Chapter 4
A few hours later Farra has managed to sneak into a Separatist base and contact the Republic. They promise to send troops to extract Farra from Alaris Prime. Farra then returns to the Wookie settlement she and Bera had found. Upon her return Bera asks Farra what will happen to her. Farra doesn't know and admits this to Bera. Until the Republic troops arrive Farra and Bera hold off Separatist troops with a Trade Federation tank that Farra had stolen prior to getting into the Separatist Base she'd snuck into. When the Republic's troops arrived Anakin and Obi Wan were with them. They were on Jedi speeders and there were clone troopers following them. When Anakin saw Farra standing there he bought his speeder to a halt and leapt off it then ran to Farra and enveloped her in a hug.
"Oh Farra, thank the Force that you're ok. I was out of my mind with worry about you but I knew you'd be ok. I knew that you would be safe in the living Force"
He raised her face to his and met her lips with his. His kiss conveyed his relief to her and she kissed back not caring that Obi Wan had stopped his speeder and dismounted. He watched the two his arms folded but didn't say anything. When Anakin broke the kiss he smiled at Farra.
"Seeing your beautiful face makes this mission worthwhile" he said.
Obi Wan came over to them then.
"Its good to see that you are ok" he said to Farra.
Anakin and Farra quickly broke their embrace hoping Obi Wan wouldn't tell them off yet again. He said nothing but regarded them with a stern look. Both could sense his disappointment.
"Anakin that reminds me. Dooku knows about our relationship. He lied to me that you were dead and I failed to control my emotions. I am truly sorry and will do better in the future"
"This is a disturbing development" Obi Wan commented.
"I don't believe he can use that knowledge against us unless we give into our fear. I for one will not do that. And I stood up to the dear Count and told him I knew you were still alive Anakin and that if you were dead I'd have felt it through the Force"
"Good for you" Anakin smiled.
The three Jedi take Jedi speeders and make short work of the remaining Separatist troops. When the Separatist troops are all destroyed the Jedi return to the Wookie settlement and prepare to return to Coruscant. As Bera had helped Farra to hold off the Separatist troops she is told that she will be free to go once they reach Coruscant. Obi Wan and the two Padawans report to the Council that Dooku unfortunately managed to get away with the Force Harvester. They are dismayed to learn that the Force Harvester is only the power plant for the Dark Reaper. At the same time the Jedi Council orders them back to Rhen Var to retake it from the Separatists. When the transmission ends the three Jedi head to their Star Fighters and fly back to Rhen Var. When they land they meet up with the commanders of the Republic battle force. The discussion is brief as there isn't much time to lose.
The Jedi followed by their clone troopers engage the Separatists in battle. Anakin and Farra fight back to back their movements a blur. Farra is deep within the living Force letting it direct her actions. She spins around her blade taking out 10 separatist droids. Then12 droidekas roll up and go into attack mode. Farra and Anakin leap towards them at the same time. Their blades whirl making quick work of the droidekas. One of them lands a glancing blow on Anakin's right shoulder. Farra senses him becoming angry and she concentrates channeling some of her inner calm into Anakin. She senses him relax and return to his own inner calm. When the battle is over Anakin tells Obi Wan he needs to go to the tomb of Ulic Quel Drama who was a Jedi Master during the Sith wars. Mace Windu had told Anakin, that Ulic learnt how to avoid the effects of the Dark Reaper and he wants to talk to Ulic's spirit to learn how he can avoid the Dark Reaper's effects.
Farra wonders whether Anakin will be going alone and waits to see what Obi Wan has to say. Obi Wan allows him to go but decides not to go with him, as there are still some Separatist Forces to be taken care of. Farra asks Obi Wan what he would like her to do.
"Go with Anakin, he will need you to keep him calm" Obi Wan said.
Farra nodded and she and Anakin ran to their speeders. Anakin led the way to the Tomb of Ulic. The two Jedi are met by powerful ghosts who demand to know why Anakin is there. Anakin bravely tells them he wishes to speak to Master Ulic but the ghosts suddenly attack the two young Jedi. Anakin and Farra find their lightsabers in their hands and ignite them. They battle the ghosts but it seems like they are powerless to defeat them. Farra then sees through the living Force that the ghosts are each connected to a tomb. She tells Anakin that destroying each tomb connected to a ghost will defeat that spirit. Anakin nods and the two Jedi concentrate on destroying the tombs. Farra runs to the nearest tomb and examines it with the Force. Spotting a weak area she concentrates and senses the force pushing the two sides of the weak spot apart. The tomb crumbles and one of the spirits disappears. Farra tells Anakin via the Force how to destroy the rest of the tomb.
