first door at your left and you'll find them."
"Thank you, Master Obi-wan," the apprentice replied, bowing quickly before letting the couple enjoying the empty Office of the Chancellor. She had seen the look in Siri's eyes, so she understood she had to leave too.
"Finally !" Siri sighed loudly but then hungrily kissed the man in front of her, her hands circling his torso below his shoulders, and held him against her. She hadn't seen him for a day, something she wasn't used too since the exile of the Order. They always had been side by side, and his absence had been a true torture to her heart.
"I've missed you too," Obi-wan said in a laugh as their lips parted away.
"So …," Siri licked her lips in a very slow motion, "We never did it in the Chancellor Office, didn't we? How long do we have?"
Obi-wan's eyes widened, "Siri !" But he laughed louder anyway, "I never imagined power would have such effect on you."
"Well take a good look at yourself," she pushed him on the desk, and came on top of him, her long hair falling on his chest, "you are the symbol of power, my love."
"Siri ..." She didn't let him finish, her lips returning against his, and she gave him one of the longest kiss she gave him. Of course power had no effect on her, but there was a little voice in her head telling her how much ironic the situation was. Here, the place where Sidious had elaborated all of his dark plans, where the highest decisions had been taken by the long list of chancellors, was now the place of love and teasing. Obi-wan was right as usual, they couldn't do it here, but teasing him was her favorite game, even after all this years. And under her touch, she felt his body no longer resisting to her. And in a second, Siri found herself laying on the desk, on her back, with Obi-wan above her, his eyes darkened by his love for her, but she saw him trying to control his drives.
"Are you using your powers on me, Master Obi-wan?" She whispered, opening her dark grey dress, letting appeared little of the skin of her chest. But then, out of the blue, she rose, her arms going around his neck, and sat on the desk. "But you're right. We don't have enough time."
Her husband immediately grinned darkly, as he figured her moves had been all but a game to her. To push him to the limit, but to prevent him to go any further. He smirked, grabbing her legs and held her tightly. "You are going to regret that, my dear wife. There will be no escape this time."
"Admit it, this scene will stay in your mind forever, Obi-wan," she grinned widely, pressing her chest even more against him, feeling the heat radiating from both of them. "You can't win against me."
"Are you sure?" He whispered in her left ear, while his hand had gone inside the clothes, and let two of his fingers run on her back, her skin shivered at his touch and made her exhale loudly and slowly.
"Alright stop it," she moaned, kissing his neck, "Stop it or we won't be able to control ourselves anymore."
Letting her go, Obi-wan looked at her with a victorious smile, "I love you."
"And I," she added, stealing one last kiss as she sensed a large group of person approaching, in the corridor, "love you too." As she rose from the desk, she barely zipped in time her dress before Chancellor Skywalker, followed by her family, many Jedi, a slim Wookiee, and three Republic admirals entered the Office.
"Welcome back, Master Kenobi," Padmé stared at the blonde woman with an amused face. "Forgive the admirals for being late, but Admiral Yularen comes from a quite distant system."
Siri smiled at the familiar face, who now had only white hair, the mustache still present, and those blue eyes bore the same intelligence than before, "It's a pleasure to meet you again," she said as he came to shake her hand. He too seemed to have noticed something between Obi-wan and she, but had the courtesy to remain silent about it.
"Likewise Master Kenobi," he said, as he had been briefed about Siri's marriage with Obi-wan. "I look forward to work with you again, if it possible."
"Let's hear first about the Jedi and General Skywalker have to say," Admiral Tarkin interrupted, sitting in a chair in front of the desk, his eyes cautiously watching over Obi-wan Kenobi next to him.
"Yes, we have wasted enough time," Ahsoka said, behind all of the group, appearing with senator Lux Bontheri.
"Why is a Senator present to a military meeting?" the third admiral asked politely.
"Because, Admiral Ryckan," Padmé announced as she reached her chair, "I will inform the Delegation of the 2000 of our discoveries. And as its leader, Senator Bontheri is more than welcomed here."
"Thank you Chancellor," Lux replied, as he, and every one else came closer to the Chancellor to start their reports.
"So let's begin," the wife of Anakin, who was leaning about the transparisteel wall, started. "You are all aware that both the Senate and the Confederacy Council had voted a declaration to war, after the events on Rothana." Tarkin was about to say something, but Padmé didn't let him speak. "As you are probably wondering, the presence of Obi-wan Kenobi and my son on Rothana couldn't have been known by the fleet officer who had launched the bombing. Only I, the Jedi and few members of the Old Guard had been informed, few hours before the attack. So the bombing is not the consequence of the apparence of the Jedi. In that matters, Master Kenobi has, at my request, kept his reports secret since his return. Obi-wan, please, we'd like to know what happened."
