Author's Note: Another chapter, although, as usual, I'm not entirely happy with it. I don't really like the direction it took in the final block, but when I tried to argue, the muses made it clear that if I didn't write it this way, they'd stop speaking to me altogether. And we don't want that. In this chapter, Thane and Merit make a rather memorable entrance into the Jedi Temple. . .and meet the Council. With regards to their encounter with Bant, I've seen both Hall of Thousand Fountains and Room of Thousand Fountains. I tend to prefer the former. By the same token, Merit's greeting may seem a bit corny, but given the amount of angst will pop up over the course of the story, I think a bit of humor might be welcome. I'm already at work on chapter eight, and I'd like to tell you I'll have that up in a short time, but as ever, I'm working on several stories. . .and I'd really like to get more of Pieces of the Truth done.
Onward and upward!
Chapter Seven
Into the Past
I wish we had more of everything.
Those had been the last words he said to her before going through the portal. Perhaps they would even be the last words he would ever say to her, but they summed up everything she felt. I wish we could have found where 'us' would lead. I wish I could have allowed myself to love you. I wish I had the courage to let my defenses drop. Since the deaths of her family, the only person she really allowed herself to love was her brother. . .and Ami, but how could she help but love Ami?
Worse still, she was still reeling from the revelation about Ral Treveri's true feelings for her, and that made her incapable of responding to Aidan's admittance. She could have loved either of them, she could have loved them both, but she was too much of a kriffing coward. Too afraid of having her heart broken, too afraid of what her father would do to either of them, to both of them, if he realized just how much they meant to her.
And now they were both gone, Aidan through the portal with his daughter and Ral was dying of a wound which one of her father's goons inflicted on him. Merit Solo knew a moment of rage as she watched her friend slide down the doorway, clutching his midsection. Even as he was roaring at them to go and never look back (even if those weren't spoken aloud), even as her brother was hurrying her toward the portal, that rage briefly threatened to take over. Rage which was controlled, banked, for so long. . .was never given the opportunity to emerge, because as Ral was dying, she found herself in front of the portal, and her brother pushed her into it.
In the first few minutes/seconds/eternity after her brother shoved her through the portal, Merit was too shocked to do much of anything, too shocked to think clearly. The rage died and her mind shifted gears, still struggling to process everything that happened over the last few minutes. Ral's declaration of. . . feelings for her; Aidan's wish that they had more time, that they could have had more together; Ral's death. The Force touched her and soothed her tumultuous emotions. . .it made her feel as if she was a little girl again and her mother was stroking her hair after yet another nightmare about her father. It was only once she could focus on her surroundings that she noticed her companions.
It seemed as if every Jedi who ever lived was reaching out to touch her, whispering, 'we honor you, daughter.' There was the venerable Master Yoda, recognizable from Uncle Luke's description; their great-grandfather, smiling and reaching out to touch her face; Master Dooku, smiling at the Travelers in quiet approval; the strange, gray-haired man she saw dying in her visions, now staring at them with sorrow; Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, looking so terribly young, despite the gray at his temples; and too many other Jedi she could have never named. But she could sense their approval, and in many cases, strangely enough, their love as well.
There was a bald, dark-skinned Human male; Merit's grandparents Han and Leia, and her Uncle Anakin, who beamed at her proudly; a giant Wookie, who could only be the legendary Chewbacca of her grandfather's stories, roaring his approval; Aunt Jaina, mouthing 'I love you,' standing side by side with a flame-haired woman who could only be Uncle Luke's wife Mara; her cousin Ben, lost to her for so many years; a slim, hairless young woman with bright blue eyes, whose expression was best described as awed. She reached out to Merit as the Jedi passed her, and Merit reached back. Their fingers grazed, something that shouldn't have been possible. But it happened.
