Extra long chapter, with more on the way. Inspiration and time are mine again! Enjoy, and don't forget to read and review!
~Ani
Disclaimer: I claim ownership only over Ani... and maybe the parts of Mirialan culture that are part of my headcannon. Otherwise, it all belongs to... whoever it belongs to now.
Now that Ani had joined the two older women, she updated them on her progress with the disc as well as expected time frame in which most of the information was expected to be obtained. They began to discuss more of the details about their stay before moving on back to the events of the break-in Marana Kiln alleged had happened. It wasn't long after that before the noblewoman excused herself. "Now, if you two Jedi will excuse me," Marana began to rise, visibly motioning to Finara who had joined them during the conversation. "I will have my servants prepare our dinner while I go personally see to some business." She gave a wry smile. "I'm sure that being involved with politics as much as you both are, you would know just how much work it requires."
"That we do." Luminara rose and bowed, her padawan copying her actions. "We shall retire upstairs to discuss courses of action as well as review the information you gave us."
"Good. I will send someone to notify you once dinner is ready. I will see you both then." She nodded to both of them before leaving, Finara following closely behind. Noting her padawan waiting for her, more patiently and calmly now (giving her something specific to focus on definitely helped), Luminara turned to the center staircase and began walking, mind still racing with the new information she had been given before her padawan had joined her. Their conversation needed to happen, and it would happen in private.
Upon reaching her room, she waited until her padawan had followed her completely inside before closing the door and locking it. It was an extra measure to alert them if anyone tried to enter during their conversation. They both moved to the window, overlooking the center courtyard below. Before she could speak up, however, her padawan did so, with a flurry of words so fast she almost couldn't keep up.
"I apologize, Master, for my lack of conduct earlier," she said. "It was improper of me. Despite any surprises I as a Jedi may encounter, I must always be polite and gracious. I… I definitely was not, and it is something I need to work on. Please forgive my reaction and let me know what I can do to repair the damage." She was bouncing anxiously back and forth from the heels to the balls of her feet. In any other circumstance, she would have been slightly amused by the anxiety-induced reaction, even while staring at her in order to get her to stop. However, how to tell her padawan what Marana requested of her was all she could think of. After their rough beginning, building their trust, strengthening their bond, and fighting in the Clone Wars, they were beginning to be well established as a team, and she didn't want to face the possibility of having to let that go. I am a Jedi, she thought. If the Force asks it of me, I must let her go. This requires me to be impartial, to step back and allow her to choose her own path. I do not like it, though. She wondered if she could still get a line through to Barriss, or the Jedi currently in orbit around Alderaan to discuss the new complication.
"You are forgiven, Padawan," she said gently, noticing Ani had stilled her frantic movements. The improvements she was teaching were working, one by one at a time, slowly yet surely. That's my girl. "Madam Kiln asked me earlier to express her understanding at your reaction. She expressed empathy with the difficult memories that you must be facing right now. It's been a long time since you've seen it, and it wasn't a part of your life while at the Temple, especially since your first Master wasn't Mirialan. However, I too must also apologize." Seeing the surprise in her padawan's eyes, she continued. "With the haste that you had been gotten off planet over a decade earlier, somehow that, as well as other items of your heritage had been overlooked." The pressure to get you to the Temple before you got much older was the main factor, and the fact that the search to find out who killed a former Jedi was going nowhere added to that.
"I personally apologize for not looking for your clan's symbol that much earlier. It is something no Mirialan should be forced to forgo, even when being orphaned and brought to the Jedi Temple." I should have taken you on earlier, not been so stubborn about it, Luminara thought. Even checking in on you from time to time and helping you find your place within our culture would have been helpful to you. There have been a few other Mirialan Jedi that could have taught you, one of whom died before Geonosis, but that doesn't excuse the fact that I didn't try to do more.