Leia Skywalker, who was watching next to her father could once again feel the tremendous power of the man, and his aura of a true accomplish leader as the auburn Jedi Master leaned forward in his seat.
"Rothana has denied the authority of both the Jedi Order, and the Old Guard of the Senate," he explained. "Though it does not surprise me for the Order, I was under the idea the galaxy, on both sides, respected your guardians. When Luke Skywalker and I landed, I noticed an usual amount a ships leaving the planet for an unknown location, and according to our scans, they were filled with machines."
"Weapons," Yularen added in agreement. "Rothana is the first concurrent of Sienar, they are probably building an army for the Confederacy."
"Of course they are," Tarkin spat.
"So we peacefully, at first, asked for an audience with the leaders, after Luke assured me the Republic had not been aware of the massive weapons' transports. Encountering resistance, we managed to get to an administrator, who claimed allegiance to the Empire," Obi-wan paused, scanning the Force for a disturbance after his revelation. But he found none, unfortunately. "At that moment, a fleet of three Star Destroyers starts destroying the entire surface, leaving no proof of the weapons build by Rothana."
"So," Ryckan watched all of the Jedi, who didn't look surprise at all, but he assumed they had already heard Kenobi's report. "you believe these missing Star Destroyers are with the Imperials?"
"It would be a lead, yes," Shaak Ti nodded. "But as far as we know, they have managed to escape you."
"Every Star Destroyer is built with a geolocalisator," Yularen recalled, turning to Tarkin, "how can't you have found them already?"
"They have disabled it," Tarkin informed, "the last location we have been able to trace was Rothana."
"Removing the localisator is a crime," Ryckan said. "This officier has gone too far already. Have we established a list of any missing starship?"
"The military Department is already working on it, at my command," Admiral Tarkin nodded. "I have thought about it, yes. It will take time."
"Time we do not have," Padmé affirmed gravely. "But perhaps Master Hcan can help you," she motioned him to come closer, and to tell them what he had found on the Wookiee World. Behind him, the tall Wookiee followed him quickly.
"Thank you Chancellor," the former apprentice of Obi-an bowed his head in respect. "This is Chewbacca, the leader of the group I brought back with me, in the Star Destroyer I borrow. Do not worries, admirals, I intended to give it back to the Republic. You'll find filled with former prisoners I'm afraid."
"prisoners?" Padmé frowned : had there been insurrection on Kashyyyk?
Chewbacca growled furiously as a response.
"I'd rather not use that word, my friend," Hcan seemed very sorry for the Wookiee. "But yes. I believe the correct term is slave. Chancellor, you told me before I left, that a Republic commander was in charge of the patrol above Kashyyyk. I was very surprise to find a large fleet when I arrive, and as my padawan Corran," the boy took a step forward, introducing himself to the assemble, "deemed it too suspicious, we landed stealthily on the planet. There I found hundreds of Wookies being held in cage, and Chewbacca was about to be executed, as the leader of the rebellion against the forces of the Empire."
"So Commander Nikklas was an imperial," Tarkin said out loud, knowing the captain in question. "He will be interrogated."
"That will be difficult Admiral," Hcan sighed, "the commander died as we saved Chewbacca and his comrades."
"You killed a Republic officer?" Ryckan rose in shock. "Chancellor, how can we trust them now?"
"An imperial officer, Admiral Ryckan," Tarkin laid a firm hand on his shoulder. "Let the Jedi finish his story." For the moment, everything went according to the plan, but he had to focus harder than usual, using all his mental strength to prevent any Jedi to enter in his head. The Supreme Prophet had trained him with a certain violence, but it had served its purpose. And the Jedi wouldn't surely attack his mind in front of the Chancellor.
"I found Captain Han Solo, apparently the only one soldier of the fleet standing against Nyklas," Hcan continued, "when he saved Chewbacca. It was his idea to return one of the Star Destroyer landed on Kashyyyk here on Coruscant. I hope you'll be able to find something about the destination of the missing slaves."
"Wait," Anakin finally joined the conversation, "how did you pass the fleet above Kashyyyk with only one Star Destroyer?"
"You would thank Solo for that," the Jedi Master chuckled. "That fool enabled lightspeed when we were still in the atmosphere. The other ships had no choices but to separate themselves from us. I admit it was brilliant."
"I'd like to met this Solo," Anakin said to his wife, "It could be one of the Old Guard's pilots."
"You already have thirty pilots in your squadrons, and much more if we count the guardians," Yularen reminded. "If Solo desires to go with you, he'll be promoted, but I'd like to keep such man in the Navy. Give him the rank of commander immediately."
"That will have to wait," Ahsoka stepped in the childish conversation. "Anakin, perhaps should you show what we found on Byss."