And it was because of that strange young woman that Merit's perception changed. For a moment, she saw the Force in all its vast, incredible, beautiful entirety. She saw the Jedi of the past and knew some of their names. She saw Revan in the distant past, and she saw what might have happened had her Aunt Jaina actually killed her father during their duel. She saw what could have been, what might have been, what still could be. She saw herself heavy with child, reclining in the arms of an unfamiliar young man as they stared out over Coruscant. . .a sight which made her heart leap. A child? Could it be that she would become a mother? It was not something she ever considered, but as the idea crossed her mind, she realized she would like that very much. She had no idea if she would be a good mother, or if she would completely mess up any child, but…
A gentle voice, filled with love and amusement, told her, You'll remember none of this when you reach your destination, child. She was tempted to sulk (briefly), but the voice added, sounding even more amused, That would be cheating, little one, and the things you saw might never come to pass. Merit sighed and agreed. She took one last, longing look at her surroundings. If nothing else, she consoled herself, you have something to look forward to in the past.
But after that, she focused on the journey itself. There was absolutely nothing in the galaxy, or even the universe, to prepare you for traveling back through time, courtesy of the Force. Years later, she would be asked what it felt like, and there was simply no way. . .there was nothing to which she could compare it. Nothing she ever experienced up to that point came close. The best she could do was extreme vertigo. . .multiplied by a few million times. Although, in truth, not even that was right. She would have to satisfy herself with the bare, basic facts of her journey. One moment, her brother's hand in the small of her back was propelling her forward. . .the moment after that, she was hurtling back through time. . .the breath after that, she plunged under. . .water? Yes, water. . .as she realized when she tried to breathe without a rebreather or gills.
Merit came up, sputtering. She was vaguely aware of Thane beside her, trying to help her up, and she clawed her way to her feet, using her brother as a support. She cringed, water gushing through her fingers as she grasped Thane's sleeve. A quick glance around told her that they were standing in a pool of some kind. And what appeared to be a lady fish (Mon Calamari? Mon Calamarian? Yet another species her father wiped out) was gaping at them both in total shock. Merit raised the hand that wasn't clinging to her brother, smiling a bit warily, and offered in Basic, "Uhm. . .we come in peace?"
SWSWSWSWSWSWSW
The children had made it. Already, Anakin was noticing changes in the present. Within fifteen minutes of their departure into the past, three of Jacen's men ceased to exist. They hadn't been injured. . .they just no longer existed. Or, if they existed, their situations had changed. Either way, they no longer served his grandson. The rest of the Resistance had escaped with their lives, and his great-grandchildren successfully destroyed the databases that could have made their father's dominion of the galaxy much easier. All in all, not a bad day's work for those on the side of the Light.
There had only been one casualty for the Resistance. . .the young man who was looking back and forth between Anakin and the mortal world. Anakin grinned a little, seeing the obvious confusion in Ral Treveri's expression. Once again, Obi-Wan rolled his eyes and told the young man, Welcome to the Force, Commander Treveri. I'm Obi-Wan Kenobi and that is Anakin Skywalker, the man responsible for you maintaining knowledge of your identity here.
Thane and Merit's great-grandfather? Why would you save me? More to the point, did you save me? the young man asked, looking from one to the other. Obi-Wan folded his arms over his chest, smirking a little at Anakin. The Chosen One glared at his former Master, but could hardly argue with Obi-Wan's position. It had been Anakin who, once again, intervened when someone returned to the Force. . .therefore, it was his responsibility to answer Ral's questions.
Yes, I'm Thane and Merit's great-grandfather. . .also Allana's great-grandfather. Did I save you? In a. . .from a certain point of view, I did, Anakin replied. Once again, Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, but couldn't quite control the twitching of his lips in amusement. Anakin grinned back impishly, and then continued, As to the why? That's simple. You sacrificed your life to save my great-grandchildren. That makes you mine, so I asked the Force to draw you into our world. It agreed, because of your sacrifice. He debated about bringing up the second point, then went with instinct, adding, Besides. You made another sacrifice when you didn't tell my great-granddaughter how you felt about her.
The young man started to protest (most likely to tell him that he never told Merit how he felt because he was afraid), but Anakin overrode him, adding, You may say you were too much of a coward to tell her how you felt, but was it cowardice. . .or the understanding that she wasn't meant for you? Does it take more courage to keep silent or to burden another with your feelings when they can't return them for whatever reason? Ral closed his mouth with a snap, staring at Anakin as if that was something that never occurred to him. It probably didn't. As a nineteen year old, it would have never occurred to Anakin himself to make such a sacrifice.