The two Jedi make short work of the remaining tombs and finally Ulic appears as a Force Spirit. Anakin and Farra bow reverently to him and then Ulic tells Anakin what he wants to know. Anakin thanks Ulic and the two turn to leave.
"Wait I have something else to tell you" Ulic says.
"Yes" Anakin asks, after he and Farra have turned back.
"A closeness I sense between you. This closeness is the will of the Force. You are two parts of one whole. Only together will you be strong. Apart you will be weak"
"Thank you Master Ulic" Farra says. Ulic then takes his leave and the two Jedi return to Obi Wan. Anakin excitedly tells him what Ulic told him. Then Farra tells him the rest.
"This the council must be told" Obi Wan says.
The Jedi made contact with the council and were told to go to Thule as Yoda and Mace Windu had discovered that both the Force Harvester and Dark Reaper are there. When they get there they were told that an energy shield located on the planet's moon protected the planet. Anakin volunteered to land on the moon and destroy the generator of the shield. Obi Wan allowed him to go but orders Farra to stay behind as the spirits protecting the tomb of Ulic had wounded her. She reluctantly agrees and watches Anakin leave. While Anakin is carrying out the first part of the mission Farra meditates to prepare herself for the coming battle. She feels a strange peace settling on her when she thinks about Anakin. There is no more fear of being kicked out of the Jedi order, as she knows that when the Council hears of Ulic's words regarding their relationship the council will permit it to continue. She and Anakin won't have to sneak around any longer.
When Farra ends her meditation she finds Anakin sitting near her, returned from his mission. It is the first time they have been able to talk alone since hearing Ulic's words about their relationship.
"Farra, I love you and I knew it was right. What Ulic said has confirmed that for me"
"Oh Anakin me too" Farra said.
"And Obi Wan can't tell us off anymore. He has said himself that he can't dispute Ulic's word. A Jedi cannot contradict another Jedi's word. We don't have to hide our relationship around Obi Wan anymore" Anakin said.
"Soon we will be free from the need to maintain secrecy. What a weight that will be off our shoulders" Farra said.
Anakin smiled.
"Enough talk he said.
He guided Farra's lips to his and soon the two were kissing intently. Eventually they had to come up for air. Farra grinned and began tickling Anakin. When Obi Wan came in to tell them to prepare to attack the ancient Sith city on the planet, he found them curled up together eyes closed in meditation. They had been tickling each other and exchanging kisses until they had exhausted themselves then decided to try meditating together figuring that they would be able to tap into the Force more deeply together. This had turned out to be true. Anakin had his arms around Farra's waist and she was leaning against his chest. Their legs were entwined. They looked contented and in love. They came out of their meditative trance when they realized Obi Wan was there.
"It is time to go Padawans" Obi Wan said.
Anakin and Farra nod then head to their speeders.
A short while later the three Jedi and their troops are approaching the city. They have sensed that it is full of troops. All three have their lightsabers out and lit and are prepared to fight their way through the city. Mace Windu has joined the 3 Jedi and he and Obi Wan go ahead to disable communication between the city and the Separatists. Anakin and Farra engage the troops protecting the city. Their lightsabers fly in continuous movement as they block blaster bolts and slice up droids and droidekas. Between them they defeat many separatist troops. When Obi Wan and Mace Windu rejoin them Mace is surprised when he sees them fighting as though they are one person.
"I didn't know those two could fight like that," he said to Obi Wan.
"They are a good combination," Obi Wan says.
"I sense there is more to this" Mace Windu says.
By then the Jedi and Republic Forces have penetrated the city. Anakin comes to Obi Wan and tells him that he and Farra must destroy the Dark Reaper. This is something only they can do since only they know how to withstand it. Mace nodded knowing this to be so as Obi Wan had reported it to the council. Anakin and Farra mount their speeders and begin the long slog into the city. They had to fight numerous troops on their way into where the Dark Reaper was. When they got there they began destroying the Dark Reaper weapon by weapon with guidance from Ulic in spirit form. The weapons included a Force beam. Both Anakin and Farra could withstand this for a short period of time as Ulic had taught them how to do so. Farra let the beam hit her and focus on her so that Anakin could get in and take it out. When he had done so Farra collapsed unconscious. The strain had caused her to go into a healing trance to protect her from injury. By then all was left was the Harvester itself so Anakin made short work of that then turned his attention to Farra. He dropped to one knee beside her and caressed her cheek with his gloved right hand.