The Chosen One swallowed slowly, realising how much stupid it should have sounded for the Jedi, hearing him arguing with an admiral for a pilot … So he nodded and called Artoo, who immediately played the record of the fight in the dark laboratory. An heavy silence was now reigning inside the Chancellor Office, the eyes of the Jedi were filled with exasperation while the Admiral and Padmé was simply in shock. General Grievous had been one of the biggest threat on the galaxy during the Clone Wars, and now, someone was manufacturing copies?
"How skilled are they?" Ferus Ollin asked in the back as they watched Ahsoka behind attacked by a headless droid.
"As strong as Grievous," Ahsoka announced, "for the moment. They are able to record their fights, and get improvement from them. Each time we'll face one of those, it will be better."
"I've already sent the motherboard of the droid to the Military Science Department," Anakin explained. "We hope to find any useful information, though I'm certain the builders took extreme precautions to hide themselves."
"I'll provide any of my men to help discovering these builders, Chancellor" Tarkin offered kindly.
"No, Admiral," Padmé appreciated the gesture but declined. "I need you to find the ones who had been slaving first. Your fleet being the largest of the Republic, I'm sure you are the most qualified to find these traitors. Bring them to me, I will not let slavers run free while I am in power."
"Of course, Ma'am," Tarkin smirked as he bowed, hiding his face from her. It was even more perfect.
"General Feral Arriss will go with you," she added. "You will need the help of the Old Guard in your quest. Admiral Yularen?"
"Yes, Chancellor?"
"Accompany Master Hcan, his padawan and Chewbacca back to Kashyyyk to neutralise the imperial fleet. Perhaps you'll be able to find the locations of the missing slaves too. And take Solo with you"
"I will go with them, Mother," Leia suggested, in a very polite tone like every time she was present in such important meeting. "I have a great friendship with the Wookiees, they'll trust me. And we must show them the Republic is still protecting their people."
"Leia is right," Anakin agreed. "In such time, we need to make sure our allies are safe."
"What about you Masters ?" Ryckan turned to the many Jedi around him.
"Shaak Ti, Luminara and her padawan will stay here as a representative of the Jedi Order to the Senate, in hope to calm the tensions inside the Rothunda," Obi-wan stated. "Another team will go to Mandalore and try to explain the whole situation before it's too late. They need to hear our report."
"Very well, please keep us informed of their reactions," Padmé said. "I'll try to contact Fett on my own."
"Be careful though, the Senate could see it as treason," Tarkin warned. "You've seen how much they were ready to war. You won't be sparred."
"That's why I'd like to let Anteres stay, to act as your bodyguard for the time we leave," Obi-wan offered, as his son came in front of Padmé. "He is powerful and smart, but he needs to learn more about the Republic. Perhaps see the Jedi Temple as well." Anteres looked at his father with curious eyes.
"If Master Ferus is willing to stay with us, I don't see why Anteres couldn't," Padmé smiled gently at the son. "The Delegation of the 2000 will be delighted to see them."
"Thank you Padmé," Obi-wan nodded and turned, ready to leave the Office for his next mission. "And I'll need the records of the fight on Byss, concerning the vats, you spoke about."
"Why?" Anakin executed the request anyway, and gave the auburn man a small data chip.
"I need to visit Kamino," Kenobi replied. "Alone. I know there is a tension between the clones and your government, so only a Jedi can go."
"Alone? What if Kamino has already fallen to the Empire?" Anakin grabbed Obi-wan wrist, keeping him at his place.
"I meant with a Star Defender, of course," The elder man grinned as he tapped Skywalker's hand. "Take care of my son while I'm gone, Anakin."
"I'll do, Master."
Thirty minutes later, the group of Jedi had gathered on the bay, where two Cerestan shuttles were landed, waiting for their crew to return to the Star Defender, high above in space : the Liberator would carry Siri, Galen, and Ahsoka to Mandalore while Obi-wan would join Cody on the Paragon to Kamino. Once again, the Kenobi family would be splitted, but now Anteres was staying on Coruscant, a planet Siri would like him to avoid. Especially when her son had been so silent since his return from Mortis, but both Ferus and Obi-wan had asked her to give him time. Having discover what he could become had shocked him to his very core, and so the Master of the Order believed sending him to the ancient Jedi Temple would bring him peace. Siri hadn't agreed at first, wanting to keep Anteres at her side with Galen but the Force seemed to drag Anteres toward her former home.
"He'll be fine, Siri," Obi-wan assured, as wind flagged his brown robes. "Plus Shira will be with him, he won't be alone."
"I guess it's still better than Mortis," Siri looked at her son, waving at them with a smile as he entered a speeder with Shira, Luke, and Anakin, in the direction of the Jedi Temple.
"Should I have taken him with me on Kamino?"
"No," she shook her head in negative, "he doesn't need to be chaperoned. At his age, I thought I was ready to pass the Jedi trials. And he is far better than me. I need to accept the fact that soon enough, he will have missions on his own, then teach a padawan while we grow old."