Obi-Wan, not especially comfortable with discussing his feelings (except during moments of great stress), added gently, You did the right thing, Commander. You did the only thing under the circumstances. Had you acknowledged your attraction to Knight Solo, you would have become a target. Not just for Darth Cadeus, but also because of Darth Heinous. My great-granddaughter was correct. . .it was the Sith apprentice who told the Hutts about the disastrous Tatooine mission. And it was he who caused Knight Solo's injuries. Anakin was only a little surprised when Ral's eyes blazed with fury.
He should be grateful he's beyond my reach! I carried her onto the Raven after we rescued her and Thane. . .she almost died in my arms before we even reached the ship! And why? Because his tender ego couldn't bear being beaten by a girl? Ral seethed. Anakin winced a little. Oooh, he was glad his great-granddaughter couldn't hear her friend now! However, he couldn't argue when Ral continued, Andriu isn't a man. . .he's a posturing little brat who couldn't win a fight against someone like me! She should have killed that pile of bantha poodoo when she had the chance!
You'll get no argument from anyone here. The point I'm trying to make, Ral, is that you would have been a target for my grandson because he could hurt his daughter that way and because no man's good enough for her. You would have been a target for Heinous because he wants Merit for himself. Not because he desires her, but because he desires to dominate her, to control her, to break her. You would have been a target because you would have been in the way. . .and your death would have been another wound to my great-granddaughter's soul, Anakin told the young man. He paused, put his hand on Ral's shoulder and looked him in the eye, adding, You did the right thing. For yourself and for Merit. Now, it's time for you to rest. . .and to watch what a Skywalker can really do. Already, my great-grandchildren are changing things.
Ral was silent for such a long time, Anakin was starting to worry that he had overwhelmed the youngster. At last, he said, Huh. I guess Ami was wrong about you, after all. Wrong about. . .? Oh. To his chagrin, Anakin found himself flushing as he remembered the comment Ral meant. During her conversation with Asajj, the eleven year old observed something to the effect of, I don't know what's scarier. . .what a dolt Anakin Skywalker was or finding out what a dish my great-grandfather was. Judging from Obi-Wan's blush, it didn't really matter, as both observations thoroughly embarrassed his poor Master. The second part of the observation embarrassed him as he simply didn't see himself that way. The first part of the observation. . .well, it went without saying that it went back to that damnable guilt complex of his.
Not really, Anakin said at last, because I was something of a dolt when I was younger. I made some truly stupid mistakes, and hurt the people I loved most. Unfortunately, my great-granddaughter has it right when she says that I only grew up as I was dying. Anakin couldn't resist teasing his former Master, adding, And believe me, Ami is not the first female to find Obi-Wan appealing. I think even my mother finds him attractive. To his amusement and delight, Obi-Wan turned bright red. Anakin controlled the desire to further embarrass his best friend, just to see if his face would end up matching his hair.
However, as much fun as that would be, Obi-Wan would pay him back, with interest, and Anakin had been on the receiving end of his friend's payback a few times during the last few decades. Who would have thought that Master Obi-Wan, Mace Windu, and Count Dooku could come up with such simple, yet elegant, pranks? Anakin had forgotten that his master had any kind of mischievous streak. Nope. Best not to tempt fate. . .or Master Obi-Wan. Instead, he continued, Like I said, Ami was right, even if she doesn't have the full story. He couldn't wait to see what kind of trouble that little girl caused in the past!
Interesting. So. What exactly do you guys do around here? I mean, I never really thought about an afterlife, much less what I would be doing, Ral observed thoughtfully. Anakin just grinned impishly, and Ral continued after a moment, That's another thing. I know the stories about you. You killed the Emperor when he tried to kill your son Luke, who was twenty-three or so. Anakin cringed. The twenty-plus years of servitude to the Emperor wasn't something he wanted to remember. But that wasn't what Ral was asking. The young man asked, You were at least forty-five when you died. . .so why do you look like you're the same age as Merit?