"It's alright, Master," Ani said. And it was. She was now a Padawan, with a Master (one whom she'd admired for so long, better than her former Master), on her way to Knighthood. "From what I understand, you were pretty busy with the suspicious circumstances surrounding her death, as well as the circumstances surrounding the death of my father. At least I have these." She touched her face gingerly, the bridge of her nose and either side where she had been marked before her mother's death. "My mother cared enough to make sure I knew about my culture and would follow their traditions." Well, some of them at least. "And, well, I was eventually taken on by a Mirialan Jedi Master," she smiled up at Luminara, "so it's not like I was completely bereaved of my culture. It was a shock to see that symbol again, especially considering it came from my stepmother." From what I remember, she never liked my mother, mostly because she was offworld and an outsider. Something she never let drop before my father died and I left. "She does not hold a grudge?"
"No, but I do think you should apologize to her in person." She saw her padawan slowly nod in agreement, and then continued. "There was another unique request she made." A crease formed on her padawan's forehead.
"A unique request? To both of us?" Luminara shook her head.
"No, not to the both of us. To you." Again. "Marana Kiln discussed it with me after we talked about the incident regarding the dress. She wanted me to inform you before she made it official tonight. Her request is for you to remain behind and take her place when she is gone." Her padawan blinked, but other than that small action she was still.
"What?"
"Madam Kiln has made a formal request to me and soon will do so to you that you reconsider your path as a Jedi and take up your family lineage here."
"You've got to be kidding."
"I don't believe I am, Padawan," Luminara replied, a little too sharply. She saw her apprentice's hands ball up into fists at her sides, white knuckled and tense.
"How dare she?" Ani half questioned, half exclaimed, her eyes narrowing. "She requests our presence here, obviously sees what confronting my past is doing to me, and she wants me to remain here just to follow in her footsteps?!"
"Technically, I believe those would be your father's footsteps," Luminara pointed out. Ani shrugged angrily.
"She wants an heir, and apparently she thinks I'm the one who's going to replace her? I have a brother. Why not send out a request for him! She could have adopted, remarried, even used medical technology to have a smaller version of herself, like the clones we have! Why me?"
"Padawan!" Luminara took hold of her apprentice's shoulders and held her firmly in place. "Breathe. Relax." She guided her padawan with the Force as she performed a breathing exercise, something that was necessary whenever the young one's mind became jumbled and her speech frantic. Something that was happening less often, fortunately, but sadly was not gone for good. Once her padawan's breathing matched hers, she kept up the exercise for a minute longer before releasing the girl's shoulders, reaching out through their mental bond to gently graze against her end. Calm down, young one. I sense your distress, and I understand why. However, before you can make a sound, reasonable decision about a course of action, you need to calm down first. Ani nodded, face slightly flushed.
"Sorry, Master. I almost lost control there."
I know. "But you didn't."
"Only because you helped."
"It has been weeks since you last had a panic attack, Padawan. Your emotional controls are improving, and you have made great strides in that area. Concerning with what you are confronting here, I am not surprised that it was triggered." She gave a gentle hug, feeling the young one automatically stiffen before relaxing and hugging back. "You have improved and will continue to do so. Dwelling on failure too much can hinder that improvement and your desire to move forward. Alright?" Ani gave her a shaky smile, her hands on Luminara's forearms, and continued the exercise. Luminara waited another minute before speaking. "Now, the reason Madam Kiln asked me was because she wanted to prepare you for the request, as well help guide you through this decision since I am your Master."
"Yeah, I know." Ani released a less shaky breath, body relaxed while her eyes alone revealed the turmoil she was feeling. "This whole request just feels wrong, Master. As if I'm missing a key piece to a puzzle or something. I mean, I know I was young when my parents died not before my father remarried, and I was taken to Coruscant, but something went wrong then and now, something doesn't feel right. There is a possibility that I'm prejudiced against her, which, while I'm loathe to admit it, I'd have to acknowledge with complete honesty. I'm not sure if it's influencing my ability to judge the situation, but I know it could. It all comes down to one question: Why me?" Luminara sighed softly before reaching out with an arm to hug her padawan to her side. They were alone, and this mission already had enough complications that rivaled any battle on the front. She had promised to teach and guide her padawan, and she would do what she could to show her padawan she remained true to that promise.
