TRTSS1: The Warrior of Stars! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST, and the other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 26
It's been a month since Jedi Adept Ranma Saotome successfully retrieved his friend Usagi from the clutches of the Sith. It was also learned that the rogue Jedi Adept Usagi Tsukino, acting as a Sith Acolyte for Count Dooku, was not acting alone. In fact, whenever Usagi was lucid from the Force dampening lizards—called the Ysalamir—she divulge bits of information about Dooku's operations and methods for securing allies for his Confederacy. However, even with this, there were some on the Jedi Council who objected the fact that Usagi was still lived, although, as Jedi Master Oui-Gon Jinn repeatedly pointed out, it wasn't her fault that she was corrupted by Dooku. Ultimately, the argument as to what to do with Usagi fell into the hands of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and, of course, Ranma himself…
"The simple solution to our dilemma is clear," said Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi (elongated head), as he strokes his beard. Ki-Adi-Mundi was appearing via holographic generator from the planet Hypori, where he is presently leading a campaign against the Separatists.
"Usagi Tsukino should have her Force abilities permanently excised."
"Is that a wise thing to do, Master Jedi?" Kenobi said.
"She is a security threat and a liability. And who's to say that Dooku won't reclaim his prize?"
"My former student was brainwashed into serving Dooku, and Master Yoda was successful in undoing Usagi's conditioning. For Force sake, she had giving us valuable information."
"True, this is," Yoda replied. "However, possibly expired, this information is."
"The thing is that we can assume that Dooku knows that Usagi will divulge his plans, and will compensate for them," Jedi Master Mace Windu said. "And I wouldn't be surprised if he would use this fact to his advantage."
"Then why not simply give Usagi a test of some kind?" Kenobi said.
"What test are you suggesting?" Jinn asked.
"Based upon what Usagi has told me, Dooku is seeking a general to rally his armies around. We could use this time to track down this general."
"So you're saying that we entrust Usagi back into your care, Master Kenobi?" Ki-Aki-Mundi said with a scoff. "We saw what happened the last time she was under your care…"
Pause.
"But I am more concerned about some disturbing rumors that Usagi killed several members of the Mon Calamari Honor Guard, before attempting to kill the High Council there."
"What say you, Master Fisto?" Windu asked.
"I wasn't there, since there were still military activity to deal with elsewhere on the planet," said the tentacle, aquatic Jedi Master Kit Fisto. "I simply relied up Adept Saotome's report."
All eyes turn towards Ranma, who stood motionless by Kenobi's side.
Say what, my former apprentice?" Yoda asked.
Ranma opens his eyes. He scanned the council members, as he looks into each of their eyes.
"My report stands as is," Ranma said coolly.
"So, are you confirming the rumors that Usagi murdered innocent men?" Ki-Aki-Mundi asked.
"I confirm that what appeared to be Usagi Tsukino murdered innocent men, but not Usagi herself," Ranma said. "I also verified that the 'brainwashing' was done to create a weapon that was designed to embarrass the Jedi Order, and that the body of Usagi Tsukino was used to carry out that plan. Furthermore, as Master Yoda alluded to, the condition is null and void. Ergo, the Usagi Tsukino WE know was not involved."
"Semantics," Ki-Aki-Mundi said with a scoff.
"However, the council on Mon Calamari are neither confirming nor denying your report," Windu said. "Do you have anything to do with that, Ranma?"
"My report is as it is, Master Windu."
"So, you're refusing to say anything else on the matter?"
"My report is as it is. But I will continue to advocate for Usagi's welfare, regardless of what this council rules."
"Even if in direct conflict?" Jinn asked.
"Yes, Master Jinn."
"Much to think about, we have," Yoda said. "Deliberation, we must undertake."
"We will inform you both of our decision shortly," Windu said. "Dismissed…"
Outside the door leading to the chambers of the Jedi High Council, Jedi Adept Ami Mizuno and Jedi Padawan Anakin Skywalker were waiting for their friends to leave the councilmember chambers.
"I hope Usagi will be okay," Ami said, as she looks away towards where the Jedi were keeping her friend and princess.
"Me, too, Ami," Anakin replied. "But I'm sure the Jedi will give her a reprieve."
"Oh, I hope so, Ani. I hope so…"
Silence.
"Ami, do you think I'll be promoted to 'Adept' status?" Anakin asked.
"You don't think you'll be promoted?" Ami asked.
"Well, it's just that we did well in our last campaign on Muunilist. You took out the main battery, and I went after that Sith Acolyte…"
Pause.
"And yet I get scolded, while you get promoted," Anakin said exasperatedly. "Out of the four of us, I'm the last to be Padawan. I should be promoted to adept status."
"I'm sure you will, Ani," Ami said. "Remember, all of us were promoted for different reasons, while in different tracks. For instance, Ranma was promoted because of his command experience; same with Usagi…amazingly enough. And I was promoted to shore up the ranks of the Jedi's support apparatus, particularly in the medical arena."
"Oh, that's right. You want to become a healer."
"Correct. There will be times when we will not have access to a medical droid-"
The doors to the Jedi council chambers open up, revealing Kenobi and Ranma.
"Ranma, you bring news?" Ami asked, before seeing Kenobi, after which she bows respectfully.
