Meanwhile, nearly four thousand years in the past, Kira and Ben train with Bastila Shan on Tython. Kira has just been introduced to the seeing stone, a powerful device that allows Force users access to knowledge that would otherwise be unavailable. After spending twelve hours upon the stone, Kira has been summoned by Bastila to discuss the next step of her training.
Kira now finds herself in a small office, standing in front of a desk
"As you're now very much aware, time means nothing when you use the seeing stone. For you, it was a few minutes. For the rest of us, twelve hours." Bastila says.
"You said you once spent four years on the stone." Kira says.
"That's right. In that time… a very dear friend of mine died. I couldn't be there for him. Some friend I am. The Force takes and takes, and… it gives very little back." Bastila says.
"That's not true! The Force gives us life! With the Force, we have abilities… so that we can make a difference! You believed that once. I know for a fact that you will again." Kira says.
"You have a wisdom beyond your years, and I find that quite impressive. In another life… I was much like you are now. Then, age and loss changed my perspective. This life… doesn't mean a damn to me anymore! Inara… is all I have left. On top of that, there's this damned mission of yours! I didn't want it, but there's a lot more at stake than my own self interest. If this Umbra achieves her goal, she could threaten all of time. Perhaps existence itself. She is a destructive force that must be stopped by any means necessary. That's why you and Ben are here." Bastila says.
Kira walks to the old woman, and embraces her.
"What… are you doing?" Bastila asks.
"You looked like you needed it." Kira answers.
"I did. Thank you." Bastila says.
"You may not know me that well, but I know you. Regardless of what version, you are my friend. I'm here for you, and I will help you in any way I can." Kira says.
"I don't deserve it." Bastila says.
"Of course you do!" Kira says.
"I've been hard on the both of you. Not really much of a friend, am I?" Bastila asks.
"You're teaching us. Sometimes… lessons have to be hard. You are doing what you have to do to prepare us. You warned us that our lessons would be painful. I say bring it on. Pain is temporary. What we learn here… is with us forever." Kira says.
"You're absolutely right." Bastila says.
Kira takes notice of a picture on a nearby wall- the image of a brown and white ship flying through space.
"This image… that's a Dynamic-class freighter." Kira says.
"Correct. That… is the Ebon Hawk. Our ship. At least, it was. A long time ago. Back then, I saw a ship as nothing more than a vehicle. But that changed with the Ebon Hawk. It was there… that we made a difference." Bastila says.
"So, you have this image to... remind you of the past?" Kira asks. Bastila stands in silence for a moment, staring at the image.
"It is a reminder… that all things end." Bastila answers.
"That's… quite depressing." Kira says.
"Yes, it is. Yet… it is true. In fact, it is the most significant truth of all. Everything begins. Everything ends. Everyone lives. Everyone dies. Life is pain. Life is loss. Sad, perhaps. But, to deny it, is to deny the very nature of existence itself." Bastila says.
"All things do end. But, all things also begin. You miss the people you love, and I'm sorry for your losses. They're not here now. But, one day… you'll be with them again. All of them. Forever." Kira says.
"This life… is temporary. This body… is a shell. What we truly are… never dies. I have lost sight of that. For so many years, I have allowed my grief to get the better of me." Bastila says.
"We can't turn off our feelings. All we can do is try our best to deal with them." Kira says.
"It has been said that with age comes wisdom. Perhaps this is not always the case. You seem to have become both student and master. Very interesting. I didn't foresee this at all." Bastila says.
"Maybe this is the way things are supposed to be. Maybe you help me on my path… and I help you on yours." Kira says.
"If that is the case, then I am looking forward to it." Bastila says.
"So am I." Kira says.
"Now, I think it's time we move on to the main reason I called you here." Bastila says.
"Of course." Kira says.
"I'm giving you and Ben full access to our archives. Inara will teach you how to access the information you need." Bastila says.
"Anything specific that you want us to study?" Kira asks.