"She explained to me that you were the last of the line biologically, and that any adoption would not be looked kindly upon by the tradition held here," Luminara explained. "Also, I gathered that any attempt to remarry was not in her favor, and on top of that there might be medical complications in regards to carrying a child." She watched her padawan mull that information over, giving her a chance to speak and add on to what she had stated. It was a necessary exercise for Ani to do, to keep her on her toes. The more her padawan was primed for the upcoming challenge, the better she performed. Also, it was a necessary step for the girl to take before she could be expected to consistently command in her absence.
"Unfortunately, that would be correct," Ani sighed, meeting her master's eyes. "Protocols were put in place thousands of years ago to preserve lineage in order to ensure stability for the different sections of the planet, as well as unity and order on a larger scale before joining the Galactic Republic. Having a child directly descending from the lineage is preferred, and any adoption would be looked down upon as a serious breach of tradition. The eldest from each family is expected to carry the line, regardless of sex. That was based off the ancient belief that the eldest child by nature has all necessary qualities to lead, which was influenced by early conflicts and attempts to end those conflicts that the people here had experienced." Her body shifted, and Luminara saw her direct her gaze out the window. She wondered then just how many memories were waiting to be unlocked, repressed by time but surging forward due to close proximity, begging to be uncovered.
"If there happens to be a question of which of the offspring are more capable of ruling, then it comes down to an oral exam held by the head of the household to determine who is best suited. Whoever is not chosen is then left to their own devices, but they often get involved in politics one way or another due to their involvement beginning at an extremely young age. In fact, almost every single senator from Alderaan came from noble lineage, but decided to be involved with galactic politics rather than lead their sector."
"That last part I knew," Luminara interjected, pleased with the effort made by her padawan in regaining personal control. "From what I understand, Bail Organa is from one of the most important families here." Ani nodded.
"And if what she said was true about medical complications in regards to having a child, then that would mean that I am her next best, logical choice. My brother was taken by the Jedi as an infant, and he would not have known what he would have been required to go through. I was… I am the eldest in my family, and before my biological parents died I was beginning the training the eldest was required to go through." Master locked eyes again with apprentice, who looked almost accepting of the implied result of that train of thought. Luminara was slightly concerned that her apprentice would be swayed by the request.
She has no love for her stepmother, but if she feels she is needed she can be persuaded, even reluctantly, to act. That had occasionally been a point of contention between the two Jedi, especially when it came to the political arena. One reason she had willingly remained assigned to Coruscant for the most part; by seeing the politics behind the war, it was her hope her padawan would appreciate not just the action of the war but also the intrigue that so irritatingly kept it moving. So far, her padawan had grasped most of it, and yet still remained almost too eager to surrender her services. Will it be so in this case?
"How do I answer this? By her appeal to tradition, to my heritage, this request was made by my stepmother to deliberately play in her favor. The fact that this position also carries the weight of politics makes it that much harder to refuse her request." Luminara's heart lightened at that statement; her padawan intended to and would still be hers for quite a while. Actually, the fact that politics played into it, and that she had studied the occasional case study involving other Jedi facing similar situations, made it easier for her to offer help in this situation.
"Well, I'm sure by now you have experienced how much I've been involved in the political arena," Luminara began carefully. Ani laughed.
"Only evidenced by dozens of meetings with Chancellor Palpatine, the endless political dinners and dances we've attended, the needlessly boring Senate committee meetings, the aggravating –"
"I'll take that as a yes," Luminara interjected, shooting Ani a look. "If you desire, I can assist you with your explanation to your stepmother." The padawan nodded quickly, and the Jedi Master continued. "There have been few cases that other Jedi have been involved in that resemble yours, although most of them had been knighted by the time that issue arose. Timing is the most important factor here. Generally, the most acceptable option is that you should hear her out first before responding, waiting at least half a day before giving her the official verbal response."