"But you will always be our parents," Galen stated behind them, a tender smile forming on his lips. "We know you will always worry, but you let us accomplish our duty anyway. We are grateful for that." Siri bit her lips to hold her tears after hearing such beautiful words from her other son. "I have by the way something to tell you. It's important."
"Alright," Obi-wan motioned his family to take cover from the wind, next to one of the pillars of the executive complex. "We are all ears."
"When you sent me on Byss," Galen looked at his father, "you knew something was waiting for me, didn't you?"
"I wasn't certain if it would be for you," Obi-wan confessed. "But the Force persuaded me to send you, and Anakin there. Because Anakin had to face his past. And you needed to see this world at least once, without Siri or I."
"I met my parents," he confessed suddenly. "Not like a vision, or a dream. I literally met them, and talked to them."
Siri's heart had stopped beating, her voice stuck in her throat, "As … spirits?" She managed to say. She remembered Qui-Gon visiting them from time to time, but the dead Jedi Master alone was known to have such power.
"Yes," Galen beamed with joy, with sparkles in his eyes. "They said they were very proud of me, though quite stupid, yet courageous, to have come to Byss." Siri had never seen him so 'alive'. Galen was a timid boy, smart but distant, sometimes even cold, in a similar way than she had been during her youth. But not anymore, at least not at this moment. The boy felt complete for the first time of his life.
"I am sure they are, Galen," Obi-wan smiled gently, his hand resting for a moment on the padawan's head. "As much as we are."
"You don't know how much wonderful it felt, to see them moving, their lips forming words, and hearing their voices, it's," the son couldn't describe his feelings with words, "I don't know how to say it."
"I know how you feel," his adoptive father remembered when he had seen Qui-Gon for the first time as a spirit, "my old master came to me in such form. And he was like a father to me too. And I promise, when you'll be older, and strong enough, I'll teach you how to become a Force ghost."
Galen watched Obi-wan with ball-shaped eyes, "Master Qui-Gon has visited you several times?"
"You probably don't remember him, but you met him," he said, "And I'm sure you'll see him again."
"What about my parents?" Siri wanted to cry, hearing her son's plea. "Can they appear again?"
"No," the Master of the Order gently answered. "Before your birth, we ignored the teaching, even in my previous life, I hadn't mastered it completely. Only now, after many years of training, I can do it. But your parents appeared before you in the place they sacrificed their lives for your future. As wonderful as it was, you must cherish it, because you won't have another chance like this."
"I will," Galen already knew what Obi-wan had just told him. He didn't want false hopes. "I will remember it until I die."
"I'm sure that what they want you to do," the adoptive father smiled as he took his nearly crying wife in his arms.
"We would understand if you want to take your birth name back, Galen," Siri tried her best to hold her tears. She wouldn't blame him at all. How could she? Galen had every right to honour his true parents.
"Why would I do that?" Galen appeared surprised. "Because I met Kento and Mallie Marek doesn't mean you are no longer my mother. I love them, they love me. But I love you too. You raised me, you taught me everything you knew, and you have treated me like Anteres and Satele, your true children."
"You are our true child too, Galen," Siri opened her arms and invited the boy into a hug. "We love you. We love you as much as them."
"I know," the dark haired boy's eyes went humid, "and they wanted me to tell you they know too. They thank you, for making me what I am today. They thank you for honouring their last wish. And Mom … They want you to stop blaming yourself for their death. They never regretted it, neither do I."
"Oh Galen," Siri tightened the hug around her son, tears rolling on her cheeks while Obi-wan caressed her back lovingly. "I'll try my son. I promise you, I'll try."
Realising the awkwardness of the situation, the boy let go of his parents, smiling of joy despite the few drops of water falling from his black eyes, but held Siri's hand anyway.
"I love you, Mom and Dad," he repeated again.
"Alright," Obi-wan hide his tears as he decided it was time to go. "Mandalore is waiting for you. Go."
Both his wife and son nodded at him, but while Galen ran to join Ahsoka, already boarding the shuttle, Siri stayed a few more minutes with the Master of the Order.
"You're crying," she said, drying her eyes with her sleeves. She had seen him, it was pointless to hide it.
"Maybe," he replied, stealing a kiss on her trembling lips. "Of pure joy and pride. Our son is a wonderful boy, he will be one of the greatest man of his time."
"Like you," she added, before kissing him again, and then headed for the shuttle.
The five minutes it took for Anakin to fly to the Jedi Temple, or mostly avoiding the ships around them while Skywalker had on purpose taken quite dangerous shortcut, had made Shira tighten her left hand several times on Anteres' leg, next to her. She had never been found of the rush of adrenaline, she didn't enjoy jumping from the High Sky Islands on Cerestan, like Anteres or Galen, and she had never been able to understand the suicidal behaviour of some pilots. Anakin Skywalker was by far the most careless pilot in this entire universe, missing collision by an inch, though always in perfect control. Finally, she was able to lay her foot on the solid ground, at the public entrance of the ancient Jedi Temple. She suspected the leader of the Old Guard wanting to give them a tour of the mystic building, instead of rushing to the hangar where the guardians usually landed. And Force she was grateful.