"My apologies, Master Kenobi…"
"It is fine, Ami," Kenobi said with a smile. He then turns towards Anakin.
"Anakin, Master Jinn would like to have a word with you," Kenobi said.
"Thank you, Master Kenobi," Anakin said with a slight nod, as he proceeds to enter the council chambers. "Master Jinn probably wants to get on my case again…"
"Probably not as much as the other masters wanted to get on my case for what happened lately," Ranma chuckled, which received a groan of response from Anakin.
"So, what is the verdict?" Ami asked.
"Well, Usagi's fate has been put on hold for now," Ranma said.
"In the mean time, however, the council have entrusted her back into my custody," Kenobi said. "So, we three will be going to Naboo for some convalescence, as a part of Usagi's rehabilitation."
"Good," Ami said with a sigh. She honestly didn't know what to do, if Usagi, her friend and princess, would punished severely—or worse—for her recent actions…
"Well, I want to give Usagi the news," Ranma said, as he begins to turn away.
"Shouldn't I come along to reassure her well-being?" Ami asked.
"Naw, you'll have plenty of time for that. No, this is…personal. Now, if you can excuse me…"
Ranma nods his head, which Kenobi and Ami returned the gesture. Ami then turns towards Kenobi.
"Master Kenobi, will Usagi be alright?" Ami asked.
"I hope so, adept," Kenobi said with a sigh. "It's my fault for not being there for her in the first place, as well as I should have. Otherwise, she might not have been corrupted."
"I think, in that case, we all might have failed her, master," Ami said. "We virtually ignored her when the council suspended her membership."
"You might be right, Ami," Kenobi said, as he strokes his beard in deep contemplation. "You might be right…"
A short while later…
Ranma arrived to where Usagi was being kept. Cloned troopers guarded the entrance her holding cell.
"Adept Saotome," said the cloned trooper.
"Claude," Ranma replied. "I'm here to see HER."
"Okay, but, you know the drill, sir."
"Yeah, yeah," Ranma replied, as he relinquished his lightsaber, which was then placed in metal box. "I think THAT is ridiculous."
"Sorry, but all Jedi—save for those with the ranks of 'Councilor', 'Grandmaster', or 'Master of the Order'—cannot carry his or her lightsabers upon entering the Cell. Just because we have the means of nullifying Force users, that doesn't mean that a Force user are not skill-less."
"Well, you got a point there…"
The Cell is a place where rogue Force users were kept. The structure was a rotating one based upon Cartesian geometry, where the location of the individual cell moves about like Rubix cube piece. This prevents the prisoners from figuring out a way out of the Cell, as well as prevents others from entering the individual cells. This arrangement was in addition to the cadre of Clone Troopers and Force-negating Ysalamir that were on the premises.
"Am I clear now?" Ranma asked drolly.
"You are, sir," Claude replied. "Just go through the scanners, and then follow the warden droid."
"Thanks," Ranma said, as he proceeded to enter the Cell proper…
"I can smell you!" said one rogue, as Ranma walked past his cell. "I can smell your fear, little man!"
Ranma shook his head, as he walked past the row of cells that had been halted for Ranma's benefit.
"We keep the worse of the worse here, sir," said the warden droid, as he floated on Ranma's side. "And ever since this civil war happened, this block of cell have been all 'Dark Jedi' or Sith."
"Yeah, I gather," Ranma said, as he stops in front of one cell. "Usagi?"
Usagi was writing on another section of the wall of her cell, when she heard her old friend speak. Since being incarcerated, Usagi did much to spend her time, including getting books from the Jedi Library (thanks to Ami) and writing down her thoughts on the walls, ceiling and floor of her cell.
"Ranma?" Usagi said, as she turns around.
"Yeah," Ranma said. "How's it going?"
"How do you think?" Usagi said, as she sets down her marker. "I'm stuck here powerless, with a bunch of psychos."
Pause.
"What if…one of them got out of their cell, and tried to their way with me?"
"Ah, don't you worry about it, Usagi. You're a better fighter than even a seasoned master Jedi, thanks to your years of combat experience, ancient and otherwise."
"You better not say that, or Master Windu might want to challenge me," Usagi said, as she sits on her rear while tucking her legs. She wore a khaki one-piece jumpsuit and slippers, and wore her usual hairstyle was tied in a long braid…
"So, what brings you by?"
"Well, I wanted to check up on you, and let you know that you are getting probation."
"Really?" Usagi said, as her face lit up in happiness and surprise.
"Yeah. We were able to get Senator Amidala's help in petitioning Supreme Chancellor Palpatine to grant you a reprieve of sorts."
"Which means…?"
"You, me, Ami and Master Kenobi will be convalescing on Naboo, while you go through rehabilitating," Ranma said with a smile.
"The Jedi Council still thinks I'm EEEEVIL or something?"
"That, I don't know. But you should be giving a chance to reform."
"Well, I appreciate that. So, when do we leave?"
"In a few days," Ranma said. "So, you should get plenty of rest."
"Ranma, that's all I've been doing since I've been here," Usagi said with a sigh. "All I can do is remember the things I've done."
"No, you remember the things you were made to do. THAT person wasn't you."
"Are you sure, Ranma?"
"Usagi, after all the things we've been through, I KNOW it."
"If you…say so…"
Tbc.