"Thanks, Master." Ani paused, and Luminara felt a little inquisitive probing in their bond. "You didn't like the request she made," she said. She sounded a little too interested in that line of thought.
"I didn't say that." The Jedi Master decided to go for noncommittal.
"You don't want me to go."
"I also didn't say that."
"You didn't have to." Satisfaction emanated from her padawan.
"Were you worried I'd want you to leave so soon?" Luminara asked, only half-joking.
"I figured unless I really scared you in one of our past battles -" Try all of them, Luminara thought. "- you wouldn't want to let me go," Ani replied.
"Only if I got some sort of reassurance that I'd get you back once the war finished," Luminara stated, trying not to smile. She was glad, though she'd never admit it out loud. "Now is there anything else I need to be aware of?" Both Jedi sat on the edge of the bed as Ani informed her Master about the weird disturbance and the strange tracks she had found, including taking out her holorecorder to show the images and highlight certain areas.
"Given how secluded parts of the garden are, especially back there, it would be easy for anyone to sneak in and keep tabs on those inside the house. Which it looks like someone already is," Ani concluded. "The disturbance of the garden is minimal, so whoever has been keeping tabs on these people here has been doing so likely less than a week. Also, the groundskeeper is aged, less likely to notice the disturbance made."
"Excellent," Luminara said. "We need to consider a plan to draw this person or persons out of hiding. They've broken in once without taking the disc, so maybe we should try to set up something to tempt them to break in again."
"They are probably aware that Kiln has noticed their attempts and has brought us here," Ani stated, brow creasing. "Any attempt to lure them to break in again will not be easy."
"No," Luminara agreed. "Is there any other way they could enter into the estate? Any hidden entrances? Staff?"
"The staff has all been there for at least two years or more," Ani replied. "All their credentials have checked out, according to Master Nu. As for hidden entrances, I don't remember any while I was here, but it's possible. This is an extremely old building, after all."
"We should ask Madam Kiln about that when we can," Luminara agreed. "The business with the ball is troubling. Is it going to be held here or elsewhere?"
"Elsewhere." Ani brought up the details on a datapad before handing it to her Master. "According to this, the venue was changed once, but that isn't necessarily unusual."
"No," Luminara said, "but this does mean only one of us is able to attend. The other should stay here with the clones and ensure the entire contents of the disc are decrypted. Besides, that might the perfect time to set a trap for the person or persons who attempted to steal the disc before."
"Or it might be a good time to them to go after Marana during her travel to and from her estate," Ani countered. "Marana Kiln has been known on Alderaan for her work with refugees from countless worlds, and refugees during wartime, depending on where they are from, might know too much and potentially pass that on to others who work with them."
"Allowing for the possibility that she lied about where she got the disc from in the first place," Luminara supplied. "Also true." She fell silent for a moment, deep in thought. "You should plan on attending the ball with the lady, Ani. Say you're one of the refugees she helped resettle and is currently working with her on a plan to further aid refugees of all species." Ani made a face, but did not comment. "I will remain here. Captain Skee, as you have said, noted layers to the disc, which has been further complicating matters. If they need a Jedi to call on, I can aid them. I will also be able to set a trap for the intruder with the help of the clones, and hopefully catch him or her while you and Madam Kiln are away. We will remain in contact through our wrist comms. Also, make sure you carry your lightsaber."
"What if we are attacked?" Ani asked.
"Maintain your cover for as long as possible, as you were trained." She was referring to the covert training she had received at the Temple, due to her small size and unassuming nature. It was something more Jedi were trained in as general attitudes toward the Jedi had been turning more and more ugly. As tumultuous as her padawan's history had been, the differences in training were proving to be a blessing here. "If that cannot be expected, protecting Kiln is your first priority. Remove her from the area as quickly as possible to a safe area, and if circumstances allow, find and capture the attacker."
