Chapter Thirteen – The New Jedi Order

Chapter Thirteen – The Beginning Of The New Jedi Order

Anakin awoke to find that he had been dribbling on his pillow as he slept. He would have screwed his face up in disgust had he not been so tired. He hated it when he dribbled. It always made him feel like a small child again. Also, Obi-Wan would never miss an opportunity to poke fun at Anakin when he had been dribbling, as he knew how much Anakin hated it. He sat up and turned his head towards the chronometer on the wall. It was seven AM, and Obi-Wan and Master Yoda were still asleep.

Anakin rubbed his eyes and let out a quiet yawn before getting up and walking over to the small kitchen they had in the far corner of the room, near the lift. There were two cupboards on the wall, a cooker, a fridge and a surface area for food preparation. Anakin opened the cupboard on the left and took out a bowl. He placed the bowl on the food prep area and took a box of cereals out from the cupboard on the right, along with a spoon. He poured some of the cereal into the bowl and placed it back into the cupboard. He reached into the fridge and took out some milk, which he added to his bowl to finish off his breakfast.

He walked over to the table and sat down in the seat he occupied the previous night. He looked at the map, and noticed that five more planets had been marked blue since the last time he checked before he went to bed. He dived into his cereal and began munching on it loudly. He took another look at the map and noticed that there were a huge number of ten attacks planned for that day which had not yet started. The total number of Alliance planets was thirty one, and by the end of the day they would have forty one planets in the Alliance.

Things were going well for the Alliance, apart from the news of the Empire's attack. By their estimations the Empire would be in Alliance airspace within four days. Those four days would be spent devising battle plans and making sure that the Alliance army is ready to fight a space battle. The Alliance army consisted of approximately forty billion soldiers, while the Empire's army consisted of approximately two hundred billion clone troopers. The odds were against them in the war against the Empire, but the odds were constantly changing as the Alliance won planet after planet. They had not lost a battle yet, and did not look like they were going to lose one any time soon.

Anakin heard Obi-Wan stirring. The older man grunted in his sleep before returning to a seemingly peaceful state. Anakin wanted someone to talk to, and so he chose to eat his cereals as loudly as he could. Obi-Wan had always been a light sleeper. The Jedi Master groggily opened his eyes as he awoke to the sound of loud crunching. He sat up and saw Anakin grinning at him. He sighed before getting up to join his former Padawan at the table.

"I hope you slept well Obi-Wan." Obi-Wan threw Anakin an irritated look.

"I was sleeping well until I was woken up by the intolerable sound of my old Padawan eating his breakfast." This caused Anakin to grin even more, and Obi-Wan couldn't help but crack a smile. He glanced at the table.

"I see we have had victories on more planets through the night."

"Indeed we have Obi-Wan. Five victories to be precise. At this rate, the Empire will be all but a distant memory within six months."

"However much I hope this to be the case, I can't quite see that happening. I admire your optimism Anakin, but surely too much optimism is not a good thing?"

"More likely to be disappointed you are, if too optimistic you are." The two Jedi turned to see Master Yoda approaching them, gimmer stick in hand to support him as he went. He jumped up onto his chair and made himself comfortable in it.

"Good morning Master," Obi-Wan greeted with a smile.

"Good morning Master," Anakin repeated, not wanting to come across as rude or disrespectful.

"Good morning my friends. A good night was it for the Alliance?" Yoda inquired.

"It was Master. If you look here…" Anakin pointed towards the four new blue marked planets on the map. "…You'll see the Alliance won four battles last night." Yoda's ears rose.

"Good news this is for the Alliance." He paused and turned to Obi-Wan. "Told your old Padawan have you, what discussed last night we did?" Anakin's features narrowed. He put his bowl of cereal on the table, and relaxed his chin in the palm of his right hand, studying Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan shook his head.

"No Master."

"What was I supposed to be told?" Anakin questioned. He began to have doubts on whether he wanted to hear the answer to his question.

"Do you want to tell him Master?" Obi-Wan asked. He didn't let it be known in his tone of voice, but Obi-Wan wanted to drag this out as long as he could. This was a form of mental torture for Anakin. Obi-Wan would have laughed, but that would only serve to frustrate Anakin.