Actually, this is what I looked like just before I turned to the Dark Side. . .only the scar is gone, and so is my artificial hand, Anakin explained, focusing on that question for the moment. At that time, I was twenty-two. . .three years younger than Merit is now. And I was forty-six when I died, but as I said a moment ago, Merit was right when she said I only grew up at the end of my life. This is the way I see myself, so this is how I appear to others who are meeting me for the first time. Obi-Wan really doesn't care how others see him, so newcomers see him in whatever way their companions do. To me, he's still the Jedi Master he was when he left to confront Grievous, so that's how you see him. The same man whose life I saved ten times.
Nine. As I keep telling you, Anakin, Obi-Wan sighed. He turned his attention to the rookie, explaining, As to what we do. . .we do the same things we did in life. We talk and spar and watch over those who are dear to us. Time really has no meaning for us here. Thus, we can see what happens in the past as well as the present. . .if we choose to do so. Anakin all but pouted at his Master. Obi-Wan merely raised an eyebrow, as if to say, yes and your point is? Only he would never say something so. . .uncivilized.
If you choose to? So, you're sending them into the past, and you're not watching what happens? That seems kinda counterproductive to me, Ral pointed out. Anakin exchanged a look with Obi-Wan. Neither spoke. . .Obi-Wan for his own reasons, and Anakin because he wanted to hear what Ral had to say. The former commander went on, sounding somewhat nervous, I mean, you went through all this trouble to send them into the past, some place where you can look, and you don't? That makes no sense to me. You've sent them back in time, to when they can change things. . .so why not keep an eye on them? If nothing else, the entertainment value would be out of this world. Okay. . .bad way of putting it.
And some of us will watch over them in the past, Ral, Anakin said gently, but we also have to trust them to do what needs to be done. If we watch too much, we might try to intervene again. . .and cause further problems. You have no idea how many times I've wanted to intervene. How many times I've wanted to do something to help my children or my grandchildren, more than I already did. It took Master Obi-Wan, Master Fisto, and Master Dooku to keep me here when the Hutts captured Thane and Merit. I watched my great-grandchildren being beaten and tortured. It almost destroyed me. When I was in the mortal world, I could never let go. Now? I don't have a choice. I have to trust them. And I do. Now, you have to learn the same lesson.
He could tell from the young man's expression that he didn't like it. Anakin didn't blame him, not at all. But it was necessary. Obi-Wan said softly, The only time one of us has actually intervened in the recent past was during that time Anakin mentioned, and Shmi led the Tusken Raiders to the Hutt palace. It is hard, to stay distant. We all know that. But Anakin is right. We are observers now, nothing more. Anakin resisted the urge to hug his former Master, hearing the sadness in Obi-Wan's voice. Only now did he understand so much. Only now.
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The Hall of Thousand Fountains was a beloved spot within the Jedi Temple for teaching, meditation or even simply relaxation. It was beautiful and peaceful, and while it didn't exactly remind her of her home planet, it was still a place dear to Bant Eerin's heart. However, it was destined to remain peaceful for only a short time longer on this particular day. The previous day, Bant's dear friend Obi-Wan Kenobi had left with his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, to negotiate with the Trade Federation, who had blockaded the small, peaceful planet of Naboo. Bant had no way of knowing this, of course, but by the end of the week, her world would be upended.
And it began in the very room where she was currently sitting. She would later note that the days that changed an individual's life had a habit of starting out no differently than any other day. One moment, Bant was kneeling in her favorite spot, slipping into mediation, and then. . .the best way to describe what happened next was a disturbance in the Force. Then two figures appeared in midair, and they plummeted into a nearby pool.
Bant was on her feet immediately and racing to the pool in question, to investigate and to assist if it was necessary. One figure was already standing, more or less stable, and recognizable as a male. He reached down for the second figure. Who, Bant realized as she approached, was a female. Both of the strangers were human, and the girl clawed her way to her feet, clinging to the man for support. Then she looked at Bant directly first, offering a wet and wary smile. She blinked the water out of her eyes, saying in perfect Basic, "Uhm, we come in peace?"
As greetings went, it was rather strange. . .but then, so was their arrival. She helped both of the newcomers out of the pool, first the girl (who seemed to be the same age as Bant herself, and the rest of their little circle), then the man, and once they were on solid ground, Bant told them, "I should contact the Council. Your arrival will likely be noted by others." Even now, a crowd was gathering, curious onlookers and alarmed masters with their padawans.