"Will I be wearing makeup?" Ani asked. It was somewhat of a rhetorical question; she knew she would most likely have to do so, as tattooed Jedi tended to be more noticeable and memorable than other Jedi.
"Yes. But that's not all, is there?" Luminara asked, ever so in tune with her perceptive nature.
"No." Ani fidgeted, looking way too interested in the bedspread. "Remember our conversation a while back, the one where the soul healer was expressing dissatisfaction with my lack of Jedi calm?"
"Yes." Although if I had known you had been listening in, I wouldn't have quite been so… short with that woman.
"How do you do it?" Desperation poured off her padawan in waves. "I mean, possessing Jedi calm is one thing, but outwardly showing it constantly is another, especially when you're, you're…"
"Distraught?" Luminara offered, inwardly wincing at her inadequate word choice. Her padawan would probably love to be just distraught right now. "Do you remember your diplomacy class?"
"Other than I fell asleep? Not much; it was boring." As usual, Ani was frank with her opinion. "Probably the only thing I remembered was that perception is everything."
"That is the key. Jedi tend to be known throughout the galaxy for being calm, distant, aloof, and dispassionate. That is the perception we have been given due to our unique role in the Republic as peacekeepers, and even now as generals of armies we still garner that perception." Which was probably the only thing they had going for them, as public perception of their roles was getting more negative each day. "The reason perception is everything is because the way you are perceived can predetermine which course things will take, whether good or bad. Knowing how you and your role are being perceived is crucial to ensuring success as well as forming contacts that could serve you well later on in life."
"How do you preserve that outward adherence to that perception, though? How do you determine it? And how do you react to others' negative reaction to that perception?"
"For me, preserving that outward adherence means being in constant communication with the Force. Everyone is different, which means you're going to have to find your own method." The padawan's face fell at that, something with which Luminara could sympathize. "It is something that takes time, patience, and knowing who you are both as a Jedi and within the Force to discover."
"Things I'm not very good at," Ani said ruefully.
"I wasn't when I started out," Luminara admitted. "But the more you open yourself up to the Force, the better you can read people, situations, emotions to display that perception, maintain it, and know when to deviate from it when necessary. Our role as Jedi does come with negative feedback to the perception we carry. Precisely because that is our role within the Republic, we are required to carry that perception. We should not be so hasty as to try to remove that requirement to please other beings, nor be so reliant on that requirement where we cannot be fluid in our roles. As with many things, it is a role that requires balance. To a degree, others in the galaxy have roles with certain perceptions belonging to each, and they too must learn to be fluid within them." Luminara sat back and watched her padawan mull it over in her mind. Her padawan had to grasp this on her own if she was to grow and flourish, she knew. It was hard for her to sit back and watch her padawan go at it alone, but there were better ways she could provide support without interfering with her young one's mental and spiritual growth. As she herself knew, this was something a Jedi had to go at alone if they were to exceed and grow as individuals.
"I understand," Ani said finally, to Luminara's relief. "It will take work on my part, but I understand. Force help me to fully comprehend."
"It will," Luminara assured her. "It wants you to flourish; all you have to do is seek. Open your heart and mind to it through meditation, and it will guide you."
"Thank you, Master." Before Luminara knew it, Ani was hugging the life out of her again. Well, we are alone, and I desire this contact as much as she does, Luminara admitted to herself. Once Barriss moved out of that stage, I did miss the contact even though I wouldn't admit it. Might as well savor it for as long as it lasts. Besides, it's therapeutic for her too, and that is good. She needs this more than I do.
"Thank you, Padawan." They maintained that position for a while longer before getting back to their previous discussion on plans and strategy. Only the knock (most likely by Finara) on the door interrupted them, a reminder that dinner awaited them, their appearance being requested by the lady of the house.
"I promise to behave myself, Master," Ani said seriously. "I won't let you down."
"I know you will, Padawan," Luminara replied.