"Hello? I am still in the room Masters," Anakin impatiently reminded them with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Tell him you should Master Kenobi," Yoda replied, ignoring Anakin's attempt to re-establish his presence in the room.

"Very well Master," Obi-Wan paused. Anakin focused his attention on Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan felt uncomfortable as he could feel Anakin's intense stare searching him for answers. Anakin could not take the suspense any longer.

"For the sake of the Force Obi-Wan, spit it out!" Anakin blurted the words out a little louder than he should have, he deducted from the irritated look on Yoda's face. He turned to face the Master and apologised quietly, before refocusing his attention on Obi-Wan.

"As you know, Master Yoda and I stayed up last night discussing an issue of great importance. And we have come to an understanding and a decision regarding that issue." Obi-Wan looked into his former apprentices' eyes and smiled with pride. "Anakin Skywalker, Master Yoda and I believe you have proven yourself worthy of the rank of Master." Anakin's eyes widened and his mouth fell open. He blinked a few times, and took a deep breath. He tried opening his mouth to speak but could not find any words, so he ended up closing his mouth. This happened several times.

"Anakin, your impression of a fish is very… interesting, but please stop it."

"I - I… don't know what to say." Obi-Wan had anticipated this reaction. Anakin had reacted similarly when he was Knighted.

"How do you feel?" Anakin thought for a moment, searching his soul for an answer.

"I feel happy. Content. I feel… proud."

"Doubts you are having Anakin?" Anakin clasped his hands together and bowed his head.

"Yes Master. I don't understand why I deserve to be a Jedi Master after… all those things I did." Obi-Wan noticed a tear drop down onto Anakin's hands, and he felt an urge to hold him tight and allow him to cry. He didn't move, sensing that Anakin had more to say.

"It is an honour I do not deserve Masters." Yoda slammed his gimmer stick on the floor, causing a loud echo to ring around the room.

"Feeling sorry for yourself you must stop! Good for you it is not. Dwell on the past you must not. Look to the future we will, for needed we will be. A Jedi Master you will be, and a Council member you will be! A choice in the matter you do not have young Skywalker," Yoda bellowed in the most commanding voice he could muster. He struck Anakin's shin lightly with the gimmer stick, causing the Knight to smile.

"Enjoy punishment do you?" Yoda asked with a smirk, sensing Anakin's smile. The Knight looked up and faced Master Yoda. The smile disappeared from his face and he looked Yoda in the eyes.

"If you think I am ready for such a big step, then I gratefully accept this honour." He turned to face Obi-Wan who was beaming with delight. Yoda unclipped his lightsabre and held it in both hands. Obi-Wan did the same and moved to stand opposite Yoda, making sure to leave enough room for Anakin.

"Kneel, Knight Skywalker." Yoda ordered. Anakin got out of his chair and knelt in front of the Grand Master. He looked up to see Yoda staring him in the eyes, and he kept the gaze. Yoda and Obi-Wan both ignited their lightsabres. Obi-Wan held his sabre in front of his torso.

"Knight Skywalker, do you accept the honour and the challenges that the role of a Jedi Master entails?"

"I do." Yoda lowered his lightsabre above Anakin's right shoulder.

"By the right of the Council, by the will of the Force…" Yoda raised his lightsabre and lowered it again above Anakin's left shoulder. "I dub thee Jedi Master." Yoda shifted the lightsabre to its starting position above Anakin's right shoulder. Anakin looked up at Master Yoda, a huge grin plastered on his face.

"Take up your lightsabre Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Master. And may the Force be with you." Anakin rose and the other Jedi Masters deactivated their lightsabres and clipped them onto their belts. Anakin turned to his former master and embraced him.

"Well done Anakin. I always knew you would be a great Jedi one day, and Qui Gon knew it too. Oh, how I wish he were here to see it."

"Watching he is, from the Netherworld of the Force. Proud of you he will be, Anakin." Anakin and Obi-Wan took their seats once more. Obi-Wan tapped on the table.

"We'd better sort out some battle tactics for when the Empire's fleet arrives, so I propose we get to it!"