The view was stunning, as two wide stairs were built at the end of the large path made of a pale grey stone, as smooth as marble, on which the symbol of the Jedi Order had been graved. Then stood a tall golden statue, as well as six smaller behind, on each sides of the stairs, symbolizing Jedi protecting the entrance of their home. But the biggest one caught the attention of the padawans, their mouth gaping at its view : a golden Obi-wan Kenobi was guarding the entrance of the Temple, his stern and serious showing all of his resolve and powers, and the typical Jedi robe, as a reminder of his accomplish duty. Anteres understood the statue had been made after the Jedi exile, to honour these warriors and to keep in mind they fought against the Sith to save this Republic.
"Dad would be honored," the son of Siri and Obi-wan confessed, his eyes still racing over the amazing piece of art. "Though he'd probably told you it is unneccessary. He did what he had to do. But thank you."
Anakin grinned, the son knew his father very well indeed, "Obi-wan was the symbol of the Jedi Order during the Clone Wars. More than Yoda, Windu or I. The Republic needs to remember him."
"In a good way, I hope," Anteres' voice was filled with concern and perplexity. "From what I heard, a good part of the Senate is still believing the exile was a good thing."
"It was," Luke said, coming next to the other boy. "The Jedi Order is completely safe for now. So leaving was the best solution for you. But not for us, I agree." There was a regret about not being a Jedi in Luke's words.
"Well let's hope we'll be able to work together anyway," Shira gave the young blond guardian a sincere smile, which didn't let him indifferent. He had spotted her since she had come inside the Chancellor's Office, not so long ago. She had mezmerizing emerald eyes, perfectly shaped, witnessing a great intelligence and a true kindness. Her hair were of a dark red, creating a stunning contrast with her pale skin, who appeared even more perfect and delicate. And Force she smelt good ! He had sat at her right, during the trip, and his nose had been assaulted by a parfum so wonderful it would haunt his dreams. And she was strong, already well trained in the Jedi art since her birth, which Luke suspected to be the same year as his. The young Skywalker had understood she was a padawan, dressed with a grey bodyglove with black leather boots, and on the large belt around her waist was hanging a beautiful lightsaber hilt, shining of light and darker shades of silver. But the blade wasn't her most effective weapon, at least not against him : he realised that with such a smile, she would make him do anything she could desire.
"Master Luminara is a wise woman," Anakin admitted, "she knows how to speak with the politicians more than I do. And Shaak Ti had always been respected inside the Senate, I'm sure the senators will listen to them."
"Yeah," Shira grinned in amusement, "she told me you were more of a fighter."
Anakin didn't reply, wondering how much the young Jedi had been told about his life as a Jedi, and all of his rebellious behaviour, though he reminded himself to tease a Jedi master about it. He motioned the three children to follow him, climbing the stairs to arrive in front of the tall and large columns of the ziggurat, casting shadows on the ground as the sun was slowly falling behind them. The Chosen thanked the Force for the adequate time he was showing the Temple, as the lights made the grey stones shining of a more creamed colour than usual : the former house of the Jedi appeared warm and protecting as the two padawan walked in awe toward the entrance. The beauty of the scene didn't escape the young Jedi as Anakin heard them whispering of much magnificent their surrounding were, always comparing it with their actual Temple on the secret planet called Ceresta. From quiet discussion, the leader of the Old Guard understood the new Temple was much wider than the one of Coruscant, but of a completely different beauty. There was a mystical presence of the old Jedi Temple, tainted by the previous presences of billions Jedi, their artefacts, or the many wars this building had seen.
After reaching the many doors of the Temple, with both Shira and Anteres still staring at every detail, they went to the training Halls where Feral Arris, the second in command of the Old Guard, was giving the last commands until his absence. Anakin actually planed to make Luke sparred against one of the padawan, and perhaps he would test Anteres' power himself.
"Feral !" Anakin greeted, the first walking inside the wide room where fifteen guardians, all of different ages, were listening to the general's guidances. "We have special guests today." But as soon as Anteres entered, two of the newest recruit of the Old Guard fell on the ground, almost unconscious, not able to withstand against such presence, added to Luke and Anakin's. They weren't used to so much power, in one instant.
"I'm sorry," the son of Kenobi, instead, seemed to have encountered this problem more than once, as his presence immediately came to Anakin's level. "Seeing the Temple made me forget to reduce fourth time my presence."
"Fourth time?" Anakin repeated. "Because it was already lowered?" Anteres nodded, almost guilty.
