Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars, as might be gathered. I mean no disrespect, I just can't help frolicking in this amazing universe.


Ean saw her to the shuttle then returned to the computer. After removing the panel he found a shorted out wire that was easily fixed. After replacing the panel, he stared at the screen. Since he was there…

He sat on the chair and looked up Kauryn Brak. The computer came up with a match, but the information was basic and incomplete to the trained eye. The tingling in his mind returned. A fake name. What else was she hiding? He didn't really wish to dig deeper into personal information, but there was definitely something going on here.

He decided to find her true identity, mostly to ensure she wasn't some sort of threat. Kauryn seemed harmless, but times were changing and Jedi weren't as well liked as in the past. He ran some codes through the computer that allowed him access to information that couldn't be altered. As he'd figured, the Kauryn Brak persona was added recently.

Ean had made several acquaintances in the slicer world; most used their talents for fake IDs and, like this case, fake records. They had taught him most of what he knew. This particular code wasn't exceptionally tough to crack and would give him a hint of who had done the deed. In a few minutes he had the name. Twenty minutes later he had, with the loss of a few credits, the name of the mysterious woman and plenty of questions.

He sent a message to Seran asking her for the results then headed off to check in with the council and receive news of the war.

Early in the evening Ean set out with the result of Kauryn's test. Somewhat bitter about being lied to, he intended to confront her and allow her to explain herself. She didn't seem to be a malicious or untrustworthy person and Ean's instincts told him that her lie wasn't malevolent.

Especially in the past several years there had been talk of the Jedi growing soft, of exercising their powers without justification or regard to the truth. Ean wasn't a fool; he knew that just because she seemed nice didn't mean she didn't have some sort of agenda. But only a Jedi could understand the importance of instinct. Attuned to the life force of the galaxy, the Jedi had a connection with every living thing. Ean's instinct told him that Kauryn was afraid of someone finding out her real identity, but her fear wasn't directed at him.

He arrived at the correct address, the door announcing his presence with a chime as he walked in. A shiny serving druid greeted him.

"May I help you?" it asked in a pleasant metallic voice.

"I'm here to meet a friend. She has already arrived and I see already has a table." Raising his chin, he nodded towards a booth in the back.

"Of course," it replied and stepped back.

Ean walked down the tile floor to where Kauryn was sitting. He passed an older couple silently sipping soup, then some clone troopers sharing hot drinks. Kauryn was sitting in the back, dressed in a loose tunic that nearly hid her swollen belly. A blaster was strapped onto her leg, which was unusual. She looked nervous and worried.

When she saw him she smiled and her worried look lessened but didn't disappear.

"I told the droid to let me know when you arrived, but seems to be malfunctioning. I don't suppose you'd be interested in fixing it?" she teased.

Ean shook his head. "Absolutely not. I only want to talk about things that work and, of course, the results of your test."

Her eyes widened and she leaned forward. "And?"

"…and your baby is most definitely a prime candidate for Jedi training."

He watched carefully as she closed her eyes and exhaled the breath she had been holding. "Is this good news or bad?" he asked.

She opened her eyes but her expression betrayed nothing.

"Kauryn, what's going on?" His keen eyes searched her face. "I looked you up in the Central Database. Your cover's pretty good, but it's not good enough. Why the deception?"

Her eyes opened wide in surprise, then she sighed and sat back. The setting sun turned her black hair copper. "I don't know if the Jedi are aware, but they aren't seen as the heroes they are. Many see them as an unchecked power that runs rampant through the Galaxy. Anti-Jedi sentiments are increasing.

"As a member of the Corellian Delegation to the Senate, I'm in the political limelight enough that my views are public. I support the Jedi, but times are difficult. My husband is a distinguished Naval officer, also somewhat well known. It's becoming dangerous to have alternative views on common subjects. A Jedi child would make us pleased beyond measure, but we wanted to keep it quiet.