"History of the Force. All known orders of Force users. Abilities unknown to the Jedi." Bastila answers.
"That sounds like a lot." Kira says.
"It is. But, these are the recommendations of my… other self. She insisted that I have you two study these subjects… and quiz you on them extensively. This… style of teaching is generally out of my comfort zone. I'm old. I've slowed down. The mind doesn't work quite as well as it used to. So, I will have Inara handle this aspect of your training." Bastila says.
"You're tired. I can sense it." Kira says.
"You're right, Kira. I am tired." Bastila says.
"I think I should go. Do you need anything?" Kira asks.
"No, but I appreciate the offer. I think we're done here, so you may go. Inara is expecting you in the archives anyway. One of the servant droids can give you directions." Bastila says.
Kira leaves Bastila's office, and with the help of a servant droid, makes her way to the temple archives. There, she finds Ben and Inara.
"Good. There you are. I was hoping you wouldn't keep grandmother too long. She needs her rest." Inara says.
"I know. I could sense that she was tired. That's why I asked her to excuse me." Kira says.
"That's very considerate of you. Her morning classes wear her out. She doesn't have the stamina she used to. I wish she would let someone else handle those classes, but… she won't."
Inara says.
"Your grandmother pushes herself too hard." Kira says.
"Yes, she does. But… she won't have it any other way. Convincing my grandmother to change her mind is like trying to reason with a rancor." Inara says.
"I noticed that." Kira says.
"Well… what you discussed is for her alone. She will share it with me if she chooses." Inara says.
"You know… we're going to be here for a while. You don't know us, so you don't trust us. I would like to change that. I think things might go a lot smoother if we get to know each other better." Kira says.
"Indeed." Inara says.
"I'm just not sure what we can tell you. Your grandmother seems to want to keep our backgrounds a secret." Kira says.
"You can tell me about your family, and events in your life. You'll just have to be vague about details… and I don't think you should use names. The less I know, the better. The Force is telling me… that this is what must be." Inara says.
"My father… was the Jedi Grandmaster, but now leads a new order that doesn't follow the old code. We're allowed to have relationships with our families, and we're allowed to marry. My mother… was a starfighter pilot and later became a flight instructor. My best friend… is also a force user. He's on the same mission we are, but he was sent elsewhere. I don't know how I know, but I know… that I will see all of them again." Kira says.
"Your faith in the Force is very strong." Inara says.
"I would like to think so." Kira says.
"Grandmother told me that you went through some kind of trauma when you were very young, and that you ended up living as a slave for several years." Inara says.
"The Sith made me forget who I was, and dumped me on some random planet. Saving me for later, I guess." Kira says.
"We are shaped by our experiences. Both good and bad. You survived your ordeal, and you have prospered." Inara says.
"I reunited with my family, and I found Ben. Then, I met your grandparents. I've learned so much from them." Kira says.
"You know my grandfather too? I've always wanted to meet him. I know now… that I'll have to wait until I pass on." Inara says.
"Maybe. Maybe not." Kira says.
"You think… he might appear to me one day?" Inara asks.
"Honestly, I don't know." Kira answers.
"Sorry. It's just… he's my grandfather. I want to get to know him. And… grandmother will be so happy to see him again. I want that for her, even more than for myself." Inara says.
"I can tell you about him." Kira says.
"No. As much as I want it… no. That knowledge isn't for me. I'll know it when I'm meant to." Inara says.
"Fair enough." Kira says.
"Anyway… let's move on. Ben, why don't you tell me a little about yourself? Just remember… don't go into too much detail." Inara says.
"Mom was a senator. Dad was a smuggler. They both also had long military careers. They're war heroes. Streets and buildings named after them. That sort of thing." Ben says.
"So, expectations were very high for you, I take it?" Inara asks.
"You could say that. Dad tried to push me into becoming a pilot. Mom tried to get me into politics. My uncle wanted me to be a Jedi." Ben answers.