"You're Anteres Kenobi," Fera Arriss came to shake his hand. "I've seen you before you went to Makeb. It's a real honour." Then Luke and Shira, at last, joined the others. The General froze immediately, still holding the hand of the boy as he watched the red head girl standing in front of him. It was her! The girl the Prophets need is that Jedi!
"Greeting Feral," Luke saluted his trainer in a friendly tone. "I wish you luck for your mission with Tarkin."
The Prophet in disguise let go of Anteres and stopped before Luke and Shira, his hears barely listening to the Skywalker son, "There is no such thing as luck. Only the Force, my young friend. And who might you be?" He asked, his eyes racing all over Shira.
"I am Shira Brie, Jedi Padawan of Master Luminara Vos," the girl informed as she bowed formally.
"I'm General Feral Arriss. Is Coruscant at your liking, young Shira?" Feral forced a gentle smile, fighting the urge to celebrate his victory : he had found the last missing instrument for the Empire.
"Impressive," she admitted, "but I prefer wilder worlds, like Felucia, or Hoth."
"Worlds with a greater presence of the Force," the man with long blond hair tied in a tail nodded. "You already have the soul of a Jedi. I look forward to see you becoming a Master."
"Thank you General Arriss."
"Perhaps," Anakin stepped in, "can Shira show us what she can do. Our guardian had never really fought against a Jedi in training."
"I'll be honored," the girl passed the two adults and went in the middle of the room, on the orange carpet that protected the floor during the sparring. She grabbed the hilt of her weapon, and readied herself in the stance of Ataru.
"I'd like to fight her," Luke immediately proposed, without realising he may have blushed by asking.
"Sure Skywalker," Shira didn't seem to pay attention, "we'll see if your family name is worth something." Anteres, standing next to Anakin laughed gently, remembering that joke she had so many time told him before a fight.
"Do not take it personally," Kenobi warned, "she likes to tease!"
"Focus Luke, and you'll through," Feral yelled at the boy, but then turned at the father. "Admiral Tarkin is waiting for me, I should hurry."
"May the Force be with you, my friend," Anakin slightly bowed his head, aware of the guardian's missions given by his wife. Feral looked one last time at the Jedi girl, cursing the people present around them, as they prevented him to capture her. But he was patient, he would find a way to take her and then the Kenobi would follow. It was too obvious : as Luke circled around Shira, Feral didn't miss the intense stares she gave at the Kenobi boy. Feral wanted to laugh with all his lungs : love was the death of duty, and it would kill both the girl and the boy. It was too easy, the Force was indeed at his side !
"Alright, let's do it!" Anakin let the fight begin, as Feral had now left them.
Both child ignited their blades, Luke charged at the girl with a Force-empowered dash, clashing his green lightsaber against the blue one she was perfectly holding. She didn't even flinched against his attack, she used Luke's strength against him, as she expertly spinned to the left, her blade whirling in the air and threatened to cut Luke's neck from behind, if he hadn't avoided the move.
But Skywalker quickly recovered, slicing from the ground to the air to pierce through her defense, he didn't hesitate to Forcepush her to give himself an opening. However, when the boy came in front of Shira, she loudly kicked his chest and sent him on the ground. Brie didn't wait a second and jumped over him, her blade held above her head to finish him. Luke, then, rolled on his side, and found himself on his feet before she kicked his legs and he fell again, next to her. In the same movement, the two children used the Force to jump away from one another, and waited for the next assault, which this time Shira lead. Her agility was better than his, and added to the natural speed of an Ataru fighter, Luke was forced to block every blow, unable to press forward.
"She's very good," the Chosen confessed to the young Kenobi next to him. "Luke is one of the best guardian. I'm impressed."
"All of her loses against me had ultimately improved her skills," Anteres nodded. "But Luke is not focusing enough."
"Always the head in the stars," the father sighed, recalling his same state of mind when he was younger. "But he is a quick learner."
"No I mean," the padawan pointed Shira with his left hand, "she is disturbing him, she knows it and she's using it."
And it was true : the red hair girl had now favored a very closed range fight, and each time they went too close, Luke was looking away. And in one move, the Skywalker son was once again on the ground, a blue blade at his throat.
"I win," Shira grinned with all her teeth, making Luke blush in embarrassment, under the applauses of every guardian present in the training room.
Rising anyway, he scratched the back of his head, "I underestimated you. You are much stronger than Leia."
"Yes she is," Anakin stated, as he and Anteres joined them. "And let your defeat be a lesson, Luke. The eyes can always deceive you."
"Yes, Dad."
"Did I fight well?" Shira, extremely excited, came to lean against Anteres. "After defeating a Skywalker, surely I have the right to become a Kenobi, right?"