Dinner began as a quiet affair. Captain Skee had joined them at the table, with the others who were staying behind served separately with the other staff. Master Luminara and Madam Kiln were quietly conversing at the head of the table, while next to her Master, Ani held a separate conversation with Skee, who had noted some peculiarities while working with the disc. Things had been going moderately well throughout the evening, conversation being polite and the food delicious and filling. It wasn't until the dessert was being served that Marana decided to address the padawan.
"Padawan Ani," she began, at which Ani terminated briefly her discussion with Skee, "your Master informed me that you were told of my request. Is that correct?"
"Yes, ma'am," Ani replied dutifully, aware Skee was now paying close attention to the conversation.
"Good. Finara, would you be so kind as to pass my stepdaughter the datapad?" The servant moved from the woman's side to Ani's, briefly bowing before presenting the datapad, and again before moving back to Marana's side. "These are the required documents that you need to review before finalizing your decision. They include the changes that would need to be made if you were to accept your place here."
"Changes, milady?" This did not sound good.
"Of course! Given the negative publicity the Jedi have had recently, your entire history spent with their Order would have to be altered. No one could know about your past with them, if you are to become truly effective in the political arena. No offense I hope, Master Jedi," she bowed her head ever so slightly to her master.
"None taken," Luminara responded, bowing her head back, and Ani copied the action. She tightened her shields, hoping her actions and demeanor were as calm as her master's were. Drawing on their conversation from before, she pasted a smile on her face. "I shall review the documents and meditate on the decision for two standard days. I do not want to make this decision lightly. I hope you understand."
"Of course!" Marana looked just a little too happy. "I'm glad you are considering the decision, and hope you take into consideration not just your future with the Jedi but also the incredible legacy your father and I have left for you to take upon yourself here." Of course there wouldn't be any mention of my birth mother, Ani thought bitterly. It's not like she was important to the legacy in any way. She reached out to the Force to calm her mind; if she was going to brood, she was better off doing so when everyone else was off to bed.
"I will do my best to consider and decide what course of action is best for me to follow," she responded, doing her best to sound calm and gracious, like her master.
"Excellent!" Marana Kiln beamed. "I shall expect your answer two days from now, no later than after breakfast. That is, after all, the expected time frame that the work on the disc is expected to be completed."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good, good. Now, I have been informed by Master Unduli that a change of plans is in order for tomorrow night. Is this not an overreaction to what I have said?"
"Due to recent evidence, as well as taking into account what you have informed us, we have reason to believe that you could be in grave danger, especially considering the nature of your work with the refugees."
"Oh, that. Well, all of that is considered to be confidential," Marana said, waving her hand in dismissal.
"Nevertheless, it could be believed that you know more than you should, hence my travelling with you to the ball tomorrow night."
"Awfully risky, isn't this? I mean, this decision seems to have been made with very little insight or forethought." My stepmother seems to be way too interested into the way we make our decisions, Ani thought suspiciously.
"Unless there is more information to be had that you have not informed us of," Ani stated carefully, doing her best to not act suspicious of the woman's intentions, "trust me; we have made this decision carefully and in full consideration of risks to all parties involved. One cannot know all dangers involved, but one can choose how to be best prepared when meeting those dangers." She kept eye contact with Kiln over the table, curious as to why she would so boldly question their authority in this matter. She doesn't even cite the war amongst her concerns, which is odd considering most beings are quick to jump on that when questioning the capability of the Jedi, she thought. I wonder if the documents she said she provided on the datapad give any further insight into her actions just now.
"Of course." Marana Kiln bowed her head almost imperceptibly. "I ask your pardon, stepdaughter." Ani stiffened slightly at that word. "I mean no offense. Considering that my life might very well be at risk, I just want to know that I am in capable hands."
"Milady, Jedi may not know what all lies ahead, but we do everything in our power to be prepared whatever may happen," she responded.
"I do not doubt that. Knowing that has put my thoughts at ease. I thank you." Surprised, Ani could only incline her head as well. This had been a most interesting discussion.