"But you allowed this man who pretended to be your friend to influence you, and it led you to the dark side." Inara says.
"He manipulated me, but I'm the one that chose to listen. Now, I have to live with the consequences. Everyone I know has forgiven me, and I'm trying my best to make up for it, but… I'll never forget what I've done." Ben says.
"Nor should you. Learn from your mistakes, so that you do not repeat them." Inara says.
"I'll try my best." Ben says.
"Grandmother went through a similar experience long ago. She was tortured… until she gave in. The things she did… it took her a long time to come to terms with them, but she did. For you, it will take time. But, you are on the right path. Love saved my grandmother, as it saved you." Inara says.
"And I'm grateful for it. Every day." Ben says.
"That's our story. What about you?" Kira asks.
"When I was born, my father was the Chancellor of the Republic, and my mother was a senator. The Jedi took me in when I was three. Normally, I would have been expected to cut off all contact with my family, but the Jedi Council made an exception, because of who I was. My grandmother had left the order years before, so her friend Juhani was my first master. She was great. I really liked her. She… died when I was fifteen. The Jedi Council reassigned me to a stuck up old bastard named Jobat Terando. I hated him. He tried to force me to conform. I quit the order two years later. I never really fit in with the Jedi. I was too dark for them. Some of them treated me well, but the rest… when they looked at me, all they ever saw… was the granddaughter of Darth Revan." Inara says.
"Revan turned away from the dark side." Kira says.
"As far as some of those masters were concerned, no one ever comes back from the dark side, not even my grandmother." Inara says.
"We know better." Kira says.
"Indeed. There are a number of Jedi who try to rewrite history… all for preserving the order's image. But, I know the truth thanks to Juhani, and my grandmother. My replacement teacher was a fool. It was thanks to him that I lost all interest in being a Jedi. I quit the order twenty one years ago. I haven't been back to Coruscant since then, other than occasional family visits." Inara says.
"You have family on Coruscant?" Kira asks.
"My older brother, Saren, lives on Coruscant. He's a member of the Jedi Council. I'll always love him, but we haven't seen eye to eye for a long time. He didn't agree with grandmother's decision to leave the Jedi Order, and he didn't agree with my decision to leave either. Unfortunately, this means we can't trust him. He knows our order exists, but he doesn't know the order's name, and he doesn't know where our temple is." Inara says.
"I'm sorry. I can't imagine what it's like not being able to trust your brother." Kira says.
"I have learned to cope with it. Now, grandmother wants me to help you with the archives, so how about we get started?" Inara asks.
"I'm ready whenever you are." Kira answers.
The following morning, Kira and Ben accompany Bastila to the seeing stone.
"I guess it's my turn now." Ben says.
"That's right. As I've already stated, I have no idea what you'll see, or how long you'll be away. Before you take a seat, I think it would be wise if you had a moment with Kira." Bastila says.
Kira and Ben take each other's hands.
"I know we're doing what we have to do, but… you'll go in there, and I'll be all alone. For force knows how long." Kira says. Tears form in her eyes, and Ben embraces her.
"Hey… you're gonna be okay. You're strong. Stronger than I am. Whatever will be… will be. There's nothing we can do to change it." Ben says.
"I know. It's just… this is so hard." Kira says.
"Never said it was easy. We just… have to do our best." Ben says.
"I'll try." Kira says.
"I love you." Ben says.
"I love you, too. With all of my heart." Kira says.
Kira and Ben kiss, then Ben walks to the stone, and takes a seat. He closes his eyes, and begins to meditate. Soon, the seeing stone is surrounded by a glowing barrier.
"What you and Ben have… reminds me of what was. So… long ago." Bastila says.
"You'll see Revan again." Kira says.
"I will, won't I? I just have to be patient. As you do. All will be… as it will be." Bastila says.
Haven't updated this one since November, so apologies for that. Good news is the next chapter is almost done, so unless something changes, I am hoping to update this again within a month. Thanks for reading.