Anteres laughed wholeheartedly, unbelieving she would still tease him about his lineage. But Luke, from his point of view, understood the whole scene. It wasn't just simple joke, but something more important. Some kind of promise the two of them had probably made because Shira Brie and Anteres Kenobi seemed to like each other very much. How could he blame Kenobi? She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, and the boy was apparently stronger than his own father. Luke paled in comparison. But he was not jealous. He had been warned about the danger of such feeling, which had caused the rise of Darth Vader. No, Luke understood and respected the love these two padawans had for each other. He only wished he could feel something similar …
"You will do better next time, my son," Anakin came closer to the blonde guardian, almost whispering. "And you'll find someone. Don't worry, the Force has prepared everything for you in time."
"That's a great advice for someone stalking a girl since he's nine years old."
"Hey, I was trying to be nice," Anakin laughed loudly, that was low.
"That's not what Mom says," Luke grinned, leaving his father astonished by his last sentence. Dinner would be quite animated tonight.
Back in the Chancellor Office, Padmé Skywalker let herself fall on her large white chair, after speaking and listening to the Delegation of the 2000, without its leader, Lux Bontheri, who had already heard the Jedi's report, earlier tha day. She had to admit how much control the young senator had over the others, who hadn't missed a chance to criticize the return of the Jedi Order back on Coruscant, without their consent. Though many of them were sympathiser of the Jedi, they had deemed their opinion necessary on that matter before taking any actions. They had ben kind enough to assure they would support her in front of the rest of the Senate, who wouldn't be as forgiven as they appeared. But behind these politician's words, Padmé had heard the complain, their taunts about her abuses of power in such period of war … Abuses she knew could be seen like when Palpatine had been in power …
"You are nothing like Palpatine," Ferus Ollin sat in of the seats, previously taken by Winter Organa. He had been watching the meeting with great interest, and even talked with the older senators about his new life on Ceresta. "Only a fool would compare you to the Dark Lord."
"Are you reading my mind, Ferus?" She opened her mouth to fake shock. "Isn't it against the rule?"
"Your rules do not apply with me, Chancellor," he replied in the same moking tone. "That's precisely why you wanted a Jedi present at such reunion. They needed to understand we do not work for you anymore, but fo the entire galaxy."
"What a noble cause," Padmé teased, grinning. "I'm sorry you seem to misunderstand my intentions. I only wanted to show the Delegation that the Jedi are not a threat to the Republic, and having Obi-wan Kenobi here wouldn't have done the trick. I needed someone … less intimidating."
Ferus' left eyebrow rose, "Are you saying I'm too weak to impress your friends, Chancellor?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying, Master Ollin."
"Well I better go then," the Jedi stood up, and started to walk away from the desk, trying to hide the smile on his lips. "Such weak man cannot take the Chancellor's most valuable time."
"It's a shame, I was about to order some tea," she called, still not moving from her seat as C3-PO stepped into the room with a silver plate and a whole tea's service. "I was hoping we still had time to talk, more freely."
"Would you bother talk with a less intimidating Jedi?"
"I'd be very please to talk with an old friend, and my most trusted protector," Padmé offered a tender smile, ending the little joke with a compliment she knew would reach him. "For old time, of course."
"For old time then," Ferus stared at her, gratefully accepting her offer as he took the plate from the golden protocol droid and returned to his previous seat.
Grinning, the Chancellor immediately joined the chair next to him, excited to hear all about that new world Ceresta, and the personal life of Ferus Ollin. She had wanted to speak with him since his return, but he had been sent to a foreign world when something quite disturbing seemed to have happened, if the Jedi had kept silence about it during the report with the Admirals. But she didn't know where to start, there was so much to ask about, she didn't even know she had the time to discover it all. So she watched him serving tea, giving her one of the silver, yet very simple, cup then grabbed one for himself. He closed his eyes as he inhaled the perfume of the maroon liquid, then took a polite sip and enjoyed the savor in his mouth.
"Zygerrian?" Ferus looked at her with surprise. "I thought you hated that world."
"Now that I have dismantled their slave industry, they were forced to exploit the great richness of their world," Padmé explained, "and tea culture is now their first sources of credits."
"You are a great Chancellor, Padmé," Ferus said out of the blue. "The ones who tell otherwise are jealous of fools. You have done a wonderful job for the Republic."
"Yeah ..." Padmé blushed slighty, taking a sip to hide her red cheeks, "look at where I've lead us. Another war."
"It's not your fault," he said, grabbing her hand. "You are just a victim, do not give up. I won't let them hurt you or your reputation."
"Still protecting me, I see," Padmé winked, glad to have find an opening to change subject. "Is that all you can do?"
"You'd be surprise how much terrible am I, as a protector," Ferus laughed. "Just ask Anteres how many times he had to save me."