"That would be greatly appreciated. Our story is not meant for just anyone, and I think we should start with the Council. However, I do thank you for your assistance. I am Jedi Master Thane Solo, and this is my younger sister, Jedi Knight Merit Solo." Brother and sister? Bant was no expert on human aging, but the man didn't look young enough to be the girl's twin. And yet, how often were siblings raised together in the Temple, knowing of each other's existence?"
"It was my pleasure, Master Solo. I am Padawan Bant Eerin. I will contact Master Windu," Bant replied with a slight bow to the two new Jedi. As she turned away to speak into the com link, she noted that the brother and sister were both shivering, though Master Solo had wrapped a protective (comforting?) arm around his sister. Even more surprising, not only did Knight Solo not pull away from her brother's touch, but she actively tucked herself against him. Strange. Very strange.
And, of course, that was only the beginning.
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There were times when he really, really hated his midichlorian count. This was one of them. Of course, Merit would tell him that their landing was proof that the Force had a sense of humor. As if he needed that proof? He already knew the Force had a sense of humor, and it was a warped one! Its sense of humor was as warped as the Force itself! Still, he had to admit that where they currently were was much better than where they came from. Thane tightened his arms around Merit. He didn't think it really hit her yet, the events of the last few minutes in their own time.
For that matter, he was having a hard time processing it as well. Thane would have had to be blind, Force-blind, and deaf not to notice that Merit and Aidan were attracted to each other. Everyone in the krething base noticed that. But for Ral to sacrifice himself to buy them time, and to learn that he was also attracted to Merit? That completely blind-sided him. Sure, he knew his little sister was a pretty girl, but she was his little sister, for Force's sake! That wasn't taking into account the other factors. . .Ral's death, Cadeus' attack on the base, finding out they could go into the past to fix it. . .it was a lot to take in.
That was before the Force literally deposited them into the Jedi Temple. Which brought up another point, while they were waiting for this Master Windu. Thane cleared his throat, drawing the attention of their temporary hostess, and asked, "If I may ask. . .what is happening in the galaxy right now?" He didn't dare ask the date. . .while he was born nearly seventy years after the Battle of Yavin, this was decades before Yavin would occur (might occur). If he had an idea of what was going on in the galaxy, he would be in a better position to begin making plans.
With better composure than anyone really had a right to have, the lady fish replied, "Well, Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi have left to negotiate with the Trade Federation. They've blockaded Naboo, the home world of Senator Palpatine." Thane didn't allow himself to react to the mention of that evil man. He knew enough about the past to realize this is more or less where Anakin wanted them to be sent. Padawan Eerin continued, "Finis Valorum is our current chancellor."
"You seem t. . .to b. . .be reacting w. . .with r. . .remarkable ease to our q. . .questions," Merit observed through her teeth chattering. Thane frowned, at least until he recalled she had been more sensitive to the cold ever since their capture on Tatooine. Padawan Eerin smiled a little, though her eyes continued to shift back and forth between them. It took Thane a moment to place her expression. She was checking them over for injuries. He wondered if she was a Healer in training, or if that was simply the way she was.
"Knight Solo, you and your brother literally appeared out of thin air and plummeted into one of our pools. After getting past that bit of supposed impossibility, I'm finding it harder and harder to be shocked by anything you ask," she replied. Merit giggled a little, which made Padawan Eerin smile more. However, Thane knew the giggle was a sign of approaching hysteria. He squeezed her again, making a face as water squirted out between his fingers. A pool. Of all things, they were deposited into a pool? Seriously?
He needed to meet with this Master Windu and get himself and Merit into warm, dry clothes before she became ill and he caught whatever she had. He tried to remember what Anakin had told him about Master Windu. Truly, it wasn't much. Instead, Anakin had directed his attention to this time period, what was happening in the years before the beginning of the Clone Wars. His first order of business, after he and Merit told the Council their story, was to seek out Master Yan Dooku. If he could keep Dooku in the Light, and away from Sidious, that would be one less victory for the Sith. And he really didn't want to talk to the Council or the Jedi Master while he was soaking wet. It really didn't do much for his dignity.