Upon finishing dessert, all parties decided it was time to retire and thus bid each other a good evening. Noticing Skee's looks in her direction, Ani decided to hang back and walk with him a bit before going to her room. Before she would forget, she grabbed the datapad and clasped it tight in her off hand. She would review it before sleeping.
"Captain Skee, may I walk with you for a little bit before you get back to your work?"
"Of course, Commander," Skee inclined his head, adapting well to the situation by following her lead. It was times like this she had to admit the clones had good programmers. If they didn't understand something, they tended to revert to following orders, instead of acting independently in situations (similar to this) where it would draw suspicion.
Walking up the staircase to the next floor where their rooms were located, Ani waited until they were out of earshot before saying, "If you have something to ask, Skee, you can do so. And please, for the love of the Force, just address me as Ani. No ma'am, no sir, no Commander, nothing. Okay?"
"Yes si – I mean, yes, Ani." She felt amusement at his struggle to not be professional, another trait inherent to the clones. Trying to get them used to civilian life after the war finished would be an interesting challenge, she thought. "What was she referring to back there?" he asked.
"Lady Kiln has requested that I stay here on a permanent basis," she said. "By permanent, I mean that she wants me to stay in order to inherit her position and become the lady of my ancestors' legacy upon her death."
"What?!" Skee looked shocked. "And ignore your duty to the Republic? Is she insane?"
"Remember what I said back on the ship?" He nodded. "Technically, she is my stepmother, and technically I have a duty to her position through my birth. She has appealed to duty, duty to the inheritance that I was given upon birth, to serve the people of this sector of Alderaan as my ancestors have done before me. According to her, and to tradition, that duty supersedes any duty to the Jedi or to the Republic at large?"
"With all due respect, sir, you're not going to listen to her, are you?" His earnestness was apparent in the way he stopped and stood in front of her, effectively stopping her as well in front of their rooms. Given how long this could be, it's probably a good place to be, she thought wryly. "Being a Jedi in a turbulent time such as this, we need you to lead us into battle against the Separatists to protect the Republic. Surely that is more important than any political office."
"Hold on, Skee," she said, ignoring the fact that he wasn't referring to her on friendly terms anymore. "I have time to think on the information I was given before I make any decision, and that means time to think about the pros and cons of each decision before I ultimately choose one." She sighed. "I don't want to leave you or the guys, Skee, but neither do I want to continue to fight in a war the rest of my life. And like it or not, the claim she made is legitimate."
"Doesn't matter, sir. We need you back out there, winning the war and protecting the Republic along with the rest of us. Your master needs you with her. The men need you to lead them. Your services are more valuable to the Republic as a Jedi and not as a politician. You have done and will continue to do more good on the front lines, just like the rest of the Jedi. That's where you belong." Skee's voice held firm conviction throughout his entire short speech. If only she felt as confident, she mused. Then again, maybe if the memories would stop their relentless assault upon her mind, maybe the decision would look easier too.
"I know." She smiled at him, glad he cared enough to say what he said. He was a good friend, and a good captain. "I promise I will remember to think of you guys when I'm making my decision. Besides, the decision doesn't have to be made yet for a couple days, so I got time. Don't worry so much." Skee took a careful glance around before leaning in. Uh-oh.
"It's not just about the request. We were working on the disc when we found something unusual, sir," he stated softly. "The amount of actual intel on the disc is minimal, and at first glance up-to-date. However, the actual data has been more deeply corrupted than what we were initially led to believe, and certain pieces of information are old, considering how long we've been at war now. The only stuff we've found that comes close to being useful about the Separatists involves secret strike missions to Mid Rim planets, dates as yet unknown."
"You suspect the data is actually worthless?" Ani asked quietly, brow wrinkling.