"You saved my life, tough. Twice," she recalled, squeezing his hand. She suddenly remembered how much he had suffered because of her and her family. If Ferus Ollin hadn't be here for her, who knew what could have happened to the entire galaxy? Because thanks to his actions, even the darkest ones, the Jedi had been able to attack Sidious without fearing too much consequences for the Order. He had provided the last little push the Jedi had needed, but he had paid a heavy price. A price she could stare at : his silver hairs and the large scare on his left cheek would never disappear.
"I did what I had to do," he stated. "I would do it again if I had to. I regret nothing. And Aayla had never blamed me for what I did, she had understood everything when I came to confront Vader. And she had forgiven me the day she asked me to go with her on Ceresta."
"You've married her," Padmé nodded, pointing the gold ring on the hand holding the cup of tea.
"Yes, and we have a wonderful daughter, Sierra," Ferus announced. "She is a true gift from the Force."
"Because the Force has forgiven you, even thanked you, I might say."
"You've spent too much time with Force sensitives, Padmé," the male Jedi teased. "You have gained a knowledge of the Force that some Jedi would be jealous of."
"This is exactly what the Senate reproaches me," she looked away, a certain anger rising in her heart she knew he would sense. "Sometimes, I'm asking myself how things could have been different."
"What do you mean?"
"Wherever I go, whatever I do," she started, "I always pay the price of marrying Anakin. I don't regret anything of course, I love him with all my heart, and I love my children. But sometimes … I'm thinking about what if I never met him." But before she added anything, she quickly rose, returning to the Chancellor seat and regained her composure. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have bothered with such thing."
"No, please continue," Ferus rose too and went next to her, "you think I don't know what you're feeling? I've done plenty wrongs in my life, but I'd been giving the chance to prove myself again. I'm training the most dangerous being in the entire galaxy, do you think I'm always confident about it? For Force's sake I resurrected a Sith Lord fifteen years ago!"
"And what would have happened if you hadn't?" She asked seriously. "You all believe the Force has a plan for every single one of us, so wasn't it its plan? Because without Dia, you would have become Sidious' apprentice. You would have become Vader."
It was the entire truth, and Ferus knew it. Anakin had took his place in Palpatine's graces, because he had refused to join this Sith. He had been too focused about Dia's words than Sidious, so the Dark Lord had tried to kill them. When the Sith realised Ferus would stand against him, he offered powered to Anakin Skywalker, and after the night inside this very same office, Vader had risen. Even if Ferus had killed the Chosen One, listening to Sidious, Vader would have been created. In either case, Palpatine had been winning until Obi-wan Kenobi came to stop him.
"Both Anakin and I were his pawns," Ferus nodded. "And you and Dia were the victims of his plan. If I had joined Sidious, he would have killed you."
"You never let anyone hurt me," she stared at him intensely, deep in his black orbs. "You went through hell to save me."
"We are friends after all," he tapped her shoulder gently, assuring he would keep her safe. But then, he checked at his chrono, on his wrist, realising how much time he had spent here. "I hope we'll be able to chat like this, when the war is over. If I am to return to Coruscant, of course."
"Do you miss Coruscant, Ferus?" she called, watching him leaving her already, while the sun fell behind her back, casting a gentle and warm light on his face.
"I missed you more than the planet actually," he grinned, scratching the back of his head.
"Ferus?" she called again.
"Padmé?"
"What would have happened, if we've decided to be together, when you saved me from Anakin during your mission as my bodyguard?" He stared at her with wide eyes, completely caught off guard. Was it what she meant earlier? "Do not act as a child, we both know it could have happened that day, when you carried me back in my bed. Would you have gone to Sidious anyway? Will it always be my fault?"
Ferus smiled kindly as he heard the real question that had haunted her mind for a decade. "You are the reason why Anakin Skywalker is still alive, Padmé. Not the contrary." And as his last words brought tears of relief in her chocolate eyes, Ferus Ollin disappeared in the darkness of the Executive Building's corridors. It was time to join Anteres in the Temple. He had shut his Force-bond for a moment, to enjoy the calm behaviour of Padmé Skywalker, but now, he could only feel the extreme discomfort of his padawan, inside the walls of his old home. Ferus knew his apprentice too well to not pay attention to his feelings : Anteres had found something !
Author Note : And that's it again! I told you I would give you a chapter two weeks later ;). This chapter is only about talking, I realise that, but now things are going to get explosive! With Shira Brie spotted as the Sith's goal, the Jedi will become a real target, and so, yes, there will be many battles :)
I just want to clarify something about Padmé : she is not thinking about going with Ferus, of course not, but you'll find that she is not as popular as we could think in the Senate, because of her ties with Anakin. So seeing Ferus, who had always been there for her, makes her want to be protected by him against people Anakin can't do anything. But you'll find that in the next chapter ;)
Next time : Obi-wan on Kamino, Mandalore, the Imperials and Padmé facing the Senate !