A boy used his cloak to shield a sleeping toddler he held in his arms from the rain that soaked him on Telos. The boy had never been to Telos before, but he knew she wouldn't let him down. She had even put the co-ordinates into the ship for him, giving him direct instructions not to change them, but to go where the ship took him. The woman had also given him strict instructions to bring the toddler to the Alliance headquarters. She told him to go to Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The boy knew all about Jedi Master Kenobi. He was one of the strongest Jedi to have ever existed. He was the first to kill a Sith Lord in a thousand years, and he did it while his Master lay dying with a fatal lightsabre wound to his chest. For this, he had been granted the level of Jedi Knight, and he immediately took on an apprentice. The Chosen One, Anakin Skywalker. There were rumours that Master Kenobi never wanted Anakin to be his apprentice, but whenever he saw them together during the Clone Wars he wouldn't have thought it.

The toddler awoke to the harsh wind and the terrible rain and cried out. The boy used the Force to soothe the toddler and hurried along. He had received some strange looks from Telosians who had heard the cry. As the boy turned a corner, the toddler quietened down and looked up at the boy. The boy smiled at him, before looking at the glass building he had just cornered. The whole building was made of glass, and it was fairly high. It was just as the woman had described.

The boy entered the building and immediately noticed the tight security measures in place. There were six security guards in the main foyer, two of them behind a desk. The security guards studied him, but did not search for their blasters. He approached the desk and threw his hood off.

"What is your business here young man?" the guard on the left inquired.

"I w-was sent here to find M-master Kenobi," he said with his teeth chattering. His whole body shivered as his drenched robes hung off his body heavily. The guards all placed their hands on their blasters, ready to draw them at a moment's notice.

"Who sent you to find Master Kenobi?" the same guard asked.

"A Jedi Knight."

"How do I know you are not an assassin sent here by the Empire?" The boy showed the guard the toddler who was now asleep once more.

"Please, I have to speak to Master Kenobi. I am only a child, a child who has been on the run since the Empire began hunting the last of the Jedi. This boy is a Force Sensitive and I was told to bring him here to Master Kenobi by a Jedi Knight. I couldn't be an assassin, and besides, nobody can kill Master Kenobi. He is one of the greatest Jedi Masters to have ever lived," The boy paused to get his breath. The guards stern look wavered.

"Please, I have nowhere else to go. I am only fourteen years old. I have never been on this planet before, and I have a toddler to take care of. I cannot cope! Please, let me see Master Kenobi, he is my only hope!"

The guard sighed and pressed a button on his desk. He leaned in closer towards a microphone.

"Master Kenobi, this is Dren. I have visitors in the foyer for you."

"Who is it?" came the reply.

"A fourteen year old boy with a toddler he claims to be Force Sensitive. He says he was sent here by a Jedi Knight with specific instructions to see you. He seems to know who you are, and from the clothes he's wearing, he does look a lot like a Jedi."

"A Jedi? Send him up immediately!"

"Yes Master Kenobi." The guard pointed to the lift across the foyer.

"Take that lift up to the tenth floor. You'll find Master Kenobi there."

"Thank you sir! May the Force be with you!" The boy beamed before charging towards the lift. He got in and soon found himself up on the tenth floor. As the doors opened, he was greeted with the sight of not just Master Kenobi, but Knight Skywalker and Master Yoda too. He got out of the lift and approached the Masters. He handed the toddler to Obi-Wan before bowing.

"It is good to see you Masters." Obi-Wan studied the boy carefully. He was about five foot and seven inches tall. He had short, thick and spiky brown hair, with the traditional Padawan's braid hanging below his shoulder. The boy's eyes shone cerulean, and his eyebrows were thick. His mouth was small, his nose long, but not too long and his chin strong. The boy reminded Obi-Wan of himself in his younger days. He recognised the boy, but could not put a name to his face.

"It is good to see you Padawan. We have not seen any other Jedi since before the Purge. Do you know who we are Padawan?" Obi-Wan spoke softly. The boy nodded.

"Grand Master Yoda, Master Kenobi and Knight Skywalker. Everyone knows who you are."

"Master Skywalker, Anakin is." The boy looked down.

"Forgive me Master Skywalker." Anakin was amused.

"You did not know. I remember you from the Temple. Padawan Daniel Khaan isn't it?" Obi-Wan recognised the name, and identified him as the boy who stood before him.