And then a tall, dark-skinned Human male was approaching. Thane did a double take, recognizing him immediately as one of the Jedi who acted as a conduit for the Force at the portal. He had seen him inside the portal as well as they tumbled through space and time. The man stopped in front of Thane and Merit, a raised eyebrow the only indication of his thoughts, and said, "Padawan Eerin. . .I see you have a great deal to tell me. I am Master Mace Windu. . .I understand you wished to speak with the Jedi High Council?"
SWSWSWSWSWSWSW
In some ways, the comm call from Padawan Eerin couldn't have come at a better time for Master Mace Windu, one of the senior members of the High Council. His concern for his old friend Yan Dooku was growing daily, and while Mace could release his fear into the Force, unease remained. Not just because of Master Dooku's growing disenchantment with the Jedi Order and with the Republic, but Mace had a sinking feeling that his childhood friend Qui-Gon Jinn had gotten himself into trouble yet again. The future was growing more and more cloudy on a daily basis.
So when Bant Eerin informed him that there was a situation requiring his immediate attention in the Hall of a Thousand Fountains (after he felt a rather odd ripple in the Force), Mace lost no time in investigating the aforementioned situation. And at first, as he approached, he didn't understand why Bant reacted so strongly. . .a pair of Knights had fallen into one of the pools. Embarrassing, certainly, but hardly a reason for concern. Until he drew closer and realized he had never seen either of them. While there were many Jedi in the Temple, Mace knew nearly all of them by face, if not by name. Such things happened when you grew up together.
But he had never seen either of these people before. They were both Human. . .the male looked to be in his middle thirties, perhaps thirty-five or thirty-six standard years of age at most, black-haired with bright blue eyes. The female was around the same age as Padawan Eerin and Qui-Gon's Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Her hair was long and dark, with equally dark eyes. She was shivering, even tucked against the man's side. His arm wrapped protectively around her in a manner that Mace found jarring. It was too comfortable, too familiar.
The man responded to his greeting first, tightening his arms around the young woman and making a somewhat awkward bow at the same time, "Greetings to you, Master Windu, and you have my gratitude for your response. I am Master Thane Solo and this is my younger sister, Knight Merit Solo. Thank you for coming so quickly. We're here on a matter of grave importance to the Jedi."
"But first, c-c-can we g-g-get ch-ch-changed into w-w-warm cl-cl-clothing?" Merit Solo asked, her teeth chattering. He looked at her a little closer. The pools weren't that cold, but she was turning blue. That was strange enough, but the man had introduced them as brother and sister. Most Jedi didn't know their families. . .and yet, here was a brother-sister team, who not only knew each other, but were openly affectionate with each other.
As if sensing his thoughts (or perhaps he was broadcasting in the Force), Master Solo again tightened his grasp on his sister and promised, "We'll explain everything, including how we came to be here." Oh, yes, you will, young man, Mace thought, but maintained a stoic facade.
Padawan Eerin explained quietly, "They appeared out of thin air, Master Windu. Surely you sensed the disturbance in the Force?"
Disturbance in the Force? If these two appeared in midair, then Mace thought that was far more than a disturbance. His gift with shatterpoints warned him that the two newcomers were far more important than their current appearance would lead one to believe. Master Solo promised answers, and Mace intended to hold him to that promise. But answers could wait. He bowed to the brother and sister Jedi team, saying, "I look forward to the explanations. . . but those can wait until you are both warm and dry. If you will follow me?"
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Two standard hours after Mace Windu led the newcomers from the Hall of a Thousand Fountains, those same strangers were standing before the Jedi High Council. It didn't escape the attention of Master Yoda that the younglings stood side by side, hand in hand, like a pair of frightened children. But they weren't frightened. Wary, most assuredly, and perhaps even anxious, but not frightened. He had the sense that it was very hard indeed to frighten these two. They were introduced as Master Thane Solo and his former padawan and younger sister, Knight Merit Solo.
Master Solo bowed, looking uncomfortable, and stated, "Honored Masters. What we must tell you will be shocking at best, and seemingly impossible. However, it is not only possible, it is true." Knight Solo squeezed her brother's hand reassuringly and the tall Human smiled at his sister gratefully before turning his attention back to the Council and stating bluntly, "Merit and I are from the future. We are two of the final Jedi in the galaxy after two Jedi Purges and several wars." Not surprising, that bit of news caused an upheaval even among serene, seasoned Jedi Master. Even Yoda himself was struggling to maintain his composure. From the future? How was that possible?