"That, or manufactured. The missions are worth contacting the fleet to relay to the troops in the field, but other than that the other layers on the disc are registering as extremely sketchy. It's possible some files actually contain a hidden program to create shadow files to mimic real ones, which we won't know for certain until we decrypt that level. Which means the request Marana made is made that much more suspicious. She has the technology to do such a thing, and you know as well as I do that captured Jedi fetch a high price, especially to the Separatists. Of course, this is just my opinion, sir." Ani nodded as she took it all in. This is getting to be a headache. I hope my bias against Kiln isn't affecting Skee. However, any suggestion to remove or replace the Jedi in command, regardless of where it comes from, never has been well received by the clones. The Senate had tried to get commanders they thought would be better suited to lead when it was accepted the war would not be ended within a year, but by that point it was too little too late. The clones had gotten wind of it and passive-aggressively threatened mutiny. Almost too amusing, really. The fact that the data is suspicious on its own, though, that is interesting.
"I know, Skee." She paused, gathering her thoughts. Old information on stolen data discs from the enemy wasn't uncommon, and it was possible the Separatists allowed Marana to gain possession just to lead the Republic into a trap. "Try the normal variety of tactics to decipher that disc. Knowing what kind of information is on that disc is top priority to determine whether or not it could be a trap. Now, whether or not that was given in order to trap Luminara or I with or without Marana's consent will not be able to be determined, at least not right now. Meanwhile, I need to be alone now. I have a lot of things I need to meditate on."
"Good thing I don't sleep, sir," Skee said, a slight smile on his face. Ani rolled her eyes, smiling back. "Don't worry about a thing, either. Me and my men, we'll figure this out by the time you wake up."
"I'll hold you to that," she said, waving open the door to her room. His expression turned serious.
"Good luck, Commander Ani. This can't be easy for you. I know you'll make the right decision." She wanted to tell him then and there what she had determined, but didn't want the information to get out before she had to respond. Being in a noblewoman's estate was essentially a guarantee to constant monitoring of all activity, especially speech.
"Thanks, Skee," she said softly. "Night."
Force, assure me that I made the right decision, Ani thought as she perched on the bed in her sleep clothes. For the last hour she had gone over every single document on the datapad, and the initial bad feeling she had had when Luminara mentioned the request grew stronger with every document she read. It seemed Marana Kiln knew both law and tradition well, including case law subsections designed to compel living descendants to adhere to tradition. Apparently, there had been a case over a century ago, complete with media reports and photographs, where a high-ranking CIS official had been legally compelled to return home to assume position as head over the estate and responsibility to the constituents in his sector. The judge had ruled that, "tradition overruled any other duty assumed by the individual in cases such as this, where the duties of said tradition encompass the care and keeping of lives on a regular basis."
Poor guy, she thought, but deep down she knew it wasn't included just for information purposes. This had to be Kiln's way of saying, See? You have no choice but to accept the position, and if you don't I have legal precedent that I can use to force you to do so. Even worse, she knew that if she did decide to fight this, it would attract attention from the media due to her being a Jedi, and the Jedi didn't need any more negative publicity. Her perception of her stepmother still rang true, apparently, even after all this time. She hadn't liked the woman, hadn't from the first time they had met, and this was just proof confirming why she didn't like her.
Still have to give Marana Kiln the benefit of the doubt, still have to give Marana Kiln the benefit of the doubt… she chanted the mantra over and over again. Not that it made her any more likely to believe it, but at least she was trying. She sighed heavily, and set down the datapad. She didn't want to sleep, despite feeling tired. Nightmares still troubled her, and what she couldn't determine was what was memory and what was imagination. Everything within her mind felt so confused, jumbled, messed with to the point where she feared diving in to try to sort it all out. She had been able to forget it at the Temple either due to being treated for physical injuries or having emphasis placed on her emotional state, especially when she went through the process of switching masters.
I shouldn't have ignored it for so long, especially with that outburst directed at Skee while still in orbit like a shot in the dark. Meditation is helping, and hopefully further investigation of the disc means we won't be here long. Crafting my response to Kiln has become more complicated and therefore has to take priority, something that I need to address with Master first thing tomorrow, she thought, crawling under the covers and waving off the light. Maybe I can avoid it by claiming compulsory conscription for the war?