"The Republic is under a lot of pressure and it's going to be released in a massive explosion, and soon. The Jedi are unpopular, but we want our child to have a chance before that chance is taken away. I would rather have my child be a Jedi helping the universe than always wonder if I denied it the chance. I hope you understand our predicament."

Ean clasped his hands and nodded solemnly. "I think I do. What will you do now that you know?"

"Give the child to the Jedi. I'll be staying on Coruscant, I talked with the Temple and I'll be staying there until it's born." She gazed out the window. The pollution of Coruscant made the air thick but also for incredible sunsets. Deep golds and dark purples had given way to night.

"Give it time. You still have, what, a month?"

She shook her head. "Less. It's close, I can tell."

"The Jedi will support you, whatever happens," he said.

She leaned forward and grabbed his hand. "Thank you. That means a lot to me."

He grinned. "We just met this afternoon, don't go assuming anything by this 'friendship'."

Her usual laugh was somewhat half-hearted. They both glanced out the window at the coming darkness.

After consenting to a small dinner she paid for, he made his way hours later back to the Jedi Temple. He wandered, thinking. Something was in the air that seemed heavy. It was growing lighter, dawn was near, but the walk to the shuttles was well lit. Crime in this section of the city was unheard of, mostly because of the Temple. It's influence extended for miles.

He saw more troopers than were usually around this time of morning. As he walked past two of them, he noticed they turned to watch him. The distinct sound of metal on metal attracted his attention. Something was definitely going on. He put his hand on his lightsaber, concealed in his cloak. He continued walking but changed his direction. He continued to hear their footsteps and feel their presence. The troopers were definitely following him. A pale feeling of hostility tugged at his mind. He began to run.

He felt them raise their blasters and in a flash came to a halt and pulled out his lightsaber. He was only about seven feet away from them, and as there were only two, he easily cut them down. They glowed in the blue-green light of his weapon, and Ean distinctly heard the sound of radio chatter from their helmets. He turned off his saber and pulled the helmet from the dead soldier.

"…sighted near third…section. Each team stay focused, they are armed and will be dangerous." said the radio. His lightsaber must have cut through some of the wiring, which would explain the lousy reception.

"..Jedi Temple…survivors…" He threw down the helmet, instinctually trying to quell the surge of anger. Someone was attacking the Temple. As he looked up, several miles away, gray smoke was framing the white Temple against the black sky.

Suddenly everything Kauryn had said made sense. The Jedi Order itself was finally under attack.

He stood still for a moment, deciding what course of action to take. He was easily recognized as a Jedi by his outfit by the troopers, so would have to change. He looked around and saw a fuel station several blocks away. There were no troopers nearby.

Sneaking up behind the building, he ran quietly towards the employee entrance. They had closed for the night and the building was deserted. Using his lightsaber to bust the lock, he sorted through the dirty piles of work clothes. He pulled out a somewhat clean set of blue overalls. He pulled off his Jedi robes, buckling his belt and pouches on top of his disguise.

Clad in less noticeable clothes, Ean walked more confidently but was ever on the watch for groups of troopers. He hooked his lightsaber on his belt and kept his hand over it, preferring protection to invisibility. They would most likely dismiss him at a glance, but a more studied look would reveal his true identity and he needed to be able to defend himself. Picking his way around the trooper patrols, he slowly made his way through the city.

It took him longer than he would have liked. Occasionally a squad would get curious, especially as he neared the Temple, and demand an ID. He'd, of course, have to fight and ended up killing several squads this way. His route around them took him far from the Temple, but he was not noticed. They seemed to be sending out scouts, searching for scattered Jedi.

Who could hate them and have enough power to kill the Jedi? He looked up at the Temple, which was thankfully closer. Smoke still rose. Morning had come in a brilliant presentation of yellows and oranges and given way to midday. It had taken him longer than he had expected to make the journey to the Temple. He had to find out if there were any survivors. The troops were dispersing, only guarding the entrances. He crept into a corner where he could keep an eye on the Temple and waited for the time to act.