However, the pair wasn't finished. Knight Solo observed, "We come from almost a hundred years into the future, and we are here to prevent the fall of the Republic and the destruction of the Jedi. I know it is hard to believe, but search your feelings, ask the Force. It will tell you that we speak the truth." Unbelievably, impossibly, when Yoda reached out to the Force, it did, indeed, tell him that the strange younglings spoke the truth. They weren't lying and they weren't insane. They were from the future.
A future where they were among the only Jedi remaining. The Force whispered that they came from a dark future, darker than he could imagine. Thane, the young Master, spoke of two Jedi Purges. That young Human went on, picking up where his sister left off, "We understand that we are asking a great deal of you, and for this reason, my sister has offered to share her memories of the time from which we both come. I will need to support her during this. . .I believe you call it a mind-scan? What she will do is very exhausting, but we both believe this will make it easier for you to accept."
"Why would you do this? Why not simply tell us that you come from a different galaxy, where the Jedi don't have a rule against attachment?" Mace asked. The siblings exchanged a glance, looking almost amused by the question. The senior Councilor continued, "You are offering to bare your mind, your very soul to us. If you do this full disclosure, everything you are will be open to us."
"And that is exactly why it must be done. So no one in this room can doubt our veracity. So when my brother or I tell you something, you will believe us with question. And that, Master Windu, is also why we didn't bother trying to lie to you. In the first place, Padawan Eerin saw us appear literally out of thin air in that lovely room. I don't think anyone would believe us if we tried to tell you that we simply cruised on in from a nearby galaxy full of Corellian Jedi. Only by offering this full disclosure can we win your trust," the younger sister explained.
Yoda's ears flattened as he spoke for the first time, "Speaks the truth, this Knight does. Hard to trust a deceiver, it is. Accepted, your offer is, Knight Solo. Stand in the middle of the chambers, you will." Another Look passed between the brother and sister, and then they started forward. . .but Knight Solo stopped abruptly. Yoda heard her brother whisper, "Merit? Miri, what is it? Are you having another Vision?" At that question, Yoda looked over at Mace, whose expression was a mixture of concern and curiosity.
Just as suddenly, the girl relaxed and an alien expression crossed her face. She smiled, but the expression looked wrong on her face. The smile was far too old for such a young face. She said in a voice entirely different than the one in which she spoke earlier, "Do not be afraid, Thane Solo. Your sister remains. I merely wished to borrow her for a few moments, as I sense some hesitance among the honored masters." Master Solo froze, and now he did seem afraid. The presence within Knight Solo said again, "Do not be afraid. I will allow no harm to come to her. I merely require a more direct path to my wayward children. Likely something I should have done years ago."
With Master Solo looking worried, but not interfering, the dark-haired Jedi turned back to face the twelve Masters. She studied each face intently before stating, "As Master Yoda has surmised, I am the Force incarnate. I have chosen this vessel to address you directly. You will listen to what my child says. . .now and as the years pass. There are those among you who doubt her words. She cannot tell you of the immediate future, although her brother could likely tell you what you wish to hear. However, I can. And I will."
She began to pace about the Chamber, hands linked behind her back, and stated, "In a matter of days, Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi will return to Coruscant with the young queen of Naboo, Queen Amidala. Also with them will be a young slave child named 'Anakin Skywalker,' a child with uncanny ability in the Force. After they make their report to you, Master Jinn will request that you test the boy, because he believes young Anakin is the Chosen One of Jedi and Sith lore. During this time, Amidala will make her case to the Senate. The boy will be tested and you will make the decision not to train him because of his age and his anger. At which point, Jinn will declare his intention to take Anakin as his padawan."
The entire Council heard the gasp from behind Knight Solo, but Yoda alone could see the stricken expression on the Master's face. The Force within Merit Solo went on, "He will, as an afterthought, recommend his current padawan for his final Trials. Not wanting to show his true feelings, Obi-Wan will agree that he's ready, but it will create a rift between the Master and padawan. The pair will return to Naboo with the child-queen and Anakin Skywalker."