"Thank you for your help my love" he said quietly.
Anakin then closed his eyes and taking Farra's hand in his entered the living Force. He found Farra and added his strength to hers, drawing her back to consciousness. When she was fully conscious the two found Obi Wan and Mace. Mace tells them they are going home to Coruscant. Anakin and Farra are delighted as both feel they need a well-earned rest. They both helped with the final mop up of the city and then everyone left except for some troops that were staying on the planet as a garrison. Anakin and Farra entered the ship that would take them home and strapped in ready for take off. A few hours later they are back on Coruscant. Obi Wan tells them they need to report to the council and urged them to reveal their relationship and what Ulic said about it. Anakin was apprehensive but agreed to do so. They went before the council a few hours later.
Obi Wan began by reporting on their success in Thule. Then he tells the Council that Anakin and Farra have something to tell them. The two Padawans step forward ready to tell all to the council. Farra folded her arms and adopted an expression of calmness as Anakin began to speak.
"There is something Farra and I need to tell you. Approximately three months ago, Farra and I began a relationship. We love each other and we have been seeing each other secretly when others aren't around. I've slipped into her room at night, which I know is a strict breech of rules. However when Ulic was telling us how to withstand the Force beam weapon on the Dark Reaper he also told us that we are two parts of one whole and that together we are strong. I believe Farra and I are meant to be together. That is I believe that it is the will of the Force that we be in this relationship"
A long silence follows this statement from Anakin.
"A serious breech of the Jedi code this is" Yoda says.
"I believe their relationship is a good thing," Obi Wan says.
"I would be inclined to agree" Mace Windu adds, "I have seen a real change in Anakin these last few months. No longer is he filled with fear and anger"
"Can we allow this relationship without allowing other such relationships" another council member asks.
Anakin and Farra are sent out while the council debates what should be done. Half an hour later they are summoned back in. They re enter the council room hand in hand, fingers entwined and when they are standing in the middle of the council Anakin has an arm around Farra's waist.
"Reached a decision this council has" Yoda says.
"We have decided to permit this relationship as it seems to be the will of the Force that it has occurred" Mace Windu said.
"Farra, I am to finish your training. The Council have permitted me to have both you and Anakin as Padawans" Obi Wan said.
Farra looked at Anakin. This was also unusual but then it made sense since she and Anakin were supposed to be two parts of one whole. Then Farra realized what Ulic had meant by that. He had meant that they balanced each other out. The council then dismissed the two Padawans. They went down to the lake where they sat and talked. They had barely been able to control their joy at being able to be together openly without fear of expulsion from the Order. Once they were alone they hugged and talked excitedly.
"I can hardly believe it. We are to train together," Farra says.
"Its awesome" Anakin said. He had an arm around her shoulders.
"No more sneaking about. You can come to my room freely at night if you want to see me. Everyone will know that we are permitted to be together so they can't challenge us"
Anakin's blue eyes were dancing. He guided Farra's lips to his and kissed her.
"I wonder if we will be knighted together and made Masters together. We could sit on the council side by side," Farra said.
"I would like that very much" Anakin said.
He kissed Farra again. Then the two lay back to watch the stars their bodies entwined. Farra felt very contented and she could see that Anakin was contented also. She felt Anakin lazily running his flesh hand through her hair.
"You are so beautiful," Anakin murmured in her ear.
Eventually it got late so the two had to go inside. Anakin and Farra made their way to Farra's room hand in hand. At the door they paused and Anakin kissed Farra good night.
Over the next few weeks Anakin and Farra recuperated from their time in the outer rim fighting. Both had suffered a collection of minor injuries during the various battles and needed the time to heal fully. They used the time to heal and to continue training under Obi Wan's careful guidance. At the same time on Rattatak, Count Dooku is searching for someone to replace Jango Fett who was killed in Geonosis. He meets a dark Jedi by the name of Asajj Ventress. Ventress had been a Jedi padawan but her Master Ky Narec was killed by one of the Warlords who were competing against each other. She now hated the Jedi because she felt they abandoned the planet and her. Ky Narec had been unable to contact the Jedi Council as he was stranded on the planet. Count Dooku is impressed with Ventress and enlists her to help him. He has been curious about Anakin and Farra and decides he needs to capture one of them to find out more about their relationship. He gives Ventress the mission of capturing one or the other.
Chapter 5