"Yes Master Skywalker."

"A name, your companion has? Force Sensitive is he?"

"His name is Rundo Lauder, and I was told he was Force Sensitive, Master."

"Told by whom, Daniel?" Anakin asked.

"Jedi Knight Siri Tachi." Anakin looked at Obi-Wan, who looked as though he had seen a ghost. Anakin didn't believe the boy, and neither did Obi-Wan. Siri Tachi had died during the Clone Wars, and it nearly pushed Obi-Wan to the Dark Side of the Force. He had loved Siri with all his heart when they were Padawans, but vowed to put their Jedi vows before their feelings. Obi-Wan had never lost his feelings for Siri, and he didn't think she had either.

"Impossible that is. Died Siri did, during the Clone Wars." The boy shook his head.

"She didn't die. She went into hiding. She told me. She said she wanted to return to the Jedi. She said something about not wanting to put the one she loved in even more pain by making that person see her again. She said that she heard what that person had nearly done, and didn't want to create the possibility that he might do it for real should she really die." Obi-Wan hung his head in shame, and regret.

He had nearly killed the person who had taken Siri from him. He had gone so close, much like Qui-Gon had when Balog killed Tahl. Obi-Wan cursed in his mind. How could he have been so stupid? How could he have done the exact some thing his Master had done, when he knew it to be so wrong and against his morals and the Jedi Code?

"Are you alright Master Kenobi?" Daniel asked. He sounded worried, yet Obi-Wan didn't raise his head.

"Know Siri Obi-Wan did. Hard to take, this news is. Fine he will be, given time. Where Siri is, can you tell us?"

"Siri said she was going to continue in her quest to find more Jedi, and direct them here. I was the first one she found, and we found Rundo soon after. He was abandoned on the streets of Dantooine, and we couldn't just leave him. She found out he was Force Sensitive, and told me to bring him here."

"You did very well Daniel. If you would like, you may take a nap on one of the beds over there. You look tired." Daniel bowed respectfully.

"Thank you, Master Skywalker." When Anakin was sure Daniel was in bed, he spoke to Obi-Wan.

"Are you alright Obi-Wan?" Obi-Wan looked up. His eyes welled up, and a tear fell down the right side of his face. He managed a small smile.

"I'm fine Anakin. I'm fine. I guess this is the beginning of the New Jedi Order."

Well, after quite a long time with no updates, here we have one. For some reason, I just couldn't sit down and write this past week. Still, I hope this chapter satisfies you all. And I do know that Siri did die, and I haven't been exactly faithful to the expanded universe, but hey, this is AU. We'll hear more about Siri later on.

I must say thanks to everyone who has taken time out of their schedule to read Redemption. I must also thank all of you who have added this story to your favourites list or your alerts list. I must thank everyone who has added my to your author alerts list. And finally, a massive thank you to everyone who has submitted a review. It really is appreciated. Please keep reading, please keep adding this story or me to your lists and please keep the reviews coming.

And now I will reply to all the reviews I received from that last chapter.

general-joseph-dickson: As am I. Thanks for your comments.

DarthKenObi-Wan: No fighting in this chapter I'm afraid, but don't worry, the Empire's fleet is coming. Thanks for your comments, and I love the dance. Ha-ha.

AliuIce0814: Yeah, I like Obi-Wan better too. He's always been my favourite character. Thanks for your comments.

jojotheorange: Sorry it took so long! Thanks for your comments.

Adrian Rinehart: They don't really have much choice but to put Anakin on the Council. Ha-ha. Thanks for your comments.

Alien Roxi: Your wish is my command. Thanks for your comments.

AColdSky: I'm glad you could follow it well. It really is great, because it means I'm not doing too badly writing this fan fic. Thanks for your comments.

Erurawien: Yeah, Xanatos was pretty cool in the Jedi Apprentice books. I understand what you mean about it being rushed, I did think I was taking liberties what with all the time jumps and stuff, but I promise the story will slow down from now on. Maybe one more time jump, but that's about it. And the Jedi will face problems. However, all the problems will come at the end of the fic, and will ultimately push our heroes to the limits. Thanks for your comments.