No one in the Council seemed able to speak. The Force within the Knight continued, "These events will take place. However, if you wish to. . .embellish what I have told you, then do so, by all means. In a matter of seconds, I will return control of Merit Solo's body to her. After that time, and after she has shared her memories of her future, of her time, you are to ask no questions of her or her brother about the future and about the source of the danger to the Jedi and to the Republic. I sent them back to save you, yes, but you must also save yourselves. Will you do so? Only you can answer that question." The dark head lowered, as if in a bow, and then Knight Solo collapsed with a low cry. Her brother was there immediately to catch her.
The Council was stunned silent, so everyone gathered in the Chamber heard the young Knight moan, "Oooh, I don't feel so good. Thane, what happened?" Yoda vaguely heard Master Solo gently soothing his sister as he eased her to the ground. . .just as vaguely, he heard Mace give the siblings a twenty minute break while Knight Solo regained her strength. Based on what they heard earlier, she would likely need those twenty minutes, if she still intended to show them her future.
However, Master Depa Billaba, Mace's former padawan, spoke up. She said, "I see no reason for Knight Solo to return in twenty minutes, when the Force itself has told us what it wishes of us. My brothers and sisters on the Council, never before has the Force manifested itself within a mortal vessel! While I confess to no small amount of curiosity about the future, the Force and the siblings have told us what we need to know. The Force suggested that we embellish what it told us of future events. I say, we should start with this test conducted on the child Anakin Skywalker. We have our work, Masters. We should allow Master and Knight Solo more time to rest."
"Agree with Master Billaba, I do," Yoda stated, rousing himself from his contemplations of the strange events. In truth, he was numb from the constant attacks on everything he thought he knew. He wanted to deny it, wanted to call it a trick of the Dark Side. . .but he could not. The Force had taken control of a young woman's body and spoken through her, directly to them. It had told them what it wanted done. It had sent the Solo brother and sister back in time to save them. . .but they would have to take steps to save themselves. And here was where they would start.
"Wait. I. . .I have to prove to them that we're telling the truth. Oooh," Knight Solo protested. Her brother was supporting her with an arm around her waist, and she pushed at his chest somewhat ineffectually, adding, "I have to. . .Thane, they can't believe us so quickly! We have to prove to them that we're telling the truth. What happened to me? I feel like I flew with Aidan through the Alderaanian asteroid field with my shields dropped." Alderaanian asteroid field?
"The Force has already proven it to them, baby sister. It told them what would happen. Besides, do you really think anyone would believe a more mundane explanation, after the entrance we made? Now come on. . .you need to rest. This was worse than one of your normal Force Visions. Remind me to have a little talk with Anakin if his blue-glowy self shows up," Master Solo replied. He smoothed his fingers over his sister's hair and her body went limp. He scooped her up against his chest and made an awkward bow to the Jedi High Council, adding, "With your permission, Masters, I will take my sister to our assigned quarters. These sleep suggestions usually last a few hours, even without a Force Vision. She's likely to sleep at least eight hours now."
"Our permission, you have, young Master Solo. But answer more questions later, you must, hmm?" Yoda responded. The young man nodded respectfully and bowed his head again, before leaving the room with his unconscious sister in his arms. Once the doors closed behind the pair, Yoda turned his attention back to the other Councilors and said, "Wish to speak with Padawan Eerin and her Master, I do. Further information I require." He believed the strange travelers, and the Force, but some of his Councilors would be harder to convince. They would still believe the young Travelers were deceivers or insane, even with the Force-visitation. To convince them, it might still be necessary for young Knight Solo to show her memories during a mind-scan.
But that was something he wished to avoid. There was something else that troubled him about this entire situation. That was the Force's statement about what would happen to young Obi-Wan when he and his Master returned. Yoda didn't want to believe what he was told. But there was only one way to be sure. After all, it was his duty to follow the will of the Force.
****Author's Note II: In case you're wondering why the Force used Merit as a conduit, rather than Thane, there are two reasons. One, of the two, she's more sensitive to Visions, though she generally utilizes the Living Force more than the Unifying Force. The other reason is sheer practicality. Thane had to carry Merit from the chambers after the Force released her. While she was certainly capable of carrying her brother, the Force considered this the better option.